bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of RahU, an aegerolysin protein from the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and its interaction with membrane ceramide phosphorylethanolamine
Authors: Kočar Eva , Lenarčič Tea , Hodnik Vesna , Panevska Anastasija , Huang Yunjie , Bajc Gregor , Kostanjšek Rok , Naren Anjaparavanda P. , Maček Peter , Anderluh Gregor , Sepčić Kristina , Podobnik Marjetka , Butala Matej 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAegerolysins are proteins produced by bacteria, fungi, plants and protozoa. The most studied fungal aegerolysins share a common property of interacting with membranes enriched with cholesterol in combination with either sphingomyelin or ceramide phosphorylethanolamine (CPE), major sphingolipids in the cell membranes of vertebrates and invertebrates, respectively. However, genome analyses show a particularly high frequency of aegerolysin genes in bacteria, including the pathogenic genera Pseudomonas and Vibrio; these are human pathogens of high clinical relevance and can thrive in a variety of other species. The knowledge on bacterial aegerolysin-lipid interactions is scarce. We show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa aegerolysin RahU interacts with CPE, but not with sphingomyelin-enriched artificial membranes, and that RahU interacts with the insect cell line producing CPE. We report crystal structures of RahU alone and in complex with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris), which, like the phosphorylethanolamine head group of CPE, contains a primary amine. The RahU structures reveal that the two loops proximal to the amino terminus form a cavity that accommodates Tris, and that the flexibility of these two loops is important for this interaction. We show that Tris interferes with CPE-enriched membranes for binding to RahU, implying on the importance of the ligand cavity between the loops and its proximity in RahU membrane interaction. We further support this by studying the interaction of single amino acid substitution mutants of RahU with the CPE-enriched membranes. Our results thus represent a starting point for a better understanding of the role of P. aeruginosa RahU, and possibly other bacterial aegerolysins, in bacterial interactions with other organisms.
Hericium erinaceus mycelium and its small bioactive compounds promote oligodendrocyte maturation with an increase in myelin basic protein
Authors: Huang Hui-Ting , Ho Chia-Hsin , Sung Hsin-Yu , Lee Li-Ya , Chen Wan-Ping , Chen Yu-Wen , Chen Chin-Chu , Yang Chung-Shi , Tzeng Shun-Fen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOligodendrocytes (OLs), myelin-producing glia in the central nervous system (CNS), produce a myelin extension that enwraps axons to facilitate action potential propagation. An effective approach to induce oligodendrogenesis and myelination is important to foster CNS development and promote myelin repair in neurological diseases.Hericium(H.)erinaceus, an edible and culinary-medicinal mushroom, has been characterized as having neuroprotective activities. However, its effect on OL differentiation has not yet been uncovered. In this study using oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) cultures and an ex vivo cerebellar slice system, we found that the extract fromH. erinaceusmycelium (HEM) not only promoted the differentiation of OPCs to OLs in the differentiation medium, but also increased the level of myelin basic protein (MBP) on neuronal fibers. Moreover, daily oral administration of HEM into neonatal rat pups for 7 days enhanced MBP expression and OLs in the corpus callosum of the postnatal rat brain. The effect of HEM-derived bioactive compounds, the diterpenoid xylosides erinacine A (HeA) and HeC and a sesterterpene with 5 isoprene units called HeS, were further evaluated. The results showed that HeA and HeS more potently stimulated MBP expression in OLs and increased the number of OLs. Moreover, overlap between MBP immunoreactivity and neuronal fibers in cultured cerebellar tissue slices was significantly increased in the presence of HeA and HeS. In summary, our findings indicate that HEM extract and its ingredients HeA and HeS display promising functional effects and promote OL maturation, providing insights into their potential for myelination in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Machine learning estimation of tissue optical properties
Authors: Hokr Brett H. , Bixler Joel N. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDynamic, in vivo measurement of the optical properties of biological tissues is still an elusive and critically important problem. Here we develop a technique for inverting a Monte Carlo simulation to extract tissue optical properties from the statistical moments of the spatio-temporal response of the tissue by training a 5-layer fully connected neural network. We demonstrate the accuracy of the method across a very wide parameter space on a single homogeneous layer tissue model and demonstrate that the method is insensitive to parameter selection of the neural network model itself. Finally, we propose an experimental setup capable of measuring the required information in real time in an in vivo environment and demonstrate proof-of-concept level experimental results.
Resilience of the topological phases to frustration
Authors: Marić Vanja , Franchini Fabio , Kuić Domagoj , Giampaolo Salvatore Marco 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRecently it was highlighted that one-dimensional antiferromagnetic spin models with frustrated boundary conditions, i.e. periodic boundary conditions in a ring with an odd number of elements, may show very peculiar behavior. Indeed the presence of frustrated boundary conditions can destroy the local magnetic orders presented by the models when different boundary conditions are taken into account and induce novel phase transitions. Motivated by these results, we analyze the effects of the introduction of frustrated boundary conditions on several models supporting (symmetry protected) topological orders, and compare our results with the ones obtained with different boundary conditions. None of the topological order phases analyzed are altered by this change. This observation leads naturally to the conjecture that topological phases of one-dimensional systems are in general not affected by topological frustration.
A hierarchical regulatory network analysis of the vitamin D induced transcriptome reveals novel regulators and complete VDR dependency in monocytes
Authors: Warwick Timothy , Schulz Marcel H. , Günther Stefan , Gilsbach Ralf , Neme Antonio , Carlberg Carsten , Brandes Ralf P. , Seuter Sabine 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe transcription factor vitamin D receptor (VDR) is the high affinity nuclear target of the biologically active form of vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). In order to identify pure genomic transcriptional effects of 1,25(OH)2D3, we used VDR cistrome, transcriptome and open chromatin data, obtained from the human monocytic cell line THP-1, for a novel hierarchical analysis applying three bioinformatics approaches. We predicted 75.6% of all early 1,25(OH)2D3-responding (2.5 or 4 h) and 57.4% of the late differentially expressed genes (24 h) to be primary VDR target genes. VDR knockout led to a complete loss of 1,25(OH)2D3–induced genome-wide gene regulation. Thus, there was no indication of any VDR-independent non-genomic actions of 1,25(OH)2D3 modulating its transcriptional response. Among the predicted primary VDR target genes, 47 were coding for transcription factors and thus may mediate secondary 1,25(OH)2D3 responses. CEBPA and ETS1 ChIP-seq data and RNA-seq following CEBPA knockdown were used to validate the predicted regulation of secondary vitamin D target genes by both transcription factors. In conclusion, a directional network containing 47 partly novel primary VDR target transcription factors describes secondary responses in a highly complex vitamin D signaling cascade. The central transcription factor VDR is indispensable for all transcriptome-wide effects of the nuclear hormone.
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide is associated with stroke
Authors: Hakoupian Marisa , Ferino Eva , Jickling Glen C. , Amini Hajar , Stamova Boryana , Ander Bradley P. , Alomar Noor , Sharp Frank R. , Zhan Xinhua 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe aimed to determine if plasma levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) are associated with different causes of stroke and correlate with C-reactive protein (CRP), LPS-binding protein (LBP), and the NIH stroke scale (NIHSS). Ischemic stroke (cardioembolic (CE), large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), small vessel occlusion (SVO)), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), transient ischemic attack (TIA) and control subjects were compared (n = 205). Plasma LPS, LTA, CRP, and LBP levels were quantified by ELISA. LPS and CRP levels were elevated in ischemic strokes (CE, LAA, SVO) and ICH compared to controls. LBP levels were elevated in ischemic strokes (CE, LAA) and ICH. LTA levels were increased in SVO stroke compared to TIA but not controls. LPS levels correlated with CRP and LBP levels in stroke and TIA. LPS, LBP and CRP levels positively correlated with the NIHSS and WBC count but negatively correlated with total cholesterol. Plasma LPS and LBP associate with major causes of ischemic stroke and with ICH, whereas LPS/LBP do not associate with TIAs. LTA only associated with SVO stroke. LPS positively correlated with CRP, LBP, and WBC but negatively correlated with cholesterol. Higher LPS levels were associated with worse stroke outcomes.
Haze of glue determines preference of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) for yellow or blue traps
Authors: van Tol Robert W. H. M. , Tom Jolanda , Roher Monika , Schreurs Anne , van Dooremalen Coby 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn a wind tunnel we compared the colour preference for western flower thrips to four types of colour plates (clear, white, blue and yellow) applied with two types of glue (diffuse Stikem versus clear D41). Further the results for blue and yellow preference were validated in two greenhouses. In the wind tunnel, we found a clear preference of yellow over blue when a clear glue (D41) was used. However, with a more diffuse (whitish) glue (Stikem) the preference for yellow over blue disappeared, whereby the attraction to yellow decreased (58%) while the attraction to blue increased (65%). In the greenhouses, we found similar effects as in the wind tunnel with a decrease in attraction to yellow (35%) and increase in attraction to blue (32%) for Stikem compared to D41. Light measurements showed an increase of 18% of blue, 21% of violet light, 8% of yellow and 9% of green light reflected on the yellow Stikem trap versus the yellow D41 trap. On blue plates there was only 4% increase of blue light, 8% decrease of yellow light reflected when Stikem glue was used compared to D41 glue. It is not yet clear if the change of light reflection ratio blue/yellow caused by the glue type plays a role in the change of attraction. The reflective properties of glue are so far an unknown factor in colour choice and may explain partially the different results on colour preference. A small review on thrips colour preference is discussed to determine possible other factors of influence on colour choice.
Theory of nonvolatile resistive switching in monolayer molybdenum disulfide with passive electrodes
Authors: Mitra Sanchali , Kabiraj Arnab , Mahapatra Santanu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractResistive-memory devices promise to revolutionize modern computer architecture eliminating the data-shuttling bottleneck between the memory and processing unit. Recent years have seen a surge of experimental demonstrations of such devices built upon two-dimensional materials based metal–insulator–metal structures. However, the fundamental mechanism of nonvolatile resistive switching has remained elusive. Here, we conduct reactive molecular dynamics simulations for a sulfur vacancy inhabited monolayer molybdenum disulfide-based device with inert electrode systems to gain insight into such phenomena. We observe that with the application of a suitable electric field, at the vacancy positions, the sulfur atom from the other plane pops and gets arrested in the plane of the molybdenum atoms. Rigorous first principles based calculations surprisingly reveal localized metallic states (virtual filament) and stronger chemical bonding for this new atomic arrangement, explaining the nonvolatile resistive switching. We further observe that localized Joule heating plays a crucial role in restoring the popped sulfur atom to its original position. The proposed theory, which delineates both unipolar and bipolar switching, may provide useful guidelines for designing high-performance resistive-memory-based computing architecture.
Two-dimensional Weyl points and nodal lines in pentagonal materials and their optical response
Authors: Bravo Sergio , Pacheco M. , Nuñez V. , Correa J. D. , Chico Leonor 
Published: March 2021

A symmetry analysis combined with first-principles calculations of two-dimensional pentagonal materials (PdSeTe, PdSeS, InP5 and GeBi2) based on the Cairo tiling reveal nontrivial spin textures, nodal lines and Weyl points.
Prediction model of random forest for the risk of hyperuricemia in a Chinese basic health checkup test
Authors: Gao Yuhan , Jia Shichong , Li Dihua , Huang Chao , Meng Zhaowei , Wang Yan , Yu Mei , Xu Tianyi , Liu Ming , Sun Jinhong , Jia Qiyu , Zhang Qing , Gao Ying , Song Kun , Wang Xing , Fan Yaguang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objectives: The present study aimed to develop a random forest (RF) based prediction model for hyperuricemia (HUA) and compare its performance with the conventional logistic regression (LR) model. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 91,690 participants (14,032 with HUA, 77,658 without HUA). We constructed a RF-based prediction model in the training sets and evaluated it in the validation sets. Performance of the RF model was compared with the LR model by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the RF models were 0.702 and 0.650 in males, 0.767 and 0.721 in females. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 0.372 and 0.881 in males, 0.159 and 0.978 in females. AUC of the RF models was 0.739 (0.728–0.750) in males and 0.818 (0.799–0.837) in females. AUC of the LR models were 0.730 (0.718–0.741) for males and 0.815 (0.795–0.835) for females. The predictive power of RF was slightly higher than that of LR, but was not statistically significant in females (Delong tests, P=0.0015 for males, P=0.5415 for females). Conclusion: Compared with LR, the good performance in HUA status prediction and the tolerance of features associations or interactions showed great potential of RF in further application. A prospective cohort is necessary for HUA developing prediction. People with high risk factors should be encouraged to actively control to reduce the probability of developing HUA.
Convex model predictive control for collision avoidance
Authors: Raković Saša V. , Zhang Sixing , Dai Li , Hao Yanye , Xia Yuanqing 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis manuscript proposes a model predictive control for collision avoidance for the regulation problem of deterministic linear systems, which provides a priori guarantees of strong system theoretic properties, such as positive invariance and asymptotic stability, and high computational efficiency. Notion of safe distance sets is introduced, and also utilized as a novel approach to ensure collision avoidance via suitably defined convex constraints. The proposed convex model predictive control for collision avoidance is obtained by employing interactive strategic‐tactical structure for overall decision‐making. The strategic stage of the overall algorithm employs direct algebraic manipulations in order to construct safe distance sets that ensure collision avoidance. The tactical stage of the overall algorithm employs strictly convex quadratic programs for the optimization of local finite horizon predicted control processes. The dynamically compatible interaction of strategic and tactical stages of the overall algorithm is ensured by construction, which guarantees structural and computational benefits. These novel and unique features effectively enable both real time implementation and real life utilization of model predictive control for collision avoidance.
Dithering‐based real‐time control of cascaded silicon photonic devices by means of non‐invasive detectors
Authors: Zanetto Francesco , Grimaldi Vittorio , Toso Fabio , Guglielmi Emanuele , Milanizadeh Maziyar , Aguiar Douglas , Moralis‐Pegios Miltiadis , Pitris Stelios , Alexoudi Theoni , Morichetti Francesco , Melloni Andrea , Ferrari Giorgio , Sampietro Marco 
Published: March 2021

AbstractReal‐time control of multiple cascaded devices is a key requirement for the development of complex silicon photonic circuits performing new sophisticated optical functionalities. This article describes how the dithering technique can be leveraged in combination with non‐invasive light probes to independently control the working point of many photonic components. The standard technique is extended by introducing the concept of orthogonal dithering signals to simultaneously discriminate the effect of different actuators, while the idea of frequency re‐use is discussed to limit the complexity of control systems in cascaded architectures. After a careful analysis of the problem, the article presents an automated feedback strategy to tune and lock photonic devices in the maxima/minima of their transfer functions with given response speed and sensitivity. The trade‐offs of this approach are discussed in detail to provide guidelines for the design of the feedback loop. Experimental demonstrations on a mesh of Mach‐Zehnder interferometers and on cascaded ring resonators are discussed to validate the proposed control architecture in different scenarios and applications.
Torque analytical model and self‐decoupling characteristics analysis of a bearingless switched reluctance motor
Authors: Cui Ruizhen , Hao Yi , Wang Xilian , Fang Xinyu , Huang Zhuliang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this paper, a bearingless switched reluctance motor (BRSM) with sharing suspension windings, which simplifies the winding structure and reduces the complexity of the control circuit, is analysed. A torque analytical model is derived using the Maxwell stress tensor method, which provides better results, compared with the linear model in the magnetic saturated conditions. A finite element analysis (FEA) model of the prototype is built and used for comparison with the torque analytical model. The results show that the torque analytical model provides accurate results in the entire magnetic saturation region, which verify the feasibility of this model. In addition, the self‐decoupling characteristics of this type of motor are illustrated using analytical model analysis, FEA and experimental analysis. The results indicate that BSRMs with sharing suspension windings can be flexibly controlled without using complex self‐decoupling algorithms of conventional BSRMs. The presented work provides a theoretical basis for the control strategy.
Performance assessment of a novel power generation system
Authors: Ganesh Narayanan Shankar , Maheswari Gunasekaran Uma , Srinivas Tangellapalli , Reddy Bale Viswanadha 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper introduces a novel power generation system using solar energy as a heat source. The proposed cycle incorporates heat sources from two solar collectors for the effective utilisation of heat energy. To aid the performance of the proposed system, the turbine flow rate is increased with the specific heater arrangements. Energy and exergy balances of the novel system were generated using Python software. The investigation of the present system was evaluated with high sink temperature. Turbine inlet concentration, turbine inlet pressure, HE4 outlet temperature from the turbine, condenser concentration of ammonia, isentropic efficiency of the turbine and pressure ratio are the design variables considered for the exergy and thermoeconomic investigation. The energy and exergy analyses resulted in suitable design variables to optimise the performance. The optimum Kalina cycle efficiency, solar plant efficiency, exergy efficiency and network output were determined to be 18.51%, 8.28%, 34.51% and 295.24 kW, respectively. Among the components involved in the system, the mixers account for the highest exergy destruction followed by the turbine. The cycle performance can be improved by reducing the exergy destruction rate. The thermal efficiency is maximised by the turbine inlet pressure and temperature. Moreover, a higher relative cost difference has resulted in heat exchanger 5 and pump 2.
Analysis of virtual inductances on the stability of the voltage control loops for LC‐filtered voltage‐controlled voltage‐source inverters in microgrids
Authors: Wang Kai , Yuan Xibo , Zhang Yonglei , Li Xiaoqiang , Geng Yiwen , Wu Xiaojie 
Published: March 2021

AbstractVoltage‐controlled voltage‐source inverters (VVSIs) have been widely used in microgrids. Typically, LC filters are adopted by the VVSIs to improve the quality of the output voltage. Resonances of the LC filters that may cause oscillations to the VVSIs can be damped by well‐designed voltage controllers. However, the virtual inductance (VI) that is widely applied to improve power sharing between VVSIs will reduce the stability margin of the voltage control loop and introduce new oscillations on the LC filters even if the well‐designed voltage controllers have been used, which has not been reported in the literature. Furthermore, since the VI will introduce a cross‐coupling into the system, the conventional methods for analyzing the resonances of the LC‐filtered VVSIs cannot be used for analyzing the oscillations caused by the VI. Therefore, the stability of the LC‐filtered VVSI with the VI is investigated based on a new model proposed in this paper. Besides, to enhance the stability of the VVSI, the application of a low‐pass filter or a band‐pass filter in the VI is studied. Moreover, when connecting the VVSIs, the effects of the line impedance on the stability of the VVSIs while using the VI are investigated. Finally, simulation and experimental results have been provided, which verifies the correctness of the analysis in this paper.
Partial discharge observation of a complex insulation structure model and residual space charge characteristics investigation under repeated lightning impulses
Authors: Lu Li , Ichimura Satoshi , Rokunohe Toshiaki 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this research, the authors concentrated on a rarely studied part in the power transformer's insulation structure: the connection part of radial and axial spacers. An experimental model was constructed to simulate this part. It was experimentally observed that the partial discharge starting in the oil gap created by the axial and radial spacers. Characteristics of the abovementioned partial discharge under repeated lightning impulses were also investigated. A longer interval time seemed to accelerate the insulation property deterioration of the constructed model, which is contrary to those reported in other studies. It was because that the partial discharge occurrence was prevented by the residual space charge at the surface of oil/insulation if the time interval of the repeated impulses was not long enough. Therefore, it is proposed that a long enough interval time or a polarity test is expected in the factory test to exclude the influence of the residual space charge and understand the real insulation property of power transformers.