bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Environmental Effects on Weight, Height, and BMI Under 18 Years in a Chinese Population-Based Twin Sample
Authors: Liu Qingqing , Yu Canqing , Gao Wenjing , Cao Weihua , Lyu Jun , Wang Shengfeng , Pang Zengchang , Cong Liming , Dong Zhong , Wu Fan , Wang Hua , Wu Xianping , Jiang Guohong , Wang Binyou , Li Liming
Published: September 2015

This study examined the genetic and environmental effects on variances in weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) under 18 years in a population-based sample from China. We selected 6,644 monozygotic and 5,969 dizygotic twin pairs from the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) aged under 18 years (n= 12,613). Classic twin analyses with sex limitation were used to estimate the genetic and environmental components of weight, height, and BMI in six age groups. Sex-limitation of genetic and shared environmental effects was observed, especially when puberty begins. Heritability for weight, height, and BMI was low at 0–2 years old (less than 20% for both sexes) but increased over time, accounting for half or more of the variance in the 15–17 year age group for boys. For girls, heritabilities for weight, height and BMI was maintained at approximately 30% after puberty. Common environmental effects on all body measures were high for girls (59–87%) and presented a small peak during puberty. Genetics appear to play an increasingly important role in explaining the variation in weight, height, and BMI from early childhood to late adolescence, particularly in boys. Common environmental factors exert their strongest and most independent influence specifically in the pre-adolescent period and more significantly in girls. These findings emphasize the need to target family and social environmental interventions in early childhood years, especially for females. Further studies about puberty-related genes and social environment are needed to clarify the mechanism of sex differences.
Proposing a Pedigree Risk Measurement Strategy: Capturing the Intergenerational Transmission of Antisocial Behavior in a Nationally Representative Sample of Adults
Authors: Schwartz Joseph A. , Connolly Eric J. , Beaver Kevin M. , Nedelec Joseph L. , Vaughn Michael G.
Published: September 2015

An impressive literature has revealed that variation in virtually every measurable phenotype is the result of a combination of genetic and environmental influences. Based on these findings, studies that fail to use genetically informed modeling strategies risk model misspecification and biased parameter estimates. Twin- and adoption-based research designs have frequently been used to overcome this limitation. Despite the many advantages of such approaches, many available datasets do not contain samples of twins, siblings or adoptees, making it impossible to utilize these modeling strategies. The current study proposes a measurement strategy for estimating the intergenerational transmission of antisocial behavior (ASB) within a nationally representative sample of singletons using an extended pedigree risk approach that relies on information from first- and second-degree relatives. An evaluation of this approach revealed a pattern of findings that directly aligned with studies examining ASB using more traditional twin- and adoption-based research designs. While the proposed pedigree risk approach is not capable of effectively isolating genetic and environmental influences, this overall alignment in results provides tentative evidence suggesting that the proposed pedigree risk measure effectively captures genetic influences. Future replication studies are necessary as this observation remains preliminary. Whenever possible, more traditional quantitative genetic methodologies should be favored, but the presented strategy remains a viable alternative for more limited samples.
Angststörungen bei Kindern mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund
Authors: Kouider Esmahan Belhadj , Lorenz Alfred L. , Dupont Marc , Petermann Franz
Published: September 2015

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte eine Bremer kinder- und jugendpsychiatrische Inanspruchnahmepopulation zwischen 2005 und 2012 und fokussierte Kinder unter zwölf Jahren (N = 1518) mit einer Angststörung (N = 260). Mit Hilfe von logistischen Regressionen wurden Risikofaktoren für Angststörungen identifiziert und der Behandlungserfolg wurde analysiert. Weder in der Prävalenz von Angststörungen noch im Behandlungserfolg konnten bei Kindern ethnische Unterschiede festgestellt werden. Als Risikofaktor konnte nur das weibliche Geschlecht als bedeutsam bestimmt werden. In der Interaktion von Geschlecht mit dem Migrationsstatus stellte sich heraus, dass bei Jungen mit Migrationshintergrund eine erhöhte Prävalenz von Angststörungen vorlag. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass in der psychotherapeutischen Behandlung von Angststörungen bei Kindern weniger soziale oder familiäre Umgebungsfaktoren im Vordergrund stehen.
BAC transgenic mice provide evidence that p53 expression is highly regulated in vivo
Authors: Chen L , Zhang G X , Zhou Y , Zhang C X , Xie Y Y , Xiang C , He X Y , Zhang Q , Liu G
Published: September 2015

p53 is an important tumor suppressor and stress response mediator. Proper control of p53 level and activity is tightly associated with its function. Posttranslational modifications and the interactions with Mdm2 and Mdm4 are major mechanisms controlling p53 activity and stability. As p53 protein is short-lived and hardly detectable in unstressed situations, less is known on its basal level expression and the corresponding controlling mechanisms in vivo. In addition, it also remains obscure how p53 expression might contribute to its functional regulation. In this study, we established bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic E.coli β-galactosidase Z gene reporter mice to monitor p53 expression in mouse tissues and identify important regulatory elements critical for the expression in vivo. We revealed preferentially high level of p53 reporter expressions in the proliferating, but not the differentiated compartments of the majority of tissues during development and tissue homeostasis. In addition, tumors as well as regenerating tissues in the p53 reporter mice also expressed high level of β-gal. Furthermore, both the enhancer box sequence (CANNTG) in the p53 promoter and the 3′ terminal untranslated region element were critical in mediating the high-level expression of the reporter. We also provided evidence that cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene was a critical player regulating p53 mRNA expression in proliferating cells and tissues. Finally, we found robust p53 activation preferentially in the proliferating compartment of mouse tissues upon DNA damage and the proliferating cells exhibited an enhanced p53 response as compared with cells in a quiescent state. Together, these results suggested a highly regulated expression pattern of p53 in the proliferating compartment controlled by both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms, and such regulated p53 expression may impose functional significance upon stress by setting up a precautionary mode in defense of cellular transformation and tumorigenesis.
An association analysis of HLA-DQB1 with narcolepsy without cataplexy and idiopathic hypersomnia with/without long sleep time in a Japanese population
Authors: Miyagawa Taku , Toyoda Hiromi , Kanbayashi Takashi , Imanishi Aya , Sagawa Yohei , Kotorii Nozomu , Kotorii Tatayu , Hashizume Yuji , Ogi Kimihiro , Hiejima Hiroshi , Kamei Yuichi , Hida Akiko , Miyamoto Masayuki , Ikegami Azusa , Wada Yamato , Takami Masanori , Fujimura Yota , Tamura Yoshiyuki , Omata Naoto , Masuya Yasuhiro , Kondo Hideaki , Moriya Shunpei , Furuya Hirokazu , Kato Mitsuhiro , Kojima Hiroto , Kashiwase Koichi , Saji Hiroh , Khor Seik-Soon , Yamasaki Maria , Ishigooka Jun , Wada Yuji , Chiba Shigeru , Yamada Naoto , Okawa Masako , Kuroda Kenji , Kume Kazuhiko , Hirata Koichi , Uchimura Naohisa , Shimizu Tetsuo , Inoue Yuichi , Honda Yutaka , Mishima Kazuo , Honda Makoto , Tokunaga Katsushi
Published: September 2015

Narcolepsy without cataplexy (NA w/o CA) (narcolepsy type 2) is a lifelong disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep abnormalities, but no cataplexy. In the present study, we examined the human leukocyte antigen HLA-DQB1 in 160 Japanese patients with NA w/o CA and 1,418 control subjects. Frequencies of DQB1*06:02 were significantly higher in patients with NA w/o CA compared with controls (allele frequency: 16.6 vs. 7.8%, P=1.1×10−7, odds ratio (OR)=2.36; carrier frequency: 31.3 vs. 14.7%, P=7.6×10−8, OR=2.64). Distributions of HLA-DQB1 alleles other than DQB1*06:02 were compared between NA w/o CA and narcolepsy with cataplexy (NA-CA) to assess whether the genetic backgrounds of the two diseases have similarities. The distribution of the HLA-DQB1 alleles in DQB1*06:02-negative NA w/o CA was significantly different from that in NA-CA (P=5.8×10−7). On the other hand, the patterns of the HLA-DQB1 alleles were similar between DQB1*06:02-positive NA w/o CA and NA-CA. HLA-DQB1 analysis was also performed in 186 Japanese patients with idiopathic hypersomnia (IHS) with/without long sleep time, but no significant associations were observed.
Ion mobility coupled to native mass spectrometry as a relevant tool to investigate extremely small ligand-induced conformational changes
Authors: Stojko Johann , Fieulaine Sonia , Petiot-Bécard Stéphanie , Van Dorsselaer Alain , Meinnel Thierry , Giglione Carmela , Cianférani Sarah
Published: September 2015

Native and ion-mobility mass spectrometry reveal the conformational evolution over time of a peptide deformylase binding different ligands, which is consistent with slow-tight inhibition of the enzyme.
Benzimidazole and imidazole fungicide analysis in grape and wine samples using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Uclés Ana , García Antonio Valverde , Gil García María Dolores , Aguilera del Real Ana María , Fernández-Alba Amadeo R.
Published: September 2015

Standard curves of the carbendazim, imazalil and thiabendazole immunoassays in a white wine matrix and the IC50values for the three immunoassays.
Copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination of sodium sulfinates at room temperature
Authors: Zhu Haibo , Shen Yajing , Deng Qinyue , Tu Tao
Published: September 2015

Copper-catalyzed electrophilic amination of sodium sulfinates for the synthesis of sulfonamides using O-benzoyl hydroxylamines at ambient temperature.
Efficient inhibition of human AP endonuclease 1 (APE1) via substrate masking by abasic site-binding macrocyclic ligands
Authors: Kotera Naoko , Poyer Florent , Granzhan Anton , Teulade-Fichou Marie-Paule
Published: September 2015

Bis-naphthalene macrocycles bind to abasic sites in DNA, leading to efficient inhibition of their cleavage by human AP endonuclease 1 (APE1).
Electroorganic synthesis of nitriles via a halogen-free domino oxidation–reduction sequence
Authors: Hartmer Marius F. , Waldvogel Siegfried R.
Published: September 2015

Benzonitriles are efficiently formed from aldoximes at graphite anode and lead cathode as the key for direct electrolysis.
Controlled growth of silica–titania hybrid functional nanoparticles through a multistep microfluidic approach
Authors: Shiba K. , Sugiyama T. , Takei T. , Yoshikawa G.
Published: September 2015

Well-defined functional hybrid nanoparticles composed of silica and titania are prepared by means of a novel multistep nucleation-controlled growth (mNCG) method.
Silver-catalyzed regioselective [3+2] cycloaddition of arene-diazonium salts with 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethane (CF3CHN2): a facile access to 2-aryl-5-trifluoromethyltetrazoles
Authors: Chen Zhen , Fan Shuang-Qing , Zheng Yan , Ma Jun-An
Published: September 2015

An unprecedented silver-catalyzed regioselective [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of arenediazonium salts with 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethane (CF3CHN2) is realized.
A palladium-catalyzed tandem reaction of 2-(2-bromobenzylidene)cyclobutanone with 2-alkynylphenol
Authors: Pan Xiaolin , Luo Yong , Xia Hong-Guang , Wu Jie
Published: September 2015

An efficient approach for the generation of benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]oxocin-6-ones through a palladium-catalyzed tandem reaction of 2-alkynylphenol with 2-(2-bromobenzylidene)cyclobutanone is described. This tandem process afforded the fused polycycles easily, with the formation of three bonds with high efficiency and excellent selectivity.
Correction: Supramolecular metallacycles with a ‘pseudo double-paracyclophane’ structure based on flexible π-conjugated linkers
Authors: Shen W. , El Sayed Moussa M. , Yao Y. , Réau R. , Lescop C.
Published: September 2015

Correction for ‘Supramolecular metallacycles with a ‘pseudo double-paracyclophane’ structure based on flexible π-conjugated linkers’ by W. Shen et al., Chem. Commun., 2015, 51, 11560–11563.
Quantum theory of concerted electronic and nuclear fluxes associated with adiabatic intramolecular processes
Authors: Bredtmann Timm , Diestler Dennis J. , Li Si-Dian , Manz Jörn , Pérez-Torres Jhon Fredy , Tian Wen-Juan , Wu Yan-Bo , Yang Yonggang , Zhai Hua-Jin
Published: September 2015

Example of concerted electronic (right) and nuclear (left) fluxes: isomerization of B4.
Reproducible, stable and fast electrochemical activity from easy to make graphene on copper electrodes
Authors: Bosch-Navarro Concha , Laker Zachary P. L. , Rourke Jonathan P. , Wilson Neil R.
Published: September 2015

Chemical vapor deposition grown graphene on copper is a fast, robust and easy to make electrochemical electrode. The electrochemical response is independent of the amount of basal-plane/edge-plane of graphene, and fully covered samples show no electrode fouling, giving a simple route to study graphene based electrodes.
σ-Aromaticity in polyhydride complexes of Ru, Ir, Os, and Pt
Authors: Jimenez-Izal Elisa , Alexandrova Anastassia N.
Published: September 2015

Transition-metal hydrides are essential for catalysis, organic synthesis, and hydrogen storage. In this work we study IrH5(PPh3)2, (RuH5(PiPr3)2)−, (OsH5(PiPr3)2)−, and OsH4(PPhMe2)3 polyhydride complexes, where the metal is five-fold coordinated in-plane. The unusual coordination of these compounds can be explained by σ-aromaticity.
A molecular simulation study on the adhesion behavior of a functionalized polyethylene-functionalized graphene interface
Authors: Javan Nikkhah Sousa , Moghbeli Mohammad Reza , Hashemianzadeh Seyed Majid
Published: September 2015

Snapshots and the adhesion energy/interfacial separation plot of PE20OH/G3COOH.
Two-dimensional MoS2-assisted immediate aggregation of poly-3-hexylthiophene with high mobility
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Liu Shuang , Liu Wenqing , Liang Tao , Yang Xi , Xu Mingsheng , Chen Hongzheng
Published: September 2015

Immediate crystallization of P3HT has been induced by two-dimensional MoS2 nanosheets under ultrasonication, which contributes to an obvious enhancement in mobility.
Correction: Is there an intramolecular hydrogen bond in 2-halophenols? A theoretical and spectroscopic investigation
Authors: Abraham Michael H. , Abraham Raymond J. , Aliev Abil E. , Tormena Claudio F.
Published: September 2015

Correction for ‘Is there an intramolecular hydrogen bond in 2-halophenols? A theoretical and spectroscopic investigation’ by Michael H. Abraham et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cp04061b.
Homo and heteropolymetallic Group 4 molecular nitrides
Authors: Caballo Jorge , Greño Maider , Mena Miguel , Pérez-Redondo Adrián , Yélamos Carlos
Published: September 2015

A trichloride zirconium complex reacts with [M(C5H5)x]viametathesis of chloride ligands while [K(C5Me5)] causes the one-electron reduction of a titanium nitrido metalloligand.
Lipophilic M(α,α′-OC5H11)8phthalocyanines (M = H2and Ni(ii)): synthesis, electronic structure, and their utility for highly efficient carbonyl reductions
Authors: Jiang Yu , Li Minzhi , Liang Xu , Mack John , Wildervanck Martijn , Nyokong Tebello , Qin Mingfeng , Zhu Weihua
Published: September 2015

This paper describes the electronic structure of (α,α′-n-OC5H11)8-H2Pc and (α,α′-n-OC5H11)8-Ni(ii)Pc and highly efficient carbonyl reductions catalyzed by Ni(ii)Pc.
Isolation and identification of a novel peptide from zein with antioxidant and antihypertensive activities
Authors: Wang Yanwei , Chen Haixia , Wang Xiuming , Li Shuqin , Chen Zhongqin , Wang Jingya , Liu Wei
Published: September 2015

The aim of this study is to isolate and identify a novel corn peptide (CP) from zein with antioxidant and antihypertensive activities based on bioactive-guided isolation procedures.
The use of calcium hydroxide pretreatment to overcome agglomeration of technical lignin during fast pyrolysis
Authors: Zhou Shuai , Brown Robert C. , Bai Xianglan
Published: September 2015

Technical lignin extracted from lignocellulosic biomass melts and agglomerates when heated, making its thermal processing problematic and impeding this pathway to low-cost renewable aromatics.
Surface relief grating growth in thin films of mexylaminotriazine-functionalized glass-forming azobenzene derivatives
Authors: Bennani Othmane R. , Al-Hujran Tayel A. , Nunzi Jean-Michel , Sabat Ribal Georges , Lebel Olivier
Published: September 2015

A series of glass-forming azobenzene derivatives with varying absorption ranges were synthesized, and their photomechanical properties were compared.
A polydiacetylene–nested porphyrin conjugate for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Pootrakulchote Nuttapol , Reanprayoon Chawanwit , Gasiorowski Jacek , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar , Thamyongkit Patchanita
Published: September 2015

A novel polydiacetylene–nested porphyrin photosensitizer was prepared and explored for its potential in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Supercapacitive behavior of an asymmetric supercapacitor based on a Ni(OH)2/XC-72 composite
Authors: Sui Leping , Tang Shuihua , Dai Zhen , Zhu Zhentao , Huangfu Haixin , Qin Xiaolong , Deng Yuxiao , Haarberg Geir Martin
Published: September 2015

An AC//Ni(OH)2/XC-72 asymmetric supercapacitor with non-woven fabrics based on an active material exhibited a superior electrochemical performance.
Ultra-sensitive tandem colloidal quantum-dot photodetectors
Authors: Jiang Zhenyu , Hu Wenjia , Mo Chen , Liu Yan , Zhang Wenjun , You Guanjun , Wang Li , Atalla Mahmoud R. M. , Zhang Yu , Liu Jie , Kurhade Kandhar K. , Xu Jian
Published: September 2015

The solution-processed PbSe colloidal quantum dot infrared photodetector with tandem architecture is proposed to address the high dark current issue.
Exploration of graphene oxide as an intelligent platform for cancer vaccines
Authors: Yue Hua , Wei Wei , Gu Zonglin , Ni Dezhi , Luo Nana , Yang Zaixing , Zhao Lin , Garate Jose Antonio , Zhou Ruhong , Su Zhiguo , Ma Guanghui
Published: September 2015

A “One but All” modality of particulate cancer vaccines based on the two dimensional graphene oxide.
Targeting tumor hypoxia: a third generation 2-nitroimidazole-indocyanine dye-conjugate with improved fluorescent yield
Authors: Zhou Feifei , Zanganeh Saeid , Mohammad Innus , Dietz Christopher , Abuteen Akram , Smith Michael B. , Zhu Quing
Published: September 2015

A new 2-nitroimidazole ICG conjugate, 12, prepared from our new dye (8), showed increased fluorescence intensity in hypoxic tumors using balb/c mice.
Synthesis of indoles and polycyclic amides via ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed C–H activation and annulation
Authors: Lin Hui , Li Shuai-Shuai , Dong Lin
Published: September 2015

Ruthenium(ii)-catalyzed oxidative coupling of NH protic amides with alkynes has been developed for the synthesis of a diversity of complex structures, such as N-acyl indole and tricyclic amide derivatives.
Total synthesis and absolute stereochemistry of the proteasome inhibitors cystargolides A and B
Authors: Tello-Aburto Rodolfo , Hallada Liam P. , Niroula Doleshwar , Rogelj Snezna
Published: September 2015

The absolute stereochemistry of the cystargolides was determined by total synthesis.
Multivalent peptides displayed on OEGMA-based copolymers for the modulation of protein–protein interactions
Authors: Li Yujie , Li Tao , Wang Jinghui , Bao Xiaojia , Zhao Yibing , Wu Chuanliu
Published: September 2015

We report a new class of copolymer–peptide conjugates which exploits the comb-shaped pOEGMA as a polymeric backbone, into which multiple copies of peptide chains that can modulate intracellular p53–Mdm2 or p53–Mdm4 protein interactions are incorporated.
The construction of supramolecular polymers through anion bridging: from frustrated hydrogen-bonding networks to well-ordered linear arrays
Authors: Zhan Tian-Guang , Zhou Tian-You , Qi Qiao-Yan , Wu Jian , Li Guang-Yu , Zhao Xin
Published: September 2015

The construction of supramolecular polymers has been realized by converting random hydrogen-bonding networks into well-ordered linear hydrogen-bonding arrays through an anion-bridging strategy.
Synthesis and characterization of new modified silica coated magnetite nanoparticles with bisaldehyde as selective adsorbents of Ag(i) from aqueous samples
Authors: Banaei Alireza , Vojoudi Hossein , Karimi Soheyla , Bahar Shahriyar , Pourbasheer Eslam
Published: September 2015

In this study, new silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with bisaldehyde (BISA–APTSCMNPs) were synthesized using a normal method and a vice versa method.
Cellulose fatty acid esters as sustainable film materials – effect of side chain structure on barrier and mechanical properties
Authors: Kulomaa Tuomas , Matikainen Jorma , Karhunen Pirkko , Heikkilä Mikko , Fiskari Juha , Kilpeläinen Ilkka
Published: September 2015

Bio-based films were prepared by acylation of cellulose with saturated, unsaturated and branched fatty acids. The products showed increased thermal stability, low water vapour transmission rates and enhanced tensile and elastic properties.
LTQ-Orbitrap-based strategy for traditional Chinese medicine targeted class discovery, identification and herbomics research: a case study on phenylethanoid glycosides in three different species of Herba Cistanches
Authors: Zhang Jiayu , Li Chen , Che Yanyun , Wu Jiarui , Wang Zijian , Cai Wei , Li Yun , Ma Zhiguo , Tu Pengfei
Published: September 2015

An LTQ-Orbitrap-based strategy for traditional Chinese medicine targeted class discovery, identification and herbomics research was developed.
Selective decoration of nanocrystals on single-crystalline PtTe nanowires based on a solid-state reaction
Authors: Kim Byeong Geun , Lee Jin-Hyung , Choi Soon-Mok
Published: September 2015

We demonstrate the fabrication of single-crystalline PtTe nanowires with/without decoration of Sb nanocrystals via thermal annealing of Sb2Te3/Pt and Te/Pt core/shell nanowires.
Bio-polyurethanes from Sapium sebiferum oil reinforced with carbon nanotubes: synthesis, characterization and properties
Authors: Wu Guiying , Fan Yanli , He Xin , Yan Yunjun
Published: September 2015

Bio-polyurethane was synthesized via an in situ polymerization method and multi-wall carbon nanotubes were modified to reinforce the PU matrix.
Carbon@NiCo2S4 nanorods: an excellent electrode material for supercapacitors
Authors: Li Laiquan , Dai Ziyang , Zhang Yufei , Yang Jun , Huang Wei , Dong Xiaochen
Published: September 2015

Carbon@NiCo2S4 nanorods were synthesized through a facile in situ hydrothermal approach using carbon supported nickel (Ni/C) nanorods as both the template and nickel source.
Determination of potential main sites of apixaban binding in human serum albumin by combined spectroscopic and docking investigations
Authors: Wang Qing , Sun Qiaomei , Tang Peixiao , Tang Bin , He Jiawei , Ma Xiaoli , Li Hui
Published: September 2015

Probing apixaban binding to human serum albumin: combining spectroscopic methods and docking investigations.
AFM-based bivariate morphological discrimination of apoptosis induced by photodynamic therapy using photosensitizer-functionalized gold nanoparticles
Authors: Al-Majmaie Rasoul , Kennedy Eamonn , Al-Rubeai Mohamed , Rice James H. , Zerulla Dominic
Published: September 2015

Typical examples of the morphology of one viable and one apoptotic cell together with the statistical analysis of a larger cell ensemble subsequent to photodynamic treatment.
Few- and multi-layer graphene on carbon fibers: synthesis and application
Authors: Ghaemi F. , Yunus R. , Ahmadian A. , Ismail F. , Salleh M. A. M. , Rashid S. A.
Published: September 2015

In the current study, we investigated the influences of chemical vapor deposition parameters on the formation of uniform structures of few- and multi-layer graphene (FLG and MLG) as a coating phase on carbon fiber (CF).
Magnetic memory in nanocrystalline α-Fe2O3 embedded in reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Sarkar S. , Mondal A. , Dey K. , Ray R.
Published: September 2015

Single phase iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) of nearly regular ellipsoidal shape, embedded in reduced graphene oxide (RGO) has been prepared by the chemical route. Memory effect is observed in magnetization study.
Effect of imidazolium room-temperature ionic liquids on aggregation of amphotericin B: a circular dichroism study
Authors: Jameson Laramie P. , Dzyuba Sergei V.
Published: September 2015

The aggregate–monomer equilibrium of amphotericin B could be controlled by the structure of the room-temperature ionic liquid.
Selective 1,3-butadiene hydrogenation by gold nanoparticles deposited & precipitated onto nano-carbon materials
Authors: Castillejos E. , Bachiller-Baeza B. , Asedegbega-Nieto E. , Guerrero-Ruiz A. , Rodríguez-Ramos I.
Published: September 2015

GO and multiwall CNTs were modified by treatment with urea and annealing at different temperatures incorporating N adatoms. AuGO and AuCNT catalysts were prepared and their activity depended on the Au NP size and the characteristics of the support.
Semiconductive 3-D haloplumbate framework hybrids with high color rendering index white-light emission
Authors: Wang Guan-E , Xu Gang , Wang Ming-Sheng , Cai Li-Zhen , Li Wen-Hua , Guo Guo-Cong
Published: September 2015

Two tunable white light emitting compounds with high CRI values of 96 and 88 were obtained using an inorganic–organic hybrid strategy.
Efficient synthesis of oligofluoranthene nanorods with tunable functionalities
Authors: Li Xin-Gui , Liao Yaozu , Huang Mei-Rong , Kaner Richard B.
Published: September 2015

Strongly fluorescence-emitting oligofluoranthene nanorods efficiently synthesized by template-free oligomerization of fluoranthene in nitromethane demonstrate tunable conductivity and porous carbon formability.
Metal-only Lewis pairs between group 10 metals and Tl(i) or Ag(i): insights into the electronic consequences of Z-type ligand binding
Authors: Barnett Brandon R. , Moore Curtis E. , Chandrasekaran Perumalreddy , Sproules Stephen , Rheingold Arnold L. , DeBeer Serena , Figueroa Joshua S.
Published: September 2015

Metal-only Lewis Pairs between Group 10 metals and Tl(i) and Ag(i) have allowed for insight into the electronic consequences of Lewis-acid ligation.
Influence of the linkage type between the polymer backbone and side groups on the surface segregation of methyl groups during film formation
Authors: Zhang Yizhi , Fan Hao , Wang Yuping , Zuo Biao , Zhang Wei , Wang Shunli , Wang Xinping
Published: September 2015

A large difference in the concentration-dependent surface structures of the cast PMA and PVAc films was caused by the reversed position of the ester group.
Mesh size analysis of cellulose nanofibril hydrogels using solute exclusion and PFG-NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Jowkarderis Leila , van de Ven Theo G. M.
Published: September 2015

The decay of the NMR echo intensity due to translational diffusion in the heterogeneous gel network is biexponential.
Templated blue phases
Authors: Ravnik Miha , Fukuda Jun-ichi
Published: September 2015

We explore the templated blue phases I and II infiltrated with an achiral nematic liquid crystal using numerical modelling, demonstrating novel blue-phase like profiles and predicting a large optical Kerr effect.
Rational design of molecularly imprinted polymers
Authors: Curk Tine , Dobnikar Jure , Frenkel Daan
Published: September 2015

We present an integrated theory of molecular imprinting and derive a set of general design principles for molecularly imprinted polymers.
3D interconnected porous NiMoO4 nanoplate arrays on Ni foam as high-performance binder-free electrode for supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Liang , Xiang Jingwei , Zhang Wei , Chen Chaoji , Xu Henghui , Huang Yunhui
Published: September 2015

3D interconnected NiMoO4 nanoplate arrays (NPAs) are grown on Ni foam (NPAs@Ni) via a facile hydrothermal reaction.
Anion exchange membranes composed of perfluoroalkylene chains and ammonium-functionalized oligophenylenes
Authors: Ono Hideaki , Miyake Junpei , Shimada Shigehumi , Uchida Makoto , Miyatake Kenji
Published: September 2015

A novel series of ammonium-containing copolymers (QPAFs) were synthesized as anion exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cell applications.
Potential of PVA-doped bacterial nano-cellulose tubular composites for artificial blood vessels
Authors: Tang Jingyu , Bao Luhan , Li Xue , Chen Lin , Hong Feng F.
Published: September 2015

Introduction of PVA can improve the compliance of bacterial nano-cellulose hydrogel, which has been suggested as a promising biomaterial for artificial blood vessels especially for small-caliber vessels.
A high water-content and high elastic dual-responsive polyurethane hydrogel for drug delivery
Authors: Li Jinze , Ma Li , Chen Guangxin , Zhou Zheng , Li Qifang
Published: September 2015

A light- and reductant-responsive hydrogel with high elasticity can be used for drug delivery and wound dressing.
Gas phase chemical vapor deposition chemistry of triethylboron probed by boron–carbon thin film deposition and quantum chemical calculations
Authors: Imam Mewlude , Gaul Konstantin , Stegmüller Andreas , Höglund Carina , Jensen Jens , Hultman Lars , Birch Jens , Tonner Ralf , Pedersen Henrik
Published: September 2015

We present triethylboron (TEB) as a single-source precursor for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of BxC thin films and study its gas phase chemistry under CVD conditions by quantum chemical calculations.
Synthesis of highly fluorescent P,O-g-C3N4nanodots for the label-free detection of Cu2+and acetylcholinesterase activity
Authors: Rong Mingcong , Song Xinhong , Zhao Tingting , Yao Qiuhong , Wang Yiru , Chen Xi
Published: September 2015

Highly fluorescent phosphorus, oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride nanodots (P,O-g-C3N4nanodots) were synthesized using chemical oxidation and hydrothermal etching of bulk P-g-C3N4obtainedviapyrolysis of phytic acid and melamine.
miRNA let-7 expression is regulated by glucose and TNF-α by a remote upstream promoter
Authors: Katayama Mutsumi , Sjögren Rasmus J.O. , Egan Brendan , Krook Anna
Published: September 2015

miRNAs regulate protein abundance and control diverse aspects of cellular processes and biological functions in metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Let (lethal)-7 miRNAs specifically targets genes associated with T2D and have been implicated in the regulation of peripheral glucose metabolism, yet the direct regulators of let-7 miRNA expression are unknown. In the present study, we report on a putative promoter region for the let-7a-1, let-7f-1 and let-7d gene cluster on chromosome 9 and characterize the promoter activity of this novel area. We show that promoter activity and let-7 miRNA expression is dynamically regulated in response to different factors including serum, glucose, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and caffeine. These findings will contribute to understanding the interaction between precise promoter elements to control the transcription and translation of let-7 miRNA genes.
Characterization of a sialate-O-acetylesterase (NanS) from the oral pathogen Tannerella forsythia that enhances sialic acid release by NanH, its cognate sialidase
Authors: Phansopa Chatchawal , Kozak Radoslaw P. , Liew Li Phing , Frey Andrew M. , Farmilo Thomas , Parker Jennifer L. , Kelly David J. , Emery Robert J. , Thomson Rebecca I. , Royle Louise , Gardner Richard A. , Spencer Daniel I.R. , Stafford Graham P.
Published: September 2015

Tannerella forsythia, a Gram-negative member of the Bacteroidetes has evolved to harvest and utilize sialic acid. The most common sialic acid in humans is a mono-N-acetylated version termed Neu5Ac (5-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid). Many bacteria are known to access sialic acid using sialidase enzymes. However, in humans a high proportion of sialic acid contains a second acetyl group attached via an O-group, i.e. chiefly O-acetylated Neu5,9Ac2 or Neu5,4Ac2. This diacetylated sialic acid is not cleaved efficiently by many sialidases and in order to access diacetylated sialic acid, some organisms produce sialate-O-acetylesterases that catalyse the removal of the second acetyl group. In the present study, we performed bioinformatic and biochemical characterization of a putative sialate-O-acetylesterase from T. forsythia (NanS), which contains two putative SGNH-hydrolase domains related to sialate-O-acetylesterases from a range of organisms. Purification of recombinant NanS revealed an esterase that has activity against Neu5,9Ac2 and its glycolyl form Neu5Gc,9Ac. Importantly, the enzyme did not remove acetyl groups positioned at the 4-O position (Neu5,4Ac2). In addition NanS can act upon complex N-glycans released from a glycoprotein [erythropoietin (EPO)], bovine submaxillary mucin and oral epithelial cell-bound glycans. When incubated with its cognate sialidase, NanS increased sialic acid release from mucin and oral epithelial cell surfaces, implying that this esterase improves sialic acid harvesting for this pathogen and potentially other members of the oral microbiome. In summary, we have characterized a novel sialate-O-acetylesterase that contributes to the sialobiology of this important human pathogen and has potential applications in the analysis of sialic acid diacetylation of biologics in the pharmaceutical industry.
CMOS ultrasonic analogue front‐end with reconfigurable pulser/switch for medical imaging applications
Authors: Cha H.‐K.
Published: September 2015

A highly integrated bidirectional analogue front‐end (AFE) circuit for interfacing capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer in medical imaging systems is presented. The proposed AFE features a reconfigurable high‐voltage (HV) pulser which generates over 15 V pulses at 2.6 MHz in the transmit mode and also operates as an HV isolation switch for the receive path circuits, thereby saving significant silicon area. The AFE also includes a low‐power low‐noise preamplifier which achieves 103 dBΩ transimpedance gain at 2.6 and 5 MHz bandwidth while operating at 1.65 V supply voltage. The AFE integrated circuit (IC) is implemented using 0.18 µm standard CMOS process and the total area of the single‐channel core is 0.052 mm2 which is more than 65% of size reduction in comparison to previous work.
MEMS‐based tunable meander inductor
Authors: Khan F. , Zhu Y. , Lu J. , Pal J.
Published: September 2015

A novel MEMS‐based tunable meander inductor is reported. The inductor is fabricated using a single metal layer in a low‐cost commercially available Metal‐MUMPs™ process. The mutual inductance of the meander inductor is tuned by changing the gaps between the meander turns using a chevron‐type thermal actuator. An air trench underneath the inductor has been made to reduce the loss in the silicon substrate and improve quality factor (Q‐factor). Tuning range of ∼50.8% and maximum Q‐factor of 8.17 have been achieved at 5.79 GHz by stretching the meander inductor for 22 µm. The total footprint of the device is 0.58 mm2.
Bio‐inspired collaborative spectrum sensing and allocation for cognitive radios
Authors: Azmat Freeha , Chen Yunfei , Stocks Nigel
Published: September 2015

Bio‐inspired techniques, including firefly algorithm, fish school search, and particle swarm optimisation, are utilised in this study to evaluate the optimal weighting vectors used in the data fusion centre. This evaluation is performed for more realistic signals that suffer from non‐linear distortions, caused by the power amplifiers. The obtained optimal weighting vectors are then used for collaborative spectrum sensing and spectrum allocation in cognitive radio networks. Numerical results show that bio‐inspired techniques outperform the conventional algorithms used for spectrum sensing and allocation by deriving optimal weights that ensure the highest value of probability of detection and guarantee the maximum proportional fair reward for users.
Adaptive rate‐based congestion control with weighted fairness through multi‐loop gradient projection internal model controller
Authors: Khoshnevisan Ladan , Salmasi Farzad R.
Published: September 2015

As a transmission control protocol (TCP) implementation imposes the sources with small round trip time (RTT) to allocate the bottleneck unfairly, an adaptive congestion control is necessary to avoid packet loss along with fairness. The main idea of this paper is to design an adaptive rate‐based queue management scheme based on gradient projection method and internal model control for network sources with different RTT values. The goal is to achieve weighted fairness, maximum utilisation and compatibility with both large and small RTTs. The communication network consisting of a bottleneck link and N TCP sources is considered as a multi‐input single‐output system. In the proposed approach, the number of the active TCP sources is determined adaptively and the utilisation factors are updated. For this purpose, the gradient method is used to design the adaptation rule for the utilisation factors in order to obtain weighted fairness, and then the projection method is augmented with the gradient procedure to achieve maximum bottleneck utilisation. The proposed procedure can tolerate both large and small RTTs, and consequently, it can be used in a wide range of communication networks. Extensive simulations based on network simulator NS2 and Simulink validate the analytical results.
Distributed event‐triggered consensus in multi‐agent systems with non‐linear protocols
Authors: Zhang Xu , Chen Maoyin , Wang Ling
Published: September 2015

In this study, the distributed event‐triggered consensus problem in multi‐agent systems with non‐linear protocols is discussed. In the proposed strategies, each agent adopts a local control based on a combination of non‐linear functions of relative states, and the couplings among agents are not necessarily symmetric and constant. By using a graph‐theoretical‐reasoning based Lyapunov function, the authors present two kinds of distributed event‐triggered strategies, namely state‐dependent and time‐dependent strategies. Through the transmission of states at discrete instants, the former can simultaneously reduce the updates of both control and communication. By virtue of global information such as the path between arbitrary two agents, the latter can decide the updating time sequence for each agent by its own state and a given time‐dependent function. In both cases, a positive lower bound for inter‐event times can be found such that the Zeno behaviour is eliminated. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the above two strategies.
Three‐phase probabilistic load flow in radial and meshed distribution networks
Authors: Melhorn Alexander C. , Dimitrovski Aleksandar
Published: September 2015

With the introduction of higher levels of renewables and demand response programs, traditional deterministic power system tools fall short of expectations. Probabilistic load flow (PLF) takes into account the inconsistency or the unknown loads, and generation in the fundamental load flow analysis. This study proposes a PLF solution for both balanced and unbalanced, radial and weakly meshed networks without explicitly using the Y‐bus matrix. It allows for discrete probability density functions as input variables without having to assume a predefined distribution. The nodal voltages and the power flows can be calculated independently from one another. The proposed method is applied to the IEEE 123 Node Test Feeder and the IEEE 13 Node Test Feeder in both its original radial configuration and a modified mesh configuration, including a load replaced with a wind turbine. The results are validated by comparison of the proposed method's solutions to those obtained using cumulants and Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed PLF method provides an accurate and practical way for finding the solution to stochastic problems occurring in power distribution systems allowing for real‐system data to be analysed.
Particle filter with occlusion handling for visual tracking
Authors: Lin Shinfeng D. , Lin Jia‐Jen , Chuang Chih‐Yao
Published: September 2015

Visual tracking is widely used in many computer vision applications such as surveillance, traffic monitoring, robot vision, human behaviour analysis, and so on. Thus, visual tracking has attracted much attention in recent years. However, there are still some challenges needed to be solved. The main problems include illumination variation, scale variation, scene change, cluttered background, similar appearance, occlusion, and real time. To solve some issues in visual tracking, the authors propose a visual tracking method using particle filter with occlusion handling. This method contains three major parts: feature extraction, particles weighting, and occlusion handling. The patch‐based appearance model is presented for occlusion handling, which contains two main features: colour and motion vector. For tracking failure, the authors also propose error recovery by using speeded up robust feature. In addition, the procedures of occlusion detection and model updating make their tracking more robust. Experimental results demonstrate the robustness and efficiency with challenging sequences. The comparative performance of the proposed method is shown as well.
Compressed sensing magnetic resonance imaging based on dictionary updating and block‐matching and three‐dimensional filtering regularisation
Authors: Shi Baoshun , Lian Qiusheng , Chen Shuzhen
Published: September 2015

Compressed sensing (CS) enables that magnetic resonance (MR) images can be exactly reconstructed from undersampled k‐space data by exploiting the sparsity of MR images in some analytical sparsifying transform or some dictionary. Recent methods are exploiting adaptive patch‐based dictionaries for image recovery by alternating between dictionary learning step and image reconstruction step. In this study, the authors propose a novel MR image reconstruction algorithm utilising dictionary updating, which consists of three steps: sparse coding, dictionary updating and image reconstruction. In the dictionary updating step, they perform a first‐order series expansion for dictionary–coefficient matrix product via recursive method, and propose an efficient method to solve the new dictionary updating problem. To improve the reconstruction quality, the proposed block‐matching and three‐dimensional (3D) filtering regularisation is incorporated into the authors’ image CS recovery, which can combine the self‐similarities within the image, the 3D transform sparsity and the local sparsity into image recovery process. Experimental simulations demonstrate their proposed algorithms can obtain better reconstruction quality than the previous CS algorithms.
Complex number‐based image quality assessment using singular value decomposition
Authors: Yong Wang , Yuqing Wang , Xiaohui Zhao
Published: September 2015

In this study, the combining strategies are considered to be effective tools to improve the performance of the image quality assessment (IQA) metrics. A new metric is proposed to evaluate the quality of test images of combined degradation and individual degradation. The complex numbers are used to describe the image structure in the proposed method. On the basis of that, the properties of the classical IQA method based on singular value decomposition are analysed. The difference between energy visual map and structure visual map is shown. The complex‐number‐based approach is different from the classical scalar‐based techniques, which are insufficient to describe image structure. The proposed C_SVDQ metric can be considered as a vectorial expansion of structure similarity. In the experiments, an extensive comparison between the proposed C_SVDQ and other IQA metrics on image quality database was performed. Both the overall tests and the individual distortion tests show the superiority of this new approach in IQA.
Block‐based discrete wavelet transform‐singular value decomposition image watermarking scheme using human visual system characteristics
Authors: Makbol Nasrin M. , Khoo Bee Ee , Rassem Taha H.
Published: September 2015

Digital watermarking has been suggested as a way to achieve digital protection. The aim of digital watermarking is to insert the secret data into the image without significantly affecting the visual quality. This study presents a robust block‐based image watermarking scheme based on the singular value decomposition (SVD) and human visual system in the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) domain. The proposed method is considered to be a block‐based scheme that utilises the entropy and edge entropy as HVS characteristics for the selection of significant blocks to embed the watermark, which is a binary watermark logo. The blocks of the lowest entropy values and edge entropy values are selected as the best regions to insert the watermark. After the first level of DWT decomposition, the SVD is performed on the low‐low sub‐band to modify several elements in its U matrix according to predefined conditions. The experimental results of the proposed scheme showed high imperceptibility and high robustness against all image processing attacks and several geometrical attacks using examples of standard and real images. Furthermore, the proposed scheme outperformed several previous schemes in terms of imperceptibility and robustness. The security issue is improved by encrypting a portion of the important information using Advanced Standard Encryption a key size of 192‐bits (AES‐192).
Weighted total generalised variation scheme for image restoration
Authors: Liu Xinwu
Published: September 2015

Total generalised variation (TGV) methods are highly efficient for eliminating the staircase artefacts. However, with the aim of further avoiding over‐smoothing edges, this study investigates a new weighted second‐order TGV scheme for image restoration. Computationally, an alternating split Bregman algorithm is employed to obtain the optimal solution recursively. Moreover, the rigorous convergence analysis of the resulting algorithm is also described in brief. In comparison with the results of current state‐of‐the‐art regulariser techniques, numerical simulations distinctly demonstrate the competitive performance of the proposed strategy in feature preservation and staircasing effect suppression.
Efficient image classification via sparse coding spatial pyramid matching representation of SIFT‐WCS‐LTP feature
Authors: Huang Mingming , Mu Zhichun , Zeng Hui
Published: September 2015

Shape and texture information are critical to the accuracy of image classification systems. In this study, the authors propose a novel descriptor called weighted centre‐symmetric local ternary pattern (WCS‐LTP), better characterising the image local texture. Then, based on the proposed WCS‐LTP descriptor, they introduce a new local scale invariant feature transform and WCS‐LTP (SIFT–WCS‐LTP) feature extraction approach. Compared with conventional local CS‐LTP and SIFT features, the authors’ proposed SIFT–WCS‐LTP feature can not only capture the shape information of images, but also tend to extract more precise texture information. Finally, SIFT–WCS‐LTP feature‐based sparse coding spatial pyramid matching (ScSPM) representation classification is proposed for image classification. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the effectiveness of their proposed SIFT–WCS‐LTP feature‐based ScSPM representation classification algorithm.