bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lane-change path planning and control method for self-driving articulated trucks
Authors: Peng Tao , Liu Xingliang , Fang Rui , Zhang Ronghui , Pang Yanwei , Wang Tao , Tong Yike 
Published: September 2020

Purpose
This study aims to develop an automatic lane-change mechanism on highways for self-driving articulated trucks to improve traffic safety.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors proposed a novel safety lane-change path planning and tracking control method for articulated vehicles. A double-Gaussian distribution was introduced to deduce the lane-change trajectories of tractor and trailer coupling characteristics of intelligent vehicles and roads. With different steering and braking maneuvers, minimum safe distances were modeled and calculated. Considering safety and ergonomics, the authors invested multilevel self-driving modes that serve as the basis of decision-making for vehicle lane-change. Furthermore, a combined controller was designed by feedback linearization and single-point preview optimization to ensure the path tracking and robust stability. Specialized hardware in the loop simulation platform was built to verify the effectiveness of the designed method.

Findings
The numerical simulation results demonstrated the path-planning model feasibility and controller-combined decision mechanism effectiveness to self-driving trucks. The proposed trajectory model could provide safety lane-change path planning, and the designed controller could ensure good tracking and robust stability for the closed-loop nonlinear system.

Originality/value
This is a fundamental research of intelligent local path planning and automatic control for articulated vehicles. There are two main contributions: the first is a more quantifiable trajectory model for self-driving articulated vehicles, which provides the opportunity to adapt vehicle and scene changes. The second involves designing a feedback linearization controller, combined with a multi-objective decision-making mode, to improve the comprehensive performance of intelligent vehicles. This study provides a valuable reference to develop advanced driving assistant system and intelligent control systems for self-driving articulated vehicles.
Boccardiella ligerica, an exotic polychaete in a Southwestern Atlantic coastal lagoon: Morphology and abundance variations
Authors: Jaubet María Lourdes , Martinez Lorena Evangelina , Saracho Bottero María Andrea , Bazterrica María Cielo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBoccardiella ligerica (Ferronniere, 1898) is an exotic polychaete introduced to the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The species was described for the region 36 years ago, and no updating revision was reported to date. Here, we addressed a detailed study on morphology and abundance variations of B. ligerica in the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon. We found that B. ligerica from Mar Chiquita shares the diagnostic characters with specimens from the original description (France), and was associated with the reef‐like structures (“reefs”) of the invader polychaete Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923). B. ligerica was not found in sediments, and its distribution in reefs was independent of certain habitat features (i.e., deep or macroalgae), but seasonally, reaching the highest abundances in warm seasons (December). Our results suggest that environmental features might drive the B. ligerica population dynamic, while the substrate offered by F. enigmaticus might support B. ligerica population abundance. The present study updates the known geographic distribution of this nonindigenous species in brackish waters from the SW Atlantic Ocean and shows its association with an invasive habitat‐forming species.
Quorum sensing regulates ‘swim‐or‐stick’ lifestyle in the phycosphere
Authors: Fei Cong , Ochsenkühn Michael A. , Shibl Ahmed A. , Isaac Ashley , Wang Changhai , Amin Shady A. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryInteractions between phytoplankton and bacteria play major roles in global biogeochemical cycles and oceanic nutrient fluxes. These interactions occur in the microenvironment surrounding phytoplankton cells, known as the phycosphere. Bacteria in the phycosphere use either chemotaxis or attachment to benefit from algal excretions. Both processes are regulated by quorum sensing (QS), a cell–cell signalling mechanism that uses small infochemicals to coordinate bacterial gene expression. However, the role of QS in regulating bacterial attachment in the phycosphere is not clear. Here, we isolated a Sulfitobacter pseudonitzschiae F5 and a Phaeobacter sp. F10 belonging to the marine Roseobacter group and an Alteromonas macleodii F12 belonging to Alteromonadaceae, from the microbial community of the ubiquitous diatom Asterionellopsis glacialis. We show that only the Roseobacter group isolates (diatom symbionts) can attach to diatom transparent exopolymeric particles. Despite all three bacteria possessing genes involved in motility, chemotaxis, and attachment, only S. pseudonitzschiae F5 and Phaeobacter sp. F10 possessed complete QS systems and could synthesize QS signals. Using UHPLC–MS/MS, we identified three QS molecules produced by both bacteria of which only 3‐oxo‐C16:1‐HSL strongly inhibited bacterial motility and stimulated attachment in the phycosphere. These findings suggest that QS signals enable colonization of the phycosphere by algal symbionts.
Calcium protects bacteria against cadmium stress via reducing nitric oxide production and increasing iron acquisition
Authors: Wu Zuodong , Zheng Rikuan , Liu Ge , Liu Rui , Wu Shimei , Sun Chaomin 
Published: September 2020

SummaryCadmium (Cd) is a common toxic heavy metal in the environment, and bacteria have evolved different strategies against Cd‐toxicity. Here, we found that marine bacterium Bacillus sp. 98 could significantly alleviate Cd‐toxicity by recruiting calcium (Ca) for reducing excessive intracellular nitric oxide (NO) and enhancing iron acquisition. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, mass spectrometry‐based proteomic analysis was applied to Bacillus sp. 98 after treated with Cd supplemented with or without Ca. Compared with bacterial cells treated with Cd only, the proteomic results showed that the expression level of NO synthase was markedly down‐regulated, while the expression levels of NO dioxygenase, which is responsible for converting NO to nitrate, and proteins associated with iron uptake were profoundly enhanced when Ca was supplemented. Consistently, bacterial intracellular NO amount was dramatically increased after Bacillus sp. 98 was treated with Cd, and reversed to a normal level when Ca or iron was supplemented. Notably, Ca also protected bacteria against stresses from other heavy metals including Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn, and this self‐protection strategy was adopted as well in zebrafish, which encourages us to develop Ca‐associated products against heavy metals toxicity in the future.
AFM imaging of extracellular ice nucleators
Authors: Gezgin Zafer , Lee Tung‐Ching , Huang Qingrong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIce nucleators are substances that can initiate nucleation of pure water at and above −10 °C. Some plant pathogens possess a gene which encodes for a protein that acts as an ice nucleator, activity of which is enhanced when it is combined with the sugar and lipid components from the cell membrane. This matter retains its ice nucleation activity even after it is detached from the cell wall, and is termed extracellular ice nucleator (ECIN). In this paper, surface morphology of ECINs was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in tapping mode. ECINs were immobilized onto polyelectrolyte multilayers using the layer by layer deposition method. Effect of layer build‐up, method of ECIN production, and polyelectrolytes used for multilayer fabrication were investigated. Globular and rod‐like structures were observed on the AFM images of the nano‐thin ECIN layers. Activity of ECINs, tested in food solutions in earlier studies, was retained when applied as a nano‐thin layer onto a silicon wafer surface. Protein aggregate sizes decreased when higher centrifugation speeds were applied, and ice nucleation activity also decreased. Nucleation occurred faster and at higher temperatures when substrates were immersed in solutions of higher ECIN concentration, whereas number of bilayers formed did not have a significant effect. Higher concentration ECIN dipping solutions also led to the formation of thicker and denser ECIN layers as observed via AFM imaging.Practical ApplicationThis study demonstrates the properties of nano‐thin ECIN layers, which can crystallize pure water into ice at higher temperatures and in shorter time. Accelerating ice nucleation can potentially be utilized to freeze liquids in shorter time hence using less energy, or improve frozen foods’ stability against the risk of cold chain breakage.
Glutaredoxin 1 regulates macrophage polarization through mediating glutathionylation of STAT1
Authors: Guo Lijuan , Chen Shanze , Liu Qingrong , Ren Hongyu , Li Yuhao , Pan Junyue , Luo Yuhan , Cai Tongzhou , Liu Ruofan , Chen Junli , Wang Yi , Wang Xiaoying , Huang Ning , Li Jingyu 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundMacrophage polarization affects tumor growth, metabolism, and many other tumor processes. M1 macrophages can promote antitumor immunity response. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) is one of the critical transcription factors in this process, which promotes the expression of a series of inflammatory molecules. STAT1 has been reported as a potential target of reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐induced glutathionylation, while the glutathionylation of STAT1 in macrophages and its underlying regulatory mechanism remains unclear. Glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) functions as a deglutathionylation enzyme, which regulates the activities of many proteins through reversing glutathionylation.MethodsGeneChip and RT‐qPCR was first applied to test the mRNA level of Grx1 in M1 macrophages. Western blot was then used to evaluate the variations of the Grx1 protein expression in M1 macrophages. Next, immunoprecipitation was used to investigate the glutathionylated STAT1 in both wild‐type and Grx1−/− mouse macrophages. Finally, the induced alterations of STAT1 activity and function by Grx1 in M1 macrophage were examined by western blot and RT‐qPCR.ResultsIn M1‐type macrophages, the levels of Grx1 were elevated. Glutathionylation of STAT1 was negatively regulated by Grx1. Furthermore, depletion of Grx1 increased the activity of STAT1, and thereby promoted the mRNA level of C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9) during M1‐type polarization of macrophages.ConclusionsGrx1 controlled deglutathionylation of STAT1, which in turn might regulate M1‐type polarization of macrophages.
Correlation between ultrasound findings and laparoscopy in prediction of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE)
Authors: Pattanasri Melinda , Ades Alex , Nanayakkara Pav 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundDetailed pre‐operative description of endometriotic lesions by non‐invasive methods is an important tool for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of the disease. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) is a sensitive method for diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE); however, it is highly operator‐dependent and consistent results require adequately trained and experienced clinicians.AimsThe aim of the study is to assess the accuracy of TVUS in predicting DIE by comparing it with laparoscopic findings. We also compared US done in the community by general radiologists with examinations done by specialist gynaecologists.Materials and MethodsA retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent laparoscopy for excision of possible endometriosis between July 2014 to February 2019 who had a TVUS prior to laparoscopy.ResultsA total of 119 patients were included. TVUS was shown to be useful in detecting all but bladder DIE. Community TVUS was no better than chance at identifying most DIE (area under the curve (AUC) of 0.48–0.60) except in the detection of ovarian endometriomas and adhesions (AUC = 0.84). Specialist TVUS correctly identified most DIE with greatest utility for DIE in rectosigmoid (AUC = 0.85, P < 0.000), followed by pouch of Douglas/pouch of Douglas adhesions (AUC = 0.82, P < 0.000), ovarian endometriomas/ovarian adhesions (AUC = 0.79, P < 0.000), uterosacral ligaments (AUC = 0.75, P < 0.000) and rectovaginal septum (AUC = 0.69, P < 0.05).ConclusionSpecialist TVUS is informative in examining the presence of DIE particularly in posterior compartments which may increase surgical complexity. Community TVUS is significantly less beneficial; however, it is more accessible to the general public. This adds to the argument that increasing access to DIE‐TVUS appears favourable.
Indications for and complications of pelvic lymph node dissection in prostate cancer: accuracy of available nomograms for the prediction of lymph node invasion
Authors: Oderda Marco , Diamand Romain , Albisinni Simone , Calleris Giorgio , Carbone Antonio , Falcone Marco , Fiard Gaelle , Gandaglia Giorgio , Marquis Alessandro , Marra Giancarlo , Parola Cinzia , Pastore Antonio , Peltier Alexandre , Ploussard Guillaume , Roumeguère Thierry , Sanchez‐Salas Rafael , Simone Giuseppe , Smelzo Salvatore , Witt Jorn H. , Gontero Paolo 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesTo externally validate the currently available nomograms for predicting lymph node invasion (LNI) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and to assess the potential risk of complications of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) when using the recommended threshold.MethodsA total of 14 921 patients, who underwent radical prostatectomy with ePLND at eight European tertiary referral centres, were retrospectively identified. After exclusion of patients with incomplete biopsy or pathological data, 12 009 were included. Of these, 609 had undergone multiparametic magnetic resonance imaging‐targeted biopsies. Among ePLND‐related complications we included lymphocele, lymphoedema, haemorrhage, infection and sepsis. The performances of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC), Briganti 2012, Briganti 2017, Briganti 2019, Partin 2016 and Yale models were evaluated using receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve [AUC]), calibration plots, and decision‐curve analysis.ResultsOverall, 1158 patients (9.6%) had LNI, with a mean of 17.7 and 3.2 resected and positive nodes, respectively. No significant differences in AUCs were observed between the MSKCC (0.79), Briganti 2012 (0.79), Partin 2016 (0.78), Yale (0.80), Briganti 2017 (0.81) and Briganti 2019 (0.76) models. A direct comparison of older models showed that better discrimination was achieved with the MSKCC and Briganti 2012 nomograms. A tendency for underestimation was seen for all the older models, whereas the Briganti 2017 and 2019 nomograms tended to overestimate LNI risk. Decision‐curve analysis showed a net benefit for all models, with a lower net benefit for the Partin 2016 and Briganti 2019 models. ePLND‐related complications were experienced by 1027 patients (8.9%), and 12.6% of patients with pN1 disease.ConclusionsThe currently available nomograms have similar performances and limitations in the prediction of LNI. Miscalibration was present, however, for all nomograms showing a net benefit. In patients with only systematic biopsy, the MSKCC and Briganti 2012 nomograms were superior in the prediction of LNI.
Association of the polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 and TLR-9 genes with hepatitis C virus-specific cell-mediated immunity outcomes among Egyptian health-care workers
Authors: Abdelwahab S F , Hamdy S , Osman A M , Zakaria Z A , Galal I , Sobhy M , Hashem M , Allam W R , Abdel-Samiee M , Rewisha E , Waked I 
Published: September 2020

Summary
Variations in the immune response could explain resistance to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Toll-like receptor gene (TLR)-3 is an innate detector of dsRNA viruses, and the TLR-9 gene recognizes bacterial and viral unmethylated cytosine–phosphate–guanosine (CpG) motifs. We previously reported that the TLR-3.rs3775290 CC genotype was associated with HCV chronicity and that the TLR-9 gene played no major role in this infection. This study identified the role of TLR-3.rs3775290 (c.1377C/T), TLR-9.rs5743836 (−1237T→C) and TLR-9.rs352140 (G2848A) gene polymorphisms in predicting the outcome of HCV-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) among Egyptian health-care workers (HCWs). We enrolled 265 HCWs in this study and divided them into four groups. Group 1: 140 seronegative-aviraemic HCWs; group 2: 20 seronegative-viraemic HCWs; group 3: 35 subjects with spontaneously resolved HCV infection; and group 4: 70 chronic HCV HCWs (patients). All subjects were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis for the TLR-3.rs3775290, TLR-9.rs5743836 and TLR-9.rs352140 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We also quantified HCV-specific CMI in the four groups using an interferon (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay in response to nine HCV genotype 4a, overlapping 15mer peptide pools covering the whole viral genome. No statistically significant difference was found between CMI-responding subjects with different HCV states and TLR-3.rs3775290 or TLR-9.rs352140 genotypes. However, there was a significant relationship between the outcome of the HCV-specific CMI and the TLR-9.rs5743836 genotype among the responding subjects (P = 0·005) and the chronic HCV patients (P = 0·044). In conclusion, TLR-9.rs5743836 SNP, but not TLR-3.rs3775290 or TLR-9.rs352140 genotypes, could predict the outcome of HCV-specific CMI responses among Egyptians infected with genotype-4.
Simultaneous testing of immunological sensitization to multiple antigens in sarcoidosis reveals an association with inorganic antigens specifically related to a fibrotic phenotype
Authors: Beijer E , Kraaijvanger R , Roodenburg C , Grutters J C , Meek B , Veltkamp M 
Published: September 2020

Summary
Organic and inorganic antigens were studied simultaneously in the same cohort of sarcoidosis patients to investigate whether correlations between clinical characteristics and immunological sensitization could reveal new phenotypes. Sensitization to antigens of mycobacteria, Propionibacterium acnes catalase and vimentin was investigated in 201 sarcoidosis and 51 obstructive sleep apnoea patients, serving as control group. Sensitization to aluminium, beryllium, silica and zirconium was also studied in 105 of the sarcoidosis patients and in 24 of the controls. A significantly higher percentage of sarcoidosis patients (27·6%) than controls (4·2%) had an immunological response to metals or silica (P = 0·014). A higher percentage of these sarcoidosis patients showed fibrosis on chest X-ray 5 years after the diagnosis (69·2 versus 30·3%, P = 0·016). No significant differences in mycobacterial or vimentin enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay results were observed between sarcoidosis and control patients. A significantly lower percentage of sarcoidosis patients (3·5%) than control patients (15·7%) had a positive ELISPOT for P. acnes catalase (P = 0·003). However, sarcoidosis patients sensitized to P. acnes catalase were more likely to have skin involvement, while sarcoidosis patients sensitized to mycobacterial antigens were more likely to have cardiac involvement. Our study suggests a more prominent role for inorganic triggers in sarcoidosis pathogenesis than previously thought. Immunological sensitization to inorganic antigens was associated with development of fibrotic sarcoidosis. No association was found between sensitization to bacterial antigens or vimentin and sarcoidosis in Dutch patients. However, our data suggest that trigger-related phenotypes can exist in the heterogeneous population of sarcoidosis patients.
Hartmann's procedure versus intersphincteric abdominoperineal excision (HiP Study): a multicentre prospective cohort study
Authors: Fowler H. , Clifford R. , Sutton P. , Watson A. , Fearnhead N. , Bach S. , Moran B. , Rose A. , Jackson R. , Vimalachandran D. ,   the HiP collaborators
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimIn patients with low rectal cancer it is occasionally necessary to avoid a low coloanal anastomosis due to patient frailty or poor function. In such situations there are two alternative approaches: Hartmann's procedure (HP) or intersphincteric abdominoperineal excision (IAPE). There are few data to guide surgeons as to which of these two procedures is the safest. The aim of this study was to determine the surgical complication rates associated with each procedure.MethodThis was a multicentre, nonrandomized prospective cohort study of patients undergoing either HP or IAPE. The primary objective was to determine surgical complication rates. Secondary objectives included length of stay, time to adjuvant therapy and quality of life at 90 days.ResultsOne hundred and seventy nine patients were recruited between April 2016 and June 2019; approximately two thirds of patients underwent HP and one third IAPE. The overall complication rate was high in both groups (54% for the HP group and 52% for the IAPE group). Surgery‐specific complication rates were also high, but not significantly different: 43% for HP and 48% for IAPE. The pelvic abscess rate in HP was 11% and was significantly higher in patients with a palpable staple line (15% vs 2%). There was a higher incidence of serious medical complications following IAPE (16% vs 5%), along with a reduction in 90‐day quality of life scores.ConclusionThis is the largest prospective study to compare HP and IAPE in patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery where primary anastomosis is not deemed appropriate. With similar complication rates, these data support the ongoing use of either HP or IAPE in this patient group.
The racial/ethnic gap in financial literacy in the population and by income
Authors: Angrisani Marco , Barrera Sergio , Blanco Luisa R. , Contreras Salvador 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe investigate the determinants of the racial/ethnic gap in financial literacy in the general population and within income classes, with a focus on childhood family circumstances and neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics. Our model explains 48% and 57% of the observed gap for Blacks and Hispanics, respectively. For both groups, differences in individual characteristics and neighborhood socioeconomic status contribute the most to the explained gap. The White–Minority gap narrows when moving from low‐ to high‐income classes, but the ability of the model to explain it decreases monotonically. Identifying which additional barriers put minorities at a disadvantage is key to improve financial literacy.