bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QiShenYiQi Pills, a compound in Chinese medicine, protects against pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy through a multi-component and multi-target mode
Authors: Chen Yuan-Yuan , Li Quan , Pan Chun-Shui , Yan Li , Fan Jing-Yu , He Ke , Sun Kai , Liu Yu-Ying , Chen Qing-Fang , Bai Yan , Wang Chuan-She , He Bing , Lv Ai-Ping , Han Jing-Yan
Published: July 2015

The present study aimed to explore the holistic mechanism for the antihypertrophic effect of a compound in Chinese medicine, QiShenYiQi Pills (QSYQ) and the contributions of its components to the effect in rats with cardiac hypertrophy (CH). After induction of CH by ascending aortic stenosis, rats were treated with QSYQ, each identified active ingredient (astragaloside IV, 3, 4-dihydroxy-phenyl lactic acid or notoginsenoside R1) from its 3 major herb components or dalbergia odorifera, either alone or combinations, for 1 month. QSYQ markedly attenuated CH, as evidenced by echocardiography, morphology and biochemistry. Proteomic analysis and western blot showed that the majority of differentially expressed proteins in the heart of QSYQ-treated rats were associated with energy metabolism or oxidative stress. Each ingredient alone or their combinations exhibited similar effects as QSYQ but to a lesser extent and differently with astragaloside IV and notoginsenoside R1 being more effective for enhancing energy metabolism, 3, 4-dihydroxy-phenyl lactic acid more effective for counteracting oxidative stress while dalbergia odorifera having little effect on the variables evaluated. In conclusion, QSYQ exerts a more potent antihypertrophic effect than any of its ingredients or their combinations, due to the interaction of its active components through a multi-component and multi-target mode.
Deterministic Domain Wall Motion Orthogonal To Current Flow Due To Spin Orbit Torque
Authors: Bhowmik Debanjan , Nowakowski Mark E. , You Long , Lee OukJae , Keating David , Wong Mark , Bokor Jeffrey , Salahuddin Sayeef
Published: July 2015

Spin-polarized electrons can move a ferromagnetic domain wall through the transfer of spin angular momentum when current flows in a magnetic nanowire. Such current induced control of a domain wall is of significant interest due to its potential application for low power ultra high-density data storage. In previous reports, it has been observed that the motion of the domain wall always happens parallel to the current flow – either in the same or opposite direction depending on the specific nature of the interaction. In contrast, here we demonstrate deterministic control of a ferromagnetic domain wall orthogonal to current flow by exploiting the spin orbit torque in a perpendicularly polarized Ta/CoFeB/MgO heterostructure in presence of an in-plane magnetic field. Reversing the polarity of either the current flow or the in-plane field is found to reverse the direction of the domain wall motion. Notably, such orthogonal motion with respect to current flow is not possible from traditional spin transfer torque driven domain wall propagation even in presence of an external magnetic field. Therefore the domain wall motion happens purely due to spin orbit torque. These results represent a completely new degree of freedom in current induced control of a ferromagnetic domain wall.
High-resolution quantitative determination of dielectric function by using scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy
Authors: Tranca D. E. , Stanciu S. G. , Hristu R. , Stoichita C. , Tofail S. A. M. , Stanciu G. A.
Published: July 2015

A new method for high-resolution quantitative measurement of the dielectric function by using scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) is presented. The method is based on a calibration procedure that uses the s-SNOM oscillating dipole model of the probe-sample interaction and quantitative s-SNOM measurements. The nanoscale capabilities of the method have the potential to enable novel applications in various fields such as nano-electronics, nano-photonics, biology or medicine.
Temporal Genetic Dynamics of an Invasive Species, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), in an Early Phase of Establishment
Authors: Yang Xian-Ming , Lou Heng , Sun Jing-Tao , Zhu Yi-Ming , Xue Xiao-Feng , Hong Xiao-Yue
Published: July 2015

Many species can successfully colonize new areas despite their propagules having low genetic variation. We assessed whether the decreased genetic diversity could result in temporal fluctuations of genetic parameters of the new populations of an invasive species, western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers. This study was conducted in eight localities from four climate regions in China, where F. occidentalis was introduced in the year 2000 and had lower genetic diversity than its native populations. We also tested the level of genetic differentiation in these introduced populations. The genetic diversity of the samples at different years in the same locality was not significantly different from each other in most localities. FST and STRUCTURE analysis also showed that most temporal population comparisons from the same sites were not significantly differentiated. Our results showed that the invasive populations of F. occidentalis in China can maintain temporal stability in genetic composition at an early phase of establishment despite having lower genetic diversity than in their native range.
Enhancement of electroluminescence from embedded Si quantum dots/SiO2multilayers film by localized-surface-plasmon and surface roughening
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Shaolei , Hu Mingyue , He Sufeng , Ge Pengpeng , Wang Jing , Guo Yan Yan , Zhaowei Liu
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we prepared a novel structure to enhance the electroluminescence intensity from Si quantum dots/SiO2multilayers. An amorphous Si/SiO2 multilayer film was fabricated by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition on a Pt nanoparticle (NP)-coated Si nanopillar array substrate. By thermal annealing, an embedded Si quantum dot (QDs)/SiO2 multilayer film was obtained. The result shows that electroluminescence intensity was significantly enhanced. And, the turn-on voltage of the luminescent device was reduced to 3 V. The enhancement of the light emission is due to the resonance coupling between the localized-surface-plasmon (LSP) of Pt NPs and the band-gap emission of Si QDs/SiO2 multilayers. The other factors were the improved absorption of excitation light and the increase of light extraction ratio by surface roughening structures. These excellent characteristics are promising for silicon-based light-emitting applications.
Brain size as a driver of avian escape strategy
Authors: Samia Diogo S. M. , Pape Møller Anders , Blumstein Daniel T.
Published: July 2015

After detecting an approaching predator, animals make a decision when to flee. Prey will initiate flight soon after detecting a predator so as to minimize attentional costs related to on-going monitoring of the whereabouts of the predator. Such costs may compete with foraging and other maintenance activities and hence be larger than the costs of immediate flight. The drivers of interspecific variation in escape strategy are poorly known. Here we investigated the morphological, life history and natural history traits that correlate with variation in avian escape strategy across a sample of 96 species of birds. Brain mass, body size, habitat structure and group size were the main predictors of escape strategy. The direction of the effect of these traits was consistent with selection for a reduction of monitoring costs. Therefore, attentional costs depend on relative brain size, which determines the ability to monitor the whereabouts of potential predators and the difficulty of this task as reflected by habitat and social complexity. Thus brain size and the cognitive functions associated with it, constitute a general framework for explaining the effects of body size, habitat structure and sociality identified as determinants of avian escape strategy.
Phosphole-based ligands in catalysis
Authors: Fourmy Kévin , Nguyen Duc Hanh , Dechy-Cabaret Odile , Gouygou Maryse
Published: July 2015

This review provides an overview of phosphole-based ligand families (monophospholes, multidentate hybrid phosphole ligands, diphosphole and 2,2′-biphosphole-based ligands) and their potential in metal- and organo-catalyzed reactions (asymmetric reactions included).
Using differential mobility spectrometry to measure ion solvation: an examination of the roles of solvents and ionic structures in separating quinoline-based drugs
Authors: Liu Chang , Le Blanc J. C. Yves , Shields Jefry , Janiszewski John S. , Ieritano Christian , Ye Gene F. , Hawes Gillian F. , Hopkins W. Scott , Campbell J. Larry
Published: July 2015

Understanding the mechanisms and energetics of ion solvation using differential mobility spectrometry.
Systematic study on QAMS method for simultaneous determination of triterpenoid saponins in Ilex pubescens by HPLC and UPLC
Authors: Kuang Guojun , Zhou Jie , Yao Meicun , Tan Qinglong , Qi Longkai , Liang Jianhui , Li Yu , Zhao Zhongxiang , Zhang Lei
Published: July 2015

A linear regression method (LRG) had higher accuracy than an average method (AVG) and the concentration of the quantitative component was the major influencing parameter of the accuracy of the QAMS method.
Programmed assembly of 4,2′:6′,4′′-terpyridine derivatives into porous, on-surface networks
Authors: Nijs Thomas , Malzner Frederik J. , Fatayer Shadi , Wäckerlin Aneliia , Nowakowska Sylwia , Constable Edwin C. , Housecroft Catherine E. , Jung Thomas A.
Published: July 2015

4,2′:6′,4′′-Terpyridine building blocks self-assemble into hydrogen-bonded domains; addition of copper atoms results in an on-surface transformation into a coordination network.
Self-healing dynamic bond-based rubbers: understanding the mechanisms in ionomeric elastomer model systems
Authors: Hohlbein N. , Shaaban A. , Bras A. R. , Pyckhout-Hintzen W. , Schmidt A. M.
Published: July 2015

Systematic structure-property investigations on the time-dependent mechanical properties of an ionomer model system with variation of the ionic fraction and the counter ion as obtained from SAXS, dynamic oscillatory rheology and tensile tests, deliver the prerequisites and tools for property adjustment and optimization of their self-healing efficiency.
Half-sandwich Ru(η6-C6H6) complexes with chiral aroylthioureas for enhanced asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones – experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: Mary Sheeba Mani , Preethi Sankaranarayanan , Nijamudheen A. , Muthu Tamizh Manoharan , Datta Ayan , Farrugia Louis J. , Karvembu Ramasamy
Published: July 2015

The efficiency of Ru–benzene complexes towards ATH of ketones was studied.
Cooperative effects of ruthenium micellar catalysts and added surfactants in transfer hydrogenation of ketones in water
Authors: Kalsin Alexander M. , Peganova Tat'yana A. , Novikov Valentin V. , Peruzzini Maurizio , Gonsalvi Luca
Published: July 2015

Added surfactants S boost the performances of surface-active catalysts RuLn (n = 8, 16) in transfer hydrogenation of hydrophobic ketones in water by forming mixed micelles.
A (pentafluoroethyl)(trifluoromethyl)carbene complex of iridium and reductive activation of its sp3 α, β, and γ carbon–fluorine bonds to give perfluoro-2-butyne, perfluoro-1,2,3-butatriene and perfluoro-1-irida-2-methyl-2-cyclobutene) complexes
Authors: Yuan Jian , Hughes Russell P. , Rheingold Arnold L.
Published: July 2015

Inner-sphere reduction of a (pentafluoroethyl)(trifluoromethyl)carbene ligand affords perfluorobutyne, perfluorobutatriene and perfluorometallacyclobutene ligands.
Porous metal–organic frameworks with Lewis basic nitrogen sites for high-capacity methane storage
Authors: Li Bin , Wen Hui-Min , Wang Hailong , Wu Hui , Yildirim Taner , Zhou Wei , Chen Banglin
Published: July 2015

Incorporation of functional groups with Lewis basic nitrogen sites, including pyridine, pyridazine and pyrimidine groups, into NOTT-101 can remarkably improve both the total volumetric methane storage (at 65 bar and room temperature) and working capacities.
An electrochemiluminescence-supramolecular approach to sarcosine detection for early diagnosis of prostate cancer
Authors: Valenti Giovanni , Rampazzo Enrico , Biavardi Elisa , Villani Elena , Fracasso Giulio , Marcaccio Massimo , Bertani Federico , Ramarli Dunia , Dalcanale Enrico , Paolucci Francesco , Prodi Luca
Published: July 2015

Monitoring Prostate Cancer (PCa) biomarkers is an efficient way to diagnosis this disease early, since it improves the therapeutic success rate and suppresses PCa patient mortality: for this reason a powerful analytical technique such as electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is already used for this application, but its widespread usability is still hampered by the high cost of commercial ECL equipment. We describe an innovative approach for the selective and sensitive detection of the PCa biomarker sarcosine, obtained by a synergistic ECL-supramolecular approach, in which the free base form of sarcosine acts as co-reagent in a Ru(bpy)32+-ECL process. We used magnetic micro-beads decorated with a supramolecular tetraphosphonate cavitand (Tiiii) for the selective capture of sarcosine hydrochloride in a complex matrix like urine. Sarcosine determination was then obtained with ECL measurements thanks to the complexation properties of Tiiii, with a protocol involving simple pH changes – to drive the capture–release process of sarcosine from the receptor – and magnetic micro-bead technology. With this approach we were able to measure sarcosine in the μM to mM window, a concentration range that encompasses the diagnostic urinary value of sarcosine in healthy subjects and PCa patients, respectively. These results indicate how this ECL-supramolecular approach is extremely promising for the detection of sarcosine and for PCa diagnosis and monitoring, and for the development of portable and more affordable devices.
Size dependent efficiency of photophoretic swimmers
Authors: Bregulla Andreas P. , Cichos Frank
Published: July 2015

We investigate experimentally the efficiency of self-propelled photophoretic swimmers based on metal-coated polymer particles of different sizes. The metal hemisphere absorbs the incident laser power and converts its energy into heat, which dissipates into the environment. A phoretic surface flow arises from the temperature gradient along the particle surface and drives the particle parallel to its symmetry axis. Scaling the particle size from micro to nanometers, the efficiency of converting optical power into motion is expected to rise with the reciprocal size for ideal swimmers. However, due to the finite size of the metal cap, the efficiency of a real swimmer reveals a maximum depending sensitively on the details of the metal cap shape. We compare the experimental results to numerical simulations.
Synthesis and in vitro antiproliferative activity of novel pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives
Authors: Abdou Nermin S. , Serya Rabah A. T. , Esmat Ahmed , Tolba Mai F. , Ismail Nasser S. M. , Abouzid Khaled A. M.
Published: July 2015

A novel series of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity.
Chemoprevention effects of a sulindac-based compound on TPA-induced skin inflammation in mice
Authors: Liu Wenfeng , Li Yonglian , Zheng Xi , Zhang Kun , Du Zhiyun
Published: July 2015

Inspired by curcumin, which is a natural traditional Chinese medicine, a sulindac-based compound was designed and synthesized.
Colorimetric probes designed to provide high sensitivity and single selectivity for CN− in aqueous solution
Authors: Zhu Xin , Lin Qi , Lou Jin-Chao , Lu Tao-Tao , Zhang You-Ming , Wei Tai-Bao
Published: July 2015

Easily-made probe L1 recognized CN− by the deprotonation process and the detecting limit is 5 × 10−6 mol L−1.
Oligoethylene glycol-substituted aza-BODIPY dyes as red emitting ER-probes
Authors: Kamkaew Anyanee , Thavornpradit Sopida , Puangsamlee Thamon , Xin Dongyue , Wanichacheva Nantanit , Burgess Kevin
Published: July 2015

This study features aza-BODIPY (BF2-chelated azadipyrromethene) dyes with two aromatic substituents linked by oligoethylene glycol fragments to increase hydrophilicity of aza-BODIPY for applications in intracellular imaging.
Biobased polyesters and other polymers from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid: a tribute to furan excellency
Authors: Sousa Andreia F. , Vilela Carla , Fonseca Ana C. , Matos Marina , Freire Carmen S. R. , Gruter Gert-Jan M. , Coelho Jorge F. J. , Silvestre Armando J. D.
Published: July 2015

A tribute to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid excellency and the myriad of novel polyesters, as well as polyamides, among other polycondensates, is comprehensively paid.
Facile fabrication of poly(acrylic acid) hollow nanogels via in situ Pickering miniemulsion polymerization
Authors: Zhang Jianan , Lu Zhengquan , Wu Mingyuan , Wu Qingyun , Yang Jianjun
Published: July 2015

We report herein a facile and large fabrication of PAA hollow nanogels via an in situ Pickering miniemulsion polymerization method by using a hydrophobic solvent as the liquid core.
Photodimerization as an alternative to photocrosslinking of nanoparticles: proof of concept with amphiphilic linear polyoxazoline bearing coumarin unit
Authors: Korchia Laetitia , Bouilhac Cécile , Lapinte Vincent , Travelet Christophe , Borsali Redouane , Robin Jean-Jacques
Published: July 2015

The photo-dimerization of the coumarinated inner compartment of the nanoparticles is investigated.
Aqueous asymmetric aldol reactions in polymersome membranes
Authors: van Oers Matthijs C. M. , Veldmate Wouter S. , van Hest Jan C. M. , Rutjes Floris P. J. T.
Published: July 2015

A high-yielding enantioselective aqueous aldol reaction is carried out in the membrane of polymersome nanoreactors.
Determination of tryptophan and tyrosine by chemiluminescence based on a luminol–N-bromosuccinimide–ZnS quantum dots system
Authors: Li Shifeng , Xing Min , Wang Haiyan , Zhang Li , Zhong Yiman , Chen Lei
Published: July 2015

ZnS QDs as a catalyst can catalyze luminol–NBS system CL, based on Trp and Tyr can inhibit this system CL intensity, we were designed a rapid and sensitive sensor for determination of Trp and Tyr.
Orientation textures of crystallographic habit planes in the welded joint of an aluminium–lithium alloy prepared by Nd:YAG laser welding
Authors: Yuan Xiaokun , Cui Li , Ji Yuan , Zhang Xuehong , Zhu Jie
Published: July 2015

In the joint of a 5A90 Al–Li alloy prepared by the Nd:YAG laser welding, the habit planes are textured at different locations, which suggests a potential perspective to understand the crystallographic orientation dependent performances of the joint.
Highly electrical and thermoelectric properties of a PEDOT:PSS thin-film via direct dilution–filtration
Authors: Xiong Jinhua , Jiang Fengxing , Zhou Weiqiang , Liu Congcong , Xu Jingkun
Published: July 2015

A flexible PEDOT:PSS thin-film achieves a high electrical conductivity (1500 S cm−1) and a high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT ∼ 0.1) by a rapid direct dilution–filtration with common organic solvents.
The first dye-sensitized solar cell with p-type LaOCuS nanoparticles as a photocathode
Authors: Renaud Adèle , Cario Laurent , Pellegrin Yann , Blart Errol , Boujtita Mohammed , Odobel Fabrice , Jobic Stéphane
Published: July 2015

Layered LaOCuS oxysulfide has been successfully implemented as a photocathode in p-type dye sensitized solar cells, as an alternative to NiO.
Analyzing the effects of protecting osmolytes on solute–water interactions by solvatochromic comparison method: II. Globular proteins
Authors: Ferreira Luisa A. , Fan Xiao , Madeira Pedro P. , Kurgan Lukasz , Uversky Vladimir N. , Zaslavsky Boris Y.
Published: July 2015

Partitioning of 11 globular proteins was examined in aqueous dextran–PEG–sodium/potassium phosphate buffer (0.01 M K/NaPB, pH 7.4) two-phase systems (ATPSs) containing 0.5 M sorbitol.
Introducing nanoscaled surface morphology and percolation barrier network into mesoporous silica coatings
Authors: Albert E. , Basa P. , Deák A. , Németh A. , Osváth Z. , Sáfrán G. , Zolnai Z. , Hórvölgyi Z. , Nagy N.
Published: July 2015

The advantages of surface pattern and mesoporous character of silica thin films were combined, while preserving the interconnected pore system or creating laterally separated porous volumes surrounded by nonpermeable compact zones.
Influence of pore structures of a carbon support on the surface textures of a CO oxidation catalyst
Authors: Han Weiliang , Zhang Guodong , Lu Gongxuan , Tang Zhicheng
Published: July 2015

In this paper, three kinds of carbon materials, i.e., carbon spheres (non-C), microporous carbon (micro-C) and mesoporous carbon (meso-C) were synthesized.
Redox-sensitive mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized with PEG through a disulfide bond linker for potential anticancer drug delivery
Authors: Gong Huameng , Xie Zhifei , Liu Mingxing , Zhu Hongda , Sun Honghao
Published: July 2015

In this paper, redox-sensitive mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs–SS–PEG) were successfully synthesized using silica nanoparticles modified with a thiol group (MSNs–SH) and thiol-functionalized methoxy polyethylene glycol (MeOPEG–SH).
Conductive properties and mechanisms of different polymers doped by carbon nanotube/polypyrrole 1D hybrid nanotubes
Authors: Tan Hong-xin , Xu Xue-cheng
Published: July 2015

Polymers doped by MPPy hybrid nanotubes with enhanced conductivity and a reduced amount of carbon nanotubes.
Retracted Article: Simultaneous sorption and reduction of U(vi) on magnetite–reduced graphene oxide composites investigated by macroscopic, spectroscopic and modeling techniques
Authors: Cheng Wencai , Jin Zhongxiu , Ding Congcong , Wang Maolin
Published: July 2015

U(vi) removal mechanisms by magnetite–reduced graphene oxide composites with different mass% (from 33% to 93%) magnetite contents.
Three-dimensional hierarchical nitrogen-doped arch and hollow nanocarbons: morphological influences on supercapacitor applications
Authors: Ramakrishnan Prakash , Park Soo-Gil , Shanmugam Sangaraju
Published: July 2015

Unique three dimensional hierarchical nitrogen doped nanocarbons prepared using a simple approach exhibit excellent supercapacitor performance in all aspects.
Development of a hybrid gelatin hydrogel platform for tissue engineering and protein delivery applications
Authors: Sun Xiaodi , Zhao Xin , Zhao Lili , Li Qing , D'Ortenzio Mathew , Nguyen Brandon , Xu Xin , Wen Yong
Published: July 2015

In this study, to improve the cellular interaction and protein release of gelatin hydrogels, we reported the development of a new hybrid hydrogel platform as a promising tissue engineering scaffold and drug delivery carrier.
Engineering highly stretchable lignin-based electrospun nanofibers for potential biomedical applications
Authors: Kai Dan , Jiang Shan , Low Zhi Wei , Loh Xian Jun
Published: July 2015

The incorporation of lignin–PMMA copolymers into PCL nanofibers significantly improved the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the nanofibrous composites.
Effective work function modulation of SWCNT–AZO NP hybrid electrodes in fully solution-processed flexible metal-oxide thin film transistors
Authors: Lee Su Jeong , Ko Jieun , Park Jee Ho , Kim Jung Han , Chae Gee Sung , Baik Hong Koo , Kim Youn Sang , Myoung Jae-Min
Published: July 2015

Schematic diagram of an SWCNT–AZO NP hybrid electrode TFT and the optical image of the TFT with the SWCNT/AZO NP hybrid electrodes on a PI substrate.
Secrecy throughput of MISO single‐eavesdropper ropper networks with imperfect channel state information
Authors: Wang Lei , Cai Yue‐ming , Zhang Liang , Yang Weiwei
Published: July 2015

The joint effects of feedback delay, limited feedback and channel estimation errors on the secrecy performance of a multiple‐input–single‐output (MISO) system employing transmit beamforming against passive eavesdropping are investigated. Closed‐form expressions of the effective secrecy throughput which characterise the average rate of achieving reliable and secure transmissions are derived. Simulation results verify the theoretical analysis and show that different from feedback delay and limited feedback which degrade performance, imperfect channel estimation may not always harm the secrecy throughput. Furthermore, it is interesting to find that there exists an optimal transmit signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) for achieving the maximal secrecy throughput and channel state information imperfections will increase the optimal value of the transmit SNR.
Multilevel PRC‐LCC resonant converter for X‐ray generation
Authors: Martín‐Ramos J.A. , Pardo‐Vaquero Ó. , Villegas P.J. , Martínez J.A. , Pernía A.M.
Published: July 2015

X‐ray power supplies must operate under a wide variety of conditions. In fluoroscopy mode, they must transfer from 20 W to 1.2 kW, while in radiography mode they reach up to 100 kW. Input voltage range is also wide: from 400 to 750 V. Designers must achieve full power with lower input voltage, accepting important drops in efficiency under other circumstances. A two‐inverter multilevel resonant topology is proposed to address these problems. Adapting the resonant elements, the resulting power stage is versatile enough to minimise the resonant current for both radiography and fluoroscopy. Input voltage fluctuations are compensated by the inverter operations.
0.7 pA/V transconductor allowing Gm‐C filters in range of mHz using sub‐pF capacitors
Authors: Rodrigues C.R. , Silva R.S.
Published: July 2015

A new topology of a transconductor suitable for the implementation of transconductance‐C (Gm‐C) integrators with time constants of tens of seconds using sub‐pF capacitors is introduced. The proposed circuit relies on a cascode stage driven backwards, i.e. the input signal is applied to the cascode output node. The key point is taking advantage of the high impedance of the cascode to impose high attenuation to the input signal and to establish transconductances in the order of fA/V. The concept is demonstrated at the simulation level by realising a Gm‐C integrator with a time constant of 100 s. The integrator comprises a 0.7 pA/V transconductor and an 800 fF capacitor at its output.
Double‐tuned RF receiver coil for detecting both 1H and 31P elements in 4.7 T MRI system
Authors: Sheikh Faisal Ahmad , Kim Young Cheol , Choi Ick Chang , Kim Hyun Deok
Published: July 2015

A novel double‐tuned radio‐frequency (RF) receiver coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems has been demonstrated based on a birdcage‐type circuit. The receiver coil utilises the end‐ring current as well as the leg current of the birdcage‐type circuit to detect the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals of different elements simultaneously. It was designed to detect the NMR signals of both 1H and 31P elements in a 4.7 T MRI system. The coil showed an excellent frequency response and provided clear magnetic resonance images of a Na2HPO4 phantom when used with the 4.7 T MRI system.
Low‐phase‐noise wideband VCO with optimised sub‐nH inductor
Authors: Hu Ang , Ren Zhixiong , Zhang Kefeng , Liu Lanqi , Chen Xiaofei , Liu Dongsheng , Zou Xuecheng
Published: July 2015

A wideband voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO) covering 2.24–4.95 GHz for multi‐standard wireless applications is presented. Realised in TSMC 180 nm RFCMOS process, the VCO provides a phase noise <–124.2 dBc/Hz at a 1 MHz offset in the whole frequency range, while drawing 10 and 18 mA at 4.95and 2.24 GHz from a 1.8 V supply, respectively. The achieved tuning range is 75% and the core chip area is 0.51 mm².
Transient response characteristics in a biomolecular integral controller
Authors: Sen Shaunak
Published: July 2015

The cellular behaviour of perfect adaptation is achieved through the use of an integral control element in the underlying biomolecular circuit. It is generally unclear how integral action affects the important aspect of transient response in these biomolecular systems, especially in light of the fact that it typically deteriorates the transient response in engineering contexts. To address this issue, the authors investigated the transient response in a computational model of a simple biomolecular integral control system involved in bacterial signalling. They find that the transient response can actually speed up as the integral gain parameter increases. On further analysis, they find that the underlying dynamics are composed of slow and fast modes and the speed‐up of the transient response is because of the speed‐up of the slow‐mode dynamics. Finally, they note how an increase in the integral gain parameter also leads to a decrease in the amplitude of the transient response, consistent with the overall improvement in the transient response. These results should be useful in understanding the overall effect of integral action on system dynamics, particularly for biomolecular systems.
Particle response analysis for particle image velocimetry in supersonic flows
Authors: Williams Owen J. H. , Nguyen Tue , Schreyer Anne-Marie , Smits Alexander J.
Published: July 2015

We examine the effects of compressibility, slip, and fluid inertia on the frequency response of particle-based velocimetry techniques for supersonic and hypersonic flows by solving the quasi-steady drag equation for solid, spherical particles. We demonstrate that non-continuum and fluid inertial effects significantly affect the particle response under all typical supersonic flow conditions. In particular, the particle frequency response obtained from a shock response test depends on the strength of the shock, decreasing with shock strength as non-continuum effects become more prominent. For weak disturbances, such as those typical of turbulence, the actual particle frequency response can therefore be much lower than that obtained from a typical shock response. The greatest variability in the response was found to occur at low supersonic Mach numbers. The results were found to be typical of solid particles used for velocimetry under a wide range of wind tunnel conditions, and so, previous particle frequency response analyses based solely on shock response tests may well have overestimated the response to turbulence.
Range-separated double-hybrid density-functional theory applied to periodic systems
Authors: Sansone Giuseppe , Civalleri Bartolomeo , Usvyat Denis , Toulouse Julien , Sharkas Kamal , Maschio Lorenzo
Published: July 2015

Quantum chemistry methods exploiting density-functional approximations for short-range electron-electron interactions and second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory for long-range electron-electron interactions have been implemented for periodic systems using Gaussian-type basis functions and the local correlation framework. The performance of these range-separated double hybrids has been benchmarked on a significant set of systems including rare-gas, molecular, ionic, and covalent crystals. The use of spin-component-scaled MP2 for the long-range part has been tested as well. The results show that the value of μ = 0.5 bohr−1 for the range-separation parameter usually used for molecular systems is also a reasonable choice for solids. Overall, these range-separated double hybrids provide a good accuracy for binding energies using basis sets of moderate sizes such as cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVDZ.
A hybrid molecular dynamics/fluctuating hydrodynamics method for modelling liquids at multiple scales in space and time
Authors: Korotkin Ivan , Karabasov Sergey , Nerukh Dmitry , Markesteijn Anton , Scukins Arturs , Farafonov Vladimir , Pavlov Evgen
Published: July 2015

A new 3D implementation of a hybrid model based on the analogy with two-phase hydrodynamics has been developed for the simulation of liquids at microscale. The idea of the method is to smoothly combine the atomistic description in the molecular dynamics zone with the Landau-Lifshitz fluctuating hydrodynamics representation in the rest of the system in the framework of macroscopic conservation laws through the use of a single “zoom-in” user-defined function s that has the meaning of a partial concentration in the two-phase analogy model. In comparison with our previous works, the implementation has been extended to full 3D simulations for a range of atomistic models in GROMACS from argon to water in equilibrium conditions with a constant or a spatially variable function s. Preliminary results of simulating the diffusion of a small peptide in water are also reported.
Structural tuning of nanogaps using electromigration induced by field emission current with bipolar biasing
Authors: Yagi Mamiko , Ito Mitsuki , Shirakashi Jun-ichi
Published: July 2015

We report a new method for fabrication of Ni nanogaps based on electromigration induced by a field emission current. This method is called “activation” and is demonstrated here using a current source with alternately reversing polarities. The activation procedure with alternating current bias, in which the current source polarity alternates between positive and negative bias conditions, is performed with planar Ni nanogaps defined on SiO2/Si substrates at room temperature. During negative biasing, a Fowler-Nordheim field emission current flows from the source (cathode) to the drain (anode) electrode. The Ni atoms at the tip of the drain electrode are thus activated and then migrate across the gap from the drain to the source electrode. In contrast, in the positive bias case, the field emission current moves the activated atoms from the source to the drain electrode. These two procedures are repeated until the tunnel resistance of the nanogaps is successively reduced from 100 TΩ to 48 kΩ. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies showed that the gap separation narrowed from approximately 95 nm to less than 10 nm because of the Ni atoms that accumulated at the tips of both the source and drain electrodes. These results show that the alternately biased activation process, which is a newly proposed atom transfer technique, can successfully control the tunnel resistance of the Ni nanogaps and is a suitable method for formation of ultrasmall nanogap structures.
Optical conductivity of partially oxidized graphene from first principles
Authors: Nasehnia F. , Seifi M.
Published: July 2015

We investigate the geometry, electronic structure, and optical properties of partially oxidized graphene using density functional theory. Our calculations show that oxygen atoms are chemisorbed on graphene plane and distort carbon atoms vertically, with almost no change in the in-plane structure. The ground state configurations for different oxygen coverages ranging from 2% to 50% (O/C ratio) are calculated and show the strong tendency of oxygen adatoms to aggregate and form discrete islands on graphene plane. It is found that the opened band gap due to oxygen functionalization depends on the oxygen density and the adsorption configuration. The gap is not significant for oxygen densities lower than 8%. The optical conductivities are calculated in the infrared, visible, and ultraviolet regions and show different characteristic features depending on the degree of oxidation. These results imply that optical measurement techniques can be employed to monitor oxidation (or reduction) process as contact-free methods.
III-V/Si wafer bonding using transparent, conductive oxide interlayers
Authors: Tamboli Adele C. , van Hest Maikel F. A. M. , Steiner Myles A. , Essig Stephanie , Perl Emmett E. , Norman Andrew G. , Bosco Nick , Stradins Paul
Published: July 2015

We present a method for low temperature plasma-activated direct wafer bonding of III-V materials to Si using a transparent, conductive indium zinc oxide interlayer. The transparent, conductive oxide (TCO) layer provides excellent optical transmission as well as electrical conduction, suggesting suitability for Si/III-V hybrid devices including Si-based tandem solar cells. For bonding temperatures ranging from 100 °C to 350 °C, Ohmic behavior is observed in the sample stacks, with specific contact resistivity below 1 Ω cm2 for samples bonded at 200 °C. Optical absorption measurements show minimal parasitic light absorption, which is limited by the III-V interlayers necessary for Ohmic contact formation to TCOs. These results are promising for Ga0.5In0.5P/Si tandem solar cells operating at 1 sun or low concentration conditions.
MHD peristaltic transport of spherical and cylindrical magneto-nanoparticles suspended in water
Authors: Abbasi F. M. , Hayat T. , Alsaadi Fuad , Dobai Abdullah M. , Gao Huijun
Published: July 2015

Advancements in the biomedical engineering have enhanced the usage of magnto-nanoparticles in improving the precision and efficiency of the magneto-drug delivery systems. Such systems make use of the externally applied magnetic fields to direct the drug towards a specific target in the human body. Peristalsis of magneto-nanofluids is of significant importance in such considerations. Hence peristaltic transport of Fe3O4-water nanofluid through a two-dimensional symmetric channel is analyzed in the presence of an externally applied constant magnetic field. Hamilton-Crosser’s model of the thermal conductivity is utilized in the problem development. The nanofluid saturates a non-uniform porous medium in which the porosity of the porous medium varies with the distance from the channel walls. Analysis is performed for the spherical and the cylindrical nanoparticles. Resulting system of equations is numerically solved. Impacts of sundry parameters on the axial velocity, temperature, pressure gradient and heat transfer rate at the boundary are examined. Comparison between the results for spherical and cylindrical nanoparticles is also presented. Results show that the nanoparticles volume fraction and the Hartman number have increasing effect on the pressure gradient throughout the peristaltic tract. Effective heat transfer rate at the boundary tends to enhance with an increase in the nanoparticles volume fraction. Use of spherical nanoparticles results in a higher value of axial velocity and the temperature at the center of channel when compared with the case of cylindrical nanoparticles.
An oxide-based thermoelectric generator: Transversal thermoelectric strip-device
Authors: Teichert S. , Bochmann A. , Reimann T. , Schulz T. , Dreßler C. , Töpfer J.
Published: July 2015

A special design of an oxide-based transversal thermoelectric device utilizing thermoelectric oxides in combination with a ceramic multilayer technology is proposed. Metal strips within the ceramic matrix replace the tilted stack of alternating layers used in artificial anisotropic transversal thermoelectric devices. Numerical three-dimensional simulations of both device types reveal better thermoelectric performance data for the device with metal stripes. A monolithic transversal strip-device based on the material combination La1.97Sr0.03CuO4/Ag6Pd1 was prepared and electrically characterized. A maximum power output of 4.0 mW was determined at ΔT = 225 K for the monolithic device. The observed results are in remarkable agreement with three-dimensional numerical simulations utilizing the transport parameters of the two materials and the geometry data of the device.
A novel mycovirus from
Aspergillus fumigatus
contains four unique dsRNAs as its genome and is infectious as dsRNA
Authors: Kanhayuwa Lakkhana , Kotta-Loizou Ioly , Özkan Selin , Gunning A. Patrick , Coutts Robert H. A.
Published: July 2015

Significance

Mycoviruses generally contain dsRNA genomes but ssRNA and ssDNA examples are known. Mycovirus diversity is increasing, and here we describe a unique example that contains four dsRNA elements nominated Aspergillus fumigatus tetramycovirus-1 (AfuTmV-1). We show for the first time (to our knowledge) that both purified AfuTmV-1 and its dsRNA are infectious for protoplasts and that the virus genome is not conventionally encapsidated and has a unique organization. Separation of the genes encoding the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzyme responsible for copying the viral genome and an
S
-adenosyl methionine-dependent methyltransferase capping enzyme on different dsRNAs is also previously unreported for a mycovirus. AfuTmV-1 appears to be intermediate between dsRNA and positive-strand ssRNA viruses, as well as between encapsidated and capsidless RNA viruses.
Sensory and metabolic profiles of “Fuji” apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) grown without synthetic agrochemicals: the role of ethylene production
Authors: Tanaka Fukuyo , Miyazawa Toshio , Okazaki Keiki , Tatsuki Miho , Ito Tsutae
Published: July 2015

Flavors of “Fuji” apple cultivated with or without synthetic agrochemicals were compared using quantitative descriptive analyses (QDA) and metabolite profiling for 3 seasons. Experimental plots included conventional crops (with agrochemicals) and organic crops (without agrochemicals) at our institute and organic and conventional farms. Additionally, mass market samples were analyzed. Organic apples were weak in sweetness and floral characteristics and had enhanced green and sour flavors. Most esters and sugars were present in lower concentrations in organic than in conventional apples. Close relation of principal component 1 of QDA and metabolite profiles, to ethylene production suggested that ethylene is considerably involved in flavor synthesis. Reduced ethylene associated with immaturity accounted for insufficient flavor synthesis and weak aroma and flavor attributes of organic apples. Furthermore, organic apples from the farm were more flavorsome than those from the institute in 2012, suggesting possible recovery of ethylene production after a long organic cultivation period.
A multivariate Bernoulli model to predict DNaseI hypersensitivity status from haplotype data
Authors: Shi Huwenbo , Pasaniuc Bogdan , Lange Kenneth L.
Published: July 2015

Motivation: Haplotype models enjoy a wide range of applications in population inference and disease gene discovery. The hidden Markov models traditionally used for haplotypes are hindered by the dubious assumption that dependencies occur only between consecutive pairs of variants. In this article, we apply the multivariate Bernoulli (MVB) distribution to model haplotype data. The MVB distribution relies on interactions among all sets of variants, thus allowing for the detection and exploitation of long-range and higher-order interactions. We discuss penalized estimation and present an efficient algorithm for fitting sparse versions of the MVB distribution to haplotype data. Finally, we showcase the benefits of the MVB model in predicting DNaseI hypersensitivity (DH) status—an epigenetic mark describing chromatin accessibility—from population-scale haplotype data.

Results: We fit the MVB model to real data from 59 individuals on whom both haplotypes and DH status in lymphoblastoid cell lines are publicly available. The model allows prediction of DH status from genetic data (prediction R2=0.12 in cross-validations). Comparisons of prediction under the MVB model with prediction under linear regression (best linear unbiased prediction) and logistic regression demonstrate that the MVB model achieves about 10% higher prediction R2 than the two competing methods in empirical data.

Availability and implementation: Software implementing the method described can be downloaded at http://bogdan.bioinformatics.ucla.edu/software/.

Contact:  shihuwenbo@ucla.edu or pasaniuc@ucla.edu
The Singing Style
Authors: Day-O'Connell Sarah
Published: July 2015

Despite its cursory description by Leonard Ratner and its outright dismissal by Raymond Monelle, the “singing style” is frequently evoked by analysts referring loosely (and often contradictorily) to song-like qualities. This chapter presents the singing style within the wider discourse, culture, and practice surrounding eighteenth-century songs and singing. Contemporary discussions of vocal composition (Johann Mattheson, Heinrich Christoph Koch) and vocal performance (Pier Francesco Tosi, in translations with commentaries by John Ernest Galliard and Johann Friedrich Agricola) involve a range of musical qualities but share a focus on intelligibility and accessibility. Contemporary poetry, literature, and criticism may connect singing to femininity, amateurism, domesticity, nature, beauty, or sociability, but retain similar connotations of simplicity, purity, and directness. The singing style can thus be understood as centered on comprehensibility, an extra-musical quality that is available to migrate to instrumental music under many guises.
and
Authors: McClelland Clive
Published: July 2015

The topical label ofSturm und Drang, which draws on parallels between certain movements of Haydn’s middle-period symphonies and the trend in German Romantic literature (Wyzewa 1909) was deemed misguided and no longer fit for purpose in the discipline of topic theory. In this chapter it is replaced bytempesta. This termacknowledges the origins of the topic not in Haydn’s symphonies, but in early opera, since the musical language clearly derives from depictions of storms and other devastations in the theater.Tempestais to be regarded as the counterpart ofombra, the menacing style of music associated with the supernatural. Both styles are often juxtaposed in infernal scenes, where the creeping terror ofombrais contrasted with the fast frenzy oftempesta. The aesthetic framework for these topics is Burke’s “sublime of terror” (1758) rather than the German literarySturm und Drang.
Topics and Meter
Authors: Mirka Danuta
Published: July 2015

The connection between topics and meter was supported by Wye Allanbrook (1983) with references to eighteenth-century authors representing an old tradition of metric notation in which meter was closely related to tempo, affect, and genre. In the late eighteenth century this tradition was continued by Johann Philipp Kirnberger, who posited a standard tempo for each meter: the so-calledtempo giusto. But the tradition oftempo giustowas dissolved by another tradition of metric notation in which time signatures had no tempo significance and no affective implications. While the new tradition enabled eighteenth-century composers to include several topics in one piece, it complicates the task of the analyst by making identification of topics contingent on identification of the composed meter and, in some cases, on analysis of phrase structure. This chapter demonstrates the problem of topical identification in relation to the main theme of Mozart’s Symphony in G minor, K. 550/i.
Eloquent Performance
Authors: Guymer Sheila
Published: July 2015

This chapter explores how skilled performers use topical analysis in their interpretative decision-making, presenting material from lesson-interviews conducted with fortepianists Robert Levin and Bart van Oort. Drawing on treatises by Türk, Quantz, Kirnberger, Koch, and Leopold Mozart, it examines some historical foundations of Leonard Ratner’s topics, their connections with eighteenth-century concepts of musical character and expression, and topics’ limitations as tools in the process of analysis and interpretation. The chapter takes the Allegro movements of Mozart’s Sonata K. 333 as two case studies. It concludes that awareness of topical references in this repertoire aids performers in systematically identifying and executing contrasts, enabling more expressive and communicative performance. It suggests that a sensitive understanding of historically informed performance practices benefits topic theorists, as analyses may be undermined by anachronistic assumptions about how the music sounds in performance.
Music and Dance in the Ancien Régime
Authors: Zbikowski Lawrence
Published: July 2015

This chapter explores the contribution French noble dance made to the topical universe available to composers in the latter half of the eighteenth century. The chapter reviews the culture of dance in theancien régimeand offers a detailed analysis of the relationship between music and dance in a bourrée; the choreography for this bourrée was preserved in dance notation and published in 1700. This analysis suggests that topical references to French dance types had the potential to summon knowledge of a sort that was deeply embodied. The chapter concludes with a discussion of different ways dance music was employed by composers of instrumental and theatrical music during the eighteenth century.