bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflammation-induced endothelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles modulate the cellular status of pericytes
Authors: Yamamoto Seiji , Niida Shumpei , Azuma Erika , Yanagibashi Tsutomu , Muramatsu Masashi , Huang Ting Ting , Sagara Hiroshi , Higaki Sayuri , Ikutani Masashi , Nagai Yoshinori , Takatsu Kiyoshi , Miyazaki Kenji , Hamashima Takeru , Mori Hisashi , Matsuda Naoyuki , Ishii Yoko , Sasahara Masakiyo
Published: February 2015

Emerging lines of evidence have shown that extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate cell-to-cell communication by exporting encapsulated materials, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), to target cells. Endothelial cell-derived EVs (E-EVs) are upregulated in circulating blood in different pathological conditions; however, the characteristics and the role of these E-EVs are not yet well understood. In vitro studies were conducted to determine the role of inflammation-induced E-EVs in the cell-to-cell communication between vascular endothelial cells and pericytes/vSMCs. Stimulation with inflammatory cytokines and endotoxin immediately induced release of shedding type E-EVs from the vascular endothelial cells and flow cytometry showed that the induction was dose dependent. MiRNA array analyses revealed that group of miRNAs were specifically increased in the inflammation-induced E-EVs. E-EVs added to the culture media of cerebrovascular pericytes were incorporated into the cells. The E-EV-supplemented cells showed highly induced mRNA and protein expression of VEGF-B, which was assumed to be a downstream target of the miRNA that was increased within the E-EVs after inflammatory stimulation. The results suggest that E-EVs mediate inflammation-induced endothelial cell-pericyte/vSMC communication and the miRNAs encapsulated within the E-EVs may play a role in regulating target cell function. E-EVs may be new therapeutic targets for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
No difference in small bowel microbiota between patients with irritable bowel syndrome and healthy controls
Authors: Dlugosz Aldona , Winckler Björn , Lundin Elin , Zakikhany Katherina , Sandström Gunnar , Ye Weimin , Engstrand Lars , Lindberg Greger
Published: February 2015

Several studies have indicated that colonic microbiota may exhibit important differences between patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and healthy controls. Less is known about the microbiota of the small bowel. We used massive parallel sequencing to explore the composition of small bowel mucosa-associated microbiota in patients with IBS and healthy controls. We analysed capsule biopsies from the jejunum of 35 patients (26 females) with IBS aged 18-(36)-57 years and 16 healthy volunteers (11 females) aged 20-(32)-48 years. Sequences were analysed based on taxonomic classification. The phyla with the highest total abundance across all samples were: Firmicutes (43%), Proteobacteria (23%), Bacteroidetes (15%), Actinobacteria (9.3%) and Fusobacteria (7.0%). The most abundant genera were: Streptococcus (19%), Veillonella (13%), Prevotella (12%), Rothia (6.4%), Haemophilus (5.7%), Actinobacillus (5.5%), Escherichia (4.6%) and Fusobacterium (4.3%). We found no difference among major phyla or genera between patients with IBS and controls. We identified a cluster of samples in the small bowel microbiota dominated by Prevotella, which may represent a common enterotype of the upper small intestine. The remaining samples formed a gradient, dominated by Streptococcus at one end and Escherichia at the other.
Functional variants regulating LGALS1 (Galectin 1) expression affect human susceptibility to influenza A(H7N9)
Authors: Chen Yu , Zhou Jie , Cheng Zhongshan , Yang Shigui , Chu Hin , Fan Yanhui , Li Cun , Wong Bosco Ho-Yin , Zheng Shufa , Zhu Yixin , Yu Fei , Wang Yiyin , Liu Xiaoli , Gao Hainv , Yu Liang , Tang Linglin , Cui Dawei , Hao Ke , Bossé Yohan , Obeidat Ma′en , Brandsma Corry-Anke , Song You-Qiang , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Sham Pak Chung , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Li Lanjuan
Published: February 2015

The fatality of avian influenza A(H7N9) infection in humans was over 30%. To identify human genetic susceptibility to A(H7N9) infection, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 102 A(H7N9) patients and 106 heavily-exposed healthy poultry workers, a sample size critically restricted by the small number of human A(H7N9) cases. To tackle the stringent significance cutoff of GWAS, we utilized an artificial imputation program SnipSnip to improve the association signals. In single-SNP analysis, one of the top SNPs was rs13057866 of LGALS1. The artificial imputation (AI) identified three non-genotyped causal variants, which can be represented by three anchor/partner SNP pairs rs13057866/rs9622682 (AI P = 1.81 × 10−7), rs4820294/rs2899292 (2.13 × 10−7) and rs62236673/rs2899292 (4.25 × 10−7) respectively. Haplotype analysis of rs4820294 and rs2899292 could simulate the signal of a causal variant. The rs4820294/rs2899292 haplotype GG, in association with protection from A(H7N9) infection (OR = 0.26, P = 5.92 × 10−7) correlated to significantly higher levels of LGALS1 mRNA (P = 0.050) and protein expression (P = 0.025) in lymphoblast cell lines. Additionally, rs4820294 was mapped as an eQTL in human primary monocytes and lung tissues. In conclusion, functional variants of LGALS1 causing the expression variations are contributable to the differential susceptibility to influenza A(H7N9).
Shape-modification of patterned nanoparticles by an ion beam treatment
Authors: Heo Kyong Chan , Gwag Jin Seog
Published: February 2015

This paper evaluated a practical approach to the fabrication of arrays of non-spherical nanoparticles by colloidal etching without a mask involving exposure to a low energy ion beam. A spherical nanoparticle array was transferred using a soft nanolithography technique, which is a simple and effective pattern transfer method for nanostructures on the surface of thin adhesive polymers on a planar substrate, after placing the spherical nanoparticles on a patterned PDMS [poly(dimethysiloxane)] stamp produced from a patterned Si wafer. The resulting non-spherical nanoparticle array was driven from a spherical nanoparticle array shape-modified by ion beam irradiation. A well-arrayed layer of cone-like-shapes were produced using a head-on ion beam for different exposure times. Also, a variety of mushroom-like-shapes depending on the exposure angle were produced on a substrate with a well-arranged spherical nanoparticle array. This technique has potential applications in nanophotonics, field emission displays (FEDs) and microfluid.
The potential of chiroptical and vibrational spectroscopy of blood plasma for the discrimination between colon cancer patients and the control group
Authors: Tatarkovič Michal , Miškovičová Michaela , Šťovíčková Lucie , Synytsya Alla , Petruželka Luboš , Setnička Vladimír
Published: February 2015

Chiroptical spectroscopy is able to discriminate colon cancer patients from healthy controls.
Plasmonic resonance of Ag nanoclusters diffused in soda-lime glasses
Authors: Kumar Promod , Mathpal Mohan Chandra , Tripathi Anand Kumar , Prakash Jai , Agarwal Arvind , Ahmad M. M. , Swart H. C.
Published: February 2015

Silver nanoclusters were prepared in a soda-lime glass matrix through the ion-exchange method followed by thermal annealing. The work provides an insight into the nano-clustering and plasmonic effects of the nanoparticles.
Laser-assisted one-pot fabrication of calcium phosphate-based submicrospheres with internally crystallized magnetite nanoparticles through chemical precipitation
Authors: Nakamura Maki , Oyane Ayako , Sakamaki Ikuko , Ishikawa Yoshie , Shimizu Yoshiki , Kawaguchi Kenji
Published: February 2015

Simple, rapid, and surfactant-free fabrication of calcium phosphate (CaP)-based submicrometer spheres encapsulating magnetite nanoparticles was successfully achieved by the application of laser irradiation to a CaP reaction mixture.
Molten salt synthesis, visible and near-IR region spectral properties of europium or neodymium doped CoNb2O6columbite niobate
Authors: Ekmekçi Mete Kaan , Erdem Murat , Başak Ali Sadi
Published: February 2015

Emission spectra of the phosphor powders for the5D0→7F2transition in CoNb2O6powders doped with Eu3+at 300 K.
Pathways for solar photovoltaics
Authors: Jean Joel , Brown Patrick R. , Jaffe Robert L. , Buonassisi Tonio , Bulović Vladimir
Published: February 2015

This perspective identifies future technological directions for solar photovoltaics and examines potential limits to terawatt-scale PV deployment.
Impacts of climate change and socio-economic scenarios on flow and water quality of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna (GBM) river systems: low flow and flood statistics
Authors: Whitehead P. G. , Barbour E. , Futter M. N. , Sarkar S. , Rodda H. , Caesar J. , Butterfield D. , Jin L. , Sinha R. , Nicholls R. , Salehin M.
Published: February 2015

The potential impacts of climate change and socio-economic change on flow and water quality in rivers worldwide is a key area of interest.
A lab-on-a-chip system with integrated sample preparation and loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid and quantitative detection of Salmonella spp. in food samples
Authors: Sun Yi , Quyen Than Linh , Hung Tran Quang , Chin Wai Hoe , Wolff Anders , Bang Dang Duong
Published: February 2015

A lab-on-a-chip system with integrated sample preparation and real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid detection of Salmonella in food samples.
Matrix-immobilized yeast for large-scale production of recombinant human lactoferrin
Authors: Ho Chun Loong , Hwang In Young , Loh Kathy , Chang Matthew Wook
Published: February 2015

An improved method of recombinant human lactoferrin (hLF) expression in rich culture medium is demonstrated using macroporous microencapsulation.
Synthesis of 3-aminoBODIPY dyes via copper-catalyzed vicarious nucleophilic substitution of 2-halogeno derivatives
Authors: Knight Julian G. , Alnoman Rua B. , Waddell Paul G.
Published: February 2015

Copper catalysed vicarious nucleophilic substitution of 2-halogeno BODIPYs with alkyl amines, anilines and an amide produces the corresponding 3-aminoBODIPY derivatives.
Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) sludge immobilized by waterborne polyurethane and its nitrogen removal performance-a lab scale study
Authors: Chen Guanghui , Li Jun , Tabassum Salma , Zhang Zhenjia
Published: February 2015

ANAMMOX granules immobilized by WPU exhibited the best entrapment support, superb bioactivity, high nitrogen removal rate and highest mechanical stability.
Synthesis, optical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties of a D–π–A fluorescent dye with triazine ring as electron-withdrawing anchoring group for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Ooyama Yousuke , Uenaka Koji , Ohshita Joji
Published: February 2015

D–π–A fluorescent dye OUJ-1 with 1,3,5-triazine ring as electron-withdrawing anchoring group has been newly developed and its optical and electrochemical properties, and photovoltaic performance in a dye-sensitized solar cell were investigated.
Metal-free synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted 1H- and 1-aryl-1H-pyrazoles from 1,3-diyne-indole derivatives employing two successive hydroaminations
Authors: Bassaco Mariana M. , Fortes Margiani P. , Kaufman Teodoro S. , Silveira Claudio C.
Published: February 2015

The uncatalyzed synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted 1H- and 1-aryl-1H-pyrazoles derived from 1,3-diyne indoles was successfully carried out in PEG 400. The scope and limitations of the reaction were studied.
A solution-phase synthesis method to prepare Pd-doped carbon aerogels for hydrogen storage
Authors: Zhong Minglong , Fu Zhibing , Yuan Lei , Zhao Haibo , Zhu Jiayi , He Yongwei , Wang Chaoyang , Tang Yongjian
Published: February 2015

A solution-phase synthesis method was studied to prepare Pd-doped carbon aerogels (Pd/CAs) with different contents.
Theoretical and experimental study of folic acid conjugated silver nanoparticles through electrostatic interaction for enhance antibacterial activity
Authors: Chowdhuri Angshuman Ray , Tripathy Satyajit , Haldar Chanchal , Chandra Soumen , Das Balaram , Roy Somenath , Sahu Sumanta Kumar
Published: February 2015

In this paper, folic acid conjugated silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are developed for enhancing antibacterial activity.
Study on key step of 1,3-butadiene formation from ethanol on MgO/SiO2
Authors: Zhang Minhua , Gao Meixiang , Chen Jianyue , Yu Yingzhe
Published: February 2015

Adsorption properties of ethanol on different MgO/SiO2 surfaces were researched using density functional theory and the result is that ethanol is mainly adsorbed on MgO surface. The role of SiO2 in increasing the MgO crystal defects in the MgO/SiO2 has been obtained.
High energy density titanium doped-vanadium oxide-vertically aligned CNT composite electrodes for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Jampani Prashanth H. , Velikokhatnyi Oleg , Kadakia Karan , Hong Dae Ho , Damle Sameer S. , Poston James A. , Manivannan Ayyakkannu , Kumta Prashant N.
Published: February 2015

In this study, we provide the first report on the supercapacitance behavior of titanium doped vanadium oxide films grown on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique.
Ce3+and Tb3+singly- and co-doped MgGd4Si3O13for ultraviolet light emitting diodes and field emission displays
Authors: Zhou Xufeng , Zhang Zhiya , Wang Yuhua
Published: February 2015

A new silicate phosphor MgGd4Si3O13:Ce3+,Tb3+was successfully synthesized and the structural photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence properties were studied in this work.
Photothermal synthesis of ultrafine CuxO nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes for photosensitized degradation
Authors: Liu Lan-Bing , Qin Shuang , Wang Jing-Jing , Zheng Wen-Jing , Du Xi-Wen
Published: February 2015

Photothermal synthesis (PTS) was developed to grow copper oxide nanoparticles in situ on carbon nanotubes. The product produced by PTS shows many advantages over that obtained by traditional hydrothermal synthesis.
Sonication-assisted alcoholysis of boron nitride nanotubes for their sidewalls chemical peeling
Authors: Kim Dukeun , Nakajima Sayuka , Sawada Toshiki , Iwasaki Mahiro , Kawauchi Susumu , Zhi Chunyi , Bando Yoshio , Golberg Dmitri , Serizawa Takeshi
Published: February 2015

We demonstrated that sonication treatment of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) in primary alcohols had led to chemical peeling of their sidewalls through alcoholysis, followed by production of boron nitride nanoribbons (BNNRs).
Isotope effect profiles in the N-demethylation of N,N-dimethylanilines: a key to determine the pKaof nonheme Fe(iii)–OH complexes
Authors: Barbieri Alessia , De Gennaro Martina , Di Stefano Stefano , Lanzalunga Osvaldo , Lapi Andrea , Mazzonna Marco , Olivo Giorgio , Ticconi Barbara
Published: February 2015

pKaof [(N4Py)FeIII–OH]2+is obtained from the kinetic isotope effect profiles in theN-demethylation ofN,N-dimethylanilines promoted by [(N4Py)FeIVO]2+.
Copper-catalyzed ortho-halogenation of arenes and heteroarenes directed by a removable auxiliary
Authors: Li Bo , Liu Bin , Shi Bing-Feng
Published: February 2015

Copper-catalyzed ortho-halogenation of C(sp2)–H bonds directed by a PIP directing group with NXS (X = Cl, Br, I) has been developed. The reaction is scalable and tolerates a broad range of functional groups and heteroarenes, providing an efficient access to halogenated arenes and heteroarenes.
All-optical, polarization-insensitive light tuning properties in silver nanorod arrays covered with photoresponsive liquid crystals
Authors: Si Guangyuan , Leong Eunice S. P. , Jiang Xiaoxiao , Lv Jiangtao , Lin Jiao , Dai Haitao , Liu Yan Jun
Published: February 2015

Silver nanorod array enabled homeotropic alignment of photoresponsive liquid crystals and polarization-insensitive optical tuning.
Electrochemical and physicochemical properties of small phosphonium cation ionic liquid electrolytes with high lithium salt content
Authors: Girard G. M. A. , Hilder M. , Zhu H. , Nucciarone D. , Whitbread K. , Zavorine S. , Moser M. , Forsyth M. , MacFarlane D. R. , Howlett P. C.
Published: February 2015

A novel phosphonium ionic liquid as potential candidate for lithium battery electrolytes.
The role of MoS2 as an interfacial layer in graphene/silicon solar cells
Authors: Jiao Kejia , Duan Chunyang , Wu Xiaofeng , Chen Jiayuan , Wang Yu , Chen Yunfa
Published: February 2015

The role of MoS2 as an effective interfacial layer in graphene/silicon solar cells is systematically investigated by varying MoS2 film annealing temperature and thickness.
Concentrated assemblies of magnetic nanoparticles in ionic liquids
Authors: Mamusa Marianna , Sirieix-Plénet Juliette , Perzynski Régine , Cousin Fabrice , Dubois Emmanuelle , Peyre Véronique
Published: February 2015

Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) can be successfully dispersed in a protic ionic liquid, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), by transfer from aqueous dispersions into EAN. As the aqueous systems are well controlled, several parameters can be tuned. Their crucial role towards the interparticle potential and the structure of the dispersions is evidenced: (i) the size of the NPs tunes the interparticle attraction monitoring dispersions to be either monophasic or gas–liquid-like phase separated; (ii) the nature of the initial counterion in water (here sodium, lithium or ethylammonium) and the amount of added water (<20 vol%) modulate the interparticle repulsion. Very concentrated dispersions with a volume fraction of around 25% are obtained thanks to the gas–liquid-like phase separations. Such conclusions are derived from a fine structural and dynamical study of the dispersions on a large range of spatial scales by coupling several techniques: chemical analyses, optical microscopy, dynamic light scattering, magneto-optic birefringence and small angle scattering.
Selection of LNA-containing DNA aptamers against recombinant human CD73
Authors: Elle Ida C. , Karlsen Kasper K. , Terp Mikkel G. , Larsen Niels , Nielsen Ronni , Derbyshire Nicola , Mandrup Susanne , Ditzel Henrik J. , Wengel Jesper
Published: February 2015

Aptamers containing LNA nucleotides were selected against recombinant human CD73 using SELEX and next generation sequencing (NGS) with custom NGS bioinformatics software (BION-apta).
4-Aminoquinoline-pyrimidine-aminoalkanols: synthesis, in vitro antimalarial activity, docking studies and ADME predictions
Authors: Tripathi Mohit , Khan Shabana I. , Thakur Anuj , Ponnan Prija , Rawat Diwan S.
Published: February 2015

4-Aminoquinoline-pyrimidine-aminoalkanols displaying goodin vitroantimalarial activities against both CQ-sensitive and -resistant strains ofP. falciparum, together with favourable resistance-indices and the predicted ADME properties, are reported.
A facile strategy for the synthesis of block copolymers bearing an acid-cleavable junction
Authors: Sui Xin , Zhang Zhenyu , Guan Song , Xu Yawei , Li Chao , Lv Yufeng , Chen Aihua , Yang Lijun , Gao Longcheng
Published: February 2015

We present a facile and inexpensive approach to synthesize block copolymers bearing an acid-cleavable junction.
Synthesis of conjugated, hyperbranched copolymers for tunable multicolor emissions in light-emitting diodes
Authors: Kim Jongho , Park Juhyeon , Jin Sung-Ho , Lee Taek Seung
Published: February 2015

A series of conjugated hyperbranched copolymers (HBPs) based on benzothiadiazole derivatives were synthesized via a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and their white-light emitting properties were explored.
Rhodamine appended hexaphenylbenzene derivative: through bond energy transfer for sensing of picric acid
Authors: Chopra Radhika , Bhalla Vandana , Kumar Manoj , Kaur Sharanjeet
Published: February 2015

A rhodamine appended hexaphenylbenzene based derivative 5 has been designed and synthesized, which displays through bond energy transfer in the presence of picric acid in MeOH and serves as a "turn on" sensor for picric acid.
Membrane gas separation technologies for biogas upgrading
Authors: Chen Xiao Yuan , Vinh-Thang Hoang , Ramirez Antonio Avalos , Rodrigue Denis , Kaliaguine Serge
Published: February 2015

Biogas is a renewable energy source like solar and wind energies and mostly produced from anaerobic digestion (AD).
H6P2W18O62/Nanoclinoptilolite as an efficient nanohybrid catalyst in the cyclotrimerization of aryl methyl ketones under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Tayebee R. , Jarrahi M.
Published: February 2015

A new natural nanohybrid material HPA/NCP was prepared. An efficient and environmentally benign method for cyclotrimerization of acetophenones is reported. Water was the only by-product.
Assembly of anisotropic one dimensional Ag nanostructures through orientated attachment: on-axis or off-axis growth?
Authors: Lv Weiqiang , Zhu Yaxing , Niu Yinghua , Huo Weirong , Li Kang , Zhu Gaolong , Liang Yachun , Wu Wenzhan , He Weidong
Published: February 2015

van der Waals interaction (vdW) in both on-axis and off-axis attachments of 1D Ag nano-structures are investigated by molecular static calculations to understand the thermodynamics of 1D OA growth from an energy point of view.
Antileishmanial activity of sp2-iminosugar derivatives
Authors: Sánchez-Fernández Elena M. , Gómez-Pérez Verónica , García-Hernández Raquel , García Fernández José Manuel , Plata Gabriela B. , Padrón José M. , Ortiz Mellet Carmen , Castanys Santiago , Gamarro Francisco
Published: February 2015

sp2-iminosugar S-linked pseudoglycosides selectively inhibit growth of the intracellular form of Leishmania donovani.
A Facile approach to NiCoO2intimately standing on nitrogen doped graphene sheets by one-step hydrothermal synthesis for supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Yazhou , Wei Junchao , Tan Licheng , Yu Ji , Chen Yiwang
Published: February 2015

Binary nickel cobaltite oxides intimately standing on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene sheets are prepared utilizing a one-step hydrothermal synthesis.
Superhydrophobic and superoleophilic graphene aerogel prepared by facile chemical reduction
Authors: Xu Liming , Xiao Guyu , Chen Caibao , Li Run , Mai Yiyong , Sun Guoming , Yan Deyue
Published: February 2015

A superhydrophobic neat graphene aerogel that exhibited excellent properties for oil-absorption and oil–water separation has been fabricated for the first time.
Red to near infrared ultralong lasting luminescence from Mn2+-doped sodium gallium aluminum germanate glasses and (Al,Ga)-albite glass-ceramics
Authors: Li Pengfei , Peng Mingying , Wondraczek Lothar , Zhao Yanqi , Viana Bruno
Published: February 2015

Red to near infrared ultralong lasting luminescence was observed from Mn2+-doped sodium gallium aluminum germanate glasses and (Al,Ga)-albite glass-ceramics.
Establishing the most favorable metal–carbon bond strength for carbon nanotube catalysts
Authors: Silvearv Fredrik , Larsson Peter , Jones Sarah. L. T. , Ahuja Rajeev , Larsson J. Andreas
Published: February 2015

We have studied a wide range of transition metals to find potential carbon nanotube (CNT) catalysts for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) production.
Parameter‐free fault location for transmission lines based on optimisation
Authors: Davoudi Masoud , Sadeh Javad , Kamyab Ebadollah
Published: February 2015

An accurate algorithm for locating faults on two‐terminal transmission lines is presented in this study. The presented method does not require values of line parameters to locate the fault; therefore variation of line parameter values does not affect its accuracy. The method utilises synchronous post‐fault measurements of currents and voltages in both terminals and is based on the distributed time‐domain representation of transmission lines. Unlike conventional methods, fault location is converted to an optimisation problem. Then, this problem is solved by genetic algorithm to find the accurate location of fault. Furthermore, modifying the problem to be solved by the Newton optimisation method is discussed in this study. Simulation results performed by ATP/EMTP verify high accuracy of the presented method, and reveal that it is not significantly affected by fault resistance, fault type, fault inception angle and source impedance. Moreover, effect of measurement errors and synchronisation errors on the accuracy of presented method have been analysed which verify the efficiency of the algorithm in these conditions.
Resolution enhancement for Doppler beam sharpening imaging
Authors: Chen Hongmeng , Li Ming , Zhang Peng , Liu Gaofeng , Jia Lu , Wu Yan
Published: February 2015

The efficient scan moving target indication (MTI) mode is implemented in the wide‐area ground MTI systems for the purpose of wide‐area surveillance. However, because of the scanning movement of the radar antenna, it is difficult to acquire enough coherent pulses in a single azimuth direction in the Doppler beam sharpening (DBS), so the sharpening ratio is greatly limited. To mitigate this problem, a combined super‐resolution algorithm with aperture extrapolation for DBS imaging is proposed to enhance the sharpening ratio in this study. In this algorithm, aperture extrapolation technique is utilised to increase the data length in azimuth direction and the amplitude and phase estimation of a sinusoid, which can acquire accurate spectral estimation with much lower side lobes and narrower spectral peaks, is applied to replace the fast Fourier transform to perform the Doppler analysis. In this way, the sharpening ratio in the new algorithm could be enhanced by one time. Experimental results on simulation data and real data verify the effectiveness of the new super‐resolution algorithm, and demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can provide sharp and clear scene information with lower side lobes and narrower peaks.
A guided-ion beam study of the collisions and reactions of I+ and I2+ with I2
Authors: Hause Michael L. , Prince Benjamin D. , Bemish Raymond J.
Published: February 2015

Growing interest in developing and testing iodine Hall effect thrusters requires measurements of the cross sections of reactions that generate low energy plasma following discharge. Limited experimental and theoretical work necessitates a decisive experiment to elucidate the charge exchange and collision-induced dissociation channels. To this end, we have used guided-ion beam techniques to measure cross sections for both I+ + I2 and I2++I2 collisions. We present total collision cross sections as well as collision-induced dissociation cross sections for center-of-mass collision energies ranging from 0.5 to 200 eV for molecular iodine cations. Similarly, we present total collision cross section and charge-exchange cross sections for atomic iodine cations for center-of-mass collision energies ranging from 0.67 to 167 eV. Time-of-flight measurements of the collision products allow determination of velocity distributions, which show evidence of complex formation of I3+ from the I+ + I2 reaction at collision energies below 6 eV.
Reconstruction of the in-plane mode shape of a rotating tire with a continuous scanning measurement using the Hilbert–Huang transform
Authors: Lee Jongsuh , Wang Semyung , Pluymers Bert , Desmet Wim , Kindt Peter
Published: February 2015

Generally, the dynamic characteristics (natural frequency, damping, and mode shape) of a structure can be estimated by experimental modal analysis. Among these dynamic characteristics, mode shape requires multiple measurements of the structure at different positions, which increases the experimental cost and time. Recently, the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) method has been introduced to extract mode-shape information from a continuous measurement, which requires vibration measurements from one position to another position continuously with a non-contact sensor. In this research study, an effort has been made to estimate the mode shapes of a rolling tire with a single measurement instead of using the conventional experimental setup (i.e., measurement of the vibration of a rolling tire at multiple positions similar to the case of a non-rotating structure), which is used to estimate the dynamic behavior of a rolling tire. For this purpose, HHT, which was used in the continuous measurement of a non-rotating structure in previous research studies, has been used for the case of a rotating system in this study. Ambiguous mode combinations can occur in this rotating system, and therefore, a method to overcome this ambiguity is proposed in this study. In addition, the specific phenomenon for a rotating system is introduced, and the effect of this phenomenon with regard to the obtained results through HHT is investigated.
Designing an optimum pulsed magnetic field by a resistance/self-inductance/capacitance discharge system and alignment of carbon nanotubes embedded in polypyrrole matrix
Authors: Kazemikia Kaveh , Bonabi Fahimeh , Asadpoorchallo Ali , Shokrzadeh Majid
Published: February 2015

In this work, an optimized pulsed magnetic field production apparatus is designed based on a RLC (Resistance/Self-inductance/Capacitance) discharge circuit. An algorithm for designing an optimum magnetic coil is presented. The coil is designed to work at room temperature. With a minor physical reinforcement, the magnetic flux density can be set up to 12 Tesla with 2 ms duration time. In our design process, the magnitude and the length of the magnetic pulse are the desired parameters. The magnetic field magnitude in the RLC circuit is maximized on the basis of the optimal design of the coil. The variables which are used in the optimization process are wire diameter and the number of coil layers. The coil design ensures the critically damped response of the RLC circuit. The electrical, mechanical, and thermal constraints are applied to the design process. A locus of probable magnetic flux density values versus wire diameter and coil layer is provided to locate the optimum coil parameters. Another locus of magnetic flux density values versus capacitance and initial voltage of the RLC circuit is extracted to locate the optimum circuit parameters. Finally, the application of high magnetic fields on carbon nanotube-PolyPyrrole (CNT-PPy) nano-composite is presented. Scanning probe microscopy technique is used to observe the orientation of CNTs after exposure to a magnetic field. The result shows alignment of CNTs in a 10.3 Tesla, 1.5 ms magnetic pulse.
Evolution of edge pedestal transport between edge-localized modes in DIII-D
Authors: Floyd J.-P. , Stacey W. M. , Groebner R. J. , Mellard S. C.
Published: February 2015

Evolution of measured profiles of densities, temperatures, and velocities in the edge pedestal region between successive ELM (edge-localized mode) events are analyzed and interpreted in terms of the constraints imposed by particle, momentum and energy balance in order to gain insights regarding the underlying evolution of transport processes in the edge pedestal between ELMs in a series of DIII-D [J. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42, 614 (2002)] discharges. The data from successive inter-ELM periods during an otherwise steady-state phase of the discharges were combined into a composite inter-ELM period for the purpose of increasing the number of data points in the analysis. Variation of diffusive and non-diffusive (pinch) particle, momentum, and energy transport over the inter-ELM period are interpreted using the GTEDGE code for discharges with plasma currents from 0.5 to 1.5 MA and inter-ELM periods from 50 to 220 ms. Diffusive transport is dominant for ρ < 0.925, while non-diffusive and diffusive transport are very large and nearly balancing in the sharp gradient region 0.925 < ρ < 1.0. During the inter-ELM period, diffusive transport increases slightly more than non-diffusive transport, increasing total outward transport. Both diffusive and non-diffusive transport have a strong inverse correlation with plasma current.
Annealed importance sampling with constant cooling rate
Authors: Giovannelli Edoardo , Cardini Gianni , Gellini Cristina , Pietraperzia Giangaetano , Chelli Riccardo
Published: February 2015

Annealed importance sampling is a simulation method devised by Neal [Stat. Comput. 11, 125 (2001)] to assign weights to configurations generated by simulated annealing trajectories. In particular, the equilibrium average of a generic physical quantity can be computed by a weighted average exploiting weights and estimates of this quantity associated to the final configurations of the annealed trajectories. Here, we review annealed importance sampling from the perspective of nonequilibrium path-ensemble averages [G. E. Crooks, Phys. Rev. E 61, 2361 (2000)]. The equivalence of Neal’s and Crooks’ treatments highlights the generality of the method, which goes beyond the mere thermal-based protocols. Furthermore, we show that a temperature schedule based on a constant cooling rate outperforms stepwise cooling schedules and that, for a given elapsed computer time, performances of annealed importance sampling are, in general, improved by increasing the number of intermediate temperatures.
High-stroke silicon-on-insulator MEMS nanopositioner: Control design for non-raster scan atomic force microscopy
Authors: Maroufi Mohammad , Fowler Anthony G. , Bazaei Ali , Moheimani S. O. Reza
Published: February 2015

A 2-degree of freedom microelectromechanical systems nanopositioner designed for on-chip atomic force microscopy (AFM) is presented. The device is fabricated using a silicon-on-insulator-based process and is designed as a parallel kinematic mechanism. It contains a central scan table and two sets of electrostatic comb actuators along each orthogonal axis, which provides displacement ranges greater than ±10 μm. The first in-plane resonance modes are located at 1274 Hz and 1286 Hz for the X and Y axes, respectively. To measure lateral displacements of the stage, electrothermal position sensors are incorporated in the design. To facilitate high-speed scans, the highly resonant dynamics of the system are controlled using damping loops in conjunction with internal model controllers that enable accurate tracking of fast sinusoidal set-points. To cancel the effect of sensor drift on controlled displacements, washout controllers are used in the damping loops. The feedback controlled nanopositioner is successfully used to perform several AFM scans in contact mode via a Lissajous scan method with a large scan area of 20 μm × 20 μm. The maximum scan rate demonstrated is 1 kHz.
Efficient and robust analysis of complex scattering data under noise in microwave resonators
Authors: Probst S. , Song F. B. , Bushev P. A. , Ustinov A. V. , Weides M.
Published: February 2015

Superconducting microwave resonators are reliable circuits widely used for detection and as test devices for material research. A reliable determination of their external and internal quality factors is crucial for many modern applications, which either require fast measurements or operate in the single photon regime with small signal to noise ratios. Here, we use the circle fit technique with diameter correction and provide a step by step guide for implementing an algorithm for robust fitting and calibration of complex resonator scattering data in the presence of noise. The speedup and robustness of the analysis are achieved by employing an algebraic rather than an iterative fit technique for the resonance circle.
The temporal patterns of disease severity and prevalence in schistosomiasis
Authors: Ciddio Manuela , Mari Lorenzo , Gatto Marino , Rinaldo Andrea , Casagrandi Renato
Published: February 2015

Schistosomiasis is one of the most widespread public health problems in the world. In this work, we introduce an eco-epidemiological model for its transmission and dynamics with the purpose of explaining both intra- and inter-annual fluctuations of disease severity and prevalence. The model takes the form of a system of nonlinear differential equations that incorporate biological complexity associated with schistosome's life cycle, including a prepatent period in snails (i.e., the time between initial infection and onset of infectiousness). Nonlinear analysis is used to explore the parametric conditions that produce different temporal patterns (stationary, endemic, periodic, and chaotic). For the time-invariant model, we identify a transcritical and a Hopf bifurcation in the space of the human and snail infection parameters. The first corresponds to the occurrence of an endemic equilibrium, while the latter marks the transition to interannual periodic oscillations. We then investigate a more realistic time-varying model in which fertility of the intermediate host population is assumed to seasonally vary. We show that seasonality can give rise to a cascade of period-doubling bifurcations leading to chaos for larger, though realistic, values of the amplitude of the seasonal variation of fertility.
Real-time detection of lipid bilayer assembly and detergent-initiated solubilization using optical cavities
Authors: Sun V. , Armani A. M.
Published: February 2015

The cellular membrane governs numerous fundamental biological processes. Therefore, developing a comprehensive understanding of its structure and function is critical. However, its inherent biological complexity gives rise to numerous inter-dependent physical phenomena. In an attempt to develop a model, two different experimental approaches are being pursued in parallel: performing single cell experiments (top down) and using biomimetic structures (bottom up), such as lipid bilayers. One challenge in many of these experiments is the reliance on fluorescent probes for detection which can create confounds in this already complex system. In the present work, a label-free detection method based on an optical resonant cavity is used to detect one of the fundamental physical phenomena in the system: assembly and solubilization of the lipid bilayer. The evanescent field of the cavity strongly interacts with the lipid bilayer, enabling the detection of the bilayer behavior in real-time. Two independent detection mechanisms confirm the formation and detergent-assisted solubilization of the lipid bilayers: (1) a refractive index change and (2) a material loss change. Both mechanisms can be monitored in parallel, on the same device, thus allowing for cross-confirmation of the results. To verify the proposed method, we have detected the formation of self-assembled phosphatidylcholine lipid bilayers from small unilamellar vesicles on the device surface in real-time. Subsequently, we exposed the bilayers to two different detergents (non-ionic Triton X-100 and anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate) to initiate solubilization, and this process was also detected in real-time. After the bilayer solubilization, the device returned to its initial state, exhibiting minimal hysteresis. The experimental wash-off was also collected and analyzed using dynamic light scattering.
High-entropy bulk metallic glasses as promising magnetic refrigerants
Authors: Huo Juntao , Huo Lishan , Li Jiawei , Men He , Wang Xinmin , Inoue Akihisa , Chang Chuntao , Wang Jun-Qiang , Li Run-Wei
Published: February 2015

In this paper, the Ho20Er20Co20Al20RE20 (RE = Gd, Dy, and Tm) high-entropy bulk metallic glasses (HE-BMGs) with good magnetocaloric properties are fabricated successfully. The HE-BMGs exhibit a second-order magnetic phase transition. The peak of magnetic entropy change (ΔSMpk) and refrigerant capacity (RC) reaches 15.0 J kg−1 K−1 and 627 J kg−1 at 5 T, respectively, which is larger than most rare earth based BMGs. The heterogeneous nature of glasses also contributes to the large ΔSMpk and RC. In addition, the magnetic ordering temperature, ΔSMpk and RC can be widely tuned by alloying different rare earth elements. These results suggest that the HE-BMGs are promising magnetic refrigerant at low temperatures.
Design of radio frequency pulse waveforms for mitigating signal inhomogeneity in magnetic resonance imaging due to metallic implants
Authors: Woo Taeseong , Kim Dongmin , Someya Takao , Sekino Masaki
Published: February 2015

Metallic implants can result in considerable inhomogeneity in the signal intensity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), because the implant generates a shielding effect to the applied radio-frequency (RF) magnetic fields. In this study, we propose an acquisition method to mitigate the signal inhomogeneities using an adaptive RF pulse waveform. The effectiveness of the method was investigated using both numerical simulations and experiments. The RF pulse waveform was calculated based on inverse analyses of the Bloch equation incorporating the measured RF field distribution within the object. A simulation was carried out using a simplified numerical model of RF field inhomogeneity assumed at the center of model. An RF pulse waveform was designed to recover the attenuated signal region in the given model, and we show a significant improvement in the signal homogeneity compared with that obtained using a conventional pulse. We implemented the proposed method on a 7T-MRI system to show the efficacy experimentally. Test samples were fabricated from agarose gel with inserted copper or aluminum implants of different thicknesses. The RF pulse for selective excitation was calculated after mapping the RF field distribution of each imaging object. The acquired images exhibit an improvement in the homogeneity at the region of metallic implants. These results indicate that the proposed method is effective for MRI measurements of objects containing metallic implants.
Effects of graphene on electro-optic response and ion-transport in a nematic liquid crystal
Authors: Basu Rajratan , Garvey Alfred , Kinnamon Daniel
Published: February 2015

A small quantity of graphene, containing both monolayer and multilayer flakes, was doped in a nematic liquid crystal (LC), and the nematic electro-optic switching was found to be significantly faster in the LC + graphene hybrid than that of the pure LC. Additional studies revealed that the presence of graphene reduced the free ion concentration in the nematic media by ion-trapping process. The reduction of mobile ions in the LC was found to have subsequent impacts on the LC's conductivity and rotational viscosity, allowing the nematic director to respond quicker on switching the electric field on and off.
Near-infrared emitting In-rich InGaN layers grown directly on Si: Towards the whole composition range
Authors: Aseev Pavel , Rodriguez Paul E. D. Soto , Gómez Víctor J. , Alvi Naveed ul Hassan , Mánuel José M. , Morales Francisco M. , Jiménez Juan J. , García Rafael , Senichev Alexander , Lienau Christoph , Calleja Enrique , Nötzel Richard
Published: February 2015

The authors report compact and chemically homogeneous In-rich InGaN layers directly grown on Si (111) by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. High structural and optical quality is evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, near-field scanning optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Photoluminescence emission in the near-infrared is observed up to room temperature covering the important 1.3 and 1.55 μm telecom wavelength bands. The n-InGaN/p-Si interface is ohmic due to the absence of any insulating buffer layers. This qualitatively extends the application fields of III-nitrides and allows their integration with established Si technology.
Complex permittivity characterization of serum with an air-bridge enhanced capacitor for quantifiable detection of glucose
Authors: Dhakal Rajendra , Wang Cong , Kim Eun-Seong , Kim Nam-Young
Published: February 2015

We proposed the complex permittivity characterization of serum sample on an air-bridge enhanced capacitor for the mediator-free glucose sensor in the radio frequency of 7.37 GHz. An air-bridge enhanced capacitor with integrated passive device process on a gallium arsenide substrate was implemented for the design, fabrication, and testing to enable effective quantifiable detection of glucose levels in human serum. The decomposition parameters such as complex permittivity, air-bridge capacitance, phase and correlation coefficient were extracted from the measured S-parameter. A high detectable resolution of 0.61 MHz/mg dl−1 and 3.4 pF/mg dl−1 for ten different subjects of serum in the concentration range of 65 to 245 mg/dl at a minimum glucose concentration of 65 mg/dl was realized. The findings support the development of resonance-based sensing by the characterization of complex permittivity with excellent linearity having a correlation coefficient of 0.9979, short assay time of 40 s, limit of quantization of 29.37 mg/dl, and minimum detectable glucose level of about 9.69 mg/dl.
Folding RaCe: a robust method for predicting changes in protein folding rates upon point mutations
Authors: Chaudhary Priyashree , Naganathan Athi N. , Gromiha M. Michael
Published: February 2015

Motivation: Protein engineering methods are commonly employed to decipher the folding mechanism of proteins and enzymes. However, such experiments are exceedingly time and resource intensive. It would therefore be advantageous to develop a simple computational tool to predict changes in folding rates upon mutations. Such a method should be able to rapidly provide the sequence position and chemical nature to modulate through mutation, to effect a particular change in rate. This can be of importance in protein folding, function or mechanistic studies.

Results: We have developed a robust knowledge-based methodology to predict the changes in folding rates upon mutations formulated from amino and acid properties using multiple linear regression approach. We benchmarked this method against an experimental database of 790 point mutations from 26 two-state proteins. Mutants were first classified according to secondary structure, accessible surface area and position along the primary sequence. Three prime amino acid features eliciting the best relationship with folding rates change were then shortlisted for each class along with an optimized window length. We obtained a self-consistent mean absolute error of 0.36 s−1 and a mean Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) of 0.81. Jack-knife test resulted in a MAE of 0.42 s−1 and a PCC of 0.73. Moreover, our method highlights the importance of outlier(s) detection and studying their implications in the folding mechanism.

Availability and implementation: A web server ‘Folding RaCe’ has been developed and is available at http://www.iitm.ac.in/bioinfo/proteinfolding/foldingrace.html.

Contact:  gromiha@iitm.ac.in

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.