bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflexiones acerca de la Salud Ambiental
Authors: Carrasquer Zamora José , Ponz Miranda Adrián , Carrasquer Álvarez Beatriz , Álvarez Sevilla María Victoria
Published: June 2019

Los conceptos salud y ambiente son utilizados de forma habitual desde diversos ámbitos sociales y científicos, lo que provoca que su significación sea muy amplia y en muchas de las ocasiones sin unos límites claros. En este trabajo se aportan una serie de planteamientos en los que se fijan esos límites y se concretan los aspectos en los que se considera que su utilización debiera ampliarse o incidir con más énfasis, especialmente en el ámbito educativo, en el que a pesar de los esfuerzos dedicados en los últimos decenios, los resultados no parecen ser los esperados. Se considera que planteamientos centrados en aspectos naturales sin tener en cuenta otros como la sostenibilidad social deben ser reconducidos.
Vivir la Historia: Posibilidades de la empatía histórica para motivar al alumnado y lograr una comprensión efectiva de los hechos históricos
Authors: Doñate Campos Olga , Ferrete Sarria Carmen
Published: June 2019

Este trabajo investiga las posibilidades de la empatía histórica para motivar al alumnado y lograr un aprendizaje basado en una comprensión profunda de la Historia, evitando el aprendizaje mnemotécnico y superficial. Para ello se implementan actividades de empatía histórica en aulas de secundaria, analizando su aplicación mediante la definición de unos niveles de comprensión del contexto histórico y a partir de la recolección de datos sobre la capacidad de motivación que presentan estas actividades.
Estimation of Malaria Parasite Densities by Different Formulas in Thailand
Authors: Oo Kyaw Swar , Wilairatana Polrat , Tangpuckdee Noppadon , Poovorawan Kittiyod , Krudsood Srivicha , Kano Shigeyuki , Wilairat Nalinrat , Wilairat Pichayapat , Thebpatipat Pimjira
Published: June 2019

Introduction: Although there are many methods in malaria diagnoses e.g., quatitative buffy coat (QBC), rapid diagnosis tests (RDTs), serological tests and molecular diagnosis methods such as PCR, but microscopy still remains the gold standard for malaria diagnosis. Estimation of malaria parasite density can be carried out by using assumed white blood cells (WBC) and red blood cells (RBC) counts.

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine malaria parasite densities calculated by assumed WBC and RBC counts; and to compare their reliability with absolute WBC and RBC counts.

Methods: The clinical presentations and laboratory findings of specimens collected from 512 uncomplicated falciparum and vivax malaria patients admitted to Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand were utilized and analysed for estimation of malaria parasite densities by using different formulas.

Results: Parasite densities calculated by WHO recommended assumed WBC of 8,000 /µL, and assumed RBC counts of 4.7x106-6.1x106 /µL and 4.2x106-5.4x106 /µL for males and females respectively led to overestimation, and resulted in low reliability when compared to the absolute WBC and RBC counts. Parasite densities calculated by assumed WBC of 5,900/µL in thick blood; by assumed RBC of 4.8x106/µL for males and 4.3x106/μL for females in thin blood film respectively gave more precise estimation.

Conclusion: Assumed WBC and RBC counts for calculating malaria parasite densities have to be adjusted to use in Thailand for more precise estimation. Parasite densities calculated by assumed WBC and RBC used in other malaria endemic countries might need further re-evaluation.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Cascade Annulation of Benzimidates and Nitroalkenes for the Synthesis of Difunctionalized Indenes
Authors: Lv Ningning , Chen Zhengkai , Liu Yue , Liu Zhanxiang , Zhang Yuhong
Published: June 2019

A facile and expeditious protocol for the synthesis of difunctionalized indenes from readily available benzimidates and nitroalkenes through rhodium‐catalyzed C−H activation and cyclization is reported here. The transformation exhibits powerful reactivity, tolerates a large number of functional groups, and proceeds in moderate to high yields under an ambient atmosphere, providing a straightforward method to access structurally diverse and valuable difunctionalized indene derivatives.

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Secular trends in adult stature among the Makushi of Guyana in the 20th Century
Authors: Wilson Warren M. , Bulkan Janette , Piperata Barbara A. , Hicks Kathryn
Published: June 2019

Objective

This study describes secular trends in physical stature, Cormic Index (CI), and body mass index (BMI) of adult Makushi Amerindians born between 1910 and 1980, compares the stature of these Makushi adults to Makushi adults measured in 1921, and provides contextual data to inform the findings.

Methods

Pearson's correlation was used to assess the relationship between year of birth and physical stature, BMI, and CI for 231 females and 113 males, 20 to 90 years of age measured in 2000 to 2001. Wilcoxon's test was used to compare physical stature of Makushi adults measured in 2000 to 2001 with that of 40 Makushi adults measured in 1921.

Results

Among Makushi measured in 2000 to 2001, females and males born more recently were taller and had a lower CI but did not differ in BMI relative to their elders. Makushi measured in 2000 to 2001 are significantly taller than those Maksuhi measured in 1921.

Conclusion

The increased physical stature of and decreased CI in more recently born Makushi may be explained by a more favorable early life environment possibly due to public health measures and dietary changes. As well, trends in stature may be linked to genetic admixture with African‐Guyanese migrating into the region during this time.
Morphology of the Homo naledi femora from Lesedi
Authors: Walker Christopher S. , Cofran Zachary D. , Grabowski Mark , Marchi Damiano , Cook Rebecca W. , Churchill Steven E. , Tommy Kimberleigh A. , Throckmorton Zachary , Ross Ann H. , Hawks John , Yapuncich Gabriel S. , Van Arsdale Adam P. , Rentzeperis Frederika I. , Berger Lee R. , DeSilva Jeremy M.
Published: June 2019

Objectives

The femoral remains recovered from the Lesedi Chamber are among the most complete South African fossil hominin femora discovered to date and offer new and valuable insights into the anatomy and variation of the bone in Homo naledi. While the femur is one of the best represented postcranial elements in the H. naledi assemblage from the Dinaledi Chamber, the fragmentary and commingled nature of the Dinaledi femoral remains has impeded the assessment of this element in its complete state.

Materials and methods

Here we analyze and provide descriptions of three new relatively well‐preserved femoral specimens of H. naledi from the Lesedi Chamber: U.W. 102a‐001, U.W. 102a‐003, and U.W. 102a‐004. These femora are quantitatively and qualitatively compared to multiple extinct hominin femoral specimens, extant hominid taxa, and, where possible, each other.

Results

The Lesedi femora are morphologically similar to the Dinaledi femora for all overlapping regions, with differences limited to few traits of presently unknown significance. The Lesedi distal femur and mid‐diaphysis preserve anatomy previously unidentified or unconfirmed in the species, including an anteroposteriorly expanded midshaft and anteriorly expanded patellar surface. The hypothesis that the Lesedi femoral sample may represent two individuals is supported.

Discussion

The Lesedi femora increase the range of variation of femoral morphology in H. naledi. Newly described features of the diaphysis and distal femur are either taxonomically uninformative or Homo‐like. Overall, these three new femora are consistent with previous functional interpretations of the H. naledi lower limb as belonging to a species adapted for long distance walking and, possibly, running.
Creation of Well‐Defined “Mid‐Sized” Micropores in Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes
Authors: Ma Yao , Jue Melinda L. , Zhang Fengyi , Mathias Ronita , Jang Hye Youn , Lively Ryan P.
Published: June 2019

Carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes are candidates for the separation of organic molecules due to their stability, ability to be scaled at practical form factors, and the avoidance of expensive supports or complex multi‐step fabrication processes. A critical challenge is the creation of “mid‐range” (e.g., 5–9 Å) microstructures that allow for facile permeation of organic solvents and selection between similarly‐sized guest molecules. Here, we create these microstructures via the pyrolysis of a microporous polymer (PIM‐1) under low concentrations of hydrogen gas. The introduction of H2 inhibits aromatization of the decomposing polymer and ultimately results in the creation of a well‐defined bimodal pore network that exhibits an ultramicropore size of 5.1 Å. The H2 assisted CMS dense membranes show a dramatic increase in p‐xylene ideal permeability (≈15 times), with little loss in p‐xylene/o‐xylene selectivity (18.8 vs. 25.0) when compared to PIM‐1 membranes pyrolyzed under a pure argon atmosphere. This approach is successfully extended to hollow fiber membranes operating in organic solvent reverse osmosis mode, highlighting the potential of this approach to be translated from the laboratory to the field.
Atomic‐Scale Insights into Surface Lattice Oxygen Activation at the Spinel/Perovskite interface of Co3O4/La0.3Sr0.7CoO3
Authors: Wang Xiyang , Pan Ziye , Chu Xuefeng , Huang Keke , Cong Yingge , Cao Rui , Sarangi Ritimukta , Li Liping , Li Guangshe , Feng Shouhua
Published: June 2019

Surface lattice oxygen in transition‐metal oxides plays a vital role in catalytic processes. Mastering activation of surface lattice oxygen and identifying the activation mechanism are crucial for the development and design of advanced catalysts. A strategy is now developed to create a spinel Co3O4 /perovskite La0.3Sr0.7CoO3 interface by in situ reconstruction of the surface Sr enrichment region in perovskite LSC to activate surface lattice oxygen. XAS and XPS confirm that the regulated chemical interface optimizes the hybridized orbital between Co 3d and O 2p and triggers more electrons in oxygen site of LSC transferred into lattice of Co3O4 , leading to more inactive O2− transformed into active O2−x. Furthermore, the activated Co3O4/LSC exhibits the best catalytic activities for CO oxidation, oxygen evolution, and oxygen reduction. This work would provide a fundamental understanding to explain the activation mechanism of surface oxygen sites.
Using network analysis to identify central eating disorder symptoms among men
Authors: Forrest Lauren N. , Perkins Natalie M. , Lavender Jason M. , Smith April R.
Published: June 2019

Objective

The network theory of psychopathology has been described as an “innovative framework” that may “transform” clinical psychological science. Several network studies have identified central eating disorder (ED) symptoms, yet studies have been comprised primarily of women. Using two large samples, we constructed ED symptom networks among men to identify central symptoms.

Method

Participants were recruited from three universities and using Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire (EDE‐Q), Male Body Attitudes Scale, and Drive for Muscularity Scale. ED symptom networks were jointly estimated among men with (n = 248) and without core ED symptoms (n = 902). Core ED symptoms were defined by (a) scoring above a suggested male EDE‐Q clinical cutoff and (b) reporting symptoms consistent with probable ED diagnoses. Expected influence and predictability (proportion of each node's variance explained by other nodes in the network) were calculated for each node.

Results

Shape overvaluation, desiring weight loss, fear of losing control over eating, feeling guilty for missing weight training, and using supplements had the greatest expected influence and predictability. Network structures did not significantly differ between participants with versus without core ED symptoms.

Discussion

The centricity of body dissatisfaction items in the networks supports some components of cognitive behavioral theories of EDs. However, the findings also suggest the importance of muscularity‐ and leanness‐oriented concerns, which have been traditionally neglected from leading ED theories that tend to focus on thinness pursuits as a main driver of body dissatisfaction.
Assessment of grain quality in terms of functional group response to elevated [CO2], water, and nitrogen using a meta‐analysis: Grain protein, zinc, and iron under future climate
Authors: Al‐Hadeethi Ikhlas , Li Yan , Odhafa Abdul Kareem H. , Al‐Hadeethi Hanan , Seneweera Saman , Lam Shu K.
Published: June 2019

The increasing [CO2] in the atmosphere increases crop productivity. However, grain quality of cereals and pulses are substantially decreased and consequently compromise human health. Meta‐analysis techniques were employed to investigate the effect of elevated [CO2] (e[CO2]) on protein, zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) concentrations of major food crops (542 experimental observations from 135 studies) including wheat, rice, soybean, field peas, and corn considering different levels of water and nitrogen (N). Each crop, except soybean, had decreased protein, Zn, and Fe concentrations when grown at e[CO2] concentration (≥550 μmol/mol) compared to ambient [CO2] (a[CO2]) concentration (≤380 μmol/mol). Grain protein, Zn, and Fe concentrations were reduced under e[CO2]; however, the responses of protein, Zn, and Fe concentrations to e[CO2] were modified by water stress and N. There was an increase in Fe concentration in soybean under medium N and wet conditions but nonsignificant. The reductions in protein concentrations for wheat and rice were ~5%–10%, and the reductions in Zn and Fe concentrations were ~3%–12%. For soybean, there was a small and nonsignificant increase of 0.37% in its protein concentration under medium N and dry water, while Zn and Fe concentrations were reduced by ~2%–5%. The protein concentration of field peas decreased by 1.7%, and the reductions in Zn and Fe concentrations were ~4%–10%. The reductions in protein, Zn, and Fe concentrations of corn were ~5%–10%. Bias in the dataset was assessed using a regression test and rank correlation. The analysis indicated that there are medium levels of bias within published meta‐analysis studies of crops responses to free‐air [CO2] enrichment (FACE). However, the integration of the influence of reporting bias did not affect the significance or the direction of the [CO2] effects.
Performance and Kinetic Evaluation of Synthesized CuO/SBA‐15 Oxygen Carrier for Chemical Looping with Oxygen Uncoupling
Authors: Dubey Ashwani Kumar , Samanta Arunkumar , Sarkar Pinaki , Dey Runa , Saxena Vinod Kumar
Published: June 2019

Chemical looping oxygen uncoupling (CLOU), a variant of chemical looping combustion (CLC), is one of the most promising combustion technologies for inherent separation and feasible capture of carbon dioxide. Herein, synthesized SBA‐15, a highly ordered mesoporous silica support, is used to host CuO for developing a new variant of an oxygen‐carrier material. Based on thermoanalytical evaluations, a typical CuO/SBA‐15 composition with 36 mass% CuO loading is identified as highly suitable with an average oxygen transport capacity of 3.61%. In addition, extensive studies along with model‐dependent kinetic evaluations are carried out using isothermal thermogravimetric data for the reduction–reoxidation of CuO/SBA‐15. It is observed that the Avrami‐Erofeev random nucleation and subsequence growth model (A2) fitted well for the reduction reaction, while the 3D diffusion model (D3) described suitably the reoxidation reaction in the temperature range of 800–950 °C. Reduction–reoxidation rate data and kinetic information derived from corresponding isothermal conversion curves can contribute immensely to design and establish operational strategies for interconnected CLOU reactors.
Possible precision medicine implications from genetic testing using combined detection of sequence and intragenic copy number variants in a large cohort with childhood epilepsy
Authors: Truty Rebecca , Patil Nila , Sankar Raman , Sullivan Joseph , Millichap John , Carvill Gemma , Entezam Ali , Esplin Edward D. , Fuller Amy , Hogue Michelle , Johnson Britt , Khouzam Amirah , Kobayashi Yuya , Lewis Rachel , Nykamp Keith , Riethmaier Darlene , Westbrook Jody , Zeman Michelle , Nussbaum Robert L. , Aradhya Swaroop
Published: June 2019

Objective

Molecular genetic etiologies in epilepsy have become better understood in recent years, creating important opportunities for precision medicine. Building on these advances, detailed studies of the complexities and outcomes of genetic testing for epilepsy can provide useful insights that inform and refine diagnostic approaches and illuminate the potential for precision medicine in epilepsy.

Methods

We used a multi‐gene next‐generation sequencing (NGS) panel with simultaneous sequence and exonic copy number variant detection to investigate up to 183 epilepsy‐related genes in 9769 individuals. Clinical variant interpretation was performed using a semi‐quantitative scoring system based on existing professional practice guidelines.

Results

Molecular genetic testing provided a diagnosis in 14.9%‐24.4% of individuals with epilepsy, depending on the NGS panel used. More than half of these diagnoses were in children younger than 5 years. Notably, the testing had possible precision medicine implications in 33% of individuals who received definitive diagnostic results. Only 30 genes provided 80% of molecular diagnoses. While most clinically significant findings were single‐nucleotide variants, ~15% were other types that are often challenging to detect with traditional methods. In addition to clinically significant variants, there were many others that initially had uncertain significance; reclassification of 1612 such variants with parental testing or other evidence contributed to 18.5% of diagnostic results overall and 6.1% of results with precision medicine implications.

Significance

Using an NGS gene panel with key high‐yield genes and robust analytic sensitivity as a first‐tier test early in the diagnostic process, especially for children younger than 5 years, can possibly enable precision medicine approaches in a significant number of individuals with epilepsy.
Chronic Hepatitis B Prevalence Among Foreign‐Born and U.S.‐Born Adults in the United States, 1999‐2016
Authors: Le Michael H. , Yeo Yee Hui , Cheung Ramsey , Henry Linda , Lok Anna S. , Nguyen Mindie H.
Published: June 2019

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health problem, exacerbated by poor linkage to care. We aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV infection, exposure, self‐reported vaccination, vaccine‐induced immunity, disease awareness, and treatment in the United States by birthplace and race/ethnicity during 1999‐2016. A total of 47,628 adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who completed HBV core antibody (anti‐HBc) and surface antigen (HBsAg) tests and 47,618 adults who completed HBV surface antibody (anti‐HBs) and anti‐HBc tests were included in the analysis. HBV infection was defined by positive HBsAg and past exposure by positive anti‐HBc. Vaccine‐mediated immunity was defined by positive anti‐HBs and negative anti‐HBc. No significant change in the prevalence of HBV infection was observed between 1999 and 2016 (P = 0.442), affecting 0.35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28‐0.45) or 0.84 million adults. In contrast, a significant decrease in HBV exposure and increase in vaccine‐mediated immunity was observed. U.S.‐born persons had significantly lower prevalence of HBV infection and exposure as well as higher prevalence of vaccine‐mediated immunity and self‐reported vaccination than foreign‐born persons. Prevalence of HBV infection was highest in non‐Hispanic Asians in both foreign‐ (3.85%; 95% CI, 2.97‐4.97) and U.S.‐born (0.79%; 95% CI, 0.17‐3.59) persons during 2011‐2016. Among infected persons, liver disease awareness was only 15.19%, and treatment rate was only 4.60%. Conclusion: This study revealed disparities of HBV infection among ethnic/racial groups and between U.S.‐born and foreign‐born persons. Awareness of liver disease and treatment rate among infected persons was dismal.
Study of the physical and chemical changes during the maturation of three cocoa clones, EET8, CCN51, and ICS60
Authors: Cubillos Bojacá Andrés F , García Muñoz María C , Calvo Salamanca Ana M , Carvajal Rojas Guillermo H , Tarazona‐Díaz Martha P
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Colombia is known for its production of fine and aromatic cocoa; however, the lack of homogeneity in the ripeness stage of cocoa fruit affects the final quality of cocoa beans. Therefore, the aim of this work was to identify parameters that can be use as indicators of ripeness in cocoa fruit in order to homogenize the characteristics of raw cocoa used in the production of cocoa‐products industry. The parameters evaluated were fruit, seed and pod weight, firmness, color, polar and equatorial diameters of the fruit, seed moisture content, total titratable acidity, pH, and total soluble solids of pulp.

RESULTS

Factors such as seed weight, firmness, diameters, total soluble solids, pH, and acidity were affected by the clone factor, whereas seed weight, pH, and total titratable acidity were affected by ripeness stage.

CONCLUSION

Identification of indicators of ripeness for cocoa fruit is a complex task due to the influence of the clone on the evolution of the physicochemical characteristics of cocoa fruit during its maturation process. Thus, indicators must be developed for each clone, and at least two parameters among color, pH, and total titratable acidity should be used to determine the ripeness stage of cocoa fruit. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Quantification of pulsed saturation transfer at 1.5T and 3T
Authors: Chan Rachel W. , Myrehaug Sten , Stanisz Greg J. , Sahgal Arjun , Lau Angus Z.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

To compare magnetization transfer (MT) and CEST effects between 1.5T and 3T in phantom and in vivo experiments.

Methods

A pulsed saturation scheme using block‐shaped pulses separated by gaps was used to overcome the single RF amplifier duty cycle limitations of a clinical 1.5T scanner. Modeling was performed by incorporating the extended phase graph formalism into a Bloch‐McConnell simulation. Two saturation pulse types (with long and short pulses) were used. Estimated parameters for MT (the semi‐solid pool fraction, M0B; the semi‐solid transverse relaxation time, T2B) and CEST (asymmetry; areas) were compared between 1.5T and 3T in phantoms and in the healthy brain.

Results

Improved fits were shown after inclusion of extended phase graphs. Semi‐solid pool fractions in phantom (for agar with ammonium chloride) were higher for short compared to long pulses at 3T (by 19% over all concentrations) and higher at 1.5T compared to 3T (by 5%) using short pulses. In the in vivo experiments, differentiation of white and gray matter was seen in the brain at both field strengths with improved white–gray matter contrast at 3T. In white matter, the mean semi‐solid fractions were 18 ± 2% at 3T and 15 ± 2% at 1.5T. The CEST asymmetry in white matter was negative (−4.9 ± 0.4%) at 3T and zero (0.0 ± 0.3%) at 1.5T.

Conclusions

The pulsed saturation method with short pulses, using the extended phase graph formalism in the Bloch McConnell simulations, led to improved model fits to the data, when compared to those without extended phase graphs.
Increased precision in the intravascular arterial input function with flow compensation
Authors: Bourassa‐Moreau Benoît , Lebel Réjean , Gilbert Guillaume , Mathieu David , Lepage Martin
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In this study, we investigate the effects of pulsatile flow and inflow on dynamic susceptibility‐contrast MRI intravascular arterial input function measurement in human brain arteries and measure how they are affected by first‐order flow compensation.

Methods

A dual‐echo single‐shot EPI sequence with alternating flow compensation gradients was used to acquire dynamic susceptibility‐contrast images with electrocardiogram monitoring. The dynamic signal variations measured inside the middle cerebral and internal carotid arteries were associated to the pulsatile arterial blood velocities measured with a single‐slice quantitative flow sequence throughout the cardiac cycle.

Results

Major inverse correlations between intravascular signal and blood velocity were found for the standard single‐shot EPI sequence. Flow compensation reduces these correlated variations that contribute to signal physiological noise. This causes a significant twofold increase of intravascular SNR in the middle cerebral and the internal carotid arteries (2.3 ± 0.9, P = 0.03) and (2.0 ± 0.9, P = 0.04), respectively; and reduced phase SD for the internal carotid arteries (0.72 ± 0.14, P = 0.004). The correction proposed in this work translates into a quantitative arterial input function with reduced noise in the internal carotid arteries.

Conclusion

The physiological noise added by pulsatile flow and inflow for intravascular arterial input function measurement in the brain arteries is significantly reduced by flow compensation.
What system controls balance in children with charcot‐marie‐tooth disease?
Authors: Yoon Lisa , Montes Jacqueline
Published: June 2019

See article on pages 242–249 in this issue.
Optimization of peptidic HIV‐1 fusion inhibitor T20 by phage display
Authors: Chen Gang , Cook Jonathan D. , Ye Wei , Lee Jeffrey E. , Sidhu Sachdev S.
Published: June 2019

The HIV fusion inhibitor T20 has been approved to treat those living with HIV/AIDS, but treatment gives rise to resistant viruses. Using combinatorial phage‐displayed libraries, we applied a saturation scan approach to dissect the entire T20 sequence for binding to a prefusogenic five‐helix bundle (5HB) mimetic of HIV‐1 gp41. Our data set compares all possible amino acid substitutions at all positions, and affords a complete view of the complex molecular interactions governing the binding of T20 to 5HB. The scan of T20 revealed that 12 of its 36 positions were conserved for 5HB binding, which cluster into three epitopes: hydrophobic epitopes at the ends and a central dyad of hydrophilic residues. The scan also revealed that the T20 sequence was highly adaptable to mutations at most positions, demonstrating a striking structural plasticity that allows multiple amino acid substitutions at contact points to adapt to conformational changes, and also at noncontact points to fine‐tune the interface. Based on the scan result and structural knowledge of the gp41 fusion intermediate, a library was designed with tailored diversity at particular positions of T20 and was used to derive a variant (T20v1) that was found to be a highly effective inhibitor of infection by multiple HIV‐1 variants, including a common T20‐escape mutant. These findings show that the plasticity of the T20 functional sequence space can be exploited to develop variants that overcome resistance of HIV‐1 variants to T20 itself, and demonstrate the utility of saturation scanning for rapid epitope mapping and protein engineering.
Enabling full‐length evolutionary profiles based deep convolutional neural network for predicting DNA‐binding proteins from sequence
Authors: Chauhan Sucheta , Ahmad Shandar
Published: June 2019

Sequence based DNA‐binding protein (DBP) prediction is a widely studied biological problem. Sliding windows on position specific substitution matrices (PSSMs) rows predict DNA‐binding residues well on known DBPs but the same models cannot be applied to unequally sized protein sequences. PSSM summaries representing column averages and their amino‐acid wise versions have been effectively used for the task, but it remains unclear if these features carry all the PSSM's predictive power, traditionally harnessed for binding site predictions. Here we evaluate if PSSMs scaled up to a fixed size by zero‐vector padding (pPSSM) could perform better than the summary based features on similar models. Using multilayer perceptron (MLP) and deep convolutional neural network (CNN), we found that (a) Summary features work well for single‐genome (human‐only) data but are outperformed by pPSSM for diverse PDB‐derived data sets, suggesting greater summary‐level redundancy in the former, (b) even when summary features work comparably well with pPSSM, a consensus on the two outperforms both of them (c) CNN models comprehensively outperform their corresponding MLP models and (d) actual predicted scores from different models depend on the choice of input feature sets used whereas overall performance levels are model‐dependent in which CNN leads the accuracy.
Review: Endophytic microbes and their potential applications in crop management
Authors: White James F , Kingsley Kathryn L , Zhang Qiuwei , Verma Rajan , Obi Nkolika , Dvinskikh Sofia , Elmore Matthew T , Verma Satish K , Gond Surendra K , Kowalski Kurt P
Published: June 2019

Endophytes are microbes (mostly bacteria and fungi) present asymptomatically in plants. Endophytic microbes are often functional in that they may carry nutrients from the soil into plants, modulate plant development, increase stress tolerance of plants, suppress virulence in pathogens, increase disease resistance in plants, and suppress development of competitor plant species. Endophytic microbes have been shown to: (i) obtain nutrients in soils and transfer nutrients to plants in the rhizophagy cycle and other nutrient‐transfer symbioses; (ii) increase plant growth and development; (iii) reduce oxidative stress of hosts; (iv) protect plants from disease; (v) deter feeding by herbivores; and (vi) suppress growth of competitor plant species. Because of the effective functions of endophytic microbes, we suggest that endophytic microbes may significantly reduce use of agrochemicals (fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides) in the cultivation of crop plants. The loss of endophytic microbes from crop plants during domestication and long‐term cultivation could be remedied by transfer of endophytes from wild relatives of crops to crop species. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could reduce the efficiency of the rhizophagy cycle due to repression of reactive oxygen used to extract nutrients from microbes in roots. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Middle‐Latitudinal Band Structure Observed in the Nighttime Ionosphere
Authors: Zhong Jiahao , Lei Jiuhou , Yue Xinan , Luan Xiaoli , Dou Xiankang
Published: June 2019

In this study, the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) electron densities (Ne) from 200 to 800 km during 2006–2017 are used to investigate the middle‐latitudinal band structure of the nighttime ionosphere. The main results are as follows. (1) In the nighttime, the Ne at about ±40° geomagnetic latitudes is generally greater, especially in the topside ionosphere. (2) Double bands of relatively high Ne are seen at all longitudes during the equinoxes, while only one latitudinal band is clearly visible at specific longitudes in the winter hemisphere during the solstices. (3) The middle‐latitudinal band structure of the topside ionosphere is more pronounced at later local times (LTs) at night and under lower solar activity. (4) The middle‐latitudinal band structure mainly occurs at 23‐05 LT. (5) The seasonal/longitudinal variations of the middle‐latitudinal band structure are consistent with those of the plasmaspheric total electron content at low latitudes and upward field‐aligned winds at middle latitudes. (6) At the middle‐latitudinal bands, the downward plasma diffusion from the plasmasphere provides stable plasma source to the topside ionosphere, while the upward plasma motion due to the neutral winds is the primary source for the F2 peak region. (7) The plasma sources for the middle‐latitudinal band structures at different altitude regions are probably different, so that the resulting measurements might be due to a coalescing of these two completely different mechanisms. (8) The modulated recombination rates due to the thermospheric dynamics could also reinforce this structure.
Bumpy Topographic Effects on the Transbasin Evolution of Large‐Amplitude Internal Solitary Wave in the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Xie Jieshuo , He Yinghui , Cai Shuqun
Published: June 2019

The bumpy continental slope/shelf topography is a quite common feature in the northern South China Sea (SCS), yet its effect on the shoaling internal solitary waves (ISWs) remains poorly understood. Therefore, numerical simulations by a fully nonlinear, nonhydrostatic model are carried out to explore the bumpy continental slope/shelf topographic effects on the transbasin evolution of large‐amplitude ISW in the northern SCS. It is found that the prominent bumps over both continental slope and shelf regions play significant roles in modulating the evolution of transbasin ISW in the northern SCS. The bump over the continental slope is capable of triggering a solitary‐like mode‐2 internal wave packet, while the bump over the continental shelf can result in three wave groups, including a leading group of rank‐ordered mode‐1 ISW packet and two following groups of non‐rank‐ordered mode‐1 ISW packet and mode‐2 internal waves. The bumps can cause a peak‐to‐peak difference of the energy decay rate of ISW up to 10–20 kW/m over continental slope region and 3–5 kW/m over continental shelf region. The wave kinetic energy (KE) is found to exceed the available potential energy (APE) by as much as 50% over the continental shelf break region. Over the shelf region, however, the bumps can first make the KE drop to as low as only 80% of the APE, but later the KE might bounce back to approximately 1.1–1.2 times of the APE. Both onshore‐ and offshore‐propagating beam‐like disturbances are found to be excited by the bumps. Except for the onshore‐propagating mode‐2 ISW packet, the reflected offshore‐propagating waves in different internal modes are also formed. These onshore‐ and offshore‐propagating multimodal internal waves can be clarified by the beam scattering and local generation mechanism.
Climate Sensitivity From Both Physical and Carbon Cycle Feedbacks
Authors: Goodwin Philip , Williams Richard G. , Roussenov Vassil M. , Katavouta Anna
Published: June 2019

The surface warming response to anthropogenic forcing is highly sensitive to the strength of feedbacks in both the physical climate and carbon cycle systems. However, the definitions of climate feedback, λClimate in W·m−2·K−1, and climate sensitivity, SClimate in K/(W/m2), explicitly exclude the impact of carbon cycle feedbacks. Here we provide a new framework to incorporate carbon feedback into the definitions of climate feedback and sensitivity. Applying our framework to the Global Carbon Budget reconstructions reveals a present‐day terrestrial carbon feedback of λCarbon = 0.31 ± 0.09 W·m−2·K−1 and an ocean carbon feedback of −0.06 to 0.015 W·m−2·K−1 in Earth system models. Observational constraints reveal a combined climate and carbon feedback of λClimate+Carbon = 1.48 W·m−2·K−1 with a 95% range of 0.76 to 2.32 W·m−2·K−1 on centennial time scales, corresponding to a combined climate and carbon sensitivity of SClimate+Carbon = 0.67 K/(W/m2) with a 95% range of 0.43 to 1.32 K/(W/m2).
Weaker Than Weakest: On the Strength of Shear Zones
Authors: Stenvall Christian A. , Fagereng Åke , Diener Johann F. A.
Published: June 2019

Thin, laterally continuous ultramylonites within kilometer‐scale ductile shear zones may control middle to lower crustal strength where deformation is localized. Interconnected phyllosilicate networks are commonly suggested to be the weakest geometry a shear zone can reach, yet fine‐grained polyphase mixtures are commonly found in the cores of high‐strain zones. We study a continental strike‐slip shear zone which deformed granulite facies quartzofeldspathic migmatitic gneisses at retrograde amphibolite to greenschist facies conditions. A brittle feldspar framework and interconnected phyllosilicate networks control the strength of the lower strain protomylonites and mylonites, respectively, whereas the ultramylonites comprise a fine‐grained mixture of the host rock minerals. The localization of strain in ultramylonites demonstrates how fine‐grained polyphase mixtures can be weaker than, and supersede, interconnected phyllosilicate networks with increasing shear strain. This contradicts the common assumption that interconnected layers of phyllosilicates is the weakest state a shear zone can reach.
Lipoprotein-inspired penetrating nanoparticles for deep tumor-targeted shuttling of indocyanine green and enhanced photo-theranostics
Authors: Sheng Yu , Wang Zhen , Ngandeu Neubi Gella Maelys , Cheng Hao , Zhang Chenshuang , Zhang Huaqing , Wang Ruoning , Zhou Jianping , Ding Yang
Published: June 2019

Biomimetic iRGD-rHDL/ICG nanoparticles exhibited deep tumor targeted shuttling of indocyanine green and enhanced phototherapy.
Channel sounding, modelling, and characterisation in a large waiting hall of a high‐speed railway station at 28 GHz
Authors: Zhao Xiongwen , Wang Zhongyu , Geng Suiyan , Zhang Yu , Du Fei , Fu Zihao
Published: June 2019

In this study, based on channel measurements for a fifth generation (5G) hotspot of a large waiting hall of a high‐speed railway station at 28 GHz, the channel modelling, simulation, and validation are performed. To investigate clustering sparse features at a millimetre‐wave band, an adaptive kernel‐power‐density algorithm is used to identify clusters. Moreover, by using a quasi‐deterministic radio channel generator (QuaDRiGa) simulation platform, the large‐scale channel parameters such as delay spread, azimuth spread of arrival, and time‐evolution characteristics are simulated and validated. The QuaDRiGa simulation results agree well with measurement data, which verifies the applicability of QuaDRiGa in a millimetre‐wave band. The results could be very useful in millimetre‐wave over‐the‐air testing and system performance evaluation in the 5G hotspot scenario.
Investigations on water–LiBr‐based absorption refrigerator with solar parabolic dish in cogeneration mode
Authors: Abdul Shukoor Pathuthara , Reddy Kalvala Srinivas
Published: June 2019

Here, performance of 11 kW solar‐powered lithium bromide water absorption chillers in cogeneration mode is investigated. A 40 m2 solar parabolic dish of 19 kWth capacity is used for both processes heating and cooling. Extensive thermodynamic design and analysis are carried out, and the results obtained are validated. Parabolic dish and cavity receiver are sized for Chennai (13°N, 80.18°E), India. In the present analysis, a new performance parameter COPWE is introduced by replacing the thermal input component in the calculation of COP, by an equivalent amount of high‐grade energy. Both physical and chemical exergy at all state points of the chiller are estimated and found that total irreversibility is about 2.37 kW in desorber followed by absorber which is 0.41 kW. The developed model estimates solution concentration at the exit of solution expansion valve (SEV) that is important since it affects absorption of refrigerant in the absorber.
Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy generalised predictive control of a time‐delay non‐linear hydro‐turbine governing system
Authors: Tian Yuqiang , Wang Bin , Zhu Delan , Wu Fengjiao
Published: June 2019

This study focuses on a fuzzy generalised predictive control (FGPC) method for a time‐delay hydro‐turbine governing system (HTGS). First, based on the time‐delay Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model, a time‐delay HTGS and its fuzzy prediction model are given. Second, with the help of delay fuzzy linearisation and a fourth‐order Runge–Kutta algorithm, a transformed controlled auto‐regressive integrated moving average model is obtained. Then, a new FGPC scheme for the time‐delay HTGS is proposed. Finally, numerical simulations are implemented to verify the validity and superiority of the proposed method. It also provides a reference for the stability control of relevant hydropower station systems.
Bias‐compensated normalised least mean square with variable step size algorithm for three‐phase power system frequency estimation
Authors: Ma Wentao , Qiu Jinzhe , Zhang Zhiyu , Zheng Dongqiao , Chen Badong
Published: June 2019

A bias‐compensated normalised least mean square (BCNLMS) algorithm with variable step size (denoted as BCVNLMS) is developed in this work to improve the accuracy and convergence speed for the three‐phase power system (TPPS) frequency estimation in circumstance of the noise and harmonic interference. Taking into account the problem of bias estimation caused by the mixed noises in the acquisition signal of the TPPS, the NLMS algorithm with an unbiased criterion (called BCNLMS) was employed to compensate the bias and improve the estimate accuracy. Furthermore, an adaptive variable step scheme is also incorporated into the BCNLMS algorithm to improve the convergence speed and stability during the process of adaptively frequency estimation. The experimental results show that the proposed BCVNLMS algorithm outperforms other well‐known methods for frequency estimation of the TPPS in several scenarios such as severe noise pollution, harmonic interference and frequency mutation.
A Markov chain‐based model for wind power prediction in congested electrical grids
Authors: De Caro Fabrizio , Vaccaro Alfredo , Villacci Domenico
Published: June 2019

The large penetration of wind generators in existing electrical grids induces critical issues that are pushing the system operators to improve several critical operation functions, such as the security analysis and the spinning reserve assessment, with the purpose of mitigating the effects induced by the injected power profiles, which are ruled by the intermittent and not‐programmable wind dynamics. Although numerous forecasting tools have been proposed in the literature to predict the generated power profiles in function of the estimated wind speed, further and more complex phenomena need to be investigated in order to take into account the effects of the forecasting uncertainty on power system operation. In order to deal with this issue, this paper proposes a probabilistic model based on Markov chains, which predicts the wind power profiles injected into the grid, considering the real generator model and the effects of the power curtailments imposed by the grid operator. Experimental results obtained on a real case study are presented and discussed in order to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Simple control strategy for a PV‐battery system
Authors: Barcellona Simone , De Simone Davide , Piegari Luigi
Published: June 2019

Nowadays, energy storage systems, such as batteries, are spreading in many applications. Among the kinds of batteries, the lithium‐ion technology is one of the most promising solutions. Considering the photovoltaic (PV) plants, it is very important to perform a correct sizing of the battery pack to both maximise the self‐consumption and minimise the total costs. In general, PV plants need a dc–dc converter to maximise the electric power that can be extracted from PV panels and a dc–ac converter to connect them to the ac grid. The battery pack can be connected in three different ways: dc coupled and ac coupled using a dedicated converter or through a direct connection on the dc‐link between the dc–dc and dc–ac converters. In the present study, the last solution, without any dedicated converters, is used and a simple control strategy to both maximise the power extracted from the PV panel and regulate the charging/discharging of the battery is proposed.
Frequency‐coupled impedance model based subsynchronous oscillation analysis for direct‐drive wind turbines connected to a weak AC power system
Authors: Liu Wei , Xie Xiaorong , Shair Jan , He Jingbo
Published: June 2019

Recently, the emerging subsynchronous oscillation (SSO) issue caused by interactions between power electronic converters and weak grids has provoked serious stability concerns. Impedance modelling based method has been widely used to analyse the emerging SSO phenomenon. In this paper, a frequency coupled impedance model (FCIM) is proposed to analyse this interaction. The FCIMs at multiple frequencies are measured and then the transfer function model is identified. The modelling method is then applied to type‐4 wind turbine based farms connected to a weak AC grid. The aggregated impedance of the whole system is obtained by combining the FCIMs of all components in the power system. The system stability is then investigated by varying the online number of wind turbines. Time‐domain simulations using PSCAD/EMTDC are carried out to verify the proposed methods of impedance modelling and stability analysis.
Design of auction‐based approach for market clearing in peer‐to‐peer market platform
Authors: Khorasany Mohsen , Mishra Yateendra , Ledwich Gerard
Published: June 2019

This study designs a market platform for peer‐to‐peer (P2P) energy trading in transactive energy (TE) systems, where prosumers and consumers actively participate in the market as seller or buyer to trade energy. An auction‐based approach is used for market clearing in the proposed platform and a review of different types of auctions is performed. The appropriate auction approach for market clearing in the proposed platform is designed. The proposed auction mechanism is implemented in three steps namely determination, allocation and payment. This study identifies important P2P market clearing performance indices, which are used to compare and contrast the designed auction with different types of auction mechanisms. Comparative studies demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed auction mechanism for market clearing in the P2P platform.
Optimal day‐ahead operation of user‐level integrated energy system considering dynamic behaviour of heat loads
Authors: Lv Jiawei , Zhang Shenxi , Cheng Haozhong , Fang Sidun
Published: June 2019

During the operation of the integrated energy system (IES), the dynamic behaviour of heat loads can affect the optimal operation strategy. This study proposes a novel optimal day‐ahead operation method of user‐level IES considering the dynamic behaviour of heat loads. Firstly, based on the energy hub, the model of heat loads with dynamic behaviour is added into IES. The dynamic behaviour is embodied by water temperature which can be represented by differential equations. Then, the optimal day‐ahead operation model aimed at minimising the energy purchase cost is proposed. Piecewise linearisation is utilised to simplify the temperature constraints which can transform the initial non‐convex and non‐linear optimisation into a linear programming problem. Finally, case studies are carried out on a practical case, and the results indicate that with the consideration of dynamic behaviour of heat loads, the energy purchase cost can be reduced by 5.6%.
Design of large aperture sparse array for mainlobe interference cancellation
Authors: Zhang Honggang , Liu Wei , Liu Quanhua , Yang Jian
Published: June 2019

Large aperture sparse array has the ability of mainlobe interference suppression. However, sparse array causes grating lobe problem. If the array is steering at the target and the mainlobe interference is located at the grating lobe, the adaptive filter will produce a grating lobe zero phenomenon that severely reduce the target energy. This study proposes a design approach of large aperture sparse array for mainlobe interference cancellation. By properly designing the number of auxiliary receiving antennas, the baseline of the large aperture sparse array, the aperture of auxiliary receiving antennas, the position of auxiliary receiving antennas and carrier frequency of radar transmitting signal, the grating lobes can be suppressed effectively, thus decreasing the system complexity and cost while cancelling the mainlobe interference. Simulations and field experiments have illustrated the effectiveness of the proposed design approach.