bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phytosensors and Phytoactuators
Authors: Volkov Alexander George , Volkova Maya I. , Markin Vladislav S.
Published: March 2013

Plants continuously sense a wide variety of perturbations and produce various responses known as tropisms in plants. It is essential for all plants to have survival sensory mechanisms and actuators responsible for a specific plant response process. Plants are ideal adaptive structures with smart sensing capabilities based on different types of tropisms, such as chemiotropism, geotropism, heliotropism, hydrotropism, magnetotropism, phototropism, thermotropism, electrotropism, thigmotropism, and host tropism. Plants can sense mechanical, electrical and electromagnetic stimuli, gravity, temperature, direction of light, insect attack, chemicals and pollutants, pathogens, water balance, etc. Here we show how plants sense different environmental stresses and stimuli and how phytoactuators response to them. Plants generate various types of intracellular and intercellular electrical signals in response to these environmental changes. This field has both theoretical and practical significance because these phytosensors and phytoactuators employ new principles of stimuli reception and signal transduction and play a very important role in the life of plants.
Electrical Impedance Sensors for Cancer Cell Study
Authors: Yang Liju
Published: March 2013

This research used the label-free impedance technique to analyze the cellular activities oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and non-cancer oral epithelial cells. Three major research activities were included: 1) to study various cellular activities of OSCC cells, including cell spreading, attachment, proliferation, drug-induced apoptosis and inhibition of apoptosis; 2) to distinguish oral cancer cells and normal cancer in a label-free manner; 3) The resistance and capacitance components induced by the two types of cells on the microelectrodes were obtained by fitting appropriate equivalent circuits. This study demonstrated that the impedance-based method has the potential to be a useful analytical approach for cancer research.
Selectivity Enhancement of YSZ-based VOC Sensor Utilizing SnO2/NiO-SE Via the Application of a Physical Gas-Diffusion Barrier
Authors: Sato Tomoaki , Breedon Michael , Miura Norio
Published: March 2013

The sensing characteristics of an yttria-stabilized zirconia-based gas sensor utilizing an SnO2/NiO(+Al2O3) sensing-electrode (SE) were evaluated, with aspirations of selective ppb level detection of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The fabricated sensor gave a preferential response towards 50 ppb C7H8 (toluene), while exhibiting negligible responses towards interfering gases (C3H6, H2, CO, NO2, C2H5OH (ethanol)). However, it was observed that toluene detection was strongly affected by high concentration ethanol, which can peak to approximately 10 times higher concentration in indoor environments. To overcome this limitation, a physical gas-diffusion barrier which was comprised of nano-Al2O3 particles was formed on the exposed edges of the NiO-SE, which assisted in the effective oxidation of ethanol in the SnO2 catalytic layer, by avoiding direct penetration of ethanol into NiO-SE. The developed sensor was found to be capable of selectively detecting aromatic VOCs lower than the indoor guideline concentrations, with low interference from high ethanol concentrations.
CO Sensing Properties of Electrochemical Gas Sensors Using an Anion-Conducting Polymer as an Electrolyte
Authors: Goto T. , Hyodo Takeo , Kaneyasu K. , Yanagi H. , Shimizu Y.
Published: March 2013

An anion-conducting polymer (ACP) with large OH- .conductivity is very promising as an electrolyte of electrochemical gas sensors working at RT. Therefore, CO sensing properties of an electrochemical gas sensor using ACP as an electrolyte and carbon black (CB) powders loaded with n wt% noble metals (EC(nM/CB-ACP), n: 0.1-10, M: Pt, Pd or Au) as an electrode material were investigated in this study. Among the sensors tested, EC(10Pd/CB-ACP) and EC(10Pt/CB-ACP) showed comparatively large response and fast response and recovery speeds to CO in wet air (relative humidity: 57%) at 30oC. The magnitude of response of the sensors tends to decrease slightly with a decrease in RH.
Redox-Active Alkali Insertion Materials as Inner Contact Layer in All-Solid-State Ion-Selective Electrodes
Authors: Komaba Shinichi , Suzuki Chihiro , Yabuuchi Naoaki , Akatsuka Tatsuya , Kanazawa Shintaro , Hasegawa Taku
Published: March 2013

Lithium insertion materials, such as LiFePO4, have been widely studied as the electrode materials for rechargeable batteries. Alkali ions can be reversibly inserted/extracted into/from their crystal lattices associated with electrochemical redox. In this study, we apply lithium, sodium, and potassium insertion materials as inner contacting layers for the all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes which are covered with the outer ion-selective poly(vinyl chloride) membrane containing ionophore and plasticizer. The introduction of alkali insertion materials layer between Pt substrate and ion selective membrane is highly efficient for the stabilization of membrane potential and its prompt response when alkaline ion activity in analyte changes compared to those of the electrode without alkali insertion materials. Electrochemical measurements reveal that alkali insertion materials as the inner contact layers stabilize the membrane potential because of drastic reduction of interface resistance at the electrode, and thus improves ion-sensing performance.
Characterization and Electrochemical Response of Sonogel Carbon Electrode Modified with Nanostructured TiO2 and ZrO2 Film to Detect Common Neurotransmitters
Authors: Lunsford Suzanne K , Hughes Miyong K. , Nguyen P. K.
Published: March 2013

A new modified carbon electrode was developed by coating with nanostructured titanium dioxide and zirconium dioxide film and mixed film on top of graphite carbon electrode to detect common neurotransmitters such as 3,4-Dihydroxy-L-phenyl-alanine (L-DOPA) and dopamine. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) was the method for the detection with these new sonogel modified electrodes, which showed good reversibility and reproducibility. This study proved that the mixture of TiO2 and ZrO2 is promising and could be expanded due to their good thermal stability, good conductivity and chemical inertness.
Functionalization of Pyrolyzed Carbon Structures for Bio-Nanoelectronics Platforms
Authors: Hirabayashi Mieko , Mehta Beejal , Khosla A. , Kassegne Sam
Published: March 2013

In this study, the surface-treatment of pyrolyzed carbon microelectrodes - which are otherwise chemically inert - for improving their attachment chemistry with double-stranded DNA molecular wires as part of a bio-nanoelectronics platform is investigated. Pyrolyzed carbon microelectrodes are fabricated using standard negative lithography procedures with SU-¬8 (10) negative-tone photoresist on a silicon wafer. These microelectrode structures are then pyrolyzed and converted to a form of conductive carbon that we refer to as PSU-8. Functionalization of the resulting pyrolyzed structures is done using oxygen plasma etching and the results confirmed with Fourier Transform Spectroscopy. Post-pyrolysis analysis using Electron Dispersion X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) shows a decrease in oxygen content after pyrolysis and higher oxygen concentrations at the edges and location of defects. FTIR results confirm the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in both untreated pyrolyzed carbon (PSU-8) and plasma-treated PSU-8 structures.
Electrochemical Pump Consisting of Cu2+-Poly(Acrylic Acid) Gel
Authors: Takada Kazutake , Yamamura Naoki , Hayashi Atsushi , Yasui Takashi , Yuchi Akio
Published: March 2013

An electrochemical pump consisting of poly(acrylic acid) incorporating Cu2+ ion was developed. The pump discharges and charges liquid at the level of a few hundred of picoliter per second upon expansion and contraction of the gel induced by reduction and oxidation of the copper, respectively. The pump discharged ca. 5 μl of water at -1.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl for 3 h, whereas charged ca. 1.2 μl at +1.0 V for 3 h. At constant currents of -4.4 and +4.4 μA cm-2, the volumes of water discharged and charged were found to be nearly proportional to the charge at ca. 0.10 cm3 C-1 for both reduction and oxidation processes, except for an initial stage of the electrolysis. Further, upon repeated galvanostatic electrolyses, the same volume-charge slopes were obtained. These results indicate a reversibility and reproducibility of the pump.
Micro-Systems and Nanotechnologies in ELISA and Droplet Generation Applications
Authors: Yeh Chia-Hsien , Lin Yu-Cheng
Published: March 2013

Micro-systems and nanotechnologies were successfully applied for ELISA detection and droplet generation. Under the AuNPs as a label of antibody in the electro-microchip, the detection limit for the protein A is 1 ng/mL. Then, the developed microfluidic chips can spontaneously generate the droplets of four various concentrations in different microchannels and generate stable and uniform emulsions that are less than 5µm in diameter by using the electro-spray phenomenon.
Development of Insulated Conductive AFM Probes for Experiments in Electrochemical Environment
Authors: Wu Yexian , Akiyama Terunobu , van der Wal Peter Douwe , Gautsch Sebastian , de Rooij Nico F.
Published: March 2013

In this work, we developed a process to make insulated conductive AFM probes. The process is based on a previously reported PtxSiy CP-AFM. Following this fabrication, a feedback controlled electrochemical deposition of Au in a HAuCl4 based electrolyte is applied to coat a homogeneous gold cluster layer exclusively on the conductive tip apex. This modified device has the potential for connecting molecules and to measure their properties, which include both the mechanical force and the charge transport between the tip and a conducting substrate.
Trimethylaluminum-based Atomic Layer Deposition of MO2 (M=Zr, Hf): Gate Dielectrics on In0.53Ga0.47As(001) Substrates
Authors: Molle Alessandro , Cianci Elena , Lamperti Alessio , Wiemer Claudia , Baldovino Silvia , Lamagna Luca , Spiga Sabina , Fanciulli Marco , Brammertz Guy , Merckling Clement , Caymax Matty
Published: March 2013

As post-Si era for digital device is incipient, In0.53Ga0.47As is good candidate among n-type active channels with high electron mobility but - unlike Si - it lacks a well-established technology for dielectric gating which may bear aggressive device scaling. Here we propose a viable route for the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of high-κ dielectrics taking advantage from the well-known self-cleaning effect of the trimethylaluminum (TMA) precursor on the III-V compound surfaces. In this respect, the incorporation of Al2O3 cycles both as pre-conditioning surface treatment and inside the ALD growth of a MO2 host matrix (M=Zr, Hf) is here investigated. Al:MO2/In0.53Ga0.47As heterojunctions have been scrutinized by in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry and ex situ chemical depth-profiling analysis which validate a good physical quality of the oxide and elucidate the effect of the pre-conditioning cycles at the interface level. The resulting MOS capacitors have been characterized by means of multifrequency capacitance-voltage measurements and conductance analysis therein yielding a permittivity of 19{plus minus}1 both for Al:HfO2 and Al:ZrO2 and similar electrical quality of the interfaces. On the other hand, Al:HfO2 appears to be electrically more robust against leakage and endowed with a lower frequency dispersion in accumulation.
Growth Characteristics and Properties of Yttrium Oxide Thin Films by Atomic Layer Deposition from Novel Y(iPrCp)3 Precursor and O3
Authors: Xu Runshen , Selvaraj Sathees Kannan , Azimi Nasim , Takoudis Christos G.
Published: March 2013

A novel atomic layer deposition (ALD) route of Y2O3 thin films was developed and demonstrated utilizing Y(iPrCp)3 and O3. The ALD growth characteristics were investigated by varying precursor dosage, reactor temperature, and number of deposition cycles. The growth rate of Y2O3 was found to be 0.17 {plus minus} 0.01 nm/cycle within the ALD temperature window of 245 - 300 ºC. The resulting films were analyzed with spectral ellipsometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, in order to determine stoichiometry, impurity, annealing behavior, and refractive index. The results of this work demonstrate the potential for suggesting Y(iPrCp)3 as a suitable ALD precursor and Ar+ beam as an effective means of removing surface Y(OH)3 on Y2O3 films.
Synthesis of VO2 Thin Films by Atomic Layer Deposition with TEMAV as Precursor
Authors: Zhang Kai , Tangirala Madhavi , Nminibapiel David , Cao Wei , Pallem Venkateswara , Dussarrat Christian , Baumgart Helmut
Published: March 2013

Synthesis and growth of Vanadium dioxide on Silicon substrates has been investigated by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). ALD Vanadium oxide films were synthesized by using the novel Tetrakis[ethylmethylamino] vanadium {V(NEtMe)4} [TEMAV], as the vanadium precursor source and H2O vapor as the oxidizing source. The as-prepared ALD thin films were amorphous due to low temperature growth at 150 oC and exhibit a mixture of V2O5 and VO2 phases, which originiate from the V4+ and V5+ valence states of Vanadium found in the initially amorphous ALD thin film. We found that VO2 formation is strongly dependent on the amount of pressure and oxygen. The VO2 films were formed at 450 -500 oC and with an oxygen flow rate of less than 1 sccm in a vacuum of 2.7 E-2 Torr. ALD VO2 films, after furnace annealing, demonstrate well-formed roundish grains. The ALD VO2 thin films yielded an rms roughness of 3 nm by AFM analysis and are random polycrystalline after annealing.
Engineering the Abio-Bio Interface to Enable More than Moore in Functional Bioelectronics
Authors: Guiseppi-Elie Anthony , Kotanen Christian , Karunwi Olukayode , Wilson A. Nolan
Published: March 2013

The need for biocompatible, low impedance abio-to-bio interfaces suitable for implantable bioactive devices has led us to develop electroconductive hydrogels. Conductive electroactive polymers (CEPs) are one dimensional organic semiconductors synthesized from aromatic monomers into extended pi-conjugated polymers. The synthesis of CEPs in association with hydrogels produces class of hybrid materials with the conductivity of the CEP and inherent biocompatibility of the hydrogel. CEPs provide a means for the additive electrodeposition of biorecognition molecules to specific nano- and micron-dimensioned metallic and semiconducting sites on microfabricated metallic or semiconductor MEMS devices. Through judicious engineering of repeat unit chemistry, polymer architecture, crosslink density and microstructure, the mechanical, transport and surface properties may be controlled. Implanted, these materials enable programmed low voltage electro-release of factors suitable for mitigating inflammatory response. Finally, these hydrogels can accommodate supramolecular assemblies of CNTs and enzymes supporting direct electron transfer for generation-3 biosensors and implantable biofuel cells.
High-Speed Alkaline Etching for Backside Exposure of Through Silicon Vias
Authors: Yoshikawa Kazuhiro , Miyazaki Takumi , Watanabe Naoya , Aoyagi Masahiro
Published: March 2013

We developed the high-speed alkaline etching of silicon for backside exposure of through silicon vias (TSVs). The spin etching rate of silicon was 2.1-6.6 μm/min when an accelerator was added to KOH solution. The etching rate ratio of silicon to Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) SiO2 was 66-125. We also applied KOH/accelerator solution to 8-inch Si (100) wafer with buried Cu/Ta vias. The most of buried Cu/Ta vias were uniformly exposed. The terraced structures were generated in the Si surface, although their step height was so small as to be negligible for practical application.
Sparse‐Coding‐Based Computed Tomography Image Reconstruction
Authors: Yoon Sang Min , Yoon Gang-Joon
Published: March 2013

Computed tomography (CT) is a popular type of medical imaging that generates
images of the internal structure of an object based on projection scans of the object
from several angles. There are numerous methods to reconstruct the original shape
of the target object from scans, but they are still dependent on the number of angles
and iterations. To overcome the drawbacks of iterative reconstruction approaches
like the algebraic reconstruction technique (ART), while the recovery is slightly
impacted from a random noise (small amount of ℓ2 norm error) and projection scans
(small amount of ℓ1 norm error) as well, we propose a medical image reconstruction
methodology using the properties of sparse coding. It is a very powerful matrix
factorization method which each pixel point is represented as a linear combination
of a small number of basis vectors.
Airway Smooth Muscle Hypercontractility in Asthma
Authors: Berair Rachid , Hollins Fay , Brightling Christopher
Published: March 2013

In recent years, asthma has been defined primarily as an inflammatory disorder with emphasis on inflammation being the principle underlying pathophysiological characteristic driving airway obstruction and remodelling. Morphological abnormalities of asthmatic airway smooth muscle (ASM), the primary structure responsible for airway obstruction seen in asthma, have long been described, but surprisingly, until recently, relatively small number of studies investigated whether asthmatic ASM was also fundamentally different in its functional properties. Evidence from recent studies done on single ASM cells and on ASM-impregnated gel cultures have shown that asthmatic ASM is intrinsically hypercontractile. Several elements of the ASM contraction apparatus in asthmatics and in animal models of asthma have been found to be different from nonasthmatics. These differences include some regulatory contractile proteins and also some components of both the calcium-dependent and calcium-independent contraction signalling pathways. Furthermore, oxidative stress was also found to be heightened in asthmatic ASM and contributes to hypercontractility. Understanding the abnormalities and mechanisms driving asthmatic ASM hypercontractility provides a great potential for the development of new targeted drugs, other than the conventional current anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator therapies, to address the desperate unmet need especially in patients with severe and persistent asthma.
Integrins in Trabecular Meshwork and Optic Nerve Head: Possible Association with the Pathogenesis of Glaucoma
Authors: Zhong Yisheng , Wang Jing , Luo Xunda
Published: March 2013

Integrins are a family of membrane-spanning proteins that are important receptors for cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. They also provide connections between the extracellular environment and intracellular cytoskeletons and are responsible for activation of many intracellular signaling pathways. In vitro and in vivo data strongly indicate that integrin-mediated signaling events can modulate the organization of the actin cytoskeleton in trabecular meshwork (TM) cells and are associated with astrocyte migration and microglia activation of the optic nerve head in patients with primary open angle glaucoma. Consequently, increase in resistance in the TM outflow pathways and remodeling of the optic nerve head occur, which in turn increases intraocular pressure (IOP), adds additional mechanical stress and strain to optic nerve axons, and accelerates damage of axons initially caused by optic nerve head remodeling. Integrins appear to be ideal candidates for translating physical stress and strain into cellular responses known to occur in glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
p-Stability andp-Stabilizability of Stochastic Nonlinear and Bilinear Hybrid Systems under Stabilizing Switching Rules
Authors: Seroka Ewelina , Socha Lesław
Published: March 2013

The problem ofpth mean exponential stability and stabilizability of a class of stochastic nonlinear and bilinear hybrid systems with unstable and stable subsystems is considered. Sufficient conditions for thepth mean exponential stability and stabilizability under a feedback control and stabilizing switching rules are derived. A method for the construction of stabilizing switching rules based on the Lyapunov technique and the knowledge of regions of decreasing the Lyapunov functions for subsystems is given. Two cases, including single Lyapunov function and a a single Lyapunov-like function, are discussed. Obtained results are illustrated by examples.
Preparation of Biocompatible Carboxymethyl Chitosan Nanoparticles for Delivery of Antibiotic Drug
Authors: Zhao Liang , Zhu Bingya , Jia Yunhong , Hou Wenjiu , Su Chang
Published: March 2013

Objective. To prepare biocompatible ciprofloxacin-loaded carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles (CCC NPs) and evaluate their cell specificity as well as antibacterial activity againstEscherichia coliin vitro.Methods. CCC NPs were prepared by ionic cross-linking method and optimized by using Box-Behnken response surface method (BBRSM). Zeta potential, drug encapsulation, and release of the obtained nanoparticles in vitro were thoroughly investigated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and killing profiles of free or ciprofloxacin-loaded nanoparticles againstEscherichia coliwere documented. The cytotoicity of blank nanoparticles and cellular uptake of CCC NPs were also investigated.Results. The obtained particles were monodisperse nanospheres with an average hydrated diameter of 151 ± 5.67 nm and surface of charge −22.9 ± 2.21 mV. The MICs of free ciprofloxacin and CCC NPs were 0.16 and 0.08 μg/mL, respectively. Blank nanoparticles showed no obvious cell inhibition within 24 h, and noticeable phagocytosis effect was observed in the presence of CCC NPs.Conclusion. This study shows that CCC NPs have stronger antibacterial activity againstEscherichia colithan the free ciprofloxacin because they can easily be uptaken by cells. The obtained CCC NPs have promising prospect in drug delivery field.
The Space of Continuous Periodic Functions Is a Set of First Category inAP(X)
Authors: Zheng Zhe-Ming , Ding Hui-Sheng , N'Guérékata Gaston M.
Published: March 2013

We prove that the space of continuous periodic functions is a set of first category in the space of almost periodic functions, and we also show that the space of almost periodic functions is a set of first category in the space of almost automorphic functions.
Integrated Channel Selector for Directing Fluid Flow Using Thermoreversible Gelation Controlled by a Digital Mirror Device
Authors: Shirasaki Yoshitaka , Tatsuoka Masayasu , Yamagishi Mai , Mizuno Jun , Shoji Shuichi , Funatsu Takashi
Published: March 2013

An integrated channel selector system employing thermoreversible gelation of a polymer was developed. Here, we show a system with3×3arrayed microchannels having nine crossing points. Infrared laser irradiation was used to form gel areas at several crossing points in arranging a flow path from the inlet to one of the nine outlets passing through certain junctions and channels. The multipoint irradiation by the infrared laser was realized using a personal-computer-controlled digital mirror device. The system was demonstrated to be able to direct flow to all nine outlets. Finally, we achieved to produce flexible paths for flowing particles including side trips.
DABCO Catalyzed Synthesis of Xanthene Derivatives in Aqueous Media
Authors: Paliwal Pradeep , Jetti Srinivasa Rao , Bhatewara Anjna , Kadre Tanuja , Jain Shubha
Published: March 2013

The reaction of 5,5-dimethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione with various heteroarylaldehydes afforded the corresponding heteroaryl substituted xanthene derivatives 1(a–f). The reaction proceeds via the initial Knoevenagel, subsequent Michael, and final heterocyclization reactions using 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as a catalyst in aqueous media. The synthesized heteroaryl substituted xanthenes 1(a–f) reacted with malononitrile to obtain different alkylidenes 2(a–f). Short reaction time, environmentally friendly procedure, avoiding of cumbersome apparatus, and excellent yields are the main advantages of this procedure which makes it more economic than the other conventional methods.
Effects of Caloric Restriction on Cardiac Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Bioenergetics: Potential Role of Cardiac Sirtuins
Authors: Shinmura Ken
Published: March 2013

The biology of aging has not been fully clarified, but the free radical theory of aging is one of the strongest aging theories proposed to date. The free radical theory has been expanded to the oxidative stress theory, in which mitochondria play a central role in the development of the aging process because of their critical roles in bioenergetics, oxidant production, and regulation of cell death. A decline in cardiac mitochondrial function associated with the accumulation of oxidative damage might be responsible, at least in part, for the decline in cardiac performance with age. In contrast, lifelong caloric restriction can attenuate functional decline with age, delay the onset of morbidity, and extend lifespan in various species. The effect of caloric restriction appears to be related to a reduction in cellular damage induced by reactive oxygen species. There is increasing evidence that sirtuins play an essential role in the reduction of mitochondrial oxidative stress during caloric restriction. We speculate that cardiac sirtuins attenuate the accumulation of oxidative damage associated with age by modifying specific mitochondrial proteins posttranscriptionally. Therefore, the distinct role of each sirtuin in the heart subjected to caloric restriction should be clarified to translate sirtuin biology into clinical practice.
Sponge‐Like: A New Protocol for Preparing Bacterial Ghosts
Authors: Amara Amro A. , Salem-Bekhit Mounir M. , Alanazi Fars K.
Published: March 2013

Bacterial Ghosts (BGs) received an increasing interest in the recent years for their promising medicinal and pharmaceutical applications. In this study, for the first time we introduce a new protocol for BGs production. E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS (Promega) was used as a model to establish a general protocol for BGs preparation. The protocol is based on using active chemical compounds in concentrations less than the Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC). Those chemical compounds are SDS, NaOH, and H2O2. Plackett‐Burman experimental design was used to map the best conditions for BGs production. Normal and electronic microscopes were used to evaluate the BGs quality (BGQ). Spectrophotometer was used to evaluate the amount of the released protein and DNA. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to determine the existence of any residue of DNA after each BGs preparation. Viable cells, which existed after running this protocol, were subjected to lysis by inducing the lysozyme gene carried on pLysS plasmid. This protocol is able to produce BGs that can be used in different biotechnological applications.
An Improved Algorithm for Calculating Friction Force and Torque in Involute Helical Gears
Authors: Han Lin , Niu Wentie , Zhang Dawei , Wang Fujun
Published: March 2013

Time varying frictional force and torque are one of the main exciting sources of vibration in helical gears. This paper presents an approach to determine the friction force and torque in involute helical gears considering nonuniform load distribution along contact lines. An analytical load distribution model is employed and extended to obtain the load per unit of length along contact lines. Friction force and torque models under nonuniform assumption are derived. Comparisons of the determined friction force and torque with the results from uniform assumption are made. In addition, the differences between constant friction coefficient and varying coefficient are revealed. Moreover, two typical design cases of helical gears are studied. Results show that the fluctuations of friction force and torque under uniform assumption are more significant than those under nonuniform assumption in sample I for a single tooth, but less significant for the sum of those of the three teeth, while in sample II, the fluctuations under uniform assumption are less significant than those under nonuniform assumption. The friction coefficient induced difference is negligible compared with the difference induced by load distribution assumptions.
Global Attractivity of a Periodic DelayedN-Species Model of Facultative Mutualism
Authors: Muhammadhaji Ahmadjan , Teng Zhidong
Published: March 2013

Two classes of periodicN-species Lotka-Volterra facultative mutualism systems with distributed delays are discussed. Based on the continuation theorem of the coincidence degree theory developed by Gaines and Mawhin and the Lyapunov function method, some new sufficient conditions on the existence and global attractivity of positive periodic solutions are established.
Unsupervised User Similarity Mining in GSM Sensor Networks
Authors: Shad Shafqat Ali , Chen Enhong
Published: March 2013

Mobility data has attracted the researchers for the past few years because of its rich context and spatiotemporal nature, where this information can be used for potential applications like early warning system, route prediction, traffic management, advertisement, social networking, and community finding. All the mentioned applications are based on mobility profile building and user trend analysis, where mobility profile building is done through significant places extraction, user’s actual movement prediction, and context awareness. However, significant places extraction and user’s actual movement prediction for mobility profile building are a trivial task. In this paper, we present the user similarity mining‐based methodology through user mobility profile building by using the semantic tagging information provided by user and basic GSM network architecture properties based on unsupervised clustering approach. As the mobility information is in low‐level raw form, our proposed methodology successfully converts it to a high‐level meaningful information by using the cell‐Id location information rather than previously used location capturing methods like GPS, Infrared, and Wifi for profile mining and user similarity mining.
Different Current Intensities of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Do Not Differentially Modulate Motor Cortex Plasticity
Authors: Kidgell Dawson J. , Daly Robin M. , Young Kayleigh , Lum Jarrod , Tooley Gregory , Jaberzadeh Shapour , Zoghi Maryam , Pearce Alan J.
Published: March 2013

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive technique that modulates the excitability of neurons within the motor cortex (M1). Although the aftereffects of anodal tDCS on modulating cortical excitability have been described, there is limited data describing the outcomes of different tDCS intensities on intracortical circuits. To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the aftereffects of M1 excitability following anodal tDCS, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to examine the effect of different intensities on cortical excitability and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI). Using a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design, with a one-week wash-out period, 14 participants (6 females and 8 males, 22–45 years) were exposed to 10 minutes of anodal tDCS at 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 mA. TMS was used to measure M1 excitability and SICI of the contralateral wrist extensor muscle at baseline, immediately after and 15 and 30 minutes following cessation of anodal tDCS. Cortical excitability increased, whilst SICI was reduced at all time points following anodal tDCS. Interestingly, there were no differences between the three intensities of anodal tDCS on modulating cortical excitability or SICI. These results suggest that the aftereffect of anodal tDCS on facilitating cortical excitability is due to the modulation of synaptic mechanisms associated with long-term potentiation and is not influenced by different tDCS intensities.
A Bilayer Resource Model for Cloud Manufacturing Services
Authors: Zhu Linan , Zhao Yanwei , Wang Wanliang
Published: March 2013

Cloud Manufacturing and Cloud Service is currently one of the main directions of development in the manufacturing industry. Under the Cloud Manufacturing environment, the characteristics of publishing, updating, searching, and accessing manufacturing resources are massive, complex, heterogeneous, and so forth. A bilayer manufacturing resource model with separation of Cloud End and Cloud Manufacturing Platform is proposed in this paper. In Cloud End, manufacturing resources are divided into single resource and complex resource, and a basic data model of manufacturing resources oriented to enterprise interior is established to store the physical characteristics. In Cloud Manufacturing Platform, a resource service attribute model oriented to actual users is established to store the service characteristics. This model is described in detail and realized with stateful Web Service Description Language (WSDL) document. An example is provided for illustrating the implementation of the concept.
Hybrid Ag2O/ZnO Heterostructures
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Yang , Jiao Yang , Qu Fengyu , Pan Qingzhi , Wu Xiang
Published: March 2013

The well‐aligned Ag2O/ZnO microflowers heterostructure was synthesized by a straightforward two‐step procedure. The diameters of the as‐synthesized products were as much as 1.5 μm. The as‐grown Ag2O/ZnO heterostructure was investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy analysis. A possible growth mechanism for flowerlike Ag2O/ZnO heterostructure was proposed based on the experimental results. Compared with pure ZnO microflowers, PL spectrum of the composite with only one strong peak at 383 nm showed good intrinsic emission.
CXCR1/CXCR2 Antagonism Is Effective in Pulmonary Defense againstKlebsiella pneumoniaeInfection
Authors: Wei Jing , Peng Jing , Wang Bing , Qu Hong , Wang Shiyi , Faisal Aziz , Cheng Jia-Wei , Gordon John R. , Li Fang
Published: March 2013

Klebsiella pneumoniae-associated pathology is largely mediated by neutrophilic inflammation. In this study, we administeredKlebsiella pneumoniaeto experimental guinea pig groups and the ELR-CXC chemokine antagonistCXCL83–72, ceftazidime, and dexamethasone to different groups, respectively. After 24 h, we assessed the animal’s pulmonary inflammatory levels, including gross histopathology, airway neutrophilia, lung myeloperoxidase levels, expressions of CXCL8 and TNF, and airway bacterial loads. Compared with ceftazidime and dexamethasone treatments, the administration of the ELR-CXC chemokine antagonistCXCL83–72alone was more effective than other methods, although it did not markedly attenuate the bacterial load. These results suggest new methods for the treatment ofKlebsiella pneumoniaepathology.
Effect of ZnO on the Thermal Properties of Tellurite Glass
Authors: Sidek H. A. A. , Rosmawati S. , Azmi B. Z. , Shaari A. H.
Published: March 2013

Systematic series of binary zinc tellurite glasses in the form(ZnO)x(TeO2)(wherex=0to 0.4 with an interval of 0.05 mole fraction) have been successfully prepared via conventional melt cast-quenching technique. Their density was determined by Archimedes method with acetone as buoyant liquid. The thermal expansion coefficient of each zinc tellurite glasses was measured using L75D1250 dilatometer, while their glass transition temperature (Tg) was determined by the SETARAM Labsys DTA/6 differential thermogravimetric analysis at a heating rate of 20 K min−1. The acoustic Debye temperature and the softening temperature (Ts) were estimated based on the longitudinal (VL) and shear ultrasonic (Vs) wave velocities propagated in each glass sample. For ultrasonic velocity measurement of the glass sample, MATEC MBS 8000 Ultrasonic Data Acquisition System was used. All measurements were taken at 10 MHz frequency and at room temperature. All the thermal properties of such binary tellurite glasses were measured as a function of ZnO composition. The composition dependence was discussed in terms of ZnO modifiers that were expected to change the thermal properties of tellurite glasses. Experimental results show their density, and the thermal expansion coefficient increases as more ZnO content is added to the tellurite glass network, while their glass transition, Debye temperature, and the softening temperature decrease due to a change in the coordination number (CN) of the network forming atoms and the destruction of the network structure brought about by the formation of some nonbridging oxygen (NBO) atoms.
Conduction Mechanism by Using CBH Model in Fe3+ and Mn3+ Ion Modified Pb(Zr0.65−xAxTi0.35)O3 (A = Mn3+/Fe3+) Ceramics
Authors: Sahu Niranjan , Panigrahi S. , Kar Manoranjan
Published: March 2013

Polycrystalline samples of manganese and iron substituted lead zirconium titanate (PZT) with general formula Pb(Zr0.65−xAxTi0.35)O3 (A = Mn3+ and Fe3+) ceramics have been synthesized by high temperature solid state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were recorded at room temperature to study the crystal structure. All the patterns could be refined by employing the Rietveld method to R3c space group with rhombohedral symmetry. Microstructural properties of the materials were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and compositional analysis was carried out by energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) measurements. All the materials exhibit ferroelectric to paraelectric transition. The variation of dielectric constant and loss tangent with temperature and frequency is investigated. The decrease of activation energy and increases of AC conductivity with the Fe3+ or Mn3+ ion concentration have been observed. The AC conductivity has been analyzed by the power law. The frequency exponent with the function of temperature has been analyzed by assuming that the AC conduction mechanism is the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model. The conduction in the present sample is found to be of bipolaron type for Mn3+ ion-doped sample. However, the conduction mechanism could not be explained by CBH model for Fe3+ ion-doped sample.
Outcomes of Endoscopic-Ultrasound-Guided Cholangiopancreatography: A Literature Review
Authors: Iqbal Shahzad , Friedel David M. , Grendell James H. , Stavropoulos Stavros N.
Published: March 2013

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can fail in 3–10% of the cases even in experienced hands. Although percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and surgery are the traditional alternatives, there are morbidity and mortality associated with both. In this paper, we have discussed the efficacy and safety of endoscopic-ultrasound-guided cholangiopancreatography (EUS-CP) in decompression of biliary and pancreatic ducts. The overall technical and clinical success rates are around 90% for biliary and 70% for pancreatic duct drainage. The overall EUS-CP complication rate is around 15%. EUS-CP is, however, a technically challenging procedure and should be performed by an experienced endoscopist skilled in both EUS and ERCP. Same session EUS-CP as failed initial ERCP is practical and may result in avoidance of additional procedures. With increasing availability of endoscopists trained in both ERCP and EUS, the role of EUS-CP is likely to grow in clinical practice.
Opioid Use in Fibromyalgia Is Associated with Negative Health Related Measures in a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Fitzcharles Mary-Ann , Faregh Neda , Ste-Marie Peter A. , Shir Yoram
Published: March 2013

As pain is the cardinal symptom of fibromyalgia (FM), strategies directed towards pain relief are an integral component of treatment. Opioid medications comprise a category of pharmacologic treatments which have impact on pain in various conditions with best evidence for acute pain relief. Although opioid therapy other than tramadol has never been formally tested for treatment of pain in FM, these agents are commonly used by patients. We have examined the effect of opioid treatments in patients diagnosed with FM and followed longitudinally in a multidisciplinary pain center over a period of 2 years. In this first study reporting on health related measures and opioid use in FM, opioid users had poorer symptoms and functional and occupational status compared to nonusers. Although opioid users may originally have had more severe symptoms at the onset of disease, we have no evidence that these agents improved status beyond standard care and may even have contributed to a less favourable outcome. Only a formal study of opioid use in FM will clarify this issue, but until then physicians must be vigilant
regarding the multiple adverse consequences of opioid therapy.
On the Fluctuation Induced Excess Conductivity in Stainless Steel Sheathed MgB2 Tapes
Authors: Rajput Suchitra , Chaudhary Sujeet
Published: March 2013

We report on the analyses of fluctuation induced excess conductivity in the - behavior in the in situ prepared MgB2 tapes. The scaling functions for critical fluctuations are employed to investigate the excess conductivity of these tapes around transition. Two scaling models for excess conductivity in the absence of magnetic field, namely, first, Aslamazov and Larkin model, second, Lawrence and Doniach model, have been employed for the study. Fitting the experimental - data with these models indicates the three-dimensional nature of conduction of the carriers as opposed to the 2D character exhibited by the HTSCs. The estimated amplitude of coherence length from the fitted model is ~21 Å.
Runtime Scheduling, Allocation, and Execution of Real-Time Hardware Tasks onto Xilinx FPGAs Subject to Fault Occurrence
Authors: Iturbe Xabier , Benkrid Khaled , Hong Chuan , Ebrahim Ali , Arslan Tughrul , Martinez Imanol
Published: March 2013

This paper describes a novel way to exploit the computation capabilities delivered by modern Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), not only towards a higher performance, but also towards an improved reliability. Computation-specific pieces of circuitry are dynamically scheduled and allocated to different resources on the chip based on a set of novel algorithms which are described in detail in this article. These algorithms consider most of the technological constraints existing in modern partially reconfigurable FPGAs as well as spontaneously occurring faults and emerging permanent damage in the silicon substrate of the chip. In addition, the algorithms target other important aspects such as communications and synchronization among the different computations that are carried out, either concurrently or at different times. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is tested by means of a wide range of synthetic simulations, and, notably, a proof-of-concept implementation of them using real FPGA hardware is outlined.
Heavy Chiral Fermions and Dark Matter
Authors: Alwall Johan , Tandean Jusak
Published: March 2013

Dark matter presents perhaps one of the most compelling direct indications of new physics beyond the standard model with three generations of fermions. In this paper, we survey several scenarios for dark matter in association with a fourth generation of chiral matter. The surveyed scenarios include stable heavy neutrino dark matter, composite dark matter consisting of stable heavy quarks, heavy quarks as mediators between the dark and visible sectors, and the four-generation standard model with the minimal addition of a stable real scalar field. We discuss the basic properties of the models, direct search constraints on their dark matter, and their collider phenomenology, as well as the possible effects of dark matter on the searches for a Higgs boson in the presence of four generations. We also comment on the potential implication of the recent observation of a Higgs-like new particle at the LHC.
A Compact Printed Quadruple Band-Notched UWB Antenna
Authors: Li Xiaoyin , Yan Lianshan , Pan Wei , Luo Bin
Published: March 2013

A novel compact coplanar waveguide- (CPW-) fed ultrawideband (UWB) printed planar volcano-smoke antenna (PVSA) with four band-notches for various wireless applications is proposed and demonstrated. The low-profile antenna consists of a C-shaped parasitic strip to generate a notched band at 8.01~8.55 GHz for the ITU band, two C-shaped slots, and an inverted U-shaped slot etched in the radiator patch to create three notched bands at 5.15~5.35 GHz, 5.75~5.85 GHz, and 7.25~7.75 GHz for filtering the WLAN and X-band satellite signals. Simulated and measured results both confirm that the proposed antenna has a broad bandwidth of 3.1~12 GHz with VSWR < 2 and good omnidirectional radiation patterns with four notched-bands.
Public Health Genomics and the New Molecular Epidemiology of Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Gilmour M.W. , Graham M. , Reimer A. , Van Domselaar G.
Published: March 2013

Laboratory methods that can unambiguously fingerprint pathogenic microbes are needed to investigate the transmission of human infectious diseases from diverse sources, such as from the community, from the environment, within hospitals, or from contaminated food or water sources. Public health investigations currently rely on laboratory subtyping methods that ultimately provide only a fraction of the total genetic information of a pathogen, and although there is widespread success using existing subtyping methods, they do not always provide sufficient evidence to link disease cases together into outbreaks or to link these human cases to the culprit source. Alternatively, whole-genome sequencing of bacterial pathogens provides an unabridged examination of the genetic content of individual pathogen isolates, enabling public health laboratories to benefit from comparative analyses of total genetic content. In this context, whole-genome sequencing represents the ultimate epidemiological typing method - a universally applicable, highly detailed typing platform capable of providing the entire genetic blueprint of a pathogen and distinguishing strains to the single nucleotide level. These new genomic methods, if implemented within existing public health laboratory response programs, promise to revolutionize the ability of the laboratory to provide information and evidence on the evolution, transmission and virulence for bacterial pathogens - and this revolution is launching the new field of ‘genomicepidemiology'.
Malaria Diagnostics and Surveillance in the Post-Genomic Era
Authors: Lucchi N.W. , Oberstaller J. , Kissinger J.C. , Udhayakumar V.
Published: March 2013

Genome sequences are available for 3 human-infecting malaria parasites, Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax and P. knowlesi, and population genomics data are available for many endemic regions. This review summarizes how genomic data have been used to develop new, species-specific molecular targets for better malaria diagnosis. The combination of bioinformatics and genomics has been used to identify new sequence targets suitable for diagnostic applications and assess their viability within the context of global Plasmodium sequence variation. The selection criteria maximized the sensitivity and specificity of the novel targets. At least one target from each species was found to be suitable for molecular diagnosis of malaria with some advantages over existing molecular methods. The promise of using genome sequence data to develop sensitive, genus- or species-specific diagnostic methods for other pathogens of public health interest is strong. This undertaking together with what we envision as the future of malaria diagnosis in the ‘omic' era is discussed.