bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LTP-1, a novel antimitotic agent and Stat3 inhibitor, inhibits human pancreatic carcinomas in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Huang Han-Li , Chao Min-Wu , Chen Chung-Chun , Cheng Chun-Chun , Chen Mei-Chuan , Lin Chao-Feng , Liou Jing-Ping , Teng Che-Ming , Pan Shiow-Lin
Published: June 2016

Pancreatic cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide with a poor survival rate. The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism of action of a novel antimitotic and Stat3 inhibitor, LTP-1, on human pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo. We found that LTP-1 inhibited pancreatic cancer cell growth and viability with significant G2/M arrest and disruption of microtubule dynamics. LTP-1 also caused G2/M arrest-independent Stat3 dephosphorylation along with ERK activation, which indicated the possible dual function of LTP-1. Long-term treatment of LTP-1 also induced polyploidy, activated caspases, induced subG1 cell population and therefore, triggered pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis. Finally, we used an in vivo xenograft model to demonstrate that LTP-1 suppressed the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In summary, our data suggest that LTP-1 may alter microtubule dynamics, which ultimately causes polyploidy and apoptosis, thereby inhibiting pancreatic cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. This study provides evidence that LTP-1 could be a potential therapeutic agent for further development of pancreatic cancer treatment.
Optimal Trend Tests for Genetic Association Studies of Heterogeneous Diseases
Authors: Lee Wen-Chung
Published: June 2016

The Cochran-Armitage trend test is a standard procedure in genetic association studies. It is a directed test with high power to detect genetic effects that follow the gene-dosage model. In this paper, the author proposes optimal trend tests for genetic association studies of heterogeneous diseases. Monte-Carlo simulations show that the power gain of the optimal trend tests over the conventional Cochran-Armitage trend test is striking when the genetic effects are heterogeneous. The easy-to-use R 3.1.2 software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) code is provided. The optimal trend tests are recommended for routine use.
Toll-like receptor 7 affects the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Kim Sokho , Park Surim , Kim Bumseok , Kwon Jungkee
Published: June 2016

Recently, a possible link between toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and liver disease was suggested, although it was limited to fibrosis. Based on this report, we investigated whether TLR7 has a pivotal role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The TLR7 signaling pathway, which is activated by imiquimod (TLR7 ligand) naturally, induced autophagy and released insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) into medium from hepatocytes. Lipid accumulation induced by unsaturated fatty acid (UFA; arachidonic acid:oleic acid = 1:1) in hepatocytes, was attenuated in TLR7 and autophagy activation. Interestingly, TLR7 activation attenuated UFA-induced lipid peroxidation products, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal (4-HNE). To clarify a possible pathway between TLR7 and lipid peroxidation, we treated hepatocytes with MDA and 4-HNE. MDA and 4-HNE induced 2-folds lipid accumulation in UFA-treated hepatocytes via blockade of the TLR7 signaling pathway’s IGF-1 release compared to only UFA-treated hepatocytes. In vivo experiments carried out with TLR7 knockout mice produced results consistent with in vitro experiments. In conclusion, TLR7 prevents progression of NAFLD via induced autophagy and released IGF-1 from liver. These findings suggest a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of NAFLD.
The mass load effect on the resonant acoustic frequencies of colloidal semiconductor nanoplatelets
Authors: Girard Adrien , Saviot Lucien , Pedetti Silvia , Tessier Mickaël D. , Margueritat Jérémie , Gehan Hélène , Mahler Benoit , Dubertret Benoit , Mermet Alain
Published: June 2016

Downshift of nanoplatelets resonance frequencies due to ligand mass loads.
Effectiveness of wound healing using the novel collagen dermal substitute INSUREGRAF®
Authors: Yoon Hyeon , Yang Hyeong Tae , Yim Haejun , Kym Dohern , Hur Jun , Yang Eunkyung , Jung Samhyun , Yang Sunghee , Kim Geunhyung , Kim June-Bum , Chun Wook , Cho Yong Suk
Published: June 2016

The pore structure of INSUREGRAF® built up from parallel collagen layers connected by single fivers and sizes are very uniform. Therefore, this is more suitable with respect to cell penetration, distribution, and acceleration of skin regeneration.
Pseudo isobaric peptide termini labelling for relative proteome quantification by SWATH MS acquisition
Authors: Zhang Shen , Chen Lingfan , Shan Yichu , Sui Zhigang , Wu Qi , Zhang Lihua , Liang Zhen , Zhang Yukui
Published: June 2016

The SWATH-pseudo-IPTL method is a promising strategy in quantitative proteomics, and has been efficiently applied in biological studies due to its high quantitative accuracy.
SERS detection of uranyl using functionalized gold nanostars promoted by nanoparticle shape and size
Authors: Lu Grace , Forbes Tori Z. , Haes Amanda J.
Published: June 2016

Quantitative uranyl detection using surface-enhanced Raman scattering and functionalized gold nanostars.
SERS speciation of the electrochemical oxidation–reduction of riboflavin
Authors: Bailey Matthew R. , Schultz Zachary D.
Published: June 2016

The electrochemical oxidation and reduction of riboflavin is detected and characterized by SERS.
Electronic and optical properties of CeO2 from first principles calculations
Authors: Khalifi Mohammed El , Picaud Fabien , Bizi Mohamed
Published: June 2016

First principles calculations of the electronic structure of CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were performed to investigate published experimental data obtained by different spectroscopies.
An iron–oxygen intermediate formed during the catalytic cycle of cysteine dioxygenase
Authors: Tchesnokov E. P. , Faponle A. S. , Davies C. G. , Quesne M. G. , Turner R. , Fellner M. , Souness R. J. , Wilbanks S. M. , de Visser S. P. , Jameson G. N. L.
Published: June 2016

Combined spectroscopic, kinetic and computational studies provide first evidence of a short-lived intermediate in the catalytic cycle of cysteine dioxygenase.
Peroxodisulfate-mediated selenoamination of alkenes yielding amidoselenide-containing sulfamides and azoles
Authors: Sun Kai , Wang Xin , Lv Yunhe , Li Gang , Jiao Hezhen , Dai Changwei , Li Yangyang , Zhang Chong , Liu Lin
Published: June 2016

A novel intermolecular selenoamination of alkenes has been successfully developed and a series of structurally diverse vicinal amidoselenides were effectively obtained under mild heating.
Electronic structure engineering of various structural phases of phosphorene
Authors: Kaur Sumandeep , Kumar Ashok , Srivastava Sunita , Tankeshwar K.
Published: June 2016

We report the tailoring of the electronic structures of various structural phases of phosphorene (α-P, β-P, γ-P and δ-P) based homo- and hetero-bilayers through in-plane mechanical strains, vertical pressure and transverse electric field by employing density functional theory.
Liquid self-diffusion of H2O and DMF molecules in Co-MOF-74: molecular dynamics simulations and dielectric spectroscopy studies
Authors: Bermúdez-García J. M. , Vicent-Luna J. M. , Yáñez-Vilar S. , Hamad S. , Sánchez-Andújar M. , Castro-García S. , Calero S. , Señarís-Rodríguez M. A.
Published: June 2016

Dielectric spectroscopy, supported by molecular dynamics simulations, is found to be a fast and non-destructive technique to study molecular transport within porous MOFs and related materials.
Intersystem crossing rates of single perylene molecules in ortho-dichlorobenzene
Authors: Verhart Nico R. , Navarro Pedro , Faez Sanli , Orrit Michel
Published: June 2016

Triplet states can be interesting for optical switching of molecular fluorescence as well as quantum experiments relying on the manipulation of spin states.
Protection of densely populated excited triplet state ensembles against deactivation by molecular oxygen
Authors: Filatov Mikhail A. , Baluschev Stanislav , Landfester Katharina
Published: June 2016

Different approaches towards protection of triplet excited states against deactivation by molecular oxygen are summarized and reviewed.
A low-cost, ultraflexible cloth-based microfluidic device for wireless electrochemiluminescence application
Authors: Liu Min , Liu Rui , Wang Dan , Liu Cuiling , Zhang Chunsun
Published: June 2016

Low-cost, ultraflexible microfluidic cloth-based analytical devices (μCADs) for wireless electrochemiluminescence based on closed bipolar electrodes.
iNuc-STNC: a sequence-based predictor for identification of nucleosome positioning in genomes by extending the concept of SAAC and Chou's PseAAC
Authors: Tahir Muhammad , Hayat Maqsood
Published: June 2016

The nucleosome is the fundamental unit of eukaryotic chromatin, which participates in regulating different cellular processes.
Correction: Fluorinated thiazolidinols cause cell death in A549 lung cancer cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK/ERK signalling pathways
Authors: Kumbhare Ravindra M. , Dadmal Tulshiram L. , Kumar Dinesh , Ramaiah M. Janaki , Kota Anudeep , Chowdhury Debabrata , Appalanaidu K. , Rao Y. Khageswara , Hyder Sayyad , Devi T. Anjana , Bhadra Manika Pal
Published: June 2016

Correction for “Fluorinated thiazolidinols cause cell death in A549 lung cancer cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK/ERK signalling pathways” by Ravindra M. Kumbhare et al., Med. Chem. Commun., 2016, DOI: 10.1039/c5md00603a.
Electronic and optical properties of 5-AVA-functionalized BN nanoclusters: a DFT study
Authors: Soltani Alireza , Sousaraei Ahmad , Bezi Javan Masoud , Eskandari Mortaza , Balakheyli Hanzaleh
Published: June 2016

5-Aminolevulinic acid-functionalized B12N12 and B16N16 nanoclusters were studied, showing significant UV-Vis adsorption spectrum at 200 to 300 nm.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis and pH-responsive properties of amphoteric block polysaccharides
Authors: Nakauchida Takuya , Takata Yusei , Yamamoto Kazuya , Kadokawa Jun-ichi
Published: June 2016

This study investigated the chemoenzymatic synthesis of amphoteric polysaccharides comprising a glucuronic acid block and a glucosamine block, which showed specific pH-responsive properties.
Catalytic asymmetric reactions and synthesis of quinones
Authors: Hosamani Basavaprabhu , Ribeiro Matheus F. , da Silva Júnior Eufrânio N. , Namboothiri Irishi N. N.
Published: June 2016

Organo- and metal–ligand catalysed asymmetric reactions of quinones lead to complex enantiopure compounds including quinones.
Efficient generation of perfluoroalkyl radicals from sodium perfluoroalkanesulfinates and a hypervalent iodine(iii) reagent: mild, metal-free synthesis of perfluoroalkylated organic molecules
Authors: Sakamoto Ryu , Kashiwagi Hirotaka , Selvakumar Sermadurai , Moteki Shin A. , Maruoka Keiji
Published: June 2016

Introduction of perfluoroalkyl groups into various organic molecules was achieved from sodium perfluoroalkanesulfinates and a hypervalent iodine(iii) reagent.
Micellar nanoparticles with tuneable morphologies through interactions between nucleobase-containing synthetic polymers in aqueous solution
Authors: Hua Zan , Pitto-Barry Anaïs , Kang Yan , Kirby Nigel , Wilks Thomas R. , O'Reilly Rachel K.
Published: June 2016

Herein, we report the preparation of nucleobase-containing synthetic amphiphilic diblock copolymers using RAFT polymerization.
Dialkoxyphenyldithiophene-based small molecules with enhanced absorption for solution processed organic solar cells
Authors: Zhao Junjue , Xia Benzheng , Lu Kun , Deng Dan , Yuan Liu , Zhang Jiangqi , Zhu Lingyun , Zhu Xiangwei , Li Huan , Wei Zhixiang
Published: June 2016

Breaking of BDT to form PDT units enhanced the planarity of the molecular backbone and absorption. The resulting organic photovoltaic device showed a highest PCE of 6.64% with a high Jsc of 12.74 mA cm−2.
HKUST-1-MOF–BiVO4 hybrid as a new sonophotocatalyst for simultaneous degradation of disulfine blue and rose bengal dyes: optimization and statistical modelling
Authors: Mosleh S. , Rahimi M. R. , Ghaedi M. , Dashtian K.
Published: June 2016

A new hybrid material composed of BiVO4 and HKUST-1 MOF (HKUST-1-MOF–BiVO4), which is active under blue light irradiation, was synthesized and characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, BET, BJH, EDS and DRS analysis.
Decoration of porphyrin with tetraphenylethene: converting a fluorophore with aggregation-caused quenching to aggregation-induced emission enhancement
Authors: Guo Bing , Cai Xiaolei , Xu Shidang , Fateminia Syed Mohammad Ali , Liu Jie , Liang Jing , Feng Guangxue , Wu Wenbo , Liu Bin
Published: June 2016

A new porphyrin derivative with aggregation-induced emission enhancement was synthesized via tetraphenylethene decoration and it demonstrates bright imaging ability in vitro.
Detection of the carcinogenic properties of synthetic and natural dyes using positron annihilation lifetime spectrometry
Authors: Pivtsaev Aleksey A. , Razov Valeriy I.
Published: June 2016

Positron annihilation lifetime spectrometry was used to detect the carcinogenic properties of a range of synthetic and natural dyes used in the food and drug industries.
Zinc transporter ZIP10 forms a heteromer with ZIP6 which regulates embryonic development and cell migration
Authors: Taylor Kathryn M. , Muraina Issa A. , Brethour Dylan , Schmitt-Ulms Gerold , Nimmanon Thirayost , Ziliotto Silvia , Kille Peter , Hogstrand Christer
Published: June 2016

There is growing evidence that zinc and its transporters are involved in cell migration during development and in cancer. In the present study, we show that zinc transporter ZIP10 (SLC39A10) stimulates cell motility and proliferation, both in mammalian cells and in the zebrafish embryo. This is associated with inactivation of GSK (glycogen synthase kinase)-3α and -3β and down-regulation of E-cadherin (CDH1). Morpholino-mediated knockdown of zip10 causes delayed epiboly and deformities of the head, eye, heart and tail. Furthermore, zip10 deficiency results in overexpression of cdh1, zip6 and stat3, the latter gene product driving transcription of both zip6 and zip10. The non-redundant requirement of Zip6 and Zip10 for epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is consistent with our finding that they exist as a heteromer. We postulate that a subset of ZIPs carrying prion protein (PrP)-like ectodomains, including ZIP6 and ZIP10, are integral to cellular pathways and plasticity programmes, such as EMT.
InteractoMIX: a suite of computational tools to exploit interactomes in biological and clinical research
Authors: Poglayen Daniel , Marín-López Manuel Alejandro , Bonet Jaume , Fornes Oriol , Garcia-Garcia Javier , Planas-Iglesias Joan , Segura Joan , Oliva Baldo , Fernandez-Fuentes Narcis
Published: June 2016

Virtually all the biological processes that occur inside or outside cells are mediated by protein–protein interactions (PPIs). Hence, the charting and description of the PPI network, initially in organisms, the interactome, but more recently in specific tissues, is essential to fully understand cellular processes both in health and disease. The study of PPIs is also at the heart of renewed efforts in the medical and biotechnological arena in the quest of new therapeutic targets and drugs. Here, we present a mini review of 11 computational tools and resources tools developed by us to address different aspects of PPIs: from interactome level to their atomic 3D structural details. We provided details on each specific resource, aims and purpose and compare with equivalent tools in the literature. All the tools are presented in a centralized, one-stop, web site: InteractoMIX (http://interactomix.com).
Mutational patterns in oncogenes and tumour suppressors
Authors: Baeissa Hanadi M. , Benstead-Hume Graeme , Richardson Christopher J. , Pearl Frances M.G.
Published: June 2016

All cancers depend upon mutations in critical genes, which confer a selective advantage to the tumour cell. Knowledge of these mutations is crucial to understanding the biology of cancer initiation and progression, and to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. The key to understanding the contribution of a disease-associated mutation to the development and progression of cancer, comes from an understanding of the consequences of that mutation on the function of the affected protein, and the impact on the pathways in which that protein is involved. In this paper we examine the mutation patterns observed in oncogenes and tumour suppressors, and discuss different approaches that have been developed to identify driver mutations within cancers that contribute to the disease progress. We also discuss the MOKCa database where we have developed an automatic pipeline that structurally and functionally annotates all proteins from the human proteome that are mutated in cancer.
Recent discoveries of influenza A drug target sites to combat virus replication
Authors: Patel Hershna , Kukol Andreas
Published: June 2016

Sequence variations in the binding sites of influenza A proteins are known to limit the effectiveness of current antiviral drugs. Clinically, this leads to increased rates of virus transmission and pathogenicity. Potential influenza A inhibitors are continually being discovered as a result of high-throughput cell based screening studies, whereas the application of computational tools to aid drug discovery has further increased the number of predicted inhibitors reported. This review brings together the aspects that relate to the identification of influenza A drug target sites and the findings from recent antiviral drug discovery strategies.
BrisSynBio: a BBSRC/EPSRC-funded Synthetic Biology Research Centre
Authors: Sedgley Kathleen R. , Race Paul R. , Woolfson Derek N.
Published: June 2016

BrisSynBio is the Bristol-based Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)/Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded Synthetic Biology Research Centre. It is one of six such Centres in the U.K. BrisSynBio's emphasis is on rational and predictive bimolecular modelling, design and engineering in the context of synthetic biology. It trains the next generation of synthetic biologists in these approaches, to facilitate translation of fundamental synthetic biology research to industry and the clinic, and to do this within an innovative and responsible research framework.
SBRC-Nottingham: sustainable routes to platform chemicals from C1 waste gases
Authors: Burbidge Alan , Minton Nigel P.
Published: June 2016

Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC)-Nottingham (www.sbrc-nottingham.ac.uk) was one of the first three U.K. university-based SBRCs to be funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the recommendations made in the U.K.'s Synthetic Biology Roadmap. It was established in 2014 and builds on the pioneering work of the Clostridia Research Group (CRG) who have previously developed a range of gene tools for the modification of clostridial genomes. The SBRC is primarily focussed on the conversion of single carbon waste gases into platform chemicals with a particular emphasis on the use of the aerobic chassis Cupriavidus necator.
Lysosomal and vacuolar sorting: not so different after all!
Authors: de Marcos Lousa Carine , Denecke Jurgen
Published: June 2016

Soluble hydrolases represent the main proteins of lysosomes and vacuoles and are essential to sustain the lytic properties of these organelles typical for the eukaryotic organisms. The sorting of these proteins from ER residents and secreted proteins is controlled by highly specific receptors to avoid mislocalization and subsequent cellular damage. After binding their soluble cargo in the early stage of the secretory pathway, receptors rely on their own sorting signals to reach their target organelles for ligand delivery, and to recycle back for a new round of cargo recognition. Although signals in cargo and receptor molecules have been studied in human, yeast and plant model systems, common denominators and specific examples of diversification have not been systematically explored. This review aims to fill this niche by comparing the structure and the function of lysosomal/vacuolar sorting receptors (VSRs) from these three organisms.
‘Nothing of chemistry disappears in biology’: the Top 30 damage-prone endogenous metabolites
Authors: Lerma-Ortiz Claudia , Jeffryes James G. , Cooper Arthur J.L. , Niehaus Thomas D. , Thamm Antje M.K. , Frelin Océane , Aunins Thomas , Fiehn Oliver , de Crécy-Lagard Valérie , Henry Christopher S. , Hanson Andrew D.
Published: June 2016

Many common metabolites are intrinsically unstable and reactive, and hence prone to chemical (i.e. non-enzymatic) damage in vivo. Although this fact is widely recognized, the purely chemical side-reactions of metabolic intermediates can be surprisingly hard to track down in the literature and are often treated in an unprioritized case-by-case way. Moreover, spontaneous chemical side-reactions tend to be overshadowed today by side-reactions mediated by promiscuous (‘sloppy’) enzymes even though chemical damage to metabolites may be even more prevalent than damage from enzyme sloppiness, has similar outcomes, and is held in check by similar biochemical repair or pre-emption mechanisms. To address these limitations and imbalances, here we draw together and systematically integrate information from the (bio)chemical literature, from cheminformatics, and from genome-scale metabolic models to objectively define a ‘Top 30’ list of damage-prone metabolites. A foundational part of this process was to derive general reaction rules for the damage chemistries involved. The criteria for a ‘Top 30’ metabolite included predicted chemical reactivity, essentiality, and occurrence in diverse organisms. We also explain how the damage chemistry reaction rules (‘operators’) are implemented in the Chemical-Damage-MINE (CD-MINE) database (minedatabase.mcs.anl.gov/#/top30) to provide a predictive tool for many additional potential metabolite damage products. Lastly, we illustrate how defining a ‘Top 30’ list can drive genomics-enabled discovery of the enzymes of previously unrecognized damage-control systems, and how applying chemical damage reaction rules can help identify previously unknown peaks in metabolomics profiles.
Story Goodness in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and in Optimal Outcomes From ASD
Authors: Canfield Allison R. , Eigsti Inge-Marie , de Marchena Ashley , Fein Deborah
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This study examined narrative quality of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using a well-studied “story goodness” coding system.

Method

Narrative samples were analyzed for distinct aspects of story goodness and rated by naïve readers on dimensions of story goodness, accuracy, cohesiveness, and oddness. Adolescents with high-functioning ASD were compared with adolescents with typical development (TD;
n
= 15 per group). A second study compared narratives from adolescents across three groups: ASD, TD, and youths with “optimal outcomes,” who were diagnosed with ASD early in development but no longer meet criteria for ASD and have typical behavioral functioning.

Results

In both studies, the ASD group's narratives had lower composite quality scores compared with peers with typical development. In Study 2, narratives from the optimal outcomes group were intermediate in scores and did not differ significantly from those of either other group. However, naïve raters were able to detect qualitative narrative differences across groups.

Conclusions

Findings indicate that pragmatic deficits in ASD are salient and could have clinical relevance. Furthermore, results indicate subtle differences in pragmatic language skills for individuals with optimal outcomes despite otherwise typical language skills in other domains. These results highlight the need for clinical interventions tailored to the specific deficits of these populations.
Lq regularisation‐based synthetic aperture radar image feature enhancement via iterative thresholding algorithm
Authors: Bi Hui , Zhang Bingchen , Wang Zhengdao , Hong Wen
Published: June 2016

A novel Lq(0 < q ≤ 1) regularisation‐based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image feature enhancement method via SAR complex image data is presented. Compared with conventional Lq regularisation‐based compressive sensing imaging technique with full‐sampling raw data, the proposed method can achieve the same effect of image feature enhancement while enjoying much less computational cost. Through simulations and experiments, the superiority of the proposed method is demonstrated in terms of sidelobe, azimuth ambiguity, clutter suppression and super‐resolution.
Add‐net: adaptive dichotomy based network‐centric cellular to Wi‐Fi offloading
Authors: Venkataraman Hrishikesh , Dutta Amit , Joshi Avinash
Published: June 2016

Over last 4–5 years, there has been an exponential increase in the amount of traffic transmitted over cellular network. Importantly, with humongous increase in the Wi‐Fi hotspots across many places, subscribers tend to manually switch from cellular to Wi‐Fi network. However, in this process, the operator loses the visibility of subscribers, and is not able to control the congestion in network, and importantly, is not able to provide a guaranteed quality of experience (QoE) to the subscribers. In this study, a network‐centric near‐real‐time mechanism is proposed for maintaining QoE among the subscribers but is found to be a non‐deterministic problem. Importantly, an adaptive dichotomic classification based mechanism is proposed and investigated for offloading the cellular subscribers to Wi‐Fi network, while keeping the computational complexity to less than O(log(n)), where n is the number of nodes in a binary tree. Further, an algorithm is proposed for intelligent selection of subscriber profile that would enable faster completion of the offloading process. An extensive simulation of the proposed algorithm and comparison with state‐of‐the‐art mechanisms reveal up to seven time reduction in computational time; with additional performance increase occurring with increasing number of subscribers.
Detection of high impedance faults using current transformers for sensing and identification based on features extracted using wavelet transform
Authors: Chen Jichao , Phung Toan , Blackburn Trevor , Ambikairajah Eliathamby , Zhang Daming
Published: June 2016

High impedance fault (HIF) has long been a challenging problem in network protection due to its random behaviour and low magnitude. The conventional protection devices cannot be utilised since the HIF does not draw enough current to cause tripping. The feature of wavelet transform (WT) which decomposes a signal into different frequency bands and locations in time can be utilised to extract HIF features and detect its occurrence. In the study, HIF arcing currents associated with different types of contact surface are produced by experiments set up in the laboratory. Features of the fault currents are extracted and a new detection criterion is developed based on WT coefficients. Transformer magnetising inrush currents and capacitor switching transients are also produced by experiment and simulation, respectively, to represent transient disturbances commonly occurred in the distribution network. The detection criterion is used to discriminate the HIF from other normal non‐fault transient events. Three different types of wavelet are tested and the Daubechies wavelet Db4 gives the best performance based on its detection and discrimination rates. The efficacy of utilising existing conventional current transformers for HIF application is also tested and verified by experiment.
Evaluation of driver fatigue with multi‐indicators based on artificial neural network
Authors: He Qichang , Li Wei , Fan Xiumin , Fei Zhimin
Published: June 2016

Three kinds of signals include head nodding movement, eyelid closure and driving time are demonstrated to be the factors to indicate driver fatigue. On the basis of these factors, five fatigue‐based indicators are proposed in this study, which are integrated to establish the evaluation model of driver fatigue with artificial neural network. A total of 50 drivers are recruited to take part in the fatigue‐oriented experiments on a driving simulator. The electroencephalogram (EEG), head nodding angle, eye‐tracking signal, driving time‐of‐day and time‐on‐task are sampled during experiments. The EEG‐based indicator is determined and used to group the sample data into alert and drowsy. The head nodding‐based indicator includes mean value and dominant frequency of head nodding angle is proposed. The results show that the performance of the proposed evaluation model is better than that with sole head nodding‐based or eyelid closure‐based indicator.
Real‐time data‐driven traffic simulation for performance measure estimation
Authors: Henclewood Dwayne , Suh Wonho , Guin Angshuman , Guensler Randall , Fujimoto Richard M. , Hunter Michael P.
Published: June 2016

Congestion is a major issue in transportation sector. As professionals in the transportation field are increasingly exploring new solutions to alleviate traffic congestion, interest in the use of on‐line simulation as a tool for estimating metrics of the traffic network for use in real‐time operations has grown. The goal of the on‐line simulation is to provide traffic information to facilitate more informed travel decisions and enable improved active traffic management. Performance estimation of arterials is a particularly challenging problem because it includes complexities not present in highways. The results of a sequence of experiments are presented to evaluate the effectiveness of a dynamic, data‐driven, simulation‐based system for estimating arterial performance measures in real‐time. The envisioned system is comprised of a microscopic traffic simulation model driven by point sensor data. The conceptual framework of the system is presented, highlighting its key components. Four iterative applications of the framework are then presented, including a proof of concept experiment, two field tests and, a pseudo‐field test involving origin‐destination pairs from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) next generation simulation dataset. The results of the four applications demonstrate the feasibility of employing point sensor data to drive a microscopic traffic simulation and estimate arterial performance measures in real‐time.
Hydrogen fuel cell and kinetic energy recover systems technologies for powering urban bus with zero emission energy cycle
Authors: D'Ovidio Gino , Masciovecchio Carlo , Rotondale Alessandro
Published: June 2016

This study presents an analysis of a hydrogen‐fuelled city bus with ‘zero’ emission solar–hydrogen cycle. The study considers an electric vehicle based on four separately powered wheels, connected to a hybrid unit composed by a hydrogen fuel cell and a high‐speed kinetic energy storage system. A bus with 21 passengers carrying capacity is simulated to run along urban drive cycles with different slopes. Vehicle power‐train components are designed. The balance between the energy consumption for a yearly bus travel and the energy production by means of photovoltaic panels is performed for three different Italian locations and the results are also discussed in terms of CO2 emissions.
Using the three‐parameter Weibull distribution in assessment of threshold strength of pressboard impregnated by different liquid dielectrics
Authors: Rozga Pawel
Published: June 2016

This study presents the results of the measurements of electrical strength of pressboard specimens impregnated with three different liquid dielectrics: mineral oil, natural ester and synthetic ester. In the experiment carried out in accordance with IEC 60243 standard, two types of pressboard specimens of thicknesses 0.5 and 1 mm, respectively, were considered. The data obtained during the measurements in the form of breakdown voltages were used for calculation of the electrical strength. Both standard‐based approach where median value was taken into account in calculations and statistical approach using three‐parameter Weibull distribution function where location parameter V0 was considered were applied. The results obtained on the basis of both approaches showed that both the specimens impregnated with mineral oil and ester liquids gave the satisfactory results within the electrical strength determined, which in all cases was higher than minimum required for the impregnated pressboards. The differences indicating slightly better impregnation properties of mineral oil, when the same impregnation conditions are used, are noticeable especially in the case of location parameter of Weibull distribution function. However, these differences are small and in relation to the requirements for the impregnated pressboards may be treated as negligible.
Right Anterolateral Minithoracotomy versus Median Sternotomy Approach for Resection of Left Atrial Myxoma
Authors: Dong Nian , Zhang Kai , Wu Long , Hong Hao
Published: June 2016

Background Minimally invasive surgery has become the standard approach for several cardiac diseases. In this retrospective study, we compared right anterolateral minithoracotomy (RALT) with standard median sternotomy (SMS) for resection of left atrial myxoma (LAM).

Materials and Methods From January 2009 to June 2015, the clinical data of patients who underwent RALT (n = 30) and SMS (n = 36) for resection of LAM in our hospital were collected. The preoperative clinical data and operative results were compared between the two groups.

Results There were no significant differences in aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass time between the two groups. The total incision length was significantly shorter in RALT group compared with SMS group (p < 0.001). For RALT and SMS groups, respectively, the intensive care unit length of stay was 29.2 ± 6.5 versus 43.5 ± 6.9 hours (p < 0.001), and the postoperative hospital length of stay was 5 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 4–6) versus 8 days (IQR: 7–10) (p < 0.001). The total cost in RALT group was 27,000 RMB (IQR: 25,000–29,000) versus 33,000 RMB (IQR: 31,000–35,000) in SMS group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in mortality and postoperative complications between the two groups.

Conclusion RALT approach for LAM resection can be performed safely with favorable cosmetic outcome, accepted clinical results, and lower cost. It should be considered as a promising alternative to SMS and merit additional study.
Was berichten Hausärzte und Zahnärzte über ihre Zusammenarbeit? Ergebnisse aus einer qualitativen Exploration
Authors: Huettig F. , Said F. , Sippli K. , Preiser C. , Rieger M.
Published: June 2016

Ziel der Studie: Ausgehend von wissenschaftlich nachgewiesenen Zusammenhängen von Mund- und Allgemeingesundheit – insbesondere bei alterskorrelierten Erkrankungen – erfordert eine holistische Patientenversorgung die Kooperation von Allgemein- und Zahnmedizinern. Neben der kurativen Versorgung sind dabei auch Aspekte der Prävention berührt. Da beide Arztgruppen administrativ getrennt sind, gilt es aufzuklären: Wie werden die Zusammenhänge zwischen Mund- und Allgemeingesundheit in den Versorgungsalltag von Zahn- und Hausärzten integriert?

Methodik: Es wurden 28 teilstrukturierte Interviews mit Haus- und Zahnärzten in 3 Strukturregionen Baden-Württembergs durchgeführt. Diese Interviews wurden in den Praxen der Teilnehmenden aufgezeichnet, transkribiert und mittels Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring von 2 Zahnärzten und Soziologen ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse: Zusammenhänge zwischen Mund- und Allgemeingesundheit sind beiden Arztgruppen teilweise bekannt. Dennoch gibt es keine vielfältigen Kontakte. Hausärzte schicken Patienten ohne direkten Kontakt zu Zahnärzten. Anlässe sind vornehmlich ein desolater Zahnstatus, seltener ein therapieresistenter Kopf- und Gesichtsschmerz. Zahnärzte kontaktieren Hausärzte zur Nachfrage oder vor Patientenzuweisung hauptsächlich wegen Medikation und Einschätzung zum Gerinnungsstatus vor operativen Eingriffen. Präventive Aspekte spielen eine untergeordnete Rolle. Kollegiale Rücksprachen hängen maßgeblich von einem „persönlichen Kennen“ ab.

Schlussfolgerung: Die administrative Trennung determiniert die Zusammenarbeit. Es findet eine „Abgrenzung der Mundhöhle im Versorgungsalltag“ statt. Der interdisziplinären Patientenversorgung stehen Hindernisse im Wissenstransfer sowie der täglichen Umsetzung entgegen.
Kinetic calculation of the resistive wall mode and fishbone-like mode instability in tokamak
Authors: Hao G. Z. , Yang S. X. , Liu Y. Q. , Wang Z. X. , Wang A. K. , He H. D.
Published: June 2016

Kinetic effects of both trapped thermal and energetic particles on the resistive wall mode (RWM) and on the fishbone-like mode (FLM) are investigated in theory. Here, the trapped thermal particles include both ions and electrons. The FLM is driven by trapped energetic particles. The results demonstrate that thermal particle collisions can either stabilize or destabilize the RWM, depending on the energetic particle pressure βh. Furthermore, the critical value of βh for triggering the FLM is increased when the thermal particle contribution is taken into account. The critical value sensitively depends on the plasma collision frequency. In addition, the plasma inertia is found to have a negligible influence on the FLM.
Retention of intermediate polarization states in ferroelectric materials enabling memories for multi-bit data storage
Authors: Zhao Dong , Katsouras Ilias , Asadi Kamal , Groen Wilhelm A. , Blom Paul W. M. , de Leeuw Dago M.
Published: June 2016

A homogeneous ferroelectric single crystal exhibits only two remanent polarization states that are stable over time, whereas intermediate, or unsaturated, polarization states are thermodynamically instable. Commonly used ferroelectric materials however, are inhomogeneous polycrystalline thin films or ceramics. To investigate the stability of intermediate polarization states, formed upon incomplete, or partial, switching, we have systematically studied their retention in capacitors comprising two classic ferroelectric materials, viz. random copolymer of vinylidene fluoride with trifluoroethylene, P(VDF-TrFE), and Pb(Zr,Ti)O3. Each experiment started from a discharged and electrically depolarized ferroelectric capacitor. Voltage pulses were applied to set the given polarization states. The retention was measured as a function of time at various temperatures. The intermediate polarization states are stable over time, up to the Curie temperature. We argue that the remarkable stability originates from the coexistence of effectively independent domains, with different values of polarization and coercive field. A domain growth model is derived quantitatively describing deterministic switching between the intermediate polarization states. We show that by using well-defined voltage pulses, the polarization can be set to any arbitrary value, allowing arithmetic programming. The feasibility of arithmetic programming along with the inherent stability of intermediate polarization states makes ferroelectric materials ideal candidates for multibit data storage.
Twisted logarithmic modules of free field algebras
Authors: Bakalov Bojko , Sullivan McKay
Published: June 2016

Given a non-semisimple automorphism φ of a vertex algebra V, the fields in a φ-twisted V-module involve the logarithm of the formal variable, and the action of the Virasoro operator L0 on such a module is not semisimple. We construct examples of such modules and realize them explicitly as Fock spaces when V is generated by free fields. Specifically, we consider the cases of symplectic fermions (odd superbosons), free fermions, and βγ-system (even superfermions). In each case, we determine the action of the Virasoro algebra.
Thermoelectric transport in the layered Ca3Co4–xRhxO9 single crystals
Authors: Ikeda Yusuke , Saito Kengo , Okazaki Ryuji
Published: June 2016

We have examined an isovalent Rh substitution effect on the transport properties of the thermoelectric oxide Ca3Co4O9 using single-crystalline form. With increasing Rh content x, both the electrical resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient change systematically up to x = 0.6 for Ca3Co4–xRhxO9 samples. In the Fermi-liquid regime where the resistivity behaves as ρ=ρ0+AT2 around 120 K, the A value decreases with increasing Rh content, indicating that the correlation effect is weakened by Rh 4d electrons with extended orbitals. We find that, in contrast to such a weak correlation effect observed in the resistivity of Rh-substituted samples, the low-temperature Seebeck coefficient is increased with increasing Rh content, which is explained with a possible enhancement of a pseudogap associated with the short-range order of spin density wave. In high-temperature range above room temperature, we show that the resistivity is largely suppressed by Rh substitution while the Seebeck coefficient becomes almost temperature-independent, leading to a significant improvement of the power factor in Rh-substituted samples. This result is also discussed in terms of the differences in the orbital size and the associated spin state between Co 3d and Rh 4d electrons.
Temperature dependent simulation of diamond depleted Schottky PIN diodes
Authors: Hathwar Raghuraj , Dutta Maitreya , Koeck Franz A. M. , Nemanich Robert J. , Chowdhury Srabanti , Goodnick Stephen M.
Published: June 2016

Diamond is considered as an ideal material for high field and high power devices due to its high breakdown field, high lightly doped carrier mobility, and high thermal conductivity. The modeling and simulation of diamond devices are therefore important to predict the performances of diamond based devices. In this context, we use Silvaco® Atlas, a drift-diffusion based commercial software, to model diamond based power devices. The models used in Atlas were modified to account for both variable range and nearest neighbor hopping transport in the impurity bands associated with high activation energies for boron doped and phosphorus doped diamond. The models were fit to experimentally reported resistivity data over a wide range of doping concentrations and temperatures. We compare to recent data on depleted diamond Schottky PIN diodes demonstrating low turn-on voltages and high reverse breakdown voltages, which could be useful for high power rectifying applications due to the low turn-on voltage enabling high forward current densities. Three dimensional simulations of the depleted Schottky PIN diamond devices were performed and the results are verified with experimental data at different operating temperatures
Wide dynamic range microwave planar coupled ring resonator for sensing applications
Authors: Zarifi Mohammad Hossein , Daneshmand Mojgan
Published: June 2016

A highly sensitive, microwave-coupled ring resonator with a wide dynamic range is studied for use in sensing applications. The resonator's structure has two resonant rings and, consequently, two resonant frequencies, operating at 2.3 and 2.45 GHz. Inductive and capacitive coupling mechanisms are explored and compared to study their sensing performance. Primary finite element analysis and measurement results are used to compare the capacitive and inductive coupled ring resonators, demonstrating sensitivity improvements of up to 75% and dynamic range enhancement up to 100% in the capacitive coupled structure. In this work, we are proposing capacitive coupled planar ring resonators as a wide dynamic range sensing platform for liquid sensing applications. This sensing device is well suited for low-cost, real-time low-power, and CMOS compatible sensing technologies.
Spin-torque diode with tunable sensitivity and bandwidth by out-of-plane magnetic field
Authors: Li X. , Zheng C. , Zhou Y. , Kubota H. , Yuasa S. , Pong Philip W. T.
Published: June 2016

Spin-torque diodes based on nanosized magnetic tunnel junctions are novel microwave detectors with high sensitivity and wide frequency bandwidth. While previous reports mainly focus on improving the sensitivity, the approaches to extend the bandwidth are limited. This work experimentally demonstrates that through optimizing the orientation of the external magnetic field, wide bandwidth can be achieved while maintaining high sensitivity. The mechanism of the frequency- and sensitivity-tuning is investigated through analyzing the dependence of resonant frequency and DC voltage on the magnitude and the tilt angle of hard-plane magnetic field. The frequency dependence is qualitatively explicated by Kittel's ferromagnetic resonance model. The asymmetric resonant frequency at positive and negative magnetic field is verified by the numerical simulation considering the in-plane anisotropy. The DC voltage dependence is interpreted through evaluating the misalignment angle between the magnetization of the free layer and the reference layer. The tunability of the detector performance by the magnetic field angle is evaluated through characterizing the sensitivity and bandwidth under 3D magnetic field. The frequency bandwidth up to 9.8 GHz or maximum sensitivity up to 154 mV/mW (after impedance mismatch correction) can be achieved by tuning the angle of the applied magnetic field. The results show that the bandwidth and sensitivity can be controlled and adjusted through optimizing the orientation of the magnetic field for various applications and requirements.
Updated predictions of enteric methane emissions from sheep suitable for use in the New Zealand national greenhouse gas inventory
Authors: Swainson Natasha , Muetzel Stefan , Clark Harry
Published: June 2016

Enteric methane (CH4) emissions make up approximately one-third of all New Zealand’s carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions. In current national inventory calculations, fixed values are used to estimate emissions from sheep; 20.9 g CH4 per kg dry matter intake (DMI) for sheep <1 year old and 16.8 g CH4 per kg DMI for sheep >1 year old. These values have been principally derived from trials where intake was estimated, and CH4 emissions were measured indirectly using the sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique. Using New Zealand sheep data collected between 2009 and 2015, where intake was accurately measured and CH4 emissions were measured for a minimum of 48 h in respiration chambers (n = 817), updated sheep methane prediction algorithms suitable for use in the national greenhouse gas inventory were derived. A single equation for all sheep based on daily DMI (kg) alone (ln(g CH4/day) = 0.763 × ln(DMI) + 3.039) explained 76% of the variation in CH4 emissions. Splitting the dataset into two age classes (sheep <1 year old and sheep >1 year old) provided two alternative equations; (sheep >1 year old), ln(g CH4/day) = 0.765 × ln(DMI) + 3.09 and (sheep <1 year old), ln(g CH4/day) = 0.734 × ln(DMI) + 0.05(metabolisable energy) + 2.46. An analysis of concordance suggests that a better fit to the data is obtained by using a two-algorithm approach. The use of these updated algorithms in the national inventory resulted in small changes to estimated emissions both within and between years.