bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactions of osmapyridinium with terminal alkynes
Authors: Wei Yuanqing , Zhou Xiaoxi , Hong Guangning , Chen Zhixin , Zhang Hong , Xia Haiping
Published: March 2015

The reactions of osmapyridinium with terminal alkynes are presented, which lead to the formation of ten-membered osmacycles and η4-coordinated cyclopentadiene complexes.
Cu-catalyzed sp3 C–H bond oxidative functionalization of alkylazaarenes and substituted ethanones: an efficient approach to isoxazoline derivatives
Authors: Wang Gang-Wei , Li Shi-Xia , Wu Quan-Xiang , Yang Shang-Dong
Published: March 2015

Cu-catalyzed sp3 C–H bond oxidative functionalization of alkylazaarenes and substituted ethanones to different kinds of isoxazoline derivatives by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is reported.
A molecular assembly of piperidine carboxylic acid dithiocarbamate on gold nanoparticles for the selective and sensitive detection of Al3+ion in water samples
Authors: Mehta Vaibhavkumar N. , Singhal Rakesh Kumar , Kailasa Suresh Kumar
Published: March 2015

Schematic representation for the colorimetric sensing of Al3+ion using PCA-DTC-Au NPs as a probe.
Magnetically separable Fe3O4–SO3H nanoparticles as an efficient solid acid support for the facile synthesis of two types of spiroindole fused dihydropyridine derivatives under solvent free conditions
Authors: Debnath Kamalesh , Singha Krishnadipti , Pramanik Animesh
Published: March 2015

Two types of spiroindole fused dihydropyridine derivatives have been synthesised from isatins under solvent-free conditions using magnetically separable Fe3O4–SO3H nanoparticles.
Transport properties of g-BC3and t-BC3phases
Authors: Reshak A. H.
Published: March 2015

The electronic transport coefficients of the g-BC3and t-BC3phases are obtained with the aid of the semi-classical Boltzmann theory and the rigid band model based on density functional theory within the recently modified Becke–Johnson potential.
Facile preparation of nanostructured copper-coated carbon microelectrodes for amperometric sensing of carbohydrates
Authors: Riman D. , Bartosova Z. , Halouzka V. , Vacek J. , Jirovsky D. , Hrbac J.
Published: March 2015

We report a novel method for fabricating nanostructured copper-coated carbon cylindrical fiber microelectrodes with high efficiency in carbohydrate non-enzymatic and label-free amperometric sensing in batch and flow-detection arrangements.
One-step synthesis of magnetic 1,6-hexanediamine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide–zinc ferrite for fast adsorption of Cr(vi)
Authors: Li Haizhen , Zhang Li , Sun Zebin , Liu Yan , Yang Bo , Yan Shiqiang
Published: March 2015

A one-step solvothermal method was developed to prepare nearly cubic ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles loaded on 1,6-hexanediamine-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (HDA–RGO–ZnFe2O4) for fast removal of Cr(vi).
Diffusion kinetics and evolution of self-assembled nickel germanide nanorings on germanised Si (100)
Authors: Panda D. , Dhar A. , Ray S. K.
Published: March 2015

Self assembled binary nickel germanide nanorings are formed by annealing of a Ni/Ge/Si (100) film.
Delivery of siRNA using siRNA/cationic vector complexes encapsulated in dendrimer-like polymeric DNAs
Authors: El-Mahdy Ahmed F. M. , Shibata Takayuki , Kabashima Tsutomu , Zhu Qinchang , Kai Masaaki
Published: March 2015

A safe and efficient siRNA delivery system based on the electrostatic encapsulation of binary complexes of siRNA/cationic vector with dendrimer-like polymeric DNAs (YY-DNAs) was developed.
A one-pot method to prepare a ZnO/Ag/polypyrrole composite for zinc alkaline secondary batteries
Authors: Huang Jianhang , Yang Zhanhong
Published: March 2015

A ZnO/Ag/polypyrrole (ZAP) composite was synthesized by a facile one-pot method in which silver ammonia complex ions were reduced to metallic silver using a pyrrole monomer as the reducing agent. Meanwhile, the pyrrole monomer was oxidized and formed polypyrrole.
AFM investigation of nanomechanical properties of ZnO nanowires
Authors: Li Peifeng , Liao Qingliang , Wang Zengze , Lin Pei , zhang zheng , Yan Xiaoqin , Zhang Yue
Published: March 2015

The mechanical service behavior of ZnO NWs with large scanning angles at a 14.8 mm s−1 scanning rate was studied by AFM. The security service criterion of the NWs was established and the range predicted successfully. The NW modulus and fracture strength were also obtained.
Conductive carbon nanotube paper by recycling waste paper
Authors: Kim Do-Hyun , Cho Yong-In , Choi Jun Hee , Kim Hag-Soo , Chang Shin Hyun , Lee Tong Sun , Jung Jin Won , Kim Hong-Dae , Lee Dong-Jin , Kim Gyu Tae
Published: March 2015

Conductive paper was successfully fabricated by grinding and mixing waste paper and multi-walled carbon nanotube together.
Platinum nanoparticles supported on N-doped carbon nanotubes for the selective oxidation of glycerol to glyceric acid in a base-free aqueous solution
Authors: Chen Shasha , Qi Puyu , Chen Jin , Yuan Youzhu
Published: March 2015

Pt/N-CNT out-performed Pt/CNT for glycerol oxidation with molecular oxygen under atmospheric pressure in a base-free aqueous solution, in terms of glycerol conversion and glyceric acid selectivity.
Supramolecular structures ranging from nano- to macro-scale with fluorescent and organic semiconducting properties
Authors: Gong Yanjun , Hu Qiongzheng , Cheng Ni , Bi Yanhui , Xu Wenwen , Yu Li
Published: March 2015

Supramolecular structures ranging from nano- to macro-scale are prepared by an ionic self-assembly (ISA) strategy with commercially available, low-cost dyes and surfactants, viz. Rhodamine 6G (R6G) and sodium bis(2-ethylhexylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (NaAOT).
Investigation of the reaction progress between stannous chloride and zirconium in molten LiCl–KCl
Authors: Cai Yanqing , Liu Hongxia , Xu Qian , Song Qiushi , Liu Huijun
Published: March 2015

LiCl–KCl–ZrCl4 melt was prepared by displacement reaction between SnCl2 and Zr, and the reaction progress was electrochemically monitored.
A solvent evaporation route towards fabrication of hierarchically porous ZSM-11 with highly accessible mesopores
Authors: Song Wen , Liu Zhiting , Liu Liping , Skov Anne Ladegaard , Song Nan , Xiong Guang , Zhu Kake , Zhou Xinggui
Published: March 2015

A solvent evaporation route to generate an organosilane modified dry gel and its transformation into hierarchically porous ZSM-11 is reported. The material features good pore-connectivity and improved acid site accessibility towards bulky substrates.
Sn(OTf)2 catalyzed continuous flow ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone
Authors: Zhu Ning , Zhang Zilong , Feng Weiyang , Zeng Yuqiang , Li Zhongyue , Fang Zheng , Zhang Kai , Li Zhenjiang , Guo Kai
Published: March 2015

A simple PTFE tubular microreactor based platform was successfully developed to conduct Sn(OTf)2 catalyzed ε-caprolactone polymerization with better control of reaction conditions, faster polymerizations and narrower molecular weight distributions.
Inorganic nano-adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals and arsenic: a review
Authors: Zito Phoebe , Shipley Heather J.
Published: March 2015

Schematic of inorganic adsorbents (INA) for heavy metal removal.
Single and double chain surfactant–cobalt(iii) complexes: the impact of hydrophobicity on the interaction with calf thymus DNA, and their biological activities
Authors: Veeralakshmi Selvakumar , Nehru Selvan , Sabapathi Gopal , Arunachalam Sankaralingam , Venuvanalingam Ponnambalam , Kumar Ponnuchamy , Anusha Chidambaram , Ravikumar Vilwanathan
Published: March 2015

Single chain surfactant–cobalt(iii) complexes interact with minor grooves of CT-DNA, whereas double chin surfactant–cobalt(iii) complexes bind with CT-DNA through partial intercalation.
Isothermal solid-phase recombinase polymerase amplification on microfluidic digital versatile discs (DVDs)
Authors: Tortajada-Genaro Luis A. , Santiago-Felipe Sara , Amasia Mary , Russom Aman , Maquieira Ángel
Published: March 2015

The proposed device, for massive DNA-based screening in limited-resource settings, comprises a centrifugal platform to perform isothermal solid-phase amplification in microarray format and a digital versatile disc drive to read the results.
Well-defined triblock copolymers with a photolabile middle block of poly(phenyl vinyl ketone): facile synthesis, chain-scission mechanism and controllable photocleavability
Authors: Guo Ruiwei , Mei Pengbo , Zhong Qing , Yao Yuan , Su Qian , Zhang Jianhua
Published: March 2015

Well-defined triblock copolymers with a photocleavable middle block were synthesized by RAFT polymerization and the photodegradation process was tracked by GPEC.
Mesoporous alumina nanosheets and nanorolls derived from topologically identical Al-based MOFs
Authors: Liu Yi , Liu Shucheng , Yue Zifeng
Published: March 2015

Two-dimensional alumina nanosheets and one-dimensional nanorolls were formed via the conversion of MIL-53 and DUT-5, respectively.
Fabrication of mechanically durable superhydrophobic wood surfaces using polydimethylsiloxane and silica nanoparticles
Authors: Chang Huanjun , Tu Kunkun , Wang Xiaoqing , Liu Junliang
Published: March 2015

Mechanically durable superhydrophobic coatings were fabricated on the intrinsically heterogeneous wood substrate using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and silica nanoparticles.
High thermal conductivity graphite nanoplatelet/UHMWPE nanocomposites
Authors: Gu Junwei , Li Nan , Tian Lidong , Lv Zhaoyuan , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: March 2015

High thermal conductivity graphite nanoplatelets/ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (GNPs/UHMWPE) nanocomposites are fabricated via mechanical ball milling followed by a hot-pressing method.
Automated nucleic acid extraction from whole blood, B. subtilis, E. coli, and Rift Valley fever virus on a centrifugal microfluidic LabDisk
Authors: Strohmeier O. , Keil S. , Kanat B. , Patel P. , Niedrig M. , Weidmann M. , Hufert F. , Drexler J. , Zengerle R. , von Stetten F.
Published: March 2015

We present total nucleic acid extraction from whole blood, Gram-positiveBacillus subtilis, Gram-negativeEscherichia coli, andRift Valley feverRNA virus on a low-cost, centrifugal microfluidic cartridge processed in a portable processing device.
Optimized syringe-assisted dispersive micro solid phase extraction coupled with microsampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the simple and fast determination of potentially toxic metals in fruit juice and bio-fluid samples
Authors: Barfi Behruz , Asghari Alireza , Rajabi Maryam , Sabzalian Sedigheh , Khanalipoor Forough , Behzad Mahdi
Published: March 2015

Syringe assisted dispersive micro solid phase extraction coupled with microsampling flame atomic absorption spectrometry as a novel method for potentially toxic metals extraction.
Influence of side-chain interactions on the self-assembly of discotic tricarboxyamides: a crystallographic insight
Authors: Paikar Arpita , Pramanik Apurba , Haldar Debasish
Published: March 2015

Side chains interactions promote the self-assembly of discotic tricarboxyamides to form an entangled fiber network and thermo responsive gel.
Sophorolipid assisted tunable and rapid gelation of silk fibroin to form porous biomedical scaffolds
Authors: Dubey Parul , Nawale Laxman , Sarkar Dhiman , Nisal Anuya , Prabhune Asmita
Published: March 2015

Faster gelation of silk fibroin using biosurfactants: sophorolipid, towards 3D scaffolds for biomedical application.
Electrospinning of ultrafine metal oxide/carbon and metal carbide/carbon nanocomposite fibers
Authors: Atchison Jennifer S. , Zeiger Marco , Tolosa Aura , Funke Lena M. , Jäckel Nicolas , Presser Volker
Published: March 2015

Electrospinning is a facile technology for the generation of metal oxide/carbon and metal carbide/carbon nanocomposite fibers.
Visualizing electronic interactions between iron and carbon by X-ray chemical imaging and spectroscopy
Authors: Chen Xiaoqi , Xiao Jianping , Wang Jian , Deng Dehui , Hu Yongfeng , Zhou Jigang , Yu Liang , Heine Thomas , Pan Xiulian , Bao Xinhe
Published: March 2015

Pod-like carbon nanotube with encapsulated iron particles (Pod-Fe) was used as a well-defined model to study the electronic interaction between carbon shells and the iron particles by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM).
In situ activation and monitoring of the evolution of the intracellular caspase family
Authors: Zhang Lei , Lei Jianping , Liu Jintong , Ma Fengjiao , Ju Huangxian
Published: March 2015

An intergrated nano-platform is designed to achieve in situ activation, monitoring and signal feedback of the caspase family evolution from upstream to downstream.
Anisotropic colloidal transport and periodic stick-slip motion in cholesteric finger textures
Authors: Chen Kui , Metcalf Linnea P. , Rivas David P. , Reich Daniel H. , Leheny Robert L.
Published: March 2015

Particles sedimenting in cholesteric finger textures display an array of behavior including non-Stokesian dynamics and stick-slip motion.
High charge-capacity polymer electrodes comprising alkali lignin from the Kraft process
Authors: Leguizamon Samuel , Díaz-Orellana Kryssia P. , Velez Julian , Thies Mark C. , Roberts Mark E.
Published: March 2015

Electrodes comprising polypyrrole and alkali lignin are synthesized from acetic acid electrolytes providing high charge-capacity materials based on abundant and renewable biopolymers.
Metalloporphyrin-based organic polymers for carbon dioxide fixation to cyclic carbonate
Authors: Chen Aibing , Zhang Yunzhao , Chen Jinzhu , Chen Limin , Yu Yifeng
Published: March 2015

Metalloporphyrin-based organic polymers are efficiently used as recyclable catalysts for carbon dioxide fixation to cyclic carbonate.
Ultra-high capacity and selective immobilization of Pb through crystal growth of hydroxypyromorphite on amino-functionalized hydrochar
Authors: Chen Yali , Chen Jiejie , Chen Siqin , Tian Ke , Jiang Hong
Published: March 2015

AFHC first adsorbs Pb2+through amino groups and then the adsorbed Pb2+reacts with released phosphates to form Pb5(PO4)3(OH) crystals, and exhibits high performance in Pb removal capacity.
A high energy density Li-rich positive-electrode material with superior performances via a dual chelating agent co-precipitation route
Authors: Hou Peiyu , Xu Long , Song Jishun , Song Dawei , Shi Xixi , Wang Xiaoqing , Zhang Lianqi
Published: March 2015

A new Li-rich positive-electrode material is successfully achieved via a dual chelating agent co-precipitation route, which delivers a high volumetric energy density of over 2100 W h L−1, superior cycle life and stable high median-voltage.
A high energy density azobenzene/graphene hybrid: a nano-templated platform for solar thermal storage
Authors: Luo Wen , Feng Yiyu , Cao Chen , Li Man , Liu Enzuo , Li Shipei , Qin Chengqun , Hu Wenping , Feng Wei
Published: March 2015

A high functionalization density and inter-planar bundling interaction remarkably improve both the storage capacity and lifetime of solar thermal fuels using an azobenzene/graphene nano-template.
A poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) nanohybrid membrane using swift heavy ion irradiation for fuel cell applications
Authors: Jana Karun Kumar , Thakur Amit K. , Shahi Vinod K. , Avasthi Devesh K. , Rana Dipak , Maiti Pralay
Published: March 2015

Through channels in thin polymer/nanohybrid films have been made by irradiating with high energy swift heavy ions (SHI) followed by selective chemical etching of the amorphous zone in the latent track created by SHI during the bombardment.
UV crosslinked poly(acrylic acid): a simple method to bio-functionalize electrolyte-gated OFET biosensors
Authors: Mulla M. Y. , Seshadri P. , Torsi L. , Manoli K. , Mallardi A. , Ditaranto N. , Santacroce M. V. , Di Franco C. , Scamarcio G. , Magliulo M.
Published: March 2015

A sensitive EGOFET biosensor fabricated by anchoring bioprobes through a UV crosslinked poly(acrylic acid) coating deposited on an organic semiconductor.
Hierarchically porous nagelschmidtite bioceramic–silk scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Xu Mengchi , Li Hong , Zhai Dong , Chang Jiang , Chen Shiyi , Wu Chengtie
Published: March 2015

Hierarchically bioceramic–silk scaffolds are composed of first-level pores (~1 mm) of bioceramic and second-level pores (∼50–100 μm) of silk matrix, showing improved in vitro and in vivo bioactivity.
Flexible solar cells based on CdSe nanobelt/graphene Schottky junctions
Authors: Gao Zhiwei , Jin Weifeng , Li Yanping , Song Qingjun , Wang Yilun , Zhang Kun , Wang Suo , Dai Lun
Published: March 2015

Flexible solar cells based on CdSe NB/graphene Schottky junctions are fabricated and evaluated under different bending conditions.
(3Z,3′Z)-3,3′-(Hydrazine-1,2-diylidene)bis(indolin-2-one) as a new electron-acceptor building block for donor–acceptor π-conjugated polymers for organic thin film transistors
Authors: Hong Wei , Guo Chang , Sun Bin , Li Yuning
Published: March 2015

(3Z,3′Z)-3,3′-(Hydrazine-1,2-diylidene)bis(indolin-2-one) (HBI) is found to be a promising novel building block for polymer semiconductors.
The role of methylglyoxal and the glyoxalase system in diabetes and other age-related diseases
Authors: Maessen Dionne E.M. , Stehouwer Coen D.A. , Schalkwijk Casper G.
Published: March 2015

The formation and accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are related to diabetes and other age-related diseases. Methylglyoxal (MGO), a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound, is the major precursor in the formation of AGEs. MGO is mainly formed as a byproduct of glycolysis. Under physiological circumstances, MGO is detoxified by the glyoxalase system into D-lactate, with glyoxalase I (GLO1) as the key enzyme in the anti-glycation defence. New insights indicate that increased levels of MGO and the major MGO-derived AGE, methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone 1 (MG-H1), and dysfunctioning of the glyoxalase system are linked to several age-related health problems, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and disorders of the central nervous system. The present review summarizes the mechanisms through which MGO is formed, its detoxification by the glyoxalase system and its effect on biochemical pathways in relation to the development of age-related diseases. Although several scavengers of MGO have been developed over the years, therapies to treat MGO-associated complications are not yet available for application in clinical practice. Small bioactive inducers of GLO1 can potentially form the basis for new treatment strategies for age-related disorders in which MGO plays a pivotal role.
Effects of Hearing and Aging on Sentence-Level Time-Gated Word Recognition
Authors: Molis Michelle R. , Kampel Sean D. , McMillan Garnett P. , Gallun Frederick J. , Dann Serena M. , Konrad-Martin Dawn
Published: March 2015

Purpose

Aging is known to influence temporal processing, but its relationship to speech perception has not been clearly defined. To examine listeners' use of contextual and phonetic information, the Revised Speech Perception in Noise test (R-SPIN) was used to develop a time-gated word (TGW) task.

Method

In Experiment 1, R-SPIN sentence lists were matched on context, target-word length, and median word segment length necessary for target recognition. In Experiment 2, TGW recognition was assessed in quiet and in noise among adults of various ages with normal hearing to moderate hearing loss. Linear regression models of the minimum word duration necessary for correct identification and identification failure rates were developed. Age and hearing thresholds were modeled as continuous predictors with corrections for correlations among multiple measurements of the same participants.

Results

While aging and hearing loss both had significant impacts on task performance in the most adverse listening condition (low context, in noise), for most conditions, performance was limited primarily by hearing loss.

Conclusion

Whereas hearing loss was strongly related to target-word recognition, the effect of aging was only weakly related to task performance. These results have implications for the design and evaluation of studies of hearing and aging.
Auditory Learning in Children With Cochlear Implants
Authors: Mishra Srikanta K. , Boddupally Shiva P. , Rayapati Deeksha
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine and characterize the training-induced changes in speech-in-noise perception in children with congenital deafness who have cochlear implants (CIs).

Method

Twenty-seven children with congenital deafness who have CIs were studied. Eleven children with CIs were trained on a speech-in-noise task, number recognition in white noise, at home for 5 weeks (total 40 hr). Speech recognition thresholds (SRTs) in the trained, partially trained (numbers in speech-shaped noise), and untrained (digit triplets in speech-shaped noise) conditions were measured before, immediately after, and 3 weeks after training completion. Data were also collected from children (n= 13) and adults (n= 5) with normal hearing for comparison.

Results

Analyses indicated that following training, the performance of children with CIs improved for all speech-in-noise tasks (∆SRT was approximately 3 dB). Training-induced improvements in speech-in-noise performance were retained for 3 weeks following cessation of training. Untrained children with CIs showed no such improvements. The performance of children with CIs, even after intensive training, was significantly lower than children and adults with normal hearing.

Conclusions

Training enhances speech-in-noise performance for children with congenital deafness who have CIs. Learning effects were stable and generalized to similar but untrained conditions. Current findings are encouraging for the consideration of home-based auditory training to be included in the pediatric CI habilitation programs.
Development of Morphosyntactic Accuracy and Grammatical Complexity in Dutch School-Age Children With SLI
Authors: Zwitserlood Rob , van Weerdenburg Marjolijn , Verhoeven Ludo , Wijnen Frank
Published: March 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the development of morphosyntactic accuracy and grammatical complexity in Dutch school-age children with specific language impairment (SLI).

Method

Morphosyntactic accuracy, the use of dummy auxiliaries, and complex syntax were assessed using a narrative task that was administered at three points in time (T1, T2, T3) with 12-month intervals during a 2-year period. Participants were 30 monolingual Dutch children with SLI, age 6;5 (years;months) at T1; 30 typically developing peers, age 6;6 at T1; and 30 typically developing language-matched children, age 4;7 at T1.

Results

On the morphosyntactic accuracy measures, the group with SLI performed more poorly than both control groups. Error rates in the group with SLI were much higher than expected on the basis of mean length of T-units and scores on standardized language tests. Percentages of dummy auxiliaries remained high over time. No group differences were found for grammatical complexity, except at T3, when the group with SLI used fewer relative clauses than the typically developing peer group.

Conclusions

The narrative analysis demonstrates different developmental trajectories for morphosyntactic accuracy and grammatical complexity in children with SLI and typically developing peer and language-matched children. In the group with SLI, grammatical skills continue to develop.
Effects of Lingual Effort on Swallow Pressures Following Radiation Treatment
Authors: Lenius Kerry , Stierwalt Julie , LaPointe Leonard L. , Bourgeois Michelle , Carnaby Giselle , Crary Michael
Published: March 2015

Purpose

This article investigated the effects of increased oral lingual pressure on pharyngeal pressures during swallowing in patients who have undergone radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. It was hypothesized that increased oral lingual pressure would result in increased pharyngeal pressures.

Method

A within-subject experimental design was used with 20 participants who were status post external beam radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Participants completed typical swallows and swallows with increased lingual force during manofluoroscopic swallow studies. The swallow condition order was randomized across participants.

Results

Manometric data revealed significant differences in swallow pressure by condition at the base of tongue and upper esophageal sphincter sensor locations without significant pressure differences in the lower pharynx. The effortful lingual swallows resulted in higher mean pressures at all locations.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that use of a maneuver designed to increase oral tongue effort can also increase pharyngeal tongue base pressure. Therefore, therapeutic activities used to generate greater pressure of the oral tongue may also alter pharyngeal response. Further research is needed to determine the direct clinical effect on swallow function for individuals with head and neck cancer.
The Effect of Intensified Language Exposure on Accommodating Talker Variability
Authors: Antoniou Mark , Wong Patrick C. M. , Wang Suiping
Published: March 2015

Purpose

This study systematically examined the role of intensified exposure to a second language on accommodating talker variability.

Method

English native listeners (
n
= 37) were compared with Mandarin listeners who had either lived in the United States for an extended period of time (
n
= 33) or had lived only in China (
n
= 44). Listeners responded to target words in an English word-monitoring task in which sequences of words were randomized. Half of the sequences were spoken by a single talker and the other half by multiple talkers.

Results

Mandarin listeners living in China were slower and less accurate than both English listeners and Mandarin listeners living in the United States. Mandarin listeners living in the United States were less accurate than English natives only in the more cognitively demanding mixed-talker condition.

Conclusions

Mixed-talker speech affects processing in native and nonnative listeners alike, although the decrement is larger in nonnatives and further exaggerated in less proficient listeners. Language immersion improves listeners' ability to resolve talker variability, and this suggests that immersion may automatize nonnative processing, freeing cognitive resources that may play a crucial role in speech perception. These results lend support to the active control model of speech perception.
Using Direct Instruction: Teaching Preposition Use to Students With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Hicks S. Christy , Rivera Christopher J. , Wood Charles L.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

Students with intellectual disability often struggle with significant language delays or impairments and can require explicit instruction in language skills. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of direct instruction on the use of and response to prepositions by 3 elementary school students with intellectual disability.

Method

A multiple-baseline design across prepositions was used in this study with replication across students.

Results

Results of this study found that students were able to use and respond to prepositions consistently after receiving direct instruction on each of the 3 target prepositions. Furthermore, all 3 students demonstrated maintenance and generalization of the prepositions.

Conclusion

These results have implications for practice that could influence preposition acquisition for students with intellectual disability, providing educators with a simple, efficient instructional approach.
Electronic characterisation system for measuring frequency changes in phononic crystals
Authors: Villa S. , Torres R. , Lucklum R.
Published: March 2015

Requirements for measuring frequency changes in phononic crystals (PnCs) are introduced. A novel electronic characterisation system for measuring those changes based on a high frequency double sideband modulation with suppressed carrier is proposed. The reported results prove its reliability for PnCs measurements.
Fabrication of low‐temperature acetylene gas sensor based on Ag nanoparticles‐loaded hierarchical ZnO nanostructures
Authors: Lee K.‐W. , Uddin A.S.M.I. , Phan D.‐T. , Chung G.‐S.
Published: March 2015

Fabrication and evaluation of Ag nanoparticles (NPs)‐loaded hierarchical ZnO nanostructure (Ag/ZnO) and their acetylene (C2H2) gas sensing properties have been studied. Physical and structural characterisations reveal the formation of high‐purity, standard crystalline hierarchical ZnO nanostructures and Ag/ZnO composites. Gas sensing characteristics of the synthesised materials were carried out within the temperature range 25–300°C at different C2H2 gas concentrations. At an optimum temperature of 200°C, 5 wt% Ag/ZnO composite showed preferable detection of C2H2 with a high sensor response of 92% (1000 ppm), low limit of detection (LOD) of 5 ppm and excellent selectivity towards reducing/oxidising gases. Experimental results demonstrated that addition of appropriate amounts of Ag to ZnO nanostructures enhanced the C2H2 sensing performance, which suggests the possibility of fabrication and development of high‐performance C2H2 sensors.
Optical coherent burst‐mode receivers with delayed channel equalisation feedback from parallel and pipelined design
Authors: Xu Bo , Liu Xinyu , Wu Chenyu , Qiu Kun
Published: March 2015

A digital optical coherent burst‐mode receiver (BMR) with 112‐Gb/s polarisation‐division multiplexing‐quaternary phase‐shift keying (QPSK) modulation is proposed with parallel digital signal processing and pipelined design. The convergence rate property of the digital channel equaliser with non‐negligible computational delay is studied extensively using simulations. Owing to the interaction between the channel equalisation and frequency offset estimation (FOE), a novel equaliser adaptation method using the latest available equaliser output and the latest available FOE result is proposed for a faster convergence than the conventional method. Simulation results reveal that the computational delay have a great impact on the convergence rate. A smaller step size for tap coefficient updating with slower convergence rate should be used to avoid divergence. Compared with the FOE module, the computational delay from the channel equaliser has the dominant effect on the convergence. The design of the equaliser with short computational delay is the key for a fast convergence rate. The parallel and pipelined digital optical coherent BMR after successful initialisation has negligible error rate performance loss when compared with the ideal serial signal processing within a wide frequency offset range.
Adaptive biasing scheme for load balancing in backhaul constrained small cell networks
Authors: Xu Yang , Yin Rui , Yu Guanding
Published: March 2015

In this study, a distributed biasing scheme is designed to achieve load balancing for heterogeneous networks. Based on the limited backhaul capacity and user distribution in the system, each small cell base station adaptively and distributively changes its cell range by setting the bias value, to effectively utilise the wireless resource and achieve load balancing as well. The Q‐learning algorithm is adopted to design the biasing scheme in each small cell base station. The tradeoff between the backhaul resource utilisation and the quality‐of‐service of users is considered in the reward function of the Q‐learning model. To examine the performance of the distributed scheme, a centralised scheme aiming at maximising the backhaul resource utilisation is also proposed for comparison, whose performance lower bound is derived. Numerical results show that the proposed distributed scheme can effectively utilise the backhaul resource for load balancing, and achieve a close performance to the centralised one.
Simple and exact extreme eigenvalue distributions of finite Wishart matrices
Authors: Zhang Wensheng , Zheltov Pavel , Abreu Giuseppe
Published: March 2015

The authors provide compact and exact expressions for the extreme eigenvalues of finite Wishart matrices with arbitrary dimensions. Using a combination of earlier results, which they refer to as the James–Edelman–Dighe framework, not only an original expression for the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the ‘smallest’ eigenvalue is obtained, but also the CDF of the ‘largest’ eigenvalue and the probability density functions of both are expressed in a similar and convenient matrix form. These compact expressions involve only inner products of exponential vectors, vectors of monomials and certain coefficient matrices which therefore assume a key role of carrying all the required information to build the expressions. The computation of these all‐important coefficient matrices involves the evaluation of a determinant of a Hankel matrix of incomplete gamma functions. They offer a theorem which proves that the latter matrix has ‘catalectic’ properties, such that the degree of its determinant is surprisingly small. The theorem also implies a closed‐form and numerical procedure (no symbolic calculations required) to build the coefficient matrices.
Gradient‐based compressive sensing for noise image and video reconstruction
Authors: Zhao Huihuang , Wang Yaonan , Peng Xiaojiang , Qiao Zhijun
Published: March 2015

In this study, a fast gradient‐based compressive sensing (FGB‐CS) for noise image and video is proposed. Given a noise image or video, the authors first make it sparse by orthogonal transformation, and then reconstruct it by solving a convex optimisation problem with a novel gradient‐based method. The main contribution is twofold. Firstly, they deal with the noise signal reconstruction as a convex minimisation problem, and propose a new compressive sensing based on gradient‐based method for noise image and video. Secondly, to improve the computational efficiency of gradient‐based compressive sensing, they formulate the convex optimisation of noise signal reconstruction under Lipschitz gradient and replace the iteration parameter by the Lipschitz constant. With this strategy, the convergence of our FGB‐CS is reduced from O(1/k) to O(1/k2). Experimental results indicate that their FGB‐CS method is able to achieve better performance than several classical algorithms.
Performance analysis of free space optical links using multi‐input multi‐output and aperture averaging in presence of turbulence and various weather conditions
Authors: Kaur Prabhmandeep , Jain Virander Kumar , Kar Subrat
Published: March 2015

The authors study the effect of multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) spatial diversity schemes when used in a free space optical (FSO) communication link in the presence of turbulence and varied weather conditions such as very clear air, drizzle, haze, fog etc. The performance is evaluated in terms of the bit error rate (BER) and outage probability Pout. We show that MIMO schemes cause a decrease in the BER and Pout which, at low signal‐to‐noise ratios, is more significant in presence of very clear air and clear air as compared with haze and fog weather conditions. The diversity gain at a BER of 10−6 is evaluated and observed to increase as the number of transmit/receive apertures increase. However, it remains almost constant over all the weather conditions for a given MIMO scheme and turbulence strength. The performance of FSO link with MIMO schemes is compared with a FSO link using aperture averaging. Owing to constraint on the receiver aperture diameter, the aperture averaging technique fails to give the same kind of performance as provided by the higher order MIMO schemes.
Packet data transmission in worldwide interoperability for microwave access with reduced peak to average power ratio and out‐band distortion using software defined radio
Authors: Reddy Bathula Siva Kumar , Lakshmi B.
Published: March 2015

The high peaks of a conventional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol may push the amplifier into the non‐linear region, which creates many problems that reduce performance and lead to out of band distortion. In this study, the authors present and analyse four different peak to average power ratio (PAPR) reduction techniques such as phase modulation, rail clipping, sample and hold approach and threshold method for packet data transmission of OFDM on mobile‐worldwide interoperability for microwave access system. The performance of each PAPR reduction technique on OFDM system is presented in time and frequency domains separately. Therefore an existing OFDM system can provide an additional CE‐OFDM mode with relative ease, particularly for the case of software defined platforms. Nowadays, the behaviour of a communication system has been modified by simply changing its software. This gave rise to a new radio model called software defined radio, in which all hardware components are implemented in software rather than in hardware. For our investigation, GNU radio and universal software radio peripheral N210 are employed as software and hardware platforms, respectively. It is shown that for a high clipping threshold value, the gap between in‐band and out‐of‐band radiations is maintained well.
Adaptive estimation of road gradient and vehicle parameters for vehicular systems
Authors: Yang Juan , Na Jing , Guo Yu , Wu Xing
Published: March 2015

To improve the vehicle driving performance, adaptive parameter estimation is studied to simultaneously estimate the road gradient, vehicle mass and other vehicle parameters, which requires the vehicle longitudinal velocity and driving force only. Different to conventional gradient and recursive least square methods, the parameter estimation error is obtained to drive the adaptive laws for estimating unknown parameters, where exponential convergence can be guaranteed under the classical persistently excitation condition. Moreover, finite‐time parameter estimation is achieved by incorporating the sliding mode technique into the adaptive laws. The robustness of the proposed adaptations against bounded disturbances is studied. Simulation results illustrate that the presented methods can obtain faster transient and better steady‐state performance than some available methods.
Fatigue damage estimation and data‐based control for wind turbines
Authors: de Jesus Barradas‐Berglind Jose , Wisniewski Rafael , Soltani Mohsen
Published: March 2015

The focus of this work is on fatigue estimation and data‐based controller design for wind turbines. The main purpose is to include a model of the fatigue damage of the wind turbine components in the controller design and synthesis process. This study addresses an online fatigue estimation method based on hysteresis operators, which can be used in control loops. The authors propose a data‐based model predictive control (MPC) strategy that incorporates an online fatigue estimation method through the objective function, where the ultimate goal in mind is to reduce the fatigue damage of the wind turbine components. The outcome is an adaptive or self‐tuning MPC strategy for wind turbine fatigue damage reduction, which relies on parameter identification on previous measurement data. The results of the proposed strategy are compared with a baseline model predictive controller.
Data‐based predictive control for networked non‐linear systems with two‐channel packet dropouts
Authors: Pang Zhong‐Hua , Liu Guo‐Ping , Zhou Donghua , Sun Dehui
Published: March 2015

This study is concerned with the data‐based control of networked non‐linear control systems with random packet dropouts in both the sensor‐to‐controller and controller‐to‐actuator channels. By taking advantage of the characteristics of networked control systems such as the packet‐based transmission, timestamp technique, as well as smart sensor and actuator, a data‐based networked predictive control (DBNPC) method is proposed to actively compensate for the two‐channel packet dropouts, where only the input and output data of the non‐linear plant are required. A sufficient condition for the stability of the closed‐loop system is developed. Furthermore, the resulting DBNPC system can achieve a zero steady‐state output tracking error for step commands. Finally, extensive simulation results on a networked non‐linear system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Knowledge representation and general Petri net models for power grid fault diagnosis
Authors: Wang Lei , Chen Qing , Gao Zhanjun , Niu Lin , Zhao Yishu , Ma Zhiguang , Wu Dejun
Published: March 2015

This study deals with the idea that comprehensive knowledge representation should be established for fault diagnosis. Sufficient grid fault information including the network topology and protection knowledge are used with a diagnostic algorithm. In this way, the fault diagnosis programme not only facilitates accurate judgment of fault sections for which many kinds of information are available but also optimises knowledge to simplify the fault diagnosis method. Petri nets are used for logical reasoning on the basis of knowledge representation, which can be used to judge fault elements accurately even when the protective relays and circuit breakers malfunction. It was proved through experimentation here that this method meets the requirements of real‐world diagnosis. The programme can be used as an interface to the self‐healing mechanism of a smart grid. This study also posits that the smart grids should be constructed on the basis of knowledge representation for every subsystem.
Decision support for restoration of interconnected power systems using tie lines
Authors: Stefanov Alexandru , Liu Chen‐Ching , Sforna Marino , Eremia Mircea , Balaurescu Rodica
Published: March 2015

Existing system restoration strategies are primarily based on operators’ experience with no specific decision support tools. Restoration of interconnected grids in Europe is decentralised; restoration planning is limited to within the area of control for each national transmission system operator (TSO). Although coordination of restorative actions between TSOs is encouraged, few agreements exist. This study proposes a decision support methodology for system operators and restoration planners for restoration of interconnected grids. Solutions to optimal and coordinated utilisation of tie lines (TLs) are proposed. The proposed tool facilitates collaboration between TSOs affected by wide area blackouts. The decision support tool allows to adaptively develop restoration strategies based on system conditions, available resources and operating constraints. Optimisation algorithms are proposed to determine the optimal utilisation of TLs and/or black‐start (BS) units to crank non‐BS units. Optimal power flow problems are formulated for utilisation of TLs. They offer solutions for neighbouring TSOs to determine the extent to which TLs can be used without violating constraints. The proposed decision support tool is tested with IEEE 39‐bus system.
Benefits and challenges of multi‐driver simulator studies
Authors: Oeltze Katharina , Schießl Caroline
Published: March 2015

Lessons learned from a multi‐driver simulator study are presented. The motivation of the use of a multi‐driver simulator is outlined by describing the need to study driver–driver interaction and the so far existing insufficient methods. Therefore the multi‐driver simulator MoSAIC ‘Modular and Scalable Application‐platform for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) components’ at the German Aerospace Center will be presented. Its benefits and requirements in the conduction and analysis of obtained data are derived from theoretical analysis of recent work on multi‐driver simulators as well as methodological requirements to study driver behaviour. Based on a study within the German national project UR:BAN (German acronym ‘Urbaner Raum: Benutzergerechte Assistenzsysteme und Netzmanagement’) to evaluate the impact of cooperative ITS on non‐equipped drivers, further lessons learned are collected. Driving parameters are operationalised to evaluate the safety criticality as well as the overall acceptance of the equipped driver's behaviour from the perspective of non‐equipped naïve drivers. However, main focus is on non‐equipped drivers’ behavioural changes in regard to an imitation of the efficient driving behaviour of an equipped driver. Parameters measuring not only individual behavioural adaptation, but also behavioural adaptation of a platoon of drivers are presented. Thus, a step towards a methodology for studies with multi‐driver simulators, especially for the data analysis, is made.
Family of quadratic step‐up dc–dc converters based on non‐cascading structures
Authors: Loera‐Palomo Rodrigo , Morales‐Saldaña Jorge Alberto
Published: March 2015

The interconnection of basic switching converters to increase power handling capabilities in dc applications has been widely reported in technical literature. This study presents a family of switching step‐up dc–dc converters based on the principle of reduced redundant power processing (R2P2). This principle states that the power transfer from input port and output port on interconnected converters is reduced when a non‐cascading connection is used. As shown in this study, the principle R2P2 is useful for developing new converters. These have wide conversion ratios and quadratic dependence with respect to the duty ratio. In this study, the voltage conversion ratios, average models and steady‐state operating conditions for proposed converters are derived, which are verified by experimental results.
Advanced hexagonal layout design for split‐gate reduced surface field stepped oxide U‐groove metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor
Authors: Ying Wang , Hai‐Fan Hu , Cheng‐Hao Yu , Jia‐Tong Wei
Published: March 2015

Split‐gate reduced surface field (RESURF) stepped oxide (SGRSO) device with advanced hexagonal p‐pillar (AHP) layout is investigated using three‐dimensional simulations. The AHP layout can improve the on‐state characteristics while not increasing the process difficulty. The p‐pillar under the source electrode enhances the RESURF effect to the n‐drift region, so that the n‐drift region doping concentration could be substantially increased and the breakdown voltage is not reduced. Based on the SGRSO device, the AHP layout modifies the electric field distribution in the n‐drift region, and reduces the RSP as compared with the common hexagonal and mesa strip layout structures. The figure of merit of the AHP layout improves by 49.8% as compared with the other two types of layouts, and the AHP has superior characteristics within a wider ND range.
Resonant harmonic elimination pulse width modulation‐based high‐frequency resonance suppression of high‐speed railways
Authors: Cui Hengbin , Song Wensheng , Fang Hui , Ge Xinglai , Feng Xiaoyun
Published: March 2015

High‐frequency resonances occur frequently and severely disrupt the normal operation of high‐speed railways in China. In order to suppress high‐frequency resonances in traction power supply systems, a resonant harmonic elimination pulse width modulation (RHEPWM) technology was proposed. With this method, harmonics around the resonant frequency in the harmonic source were eliminated, and thus the resonance formation condition was broken and resonances were suppressed. A real‐time simulation of RHEPWM application in high‐speed railway system was realised in OP5600 RT‐Lab simulator. The real‐time simulation results show that the proposed RHEPWM strategy can achieve high‐frequency resonance suppression, improve total power factor of traction drive systems, and reduce total harmonic distortion of pantograph currents.