bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell Identity Codes: Understanding Cell Identity from Gene Expression Profiles using Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Abdolhosseini Farzad , Azarkhalili Behrooz , Maazallahi Abbas , Kamal Aryan , Motahari Seyed Abolfazl , Sharifi-Zarchi Ali , Chitsaz Hamidreza
Published: February 2019

Understanding cell identity is an important task in many biomedical areas. Expression patterns of specific marker genes have been used to characterize some limited cell types, but exclusive markers are not available for many cell types. A second approach is to use machine learning to discriminate cell types based on the whole gene expression profiles (GEPs). The accuracies of simple classification algorithms such as linear discriminators or support vector machines are limited due to the complexity of biological systems. We used deep neural networks to analyze 1040 GEPs from 16 different human tissues and cell types. After comparing different architectures, we identified a specific structure of deep autoencoders that can encode a GEP into a vector of 30 numeric values, which we call the cell identity code (CIC). The original GEP can be reproduced from the CIC with an accuracy comparable to technical replicates of the same experiment. Although we use an unsupervised approach to train the autoencoder, we show different values of the CIC are connected to different biological aspects of the cell, such as different pathways or biological processes. This network can use CIC to reproduce the GEP of the cell types it has never seen during the training. It also can resist some noise in the measurement of the GEP. Furthermore, we introduce classifier autoencoder, an architecture that can accurately identify cell type based on the GEP or the CIC.
Spatial dynamics of a zoonotic orthohantavirus disease through heterogenous data on rodents, rodent infections, and human disease
Authors: Vanwambeke Sophie O. , Zeimes Caroline B. , Drewes Stephan , Ulrich Rainer G. , Reil Daniela , Jacob Jens
Published: February 2019

Zoonotic diseases are challenging to study from the ecological point of view as, broadly speaking, datasets tend to be either detailed on a small spatial extent, or coarse on a large spatial extent. Also, there are many ways to assess zoonotic disease transmission systems, from pathogens to hosts to humans. We explore the complementarity of datasets considering the pathogen in its host, the host and human cases in the context ofPuumala orthohantavirusinfection in Germany. We selected relevant environmental predictors using a conceptual framework based on resource-based habitats. This framework assesses the functions, and associated environmental resources of the pathogen and associated host. A resource-based habitat framework supports variable selection and result interpretation. Multiplying ‘keyholes’ to view a zoonotic disease transmission system is valuable, but requires a strong conceptual framework to select and interpret environmental explanatory variables. This study highlights the usefulness of a structured, ecology-based approach to study drivers of zoonotic diseases at the level of virus, host, and human - not only for PUUV but also for other zoonotic pathogens. Our results show that human disease cases are best explained by a combination of variables related to zoonotic pathogen circulation and human exposure.
The effect of age-related hearing loss and listening effort on resting state connectivity
Authors: Rosemann Stephanie , Thiel Christiane M.
Published: February 2019

Age-related hearing loss is associated with a decrease in hearing abilities for high frequencies. This increases not only the difficulty to understand speech but also the experienced listening effort. Task based neuroimaging studies in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired participants show an increased frontal activation during effortful speech perception in the hearing-impaired. Whether the increased effort in everyday listening in hearing-impaired even impacts functional brain connectivity at rest is unknown. Nineteen normal-hearing and nineteen hearing-impaired participants with mild to moderate hearing loss participated in the study. Hearing abilities, listening effort and resting state functional connectivity were assessed. Our results indicate no differences in functional connectivity between hearing-impaired and normal-hearing participants. Increased listening effort, however, was related to significantly decreased functional connectivity between the dorsal attention network and the precuneus and superior parietal lobule as well as between the auditory and the inferior frontal cortex. We conclude that already mild to moderate age-related hearing loss can impact resting state functional connectivity. It is however not the hearing loss itself but the individually perceived listening effort that relates to functional connectivity changes.
Biogeographical patterns in the structural blue of male Polyommatus icarus butterflies
Authors: Kertész Krisztián , Piszter Gábor , Bálint Zsolt , Biró László P.
Published: February 2019

Color is a widely used communication channel in the living world for a variety of functions ranging from sexual communication to warning colors. A particularly rich spectrum of colors appears on the wings of many butterflies. The males of lycaenid butterflies often exhibit a conspicuous blue coloration generated by photonic nanoarchitectures on their dorsal wing surfaces. Using UV-VIS spectroscopy, we investigated the spatio-temporal variations of this coloration forPolyommatus icarusbutterflies, considering an interval of more than 100 years and a geographical range spanning Europe (west) and Asia (east). The blue coloration in Hungary is very stable both within a year (three broods typical in Hungary) and within the period of 100 years (more than 300 generations). East-west geographic variation was investigated among 314 maleP. icarusbutterflies. In agreement with earlier genetic and morphometric studies, it was found that the western males are not divided in distinct lineages. Clear differences in coloration were found between the eastern and western groups, with a transition in the region of Turkey. These differences are tentatively attributed to bottleneck effects during past glaciations.
Optimization of the co-digestion of sewage sludge, maize straw and cow manure: microbial responses and effect of fractional organic characteristics
Authors: Wei Liangliang , Qin Kena , Ding Jing , Xue Mao , Yang Chaoyong , Jiang Junqiu , Zhao Qingliang
Published: February 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and optimization of co-digestion using sewage sludge (SS), maize straw (MS) and cow manure (CM) as feeds, and the effects of the mixing ratio and C/N ratio of the substrates were analyzed in detail. Among the three substrates tested, CM/MS exhibited better digestion than CM/SS and SS/MS in terms of all measures, including total daily biogas and net methane volume production, due to the hydrophilic characteristics and high level of biodegradability of CM, as well as its higher C/N ratio. The average biogas production was 613.8 mL/g VS for the co-digestion of CM/MS at a feed concentration of 15 g VS/L and using a 1:1 mixing ratio (C/N ratio of 28.3). The co-digestion of SS/CM/MS performed better than the individual digestion of the components because of the balanced C/N ratios and supply of carbon. The optimum conditions for maximizing methane potential were an SS:CM:MS ratio of 30:35:35 and a bulk VS concentration of 15.0 g VS/L, which led to a maximum methane production of 8047.31 mL (C/N ratio of 12.7). The high-throughput sequencing analysis showed clear differences in microbial communities during the entire co-digestion process.
Genetic characterization of thymoma
Authors: Yu Lei , Ke Ji , Du Xin , Yu Zhen , Gao Di
Published: February 2019

Thymoma represents the most common anterior mediastinal compartment neoplasm, originating from the epithelial cell population in the thymus. Various histological types of thymoma feature different clinical characteristics. Furthermore, thymoma is frequently associated with autoimmune disorders, esp. myasthenia gravis (MG). However, the underlying molecular tumourigenesis of thymoma remains largely unknown. The goal of our current study is to demonstrate the underlying genetic abberations in thymoma, so as to understand the possible cause of MG in thymoma patients. By using CapitalBio mRNA microarray analysis, we analyzed 31 cases of thymoma including 5 cases of type AB thymoma, 6 B1-type cases, 12 B2-type cases, 5 B2B3-type cases and 3 type-B3 cases. 6 cases of thymoma were not associated with myasthenia gravis, while 25 cases were with myasthenia gravis. By comparisons between thymoma and the paratumoral tissues, differentially expressed genes were identified preliminarily. Among them, 292 genes increased more than 2-fold, 2 genes more than 5-fold. On the other hand, 596 genes were decreased more than 2-fold, 6 genes more than 20-fold. Interestingly, among these genes upregulated more than 2-fold, 6 driver genes (FANCI, NCAPD3, NCAPG, OXCT1, EPHA1 and MCM2) were formerly reported as driver oncogenes. This microarray results were further confirmed through real-time PCR. 8 most dysregulated genes were verified: E2F2, EPHA1, CCL25 and MCM2 were upregulated; and IL6, FABP4, CD36 and MYOC were downregulated. Supervised clustering heat map analysis of 2-fold upregulated and 2-fold downregulated genes revealed 6 distinct clusters. Strikingly, we found that cluster 1 was composed of two type-B2 thymoma; and cluster 6 was three type-B2/B3 thymoma. KEGG database analysis revealed possible genetic mechanisms of thymoma and functional process. We further compared gene expression pattern between thymoma with and without MG, and found 5 genes were upregulated more than 2-fold, more than 30 genes were downregulated more than 2-fold. KEGG analysis revealed 2 important signaling pathways with more than 2-fold upregulated genes (TGF- beta signaling pathway and HTLV-I signaling pathway) as differially functioning between MG positive and negative thymomas. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed that CCL25 was upregulated; and MYC, GADD45B, TNFRSF12 downregulated in thymoma with MG. Our study thus provided important genetic information on thymoma. It shed light on the molecular bases for analyzing the functional process of thymoma and finding potential biomarkers for pathological categorizing and treatment. Our work may provide important clues in understanding possible causes of MG in thymoma patients.
Photopic light-mediated down-regulation of local α1A-adrenergic signaling protects blood-retina barrier in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis
Authors: Stofkova Andrea , Kamimura Daisuke , Ohki Takuto , Ota Mitsutoshi , Arima Yasunobu , Murakami Masaaki
Published: February 2019

We have reported the gateway reflex, which describes specific neural activations that regulate immune cell gateways at specific blood vessels in the central nervous system (CNS). Four types of gateway reflexes exist, all of which induce alterations in endothelial cells at specific vessels of the blood-brain barrier followed by inflammation in the CNS in the presence of CNS-autoreactive T cells. Here we report a new gateway reflex that suppresses the development of retinal inflammation by using an autoreactive T cell-mediated ocular inflammation model. Exposure to photopic light down-regulated the adrenoceptor pathway to attenuate ocular inflammation by suppressing breaching of the blood-retina barrier. Mechanistic analysis showed that exposure to photopic light down-regulates the expression of α1A-adrenoceptor (α1AAR) due to high levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine, subsequently suppressing inflammation. Surgical ablation of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) did not negate the protective effect of photopic light, suggesting the involvement of retinal noradrenergic neurons rather than sympathetic neurons from the SCG. Blockade of α1AAR signaling under mesopic light recapitulated the protective effect of photopic light. Thus, targeting regional adrenoceptor signaling might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases including those that affect organs separated by barriers such as the CNS and eyes.
Highly Sensitive and Transparent Strain Sensors with an Ordered Array Structure of AgNWs for Wearable Motion and Health Monitoring
Authors: Yin Fanqi , Lu Huajun , Pan Hao , Ji Hongjun , Pei Shuai , Liu Hao , Huang Jiayi , Gu Jiahui , Li Mingyu , Wei Jun
Published: February 2019

Sensitivity and transparency are critical properties for flexible and wearable electronic devices, and how to engineer both these properties simultaneously is dramatically essential. Here, for the first time, we report the assembly of ordered array structures of silver nanowires (AgNWs) via a simple water-bath pulling method to align the AgNWs embedded on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Compared with sensors prepared by direct drop-casting or transfer-printing methods, our developed sensor represents a considerable breakthrough in both sensitivity and transparency. The maximum transmittance was 86.3% at a wavelength of 550 nm, and the maximum gauge factor was as high as 84.6 at a strain of 30%. This remarkably sensitive and transparent flexible sensor has strictly stable and reliable responses to motion capture and human body signals; it is also expected to be able to help monitor disabled physical conditions or assist medical therapy while ensuring privacy protection.
Construction of a germline-specific RNAi tool in C. elegans
Authors: Zou Lina , Wu Di , Zang Xiao , Wang Zi , Wu Zixing , Chen Di
Published: February 2019

Analysis of complex biological functions usually requires tissue-specific genetic manipulations in multicellular organisms. The C. elegans germline plays regulatory roles not only in reproduction, but also in metabolism, stress response and ageing. Previous studies have used mutants of rrf-1, which encodes an RNA-directed RNA polymerase, as a germline-specific RNAi tool. However, the rrf-1 mutants showed RNAi activities in somatic tissues. Here we constructed a germline-specific RNAi strain by combining an indel mutation of rde-1, which encodes an Argonaute protein that functions cell autonomously to ensure RNAi efficiency, and a single copy rde-1 transgene driven by the sun-1 germline-specific promoter. The germline RNAi efficiency and specificity are confirmed by RNAi phenocopy of known mutations, knockdown of GFP reporter expression, as well as quantitative RT-PCR measurement of tissue-specific mRNAs upon RNAi knockdown. The germline-specific RNAi strain shows no obvious deficiencies in reproduction, lipid accumulation, thermo-tolerance and life span compared to wild-type animals. By screening an RNAi sub-library of phosphatase genes, we identified novel regulators of thermo-tolerance. Together, we have created a useful tool that can facilitate the genetic analysis of germline-specific functions in C. elegans.
Brain activation during disorder-related script-driven imagery in panic disorder: a pilot study
Authors: Burkhardt Alexander , Buff Christine , Brinkmann Leonie , Feldker Katharina , Gathmann Bettina , Hofmann David , Straube Thomas
Published: February 2019

Despite considerable effort, the neural correlates of altered threat-related processing in panic disorder (PD) remain inconclusive. Mental imagery of disorder-specific situations proved to be a powerful tool to investigate dysfunctional threat processing in anxiety disorders. The current functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study aimed at investigating brain activation in PD patients during disorder-related script-driven imagery. Seventeen PD patients and seventeen healthy controls (HC) were exposed to newly developed disorder-related and neutral narrative scripts while brain activation was measured with fMRI. Participants were encouraged to imagine the narrative scripts as vividly as possible and they rated their script-induced emotional states after the scanning session. PD patients rated disorder-related scripts as more arousing, unpleasant and anxiety-inducing as compared to HC. Patients relative to HC showed elevated activity in the right amygdala and the brainstem as well as decreased activity in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex, and the medial and lateral prefrontal cortex to disorder-related vs. neutral scripts. The results suggest altered amygdala/ brainstem and prefrontal cortex engagement and point towards the recruitment of brain networks with opposed activation patterns in PD patients during script-driven imagery.
Association between adolescent pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, a multicenter cross sectional Japanese study
Authors: Ogawa Kohei , Matsushima Sachio , Urayama Kevin Y. , Kikuchi Norihiko , Nakamura Noriyuki , Tanigaki Shinji , Sago Haruhiko , Satoh Shoji , Saito Shigeru , Morisaki Naho
Published: February 2019

We aimed to clarify how maternal physical characteristics explains the association between adolescent pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, focusing on their height. We used a national multicenter-based delivery registry among 30,831 women under age 25 years with a singleton pregnancy between 2005 and 2011. Adolescent pregnancy was defined as younger than 20 years of age, and categorized into “junior adolescent” (aged ≤15 years) and “senior adolescent” (aged 16–19 years). We used multivariate Poisson regression and mediation analysis to assess the extent to which maternal height explained the association between adolescent pregnancy and risk of adverse birth outcomes. Risks for preterm birth [(adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.08–1.27], low birthweight (aRR 1.08, 95% CI, 1.01–1.15), and low Apgar score (aRR 1.41 95%CI, 1.15–1.73) were significantly higher among adolescent women compared to women of 20–24 years of age. The mediation effect of maternal height on these outcomes were moderate for low birthweight (45.5%) and preterm birth (10.5%), and smaller for low Apgar score (6.6%). In all analyses, we did not detect significant differences between junior adolescent and senior adolescent. Adolescent women have higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. This association is partially mediated by shorter maternal height.
Improved hole injection for blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes using solution deposited tin oxide nano-particles decorated ITO anodes
Authors: Il Lee Seung , Yun Geum Jae , Kim Jin Wook , Hanta Gregory , Liang Kunyu , Kojvic Lazar , Hui Lok Shu , Turak Ayse , Kim Woo Young
Published: February 2019

Blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) were fabricated with tin oxide (SnOx) nano-particles (NPs) deposited at the ITO anode to improve their electrical and optical performances. SnOx NPs helped ITO to increase the work function enhancing hole injection capability. Charge balance of the device was achieved using p- and n-type mixed host materials in emissive layer and the devices’ luminance and maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) increased about nearly 30%. Tuning the work function using solution processed NPs allows rapid optimization of device efficiency.
Water sports could contribute to the translocation of ranaviruses
Authors: Casais Rosa , Larrinaga Asier R. , Dalton Kevin P. , Domínguez Lapido Paula , Márquez Isabel , Bécares Eloy , Carter E. Davis , Gray Matthew J. , Miller Debra L. , Balseiro Ana
Published: February 2019

Ranaviruses have been identified as the cause of explosive disease outbreaks in amphibians worldwide and can be transmitted between hosts both via direct and indirect contact, in which humans might contribute to the translocation of contaminated material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of water sports in the human translocation of ranavirus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal). A total of 234 boats were sampled during the spring Spanish Canoe Championship which took place in Pontillón de Castro, a reservoir with a history of ranavirosis, in May 2017. Boats were tested for the presence of ranavirus and Batrachochytrium spp. DNA, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques (qPCR). A total of 22 swabs (22/234, 9.40%) yielded qPCR-positive results for Ranavirus DNA while Bd or Bsal were not detected in any of the samples. We provide the first evidence that human-related water sports could be a source of ranavirus contamination, providing justification for public disinfecting stations in key areas where human traffic from water sports is high.
Electrochemical sensing of H2O2 released from living cells based on AuPd alloy-modified PDA nanotubes
Authors: He Guangli , Gao Fengli , Li Wei , Li Pengwei , Zhang Xiaofan , Yin Hang , Yang Baocheng , Liu Yibiao , Zhang Shouren
Published: February 2019

The highly efficient detection method for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been attracting significant attention.
Structure and reactivity of 2,4,6-tricyano-1,3,5-triazine under high-pressure conditions
Authors: Fanetti Samuele , Nobrega Marcelo M. , Dziubek Kamil , Citroni Margherita , Sella Andrea , McMillan Paul F. , Hanfland Michael , Bini Roberto
Published: February 2019

2,4,6-Tricyano-1,3,5-triazine is an attractive precursor for the synthesis of extended layered and nanoporous carbon nitrides.
Carbohydrates@MOFs
Authors: Astria Efwita , Thonhofer Martin , Ricco Raffaele , Liang Weibin , Chemelli Angela , Tarzia Andrew , Alt Karen , Hagemeyer Christoph E. , Rattenberger Johannes , Schroettner Hartmuth , Wrodnigg Tanja , Amenitsch Heinz , Huang David M. , Doonan Christian J. , Falcaro Paolo
Published: February 2019

MOFs have demonstrated outstanding properties for the protection and controlled release of different bio-entities, from proteins to living cells.
SiCl4mediated one-pot synthesis of novel spirobibenzopyrans as potent anticancer agents
Authors: Kar Swayamsiddha , Shivalingegowda Naveen , Krishnappagowda Lokanath Neratur , Golakoti Nageswara Rao
Published: February 2019

This study is the first report on the anticancer activity of spirobibenzopyrans, an unexplored class of therapeutic agents.
Phase transitions and chemical reactions of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine under high pressure and high temperature
Authors: Gao Dexiang , Huang Jin , Lin Xiaohuan , Yang Dongliang , Wang Yajie , Zheng Haiyan
Published: February 2019

Phase transitions, crystal structures and chemical reactions of β-HMX under extreme conditions were described systematically.
The mechanism of PI3Kα activation at the atomic level
Authors: Zhang Mingzhen , Jang Hyunbum , Nussinov Ruth
Published: February 2019

PI3K lipid kinases phosphorylate PIP2 to PIP3 in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to regulate cellular processes.
Junction-configuration-dependent interfacial electronic states of a monolayer MoS2/metal contact
Authors: Fang Qinglong , Zhao Xumei , Huang Yuhong , Xu Kewei , Min Tai , Ma Fei
Published: February 2019

Electrical contacts are crucial to the high performances of electronic devices, and they become more prominent for the popular two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors because they commonly have high contact resistances and are sensitive to the interfacial states.
Highly-facile template-based selective electroless metallization of micro- and nanopatterns for plastic electronics and plasmonics
Authors: Cai Jingxuan , Zhang Mingyang , Sun Zhao , Zhang Cuiping , Liang Chuwei , Khan Arshad , Ning Xinghai , Ge Haixiong , Feng Shien-Ping , Li Wen-Di
Published: February 2019

A novel and universal patterned electroless metallization process for creating micro- and nanoscale metallic structures on plastic substrates is demonstrated.
Inverted quantum dot light-emitting diodes with conductive interlayers of zirconium acetylacetonate
Authors: Li Yifei , Dai Xingliang , Chen Desui , Ye Yuxun , Gao Yuan , Peng Xiaogang , Jin Yizheng
Published: February 2019

Zirconium acetylacetonate, a low work function and transparent metal chelate, is demonstrated to be a new type of interlayer material ideal for QLEDs.
A comparison between hydrogen and halogen bonding: the hypohalous acid–water dimers, HOX⋯H2O (X = F, Cl, Br)
Authors: Wolf Mark E. , Zhang Boyi , Turney Justin M. , Schaefer Henry F.
Published: February 2019

Hypohalous acids (HOX) are a class of molecules that play a key role in the atmospheric seasonal depletion of ozone and have the ability to form both hydrogen and halogen bonds.
Precise magnesium isotope analyses of high-K and low-Mg rocks by MC-ICP-MS
Authors: Bao Zhian , Huang Kangjun , Huang Tianzheng , Shen Bing , Zong Chunlei , Chen Kaiyun , Yuan Honglin
Published: February 2019

This study presents a chemical protocol for the separation of Mg that is particularly adapted for diverse igneous rock samples, especially for high-K and low-Mg rocks.
Sequential catalytic nanomedicine augments synergistic chemodrug and chemodynamic cancer therapy
Authors: Liang Ruijie , Chen Yu , Huo Minfeng , Zhang Jun , Li Yongsheng
Published: February 2019

Tumor microenvironment (TME)-specific nanocatalysts for augmented synergistic chemodrug and chemodynamic cancer therapy have been constructed, which feature an optimized effect on TME features. Systematic in vitro and in vivo tests have revealed the high therapeutic activity of the nanocatalysts for substantially suppressing tumor growth.
Correction: Synthesis of medium-sized (6–7–6) ring compounds by iron-catalyzed C–H activation/annulation
Authors: Panda Niranjan , Mattan Irshad , Ojha Subhadra , Purohit Chandra Shekhar
Published: February 2019

Correction for ‘Synthesis of medium-sized (6–7–6) ring compounds by iron-catalyzed dehydrogenative C–H activation/annulation’ by Niranjan Panda et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2018, 16, 7861–7870.
Correction: A smart molecular probe for selective recognition of nitric oxide in 100% aqueous solution with cell imaging application and DFT studies
Authors: Dutta Ananya , Islam Abu Saleh Musha , Maiti Debjani , Sasmal Mihir , Prodhan Chandraday , Ali Mahammad
Published: February 2019

Correction for ‘A smart molecular probe for selective recognition of nitric oxide in 100% aqueous solution with cell imaging application and DFT studies’ by Ananya Dutta et al., Org. Biomol. Chem., 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c9ob00177h.
Pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen-enriched carbon as a polysulfide blocker for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Zhang Kailong , Wang Li , Cai Wenlong , Chen Li-Feng , Wang Di , Chen Yuehan , Pan Honglin , Wang Liangbiao , Qian Yitai
Published: February 2019

Pyridinic and pyrrolic nitrogen (16.95 atm%)-enriched carbon was simply prepared as an interlayer constructed in Li–S batteries.
Tailoring the morphological features of sol–gel synthesized mesoporous hydroxyapatite using fatty acids as an organic modifier
Authors: Lett J. Anita , Sundareswari M. , Ravichandran K. , Latha M. Bavani , Sagadevan Suresh , Bin Johan Mohd. Rafie
Published: February 2019

Nowadays, owing to their large surface area, enhanced pore volume, increased porosity, and variable pore size, mesoporous materials, such as mesoporous silica and mesoporous carbon, have attracted significant attention in the areas of physical science and biomedical sciences.
Retracted Article: Facile preparation of bithiazole-based material for inkjet printed light-emitting electrochemical cell
Authors: Huo Jingpei , Zou Wanying , Zhang Yubang , Chen Weilan , Hu Xiaohong , Deng Qianjun , Chen Dongchu
Published: February 2019

Light-emitting electrochemical cell of bithiazole-based material was fabricated by solution processing rendered high external quantum efficiency over 12.8% and luminance of 1.8 104 cd m−2.
Homochiral nanotubes from heterochiral lipid mixtures: a shorter alkyl chain dominated chiral self-assembly
Authors: Zhu Xuefeng , Jiang‡ Yuqian , Yang Dong , Zhang Li , Li Yuangang , Liu Minghua
Published: February 2019

It is an important topic to achieve homochirality both at a molecular and supramolecular level.
Electrospray deposition-induced ambient phase transition in copper sulphide nanostructures
Authors: Jana Arijit , Jana Sourav Kanti , Sarkar Depanjan , Ahuja Tripti , Basuri Pallab , Mondal Biswajit , Bose Sandeep , Ghosh Jyotirmoy , Pradeep Thalappil
Published: February 2019

A new and simple electrospray deposition to induce ambient phase transition in copper sulphide nanostructures.
Dihydropyreno[1,2-b:6,7-b′]dithiophene based electron acceptors for high efficiency as-cast organic solar cells
Authors: Jiang Pengcheng , Lu Hao , Jia Qing-Qing , Feng Shiyu , Li Cuihong , Li Hai-Bei , Bo Zhishan
Published: February 2019

Two novel fused ring electron acceptors PDT and PDT-T have been designed, synthesized and used in organic solar cells.
Oxygen vacancies promoting the electrocatalytic performance of CeO2nanorods as cathode materials for Li–O2batteries
Authors: Hou Yue , Wang Jun , Hou Chuanxin , Fan Yuqi , Zhai Yanjie , Li Hongyu , Dang Feng , Chou Shulei
Published: February 2019

A two-step hydrothermal surface engineering strategy was used to tune the concentration of oxygen vacancies of CeO2nanorods to achieve the best electrochemical performances of Li–O2batteries, which reduced the overpotential and extended the electrochemical stability of Li–O2batteries.
Effects of Manipulating the Amplitude of Consonant Noise Portion on Subcortical Representation of Voice Onset Time and Voicing Perception in Stop Consonants
Authors: Tamura Shunsuke , Ito Kazuhito , Hirose Nobuyuki , Mori Shuji
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether speech perception would reflect small latency changes in subcortical speech representation.

Method

Twelve native Japanese listeners participated in the experiment. Those listeners participated in speech identification task and auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurement using /d/–/t/ continuum stimuli varying in voice onset time (VOT) with manipulation of the amplitude of initial noise (consonant) portion, the duration of which corresponded to VOT.

Results

Increasing the noise portion amplitude lengthened subcortical representation of VOT, which is the latency difference between ABRs synchronizing to the onsets of initial noise and following periodic (vowel) portions (VOT
ABR
) and made listeners likely to perceive the stimuli with ambiguous VOT as a voiceless stop /t/. In addition, the amount of VOT
ABR
lengthening was close to that of the VOT boundary shortening.

Conclusion

A few milliseconds of difference in subcortical speech representation are important for the perception of speech sounds with ambiguous acoustic cues.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7728695
Orthogonal object proposal and its application
Authors: Park Sung Woo , Kwon Junseok
Published: February 2019

In this study, the authors propose an object proposal algorithm that can accurately propose object candidate regions at each frame, despite noise in a video. Accordingly, they define three orthogonal planes, namely vertical–horizontal, temporal–vertical, and temporal–horizontal planes. As these planes are orthogonal, they are the most compact planes that can span the spatiotemporal space of a video. Their algorithm selects good object proposals for the vertical–horizontal plane with the help of the object proposal results of the other planes. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm produces better object proposals than the baseline algorithm and other state‐of‐the‐art methods. In particular, their method provides more accurate object proposals in challenging environments with severe noise and background clutter. In addition, the object proposal results are utilised for visual tracking problems, and the experimental results show that their visual tracker outperforms recent deep‐learning‐based trackers.
Near‐field approach towards enhanced suppression of cross‐polarised radiation across different elevation planes using novel epsilon‐shaped clusters of shorting pins
Authors: Samanta Susamay , Mandal Kaushik , Reddy P. Soni , Sarkar Partha P.
Published: February 2019

A circular microstrip patch antenna with novel epsilon ()‐shaped clusters of shorting pins (ECSP) is proposed in this paper to emphasise the improvement of cross‐polarisation (XP) suppression across different elevation planes of radiation at , 45°, 90°, and 135° rather than considering only the principal radiation planes. The near‐field approach has been adopted to understand the basic of XP radiation from the antenna. The placement of two ECSP structures symmetrically along the H‐plane of the conventional circular microstrip patch antenna (CMPA) effectively suppresses its XP radiation not only across the principal radiation planes by 57 dB at the boresight and 26 dB over the tracking angle ±45° but also across the diagonal radiation planes by 58 dB at the boresight and 2 dB over the tracking angle ±45°. A detailed analysis on the evolution of ECSP structures from arc‐shaped clusters of shorting pins (ACSP) is presented. Symmetric distribution of antenna fields in the near‐field region results in better XP suppression in the far‐field region. The proposed design offers a considerably high gain of 8 dBi at the boresight. The fabricated prototype of the proposed design shows satisfactory agreement with the simulated results.
Non‐isolated interleaved bidirectional DC–DC converter with high step voltage ratio and minimum number of switches
Authors: Shaneh Mahdi , Niroomand Mehdi , Adib Ehsan
Published: February 2019

In this study, a new non‐isolated interleaved bidirectional DC–DC converter with a high step voltage ratio based on coupled inductors (CIs) is introduced. The CIs significantly increase the voltage conversion ratio and provide soft‐switching conditions for the switches at turn‐on instant. Also, employing an interleaved structure combined with the CI in the low‐voltage side noticeably reduces the current ripple and this feature has a vital role in the high‐power applications. Also, this topology provides auto‐current sharing for the two phases of the interleaved structure. The CIs in the high‐voltage side, supply a steep gain in both buck and boost modes with an appropriate duty cycle. The proposed method provides zero current switching (ZCS) turn‐off condition for all diodes and ZCS turn‐on condition for all switches without requiring any auxiliary circuit. So the undesirable reverse recovery effects of diodes are considerably reduced. The proposed converter has the minimum number of switches for two‐phase bidirectional structures. Also, a simple passive clamp circuit is proposed for the converter to limit the voltage spikes of CIs. Finally, a 600 W, 30/300 V laboratory prototype is implemented to verify the performance.
Co-orbital exoplanets from close-period candidates: the TOI-178 case
Authors: Leleu A. , Lillo-Box J. , Sestovic M. , Robutel P. , Correia A. C. M. , Hara N. , Angerhausen D. , Grimm S. L. , Schneider J.
Published: February 2019

Despite the existence of co-orbital bodies in the solar system, and the prediction of the formation of co-orbital planets by planetary system formation models, no co-orbital exoplanets (also called trojans) have been detected thus far. Here we study the signature of co-orbital exoplanets in transit surveys when two planet candidates in the system orbit the star with similar periods. Such a pair of candidates could be discarded as false positives because they are not Hill-stable. However, horseshoe or long-libration-period tadpole co-orbital configurations can explain such period similarity. This degeneracy can be solved by considering the transit timing variations (TTVs) of each planet. We subsequently focus on the three-planet-candidate system TOI-178: the two outer candidates of that system have similar orbital periods and were found to have an angular separation close to π∕3 during the TESS observation of sector 2. Based on the announced orbits, the long-term stability of the system requires the two close-period planets to be co-orbital. Our independent detrending and transit search recover and slightly favour the three orbits close to a 3:2:2 resonant chain found by the TESS pipeline, although we cannot exclude an alias that would put the system close to a 4:3:2 configuration. We then analyse the co-orbital scenario in more detail, and show that despite the influence of an inner planet just outside the 2:3 MMR, this potential co-orbital system could be stable on a gigayear time-scale for a variety of planetary masses, either on a trojan or a horseshoe orbit. We predict that large TTVs should arise in such a configuration with a period of several hundred days. We then show how the mass of each planet can be retrieved from these TTVs.
A Circularity-based Planning Approach for Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Management: A Case Study of Malaysia
Authors: Esa Mohd Reza , Halog Anthony , Zulkepli Jafri , Rigamonti Lucia , Mohamed Shaari Shazwan
Published: February 2019

In recent years, Malaysia has faced an intense demand for infrastructure development and the construction industry has become an integral part of transforming the country into a developed nation. Large numbers of development works are perturbing and they are subject to the improper management of construction and demolition (C&D) wastes. Lacking in methods for managing C&D wastes throughout the construction cycle has jeopardized the effort to preserve the environment. Circular economy (CE) was used as a basis to improve the C&D waste management system in Malaysia. We have developed a circularity-based planning approach to managing the wastes with an idea to maximize the resources. We collected the feedback from the construction actors in Malaysia to identify the suitable 3R principles of reduce, reuse and recycle and waste minimization strategies to be adopted throughout the construction cycle. Based on the feedbacks, we introduced a circularity-oriented framework of C&D waste management that could be applied throughout the construction cycle. Then, we tested the effectiveness of the framework by conducting a simulation process using system dynamics modelling. The results revealed that the waste generation could be significantly reduced – that indirectly mitigate the environmental impacts.
Withdrawn Article: Retention factors of Malay male Architects in Malaysian architectural design consultant firms in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Hafiszah , Mohamed Shaari Shazwan
Published: February 2019

The article "Retention factors of Malay male Architects in Malaysian architectural design consultant firms in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, by Hafiszah Ismail and Shazwan Mohamed Shaari", was accidently published twice in the same volume as a result of the Guest Editors error. Therefore, it was decided to remove this paper from publication.
Assessing Practice and Criteria for Green Roof Maintenance on High-rise Residential Building in Malaysia
Authors: Saharuddin Shafikah , Khalil Natasha , Abdullah Saleh Alia
Published: February 2019

Urbanisation inevitably shows a positive sign in increasing the economic reputation of a country. Nevertheless, it has led to several problems including the deficit in green spaces and destruction of the natural environment, therefore green building is introduced as an alternative to overcome crucial environmental issues. Numerous approaches were also adopted to reduce other environmental issues such as urban heat island, air pollution and lack of green spaces. One of the sustainable approaches that help to minimise the environmental problems is by using the means of vegetation or plant material on rooftops or also known as the green roof. The implementation of the green roof on top of buildings is becoming a trend in the urban cities as it provides numerous benefits to the green development. The green roof is also part of criteria in green building and among the benefits, implementing green roofs will reduce heat flux, optimise energy efficiency and improve stormwater management. However, despite the benefits, enhancement on the green roof installation and maintenance consideration are two factors which are still largely unexplored as the main significant factor in the viability of the green roof installation. Hence, this paper is aimed to determine the vital criteria of maintenance and its ranking towards the establishment of best practice maintenance for the green roof, by focusing on high-rise residential. Questionnaires were distributed by email and through an online survey to 30 maintenance managers of green roof of high-rise residential in Kuala Lumpur and the samples are drawn by using purposive sampling technique. The results showed that the most significant maintenance criteria of the green roof are drainage, followed by waterproofing, irrigation, water retention, and roof slab. The outcome of this study has provided a significant contribution to the current maintenance practice of green roof by prioritising the criteria of maintenance and key address of green roof, where it may help to standardise the maintenance practice of the green roof in the tropical climate of Malaysia.
Public Infrastructure Project Tendering Through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) – A Literature Review
Authors: Khaderi Shamsida Saidan , Abd Shukor Ani Saifuza , Bakri Anis Sazira , Mahbub Rohana
Published: February 2019

Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in Malaysia have been inundated by various controversies and criticisms from the very beginning. Many of the constraints that occur in PPP projects is due to the failure in tendering stage. Bidding or tender for a PPP project is usually much more complex than a traditional public-sector project involving the appointment of top advisers and designers at a great fee in the preparation of detailed design, comprehensive planning, extensive bid documentation, and lengthy clarifications. These problems as being the reason behind several high-profile withdrawals during the early PPP tenders, resulting in some preferred bidders being selected by defaults as other competitors withdrew. Base on the above premise, this study attempts to propose PPP tendering process improvement in Malaysian construction industry. This paper aims at providing an overview about literature on tendering process in PPP/PFI. The objectives of the research are to identify and understand the PPP implementation practices in Malaysia; to determine issues and challenges in PPP tendering stage; and to propose PPP tendering improvement. The approach is based on the analysis of the pertinent publications on the theme. Three main interest areas can be found in the literature which is; tendering procedure, issues and challenges, and strategies that could be enhance PPP tendering process in the Malaysian construction industry.
Outsourcing energy retrofitting of hotel buildings: the decision-making process
Authors: Fasna M.F.F. , Gunatilake Sachie
Published: February 2019

Poor energy performance of existing buildings worldwide has led to a crucial need to retrofit existing buildings to minimise energy consumption. Among the existing buildings, hotels use as much as 50% of their total expenses on energy and offer significant opportunities for energy efficiency improvement. Yet, comparatively the level of implementation of energy retrofits found to be low, which has attributed to, inter alia, the absence of a clearly defined process for ensuring the delivery of energy retrofit projects and lack of proactive guidance for project teams to ensure that they make the right decisions at the right time to achieve the desired outcomes. Since many energy retrofit projects in existing hotels are carried out with the involvement of an external contractor, or an Energy Service Company (ESCO), this study focuses on investigating the decision-making process in implementing energy retrofits when the project is outsourced to an external party. An in-depth case study is used to obtain insights into the critical decisions to be taken and key activities to be performed throughout the decision-making process. The findings are used to propose a step-by-step decision-making process comprising of three key phases: i.e., pre-retrofit, retrofit implementation and post-retrofit. It is hoped that the decision-making process developed in this study will serve as a roadmap for the effective adoption and implementation of energy retrofits in existing hotel buildings when an external contractor is involved.
Development of a progressive green university campus maturity assessment tool and framework for Malaysian universities
Authors: Gomez Christy P. , Yin Yin Ng
Published: February 2019

Globally there is an increasing focus on green and sustainability practice within university campuses. However, this is not the case in Malaysia. This paper proposes a green maturity framework for Malaysian universities based on having identified criteria for achieving greener university campus relevant to Malaysian context. Additionally, obstacles faced by universities in the development of green university campuses are identified. Two sets of questionnaire survey forms were used to collect data. The questionnaire for identifying green campus rating criteria to form the Green University Campus Maturity (GUCM) Assessment Tool based on 9 categories was distributed to GBI facilitators. The criteria’s weightage for scoring was based on the average level of importance as decided by the respondents. The questionnaire for identifying the obstacles faced by universities (Areas to Address) was categorized into economic, organizational and social/behavioural/technical and distributed to the respective Department of Sustainable Development staff in public universities. Lack of relevant managerial experience in implementing green university projects and lack of funding were found to be the main obstacles in the development of green university campus. The GUCM Assessment Tool alongside the Areas to Address can be used as a county-specific GUCM framework for achieving progressive sustainability attainment by Malaysian universities.
Key influencing factors for green public hospital building development in Malaysia
Authors: Sahamir Shaza Rina , Zakaria Rozana , Raja Muhd Rooshdi Raja Rafidah , Ismail Noor Akmal Adillah , Mohmad Zainordin Zainab
Published: February 2019

The green hospital movement began years ago, following by several countries release their green rating system for the hospital buildings. In the past few years, a few newly constructed private hospital buildings in Malaysia have strived for the green building index certification. Paucity studies demonstrate that public hospital buildings have established for certifying the index. Despite the recognition of the importance of green building in achieving sustainability goal and the existence of many studies on issues associated with green innovations adoption in general, few have specifically examined factors influencing the development of green public hospital building. As a result, with the intent to enhance green building promotion efforts, the primary objective of this study is to investigate the key factors influencing the development of green public hospital building. A review of literature has been conducted and a set of factors were identified. A questionnaire survey was carried out based on the literature review to solicit experts’ opinions. The experts were requested to evaluate the degree to which factor was an important in the implementation of green public hospital buildings. Feedbacks from 82 design experts were collected and analysed using descriptive analysis. The findings indicate that several factors were identified as key factors for the development of green public hospital buildings. The identified factors have incorporated with the accomplishment of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic prosperity.