bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early and midterm results of ductal stent implantation in neonates with ductal-dependent pulmonary circulation: a single-centre experience
Authors: Onalan Mehmet Akif , Odemis Ender , Saygi Murat , Temur Bahar , Aydin Selim , Demir Ibrahim Halil , Erek Ersin
Published: September 2020

Objective:

We aimed to determine the early and midterm outcomes of ductal stenting in neonates with ductal-dependent pulmonary blood flow.

Methods:

Between January, 2014 and July, 2018, 102 patients who underwent 115 cardiac catheterisation procedures for ductal stent implantation in our department were retrospectively reviewed. The age of the neonates ranged from 3 to 30 days (median: 11 days) and their weights ranged from 1.8 to 5.8 kg (mean, 2.8 ± 0.53 kg). Fifty-two patients had functional single ventricle and 50 had biventricular physiology. Thirty-one patients’ weights were <2,500 g (30.3%). The patent ductus arteriosus was vertical in 60 patients (58.8%). The mean ductal length was 12.4 ± 4.1 mm (range, 7.8–23 mm), and the mean narrowest ductal diameter was 2.1 ± 0.7 mm (range, 1.2–3.4 mm).

Results:

The technical success rate was 85.2%. Procedure-related mortality occurred in three patients (2.9%). After the procedure, the aortic oxygen saturation increased from a mean of 73.1 ± 6.2% to a mean of 90.4 ± 4.3% (p < 0.001), and the ductus diameter increased from a mean of 2.1 ± 0.7 mm to a mean of 4.2 ± 0.9 mm (p < 0.001). Either transcatheter or surgical reinterventions were required in 35 patients (34.3%) during the follow-up period after a median of 101 days (2–356 days). Thirty-three patients (32.3%) were bridged to surgical repair after a median of 288 days (163–650 days). The median duration of palliation with ductal stents was 210 days (range, 2–525 days).

Conclusion:

Ductus arteriosus stenting may be a reasonable and effective alternative to surgery for the initial palliation procedure in neonates with ductus-dependent pulmonary flow.
Transcatheter mechanical manipulation of obstructed prosthetic mitral valve in an infant
Authors: Arar Yousef , Hong Jeff , Veeram Reddy Surendranath
Published: September 2020

Prosthetic valve thrombosis is a serious complication of prosthetic heart valves that typically requires either surgical intervention or systemic thrombolysis. In patients with contraindications to both treatment modalities, options can be limited. We describe an alternative approach to managing prosthetic valve thrombosis in an infant presenting in extremis with pulmonary haemorrhage. Using transoesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopic guidance, we restored function to the infant’s obstructed St. Jude prosthetic mitral valve through percutaneous transcatheter manipulation of the valve’s leaflets.
Variability in Sulfur Isotope Records of Phanerozoic Seawater Sulfate
Authors: Present Theodore M. , Adkins Jess F. , Fischer Woodward W.
Published: September 2020

The δ34S of seawater sulfate reflects processes operating at the nexus of sulfur, carbon, and oxygen cycles. However, knowledge of past seawater sulfate δ34S values must be derived from proxy materials that are impacted differently by depositional and postdepositional processes. We produced new time series estimates for the δ34S value of seawater sulfate by combining 6,710 published data from three sedimentary archives—marine barite, evaporites, and carbonate‐associated sulfate—with updated age constraints on the deposits. Robust features in multiple records capture temporal trends in the δ34S value of seawater and its interplay with other Phanerozoic geochemical and stratigraphic trends. However, high‐frequency discordances indicate that each record is differentially prone to depositional biases and diagenetic overprints. The amount of noise, quantified from the variograms of each record, increases with age for all δ34S proxies, indicating that postdepositional processes obscure detailed knowledge of seawater sulfate's δ34S value deeper in time.
Reemergence of Anthropogenic Carbon Into the Ocean's Mixed Layer Strongly Amplifies Transient Climate Sensitivity
Authors: Rodgers K. B. , Schlunegger S. , Slater R. D. , Ishii M. , Frölicher T. L. , Toyama K. , Plancherel Y. , Aumont O. , Fassbender A. J.
Published: September 2020

A positive marine chemistry‐climate feedback was originally proposed by Revelle and Suess (1957, https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v9i1.9075), whereby the invasion flux of anthropogenic carbon into the ocean serves to inhibit future marine CO2 uptake through reductions to the buffering capacity of surface seawater. Here we use an ocean circulation‐carbon cycle model to identify an upper limit on the impact of reemergence of anthropogenic carbon into the ocean's mixed layer on the cumulative airborne fraction of CO2 in the atmosphere. We find under an RCP8.5 emissions pathway (with steady circulation) that the cumulative airborne fraction of CO2 has a sevenfold reduction by 2100 when the CO2 buffering capacity of surface seawater is maintained at preindustrial levels. Our results indicate that the effect of reemergence of anthropogenic carbon into the mixed layer on the buffering capacity of CO2 amplifies the transient climate sensitivity of the Earth system.
Impacts of Latent Energy and Snow Fall Speed on a Wintertime Midlatitude Cyclone
Authors: Collins Ethan , Lebo Zachary J. , Morrison Hugh
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to understand the impacts of latent energy as well as snow fall speeds on precipitation properties and synoptic‐scale storm characteristics of a wintertime midlatitude cyclone. Simulations of a potent winter storm that impacted the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains of the United States in February 2017 were performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting model with latent heating or cooling from individual microphysical processes systematically turned off and fall speeds adjusted by ±50%. Results indicated substantial impacts on the microphysical characteristics of the simulated storm to fall speed, cooling from sublimation, and warming from deposition. The impacts of cooling and warming were manifested as differences in accumulated snowfall. Increased (decreased) fall speeds led to smaller (larger) ice crystals and total mass, resulting in offsetting effects on the precipitation flux, and thus minimal impacts on snowfall and large‐scale characteristics of the storm. Warming and cooling associated with deposition and sublimation, respectively, impacted the synoptic‐scale dynamics, whereby removing warming from deposition resulted in an increased meridional temperature gradient near the jet stream, thus increasing the jet strength and causing it to be more westerly with less curvature aloft. This in turn limited upper‐level divergence, creating a weaker surface low and shifting the precipitation shield southward. The opposite occurred with the removal of latent cooling due to sublimation. This study highlights the potential importance of latent energy associated with ice sublimation and deposition and fall speeds in the larger‐scale characteristics of winter storms.
COVID-19-activated SREBP2 disturbs cholesterol biosynthesis and leads to cytokine storm
Authors: Lee Wonhwa , Ahn June Hong , Park Hee Ho , Kim Hong Nam , Kim Hyelim , Yoo Youngbum , Shin Hyosoo , Hong Kyung Soo , Jang Jong Geol , Park Chun Gwon , Choi Eun Young , Bae Jong-Sup , Seo Young-Kyo
Published: September 2020

Sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) is activated by cytokines or pathogen, such as virus or bacteria, but its association with diminished cholesterol levels in COVID-19 patients is unknown. Here, we evaluated SREBP-2 activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of COVID-19 patients and verified the function of SREBP-2 in COVID-19. Intriguingly, we report the first observation of SREBP-2 C-terminal fragment in COVID-19 patients’ blood and propose SREBP-2 C-terminal fragment as an indicator for determining severity. We confirmed that SREBP-2-induced cholesterol biosynthesis was suppressed by Sestrin-1 and PCSK9 expression, while the SREBP-2-induced inflammatory responses was upregulated in COVID-19 ICU patients. Using an infectious disease mouse model, inhibitors of SREBP-2 and NF-κB suppressed cytokine storms caused by viral infection and prevented pulmonary damages. These results collectively suggest that SREBP-2 can serve as an indicator for severity diagnosis and therapeutic target for preventing cytokine storm and lung damage in severe COVID-19 patients.
Author Correction: Preferential inhibition of adaptive immune system dynamics by glucocorticoids in patients after acute surgical trauma
Authors: Ganio Edward A. , Stanley Natalie , Lindberg-Larsen Viktoria , Einhaus Jakob , Tsai Amy S. , Verdonk Franck , Culos Anthony , Ghaemi Sajjad , Rumer Kristen K. , Stelzer Ina A. , Gaudilliere Dyani , Tsai Eileen , Fallahzadeh Ramin , Choisy Benjamin , Kehlet Henrik , Aghaeepour Nima , Angst Martin S. , Gaudilliere Brice
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher Correction: Single-cell analysis uncovers fibroblast heterogeneity and criteria for fibroblast and mural cell identification and discrimination
Authors: Muhl Lars , Genové Guillem , Leptidis Stefanos , Liu Jianping , He Liqun , Mocci Giuseppe , Sun Ying , Gustafsson Sonja , Buyandelger Byambajav , Chivukula Indira V. , Segerstolpe Åsa , Raschperger Elisabeth , Hansson Emil M. , Björkegren Johan L. M. , Peng Xiao-Rong , Vanlandewijck Michael , Lendahl Urban , Betsholtz Christer
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Genotype–phenotype correlation of β-lactamase-producing uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains from Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Maqsud , Tabassum Tahmina , Rahman Aura , Hossain Arman , Afroze Tamanna , Momen Abdul Mueed Ibne , Sadique Abdus , Sarker Mrinmoy , Shams Fariza , Ishtiaque Ahmed , Khaleque Abdul , Alam Munirul , Huq Anwar , Ahsan Gias U. , Colwell Rita R.
Published: September 2020

Escherichia coli is a pathogen commonly encountered in clinical laboratories, and is capable of causing a variety of diseases, both within the intestinal tract (intestinal pathogenic strains) and outside (extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli, or ExPEC). It is associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. This report represents the first comparative analysis of the draft genome sequences of 11 uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains isolated from two tertiary hospitals located in Dhaka and Sylhet, Bangladesh, and is focused on comparing their genomic characteristics to each other and to other available UPEC strains. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) confirmed the strains belong to ST59, ST131, ST219, ST361, ST410, ST448 and ST4204, with one of the isolates classified as a previously undocumented ST. De novo identification of the antibiotic resistance genes blaNDM-5, blaNDM-7, blaCTX-M-15 and blaOXA-1 was determined, and phenotypic-genotypic analysis of virulence revealed significant heterogeneity within UPEC phylogroups.
Decreased reproducibility and abnormal experience-dependent plasticity of network dynamics in Fragile X circuits
Authors: Motanis Helen , Buonomano Dean
Published: September 2020

Fragile X syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with a broad range of neural phenotypes. Interpreting these findings has proven challenging because some phenotypes may reflect compensatory mechanisms or normal forms of plasticity differentially engaged by experiential differences. To help minimize compensatory and experiential influences, we used an ex vivo approach to study network dynamics and plasticity of cortical microcircuits. In Fmr1−/y circuits, the spatiotemporal structure of Up-states was less reproducible, suggesting alterations in the plasticity mechanisms governing network activity. Chronic optical stimulation revealed normal homeostatic plasticity of Up-states, however, Fmr1−/y circuits exhibited abnormal experience-dependent plasticity as they did not adapt to chronically presented temporal patterns in an interval-specific manner. These results, suggest that while homeostatic plasticity is normal, Fmr1−/y circuits exhibit deficits in the ability to orchestrate multiple forms of synaptic plasticity and to adapt to sensory patterns in an experience-dependent manner—which is likely to contribute to learning deficits.
Effect of sequence padding on the performance of deep learning models in archaeal protein functional prediction
Authors: Lopez-del Rio Angela , Martin Maria , Perera-Lluna Alexandre , Saidi Rabie
Published: September 2020

The use of raw amino acid sequences as input for deep learning models for protein functional prediction has gained popularity in recent years. This scheme obliges to manage proteins with different lengths, while deep learning models require same-shape input. To accomplish this, zeros are usually added to each sequence up to a established common length in a process called zero-padding. However, the effect of different padding strategies on model performance and data structure is yet unknown. We propose and implement four novel types of padding the amino acid sequences. Then, we analysed the impact of different ways of padding the amino acid sequences in a hierarchical Enzyme Commission number prediction problem. Results show that padding has an effect on model performance even when there are convolutional layers implied. Contrastingly to most of deep learning works which focus mainly on architectures, this study highlights the relevance of the deemed-of-low-importance process of padding and raises awareness of the need to refine it for better performance. The code of this analysis is publicly available athttps://github.com/b2slab/padding_benchmark.
Self-powered, ultrasensitive, room temperature humidity sensors using SnS2 nanofilms
Authors: Rambabu A. , Singh Deependra Kumar , Pant Rohit , Nanda K. K. , Krupanidhi S. B.
Published: September 2020

Humidity monitoring has become extremely vital in various technological fields such as environment control, biomedical engineering, and so on. Therefore, a substantial interest lies in the development of fast and highly sensitive devices with high figures of merit. Self-powered and ultrasensitive humidity sensors based on SnS2 nanofilms of different film thicknesses have been demonstrated in this work. The sensing behavior has been investigated in the relative humidity (RH) range of 2–99%. The observed results reveal a remarkable response and ultrafast detection even with zero applied bias (self-powered mode), with response and recovery times of ~ 10 and ~ 0.7 s, respectively. The self-powered behavior has been attributed to the inhomogeneities and the asymmetry in the contact electrodes. The highest sensitivity of ~ 5.64 × 106% can be achieved at an applied bias of 5 V. This approach of fabricating such highly responsive, self-powered and ultrafast sensors with simple device architectures will be useful for designing futuristic sensing devices.
Fetal growth restriction is a host specific response to infection with an impaired spiral artery remodeling-inducing strain of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Tavarna Tanvi , Phillips Priscilla L. , Wu Xiao-jun , Reyes Leticia
Published: September 2020

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a periodontal pathogen implicated in a range of pregnancy disorders that involve impaired spiral artery remodeling (ISAR) with or without fetal growth restriction (FGR). Using a rodent periodontitis model, we assessed the ability of P. gingivalis to produce ISAR and FGR in Sprague Dawley (SD) and Wistar (WIS) rats. Both infected SD and WIS rats developed ISAR, but only WIS rats developed FGR despite both rat strains having equivalent microbial loads within the placenta. Neither maternal systemic inflammation nor placental (fetal) inflammation was a feature of FGR in WIS rats. Unique to infected WIS rats, was loss of trophoblast cell density within the junctional zone of the placenta that was not present in SD tissues. In addition, infected WIS rats had a higher proportion of junctional zone trophoblast cells positive for cytoplasmic high temperature requirement A1 (Htra1), a marker of cellular oxidative stress. Our results show a novel phenomenon present in P. gingivalis-induced FGR, with relevance to human disease since dysregulation of placental Htra1 and placental oxidative stress are features of preeclamptic placentas and preeclampsia with FGR.
Author Correction: A new method to control error rates in automated species identification with deep learning algorithms
Authors: Villon Sébastien , Mouillot David , Chaumont Marc , Subsol Gérard , Claverie Thomas , Villéger Sébastien
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Design and properties of multiple-emitter luminescent metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Xing Shanghua , Janiak Christoph
Published: September 2020

This feature article reviews the design strategies by which multiple different emission sources could be combined for creating multi-emitter luminescent metal–organic frameworks (LMOFs).
Correction: Bioinspired hydrogel-based nanofluidic ionic diodes: nano-confined network tuning and ion transport regulation
Authors: Zhu Congcong , Teng Yunfei , Xie Ganhua , Li Pei , Qian Yongchao , Niu Bo , Liu Pei , Chen Weipeng , Kong Xiang-Yu , Jiang Lei , Wen Liping
Published: September 2020

Correction for ‘Bioinspired hydrogel-based nanofluidic ionic diodes: nano-confined network tuning and ion transport regulation’ by Congcong Zhu et al., Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 8123–8126, DOI: 10.1039/D0CC01313G.
A simple molecular design for tunable two-dimensional imine covalent organic frameworks for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Yadav Vivek K. , Mir Showkat H. , Mishra Vipin , Gopakumar Thiruvancheril G. , Singh Jayant K.
Published: September 2020

We systematically study the electronic structure, carrier mobility and work function of imine based 2D-COFs. The bandgaps of these semiconducting materials can be tailored by doping with nitrogen for tunable electronic/optoelectronic properties.
Regio- and stereoselectivity in the CYP450BM3-catalyzed hydroxylation of complex terpenoids: a QM/MM study
Authors: Hui Chenggong , Singh Warispreet , Quinn Derek , Li Chun , Moody Thomas S. , Huang Meilan
Published: September 2020

The selective oxidation of C–H in artemisinin by P450BM3 variants was disclosed by combining QM/MM and MD simulations.
Coherently and fluorescence-detected two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy: direct comparison on squaraine dimers
Authors: Malý Pavel , Lüttig Julian , Mueller Stefan , Schreck Maximilian H. , Lambert Christoph , Brixner Tobias
Published: September 2020

Observing excitonic effects in squaraine heterodimers, coherently and fluorescence-detected 2D electronic spectroscopy methods show their strengths, weaknesses, similarities and differences.
Size-dependence and interfacial segregation in nanofilms and nanodroplets of homologous polymer blends
Authors: Liao Wan-Ju , Chu Kang-Ching , Tsao Yu-Hao , Tsao Heng-Kwong , Sheng Yu-Jane
Published: September 2020

The size-dependent behavior of nanofilms and nanodroplets of homologous polymer blends was explored by many-body dissipative particle dynamics.
Understanding the g-tensors of perchlorotriphenylmethyl and Finland-type trityl radicals
Authors: Demay-Drouhard Paul , Ching H. Y. Vincent , Decroos Christophe , Guillot Régis , Li Yun , Tabares Leandro C. , Policar Clotilde , Bertrand Helene C. , Un Sun
Published: September 2020

HFEPR measurements and DFT calculations reveal the critical role of heteroatoms in the g-anisotropy of trityl radicals.
2-Arylbenzo[b]arsoles: an experimental and computational study on the relationship between structural and photophysical properties
Authors: Ishijima Kosuke , Tanaka Susumu , Imoto Hiroaki , Naka Kensuke
Published: September 2020

2-Arylbenzo[b]arsoles, being an unexplored class of heteroatom-fused conjugated molecules, have been studied by experimental and computational methods. Their photophysical properties were tuned by substituents and metal-coordination.
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WJL administration during pregnancy and lactation improves lipid profile, insulin sensitivity and gut microbiota diversity in dyslipidemic dams and protects male offspring against cardiovascular dysfunction in later life
Authors: Guimarães Keyth Sulamitta de Lima , Braga Valdir de Andrade , Noronha Sylvana I. S. Rendeiro de , Costa Whyara Karoline Almeida da , Makki Kassem , Cruz Josiane de Campos , Brandão Larissa Ramalho , Chianca Junior Deoclecio Alves , Meugnier Emmanuelle , Leulier François , Vidal Hubert , Magnani Marciane , de Brito Alves José Luiz
Published: September 2020

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WJL administration during pregnancy and lactation improves gut microbiota diversity.
Versatile biomimetic array assembly by phase modulation of coherent acoustic waves
Authors: Hu Xuejia , Zhu Jiaomeng , Zuo Yunfeng , Yang Dongyong , Zhang Jianjian , Cheng Yanxiang , Yang Yi
Published: September 2020

Versatile biomimetic array assembly by phase modulation of coherent acoustic waves.
Carbon-based nanomaterials: in the quest of alternative metal-free photocatalysts for solar water splitting
Authors: Kundu Simanta , Bramhaiah Kommula , Bhattacharyya Santanu
Published: September 2020

Carbon-based nanomaterials act as an alternative class of metal-free photocatalysts for solar light-induced water splitting.
One-pot synthesis of Mn–Fe bimetallic oxide heterostructures as bifunctional electrodes for efficient overall water splitting
Authors: Luo Juan , Guo Wan Hui , Zhang Qing , Wang Xiao Hu , Shen Li , Fu Hong Chuan , Wu Li Li , Chen Xiao Hui , Luo Hong Qun , Li Nian Bing
Published: September 2020

Benefiting from the synergistic effect and heterogeneous interface, MnFeO-NF-0.8 and MnFeO-NF-0.4 exhibit remarkable electrocatalytic activities for the HER and OER, respectively.
Superactive NiFe-LDH/graphene nanocomposites as competent catalysts for water splitting reactions
Authors: Nayak Susanginee , Parida Kulamani
Published: September 2020

Adaptable strategies for the design of superactive NiFe-LDH/graphene nanocomposites for high-performance catalytic activity towards electrocatalytic, photoelectrocatalytic, and photocatalytic water splitting have been reviewed.
A diversity of recently reported methodology for asymmetric imine reduction
Authors: Barrios-Rivera Jonathan , Xu Yingjian , Wills Martin , Vyas Vijyesh K.
Published: September 2020

This review describes recent developments in enantioselective imine reduction, including related substrates in which a CN bond is the target for reduction, and in situ methods.
Glycan–glycan interactions determine Leishmania attachment to the midgut of permissive sand fly vectors
Authors: Hall Amy R. , Blakeman Jamie T. , Eissa Ahmed M. , Chapman Paul , Morales-García Ana L. , Stennett Laura , Martin Oihane , Giraud Emilie , Dockrell David H. , Cameron Neil R. , Wiese Martin , Yakob Laith , Rogers Matthew E. , Geoghegan Mark
Published: September 2020

Force spectroscopy was used to measure the adhesion of Leishmania to synthetic mimics of galectins on the sand fly midgut.
Effects of ruthenium hydride species on primary amine synthesis by direct amination of alcohols over a heterogeneous Ru catalyst
Authors: Kita Yusuke , Kuwabara Midori , Yamadera Satoshi , Kamata Keigo , Hara Michikazu
Published: September 2020

Ru–MgO/TiO2 exhibited high catalytic performance for direct amination of alcohols based on the acceleration effects of MgO.
Dynamic, multimodal hydrogel actuators using porphyrin-based visible light photoredox catalysis in a thermoresponsive polymer network
Authors: Amir Faheem , Li Xuesong , Gruschka Max C. , Colley Nathan D. , Li Lei , Li Ruihan , Linder Houston R. , Sell Scott A. , Barnes Jonathan C.
Published: September 2020

Orthogonal modes of activation in thermoresponsive hydrogel actuators using porphyrin-based visible light photoredox catalysis, viologen-based crosslinkers, and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide).
A lead-free ferroelectric Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3based flexible, lightweight nanogenerator for motion monitoring applications
Authors: Maria Joseph Raj Nirmal Prashanth , KS Abisegapriyan , Khandelwal Gaurav , Alluri Nagamalleswara Rao , Kim Sang-Jae
Published: September 2020

A lead-free ferroelectric system Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3implemented in a flexible, lightweight piezoelectric nanogenerator for energy harvesting and self-powered monitoring applications.
Supramolecular hydrogels from unprotected dipeptides: a comparative study on stereoisomers and structural isomers
Authors: Bellotto Ottavia , Kralj Slavko , De Zorzi Rita , Geremia Silvano , Marchesan Silvia
Published: September 2020

Unprotected dipeptides are studied for self-assembly into hydrogels and single-crystal XRD data reveal key insights in the supramolecular interactions.
Inflammageing in the cardiovascular system: mechanisms, emerging targets, and novel therapeutic strategies
Authors: Liu Danlin , Richardson Gavin , Benli Fehmi M. , Park Catherine , de Souza João V. , Bronowska Agnieszka K. , Spyridopoulos Ioakim
Published: September 2020

In the elderly population, pathological inflammation has been associated with ageing-associated diseases. The term ‘inflammageing’, which was used for the first time by Franceschi and co-workers in 2000, is associated with the chronic, low-grade, subclinical inflammatory processes coupled to biological ageing. The source of these inflammatory processes is debated. The senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) has been proposed as the main origin of inflammageing. The SASP is characterised by the release of inflammatory cytokines, elevated activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, altered regulation of acetylcholine (ACh) nicotinic receptors, and abnormal NAD+ metabolism. Therefore, SASP may be ‘druggable’ by small molecule therapeutics targeting those emerging molecular targets.

It has been shown that inflammageing is a hallmark of various cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and adverse cardiac remodelling. Therefore, the pathomechanism involving SASP activation via the NLRP3 inflammasome; modulation of NLRP3 via α7 nicotinic ACh receptors; and modulation by senolytics targeting other proteins have gained a lot of interest within cardiovascular research and drug development communities.

In this review, which offers a unique view from both clinical and preclinical target-based drug discovery perspectives, we have focused on cardiovascular inflammageing and its molecular mechanisms. We have outlined the mechanistic links between inflammageing, SASP, interleukin (IL)-1β, NLRP3 inflammasome, nicotinic ACh receptors, and molecular targets of senolytic drugs in the context of cardiovascular diseases. We have addressed the ‘druggability’ of NLRP3 and nicotinic α7 receptors by small molecules, as these proteins represent novel and exciting targets for therapeutic interventions targeting inflammageing in the cardiovascular system and beyond.
Design of filtering impedance transformer with high impedance ratio
Authors: Yu Tianxin , Guo Xin , Wu Wen
Published: September 2020

A kind of impedance transformer with high impedance ratio based on tapped coupled‐resonator filter theory is proposed. Differently with the published ones, the proposed filtering transformer incrementally takes impedance property of the filter into consideration. Thus, the high impedance ratio can be achieved. By proper design of impedance and type of resonator, two prototypes with impedance ratios as high as 400:50 and 800:50 and 3‐dB fractional bandwidths of 20.2 and 22.8% are realised.
Graphene self‐switching diode‐based thermoelectric rectifier
Authors: Kaushal B. , Garg S. , Prakash K. , Kasjoo S.R. , Kumar S. , Gupta N. , Singh A.K.
Published: September 2020

This Letter demonstrates thermoelectric rectification in graphene self‐switching diode (GSSD) on SiO2 /Si substrate. Nanometre‐scale non‐linear semiconductor device, called self‐switching diode (SSD), has been utilised. Applied bias leads to a change in potential profile and effective channel width of GSSD resulting in diode like I–V characteristics. The excellent electronic properties of graphene potentially make it suitable for producing SSD's with high responsivity and low noise equivalent power (NEP). The designed GSSD demonstrates a high Seebeck coefficient (S ) of 200 μV/K, voltage detection sensitivity, and NEP of 97.964 V/W and 0.6064 nW/Hz1/2, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of applying backgate voltage on the Seebeck coefficient has also been demonstrated in this work. The GSSD is presented as a potential thermoelectric rectifier, which can convert the thermal energy into useful electrical energy.
Distributed adaptive control for a class of leader–following heterogeneous networks under intermittent communication environment
Authors: Liu Heng , Wang Xin , Zhu Jun‐Wei , Zhang Xian
Published: September 2020

This paper addresses the distributed adaptive tracking control problem for a class of multi‐agent systems under intermittent communication constraints, where the dynamics of each follower subsystem contain heterogeneous mismatched affine uncertainties. Although some distributed adaptive consensus protocols were developed in previous work, several potential limitations of adaptive consensus controller design are difficult to overcome when the switching communication topology contains asymmetrical architecture and discontinuous failures. To overcome the main obstacles, the authors propose a novel adaptive coordination control algorithm such that the follower subsystems are enabled to track the states of a leader. By using the neighbourhood information, a distributed estimator like‐protocol is constructed, under which, each subsystem can estimate the desire state information even under the intermittent connection constraint in directed switching topology. Then, in view of heterogeneous mismatched affine uncertainties, a decentralised adaptive controller with updating local parameters is presented to guarantee that each agent states track desire trajectories. Technically, by exploiting topology‐dependent multiple Lyapunov functions approach, S‐procedure technique and adaptive mechanism, the synchronisation conditions of the adaptive consensus algorithm are established to prove the synchronisation of heterogeneous agents even in the presence of intermittent communication failures. Finally, an example demonstrates the effectiveness for the proposed method.
Bipartite tracking consensus of linear multi‐agent systems with a dynamic leader under signed digraph
Authors: Zhang Xuxi , Han Wenyan , Liu Xianping
Published: September 2020

This study is concerned with the bipartite tracking consensus problem for linear multi‐agent system over signed digraph, in which the leader agent owns a bounded control input that is unavailable to the followers. Compared with existing related works, the communication topology under consideration is allowed to be directed. Two kinds of distributed control protocols are proposed based on the relative states of neighbouring agents. By applying the graph theory, Lyapunov theory and adaptive control, some sufficient conditions for the bipartite tracking consensus are obtained. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design methodology.
Phase‐detection‐based metal objects and pick‐up coils detection scheme without malfunction in wireless power transfer system
Authors: Li Liang , Wang Junhua , Cai Changsong , Lin Zhongzheng , Hu Meilin , Zhang Fan
Published: September 2020

Metal object detection (MOD) and detection of position (DoP) of pick‐up coils are increasingly critical to the commercialisation of the wireless power transfer system. In this study, a detection scheme based on phase‐detection, which can both realise the function of MOD and DoP, is newly introduced. The method is based on the principle that the presence of metal objects and pick‐up coils both affect the impedance phase of the detection coil loop. Comparing with the traditional detection methods, which is based on measuring the absolutely value of impedance in detection loop, the malfunction is avoided by adopting phase difference as the criterion of the existence of metal objects and pick‐up coils. An inexpensive and high‐precision sensing circuit is newly designed to acquire the phase difference accurately. Simulation models and experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed detection scheme. The of the detection coil circuit with a coin placed reaches −5.17, while the of other detection coils without metal objects keeps zero. In the meantime, the position of the pick‐up coil is identified because the of these detection coils closer to the centre of the pick‐up coil varies more significantly while other coils vary slightly.
Mitigation of cogging torque in transverse‐flux permanent‐magnet machines with flux concentrators by step skewing of stator pole
Authors: Taravat Sajad , Kiyoumarsi Arash , Bracikowski Nicolas
Published: September 2020

The objective of this article is to study how the stator step skewing method can lead to the reduction of the cogging torque of a transverse‐flux permanent‐magnet (TFPM) machine with flux concentrators. Three structures are analysed and compared in terms of their influence of the skewed displacement on the cogging torque using the three‐dimensional finite element method (3D‐FEM). Thereafter, to validate the FEM results, cogging torque is calculated by applying a Schwarz–Christoffel (SC) conformal mapping. To apply this transformation, the 3D TFPM generator structure with axially magnetised permanent magnets (PMs) is converted into a 2D structure with radially magnetised PMs and the cogging torque of the machine is predicted using both the analytical method and 3D‐FEM. The accuracy of the approach is demonstrated by the adequate agreement between the results obtained through this SC mapping and those of the 3D‐FEM. In addition, two 100 W prototyped TFPM machines are designed, simulated, manufactured and tested to validate the effects of the step‐skewed stator yoke on the predicted cogging torque and back‐EMF.
DSPACE‐based implementation for observer backstepping power control of DFIG wind turbine
Authors: Bossoufi Badre , Karim Mohammed , Taoussi Mohammed , Alami Aroussi Hala , Bouderbala Manale , Motahhir Saad , Camara Mamadou Baïlo
Published: September 2020

This work develops a real‐time implementation on the DSPACE environment of an adaptive non‐linear control strategy for a wind energy conversion system (WECS) based on the doubly‐fed induction generator (DFIG). The DSPACE‐DS1104 board is directly associated with an experimental bench of a wind power system. The non‐linear backstepping controller has been realised to control the active and reactive powers of the DFIG connected directly to the electricity grid via two converters (grid side and machine side). First, a full review of the WECS is discussed. Subsequently, a detailed description of the backstepping control laws based on the Lyapunov stability technique is reported. Consequently, a simulation on the Matlab & Simulink environment was carried out to test the proposed control model in terms of performance and robustness. The second part of this work was devoted to the experimental validation of the adaptive backstepping control algorithm on a test bench to prove its efficiency. The results obtained show a perfect correlation between simulations and experiments (in static and dynamic regime) even for fluctuating wind speed.
Classification of power quality disturbances based on KF‐ML‐aided S‐transform and multilayers feedforward neural networks
Authors: Xi Yanhui , Li Zewen , Tang Xin , Zeng Xiangjun
Published: September 2020

Classifying power quality (PQ) disturbances is one of the most important issues for PQ control. The S‐transform (ST)‐based neural networks in conjunction with Kalman filter based on maximum likelihood (KF‐ML) are presented for classification of PQ disturbances. To accurately extract features in high‐noise cases, the KF‐ML is used to remove noise from the original distorted waveform. Then, ST technique is used to extract the significant features of disturbances. Finally, a classifier based on multilayers feedforward neural networks can accurately recognise various types of PQ disturbances. Six simulated single disturbances and six complex ones with different noise levels are tested for the sensitivity to noise. Classification results show that the classification accuracy of the proposed method is more than 95% even in 20 dB high‐noise condition, and also validate the superiority of strong rejection to noises. Comparison studies between the proposed method and other classification methods are also reported to show the advantages of the proposed approach.
Deep learning‐based vehicle occupancy detection in an open parking lot using thermal camera
Authors: Paidi Vijay , Fleyeh Hasan , Nyberg Roger G.
Published: September 2020

Parking has been a common problem over several years in many cities around the globe. The search for parking space leads to congestion, frustration and increased air pollution. Information of vacant parking space would facilitate to reduce congestion and subsequent air pollution. Therefore, the aim of the study is to acquire vehicle occupancy in an open parking lot using deep learning. Thermal camera was used to collect videos during varying environmental conditions and frames from these videos were extracted to prepare the dataset. The frames in the dataset were manually labelled as there were no pre‐labelled thermal images available. Vehicle detection with deep learning algorithms was implemented to perform multi‐object detection. Multiple deep learning networks such as Yolo, Yolo‐conv, GoogleNet, ReNet18 and ResNet50 with varying layers and architectures were evaluated on vehicle detection. ResNet18 performed better than other detectors which had an average precision of 96.16 and log‐average miss rate of 19.40. The detected results were compared with a template of parking spaces to identify vehicle occupancy information. Yolo, Yolo‐conv, GoogleNet and ResNet18 are computationally efficient detectors which took less processing time and are suitable for real‐time detection while Resnet50 was computationally expensive.
New transit signal priority scheme for intersections with nearby bus rapid transit median stations
Authors: Lin Yongjie , Yang Xianfeng Terry , Wang Qinzheng
Published: September 2020

To improve the accessibility of bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, the median stations are usually located beside intersections. However, due to the limited storage space at the stations, high bus volumes and fluctuant bus arrival patterns may cause queue spillbacks and consequently block the intersections. Traditional transit signal priority control could deteriorate such situations when a green extension or a red truncation is activated. Hence, it is essential to develop a new operational framework that is capable of both reducing bus travel time and preventing queue spillbacks at the median stations. This study presents a novel signal control scheme to integrate both priority (i.e. green extension and red truncation) and suppression strategies (i.e. green truncation and red extension) for approaching buses. Notably, the suppression control is only implemented to the farside directional traffic. To evaluate the proposed signal control system, this study tests the algorithms on a real BRT network in Jinan, China. Simulation results of multiple experiments show that the developed method has great promise in bus delay reduction and spillback avoidance in the station area. Other further explorations with sensitivity analysis find that the proposed control will be more effective when the signal is able to provide longer priority and suppression durations.
Mining the spatio‐temporal pattern using matrix factorisation: a case study of traffic flow
Authors: Xu Chenyang , Xu Changqing , Truong Trieu‐Kien
Published: September 2020

Realising the spatio‐temporal evolutionary pattern of urban traffic can give advice about making personal trip route planning and improving road construction. A novel pattern‐discovering model is presented to identify the traffic regularity and characteristics from spatial and temporal dimensions. To unveil this new method, there are two main parts as follows: first, by employing the constrained projected gradient of the non‐negative matrix factorisation algorithm, the original traffic data matrix is decomposed into the feature matrix and the weight matrix. Necessary constraints are newly added so that the resulting matrices are ensured to make practical sense for reflecting the traffic spatio‐temporal regular pattern. Then, the self‐organising maps network is further used to cluster the factorisation error into several classes representing the disparate traffic pattern of each time. In addition, the experiment is conducted on real historical data to verify the performance of the algorithm. The global urban traffic flow for a week is summarised through a set of basic patterns with related weight distribution. The well‐visualised result demonstrates that the authors method can achieve significant improvement in terms of computational efficiency and accuracy when compared with other widely‐used methods.
Broadband polarisation‐independent metasurface electromagnetic energy harvester with high capture efficiency
Authors: Younesiraad Hemn , Bemani Mohammad
Published: September 2020

This study presents a broadband metasurface harvester with polarisation‐insensitive and high harvesting efficiency. The proposed metasurface constitutive main cell consists of two intertwined modified inner and outer Jerusalem cells with two combined different resonance frequencies to obtain a broadband bandwidth. The parameters of the proposed cell are optimised to capture the energy of ambient electromagnetic waves with the least possible return loss and deliver it to the resistive loads through optimally positioned vias. The optimum load resistance value for the proposed harvester is . The simulation results obtained from CST Microwave Studio solver show relative band width of from to 10.5 GHz for different polarisation angles under a normal incident plane wave. Finally, an array of cells of the proposed harvester has been fabricated and its electromagnetic properties have been measured which show good agreement with the simulation results.
H∞ robust control with improved harmonics suppression for inverter‐based distributed generation systems
Authors: Faiz Muhammad Talib , Khan Muhammad Mansoor , Huawei Jiang , Mumtaz Muhammad Adnan , Shahid Muhammad Umair , Houjun Tang
Published: September 2020

Voltage source inverter is a key element in an inverter‐based distributed generation (DG) system for the integration of renewable energy resources with an existing power grid. Interconnection standards for the requirements of inverter output current quality are one of the foremost demands imposed by distribution system operators. The operation of a stabilised DG system with LCL ‐filter meeting current quality requirements is challenging due to variation in system parameters and non‐ideal grid voltages. In this context, this study proposes a robust controller design and modified control structure to improve current quality in the presence of distorted grid voltages. The controller is designed based on general mixed sensitivity problem formulation to achieve robustness against system parameters variation and ensure high‐quality injected current under normal grid voltage. The control performance of the designed robust controller with a feed‐forward loop is investigated under distorted grid voltage. Furthermore, an inverter current compensation is proposed, employed by an additional inverter current feedback loop through the high‐pass compensator. The current quality investigation with variation in different parameters and low power operation shows enhanced control performance of the proposed solution under distorted as well as normal grid voltages. The main features of the proposed scheme are the simplicity in design, easy implementation, and better harmonics rejection capability without limiting the control loop stability. The simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
How to disentangle geometry and mass-loss rate from AGB-star spectral energy distributions
Authors: Wiegert J. , Groenewegen M. A. T. , Jorissen A. , Decin L. , Danilovich T.
Published: September 2020

Context. High-angular-resolution observations of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars often reveal non-spherical morphologies for the gas and dust envelopes.

Aims. We aim to make a pilot study to quantify the impact of different geometries (spherically symmetric, spiral-shaped, and disc-shaped) of the dust component of AGB envelopes on spectral energy distributions (SEDs), mass estimates, and subsequent mass-loss rate (MLR) estimates. We also estimate the error made on the MLR if the SED is fitted by an inappropriate geometrical model.

Methods. We use the three-dimensional Monte-Carlo-based radiative-transfer code RADMC-3D to simulate emission from dusty envelopes with different geometries (but fixed spatial extension). We compare these predictions with each other, and with the SED of the AGB star EP Aqr that we use as a benchmark since its envelope is disc-like and known to harbour spiral arms, as seen in CO.

Results. The SEDs involving the most massive envelopes are those for which the different geometries have the largest impact, primarily on the silicate features at 10 and 18 μm. These different shapes originate from large differences in optical depths. Massive spirals and discs appear akin to black bodies. Optically thick edge-on spirals and discs (with dust masses of 10−4 and 10−5 M⊙) exhibit black-body SEDs that appear cooler than those from face-on structures and spheres of the same mass, while optically thick face-on distributions appear as warmer emission. We find that our more realistic models, combined spherical and spiral distributions, are 0.1 to 0.5 times less massive than spheres with similar SEDs. More extreme, less realistic scenarios give that spirals and discs are 0.01 to 0.05 times less massive than corresponding spheres. This means that adopting the wrong geometry for an AGB circumstellar envelope may result in a MLR that is incorrect by as much as one to two orders of magnitude when derived from SED fitting.