bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineering von Thiopeptiden: ein multidisziplinärer Weg zu neuen Wirkstoffen
Authors: Just‐Baringo Xavier , Albericio Fernando , Álvarez Mercedes
Published: May 2014

Durch jüngste Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet der Thiopeptid‐Antibiotika‐Analoga konnten einige der Limitierungen dieser natürlich vorkommenden Substanzen überwunden werden. Chemische Synthesen, semisynthetische Derivatisierungen und die Umgestaltung von Biosynthesewegen haben unabhängig voneinander zu sich ergänzenden Modifikationen verschiedener Thiopeptide geführt. Einige der so gewonnenen neuen Substanzen zeigen verbesserte Wirkprofile, und das nicht nur als Antibiotika, sondern auch als Antimalaria‐ und Antikrebswirkstoffe. Der planerische Entwurf neuartiger Moleküle auf der Grundlage von Thiopeptidgerüsten stellt sich als die einzige Strategie für die volle Nutzung des großen Potenzials, das sie in vitro zeigen, dar. Hier stellen wir die wichtigsten Ergebnisse auf dem Gebiet der Herstellung von Thiopeptidanaloga vor und diskutieren, wie die unterschiedlichen Ansätze sich zu einer multidisziplinären Strategie zusammenführen lassen.
Low temperature one‐step synthesis of poly(barbituric acid) functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for removal of heavy metal ions
Authors: Lan Shi , Li Ruiqing , Leng Zhihua , Guo Na , Gan Shucai
Published: May 2014

Poly(barbituric acid) functionalized magnetic nanoparticles with excellent adsorption behavior were facilely synthesized through one‐step chemical oxidation polymerization method by using sodium borohydride as the reducing agent. Structure, morphology, and magnetism of the products were thoroughly investigated by means of FTIR, FESEM, EDX, X‐ray photoelectron spectra, thermogravimetric analyzer–differential scanning calorimetry, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The products were of a sphere‐shaped nanostructure with the saturation magnetization value of 7.5 emu g−1, which make them reusable for adsorption application. Removal capability for heavy metal ions were systematically evaluated using Pd (II) and Cu (II) ions as the models. The maximum sorption capacities by applying the Langmuir equation were calculated to be 166.6 mg/g for Cu (II) and 142.8 mg/g for Pb (II). A recycle test revealed that the PBA‐MNPs have above 87.1% for Cu (II) and 82.69% for Pb (II) ion desorption efficiency after the three regeneration cycle process. All the above experimental results demonstrated that barbituric acid‐based material could be used as a possible adsorbent for the efficient removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40957.
A Meta‐Analysis of Imitation Abilities in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Edwards Laura A.
Published: May 2014

Although imitation impairments are often reported in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), previous work has not yet determined whether these impairments are significant, specific to ASD, and present across the entire spectrum. This report of 53 studies on imitation in ASD seeks to determine whether individuals with ASD show significant imitation deficits, the magnitude of these deficits, and whether they are specific to ASD. Using standard meta‐analytic techniques in a random‐effects model, the data reviewed suggest that individuals with ASD show deficits in imitation, performing on average 0.81 SDs below individuals without ASD on imitation tasks. This deficit was specific to the condition of having ASD. Moderator analyses revealed that the average Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) scores of groups of ASD participants were significantly and strongly negatively associated with the imitation abilities of these subjects, but average participant IQ was not associated with imitation abilities. Study setting, novelty of actions, format of imitation tasks (live vs. not), number of actions to imitate, or verbal prompts were not found to significantly affect the sizes of the imitation differences between individuals with and without ASD. The manner in which imitation was operationalized, however, had significant effects on whether imitation deficits were found between individuals with and without ASD. In tests that measured imitation of both form and end points, participants with ASD showed significant deficits compared with those without ASD; on tests of end point emulation only, individuals with ASD showed no deficits. Autism Res 2014, 7: 363–380. © 2014 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emotion Regulation in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Samson Andrea C. , Hardan Antonio Y. , Podell Rebecca W. , Phillips Jennifer M. , Gross James J.
Published: May 2014

Emotion dysregulation is not a formal criterion for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, parents and clinicians have long noted the importance of emotional problems in individuals with ASD (e.g. tantrums and “meltdowns”). In this study, 21 high‐functioning children and adolescents with ASD and 22 age and gender group‐matched typically developing (TD) controls completed a Reactivity and Regulation Situation Task. This task assesses emotional reactivity and spontaneous use of emotion regulation strategies (problem solving, cognitive reappraisal, avoidance, distraction, venting, suppression, and relaxation) in the context of age‐appropriate ambiguous and potentially threatening negative scenarios. After the concept of cognitive reappraisal was explained, the scenarios were presented again to participants, and they were prompted to use this strategy. Results indicated that individuals with ASD exhibited the same level of reactivity to negative stimuli as TD participants. Furthermore, youth with ASD had a different emotion regulation profile than TD individuals, characterized by a less frequent use of cognitive reappraisal and more frequent use of suppression. When prompted to use cognitive reappraisal, participants with ASD were less able to implement reappraisal, but benefitted from this strategy when they were able to generate a reappraisal. Findings from this study suggest that cognitive reappraisal strategies may be useful to children and adolescents with ASD. Therefore, the development of treatment programs that focus on enhancing the use of adaptive forms of emotion regulation might decrease emotional problems and optimize long‐term outcomes in youth with ASD. Autism Res 2015, 8: 9–18. © 2014 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nuclear‐Spin‐Induced Cotton–Mouton Effect in a Strong External Magnetic Field
Authors: Fu Li‐juan , Vaara Juha
Published: May 2014

Novel, high‐sensitivity and high‐resolution spectroscopic methods can provide site‐specific nuclear information by exploiting nuclear magneto‐optic properties. We present a first‐principles electronic structure formulation of the recently proposed nuclear‐spin‐induced Cotton–Mouton effect in a strong external magnetic field (NSCM‐B). In NSCM‐B, ellipticity is induced in a linearly polarized light beam, which can be attributed to both the dependence of the symmetric dynamic polarizability on the external magnetic field and the nuclear magnetic moment, as well as the temperature‐dependent partial alignment of the molecules due to the magnetic fields. Quantum‐chemical calculations of NSCM‐B were conducted for a series of molecular liquids. The overall order of magnitude of the induced ellipticities is predicted to be 10−11–10−6 rad T−1 M−1 cm−1 for fully spin‐polarized nuclei. In particular, liquid‐state heavy‐atom systems should be promising for experiments in the Voigt setup.
Attachment and eating disorders: A review of current research
Authors: Tasca Giorgio A. , Balfour Louise
Published: May 2014

Objective

Attachment insecurity may confer risk for developing an eating disorder. We describe domains of attachment functioning that are relevant to eating disorders including: affect regulation, interpersonal style, coherence of mind, and reflective functioning. Research since 2000 on attachment and eating disorders related to these domains is reviewed.

Method

We searched MedLine/Pubmed and PsycINFO from January 2000 to February 2014 and kept articles that: were empirical, included adults with a diagnosed eating disorder, and used a standard attachment measure. We retained 50 relevant studies.

Results

Compared to controls, those with eating disorders had higher levels of attachment insecurity and disorganized mental states. Lower reflective functioning was specifically associated with anorexia nervosa. Attachment anxiety was associated with eating disorder symptom severity, and this relationship may be mediated by perfectionism and affect regulation strategies. Type of attachment insecurity had specific negative impacts on psychotherapy processes and outcomes, such that higher attachment avoidance may lead to dropping out and higher attachment anxiety may lead to poorer treatment outcomes.

Discussion

Research to date suggests a possible relationship between attachment insecurity and risk for an eating disorder. More research is needed that uses attachment interviews, and longitudinal and case control designs. Clinicians can assess attachment insecurity to help inform therapeutic stances and interventions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:710–717)
U–Pb zircon geochronology of ferrodiorites and quartz diorites from the Turkel Anorthosite Complex: a Neoarchaean convergent margin in eastern India
Authors: Rao C. V. Dharma , Santosh M. , Zhang Shuan‐Hong
Published: May 2014

The Turkel anorthosite Complex (TAC) in the Eastern Ghats Belt in India is composed of anorthosites and leuconorites at the centre and ferrodiorites and quartz diorites at the periphery. Here we report whole‐rock geochemistry, and zircon U–Pb data and REE geochemistry from a co‐spatial ferrodiorite and two quartz diorites from the TAC. The diorites have low abundance of High Field Strength Elements (HFSE) and REE, exhibit a flat chondrite‐normalized pattern with slight LREE enrichment and negligible or no Eu anomaly. Our results show weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb ages of 2433 ± 33 Ma for the ferrodiorite. Two quartz diorite samples from Turkel yield mean207Pb/206Pb ages of 2419 ± 32 Ma and 2505 ± 31 Ma. The zircons from all the analysed samples show high REE contents, prominent HREE enrichment and a conspicuous positive Eu anomaly, suggesting a common magmatic source. The prominent Neoarchaean to early Palaeoproterozoic magmatic ages from the anorthosite complex deviate from the late Neoproterozoic ages reported from other anorthosite suites in the Eastern Ghats Belt, and suggest an active convergent margin along SE India during Archaean–Proterozoic transition. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of New Pyrazoles via Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitrilimines with 2‐Cyclopentenone Derivatives
Authors: El‐Samahy Fatma A.
Published: May 2014

Compounds 1,3,6,6a‐tetraphenyl‐1,6a‐dihydrocyclopenta[c]pyrazol‐4(3aH)‐ones (3), 1,3,3a,4‐tetraphenyl‐1,3a‐dihydrocyclopenta[c]pyrazol‐6‐ols (4) and 6‐hydroxy‐1,3,6,6a‐tetraphenyl‐1,5,6,6a‐tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyrazole‐4(aH)‐one (5) were synthesized by reaction of 3,4‐diphenyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2‐cyclopentenone (2a) with nitrilimines, generated in situ by the action of triethylamine on the corresponding hydrazonyl chlorides 1.
The Effect of the Relief Wave on the Uniformity of an Air Blast Load
Authors: Shoja Abolfazl , Adabi Mohamad Ali , Ahmadnia Masoud , Zamani Jamal
Published: May 2014

In most blast loading structure analyses, it is assumed that the load acts uniformly on a target area. For the rationable design, it is useful to have a quantitative criterion to determine at which maximum distance the standoff can be placed to assume a uniform pressure distribution. Surprisingly, no standard criterion was found in the literature and the effect of blast wave clearing was not considered as well. In this paper, pressure histories applied on structures are calculated considering the non‐uniform loading characteristic as well as pressure relief from the edges. Additionally, the effects of various parameters on uniformity of impulse distribution are investigated. The results have shown that the effect of pressure relief on impulse uniformity is very important, especially when the blast wave is attenuated. This phenomenon leads an optimum distance at which impulse distribution is the most uniform.
Guanidinated protein internal standard for immunoaffinity‐liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry quantitation of protein therapeutics
Authors: Yang Wenchu , Kernstock Robert , Simmons Neal , Alak Ala
Published: May 2014

RATIONALE

A protein internal standard (IS) is essential and superior to a peptide IS to achieve reproducible results in the quantitation of protein therapeutics using immunoaffinity‐liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Guanidination has been used as a protein post‐modification technique for more than half a century. A decade ago, the modification was applied to lysine‐ending peptides to enhance their MALDI responses and peptide sequencing coverage. However, rarely has tryptic digestion of guanidinated proteins been investigated, likely due to the early conclusion that trypsin did not hydrolyze peptide bonds involving homoarginine in guanidinated proteins. In this study, the opposite was observed. Guanidinated lysine residues of proteins did not hinder the access of trypsin allowing for proteolytic digestion. Based on this observation, a new concept of internal standard, named Guanidinated Protein Internal Standard (GP‐IS), was proposed for LC/MS/MS quantitation of protein therapeutics.

METHODS

The GP‐IS is prepared by treating a portion of the therapeutic protein (analyte) with guanidine to convert arginine residues in the protein into homoarginine residues. After tryptic digestion, the GP‐IS produces a series of homoarginine‐ending peptides plus another series of arginine‐ending peptides. One of the homoarginine‐ending peptides, which corresponds to the analyte surrogate (lysine‐ending) peptide, was chosen as a peptide internal standard (GP‐PIS) for LC/MS/MS quantitation.

RESULTS

Using this GP‐IS approach, a sensitive and robust immunoaffinity‐LC/MS/MS assay was developed and fully validated with a linearity range from 10 to 1000 ng/mL using 200 μL of human serum for the quantitation of an Astellas protein drug in clinical development.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed strategy allows LC/MS/MS to play an ever‐increasing role in bioanalytical support for protein therapeutics development because of its capability of completely tracking all variations from the beginning to the end of sample analysis, easier preparation compared to isotope‐labeled protein‐IS, and greater flexibility for changing to alternate analyte surrogate peptides. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the properties of polypropylene/(waste tire dust)/kenaf (PP/WTD/KNF) composites with addition of phthalic anhydride (PA) as a function of KNF loading
Authors: Pang A.L. , Ismail H.
Published: May 2014

The properties of polypropylene/(waste tire dust)/kenaf (PP/WTD/KNF) composites with the addition of phthalic anhydride (PA) as a function of KNF loading were studied. Composites containing constant PP and WTD compositions of 70 and 30 parts by weight per hundred parts of resin (phr), with various KNF loadings (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 phr), were prepared by using a Thermo‐Haake Polydrive internal mixer at a temperature of 180°C with a rotor speed of 50 rpm. The results showed that tensile strength and elongation at break decreased, while tensile modulus, stabilization torque, water absorption, and thermal stability increased with increased KNF loading. PP/WTD/KNF composites with PA showed higher tensile strength, tensile modulus, and water uptake but lower stabilization torque and elongation at break when compared with PP/WTD/KNF composites. Scanning electron microscopy morphological study on the tensile fractured surface proves that the interfacial adhesion between PP/WTD and KNF was enhanced with the addition of PA. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:193–200, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthetic Base Stock Based on Guerbet Alcohols
Authors: Waykole Chetan , Bhowmick DiptiNarayan , Pratap Amit
Published: May 2014

Guerbet (β branched) alcohols of varying chain length of even carbon numbers were synthesized by using single linear fatty alcohols ranging from 1‐octanol to 1‐dodecanol. All Guerbet alcohols having fewer than 28 carbon atoms and are liquid at 0 °C due to β branching. Synthetic base oils were prepared by reacting commonly available unsaturated fatty acids and dicarboxylic acids with Guerbet alcohols using p‐toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst. These base oils were characterized by physical and tribological properties like viscosity, viscosity index, pour point, flash point, wear scar, weld load, coefficient of friction etc. and compared with commercially available 150 and 500 N base oils.
Remote monitoring of cardiac implantable electronic devices
Authors: Nishii Nobuhiro
Published: May 2014

Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have been followed with periodic clinic visits. The number of patients with CIEDs has been increasing and CIEDs have become more complex. The workload of both medical staff and patients for CIED follow‐up has also been increasing. Remote monitoring (RM) technology has undergone many developments, and RM has been used since 2008 in Japan. The benefits of RM are evident, but there are also problems with the technology. Different systems and various skills are required for RM management compared to conventional follow‐up methods.
Traditional foods, corporate controls: networks of household access to key marine species in southern Bering Sea villages
Authors: Reedy Katherine , Maschner Herbert
Published: May 2014

Southern Bering Sea fishermen are vulnerable to losing access to key fisheries due largely to policy changes, permit loss, and the expense of fishing operations. Local residents generally do not have fishing rights in many of the high value commercial fisheries. They must continuously shape policy and explore alternative economies in order to stay fishermen. We were contracted by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to study the role of subsistence and commercial fisheries, land use, socioeconomics, and sharing networks in Alutiiq and Aleut/Unangan villages. Through an exploration of these data using innovative social network analysis that presents relationships, social stratification, commercialisation, and other dependencies in the maintenance of fisheries, sharing, trading, and revenue streams, this paper shows that in two of the most socioeconomically valuable fisheries, king crab (Paralithodes sp.andLithodes sp) and cod (Gadidae), local peoples have had to gain access to these foods by using means outside of what are academically perceived as their traditional subsistence and commercial allocation, resulting in adaptive networks of distribution. This work shows the range of networks surrounding these key foods and their associated vulnerabilities and resilience. Those sharing networks that demonstrate greater interconnectedness are much more stable and resilient.
Learning motivation and adaptive video caption filtering for EFL learners using handheld devices
Authors: Hsu Ching-Kun
Published: May 2014

The aim of this study was to provide adaptive assistance to improve the listening comprehension of eleventh grade students. This study developed a video-based language learning system for handheld devices, using three levels of caption filtering adapted to student needs. Elementary level captioning excluded 220 English sight words (see Section 1 for definition), but provided captions and Chinese translations for the remaining words. Intermediate level excluded 1000 high frequency English words, but provided captions for the remaining words, and 2200 high frequency English words were excluded at the high intermediate caption filtering level. The result was that the viewers were provided with captions for words that were likely to be unfamiliar to them. Participants in the experimental group were assigned bilingual caption modes according to their pre-test results, while those in the control group were assigned standard caption modes. Our results indicate that students in the experimental group preferred adaptive captions, enjoyed the exercises more, and gained greater intrinsic motivation compared to those in the control group. The results confirm that different students require different quantities of information to balance listening comprehension and indicate that the proposed adaptive caption filtering approach may be an effective way to improve the skills required for listening proficiency.
Mobile elements drive recombination hotspots in the core genome of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Everitt Richard G. , Didelot Xavier , Batty Elizabeth M. , Miller Ruth R , Knox Kyle , Young Bernadette C. , Bowden Rory , Auton Adam , Votintseva Antonina , Larner-Svensson Hanna , Charlesworth Jane , Golubchik Tanya , Ip Camilla L. C. , Godwin Heather , Fung Rowena , Peto Tim E. A. , Walker A. Sarah , Crook Derrick W. , Wilson Daniel J.
Published: May 2014

Horizontal gene transfer is an important driver of bacterial evolution, but genetic exchange in the core genome of clonal species, including the major pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, is incompletely understood. Here we reveal widespread homologous recombination in S. aureus at the species level, in contrast to its near-complete absence between closely related strains. We discover a patchwork of hotspots and coldspots at fine scales falling against a backdrop of broad-scale trends in rate variation. Over megabases, homoplasy rates fluctuate 1.9-fold, peaking towards the origin-of-replication. Over kilobases, we find core recombination hotspots of up to 2.5-fold enrichment situated near fault lines in the genome associated with mobile elements. The strongest hotspots include regions flanking conjugative transposon ICE6013, the staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) and genomic island νSaα. Mobile element-driven core genome transfer represents an opportunity for adaptation and challenges our understanding of the recombination landscape in predominantly clonal pathogens, with important implications for genotype–phenotype mapping.
Birth and death of links control disease spreading in empirical contact networks
Authors: Holme Petter , Liljeros Fredrik
Published: May 2014

We investigate what structural aspects of a collection of twelve empirical temporal networks of human contacts are important to disease spreading. We scan the entire parameter spaces of the two canonical models of infectious disease epidemiology—the Susceptible-Infectious-Susceptible (SIS) and Susceptible-Infectious-Removed (SIR) models. The results from these simulations are compared to reference data where we eliminate structures in the interevent intervals, the time to the first contact in the data, or the time from the last contact to the end of the sampling. The picture we find is that the birth and death of links and the total number of contacts over a link, are essential to predict outbreaks. On the other hand, the exact times of contacts between the beginning and end, or the interevent interval distribution, do not matter much. In other words, a simplified picture of these empirical data sets that suffices for epidemiological purposes is that links are born, is active with some intensity and die.
Constructing a fluorescent probe for specific detection of cysteine over homocysteine and glutathione based on a novel cysteine-binding group but-3-yn-2-one
Authors: Liu Yawei , Zhang Song , Lv Xin , Sun Yuan-Qiang , Liu Jing , Guo Wei
Published: May 2014

Based on a novel Cys-binding group “but-3-yn-2-one”, a new fluorescent probe was exploited, which could specifically detect Cys over Hcy/GSH in pure PBS buffer and cells.
Bimetallic Pd–Pt supported graphene promoted enzymatic redox cycling for ultrasensitive electrochemical quantification of microRNA from cell lysates
Authors: Cheng Fang-Fang , Zhang Jing-Jing , He Ting-Ting , Shi Jian-Jun , Abdel-Halim E. S. , Zhu Jun-Jie
Published: May 2014

A novel electrochemical biosensor with triple signal amplification for the ultrasensitive detection of miRNA was developed.
Self-assembled nanoparticles as multifunctional drugs for anti-microbial therapies
Authors: Bhatti Manpreet , McHugh Timothy D. , Milanesi Lilia , Tomas Salvador
Published: May 2014

Multifunctional nanoparticles that kill mycobacteria: nano-Trojan horses for photodynamic therapy and anti-TB drug delivery.
Enantioselective synthesis of benzazepinoindoles bearing trifluoromethylated quaternary stereocenters catalyzed by chiral spirocyclic phosphoric acids
Authors: Li Xuejian , Chen Di , Gu Haorui , Lin Xufeng
Published: May 2014

SPA-catalyzed iso-Pictet–Spengler reaction of C-2-linked o-aminobenzylindoles and trifluoromethyl ketones for construction of optically enriched benzazepinoindole derivatives has been realised.
A fluorescent probe for imaging symmetric and asymmetric cell division in neurosphere formation
Authors: Yun Seong-Wook , Leong Cheryl , Bi Xuezhi , Ha Hyung-Ho , Yu Yuan Hong , Tan Yee Ling , Narayanan Gunaseelan , Sankaran Shvetha , Kim Jun-Young , Hariharan Srivats , Ahmed Sohail , Chang Young-Tae
Published: May 2014

A fluorescent chemical probeCDy5, which binds to acid ceramidase, is distributed symmetrically or asymmetrically during mitosis of a neural stem/progenitor cell.
Iron near absorption edge X-ray spectroscopy at aqueous-membrane interfaces
Authors: Wang Wenjie , Kuzmenko Ivan , Vaknin David
Published: May 2014

We determine the absorption near-edge spectra of iron in its ferrous and ferric states both as ions in aqueous solutions and as they bind to form a single layer to anionic templates that consist of carboxyl or phosphate groups at aqueous/vapor interfaces.
A theoretical analysis of the phosphorescence efficiencies of Cu(i) complexes
Authors: Zou Lu-Yi , Cheng Yan-Xiang , Li Yan , Li Hui , Zhang Hong-Xing , Ren Ai-Min
Published: May 2014

We herein report a theoretical analysis using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) to study the electronic structures and photophysical properties of mixed-ligand Cu(i) complexes.
Influence of geochemical properties and land-use types on the microbial reduction of Fe(iii) in subtropical soils
Authors: Liu Chengshuai , Wang Yongkui , Li Fangbai , Chen Manjia , Zhai Guangshu , Tao Liang , Liu Chuanping
Published: May 2014

Geochemical and anthropogenic constraints on the microbial reduction of Fe(iii) in iron-rich soils.
High pressure CO2-controlled reactors: enzymatic chiral resolution in emulsions
Authors: Shang Wenting , Zhang Xiaogang , Yang Xiaoxi , Zhang Shujuan
Published: May 2014

Chiral separation of ibuprofen catalyzed by enzyme conducted in CO2-based micelle makes the reaction more effective and greener.
Biochemical aspects of Helicobacter pylori colonization of the human gastric mucosa.
Authors: Wadstrom T , Hirmo S , Boren T
Published: May 2014

Unlike Helicobacter felis and other Helicobacter species of animal origin, Helicobacter pylori colonizes the lower gastric mucin layer of the stomach and adheres to human gastric epithelial cells. It is still an open question if H. pylori can interact with specific glycoconjugates in the gastric mucin layer. It is possible that colonization of the oral cavity is a first step of a complex infectious process. Most likely resting or slow growing cells of H. pylori interact with Lewis blood group substances in the gastric mucin layer and on the epithelium. This initial colonization is probably followed by binding to specific cell surface glycoconjugates (glycoproteins and glycolipids such as GM3) and specific sialylated or highly sulphated molecules such as cell surface sulphatides and heparan sulphate. H. pylori may also bind to specific phospholipid molecules such as phosphatidylethanolamine on the gastric cells. The adhesion process of certain strains can stimulate 'close' cell adhesion including pedestal formation similar to the phenomenon typical for a special class of enterovirulent Escherichia coli called attaching effacing E. coli. After gastric cell destruction by ammonia and H. pylori toxins (such as the vacuolating toxin) H. pylori may colonize the extracellular matrix (ECM). This phenomenon seems to include binding of cell surface sialic acid specific haemagglutinin to one ECM component, i.e. laminin. It is also likely that H. pylori may use similar events to penetrate intercellular junctions of gastric epithelial cells. These adhesion‐ penetration phenomena also involve coating of the microbe with host proteins to escape the host immune system and initiate a chronic lifelong infection process.
Unified approach to performance analysis of energy detection in generalised fading channels
Authors: Wang Ying , Zhang Min , Shi Qinghua
Published: May 2014

Formulated in the complex‐domain, an exponential integral expression is presented for the generalised Marcum Q‐function. Specifically, the generalised Marcum Q‐function is represented as a finite‐range single integral whose integrand is exponential in both parameters of the generalised Marcum Q‐function. Consequently, this exponential representation leads to a unified moment‐generating function (MGF)‐based approach to performance analysis of energy detection in general fading channels. The MGF approach is generally applicable for energy detection with or without diversity in arbitrarily (maybe correlated) fading channels, provided that the MGF of the received signal‐to‐noise ratio is available.
Improved reliability properties of (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 ferroelectric capacitors by thin aluminium‐doped zinc oxide buffer layer
Authors: Takada Y. , Tsuji T. , Okamoto N. , Saito T. , Kondo K. , Yoshimura T. , Fujimura N. , Higuchi K. , Kitajima A.
Published: May 2014

Chemical solution deposition (CSD)‐derived ferroelectric PbLaZrTiOx (PLZT) capacitors with an aluminium‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) top electrode is fabricated. The effects of a thin conductive AZO buffer layer between the Pt bottom electrode and PLZT were investigated. The hydrogen degradation resistance of PLZT capacitors with a 10 and a 20 nm AZO buffer layer was improved up to 91 and 81%, respectively, of an initial polarisation value even after 45 min annealing in a 3% hydrogen atmosphere, from 42% of that without a buffer layer. The fatigue endurance (at 200 kV/cm (10 V) at 100 μs pulse width at 1 ms intervals) of the PLZT capacitor with a 10 nm AZO buffer layer was also improved after 107 cycles.
Two‐dimensional histogram specification using two‐dimensional cumulative distribution function
Authors: Jung Seung‐Won
Published: May 2014

Recently developed two‐dimensional (2D) histogram specification (HS) methods can improve the contrast in an image by increasing the pixel‐value differences among the neighbouring pixels. However, the conventional 2D HS methods use the 1D cumulative distribution function (CDF) for pixel‐value mapping, and thus the 2D histogram of an output image largely deviates from a 2D target histogram. A 2D CDF‐based pairwise pixel‐value mapping method is presented. Experimental results show that the 2D histogram of the output image obtained by the proposed method well approximates the 2D target histogram.
Bounds on symbol error rate for additive isotropic generalised Gaussian noise channels
Authors: Dulek B.
Published: May 2014

Novel lower and upper bounds on the symbol error rate of the minimum distance detector are derived for signal constellations impaired by additive isotropic (i.e. spherically symmetric) generalised Gaussian noise (GGN). The proposed bounds depend only on the constellation dimensionality, the shape parameter of the GGN distribution and the maximum and minimum distances between the constellation points. They are expressed in terms of the well‐known Gamma and upper incomplete Gamma functions. An asymptotic analysis of the proposed bounds establishes the sphere hardening effect, which plays a prominent role in the design of high‐performance modulation systems, in the case of additive isotropic GGN channels.
Parameter determination for transmission lines with double periodical capacitive loading
Authors: Méndez‐Jerónimo G. , Torres‐Torres R. , Romo G. , Nwachukwu C.
Published: May 2014

A method to determine the capacitors that represent the periodical loads of transmission lines embedded between woven fibre substrate layers is presented. The resulting model allows an accurate modelling of the transmission characteristics of striplines presenting double resonances when operated at microwave frequencies.
Secure multiple‐input single‐output communication – Part II: δ‐secrecy symbol error probability and secrecy diversity
Authors: Van Nguyen Thang , Jeong Youngmin , Kwak Jin Sam , Shin Hyundong
Published: May 2014

The authors consider secure beamforming with artificial noise in a multiple‐input single‐output multiple‐eavesdropper (MISOME) wiretap channel, where a transmitter has access to full channel state information (CSI) of a legitimate channel but only partial CSI of eavesdropper channels. In the second part of this study, the authors first put forth a new notion of symbol error probability (SEP) for confidential information – called the ‘δ‐secrecy SEP’ – to connect the reliability and confidentiality of the legitimate communication in MISOME wiretap channels. For single‐antenna colluding and non‐colluding eavesdroppers, the authors then quantify the diversity impact of secure beamforming with artificial noise on the δ‐secrecy SEP and show that the artificial ‐noise strategy with nt transmit antennas preserves the secrecy diversity of order nt − ne for ne colluding eavesdroppers and nt − 1 for ne non‐colluding eavesdroppers, respectively. In addition, the authors determine the optimal power allocation between the information‐bearing signal and artificial noise to minimise the δ‐secrecy SEP in the presence of weak or strong eavesdroppers, and further develop the switched power allocation for general eavesdropping attacks.
System performance of Rayleigh fading channel in the presence of adjacent channel interference
Authors: Thai Subha S. , Bhaskar Vidhyacharan
Published: May 2014

In this paper, the authors study the system performance of adaptive transmission techniques in the presence of adjacent channel interference (ACI). The authors obtain closed‐form expressions for system capacity when employing different adaptive transmission policies with and without diversity schemes. The simulation results of spectrum efficiency in a WiMAX network employing 256 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing subcarriers are obtained for the analytical expressions derived for selection combining diversity under various adaptation policies. Analytical results show that the optimal power and rate adaptation policy provides the highest spectrum efficiency. Both analytical and simulation results are found to be in close agreement with each other, which shows that the obtained analytical results works well with the scenario of ACI. Also, maximal ratio combining scheme yields the highest spectrum efficiency when subjected to ACI.
Cloud service‐aware location update in mobile cloud computing
Authors: Qi Qi , Liao Jianxin , Cao Yufei
Published: May 2014

Mobile devices are becoming the primary platforms for many users who always roam around when accessing the cloud computing services. From this, the cloud computing is integrated into the mobile environment by introducing a new paradigm, mobile cloud computing. In the context of mobile computing, the battery life of mobile device is limited, and it is important to balance the mobility performance and energy consumption. Fortunately, cloud services provide both opportunities and challenges for mobility management. Taking the activities of cloud services accessing into consideration, the authors propose a service‐aware location update mechanism, which can detect the presence and location of the mobile device without traditional periodic registration update. Analytic model and simulation are developed to investigate the new mechanism. The results demonstrate that the service‐aware location update management can reduce the location update times and handoff signalling, which can efficiently save power consumption for mobile devices.
How BIBO stability of LTI fractional‐order time delayed systems relates to their approximated integer‐order counterparts
Authors: Nasiri Hamidreza , Haeri Mohammad
Published: May 2014

Time delay generates exponential transcendental terms in characteristic equations. Subsequently, the applied methods are narrow to assess the stability map of delayed fractional‐order systems with vanishing fractions. In this case, it is convenient to approximate these equations with its integer‐order counterparts to design controllers or investigate features of the systems. However, delay can cause enormous differences between characteristic of these two equations. This study offers a method to survey analytically the stability of fractional‐order time delayed linear time invariant systems with infinitesimal fractions. In this method, equations are transferred to an explicit expression which enables one to analyse stability of retarded, neutral and even integer‐order systems simultaneously.
Probabilistic shape‐based segmentation method using level sets
Authors: Aslan Melih S. , Shalaby Ahmed , Abdelmunim Hossam , Farag Aly A.
Published: May 2014

In this study, a novel probabilistic, geometric and dynamic shape‐based level sets method is proposed. The shape prior is coupled with the intensity information to enhance the segmentation results. The two‐dimensional principal component analysis method is applied on the training shapes to represent the shape variation with enough number of shape projections in the training step. The shape model is constructed using the implicit representation of the projected shapes. A new energy functional is proposed (i) to embed the shape model into the image domain and (ii) to estimate the shape coefficients. The proposed method is validated on synthetic and clinical images with various challenges such as the noise, occlusion and missing information. The authors compare their method with some of related works. Experiments show that the proposed segmentation method is more accurate and robust than other alternatives under different challenges.

∗ Note: Colour figures are available in the online version of this paper.
Matching corners using the informative arc
Authors: Kanwal Nadia , Bostanci Erkan , Clark Adrian F.
Published: May 2014

Corners are important features in images because they typically delimit the boundaries of regions or objects. For real‐time applications, it is essential that corners are detected and matched reliably and rapidly. This study presents two related descriptors which are compatible with standard corner detectors and able to be computed and matched at video rate: one encodes the entire region within a corner, whereas the other describes only the region within an object. The advantage of encoding only the region within an object is demonstrated. The noise stability of the descriptors is assessed and compared with that of the popular binary robust independent elementary feature (BRIEF) descriptor, and the matching performances of the descriptors are compared on video sequences from hand‐held cameras and the PETS2012 database. A statistical analysis shows that performance is indistinguishable from BRIEF.
Classification and regression tree‐based adaptive damping control of inter‐area oscillations using wide‐area signals
Authors: Ma Jing , Wang Tong , Gao Xiang , Wang Shangxing , Wang Zengping
Published: May 2014

An adaptive damping control scheme based on the classification and regression tree (CART) using wide‐area signals is proposed. A family of robust multiple‐input multiple‐output controllers are designed offline and used in real‐time after the current operating point is retrieved from phasor measurement unit (PMU) data with CART interpolation. When the power system is operating close to a previously set operating point, only the corresponding controller is active. When the power system is not close to any previously set operating point, a combined controller is formed. A 16‐machine 68‐bus system is used for simulation test. Thyristor controlled series compensation, static var compensator and energy storage device are used as actuators and the remote PMUs frequencies are employed as added inputs in the example control. Simulation results demonstrate good damping performance of the proposed control method against a wide range of changes in operating state.
Modification of multi‐area economic dispatch with multiple fuel options, considering the fuelling limitations
Authors: Lasemi Mohammad Ali , Assili Mohsen , Baghayipour Mohammadreza
Published: May 2014

Nowadays, using the units with multiple fuel options is one of the ways to reduce the generation costs and increase the reliability in modern power plants. In such power plants, the minimum generation cost is achieved via selecting the optimal fuel types. Here, the fuelling conditions and limitations of different fuel types indeed have determinative roles, because they not only can significantly influence the system operation point and optimal generation dispatch, but also they certainly affect the fuel consumption cost and the electricity price, as well. This study aims to develop and solve a novel type of multi‐area economic dispatch with multiple fuel options, which also considers the mathematical model of the fuelling constraints. Thus, the system operating conditions are modelled in a more realistic way in which all the models of the power plants as well as their fuelling systems are well regarded. This consequently yields a more accurate generation dispatch that can indeed reduce the generation costs, increase the fuelling reliability and subsequently increase the entire system reliability in the actual power systems in which the fuelling constraints are essential and determinative.
Failure rate modelling of electric distribution overhead lines considering preventive maintenance
Authors: Moradkhani Amin , Haghifam Mahmood R. , Mohammadzadeh Mohsen
Published: May 2014

The electric distribution overhead lines are large‐scale complex repairable systems that consist of numerous components. To obtain an acceptable level of reliability in overhead lines, an asset management strategy seems to be necessary. An asset management‐based maintenance framework is introduced for overhead lines. Based on the proposed framework, a relevant failure rate model is developed, which is able to show the effect of preventive maintenance according to expending cost and other affecting factors. The application procedure of the proposed model is also discussed in overhead line maintenance planning. Five‐year historical data of nine feeders are used to assess the proposed maintenance schedule in comparison to utility predefined one.
Simultaneous Integrated stochastic electrical and thermal energy expansion planning
Authors: Abbasi Ali Reza , Seifi Ali Reza
Published: May 2014

In this study, a stochastic multi‐objective framework is proposed for energy expansion planning (EEP). The proposed multiobjective framework can concurrently optimise the competing objective functions including total real energy losses, voltage deviation and the total cost of the installation equipments. Also, regarding the uncertainties of the new complicated energy systems, in this study, for the first time, system uncertainties including load uncertainty are explicitly considered in the EEP problem by the use of the probabilistic load flow technique based on the point estimate method. Since the objectives are different and incommensurable, it is difficult to solve the problem by the conventional approaches that may optimise a single objective. Hence, the metaheuristic algorithm is applied to this problem. Here, the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm as a new evolutionary optimisation algorithm is utilised. To improve the total ability of the PSO for global search and exploration, a new modification adaptive process is suggested in such a way that the algorithm will search the total search space globally. To evaluate the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, three modified standard distribution systems are used as the case studies.
Parameterization of a mesoscopic model for the self-assembly of linear sodium alkyl sulfates
Authors: Mai Zhaohuan , Couallier Estelle , Rakib Mohammed , Rousseau Bernard
Published: May 2014

A systematic approach to develop mesoscopic models for a series of linear anionic surfactants (CH3(CH2)n − 1OSO3Na, n = 6, 9, 12, 15) by dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations is presented in this work. The four surfactants are represented by coarse-grained models composed of the same head group and different numbers of identical tail beads. The transferability of the DPD model over different surfactant systems is carefully checked by adjusting the repulsive interaction parameters and the rigidity of surfactant molecules, in order to reproduce key equilibrium properties of the aqueous micellar solutions observed experimentally, including critical micelle concentration (CMC) and average micelle aggregation number (Nag). We find that the chain length is a good index to optimize the parameters and evaluate the transferability of the DPD model. Our models qualitatively reproduce the essential properties of these surfactant analogues with a set of best-fit parameters. It is observed that the logarithm of the CMC value decreases linearly with the surfactant chain length, in agreement with Klevens' rule. With the best-fit and transferable set of parameters, we have been able to calculate the free energy contribution to micelle formation per methylene unit of −1.7 kJ/mol, very close to the experimentally reported value.
Quantum mechanical force field for hydrogen fluoride with explicit electronic polarization
Authors: Mazack Michael J. M. , Gao Jiali
Published: May 2014

The explicit polarization (X-Pol) theory is a fragment-based quantum chemical method that explicitly models the internal electronic polarization and intermolecular interactions of a chemical system. X-Pol theory provides a framework to construct a quantum mechanical force field, which we have extended to liquid hydrogen fluoride (HF) in this work. The parameterization, called XPHF, is built upon the same formalism introduced for the XP3P model of liquid water, which is based on the polarized molecular orbital (PMO) semiempirical quantum chemistry method and the dipole-preserving polarization consistent point charge model. We introduce a fluorine parameter set for PMO, and find good agreement for various gas-phase results of small HF clusters compared to experiments and ab initio calculations at the M06-2X/MG3S level of theory. In addition, the XPHF model shows reasonable agreement with experiments for a variety of structural and thermodynamic properties in the liquid state, including radial distribution functions, interaction energies, diffusion coefficients, and densities at various state points.
Fabrication of moth-eye structures on silicon by direct six-beam laser interference lithography
Authors: Xu Jia , Wang Zuobin , Zhang Ziang , Wang Dapeng , Weng Zhankun
Published: May 2014

This paper presents a new method for the generation of cross-scale laser interference patterns and the fabrication of moth-eye structures on silicon. In the method, moth-eye structures were produced on a surface of silicon wafer using direct six-beam laser interference lithography to improve the antireflection performance of the material surface. The periodic dot arrays of the moth-eye structures were formed due to the ablation of the irradiance distribution of interference patterns on the wafer surface. The shape, size, and distribution of the moth-eye structures can be adjusted by controlling the wavelength, incidence angles, and exposure doses in a direct six-beam laser interference lithography setup. The theoretical and experimental results have shown that direct six-beam laser interference lithography can provide a way to fabricate cross-scale moth-eye structures for antireflection applications.