bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of image scale variations in monocular visual odometry systems
Authors: Aqel Mohammad O. A. , Marhaban Mohammad H. , Saripan M. Iqbal , Ismail Napsiah Bt.
Published: December 2016

Reliable estimation of the vehicle position is the main prerequisite in all autonomous mobile robotic applications. Image‐scale uncertainty in correlation‐based monocular visual odometry systems negatively affects the accuracy of the vehicle motion estimation. This paper presents the development of a new technique and algorithm to estimate image‐scale variations due to camera height fluctuations when the vehicle is driven on uneven terrains or when the height of vehicle from ground changes as a result of changes in
load or number of passengers in the vehicle. This technique depends on marking the image frames by two red laser points, as independent reference points, which have a certain distance between them. The image‐scale variations can be estimated by monitoring the variations in the distance between these two reference points. The proposed technique eliminates the need for camera recalibration and the use of sensors to measure the variations of camera height from ground, such as laser range finders and acceleration sensors. The developed system uses a single downward‐facing monocular camera supported by a lighting module and installed underneath the test vehicle to avoid the negative effect of directional sunlight and shadows, which can disturb the correlation. Indoor and outdoor experiments have proven the efficiency of the suggested technique in resolving image‐scale uncertainty and ensuring an image‐scale‐invariant correlation‐based matching, with only less than 5% additional computational time. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Algorithm for end user data collection in a transformer area
Authors: Wang Weifeng , Zhang Lequn
Published: December 2016

To collect end‐user data in a transformer area, this paper reports a collection algorithm based on the longest independent path methods for the first time. The algorithms are successfully applied to one experimental area and one actual area. The operation processes are detailed. Simulation proves that the algorithm can precisely search for data of end users. Important information is also obtained for power‐line carrier meter reading and for improving the quality of the power supply in an area by using the algorithm. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fast recognition of bird sounds using extreme learning machines
Authors: Qian Kun , Guo Jian , Ishida Ken , Matsuoka Satoshi
Published: December 2016

Recognition of bird species by their sounds can bring considerable significance to both ecologists and ornithologists for measuring the biodiversity in the reserves, and studying climate changes. In this letter, we propose an efficient method based on an extreme learning machine (ELM) to classify bird sounds of 86 species of birds in very limited training and testing time. Experimental results prove that, the proposed ELM method can achieve the best recognition performance (81.1 %, unweighted average recall) compared with K‐nearest neighbours (K‐NN), support vector machines (SVM), neural networks (NN), and deep neural networks (DNN) pre‐trained by an autoencoder. In addition, ELM requires the least total time for training and testing (2.047 ± 0.034 s). © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
High‐efficiency grid‐connected inverter topology for low‐power photovoltaic applications
Authors: Guo Xiao‐Rui , Li Zu‐Xin
Published: December 2016

For low‐power applications, such as household photovoltaic panels, the efficiency and reliability of the distributed generation system is an important issue. A high‐efficiency inverter topology derived from the normal full‐bridge circuit is proposed for grid‐connected photovoltaic applications. In the proposed topology, a couple of diodes are added in parallel with the grid‐frequency switches as freewheeling diodes working during the positive and negative half‐cycles of the utility voltage, respectively, thus preventing the output current from flowing through the body diodes of switches. Because of its natural configuration, simple operation, and three‐level function, the proposed topology features a high level of efficiency and reliability over a wide voltage range, and allows the best cost–effective ratio. These characteristics are compared with those of other existing advanced topologies, followed by a theoretical analysis on the output filter and the implemented circuit of modulation scheme. Experimental results from a 3 kW hardware prototype verify the feasibility of the proposed solution. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Non‐grounded haptic display by controlling wind direction
Authors: Kuroda Yoshihiro , Seki Kazuteru , Kiyokawa Kiyoshi , Takemura Haruo
Published: December 2016

In recent years, a non‐grounded haptic display that is unconstrained from the ground and the human body has been studied intensively. Route navigation for the visually impaired and escape during an emergency have been considered as applications of such devices because the device should be free in space. However, it is difficult to display the actual force other than a pseudo force because the reaction force received by a user should be supported elsewhere. A wind blower is a possible solution that can display the actual force in midair because the air reacts with the wind pressure without grounding. Here, we propose a non‐grounded haptic display that uses wind pressure. The display changes the force directions because the device should generate translational and rotational forces to navigate forward and change directions. The device should also display the force independent of the device posture. The designed device has two fans, each of which is mounted on two‐axis gimbals at the end of the grip. The device can display translational and rotational forces by orienting the two fans to the same and opposite directions, respectively. We developed a prototype device and conducted a human subject study to investigate the performance of the device in terms of direction discrimination and completion time with different directions and force patterns. The results showed that both translational and rotational forces could be displayed and that rotational forces were perceived more clearly. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hyperbolic Hopfield neural networks with four‐state neurons
Authors: Kobayashi Masaki
Published: December 2016

In recent years, applications of neural networks with Clifford algebra have become widespread. Clifford algebra is also referred to as geometric algebra and is useful in dealing with geometric objects. Hopfield neural networks with Clifford algebra, such as complex numbers and quaternions, have been proposed. However, it has been difficult to construct Hopfield neural networks by Clifford algebra with positive part of the signature, such as hyperbolic numbers. Hyperbolic numbers are useful algebra to deal with hyperbolic geometry. Kuroe proposed hyperbolic Hopfield neural networks and provided their continuous activation functions and stability conditions. However, the learning algorithm has not been provided. In this paper, we provide two quantized activation functions and the primitive learning algorithm satisfying the stability condition. We also perform computer simulations and compare the activation functions. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mitigation of saturated LFC thermal power plants by very FastADR aggregation of a huge number of building multi‐type air‐conditioners
Authors: Asaka Hidetoshi , Takahama Morio , Ninagawa Chuzo
Published: December 2016

The possibility of application of very fast automated demand response aggregation of a cluster of building air‐conditioners to the load frequency control (LFC) of future smart grids is examined. An aggregation feedback control system design for the LFC is carried out by comparing the conventional first‐order delay and our asymmetric constant rate transfer functions of air‐conditioner power consumption. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An assessment of price convergence between natural gas and solar photovoltaic in the U.S. electricity market
Authors: Nyangon Joseph , Byrne John , Taminiau Job
Published: December 2016

The U.S. shale boom has exerted downward pressure on natural gas prices nationally, widened oil‐to‐gas price spreads, and accelerated coal‐to‐gas fuel substitution. One concern is the impact of the rising production of shale gas on further development of a domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) market. Specifically, will lower natural gas prices slow or even reverse the current rapid growth in the solar market? Using the Phillips–Sul convergence test, this paper investigates whether the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of solar PV and natural gas electricity generation in the United States have converged. Using weekly Henry Hub‐linked natural gas spot prices and utility PV system prices from 2010 to 2015, empirical tests for convergence are applied to examine the extent of spot market integration and the speed with which market forces move the two energy prices toward equilibrium. The paper also assesses the link between the MAC Solar Energy Index (SUNIDX) and the S&P GSCI natural gas index spot prices for evidence of market integration during 2007–2015. We conclude that PV and natural gas prices are not converging, and the two markets are not integrated nationally, but some level of integration could exist at regional and state levels that will need to be tested in future research. We also conclude that complementary use of the technologies is likely; while price convergence is not likely to occur soon, distinctive complementary benefits of each resource compared to each other (e.g., fast‐start capabilities for gas and low price volatility for PV) will offer opportunities that expand market demand for both. WIREs Energy Environ 2017, 6:e238. doi: 10.1002/wene.238

This article is categorized under:

Photovoltaics > Economics and Policy

Energy Systems Economics > Systems and Infrastructure
Ionic‐Liquid‐Based Synthesis of the Germanium‐Iron Carbonyls FeI4{GeI3Fe(CO)3}2 and (GeI3)2Fe(CO)4
Authors: Wolf Silke , Feldmann Claus
Published: December 2016

Dark red and brick red transparent crystals of FeI4{GeI3Fe(CO)3}2 (1) and (GeI3)2Fe(CO)4 (2) were obtained by reacting GeI4 and Fe2(CO)9 or Fe3(CO)12 in a mixture of [BMIM]Cl and AlCl3 as ionic liquid (BMIm = 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium). According to X‐ray structure analysis based on single crystals, the title compounds exhibit cluster units with Fe–Ge bonds. FeI4{GeI3Fe(CO)3}2 consists of two GeI2I1/2‐Fe(CO)3I2/2 units that are interlinked by a distorted octahedral FeI6/2 group. (GeI3)2Fe(CO)4 consists of two GeI3 units that are connected by a square planar Fe(CO)4 group with a linear Ge–Fe–Ge unit. Depending on the synthesis conditions, interestingly, (GeI3)2Fe(CO)4 crystallizes either in P21/n (2a) or in P1 (2b). 2a exhibits a more dense packing, whereas 2b exhibits shorter intermolecular I–I distances. Both title compounds are temperature labile and highly sensitive to oxygen, moisture and illumination, including X‐ray irradiation. They decompose with release of CO in absence of certain CO atmosphere. In addition to crystal structure analysis the compounds were characterized by energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, thermogravimetry (TG) and infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR).
On the Anion Exchange of PX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) in Ionic Liquids comprising Halide Anions
Authors: Wolff Alexander , Pallmann Julia , Brunner Eike , Doert Thomas , Ruck Michael
Published: December 2016

Mixtures of the phosphorus(III) halides PX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) and the ionic liquids [HMIm][X] (X = Cl, Br, I; HMIm = 1‐hexyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopy. The chloride PCl3 was found to be stable in all mixtures, whereas PBr3 and PI3 can undergo halide exchange depending on the anion of the utilized ionic liquid. The exchange occurs immediately after mixing the compounds at room temperature. In contrast to previous observations made in conventional solvents, intermediate mixed phosphorus halides have not been observed in ionic liquids, indicating a rapid exchange under the applied conditions. Compared to the chemical shifts observed in nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of pure PX3 liquids, the signal of PCl3 is strongly shifted upfield in [HMIm][Cl] indicating strong interaction between the phosphorus halide and the surrounding ionic liquid.
Pediatric Whole Exome Sequencing: an Assessment of Parents’ Perceived and Actual Understanding.
Authors: Tolusso Leandra K. , Collins Kathleen , Zhang Xue , Holle Jennifer R. , Valencia C. Alexander , Myers Melanie F.
Published: December 2016

Whole exome sequencing (WES) is an integral tool in the diagnosis of genetic conditions in pediatric patients, but concerns have been expressed about the complexity of the information and the possibility for secondary findings that need to be conveyed to those deciding about WES. Currently, there is no validated tool to assess parental understanding of WES. We developed and implemented a survey to assess perceived and actual understanding of WES in parents who consented to clinical WES for their child between July 2013 and May 2015. Fifty‐three eligible surveys were returned (57% response rate). Areas with both low perceived and actual understanding about WES included how genes are analyzed and lack of protection against life insurance discrimination. Parents also had low actual understanding for two questions related to secondary findings – reporting of secondary findings in a parent (if tested) and whether secondary findings can be related to traits such as height and hair color. Further work to develop a validated tool to assess understanding of WES would be beneficial as WES is integrated more frequently into clinical care.
Can Data Extracted from Twitter Help Map Flood Hazards?
Authors: Carey Teresa
Published: December 2016

Tweets, if scrutinized closely, may allow scientists to map hazards in real time, helping to guide emergency response.
Freezing Mars's Core—in the Lab
Authors: Saplakoglu Yasemin
Published: December 2016

Mars's core, widely thought to be at least partially molten, may eventually solidify completely, and researchers have turned to lab experiments to find out how.
Contamination of dental unit waterlines: assessment of three continuous water disinfection systems
Authors: Offner Damien , Fioretti Florence , Musset Anne-Marie
Published: December 2016

Objectives:

To assess the efficacy of three continuous water disinfection systems for dental units under real conditions of dental care.

Design and settings:

A prospective study carried out from 45 days to 20 months on the water microbial quality of the dental units is benefited from three different systems: two chemical treatment systems (IGN EVO/Calbenium/IGN Cartridge and Sterispray) and one physical treatment system (BacTerminator). Studied items were six dental units of the Dental Medicine and Oral Surgery Center within the University Hospital of Strasbourg (HUS), France.

Results and disucussion:

The IGN EVO/Calbenium/IGN Cartridge and Sterispray systems showed an immediate and long-term efficacy on contaminated dental unit waterlines. However, the first system offers ergonomic advantages (automatic system, action on the water from the water supply network). The BacTerminator system took longer to be effective and was less effective than the other two.
Bloom syndrome complex promotes FANCM recruitment to stalled replication forks and facilitates both repair and traverse of DNA interstrand crosslinks
Authors: Ling Chen , Huang Jing , Yan Zhijiang , Li Yongjiang , Ohzeki Mioko , Ishiai Masamichi , Xu Dongyi , Takata Minoru , Seidman Michael , Wang Weidong
Published: December 2016

The recruitment of FANCM, a conserved DNA translocase and key component of several DNA repair protein complexes, to replication forks stalled by DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) is a step upstream of the Fanconi anemia (FA) repair and replication traverse pathways of ICLs. However, detection of the FANCM recruitment has been technically challenging so that its mechanism remains exclusive. Here, we successfully observed recruitment of FANCM at stalled forks using a newly developed protocol. We report that the FANCM recruitment depends upon its intrinsic DNA translocase activity, and its DNA-binding partner FAAP24. Moreover, it is dependent on the replication checkpoint kinase, ATR; but is independent of the FA core and FANCD2–FANCI complexes, two essential components of the FA pathway, indicating that the FANCM recruitment occurs downstream of ATR but upstream of the FA pathway. Interestingly, the recruitment of FANCM requires its direct interaction with Bloom syndrome complex composed of BLM helicase, Topoisomerase 3α, RMI1 and RMI2; as well as the helicase activity of BLM. We further show that the FANCM–BLM complex interaction is critical for replication stress-induced FANCM hyperphosphorylation, for normal activation of the FA pathway in response to ICLs, and for efficient traverse of ICLs by the replication machinery. Epistasis studies demonstrate that FANCM and BLM work in the same pathway to promote replication traverse of ICLs. We conclude that FANCM and BLM complex work together at stalled forks to promote both FA repair and replication traverse pathways of ICLs.
Temperature dependent fracture properties of shape memory alloys: novel findings and a comprehensive model
Authors: Maletta Carmine , Sgambitterra Emanuele , Niccoli Fabrizio
Published: December 2016

Temperature dependent fracture properties of NiTi-based Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs), within the pseudoelastic regime, were analyzed. In particular, the effective Stress Intensity Factor (SIF) was estimated, at different values of the testing temperature, by a fitting of the William’s expansion series, based on Digital Image Correlation (DIC) measurements. It was found that temperature plays an important role on SIF and on critical fast fracture conditions. As a consequence, Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) approaches are not suitable to predict fracture properties of SMAs, as they do not consider the effects of temperature. On the contrary, good agreements between DIC results and the predictions of an ad-hoc analytical model were observed. In fact, the model takes into account the whole thermo mechanical loading condition, including both mechanical load and temperature. Results revealed that crack tip stress-induced transformations do not represent a toughening effect and this is a completely novel result within the SMA community. Furthremore, it was demonstrated that the analytical model can be actually used to define a temperature independent fracture toughness parameter. Therefore, a new approach is proposed, based on the analytical model, where both mechanical load and temperature are considered as loading parameters in SIF computation.
Mechanism of internal browning of pineapple: The role of gibberellins catabolism gene (AcGA2ox) and GAs
Authors: Zhang Qin , Rao Xiuwen , Zhang Lubin , He Congcong , Yang Fang , Zhu Shijiang
Published: December 2016

Internal browning (IB), a physiological disorder (PD) that causes severe losses in harvested pineapple, can be induced by exogenous gibberellins (GAs). Over the years, studies have focused on roles of Gibberellin 2-oxidase (GA2oxs), the major GAs catabolic enzyme in plants, in the regulation of changes in morphology or biomass. However, whether GA2oxs could regulate PD has not been reported. Here, a full-length AcGA2ox cDNA was isolated from pineapple, with the putative protein sharing 23.59% to 72.92% identity with GA2oxs from five other plants. Pineapples stored at 5 °C stayed intact, while those stored at 20 °C showed severe IB. Storage at 5 °C enhanced AcGA2ox expression and decreased levels of a GAs (GA4) ‘compared with storage at 20 °C. However, at 20 °C, exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) significantly suppressed IB. ABA simultaneously upregulated AcGA2ox and reduced GA4. Ectopic expression of AcGA2ox in Arabidopsis resulted in reduced GA4, lower seed germination, and shorter hypocotyls and roots, all of which were restored by exogenous GA4/7. Moreover, in pineapple, GA4/7 upregulated polyphenol oxidase, while storage at 5 °C and ABA downregulated it. These results strongly suggest the involvement of AcGA2ox in regulation of GAs levels and a role of AcGA2ox in regulating IB.
Microwave control of the superconducting proximity effect and minigap in magnetic and normal metals
Authors: Linder Jacob , Amundsen Morten , Ouassou Jabir Ali
Published: December 2016

We demonstrate theoretically that microwave radiation applied to superconducting proximity structures controls the minigap and other spectral features in the density of states of normal and magnetic metals, respectively. Considering both a bilayer and Josephson junction geometry, we show that microwaves with frequency ω qualitatively alters the spectral properties of the system: inducing a series of resonances, controlling the minigap size Emg, and even replacing the minigap with a strong peak of quasiparticle accumulation at zero energy when ω = Emg. The interaction between light and Cooper pairs may thus open a route to active control of quantum coherent phenomena in superconducting proximity structures.
Shengmai Formula suppressed over-activated Ras/MAPK pathway in C. elegans by opening mitochondrial permeability transition pore via regulating cyclophilin D
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhi Dejuan , Li Menghui , Liu Dongling , Wang Xin , Wu Zhengrong , Zhang Zhanxin , Fei Dongqing , Li Yang , Zhu Hongmei , Xie Qingjian , Yang Hui , Li Hongyu
Published: December 2016

Since about 30% of all human cancers contain mutationally activated Ras, down regulating the over-activation of Ras/MAPK pathway represents a viable approach for treating cancers. Over-activation of Ras/MAPK pathway is accompanied by accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). One approach for developing anti-cancer drugs is to target ROS production and their accumulation. To test this idea, we have employed C. elegans of let-60 (gf) mutant, which contain over-activated let-60 (the homolog of mammalian ras) and exhibit tumor-like symptom of multivulva phenotype, to determine whether anti-oxidants can affect their tumor-like phenotype. Specifically we studied the effect of Shengmai formula (SM), a traditional Chinese medicine that has strong anti-oxidant activity, on the physiology of let-60 (gf) mutants. Unexpectedly, we found that SM treatment led to the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore by regulating cyclophilin D and then triggered oxidative stress and related signaling pathway activation, including p53, JNK, and p38/MAPK pathways. Finally, SM induced mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis and inhibited the tumor-like symptom of the multivulva phenotype of let-60(gf) mutants. Our results provide evidences to support that SM act as a pro-oxidant agent and could serve as a potential drug candidate for combating over-activated Ras-related cancer.
High expression of GFAT1 predicts poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Yang Caiting , Peng Peike , Li Lili , Shao Miaomiao , Zhao Junjie , Wang Lan , Duan Fangfang , Song Shushu , Wu Hao , Zhang Jie , Zhao Ran , Jia Dongwei , Zhang Mingming , Wu Weicheng , Li Can , Rong Yefei , Zhang Lei , Ruan Yuanyuan , Gu Jianxin
Published: December 2016

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal of all types of cancer, with the 5-year survival rate ranging only at 6–7%. The aberrant glucose metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells, and as a branch of glucose metabolism, hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) has been reported to play a critical role in the insulin resistance and progression of cancer. Glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT1) is the rate-limiting enzyme of the HBP; nevertheless, the prognostic value of GFAT1 in pancreatic cancer remains elusive. In this study, we found that the expression of GFAT1 was increased in pancreatic cancer samples compared to peri-tumor tissues. High expression of GFAT1 was positively associated with lymph node metastasis, pTNM stage and shorter overall survival (OS) in pancreatic cancer patients. GFAT1 was identified as an independent prognosticator for OS, and combining GFAT1 expression with pTNM stage generated a predictive nomogram, which showed better prognostic efficiency for OS in patients with pancreatic cancer. In summary, high GFAT1 expression is identified as an independent predictor of adverse clinical outcome in our small number of pancreatic cancer patients, and the practical prognostic nomogram model may help clinicians in decision making and the design of clinical studies.
Mitochondrial-bacterial hybrids of BamA/Tob55 suggest variable requirements for the membrane integration of β-barrel proteins
Authors: Pfitzner Anna-Katharina , Steblau Nadja , Ulrich Thomas , Oberhettinger Philipp , Autenrieth Ingo B. , Schütz Monika , Rapaport Doron
Published: December 2016

β-Barrel proteins are found in the outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria, chloroplasts and mitochondria. The assembly of these proteins into the corresponding OM is facilitated by a dedicated protein complex that contains a central conserved β-barrel protein termed BamA in bacteria and Tob55/Sam50 in mitochondria. BamA and Tob55 consist of a membrane-integral C-terminal domain that forms a β-barrel pore and a soluble N-terminal portion comprised of one (in Tob55) or five (in BamA) polypeptide transport-associated (POTRA) domains. Currently the functional significance of this difference and whether the homology between BamA and Tob55 can allow them to replace each other are unclear. To address these issues we constructed hybrid Tob55/BamA proteins with differently configured N-terminal POTRA domains. We observed that constructs harboring a heterologous C-terminal domain could not functionally replace the bacterial BamA or the mitochondrial Tob55 demonstrating species-specific requirements. Interestingly, the various hybrid proteins in combination with the bacterial chaperones Skp or SurA supported to a variable extent the assembly of bacterial β-barrel proteins into the mitochondrial OM. Collectively, our findings suggest that the membrane assembly of various β-barrel proteins depends to a different extent on POTRA domains and periplasmic chaperones.
tCRISPRi: tunable and reversible, one-step control of gene expression
Authors: Li Xin-tian , Jun Yonggun , Erickstad Michael J. , Brown Steven D. , Parks Adam , Court Donald L. , Jun Suckjoon
Published: December 2016

The ability to control the level of gene expression is a major quest in biology. A widely used approach employs deletion of a nonessential gene of interest (knockout), or multi-step recombineering to move a gene of interest under a repressible promoter (knockdown). However, these genetic methods are laborious, and limited for quantitative study. Here, we report a tunable CRISPR-cas system, “tCRISPRi”, for precise and continuous titration of gene expression by more than 30-fold. Our tCRISPRi system employs various previous advancements into a single strain: (1) We constructed a new strain containing a tunable arabinose operon promoter PBAD to quantitatively control the expression of CRISPR-(d)Cas protein over two orders of magnitude in a plasmid-free system. (2) tCRISPRi is reversible, and gene expression is repressed under knockdown conditions. (3) tCRISPRi shows significantly less than 10% leaky expression. (4) Most important from a practical perspective, construction of tCRISPRi to target a new gene requires only one-step of oligo recombineering. Our results show that tCRISPRi, in combination with recombineering, provides a simple and easy-to-implement tool for gene expression control, and is ideally suited for construction of both individual strains and high-throughput tunable knockdown libraries.
Tunable magnetic states on the zigzag edges of hydrogenated and halogenated group-IV nanoribbons
Authors: Wang Tzu-Cheng , Hsu Chia-Hsiu , Huang Zhi-Quan , Chuang Feng-Chuan , Su Wan-Sheng , Guo Guang-Yu
Published: December 2016

The magnetic and electronic properties of hydrogenated and halogenated group-IV zigzag nanoribbons (ZNRs) are investigated by first-principles density functional calculations. Fascinatingly, we find that all the ZNRs have magnetic edges with a rich variety of electronic and magnetic properties tunable by selecting the parent and passivating elements as well as controlling the magnetization direction and external strain. In particular, the electric property of the edge band structure can be tuned from the conducting to insulating with a band gap up to 0.7 eV. The last controllability would allow us to develop magnetic on-off nano-switches. Furthermore, ZNRs such as SiI, Ge, GeI and SnH, have fully spin-polarized metallic edge states and thus are promising materials for spintronics. The calculated magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy can be as large as ~9 meV/edge-site, being 2×103 time greater than that of bulk Ni and Fe (~5 μeV/atom), and thus has great potential for high density magneto-electric data-storage devices. Finally, the calculated exchange coupling strength and thus magnetic transition temperature increases as the applied strain goes from −5% to 5%. Our findings thus show that these ZNRs would have exciting applications in next-generation electronic and spintronic nano-devices.
How actions shape perception: learning action-outcome relations and predicting sensory outcomes promote audio-visual temporal binding
Authors: Desantis Andrea , Haggard Patrick
Published: December 2016

To maintain a temporally-unified representation of audio and visual features of objects in our environment, the brain recalibrates audio-visual simultaneity. This process allows adjustment for both differences in time of transmission and time for processing of audio and visual signals. In four experiments, we show that the cognitive processes for controlling instrumental actions also have strong influence on audio-visual recalibration. Participants learned that right and left hand button-presses each produced a specific audio-visual stimulus. Following one action the audio preceded the visual stimulus, while for the other action audio lagged vision. In a subsequent test phase, left and right button-press generated either the same audio-visual stimulus as learned initially, or the pair associated with the other action. We observed recalibration of simultaneity only for previously-learned audio-visual outcomes. Thus, learning an action-outcome relation promotes temporal grouping of the audio and visual events within the outcome pair, contributing to the creation of a temporally unified multisensory object. This suggests that learning action-outcome relations and the prediction of perceptual outcomes can provide an integrative temporal structure for our experiences of external events.
A detergent-based procedure for the preparation of IgG-like bispecific antibodies in high yield
Authors: Gupta Jyoti , Hoque Mehboob , Zaman Masihuz , Khan Rizwan Hasan , Saleemuddin M.
Published: December 2016

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), with the ability to recognize two different epitopes simultaneously, offer remarkable advantages in bioassays, cancer therapy, biosensors, and enzyme electrodes. Preparation and purification of BsAbs in adequate quantities remains a major hurdle in their use in various applications. Poor yield is also the principal limitation in the preparation of BsAbs by the redox procedure. IgG with reduced inter-heavy chain disulfides do not dissociate into half molecules at neutral pH. In this study, we report that the dissociation occurs in presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and inclusion of the detergent during the redox procedure results in remarkable increase in the formation of the BsAbs. Exposure of antibodies to 0.1% (w/v) SDS causes only minor loss in secondary/tertiary structure and the ability to bind the antigen. The BsAbs prepared using the modified redox procedure that recognize the antigens HRP and α-LA were prepared and successfully employed for detecting α-LA in milk/dairy products by ELISA and dot blot techniques. BsAbs were also prepared from partially purified immunoglobulin gamma (IgG). This work shows for the first time that SDS, by dissociating IgG with reduced inter-heavy chain disulfides into half molecules, markedly enhances the formation of BsAbs by the redox procedure.
NetDiff – Bayesian model selection for differential gene regulatory network inference
Authors: Thorne Thomas
Published: December 2016

Differential networks allow us to better understand the changes in cellular processes that are exhibited in conditions of interest, identifying variations in gene regulation or protein interaction between, for example, cases and controls, or in response to external stimuli. Here we present a novel methodology for the inference of differential gene regulatory networks from gene expression microarray data. Specifically we apply a Bayesian model selection approach to compare models of conserved and varying network structure, and use Gaussian graphical models to represent the network structures. We apply a variational inference approach to the learning of Gaussian graphical models of gene regulatory networks, that enables us to perform Bayesian model selection that is significantly more computationally efficient than Markov Chain Monte Carlo approaches. Our method is demonstrated to be more robust than independent analysis of data from multiple conditions when applied to synthetic network data, generating fewer false positive predictions of differential edges. We demonstrate the utility of our approach on real world gene expression microarray data by applying it to existing data from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases with and without mutations in C9orf72, and controls, where we are able to identify differential network interactions for further investigation.
Gene expression in local stroma reflects breast tumor states and predicts patient outcome
Authors: Bainer Russell , Frankenberger Casey , Rabe Daniel , An Gary , Gilad Yoav , Rosner Marsha Rich
Published: December 2016

The surrounding microenvironment has been implicated in the progression of breast tumors to metastasis. However, the degree to which metastatic breast tumors locally reprogram stromal cells as they disrupt tissue boundaries is not well understood. We used species-specific RNA sequencing in a mouse xenograft model to determine how the metastasis suppressor RKIP influences transcription in a panel of paired tumor and stroma tissues. We find that gene expression in metastatic breast tumors is pervasively correlated with gene expression in local stroma of both mouse xenografts and human patients. Changes in stromal gene expression elicited by tumors better predicts subtype and patient survival than tumor gene expression, and genes with coordinated expression in both tissues predict metastasis-free survival. These observations support the use of stroma-based strategies for the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.
Incomplete DRB4-dependence of the DCL4-mediated antiviral defense
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhang Xiuchun , Wu Kunxin , Liu Zhixin , Li Dawei , Qu Feng
Published: December 2016

The double-stranded RNA-binding protein DRB4 of Arabidopsis was shown previously to contribute to the DICER-LIKE 4 (DCL4)-mediated biogenesis of viral small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) of 21 nucleotides (nt) in size. However, it is unclear whether all 21-nt vsiRNAs are dependent on this DRB4-DCL4 partnership. To resolve this question, we generated dcl2drb4 and dcl4drb4 double knockout mutants, and subjected them to infections with CPB-CC-PDS, a turnip crinkle virus mutant capable of inducing silencing of the PHYTOENE DESATURASE gene. The dcl2drb4 double knockouts caused a far smaller loss of antiviral silencing than dcl2dcl4. In addition, although both drb4 and dcl4 single mutants permitted a consistent (but small) increase in viral RNA levels, the drb4 mutant correlated with a less pronounced reduction of 21-nt vsiRNAs. Therefore, a substantial subset of DCL4 antiviral activity is DRB4-independent, and may involve other DRB proteins that compensate for loss of DRB4.
Pharmacological and genetic reappraisals of protease and oxidative stress pathways in a mouse model of obstructive lung diseases
Authors: Shuto Tsuyoshi , Kamei Shunsuke , Nohara Hirofumi , Fujikawa Haruka , Tasaki Yukihiro , Sugahara Takuya , Ono Tomomi , Matsumoto Chizuru , Sakaguchi Yuki , Maruta Kasumi , Nakashima Ryunosuke , Kawakami Taisei , Suico Mary Ann , Kondo Yoshitaka , Ishigami Akihito , Takeo Toru , Tanaka Ken-ichiro , Watanabe Hiroshi , Nakagata Naomi , Uchimura Kohei , Kitamura Kenichiro , Li Jian-Dong , Kai Hirofumi
Published: December 2016

Protease-antiprotease imbalance and oxidative stress are considered to be major pathophysiological hallmarks of severe obstructive lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF), but limited information is available on their direct roles in the regulation of pulmonary phenotypes. Here, we utilized βENaC-transgenic (Tg) mice, the previously established mouse model of severe obstructive lung diseases, to produce lower-mortality but pathophysiologically highly useful mouse model by backcrossing the original line with C57/BL6J mice. C57/BL6J-βENaC-Tg mice showed higher survival rates and key pulmonary abnormalities of COPD/CF, including mucous hypersecretion, inflammatory and emphysematous phenotypes and pulmonary dysfunction. DNA microarray analysis confirmed that protease- and oxidative stress-dependent pathways are activated in the lung tissue of C57/BL6J-βENaC-Tg mice. Treatments of C57/BL6J-βENaC-Tg mice with a serine protease inhibitor ONO-3403, a derivative of camostat methylate (CM), but not CM, and with an anti-oxidant N-acetylcystein significantly improved pulmonary emphysema and dysfunction. Moreover, depletion of a murine endogenous antioxidant vitamin C (VC), by genetic disruption of VC-synthesizing enzyme SMP30 in C57/BL6J-βENaC-Tg mice, exaggerated pulmonary phenotypes. Thus, these assessments clarified that protease-antiprotease imbalance and oxidative stress are critical pathways that exacerbate the pulmonary phenotypes of C57/BL6J-βENaC-Tg mice, consistent with the characteristics of human COPD/CF.
IL-34 is associated with the presence and severity of renal dysfunction and coronary artery disease in patients with heart failure
Authors: Fan Qin , Yan Xiaoxiang , Zhang Hang , Lu Lin , Zhang Qi , Wang Fang , Xi Rui , Hu Jian , Chen Qiujing , Niu Wenquan , Shen Weifeng , Zhang Ruiyan , Tao Rong
Published: December 2016

Pro-inflammatory mediators are identified in patients with heart failure (HF), some of which may be used as biomarkers with diagnostic or prognostic value. As an additional ligand of Colony Stimulating Factor-1 Receptor (CSF-1R), interleukin-34 (IL-34) has been identified as a pro-inflammatory cytokine participating in chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the potential impact of IL-34 in CHF complications remains unknown. In order to determine the clinical significance of serum IL-34 in CHF patients, especially those with kidney dysfunction and coronary artery disease (CAD) comorbid conditions, serum IL-34 was measured in 510 consecutive patients with CHF in a cross-sectional study. The present study demonstrated that higher serum IL-34 levels were associated with poorer renal function and more severe anemia in patients with CHF. After adjusting for age, gender, conventional risk factors, and other significant covariates, IL-34 positively correlated with the presence and severity of renal dysfunction (as measured by eGFR and cystatin C) on multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis. IL-34 was also demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for CAD among HF patients. In conclusion, elevated serum IL-34 levels were demonstrated to be independently associated with renal insufficiency and CAD in patients with CHF, regardless of the systolic function.
Estrogen-induced SDF-1α production promotes the progression of ER-negative breast cancer via the accumulation of MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Ouyang Liquan , Chang Weilong , Fang Bin , Qin Jieting , Qu Xincai , Cheng Fanjun
Published: December 2016

Estrogen plays a role in the processes of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer (BC). Whether estrogen contributes to ER-negative BC is unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate whether estrogen could stimulate the secretion of stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1α) by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to promote the progression of ER-negative BC. We transplanted ER-negative BC cells into ovariectomized mice, which was followed by continuous injection of estrogen, and found that estrogen promoted the tumorigenesis of BC. Furthermore, High levels of SDF-1α and tumor-infiltrating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were detected in the estrogen treatment group. Estrogen stimulates secretion of SDF-1α by CAFs extracted from BC patients. Recombinant SDF-1α could recruit MDSCs isolated from bone marrow cells of mice. In addition, the co-culture of CAFs and MDSCs demonstrated that the recruitment of MDSCs was increased when CAFs were exposed to estrogen. Using AMD3100 to block the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis or gemcitabine to delete MDSCs, we observed that both of these agents could neutralize the effect of estrogen on tumorigenesis. Together, these results suggest that estrogen may promote the progression of ER-negative BC by stimulating CAFs to secrete SDF-1α, which can recruit MDSCs to the tumor microenvironment to exert tumor-promoting effects.
The neural representation of competence traits: An fMRI study
Authors: Ma Ning , Wang Simin , Yang Quansen , Feng Tingyong , Van Overwalle Frank
Published: December 2016

Previous neuroimaging studies have revealed that a trait code is mainly represented in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). However, those studies only investigated the neural code of warmth traits. According to the ‘Big Two’ model of impression formation, competence traits are the other major dimension when we judge others. The current study explored the neural representation of competence traits by using an fMRI repetition suppression paradigm, which is a rapid reduction of neuronal responses upon repeated presentation of the same implied trait. Participants had to infer an agent’s trait from brief behavioral descriptions that implied a competence trait. In each trial, the critical target sentence was preceded by a prime sentence that implied the same or opposite competence-related trait, or no trait. The results revealed robust repetition suppression from prime to target in the vmPFC and precuneus during trait conditions. Critically, the suppression effect was much stronger after being primed with a similar and opposite competence trait compared with a trait-irrelevant prime. This suppression pattern was found nowhere else in the brain. Consistent with previous fMRI studies, we suggest that the neural code of competence traits is represented in these two brain areas with different levels of abstraction.
Synthesis, structural characterization and computational study of a novel amino chalcone: a potential nonlinear optical material
Authors: Almeida Leonardo R. , Anjos Murilo M. , Ribeiro Gabriela C. , Valverde Clodoaldo , Machado Daniel F. S. , Oliveira Guilherme R. , Napolitano Hamilton B. , de Oliveira Heibbe C. B.
Published: December 2016

The interest for novel chalcone-based materials in nonlinear optics is dependent on strong second harmonic generation in organic systems.
A novel soil nutrient detection method based on combined ATR and DRIFT mid-infrared spectra
Authors: Chen Chen , Dong Daming , Li Zhiwei , Wang Xiaoke
Published: December 2016

A method which could both measure the ATR and DRIFT mid-infrared spectra of soils was developed. Combing the two types of spectra, the nutrients of soil were measured.
Smartphone-based detection of dyes in water for environmental sustainability
Authors: Özdemir Gizem Kocakuşak , Bayram Abdullah , Kılıç Volkan , Horzum Nesrin , Solmaz Mehmet E.
Published: December 2016

An ultra-low cost, field-deployable, plastic fiber based smartphone spectrometer system was developed to study dye adsorption from aqueous systems.
Direct thermolysis of CO2 into CO and O2
Authors: Jiang Qingqing , Chen Zhenpan , Tong Jinhui , Yang Min , Jiang Zongxuan , Li Can
Published: December 2016

The reaction rate for direct thermolysis of CO2 could be enhanced by several times in the presence of metal oxides which may attributed to the catalysis of surface oxygen vacancies.
Hydroxyl radical production induced by plasma hydrogenated nanodiamonds under X-ray irradiation
Authors: Kurzyp Magdalena , Girard Hugues A. , Cheref Yannis , Brun Emilie , Sicard-Roselli Cecile , Saada Samuel , Arnault Jean-Charles
Published: December 2016

For the first time, overproduction of hydroxyl radicals (HO˙) induced by plasma hydrogenated detonation nanodiamonds (H-NDs) under X-ray irradiation is reported.
Dynamic contact angles in oil–aqueous polymer solutions
Authors: Al-Shareef Amer , Neogi P. , Bai Baojun
Published: December 2016

Polymer flooding is an important process in enhanced oil recovery.
Probing sub-nano level molecular packing and correlated positron annihilation characteristics of ionic cross-linked chitosan membranes using positron annihilation spectroscopy
Authors: Xia Rui , Cao Xingzhong , Gao Meizhen , Zhang Peng , Zeng Minfeng , Wang Baoyi , Wei Long
Published: December 2016

Applications of positron annihilation spectroscopy to study the microstructure and correlated positron annihilation characteristics of an ionic cross-linked CS system.
Antiferromagnetic vs. non-magnetic ε phase of solid oxygen. Periodic density functional theory studies using a localized atomic basis set and the role of exact exchange
Authors: Ramírez-Solís A. , Zicovich-Wilson C. M. , Hernández-Lamoneda R. , Ochoa-Calle A. J.
Published: December 2016

The question of the non-magnetic (NM) vs. antiferromagnetic (AF) nature of the ε phase of solid oxygen is a matter of great interest and continuing debate.
Impact of morphology on polaron delocalization in a semicrystalline conjugated polymer
Authors: Steyrleuthner Robert , Zhang Yuexing , Zhang Lei , Kraffert Felix , Cherniawski Benjamin P. , Bittl Robert , Briseno Alejandro L. , Bredas Jean-Luc , Behrends Jan
Published: December 2016

We use spin resonant techniques to shed light on the delocalization length of polarons in a semicrystalline conjugated polymer and reveal how it directly depends on the thin film morphology.
Thermodynamic stability of stoichiometric LaFeO3 and BiFeO3: a hybrid DFT study
Authors: Heifets Eugene , Kotomin Eugene A. , Bagaturyants Alexander A. , Maier Joachim
Published: December 2016

Environmental conditions for the stability of LaFeO3 and BiFeO3 perovskites were assessed using the phase diagrams derived from the results of hybrid density functional calculations of the total energies of these perovskites, related binary oxides and the oxygen molecule.
Highly selective photocatalytic oxidation of biomass-derived chemicals to carboxyl compounds over Au/TiO2
Authors: Zhou Baowen , Song Jinliang , Zhang Zhanrong , Jiang Zhiwei , Zhang Pei , Han Buxing
Published: December 2016

Highly selective photooxidation of various biomass-derived chemicals to the corresponding carboxyl compounds is achieved over TiO2-supported Au nanoparticles using atmospheric air as the oxidant.
Synthesis of symmetrical pyridines by iron-catalyzed cyclization of ketoxime acetates and aldehydes
Authors: Yi YuKun , Zhao Mi-Na , Ren Zhi-Hui , Wang Yao-Yu , Guan Zheng-Hui
Published: December 2016

A facile iron-catalyzed cyclization of aldehydes with ketoxime acetates for the synthesis of multisubstituted symmetrical pyridines has been developed.