bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maintaining Formation of Multiple Robotic Wheelchairs for Smooth Communication
Authors: Suzuki Ryota , Kobayashi Yoshinori , Kuno Yoshinori , Yamada Taichi , Yamazaki Keiichi , Yamazaki Akiko
Published: September 2016

To meet the demands of an aging society, research on intelligent/robotic wheelchairs have been receiving a lot of attention. In elderly care facilities, care workers are required to communicate with the elderly in order to maintain both their mental and physical health. While this is regarded as important, having a conversation with someone on a wheelchair while pushing it from behind in a traditional setting would interfere with their smooth and natural conversation. So we are developing a robotic wheelchair system which allows companions and wheelchair users to move in a natural formation. This paper reports on an investigation to learn the patterns of human behavior when the wheelchair users and their companions communicate while walking together. The ethnographic observation reveals a natural formation of positioning for both companions and wheelchair users. Based on this investigation, we propose a multiple robotic wheelchair system which can maintain desirable formations for communication between wheelchairs.
RESIDUAL STRESS AND FRACTURE TOUGHNESS OF PIRAC TITANIUM NITRIDE COATINGS
Authors: WU SIYUAN , ZHANG GUOYUN , WU SHOUJUN , SU YU
Published: September 2016

In this work, residual stress and fracture toughness of titanium nitride coatings prepared by powder immersion reaction assisted coating (PIRAC) at 700[Formula: see text]C with different processing times are studied. Results show that the residual stress in the coatings is compressive stress and increases with processing times increasing. Indentation fracture toughness of the PIRAC coatings increased with processing times (coatings’ thickness) increasing. The fracture toughness of the coatings prepared at 700[Formula: see text]C with a processing time of 144[Formula: see text]h and 192[Formula: see text]h is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MPa[Formula: see text]m[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MPa[Formula: see text] m[Formula: see text], respectively. Bending induced crack propagation in the coating shows multi-deflection mode which is beneficial to energy absorption and thus improved fracture toughness.
On the Kantor product
Authors: Kaygorodov Ivan
Published: September 2016

We study the algebra of bilinear multiplications of an [Formula: see text]-dimensional vector space. In particular, we study the Kantor product of some well-known (associative, Lie, alternative, Novikov and some other) multiplications.
A two-step integrated approach to detect differentially expressed genes in RNA-Seq data
Authors: Al Mahi Naim , Begum Munni
Published: September 2016

One of the primary objectives of ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing or RNA-Seq experiment is to identify differentially expressed (DE) genes in two or more treatment conditions. It is a common practice to assume that all read counts from RNA-Seq data follow overdispersed (OD) Poisson or negative binomial (NB) distribution, which is sometimes misleading because within each condition, some genes may have unvarying transcription levels with no overdispersion. In such a case, it is more appropriate and logical to consider two sets of genes: OD and non-overdispersed (NOD). We propose a new two-step integrated approach to distinguish DE genes in RNA-Seq data using standard Poisson and NB models for NOD and OD genes, respectively. This is an integrated approach because this method can be merged with any other NB-based methods for detecting DE genes. We design a simulation study and analyze two real RNA-Seq data to evaluate the proposed strategy. We compare the performance of this new method combined with the three [Formula: see text]-software packages namely edgeR, DESeq2, and DSS with their default settings. For both the simulated and real data sets, integrated approaches perform better or at least equally well compared to the regular methods embedded in these [Formula: see text]-packages.
On vertex and edge H-irregularity strengths of graphs
Authors: Ashraf Faraha , Bača Martin , Kimáková Zuzana , Semaničová-Feňovčíková Andrea
Published: September 2016

We introduce two new graph characteristics, the edge [Formula: see text]-irregularity strength and the vertex [Formula: see text]-irregularity strength of a graph. We estimate the bounds of these parameters and determine their exact values for several families of graphs namely, paths, ladders and fans.
Advanced analytical techniques for studying the morphology and chemistry of Proterozoic microfossils
Authors: Wacey David , Battison Leila , Garwood Russell J. , Hickman-Lewis Keyron , Brasier Martin D.
Published: September 2016

This paper outlines the suite of advanced multi-scalar techniques currently available in the toolkit of the modern Proterozoic palaeobiologist. These include non-intrusive and non-destructive optical, laser and X-ray techniques, plus more destructive ion beam and electron beam methods. Together, these provide morphological, mineralogical and biochemical data at flexible spatial scales from that of an individual atom to the largest Proterozoic microfossils. An overview is given of each technique and a case study from the exceptionally well-preserved Torridonian biota of NW Scotland is presented. This microfossil assemblage was first recognized over a century ago, but its great diversity and evolutionary importance has only recently come to light, due in no small part to the research efforts of Martin Brasier.
Ediacaran pre-placozoan diploblasts in the Avalonian biota: the role of chemosynthesis in the evolution of early animal life
Authors: Dufour Suzanne C. , McIlroy Duncan
Published: September 2016

The large, enigmatic members of the Ediacaran biota have received much attention regarding their possible affinities and mode of life. Fossil evidence reveals that many Ediacaran animals, such as the rangeomorphs, were characterized by extensive surface areas, lived in close association with the seafloor and were non-motile. We argue for the presence of a simple, diploblastic body plan in these early animals and discuss the means by which they probably derived nutrients from chemosynthetic bacteria thriving at the sediment–water interface. We consider that the large surface area of some Ediacaran organisms in the Avalonian biota may have been an adaptation for maximizing a phagocytotic or chemosymbiotic surface. Ediacaran animals probably increased the availability of oxygen along their ventral surface either by diffusion or ciliary pumping. This increased supply of oxygen to the sediment is inferred to have simultaneously increased the productivity of their food source (chemosynthetic bacteria) and restricted the build-up of toxic sulphides in the pore waters below their bodies. This is an example of a very simple form of ecosystem engineering.
Image Encryption Based on Compressive Sensing and Scrambled Index for Secure Multimedia Transmission
Authors: Li Yinghua , Song Bin , Cao Rong , Zhang Yue , Qin Hao
Published: September 2016

With the rapid growth of multimedia message exchange and digital communication, multimedia big data has become a research hotspot in various fields. The storage and transmission of multimedia big data have high requirements for security. Images, covering the highest proportion of multimedia data, should be processed and transmitted with high security. Compressive sensing (CS) has a beneficial property for the encryption that the image can be recovered with fewer samples than conventional approaches use. In recent years, CS has been studied not only to reduce the resource requirements for signal acquisition but also to ensure the security of data. It is still an open challenge to improve security and enhance the quality of the decrypted image simultaneously using the key with small size. In this article, a CS-based encryption method is presented that associates the quantization with random measurement permutation. An enormous number of experiments have been conducted on both standard test images and face images chosen from the big database LFW. Experimental results show that our proposal has dramatic improvements on ensuring the security, enhancing the quality of the decrypted image, and raising the efficiency. Additionally, this proposal remarkably reduces storage and transmission resources. Accordingly, this encryption scheme can be applied to ensure the security of multimedia transmission.
Summary Statistics and Material Categorization in the Visual Periphery
Authors: Balas Benjamin , Conlin Catherine , Shipman Dylan
Published: September 2016

Material categorization from natural texture images proceeds quickly and accurately, supporting a number of visual and motor behaviors. In real-world settings, mechanisms for material categorization must function effectively based on the input from foveal vision, where image representation is high fidelity, and the input from peripheral vision, which is comparatively impoverished. What features support successful material categorization in the visual periphery, given the known reductions in acuity, contrast sensitivity, and other lossy transforms that reduce the fidelity of image representations? In general, the visual features that support material categorization remain largely unknown, but recent work suggests that observers’ abilities in a number of tasks that depend on peripheral vision can be accounted for by assuming that the visual system has access to only summary statistics (texture-like descriptors) of image structure. We therefore hypothesized that a model of peripheral vision based on the Portilla-Simoncelli texture synthesis algorithm might account for material categorization abilities in the visual periphery. Using natural texture images and synthetic images made from these stimuli, we compared performance across material categories to determine whether observer performance with natural inputs could be predicted by their performance with synthetic images that reflect the constraints of a texture code.
Privacy-Preserving Multimedia Big Data Aggregation in Large-Scale Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Wu Dapeng , Yang Boran , Wang Honggang , Wang Chonggang , Wang Ruyan
Published: September 2016

To preserve the privacy of multimedia big data and achieve the efficient data aggregation in wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs), a distributed compressed sensing--based privacy-preserving data aggregation (DCSPDA) approach is proposed in this article. First, in this approach, the original multimedia sensor data are compressed and measured by distributed compressed sensing (DCS) and the compressed data measurements are uploaded to the sink, by which the inherent characteristics between sensor data can be obtained. Second, the original multimedia data are jointly recovered and the common and innovation sparse components are obtained through solving the optimization problem and linear equations at the sink. Third, through least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) learning of the sparse components, the sparse position configuration can be determined and disseminated for each node to conduct the privacy-preserving data configuration. After receiving the configuration message, original multimedia sensor data are accordingly customized, compressed, and measured by the common measurement matrix, aggregated at the cluster heads, and transmitted to the sink. Finally, the aggregated multimedia sensor data are recovered by the sink according to the data configuration to achieve the privacy-preserving data aggregation and transmission. Our comparative simulation results validate the efficiency and scalability of DCSPDA and demonstrate that the proposed approach can effectively reduce the communication overheads and provide reliable privacy-preserving with low computational complexity for WMSNs.
Intercrossed Access Controls for Secure Financial Services on Multimedia Big Data in Cloud Systems
Authors: Li Yibin , Gai Keke , Ming Zhong , Zhao Hui , Qiu Meikang
Published: September 2016

The dramatically growing demand of
Cyber Physical and Social Computing
(CPSC) has enabled a variety of novel channels to reach services in the financial industry. Combining cloud systems with multimedia big data is a novel approach for
Financial Service Institutions
(FSIs) to diversify service offerings in an efficient manner. However, the security issue is still a great issue in which the service availability often conflicts with the security constraints when the service media channels are varied. This paper focuses on this problem and proposes a novel approach using the
Semantic-Based Access Control
(SBAC) techniques for acquiring secure financial services on multimedia big data in cloud computing. The proposed approach is entitled
IntercroSsed Secure Big Multimedia Model
(2SBM), which is designed to secure accesses between various media through the multiple cloud platforms. The main algorithms supporting the proposed model include the
Ontology-Based Access Recognition (OBAR) Algorithm
and the
Semantic Information Matching (SIM) Algorithm
. We implement an experimental evaluation to prove the correctness and adoptability of our proposed scheme.
Synthesis of SiO2-Modified Li2MnO3-LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 by Spray Pyrolysis with Acid Addition as Cathode Materials for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Hashigami Satoshi , Yoshimi Kei , Kawanishi Masayuki , Ujiie Satoshi , Inagaki Toru , Hashinokuchi Michihiro , Doi Takayuki , Inaba Minoru
Published: September 2016

SiO2-modified Li2MnO3-LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 cathode materials for lithium ion batteries were synthesized by a spray pyrolysis technique using starting solutions containing citric acid and boric acid. SEM images showed that most of the particles using citric acid had spherical shapes and thin shell structures. Some particles were collapsed when the amount of citric acid was large. The specific surface area of the particles prepared from the citric acid-added solution was higher than that without citric acid. The addition of boric acid decreased the specific surface area of the material by acting as a sintering agent. The charge and discharge capacities for the synthesized materials were investigated and it was found that the addition of citric acid, which gave a higher specific surface area, enhanced the rate capability.
Realization of High Performance Lithium Iron Phosphorus Oxynitride Thin Film Cathodes for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Chiu Kuo-Feng , Su Shih-Hsuan , Leu Hoang-Jyh , Jheng Yuan Ruei
Published: September 2016

Experimental realization of nitrogen doping into LiFePO4 films has been carried out by reactive sputtering. LiFePOxNy films were deposited under various N2/(Ar/H2) flow ratios followed by thermal annealing. The amounts of nitrogen doping increase with the N2/(Ar/H2) flow ratios. Enhanced Li-N signals were recorded, where Nitrogen substitutes for Oxygen at LiO6 octahedral structure in LiFePO4. The binding energy bands of the double and triple coordinated N-P bonds were found and the triple bond increases with increased nitrogen doping. With nitrogen doping, Fe2+ remained unchanged, whereas Fe-O defects in FeO8 octahedron increased. Nitrogen doping has elevated the conductivity of the films to the order of 104 S, and also reduced the electrochemical impedance. The charge-discharge tests show that capacity of 140 mAh/g at 0.2 C can be obtained with appropriate nitrogen doping. Even at a current rate of 10 C, the optimized LiFePOxNy film can delivers a capacity of 100 mAh/g.
Synthesis LiMn0.7Fe0.2Ni0.1PO4 and Carbon Coating with Cassava Powder and Citric Acid as Carbon Source
Authors: Prihandoko Bambang
Published: September 2016

Synthesis of LiMn0.7Fe0.2Ni0.1PO4 was carried out by using powder metallurgy method with stoichiometric composition of technical raw materials: MnO2 and Fe2O3 from China, Ni from Merck, H3PO4 and LiOH.H2O from Germany. The powder was milled with tapioca powder under comparison between tapioca and active material 1:7, 1:8, 1:9 for one hour and heated again at 800°C in two hours under nitrogen gasses. The produced powder had black color under coated carbon and had crystal structure of olivine Lithiophilite. The conductivity was around 0.4 S/cm while its capacity was around 5 Amh/g.
Electrochemical Properties of Amorphous Nb2O5 Thin Film and Its Application to Rechargeable Thin Film Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Ye Rongbin , Ohta Koji , Baba Mamoru
Published: September 2016

Nb2O5 thin films were prepared using RF magnetron sputtering system. By X-ray diffraction and SEM cross-section analysis, Nb2O5 thin film was in an amorphous state and its growth rate is 0.013 nm/s. The electrochemical behaviors of Nb2O5 thin films were characterized by capacity measurement and cycling performance. The average capacity of Nb2O5 thin films of 630 nm is about 41.8 μAh/cm2 for cut-off voltage range of 3.0 and 1.0V (vs. Li/Li+) at a rate of 10 μAh/cm2 and the coulombic efficiency reaches to over 98% after the first cycles. In addition, electrochemical characteristics of flexible thin film rechargeable lithium ion batteries composed of LiMn2O4 thin films of 720 nm, LiPON electrolyte thin films of ca. 1.0 μm and Nb2O5 thin films of 630 nm, fabricated on 30 μm SUS304 substrates, were also investigated. At a discharge current of 50 μA, the maximium discharge capacity of 24.7 μAh/cm2 was obtained, and the coulombic efficiency was all over 95% except for the first few cycles, which is due to a large internal resistance of the battery when no Li ion was inserted into Nb2O5 thin films. Even at a high discharge current of 500 μA, the thin film battery can still deliver reversible capacity of 18.4 μAh/cm2. The long-term cycle performance of the thin film battery showed steady cycling behaviors with a small decreasing ratio of 0.1% after 20 cycles, and the coulombic efficiency was all over 95% except for the first few cycles.
Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Safer Lithium Batteries: I. Investigation Around Optimal Formulation
Authors: Moreno Margherita , Simonetti Elisabetta , Appetecchi Giovanni Battista , Carewska Maria , Montanino Maria , Kim Guk-Tae , Loeffler Nicholas , Passerini Stefano
Published: September 2016

In this paper we report on the investigation of ionic liquid-based electrolytes with enhanced characteristics. In particular, we have studied ternary mixtures based on the lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt and two ionic liquids sharing the same cation (N-methyl-N-propyl pyrrolidinium, PYR13), but different anions, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI) and bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI). The LiTFSI-PYR13TFSI-PYR13FSI mixtures exhibit better ion transport properties (about 10-3 S cm-1 at -20 °C) with respect to similar ionic liquid electrolytes till reported in literature. An electrochemical stability window of 5 V is observed in carbon working electrodes.
Electrospun Membranes Based on PVdF-PEO Blends for Lithium Batteries
Authors: La Monaca Andrea , Arbizzani Catia , De Giorgio Francesca , Focarete Maria Letizia , Fabiani Davide , Zaccaria Marco
Published: September 2016

Solid polymer electrolytes in lithium batteries have the dual function of electrolyte and separator to hinder lithium dendrite growth that causes hazardous short circuits during repeated charge/discharge cycles. Given the good compatibility between polyvinylidene difluoride (PVdF) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) and with the aim to merge the properties of these two polymers, we prepared and characterized PVdF/PEO membranes that act as separators and as hybrid gel polymer electrolytes when soaked in the liquid electrolyte with lithium salt. The membranes based on the polymer blends were prepared by electrospinning, a technique that yields micro-nanofibrous membranes with high porosity and, hence, huge values of electrolyte uptake. PEO 100,000 and PEO 1,000,000 were used to prepare two blends with PVdF:PEO 90:10 w/w composition. The electrochemical performance of the membranes, which were soaked in 1M LiPF6 – ethylene carbonate:dimethyl carbonate (1:1 w/w), was evaluated in Li//LiFePO4 and graphite//LiFePO4 cells and discussed.
Electrochemical Investigation of Thermodynamic and Transport Phenomena in LP30 Electrolyte with Various Concentrations of Conducting Salt
Authors: Fröhlich Katja , Bimashofer Gesara , Fafilek Günter , Pichler Franz , Cifrain Martin , Trifonova Atanaska
Published: September 2016

The commercially available and widely used LP30 electrolyte was characterized via different methods to investigate thermodynamic and transport phenomena related to the salt concentration. Relevant electrolyte properties such as viscosity, conductivity, transference numbers, and diffusion coefficients of lithium ions were determined for different concentrations of conducting salt. The obtained parameters were used to set up an electrochemical model. The results show good reliability with highest ionic conductivity at 1 mol/l LiPF6 concentration. The proposed electrochemical model was simplified so that only transference numbers and conductivity are necessary for the parametrization of this electrolyte in the measured concentration range up to 2 mol/l LiPF6.
Lithium Molten Salt Battery at Near Room Temperature Using Low-Melting Alkali Metal Melts
Authors: Kubota Keigo , Matsumoto Hajime
Published: September 2016

Low-melting alkali metal salts containing the asymmetric amide anion, such as fluorosulfonyl(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide, has the possibility to be a molten salt electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery. The alkali metal molten salt containing lithium and the cesium cation can be compared to a conventional organic electrolyte and room temperature electrolyte at the same temperature due to its reduced melting point. The alkali metal molten salt has a much higher viscosity and lower ionic conductivity than the ionic liquid with the same mole composition of the lithium cation. The alkali metal molten salt also has a higher charge transfer resistance of the lithium metal. However, it shows a higher capacity for the LiFePO4 half-cell than an ionic liquid electrolyte. This superiority is remarkable when using a thick LiFePO4 composite sheet. This indicates that the alkali metal molten salt would have specific transport behavior for the lithium cation in the LiFePO4 composite electrode.
Catalytic Activity of Au/MWNTs Nanocomposite on Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Application on Li-O2 Batteries
Authors: Luo Kun , Zhao Yuzhen , Luo Zhihong , Zhu Min , Liu Xiaoteng , Scott Keith
Published: September 2016

The composite of gold nanoparticles and mild oxidized MWNTs was used as catalytic cathode of Li-air battery, Au nanoparticles with the diameter of 2.1 nm were decorated by phosphorus ligand and the load weight of Au about 29 wt%. The catalytic activity of Au/MWNTs was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disk electrode (RDE) which revealed that the electron number for ORR was 4.27, 2.98 and 3.77 in acid, neutral and base solution, respectively. This Li-air battery was cycled in DMSO/LiClO4 electrolyte, whose full-discharge capacity turn out to be 15700 mAh/g, which was higher than that of bulk gold and nickel form cathode, and this Li-air battery could cycle for 72 times with the capacity of 1000 mAh/g.
Electrochemical Studies of Carbon Nanotube-LiFePO4 Nanocomposite Cathode for High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Sun Xiangcheng , Feng Kun , Chen Zhongwei , Cui Bo
Published: September 2016

LiFePO4 nanoparticles were incorporated with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via a facile one-step polyol process at a mild temperature. CNTs were uniformly embedded into LiFePO4 particles and formed a conductive network to enhance the electrochemical performance of the CNT-LiFePO4 nanocomposite cathode material. Structural composition and morphology of the composite were investigated in details by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM, TEM). The electrochemical properties were analyzed in the voltage of 2.0 and 4.0 V by charge/discharge testing and cyclic voltammetry. Cycling behavior of the electrode was examined with current densities up to 30 C. Experimental results showed that these CNT-LiFePO4 nanocomposite cathodes exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance with both high capacity and good reversibility.
Slow Stabilization of Si-Li Alloys Formed during Charge and Discharge Process in a Si-Carbon Mixed Electrode Studied by in-situ Solid-State 7Li Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Arai Juichi , Gotoh Kazuma , Sayama R , Takeda K
Published: September 2016

The charge–discharge behavior of a Si-C (Si:graphite = 20:80 wt%) mixed electrode was investigated by in-situ solid-state 7Li nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The spectra revealed the formation of Li-Si alloys and the intercalation of Li into graphite during the charge process and the corresponding reverse process (Li extraction) during discharge. Li was mainly stored as a Li-Si alloy (Li15Si4) at high SOC (State of Charge) values (above 80% SOC, low cell voltage region) and could be released from the same compound. The cell resistance measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) increased steeply at high SOC values, revealing structural changes in the Li-Si alloy. The result is consistent with the gradual decrease of the Li15Si4 signal intensity in the NMR spectra observed immediately after a discharge process at 80% SOC.
Smart Electrode Processing for Battery Cost Reduction
Authors: Schünemann Jan-Hinnerk , Dreger Henning , Bockholt Henrike , Kwade Arno
Published: September 2016

The intrinsic performance ability of well-designed, high performing battery materials often cannot be utilized on cell level due to production-related losses. Thus, electrode and cell production steps have to be carried out wisely with a lot of process knowledge. Additionally, sophisticated process optimizations allow for significant manufacturing cost reductions. The presented work discloses the impact of slurry processing via continuous extrusion with lowered solvent content on battery manufacturing cost. A cost-oriented production model allows for comprehensive suggestions for cost reduction in mass production of large-sized battery cells
Enhancing Li-Ion Battery Safety by Early Detection of Nascent Internal Shorts
Authors: Sazhin Sergiy V , Dufek Eric J. , Gering Kevin L.
Published: September 2016

Catastrophic failure concerns impede penetration of Li-ion batteries in electric vehicle and energy storage markets. Unfortunately, no fast method to forecast catastrophic failure has existed. This work presents a solution by very early detection of nascent internal shorts that are precursors of catastrophic failure. The new metric, the self-discharge current, which is determined under potentiostatic conditions at a slight discharge overvoltage, is proposed as a fast metric for detection of shorts and assessment of battery safety. The method is non-invasive and applicable to any battery chemistry or design. It is easily adaptable to any battery management system for monitoring battery state of health at any time and at any battery state of charge. The technology based on this method can be used in electric drive vehicles, stationary energy storage, military, aeronautic, as final control in battery production, for first responders in electric vehicle accidents, and many other applications.
Li4SnS4: Simulations of Its Structure and Electrolyte Properties
Authors: Holzwarth Natalie A. W.
Published: September 2016

First principles simulations show that the ground state crystal structureof Li4SnS4 is isomorphous to Li4GeS4, in agreementwith experiment, and having interstitial sites in void channels along the c-axis. The simulations also show thata slightly meta-stable structure (Li4SnS4*) is formed by moving Li ions from their central sites to the interstitial positions, consistentwith X-ray patterns resulting from relatively low temperature synthesis methods. The simulations suggest that the Li4SnS4* material hasfavorable ion conducting properties.
Modeling of Lithium Ion Battery Using Modelica and Scilab/Xcos
Authors: Arianto Sigit , Yuwono Rietje Yunaningsih , Prihandoko Bambang
Published: September 2016

In this research, a lithium battery model was developed using Modelica standard modeling language which was implemented using Scicos graphical language programming that supports Modelica. Scicos used in this research was actually Xcos that is a variant of Scicos which is embedded in Scilab. Equivalent circuit model used in modeling the battery was Double Polarization (DP) model. DP model consists of open circuit voltage Voc, internal resistance Ri, and two parallel RC circuits. The parameters of the battery were extracted using Hybrid Power Pulse Characterization (HPPC) testing. In this experiment, the Double Polarization (DP) electrical circuit model was used to describe the lithium battery dynamic behaviour. The results of simulation of the model were validated with the experimental results. The experimental and simulated data were quite close to each other so it seems the model was acceptable to be used in simulating the system.
No Significant Effect of Phosphorous Doping on the Electrochemical Performance of Silicon-Carbon Composite Anodes for Li-ion Batteries
Authors: Mongstad Trygve Tveiterås , Andersen Hanne Flåten , Maehlen Jan Petter , Filtvedt Werner , Klette Hallgeir , Nordseth Ørnulf , Kirkengen Martin
Published: September 2016

In this paper we demonstrate production of doped silicon nanoparticles and testing of the material in Li-ion battery half cells. Incorporation of 3 at% of phosphorous in the reactants of the free-space reactor used resulted in a doping level of 1.8 at%, a very high level of doping with regards to the standard in semiconductor silicon. However, even with this high level of doping, no significant effect was observed for cycling of silicon anodes using 60 wt% silicon. We propose that the benefit of doping silicon is masked by the effect of the conductive carbon and other additives used in preparation of the test cells.
An Analysis of the Resistance of Commercial Lithium Ion Pouch Cells Based on Two Practical Thermal Performance Tests
Authors: Huang Mian , Kong Lingli , Gao Yongtao
Published: September 2016

Thermal property is one of the key considerations for lithium ion battery design and usage in many applications. In order to evaluate the thermal performance of commercial lithium ion battery, thermal shock and high temperature storage tests were performed with the pouch type cells. The resistance was measured with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) both before and after the tests. It is revealed that RSEI decreased after thermal shock, but increased after high temperature storage. Meanwhile, Rct increased after both tests but with quite different amplification dependent on the test method. The total resistance also increased after the tests, however, the Rt increase was highly dependent on the cell processing technique and test voltage. This work is expected to provide some detailed data and analysis for the thermal performance evaluation, which could help to further understand the degradation mechanism of lithium ion battery under service conditions.
Aging-associated changes in microRNA expression profile of internal anal sphincter smooth muscle: Role of microRNA-133a
Authors: Singh Jagmohan , Boopathi Ettickan , Addya Sankar , Phillips Benjamin , Rigoutsos Isidore , Penn Raymond B. , Rattan Satish
Published: September 2016

A comprehensive genomic and proteomic, computational, and physiological approach was employed to examine the (previously unexplored) role of microRNAs (miRNAs) as regulators of internal anal sphincter (IAS) smooth muscle contractile phenotype and basal tone. miRNA profiling, genome-wide expression, validation, and network analyses were employed to assess changes in mRNA and miRNA expression in IAS smooth muscles from young vs. aging rats. Multiple miRNAs, including rno-miR-1, rno-miR-340-5p, rno-miR-185, rno-miR-199a-3p, rno-miR-200c, rno-miR-200b, rno-miR-31, rno-miR-133a, and rno-miR-206, were found to be upregulated in aging IAS. qPCR confirmed the upregulated expression of these miRNAs and downregulation of multiple, predicted targets ( Eln, Col3a1, Col1a1, Zeb2, Myocd, Srf, Smad1, Smad2, Rhoa/Rock2, Fn1, Tagln v2, Klf4, and Acta2) involved in regulation of smooth muscle contractility. Subsequent studies demonstrated an aging-associated increase in the expression of miR-133a, corresponding decreases in RhoA, ROCK2, MYOCD, SRF, and SM22α protein expression, RhoA-signaling, and a decrease in basal and agonist [U-46619 (thromboxane A2analog)]-induced increase in the IAS tone. Moreover, in vitro transfection of miR-133a caused a dose-dependent increase of IAS tone in strips, which was reversed by anti-miR-133a. Last, in vivo perianal injection of anti-miR-133a reversed the loss of IAS tone associated with age. This work establishes the important regulatory effect of miRNA-133a on basal and agonist-stimulated IAS tone. Moreover, reversal of age-associated loss of tone via anti-miR delivery strongly implicates miR dysregulation as a causal factor in the aging-associated decrease in IAS tone and suggests that miR-133a is a feasible therapeutic target in aging-associated rectoanal incontinence.
Gut fermentation seems to promote decompression sickness in humans
Authors: de Maistre Sébastien , Vallee Nicolas , Gempp Emmanuel , Louge Pierre , Duchamp Claude , Blatteau Jean-Eric
Published: September 2016

Massive bubble formation after diving can lead to decompression sickness (DCS) that can result in neurological disorders. In experimental dives using hydrogen as the diluent gas, decreasing the body's H2burden by inoculating hydrogen-metabolizing microbes into the gut reduces the risk of DCS. In contrast, we have shown that gut bacterial fermentation in rats on a standard diet promotes DCS through endogenous hydrogen production. Therefore, we set out to test these experimental results in humans. Thirty-nine divers admitted into our hyperbaric center with neurological DCS (Affected Divers) were compared with 39 healthy divers (Unaffected Divers). Their last meal time and composition were recorded. Gut fermentation rate was estimated by measuring breath hydrogen 1-4 h after the dive. Breath hydrogen concentrations were significantly higher in Affected Divers (15 ppm [6–23] vs. 7 ppm [3–12]; P = 0.0078). With the use of a threshold value of 16.5 ppm, specificity was 87% [95% confidence interval (CI) 73–95] for association with neurological DCS onset. We observed a strong association between hydrogen values above this threshold and an accident occurrence (odds ratio = 5.3, 95% CI 1.8–15.7, P = 0.0025). However, high fermentation potential foodstuffs consumption was not different between Affected and Unaffected Divers. Gut fermentation rate at dive time seemed to be higher in Affected Divers. Hydrogen generated by fermentation diffuses throughout the body and could increase DCS risk. Prevention could be helped by excluding divers who are showing a high fermentation rate, by eliminating gas produced in gut, or even by modifying intestinal microbiota to reduce fermentation rate during a dive.
v-Src Oncogene Induces Trop2 Proteolytic Activation via Cyclin D1
Authors: Ju Xiaoming , Jiao Xuanmao , Ertel Adam , Casimiro Mathew C. , Di Sante Gabriele , Deng Shengqiong , Li Zhiping , Di Rocco Agnese , Zhan Tingting , Hawkins Adam , Stoyanova Tanya , Andò Sebastiano , Fatatis Alessandro , Lisanti Michael P. , Gomella Leonard G. , Languino Lucia R. , Pestell Richard G.
Published: September 2016

Proteomic analysis of castration-resistant prostate cancer demonstrated the enrichment of Src tyrosine kinase activity in approximately 90% of patients. Src is known to induce cyclin D1, and a cyclin D1–regulated gene expression module predicts poor outcome in human prostate cancer. The tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TACSTD2/Trop2/M1S1) is enriched in the prostate, promoting prostate stem cell self-renewal upon proteolytic activation via a γ-secretase cleavage complex (PS1, PS2) and TACE (ADAM17), which releases the Trop2 intracellular domain (Trop2 ICD). Herein, v-Src transformation of primary murine prostate epithelial cells increased the proportion of prostate cancer stem cells as characterized by gene expression, epitope characteristics, and prostatosphere formation. Cyclin D1 was induced by v-Src, and Src kinase induction of Trop2 ICD nuclear accumulation required cyclin D1. Cyclin D1 induced abundance of the Trop2 proteolytic cleavage activation components (PS2, TACE) and restrained expression of the inhibitory component of the Trop2 proteolytic complex (Numb). Patients with prostate cancer with increased nuclear Trop2 ICD and cyclin D1, and reduced Numb, had reduced recurrence-free survival probability (HR = 4.35). Cyclin D1, therefore, serves as a transducer of v-Src–mediated induction of Trop2 ICD by enhancing abundance of the Trop2 proteolytic activation complex. Cancer Res; 76(22); 6723–34. ©2016 AACR.
Visualizing Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Using the Chromobody Technology
Authors: Maier Julia , Traenkle Bjoern , Rothbauer Ulrich
Published: September 2016

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a complex cellular program involved in the progression of epithelial cancers to a metastatic stage. Along this process, epithelial traits are repressed in favor of a motile mesenchymal phenotype. A detailed characterization and monitoring of EMT-related processes is required for the design of screening strategies needed to develop novel antimetastatic therapies. Overexpression of the canonical EMT biomarker vimentin correlates with increased tumor growth and invasiveness, as well as with reduced patient survival across various epithelial cancers. Moreover, recent findings have demonstrated an active role of vimentin in regulating and reorganizing the cellular architecture toward a migratory and invasive phenotype. However, current studies suffer from a lack of appropriate methods to trace the induction and dynamics of vimentin in cell-based assays. Recently, we have reported a novel intrabody (chromobody)–based approach to study the spatiotemporal organization of endogenous vimentin upon induction of EMT by high-content imaging. In this review, we discuss the relevance of the chromobody technology with regard to the visualization of EMT-related processes in living systems. Cancer Res; 76(19); 5592–6. ©2016 AACR.
Administration of Non-Torsadogenic human Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene Inhibitors Is Associated with Better Survival for High hERG–Expressing Glioblastoma Patients
Authors: Pointer Kelli B. , Clark Paul A. , Eliceiri Kevin W. , Salamat M. Shahriar , Robertson Gail A. , Kuo John S.
Published: September 2016

Purpose: Glioblastoma is the most malignant primary brain tumor, with a median survival of less than 2 years. More effective therapeutic approaches are needed to improve clinical outcomes.

Experimental Design: Glioblastoma patient-derived cells (GPDC) were isolated from patient glioblastomas and implanted in mice to form xenografts. IHC was performed for human Ether-à-go-go-Related Gene (hERG) expression and tumor proliferation. Sphere-forming assays with the hERG blocker E-4031 were performed on a high and low hERG–expressing lines. A glioblastoma tissue microarray (TMA; 115 patients) was used to correlate hERG expression with patient survival. Clinical data were analyzed to determine whether patient survival was affected by incidental administration of hERG inhibitory drugs and the correlative effect of patient glioblastoma hERG expression levels.

Results: hERG expression was upregulated in glioblastoma xenografts with higher proliferative indices. High hERG–expressing GPDCs showed a reduction in sphere formation when treated with hERG inhibitors compared with low hERG–expressing GPDCs. Glioblastoma TMA analysis showed worse survival for glioblastoma patients with high hERG expression versus low expression—43.5 weeks versus 60.9 weeks, respectively (P = 0.022). Furthermore, patients who received at least one hERG blocker had a better survival rate compared with patients who did not (P = 0.0015). Subgroup analysis showed that glioblastoma patients with high hERG expression who received hERG blockers had improved survival (P = 0.0458). There was no difference in survival for low hERG–expressing glioblastoma patients who received hERG blockers (P = 0.4136).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that hERG is a potential glioblastoma survival marker, and that already approved drugs with non-torsadogenic hERG inhibitory activity may potentially be repurposed as adjuvant glioblastoma therapy in high hERG–expressing glioblastoma patients. Clin Cancer Res; 23(1); 73–80. ©2016 AACR.

See related commentary by Arcangeli and Becchetti, p. 3
Efficacy of Anti-mesothelin Immunotoxin RG7787 plus Nab-Paclitaxel against Mesothelioma Patient–Derived Xenografts and Mesothelin as a Biomarker of Tumor Response
Authors: Zhang Jingli , Khanna Swati , Jiang Qun , Alewine Christine , Miettinen Markku , Pastan Ira , Hassan Raffit
Published: September 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of the reduced immunogenicity anti-mesothelin immunotoxin RG7787 plus nab-paclitaxel against primary mesothelioma cell lines and tumor xenografts and the utility of mesothelin as a biomarker of tumor response.

Experimental Design: Early-passage human malignant mesothelioma cell lines NCI-Meso16, NCI-Meso19, NCI-Meso21, and NCI-Meso29 were evaluated for sensitivity to RG7787 or nab-paclitaxel alone or in combination. In addition, the antitumor activity of RG7787 plus nab-paclitaxel was evaluated using NCI-Meso16, NCI-Meso21, and NCI-Meso29 tumor xenografts in immunodeficient mice. Serum mesothelin was measured at different time points to determine whether its levels correlated with tumor response.

Results: All four primary mesothelioma cell lines highly expressed mesothelin with 41 × 103 to 346 × 103 mesothelin sites per cell and were sensitive to RG7787, with IC50 ranging from 0.3 to 10 ng/mL. Except for NCI-Meso19, these cells were also sensitive to nab-paclitaxel, with IC50 of 10 to 25 ng/mL. In vitro, RG7787 plus nab-paclitaxel led to decreased cell viability compared with either agent alone. In NCI-Meso16 tumor xenografts, treatment with RG7787 plus nab-paclitaxel led to sustained complete tumor regressions. Similar antitumor efficacy was observed against NCI-Meso21 and NCI-Meso29 tumor xenografts. In all three tumor xenograft models, changes in human serum mesothelin correlated with response to therapy and were undetectable in mice with complete tumor regression with RG7787 and nab-paclitaxel.

Conclusions: RG7787 plus nab-paclitaxel is very active against primary human mesothelioma cells in vitro as well as in vivo, with serum mesothelin levels correlating with tumor response. These results indicate that this combination could be useful for treating patients with mesothelioma. Clin Cancer Res; 23(6); 1564–74. ©2016 AACR.
Obesity, Type 1 Diabetes, and Psoriasis: An Autoimmune Triple Flip
Authors: Granata Mariagrazia , Skarmoutsou Evangelia , Trovato Chiara , Rossi Giulio A. , Mazzarino Maria Clorinda , D'Amico Fabio
Published: September 2016

Obesity, type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis are wide-ranging health problems. Genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors together with immune disturbances are involved in these diseases. The white adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ, secreting a wide variety of soluble mediators called adipokines that have a central role in the relationship between adipose tissue and immune system. Inflammatory cytokines, including the IL-23/IL-17 and IL-18 axes, and microRNAs are involved in many processes, including immunity and inflammation, thus having a major role in the onset of these three diseases. In this review, we present an overview of the roles of adipokines, cytokines, and microRNAs in the pathogenesis and the progression of these three diseases.
Interferon (IFN)-Induced Protein 35 (IFI35), a Type I Interferon-Dependent Transcript, Upregulates Inflammatory Signaling Pathways by Activating Toll-Like Receptor 3 in Human Mesangial Cells
Authors: Imaizumi Tadaatsu , Yano Chikashi , Numata Akiko , Tsugawa Koji , Hayakari Ryo , Matsumiya Tomoh , Yoshida Hidemi , Watanabe Shojiro , Tsuruga Kazushi , Kawaguchi Shogo , Murakami Manabu , Tanaka Hiroshi
Published: September 2016

Background/Aims: Activation of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) signaling followed by type I interferon (IFN) expression is crucial in antiviral and “pseudoviral” immune reactions in renal mesangial cells (MCs). These reactions are probably involved in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the role of IFN-induced 35-kDa protein 35 (IFI35), a type I IFN-dependent transcript, in glomerular inflammation is unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the expression and the role of IFI35 in IFN-β/retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)/CCL5 and IFN-β/melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5)/CXCL10 axes in MCs. Methods: We treated human MCs with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC), an authentic double-stranded RNA, then analysed the IFI35 expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. To examine the regulation of IFI35 expression, we subjected MCs to RNA interference (siRNA) against IFN-β, RIG-I, and MDA5. Results: Activation of TLR3 by poly IC induces the IFI35 expression in MCs. siRNA against IFN-β inhibited poly IC-induced IFI35 expression. Knockdown of IFI35 resulted in a decrease of poly IC-induced RIG-I and MDA5 protein as well as decreased CCL5 and CXCL10 mRNA and protein expression. However, it did not affect the expression of none of phosphorylated signal transducers or activator of transcription (STAT) 1 protein, or RIG-I and MDA5 in mRNA levels. Conclusion: Regional expression of IFI35 and its dysregulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of glomerular inflammation in CKD.
Nationwide Evaluation of Congenital Hypothyroidism Screening during Neonatal Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Leeuwen Lisette , van Heijst Arno F.J. , Vijfhuize Sanne , Beurskens Leonardus W.J.E. , Weijman Gert , Tibboel Dick , van den Akker Erica L.T. , IJsselstijn Hanneke
Published: September 2016

Background: Thyroid hormone concentrations may deviate from normal values during critical illness. This condition is known as nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), and it can influence the results of screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) during neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Objectives: To determine the incidence of aberrant CH screening results in ECMO-treated neonates, to identify possible determinants, and to follow up patients with abnormal thyroid hormone concentrations. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included 168 ECMO-treated neonates admitted from 2004 to 2014 and screened by protocol and divided them into the following 3 groups: group 1 (screened during ECMO, n = 107), group 2 (screened shortly before ECMO, n = 26), and group 3 (screened shortly after ECMO, n = 35). Results: CH screening results were aberrant in 67.3% (72/107) of the neonates screened during ECMO, in 73.1% (19/26) of the neonates screened before ECMO, and in 31.4% (11/35) of the neonates screened after ECMO (p < 0.001). Of the neonates with an aberrant screening result, all but 2 (i.e. 98%) had a low thyroxine concentration with a normal thyrotropin concentration at screening, as is seen in NTIS. None was diagnosed with CH. Mortality did not significantly differ between neonates with an aberrant screening result (32.4%) and neonates with a normal screening result (22.7%; p = 0.18). Screening before ECMO (OR 5.92; 95% CI 1.93-18.20), screening during ECMO (OR 4.49; 95% CI 1.98-10.19), and a higher Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2 score (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.04-1.66) were associated with an aberrant screening result. Conclusions: Aberrant CH screening results were found in most ECMO-treated neonates screened before or during ECMO, which is likely due to NTIS. Follow-up of thyroid hormone concentrations is best started after recovery from critical illness. Our results suggest that thyroxine therapy is not required during ECMO.