bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of heterologous expression of the phytase (PPHY) of Pichia anomala in P. pastoris and its applicability in fractionating allergenic glycinin from soy protein
Authors: Joshi Swati , Satyanarayana T
Published: March 2014

The phytase (PPHY) of Pichia anomala has the requisite properties of thermostability and acidstability, broad substrate spectrum, and protease insensitivity, which make it a suitable candidate as a feed and food additive. The 1,389-bp PPHY gene was amplified from P. anomala genomic DNA, cloned in pPICZαA, and expressed extracellularly in P. pastoris X33. Three copies of PPHY have been detected integrated into the chromosomal DNA of the recombinant P. pastoris. The size exclusion chromatography followed by electrophoresis of the pure rPPHY confirmed that this is a homohexameric glycoprotein of ~420 kDa with a 24.3 % portion as N-linked glycans. The temperature and pH optima of rPPHY are 60 °C and 4.0, similar to the endogenous enzyme. The kinetic characteristics K  m, V  max, K  cat, and K  cat/K  m of rPPHY are 0.2 ± 0.03 mM, 78.2 ± 1.43 nmol mg−1 s−1, 65,655 ± 10.92 s−1, and 328.3 ± 3.12 μM−1 s−1, respectively. The optimization of medium components led to a 21.8-fold improvement in rPPHY production over the endogenous yeast. The rPPHY titer attained in shake flasks could also be sustained in the laboratory fermenter. The rPPHY accounts for 57.1 % of the total secreted protein into the medium. The enzyme has been found useful in fractionating allergenic protein glycinin from soya protein besides dephytinization.
Treating inborn errors of liver metabolism with stem cells: current clinical development
Authors: Sokal Etienne Marc
Published: March 2014

Advanced therapies including stem cells are currently a major biotechnological development. Adult liver stem cells can differentiate into hepatocyte like cells and be infused in the recipient's liver to bring a missing metabolic function. These cells can be produced in large quantities in vitro. Allogeneic stem cells are required to treat genetic diseases, and this approach allows to use one single source of tissue to treat different diseases and many recipients. Mesenchymal stem cells can in addition play an immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory role and possibly prevent the accumulation of fibrous tissue in the liver. From a regulatory point of view, stem cells are considered as medicinal products, and must undergo a pharmaceutical development that goes beyond the research and proof‐of‐concept phases. Here, we review the track followed from the first hepatocyte transplantation in 2000 to the next generation product issued from stem cell technology, and the start of EMA approved clinical trials to evaluate the safety and potency of liver stem cells for the treatment of inborn errors of the liver metabolism.
Clinical Issues‐April 2014
Authors: Burlingame Byron L.
Published: March 2014

This Month

Performing colonoscopies in the OR

Key words: colonoscopy, room turnover.

Transmission‐based precautions in the OR

Key words: isolation, isolation gown, personal protective equipment, PPE, masks.

Required location of and information in a hand‐over report

Key words: hand over, hand off, care transition.

Surgical lounge attire

Key words: surgical lounge, attire, semirestricted area, unrestricted area.

Definition of turnover time

Key words: turnover, turnover time, definition of times.
Implementing AORN Recommended Practices for Selection and Use of Packaging Systems for Sterilization
Authors: Morton Paula J. , Conner Ramona
Published: March 2014

The delivery of sterile products to the sterile field is essential to perioperative practice. The use of protective packaging for sterilized items is crucial to helping ensure that patients receive sterile items for surgical procedures. AORN's “Recommended practices for selection and use of packaging systems for sterilization” offers guidance to perioperative team members in evaluating, selecting, and using packaging systems that permit sterilization of the contents, prevent contamination of sterilized items until the package is opened for use, protect the items from damage during transport and storage, and permit aseptic delivery of the items to the sterile field.
Viscous film flow coating the interior of a vertical tube. Part 1. Gravity-driven flow
Authors: Camassa Roberto , Ogrosky H. Reed , Olander Jeffrey
Published: March 2014

The gravity-driven flow of a viscous liquid film coating the inside of a tube is studied both theoretically and experimentally. As the film moves downward, small perturbations to the free surface grow due to surface tension effects and can form liquid plugs. A first-principles strongly nonlinear model based on long-wave asymptotics is developed to provide simplified governing equations for the motion of the film flow. Linear stability analysis on the basic solution of the model predicts the speed and wavelength of the most unstable mode, and whether the film is convectively or absolutely unstable. These results are found to be in remarkable agreement with the experiments. The model is also solved numerically to follow the time evolution of instabilities. For relatively thin films, these instabilities saturate as a series of small-amplitude travelling waves, while thicker films lead to solutions whose amplitude becomes large enough for the liquid surface to approach the centre of the tube in finite time, suggesting liquid plug formation. Next, the model’s periodic travelling wave solutions are determined by a continuation algorithm using the results from the time evolution code as initial seed. It is found that bifurcation branches for these solutions exist, and the critical turning points where branches merge determine film mean thicknesses beyond which no travelling wave solutions exist. These critical thickness values are in good agreement with those for liquid plug formations determined experimentally and numerically by the time-evolution code.
Effects of finite-rate chemistry and detailed transport on the instability of jet diffusion flames
Authors: See Yee Chee , Ihme Matthias
Published: March 2014

Local linear stability analysis has been shown to provide valuable information about the response of jet diffusion flames to flow-field perturbations. However, this analysis commonly relies on several modelling assumptions about the mean flow prescription, the thermo-viscous-diffusive transport properties, and the complexity and representation of the chemical reaction mechanisms. In this work, the effects of these modelling assumptions on the stability behaviour of a jet diffusion flame are systematically investigated. A flamelet formulation is combined with linear stability theory to fully account for the effects of complex transport properties and the detailed reaction chemistry on the perturbation dynamics. The model is applied to a methane–air jet diffusion flame that was experimentally investigated by Füriet al.(Proc. Combust. Inst., vol. 29, 2002, pp. 1653–1661). Detailed simulations are performed to obtain mean flow quantities, about which the stability analysis is performed. Simulation results show that the growth rate of the inviscid instability mode is insensitive to the representation of the transport properties at low frequencies, and exhibits a stronger dependence on the mean flow representation. The effects of the complexity of the reaction chemistry on the stability behaviour are investigated in the context of an adiabatic jet flame configuration. Comparisons with a detailed chemical-kinetics model show that the use of a one-step chemistry representation in combination with a simplified viscous-diffusive transport model can affect the mean flow representation and heat release location, thereby modifying the instability behaviour. This is attributed to the shift in the flame structure predicted by the one-step chemistry model, and is further exacerbated by the representation of the transport properties. A pinch-point analysis is performed to investigate the stability behaviour; it is shown that the shear-layer instability is convectively unstable, while the outer buoyancy-driven instability mode transitions from absolutely to convectively unstable in the nozzle near field, and this transition point is dependent on the Froude number.
Prospective, randomised, controlled trial comparing delivery of patient information for functional endoscopic sinus surgery via website versus printed leaflet
Authors: Henney S , Irving R
Published: March 2014

Objective:

To compare the efficacy of two modes of delivery of information for patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery: website and printed leaflet.

Methods:

A two-centre, prospective, single-blinded, randomised, controlled trial was conducted, comparing mode of information delivery. Adult patients were randomly allocated to receive pre-operative information regarding functional endoscopic sinus surgery, either via a website or a printed leaflet. Primary outcomes, measured by questionnaire, were: readability, usability and recall of complications.

Results:

Fifty-eight patients were recruited. Fifty met the inclusion criteria, of which 40 were analysed in the study (20 patients per group), meeting the power criteria set. There were 18 male and 22 female patients, ranging in age from 21 to 76 years (mean, 47 years). Patients found both the printed leaflet and the website readable, and were satisfied with the usability of both modes. There were similar rates for recall of complications in both study arms.

Conclusion:

Patient information on functional endoscopic sinus surgery can be provided either as a printed leaflet or a website, with similar rates for usability, readability and recall of complications. These findings could help tailor the provision of pre-operative information for patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery, based on patient preference.
Plasmodial Hsp40 and Hsp70 chaperones: current and future perspectives
Authors: PESCE E.-R. , BLATCH G. L.
Published: March 2014

Plasmodium falciparumdisplays a large and remarkable variety of heat shock protein 40 family members (PfHsp40s). The majority of the PfHsp40s are poorly characterized, and although the functions of some of them have been suggested, their exact mechanism of action is still elusive and their interacting partners and client proteins are unknown. TheP. falciparumheat shock protein 70 family members (PfHsp70s) have been more extensively characterized than the PfHsp40s, with certain members shown to function as molecular chaperones. However, little is known about the PfHsp70-PfHsp40 chaperone partnerships. There is mounting evidence that these chaperones are important not only in protein homoeostasis and cytoprotection, but also in protein trafficking across the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and into the infected erythrocyte. We propose that certain members of these chaperone families work together to maintain exported proteins in an unfolded state until they reach their final destination. In this review, we critically evaluate what is known and not known about PfHsp40s and PfHsp70s.
Current Trends in Contemporary Choreography: A Political Critique
Authors: Kolb Alexandra
Published: March 2014

Can contemporary choreography claim to challenge the societal status quo by producing liberatory or transgressive work, or has it rather become enshrined in the logic of capitalism and establishment culture? This paper looks critically at twenty-first-century participatory, collaborative modes of performance to investigate how their corresponding aesthetic choices and working methods reflect (often implicit) political stances, such as manifestations of democracy. Using examples from several Western countries, current trends will be assessed against the backdrop of 1960s and 1970s performance theory and practice by assessing the ramifications of the shifting fault lines between dance/performance, the market economy, and political ideologies.
The truncated amplified spontaneous emission pulses in KrF excimer laser by using timeshare quenching
Authors: Du P. Y. , Lu Z. W. , Lin D. Y.
Published: March 2014

In order to achieve the truncated amplified spontaneous emission pulse, the method of timeshare quenching was proposed in this paper. When the original pulse of the amplified spontaneous emission is 16.72 ns, the obtained best results show that the pulse width is truncated to 2.48 ns, and the shortening ratio is approximately 6.7. By analyzing the 12 acquisition results of the continuous amplified spontaneous emission truncation, 2.59 ± 0.05 ns amplified spontaneous emission pulse was obtained. The experimental results showed that the stability of the truncated pulse width is well. This method is applicable to truncate the ASE pulse in KrF excimer laser. It is significantly to the research of the inertial confinement fusion.
Cable motion capture and analysis based on optical tracking system
Authors: Ge Jingguo , Gu Hao
Published: March 2014

As a fatigable part of industrial products, cable is a valuable research topic to predict the product lifetime. Since the cable fatigue is related to the bending radius in motion, this paper presents a cable motion capture and bending radius calculation method based on optical tracking system. In particular, a marker sorting algorithm is developed for further spline interpolation in cable motion tracking. The cable bending radius calculation precision is analysed as well. The Results show that the proposed method can successfully track cable motion with an acceptable error for cable lifetime prediction.
Teleoperation grasp assistance using infra-red sensor array
Authors: Chen Nutan , Tee Keng Peng , Chew Chee-Meng
Published: March 2014

Teleoperated grasping requires the abilities to follow the intended trajectory from the user and autonomously search for a suitable pre-grasp pose relative to the object of interest. Challenges include dealing with uncertainty due to the noise of the teleoperator, human elements and calibration errors in the sensors. To address these challenges, an effective and robust algorithm is introduced to assist grasping during teleoperation. Although without premature object contact or regrasping strategies, the algorithm enables the robot to perform online adjustments to reach a pre-grasp pose before final grasping. We use three infrared (IR) sensors that are mounted on the robot hand, and design an algorithm that controls the robot hand to grasp objects using the information from the sensors' readings and the interface component. Finally, a series of experiments demonstrate that the system is robust when grasping a wide range of objects and tracking slow-moving mobile objects. Empirical data from a five-subject user study allows us to tune the relative contributions from the IR sensors and the interface component so as to achieve a balance of grasp assistance and teleoperation.
Physiological responses to food intake throughout the day
Authors: Johnston Jonathan D.
Published: March 2014

Circadian rhythms act to optimise many aspects of our biology and thereby ensure that physiological processes are occurring at the most appropriate time. The importance of this temporal control is demonstrated by the strong associations between circadian disruption, morbidity and disease pathology. There is now a wealth of evidence linking the circadian timing system to metabolic physiology and nutrition. Relationships between these processes are often reciprocal, such that the circadian system drives temporal changes in metabolic pathways and changes in metabolic/nutritional status alter core molecular components of circadian rhythms. Examples of metabolic rhythms include daily changes in glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity and postprandial response. Time of day alters lipid and glucose profiles following individual meals whereas, over a longer time scale, meal timing regulates adiposity and body weight; these changes may occur via the ability of timed feeding to synchronise local circadian rhythms in metabolically active tissues. Much of the work in this research field has utilised animal and cellular model systems. Although these studies are highly informative and persuasive, there is a largely unmet need to translate basic biological data to humans. The results of such translational studies may open up possibilities for using timed dietary manipulations to help restore circadian synchrony and downstream physiology. Given the large number of individuals with disrupted rhythms due to, for example, shift work, jet-lag, sleep disorders and blindness, such dietary manipulations could provide widespread improvements in health and also economic performance.
Thrombus in the left atrial appendage: a case report of neonate
Authors: Fujiwara Keiichi , Yoshizawa Kosuke , Sakazaki Hisanori
Published: March 2014

A Japanese girl first pointed out the mass in the left atrial appendage by the echocardiography on the 3rd day of life. At 30th day of life, the mass in the left atrial appendage was excised en bloc successfully under cardiopulmonary bypass because it appeared mobile. Its pathologic finding revealed an old organised thrombus. She is doing well with no episode of thrombus formation or thromboembolism, 2 years postoperatively.
Habitability around F-type stars
Authors: Sato S. , Cuntz M. , Guerra Olvera C. M. , Jack D. , Schröder K.-P.
Published: March 2014

We explore the general astrobiological significance of F-type main-sequence stars with masses between 1.2 and 1.5 M⊙. Special consideration is given to stellar evolutionary aspects due to nuclear main-sequence evolution. DNA is taken as a proxy for carbon-based macromolecules following the paradigm that extraterrestrial biology may be most likely based on hydrocarbons. Consequently, the DNA action spectrum is utilized to represent the impact of the stellar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Planetary atmospheric attenuation is taken into account based on parameterized attenuation functions. We found that the damage inflicted on DNA for planets at Earth-equivalent positions is between a factor of 2.5 and 7.1 higher than for solar-like stars, and there are intricate relations for the time-dependence of damage during stellar main-sequence evolution. If attenuation is considered, smaller factors of damage are obtained in alignment to the attenuation parameters. This work is motivated by earlier studies indicating that the UV environment of solar-type stars is one of the most decisive factors in determining the suitability of exosolar planets and exomoons for biological evolution and sustainability.
The Informationalisation of the Australian Community Sector
Authors: French Rebecca , Stillman Larry
Published: March 2014

Based on research in Australia, this article offers explanatory concepts about how welfare workers deal with contradictions between the rationalising ‘informationalisation’ of welfare system governance and the demands of people-centred welfare practice, or ‘technologies of care’. While the situation in Australia with respect to the relationship between government, funders and welfare workers may not be mirrored in other places, the concepts are relevant for the development of local research, insights and practice.

Suggestions are also made for further action to bridge the gap between information systems design and welfare practice through the adoption of a dialogic and representational system for more effective interoperable design that reflects the needs of the major parties involved, including funders, designers and particularly welfare workers.
The impact of health insurance on health services utilization and health outcomes in Vietnam
Authors: Guindon G. Emmanuel
Published: March 2014

In recent years, a number of low- and middle-income country governments have introduced health insurance schemes. Yet not a great deal is known about the impact of such policy shifts. Vietnam’s recent health insurance experience including a health insurance scheme for the poor in 2003 and a compulsory scheme that provides health insurance to all children under six years of age combined with Vietnam’s commitment to universal coverage calls for research that examines the impact of health insurance. Taking advantage of Vietnam’s unique policy environment, data from the 2002, 2004 and 2006 waves of the Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey and single-difference and difference-in-differences approaches are used to assess whether access to health insurance – for the poor, for children and for students – impacts on health services utilization and health outcomes in Vietnam. For the poor and for students, results suggest health insurance increased the use of inpatient services but not of outpatient services or health outcomes. For young children, results suggest health insurance increased the use of outpatient services (including the use of preventive health services such as vaccination and check-up) but not of inpatient services.
Self-similarity matrix based slow-time feature extraction for human target in high-resolution radar
Authors: He Yuan , Aubry Pascal , Le Chevalier Francois , Yarovoy Alexander
Published: March 2014

A new approach is proposed to extract the slow-time feature of human motion in high-resolution radars. The approach is based on the self-similarity matrix (SSM) of the radar signals. The Mutual Information is used as a measure of similarity. The SSMs of different radar signals (high-resolution range profile, micro-Doppler, and range-Doppler video sequence) are compared, and the angel-invariant property of the SSMs is demonstrated. The SSM for different activities (i.e. walking and running) is extracted from range-Doppler video sequence and analyzed. Finally, simulation result is validated by experimental data.
Difficulty of Imagining Others’ Behaviors and Expectations About Future Interactions
Authors: Park Sang Hee
Published: March 2014

How do people know what interacting with others would be like? This research examines how subjective feelings of difficulty in imagination can influence judgments in the context of social interaction. Participants imagined behaviors of members of a group while difficulty of imagination was manipulated, and reported outlook of future interactions with them. Study 1 revealed that after imagining target group members’ reactions in situations that are inherently more difficult, participants had more negative outlook of future interaction with them. Perceived difficulty of imagination partly explained this effect. In Study 2, when incidentality of the association between the situations and the target group was made explicit, the outlook of future interaction with the targets was less negative. The findings extend research on metacognition to interpersonal context while offering several interesting contrasts with previous studies. Limitations and possible future directions are discussed.
Zeolitic imidazolate framework composite membranes and thin films: synthesis and applications
Authors: Yao Jianfeng , Wang Huanting
Published: March 2014

The recent developments of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) membranes/films, ZIF–polymer mixed matrix membranes and their applications are reviewed in this article.
A plasmon resonance light scattering assay of glucose based on the formation of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Wu Wen Bi , Zhan Lei , Wang Jian , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: March 2014

A RLS assay for glucose based on the formation of AuNPs by coupling redox of H2O2 with biocatalytic reaction of GOx.
A facile fluorescent chemosensor based on naphthalene-derived Schiff base for zinc ions in aqueous solution
Authors: Wu Kai , Gao Yuting , Yu Zhenni , Yu Fangqi , Jiang Juhua , Guo Jiaoxing , Han Yifeng
Published: March 2014

A facile naphthalene-based Schiff base chemosensor, 1-((pyridin-2-ylmethylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol, has been designed and synthesized for selective detection of Zn2+ions.
High charge carrier mobility and efficient charge separation in highly soluble perylenetetracarboxyl-diimides
Authors: Günbaş D. Deniz , Xue Chenming , Patwardhan Sameer , Fravventura Maria C. , Zhang Hao , Jager Wolter F. , Sudhölter Ernst J. R. , Siebbeles Laurens D. A. , Savenije Tom J. , Jin Shi , Grozema Ferdinand C.
Published: March 2014

In this communication we report on the synthesis and charge mobility of highly soluble perylenebisimid derivatives.
A two-step O- to C-glycosidic bond rearrangement using complementary glycosyltransferase activities
Authors: Gutmann Alexander , Krump Corinna , Bungaruang Linda , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: March 2014

A 2′-O- to 3′-C-glucosidic bond rearrangement on the flavonoid-like aglycon phloretin was catalysed with perfect atom economy by coupled uridine 5′-diphosphate dependent O- and C-glycosyltransferase activities.
Confinement stabilises single crystal vaterite rods
Authors: Schenk Anna S. , Albarracin Eduardo J. , Kim Yi-Yeoun , Ihli Johannes , Meldrum Fiona C.
Published: March 2014

Single-crystals of vaterite, the least-stable anhydrous polymorph of CaCO3, are rare in biogenic and synthetic systems. We here describe the synthesis of high aspect ratio single crystal vaterite rods under additive-free conditions by precipitating CaCO3 within the cylindrical pores of track-etch membranes.
Cholanamide components for organic alloys; expanding the scope of nanoporous steroidal ureas
Authors: Travaglini Leana , Bridgland Lydia N. , Davis Anthony P.
Published: March 2014

Amide-linked side-chains can substitute for esters in crystalline nanoporous steroidal ureas (NSPUs). This efficient conjugation method increases the versatility of NPSUs, and should aid the inclusion of complex functional units in the crystal channels.
Chemical control of the monovalent–divalent electron-transfer phase transition in biferrocenium–TCNQ salts
Authors: Mochida Tomoyuki , Funasako Yusuke , Takazawa Kousuke , Takahashi Masashi , Matsushita Michio M. , Sugawara Tadashi
Published: March 2014

An ionic molecular crystal of (dineopentylbiferrocene)(F1TCNQ)3 exhibits a phase transition from a monovalent state (D+A3−) to a divalent state (D2+A32−) at around 120 K.
Absorption and fluorescence signatures of 1,2,3-triazole based regioisomers: challenging compounds for TD-DFT
Authors: Katan Claudine , Savel Paul , Wong Bryan M. , Roisnel Thierry , Dorcet Vincent , Fillaut Jean-Luc , Jacquemin Denis
Published: March 2014

Photophysical signatures of 1,2,3-triazole regioisomers: a surprisingly challenging problem for TD-DFT.
Phosphine catalysis of allenes with electrophiles
Authors: Wang Zhiming , Xu Xingzhu , Kwon Ohyun
Published: March 2014

This article compiles the most representative examples of phosphine-catalyzed annulations between allenes and electrophiles to form various carbo- and heterocycles.
Multiple coupling of silanes with imido complexes of Mo
Authors: Khalimon Andrey Y. , McLeod Nicolas A. , Ignatov Stanislav K. , Okhapkin Andrey I. , Kuzmina Lyudmila G. , Howard Judith A. K. , Nikonov Georgii I.
Published: March 2014

Coupling of (tBuN)2Mo(PMe3)(L) (L = PMe2, C2H4) with PhSiH3results in a product of triple silane addition, (tBuN){μ-tBuN(SiHPh)2}Mo(H)(SiH2Ph)(PMe3)2(3), formation of which proceedsviaa series of silanimine and Si–H⋯Mo agostic species.
Supramolecular architectures with pyridine-amide based ligands: discrete molecular assemblies and their applications
Authors: Mishra Anurag , Gupta Rajeev
Published: March 2014

This perspective offers an overview on the recent progress achieved in the design of discrete molecular assemblies utilizing assorted pyridine-amide based ligands.
Oxy-functionalization of Group 9 and 10 transition metal methyl ligands: use of pyridine-based hemi-labile ligands
Authors: Prince Bruce M. , Gunnoe T. Brent , Cundari Thomas R.
Published: March 2014

Hemi-labile ligands (HLLs) are intriguing candidates for catalysts since they may facilitate bond activation and bond formation through facile ligand dissociation/association.
Fluorescein dye intercalated layered double hydroxides for chemically stabilized photoluminescent indicators on inorganic surfaces
Authors: Lee Jong Hyeon , Jung Duk-Young , Kim Eunchul , Ahn Tae Kyu
Published: March 2014

A thin film of LDH intercalated with fluorescein exhibits intense photoemission with a uniform lifetime from individual LDH nanocrystals.
Shaken, and stirred: oscillatory segmented flow for controlled size-evolution of colloidal nanomaterials
Authors: Abolhasani Milad , Oskooei Ali , Klinkova Anna , Kumacheva Eugenia , Günther Axel
Published: March 2014

We introduce oscillatory segmented flow as a compact microfluidic format that accommodates slow chemical reactions for the solution-phase processing of colloidal nanomaterials.
Deciphering global signal features of high-throughput array data from cancers
Authors: Wu Deng , Kang Juanjuan , Huang Yan , Li Xiang , Wang Xiansong , Huang Dan , Wang Yuting , Li Bin , Hao Dapeng , Gu Qi , Tang Nelson , Li Kongning , Guo Zheng , Li Xia , Xu Jianzhen , Wang Dong
Published: March 2014

Up-regulation of mRNA and miRNA products may be a general feature of cancer cells, normalization would distort global data distribution and lead to erroneous interpretations of transcriptomic expression profiles.
Chemo-responsive bilayer actuator film: fabrication, characterization and actuator response
Authors: Haldorai Yuvaraj , Shim Jae-Jin
Published: March 2014

A bilayer actuator showing fast and stable curling/uncurling motion was prepared by photo-cross-linking poly(AAm-co-AA)-g-CMC onto PA-6.
Stereoselective synthesis of functionalized (1E,5E)-1,5-dien-3-ynes containing ester or sulfonyl groups by palladium-catalyzed addition and cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Hao Wenyan , Xie Shiyun , Wu Yichao , Cai Mingzhong
Published: March 2014

Stereoselective synthesis of (1E,5E)-1-sulfonyl (or ethoxycarbonyl)-substituted 1,5-dien-3-ynes has been described.
Synthesis of heterocyclic-fused benzopyrans via the Pd(ii)-catalyzed C–H alkenylation/C–O cyclization of flavones and coumarins
Authors: Kim Yechan , Moon Youngtaek , Kang Dahye , Hong Sungwoo
Published: March 2014

An efficient and practical method for effecting a tandem C–H alkenylation/C–O cyclization has been achieved via the C–H functionalization of flavone derivatives.
Delocalization of electronic states in graphene oxide stabilised mesoporous silica nanoparticles revealed using photoluminescence
Authors: Chandrasekaran Naveen , Sivabalan Santhana , Prathap Aswin , Mohan S. , Jagannathan R.
Published: March 2014

Mesoporous silica aerogel obtained through a sol–gel process when surface treated with 2-D graphene oxide sheets reveals many fascinating features particularly, leading to multiple coordination complexes based on amide linkages.
PE/PEO blends compatibilized by PE brush immobilized on MWNTs: improved interfacial and structural properties
Authors: Mural Prasanna Kumar S. , Rana Manish Singh , Madras Giridhar , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: March 2014

1 wt% MWNT grafted with PE showed a significant increase in structural properties in PE/PEO blends.
Fluorescent nanomaterial-derived white light-emitting diodes: what's going on
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Wang Cai-Feng , Ling Lu-Ting , Chen Su
Published: March 2014

In this review, we highlight recent progress of fluorescent nanomaterial-derived white LEDs, including semiconductor nanocrystals or colloidal QD-based LEDs, carbon-based LEDs, silicon QD-based LEDs, and organic–inorganic fluorescent nanocomposite derived white LEDs.
Trafficking modulator TENin1 inhibits endocytosis, causes endomembrane protein accumulation at the pre-vacuolar compartment and impairs gravitropic response in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Paudyal Rupesh , Jamaluddin Adam , Warren James P. , Doyle Siamsa M. , Robert Stéphanie , Warriner Stuart L. , Baker Alison
Published: March 2014

Auxin gradients are established and maintained by polarized distribution of auxin transporters that undergo constitutive endocytic recycling from the PM (plasma membrane) and are essential for the gravitropic response in plants. The present study characterizes an inhibitor of endomembrane protein trafficking, TE1 (trafficking and endocytosis inhibitor 1/TENin1) that reduces gravitropic root bending in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. Short-term TE1 treatment causes accumulation of PM proteins, including the BR (brassinosteroid) receptor BRI1 (BR insensitive 1), PIP2a (PM intrinsic protein 2a) and the auxin transporter PIN2 (PIN-FORMED 2) in a PVC (pre-vacuolar related compartment), which is sensitive to BFA (Brefeldin A). This compound inhibits endocytosis from the PM and promotes trafficking to the vacuole, consistent with inhibition of retrieval of proteins to the TGN (trans-Golgi network) from the PVC and the PM. However, trafficking of newly synthesized proteins to the PM is unaffected. The short-term protein trafficking inhibition and long-term effect on plant growth and survival caused by TE1 were fully reversible upon drug washout. Structure–activity relationship studies revealed that only minor modifications were possible without loss of biological activity. Diversity in Arabidopsis ecotypes was also exploited to identify two Arabidopsis accessions that display reduced sensitivity to TE1. This compound and the resistant Arabidopsis accessions may be used as a resource in future studies to better understand endomembrane trafficking in plants.
Lipid A-based affinity biosensor for screening anti-sepsis components from herbs
Authors: Yao Jie , Chen Yiguo , Wang Ning , Jiang Dongneng , Zheng Jiang
Published: March 2014

LPS (lipopolysaccharide), an outer membrane component of Gram-negative bacteria, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and lipid A is known to be essential for its toxicity. Therefore it could be an effective measure to prevent sepsis by neutralizing or destroying LPS. Numerous studies have indicated that many traditional Chinese medicines are natural antagonists of LPS in vitro and in vivo. The goal of this study is to develop a rapid method to screen anti-sepsis components from Chinese herbs by use of a direct lipid A-based affinity biosensor technology based on a resonant mirror. The detergent OG (n-octyl β-D-glucopyranoside) was immobilized on a planar non-derivatized cuvette which provided an alternative surface to bind the terminal hydrophilic group of lipid A. A total of 78 herbs were screened based on the affinity biosensor with a target of lipid A. The aqueous extract of PSA (Paeonia suffruticosa Andr) was found to possess the highest capability of binding lipid A. Therefore an aqueous extraction from this plant was investigated further by our affinity biosensor, polyamide chromatography and IEC–HPLC. Finally, we obtained a component (PSA-I-3) from Paeonia suffruticosa Andr that was evaluated with the affinity biosensor. We also studied the biological activities of PSA-I-3 against sepsis in vitro and in vivo to further confirm the component we screened with the biosensor. In vitro, we found that PSA-I-3 could decrease TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) release from RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, it increased remarkably the survival of KM (KunMing) mice by challenging both lethal-dose LPS and heat-killed Escherichia coli compared with control groups. Our results suggest that the constructed affinity biosensor can successfully screen the anti-sepsis component from Chinese herbs.
Balanced MMIC QPSK modulator with low amplitude and phase errors
Authors: Moon Seong‐Mo , Lee Han Lim , Shin Dong‐Hwan , Yom In‐Bok , Lee Moon‐Que
Published: March 2014

A broadband monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulator with low amplitude and phase errors is proposed. The presented modulator adopts two wideband reflection‐type binary BPSK modulators, each consisting of a modified Lange coupler with additional λ/4 transmission lines, varactor diodes, inductors and resistors. The proposed QPSK modulator is implemented in 0.15 μm GaAs low‐noise pHEMT process. The measurements show an error vector magnitude and a demodulated I/Q offset <5.8% root‐mean‐square and −16.1 dB, respectively, from 18 to 26.5 GHz.
Effective initial channel access in dense loosely coupled wireless charging pad environments
Authors: Kim Nam Yoon , Kim Chang‐Woo
Published: March 2014

An initial channel access technology using continuous‐wave signals is proposed for establishing stable initial channel access between a transmitter and multiple receivers in a dense environment of loosely coupled (LC) wireless charging pads. Through the experiment, it is confirmed that the proposed system exhibits a fast and stable channel access performance. The initial channel access time of the proposed system is a minimum of 7 ms and a maximum of 7.82 s faster than the conventional technologies with a small deviation ranging from 68.2 to 90.4 ms, even for an increase in the number of LC wireless chargers in a small area.
Just‐noticeable‐distortion‐based fast coding unit size decision algorithm for high efficiency video coding
Authors: Wu Wei , Song Bin
Published: March 2014

To reduce the computation complexity of high‐efficiency video coding, a just‐noticeable‐distortion is introduced into fast video encoding and a fast coding unit size decision algorithm is proposed. In the proposed algorithm, the spatiotemporal factors of 8 × 8 blocks are computed using the spatiotemporal just‐noticeable‐distortion, and then a measure is built to represent the spatiotemporal homogeneity of a coding unit, and finally the candidate coding unit sizes are predicted. Compared with the state‐of‐the‐art fast algorithm, experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve 23.60% coding time saving while maintaining a similar coding efficiency.
Threshold‐voltage‐difference‐based CMOS voltage reference derived from basic current bias generator with 4.3 ppm/°C temperature coefficient
Authors: Yongda Cai , Zhige Zou , Zhen Wang , Jianming Lei
Published: March 2014

A threshold‐voltage‐difference‐based CMOS voltage reference topology derived from the basic current bias generator is proposed. The implementation in the GSMC 0.18 μm process demonstrated that a precise voltage of 516.3 mV can be generated with a minimal temperature coefﬁcient of 4.3 ppm/°C. The reference consumes a current of 1.9 μA with a minimum supply voltage of 1.4 V. The line regulation is 0.075%/V at room temperature. It only occupies 0.013 mm2 without any area optimisations because of its simple structure. Also, due to its special compound structure, the circuit can generate both a stable voltage and a relatively temperature‐independent current.
Slotted substrate integrated cavity antenna using TE330 mode with low profile and high gain
Authors: Han Wangwang , Yang Feng , Zhou Haijing
Published: March 2014

A novel slotted cavity antenna based on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology using TE330 mode is presented for the first time. The SIW‐based cavity operating at TE330 mode is simply fed by a coaxial probe. Energy is coupled out of the cavity by a 3 × 3 slot array etched on the top surface of the cavity. An antenna prototype operating at WLAN 5.8 GHz band fabricated with standard printed circuit board (PCB) process on a single substrate is exemplified to validate the proposed concept. The overall volume of the antenna is 1.6λ0 × 1.6λ0 × 0.029λ0. Measured results show that the antennas achieve a bandwidth of 4.7% for 10 dB return loss and gain of up to 13.6 dBi. The proposed antenna features low profile, high gain, ease of fabrication and high efficiency, which makes it a good candidate for low‐cost mass‐production.
Automatic tuning circuit for bulk‐controlled subthreshold MOS resistors
Authors: Vlassis S. , Khateb F.
Published: March 2014

A simple automatic tuning circuit is proposed which is suitable for controlling very large channel resistance of weak‐inverted transistors operated in the linear regime. The channel resistance for 1.2 MΩ nominal value presents about ± 0.6% variation for −20–80°C temperature range, ±5% variation at process/temperature (P/T) corners and total harmonic distortion = −42 dB for differential signals. The supply voltage was VDD = 1 V and the current consumption was about 470 nA. The proposed concept and the performance were confirmed and evaluated by simulations using standard 0.35 μm CMOS process.
Multiplier supporting accuracy and energy trade‐offs for recognition applications
Authors: Kim Nam Sung , Park Taejoon , Narayanamoorthy Srinivasan , Asgharimoghaddam Hadi
Published: March 2014

The need to support various recognition applications on energy‐constrained mobile computing devices has steadily grown. Exploiting common characteristics of recognition algorithms, a very energy‐efficient multiplier that can support a runtime trade‐off between computational accuracy and energy consumption is proposed. Compared to a precise multiplier, the proposed multiplier consumes 11.6×–3.2× less energy per multiplication while achieving 82–99% of the computational accuracy with negligible negative impact on recognition accuracy for three different recognition applications.
PAPR reduction of multi‐carrier systems with simple nonlinear companding transform
Authors: Peng Siming , Shen Yuehong , Yuan Zhigang
Published: March 2014

A simple nonlinear companding transform which makes full use of the statistical characteristics of the original multi‐carrier signals and combining them with the simplest clipping theory is proposed to reduce the peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) of multi‐carrier systems. By making a simple truncation to the Rayleigh‐distributed original signals, the proposed scheme not only has low implementation complexity but also outperforms conventional companding schemes.
Efficient performance optimisation of wireless power transmission using genetic algorithm
Authors: Han Junghoon , Kim Young Dam , Myung Noh‐Hoon
Published: March 2014

Wireless power transfer (WPT) systems using a coupled magnetic resonance have to overcome the frequency splitting phenomenon for a certain distance in order to achieve the best efficiency. In this reported work, a simple and effective method is demonstrated to overcome the frequency splitting for an optimal efficiency, regardless of the distance variation while maintaining the single desired operating frequency. Then, the systems do not need complicated frequency adjustment systems to track the split frequency. For the proposed method, the equivalent circuit parameters of the WPT system are extracted to overcome the frequency splitting by using the genetic algorithm (GA). Then, two adjustable capacitors are added at the source and the load with the optimal values calculated by the GA, again, at the desired operating frequency for the optimal efficiency.
Study of terahertz LFMCW imaging radar with Hilbert transform receiver
Authors: Lu Zheng , Li Chao , Gao Xiang , Fang Guangyou
Published: March 2014

A linear frequency‐modulated continuous‐wave (LFMCW) radar with a simplified single homodyne channel is proposed and developed in the 0.22 THz band. The transmitter employs direct digital waveform synthesiser technology to obtain a reliable fast scanning LFMCW source, the scanning speed of which is 40 µs with an instantaneous bandwidth of 14.4 GHz. To realise the nonlinearity calibration and coherent imaging, the quadrature signal is recovered by a Hilbert transform receiver to obtain the phase information of the return wave. The radar operates using the real‐aperture imaging method and uses a lens to focus the Gauss beam which determines the azimuth resolution. The results of the pulse compression and imaging experiments verify the effectiveness of the proposed imaging scheme in the 0.22 THz band. The radar can be used for non‐destructive testing and security checks.
Packet coalescing strategies for energy‐efficient Ethernet
Authors: Aksić M. , Bjelica M.
Published: March 2014

A method for optimisation of IEEE 802.3az energy‐efficient Ethernet networks is proposed. To overcome the timing limitations imposed by the standard, the packets are stored in a buffer until the criteria for its emptying are met. It is shown that this approach leads to greater energy savings while guaranteeing the desired level of quality of service, expressed by a maximal packet delay.
Memristor‐based neuron circuit and method for applying learning algorithm in SPICE
Authors: Yakopcic C. , Hasan R. , Taha T.M. , McLean M. , Palmer D.
Published: March 2014

The learning of nonlinearly separable functions in cascaded memristor crossbar circuits is described and the feasibility of using them to develop low‐power neuromorphic processors is demonstrated. This is the first study evaluating the training of memristor crossbars through SPICE simulations. It is important to capture the alternate current paths and wire resistance inherent in these circuits. The simulations show that neural network learning algorithms are able to train in the presence of alternate current paths and wire resistances. The fact that the approach reduces the area by three times and power by two orders of magnitude compared with the existing approaches that use virtual ground opamps to eliminate alternate current paths is demonstrated.
Anti‐windup design for rational systems by linear‐fractional representation
Authors: Wang Naizhou , Pei Hailong , Wang Jun , Zhang Qian
Published: March 2014

This study investigates both static and dynamic anti‐windup problems for rational systems subject to actuator saturation. New approaches for the synthesis of anti‐windup compensators are proposed based on the linear‐fractional representation of rational non‐linear systems. By using quadratic Lyapunov function and with a modified sector condition, convex optimisation algorithms based on linear‐matrix inequalities are devised to maximise the region of attraction and the ℒ2 bound on disturbances and minimise the ℒ2 ‐gain from disturbance to performance output. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Robust estimation for discrete time‐delay Markov jump systems with sensor non‐linearity and missing measurements
Authors: You Jia , Yin Shen , Yu Zhandong
Published: March 2014

This study addresses the ℋ∞ filtering design issue for a class of time‐delay Markov jump system with non‐linear characteristics. A stochastic system with sensor saturation and intermittent measurements is considered in the authors study. Random noise depending on state and external‐disturbance are also taken into account. A decomposition approach and a bernoulli process are utilised to model the characteristic of sensor saturation and missing measurements, respectively. By transforming the filtering error system into an input–output form, sufficient conditions for the stochastic stability of the system with a prescribed ℋ∞ level are presented with the help of Scaled Small Gain theorem developed for stochastic systems. Based on the proposed conditions, the rubost filter design approach is proposed. A numerical example is finally provided to demonstrate effectiveness of the proposed approahc.
21st Century Homeopathy
Authors: Bannan Robert
Published: March 2014

Four years of experience with the algorithm method. Algorithm – an entirely different approach to
finding correspondence between substances and people. It does not make any reference to signs or
symptoms at all. Therefore it bypasses most of the problems inherent in our repertories. It is
also a lot quicker than repertory work.
Effects of self-heating and phase change on the thermal profile of hydrogen isotopes in confined geometries
Authors: Baxamusa S. , Field J. , Dylla-Spears R. , Kozioziemski B. , Suratwala T. , Sater J.
Published: March 2014

Growth of high-quality single-crystal hydrogen in confined geometries relies on the in situ formation of seed crystals. Generation of deuterium-tritium seed crystals in a confined geometry is governed by three effects: self-heating due to tritium decay, external thermal environment, and latent heat of phase change at the boundary between hydrogen liquid and vapor. A detailed computation of the temperature profile for liquid hydrogen inside a hollow shell, as is found in inertial confinement fusion research, shows that seeds are likely to form at the equatorial plane of the shell. Radioactive decay of tritium to helium slowly alters the composition of the hydrogen vapor, resulting in a modified temperature profile that encourages seed formation at the top of the shell. We show that the computed temperature profile is consistent with a variety of experimental observations.