bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of not having a ductus arteriosus on clinical outcomes in foetuses diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Stern Seth J. , Wadekar Neelum , Mertens Luc , Manlhiot Cedric , McCrindle Brian W. , Jaeggi Edgar T. , Nield Lynne E.
Published: April 2014

Background: Foetuses with simple tetralogy of Fallot almost universally have a patent ductus arteriosus. Two recently identified cases had an absent patent ductus arteriosus, requiring emergent intervention at birth. The objective of this study was to determine whether foetuses diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot and no patent ductus arteriosus have poorer outcomes compared with those with tetralogy of Fallot+patent ductus arteriosus. Methods: All foetal cases of tetralogy of Fallot between January, 2000 and 2012 were retrospectively identified from The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Canada) database. Cases – tetralogy of Fallot+no patent ductus arteriosus confirmed on postnatal echo – and controls – tetralogy of Fallot+patent ductus arteriosus, matched for gestational age – were identified from prenatal records, and both clinical and echocardiographic data were reviewed. Optimal outcome was defined as valve-sparing repair with no residual lesions. Student’s t-tests and Fisher’s exact χ2 were used to compare groups. Results: n=115 foetuses were diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot: 11 (9%) had no patent ductus arteriosus, and were matched to 22 controls – mean gestational age at diagnosis 23.2±4.2 weeks, 23.4±6.6 weeks, respectively. Cases had a higher proportion of right aortic arches (64% versus 14%, p<0.001). Foetal and postnatal echocardiographic data did not reveal significant differences in branch pulmonary artery sizes, pulmonary valve sizes, or ventricular function. No differences were identified for cyanosis at birth (2/10 versus 7/20, p=0.67), or catheter intervention (5/10 versus 4/22, p=0.12). Optimal outcome rates were similar between cases and controls (4/11 (36%) versus 5/21 (24%), p=0.68). Conclusions: The patent ductus arteriosus does not appear to have an impact on clinical outcome in foetuses with tetralogy of Fallot.
China–Raw Materials: a controversial step towards evenhanded exploitation of natural resources
Authors: BRONCKERS MARCO , MASKUS KEITH E.
Published: April 2014

This case sheds light on the question whether WTO members, when exploiting their natural resources, can give priority to the needs of their domestic market as opposed to the needs of other WTO Members. From the ruling of the Appellate Body, and the unappealed part of the panel decision, one can conclude that a WTO Member normally must ensure an evenhanded distribution of the natural resources that it decides to mine or harvest amongst the WTO membership. The only difference arises where a Member's citizens or industries face a crisis because of a temporary shortage of an essential product. For those who share an international outlook on the world, this is an acceptable, and even a desirable outcome. The ruling potentially has far-reaching implications for international trade, not only in minerals and metals, but for agricultural and energy goods as well. However, in reaching this laudable result, circumscribing the use of export restrictions, the Appellate Body also made a highly regrettable finding. It ruled that China, because of the wording of its Accession Protocol, was not allowed to invoke a public policy justification for certain of its export restrictions (notably: its export duties, on which it had assumed additional commitments). The underlying assumption that sovereign states can sign away their rights to pursue public policies, such as environmental protection, which are generally admitted amongst the WTO membership, is deplorable.
Do you mind if I don't smoke? Products, purpose and indeterminacy in US – Measures Affecting the Production and Sale of Clove Cigarettes
Authors: BROUDE TOMER , LEVY PHILIP I.
Published: April 2014

The AB Report in US–Clove Cigarettes confirmed the Panel's conclusions that imported clove cigarettes were ‘like’ US menthol cigarettes, and accorded ‘less favourable treatment’ for the purpose of national treatment under Article 2.1 TBT, but it employed significantly different logic. The AB's reasoning extends earlier GATT jurisprudence into the TBT, applying competition-oriented analysis to the question of product definition, while reserving consideration of regulatory purpose to the comparison of treatment. We consider this emphasis from the perspectives of legal and economic indeterminacy, which we find run in parallel to each other. In the particular questions of the appeal, the AB's decisions are sensible from both perspectives, but ultimately do not add significantly to determinacy. We find it impossible to ignore regulatory purpose in discrimination cases, and we provide a novel economic model for analysing regulatory utility in this respect. In our view, there is not much economic difference in analysing regulatory purpose separately from more observable market considerations, but this sequencing does add political logic, analytical focus and formal transparency, all of which may enhance the legitimacy of WTO dispute settlement rulings, although ideally, further specification from the WTO Membership regarding the methodological content of the national treatment discipline would be preferred.
How is economic hardship avoided by those retiring before the Social Security entitlement age?
Authors: MILLIGAN KEVIN
Published: April 2014

Governments around the world are reacting to extended lifespans and troubled pension finances by increasing the age of retirement benefit entitlement. This paper studies those who retire before the age of full pension entitlement in the USA using data drawn from the Health and Retirement Study. The major finding is that four out of five people who have zero earnings at pre-entitlement ages are able to find a way to lift their incomes over the poverty line. For men, pension and annuity income are important while for women, spousal income helps most to get them over the line.
Spirituality in the context of life-threatening illness and life-transforming change
Authors: Young William C. , Nadarajah Sheeba R. , Skeath Perry R. , Berger Ann M.
Published: April 2014

Objective:

Individuals with life-threatening illness often engage in some form of spirituality to meet increased needs for meaning and purpose. This study aimed to identify the role of spirituality in persons who had reported positive, life-transforming change in relation to life-threatening cancer or cardiac events, and to connect these roles to palliative and supportive care.

Method:

A purposive sample of 10 cardiac survivors and 9 cancer survivors was recruited. Once the participants had given informed consent and passed screening in relation to life-transforming change and distress, they engaged in a semistructured one-hour qualitative interview on the theme of how their life-transforming change occurred in the context of their life-threatening illness. In the present article, our phenomenological analysis focuses on participants' references to purpose and meaning in their lives, with particular attention to the role and context of participants' spirituality.

Results:

Participants mentioned spirituality, meaning, and purpose in many contexts, including connecting with family and friends, nature, art, music, and sometimes creating a relationship with God. Participants often accessed spirituality by enhancing connections in their own lives: with a higher power, people, their work, or themselves. These enhanced connections gave participants greater meaning and purpose in their lives, and substantially helped participants to adjust to their life-threatening illnesses.

Significance of results:

Understanding the roles and contexts of spirituality among patients with a life-threatening illness allows us to develop better palliative and supportive care plans. Spiritually oriented supportive care may include support groups, yoga, meditation, nature, music, prayer, or referral to spiritual or religious counselors. A quantitative scale is needed to help healthcare clinicians assess the spiritual and coping needs of individuals with life-threatening illness.
Art for Twins: Yorùbá Artists and Their Statues/Twin Research Studies: Twins’ Education and Conceptions; Diurnal Preference; Inherited Eye Diseases; Ultrasound Counseling When Twins Are Conjoined/Popular Twin Reports: Twin Sisters (the Film); Rare Pregnancy; Diet Test; French Twins Reared Apart and Reunited
Authors: Segal Nancy L.
Published: April 2014

The Yorùbá of Nigeria are well known for their high twinning rate and the statues they create to commemorate deceased twins. An impressive collection of this artwork was displayed at the University of California's Fowler Museum in Los Angeles between October 13, 2013 and March 2, 2014. An overview of this exhibit is provided. Next, twin research on maternal education and conception, diurnal preference, inherited eye diseases, and ultrasound counseling for couples with conjoined twins are briefly summarized. This article concludes with a discussion of media-based items related to twins. The topics include an award-winning twin film, a rare pregnancy, a diet test, and the separation and chance reunion of monozygotic female twins.
Genetic and Environmental Relationships Between Change in Weight and Insulin Resistance: The Healthy Twin Study
Authors: Song Yun-Mi , Lee Kayoung , Sung Joohon
Published: April 2014

We aimed to investigate the association between weight change from 20 years of age and insulin resistance (IR), and genetic and environmental relationships between these traits. In 594 Korean twins and family members (209 men, 385 women, 44.0 ± 10.8 years old), the percentage of weight change was calculated using self-reported body weight at 20 years of age and currently measured bodyweight. IR traits were assessed using fasting plasma glucose and insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of IR index (HOMA-IR), and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Linear mixed analysis was applied after adjusting for household, body mass index (BMI) at the age of 20 years, age, sex, alcohol, smoking, physical activity, and caloric intake. Heritabilities and genetic and environmental correlations were estimated after adjusting for covariates. In 55 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for HOMA-IR level by >0.3, a conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted regarding weight change. Increases in glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR and a decrease in QUICKI were associated with a higher percentage of weight change (p < .05). Estimated heritabilities for IR traits were 0.401–0.606 (p < .001). In cross-trait relationships, environmental correlations were -0.43–0.42 (p < .05 for all IR), while genetic correlations were -0.27–0.27 (p < .05 for QUICKI, insulin, and HOMA-IR). In 55 pairs of monozygotic twins, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for having a higher level of HOMA-IR was 1.10 (1.03–1.17) with 1% increase in weight change since 20 years old, after adjusting for lifestyle-related factors. In conclusion, both genetic and environmental influences played significant roles in the positive association between weight change from 20 years of age and IR.
EpiPen: An R Package to Investigate Two-Locus Epistatic Models
Authors: Walters Raymond K. , Laurin Charles , Lubke Gitta H.
Published: April 2014

Epistasis is a growing area of research in genome-wide studies, but the differences between alternative definitions of epistasis remain a source of confusion for many researchers. One problem is that models for epistasis are presented in a number of formats, some of which have difficult-to-interpret parameters. In addition, the relation between the different models is rarely explained. Existing software for testing epistatic interactions between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) does not provide the flexibility to compare the available model parameterizations. For that reason we have developed an R package for investigating epistatic and penetrance models, EpiPen, to aid users who wish to easily compare, interpret, and utilize models for two-locus epistatic interactions. EpiPen facilitates research on SNP-SNP interactions by allowing the R user to easily convert between common parametric forms for two-locus interactions, generate data for simulation studies, and perform power analyses for the selected model with a continuous or dichotomous phenotype. The usefulness of the package for model interpretation and power analysis is illustrated using data on rheumatoid arthritis.
A Nationally Representative Epidemiological and Risk Factor Assessment of Child Mental Health in Vietnam
Authors: Weiss Bahr , Dang Minh , Trung Lam , Nguyen Minh Cao , Thuy Nguyen Tam Hong , Pollack Amie
Published: April 2014

As part of the global mental health movement’s focus on identifying and reducing international disparities, this study conducted the first nationally representative child mental health epidemiological survey in Vietnam. We assessed as risk/protective factors several family social structure characteristics (e.g., presence of grandparents, number of siblings in the home) of particular relevance to non-Western countries. Epidemiological data using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were collected at 60 sites in 10 of Vietnam’s 63 provinces selected to provide a nationally representative sample, which included 1,314 adult informants of children 6 to 16 years of age, and 591 children aged 12 to 16. Vietnamese children’s mental health functioning was reported overall to be better by approximately a third standard deviation than the international average; this international difference was particularly large for externalizing (behavior) problems as compared with internalizing (emotional) problems, suggesting that a cultural problem suppression model may be operating in Vietnam. Significant variability in mental health problems was found across provinces, emphasizing the need for nationally representative samples when conducting child mental health epidemiological surveys. Contrary to many other studies, in Vietnam higher SES was found to be a risk factor for attention/hyperactivity problems.
Time-resolved double-slit interference pattern measurement with entangled photons
Authors: Kolenderski Piotr , Scarcella Carmelo , Johnsen Kelsey D. , Hamel Deny R. , Holloway Catherine , Shalm Lynden K. , Tisa Simone , Tosi Alberto , Resch Kevin J. , Jennewein Thomas
Published: April 2014

The double-slit experiment strikingly demonstrates the wave-particle duality of quantum objects. In this famous experiment, particles pass one-by-one through a pair of slits and are detected on a distant screen. A distinct wave-like pattern emerges after many discrete particle impacts as if each particle is passing through both slits and interfering with itself. Here we present a temporally- and spatially-resolved measurement of the double-slit interference pattern using single photons. We send single photons through a birefringent double-slit apparatus and use a linear array of single-photon detectors to observe the developing interference pattern. The analysis of the buildup allows us to compare quantum mechanics and the corpuscular model, which aims to explain the mystery of single-particle interference. Finally, we send one photon from an entangled pair through our double-slit setup and show the dependence of the resulting interference pattern on the twin photon's measured state. Our results provide new insight into the dynamics of the buildup process in the double-slit experiment and can be used as a valuable resource in quantum information applications.
Design and development of heterologous competitive immunoassays for the determination of boscalid residues
Authors: Esteve-Turrillas Francesc A. , Mercader Josep V. , Agulló Consuelo , Marzo Javier , Abad-Somovilla Antonio , Abad-Fuentes Antonio
Published: April 2014

Antibodies and protein–hapten conjugates from novel boscalid derivatives were used to set up competitive immunoassays enabling sensitive detection of this modern fungicide.
Systematic experimental charge density analysis of anion receptor complexes
Authors: Kirby Isabelle L. , Brightwell Mark , Pitak Mateusz B. , Wilson Claire , Coles Simon J. , Gale Philip A.
Published: April 2014

The first systematic electronic resolution study of a series of urea-based anion receptor complexes is presented and shows the binding strength to be greater for more basic anion–receptor pairs in the solid state.
An overview of metal oxide materials as electrocatalysts and supports for polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Authors: Zhang Zhonghua , Liu Jie , Gu Junjie , Su Liang , Cheng Lifeng
Published: April 2014

In this review, we discuss the use of binary and multi-component metal oxides as independent electrocatalysts, co-catalysts and supports for various anode oxidation and cathode reduction reactions in polymer electrolyte fuel cells.
Organic salt NEDC (N-naphthylethylenediamine dihydrochloride) assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry for identification of metal ions in real samples
Authors: Hou Jian , Chen Suming , Zhang Ning , Liu Huihui , Wang Jianing , He Qing , Wang Jiyun , Xiong Shaoxiang , Nie Zongxiu
Published: April 2014

Organic salt NEDC has qualified as a good matrix for the MALDI MS analysis of metal ions.
Voltammetric determination of TBHQ at a glassy carbon electrode surface activated by in situ chemical oxidation
Authors: Wang Zhen , Yang Feng , Zheng Hao , Qin Xianjing , Luo Jiaojiao , Li Yue , Xiao Dan
Published: April 2014

Bare GCE surface is directly activated byin situchemical method, and the modified GCE exhibits a rougher surface and a negative-charge characteristic.
Electrochemically synthesized partially reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode for individual and simultaneous voltammetric determination of ascorbic acid, dopamine and uric acid
Authors: Aneesh Padamadathil K. , Nambiar Sindhu R. , Rao Talasila P. , Ajayaghosh Ayyappanpillai
Published: April 2014

An electrochemically reduced graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode with good sensitivity and selectivity was developed and applied for sensing AA, DA and UA.
New magnetic polymeric nanoparticles for extraction of trace cadmium ions and the determination of cadmium content in diesel oil samples
Authors: Ebrahimzadeh Homeira , Kasaeian Mansoure , Khalilzadeh Azita , Moazzen Elahe
Published: April 2014

A new Cd(ii)-imprinted polymer was grafted on Fe3O4nanoparticles as a sorbent for selective removal of trace Cd(ii), and was applied for determination of Cd(ii) in diesel oil samples after extraction induced by emulsion breaking.
A highly-sensitive electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+ using liquid phase-exfoliated graphene
Authors: Liu Guishen , Chen Jianpeng , Hou Xiaodong , Huang Wensheng
Published: April 2014

It is quite important to develop sensitive and simple analytical methods for the detection of toxic heavy metal ions, such as Cd2+ and Pb2+.
Controlling the energy transfer in lanthanide–organic frameworks for the production of white-light emitting materials
Authors: da Luz Leonis L. , Lucena Viana Bárbara F. , da Silva Gabriel C. Oliveira , Gatto Claudia C. , Fontes Adriana M. , Malta Marcos , Weber Ingrid T. , Rodrigues Marcelo O. , Júnior Severino Alves
Published: April 2014

White-light emitting Ln-MOFs ([Ln2(Mell)(H2O)8]) were obtained via LBL epitaxial growth.
The mechanism of selective molecular capture in carbon nanotube networks
Authors: Wan Yu , Guan Jun , Yang Xudong , Zheng Quanshui , Xu Zhiping
Published: April 2014

Atomistic simulations elucidate the mechanism of high selectivity and low flow resistance of molecular capture in carbon nanotube networks.
TAP study of toluene total oxidation over a Co3O4/La-CeO2 catalyst with an application as a washcoat of cordierite honeycomb monoliths
Authors: Gómez Diana M. , Galvita Vladimir V. , Gatica José M. , Vidal Hilario , Marin Guy B.
Published: April 2014

The total oxidation of toluene was studied over a Co3O4/La-CeO2 catalyst in a Temporal Analysis of Products (TAP) set-up in the temperature range 713 K to 873 K in the presence and absence of dioxygen.
The bioinspired construction of an ordered carbon nitride array for photocatalytic mediated enzymatic reduction
Authors: Liu Jian , Cazelles Rémi , Chen Zu Peng , Zhou Han , Galarneau Anne , Antonietti Markus
Published: April 2014

Diatom-inspired, hierarchical carbon nitride materials have been synthesized and used for the biophotocatalytic cascade enzymatic conversion of CO2 to methanol.
Natural and engineered biosynthesis of fluorinated natural products
Authors: Walker Mark C. , Chang Michelle C. Y.
Published: April 2014

Studying the biosynthesis of naturally-occurring and engineered organofluorine natural products may enable the development of new bioactive small molecules.
Metal–organic frameworks for artificial photosynthesis and photocatalysis
Authors: Zhang Teng , Lin Wenbin
Published: April 2014

This article reviews the latest progress in light-harvesting, organic photocatalysis, proton and CO2 reduction, and water oxidation using MOFs.
Formation of a Eu(iii) borate solid species from a weak Eu(iii) borate complex in aqueous solution
Authors: Schott Juliane , Kretzschmar Jerome , Acker Margret , Eidner Sascha , Kumke Michael U. , Drobot Björn , Barkleit Astrid , Taut Steffen , Brendler Vinzenz , Stumpf Thorsten
Published: April 2014

Using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) the transformation of a dissolved Eu(iii) borate species into a solid Eu(iii) borate was observed.
An in situ spectroscopic study of the local structure of oxyfluoride melts: NMR insights into the speciation in molten LiF–LaF3–Li2O systems
Authors: Rollet Anne-Laure , Matsuura Haruaki , Bessada Catherine
Published: April 2014

An in situ high temperature NMR technique evidences the local structure of lithium lanthanum oxyfluoride melts.
Single cell wound generates electric current circuit and cell membrane potential variations that requires calcium influx
Authors: Luxardi Guillaume , Reid Brian , Maillard Pauline , Zhao Min
Published: April 2014

Upon single cell wounding, calcium influx into the cell is required for the formation and maintenance of the wound electric current circuit and for cell membrane re-polarization.
Simple, low cost MHz-order acoustomicrofluidics using aluminium foil electrodes
Authors: Rezk Amgad R. , Friend James R. , Yeo Leslie Y.
Published: April 2014

We replicated a wide range of chip-scale acoustofluidics merely with aluminium foil as electrodes on piezoelectric substrates for microfabrication-free low-cost operation.
Cell patterning with a heptagon acoustic tweezer – application in neurite guidance
Authors: Gesellchen F. , Bernassau A. L. , Déjardin T. , Cumming D. R. S. , Riehle M. O.
Published: April 2014

An acoustic tweezer that creates bands of Schwann cells for nerve repair; transducer and phase switching enables tartan-like cell patterning.
Experimental and theoretical methods for the analyses of dynamic combinatorial libraries
Authors: Misuraca Maria Cristina , Moulin Emilie , Ruff Yves , Giuseppone Nicolas
Published: April 2014

Progresses in spatial and temporal analytical tools open new avenues for the study and control of increasingly complex chemical systems.
Switching off the single-molecule magnet properties of the [CoII(Me6tren)(OH2)]2+ module by complexation with trans-[RuIII(salen)(CN)2]−
Authors: Piñero Cruz Dalice M. , Woodruff Daniel N. , Jeon Ie-Rang , Bhowmick Indrani , Secu Mihail , Hillard Elizabeth A. , Dechambenoit Pierre , Clérac Rodolphe
Published: April 2014

A new mononuclear pentacoordinate CoII SMM was synthesized and associated with trans-[RuIII(salen)(CN)2]− to form a trinuclear complex without SMM properties.
Subwavelength imaging in the visible range using a metal coated carbon nanotube forest
Authors: Choe Jong-Ho , Choi Muhan , Lee Won Jun , Kang Byungsoo , Kim Jinhyung , Seo Min-Kyo , Min Bumki , Kim Sang Ouk , Choi Choon-Gi
Published: April 2014

Subwavelength imaging of resolution 0.3 wavelength is achieved in the visible range by using a metal coated carbon nanotube forest.
A nanoscale bio-inspired light-harvesting system developed from self-assembled alkyl-functionalized metallochlorin nano-aggregates
Authors: Ocakoglu Kasim , Joya Khurram S. , Harputlu Ersan , Tarnowska Anna , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: April 2014

Nanoscale supramolecular self-organization of Zn-chlorin units inside functionalized solid-state nano-templates is applied to develop well laid-out solar-light and solar-fuel conversion devices.
The metal tin promoted cascade reaction of ketones in aqueous media for the construction of 2-bromo-4-aryl-1,3-pentadiene
Authors: Liu Lingyan , Zhang Yan , Zhang Hua , Huang Kaimeng , Gao Bo-xin , Zou Min , Zhou Xin , Wang Hongkai , Li Jing
Published: April 2014

A novel Barbier-type allenylation cascade reaction of carbonyl compounds promoted by tin was discovered, and afforded a new, highly functionalized 1,3-pentadiene.
Efficient and economical synthesis of dendrimer-like polystyrene with long subchains through arm-first divergent strategy
Authors: Ge Xue-Song , He Chen , He Wei-Dong , Chen Sheng-Qi
Published: April 2014

Arm-first divergent approach combined with selective precipitation has been developed to synthesize dendrimer-like polystyrenes efficiently and economically.
KNa3Mn7(PO4)6: 2D spin-frustrated magnetic material with a diamond-like chain structure
Authors: Guo Wenbin , He Zhangzhen , Zhang Suyun , Yang Ming , Tang Yingying , Cheng Wendan
Published: April 2014

Mn sites have multiple polyhedra in an oxygen-coordination environment, forming diamond-like chains along the a-axis, in which triangles are constructed in the chains.
Facile fabrication of graphene composite microwires via drying-induced size reduction of hydrogel filaments
Authors: Koo Hyung-Jun , Kim Sung-Kon , Braun Paul V.
Published: April 2014

Graphene composite microwires with good electrical conductivities are formed by extrusion of a graphene oxide–agarose suspension followed by drying and reduction of graphene oxide to graphene.
Hypervalent iodine(iii) catalyzed oxidative C–N bond formation in water: synthesis of benzimidazole-fused heterocycles
Authors: Rao D. Nageswar , Rasheed Sk. , Vishwakarma Ram A. , Das Parthasarathi
Published: April 2014

A diverse array of benzimidazole-fused heterocycles was synthesized by in situ generated hypervalent iodine(iii) catalyzed intramolecular oxidative C–N bond formation in water and under ambient conditions.
A simulated peer-assessment approach to improving student performance in chemical calculations
Authors: Scott Fraser J.
Published: April 2014

This paper describes the utility of using simulated, rather than real, student solutions to problems within a peer-assessment setting and whether this approach can be used as a means of improving performance in chemical calculations. The study involved a small cohort of students, of two levels, who carried out a simulated peer-assessment as a classroom activity and their improvement in performance and attitude towards the activity was measured. The results demonstrate that a simulated peer-assessment approach can be successfully used in lieu of standard peer-assessment and that student attitudes favour the simulated approach.
Facile synthesis and performances of nanosized Li2TiO3-based shell encapsulated LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 microspheres
Authors: Yang Xiukang , Yu Ruizhi , Ge Long , Wang Di , Zhao Qinglan , Wang Xianyou , Bai Yansong , Yuan Hao , Shu Hongbo
Published: April 2014

LiMn1/3Ni1/3Co1/3O2 microspheres covered with a nanosized Li2TiO3-based shell shows high rate capability and excellent cycling performance as a cathode material.
Self-powered electrochemical deposition of Cu@Ni(OH)2 nanobelts for high performance pseudocapacitors
Authors: Chang I-Chun , Chen Ting-Ting , Yang Min-Han , Chiu Hsin-Tien , Lee Chi-Young
Published: April 2014

Aluminum-driven spontaneous electrochemical deposition.
Enzymes as bionanoreactors: glucose oxidase for the synthesis of catalytic Au nanoparticles and Au nanoparticle–polyaniline nanocomposites
Authors: Sharma Bhagwati , Mandani Sonam , Sarma Tridib K.
Published: April 2014

Biogenic synthesis of Au nanoparticles and Au nanoparticle–polyaniline composite could be accomplished taking advantage of the reducing and catalytic activity of glucose oxidase.
Distinct optical and kinetic responses from E/Z isomers of caspase probes with aggregation-induced emission characteristics
Authors: Liang Jing , Shi Haibin , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Gao Meng , Yuan Youyong , Zhang Wenhua , Tang Ben Zhong , Liu Bin
Published: April 2014

A dual-labeled probe for monitoring caspase activity was designed and synthesized based on a tetraphenylethene (TPE) fluorogen with aggregation-induced emission characteristics and a caspase-specific Asp-Glu-Val-Asp (DFVD) peptide.
Multiple retransmission strategy‐based HARQ for MIMO systems with acknowledgment bundling
Authors: Park Sangjoon
Published: April 2014

A new hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) scheme is proposed for multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems when the acknowledgment (ACK) bundling is applied for packet retransmissions. In the proposed HARQ scheme, both Chase combining (CC) and incremental redundancy (IR) are utilised for a retransmission request, and the proposed HARQ scheme is called a multiple retransmission strategy‐based HARQ (MRS‐HARQ). During the reception process of the MRS‐HARQ, IR packets obtain signal‐to‐noise ratio gains using the extended detection with CC packets and the improved IR packets are utilised to eliminate the interference from the CC packets. This sequential reliability improvement allows the MRS‐HARQ to decrease the occurrence of the deficient transmissions, and the proposed MRS‐HARQ can achieve an improved error performance and throughput over the conventional CC‐based and IR‐based HARQ schemes with the ACK bundling.
Nanopore‐application CMOS potentiostat design with input parasitic compensation
Authors: Kim Jungsuk , Dunbar W.B.
Published: April 2014

A low‐noise area‐efficient potentiostat design for nanopore applications is presented. By adopting a cascode amplifier and a Wilson current mirror, the input resistance is drastically decreased, which enables one to obtain a desirable bandwidth to detect DNA translocation events in nanopore sensors. A novel compensation technique is also proposed to relieve a deleterious effect by the input parasitic capacitances.
89 GHz zero‐bias Schottky detector for direct detection radiometry in European satellite programme MetOp‐SG
Authors: Hoefle M. , Penirschke A. , Cojocari O. , Decoopman T. , Trier M. , Piironen P. , Périchaud M.G. , Jakoby R.
Published: April 2014

An 89 GHz waveguide coupled direct detector based on a low‐barrier Schottky diode is presented. The main focus is to reduce white and 1/f noise to achieve high signal‐to‐noise ratio values above 35 dB. The design also addresses the Schottky barrier height deviation over temperature and its compensation within the RF circuit. The fabricated detector is characterised and compared with simulation results, proving a high accuracy level of the design and fabrication process, as well as good knowledge of the applied Schottky diode. The results prove the suitability of the detector to be considered for the second European meteorological operational satellite programme (MetOp‐SG).
High‐performance dual‐layer channel ITO/TZO TFTs fabricated on glass substrate
Authors: Chen Zhuofa , Han Dedong , Zhao Nannan , Cong Yingying , Wu Jing , Dong Junchen , Zhao Feilong , Liu Lifeng , Zhang Shengdong , Zhang Xing , Wang Yi
Published: April 2014

High‐performance fully transparent bottom‐gate type dual‐layer (ITO/TZO) channel thin‐film transistors (ITO/TZO TFTs) have been successfully fabricated on a glass substrate at low temperature (below 100°C). The results show that dual‐layer channel (ITO/TZO) TFTs, compared to the single channel TZO TFTs and ITO TFTs, exhibit better electrical properties, with a low Ioff of 1.5 × 10−11 A, a high on/off ratio of 5.78 × 107, a high saturation mobility μs of 292 cm2/V·s, a high linear mobility μl of 105.4 cm2/V·s, a steep subthreshold swing of 0.33 V/decade and a threshold voltage Vth of 3.16 V. The results show that excellent device performance can be realised in ITO/TZO TFTs.
Broadband characterisation of engineered dielectric fluids using microstrip ring resonator technique
Authors: Stegeman T. , Pfeiffenberger A.H. , Bailey J.P. , Hamilton M.C.
Published: April 2014

Characterisation results of the complex permittivity of select dielectric cooling fluids at room temperature and over a broad frequency range found using a low‐loss printed circuit board microstrip ring resonator technique are presented. ANSYS HFSS, a finite‐element full‐wave electromagnetic simulation environment, was used to fit the simulated insertion loss to the calibrated measurements of the microstrip ring resonator in air and submerged in different dielectric fluids. The resulting frequency‐dependent relative permittivity and loss tangent are provided up to 50 GHz for three dielectric cooling fluids: 3M™ Novec™ 649, 3M™ Novec™ HFE‐7100 and 3M™ Fluorinert™ FC‐72.
Efficacy of coverage radius‐based power control scheme for interference mitigation in femtocells
Authors: Kpojime H.O. , Safdar G.A.
Published: April 2014

A novel coverage radius‐based downlink power control scheme to mitigate interference in densely deployed femtocells is presented. A femtocell access point (FAP) self‐update algorithm is implemented, which determines the coverage radius of the femtocell with respect to its farthest served femtocell user equipment (FUE). Based on varying coverage radii, a max/min function is used to adjust the downlink transmit power value of a FAP. System‐level simulations are performed to compare the performance of the presented scheme with the existing fixed coverage radius schemes. Even though the proposed scheme results in better cross‐tier signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) values, due to a low co‐tier SINR it is found that the efficacy of adaptive power control schemes based on the pilot power of a FAP is less significant if FUEs are located close to the neighbouring FAPs in densely deployed urban femtocells.
Two‐dimensional displacement and alignment sensor based on reflection coefficients of open microstrip lines loaded with split ring resonators
Authors: Horestani A.K. , Naqui J. , Abbott D. , Fumeaux C. , Martín F.
Published: April 2014

A two‐dimensional displacement and alignment sensor is proposed based on two open‐ended transmission lines, each loaded with a split ring resonator (SRR). In this arrangement, the depth of resonance‐induced notches in the reflection coefficients can be used to sense a displacement of the loading SRRs in two orthogonal directions. Since the operation principle of the sensor is based on the symmetry properties of SRR‐loaded transmission lines, the proposed sensor benefits from immunity to variations in ambient conditions. More importantly, it is shown that in contrast to previously published metamaterial‐inspired two‐dimensional displacement and alignment sensors, the proposed sensor can be operated at a single fixed frequency. The concept and simulation results are validated through measurement.
Compressive sensing of images based on discrete periodic Radon transform
Authors: Ou G.‐W. , Lun D.P.‐K. , Ling B.W.‐K.
Published: April 2014

A new compressive sensing (CS) scheme using the structured random matrix and the discrete periodic Radon transform (DPRT) is proposed. The new scheme first pre‐randomises the sensing image and the DPRT is applied to the randomised samples to generate the so‐called DPRT projections. They are then randomly selected to obtain the final sensing measurements. As the DPRT is friendly to hardware/optics implementation, it improves the operability and lowers the cost for real‐time CS applications. Compared with other similar transforms such as the Walsh–Hadamard transform, the proposed DPRT scheme gives much better reconstructed images as shown in the simulation results.
Adaptive power allocation strategies for distributed space‐time coding in cooperative MIMO networks
Authors: Peng Tong , de Lamare Rodrigo C. , Schmeink Anke
Published: April 2014

Adaptive power allocation (PA) algorithms with different criteria for a cooperative multiple‐input multiple‐output network equipped with distributed space‐time coding are proposed and evaluated. Joint constrained optimisation algorithms to determine the PA parameters and the receive filter are proposed for each transmitted symbol in each link, as well as the channel coefficients matrix. Linear receive filter and maximum‐likelihood detection are considered with amplify‐and‐forward and decode‐and‐forward cooperation strategies. In these proposed algorithms, the elements in the PA matrices are optimised at the destination node and then transmitted back to the relay nodes via a feedback channel. The effects of the feedback errors are considered. Linear minimum mean square error expressions and the PA matrices depend on each other and are updated iteratively. Stochastic gradient algorithms are developed with reduced computational complexity. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms obtain significant performance gains as compared with existing PA schemes.
Sparse channel estimation of pulse‐shaping multiple‐input–multiple‐output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems with an approximate gradient l2−Sl0 reconstruction algorithm
Authors: Ye Xinrong , Zhu Wei‐Ping
Published: April 2014

Most of the existing compressed channel‐sensing methods for multiple‐input–multiple‐output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO‐OFDM) systems did not take into account the pulse‐shaping filter in the transmitter and matched filter in the receiver. However, these two filters are commonly used in digital communication systems. The compressed channel‐sensing problem of pulse‐shaping MIMO‐OFDM systems is first formulated. A new signal‐reconstruction algorithm in the compressed sensing framework is then proposed. The algorithm is based on minimising a smoothed l0‐norm regularised least‐square (LS) (l2 − Sl0) objective function, and the unconstrained optimisation involved is performed by an approximate gradient method. Further, the proposed l2 − Sl0 algorithm is applied to reconstruct the channel impulse response. A number of computer simulation‐based experiments are conducted, showing a better reconstruction accuracy of the l2 − Sl0 algorithm as compared with the smoothed l0‐norm (Sl0) algorithm. The proposed channel estimation approach can save nearly 25% pilot signals to maintain the same mean square error and bit error rate performances as given by the conventional LS method.
Self‐interference cancellation for two‐way amplify‐and‐forward relaying systems
Authors: Shin Joonwoo , Seo Bangwon
Published: April 2014

This study proposes implementation of two‐way amplify‐and‐forward relaying systems in practical environments where signals from two source nodes arrive at a relay with different propagation delays. The authors develop a self‐interference delay and channel estimation technique applicable for practical environments. Whereas receiver processing in conventional schemes is performed in the baud rate domain, in this work, oversampling (or Nyquist sampling) is introduced at the receiver to avoid any energy loss in the desired signal. They derive the proposed estimator in the oversampled domain on the basis of the least square criterion and also provide a design guide for the oversampling ratio and the application of a self‐interference canceller. They observe from the author's analysis and simulation results that an oversampling of 2 is sufficient, and it is not preferable to use a self‐interference canceller when L/(N·ISNR) is greater than 1, where the interference‐to‐signal‐plus‐noise ratio (ISNR) denotes the power ratio of the self‐interference to the desired signal plus noise, L is the channel length and N is the number of symbols in one time slot.
Throughput analysis of multi‐antenna cognitive broadcast networks
Authors: Ji Jianbo , Chen Wen
Published: April 2014

In this study, the authors analyse the throughput of random beamforming (RBF) for a multi‐antenna cognitive radio (CR) broadcast network. Using extreme value theory, the asymptotic average throughput of a single‐beam RBF and a multiple‐beam RBF are derived from the limiting distribution of the sample maximum of received signal‐to‐noise ratio (signal‐to‐interference‐plus‐noise ratio) with maximal ratio combiner at the secondary user. It is shown that the throughput of the single‐beam RBF scales as logarithm of the number of users, which stands in contrast to the double logarithm of the number of users in non‐CR networks. They also found that the single‐beam RBF is always much preferable to the multi‐beam RBF on the throughput in the CR networks, which is opposite to the previous results in the non‐CR networks. Simulation results show that the author's approximated expressions match with the simulation results very well.
Advanced metering infrastructure performance using European low‐voltage power line communication networks
Authors: Matanza Javier , Alexandres Sadot , Rodríguez‐Morcillo Carlos
Published: April 2014

Power line communication has recently attracted the attention of energy companies as a useful and natural technology for building the advanced metering infrastructure. In this context, device language message specification/companion specification for energy metering (DLMS/COSEM) is an increasingly popular standardised application protocol for communication between utilities and their customers. This study analyses the communication performance that can be expected when using the power line communication technology, powerline intelligent metering evolution (PRIME), to send DLMS/COSEM messages. Physical phenomena – such as background and impulsive noise sources, channel attenuation and multi‐path effect – are taken into account during the first step in the evaluation of this technology's communication performance in the physical layer. This metric is then used in upper layers to compute the packet error rate. An analysis is carried out at the application layer in terms of expected latency in different communication environments. Several simulations are performed in a European low‐voltage topology to compute the number of metres that can be read within 15 min. These simulations were carried out using MATLAB and OMNeT++ software.
Agricultural monitoring system based on ant colony algorithm with centre data aggregation
Authors: Sung Wen‐Tsai , Chung Hung‐Yuan , Chang Kuo‐Yi
Published: April 2014

This paper proposed environmental parameters are collected by use of outdoor ZigBee based weather stations as a prerequisite for the optimisation of plant growth. In most cases, all the sensors required are integrated into a weather station, due to which merely a single monitoring node is employed following data aggregation. An energy efficient center data aggregation algorithm, where an ant colony algorithm is applied to the construction of a level gradient field, is presented as an effective way to extend the life cycles of sensor nodes. A weather station and a ZigBee module both are portable and easy to install battery operated devices. Furthermore, a remote web‐based human machine interface (HMI) is developed by InduSof on a server, and has an access to a database. This proposed algorithm is confirmed by computer simulations as an effective approach to remarkably extend the life cycles of sensor nodes. This work can be applied not merely to traditional outdoor large scale farming, but also to small scale indoor plantation, e.g. in a green house, a plant factory, etc., and applied to the field of conservation ecology.
Optimised resource allocation under impulsive noise in power line communications
Authors: Chaudhuri Abir , Bhatnagar Manav R.
Published: April 2014

Power lines render very harsh and hostile environment for electronic data communication. The key characteristics of the power line channel are time varying nature, frequency selective attenuation and presence of impulsive noise because of random switching of power appliances. The impulsive nature of the additive noise has been ignored so far in the literature for resource allocation in power line communication system because this assumption results in intractable solutions. In this study, an approach of efficient resource allocation is introduced in order to maximise the throughput and achieve tolerable bit error rate of the power line system, by adapting power transmitted in each cycle, under additive Middleton class A impulsive noise (MCAIN). The proposed resource allocation technique utilises sub‐channel ordering to obtain a higher throughput; and provides improvement as compared to the existing zero forcing based resource allocation technique under additive MCAIN.
Quantised feedback sliding mode control of linear uncertain systems
Authors: Zheng Bo‐Chao , Yang Guang‐Hong , Li Tao
Published: April 2014

This study is concerned with the quantised feedback stabilisation problem for a class of uncertain linear systems by utilising sliding mode control schemes. It is an extension of our previous work from single‐input linear systems with matched uncertainties to multi‐input linear systems with matched/mismatched uncertainties. By applying an designed adjustment policy of the quantisation parameter, the proposed quantised feedback sliding mode control law can effectively eliminate the influence of the matched/mismatched uncertainties and guarantee the arrival of the sliding motion. Finally, an example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Fundamental trade‐offs between resource separation and resource share for quality of service guarantees
Authors: Shioda Shigeo
Published: April 2014

There are two possible resource‐allocation strategies for the quality of service (QoS) guarantee in the Internet: the resource separation and the resource share. The resource‐separation strategy allows a prioritised flow to occupy its own network resource, which is physically or logically separated from resources used by other traffic. The resource‐sharing strategy secures some portion of network resources for prioritised traffic, but secured resource is shared by all of prioritised flows. This study compares these two resource‐allocation strategies in terms of the provided QoS level. It is found that the two strategies form a striking contrast to each other in terms of the resource usage. The resource share can benefit from the statistical multiplexing gain, but it increases the envelope of each individual multiplexed flow. In contrast to this, the resource separation does not increase the envelope of flows so much, while it does not benefit from the statistical multiplexing gain. That is, the general belief that the resource separation like the IntServ provides better QoS is not always true, and various conditions including network topology or QoS target would determine which strategy is preferable.
Integrated service resource reservation using queueing networks theory
Authors: Brewka Lukasz , Iversen Villy Baek , Kardaras Georgios
Published: April 2014

This study analyses multi‐server multi‐service queueing networks with service protection. To guarantee each service a certain quality‐of‐service and at the same time ensure high utilisation of servers, a minimum capacity is reserved each service. In addition, all services share the remaining non‐reserved capacity and all buffers in such a way that the system becomes reversible. This implies the model has product form between nodes and is insensitive to the packet size distribution. An analytical model and algorithm for performance evaluation are presented.