bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of topical cross‐linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel in preventing post laminectomy/laminotomy fibrosis in a rat model
Authors: Wu Cheng‐Yi , Huang Yi‐Hung , Lee Jung‐Shun , Tai Ta‐Wei , Wu Po‐Ting , Jou I‐Ming
Published: July 2015

Post‐laminectomy/laminotomy epidural fibrosis (EF) has been implicated as an important cause of failed back syndrome (FBS). The various clinical approaches used to control EF yield mixed outcomes. Cross‐linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel (cHA) was synthesized to increase mechanical stability and residence time. We evaluated the therapeutic attenuation of proliferative EF in laminectomy/laminotomy groups treated and not treated with cHA. A bilateral T11‐L1 total laminectomy or unilateral T12 laminotomy was done on four groups (n = 10 each) of Sprague‐Dawley rats and then histologically examined 2 months post‐surgery: (I) laminectomy group treated with and (II) not treated with cHA, (III) laminotomy group treated with and (IV) not treated with cHA. The grade of EF, the diameters within the spinal canal, dura mater thickness, and the area of the epidural space, subarachnoid space, and conus medullaris space were assessed. The cHA‐treated subgroups (I, III) had a significantly lower grade of EF, thinner dura mater, and larger epidural and subarachnoid spaces than did the control subgroups (II, IV) (p < 0.05). The cHA formed a solid interpositional membrane barrier that prevented invasive fibrosis, and also helped reduce pathological changes to the adjacent structures. In conclusion, topically applied cHA is effective for reducing EF. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:299–306, 2016.
The Effect of Water and Soil Conservation (WSC) on the Soil Chemical, Biological, and Physical Quality of a Plinthosol in Niger
Authors: Wildemeersch Jasmien C. J. , Garba Maman , Sabiou Mahamane , Sleutel Steven , Cornelis Wim
Published: July 2015

The hazard for recurring food insecurity in the Sahel is largely affected by insufficient biomass productivity of degraded, marginal lands. In general, water and soil conservation (WSC) techniques are believed to tackle the deterioration of soil quality by enhancing soil hydraulic properties, soil life, and soil organic carbon (SOC) content, but this beneficial effect on soil quality is hardly ever quantified in WSC research. This study therefore evaluates the effect of WSC on soil chemical, physical, and biological quality indicators by means of an in situ experiment, which was installed in 2011 nearby Sadoré, Niger. The treatments include the following: zaï + manure (Z), demi‐lunes + manure, scarification + manure, control + manure, and control. WSC increases grain yields up to 0·7 ± 0·2 Mg ha−1 on degraded, marginal lands, which is similar to yields produced on fertile lands in the area. Nevertheless, a trade‐off between biomass production and SOC accumulation was observed. After three growing seasons, SOC was found to rise significantly for the treatments provided with manure, from ±2·5 to ±5 g kg−1, but the increase was lowest for Z, which produced the highest yields. WSC also showed significantly elevated nematode counts but did not considerably affect other soil chemical and soil physical properties. Hence, on the short term, WSC does not improve soil quality, as was widely proclaimed. Therefore, future research should include the assessment of long‐term WSC effects and the evaluation of integrated management combining WSC with alternative, yield‐enhancing strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A robust tracking method with adaptive local spatial sparse representation
Authors: Zhang Qing , Zhu Yuesheng , Wu Songtao , Luo Guibo , Zhang Liming
Published: July 2015

In this paper, a robust visual tracking method is proposed based on local spatial sparse representation. In the proposed approach, the learned target template is sparsely and compactly expressed by forming local spatial and trivial samples dynamically. An adaptive multiple subspaces appearance model is developed to describe the target appearance and construct the candidate target templates during the tracking process. An effective selection strategy is then employed to select the optimal sparse solution and locate the target accurately in the next frame. The experimental results have demonstrated that our method can perform well in the complex and noisy visual environment, such as heavy occlusions, dramatic illumination changes, and large pose variations in the video. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dietary inorganic nitrate: From villain to hero in metabolic disease?
Authors: McNally Ben , Griffin Julian L. , Roberts Lee D.
Published: July 2015

Historically, inorganic nitrate was believed to be an inert by‐product of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism that was readily excreted by the body. Studies utilising doses of nitrate far in excess of dietary and physiological sources reported potentially toxic and carcinogenic effects of the anion. However, nitrate is a significant component of our diets, with the majority of the anion coming from green leafy vegetables, which have been consistently shown to offer protection against obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic diseases. The discovery of a metabolic pathway in mammals, in which nitrate is reduced to NO, via nitrite, has warranted a re‐examination of the physiological role of this small molecule. Obesity, type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome are associated with a decrease in NO bioavailability. Recent research suggests that the nitrate‐nitrite‐NO pathway may be harnessed as a therapeutic to supplement circulating NO concentrations, with both anti‐obesity and anti‐diabetic effects, as well as improving vascular function. In this review, we examine the key studies that have led to the re‐evaluation of the physiological function of inorganic nitrate, from toxic and carcinogenic metabolite, to a potentially important and beneficial agent in the treatment of metabolic disease.
A compact multiband printed antenna for smart‐phone applications
Authors: Ding Hong‐Ze , Jiao Yong‐Chang , Ni Tao
Published: July 2015

A multiband coupled‐fed printed antenna with compact branch structure for 4G mobile phone is proposed in this letter. The antenna has a planar structure with a small board space of 15 × 29 mm2. A driven monopole strip and a coupled branch‐strip are developed on different sides of a thin FR4 substrate to produce different operation bands. The antenna can operate in octa‐bands, including GSM850, GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900, UMTS, LTE2300, LTE2500, and WLAN, with the return losses more than 6 dB. A prototype of the proposed antenna is fabricated, and its measured results including return losses, efficiencies, and gains are presented. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2289–2294, 2015
Design of the ESPAR antenna with improved DC bias
Authors: Choi Se‐Ah , Lee Seung‐Hwan , Choi Hak‐Keun
Published: July 2015

In this article, an electrically steerable passive array radiator antenna was designed, consisting of a cylindrical dipole active element and four flat dipole parasitic elements. Using a varactor diode, which is a variable capacitor, reactance was applied to the parasitic elements and beam steering to a preferred direction can be achieved through the reactance change. A common ground was used for negative voltage applied lines, which were DC bias lines to control varactor diode voltage, with the active element ground. Using this structure, the number of DC bias lines could be reduced, resulting in the advantage of constructing a simple control circuit. In addition, using a quarter‐wave meander strip line in the negative voltage applied lines, a voltage standing wave ratio characteristic was improved and an antenna gain was increased. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2281–2286, 2015
The characteristics of the dipole espar antenna using the cross‐coplanar waveguide feed
Authors: Park Jae‐Sung , Lee Seung‐Hwan , Choi Hak‐Keun
Published: July 2015

This article suggests a dipole electrically steerable parasitic array radiator (ESPAR) antenna that uses a crossed coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line that can be applied to beamspace multi‐input‐multioutput communication. The dipole antenna, which uses a vertically standing cylindrical structure, requires a feeding method that uses coaxial cable as the cable is connected inside the cylinder. As a result, it has the shortcoming of having to use cable with a limited diameter due to the cylindrical diameter as well as weak structure because of the flexible characteristic of coaxial cable. The antenna suggested in this article is rigid because it has a crossed PCB structure and it also has easier impedance matching than the cable feeding method because has a CPW transmission line. Moreover, the crossed CPW dipole ESPAR antenna turned out to have a radiation pattern similar to a dipole ESPAR antenna composed of a cylindrical structure. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2238–2242, 2015
The resonating MTM‐based miniaturized antennas for wide‐band RF‐microwave systems
Authors: Alibakhshi‐Kenari Mohammad , Naser‐Moghadasi Mohammad , Sadeghzadeh Ramzanali
Published: July 2015

New concepts to designing the miniaturized carved planar metamaterial antennas with special configurations for wide band FR, microwave, and wireless communication systems are presented. To realize the proposed antennas, composite right/left‐handed (RH/LH) transmission lines (TLs) as a general TLs possessing both LH) and RH natures are implemented by the standard manufacturing techniques, so the E‐shaped slits and the split ring resonator as spiral inductors perform the roles of the series LH capacitors (CL) and shunt LH inductors (LL), respectively, so that by optimizing these elements in their numbers and dimensions, the good operational performances of antennas can be achieved. The proposed antennas are constructed using two and three unit cells with E‐shaped layouts having overall dimensions of 0.017λ0 × 0.006λ0 × 0.001λ0 and 0.028λ0 × 0.008λ0 × 0.001λ0, where λ0 is free space wavelength at the operating frequencies of 500 and 650 MHz, respectively. The antennas cover the frequency bandwidths of 500 MHz–1.35 GHz (850 MHz) and 650 MHz–1.85 GHz (1.2 GHz), which correspond to 91.9% and 96.0% fractional bandwidths, respectively. Besides the small dimensions and wide bandwidth characteristics, the measured gains and efficiencies are 5.3 dBi and 85% at 1 GHz for the first antenna, and 5.7 dBi and 90% at 1.4 GHz for the second antenna. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2339–2344, 2015
Compact high‐selectivity bandpass filter using a novel uniform coupled‐line dual‐mode resonator
Authors: Wu Yongle , Hu Binxuan , Nan Lixia , Liu Yuanan
Published: July 2015

Based on a single and uniform coupled‐line section, a novel and simple dual‐mode resonator with a wide range of external quality factor is proposed. The even‐ and odd‐mode (dual‐mode) resonance frequencies are created from unequal effective dielectric constants of a single coupled line. The operating principle is explained, and simulated examples are illustrated. Finally, a microstrip narrowband (14%) dual‐mode high‐selectivity bandpass filter operating at 2.6 GHz with two transmission zeros (2.02 and 2.97 GHz) is designed, fabricated, and measured. The good agreement between the simulated and measured results verifies this proposed idea. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2355–2358, 2015
Size miniaturization of slit‐based circular patch antenna with defected ground structure
Authors: Reddy B. R. Sanjeeva , Vakula D.
Published: July 2015

This letter proposes a novel compact circular patch antenna that is simulated, fabricated, and measured for different wireless applications. Traditional circular antenna is modified with dual T‐ shaped slits placed on top and bottom positions, to obtain the tri band resonant frequencies. Metallic ground plane behind the radiating patch is placed with a dual E‐shaped defected ground structure (DGS) achieving size miniaturization and bandwidth (BW) enhancement at dual bands. Antenna is well performed with and without placement of DGS in terms of obtained gain. Shape, dimensions of the finite ground plane, and frequency shift property using defect on the patch are the key factors in improving the BW and reducing the size. BWs of 3.9 and 3.6% are obtained for 1.56 and 2.47 GHz bands, respectively. The optimized dimensions of DGS are selected without degrading the antenna performance. This single layer probe feed antenna is analyzed, simulated using IE3D tool and also performed experimentally. Frequency shift technique of DGS would attain compact antenna size and is also capable of providing dual bands with better impedance matching and acceptable gain. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2410–2413, 2015
A novel UWB rectangular slot disk monopole antenna with band‐notch characteristics
Authors: Aldhaheri Rabah W. , Babu Kamili Jagadeesh , Syed Avez , Sheikh Muntasir M.
Published: July 2015

In this article, a simple, low cost, and compact‐printed monopole ultrawideband (UWB) antenna with band‐notch characteristics is proposed. The antenna operates from 3 to 11.2 GHz covering the UWB band (3.1–10.6 GHz), while rejecting the frequency band 5.15–5.825 GHz, which is limited by IEEE 802.11a. The proposed antenna has a small size of 26 × 31 mm2 and is designed on an FR4 substrate with permittivity (εr) 4.5 having a thickness of 1.52 mm. A parametric study is performed to understand the effects of antenna parameters on its performance. A good agreement between simulated and measured results is also observed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2405–2410, 2015
Efficient analysis of lossy SIW structures based on the parallel plates waveguide Green's function and fast frequency sweep
Authors: Amendola Giandomenico , Angiulli Giovanni , Arnieri Emilio , Boccia Luigi
Published: July 2015

A fast frequency analysis of lossy substrate‐integrated waveguides based on the asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE) and Padè approximant technique in conjunction with the dyadic Green's function technique, is presented. The derivatives needed to evaluate moments in the AWE method are computed in a simple way thanks to an efficient method that reduces their computational cost. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency and the accuracy of the proposed approach. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2435–2437, 2015
A novel fractal for improving efficiency and its application in LTE mobile antennas
Authors: Eskandari Zeinab , Keshtkar Asghar , Ahmadi‐Shokoh Javad , Ghanbari Leila
Published: July 2015

In this article, we apply a novel fractal in arms of an antipodal dipole for antenna miniaturization that uses the Chu's sphere very effectively to keep antenna efficiency very high in comparison with its counterparts like Koch dipole/monopole. Then, a formula is extracted to determine the first resonance of the dipole. We used this method to design a mobile antenna at LTE13 band (746–787 MHz) which is well known for leading the size of a common dipole antenna to be very large for a handheld mobile. The proposed design shows 40% size reduction in comparison with a common dipole while antenna efficiency is better than 79.28% with S11 greater than 10 dB. It also covers LTE band2 (1850–1990 MHz) with S11 and efficiency better than 6 dB and 78.91%, respectively. The overall size of the printed antenna is 62 × 115 × 1.6 mm3. The simulation and measurement results verify the presented calculations very well. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2429–2434, 2015
A CPW‐fed triple band OCSRR embedded monopole antenna with modified ground for WLAN and WIMAX applications
Authors: Pandeeswari R. , Raghavan S.
Published: July 2015

A coplanar waveguide fed triple band antenna is proposed for wireless local area network (WLAN) and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) applications. The proposed antenna consists of rectangle monopole with modified ground plane and open complementary split ring resonator (OCSRR) loading. The overall size of the antenna is 30 × 40 × 0.8 mm3, which provides Omnidirectional pattern in all three bands. The prototype of antenna is designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured −10 dB impedance bandwidths are 300 MHz (2.40–2.70 GHz), 680 MHz (3.32–4.00 GHz), and 1040 MHz (4.76–5.8 GHz) with resonance frequency at 2.6 GHz,3.4GHz, and 5GHz, respectively, which is suitable for WLAN/WiMAX applications. Parametric study on OCSRR is discussed to validate the results. Simulated and measured results of the antenna are presented and discussed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2413–2418, 2015
A measurement method for radiation pattern of 94‐GHz chip planar antenna
Authors: Uhm Wonyoung , Choi Seokgyu , Ryu Keun‐Kwan , Kim SungChan
Published: July 2015

We proposed a measurement method for radiation pattern of the chip planar antenna. For the verification of the measurement method, we developed a 94‐GHz log‐periodic chip planar antenna on a GaAs substrate. To measure the radiation patterns, the 94‐GHz chip planar antenna was connected by three ribbon bonding wires to the CPW‐to‐WR10 transition. From the measurement at 94 GHz, the back‐to‐back transition has a loss of −4.09 dB and the back‐to‐back transition connected by three ribbon bonding wires has a loss of −5.40 dB. The measurement module has an insertion loss of −3.70 dB and a return loss of −15.79 dB. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2368–2371, 2015
Variable density randomized stack of spirals (VDR‐SoS) for compressive sensing MRI
Authors: Valvano Giuseppe , Martini Nicola , Landini Luigi , Santarelli Maria Filomena
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To develop a 3D sampling strategy based on a stack of variable density spirals for compressive sensing MRI.

Methods

A random sampling pattern was obtained by rotating each spiral by a random angle and by delaying for few time steps the gradient waveforms of the different interleaves. A three‐dimensional (3D) variable sampling density was obtained by designing different variable density spirals for each slice encoding. The proposed approach was tested with phantom simulations up to a five‐fold undersampling factor. Fully sampled 3D dataset of a human knee, and of a human brain, were obtained from a healthy volunteer. The proposed approach was tested with off‐line reconstructions of the knee dataset up to a four‐fold acceleration and compared with other noncoherent trajectories.

Results

The proposed approach outperformed the standard stack of spirals for various undersampling factors. The level of coherence and the reconstruction quality of the proposed approach were similar to those of other trajectories that, however, require 3D gridding for the reconstruction.

Conclusion

The variable density randomized stack of spirals (VDR‐SoS) is an easily implementable trajectory that could represent a valid sampling strategy for 3D compressive sensing MRI. It guarantees low levels of coherence without requiring 3D gridding. Magn Reson Med 76:59–69, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Work‐to‐Society Spillover?
Authors: Lee Young‐joo , Brudney Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2015

Nonprofit employees can make ideal volunteers for other organizations in the sector, and understanding their participation in volunteering is a timely task. Based on “spillover theory,” this study tests how nonprofit employees’ experience on the job may carry over into the nonwork arena. The study focuses on how nonprofit employees’ satisfaction with the job and perception of the organization's mission achievement relate to their volunteering, controlling for the generally higher levels of prosocial motivation found in the sector. The findings suggest that the consequences of job satisfaction for this group extend beyond the workplace, contributing to societal benefits.
Cellulose‐Derived Supercapacitors from the Carbonisation of Filter Paper
Authors: Jiang Luyun , Nelson Geoffrey W. , Kim Heeyeon , Sim I. N. , Han Seong Ok , Foord John S.
Published: July 2015

Advanced carbon materials are important for the next‐generation of energy storage apparatus, such as electrochemical capacitors. Here, the physical and electrochemical properties of carbonised filter paper (FP) were investigated. FP is comprised of pure cellulose and is a standardised material. After carbonisation at temperatures ranging from 600 to 1700 °C, FP was contaminant‐free, containing only carbon and some oxygenated species, and its primary fibre structure was retained (diameter ≈20–40 μm). The observed enhancement in conductivity of the carbonised FP was correlated with the carbonisation temperature. Electrochemical capacitance in the range of ≈1.8–117 F g−1 was achieved, with FP carbonised at 1500 °C showing the best performance. This high capacitance was stable with >87 % retained after 3000 charge–discharge cycles. These results show that carbonised FP, without the addition of composite materials, exhibits good supercapacitance performance, which competes well with existing electrodes made of carbon‐based materials. Furthermore, given the lower cost and renewable source, cellulose‐based materials are the more eco‐friendly option for energy storage applications.
Sequential injection analysis with chemiluminescence detection for rapid monitoring of commercial Calendula officinalis extractions
Authors: Hughes Rachel R. , Scown David , Lenehan Claire E.
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Plant extracts containing high levels of antioxidants are desirable due to their reported health benefits. Most techniques capable of determining the antioxidant activity of plant extracts are unsuitable for rapid at‐line analysis as they require extensive sample preparation and/or long analysis times. Therefore, analytical techniques capable of real‐time or pseudo real‐time at‐line monitoring of plant extractions, and determination of extraction endpoints, would be useful to manufacturers of antioxidant‐rich plant extracts.

Objectives

To develop a reliable method for the rapid at‐line extraction monitoring of antioxidants in plant extracts.

Materials and Methods

Calendula officinalis extracts were prepared from dried flowers and analysed for antioxidant activity using sequential injection analysis (SIA) with chemiluminescence (CL) detection. The intensity of CL emission from the reaction of acidic potassium permanganate with antioxidants within the extract was used as the analytical signal. The SIA‐CL method was applied to monitor the extraction of C. officinalis over the course of a batch extraction to determine the extraction endpoint. Results were compared with those from ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC).

Results

Pseudo real‐time, at‐line monitoring showed the level of antioxidants in a batch extract of Calendula officinalis plateaued after 100 min of extraction. These results correlated well with those of an offline UHPLC study.

Conclusion

SIA‐CL was found to be a suitable method for pseudo real‐time monitoring of plant extractions and determination of extraction endpoints with respect to antioxidant concentrations. The method was applied at‐line in the manufacturing industry. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new TLC bioautographic assay for qualitative and quantitative estimation of lipase inhibitors
Authors: Tang Jihe , Zhou Jinge , Tang Qingjiu , Wu Tao , Cheng Zhihong
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Lipase inhibitory assays based on TLC bioautography have made recent progress; however, an assay with greater substrate specificity and quantitative capabilities would advance the efficacy of this particular bioassay.

Objective

To address these limitations, a new TLC bioautographic assay for detecting lipase inhibitors was developed and validated in this study.

Methods

The new TLC bioautographic assay was based on reaction of lipase with β‐naphthyl myristate and the subsequent formation of the purple dye between β‐naphthol and Fast Blue B salt (FBB). The relative lipase inhibitory capacity (RLIC) was determined by a TLC densitometry with fluorescence detection, expressed as orlistat equivalents in millimoles on a per sample weight basis. Six pure compounds and three natural extracts were evaluated for their potential lipase inhibitory activities by this TLC bioautographic assay.

Results

The β‐naphthyl myristate as the substrate improved the detection sensitivity and specificity significantly. The limit of detection (LOD) of this assay was 0.01 ng for orlistat, the current treatment for obesity. This assay has acceptable accuracy (92.07–105.39%), intra‐day and inter‐day precisions [relative standard deviation (RSD), 2.64–4.40%], as well as intra‐plate and inter‐plate precisions (RSD, 1.8–4.9%).

Conclusion

The developed method is rapid, simple, stable, and specific for screening and estimation of the potential lipase inhibitors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population‐specific plasma proteomes of marine and freshwater three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: Kültz Dietmar , Li Johnathon , Zhang Xuezhen , Villarreal Fernando , Pham Tuan , Paguio Darlene
Published: July 2015

Molecular phenotypes that distinguish resident marine (Bodega Harbor) from landlocked freshwater (FW, Lake Solano) three‐spined sticklebacks were revealed by label‐free quantitative proteomics. Secreted plasma proteins involved in lipid transport, blood coagulation, proteolysis, plasminogen‐activating cascades, extracellular stimulus responses, and immunity are most abundant in this species. Globulins and albumins are much less abundant than in mammalian plasma. Unbiased quantitative proteome profiling identified 45 highly population‐specific plasma proteins. Population‐specific abundance differences were validated by targeted proteomics based on data‐independent acquisition. Gene ontology enrichment analyses and known functions of population‐specific plasma proteins indicate enrichment of processes controlling cell adhesion, tissue remodeling, proteolytic processing, and defense signaling in marine sticklebacks. Moreover, fetuin B and leukocyte cell derived chemotaxin 2 are much more abundant in marine fish. These proteins promote bone morphogenesis and likely contribute to population‐specific body armor differences. Plasma proteins enriched in FW fish promote translation, heme biosynthesis, and lipid transport, suggesting a greater presence of plasma microparticles. Many prominent population‐specific plasma proteins (e.g. apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a CARD) lack any homolog of known function or adequate functional characterization. Their functional characterization and the identification of population‐specific environmental contexts and selective pressures that cause plasma proteome diversification are future directions emerging from this study.
Proteomics of ionomycin‐induced ascidian sperm reaction: Released and exposed sperm proteins in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Nakazawa Shiori , Shirae‐Kurabayashi Maki , Otsuka Kei , Sawada Hitoshi
Published: July 2015

Sperm proteins mediating sperm–egg interaction should be exhibited on the sperm surface, or exposed or released when sperm approach an egg. In ascidians (protochordates), sperm undergo a sperm reaction, characterized by enhanced sperm motility and mitochondrial swelling and shedding on contact with the vitelline coat (VC) or by treatment with Ca2+ ionophore. Here, proteomic analysis was conducted on sperm exudates and sperm surface proteins using ionomycin‐induced sperm reaction and cell‐impermeable labeling in Ciona intestinalis type A (C. robusta). In the exudate from sperm treated with ionomycin, membrane proteins including a possible VC receptor CiUrabin were abundant, indicating the release of membranous compartments during sperm reaction. Among the surface proteins XP_009859314.1 (uncharacterized protein exhibiting homology to HrTTSP‐1) was most abundant before the sperm reaction, but XP_004227079.1 (unknown Ig superfamily protein) appears to be most abundantly exposed by the sperm reaction. Moreover, proteins containing a notable set of domains, astacin‐like metalloprotease domain and thrombospondin type 1 repeat(s), were found in this fraction. Possible roles in fertilization as well as localizations and behaviors of these proteins are discussed.
Synthesis of traditional and ionic polymethacrylates by anion catalyzed group transfer polymerization
Authors: Strehmel Veronika , Senkowski Volker
Published: July 2015

The hydrophobic ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide was successfully used as solvent in group transfer polymerization of traditional methacrylates (methyl methacrylate, n‐butyl methacrylate, and benzyl methacrylate) and of ionic liquid methacrylates (ILMAs). This demonstrates that this ionic liquid makes reaction conditions, which do not require the use of ultra‐dried solvents. The ILMAs were N‐[2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]‐N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐alkylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imides bearing methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or hexyl substituents. Increasing size of the alkyl substituent at the cation results in decreasing glass transition temperature in case of both ionic liquid methacrylates and polymers derived of them. Furthermore, the glass transition temperature is significantly higher for these polymers compared with the ionic liquid methacrylates, and the effect of glass transition temperature reduction with increasing size of the alkyl substituent is stronger for the polymers. A mechanism was proposed explaining the catalytic function of the ionic liquid used as solvent for polymerization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2849–2859
Macrophage secretome from women with HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders
Authors: Colon Krystal , Perez‐Laspiur Juliana , Quiles Raymond , Rodriguez Yolanda , Wojna Valerie , Shaffer Scott A. , Leszyk John , Skolasky Richard L. , Melendez Loyda M.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Thirty to 50% of HIV patients develop HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) despite combined antiretroviral therapy. HIV‐1‐infected macrophages release viral and cellular proteins that induce neuronal degeneration and death. We hypothesize that changes in the macrophage secretome of HIV‐1 seropositive patients with HAND may dissect proteins related to neurotoxicity.

Experimental design

Monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDMs) were isolated from the peripheral blood of 12 HIV+ and four HIV− women characterized for neurocognitive function. Serum‐free MDM supernatants were collected for protein isolation and quantification with iTRAQ® labeling. Protein identification was performed using a LTQ Orbitrap Velos mass spectrometer and validated in MDM supernatants and in plasma using ELISA.

Results

Three proteins were different between normal cognition (NC) and asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders (ANI), six between NC and HIV‐associated dementia (HAD), and six between NC and HAD. Among these, S100A9 was decreased in plasma from patients with ANI, and metalloproteinase 9 was decreased in the plasma of all HIV+ patients regardless of cognitive status, and was significantly reduced in supernatant of MDM isolated from patients with ANI.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

S100A9 and metalloproteinase 9 have been associated with inflammation and cognitive impairment, and therefore represent potential targets for HAND treatment.
Corn stover harvest increases herbicide movement to subsurface drains – Root Zone Water Quality Model simulations
Authors: Shipitalo Martin J , Malone Robert W , Ma Liwang , Nolan Bernard T , Kanwar Rameshwar S , Shaner Dale L , Pederson Carl H
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Crop residue removal for bioenergy production can alter soil hydrologic properties and the movement of agrochemicals to subsurface drains. The Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM), previously calibrated using measured flow and atrazine concentrations in drainage from a 0.4 ha chisel‐tilled plot, was used to investigate effects of 50 and 100% corn (Zea maysL.) stover harvest and the accompanying reductions in soil crust hydraulic conductivity and total macroporosity on transport of atrazine, metolachlor and metolachlor oxanilic acid (OXA).

RESULTS

The model accurately simulated field‐measured metolachlor transport in drainage. A 3 year simulation indicated that 50% residue removal reduced subsurface drainage by 31% and increased atrazine and metolachlor transport in drainage 4–5‐fold when surface crust conductivity and macroporosity were reduced by 25%. Based on its measured sorption coefficient, approximately twofold reductions inOXAlosses were simulated with residue removal.

CONCLUSION

TheRZWQMindicated that, if corn stover harvest reduces crust conductivity and soil macroporosity, losses of atrazine and metolachlor in subsurface drainage will increase owing to reduced sorption related to more water moving through fewer macropores. Losses of the metolachlor degradation productOXAwill decrease as a result of the more rapid movement of the parent compound into the soil. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Variation of the contact resistance with electric current for gold electrodes on a squaraine single crystal
Authors: Govor Leonid V. , Reiter Günter , Parisi Jürgen
Published: July 2015

We examined the dependence of the contact resistances between gold electrodes and a single crystal of small organic molecules, namely, squaraine (2,4‐bis[4‐(N,N‐diisobutylamino)‐2,6‐dihydroxyphenyl]), on the electric current. Applying four gold electrodes on the crystal allows to measure twelve current–voltage () characteristics. The dependence of all eight contact resistances (four for the injecting and four for the extracting electrodes, respectively) on the electric current was determined. We found: (i) the contact resistance of all electrodes (ranging from to ) was larger than the resistance of the squaraine crystal (); (ii) for the same electrode, the values of the resistance for charge injection and charge extraction were different; (iii) the values of all contact resistances were not constant, but depended on the value of the current. Furthermore, each of the measured total I–V characteristics could be decomposed into three components representing charge transfer through the injecting electrode, the squaraine crystal, and the extracting electrode. We demonstrate that, for the correct interpretation of the I–V characteristics measured on metal/squaraine/metal structures, determination of the contact resistances at the interface between metal electrode and organic crystal is ultimately crucial.
Back‐to‐back connected asymmetric Schottky diodes with series resistance as a single diode
Authors: Osvald Jozef
Published: July 2015

We have studied current–voltage characteristics of two back‐to‐back connected Schottky diodes. In many semiconductor devices, we need to prepare one Schottky contact and the second contact should be ohmic. We show that even in the case when the second contact is also of Schottky type but with different barrier height, current–voltage characteristic remains very similar as that of single Schottky diode. The existence of the second Schottky diode with lower‐barrier height may not be detectable by inspecting I–V curves of such structure. The analysis and Schottky diode parameter extraction also may not be able to disclose existence of two Schottky contacts in the studied structure. The structure behaves as it would be one single Schottky contact. This knowledge may be used in technology where in many cases the ohmic contact may be substituted by another Schottky contact with lower‐barrier height.
P‐1: Current‐Supplying Driving Method of Active‐Matrix Ionic Polymer‐Metal Composites for Stereoscopic Displays
Authors: Sawada Shigeki , Okazaki Hiroshi , Okumura Masahito , Matsuda Tokiyoshi , Kimura Mutsumi , Tanaka Hideki , Matsumoto Tetsurou
Published: July 2015

We have developed a current‐supplying driving method of active‐matrix ionic polymer‐metal composites for stereoscopic displays. Poly‐Si TFTs were fabricated using ELC, whereas IPMC was fabricated using an ionic polymer and vacuum evaporation of gold electrodes. The pixel circuit consisted of two pairs of three transistors to supply sufficient alternating current.
P‐77: Increased Power Saving By Combining Global and Local Dimming for Edge‐LED LCDs
Authors: Schmidt Maxim , Schäfer Daniel , Xu Chihao
Published: July 2015

Global dimming is widespread and yields high power savings for modest hardware cost. Our amended global dimming approach assures and improves the visual quality by making an image analysis for calculating break‐point Q. We combined this approach with the SSC local dimming algorithm at a low additional hardware for the amended global dimming and achieve higher power savings with perfect image quality through pixel‐compensation and CSF.
P‐116: The Investigation of In‐Plane Liquid Crystal Photo‐Alignment Technology for Large Size Panel
Authors: Song Yan‐Jun , Hsieh Chung‐Ching , Zhao Yong‐Chao , Zhao Ren‐Tang , Li Xiang , Chiu Chung‐Yi , Lee Chia‐Yu , Lo Chang‐Cheng , Lien Alan
Published: July 2015

A new photo alignment material for fringe field switching (FFS) and in‐plane switching (IPS) liquid crystal display has been presented and it has good alignment performance. It realizes alignment by irradiating linearly polarized light with wavelength of 365nm. We have investigated the effect of UV dosage and anneal process on the alignment ability and optical performance. An excellent dark state and image sticking property can be achieved by optimized photo alignment conditions.
P‐162L: Late‐News Poster: Intelligent Backlight Technology Developments for Uniformity, Privacy & 3D Operation
Authors: Woodgate Graham J. , Robinson Michael G. , Sommerlade Eric , Harrold Jonathan , Ihas Benjamin , Ramsey Robert
Published: July 2015

We present new research results for Intelligent Backlight, which is a novel light‐field controlling LCD backlight technology using a directional light guide and imaging microstructured reflector illuminated by an addressable LED array. We report progress with performance and describe methodology and results from image uniformity optimisation. Further, we report new modes of light‐field control, including multiple implementations of privacy operation and advanced autostereoscopic 3D modes.
P‐84: A Low‐Cost, High‐Throughput Procedure Synthesize of Pure‐Green Core‐Multishell Quantum Dots by using Modified Tri‐n‐Octylphosphine‐Assisted SILAR Method
Authors: Hao Junjie , Chen Wei , Qin Jing , Wang Kai
Published: July 2015

We report pure green core‐multishell quantum dots synthesized by modified tri‐n‐octylphosphine‐assisted SILAR method. In this low‐cost, high‐throughput procedure, we coupled with tri‐n‐octylphosphine‐assisted extraction process to obtain the satisfactory results. The spectrally narrow emission (26 nm), high luminescence efficiency (<90%), represent colour‐saturated green emission ideal for display applications.
P‐85: Quantum Dots Enhanced Vivid Color Liquid Displays
Authors: Luo Zhenyue , Xu Su , Gao Yating , Lee Yun‐Han , Liu Yifan , Wu Shin‐Tson
Published: July 2015

We demonstrated two types of dielectrophoretic liquid displays with patterned quantum dots array for achieving highly saturated colors. These polarizer‐free liquid displays offer high transmittance, wide view, modest response time and contrast ratio, and vivid colors. They are promising candidates for e‐book and mobile display applications.
P‐164L: Late‐News Poster: Enhancing the Light Outcoupling Efficiency of Quantum‐Dot Light Emitting Diodes with Periodic Microstructures
Authors: Liang Haowen , Zhu Ruidong , Wu Shin-Tson , Li Juntao , Wang Jiahui , Zhou Jianying
Published: July 2015

We propose a periodic SiNx/SiO2 microstructure to effectively extract light from quantum‐dot light emitting diodes (QLEDs). The FDTD simulation results show that direct emitting efficiency can be doubled while keeping an indistinguishable color shift. This approach can also be applied to optimize the performances of green and blue QLEDs.
P‐118: Low Voltage Driving Tunable Liquid Crystal Lens using Photoalignment Method
Authors: Zhao Chen‐Xiang , Fan Fan , Shi Liang‐Yu. , Chigrinov Vladimir , Kwok Hoi Sing
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we develop a method to prepare a liquid crystal (LC) lens using photoalignment technology. It's fabricated by utilizing variable pretilt angles of a photoalignment layer. By irradiating a Gaussian profile laser beam on a photoalignment layer, variable angles from 1° to 89° are formed. In this way, the tunable LC concave lens with negative power is fabricated and characterized. It requires low voltage control for its tunable feature, which results in low power consumption. Such lens can play a great role in many modern optical and photonic applications.
P‐4: Feasibility Study of a Dual‐gate Photosensitive Thin‐Film Transistor for Fingerprint Sensor Integrated Active‐Matrix Display
Authors: Jeong Hyungsu , Won Minho , Shi Weijing , Weldon Jeffery A. , Li Xin , Wang Kai
Published: July 2015

By placing a transparent conductive ITO layer atop a display driver thin‐film transistor (TFT), a dual‐gate photosensitive TFT is formed to integrate a fingerprint sensing function in a display pixel. An analytical model is proposed to elaborate its working principles in achieving both fingerprint imaging and display driving functions.
P‐9: Improved Electrical Stability of Double‐Gate a‐IGZO TFTs
Authors: He Xin , Wang Ling , Deng Wei , Xiao Xiang , Zhang Letao , Leng Chuanli , Chan Mansun , Zhang Shengdong
Published: July 2015

The electrical stability of double‐gate (DG) and single‐gate (SG) amorphous indium‐gallium‐zinc oxide (a‐IGZO) TFTs is investigated and compared. The SG device shows an abnormal negative shift in Vth accompanying with deterioration in SS under PBS, which is not observed in DG device or SG device stressed in vacuum. Moreover, the SG device exhibits a much larger negative Vth shift than DG device and SG device stressed in vacuum. The improved electrical stability of DG device comes from not only the lowered vertical electric field but also more effective moisture resistance due to the shield of DG electrodes.
P‐10: Comparative Studies of ZnON and ZnO Thin Film Transistors Fabricated by DC Reactive Sputtering Method
Authors: Ok Kyung‐Chul , Jeong Hyun‐Jun , Lee Hyun‐Mo , Kim Hyun‐Suk , Park Jin‐Seong
Published: July 2015

DC reactive sputtered ZnO and ZnON thin film transistors (TFTs) was fabricated in order to investigate the role of nitrogen element in the ZnO matrix. After low vacuum annealing at 250°C, ZnON TFTs exhibited superior device performances (Vth = ‐0.16V, µsat = 40.87cm2/Vs and SS = 0.77V/decade), comparing with ZnO TFT's performance (Vth = 3.28V, µsat = 0.99 cm2/Vs and SS = 1.22 V/decade) under vacuum probe condition (˜10‐3 torr). The physical and electronic structure was analyzed by X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, respectively. The chemical bonding status was also analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Consequently, nitrogen incorporation in DC reactive spurring can suppress the crystal growth and enhance electron mobility due to Zn‐N bonding.
P‐89: Effects of Nano‐TiO2 Particles on Conversion Efficiency of Quantum Dots Light Converting Nanocomposites
Authors: Chen Wei , Hao Junjie , Qin Jing , Wang Kai
Published: July 2015

High quality pure color quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized and employed to fabricate QDs light converting film (QDF). The advanced QDs film (AQDF) with embedding of nano‐TiO2 particles demonstrated excellent luminescence with 66.48% of light power conversion efficiency (CE), which is higher than that of normal QDF (54%).
P‐13: The Relationship Between Crystallinity and Device Characteristics of In‐Sn‐Zn‐Oxide
Authors: Nonaka Yusuke , Takasu Takako , Ishihara Noritaka , Oota Masashi , Ishiguro Yoshimi , Kurosawa Yoichi , Dairiki Koji , Yamazaki Shunpei
Published: July 2015

We have reported that the transistors having the c‐axis‐alignedcrystalline (CAAC) In‐Ga‐Zn‐oxide show good performance. For In‐Sn‐Zn‐oxide, we investigated relation between crystallinity and electrical properties. The experimental results suggest that In‐Sn‐Zn‐oxide can have a layered structure like a CAAC structure, and their high crystallinity improves device performance.
P‐15: Self‐Aligned Top‐Gate Zinc Oxide Thin Film Transistors Fabricated by Reactive Sputtering of Metallic Zinc Target
Authors: Zhang Meng , Xia Zhihe , Zhou Wei , Chen Rongsheng , Wong Man , Kwok Hoi‐Sing
Published: July 2015

Self‐aligned top‐gate zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film transistors (TFTs) was fabricated by reactive sputtering of metallic zinc target. By optimizing deposition conditions, high‐performance TFTs with a field effect mobility of 37.5 cm2/Vs and an on/off ratio of 3.8×108 was obtained.
P‐166L: Late‐News Poster: Clock Data Recovery for Short‐Distance Visible Light Communications
Authors: Song Seok‐Jeong , Nam Hyoungsik
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a simple clock data recovery (CDR) scheme that enhances the bit error rate (BER) performance for wireless audio applications through short‐distance visible light communications (VLCs). The whole systems and algorithms are evaluated with FPGA boards, LEDs, and photo‐diodes. The resultant BER is measured as less than 10‐8 at the distance of 35 cm between a transmitter and a receiver.
P‐93: Highly Reliable Mobile Liquid Crystal Display using AIOx Deposited By Atomic Layer Deposition for Side Sealing Structure
Authors: Ishitani Tetsuji , Kubota Daisuke , Nakano Masaru , Kubota Yusuke , Moriya Koji , Yamashita Akio , Sakurada Yujiro , Kusunoki Koji , Shishido Hideaki , Sugimoto Kazuya , Hirakata Yoshiharu , Yamazaki Shunpei , Hayakawa Masahiko
Published: July 2015

A side sealing structure including, outside a sealant, AlOx deposited using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) apparatus was employed. This structure can prevent the entry of external moisture. A liquid crystal display (LCD) with this type of structure can have long‐term high reliability as a low‐frequency driving LCD.
P‐21: Effects of Low Hydrogen Dielectric Film on a‐IGZO TFT Properties
Authors: Liu Xiaodi , Yan Liangchen , Yuan Guangcai , Chen Lei , Cheng Jun , Jiang Chunsheng , Kong Xiangyong , Chen Jiangbo , Liu Wei , Shen Wulin , Gang Wang
Published: July 2015

Low hydrogen dielectric film deposition method was used in PECVD. The properties of amorphous IGZO (a‐IGZO) bottom‐gate thin film transistor using this method were investigated and compared. The PBTS (Positive Bias Temperature Stress) and NBTS (Negative Bias Temperature Stress) reduced to 0.481V, and ‐0.269V, respectively. The overall properties of a‐IGZO TFT using low hydrogen dielectric recipe meet the demand of oxide backplane in both LCD and OLED field.
P‐95: Anchoring Energy Enhancement and Pre‐tilt Angle Control of Liquid Crystal Alignment on Polymerized Surfaces
Authors: Weng Libo , Liao Pei‐Chun , Lin Chen‐Chun , Ting Tien‐Lun , Hsu Wen‐Hao , Su Jenn‐Jia , Chien Liang‐Chy
Published: July 2015

We investigated the effect of the polymerized surfaces on the anchoring energy and pre‐tilt angle of liquid crystal alignment. Ultraviolet light‐illuminated cell initiates polymerization and produces sub‐micron sized polymer protrusions. Experimental evidences reveal the relation between the curing conditions and the resulted pre‐tilt angle and anchoring energy of cells.
P‐23: Simulation Calibration Procedure of Leakage Current in TFTs
Authors: Tak Nam‐Kyun , Kim Jin‐Young , Han Ji‐Ung , Choi In‐Chol , Lee Won‐Seok , Hwang Man‐Gyu
Published: July 2015

The procedure to calibrate TCAD simulation data, based on both measurement data and the probability of occupation functions, is described. By using a density‐of‐states model and a band‐to‐band tunneling model in the Silvaco Atlas device simulator, insight into the TFTs and more accurate TCAD simulations can be obtained.