bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emission of Pyrene Connected to Benzothiazole Unit via Resonance and Intramolecular Charge Transfer
Authors: Singh Munendra Pal , Phukan Nithi , Baruah Jubaraj Bikash
Published: January 2018

The compound 2‐(pyren‐1‐yl)benzo[d]thiazole has two independent fluorescent components connected directly through C−C bond; each component has fluorescence emission at comparable wavelengths. Fluorescence emission of this compound in solution is completely different from the fluorescence emission observed from solid sample. Solid sample of the compound shows emission at 555 nm with a large Stoke's shift 180 nm; this emission is attributed to resonance energy transfer between donor and acceptor components. Compound in solution shows intramolecular charge transfer emissions at 425 nm and 443 nm; such emissions in solution of the compound are quenched on addition of water; whereas these emissions are enhanced by stannic ions. The reasons for quenching of emission by water are studied by 1H NMR experiments, fluorescence emission decay study and micro‐calorimetric titrations.
Paraptosis‐Inducing Nanomedicine Overcomes Cancer Drug Resistance for a Potent Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhou Yongcun , Huang Feiteng , Yang Ying , Wang Pingli , Zhang Zhen , Tang Yining , Shen Youqing , Wang Kai
Published: January 2018

Most chemotherapeutic drugs and their nanomedicine formulations exert anticancer activity by inducing cancer cell apoptosis. However, cancer cells inherently have and acquire many antiapoptosis mechanisms, causing cancer drug resistance and poor prognoses in patients. Herein, a potent paraptosis‐inducing nanomedicine is reported that causes quick nonapoptotic death of cancer cells, overcoming apoptosis‐based resistance and effectively inhibiting drug‐resistant tumor growth. The nanomedicine is composed of micelles made from an amphiphilic 8‐hydroxyquinoline (HQ)‐conjugate block copolymer with polyethylene glycol. Cu2+ can catalyze the hydrolysis of the HQ conjugation linker and liberate HQ, and these molecules can form the complex Cu(HQ)2, a strong proteasome inhibitor effective at inducing cell paraptosis. In vivo, the Cu2+‐responsive HQ‐releasing micelles respond to elevated tumor Cu2+ levels or externally administered Cu2+ and effectively inhibit the growth of human breast adenocarcinoma doxorubicin‐resistant (MCF‐7/ADR) tumors. Compared with other nanomedicines that overcome drug resistance via delivering several agents or even siRNA, this paraptosis‐inducing nanomedicine provides a simple but potent approach to overcoming cancer drug resistance.
The second‐order cone programming method for interval power flow of active distribution network with distributed generation
Authors: Guo Xiaoxuan , Gong Renxi , Bao Haibo , Wang Qingyu
Published: January 2018

In this paper, a second‐order cone programming (CP) method by which one can accurately calculate the interval power flow of an active distribution network with distributed generation is proposed. First, according to the interval models of the distributed wind power and solar power generation, the nonlinear programming (NLP) model for the interval power flow of the active distribution network is established. Second, based on the structure characteristics of the distribution network, the NLP model of the interval power flow is transformed into the standard second‐order CP model. Finally, an interior point method with polynomial time complexity is used to solve it. The numerical results obtained by the modified IEEE‐33 bus system show that the proposed second‐order CP method has better global convergence and a higher computational efficiency than the NLP method, and the interval for the power flow state of the distribution network can be accurately solved. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Impact of Hepatitis B Carrier Status on the Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Au Kin Pan , Chok Kenneth Siu Ho , Chan Albert Chi Yan , Dai Wing Chiu , Cheung Tan To , Lo Chung Mau
Published: January 2018

Background

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with a lower incidence of colorectal liver metastases. We explored the impact of HBV carrier status on outcomes of surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted for consecutive patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastases from 2000 to 2016. HBV carriers were matched with controls by propensity scoring.

Results

304 patients with known HBV carrier status who underwent resection of colorectal liver metastases were studied. From the 21 (6.9%) hepatitis B carriers, a more prolonged prothrombin time (12.1 vs. 11.3 s, OR 1.42, p = 0.027) was observed, and fewer major resections were performed (19.0 vs. 47.3%, OR 0.262, p = 0.018). After 1:5 propensity score matching, they were compared with 105 controls with similar liver function, tumour status and receiving similar treatments. Patients with chronic hepatitis B enjoyed better median disease‐free survival (15.8 vs. 9.20 month, p = 0.032). Overall survivals (50.0 vs. 43.6 month, p = 0.15) were similar. Operating time (227 vs. 240 min, OR 1.00, p = 0.33), blood loss (0.50 vs. 0.37 L, OR 1.15, p = 0.62), hospital stay (6 vs. 6 day, OR 1.02, p = 0.48), operative morbidity (9.5 vs. 16.2%, OR 0.545, p = 0.44) and mortality (0 vs. 1.0%, OR 1.62, p = 0.77) were comparable. The use of antiviral agents did not affect survival of HBV carriers.

Conclusions

Chronic HBV infection confers oncological benefit to surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases. Given satisfactory liver reserve, HBV carrier status did not affect operative morbidity or mortality.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Wüthrich Mario
Published: January 2018

It is a great honor for me to have been appointed to the new Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of ASTIN Bulletin. I have been serving as Editor for ASTIN Bulletin under the retiring EiC Andrew Cairns since 2011. Andrew Cairns has been EiC of ASTIN Bulletin for 17 years, the first 5 years together with Paul Embrechts, another 2 years jointly with Shaun Wang, and since 2008 he has been solely responsible for ASTIN Bulletin. Andrew Cairns has done an extraordinary job; with his huge commitment and knowledge, he has established ASTIN Bulletin as the leading journal in actuarial science, both in industry and academia. In his time, ASTIN Bulletin has been awarded the Thomson Reuters Impact Factor, it has changed the publisher to Cambridge University Press, and it has integrated all of the scientific sections of the International Actuarial Association IAA. Today, ASTIN Bulletin publishes roughly 30 articles per year (with an average acceptance rate for new submissions of about 30%). Our greatest thanks go to Andrew Cairns for his achievements and this great success of ASTIN Bulletin.
A dimensional approach to assessing psychiatric risk in adults born very preterm
Authors: Kroll Jasmin , Froudist-Walsh Sean , Brittain Philip J. , Tseng Chieh-En J. , Karolis Vyacheslav , Murray Robin M. , Nosarti Chiara
Published: January 2018

Background

Individuals who were born very preterm have higher rates of psychiatric diagnoses compared with term-born controls; however, it remains unclear whether they also display increased sub-clinical psychiatric symptomatology. Hence, our objective was to utilize a dimensional approach to assess psychiatric symptomatology in adult life following very preterm birth.

Methods

We studied 152 adults who were born very preterm (before 33 weeks’ gestation; gestational range 24–32 weeks) and 96 term-born controls. Participants’ clinical profile was examined using the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS), a measure of sub-clinical symptomatology that yields seven subscales including general psychopathology, positive, negative, cognitive, behavioural, motor and emotional symptoms, in addition to a total psychopathology score. Intellectual abilities were examined using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence.

Results

Between-group differences on the CAARMS showed elevated symptomatology in very preterm participants compared with controls in positive, negative, cognitive and behavioural symptoms. Total psychopathology scores were significantly correlated with IQ in the very preterm group only. In order to examine the characteristics of participants’ clinical profile, a principal component analysis was conducted. This revealed two components, one reflecting a non-specific psychopathology dimension, and the other indicating a variance in symptomatology along a positive-to-negative symptom axis.K-means (k= 4) were used to further separate the study sample into clusters. Very preterm adults were more likely to belong to a high non-specific psychopathology cluster compared with controls.

Conclusion and Relevance

Very preterm individuals demonstrated elevated psychopathology compared with full-term controls. Their psychiatric risk was characterized by a non-specific clinical profile and was associated with lower IQ.
Nonholonomic mobile robots' trajectory tracking model predictive control: a survey
Authors: Nascimento Tiago P. , Dórea Carlos E. T. , Gonçalves Luiz Marcos G.
Published: January 2018

Model predictive control (MPC) theory has gained attention with the recent increase in the processing power of computers that are now able to perform the needed calculations for this technique. This kind of control algorithms can achieve better results in trajectory tracking control of mobile robots than classical control approaches. In this paper, we present a review of recent developments in trajectory tracking control of mobile robot systems using model predictive control theory, especially when nonholonomicity is present. Furthermore, we point out the growth of the related research starting with the boom of mobile robotics in the 90s and discuss reported field applications of the described control problem. The objective of this paper is to provide a unified and accessible presentation, placing the classical model, problem formulations and approaches into a proper context and to become a starting point for researchers who are initiating their endeavors in linear/nonlinear MPC applied to nonholonomic mobile robots. Finally, this work aims to present a comprehensive review of the recent breakthroughs in the field, providing links to the most interesting and successful works, including our contributions to state-of-the-art.
Gene variants and educational attainment in cannabis use: mediating role of DNA methylation
Authors: Gerra Maria Carla , Jayanthi Subramaniam , Manfredini Matteo , Walther Donna , Schroeder Jennifer , Phillips Karran A. , Cadet Jean Lud , Donnini Claudia
Published: January 2018

Genetic and sociodemographic risk factors potentially associated with cannabis use (CU) were investigated in 40 cannabis users and 96 control subjects. DNA methylation analyses were also performed to explore the possibility of epigenetic changes related to CU. We conducted a candidate gene association study that included variants involved in the dopaminergic (ANKK1, NCAM1 genes) and endocannabinoid (CNR1, CNR2 gene) pathways. Sociodemographic data included gender, marital status, level of education, and body mass index. We used MeDIP-qPCR to test whether variations in DNA methylation might be associated with CU. We found a significant association between SNP rs1049353 of CNR1 gene (p = 0.01) and CU. Differences were also observed related to rs2501431 of CNR2 gene (p = 0.058). A higher education level appears to decrease the risk of CU. Interestingly, females were less likely to use cannabis than males. There was a significantly higher level of DNA methylation in cannabis users compared to controls in two of the genes tested: hypermethylation at exon 8 of DRD2 gene (p = 0.034) and at the CpG-rich region in the NCAM1 gene (p = 0.0004). Both genetic variants and educational attainment were also related to CU. The higher rate of DNA methylation, evidenced among cannabis users, may be either a marker of CU or a consequence of long-term exposure to cannabis. The identified genetic variants and the differentially methylated regions may represent biomarkers and/or potential targets for designs of pharmacological therapeutic agents. Our observations also suggest that educational programs may be useful strategies for CU prevention.
miR-663 sustains NSCLC by inhibiting mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) through PUMA/BBC3 and BTG2
Authors: Fiori Micol E. , Villanova Lidia , Barbini Chiara , De Angelis Maria Laura , De Maria Ruggero
Published: January 2018

Treatment of lung cancer is an unmet need as it accounts for the majority of cancer deaths worldwide. The development of new therapies urges the identification of potential targets. MicroRNAs’ expression is often deregulated in cancer and their modulation has been proposed as a successful strategy to interfere with tumor cell growth and spread. We recently reported on an unbiased high-content approach to identify miRNAs regulating cell proliferation and tumorigenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here we studied the oncogenic role of miR-663 in NSCLC biology and analyzed the therapeutic potential of miR-663 targeting. We found that miR-663 regulates apoptosis by controlling mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) through the expression of two novel direct targets PUMA/BBC3 and BTG2. Specifically, upon miR-663 knockdown the BH3-only protein PUMA/BBC3 directly activates mitochondrial depolarization and cell death, while BTG2 accumulation further enhances this effect by triggering p53 mitochondrial localization. Moreover, we show that miR-663 depletion is sufficient to elicit cell death in NSCLC cells and to impair tumor growth in vivo.
Mitochondrial glutamine metabolism via GOT2 supports pancreatic cancer growth through senescence inhibition
Authors: Yang Seungyeon , Hwang Sunsook , Kim Minjoong , Seo Sung Bin , Lee Jeong-Hwa , Jeong Seung Min
Published: January 2018

Cellular senescence, which leads to a cell cycle arrest of damaged or dysfunctional cells, is an important mechanism to restrain the malignant progression of cancer cells. Because metabolic changes underlie many cell-fate decisions, it has been suggested that cell metabolism might play key roles in senescence pathways. Here, we show that mitochondrial glutamine metabolism regulates senescence in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Glutamine deprivation or inhibition of mitochondrial aspartate transaminase (GOT2) results in a profound induction of senescence and a suppression of PDAC growth. Glutamine carbon flow through GOT2 is required to create NADPH and to maintain the cellular redox state. We found that elevated reactive oxygen species levels by GOT2 knockdown lead to the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27-mediated senescence. Importantly, PDAC cells exhibit distinct dependence on this pathway, whereas knockdown of GOT2 did not induce senescence in non-transformed cells. The essentiality of GOT2 in senescence regulation of PDAC, which is dispensable in their normal counterparts, may have profound implications for the development of strategies to treat these refractory cancers.
Hepatic SMARCA4 predicts HCC recurrence and promotes tumour cell proliferation by regulating SMAD6 expression
Authors: Chen Zhiao , Lu Xinyuan , Jia Deshui , Jing Ying , Chen Di , Wang Qifeng , Zhao Fangyu , Li Jinjun , Yao Ming , Cong Wenming , He Xianghuo
Published: January 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer and is typically diagnosed at advanced stages. Identification and characterisation of genes within amplified and deleted chromosomal loci can provide new insights into the pathogenesis of cancer and lead to new approaches for diagnosis and therapy. In our previous study, we found a recurrent region of copy number amplification at 19p13.2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we performed integrated copy number analysis and expression profiling at this locus and a putative cancer gene, SMARCA4/BRG1, was uncovered in this region. BRG1 is a part of the large ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling complex SWI/SNF. The function of BRG1 in various cancers is unclear, including its role in HCC tumorigenesis. Here, we found that BRG1 is upregulated in HCC and that its level significantly correlates with cancer progression in HCC patients. Importantly, we also found that nuclear expression of BRG1 predicts early recurrence for HCC patients. Furthermore, we demonstrated that BRG1 promotes HCC cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. BRG1 was observed not only to facilitate S-phase entry but also to attenuate cell apoptosis. Finally, we discovered that one of the mechanisms by which BRG1 promotes cell proliferation is the upregulation of SMAD6. These findings highlight the important role of BRG1 in the regulation of HCC proliferation and provide valuable information for cancer prognosis and treatment.
HBV infection potentiates resistance to S-phase arrest-inducing chemotherapeutics by inhibiting CHK2 pathway in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Zhao Xinying , Guo Xudong , Xing Libo , Yue Wenqin , Yin Haisen , He Miaoxia , Wang Jianmin , Yang Jianmin , Chen Jie
Published: January 2018

A considerable number of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is correlated with their poor outcomes. However, the role of HBV infection in DLBCL treatment failure remains poorly understood. Here, our data demonstrated that HBV infection was closely associated with poorer clinical prognosis independent of its hepatic dysfunction in germinal center B-cell type (GCB type) DLBCL patients. Interestingly, we found that DLBCL cells expressing hepatitis B virus X protein (HBX) did not exhibit enhanced cell growth but did show reduced sensitivity to methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine (Ara-C), which induced S-phase arrest. Mechanism studies showed that HBX specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase 2 (CHK2, a key DNA damage response protein). CHK2 depletion similarly conferred resistance to the S-phase arrest-inducing chemotherapeutics, consistent with HBX overexpression in DLBCL cells. Moreover, overexpression of wild-type CHK2 rather than its unphosphorylated mutant (T68A) significantly restored the reduced chemosensitivity in HBX-expressing cells, suggesting that HBV infection conferred resistance to chemotherapeutics that induced S-phase arrest by specifically inhibiting the activation of CHK2 response signaling in DLBCL.
Multiple signaling kinases target Mrc1 to prevent genomic instability triggered by transcription-replication conflicts
Authors: Duch Alba , Canal Berta , Barroso Sonia I. , García-Rubio María , Seisenbacher Gerhard , Aguilera Andrés , de Nadal Eulàlia , Posas Francesc
Published: January 2018

Conflicts between replication and transcription machineries represent a major source of genomic instability and cells have evolved strategies to prevent such conflicts. However, little is known regarding how cells cope with sudden increases of transcription while replicating. Here, we report the existence of a general mechanism for the protection of genomic integrity upon transcriptional outbursts in S phase that is mediated by Mrc1. The N-terminal phosphorylation of Mrc1 blocked replication and prevented transcription-associated recombination (TAR) and genomic instability during stress-induced gene expression in S phase. An unbiased kinome screening identified several kinases that phosphorylate Mrc1 at the N terminus upon different environmental stresses. Mrc1 function was not restricted to environmental cues but was also required when unscheduled transcription was triggered by low fitness states such as genomic instability or slow growth. Our data indicate that Mrc1 integrates multiple signals, thereby defining a general safeguard mechanism to protect genomic integrity upon transcriptional outbursts.
The sea lamprey germline genome provides insights into programmed genome rearrangement and vertebrate evolution
Authors: Smith Jeramiah J. , Timoshevskaya Nataliya , Ye Chengxi , Holt Carson , Keinath Melissa C. , Parker Hugo J. , Cook Malcolm E. , Hess Jon E. , Narum Shawn R. , Lamanna Francesco , Kaessmann Henrik , Timoshevskiy Vladimir A. , Waterbury Courtney K. M. , Saraceno Cody , Wiedemann Leanne M. , Robb Sofia M. C. , Baker Carl , Eichler Evan E. , Hockman Dorit , Sauka-Spengler Tatjana , Yandell Mark , Krumlauf Robb , Elgar Greg , Amemiya Chris T.
Published: January 2018

The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) serves as a comparative model for reconstructing vertebrate evolution. To enable more informed analyses, we developed a new assembly of the lamprey germline genome that integrates several complementary data sets. Analysis of this highly contiguous (chromosome-scale) assembly shows that both chromosomal and whole-genome duplications have played significant roles in the evolution of ancestral vertebrate and lamprey genomes, including chromosomes that carry the six lamprey HOX clusters. The assembly also contains several hundred genes that are reproducibly eliminated from somatic cells during early development in lamprey. Comparative analyses show that gnathostome (mouse) homologs of these genes are frequently marked by polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) in embryonic stem cells, suggesting overlaps in the regulatory logic of somatic DNA elimination and bivalent states that are regulated by early embryonic PRCs. This new assembly will enhance diverse studies that are informed by lampreys’ unique biology and evolutionary/comparative perspective.
SlMYB12 Regulates Flavonol Synthesis in Three Different Cherry Tomato Varieties
Authors: Wang Shaoli , Chu Zhaohui , Jia Ru , Dan Fei , Shen Xiangling , Li Yang , Ding Xinhua
Published: January 2018

Cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum M.) is considered a healthy fruit worldwide due to its wide range of nutrients. Flavonol, one of the major nutrients in cherry tomato, has antioxidant and cell-modulating properties. In this study, we showed a correlation between the expression of SlMYB12 and flavonol content (R2 = 0.922). To characterize the function of SlMYB12, SlMYB12-overexpressing transgenic tomato plants were generated in three different cherry tomato varieties. Significant increases in flavonol content and flavonol biosynthetic gene expression were identified in SlMYB12-overexpressing plants. Therefore, we suggest that SlMYB12 plays a positive role in the flavonol biosynthesis pathway in cherry tomatoes, which further indicates a potential role as a marker in analyzing flavonol content in different cherry tomato varieties.
Author Correction: Limits of Risk Predictability in a Cascading Alternating Renewal Process Model
Authors: Lin Xin , Moussawi Alaa , Korniss Gyorgy , Bakdash Jonathan Z. , Szymanski Boleslaw K.
Published: January 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Distribution and accumulation of dietary ergothioneine and its metabolites in mouse tissues
Authors: Tang Richard Ming Yi , Cheah Irwin Kee-Mun , Yew Terry Shze Keong , Halliwell Barry
Published: January 2018

L-ergothioneine (ET) is a diet-derived amino acid that accumulates at high concentrations in animals and humans. Numerous studies have highlighted its antioxidant abilities in vitro, and possible cytoprotective capabilities in vivo. We investigated the uptake and distribution of ET in various organs by a highly sensitive and specific liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique, both before and after oral administration of pure ET (35 and 70 mg/kg/day for 1, 7, and 28 days) to male C57BL6J mice. ET primarily concentrates in the liver and whole blood, and also in spleen, kidney, lung, heart, intestines, eye, and brain tissues. Strong correlations were found between ET and its putative metabolites - hercynine, ET-sulfonate (ET-SO3H), and S-methyl ET. Hercynine accumulates in the brain after prolonged ET administration. This study demonstrates the uptake and distribution of ET and provides a foundation for future studies with ET to target oxidative damage in a range of tissues in human diseases.
Necessity of p53-binding to the CDH1 locus for its expression defines two epithelial cell types differing in their integrity
Authors: Oikawa Tsukasa , Otsuka Yutaro , Onodera Yasuhito , Horikawa Mei , Handa Haruka , Hashimoto Shigeru , Suzuki Yutaka , Sabe Hisataka
Published: January 2018

TP53 mutation (i.e., loss of normal-p53) may evoke epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which was previously attributed to loss of certain miRNAs. However, not all epithelial cells undergo EMT upon TP53 mutation, and the p53-miRNA axis may not fully explain p53 function in epithelial integrity. We here show two modes of epithelial integrity: one involves p53-binding to a nucleotide region and the other does not. In the former, p53 binds to the CDH1 (encoding E-cadherin) locus to antagonize EZH2-mediated H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) to maintain high levels of acetylation of H3K27 (H3K27ac). In the latter, the same locus is not highly acetylated at H3K27, and does not allow p53-binding, nor needs to antagonize EZH2. We moreover demonstrated that although the CDH1 locus in the p53-independent cells, but not in fibroblasts, becomes high-H3K27ac by butyrate and allows p53-biniding, their CDH1 expression does not become dependent on p53. Our results identified novel modes of the epithelial integrity, in which the same epithelial-specific gene locus exhibits different requirement for p53 with different histone modifications among different epithelial cells to warrant its expression.
Direct oxidative isoperfluoropropylation of terminal alkenes via hexafluoropropylene (HFP) and silver fluoride
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Wu Yongming
Published: January 2018

Hexafluoropropylene was used directly in a reaction of copper-mediated oxidative isoperfluoropropylation of unactivated terminal alkenes. This strategy provides a general and straightforward way for the preparation of allylic isoperfluoropropylated compounds.
Polyoxometalate-encapsulated twenty-nuclear silver-tetrazole nanocage frameworks as highly active electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Li Shaobin , Zhang Li , Lan Yaqian , O’Halloran Kevin P. , Ma Huiyuan , Pang Haijun
Published: January 2018

Two unprecedented polyoxometalate (POM)-encapsulated twenty-nuclear silver-tetrazole nanocage frameworks have been successfully synthesized, which exhibit high activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Structure and properties of dynamic metal–organic frameworks: a brief accounts of crystalline-to-crystalline and crystalline-to-amorphous transformations
Authors: Halder Arijit , Ghoshal Debajyoti
Published: January 2018

External stimuli-driven structural changes and the associated properties of dynamic MOFs are discussed with examples.
Liquid crystals of hard rectangles on flat and cylindrical manifolds
Authors: Sitta Christoph E. , Smallenburg Frank , Wittkowski Raphael , Löwen Hartmut
Published: January 2018

The self-assembly of rectangular particles on flat and curved substrates was investigated using density functional theory and simulations.
Absolute and relative-rate measurement of the rate coefficient for reaction of perfluoro ethyl vinyl ether (C2F5OCFCF2) with OH
Authors: Srinivasulu G. , Bunkan A. J. C. , Amedro D. , Crowley J. N.
Published: January 2018

The rate coefficient (k1) for the reaction of OH radicals with perfluoro ethyl vinyl ether (PEVE, C2F5OCFCF2) is given by k1(T) = 6.0 × 10−13 exp[(480 ± 38/T)] cm3 molecule−1 s−1.
Stability of Pd nanoparticles on carbon-coated supports under hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Huo Jiajie , Johnson Robert L. , Duan Pu , Pham Hien N. , Mendivelso-Perez Deyny , Smith Emily A. , Datye Abhaya K. , Schmidt-Rohr Klaus , Shanks Brent H.
Published: January 2018

Hydrothermal stability is one of the major challenges facing heterogeneous catalysis in biomass conversion to chemicals or fuels.
Modelling free and oxide-supported nanoalloy catalysts: comparison of bulk-immiscible Pd–Ir and Au–Rh systems and influence of a TiO2 support
Authors: Demiroglu Ilker , Fan Tian-E. , Li Z. Y. , Yuan Jun , Liu Tun-Dong , Piccolo Laurent , Johnston Roy L.
Published: January 2018

DFT calculations on free and TiO2-supported Pd–Ir and Au–Rh nanoalloys reveal that Janus and core–shell configurations compete on oxide supports.
Ultra-sensitive chemical and biological analysisviaspecialty fibers with built-in microstructured optofluidic channels
Authors: Zhang Nan , Li Kaiwei , Cui Ying , Wu Zhifang , Shum Perry Ping , Auguste Jean-Louis , Dinh Xuan Quyen , Humbert Georges , Wei Lei
Published: January 2018

A specialty fiber with a built-in microfluidic channel enables ultra-sensitive, low-loss and compact all-in-fiber in-line optofluidic chemical and biological sensing.
New amide based iridium(iii) complexes: synthesis, characterization, photoluminescence and DFT/TD-DFT studies
Authors: Sahin Cigdem , Goren Aysen , Demir Serkan , Cavus Muhammet Serdar
Published: January 2018

The photophysical properties of new iridium complexes have been investigated depending on various solvents and substituents and DFT/TD-DFT studies have supported observed optical data.
Anisotropic flexible transparent films from remaining wood microstructures for screen protection and AgNW conductive substrate
Authors: Tang Qiheng , Fang Lu , Wang YunFei , Zou Miao , Guo Wenjing
Published: January 2018

For the first time, we report the development of a simple yet effective approach for the fabrication of a flexible transparent wood film that retains well-aligned cell structures with high transparency, and which can be used as a screen protection film for cellphones and as a AgNW conductive substrate.
MoSx-coated NbS2 nanoflakes grown on glass carbon: an advanced electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhou Xiaofeng , Lin Shi-Hsin , Yang Xiulin , Li Henan , Hedhili Mohamed Nejib , Li Lain-Jong , Zhang Wenjing , Shi Yumeng
Published: January 2018

MoSx-coated NbS2 nanoflakes are promising electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction.
Substrate selective synthesis of indole, tetrahydroquinoline and quinoline derivatives via intramolecular addition of hydrazones and imines
Authors: Maurya Rahul K. , Patel Om P. S. , Anand Devireddy , Yadav Prem P.
Published: January 2018

A transition-metal-free, substrate selective synthesis of 2,3-diaryl indoles, 4-hydrazono-tetrahydroquinolines and substituted quinolines has been developed.
Single channel spin‐wave logic cell
Authors: Acevedo A. , Gomez‐Arista I. , Kolokoltsev O. , Montiel Sánchez M.H. , Castañeda Guzmán R.
Published: January 2018

Spin‐wave (SW) logic cell with a parallel 2‐port excitation configuration that operates in XOR and OR logic regimes is described. The peculiarity of the solution is that magnetic field of lateral excitation electrodes couples to magnetic field component of SW resulting from its 2D confinement. The operation principle of the device can be interpreted as single channel multiport interference‐based element.
Training CNNs with image patches for object localisation
Authors: Orhan S. , Bastanlar Y.
Published: January 2018

Recently, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have shown great performance in different problems of computer vision including object detection and localisation. A novel training approach is proposed for CNNs to localise some animal species whose bodies have distinctive patterns such as leopards and zebras. To learn characteristic patterns, small patches which are taken from different body parts of animals are used to train models. To find object location, in a test image, all locations are visited in a sliding window fashion. Crops are fed into trained CNN and their classification scores are combined into a heat map. Later on, heat maps are converted to bounding box estimates for varying confidence scores. The localisation performance of the patch‐based training approach is compared with Faster R‐CNN – a state‐of‐the‐art CNN‐based object detection and localisation method. Experimental results reveal that the patch‐based training outperforms Faster R‐CNN, especially for classes with distinctive patterns.
Iterative parameter identification for pseudo‐linear systems with ARMA noise using the filtering technique
Authors: Ding Feng , Xu Ling , Alsaadi Fuad E. , Hayat Tasawar
Published: January 2018

This study considers the parameter identification problem of a pseudo‐linear autoregressive moving average system (i.e. linear‐in‐parameter autoregressive output‐error ARMA systems), whose disturbance is an ARMA process. By means of the filtering technique, a filtering‐based gradient iterative (F‐GI) algorithm and a filtering‐based least squares iterative (LSI) algorithms are presented for enhancing the estimation accuracy. Furthermore, a filtering‐based decomposition LSI algorithm is derived for improving the computational efficiency. The key is to use the hierarchical identification principle, to apply the data filtering technique for identification, and to replace the unknown terms in the information vectors with their estimates. Compared with the F‐GI algorithm, the filtering‐based LSI algorithm and the filtering‐based decomposition LSI algorithm have faster convergence rates. The simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithms are effective.
Improved power flow algorithm for hybrid AC/DC grid with reactive power control
Authors: Qian Zhou , Ningyu Zhang , Xinyao Zhu , Jingbo Zhao , Zhe Chen
Published: January 2018

With the development of high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) projects, hybrid AC/DC power grid will be the main characteristic of China's power grid. As a result, improving the accuracy of power flow result has the important significance of the planning, operation and dispatching of the power grid. This study introduces an improved load flow calculation method, based on reactive power compensation and control strategy of the HVDC converter configuration. The proposed method deals with the effect of reactive power exchange between AC and DC grids, as well as actual situation. In the end, Jiangsu power grid is used to verify to the correctness of the method and the simulation results show the effectiveness in different operation modes of HVDC.
Hybrid transient simulation platform for interconnected transmission and distribution system based on powerfactory and PSASP
Authors: Wang Haiyun , Song Yankan , Huang Shaowei , Chen Ying , Jiao Dongsheng , Qian Yeniu
Published: January 2018

With the development of active distribution system, the interactions between transmission and distribution (T&D) system become more closely and complicated. To study coupled dynamics of the interconnected T&D systems, hybrid simulation is highly required. This study presents a general hybrid simulation algorithm for the interconnected T&D system. A hybrid transient simulation platform is developed based on the proposed algorithm and two commercial software, i.e. PowerFactory and power system analysis software package (PSASP). The distribution system is modelled and analysed in PowerFactory using electromagnetic transient simulation, while the large‐scale transmission system executes transient stability simulation in PSASP. The proposed algorithm and the developed platform are verified through a small test case, and are applied to analyse a typical distribution system in Beijing. Results show good coincidence with the fault recording waveform, which validates the availability of the hybrid simulation platform.
Sub‐synchronous torsional interaction with VSC‐HVDC affected by feed‐forward compensations in current controllers
Authors: Zhou Huafeng , Chen Jiale , Liu Qixing , Hu Yaping , Zhu Jianhang
Published: January 2018

The sub‐synchronous torsional interaction (SSTI) behaviour between turbine‐generator units and the high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) systems has been a vital research content in power systems. In the past, the characteristics of SSTI with line‐commutated‐converter (LCC)‐HVDC have already been well studied. With the development of voltage source converter (VSC)‐based HVDC, some researchers have found that different control parameters of the converter have an impact on the electrical damping of the connected synchronous generator system. However, the existing results did not show the specific mechanism of SSTI. In this study, SSTI with VSC‐HVDC affected by voltage feed‐forward (VVF) compensations in the AC current controllers is investigated. The effects of the asymmetric VVF in both d ‐ and q ‐axes on electrical damping are paid special attention. First, a general output impedance model of VSC‐HVDC concentrated on AC current controllers is developed. Then the influence of compensation factor (kd/q) and filter bandwidth (α fd/q) on the bandwidth of the converter and the electrical damping is studied. Finally, an SSTI suppression scheme based on the former analysis is given. Simulation studies are carried out in PSCAD/EMTDC, and simulated results validate the analytical results and proposed suppression scheme.
Research on small‐signal stability of hybrid multi‐terminal HVDC system and control system parameter design
Authors: Hai‐lin Zhang , Shu‐jun Yao , Peng Zhan
Published: January 2018

By combining the advantages of both line commutated converter (LCC) and voltage source converter (VSC), the hybrid high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system has extensive application prospects. Firstly, this study presents the small‐signal model of hybrid multi‐terminal high‐voltage direct current transmission (HMT–HVDC) system whose rectifier is LCC and inverter is VSC under the d and q rotating coordinate system. This article adopts the modular modelling; the system can be divided into four parts: converter, control system, AC system, and DC lines. Those modules connect each other by the input and output relations, which helps analyse the modules separately if necessary. At the same time, the corresponding detailed electromagnetic transient (EMT) model is also established based on PSCAD/EMTDC. Then two models are compared under the small disturbances in time‐domain in details. The simulation results show that the output waveform of the two models is almost completely overlap, which prove the small‐signal model is correct. Then, this study analysis the influence of control parameters on the stability of VSC–MTDC based on the small‐signal model by using the root locus method.
Power flow calculation method for isolated microgrid considering the influence of harmonic power
Authors: Wang Jinquan , Yan Jun , Xu Ye , Huang Kefeng
Published: January 2018

In isolated microgrids, with the increasing application of the nonlinear load, the interaction between the harmonic and fundamental voltages/currents becomes more conspicuous, so that the harmonic power should be considered in the process of power flow calculation (PFC). For this reason, this study proposes a method for PFC considering the harmonic power based on the models for the microgrid system and harmonic sources (e.g. rectifier device), the currents’ physical components power theory, as well as the operational characteristics of the isolated microgrid. According to the proposed method, the fundamental power flow is first obtained by analysing the operation modes of the distributed generation units and non‐linear loads. Then, the harmonic voltages and currents are calculated based on the fundamental power flow, and the load‐power correction for the PFC, which is taken as the convergence condition of the iterative computation, is obtained by the harmonic power calculation. The test results applied in a 12‐bus system verify the availability of the proposed method.
Flexible control strategy for fuel cell–supercapacitor power system
Authors: Qian Chen , Peng Qiu , Yi Wu Jia , Yi Lu , Kai Tong , Zhuo Xuan Jia , Feng Xu , Ming Huang Xiao , Hong Yu Hai
Published: January 2018

A fuel cell is widely considered as recycled clean energy in the application of aerospace. For the reason that the dynamic performance is poor, supercapacitor (SC) or battery is chosen as the auxiliary power supply. In this study, the fuel cell and SC power the load in parallel to stable the bus voltage. The flexible control strategy is proposed to optimise the energy allocation between the fuel cell and SC. A simulation model including the refined model of the fuel cell and SC is established to prove.
Thermophysical properties of CNT and CNT/Al2O3 hybrid nanofluid
Authors: Devarajan Mageshbabu , Parasumanna Krishnamurthy Nagarajan , Balasubramanian Madhu , Ramani Bharathwaaj , Wongwises Somchai , Abd El‐Naby Kabeel , Sathyamurthy Ravishankar
Published: January 2018

This work presents the thermophysical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and CNT/Al2O3 hybrid nanofluids for heat transfer applications. An equal proportion of nanoparticles CNT (50%) and Al2O3 (50%) were added to the base fluid for two different concentration of 0.05 and 0.1%. Results show that addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles with CNT nanofluid improves the thermophysical properties. The thermal conductivity of hybrid nanofluids improved by 20% with a maximum concentration of 0.1%, while the thermal conductivity of CNT alone improved by only 8% with the base fluid. Similarly, density and viscosity of hybrid nanofluid increased up to 7 and 10%, respectively, while comparing it with the base fluid. The result of specific heat energy capacity of hybrid nanofluids increases to about 138% than CNT nanofluid with a maximum concentration of 0.2%.
Experimental evaluation of influence of FADs on community structure and fisheries in coastal Kenya
Authors: Mbaru Emmanuel K. , Sigana Dorcas , Ruwa Renison K. , Mueni Elizabeth M. , Ndoro Collins K. , Kimani Edward N. , Kaunda-Arara Boaz
Published: January 2018

Fish aggregating devices (FADs) have been widely used by commercial fisheries to increase the catchability of pelagic stocks in the open sea. FADs have the potential to enhance nearshore small-scale fisheries where stocks are often overfished. This study examined changes in catch composition, abundance, catch and effort, and aspects of diversity in Kenya's nearshore coastal fisheries after deployment of anchored fish aggregating devices (AFADs). The study combined both fishery independent and dependent methods in assessing changes in fish assemblages post-deployment. Results showed orders of magnitude increase in length, weight, commercial value, and catch per unit effort (CPUE) of landed catch after deployment of FADs suggesting that FADs had a positive effect on the local fishery. Species richness at FAD sites increased post-deployment (n = 281) compared to pre-deployment values (n = 223). Simultaneous use of several complementary structural indices may be required in order to accurately describe and monitor fish assemblages around the FADs. The findings suggest that AFADs are capable of creating both short and long-term impacts on livelihoods, with the potential to deflect pressure on the overfished nearshore fish stocks. However, more research will be needed on redistribution of fish around FADs, design and placement configuration, and site selection amongst others.
Validierung des Screenings zur komplexen Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (SkPTBS) – Revision
Authors: Dorr Florence , Sack Martin , Bengel Jürgen
Published: January 2018

Hintergrund Zielsetzung war die Weiterentwicklung eines Screeninginstruments zur Diagnostik der komplexen Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung (kPTBS). Das Screening zur kPTBS (SkPTBS) erfasst a) potenziell traumatische Erfahrungen, b) Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren sowie c) Symptome der kPTBS. Das SkPTBS von Dorr et al. (2016) und wurde entsprechend dem aktuellen ICD-Diagnosevorschlag zur kPTBS überarbeitet wird hier in seiner Revisionsfassung validiert.

Methode Folgen von potenziellen Traumatisierungen wurden bei Patienten der psychosomatischen Rehabilitation und bei Patienten in einer traumatherapeutischen universitären Institutsambulanz erfasst. Die Patienten füllten das Screening zu Beginn ihrer Behandlung aus (N=525, davon n=359 Rehabilitanden und n=157 Patienten in der Ambulanz; mittleres Alter 48 Jahre, 68% Frauen). Die gestellte Diagnose kPTBS sowie Ergebnisse des SKID und des Interviews zur komplexen PTBS (IkPTBS) dienten als primäre Validierungskriterien.

Ergebnisse 88 Patienten (17%) wurden mit kPTBS diagnostiziert. Die Trennschärfe der metrischen Items des SkPTBS war zufriedenstellend. Die interne Konsistenz betrug Cronbachs α=0.91. Die eindimensionale faktorielle Struktur der ersten Auflage des SkPTBS konnte bestätigt werden. Der SkPTBS sagt zuverlässig die Diagnose kPTBS vorher. Sein Gesamtwert korrelierte moderat mit posttraumatischen (IES-15), dissoziativen (DES-Taxon) und depressiven Symptomen (BDI-II, PHQ-9) sowie der globalen Symptombelastung (SCL-90-R). Normen für verschiedene Alters-, Diagnose- und Settinggruppen wurden erstellt.

Schlussfolgerung Mit dem revidierten SkPTBS liegt ein praktikables und ökonomisches Instrument zur Erfassung von Risikopatienten für kPTBS vor. Es wird frei zur Verfügung gestellt und kann zur Diagnostik und Therapieplanung genutzt werden.
From ‘social aid’ to ‘social psychiatry’: mental health and social welfare in post-war Greece (1950s–1960s)
Authors: Kritsotaki Despo
Published: January 2018

The end of World War II and the Civil War (1946–1949) found a great section of the population of Greece struggling with serious economic and social problems, while the next two decades witnessed important socio-economic and cultural changes. Within this context, a group of mental health professionals claimed that their mission was not limited to the treatment of the mentally ill. They founded the Centre for Mental Health and Research and argued that ‘mental hygiene’ could improve the lives of all, relieve social problems and contribute to the modernisation and democratisation of society. During the late 1950s and the 1960s they sought to apply this vision not only in mental health but also in welfare services, the Social Aid Stations in Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Patrai. The Stations’ clientele originated from the less privileged social strata of these cities and surrounding villages, and requested material and practical assistance, and to a lesser extent, help with emotional and interpersonal problems. Based on unexplored case material, and building on existing literature on social psychiatry and mental hygiene, this paper addresses the gap in our knowledge of the history of mental health-cum-welfare services. It argues that the Stations envisioned and implemented an original combination of mental health and social welfare, which in the late 1950s was perceived as matching the needs and potential of the Greek population, while offering an ideal vehicle for the dissemination of mental hygiene. However, by the mid-1960s the Stations started to focus on mental health, and in the late 1960s the Athens and Patrai Stations were closed down, and the Thessaloniki and Piraeus Stations were turned into Social Psychiatry Services. This paper follows and interprets the shift from psychosocial welfare to social psychiatry, taking into consideration the transformations of Greek society, the specificities of the Stations’ operation and the profile and intentions of the Centre of Mental Health and Research. It asserts that the history of the Stations is significant in helping us understand and rethink the uneasy relationship between the social and the psychological in mental healthcare and social welfare.