bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FAKE BARNS AND FALSE DILEMMAS
Authors: Littlejohn Clayton
Published: September 2014

The central thesis of robust virtue epistemology (RVE) is that the difference between knowledge and mere true belief is that knowledge involves success that is attributable to a subject's abilities. An influential objection to this approach is that RVE delivers the wrong verdicts in cases of environmental luck. Critics of RVE argue that the view needs to be supplemented with modal anti-luck condition. This particular criticism rests on a number of mistakes about the nature of ability that I shall try to rectify here.
A new species ofParacomesoma(Comesomatidae) from Maldives (Indian Ocean) with an emended diagnosis and an updated key of the genus
Authors: Semprucci Federica
Published: September 2014

A new species from the subfamily Comesomatinae is described from the back-reef platforms of the central part of the Maldivian archipelago.Paracomesoma susannaesp. nov. is characterized by a large-sized body, very long cephalic sensilla (72–91 µm long), lateral differentiation of punctuations, and, in the males, 19–22 minute precloacal supplements, relatively short spicules (2.3–2.9 anal body diameter) and a hook-like structure in the distal end of the gubernaculum.Paracomesoma susannaesp. nov. is the only species so far described of the genus which appears to have such a low ratio of the outer labial and cephalic sensilla (about 0.02). An emended diagnosis ofP. paralongispiculumis proposed, along with an updated and modified key to all the valid species of the genusParacomesoma.
Inter-annual and seasonal dynamics of amino acid, mineral and vitamin composition of silver bellyLeiognathus splendens
Authors: Chakraborty Kajal , Joseph Deepu
Published: September 2014

Silver bellies,Leiognathus splendenswere studied for their spatial (south-west and south-east coasts of India), annual (2008–2011) and seasonal (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon) variations of protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The monthly mean Sea Viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor data for the period from January 2008 to December 2011 were taken into account to indicate the distribution of the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll-ato test the hypothesis that surface productivity might be related to nutritional biochemistry of this species. The four year average total protein content and chlorophyll-ashowed good correlation during monsoon on the south-west coast and monsoon/post-monsoon on the south-east coast, suggesting that the protein content is prejudiced by the chlorophyll-aconcentration. Amino acid scores observed monsoon maxima along the south-west and south-east coasts. Significant seasonal variations in vitamin content were observed at the study locations with high content of vitamins D3, E, K1and C on the south-west coast. Na content was maximal during pre-monsoon on the south-west coast, while post-monsoon maxima of Ca and K content were observed. The Fe, Mn and Zn were abundant in the samples collected from the south-west coast. The concentration of Se exhibited maximum values post-monsoon along the south-west and south-east coasts. The present study demonstratedL. splendensas a valuable source of the protein, amino acids, minerals and vitamins, showing that this low-value species is a good source of well balanced proteins with high biological value to be qualified as a preferred healthy food for human consumption.
Long-term weight status in regainers after weight loss by lifestyle intervention: status and challenges
Authors: Stelmach-Mardas Marta , Mardas Marcin , Walkowiak Jarosław , Boeing Heiner
Published: September 2014

After having participated in a weight loss trial, most participants do not stabilise the obtained weight loss but return to their initial weight. The aim of this review is to describe the main determinants of continued low weight status after weight loss, and the effectiveness of physical activity (PA), energy restriction and macronutrient composition of the diet for low long-term weight regain. Studies with intervention periods of at least 3 months duration of weight reduction measures and a follow-up at least 2 years after the intervention period were considered as eligible for the review. Owing to limited data, the studies describing the role of PA in weight management were eligible with a follow-up of 1 year only. It appears that a diet with self-regulation of dietary intake seems to be given a prominent role in the strategy of successful long-term weight loss among the obese. This measure could be combined with behaviour therapy and PA and tailored to the individual situation. However, considering available evidence it is difficult to conclude regarding unambiguous measures and to recommend a specific dietary intervention. Nevertheless, interventions should be effective in promoting intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy. The harmonisation and standardisation of data collection in the follow-up period of long-term weight loss studies is a major challenge.
Górecki Symphony No. 4, London Philharmonic Orchestra; Royal Festival Hall, London (12 April 2014)
Authors: Stein Robert
Published: September 2014

It's not the premiere of every Polish symphony that's greeted by a near sell-out audience at the Royal Festival Hall, but then it's not every composer whose previous symphony had the success of Henryk Górecki's Third, his Symphony of Sorrowful Songs. The Upshaw/London Sinfonietta/Zinman recording of this work has sold over a million copies.
The Long Shadow of Constantine
Authors: Cooper Kate
Published: September 2014

The fifth-century Christian writer Sozomen of Constantinople preserves a story told by certain pagans about the philosopher Sopater of Apamea, whom the emperor Constantine put to death in a.d. 333 on the advice of the Christian Flavius Ablabius, then Praetorian Prefect of the East. Constantine had consulted the philosopher — so the story goes — in an attempt to redress his guilt at having ordered the murder of some of his nearest relations, among them his son Crispus. But Sopater replied that such moral defilement could admit of no purification. Afterwards, on meeting some Christian bishops, Constantine was delighted to learn that the sins of those who truly repented could be washed away in Christian baptism. It was this that led him to adopt the faith, and to encourage his subjects to do the same.
Identification of human linear B-cell epitope sites on the envelope glycoproteins of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus
Authors: GOEDHALS D. , PAWESKA J. T. , BURT F. J.
Published: September 2014

A peptide library was used to screen for regions containing potential linear B-cell epitope sites in the glycoproteins and nucleoprotein of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The library consisted of 156 peptides, spanning the nucleoprotein and mature GNand GCproteins in a 19-mer with 9-mer overlap format. Using pooled serum samples from convalescent patients to screen the library, six peptides were identified as potential epitope sites. Further testing of these six peptides with individual patient sera identified two of these peptides as probable epitope sites, with peptide G1451–1469reacting to 13/15 and peptide G1613–1631to 14/15 human sera. These peptides are situated on the GCprotein at amino acid positions 1451–1469 (relative to CCHFV isolate SPU103/97) (TCTGCYACSSGISCKVRIH) and 1613–1631 (FMFGWRILFCFKCCRRTRG). Identified peptides may have application in ELISA for diagnostic or serosurveillance purposes.
A cooperative co-evolutionary particle swarm optimiser based on a niche sharing scheme for the flow shop scheduling problem under uncertainty
Authors: JIAO BIN , YAN SHAOBIN
Published: September 2014

The flow shop scheduling problem based on ideal and precise conditions has been a focus of considerable research since the first easy scheduling problem was formulated. In reality, some uncertain factors always restrict the scheduling optimisation problem. In this paper, taking uncertain processing time as an example, we use generalised rough sets theory to transform the rough flow shop scheduling model into the precise scheduling model. We adopt a cooperative co-evolutionary particle swarm optimisation algorithm based on a niche sharing scheme (NCPSO) to minimise the makespan in comparison with the particle swarm optimiser (PSO) and co-evolution particle swarm optimiser (CPSO) algorithms. The new algorithm is characterised by a strengthening of the ability to reserve excellent particles and searching the optimal solution. Experimental results show that the new algorithm is more effective and efficient than the others.
An empirical comparison of sales time series for online and offline channels for commodities in China
Authors: WANG JINLONG , WEN CAN , WANG XIAOYI
Published: September 2014

In this paper we make an empirical comparison of sales time series for online and offline channels. In particular, we analyse the sales dynamic and fluctuation level underlying the sales time series in different channels. The accumulative daily sales distributions of commodities are analysed statistically and the daily sales series are also studied from the perspective of complex networks. We find that most of the commodities' accumulative sales distributions can be fitted by power-law distributions. Visibility graphs are constructed for the daily sales series, and the accumulative degree distributions are also investigated – it is found that they also almost follow power-law distribution. The constant parameter α indicates that different specifications of the same goods have different sales characteristics, and different forms of packaging of commodities, either special offer or ordinary, also show distinctive sales fluctuation levels. The differences show that the direction of these relationships is opposite for online and offline channels.
Information Transmission under Random Emission Constraints
Authors: COMETS FRANCIS , DELARUE FRANÇOIS , SCHOTT RENÉ
Published: September 2014

We model the transmission of a message on the complete graph with n vertices and limited resources. The vertices of the graph represent servers that may broadcast the message at random. Each server has a random emission capital that decreases at each emission. Quantities of interest are the number of servers that receive the information before the capital of all the informed servers is exhausted and the exhaustion time. We establish limit theorems (law of large numbers, central limit theorem and large deviation principle), as n → ∞, for the proportion of informed vertices before exhaustion and for the total duration. The analysis relies on a construction of the transmission procedure as a dynamical selection of successful nodes in a Galton–Watson tree with respect to the success epochs of the coupon collector problem.
Changes in health-related quality of life and quality of care among terminally ill cancer patients and survival prediction: Multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Lee Myung Kyung , Lee Woo Jin , Do Young Rok , Lee Keun Seok , Jung Kyung Hae , Heo Dae Seog , Kim Sam Yong , Park Sang Yoon , Jeong Hyun Sik , Kang Jung Hun , Kim Si-Young , Park Sook Ryun , Yun Young Ho
Published: September 2014

Objective:

This study examined changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and quality of care (QoC) as perceived by terminally ill cancer patients and a stratified set of HRQoL or QoC factors that are most likely to influence survival at the end of life (EoL).

Method:

We administered questionnaires to 619 consecutive patients immediately after they were diagnosed with terminal cancer by physicians at 11 university hospitals and at the National Cancer Center in Korea. Subjects were followed up over 161.2 person-years until their deaths. We measured HRQoL using the core 30-item European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, and QoC using the Quality Care Questionnaire–End of Life (QCQ–EoL). We evaluated changes in HRQoL and QoC issues during the first three months after enrollment, performing sensitivity analysis by using data generated via four methods (complete case analysis, available case analysis, the last observation carried forward, and multiple imputation).

Results:

Emotional and cognitive functioning decreased significantly over time, while dyspnea, constipation, and pain increased significantly. Dignity-conserving care, care by healthcare professionals, family relationships, and QCQ–EoL total score decreased significantly. Global QoL, appetite loss, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG–PS) scores were significantly associated with survival.

Significance of results:

Future standardization of palliative care should be focused on assessment of these deteriorated types of quality. Accurate estimates of the length of life remaining for terminally ill cancer patients by such EoL-enhancing factors as global QoL, appetite loss, and ECOG–PS are needed to help patients experience a dignified and comfortable death.
Delirium in advanced age and dementia: A prolonged refractory course of delirium and lower functional status
Authors: Boettger Soenke , Jenewein Josef , Breitbart William
Published: September 2014

Objective:

The factors associated with persistent delirium, in contrast to resolved delirium, have not been studied well. The aim of our present study was to identify the factors associated with delirium resolution as measured by the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) and functional improvement as measured by the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale.

Method:

All subjects were recruited from psychiatric referrals at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The two study instruments were performed at baseline (T1), at 2–3 days (T2), and at 4–7 days (T3). Subjects with persistent delirium were compared to those with resolved delirium in respect to sociodemographic and medical variables.

Results:

Overall, 26 out of 111 patients had persistent delirium. These patients were older, predominantly male, and had more frequently preexisting comorbid dementia. Among cancer diagnoses and stage of illness, brain cancer and terminal illness contributed to persistent delirium or late response, whereas gastrointestinal cancer was associated with resolved delirium. Among etiologies, infection responded late to delirium management, usually at one week. Furthermore, delirium was more severe in patients with persistent delirium from baseline through one week. At baseline, MDAS scores were 20.1 in persistent delirium compared to 17 to 18.8 in resolved delirium (T2 and T3), and at one week of management (T3), MDAS scores were 15.2 and 4.7 to 7.4, respectively. At one week of management, persistent delirium manifested in more severe impairment in the domains of consciousness, cognition, organization, perception, psychomotor behavior, and sleep–wake cycle. In addition, persistent delirium caused more severe functional impairment.

Significance of results:

In this delirium sample, advanced age and preexisting dementia, as well as brain cancer, terminal illness, infection, and delirium severity contributed to persistent delirium or late response, indicating a prolonged and refractory course of delirium, in addition to more severe functional impairment through one week of management.
Main Characteristics of Hungarian Twin and Multiple Births in Official Statistics
Authors: Pári András
Published: September 2014

Since 1876, statistical data on twin and multiple (TAM) births and deliveries have been registered in Hungary. Although there were some years during this 138-year period when twin births and deliveries were left out of the statistics, the trends can be followed, except for the period of World War II. The trends of twinning over the past four decades are summarized in this article, relying on official statistical data since 1970. Notably, the TAM birth rate rose following the Act CLIV of 1997 on Health. The Act provided state support for assisted reproductive treatments (ART), which spectacularly increased the ratio of twins — and especially of triplets — among live births. The trend has turned around since 2009–2010, and a decreasing era of TAM births seems to have begun. This article discusses some of the main and most interesting findings connected with TAM births, including twinning rates associated with different age groups, educational level, and actual place of residence by mothers, and the number of previous pregnancies of the mother. Ratios of live born males compared with live born females, lengths and weights at birth both among twins and singletons, and infant mortality rates have been calculated from the data. Twinning rates are higher in the western counties, the capital and its suburbs, and lower in the eastern counties.
The WHO START Study
Authors: De Leo D. , Milner A. , Fleischmann A. , Bertolote J. , Collings S. , Amadeo S. , Chan S. , Yip P. S. F. , Huang Y. , Saniel B. , Lilo F. , Lilo C. , David A. M. , Benavente B. , Nadera D. , Pompili M. , Kolves K. E. , Kolves K. , Wang X.
Published: September 2014

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) study entitled Suicide Trends in At-Risk Territories (START) is an international multisite initiative that aims to stimulate suicide research and prevention across different areas of the globe. A central component of the study is the development of registration systems for fatal and nonfatal suicidal behaviors. Aims: This paper provides an overview of the data collected on suicidal behaviors from the participating locations in the START study. Method: Descriptive statistics on the data are presented in terms of age, sex, and method. Results: A greater proportion of suicide deaths occurred among males. In all areas except the Philippines more females than males engaged in nonfatal suicidal behaviors. Compared to Australia, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong SAR, in the Pacific Islands suicide most often occurs in younger age groups. Results indicate notable variations between countries in choice of method. A greater proportion of suicides occurred by hanging in Pacific Islands, while inhalation of carbon monoxide, use of firearms, ingestion of chemicals and poisons, and drug overdose were the most frequent methods of choice in other areas. Conclusion: The information drawn from this study demonstrates the enormous variation in suicidal behavior across the areas involved in the START Study. Further research is needed to assess the reliability of the established data-recording systems for suicidal behaviors. The baseline data established in START may allow the development of suicide prevention initiatives sensitive to variation in the profile of suicide across different locations.
Religion and Spirituality in Online Suicide Bereavement
Authors: Krysinska Karolina , Andriessen Karl , Corveleyn Jozef
Published: September 2014

Background: Religion and spirituality can be valuable resources in coping with bereavement. There is a paucity of studies focusing specifically on their role in suicide bereavement, although there are indications that religion/spirituality can be helpful for suicide survivors. Aims: The study explores the role of religion and/or spirituality in suicide bereavement by analyzing this theme in online memorials dedicated to suicide victims. Method: We randomly selected 250 memorials in two online cemeteries: Faces of Suicide and Gone too Soon. Interpretative and deductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes in the collected material, including the theme of religion/spirituality. Results: References to religion/spirituality were found in 14% of memorials. These memorials were written by family members, friends, and (ex-)partners of the deceased and were dedicated mostly to young adult males. Religion/spirituality was mentioned in the context of God’s will, peace wish, continuation of the spirit, afterlife, reunion, gratitude, description of the deceased, and grief reactions of suicide survivors. Conclusion: Some suicide survivors spontaneously mention the role of religious/spiritual beliefs in coping with their loss. Future studies could explore which subgroups of the bereaved are likely to turn to these resources, and whether they can contribute to the well-being of the suicide survivors.
Magnetic nanoparticle-mediated isolation of functional bacteria in a complex microbial community
Authors: Zhang Dayi , Berry James P , Zhu Di , Wang Yun , Chen Yin , Jiang Bo , Huang Shi , Langford Harry , Li Guanghe , Davison Paul A , Xu Jian , Aries Eric , Huang Wei E
Published: September 2014

Although uncultured microorganisms have important roles in ecosystems, their ecophysiology in situ remains elusive owing to the difficulty of obtaining live cells from their natural habitats. In this study, we employed a novel magnetic nanoparticle-mediated isolation (MMI) method to recover metabolically active cells of a group of previously uncultured phenol degraders, Burkholderiales spp., from coking plant wastewater biosludge; five other culturable phenol degraders—Rhodococcus sp., Chryseobacterium sp. and three different Pseudomonas spp.—were also isolated from the same biosludge using traditional methods. The kinetics of phenol degradation by MMI-recovered cells (MRCs) was similar to that of the original sludge. Stable isotope probing (SIP) and pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA from the ‘heavy’ DNA (13C-DNA) fractions indicated that Burkholderiales spp. were the key phenol degraders in situ in the biosludge, consistent with the results of MRCs. Single-cell Raman micro-spectroscopy was applied to probe individual bacteria in the MRCs obtained from the SIP experiment and showed that 79% of them were fully 13C-labelled. Biolog assays on the MRCs revealed the impact of various carbon and nitrogen substrates on the efficiency of phenol degradation in the wastewater treatment plant biosludge. Specifically, hydroxylamine, a metabolite of ammonia oxidisation, but not nitrite, nitrate or ammonia, inhibited phenol degradation in the biosludge. Our results provided a novel insight into the occasional abrupt failure events that occur in the wastewater treatment plant. This study demonstrated that MMI is a powerful tool to recover live and functional cells in situ from a complex microbial community to enable further characterisation of their physiology.
Highly unusual interpenetration isomers of electroactive nickel bis(dithiolene) coordination frameworks
Authors: Faust Thomas B. , Usov Pavel M. , D'Alessandro Deanna M. , Kepert Cameron J.
Published: September 2014

Two highly unusual isomeric coordination frameworks incorporating the nickel bis(dithiolate) metalloligand exhibit cyclable electroactive properties.
A naked-eye and ratiometric near-infrared probe for palladium via modulation of a π-conjugated system of cyanines
Authors: Wang Xiaohang , Guo Zhiqian , Zhu Shiqin , Tian He , Zhu Weihong
Published: September 2014

The modulation of π-conjugated electrons in cyanine dyes can result in a ratiometric fluorescence change with a large Stokes shift (270 nm), especially for realizing palladium detection in aqueous samples using indicator paper and in living cells by ratiometric mode.
Selective phosphanyl complex trapping using TEMPO. Synthesis and reactivity of P-functional P-nitroxyl phosphane complexes
Authors: Nesterov Vitaly , Qu Zheng-Wang , Schnakenburg Gregor , Grimme Stefan , Streubel Rainer
Published: September 2014

From phosphanyl to phosphanoxyl complexes:in situreactions of phosphanyl complexes with TEMPO led to correspondingP-nitroxyl phosphane complexes, which thermally form transient phosphanoxyl complexes, the transition-metal stabilizedP-analogues of nitroxyl radicals.
Fine tuning the ionic liquid–vacuum outer atomic surface using ion mixtures
Authors: Villar-Garcia Ignacio J. , Fearn Sarah , Ismail Nur L. , McIntosh Alastair J. S. , Lovelock Kevin R. J.
Published: September 2014

Ionic liquid–vacuum outer atomic surfaces can be created that are remarkably different from the bulk composition.
Stereoselective synthesis of 4-substituted-cyclic sulfamidate-5-carboxylates by asymmetric transfer hydrogenation accompanied by dynamic kinetic resolution and applications to concise stereoselective syntheses of (−)-epi-cytoxazone and the taxotere side-chain
Authors: Kim Jin-ah , Seo Yeon Ji , Kang Soyeong , Han Juae , Lee Hyeon-Kyu
Published: September 2014

DKR driven, asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of cyclic sulfamidate imine-5-carboxylates were developed.
Tunable thermodynamic stability of Au–CuPt core–shell trimetallic nanoparticles by controlling the alloy composition: insights from atomistic simulations
Authors: Huang Rao , Shao Gui-Fang , Wen Yu-Hua , Sun Shi-Gang
Published: September 2014

A microscopic understanding of the thermal stability of metallic core–shell nanoparticles is of importance for their synthesis and ultimately application in catalysis.
Graphene-supported Cu2O nanoparticles: an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for C–O cross-coupling of aryl iodides with phenols
Authors: Zhai Zhaoyang , Guo Xiaoning , Jiao Zhifeng , Jin Guoqiang , Guo Xiang-Yun
Published: September 2014

Cu2O/graphene as a heterogeneous catalyst can efficiently catalyze the C–O cross-coupling of aryl iodides with phenols.
Protonolysis and thermolysis reactions of functionalised NHC–carbene boranes and borates
Authors: Arnold Polly L. , Bell Nicola L. , Marr Isobel H. , She Siyi , Hamilton Jonathan , Fraser Craig , Wang Kai
Published: September 2014

β-ketoimidazol(in)ium salts show contrasting reactivity with MHBEt3due to subtle electronic and steric differences. Thermolysis of the chiral β-borate imidazolium salts formed from these reactions results in alkane elimination in the first example of organic borates functioning as Brønsted bases.
Review of the applications of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to the analysis of biological samples
Authors: Pozebon Dirce , Scheffler Guilherme L. , Dressler Valderi L. , Nunes Matheus A. G.
Published: September 2014

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has been proven to be useful in life sciences as can be observed by the increasing number of publications in this field.
Rapid determination of cell mass and density using digitally controlled electric field in a microfluidic chip
Authors: Zhao Yuliang , Lai Hok Sum Sam , Zhang Guanglie , Lee Gwo-Bin , Li Wen Jung
Published: September 2014

Single-cell density and mass were measured rapidly using a combination of optically induced electrokinetics, microfluidics, computer vision, and classical sedimentation theory.
{116} faceted anatase single-crystalline nanosheet arrays: facile synthesis and enhanced electrochemical performances
Authors: Li Feng , Li Xiaoning , Peng Ranran , Zhai Xiaofang , Yang Shangfeng , Fu Zhengping , Lu Yalin
Published: September 2014

Single-crystalline anatase TiO2 nanosheet arrays were synthesized on a transparent conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate with a unique one-step alcohol-thermal process.
Highly-efficient steam reforming of methanol over copper modified molybdenum carbide
Authors: Ma Yufei , Guan Guoqing , Hao Xiaogang , Zuo Zhijun , Huang Wei , Phanthong Patchiya , Kusakabe Katsuki , Abudula Abuliti
Published: September 2014

Low-temperature SRM reaction was realized over nanostructured Cu–MoxCy catalysts with high activity as well as long-term stability.
Isomorphous substitution of Cr by Fe in MIL-101 framework and its application as a novel heterogeneous photo-Fenton catalyst for reactive dye degradation
Authors: Vu Tuan. A. , Le Giang. H. , Dao Canh. D. , Dang Lan. Q. , Nguyen Kien. T. , Dang Phuong. T. , Tran Hoa. T. K. , Duong Quang. T. , Nguyen Tuyen. V. , Lee Gun. D.
Published: September 2014

Partial isomorphous substitution of Cr by Fe in the MIL-101 framework was achieved by direct synthesis using a hydrothermal method.
Iron-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of trifluoromethyl group substituted unsymmetrical internal alkynes
Authors: Minakawa Maki , Ishikawa Tomoki , Namioka Junya , Hirooka Souichirou , Zhou Biao , Kawatsura Motoi
Published: September 2014

Iron-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] intermolecular cycloaddition of trifluoromethyl group substituted unsymmetrical internal alkynes afforded the corresponding trifluoromethyl group substituted benzene derivatives in high yield with excellent selectivity.
Diverse redox chemistry of photo/ferrioxalate system
Authors: Wang Zhaohui , Xiao Dongxue , Liu Jianshe
Published: September 2014

Photoredox chemical behaviors of Fe(iii)–oxalato complexes are strongly dependent on Fe(iii) abundance and the nature of the dominant Fe species.
Interaction of organic and inorganic fractions of biochar with Pb(ii) ion: further elucidation of mechanisms for Pb(ii) removal by biochar
Authors: Xu Xiaoyun , Cao Xinde , Zhao Ling , Zhou Haojun , Luo Qishi
Published: September 2014

The inorganic fraction of biochar played the dominant role in the Pb(ii) removal mainly via inner-sphere complexation and precipitation while the organic carbon sorbed Pb(ii) via intrinsic chemical affinity and/or electrostatic attraction.
Cellulose-based hydrophobic carbon aerogels as versatile and superior adsorbents for sewage treatment
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Gong Yutong , Wang Yong
Published: September 2014

Carbon aerogels have attracted considerable attention in fundamental investigation and potential applications in a myriad of fields.
Aqueous CO2 reduction on morphology controlled CuxO nanocatalysts at low overpotential
Authors: Fan Mengyang , Bai Zhengyu , Zhang Qing , Ma Chengyu , Zhou Xiao-Dong , Qiao Jinli
Published: September 2014

The CuxO180-2 catalyst obtained with 3D hierarchical nanosphere structures could catalyze CO2 reduction in aqueous solution with very high catalytic activity and superb selectivity of produced formate, significantly outperforming CuxO catalysts without such special morphology.
In situ solution plasma synthesis of nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles as metal-free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Panomsuwan Gasidit , Chiba Satoshi , Kaneko Youta , Saito Nagahiro , Ishizaki Takahiro
Published: September 2014

Nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a facile solution plasma process without the addition of metal catalysts. Organic liquid mixtures of benzene and pyrazine were used as the precursors for the synthesis.
Ionothermal confined self-organization for hierarchical porous magnesium borate superstructures as highly efficient adsorbents for dye removal
Authors: Zhang Zhaoqiang , Zhu Wancheng , Wang Ruguo , Zhang Linlin , Zhu Lin , Zhang Qiang
Published: September 2014

Uniform hierarchical porous MgBO2(OH)/ Mg2B2O5 superstructures were obtained for the first time via a facile ionothermal route, both of which exhibited excellent removal efficiency for Congo red with good recyclability and reusability.
[NiFe]-hydrogenase maturation in vitro: analysis of the roles of the HybG and HypD accessory proteins
Authors: Soboh Basem , Lindenstrauss Ute , Granich Claudia , Javed Mahwish , Herzberg Martin , Thomas Claudia , Stripp Sven T.
Published: September 2014

[NiFe]-hydrogenases (Hyd) bind a nickel-iron-based cofactor. The Fe ion of the cofactor is bound by two cyanide ligands and a single carbon monoxide ligand. Minimally six accessory proteins (HypA–HypF) are necessary for NiFe(CN)2CO cofactor biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. It has been shown that the anaerobically purified HypC–HypD–HypE scaffold complex carries the Fe(CN)2CO moiety of this cofactor. In the present study, we have purified the HybG–HypDE complex and used it to successfully reconstitute in vitro active Hyd from E. coli. HybG is a homologue of HypC that is specifically required for the maturation of Hyd-2 and also functions in the maturation of Hyd-1 of E. coli. Maturation of active Hyd-1 and Hyd-2 could be demonstrated in extracts derived from HybG- and HypD-deficient E. coli strains by adding anaerobically purified HybG–HypDE complex. In vitro maturation was dependent on ATP, carbamoylphosphate, nickel and reducing conditions. Hydrogenase maturation was prevented when the purified HybG–HypDE complex used in the maturation assay lacked a bound Fe(CN)2CO moiety. These findings demonstrate that it is possible to isolate incompletely processed intermediates on the maturation pathway and to use these to activate apo-forms of [NiFe]-hydrogenase large subunits.
The crystal structure of the RhoA–AKAP-Lbc DH–PH domain complex
Authors: Abdul Azeez Kamal R. , Knapp Stefan , Fernandes João M. P. , Klussmann Enno , Elkins Jonathan M.
Published: September 2014

The RhoGEF (Rho GTPase guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor) domain of AKAP-Lbc (A-kinase-anchoring protein-Lbc, also known as AKAP13) catalyses nucleotide exchange on RhoA and is involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The RhoGEF activity of AKAP-Lbc has also been implicated in cancer. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of the complex between RhoA–GDP and the AKAP-Lbc RhoGEF [DH (Dbl-homologous)–PH (pleckstrin homology)] domain to 2.1 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution. The structure reveals important differences compared with related RhoGEF proteins such as leukaemia-associated RhoGEF. Nucleotide-exchange assays comparing the activity of the DH–PH domain to the DH domain alone showed no role for the PH domain in nucleotide exchange, which is explained by the RhoA–AKAP-Lbc structure. Comparison with a structure of the isolated AKAP-Lbc DH domain revealed a change in conformation of the N-terminal ‘GEF switch’ region upon binding to RhoA. Isothermal titration calorimetry showed that AKAP-Lbc has only micromolar affinity for RhoA, which combined with the presence of potential binding pockets for small molecules on AKAP-Lbc, raises the possibility of targeting AKAP-Lbc with GEF inhibitors.
Efficient imaging algorithm for airborne CSSAR/GMTI systems
Authors: Li Yongkang , Wang Tong
Published: September 2014

Airborne circular stripmap synthetic aperture radar (CSSAR) has the advantages of short revisit time and large coverage, and thus is an attractive tool for wide‐area surveillance and ground moving‐target indication (GMTI). To enhance the CSSAR/GMTI system's surveillance capability and moving‐target detection performance, an efficient imaging algorithm is proposed. The proposed algorithm can finely focus the stationary scene and coarsely focus multiple moving targets simultaneously without a priori knowledge of the targets’ motion parameters and position parameters. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is interpolation free and can be efficiently implemented using only complex multiplications and fast Fourier transforms. Simulation results validate the proposed algorithm.
Sensing and measurement dictionaries design for block OMP algorithm
Authors: Li Bo , Shen Yi , Li Jia , Wu Zhenghua
Published: September 2014

The block orthogonal matching pursuit (BOMP) algorithm aims to recover block sparse signals whose non‐zero components have a block structure. Sensing and measurement dictionaries are alternatively optimised to have small inter‐ and sub‐block mutual coherences. The computational complexity of the proposed algorithm is low. With the designed dictionaries, the performance of the BOMP algorithm improves.
Comment on sharp‐rejection and ultra‐wide bandstop filter with five transmission zeros frequencies
Authors: Velidi Vamsi Krishna , Subramanyam Abburu Venkata Guru , Srinivasan Veragur Venkataraman , Sanyal Subrata
Published: September 2014

In this letter, explicit transmission zero conditions, for the ultra‐wide bandstop filter (BSF) with five transmission zeros, are derived using even‐odd mode, analysis. The BSF topology is obtained by folding the two connecting transmission lines in a conventional optimum BSF to compose a stub‐loaded coupled‐line section and using λg/2 end open‐stubs. A necessary and sufficient condition is explored for the crucial coupled‐line section to produce three transmission zeros. Further, it is shown that the same five zeros BSF stopband bandwidth and rejection level performance is obtained with compact three zeros BSF (without λg/2 open‐stubs) with improved passband flatness and return loss.
Analysis and evaluation of current distortion for photovoltaic system with isolation transformer
Authors: Zhao Jinbin , Wang Yawei , Qu Keqing , Li Fen
Published: September 2014

This study describes the study on current distortion of photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems (PVGS) with isolation transformer and includes its reducing methods. The output current of PVGS can be attributed as the difference between fundamental wave and peak harmonic current. When the existing medium voltage distribution network is injected with large capacity of PV power, the voltage increase at the point of common coupling may be caused. Isolation transformer overvoltage will occur in case that the voltage increase is large. The peak harmonic component will appear with the saturation of the isolation transformer. The equivalent model is analysed mathematically. Based on the control strategy of the PV inverter, two methods are presented to decrease the PVGS output current distortion by completely utilising of the available reactive power of the inverter. The theoretical analysis is demonstrated by using the simulation and experimental results in this paper.
Target tracking in clutter using a high pulse repetition frequency radar
Authors: Shi Yi Fang , Song Taek Lyul , Mušicki Darko
Published: September 2014

We investigate two solutions for single target tracking in clutter using a high pulse repetition frequency (HPRF) radar. With the HPRF radar, each ambiguous range measurement corresponds to a set of unambiguous range measurements. Both algorithms enable false track discrimination (FTD) using the probability of target existence. One approach adapts the Gaussian mixture measurement likelihood‐integrated track splitting to the problem, where each measurement likelihood is approximated by a Gaussian mixture. The other approach is an integration of previously published multiple models approach with the probability of target existence paradigm. Here each model is a separate probabilistic data association filter. In both cases the track trajectory probability density function is a Gaussian mixture.
Discussion on new properties of staircase waveform through connection to an infinite series
Authors: Zuliang Lu
Published: September 2014

The staircase waveform produced by digital‐to‐analogue conversion is applied widely in electricity metrology, based on the known properties. However, a continuous investigation of new properties is still very important for its further applications. An infinite series is presented through analysis of the producing process of the staircase waveform. Based on the model of ‘digital‐to‐analogue converter (DAC) aliasing effect’, when the parameters of the series are extended from an integral to a real number, new properties are discussed. The concepts of ‘asynchronous sampling’, ‘sub‐’ and ‘inter‐harmonic’ and ‘under‐Nyquist sampling’ are derived into DAC. The more interesting phenomena are detailed. The results of simulations and experiments are reported.
Design of hierarchical terminal sliding mode control scheme for fractional‐order systems
Authors: Aghababa Mohammad Pourmahmood
Published: September 2014

This study presents a novel fractional hierarchical terminal sliding mode control (SMC) scheme for finite‐time stabilisation of non‐autonomous fractional‐order dynamical systems. It is assumed that the fractional‐order system is disturbed by some model uncertainties and external noises. A novel fractional hierarchical terminal sliding surface is proposed and its finite time convergence to the origin is shown. Based on the fractional Lyapunov stability theorem and SMC theory, a robust sliding mode switching control law is derived to ensure the existence of the sliding motion in finite time. It is mathematically proved that the states of the error can reach the proposed hierarchical terminal sliding surface in finite time. The introduced method is applied for synchronisation of the fractional‐order chaotic Arneodo and Genesio systems to show the usefulness of the method. Furthermore, two non‐autonomous fractional‐order systems, namely Van der Pol equation and gyro system, are successfully stabilised using the proposed strategy to confirm the theoretical results of this study.
Modelling and validation of a simple and compact wide upper stop band ultra‐wideband bandpass filter
Authors: Roy Choudhury Somdotta , Das Santanu
Published: September 2014

A compact ultra‐wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) is proposed based on end coupled microstrip transmission line, defected ground structure and defected microstrip structure. The experimental filter shows a fractional bandwidth of 110% at a centre frequency, with two observable transmission zeros (attenuation poles) at 2.1 and 11.7 GHz. Measured results exhibit an UWB passband from 3.02 to 10.6 GHz with mid‐band insertion loss of 1.8 dB and group delay variation <0.45 ns. The BPF achieves a wide stopband with < −18 dB attenuation up to 20 GHz.
Modeling and simulation of a beam emission spectroscopy diagnostic for the ITER prototype neutral beam injector
Authors: Barbisan M. , Zaniol B. , Pasqualotto R.
Published: September 2014

A test facility for the development of the neutral beam injection system for ITER is under construction at Consorzio RFX. It will host two experiments: SPIDER, a 100 keV H−/D− ion RF source, and MITICA, a prototype of the full performance ITER injector (1 MV, 17 MW beam). A set of diagnostics will monitor the operation and allow to optimize the performance of the two prototypes. In particular, beam emission spectroscopy will measure the uniformity and the divergence of the fast particles beam exiting the ion source and travelling through the beam line components. This type of measurement is based on the collection of the Hα/Dα emission resulting from the interaction of the energetic particles with the background gas. A numerical model has been developed to simulate the spectrum of the collected emissions in order to design this diagnostic and to study its performance. The paper describes the model at the base of the simulations and presents the modeled Hα spectra in the case of MITICA experiment.
Evidence for frequency dependent diffusion in hydrogel
Authors: Scalerandi M. , Barbero G. , Alexe-Ionescu A. L.
Published: September 2014

The electrical response of a hydrogel to an external periodic voltage is investigated by means of the impedance spectroscopy technique. We show that the experimental data, obtained in the linear regime, for the real and imaginary parts of the electric impedance can be interpreted using the Poisson-Nernst-Planck model, taking into account the frequency dependence of viscosity and the non blocking character of the electrodes. We estimate the parameters (ion density, electrode conductivity, and diffusion coefficient) when varying the quantity of salt in the hydrogel. Our experimental data indicate that the bulk density of ions increases with the salt concentration, tending to a saturation value, whereas the electrode conductivity is independent of it. Finally, the parameters defining the dispersion of the diffusion coefficient depend weakly on the salt concentration.
Noninvasive prostate cancer screening based on serum surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and support vector machine
Authors: Li Shaoxin , Zhang Yanjiao , Xu Junfa , Li Linfang , Zeng Qiuyao , Lin Lin , Guo Zhouyi , Liu Zhiming , Xiong Honglian , Liu Songhao
Published: September 2014

This study aims to present a noninvasive prostate cancer screening methods using serum surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and support vector machine (SVM) techniques through peripheral blood sample. SERS measurements are performed using serum samples from 93 prostate cancer patients and 68 healthy volunteers by silver nanoparticles. Three types of kernel functions including linear, polynomial, and Gaussian radial basis function (RBF) are employed to build SVM diagnostic models for classifying measured SERS spectra. For comparably evaluating the performance of SVM classification models, the standard multivariate statistic analysis method of principal component analysis (PCA) is also applied to classify the same datasets. The study results show that for the RBF kernel SVM diagnostic model, the diagnostic accuracy of 98.1% is acquired, which is superior to the results of 91.3% obtained from PCA methods. The receiver operating characteristic curve of diagnostic models further confirm above research results. This study demonstrates that label-free serum SERS analysis technique combined with SVM diagnostic algorithm has great potential for noninvasive prostate cancer screening.
Effect of pore geometry and interfacial tension on water-oil displacement efficiency in oil-wet microfluidic porous media analogs
Authors: Xu Wei , Ok Jeong Tae , Xiao Feng , Neeves Keith B. , Yin Xiaolong
Published: September 2014

Using oil-wet polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic porous media analogs, we studied the effect of pore geometry and interfacial tension on water-oil displacement efficiency driven by a constant pressure gradient. This situation is relevant to the drainage of oil from a bypassed oil-wet zone during water flooding in a heterogeneous formation. The porosity and permeability of analogs are 0.19 and 0.133–0.268 × 10−12 m2, respectively; each analog is 30 mm in length and 3 mm in width, with the longer dimension aligned with the flow direction. The pore geometries include three random networks based on Voronoi diagrams and eight periodic networks of triangles, squares, diamonds, and hexagons. We found that among random networks both pore width distribution and vugs (large cavities) decreased the displacement efficiency, among the periodic networks the displacement efficiency decreased with increasing coordination number, and the random network with uniform microfluidic channel width was similar to the hexagon network in the displacement efficiency. When vugs were present, displacement was controlled by the sequence of vug-filling and the structure of inter-vug texture was less relevant. Surfactant (0.5 wt. % ethoxylated alcohol) increased the displacement efficiency in all geometries by increasing the capillary number and suppressing the capillary instability.
Visco-plastic sculpting
Authors: Hormozi S. , Dunbrack G. , Frigaard I. A.
Published: September 2014

Visco-plastic lubrication (VPL) has been established as a method for reliably suppressing interfacial instabilities and enhancing flow stability for multi-layer systems. Here we extend this methodology to the formation of shaped interfaces in multifluid core-annular configurations. We study multi-layer VPL flows in which we perform both experiment and computation with oscillating the flow rates of the individual phases. According to the flow rate variations we succeed in freezing in a range of different interfacial patterns. Experiments performed with carbopol as lubricating fluid, and with xanthan and polyethylene oxide solutions as core fluid, serve to illustrate the potential of the method. We show that single pulsed changes in the imposed inflow rates can result in small interface indentations that remain frozen into the interface as it propagates downstream. Repeated pulses produce periodically patterned interfaces. We are able to control the frequency and amplitude of the interfacial patterns, but not directly the shape. Inelastic core fluids have been observed to produce rounded bulges whereas elastic core fluids have produced diamond shapes. Moreover, numerical simulations extend the range of shapes achievable and give us interesting insights into the forming process.