bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of genetic polymorphism on transcriptional enhancer activity in the malaria vector Anopheles coluzzii
Authors: Nardini Luisa , Holm Inge , Pain Adrien , Bischoff Emmanuel , Gohl Daryl M. , Zongo Soumanaba , Guelbeogo Wamdaogo M. , Sagnon N’Fale , Vernick Kenneth D. , Riehle Michelle M.
Published: October 2019

Enhancers are cis-regulatory elements that control most of the developmental and spatial gene expression in eukaryotes. Genetic variation of enhancer sequences is known to influence phenotypes, but the effect of enhancer variation upon enhancer functional activity and downstream phenotypes has barely been examined in any species. In the African malaria vector, Anopheles coluzzii, we identified candidate enhancers in the proximity of genes relevant for immunity, insecticide resistance, and development. The candidate enhancers were functionally validated using luciferase reporter assays, and their activity was found to be essentially independent of their physical orientation, a typical property of enhancers. All of the enhancers segregated genetically polymorphic alleles, which displayed significantly different levels of functional activity. Deletion mutagenesis and functional testing revealed a fine structure of positive and negative regulatory elements that modulate activity of the enhancer core. Enhancer polymorphisms segregate in wild A. coluzzii populations in West Africa. Thus, enhancer variants that modify target gene expression leading to likely phenotypic consequences are frequent in nature. These results demonstrate the existence of naturally polymorphic A. coluzzii enhancers, which may help explain important differences between individuals or populations for malaria transmission efficiency and vector adaptation to the environment.
Occurence of microplastics in the hyporheic zone of rivers
Authors: Frei S. , Piehl S. , Gilfedder B. S. , Löder M. G. J. , Krutzke J. , Wilhelm L. , Laforsch C.
Published: October 2019

Although recent studies indicate that fluvial systems can be accumulation areas for microplastics (MPs), the common perception still treats rivers and streams primarily as pure transport vectors for MPs. In this study we investigate the occurrence of MPs in a yet unnoticed but essential compartment of fluvial ecosystems - the hyporheic zone (HZ). Larger MP particles (500–5,000 µm) were detected using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) - Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Our analysis of MPs (500–5,000 µm) in five freeze cores extracted for the Roter Main River sediments (Germany) showed that MPs were detectable down to a depth of 0.6 m below the streambed in low abundances (≪1 particle per kg dry weight). Additionally, one core was analyzed as an example for smaller MPs (20–500 µm) with focal plane array (FPA)- based µFTIR spectroscopy. Highest MP abundances (~30,000 particles per kg dry weight) were measured for pore scale particles (20–50 µm). The detected high abundances indicate that the HZ can be a significant accumulation area for pore scale MPs (20–50 µm), a size fraction that yet is not considered in literature. As the HZ is known as an important habitat for invertebrates representing the base of riverine food webs, aquatic food webs can potentially be threatened by the presence of MPs in the HZ. Hyporheic exchange is discussed as a potential mechanism leading to a transfer of pore scale MPs from surface flow into streambed sediments and as a potential vector for small MPs to enter the local aquifer. MPs in the HZ therefore may be a potential risk for drinking water supplies, particularly during drinking water production via river bank filtration.
Characterization, expression profiling, and functional analysis of a Populus trichocarpa defensin gene and its potential as an anti-Agrobacterium rooting medium additive
Authors: Wei Hui , Movahedi Ali , Xu Chen , Sun Weibo , Li Lingling , Li Dawei , Zhuge Qiang
Published: October 2019

The diverse antimicrobial properties of defensins have attracted wide scientific interest in recent years. Also, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including cecropins, histatins, defensins, and cathelicidins, have recently become an antimicrobial research hotspot for their broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities. In addition, defensins play important roles in plant growth, development, and physiological metabolism, and demonstrate tissue specificity and regulation in response to pathogen attack or abiotic stress. In this study, we performed molecular cloning, characterization, expression profiling, and functional analysis of a defensin from Populus trichocarpa. The PtDef protein was highly expressed in the prokaryotic Escherichia coli system as a fusion protein (TrxA–PtDef). The purified protein exhibited strong antibacterial and antifungal functions. We then applied PtDef to rooting culture medium as an alternative exogenous additive to cefotaxime. PtDef expression levels increased significantly following both biotic and abiotic treatment. The degree of leaf damage observed in wild-type (WT) and transgenic poplars indicates that transgenic poplars that overexpress the PtDef gene gain enhanced disease resistance to Septotis populiperda. To further study the salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) signal transduction pathways, SA- and JA-related and pathogenesis-related genes were analyzed using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction; there were significant differences in these pathways between transgenic and WT poplars. The defensin from Populus trichocarpa showed significant activity of anti-bacteria and anti-fungi. According to the results of qRT-PCR and physiological relevant indicators, the applied PtDef to rooting culture medium was chosen as an alternative exogenous additive to cefotaxime. Overexpressing the PtDef gene in poplar improve the disease resistance to Septotis populiperda.
The whole-genome sequence analysis of Morchella sextelata
Authors: Mei-Han  , Qingshan-Wang  , Baiyintala  , Wuhanqimuge
Published: October 2019

Morchella are macrofungi and are also called morels, as they exhibit a morel-like upper cap structure. Morels contain abundant essential amino acids, vitamins and biologically active compounds, which provide substantial health benefits. Approximately 80 species of Morchella have been reported, and even more species have been isolated. However, the lack of wild Morchella resources and the difficulties associated with culturing Morchella have caused a shortage in the morels available for daily consumption. Additionally, in-depth genomic and morphological studies are still needed. In this study, to provide genomic data for further investigations of culturing techniques and the biological functions of Morchella sextelata (M. sextelata), de novo genome sequencing was carried out on the Illumina HiSeq. 4000 platform using both the Illumina 150 and PacBio systems. The final estimated genome size of M. sextelata was 52.93 Mb, containing 59 contigs and a GC content of 47.37%. A total of 9,550 protein-coding genes were annotated. In addition, the repeat sequences, gene components and gene functions were analyzed using various databases. Furthermore, the secondary metabolite gene clusters and the predicted structures of their products were analyzed. Finally, a genomic comparison of different species of Morchella was performed.
Extracellular adenosine triphosphate is associated with airflow limitation severity and symptoms burden in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Hlapčić Iva , Hulina-Tomašković Andrea , Somborac-Bačura Anita , Rajković Marija Grdić , Dugac Andrea Vukić , Popović-Grle Sanja , Rumora Lada
Published: October 2019

Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP)-driven inflammation was observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but was not investigated in patients’ blood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate eATP concentration in plasma of COPD patients and its association with disease severity and smoking. Study included 137 patients with stable COPD and 95 control subjects. eATP concentration was determined in EDTA plasma by luminometric method, and mRNA expression of eATP receptors P2X7R and P2Y2R was analysed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). eATP concentration was increased in COPD patients compared to controls (P < 0.001). Moreover, it was increasing with disease severity (GOLD 2–4) as well as symptoms burden and exacerbations history (GOLD A–D) (P < 0.05). eATP in healthy smokers differed from healthy non-smokers (P < 0.05) but was similar to GOLD 2 and GOLD A patients. eATP showed great diagnostic performances (OR = 12.98, P < 0.001) and correctly classified 79% of study participants. It demonstrated association with FEV1 and multicomponent indices (ADO, BODEx, BODCAT, CODEx, DOSE). Regarding gene expression, P2Y2R was increased in the blood of COPD patients. Plasma eATP could become a diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker in COPD, as it seems to be associated with patients’ condition, quality of life and disease progression.
Influence of Pichia pastoris X-33 produced in industrial residues on productive performance, egg quality, immunity, and intestinal morphometry in quails
Authors: Gaboardi Giana Carla , Alves Débora , Gil de los Santos Diego , Xavier Eduardo , Nunes Ana Paula , Finger Paula , Griep Emili , Roll Victor , Oliveira Patrícia , Silva Arthur , Moreira Ângela , Conceição Fabricio
Published: October 2019

This study was conducted in quails to evaluate the probiotic potential of Pichia pastoris X-33, cultivated in parboiled rice effluent supplemented with biodiesel glycerol or in standard medium Yeast Extract–Peptone–Dextrose (YPD). Forty-days-old female quails were divided into three treatments: T1 (Control) received a basal diet without P. pastoris; T2 (Pichia Effluent) received a basal diet supplemented with P. pastoris grown in parboiled rice effluent and biodiesel glycerol, and T3 (Pichia YPD) received a basal diet supplemented with P. pastoris produced in YPD. The birds were vaccinated against Newcastle Disease (NDV), Avian Infectious Bronchitis (IBV), and Gumboro Disease on days 1 and 28. The following parameters were analyzed: performance, egg quality, humoral immune response to the vaccines, organ weight, and intestinal morphometry. P. pastoris grown in YPD increased egg weight (p < 0.05). The lowest liver weight on day 14 was obtained in Pichia Effluent, whereas both P. pastoris supplemented groups had the lowest duodenum weights on day 14. Besides that, livers and duodenums presented no morphological changes in any of the three treatments. Supplementation of P. pastoris modulated the immune system of the birds, increasing anti-IBV, anti-NDV, and anti-Gumboro antibodies levels compared to the Control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, quail’s immune response was improved by Pichia pastoris X-33, either it was grown in YPD or industrial residues, and the egg weight increased with Pichia pastoris X-33 grown in YPD, thereby demonstrating to be a promising probiotic for poultry.
Efficacy and tolerability of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors in cancer patients after chemotherapy: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Yong , Chen Lin , Liu Fen , Zhao Ning , Xu Liyao , Fu Biqi , Li Yong
Published: October 2019

The optimum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment for cancer patients after being treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy remains unknown. Therefore, a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis were performed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of 11 G-CSF drugs on patients after chemotherapy. A total of 73 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) containing 15,124 cancer patients were included for the final network meta-analysis. Compared with pegfilgrastim, there were a higher risk with filgrastim for incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) (OR [95% CI]: 1.63 [1.07, 2.46]), and a higher risk with short-acting G-CSF (S-G-CSF) biosimilar and lenograstim for incidence of bone pain (BP) (OR [95% CI]: 6.45 [1.10, 65.73], 5.12 [1.14, 26.12], respectively). Mecapegfilgrastim, lipegfilgrastim and balugrastim were best G-CSF drugs in reducing FN (cumulative probabilities: 58%, 15%, 11%, respectively). S-G-CSF biosimilar, empegfilgrastim, and long-acting G-CSF (L-G-CSF) biosimilar were best G-CSF drugs in reducing severe neutropenia (SN) (cumulative probabilities: 21%, 20%, 15%, respectively). Mecapegfilgrastim, balugrastim, lipegfilgrastim and L-G-CSF biosimilar were best G-CSF drugs in reducing BP (cumulative probabilities: 20%, 14%, 8%, 8%, respectively). Mecapegfilgrastim, lipegfilgrastim and balugrastim might be the most appreciate G-CSF drugs with both good efficacy and tolerability when treating cancer patients after cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Urban warming and future air-conditioning use in an Asian megacity: importance of positive feedback
Authors: Takane Yuya , Kikegawa Yukihiro , Hara Masayuki , Grimmond C. Sue B.
Published: October 2019

The impact of feedback between urban warming and air-conditioning (AC) use on temperatures in future urban climates is explored in this study. Pseudo-global warming projections are dynamically downscaled to 1 km using a regional climate model (RCM) coupled to urban canopy and building energy models for current and six future global warming (ΔTGW) climates based on IPCC RCP8.5. Anthropogenic heat emissions from AC use is projected to increase almost linearly with ΔTGW, causing additional urban warming. This feedback on urban warming reaches 20% of ΔTGW in residential areas. This further uncertainty in future projections is comparable in size to that associated with: a selection of emission scenarios, RCMs, and urban planning scenarios. Thus this feedback should not be neglected in future urban climate projections, especially in hot cities with large AC use. The impact of the feedback during the July 2018 Japanese heat waves is calculated to be 0.11 °C.
Voltage fade mitigation in the cationic dominant lithium-rich NCM cathode
Authors: Chandan Prem , Chang Chung-Chieh , Yeh Kuo-Wei , Chiu Chui-Chang , Wu Dong-Ze , Huang Tzu-Wen , Wu Phillip M. , Chi Po-Wei , Hsu Wei-Fan , Su Kai-Han , Lee Yu-Wen , Chang Hua-Shu , Wang Ming-Jye , Wu Heng-Liang , Tang Horng-Yi , Wu Maw-Kuen
Published: October 2019

In the archetypal lithium-rich cathode compound Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2, a major part of the capacity is contributed from the anionic (O2−/−) reversible redox couple and is accompanied by the transition metal ions migration with a detrimental voltage fade. A better understanding of these mutual interactions demands for a new model that helps to unfold the occurrences of voltage fade in lithium-rich system. Here we present an alternative approach, a cationic reaction dominated lithium-rich material Li1.083Ni0.333Co0.083Mn0.5O2, with reduced lithium content to modify the initial band structure, hence ~80% and ~20% of capacity are contributed by cationic and anionic redox couples, individually. A 400 cycle test with 85% capacity retention depicts the capacity loss mainly arises from the metal ions dissolution. The voltage fade usually from Mn4+/Mn3+ and/or On−/O2− reduction at around 2.5/3.0 V seen in the typical lithium-rich materials is completely eliminated in the cationic dominated cathode material.
Non-hermitian topology as a unifying framework for the Andreev versus Majorana states controversy
Authors: Avila J. , Peñaranda F. , Prada E. , San-Jose P. , Aguado R.
Published: October 2019

Zero-energy Andreev levels in hybrid semiconductor-superconductor nanowires mimic all expected Majorana phenomenology, including $$2{e}^{2}/h$$
2

e

2

∕
h
conductance quantisation, even where band topology predicts trivial phases. This surprising fact has been used to challenge the interpretation of various transport experiments in terms of Majorana zero modes. Here we show that the Andreev versus Majorana controversy is clarified when framed in the language of non-Hermitian topology, the natural description for quantum systems open to the environment. This change of paradigm allows one to understand topological transitions and the emergence of zero modes in more general systems than can be described by band topology. This is achieved by studying exceptional point bifurcations in the complex spectrum of the system’s non-Hermitian Hamiltonian. Within this broader topological classification, Majoranas from both conventional band topology and a large subset of Andreev levels at zero energy are in fact topologically equivalent, which explains why they cannot be distinguished.
Multiple scattering theory of non-Hermitian sonic second-order topological insulators
Authors: Rosendo López María , Zhang Zhiwang , Torrent Daniel , Christensen Johan
Published: October 2019

Topological phases of sound enable unconventional confinement of acoustic energy at the corners in higher-order topological insulators. These unique states which go beyond the conventional bulk-boundary correspondence have recently been extended to non-Hermitian wave physics comprising finite crystal structures including loss and gain units. We use a multiple scattering theory to calculate these topologically trapped complex states that agree very well to finite element predictions. Moreover, our semi-numerical tool allows us to compute the spectral dependence of corner states in the presence of defects, illustrating the limits of the topological resilience of these confined non-Hermitian acoustic states.
Mass spectrometric analysis of PTM dynamics using stable isotope labeled metabolic precursors in cell culture
Authors: van Pijkeren Alienke , Bischoff Rainer , Kwiatkowski Marcel
Published: October 2019

Metabolic stable isotope labeled precursors allow the study of PTM dynamics by mass spectrometry providing essential information to understand biological processes.
Bromide ion-functionalized nanoprobes for sensitive and reliable pH measurement by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Guo Huiyuan , Huang Qishen , Leng Weinan , Zhan Ying , Behkam Bahareh , Willner Marjorie R. , Wei Haoran , Marr Linsey C. , Vikesland Peter J.
Published: October 2019

A sensitive SERS nanoprobe was developed to analyze spatially localized pH features in halide ion-containing microenvironments.
Multiphasicmicrogel-in-gelmaterials to recapitulate cellular mesoenvironmentsin vitro
Authors: Husman Dejan , Welzel Petra B. , Vogler Steffen , Bray Laura J. , Träber Nicole , Friedrichs Jens , Körber Vincent , Tsurkan Mikhail V. , Freudenberg Uwe , Thiele Julian , Werner Carsten
Published: October 2019

Cell-instructive biohybridmicrogel-in-gelmaterials can guide the faithfulin vitroreconstitution of tissues.
Multi-component supramolecular fibers with elastomeric properties and controlled drug release
Authors: Putti Matilde , Mes Tristan , Huang Jingyi , Bosman Anton W. , Dankers Patricia Y. W.
Published: October 2019

Supramolecular fibers fabricated by co-axial electrospinning combine load-bearing properties and sustained drug release of hydrophobic and UPy-modified drugs.
Targeted multifunctional nanomaterials with MRI, chemotherapy and photothermal therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer
Authors: Tao Kepeng , Liu Shuwei , Wang Lu , Qiu Heping , Li Binxi , Zhang Mengsi , Guo Mengyuan , Liu Heng , Zhang Xue , Liu Yi , Hou Yuchuan , Zhang Hao
Published: October 2019

Folate-modified vincristine-loaded polydopamine-coated Fe3O4 superparticles are designed as multifunctional nanomaterials for the imaging and treatment of bladder cancer.
Pd-coated Ru nanocrystals supported on N-doped graphene as HER and ORR electrocatalysts
Authors: Barman Barun Kumar , Sarkar Bidushi , Nanda Karuna Kar
Published: October 2019

Pd-coated Ru nanocrystals supported on N-doped graphene (Pd–Ru@NG) are obtained via electroless deposition of Pd on Ru nanocrystals which shows efficient bifunctional HER and ORR electrocatalytic activity.
A supramolecular five-component relay switch that exposes the mechanistic competition of dissociativeversusassociative binding to cucurbiturils by ratiometric fluorescence monitoring
Authors: Liu Yan-Cen , Nau Werner M. , Hennig Andreas
Published: October 2019

A putrescine derivative of aminomethyladamantane is established as a ditopic guest with two mutually exclusive binding sites for cucurbit[6]uril and cucurbit[7]uril.
Fluoreno[2,1-a]fluorene: an ortho-naphthoquinodimethane-based system with partial diradical character
Authors: Hacker Allison S. , Pavano Mauricio , Wood James E. , Hashimoto Hannah , D’Ambrosio Kyle M. , Frederickson Conerd K. , Zafra José L. , Gómez-García Carlos J. , Postils Verònica , Ringer McDonald Ashley , Casanova David , Frantz Derik K. , Casado Juan
Published: October 2019

An ortho-naphtho diradical! Quinoidal forms in para- and meta-patterns lie at the extremes for closed-shell and diradical forms in fluorenofluorenes, respectively. ortho-Conjugation gives an intermediate case with partial diradical character.
Internal standard fluorogenic probe based on vibration-induced emission for visualizing PTP1B in living cells
Authors: Gong Qiuyu , Qin Wenjing , Xiao Peng , Wu Xiang , Li Lin , Zhang Gaobin , Zhang Renshuai , Sun Jinpeng , Yao Shao Q. , Huang Wei
Published: October 2019

Herein, as a proof of concept, we developed the first enzymatic VIE fluorogenic probe for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).
Weak intermolecular interaction directed assembly of calix[4]arene derivatives
Authors: Xiao Zufeng , Yang Weiping , Luo Jia , Guo Rong , Zeng Rong , Ji Lingbo , Li Wei , Wang Wei
Published: October 2019

Dimer and tetramer structures of cone-di-formyl-calix[4]arene 16 were formed through weak intermolecular interactions.
p-Type conductivity mechanism and defect structure of nitrogen-doped LiNbO3 from first-principles calculations
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Zhong Yang , Zheng Dahuai , Liu Hongde , Kong Yongfa , Zhang Lixin , Romano Rupp , Xu Jingjun
Published: October 2019

The charge-state transition level and geometry structure of non-metallic N-doped LiNbO3 are calculated by DFT, which reveal the p-type conductivity mechanism of LiNbO3:N.
Revisiting thin silicon for photovoltaics: a technoeconomic perspective
Authors: Liu Zhe , Sofia Sarah E. , Laine Hannu S. , Woodhouse Michael , Wieghold Sarah , Peters Ian Marius , Buonassisi Tonio
Published: October 2019

This technoeconomic analysis revisits the concept of thin silicon wafer for its potential cost benefits and technological challenges.
Retraction: Laser produced plasma diagnosis of carcinogenic heavy metals in gallstones
Authors: Andres Jeanne
Published: October 2019

Retraction of ‘Laser produced plasma diagnosis of carcinogenic heavy metals in gallstones’ by Mohammad A. Gondal et al., J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2016, 31, 506–514.
Molecular simulations of analyte partitioning and diffusion in liquid crystal sensors
Authors: Sheavly Jonathan K. , Gold Jake I. , Mavrikakis Manos , Van Lehn Reid C.
Published: October 2019

Molecular dynamics simulations predict the effect of analyte transport on the activation time of chemoresponsive liquid crystal sensors to improve sensor selectivity.
Highly atom-economical, catalyst-free, and solvent-free phosphorylation of chalcogenides
Authors: Choudhary Rakhee , Singh Pratibha , Bai Rekha , Sharma Mahesh C. , Badsara Satpal Singh
Published: October 2019

Silica gel promoted, catalyst-free and solvent-free S–P, Se–P and Te–P bond formations to obtain phosphinothioates, phosphoroselenoates, and phosphorotelluroates respectively in good to excellent yields are described.
Effect of volatile solvent and evaporation time on formation and performance of PVC/PVC-g-PEGMA blended membranes
Authors: Wu Qidong , Xie Wancen , Wu Haibo , Wang Liang , Liang Songmiao , Chang Haiqing , Liu Baicang
Published: October 2019

The synthesis process of the PVC/PVC-g-PEGMA membranes.
Diphenyl polysulfides: cathodes with excellent lithiation performance and high specific energy for LSBs
Authors: Wang Chang , Wu Jianbao , Li Xiaoyi , Mi Yiming
Published: October 2019

Reversible lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered one of the most promising next-generation energy storage systems.
In situ preparation and determination of electrochemical and electrochromic properties of copper phthalocyanine-polyaniline nanocomposite films
Authors: Ouyang Mi , Hu Xuming , Shao Xiongchao , Chen Lu , Li Weijun , Bai Ru , Zhang Ling , Lv Xiaojing , Tameev Alexey , Zhang Cheng
Published: October 2019

A CuPc-PANI composite film with good electrochromic properties and obvious pseudocapacitance performance was successfully prepared using in situ electrochemical methods.
Qualitative and quantitative differences between common control banding tools for nanomaterials in workplaces
Authors: Gao Xiangjing , Zou Hua , Zhou Zanrong , Yuan Weiming , Quan Changjian , Zhang Meibian , Tang Shichuan
Published: October 2019

A number of control banding (CB) tools have been developed specifically for managing the risk of exposure to engineered nanomaterials.
Hexagonal perovskite related oxide ion conductor Ba3NbMoO8.5: phase transition, temperature evolution of the local structure and properties
Authors: Chambers Matthew S. , McCombie Kirstie S. , Auckett Josie E. , McLaughlin Abbie C. , Irvine John T. S. , Chater Philip A. , Evans John S. O. , Evans Ivana Radosavljevic
Published: October 2019

Ba3NbMoO8.5 has recently been demonstrated to exhibit competitive oxide ion conductivity and to be stable under reducing conditions, making it an excellent potential electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cells.
Stability profiles of transition metal oxides in the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline medium
Authors: Moysiadou Aliki , Hu Xile
Published: October 2019

Metal oxides undergo compositional changes due to a dynamic exchange of metal ions with the electrolyte solutions during the oxygen evolution reaction.
Probing the coupling of butterfly wing photonic crystals to plasmon resonances with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Palmer Levi D. , Brooks James L. , Frontiera Renee R.
Published: October 2019

The photonic architectures of butterfly wings selectively increase surface-enhanced Raman scattering and we quantitate the enhancement of this photonic–plasmonic interaction.
Highly efficient dual-core derivatives with EQEs as high as 8.38% at high brightness for OLED blue emitters
Authors: Kang Seokwoo , Jung Hyocheol , Lee Hayoon , Park Sunwoo , Kim Joonghan , Park Jongwook
Published: October 2019

Three blue fluorescent materials were newly synthesized. A device doped with p-TPA-AP-TPA displayed a very high efficiency of 9.14 cd A−1 and an EQE of 8.38% at a high luminance of 5000 cd m−2.
Indenone-fused N-heteroacenes
Authors: Ding Fangwei , Xia Debin , Ge Congwu , Kang Zhenchao , Yang Yulin , Fan Ruiqing , Lin Kaifeng , Gao Xike
Published: October 2019

The synthesis and optical, electronic and structural properties of indenone-fused azaacenes, as well as their ambipolar behaviour, are reported.
Impact of Background Noise Fluctuation and Reverberation on Response Time in a Speech Reception Task
Authors: Prodi Nicola , Visentin Chiara
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study examines the effects of reverberation and noise fluctuation on the response time (RT) to the auditory stimuli in a speech reception task.

Method

The speech reception task was presented to 76 young adults with normal hearing in 3 simulated listening conditions (1 anechoic, 2 reverberant). Speechlike stationary and fluctuating noise were used as maskers, in a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios. The speech-in-noise tests were presented in a closed-set format; data on speech intelligibility and RT (time elapsed from the offset of the auditory stimulus to the response selection) were collected. A slowing down in RTs was interpreted as an increase in listening effort.

Results

RTs slowed down in the more challenging signal-to-noise ratios, with increasing reverberation and for stationary compared to fluctuating noise, consistently with a fluctuating masking release scheme. When speech intelligibility was fixed, it was found that the estimated RTs were similar or faster for stationary compared to fluctuating noise, depending on the amount of reverberation.

Conclusions

The current findings add to the literature on listening effort for listeners with normal hearing by indicating that the addition of reverberation to fluctuating noise increases RT in a speech reception task. The results support the importance of integrating noise and reverberation to provide accurate predictors of real-world performance in clinical settings.
Transient MMOs in memristive chaotic system via tiny perturbation
Authors: Wen Zihao , Li Zhijun , Li Xiang
Published: October 2019

A novel memristive chaotic system with tiny perturbation is proposed in this Letter. Particularly, by adjusting tiny perturbation properly, this system can generate a novel compound chaotic attractor (including one stable chaotic attractor and one periodic‐2 attractor). Furthermore, transient mixed‐mode oscillations (MMOs) and attractor inversion behaviour are also observed. The numerically observed transient MMOs are demonstrated by Multisim experiment. As a result, the simulation results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the tiny perturbation method.
Colour image encryption scheme based on enhanced quadratic chaotic map
Authors: Herbadji Djamel , Belmeguenai Aissa , Derouiche Nadir , Liu Hongjung
Published: October 2019

In this study, an enhanced quadratic map (EQM) is proposed and has been applied in a new colour image encryption scheme. The performance evaluations show that the EQM has excellent performances such as better Lyapunov exponent and larger chaotic ranges when compared with the classical quadratic map. The sequences generated from this EQM are successfully used in a new proposed colour image encryption scheme with excellent confusion and diffusion properties. The encryption structure is based on the permutation–diffusion process, and then adopted on the classical permutation, it is characterised by a high speed of diffusion, which enables the encryption of the three components of the plaintext image at the same time, and these encrypted components are simultaneously related to each other. The proposed scheme is tested on the USC‐SIPI image dataset and on the real‐life image dataset; its effectiveness is also compared with five latterly proposed image encryption schemes. The simulation results indicate that the proposed scheme has the properties of large key space, a weaker correlation between neighbouring pixels, higher sensitivity towards key, greater randomness of pixels and the capacity to withstand statistical analysis, plaintext/chosen‐plaintext attacks, and differential attacks, thus that it has higher security and can be appropriate for image encryption.
Static voltage balance method of CDSM‐MMC based on power supply control
Authors: Yang Lixia , Jia Lixin , Luo Longfei , Zhang Yanbin , Si Gangquan , Zhang Zhuxiang
Published: October 2019

Recently, the clamp double sub‐module (CDSM) topology with its DC fault clearance ability has become more attractive for use in the modular multilevel converter (MMC)‐based high‐voltage DC transmission systems. However, the capacitor voltage imbalance caused by the discreteness of the device parameters during the uncontrolled pre‐charging process seriously affects the system's safe start‐up. To solve this problem, this study provides a novel CDSM‐MMC capacitor static voltage balance method. Since the power supplies obtaining energy from the CDSM capacitors greatly influence the static voltage balance, the power supply input current is chosen as the control variable. On the basis of the control signals generated by the voltage balance algorithm, the control of the CDSM power supply input currents makes the arm energy be an average distribution in the CDSM capacitors. This method can replace the capacitor equalising resistors of CDSM to achieve capacitor voltage balance and can reduce the CDSM‐MMC's losses. The method requires no additional circuits, and the control strategy is simple. Moreover, the method can apply to the static voltage balance control of other SM topologies with two capacitors. An arm cascaded with two CDSMs is tested and the results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Transient pulse‐based impedance characterisation of DC‐link capacitor for EV systems
Authors: Gurpinar Emre , Ozpineci Burak
Published: October 2019

In this study, a method for impedance characterisation of DC‐link capacitors based on transient pulse analysis is proposed. The fundamentals of the concept are presented and design considerations are discussed. The functionality of the proposed approach is supported by SPICE simulation with two different commercial capacitors from different manufacturers and validated with experimental results. Experimental results for equivalent series resistance, equivalent series inductance (ESL) and capacitance estimation are presented for commercial DC‐link capacitors and compared with component analyser results. The simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method is a promising candidate for capacitance and ESL estimation of capacitors in EV traction systems.
Non‐cascade backstepping sliding mode control with three‐order extended state observer for PMSM drive
Authors: Wang Yao , Yu Hai Tao , Feng Ning Jun , Wang Yu Chen
Published: October 2019

To simplify the control structure and increase the anti‐disturbance performance, a non‐cascade control method for a permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system is studied, which regulates the speed and current in one loop. The proposed control scheme is a composite control strategy including speed‐current single‐loop feedback control and feedforward compensation based on disturbance estimation. A feedback controller based on backstepping sliding mode control is proposed to realise speed‐current single‐loop. Disturbance estimated by a third‐order extended state observer is used in feedforward compensation. Rigorous analysis of stability is conducted to validate the convergence of the control scheme. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme achieves a better speed tracking performance and disturbance rejection property over proportional–integral–derivative and sliding mode control.
Sparse long‐time coherent integration‐based detection method for radar low‐observable manoeuvring target
Authors: Chen Xiaolong , Guan Jian , Chen Weishi , Zhang Lin , Yu Xiaohan
Published: October 2019

Low‐observable manoeuvring target detection is a challenging problem for radar signal processing, due to the complex environment, target manoeuvrability, limited observation time etc. The study proposed a novel long‐time coherent integration (LTCI) method for radar manoeuvring target, especially for low‐observable unmanned aerial vehicle targets. The fast non‐parametric searching LTCI via a non‐uniform (NU) resampling and scale processing (SP) technique is proposed, where the high‐order signal phase is reduced to linear term using NU resampling. After that, the SP method is applied to realise the range migration compensation. The sparse Fourier transform (FT) and inverse FT are performed for the final integration. The manoeuvring target would appear as peaks in the non‐uniformly resampling and SP‐sparse LTCI domain. Experiments using two sets of real radar data indicate that the proposed method can achieve a good balance between computational cost and integration gain. In addition, detailed detection performances are compared with the traditional methods, e.g., moving target detection, fractional FT, fractional ambiguity function, Radon‐based LTCIs, and sparse fractional FT.
Eddy current pressure sensor based on planar coil
Authors: Deng Di , Wang Shuai , Zheng Dezhi
Published: October 2019

The traditional pressure sensors are mostly based on piezoresistive, piezoelectric effect, and strain gauge, which are easily affected by ambient temperature. The structure of some sensors is rather complex to effectively acquire the signal or measure distribution force. Therefore, a pressure sensor based on the planar coil and elastic element was designed to solve this problem. The newly designed sensor has a spiral planar coil made by a printed circuit board and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) thin film as the elastic element. The conductive layer is attached on the upper surface of PDMS to realise the eddy current effect. Meanwhile, a simulation model was established to find the relationship between deformation displacement and the pressure of the elastic element. By generating the experimental curves of the deformation displacement of the elastic element and the output frequency of the eddy current sensor, the pressure measurement on the surface of the elastic element can be identified. The preliminary experimental results showed that the eddy current pressure sensor based on the plane coil has good linearity and repeatability, and it can realise large area distributed pressure measurement, which is also suitable for accurate measurement of distribution force.
Hydrogen atomic clock difference prediction based on the LSSVM
Authors: Zhu Jiangmiao , Wang Xing , Gao Yuan , Zhang Jing , Wang Shibiao
Published: October 2019

The atomic clock prediction is the key step for constructing atomic clock time scales and implementing atomic clocks steering, and its prediction level directly affects the accuracy and stability of atomic clock time scales. Aiming at the non‐linear and non‐stationary characteristics of the hydrogen atom clock, the least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) hydrogen clock prediction algorithm is proposed, which is verified by the actual hydrogen atomic clock data of the timekeeping laboratory in National Institute of Metrology, China. The results show that compared with the linear prediction algorithm and the support vector machine (SVM) prediction algorithm, the least squares SVM prediction algorithm improves the accuracy of the clock prediction, and its root mean square error is, respectively, reduced by 50% and 29%.
Investigating the damping rate of phase-mixed Alfvén waves
Authors: Prokopyszyn A. P. K. , Hood A. W.
Published: October 2019

Context.This paper investigates the effectiveness of phase mixing as a coronal heating mechanism. A key quantity is the wave damping rate,γ, defined as the ratio of the heating rate to the wave energy.

Aims.We investigate whether or not laminar phase-mixed Alfvén waves can have a large enough value ofγto heat the corona. We also investigate the degree to which theγof standing Alfvén waves which have reached steady-state can be approximated with a relatively simple equation. Further foci of this study are the cause of the reduction ofγin response to leakage of waves out of a loop, the quantity of this reduction, and how increasing the number of excited harmonics affectsγ.

Methods.We calculated an upper bound forγand compared this with theγrequired to heat the corona. Analytic results were verified numerically.

Results.We find that at observed frequenciesγis too small to heat the corona by approximately three orders of magnitude. Therefore, we believe that laminar phase mixing is not a viable stand-alone heating mechanism for coronal loops. To arrive at this conclusion, several assumptions were made. The assumptions are discussed in Sect. 2. A key assumption is that we model the waves as strictly laminar. We show thatγis largest at resonance. Equation (37) provides a good estimate for the damping rate (within approximately 10% accuracy) for resonant field lines. However, away from resonance, the equation provides a poor estimate, predictingγto be orders of magnitude too large. We find that leakage acts to reduceγbut plays a negligible role ifγis of the order required to heat the corona. If the wave energy follows a power spectrum with slope −5/3 thenγgrows logarithmically with the number of excited harmonics. If the number of excited harmonics is increased by much more than 100, then the heating is mainly caused by gradients that are parallel to the field rather than perpendicular to it. Therefore, in this case, the system is not heated mainly by phase mixing.
Study of auxiliary power system for electroplaters on the thermal engine basis
Authors: Vyatkin R. V. , Tikhomirov A. N. , Kolesnichenko D. A.
Published: October 2019

The article describes the design and testing of an auxiliary power system for a light commercial electric vehicle. In paper described research about load modes of auxiliary power system for maintaining performance of electric vehicle under low-charge conditions. The article describes the design work and the installation of the necessary components for the research. The authors describe the experiment of charging the traction battery from an auxiliary power source. The results of the study are presented, including an assessment of the effectiveness of using auxiliary power systems.
Energy processes with natural quantization
Authors: Shakhova E. A. , Rymkevich P. P. , Gorshkov A. S. , Egorov M. Y. , Stepashkina A. S.
Published: October 2019

The paper shows that the quantum-mechanical approach is applicable to most macro processes occurring in nature include the power industry. The mathematical apparatus of the isomorphic Heisenberg algebra is proposed. A non-commutative ring is constructed within which the commutation relations are given. The transition from quantum to classical theory is shown.
Estimation of appropriate power range extender for battery electric vehicle
Authors: Tikhomirov A. N. , Tikhomirova O. B. , Gnenik M. E. , Gropa V.
Published: October 2019

The article presents the results of an experimental and theoretical study of the energy consumption of a vehicle under different conditions. The purpose was to determine the power of the auxiliary range extender on board of the electric battery vehicle. Driving is considered both for real road conditions of a large city, and a specific driving cycle. The high validity of the results is ensured by the use of the new driving cycle WLTC. It is shown that in urban traffic conditions 5 kW auxiliary power plant is sufficient for adequate compensation of electricity consumption of a vehicle with a curb weight 2500 kg.
Automation of calculations of power transformers windings parameters taking into account the position of the voltage regulator
Authors: Alyunov A.N. , Vyatkina O.S. , Mukhametova L.R. , Markovskiy V.P. , Mustafina R.M.
Published: October 2019

We consider the issues of modeling power lines using a self-adjusting mathematical model which allows analyzing the lines operating modes while tracking instantaneous values of parameters. The obtained model can be used to build high-speed protection against phase-to-phase faults in power lines with a voltage of 10-35 kV, which have a small length.
Creation of a mathematical model to identify short circuits in power lines
Authors: Alyunov A.N. , Vyatkina O.S. , Akhmetova I.G. , Umirzakov B.E. , Tashmukhamedova D.A.
Published: October 2019

We consider the issues of modeling power lines using a self-adjusting mathematical model which allows analyzing the lines operating modes while tracking instantaneous values of parameters. The obtained model can be used to build high-speed protection against phase-to-phase faults in power lines with a voltage of 10–35 kV, which have a small length.
Control the tightness of the pipeline valve shutter according to the change in the Hurst exponent of vibroacoustic signals
Authors: Zagretdinov A. R. , Kazakov R. B. , Mukatdarov A. A.
Published: October 2019

The article is devoted to the study of the possibility of applying the method of standardized scope (R/S analysis) to control the tightness of the pipeline valve shutter. Experimental studies have confirmed the possibility of using R/S analysis to control the tightness of the pipeline valve shutter. Hurst’s exponent allows you to qualitatively determine the flow of the pipeline valve shutter.
Intellectual modeling of surface heat-exchange enhancer based on artificial neural networks
Authors: Gilfanov K. K. , Shakirov R. A.
Published: October 2019

The results of neural network modeling of average heat transfer in the channels of exchangers with surface enhancer of different shapes are presented. Artificial neural networks are trained using experimental data, which covers more than ten sources. The possibility and prospects of building artificial neural networks for modeling the characteristics of heat exchange surfaces are shown.
Using of BIM, BEM and CFD technologies for design and construction of energy-efficient houses
Authors: Sultanguzin I. A. , Kruglikov D. A. , Yatsyuk T. V. , Kalyakin I. D. , Yavorovsky Yu. V. , Govorin A. V.
Published: October 2019

The article presents the concept and the process of integrated design and construction of energy-efficient house during the life cycle based on the use of BIM (Building Information Model), BEM (Building Energy Modeling) and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) technologies. The task of complex design is to create a house with harmonious architecture and minimal energy costs to maintain a comfortable microclimate, including using renewable energy sources. The article shows the effectiveness of the use of an integrated approach in the design of a house close to the Passive House standards.
Principles of petrochemical cluster’ sustainability assessment based on its members’ energy efficiency performance
Authors: Dyrdonova A. N. , Lin’kova T. S.
Published: October 2019

For the Russian economy, the most crucial prerequisite for its moving towards sustainable development would be strong improvement of performance of the domestic enterprises and production complexes. It is obvious that this issue should be addressed with due consideration of the special aspects relevant to social and economic growth of various Russian areas, along with creating a respective cluster-based infrastructure. Therefore, all arrangements aimed at performance efficiency improvement should be reconciled with the social and economic development strategies designed for a particular area, and should be well considered when working out strategic development plans for the regional industrial and territorial clusters, as well as particular enterprises and production plants. This paper includes an analysis of the dynamics pattern of the main indicators characterizing the energy use efficiency in regard to the largest enterprise forming the core of the petrochemical cluster in one of the Russian regions. The study furthermore shows the determined factors bringing the greatest impact on the production energy efficiency improvement. The authors also describe the prospects for production energy intensity reduction against the backdrop of the electric energy and power market liberalization, and explain how accommodation of the industrial clusters’ activities to the changes taking place in the macroeconomic environment for business entities may determine the need for addressing a whole range of fundamentally new issues of methodological, methodical and organizational nature, which are relevant to development of a cluster behaviour strategy in response to the competitive electric energy market.
The analysis of international experience in the energy market formation and economic mechanisms for management of the gas supply systems
Authors: Varlamov N. V.
Published: October 2019

The article assesses the foreign countries experience in formation of the energy market and the basics of managing the development of gas supply systems. The creation of a system in order to provide access to gas transport services for gas consumers, gas producers and its suppliers, as well as the creation of favorable conditions for investment is a significant stage in the implementation of effective market transformations. One of the fundamental points for carrying out the reforms in gas industry in the market conditions should be the arrangement of trade system for reserved capacities. The positive results of the reform include: reduction or stabilization of prices for end-users, diversification of gas supply sources, improvement of the gas supply reliability.