bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of environmental radiation on testes and spermatogenesis in wild large Japanese field mice (Apodemus speciosus) from Fukushima
Authors: Okano Tsukasa , Ishiniwa Hiroko , Onuma Manabu , Shindo Junji , Yokohata Yasushi , Tamaoki Masanori
Published: March 2016

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident that occurred after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 released large quantities of radionuclides to the environment. The long-term effects of radioactive cesium (Cs) on biota are of particular concern. We investigated the accumulation of radioactive Cs derived from the FDNPP accident, and chronic effects of environmental radionuclides on male reproduction, in the large Japanese field mouse (Apodemus speciosus). In 2013 and 2014, wild mice were captured at 2 sites in Fukushima Prefecture and at 2 control sites that were distant from Fukushima. Although the median concentrations of 134Cs and 137Cs in the mice from Fukushima exceeded 4,000 Bq/kg, there were no significant differences in the apoptotic cell frequencies or the frequencies of morphologically abnormal sperm among the capture sites. Thus, we conclude that radiation did not cause substantial male subfertility in Fukushima during 2013 and 2014, and radionuclide pollution levels in the study sites would not be detrimental to spermatogenesis of the wild mice in Fukushima.
Vectorial strain gauge method using single flexible orthogonal polydimethylsiloxane gratings
Authors: Guo Hao , Tang Jun , Qian Kun , Tsoukalas Dimitris , Zhao Miaomiao , Yang Jiangtao , Zhang Binzhen , Chou Xiujian , Liu Jun , Xue Chenyang , Zhang Wendong
Published: March 2016

A vectorial strain gauge method using a single sensing element is reported based on the double-sided polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Fraunhofer diffraction gratings structures. Using O2 plasma treatment steps, orthogonal wrinkled gratings were fabricated on both sides of a pre-strained PDMS film. Diffracted laser spots from this structure have been used to experimentally demonstrate, that any applied strain can be quantitatively characterized in both the x and y directions with an error of less than 0.6% and with a gauge factor of approximately 10. This simple and low cost technology which is completely different from the traditional vectorial strain gauge method, can be applied to surface vectorial strain measurement and multi-axis integrated mechanical sensors.
Prohibitin-induced, obesity-associated insulin resistance and accompanying low-grade inflammation causes NASH and HCC
Authors: Ande Sudharsana R. , Nguyen K. Hoa , Grégoire Nyomba B. L. , Mishra Suresh
Published: March 2016

Obesity increases the risk for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocarcinogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in the disease process remain unclear. Recently, we have developed a transgenic obese mouse model (Mito-Ob) by prohibitin mediated mitochondrial remodeling in adipocytes. The Mito-Ob mice develop obesity in a sex-neutral manner, but obesity-associated adipose inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in a male sex-specific manner. Here we report that with aging, the male Mito-Ob mice spontaneously develop obesity-linked NASH and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In contrast, the female Mito-Ob mice maintained normal glucose and insulin levels and did not develop NASH and HCC. The anti-inflammatory peptide ghrelin was significantly upregulated in the female mice and down regulated in the male mice compared with respective control mice. In addition, a reduction in the markers of mitochondrial content and function was found in the liver of male Mito-Ob mice with NASH/HCC development. We found that ERK1/2 signaling was significantly upregulated whereas STAT3 signaling was significantly down regulated in the tumors from Mito-Ob mice. These data provide a proof-of-concept that the metabolic and inflammatory status of the adipose tissue and their interplay at the systemic and hepatic level play a central role in the pathogenesis of obesity-linked NASH and HCC.
Deceleration and acceleration capacities of heart rate associated with heart failure with high discriminating performance
Authors: Hu Wei , Jin Xian , Zhang Peng , Yu Qiang , Yin Guizhi , Lu Yi , Xiao Hongbing , Chen Yueguang , Zhang Dadong
Published: March 2016

Accurate measurements of autonomic nerve regulation in heart failure (HF) were unresolved. The discriminating performance of deceleration and acceleration capacities of heart rate in HF was evaluated in 130 HF patients and 212 controls. Acceleration capacity and deceleration capacity were independent risk factors for HF in males, evaluated by multiple logistic regression analysis, with odds ratios (ORs) of 5.94 and 0.13, respectively. Acceleration capacity was also an independent risk factor for HF in females, with an OR of 8.58. Deceleration capacity was the best cardiac electrophysiological index to classify HF in males, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.88. Deceleration capacity was the best classification factor of HF in females with an AUC of 0.97, significantly higher than even left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Acceleration capacity also showed high performance in classifying HF in males (0.84) and females (0.92). The cut-off values of deceleration capacity for HF classification in males and females were 4.55 ms and 4.85 ms, respectively. The cut-off values of acceleration capacity for HF classification in males and females were −6.15 ms and −5.75 ms, respectively. Our study illustrates the role of acceleration and deceleration capacity measurements in the neuro-pathophysiology of HF.
Pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum sequesters plant-derived secondary metabolite L-DOPA for wound healing and UVA resistance
Authors: Zhang Yi , Wang Xing-Xing , Zhang Zhan-Feng , Chen Nan , Zhu Jing-Yun , Tian Hong-Gang , Fan Yong-Liang , Liu Tong-Xian
Published: March 2016

Herbivores can ingest and store plant-synthesized toxic compounds in their bodies and sequester those compounds for their own benefits. The broad bean,Vicia fabaL., contains a high quantity of L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), which is toxic to many insects. However, the pea aphid,Acyrthosiphon pisum, can feed onV. fabanormally, whereas many other aphid species could not. In this study, we investigated howA. pisumutilizes plant-derived L-DOPA for their own benefit. L-DOPA concentrations inV. fabaandA. pisumwere analyzed to prove L-DOPA sequestration. L-DOPA toxicity was bioassayed using an artificial diet containing high concentrations of L-DOPA. We found thatA. pisumcould effectively adapt and store L-DOPA, transmit it from one generation to the next. We also found that L-DOPA sequestration verity differed in different morphs ofA. pisum. After analyzing the melanization efficiency in wounds, mortality and deformity of the aphids at different concentrations of L-DOPA under ultraviolet radiation (UVA 365.0 nm for 30 min), we found thatA. pisumcould enhance L-DOPA assimilation for wound healing and UVA-radiation protection. Therefore, we conclude thatA. pisumcould acquire L-DOPA and use it to prevent UVA damage. This study reveals a successful co-evolution betweenA. pisumandV. faba.
Banana fruit VQ motif-containing protein5 represses cold-responsive transcription factor MaWRKY26 involved in the regulation of JA biosynthetic genes
Authors: Ye Yu-Jie , Xiao Yun-Yi , Han Yan-Chao , Shan Wei , Fan Zhong-Qi , Xu Qun-Gang , Kuang Jian-Fei , Lu Wang-Jin , Lakshmanan Prakash , Chen Jian-Ye
Published: March 2016

Most harvested fruits and vegetables are stored at low temperature but many of them are highly sensitive to chilling injury. Jasmonic acid (JA), a plant hormone associated with various stress responses, is known to reduce chilling injury in fruits. However, little is known about the transcriptional regulation of JA biosynthesis in relation to cold response of fruits. Here, we show the involvement of a Group I WRKY transcription factor (TF) from banana fruit, MaWRKY26, in regulating JA biosynthesis. MaWRKY26 was found to be nuclear-localized with transcriptional activation property. MaWRKY26 was induced by cold stress or by methyl jasmonate (MeJA), which enhances cold tolerance in banana fruit. More importantly, MaWRKY26 transactivated JA biosynthetic genes MaLOX2, MaAOS3 and MaOPR3 via binding to their promoters. Further, MaWRKY26 physically interacted with a VQ motif-containing protein MaVQ5 and the interaction attenuated MaWRKY26-induced transactivation of JA biosynthetic genes. These results strongly suggest that MaVQ5 might act as a repressor of MaWRKY26 in activating JA biosynthesis. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the transcriptional regulation of JA biosynthesis in response to cold stress and a better understanding of the molecular aspects of chilling injury in banana fruit.
Leaders should not be conformists in evolutionary social dilemmas
Authors: Szolnoki Attila , Perc Matjaž
Published: March 2016

The most common assumption in evolutionary game theory is that players should adopt a strategy that warrants the highest payoff. However, recent studies indicate that the spatial selection for cooperation is enhanced if an appropriate fraction of the population chooses the most common rather than the most profitable strategy within the interaction range. Such conformity might be due to herding instincts or crowd behavior in humans and social animals. In a heterogeneous population where individuals differ in their degree, collective influence, or other traits, an unanswered question remains who should conform. Selecting conformists randomly is the simplest choice, but it is neither a realistic nor the optimal one. We show that, regardless of the source of heterogeneity and game parametrization, socially the most favorable outcomes emerge if the masses conform. On the other hand, forcing leaders to conform significantly hinders the constructive interplay between heterogeneity and coordination, leading to evolutionary outcomes that are worse still than if conformists were chosen randomly. We conclude that leaders must be able to create a following for network reciprocity to be optimally augmented by conformity. In the opposite case, when leaders are castrated and made to follow, the failure of coordination impairs the evolution of cooperation.
Biochemical and functional characterization of glycosylation-associated mutational landscapes in colon cancer
Authors: Venkitachalam Srividya , Revoredo Leslie , Varadan Vinay , Fecteau Ryan E. , Ravi Lakshmeswari , Lutterbaugh James , Markowitz Sanford D. , Willis Joseph E. , Gerken Thomas A. , Guda Kishore
Published: March 2016

The molecular basis of aberrant protein glycosylation, a pathological alteration widespread in colorectal cancers (CRC) and the mechanisms by which it contributes to tumor progression remain largely unknown. We performed targeted re-sequencing of 430 glycosylation-associated genes in a series of patient-derived CRC cell lines (N = 31) and matched primary tumor tissues, identifying 12 new significantly mutated glycosylation-associated genes in colon cancer. In particular, we observed an enrichment of mutations in genes (B3GNT2,B4GALT2,ST6GALNAC2) involved in the biosynthesis ofN- and Cores 1–3O-linked glycans in the colon, accounting for ~16% of the CRCs tested. Analysis of independent large-scale tumor tissue datasets confirmed recurrent mutations within these genes in colon and other gastrointestinal cancers. Systematic biochemical and phenotypic characterization of the candidate wild-type and mutant glycosyltransferases demonstrated these mutations as either markedly altering protein localization, post-translational modification, encoded enzymatic activities and/or the migratory potential of colon carcinoma cells. These findings suggest that functionally deleterious mutations in glycosyltransferase genes in part underlie aberrant glycosylation and contribute to the pathogenesis of molecular subsets of colon and other gastrointestinal malignancies.
Magnetic Sensing through the Abdomen of the Honey bee
Authors: Liang Chao-Hung , Chuang Cheng-Long , Jiang Joe-Air , Yang En-Cheng
Published: March 2016

Honey bees have the ability to detect the Earth’s magnetic field and the suspected magnetoreceptors are the iron granules in the abdomens of the bees. To identify the sensing route of honey bee magnetoreception, we conducted a classical conditioning experiment in which the responses of the proboscis extension reflex (PER) were monitored. Honey bees were successfully trained to associate the magnetic stimulus with a sucrose reward after two days of training. When the neural connection of the ventral nerve cord (VNC) between the abdomen and the thorax was cut, the honey bees no longer associated the magnetic stimulus with the sucrose reward but still responded to an olfactory PER task. The neural responses elicited in response to the change of magnetic field were also recorded at the VNC. Our results suggest that the honey bee is a new model animal for the investigation of magnetite-based magnetoreception.
An in vivo quantitative Raman-pH sensor of arterial blood based on laser trapping of erythrocytes
Authors: Lin Manman , Xu Bin , Yao Huilu , Shen Aiguo , Hu Jiming
Published: March 2016

A continuous and noninvasive approach is appliedin vivoto measure the arterial blood pH quantitatively.
Adaptive use of a personal glucose meter (PGM) for acute biotoxicity assessment based on the glucose consumption of microbes
Authors: Fang Deyu , Gao Guanyue , Yu Yuan , Shen Jie , Zhi Jinfang
Published: March 2016

In this study, a new method for acute biotoxicity assessment was proposed by measuring the glucose consumption of microbes with a personal glucose meter (PGM).
Synthesis of new hybrid sorbent 2-mercaptobenzaldehyde SBA-15 and its application in solid phase extraction of Cd(ii) from water and food samples
Authors: Sreenu B. , Imran K. , Seshaiah K. , Sharma Priti , Singh A. P.
Published: March 2016

In this paper, a new mesoporous hybrid material was fabricated by anchoring 2-mercaptobenzaldehyde (2MB) onto the surface of SBA-15.
The degree of π electron delocalization and the formation of 3D-extensible sandwich structures
Authors: Wang Xiang , Wang Qiang , Yuan Caixia , Zhao Xue-Feng , Li Jia-Jia , Li Debao , Wu Yan-Bo , Wang Xiaotai
Published: March 2016

DFT calculations suggest that the feasible ligands of a 3D sandwich complex should have locally delocalized π electrons.
Vibronic coupling in the excited-states of carotenoids
Authors: Miki Takeshi , Buckup Tiago , Krause Marie S. , Southall June , Cogdell Richard J. , Motzkus Marcus
Published: March 2016

The ultrafast femtochemistry of carotenoids is governed by the interaction between electronic excited states, which has been explained by the relaxation dynamics within a few hundred femtoseconds from the lowest optically allowed excited state S2to the optically dark state S1.
On-chip microtubule gliding assay for parallel measurement of tau protein species
Authors: Subramaniyan Parimalam Subhathirai , Tarhan Mehmet C. , Karsten Stanislav L. , Fujita Hiroyuki , Shintaku Hirofumi , Kotera Hidetoshi , Yokokawa Ryuji
Published: March 2016

Rapid on-chip detection of tau isoforms, their ratios and mutants by measuring the fluorescent intensity of microtubules in a kinesin-coated microfluidic device.
Tacky cyclic olefin copolymer: a biocompatible bonding technique for the fabrication of microfluidic channels in COC
Authors: Keller Nico , Nargang Tobias M. , Runck Matthias , Kotz Frederik , Striegel Andreas , Sachsenheimer Kai , Klemm Denis , Länge Kerstin , Worgull Matthias , Richter Christiane , Helmer Dorothea , Rapp Bastian E.
Published: March 2016

A fast and cost-efficient process for bonding of COC for the fabrication of biologically functionalized microfluidic channels is presented.
Steering microtubule shuttle transport with dynamically controlled magnetic fields
Authors: Mahajan K. D. , Ruan G. , Dorcéna C. J. , Vieira G. , Nabar G. , Bouxsein N. F. , Chalmers J. J. , Bachand G. D. , Sooryakumar R. , Winter J. O.
Published: March 2016

Nanoscale control of matter is critical to the design of integrated nanosystems.
All-small-molecule organic solar cells based on an electron donor incorporating binary electron-deficient units
Authors: Feng Guitao , Xu Yunhua , Zhang Jianqi , Wang Zhaowei , Zhou Yi , Li Yongfang , Wei Zhixiang , Li Cheng , Li Weiwei
Published: March 2016

A conjugated small molecule incorporating binary electron-deficient units was applied in all-small-molecule organic solar cells using fullerene or non-fullerene derivatives as the electron acceptor.
A new label-free fluorescent sensor for human immunodeficiency virus detection based on exonuclease III-assisted quadratic recycling amplification and DNA-scaffolded silver nanoclusters
Authors: Yang Wen , Tian Jianniao , Wang Lijun , Fu Shui , Huang Hongyun , Zhao Yanchun , Zhao Shulin
Published: March 2016

A label-free and sensitive fluorescence biosensing platform for HIV-DNA detection has been fabricated.
A magnetic nanoparticle-based aptasensor for selective and sensitive determination of lysozyme with strongly scattering silver nanoparticles
Authors: Li Chun Mei , Zhan Lei , Zheng Lin Ling , Li Yuan Fang , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: March 2016

A qualitative and quantitative assay for the separation and detection of lysozyme with high selectivity and sensitivity was established with a magnetic nanoparticle-based aptasensor and strongly scattering silver nanoparticles.
A charge-suppressing strategy for probing protein methylation
Authors: Ning Zhibin , Star Alexandra Therese , Mierzwa Anna , Lanouette Sylvain , Mayne Janice , Couture Jean-Francois , Figeys Daniel
Published: March 2016

We reported a negative-selection strategy for protein methylation profiling by suppressing the charge of unmethylated peptides via two chemical reactions.
Catalyst free visible light induced cycloaddition as an avenue for polymer ligation
Authors: Lederhose Paul , Wüst Kilian N. R. , Barner-Kowollik Christopher , Blinco James P.
Published: March 2016

The current study introduces a tetrazole species able to perform a rapid, visible light induced nitrile imine-mediated tetrazole-ene cycloaddition (NITEC).
Nonspecific protein labeling of photoaffinity linkers correlates with their molecular shapes in living cells
Authors: Park Hankum , Koo Ja Young , Srikanth Yellamelli V. V. , Oh Sangmi , Lee Jiyoon , Park Jongmin , Park Seung Bum
Published: March 2016

The molecular shape of photoaffinity linkers significantly influences their nonspecific protein labeling of the cellular proteome.
Integration of acetylenic carbon clusters and silver clusters: template synthesis and stability enhancement
Authors: He Xin , Liu Hai-Xia , Zhao Liang
Published: March 2016

Three silver cluster complexes were synthesized with carbon network ligands as inner templates, including [(CC)2CC(CC)2]4−, [C6(CC)6]6− and [C6H(CC)5]5−.
Artificial water channels – incipient innovative developments
Authors: Barboiu Mihail
Published: March 2016

This Feature Article discusses the incipient developments of the first artificial water channels, including only systems that integrate synthetic elements in their water selective translocation unit.
Synthesis and formation mechanisms of morphology-controllable indium-containing precursors and optical properties of the derived In2O3 particles
Authors: Lin Zhijie , Zhu Qi , Dong Yu , Liu Shaohong , Li Ji-Guang , Li Xiaodong , Huo Di , Zhang Mu , Xie Ming , Sun Xudong
Published: March 2016

Indium-containing precursors with three morphologies were synthesized, and the formation mechanisms were analyzed.
Two novel silicon phases with direct band gaps
Authors: Fan Qingyang , Chai Changchun , Wei Qun , Yang Yintang
Published: March 2016

Based on density function theory with the ultrasoft pseudopotential scheme, we have systematically studied the structural stability, absorption spectra, electronic, optical and mechanical properties and minimum thermal conductivity of two novel silicon phases,Cm-32 silicon andP21/msilicon.
Structural and electronic properties of the heterointerfaces for Cu2ZnSnS4photovoltaic cells: a density-functional theory study
Authors: Xiao W. , Wang J. N. , Wang J. W. , Huang G. J. , Cheng L. , Jiang L. J. , Wang L. G.
Published: March 2016

Density-functional theory calculations have been performed to investigate the structural and electronic properties of the CdS/CZTS heterointerfaces in CZTS-based cells.
A theoretical study of nitric oxide adsorption and dissociation on copper-exchanged zeolites SSZ-13 and SAPO-34: the impact of framework acid–base properties
Authors: Uzunova Ellie L. , Mikosch Hans
Published: March 2016

Dinitrosyl protonation via a Brønsted acid site reduces the reaction barrier to N2O formation and stabilizes the reaction intermediates.
Consecutive lipase immobilization and glycerol carbonate production under continuous-flow conditions
Authors: Leão Raquel A. C. , de Souza Stefânia P. , Nogueira Daniel O. , Silva Guilherme M. A. , Silva Marcus V. M. , Gutarra Melissa L. E. , Miranda Leandro S. M. , Castro Aline M. , Junior Ivaldo I. , de Souza Rodrigo O. M. A.
Published: March 2016

Several value-added products can be produced from glycerol and among these products glycerol carbonate (GC) has received much attention in recent years because of its physical properties and wide application in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries.
Supported bimetallic nano-alloys as highly active catalysts for the one-pot tandem synthesis of imines and secondary amines from nitrobenzene and alcohols
Authors: Sankar Meenakshisundaram , He Qian , Dawson Simon , Nowicka Ewa , Lu Li , Bruijnincx Pieter C. A. , Beale Andrew M. , Kiely Christopher J. , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: March 2016

All-in-one: supported nanoalloys as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the one-pot synthesis of imines and secondary amines directly from nitrobenzene and benzylic alcohols using a hydrogen auto transfer strategy.
3D chiral and 2D achiral cobalt(ii) compounds constructed from a 4-(benzimidazole-1-yl)benzoic ligand exhibiting field-induced single-ion-magnet-type slow magnetic relaxation
Authors: Wang Yu-Ling , Chen Lin , Liu Cai-Ming , Du Zi-Yi , Chen Li-Li , Liu Qing-Yan
Published: March 2016

A 3D chiral and a 2D achiral cobalt(ii) compounds displaying field-induced slow magnetic relaxation resulting from single-ion anisotropy of the individual Co(ii) ions are presented.
A phytochemical and computational study on flavonoids isolated from Trifolium resupinatum L. and their novel hepatoprotective activity
Authors: Kamel Emadeldin M. , Mahmoud Ayman M. , Ahmed Sayed A. , Lamsabhi Al Mokhtar
Published: March 2016

Plants from the genus Trifolium have been utilized in the treatment of chronic diseases by many cultures.
High-throughput dental biofilm growth analysis for multiparametric microenvironmental biochemical conditions using microfluidics
Authors: Lam Raymond H. W. , Cui Xin , Guo Weijin , Thorsen Todd
Published: March 2016

An ‘artificial teeth’ device achieves parallel characterization of dental biofilms growing under different microenvironments, revealing further developmental mechanisms.
QSAR modeling and molecular interaction analysis of natural compounds as potent neuraminidase inhibitors
Authors: Sun Jiaying , Mei Hu
Published: March 2016

The constructed SRA, HQSAR, almond and CoMSIA models have good predictive capability, which can evaluate and screen new compounds.
Four cobalt(ii) complexes based on a new tricarboxylate with a naphthalene ring and different N-containing ligands: synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties
Authors: Fan Yan , Hu Dong-Cheng , Yao Xiao-Qiang , Yang Yun-Xia , Liu Jia-Cheng
Published: March 2016

Four cobalt(ii) coordination polymers have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions, and their magnetic behaviors have been discussed in detail.
Expanding DP4: application to drug compounds and automation
Authors: Ermanis Kristaps , Parkes Kevin E. B. , Agback Tatiana , Goodman Jonathan M.
Published: March 2016

The DP4 parameter, which provides a confidence level for NMR assignment, has been widely used to help assign the structures of many stereochemically-rich molecules.
Heterocycle-derived β-S-enals as bifunctional linchpins for the catalytic synthesis of saturated heterocycles
Authors: Niu Jingze , Willis Michael C.
Published: March 2016

We demonstrate how heterocycle-derived β-S-enals can be employed as bifunctional substrates in a cascade of two rhodium-catalysed C–C bond forming reactions – a hydroacylation followed by a Suzuki-type coupling – to deliver substituted heterocyclic products.
Application of silver nanoparticles for a highly selective colorimetric assay of endrin in water and food samples based on stereoselective endo-recognition
Authors: Shrivas Kamlesh , Nirmalkar Nidhi , Ghosale Archana , Thakur Santosh Singh
Published: March 2016

We report a novel and facile strategy for a highly stereoselective colorimetric assay for the detection of endrin pesticide in water and food samples using sucrose capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).
Development of nanolaminated multilayer Ni–P alloy coatings for better corrosion protection
Authors: Elias Liju , Bhat K. Udaya , Hegde A. Chitharanjan
Published: March 2016

The corrosion resistance of monolayer Ni–P alloy coating is increased to many folds by nanolaminated multilayer alloy coating technique.
A colorimetric and fluorometric investigation of Cu(ii) ion in aqueous medium with a fluorescein-based chemosensor
Authors: Rathod Reena V. , Bera Smritilekha , Singh Man , Mondal Dhananjoy
Published: March 2016

A colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor, 1,4-bis(1-fluorescein)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene (L,3) as Schiff base is developed for naked-eye detection of Cu2+ion in aqueous medium due to the formation of a 1 : 1 copper–ligand complex.
Visible-light-driven CO2 reduction on a hybrid photocatalyst consisting of a Ru(ii) binuclear complex and a Ag-loaded TaON in aqueous solutions
Authors: Nakada Akinobu , Nakashima Takuya , Sekizawa Keita , Maeda Kazuhiko , Ishitani Osamu
Published: March 2016

A hybrid photocatalytic system consisting of a Ru(ii) binuclear complex and Ag-loaded TaON can reduce CO2 to HCOOH by visible light irradiation even in aqueous solution (TONHCOOH = 750, ΦHCOOH = 0.48%).
Stable end-sealed DNA as robust nano-rulers for in vivo single-molecule fluorescence
Authors: Plochowietz A. , El-Sagheer A. H. , Brown T. , Kapanidis A. N.
Published: March 2016

Protected DNA standards with chemically linked ends were synthesized as robust in vivo nano-rulers for smFRET studies.
Reversible anion intercalation in a layered aromatic amine: a high-voltage host structure for organic batteries
Authors: Deunf Élise , Moreau Philippe , Quarez Éric , Guyomard Dominique , Dolhem Franck , Poizot Philippe
Published: March 2016

Discovery of a novel organic intercalation material belonging to the class of aromatic amines (dilithium 2,5-dianilinoterephthalate) able to reversibly accommodate anions for organic batteries.
Half‐mode substrate integrated waveguide bandpass filter loaded with horizontal–asymmetrical stepped‐impedance complementary split‐ring resonators
Authors: Huang Yong Mao , Shao Zhenhai , Jiang Wei , Huang Tao , Wang Guoan
Published: March 2016

A half‐mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) bandpass filter loaded with modified complementary split‐ring resonators (CSRRs) is presented. The modified CSRR, realised by utilising horizontal–asymmetrical stepped‐impedance (SI) structure in the conventional CSRR, can enhance the equivalent capacitance and inductance of the CSRR and consequently shift the resonant frequency downwards. Therefore, for the same operation frequency, the SICSRR can occupy smaller size than the conventional CSRR, which provides a promising method to achieve size‐reduction in microwave circuits. To verify the effectiveness of miniaturisation introduced from the proposed HMSIW‐SICSRR resonator, a two‐pole bandpass filter is implemented. Moreover, the measured results are in good agreement with the simulated ones.
Multi‐object tracking using dominant sets
Authors: Tesfaye Yonatan T. , Zemene Eyasu , Pelillo Marcello , Prati Andrea
Published: March 2016

Multi‐object tracking is an interesting but challenging task in the field of computer vision. Most previous works based on data association techniques merely take into account the relationship between detection responses in a locally limited temporal domain, which makes them inherently prone to identity switches and difficulties in handling long‐term occlusions. In this study, a dominant set clustering based tracker is proposed, which formulates the tracking task as a problem of finding dominant sets in an auxiliary edge weighted graph. Unlike most techniques which are limited in temporal locality (i.e. few frames are considered), the authors utilised a pairwise relationships (in appearance and position) between different detections across the whole temporal span of the video for data association in a global manner. Meanwhile, temporal sliding window technique is utilised to find tracklets and perform further merging on them. The authors’ robust tracklet merging step renders the tracker to long term occlusions with more robustness. The authors present results on three different challenging datasets (i.e. PETS2009‐S2L1, TUD‐standemitte and ETH dataset (‘sunny day’ sequence)), and show significant improvements compared with several state‐of‐art methods.
Aggregated optimal charging and vehicle‐to‐grid control for electric vehicles under large electric vehicle population
Authors: Tang Yuchen , Zhong Jin , Bollen Math
Published: March 2016

Effective charging and vehicle‐to‐grid (V2G) control strategies can utilise the properties of electric vehicles (EVs) to obtain various benefits. EVs are modelled as individuals in existing charging control algorithms. In this study, a new modelling method of EVs and an optimal charging control strategy are proposed so that all EVs in a control area can be regarded as a single object in the optimisation process. The strategy minimises the total charging cost of EVs, and can be further expanded to serve V2G control. With the new modelling method, the computational burden of the optimisation algorithm can be reduced significantly and does not increase with the number of EVs. Thus the strategy is extremely effective when the number of EVs becomes large, and the implementation cost could be more reasonable since less computational capacity is required. Case studies are presented to illustrate the performance of the strategy.
Interior point algorithm for optimal control of distribution static compensator under distorted supply voltage conditions
Authors: Patel Sanjay Kumar , Arya Sabha Raj , Maurya Rakesh , Singh Bhim
Published: March 2016

In this study, an interior point optimisation‐based control algorithm is proposed for three‐phase distribution static compensator under distorted AC mains. The proposed algorithm is used to determine the optimal value of load fundamental conductance and susceptance, which minimises the supply apparent power, subjected to predefined total harmonic distortion (THD) and individual harmonic distortion limit of supply current as per international guidelines. Unlike the other optimisation techniques, this technique is based on matrices calculations, which makes it effective during load dynamics. The proposed control scheme is implemented for mitigating multiple power quality issues such as load balancing, reactive power compensation and harmonics suppression in power factor correction and zero‐voltage regulation modes under linear and non‐linear loads.
Stochastic approach to represent distributed energy resources in the form of a virtual power plant in energy and reserve markets
Authors: Karimyan Peyman , Abedi Mehrdad , Hosseinian Seyyed Hossein , Khatami Roohallah
Published: March 2016

Today, traditional networks are changing to active grids due to the burgeoning growth of distributed energy resources (DER), which demands scrupulous attention to technical infrastructures, as well as economic aspects. In this study, from economic point of view, the aggregation of DERs in a distribution network to participate in joint energy and reserve markets is investigated. This approach, which is predicated upon price‐based unit commitment method, has considered virtually all the technical data in the proposed model. It is worth to mention that uncertainties of loads and market prices, as an inherent characteristic of the electricity markets, are treated in this study, and their effect on the operation of virtual power plants in energy and reserve markets has been thoroughly discussed. To this end, for both uncertain parameters, a good number of scenarios are generated and using the backward reduction method the number of these scenarios is reduced. The problem is formulated as a MINLP model and is implemented in GAMS software, while its authenticity is validated using particle swarm optimisation method.
Using linear and non‐parametric regression models to describe the contribution of non‐linear loads on the voltage harmonic distortions in the electrical grid
Authors: de Matos Edson Ortiz , Mota Soares Thiago , Bezerra Ubiratan Holanda , Tostes Maria Emília de Lima , Manito Allan Rodrigo Arrifano , Costa Benjamim Cordeiro
Published: March 2016

This study addresses the problem of determining which non‐linear loads can be considered potential harmonic sources to the voltage harmonic distortions observed in the utility grid voltages. Statistical regression models are used to establish correlations between the simultaneously measured harmonic voltages, in the grid, and harmonic currents, at each non‐linear individual load. First, the R‐squared statistic is used to decide the goodness of fit of the developed models, giving indication on the relevance of the model. In order to overcome the limitation of the linear regression model based on voltage and current magnitudes measurements only, that imposes a constant behaviour for the background harmonic sources, a non‐parametric regression model is suggested and a comparison between the performances of the two models is carried out. Field data from two real electrical systems, one having a 138 kV substation in which a large industrial load and a 34.5 kV rural long feeder are connected; and the other having four urban 13.8 kV feeders supplying industrial and commercial loads, were used to develop and validate the statistical models used in the application.
Critical receiving power ratio of the receiving system in asynchronously connected power systems based on voltage response analysis
Authors: Song Pengcheng , Xu Zheng , Huang Hongyang
Published: March 2016

The objective of this study is to determine the critical receiving power ratio (CRPR) of a receiving system fed only by high‐voltage DC transmission lines. The approach is to check the voltage response when a severe fault occurs in a simplified asynchronously connected receiving system. The DC power limit is found by continuously increasing the DC power until the voltage cannot recover from the severe fault. The topic is expanded as follows. First, a simplified system model is established under a few reasonable assumptions. Then, the analytical voltage response expressions when a three‐phase short‐circuit fault occurs are developed, taking the effect of commutation failure, fast AC voltage control and load characteristics into consideration. The expressions of the DC power limits under different load characteristics are deduced from the analytical voltage response expressions. Besides, several crucial factors that limit the infeed power capacity of an asynchronously connected receiving system are discussed in this study based on the sensitivity analysis of the DC power limits. The CRPRs of a receiving system with different crucial characteristics are found through time‐domain simulation with detailed models. The validity of the analytical voltage response expressions and the crucial factor analysis is well proved by the simulation results.
Optimal planning and operation of energy storage systems in radial networks for wind power integration with reserve support
Authors: Qin Mingwen , Chan Kevin Wing , Chung Chi Yung , Luo Xiao , Wu Ting
Published: March 2016

Though energy storage system (ESS) is a promising approach to alleviate the variability of non‐dispatchable wind power and other forms of renewable energy sources, its high investment cost has impeded its wide deployment. Aiming at exploiting the arbitrage benefit of ESS in reserve market and raising revenue of shareholders, this study explores the optimal planning and operation of ESS in radial networks. Besides load balancing, ESS is used to provide three kinds of operating reserve services in presence of high wind power penetration, including spinning reserve, upward and downward regulation reserves. In light of the capacity limitation of ESS, the time duration of reserve provision has been taken into account. In the proposed model, unit commitment and AC optimal power flow (AC‐OPF) are combined together over sequential time series to find the optimal location and size of ESSs. In order to reduce the computational complexity, the extended DistFlow model of AC‐OPF is adopted to convert the problem into a mixed‐integer second‐order cone programming. Numerical studies on the IEEE 34‐bus distribution test feeder are used to investigate the effects of ESS with respect to various penetration levels of wind power and load scales.
Derivation of an equivalent circuit for real‐time security assessment
Authors: Wijeweera Gayan , Annakkage Udaya D. , Zhang Wenjie , Rajapakse Athula D.
Published: March 2016

More and more system operators are interested in calculating transfer capability in real time using real‐time power flow models generated from the energy management system (EMS). However, comparing with off‐line study models, EMS models usually cover a limited portion of the interconnected system. It is not practical to extend the EMS model in order to capture the impact of the external systems and as such using an equivalent network becomes necessary for this purpose. Equivalent circuits can be derived from the off‐line models for certain pre‐determined operating conditions. Such fixed equivalent models may produce invalid results under various real‐time operating conditions. Hence, it is necessary to derive an equivalent circuit model that is adaptive to the available real‐time information. This study presents a new method of creating an equivalent circuit model based on the measured boundary station parameters such as voltages and power flows. Simulation studies show that such derived equivalent circuit models provide solutions with adequate accuracy in comparison with detailed off‐line system model.
Dimmable flicker‐free power LEDs lighting system based on a SEPIC rectifier using a regenerative snubber
Authors: Burgardt Ismael , Agostini Junior Eloi , Illa Font Carlos H. , Nascimento Claudinor B.
Published: March 2016

This study presents a universal‐input AC electronic lighting system using a non‐isolated SEPIC PFC rectifier to drive and control power light emitting diodes (LEDs). One energy regenerative snubber is proposed to reduce the converter switching losses aiming to improve the overall system efficiency. A linear current regulator is employed to provide the features of flicker‐free and dimming capability for the lighting system. The operation stages as well as the theoretical waveforms and main equations at steady state of the proposed SEPIC rectifier using the regenerative snubber are described in details. To reduce the efficiency impairment, the conditions for achieving minimum energy loss in the current regulator are also detailed. A control loop designed using the results from the small‐signal analysis presented in the study is proposed to track the optimal current regulator operating point in real‐time. Experimental results of a prototype operating from 90 to 265 V and output power from 15 to 100% for 35 LEDs / 42 W are presented to verify the analyses carried out.
Analysis and design of a high‐step‐down ratio resonant converter
Authors: Yau Yeu‐Torng , Jiang Wen‐Zhuang , Hwu Kuo‐Ing
Published: March 2016

In this study, a high‐step‐down ratio resonant converter is presented, which integrates one coupled inductor and one resonant energy‐transferring capacitor with small capacitance. The resonant energy‐transferring capacitor resonates with the leakage inductance of the coupled inductor. Furthermore, the energy‐transferring capacitor is connected between the input voltage and the coupled inductor. Therefore, a high‐step‐down voltage gain can be achieved, which is lower than those of the traditional synchronously‐rectified buck converter and the tapped‐inductor buck converter. Moreover, the modulated switching frequency span is low; thus, it is easy to design the output filter. In addition, since the small value of the resonant energy‐transferring capacitor is used, the power density can be upgraded. Finally, some analyses and experimental results are given to verify the feasibility and effectiveness.
Transformerless high‐gain DC–DC converter for microgrids
Authors: Revathi B. Sri , Prabhakar Mahalingam
Published: March 2016

This study proposes a novel non‐isolated high‐gain high‐power DC–DC converter. The converter is developed from a basic high‐gain high‐power converter structure. The proposed converter comprises of a three‐phase interleaved boost converter, one coupled inductor and a voltage multiplier cell which act as gain extension stage. The main desirable features like voltage gain, stress on the switches and diodes, turns ratio, component utilisation factor and efficiency are summarised. The power circuit, operational details, simulation and experimental results of the 60 V/1.1 kV, 3 kW, 100 kHz proposed converter are presented.
Voltage gain analysis of the interleaved boost with voltage multiplier converter used as electronic interface for fuel cells systems
Authors: Fuzato Guilherme H.F. , Aguiar Cassius R. , Ottoboni Klebber de A. , Bastos Renan F. , Machado Ricardo Q.
Published: March 2016

The connection of low power renewable energy sources, such as fuel cells, to the distribution generation system requires power electronics structures with high voltage gain, high capability to power processing and consequently, high levels of current flowing through the dc/dc converter. In this context, this study analyses how the parasitic resistances of the passive components and the load power demand affect the dc/dc converter voltage gain. Taking into account the mathematical model, the boundaries of operation of the Interleaved Boost with Voltage Multiplier converter is determined through a set of equations and by means of a graphical analysis. The theoretical analysis, simulations and experimental results are used to validate the proposed approach presented in this study.
Closed‐loop waveform control of boost inverter
Authors: Zhu Guo‐Rong , Xiao Cheng‐Yuan , Wang Hao‐Ran , Tan Siew‐Chong
Published: March 2016

The input current of single‐phase inverter typically has an AC ripple component at twice the output frequency, which causes a reduction in both the operating lifetime of its DC source and the efficiency of the system. In this paper, the closed‐loop performance of a proposed waveform control method to eliminate such a ripple current in boost inverter is investigated. The small‐signal stability and the dynamic characteristic of the inverter system for input voltage or wide range load variations under the closed‐loop waveform control method are studied. It is validated that with the closed‐loop waveform control, not only was stability achieved, the reference voltage of the boost inverter capacitors can be instantaneously adjusted to match the new load, thereby achieving improved ripple mitigation for a wide load range. Furthermore, with the control and feedback mechanism, there is minimal level of ripple component at the DC bus during steady state, and the transient response is rapid with negligible effect on the output voltage. Analysis, simulation and experimental results are presented to support the investigation.
Developed embedded switched‐Z‐source inverter
Authors: Babaei Ebrahim , Shokati Asl Elias , Hasan Babayi Mohsen , Laali Sara
Published: March 2016

In this study, a new topology for switched Z‐source inverter is proposed. This inverter in comparison with the conventional Z‐source inverter needs higher number of active elements, lower number of capacitors and inductors. Reduction of weight, size and cost are the main advantages of the proposed topology. In addition, this inverter is able to solve the problem of short circuit across the inverter leg and consists of higher value of voltage gain when compared with the conventional switched boost inverter. Moreover, the developed topology of the proposed inverter based on switched‐inductor cells is introduced. The performance of the proposed inverter in different operating modes is investigated. The proposed topologies are also compared with the conventional Z‐source inverters from different points of view such as number of elements, the voltage gain and capability of tolerate the inverter short circuit. Finally, the accuracy performance of the proposed inverter is reconfirmed by using the simulation results in EMTDC/PSCAD software and also experimental results.
Fixed‐frequency adaptive on‐time buck converter with ramp compensation
Authors: Li Qin‐Qin , Lai Xin‐Quan , Ye Qiang , Yuan Bing
Published: March 2016

This study presents a fixed‐frequency adaptive on‐time buck converter with adaptive ramp compensation internally, which uses valley current‐mode control. The on‐time is obtained by feed forwarding input voltage and output voltage, which is easy to implement. The control method provides fast transient response, wide duty ratio and high efficiency for both heavy and light load. In a traditional adaptive on‐time buck converter, the output voltage ripple determines the moment when the main power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor is being turned on. Different from that way, this study proposes a new way by which the valley current flowing through the inductor determines the moment. This avoids the problem induced by insufficient output ripple when a low equivalent series resistance capacitor like ceramic output capacitor is used. An adequate and simple ramp compensation circuit is proposed to optimise its jitter performance for wide duty ratio applications.
Crack detection and monitoring in viscoelastic solids using polymer optical fiber sensors
Authors: Chen Tao , Li Zhihong , Song Xiaochun , Zhou Yanming , Guo Haiyan , Xie Zhong
Published: March 2016

Detecting and monitoring of crack in viscoelastic solids, as a result of large and time-dependent deformations, are of great importance but have not been carried out sufficiently well. In this paper, polymer optical fibers (POFs) are employed to detect and monitor cracks in viscoelastic solids subjected to tensile loading. The sensor system is developed based on the variation of light intensity within the POFs when the POF sensors are loaded. The sensors show good stability, cost-effective, and large enough strain range (60%). The results demonstrate that in addition to monitoring the strain state of viscoelastic solids, the POFs strain sensors can detect initial cracks and monitor cracks propagation up to ultimate failure.