bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biography, political leadership, and foreign policy reconsidered: the cases of Mussolini and Hitler
Authors: Goeschel Christian
Published: April 2018

For many historians writing today, person-centred or biographical approaches constitute ‘the shallow end of history’, a field better left to amateur historians. However, since the 1990s, under the influence of cultural history and because of a growing dissatisfaction with structuralist approaches, some historians have become interested in finding alternative approaches towards the genre of political biography, partly inspired by the ‘new cultural history’ of the 1980s that prompted a return to the individual as a site for micro-history.

In this article, I explore from my perspective as a historian of modern Europe what can or cannot be gained from the study of foreign policy through a strong emphasis of leaders’ biographies, an approach which political scientists and IR specialists such as Jack S. Levy have recently advocated. I shall focus on two of the most significant statesmen of the twentieth century, Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler, leaders of the world’s first fascist dictatorships and allies during the Second World War. According to Fascist and Nazi propaganda, Mussolini and Hitler were charismatic leaders exclusively in charge of their countries and above all of foreign policy. The powerful propaganda image of the dictator in total control makes Mussolini and Hitler an ideal case study to rethink the biographical approach towards foreign policy analysis and to ask if and how a biographical approach can shed light on foreign policy more generally. In this way, the article goes some way towards provoking a fruitful dialogue between IR and History.
Effects of Walkbot gait training on kinematics, kinetics, and clinical gait function in paraplegia and quadriplegia
Authors: Hwang Jongseok , Shin Yongil , Park Ji-ho , Cha Young Joo , You Joshua (Sung) H.
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND:

The robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) system has gained recognition as an innovative, effective paradigm to improve functional ambulation and activities of daily living in spinal cord injury and stroke. However, the effects of the Walkbot robotic-assisted gait training system with a specialized hip-knee-ankle actuator have never been examined in the paraplegia and quadriplegia population.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to determine the long-term effects of Walkbot training on clinical for hips and knee stiffness in individuals with paraplegia or quadriplegia.

METHODS:

Nine adults with subacute or chronic paraplegia resulting from spinal cord injury or quadriplegia resulting from cerebral vascular accident (CVA) and/or hypoxia underwent progressive conventional gait retraining combined with the Walkbot RAGT for 5 days/week over an average of 43 sessions for 8 weeks. Clinical outcomes were measured with the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Kinetic and kinematic data were collected via a built-in Walkbot program.

RESULTS:

Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed significant positive intervention effects on K-MBI, maximal hip flexion and extension, maximal knee flexion, active torque in the knee joint, resistive torque, and stiffness in the hip joint ( P <  0.05). These findings suggest that the Walkbot RAGT was effective for improving knee and hip kinematics and the active knee joint moment while decreasing hip resistive force. These improvements were associated with functional recovery in gait, balance, mobility and daily activities.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings suggest that the Walkbot RAGT was effective for improving knee and hip kinematics and the active knee joint moment while decreasing hip resistive force. This is the first clinical evidence for intensive, long-term effects of the Walkbot RAGT on active or resistive moments and stiffness associated with spasticity and functional mobility in individuals with subacute or chronic paraplegia or quadriplegia who had reached a plateau in motor recovery after conventional therapy.
The cardiac autonomic nervous system response to different daily demands among patients at the sub-acute phase post ischemic stroke and healthy controls
Authors: Raphaely Beer Noa , Soroker Nachum , Bornstein Nathan M. , Katz-Leurer Michal
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND:

Autonomic disturbances are a common phenomenon in patients’ post-stroke, characterized by hypo function of the para-sympathetic and/or overactive sympathetic system. The impact of autonomic disturbances on physical therapy tasks during the rehabilitation period has not yet been assessed.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the response of the cardiac autonomic nervous system during different tasks, among patients and age-matched healthy controls.

METHODS:

Nineteen patients in the subacute phase post first-ever ischemic stroke, and 16 controls. The Polar advanced heart rate monitor (RS800CX) was used to record RR intervals at rest, during paced breathing exercise, while performing different types of muscle contractions, and during single and dual task conditions.

RESULTS:

RR intervals and heart-rate variability (HRV) parameters were significantly lower among patients post stroke, both at rest and during most of the activities tested. Among the control group a significant autonomic adaptation was seen in the form of reduced RR intervals and HRV during muscle contraction and a significant increase in these parameters during slow breathing, no significant changes were observed among patients post stroke.

CONCLUSION:

Patients post-stroke experience hyper sympathetic function at rest and less adaptive cardiac autonomic control during different activities, which all may have an impact on rehabilitation outcomes.
Are functional mobility tests responsive to group physical therapy intervention in individuals with Parkinson’s disease?
Authors: Spagnuolo Gessyca , Faria Christina D.C.M. , da Silva Bruna Adriana , Ovando Angélica Cristiane , Gomes-Osman Joyce , Swarowsky Alessandra
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND:

The Timed up and go test (TUG), the Five times sit-to-stand test (FTSTS) and the Bed Mobility test (BMT) are widely used in clinical practice for Parkinson Disease (PD). However, no reported studies have evaluated the responsiveness to group physical therapy intervention (GPTI).

OBJECTIVE:

To verify if TUG, FTSTS and BMT were responsive to GPTI.

METHODS:

Thirty individuals with PD were assessed prior to and after an 8-week evidence-based GPTI. Paired t test was used to determine statistically significant change pre-and post-intervention. Internal responsiveness (IR) was classified with the standardized response mean (SRM). A 5-point Likert scale assessed self-perceived performance by the subjects after the intervention. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the accuracy and cut-off scores for identifying participants who had shown improvement.

RESULTS:

GPTI was efficient in improving real ( p≤0.001) and self-perceived mobility performance in all measures. All tests were responsive to changes: the IR varied from medium to high (SRM = 0.7–1.5); the cut-off point for TUG test was >2.2 s, for FTSTS test was >2.5 s and for BM test >1.4 s.

CONCLUSIONS:

The TUG, FTSTS and BMT were responsive to the GPTI and accurately detected meaningful clinical changes. Our results provide an important information about the clinical application of these tests in PD individuals.
The Effects of Perioperative Intra-aortic Balloon Counter Pulsation on Left Ventricular Function in Patients Undergoing Coronary Revascularization Surgery
Authors: Sazzad Md Faizus , Chanda Prasanta Kumar , Ahmed Farooque
Published: April 2018

Intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) is the most common mechanical assist device used for the treatment of low cardiac output in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Despite recent advancement in cardiac surgery the overall mortality in patients receiving perioperative IABP remains high. In most cases the patient has poor Left ventricular (LV) function, diastolic dysfunction, recent myocardial infarction with septal rupture, heart failure and/or cardiogenic shock receiving an IABP counterpulsation support. Unfortunately patients with preserved LV function may also require IABP support to wean from cardio pulmonary bypass due to post-surgical myocardial dysfunction. This hospital-based prospective observational study evaluated 60 patients, who underwent CABG, divided into two groups. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 56.93± 7.666 in Group A compared to 41.50± 6.735 in Group B. When compared with the corresponding preoperative ejection fraction both the group found to have improved ejection fraction among the survivors at three months. Left ventricular end diastolic diameter and end systolic diameter was also found improved in both the groups (53.15± 3.231mm vs 59.47± 4.200mm and 41.52± 2.847mm vs 44.47± 3.636mm respectively). No significant difference was observed in terms of 30days mortality and postoperative outcome. Given its survival benefit, surgeons must use IABP in a pre-planned way. Here by we recommend that the use of risk prediction score for patient undergoing coronary revascularization surgery is useful.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2017; 32(2) : 94-99
Study of Gender-based In-Hospital Mortality Difference in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Majumder NK , Khan MR , Kar Nupur , Akhtaruzzaman M , Choudhury TA , Ali M Atahar , Faruque GM
Published: April 2018

Background: In-hospital mortality in female patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and factors affecting this may be different from those of their male counterpart. The aim of the current study was to compare the in-hospital mortality between female and male patients with AMI and to compare the differences in age, risk factors, treatment given and complications between them.Methods: Total 200 nonrandomised patients with a definite diagnosis of AMI admittedover a period of one year (January 2008 - December 2008) were enrolled in the study, in which 100 female patients were considered as cases and 100 male patients as controls. Both groups were studied prospectively.Datawere collected in prefixed questionnaire and data sheet and were analysed using SPSS software.Results: mean age of the female patients was significantly higher than that of their male counterpart (57.0±10.1 years and 53.3±10.3 years respectively, p=0.029). Diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia were significantly higher in females than those in males (39% vs 24%, p=0.022 and 45% vs 32%, p=0.040 respectively), while smoking was staggeringly higher among the males (59%) compared to the females (4%) (p<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of hypertension (p=0.666).Pre-hospital delay (more than 12 hours after onset of chest pain) was significantly higher in the female group than that in the male group (72% vs 58%,p=0.038). Streptokinase was significantly underused in females (15.6%) compared to that used in males (32.2%) (p=0.011). The use of b-receptor blockerswas also significantly less in females than that in males (63% vs 75%, p=0.046).Death was significantly higher in the females (21%) than that in the males (10%) (p=0.032). Unstable angina, re-infarction and congestive heart failure were somewhat higher in the female subjects compared to their male counterparts (40% vs 34%, 2% vs 1% and 32% vs 23% respectively) though the differences did not seem significant (p=0.380, p=0.561 and p=0.154 respectively). Arrhythmias did not differ significantly between the groups (p1>0.05).Conclusion: Female patients with AMI had significantly higher in-hospital mortality. Early hospitalization and optimal treatment are crucial to decrease mortality in female patients.Bangladesh Heart Journal 2017; 32(2) : 119-124
Assessing Olive Evapotranspiration Partitioning from Soil Water Balance and Radiometric Soil and Canopy Temperatures
Authors: Santos Francisco
Published: April 2018

Evapotranspiration (ETc) partitioning and obtaining of FAO56 dual crop coefficient (Kc) for olive was carried out with the SIMDualKc software application for root zone and topsoil soil water balance based on the dual crop coefficients. A simplified two source-energy balance model (STSEB), based on daily remotely sensed soil and canopy thermal infrared data and retrieval of surface fluxes, also provided information on partitioning ETc for the olive orchard. Both models were calibrated and validated with ground-based, sap flow-derived transpiration rates, and their performance was compared in partitioning ETc for incomplete cover, intensive olive grown in orchards (≤300 trees ha−1). The SIMDualKc proved adequate in partitioning ETc. The STSEB model underestimated ETc mostly by inadequately simulating soil evaporation and its contribution to the total latent heat flux. Such results suggest difficulties in using information from the STSEB algorithm for assessing ETc and dual Kc crop coefficients of intensive olive orchards with incomplete ground cover.
Metabolic Profiling of Phloem Exudates as a Tool to Improve Bread-Wheat Cultivars
Authors: Basile S. , Burrell Mike , Walker Heather , Cardozo Jorge , Steels Chloe , Kallenberg Felix , Tognetti Jorge , DallaValle Horacio , Rogers W.
Published: April 2018

In a proof of concept study aimed at showing that metabolites in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. aestivum), phloem exudates have potential as biochemical markers for cultivar discrimination, Argentinean cultivars from three quality groups (groups 1, 2, and 3 of high, intermediate, and low quality, respectively) were grown under two nitrogen (N) availabilities and analysed for metabolic profile by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. Data as signal strengths of mass/charge (m/z) values binned to a resolution of 0.2 Daltons were subjected to principal component analysis and orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis. Certain bins were influential in discriminating groups taken in pairs and some were involved in separating all three groups. In high N availability, group 3 cultivars clustered away from the other cultivars, while group 1 cultivars clustered tightly together; group 2 cultivars were more scattered between group 1 and group 3 cultivars. In low N availability, the cultivars were not clustered as tightly; nonetheless, group 1 cultivars tended to cluster together and mainly separated from those of group 2. m/z values also showed potential for discrimination between N availability. In conclusion, phloem exudate metabolic profiles could provide biochemical markers for selection during breeding and for discerning the effects of N fertiliser application.
Preliminary Design and Model Assessment of a Supercritical CO2 Compressor
Authors: Liu Zhiyuan , Luo Weiwei , Zhao Qingjun , Zhao Wei , Xu Jianzhong
Published: April 2018

The compressor is a key component in the supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) Brayton cycle. In this paper, the authors designed a series of supercritical CO2 compressors with different parameters. These compressors are designed for 100 MWe, 10 MWe and 1 MWe scale power systems, respectively. For the 100 MWe SCO2 Brayton cycle, an axial compressor has been designed by the Smith chart to test whether an axial compressor is suitable for the SCO2 Brayton cycle. Using a specific speed and a specific diameter, the remaining two compressors were designed as centrifugal compressors with different pressure ratios to examine whether models used for air in the past are applicable to SCO2. All compressors were generated and analyzed with internal MATLAB programs coupled with the NIST REFPROP database. Finally, the design results are all checked by numerical simulations due to the lack of reliable experimental data. Research has found that in order to meet the de Haller stall criterion, axial compressors require a considerable number of stages, which introduces many additional problems. Thus, a centrifugal compressor is more suitable for the SCO2 Brayton cycle, even for a 100 MWe scale system. For the performance prediction model of a centrifugal compressor, the stall predictions are compared with steady numerical calculation, which indicates that past stall criteria may also be suitable for SCO2 compressors, but more validations are needed. However, the accuracy of original loss models is found to be inadequate, particularly for lower flow and higher pressure ratio cases. Deviations may be attributed to the underestimation of clearance loss according to the result of steady simulation. A modified model is adopted which can improve the precision to a certain extent, but more general and reasonable loss models are needed to improve design accuracy in the future.
Therapeutic Use of Stem Cells for Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Madigan Mariah , Atoui Rony
Published: April 2018

Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although medical and surgical treatments can significantly improve patient outcomes, no treatment currently available is able to generate new contractile tissue or reverse ischemic myocardium. Driven by the recent/novel understanding that regenerative processes do exist in the myocardium—tissue previously thought not to possess regenerative properties—the use of stem cells has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach with high expectations. The literature describes the use of cells from various sources, categorizing them as either embryonic, induced pluripotent, or adult/tissue stem cells (mesenchymal, hematopoietic, skeletal myoblasts, cardiac stem cells). Many publications show the successful use of these cells to regenerate damaged myocardium in both animal and human models; however, more studies are needed to directly compare cells of various origins in efforts to draw conclusions on the ideal source. Although numerous challenges exist in this developing area of research and clinical practice, prospects are encouraging. The following aims to provide a concise review outlining the different types of stem cells used in patients after myocardial infarction.
Transcriptome Analysis of Acute Phase Liver Graft Injury in Liver Transplantation
Authors: Lee Nikki , Wu Haiyang , Ng Kevin , Luo Ruibang , Lam Tak-Wah , Lo Chung-Mau , Man Kwan
Published: April 2018

Background: Liver transplantation remains the treatment of choice for a selected group of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, the long-term benefit is greatly hampered by post-transplant HCC recurrence. Our previous studies have identified liver graft injury as an acute phase event leading to post-transplant tumor recurrence. Methods: To re-examine this acute phase event at the molecular level and in an unbiased way, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed on liver graft biopsies obtained from the transplant recipients two hours after portal vein reperfusion with an aim to capture frequently altered pathways that account for post-transplant tumor recurrence. Liver grafts from recurrent recipients (n = 6) were sequenced and compared with those from recipients without recurrence (n = 5). Results: RNA expression profiles comparison pointed to several frequently altered pathways, among which pathways related to cell adhesion molecules were the most involved. Subsequent validation using quantitative polymerase chain reaction confirmed the differential involvement of two cell adhesion molecules HFE (hemochromatosis) and CD274 and their related molecules in the acute phase event. Conclusion: This whole transcriptome strategy unravels the molecular landscape of liver graft gene expression alterations, which can identify key pathways and genes that are involved in acute phase liver graft injury that may lead to post-transplant tumor recurrence.
YAP/TAZ Activation as a Target for Treating Metastatic Cancer
Authors: Warren Janine , Xiao Yuxuan , Lamar John
Published: April 2018

Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) and Transcriptional Co-activator with PDZ-binding Motif (TAZ) have both emerged as important drivers of cancer progression and metastasis. YAP and TAZ are often upregulated or nuclear localized in aggressive human cancers. There is abundant experimental evidence demonstrating that YAP or TAZ activation promotes cancer formation, tumor progression, and metastasis. In this review we summarize the evidence linking YAP/TAZ activation to metastasis, and discuss the roles of YAP and TAZ during each step of the metastatic cascade. Collectively, this evidence strongly suggests that inappropriate YAP or TAZ activity plays a causal role in cancer, and that targeting aberrant YAP/TAZ activation is a promising strategy for the treatment of metastatic disease. To this end, we also discuss several potential strategies for inhibiting YAP/TAZ activation in cancer and the challenges each strategy poses.
Decadal Climate Change in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, A Representative Area of the Arctic
Authors: Ding Minghu , Wang Shujie , Sun Weijun
Published: April 2018

In recent decades, global warming hiatus/slowdown has attracted considerable attention and has been strongly debated. Many studies suggested that the Arctic is undergoing rapid warming and significantly contributes to a continual global warming trend rather than a hiatus. In this study, we evaluated the climate changes of Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, a representative location of the northern North Atlantic sector of the Arctic, based on observational records from 1975–2014. The results showed that the annual warming rate was four times higher than the global mean (+0.76 °C·decade−1) and was also much greater than Arctic average. Additionally, the warming trend of Ny-Ålesund started to slow down since 2005–2006, and our estimates showed that there is a 8–9 years-lagged, but significant, correlation between records of Ny-Ålesund and global HadCRUT4 datasets. This finding indicates that the Arctic was likely experiencing a hiatus pattern, which just appeared later than the low-mid latitudes due to transport processes of atmospheric circulations and ocean currents, heat storage effect of cryospheric components, multidecadal variability of Arctic cyclone activities, etc. This case study provides a new perspective on the global warming hiatus/slowdown debate.
Robust Secure Authentication and Data Storage with Perfect Secrecy
Authors: Baur Sebastian , Boche Holger
Published: April 2018

We consider an authentication process that makes use of biometric data or the output of a physical unclonable function (PUF), respectively, from an information theoretical point of view. We analyse different definitions of achievability for the authentication model. For the secrecy of the key generated for authentication, these definitions differ in their requirements. In the first work on PUF based authentication, weak secrecy has been used and the corresponding capacity regions have been characterized. The disadvantages of weak secrecy are well known. The ultimate performance criteria for the key are perfect secrecy together with uniform distribution of the key. We derive the corresponding capacity region. We show that, for perfect secrecy and uniform distribution of the key, we can achieve the same rates as for weak secrecy together with a weaker requirement on the distribution of the key. In the classical works on PUF based authentication, it is assumed that the source statistics are known perfectly. This requirement is rarely met in applications. That is why the model is generalized to a compound model, taking into account source uncertainty. We also derive the capacity region for the compound model requiring perfect secrecy. Additionally, we consider results for secure storage using a biometric or PUF source that follow directly from the results for authentication. We also generalize known results for this problem by weakening the assumption concerning the distribution of the data that shall be stored. This allows us to combine source compression and secure storage.
Shannon Entropy of Binary Wavelet Packet Subbands and Its Application in Bearing Fault Extraction
Authors: Wan Shuting , Zhang Xiong , Dou Longjiang
Published: April 2018

The fast spectrum kurtosis (FSK) algorithm can adaptively identify and select the resonant frequency band and extract the fault feature via the envelope demodulation method. However, the FSK method has some limitations due to its susceptibility to noise and random knocks. To overcome this shortage, a new method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, we use the binary wavelet packet transform (BWPT) instead of the finite impulse response (FIR) filter bank as the frequency band segmentation method. Following this, the Shannon entropy of each frequency band is calculated. The appropriate center frequency and bandwidth are chosen for filtering by using the inverse of the Shannon entropy as the index. Finally, the envelope spectrum of the filtered signal is analyzed and the faulty feature information is obtained from the envelope spectrum. Through simulation and experimental verification, we found that Shannon entropy is—to some extent—better than kurtosis as a frequency-selective index, and that the Shannon entropy of the binary wavelet packet transform method is more accurate for fault feature extraction.
Electricity Consumption Clustering Using Smart Meter Data
Authors: Tureczek Alexander , Nielsen Per , Madsen Henrik
Published: April 2018

Electricity smart meter consumption data is enabling utilities to analyze consumption information at unprecedented granularity. Much focus has been directed towards consumption clustering for diversifying tariffs; through modern clustering methods, cluster analyses have been performed. However, the clusters developed exhibit a large variation with resulting shadow clusters, making it impossible to truly identify the individual clusters. Using clearly defined dwelling types, this paper will present methods to improve clustering by harvesting inherent structure from the smart meter data. This paper clusters domestic electricity consumption using smart meter data from the Danish city of Esbjerg. Methods from time series analysis and wavelets are applied to enable the K-Means clustering method to account for autocorrelation in data and thereby improve the clustering performance. The results show the importance of data knowledge and we identify sub-clusters of consumption within the dwelling types and enable K-Means to produce satisfactory clustering by accounting for a temporal component. Furthermore our study shows that careful preprocessing of the data to account for intrinsic structure enables better clustering performance by the K-Means method.
Effect of Mild-Temperature Thermo-Alkaline Pretreatment on the Solubilization and Anaerobic Digestion of Spent Coffee Grounds
Authors: Kim Danbee , Kim Jaai , Lee Changsoo
Published: April 2018

Mild-temperature thermo-alkaline pretreatment of spent coffee grounds (SCG) was studied to improve its solubilization and methanation. The simultaneous effects of NaOH concentration (0–0.2 M) and temperature (60–90 °C) were investigated. Significant solubilization of SCG was achieved by the pretreatment, particularly under high-NaOH-concentration and high-temperature conditions. However, adding NaOH above a certain concentration adversely affected the methane production. Therefore, the degree of solubilization (SD) correlated poorly with methane yield (Ym). Response surface models of SD and Ym were successfully generated. The maximum response of SD (36.4%) was obtained at 0.18 M NaOH and 90.0 °C, while that of Ym (263.31 mL CH4/g COD added) was obtained at 0.13 M NaOH and 70.5 °C. Hydrogenotrophic Methanospirillum species were the dominant methanogens in all the SCG digestion tests. It is likely that NaOH concentration had a more significant influence on the development of microbial community structure, particularly of methanogens than temperature.
Real-Time Simulation and Hardware-in-the-Loop Testbed for Distribution Synchrophasor Applications
Authors: Stifter Matthias , Cordova Jose , Kazmi Jawad , Arghandeh Reza
Published: April 2018

With the advent of Distribution Phasor Measurement Units (D-PMUs) and Micro-Synchrophasors (Micro-PMUs), the situational awareness in power distribution systems is going to the next level using time-synchronization. However, designing, analyzing, and testing of such accurate measurement devices are still challenging. Due to the lack of available knowledge and sufficient history for synchrophasors’ applications at the power distribution level, the realistic simulation, and validation environments are essential for D-PMU development and deployment. This paper presents a vendor agnostic PMU real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-Loop (PMU-RTS-HIL) testbed, which helps in multiple PMUs validation and studies. The network of real and virtual PMUs was built in a full time-synchronized environment for PMU applications’ validation. The proposed testbed also includes an emulated communication network (CNS) layer to replicate bandwidth, packet loss and collisions conditions inherent to the PMUs data streams’ issues. Experimental results demonstrate the flexibility and scalability of the developed PMU-RTS-HIL testbed by producing large amounts of measurements under typical normal and abnormal distribution grid operation conditions.
Omnidirectional Wireless Power Transfer System Based on Rotary Transmitting Coil for Household Appliances
Authors: Liu Gongjun , Zhang Bo , Xiao Wenxun , Qiu Dongyuan , Chen Yanfeng , Guan Jiu
Published: April 2018

An omnidirectional magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transfer (WPT) system based on rotary transmitting coil is presented. The proposed scheme can ease the variations of the transfer efficiency and output power caused by the deviation of transfer direction, and improve the unbalanced power distribution phenomenon between the receivers, which are still not fully achieved in current WPT systems. The modified coupled-mode model is built first to describe the non-rotary multi-receiver WPT system. The analysis indicates that the transfer efficiency and output power of the system can be expressed as functions of the deviation angle between the transmitting coil and receiving coil, which has a non-negligible influence on the system performances. Then, the modified high order coupled-mode model containing time-varying parameters about the deviation angle is derived for the proposed omnidirectional WPT system. Theoretical analysis and simulated results indicate that this system can transfer power to multiple receivers around the transmitter synchronously and evenly, which is very suitable for wireless charging for household appliances indoors. The scheme feasibility and theoretical analysis are verified by experimental results.
Influence of Crowbar and Chopper Protection on DFIG during Low Voltage Ride Through
Authors: Monteiro Pereira Rita , Pereira Adelino , Ferreira Carlos , Barbosa Fernando
Published: April 2018

The energy sector is evolving rapidly, namely due to the increasing importance of renewable energy sources. The connection of large amounts of wind power generation poses new challenges for the dynamic voltage stability analysis of an electric power system, which has to be studied. In this paper, the traditional Doubly-Fed Induction Generator model is employed. Based on this model, a crowbar and chopper circuit is set up to protect the turbine during the short-circuit period. The EUROSTAG software package was used for the simulation studies of the system, and numerical results were obtained. Conclusions are drawn that provide a better understanding of the influence of crowbar and chopper protection on Doubly-Fed Induction Generators (DFIG), during low voltage ride through, in a system with wind power generation.
Comparative Time Study of Conventional Cut-To-Length and an Integrated Harvesting Method—A Case Study
Authors: Pajkoš Martin , Klvač Radomír , Neruda Jindřich , Kumar Mishra Pawan
Published: April 2018

Logging residues offer a significant contribution to the economical profitability and sustainability of forest-based resources. It is always desirable to optimise the harvesting and extraction method to improve the economy of the process along with ensuring sustainability from an environmental point of view. This study compares two harvesting methods, i.e., conventional cut-to-length (CTL) followed by harvesting residue extraction for energy and an integrated harvesting method combining CTL with harvesting residue pre-piling by the harvester followed by the extraction of both timber and logging residues for energy. The study was carried out in spruce stands (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in South Moravia (Czech Republic) at Pozořice and Kuničky. Two methods utilized by harvesters and forwarders were compared. The first case was a conventional CTL method when trees are felled, delimbed, and cross-cut by the harvester. The resulting logs are pre-piled and then transported by the forwarder. In this case, the harvesting residues remain in the stand. The method does not involve utilizing harvesting residues such as brash mat on striproads but rather extracting them in an independent step as an energy source. In the second case, the resulting harvesting residues are piled up by the harvester to be later extracted by the forwarder. Such extracted harvesting residues are stored at the roadside for seasoning and future comminution. The aim was to obtain input data for internal analysis of a private entity contracting in a logging operation. The client demanded that the increase in time needed for the production of one timber unit with simultaneous harvesting residue preparation be measured. By our estimates, the integrated harvesting method required 33% more (harvester) and 16% less (forwarder) time compared to the alternate method for the extraction of harvesting residues, which in turn results in approximately 8% longer total operational time for the complete operation.
Replicas Strategy and Cache Optimization of Video Surveillance Systems Based on Cloud Storage
Authors: Li Rongheng , Zhang Jian , Shen Wenfeng
Published: April 2018

With the rapid development of video surveillance technology, especially the popularity of cloud-based video surveillance applications, video data begins to grow explosively. However, in the cloud-based video surveillance system, replicas occupy an amount of storage space. Also, the slow response to video playback constrains the performance of the system. In this paper, considering the characteristics of video data comprehensively, we propose a dynamic redundant replicas mechanism based on security levels that can dynamically adjust the number of replicas. Based on the location correlation between cameras, this paper also proposes a data cache strategy to improve the response speed of data reading. Experiments illustrate that: (1) our dynamic redundant replicas mechanism can save storage space while ensuring data security; (2) the cache mechanism can predict the playback behaviors of the users in advance and improve the response speed of data reading according to the location and time correlation of the front-end cameras; and (3) in terms of cloud-based video surveillance, our proposed approaches significantly outperform existing methods.
A Short Review on the Rheology of Twist Grain Boundary-A and Blue Phase Liquid Crystals
Authors: Sahoo Rasmita , Dhara Surajit
Published: April 2018

Topological defects are important in determining the properties of physical systems and are known varyingly depending on the broken symmetry. In superfluid helium, they are called vortices; in periodic crystals, one refers to dislocations; and in liquid crystals, they are disclinations. The defects and the inter-defect interaction in some highly chiral liquid crystals stabilize some intermediate complex phases such as Blue Phases (BPs) and Twist Grain Boundary-A (TGBA) phases. The defect dynamics of these phases contributes to the rheological properties. The temperature range of these intermediate phases usually are very small in pure liquid crystals; consequently, a detailed experiment has been difficult to achieve. However, the temperature range could be enhanced significantly in multicomponent systems. In this review article, we discuss some recent experimental progress made in understanding the rheological properties of the wide-temperature-range TGBA and BP liquid crystals.
Ancient DNA from Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) of South-Western China Reveals Genetic Diversity Loss during the Holocene
Authors: Sheng Gui-Lian , Barlow Axel , Cooper Alan , Hou Xin-Dong , Ji Xue-Ping , Jablonski Nina , Zhong Bo-Jian , Liu Hong , Flynn Lawrence , Yuan Jun-Xia , Wang Li-Rui , Basler Nikolas , Westbury Michael , Hofreiter Michael , Lai Xu-Long
Published: April 2018

The giant panda was widely distributed in China and south-eastern Asia during the middle to late Pleistocene, prior to its habitat becoming rapidly reduced in the Holocene. While conservation reserves have been established and population numbers of the giant panda have recently increased, the interpretation of its genetic diversity remains controversial. Previous analyses, surprisingly, have indicated relatively high levels of genetic diversity raising issues concerning the efficiency and usefulness of reintroducing individuals from captive populations. However, due to a lack of DNA data from fossil specimens, it is unknown whether genetic diversity was even higher prior to the most recent population decline. We amplified complete cytb and 12s rRNA, partial 16s rRNA and ND1, and control region sequences from the mitochondrial genomes of two Holocene panda specimens. We estimated genetic diversity and population demography by analyzing the ancient mitochondrial DNA sequences alongside those from modern giant pandas, as well as from other members of the bear family (Ursidae). Phylogenetic analyses show that one of the ancient haplotypes is sister to all sampled modern pandas and the second ancient individual is nested among the modern haplotypes, suggesting that genetic diversity may indeed have been higher earlier during the Holocene. Bayesian skyline plot analysis supports this view and indicates a slight decline in female effective population size starting around 6000 years B.P., followed by a recovery around 2000 years ago. Therefore, while the genetic diversity of the giant panda has been affected by recent habitat contraction, it still harbors substantial genetic diversity. Moreover, while its still low population numbers require continued conservation efforts, there seem to be no immediate threats from the perspective of genetic evolutionary potential.
A Possible Trifunctional β-Carotene Synthase Gene Identified in the Draft Genome of Aurantiochytrium sp. Strain KH105
Authors: Iwasaka Hiroaki , Koyanagi Ryo , Satoh Ryota , Nagano Akiko , Watanabe Kenshi , Hisata Kanako , Satoh Noriyuki , Aki Tsunehiro
Published: April 2018

Labyrinthulomycetes have been regarded as a promising industrial source of xanthophylls, including astaxanthin and canthaxanthin, polyunsaturated fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid, ω-3 oils, and terpenic hydrocarbons, such as sterols and squalene. A Thraustochytrid, Aurantiochytrium sp. KH105 produces carotenoids, including astaxanthin, with strong antioxidant activity. To gain genomic insights into this capacity, we decoded its 97-Mbp genome and characterized genes for enzymes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis. Interestingly, all carotenogenic genes, as well as other eukaryotic genes, appeared duplicated, suggesting that this strain is diploid. In addition, among the five genes involved in the pathway from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate to astaxanthin, geranylgeranyl phytoene synthase (crtB), phytoene desaturase (crtI) and lycopene cyclase (crtY) were fused into single gene (crtIBY) with no internal stop codons. Functionality of the trifunctional enzyme, CrtIBY, to catalyze the reaction from geranylgeranyl diphosphate to β-carotene was confirmed using a yeast assay system and mass spectrometry. Furthermore, analyses of differential gene expression showed characteristic up-regulation of carotenoid biosynthetic genes during stationary and starvation phases under these culture conditions. This suggests genetic engineering events to promote more efficient production of carotenoids. We also showed an occurrence of crtIBY in other Thraustochytrid species.
In Silico Functional Networks Identified in Fish Nucleated Red Blood Cells by Means of Transcriptomic and Proteomic Profiling
Authors: Puente-Marin Sara , Nombela Iván , Ciordia Sergio , Mena María , Chico Verónica , Coll Julio , Ortega-Villaizan María
Published: April 2018

Nucleated red blood cells (RBCs) of fish have, in the last decade, been implicated in several immune-related functions, such as antiviral response, phagocytosis or cytokine-mediated signaling. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and label-free shotgun proteomic analyses were carried out for in silico functional pathway profiling of rainbow trout RBCs. For RNA-seq, a de novo assembly was conducted, in order to create a transcriptome database for RBCs. For proteome profiling, we developed a proteomic method that combined: (a) fractionation into cytosolic and membrane fractions, (b) hemoglobin removal of the cytosolic fraction, (c) protein digestion, and (d) a novel step with pH reversed-phase peptide fractionation and final Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometric (LC ESI-MS/MS) analysis of each fraction. Combined transcriptome- and proteome- sequencing data identified, in silico, novel and striking immune functional networks for rainbow trout nucleated RBCs, which are mainly linked to innate and adaptive immunity. Functional pathways related to regulation of hematopoietic cell differentiation, antigen presentation via major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII), leukocyte differentiation and regulation of leukocyte activation were identified. These preliminary findings further implicate nucleated RBCs in immune function, such as antigen presentation and leukocyte activation.
The Brown Midrib Leaf (bml) Mutation in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Causes Premature Leaf Senescence and the Induction of Defense Responses
Authors: Akhter Delara , Qin Ran , Nath Ujjal Kumar , Alamin Md. , Jin Xiaoli , Shi Chunhai
Published: April 2018

Isolating and characterizing mutants with altered senescence phenotypes is one of the ways to understand the molecular basis of leaf aging. Using ethyl methane sulfonate mutagenesis, a new rice (Oryza sativa) mutant, brown midrib leaf (bml), was isolated from the indica cultivar ‘Zhenong34’. The bml mutants had brown midribs in their leaves and initiated senescence prematurely, at the onset of heading. The mutants had abnormal cells with degraded chloroplasts and contained less chlorophyll compared to the wild type (WT). The bml mutant showed excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde, upregulation of senescence-induced STAY-GREEN genes and senescence-related transcription factors, and down regulation of photosynthesis-related genes. The levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) were increased in bml with the upregulation of some ABA and JA biosynthetic genes. In pathogen response, bml demonstrated higher resistance against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and upregulation of four pathogenesis-related genes compared to the WT. A genetic study confirmed that the bml trait was caused by a single recessive nuclear gene (BML). A map-based cloning using insertion/deletion markers confirmed that BML was located in the 57.32kb interval between the L5IS7 and L5IS11 markers on the short arm of chromosome 5. A sequence analysis of the candidate region identified a 1 bp substitution (G to A) in the 5′-UTR (+98) of bml. BML is a candidate gene associated with leaf senescence, ROS regulation, and disease response, also involved in hormone signaling in rice. Therefore, this gene might be useful in marker-assisted backcrossing/gene editing to improve rice cultivars.
An Innovative Context-Based Crystal-Growth Activity Space Method for Environmental Exposure Assessment: A Study Using GIS and GPS Trajectory Data Collected in Chicago
Authors: Wang Jue , Kwan Mei-Po , Chai Yanwei
Published: April 2018

Scholars in the fields of health geography, urban planning, and transportation studies have long attempted to understand the relationships among human movement, environmental context, and accessibility. One fundamental question for this research area is how to measure individual activity space, which is an indicator of where and how people have contact with their social and physical environments. Conventionally, standard deviational ellipses, road network buffers, minimum convex polygons, and kernel density surfaces have been used to represent people’s activity space, but they all have shortcomings. Inconsistent findings of the effects of environmental exposures on health behaviors/outcomes suggest that the reliability of existing studies may be affected by the uncertain geographic context problem (UGCoP). This paper proposes the context-based crystal-growth activity space as an innovative method for generating individual activity space based on both GPS trajectories and the environmental context. This method not only considers people’s actual daily activity patterns based on GPS tracks but also takes into account the environmental context which either constrains or encourages people’s daily activity. Using GPS trajectory data collected in Chicago, the results indicate that the proposed new method generates more reasonable activity space when compared to other existing methods. This can help mitigate the UGCoP in environmental health studies.
Rhabdomyolysis in a Young Girl with Van Wyk-Grumbach Syndrome due to Severe Hashimoto Thyroiditis
Authors: Leonardi Alberto , Penta Laura , Cofini Marta , Lanciotti Lucia , Principi Nicola , Esposito Susanna
Published: April 2018

Background: Autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto thyroiditis; HT) is the most common postnatal thyroid disease. Clinical manifestations of HT vary according to disease severity. Due to the pleiotropic effects of thyroid hormone, less common signs and symptoms of HT can occur, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Case presentation: A 9-year-old girl of Indian origin was admitted for a one-week history of widespread myalgia, fatigue, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, and a significant increase in weight (approximately 2 kg) without any changes in daily habits. The only relevant medical history was several intermittent vaginal bleeding episodes since four years of age. Breast development was consistent with Tanner stage 2 without pubic or axillary hair; while height and weight were at the 10th percentile and the 38th percentile; respectively. Bone age from a left wrist X-ray was delayed 1 year. Pelvic ultrasonography revealed a uterine body/neck ratio of >1 (pubertal stage) and multifollicular ovaries. Her external genitalia had a childlike appearance. Laboratory examinations showed an increased thyroid-stimulating hormone, decreased free thyroxine, and positive anti-thyroglobulin antibody titres, as well as elevation of creatine phosphokinase, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, hypercholesterolemia, and a basal serum prolactin near the upper limit of normal. Follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol were slightly and significantly elevated, respectively. Thyroid ultrasound showed an increased gland size with irregular echostructures and high vascularization. Levothyroxine replacement therapy led to complete normalization of clinical and laboratory findings, including rhabdomyolysis indices. No further vaginal bleeding episodes were reported. Conclusion: This case report highlights how various can be the clinical picture of HT in children, and how rare clinical manifestations can be the only signs of disease at presentation leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. In this girl, a never-described association of Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome and acute rhabdomyolysis in a young girl with previously unrecognized HT is described. The importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of rare complications of HT in order to begin appropriate therapy is stressed.