bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pro-apoptotic liposomes-nanobubble conjugate synergistic with paclitaxel: a platform for ultrasound responsive image-guided drug delivery
Authors: Chandan Rajeet , Banerjee Rinti
Published: February 2018

Recently, liposomes-microbubble conjugates have emerged as a promising ultrasound (US)-responsive platform for cancer therapeutics. However, these are limited by their size in terms of tumor penetration. Additionally, there have been no attempts to enhance the smartness of such conjugates which have been used only as passive carriers. The present study explores submicron sized (756 ± 180.0 nm), US-responsive, phosphatidylserine (PS)-based paclitaxel-liposomes-nanobubble conjugates (PSPLBC) with an additional pro-apoptotic effect towards enhanced anti-cancer efficacy and image-guidance. The developed PSPLBC underwent cavitation in response to US-trigger, exhibiting in vitro pulsatile release with a 10-fold increase in cellular internalization as compared to control. The PS-containing formulations were found to be pro-apoptotic and exhibited strong synergism between PS and paclitaxel (Combination Index, CI < 0.1). This resulted in significantly high anti-tumor efficacy both in vitro and in vivo conditions (98.3 ± 0.8% tumor growth inhibition, TGI). Significant reduction in tumor proliferation index and MVD, as well as significant increase in apoptosis, were observed for the treated tumor sections. Further, the intravenous (i.v.) administration of PSPLBC enhanced the tumor US-contrast by 2-fold as compared to SonoVue. These results, show the potential of PSPLBC as a promising non-invasive, pro-apoptotic, smart DDS for US-responsive, image-guided cancer therapeutics.
In Silico Non-Homologous End Joining Following Ion Induced DNA Double Strand Breaks Predicts That Repair Fidelity Depends on Break Density
Authors: Henthorn N. T. , Warmenhoven J. W. , Sotiropoulos M. , Mackay R. I. , Kirkby N. F. , Kirkby K. J. , Merchant M. J.
Published: February 2018

This work uses Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the dependence of residual and misrepaired double strand breaks (DSBs) at 24 hours on the initial damage pattern created during ion therapy. We present results from a nanometric DNA damage simulation coupled to a mechanistic model of Non-Homologous End Joining, capable of predicting the position, complexity, and repair of DSBs. The initial damage pattern is scored by calculating the average number of DSBs within 70 nm from every DSB. We show that this local DSB density, referred to as the cluster density, can linearly predict misrepair regardless of ion species. The models predict that the fraction of residual DSBs is constant, with 7.3% of DSBs left unrepaired following 24 hours of repair. Through simulation over a range of doses and linear energy transfer (LET) we derive simple correlations capable of predicting residual and misrepaired DSBs. These equations are applicable to ion therapy treatment planning where both dose and LET are scored. This is demonstrated by applying the correlations to an example of a clinical proton spread out Bragg peak. Here we see a considerable biological effect past the distal edge, dominated by residual DSBs.
Circulating miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: García-Giménez José Luis , Rubio-Belmar Pedro Antonio , Peiró-Chova Lorena , Hervás David , González-Rodríguez Daymé , Ibañez-Cabellos José Santiago , Bas-Hermida Paloma , Mena-Mollá Salvador , García-López Eva María , Pallardó Federico V. , Bas Teresa
Published: February 2018

The aetiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been linked to many factors, such as asymmetric growth, neuromuscular condition, bone strength and genetic background. Recently, epigenetic factors have been proposed as contributors of AIS physiopathology, but information about the molecular mechanisms and pathways involved is scarce. Regarding epigenetic factors, microRNAs (miRNAs) are molecules that contribute to gene expression modulation by regulating important cellular pathways. We herein used Next-Generation Sequencing to discover a series of circulating miRNAs detected in the blood samples of AIS patients, which yielded a unique miRNA biomarker signature that diagnoses AIS with high sensitivity and specificity. We propose that these miRNAs participate in the epigenetic control of signalling pathways by regulating osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, thus modulating the genetic background of AIS patients. Our study yielded two relevant results: 1) evidence for the deregulated miRNAs that participate in osteoblast/osteoclast differentiation mechanisms in AIS; 2) this miRNA-signature can be potentially used as a clinical tool for molecular AIS diagnosis. Using miRNAs as biomarkers for AIS diagnostics is especially relevant since miRNAs can serve for early diagnoses and for evaluating the positive effects of applied therapies to therefore reduce the need of high-risk surgical interventions.
RAGE-aptamer attenuates deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt-induced renal injury in mice
Authors: Taguchi Kensei , Yamagishi Sho-ichi , Yokoro Miyuki , Ito Sakuya , Kodama Goh , Kaida Yusuke , Nakayama Yosuke , Ando Ryotaro , Yamada-Obara Nana , Asanuma Katsuhiko , Matsui Takanori , Higashimoto Yuichiro , Brooks Craig R. , Ueda Seiji , Okuda Seiya , Fukami Kei
Published: February 2018

The mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and its downstream signaling play an important role in hypertensive renal injury. The interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGE) with their receptor (RAGE) is involved in the progression of renal disease. However, the pathological crosstalk between AGE–RAGE axis and MR system in kidney derangement remains unclear. We screened DNA-aptamer directed against RAGE (RAGE-apt) in vitro and examined its effects on renal injury in uninephrectomized deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/salt-induced hypertensive mice. RAGE, GTP-bound Rac-1 (Rac1), and MR were co-localized in the podocytes of DOCA mice. The deletion of RAGE gene significantly inhibited mesangial matrix expansion and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DOCA mice, which was associated with the reduction of glomerular oxidative stress, MR, Rac1, and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) levels. RAGE-apt attenuated the increase in carboxymethyllysine (CML), RAGE, nitrotyrosine, Rac1, and MR levels in the kidneys and reduced UAE in DOCA mice. Aldosterone (Aldo) increased nitrotyrosine, CML, and RAGE gene expression in murine podocytes, whereas CML stimulated MR and Rac1 levels, which were blocked by RAGE-apt. The present study indicates the crosstalk between the AGE–RAGE axis and Aldo–MR system, suggesting that RAGE-apt may be a novel therapeutic tool for the treatment of MR-associated renal diseases.
Simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol using a glassy carbon electrode modified with Au@Pd loaded on reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Wang Huijuan , Zhang Siyu , Li Shufang , Qu Jianying
Published: February 2018

Au@Pd core–shell nanoplates were synthesized successfully through the heterogeneous, epitaxial growth of Au on Pd nanoplates.
Photosensitizer-induced self-assembly of antigens as nanovaccines for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Cao F. Q. , Yan M. M. , Liu Y. J. , Liu L. X. , Lu L. , Wang H. , Zhang Ch. , Sun H. F. , Kong D. L. , Ma G. L.
Published: February 2018

Under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, ICG–antigen conjugate-based nanovaccines enhanced the cross-presentation of antigens and induced cytotoxic T lymphocyte response.
Low-surface-area nitrogen doped carbon nanomaterials for advanced sodium ion batteries
Authors: Liu Chaokun , Hu Jiangtao , Yang Luyi , Zhao Wenguang , Li Hejie , Pan Feng
Published: February 2018

A low-surface-area nitrogen-doped carbon nanomaterial was prepared via a facile annealing method, which shows good Na-ion storage ability (334 mA g−1) and coulombic efficiency due to its mixed charge–discharge mechanism and unique structural features.
Hydrolysis-resistant yttrium alkoxide rhombic dodecahedra prepared by a facile hydrothermal method
Authors: Chen Guowei , Li Yongbo , Yin Jianbo , Yang Chaoshun , Zhao Xiaopeng
Published: February 2018

The amount of NaOH and the volume ratio of ethylene glycol/water are key factors, which dominate the formation of yttrium alkoxide rhombic dodecahedra and yttrium hydroxide prisms.
Newly synthesized quercetin derivatives as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 1 M HCl: combined experimental and theoretical investigation
Authors: Sukul Dipankar , Pal Aparesh , Saha Sourav Kr. , Satpati Sanjoy , Adhikari Utpal , Banerjee Priyabrata
Published: February 2018

To evaluate the corrosion inhibition efficacy of the derivatives of naturally available organics, mono and di-4-((2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl derivatives of quercetin, a flavonoid, have been synthesized.
Revealing dynamically-organized receptor ion channel clusters in live cells by a correlated electric recording and super-resolution single-molecule imaging approach
Authors: Yadav Rajeev , Lu H. Peter
Published: February 2018

Correlating single-molecule fluorescence photo-bleaching step analysis and single-molecule super-resolution imaging, our findings for the clustering effect of the NMDA receptor ion channel on the live cell membranes provide a new and significant understanding of the structure–function relationship of NMDA receptors.
On the relationship between rutile/anatase ratio and the nature of defect states in sub-100 nm TiO2nanostructures: experimental insights
Authors: Soliman Moamen M. , Al Haron Mohamed H. , Samir Menna , Tolba Sarah A. , Shaheen Basamat S. , Amer Ahmed W. , Mohammed Omar F. , Allam Nageh K.
Published: February 2018

The anatase/rutile ratio and annealing atmosphere determine the defect states in TiO2nanotubes and their photoelectrochemical activity.
Defective graphene as a metal-free catalyst for chemoselective olefin hydrogenation by hydrazine
Authors: Dhakshinamoorthy Amarajothi , He Jinbao , Franconetti Antonio , Asiri Abdullah M. , Primo Ana , Garcia Hermenegildo
Published: February 2018

A series of defective graphenes containing or not containing N, B, S and other heteroatoms exhibited general activity as metal-free catalysts for the hydrogenation of CC double bonds by hydrazine in the presence of oxygen.
Nano-graphene oxide-UCNP-Ce6 covalently constructed nanocomposites for NIR-mediated bioimaging and PTT/PDT combinatorial therapy
Authors: Gulzar Arif , Xu Jiating , Yang Dan , Xu Liangge , He Fei , Gai Shili , Yang Piaoping
Published: February 2018

NIR light-induced imaging-guided cancer therapy is an encouraging route in the cancer theranostic field.
Unidirectional water delivery on a superhydrophilic surface with two-dimensional asymmetrical wettability barriers
Authors: Geng Hui , Bai Haoyu , Fan Yangyang , Wang Shaoyu , Ba Teer , Yu Cunming , Cao Moyuan , Jiang Lei
Published: February 2018

A superhydrophilic surface decorated with 2D hydrophobic water barriers is proven to be a potential platform for unidirectional liquid transport.
Hydrothermal synthesis of hydrocalumite assisted biopolymeric hybrid composites for efficient Cr(vi) removal from water
Authors: Periyasamy Soodamani , Viswanathan Natrayasamy
Published: February 2018

Hydrocalumite (HC) incorporated biopolymer (alginate and chitosan) based hybrid composite materials were developed for the selective removal of chromium.
Role of antimicrobial peptides in controlling symbiotic bacterial populations
Authors: Mergaert P.
Published: February 2018

The review describes the role of antimicrobial peptides in the symbiotic interactions of plants, animals and protists with bacteria.
Conversion mechanism of heptachlor by a novel bacterial strain
Authors: Qiu Liping , Wang Hu , Wang Xuntao
Published: February 2018

Microbial treatment is the preferred method for the remediation of soil and water contaminated by heptachlor.
A label-free and sensitive photoluminescence sensing platform based on long persistent luminescence nanoparticles for the determination of antibiotics and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol
Authors: Zhang Xi , Xu Na-Yan , Ruan Qiong , Lu Dan-Qing , Yang Yun-Hui , Hu Rong
Published: February 2018

A highly sensitive luminescence sensor based on PLNPs for visualized detection of antibiotic and organic explosives was developed, which could eliminate the background interference, allowing low background and therefore high sensitivity.
Modelling water diffusion in plasticizers: development and optimization of a force field for 2,4-dinitroethylbenzene and 2,4,6-trinitroethylbenzene
Authors: Richards Lisa A. , Nash Anthony , Willetts Andrew , Entwistle Chris , de Leeuw Nora H.
Published: February 2018

A classical all-atom force field has been developed for the plasticizer molecules 2,4,6-trinitroethylbenzene and 2,4-dinitroethylbenzene which can be used to investigate properties and energetic output of nitrocellulose-based propellants and binders.
Experimental study on the durability of the polydopamine functionalized gas–liquid–solid microreactor for nitrobenzene hydrogenation
Authors: Zhu Xun , Feng Hao , Chen Rong , Liao Qiang , Ye Dingding , Zhang Biao , Liu Jian , Liu Ming , Chen Gang
Published: February 2018

As a promising technique for multiphase catalytic reactions, the widespread applications of gas–liquid–solid microreactors are still limited by poor durability.
Photochemical isomerization reactions of acrylonitrile. A mechanistic study
Authors: Su Ming-Der
Published: February 2018

The computational findings indicate that conical intersection plays a central role in understanding the photochemical behaviors of acrylonitrile.
Surfactant-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of rGO/SnIn4S8 nanosheets and their application in complete removal of Cr(vi)
Authors: Xu Pingfan , Huang Siyi , Lv Yuancai , Chen Yi , Liu Minghua , Fan Haojun
Published: February 2018

Fabrication of visible-light-responsive photocatalyst (rGO/SnIn4S8) for photoreduction of Cr(vi) and adsorption of Cr(iii).
Organic–inorganic hybridization for the synthesis of robust in situ hydrophobic polypropylsilsesquioxane aerogels with fast oil absorption properties
Authors: Wu Ze , Zhang Lei , Li Ji , Zhao Xiaolu , Yang Chunhui
Published: February 2018

In situ hydrophobic and mechanically robust polypropylsilsesquioxane aerogels (PSAs) were successfully synthesized via an organic–inorganic hybridization method by a sol–gel process.
Green synthesis of new pyrrolidine-fused spirooxindoles via three-component domino reaction in EtOH/H2O
Authors: Wang Yong-Chao , Wang Jun-Liang , Burgess Kevin S. , Zhang Jiang-Wei , Zheng Qiu-Mei , Pu Ya-Dan , Yan Li-Jun , Chen Xue-Bing
Published: February 2018

An efficient, green and sustainable approach was developed for the synthesis of novel polycyclic pyrrolidine-fused spirooxindole compounds.
Fluoranthene-based dopant-free hole transporting materials for efficient perovskite solar cells
Authors: Sun Xianglang , Xue Qifan , Zhu Zonglong , Xiao Qi , Jiang Kui , Yip Hin-Lap , Yan He , Li Zhong’an
Published: February 2018

Unreported 2,3-dicyano-fluoranthene was first prepared as an efficient electron-withdrawing building block for constructing D–A type dopant-free hole transporting materials.
How to determine optical gaps and voltage losses in organic photovoltaic materials
Authors: Vandewal K. , Benduhn J. , Nikolis V. C.
Published: February 2018

This perspective summarizes how to accurately determine voltage losses and optical gaps, aiming to facilitate comparisons between organic photovoltaic materials.
Foam flow in a model porous medium: I. The effect of foam coarsening
Authors: Jones S. A. , Getrouw N. , Vincent-Bonnieu S.
Published: February 2018

Foam coarsening in porous media is strongly influenced by complex pore geometries, with a strong impact on industrial applications.
Bismuth ferrite-based lead-free ceramics and multilayers with high recoverable energy density
Authors: Wang Dawei , Fan Zhongming , Zhou Di , Khesro Amir , Murakami Shunsuke , Feteira Antonio , Zhao Quanliang , Tan Xiaoli , Reaney Ian M.
Published: February 2018

Bismuth ferrite-based lead-free multilayers with a high recoverable energy density of 6.74 J cm−3 and an efficiency of 77%, stable up to 125 °C.
Irreversible water mediated transformation of BCN from a 3D highly porous form to its nonporous hydrolyzed counterpart
Authors: Florent Marc , Bandosz Teresa J.
Published: February 2018

Boron carbon nitrides (BCNs) were synthesized from boric acid and melamine mixtures of various ratios, by heat treatment at 1000 °C.
Platinum nanoparticles immobilized on polypyrrole nanofibers for non-enzyme oxalic acid sensor
Authors: Kim Wooyoung , Lee Jun Seop , Shin Dong Hoon , Jang Jyongsik
Published: February 2018

Oxalic acid (OA), naturally available in many fruits and vegetables, reacts easily with Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions to produce an insoluble salt.
Recent advances in biomolecule immobilization based on self-assembly: organic–inorganic hybrid nanoflowers and metal–organic frameworks as novel substrates
Authors: Lei Zhixian , Gao Chenling , Chen Lei , He Yanting , Ma Wende , Lin Zian
Published: February 2018

In the past few years, the immobilization of biomolecules on hybrid nanoflowers and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) via self-assembly synthesis has received much attention due to its superior advantages.
The effects of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate on testicular ultrastructure and hormone-regulated gene expression in male rats
Authors: Qin Xiaoyun , Ma Quan , Yuan Jianhui , Hu Xinnan , Tan Qin , Zhang Zena , Wang Li , Xu Xinyun
Published: February 2018

The objective of this study is to determine testicular pathological damage and explore its molecular mechanisms after di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) treatment.
A novel pyrene based highly selective reversible fluorescent-colorimetric sensor for the rapid detection of Cu2+ ions: application in bio-imaging
Authors: Ghorai Anupam , Mondal Jahangir , Manna Amit Kumar , Chowdhury Shubhamoy , Patra Goutam K.
Published: February 2018

A simple, low-cost pyrene derivative containing a benzilmonohydrazone moiety has been exploited for the selective detection of Cu2+ by colorimetric, absorption, emission and bio-imaging methods. The sensitivity of the fluorescence based assay is 7.8 nM for Cu2+, which is far below the limit mentioned in the World Health Organization.
Improved stability of multicopper oxidase–carbon nanotube conjugates using a thermophilic laccase
Authors: Atalah Joaquín , Zhou Yan , Espina Giannina , Blamey Jenny M. , Ramasamy Ramaraja P.
Published: February 2018

A CNT electrode modified with a thermophilic laccase improved the shelf life and functional stability of the enzyme–CNT composite.
Kinetics and mechanism of the chromium(vi) catalyzed decomposition of hypochlorous acid at elevated temperature and high ionic strength
Authors: Kalmár József , Szabó Mária , Simic Nina , Fábián István
Published: February 2018

The decomposition of hypochlorous acid was studied under industrially relevant conditions (6.0 M NaClO3, 80 °C). Chromium(vi) catalyzes the decomposition and the catalytically active form is CrO42−. A detailed kinetic model is proposed for the process.
Synthesis of low-oxidation-state germanium clusters comprising a functional anchor group – synthesis and characterization of [(Ge0)5(Ge-R)3(Ge-(CH2)n-CHCH2)] with R = Si(SiMe3)3
Authors: Frischhut Sabine , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: February 2018

The first alkenyl-functionalized, uncharged deltahedral germanium clusters [{Si(SiMe3)3}3Ge9(CH2)nCHCH2] (n = 1 or 3) comprising five Ge0 atoms are presented.
Black Si-doped TiO2 nanotube photoanode for high-efficiency photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Dong Zhenbiao , Ding Dongyan , Li Ting , Ning Congqin
Published: February 2018

Black Si-doped TiO2 (Ti–Si–O) nanotubes were fabricated through Zn metal reduction of the Ti–Si–O nanotubes on Ti–Si alloy in an argon atmosphere.
Correction: Correction: Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) as a model for studying inhibition of protein–protein interactions
Authors: Burslem George M. , Kyle Hannah F. , Nelson Adam , Edwards Thomas A. , Wilson Andrew J.
Published: February 2018

Correction for ‘Correction: Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) as a model for studying inhibition of protein–protein interactions’ by George M. Burslem et al., Chem. Sci., 2017, 8, 5214–5215.
Nanoscale in situ detection of nucleation and growth of Li electrodeposition at various current densities
Authors: Jung Haesung , Lee Byeongdu , Lengyel Miklos , Axelbaum Richard , Yoo Jeeyoung , Kim Youn Sang , Jun Young-Shin
Published: February 2018

Transmission GISAXS shows the real-time evolution of sizes and structures of Li dendrites, from primary Li nanoparticles to fractal dimensions.
Lingual Pressure as a Clinical Indicator of Swallowing Function in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Pitts Laura L. , Morales Sarah , Stierwalt Julie A. G.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Swallowing impairment, or dysphagia, is a known contributor to reduced quality of life, pneumonia, and mortality in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the contribution of tongue dysfunction, specifically inadequate pressure generation, to dysphagia in PD remains unclear. Our purpose was to determine whether lingual pressures in PD are (a) reduced, (b) reflect medication state, or are (c) consistent with self-reported diet and swallowing function.

Method

Twenty-eight persons with idiopathic PD (PwPD) and 28 age- and sex-matched controls completed lingual pressure tasks with the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. PwPD were tested during practically defined ON and OFF dopaminergic medication states. Participants were also stratified into three sex- and age-matched cohorts (7 men, 5 women): (a) controls, (b) PwPD without self-reported dysphagia symptoms or diet restrictions, and (c) PwPD with self-reported dysphagia symptoms with or without diet restrictions.

Results

PwPD exhibited reduced tongue strength and used elevated proportions of tongue strength during swallowing compared with controls (p< .05) without an effect of medication state (p> .05). Reduced tongue strength distinguished PwPD with self-reported dysphagia symptoms from PwPD without reported symptoms or diet restrictions (p= .045) and controls (p= .002).

Conclusion

Tongue strength was significantly reduced in PwPD and did not differ by medication state. Tongue strength differentiated between PwPD with and without self-reported swallowing symptoms. Therefore, measures of tongue strength and swallowing pressures may serve as clinical indicators for further dysphagia evaluation and may promote early diagnosis and management of dysphagia in PD.
DCA‐based unimodal feature‐level fusion of orthogonal moments for Indian sign language dataset
Authors: Joshi Garima , Vig Renu , Singh Sukhwinder
Published: February 2018

Sign language recognition system classifies signs made by hand gestures. An adequate number of features are required to represent the shape variations of sign language. As compared to individual feature set, a combination of features can be effective due to the fact that a particular feature set represents different shape information. A simple concatenation results in large feature vector size and increases the classification computational complexity. Discriminant correlation analysis (DCA)‐based unimodal feature‐level fusion has been applied on uniform as well as complex background Indian sign language datasets. DCA is a feature‐level fusion technique that takes into account the class associations while combining the feature sets. It maximises the inter‐class separability of two feature sets and also minimises the intra‐class separability while performing the feature fusion. The objective of DCA‐based unimodal feature fusion technique is to combine different feature sets into a single feature vector with more discriminative power. The performance of proposed framework is compared with individual orthogonal moment‐based feature sets and canonical correlation analysis (CCA)‐based feature fusion technique. Results show that in comparison to individual features and CCA‐based fused features, DCA is an effective technique in terms of improved accuracy, reduced feature vector size and smaller classification time.
Improvement of wide‐area damping controller subject to actuator saturation: a dynamic anti‐windup approach
Authors: Fang Jiakun , Yao Wei , Chen Zhe , Wen Jinyu , Su Chi , Cheng Shijie
Published: February 2018

This study presents results on a dynamic anti‐windup compensator (DAWC) for the flexible AC transmission system‐based wide‐area damping controller (WADC). A systematic design approach of the DAWC is proposed following a typical two‐step design procedure. First, a third‐order WADC is designed for a 10‐machine, 39‐bus power system reinforced with a static synchronous compensator to damp the critical inter‐area modes by employing appropriate global signal measurements. The full‐order DAWC design method is applied to improve the dynamic performance of the saturated WADC. The robustness of the DAWC can cover a wide range of the operating conditions. Comparative studies on static AW and DAWC have been carried out on both the numerical simulation and experimental platform. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate the improved performances of the DAWC.
Locality sensitive hashing based space partitioning approach for indexing multidimensional feature vectors of fingerprint image data
Authors: Ahmed Tauheed , Sarma Monalisa
Published: February 2018

In recent years, biometric applications have significantly gained popularity. Such applications involve voluminous databases of high dimensional data. These enormous databases increase the cost of identification and degrade the system performance. To resolve such an issue a plethora of algorithms based on geometric hashing, k–d tree, k‐means clustering, etc., have been proposed in the literature. Although, these algorithms solve a number of concomitant challenges of multi‐dimensional data, yet, they fail to present a universal solution. In this study, we propose an indexing mechanism, which partitions the data space effectively into zones and blocks using a set of hash functions. Furthermore, the index locations are divided into maximum nine sub‐locations to store data. This helps in carrying out an efficient search of the queried data, thereby minimising the false acceptance and rejection rate. To validate the proposed approach, the mechanism has been applied to the fingerprint verification competition and National Institute of Standards and Technology fingerprint image databases. The experimental results substantiate the efficacy of our approach in terms of accuracy, speed, reduction of search space and the number of comparisons to store and retrieve data.
Semi‐automatic leaf disease detection and classification system for soybean culture
Authors: Kaur Sukhvir , Pandey Shreelekha , Goel Shivani
Published: February 2018

Development of automatic disease detection and classification system is significantly explored in precision agriculture. In the past few decades, researchers have studied several cultures exploiting different parts of a plant. A similar study is performed for Soybean using leaf images. A rule based semi‐automatic system using concepts of k‐means is designed and implemented to distinguish healthy leaves from diseased leaves. In addition, a diseased leaf is classified into one of the three categories (downy mildew, frog eye, and Septoria leaf blight). Experiments are performed by separately utilising colour features, texture features, and their combinations to train three models based on support vector machine classifier. Results are generated using thousands of images collected from PlantVillage dataset. Acceptable average accuracy values are reported for all the considered combinations which are also found to be better than existing ones. This study also attempts to discover the best performing feature set for leaf disease detection in Soybean. The system is shown to efficiently compute the disease severity as well. Visual examination of leaf samples further proves the suitability of the proposed system for detection, classification, and severity calculation.
Compact multi‐layer microstrip Rotman lens design using coupling slots to support millimetre wave devices
Authors: Vo Dai Toan K. , Nguyen Tuan , Kilic Ozlem
Published: February 2018

Millimetre wave technology is now considered as a key component for the next generation (5G) of cellular networks since they offer higher data rates and broader bandwidth compared to the current technology. However, since communication in this frequency band suffers higher propagation loss and atmospheric absorption (∼12 dB/km), the use of highly directional antennas plays an important role in order to compensate for these losses. Therefore, it is necessary to design beamforming networks that are not only able to support these antennas but also offer practical and compact solutions to be placed in any modern transceiver system. Rotman lenses have long been used as analogue beamforming networks to support linear array antennas for electronic scanning. Their broad bandwidth and planar structure make them ideal for these types of applications. However, their overall dimensions can be prohibitively large, especially for systems requiring large scan angles. In this study, the authors propose a new compact configuration that reduces the overall dimensions of the conventional Rotman lens by as much as 50% without degrading its performance.
Handling periodic boundary conditions on arbitrary mesh
Authors: Ouchetto Ouail , Essakhi Brahim , Jai‐Andaloussi Said , Zaamoun Saad
Published: February 2018

To evaluate the electromagnetic properties of heterogeneous materials using the finite element (FE) method, the appropriate boundary conditions should be defined. The periodic boundary condition is one of the most efficient in terms of convergence rate. To impose these boundary conditions, the classical method (CM) requires a periodic mesh, where the opposite faces are meshed identically. This work presents a new accurate method to handle periodic boundary conditions on the arbitrary mesh. The first step of this method consists of establishing the periodic relation which relates an unknown on a face as a function of the unknowns of the associated triangle on the opposite face. The second step consists of introducing the periodicity relations in the FE system. The proposed method has been applied in the case of multi‐scale homogenisation problem by computing the effective constitutive parameters of periodic structures. Numerical results of the present method are compared with those of CM which consists of using a periodic mesh.
Relaying protocols for buffer‐aided energy harvesting wireless cooperative networks
Authors: Zhan Jun , Liu Yong , Tang Xiaohu , Chen Qingchun
Published: February 2018

Here, the authors study a buffer‐aided relay system, in which the source node and the relay node are energy harvesting nodes, and the source node transmits the information to the destination node via the relay node. Both the source node and relay node are assumed to equipped with an energy buffer and can temporarily store the harvested energy; in addition, the relay node possesses a data buffer to store the received information temporarily. Particularly, the authors propose two buffer‐aided energy harvesting relay protocols, namely the harvest‐then‐transmit (HtT) protocol and the joint link selection and power allocation (JLSPA) protocol. For the HtT protocol, the expressions of the average achievable throughput and the optimal power splitting factor are obtained in close form. For the JLSPA protocol, based on the channel state information and buffer state information, a JLSPA protocol which maximises the average achievable throughput is presented. Furthermore, for the JLSPA protocol, the bounds on average achievable rate, average data buffer size, and average delay are analysed and the throughput‐delay trade‐off is revealed. The simulation results show that the proposed buffer‐aided relaying scheme could improve the throughput performance of energy harvesting relay system significantly.
Q‐switched and mode‐locked ytterbium‐doped fibre lasers with Sb2 Te3 topological insulator saturable absorber
Authors: Al‐Masoodi Ahmed H.H. , Ahmad Fauzan , Ahmed Mahmoud H.M. , Al‐Masoodi Abtisam H.H. , Alani Ibrahim A.M. , Arof Hamzah , Harun Sulaiman Wadi
Published: February 2018

Q‐switched and mode‐locked fibre lasers have been successfully demonstrated in ytterbium‐doped fibre laser cavity by taking an advantage of the optical absorption of antimony telluride (Sb2 Te3) material. The Sb2 Te3 was embedded into polyvinyl alcohol to function as a saturable absorber (SA). A Q‐switching pulses train was obtained by incorporating the SA into the laser ring cavity configured with 3 dB coupler. The Q‐switching pulse repetition rate increases from 24.4 to 55 kHz as the pump power is increased from the threshold of 75.4–96.2 mW. The maximum pulse energy of 252.6 nJ is obtained at 82.3 mW pump power. On the other hand, by changing the output coupler to 10 dB coupler, a stable self‐started mode‐locking operation was then generated at pump power range from 47.8 to 89.4 mW with a fixed repetition rate of 24.2 MHz. At 89.4 mW pump power, the maximum output power and pulse energy are obtained to be around 18.6 mW and 0.8 nJ, respectively. The authors results display that the Sb2 Te3 material could also be developed as an effective SA for both Q‐switched and mode‐locked fibre lasers.
Integrative computational approach to evaluate risk genes for postmenopausal osteoporosis
Authors: Sheng Yingjun , Tang Jilei , Ren Kewei , Manor Lydia C. , Cao Hongbao
Published: February 2018

In recent years, numerous studies reported over a hundred of genes playing roles in the etiology of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PO). However, many of these candidate genes were lack of replication and results were not always consistent. Here, the authors proposed a computational workflow to curate and evaluate PO related genes. They integrate large‐scale literature knowledge data and gene expression data (PO case/control: 10/10) for the marker evaluation. Pathway enrichment, sub‐network enrichment, and gene–gene interaction analysis were conducted to study the pathogenic profile of the candidate genes, with four metrics proposed and validated for each gene. By using the authors' approach, a scalable PO genetic database was developed; including PO related genes, diseases, pathways, and the supporting references. The PO case/control classification supported the effectiveness of the four proposed metrics, which successfully identified eight well‐studied top PO genes (e.g. TGFB1, IL6, IL1B, TNF, ESR2, IGF1, HIF1A, and COL1A1) and highlighted one recently reported PO genes (e.g. IFNG). The computational biology approach and the PO database developed in this study provide a valuable resource which may facilitate understanding the genetic profile of PO.
Trapping and scattering effect of charge carriers on impulse breakdown characteristics of nano‐fluids
Authors: Xu Binbin , Zhang Zicheng , Hou Yanpan , Li Chao , Zhang Jiande
Published: February 2018

Propylene carbonate (PC)‐based nano‐fluids (NFs), containing only 2 ppm TiO2 nano‐particles, exhibit more than 60% higher negative impulse breakdown voltage than that of base liquid. It is found that the resistance of the test gap containing PC remains basically invariable when subjected to high amplitude voltage before the development of electrical breakdown. However, for the NF case, the resistance increases by a factor. Moreover, compared with PC, the streamers in NFs are more complex branched. These experimental results indicate that the charge carriers in NFs can be effectively captured and scattered by nano‐particles, which is verified by means of the thermally stimulated current method.
Towards an improvement in the spectral description of central stars of planetary nebulae
Authors: Weidmann W. , Gamen R. , Mast D. , Fariña C. , Gimeno G. , Schmidt E. O. , Ashley R. P. , Peralta de Arriba L. , Sowicka P. , Ordonez-Etxeberria I.
Published: February 2018

Context. There are more than 3000 known Galactic planetary nebulae, but only 492 central stars of Galactic planetary nebulae (CSPN) have known spectral types. It is vital to increase this number in order to have reliable statistics, which will lead to an increase of our understanding of these amazing objects.

Aims. We aim to contribute to the knowledge of central stars of planetary nebulae and stellar evolution.

Methods. This observational study is based on Gemini Multi-Object Spectrographs (GMOS) and with the Intermediate Dispersion Spectrograph (IDS) at the Isaac Newton Telescope spectra of 78 CSPN. The objects were selected because they did not have any previous classification, or the present classification is ambiguous. These new high quality spectra allowed us to identify the key stellar lines for determining spectral classification in the Morgan-Keenan (MK) system.

Results. We have acquired optical spectra of a large sample of CSPN. From the observed targets, 50 are classified here for the first time while for 28 the existing classifications have been improved. In seven objects we have identified a P-Cygni profile at the He I lines. Six of these CSPN are late O-type. The vast majority of the stars in the sample exhibit an absorption-type spectrum, and in one case we have found wide emission lines typical of [WR] stars. We give a complementary, and preliminary, classification criterion to obtain the sub-type of the O(H)-type CSPN. Finally, we give a more realistic value of the proportion of CSPN that are rich or poor in hydrogen.
Protostellar birth with ambipolar and ohmic diffusion
Authors: Vaytet N. , Commerçon B. , Masson J. , González M. , Chabrier G.
Published: February 2018

Context. The transport of angular momentum is fundamental during the formation of low-mass stars; too little removal and rotation ensures stellar densities are never reached, too much and the absence of rotation means no protoplanetary disks can form. Magnetic diffusion is seen as a pathway to resolving this long-standing problem.

Aims. We aim to investigate the impact of including resistive magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in simulations of the gravitational collapse of a 1 M⊙ gas sphere, from molecular cloud densities to the formation of the protostellar seed; the second Larson core.

Methods. We used the adaptive mesh refinement code RAMSES to perform two 3D simulations of collapsing magnetised gas spheres, including self-gravity, radiative transfer in the form of flux-limited diffusion, and a non-ideal gas equation of state to describe H2 dissociation which leads to the second collapse. The first run was carried out under the ideal MHD approximation, while ambipolar and ohmic diffusion was incorporated in the second calculation using resistivities computed from an equilibrium chemical network.

Results. In the ideal MHD simulation, the magnetic field dominates the energy budget everywhere inside and around the first hydrostatic core, fueling interchange instabilities and driving a low-velocity outflow above and below the equatorial plane of the system. High magnetic braking removes essentially all angular momentum from the second core. On the other hand, ambipolar and ohmic diffusion create a barrier which prevents amplification of the magnetic field beyond 0.1 G in the first Larson core which is now fully thermally supported. A significant amount of rotation is preserved and a small Keplerian-like disk forms around the second core. The ambipolar and ohmic diffusions are effective at radii below 10 AU, indicating that a least ~1 AU is necessary to investigate the angular momentum transfer and the formation of rotationally supported disks. Finally, when studying the radiative efficiency of the first and second core accretion shocks, we found that it can vary by several orders of magnitude over the 3D surface of the cores.

Conclusions. This proves that magnetic diffusion is a prerequisite to star formation. Not only does it enable the formation of protoplanetary disks in which planets will eventually form, it also plays a determinant role in the formation of the protostar itself.
Investigating the dynamical history of the interstellar object ’Oumuamua
Authors: Dybczyński Piotr A. , Królikowska Małgorzata
Published: February 2018

Here we try to find the origin of 1I/2017 U1 ’Oumuamua, the first interstellar object recorded inside the solar system. To this aim, we searched for close encounters between ’Oumuamua and all nearby stars with known kinematic data during their past motion. We had checked over 200 thousand stars and found just a handful of candidates. If we limit our investigation to within a 60 pc sphere surrounding the Sun, then the most probable candidate for the ’Oumuamua parent stellar habitat is the star UCAC4 535-065571. However GJ 876 is also a favourable candidate. However, the origin of ’Oumuamua from a much more distant source is still an open question. Additionally, we found that the quality of the original orbit of ’Oumuamua is accurate enough for such a study and that none of the checked stars had perturbed its motion significantly. All numerical results of this research are available in the appendix.
Studying Strangeness Production with HADES
Authors: Schuldes Heidi
Published: February 2018

The High-Acceptance DiElectron Spectrometer (HADES) operates in the 1 - 2A GeV energy regime in fixed target experiments to explore baryon-rich strongly interacting matter in heavy-ion collisions at moderate temperatures with rare and penetrating probes. We present results on the production of strange hadrons below their respective NN threshold energy in Au+Au collisions at 1.23A GeV ([see formula in PDF] = 2.4 GeV). Special emphasis is put on the enhanced feed-down contribution of ϕ mesons to the inclusive yield of K- and its implication on the measured spectral shape of K-. Furthermore, we investigate global properties of the system, confronting the measured hadron yields and transverse mass spectra with a Statistical Hadronization Model (SHM) and a blastwave parameterization, respectively. These supplement the world data of the chemical and kinetic freeze-out temperatures.
News from the NA61/SHINE experiment
Authors: Šuša Tatjana
Published: February 2018

The main goals of the NA61/SHINE experiment at the CERN SPS are the search for the critical point of strongly interacting matter and the study of the properties of the onset of deconfinement. These aims are pursued by performing a two-dimensional scan of the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter by varying the momentum and size of the colliding nuclei.

This contribution summarises the latest results from the NA61/SHINE experiment, in particular, new results on spectra and yields of ϕ meson in p+p interactions at 40, 80 and 158 GeV/c and K+ and K- production in central Be+Be collisions at mid-rapidity. In addition, results on system size dependence of particle yield ratios and fluctuations are presented.
ALICE Overview
Authors: Grelli Alessandro
Published: February 2018

An overview of the recent results obtained by the ALICE Collaboration from the analysis of the pp, p-Pb and Pb-Pb data samples collected during LHC run I and the first half of run II is presented.
Strangeness Suppression and Color Deconfinement
Authors: Satz Helmut
Published: February 2018

The relative multiplicities for hadron production in different high energy collisions are in general well described by an ideal gas of all hadronic resonances, except that under certain conditions, strange particle rates are systematically reduced. We show that the suppression factor γs, accounting for reduced strange particle rates in pp, pA and AA collisions at different collision energies, becomes a universal function when expressed in terms of the initial entropy density s0 or the initial temperature T of the produced thermal medium. It is found that γs increases from about 0.5 to 1.0 in a narrow temperature range around the quark-hadron transition temperature Tc ≃ 160 MeV. Strangeness suppression thus disappears with the onset of color deconfinement; subsequently, full equilibrium resonance gas behavior is attained.
Sequential Strangeness Freeze-out
Authors: Bellwied Rene
Published: February 2018

I will describe the latest results from lattice QCD pertaining to a potential flavour hierarchy in the hadronic freeze-out from the QCD crossover region. I will compare these results to a variety of improved hadronic resonance gas calculations and to experimental data of fluctuations of net-charge, net-proton and net-kaon multiplicity distributions, which serve as a proxy for the susceptibilities of conserved quantum numbers on the lattice. I will conclude that there is intriguing evidence for a flavour dependent freezeout, and I will suggest expansions to the experimental program at RHIC and the LHC that could potentially demonstrate the impact of a flavour separation during hadronization.
Theoretical perspective on strangeness production
Authors: Ko Che Ming
Published: February 2018

A brief review of some highlights and puzzles on strangeness production in heavy ion collisions is given. These include strangeness production and the nuclear equation of state; deeply subthreshold strangeness production; mean-field potentials on strange hadrons; phi meson in dense matter; anomalous strange hadron to pion ratios; density fluctuations on particle production; A hyperon polarization and the vorticity field, and exotic hadrons.
Vorticity and particle polarization in heavy ion collisions (experimental perspective)
Authors: Voloshin Sergei A.
Published: February 2018

The recent measurements of the global polarization and vector meson spin alignment along the system orbital momentum in heavy ion collisions are briefly reviewed. A possible connection between the global polarization and the chiral anomalous effects is discussed along with possible experimental checks. Future directions, in particular those aimed on the detailed mapping of the vorticity fields, are outlined. The Blast Wave model is used for an estimate of the anisotropic flow effect on the vorticity component along the beam direction. We also point to a possibility of a circular pattern in the vorticity field in asymmetric, e.g. Cu+Au, central collisions.
Dense and hot matter in compact stars and heavy-ion collisions
Authors: Schramm Stefan , Dexheimer Veronica , Mukherjee Ayon , Steinheimer Jan
Published: February 2018

We discuss the effect of exotic particles in neutron star matter and the corresponding impact on gross properties of neutron stars within effective models for the strong interaction. Particularly, for the quark-hadron parity-doublet model, we show results for compact star properties and discuss the phase structure of the model and its possible relevance for heavy-ion collision phenomenology.
Rope Hadronization and Strange Particle Production
Authors: Bierlich Christian
Published: February 2018

Rope Hadronization is a model extending the Lund string hadronization model to describe environments with many overlapping strings, such as high multiplicity pp collisions or AA collisions. Including effects of Rope Hadronization drastically improves description of strange/non-strange hadron ratios as function of event multiplicity in all systems from e+e− to AA. Implementation of Rope Hadronization in the MC event generators Dipsy and Pythia8 is discussed, as well as future prospects for jet studies and studies of small systems.
Baryons in the plasma: In-medium effects and parity doubling
Authors: Aarts Gert , Allton Chris , de Boni Davide , Hands Simon , Jäger Benjamin , Praki Chrisanthi , Skullerud Jon-Ivar
Published: February 2018

We investigate the fate of baryons made out of u, d and s quarks in the hadronic gas and the quark-gluon plasma, using nonperturbative lattice simulations, employing the FASTSUManisotropic Nf = 2+1 ensembles. In the confined phase a strong temperature dependence is seen in the masses of the negative-parity groundstates, while the positiveparity groundstate masses are approximately temperature independent, within the error. At high temperature parity doubling emerges. A noticeable effect of the heavier s quark is seen. We give a simple description of the medium-dependent masses for the negativeparity states and speculate on the relevance for heavy-ion phenomenology via the hadron resonance gas.