bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Midday meals do not impair mouse memory
Authors: Power Sarah C. , Michalik Mateusz J. , Couture-Nowak Sylvie , Kent Brianne A. , Mistlberger Ralph E.
Published: November 2018

Nocturnal mice fed in the middle of the light period exhibit food anticipatory rhythms of behavior and physiology under control of food-entrainable circadian clocks in the brain and body. This is presumed to be adaptive by aligning behavior and physiology with predictable mealtimes. This assumption is challenged by a report that daytime feeding schedules impair cognitive processes important for survival, including object memory and contextual fear conditioning assessed at two times of day. To further evaluate these effects, mice were restricted to a 6 h daily meal in the middle of the light or dark period and object memory was tested at four times of day. Object memory was not impaired by daytime feeding, and did not exhibit circadian variation in either group. To determine whether impairment might depend on methodology, experimental procedures used previously to detect impairment were followed. Daytime feeding induced food anticipatory rhythms and shifted hippocampal clock genes, but again did not impair object memory. Spontaneous alternation and contextual fear conditioning were also not impaired. Hippocampal memory function appears more robust to time of day and daytime feeding schedules than previously reported; day-fed mice can remember what they have seen, where they have been, and where it is dangerous.
Contributions of precipitation and temperature to the large scale geographic distribution of fleshy-fruited plant species: Growth form matters
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Cao Honglin , Xu Wubing , Chen Guoke , Lian Juyu , Du Yanjun , Ma Keping
Published: November 2018

Fruit type, an important reproductive trait, is closely related to reproduction strategy, community dynamics and biotic interactions. However, limited research has explored the geographic distribution of fruit type and the underlying abiotic factors influencing this on a large scale. Here we aim to study large-scale distribution patterns of fleshy-fruited plant species and the most important environmental drivers for different growth forms in utilizing the fruit type and distribution data for over 27000 plant species in China. Results indicated that the proportion of fleshy-fruited species was higher in southeast China, and this pattern was consistent between different growth forms. Overall, the proportion of fleshy-fruited species was higher in wet, warm, and stable environments. Notably, mean annual precipitation had the greatest predictive contribution to woody fleshy-fruited species distributions, but mean annual temperature best predicted the herbaceous fleshy-fruited species distributions. We provide the first map of a large-scale distribution of fleshy-fruited plant species for different growth forms in the northern hemisphere and show that these geographic patterns are mainly determined by contrasting climatic gradients. Recognizing that climate factors have different relationships with different growth forms of fleshy-fruited species advances our knowledge about fruit type and environment. This work contributes to predictions of the global distribution of fleshy-fruited species under future climate change scenarios and provides a reference for continued research on the complex interactions between plants, frugivores and the environment.
Publisher Correction: A functional variant in the OAS1 gene is associated with Sjögren’s syndrome complicated with HBV infection
Authors: Liu Xianjun , Xing Hongcun , Gao Wenjing , Yu Di , Zhao Yuming , Shi Xiaoju , Zhang Kun , Li Pingya , Yu Jiaao , Xu Wei , Shan Hongli , Zhang Kaiyu , Bao Wanguo , Fu Xueqi , Yang Sirui , Wang Shaofeng
Published: November 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Publisher Correction: Environment spectrum and coherence behaviours in a rare-earth doped crystal for quantum memory
Authors: Gong Bo , Tu Tao , Zhou Zhong-Quan , Zhu Xing-Yu , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: November 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Small non-coding RNA expression in mouse nephrogenic mesenchymal progenitors
Authors: Phua Yu Leng , Clugston Andrew , Chen Kevin Hong , Kostka Dennis , Ho Jacqueline
Published: November 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that are essential for the regulation of gene expression and play critical roles in human health and disease. Here we present comprehensive miRNA profiling data for mouse nephrogenic mesenchymal progenitors, a population of cells enriched for nephron progenitors that give rise to most cell-types of the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney. We describe a miRNA expression in nephrogenic mesenchymal progenitors, with 162 miRNAs differentially expressed in progenitors when compared to whole kidney. We also annotated 49 novel miRNAs in the developing kidney and experimentally validated 4 of them. Our data are available as a public resource, so that it can be integrated into future studies and analyzed in the context of other functional and epigenomic data in kidney development. Specifically, it will be useful in the effort to shed light on molecular mechanisms underlying processes essential for normal kidney development, like nephron progenitor specification, self-renewal and differentiation.
Controlled synthesis and assembly of ultra-small nanoclusters for biomedical applications
Authors: Wang Qiyue , Wang Shuying , Hu Xi , Li Fangyuan , Ling Daishun
Published: November 2018

This Minireview summarizes recent advances in the controlled synthesis, assembly, and biomedical applications of ultra-small nanoclusters.
Self-assembly of platinum(ii) 6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine complexes with solvato- and iono-chromic phenomena
Authors: Chen Jiangjun , Ao Lei , Wei Chengpeng , Wang Cong , Wang Feng
Published: November 2018

Mono- and di-nuclear platinum(ii) 6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine complexes display intriguing chromic phenomena, by manipulating Pt⋯Pt metal–metal interactions for the self-assembly processes.
Supersolidity of undercoordinated and hydrating water
Authors: Sun Chang Q.
Published: November 2018

Electrostatic polarization or molecular undercoordination endows the supersolidity by shortening and stiffening the H–O bond and lengthening and softening the O:H nonbond, deepening the O 1s energy level, and prolonging the photoelectron and phonon lifetime. The supersolid phase is less dense, viscoelastic, mechanically and thermally more stable, which offsets boundaries of structural phases and critical temperatures for phase transition of the coordination-resolved core–shell structured ice such as the ‘no man's land’ supercooling and superheating.
Cu-exchanged RTH-type zeolites for NH3-selective catalytic reduction of NOx: Cu distribution and hydrothermal stability
Authors: Shan Yulong , Shi Xiaoyan , Du Jinpeng , Yu Yunbo , He Hong
Published: November 2018

The Cu-exchanged RTH-type zeolites (Cu-RTH) were applied in ammonia-selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR) of NOx.
The prophylactic effect of aEugenia aqueaextract against oxidative stress and inflammation associated with the development of arthritis in an adjuvant-induced arthritis rat model
Authors: Abd El-Ghffar Eman A. , Eldahshan Omayma A. , Barakat Alaa , Efferth Thomas
Published: November 2018

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common human autoimmune disease.
The confined space electron transfer in phosphotungstate intercalated ZnAl-LDHs enhances its photocatalytic performance for oxidation/extraction desulfurization of model oil in air
Authors: Cai Yingjie , Song Hongyan , An Zhe , Xiang Xu , Shu Xin , He Jing
Published: November 2018

Synergetic interaction between phosphotungstate and hydrotalcites in confined space enhances electron transfer and photo catalytic oxidation of DBT.
Cancer Diagnosis: From Tumor to Liquid Biopsy and Beyond
Authors: Vaidyanathan Ramanathan , Soon Ren Hao , Zhang Pan , Jiang Kuan , Lim Chwee Teck
Published: November 2018

Technological advancements in research on circulating biomarkers from patient derived blood have enabled a less invasive means of diagnosing non-hematologic cancers. Considered a more practical way of real-time patient monitoring...
Molecular modelling studies of quinazolinone derivatives as MMP-13 inhibitors by QSAR, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations techniques
Authors: Huang Shanshan , Feng Kairui , Ren Yujie
Published: November 2018

Reliable QSAR models for quinazolinones were constructed and eight novel MMP-13 inhibitors with higher predictive activity were identified.
Graphite-like carbon nitride quantum dot (CNQD)-modified Bi2MoO6 heterostructure with high visible-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Xu Da , Liu Chang , Wang Hairui , Chang Limin , Lin Xue
Published: November 2018

Here, g-C3N4 quantum dot (CNQDs)/Bi2MoO6 nanoheterostructures were successfully synthesized. The CNQDs/Bi2MoO6 nanocomposite exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity.
Intermolecular alkene difunctionalizations for the synthesis of saturated heterocycles
Authors: Kaur Navdeep , Wu Fan , Alom Nur-E , Ariyarathna Jeewani P. , Saluga Shannon J. , Li Wei
Published: November 2018

Intermolecular alkene difunctionalizations for the direct synthesis of saturated heterocycles.
Multicomponent dipolar cycloadditions: efficient synthesis of polycyclic fused pyrrolizidinesviaazomethine ylides
Authors: Samala Srinivas , Ryu Do Hyun , Song Choong Eui , Yoo Eun Jeong
Published: November 2018

An efficient multicomponent dipolar cycloaddition for the synthesis of polycyclic fused pyrrolizidines was developed usingN-aromatic zwitterions, aldehydes, and amino acids.
Chlorophyll derivatives as catalysts and comonomers for atom transfer radical polymerizations
Authors: Gajewska Bernadetta , Raccio Samuel , Rodriguez Kyle J. , Bruns Nico
Published: November 2018

Derivatives of chlorophyll were investigated as both catalysts and comonomers to generate well-defined polymers with narrow dispersities under AGET ATRP conditions.
Implications for biomass/coal combustion emissions and secondary formation of carbonaceous aerosols in North China
Authors: Wang Shuang , Pavuluri Chandra Mouli , Ren Lujie , Fu Pingqing , Zhang Yan-Lin , Liu Cong-Qiang
Published: November 2018

Origins and secondary formation processes of carbonaceous aerosols are different in winter and summer in Tianjin region, China.
Fabrication of cotton textile waste-based magnetic activated carbon using FeCl3 activation by the Box–Behnken design: optimization and characteristics
Authors: Xu Zhihua , Zhang Tianqi , Yuan Zhihang , Zhang Daofang , Sun Zhenhua , Huang YuanXing , Chen Weifang , Tian Danqi , Deng Haixuan , Zhou Yuwei
Published: November 2018

Cotton textile waste-based magnetic activated carbon was prepared via simultaneous activation-pyrolysis using FeCl3 as a novel activating agent.
Aqueous hybrids of amino-functionalized nanosilica and acrylamide-based polymer for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Cao Jie , Song Tao , Zhu Yuejun , Wang Xiujun , Wang Shanshan , Yu Jingcheng , Ba Yin , Zhang Jian
Published: November 2018

The amino-functionalized nanosilica/polymer hybrid systems have better salt tolerance and EOR performance than unmodified nanosilica polymer hybrid systems.
Construction of myoglobin–amphiphilic alginate caprylamide–graphene composite modified electrode for the direct electron transfer between redox proteins and electrode and electrocatalysis of myoglobin
Authors: Chen Xiuqiong , Yan Huiqiong , Sun Wei , Chen Guangying , Yu Changjiang , Feng Wen , Lin Qiang
Published: November 2018

To achieve the dispersion of the hydrophobic graphene (GR), the amphiphilic alginate caprylamide (ACA) was synthesized to fabricate electroactive Nafion/Mb–ACA–GR/CILE for the accurate determination of trichloroacetic acid (TCA).
A facile and green approach to prepare carbon dots with pH-dependent fluorescence for patterning and bioimaging
Authors: Guo Xin , Zhu Yufu , Zhou Lei , Zhang Linna , You Yucai , Zhang Hongliang , Hao Jiajia
Published: November 2018

Carbon dots prepared with the adoption of ubiquitous natural fruit juices as precursors have good applications in pH sensing, patterning and bioimaging.
Preparation of a superfine RDX/Al composite as an energetic material by mechanical ball-milling method and the study of its thermal properties
Authors: Xiao Lei , Zhang Yan , Wang Xiaohong , Hao Gazi , Liu Jie , Ke Xiang , Chen Teng , Jiang Wei
Published: November 2018

To research the influence of aluminum (Al) on the decomposition of 1,3,5-trimethylene trinitramine (RDX), superfine RDX/Al composite with a mass ratio of 70/30 was prepared by mechanical ball milling.
A novel resource utilization method using wet magnesia flue gas desulfurization residue for simultaneous removal of ammonium nitrogen and heavy metal pollutants from vanadium containing industrial wastewater
Authors: Fang Dean , Zhang Xuefei , Xue Xiangxin
Published: November 2018

A novel resource utilization method using wet magnesia flue gas desulfurization residue for the simultaneous removal of ammonium nitrogen and heavy metal pollutants from vanadium industrial wastewater was proven to be viable and effective.
Self-assembled M12L24 nanospheres as a reaction vessel to facilitate a dinuclear Cu(i) catalyzed cyclization reaction
Authors: Gonell Sergio , Caumes Xavier , Orth Nicole , Ivanović-Burmazović Ivana , Reek Joost. N. H.
Published: November 2018

The application of large M12L24 nanospheres allows the pre-concentration of catalysts to reach high local concentrations, facilitating reactions that proceed through dinuclear mechanisms.
Two‐stage ADC‐based ROICs for 25 μm‐pitch cryogenic infrared focal plane array
Authors: Niu Yuze , Huang Zhaofeng , Lu Wengao , Lu Huaixi , Chen Guangyi , Zhang Yacong , Chen Zhongjian
Published: November 2018

A low‐power, high‐linearity, high‐charge handling capability two‐stage ADC‐based 384 × 288 size digital readout integrated circuits (ROIC) for infrared focal plane arrays are presented. A novel high‐speed, low‐power‐consumption comparator structure is proposed in this work. Moreover, the two‐stage ADC combines the pulse frequency modulation (PFM)‐based pixel‐level ADC and fine quantify module, improving the charge handling capability and the linearity of the readout circuit. The ROIC with 25 μm pixel pitch has been realised in 0.18 μm 1P6M CMOS process. The power consumption of the two‐stage ADC is 50 μW. The charge handling capability of the pixel is 2.3 Ge− and the non‐linearity of the proposed circuit is 0.09%.
Encrypted control system with quantiser
Authors: Kishida Masako
Published: November 2018

This study considers the design of encrypted control systems to secure data privacy when the control systems operate over a network. In particular, the authors propose to combine Paillier cryptosystem with a quantiser whose sensitivity changes with the evolution of the system. This allows the encrypted control system to balance between the cipher strength and processing time. Such an ability is essential for control systems that are expected to run real time. It also allows the closed‐loop system to achieve the asymptotic stability for linear systems. Extensions to event‐triggered control and non‐linear control systems are also discussed.
Robust retinal blood vessel segmentation using hybrid active contour model
Authors: Karn Prakash Kumar , Biswal Birendra , Samantaray Subhransu Ranjan
Published: November 2018

In the present scenario, retinal image processing is toiling hard to get an efficient algorithm for de‐noising and segmenting the blood vessel confined inside the closed curvature boundary. On this ground, this study presents a hybrid active contour model with a novel preprocessing technique to segment the retinal blood vessel in different fundus images. Contour driven black top‐hat transformation and phase‐based binarisation method have been implemented to preserve the edge and corner details of the vessels. In the proposed work, gradient vector flow (GVF)‐based snake and balloon method are combined to achieve better accuracy over different existing active contour models. In the earlier active contour models, the snake cannot enter inside the closed curvature resulting loss of tiny blood vessels. To circumvent this problem, an inflation term with GVF‐based snake is incorporated together to achieve the new internal energy of snake for effective vessel segmentation. The evaluation parameters are calculated over four publically available databases: STARE, DRIVE, CHASE, and VAMPIRE. The proposed model outperforms its competitors by calculating a wide range of proven parameters to prove its robustness. The proposed method achieves an accuracy of 0.97 for DRIVE & CHASE and 0.96 for STARE & VAMPIRE datasets.
Reduced switch‐count structure for symmetric multilevel inverters with a novel switched‐DC‐source submodule
Authors: Nasiri Avanaki Hossein , Barzegarkhoo Reza , Zamiri Elyas , Yang Yongheng , Blaabjerg Frede
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study is to present a new cost effective topology for Symmetric multilevelinverters (SMLIs) configurations, which can generate a great number of outputvoltage levels with a least of switching devices. The proposed structurecontains a novel switched‐dc‐source (SDCS) sub‐module that can produce threepositive output voltage levels with a contribution of four equal dc voltagesources, two unidirectional, and one bi‐directional power switches. Accordingly,to create a uniform staircase output voltage with multiple levels, the proposedSDCS sub‐module is integrated into a new design. Therefore, a new family ofreduced switch‐count (RSC)‐SMLIs is derived, which is capable of generating atleast 13‐ and 15‐level output voltages using only ten power switches and ninegate drivers. Furthermore, when employing several of the proposed SDCSsub‐modules in series, a new generalised RSC‐SMLI topology is obtained.Comparisons with prior‐art SMLIs structures are done, which also highlights thebeneficial potential of the proposed topology. To demonstrate the superiorperformance of the proposed topology, several simulation and experimentalresults have been provided.
Nanostructured Ti/TiO2–RuO2–La2O3 anodes prepared by sol–gel process and the effect of electrolyte composition on their stability
Authors: Pouladvand Iman , Khameneh Asl Shahin , Hoseini Mir Ghasem , Rezvani Mohammad
Published: November 2018

Ti/TiO2–RuO2–La2O3 anodes were prepared by sol–gel process. The main aim of this work was to study nanostructured TiO2–RuO2–La2O3 coatings and the effect of electrolyte composition on their stability. For this purpose, coatings with different molar ratios applied on titanium substrate. Then, the morphology and electrochemical properties of the anodes in 0.5 M NaCl and 1 M H2SO4 solutions were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, potentiostatic polarisation, cyclic voltammetry, and accelerated corrosion test (ACT). The results showed that the morphology of all the coatings was cracked‐mud microstructure and cracks with a width of 50–500 nm produced in the coatings. It was also observed that corrosion resistance, stability, and electrocatalytic properties of the anodes improve with increased La2O3 content. Then, the optimum TiO2–RuO2–La2O3 composition is obtained with a molar ratio of 70:15:15. Besides, the lifetime and stability of the anodes in NaCl solution were higher than H2SO4, so that the reduction of active elements in the coating with a molar ratio of 70:15:15 after ACT was obtained about 64.7 and 77.4% of before ACT in NaCl and H2SO4, respectively.
Measuring the filamentary structure of interstellar clouds through wavelets
Authors: Ossenkopf-Okada V. , Stepanov R.
Published: November 2018

Context.The ubiquitous presence of filamentary structures in the interstellar medium asks for an unbiased characterization of their properties including a stability analysis.

Aims.We propose a novel technique to measure the spectrum of filaments in any two-dimensional data set. By comparing the power in isotropic and anisotropic structures we can measure the relative importance of spherical and cylindrical collapse modes.

Methods.Using anisotropic wavelets we can quantify and distinguish local and global anisotropies and measure the size distribution of filaments. The wavelet analysis does not require any assumptions on the alignment or shape of filaments in the maps, but directly measures their typical spatial dimensions. In a rigorous test program, we calibrate the scale dependence of the method and test the angular and spatial sensitivity. We apply the method to molecular line maps from magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) simulations and observed column-density maps fromHerschelobservations.

Results.When applying the anisotropic wavelet analysis to the MHD data, we find that the observed filament sizes depend on the combination of magnetic-field-dominated density–velocity correlations and radiative transfer effects. This can be exploited by observing tracers with different optical depth to measure the transition from a globally ordered large-scale structure to small-scale filaments with entangled field lines. The unbiased view toHerschelcolumn-density maps does not confirm a universal characteristic filament width. The map of the Polaris Flare shows an almost scale-free filamentary spectrum up to the size of the dominating filament of about 0.4 pc. For the Aquila molecular cloud the range of filament widths is limited to 0.05–0.2 pc. The filaments in Polaris show no preferential direction in contrast to the global alignment that we trace in Aquila.

Conclusions.By comparing the power in isotropic and anisotropic structures we can measure the relative importance of spherical and cylindrical collapse modes and their spatial distribution.
Interaction of the massive cluster system Abell 3016/3017 embedded in a cosmic filament
Authors: Chon Gayoung , Böhringer Hans , Dasadia Sarthak , Kluge Matthias , Sun Ming , Forman William R. , Jones Christine
Published: November 2018

The galaxy cluster system RXCJ0225.9-4154 with the two sub-clusters A3016 and A3017 is embedded in a large-scale structure filament with signatures of filamentary accretion. In a Chandra observation of this system at a redshift of z = 0.2195 we detect both clusters in X-rays. In addition we detect a filament of X-ray emission connecting the two clusters and a galaxy group therein. The main cluster, A3017, shows indications of shocks most probably from a recent interaction with cluster components along the filament axis as well as a cold front at about 150 kpc from the cluster centre. The filament between the two clusters is likely to be heated by the accretion shocks of the clusters. We discuss two scenarios for the origin of the X-ray filament between the two clusters. In the first scenario the material of the filament has been ripped off of A3017 during the fly-by of A3016 and is now trailing the latter sub-cluster. Support for this scenario is a gas deficit on the eastern side of A3017. In the second scenario the filament between the two clusters does not come from either of them, but a significant contribution could come from the galaxy group located inside and the entire structure is on its first collapse. We favour the second explanation as the gas mass in the filament seems to be too large to be supplied by the interaction of the two Abell clusters. The paper describes many properties of the components of this cluster merger system that are used to assist the interpretation of the observed configuration.
The luminous late-time emission of the type-Ic supernova iPTF15dtg – evidence for powering from a magnetar?
Authors: Taddia F. , Sollerman J. , Fremling C. , Karamehmetoglu E. , Barbarino C. , Lunnan R. , West S. , Gal-Yam A.
Published: November 2018

Context. The transient iPTF15dtg is a type-Ic supernova (SN) showing a broad light curve around maximum light, consistent with massive ejecta if we assume a radioactive-powering scenario.

Aims. We aim to study the late-time light curve of iPTF15dtg, which turned out to be extraordinarily luminous for a stripped-envelope (SE) SN, and investigate possible powering mechanisms.

Methods. We compare the observed light curves to those of other SE SNe and also to models for the 56Co decay. We analyze and compare the spectra to nebular spectra of other SE SNe. We build a bolometric light curve and fit it with different models, including powering by radioactivity, magnetar powering, and a combination of the two.

Results. Between 150 and 750 d post-explosion, the luminosity of iPTF15dtg declined by merely two magnitudes instead of the six magnitudes expected from 56Co decay. This is the first spectroscopically regular SE SN found to show this behavior. The model with both radioactivity and magnetar powering provides the best fit to the light curve and appears to be the most realistic powering mechanism. An alternative mechanism might be circumstellar-medium (CSM) interaction. However, the spectra of iPTF15dtg are very similar to those of other SE SNe, and do not show signs of strong CSM interaction.

Conclusions. The object iPTF15dtg is the first spectroscopically regular SE SN whose light curve displays such clear signs of a magnetar contributing to its late-time powering. Given this result, the mass of the ejecta needs to be revised to a lower value, and therefore the progenitor mass could be significantly lower than the previously estimated > 35 M⊙.
ARGOS at the LBT
Authors: Rabien S. , Angel R. , Barl L. , Beckmann U. , Busoni L. , Belli S. , Bonaglia M. , Borelli J. , Brynnel J. , Buschkamp P. , Cardwell A. , Contursi A. , Connot C. , Davies R. , Deysenroth M. , Durney O. , Eisenhauer F. , Elberich M. , Esposito S. , Frye B. , Gaessler W. , Gasho V. , Gemperlein H. , Genzel R. , Georgiev I. Y. , Green R. , Hart M. , Kohlmann C. , Kulas M. , Lefebvre M. , Mazzoni T. , Noenickx J. , Orban de Xivry G. , Ott T. , Peter D. , Puglisi A. , Qin Y. , Quirrenbach A. , Raab W. , Rademacher M. , Rahmer G. , Rosensteiner M. , Rix H. W. , Salinari P. , Schwab C. , Sivitilli A. , Steinmetz M. , Storm J. , Veillet C. , Weigelt G. , Ziegleder J.
Published: November 2018

Having completed its commissioning phase, the Advanced Rayleigh guided Ground-layer adaptive Optics System (ARGOS) facility is coming online for scientific observations at the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). With six Rayleigh laser guide stars in two constellations and the corresponding wavefront sensing, ARGOS corrects the ground-layer distortions for both LBT 8.4 m eyes with their adaptive secondary mirrors. Under regular observing conditions, this set-up delivers a point spread function (PSF) size reduction by a factor of 2–3 compared to a seeing-limited operation. With the two LUCI infrared imaging and multi-object spectroscopy instruments receiving the corrected images, observations in the near-infrared can be performed at high spatial and spectral resolution. We discuss the final ARGOS technical set-up and the adaptive optics performance. We show that imaging cases with ground-layer adaptive optics (GLAO) are enhancing several scientific programmes, from cluster colour magnitude diagrams and Milky Way embedded star formation, to nuclei of nearby galaxies or extragalactic lensing fields. In the unique combination of ARGOS with the multi-object near-infrared spectroscopy available in LUCI over a 4 × 4 arcmin field of view, the first scientific observations have been performed on local and high-zobjects. Those high spatial and spectral resolution observations demonstrate the capabilities now at hand with ARGOS at the LBT.
Turnpike properties of optimal relaxed control problems
Authors: Lou Hongwei , Wang Weihan
Published: November 2018

In this paper, three kinds of turnpike properties for optimal relaxed control problems are considered. Under some convexity and controllability assumptions, we obtain the uniform boundedness of the optimal pairs and the adjoint functions. On the basis, we prove the integral turnpike property, the mean square turnpike property and the exponential turnpike property, respectively.
Inventory and pricing decisions for imperfect quality items with inspection errors, sales returns, and partial backorders under inflation
Authors: Khanna Aditi , Kishore Aakanksha , Sarkar Biswajit , Jaggi Chandra K.
Published: November 2018

In this paper, an optimal replenishment inventory policy for imperfect quality items is presented with a selling price-dependent demand under inflationary conditions using a discounted cash flow (DCF) approach. Due to the presence of defectives in the system, all items go through a 100% inspection process. However, the screening process is also considered to be imperfect and involves errors, namely Type-I and Type-II. In addition, shortages are allowed and are partially backlogged. An optimal solution for the proposed model is derived by maximizing the expected profit function by jointly optimizing three decision variables: selling price, order quantity, and backorder level. To validate the theoretical results, a numerical example along with comprehensive sensitivity analysis is offered. The model has pertinence in industries like textiles, electronics, furniture, footwear, automobiles, and plastics.
Performance measures for endoscopy services: a European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Valori Roland , Cortas George , de Lange Thomas , Balfaqih Omer , de Pater Marjon , Eisendrath Pierre , Falt Premysl , Koruk Irfan , Ono Akiko , Rustemović Nadan , Schoon Erik , Veitch Andrew , Senore Carlo , Bellisario Cristina , Minozzi Silvia , Bennett Cathy , Bretthauer Michael , Dinis-Ribeiro Mario , Domagk Dirk , Hassan Cesare , Kaminski Michal , Rees Colin , Spada Cristiano , Bisschops Raf , Rutter Mathew
Published: November 2018

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and United European Gastroenterology present a list of key performance measures for endoscopy services. We recommend that these performance measures be adopted by all endoscopy services across Europe. The measures include those related to the leadership, organization, and delivery of the service, as well as those associated with the patient journey. Each measure includes a recommendation for a minimum and target standard for endoscopy services to achieve.

We recommend that all stakeholders in endoscopy take note of these ESGE endoscopy services performance measures to accelerate their adoption and implementation. Stakeholders include patients and their advocacy groups; service leaders; staff, including endoscopists; professional societies; payers; and regulators.
Robustness and asymptotic stability for the Winfree model on a general network under the effect of time-delay
Authors: Ha Seung-Yeal , Kim Doheon
Published: November 2018

We study the robustness and asymptotic stability of the unique equilibrium for the Winfree model on a general network under the effect of small time-delay. Time-delay is a ubiquitous mechanism in classical and quantum many-body systems, and it is due to the finite speed of communication. In this paper, we further investigate the robustness of the equilibrium under the effects of small time-delay and general network topology. For this, we present several sufficient frameworks formulated in terms of the network topology, coupling strength, time-delay, and initial configuration. In the proposed framework, we present a positively invariant arc which contains the unique equilibrium independent of strength of time-delay. By using energy estimates, we show that the unique equilibrium in the invariant arc is asymptotically stable. We also provide several numerical simulations and compare them with analytical results.
Intelligent model for solar energy forecasting and its implementation for solar photovoltaic applications
Authors: Perveen Gulnar , Rizwan M. , Goel Nidhi
Published: November 2018

As the demand for renewable energy is surging day-by-day, the solar energy data are important for applications in the field of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, there exists a challenge in the collection of data owing to expensive instruments and a limited number of meteorological stations. In addition, the output of the system is largely affected due to variation in sky-conditions; therefore, an intelligent model based on sky-conditions is essential for estimating global solar energy so as to meet the energy requirements. In this work, the sky-based model employing fuzzy logic modelling has been developed and presented to forecast global solar energy using the dew-point as the meteorological parameter along with other known available parameters, namely, sunshine duration, wind speed, ambient temperature, and relative humidity for different sky-conditions, namely, clear sky (type-a), hazy sky (type-b), partially foggy/cloudy sky (type-c), and fully foggy/cloudy sky (type-d) respectively. Simulations have been performed for five meteorological stations across India that represents distinct climate zones such as composite, warm and humid, hot and dry, cold and cloudy, and moderate climate zone respectively, and the performance of the proposed model has been evaluated by using statistical indicators. The applicability of the proposed sky-based model employing fuzzy logic modelling can further be exploited for solar PV systems. The model is implemented in 210 W PV modules in forecasting the power output of solar photovoltaic systems in different sky-conditions. The obtained results reveal that the systems employing fuzzy logic modelling can be implemented for a wide range of applications and provide benefits. Furthermore, to check for accuracy of the proposed model, a comparative analysis has been carried out with the Angstrom model using statistical indicators. The value of the results, however, shows the supremacy of the proposed fuzzy logic prediction model.
Cuvette-based microfluidic device integrated with nanostructures for measuring dual Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) signals
Authors: Jung Daekyeong , Ahn Junhyoung , Jo Narae , Lee Jaejong , Shin Young-Beom , Lim Hyungjun
Published: November 2018

A spectrophotometer that uses a localized surface plasmon resonance phenomenon is a powerful measurement tool in the biotechnology and bioanalysis fields. We propose a novel cuvette design type that can be used for universal spectrophotometers. The novel cuvette design needs a few μl reagent for measuring, and also two chips for measurement can be loaded and measured at the same time. A new cuvette can easily be used several times because of sample chips to be loaded and unloaded since they are mechanically mounted by screws. Therefore, it can offer advantages to users in terms of cost and time. We verify its possibility for use in the biotechnology and bioanalysis fields by a signal enhancement and dual signal detection.
Origin of Na causing potential-induced degradation for p-type crystalline Si photovoltaic modules
Authors: Jonai Sachiko , Masuda Atsushi
Published: November 2018

This paper presented whether Na ion in the front cover glass is absolute root cause of potential-induced degradation (PID) for p-type crystalline Si photovoltaic (PV) modules or not. P-type monocrystalline Si PV modules with and without the front cover glass, and with and without intentional Na contamination were subjected to PID test. Even without the front cover glass, a decrease in shunt resistance which is a characteristic feature of PID for p-type crystalline Si PV modules has been observed. Intentional Na incorporation on the cell or encapsulant also brings about remarkable PID. These results indicated that Na ion in the front cover glass is not a necessary condition for PID. Furthermore, PID occurs regardless of origin of Na ions. Relationship between PID and leakage current will be also discussed.
First-principles study of electric field effect and spin-polarization transport properties of zigzag α-2 graphyne nanoribbons
Authors: Peng Dandan , Zhang Xiaojiao , Li Xiaobo , Wu Di , Long Mengqiu
Published: November 2018

Combining the density functional theory with the non-equilibrium Green's function, we have investigated the external transverse electric field effect of the electronic structures and spin-polarization transport properties within zigzag α-2 graphyne nanoribbons (zα-2GYNRs). The external transverse electric field can induce remarkable spin-polarized and half-metallicity behaviors in our system when the electric field is lower than 0.4 V/Å with the anti-ferromagnetic state. Particularly, we find that a nonmagnetic semiconductor feature can be obtained when the electric field is larger than 0.5 V/Å. Furthermore, analyzing the current-voltage characteristics of the zα-2GYNRs device, some interesting phenomena such as the excellent spin filtering and negative differential resistance have been found. Our results indicate that the external transverse electric field is a practical method for band modulation of the α-2 graphyne, and the design of spin-resolved devices based on zα-2GYNRs can realize multifunctional spin-dependent transport features.
Physical origin of inertness of Ta contacts on Bi2Te3
Authors: Music Denis , Chen Xiang , Holzapfel Damian M. , Bilyalova Hava M. , Helvaci Melike , Heymann Adrian O. D. , Aghda Soheil Karimi , Maron Tobias , Ravensburg Anna L. , Sälker Janis A. , Schnelle Lukas , Woeste Leonard A.
Published: November 2018

Interfacial reactions and underlying atomic mechanisms between Ta contacts (space group Im3¯m) and thermoelectric Bi2Te3 (space group R3¯m) are studied experimentally and theoretically. A Ta/Bi2Te3 mixture is found to be inert up to the melting point of Bi2Te3 (∼589 °C) based on calorimetry and interfacial composition analyses. This can be understood using density functional theory. Bi and Te adatoms hop across a close-packed Ta(110) surface in the <111>, <110>, and <100> directions with the highest dwelling time on equilibrium (fourfold hollow) sites, but they do not exchange with Ta surface atoms. To identify the electronic structure fingerprint of Ta(110) inertness, the adsorption energies and electron density distributions are calculated for the Bi2Te3 constituting atoms and possible dopants (15 elements) stemming from C, N, and O groups. C, N, O, and S strongly adsorb to Ta(110), exhibiting enhanced reactivity. We propose that these four species can initiate exchange diffusion with Ta due to ionic interactions between Ta and the adsorbates. Our results imply that elements with a high electronegativity should be avoided in Bi2Te3 doping because interfacial interactions may occur, degrading its stability and transport properties.
Stoichiometry and volume dependent transport in lithium ion memristive devices
Authors: Orfanidou Charis M. , Ioannou Panagiotis S. , Kyriakides Evripides , Nicolaou Christiana , Mihailescu Cristian N. , Nguyen Van Son , Mai Van Huy , Schneegans Olivier , Giapintzakis John
Published: November 2018

LixCoO2, a thoroughly studied cathode material used extensively in Li-ion rechargeable batteries, has recently been proposed as a potential candidate for resistive random access memory and neuromorphic system applications. Memristive cells based on LixCoO2 thin films have been grown on Si substrates and two-probe current-voltage measurements were employed to investigate the origin and nature of resistive switching behavior exhibited by these cells. The results indicate that a voltage-driven metal-to-insulator transition of the active LixCoO2 layer is responsible for the resistive switching behavior, which has a homogeneous nature.
Oscillation characteristics of mutually impinging dual jets in a mixing chamber
Authors: Tomac Mehmet N. , Gregory James W.
Published: November 2018

In this study, we consider the oscillatory behavior of mutually impinging jets in an enclosed, dome-shaped mixing chamber. The frequency of the impinging jet oscillations is dictated by the flow rate, with the oscillatory behavior being grouped into three regimes: a low flow rate regime (Re < 1500), a transition regime (1500 < Re < 2000), and a high flow rate regime (Re > 2000). The detailed characteristics of the oscillations in the high flow rate regime (Re = 6800 in the present study) are investigated through simultaneous frequency and refractive-index-matched particle image velocimetry measurements. The oscillation mechanism in the high flow rate regime was found to be similar to that of the other two regimes, where jets collide and interact in an oscillatory manner. However, in the high flow rate regime, there is a distinct and phase-evolving process of saddle point formation and jet bifurcation that is not present at the lower flow rates. The jet bifurcation process is also distinctly related to the balance of vortical structures inside the mixing chamber, and saddle point formation plays a key role in the internal and external flow field of this configuration. The external sweep angle of the exiting jet increases with the flow rate throughout the low and transition flow rate regimes, but a constant sweep angle was found to persist in the high flow rate regime. Thus, formation and location of the internal saddle point is directly linked to the external sweep angle of the jet.
Paper-based immunosensor utilizing dielectrophoretic trapping of microprobes for quantitative and label free detection using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Shaikh Muhammad Omar , Chang Lung-Yu , Chen Cheng-Ho , Wu Ting-Feng , Chuang Cheng-Hsin
Published: November 2018

In this study, we have developed a novel paper based immunoassay for the quantitative detection of immunoreactions using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Paper provides an attractive platform for fabrication of simple, low cost, and portable diagnostic devices as it allows passive liquid transport, is biocompatible, and has tunable properties such as hydrophilicity, flexibility, permeability, and reactivity. We have used screen-printing to fabricate interdigitated electrodes (finger width and gap of 200 μm) on the paper substrate, while UV-lithography enables patterning of the paper into hydrophobic/hydrophilic regions. As a proof of concept, we have used this immunosensor to detect the immune response of Human Serum Albumin (HSA) antibody-antigen complex formation. To enable efficient immobilization of HSA antibodies, we have utilized dielectrophoresis to trap microprobes (MPs) on the electrode surface. The microprobes consist of an alumina nanoparticle core with a well-adhered polyaniline outer coating to which the HSA antibodies are conjugated in an oriented manner via covalent chemistry. The efficacy of the impedance-based immunosensor is compared when MPs are immobilized specifically on the electrode surface using dielectrophoresis (DEP) as opposed to being dropped and immobilized via physical absorption on the entire sensing area. Results show that a more reproducible and sensitive response is observed when DEP is utilized to trap the microprobes. Furthermore, the normalized impedance variation during immunosensing shows a linear dependence on the concentration of HSA with an observed limit of detection of 50 μg/ml, which is lower than conventionally used paper based urine dipsticks used for urinary protein detection. Thus, we have developed a low cost paper based immunoassay platform that can be used for the quantitative point of care detection of a wide range of immunoreactions.
Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube network-based double-gate thin-film transistors for high-performance aqueous chemical sensor applications
Authors: Hong Eun-Ki , Cho Won-Ju
Published: November 2018

In this study, we fabricated a highly sensitive separative extended gate chemically modified field effect transistor (SEG-ChemFET) sensor using a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (scSWCNT) network. To improve the stability and sensitivity of the scSWNT channel layer, we fabricated a double-gate structure FET transducer with a passivated channel using top- and bottom-gate insulators and applied a separate sensing membrane. The scSWCNT network channel was formed by solution process. In order to increase the sensitivity, a low-k spin-on-glass (SOG) film and a stacked Ta2O5/SiO2 film were formed as top-gate and engineered bottom-gate insulators, respectively, which improved the coupling ratio. As a result, the fabricated scSWCNT ChemFET sensor exhibited sensitivity of 365.65 mV/pH sensitivity, which is much higher than the Nernst limit (59.5 mV/pH), a linearity of 99.88%, and a drift rate of 72.44 mV/h. Thus, we expect this research to have important applications for high-sensitivity biosensors.
Extracting the isotropic uniaxial stress-strain relationship of hyperelastic soft materials based on new nonlinear indentation strain and stress measure
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Li Xianjun , Yang Qingsheng
Published: November 2018

Instrumented indentation technique has been increasingly utilized to measure the mechanical properties of soft polymers and biological tissues. However, the indentation behaviors of these materials has not been well understood, especially the parameter identification of their hyperelastic material properties. In this paper, we developed a spherical indentation data analysis method to directly extract the isotropic uniaxial stress-strain relationship of hyperelastic soft materials from the measured spherical indentation load-displacement curves. The proposed method mainly included new measure of indentation stress and strain, which was built based on the Hertz load-displacement relationship and further revised by considering the non-Hertzian effects of neo-Hookean hyperelastic contact problems. Numerical and actual indentation experiments showed the proposed definition of indentation strain can properly evaluate the amount of nonlinear strain for neo-Hookean, Yeoh and Arruda-Boyce hyperelastic materials. Meanwhile, the proposed spherical indentation data analysis method was applicable only in certain deformation range for Yeoh and Arruda-Boyce hyperelastic materials, because their nonlinear material parameters might cause very complicated contact pressure distributions. Building a universal data processing technique for characterizing the hyperelastic mechanical properties of soft materials through indentation experiments still needed further investigations.
Design of micro-nano grooves incorporated into suspended GaN membrane for active integrated optics
Authors: Liu Qifa , Wang Huihui , He Shumin , Sa Tongliang , Cheng Xiefeng , Xu Rongqing
Published: November 2018

Micro-nano grooves incorporated into a suspended GaN sheet is proposed for active and passive monolithic integration of silicon based InGaN/GaN blue LEDs. Rigorous finite element method (FEM) simulation is performed to investigate the efficiency of coupling enhancement and regulation effect. The imported efficiency from active source to passive waveguide is significantly improved, especially for small angle incidences and small membrane thickness, due to the active grating coupling effect. The overall imported efficiency increased by 240% in the ±30° incident angle range, and 140% in the ±70° range, with 300 nm membrane thickness and 260 nm grating period. Waveguide gratings exhibit filter and extractor properties respectively at different parameters, realizing direct monolithic modulation to light source. This study demonstrates new possibilities for integrated optics and innovative blue LED integrated applications.