bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Natural product pectolinarigenin inhibits osteosarcoma growth and metastasis via SHP-1-mediated STAT3 signaling inhibition
Authors: Zhang Tao , Li Suoyuan , Li Jingjie , Yin Fei , Hua Yingqi , Wang Zhouying , Lin Binhui , Wang Hongsheng , Zou Dongqing , Zhou Zifei , Xu Jing , Yi Chengqing , Cai Zhengdong
Published: October 2016

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has important roles in cancer aggressiveness and has been confirmed as an attractive target for cancer therapy. In this study, we used a dual-luciferase assay to identify that pectolinarigenin inhibited STAT3 activity. Further studies showed pectolinarigenin inhibited constitutive and interleukin-6-induced STAT3 signaling, diminished the accumulation of STAT3 in the nucleus and blocked STAT3 DNA-binding activity in osteosarcoma cells. Mechanism investigations indicated that pectolinarigenin disturbed the STAT3/DNA methyltransferase 1/HDAC1 histone deacetylase 1 complex formation in the promoter region of SHP-1, which reversely mediates STAT3 signaling, leading to the upregulation of SHP-1 expression in osteosarcoma. We also found pectolinarigenin significantly suppressed osteosarcoma cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and reduced the level of STAT3 downstream proteins cyclin D1, Survivin, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma extra-large (Bcl-xl) and myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1). In addition, pectolinarigenin inhibited migration, invasion and reserved epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in osteosarcoma cells. In spontaneous and patient-derived xenograft models of osteosarcoma, we identified administration (intraperitoneal) of pectolinarigenin (20 mg/kg/2 days and 50 mg/kg/2 days) blocked STAT3 activation and impaired tumor growth and metastasis with superior pharmacodynamic properties. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that pectolinarigenin may be a candidate for osteosarcoma intervention linked to its STAT3 signaling inhibitory activity.
XAB2 functions in mitotic cell cycle progression via transcriptional regulation of CENPE
Authors: Hou Shuai , Li Na , Zhang Qian , Li Hui , Wei Xinyue , Hao Tian , Li Yue , Azam Sikandar , Liu Caigang , Cheng Wei , Jin Bilian , Liu Quentin , Li Man , Lei Haixin
Published: October 2016

Xeroderma pigmentosum group A (XPA)-binding protein 2 (XAB2) is a multi-functional protein that plays critical role in processes including transcription, transcription-coupled DNA repair, pre-mRNA splicing, homologous recombination and mRNA export. Microarray analysis on gene expression in XAB2 knockdown cells reveals that many genes with significant change in expression function in mitotic cell cycle regulation. Fluorescence-activated cell scanner analysis confirmed XAB2 depletion led to cell arrest in G2/M phase, mostly at prophase or prometaphase. Live cell imaging further disclosed that XAB2 knockdown induced severe mitotic defects including chromosome misalignment and defects in segregation, leading to mitotic arrest, mitotic catastrophe and subsequent cell death. Among top genes down-regulated by XAB2 depletion is mitotic motor protein centrosome-associated protein E (CENPE). Knockdown CENPE showed similar phenotypes to loss of XAB2, but CENPE knockdown followed by XAB2 depletion did not further enhance cell cycle arrest. Luciferase assay on CENPE promoter showed that overexpression of XAB2 increased luciferase activity, whereas XAB2 depletion resulted in striking reduction of luciferase activity. Further mapping revealed a region in CENPE promoter that is required for the transcriptional regulation by XAB2. Moreover, ChIP assay showed that XAB2 interacted with CENPE promoter. Together, these results support a novel function of XAB2 in mitotic cell cycle regulation, which is partially mediated by transcription regulation on CENPE.
Ras signaling regulates osteoprogenitor cell proliferation and bone formation
Authors: Papaioannou Garyfallia , Mirzamohammadi Fatemeh , Kobayashi Tatsuya
Published: October 2016

During endochondral bone development, osteoblasts are continuously differentiated from locally residing progenitor cells. However, the regulation of such endogenous osteoprogenitor cells is still poorly understood mainly due to the difficulty in identifying such cells in vivo. In this paper, we genetically labeled different cell populations of the osteoblast linage using stage-specific, tamoxifen-inducible Cre transgenic mice to investigate their responses to a proliferative stimulus. We have found that overactivation of Kras signaling in type II collagen-positive, immature osteoprogenitor cells, but not in mature osteoblasts, substantially increases the number of their descendant stromal cells and mature osteoblasts, and subsequently increases bone mass. This effect was mediated by both, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K), pathways. Thus we demonstrate that Ras signaling stimulates proliferation of immature osteoprogenitor cells to increase the number of their osteoblastic descendants in a cell-autonomous fashion.
LWD–TCP complex activates the morning gene CCA1 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wu Jing-Fen , Tsai Huang-Lung , Joanito Ignasius , Wu Yi-Chen , Chang Chin-Wen , Li Yi-Hang , Wang Ying , Hong Jong Chan , Chu Jhih-Wei , Hsu Chao-Ping , Wu Shu-Hsing
Published: October 2016

A double-negative feedback loop formed by the morning genes CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1)/LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) and the evening gene TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1 (TOC1) contributes to regulation of the circadian clock in Arabidopsis. A 24-h circadian cycle starts with the peak expression of CCA1 at dawn. Although CCA1 is targeted by multiple transcriptional repressors, including PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR9 (PRR9), PRR7, PRR5 and CCA1 HIKING EXPEDITION (CHE), activators of CCA1 remain elusive. Here we use mathematical modelling to infer a co-activator role for LIGHT-REGULATED WD1 (LWD1) in CCA1 expression. We show that the TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1-CYCLOIDEA-PCF20 (TCP20) and TCP22 proteins act as LWD-interacting transcriptional activators. The concomitant binding of LWD1 and TCP20/TCP22 to the TCP-binding site in the CCA1 promoter activates CCA1. Our study reveals activators of the morning gene CCA1 and provides an action mechanism that ensures elevated expression of CCA1 at dawn to sustain a robust clock.
Short-term Effects of Outdoor Air Pollution on Lung Function among Female Non-smokers in China
Authors: Zhou Yun , Liu Yuewei , Song Yuanchao , Xie Jungang , Cui Xiuqing , Zhang Bing , Shi Tingming , Yuan Jing , Chen Weihong
Published: October 2016

Short-term exposures to outdoor air pollutants have been associated with lower lung function, but the results are inconsistence. The effects of different pollutant levels on lung function changes are still unclear. We quantified the effects of outdoor air pollution exposure (NO2, PM10, O3, and PM2.5) on lung function among 1,694 female non-smokers from the Wuhan-Zhuhai Cohort in China by using linear mixed model. We further investigated the associations in the two cities with different air quality levels separately to quantify the effects of different pollutant level exposure on lung function. We found the moving averages of NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 concentrations were significantly associated with reduced FVC. In city at high pollutant level, the moving average of NO2, PM10, O3, and PM2.5 exposures were significantly associated with both FVC and FEV1 reductions. In the low-level air pollution city, PM10 (Lag03-Lag05) and O3 concentrations (Lag01-Lag03) were significantly associated with reduced FVC, while PM10 (Lag03-Lag05), O3 (Lag0-Lag03), and PM2.5 (Lag04-Lag06) exposure were significantly associated with reduced FEV1. Our results suggest that outdoor air pollution is associated with short-term adverse effects on lung function among female non-smokers. The adverse effects may persist for longer durations within 7 days at higher air pollutant levels.
Growth Arrest Specific 2 (GAS2) is a Critical Mediator of Germ Cell Cyst Breakdown and Folliculogenesis in Mice
Authors: York J. Philippe , Ren Yi Athena , Zeng Jie , Bin Zhang  , Wang Fang , Chen Rui , Liu Jianqiao , Xia Xuefeng , Zhang Pumin
Published: October 2016

In the mouse ovary, the primordial follicle pool is established through a diverse array of signaling pathways and tissue remodeling events. Growth arrest specific gene two (GAS2) is a highly conserved cytoskeleton-associated protein whose in vivo function remains unclear. In Drosophila, loss of the GAS2 homolog, Pigs, results in infertility. We demonstrate herein that, in the mouse ovary, GAS2 is expressed in the stromal cells surrounding the oocyte cysts on 16.5 dpc, and in stromal cells surrounding growing follicles during juvenile and adult life. We have generated genetically engineered mice with inactivated Gas2. Gas2 homozygous mutant mice are viable but have severely impaired fertility in females, in which oocyte cyst breakdown is disrupted and follicle growth is impaired, with significantly reduced numbers of large antral follicles and corpora lutea. In these mutant mice, the organization of the basal lamina surrounding developing follicles is severely defective at multiple stages of folliculogenesis. We also found that Notch signaling activity was altered in ovaries from Gas2 null mice around the time of birth and during follicular development later in life. These results indicate that GAS2 is a critical and novel regulator of tissue remodeling in the ovary during oocyte cyst breakdown and folliculogenesis.
Cellular uptake of a cystine-knot peptide and modulation of its intracellular trafficking
Authors: Gao Xinxin , Stanger Karen , Kaluarachchi Harini , Maurer Till , Ciepla Paulina , Chalouni Cecile , Franke Yvonne , Hannoush Rami N.
Published: October 2016

Cyclotides or cyclic cystine-knot peptides have emerged as a promising class of pharmacological ligands that modulate protein function. Interestingly, very few cyclotides have been shown to enter into cells. Yet, it remains unknown whether backbone cyclization is required for their cellular internalization. In this report, we studied the cellular behavior of EETI-II, a model acyclic cystine-knot peptide. Even though synthetic methods have been used to generate EETI-II, recombinant methods that allow efficient large scale biosynthesis of EETI-II have been lagging. Here, we describe a novel protocol for recombinant generation of folded EETI-II in high yields and to near homogeneity. We also uncover that EETI-II is efficiently uptaken via an active endocytic pathway to early endosomes in mammalian cells, eventually accumulating in late endosomes and lysosomes. Notably, co-incubation with a cell-penetrating peptide enhanced the cellular uptake and altered the trafficking of EETI-II, leading to its evasion of lysosomes. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of modulating the subcellular distribution and intracellular targeting of cystine-knot peptides, and hence enable future exploration of their utility in drug discovery and delivery.
Broadband full-color monolithic InGaN light-emitting diodes by self-assembled InGaN quantum dots
Authors: Li Hongjian , Li Panpan , Kang Junjie , Ding Jiianfeng , Ma Jun , Zhang Yiyun , Yi Xiaoyan , Wang Guohong
Published: October 2016

We have presented broadband full-color monolithic InGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by self-assembled InGaN quantum dots (QDs) using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The electroluminescence spectra of the InGaN QDs LEDs are extremely broad span from 410 nm to 720 nm with a line-width of 164 nm, covering entire visible wavelength range. A color temperature of 3370 K and a color rendering index of 69.3 have been achieved. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence measurements reveal a strong carriers localization effect of the InGaN QDs layer by obvious blue-shift of emission peak from 50 K to 300 K. The broadband luminescence spectrum is believed to be attributed to the injected carriers captured by the different localized states of InGaN QDs with various sizes, shapes and indium compositions, leading to a full visible color emission. The successful realization of our broadband InGaN QDs LEDs provide a convenient and practical method for the fabrication of GaN-based monolithic full-color LEDs in wafer scale.
The origin of high PCE in PTB7 based photovoltaics: proper charge neutrality level and free energy of charge separation at PTB7/PC71BM interface
Authors: Park Soohyung , Jeong Junkyeong , Hyun Gyeongho , Kim Minju , Lee Hyunbok , Yi Yeonjin
Published: October 2016

The energy level alignments at donor/acceptor interfaces in organic photovoltaics (OPVs) play a decisive role in device performance. However, little is known about the interfacial energetics in polymer OPVs due to technical issues of the solution process. Here, the frontier ortbial line-ups at the donor/acceptor interface in high performance polymer OPVs, PTB7/PC71BM, were investigated using in situ UPS, XPS and IPES. The evolution of energy levels during PTB7/PC71BM interface formation was investigated using vacuum electrospray deposition, and was compared with that of P3HT/PC61BM. At the PTB7/PC71BM interface, the interface dipole and the band bending were absent due to their identical charge neutrality levels. In contrast, a large interfacial dipole was observed at the P3HT/PC61BM interface. The measured photovoltaic energy gap (EPVG) was 1.10 eV for PTB7/PC71BM and 0.90 eV for P3HT/PC61BM. This difference in the EPVG leads to a larger open-circuit voltage of PTB7/PC71BM than that of P3HT/PC61BM.
Oxidation mechanism of T91 steel in liquid lead-bismuth eutectic: with consideration of internal oxidation
Authors: Ye Zhongfei , Wang Pei , Dong Hong , Li Dianzhong , Zhang Yutuo , Li Yiyi
Published: October 2016

Clarification of the microscopic events that occur during oxidation is of great importance for understanding and consequently controlling the oxidation process. In this study the oxidation product formed on T91 ferritic/martensitic steel in oxygen saturated liquid lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) at 823 K was characterized at the nanoscale using focused-ion beam and transmission electron microscope. An internal oxidation zone (IOZ) under the duplex oxide scale has been confirmed and characterized systematically. Through the microscopic characterization of the IOZ and the inner oxide layer, the micron-scale and nano-scale diffusion of Cr during the oxidation in LBE has been determined for the first time. The micron-scale diffusion of Cr ensures the continuous advancement of IOZ and inner oxide layer, and nano-scale diffusion of Cr gives rise to the typical appearance of the IOZ. Finally, a refined oxidation mechanism including the internal oxidation and the transformation of IOZ to inner oxide layer is proposed based on the discussion. The proposed oxidation mechanism succeeds in bridging the gap between the existing models and experimental observations.
Identification of Comamonas testosteroni as an androgen degrader in sewage
Authors: Chen Yi-Lung , Wang Chia-Hsiang , Yang Fu-Chun , Ismail Wael , Wang Po-Hsiang , Shih Chao-Jen , Wu Yu-Ching , Chiang Yin-Ru
Published: October 2016

Numerous studies have reported the masculinization of freshwater wildlife exposed to androgens in polluted rivers. Microbial degradation is a crucial mechanism for eliminating steroid hormones from contaminated ecosystems. The aerobic degradation of testosterone was observed in various bacterial isolates. However, the ecophysiological relevance of androgen-degrading microorganisms in the environment is unclear. Here, we investigated the biochemical mechanisms and corresponding microorganisms of androgen degradation in aerobic sewage. Sewage samples collected from the Dihua Sewage Treatment Plant (Taipei, Taiwan) were aerobically incubated with testosterone (1 mM). Androgen metabolite analysis revealed that bacteria adopt the 9, 10-seco pathway to degrade testosterone. A metagenomic analysis indicated the apparent enrichment of Comamonas spp. (mainly C. testosteroni) and Pseudomonas spp. in sewage incubated with testosterone. We used the degenerate primers derived from the meta-cleavage dioxygenase gene (tesB) of various proteobacteria to track this essential catabolic gene in the sewage. The amplified sequences showed the highest similarity (87–96%) to tesB of C. testosteroni. Using quantitative PCR, we detected a remarkable increase of the 16S rRNA and catabolic genes of C. testosteroni in the testosterone-treated sewage. Together, our data suggest that C. testosteroni, the model microorganism for aerobic testosterone degradation, plays a role in androgen biodegradation in aerobic sewage.
TRPV1 dysfunction in cystinosis patients harboring the homozygous 57 kb deletion
Authors: Buntinx L. , Voets T. , Morlion B. , Vangeel L. , Janssen M. , Cornelissen E. , Vriens J. , de Hoon J. , Levtchenko E.
Published: October 2016

Cystinosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by lysosomal cystine accumulation due to loss of function of the lysosomal cystine transporter (CTNS). The most common mutation in cystinosis patients of Northern Europe consists of a 57-kb deletion. This deletion not only inactivates theCTNSgene but also extends into the non-coding region upstream of the start codon of theTRPV1gene, encoding the capsaicin- and heat-sensitive ion channel TRPV1. To evaluate the consequences of the 57-kb deletion on functional TRPV1 expression, we compared thermal, mechanical and chemical sensitivity of cystinosis patients with matched healthy controls. Whereas patients heterozygous for the 57-kb deletion showed normal sensory responses, homozygous subjects exhibited a 60% reduction in vasodilation and pain evoked by capsaicin, as well as an increase in heat detection threshold. Responses to cold, mechanical stimuli or cinnamaldehyde, an agonist of the related nociceptor channel TRPA1, were unaltered. We conclude that cystinosis patients homozygous for the 57-kb deletion exhibit a strong reduction of TRPV1 function, leading to sensory deficiencies akin to the phenotype of TRPV1-deficient mice. These deficits may account for the reported sensory alterations and thermoregulatory deficits in these patients, and provide a paradigm for life-long TRPV1 deficiency in humans.
Electrochemical Monitoring of Antioxidant Capacity in Food
Authors: Nagatani Naoki , Ushijima Hiromi
Published: October 2016

A number of methods have been developed for measuring the capacity and efficacy of antioxidants, but there is no simple and universal measurement method. In this chapter, the electrochemical monitoring of antioxidant capacity is introduced. The antioxidant capacity of foods was monitored by two different methods using electrochemical measurement. One was the electrochemical measurement of food constituents that can easily be oxidized by electrochemistry. The other was the electrochemical measurement of food constituents that were oxidized by radicals. The antioxidant capacity obtained from these two different methods was associated with the capacity evaluated by assay of DPPH, ESR, and vitamin C. The electrochemical measurement was performed by USB-powered portable potentiostats and disposable screen-printed electrodes. This system for electrochemical monitoring of antioxidant capacity can be easily extended to the development of a hand-held monitoring system.
Charge transfer process at the Ag/MPH/TiO2interface by SERS: alignment of the Fermi level
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Sui Huimin , Wang Xiaolei , Su Hongyang , Cheng Weina , Wang Xu , Zhao Bing
Published: October 2016

A nanoscale metal–molecule–semiconductor assembly (Ag/4-mercaptophenol/TiO2) has been fabricated over Au nanoparticle (NP) films as a model to study the interfacial charge transfer (CT) effects involved in Ag/MPH/TiO2.
Ultrafast ion migration in hybrid perovskite polycrystalline thin films under light and suppression in single crystals
Authors: Xing Jie , Wang Qi , Dong Qingfeng , Yuan Yongbo , Fang Yanjun , Huang Jinsong
Published: October 2016

This study reveals the important effect of light on ion migration behavior and morphology dependent light stability.
Synthesis of six-coordinate mono-, bis-, and tris(tetrazolato) complexes via [3 + 2] cycloadditions of nitriles to silicon-bound azido ligands
Authors: Portius Peter , Davis Martin
Published: October 2016

The unusual situation presented by a silicon centre coordinating four 1,3-dipolar ligands is exploited in thermally activated cycloaddition reactions with nitriles that lead to six-coordinate poly(tetrazolato) complexes of silicon.
Rational design of MnO2@MnO2 hierarchical nanomaterials and their catalytic activities
Authors: Zhang Bentian , Cheng Gao , Ye Wenjin , Zheng Xiaoying , Liu Hengfa , Sun Ming , Yu Lin , Zheng Yuying , Cheng Xiaoling
Published: October 2016

Lavender-like α-MnO2@α-MnO2 and balsam pear-like α-MnO2@γ-MnO2 were prepared and α-MnO2@γ-MnO2 exhibited a better performance than that of α-MnO2@α-MnO2 in dimethyl ether combustion.
Water sandwiched by a pair of aromatic rings in a proton-conducting metal–organic framework
Authors: Dong Xi-Yan , Li Xue , Li Bo , Zhu Yan-Yan , Zang Shuang-Quan , Tang Ming-Sheng
Published: October 2016

Water–benzene interactions are investigated in a metal–organic framework incorporating strong H-bond nets which contribute to distinct proton conduction.
Highly doped and exposed Cu(i)–N active sites within graphene towards efficient oxygen reduction for zinc–air batteries
Authors: Wu Haihua , Li Haobo , Zhao Xinfei , Liu Qingfei , Wang Jing , Xiao Jianping , Xie Songhai , Si Rui , Yang Fan , Miao Shu , Guo Xiaoguang , Wang Guoxiong , Bao Xinhe
Published: October 2016

High-density coordination unsaturated copper(i)–nitrogen embedded in graphene demonstrates a high performance and stability in primary zinc–air batteries with ultralow catalyst loading.
Aqueous p-type dye-sensitized solar cells based on a tris(1,2-diaminoethane)cobalt(ii)/(iii) redox mediator
Authors: Xiang Wanchun , Marlow Joshua , Bäuerle Peter , Bach Udo , Spiccia Leone
Published: October 2016

Using an aqueous electrolyte based on a tris(1,2-diaminoethane)cobalt(ii/iii) redox mediator in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells gives energy conversion efficiencies of up to 1.6% under AM 1.5 simulated sunlight.
(Biphenyl-2-alkyne) derivatives as common precursors for the synthesis of 9-iodo-10-organochalcogen-phenanthrenes and 9-organochalcogen-phenanthrenes
Authors: Grimaldi Tamiris B. , Lutz Guilherme , Back Davi F. , Zeni Gilson
Published: October 2016

We present here our results on the cyclization of (biphenyl-2-ethynyl) selenides to give two different types of phenanthrene derivatives, 9-iodo-10-organochalcogen-phenanthrenes and 9-organochalcogen-phenanthrenes.
Geminal difunctionalization of α-diazo arylmethylphosphonates: synthesis of fluorinated phosphonates
Authors: Zhou Yujing , Zhang Yan , Wang Jianbo
Published: October 2016

A general approach towards diverse fluorinated phosphonates via geminal difunctionalization reactions of α-diazo arylmethylphosphonates is reported.
Tuning dielectric transitions by B′-site mixing in hybrid double perovskite crystals (CH3NH3)2[K1−xRbxCo(CN)6] (x = 0.23–0.62)
Authors: Shi Chao , Han Xiang-Bin , Wang Ya , Zhang Wen
Published: October 2016

Mixing of the B′-site metals in (CH3NH3)2[K1−xRbxCo(CN)6] tunes the phase transition temperatures and therefore the switchable dielectric constant properties.
A study on reaction kinetics and development of silicide coatings on Nb–1Zr–0.1C alloy by molten salt technique
Authors: Tyagi M. , Vishwanadh B. , Bhattacharyya K. , Ghosh S. K. , Tewari R.
Published: October 2016

In this study a molten salt technique has been used to produce silicide coating on Nb–1Zr–0.1C alloy using a NaCl–KCl–NaF–Na2SiF6–Si melt.
High-performance self-powered perovskite photodetector with a rapid photoconductive response
Authors: Pandey Kavita , Chauhan Mihirsinh , Bhatt Vishwa , Tripathi Brijesh , Yadav Pankaj , Kumar Manoj
Published: October 2016

Here we report the development of a self-powered high-speed perovskite Schottky junction photodiode, which is very important for next-generation electronic devices.
A benchtop NMR spectrometer as a tool for monitoring mesoscale continuous-flow organic synthesis: equipment interface and assessment in four organic transformations
Authors: Archambault Cynthia M. , Leadbeater Nicholas E.
Published: October 2016

An approach is reported for monitoring continuous-flow reactions by means of a low-field benchtop NMR spectrometer.
Cu(0) onto sulfonic acid functionalized silica/carbon composites as bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyridines and nitriles under benign reaction media
Authors: Bhardwaj Madhvi , Kour Manmeet , Paul Satya
Published: October 2016

Bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts based on Cu(0) onto sulphonated silica/carbon composites for the one-pot synthesis of polysubstituted pyridines and oxidative transformation of aldehydes to nitriles.
Fabrication of a multifunctional nanocomposite containing INP coated with chitosan coupled with folic acid and loaded with quercetin in diagnosis and its possible treatment of cancer
Authors: Nandagopal Gunadharini Dharmalingam , Periyathambi Prabu , Sastry Thotapalli P.
Published: October 2016

Schematic representation of the fabrication of quercetin loaded folic acid conjugated and chitosan coated INP.
Simulation study and experiment verification of the creep mechanism of a nickel-based single crystal superalloy obtained from microstructural evolution
Authors: Yu Jingui , Zhang Shiming , Zhang Qiaoxin , Liu Rong , Tang Mingkai , Li Xuewu
Published: October 2016

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experiments were used to understand the creep properties and microstructural evolution of a nickel-based single crystal superalloy.
Catalytic effects of electrode material on the silicon tetrachloride hydrogenation in RF-arc-discharge
Authors: Kornev R. A. , Vorotyntsev V. M. , Petukhov A. N. , Razov E. N. , Mochalov L. A. , Trubyanov M. M. , Vorotyntsev A. V.
Published: October 2016

A silicon tetrachloride reduction in RF-arc-discharge (40.86 MHz) has been experimentally studied.
The roles of formic acid and levulinic acid on the formation and growth of carbonaceous spheres by hydrothermal carbonization
Authors: Qi Yujie , Song Biying , Qi Yang
Published: October 2016

The roles of formic acid and levulinic acid on the formation and growth of carbonaceous spheres.
Electron ballistic characteristic optimization in individual MWCNT by oxygen plasma treatment
Authors: Hu Chia-Te , Wu Jyh-Ming , Yeh Jien-Wei , Shih Han C.
Published: October 2016

Surface treatment and bonding oxygen species represent a practical method for strongly enhancing the ballistic characteristic of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) because the electrical properties strongly depend on the surface states.
High efficiency of bamboo-like carbon nanotubes on functionalized graphite felt as electrode in vanadium redox flow battery
Authors: Chang Yu-Chung , Shih Yu-Chen , Chen Jian-Yu , Lin Guan-Yi , Hsu Ning-Yih , Chou Yi-Sin , Wang Chen-Hao
Published: October 2016

B-CNT/TA-GF has high efficiency and good stability for VRFB application.
One step preparation of proton-functionalized photoluminescent graphitic carbon nitride and its sensing applications
Authors: Wang Yi-Ting , Wang Ning , Chen Ming-Li , Yang Ting , Wang Jian-Hua
Published: October 2016

Proton-functionalized g-C3N4 was synthesized using thiourea and HNO3 as source materials under microwave for only 3 min.
Near-infrared cyanine-based sensor for Fe3+ with high sensitivity: its intracellular imaging application in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Zhu Mingming , Shi Chuanxing , Xu Xitao , Guo Zhiqian , Zhu Weihong
Published: October 2016

A cyanine-based probe with N-(2-hydroxyethyl) amide arms was designed for Fe3+ with a remarkable colorimetric and fluorometric response. It was successfully applied to the imaging of Fe3+ ions in colorectal cancer cells.
Visible light photoinitiating systems based on squaraine dye: kinetic, mechanistic and laser flash photolysis studies
Authors: Kabatc Janina , Kostrzewska Katarzyna , Kozak Martyna , Balcerak Alicja
Published: October 2016

New very efficient blue-light absorbing dyeing photoinitiating systems for the photopolymerization of different acrylates.
Electrochemical current rectification with cross reaction at a TEMPO/viologen-substituted polymer thin-layer heterojunction
Authors: Tokue H. , Kakitani K. , Nishide H. , Oyaizu K.
Published: October 2016

The electrochemical large current rectification was achieved in the bilayer system composed of the TEMPO- and viologen-containing polymer thin layers.
In situ assembled La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 cathodes on a Y2O3–ZrO2 electrolyte of solid oxide fuel cells – interface and electrochemical activity
Authors: Li Na , Ai Na , Chen Kongfa , Cheng Yi , He Shuai , Saunders Martin , Dodd Aaron , Suvorova Alexandra , Jiang San Ping
Published: October 2016

Polarization can induce an LSM/YSZ interface which is electrochemically compatible with the one formed under high temperature sintering.
Prolonged lifetime and retarded recombination in dye sensitized solar cells using hydrogenated fluorine doped TiO2 nanocrystals as a photoanode
Authors: Su Ting , Yang Yulin , Jiang Yanxia , Shi Yan , Fan Ruiqing , Cao Wenwu
Published: October 2016

Novel HF-TiO2 nanoparticles are synthesized using an annealing method and applied in dye sensitized solar cells as an excellent photoanode nanomaterial.
2,2′:6′,2′′-Terpyridine-functionalized redox-responsive hydrogels as a platform for multi responsive amphiphilic polymer membranes
Authors: Schöller Katrin , Toncelli Claudio , Experton Juliette , Widmer Susanne , Rentsch Daniel , Vetushka Aliaksei , Martin Colin J. , Heuberger Manfred , Housecroft Catherine. E. , Constable Edwin C. , Boesel Luciano F. , Scherer Lukas J.
Published: October 2016

Amphiphilic polymer co-networks were functionalized with spyropiran and terpyridine yielding multi-responsive membranes with switchable properties and potential applications in drug delivery and medical sensors.
Black mesoporous Li4Ti5O12−δ nanowall arrays with improved rate performance as advanced 3D anodes for microbatteries
Authors: Xia Qiuying , Jabeen Nawishta , Savilov Serguei V. , Aldoshin Sergey M. , Xia Hui
Published: October 2016

3D black mesoporous Li4Ti5O12−δ nanowall arrays with greatly enhanced rate performance are fabricated as promising anodes for advanced lithium-ion microbatteries.
Chemical instability leads to unusual chemical-potential-independent defect formation and diffusion in perovskite solar cell material CH3NH3PbI3
Authors: Ming Wenmei , Chen Shiyou , Du Mao-Hua
Published: October 2016

The near-zero enthalpy of formation of MAPbI3 leads to unusual defect formation energies that are free from elemental chemical potential dependence.
Origin of the wide band gap from 0.6 to 2.3 eV in photovoltaic material InN: quantum confinement from surface nanostructure
Authors: Huang Pu , Shi Jun-jie , Wang Ping , Zhang Min , Ding Yi-min , Wu Meng , Lu Jing , Wang Xin-qiang
Published: October 2016

The origin of the wide band gap in InN is revealed and the surface nanostructure of InN with amazing characteristics is investigated in detail.
Fuzzy logic‐based risk of fall estimation using smartwatch data as a means to form an assistive feedback mechanism in everyday living activities
Authors: Iakovakis Dimitrios E. , Papadopoulou Fotini A. , Hadjileontiadis Leontios J.
Published: October 2016

This Letter aims to create a fuzzy logic‐based assistive prevention tool for falls, based on accessible sensory technology, such as smartwatch, resulting in monitoring of the risk factors of falls caused by orthostatic hypotension (OH); a drop in systolic blood pressure (DSBP) >20 mmHg due to postural changes. Epidemiological studies have shown that OH is a high risk factor for falls and has a strong impact in quality of life (QoL) of the elderly's, especially for some cases such as Parkinsonians. Based on smartwatch data, it is explored here how statistical features of heart rate variability (HRV) can lead to DSBP prediction and estimation of the risk of fall. In this vein, a pilot study was conducted in collaboration with five Greek Parkinson's Foundation patients and ten healthy volunteers. Taking into consideration, the estimated DSBP and additional statistics of the user's medical/behavioural history, a fuzzy logic inference system was developed, to estimate the instantaneous risk of fall. The latter is fed back to the user with a mechanism chosen by him/her (i.e. vibration and/or sound), to prevent a possible fall, and also sent to the attentive carers and/or healthcare professionals for a home‐based monitoring beyond the clinic. The proposed approach paves the way for effective exploitation of the contribution of smartwatch data, such as HRV, in the sustain of QoL in everyday living activities.
Fault‐tolerant control for linear systems with multiple faults and disturbances based on augmented intermediate estimator
Authors: Zhu Jun‐Wei , Yang Guang‐Hong
Published: October 2016

This study investigates the observer‐based fault‐tolerant control (FTC) problem for linear systems with multiple faults and external disturbances. Two novel types of FTC schemes are proposed, namely, the intermediate estimator‐based parameter adjustment (IEBPA) FTC scheme, which deals with linear systems with matched disturbances and the intermediate estimator‐based (IEB) H∞ FTC scheme, which is applicable to linear systems with mismatched disturbances. For the case with matched disturbances, it is shown that the IEBPA FTC scheme ensures the states of the closed‐loop system to be uniformly ultimately bounded with an explicit bound. For the case with mismatched disturbances, it is proved that the IEB H∞ FTC scheme guarantees the closed‐loop to be robustly stable with a prescribed H∞ performance index. A simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Filter‐based regularisation for impulse response modelling
Authors: Marconato Anna , Schoukens Maarten , Schoukens Johan
Published: October 2016

In the last years, the success of kernel‐based regularisation techniques in solving impulse response modelling tasks has revived the interest on linear system identification. In this work, an alternative perspective on the same problem is introduced. Instead of relying on a Bayesian framework to include assumptions about the system in the definition of the covariance matrix of the parameters, here the prior knowledge is injected at the cost function level. The key idea is to define the regularisation matrix as a filtering operation on the parameters, which allows for a more intuitive formulation of the problem from an engineering point of view. Moreover, this results in a unified framework to model low‐pass, band‐pass and high‐pass systems, and systems with one or more resonances. The proposed filter‐based approach outperforms the existing regularisation method based on the TC and DC kernels, as illustrated by means of Monte Carlo simulations on several linear modelling examples.
Exponential consensus of non‐linear stochastic multi‐agent systems with ROUs and RONs via impulsive pinning control
Authors: Ren Hongwei , Deng Feiqi , Peng Yunjian , Zhang Bo , Zhang Chaolong
Published: October 2016

Exponential consensus of non‐linear stochastic multi‐agent systems is investigated. The authors consider a class of non‐linear stochastic multi‐agent systems that are subject to time‐varying delays, randomly occurring uncertainties and randomly occurring non‐linearities. Impulsive pinning control algorithms are proposed to ensure that follower agents track the leader under a fixed topology. On the basis of the Lyapunov function and the Halanay differential inequality of impulsive dynamical systems, we derive sufficient conditions for the globally exponential consensus of the multi‐agent systems. Finally, numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results.
Digital signal processor based intelligent fractional‐order sliding‐mode control for a linear voice coil actuator
Authors: Chen Syuan‐Yi , Lee Cheng‐Yan
Published: October 2016

In this study, a digital signal processor (DSP) based intelligent fractional‐order sliding‐mode control (IFOSMC) is proposed to control a linear voice coil actuator (VCA) for the tracking of reference trajectory. First, a dynamic model of the VCA is analysed considering the system uncertainties. Subsequently, a sliding‐mode control (SMC) and a fractional‐order SMC (FOSMC) are developed for the VCA control system. With increased degrees of freedom for the control parameters, the FOSMC can improve the control performance of the SMC. However, because the uncertainties of the VCA are unclear, designing hitting control laws for the SMC and FOSMC is difficult. Thus, the IFOSMC is proposed for improving the adaptability and robustness of the control system. For the IFOSMC, a compensatory fuzzy neural network observer is designed to replace the hitting control directly while a switching compensator is developed to compensate for the observation error smoothly. A Lyapunov method is used to derive the adaptive laws for tuning the control parameters of the IFOSMC online. Experimentations regarding nominal and parameter variation cases were undertaken through the DSP. Experimental results show that the proposed IFOSMC significantly improves the control performances of the SMC and FOSMC with regard to the VCA control system.
Magnetic flux leakage modelling and optimisation of a CRAHMB for DC motor
Authors: Ren Xiaojun , Le Yun , Sun Jinji , Han Bangcheng , Wang Kun
Published: October 2016

In this study, a combined radial–axial hybrid magnetic bearing (CRAHMB) with four poles is designed for high‐speed brushless DC motor. Owing to the small distance of radial and axial unit of CRAHMB, the magnetic flux leakage (MFL) in both radial and axial directions is complex and serious. This study focuses on effective analytical model and optimisation of CRAHMB including flux leakage of permanent magnet circuit and control electromagnetic circuit. MFL analytical model was built based on equivalent magnetic circuit method. Under the condition of satisfying the maximum bearing capacity, the MFL coefficients were optimised with sequence quadratic programming method. A set of optimum parameters were suggested. MFL before and after optimisation are compared by finite element method. Finally, current stiffness calculated with optimised analytical model was verified on a DC motor experiment. The result shows the accuracies of both the axial and radial current stiffness are enhanced.
Hybrid local and global descriptor enhanced with colour information
Authors: Kabbai Leila , Abdellaoui Mehrez , Douik Ali
Published: October 2016

Feature extraction is one of the most important steps in computer vision tasks such as object recognition, image retrieval and image classification. It describes an image by a set of descriptors where the best one gives a high quality description and a low computation. In this study, the authors propose a novel descriptor called histogram of local and global features using speeded up robust feature (SURF) descriptor (HLGSURF) based on a combination of local features obtained by computation of Bag of words of SURF and global features issued from a novel operator called upper and lower local binary pattern (ULLBP) that encodes the texture analysis associated with wavelet transform. To enhance the effectiveness of the descriptor, the authors used the colour information. To evaluate the proposed method, the authors carried out experiments in different applications such as image retrieval and image classification. The performance of the suggested descriptor was evaluated by calculating both precision and recall values using the challenging Corel and COIL‐100 datasets for image retrieval. For image classification, the performance was measured by the classification rate using the challenging Corel and MIT scene datasets. The experimental results showed that the proposed descriptor outperforms the existing state of the art results.
New content‐based image retrieval system based on optimised integration of DCD, wavelet and curvelet features
Authors: Fadaei Sadegh , Amirfattahi Rassoul , Ahmadzadeh Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2016

A new content‐based image retrieval (CBIR) scheme is proposed based on the optimised combination of the colour and texture features to enhance the image retrieval precision. This work focuses on a uniform partitioning scheme which is applied in the Hue, Saturation and Value (HSV) colour space to extract dominant colour descriptor (DCD) features. In the proposed CBIR scheme, the DCD features are initially extracted as the colour features, and then an appropriate similarity measure is applied. Also, several wavelet and curvelet features are defined as texture features to overcome the noise and the problem of image translation. Finally, the colour and texture features are optimally combined by using the particle swarm optimisation algorithm. The findings show that not only the proposed colour, wavelet and curvelet features outperform the existing ones but also their optimum combination has a better accuracy in comparison with several contemporary CBIR systems. The performance analysis shows that the proposed method improves the average precision metric from 67.85 to 71.05% for DCD, 58.90 to 65.43% for wavelet and 53.18 to 56.00% for curvelet using Corel dataset. In addition, the optimum combination presents the average precision of %76.50 which is significantly higher than the other state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Integrated wind turbine controller with virtual inertia and primary frequency responses for grid dynamic frequency support
Authors: Fu Yuan , Wang Yi , Zhang Xiangyu
Published: October 2016

An integrated controller of wind turbines with both inertial response and primary frequency regulation (PFR) to provide complete dynamic frequency support for the grid with high wind power penetration is investigated. The wind turbine control governor contains two cross‐coupled controllers: pitch controller and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller. First, as a precondition for the PFR, a de‐loading pitch control scheme is proposed to reserve capacity required for frequency regulation. Then, by optimizing the MPPT scheme, the rapid virtual inertia response is achieved even under de‐loading operation condition. Based on the analysis of the steady‐state characteristics of wind turbines with frequency droop control, the primary frequency control strategy, which enables the adjustment of frequency droop coefficient, is further proposed through pitch angle changes. Thus, the PFR and inertial response can be both achieved by the proposed de‐loading pitch controller and optimized MPPT controller. A three‐machine prototype system containing two synchronous generators and a Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)‐based wind turbine with 30% of wind penetration is implemented to validate the proposed integrated control strategies on providing inertial response and subsequent load sharing in the event of frequency change.
Precise feature extraction from wind turbine condition monitoring signals by using optimised variational mode decomposition
Authors: Shi Pu , Yang Wenxian
Published: October 2016

Reliable condition monitoring (CM) highly relies on the correct extraction of fault‐related features from CM signals. This equally applies to the CM of wind turbines (WTs). Although influenced by slowly rotating speeds and constantly varying loading, extracting fault characteristics from lengthy, nonlinear, non‐stationary WT CM signals is extremely difficult, which makes WT CM one of the most challenge tasks in wind power asset management despites that lots of efforts have been spent. Attributed to the superiorities to empirical mode decomposition and its extension form Hilbert–Huang transform in dealing with nonlinear, non‐stationary CM signals, the recently developed variational mode decomposition (VMD) casts a glimmer of light for the solution for this issue. However, the original proposed VMD adopts default values for both number of modes and filter frequency bandwidth. It is not adaptive to the signal being inspected. As a consequence, it would lead to inaccurate feature extraction thus unreliable WT CM result sometimes. For this reason, a precise feature extraction method based on optimised VMD is investigated. The experiments have shown that thanks to the use of the proposed optimisation strategies, the fault‐related features buried in WT CM signals have been extracted out successfully.
Time to Initiation of Clozapine Treatment in Children and Adolescents with Early-Onset Schizophrenia
Authors: Trinczek E. , Heinzel-Gutenbrunner M. , Haberhausen M. , Bachmann C.
Published: October 2016

Introduction: Early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) has a poor prognosis and is difficult to treat, which often leads to the initiation of clozapine treatment. Studies in adults have shown that the initiation of clozapine treatment is often delayed. There is a lack of studies concerning the initiation of clozapine in children and adolescents with EOS. The aim of this study was to investigate the time span from first EOS-related psychiatric hospitalization to clozapine initiation.

Methods: We retrospectively studied a consecutive cohort of children and adolescents with EOS and first-time clozapine prescriptions from a tertiary care child and adolescent psychiatric center in Germany.

Results: Clinical records with data on clozapine initiation were available for 112 patients (35.7% females, mean age: 15.2±1.6 years). The mean time from first EOS-related hospitalization to clozapine initiation was 1.1 (±1.0) years, with an average of 2.3 (±1.1) prior antipsychotic treatment episodes. Higher age and higher IQ predicted earlier clozapine initiation. At the time of clozapine initiation, 40.2% of patients received antipsychotic polypharmacy. Prior to clozapine, 33.9% of patients had received 3 or more antipsychotic treatment episodes.

Discussion: In our study, clozapine treatment was initiated markedly earlier than in the few existing studies, which may partly be due to the expected poor prognosis of EOS. The significant portion of patients undergoing 3 or more antipsychotic trials or antipsychotic polypharmacy prior to clozapine may indicate a need for improved dissemination of knowledge on the effectiveness of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia in order to promote timely clozapine prescriptions in these cases.
The importance of the pre-exponential factor in semiclassical molecular dynamics
Authors: Di Liberto Giovanni , Ceotto Michele
Published: October 2016

This paper deals with the critical issue of approximating the pre-exponential factor in semiclassical molecular dynamics. The pre-exponential factor is important because it accounts for the quantum contribution to the semiclassical propagator of the classical Feynman path fluctuations. Pre-exponential factor approximations are necessary when chaotic or complex systems are simulated. We introduced pre-exponential factor approximations based either on analytical considerations or numerical regularization. The approximations are tested for power spectrum calculations of more and more chaotic model systems and on several molecules, for which exact quantum mechanical values are available. The results show that the pre-exponential factor approximations introduced are accurate enough to be safely employed for semiclassical simulations of complex systems.