bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alignment of nanostructured tripeptide gels by directional ultrasonication
Authors: Pappas Charalampos G. , Frederix Pim W. J. M. , Mutasa Tapiwa , Fleming Scott , Abul-Haija Yousef M. , Kelly Sharon M. , Gachagan Anthony , Kalafatovic Daniela , Trevino Jacob , Ulijn Rein V. , Bai Shuo
Published: April 2015

We demonstrate an in situ ultrasonic approach to generate anisotropic organo- and hydrogels consisting of oriented tripeptides self-assembled structures.
First-principles investigation of novel polymorphs of Mg2C
Authors: Fan Changzeng , Li Jian
Published: April 2015

The calculated enthalpy curves as a function of pressure for novel Mg2C polymorphs relative to the cubic phase.
In situ FTIR and Raman spectroelectrochemical characterization of graphene oxide upon electrochemical reduction in organic solvents
Authors: Viinikanoja Antti , Kauppila Jussi , Damlin Pia , Suominen Milla , Kvarnström Carita
Published: April 2015

Spectroelectrochemical methods confirmed structural rearrangement and loss of oxygen-containing functional groups of graphene oxide during the electrochemical reduction in organic solvents.
Understanding the structural disorganization of starch in water–ionic liquid solutions
Authors: Zhang Binjia , Chen Ling , Xie Fengwei , Li Xiaoxi , Truss Rowan W. , Halley Peter J. , Shamshina Julia L. , Rogers Robin D. , McNally Tony
Published: April 2015

This work shows that the starch semi-crystalline structure can be destructured at much reduced temperature in aqueous [C2mim][OAc] of certain concentration.
Quantifying aromaticity with electron delocalisation measures
Authors: Feixas Ferran , Matito Eduard , Poater Jordi , Solà Miquel
Published: April 2015

Aromaticity descriptors based on the quantification of electron delocalization are all-round indicators that outperform most of the classical structural- and magnetic-based indices.
Correction: Theoretical studies on the mechanism of oxygen reduction reaction on clean and O-substituted Ta3N5(100) surfaces
Authors: Watanabe Eriko , Ushiyama Hiroshi , Yamashita Koichi
Published: April 2015

Correction for ‘Theoretical studies on the mechanism of oxygen reduction reaction on clean and O-substituted Ta3N5(100) surfaces’ by Eriko Watanabe et al., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cy00088b.
Polydentate chalcogen reagents for the facile preparation of Pd2 and Pd4 complexes
Authors: Azizpoor Fard Mahmood , Willans Mathew J. , Khalili Najafabadi Bahareh , Levchenko Tetyana I. , Corrigan John. F.
Published: April 2015

The reagent 1,2,4,5-(Me3SiSCH2)4C6H2 can be used for a facile route to the tetra-palladium tetra-thiolate complex [(dppp)4Pd4-μ-κ4S-{1,2,4,5-(SCH2)4C6H2}]4+, illustrated (dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane).
A novel inorganic–organic nanohybrid material H4SiW12O40/pyridino-MCM-41 as efficient catalyst for the preparation of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Tayebee R. , Amini M. M. , Akbari M. , Aliakbari A.
Published: April 2015

A new inorganic–organic nanohybrid material was prepared and performed as an efficient catalyst for the one-pot multi-component synthesis of different substituted 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols under solvent-free conditions.
Facile synthesis of an amine hybrid aerogel with high adsorption efficiency and regenerability for air capture via a solvothermal-assisted sol–gel process and supercritical drying
Authors: Kong Yong , Shen Xiaodong , Cui Sheng , Fan Maohong
Published: April 2015

An amine hybrid resorcinol–formaldehyde/silica composite aerogel with high adsorption efficiency and regenerability for air capture was developed by a solvothermal-assisted sol–gel process combined with supercritical drying.
Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in atomic spectrometry and related techniques
Authors: Evans E. Hywel , Pisonero Jorge , Smith Clare M. M. , Taylor Rex N.
Published: April 2015

This review covers advances in atomic spectrometric techniques, including atomic emission, absorption, fluorescence and mass spectrometry in 2014. Material on speciation and coupled techniques is not covered as this is included in a separate ASU review.
Carrier transport in quantum dot quantum well microstructures of the self-assembled CdTe/CdS/ligand core–shell system
Authors: Li K. Y. , Shan Q. S. , Zhu R. P. , Yin H. , Lin Y. Y. , Wang L. Q.
Published: April 2015

Photogeneration carriers’ transport behaviors in the interface space charge regions of high-quality CdTe/ligand QDs may be regulated via a self-assembled way.
Rhodium-catalyzed annulation between 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and alkynes leading to pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives
Authors: Peng Haibo , Yu Jin-Tao , Jiang Yan , Wang Lei , Cheng Jiang
Published: April 2015

A rhodium-catalyzed annulation between 2-arylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and alkynes was developed, leading to pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives in moderate to excellent yields.
Copper-catalyzed cascade addition/cyclization: highly efficient access to phosphonylated quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones
Authors: Li Ya-Min , Wang Shi-Sheng , Yu Fuchao , Shen Yuehai , Chang Kwen-Jen
Published: April 2015

A novel Cu-catalyzed addition/cyclization cascade of o-cyanoarylacrylamide has been developed for the synthesis of various phosphonylated quinoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones.
Rapid synthesis of ultrahigh molecular weight and low polydispersity polystyrene diblock copolymers by RAFT-mediated emulsion polymerization
Authors: Truong Nghia P. , Dussert Marion V. , Whittaker Michael R. , Quinn John F. , Davis Thomas P.
Published: April 2015

An environmentally friendly emulsion technique produces uniform nanoparticles with precise control over molecular weight and particle size.
Nitrogen-doped electrospun reduced graphene oxide–carbon nanofiber composite for capacitive deionization
Authors: Liu Yong , Xu Xingtao , Lu Ting , Sun Zhuo , Chua Daniel H. C. , Pan Likun
Published: April 2015

A nitrogen-doped electrospun reduced graphene oxide–carbon nanofiber composite was synthesized though electrospinning and ammonia treatment for an electrode for capacitive deionization.
Modeling the relationship between melting point of a metal nanowire and its cap surface curvature
Authors: Jiang Y. , Zhang K.
Published: April 2015

It is of practical importance to predict the melting point of metal nanowires in a confined environment.
Corrosion resistance of graphene directly and locally grown on bulk nickel substrate by laser irradiation
Authors: Ye X. H. , Yu F. , Curioni M. , Lin Z. , Zhang H. J. , Zhu H. W. , Liu Z. , Zhong M. L.
Published: April 2015

Graphene grown using a laser is superior at resisting the acid corrosive environment for realizing real application in the anti-corrosion field.
Size-dependent surface photovoltage in CdSe nanocrystal-based thin films
Authors: Li Ning , Wang Hongzhe , Lin Qingli , Shen Huaibin , Wang Aqiang , Qian Lei , Guo Fang , Li Lin Song
Published: April 2015

Surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) has been employed to study the photovoltage responses of CdSe nanocrystal-based heterojunctions with and without ZnO particles.
Formation of short three dimensional porous assemblies of super hydrophobic acetylene black intertwined by copper oxide nanorods for a robust counter electrode of DSSCs
Authors: Ahmad Waqar , Chu Liang , Al-bahrani Majid Raissan , Yang Zhichun , Wang Siliang , Li Luying , Gao Yihua
Published: April 2015

In this study, we synthesized monolithic copper-oxide nanorods (CuO-NRs) and doped into active super hydrophobic acetylene black (AB) nanocrystals via a fast solvation method.
Formation of graphene nanoribbons and Y-junctions by hydrogen induced anisotropic etching
Authors: Papon Remi , Sharma Subash , Shinde Sachin M. , Thangaraja Amutha , Kalita Golap , Tanemura Masaki
Published: April 2015

Demonstrated formation of nanoribbons, and Y-junctions structures with controllable hydrogen-induced anisotropic etching of graphene. The distinct graphene edges of individual ribbon created 120° to form a Y-shape structure.
Electropolymerization using binuclear nickel(ii) Schiff base complexes bearing N4O4donors as supramolecular building blocks
Authors: Martin Cibely S. , Machini Wesley B. S. , Teixeira Marcos F. S.
Published: April 2015

The supramolecular building blocks from a nickel(ii)bisalphen-type complex have been reported.
An efficient, green synthesis of novel regioselective and stereoselective indan-1,3-dione grafted spirooxindolopyrrolizidine linked 1,2,3-triazoles via a one-pot five-component condensation using PEG-400
Authors: Rajeswari M. , Sindhu Jayant , Singh Harjinder , Khurana Jitender M.
Published: April 2015

An efficient synthesis of highly diversified novel functionalized indan-1,3-dione grafted spirooxindolopyrrolizidine linked 1,2,3-triazole conjugates is reported using Cu(i) as a catalyst in PEG-400.
Structural, transport, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of CaMn1−xFexO3−δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4)
Authors: Singh Brajendra
Published: April 2015

Fe doping induces (i) structural transformation from orthorhombic to cubic (ii) increase in lattice constants and (iii) room temperature positive magnetocapacitance at low magnetic field in CaMn1−xFexO3−δ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) manganites.
Mesoporous NaYF4:Yb,Er@Au–Pt(iv)-FA nanospheres for dual-modal imaging and synergistic photothermal/chemo-anti-cancer therapy
Authors: Lv Ruichan , Yang Guixin , He Fei , Dai Yunlu , Gai Shili , Yang Piaoping
Published: April 2015

Mesoporous NaYF4:Yb,Er@Au–Pt(iv)-FA up-conversion nanoparticles have been designed for dual-modal imaging-guided anti-cancer therapy, and show excellent inhibition toward cancer cells due to the synergistic photothermal/chemo-therapy.
Polyvinylidene fluoride based lightweight and corrosion resistant electromagnetic shielding materials
Authors: Bhingardive Viraj , Sharma Maya , Suwas Satyam , Madras Giridhar , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: April 2015

Various NixCo1−x alloys (with x varying from 0–60 wt%, Ni: nickel, Co: cobalt) were prepared by vacuum arc melting and mixed with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to design lightweight, and corrosion resistant materials that can attenuate electromagnetic radiation.
Extending the biocatalytic scope of regiocomplementary flavin-dependent halogenase enzymes
Authors: Shepherd Sarah A. , Karthikeyan Chinnan , Latham Jonathan , Struck Anna-Winona , Thompson Mark L. , Menon Binuraj R. K. , Styles Matthew Q. , Levy Colin , Leys David , Micklefield Jason
Published: April 2015

Targeted mutagenesis increases the activity and alters the regioselectivity of flavin-dependent halogenases.
Enhanced thermoelectric properties of Sr5In2Sb6via Zn-doping
Authors: Chanakian Sevan , Zevalkink Alex , Aydemir Umut , Gibbs Zachary M. , Pomrehn Gregory , Fleurial Jean-Pierre , Bux Sabah , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: April 2015

Zn-doped Zintl compounds of Sr5In2Sb6show enhanced thermoelectric efficiencies, reachingzTof ∼0.4 at 750 K for Sr5In1.9Zn0.1Sb6.
Aptamer–conjugated graphene oxide–gold nanocomposites for targeted chemo-photothermal therapy of cancer cells
Authors: Wang Xinhuan , Han Qiusen , Yu Ning , Li Jingying , Yang Lin , Yang Rong , Wang Chen
Published: April 2015

The multifunctional GO–Au–aptamer nanocomposites were successfully constructed. They can be used as an excellent drug-delivery system for targeted chemo-photothermal therapy for cancer cells.
Age-Related Differences in Speech Rate Perception Do Not Necessarily Entail Age-Related Differences in Speech Rate Use
Authors: Heffner Christopher C. , Newman Rochelle S. , Dilley Laura C. , Idsardi William J.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

A new literature has suggested that speech rate can influence the parsing of words quite strongly in speech. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between younger adults and older adults in the use of context speech rate in word segmentation, given that older adults perceive timing information differently from younger ones.

Method

Younger (18–25 years) and older (55–65 years) adults performed a sentence transcription task for sentences that varied in speech rate context (i.e., distal speech rate) and a syntactic cue to the presence of a word boundary.

Results

There were no differences between younger and older adults in their use of the distal speech rate cue to word segmentation.

Conclusions

The differences previously documented between younger and older adults in their perception of speech rate cues do not necessarily translate to older adults' use of those cues. Older adults' difficulties with compressed speech may arise from problems broader than just speech rate alone.
Automated Speech Rate Measurement in Dysarthria
Authors: Martens Heidi , Dekens Tomas , Van Nuffelen Gwen , Latacz Lukas , Verhelst Werner , De Bodt Marc
Published: April 2015

Purpose

In this study, a new algorithm for automated determination of speech rate (SR) in dysarthric speech is evaluated. We investigated how reliably the algorithm calculates the SR of dysarthric speech samples when compared with calculation performed by speech-language pathologists.

Method

The new algorithm was trained and tested using Dutch speech samples of 36 speakers with no history of speech impairment and 40 speakers with mild to moderate dysarthria. We tested the algorithm under various conditions: according to speech task type (sentence reading, passage reading, and storytelling) and algorithm optimization method (speaker group optimization and individual speaker optimization). Correlations between automated and human SR determination were calculated for each condition.

Results

High correlations between automated and human SR determination were found in the various testing conditions.

Conclusions

The new algorithm measures SR in a sufficiently reliable manner. It is currently being integrated in a clinical software tool for assessing and managing prosody in dysarthric speech. Further research is needed to fine-tune the algorithm to severely dysarthric speech, to make the algorithm less sensitive to background noise, and to evaluate how the algorithm deals with syllabic consonants.
Adaptive sliding mode reliable control for switched systems with actuator degradation
Authors: Liu Yonghui , Niu Yugang , Zou Yuanyuan , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: April 2015

The problem of sliding mode control is considered for a class of uncertain switched systems subject to actuator faults. It is assumed that there may happen degradation in each actuator channel. Besides, the authors relax the restrictive assumption that each subsystem shares the same input channel, which is different from some existing works. In this work, a weighted sum approach of the different input matrices is introduced to construct a common sliding surface. Moreover, by on‐line estimating the loss of effectiveness of the actuators, an adaptive sliding mode controller is designed. This does not only compensate the effects of the actuator degradation effectively, but can also reduce the conservatism compared with some existing approaches which only utilise the bound of the gain variation. It is shown that the reachability of the specified sliding surface can be ensured, and a sufficient condition on the exponential stability of sliding mode dynamics is obtained via the average dwell time method. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On the neuro‐adaptive feedback linearising control of underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles in three‐dimensional space
Authors: Shojaei Khoshnam , Arefi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: April 2015

This study addresses the input–output feedback linearisation and the internal dynamics stability of an underactuated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in three‐dimensional space. By taking the coordinates of a virtual reference point in front of AUV system as the output equation, the input–output feedback linearisability of AUV kinematics and dynamics is guaranteed. A non‐linear controller is designed to make the reference point track a desired trajectory which is generated by an open‐loop path planner. Then, it is shown that the resulting internal dynamics of the system is stable. Neural network approximation capabilities and adaptive techniques are also adopted to compensate for unknown vehicle parameters, and constant or time‐varying disturbances induced by waves and ocean currents. A Lyapunov‐based stability analysis is used to show uniform ultimate boundedness of tracking errors. Finally, simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control system as a qualified candidate for real implementations in offshore applications.
Fast terminal sliding mode tracking of non‐holonomic systems with exponential decay rate
Authors: Mobayen Saleh
Published: April 2015

In this study, a recursive singularity‐free, fast terminal sliding mode control method, which is able to avoid the possible singularity during the control phase, is applied for a finite‐time tracking control of a class of non‐holonomic systems. The reaching control law is proposed to guarantee the existence of the sliding mode around the fast terminal sliding surface and zero‐tracking errors are achieved in finite time with an exponential decay rate. Simulation results are illustrated on three benchmark examples of chained‐form non‐holonomic systems: a wheeled mobile robot, an under‐actuated rigid body and a front‐wheel‐drive car. The results demonstrate that the proposed control law achieves favourable tracking performance for non‐holonomic systems.
Modified circularly polarised beam steering array antenna by utilised broadband coupler and 4 × 4 butler matrix
Authors: Karamzadeh Saeid , Rafii Vahid , Kartal Mesut , Virdee Bal S.
Published: April 2015

Among the other features, multiple beam antennas have the advantage of reduced multi‐path fading and co‐channel interference. Because of the outstanding features of the Butler matrices, they have been proposed extensively in recent years as feed networks of the antenna array applications such as broadband and circular polarisation. In this study, a beam steering array antenna composed of a broadband circularly polarised square slot antenna and a novel, Butler matrix feed network designed with a proposed broadband branch‐line coupler is introduced. The results show that a compact and its improvements are discussed. In this study, a broadband double box coupler with impedance bandwidth over 5–7.4 GHz frequency and the phase error less than 3° is employed. Also the measured impedance bandwidth of the proposed beam steering array antenna is 39% (from 4.7 to 7 GHz). The minimum 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth between ports, support 4.55–6.7 GHz frequency range. The measured peak gain of the proposed array antenna is 10.1 dBic that could scan solid angle ∼25 steradian.
Mitigation of power quality problems using distribution static synchronous compensator: a comprehensive review
Authors: Barghi Latran Mohammed , Teke Ahmet , Yoldaş Yeliz
Published: April 2015

Electric power quality (PQ) in distribution system has become increasingly significant subject both for end users and power suppliers with the deregulation of the electric power market. The inadequate performance of conventional compensation devices to mitigate PQ problems has revealed the use of advanced power electronics based compensation devices. Distribution static synchronous compensator (DSTATCOM) is one of the shunt connected custom power devices used to improve PQ, voltage and reactive power support and to increase the capability of the auxiliary service for utility grid. This study presents a comprehensive review of the various DSTATCOM configurations for single‐phase (two‐wire) and three‐phase (three or four‐wire) systems and control strategies for the compensation of different PQ problems in distribution systems. In addition, comprehensive explanation, comparison and discussion on DSTATCOM technology are performed. Furthermore, latest trends, practical consideration and some future research fields on DSTATCOMs are discussed in detail. This is intended to present a broad perspective on the status of DSTATCOM technology to researchers dealing with compensation of PQ problems in distribution systems.
Ultra‐low startup voltage low output ripple high‐efficiency hysteretic current mode step‐up DC–DC converter
Authors: Yuan Chi , Xinquan Lai , Hanxiao Du
Published: April 2015

This study proposes a hysteretic current mode step‐up DC–DC converter with ultra‐low startup voltage, low output ripple and high efficiency, which is suitable to be used as a power supply for an accurately voltage controlled systems, high‐efficiency devices and low‐voltage supply applications. A startup module is used for operating the switches when the input voltage is not high enough to supply the control circuit. The output ripple is restricted by a fixed‐hysteretic current mode controller whether the load is heavy or light. The high efficiency is obtained by applying an auto‐mode changed technology under light load. This makes some sub‐circuits of the chip enter into the power save mode and shuts down the power switching devices. At the same time, a back‐gate diode of the rectifying power metal‐oxide semiconductor device is used for maintaining output voltage. The chip has been made with a standard 0.35‐μm complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor process forming an area of only 960 μm × 820 μm. Experimental results show that the minimum startup voltage is 0.8 V; and the output voltage ripple is <10 mV. Moreover, the peak efficiency is 95% with a heavy load that can prolong battery life.
Bearing‐fault diagnosis using non‐local means algorithm and empirical mode decomposition‐based feature extraction and two‐stage feature selection
Authors: Van Mien , Kang Hee‐Jun
Published: April 2015

Bearing‐fault‐diagnosis problem can be conceived as a pattern recognition problem, which includes three main phases: feature extraction, feature selection and feature classification. Thus, to improve the performance of the whole bearing‐fault‐diagnosis system, the performance of each phase must be improved. The aim of this study is threefold. First, in the feature extraction step, a new feature extraction technique based on non‐local‐means de‐noising and empirical mode decomposition is developed to more accurately obtain fault‐characteristic information. Second, in the feature selection phase, a novel two‐stage feature selection, hybrid distance evaluation technique (DET)–particle swarm optimisation (PSO), is proposed by combining DET and PSO to select the superior combining feature subset that discriminates well among classes. Third, in the classification phase, a comparison among three types of popular classifiers: K‐nearest neighbours, probabilistic neural network and support‐vector machine is done to figure out the sensitivity of each classifier corresponding to the irrelevant and redundant features and the curse of dimensionality; then, find out a most suitable classifier incorporating with feature selection phase. The experimental results for the vibration signal of the bearing are shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed fault‐diagnosis scheme.
Verification of the Rician K‐factor‐based uncertainty model for measurements in reverberation chambers
Authors: Chen Xiaoming , Kildal Per‐Simon , Carlsson Jan
Published: April 2015

Measurements in reverberation chamber (RC) produce data that are random, and therefore they need to be processed from the statistical point‐of‐view for obtaining the desired characteristics and the accuracy. The complex channel transfer function in the RC follows complex Gaussian distribution provided that the RC is well stirred. The authors have recently presented a new uncertainty model based on the presence of an unstirred component of the transfer function, which was modelled by introducing an average Rician K‐factor. The model was validated in two RCs with translating mode‐stirring plates, being able to correctly describe the improvement in accuracy by rotating the antenna under test, and by blocking the line‐of‐sight between this and the fixed RC antenna(s). In the present study, they apply this uncertainty model to four RCs with different settings (e.g. RC volumes, number of plates or fixed RC antennas, translating and rotating mode‐stirrers etc.). For each RC, they examine the measurement uncertainty under different loading conditions. To repeat (during the different measurements) the actual mode‐stirrer positions at which the transfer function is sampled, they conduct all the measurements with stepwise (instead of continuous) mode‐stirring. The model is shown to work well for all the cases.
Global stability of infection‐free state and endemic infection state of a modified human immunodeficiency virus infection model
Authors: Sun Qilin , Min Lequan , Kuang Yang
Published: April 2015

This study proposes a modified human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection differential equation model with a saturated infection rate. This model has an infection‐free equilibrium point and an endemic infection equilibrium point. Using Lyapunov functions and LaSalle’s invariance principle shows that if the model’s basic reproductive number R0 < 1, the infection‐free equilibrium point is globally asymptotically stable, otherwise the endemic infection equilibrium point is globally asymptotically stable. It is shown that a forward bifurcation will occur when R0 = 1. The basic reproductive number R0 of the modified model is independent of plasma total CD4+ T cell counts and thus the modified model is more reasonable than the original model proposed by Buonomo and Vargas‐De‐León. Based on the clinical data from HIV drug resistance database of Stanford University, using the proposed model simulates the dynamics of two group patients’ anti‐HIV infection treatments. The simulation results have shown that the first 4 weeks’ treatments made the two group patients’ R′0 < 1, respectively. After the period, drug resistance made the two group patients’ R′0 > 1. The results explain why the two group patients’ mean CD4+ T cell counts raised and mean HIV RNA levels declined in the first period, but contrary in the following weeks.
Dead reckoning localisation technique for mobile wireless sensor networks
Authors: Rashid Haroon , Turuk Ashok Kumar
Published: April 2015

Localisation in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) not only provides a node with its geographical location but also a basic requirement for other applications such as geographical routing. Although a rich literature is available for localisation in static WSN, not enough work is done for mobile WSNs, owing to the complexity because of node mobility. Most of the existing techniques for localisation in mobile WSNs use Monte Carlo localisation (MCL), which is not only time consuming but also memory intensive. They, consider either the unknown nodes or anchor nodes to be static. In this study, the authors propose a technique called dead reckoning localisation for mobile WSNs (DRLMSN). In the proposed technique all nodes (unknown nodes as well as anchor nodes) are mobile. Localisation in DRLMSN is done at discrete time intervals called checkpoints. Unknown nodes are localised for the first time using three anchor nodes. For their subsequent localisations, only two anchor nodes are used. The proposed technique estimates two possible locations of a node using Bézout's theorem. A dead reckoning approach is used to select one of the two estimated locations. The authors have evaluated DRLMSN through simulation using Castalia simulator, and is compared with a similar technique called received signal strength‐MCL proposed by Wang and Zhu (2008).
Effects of dietary calcium propionate on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing lambs
Authors: Mendoza-Martínez German D. , Pinos-Rodríguez Juan M. , Lee-Rangel Héctor A. , Hernández-García Pedro A. , Rojo-Rubio Rolado , Relling Alejandro
Published: April 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of two levels of calcium propionate on lamb performance and some carcass characteristics. Twenty-one male Creole lambs with an initial weight of 25.3 ± 3.3 kg were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 0, 10, and 20 g of calcium propionate/kg of diet (dry matter basis). Intake, daily gain, feed conversion, carcass weight, and rib eye area were not affected (P < 0.05) by calcium propionate addition. Ruminal fermentation was not altered (rumen pH, volatile fatty acids concentration, and fermentation pattern), and ruminal ammonia-N presented a quadratic response (P < 0.05). In fat from the longissimus dorsi muscle, oleic acid showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05) and α-linolenic presented a linear increment (P < 0.05). The addition of 10 or 20 g of calcium propionate in diets containing 350 g/kg grain and 100 g/kg molasses did not modify the productive performance of lambs or ruminal fermentation, and minor changes were detected in long-chain fatty acid in intramuscular fat.
All-atom 3D structure prediction of transmembrane β-barrel proteins from sequences
Authors: Hayat Sikander , Sander Chris , Marks Debora S. , Elofsson Arne
Published: April 2015

Significance

EVfold_bb predicts all-atom 3D models of large transmembrane β-barrel proteins that are notoriously hard to determine experimentally. In some cases the algorithm can identify interactions between large extracellular loops, plugs, and the transmembrane β-strands. The major advance is the combination of evolutionary couplings between amino acid residues from protein family sequence alignments with prediction of β-strands to ascertain residue pairs that are hydrogen bonded between adjacent β-strands. The method will enable biological research into the function and druggability of outer-membrane proteins.
Neumann problems with indefinite and unbounded potential and concave terms
Authors: Papageorgiou Nikolaos , Rădulescu Vicenţiu
Published: April 2015

We consider a semilinear parametric Neumann problem driven by the negative Laplacian plus an indefinite and unbounded potential. The reaction is asymptotically linear and exhibits a negative concave term near the origin. Using variational methods together with truncation and perturbation techniques and critical groups, we show that for all small values of the parameter the problem has at least five nontrivial solutions, four of which have constant sign.
Quantifier extensions of multidimensional sofic shifts
Authors: Törmä Ilkka
Published: April 2015

We define a pair of simple combinatorial operations on subshifts, called existential and universal extensions, and study their basic properties. We prove that the existential extension of a sofic shift by another sofic shift is always sofic, and the same holds for the universal extension in one dimension. However, we also show by a construction that universal extensions of two-dimensional sofic shifts may not be sofic, even if the subshift we extend by is very simple.
Prevalence Rates ofBorrelia burgdorferi(Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae),Anaplasma phagocytophilum(Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae), andBabesia microti(Piroplasmida: Babesiidae) in Host-SeekingIxodes scapularis(Acari: Ixodidae) from Pennsylvania
Authors: Hutchinson M. L. , Strohecker M. D. , Simmons T. W. , Kyle A. D. , Helwig M. W.
Published: April 2015

The etiological agents responsible for Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), human granulocytic anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), and babesiosis (Babesia microti) are primarily transmitted by the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularisSay. Despite Pennsylvania having in recent years reported the highest number of Lyme disease cases in the United States, relatively little is known regarding the geographic distribution of the vector and its pathogens in the state. Previous attempts at climate-based predictive modeling of I. scapularisoccurrence have not coincided with the high human incidence rates in parts of the state. To elucidate the distribution and pathogen infection rates of I. scapularis, we collected and tested 1,855 adult ticks statewide from 2012 to 2014. The presence of I. scapularisand B. burgdorferiwas confirmed from all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Analyses were performed on 1,363 ticks collected in the fall of 2013 to avoid temporal bias across years. Infection rates were highest for B. burgdorferi(47.4%), followed by Ba. microti(3.5%) and A. phagocytophilum(3.3%). Coinfections included B. burgdorferi + Ba. microti(2.0%), B. burgdorferi + A. phagocytophilum(1.5%) and one tick positive for A. phagocytophilum + Ba. microti.Infection rates for B. burgdorferiwere lower in the western region of the state. Our findings substantiate that Lyme disease risk is high throughout Pennsylvania.
Gastrointestinal Infantile Hemangioma
Authors: Soukoulis Ines W. , Liang Marilyn G. , Fox Victor L. , Mulliken John B. , Alomari Ahmad I. , Fishman Steven J.
Published: April 2015

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to document the clinical presentation, diagnostic studies, and therapy of gastrointestinal infantile hemangiomas.

Methods:

This is a retrospective analysis of children with gastrointestinal hemangiomas culled from our Vascular Anomalies Center database. We detailed the location of visceral and cutaneous tumors, as well as radiologic and procedural methods used for diagnosis and treatment.

Results:

A total of 9 of the 16 children (14 girls and 2 boys) with hollow visceral hemangiomas also had cutaneous lesions. The most common extravisceral sites were regional facial lesions (n = 6), multifocal lesions (n = 2), and a solitary chest lesion (n = 1). Presenting symptoms were melena and hematochezia in the first 4 months of life (n = 14); several infants required multiple blood transfusions. The most frequent locations were small bowel and mesentery. One‐half of the patients (n = 8) were diagnosed by laparotomy; the majority (n = 12) had suspicious radiologic findings. Corticosteroid and/or propranolol were the most common therapies.

Conclusions:

Melena and hematochezia, sometimes with profound anemia, in the first 4 months of life, suggest the possibility of intestinal infantile hemangioma even in the absence of cutaneous tumor. Intestinal bleeding, particularly in association with a regional facial lesion, should initiate workup: ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging display diagnostic features. First‐line treatment is medical management; bowel resection may be necessary, particularly for perforation.
Massilia eurypsychrophila sp. nov. a facultatively psychrophilic bacteria isolated from ice core
Authors: Shen Liang , Liu Yongqin , Gu Zhengquan , Xu Baiqing , Wang Ninglian , Jiao Nianzhi , Liu Hongcan , Zhou Yuguang
Published: April 2015

Strain B528-3T, a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic, facultatively psychrophilic bacterium with polar flagella, was isolated from an ice core drilled from Muztagh Glacier, Xinjiang, China. The novel isolate was classified into the genus Massilia. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the novel isolate shares a pairwise similarity of less than 97 % with those of all the type strains of the genus Massilia. The major fatty acids of strain B528-3T were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH) (57.31 %), C16:0 (11.46 %) and C18:1ω7c (14.72 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The DNA G+C content was 62.2 mol% (T
m). The major polar lipids of this bacterium were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. From the genotypic and phenotypic data, it is evident that strain B528-3T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia eurypsychrophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B528-3T ( = JCM 30074T = CGMCC 1.12828T).
Phaeocystidibacter marisrubri sp. nov., a member of the family Cryomorphaceae isolated from Red Sea sediment
Authors: Zheng Xiaowei , Liu Hongcan , Song Lei , Zhang Limin , Wang Haina , Dai Xin , Huang Li
Published: April 2015

Strain G18T, a Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile, non-fermentative, yellow-pigmented bacterium, was isolated from Red Sea sediment. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain G18T was most closely related to Phaeocystidibacter luteus PG2S01T with 95.3 % similarity. Growth of strain G18T occurred at 10–42 °C (optimum 28–37 °C), pH 5.0–9.0 (optimum pH 6.0–8.0) and in the presence of 0.5–10 % NaCl (optimum 2–5 %). The major fatty acids of strain G18T were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified aminolipids, phospholipids and other lipids. The predominant quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The G+C content of the genomic DNA from strain G18T was 39.0 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic properties, strain G18T represents a novel species of the genus Phaeocystidibacter, for which the name Phaeocystidibacter marisrubri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is G18T ( = CGMCC 1.14954T = JCM 30614T).
Spectral Discrimination in “Color Blind” Animals via Chromatic Aberration and Pupil Shape
Authors: Stubbs Alexander L. , Stubbs Christopher W.
Published: April 2015

We present a mechanism by which organisms with only a single photoreceptor, that have a monochromatic view of the world, can achieve color discrimination. The combination of an off-axis pupil and the principle of chromatic aberration (where light of different colors focus at different distances behind a lens) can combine to provide “color-blind” animals with a way to distinguish colors. As a specific example we constructed a computer model of the visual system of cephalopods, (octopus, squid, and cuttlefish) that have a single unfiltered photoreceptor type. Nevertheless, cephalopods dramatically change color both to produce chromatically-matched camouflage and to signal conspecifics. This presents a paradox – an apparent ability to determine color in organisms with a monochromatic visual system – that has been a long-standing puzzle. We demonstrate that chromatic blurring dominates the visual acuity in these animals, and we quantitatively show how chromatic aberration can be exploited, especially through non-axial pupils that are characteristic of cephalopods, to obtain spectral information. This mechanism is consistent with the extensive suite of visual/behavioral and physiological data that have been obtained from cephalopod studies, and resolves the apparent paradox of vivid chromatic behaviors in “color-blind” animals. Moreover, this proposed mechanism has potential applicability in any organisms with limited photoreceptor complements, such as spiders and dolphins.
Comprehensive identification and characterization of conserved small ORFs in animals
Authors: Mackowiak Sebastian D. , Zauber Henrik , Bielow Chris , Thiel Denise , Kutz Kamila , Calviello Lorenzo , Mastrobuoni Guido , Rajewsky Nikolaus , Kempa Stefan , Selbach Matthias , Obermayer Benedikt
Published: April 2015

There is increasing evidence that non-annotated short open reading frames (sORFs) can encode functional micropeptides, but computational identification remains challenging. We expand our published method and predict conserved sORFs in human, mouse, zebrafish, fruit fly and the nematodeC. elegans. Isolating specific conservation signatures indicative of purifying selection on encoded amino acid sequence, we identify about 2000 novel sORFs in the untranslated regions of canonical mRNAs or on transcripts annotated as non-coding. Predicted sORFs show stronger conservation signatures than those identified in previous studies and are sometimes conserved over large evolutionary distances. Encoded peptides have little homology to known proteins and are enriched in disordered regions and short interaction motifs. Published ribosome profiling data indicate translation for more than 100 of novel sORFs, and mass spectrometry data gives peptidomic evidence for more than 70 novel candidates. We thus provide a catalog of conserved micropeptides for functional validationin vivo.
Optimizing sparse sequencing of single cells for highly multiplex copy number profiling
Authors: Baslan Timour , Kendall Jude , Ward Brian , Cox Hilary , Leotta Anthony , Rodgers Linda , Riggs Michael , D'Italia Sean , Sun Guoli , Yong Mao , Miskimen Kristy , Gilmore Hannah , Saborowski Michael , Dimitrova Nevenka , Krasnitz Alexander , Harris Lyndsay , Wigler Michael , Hicks James
Published: April 2015

Genome-wide analysis at the level of single cells has recently emerged as a powerful tool to dissect genome heterogeneity in cancer, neurobiology, and development. To be truly transformative, single-cell approaches must affordably accommodate large numbers of single cells. This is feasible in the case of copy number variation (CNV), because CNV determination requires only sparse sequence coverage. We have used a combination of bioinformatic and molecular approaches to optimize single-cell DNA amplification and library preparation for highly multiplexed sequencing, yielding a method that can produce genome-wide CNV profiles of up to a hundred individual cells on a single lane of an Illumina HiSeq instrument. We apply the method to human cancer cell lines and biopsied cancer tissue, thereby illustrating its efficiency, reproducibility, and power to reveal underlying genetic heterogeneity and clonal phylogeny. The capacity of the method to facilitate the rapid profiling of hundreds to thousands of single-cell genomes represents a key step in making single-cell profiling an easily accessible tool for studying cell lineage.
Crystal structure of tricarbonyltris(pyridine-κN)rhenium(I) tetrafluoridoborate
Authors: Ikotun Adebomi A. , Coogan Micheal P. , Owoseni Abimbola A. , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Egharevba Gabriel O.
Published: April 2015

In the title compound, [Re(C6H5N)3(CO)3]BF4, the ReIion is six-coordinated by three pyridine N atoms and three carbonyl C atoms. In each case, the carbonyl C atom liestransto a pyridine N atom. In the crystal, the ions are linkedviaC—H...F hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions, forming a three-dimensional framework. The F atoms of the BF4anion are disordered over two positions and gave a final refined occupancy ratio of 0.705 (11):0.295 (11).
Crystal structure ofcatena-poly[[[aquabis(1H-imidazole-κN3)copper(II)]-μ-3-({4-[(2-carboxylatoethyl)carbamoyl]phenyl}formamido)propanoato-κ2O:O′] dihydrate]
Authors: Liu Yan , Xu Liu-Yang , Zhang Hong-Tao
Published: April 2015

In the title polymeric complex, {[Cu(C14H14N2O6)(C3H4N2)2(H2O)]·2H2O}n, the CuIIcation, located on a twofold rotation axis, is coordinated by one water molecule and two imidazole molecules as well as two symmetry-related 3-([4-[(2-carboxylatoethyl)carbamoyl]phenyl]formamido)propanoate dianions (L2−) in an approximately square-pyramidal geometry. The coordinating water molecule is located on a twofold rotation axis while theL2−anion sits about an inversion center. TheL2−anions bridge the CuIIcations, forming polymeric chains propagating along the [101] direction. In the crystal, O—H...O, N—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H...π interaction link the polymeric chains and the solvent water molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.
Crystal structure of poly[bis(μ-nicotinamide-κ2N1:O)bis(μ-4-nitrobenzoato-κ2O1:O1′)zinc]
Authors: Aşkın Gülçin Şefiye , Necefoğlu Hacali , Tonbul Ali Murat , Dilek Nefise , Hökelek Tuncer
Published: April 2015

The asymmetric unit of the title coordination polymer, [Zn(C7H4NO4)2(C6H6N2O)2]n, contains two 4-nitrobenzoate (NB) anions and two nicotinamide (NA) ligands. The ZnIIatom has a slightly distorted octahedral coordination sphere. In the equatorial plane, it is coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms of the NB anions and one O atom of one of the two NA ligands. The axial positions are occupied by the pyridine N atoms of the two NA ligands. In the two NB anions, the carboxylate groups are twisted away from the attached benzene rings by 13.8 (2) and 13.4 (2)°, while the benzene rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 11.5 (2)°. The dihedral angle between the NA rings is 10.3 (1)°. Only one of the two NB anions and one of the two NA ligands bridge adjacent ZnIIions through eight- and twelve-membered rings, respectively, forming polymeric chains running along thea-axis direction. In the crystal, N—H ... O hydrogen bonds link adjacent chains, enclosingR(16),R22(20) andR66(16) ring motifs, forming layers parallel to (01-1). The layers are linkedviaa number of C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network.
Packing polymorphism in the crystal structure of 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl acetate
Authors: Kasuga Noriko Chikaraishi , Saito Yusuke , Sato Hiroyasu , Yamaguchi Kazuo
Published: April 2015

The title compound, C11H13NO6, shows two polymorphs, orange and yellow forms, both of which crystallize in the space groupP21/c. The molecular structures in the two polymorphs are essentially similar and adopt a planar structure, the maximum deviations for the non-H atoms being 0.1836 (13) and 0.1276 (13) Å, respectively, for the orange and yellow forms. In the orange crystal, molecules are linked by an intermolecular C—H...O interaction into a helical chain along theb-axis direction. The chains are stacked along thecaxis through a π–π interaction [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6087 (11) Å], forming a layer parallel to thebcplane. In the yellow crystal, molecules are connected through C—H...O interactions into a sheet structure parallel to (-302). No significant π–π interaction is observed. The unit-cell volume of the orange crystal is larger than that of the yellow one, and this accounts for the predominant growth of the yellow crystal.
Crystal structure of 5,11-dihydropyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one
Authors: Riad Noura M. , Zlotos Darius P. , Holzgrabe Ulrike
Published: April 2015

The title compound, C12H9N3O, is an intermediate in the synthesis of the muscarinic M2 receptor antagonist AFDX-384. The seven-membered ring adopts a boat conformation and the dihedral angle between the planes of the aromatic rings is 41.51 (9)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked into [001] chains of alternating inversion dimers formed by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds and pairs of N—H...N hydrogen bonds. In both cases,R22(8) loops are generated.
Medical laboratory quality systems – a management review
Authors: Theodorou Dimitris , Giannelos Padelis
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight changes in ISO 15189:2012 and ISO 15189:2007 concerning management review requirements and to present a management review checklist, which includes all the revised ISO 15189’s requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

– The recent revised and updated ISO 15189:2012 standard recommends a management review using a process approach and includes some additional topics.

Findings

– The management review is a key element in many quality management systems, including medical laboratory management systems in accordance with ISO 15189. The process approach enables laboratory top managers and personnel to achieve all the quality management system’s important inputs and outputs.

Originality/value

– As laboratory staff often encounter difficulties fully exploiting the management review process, this checklist helps laboratory staff carry out an effective management review covering all the quality management system’s important aspects.