bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The β-amyloid peptide compromises Reelin signaling in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Cuchillo-Ibañez Inmaculada , Mata-Balaguer Trinidad , Balmaceda Valeria , Arranz Juan José , Nimpf Johannes , Sáez-Valero Javier
Published: August 2016

Reelin is a signaling protein that plays a crucial role in synaptic function, which expression is influenced by β-amyloid (Aβ). We show that Reelin and Aβ oligomers co-immunoprecipitated in human brain extracts and were present in the same size-exclusion chromatography fractions. Aβ treatment of cells led to increase expression of Reelin, but secreted Reelin results trapped together with Aβ aggregates. In frontal cortex extracts an increase in Reelin mRNA and in soluble and insoluble (guanidine-extractable) Reelin protein, was associated with late Braak stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), while expression of its receptor, ApoER2, did not change. However, Reelin-dependent induction of Dab1 phosphorylation appeared reduced in AD. In cells, Aβ reduced the capacity of Reelin to induce internalization of biotinylated ApoER2 and ApoER2 processing. Soluble proteolytic fragments of ApoER2 generated after Reelin binding can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Quantification of these soluble fragments in CSF could be a tool to evaluate the efficiency of Reelin signaling in the brain. These CSF-ApoER2 fragments correlated with Reelin levels only in control subjects, not in AD, where these fragments diminished. We conclude that while Reelin expression is enhanced in the Alzheimer’s brain, the interaction of Reelin with Aβ hinders its biological activity.
Reliability of the entomovector technology using Prestop-Mix and Bombus terrestris L. as a fungal disease biocontrol method in open field
Authors: Karise Reet , Dreyersdorff Gerit , Jahani Mona , Veromann Eve , Runno-Paurson Eve , Kaart Tanel , Smagghe Guy , Mänd Marika
Published: August 2016

Botrytis cinereaPers.:Fr. is a major plant pathogen and a new approach is needed for its control in strawberry to minimise the increasing use of synthetic fungicides. The biofungicide Prestop-Mix, which containsGliocladium catenulatum, is effective againstBotrytisinfections; however, the need for frequent applications increases the costs for farmers. Here, we demonstrate that bumble bees,Bombus terrestrisL., effectively disseminate the preparation onto flowers in open field conditions. Over the course of three years, we found a highly significant decrease in the rate ofBotrytisinfection. Pathogen control was achieved with relatively low numbers ofG. catenulatumspores per flower, even using flowers that are not highly attractive to bumble bees. An even distribution of spores was detected up to 100 m from the hives, either due to primary inoculation by bumble bees or secondary distribution by other flower visitors such as honey bees and solitary bees. We showed that the application of a biocontrol agent by bumble bees is reliable for the use of environmentally friendly pest control strategies in northern climatic conditions. This low cost technology is especially relevant for organic farming. This study provides valuable information for introducing this method into practice in open strawberry fields.
Real-time application of the Rat Grimace Scale as a welfare refinement in laboratory rats
Authors: Leung Vivian , Zhang Emily , Pang Daniel SJ
Published: August 2016

Rodent grimace scales have been recently validated for pain assessment, allowing evaluation of facial expressions associated with pain. The standard scoring method is retrospective, limiting its application beyond pain research. This study aimed to assess if real-time application of the Rat Grimace Scale (RGS) could reliably and accurately assess pain in rats when compared to the standard method. Thirty-two male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were block randomized into three treatment groups: buprenorphine (0.03 mg/kg, subcutaneously), multimodal analgesia (buprenorphine [0.03 mg/kg] and meloxicam [2 mg/kg], subcutaneously), or saline, followed by intra-plantar carrageenan. Real-time observations (interval and point) were compared to the standard RGS method using concurrent video-recordings. Real-time interval observations reflected the results from the standard RGS method by successfully discriminating between analgesia and saline treatments. Real-time point observations showed poor discrimination between treatments. Real-time observations showed minimal bias (<0.1) and acceptable limits of agreement. These results indicate that applying the RGS in real-time through an interval scoring method is feasible and effective, allowing refinement of laboratory rat welfare through rapid identification of pain and early intervention.
Safety and anti-hyperglycemic efficacy of various tea types in mice
Authors: Han Manman , Zhao Guangshan , Wang Yijun , Wang Dongxu , Sun Feng , Ning Jingming , Wan Xiaochun , Zhang Jinsong
Published: August 2016

Tea, a beverage consumed worldwide, has proven anti-hyperglycemic effects in animal models. Better efficacies of tea beverages are frequently associated with high-dose levels, whose safety attracts considerable attention. Based on the inherent nature of tea catechin oxidation, fresh tea leaves are manufactured into diverse tea types by modulating the oxidation degree of catechins. The present study aimed to assess various tea types for their safety properties and anti-hyperglycemic effects. Mice were allowed free access to tea infusion (1:30, w/v) for one week, and the rare smoked tea caused salient adverse reactions, including hepatic and gastrointestinal toxicities; meanwhile, the widely-consumed green and black teas, unlike the rare yellow tea, suppressed growth in fast-growing healthy mice. When mice were fed a high-fat diet and allowed free access to tea infusion (1:30, w/v) for 25 days, only yellow tea significantly reduced blood glucose. Therefore, various teas showed different safety profiles as well as anti-hyperglycemic efficacy strengths. To achieve an effective and safe anti-hyperglycemic outcome, yellow tea, which effectively suppressed high-fat diet-induced early elevation of hepatic thioredoxin-interacting protein, is an optimal choice.
Computer assisted liquid chromatographic method development for the separation of therapeutic proteins
Authors: Tyteca Eva , Veuthey Jean-Luc , Desmet Gert , Guillarme Davy , Fekete Szabolcs
Published: August 2016

This review summarizes the use of computer assisted liquid chromatographic method development for the analytical characterization of protein biopharmaceuticals.
In vitro detection of human breast cancer cells (SK-BR3) using herceptin-conjugated liquid crystal microdroplets as a sensing platform
Authors: Ding Wang , Gupta Kailash Chandra , Park Soo-Young , Kim Young-Kyoo , Kang Inn-Kyu
Published: August 2016

Polarized light micrographs showing bipolar orientation of 5CB molecules in herceptin-conjugated LC microdroplets on selective interactions with SK-BR3 cancer cells.
Suitability of ionic liquid electrolytes for room-temperature sodium-ion battery applications
Authors: Wang Chueh-Han , Yang Cheng-Hsien , Chang Jeng-Kuei
Published: August 2016

For Na0.44MnO2-hard carbon cells, IL electrolytes can outperform conventional electrolytes in terms of cell capacity and cyclability at 25 °C.
A symmetry breaking phase transition-triggered high-temperature solid-state quadratic nonlinear optical switch coupled with a switchable dielectric constant in an organic–inorganic hybrid compound
Authors: Mei Guang-Quan , Zhang Han-Yue , Liao Wei-Qiang
Published: August 2016

The compound exhibits switchable SHG effect and tunable dielectric behaviors, associated with its symmetry breaking phase transition.
Generation of highly reactive oxygen species on metal-supported MgO(100) thin films
Authors: Song Zhenjun , Fan Jing , Shan Yueyue , Ng Alan Man Ching , Xu Hu
Published: August 2016

A series of highly reactive oxygen species are formed with the assistance of water on an insulating surface.
A perspective on structural and computational work on collagen
Authors: Domene Carmen , Jorgensen Christian , Abbasi Sumra Wajid
Published: August 2016

Collagen is the single most abundant protein in the extracellular matrix in the animal kingdom, with remarkable structural and functional diversity and regarded one of the most useful biomaterials.
Nanoshaping field emitters from glassy carbon sheets: a new functionality induced by H-plasma etching
Authors: Gay S. , Orlanducci S. , Passeri D. , Rossi M. , Terranova M. L.
Published: August 2016

This paper reports on the morphological and electrical characterization at the nanometer scale and the investigation of the field emission characteristics of glassy carbon (GC) plates which underwent H-induced physical/chemical processes occurring in a dual-mode MW-RF plasma reactor.
Photogenerated triplet states in supramolecular porphyrin ladder assemblies: an EPR study
Authors: Richert Sabine , Peeks Martin D. , Tait Claudia E. , Anderson Harry L. , Timmel Christiane R.
Published: August 2016

Ladder formation and planarisation do not enhance delocalisation in the triplet excited states of linear porphyrin oligomers.
Electrochemical oxidation of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH): comparison of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and polycrystalline boron-doped diamond (pBDD) electrodes
Authors: Maddar Faduma M. , Lazenby Robert A. , Patel Anisha N. , Unwin Patrick R.
Published: August 2016

NADH electro-oxidation is faster, but more prone to fouling, at HOPG compared to pBDD.
Cyclometallated iridium complexes inducing paraptotic cell death like natural products: synthesis, structure and mechanistic aspects
Authors: Tripathy Suman Kumar , De Umasankar , Dehury Niranjan , Laha Paltan , Panda Manas Kumar , Kim Hyung Sik , Patra Srikanta
Published: August 2016

Mononuclear cyclometallated iridium complexes of polypyridyl-phenazine based ligands have been synthesized and characterized which display excellent anticancer activity through paraptosis.
A novel fluorescence “on–off–on” chemosensor for Hg2+via a water-assistant blocking heavy atom effect
Authors: Wu Chong , Zhao Jiang-Lin , Jiang Xue-Kai , Wang Chuan-Zeng , Ni Xin-Long , Zeng Xi , Redshaw Carl , Yamato Takehiko
Published: August 2016

The heavy atom effect and blocking thereof were demonstrated within the same system by the use of a C3-symmetric homooxacalix[3]arene scaffold.
Controllable fabrication of urchin-like Co3O4 hollow spheres for high-performance supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Chen Fashen , Liu Xiaohe , Zhang Zhian , Zhang Ning , Pan Anqiang , Liang Shuquan , Ma Renzhi
Published: August 2016

Urchin-like cobalt oxide (Co3O4) hollow spheres can be successfully prepared by thermal decomposition of cobalt carbonate hydroxide hydrate (Co(CO3)0.5(OH)·0.11H2O) obtained by template-assisted hydrothermal synthesis.
Structure property relationships affecting the proton conductivity in imidazole loaded Al-MOFs
Authors: Homburg T. , Hartwig C. , Reinsch H. , Wark M. , Stock N.
Published: August 2016

A systematic investigation on the influence of steric effects and the possibility to form host-guest interactions on the proton conductivity was carried out using imidazole loaded derivatives of Al-MIL-53 [Al(OH)(1,4-BDC-(CH3)x)] (x= 0, 1, 2) and CAU-11.
Continuous plasma extraction under viscoelastic fluid in a straight channel with asymmetrical expansion–contraction cavity arrays
Authors: Yuan Dan , Zhang Jun , Sluyter Ronald , Zhao Qianbin , Yan Sheng , Alici Gursel , Li Weihua
Published: August 2016

By exploiting the Dean-flow-coupled elasto-inertial effects, continuous, sheathless, and high purity plasma extraction under viscoelastic fluid in a straight channel with asymmetrical expansion–contraction cavity arrays (ECCA channel) is demonstrated.
A road towards 25% efficiency and beyond: perovskite tandem solar cells
Authors: Todorov T. , Gunawan O. , Guha S.
Published: August 2016

For decades, the appealing potential of tandem solar cells for efficiencies beyond the single-junction Shockley–Queisser limit has led researchers to develop thin film tandem solutions for high performance low cost solar cells.
The synthesis and structural characterization of twin liquid crystalline perylenebisimides
Authors: Prajitha K. P. , Asha S. K.
Published: August 2016

A smectic to nematic LC phase switch is achieved by changing one methylene unit in the central spacer segment.
Single dish gradient screening of small molecule localization
Authors: Beuzer Paolo , Axelrod Joshua , Trzoss Lynnie , Fenical Willam , Dasari Ramesh , Evidente Antonio , Kornienko Alexander , Cang Hu , La Clair James J.
Published: August 2016

Understanding trafficking in cells and tissues is one of the most critical steps in exploring the mechanisms and modes of action (MOAs) of a small molecule.
Synthesis of core–shell structured alumina/Cu microspheres using activation by silver nanoparticles deposited on polydopamine-coated surfaces
Authors: Hu Jiaxun , Wu Shuqing , Cao Qin , Zhang Wenda
Published: August 2016

A facile and efficient approach to preparing alumina/Cu composite microspheres with silver-decorated polydopamine coating is proposed.
PEGylated boron nitride nanotube-reinforced poly(propylene fumarate) nanocomposite biomaterials
Authors: Díez-Pascual Ana M. , Díez-Vicente Angel L.
Published: August 2016

Novel PPF/PEG-g-BNNTs nanocomposites were synthesized and characterized. These antibacterial and non-toxic biomaterials are suitable for bone tissue engineering.
A cost-effective disposable graphene-modified electrode decorated with alternating layers of Au NPs for the simultaneous detection of dopamine and uric acid in human urine
Authors: Baig Nadeem , Kawde Abdel-Nasser
Published: August 2016

A disposable electrode based on a highly sensitive and readily fabricated arrangement of alternating AuNP and graphene layers was introduced for the simultaneous determination of dopamine and uric acid.
A series of BiOxIy/GO photocatalysts: synthesis, characterization, activity, and mechanism
Authors: Chou Shang-Yi , Chung Wen-Hsin , Chen Li-Wen , Dai Yong-Ming , Lin Wan-Yu , Lin Jia-Hao , Chen Chiing-Chang
Published: August 2016

Four composites BiOI/GO, Bi4O5I2/GO, Bi7O9I3/GO, and Bi5O7I/GO.
Precise casting of biomorphic La0.9K0.1CoO3 catalysts derived from pinewood for diesel soot combustion
Authors: Liu Zhaohui , Wang Xiaofei , Mao Teng , Sima Jinqiang , Gong Cairong , Fan Guoliang
Published: August 2016

A biomorphic perovskite-type oxide, possessing a large surface area, was successfully fabricated using pinewood as a template. The porous structure prompted catalytic activity towards soot combustion under low temperature.
Licarin B from Myristica fragrans improves insulin sensitivity via PPARγ and activation of GLUT4 in the IRS-1/PI3K/AKT pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Shyni G. L. , Sasidharan Kavitha , Francis Sajin K. , Das Arya A. , Nair Mangalam S. , Raghu K. G.
Published: August 2016

Licarin B, a major bioactive compound isolated fromMyristica fragransmace improves glucose uptakeviaPPARγ and GLUT4 translocation in IRS-1/PI3K/AKT pathway in adipocytes
Design and preparation of hybrid films containing three-branched chromophores for nonlinear optical applications
Authors: Yu Yeli , Cui Yuanjing , Yang Yu , Qian Guodong
Published: August 2016

A new hybrid film with homogeneous morphology is fabricated and exhibits excellent second nonlinear optical properties.
Low-temperature CO oxidation over manganese, cobalt, and nickel doped CeO2 nanorods
Authors: Jampaiah Deshetti , Venkataswamy P. , Coyle Victoria Elizabeth , Reddy Benjaram M. , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: August 2016

Transition metal doped ceria nanorods exhibit a better CO oxidation activity at lower temperatures.
One-step reduction and simultaneous decoration on various porous substrates: toward oil filtration from water
Authors: Liu Na , Cao Yingze , Qu Ruixiang , Zhang Weifeng , Lin Xin , Chen Yuning , Wei Yen , Feng Lin
Published: August 2016

Facile fabrication via one-step reduction and simultaneous decoration on various porous substrates for oil filtration from water.
Nanotemplate-directed DNA segmental thermal motion
Authors: Dubrovin E. V. , Schächtele M. , Schäffer T. E.
Published: August 2016

Nanotemplate directed DNA segmental thermal motion on molecular nanotemplates on graphite was directly observed and characterized using AFM in a liquid.
Asymmetric hybrid capacitors based on novel bearded carbon fiber cloth–pinhole polyaniline electrodes with excellent energy density
Authors: Ma Jun , Tang Shaochun , Syed Junaid Ali , Meng Xiangkang
Published: August 2016

The pinhole nanostructure of redox-active PANI exposed a high electrolytic attainable surface area and the bearded CFC would serve as a fantabulous 3D conductive skeleton which supplied a direct channel for electron transport.
A molten salt strategy for deriving a porous Si@C nano-composite from Si-rich biomass for high-performance Li-ion batteries
Authors: Lin Ning , Xu Tianjun , Han Ying , Shen Kangze , Zhu Yongchun , Qian Yitai
Published: August 2016

A porous Si@C nano-composite is prepared through deriving both Si and C from biomass for high-performance Li-ion batteries.
Encapsulation of unmodified Gibbsite via conventional emulsion polymerisation using charged co-oligomers
Authors: Loiko Olessya P. , Spoelstra Anne B. , van Herk Alexander M. , Meuldijk Jan , Heuts Johan P. A.
Published: August 2016

A simple procedure for the encapsulation of unmodified Gibbsite was developed using conventional emulsion polymerization and charged oligomers as stabilisers.
The catalytic properties evolution of HZSM-5 in the conversion of methanol to gasoline
Authors: Zhu Lingjun , Yin Shi , Wang Xiaoliu , Liu Yincong , Wang Shurong
Published: August 2016

Catalytic properties evolution of HZSM-5 in MTG process was demonstrated basing on the analysis of spent catalysts with characteristic reaction.
Biomimetic cross-reactive sensor arrays: prospects in biodiagnostics
Authors: Fitzgerald J. E. , Fenniri H.
Published: August 2016

Biomimetic cross-reactive sensor arrays have been used to detect and analyze a wide variety of vapour and liquid components in applications such as food science, public health and safety, and diagnostics.
Smart graphene dispersion stabilized by a CO2-removable polymer
Authors: Yin Hongyao , Feng Yujun
Published: August 2016

A smart graphene dispersion by a CO2-controlled removable polymer is developed. The polymer can not only adsorb on graphene surface to form stable, concentrated aqueous dispersion, but also can be further removed upon CO2 treatment.
Enhanced hydrogenation of ethyl-levulinate to γ-valerolactone over NiδOx stabilized Cu+ surface sites
Authors: Zhu Junhua , Tang Yi , Tang Kangjian
Published: August 2016

CuNiδOx/SiO2 nanocatalysts with Cu–Ni activities below 5 nm were synthesized.
Time-dependent density functional theory study on excited-state spectral and dynamic properties of hydrogen-bonded complexes formed by DMACA and water
Authors: Yang Dapeng , Zheng Rui , Wang Yusheng , Lv Jian
Published: August 2016

Excited-state spectral and dynamic properties of hydrogen-bonded complexes formed by 4-(dimethylamino)cinnamic acid with water molecules were studied using the TDDFT method.
1,3-Dialkylimidazolium modified clay sorbents for perchlorate removal from water
Authors: Thomas Eapen , Rekha Krishnan G. , Bhuvaneswari Soundiraraju , Vijayalakshmi Kunduchi P. , George Benny K.
Published: August 2016

Clay modified using the 1-hexadecyl-3-methylimidazolium cation (C16-clay) shows perchlorate adsorption of 15.6 mg g−1 accompanied by a conformational change and decrease in d-spacing.
Hybrid bicelles as a pH-sensitive nanocarrier for hydrophobic drug delivery
Authors: Lin Li , Wang Xiaoyou , Guo Yanyu , Ren Kuan , Li Xiaoda , Jing Lijia , Yue Xiuli , Zhang Qiang , Dai Zhifei
Published: August 2016

Stabilized disc-like hybrid bicelles provide pH-sensitive release, preferable cellular uptake, tumor accumulation and therapeutic effect in vitro and in vivo.
Facile fabrication and application of SnO2–ZnO nanocomposites: insight into chain-like frameworks, heterojunctions and quantum dots
Authors: Ren Lanlan , Chen Dayong , Hu Zhixiang , Gao Ziming , Luo Zhigang , Chen Zhiwen , Jiang Yong , Zhao Bing , Wu C. M. Lawrence , Shek Chan-Hung
Published: August 2016

We report that a novel SnO2–ZnO chain-like heterojunction framework embedded with SnO2 and ZnO quantum-dots shows highly efficient photocatalytic performance.
Depletion sphere: Explaining the number of Ag islands on Au nanoparticles
Authors: Feng Yuhua , Wang Yawen , Song Xiaohui , Xing Shuangxi , Chen Hongyu
Published: August 2016

We propose the depletion sphere model to explain the control of valency when forming Au–Ag satellite nanostructures.
Design and engineering of water-soluble light-harvesting protein maquettes
Authors: Kodali Goutham , Mancini Joshua A. , Solomon Lee A. , Episova Tatiana V. , Roach Nicholas , Hobbs Christopher J. , Wagner Pawel , Mass Olga A. , Aravindu Kunche , Barnsley Jonathan E. , Gordon Keith C. , Officer David L. , Dutton P. Leslie , Moser Christopher C.
Published: August 2016

Design of nanometer scale artificial light harvesting and charge separating proteins enables reengineering to overcome the limitations of natural selection for efficient systems that better meet human energetic needs.
Targeting cancer cell metabolism with mitochondria-immobilized phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes
Authors: Cao Jian-Jun , Tan Cai-Ping , Chen Mu-He , Wu Na , Yao De-Yang , Liu Xing-Guo , Ji Liang-Nian , Mao Zong-Wan
Published: August 2016

We report a rational design and mechanism studies of mitochondria-immobilized iridium(iii) complexes that can kill cancer cells by targeting mitochondrial metabolism.
Selective transition-metal-free vicinal cis-dihydroxylation of saturated hydrocarbons
Authors: Bering Luis , Antonchick Andrey P.
Published: August 2016

A selective vicinal dihydroxylation of alkanes by dual C(sp3)–H bond functionalization under transition-metal-free reaction conditions has been developed.
Room-temperature synthesis of bimetallic Co–Zn based zeolitic imidazolate frameworks in water for enhanced CO2 and H2 uptakes
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , Rai Rohit K. , Tyagi Deepika , Yao Xin , Li Pei-Zhou , Yang Xin-Chun , Zhao Yanli , Xu Qiang , Singh Sanjay K.
Published: August 2016

An easy access to highly robust bimetallic Co–Zn based zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, with tuned porosity and surface area, for enhanced CO2 and H2 uptakes at 298 K and 77 K, respectively, at 1 bar compared to the monometallic ZIF-8.
Rechargeable lithium–air batteries: a perspective on the development of oxygen electrodes
Authors: Jung Kyu-Nam , Kim Jeonghun , Yamauchi Yusuke , Park Min-Sik , Lee Jong-Won , Kim Jung Ho
Published: August 2016

Lithium–air battery (LAB) technology is currently being considered as a future technology for resolving energy and environmental issues. Here, we introduce recent advances and the remaining technical challenges in the development of LABs, particularly focusing on the cathodes based on a fundamental understanding of Li–O2electrochemistry.
Exsolved Fe–Ni nano-particles from Sr2Fe1.3Ni0.2Mo0.5O6 perovskite oxide as a cathode for solid oxide steam electrolysis cells
Authors: Wang Y. , Liu T. , Li M. , Xia C. , Zhou B. , Chen F.
Published: August 2016

A stable and catalytically active cathode consisting of homogeneously dispersed nano-socketed Fe–Ni particles has been elegantly fabricated in single-step treatment for solid oxide steam electrolysis cells via the in situ reduction of the Sr2Fe1.3Ni0.2Mo0.5O6 (SFMNi) material in a humidified H2 (3 vol% H2O) atmosphere at 800 °C.
High energy density in silver niobate ceramics
Authors: Tian Ye , Jin Li , Zhang Hangfeng , Xu Zhuo , Wei Xiaoyong , Politova E. D. , Stefanovich S. Yu. , Tarakina Nadezda V. , Abrahams Isaac , Yan Haixue
Published: August 2016

Solid-state dielectric energy storage is the most attractive and feasible way to store and release high power energy compared to chemical batteries and electrochemical super-capacitors.
GA‐based camera calibration for vision‐assisted robotic assembly system
Authors: Pitchandi Nagarajan , Subramanian Saravana Perumaal
Published: August 2016

Vision sensors are employed in robotic assembly system to sense the dynamic environment and to position the manipulator precisely based on the sensor feedback. This process is termed as visual servoing. Precise calibration of the camera and camera/robot system are required to estimate the desired velocity of the robot and accurate positioning of the mating parts. In position‐based visual servoing, roughly calibrated camera leads to errors in robot/camera pose identification that affects the positional accuracy and time to reach the target position. A camera calibration procedure based on genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed in this study to estimate the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the camera model for improving positional accuracy and faster convergence. The proposed algorithm is implemented with two‐stage procedure and it comprises: determination of the camera parameters for distortion‐less model and reduction of re‐projection error through GA with linearly determined camera distortion‐less parameters as an initial solution. The proposed camera calibration algorithm has been tested and compared with the dataset images in the literature for its performance in terms of measurement accuracy. The result shows that the proposed algorithm has the capability to calibrate the distorted images with minimum re‐projection error using single image.
Passive acoustic system for tracking low‐flying aircraft
Authors: Sedunov Alexander , Sutin Alexander , Sedunov Nikolay , Salloum Hady , Yakubovskiy Alexander , Masters David
Published: August 2016

The following study presents the acoustic aircraft detection system designed for automated detection, classification and tracking of low‐flying aircraft using a network of passive acoustic sensors. The system consists of multiple autonomously powered sensor nodes, each equipped with a microphone cluster, cameras and electronics that perform pre‐processing and transmit the results wirelessly to a central processing station. The station fuses the data from sensors for finding the direction of arrival (DOA) of aircraft sounds then uses triangulation techniques for the target localisation. The calculated tracks were used for steering the cameras to the acoustically tracked target to capture pictures. The extended test spanning more than two years has uncovered many challenges that are part of such deployment including the impact of the weather, natural and man‐made interfering sources of noise, effects of terrain and the variety of types and modes of operation of the targets of interest. During the deployment period, the system detected a significant number of targets of interest. Several control tests with different aircraft providing ground truth GPS for comparison with the acoustic tracking was also conducted.
Not just fractal surfaces, but surface fractal aggregates: Derivation of the expression for the structure factor and its applications
Authors: Besselink R. , Stawski T. M. , Van Driessche A. E. S. , Benning L. G.
Published: August 2016

Densely packed surface fractal aggregates form in systems with high local volume fractions of particles with very short diffusion lengths, which effectively means that particles have little space to move. However, there are no prior mathematical models, which would describe scattering from such surface fractal aggregates and which would allow the subdivision between inter- and intraparticle interferences of such aggregates. Here, we show that by including a form factor function of the primary particles building the aggregate, a finite size of the surface fractal interfacial sub-surfaces can be derived from a structure factor term. This formalism allows us to define both a finite specific surface area for fractal aggregates and the fraction of particle interfacial sub-surfaces at the perimeter of an aggregate. The derived surface fractal model is validated by comparing it with an ab initio approach that involves the generation of a “brick-in-a-wall” von Koch type contour fractals. Moreover, we show that this approach explains observed scattering intensities from in situ experiments that followed gypsum (CaSO4 ⋅ 2H2O) precipitation from highly supersaturated solutions. Our model of densely packed “brick-in-a-wall” surface fractal aggregates may well be the key precursor step in the formation of several types of mosaic- and meso-crystals.
Nonlinear absorption of short intense laser pulse in multispecies plasma
Authors: Kargarian A. , Hajisharifi K. , Mehdian H.
Published: August 2016

In the present paper, the detailed investigation concerning the effect of inclusion of heavy negative ions into the finite background plasma on the laser absorption has been carried out by employing particle-in-cell simulation method. For this purpose, in this configuration, the laser energy absorption relying on the nonlinear phenomena such as phase-mixing, wave-breaking, and scattering has been studied in the Raman-Brillouin regime. It is shown that the inclusion of heavy negative ions suppresses the scattering while increases the phase-mixing time. Moreover, it is illustrated that this inclusion can increase the laser absorption in finite plasma environment, after saturation. The obtained results are expected to be relevant to the experiments on the mass spectrometry with laser desorption techniques as well as on the laser-plasma interaction with application to particles acceleration.
Pattern formation based on complex coupling mechanism in dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: Liu Weibo , Dong Lifang , Wang Yongjie , Zhang Hao , Pan Yuyang
Published: August 2016

The pattern formation of cinque-dice square superlattice pattern (CDSSP) is investigated based on the complex coupling mechanism in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) system. The spatio-temporal structure of CDSSP obtained by using an intensified-charge coupled device indicates that CDSSP is an interleaving of two kinds of subpatterns (mixture of rectangle and square, and dot-line square) which discharge twice in one half voltage, respectively. Selected by the complex coupling of two subpatterns, the CDSSP can be formed and shows good stability. This investigation based on gas discharge theory together with nonlinear theory may provide a deeper understanding for the nonlinear characteristics and even the formation mechanism of patterns in DBD.
Local parametric instability near elliptic points in vortex flows under shear deformation
Authors: Koshel Konstantin V. , Ryzhov Eugene A.
Published: August 2016

The dynamics of two point vortices embedded in an oscillatory external flow consisted of shear and rotational components is addressed. The region associated with steady-state elliptic points of the vortex motion is established to experience local parametric instability. The instability forces the point vortices with initial positions corresponding to the steady-state elliptic points to move in spiral-like divergent trajectories. This divergent motion continues until the nonlinear effects suppress their motion near the region associated with the steady-state separatrices. The local parametric instability is then demonstrated not to contribute considerably to enhancing the size of the chaotic motion regions. Instead, the size of the chaotic motion region mostly depends on overlaps of the nonlinear resonances emerging in the perturbed system.
Advantageous use of metallic cobalt in the target for pulsed laser deposition of cobalt-doped ZnO films
Authors: Ying Minju , Blythe Harry J. , Dizayee Wala , Heald Steve M. , Gerriu Fatma M. , Fox A. Mark , Gehring Gillian A.
Published: August 2016

We investigate the magnetic properties of ZnCoO thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from targets made containing metallic Co or CoO precursors instead of the usual Co3O4. We find that the films grown from metallic Co precursors in an oxygen rich environment contain negligible amounts of Co metal and have a large magnetization at room temperature. Structural analysis by X-ray diffraction and magneto-optical measurements indicate that the enhanced magnetism is due, in part, from Zn vacancies that partially compensate the naturally occurring n-type defects. We conclude that strongly magnetic films of Zn0.95Co0.05O that do not contain metallic cobalt can be grown by PLD from Co-metal-precursor targets if the films are grown in an oxygen atmosphere.
Enhanced breakdown strength of poly(vinylidene fluoride) utilizing rubber nanoparticles for energy storage application
Authors: Zheng Ming-Sheng , Zha Jun-Wei , Yang Yu , Han Peng , Hu Chao-He , Dang Zhi-Min
Published: August 2016

A kind of rubber nanoparticles, methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS), was applied into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix to fabricate MBS/PVDF composite films. Uniform dispersion and good compatibility of MBS in the matrix were observed. We found that the entanglement state between MBS nanoparticles and random chains of PVDF could diminish gaps in the matrix, which is helpful for high breakdown strength. The composite film with 12 vol. % MBS showed the maximum breakdown strength of 535 MV/m and the high energy density of 9.85 J/cm3, which were 1.7 times and about 2.2 times higher than pure PVDF film, respectively.
A comparative study of the plasmon effect in nanoelectrode THz emitters: Pulse vs. continuous-wave radiation
Authors: Moon Kiwon , Lee Eui Su , Choi Jeongyong , Lee Donghun , Lee Il-Min , Han Sang-Pil , Kim Hyun-Soo , Park Kyung Hyun
Published: August 2016

Plasmonic field enhancement in terahertz (THz) generation is one of the recently arisen techniques in the THz field that has attracted considerable interest. However, the reported levels of enhancement of THz output power in the literature are significantly different from each other, from less than two times to about two orders of magnitude of enhancement in power, which implies the existence of other major limiting factors yet to be revealed. In this work, the contribution of the plasmonic effect to the power enhancement of THz emitters is revisited. We show that the carrier collection efficiency in a THz emitter with plasmonic nanostructures is more critical to the device performance than the plasmonic field enhancement itself. The strong reverse fields induced by the highly localized plasmonic carriers in the vicinity of the nanoelectrodes screen the carrier collections and seriously limit the power enhancement. This is supported by our experimental observations of the significantly enhanced power in a plasmonic nanoelectrode THz emitter in continuous-wave radiation mode, while the same device has limited enhancement with pulsed radiation. We hope that our study may provide an intuitive but practical guideline in adopting plasmonic nanostructures with an aim of enhancing the efficiency of optoelectronic devices.
Flexoelectric piezoelectric metamaterials based on the bending of ferroelectric ceramic wafers
Authors: Zhang Xiaotong , Liu Jiliang , Chu Mingjin , Chu Baojin
Published: August 2016

Conventional piezoelectric ceramics lose their piezoelectric properties near the Curie temperature (Tc), which limits their application at high temperatures. One approach to resolving this issue is to design flexoelectric piezoelectric composites or piezoelectric metamaterials by exploiting the flexoelectric effect of the ferroelectric materials. In this work, an experimental study on two designs of flexoelectric metamaterials is demonstrated. When a ferroelectric ceramic wafer is placed on a metal ring or has a domed shape, which is produced through the diffusion between two pieces of ferroelectric ceramic of different compositions at high temperatures, an apparent piezoelectric response originating from the flexoelectric effect can be measured under a stress. The apparent piezoelectric response of the materials based on the designs can be sustained well above Tc. This study provides an approach to designing materials for high-temperature electromechanical applications.
Enhanced photothermal lens using a photonic crystal surface
Authors: Zhao Yunfei , Liu Longju , Zhao Xiangwei , Lu Meng
Published: August 2016

A photonic crystal (PC)-enhanced photothermal lens (PTL) is demonstrated for the detection of optically thin light absorption materials. The PC-enhanced PTL system is based on a pump-probe scheme consisting of a PC surface, pump laser beam, and probe laser beam. Heated by the pump beam, light absorption materials on the PC surface generate the PTL and cause a substantial change to the guided-mode resonance supported by the PC structure. The change of the PC resonance is detected using the probe laser beam by measuring its reflectivity from the PC surface. When applied to analyze dye molecules deposited on the PC substrate, the developed system is capable of enhancing the PTL signal by 10-fold and reducing the lowest distinguishable concentration by 8-fold, in comparison to measuring without utilizing the PC resonance. The PC-enhanced PTL was also used to detect gold nanoparticles on the PC surface and exhibited a 20-fold improvement of the lowest distinguishable concentration. The PC-enhanced PTL technology offers a potential tool to obtain the absorption signatures of thin films in a broad spectral range with high sensitivity and inexpensive instrumentation. As a result, this technology will enable a broad range of applications of photothermal spectroscopy in chemical analysis and biomolecule sensing.
Communication: Fitting potential energy surfaces with fundamental invariant neural network
Authors: Shao Kejie , Chen Jun , Zhao Zhiqiang , Zhang Dong H.
Published: August 2016

A more flexible neural network (NN) method using the fundamental invariants (FIs) as the input vector is proposed in the construction of potential energy surfaces for molecular systems involving identical atoms. Mathematically, FIs finitely generate the permutation invariant polynomial (PIP) ring. In combination with NN, fundamental invariant neural network (FI-NN) can approximate any function to arbitrary accuracy. Because FI-NN minimizes the size of input permutation invariant polynomials, it can efficiently reduce the evaluation time of potential energy, in particular for polyatomic systems. In this work, we provide the FIs for all possible molecular systems up to five atoms. Potential energy surfaces for OH3 and CH4 were constructed with FI-NN, with the accuracy confirmed by full-dimensional quantum dynamic scattering and bound state calculations.
Performance of arrays of direct-driven wave energy converters under optimal power take-off damping
Authors: Wang Liguo , Engström Jens , Leijon Mats , Isberg Jan
Published: August 2016

It is well known that the total power converted by a wave energy farm is influenced by the hydrodynamic interactions between wave energy converters, especially when they are close to each other. Therefore, to improve the performance of a wave energy farm, the hydrodynamic interaction between converters must be considered, which can be influenced by the power take-off damping of individual converters. In this paper, the performance of arrays of wave energy converters under optimal hydrodynamic interaction and power take-off damping is investigated. This is achieved by coordinating the power take-off damping of individual converters, resulting in optimal hydrodynamic interaction as well as higher production of time-averaged power converted by the farm. Physical constraints on motion amplitudes are considered in the solution, which is required for the practical implementation of wave energy converters. Results indicate that the natural frequency of a wave energy converter under optimal damping will not vary with sea states, but the production performance of a wave energy farm can be improved significantly while satisfying the motion constraints.
Direct write of copper-graphene composite using micro-cold spray
Authors: Dardona Sameh , Hoey Justin , She Ying , Schmidt Wayde R.
Published: August 2016

Direct write of a new class of composite materials containing copper and graphene in the powder phase is described. The composite was synthesized using batch electroless plating of copper for various times onto Nano Graphene Platelets (NGP) to control the amount of copper deposited within the loosely aggregated graphene powder. Copper deposition was confirmed by both Focused Ion Beam (FIB) and Auger electron spectroscopic analysis. A micro-cold spray technique was used to deposit traces that are ∼230 μm wide and ∼5 μm thick of the formulated copper/graphene powder onto a glass substrate. The deposited traces were found to have good adhesion to the substrate with ∼65x the copper bulk resistivity.
Ecological singularity of temperate mesopredatory myliobatoid rays (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes)
Authors: Ruocco Natalia L. , Lucifora Luis O.
Published: August 2016

Many myliobatoid rays are important mesopredators, having significant effects on coastal benthic communities. In tropical and subtropical high-diversity oligotrophic ecosystems, they partition their trophic resources, which results in high ecological singularity. However, it is unknown whether this is true for temperate low-diversity eutrophic ecosystems. In the present study, we tested, for the first time, the hypothesis that myliobatoid mesopredators are ecologically redundant in a temperate low-diversity eutrophic ecosystem. We quantified diet and measured intra- and interspecific trophic overlap in the three species that regularly occur off Uruguay and northern Argentina, namely Myliobatis goodei, Myliobatis ridens and Dasyatis hypostigma. M. ridens had a typical durophagic diet composed of bivalves and gastropods, M. goodei fed primarily on polychaetes and decapods, diverging from the durophagic diet typical of its genus, and D. hypostigma preyed primarily on amphipods and decapods. There were ontogenetic and seasonal dietary differences in all three species. It is concluded that ecological singularity is present in this temperate myliobatoid assemblage, with each species having a different trophic niche. The practice of pooling together myliobatoid mesopredators in trophic models must be abandoned unless there is evidence of ecological redundancy.
Reducing emergency department presentations among chronically ill patients in Western Sydney: a key role for coordinated primary care
Authors: Mallitt Kylie-Ann , McNab Justin , Hughes Rod , Fernyhough Joanne , Paterson Janis , O'Halloran Di
Published: August 2016

Coordination of health services is thought to improve health outcomes for patients with chronic and complex illness; however, there is limited quantitative evidence for the effectiveness of coordinated care programs. HealthOne Mount Druitt (HOMD) is a coordinated care program operating in a disadvantaged area of Western Sydney, Australia. It operates as a combination ‘virtual’ and ‘hub and spoke’ model, with care coordination provided by liaison nurses. We aimed to determine whether there were changes in the number of emergency department (ED) presentations, length of stay, and community health referrals in the 12 months following enrolment in HOMD, compared to the 12 months prior. A quantitative survey was also conducted to determine the perspectives of service providers on key aspects of HOMD. Enrolment in HOMD was followed by reductions in both the number of ED presentations and the amount of time spent by patients in the ED. Community health referrals were increased, and the pattern of referral to different types of community health services was altered. This study provides quantitative evidence that a coordinated care intervention improves patient health outcomes.
Unraveling the essential role of CysK in CDI toxin activation
Authors: Johnson Parker M. , Beck Christina M. , Morse Robert P. , Garza-Sánchez Fernando , Low David A. , Hayes Christopher S. , Goulding Celia W.
Published: August 2016

Significance

Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems produce toxins that inhibit competing bacteria and immunity proteins that protect against self-inhibition. The CDI toxin deployed by
Escherichia coli
536 is a nuclease that only cleaves transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules when bound to the biosynthetic enzyme
O
-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (CysK). Here, we present crystal structures of the activated CysK/toxin binary complex and the neutralized CysK/toxin/immunity protein ternary complex. CysK significantly increases toxin thermostability and promotes its interaction with tRNA substrates. Collectively, our results indicate that CysK stabilizes the toxin fold, thereby organizing the nuclease active site for substrate recognition and catalysis. We propose that the
E. coli
536 toxin may need to unfold when transferred between bacteria and that its interaction with CysK could ensure reactivation after entry into target cells.
Single-cell RNAseq reveals cell adhesion molecule profiles in electrophysiologically defined neurons
Authors: Földy Csaba , Darmanis Spyros , Aoto Jason , Malenka Robert C. , Quake Stephen R. , Südhof Thomas C.
Published: August 2016

Significance

Synapses functionally connect neurons in the brain and mediate information processing relevant to all aspects of life. Among others, synaptic connections are enabled by cell adhesion molecules, which connect presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes by binding to each other via the synaptic cleft. Mammalian genomes express hundreds of cell adhesion molecules whose combinatorial utilization is thought to contribute to the brain’s “connectivity code.” Such code could explain the versatility of synapses as well as the logic of connectivity between cell types. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the expression of cell adhesion molecules and other signaling proteins in defined cell types, and found developmental patterns that potentially identify relevant elements of the connectivity code.
Patients’ facial-affective regulation during episodes of rupture of the therapeutic alliance / Regulación afectivo-facial de pacientes durante episodios de ruptura de la alianza terapéutica
Authors: Barros Paulina , Altimir Carolina , Pérez J. Carola
Published: August 2016

The nonverbal, implicit and affective regulation process of psychotherapy patients was studied through their facial-affective displays during Confrontation and Withdrawal Ruptures, as well as the evolution of this display throughout therapy. Twenty-six rupture episodes selected from a total of five individual therapeutic processes from different theoretical orientations were analysed using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), which analyses facial behaviour. The results showed association between expressions of Joy, Social Smile and positive emotional Valence during Withdrawal Ruptures, while Confrontation Ruptures were characterized by patients’ absence of Emotional Valence. The differential characteristics of these variables were associated with stages of therapy. The results are discussed based on the notions of agency and affiliation put into play by patients during events of relational tension.
Drinking water lead regulations: Impact on the brass value chain
Authors: Estelle A. A.
Published: August 2016

A detailed review of regulations restricting the use of lead in potable water systems is provided in several regions including the United States (U.S.), Canada, the European Union (E.U.) and Japan to assess the impact on the brass value chain. Covered topics include: chronology of regulations, governing bodies, compliance requirements, enforcement mechanisms and other aspects relevant to metal suppliers, original equipment manufacturers, designers, specifiers, end-users and recyclers of brass. The development and use of lead-free brass alloys and how these materials have impacted manufacturing and recycling processes is also addressed.

This paper is part of a Themed Issue on Brass Alloys.