bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of Apobec Mrna Expression with overall Survival and pd-l1 Expression in Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Mullane Stephanie A. , Werner Lillian , Rosenberg Jonathan , Signoretti Sabina , Callea Marcella , Choueiri Toni K. , Freeman Gordon J. , Bellmunt Joaquim
Published: June 2016

Metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) has a very high mutational rate and is associated with an APOBEC mutation signature. We examined the correlation of APOBEC expression with overall survival (OS) and PD-L1 expression in a cohort of 73 mUC patients. mRNA expression of APOBEC3 family of genes (A3A, A3B, A3C, A3F_a, A3F_b, A3G, A3H) was measured using Nanostring. PD-L1 expression, evaluated by immunohistochemistry, on tumor infiltrating mononuclear cells (TIMCs) and tumor cells was scored from 0 to 4, with 2–4 being positive. Wilcoxon’s non-parametric tests assessed the association of APOBEC and PD-L1. The Cox regression model assessed the association of APOBEC with OS. All APOBEC genes were expressed in mUC. Increased A3A, A3D and A3H expression associates with PD-L1 positive TIMCs (p = 0.0009, 0.009, 0.06). Decreased A3B expression was marginally associated with PD-L1 positive TIMCs expression (p = 0.05). Increased A3F_a and A3F_b expression was associated with increased expression of PD-L1 on tumor cells (p = 0.05). Increased expression of A3D and A3H was associated with longer OS (p = 0.0009). Specific APOBEC genes have different effects on mUC in terms of survival and PD-L1 expression. A3D and A3H may have the most important role in mUC as they are associated with OS and PD-L1 TIMC expression.
A seismic metamaterial: The resonant metawedge
Authors: Colombi Andrea , Colquitt Daniel , Roux Philippe , Guenneau Sebastien , Craster Richard V.
Published: June 2016

Critical concepts from three different fields, elasticity, plasmonics and metamaterials, are brought together to design a metasurface at the geophysical scale, the resonant metawedge, to control seismic Rayleigh waves. Made of spatially graded vertical subwavelength resonators on an elastic substrate, the metawedge can either mode convert incident surface Rayleigh waves into bulk elastic shear waves or reflect the Rayleigh waves creating a “seismic rainbow” effect analogous to the optical rainbow for electromagnetic metasurfaces. Time-domain spectral element simulations demonstrate the broadband efficacy of the metawedge in mode conversion while an analytical model is developed to accurately describe and predict the seismic rainbow effect; allowing the metawedge to be designed without the need for extensive parametric studies and simulations. The efficiency of the resonant metawedge shows that large-scale mechanical metamaterials are feasible, will have application and that the time is ripe for considering many optical devices in the seismic and geophysical context.
The abrupt climate change near 4,400 yr BP on the cultural transition in Yuchisi, China and its global linkage
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Sun Liguang , Chen Liqi , Xu Libin , Wang Yuhong , Wang Xinming
Published: June 2016

Extreme climatic events have profound impacts on human society. Here we present the results of a study of organic biomarkers within a sedimentary section at the archaeological site of Yuchisi, eastern China, in order to reconstruct climatic variability during the Dawenkou (5,050–4,400 yr BP) and Longshan (4,400–4,000 yr BP) cultures. At ~4,400 yr BP, within the cultural transition horizon, abrupt changes in biomarkers, such as the fatty acid ratio C18:2/C18:0, 2C31/(C27 + C29), n-C18-ol and n-C30-ol, indicate the occurrence of local climate changes over the course of a few decades. These changes occurred during the transition from the Holocene warm period to a subsequent cold period which lasted for the following 600 years. This climatic shift has been recorded at numerous sites worldwide and it is likely to have been the main cause of the widespread collapse of many isolated cultures at that time. The palaeoclimatic and archaeological data from the Yuchisi sediments may provide new insights into the relationship between climate change and prehistoric cultural transitions.
Functional coordination of muscles underlying changes in behavioural dynamics
Authors: Vernooij Carlijn A. , Rao Guillaume , Perdikis Dionysios , Huys Raoul , Jirsa Viktor K. , Temprado Jean-Jacques
Published: June 2016

The dynamical systems approach addresses Bernstein’s degrees of freedom problem by assuming that the neuro-musculo-skeletal system transiently assembles and dismantles its components into functional units (or synergies) to meet task demands. Strikingly, little is known from a dynamical point of view about the functioning of the muscular sub-system in this process. To investigate the interaction between the dynamical organisation at muscular and behavioural levels, we searched for specific signatures of a phase transition in muscular coordination when a transition is displayed at the behavioural level. Our results provide evidence that, during Fitts’ task when behaviour switches to a different dynamical regime, muscular activation displays typical signatures of a phase transition; a reorganisation in muscular coordination patterns accompanied by a peak in the variability of muscle activation. This suggests that consistent changes occur in coordination processes across the different levels of description (i.e., behaviour and muscles). Specifically, in Fitts’ task, target size acts as a control parameter that induces a destabilisation and a reorganisation of coordination patterns at different levels of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system.
Improving analytical methods for protein-protein interaction through implementation of chemically inducible dimerization
Authors: Andersen Tonni Grube , Nintemann Sebastian J. , Marek Magdalena , Halkier Barbara A. , Schulz Alexander , Burow Meike
Published: June 2016

When investigating interactions between two proteins with complementary reporter tags in yeast two-hybrid or split GFP assays, it remains troublesome to discriminate true- from false-negative results and challenging to compare the level of interaction across experiments. This leads to decreased sensitivity and renders analysis of weak or transient interactions difficult to perform. In this work, we describe the development of reporters that can be chemically induced to dimerize independently of the investigated interactions and thus alleviate these issues. We incorporated our reporters into the widely used split ubiquitin-, bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC)- and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)- based methods and investigated different protein-protein interactions in yeast and plants. We demonstrate the functionality of this concept by the analysis of weakly interacting proteins from specialized metabolism in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our results illustrate that chemically induced dimerization can function as a built-in control for split-based systems that is easily implemented and allows for direct evaluation of functionality.
Virus-induced gene silencing of the RPC5-like subunit of RNA polymerase III caused pleiotropic effects in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Nemchinov Lev G. , Boutanaev Alexander M. , Postnikova Olga A.
Published: June 2016

In eukaryotic cells, RNA polymerase III is highly conserved and transcribes housekeeping genes such as ribosomal 5S rRNA, tRNA and other small RNAs. The RPC5-like subunit is one of the 17 subunits forming RNAPIII and its exact functional roles in the transcription are poorly understood. In this work, we report that virus-induced gene silencing of transcripts encoding a putative RPC5-like subunit of the RNA Polymerase III in a model speciesNicotiana benthamianahad pleiotropic effects, including but not limited to severe dwarfing appearance, chlorosis, nearly complete reduction of internodes and abnormal leaf shape. Using transcriptomic analysis, we identified genes and pathways affected by RPC5 silencing and thus presumably related to the cellular roles of the subunit as well as to the downstream cascade of reactions in response to partial loss of RNA Polymerase III function. Our results suggest that silencing of the RPC5L inN. benthamianadisrupted not only functions commonly associated with the core RNA Polymerase III transcripts, but also more diverse cellular processes, including responses to stress. We believe this is the first demonstration that activity of the RPC5 subunit is critical for proper functionality of RNA Polymerase III and normal plant development.
Slingshot feeding of the goblin shark Mitsukurina owstoni (Pisces: Lamniformes: Mitsukurinidae)
Authors: Nakaya Kazuhiro , Tomita Taketeru , Suda Kenta , Sato Keiichi , Ogimoto Keisuke , Chappell Anthony , Sato Toshihiko , Takano Katsuhiko , Yuki Yoshio
Published: June 2016

Five striking and prey capture events of two goblin sharks were videotaped at sea for the first time, showing their extraordinary biting process. The goblin sharks swung their lower jaw downward and backward to attain a huge gape and then rapidly protruded the jaws forward a considerable distance. The jaws were projected at a maximum velocity of 3.1 m/s to 8.6–9.4% of the total length of the shark, which is by far the fastest and greatest jaw protrusion among sharks. While the jaws were being retracted, the mouth opened and closed again, which was considered a novel feeding event for sharks. Phylogenetic evidence suggested that their feeding behavior has evolved as an adaptation to food-poor deep-sea environments, possibly as a trade-off for the loss of strong swimming ability.
Hyperspectral Imaging for Determining Pigment Contents in Cucumber Leaves in Response to Angular Leaf Spot Disease
Authors: Zhao Yan-Ru , Li Xiaoli , Yu Ke-Qiang , Cheng Fan , He Yong
Published: June 2016

Hyperspectral imaging technique was employed to determine spatial distributions of chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (Car) contents in cucumber leaves in response to angular leaf spot (ALS). Altogether, 196 hyperspectral images of cucumber leaves with five infection severities of ALS were captured by a hyperspectral imaging system in the range of 380–1,030 nm covering 512 wavebands. Mean spectrum were extracted from regions of interest (ROIs) in the hyperspectral images. Partial least square regression (PLSR) models were used to develop quantitative analysis between the spectra and the pigment contents measured by biochemical analyses. In addition, regression coefficients (RCs) in PLSR models were employed to select important wavelengths (IWs) for modelling. It was found that the PLSR models developed by the IWs provided the optimal measurement results with correlation coefficient (R) of prediction of 0.871 and 0.876 for Chl and Car contents, respectively. Finally, Chl and Car distributions in cucumber leaves with the ALS infection were mapped by applying the optimal models pixel-wise to the hyperspectral images. The results proved the feasibility of hyperspectral imaging for visualizing the pigment distributions in cucumber leaves in response to ALS.
Rotman Lens-Based Circular Array for Generating Five-mode OAM Radio Beams
Authors: Bai Xu-Dong , Liang Xian-Ling , Li Jian-Ping , Wang Kun , Geng Jun-Ping , Jin Rong-Hong
Published: June 2016

Recently, vortex beam carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) for radio communications has attracted much attention for its potential of transmitting multiple signals simultaneously at the same frequency, which can be used to increase the channel capacity. However, most of the methods for getting multi-mode OAM radio beams remain up to now mainly at simulation level, since their implementations are of complicated structure and very high cost. This paper provides an effective design of generating five-mode OAM radio beams by using the Rotman lens-fed antenna array. The Rotman lens is a viable beamforming approach instead of electronically scanned arrays for its low cost and the ease of implementation. The lens-fed array employs a two-layer structure for size reduction and the lens body and the antenna array are segregated by a common ground plane to eliminate spurious radiation and thus improve the performance of the OAM beams. The measured results coincide with the simulated ones, which verified the effectiveness of the proposed design for generating multi-mode OAM beams.
Reassessing the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome during pathogenic influenza A virus infection via temporal inhibition
Authors: Tate Michelle D. , Ong James D. H. , Dowling Jennifer K. , McAuley Julie L. , Robertson Avril B. , Latz Eicke , Drummond Grant R. , Cooper Matthew A. , Hertzog Paul J. , Mansell Ashley
Published: June 2016

The inflammasome NLRP3 is activated by pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) during infection, including RNA and proteins from influenza A virus (IAV). However, chronic activation by danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) can be deleterious to the host. We show that blocking NLRP3 activation can be either protective or detrimental at different stages of lethal influenza A virus (IAV). Administration of the specific NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 to mice from one day following IAV challenge resulted in hypersusceptibility to lethality. In contrast, delaying treatment with MCC950 until the height of disease (a more likely clinical scenario) significantly protected mice from severe and highly virulent IAV-induced disease. These findings identify for the first time that NLRP3 plays a detrimental role later in infection, contributing to IAV pathogenesis through increased cytokine production and lung cellular infiltrates. These studies also provide the first evidence identifying NLRP3 inhibition as a novel therapeutic target to reduce IAV disease severity.
Copper nanoparticle decorated three dimensional graphene with high catalytic activity for Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition
Authors: Dabiri Minoo , Kasmaei Melika , Salari Parinaz , Movahed Siyavash Kazemi
Published: June 2016

A copper nanoparticle decorated three-dimensional graphene nanocomposite was prepared at room temperature by reduction of copper sulfate using l-ascorbic acid as the reducing agent.
Comparison of three indirect immunoassay formats on a common paper-based microfluidic device architecture
Authors: Fernandes Syrena C. , Logounov Gabriel S. , Munro James B. , Mace Charles R.
Published: June 2016

The ability to detect antibodies that are generated during an immune response is integral to the diagnosis and monitoring of infections.
A magnesium–sodium hybrid battery with high operating voltage
Authors: Dong Hui , Li Yifei , Liang Yanliang , Li Guosheng , Sun Cheng-Jun , Ren Yang , Lu Yuhao , Yao Yan
Published: June 2016

A low-cost high-power Mg–Na hybrid battery enabled by high-voltage Mg–Na dual salt electrolyte, open framework cathode, and the fast-kinetic Mg metal anode is demonstrated.
Understanding divergent behaviors in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction on CdS and ZnS: a DFT based study
Authors: Zhou Zhaohui , Han Fengshuang , Guo Liejin , Prezhdo Oleg V.
Published: June 2016

Pt affects photocatalytic HER on CdS(ZnS) as a compromise of the free energy of H* adsorption and CBM.
A novel anode comprised of C&N co-doped Co3O4 hollow nanofibres with excellent performance for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Yan Chunshuang , Chen Gang , Sun Jingxue , Zhou Xin , Lv Chade
Published: June 2016

C&N co-doped Co3O4 hollow nanofibres are prepared by combining the electrospinning technique and the hydrothermal method, which show a high reversible capacity and excellent cycling stability as anode materials for Li-ion batteries.
Adsorption of gold subnano-structures on a magnetite(111) surface and their interaction with CO
Authors: Pabisiak Tomasz , Winiarski Maciej J. , Ossowski Tomasz , Kiejna Adam
Published: June 2016

Gold deposited on iron oxide surfaces can catalyze the oxidation of carbon monoxide.
Dipole moments and solvatochromism of metal complexes: principle photophysical and theoretical approach
Authors: Loukova Galina V. , Milov Alexey A. , Vasiliev Vladimir P. , Minkin Vladimir I.
Published: June 2016

For metal-based compounds, the ground- and excited-state dipole moments and the difference thereof are obtained both experimentally and theoretically.
Structure and bonding in crystalline cesium uranyl tetrachloride under pressure
Authors: Osman Hussien H. , Pertierra Pilar , Salvadó Miguel A. , Izquierdo-Ruiz F. , Recio J. M.
Published: June 2016

First-principles simulations of Cs2UO2Cl4under hydrostatic pressure reveal an unexpected variation of the U–O bond length and stretching vibrational frequencies.
Coordination reactions of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde-phenylhydrazonatolithium with selected transition metal (Zn, Sn, Fe, Co, Ni and Zr) chlorides and its coupling reaction with dichloromethane
Authors: Duan Xin-E , Tong Hong-Bo , Wei Xue-Hong , Shi He-Ping , Bai Sheng-Di , Bai Tao , Zhang Jing , Zhang Yong-Bin , Liu Dian-Sheng
Published: June 2016

Metal complexes of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde-phenylhydrazonato and a double coupling reaction of the ligand with CH2Cl2.
1D ZnO/BiVO4 heterojunction photoanodes for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Yan Lu , Zhao Wei , Liu Zhifeng
Published: June 2016

In this paper, a novel ZnO nanorods (NRs)/BiVO4 heterojunction has been successfully prepared as a photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting.
A six-membered-ring incorporated Si-rhodamine for imaging of copper(ii) in lysosomes
Authors: Wang Baogang , Cui Xiaoyan , Zhang Zhiqiang , Chai Xiaoyun , Ding Hao , Wu Qiuye , Guo Zhongwu , Wang Ting
Published: June 2016

A Si-rhodamine-based probe with a multifunctional thiosemicarbazide moiety favored the imaging of lysosomal Cu2+with precise targeting and superior sensitivity.
Enantioselective N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed synthesis of saccharine-derived dihydropyridinones with cis-selectivity
Authors: Liang Zhi-Qin , Wang Dong-Ling , Zhang Chun-Lin , Ye Song
Published: June 2016

The N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed [2 + 4] cyclocondensation of α-chloroaldehydes and saccharine-derived 1-azadienes was developed, giving dihydropyridinones in good yields with exclusive cis-selectivities and excellent enantioselectivities.
Organic–inorganic rod–coil block copolymers comprising substituted polyacetylene and poly(dimethylsiloxane) segments
Authors: Yang Shaohui , He Junpo
Published: June 2016

Organic–inorganic rod–coil diblock copolymers comprising substituted polyacetylene and PDMS were synthesized through a precursor route based on anionic polymerization.
Mesoporous tantalum phosphates: preparation, acidity and catalytic performance for xylose dehydration to produce furfural
Authors: Xing Yanran , Yan Bo , Yuan Zifei , Sun Keqiang
Published: June 2016

Mesoporous tantalum phosphates with varying P/Ta molar ratios were prepared and their catalytic activity were studied in the xylose dehydration reaction.
Ability of Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B for high added value carotenoids production
Authors: Silva Tiago P. , Paixão Susana M. , Alves Luís
Published: June 2016

Currently, carotenoids are valuable bioactive molecules for several industries, such as chemical, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics, due to their multiple benefits as natural colorants, antioxidants and vitamin precursors.
A new photoluminescent feature in LuPO4:Eu thermoluminescent sintered materials
Authors: Zeler J. , Cybińska J. , Zych E.
Published: June 2016

Sintered LuPO4:Eu shows blue or red photoluminescence depending on the excitation energy and a powerful thermoluminescence after exposure to X-rays.
Water-penetration-assisted mechanical transfer of large-scale molybdenum disulfide onto arbitrary substrates
Authors: Lai Shen , Jeon Jaeho , Song Young-Jae , Lee Sungjoo
Published: June 2016

The transfer of two-dimensional (2D) material layers to arbitrary substrates from growth substrates is critical for many applications.
PMAA-based RAFT dispersion polymerization of MMA in ethanol: conductivity, block length and self-assembly
Authors: Ni Henmei , Liu Junxiu , Shi Kai , Wu Min , Yang Yadong , Zhang Lijuan
Published: June 2016

Soluble amphiphilic diblock copolymers of PMAA-b-PMMA were positively charged in ethanol and the electrostatic interaction played a role in the process of self-assembly.
Incorporation of CaO in inert solid matrix by spray drying sol mixture of precursors
Authors: Zhang Yang , Liu Wenqiang , Yang Xinwei , Sun Jian , Hu Yingchao , Xu Minghou
Published: June 2016

Sol mixing of one soluble precursor with one insoluble precursor has been investigated to incorporate CaO in an inert solid matrix to obtain superior CaO-based sorbents for CO2 capture.
A novel method for copper(ii) mediated region-selective bromination of aromatic rings under mild conditions
Authors: Khan Samim , Jana Subrata , Drew Michael G. B. , Bauza Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Chattopadhyay Shouvik
Published: June 2016

A square planar copper(ii) complex has been synthesized using a tridentate Schiff base ligand H2L and characterized. During complex formation, bromination at the 4 position of the aromatic ring of the Schiff base ligand has taken place.
Ultrahigh performance supercapacitors utilizing core–shell nanoarchitectures from a metal–organic framework-derived nanoporous carbon and a conducting polymer
Authors: Salunkhe Rahul R. , Tang Jing , Kobayashi Naoya , Kim Jeonghun , Ide Yusuke , Tominaka Satoshi , Kim Jung Ho , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: June 2016

Nanoarchitectured nanoporous carbon/conducting polymer core–shell nanocomposites (carbon–PANI) are prepared from metal–organic framework-derived carbon and the controlled polymerization of polyaniline nanorods.
Asymmetric synthesis of chiral β-alkynyl carbonyl and sulfonyl derivatives via sequential palladium and copper catalysis
Authors: Trost Barry M. , Masters James T. , Taft Benjamin R. , Lumb Jean-Philip
Published: June 2016

A sequential catalysis strategy for the synthesis of chiral β-alkynyl carbonyl and sulfonyl derivatives.
Dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyridin-5(4H)-one based D–A type copolymers with wide bandgaps of up to 2.05 eV to achieve solar cell efficiencies of up to 7.33%
Authors: Gao Wei , Liu Tao , Hao Minghui , Wu Kailong , Zhang Chen , Sun Yanming , Yang Chuluo
Published: June 2016

A PCE of 7.33% was achieved in a PSC based on a new copolymer, PDTPO-IDT, with bandgaps of up to 2.05 eV.
Divergent ynamide reactivity in the presence of azides – an experimental and computational study
Authors: Tona Veronica , Ruider Stefan A. , Berger Martin , Shaaban Saad , Padmanaban Mohan , Xie Lan-Gui , González Leticia , Maulide Nuno
Published: June 2016

An unusually divergent reactivity of ynamides in the presence of azides is reported.
Emerging new generation electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Raj C. Retna , Samanta Arpan , Noh Seung Hyo , Mondal Siniya , Okajima Takeyoshi , Ohsaka Takeo
Published: June 2016

Recent progress in the development of a new class of inexpensive metal-free and non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts for the cathodic reduction of oxygen is discussed.
High-performance free-standing PEDOT:PSS electrodes for flexible and transparent all-solid-state supercapacitors
Authors: Cheng Tao , Zhang Yi-Zhou , Zhang Jian-Dong , Lai Wen-Yong , Huang Wei
Published: June 2016

High-performance free-standing PEDOT:PSS electrodes were fabricated via a facile multilayer spin-coating methodology; flexible and transparent all-solid-state supercapacitors were thus successfully constructed.
A simultaneous 3D printing process for the fabrication of bioceramic and cell-laden hydrogel core/shell scaffolds with potential application in bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Raja Naren , Yun Hui-suk
Published: June 2016

A novel process was developed to fabricate core/shell-structured 3D scaffolds, made of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) and alginate laden with pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells, through a combination of cement chemistry, dual paste-extruding deposition (PED), and cell printing.
Three dimensional multipod superstructures based on Cu(OH)2 as a highly efficient nanozyme
Authors: Cai Ren , Yang Dan , Chen Xigao , Huang Yun , Lyu Yifan , He Jinglin , Shi Muling , Teng I-Ting , Wan Shuo , Hou Weijia , Tan Weihong
Published: June 2016

A highly efficient nanozyme system, termed a hollow multipod Cu(OH)2 superstructure (HMPS), has been developed via direct conversion from irregular nanoparticles.
Microwave bone imaging: a preliminary scanning system for proof‐of‐concept
Authors: Ruvio Giuseppe , Cuccaro Antonio , Solimene Raffaele , Brancaccio Adriana , Basile Bruno , Ammann Max J.
Published: June 2016

This Letter introduces a feasibility study of a scanning system for applications in biomedical bone imaging operating in the microwave range 0.5–4 GHz. Mechanical uncertainties and data acquisition time are minimised by using a fully automated scanner that controls two antipodal Vivaldi antennas. Accurate antenna positioning and synchronisation with data acquisition enables a rigorous proof‐of‐concept for the microwave imaging procedure of a multi‐layer phantom including skin, fat, muscle and bone tissues. The presence of a suitable coupling medium enables antenna miniaturisation and mitigates the impedance mismatch between antennas and phantom. The three‐dimensional image of tibia and fibula is successfully reconstructed by scanning the multi‐layer phantom due to the distinctive dielectric contrast between target and surrounding tissues. These results show the viability of a microwave bone imaging technology which is low cost, portable, non‐ionising, and does not require specially trained personnel. In fact, as no a‐priori characterisation of the antenna is required, the image formation procedure is very conveniently simplified.
Design of expanding window fountain codes with unequal power allocation over BIAWGN channels
Authors: Yuan Lei , Li Juan , Wan Yi
Published: June 2016

In this study, the authors propose an improved design of expanding window fountain (EWF) codes over the binary input additive white Gaussian noise channels. The encoding process is modified to get almost regular variable‐node degree distributions. Compared with the conventional EWF codes, their proposed scheme can lower the error floor. Furthermore, they combine the EWF encoding process with unequal power allocation to improve unequal error protection (UEP) performance, and construct pre‐coded EWF codes by concatenating their proposed EWF codes with high‐rate low‐density parity‐check codes. Both asymptotic analysis and simulation results show that, compared with the conventional scheme, their proposed scheme can get better UEP performance and design flexibility.
Finite‐time synchronisation of neural networks with discrete and distributed delays via periodically intermittent memory feedback control
Authors: Yang Fei , Mei Jun , Wu Zhou
Published: June 2016

In this study, finite‐time synchronisation between two chaotic systems with discrete and distributed delays is investigated by using periodically intermittent memory feedback control. Based on finite‐time stability theory, some novel and effective synchronisation criteria of intermittent control are derived by means of linear matrix inequalities and differential inequality techniques. Furthermore, a necessary condition of finite‐time synchronisation of intermittent control is given for neural networks with discrete and distributed delays. A numerical example on two chaotic neural networks shows the effectiveness and correctness of the derived theoretical results. In addition, a secure communication synchronisation problem is presented to demonstrate practical effectiveness of the proposed method.
Distribution network reconfiguration validation with uncertain loads – network configuration determination and application
Authors: Bai Xuefeng , Mavrocostanti Yiango , Strickland Dani , Harrap Chris
Published: June 2016

Automatic load transfer (ALT) on the 11 kV network is the process by which circuit breakers on the network are switched to form open points in order to feed load from different primary substations. Some of the potential benefits that may be gained from dynamically using ALT include maximising utilisation of existing assets, voltage regulation and reduced losses. One of the key issues, that has yet to be properly addressed in published research, is how to validate that the modelled benefits really exist. On an 11 kV distribution network where the load is continually changing and the load on each distribution substation is unlikely to be monitored – reduction in losses from moving the normally open point is particularly difficult to prove. This study proposes a method to overcome this problem and uses measured primary feeder data from two parts of the Western Power Distribution 11 kV Network under different configurations. The process of choosing the different configurations is based on a heuristic modelling method of locating minimum voltages to help reduce losses.
Algorithm for transformer differential protection based on wavelet correlation modes
Authors: Guillén Daniel , Esponda Hector , Vázquez Ernesto , Idárraga‐Ospina Gina
Published: June 2016

In this study, a new algorithm for discrimination between internal faults and inrush current conditions in power transformers is presented. First, the proposed algorithm removes the pre‐fault conditions of the fault currents. Then, those currents are processed using the discrete wavelet transform to obtain the wavelet matrix. The correlation matrix is computed from wavelet matrix to know the eigenvalues associated with each frequency scale and to reduce the analysed information. This algorithm, which the authors are going to call wavelet correlation modes, is used to identify inrush and internal fault currents in power transformer. To validate the proposed algorithm, simulations are carried out in power systems computer‐aided design software, and the obtained signals are analysed in order to evaluate its performance and sensitivity.
Combinational scheme for voltage and frequency recovery in an islanded distribution system
Authors: Nourollah Sara , Pirayesh Abolfazl , Aminifar Farrokh
Published: June 2016

In low‐voltage autonomous micro‐grids, preserving both frequency and voltage stabilities at event of severe contingencies is an unsolved technical challenge. The conventional control algorithms are designed based on either one of frequency and voltage stabilities and do not bring satisfactory performance for real world practices. As per experiences in the transmission level, load shedding (LS) can be an effective countermeasure to overcome this challenge. This study introduces an under voltage‐frequency LS (UVFLS) scheme to achieve proper load shed amounts (LSAs). The voltage effect is accounted for in two online and real‐time mode stages. A quick computational algorithm is proposed in the online stage to obtain ‘nose’ curves of the network as a linearised piecewise function of voltage/load level. Then in the real‐time operation stage, according to these curves and the present operating points of the system, optimum LSA is calculated. The frequency droop characteristics of distributed generation units are employed to incorporate the effect of frequency on the LSA. Simulation studies are carried out on two distribution systems, a 5‐bus autonomous micro‐grid and the modified standard IEEE 37‐bus system. Validation of the proposed method shows that frequency and voltages are restored to their desired ranges using the novel UVFLS algorithm.
Conditional abnormality detection based on AMI data mining
Authors: Han Seon Yeong , No JaeGoo , Shin Jin‐Ho , Joo YongJae
Published: June 2016

As advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is deployed, the AMI data is used to detect an energy fraud. Along with context analysis of AMI data such as detection of an unreasonably low consumption AMI data mining is a primary solution for detecting abnormalities that cannot be detected using simple context analysis. Traditionally, abnormality detection based on AMI data mining compares a load profile with predefined normal prototypes. However, since a load profile can be normal in one condition and abnormal in another, the condition associated with the load profile should be considered as determining the normality. However, existing methods do not connect the normality of a prototype and a specific condition. In this study, the authors propose a mechanism that incorporates the conditional probability into determination of the normality of the prototype for comparison. The novelty of their study is its generating a two‐dimensional space using similarity and conditional probability, so that several multi‐dimensional classification methods can be applied. They compare the proposed mechanism with best‐fit and average prototype‐based abnormality detection methods. In conclusion, the proposed mechanism can distinguish fraud data with a higher precision than the traditional methods. They also explore the accuracy of the mechanism with various parameters.
Output feedback dynamic tracking excitation control of synchronous generators
Authors: Beltran‐Carbajal Francisco , Favela‐Contreras Antonio , Lopez‐Garcia Irvin , Valderrabano‐Gonzalez Antonio , Rosas‐Caro Julio Cesar , Sanchez‐Huerta Victor Manuel
Published: June 2016

A novel output feedback dynamic excitation control scheme is proposed for efficient load angle trajectory tracking tasks for synchronous generators. In this way, effective tracking of reference trajectories for the state variables and electric power is also guaranteed. The introduced control design approach is robust against parametric uncertainty, unmodelled dynamics, and variable mechanical power input commonly present in practical electric power systems. The control scheme only requires measurements of the load angle variable, and state and disturbance estimation is properly avoided. Computer simulation results are included to show the controller robustness and the satisfactory reference trajectory tracking specified for the machine operation for both continuous and switched control voltage signals.
Research on switching operation transient electromagnetic environment of substations in a coal mine
Authors: Feng Dewang , Lu Mi , Lan Jianrong , Sun Lei
Published: June 2016

Research of switching operation transient electromagnetic field in substations is fundamental to the protection of mine monitoring systems against electromagnetic interference. Three models, which are the equivalent circuit of switching on/off inductive load, transient radiation of short dipole, and transmission line of long cable, are built for numerical analysis. The results indicate that switching operation does not produce transient pulse when the breaking angle is close to 90°. Electric fields are the primary form of transient pulse radiation, and the effect of the magnetic field on the environment can be ignored. Long cables are naturally resistant to differential mode transient pulse propagation, but the effect of common mode transient pulse cannot be ignored. Energy distribution of transient pulse in different frequency ranges is calculated by using theParserval equation. Furthermore, the measurement frequencies and the instruments used in the coal mine are determined, and on‐site data is then obtained. Measurement results show that switching operation may produce a series of transient pulses, causing the electric field to grow larger than before. Specifically, conducted emissions have large impacts on the monitoring circuitry of the mine equipment, causing the mine monitoring system to frequently record erroneous data and omit information.
Effect of radiation surface error in multi‐scales on planar waveguide slotted arrays in Ku‐band
Authors: Li Na
Published: June 2016

This paper investigates effect of radiation surface error on the electrical properties of waveguide slotted arrays. For the waveguide slotted arrays working in Ku band, the radiation surface error caused by exterior loads and processing contains three components in different scales. Power spectrum conversion and Gaussian filtering are applied to error components separation, and three kinds of statistical models are introduced for error modelling. The multi‐scale error model is obtained by weighted stacking. Based on the error model, effective mechanism formulations are developed with errors through the analysis of the positional difference of radiating slots in the aperture field. As a method of verification, an antenna prototype is manufactured and tested. A novel simulation method is proposed, which is tested by a contrast experiment on radiating surface's flatness. A comparison between results of the multi‐scale error model and test data to the ideal case indicates that the proposed error model is closer to the test data. Influence degrees of all error components in different scales are compared and discussed. Reducing the error in the manufacturing process is an effective way to make sure the design accuracy of arrays, reduce production costs and shorten production cycles.
Quadruple filtering mechanism through an effective sketch of reconfigurable frequency selective surface
Authors: Majidzadeh Maryam , Ghobadi Changiz , Nourinia Javad
Published: June 2016

This study puts forward a novel sketch of single layer, polarisation and angular stable reconfigurable frequency selective surfaces (FSSs). To this end, an efficient unit cell is devised and embedded in the proposed sketch. The founded unit cell embraces a simple square loop on its front side. Likewise, a defected loop and two vertical arms are suitably sited on the backside of the substrate. To realise the reconfiguration process, four diodes are implanted in the unit cell in the form of two pairs. By setting the diode pairs ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’, four different operating modes are attained. In the first case, steering all the diodes to ON state ends in ultra‐wideband rejection. Besides, the next two cases include the combinations of one pair ON and the other OFF, contrarily. Furthermore, the fourth case is denoted by the OFF state of all diodes. In this regard, wise combination of conductive elements and diodes yields in synchrony of the rejected bands with applicable in‐use frequency ranges, namely worldwide interoperability for microwave access, wireless local area network, X band, and Ku band in all the three operating modes. Apart from the aforementioned functionalities, high attenuation performance is observed at the rejected bands confirming the complete rejection of incident signals.
Periodic array of complementary artificial magnetic conductor metamaterials‐based multiband antennas for broadband wireless transceivers
Authors: Alibakhshi‐Kenari Mohammad , Naser‐Moghadasi Mohammad , Sadeghzadeh Ramzan Ali , Virdee Bal S. , Limiti Ernesto
Published: June 2016

This study presents the empirical results of a low‐profile light‐weight antenna based on a periodic array of the complementary artificial magnetic conductor metamaterial structure, which is realised by loading the antenna with E‐shaped slits and inductive microstrip lines grounded using metallic via‐holes. The finalised prototype antenna operates over a broadband of 0.41–4.1 GHz, which corresponds to a fractional bandwidth of 165.84%, and has dimensions of 40 × 35 × 1.6 mm3 or 0.054λ0 × 0.047λ0 × 0.0021λ0, where λ0 is free‐space wavelength at operating frequency of 410 MHz. The finalised antenna has a peak gain and radiation efficiency of 4.45 dBi and 85.8%, respectively, at 2.76 GHz. At the lower operating frequency of 410 MHz, the gain and radiation efficiency are 1.05 dBi and 32.5%, respectively, which is normally highly challenging to realise with very small antennas. The planar nature of antenna enables easy integration with wireless transceivers.
Joint optimal allocation methodology for renewable distributed generation and energy storage for economic benefits
Authors: Kalkhambkar Vaiju , Kumar Rajesh , Bhakar Rohit
Published: June 2016

Nowadays renewable distributed generation (RDG) is observed as an option to the conventional distributed generation due to increased demand for electric energy and green energy concerns. Despite sustainable energy choice, RDGs are also becoming more cost effective. This study presents a joint optimal allocation methodology of RDG and energy storage (ES) to achieve economic benefits. The proposed method minimises costs of distribution company (DISCOM) while assuring the benefits of RDG owner (RDGO). The main novelty of this study is that the contract price of renewable energy between RDGO and DISCOM is obtained along with the allocation of RDG and ES to achieve cost‐benefits, and the ES contributes the peak shaving. This study also includes the formulation of generation models for solar power and wind power from the seasonal probabilistic generation models and integration of this renewable generation and load model with an ES model to achieve economic benefits. Moreover, the generation model, storage model, and load model are combined into an optimal power flow model to obtain energy loss minimisation. This constrained non‐linear problem is solved using a highly competitive algorithm called grey wolf optimiser in MATLAB®. Three case studies are presented on the 34‐bus test system.
Vision‐based markerless measurement system for relative vessel positioning
Authors: Mizuchi Yoshiaki , Ogura Tadashi , Kim Youngbok , Hagiwara Yoshinobu , Choi Yongwoon
Published: June 2016

The measurement of relative vessel positioning is important to prevent the risk of vessel collision or the deterioration of working efficiency. This study presents a vision‐based system for measuring the relative position and heading between a vessel and a target object without the installation of transponders, reflectors, or markers. Such a markerless measurement system, which is not restricted by the presence or the absence of transponders, is a method of expanding feasible conditions for relative vessel positioning. The proposed system consists of multiple camera units that can measure the distance and direction between an initially designated point on a target object while keep track of the designated point. To evaluate the measurement performance for the proposed system, the authors conducted measurements by using a prototype system in water. The results demonstrated that the system can keep track of the designated points and accurately measure the position and heading of a vessel relative to a target object, despite the vessel's roll motion.
Target tracking algorithm based on adaptive strong tracking particle filter
Authors: Jia‐qiang Li , Rong‐hua Zhao , Jin‐li Chen , Chun‐yan Zhao , Yan‐ping Zhu
Published: June 2016

The primary problem of tracking filtering algorithms is the tracking stability and effectiveness of target states. Based on the particle filter, an adaptive strong tracking particle filter algorithm is proposed in this study. According to the residual between actual measurement values and predicted measurement values of every moment, adjustment of the forgetting factor and the weakening factor is adaptively conducted. Then, by calculating the fading factor, transfer covariance matrix and filter gain of the system are obtained to estimate the particles state value. Updating the importance density function can alleviate the degradation phenomenon of particle filter, and it contributes to effective estimation for the optimal state value of a target. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm provides a better tracking precision. In addition, when the target states make mutations, the proposed algorithm can track the mutation states of moving targets effectively and improve the stability of the system.
Effect of various surfactants on the stability time of kerosene–boron nanofluids
Authors: Shariatmadar Fateme Sadat , Pakdehi Shahram Ghanbari
Published: June 2016

Nanofluid fuels, a new class of nanotechnology‐based fluids, are liquid fuels with a stable suspension of nanometre‐sized particles. The preparation of fuel mixtures and achieving to a stable and long‐term suspension is the key step in nanofluid synthesis. The idea of this work is to suspend nano‐ and micron‐sized boron particles in kerosene, exploring the differences between the complete sedimentation times of particles in fuel at various weight fractions of surfactants and investigating the viscosity of nanofluid at low weight concentration of nanoparticles. Various surfactants including oleic acid, propylene glycol, sorbitan oleate, Tween 85 and CTAB were used to prepare stable kerosene/boron slurries. Suspensions were prepared with varying surfactant loadings of 0.1–2.0% by weight, in steps, for the same particle loading of 0.5 wt%. The results showed that sorbitan oleate was the best surfactant and the optimum weight ratio of boron particle to sorbitan oleate for enhanced stability of nanofluid was determined to be 2. The complete sedimentation time of nanoparticles at the most stable nanofluid was ∼57 h. At low temperature and high weight fraction of particles, nanofluids showed similar 67% enhancement in viscosity properties.
Numerical study of an inextensible, finite swimmer in Stokesian viscoelastic flow
Authors: Salazar Daniel , Roma Alexandre M. , Ceniceros Hector D.
Published: June 2016

A numerical investigation of an Immersed Boundary (IB) model of an effectively inextensible, finite swimmer in a Stokesian Oldroyd-B flow is presented. The swimmer model is a two-dimensional sheet of finite extent and its gait is generated by an elastic force which penalizes deviations from a target shape. A non-stiff IB method is employed to remove the impeding time step limitation induced by strong tangential forces on the swimmer. It is found that for a swimmer with a prescribed gait its mean propulsion speed decreases with increasing Deborah number De toward an apparent asymptotic minimal value. However, as the swimmer is allowed to deviate more from the target shape, the monotonic locomotion behavior with De is broken. For a sufficiently flexible swimmer, viscoelasticity can enhance locomotion but the swimmer in the viscoelastic fluid always remains slower than when it is propelling in a Newtonian fluid. Remarkably, the addition of viscoelastic stress diffusion dramatically alters the swimmer propulsion and can lead to a speed-up over the swimmer in the Newtonian fluid.
Structure-thermal property correlation of aligned silicon dioxide nanorod arrays
Authors: Zhu Jie , Zhu Yu , Wu Xuewang , Song Helun , Zhang Yaohui , Wang Xiaojia
Published: June 2016

Quantitative characterization of thermal properties of nanorod (NR) arrays appears to be challenging due to the complex combination of high volume of air voids, anisotropy, and structural non-uniformity. This work investigates the structure-thermal property correlation of arrays consisting of either vertically aligned or slanted silicon dioxide (SiO2) NRs, fabricated by the dynamic shadowing growth technique. We apply the frequency-dependent time-domain thermoreflectance method to quantify the thermal properties of SiO2 NR arrays that may possess inhomogeneity along the depth direction. The effective thermal conductivities of four SiO2 NR array films and one reference capping layer for the SiO2 NR array are obtained. The impact of the structure on the effective thermal conductivities of the SiO2 NR array is discussed. The lowest effective thermal conductivity among all samples in this work is found to be 0.13 W m–1 K−1 for the slanted NR array. We attribute the reduction in the effective thermal conductivity of the NR array to the discontinuous nature of SiO2 NRs, which reduces the density of the thermal transport channels and thus prevents heat flux from propagating downwards along the through-plane direction. The results from this work facilitate the potential applications of NR-array-based thermal insulators for micro-thermal devices.