bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐Powered Piezoionic Strain Sensor toward the Monitoring of Human Activities
Authors: Liu Yang , Hu Ying , Zhao Jingjing , Wu Guan , Tao Xiaoming , Chen Wei
Published: May 2016

Wearable sensors for the detection of human activities including subtle physiological signals and large‐scale body motion as well as distinguishing the motion direction are highly desirable, but still a challenge. A flexible wearable piezoionic strain sensor based on the ionic polymer membrane sandwiched between two conductive electrodes is developed. This ionic polymer sensor can generate electrical signal output (≈mV) with rapid response (≈50 ms) under the applied bending deformation due to the internal mobile ion redistribution. Compared with the currently studied resistive and capacitive sensors, this sensor can generate sensing signals without the requirement of additional power supply, and is able to distinguish the direction of the bending strain by observing the direction of generated electrical signals. For the sensor with metallic electrode, an output voltage of 1.3 mV is generated under a bending‐induced strain of 1.8%, and this voltage can be largely increased when replacing the metallic electrodes by graphene composites. After simple encapsulation of the piezoionic sensor, a wearable sensor is constructed and succeeded in monitoring the diverse human activities ranging from complex large scale multidimensional motions to subtle signals, including wrist bending with different directions, sitting posture sensing, pulse wave, and finger touch.
Cancer‐Targeted Nanotheranostics: Recent Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Ma Yufei , Huang Jie , Song Saijie , Chen Huabing , Zhang Zhijun
Published: May 2016

Cancer‐targeted nanotechnology is experiencing the trend of finding new materials with multiple functions for imaging and therapeutic applications. With the rapid development of the related fields, there exists a large number of reports regarding theranostic nanomedicine, decreasing the gap between cancer diagnosis and treatment with minimized separate comprehensions. In order to present an overview on the cancer‐targeted nanotheranostics, we first describe their essential building blocks, including platforms, therapeutic agents and imaging agents, and then the recently rapidly developed multimodal theranostic systems. Finally we discuss the major challenges and the perspectives of future development of nanotheranostics toward clinical translations and personalized nanomedicine.
Decentering Self in Leadership: Putting Community at the Center in Leadership Studies
Authors: Hartman Eric
Published: May 2016

Although students’ personal passions typically determine the issue addressed by service‐learning leadership initiatives, this chapter advocates for a community‐centered alternative. This in‐depth exploration of a leadership development course series models a community‐need driven project and explores the benefits for both community and student learning.
Decolonising war
Authors: Barkawi Tarak
Published: May 2016

What would it mean to decolonise the concept of war? ‘Decolonising’ means critiquing the ways in which Eurocentric ideas and historiographies have informed the basic categories of social and political thought. Dominant understandings of the concept of war derive from histories and sociologies of nation-state formation in the West. Accordingly, I critique this Eurocentric concept of war from the perspective of Small War in the colonies, that is, from the perspective of different histories and geographies of war and society than were assumed to exist in the West. I do so in order to outline a postcolonial concept of war and to identify some of the principles of inquiry that would inform a postcolonial war studies. These include conceiving force as an ordinary dimension of politics; situating force and war in transnational context, amid international hierarchies; and attending to the co-constitutive character of war and society relations in world politics.
Modulation of gut microbiota dysbioses in type 2 diabetic patients by macrobiotic Ma-Pi 2 diet
Authors: Candela Marco , Biagi Elena , Soverini Matteo , Consolandi Clarissa , Quercia Sara , Severgnini Marco , Peano Clelia , Turroni Silvia , Rampelli Simone , Pozzilli Paolo , Pianesi Mario , Fallucca Francesco , Brigidi Patrizia
Published: May 2016

The gut microbiota exerts a role in type 2 diabetes (T2D), and deviations from a mutualistic ecosystem layout are considered a key environmental factor contributing to the disease. Thus, the possibility of improving metabolic control in T2D by correcting gut microbiome dysbioses through diet has been evaluated. Here, we explore the potential of two different energy-restricted dietary approaches – the fibre-rich macrobiotic Ma-Pi 2 diet or a control diet recommended by Italian professional societies for T2D treatment – to correct gut microbiota dysbioses in T2D patients. In a previous 21-d open-label MADIAB trial, fifty-six overweight T2D patients were randomised to the Ma-Pi 2 or the control diet. For the present study, stools were collected before and after intervention from a subset of forty MADIAB participants, allowing us to characterise the gut microbiota by 16S rRNA sequencing and imputed metagenomics. To highlight microbiota dysbioses in T2D, the gut microbiota of thirteen normal-weight healthy controls were characterised. According to our findings, both diets were effective in modulating gut microbiome dysbioses in T2D, resulting in an increase of the ecosystem diversity and supporting the recovery of a balanced community of health-promoting SCFA producers, such asFaecalibacterium,Roseburia,Lachnospira,BacteroidesandAkkermansia. The Ma-Pi 2 diet, but not the control diet, was also effective in counteracting the increase of possible pro-inflammatory groups, such asCollinsellaandStreptococcus, in the gut ecosystem, showing the potential to reverse pro-inflammatory dysbioses in T2D, and possibly explaining the greater efficacy in improving the metabolic control.
BYZANTINE SEAHORSES IN TACITUS' ANNALS, 12.63.2
Authors: Huyck Jefferds
Published: May 2016

quippe Byzantium fertili solo, fecundo mari, quia uis piscium in metapontum erumpens et obliquis subter undas saxis exterrita omisso alterius litoris flexu hos ad portus defertur.

For Byzantium is favoured with fertile soil and teeming seas, since a multitude of fish, bursting out (of the Pontus?) and spooked by rocks slanting beneath the water, leave off the curve of the opposite shore and are wafted to these harbours.

That is the text of the second Medicean and all of its descendants. For centuries now the unfitness of the words in metapontum has been obvious to editors. J. Lipsius conjectured innumera Pontum (1585), G. Brotier innumera Ponto (1771), N. Bach and G.A. Ruperti immensa Pontum (each in 1834). F. Ritter returned to the problem again and again, first proposing immensa Ponto (1834), then immensum Ponto, i.e. ‘immensa multitudine’ (1848), and finally in meatu Ponti (1863). Bach's and Ruperti's remedy is clearly the most efficient. Modern editors agree in printing uis piscium immensa (i.e. inmēsa) Pontum erumpens, ‘an immense multitude of fish, bursting out of the Pontus'. Neat, but perhaps unnecessary. My object here is to defend the text of the manuscripts.
Can milk proteins be a useful tool in the management of cardiometabolic health? An updated review of human intervention trials
Authors: Fekete Ágnes A. , Givens D. Ian , Lovegrove Julie A.
Published: May 2016

The prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases is a significant public health burden worldwide. Emerging evidence supports the inverse association between greater dairy consumption and reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Dairy proteins may have an important role in the favourable impact of dairy on human health such as blood pressure (BP), blood lipid and glucose control. The purpose of this review is to update and critically evaluate the evidence on the impacts of casein and whey protein in relation to metabolic function. Evidence from short-term clinical studies assessing postprandial responses to milk protein ingestion suggests benefits on vascular function independent of BP, as well as improvement in glycaemic homeostasis. Long-term interventions have been less conclusive, with some showing benefits and others indicating a lack of improvement in vascular function. During chronic consumption BP appears to be lowered and both dyslipidaemia and hyperglacaemia seem to be controlled. Limited number of trials investigated the effects of dairy proteins on oxidative stress and inflammation. Although the underlying mechanisms of milk proteins on cardiometabolic homeostasis remains to be elucidated, the most likely mechanism is to improve insulin resistance. The incorporation of meals enriched with dairy protein in the habitual diet may result in the beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health. Nevertheless, future well-designed, controlled studies are needed to investigate the relative effects of both casein and whey protein on BP, vascular function, glucose homeostasis and inflammation.
ON THE STATIONARITY OF DYNAMIC CONDITIONAL CORRELATION MODELS
Authors: Fermanian Jean-David , Malongo Hassan
Published: May 2016

We provide conditions for the existence and the uniqueness of strictly stationary solutions of the usual Dynamic Conditional Correlation GARCH models (DCC-GARCH). The proof is based on Tweedie’s (1988) criteria, after having rewritten DCC-GARCH models as nonlinear Markov chains. We also study the existence of their moments and discuss the tightness of our sufficient conditions.
Expanding the definition of addiction: DSM-5 vs. ICD-11
Authors: Grant Jon E. , Chamberlain Samuel R.
Published: May 2016

While considerable efforts have been made to understand the neurobiological basis of substance addiction, the potentially “addictive” qualities of repetitive behaviors, and whether such behaviors constitute “behavioral addictions,” is relatively neglected. It has been suggested that some conditions, such as gambling disorder, compulsive stealing, compulsive buying, compulsive sexual behavior, and problem Internet use, have phenomenological and neurobiological parallels with substance use disorders. This review considers how the issue of “behavioral addictions” has been handled by latest revisions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), leading to somewhat divergent approaches. We also consider key areas for future research in order to address optimal diagnostic classification and treatments for such repetitive, debilitating behaviors.
Climate Predictions and Infectious Diseases in Southern Africa
Authors: Ikeda Takayoshi , Morioka Yushi , Wright Caradee
Published: May 2016

Symposium for Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) Project 2015; Pretoria, South Africa, 12 October 2015
Exopolysaccharide microchannels direct bacterial motility and organize multicellular behavior
Authors: Berleman James E , Zemla Marcin , Remis Jonathan P , Liu Hong , Davis Annie E , Worth Alexandra N , West Zachary , Zhang Angela , Park Hanwool , Bosneaga Elena , van Leer Brandon , Tsai Wenting , Zusman David R , Auer Manfred
Published: May 2016

The myxobacteria are a family of soil bacteria that form biofilms of complex architecture, aligned multilayered swarms or fruiting body structures that are simple or branched aggregates containing myxospores. Here, we examined the structural role of matrix exopolysaccharide (EPS) in the organization of these surface-dwelling bacterial cells. Using time-lapse light and fluorescence microscopy, as well as transmission electron microscopy and focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) electron microscopy, we found that Myxococcus xanthus cell organization in biofilms is dependent on the formation of EPS microchannels. Cells are highly organized within the three-dimensional structure of EPS microchannels that are required for cell alignment and advancement on surfaces. Mutants lacking EPS showed a lack of cell orientation and poor colony migration. Purified, cell-free EPS retains a channel-like structure, and can complement EPS− mutant motility defects. In addition, EPS provides the cooperative structure for fruiting body formation in both the simple mounds of M. xanthus and the complex, tree-like structures of Chondromyces crocatus. We furthermore investigated the possibility that EPS impacts community structure as a shared resource facilitating cooperative migration among closely related isolates of M. xanthus.
Plate tectonics drive tropical reef biodiversity dynamics
Authors: Leprieur Fabien , Descombes Patrice , Gaboriau Théo , Cowman Peter F. , Parravicini Valeriano , Kulbicki Michel , Melián Carlos J. , de Santana Charles N. , Heine Christian , Mouillot David , Bellwood David R. , Pellissier Loïc
Published: May 2016

The Cretaceous breakup of Gondwana strongly modified the global distribution of shallow tropical seas reshaping the geographic configuration of marine basins. However, the links between tropical reef availability, plate tectonic processes and marine biodiversity distribution patterns are still unknown. Here, we show that a spatial diversification model constrained by absolute plate motions for the past 140 million years predicts the emergence and movement of diversity hotspots on tropical reefs. The spatial dynamics of tropical reefs explains marine fauna diversification in the Tethyan Ocean during the Cretaceous and early Cenozoic, and identifies an eastward movement of ancestral marine lineages towards the Indo-Australian Archipelago in the Miocene. A mechanistic model based only on habitat-driven diversification and dispersal yields realistic predictions of current biodiversity patterns for both corals and fishes. As in terrestrial systems, we demonstrate that plate tectonics played a major role in driving tropical marine shallow reef biodiversity dynamics.
Deregulation of mitochondrial F1FO-ATP synthase via OSCP in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Beck Simon J. , Guo Lan , Phensy Aarron , Tian Jing , Wang Lu , Tandon Neha , Gauba Esha , Lu Lin , Pascual Juan M. , Kroener Sven , Du Heng
Published: May 2016

F1FO-ATP synthase is critical for mitochondrial functions. The deregulation of this enzyme results in dampened mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and activated mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT), defects which accompany Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the molecular mechanisms that connect F1FO-ATP synthase dysfunction and AD remain unclear. Here, we observe selective loss of the oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein (OSCP) subunit of the F1FO-ATP synthase and the physical interaction of OSCP with amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brains of AD individuals and in an AD mouse model. Changes in OSCP levels are more pronounced in neuronal mitochondria. OSCP loss and its interplay with Aβ disrupt F1FO-ATP synthase, leading to reduced ATP production, elevated oxidative stress and activated mPT. The restoration of OSCP ameliorates Aβ-mediated mouse and human neuronal mitochondrial impairments and the resultant synaptic injury. Therefore, mitochondrial F1FO-ATP synthase dysfunction associated with AD progression could potentially be prevented by OSCP stabilization.
Correction: Corrigendum: T-cell activation is an immune correlate of risk in BCG vaccinated infants
Authors: Fletcher Helen A. , Snowden Margaret A. , Landry Bernard , Rida Wasima , Satti Iman , Harris Stephanie A. , Matsumiya Magali , Tanner Rachel , O’Shea Matthew K. , Dheenadhayalan Veerabadran , Bogardus Leah , Stockdale Lisa , Marsay Leanne , Chomka Agnieszka , Harrington-Kandt Rachel , Manjaly-Thomas Zita-Rose , Naranbhai Vivek , Stylianou Elena , Darboe Fatoumatta , Penn-Nicholson Adam , Nemes Elisa , Hatherill Mark , Hussey Gregory , Mahomed Hassan , Tameris Michele , McClain J. Bruce , Evans Thomas G. , Hanekom Willem A. , Scriba Thomas J. , McShane Helen
Published: May 2016

Nature Communications 7, Article number: 11290 (2016); Published: 12 April 2016; Updated: 6 May 2016. The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Mark Hatherill, which was incorrectly given as Mark Hatheril. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Simplified quantification method for in vivo SPECT/CT imaging of asialoglycoprotein receptor with 99mTc-p(VLA-co-VNI) to assess and stage hepatic fibrosis in mice
Authors: Zhang Deliang , Guo Zhide , Zhang Pu , Li Yesen , Su Xinhui , You Linyi , Gao Mengna , Liu Chang , Wu Hua , Zhang Xianzhong
Published: May 2016

The goal of this study is to develop a noninvasive method of SPECT imaging to quantify and stage liver fibrosis with an Asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) targeting tracer—99mTc-p(VLA-co-VNI). ASGP-Rs are well known to specifically express in the mammalian liver. Here, we demonstrated ASGP-R expression decreased in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced mouse model. ASGP-R expression correlated with liver fibrosis progression. ASGP-R could be a useful marker in the stage of liver fibrosis. Liver uptake value (LUV) derived by SPECT imaging was used to assess liver fibrosis in the CCl4-induced mouse model. LUV = [radioactivity (liver uptake)/radioactivity (injected)] × 100/liver volume. The LUV decreased along with the disease progression. The relationships between LUV and liver hydroxyproline (i.e. collagen), as well as Sirius Red were established and verified. A strong negative linear correlation was found between LUV and hydroxyproline levels (r = −0.83) as well as LUV and Sirius Red quantification (r = −0.83). In conclusion, SPECT imaging with 99mTc-p(VLA-co-VNI) is useful in evaluating and staging liver fibrosis in vivo.
Identification of side- and shear-dependent microRNAs regulating porcine aortic valve pathogenesis
Authors: Rathan Swetha , Ankeny Casey J. , Arjunon Sivakkumar , Ferdous Zannatul , Kumar Sandeep , Fernandez Esmerats Joan , Heath Jack M. , Nerem Robert M. , Yoganathan Ajit P. , Jo Hanjoong
Published: May 2016

Aortic valve (AV) calcification is an inflammation driven process that occurs preferentially in the fibrosa. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we investigated if key microRNAs (miRNA) in the AV are differentially expressed due to disturbed blood flow (oscillatory shear (OS)) experienced by the fibrosa compared to the ventricularis. To identify the miRNAs involved, endothelial-enriched RNA was isolated from either side of healthy porcine AVs for microarray analysis. Validation using qPCR confirmed significantly higher expression of 7 miRNAs (miR-100, -130a, -181a/b, -199a-3p, -199a-5p, and -214) in the fibrosa versus the ventricularis. Upon bioinformatics analysis, miR-214 was selected for further investigation using porcine AV leaflets in an ex vivo shear system. Fibrosa and ventricularis sides were exposed to either oscillatory or unidirectional pulsatile shear for 2 days and 3 & 7 days in regular and osteogenic media, respectively. Higher expression of miR-214, increased thickness of the fibrosa, and calcification was observed when the fibrosa was exposed to OS compared to the ventricularis. Silencing of miR-214 by anti-miR-214 in whole AV leaflets with the fibrosa exposed to OS significantly increased the protein expression of TGFβ1 and moderately increased collagen content but did not affect AV calcification. Thus, miR-214 is identified as a side- and shear-dependent miRNA that regulates key mechanosensitive gene in AV such as TGFβ1.
Ultrapure laser-synthesized Si-based nanomaterials for biomedical applications: in vivo assessment of safety and biodistribution
Authors: Baati Tarek , Al-Kattan Ahmed , Esteve Marie-Anne , Njim Leila , Ryabchikov Yury , Chaspoul Florence , Hammami Mohamed , Sentis Marc , Kabashin Andrei V. , Braguer Diane
Published: May 2016

Si/SiOx nanoparticles (NPs) produced by laser ablation in deionized water or aqueous biocompatible solutions present a novel extremely promising object for biomedical applications, but the interaction of these NPs with biological systems has not yet been systematically examined. Here, we present the first comprehensive study of biodistribution, biodegradability and toxicity of laser-synthesized Si-SiOx nanoparticles using a small animal model. Despite a relatively high dose of Si-NPs (20 mg/kg) administered intravenously in mice, all controlled parameters (serum, enzymatic, histological etc.) were found to be within safe limits 3 h, 24 h, 48 h and 7 days after the administration. We also determined that the nanoparticles are rapidly sequestered by the liver and spleen, then further biodegraded and directly eliminated in urine without any toxicity effects. Finally, we found that intracellular accumulation of Si-NPs does not induce any oxidative stress damage. Our results evidence a huge potential in using these safe and biodegradable NPs in biomedical applications, in particular as vectors, contrast agents and sensitizers in cancer therapy and diagnostics (theranostics).
Convergent Transcription of Interferon-stimulated Genes by TNF-α and IFN-α Augments Antiviral Activity against HCV and HEV
Authors: Wang Wenshi , Xu Lei , Brandsma Johannes H. , Wang Yijin , Hakim Mohamad S. , Zhou Xinying , Yin Yuebang , Fuhler Gwenny M. , van der Laan Luc J. W. , van der Woude C. Janneke , Sprengers Dave , Metselaar Herold J. , Smits Ron , Poot Raymond A. , Peppelenbosch Maikel P. , Pan Qiuwei
Published: May 2016

IFN-α has been used for decades to treat chronic hepatitis B and C and as an off-label treatment for some cases of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. TNF-α is another important cytokine involved in inflammatory disease, which can interact with interferon signaling. Because interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) are the ultimate antiviral effectors of the interferon signaling, this study aimed to understand the regulation of ISG transcription and the antiviral activity by IFN-α and TNF-α. In this study, treatment of TNF-α inhibited replication of HCV by 71 ± 2.4% and HEV by 41 ± 4.9%. Interestingly, TNF-α induced the expression of a panel of antiviral ISGs (2-11 fold). Blocking the TNF-α signaling by Humira abrogated ISG induction and its antiviral activity. Chip-seq data analysis and mutagenesis assay further revealed that the NF-κB protein complex, a key downstream element of TNF-α signaling, directly binds to the ISRE motif in the ISG promoters and thereby drives their transcription. This process is independent of interferons and JAK-STAT cascade. Importantly, when combined with IFN-α, TNF-α works cooperatively on ISG induction, explaining their additive antiviral effects. Thus, our study reveals a novel mechanism of convergent transcription of ISGs by TNF-α and IFN-α, which augments their antiviral activity against HCV and HEV.
Orderly progression through S-phase requires dynamic ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation of PCNA
Authors: Álvarez Vanesa , Viñas Laura , Gallego-Sánchez Alfonso , Andrés Sonia , Sacristán María P. , Bueno Avelino
Published: May 2016

Proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a DNA sliding clamp with an essential function in DNA replication and a key role in tolerance to DNA damage by ensuring the bypass of lesions. In eukaryotes, DNA damage tolerance is regulated by ubiquitylation of lysine 164 of PCNA through a well-known control mechanism; however, the regulation of PCNA deubiquitylation remains poorly understood. Our work is a systematic and functional study on PCNA deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Our study reveals that the deubiquitylation of PCNA in fission yeast cells is a complex process that requires several ubiquitin proteases dedicated to the deubiquitylation of a specific subnuclear fraction of mono- and di-ubiquitylated PCNA or a particular type of poly-ubiquitylated PCNA and that there is little redundancy among these enzymes. To understand how DUB activity regulates the oscillatory pattern of ubiquitylated PCNA in fission yeast, we assembled multiple DUB mutants and found that a quadruple mutation of ubp2+, ubp12+, ubp15+ and ubp16+ leads to the stable accumulation of mono-, di- and poly-ubiquitylated forms of PCNA, increases S-phase duration and sensitizes cells to DNA damage. Our data suggest that the dynamic ubiquitylation and deubiquitylation of PCNA occurs during S-phase to ensure processive DNA replication.
Prokineticin receptor-1 signaling promotes Epicardial to Mesenchymal Transition during heart development
Authors: Arora Himanshu , Boulberdaa Mounia , Qureshi Rehana , Bitirim Verda , Gasser Adeline , Messaddeq Nadia , Dolle Pascal , Nebigil Canan G.
Published: May 2016

The epicardium plays an essential role in coronary artery formation and myocardial development. However, signals controlling the developing epicardium and epicardial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the normal and diseased adult heart are studied less rigorously. Here we investigated the role of angiogenic hormone, prokineticin-2 and its receptor PKR1 in the epicardium of developing and adult heart. Genetic ablation of PKR1 in epicardium leads to partial embryonic and postnatal lethality with abnormal heart development. Cardiac developmental defects are manifested in the adult stage as ischemic cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction. We discovered that PKR1 regulates epicardial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) for epicardial-derived progenitor cell (EPDC), formation. This event affects at least three consequential steps during heart development: (i) EPDC and cardiomyocyte proliferation involved in thickening of an outer compact ventricular chamber wall, (ii) rhythmicity, (iii) formation of coronary circulation. In isolated embryonic EPDCs, overexpression or activation of PKR1 alters cell morphology and EMT markers via activating Akt signaling. Lack of PKR1 signal in epicardium leads to defective heart development and underlies the origin of congenital heart disease in adult mice. Our mice provide genetic models for congenital dysfunction of the heart and should facilitate studies of both pathogenesis and therapy of cardiac disorders in humans.
Quantitative Study of Cell Invasion Process under Extracellular Stimulation of Cytokine in a Microfluidic Device
Authors: Lei Kin Fong , Tseng Hsueh-Peng , Lee Chia-Yi , Tsang Ngan-Ming
Published: May 2016

Cell invasion is the first step of cancer metastasis that is the primary cause of death for cancer patients and defined as cell movement through extracellular matrix (ECM). Investigation of the correlation between cell invasive and extracellular stimulation is critical for the inhabitation of metastatic dissemination. Conventional cell invasion assay is based on Boyden chamber assay, which has a number of limitations. In this work, a microfluidic device incorporating with impedance measurement technique was developed for quantitative investigation of cell invasion process. The device consisted of 2 reservoirs connecting with a microchannel filled with hydrogel. Malignant cells invaded along the microchannel and impedance measurement was concurrently conducted by measuring across electrodes located at the bottom of the microchannel. Therefore, cell invasion process could be monitored in real-time and non-invasive manner. Also, cell invasion rate was then calculated to study the correlation between cell invasion and extracellular stimulation, i.e., IL-6 cytokine. Results showed that cell invasion rate was directly proportional to the IL-6 concentration. The microfluidic device provides a reliable and convenient platform for cell-based assays to facilitate more quantitative assessments in cancer research.
Structural and chemical degradation mechanisms of pure YSZ and its components ZrO2and Y2O3in carbon-rich fuel gases
Authors: Köck Eva-Maria , Kogler Michaela , Götsch Thomas , Klötzer Bernhard , Penner Simon
Published: May 2016

Structural and chemical degradation of ceramic oxides in carbon-rich fuel gases leads to irreversible changes of oxide surface and bulk.
Droplet microfluidics for microbiology: techniques, applications and challenges
Authors: Kaminski Tomasz S. , Scheler Ott , Garstecki Piotr
Published: May 2016

Droplet microfluidics has rapidly emerged as one of the key technologies opening up new experimental possibilities in microbiology.
Mononuclear heteroleptic complexes of copper(i) with 5-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine and triphenylphosphine: crystal structures, Hirshfeld surface analysis and luminescence properties
Authors: Safin Damir A. , Vande Velde Christophe M. L. , Babashkina Maria G. , Robeyns Koen , Filinchuk Yaroslav
Published: May 2016

The complexes [CuL(PPh3)Hal] (L = 5-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine, Hal = Cl−, Br−) are emissive in the solid state at 298 K, with maxima at 596 and 610 nm, respectively, due to a (M + Hal)LCT excited state.
A novel & effective visible light-driven TiO2/magnetic porous graphene oxide nanocomposite for the degradation of dye pollutants
Authors: Sedghi Roya , Heidari Fatemeh
Published: May 2016

A novel & effective visible light-driven TiO2/magnetic porous graphene oxide nanocomposite synthesized and the nanocatalyst was applied for degrading dye pollutant.
Theoretical study on complexation of U(vi) with ODA, IDA and TDA based on density functional theory
Authors: Ren Yiming , Tang Hao , Shao Lang , Zhong Jingrong , Chu Mingfu , Yang Ruizhu , Kong Chuipeng
Published: May 2016

Precise structures of U(vi) complexes with ODA, IDA and TDA in different binding modes.
A new bisglycolamide substituted calix[4]arene-benzo-crown-6 for the selective removal of cesium ion: combined experimental and density functional theoretical investigation
Authors: Kumar Vikas , Sharma J. N. , Achuthan P. V. , Singh D. K. , Ali Sk. Musharaf
Published: May 2016

Optimized structure of the complex of Cs+ with CBCBGA at the B3LYP/SVP level of theory.
Nanostructured vanadium-based conversion treatment of mild steel substrate: formation process via noise measurement, surface analysis and anti-corrosion behavior
Authors: Motamedi M. , Attar M. M.
Published: May 2016

The bath pH, vanadia solution concentration and immersion time were optimized for the chemical surface treatment of ST12 mild steel by vanadium-based conversion coating (VCC). Nano-sized vanadium oxide/hydroxide particles were found to form on the steel surface.
Enhancing the antitumor effect of methotrexate in intro and in vivo by a novel targeted single-walled carbon nanohorn-based drug delivery system
Authors: Wang Ran , Cui Hongjing , Wang Junling , Li Nannan , Zhao Qian , Zhou Ying , Lv Zhiyi , Zhong Wenying
Published: May 2016

The present research reports a smart multifunctional oxidized single-wall carbon nanohorns (oxSWNHs) drug delivery system (DDS) which could enhance the anti-tumor effect of methotrexate (MTX).
Zwitterionic glutathione monoethyl ester as a new capping ligand for ultrasmall gold nanoparticles
Authors: Knittel Luiza L. , Schuck Peter , Ackerson Christopher J. , Sousa Alioscka A.
Published: May 2016

Ultrasmall gold nanoparticles coated with a zwitterionic derivative of glutathione are shown to be stable against aggregation and nonspecific binding from serum proteins.
A comparison of ZnS and ZnSe passivation layers on CdS/CdSe co-sensitized quantum dot solar cells
Authors: Huang Fei , Zhang Qifeng , Xu Benke , Hou Juan , Wang Yuan , Massé Robert C. , Peng Shanglong , Liu Jianshe , Cao Guozhong
Published: May 2016

Significant influences of different passivation materials on the performance of the resultant quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs) were investigated.
Direct electron transfer-type dual gas diffusion H2/O2biofuel cells
Authors: So Keisei , Kitazumi Yuki , Shirai Osamu , Nishikawa Koji , Higuchi Yoshiki , Kano Kenji
Published: May 2016

H2/O2biofuel cells utilizing hydrogenases and multicopper oxidases as bioelectrocatalysts are clean, sustainable, and environmentally friendly power devices.
A facile construction of gradient micro-patterned OCP coatings on medical titanium for high throughput evaluation of biocompatibility
Authors: Song Ran , Liang Jianhe , Lin Longxiang , Zhang Yanmei , Yang Yun , Lin Changjian
Published: May 2016

A facile construction of gradient micro-patterned octacalcium phosphate (OCP) coatings on titanium was developed for high-throughput screening of biocompatibility and bioactivity.
Photobleaching-resistant ternary quantum dots embedded in a polymer-coated silica matrix
Authors: Gugula K. , Szydlo A. , Stegemann L. , Strassert C. A. , Bredol M.
Published: May 2016

Quantum dots embedded in silica and infused with PVC show a remarkably enhanced stability under prolonged LED irradiation than either of the two coating methods.
Magnetic double-tartaric bridging mono-lanthanide substituted phosphotungstates with photochromic and switchable luminescence properties
Authors: Ma Pengtao , Hu Feng , Wan Rong , Huo Yu , Zhang Dongdi , Niu Jingyang , Wang Jingping
Published: May 2016

A series of inorganic–organic hybrid multifunctional crystalline materials constructed using double-tartaric bridging mono-lanthanide substituted phosphotungstates display reversible photochromic, switchable luminescence, and magnetic properties.
A proposed electron transmission mechanism between Fe3+/Co2+and Fe3+/Fe3+in the spinel structure and its practical evidence in quaternary Fe0.5Ni0.5Co2S4
Authors: Lv Hualiang , Zhang Haiqian , Zhang Baoshan , Ji Guangbin , He Yun , Lin Qing
Published: May 2016

This study is focused on the spinel structure of metal oxides and sulfides, from which the ternary (NiCo2O4/NiCo2S4) and quaternary (Fe0.5Ni0.5Co2O4/Fe0.5Ni0.5Co2S4) samples with hollow sphere structures were prepared.
Exploring a Phonological Process Approach to Adult Pronunciation Training
Authors: Franklin Amber , McDaniel Lana
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The production of speech sound classes in adult language learners is affected by (a) interference between the native language and the target language and (b) speaker variables such as time speaking English. In this article, we demonstrate how phonological process analysis, an approach typically used in child speech, can be used to characterize adult target language phonological learning.

Method

Sentences produced by 2 adult Japanese English language learners were transcribed and coded for phoneme accuracy and analyzed according to the percent occurrence of phonological processes. The results were interpreted relative to a contrastive analysis between Japanese and English phonetic inventories and developmental norms for monolingual English children.

Results

In this pilot study, common consonant processes included vocalization, final consonant devoicing, and cluster reduction. These are processes commonly observed in the speech of children who are typically developing.

Conclusions

The process analysis can inform clinical approaches to pronunciation training in adult English language learners. For example, the cycles approach (Hodson & Paden, 1981) may provide more clinical efficacy than an articulatory approach in which phonemes are targeted individually. In addition, a process analysis can enable clinicians to examine the principles of within-class and across-class generalization in adult pronunciation instruction.
Joint modulation format/bit‐rate classification and signal‐to‐noise ratio estimation in multipath fading channels using deep machine learning
Authors: Khan F.N. , Lu C. , Lau A.P.T.
Published: May 2016

A novel algorithm for simultaneous modulation format/bit‐rate classification and non‐data‐aided (NDA) signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) estimation in multipath fading channels by applying deep machine learning‐based pattern recognition on signals’ asynchronous delay‐tap plots (ADTPs) is proposed. The results for three widely‐used modulation formats at two different bit‐rates demonstrate classification accuracy of 99.8%. In addition, NDA SNR estimation over a wide range of 0−30 dB is shown with mean error of 1 dB. The proposed method requires low‐speed, asynchronous sampling of signal and is thus ideal for low‐cost multiparameter estimation under real‐world channel conditions.
Non‐linear MLE‐based digital equaliser for ADC‐based backplane receivers
Authors: Chung H.
Published: May 2016

Analogue‐to‐digital‐converter‐based (ADC‐based) backplane receivers have been widely studied in recent years as ever‐increasing data rate calls for strong equalisation. However, despite their ability to support various types of digital equalisation techniques, most receivers rely on linear finite‐impulse‐response‐filter‐based (FIR‐filter‐based) equalisers that are susceptible to quantisation error of the front‐end ADC. This Letter proposes a non‐linear maximum‐likelihood‐estimation‐based (MLE‐based) equaliser that utilises channel output distribution and probability theory to make bit decisions. The proposed non‐linear algorithm achieves robust performance against quantisation noise of the front‐end ADC. Moreover, a feed‐forward equaliser can be implemented without involving multi‐bit multipliers and adders that cause serious hardware complexity overhead. Simulation results suggest that the proposed MLE‐based equaliser can improve bit error rate (BER) by 1010 times with a 5‐bit front‐end ADC and save front‐end ADC bit resolution by more than 0.8 bits with BER of 10−15, when compared with the conventional FIR‐filter‐based equaliser.
Efficient algorithm for classification of electrocardiogram beats based on artificial bee colony‐based least‐squares support vector machines classifier
Authors: Jain S. , Bajaj V. , Kumar A.
Published: May 2016

Automated electrocardiogram (ECG) beat classification is an important component of heart monitoring systems used for raising an emergency call during sudden cardiac disorder of patients. An automatic ECG beat classifier is proposed to exploit the bandwidth features that are exclusively extracted from analytic intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). The proposed methodology employs artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm‐based least‐squares support vector machines (LSSVM) classifier to classify ECG beat types using radial basis function kernel. Simulation results illustrate that proposed classifier gives the best results with second IMF. This novelty lies in its unique combination of ABC with LSSVM classifier that efficiently exploits bandwidth features for automatic classification of ECG beats.
Bandwidth improvement of a circularly polarised printed monopole antenna using a lumped capacitor
Authors: Hoang T.V. , Le T.T. , Park H.C.
Published: May 2016

Axial‐ratio bandwidth (ARBW) improvement of a circularly polarised printed monopole antenna using a lumped capacitor is presented. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, a lumped capacitor is attached in the gap of an inverted‐U‐shaped patch antenna having a narrow 3 dB ARBW. Simulation shows that the ARBW improves from 4.1% (5.68–5.92 GHz) to 30.7% (4.33–5.9 GHz) with the use of a 0.5 pF capacitor. The measured results show a −10 dB reflection bandwidth of 60.5% (3.75–7 GHz), and a 3 dB ARBW of 33.3% (4.25–5.95 GHz). The advantage of the proposed design is that the 3 dB ARBW of an antenna can be easily tuned and extended with the use of only one lumped capacitor.
Playout buffer and DRX aware scheduling scheme for video streaming over LTE system
Authors: Chen Yuchen , Liu Guizhong
Published: May 2016

In this study, a playout buffer and discontinuous reception (DRX) aware scheduling scheme (PBDAS) is proposed to improve the video streaming transmission over the long term evolution systems by considering the characteristics of both the DRX mechanism and the HTTP streaming. First, to reconcile the three mechanisms, the metric called remaining playout time (RPT) is proposed, which can be used to estimate the playout status of the clients. With the RPT, the scheduler can accurately differentiate the urgency among the clients. Then, a two level resource allocation schemes is proposed. In the scheduler, the upper level is responsible for determining the scheduling set, while the lower level will be in charge of allocating the resource to the user equipments (UEs) in the set. With the scheduling set, the priority of the UEs can be accurately distinguished. For different scheduling set, different forms of metrics are designed, with which both the efficiency of the radio resource and the playout continuity can be significantly improved. In addition, a playout buffer level estimation method is given to improve the feasibility of the implementation of PBDAS. By analysing the behaviour of the playout buffer, the buffer level can be estimated with the cumulative serving rate and the HTTP streaming information, which can be obtained in the eNodeB and from the quality of experience reports, respectively. The simulation results show that PBDAS can shorten the total interruption duration of the existing schemes by about 50% as well as keep the power consumption at a low level.
Multiuser hybrid analogue/digital beamforming for massive multiple‐input–multiple‐output
Authors: Wu Keying , Wu Lu , Zhang Jianwen
Published: May 2016

The authors propose a generalised multi‐layer architecture for the phase shifter network (PSN) in hybrid analogue/digital beamforming (BF), which provides flexible trade‐offs between the performance and implementation complexity. By changing the layer number, the authors can adjust the complexity of the PSN and the achievable performance. A two‐stage BF algorithm is adopted, in which the analogue and digital BF matrices are designed separately. Analogue BF is adaptive to the second‐order channel statistics. A simple iterative algorithm is proposed to maximise an upper bound of the average rate of the effective channel after analogue BF. Digital BF is adaptive to the effective channel for multiuser interference cancellation. Both ideal phase shifters and discrete phase shifters with limited phase and amplitude resolutions are considered in the algorithm design. Theoretical analysis and simulation are used to demonstrate the good performance and flexibility of the proposed technique. In a 64‐antenna system, it can use 16 radio‐frequency chains to perform very closely to full digital BF with a fully‐connected PSN, or achieve 70–80% performance with a simple PSN. It is also robust against the limited phase shifter resolution. It enables us to select the proper performance and implementation complexity according to the requirement and capability of real systems.
Approximate sum rate for massive multiple‐input multiple‐output two‐way relay with Ricean fading
Authors: Wang Xinshui , Wang Ying , Sun Ruijin
Published: May 2016

This study considers a multi‐pair massive multiple‐input multiple‐output two‐way relay network where the M‐antenna relay simultaneously serves K pairs of single‐antenna users in the same time–frequency resource. For a more general case of Ricean fading channel, the authors propose a fixed‐gain maximum ratio combing/maximum ratio transmission relay scheme. The approximate expressions on the ergodic sum rate with such scheme are derived in two cases: (i) M, which is much larger than the users’ Ricean factors, is large enough; and (ii) if M is large enough but bounded, the Ricean factors of all the users go to infinity. Simulation results show that the approximate results are very tight. Based on the result for the first case, they further discuss the power‐scaling laws, which reveal that despite the Ricean fading channel and the interference at the relay, the achievable sum rate can still remain unchanged if the transmitted power at each user or at the relay is or both are made inversely proportional to M.
Semi‐automatic detection of coronary artery stenosis in 3D CTA
Authors: Khedmati Abolfazl , Nikravanshalmani Alireza , Salajegheh Afshin
Published: May 2016

Detection of coronary artery stenosis, from 3D computed tomography angiography (CTA), is applicable for inspecting heart diseases. In this study, a semi‐automatic method is proposed which its stages include 3D CTA pre‐processing, vessel enhancement, coronary artery segmentation, centreline extraction, arteries cross‐section diameter estimation, and stenosis detection. In contrast to conventional methods, this study is proposed in which the slices are rescaled from original size to smaller size and then returned to the original size, in order to reduce processing time in the centreline extracting step. To optimise final results, a semi‐automatic method is proposed to adjust seed points for coronary arteries segmentation using 3D region growing method for reducing human interventions. The authors consider two types of evaluations for stenosis detecting, more than 50%, on 18 real data. The first type is patient‐based analysis and the second type is segment‐based analysis. In the first type, a sensitivity of 88.89% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 88.89% are obtained, and in the second type, a sensitivity of 44.2%, and a PPV of 34.27% is achieved. Moreover, the average execution time for stenosis detecting in a 3D CTA is approximately 8.5 min.
Single‐phase synchronverter for a grid‐connected roof top photovoltaic system
Authors: Mishra Sukumar , Pullaguram Deepak , Achary Buragappu Srikanta , Ramasubramanian Deepak
Published: May 2016

This study proposes a grid supportive control scheme for a single‐phase photo‐voltaic (PV)‐based inverter to mimic the behaviour of a synchronous generator during grid voltage/frequency variations. The converter embedded with the proposed controller, termed as a ‘single‐phase synchronverter’, transforms a large segment of rooftop PV, which is, in general, single phase, to an ancillary service provider in compliance with the grid code (i.e. if the grid code allows rooftop PV to provide inertial/primary frequency/voltage response). Owing to fluctuations in incident solar irradiation, a battery has been connected at the dc link to take care of the variability in PV output power. The challenges involved in extending the three‐phase synchronverter philosophy to a single‐phase converter have been discussed and the performance of the resultant single‐phase synchronverter to different values of virtual inertia and droop/regulation has been analysed. An experimental setup is developed and the system behaviour for different operating conditions has also been studied.
Joint power distribution and direction of arrival estimation for wideband signals using sparse Bayesian learning
Authors: Wang Yi , Chen Baixiao , Zheng Yisong , Yang Minglei
Published: May 2016

In this study, a novel algorithm called wideband sparse Bayesian learning (WSBL) is proposed for the power distribution and the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation of wideband signals. The received signals are firstly converted into the time–frequency domain by discrete Fourier transform, then the wideband DOA estimation problem can be constructed as a special multiple measurement vectors case of the sparse signal recovery problem. The WSBL algorithm, which exploits the source power distribution at different frequency bins is proposed for the sparse spectral estimation. It is shown that WSBL has good performance in low signal‐to‐noise ratio and small snapshot number scenario. Without the prior knowledge of source number and focusing matrices, WSBL can estimate the source power distribution and the DOAs of wideband signals simultaneously. In addition, WSBL can also avoid ambiguity even when the array does not meet the half‐wavelength spacing condition. The sensor spacing can be larger than the half‐wavelength at the lowest frequency of the wideband signals. Simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed method.