bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1-[2-(4-Methyl-7-coumarinyloxy)ethyl]-4-(5-{1-[2-(4-methyl-7-coumarinyloxy)ethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}pentyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole
Authors: Torres Fernando , De Azambuja Gabriel , Gonçalves Itamar , Gonçalves Guilherme , Von Poser Gilsane , Kawano Daniel , Eifler-Lima Vera
Published: April 2016

Nature often produces compounds with a high degree of symmetry to reduce structural information and complexity. Synthesis of identical twin drugs, through the linkage of two identical pharmacophoric entities, is a classical strategy to produce more potent and/or selective drugs. Herein, two units of the privileged core of the coumarin hymecromone were linked together using “click chemistry”. Synthesis of 1-[2-(4-Methyl-7-coumarinyloxy)ethyl]-4-(5-{1-[2-(4-methyl-7-coumarinyloxy)ethyl]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl}pentyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole was achieved by coupling of two identical units of an azido coumarin with a symmetrical alkine using copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction, in good yields and with complete regioselectivity.
Influencing Factors for the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Micro Porous Titanium Manufactured by Metal Injection Molding
Authors: Lu Zhen , Huang Zhenhan , Jiang Shaosong , Liu Wei , Zhang Kaifeng
Published: April 2016

Porous titanium is a new structural and functional material. It is widely used in many fields since it integrates the properties of biomaterials with those of metallic foam. A new technology that combines both the preparation and forming of porous materials has been proposed in this paper. Moreover, a new solder was developed that could be employed in the joining of porous materials. Influencing factors for microstructure and mechanical properties of the parent material and joint interface are identified. Metal injection molding (MIM) technology was used for fabricating porous materials. The feedstock for injection molding of porous titanium powders was prepared from titanium powders and a polymer-based binder system. In addition, the proportion of powder loading and binders was optimized. Through MIM technology, a porous titanium filter cartridge was prepared. For the purpose of investigating the thermal debinding technology of the filter cartridge, effects of the sintering temperature on the porosity, morphology of micropores and mechanical properties were analyzed. It could be found that when the sintering temperature increased, the relative density, bending and compression strength of the components also increased. Moreover, the porosity reached 32.28% when the sintering temperature was 1000 °C. The microstructure morphology indicated that micropores connected with each other. Meanwhile, the strength of the components was relatively high, i.e., the bending and compression strength was 65 and 60 MPa, respectively. By investigating the joining technology of porous filter cartridges, the ideal components of the solder and pressure were determined. Further research revealed that the micropore structure of the joint interface is the same as that of the parent material, and that the bending strength of the joint interface is 40 MPa.
A One-Square-Millimeter Compact Hollow Structure for Microfluidic Pumping on an All-Glass Chip
Authors: Peng Xing
Published: April 2016

A micro surface tension pump is a new type of low-cost, built-in, all-glass, microfluidic pump on a glass microchip fabricated by one-step glass etching. However, geometric minimization and optimization for practical use are challenging. Here, we report a one-square-millimeter, built-in, all-glass pump controlled by two-way digital gas pressure. The pump consists simply of two joint chambers and a piston between two gas control channels. It does not require pre-perfusion for initialization, and can immediately begin to run when a liquid enters its inlet channel. It is also more reliable than conventional micro pumps for practical use due to its ability to restart after the formation of a blocking bubble, which can serve as a valuable troubleshooting procedure. Its volumetric pump output was 0.5–0.7 nL·s−1 under a pump head pressure of 300 Pa.
Identification of 3′,4′-Dimethoxy Flavonol-3-β-d-Glucopyranoside Metabolites in Rats by Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Zhu Yuan , Wen Jun , Cao Yuqing , Jiang Yuanying , Huang Jinghua , Fan Guorong , Lou Yuefen
Published: April 2016

A method using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry was established for the identification of metabolites in feces, urine and bile in rats after oral administration of 3′,4′-dimethoxy flavonol-3-β-d-glucopyranoside (abbreviated DF3G). Seven metabolites in rat feces, urine and bile were firstly identified on the basis of their MS fragmentation behaviors. Three metabolites were identified in the feces, 6 in the urine and 2 in the bile, which suggested that demethylation, deglycosylation and deglycosylation followed by glucuronide conjugation were the major metabolic pathways for DF3G in vivo. Hydrolyzation might be the first step in the absorption and metabolism of DF3G. The possible metabolic pathway was proposed for the first time. The established method was simple, reliable and sensitive, revealing that it could be used to rapidly screen and identify the structures of metabolites of DF3G to better understand its metabolism in vivo.
The Powdering Process with a Set of Ceramic Mills for Green Tea Promoted Catechin Extraction and the ROS Inhibition Effect
Authors: Fujioka Kouki , Iwamoto Takeo , Shima Hidekazu , Tomaru Keiko , Saito Hideki , Ohtsuka Masaki , Yoshidome Akihiro , Kawamura Yuri , Manome Yoshinobu
Published: April 2016

For serving green tea, there are two prominent methods: steeping the leaf or the powdered leaf (matcha style) in hot water. The purpose of the present study was to reveal chemical and functional differences before and after the powdering process of green tea leaf, since powdered green tea may contribute to expanding the functionality because of the different ingesting style. In this study, we revealed that the powdering process with a ceramic mill and stirring in hot water increased the average extracted concentration of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) by more than three times compared with that in leaf tea using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses. Moreover, powdered green tea has a higher inhibition effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in vitro compared with the same amount of leaf tea. Our data suggest that powdered green tea might have a different function from leaf tea due to the higher catechin contents and particles.
Facile Synthesis of Gd-Functionalized Gold Nanoclusters as Potential MRI/CT Contrast Agents
Authors: Le Wenjun , Cui Shaobin , Chen Xin , Zhu Huanhuan , Chen Bingdi , Cui Zheng
Published: April 2016

Multi-modal imaging plays a key role in the earlier detection of disease. In this work, a facile bioinspired method was developed to synthesize Gd-functionalized gold nanoclusters (Gd-Au NCs). The Gd-Au NCs exhibit a uniform size, with an average size of 5.6 nm in dynamic light scattering (DLS), which is a bit bigger than gold clusters (3.74 nm, DLS), while the fluorescent properties of Gd-Au NCs are almost the same as that of Au NCs. Moreover, the Gd-Au NCs exhibit a high longitudinal relaxivity value (r1) of 22.111 s−1 per mM of Gd in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), which is six times higher than that of commercial Magnevist (A complex of gadolinium with a chelating agent, diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid, Gd-DTPA, r1 = 3.56 mM−1·s−1). Besides, as evaluated by nano single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT) the Gd-Au NCs have a potential application as CT contrast agents because of the Au element. Finally, the Gd-Au NCs show little cytotoxicity, even when the Au concentration is up to 250 μM. Thus, the Gd-Au NCs can act as multi-modal imaging contrast agents.
Automatic Echographic Detection of Halloysite Clay Nanotubes in a Low Concentration Range
Authors: Conversano Francesco , Pisani Paola , Casciaro Ernesto , Di Paola Marco , Leporatti Stefano , Franchini Roberto , Quarta Alessandra , Gigli Giuseppe , Casciaro Sergio
Published: April 2016

Aim of this work was to investigate the automatic echographic detection of an experimental drug delivery agent, halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs), by employing an innovative method based on advanced spectral analysis of the corresponding “raw” radiofrequency backscatter signals. Different HNT concentrations in a low range (5.5–66 × 1010 part/mL, equivalent to 0.25–3.00 mg/mL) were dispersed in custom-designed tissue-mimicking phantoms and imaged through a clinically-available echographic device at a conventional ultrasound diagnostic frequency (10 MHz). The most effective response (sensitivity = 60%, specificity = 95%), was found at a concentration of 33 × 1010 part/mL (1.5 mg/mL), representing a kind of best compromise between the need of enough particles to introduce detectable spectral modifications in the backscattered signal and the necessity to avoid the losses of spectral peculiarity associated to higher HNT concentrations. Based on theoretical considerations and quantitative comparisons with literature-available results, this concentration could also represent an optimal concentration level for the automatic echographic detection of different solid nanoparticles when employing a similar ultrasound frequency. Future dedicated studies will assess the actual clinical usefulness of the proposed approach and the potential of HNTs for effective theranostic applications.
PMN-PT/PVDF Nanocomposite for High Output Nanogenerator Applications
Authors: Li Chuan , Luo Wenbo , Liu Xingzhao , Xu Dong , He Kai
Published: April 2016

The 0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3(0.7PMN-0.3PT) nanorods were obtained via hydrothermal method with high yield (over 78%). Then, new piezoelectric nanocomposites based on (1−x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 (PMN-PT) nanorods were fabricated by dispersing the 0.7PMN-0.3PT nanorods into piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer. The mechanical behaviors of the nanocomposites were investigated. The voltage and current generation of PMN-PT/PVDF nanocomposites were also measured. The results showed that the tensile strength, yield strength, and Young’s modulus of nanocomposites were enhanced as compared to that of the pure PVDF. The largest Young’s modulus of 1.71 GPa was found in the samples with 20 wt % nanorod content. The maximum output voltage of 10.3 V and output current of 46 nA were obtained in the samples with 20 wt % nanorod content, which was able to provide a 13-fold larger output voltage and a 4.5-fold larger output current than that of pure PVDF piezoelectric polymer. The current density of PMN-PT/PVDF nanocomposites is 20 nA/cm2. The PMN-PT/PVDF nanocomposites exhibited great potential for flexible self-powered sensing applications.
Effect of Cocoa and Its Flavonoids on Biomarkers of Inflammation: Studies of Cell Culture, Animals and Humans
Authors: Goya Luis , Martín María , Sarriá Beatriz , Ramos Sonia , Mateos Raquel , Bravo Laura
Published: April 2016

Chronic inflammation has been identified as a necessary step to mediate atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease and as a relevant stage in the onset and progression of several types of cancer. Considerable attention has recently been focused on the identification of dietary bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory activities as an alternative natural source for prevention of inflammation-associated diseases. The remarkable capacity of cocoa flavanols as antioxidants, as well as to modulate signaling pathways involved in cellular processes, such as inflammation, metabolism and proliferation, has encouraged research on this type of polyphenols as useful bioactive compounds for nutritional prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Data from numerous studies suggest that cocoa and cocoa-derived flavanols can effectively modify the inflammatory process, and thus potentially provide a benefit to individuals with elevated risk factors for atherosclerosis/cardiovascular pathology and cancer. The present overview will focus on the most recent findings about the effects of cocoa, its main constituents and cocoa derivatives on selected biomarkers of the inflammatory process in cell culture, animal models and human cohorts.
Influence of Phenol-Enriched Olive Oils on Human Intestinal Immune Function
Authors: Martín-Peláez Sandra , Castañer Olga , Solà Rosa , Motilva María , Castell Margarida , Pérez-Cano Francisco , Fitó Montserrat
Published: April 2016

Olive oil (OO) phenolic compounds (PC) are able to influence gut microbial populations and metabolic output. Our aim was to investigate whether these compounds and changes affect the mucosal immune system. In a randomized, controlled, double blind cross-over human trial, for three weeks, preceded by two-week washout periods, 10 hypercholesterolemic participants ingested 25 mL/day of three raw virgin OO differing in their PC concentration and origin: (1) an OO containing 80 mg PC/kg (VOO); (2) a PC-enriched OO containing 500 mg PC/kg from OO (FVOO); and (3) a PC-enriched OO containing a mixture of 500 mg PC/kg from OO and thyme (1:1, FVOOT). Intestinal immunity (fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgA-coated bacteria) and inflammation markers (C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and calprotectin) was analyzed. The ingestion of high amounts of OO PC, as contained in FVOO, tended to increase the proportions of IgA-coated bacteria and increased plasma levels of CRP. However, lower amounts of OO PC (VOO) and the combination of two PC sources (FVOOT) did not show significant effects on the variables investigated. Results indicate a potential stimulation of the immune system with very high doses of OO PC, which should be further investigated.
Structural Properties and Antifungal Activity against Candida albicans Biofilm of Different Composite Layers Based on Ag/Zn Doped Hydroxyapatite-Polydimethylsiloxanes
Authors: Groza Andreea , Ciobanu Carmen , Popa Cristina , Iconaru Simona , Chapon Patrick , Luculescu Catalin , Ganciu Mihai , Predoi Daniela
Published: April 2016

Modern medicine is still struggling to find new and more effective methods for fighting off viruses, bacteria and fungi. Among the most dangerous and at times life-threatening fungi is Candida albicans. Our work is focused on surface and structural characterization of hydroxyapatite, silver doped hydroxyapatite and zinc doped hydroxyapatite deposited on a titanium substrate previously coated with polydimethylsiloxane (HAp-PDMS, Ag:HAp-PDMS, Zn:HAp-PDMS) by different techniques: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOES) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphological studies revealed that the use of the PDMS polymer as an interlayer improves the quality of the coatings. The structural characterizations of the thin films revealed the basic constituents of both apatitic and PDMS structure. In addition, the GD depth profiles indicated the formation of a composite material as well as the successful embedding of the HAp, Zn:HAp and Ag:HAp into the polymer. On the other hand, in vitro evaluation of the antifungal properties of Ag:HAp-PDMS and Zn:HAp-PDMS demonstrated the fungicidal effects of Ag:HAp-PDMS and the potential antifungal effect of Zn:HAp-PDMS composite layers against C. albicans biofilm. The results acquired in this research complete previous research on the potential use of new complex materials produced by nanotechnology in biomedicine.
Hg(II) Coordination Polymers Based on N,N’-bis(pyridine-4-yl)formamidine
Authors: Hsu Wayne , Yang Xiang-Kai , Chhetri Pradhumna , Chen Jhy-Der
Published: April 2016

Reactions of N,N’-bis(pyridine-4-yl)formamidine (4-Hpyf) with HgX2 (X = Cl, Br, and I) afforded the formamidinate complex {[Hg(4-pyf)2]·(THF)}n, 1, and the formamidine complexes {[HgX2(4-Hpyf)]·(MeCN)}n (X = Br, 2; I, 3), which have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 is a 2D layer with the {44·62}-sql topology and complexes 2 and 3 are helical chains. While the helical chains of 2 are linked through N–H···Br hydrogen bonds, those of 3 are linked through self-complementary double N–H···N hydrogen bonds, resulting in 2D supramolecular structures. The 4-pyf- ligands of 1 coordinate to the Hg(II) ions through one pyridyl and one adjacent amine nitrogen atoms and the 4-Hpyf ligands of 2 and 3 coordinate to the Hg(II) ions through two pyridyl nitrogen atoms, resulting in new bidentate binding modes. Complexes 1–3 provide a unique opportunity to envisage the effect of the halide anions of the starting Hg(II) salts on folding and unfolding the Hg(II) coordination polymers. Density function theory (DFT) calculation indicates that the emission of 1 is due to intraligand π→π * charge transfer between two different 4-pyf- ligands, whereas those of 2 and 3 can be ascribed to the charge transfer from non-bonding p-type orbitals of the halide anions to π * orbitals of the 4-pyf- ligands (n→π *). The gas sorption properties of the desolvated product of 1 are compared with the Cu analogues to show that the nature of the counteranion and the solvent-accessible volume are important in determining their adsorption capability.
The Changing Landscape of Sacred Groves in Kerala (India): A Critical View on the Role of Religion in Nature Conservation
Authors: Notermans Catrien , Nugteren Albertina , Sunny Suma
Published: April 2016

Sacred groves are an age-old and world-wide phenomenon, traditionally consisting of forest zones, protected by people based on their spiritual relationship with the deities or ancestral spirits believed to reside there. India alone counts nearly 50,000 sacred groves, with 2000 in Kerala where they are known as kaavu. Presently, the sacred groves are under serious threat with numbers of groves reducing drastically. In this article, the authors challenge one of the dominant theories that sacred groves, while previously protected by religion, now disappear due to the loss of traditional beliefs. Starting from the observation that the destruction of sacred groves has less to do with a loss of faith but more with a change of faith, the article focuses on the ambivalent role of religion and the impact the commercial offer of some specific Hindu rituals has on the declining number of sacred groves. Based on long-term ethnographic fieldwork among grove-owners in Kerala, the authors argue that it may be true that religious perceptions maintained the sacred groves for centuries, but that the same religious tradition now provides both justifications and marketable rituals for cutting them down.
Mapping a Knowledge-Based Malaria Hazard Index Related to Landscape Using Remote Sensing: Application to the Cross-Border Area between French Guiana and Brazil
Authors: Li Zhichao , Roux Emmanuel , Dessay Nadine , Girod Romain , Stefani Aurélia , Nacher Mathieu , Moiret Adrien , Seyler Frédérique
Published: April 2016

Malaria remains one of the most common vector-borne diseases in the world and the definition of novel control strategies can benefit from the modeling of transmission processes. However, data-driven models are often difficult to build, as data are very often incomplete, heterogeneous in nature and in quality, and/or biased. In this context, a knowledge-based approach is proposed to build a robust and general landscape-based hazard index for malaria transmission that is tailored to the Amazonian region. A partial knowledge-based model of the risk of malaria transmission in the Amazonian region, based on landscape features and extracted from a systematic literature review, was used. Spatialization of the model was obtained by generating land use and land cover maps of the cross-border area between French Guiana and Brazil, followed by computing and combining landscape metrics to build a set of normalized landscape-based hazard indices. An empirical selection of the best index was performed by comparing the indices in terms of adequacy with the knowledge-based model, intelligibility and correlation with P. falciparum incidence rates. The selected index is easy to interpret and successfully represents the current knowledge about the role played by landscape patterns in malaria transmission within the study area. It was significantly associated with P. falciparum incidence rates, using the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients (up to 0.79 and 0.75, respectively; p-value < 0.001), and the linear regression coefficient of determination (reaching 0.63; p-values < 0.001). This study establishes a spatial knowledge-driven, landscape-based hazard malaria index using remote sensing that can be easily produced on a regular basis and might be useful for malaria prediction, surveillance, and control.
A Hybrid Key Management Scheme for WSNs Based on PPBR and a Tree-Based Path Key Establishment Method
Authors: Zhang Ying , Liang Jixing , Zheng Bingxin , Chen Wei
Published: April 2016

With the development of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), in most application scenarios traditional WSNs with static sink nodes will be gradually replaced by Mobile Sinks (MSs), and the corresponding application requires a secure communication environment. Current key management researches pay less attention to the security of sensor networks with MS. This paper proposes a hybrid key management schemes based on a Polynomial Pool-based key pre-distribution and Basic Random key pre-distribution (PPBR) to be used in WSNs with MS. The scheme takes full advantages of these two kinds of methods to improve the cracking difficulty of the key system. The storage effectiveness and the network resilience can be significantly enhanced as well. The tree-based path key establishment method is introduced to effectively solve the problem of communication link connectivity. Simulation clearly shows that the proposed scheme performs better in terms of network resilience, connectivity and storage effectiveness compared to other widely used schemes.
Contact Pressure Level Indication Using Stepped Output Tactile Sensors
Authors: Choi Eunsuk , Sul Onejae , Kim Juyoung , Kim Kyumin , Kim Jong-Seok , Kwon Dae-Yong , Choi Byong-Deok , Lee Seung-Beck
Published: April 2016

In this article, we report on a novel diaphragm-type tactile pressure sensor that produces stepwise output currents depending on varying low contact pressures. When contact pressures are applied to the stepped output tactile sensor (SOTS), the sensor’s suspended diaphragm makes contact with the substrate, which completes a circuit by connecting resistive current paths. Then the contact area, and therefore the number of current paths, would determine the stepped output current produced. This mechanism allows SOTS to have high signal-to-noise ratio (>20 dB) in the 3–500 Hz frequency range at contact pressures below 15 kPa. Moreover, since the sensor’s operation does not depend on a material’s pressure-dependent electrical properties, the SOTS is able to demonstrate high reproducibility and reliability. By forming a 4 × 4 array of SOTS with a surface bump structure, we demonstrated shear sensing as well as surface (1 × 1 cm2) pressure mapping capabilities.
A High Performance Torque Sensor for Milling Based on a Piezoresistive MEMS Strain Gauge
Authors: Qin Yafei , Zhao Yulong , Li Yingxue , Zhao You , Wang Peng
Published: April 2016

In high speed and high precision machining applications, it is important to monitor the machining process in order to ensure high product quality. For this purpose, it is essential to develop a dynamometer with high sensitivity and high natural frequency which is suited to these conditions. This paper describes the design, calibration and performance of a milling torque sensor based on piezoresistive MEMS strain. A detailed design study is carried out to optimize the two mutually-contradictory indicators sensitivity and natural frequency. The developed torque sensor principally consists of a thin-walled cylinder, and a piezoresistive MEMS strain gauge bonded on the surface of the sensing element where the shear strain is maximum. The strain gauge includes eight piezoresistances and four are connected in a full Wheatstone circuit bridge, which is used to measure the applied torque force during machining procedures. Experimental static calibration results show that the sensitivity of torque sensor has been improved to 0.13 mv/Nm. A modal impact test indicates that the natural frequency of torque sensor reaches 1216 Hz, which is suitable for high speed machining processes. The dynamic test results indicate that the developed torque sensor is stable and practical for monitoring the milling process.
Asymmetric Directional Multicast for Capillary Machine-to-Machine Using mmWave Communications
Authors: Kwon Jung-Hyok , Kim Eui-Jik
Published: April 2016

The huge demand for high data rate machine-to-machine (M2M) services has led to the use of millimeter Wave (mmWave) band communications with support for a multi-Gbps data rate through the use of directional antennas. However, unnecessary sector switching in multicast transmissions with directional antennas results in a long delay, and consequently a low throughput. We propose asymmetric directional multicast (ADM) for capillary M2M to address this problem in mmWave communications. ADM provides asymmetric sectorization that is optimized for the irregular deployment pattern of mulicast group members. In ADM, an M2M gateway builds up asymmetric sectors with a beamwidth of a different size to cover all multicast group members with the minimum number of directional transmissions. The performance of ADM under various simulation environments is evaluated through a comparison with legacy mmWave multicast. The results of the simulation indicate that ADM achieves a better performance in terms of the transmission sectors, the transmission time, and the aggregate throughput when compared with the legacy multicast method.
Photometric Calibration and Image Stitching for a Large Field of View Multi-Camera System
Authors: Lu Yu , Wang Keyi , Fan Gongshu
Published: April 2016

A new compact large field of view (FOV) multi-camera system is introduced. The camera is based on seven tiny complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensor modules covering over 160° × 160° FOV. Although image stitching has been studied extensively, sensor and lens differences have not been considered in previous multi-camera devices. In this study, we have calibrated the photometric characteristics of the multi-camera device. Lenses were not mounted on the sensor in the process of radiometric response calibration to eliminate the influence of the focusing effect of uniform light from an integrating sphere. Linearity range of the radiometric response, non-linearity response characteristics, sensitivity, and dark current of the camera response function are presented. The R, G, and B channels have different responses for the same illuminance. Vignetting artifact patterns have been tested. The actual luminance of the object is retrieved by sensor calibration results, and is used to blend images to make panoramas reflect the objective luminance more objectively. This compensates for the limitation of stitching images that are more realistic only through the smoothing method. The dynamic range limitation of can be resolved by using multiple cameras that cover a large field of view instead of a single image sensor with a wide-angle lens. The dynamic range is expanded by 48-fold in this system. We can obtain seven images in one shot with this multi-camera system, at 13 frames per second.
Energy Calibration of a CdTe Photon Counting Spectral Detector with Consideration of its Non-Convergent Behavior
Authors: Lee Jeong , Kang Dong-Goo , Jin Seung , Kim Insoo , Lee Soo
Published: April 2016

Fast and accurate energy calibration of photon counting spectral detectors (PCSDs) is essential for their biomedical applications to identify and characterize bio-components or contrast agents in tissues. Using the x-ray tube voltage as a reference for energy calibration is known to be an efficient method, but there has been no consideration in the energy calibration of non-convergent behavior of PCSDs. We observed that a single pixel mode (SPM) CdTe PCSD based on Medipix-2 shows some non-convergent behaviors in turning off the detector elements when a high enough threshold is applied to the comparator that produces a binary photon count pulse. More specifically, the detector elements are supposed to stop producing photon count pulses once the threshold reaches a point of the highest photon energy determined by the tube voltage. However, as the x-ray exposure time increases, the threshold giving 50% of off pixels also increases without converging to a point. We established a method to take account of the non-convergent behavior in the energy calibration. With the threshold-to-photon energy mapping function established by the proposed method, we could better identify iodine component in a phantom consisting of iodine and other components.
Stretchable Metamaterial Absorber Using Liquid Metal-Filled Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
Authors: Kim Kyeongseob , Lee Dongju , Eom Seunghyun , Lim Sungjoon
Published: April 2016

A stretchable metamaterial absorber is proposed in this study. The stretchability was achieved by liquid metal and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). To inject liquid metal, microfluidic channels were fabricated using PDMS powers and microfluidic-channel frames, which were built using a three-dimensional printer. A top conductive pattern and ground plane were designed after considering the easy injection of liquid metal. The proposed metamaterial absorber comprises three layers of PDMS substrate. The top layer is for the top conductive pattern, and the bottom layer is for the meandered ground plane. Flat PDMS layers were inserted between the top and bottom PDMS layers. The measured absorptivity of the fabricated absorber was 97.8% at 18.5 GHz, and the absorption frequency increased from 18.5 to 18.65 GHz as the absorber was stretched from its original length (5.2 cm) to 6.4 cm.
Analysis of the Influencing Factors of the Public Willingness to Participate in Public Bicycle Projects and Intervention Strategies—A Case Study of Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Yang Ranran , Long Ruyin
Published: April 2016

In this study, factors influencing the willingness to participate in public bicycle projects were analyzed using the binary logistic model. The study builds on a broad and practical conceptual framework that embraces four dimensions of influencing factors, including household demographic, psychological, external, and public bicycle variables. The empirical results are based on a questionnaire survey that was sent to 520 urban residents in Xuzhou, Taizhou, and Suzhou in Jiangsu province. The survey indicates that environmental responsibility, improvement of the public transport system, health and safety considerations in relation to public bicycles, and environmental crisis consciousness have appreciable impacts upon the willingness to participation in public bicycle projects. The first three of these have a positive impact, whereas the last (environmental crisis consciousness) has a negative impact. Consequently, some policy suggestions are proposed.
Comparative Analysis of On- and Off-Grid Electrification: The Case of Two South Korean Islands
Authors: Kim Heetae , Baek Seoin , Choi Kyu , Kim Dojin , Lee Seongmin , Kim Dahill , Chang Hyun
Published: April 2016

South Korea’s main industry is the manufacturing industry, and it requires stable energy. Korea heavily relies on importing oils to produce energy, thus efficient energy management is critical. This is why many renewable and smart energy policies and infrastructure planning are being set up currently. Supplying reliable and sustainable renewable energy to remote areas has especially been questioned; therefore, adopting sustainable and clean energy based on renewable resources cannot be delayed any more. This research examines the most economically, technologically and environmentally suitable energy grid of two South Korean Islands. Several hybrid energy system configurations that analyze and identify the optimal grid-connected and grid-independent hybrid power generation systems are simulated in this study. According to the results of the study, the optimal regionally detached power generation system was the wind-PV-battery-converter hybrid system. At the end of this paper, implications and limitations are discussed.
Comparison of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Surface Plasmon Resonance and Biolayer Interferometry for Screening of Deoxynivalenol in Wheat and Wheat Dust
Authors: Sanders Melanie , McPartlin Daniel , Moran Kara , Guo Yirong , Eeckhout Mia , O’Kennedy Richard , De Saeger Sarah , Maragos Chris
Published: April 2016

A sample preparation method was developed for the screening of deoxynivalenol (DON) in wheat and wheat dust. Extraction was carried out with water and was successful due to the polar character of DON. For detection, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was compared to the sensor-based techniques of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and biolayer interferometry (BLI) in terms of sensitivity, affinity and matrix effect. The matrix effects from wheat and wheat dust using SPR were too high to further use this screenings method. The preferred ELISA and BLI methods were validated according to the criteria established in Commission Regulation 519/2014/EC and Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. A small survey was executed on 16 wheat lots and their corresponding dust samples using the validated ELISA method. A linear correlation (r = 0.889) was found for the DON concentration in dust versus the DON concentration in wheat (LOD wheat: 233 μg/kg, LOD wheat dust: 458 μg/kg).
99mTc-DPD SPECT/CT for localisation of inflammatory and chronic osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle
Authors: Freudenberg Lutz , Wieder Hinrich , Stollfuss Jens
Published: April 2016

Aim: The precise localisation of osteoarthritic and inflammatory changes is crucial for selective treatment planning of radiosynovectomy (RSV). The present study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of planar bone imaging and SPECT for the detection of pathological bone metabolism and inflammation in joints of the foot and ankle, compared with SPECT/CT. Patients, methods: 39 patients (mean age 65.6 ± 11.1 years) with suspected inflammatory osteoarthritis underwent SPECT/CT of the feet. After injection of approximately 500 MBq 99mTc DPD, all patients had three-phase planar bone imaging and late-phase hybrid SPECT/CT. late-phase SPECT, and CT of the foot. Increased bone metabolism and blood-pool was assigned to the respective joint of the fore-, mid-, and hindfoot, using SPECT/CT as the reference standard. Results: Overall, SPECT had a higher sensitivity than planar imaging (0.80 vs 0.68, n.s.). The advantage of SPECT was most obvious in the anatomically complex midfoot area (0.63 vs 0.26, p < 0.05) and less obvious in the forefoot (0.85 vs 0.79, n.s.) and hindfoot (0.89 vs 0.89, n.s.). The overall concordance (Cohen`s Kappa) between SPECT/CT and planar (late-phase) imaging and SPECT was high for the forefoot and the hindfoot (planar: 0.78/0.81; SPECT 0.86/0.88) and comparatively low for the midfoot (planar: 0.27; SPECT 0.61). Conclusion: SPECT was significantly superior to planar bone imaging for the detection of joint lesions in the midfoot. The differences between SPECT and planar imaging in the fore- and hindfoot were not significant, most likely due to the inherently less complex anatomy. Compared with SPECT alone, a benefit from the use of SPECT/CT can be observed in the midfoot region where it facilitates the identification of the correct joint for RSV.
Comparison of Pulse Rate Variability and Heart Rate Variability for Hypoglycemia Syndrome
Authors: Çelik Gamze , Yıldırım Mustafa , Ilhan Mahmut , Karaman Özcan , Taşan Ertuğrul , Kara Sadık , Okkesim Şükrü
Published: April 2016

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a signal obtained from RR intervals of electro -cardiography (ECG) signals to evaluate the balance between the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system; not only HRV but also pulse rate va -riability (PRV) extracted from finger pulse plethysmography (PPG) can reflect irregularities that may occur in heart rate and control procedures.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the HRV and PRV during hypogly -cemia in order to evaluate the features that computed from PRV that can be used in detection of hypoglycemia.

Methods: To this end, PRV and HRV of 10 patients who required testing with insulininduced hypoglycemia (IIHT) in Clinics of Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases of Bezm-i Alem University (Istanbul, Turkey), were obtained. The recordings were done at three stages: prior to IIHT, during the IIHT, and after the IIHT. We used Bland-Altman analysis for comparing the parameters and to evaluate the correlation between HRV and PRV if exists.

Results: Significant correlation (r > 0.90, p < 0.05) and close agreement were found between HRV and PRV for mean intervals, the root-mean square of the difference of successive intervals, standard deviation of successive intervals and the ratio of the low-to-high frequency power.

Conclusions: In conclusion, all the features computed from PRV and HRV have close agreement and correlation according to Bland-Altman analyses’ results and features computed from PRV can be used in detection of hypoglycemia.
Microsatellite primers for two threatened orchids in Florida: Encyclia tampensis and Cyrtopodium punctatum (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Weremijewicz Joanna , Almonte Jasmin I. , Hilaire Vanessa S. , Lopez Frank D. , Lu Stephen H. , Marrero Sarah M. , Martinez Catherine M. , Zarate Edson A. , Lam Ana K. , Ferguson Samantha A. N. , Petrakis Nicolas Z. , Peeples Kelsey A. , Taylor Ebony D. , Leon Natalie M. , Valdes Carolina , Hass Michael , Reeve Andrew B. , Palow Danielle T. , Downing Jason L.
Published: April 2016

Premise of the study:

The Million Orchid Project at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an initiative to propagate native orchids for reintroduction into Miami's urban landscapes. The aim of this study was to develop microsatellites for Encyclia tampensis and Cyrtopodium punctatum (Orchidaceae).

Methods and Results:

Ten microsatellites were developed for each species. For E. tampensis sampled from the natural population, allele numbers ranged from one to four, with an average observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.314 and average expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.281. For the individuals from cultivation, allele numbers ranged from one to six, with an average Ho of 0.35 and an average He of 0.224. For C. punctatum, allele numbers ranged from one to three, with an average Ho of 0.257 and an average He of 0.272.

Conclusions:

These microsatellites will be used to assess the genetic diversity of natural and cultivated populations with the intention of guiding genetic breeding under the Million Orchid Project.
An Estimation of the Whole-of-Life Noise Exposure of Adolescent and Young Adult Australians with Hearing Impairment
Authors: Carter Lyndal , Black Deborah , Bundy Anita , Williams Warwick
Published: April 2016

Background:Since amplified music gained widespread popularity, there has been community concern that leisure-noise exposure may cause hearing loss in adolescents and young adults who would otherwise be free from hearing impairment. Repeated exposure to personal stereo players
and music events (e.g., nightclubbing, rock concerts, and music festivals) are of particular concern. The same attention has not been paid to leisure-noise exposure risks for young people with hearing impairment (either present from birth or acquired before adulthood). This article reports
on the analysis of a subset of data (leisure participation measures) collected during a large, two-phase study of the hearing health, attitudes, and behaviors of 11- to 35-yr-old Australians conducted by the National Acoustic Laboratories (n = 1,667 hearing threshold level datasets analyzed).
The overall aim of the two-phase study was to determine whether a relationship between leisure-noise exposure and hearing loss exists.Purpose:In the current study, the leisure activity profiles and accumulated (“whole-of-life”) noise exposures of young people with (1) hearing
impairment and (2) with normal hearing were compared.Research Design:Cross-sectional cohort study.Study Sample:Hearing impaired (HI) group, n = 125; normal (nonimpaired) hearing (NH) group, n = 296, analyzed in two age-based subsets: adolescents (13- to 17-yr-olds) and
young adults (18- to 24-yr-olds).Data Collection and Analysis:Participant survey. The χ2 test was used to identify systematic differences between the leisure profiles and exposure estimates of the HI and NH groups. Whole-of-life noise exposure was estimated by adapting
techniques described in ISO 1999.Results:For adolescents, leisure profiles were similar for the two groups and few individuals exceeded the stated risk criterion. For young adults, participation was significantly lower for the HI group for 7 out of 18 leisure activities surveyed. Activity
diversity and whole-of-life exposure were also significantly lower for the HI group young adults. A substantial number of individuals in both groups reported participation in leisure activities known to involve high noise levels (HI < NH). The individual whole-of-life exposures for the
HI and NH participants were estimated and group median exposures were calculated. The median exposure for HI group young adults was significantly lower than that for the NH group (710 versus 1,615 Pa2 h [Pascal squared hours]).Conclusions:The number of young adults with estimated
exposure above the chosen noise-risk criterion in the NH group is concerning. With respect to the goals of hearing loss prevention initiatives, the more conservative social behavior (e.g., less nightclubbing) observed among HI group young adults may be regarded as a positive finding, but it
could also signify relative social disadvantage for some young adults with hearing impairment.
RESEARCH OF ATTRITION OF CYCLONE WALLS MADE FROM DIFFERENT MATERIALS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS ABBRASIVE MATERIALS / SKIRTINGŲ MEDŽIAGŲ CIKLONO DARBINIŲ PAVIRŠIŲ DILIMO, VEIKIANT ĮVAIRIOMS ABRAZYVINĖMS MEDŽIAGOMS, TYRIMAS
Authors: Gailius Tomas , Švagždytė Ieva
Published: April 2016

To eliminate particulate pollutants from air cyclones are being used. This article reviews the influence of particulate pollutants on cyclone insert. The stand was designed with possibility to change insert, rotation of engine and abrasive materials. Steel, stainless steel and polyurethane were used for inserts. Sand, glass balls, steel balls and corundum were used as abrasive materials. For the insert the steel balls has the strongest influence, when rotation of engine was 2400 rpm. Stainless steel was the most wearproof material for inserts.
Ciklonai naudojami dalelėms iš užteršto oro pašalinti. Šiame darbe buvo tirtas kietųjų dalelių poveikis vidinei ciklono sienelei. Suprojektuotas stendas, kuriame buvo galima keisti ciklono įdėklą, variklio sūkių dažnį ir abrazyvines medžiagas. Įdėklai pagaminti iš plieno, nerūdijančiojo plieno ir poliuretano. Kaip abrazyvinės medžiagos naudotas kvarcinis smėlis, stiklo rutuliukai, plieno rutuliukai ir korundas. Nustatyta, kad didžiausią poveikį sienelei daro plieno rutuliukai, kai variklio sūkių dažnis yra 2400 sūk./min, atspariausia dilimui medžiaga buvo nerūdijantysis plienas.
AN HST SURVEY FOR 100–1000 au COMPANIONS AROUND YOUNG STELLAR OBJECTS IN THE ORION MOLECULAR CLOUDS: EVIDENCE FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY DEPENDENT MULTIPLICITY
Authors: Kounkel M. , Megeath S. T. , Poteet C. A. , Fischer W. J. , Hartmann L.
Published: April 2016

We present a near-infrared survey for the visual multiples in the Orion molecular clouds region at separations between 100 and 1000 au. These data were acquired at 1.6 μm with the NICMOS and WFC3 cameras on the Hubble Space Telescope. Additional photometry was obtained for some of the sources at 2.05 μm with NICMOS and in the L′ band with NSFCAM2 on NASA’s InfraRed Telescope Facility. Toward 129 protostars and 197 pre-main-sequence stars with disks observed with WFC3, we detect 21 and 28 candidate companions between the projected separations of 100–1000 au, of which less than 5 and 8, respectively, are chance line-of-sight coincidences. The resulting companion fraction (CF) after the correction for the line-of-sight contamination is

14.4

−
1.3

+
1.1

%

for protostars and

12.5

−
0.8

+
1.2

%

for the pre-main-sequence stars. These values are similar to those found for main-sequence stars, suggesting that there is little variation in the CF with evolution, although several observational biases may mask a decrease in the CF from protostars to the main-sequence stars. After segregating the sample into two populations based on the surrounding surface density of young stellar objects, we find that the CF in the high stellar density regions (ΣYSO > 45 pc−2) is approximately 50% higher than that found in the low stellar density regions (ΣYSO < 45 pc−2). We interpret this as evidence for the elevated formation of companions at 100–1000 au in the denser environments of Orion. We discuss possible reasons for this elevated formation.
X-RAY SOURCES IN THE DWARF SPHEROIDAL GALAXY DRACO
Authors: Sonbas E. , Rangelov B. , Kargaltsev O. , Dhuga K. S. , Hare J. , Volkov I.
Published: April 2016

We present the spectral analysis of an 87 ks XMM-Newton observation of Draco, a nearby dwarf spheroidal galaxy. Of the approximately 35 robust X-ray source detections, we focus our attention on the brightest of these sources, for which we report X-ray and multiwavelength parameters. While most of the sources exhibit properties consistent with active galactic nuclei, few of them possess the characteristics of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) and cataclysmic variable (CVs). Our analysis places constraints on the population of X-ray sources with L
X > 3 × 1033 erg s−1 in Draco, suggesting that there are no actively accreting black hole and neutron star binaries. However, we find four sources that could be quiescent state LMXBs/CVs associated with Draco. We also place constraints on the central black hole luminosity and on a dark matter decay signal around 3.5 keV.