bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional morphogenesis of MDCK cells induced by cellular contractile forces on a viscous substrate
Authors: Imai Misako , Furusawa Kazuya , Mizutani Takeomi , Kawabata Kazushige , Haga Hisashi
Published: September 2015

Substrate physical properties are essential for many physiological events such as embryonic development and 3D tissue formation. Physical properties of the extracellular matrix such as viscoelasticity and geometrical constraints are understood as factors that affect cell behaviour. In this study, we focused on the relationship between epithelial cell 3D morphogenesis and the substrate viscosity. We observed that Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells formed 3D structures on a viscous substrate (Matrigel). The structures appear as a tulip hat. We then changed the substrate viscosity by genipin (GP) treatment. GP is a cross-linker of amino groups. Cells cultured on GP-treated-matrigel changed their 3D morphology in a substrate viscosity-dependent manner. Furthermore, to elucidate the spatial distribution of the cellular contractile force, localization of mono-phosphorylated and di-phosphorylated myosin regulatory light chain (P-MRLCs) was visualized by immunofluorescence. P-MRLCs localized along the periphery of epithelial sheets. Treatment with Y-27632, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, blocked the P-MRLCs localization at the edge of epithelial sheets and halted 3D morphogenesis. Our results indicate that the substrate viscosity, the substrate deformation and the cellular contractile forces induced by P-MRLCs play crucial roles in 3D morphogenesis.
Dynamical crossover line in supercritical water
Authors: Fomin Yu. D. , Ryzhov V. N. , Tsiok E. N. , Brazhkin V. V.
Published: September 2015

Dynamical crossover in water is studied by means of computer simulation. The crossover temperature is calculated from the behavior of velocity autocorrelation functions. The results are compared with experimental data. It is shown that the qualitative behavior of the dynamical crossover line is similar to the melting curve behavior. Importantly, the crossover line belongs to experimentally achievable (P, T) region which stimulates the experimental investigation in this field.
Parity and endometrial cancer risk: a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies
Authors: Wu Qi-Jun , Li Yuan-Yuan , Tu Chao , Zhu Jingjing , Qian Ke-Qing , Feng Tong-Bao , Li Changwei , Wu Lang , Ma Xiao-Xin
Published: September 2015

The association between parity and endometrial cancer risk is inconsistent from observational studies. We aimed to quantitatively assess the relationship by summarizing all relevant epidemiological studies. PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase and Scopus were searched up to February 2015 for eligible case–control studies and prospective studies. Random-effects model was used to pool risk estimations. Ten prospective studies, 35 case-control studies and 1 pooled analysis of 10 cohort and 14 case-control studies including 69681 patients were identified. Pooled analysis revealed that there was a significant inverse association between parity and risk of endometrial cancer (relative risk (RR) for parous versus nulliparous: 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65–0.74; I2 = 76.9%). By evaluating the number of parity, we identified that parity number of 1, 2 or 3 versus nulliparous demonstrated significant negative association (RR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.64–0.84, I2 = 88.3%; RR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.53–0.74, I2 = 92.1%; and RR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.65–0.70, I2 = 20.0% respectively). The dose-response analysis suggested a nonlinear relationship between the number of parity and endometrial cancer risk. The RR decreased when the number of parity increased. This meta-analysis suggests that parity may be associated with a decreased risk of endometrial cancer. Further studies are warranted to replicate our findings.
Divisibility patterns of natural numbers on a complex network
Authors: Shekatkar Snehal M. , Bhagwat Chandrasheel , Ambika G.
Published: September 2015

Investigation of divisibility properties of natural numbers is one of the most important themes in the theory of numbers. Various tools have been developed over the centuries to discover and study the various patterns in the sequence of natural numbers in the context of divisibility. In the present paper, we study the divisibility of natural numbers using the framework of a growing complex network. In particular, using tools from the field of statistical inference, we show that the network is scale-free but has a non-stationary degree distribution. Along with this, we report a new kind of similarity pattern for the local clustering, which we call “stretching similarity”, in this network. We also show that the various characteristics like average degree, global clustering coefficient and assortativity coefficient of the network vary smoothly with the size of the network. Using analytical arguments we estimate the asymptotic behavior of global clustering and average degree which is validated using numerical analysis.
Adaptation pathways of global wheat production: Importance of strategic adaptation to climate change
Authors: Tanaka Akemi , Takahashi Kiyoshi , Masutomi Yuji , Hanasaki Naota , Hijioka Yasuaki , Shiogama Hideo , Yamanaka Yasuhiro
Published: September 2015

Agricultural adaptation is necessary to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on crop yields and to maintain food production. However, few studies have assessed the course of adaptation along with the progress of climate change in each of the current major food producing countries. Adaptation pathways, which describe the temporal sequences of adaptations, are helpful for illustrating the timing and intensity of the adaptation required. Here we present adaptation pathways in the current major wheat-producing countries, based on sequential introduction of the minimum adaptation measures necessary to maintain current wheat yields through the 21st century. We considered two adaptation options: (i) expanding irrigation infrastructure; and (ii) switching crop varieties and developing new heat-tolerant varieties. We find that the adaptation pathways differ markedly among the countries. The adaptation pathways are sensitive to both the climate model uncertainty and natural variability of the climate system and the degree of sensitivity differs among countries. Finally, the negative impacts of climate change could be moderated by implementing adaptations steadily according to forecasts of the necessary future adaptations, as compared to missing the appropriate timing to implement adaptations.
High resolution mass spectrometry imaging of plant tissues: towards a plant metabolite atlas
Authors: Bhandari Dhaka Ram , Wang Qing , Friedt Wolfgang , Spengler Bernhard , Gottwald Sven , Römpp Andreas
Published: September 2015

Label-free chemical imaging of a wide range of metabolites in all major plant organs acquired at high spatial resolution.
Cyclic voltammetric determination of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity based on transdeamination
Authors: Xu Zheng , Hu Shuai-long , Tian Wei-fang , Wang Da-zhi , Liu Jun-shan , Liu Chong , Wang Li-ding
Published: September 2015

We propose a new enzymatic reactive system based on transdeamination for the electrochemical detection of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity.
Water-bridged hydrogen bond formation between 5-hydroxylmethylcytosine (5-hmC) and its 3′-neighbouring bases in A- and B-form DNA duplexes
Authors: Wang Rui , Ranganathan Srivathsan V. , Valsangkar Vibhav A. , Magliocco Stephanie M. , Shen Fusheng , Chen Alan , Sheng Jia
Published: September 2015

5-Hydroxylmethylcytosine (5hmC) interacts with its 3′-neighboring bases through water-bridged hydrogen bonds in both A- and B-form DNA duplexes.
Development and evaluation of a non-peptidic ligand for the molecular imaging of inflammatory processes using S100A9 (MRP14) as a novel target
Authors: Faust A. , Völler T. , Busch F. , Schäfers M. , Roth J. , Hermann S. , Vogl T.
Published: September 2015

We describe the development and first evaluation of a novel S100A9 specific molecular imaging probe (Cy5.5-CES271) for optical imaging of local inflammatory activity in vivo.
Mechanisms of fluorescence decays of colloidal CdSe–CdS/ZnS quantum dots unraveled by time-resolved fluorescence measurement
Authors: Xu Hao , Chmyrov Volodymyr , Widengren Jerker , Brismar Hjalmar , Fu Ying
Published: September 2015

The fluorescence decay spectrum of colloidal CdSe-based quantum dots is characterized by energy relaxation and radiative recombination of photoexcited excitons.
Dynamics of ultrathin gold layers on vitreous silica probed by density functional theory
Authors: Hühn Carolin , Wondraczek Lothar , Sierka Marek
Published: September 2015

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate substantial differences in Au agglomeration behavior on hydroxyl-free and hydroxylated vitreous silica surfaces.
Synthesis of magnetic mesoporous titania colloidal crystals through evaporation induced self-assembly in emulsion as effective and recyclable photocatalysts
Authors: Chen Jeffrey E. , Lian Hong-Yuan , Dutta Saikat , Alshehri Saad M. , Yamauchi Yusuke , Nguyen Mai Thanh , Yonezawa Tetsu , Wu Kevin C.-W.
Published: September 2015

This study illustrates the directed self-assembly of mesoporous TiO2 with magnetic properties due to its colloidal crystal structure with Fe3O4.
Polynuclear gold(i) complexes in photoredox catalysis: understanding their reactivity through characterization and kinetic analysis
Authors: McTiernan C. D. , Morin M. , McCallum T. , Scaiano J. C. , Barriault L.
Published: September 2015

The light mediated reduction of unactivated carbon–halogen bonds using polynuclear gold(i) complexes provides a mild and temporally controlled route to the generation of C–H, and C–C bonds.
Antimalarial activity of ruthenium(ii) and osmium(ii) arene complexes with mono- and bidentate chloroquine analogue ligands
Authors: Ekengard Erik , Glans Lotta , Cassells Irwin , Fogeron Thibault , Govender Preshendren , Stringer Tameryn , Chellan Prinessa , Lisensky George C. , Hersh William H. , Doverbratt Isa , Lidin Sven , de Kock Carmen , Smith Peter J. , Smith Gregory S. , Nordlander Ebbe
Published: September 2015

Thirteen new ruthenium and osmium half-sandwich complexes with chloroquine analogue ligands have been synthesized and evaluated for anti-malarial properties.
Anomalous Jahn–Teller behavior in a manganese-based mixed-phosphate cathode for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Kim Hyungsub , Yoon Gabin , Park Inchul , Park Kyu-Young , Lee Byungju , Kim Jongsoon , Park Young-Uk , Jung Sung-Kyun , Lim Hee-Dae , Ahn Docheon , Lee Seongsu , Kang Kisuk
Published: September 2015

We report a 3.8 V manganese-based mixed-phosphate cathode material for applications in sodium rechargeable batteries; i.e., Na4Mn3(PO4)2(P2O7).
Research highlights: elucidation of biogeochemical factors influencing methylmercury production
Authors: Erickson Paul R. , Lin Vivian S.
Published: September 2015

This Highlight features recent articles that examine in detail the effects of nutrient availability on the methylation–demethylation activity of microorganisms living in sediment with mercury contamination.
In vivo immunomodulatory effect of the lectin from edible mushroom Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Ditamo Yanina , Rupil Lucia L. , Sendra Victor G. , Nores Gustavo A. , Roth German A. , Irazoqui Fernando J.
Published: September 2015

The intake ofAgaricus bisporuslectin from edible mushroom modulates immune system reducing innate and adaptive responses.
Production of γ-valerolactone via selective catalytic conversion of hemicellulose in pubescens without addition of external hydrogen
Authors: Luo Yiping , Yi Jian , Tong Dongmei , Hu Changwei
Published: September 2015

A process was developed for the conversion of pubescens to GVL with high yield (20.0 wt%) and selectivity (90.5%).
2015 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry
Authors: Karst Uwe , Sperling Michael
Published: September 2015

Uwe Karst and Michael Sperling provide an overview of the European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry held at the University of Münster from 22 to 26 February 2015.
Localization of adhesins on the surface of a pathogenic bacterial envelope through atomic force microscopy
Authors: Arnal L. , Longo G. , Stupar P. , Castez M. F. , Cattelan N. , Salvarezza R. C. , Yantorno O. M. , Kasas S. , Vela M. E.
Published: September 2015

MappingB. PertussisFHA adhesin on a single bacterial envelope.
Towards aspirin-inspired self-immolating molecules which target the cyclooxygenases
Authors: Drake Christopher R. , Estévez-Salmerón Luis , Gascard Philippe , Shen Yang , Tlsty Thea D. , Jones Ella F.
Published: September 2015

Cyclooxygenase specific self-immolative triggers and their use in activatable fluorescent probes are reported.
Simultaneous removal of methylene blue and Pb2+ions using ruthenium nanoparticle-loaded activated carbon: response surface methodology
Authors: Mazaheri H. , Ghaedi M. , Hajati S. , Dashtian K. , Purkait M. K.
Published: September 2015

Ruthenium nanoparticles were synthesized in a green approach with high yield in the presence of ultrasound and then the product was loaded on activated carbon.
An insight into cochleates, a potential drug delivery system
Authors: Pawar Atmaram , Bothiraja C. , Shaikh Karimunnisa , Mali Ashwin
Published: September 2015

Cochleates are solid particulates made up of large continuous lipid bilayer sheets rolled up in a spiral structure with little or no internal aqueous phase. Cochleates improve the oral bioavailability and efficacy of the drugs by decreasing side effects.
Investigating the use of peanut meal: a potential new resource for wood adhesives
Authors: Li Jingjing , Li Xiaona , Li Jianzhang , Gao Qiang
Published: September 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of peanut meal (PM) to produce plywood adhesivesviasodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) modification.
Understanding the formation of PEDOT:PSS films by ink-jet printing for organic solar cell applications
Authors: Singh Arjun , Katiyar Monica , Garg Ashish
Published: September 2015

PEDOT:PSS films were ink-jet printed and were integrated into organic solar cell devices. The devices using printed films yield power conversion efficiencies comparable to the devices using spin coated PEDOT:PSS films.
A comparative study on the physico–chemical properties of sol–gel electrospun cobalt oxide nanofibres from two different polymeric binders
Authors: George Gibin , Anandhan S.
Published: September 2015

Physico–chemical characteristics of cobalt oxide nanofibres were tailored by varying the sacrificial polymeric binder in sol–gel electrospinning.
Biobased Janus molecule for the facile preparation of water solutions of few layer graphene sheets
Authors: Galimberti Maurizio , Barbera Vincenzina , Guerra Silvia , Conzatti Lucia , Castiglioni Chiara , Brambilla Luigi , Serafini Andrea
Published: September 2015

A biobased Janus molecule was used to prepare water solutions of nano-stacks made by few layer graphene.
Inhibition and promotion of electrochemical reactions by graphene in organic coatings
Authors: Chaudhry A. U. , Mittal Vikas , Mishra Brajendra
Published: September 2015

Time-dependent electrochemical properties of graphene nanoplatelets (GP) and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) composites are discussed.
Synergistic interactions between POSS and fumed silica and their effect on the properties of crosslinked PDMS nanocomposite membranes
Authors: Rezakazemi Mashallah , Vatani Ali , Mohammadi Toraj
Published: September 2015

A facile strategy for the synthesis of binary fumed silica–POSS nanofillers based nanocomposite membranes was developed.
Nano-structured surface modification of micro-porous ceramic membrane with positively charged nano-Y2O3coating for organic dyes removal
Authors: Zhang Lili , Li Na , Zhu Mengfu , Cheng Xiuting , Deng Yu , Deng Cheng
Published: September 2015

Through dip-coating and thermal decomposition process, the positively charged ceramic membrane was successfully prepared for negative organic dyes removal.
Anti-inflammatory alkaloid glycoside and quinoline alkaloid derivates from the stems of Clausena lansium
Authors: Liu Jie , Li Chuang-Jun , Ni Lin , Yang Jing-Zhi , Li Li , Zang Cai-xia , Bao Xiu-Qi , Zhang Dan , Zhang Dong-Ming
Published: September 2015

Six new alkaloid glycosides (1–6), along with two new quinoline alkaloids (7–8), were obtained from the stems of Clausena lansium. Compounds 4, 6, 9, 17 and 18 showed moderate inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in murine microglial BV2 cells.
Maleimide: a potential building block for the design of proton exchange membranes studied by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Li Xuejiao , Yan Liuming , Yue Baohua
Published: September 2015

Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations are applied to the study of proton transport in solid state maleimide.
Theoretical and experimental investigations on mono-substituted and multi-substituted functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes
Authors: Xia Yong , Yao Hongtao , Cui Meifang , Ma Yun , Kong Zhineng , Wu Baoying , Qi Zhengjian , Sun Yueming
Published: September 2015

Theoretical and experimental investigations on substituted functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes.
TiGa–VN complexes in GaN: a new prospect of carrier mediated ferromagnetism
Authors: Majid Abdul , Javed Mehreen , Rana Usman Ali , Khan Salah Ud-Din
Published: September 2015

First principle investigations exploring the effects of nitrogen vacancies on ferromagnetism in Ti doped wurtzite GaN are reported.
Computational study on the mechanism and enantioselectivity of Rh2(S-PTAD)4catalyzed asymmetric [4+3] cycloaddition between vinylcarbenoids and dienes
Authors: Wang Wan , Wang Gui-Chang
Published: September 2015

In this paper, the mechanism of asymmetric [4+3] cycloaddition between a vinylcarbenoid and a diene to form cycloheptadiene has been studied using a two-layer ONIOM methodology consisting of density functional theory and semiempirical PM6.
Enzyme-sensitive magnetic core–shell nanocomposites for triggered drug release
Authors: Yang Chunyu , Guo Wei , An Na , Cui Liru , Zhang Ting , Tong Ruihan , Chen Yuhua , Lin Huiming , Qu Fengyu
Published: September 2015

Sodium hyaluronic acid cross-linked gel was employed to coat outside of Fe3O4@mSiO2 nanopaticles to prevent drug pervasion by a novel approach.
Peptide functionalisation of nanocomposite polymer for bone tissue engineering using plasma surface polymerisation
Authors: Gentile P. , Ghione C. , Tonda-Turo C. , Kalaskar D. M.
Published: September 2015

Biofunctionalisation of POSS-PCU for bone tissue engineering by plasma surface treatment.
In situ stabilized AgNPs and (Cu-Cur)CD dispersed gel, a topical contraceptive antiretroviral (ARV) microbicide
Authors: Gaurav Chauhan , Goutam Rath , Rohan Kesarkar N. , Sweta Kothari T. , Abhay Chowdhary S. , Amit Goyal K.
Published: September 2015

Nano silver and (copper-curcumin)β-cyclodextrin based pre-exposure contraceptive-antiretroviral topical prophylaxis.
Scalable synthesis of Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2/LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4sphere composites as stable and high capacity cathodes for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Yin Huaqi , Ji Shaomin , Gu Mingzhe , Zhang Liguo , Liu Jun
Published: September 2015

The Li-rich cathode material Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2was uniformly coated with the stable active material LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4viaa simple and scalable co-precipitation method.
Embedding SiO2into graphene oxide in situ to generate 3D hierarchical porous graphene laminates for high performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Wu Wangliang , Wan Chunying , Wu Chuxin , Guan Lunhui
Published: September 2015

3D hierarchical porous graphene laminates through self-assembly of functionalized graphene oxide embedded with SiO2in situas a carbon host material for sulfur cathode, exhibits high reversible capacity, stable cycling performance as well as excellent rate capabilities.
Modelling of cracks developed in lithium-ion cells under mechanical loading
Authors: Sahraei Elham , Kahn Michael , Meier Joseph , Wierzbicki Tomasz
Published: September 2015

This research reports on an experimental and numerical study of material failure in the electrode assemblies (i.e. “jelly roll” and/or “electrode stack”) of lithium-ion batteries after local mechanical loading.
Bismuth nanoparticles: an efficient catalyst for reductive coupling of nitroarenes to azo-compounds
Authors: Pothula Kishore , Tang Lin , Zha Zhenggen , Wang Zhiyong
Published: September 2015

The synthesis of azoarenes from corresponding nitroarenes was developed by virtue of in situ bismuth nanoparticles.
Construction of highly functionalized carbazoles via condensation of an enolate to a nitro group
Authors: Poudel Tej Narayan , Lee Yong Rok
Published: September 2015

A transition-metal-free unique tandem annulation reaction has been developed for the synthesis of various functionalized 3-hydroxycarbazoles.
Isolation, structure and reactivity of a scandium boryl oxycarbene complex
Authors: Wang Baoli , Kang Xiaohui , Nishiura Masayoshi , Luo Yi , Hou Zhaomin
Published: September 2015

A well-defined scandium boryl oxycarbene complex undergoes coupling with CO, C–H activation of lutidine, and cyclopropanation with ethylene.
Pyrogallic acid coated polypropylene membranes as separators for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Haibin , Pan Lei , Wu Chaolumen , Gao Dacheng , Chen Shengyang , Li Lei
Published: September 2015

Pyrogallic acid (PA) coated polypropylene (PP) separators for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are developed. The PA coating makes the PP surfaces hydrophilic and thus improves LIB performance including specific capacity, cycling stability and power capability compared to the original PP separators.
Fabrication of graphene-porous carbon–Pt nanocomposites with high electrocatalytic activity and durability for methanol oxidation
Authors: Nan Lirui , Yue Wenbo , Jiang Yang
Published: September 2015

Highly dispersed Pt nanoparticles with a diameter of 2–3 nm are controllably fabricated on graphene-based porous carbon, and show dramatically improved electrocatalytic activity and durability for methanol oxidation compared to Pt nanoparticles supported by porous carbon or graphene.
Synthesis of FeCo alloy magnetically aligned linear chains by the polyol process: structural and magnetic characterization
Authors: Clifford Dustin M. , Castano Carlos E. , Lu Amos J. , Carpenter Everett E.
Published: September 2015

FeCo magnetically aligned linear chains (MALCs) were synthesized using polyol based co-precipitation chemistry under an external dynamic magnetic field and are potential candidates for magnetic switching devices and radar absorbing materials (RAMs).
Green-blue light-emitting platinum(ii) complexes of cyclometallated 4,6-difluoro-1,3-dipyridylbenzenes showing mesophase organisation
Authors: Kozhevnikov Valery N. , Donnio Bertrand , Heinrich Benoît , Williams J. A. Gareth , Bruce Duncan W.
Published: September 2015

Blue-green light-emitting phosphorescent PtII complexes of 1,3-bis(2-pyridyl)benzene are reported that incorporate hexadecyl-containing fragments in the 5-position of the pyridine rings.
Efficient Pt(ii) emitters assembled from neutral bipyridine and dianionic bipyrazolate: designs, photophysical characterization and the fabrication of non-doped OLEDs
Authors: Hsu Che-Wei , Zhao Yongbiao , Yeh Hsiu-Hsuan , Lu Chin-Wei , Fan Cong , Hu Yue , Robertson Neil , Lee Gene-Hsiang , Sun Xiao Wei , Chi Yun
Published: September 2015

Pt(ii) metal phosphor (1), with red-shifted emission versus non-planar counterpart (3), is particularly suitable for the fabrication of non-doped OLEDs.
Enhanced thermal conductive property of polyamide composites by low mass fraction of covalently grafted graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Ding Peng , Zhuang Nan , Cui Xieliang , Shi Liyi , Song Na , Tang Shengfu
Published: September 2015

Covalently grafted graphene nanoribbons allows for reducing the number of thermal contacts between GNR layers and leading to the more efficient thermal paths in polymer matrix. The result is a 165% enhancement of the thermal conductivity of polyamide composites at a 0.5 wt% of GNR.
Electron spin-polarization and band gap engineering in carbon-modified graphitic carbon nitrides
Authors: Yang Bo , Zhou Hongcai , Zhang Xiaoming , Zhao Mingwen
Published: September 2015

Carbon doping induces a semiconductor–metal phase transition in g-C3N4 with a rapid decrease in band gap and spin-polarization.
Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 1 and vascular aging
Authors: Yan Chen
Published: September 2015

VSMCs (vascular smooth muscle cells) play critical roles in arterial remodelling with aging, hypertension and atherosclerosis. VSMCs exist in diverse phenotypes and exhibit phenotypic plasticity, e.g. changing from a quiescent/contractile phenotype to an active myofibroblast-like, often called ‘synthetic’, phenotype. Synthetic VSMCs are able to proliferate, migrate and secrete ECM (extracellular matrix) proteinases and ECM proteins. In addition, they produce pro-inflammatory molecules, providing an inflammatory microenvironment for leucocyte penetration, accumulation and activation. The aging VSMCs have also shown changes in cellular phenotype, responsiveness to contracting and relaxing mediators, replicating potential, matrix synthesis, inflammatory mediators and intracellular signalling. VSMC dysfunction plays a key role in age-associated vascular remodelling. Cyclic nucleotide PDEs (phosphodiesterases), by catalysing cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis, play a critical role in regulating the amplitude, duration and compartmentalization of cyclic nucleotide signalling. Abnormal alterations of PDEs and subsequent changes in cyclic nucleotide homoeostasis have been implicated in a number of different diseases. In the study published in the latest issue of Clinical Science, Bautista Niño and colleagues have shown that, in cultured senescent human VSMCs, PDE1A and PDE1C mRNA levels are significantly up-regulated and inhibition of PDE1 activity with vinpocetine reduced cellular senescent makers in senescent VSMCs. Moreover, in the premature aging mice with genomic instability (Ercc1d/−), impaired aortic ring relaxation in response to SNP (sodium nitroprusside), an NO (nitric oxide) donor, was also largely improved by vinpocetine. More interestingly, using data from human GWAS (genome-wide association studies), it has been found that PDE1A single nucleotide polymorphisms is significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure and carotid intima–media thickening, two hallmarks of human vascular dysfunction in aging. These findings establish a strong relationship between PDE1 expression regulation and vascular abnormalities in aging.
Complex wavelet algorithm for computer‐aided diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Torrents‐Barrena J. , Lazar P. , Jayapathy R. , Rathnam M.R. , Mohandhas B. , Puig D.
Published: September 2015

Electroencephalography signals are used for computer‐aided diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, extracting critical features that belong to Alzheimer's signals are useful and tedious for neural network classification due to the high‐frequency non‐stationary components. For this purpose, time–frequency analysis and the multi‐resolution capability of wavelets represent an attractive choice. However, fluctuations of the transformed coefficients and the absence of phase information make the process less accurate in certain scenarios. Because of this, complex wavelet transform has been selected to handle Alzheimer's signals. Moreover, the importance of calculating an optimal threshold value has been highlighted, usually by means of Shannon entropy as a helpful threshold identifier of the complex wavelet transform used to produce significant results. The effectiveness of Tsallis entropy instead of Shannon entropy in handling Alzheimer's signals is evaluated, the former giving place to better features for neural network classification. As a result, accuracy has been improved from 90 to 95% using Tsallis entropy. Hence, this new proposal boosts the opportunity to reduce mortality rates by detecting the disease accurately.
Implicit disturbance rejection performance analysis of closed loop control systems according to communication channel limitations
Authors: Alagoz Baris Baykant , Tan Nusret , Deniz Furkan Nur , Keles Cemal
Published: September 2015

This study investigates limits of implicit disturbance rejection capacity of negative feedback control systems on the basis of communication channel limitations. Disturbance rejection performance of closed loop control structure is evaluated by using reference to disturbance ratio (RDR). Boundaries of RDR performance for stable control system are investigated by using stability boundary locus analyses. For computer‐aided system design problems, a graphical design method for disturbance rejection PID control system is presented and illustrative examples are shown. Numerical examples show that disturbance rejection control with improved step response performance is obtainable by two‐degree‐of‐freedom design combining high gain PID control and input prefiltering.
Thermal modelling and analysis for offshore submarine high‐voltage direct current cable crossings
Authors: Huang Ziyi , Pilgrim James A , Lewin Paul , Swingler Steve , Tzemis Gregory
Published: September 2015

With an increasing number of offshore high‐voltage direct current wind farm projects planned, submarine cable crossings become inevitable. It is important to accurately rate these circuits, because if high temperatures occur at crossing points, the cable may age prematurely. At present, the IEC60287‐3‐3 crossing rating method is inapplicable to such crossings due to a failure of the ‘Image’ theory, and it is challenging to carry out other analytical studies due to the difficulties in modelling the subsea thermal environment. As a solution, this study presents a new finite element analysis approach to study the thermal performance of submarine crossings under various continuous rating combinations and rock protection layer conditions, to provide guidelines for crossing operation. With focus on the free thermal convection mechanism within the rock layer, the significance of this mechanism is highlighted in a quantitative manner. It shows that when the free convection is preserved, the upper circuit can operate safely with its stand‐alone rating regardless of the crossing; while the lower circuit may require a de‐rating if its stand‐alone rating is thermally limited.
Efficient algorithm for transmission system energy loss allocation considering multilateral contracts and load variation
Authors: Elmitwally Akram , Eladl Abdelfattah , Abdelkader Sobhy Mohamed
Published: September 2015

This study proposes a new analytical method for transmission power loss allocation in hybrid market power systems. It is based on circuit laws and the orthogonal projection. In this method, the current flow in each branch is divided into two components. The first one is due to the power transfer from generators to loads. The second component is due to the voltage differences between generator buses. The later currents are called no‐load or circulating currents. These current components are computed by using the superposition principle. The responsibility of each load and generator to power losses in each branch of the network is derived analytically. Hence, the share of each load or generator in the overall transmission network losses is estimated. Furthermore, the impact of bilateral/multilateral contracts is included in the transmission network power loss allocation algorithm. The method is extended to consider the time variation of loads and wind generation. The proposed method is applied to four test systems and compared with other methods.
Centralised solution for subsynchronous control interaction of doubly fed induction generators using voltage‐sourced converter
Authors: Wang Liang , Xie Xiaorong , Jiang Qirong , Liu Xiangdong
Published: September 2015

Practical subsynchronous instability events have been observed in doubly fed induction generator‐based wind farms, which are radially connected to fixed series compensated transmission lines. As a special type of subsynchronous resonance, this phenomenon is described here as subsynchronous control interaction (SSCI). This study proposes a centralised SSCI mitigation scheme named as subsynchronous damper (SSD). In this scheme, an additional high‐power electronic voltage‐sourced converter is added to the collection bus of wind farms. It is designed to dissipate the electrical resonance power of SSCI. Thus, SSD provides positive damping for SSCI. Its basic principle is explained with equivalent electric circuit and the sufficient conditions for stabilisation are obtained mathematically. Controller design guidelines are given and have been verified first by eigenvalue analysis. Then a method to choose the capacity of power electronic converter is proposed. The effectiveness of SSD is finally demonstrated by extensive time‐domain simulations on a target system.
Constitutive parameter analysis of left‐handed dual‐star split‐ring resonator metamaterial for homogeneous infinite slab
Authors: Ullah Mohammad Habib , Uddin Md Jasim , Latef Tarik Abdul , Mahadi Wan Nor Liza , Ahsan Md Rezwanul , Islam Mohammad Tariqul
Published: September 2015

A new shaped backward wave periodic dual‐star split‐ring resonator (DSSRR) is proposed based on the equivalent transmission line theory. The proposed artificial DSSRR design structure produces a wide band from 7.5 to 9.5 GHz, and very high rejection (47 dB) with sharp cut‐offs in the forbidden band. To ensure the retrieval of electromagnetic parameters, primarily a single unit cell is considered. Then, the periodic four unit cells are decomposed to investigate the excitation metamaterial properties. The constitutive properties of the dispersion diagram exhibited very unusual characteristics and separated into different directions in balanced and unbalanced conditions in order to excite propagation in different modes. The dispersion of left‐handedness group velocity exhibits the parallel direction of the poynting vector and high gain in higher frequency regions, whereas the phase velocity demonstrates the anti‐parallel direction of the poynting vector obtained from the resonance frequency regions. The overall electromagnetic parameters of negative dielectric constant, resonance permeability, anti‐parallel phase and group velocity, and refractive index confirm that the proposed periodic DSSRR artificial structure to be the most suitable for metamaterial behaviour and characteristics.
Characteristics of streamers developing at inception voltage in small gaps of natural ester, synthetic ester and mineral oil under lightning impulse
Authors: Rozga Pawel , Stanek Marcin
Published: September 2015

This paper concerns the studies on streamer propagation in mineral oil, synthetic ester and natural ester at standard lightning impulse inception voltage in small point‐plane gaps. The inception voltages of both polarities were measured using step method and then analysed statistically. Simultaneously, streamer characteristics such as shape, emitted light and propagation velocity were compared between the liquids tested. The obtained results showed that the inception voltages were close to each other for all the three liquids tested. Concerning streamer characteristics, it was seen that the spatial shapes of the streamers were similar taking into consideration the given voltage polarity. The same may be said about the propagation velocities, indicating that the velocities of the positive streamers were twice as high as the negative ones. In the case of registered time courses of emitted light, the frequencies of the light pulses corresponding to the propagation of the streamers in both esters were a little bit higher than the pulses emitted by the streamers, which developed in mineral oil. In general, in all three liquids the streamers at inception voltages developed as so‐called ‘stopping length’ streamers.
Experimental evaluation of reducing ranging‐error based on receive signal strength indication in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Jin Rencheng , Xu Hao , Che Zhiping , He Qingye , Wang Liding
Published: September 2015

Node localisation technology is one of the most important technologies in wireless sensor networks. Receive signal strength indication (RSSI) technology is adopted to measure the distance between the sensor nodes in this paper, with comprehensive consideration of practicability, power consumption, cost and hardware. Reducing ranging‐error has been the key to location technology based on RSSI. Considering the random and systematic error of ranging, three schemes to reduce the ranging‐error are presented: outlier RSSI values processing, online modelling and error compensation. Through a large number of experiments under different conditions, it is demonstrated that the proposed three methods have better ranging performances, compared with the typical processing.
Helicon modes in uniform plasmas. I. Low m modes
Authors: Urrutia J. M. , Stenzel R. L.
Published: September 2015

Helicons are whistler modes with azimuthal wave numbers. They arise in bounded gaseous and solid state plasmas, but the present work shows that very similar modes also exist in unbounded uniform plasmas. The antenna properties determine the mode structure. A simple antenna is a magnetic loop with dipole moment aligned either along or across the ambient background magnetic field B0. For such configurations, the wave magnetic field has been measured in space and time in a large and uniform laboratory plasma. The observed wave topology for a dipole along B0 is similar to that of an m = 0 helicon mode. It consists of a sequence of alternating whistler vortices. For a dipole across B0, an m = 1 mode is excited which can be considered as a transverse vortex which rotates around B0. In m = 0 modes, the field lines are confined to each half-wavelength vortex while for m = 1 modes they pass through the entire wave train. A subset of m = 1 field lines forms two nested helices which rotate in space and time like corkscrews. Depending on the type of the antenna, both m=+1 and m = −1 modes can be excited. Helicons in unbounded plasmas also propagate transverse to B0. The transverse and parallel wave numbers are about equal and form oblique phase fronts as in whistler Gendrin modes. By superimposing small amplitude fields of several loop antennas, various antenna combinations have been created. These include rotating field antennas, helical antennas, and directional antennas. The radiation efficiency is quantified by the radiation resistance. Since helicons exist in unbounded laboratory plasmas, they can also arise in space plasmas.
Helicon modes in uniform plasmas. III. Angular momentum
Authors: Stenzel R. L. , Urrutia J. M.
Published: September 2015

Helicons are electromagnetic waves with helical phase fronts propagating in the whistler mode in magnetized plasmas and solids. They have similar properties to electromagnetic waves with angular momentum in free space. Helicons are circularly polarized waves carrying spin angular momentum and orbital angular momentum due to their propagation around the ambient magnetic field B0. These properties have not been considered in the community of researchers working on helicon plasma sources, but are the topic of the present work. The present work focuses on the field topology of helicons in unbounded plasmas, not on helicon source physics. Helicons are excited in a large uniform laboratory plasma with a magnetic loop antenna whose dipole axis is aligned along or across B0. The wave fields are measured in orthogonal planes and extended to three dimensions (3D) by interpolation. Since density and B0 are uniform, small amplitude waves from loops at different locations can be superimposed to generate complex antenna patterns. With a circular array of phase shifted loops, whistler modes with angular and axial wave propagation, i.e., helicons, are generated. Without boundaries radial propagation also arises. The azimuthal mode number m can be positive or negative while the field polarization remains right-hand circular. The conservation of energy and momentum implies that these field quantities are transferred to matter which causes damping or reflection. Wave-particle interactions with fast electrons are possible by Doppler shifted resonances. The transverse Doppler shift is demonstrated. Wave-wave interactions are also shown by showing collisions between different helicons. Whistler turbulence does not always have to be created by nonlinear wave-interactions but can also be a linear superposition of waves from random sources. In helicon collisions, the linear and/or orbital angular momenta can be canceled, which results in a great variety of field topologies. The work will be contrasted to the research on helicon plasma sources.
An analytical correlated random walk model and its application to understand subdiffusion in crowded environment
Authors: Hasnain Sabeeha , Bandyopadhyay Pradipta
Published: September 2015

Subdiffusion in crowded environment such as movement of macromolecule in a living cell has often been observed experimentally. The primary reason for subdiffusion is volume exclusion by the crowder molecules. However, other effects such as hydrodynamic interaction may also play an important role. Although there are a large number of computer simulation studies on understanding molecular crowding, there is a lack of theoretical models that can be connected to both experiment and simulation. In the current work, we have formulated a one-dimensional correlated random walk model by connecting this to the motion in a crowded environment. We have found the exact solution of the probability distribution function of the model by solving it analytically. The parameters of our model can be obtained either from simulation or experiment. It has been shown that this analytical model captures some of the general features of diffusion in crowded environment as given in the previous literature and its prediction for transient subdiffusion closely matches the observations of a previous study of computer simulation of Escherichia coli cytoplasm. It is likely that this model will open up more development of theoretical models in this area.
Control of normally on/off characteristics in hydrogenated diamond metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistors
Authors: Liu J. W. , Liao M. Y. , Imura M. , Matsumoto T. , Shibata N. , Ikuhara Y. , Koide Y.
Published: September 2015

Normally on/off operation in hydrogenated diamond (H-diamond) metal–insulator–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MISFETs) is reproducibly controlled by annealing at 180 °C. The transfer characteristics of the MISFETs reveal that the threshold gate voltage changes from 0.8 ± 0.1 to −0.5 ± 0.1 V after annealing, which indicates the MISFETs switch from normally on to normally off operation. Annealing also shifts the flat-band voltage in the capacitance–voltage curve of MIS capacitors from zero to −0.47 V. The mechanism behind the switch of normally on/off characteristics induced by annealing is explained by a change of transfer doping as follows. Adsorbed acceptors at the insulator/H-diamond interface allow the holes to accumulate in the H-diamond channel layer, so the MISFETs before annealing show normally on characteristics. Annealing causes loss of the adsorbed acceptors or provides compensatory positive charge in the insulator oxide, so the hole density in the H-diamond channel layer decreases markedly, and the MISFETs show normally off characteristics.
Atmospheric-pressure plasma jet characterization and applications on melanoma cancer treatment (B/16-F10)
Authors: Mashayekh Shahriar , Rajaee Hajar , Akhlaghi Morteza , Shokri Babak , Hassan Zuhir M.
Published: September 2015

A new approach in medicine is the use of cold plasma for various applications such as sterilization blood coagulation and cancer cell treatment. In this paper, a pin-to-hole plasma jet for biological applications has been designed and manufactured and characterized. The characterization includes power consumption via Lissajous method, thermal behavior of atmospheric-pressure plasma jet by using Infra-red camera as a novel method and using Speicair software to determine vibrational and transitional temperatures, and optical emission spectroscopy to determine the generated species. Treatment of Melanoma cancer cells (B16/F10) was also implemented, and tetrazolium salt dye (MTT assay) and flow cytometry were used to evaluate viability. Effect of ultraviolet photons on cancerous cells was also observed using an MgF2 crystal with MTT assay. Finally, in-vivo studies on C57 type mice were also done in order to have a better understanding of the effects in real conditions.
Enhanced analogue front-end for the measurement of the high state of wide-band voltage pulses with 87 dB common-mode rejection ratio and ±0.65 ppm 1-day offset stability
Authors: Arpaia Pasquale , Baccigalupi Carlo , Martino Michele
Published: September 2015

An improved analogue front-end for measuring the high state of trapezoidal voltage pulses with transition duration of 3 μs is presented. A new measurement system, composed by a front-end and the state-of-the-art acquisition board NI PXI-5922, has been realized with improved Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) of more than 87 dB at DC and 3-sigma stability of ±0.65 ppm over 1 day. After highlighting the main design enhancements with respect to state-of-the-art solutions, the CMRR measurement is reported. The output drift due to temperature and humidity is assessed to be negligible. Finally, the worst-case repeatability is measured both with shorted-to-ground inputs and with an applied common-mode voltage of 10 V, which represents the nominal working condition.
Influence of uniaxial strain in Si and Ge p-type double-gate metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors
Authors: Moussavou Manel , Cavassilas Nicolas , Dib Elias , Bescond Marc
Published: September 2015

We theoretically investigate the impact of uniaxial strain in extremely thin Si and Ge p-type double-gate transistors. Quantum transport modeling is treated using a 6-band k.p Hamiltonian and the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism including phonon scattering. Based on this framework, we analyze the influence of strain on current characteristics considering different transport directions and gate lengths. Our results first confirm the superiority of Ge over Si in long devices (15 nm gate length) for which best electrical performances are obtained considering channels along 〈110〉 with a uni-axial compressive strain. For this configuration, Si devices suffer from inter-subband coupling which generates a strong hole-phonon scattering. Material dominance is reversed for shorter devices (7 nm gate length) where the small effective masses of Ge deteriorate the off-regime of the nano-transistor regardless of strain and crystallographic options. Due to weaker hole-phonon-scattering, 〈100〉-Si devices with a tensile strain are interestingly found to be more competitive than their 〈110〉-compressive counterparts. These results show that Si is still the most relevant material to reach the ultimate nanometer scale. More importantly, the same tensile strain can be considered to boost performances of both p- and n-type planar transistors which would lead to a significant simplification of the technological strain manufacturing.