bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical Utility of Chromosomal Microarray Analysis of DNA from Buccal Cells: Detection of Mosaicism in Three Patients
Authors: Sdano Mallory R. , Vanzo Rena J. , Martin Megan M. , Baldwin Erin E. , South Sarah T. , Rope Alan F. , Allen William P. , Kearney Hutton
Published: August 2014

Mosaic chromosomal abnormalities are relatively common. However, mosaicism may be missed due to multiple factors including failure to recognize clinical indications and order appropriate testing, technical limitations of diagnostic assays, or sampling tissue (s) in which mosaicism is either not present, or present at very low levels. Blood leukocytes have long been the “gold standard” sample for cytogenetic analysis; however, the culturing process for routine chromosome analysis can complicate detection of mosaicism since the normal cell line may have a growth advantage in culture, or may not be present in the cells that produce metaphases (the lymphocytes). Buccal cells are becoming increasingly utilized for clinical analyses and are proving to have many advantages. Buccal swabs allow for simple and noninvasive DNA collection. When coupled with a chromosomal microarray that contains single nucleotide polymorphic probes, analysis of buccal cells can maximize a clinician's opportunity to detect cytogenetic mosaicism. We present three cases of improved diagnosis of mosaic aberrations using buccal specimens for chromosomal microarray analysis. In each case, the aberration was either undetectable in blood or present at such a low level it likely could have gone undetected. These cases highlight the limitations of certain laboratory methodologies for identifying mosaicism. We also present practice implications for genetic counselors, including clinic workflow changes and counseling approaches based on increasing use of buccal samples.
Fatty Acid‐Specific Alterations in Leptin, PPARα, and CPT‐1 Gene Expression in the Rainbow Trout
Authors: Coccia Elena , Varricchio Ettore , Vito Pasquale , Turchini Giovanni Mario , Francis David Scott , Paolucci Marina
Published: August 2014

It is known that fatty acids (FA) regulate lipid metabolism by modulating the expression of numerous genes. In order to gain a better understanding of the effect of individual FA on lipid metabolism related genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), an in vitro time‐course study was implemented where twelve individual FA (butyric 4:0; caprylic 8:0; palmitic (PAM) 16:0; stearic (STA) 18:0; palmitoleic16:1n‐7; oleic 18:1n‐9; 11‐cis‐eicosenoic 20:1n‐9; linoleic (LNA) 18:2n‐6; α‐linolenic (ALA) 18:3n‐3; eicosapentenoic (EPA) 20:5n‐3; docosahexaenoic (DHA) 22:6n‐3; arachidonic (ARA) 20:4n‐6) were incubated in rainbow trout liver slices. The effect of FA administration over time was evaluated on the expression of leptin, PPARα and CPT‐1 (lipid oxidative related genes). Leptin mRNA expression was down regulated by saturated fatty acids (SFA) and LNA, and was up regulated by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and long chain PUFA, whilst STA and ALA had no effect. PPARα and CPT‐1mRNA expression were up regulated by SFA, MUFA, ALA, ARA and DHA; and down regulated by LNA and EPA. These results suggest that there are individual and specific FA induced modifications of leptin, PPARα and CPT‐1 gene expression in rainbow trout, and it is envisaged that such results may provide highly valuable information for future practical applications in fish nutrition.
Analysis of Fluorescent Ceramide and Sphingomyelin Analogs: A Novel Approach for in Vivo Monitoring of Sphingomyelin Synthase Activity
Authors: Huang Taomin , Li Xiaoxia , Hu Shuang , Zhao Bo , Chen Ping , Liu Xiao , Ye Deyong , Cheng Nengneng
Published: August 2014

A novel sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography‐fluorescence detection (HPLC‐FLD) method was developed for real‐time monitoring of relative sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) activity based on the measurement of a fluorescent ceramide (Cer) analog and its metabolite, a fluorescent sphingomyelin (CerPCho) analog, in plasma. Analyses were conducted using HPLC‐FLD following a protein precipitation procedure. The chromatographic separations were carried out on an Agilent C18 RP column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) based on a methanol—0.1 % trifluoroacetic acid aqueous solution (88:12, by vol) elution at a flow‐rate of 1 mL/min. The limit of quantification in plasma was 0.05 μM for both the fluorescent Cer analog and its metabolite. Significant differences in the fluorescent Cer analog and its metabolite concentration ratio at 5 min were found between vehicle control group and three D2 (a novel SMS inhibitor) dose groups (P < 0.05). Dose‐dependent effects (D2 doses: 0, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) were observed. Our method could be used to detect relative SMS activity in biochemical assays and to screen potential SMS inhibitors in vivo. D2 was found to be a potent SMS inhibitor in vivo, and may have a potential antiatherosclerotic effect, which is under further study. D609 was also selected as another model SMS inhibitor to validate our newly developed method.
Multi‐Length‐Scale Elucidation of Kinetic and Symmetry Effects on the Behavior of Stearic and Oleic TAG. II: OSO and SOO
Authors: Baker Mark R. , Bouzidi Laziz , Garti Nissim , Narine Suresh S.
Published: August 2014

The phase composition of triacylglycerols (TAG) is determined by chemical structure and is greatly affected by kinetics. Positional isomerism and unsaturation are two key structural elements that govern, for a large part, the phase behavior of TAG during crystallization. Polymorphism, thermal properties, and microstructure of dioleoyl‐stearoyl isomers (OSO, SOO) were investigated at different cooling rates with XRD, DSC and PLM techniques, respectively. The physical properties of the symmetrical TAG were found to predictably vary with cooling rate; whereas, the properties of the asymmetrical TAG remained relatively constant. This was explained to be mainly due to the extra steric hindrance caused by asymmetry and the disturbances introduced at the “terrace” level via methyl‐end group interactions. The findings underscore the intricate contribution of saturation and symmetry to the phase trajectories of diunsaturated TAG. The knowledge gained will help understand the behavior of more complex materials and can be used for the manipulation of fat structures at different length scales and direct the manufacture of novel food systems and other relevant materials.
Selection for Some Olive Oil Quality Components Through the Analysis of Fruit Flesh
Authors: Velasco Leonardo , Fernández‐Cuesta Álvaro , De la Rosa Raúl , Victoria Ruiz‐Méndez M. , León Lorenzo
Published: August 2014

Selection for oil quality is commonly conducted at the latest stages of olive breeding programs, as oil quality traits are measured in extracted oils. At the initial stages of breeding, the number of genotypes is high and fruit production is low, which makes it difficult to conduct oil extraction. The objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of conducting selection for some important oil quality traits in olive by analyzing fruit flesh instead of extracted oils. Fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, and squalene were measured in fruit flesh and extracted oils from 22 individual olive trees showing variability for oil quality traits. Correlation coefficients between analyses conducted on fruit flesh and extracted oils were r = 0.98 for the main fatty acids palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acid, r = 0.96 for tocopherol content, r = 0.89 for phytosterol content, r = 0.97 for squalene content, and r = 0.91 and 0.94 for the concentrations of the two main sterols β‐sitosterol and Δ5‐avenasterol, respectively. The results revealed that selection for the mentioned oil quality traits can be efficiently conducted through the analysis of fruit flesh instead of extracted oil, which facilitates selection on larger numbers of genotypes at the initial stages of olive breeding programs.
Clinical and endoscopic features of gastric pyogenic granuloma
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Yu , Hsieh Yi‐Chung , Hsu Chen‐Ming , Chu Yin‐Yi , Yeh Huei‐Chung , Chen Tai‐Di , Chiu Cheng‐Tang
Published: August 2014

Background

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a polypoid form of capillary hemangioma. This study aimed to analyze the clinical and endoscopic features of gastric PG.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed nine patients with gastric PGs who were evaluated by esophagogastroduodenoscopy and diagnosed by pathological study at the Chang Gung Medical Center (Taoyuan, Taiwan) between 2000 and 2009. Demographic data, clinical presentations, endoscopic findings, treatment, and outcome were collected and analyzed.

Results

The median age of the study patients was 62 years (range, 40–73 years) with a female preponderance. The most common symptom at presentation was overt gastrointestinal bleeding, followed by anemia and epigastralgia. Two patients were asymptomatic at diagnosis. The most common underlying diseases were liver cirrhosis [5 (56%) patients] and hypertension [5 (56%) patients]. Five (56%) cases of gastric PGs originated at the site of prior ulcer lesions. Most gastric PGs were solitary [7 (78%) patients] and located in the antrum [8 (89%) patients]. The gastric PGs typically appeared morphologically as smooth protruding hyperemic lesions with adherent white or yellow deposits. One patient received an endoscopic mucosal resection with complete excision of the lesion. Another patient received surgical intervention. Four gastric PG lesions were stationary or regressed with conservative management.

Conclusion

Overt gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common clinical presentation in patients with gastric PG. Gastric ulcers were the most common precursors of PG with the antrum being the most frequent site involved. Gastric PGs were characteristically protruding hyperemic lesions with adherent exudates. Conservative treatment may be considered for asymptomatic PG patients with major comorbidities. Endoscopic resection may be offered to patients with symptoms.
Paired related homeobox protein‐like 1 (Prrxl1) controls its own expression by a transcriptional autorepression mechanism
Authors: Monteiro César B. , Costa Mariana F. , Reguenga Carlos , Lima Deolinda , Castro Diogo S. , Monteiro Filipe A.
Published: August 2014

The homeodomain factor paired related homeobox protein‐like 1 (Prrxl1) is crucial for proper assembly of dorsal root ganglia (DRG)–dorsal spinal cord (SC) pain‐sensing circuit. By performing chromatin immunoprecipitation with either embryonic DRG or dorsal SC, we identified two evolutionarily conserved regions (i.e. proximal promoter and intron 4) of Prrxl1 locus that show tissue‐specific binding of Prrxl1. Transcriptional assays confirm the identified regions can mediate repression by Prrxl1, while gain‐of‐function studies in Prrxl1 expressing ND7/23 cells indicate Prrxl1 can down‐regulate its own expression. Altogether, our results suggest that Prrxl1 uses distinct regulatory regions to repress its own expression in DRG and dorsal SC.
MiR‐605 represses PSMD10/Gankyrin and inhibits intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell progression
Authors: Li Jianwei , Tian Feng , Li Dajiang , Chen Jian , Jiang Peng , Zheng Shuguo , Li Xiaowu , Wang Shuguang
Published: August 2014

The aberrant expression of PSMD10 has important functions in various malignancies. This study showed that PSMD10 was highly expressed and inversely correlated with the expression of miR‐605 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) specimens. MiR‐605 directly targeted and repressed PSMD10 expression. In addition, over‐expression of miR‐605 inhibited ICC cell progression both in vitro and in vivo. This effect of miR‐605 on ICC cells was similar to that of PSMD10 knock‐down by RNAi. Moreover, restoration of PSMD10 could reverse the phenotypic alteration caused by miR‐605 in ICC cells. These results suggest a new therapeutic strategy in ICC by restoring miR‐605, which is regulated by p53.
Direct numerical simulations of hypersonic boundary-layer transition with finite-rate chemistry
Authors: Marxen Olaf , Iaccarino Gianluca , Magin Thierry E.
Published: August 2014

The paper describes a numerical investigation of linear and nonlinear instability in high-speed boundary layers. Both a frozen gas and a finite-rate chemically reacting gas are considered. The weakly nonlinear instability in the presence of a large-amplitude two-dimensional wave is investigated for the case of fundamental resonance. Depending on the amplitude of this two-dimensional primary wave, strong growth of oblique secondary perturbations occurs for favourable relative phase differences between the two. For essentially the same primary amplitude, secondary amplification is almost identical for a reacting and a frozen gas. Therefore, chemical reactions do not directly affect the growth of secondary perturbations, but only indirectly through the change of linear instability and hence amplitude of the primary wave. When the secondary disturbances reach a sufficiently large amplitude, strongly nonlinear effects stabilize both primary and secondary perturbations.
Candidate Confidence and Electoral Appeal: An Experimental Study of the Effect of Nonverbal Confidence on Voter Evaluations
Authors: Dumitrescu Delia , Gidengil Elisabeth , Stolle Dietlind
Published: August 2014

The nonverbal display of confidence is strongly associated with leadership and power. However, its importance for the persuasiveness of campaign messages has not been explored. How important is showing confidence for a political candidate’s ratings? How does confidence condition the effect of the quality of a candidate’s arguments? This article addresses these questions using an innovative experimental approach that makes it possible to better isolate the impact of the candidate’s nonverbal confidence and the quality of his message. While both of these aspects influence voters’ perceptions of the candidate’s electability and qualifications, the nonverbal dimension matters more when it comes to electability. This research contributes to the study of nonverbal communication in elections by expanding the focus of inquiry beyond the effect of pure emotions (happiness or anger) and facial traits.
ENTERTAINING THE EMPIRE: THEATRICAL TOURING COMPANIES AND AMATEUR DRAMATICS IN COLONIAL INDIA
Authors: BECKER TOBIAS
Published: August 2014

This article argues that theatre in colonial India – both in the form of touring companies and amateur dramatics – offered much more than mere entertainment: first, it was an important social space where the British diaspora constituted itself as a community. Secondly, it served as a lifeline to the home country. By watching theatrical performances either brought to them straight from London or which they performed themselves, colonial Britons felt in touch with their homeland. Finally, theatre not only allowed colonial audiences to participate in the metropolitan culture; it inadvertently helped to unify the British empire. Whether living in London, the provinces, or a colonial city, all British subjects consumed the same popular culture, forming in effect one big taste community. Theatre, therefore, lends itself to a discussion of central issues of imperial history, as, for example, the relationship between the metropolitan centre and the imperial periphery, the colonial public sphere, social and racial hierarchies, the perception of the ‘Other’, and processes of cross-cultural exchange and appropriation.
THE FIRST EUROPEAN ELECTIONS? VOTING AND IMPERIAL STATE-BUILDING UNDER NAPOLEON, 1802–1813
Authors: CROOK MALCOLM , DUNNE JOHN
Published: August 2014

This article establishes the significance of elections held in the annexed departments of the Napoleonic Empire from 1802 to 1813. It thus represents an original, and perhaps surprising, contribution to recent debate on the nature of Napoleonic imperialism, in which attention has shifted from core to periphery, and away from purely military matters. The electoral process under this authoritarian regime has been alternately neglected or derided, especially where the newly created departments of the Low Countries and parts of Germany and Italy are concerned. However, extensive archival research demonstrates that it was taken extremely seriously by both regime and voters, especially outside metropolitan France. These ‘First European Elections', as they may be dubbed, took place in regular fashion right across the Empire and are studied here on a transnational basis, which also involves the metropolitan departments. Though open to all adult males at the primary level, they were not exercises in democracy, but they did create some rare political space which local people were not slow to exploit for their own purposes. Above all, they served as a means of integrating ‘new Frenchmen’, particularly members of indigenous elites, into the Napoleonic system.
Rickshaws and Filipinos: Transnational Meanings of Technology and Labor in American-Occupied Manila
Authors: Pante Michael D.
Published: August 2014

This article tells the hitherto unknown history of the rickshaw in the Philippines. The Filipinos’ encounter with this transport mode was brief and largely revolved around a failed rickshaw business in Manila in 1902. The venture quickly fizzled out, but not without controversy, deeply rooted in the colliding socio-political forces in the city at that time: the reliance on a non-motorized transport system; the consolidation of American colonial rule against the backdrop of an ongoing revolution; the birth of the first Filipino labor federation; and the implementation of a law banning the employment of Chinese workers from unskilled trades. The controversy turned the rickshaw into a disputed symbol. On the one hand, the rickshaw enterprise was criticized by Filipino carriage drivers and nationalist labor leaders, who viewed the vehicle as an essentially foreign apparatus that would enslave Filipinos. On the other hand, the Americans used the Filipinos’ opposition to the rickshaw to prove the supposed un-modernity of the lazy native workers, who failed to grasp the idea of the dignity of labor. These disputes were inextricably linked to the clash of discourses between Filipino nationalism and colonial modernity, two competing perspectives both influenced by a comparative transnational frame.
Walk the talk, don't eat it: a call for sustainable seafood leadership from marine scientists
Authors: KLEIN CARISSA JOY , FERRARI RENATA
Published: August 2014

Fisheries stocks are rapidly declining around the world. A reduction in the consumption of unsustainable seafood may help curb this decline. Sustainable seafood consumption is not commonplace, even in the marine science and conservation community. The frequency of unsustainable and/or unlabelled seafood at marine science and conservation meetings motivates this enquiry and call for leadership. Information about the species served and where they were caught/farmed was obtained for seven marine ecology and conservation meetings held in Australia, attended by c. 4000 people from around the world. Menu item sustainability was assessed according to the relevant sustainable seafood guide, which considered stock status and impact of fishing/aquaculture method. Seafood was served at all meetings; four meetings served at least one unsustainable species, and only two meetings served a sustainable species. Additional leadership by marine scientists, especially conservationists, is urgently required to turn science into action and ensure that sustainable seafood is available, not only at meetings, but more widely, to achieve a positive conservation outcome.
L2 activation and blending in third language acquisition: Evidence of crosslinguistic influence from the L2 in a longitudinal study on the acquisition of L3 English
Authors: SÁNCHEZ LAURA
Published: August 2014

This paper reports the findings of a four-year longitudinal study that examined the role of prior linguistic knowledge on the written L3 production of 93 Spanish/Catalan learners. Two research questions guided the study: the first asked whether a background language (L1s Spanish/Catalan, L2 German) would activate in parallel with L3 English during word construction attempts involving verbal forms, and if so, which would be the source language of blending. The second addressed the progressive readjustments of L2 activation and blending in the course of the first 200 hours of instruction. The elicitation technique was a written narrative based on a story telling task. Data were collected first when the learners were on average 9.9 years old (T1), and again at the ages of 10.9 (T2), 11.9 (T3) and 12.9 (T4). The focus of analysis was on word construction attempts that involved verbal forms. The results suggest that a background language, the L2, did indeed activate, especially at early stages of L3 acquisition.
The ‘Equivalent Protection Test’: From European Union to United Nations, from Solange II to Solange I
Authors: Platon Sébastien
Published: August 2014

Human rights – European Convention on Human Rights – European Union – United Nations – Smart sanctions – Constitutional law – French law – German law – Conflicts between legal systems – Equivalent protection – Solange
Coda Optimization in the Segmentation of English Polysyllabic Letter-Strings
Authors: Taft Marcus , Álvarez Carlos J.
Published: August 2014

A word-spotting experiment is reported whereby participants determined whether a polysyllabic pseudoword began with a real word or not. All target words ended in a single consonant (e.g., slam) which either did or did not form a complex coda with the consonant that followed it. When it did (e.g., the mp of slampora), target detection was harder than when the target was followed by a vowel (e.g., slamorpa). When it did not (e.g., the mc of slamcora), target detection was easier. These results demonstrate a bias toward maximization of the coda when segmenting a polysyllabic letter-string which is argued to reflect the way in which polysyllabic words are represented in the mental lexicon.
Reevaluating the Placebo Effect in Medical Practice
Authors: Colloca Luana , Jonas Wayne B. , Killen John , Miller Franklin G. , Shurtleff David
Published: August 2014

Recent findings from placebo research corroborate the evidence that the placebo effect represents a promising model to shed new light on brain-mind-body interactions. In particular, this research has partially elucidated the role of how patients’ expectations and the quality of physician-patient communication can influence the efficacy of interventions and overall clinical outcomes. Accordingly, the study of the placebo effect should be incorporated in the core clinical practice curriculum of all health practitioners. While the growing knowledge about the placebo effect points to it being an irreducible primary reality of medical practice, an ethical analysis aimed at avoiding the misuse of placebos and maximizing beneficial placebo effects is needed.
Patient Involvement in Treatment Decision Making Can Help or Hinder Placebo Analgesia
Authors: Geers Andrew L. , Rose Jason P. , Fowler Stephanie L. , Brown Jill A.
Published: August 2014

Experiments have found that choosing between placebo analgesics can reduce pain more than being assigned a placebo analgesic. Because earlier research has shown prior experience moderates choice effects in other contexts, we tested whether prior experience with a pain stimulus moderates this placebo-choice association. Before a cold water pain task, participants were either told that an inert cream would reduce their pain or they were not told this information. Additionally, participants chose between one of two inert creams for the task or they were not given choice. Importantly, we also measured prior experience with cold water immersion. Individuals with prior cold water immersion experience tended to display greater placebo analgesia when given choice, whereas participants without this experience tended to display greater placebo analgesia without choice. Prior stimulus experience appears to moderate the effect of choice on placebo analgesia.
How to Psychologically Minimize Scratching Impulses
Authors: Sölle Ariane , Bartholomäus Theresa , Worm Margitta , Klinger Regine
Published: August 2014

Research in recent years, especially in the analgesic field, has intensively studied the placebo effect and its mechanisms. It has been shown that physical complaints can be efficiently reduced via learning and cognitive processes (conditioning and expectancies). However, despite evidence demonstrating a large variety of physiological similarities between pain and itch, the possible transfer of the analgesic placebo model to itch has not yet been widely discussed in research. This review therefore aims at highlighting potential transfers of placebo mechanisms to itch processes by demonstrating the therapeutic issues in pharmacological treatments for pruritus on a physiological basis and by discussing the impact of psychological mechanisms and psychological factors influencing itch sensations.
Learned Placebo Effects in the Immune System
Authors: Vits Sabine , Schedlowski Manfred
Published: August 2014

Associative learning processes are one of the major neuropsychological mechanisms steering the placebo response in different physiological systems and end organ functions. Learned placebo effects on immune functions are based on the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral immune system. Based on this “hardware,” experimental evidence in animals and humans showed that humoral and cellular immune functions can be affected by behavioral conditioning processes. We will first highlight and summarize data documenting the variety of experimental approaches conditioning protocols employed, affecting different immunological functions by associative learning. Taking a well-established paradigm employing a conditioned taste aversion model in rats with the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) as an unconditioned stimulus (US) as an example, we will then summarize the efferent and afferent communication pathways as well as central processes activated during a learned immunosuppression. In addition, the potential clinical relevance of learned placebo effects on the outcome of immune-related diseases has been demonstrated in a number of different clinical conditions in rodents. More importantly, the learned immunosuppression is not restricted to experimental animals but can be also induced in humans. These data so far show that (i) behavioral conditioned immunosuppression is not limited to a single event but can be reproduced over time, (ii) immunosuppression cannot be induced by mere expectation, (iii) psychological and biological variables can be identified as predictors for this learned immunosuppression. Together with experimental approaches employing a placebo-controlled dose reduction these data provide a basis for new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of diseases where a suppression of immune functions is required via modulation of nervous system-immune system communication by learned placebo effects.
The development of an autonomous sensing platform for the monitoring of ammonia in water using a simplified Berthelot method
Authors: Cogan Deirdre , Cleary John , Fay Cormac , Rickard Aoife , Jankowski Kamil , Phelan Thomas , Bowkett Mark , Diamond Dermot
Published: August 2014

This study has demonstrated a direct reagent-based analyser for ammonia, incorporating a modified version of the Berthelot method resulting in an inexpensive and simple procedure to measure ammonia in water.
Efficient alkene hydrogenation over a magnetically recoverable and recyclable Fe3O4@GO nanocatalyst using hydrazine hydrate as the hydrogen source
Authors: Mondal John , Nguyen Kim Truc , Jana Avijit , Kurniawan Karina , Borah Parijat , Zhao Yanli , Bhaumik Asim
Published: August 2014

Fe3O4@GO behaves as magnetic heterogeneous nanocatalyst for alkene hydrogenation using hydrazine hydrate as hydrogen source with high TOF values.
Host–guest interaction manipulated self-assembly of pyridinium-tailored naphthalene
Authors: Wang Peiyi , Lin Yuan , Smith Mark , Feng Sheng , Song Baoan , Yang Song , Hu Jun
Published: August 2014

In this communication, host–guest interactions are employed to manipulate the assembled morphology of 2-NP. By encapsulating the pyridinium and the naphthalene group of 2-NP into the cavity of cucurbit[8]uril, fluorescence-enhanced microsheets were formed.
Heterogeneous dynamics of ionic liquids in confined films with varied film thickness
Authors: Wang Yong-Lei , Lu Zhong-Yuan , Laaksonen Aatto
Published: August 2014

Dynamical behavior and characteristics of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF6]) ionic liquid (IL) in confined films with varied film thickness have been investigated using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations.
Electrocatalysis of formic acid on palladium and platinum surfaces: from fundamental mechanisms to fuel cell applications
Authors: Jiang Kun , Zhang Han-Xuan , Zou Shouzhong , Cai Wen-Bin
Published: August 2014

A brief overview is presented on recent progress in mechanistic studies of formic acid oxidation, synthesis of novel Pd- and Pt-based nanocatalysts and their practical applications in direct formic acid fuel cells.
Self-powered fully-flexible light-emitting system enabled by flexible energy harvester
Authors: Jeong Chang Kyu , Park Kwi-Il , Son Jung Hwan , Hwang Geon-Tae , Lee Seung Hyun , Park Dae Yong , Lee Han Eol , Lee Hwan Keon , Byun Myunghwan , Lee Keon Jae
Published: August 2014

We present a self-powered all-flexible light-emitting optoelectronic device using a flexible and high-performance piezoelectric energy harvester with a robustly developed flexible and vertically structured inorganic LED array.
The investigation of ancient metal artefacts by portable X-ray fluorescence devices
Authors: Ferretti Marco
Published: August 2014

Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometers are powerful tools if used appropriately. This paper discusses alternative and less conventional approaches in the application of these instruments.
Laser-ablation sampling for inductively coupled plasma distance-of-flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Gundlach-Graham Alexander , Dennis Elise A. , Ray Steven J. , Enke Christie G. , Barinaga Charles J. , Koppenaal David W. , Hieftje Gary M.
Published: August 2014

Laser-ablation (LA) sample introduction is combined with a new simultaneous multi-element determining, velocity-based ICPMS approach called distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS).
An optofluidic imaging system to measure the biophysical signature of single waterborne bacteria
Authors: Liu P. Y. , Chin L. K. , Ser W. , Ayi T. C. , Yap P. H. , Bourouina T. , Leprince-Wang Y.
Published: August 2014

An on-chip optofluidic imaging system is innovated to measure the biophysical signatures of single waterborne bacteria.
Ultra-bright alkylated graphene quantum dots
Authors: Feng Lan , Tang Xing-Yan , Zhong Yun-Xin , Liu Yue-Wen , Song Xue-Huan , Deng Shun-Liu , Xie Su-Yuan , Yan Jia-Wei , Zheng Lan-Sun
Published: August 2014

Alkylated graphene quantum dots with negligible oxygen-containing groups exhibit pH-independent and ultra-bright PL with a quantum yield of up to 65%.
Ultrasmall biomolecule-anchored hybrid GdVO4 nanophosphors as a metabolizable multimodal bioimaging contrast agent
Authors: Dong Kai , Ju Enguo , Liu Jianhua , Han Xueli , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: August 2014

With the excellent contrast performance and effective metabolisability, amino acids-anchored GdVO4:Eu3+ nanocastings are a promising candidate as multimodal contrast agents.
Metallosalen-based microporous organic polymers: synthesis and carbon dioxide uptake
Authors: Li He , Li Zhongping , Zhang Yuwei , Luo Xiaolong , Xia Hong , Liu Xiaoming , Mu Ying
Published: August 2014

Three metallosalen-based microporous organic polymers were designed and synthesized. New materials display excellent porosity and good capacities for store and separation of carbon dioxide at 273 K and 1 bar.
Simultaneous electrochemical determination of dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate using a multi-walled carbon nanotube modified carbon paste electrode
Authors: Ghoreishi Sayed Mehdi , Behpour Mohsen , Mousavi Samira , Khoobi Asma , Ghoreishi Farzaneh Sadat
Published: August 2014

A carbon paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CPE/MWCNT) was prepared as a biosensor for the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS).
Role of zinc and copper metal ions in amyloid β-peptides Aβ1–40and Aβ1–42aggregation
Authors: Boopathi Subramaniam , Kolandaivel Ponmalai
Published: August 2014

Conformational structural changes of Aβ1–40and Aβ1–42monomers during the interaction of Cu2+and Zn2+metal ions.
One-pot synthesis of imine from benzyl alcohol and nitrobenzene on visible-light responsive CdS–TiO2 photocatalysts
Authors: Higashimoto Shinya , Nakai Yuta , Azuma Masashi , Takahashi Masanari , Sakata Yoshihisa
Published: August 2014

Photocatalyzed one-pot synthesis of imine from benzyl alcohol and nitrobenzene on the CdS–TiO2 under visible-light irradiation.
Role of pyridine in photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2to methanol at a CuInS2thin film electrode
Authors: Yuan Jiongliang , Zheng Li , Hao Cunjiang
Published: August 2014

Methanol yield depends on mass transfer resistance resulting from pyridine adsorption layer on CuInS2photocathode in photoelectrochemical reduction of CO2.
The proton conduction mechanism in a material consisting of packed acids
Authors: Ogawa Takaya , Aonuma Takashi , Tamaki Takanori , Ohashi Hidenori , Ushiyama Hiroshi , Yamashita Koichi , Yamaguchi Takeo
Published: August 2014

We observed fast proton conduction in a material consisting of packed acids, the “packed-acid mechanism” resulting from acid–acid interactions.
One-pot synthesis of a nitrogen and phosphorus-dual-doped carbon nanotube array as a highly effective electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Zhu Jinliang , Jiang San Ping , Wang Ruihong , Shi Keying , Shen Pei Kang
Published: August 2014

The N, P-dual-doped CNTs with a robust nano-structure have been synthesized by a one-pot method and the material shows enhanced activities and durability for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Spectral shifting and NIR down-conversion in Bi3+/Yb3+ co-doped Zn2GeO4
Authors: Gao Guojun , Peng Mingying , Wondraczek Lothar
Published: August 2014

We report on Zn2GeO4 co-doped with Yb3+ and Bi3+ as a model system for ultra-efficient down-conversion of the UV-A/blue part of the solar spectrum to the NIR.
Spontaneous in situ thermal growth of oriented acentric nanocrystals of [(E)-N,N-dimethylamino-N′-methylstilbazolium][p-toluenesulfonate] embedded in a PMMA film on ITO generating stable SHG
Authors: Marinotto Daniele , Lucenti Elena , Scavia Guido , Ugo Renato , Tavazzi Silvia , Mattei Giovanni , Cariati Elena
Published: August 2014

A DAST/PMMA composite film deposited on an ITO substrate shows in situ grown oriented nanocrystals by controlled annealing only.
Optimising the activation cycle of Turbo Decoders using three‐dimensional extrinsic information transfer charts
Authors: Kayani Atiqa , Aziz Khurram , Khattak Shahid
Published: August 2014

In this study, activation cycle of turbo detection system is investigated using three‐dimensional extrinsic information transfer charts. Turbo detection typically employs an iterative process of information transfer with a fixed activation schedule. In the proposed work, the activation cycle of different component decoders is adapted for each signal‐to‐noise ratio value using information obtained from extrinsic information transfer charts. The objective is to reach the desired reliability of estimates at a lower complexity and for that purpose an exhaustive tree search‐based message passing algorithm has been adopted. The results are validated by showing that the optimum activation cycles are similar to that of fixed scheduler with matched component decoders. The resulting bit error rate curves closely approach and in some cases excel the results obtained for the fixed activation while operating at only a fraction of their complexity.
Network acknowledgement‐based and error‐propagation‐aware importance modelling for H.264/AVC video transmission over wireless networks
Authors: Wang Qinli , Liu Guizhong , Liu Zhao , Liu Hao , Zuo Wen , Wang Ning
Published: August 2014

In this study, a network acknowledgement‐based and error‐propagation‐aware (NEPA) importance model for H.264/AVC video packet is proposed. Unlike those existing models, the network acknowledgement information is firstly studied to predict the video importance in the author's NEPA model. As a result, the authors can dynamically predict the importance of the current video packet, when its referenced frames are lost. Moreover, by means of analysing the reference relationships among the macro‐blocks (MBs), an error propagation/conceal map is drawn to accurately estimate the error propagation effect. The simulation results demonstrate that their NEPA model could achieve an acceptable accuracy for any video sequence as long as its group of pictures (GoP) size is not too large. Furthermore, an application example which adopts the NEPA model in High Speed Downlink Packet Access scheduling system demonstrates the effectiveness of the NEPA model.
Multiobjective controller design by solving a multiobjective matrix inequality problem
Authors: Chiu Wei‐Yu
Published: August 2014

In this study, linear matrix inequality (LMI) approaches and multiobjective (MO) evolutionary algorithms are integrated to design controllers. An MO matrix inequality problem (MOMIP) is first defined. A hybrid MO differential evolution (HMODE) algorithm is then developed to solve the MOMIP. The hybrid algorithm combines deterministic and stochastic searching schemes. In the solving process, the deterministic part aims to exploit the structures of matrix inequalities, and the stochastic part is used to fully explore the decision variable space. Simulation results show that the HMODE algorithm can produce an approximated Pareto front (APF) and Pareto‐efficient controllers that stabilise the associated controlled system. In contrast with single‐objective designs using LMI approaches, the proposed MO methodology can clearly illustrate how the objectives involved affect each other, that is, a broad perspective on optimality is provided. This facilitates the selecting process for a representative design, and particularly the design that corresponds to a non‐dominated vector lying in the knee region of the APF. In addition, controller gains can be readily modified to incorporate the preference or need of a system designer.
Data‐driven super‐twisting observer design for systems of dimension more than one
Authors: Basin Michael , Rodriguez‐Ramirez Pablo
Published: August 2014

This study presents data‐driven super‐twisting‐like smooth observer design for systems of dimension more than one. The major advantage of the proposed observers is finite‐time convergence of the estimation error to zero and smoothness of the observer trajectory. This study concludes with numerical simulations illustrating performance of the designed algorithms.
Sampled‐data MPC for LPV systems with input saturation
Authors: Shi Ting , Su Hongye
Published: August 2014

In this work, a sampled‐data model predictive control (MPC) design method is proposed for continuous‐time linear parameter varying (LPV) systems. The input saturation and parameter uncertainties are both considered. Using a method to deal with actuator saturation, the MPC controller is permitted to saturate. Using the measurable parameter vector, a scheduled state‐feedback MPC controller is computed at each time instant which fully exploits the real‐time information on the variations of the plant characteristics. By modelling the closed‐loop systems of the continuous‐time LPV systems with a piecewise constant sampled‐data control input as linear impulsive systems, the stability properties of the proposed MPC are studied. The sampling interval in this work is not required to be periodic. The proposed MPC design method is expected to further reduce the conservativeness. The improvements of the proposed sampled‐data MPC method w.r.t. other existing MPC techniques are demonstrated by an example.
Disturbance‐observer‐based control & ℋ∞ control for non‐linear Markovian jump singular systems with multiple disturbances
Authors: Yao Xiuming , Zhu Lianqing , Guo Lei
Published: August 2014

This study addresses the Problem of composite hierarchical anti‐disturbance control [disturbance‐observer‐based controllers (DOBC) and ℋ∞ control] for Markovian jump singular systems with non‐linearity and two types of disturbances (the first is generated by an exogenous system and the latter is norm‐bounded). The authors’ attention is focused on the design of a disturbance observer to estimate the first disturbance, and then on constructing a composite hierarchical control scheme such that the solution to the composite system is unique and exists, the composite system can be guaranteed to be stochastically admissible, and different types of disturbances can be attenuated and rejected simultaneously. By constructing a proper stochastic Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, sufficient conditions for the existence of the desired DOBCs are established. Finally, a numerical eEEExample is provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Lyapunov‐based robust control design for a class of switching non‐linear systems subject to input saturation: application to engine control
Authors: Nguyen AnhTu , Dambrine Michel , Lauber Jimmy
Published: August 2014

Control technique based on the well‐known Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) models offers a powerful and systematic tool to cope with complex non‐linear systems. This study presents a new method to design robust H∞ controllers stabilising the switching uncertain and disturbed T–S systems subject to control input saturation. To this end, the input saturation is taken into account in the control design under its polytopic form. The Lyapunov stability theory is used to derive the design conditions, which are formulated as a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimisation problem. The controller design amounts to solving a set of LMI conditions with some numerical tools. In comparison with previous results, the proposed method not only provides a simple and efficient design procedure to deal with a large class of input saturated non‐linear systems but also leads to less conservative design conditions. Moreover, with a simple shape criterion, the proposed approach maximises also the estimated domain of attraction included inside the validity domain of the system. The validity of the proposed method is illustrated through academic as well as real industrial examples.
Image restoration by blind‐Wiener filter
Authors: Yoo Jae‐Chern , Ahn Chang Wook
Published: August 2014

Wiener filter yields the minimum‐mean‐square error between the restored image and the original image. However, to obtain an optimal result, there must be accurate knowledge of the power spectra of the noise and the original image besides the degradation function. Otherwise, it will lead to an undesirable restored result. This study presents a so‐called blind‐Wiener filter that can restore the original image when we have no knowledge of the power spectra of both noise and original image. It uses the fact that averaging several consecutively measured images together will enhance signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). The number of images to be averaged to reduce noise to an acceptable level was concluded to be around ten. Ten independent random noises were added to a given corrupted image, resulting in ten images with different noises and then each of them was restored by Wiener filter to yield ten Wiener filtered images. Finally, the corrupted image was restored by taking an average over the ten Wiener filtered images. Experiments were conducted in a practical setting to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that all the images in the test set were vastly improved and some images gave almost comparable performance to the traditional Wiener filter known as the best restoration method in terms of peak SNR.
Formal integrated network security analysis tool: formal query‐based network security configuration analysis
Authors: Maity Soumya , Bera P. , Ghosh Soumya K. , Al‐Shaer Ehab
Published: August 2014

Owing to increasing complexity of network configurations with large topology and use of heterogeneous network services, enterprise networks deploy various security measures based on the organisational security policies. Typically, security policy represents the high level requirements for controlling the resource accesses by traffic source, destination, protocol, access time and so on. Security policies are implemented in the network devices (routers, firewalls and so on) in a distributed fashion through various access control lists (ACLs). The ACL configurations may contain different level of inconsistencies which may make the network vulnerable. In addition, there may exist inconsistent ‘hidden access paths’ in the implementation because of transitive access relationships between the network services. Further, the failure of network link(s) may form alternative routing paths that violate ACL. Manual analysis of this problem can be overwhelming and potentially inaccurate. In this study, a query‐based formal security analysis tool has been presented that automates the process using Boolean satisfiability (SAT). The tool allows network administrators to systematically evaluate the distributed ACL configurations through various standard and complex service access queries. The tool evaluates the static access queries through SAT‐based decision procedures, and the fault‐based queries (under network link failures) through graph mining procedures.
Measuring the x-ray resolving power of bent potassium acid phthalate diffraction crystals
Authors: Haugh M. J. , Wu M. , Jacoby K. D. , Loisel G. P.
Published: August 2014

This report presents the results from measuring the X-ray resolving power of a curved potassium acid phthalate (KAP(001)) spectrometer crystal using two independent methods. It is part of a continuing effort to measure the fundamental diffraction properties of bent crystals that are used to study various characteristics of high temperature plasmas. Bent crystals like KAP(001) do not usually have the same diffraction properties as corresponding flat crystals. Models that do exist to calculate the effect of bending the crystal on the diffraction properties have simplifying assumptions and their accuracy limits have not been adequately determined. The type of crystals that we measured is being used in a spectrometer on the Z machine at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first technique for measuring the crystal resolving power measures the X-ray spectral line width of the characteristic lines from several metal anodes. The second method uses a diode X-ray source and a double crystal diffractometer arrangement to measure the reflectivity curve of the KAP(001) crystal. The width of that curve is inversely proportional to the crystal resolving power. The measurement results are analyzed and discussed.