bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monodisperse mesoporous anatase beads as high performance and safer anodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Rodriguez Erwin F. , Chen Dehong , Hollenkamp Anthony F. , Cao Lu , Caruso Rachel A.
Published: October 2015

The electrochemical performance of the anatase beads was systematically investigated by varying pore diameter, bead diameter and sintering temperature.
Determination of the structure and morphology of gold nanoparticle–HSA protein complexes
Authors: Capomaccio Robin , Ojea Jimenez Isaac , Colpo Pascal , Gilliland Douglas , Ceccone Giacomo , Rossi François , Calzolai Luigi
Published: October 2015

A method to measure the number of proteins bound to each nanoparticle and changes in the protein structure is reported.
Selective synthesis of functionalized pyrroles from 3-aza-1,5-enynes
Authors: Zhao Yingying , Wang Haolong , Li Xincheng , Wang Dongping , Xin Xiaoyi , Wan Boshun
Published: October 2015

Three kinds of functionalized pyrroles were selectively synthesized from 3-aza-1,5-enynes via cyclization reactions.
The biosynthesis of allelopathic di-C-glycosylflavones from the roots of Desmodium incanum (G. Mey.) DC
Authors: Hao Bing , Caulfield John C. , Hamilton Mary L. , Pickett John A. , Midega Charles A. O. , Khan Zeyaur R. , Wang Junru R. , Hooper Antony M.
Published: October 2015

Biosynthesis of allelopathic di-C-glycosylflavones in the plant D. incanum, occurs by UDP-glucosylation of a natural or analogue 2-hydroxyflavonoid substrate, followed by a second glycosylation with UDP-Glu, UDP-Ara, or UDP-Gal.
Design, synthesis, biological evaluation and X-ray structural studies of HIV-1 protease inhibitors containing substituted fused-tetrahydropyranyl tetrahydrofuran as P2-ligands
Authors: Ghosh Arun K. , Martyr Cuthbert D. , Kassekert Luke A. , Nyalapatla Prasanth R. , Steffey Melinda , Agniswamy Johnson , Wang Yuan-Fang , Weber Irene T. , Amano Masayuki , Mitsuya Hiroaki
Published: October 2015

A series of potent HIV-1 protease inhibitors with novel P2-ligands have been designed and synthesized.
Total synthesis and preliminary SAR study of (±)-merochlorins A and B
Authors: Yang Hongzhi , Liu Xue , Li Qingong , Li Longbo , Zhang Jing-Ren , Tang Yefeng
Published: October 2015

A modular synthesis of merochlorins A and B, two naturally occurring antibiotics, has been achieved from the readily available building blocks in a highly concise manner.
Insight into Pd-catalyzed branching cyclizations of enediyne-imides towards furo[2,3-b]pyridines: a DFT study
Authors: Wu Weirong , Bi Siwei , Liu Yuxia , Tang Yanan , Li Bingwen
Published: October 2015

The DFT mechanisms for Pd-catalyzed branching cyclizations of cross-conjugated enediyne-imides towards furo[2,3-b]pyridines have been investigated to discover the crucial factors of controlling the chemo- and solvent-directed product selectivity.
Helical polymer/Fe3O4 NPs constructing optically active, magnetic core/shell microspheres: preparation by emulsion polymerization and recycling application in enantioselective crystallization
Authors: Chen Huaiyu , Zhou Jinyong , Deng Jianping
Published: October 2015

Novel core/shell microspheres showed both optical activity and magneticity, and efficiently induced enantioselective crystallization on threonine with ee of 90%.
C–H insertions in oxidative gold catalysis: synthesis of polycyclic 2H-pyran-3(6H)-ones via a relay strategy
Authors: Zheng Zhitong , Zhang Liming
Published: October 2015

A new application of oxidatively generated, highly electrophilic α-oxo gold carbenes in synthetically streamlining insertions into unactivated C–H bonds is realized by converting them to putative vinyl cation intermediates in a relay approach. This chemistry permits expedient access to cyclic dihydropyran-3-ones.
Fabrication of cationized gelatin nanofibers by electrospinning for tissue regeneration
Authors: K Jalaja , Naskar Deboki , Kundu Subhas C. , James Nirmala Rachel
Published: October 2015

A green fabrication approach has been developed to produce biocompatible and non-cytotoxic cationically modified gelatin nanofibers with enhanced biological performance.
Contaminant-resistant MOF–Pd composite for H2 separation
Authors: Szilágyi Petra Á. , Westerwaal Ruud J. , Lansink Mitchell , van Montfort Hugo I. , Trześniewski Bartek J. , Garcia Mercedes Victoria , Geerlings Hans , Dam Bernard
Published: October 2015

Working principle of a contaminant-resistant MOF-on-Pd composite membrane for hydrogen separation.
A novel and highly sensitive electrochemical monitoring platform for 4-nitrophenol on MnO2nanoparticles modified graphene surface
Authors: Zaidi Shabi Abbas , Shin Jae Ho
Published: October 2015

A novel, simple fabrication of a 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) electrochemical sensor using MnO2nanoparticles modified graphene with high sensitivity and selectivity.
Morphology-controllable synthesis of carbon nanomaterials directly on Al2O3 substrates, and their photoluminescence
Authors: Qi Xiaosi , Hu Qi , Xu Jianle , Xie Ren , Jiang Yang , Zhong Wei , Du Youwei
Published: October 2015

In the article, we report a simple route for the synthesis of carbon nanocoils and chain-like carbon nanospheres directly over Al2O3 substrate. The PL studies indicate that the obtained samples show different optical properties.
Facile and expedient access to bis-coumarin–iminothiazole hybrids by molecular hybridization approach: synthesis, molecular modelling and assessment of alkaline phosphatase inhibition, anticancer and antileishmanial potential
Authors: Ibrar Aliya , Zaib Sumera , Khan Imtiaz , Jabeen Farukh , Iqbal Jamshed , Saeed Aamer
Published: October 2015

A series of new cytotoxic bis-coumarin–iminothiazole hybrids was developed as potential inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase and leishmaniasis.
Mechanistic insight to acidity effects of Ga/HZSM-5 on its activity for propane aromatization
Authors: Xiao He , Zhang Junfeng , Wang Peng , Zhang Zhenzhou , Zhang Qingde , Xie Hongjuan , Yang Guohui , Han Yizhuo , Tan Yisheng
Published: October 2015

Mechanistic insight to the synergistic effect between Brønsted acidity and strong Lewis acidity of Ga/HZSM-5 on propane aromatization activity.
Porous NiO architecture prepared with coordination polymer precursor as a high performance anode material for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Guo An , Li Yue , Liu Kun , Ruan Wen-Juan
Published: October 2015

A porous NiO architecture, which was synthesized by the calcination of a coordination polymer precursor, exhibited high Li-storage and excellent cyclability and could be used as an anode material for Li-ion batteries.
Selective oil/water filter paper via a scalable one-pot hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowires
Authors: Chen Yi , Liu Li , Chung Hyun-Joong , Nychka John A.
Published: October 2015

A scalable, one pot hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanowire converted commodity filter papers to efficient oil/water separators. The coated filter paper exhibited superhydrophilic and superoleophobic properties in ambient and underwater conditions.
On the constitution and thermodynamic modelling of the system Ti–Ni–Sn
Authors: Gürth M. , Grytsiv A. , Vrestal J. , Romaka V. V. , Giester G. , Bauer E. , Rogl P.
Published: October 2015

Experimental and calculated phase equilibria for the system Ti–Ni–Sn.
Supramolecular polycationic hydrogels with high swelling capacity prepared by partial methacrylation of polyethyleneimine
Authors: Paciello Antonio , Santonicola M. Gabriella
Published: October 2015

Partial methacrylation of polyethyleneimine leads to novel highly hydrophilic supramolecular hydrogels that absorb and retain up to 95% of water.
A novel benzimidazole derivative binds to the DNA minor groove and induces apoptosis in leukemic cells
Authors: Hegde Mahesh , Sharath Kumar Kothanahally S. , Thomas Elizabeth , Ananda Hanumappa , Raghavan Sathees C. , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S.
Published: October 2015

In the present study, we have synthesized various benzimidazole derivatives, evaluated their potential to act as DNA minor groove binder and tested their chemotherapeutic efficacy.
A detailed study on the thermal, photo-physical and electrochemical properties and OFET applications of D–π–A–π–D structured unsymmetrical diketopyrrolopyrrole materials
Authors: Bharath D. , Chithiravel S. , Sasikumar M. , Chereddy Narendra Reddy , Shanigaram Balaiah , Bhanuprakash K. , Krishnamoorthy K. , Rao V. Jayathirtha
Published: October 2015

Seven unsymmetrical DPP-derivatives with a D–π–A–π–D architecture have been synthesized and the effect of the electron donating ability and extent of electronic conjugation of the end capping units on their properties are explored.
A facilely synthesized highly active Pd nanoparticle electrocatalyst for electroless deposition process
Authors: Tan Desmond C. L. , Khezri Bahareh , Amatyakul Wannipha , Webster Richard D. , Sato Hirotaka
Published: October 2015

Pd nanoparticles chemically synthesized by respective reducing agents were evaluated in the hypophosphite oxidation reaction for initiating electroless Ni deposition.
Interactions of graphene oxide with luminescent biofunctionalized semiconductor nanoparticles: simultaneous monitoring in a protein–semiconductor coupled system
Authors: Kundu Somashree , Maiti Susmita , Ghosh Debasmita , Mondal Somrita , Roy Chandra N. , Saha Abhijit
Published: October 2015

The present investigation demonstrates how graphene oxide interact protein and semiconductor nanoparticles simultaneously in a coupled system.
Aggregates of a hydrazono-sulfonamide adduct as picric acid sensors
Authors: Mahendran Vaithiyanathan , Shanmugam Sivakumar
Published: October 2015

A sensitive and selective sensor for picric acid was developed using aggregates of a novel hydrazono-sulfonamide adduct.
Challenges and developments of self-assembled monolayers and polymer brushes as a green lubrication solution for tribological applications
Authors: Watson Simon , Nie Mengyan , Wang Ling , Stokes Keith
Published: October 2015

Surface initiated polymer brushes, grafted from self-assembled initiating monolayers on a contact surface, provide opportunities to develop innovative solutions for friction reduction in tribological systems.
Colloidal stabilization of graphene sheets by ionizable amphiphilic block copolymers in various media
Authors: Popescu Maria-Teodora , Tasis Dimitrios , Papadimitriou Konstantinia D. , Gkermpoura Sandra , Galiotis Costas , Tsitsilianis Constantinos
Published: October 2015

Graphene nanosheet suspensions can be produced in organic solvents, water or ionic liquids by using the same ionogenic block copolymers.
In situ anchoring uniform MnO2 nanosheets on three-dimensional macroporous graphene thin-films for supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Zhao Yong , Meng Yuena , Wu Haiping , Wang Yue , Wei Zhixiang , Li Xiaojun , Jiang Peng
Published: October 2015

A three-dimensional macroporous rGO/MnO2 thin-film is developed through template method and the redox reaction between KMnO4 and amorphous carbon. The hybrid film shows improved electrochemical performances for supercapacitor electrode application.
A new luminescent Cd(ii)-MOF as a highly selective chemical probe for Fe3+ in aqueous solution with mixed metal ions
Authors: Wu Yunlong , Yang Guo-Ping , Zhang Yingdi , Shi Nannan , Han Jun , Wang Yao-Yu
Published: October 2015

A new luminescent Cd(ii)-MOF has been prepared by solvothermal reaction. The luminescent properties were investigated in detail, showing a highly selective sensitivity for sensing Fe3+ in aqueous solution with mixed metal ions.
Non-destructively sensing pork quality using near infrared multispectral imaging technique
Authors: Huang Qiping , Li Huanhuan , Zhao Jiewen , Huang Gengping , Chen Quansheng
Published: October 2015

Near infrared multispectral imaging system based on three wavebands—1280 nm, 1440 nm and 1660 nm—was developed for the non-destructive sensing of the tenderness and water holding capacity of pork.
Computational insights into inhibitory mechanism of azole compounds against human aromatase
Authors: Cai Jinya , Li Junhao , Zhang Juan , Ding Shihui , Liu Guixia , Li Weihua , Tang Yun
Published: October 2015

We investigated the inhibitory mechanism of azole aromatase inhibitors. The results showed that letrozole and imazalil prefer different unbinding pathways.
Imposing control on self-assembly: rational design and synthesis of a mixed-metal, mixed-ligand coordination cage containing four types of component
Authors: Metherell Alexander J. , Ward Michael D.
Published: October 2015

A stepwise assembly method, using a combination of kinetically inert and kinetically labile components, allows formation of a coordination cage based on four types of component with each component directed to a specific site.
Circular flow formation triggered by Marangoni convection in nematic liquid crystal films with a free surface
Authors: Choi Hyunhee , Takezoe Hideo
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate circular flow formation at a surface in homeotropically oriented nematic liquid crystals with a free surface using focused laser beam irradiation.
Electrochemical fabrication of carbon nanotube/polyaniline hydrogel film for all-solid-state flexible supercapacitor with high areal capacitance
Authors: Zeng Sha , Chen Hongyuan , Cai Feng , Kang Yirang , Chen Minghai , Li Qingwen
Published: October 2015

CNT film prepared via a floating catalyst CVD method was activated by an electrochemical strategy for better PANI growth. Both this CNT/PANI hydrogel film electrode and a flexible symmetric supercapacitor based on this electrode material exhibited high areal capacitance.
Electronic structure of porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks and their suitability for solar fuel production photocatalysis
Authors: Hamad Said , Hernandez Norge C. , Aziz Alex , Ruiz-Salvador A. Rabdel , Calero Sofia , Grau-Crespo Ricardo
Published: October 2015

Density functional theory calculations reveal that the electronic structure of a family of porphyrin-based metal–organic frameworks is suitable for the photocatalysis of water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction reactions.
ECTFE porous membranes with conveniently controlled microstructures for vacuum membrane distillation
Authors: Pan Jian , Xiao Changfa , Huang Qinglin , Liu Hailiang , Hu John
Published: October 2015

Poly(ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene) (ECTFE) microporous membranes were prepared via a thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process using a mixed diluent of bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) and diethyl phthalate (DEP).
Immunometabolism of obesity and diabetes: microbiota link compartmentalized immunity in the gut to metabolic tissue inflammation
Authors: McPhee Joseph B. , Schertzer Jonathan D.
Published: October 2015

The bacteria that inhabit us have emerged as factors linking immunity and metabolism. Changes in our microbiota can modify obesity and the immune underpinnings of metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes. Obesity coincides with a low-level systemic inflammation, which also manifests within metabolic tissues such as adipose tissue and liver. This metabolic inflammation can promote insulin resistance and dysglycaemia. However, the obesity and metabolic disease-related immune responses that are compartmentalized in the intestinal environment do not necessarily parallel the inflammatory status of metabolic tissues that control blood glucose. In fact, a permissive immune environment in the gut can exacerbate metabolic tissue inflammation. Unravelling these discordant immune responses in different parts of the body and establishing a connection between nutrients, immunity and the microbiota in the gut is a complex challenge. Recent evidence positions the relationship between host gut barrier function, intestinal T cell responses and specific microbes at the crossroads of obesity and inflammation in metabolic disease. A key problem to be addressed is understanding how metabolite, immune or bacterial signals from the gut are relayed and transferred into systemic or metabolic tissue inflammation that can impair insulin action preceding Type 2 diabetes.
Original structure for Walsh–Hadamard transform on sliding window
Authors: Tisserand E. , Berviller Y.
Published: October 2015

The Nth‐order Walsh–Hadamard transform on a sliding window is described here by means of FIF filters. Factoring the transfer functions of the filters allows for a synthesis of the transform as a tree of comb filters. The trees built in ascending or descending order of the delay value allow the computation of the coefficients, respectively, in the sequency order and in the Hadamard order. The proposed algorithm requires 2N−2 additions for each projection. The resources used for a parallel field programmable gate array implementation are presented.
Parameter estimation method for multiple quadratic frequency‐modulated signals
Authors: Li Dong , Su Jia , Wang Tao , Lin Huan
Published: October 2015

Generalised cubic phase function (GCPF)‐based estimator is efficient in estimating the third‐order coefficient for mono‐component quadratic frequency‐modulated (QFM) signal. However, it suffers from cross‐terms and spurious peaks when dealing with multi‐component QFM signals. To efficiently estimate the third‐order coefficients of multi‐component QFM, a novel coherently integrated GCPF (CIGCPF) algorithm is proposed to enhance the auto‐terms and suppress the cross‐terms and spurious peaks. Comparisons with state‐of‐the‐art algorithms indicate that CIGCPF not only solves the identification problem for multi‐component QFM signals, but also can acquire higher anti‐noise performance.
Layout geometry impact on nLDMOS devices for high‐voltage ESD protection
Authors: Yan Yongming , Wang Yang , Zeng Yun , Jin Xiangliang
Published: October 2015

N‐channel, lateral, double‐diffused MOS (NLDMOS) devices with finger‐type, square‐type, and octagon‐type layout styles are investigated and fabricated in a 0.5‐μm 18 V CMOS‐DMOS (CDMOS) process. The square‐type nLDMOS achieves the highest ESD failure current of 4.7 A and is also the device occupying the smallest chip area among the three layout styles. In view of the area efficiency, the square‐type structure provides more than 30 and 25% higher current handling capability per area than the traditional finger‐type and octagonal‐type structures, respectively. Because of its better area efficiency, the square‐type structure is a promising layout for nLDMOS in high‐voltage ESD protection applications.
Low‐frequency vibration‐based interdigital piezoelectric energy harvester and autonomous power regulating circuit
Authors: Luo Cuixian , Wang Yanfen , Li Pengwei
Published: October 2015

According to the difficult replacement and poor endurance of the battery for wireless sensor network nodes, a low‐frequency vibration‐based interdigital piezoelectric energy harvester and power regulating circuit (PRC) have been developed in this Letter. The proposed vibration pick‐up structure consists of a rectangular flexible frame and series of cantilever beams interdigitally bonded to it. An efficient autonomous PRC with the function of energy storage, switch control, voltage regulation was also proposed. Experiment results show that a maximise output power of 18.8 μW could be produced by the proposed vibration energy harvesting system. The system's energy conversion efficiency could reach up to 72.3%, which made it the promising candidate of power supply for low power micro electron devices.
10 GHz CMOS hybrid reflective‐type phase shifter with enhanced phase shifting range
Authors: Li Jinbo , Shu Ran , Gu Qun J.
Published: October 2015

A new idea is presented to boost the phase shifting range of a reflective‐type phase shifter (RTPS) by leveraging the parasitic capacitance; however, without any cost or design overhead. In contrast to the conventional RTPS, where the parasitic capacitance degrades the phase shifting range, a simple position interchange of electronic components leads to an enlarged tuning range. This mechanism is analysed thoroughly and validated by simulation and measurement results. Two RTPSs with different component positions are fabricated in a 65 nm CMOS technology. Grounding inductors leads to a more than 30° phase shifting range than the conventional ones without this arrangement. The S11 is measured at <−10 dB from 9 to 10.75 GHz and the S21 is −6 dB with <0.6 dB variations at 10.2 GHz. This technique also provides design insights for phase shifting and tuning range enhancement of general resonant networks.
Integrated system of free‐space optical and visible light communication for indoor wireless broadband access
Authors: Zheng Zhong , Liu Lu , Chen Te , Hu Weiwei
Published: October 2015

An integrated system of free‐space optical communication and visible light communication for indoor wireless broadband access is proposed. The proposed system features all‐optical links and high capacity. As a proof of concept, 16‐ and 32‐quadrature amplitude modulation single‐carrier frequency domain equalisation transmissions over equivalent 2 km free‐space, 1 km single‐mode fibre, and 2 m indoor free‐space link are demonstrated. About 300 Mbit/s data rate with bit error rate under the forward error correction limit (3.8 × 10−3) and clear constellation maps are achieved.
Broadband suspended stripline to air‐filled rectangular waveguide transition
Authors: Dong Jun , Peng Hao , Liu Yu , Lin Haodong , Yang Tao
Published: October 2015

A broadband transition between a suspended stripline (SSL) and a rectangular waveguide is presented. To improve the bandwidth of the transition, a U‐shaped patch is introduced. A back‐to‐back transition prototype has been designed and fabricated for purpose of verification. Experimental results show that the transition has an insertion loss of less than 0.26 dB and a return loss better than 18.5 dB over the entire Ka‐band (26.5–40 GHz), which agrees well with the simulated results. As compared with the SSL‐to‐waveguide transition using a reduced‐height waveguide, the fractional bandwidth is increased from 29.5 to 40.9%. Moreover, with the reduced‐height waveguide removed, the circuit structure has been simplified. The proposed transition provides a good performance while maintaining a simple circuit structure.
N‐over‐N cascode push–pull modulator driver in 130 nm CMOS enabling 20 Gbit/s optical interconnection with Mach‐Zehnder modulator
Authors: Liu S. , Thomson D.J. , Li K. , Wilson P. , Reed G.T.
Published: October 2015

The N‐over‐N cascode push–pull modulator driver is demonstrated at 20 Gbit/s with IBM 130 nm technology. Electro‐optical measurement of the modulator driver integrated with a Mach‐Zehnder modulator (MZM) is also presented. This modulator driver achieves 50 Ω output impedance matching (for the MZM) with on‐chip termination. The power consumption of the modulator driver is 312 mW and the output swing is 3.4 Vpp on the differential.
Ultra‐wideband bandpass filter with reconfigurable notch bands using TCSRs
Authors: Feng Wenjie , Shang Yuxia , Che Wenquan
Published: October 2015

A compact ultra‐wideband (UWB) bandpass filter with fixed and reconfigurable notch bands using terminated cross‐shaped resonators is proposed. Two notch bands can be realised in the passband with a fixed band and a reconfigurable band. The reconfigurable band can be adjusted by changing the terminated loaded capacitance. The UWB passband is realised by three parallel coupled lines, and the notch bands are realised by using terminated cross‐shaped resonators.
Polymerase chain reaction chip with microchannel of glass capillaries embedded
Authors: Guo Z.X. , Wu Xiaosheng , Chen Wenyuan , Cui Feng , Zhang Weiping , Liu Wu
Published: October 2015

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chips consume less power and reagent, and are cheaper and easily integrated. In most PCR chips, the heater and the thermometer are placed on the same surface, which causes significant temperature sensing error caused by radiation from the heater. Most microchannels are fabricated through expensive processes of polymer mould‐replication, etching or lithography. Some polymers used to form the chamber have bad bio‐compatibility and suffer air bubbles when heating. A novel PCR chip with a glass structure is proposed. Grooves are machined on top of the glass substrate, and the glass capillaries are embedded in the grooves to form the static chamber. On the bottom of the glass substrate, the heater is patterned. The substrate with capillaries embedded is covered by a glass slice. The thermometer is fabricated on the bottom surface of the slice. The glass substrate and slice are joined by thermal conductive adhesive. In the PCR chip, the parts except the glass capillaries are reusable. DNA amplification experiments show that the PCR chip works fairly well. The proposed PCR chip has the characteristics of better temperature sensing precision, low cost, no air bubbles, good tightness and bio‐compatibility. It is very suitable for home diagnosis use.
Convergence analysis of implicit Z‐bus power flow method for general distribution networks with distributed generators
Authors: Zhao Tian‐Qi , Chiang Hsiao‐Dong , Koyanagi Kaoru
Published: October 2015

Implicit Z‐bus distribution power flow method may encounter divergence problems when applied to distribution systems with distributed generators modelled as P‐V nodes. In this study, analysis of divergence problems associated with the implicit Z‐bus method is performed. Physical insights toward the divergence problem are also provided. To this end, the iterative map of the implicit Z‐bus method is first derived. Then the fix‐point theorem and the non‐linear discrete stability theorem are applied to perform convergence/divergence analysis of the implicit Z‐bus power flow method. The authors apply the derived analytical results to conduct divergence analysis of the IEEE 13‐bus, and a practical 1101‐node distribution networks.
Optimisation framework for development of cost‐effective monitoring in distribution networks
Authors: Liao Huilian , Liu Zhixuan , Milanović Jovica V. , Woolley Nick C.
Published: October 2015

This study presents a novel optimisation methodology, optimal placement of monitors (OPMPower), for optimal device/monitor placement in distribution networks. OPMPower is developed based on gradient search and particle swarm optimisation. The proposed method integrates network topology into search process via spanning trees and uses the historical experience for search guidance. The method is particularly suited for optimal placement problems in power systems. The application is illustrated on the problem of optimal monitor placement for estimation of voltage unbalance in a section of existing UK distribution network and in a generic distribution network. It is demonstrated that the proposed methodology outperforms generic integer optimisation algorithms which are widely used for optimal placement problems in the literature, for example genetic algorithms.
Compact dual‐band dual‐mode circular patch antenna with broadband unidirectional linearly polarised and omnidirectional circularly polarised characteristics
Authors: Cao Wen‐Quan
Published: October 2015

A novel probe‐feed single‐layer circular patch antenna with dual‐band dual‐mode dual polarisation is proposed in this study. By using modified mushroom structure, dual‐band dual‐mode characteristic is realised as former designs. Due to the loading structure including four curved patches added around the circular radiating patch, bandwidth is broadened for the patch mode (n = 1 mode) with unidirectional linearly polarised characteristics at the upper frequency band. By loading with four curved branches in the ground plane, circularly polarised property for the dipole mode (n = 0 mode) with omnidirectional radiation patterns is achieved at the lower frequency band. Parameter analysis is made to study this antenna and one prototype is fabricated to confirm the property. Moreover, the measured results are obtained with −10 dB impedance bandwidths of 227.5 MHz (5.1% at the centre frequency of 4.42 GHz) and 857.5 MHz (14.9% at the centre frequency of 5.74 GHz), and maximum gain of 1.1 and 7.1 dB for the dipole mode and patch mode, respectively. With the advantages of simple structure, wide bandwidth, radiation pattern selectivity and polarisation diversity, this antenna concept is valuable in wireless communications.
Zinc Supplementation and the Effects on Pregnancy Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
Authors: Karamali M. , Heidarzadeh Z. , Seifati S.-M. , Samimi M. , Tabassi Z. , Talaee N. , Bahardoost H. , Asemi Z.
Published: October 2015

Objective: The current study was designed to determine the beneficial effects of zinc intake on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM).

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 50 women with GDM. Patients were randomly allocated to intake either 233 mg zinc gluconate (containing 30 mg zinc) (n=25) or a placebo (n=25) for 6 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the fist of the study and after 6 weeks of intervention to quantify related variables. Newborn’s weight, height, head circumference, Apgar score, and hyperbilirubinemia were determined.

Results: The change in serum zinc levels after 6 weeks of supplementation was greater in women consuming zinc than in the placebo group (+8.5±13.5 vs. −3.6±16.2 mg/dL, P=0.006). Changes in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (−110.1±1 475.5 vs. +1 137.8±2 429.2 ng/mL, P=0.03) and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+60.0±129.0 vs. −28.4±81.4 mmol/L, P=0.006) were significantly different between the supplemented women and placebo group. We did not find any significant effect of zinc administration on pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusion: Taken together, zinc administration among patients with GDM was associated with decreased hs-CRP and increased TAC concentrations; however, it did not influence maternal plasma nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, or pregnancy outcomes.
A variational approach for dissipative quantum transport in a wide parameter space
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yam ChiYung , Kwok YanHo , Chen GuanHua
Published: October 2015

Recent development of theoretical method for dissipative quantum transport has achieved notable progresses in the weak or strong electron-phonon coupling regime. However, a generalized theory for dissipative quantum transport in a wide parameter space had not been established. In this work, a variational polaron theory for dissipative quantum transport in a wide range of electron-phonon coupling is developed. The optimal polaron transformation is determined by the optimization of the Feynman-Bogoliubov upper bound of free energy. The free energy minimization ends up with an optimal mean-field Hamiltonian and a minimal interaction Hamiltonian. Hence, second-order perturbation can be applied to the transformed system, resulting in an accurate and efficient method for the treatment of dissipative quantum transport with different electron-phonon coupling strength. Numerical benchmark calculation on a single site model coupled to one phonon mode is presented.
Thermal property tuning in aligned carbon nanotube films and random entangled carbon nanotube films by ion irradiation
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Di , Bykova Julia S. , Zakhidov Anvar A. , Wang Xuemei , Shao Lin
Published: October 2015

Ion irradiation effects on thermal property changes are compared between aligned carbon nanotube (A-CNT) films and randomly entangled carbon nanotube (R-CNT) films. After H, C, and Fe ion irradiation, a focusing ion beam with sub-mm diameter is used as a heating source, and an infrared signal is recorded to extract thermal conductivity. Ion irradiation decreases thermal conductivity of A-CNT films, but increases that of R-CNT films. We explain the opposite trends by the fact that neighboring CNT bundles are loosely bonded in A-CNT films, which makes it difficult to create inter-tube linkage/bonding upon ion irradiation. In a comparison, in R-CNT films, which have dense tube networking, carbon displacements are easily trapped between touching tubes and act as inter-tube linkage to promote off-axial phonon transport. The enhancement overcomes the phonon transport loss due to phonon-defect scattering along the axial direction. A model is established to explain the dependence of thermal conductivity changes on ion irradiation parameters including ion species, energies, and current.
Smooth e-beam-deposited tin-doped indium oxide for III-nitride vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser intracavity contacts
Authors: Leonard J. T. , Cohen D. A. , Yonkee B. P. , Farrell R. M. , DenBaars S. P. , Speck J. S. , Nakamura S.
Published: October 2015

We carried out a series of simulations analyzing the dependence of mirror reflectance, threshold current density, and differential efficiency on the scattering loss caused by the roughness of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) intracavity contacts for 405 nm flip-chip III-nitride vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). From these results, we determined that the ITO root-mean-square (RMS) roughness should be <1 nm to minimize scattering losses in VCSELs. Motivated by this requirement, we investigated the surface morphology and optoelectronic properties of electron-beam (e-beam) evaporated ITO films, as a function of substrate temperature and oxygen flow and pressure. The transparency and conductivity were seen to increase with increasing temperature. Decreasing the oxygen flow and pressure resulted in an increase in the transparency and resistivity. Neither the temperature, nor oxygen flow and pressure series on single-layer ITO films resulted in highly transparent and conductive films with <1 nm RMS roughness. To achieve <1 nm RMS roughness with good optoelectronic properties, a multi-layer ITO film was developed, utilizing a two-step temperature scheme. The optimized multi-layer ITO films had an RMS roughness of <1 nm, along with a high transparency (∼90% at 405 nm) and low resistivity (∼2 × 10−4 Ω-cm). This multi-layer ITO e-beam deposition technique is expected to prevent p-GaN plasma damage, typically observed in sputtered ITO films on p-GaN, while simultaneously reducing the threshold current density and increasing the differential efficiency of III-nitride VCSELs.
A dead-zone free 4He atomic magnetometer with intensity-modulated linearly polarized light and a liquid crystal polarization rotator
Authors: Wu T. , Peng X. , Lin Z. , Guo H.
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate an all-optical 4He atomic magnetometer experimental scheme based on an original Bell-Bloom configuration. A single intensity-modulated linearly polarized laser beam is used both for generating spin polarization within a single 4He vapor and probing the spin precessing under a static magnetic field. The transmitted light signal from the vapor is then phase-sensitively detected at the modulation frequency and its harmonics, which lead to the atomic magnetic resonance signals. Based on this structure, a liquid crystal is added in our magnetometer system and constitutes a polarization rotator. By controlling the voltage applied on the liquid crystal, the light linear polarization vector can be kept perpendicular with the ambient magnetic field direction, which in turn provides the maximum resonance signal amplitude. Moreover, the system exhibits a magnetic-field noise floor of about 2pT/Hz, which is not degraded due to the presence of the liquid crystal and varying magnetic field direction. The experiment results prove that our method can eliminate the dead-zone effect, improve the system spatial isotropy, and thus be suitable in mobile applications.
A method to analyze molecular tagging velocimetry data using the Hough transform
Authors: Sanchez-Gonzalez R. , McManamen B. , Bowersox R. D. W. , North S. W.
Published: October 2015

The development of a method to analyze molecular tagging velocimetry data based on the Hough transform is presented. This method, based on line fitting, parameterizes the grid lines “written” into a flowfield. Initial proof-of-principle illustration of this method was performed to obtain two-component velocity measurements in the wake of a cylinder in a Mach 4.6 flow, using a data set derived from computational fluid dynamics simulations. The Hough transform is attractive for molecular tagging velocimetry applications since it is capable of discriminating spurious features that can have a biasing effect in the fitting process. Assessment of the precision and accuracy of the method were also performed to show the dependence on analysis window size and signal-to-noise levels. The accuracy of this Hough transform-based method to quantify intersection displacements was determined to be comparable to cross-correlation methods. The employed line parameterization avoids the assumption of linearity in the vicinity of each intersection, which is important in the limit of drastic grid deformations resulting from large velocity gradients common in high-speed flow applications. This Hough transform method has the potential to enable the direct and spatially accurate measurement of local vorticity, which is important in applications involving turbulent flowfields. Finally, two-component velocity determinations using the Hough transform from experimentally obtained images are presented, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed analysis method.
Phase modulated magnetoelectric delta-E effect sensor for sub-nano tesla magnetic fields
Authors: Zabel S. , Kirchhof C. , Yarar E. , Meyners D. , Quandt E. , Faupel F.
Published: October 2015

We present a resonant micromechanical magnetic field sensor, which utilizes the magnetically induced change in elastic modulus, i.e., the delta-E effect. The sensor is based on magnetoelectric thin film composites, resulting in high sensitivity at room temperature and at low frequencies. The cantilever is electrically excited and read out by a 2 μm AlN piezoelectric layer. Depending on its magnetization, the 2 μm thin film of amorphous (Fe90Co10)78Si12B10 changes its elasticity, which results in a shift of the cantilever's resonance frequency. The sensor is operated in the first or second transversal bending mode at 7.6 kHz or 47.4 kHz. With a limit of detection of 140 pTHz−0.5 at 20 Hz under a magnetic bias field and 1 nTHz−0.5 without external bias field, this sensor exceeds all comparable designs by one order of magnitude.
Feasibility study of monitoring of plasma etching chamber conditions using superimposed high-frequency signals on rf power transmission line
Authors: Kasashima Y. , Uesugi F.
Published: October 2015

An in situ monitoring system that can detect changes in the conditions of a plasma etching chamber has been developed. In the system, low-intensity high-frequency signals are superimposed on the rf power transmission line used for generating plasma. The system measures reflected high-frequency signals and detects the change in their frequency characteristics. The results indicate that the system detects the changes in the conditions in etching chambers caused by the changes in the electrode gap and the inner wall condition and demonstrate the effectiveness of the system. The system can easily be retrofitted to mass-production equipment and it can be used with or without plasma discharge. Therefore, our system is suitable for in situ monitoring of mass-production plasma etching chambers. The system is expected to contribute to development of predictive maintenance, which monitors films deposited on the inner wall of the chamber and prevents equipment faults caused by misalignment of chamber parts in mass-production equipment.
Temperature admittance spectroscopy of boron doped chemical vapor deposition diamond
Authors: Zubkov V. I. , Kucherova O. V. , Bogdanov S. A. , Zubkova A. V. , Butler J. E. , Ilyin V. A. , Afanas'ev A. V. , Vikharev A. L.
Published: October 2015

Precision admittance spectroscopy measurements over wide temperature and frequency ranges were carried out for chemical vapor deposition epitaxial diamond samples doped with various concentrations of boron. It was found that the experimentally detected boron activation energy in the samples decreased from 314 meV down to 101 meV with an increase of B/C ratio from 600 to 18000 ppm in the gas reactants. For the heavily doped samples, a transition from thermally activated valence band conduction to hopping within the impurity band (with apparent activation energy 20 meV) was detected at temperatures 120–150 K. Numerical simulation was used to estimate the impurity DOS broadening. Accurate determination of continuously altering activation energy, which takes place during the transformation of conduction mechanisms, was proposed by numerical differentiation of the Arrhenius plot. With increase of boron doping level the gradual decreasing of capture cross section from 3 × 10−13 down to 2 × 10−17 cm2 was noticed. Moreover, for the hopping conduction the capture cross section becomes 4 orders of magnitude less (∼2 × 10−20 cm2). At T > Troom in doped samples the birth of the second conductance peak was observed. We attribute it to a defect, related to the boron doping of the material.
Investigation of finite-size effects in chemical bonding of AuPd nanoalloys
Authors: Zhu Beien , Oğuz Ismail Can , Guesmi Hazar
Published: October 2015

In this paper, the size-dependent changes in energetic, vibrational, and electronic properties of C–O gas molecule interacting with surface Pd atom of a variety of AuPd nanoalloy structures are investigated by means of first principles calculations. The variation in C–O adsorption energies, C–O vibration frequencies (νC−O), and Pd d-bond centers (εd) on a series of non-supported Aun−1–Pd1 nanoparticles (with n varying from 13 to 147) and on two semi-finite surfaces are inspected with cluster size. We demonstrate for the first time that, with small AuPd bimetallic three-dimensional clusters as TOh38, one can reach cluster size convergence even for such a sensitive observable as the adsorption energy on a metal surface. Indeed, the results show that the adsorbate-induced perturbation is extremely local and it only concerns the isolated Pd interacting with the reactive gas molecule. Except for 13 atom clusters, in which molecular behaviour is predominant, no finite-size effects are observed for surface Pd atom substituted in AuPd free nanoclusters above 38 atoms.
Long-range corrected density functional theory with accelerated Hartree-Fock exchange integration using a two-Gaussian operator [LC-ωPBE(2Gau)]
Authors: Song Jong-Won , Hirao Kimihiko
Published: October 2015

Since the advent of hybrid functional in 1993, it has become a main quantum chemical tool for the calculation of energies and properties of molecular systems. Following the introduction of long-range corrected hybrid scheme for density functional theory a decade later, the applicability of the hybrid functional has been further amplified due to the resulting increased performance on orbital energy, excitation energy, non-linear optical property, barrier height, and so on. Nevertheless, the high cost associated with the evaluation of Hartree-Fock (HF) exchange integrals remains a bottleneck for the broader and more active applications of hybrid functionals to large molecular and periodic systems. Here, we propose a very simple yet efficient method for the computation of long-range corrected hybrid scheme. It uses a modified two-Gaussian attenuating operator instead of the error function for the long-range HF exchange integral. As a result, the two-Gaussian HF operator, which mimics the shape of the error function operator, reduces computational time dramatically (e.g., about 14 times acceleration in C diamond calculation using periodic boundary condition) and enables lower scaling with system size, while maintaining the improved features of the long-range corrected density functional theory.
Spatial discordance and phase reversals during alternate pacing in discrete-time kinematic and cardiomyocyte ionic models
Authors: Weinberg Seth H.
Published: October 2015

Alternans, a beat-to-beat alternation in the cardiac action potential duration (APD), is a dynamical instability linked with the initiation of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, and arises via a period-doubling bifurcation when myocytes are stimulated at fast rates. In this study, we analyze the stability of a propagating electrical wave in a one-dimensional cardiac myocyte model in response to an arrhythmogenic rhythm known as alternate pacing. Using a discrete-time kinematic model and complex frequency (Z) domain analysis, we derive analytical expressions to predict phase reversals and spatial discordance in the interbeat interval (IBI) and APD, which, importantly, cannot be predicted with a model that neglects the influence of cell coupling on repolarization. We identify key dimensionless parameters that determine the transition from spatial concordance to discordance. Finally, we show that the theoretical predictions agree closely with numerical simulations of an ionic myocyte model, over a wide range of parameters, including variable IBI, altered ionic current gating, and reduced cell coupling. We demonstrate a novel approach to predict instability in cardiac tissue during alternate pacing and further illustrate how this approach can be generalized to more detail models of myocyte dynamics.
Investigations of a high current linear aperture radial multichannel pseudospark switch
Authors: Lamba R. P. , Pathania V. , Meena B. L. , Rahaman H. , Pal U. N. , Prakash Ram
Published: October 2015

In this paper, a high current linear aperture radial multichannel Pseudospark switch (LARM-PSS) is reported which has been analyzed for its high current characteristics. In order to enhance hold-off voltage and support hollow cathode effect for the ignition of the discharge in this configuration, the field penetration analysis through circular and linear apertures of the electrodes has been carried out. The linear apertures in the electrodes increase the current handling capacity than that of circular aperture electrodes without significant compromise of the hold-off capacity. The developed LARM–PSS switch is capable to hold voltage up to 25 kV at gas pressure between 10 and 50 Pa for hydrogen. The switch has been operated using a 800 nF capacitor bank and conducted an effective charge up to 1.5 C with peak switch current ∼20 kA at applied voltage 19 kV.
Development of a long-slot microwave plasma source
Authors: Kuwata Y. , Kasuya T. , Miyamoto N. , Wada M.
Published: October 2015

A 20 cm long 10 cm wide microwave plasma source was realized by inserting two 20 cm long 1.5 mm diameter rod antennas into the plasma. Plasma luminous distributions around the antennas were changed by magnetic field arrangement created by permanent magnets attached to the source. The distributions appeared homogeneous in one direction along the antenna when the spacing between the antenna and the source wall was 7.5 mm for the input microwave frequency of 2.45 GHz. Plasma density and temperature at a plane 20 cm downstream from the microwave shield were measured by a Langmuir probe array at 150 W microwave power input. The measured electron density and temperature varied over space from 3.0 × 109 cm−3 to 5.8 × 109 cm−3, and from 1.1 eV to 2.1 eV, respectively.
Effect of excess superthermal hot electrons on finite amplitude ion-acoustic solitons and supersolitons in a magnetized auroral plasma
Authors: Rufai O. R. , Bharuthram R. , Singh S. V. , Lakhina G. S.
Published: October 2015

The effect of excess superthermal electrons is investigated on finite amplitude nonlinear ion-acoustic waves in a magnetized auroral plasma. The plasma model consists of a cold ion fluid, Boltzmann distribution of cool electrons, and kappa distributed hot electron species. The model predicts the evolution of negative potential solitons and supersolitons at subsonic Mach numbers region, whereas, in the case of Cairn's nonthermal distribution model for the hot electron species studied earlier, they can exist both in the subsonic and supersonic Mach number regimes. For the dayside auroral parameters, the model generates the super-acoustic electric field amplitude, speed, width, and pulse duration of about 18 mV/m, 25.4 km/s, 663 m, and 26 ms, respectively, which is in the range of the Viking spacecraft measurements.