bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Closure of Fontan fenestration with the use of covered stents: short- and mid-term results in a cohort of 50 patients
Authors: Malekzadeh-Milani Sophie , Ladouceur Magalie , Bajolle Fanny , Bonnet Damien , Boudjemline Younes
Published: June 2014

Objective: The use of covered stents to close fenestration in total cavopulmonary connection is presented. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of all patients undergoing the procedure of a covered stent to close fenestration of total cavopulmonary connection between 2005 and 2012. Results: A total of 50 patients met the inclusion criteria. Median age and weight were 7.7 years and 20 kg, respectively. Median interval between Fontan completion and fenestration closure was 13 months. The femoral vein was used in 42 patients and the jugular vein in eight patients. Of the patients, seven received two stents. Covered stents were CP stents in 42 patients and Atrium Advanta V12 in eight patients. BIB balloons were used in 24 patients and simple balloons in 18 patients. Simultaneous occlusion of venous collaterals was observed in five patients. Median procedural and fluoroscopy times were 49 and 8 minutes, respectively. Mean central venous pressure rose from 10 to 12 mmHg. Mean oxygen saturation increased from 88% to 96%. Full occlusion was confirmed in 47 patients. The remaining had residual shunts: two patients had intracardiac Fontan, and one patient had a stent that could not be fully opened. Following the procedure, five patients had local bleeding, and three delayed discharge 48 hours after the procedure. There was no thromboembolic event after a mean follow-up of 49 months. Conclusion: Covered stent is a good option to close fenestration in extracardiac total cavopulmonary connection. It is safe, easily achievable with low fluoroscopy time, with very low risk of complication or failure. Good results are sustainable when excluding patients with none circular pathway.
Booster Sessions after Cognitive-Behavioural Group Therapy for Panic Disorder: Impact on Resilience, Coping, and Quality Of Life
Authors: Wesner Ana Cristina , Gomes Juliana Braga , Detzel Tatiana , Guimarães Luciano S. P. , Heldt Elizeth
Published: June 2014

Background:Panic disorder (PD) has a chronic nature, especially as a result of maladaptive coping strategies to deal with stressful events.Aims:To evaluate the impact of booster sessions with cognitive techniques on coping strategies, resilience, and quality of life (QoL) in patients previously submitted to standard cognitive-behavioural group therapy (CBGT) for PD.Method:A controlled clinical trial with 44 patients with PD (intervention = 20; control = 24) who had previously completed a 12-week CBGT protocol. PD, anxiety, and depression severity symptoms were assessed at baseline and 1, 6, and 12 months after the booster sessions. Coping strategies, resilience, and QoL were assessed by Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI), Resilience Scale, and WHOQOL-BREF respectively.Results:Over time, a significant improvement in PD and depression symptoms was observed in both groups. A significant increase in the QoL social relations domain was found in the booster group, considering a time/group interaction. Coping and other QoL domains did not change after the booster sessions. Changes in resilience were dependent on the intensity of symptoms, with negative but non-significant correlations.Conclusions:The improvement in PD and depression symptoms for both groups may be a result of the group format of the intervention. Group booster sessions after CBGT are useful to maintain the benefits obtained with CBGT.
A bilingual advantage in how children integrate multiple cues to understand a speaker's referential intent
Authors: YOW W. QUIN , MARKMAN ELLEN M.
Published: June 2014

In everyday communication, speakers make use of a variety of contextual and gestural cues to modulate the meaning of an utterance. Young children have difficulty in integrating multiple communicative cues when some of them have to be interpreted differently depending on other co-occurring cues. However, bilingual children, who regularly experience communicative challenges that demand greater attention and flexibility, may be more adept in integrating multiple cues to understand a speaker's communicative intent. We replicated Nurmsoo and Bloom's (2008) procedure with three-year-old monolingual and bilingual children using a procedure in which they saw two novel objects while the experimenter could see only one. The experimenter looked at the object she could see and said either “There's the [novel-word!]” or “Where's the [novel-word]?”. Compared to monolinguals, bilingual preschoolers were better able to integrate the semantics of “where”, perceptual access of the experimenter, and the nonlinguistic context of the game to successfully differentiate the speaker's communicative intent.
Risk perception is not associated with attendance at a preventive intervention for type 2 diabetes mellitus among South Asians at risk of diabetes
Authors: Vlaar Everlina MA , Nierkens Vera , Nicolaou Mary , Middelkoop Barend JC , Stronks Karien , van Valkengoed Irene GM
Published: June 2014

Objective

To evaluate the association between risk perception and attendance in a diabetes prevention programme among South Asians with a high risk for diabetes.

Design

An observational study. We measured risk perception during the baseline interview with causal beliefs, perceived susceptibility and perceived controllability. We used logistic regression to examine the relationship between risk perception and attendance. We adjusted for relevant sociodemographic factors, screening results and psychosocial factors.

Setting

The Hague, the Netherlands.

Subjects

Five hundred and thirty-five Hindustani Surinamese (South Asians) aged 18–60 years from a lifestyle-versus-control intervention for the prevention of diabetes.

Results

In total, 68·2 % attended the lifestyle or control intervention. Participants perceived lifestyle and heredity to increase the risk of diabetes and perceived increasing physical activity to decrease it. Only 44·2 % of the participants perceived themselves as susceptible to diabetes and only those who perceived a family history of diabetes as a cause of diabetes appeared to be more inclined to attend. However, after adjustment for confounding, the association was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Risk perception was not significantly associated with attendance. The results suggest that increasing the risk perception alone in this South Asian population is unlikely to increase the attendance at a diabetes prevention programme.
Characterization of the Vasa Vasorum in the Human Great Saphenous Vein: A Scanning Electron Microscopy and 3D-Morphometry Study Using Vascular Corrosion Casts
Authors: Herbst Markus , Hölzenbein Thomas Joachim , Minnich Bernd
Published: June 2014

The vasa vasorum (VV) of explanted segments of the human great saphenous vein (Vena saphena magna; HGSV), harvested during dissection for coronary bypass grafts or diseased vein segments from the “Salzburger Landesklinikum,” were studied by scanning electron microscopy and three-dimensional morphometry of microvascular corrosion casts. The main objective of this study was to examine the VV’s structural arrangement in order to find the most vital segments of the HGSV and in turn to improve the results of coronary bypass surgeries. The study presents a meticulous analysis of the whole microvascular system of the VV of the HGSV and its three-dimensional arrangement. It is one of the first studies yielding detailed quantitative data on geometry of the VV of the HGSV. A detailed insight into different vascular parameters such as vessel diameter, interbranching, intervascular distances, and branching angles at different levels of the VV’s angioarchitecture and in different parts of the HGSV in health and disease is given. Further, the geometry of bifurcations was examined in order to compute the physiological optimality principles of this delicate vascular system based on its construction, maintenance, and function.
Analysis of payout choice from individual deferred annuities in Korea
Authors: LEE KYONGHEE
Published: June 2014

We analyse annuitization rates by policyholders with individual deferred annuities in Korea to assess the impact of different tax policies on payout decisions between 2008 and 2011. Under the Korean tax system, two types of individual deferred annuities were sold: qualified (taxed for lump sums) and non-qualified (tax free for lump sums). Our results show that policyholders with qualified contracts are more likely to select a life annuity option than a lump-sum distribution, compared to policyholders of non-qualified contracts. This suggests that policyholders are more likely to use non-qualified contracts as savings vehicles than as longevity insurance.
Assessing the Alternate-Form Reliability of Interview-Based and Web-Based Rorschach Responses Measuring Body Boundary Imagery and Regressive Imagery
Authors: Cariola Laura A.
Published: June 2014

This study assesses the alternate-form reliability of the Body Type Dictionary (BTD) for measuring body boundary imagery and primordial thought language in interview-based and web-based Rorschach responses. The intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated fair to good agreement for barrier imagery, .72, and penetration imagery, .55, which indicates that the web-based administration of the Rorschach inkblot test represents an acceptable alternative to the traditional Rorschach interview assessment for measuring body boundary imagery. Primordial thought language had a fair level of agreement, .43, whereas conceptual thought language had poor agreement, .36. The results are discussed by relating empirical research outlining the mode-specific implications of psychometric test administration to the Rorschach inkblot test and its implications for body boundary awareness and regressive cognitive functioning, as well as by outlining the methodological and clinical limitations of web-based Rorschach application that could be addressed in future research.
Human renal fibroblasts generate dendritic cells with a unique regulatory profile
Authors: Dixon Karen O , Rossmann Laura , Kamerling Sylvia WA , van Kooten Cees
Published: June 2014

Fibroblasts reside within the renal interstitium in close proximity to neighbouring dendritic cells (DCs). It is likely that these cells have a central role in the maintenance and function of resident and infiltrating renal DCs, though studies to confirm this have been lacking. We investigated whether renal fibroblasts influence human DC generation and function. We found that co‐culture with renal fibroblasts led to the generation of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (Fibro‐DCs), with significantly reduced CD80, CD83 and CD86 but elevated B7H1 and B7DC expression. In addition, these Fibro‐DCs displayed a reduced capacity to produce interleukin (IL)‐12p40 and IL‐12p70 but maintained normal levels of IL‐23 and IL‐27. Furthermore, IL‐10 production was elevated, which together resulted in a regulatory DC population with a reduced capacity to stimulate allogenic T‐cell proliferation and interferon γ production, while preserving IL‐17A. Supernatant transfer experiments suggested that a soluble mediator from the fibroblasts was sufficient to inhibit the immunogenic capability of DCs. Further experiments demonstrated that IL‐6 was at least partially responsible for the modulating effect of renal fibroblasts on DC generation and subsequent function. In summary, renal fibroblasts may have a crucial decisive role in regulating local DC immune responses in vivo. Better understanding of this cell population and their mechanisms of action may have therapeutic relevance in many immune‐driven renal diseases.
Human immunoglobulin classes and subclasses show variability in VDJ gene mutation levels
Authors: Jackson Katherine J L , Wang Yan , Collins Andrew M
Published: June 2014

Somatic point mutations provide glimpses into B‐cell histories, and mutation numbers generally correlate with antibody affinity. We recently proposed a model of human isotype function, based in part on mutation analysis, in which the dominant pathway of isotype switching involves B cells moving sequentially through the four immunoglobulin (Ig) G subclasses. This should result in predictable differences in affinity between isotypes, and this helps explain how different isotypes work together. The model built on analysis of rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain sequences amplified from Papua New Guinean villagers, which showed highly significant differences in the mean number of V‐REGION mutations in sequences, associated with the different IgG subclasses. To determine whether this relationship between mutation levels and isotypes is a more general phenomenon, the present study was conducted in healthy, urban residents of Sydney, Australia. VDJ sequences were generated from eight individuals, using 454 pyrosequencing, from cells expressing all isotypes except IgD and IgE. This resulted in 35 118 unique, productive VDJ sequences for the study. The data confirm that VDJ genes associated with progressively more 3′ Ig heavy chain gamma (IGHG) constant region genes show increasing levels of point mutation. Mean V‐REGION mutations in IgA1 and IgA2 sequences were similar. Patterns of mutations also differed between isotypes. Despite their association with T‐independent responses, IgG2 sequences showed significantly more mutational evidence of antigen selection than other IgG isotypes. Antigen selection was also significantly higher in IgA2 than in IgA1 sequences, raising the possibility of a preferential switch pathway from IGHG2 to IGHA2.
Three-Dimensional Microstructural Imaging of Sulfur Poisoning-Induced Degradation in a Ni-YSZ Anode of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Harris William M. , Lombardo Jeffrey J. , Nelson George J. , Lai Barry , Wang Steve , Vila-Comamala Joan , Liu Mingfei , Liu Meilin , Chiu Wilson K. S.
Published: June 2014

Following exposure to ppm-level hydrogen sulfide at elevated temperatures, a section of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) Ni-YSZ anode was examined using a combination of synchrotron-based x-ray nanotomography and x-ray fluorescence techniques. While fluorescence measurements provided elemental identification and coarse spatial mapping, x-ray nanotomography was used to map the detailed 3-D spatial distribution of Ni, YSZ and a nickel-sulfur poisoning phase. The nickel-sulfur layer was found to form a scale covering most of the exposed nickel surface, blocking most fuel reformation and hydrogen oxidation reaction sites. Although the exposure conditions precluded the ability to develop a detailed kinetic description of the nickel-sulfur phase formation, the results provide strong evidence of the detrimental effects of 100 ppm hydrogen sulfide on typical Ni-YSZ anode materials.
Triboelectricity in insulating polymers: evidence for a mechanochemical mechanism
Authors: Beraldo da Silveira Balestrin Lia , Del Duque Douglas , Soares da Silva Douglas , Galembeck Fernando
Published: June 2014

Transfer of reaction products formed on the surfaces of two mutually rubbed dielectric solids makes an important if not dominating contribution to triboelectricity. New evidence in support of this statement is presented in this report, based on analytical electron microscopy coupled to electrostatic potential mapping techniques. Mechanical action on contacting surface asperities transforms them into hot-spots for free-radical formation, followed by electron transfer producing cationic and anionic polymer fragments, according to their electronegativity. Polymer ions accumulate creating domains with excess charge because they are formed at fracture surfaces of pulled-out asperities. Another factor for charge segregation is the low polymer mixing entropy, following Flory and Huggins. The formation of fractal charge patterns that was previously described is thus the result of polymer fragment fractal scatter on both contacting surfaces. The present results contribute to the explanation of the centuries-old difficulties for understanding the “triboelectric series” and triboelectricity in general, as well as the dissipative nature of friction, and they may lead to better control of friction and its consequences.
Puzzling over protein cysteine phosphorylation – assessment of proteomic tools for S-phosphorylation profiling
Authors: Buchowiecka A. K.
Published: June 2014

The article provides useful information necessary for designing experiments in the emerging cysteine phosphoproteomics.
A sensitive dual colorimetric and fluorescence system for assaying the activity of alkaline phosphatase that relies on pyrophosphate inhibition of the peroxidase activity of copper ions
Authors: Park Ki Soo , Lee Chang Yeol , Park Hyun Gyu
Published: June 2014

A novel and highly sensitive optical assay for the accurate determination of alkaline phosphatase activity is developed by utilizing the peroxidase activity of Cu2+ ions.
Pipette tip-based molecularly imprinted monolith for selective micro-solid-phase extraction of methomyl in environmental water
Authors: Du Ting , Cheng Jing , Wu Min , Wang Xiaohua , Zhou Hongbin , Cheng Min
Published: June 2014

A novel low molecular weight methomyl molecule-imprinted monolith (MIM) was prepared inside a polypropylene pipette tip by polymerization reaction.
Cotton fabric as an immobilization matrix for low-cost and quick colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
Authors: Bagherbaigi Saeedeh , Córcoles Emma P. , Wicaksono Dedy H. B.
Published: June 2014

Cotton-fabric based 2-dimensional colorimetric ELISA which requires a smaller amount of sample and reagents, with quicker assay time.
Ionic liquid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography for determination of tetracycline drugs in eggs
Authors: Song Jiao , Zhang Zhen Hong , Zhang Ying Qun , Feng Cheng , Wang Geng Nan , Wang Jian Ping
Published: June 2014

Ionic liquid [C4MIM][PF6] was incorporated in a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method for extraction of four tetracycline drugs in eggs.
Conjugates of tetraphenylethene and diketopyrrolopyrrole: tuning the emission properties with phenyl bridges
Authors: Shen Xiao Yuan , Wang Yi Jia , Zhang Haoke , Qin Anjun , Sun Jing Zhi , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: June 2014

Bridging DPP (ACQ-gen) and TPE (AIE-gen) with phenyls derived TPE–ph–DPP conjugates displaying enhanced and red-shifted emission in the solid state.
Differences in heterocycle basicity distinguish homocysteine from cysteine using aldehyde-bearing fluorophores
Authors: Barve Aabha , Lowry Mark , Escobedo Jorge O. , Huynh Katherine T. , Hakuna Lovemore , Strongin Robert M.
Published: June 2014

Homocysteine reacts with aldehyde-derived fluorescein to form thiazinane. Controlled protonation of the thiazinane amine leads to fluorescence enhancement, thus distinguishing homocysteine from cysteine.
Tuning the coordination chemistry of cyclotriveratrylene ligand pairs through alkyl chain aggregation
Authors: Henkelis James J. , Hardie Michaele J.
Published: June 2014

Propylated cyclotriveratrylene ligands with N-donor groups form coordination polymers where the propyl groups aggregate or form a Pd6L4 cage.
Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B on TiO2 photonic crystals
Authors: Zheng Xiuzhen , Li Danzhen , Li Xiaofang , Yu Linhui , Wang Peng , Zhang Xiaoyun , Fang Jialin , Shao Yu , Zheng Yi
Published: June 2014

The possible degradation mechanisms of TiO2 photonic crystals in photoelectrocatalytic and photocatalytic systems were compared and put forward.
Molecular dynamics investigations of liquid–vapor interaction and adsorption of formaldehyde, oxocarbons, and water in graphitic slit pores
Authors: Huang Pei-Hsing , Hung Shang-Chao , Huang Ming-Yueh
Published: June 2014

We report a multi-component liquid–vapor adsorption study that allowed us to predict the ideal adsorption conditions and to explore the fundamental interaction and adsorption behaviors for formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water mixtures in GR slit pores.
Accurate predictions of C–SO2R bond dissociation enthalpies using density functional theory methods
Authors: Yu Hai-Zhu , Fu Fang , Zhang Liang , Fu Yao , Dang Zhi-Min , Shi Jing
Published: June 2014

M06-2X/6-31G(d) was found to be accurate in calculating C–S BDEs, and preliminary mechanistic studies were performed using it.
Decisive influence of substitution positions in molecular self-assembly
Authors: Neff Julia L. , Kittelmann Markus , Bechstein Ralf , Kühnle Angelika
Published: June 2014

Depending on the OH substitution positions distinctly different self-assembled structures can be achieved.
Failure mechanisms of nano-silicon anodes upon cycling: an electrode porosity evolution model
Authors: Radvanyi Etienne , Porcher Willy , De Vito Eric , Montani Alexandre , Franger Sylvain , Jouanneau Si Larbi Séverine
Published: June 2014

Using several characterization techniques, the failure mechanisms of nano-Si based electrodes have been studied.
Transformations of polyols to organic acids and hydrogen in aqueous alkaline media
Authors: van Haasterecht T. , van Deelen T. W. , de Jong K. P. , Bitter J. H.
Published: June 2014

Carbon nanofiber supported Ni and Cu nano-particles are active for the anaerobic aqueous phase transformation of polyols into organic acids (glycolic acid and lactic acid) and hydrogen at low temperatures (140–180 °C).
Synthesis factors affecting the catalytic performance and stability of Ru/C catalysts for supercritical water gasification
Authors: Peng G. , Steib M. , Gramm F. , Ludwig C. , Vogel F.
Published: June 2014

Improvement of the catalytic performance of Ru/C catalysts by selecting acetone as a solvent during the catalyst preparation.
Homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction of neodymium(iii) by choline hexafluoroacetylacetonate in the ionic liquid choline bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide
Authors: Onghena Bieke , Jacobs Jeroen , Van Meervelt Luc , Binnemans Koen
Published: June 2014

Choline hexafluoroacetylacetonate diluted in the ionic liquid choline bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)imide has been used as an extractant for the homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction of neodymium(iii) ions.
Magnetic relaxation in mononuclear Tb complex involving a nitronyl nitroxide ligand
Authors: Hu Peng , Sun Zan , Wang Xiufeng , Li Licun , Liao Daizheng , Luneau Dominique
Published: June 2014

One novel mononuclear Tb-nitronyl nitroxide complex, which exhibits SMM behavior, has been obtained.
Ultra-high-aspect-orthogonal and tunable three dimensional polymeric nanochannel stack array for BioMEMS applications
Authors: Heo Joonseong , Kwon Hyukjin J. , Jeon Hyungkook , Kim Bumjoo , Kim Sung Jae , Lim Geunbae
Published: June 2014

A tunable polymeric nanochannel array with ultra-high-aspect-ratio of 106was fabricated using stacking and rolling method.
Use of urchin-like NixCo3−xO4hierarchical nanostructures based on non-precious metals as bifunctional electrocatalysts for anion-exchange membrane alkaline alcohol fuel cells
Authors: Manivasakan Palanisamy , Ramasamy Parthiban , Kim Jinkwon
Published: June 2014

Urchin like NixCo3−xO4hierarchical nanostructures were demonstrated as promising electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation reactions in alkaline fuel cells.
Charge separation in facet-engineered chalcogenide photocatalyst: a selective photocorrosion approach
Authors: Li Naixu , Liu Maochang , Zhou Zhaohui , Zhou Jiancheng , Sun Yueming , Guo Liejin
Published: June 2014

Photocorrosion is considered detrimental to photocatalysis; however, it can probe the active site of photooxidation of facet-engineered Cu2WS4 photocatalysts.
Construction of muscle-like metallo-supramolecular polymers from a pillar[5]arene-based [c2]daisy chain
Authors: Gao Lingyan , Zhang Zibin , Zheng Bo , Huang Feihe
Published: June 2014

A muscle-like metallo-supramolecular polymer based on a solvent-driven [c2]daisy chain has been prepared from an amino-modified pillar[5]arene. The integration of terpyridine moieties on both ends of the [c2]daisy chain and the stiff architecture of pillar[5]arene units facilitated the efficient formation of the metallo-supramolecular polymer.
MFI-type zeolite nanosheets for gas-phase aromatics chlorination: a strategy to overcome mass transfer limitations
Authors: Boltz Marilyne , Losch Pit , Louis Benoit , Rioland Guillaume , Tzanis Lydie , Daou T. Jean
Published: June 2014

Mass transfer limitations and catalytic activity were studied for various ZSM-5 zeolite crystal sizes in the chlorination of deactivated arenes. An estimation of the quantity of mild acidic external silanol groups of zeolite nanosheets was made.
Recent advances in H2PO4− fluorescent sensors
Authors: Zhang Dawei , Cochrane James Robert , Martinez Alexandre , Gao Guohua
Published: June 2014

The recent advances in H2PO4− fluorescent sensors were thoroughly reviewed.
Photoresponsivity of silver nanoparticles decorated graphene–silicon Schottky junction
Authors: Ayhan Muhammed Emre , Kalita Golap , Kondo Masaharu , Tanemura Masaki
Published: June 2014

We demonstrate formation of the silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in chemical vapor deposited graphene by dissolving base Ag foil and their integration for Schottky junction photodetector fabrication.
Facile formation of a micro-crater structure for light scattering in quasi-solid state dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Han Dae Man , Ko Kwan-Woo , Han Chi-Hwan , Kim Youn Sang
Published: June 2014

The formation of a micro-crater structure with optimal morphology in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) improved the light scattering effect without an additional light scattering layer. In addition, it provided a wide entrance for a fast and complete electrolyte infiltration into the TiO2 film.
The hydrogen bond – practice and QTAIM theory
Authors: Rozenberg M.
Published: June 2014

IR intensities in the spectra of H-complexes as a source of electron-density data ρ(rc) (e a−3) = 10−2(ΔA1/2) (A, 10−4 cm mmol−1/2).
Dually functionalized dendrimers by temperature-sensitive surface modification and gold nanoparticle loading for biomedical application
Authors: Kono Kenji , Takeda Keishi , Li Xiaojie , Yuba Eiji , Harada Atsushi , Ozaki Tomoatsu , Mori Shigeo
Published: June 2014

Stimuli-sensitive dendrimers of a new type were developed through dual functionalization of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers with temperature-sensitive surface modification using propoxy diethylene glycol (PDEG) and Au nanoparticle (AuNP) loading.
Highly selective carbon dioxide adsorption on exposed magnesium metals in a cross-linked organo-magnesium complex
Authors: Pareek Kapil , Zhang Qingfan , Rohan Rupesh , Cheng Hansong
Published: June 2014

Highly selective CO2/N2adsorption in exposed magnesium metals of a cross-linked organo-magnesium complex.
MgFePO4F as a feasible cathode material for magnesium batteries
Authors: Huang Zhen-Dong , Masese Titus , Orikasa Yuki , Mori Takuya , Minato Taketoshi , Tassel Cedric , Kobayashi Yoji , Kageyama Hiroshi , Uchimoto Yoshiharu
Published: June 2014

Novel MgFePO4F exhibits a promising feasibility as a cathode material for Mg batteries in spite of its cationic-disordered crystal structure.
Acetoacetanilide-functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles for selective and cyclic removal of Pb2+ ions from different charged wastewaters
Authors: Sharma R. K. , Puri Aditi , Monga Yukti , Adholeya Alok
Published: June 2014

Novel and efficient acetoacetanilide functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles were synthesized for the selective and cyclic removal of Pb2+ ions.
Core–shell Si1−xGex nanowires with controlled structural defects for phonon scattering enhancement
Authors: Lee Jong Woon , Lee Junho , Yi Su-in , Seo Young Min , Choi Byoung Lyong , Yu Choongho , Yang Cheol-Woong , Hwang Sungwoo , Kim Sungjin , Whang Dongmok , Lee Eun Kyung
Published: June 2014

Core–shell Si1−xGex alloy nanowires can suppress the phonon propagation without reducing the electrical conductivity.
The working mechanism and performance of polypyrrole as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Lu Shan , Wang Shasha , Han Ruobing , Feng Ting , Guo Lingju , Zhang Xuehua , Liu Dongsheng , He Tao
Published: June 2014

Electrocatalysis of PPy CEs mainly includes formation of weakly and strongly bonded iodine species and formation and reduction of intermediates.
A simple, room temperature, solid-state synthesis route for metal oxide nanostructures
Authors: Patil Supriya A. , Shinde Dipak V. , Ahn Do Young , Patil Dilip V. , Tehare Kailas K. , Jadhav Vijaykumar V. , Lee Joong K. , Mane Rajaram S. , Shrestha Nabeen K. , Han Sung-Hwan
Published: June 2014

In this work, we demonstrate an extremely simple but highly effective strategy for the synthesis of various functional metal oxides (MOs) such as ZnO, In2O3, Bi2O3, and SnO2nanoparticles with various distinct shapes at room temperatureviaa solid-state reaction method.
Chemically anchored liquid-PEO based block copolymer electrolytes for solid-state lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Rolland J. , Brassinne J. , Bourgeois J.-P. , Poggi E. , Vlad A. , Gohy J.-F.
Published: June 2014

A mechanically clamped liquid-poly(ethylene oxide) electrolyte that combines high ionic conductivity and dimensional integrity of a solid material is designed.
Layer-by-layer self-assembled films for building magnetically driven walking devices
Authors: Zhang Hong-Su , Luo Ling , Fang Ge , Zhang Wan-Zhen , Li Bang-Jing , Zhang Sheng
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we fabricated a magnetically driven walking device comprising magnetically active layer-by-layer films. By alternating the magnetic fields, the device walked steadily and fast on the substrate like an inchworm, and showed good transportation capability.
Dynamic characteristics of InGaAs/InP multiple quantum well discrete mode laser diodes emitting at 2 μm
Authors: O'Carroll J. , Byrne D. , Kelly B. , Phelan R. , Gunning F.C.G. , Anandarajah P.M. , Barry L.P.
Published: June 2014

The dynamic characteristics of a discrete mode laser diode fabricated in the InGaAs/InP multiple quantum well material system and emitting single mode at λ ≃ 2.0 μm are reported. Results are presented on the electro‐optical bandwidth, direct modulation and gain switched performance.
Detection of frequency‐hopping radio frequency‐switch transients
Authors: Yuan Yingjun , Huang Zhitao , Wang Xiang
Published: June 2014

When the frequency‐hopping (FH) radios' frequency switches, there are transient signals which can be used to identify the specific FH radio. To extract the frequency‐switch transients, a linearity detector based on the FH frequency trajectory acquired by time–frequency analysis is proposed to locate the change points between two stable signals. The FH signals that are captured in the real‐world environment are used to test the performance of this method.
Family of single‐switch quasi‐resonant converters with reduced inductor size
Authors: Sharifi Saead , Jabbari Masoud
Published: June 2014

This study presents a family of single‐switch soft‐switching converters with 18 new topologies. The passive elements include two relatively small inductors and one resonant capacitor. The switch can be half‐wave or full‐wave which turns on and turns off at zero‐current switching (ZCS). The diode is turned off at ZCS and thus its reverse recovery problem is obviated. The converters operate at discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and continuous conduction mode (CCM) depending on the load current. For the full‐wave switch, an almost constant switching frequency is attained at CCM. The presented experimental results from a 200 W/185 kHz laboratory prototype confirm the presented theoretical analysis. For this prototype, the switching frequency variation at CCM is only 70 Hz/W.
Development of an improved minimum order statistic detection process for Pareto distributed clutter
Authors: Weinberg Graham V.
Published: June 2014

A simple modification of a minimum‐based constant false alarm rate detector for Pareto clutter models is examined in this study. This has been motivated by the need to develop improved detection processes to operate in high grazing angle clutter as exemplified by returns acquired from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation's Ingara radar. A minimum‐based detector has the greatest resilience to clutter transitions and interfering targets. However, it has been shown recently that a minimum‐based detector for the Pareto environment has a tendency to saturate. Using a simple transformation, progress is made towards the development of a useful incoherent detection scheme. Its performance is then analysed in both synthetic and real clutter.
Study on the improvements for the high‐resolution frequency modulated continuous wave synthetic aperture radar imaging
Authors: Jia Gaowei , Chang Wenge
Published: June 2014

This study develops two aspects of improvement, performing the range‐dependent secondary range compression (SRC) and correcting the motion errors within the sweep of the transmitted signal, for the high‐resolution frequency modulated continuous wave synthetic aperture radar (FMCW SAR). In cases of more complex imaging scenarios such as higher squint angle and larger range swath, the range dependence of SRC should be considered to avoid severe degradation. Moreover, when the trajectory deviations are severe, the motion error within the sweep causes new noticeable residual range cell migration, which should be considered for the motion compensation of FMCW SAR. Experimental results on the simulated and actual Ku‐band SAR data proved that, for full swath and high squint mode FMCW SAR, the proposed approaches are valid and greatly helpful to improve the imaging quality.
Decentralised tracking for human target in multistatic ultra‐wideband radar
Authors: He Yuan , Aubry Pascal , Le Chevalier Francois , Yarovoy Alexander
Published: June 2014

A global signal processing chain for detection and localisation of moving human targets using a multistatic ultra‐wideband radar system with widely separated receiving antennas is proposed. The design options for the system are presented and justified, and the required signal processing steps are summarised. Special attention is then devoted to the critical issue of target association. A slow‐time feature, video time density function, is proposed to associate target responses in different receiver channels. Video time density function is extracted from range‐Doppler video sequences for each target. It indicates the slow‐time evolution characteristic of the moving human targets, and thus is invariant to radar observation angles (provided that the target can be detected). Auction algorithm‐based global nearest neighbour approach is extended to the measurement‐to‐measurement association between receivers. The decentralised tracking approach proposed is experimentally verified on measured data.
Digital image processing method for static balance measurement of incomplete spherical rotor with air suspension
Authors: Pang Zhanzhong , Gao Fei , Wang Hui
Published: June 2014

Measurement and calibration of mass imbalance for rotors are often indispensible as mass imbalance will cause undesired vibration and present serious problems accordingly. In this study, a new method based on digital image processing (DIP) to measure the mass imbalance of a special rotor with air suspension is introduced. By hunting the trace of tilt angle through several identification points on the rotor by DIP, the corresponding oscillating period will be determined, which in turn contributes to the calculation of mass imbalance. Two‐dimensional monochrome charge‐coupled device (CCD) and peripheral component interconnect (PCI) image board are applied in the experiment to capture the rotor's image, and several user interfaces are developed for image processing and curve fitting as well. Besides, the system error analysis and the comparison of experimental results with that of other related work are provided, which prove the effectiveness and accuracy of this DIP method.
Statistical analysis on measured lightning overvoltage surges in a 110 kV air‐insulated substation
Authors: Sima Wenxia , Lan Xing , Yang Qing , Yuan Tao
Published: June 2014

The wide variety of lightning stroke characteristics and the modifying effects of power system components result in a diversity of intrusive lightning voltage waveshapes that stress transformers. These are not the traditional standard lightning impulses with a waveshape of 1.2/50 μs. Therefore the applicability of the standard lightning impulse voltage to power transformer testing has been questioned, and the overvoltage used in the test on transformers should be in accordance with the lightning overvoltage measured in the field. In this study, a lightning overvoltage monitoring system was installed in a 110 kV air‐insulated substation, and the lightning overvoltages from 2007 to 2012 have been measured. Analysis was conducted on the measured data, which indicated that bidirectional oscillatory lightning waveforms rose up in the measured overvoltages. Using the energy method, the bidirectional oscillatory lightning waveform was reformulated into double exponential waveform, and the characteristic parameters, such as peak amplitude, front time and tail time, of the measured data were statistically analysed.
Moisture and electrical discharges effect on naphthenic mineral oil properties
Authors: Toudja Tahar , Moulai Hocine , Nacer Azzeddine , Beldjilali Abdeslem , Khelfane Ilham , Debche Ahmed
Published: June 2014

The physicochemical properties of three transformer mineral oils of different levels of degradation, resulting from exposure to moisture and electrical discharges, are investigated. The first oil is new and untreated whereas the second is taken from a transformer after one year of normal operation; and the third oil is extracted from a 15‐year‐old operating transformer. The considered parameters are breakdown voltage, dielectric constant εr, dissipation factor (tan δ) and resistivity. Isothermal charging currents have also been measured under dc for long application times. It is shown that the physicochemical characteristics present major differences depending on the considered oil sample. An easy method enabling to determine the water solubility in oil is proposed; this method is based on the measurement of oil resistivity. To validate a part of the results obtained in laboratory, measurements on an on‐load operating transformer have also been achieved. These show that the properties of oils with dissolved water in laboratory are similar to those of oils with really dissolved water inside operating transformers.
Optimization of geometry, material and economic parameters of a two-zone subcritical reactor for transmutation of nuclear waste with SERPENT Monte Carlo code
Authors: Gulik Volodymyr , Henry Tkaczyk Alan
Published: June 2014

An optimization study of a subcritical two-zone homogeneous reactor was carried out, taking into consideration geometry, material, and economic parameters. The advantage of a two-zone subcritical system over a single-zone system is demonstrated. The study investigated the optimal volume ratio for the inner and outer zones of the subcritical reactor, in terms of the neutron-physical parameters as well as fuel cost. Optimal geometrical parameters of the system are suggested for different material compositions.
Evaluation of AGNI SFR core neutronics parameters with VESTA and ERANOS
Authors: Ecrabet Fabrice , Haeck Wim , Tadepalli Sai Chaitanya
Published: June 2014

This paper presents the calculation of core neutronics parameters for so called AGNI Sodium Fast Reactor (SFR) model performed with ERANOS code and Monte Carlo depletion interface software VESTA. The AGNI core has been developed at IRSN for its own R&D needs, i.e. to test performance of calculation codes for safety assessment of a generation IV SFR project. The ERANOS code is used as reference code for SFR core calculations at IRSN. In this work, VESTA calculations have been performed and compared with corresponding ERANOS results. These calculations have a double purpose: mastering the use of tools for the evaluation of SFR core static neutronics parameters and validate the use of VESTA for SFR cores.
ORPHEE research reactor: 3D core depletion calculation using Monte-Carlo code TRIPOLI-4®
Authors: Damian F. , Brun E.
Published: June 2014

ORPHEE is a research reactor located at CEA Saclay. It aims at producing neutron beams for experiments. This is a pool-type reactor (heavy water), and the core is cooled by light water. Its thermal power is 14 MW. ORPHEE core is 90 cm height and has a cross section of 27x27 cm2. It is loaded with eight fuel assemblies characterized by a various number of fuel plates. The fuel plate is composed of aluminium and High Enriched Uranium (HEU). It is a once through core with a fuel cycle length of approximately 100 Equivalent Full Power Days (EFPD) and with a maximum burnup of 40%. Various analyses under progress at CEA concern the determination of the core neutronic parameters during irradiation. Taking into consideration the geometrical complexity of the core and the quasi absence of thermal feedback for nominal operation, the 3D core depletion calculations are performed using the Monte-Carlo code TRIPOLI-4® [1,2,3]. A preliminary validation of the depletion calculation was performed on a 2D core configuration by comparison with the deterministic transport code APOLLO2 [4]. The analysis showed the reliability of TRIPOLI-4® to calculate a complex core configuration using a large number of depleting regions with a high level of confidence.
LES analysis of the flow in a simplified PWR assembly with mixing grid
Authors: Bieder Ulrich , Falk Francois
Published: June 2014

The flow in fuel assemblies of PWRs with mixing grids has been analyzed with CFD calculations by numerous authors. The comparisons between calculation and experiment are focused on the flow in the near wake of the mixing grid, i.e. on the flow in the first 10 to 20 hydraulic diameters (dh) downstream of the grid. In the study presented here, the comparison between the measurements in the AGATE facility (5x5 tube bundle) and Trio_U calculations is done for the whole distance between two successive mixing grids that is up to 0.6m downstream of the grid.

The AGATE experiments have originally not been designed for CFD validation but to characterize different types of mixing grids. Nevertheless, the quality of the experimental data allows the quantitative comparison between measurement and calculation. The conclusions of the comparison are summarized below:

Linear turbulent viscosity models seem to work rather well as long as the cross flow velocity in the rod gaps is advection controlled, that is directly downstream of the mixing grid,

Further downstream, when the cross flow velocity is reduced and isotropic turbulence becomes a more and more important mixing phenomena, linear viscosity models will fail,

The mixing grid affects the cross flow velocity up to the successive grid at a distance of about 50dh. The flow in fuel assemblies is never similar to that in undisturbed rod bundles.

The test section of the AGATE facility has been discretized on 300 million control volumes by using a staggered grid approach on tetrahedral meshes. 20 days of CPU on 4600 nodes of the HPC machine CURIE of the CCRT was necessary to calculate the statistics of the turbulent flow, in particular the mean velocity and the RMS of the turbulent fluctuations.
CFX Analysis of the CANDU Moderator Thermal-Hydraulics in the Stern Lab. Test Facility
Authors: Kim Hyoung Tae
Published: June 2014

A numerical calculation with the commercial CFD code CFX is conducted for a test facility simulating the CANDU moderator thermal-hydraulics. Two kinds of moderator thermal-hydraulic tests at Stern Laboratories Inc. were performed in the full geometric configuration of the CANDU moderator circulating vessel, which is called a Calandria, housing a matrix of horizontal rod bundles simulating the Calandria tubes. The first of these tests is the pressure drop measurement of a cross flow in the horizontal rod bundles. The other is the local temperature measurement on the cross section of the horizontal cylinder vessel simulating the Calandria. In the present study the full geometric details of the Calandria are incorporated in the grid generation of the computational domain to which the boundary conditions for each experiment are applied. The numerical solutions are reviewed and compared with the available test data.
A novel Monte Carlo model and simulations of magnetic alloys for nuclear applications
Authors: Lavrentiev M. Yu. , Nguyen-Manh D. , Wrobel J. , Dudarev S.L.
Published: June 2014

We develop a Magnetic Cluster Expansion (MCE) model for binary bcc and fcc Fe–Cr alloys, as well as for fcc Fe-Ni alloys, and apply it to the investigation of magnetic properties of these alloys over a broad interval of concentrations, and over a broad interval of temperatures extending well over 1000 K. We show how an MCE-based Monte Carlo study describes the magnetic properties of these alloys, for example the composition and microstructure dependence of the Curie temperature, the non-collinearity of magnetic structures found in bcc Fe-Cr alloys, phase transitions between bcc and fcc in Fe-Cr, and the enthalpy of mixing of Fe-Ni alloys. The results of simulations are in excellent agreement with experimental observations.
Chromium concentration effect on an alloy surface stability and oxidation initiation
Authors: Das Nishith Kumar , Shoji Tetsuo
Published: June 2014

Density functional theory (DFT) and tight-binding quantum chemical molecular dynamics (QCMD) have been applied to analyze the chromium concentration effect on the oxidation initiation process. The DFT calculations show that the cohesive energy is gradually decreasing with increasing chromium concentration which might reduce the surface stability. In addition, the doping of chromium on top layer of surfaces has positive segregation energies, which reveal antisegregating from the top layer. Chromium doping on the second and third layer significantly reduces the segregation energy that indicates preferential segregation. Different kinds of chromium doped Ni (111) surface and water interaction has been studied by the QCMD method. The results show that the chromium concentration noticeably lessens the oxygen depth of penetration into the structure. Thirty percent chromium doped surface is the most effective from the oxidation initiation view point. Localized chromium initiates a passivation that can protect the surface. This kind of reaction process can take place in the molecular domain of the water/alloy interface and thus play a vital role in initiating the oxidation.
Electronic structure calculations of positron lifetimes in nuclear materials: SiC and UO2
Authors: Wiktor Julia , Jomard Gérald , Freyss Michel , Bertolus Marjorie
Published: June 2014

We present first-principles calculations of positron lifetimes of vacancy-type defects in two nuclear materials: SiC and UO2. We use a self-consistent positron lifetime calculation scheme based on the two-component density functional theory. Full defect relaxation due to both the creation of the vacancy and the presence of the positron was taken into account. Our results for SiC differ strongly from those published in literature up to now [G. Brauer et al. Phys. Rev. B 54, 2512 (1996)]. This is mostly due to the effect of the relaxation, that was not taken into account before. We also present the first calculated positron lifetimes obtained for UO2 in the DFT+U approach. Results are compared with the experimental data.