bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the mechanistic origins of maximum strength in nanocrystalline metals
Authors: Gupta Ankit , Gruber Jacob , Rajaram Satish S. , Thompson Gregory B. , McDowell David L. , Tucker Garritt J.
Published: October 2020

The maximum strength of polycrystalline metals/alloys has been suggested to occur at nanoscale grain sizes where the governing deformation mechanism transitions from dislocation plasticity to grain boundary mediated deformation. Despite tremendous progress recently uncovering links between transitions in nanoscale mechanisms and peak strength, the scientific literature is mostly devoid of any quantitative support, owing to the difficulty in measuring the resolved contribution of individual mechanisms to microstructural strain accommodation. In this study, the contribution of individual nanoscale mechanisms to the overall deformation of nanocrystalline Ni is calculated from atomistic simulations leveraging continuum-based kinematic metrics to compute mechanistic contributions to microstructural strain. By employing such a quantitative approach to analyze deformation behavior, it is shown that the realization of maximum strength in nanocrystalline metals corresponds to a grain size regime where the operative nanoscale mechanisms transition, and are thus equally competing to accommodate strain. However, the transition occurs between intergranular and intragranular mediated mechanisms, as it is found that dislocation plasticity alone is not the governing mechanism at all grain sizes above the peak strength regime.
Coulomb blockade effects in a topological insulator grown on a high-Tc cuprate superconductor
Authors: Rachmilowitz Bryan , Zhao He , Ren Zheng , Li Hong , Thomas Konrad H. , Marangola John , Gao Shang , Schneeloch John , Zhong Ruidan , Gu Genda , Flindt Christian , Zeljkovic Ilija
Published: October 2020

The evidence for proximity-induced superconductivity in heterostructures of topological insulators and high-Tc cuprates has been intensely debated. We use molecular-beam epitaxy to grow thin films of topological insulator Bi2Te3 on a cuprate Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x, and study the surface of Bi2Te3 using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. In few unit-cell thick Bi2Te3 films, we find a V-shaped gap-like feature at the Fermi energy in dI/dV spectra. By reducing the coverage of Bi2Te3 films to create nanoscale islands, we discover that this spectral feature dramatically evolves into a much larger hard gap, which can be understood as a Coulomb blockade gap. This conclusion is supported by the evolution of dI/dV spectra with the lateral size of Bi2Te3 islands, as well as by topographic measurements that show an additional barrier separating Bi2Te3 and Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x. We conclude that the prominent gap-like feature in dI/dV spectra in Bi2Te3 films is not a proximity-induced superconducting gap. Instead, it can be explained by Coulomb blockade effects, which take into account additional resistive and capacitive coupling at the interface. Our experiments provide a fresh insight into the tunneling measurements of complex heterostructures with buried interfaces.
Serum changes in pyridinoline, type II collagen cleavage neoepitope and osteocalcin in early stage male brucellosis patients
Authors: Li Qiang , Hu Lansheng , Zhao Zhijun , Ma Li , Li Jiquan , Xu Liqing , Wang Jiming
Published: October 2020

Musculoskeletal changes are the most common clinical manifestation of brucellosis. The main objective of this study was to provide a better understanding of this disease, while also attempting to identify potential markers that can identify the early stage musculoskeletal changes associated with human brucellosis. In this case–control study, 41 male early-stage brucellosis patients (within 6 months of diagnosis) who had not received drug therapy and 44 matched controls were examined. Venous blood samples were collected and serum pyridinoline (PYD), type II collagen cleavage neoepitope (C2C) and osteocalcin (OC) levels were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the brucellosis group, the median serum levels of PYD (278.53 µg/L), C2C (82.23 µg/L) and OC (8.41 µg/L) were significantly elevated relative to the control group (Z = 5.686, 3.997, 3.579;P = 0.000). Serum PYD, C2C, and OC levels were increased in early-stage male brucellosis patients, and these factors appear to have promise as potential indicator biomarkers that can reflect the osteoarticular changes that occur in the early stage of human brucellosis.
Differential rotation in cholesteric pillars under a temperature gradient
Authors: Yoshioka Jun , Araoka Fumito
Published: October 2020

Steady rotation is induced in cholesteric droplets dispersed in a specific liquid solvent under a temperature gradient. In this phenomenon, two rotational modes have been considered: (1) collective rotation of the local director field and (2) rigid-body rotation of the whole droplet structure. However, here we present another rotational mode induced in a pillar-shaped cholesteric droplet confined between substrates under a temperature gradient, that is, a differential rotation where the angular velocity varies as a function of the radial coordinate in the pillar. A detailed flow field analysis revealed that every pillar under a temperature gradient involves a double convection roll. These results suggested that the differential rotation in the cholesteric pillars was driven by the inhomogeneous material flow induced by a temperature gradient. The present experimental study indicates that the coupling between the flow and the director motion plays a key role in the rotation of the cholesteric droplets under the temperature gradient.
Elevated perfusate [Na+] increases contractile dysfunction during ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: King D. Ryan , Padget Rachel L. , Perry Justin , Hoeker Gregory , Smyth James W. , Brown David A. , Poelzing Steven
Published: October 2020

Recent studies revealed that relatively small changes in perfusate sodium ([Na+]o) composition significantly affect cardiac electrical conduction and stability in contraction arrested ex vivo Langendorff heart preparations before and during simulated ischemia. Additionally, [Na+]o modulates cardiomyocyte contractility via a sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX) mediated pathway. It remains unknown, however, whether modest changes to [Na+]o that promote electrophysiologic stability similarly improve mechanical function during baseline and ischemia–reperfusion conditions. The purpose of this study was to quantify cardiac mechanical function during ischemia–reperfusion with perfusates containing 145 or 155 mM Na+ in Langendorff perfused isolated rat heart preparations. Relative to 145 mM Na+, perfusion with 155 mM [Na+]o decreased the amplitude of left-ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) at baseline and accelerated the onset of ischemic contracture. Inhibiting NCX with SEA0400 abolished LVDP depression caused by increasing [Na+]o at baseline and reduced the time to peak ischemic contracture. Ischemia–reperfusion decreased LVDP in all hearts with return of intrinsic activity, and reperfusion with 155 mM [Na+]o further depressed mechanical function. In summary, elevating [Na+]o by as little as 10 mM can significantly modulate mechanical function under baseline conditions, as well as during ischemia and reperfusion. Importantly, clinical use of Normal Saline, which contains 155 mM [Na+]o, with cardiac ischemia may require further investigation.
Improving maximal safe brain tumor resection with photoacoustic remote sensing microscopy
Authors: Ecclestone Benjamin R. , Bell Kevan , Abbasi Saad , Dinakaran Deepak , van Landeghem Frank K. H. , Mackey John R. , Fieguth Paul , Haji Reza Parsin
Published: October 2020

Malignant brain tumors are among the deadliest neoplasms with the lowest survival rates of any cancer type. In considering surgical tumor resection, suboptimal extent of resection is linked to poor clinical outcomes and lower overall survival rates. Currently available tools for intraoperative histopathological assessment require an average of 20 min processing and are of limited diagnostic quality for guiding surgeries. Consequently, there is an unaddressed need for a rapid imaging technique to guide maximal resection of brain tumors. Working towards this goal, presented here is an all optical non-contact label-free reflection mode photoacoustic remote sensing (PARS) microscope. By using a tunable excitation laser, PARS takes advantage of the endogenous optical absorption peaks of DNA and cytoplasm to achieve virtual contrast analogous to standard hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. In conjunction, a fast 266 nm excitation is used to generate large grossing scans and rapidly assess small fields in real-time with hematoxylin-like contrast. Images obtained using this technique show comparable quality and contrast to the current standard for histopathological assessment of brain tissues. Using the proposed method, rapid, high-throughput, histological-like imaging was achieved in unstained brain tissues, indicating PARS’ utility for intraoperative guidance to improve extent of surgical resection.
Impaired left amygdala resting state functional connectivity in subthreshold depression individuals
Authors: Peng Xiaoling , Lau Way K. W. , Wang Chanyu , Ning Lingfang , Zhang Ruibin
Published: October 2020

Subthreshold depression (StD) affects people who experience clinically relevant depressive symptoms, which does not meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). StD represents an ideal model for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of depression. Impaired emotion processing is a core feature of depression; careful investigation is required to better understand the neural correlates of emotion processing in depressed populations. In the current study, we explored whether the resting-state functional connectivity of the amygdala, a hub that taps a wide range of brain areas involved in emotion processing, is altered in individuals with StD when compared with healthy controls. Resting-state imaging data was collected from 59 individuals with StD and 59 age- and gender-matched controls. We found that the resting-state functional connectivity of the left amygdala with the cognitive control network and the left insula was significantly lower in people with StD than that in healthy controls. Such association was not observed in the right amygdala. Furthermore, functional connectivity strength between the left amygdala and the left precuneus was positively associated with depressive symptoms in individuals with StD. Our findings are in line with those reported in subjects with MDD, which may assist in further elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms of depression, and contribute to the development of tailored treatments for individuals with StD who are at high risk of developing MDD.
Computer-generated moiré profilometry based on fringe-superposition
Authors: Li Chengmeng , Cao Yiping , Wang Lu , Wan Yingying , Li Hongmei , Xu Cai , Zhang Hechen
Published: October 2020

A computer-generated moiré profilometry based on algebraic addition instead of algebraic multiplication is proposed. Firstly, the two AC components of the captured fringe patterns on the reference plane with $$\pi /2$$

π
/
2

phase difference are retrieved and saved in advance. While measuring, two sinusoidal gratings with $$\pi$$
π
phase difference are projected onto the measured object alternatively, and the corresponding deformed patterns are captured. Then the AC component of the captured deformed pattern can be separated exactly. When the positive and negative AC component of the captured deformed pattern are added to the two prestored AC components respectively, two moiré fringes only reflect sine and cosine of the object’s phase information can be successfully generated via a series of data processing procedures. Finally, the phase distribution of the measured object can be extracted by arctangent of the ratio of these two moiré fringes. Compared with computer-generated moiré profilometry based on algebraic multiplication, this proposed method can reduce the effect of high frequency noise and residual DC component on measurement and improve the measurement accuracy. While compared with $$\pi$$
π
phase shifting FTP, this method can measure more complex objects with better measurement capability. Experimental results verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed method.
Unique dynamic mode between Artepillin C and human serum albumin implies the characteristics of Brazilian green propolis representative bioactive component
Authors: Wu Fan , Song Xin-Mi , Qiu Yi-Lei , Zheng Huo-Qing , Hu Fu-Liang , Li Hong-Liang
Published: October 2020

As a representative bioactive component in Brazil green propolis, Artepillin C (ArtC; 3, 5-diprenyl-4-hydroxycinnamic acid) has been reported a wide variety of physiological activities including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity etc. However, it seems incompatible that ArtC in vivo was characterized as low absorption efficiency and low bioavailability. In order to obtain the elucidation, we further investigated the physicochemical basis of ArtC interacting with human serum albumin (HSA) in vitro. We found a unique dynamic mode interaction between ArtC and HSA, which is completely different from other reported propolis bioactive components. Thermodynamic analysis showed that hydrophobic interactions and electrostatic forces are the main driving force. The competitive assay indicates that the binding site of ArtC with HSA is close to the Sudlow’s site I. The findings of this study reveal the unique physicochemical transport mechanism of ArtC in the human body, which helps to further understand the uniqueness of the representative functional components of Brazilian green propolis in the human body.
High sensitive label-free optical sensor based on Goos–Hänchen effect by the single chirped laser pulse
Authors: Benam Elnaz Rezaei , Sahrai Mostafa , Bonab Jafar Poursamad
Published: October 2020

We consider a four-level molecular system with two ground-state vibrational levels and two excited-state vibrational levels inside a constant cavity configuration. We discuss the reflected and transmitted Goos–Hänchen (GH) shifts of a positive and negative single-chirped laser pulse. The impacts of the laser field detuning, intensity of applied laser field, and appropriately tuning the chirp rate on GH shifts are then analyzed. It is also found that this sensor is very sensitive to the refractive index of the intracavity medium, which can coherently be controlled by the medium parameters. The results show that such a sensor can be most effective for detecting biological molecules with low concentration than the large number density, where a bit variation in the concentration of sample will lead to a great variation on the GH shifts.
Multi-variant differential evolution algorithm for feature selection
Authors: Hassan Somaia , Hemeida Ashraf M. , Alkhalaf Salem , Mohamed Al-Attar , Senjyu Tomonobu
Published: October 2020

This work introduces a new population-based stochastic search technique, named multi-variant differential evolution (MVDE) algorithm for solving fifteen well-known real world problems from UCI repository and compared to four popular optimization methods. The MVDE proposes a new self-adaptive scaling factor based on cosine and logistic distributions as an almost factor-free optimization technique. For more updated chances, this factor is binary-mapped by incorporating an adaptive crossover operator. During the evolution, both greedy and less-greedy variants are managed by adjusting and incorporating the binary scaling factor and elite identification mechanism into a new multi-mutation crossover process through a number of sequentially evolutionary phases. Feature selection decreases the number of features by eliminating irrelevant or misleading, noisy and redundant data which can accelerate the process of classification. In this paper, a new feature selection algorithm based on the MVDE method and artificial neural network is presented which enabled MVDE to get a combination features’ set, accelerate the accuracy of the classification, and optimize both the structure and weights of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) simultaneously. The experimental results show the encouraging behavior of the proposed algorithm in terms of the classification accuracies and optimal number of feature selection.
Active site competition is the mechanism for the inhibition of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 by detergent micelles or lipoproteins and for the efficacy reduction of darapladib
Authors: Zhuo Shaoqiu , Yuan Chong
Published: October 2020

Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has been characterized for its interfacial activation as well as inhibition by detergent micelles and lipoprotein particles. The enzyme has been shown to bind on the surfaces of hydrophobic aggregates, such as detergent micelles, lipoprotein particles and even polystyrene latex nanobeads. Binding to hydrophobic aggregates stimulates the activity of Lp-PLA2 but may not be the necessary step for catalysis. However, at higher concentrations, detergent micelles, latex nanobeads or lipoprotein particles inhibit Lp-PLA2 possibly by blocking the access of substrates to the active site. The competition mechanism also blocks inhibitors such as darapladib binding to Lp-PLA2 and reduces the efficacy of the drug. Darapladib has very low solubility and mainly exists in solutions as complexes with detergents or lipoprotein particles. The inhibition of Lp-PLA2 by darapladib is dependent on many factors such as concentrations of detergents or lipoproteins, incubation time, as well as the order of mixing reaction components. The in vitro Lp-PLA2 activity assays used in clinical studies may not accurately reflect the residual Lp-PLA2 activity in vivo. Darapladib has been found mainly bound on HDL and albumin when it is incubated with human serum. However, Lp-PLA2 is more sensitive to darapladib when bound on LDL and relatively resistant to darapladib when bound on HDL. Therefore, high cholesterol levels may decrease the efficacy of darapladip and cause the drug to be less effective in high risk patients. Our study will help to design better inhibitors for Lp-PLA2. The discoveries also contribute to understanding the mechanism of interfacial activation and inhibition for Lp-PLA2 and provide a new concept for researchers in building better kinetic model for interfacial enzymes.
Pan-cancer driver copy number alterations identified by joint expression/CNA data analysis
Authors: Wang Gaojianyong , Anastassiou Dimitris
Published: October 2020

Analysis of large gene expression datasets from biopsies of cancer patients can identify co-expression signatures representing particular biomolecular events in cancer. Some of these signatures involve genomically co-localized genes resulting from the presence of copy number alterations (CNAs), for which analysis of the expression of the underlying genes provides valuable information about their combined role as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Here we focus on the discovery and interpretation of such signatures that are present in multiple cancer types due to driver amplifications and deletions in particular regions of the genome after doing a comprehensive analysis combining both gene expression and CNA data from The Cancer Genome Atlas.
Comparison of acid exfoliators in carbon nanosheets synthesis from stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) for electrochemical applications
Authors: Nuilek Kanokon , Wongwiriyapan Winadda , Sattayarut Vichuda , Simon Andrea , Koncz-Horváth Daniel , Ferenczi Tibor , Kristály Ferenc , Baumli Peter
Published: October 2020

Carbon nanosheets (CNs) were successfully synthesized from nettle stem (NS) which is an inexpensive material with a high carbon content that is abundantly available in nature. CNs were produced using chemical (potassium hydroxide activation and acid exfoliation) and thermal treatments. Sulfuric (H2SO4), phosphoric (H3PO4) and nitric (HNO3) acid solutions were used for exfoliation. CNs exfoliated by H3PO4 have higher specific surface area (789 m2 g−1) compared to CNs exfoliated by H2SO4 (705 m2 g−1) and HNO3 (106 m2 g−1). In this work, NSCNs were found to be a potential candidate for electrode material in electrochemical capacitors. The maximum specific capacitance of the NSCNs exfoliated by H3PO4 is found to be 27.3 F g−1 at a current density of 0.05 A g−1, while the specific capacitance of NSCNs exfoliated by H2SO4 and HNO3 is 9.34 F g−1 and 1.71 F g−1, respectively. Energy density (0.06–0.95 Wh kg−1) and power density (20.9–26.7 W kg−1) of NSCNs are confirmed to be supercapacitor materials and can be applied in energy storage devices.
X-ray nanotomography of dry colloidal packings
Authors: Kim Yeseul , Lee Sangsul , Lim Jun , Weon Byung Mook
Published: October 2020

Random packings are crucial in understanding arrangement and geometry of particles. Random packings of dry small particles may be subject to adhesion or friction, as expected theoretically and numerically. We explore experimentally random packings of dry colloids with X-ray nanotomography that directly provides three-dimensional structural and geometric information of dry colloidal packings. We find that dry colloidal packings, as characterized by contact number and packing density, are quite consistent with adhesive loose packings that significantly deviate from random loose packings for hard spheres. This study may offer direct evidence for adhesive loose packings comprising dry small particles, as proven by X-ray nanotomography.
Thermophysiological comfort of sonochemically synthesized nano TiO2 coated woven fabrics
Authors: Noman Muhammad Tayyab , Petru Michal , Amor Nesrine , Yang Tao , Mansoor Tariq
Published: October 2020

This work investigates thermophysiological comfort properties of sonochemically synthesized nano TiO2 coated cotton and polyester woven fabrics. The obtained results were analysed on heat and mass transfer basis. Moisture management tester and Alambeta were utilised for moisture transportation and thermal evaluation. This study precisely investigates the effects of sonication on surface roughness of nano TiO2 coated and uncoated samples. Ultrasonic acoustic method was applied to imbibe nano TiO2 on fabric samples. Surface topography, morphology and the existence of nano TiO2 on investigated samples were analysed by scanning electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. In addition, standard test methods were applied to estimate physical and thermophysiological comfort properties i.e. thermal resistance, thermal diffusivity, heat flow, wetting time and accumulative one-way transport index of uncoated and nano TiO2 coated samples.
Online proprioception feeds plasticity of arm representation following tool-use in healthy aging
Authors: Bahmad Salam , Miller Luke E. , Pham Minh Tu , Moreau Richard , Salemme Romeo , Koun Eric , Farnè Alessandro , Roy Alice C.
Published: October 2020

Following tool-use, the kinematics of free-hand movements are altered. This modified kinematic pattern has been taken as a behavioral hallmark of the modification induced by tool-use on the effector representation. Proprioceptive inputs appear central in updating the estimated effector state. Here we questioned whether online proprioceptive modality that is accessed in real time, or offline, memory-based, proprioception is responsible for this update. Since normal aging affects offline proprioception only, we examined a group of 60 year-old adults for proprioceptive acuity and movement’s kinematics when grasping an object before and after tool-use. As a control, participants performed the same movements with a weight—equivalent to the tool—weight-attached to their wrist. Despite hampered offline proprioceptive acuity, 60 year-old participants exhibited the typical kinematic signature of tool incorporation: Namely, the latency of transport components peaks was longer and their amplitude reduced after tool-use. Instead, we observed no kinematic modifications in the control condition. In addition, online proprioception acuity correlated with tool incorporation, as indexed by the amount of kinematics changes observed after tool-use. Altogether, these findings point to the prominent role played by online proprioception in updating the body estimate for the motor control of tools.
Efficacy of systemic administration of riboflavin on a rabbit model of corneal alkali burn
Authors: Żuk Maksym , Lobashova Ekaterina , Żuk Olga , Wierzba Sławomir
Published: October 2020

Changes in the barrier mechanisms in the eye should determine the rational route for the administration and dosage of each drug in the treatment of traumatic injuries and other pathologies. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of intra-arterial delivery of 14C-riboflavin (as an “indicator”) and compare it with intravenous and intramuscular administration in an animal model of chemical eye burn. 14C-riboflavin (14C-I) was administered by intra-arterial (carotid artery), intravenous (femoral vein) and intramuscular (femoral muscle) routes. The total radioactivity was determined over 2 h in the plasma and structures of the rabbit’s eyes using a scintillation counter. The results of the study show that intravascular administration of 14C-I gives significantly higher concentrations of total radioactivity in the blood and is accompanied by a significant increase in the permeability of the blood-barrier and barrier in eyes suffering from burns. The highest concentration in the plasma and aqueous humour of the anterior chamber of the eye was observed during the first hour with the intra-arterial route of administration of 14C-I in either burnt and unburnt eyes. The distribution of total radioactivity in the structures of the eye over the 2 h of the experiment showed a higher level of the drug under intra-arterial administered in the uveal regions, namely: the iris, ciliary body, choroid, retina and also the sclera and cornea. This experimental model shows that intra-arterial administration can increase the bioavailability of a drug to the structures of the eye within a short period of time.
Organic single crystals of cyano-substituted p-phenylene vinylene derivatives as transistors with low surface trap density
Authors: Deng Jian , Wan Yuejuan , Cai Chang , Gu Cheng , Ma Yuguang
Published: October 2020

Cyano-substituted oligo(p-phenylene vinylene) derivatives with π–π interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonds in orthogonal directions were synthesised, and demonstrated very low defect density by OFETs.
Crystallization behavior of citric acid based on solution speciation and growth kinetics
Authors: Macaringue Estevao G. J. , Li Si , Li Mengya , Gong Junbo , Tang Weiwei
Published: October 2020

The work reports the crystallization study of citric acid in aqueous solutions, using a large variety of methods. The results are compared to Ostwald's rule of stages, leading to some contradictory results between the experiments and the rule.
Mechanophotonics: precise selection, assembly and disassembly of polymer optical microcavities via mechanical manipulation for spectral engineering
Authors: Annadhasan Mari , Kumar Avulu Vinod , Venkatakrishnarao Dasari , Mamonov Evgeniy A. , Chandrasekar Rajadurai
Published: October 2020

A combination of atomic force and confocal microscopy techniques seamlessly assembles and disassembles polymer optical microcavities.
Nano-ZnO decorated ZnSnO3 as efficient fillers in PVDF matrixes: toward simultaneous enhancement of energy storage density and efficiency and improved energy harvesting activity
Authors: Sasmal Abhishek , Medda Samar Kumar , Devi P. Sujatha , Sen Shrabanee
Published: October 2020

Along with enhanced dielectric permittivity and suppressed dielectric loss, PVDF-ZnO@ZnSnO3 films showed simultaneous enhancement in electrical energy storage density and storage efficiency compared to PVDF-ZnSnO3 composites.
Nitrogen-doped carbon encapsulated hollow ZnSe/CoSe2 nanospheres as high performance anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Qiang , Hou Jiagang , Hao Qin , Huang Peng , Xu Caixia , Zhou Qiuxia , Zhou Ji , Liu Hong
Published: October 2020

Hollow ZnSe/CoSe2@N–C nanosphere possesses nanoscale architecture composed of a thin carbon shell and selenide nanoparticles. Robust carbon protective shell and synergistic effect between double metal ions promote effective lithiation/delithiation.
An energy efficient bi-functional electrode for continuous cation-selective capacitive deionization
Authors: Vafakhah Sareh , Saeedikhani Mohsen , Tanhaei Mohammad , Huang Shaozhuan , Guo Lu , Chiam Sing Yang , Yang Hui Ying
Published: October 2020

A high desalination rate with low energy consumption was enabled using a bi-functional Na2VTi(PO4)3@C electrode in symmetrical cation-selective CDI.
Linear chains of nanomagnets: engineering the effective magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Talapatra A. , Adeyeye A. O.
Published: October 2020

Tunable effective magnetic anisotropy is achieved by engineering the thickness and lattice arrangement of linear chains of nanomagnets.
β-Borylation of conjugated carbonyl compounds with silylborane or bis(pinacolato)diboron catalyzed by Au nanoparticles
Authors: Kidonakis Marios , Fragkiadakis Michael , Stratakis Manolis
Published: October 2020

β-Borylation occurs in the Au/TiO2-catalysed reaction between the silylborane Me2PhSiBpin and conjugated carbonyl compounds, in contrast to the so far known analogous reaction catalysed by other metals, where β-silylation occurs instead.
A cardanol-based polybenzoxazine vitrimer: recycling, reshaping and reversible adhesion
Authors: Trejo-Machin Acerina , Puchot Laura , Verge Pierre
Published: October 2020

This paper reports the development of the first vitrimer based on polybenzoxazines containing disulfide bonds and cardanol.
Recent progress in reducing voltage loss in organic photovoltaic cells
Authors: Wang Jingwen , Yao Huifeng , Xu Ye , Ma Lijiao , Hou Jianhui
Published: October 2020

ESP modulation can be regarded as a potential molecular design strategy to improve efficiencies of OPVs by reducing voltage losses.
Synthesis and evaluation of eco-friendly carboxymethyl cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol/CuO bionanocomposites and their use in coating processed cheese
Authors: Youssef Ahmed M. , Assem Fayza M. , El-Sayed Hoda S. , El-Sayed Samah M. , Elaaser Mostafa , Abd El-Salam Mohamed H.
Published: October 2020

In the present study, we formulated and characterized CMC/PVA/CuO bionanocomposites to evaluate their use in coating processed cheese.
Switchable self-assembled capillary structures
Authors: Vandewalle Nicolas , Poty Martin , Vanesse Nathan , Caprasse Jérémie , Defize Thomas , Jérôme Christine
Published: October 2020

A switchable self-assembled structure on liquid interfaces can be obtained with objects made of a shape memory polymer. We show how it can create complex metastable states.
Membrane reinforcement in giant hybrid polymer lipid vesicles achieved by controlling the polymer architecture
Authors: Fauquignon Martin , Ibarboure Emmanuel , Le Meins Jean-François
Published: October 2020

Giant hybrid polymer/lipid vesicles based on PDMS-b-PEO copolymers present outstanding mechanical properties.
Tailoring the side chain of imide-functional benzotriazole based polymers to achieve internal quantum efficiency approaching 100%
Authors: Li Meijing , Zeng Zhaomiyi , Fan Baobing , Zhong Wenkai , Zhang Difei , Zhang Xuning , Zhang Yuan , Ying Lei , Huang Fei , Cao Yong
Published: October 2020

The photovoltaic performances of PTzBI-based polymers can be significantly enhanced through fine-tuning the halogen substituents.
An inverse-spinel Mg2MnO4 cathode for high-performance and flexible aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Yuan Xuming , Sun Tianjiang , Zheng Shibing , Bao Junquan , Liang Jing , Tao Zhanliang
Published: October 2020

The inverse-spinel Mg2MnO4 has rich high-average-valence-state Mn (4.5). P-APSA hydrogel, which has high adhesion and good compatibility with the Zn anode, is used as an electrolyte to construct a flexible battery.
MXenes as co-catalysts for the solar-driven photocatalytic reduction of CO2
Authors: Zhao Yang , Que Meidan , Chen Jin , Yang Chunli
Published: October 2020

The mechanism of photocatalytic reduction of CO2and the examples of MXene as the co-catalyst.
CMIPSNPs and their haplotypes are associated with dyslipidaemia and clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy
Authors: Pan Ling , Liao Yun-Hua , Mo Man-Qiu , Zhang Qing-Hui , Yin Rui-Xing
Published: October 2020

The relationship between serum lipid profiles and related clinicopathologic features of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and c-Maf-inducing protein (CMIP) gene polymorphisms is unclear. The present study was designed to examine the effect of CMIP single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on dyslipidaemia and clinicopathologic features of IgAN. Clinical and pathological data from patients with IgAN diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were collected. DNA was extracted from blood samples. CMIP rs2925979 and CMIP rs16955379 genotypes were determined by PCR and direct sequencing. Among 543 patients, 281 had dyslipidaemia (51.7%). Compared with the non-dyslipidaemia group, the dyslipidaemia group exhibited higher blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, and body mass index; higher prevalence of oedema, haematuria, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis; and lower albumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate. In the dyslipidaemia group, the frequency of C allele carriers was higher than that of non-C allele carriers for rs16955379. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein were associated with rs16955379C allele carriers. Apolipoprotein B was associated with A allele carriers of rs2925979. Linkage disequilibrium was observed between rs16955379 and rs2925979, and rs2925979G-rs16955379T was the most common haplotype. The frequencies of the four CMIP SNP haplotypes differed between dyslipidaemia and non-dyslipidaemia groups in IgAN (P<0.05, for all above). Dyslipidaemia is a common complication in IgAN patients, and those with dyslipidaemia present poor clinicopathologic features. CMIP SNPs and their haplotypes are closely correlated with the occurrence of dyslipidaemia and clinicopathologic damage in IgAN patients.
Protein phosphatase-1: dual activity regulation by Inhibitor-2
Authors: Lemaire Sarah , Bollen Mathieu
Published: October 2020

Inhibitor-2 (I2) ranks amongst the most ancient regulators of protein phosphatase-1 (PP1). It is a small, intrinsically disordered protein that was originally discovered as a potent inhibitor of PP1. However, later investigations also characterized I2 as an activator of PP1 as well as a chaperone for PP1 folding. Numerous studies disclosed the importance of I2 for diverse cellular processes but did not describe a unifying molecular principle of PP1 regulation. We have re-analyzed the literature on I2 in the light of current insights of PP1 structure and regulation. Extensive biochemical data, largely ignored in the recent I2 literature, provide substantial indirect evidence for a role of I2 as a loader of active-site metals. In addition, I2 appears to function as a competitive inhibitor of PP1 in higher eukaryotes. The published data also demonstrate that several segments of I2 that remain unstructured in the PP1 : I2 complex are in fact essential for PP1 regulation. Together, the available data identify I2 as a dynamic activity-modulator of PP1.
Realistic hardware imperfections in communication system under Gaussian approximation model and generalised Gaussian model
Authors: El‐Mashed Mohamed G.
Published: October 2020

Studying hardware imperfections in the communication system is very important. It can cause in‐phase/quadrature (I/Q) imbalance and phase noise problems. This study proposed a realistic communication system under hardware imperfections and self‐interference. The impact of hardware imperfections at the transmitter, at the relays and the receiver is analysed for two and three transmission hops. A realistic Gaussian approximation model and generalised Gaussian model are proposed to show its impact on system performance. Assuming that the channels are subjected to Nakagami‐m fading. A closed‐form expression for the outage probability is mathematically derived. The comparison between the proposed system and other systems with distortions and I/Q imbalance is provided. Results demonstrate that the performance of realistic communication system is more degraded, especially at higher transmission hops.
Feed‐forward timing estimation for burst signals in non‐cooperative communication
Authors: Li Youyang , Qin Fei , Wang Xue , Lu Xiaochun , Chu Ziyue
Published: October 2020

Timing estimation is the most crucial part of the modulation classification and demodulation of burst signals. The traditional methods in classical cooperative communication fail to provide satisfying accuracy in non‐cooperative communication. A novel timing estimation method was proposed in this study, which involves a carefully designed optimisation function constituted by piecewise over code period. Moreover, a closed‐form analytical solution of the proposed optimisation problem has been provided, which significantly increases the estimation performance with affordable complexity. In detail, the proposed method demonstrates almost five times higher accuracy than the traditional methods in the low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) scenario, while approaches the modified Cramer–Rao bound in the high SNR scenario.
Modelling and analysis of coverage for unmanned aerial vehicle base stations
Authors: Zhang Hui , Sung Dan Keun , Wang Jiangzhou
Published: October 2020

Since the analysis of cell coverage faces complex environments in unmanned aerial vehicle base station (UAV‐BS) systems, general coverage probability in a typical cell is derived to analyse a UAV‐BS multi‐tier network, and this coverage probability is closely related with power difference among UAV‐BSs, two‐dimension (2D) and three‐dimension (3D) UAV‐BS deployment, and general interference fading models. Especially, closed‐form coverage probability expressions are also derived in the form of 2D scenario and 3D scenario, when the interference fading coefficient is assumed to follow a Gamma distribution and an exponential distribution, respectively. It shows that there exists maximum spectral efficiency density (SED) as the BS density increases, and such a BS density achieving the max‐SED is independent of noise power, but is affected by various propagation parameters.
Physical layer security and energy efficiency driven resource optimisation for cognitive relay networks
Authors: Yang Weiwei , Zhao Xiaohui , He Jiazhou
Published: October 2020

In this study, a resource allocation problem considering physical layer security and power consumption for cognitive relay networks is studied. In a secondary network, the ratio of secret rate to power consumption is defined as a secret rate per watt (SRW). Fixed circuit power, dynamic circuit power, and transmit power are all considered in the power consumption model. Under the constraints of the maximum total transmit power of secondary user transmitters and relay nodes, minimum secret rate requirement of secondary user receiver and tolerable interference threshold of each primary user receiver, the authors propose a SRW maximisation algorithm to maximise SRW. The resource allocation problem is formulated as a non‐linear fractional programming and it is transformed into an equivalent subtraction based on the Dinkelbach method. They incorporate the non‐convex constraints into the objective function to convert the feasible region into a convex set and achieve an optimal resource allocation scheme with the nested loop iteration algorithm through the Lagrange dual theory and the difference of convex programming. By the Dinkelbach method and the nested loop iteration algorithm, the optimal SRW is obtained. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and the out‐performance of the proposed algorithm comparing with other algorithms.
Survivability optimisation of communication network for demand response in source–grid–load system
Authors: Liu Lin , Li Bin , Qi Bing , Ye Xin , Sun Yi , Cheng Ziyun
Published: October 2020

The increase of power consumption around the world puts forward higher requirements for the robustness of the power grid. As a critical application of the smart grid, demand response (DR) has significant impacts on the stable operation of the grid. The source–grid–load system (SGLS) in Jiangsu Province of China has implemented three different types of DR. This study aims at promoting the survivability of the DR communication network, which can enhance the reliability of DR. In response to concurrent dual‐link failure, the authors first present a capacity expansion algorithm with the minimum distance to enhance the topology of the DR communication network. Next, they design a multipath routing algorithm based on pre‐estimation to configure multiple paths for every DR terminal according to the characteristics of the DR service. Then they propose a link capacity sharing algorithm for multipath to reduce the communication network cost for DR. Simulations demonstrate the proposed algorithm can improve survivability and reduce the cost of the DR communication network. Furthermore, they compare the multipath configuration algorithms in different topology enhancement schemes, which can give some suggestions on the construction of SGLS in the future.
Exponential bipartite consensus of fractional‐order non‐linear multi‐agent systems in switching directed signed networks
Authors: Gong Ping
Published: October 2020

This study considers the exponential bipartite consensus problem of a class of non‐linear fractional‐order multi‐agent systems (FOMASs) in a general coopetition network with signed directed graph, where the signed directed graph is composed of both positive and negative interaction links. Without the assumption of the signed directed graph among agents is fixed and strongly connected, the exponential bipartite consensus problem of non‐linear FOMASs is solved by utilising some techniques and tools from signed graph theory, matrix transformation and linear matrix inequalities. For the FOMASs in a fixed signed directed topology containing a spanning tree, the authors design a continuous distributed control protocol which can ensure the bipartite consensus error converges to zero exponentially if the parameters of the protocol are suitably selected. For the FOMASs in directed signed networks with switching topologies only frequently but not always contain a spanning tree, a distributed intermittent control protocol is further designed, where the bipartite consensus error converges to zero exponentially. Numerical simulations are given to show the effectiveness of the designed method.
Analysis of road travel behaviour based on big trajectory data
Authors: Yongdong Wang , Dongwei Xu , Peng Peng , Guijun Zhang
Published: October 2020

The extensive use of mobile phones has produced a massive amount of trajectory data and provided the possibility to conduct travel behaviour analyses. In this study, a method of travel behaviour analysis is proposed based on extensive trajectory data obtained from Didi Chuxing, China. The travel time regularity and traffic hot spots are analysed from spatial perspectives for three modes: workday, weekend, and the double 11 shopping festival modes. Then a network analysis of the travel hot spots is conducted to study the regularity of travel behaviours. In addition, the travel regularity has been studied and origin/destination prediction of the hot spots has been conducted based on the multivariate ‐long short‐term memory model. The results indicate that the distribution of the travel time during peak hours and at the travel hot spots can effectively reflect the temporal travel regularity of residents. Additionally, the network can reflect the spatial travel regularity of residents. The results provide reference information for improving urban traffic control.
Scale‐aware limited deformable convolutional neural networks for traffic sign detection and classification
Authors: Liu Zhanwen , Shen Chao , Fan Xing , Zeng Gaowen , Zhao Xiangmo
Published: October 2020

Traffic sign detection and classification is a critical component of intelligent transportation systems, which is applied to inform automatic unmanned driving systems and driving assistance systems about conditions and limits of roads. Although computer vision is widely utilised in traffic sign detection, detection and recognising traffic signs globally remains a great challenge due to the variety of sign types, scale‐variance and geometric variations. To address these problems, this study proposes a region‐based deep convolutional neural network (CNN) framework for traffic sign detection and classification. Specifically, a multi‐branch sample pyramid module is proposed, which is based on multi‐branch CNNs for multi‐scaled feature exaction. A limited deformable convolutional module is then embedded into the CNN layers to learn the distorted information representation for deformation handing. Moreover, a scale‐aware multi‐task region proposal network module is applied to detect traffic signs with various scales. The whole network is trained in an end‐to‐end manner. Finally, experiments are conducted on two public detection data sets to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Machine learning algorithm for activity‐aware demand response considering energy savings and comfort requirements
Authors: Zhang Yue , Srivastava Anurag. K. , Cook Diane
Published: October 2020

Due to the high cost of peak hour power generation and a push towards sustainability, the need for demand response (DR) is increasing. Compared to commercial‐level DR, residential‐level DR is more challenging. Residents are reluctant to participate, and DR controllers lack sufficient real‐time activity information to balance energy savings with residents' need for comfort and convenience. To address the above challenges, we propose a sensor data‐driven activity‐based controller for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning devices. Using our proposed novel strategy, resident activities are recognized in real‐time through a random forest machine learning approach. Integrating activity information and forecasted electricity pricing, the proposed controller can simultaneously reduce energy consumption for sustainability and maintain resident constraints for comfort based on recognized activities. Results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed approach.
Arbitrary‐order sliding mode‐based robust control algorithm for the developing artificial pancreas mechanism
Authors: Alam Waqar , Khan Qudrat , Riaz Raja Ali , Akmeliawati Rini
Published: October 2020

In Diabetes Mellitus, the pancreas remains incapable of insulin administration that leads to hyperglycaemia, an escalated glycaemic concentration, which may stimulate many complications. To circumvent this situation, a closed‐loop control strategy is much needed for the exogenous insulin infusion in diabetic patients. This closed‐loop structure is often termed as an artificial pancreas that is generally established by the employment of different feedback control strategies. In this work, the authors have proposed an arbitrary‐order sliding mode control approach for development of the said mechanism. The term, arbitrary, is exercised in the sense of its applicability to any n ‐order controllable canonical system. The proposed control algorithm affirms the finite‐time effective stabilisation of the glucose–insulin regulatory system, at the desired level, with the alleviation of sharp fluctuations. The novelty of this work lies in the sliding manifold that incorporates indirect non‐linear terms. In addition, the necessary discontinuous terms are filtered‐out once before its employment to the plant, i.e. diabetic patient. The robustness, in the presence of external disturbances, i.e. meal intake is confirmed via rigorous mathematical stability analysis. In addition, the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is ascertained by comparing the results with the standard literature.