bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9 induces dendritic cell maturation and enhances the immune response against inactivated avian influenza virus
Authors: Huang Lulu , Qin Tao , Yin YinYan , Gao Xue , Lin Jian , Yang Qian , Yu Qinghua
Published: February 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the stimulatory effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9 on dendritic cells (DCs) and to verify its ability to enhance the immune response by modulating DC maturation. The results demonstrated that B. amyloliquefaciens SQR9 can adhere to the nasal epithelium and be taken up by DCs in the nasal mucosa, thereby inducing DC maturation and resulting in increased CD80, CD86, CD40 and MHCII expression and cytokine secretion. The frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD69+ memory T cells were increased in spleens after nasal immunization with virus plus B. amyloliquefaciens SQR9 compared to immunization with inactivated H9N2 AIV alone. Moreover, the levels of sIgA in the nasal cavity, the trachea, and the lung and the levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a in serum were significantly increased in mice administered WIV plus SQR9 compared to mice administered H9N2 WIV alone. The results of this study demonstrated that B. amyloliquefaciens SQR9 can stimulate DC maturation to effectively induce an immune response. In conclusion, an effective immune response may result from the uptake of H9N2 by DCs in the nasal mucosa, thereby stimulating DC maturation and migration to cervical lymph nodes to initiate immune response.
Low-energy, Mobile Grain Boundaries in Magnesium
Authors: Liu Xiangli , Wang Jian
Published: February 2016

The strong basal texture that is commonly developed during the rolling of magnesium alloy and can even increase during annealing motivates atomic-level study of dislocation structures of both <0001> tilt and twist grain boundaries (GBs) in Magnesium. Both symmetrical tilt and twist GBs over the entire range of rotation angles θ between 0° and 60° are found to have an ordered atomic structure and can be described with grain boundary dislocation models. In particular, 30° tilt and twist GBs are corresponding to energy minima. The 30° tilt GB is characterized with an array of Shockley partial dislocations bp:- bp on every basal plane and the 30° twist GB is characterized with a stacking faulted structure. More interesting, molecular dynamics simulations explored that both 30° tilt and twist GBs are highly mobile associated with collective glide of Shockley partial dislocations. This could be responsible for the formation of the strong basal texture and a significant number of 30° misorientation GBs in Mg alloy during grain growth.
The Influence of Structure Heights and Opening Angles of Micro- and Nanocones on the Macroscopic Surface Wetting Properties
Authors: Schneider Ling , Laustsen Milan , Mandsberg Nikolaj , Taboryski Rafael
Published: February 2016

We discuss the influence of surface structure, namely the height and opening angles of nano- and microcones on the surface wettability. We show experimental evidence that the opening angle of the cones is the critical parameter on sample superhydrophobicity, namely static contact angles and roll-off angles. The textured surfaces are fabricated on silicon wafers by using a simple one-step method of reactive ion etching at different processing time and gas flow rates. By using hydrophobic coating or hydrophilic surface treatment, we are able to switch the surface wettability from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic without altering surface structures. In addition, we show examples of polymer replicas (polypropylene and poly(methyl methacrylate) with different wettability, fabricated by injection moulding using templates of the silicon cone-structures.
Plant essential oils and potassium metabisulfite as repellents for Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Renkema Justin M. , Wright Derek , Buitenhuis Rose , Hallett Rebecca H.
Published: February 2016

Spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is a globally invasive pest of soft-skinned fruit. Females oviposit into ripening fruit and larvae cause direct destruction of tissues. As many plant essential oils are permitted food additives, they may provide a safe means of protecting fruit from D. suzukii infestation in both conventional and organic production systems. Twelve oils and potassium metabisulfite (KMS) were screened in the laboratory as repellents for D. suzukii flies. Most essential oils deterred D. suzukii flies from cotton wicks containing attractive raspberry juice. Peppermint oil was particularly effective, preventing almost all flies from contacting treated wicks and remaining 100% repellent for 6 d post-application. Thyme oil was unique because it caused high male mortality and reduced the number of responding flies compared to other oils. KMS was not found to be repellent to D. suzukii, but may have fumigant properties, particularly at high concentrations. Peppermint oil appears to be the best candidate for field testing to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of using essential oils as part of a push-pull management strategy against D. suzukii. This is the first time that essential oils have been evaluated and proven effective in preventing fruit-infesting flies from contacting attractive stimuli.
Multi-stability of circadian phase wave within early postnatal suprachiasmatic nucleus
Authors: Jeong Byeongha , Hong Jin Hee , Kim Hyun , Choe Han Kyoung , Kim Kyungjin , Lee Kyoung J.
Published: February 2016

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is a group of cells that functions as a biological master clock. In different SCN cells, oscillations of biochemical markers such as the expression-level of clock genes, are not synchronized but instead form slow circadian phase waves propagating over the whole cell population. Earlier studies presumed that their spatio-temporal structure is a fixed property set by the anatomy of a given SCN. Here, we show that this is not the case in early postnatal SCN. Based on bioluminescence imaging experiments with Per2-Luciferase mice SCN cultures which guided computer simulations of a realistic model of the SCN, we demonstrate that the wave is not unique but can be in various modes including phase- coherent oscillation, crescent-shaped wave, and most notably, a rotating pinwheel wave that conceptually resembles a wall clock with a rotating hand. Furthermore, mode transitions can be induced by a pulse of 38.5 °C temperature perturbation. Importantly, the waves support a significantly different period, suggesting that neither a spatially-fixed phase ordering nor a specialized pacemaker having a fixed period exist in these studied SCNs. These results lead to new important questions of what the observed multi-stability means for the proper function of an SCN and its arrhythmia.
Autonomic nervous system-mediated effects of galanin-like peptide on lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissue
Authors: Hirako Satoshi , Wada Nobuhiro , Kageyama Haruaki , Takenoya Fumiko , Izumida Yoshihiko , Kim Hyounju , Iizuka Yuzuru , Matsumoto Akiyo , Okabe Mai , Kimura Ai , Suzuki Mamiko , Yamanaka Satoru , Shioda Seiji
Published: February 2016

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is a neuropeptide involved in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy metabolism in mammals. While a weight loss effect of GALP has been reported, its effects on lipid metabolism have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine if GALP regulates lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissue via an action on the sympathetic nervous system. The respiratory exchange ratio of mice administered GALP intracerebroventricularly was lower than that of saline-treated animals and fatty acid oxidation-related gene mRNA levels were increased in the liver. Even though the respiratory exchange ratio was reduced by GALP, this change was not significant when mice were treated with the sympatholytic drug, guanethidine. Lipolysis-related gene mRNA levels were increased in the adipose tissue of GALP-treated mice compared with saline-treated animals. These results show that GALP stimulates fatty acid β-oxidation in liver and lipolysis in adipose tissue and suggest that the anti-obesity effect of GALP may be due to anorexigenic actions and improvement of lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues via the sympathetic nervous system.
Does selection in a challenging environment produce Nile tilapia genotypes that can thrive in a range of production systems?
Authors: Thoa Ngo Phu , Ninh Nguyen Huu , Knibb Wayne , Nguyen Nguyen Hong
Published: February 2016

This study assessed whether selection for high growth in a challenging environment of medium salinity produces tilapia genotypes that perform well across different production environments. We estimated the genetic correlations between trait expressions in saline and freshwater using a strain of Nile tilapia selected for fast growth under salinity water of 15–20 ppt. We also estimated the heritability and genetic correlations for new traits of commercial importance (sexual maturity, feed conversion ratio, deformity and gill condition) in a full pedigree comprising 36,145 fish. The genetic correlations for the novel characters between the two environments were 0.78–0.99, suggesting that the effect of genotype by environment interaction was not biologically important. Across the environments, the heritability for body weight was moderate to high (0.32–0.62), indicating that this population will continue responding to future selection. The estimates of heritability for sexual maturity and survival were low but significant. The additive genetic components also exist for FCR, gill condition and deformity. Genetic correlations of harvest body weight with sexual maturity were positive and those between harvest body weight with FCR were negative. Our results indicate that the genetic line selected under a moderate saline water environment can be cultured successfully in freshwater systems.
Spatially resolved TiOx phases in switched RRAM devices using soft X-ray spectromicroscopy
Authors: Carta D. , Hitchcock A. P. , Guttmann P. , Regoutz A. , Khiat A. , Serb A. , Gupta I. , Prodromakis T.
Published: February 2016

Reduction in metal-oxide thin films has been suggested as the key mechanism responsible for forming conductive phases within solid-state memory devices, enabling their resistive switching capacity. The quantitative spatial identification of such conductive regions is a daunting task, particularly for metal-oxides capable of exhibiting multiple phases as in the case of TiOx. Here, we spatially resolve and chemically characterize distinct TiOx phases in localized regions of a TiOx–based memristive device by combining full-field transmission X-ray microscopy with soft X-ray spectroscopic analysis that is performed on lamella samples. We particularly show that electrically pre-switched devices in low-resistive states comprise reduced disordered phases with O/Ti ratios around 1.37 that aggregate in a ~100 nm highly localized region electrically conducting the top and bottom electrodes of the devices. We have also identified crystalline rutile and orthorhombic-like TiO2 phases in the region adjacent to the main reduced area, suggesting that the temperature increases locally up to 1000 K, validating the role of Joule heating in resistive switching. Contrary to previous studies, our approach enables to simultaneously investigate morphological and chemical changes in a quantitative manner without incurring difficulties imposed by interpretation of electron diffraction patterns acquired via conventional electron microscopy techniques.
Efficacy and Safety of rAAV2-ND4 Treatment for Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Wan Xing , Pei Han , Zhao Min-jian , Yang Shuo , Hu Wei-kun , He Heng , Ma Si-qi , Zhang Ge , Dong Xiao-yan , Chen Chen , Wang Dao-wen , Li Bin
Published: February 2016

Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrially inherited disease leading to blindness. A mitochondrial DNA point mutation at the 11778 nucleotide site of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) gene is the most common cause. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) carrying ND4 (rAAV2-ND4) in LHON patients carrying the G11778A mutation. Nine patients were administered rAAV2-ND4 by intravitreal injection to one eye and then followed for 9 months. Ophthalmologic examinations of visual acuity, visual field and optical coherence tomography were performed. Physical examinations included routine blood and urine. The visual acuity of the injected eyes of six patients improved by at least 0.3 log MAR after 9 months of follow-up. In these six patients, the visual field was enlarged but the retinal nerve fibre layer remained relatively stable. No other outcome measure was significantly changed. None of the nine patients had local or systemic adverse events related to the vector during the 9-month follow-up period. These findings support the feasible use of gene therapy for LHON.
Can arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi reduce Cd uptake and alleviate Cd toxicity of Lonicera japonica grown in Cd-added soils?
Authors: Jiang Qiu-Yun , Zhuo Feng , Long Shi-Hui , Zhao Hai-Di , Yang Dan-Jing , Ye Zhi-Hong , Li Shao-Shan , Jing Yuan-Xiao
Published: February 2016

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi−Glomus versiforme (Gv) and Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri) on the growth, Cd uptake, antioxidant indices [glutathione reductase (GR), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate (ASA), glutathione (GSH) and malonaldehyde (MDA)] and phytochelatins (PCs) production of Lonicera japonica in Cd-amended soils. Gv and Ri significantly increased P acquisition, biomass of shoots and roots at all Cd treatments. Gv significantly decreased Cd concentrations in shoots and roots, and Ri also obviously reduced Cd concentrations in shoots but increased Cd concentrations in roots. Meanwhile, activities of CAT, APX and GR, and contents of ASA and PCs were remarkably higher in Gv/Ri-inoculated plants than those of uninoculated plants, but lower MDA and GSH contents in Gv/Ri-inoculated plants were found. In conclusion, Gv and Ri symbiosis alleviated Cd toxicity of L. japonica through the decline of shoot Cd concentrations and the improvement of P nutrition, PCs content and activities of GR, CAT, APX in inoculated plants, and then improved plant growth. The decrease of shoot Cd concentrations in L. japonica inoculated with Gv/Ri would provide a clue for safe production of this plant from Cd-contaminated soils.
Late regulation of immune genes and microRNAs in circulating leukocytes in a pig model of influenza A (H1N2) infection
Authors: Brogaard Louise , Heegaard Peter M. H. , Larsen Lars E. , Mortensen Shila , Schlegel Michael , Dürrwald Ralf , Skovgaard Kerstin
Published: February 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short regulatory RNA molecules which are implicated in modulating gene expression. Levels of circulating, cell-associated miRNAs in response to influenza A virus (IAV) infection has received limited attention so far. To further understand the temporal dynamics and biological implications of miRNA regulation in circulating leukocytes, we collected blood samples before and after (1, 3, and 14 days) IAV challenge of pigs. Differential expression of miRNAs and innate immune factor mRNA transcripts was analysed using RT-qPCR. A total of 20 miRNAs were regulated after IAV challenge, with the highest number of regulated miRNAs seen on day 14 after infection at which time the infection was cleared. Targets of the regulated miRNAs included genes involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Significant regulation of both miRNAs and mRNA transcripts at 14 days after challenge points to a protracted effect of IAV infection, potentially affecting the host’s ability to respond to secondary infections. In conclusion, experimental IAV infection of pigs demonstrated the dynamic nature of miRNA and mRNA regulation in circulating leukocytes during and after infection, and revealed the need for further investigation of the potential immunosuppressing effect of miRNA and innate immune signaling after IAV infection.
The Verwey structure of a natural magnetite
Authors: Perversi G. , Cumby J. , Pachoud E. , Wright J. P. , Attfield J. P.
Published: February 2016

Complex charge and orbital molecule order observed in natural magnetite comparable to meteoritic samples is the most complex electronic order known to occur naturally.
A mechanistic study of the addition of alcohol to a five-membered ring silene via a photochemical reaction
Authors: Su Ming-Der
Published: February 2016

The mechanisms for the alcohol addition reactions for a cyclic divinyldisilane (1-Si) are theoretically studied using the CASSCF and CAS-MP2 methods. However, it is theoretically predicted that the carbon derivative (1-C) does not undergo alcohol addition reactions when it absorbs light.
New amide–chloride phases in the Li–Al–N–H–Cl system: formation and hydrogen storage behaviour
Authors: Fernández Albanesi L. , Garroni S. , Enzo S. , Gennari F. C.
Published: February 2016

Ball milling of a LiNH2–AlCI3 mixture for 5 h results in the formation of a FCC solid solution. Its subsequent heating at 150 °C induces the production of an amide–chloride phase isostructural with cubic Li4(NH2)3Cl. This Li–Al–N–H–Cl phase transforms into the trigonal phase after heating at 300 °C under H2 pressure.
Ag-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition: a DFT approach
Authors: Boz Esra , Tüzün Nurcan Ş.
Published: February 2016

In this study, the mechanism of AgAAC reaction has been studied by quantum mechanical calculations to gain insights into this promising reaction and the first successful application of a Ag catalyst alone in AAC.
Polyurethane foam (PUF) passive samplers for monitoring phenanthrene in stormwater
Authors: Dou Yueqin , Zhang Tian C. , Zeng Jing , Stansbury John , Moussavi Massoum , Richter-Egger Dana L. , Klein Mitchell R.
Published: February 2016

Pollution from highway stormwater runoff has been an increasing area of concern.
Impacts of soil petroleum contamination on nutrient release during litter decomposition of Hippophae rhamnoides
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxi , Liu Zengwen , Luc Nhu Trung , Yu Qi , Liu Xiaobo , Liang Xiao
Published: February 2016

In this study, the impacts of soil petroleum contamination on nutrient release during litter decomposition were investigated.
Enhanced versatility of fluid control in centrifugal microfluidic platforms using two degrees of freedom
Authors: Cao Xiaobao , deMello A. J. , Elvira K. S.
Published: February 2016

Two degrees of freedom allow independent access to identical burst valves, unlimited inward and outward pumping, and targeted flow switching.
Theoretical studies to investigate the effect of different cores and two different topologies on the optical and charge transfer properties of donor materials for organic solar cells
Authors: Bibi Shamsa , Zhang Jingping
Published: February 2016

Three dimensional conjugated three- and four-armed molecules with core-D–π–A and core-A–π–D topologies were designed and studied by DFT, revealing that molecules with the core-A–π–D topology and N or C cores would result low reorganization energies and broad absorption bands for organic solar cells.
In situ growth of silicon carbide–carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Pati Santwana , Singh Bhanu Pratap , Saket Devendra Kumar , Gupta Bipin Kumar , Singh Vidya Nand , Dhakate Sanjay R.
Published: February 2016

SiC-single walled carbon nanotube composites were prepared through the novel route of d.c. arc discharge technique using silicon powder as a filler in a graphite anode and confirmed using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques.
Electrocatalytic redox behavior of graphene films towards acebutolol hydrochloride determination in real samples
Authors: Bagoji Atmanand M. , Nandibewoor Sharanappa T.
Published: February 2016

Under optimal conditions, a graphene film modified glassy carbon electrode exhibited a longer linearity range from 3.36 to 57.12 ng mL−1of acebutolol with a limit of detection of 0.131 ng mL−1.
Simple and low energy consuming synthesis of cyanate ester functional naphthoxazines and their properties
Authors: Ohashi Seishi , Pandey Vivek , Arza Carlos R. , Froimowicz Pablo , Ishida Hatsuo
Published: February 2016

Naphthoxazines functionalized with a cyanate ester group are synthesized in high yield under moderate conditions, including room temperature synthesis, compared with general benzoxazine synthesis.
Spontaneous osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells on electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds
Authors: Zhang Ning , Xiao Qian-Ru , Man Xin-Yao , Liu Hai-Xia , Lü Lan-Xin , Huang Ning-Ping
Published: February 2016

Hydroxyapatite-containing PHBV nanofibrous scaffolds accelerate osteogenic differentiation of MSCs by activating the related signaling pathways.
Rapid biocompatible macrocyclization of peptides with decafluoro-diphenylsulfone
Authors: Kalhor-Monfared S. , Jafari M. R. , Patterson J. T. , Kitov P. I. , Dwyer J. J. , Nuss J. M. , Derda R.
Published: February 2016

In this manuscript, we describe modification of Cys-residues in peptides and proteins in aqueous solvents via aromatic nucleophilic substitution (SNAr) with perfluoroarenes (fAr).
Directed evolution of RebH for catalyst-controlled halogenation of indole C–H bonds
Authors: Andorfer Mary C. , Park Hyun June , Vergara-Coll Jaylie , Lewis Jared C.
Published: February 2016

RebH variants capable of chlorinating substituted indolesortho-,meta-, andpara- to the indole nitrogen were evolved by directly screening for altered selectivity on deuterium-substituted probe substrates using mass spectrometry.
Blue-emitting phosphor Ba4OCl6:Eu2+ with good thermal stability and a tiny chromaticity shift for white LEDs
Authors: Chen Yan , Pan Fengjuan , Wang Meng , Zhang Xuejie , Wang Jing , Wu Mingmei , Wang Chengxin
Published: February 2016

We develop an intense blue emitting phosphor Ba4OCl6:Eu2+ with good thermal stability and a tiny chromaticity shift. The integrated emission intensity at 373 K and 423 K still remains 92.5 and 83.7%, compared with the intensity at room temperature.
Photoactive conducting polymers with light-driven conductivity modulation: dual functionality for simple circuits
Authors: Lee Seung-Chul , Lee Suck-Hyun , Kwon O-Pil
Published: February 2016

Photoactive conducting polyaniline films mixed with a conductivity modulation agent consisting of dopant-mimic groups and a photo-induced dipole moment switching group, exhibit a large, fast light-driven conductivity modulation with dual functionality.
Sensitive Zn2+ sensor based on biofunctionalized nanopores via combination of DNAzyme and DNA supersandwich structures
Authors: Liu Nannan , Hou Ruizuo , Gao Pengcheng , Lou Xiaoding , Xia Fan
Published: February 2016

Isothermal amplification of Zn2+ detection is achieved by using a DNA supersandwich structure and Zn2+-requiring DNAzymes in nanopores.
Non-invasive prenatal detection of trisomy 21 by quantifying segmental duplication in maternal plasma with digital PCR
Authors: Xu Shu , Zou Bingjie , Xiang Zheng , Miao Mingzhu , Song Qinxin , Huang Huan , Wu Haiping , Zhou Guohua
Published: February 2016

We proposed a novel method for the detection of trisomy 21 by quantifying the slightly increased amount of chromosome 21 in cfDNA.
Photoinduced bending of rod-like millimetre-size crystals of a rhodium dithionite complex with n-pentyl moieties
Authors: Nakai Hidetaka , Matsuba Kengo , Akimoto Masataka , Nozaki Tomonori , Matsumoto Takahiro , Isobe Kiyoshi , Irie Masahiro , Ogo Seiji
Published: February 2016

Rod-like millimetre-size crystals of a n-pentyl-modified rhodium dithionite complex bend upon photoirradiation and return to the original shape upon heating.
Controlled production of the elusive metastable form II of acetaminophen (paracetamol): a fully scalable templating approach in a cooling environment
Authors: Agnew Lauren R. , Cruickshank Dyanne L. , McGlone Thomas , Wilson Chick C.
Published: February 2016

A designed multi-component templating approach to paracetamol form-II provides a reproducible route to scalable (>100 g in a single run) production of this previously elusive polymorph, with its enhanced compressibility and solubility.
Bioreductive fluorescent imaging agents: applications to tumour hypoxia
Authors: Elmes Robert B. P.
Published: February 2016

The development of new optical chemosensors for various reductases presents an ideal approach to visualise areas of tissue hypoxia.
N-Tosyl-1,5,2,6-dithiadiazocane: a waste-free electrophilic sulfur reagent for the efficient synthesis of medium-ring S,N-heterocycles
Authors: Javorskis Tomas , Bagdžiūnas Gintautas , Orentas Edvinas
Published: February 2016

Medium-ring S,N-heterocycles can be easily accessed in a one-pot procedure using an eight-membered dimeric sulfenamide annulation reagent.
The structure of chromophore-grafted amyloid-β12–28 dimers in the gas-phase: FRET-experiment guided modelling
Authors: Kulesza Alexander , Daly Steven , Choi Chang Min , Simon Anne-Laure , Chirot Fabien , MacAleese Luke , Antoine Rodolphe , Dugourd Philippe
Published: February 2016

Theoretical modelling, ion mobility spectrometry and action-FRET experiments are combined to an experiment guided approach and used to elucidate the structure of chromophore-grafted amyloid-β12–28 dimers in the gas-phase.
Synthesis of mono-, di-, and triaminobismuthanes and observation of C–C coupling of aromatic systems with bismuth(iii) chloride
Authors: Hering-Junghans Christian , Schulz Axel , Thomas Max , Villinger Alexander
Published: February 2016

Mono-, di- or triaminobismuthanes were synthesized depending on the sterical demand of the organic substituent. In one case, a C–C coupling product was observed as main product in the reaction of BiCl3 with Mes*(SiMe3)NLi.
Biofilms in shower hoses – choice of pipe material influences bacterial growth and communities
Authors: Proctor Caitlin R. , Gächter Marja , Kötzsch Stefan , Rölli Franziska , Sigrist Romina , Walser Jean-Claude , Hammes Frederik
Published: February 2016

Flexible polymeric pipe materials are commonly used as shower hoses or connections to faucets in the last meters of building plumbing, but these tend to leach high concentrations of carbon that encourage bacterial growth.
Lactone-fused electron-deficient building blocks for n-type polymer field-effect transistors: synthesis, properties, and impact of alkyl substitution positions
Authors: Wang Xiao-Ye , Zhang Meng-Wen , Zhuang Fang-Dong , Wang Jie-Yu , Pei Jian
Published: February 2016

Dilactone-based Pechmann dyes were incorporated into conjugated polymers for n-type field-effect transistors, providing a new design concept of electron-deficient building blocks for polymer semiconductors.
The effect of Nd3+impurities on the magneto-optical properties of TeO2–P2O5–ZnO–LiNbO3tellurite glass
Authors: Golis E.
Published: February 2016

A study of the magnetic and magneto-optical properties of tellurite glass doped with Nd3+is discussed in this communication.
Correction: A new series of pyrenyl-based triarylamines: syntheses, structures, optical properties, electrochemistry and electroluminescence
Authors: Zhang Ran , Zhao Yun , Li Guoling , Yang Daisheng , Ni Zhonghai
Published: February 2016

Correction for ‘A new series of pyrenyl-based triarylamines: syntheses, structures, optical properties, electrochemistry and electroluminescence’ by Ran Zhang et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 9037–9048.
Visual Speech Perception in Children With Language Learning Impairments
Authors: Knowland Victoria C. P. , Evans Sam , Snell Caroline , Rosen Stuart
Published: February 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to assess the ability of children with developmental language learning impairments (LLIs) to use visual speech cues from the talking face.

Method

In this cross-sectional study, 41 typically developing children (mean age: 8 years 0 months, range: 4 years 5 months to 11 years 10 months) and 27 children with diagnosed LLI (mean age: 8 years 10 months, range: 5 years 2 months to 11 years 6 months) completed a silent speechreading task and a speech-in-noise task with and without visual support from the talking face. The speech-in-noise task involved the identification of a target word in a carrier sentence with a single competing speaker as a masker.

Results

Children in the LLI group showed a deficit in speechreading when compared with their typically developing peers. Beyond the single-word level, this deficit became more apparent in older children. On the speech-in-noise task, a substantial benefit of visual cues was found regardless of age or group membership, although the LLI group showed an overall developmental delay in speech perception.

Conclusion

Although children with LLI were less accurate than their peers on the speechreading and speech-in noise-tasks, both groups were able to make equivalent use of visual cues to boost performance accuracy when listening in noise.
Dual‐polarised antenna using unbalanced power dividers for small‐cell base stations
Authors: Choi S. , Choi J.
Published: February 2016

A compact, dual‐polarised multiple‐input and multiple‐output antenna for small‐cell base stations is proposed. This antenna is operating at long‐term evolution (LTE) band‐5 and consists of two stacking substrates and cavity‐backed structures. To produce dual polarisation, two edges of the feeding patch on the lower substrate are individually fed by unbalanced power dividers with a phase difference of 90°. These unbalanced power dividers improve the isolation characteristic of this antenna. Measured results show that the proposed antenna has a port isolation higher than 30 dB over the operating range of 820–900 MHz. Furthermore, a high front‐to‐back ratio of 13.5 dB is obtained in spite of the compact size because there are no slots on the ground plane.
Classification via ensembles of basic thresholding classifiers
Authors: Toksöz Mehmet Altan , Ulusoy İlkay
Published: February 2016

The authors present a sparsity‐based algorithm, basic thresholding classifier (BTC), for classification applications which is capable of identifying test samples extremely rapidly and performing high classification accuracy. They introduce a sufficient identification condition (SIC) under which BTC can identify any test sample in the range space of a given dictionary. By using SIC, they develop a procedure which provides a guidance for the selection of threshold parameter. By exploiting rapid classification capability, they propose a fusion scheme in which individual BTC classifiers are combined to produce better classification results especially when very small number of features is used. Finally, they propose an efficient validation technique to reject invalid test samples. Numerical results in face identification domain show that BTC is a tempting alternative to sparsity‐based classification algorithms such as greedy orthogonal matching pursuit and l1‐minimisation.
Improved probabilistic pseudo‐morphology for noise reduction in colour images
Authors: Coliban Radu‐Mihai , Ivanovici Mihai , Richard Noël
Published: February 2016

Mathematical morphology is a popular framework for non‐linear image processing, first introduced for binary and grey‐level images, then extended to colour and multivariate images. Various pseudo‐morphologies have been proposed as solutions to the problem of ordering multivariate data. Despite the lack of some properties, pseudo‐morphologies have proved useful in various applications, such as filtering or texture classification. The authors propose to improve the existing colour probabilistic pseudo‐morphology by changing the way the local pseudo‐extrema are chosen. They show the usefulness of the new construction in the context of noise reduction in colour images using the open‐close close‐open filter, by highlighting the improvement over the original construction and comparing the authors’ results with other relevant morphological and pseudo‐morphological approaches.
Optimal design of new cascade multilevel converter topology based on series connection of extended sub‐multilevel units
Authors: Alishah Rasoul Shalchi , Hosseini Seyed Hossein , Babaei Ebrahim , Sabahi Mehran , Gharehkoushan Amirreza Zarrin
Published: February 2016

In this study, a new circuit for cascade multilevel converter based on series connection of extended sub‐multilevel units is described. In order to produce all levels at output voltage waveform, an algorithm is proposed to determine the values of dc sources. To maximise the number of output voltage levels with minimum number of utilised power electronic components, the proposed cascade multilevel converter is optimised. The comparison results with other recently presented topologies are provided in terms of the number of utilised components and standing voltage on switches. Compared to other structures, the proposed topology utilises fewer number of insulated‐gate bipolar transistors, drivers, anti‐parallel diodes, and dc sources. Also, the value of standing voltage of switches in the recommended topology is low. Experimental results for proposed converter are provided to verify the operation of presented structure.
On log‐cumulants of multilook polarimetric whitening filter for polarimetric SAR data
Authors: Tao Liu , Hao‐Gui Cui , Ze‐min Xi , Jun Gao
Published: February 2016

Many multivariate statistical distributions have been derived using the well‐known product model to stochastically model PolSAR data. One important factor in their utilisation is the estimation of their texture parameters. The method based on the second‐order matrix log‐cumulants for multilook PolSAR statistical distributions results in estimators with low bias and variance properties. Recently, it has been shown that the method of multivariate fractional moment (MOMFM) has an even lower mean‐square error (MSE) than the method of multivariate log‐cumulants‐based estimators, which is based on fractional moments of the multilook polarimetric whitening filter (MPWF). However, it performs worse in G0‐Wishart distribution especially the shape parameter is small. In this study, the authors propose new estimation methods based on log‐cumulants of the MPWF. One method is based on the first‐order log‐cumulants of the MPWF, which is suitable for K‐distribution case; the other method is based on the second‐order log‐cumulants of the MPWF, which is suitable for G0‐distribution case. The bias, variance, MSE and computational time of the new estimators are all lower than the MOMFM estimator. Comparisons are made among proposed methods and some popular methods using simulated and real PolSAR data. The results show that new estimators have outstanding performance among the popular estimators. It is worth to mentioning that the proposed estimators can be easily derived for all commonly occurring multilook PolSAR distributions.
Facile synthesis and characterisation of La0.55Pb0.45MnO3 nanoperovskites employing ultrasonic measurements
Authors: Vigneswari M. , Sudharsan S. , Sankarrajan S.
Published: February 2016

In this study, La0.55Pb0.45MnO3 nanoperovskites has been synthesised with various grain sizes by a solid state reaction method followed by facile ball milling technique. The structural properties of the prepared nanoprovskites have been correlated with influence of grain size. Further, the synthesised nanoperovskite manganite materials with various grain sizes have been systematically studied for ultrasonic longitudinal and shear velocity and attenuation in wide range of temperatures. All the nanoperovskites revealed out an anomalous behaviour in concern with ultrasonic velocities and attenuation towards the phenomenon of phase transition.
Approach to evaluate active loss contributions for transmission systems
Authors: Enshaee Ali , Enshaee Parisa
Published: February 2016

Power flow tracing is the most effective method for the fair apportioning the transmission losses to the users of the restructured power systems. In this study, a simple method is proposed to trace the active power flows. In the proposed method, for a given operating point obtained by the AC load flow, the so‐called injection‐bus and extraction‐bus matrices are formed for the system. By using the properties of these matrices, three other matrices are derived, which allow the active power production of the generators to be expressed in terms of the active power consumption of the loads, and vice versa. These matrices provide the opportunity to determine the contribution of each generator to active loss of each branch and active power consumed by each load as well as to allocate the active loss of each branch to each load. Implementation of this method on several systems with different topologies and sizes show that it can provide acceptable and reasonable results for loss allocation problem in a short time.
Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Patients with Osteoporosis
Authors: Formby Peter M. , Kang Daniel G. , Helgeson Melvin D. , Wagner Scott C.
Published: February 2016

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Objective

To compare clinical outcomes after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in patients with and patients without osteoporosis.

Methods

We reviewed all patients with 6-month postoperative radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans for evaluation of the interbody cage. CT Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements of the instrumented vertebral body were used to determine whether patients had osteoporosis. Radiographs and CT scans were evaluated for evidence of implant subsidence, migration, interbody fusion, iatrogenic fracture, or loosening of posterior pedicle screw fixation. Medical records were reviewed for persistence of symptoms or recurrence of symptoms.

Results

The final data analysis included 18 (20.5%) patients with osteoporosis and 70 (79.5%) patients without osteoporosis. Males comprised 50% of patients with osteoporosis, and 64.3% of patients without osteoporosis. The mean age was significantly higher in the osteoporotic group (65.2 years) versus the nonosteoporotic group (56.9 years; p < 0.0001). We found significantly higher rates of subsidence (72.2 versus 45.7%, p = 0.05) and iatrogenic fractures (16.7% versus 1.4%, p = 0.03) in the osteoporotic group. In addition, the osteoporotic group had significantly higher radiographic complication rates compared with the nonosteoporotic group (77.8 versus 48.6%, p = 0.03). There was no difference between groups for revision surgery (16.6 versus 14.3%, p = 0.78) or postoperative symptoms (44.4% versus 50.0%, p = 0.69).

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated significantly increased rates of cage subsidence, iatrogenic fracture, and overall radiographic complications in patients with osteoporosis. However, these radiographic complications did not predispose patients with osteoporosis to an increased risk of surgical revision or worse clinical outcomes.
Double-arm three-dimensional ion imaging apparatus for the study of ion pair channels in resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization
Authors: Poretskiy M. S. , Chichinin A. I. , Maul C. , Gericke K.-H.
Published: February 2016

We present a novel experimental configuration for the full quantitative characterization of the multichannel resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of small molecules in cases when the ion-pair dissociation channel is important. For this purpose, a double-arm time-of-flight mass spectrometer with three-dimensional (3D) ion imaging detectors at both arms is constructed. The REMPI of HCl molecules is used to examine the constructed setup. The apparatus allows us to perform simultaneous measurements of the 3D velocity vector distributions of positive (H+, HCl+, and Cl+) and negative (Cl−) photoions. The characterization consists of the determination of “two-photon absorption cross sections” for the process HCl(X)+2hν → HCl∗, one-photon absorption cross sections for subsequent processes HCl∗ + hν → HCl∗∗, and the probability of the subsequent non-adiabatic transition HCl∗∗ → HCl(B) → H+ + Cl−, which leads to ionic pairs. All these data should be obtained from the analysis of the dependencies of the number of ions on the laser energy. The full characterization of the laser beam and the knowledge of the ion detection probability are necessary parts of the analysis. Detailed knowledge of losses of produced ions in the mass spectrometer before detection requires understanding and characterization of such processes like electron emission from metallic grids under ion bombardment or charge transfer between positive ions and the metal surface of the grids, like Cl+ + (grid) → Cl−. These important phenomena from surface science are rarely discussed in the imaging literature, and here, we try to compensate for this shortcoming.
Charge transport in bulk CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite
Authors: Slonopas Andre , Foley Benjamin J. , Choi Joshua J. , Gupta Mool C.
Published: February 2016

The variation of leakage current and polarization hysteresis properties for bulk CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite was studied as a function of temperature to understand the reported hysteresis in photocurrent and the role of ferroelectricity. The leakage current decreased by two orders of magnitude when the temperature was lowered from 350 K to 100 K. The transitions in leakage current were observed at structural phase transition temperatures. The temperature dependence study allowed the identification of current conduction mechanism based on various models for ferroelectrics and insulating materials. Our results show that the leakage current is governed by the space charge limited conduction mechanism which should be considered in addition to ion conduction and ferroelectricity when analyzing current-voltage hysteresis for thin film and bulk materials. The Mott's variable range hopping model fits well to the experimental data indicating the charge conduction is through hopping mechanism from 300 K to 160 K and possibly tunneling below 160 K. The conclusions from polarization hysteresis study are: (1) the hysteresis loop shape is highly dependent upon frequency and show non-saturating behavior, an indicative of strong non-ferroelectric contributions such as resistive component. (2) No domain switching current was observed between the temperature range of 100 K–350 K. (3) An electric field off-set was observed in polarization-electric field curves and it was dependent upon the frequency and temperature. This offset could be caused by the accumulation of vacancies at one interface, which could give rise to hysteresis in forward and reverse bias photocurrent. (4) The time dependence study of instantaneous current as the voltage was increased linearly show strong resistive contribution to hysteresis loop at temperatures above 200 K and capacitive contribution at 100 K.
Complexity, organization, evolution, and constructal law
Authors: Bejan A. , Errera M. R.
Published: February 2016

Physics is concise, simple, unambiguous, and constantly improving. Yet, confusion reigns in the field especially with respect to complexity and the second law of thermodynamics. In this paper, we step back and take a look at these notions—their meaning and definition—on the background provided by nature and thermodynamics. We review the central concepts and words that underpin the physics of evolutionary design today: information, knowledge, evolution, change, arrow of time, pattern, organization, drawings, complexity, fractal dimension, object, icon, model, empiricism, theory, disorder, second law, the “any” system in thermodynamics, morphing freely, and the constructal law. We show, for example, that information is not knowledge, fractal dimension is not a measure of complexity, and pattern is not a live flow architecture. Drawings, as physical means to facilitate the flow of knowledge, are subject to the natural tendency toward design evolution. Complexity, organization, and evolution in nature are most powerful and useful when pursued as a discipline, with precise terms, rules, and principles.
Development of a spin polarized low energy electron diffraction system
Authors: Pradeep A. V. , Roy Arnab , Kumar P. S. Anil , Kirschner J.
Published: February 2016

We have designed and constructed a spin polarized low energy electron diffraction system working in the reflected electron pulse counting mode. This system is capable of measuring asymmetries due to spin-orbit and exchange interactions. Photoemission from a strained GaAs/GaAsP super lattice is used as the source of spin polarized electrons. Spin-orbit asymmetry is evaluated for Ir(100) single crystal at various energies. Subsequently, exchange asymmetry has been evaluated on 40 monolayer Fe deposited on Ir(100). This instrument proves to be useful in understanding structure and magnetism at surfaces.
The effect of intermolecular interaction on excited states in p − DTS(FBTTH2)2
Authors: Reichenberger Markus , Love John A. , Rudnick Alexander , Bagnich Sergey , Panzer Fabian , Stradomska Anna , Bazan Guillermo C. , Nguyen Thuc-Quyen , Köhler Anna
Published: February 2016

Using optical spectroscopy in solution and thin film, and supported by quantum chemical calculations, we investigated the aggregation process of the donor-acceptor type molecule p − DTS(FBTTH2)2. We demonstrate that cooling a solution induces a disorder-order phase transition that proceeds in three stages analogous to the steps observed in semi-rigid conjugated polymers. By analyzing the spectra, we are able to identify the spectral signature of monomer and aggregate in absorption and emission. From this we find that in films, the fraction of aggregates is near 100% which is in contrast to films made from semi-rigid conjugated polymers.
Macroporous photonic crystal-based anti-ultraviolet and anti-near-infrared materials by doctor blade coating
Authors: Cai Chang-Yun , Lin Kun-Yi Andrew , Chen Ying-Chu , Yang Hongta
Published: February 2016

In this article, we report a roll-to-roll compatible bottom-up self-assembly approach to fabricate double-multilayer macroporous polymer photonic crystals consisting of a multilayer of three-dimensional (3D) hexagonal close-packed (HCP) 200 nm spherical pores and a multilayer of 3D HCP 500 nm spherical pores. Both optical measurements and theoretical predictions reveal that the as-prepared polymer film exhibits anti-ultraviolet and anti-near-infrared properties caused by the Bragg's diffractive of incident ultraviolet radiation and near-infrared radiation from the crystalline lattice of air cavities in the polymer film.
Transport coefficients of He+ ions in helium
Authors: Viehland Larry A. , Johnsen Rainer , Gray Benjamin R. , Wright Timothy G.
Published: February 2016

This paper demonstrates that the transport coefficients of 4He+ in 4He can be calculated over wide ranges of E/N, the ratio of the electrostatic field strength to the gas number density, with the same level of precision as can be obtained experimentally if sufficiently accurate potential energy curves are available for the X2Σu+ and A2Σg+ states and one takes into account resonant charge transfer. We start by computing new potential energy curves for these states and testing their accuracy by calculating spectroscopic values for the separate states. It is established that the potentials obtained by extrapolation of results from d-aug-cc-pVXZ (X = 6, 7) basis sets using the CASSCF+MRCISD approach are each in exceptionally close agreement with the best potentials available and with experiment. The potentials are then used in a new computer program to determine the semi-classical phase shifts and the transport cross sections, and from these the gaseous ion transport coefficients are determined. In addition, new experimental values are reported for the mobilities of 4He+ in 4He at 298.7 K, as a function of E/N, where careful consideration is given to minimizing various sources of uncertainty. Comparison with previously measured values establishes that only one set of previous data is reliable. Finally, the experimental and theoretical ion transport coefficients are shown to be in very good to excellent agreement, once corrections are applied to account for quantum-mechanical effects.