bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of age on nutritional properties of Iberian wild red deer meat
Authors: Lorenzo José M , Maggiolino Aristide , Gallego Laureano , Pateiro Mirian , Serrano Martina Pérez , Domínguez Rubén , García Andrés , Landete‐Castillejos Tomás , De Palo Pasquale
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

This study assessed the effect of age (L, less than 27 months old; M, from 27 to 42 months old; H, 43 months and older) on the fatty acid profile, cholesterol content, amino acid composition and mineral content of 150 Iberian wild red deer meat samples.

RESULTS

Intramuscular fat content increased (P < 0.05) with age (0.05 vs 0.12 vs 0.34% for L, M and H groups respectively), while cholesterol content decreased (P < 0.05) as the slaughter age increased (52.78 vs 48.72 vs 45.34 mg per 100 g meat for L, M and H groups respectively). The slaughter age showed differences among groups for saturated fatty acids, with the highest content in older animals (30.41 vs 34.55 vs 38.21% for L, M and H groups respectively), whereas younger deer displayed the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid levels (50.05 vs 45.24 vs 37.55% for L, M and H groups respectively). The n‐6/n‐3 ratio was more favorable (P < 0.05) for young and medium ages compared with that for older animals. In contrast, amino acid profile and mineral content were only slightly affected by age.

CONCLUSION

As a general conclusion, wild red deer meat could be considered a good alternative to red meats for human consumption. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of the functional properties of RuBisCO protein isolate extracted from sugar beet leaves with commercial whey protein and soy protein isolates
Authors: Martin Anneke H , Castellani Oscar , de Jong Govardus AH , Bovetto Lionel , Schmitt Christophe
Published: August 2018

Background

RuBisCO was extracted from sugar beet leaves using soft and food‐compatible technologies. Proximate composition, solubility, emulsifying, foaming and gelling properties of the protein isolate were determined. All these properties were systematically benchmarked against commercial whey and soy protein isolates used in food applications.

Results

RuBisCO protein isolate (RPI) contained 930 g kg−1 of crude protein. Protein solubility was higher than 80% at pH values lower than 4.0 or higher than 5.5. Foaming capacity of RPI was better at pH 4.0 than at pH 7.0. Interestingly, 10 g kg−1 protein foams were more stable (pH 7.0 and 4.0) than foams obtained with whey or soy protein. Moreover, 10 g kg−1 RPI emulsions at pH 4.0 or 7.0 exhibited good stability, being similar to whey protein isolate. Remarkable gelling properties were observed at pH 7.0, where 50 g kg−1 protein solutions of RPI formed self‐supporting gels while more concentrated solutions were needed for whey or soy protein.

Conclusion

RuBisCO showed comparable or superior functional properties to those of currently used whey and soy protein isolates. These results highlight the high potential of sugar beet leaf protein isolate as a nutritious and functional food ingredient to face global food security and protein supply. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Dinitrosopiperazine‐decreased PKP3 through upregulating miR‐149 participates in nasopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis
Authors: Li Yuejin , Ju Kunyu , Wang Weiwei , Liu Zheliang , Xie Haitao , Jiang Yuan , Jiang Guanmin , Lu Jinping , Dong Zigang , Tang Faqing
Published: August 2018

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a high metastatic clinicopathological feature. As a carcinogen factor, N,N′‐dinitrosopiperazine (DNP) is involved in NPC metastasis, but its precise mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Herein, we showed that DNP promotes NPC metastasis through upregulating miR‐149. DNP was found to decrease Plakophilin3 (PKP3) expression, further DNP‐decreased PKP3 was verified to be through upregulating miR‐149. We also found that DNP induced proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion of NPC cell, which was inhibited by miR‐149‐inhibitor. DNP may promote NPC metastasis through miR‐149‐decreased PKP3 expression. Therefore, DNP‐increased miR‐149 expression may be an important factor of NPC high metastasis, and miR‐149 may serve as a molecular target for anti‐metastasis therapy of NPC.
Machine learning and modeling: Data, validation, communication challenges
Authors: El Naqa Issam , Ruan Dan , Valdes Gilmer , Dekker Andre , McNutt Todd , Ge Yaorong , Wu Q. Jackie , Oh Jung Hun , Thor Maria , Smith Wade , Rao Arvind , Fuller Clifton , Xiao Ying , Manion Frank , Schipper Matthew , Mayo Charles , Moran Jean M. , Ten Haken Randall
Published: August 2018

With the era of big data, the utilization of machine learning algorithms in radiation oncology is rapidly growing with applications including: treatment response modeling, treatment planning, contouring, organ segmentation, image‐guidance, motion tracking, quality assurance, and more. Despite this interest, practical clinical implementation of machine learning as part of the day‐to‐day clinical operations is still lagging. The aim of this white paper is to further promote progress in this new field of machine learning in radiation oncology by highlighting its untapped advantages and potentials for clinical advancement, while also presenting current challenges and open questions for future research. The targeted audience of this paper includes newcomers as well as practitioners in the field of medical physics/radiation oncology. The paper also provides general recommendations to avoid common pitfalls when applying these powerful data analytic tools to medical physics and radiation oncology problems and suggests some guidelines for transparent and informative reporting of machine learning results.
Reliability of bedside ultrasound of limb and diaphragm muscle thickness in critically ill children
Authors: Ng Kay W. P. , DIETZ Alexander R. , Johnson Ryan , Shoykhet Michael , Zaidman Craig M.
Published: August 2018

Introduction: We evaluated the reliability of measuring muscle thickness with ultrasound in limbs and diaphragms of critically ill children and determined the sensitivity of these measures to quantitate muscle atrophy over time. Methods: An expert and trained novice sonographers prospectively measured limb and diaphragm muscle thickness in 33 critically ill children. Results: Expert and novice intrarater and interrater reliability were similar. Intraclass correlations (ICC) and coefficients of variation (CoV) were better in limbs (ICC > 0.9; CoV 3.57%–5.40%) than in diaphragm (ICC > 0.8; CoV novice 11.88%, expert, 12.28%). Mean relative difference in all muscles was small (1%‐8%). Limits of agreement of the relative difference were smaller in limb (<13%–18%) than in diaphragm (<38%) muscles. Discussion: Muscle thickness is reliably measured with ultrasound by trained examiners in critically ill children. Our approach detects atrophy >13% in limb and >38% in diaphragm muscles. The smaller detectable change in limb muscles is likely due to their greater thickness. Muscle Nerve 59:88–94, 2019
Synthesis of urea‐containing ABA triblock copolymers: Influence of pendant hydrogen bonding on morphology and thermomechanical properties
Authors: Chen Mingtao , Inglefield David L. , Zhang Keren , Hudson Amanda G. , Talley Samantha J. , Moore Robert B. , Long Timothy E.
Published: August 2018

Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization produced novel ABA triblock copolymers with associative urea sites within pendant groups in the external hard blocks. The ABA triblock copolymers served as models to study the influence of pendant hydrogen bonding on polymer physical properties and morphology. The triblock copolymers consisted of a soft central block of poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (polyDEGMEMA, 58 kg/mol) and hard copolymer external blocks of poly(2‐(3‐hexylureido)ethyl methacrylate‐co‐2‐(3‐phenylureido)ethyl methacrylate) (polyUrMA, 18‐116 kg/mol). Copolymerization of 2‐(3‐hexylureido)ethyl methacrylate (HUrMA) and 2‐(3‐phenylureido)ethyl methacrylate (PhUrMA) imparted tunable hard block Tg's from 69 to 134 °C. Tunable hard block Tg's afforded versatile thermomechanical properties for diverse applications. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the triblock copolymers exhibited high modulus plateau regions (∼100 MPa) over a wide temperature range (−10 to 90 °C), which was indicative of microphase separation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed surface microphase separation with various morphologies. Variable temperature FTIR (VT‐FTIR) revealed the presence of both monodentate and bidentate hydrogen bonding, and pendant hydrogen bonding remained as an ordered structure to higher than expected temperatures. This study presents a fundamental understanding of the influence of hydrogen bonding on polymer physical properties and reveals the response of pendant urea hydrogen bonding as a function of temperature as compared to main chain polyureas. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1844–1852
Block copolymers derived from polyisobutylene oligomers
Authors: Fu Ying‐Hua , Madrahimov Sherzod T. , Bergbreiter David E.
Published: August 2018

The synthesis of polyvalent functionalized polyisobutylene (PIB) oligomers containing multiple polar groups via radical polymerization is described. Polymerizations from PIB macroinitiators via alkylborane intermediates can form block copolymers but the polar block is consistently larger than the PIB block and unless a hydrophobic monomer is used, the products are insoluble in alkanes. Block copolymer products from ATRP macroinitiators are formed with more control over the degree of polymerization of a polar block from a 1000 Da PIB starting material but are still alkane insoluble because the degree of polymerization of the polar block was consistently equal to or greater than the degree of polymerization of the PIB block. RAFT polymerization using 5 mol % of azoisobutyronitrile relative to a PIB macroinitiator however was successful in producing acceptable yields of alkane soluble block copolymers using a 1000 Da PIB starting material and monomers like methyl methacrylacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, N,N‐dimethylacrylamide, and N‐isopropylacrylamide. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1860–1867
Thioxanthone–anthracene‐9‐carboxylic acid as radical photoinitiator in the presence of atmospheric air
Authors: Mutlu Saliha , Watanabe Kohei , Takahara Shigeru , Arsu Nergis
Published: August 2018

Thioxanthone–anthracene‐9‐carboxylic acid (TX‐ANCA) namely 14‐oxo‐14H‐naphthol [2,3‐b]thioxanten‐12‐carboxylic acid, is synthesized and characterized as part of our continuing interest for syntheses of polyaromatic initiators. Photoinitiator, TX‐ANCA have good absorption properties in the UV and visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum (ɛ370: 9080 M−1cm−1, ɛ430: 6151 M−1 cm−1). The fluorescence quantum yield is calculated as 0.1 which is slightly higher than of the parent thioxanthone compound (φf: 0.07). The phosphorescence lifetime is found to be 39 ms. The possible initiating mechanism of TX‐ANCA is based on photoexcitation of TX‐ANCA and quenching of triplet excited states of TX‐ANCA by molecular oxygen generates singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen reacts with the anthracene moiety of TX‐ANCA possibly forms an endoperoxide. The endoperoxides undergoes photochemical or thermal decomposition to form radicals which are able to initiate free radical polymerization. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1878–1883
A soft lithography method to generate arrays of microstructures onto hydrogel surfaces
Authors: Jayasinghe Hasani G. , Tormos Christian J. , Khan Mughees , Madihally Sundar , Vasquez Yolanda
Published: August 2018

Materials bearing microscale patterns on the surface have important biomedical applications such as scaffolds in tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, sensors, and actuators. Hydrogels are an attractive class of materials that has excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable mechanical properties that meet the requirements of the aforementioned applications. Generating patterns of intricate microstructures onto the hydrogel surfaces, however, is challenging due to properties such as the crosslinking density, low mechanical strength, adhesion, or chemical incompatibility of hydrogels with various molds. Here, we report the use of a soft lithography technique to successfully transfer arrays of micropillars onto a poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐based hydrogel. The swelling of the hydrogel in solvents, such as phosphate‐buffered saline, deionized water, 60% ethanol, and absolute ethanol, facilitates the reproducible replication of the pattern. Furthermore, the micropillar pattern promotes the attachment of HeLa cells onto this hydrogel which is not inherently adhesive when unpatterned. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1144–1157
Metal Complexes with Zwitterionic Amino‐bis(methylcarboxyl) Group Expand Life‐Span of Aluminum Electrolyte Capacitor
Authors: Ozawa Masashi , Sugiue Ayako , Akiyama Kaori , Nishizaka Miki , Suzuki You , Sugaya Tomoaki , Seii Atsushi , Sakakura Masao , Kamebuchi Hajime , Tadokoro Makoto
Published: August 2018

This paper investigates a new metal complex that expands the life‐span of an insulator thin‐film formed from anodically‐oxidized alumina in an aluminum electrolyte capacitor. The insulator thin‐film was generally unstable in an electrolytic water solution because of hydrate dissolution. However, in an electrolytic solution containing H2PO4– ions and the organic acid diethlenetriamine‐N,N,N',N',N̋,N̋‐pentaacetic acid (H5dtpa), the life‐span of the insulator thin‐film was remarkably expanded to more than 10000 h because the protective membrane on the anodic alumina electrode was stabilized. The stabilization effects of two complexes, [GaIII(H2dtpa)(H2O)] (1) and [InIII(Hdtpa)Na(H2O)3] (2), were investigated using leak current, 31P‐NMR, and ESI‐TOF‐mass measurements. In 1 only, the life‐span of the anodic alumina electrode expanded, while in 2, an electrical connection through the insulator thin‐film due to hydrate dissolution caused a rapid explosive release of hydrogen gas. The differences in these results were attributed to the free amino‐bis(methylcarboxyl) group in 1, which recognized H2PO4– to form a protective alumina membrane.
Boosted dark matter quarrying at surface neutrino detectors
Authors: Kim Doojin , Kong Kyoungchul , Park Jong-Chul , Shin Seodong
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We propose the idea of “Earth Shielding” to reject cosmic-ray backgrounds, in the search for boosted dark matter at surface neutrino detectors, resulting in the enhancement of the signal-to-background ratio. The identification of cosmic-originating rare signals, especially lacking features, at surface detectors is often considered hopeless due to a vast amount of cosmic-ray-induced background, hence underground experiments are better motivated to avoid such a challenge. We claim that surface detectors can attain remarkable sensitivities to even featureless signals, once restricting to events coming through the Earth from the opposite side of the detector location for the signals leaving appreciable tracks from which the source direction is inferred. By doing so, potential backgrounds in the signal region of interest can be substantially suppressed. To validate our claim, we study experimental reaches at several surface experiments such as SBN Program (MicroBooNE, ICARUS, and SBND) and ProtoDUNE for elastic boosted dark matter signatures stemming from the Galactic Center. We provide a systematic discussion on maximizing associated signal sensitivities.
Toward the construction of the general multi-cut solutions in Chern-Simons matrix models
Authors: Morita Takeshi , Sugiyama Kento
Published: August 2018

Abstract

In our previous work [1], we pointed out that various multi-cut solutions exist in the Chern-Simons (CS) matrix models at large-N due to a curious structure of the saddle point equations. In the ABJM matrix model, these multi-cut solutions might be regarded as the condensations of the D2-brane instantons. However many of these multi-cut solutions including the ones corresponding to the condensations of the D2-brane instantons were obtained numerically only. In the current work, we propose an ansatz for the multi-cut solutions which may allow us to derive the analytic expressions for all these solutions. As a demonstration, we derive several novel analytic solutions in the pure CS matrix model and the ABJM matrix model. We also develop the argument for the connection to the instantons.
Background cortisol versus social anxiety as correlates of HPA‐axis recovery from stress in boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Bitsika Vicki , Sharpley Christopher F. , McMillan Mary E. , Agnew Linda L.
Published: August 2018

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show dysregulation of the expected Hypothalamus‐Pituitary‐Adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated cortisol responses to stress and response patterns, but little has been reported regarding their recovery from stress in terms of cortisol concentrations. This response was investigated in a sample of 32 young males with ASD aged between 9 and 18 years (M = 14.3 yr, SD = 2.7 yr), using a standardised experimental protocol combined with individualised stressor and non‐stressor tasks. Results indicated that about half of the sample demonstrated unexpected HPA axis response patterns, and that recovery from stress cortisol concentrations were significantly associated with a single symptom of Social Phobia and Morning cortisol. These findings suggest that one of the key diagnostic criteria for ASD may be strongly influential in the HPA axis responses of boys with ASD and that training regimesto assist them to form less fearful associations with their non‐ASD peers may be central to the academic and social progress of these boys.
China's Innovative ISDS Mechanisms and Their Implications
Authors: Chen Huiping
Published: August 2018

International arbitration before Western-based institutions is the dominant mode of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). The Washington-based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, and the International Court of Arbitration of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce handle the vast majority of the world's international investment disputes. ICSID alone administers over sixty percent of the cases, while the others account for an additional twenty percent. Yet China has begun to innovate in ISDS over the last few years. These innovations have taken three main forms. The first is the extension of the jurisdiction of existing commercial arbitral institutions in China to cover foreign investment disputes. The second is the creation of new Chinese courts to possibly handle contractual investment disputes. The third is the formation of joint arbitration centers with states in regions where China invests heavily, such as Africa. This essay describes these changes and argues that they should be understood as reflecting an important facet of China's broader international strategy. In particular, the recent innovations aim to furnish adequate protection to Chinese investors in foreign countries, particularly developing states; actively shape international discourses on international investment law; and offer alternative, Chinese-initiated institutions that will break the monopoly of the West.
Dispute Settlement in Investment-Related Matters: South Africa and the BRICS
Authors: Schlemmer Engela C.
Published: August 2018

Many states use investment treaties to spur economic development by granting legal protections to foreign investors and providing for direct enforcement before international arbitral tribunals. Yet South Africa has taken a different course. As explained below, South Africa originally signed onto a number of investment treaties despite barely considering how the resulting obligations would affect its constitutional commitments and the authority of its domestic courts. After the shock of losing its first two treaty-based investment disputes, the country shifted from avidly entering into bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to opposing BITs absent compelling economic and political reasons to conclude them. Today South Africa seeks to replace investment treaties and investor-state arbitration with protections under domestic legislation, along with mediation and dispute resolution before domestic courts. In this essay, I describe this shift and explore three difficult and yet-to-be-resolved questions that it presents: (1) Will foreign investors still be able to rely on protections under international law when bringing domestic cases? (2) If so, will the South African Constitution, as a matter of domestic law, displace any relevant commitments under international law? And (3) is the new South African approach consistent with international law?
Nonlinear Damping of Oblique Whistler Mode Waves Via Landau Resonance
Authors: Hsieh Yi‐Kai , Omura Yoshiharu
Published: August 2018

Nonlinear trapping of electrons via Landau resonance is an important mechanism of oblique whistler mode wave‐particle interactions. Electrons trapped by Landau resonance gain energies from waves. The Landau resonance velocity becomes very close to the group velocity of nearly parallel whistler mode waves at frequencies around half the electron gyrofrequency, resulting in a long interaction time and possible wave damping. We perform test particle simulations with parameters at L = 5 and a small wave normal angle 10° to study the wave‐particle interactions via the Landau resonance. Analyzing the wave electric fields and the resonant currents formed by electrons undergoing Landau and cyclotron resonances, we show that effective wave damping occurs near half the electron gyrofrequency. This nonlinear wave damping is contributed by Landau resonance rather than cyclotron resonance. Furthermore, we confirm that this damping is dominated by perpendicular components of the wave electric field and perpendicular resonant currents. The simulation results indicate that nonlinear damping via Landau resonance is one of the mechanisms dividing chorus emissions into the upper band and the lower band.
Frictional Mechanics of Slow Earthquakes
Authors: Leeman J. R. , Marone C. , Saffer D. M.
Published: August 2018

Tectonic faults slip in a wide range of modes that span from slow slip events to dynamic rupture. A growing body of observations document this spectrum of failure modes in many geologic settings. However, the physical mechanisms that dictate slow slip are not understood. Here we investigate the mechanics of slow slip using carefully controlled laboratory experiments that demonstrate a complete spectrum of slip modes: Laboratory stick‐slip event durations span from seconds to milliseconds, representing the equivalent of failure events that span the range from slow to dynamic earthquakes. The rheological critical stiffness kc is the primary control on the mode of slip, but higher‐order effects including velocity dependence of the frictional rate parameter and critical slip distance also play an important role. We also find that quasi‐dynamic instability results from negligible stress drop near the stability boundary, in tandem with negative feedback during slip acceleration rooted in the rate dependence of kc. Our work shows that a broad spectrum of slip behaviors can arise from a common frictional mechanism modulated by fault zone rheology and elastic properties.
Arctic Sea Ice Melt Onset Timing From Passive Microwave‐Based and Surface Air Temperature‐Based Methods
Authors: Bliss Angela C. , Anderson Mark R.
Published: August 2018

Melt onset (MO) on Arctic sea ice has been monitored using satellite‐based passive microwave (PMW) observations since 1979. In this work, surface air temperatures from the International Arctic Buoy Programme/Polar Exchange at the Sea Surface and NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder are used to derive MO date estimates using three threshold methods which are then compared with a record of PMW‐based MO dates. Results from the PMW data indicate a shift toward increasingly early MO timing, with significant trends as large as −9.45 days/decade in the E. Siberian Sea and −5.69 days/decade for the entire Arctic, consistent with other studies highlighting the overall decline of Arctic sea ice. Results indicate that the surface air temperature‐based MO date estimates produced using a −1 °C threshold are ~11 days later than the PMW‐based MO date estimates Arctic wide. A statistical comparison of the Polar Exchange at the Sea Surface and PMW‐based MO dates indicate that despite the ~11‐day bias, correlations between the MO date time series are generally good (≥0.6) for most of the Arctic Ocean while the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder and PMW‐based MO dates are generally better at capturing the statistically similar long‐term trends in MO dates for the Arctic and several Arctic subregions. Application of these results can contribute to the development of new methods to monitor the sea ice melting state.
An Improved Iterative Algorithm for Ionospheric Tomography Reconstruction by Using the Automatic Search Technology of Relaxation Factor
Authors: Zheng Dunyong , Yao Yibin , Wenfeng Nie , Yang Wentao , Hu Wusheng , Ao Minsi , Zheng Hongwei
Published: August 2018

An improved ionospheric tomography algorithm is developed for the tomographic reconstruction of the ionospheric electron density distribution based on the automatic search technology of relaxation factor, in which the automatic search technology is a training process to optimize the relaxation factors of the iterative algorithm. In comparison with some classical tomography algorithms, the proposed algorithm can not only greatly improve the efficiency of inversion but also obtain ionospheric electron density images with high fidelity. A careful validation of the proposed algorithm is performed by conducting numerical experiments with Global Positioning System simulation and real data, and according to the results of the quantitative comparison and statistical analysis, compared with other classical ionospheric tomography algorithms, the proposed algorithm exhibits significantly reconstruction accuracy.
Dynamic modeling of transcriptional gene regulatory network uncovers distinct pathways during the onset of Arabidopsis leaf senescence
Authors: Mishra Bharat , Sun Yali , Howton TC , Kumar Nilesh , Mukhtar M. Shahid
Published: August 2018

Age-dependent senescence is a multifaceted and highly coordinated developmental phase in the life of plants that is manifested with genetic, biochemical and phenotypic continuum. Thus, elucidating the dynamic network modeling and simulation of molecular events, in particular gene regulatory network during the onset of senescence is essential. Here, we constructed a computational pipeline that integrates senescence-related co-expression networks with transcription factor (TF)-promoter relationships and microRNA (miR)-target interactions. Network structural and functional analyses revealed important nodes within each module of these co-expression networks. Subsequently, we inferred significant dynamic transcriptional regulatory models in leaf senescence using time-course gene expression datasets. Dynamic simulations and predictive network perturbation analyses followed by experimental dataset illustrated the kinetic relationships among TFs and their downstream targets. In conclusion, our network science framework discovers cohorts of TFs and their paths with previously unrecognized roles in leaf senescence and provides a comprehensive landscape of dynamic transcriptional circuitry.
2D europium coordination polymer as a regenerable fluorescence probe for efficiently detecting fipronil
Authors: Yang Shuai-Liang , Lu Jiu-Nan , Zhang Sai-Jun , Zhang Chen-Xi , Wang Qing-Lun
Published: August 2018

A metal organic coordination polymer based fluorescent probe was used to detect fipronil for the first time. Luminescence intensities of 1 continuously reduced with increasing concentrations of fipronil, and still showed high fluorescence intensity after four cycles.
A heterobimetallic single-source precursor enabled layered oxide cathode for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Maofan , Yang Kai , Liu Jiajie , Hu Xiaobing , Kong Defei , Liu Tongchao , Zhang Mingjian , Pan Feng
Published: August 2018

A heterobimetallic single-source precursor, NaCo(acac)3, featuring a 1D chain structure was for the first time designed to achieve layered oxide P2-NaxCoO2 with superior rate capability for Na-ion batteries (SIBs). It opens a new avenue to synthesize high-performance layered oxide cathode materials for SIBs.
Structural analysis reveals the formation and role of RNA G-quadruplex structures in human mature microRNAs
Authors: Chan Ka Lung , Peng Boya , Umar Mubarak I. , Chan Chun-Yin , Sahakyan Aleksandr B. , Le Minh T. N. , Kwok Chun Kit
Published: August 2018

By employing interdisciplinary approaches, the prevalence, formation, and effect of RNA G-quadruplex (rG4) structures in human microRNAs (miRNAs) are reported.
A mechanism-based GlcNAc-inspired cyclophellitol inactivator of the peptidoglycan recycling enzyme NagZ reverses resistance to β-lactams inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ho Louisa A. , Winogrodzki Judith L. , Debowski Aleksandra W. , Madden Zarina , Vocadlo David J. , Mark Brian L. , Stubbs Keith A.
Published: August 2018

The development of a potent mechanism-based inactivator of NagZ, an enzyme critical to the production of inducible AmpC β-lactamase in Gram-negative bacteria, is presented.
Enhanced H2 evolution over an Ir-doped SrTiO3 photocatalyst by loading of an Ir cocatalyst using visible light up to 800 nm
Authors: Suzuki Sho , Matsumoto Hiroe , Iwase Akihide , Kudo Akihiko
Published: August 2018

H2-reduction after loading of an Ir cocatalyst drastically enhanced the H2 evolution over an SrTiO3:Ir photocatalyst with a narrow energy gap.
A basis for the kinetic selection of polymorphs during solution crystallization of organic compounds
Authors: Verma Vivek , Hodnett Benjamin K.
Published: August 2018

Domain diagram for supersaturation needed for a given polymorph pair to select kinetically the metastable or stable forms.
Incorporation of hexacyanidoferrate(iii) ion in photoluminescent trimetallic Eu(3-pyridone)[Co1−xFex(CN)6] chains exhibiting tunable visible light absorption and emission properties
Authors: Chorazy Szymon , Zakrzewski Jakub J. , Wang Junhao , Ohkoshi Shin-ichi , Sieklucka Barbara
Published: August 2018

Tuning of absorption and photoluminescence is achieved in trimetallic EuCoFe cyanido-bridged frameworks through the gradual replacement of [CoIII(CN)6]3− with [FeIII(CN)6]3−.
Electron correlation effects of the ThO and ThS molecules in the spinor basis. A relativistic coupled cluster study of ground and excited states properties
Authors: Tecmer Paweł , González-Espinoza Cristina E.
Published: August 2018

Our study provides a reliable set of spectroscopic parameters and a detailed analysis of the electron correlation effects in the ThO and ThS molecules.
Role of cerium oxide in bioactive glasses during catalytic dissociation of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Benedetti Francesco , Amidani Lucia , Pelli Cresi Jacopo Stefano , Boscherini Federico , Valeri Sergio , D’Addato Sergio , Nicolini Valentina , Malavasi Gianluca , Luches Paola
Published: August 2018

Real-time changes of Ce L3 XANES in bioactive glasses during H2O2 dissociation are related to changes in the Ce ion environment.
Sampling the protonation states: the pH-dependent UV absorption spectrum of a polypeptide dyad
Authors: Pieri Elisa , Ledentu Vincent , Huix-Rotllant Miquel , Ferré Nicolas
Published: August 2018

When a chromophore interacts with several titratable molecular sites, the modeling of its photophysical properties requires to take into account all their probable protonation states.
A simple model for calculating atomic charges in molecules
Authors: Voityuk Alexander A. , Stasyuk Anton J. , Vyboishchikov Sergei F.
Published: August 2018

An atomic-charge analysis scheme with two parameters per element is proposed. The scheme reproduces well the experimental dipole moments.
Synthesis and characterization of a series of transition metal oxychlorides: MBi(SeO3)2(H2O)Cl (M = Co, Ni, Cu)
Authors: Geng Lei , Wang Hao , Li Qiang , Lu Hong-Yan , Li Guo-Bao
Published: August 2018

Three new transition metal oxychlorides MBi(SeO3)2(H2O)Cl (M = Co, Ni, Cu) have been first synthesized. They feature a 3D architecture with 2D [Bi(SeO3)2]∞ layers connected by M2O8Cl2 (M = Co, Ni, Cu) dimer structural knots. They are antiferromagnetic semiconductors.
Chromium complexes supported by the bidentate PN ligands: synthesis, characterization and application for ethylene polymerization
Authors: Zheng Quande , Zheng Dejuan , Han Binghao , Liu Shaofeng , Li Zhibo
Published: August 2018

Chromium complexes bearing phosphine–imine ligands are highly active for ethylene polymerization and produce HDPE with a high molecular weight.
Integrated measurement of intracellular proteins and transcripts in single cells
Authors: Xu Alexander M. , Liu Qianhe , Takata Kaitlyn L. , Jeoung Sarah , Su Yapeng , Antoshechkin Igor , Chen Sisi , Thomson Matthew , Heath James R.
Published: August 2018

Single cell coupled proteomic and transcriptomic measurements are captured on a scalable microfluidic device.
Syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of a series of ZnII2LnIII2 compounds (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Er): contrasting structural and magnetic features
Authors: Ghosh Sagar , Hari Nairita , Pinkowicz Dawid , Fitta Magdalena , Mohanta Sasankasekhar
Published: August 2018

In the five ZnII2LnIII2 compounds – (i) the TbIII and ErIII analogues show slow relaxation of the magnetization, while the HoIII system and, surprisingly, the DyIII analogue don’t; (ii) the GdIII system shows the MCE; and (iii) interestingly, the Ln–O bond length increases with the increase of atomic number.
Heterogeneous oxidative synthesis of quinazolines over OMS-2 under ligand-free conditions
Authors: Li Bo , Li Changming , Tian Liang , Zhou Jinbo , Huang Jianfeng , Meng Xu
Published: August 2018

OMS-2 is employed to synthesize heterocycles through selective oxidation without the help of ligands.
Efficient Ullmann C–X coupling reaction catalyzed by a recoverable functionalized-chitosan supported copper complex
Authors: Liu Xuemin , Chang Shuo , Chen Xinzhi , Ge Xin , Qian Chao
Published: August 2018

Three different types of functionalized-CS were prepared and anchored with copper salts for use as the catalyst for the Ullmann C–X coupling reaction.
Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon nanospheres for highly efficient oxidation of ethylbenzene
Authors: Liu Minghui , Liu Yingcen , Gao Zhanming , Wang Cui , Ye Wanyue , Lu Rongwen , Zhang Shufen
Published: August 2018

A facile synthesis of well-distributed N and S co-doped carbon spheres and their enhanced activity towards the selective oxidation of ethylbenzene.
Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of β-carboline-linked 2,4-thiazolidinedione hybrids: potential DNA intercalation and apoptosis-inducing studies
Authors: Tokala Ramya , Thatikonda Sowjanya , Sana Sravani , Regur Phanindranath , Godugu Chandraiah , Shankaraiah Nagula
Published: August 2018

A series of β-carboline-linked 2,4-thiazolidinedione hybrids was synthesized and studied for their DNA affinities and cytotoxicities. The most potent compound was 19e with IC50 of 0.97 ± 0.13 μM.
The linear relationship derived from the deposition potential of Pb–Ln alloy and atomic radius
Authors: Xu Hengbin , Qu Jiamiao , Zhang Milin , Yan Yongde , Sun Xin , Zheng Yanghai , Qiu Min , Liu Li
Published: August 2018

Lanthanides possess extremely similar properties because their radius only changes slightly due to lanthanide contraction.
N-Fluoro functionalization of heterocyclic azoles: a new strategy towards insensitive high energy density materials
Authors: Fei Teng , Du Yao , Chen Peng , He Chunlin , Pang Siping
Published: August 2018

The finding of this study shows the introduction of a highly dense –F group instead of hydrogen atoms by N-functionalization, which is a very effective method for increasing the densities and detonation properties and decreasing the sensitivities of energetic molecules.
A library of multisubstituted cyclotriphosphazenes – molecular scaffolds for hybrid materials
Authors: Januszewski Rafał , Dutkiewicz Michał , Orwat Bartosz , Maciejewski Hieronim , Marciniec Bogdan
Published: August 2018

An easy pathway for the synthesis of new cyclotriphosphazene derivatives based on a Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation process and their characterization are presented.
Plasmonic targeting of cancer cells in a three-dimensional natural hydrogel
Authors: Minai Limor , Hamra Matan , Yelin Dvir
Published: August 2018

Plasmonic eradication of malignant and normal cells co-cultured on a natural hydrogel showed dominant rapid photothermal damage mechanisms.
Unusual anti-inflammatory meroterpenoids from the marine sponge Dactylospongia sp.
Authors: Li Jing , Yang Fan , Wang Zhuo , Wu Wei , Liu Li , Wang Shu-Ping , Zhao Bin-Xin , Jiao Wei-Hua , Xu Shi-Hai , Lin Hou-Wen
Published: August 2018

Nine new meroterpenoids, dactylospongins A–D, melemeleones C–E, dysidaminone N, and 19-O-methylpelorol, were isolated from the marine sponge Dactylospongia sp., which showed potent inhibitory effects on the production of IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, and PEG2 in LPS-induced THP-1 cells with IC50 values of 5.1–9.2 μM.
Organobase catalyzed straightforward synthesis of phosphinyl functionalized 2H-pyran cores from allenylphosphine oxides and 1,3-diones
Authors: Chen Yao-Zhong , Zhu Jie , Wu Jin-Jin , Wu Lei
Published: August 2018

A cost-effective system is revealed here to construct polyfunctionalized 2H-pyran cores containing phosphinyl groups with an organobase as a catalyst.
Copolymerization of ethylene with styrene catalyzed by a scandium catalyst
Authors: Li Shihui , Wang Meiyan , Cui Dongmei
Published: August 2018

The pseudo-random copolymers of ethylene and styrene can also be generated by a rare-earth metal based catalyst system.
Pixel‐domain adversarial examples against CNN‐based manipulation detectors
Authors: Tondi B.
Published: August 2018

An attack method against convolutional neural network (CNN) detectors, which minimises the distortion in the pixel domain, is proposed. By focusing on CNN models developed for manipulation detection, experiments show that, while the small perturbations introduced by existing methods tend to be cancelled out when the adversarial examples are rounded to pixels, thus making the attack ineffective, the proposed approach can generate pixel‐domain adversarial images which succeed in inducing a wrong decision with very small distortions.
Resource optimisation for downlink non‐orthogonal multiple access systems: a joint channel bandwidth and power allocations approach
Authors: Wu Yuan , Mao Haowei , Ni Kejie , Feng Xu , Qian Liping , Huang Liang , Shi Zhiguo
Published: August 2018

The emerging non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been considered as a promising scheme to reach the goals of 5G cellular systems. By enabling a group of mobile users (MUs) to share a same frequency channel and adopting the successive interference cancellation to mitigate the co‐channel interference, NOMA can improve the spectrum efficiency compared with the orthogonal multiple access (OMA). This study proposes a joint optimisation scheme of the channel bandwidth and the transmit‐power allocations for the NOMA downlink transmission, which aims at minimising the overall resource consumption cost including both the spectrum consumption and the power consumption, while satisfying the MUs' traffic requirements. In spite of the non‐convexity nature of the joint optimisation problem, this study characterises the connection between the channel bandwidth and the associated transmit powers for the MUs. Based on this connection, this study transforms the joint optimisation problem into an equivalent bandwidth optimisation problem, and further proposes an efficient algorithm to compute the optimal bandwidth allocation (which enables us to derive the corresponding transmit powers for the MUs). Extensive numerical results are provided to validate the proposed algorithm and the advantage of the proposed joint channel bandwidth and power allocations for the NOMA transmission.
Finite‐time stabilisation for a class of nonlinear descriptor systems
Authors: Li Meiqing , Sun Liying
Published: August 2018

The finite‐time stabilisation, finite‐time control and finite‐time adaptive control problems for a class of nonlinear descriptor systems are studied. First, under a sufficient condition for the system impulse controllable, a finite‐time stabilised controller is designed by a suitable state feedback. Then, the finite‐time control and finite‐time adaptive control problems are considered for the nonlinear descriptor system with external disturbances and/or parametric perturbations, respectively. Compared with the existing results, there is no constraint for singular matrix E, therefore controllers can be designed for more nonlinear descriptor systems. Finally, an example of the nonlinear descriptor circuit system with simulations is applied to illustrate the effectiveness of the finite‐time controllers obtained in this study.
Supervising zone‐3 operation of the distance relay using synchronised phasor measurements
Authors: Shalini  , Samantaray Subhransu Ranjan , Sharma Ankush
Published: August 2018

The study presents a new protection scheme to enhance the zone‐3 operation of the distance relay. The proposed scheme develops an index based on the rate of change of active power and angle derived from synchronised phasor measurement units (PMUs). It is found that it clearly distinguishes faults from several stressed conditions those are likely to occur, and takes necessary action. The proposed scheme is developed and validated for a modified Western System Coordinating Council 9‐bus, 3‐machine system and New England 39‐bus system with different fault scenarios on a MATLAB/Simulink platform. Further to test the robustness, the proposed method is tested on a real‐time digital simulator platform using phasors received from gigabit transceiver network PMUs. Extensive performance testing for faulted as well as stressed conditions such as stable power swing, load encroachment and voltage stressed conditions indicate that the proposed scheme is highly reliable in enhancing the zone‐3 operation of distance relay.
Compound index for power quality evaluation and benchmarking
Authors: Milanović Jovica V. , Abdelrahman Sami , Liao Huilian
Published: August 2018

High level of delivered power quality (PQ) is becoming one of the key performance indicators for both contemporary and future power networks. The increased proliferation of converter connected generation and load in power networks, increased sensitivity to network disturbances of some of these new types of devices and requirements for more flexible operation of power networks led to the revision of some of PQ standards and introduction of modified or in some cases new requirements for PQ compliance. Although almost all PQ phenomena, with exception of voltage transients, are well defined and appropriate thresholds for individual phenomena are set in international standards, there is no standardised nor commonly accepted way to describe and evaluate the overall PQ performance at buses. This study presents an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) inspired methodology for assessing the overall PQ performance at a bus based on several different PQ phenomena considered simultaneously. Compound bus PQ index is defined using AHP to present the overall PQ performance at the bus with respect to voltage sag, harmonics and voltage unbalance. The application of the methodology is illustrated on a 295 bus generic distribution network.
Tunable wideband frequency and switching polarisation reconfiguration antenna for wireless applications
Authors: Kumar M Suresh , Kumar Choukiker Yogesh
Published: August 2018

In this article, a circular microstrip tunable wideband frequency and polarisation reconfigurable antenna are investigated. The wideband tunability is achieved by placing the four varactor diodes between circular microstrip patch and circular ring. The impedance bandwidth of 2.09–2.96 GHz (34.52%) is realised by tuning the capacitance value from 4.15 pF (0 V) to 0.94 pF (6 V). Both frequency tunability and polarisation reconfigurability are controlled in the antenna using the proposed cascaded branch line coupler feed network. The four single pole double throw and two dual in‐line package switches are used in the feed network to control the tunable impedance bandwidth of the antenna over a wideband from 1.25 to 2.95 GHz. The vertical linear polarisation and horizontal linear polarisation (H‐LP) are achieved by any one of the feed port excited in the antenna. Similarly, the right‐hand circular polarisation and left‐hand circular polarisation are realised by exciting both the feed ports in the antenna with±90° phase difference. The impedance bandwidth of proposed feed network is well matching with the tunable bandwidth of the patch antenna. Simulated and experimental verification results show good agreement.
Improved ranging method for life detection using ultra‐wide band impulse radar
Authors: Dou Mingwu , Zhang Wenwu
Published: August 2018

This study focuses on range estimate for life detection based on the characteristics analysis of life signs by employing the ultra‐wideband (UWB) impulse radar. Via analysing the standard deviation of life signs, the time of arrival (TOA) of the pulse from the radar receiver to detection target is estimated based on the calculated energy blocks. Based on the obtained TOA estimates, one area containing life information is determined, which is referred to as region of interest (ROI). Using the signals in ROI, the frequency of human breathing motion is measured more easily and accurately. Different experiments are carried out to test the performance of the new method in through‐wall conditions. Results show perfect capability of detection and improving signal‐to‐noise ratio.
CANDELSz7: a large spectroscopic survey of CANDELS galaxies in the reionization epoch
Authors: Pentericci L. , Vanzella E. , Castellano M. , Fontana A. , De Barros S. , Grazian A. , Marchi F. , Bradac M. , Conselice C. J. , Cristiani S. , Dickinson M. , Finkelstein S. L. , Giallongo E. , Guaita L. , Koekemoer A. M. , Maiolino R. , Santini P. , Tilvi V.
Published: August 2018

We present the results of CANDELSz7, a European Southern Observatory (ESO) Large Program aimed at spectroscopically confirming a homogeneous sample of z ≃ 6 and z ≃ 7 star forming galaxies. The candidates were selected in the GOODS-South, UDS, and COSMOS fields using the official CANDELS catalogs based on H160-band detections. Standard color criteria, which were tailored depending on the ancillary multi-wavelength data available for each field, were applied to select more than 160 candidate galaxies at z ≃ 6 and z ≃ 7. Deep, medium-resolution FORS2 spectroscopic observations were then conducted with integration times ranging from 12 to 20 h to reach a Lyα flux limit of approximately 1 − 3 × 10−18 erg s−1 cm−2 at 3σ. We could determine a spectroscopic redshift for about 40% of the galaxies, mainly through the detection of a single emission line that we interpret as Lyα emission, or for some of the brightest objects (H160 ≤ 25.5) from the presence of faint continuum and a sharp drop that we interpret as a Lyα break. In this paper we present the redshifts and main properties of 65 newly confirmed high-redshift galaxies. Adding previous proprietary and archival data we assemble a sample of ≃260 galaxies that we use to explore the evolution of the Lyα fraction in Lyman break galaxies and the change in the shape of the emission line between z ∼ 6 and z ∼ 7. We also discuss the accuracy of the CANDELS photometric redshifts in this redshift range.