bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VIRTUAL PALEONTOLOGY—AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Sutton Mark , Rahman Imran , Garwood Russell
Published: April 2017

Virtual paleontology is the study of fossils through three-dimensional digital visualizations; it represents a powerful and well-established set of tools for the analysis and dissemination of fossil data. Techniques are divisible into tomographic (i.e., slice-based) and surface-based types. Tomography has a long predigital history, but the recent explosion of virtual paleontology has resulted primarily from developments in X-ray computed tomography (CT), and of surface-based technologies (e.g., laser scanning). Destructive tomographic methods include forms of physical-optical tomography (e.g., serial grinding); these are powerful but problematic techniques. Focused Ion Beam (FIB) tomography is a modern alternative for microfossils; it is also destructive but is capable of extremely high resolutions. Nondestructive tomographic methods include the many forms of CT, which are the most widely used data-capture techniques at present, but are not universally applicable. Where CT is inappropriate, other nondestructive technologies (e.g., neutron tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, optical tomography) can prove suitable. Surface-based methods provide portable and convenient data capture for surface topography and texture, and might be appropriate when internal morphology is not of interest; technologies include laser scanning, photogrammetry, and mechanical digitization. Reconstruction methods that produce visualizations from raw data are many and various; selection of an appropriate workflow will depend on many factors, but is an important consideration that should be addressed prior to any study. The vast majority of three-dimensional fossils can now be studied using some form of virtual paleontology, and barriers to broader adaptation are being eroded. Technical issues regarding data sharing remain problematic. Technological developments continue; those promising tomographic recovery of compositional data are of particular relevance to paleontology.
PARP3 is a promoter of chromosomal rearrangements and limits G4 DNA
Authors: Day Tovah A. , Layer Jacob V. , Cleary J. Patrick , Guha Srijoy , Stevenson Kristen E. , Tivey Trevor , Kim Sunhee , Schinzel Anna C. , Izzo Francesca , Doench John , Root David E. , Hahn William C. , Price Brendan D. , Weinstock David M.
Published: April 2017

Chromosomal rearrangements are essential events in the pathogenesis of both malignant and nonmalignant disorders, yet the factors affecting their formation are incompletely understood. Here we develop a zinc-finger nuclease translocation reporter and screen for factors that modulate rearrangements in human cells. We identify UBC9 and RAD50 as suppressors and 53BP1, DDB1 and poly(ADP)ribose polymerase 3 (PARP3) as promoters of chromosomal rearrangements across human cell types. We focus on PARP3 as it is dispensable for murine viability and has druggable catalytic activity. We find that PARP3 regulates G quadruplex (G4) DNA in response to DNA damage, which suppresses repair by nonhomologous end-joining and homologous recombination. Chemical stabilization of G4 DNA in PARP3−/− cells leads to widespread DNA double-strand breaks and synthetic lethality. We propose a model in which PARP3 suppresses G4 DNA and facilitates DNA repair by multiple pathways.
Blue light regenerates functional visual pigments in mammals through a retinyl-phospholipid intermediate
Authors: Kaylor Joanna J. , Xu Tongzhou , Ingram Norianne T. , Tsan Avian , Hakobyan Hayk , Fain Gordon L. , Travis Gabriel H.
Published: April 2017

The light absorbing chromophore in opsin visual pigments is the protonated Schiff base of 11-cis-retinaldehyde (11cRAL). Absorption of a photon isomerizes 11cRAL to all-trans-retinaldehyde (atRAL), briefly activating the pigment before it dissociates. Light sensitivity is restored when apo-opsin combines with another 11cRAL to form a new visual pigment. Conversion of atRAL to 11cRAL is carried out by enzyme pathways in neighboring cells. Here we show that blue (450-nm) light converts atRAL specifically to 11cRAL through a retinyl-phospholipid intermediate in photoreceptor membranes. The quantum efficiency of this photoconversion is similar to rhodopsin. Photoreceptor membranes synthesize 11cRAL chromophore faster under blue light than in darkness. Live mice regenerate rhodopsin more rapidly in blue light. Finally, whole retinas and isolated cone cells show increased photosensitivity following exposure to blue light. These results indicate that light contributes to visual-pigment renewal in mammalian rods and cones through a non-enzymatic process involving retinyl-phospholipids.
Habitat connectivity and in-stream vegetation control temporal variability of benthic invertebrate communities
Authors: Huttunen K.-L. , Mykrä H. , Oksanen J. , Astorga A. , Paavola R. , Muotka T.
Published: April 2017

One of the key challenges to understanding patterns of β diversity is to disentangle deterministic patterns from stochastic ones. Stochastic processes may mask the influence of deterministic factors on community dynamics, hindering identification of the mechanisms causing variation in community composition. We studied temporal β diversity (among-year dissimilarity) of macroinvertebrate communities in near-pristine boreal streams across 14 years. To assess whether the observed β diversity deviates from that expected by chance, and to identify processes (deterministic vs. stochastic) through which different explanatory factors affect community variability, we used a null model approach. We observed that at the majority of sites temporal β diversity was low indicating high community stability. When stochastic variation was unaccounted for, connectivity was the only variable explaining temporal β diversity, with weakly connected sites exhibiting higher community variability through time. After accounting for stochastic effects, connectivity lost importance, suggesting that it was related to temporal β diversity via random colonization processes. Instead, β diversity was best explained by in-stream vegetation, community variability decreasing with increasing bryophyte cover. These results highlight the potential of stochastic factors to dampen the influence of deterministic processes, affecting our ability to understand and predict changes in biological communities through time.
Multiplex detection of bacteria on an integrated centrifugal disk using bead-beating lysis and loop-mediated amplification
Authors: Yan He , Zhu Yunzeng , Zhang Yan , Wang Lei , Chen Junge , Lu Ying , Xu Youchun , Xing Wanli
Published: April 2017

Although culture-based identification of bacteria is the gold-standard for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, it is time consuming. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics and microfluidic technologies have opened up new avenues for rapid detection of bacteria. Here, we describe a centrifugal-microfluidic chip for the detection of bacteria by integrating the cell lysis, clarification, and loop-mediated amplification (LAMP). The major advantages of this chip are as follows. Firstly, bacteria lysis was innovatively achieved by rotating a pair of magnets to generate bead-beating while the chip was kept stationary during lysis, which simplified the chip design because no additional valve was needed. Secondly, the on-chip assay time was short (within 70 min), which was competitive in emergency situations. Thirdly, results of the analysis can be interpreted by using a fluorescence detector or by the naked-eye, making it versatile in many areas, especially the resource-limited areas. The on-chip limits of detection of six types of bacteria were valued by gel electrophoresis, showing the similar results compared to the bench-top LAMP protocol. This chip can be used for rapid, sensitive, accurate and automated detection of bacteria, offering a promising alternative for simplifying the molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases.
Investigation of cationicity and structure of pseudin-2 analogues for enhanced bacterial selectivity and anti-inflammatory activity
Authors: Jeon Dasom , Jeong Min-Cheol , Jacob Binu , Bang Jeong Kyu , Kim Eun-Hee , Cheong Chaejoon , Jung In Duk , Park Yoonkyung , Kim Yangmee
Published: April 2017

Pseudin-2 (Ps), isolated from the frog Pseudis paradoxa, exhibits potent antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity. To develop antimicrobial peptides with anti-inflammatory activity and low cytotoxicity, we designed Ps analogues with Lys substitutions, resulting in elevated amphipathic α-helical structure and cationicity. We further substituted Gly11 with Pro (Ps-P analogues) to increase bacterial cell selectivity. Ps analogues retained antimicrobial activity and exhibited reduced cytotoxicity, whereas Ps-P analogues exhibited lower cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity. Tertiary structures revealed that Ps has a linear α-helix from Leu2 to Glu24, whereas Ps-P has a bend at Pro11 between two short α-helixes. Using various biophysical experiments, we found that Ps analogues produced much higher membrane depolarization than Ps-P analogues, whereas Ps-P analogues may penetrate bacterial cell membranes. Ps and its analogue Ps-K18 exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 and mouse dendritic cells via a mechanism involving the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway. These activities may arise from their direct inhibition of the formation of TLR4-MD-2_LPS complex, implying that amphipathic α-helical structure with an optimum balance between enhanced cationicity and hydrophobicity may be essential for their anti-inflammatory activity. The bent structure provided by Pro substitution plays an important role in enhancing bacterial cell selectivity and cell penetration.
Phonon-mediated high-T

c
superconductivity in hole-doped diamond-like crystalline hydrocarbon
Authors: Lian Chao-Sheng , Wang Jian-Tao , Duan Wenhui , Chen Changfeng
Published: April 2017

We here predict by ab initio calculations phonon-mediated high-T
c
superconductivity in hole-doped diamond-like cubic crystalline hydrocarbon K4-CH (space group I21/3). This material possesses three key properties: (i) an all-sp3 covalent carbon framework that produces high-frequency phonon modes, (ii) a steep-rising electronic density of states near the top of the valence band, and (iii) a Fermi level that lies in the σ-band, allowing for a strong coupling with the C-C bond-stretching modes. The simultaneous presence of these properties generates remarkably high superconducting transition temperatures above 80 K at an experimentally accessible hole doping level of only a few percent. These results identify a new extraordinary electron-phonon superconductor and pave the way for further exploration of this novel superconducting covalent metal.
Crop yield response to climate change varies with crop spatial distribution pattern
Authors: Leng Guoyong , Huang Maoyi
Published: April 2017

The linkage between crop yield and climate variability has been confirmed in numerous studies using statistical approaches. A crucial assumption in these studies is that crop spatial distribution pattern is constant over time. Here, we explore how changes in county-level corn spatial distribution pattern modulate the response of its yields to climate change at the state level over the Contiguous United States. Our results show that corn yield response to climate change varies with crop spatial distribution pattern, with distinct impacts on the magnitude and even the direction at the state level. Corn yield is predicted to decrease by 20~40% by 2050 s when considering crop spatial distribution pattern changes, which is 6~12% less than the estimates with fixed cropping pattern. The beneficial effects are mainly achieved by reducing the negative impacts of daily maximum temperature and strengthening the positive impacts of precipitation. Our results indicate that previous empirical studies could be biased in assessing climate change impacts by ignoring the changes in crop spatial distribution pattern. This has great implications for understanding the increasing debates on whether climate change will be a net gain or loss for regional agriculture.
Individual differences in the early recognition of moral information in lexical processing: An event-related potential study
Authors: Yang Qun , Luo Canhuang , Zhang Ye
Published: April 2017

Previous studies have shown that intuitive moral cognition occurs at an early stage. However, inconsistent findings indicate that moral information is recognized at a relatively late stage. This study uses the recognition potential (RP) as a neural index and simultaneously measures individuals’ moral preferences using the Moral Foundation Questionnaire. We aim to investigate how individual differences in moral preferences modulate the processing of morality in the pre-semantic stage and provide some insights to explain the variation in rapid information processing linked to morality. The participants performed an implicit task in which recognizable words depicting geographical names or behaviors related to moral, disgusting or neutral content alternated with background stimuli at high rates of presentation. The results showed that the early recognition of moral information manifested in the RP depended on an individual’s moral concerns. Participants with a higher level of endorsement of the harm/care foundation exhibited a greater net moral effect, namely, greater mean amplitudes of the moral-neutral RP difference waves. Meanwhile, only the group that was more sensitive to the harm/care foundation showed a distinctively larger RP for the moral words than for the neutral words. Overall, these findings suggest that the early processing of moral cognition may hinge on individual differences in moral concerns about other people’s suffering.
Highly Selective and Sensitive Self-Powered Glucose Sensor Based on Capacitor Circuit
Authors: Slaughter Gymama , Kulkarni Tanmay
Published: April 2017

Enzymatic glucose biosensors are being developed to incorporate nanoscale materials with the biological recognition elements to assist in the rapid and sensitive detection of glucose. Here we present a highly sensitive and selective glucose sensor based on capacitor circuit that is capable of selectively sensing glucose while simultaneously powering a small microelectronic device. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is chemically modified with pyrroloquinoline quinone glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD) at anode and cathode, respectively, in the biofuel cell arrangement. The input voltage (as low as 0.25 V) from the biofuel cell is converted to a stepped-up power and charged to the capacitor to the voltage of 1.8 V. The frequency of the charge/discharge cycle of the capacitor corresponded to the oxidation of glucose. The biofuel cell structure-based glucose sensor synergizes the advantages of both the glucose biosensor and biofuel cell. In addition, this glucose sensor favored a very high selectivity towards glucose in the presence of competing and non-competing analytes. It exhibited unprecedented sensitivity of 37.66 Hz/mM.cm2 and a linear range of 1 to 20 mM. This innovative self-powered glucose sensor opens new doors for implementation of biofuel cells and capacitor circuits for medical diagnosis and powering therapeutic devices.
Construction of a map-based reference genome sequence for barley, Hordeum vulgare L.
Authors: Beier Sebastian , Himmelbach Axel , Colmsee Christian , Zhang Xiao-Qi , Barrero Roberto A. , Zhang Qisen , Li Lin , Bayer Micha , Bolser Daniel , Taudien Stefan , Groth Marco , Felder Marius , Hastie Alex , Šimková Hana , Staňková Helena , Vrána Jan , Chan Saki , Muñoz-Amatriaín María , Ounit Rachid , Wanamaker Steve , Schmutzer Thomas , Aliyeva-Schnorr Lala , Grasso Stefano , Tanskanen Jaakko , Sampath Dharanya , Heavens Darren , Cao Sujie , Chapman Brett , Dai Fei , Han Yong , Li Hua , Li Xuan , Lin Chongyun , McCooke John K. , Tan Cong , Wang Songbo , Yin Shuya , Zhou Gaofeng , Poland Jesse A. , Bellgard Matthew I. , Houben Andreas , Doležel Jaroslav , Ayling Sarah , Lonardi Stefano , Langridge Peter , Muehlbauer Gary J. , Kersey Paul , Clark Matthew D. , Caccamo Mario , Schulman Alan H. , Platzer Matthias , Close Timothy J. , Hansson Mats , Zhang Guoping , Braumann Ilka , Li Chengdao , Waugh Robbie , Scholz Uwe , Stein Nils , Mascher Martin
Published: April 2017

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a cereal grass mainly used as animal fodder and raw material for the malting industry. The map-based reference genome sequence of barley cv. ‘Morex’ was constructed by the International Barley Genome Sequencing Consortium (IBSC) using hierarchical shotgun sequencing. Here, we report the experimental and computational procedures to (i) sequence and assemble more than 80,000 bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones along the minimum tiling path of a genome-wide physical map, (ii) find and validate overlaps between adjacent BACs, (iii) construct 4,265 non-redundant sequence scaffolds representing clusters of overlapping BACs, and (iv) order and orient these BAC clusters along the seven barley chromosomes using positional information provided by dense genetic maps, an optical map and chromosome conformation capture sequencing (Hi-C). Integrative access to these sequence and mapping resources is provided by the barley genome explorer (BARLEX).
Guilty repair sustains cooperation, angry retaliation destroys it
Authors: Skatova Anya , Spence Alexa , Leygue Caroline , Ferguson Eamonn
Published: April 2017

Sustained cooperative social interactions are key to successful outcomes in many real-world contexts (e.g., climate change and energy conservation). We explore the self-regulatory roles of anger and guilt, as well as prosocial or selfish social preferences in a repeated social dilemma game framed around shared electricity use at home. We explore the proposal that for sustained cooperation, guilty repair needs to override angry retaliation. We show that anger is damaging to cooperation as it leads to retaliation and an increase of defection, while, through guilt, cooperation is repaired resulting in higher levels of cooperation. We demonstrate a disconnect between the experience of anger and subsequent retaliation which is a function of participants’ social preferences. While there is no difference in reports of anger between prosocial and selfish individuals after finding out that others use more energy from the communal resource, prosocials are less likely to act on their anger and retaliate. Selfish individuals are motivated by anger to retaliate but not motivated by guilt to repair and contribute disproportionately to the breakdown of cooperation over repeated interactions. We suggest that guilt is a key emotion to appeal to when encouraging cooperation.
Controllable synthesis of ultrathin nickel oxide sheets on carbon cloth for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Qianxiu , Lu Chunxiang , Li Ying
Published: April 2017

Controllable synthesis of ultrathin nickle oxide sheets on carbon cloth for high-performance supercapacitors.
Effects of elemene on inhibiting proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and promoting reendothelialization at the stent implantation site
Authors: Sun Wenjie , Huang Yuhua , Yin Tieying , Wang Jingjing , Du Ruolin , Qiu Juhui , Zhang Yuan , Wang Yazhou , Chen Jinju , Wang Guixue
Published: April 2017

Elemene coated stents prepared by electrospray could inhibit proliferation of VSMCs and promote endothelialization after implantation into rabbit iliac arteries.
A mesoporous tin phosphate–graphene oxide hybrid toward the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Pramanik Malay , Li Cuiling , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: April 2017

We report a one-pot synthetic strategy for the production of an efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalyst by the hybridization of hexagonally ordered mesoporous/crystalline tin phosphate (mesoSnPi) nanoflakes with thin layers of graphene oxide (GO).
From [11C]CO2 to [11C]amides: a rapid one-pot synthesis via the Mitsunobu reaction
Authors: Bongarzone S. , Runser A. , Taddei C. , Dheere A. K. Haji , Gee A. D.
Published: April 2017

Radiosynthesis of [11C]amides via the Mitsunobu reaction.
Direct access to N-unprotected tetrasubstituted propargylamines via direct catalytic alkynylation of N-unprotected trifluoromethyl ketimines
Authors: Morisaki Kazuhiro , Morimoto Hiroyuki , Ohshima Takashi
Published: April 2017

Direct catalytic alkynylation of N-unprotected trifluoromethyl ketimines allowed an unprecedented direct access to N-unprotected α-tetrasubstituted primary amines without additional deprotection steps.
Isothiocyanation of amines using the Langlois reagent
Authors: Liao Yan-Yan , Deng Jian-Chao , Ke Yan-Ping , Zhong Xiao-Lin , Xu Li , Tang Ri-Yuan , Zheng Wenxu
Published: April 2017

The Langlois reagent was found to be effective for the isothiocyanation of primary amines in the presence of copper iodide and diethyl phosphonate.
H2 evolution by a cobalt selenolate electrocatalyst and related mechanistic studies
Authors: Downes Courtney A. , Yoo Joseph W. , Orchanian Nicholas M. , Haiges Ralf , Marinescu Smaranda C.
Published: April 2017

[Co(bds)2][nBu4N] (where bds = 1,2-benzenediselenolate) was identified as an electrocatalyst for H2 evolution. Mechanistic studies indicate that with acid a protonated oligomeric {[Co(bds)2(H)x]x−1}m is formed, which was found to reenter the catalytic cycle and generate H2.
A crystalline zinc(ii) complex showing hollow hexagonal tubular morphology evolution, selective dye absorption and unique response to UV irradiation
Authors: Shi Yi-Xiang , Li Wu-Xiang , Chen Huan-Huan , Young David James , Zhang Wen-Hua , Lang Jian-Ping
Published: April 2017

A protonated mononuclear complex [Zn(Hbpvp)Cl3] (1) is assembled by solvothermal reaction of Zn(NO3)2·6H2O with 3,5-bis-(2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl)pyridine (bpvp) in DMF/H2O with a few drops of concentrated HCl added.
Mapping gas phase dipeptide motions in the far-infrared and terahertz domain
Authors: Mahé Jérôme , Bakker Daniël J. , Jaeqx Sander , Rijs Anouk M. , Gaigeot Marie-Pierre
Published: April 2017

Vibrational signatures of Ac-Phe-AA-NH2 dipeptides are recorded and analysed in the far IR/THz spectral domain (100–800 cm−1, 3–24 THz), with the ‘AA’ amino acid chosen within the series ‘AA’ = Gly, Ala, Pro, Cys, Ser, Val. Phe stands for phenylalanine.
Water-repellent hydrophilic nanogrooves
Authors: Weng Yu-Hsuan , Hsieh I-Fan , Tsao Heng-Kwong , Sheng Yu-Jane
Published: April 2017

A hydrophilic nanogroove that can resist impregnation by a nanodrop.
Design of porous Si/C–graphite electrodes with long cycle stability and controlled swelling
Authors: Li Xiaolin , Yan Pengfei , Xiao Xingcheng , Woo Jae Ha , Wang Chongmin , Liu Jun , Zhang Ji-Guang
Published: April 2017

Silicon (Si) is one of the most promising candidates to replace graphite anodes in the next generation of Li ion batteries.
The synthesis of highly corrugated graphene and its polyaniline composite for supercapacitors
Authors: Khalid Mohd. , Quispe Luis T. , Pla Cid Cristiani C. , Mello Alexandre , Tumelero Milton A. , Pasa André A.
Published: April 2017

The synthesis of new corrugated layers of graphene is presented and its composite with polyaniline was electrochemically characterized for supercapacitor electrodes.
Solid state ball milling as a green approach to prepare Cu(ii) complexes: structural, spectral, DFT, and DNA studies
Authors: Zaky Rania , Fekri Ahmed
Published: April 2017

An effective and environmentally friendly ball milling method was used to prepare a series of organometallic compounds.
Self-assembly of poly(ionic liquid) (PIL)-based amphiphilic homopolymers into vesicles and supramolecular structures with dyes and silver nanoparticles
Authors: Manojkumar Kasina , Mecerreyes David , Taton Daniel , Gnanou Yves , Vijayakrishna Kari
Published: April 2017

Self assembly of amphiphilic homo-PILs.
A turn-on AIE active fluorescent sensor for Hg2+ by combination of 1,1-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylene and thiophene/bithiophene fragments
Authors: Gabr Moustafa T. , Christopher Pigge F.
Published: April 2017

1,1-Bis(2-pyridyl)ethylenes with additional thiophene or bithiophene aryl substituents are AIE active compounds that exhibit selective red-shifted chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) in the presence of Hg2+ ions.
Water-assisted growth of large-sized single crystal hexagonal boron nitride grains
Authors: Wang Lifeng , Wu Bin , Liu Hongtao , Huang Li , Li Yongtao , Guo Wei , Chen Xin , Peng Peng , Fu Lei , Yang Yunchang , Hu PingAn , Liu Yunqi
Published: April 2017

A water-assisted chemical vapor deposition method is developed for the fast growth of large-sized h-BN single crystal domains.
A flexible thioether-based MOF as a crystalline sponge for structural characterization of liquid organic molecules
Authors: Yang Xin-Yu , Yuan Shuai , Qin Jun-Sheng , Lollar Christina , Alsalme Ali , Zhou Hong-Cai
Published: April 2017

Herein, we present a flexible MOF (PCN-41) composed of a thioether-based linker. By the virtue of the low symmetry, structural flexibility, and the electron-rich cavity environment, PCN-41 exhibits crystalline sponge behavior toward a series of electron-deficient liquid molecules.
Ultrasensitive water sensors based on fluorenone-tetraphenylethene AIE luminogens
Authors: Chen Tao , Chen Ze-Qiang , Gong Wen-Liang , Li Chong , Zhu Ming-Qiang
Published: April 2017

Two fluorenone-tetraphenylethene AIE luminogens have been designed and synthesized, which exhibit the ultra-high sensitivity to trace water in organic solvents such as THF or dioxane.
Cyto-toxicity, biocompatibility and cellular response of carbon dots–plasmonic based nano-hybrids for bioimaging
Authors: Emam A. N. , Loutfy Samah A. , Mostafa Amany A. , Awad H. , Mohamed Mona B.
Published: April 2017

In this study, hybrid carbon dots–plasmonic nanostructures including carbon dots/polyethyleneimine/gold (C-dots/PEI/Au), and carbon dots/polyethyleneimine/silver (C-dots/PEI/Ag) have been prepared using a MWI method for biomedical imaging.
One-step synthesis of band-tunable N, S co-doped commercial TiO2/graphene quantum dots composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Authors: Shen Kai , Xue Xin , Wang Xiaoyi , Hu Xiaoying , Tian Hongwei , Zheng Weitao
Published: April 2017

N, S co-doped commercial TiO2/N, S-GQDs graphene quantum dots (NSTG) composites with band tunability are synthesized via a facile solvothermal treatment in the presence of thiourea, which acts as a precursor for the dopants.
Synthesis and excellent visible light photocatalysis performance of magnetic reduced graphene oxide/ZnO/ZnFe2O4composites
Authors: Luo Juhua , Yan Zhu , Liu Rongqi , Xu Jianguang , Wang Xu
Published: April 2017

The partial photogenerated electrons from conduction band of ZnFe2O4are transferred to the conduction band of ZnO, oppositely, the photogenerated holes lefted in the valance band of ZnFe2O4. The ternary composite has high photocatalytic activity.
Preparation of ionic liquid-modified SiO2@Fe3O4nanocomposite as a magnetic sorbent for use in solid-phase extraction of zinc(ii) ions from milk and water samples
Authors: Abdolmohammad-Zadeh Hossein , Hassanlouei Sima , Zamani-Kalajahi Monireh
Published: April 2017

A sorbent based on silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles modified with triethoxysilylpropylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid was synthesized and used for preconcentration of zinc(ii) ions.
Effects of naturally occurring flavonoids on ferroportin expression in the spleen in iron deficiency anemia in vivo
Authors: Mazhar Maryam , Faizi Shaheen , Gul Anum , Kabir Nurul , Simjee Shabana U.
Published: April 2017

Polyphenols with iron supplement exert variable effects on key players of iron homeostasis in iron deficiency anemia.
Basalt fiber reinforced porous expanded polystyrene-ceramsite concrete wrapped with a brass strip
Authors: Lu Song , Xu Jinyu , Bai Erlei , Luo Xin
Published: April 2017

This paper aims to study the effect of brass strip wrapping on the dynamic performance of basalt fiber reinforced porous expanded polystyrene-ceramsite concrete (BECC).
Effects of the degradation of methane sulfonic acid electrolyte on the collapse failure of Sn–Ag alloy solders for flip-chip interconnections
Authors: Park Mi-Seok , Nam Do-Hwan , Jung Ki-Min , Hong Kyung-Sik , Kwon Hyuk-Sang
Published: April 2017

The degradation mechanism of the methanesulfonic acid based electroplating bath used for the electrodeposition of Sn–Ag alloy solder bumps and its effects on the collapse failure of flip-chip solder bumps.
In situ growth of NiO nanoparticles on carbon paper as a cathode for rechargeable Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Wang Hong-qiang , Fan Xiao-ping , Zhang Xiao-hui , Huang You-guo , Wu Qiang , Pan Qi-chang , Li Qing-yu
Published: April 2017

In situ growth of NiO nanoparticles on carbon paper as a cathode for rechargeable Li–O2 batteries that shows excellent electrocatalytic performance.
Magnetic hollow carbon microspheres as a reusable adsorbent for rhodamine B removal
Authors: Lu Feifei , Huang Ci , You Lijun , Wang Jiabing , Zhang Qiqing
Published: April 2017

Porous magnetic hollow carbon microspheres (MHCMs) were fabricated with a high surface area and superior adsorption performance for reusable RB removal.
Tunable Ag@SiO2 core–shell nanocomposites for broad spectrum antibacterial applications
Authors: Isaacs Mark A. , Durndell Lee J. , Hilton Anthony C. , Olivi Luca , Parlett Christopher M. A. , Wilson Karen , Lee Adam F.
Published: April 2017

Silica encapsulated silver nanoparticle core–shell nanocomposites of tunable dimensions were synthesised via a one-pot reverse microemulsion route to achieve controlled release of Ag+ ions for broad spectrum antibacterial application.
A novel MoS2-based hybrid film as the back electrode for high-performance thin film solar cells
Authors: Yuan Sheng , Zhang Ming-Jian , Yang Xiaoyang , Mei Zongwei , Chen Yongji , Pan Feng
Published: April 2017

A MoS2-based complex film was developed with a high work function and thickness-dependent conductivity, which greatly improved the CdTe cell efficiency.
A novel high-content CNT-reinforced SiC matrix composite-fiber by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis process
Authors: Zhang X. S. , Yang L. W. , Liu H. T. , Zu M.
Published: April 2017

A novel carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced SiC matrix composite-fiber with excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal resistant properties was fabricated.
Ultrasonic-template technology inducing and regulating cationic microblocks in CPAM: characterization, mechanism and sludge flocculation performance
Authors: Feng Li , Zheng Huaili , Wang Yili , Zhang Shixin , Xu Bincheng
Published: April 2017

In this study, the ultrasonic-template polymerization technique (UTPT) was used to generate and regulate the distribution of cationic microblocks in a polymer.
Crown ether-containing polyimides with high dielectric constant
Authors: Yang Ting , Xu Wenhui , Peng Xinwen , Hou Haoqing
Published: April 2017

Crown ether-containing polyimides possess high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss, without sacrificing other properties.
Efficient hydrogen evolution under visible light irradiation over BiVO4 quantum dot decorated screw-like SnO2 nanostructures
Authors: Xie Mingzheng , Zhang Zemin , Han Weihua , Cheng Xiuwen , Li Xiaoli , Xie Erqing
Published: April 2017

Elevated conduction band level and prolonged photogenerated carrier lifetime remarkably enhance the visible-light catalytic activity of BiVO4 in hydrogen evolution.
Metal-free branched alkyl tetrathienoacene (TTAR)-based sensitizers for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Ezhumalai Yamuna , Lee Byunghong , Fan Miao-Syuan , Harutyunyan Boris , Prabakaran Kumaresan , Lee Chuan-Pei , Chang Sheng Hsiung , Ni Jen-Shyang , Vegiraju Sureshraju , Priyanka Pragya , Wu Ya-Wen , Liu Chia-Wei , Yau Shuehlin , Lin Jiann T. , Wu Chun-Guey , Bedzyk Michael J. , Chang Robert P. H. , Chen Ming-Chou , Ho Kuo-Chuan , Marks Tobin J.
Published: April 2017

New branched alkyl tetrathienothiophene (TTAR)-based organic sensitizers with power conversion efficiency up to 11%.
Raisin bread-like iron sulfides/nitrogen and sulfur dual-doped mesoporous graphitic carbon spheres: a promising electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline and acidic media
Authors: Xiao Junwu , Xia Yating , Hu Chencheng , Xi Jiangbo , Wang Shuai
Published: April 2017

Oxygen molecules are efficiently reduced under the catalysis of raisin bread-like Fe1−xS/N, S-MGCS electrocatalysts via a dominant 4e− process.
A type-II GeSe/SnS heterobilayer with a suitable direct gap, superior optical absorption and broad spectrum for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Xia Congxin , Du Juan , Xiong Wenqi , Jia Yu , Wei Zhongming , Li Jingbo
Published: April 2017

Type-II band alignment, a suitable direct gap (1.519 eV), superior optical-absorption (∼105) and a broad spectrum make the GeSe/SnS heterobilayer a promising material for photovoltaic applications.
Material chemistry of graphene oxide-based nanocomposites for theranostic nanomedicine
Authors: Zhou Yang , Jing Xiangxiang , Chen Yu
Published: April 2017

This review summarizes and discusses the development of the design, fabrication and biomedical applications of GO-based functional composites.
C60@lysozyme: a new photosensitizing agent for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Soldà A. , Cantelli A. , Di Giosia M. , Montalti M. , Zerbetto F. , Rapino S. , Calvaresi M.
Published: April 2017

C60@lysozyme showed significant visible light-induced singlet oxygen generation in a physiological environment, indicating the potential of this hybrid as an agent for photodynamic therapy.
Comparative study of AC and DC inclined plane tests on silicone rubber (SiR) insulation
Authors: Kaaiye Sharif F. , Nyamupangedengu Cuthbert
Published: April 2017

Currently there are no international standards for evaluating the tracking and erosion resistance of DC polymeric insulation under contaminated conditions. Researchers often modify the existing AC inclined plane test standards such as the IEC‐60587 to accommodate DC voltage conditions but this has been reported to give various inconsistences. This paper presents comprehensive experimental results on inclined plane tests of silicone rubber (SiR) insulation at 3.5 and 4.5 kV AC and positive DC using intravenous (IV) system as the pollutant supply. The leakage currents (LC) were recorded throughout the entire tests. In addition, various physiochemical tests namely, Fourier Transform Infrared analysis, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy were performed on the aged and unaged samples. Results show that DC LC is bigger (about three times) than that under AC for the same equivalent voltages. Furthermore, DC LC variations are less random and the average magnitudes increase with duration of voltage application compared with AC. The physiochemical analyses show that 3.5 kVrms AC and 3.5 kV DC aged samples have comparable chemical characteristics albeit with electrode corrosion elements detected on the DC aged samples. Under 4.5 kV DC the degradation becomes significantly more severe and unrepeatable. It is therefore concluded that at 0.3 ml/min, pollutant flow rate, 3.5 kV positive DC and 3.5 kVrms AC are comparable as test voltages for inclined plane accelerated ageing of SiR insulation.
Holistic performance evaluation framework: power distribution network health index
Authors: Ma Zhao , Shang Yuwei , Yuan Haiwen , Shi Shenxing , Sheng Wanxing , Huang Renle , Shen Peifeng
Published: April 2017

In 2015, China National Energy Administration announced an action plan of 2 trillion yuan ($3225.8 billion) investment for power distribution network for the coming 5 years. The intent is to upgrade and modernise the network to meet multidimensional requirements, including distributed energy resources, high levels of security, quality and efficiency of power supply, and requests of CO2 reduction. A systematic, effective reform action would best be based on the comprehensive evaluation of network performance. However, in literature, previous works evaluated intensively on partial network performances, i.e. reliability, operation efficiency etc. Different from these approaches, this study proposes a holistic performance evaluation framework based on health index (HI) methodology. To cope fully with industry needs, the proposed HI system measures performances of two‐level objects from power equipment to network scales. For each level, the corresponding HI is derived successively by determining object's health metrics, establishing a core set of indicators, building physics‐based model, using data‐driven and multiple health information fusion techniques. As part of a 3‐year major research programme initiated by State Grid of China, the above work has been implemented in a software architecture. The fundamentals of distribution network HI framework are reported and discussed.
Stability of mineral oil and oil–ester mixtures under thermal ageing and electrical discharges
Authors: Hamdi Ahmed , Fofana Issouf , Djillali Mahi
Published: April 2017

This study summarises the results of an experimental investigation on the stability of mineral‐based oil mixtures when they are confronted with different ratios of synthetic ester under conditions of electrical discharge, electrical breakdown and a combination of both. The condition of the oil samples was assessed using diagnostic techniques such as gassing tendency, turbidity, dissolved decay products (DDP) and dielectric dissipation factor (DDF), according to ASTM standards. A comparison is made between the performances of fresh and aged samples. The results provide experimental evidence that the chemical composition of hydrocarbon blend is contributing factors to oil gassing. It was observed that aged oils release more gases than new one. It was also observed that the gassing tendency increased with increasing amount of ester for the mixed fluids. The pressure and the absorbance of gases vary proportionally with ester content. Under thermal stress, an increase in pressure is observed especially for the mineral oil sample. The turbidity, DDP and DDF measurements revealed higher values for mineral oil. Importantly, the stability improved with increasing ester content in the blends. Mixed mineral oil/ester therefore offers many advantages with concomitant cost reductions compared with pure synthetic esters.
Using dissolved gas analysis results to detect and isolate the internal faults of power transformers by applying a fuzzy logic method
Authors: Noori Masoud , Effatnejad Reza , Hajihosseini Payman
Published: April 2017

One of the most important tools for condition monitoring is the gas chromatography test of transformer oil, which is known as dissolved gas analysis (DGA). In this research, the DGA results of >3000 power transformers operating in Iran's power grid were carefully studied and from among them, the results related to transformers suspicious of being faulty were used to validate the fault detection accuracy of the presented fuzzy inference system (FIS). In most of the previously published papers, the detection and isolation of transformer faults has been based on one or two of the following parameters: absolute concentrations of free and dissolved gases in transformer oil, total dissolved combustible gases, total combustible gases, ratios of some gases to each other, and the rates of gas increase. However, in this research, most of these parameters have been used for fault detection and isolation, according to the IEC 60599 standards. Also, no attempt has been previously made to detect the decomposition of insulation papers of transformers; but the presented FIS is able to detect this fault as well. The overall performance accuracy of the presented system is F 1 = 91.2%, which seems to be a suitable value.
Bandwidth oriented proportional‐integral controller design for back‐to‐back power converters in DFIG wind turbine system
Authors: Zhou Dao , Blaabjerg Frede
Published: April 2017

The doubly‐fed induction generator (DFIG) system currently occupies close to 50% of the wind energy market. The vector control is the proven and state‐of‐the‐art solution for its back‐to‐back power converters by using the dual‐loop controller design: the inner current and the outer voltage/power. This paper focuses on the modelling of power converters and the parameters design of proportional‐integral controller. According to the Bode plots, the relationship among the switching frequency, inner loop bandwidth, and outer loop bandwidth can be found. At least one‐tenth difference between them is necessary for the sake of either the switching harmonic mitigation or the fully decouple of the dual loops. The procedure to design bandwidth for the grid‐side converter and the rotor‐side converter is thoroughly addressed and explained on a real‐scale 2 MW and a down‐scaled 7.5 kW DFIG systems. On the basis of the relationship between the controller bandwidth and the rise time, the theoretically designed bandwidth is able to be verified in both the simulation and the experiment.
Robust joint design of transmit waveform and receive filter for MIMO radar space‐time adaptive processing with signal‐dependent interferences
Authors: Wang Yuxi , Li Wei , Sun Qilu , Huang Guoce
Published: April 2017

This study deals with the problem of joint design of multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) radar transmit waveform and receive filter in the presence of signal‐dependent interferences. To enhance the detection performance of a slow moving target, MIMO radar space‐time adaptive technology is adapted. Considering the issue of imprecise knowledge about target's Doppler frequency and direction, the worst‐case output signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio over the uncertainty set of target steering vector is set as figure of merit. Furthermore, due to the non‐linear power amplifier and the fact that transmit antenna may be out of work, constraints of peak‐to‐average power ratio and transmit power for each transmit antenna are taken into account. As to the resulted hard problem, some suitable mathematical transformations are performed and a novel sequential optimisation procedure combined with semi‐definite relaxation, Charnes–Cooper transform and Lagrange duality method is developed to tackle the non‐convex joint design problem. Randomisation procedure is utilised to synthesise the final transmit waveform and receive filter. The computational complexity is linear with the numbers of iterations and trials of the randomisation. The convergence of the devised algorithm is analysed and numerical results in a variety of scenarios are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Extracting modal field profiles from 3D unstructured transmission line modelling meshes for use as sources and observers
Authors: Sewell Phillip , Vukovic Ana , Benson Trevor M. , Meng Xuesong
Published: April 2017

Large‐scale three‐dimensional (3D) electromagnetic simulations are commonly used as design and investigation tools in a wide variety of technological fields. It is not uncommon for both excitations and observation quantities to be expressed in terms of particular field profiles of feed waveguides. These may then be used to evaluate, e.g. scattering parameters. These field profiles must be obtained as a pre‐processing task before the main simulation. Use of a theoretical field profile as an excitation to a discretised structure will typically cause a non‐physical reflection. It is therefore more desirable in practice to use a field profile that is consistent with both the discretisation of the geometry and the 3D method of simulation. The authors present an approach to extracting these 2D field profiles from large‐scale 3D unstructured meshes which are to be simulated with the unstructured transmission line modelling method. Discretised slices from the 3D mesh are extracted and incrementally extruded into a form suitable for consistent pre‐processing. The impacts of all the parameters of the approach are investigated. Benchmarking is undertaken on both coaxial cable and microstrip waveguide feed structures showing that good quality results can be obtained straightforwardly.
Measurement error analysis of binocular stereo vision: effective guidelines for bionic eyes
Authors: Wang Qingbin , Yin Yingjie , Zou Wei , Xu De
Published: April 2017

The depth measurement error of bionic eyes consisting of two active cameras is derived by considering the eyes’ rotation angle errors and image feature extraction errors. The effect factors of the depth measurement are obtained from the calculation formula of depth error. Based on the analysis of these effect factors, some effective guidelines for bionic eyes are proposed to reduce the measurement errors. The guidelines suggest keeping long baseline, observing the target as nearly as possible, controlling two active cameras with the same angular velocity and keeping the target on Zw axis if possible. The simulation experiments and practical experiments in bionic eyes platform validate the effectiveness of the proposed guidelines.
Modified In-Office Maxillary Balloon Sinus Dilation for Post-Procedure Sinus Monitoring and Access
Authors: Nishioka Gary
Published: April 2017

Introduction As experience grows with in-office balloon sinus dilation (BSD) procedures, technique modifications will evolve to meet specific needs. The major disadvantage with the maxillary BSD procedure is that the intact uncinate process prevents visualization of and instrument access into the maxillary sinus both intraoperatively and postoperatively. Combining a partial or complete uncinectomy procedure with maxillary BSD could be beneficial in selected patients with certain maxillary sinus problems.

Objective The primary objective of this study was to see if, in selected patients, combining an uncinectomy and maxillary sinus BSD together allowed visualization of and access to the maxillary sinus cavity at the time of the procedure and at follow-up visits.

Method A chart review was completed for BSD cases performed from 2013 through mid-2015 identifying patients who underwent partial or complete uncinectomy with in-office maxillary sinus BSD. A total of 14 patients were identified, with 26 sinuses treated. The data collected included: difficulty or problems in performing an uncinectomy with the maxillary sinus BSD; visualization and access to the maxillary sinus cavity both intraoperatively and at follow-up visits; and occurrence of complications or late adverse sequelae. All patients completed a minimum 6-month follow-up.

Results Combined uncinectomy and maxillary sinus BSD procedures were easily completed for all patients without complications, and no late adverse sequelae were encountered. The maxillary sinuses could be visualized and accessed, if needed, intraoperatively and at all follow-up visits.

Conclusions In selected subsets of maxillary sinus conditions this procedure modification can provide significant benefits. A case is presented for illustration.