bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The complete methylome of an entomopathogenic bacterium reveals the existence of loci with unmethylated Adenines
Authors: Payelleville Amaury , Legrand Ludovic , Ogier Jean-Claude , Roques Céline , Roulet Alain , Bouchez Olivier , Mouammine Annabelle , Givaudan Alain , Brillard Julien
Published: August 2018

DNA methylation can serve to control diverse phenomena in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, including gene regulation leading to cell differentiation. In bacteria, DNA methylomes (i.e., methylation state of each base of the whole genome) have been described for several species, but methylome profile variation during the lifecycle has rarely been studied, and only in a few model organisms. Moreover, major phenotypic changes have been reported in several bacterial strains with a deregulated methyltransferase, but the corresponding methylome has rarely been described. Here we report the first methylome description of an entomopathogenic bacterium, Photorhabdus luminescens. Eight motifs displaying a high rate of methylation (>94%) were identified. The methylome was strikingly stable over course of growth, but also in a subpopulation responsible for a critical step in the bacterium’s lifecycle: successful survival and proliferation in insects. The rare unmethylated GATC motifs were preferentially located in putative promoter regions, and most of them were methylated after Dam methyltransferase overexpression, suggesting that DNA methylation is involved in gene regulation. Our findings bring key insight into bacterial methylomes and encourage further research to decipher the role of loci protected from DNA methylation in gene regulation.
Palaeozoic giant dragonflies were hawker predators
Authors: Nel André , Prokop Jakub , Pecharová Martina , Engel Michael S. , Garrouste Romain
Published: August 2018

The largest insects to have ever lived were the giant meganeurids of the Late Palaeozoic, ancient stem relatives of our modern dragonflies. With wingspans up to 71 cm, these iconic insects have been the subject of varied documentaries on Palaeozoic life, depicting them as patrolling for prey through coal swamp forests amid giant lycopsids, and cordaites. Such reconstructions are speculative as few definitive details of giant dragonfly biology are known. Most specimens of giant dragonflies are known from wings or isolated elements, butMeganeurites gracilipespreserves critical body structures, most notably those of the head. Here we show that it is unlikely it thrived in densely forested environments where its elongate wings would have become easily damaged. Instead, the species lived in more open habitats and possessed greatly enlarged compound eyes. These were dorsally hypertrophied, a specialization for long-distance vision above the animal in flight, a trait convergent with modern hawker dragonflies. Sturdy mandibles with acute teeth, strong spines on tibiae and tarsi, and a pronounced thoracic skewness are identical to those specializations used by dragonflies in capturing prey while in flight. The Palaeozoic Odonatoptera thus exhibited considerable morphological specializations associated with behaviours attributable to ‘hawkers’ or ‘perchers’ among extant Odonata.
Isoform-Specific Compensation of Cyclooxygenase (Ptgs) Genes during Implantation and Late-Stage Pregnancy
Authors: Li Xinzhi , Ballantyne Laurel L. , Crawford Mackenzie C. , FitzGerald Garret A. , Funk Colin D.
Published: August 2018

The participation of cyclooxygenase (COX) in embryo implantation and parturition has been studied extensively. However, the distinct role of the two COX isoforms in these processes still remains unclear. Using three characterized mouse lines where the Ptgs1 and Ptgs2 genes substitute for one another, this study focused on the reproductive significance of their distinct roles and potential biological substitution. In both non-gravid and gravid uteri, the knock-in COX-2 is expressed constitutively, whereas the knock-in COX-1 is slightly induced in early implantation. The delayed onset of parturition previously found in COX-1 null mice was corrected by COX-2 exchange in COX-2>COX-1 mice, with normal term pregnancy, gestation length and litter size. In contrast, loss of native COX-2 in COX-1>COX-2 mice resulted in severely impaired reproductive functions. Knock-in COX-1 failed to substitute for the loss of COX-2 in COX-1>COX-2 mice during implantation, indicating that COX-1 may be replaced by COX-2, but not vice versa. A panel of prostaglandins detected in uterus and ovary demonstrates that prostaglandin biosynthesis preferentially depends on native COX-1, but not COX-2. More interestingly, preferential compensations by the COX isoforms were sustained despite weak dependency on their role in prostaglandin biosynthesis in the uterus and ovary.
Biodiversity estimates and ecological interpretations of meiofaunal communities are biased by the taxonomic approach
Authors: Leasi Francesca , Sevigny Joseph L. , Laflamme Eric M. , Artois Tom , Curini-Galletti Marco , de Jesus Navarrete Alberto , Di Domenico Maikon , Goetz Freya , Hall Jeffrey A. , Hochberg Rick , Jörger Katharina M. , Jondelius Ulf , Todaro M. Antonio , Wirshing Herman H. , Norenburg Jon L. , Thomas W. Kelley
Published: August 2018

Accurate assessments of biodiversity are crucial to advising ecosystem-monitoring programs and understanding ecosystem function. Nevertheless, a standard operating procedure to assess biodiversity accurately and consistently has not been established. This is especially true for meiofauna, a diverse community (>20 phyla) of small benthic invertebrates that have fundamental ecological roles. Recent studies show that metabarcoding is a cost-effective and time-effective method to estimate meiofauna biodiversity, in contrast to morphological-based taxonomy. Here, we compare biodiversity assessments of a diverse meiofaunal community derived by applying multiple taxonomic methods based on comparative morphology, molecular phylogenetic analysis, DNA barcoding of individual specimens, and metabarcoding of environmental DNA. We show that biodiversity estimates are strongly biased across taxonomic methods and phyla. Such biases affect understanding of community structures and ecological interpretations. This study supports the urgency of improving aspects of environmental high-throughput sequencing and the value of taxonomists in correctly understanding biodiversity estimates.
What's underneath? A non-destructive depth profile of painted stratigraphies by synchrotron grazing incidence X-ray diffraction
Authors: Possenti Elena , Colombo Chiara , Conti Claudia , Gigli Lara , Merlini Marco , Plaisier Jasper Rikkert , Realini Marco , Gatta G. Diego
Published: August 2018

Underlying layers of polychrome stratigraphies revealed using a non-destructive approach by synchrotron radiation grazing incidence X-ray diffraction.
A sensitive sandwich structure time-resolved fluorescence method for thrombin detection
Authors: Wu Tao , Zhang Yuanfu , Hou Tingting , Zhang Yinghong , Wang Shuhao
Published: August 2018

We designed a sensitive and specific time-resolved fluorescence assay for detection of human thrombin.
Enhancement and control of the selectivity in light-driven ketone versus water reduction using aminopyridine cobalt complexes
Authors: Call Arnau , Lloret-Fillol Julio
Published: August 2018

A highly selective light-driven reduction of aromatic ketones versus water reduction could be achieved by ligand design.
The influence of ortho-methyl substitution in organometallic self-assembly – a comparative study on Cu(111) vs. Ag(111)
Authors: Fritton Massimo , Otte Katrin , Björk Jonas , Biswas Pronay Kumar , Heckl Wolfgang M. , Schmittel Michael , Lackinger Markus
Published: August 2018

Steric hindrance by ortho-methyl substitution improves the structural quality of organometallic networks.
Trends in the valence band electronic structures of mixed uranium oxides
Authors: Kvashnina Kristina O. , Kowalski Piotr M. , Butorin Sergei M. , Leinders Gregory , Pakarinen Janne , Bès René , Li Haijian , Verwerft Marc
Published: August 2018

The valence band electronic structures of mixed uranium oxides (UO2, U4O9, U3O7, U3O8, and β-UO3) have been studied using the resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) technique at the U M5 edge and computational methods.
A pillar-layered porous CoII-MOF with dual active sites for selective gas adsorption
Authors: Gao Xiang , Zhang Shan-Shan , Yan Hui , Li Yun-Wu , Liu Qing-Yun , Wang Xing-Po , Tung Chen-Ho , Ma Hui-Yan , Sun Di
Published: August 2018

A pillar-layered microporous MOF has been constructed from linear trimeric {Co3(COO)6} clusters as SBUs. It exhibits preferential selective uptake of C2H2/C2H4, C2H2/C2H6 and CO2/N2 owing to its dual active sites.
17O and 1H NMR spectral parameters in isolated water molecules
Authors: Makulski Włodzimierz , Wilczek Marcin , Jackowski Karol
Published: August 2018

Small amounts of water were studied by 17O and 1H NMR in binary gaseous mixtures with Xe, Kr, CHF3 and CH3F and CO2.
The evolution in graphitic surface wettability with first-principles quantum simulations: the counterintuitive role of water
Authors: Lu Jin-You , Lai Chia-Yun , Almansoori Ibraheem , Chiesa Matteo
Published: August 2018

The surface wettability of graphite has gained a lot of interest in nanotechnology and fundamental studies alike, but the types of adsorptions that dominate its time resolved surface property variations in ambient environment are still elusive.
Nanoparticle-induced ion-sensitive reduction in decane–water interfacial tension
Authors: Wen Boyao , Sun Chengzhen , Bai Bofeng
Published: August 2018

The ion-sensitive contact angle and interaction between nanoparticles at the interface are responsible for the reduction of interfacial tension.
Host–guest luminescent materials based on highly emissive species loaded into versatile sol–gel hosts
Authors: Zanoni Kassio P. S. , Ravaro Leandro P. , de Camargo Andrea S. S.
Published: August 2018

By mostly focusing on the findings of our group, this concise review provides insights into the development of promising new host–guest optical materials based on sol–gel assemblies of versatile hosts and highly luminescent guests.
Neuromorphic computation with spiking memristors: habituation, experimental instantiation of logic gates and a novel sequence-sensitive perceptron model
Authors: Gale Ella M.
Published: August 2018

This paper presents rules based on the physical behaviour of the device to instantiate logic gates for further computation and a method of understanding the memristor’s operation as a type of non-linear, sequence-sensitive perceptron.
Walnut diets up-regulate the decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and age-related cognitive dysfunction in d-galactose induced aged rats
Authors: An Lei , Sun Yuchen , Zhang Wei , Huang Xiaolong , Xue Rui , Zhang Youzhi , Wang Yousheng
Published: August 2018

Recently, dietary intervention has been considered as a prospective strategy in delaying age-related cognitive dysfunction and brain plasticity degeneration.
A simple capillary-based open microfluidic device for size on-demand high-throughput droplet/bubble/microcapsule generation
Authors: Mei Liping , Jin Mingliang , Xie Shuting , Yan Zhibin , Wang Xin , Zhou Guofu , van den Berg Albert , Shui Lingling
Published: August 2018

A capillary-based open microfluidic device was established for flexible and controllable creation of monodisperse droplets of various fluidic materials.
Making figures: are you taking the best approach to maximize visibility?
Authors: Mori Shogo , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie
Published: August 2018

We say “a figure is worth a thousand words”… Here is a concise guide and some tips towards optimizing your scientific graphics for maximum impact.
Vinylene spacer effects of benzothiadiazole–quarterthiophene based conjugated polymers on transistor mobilities
Authors: Sun Wandong , Chen Yanlin , Liang Xianfeng , Tan Luxi , Liu Zitong , Cai Zhengxu , Dong Lichun , Wang Lin
Published: August 2018

Opposite crystallinity and charge carrier mobility variation tendency with increasing vinyl ratio.
Construction of structurally diverse luminescent lead(ii) fluorinated coordination polymers based on auxiliary ligands
Authors: Ma Jing-xin , Yang Zhihua , Zhou Tong , Guo Qi , Yang Jinhui , Yang Tianlin , Yang Qingfeng
Published: August 2018

Four novel Pb(ii) fluorinated coordination polymers were obtained by hydrothermal reaction of lead nitrate with 2,4,5,6-tetrafluoroisophthalic acid (H2TFIPA) in the presence of corresponding N-donor auxiliary ligands and photoluminescent properties of the all complexes have also been investigated.
Parallel profiling of cancer cells and proteins using a graphene oxide functionalized ac-EHD SERS immunoassay
Authors: Reza K. Kamil , Dey Shuvashis , Wuethrich Alain , Sina Abu Ali Ibn , Korbie Darren , Wang Yuling , Trau Matt
Published: August 2018

Monitoring of circulating cancer biomarkers was enabled in a graphene oxide functionalised ac-EHD microfluidic device with SERS barcoding.
Resolution improvement in STED super-resolution microscopy at low power using a phasor plot approach
Authors: Wang Luwei , Chen Bingling , Yan Wei , Yang Zhigang , Peng Xiao , Lin Danying , Weng Xiaoyu , Ye Tong , Qu Junle
Published: August 2018

Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy is a powerful super-resolution microscopy technique that has achieved significant results in breaking the resolution limit and relevant applications.
Bio-inspired self-propelled diatom micromotor by catalytic decomposition of H2O2 under low fuel concentration
Authors: Panda Atanu , Reddy Ankireddy Seshadri , Venkateswarlu Sada , Yoon Minyoung
Published: August 2018

An active bubble-propelled diatom micromotor under low fuel concentration and its motion control was demonstrated.
Synthesis of a ROS-responsive analogue of poly(ε-caprolactone) by the living ring-opening polymerization of 1,4-oxathiepan-7-one
Authors: Li Linggao , Wang Qiyuan , Lyu Ruiliang , Yu Li , Su Shan , Du Fu-Sheng , Li Zi-Chen
Published: August 2018

A well-defined ROS-responsive block amphiphilic diblock copolymer PEO-b-POTO was synthesized to elucidate the oxidative degradation mechanism in assemblies.
Azo and imine functionalized 2-naphthols: promising supramolecular gelators for selective detection of Fe3+ and Cu2+, reactive oxygen species and halides
Authors: Panja Atanu , Ghosh Kumaresh
Published: August 2018

Azo and imine-based 2-naphthols 1–3 are established as low molecular weight supramolecular gelators. While gel of 1 in CH3CN : H2O (1 : 1, v/v) is responsive to Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions, under identical conditions gel of 2 is sensitive to Fe3+ ions involving gel-to-sol transition. Gel of 3 in DMSO : H2O (1 : 1 v/v) senses Fe3+ ions by exhibiting color change of the gel and also senses Fe2+ in presence of ROS.
Supramolecular gelatons: towards the design of molecular gels
Authors: Liu Minghua , Ouyang Guanghui , Niu Dian , Sang Yutao
Published: August 2018

The concept of supramolecular gelatons for the design of gels was proposed and described.
Exploring and elaborating the novel excited state dynamical behavior of a bisflavonol system
Authors: Zhao Jinfeng , Dong Hao , Yang Huan , Zheng Yujun
Published: August 2018

In this work, we investigate the dual hydrogen bonded 1,4-bis-(3-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-chromen-2-yl)-benzene (bisflavonol) system in detail.
Fabrication of an activatable hybrid persistent luminescence nanoprobe for background-free bioimaging-guided investigation of food-borne aflatoxin in vivo
Authors: Liu Jing-Min , Yuan Xin-Yue , Liu Hui-Lin , Cheng Dai , Wang Shuo
Published: August 2018

Construction of persistent luminescence nanophosphor-copper sulfide hybrid FRET nanoprobes for background-free bioimaging-guided investigation of food-borne aflatoxin in vivo.
Entangled chain polymer liquids under continuous shear deformation: consequences of a microscopically anharmonic confining tube
Authors: Xie Shi-Jie , Schweizer Kenneth S.
Published: August 2018

Deformation-induced changes of tube confinement field significantly modifies the shear rheological response of entangled flexible polymer liquids at WiR< 1.
Modulation of pore shape and adsorption selectivity by ligand functionalization in a series of “rob”-like flexible metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Cepeda Javier , Pérez-Mendoza Manuel , Calahorro Antonio J. , Casati Nicola , Seco José Manuel , Aragones-Anglada Marta , Moghadam Peyman Z. , Fairen-Jimenez David , Rodríguez-Diéguez Antonio
Published: August 2018

We report the synthesis of a new family of four new isoreticular metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on Cu–Cu paddle-wheel building units.
Nanostructured NiFe (oxy)hydroxide with easily oxidized Ni towards efficient oxygen evolution reactions
Authors: Zhong Dazhong , Zhang Lei , Li Chengcheng , Li Dandan , Wei Congcong , Zhao Qiang , Li Jinping , Gong Jinlong
Published: August 2018

NiFe (oxy)hydroxide with easily oxidized Ni and a hierarchical nanosheet structure was synthesized. The Fe–O–Ni(OH)2 supported on nickel foam only needed overpotentials of 185, 220 and 261 mV to drive the current densities of 10, 100 and 500 mA cm−2, respectively.
An amorphous tin-based nanohybrid for ultra-stable sodium storage
Authors: Li Zhongtao , Feng Jianze , Hu Han , Dong Yunfa , Ren Hao , Wu Wenting , Hu Zhenpeng , Wu Mingbo
Published: August 2018

The natural abundance of sodium resources makes sodium-ion batteries a potential and promising alternative to lithium ion battery technology for large-scale energy storage application.
Simultaneous enhancement in charge separation and onset potential for water oxidation in a BiVO4 photoanode by W–Ti codoping
Authors: Zhao Xin , Hu Jun , Wu Bo , Banerjee Amitava , Chakraborty Sudip , Feng Jianyong , Zhao Zongyan , Chen Shi , Ahuja Rajeev , Sum Tze Chien , Chen Zhong
Published: August 2018

Ti–W codoped BiVO4 simultaneously improves the electron conductivity and hole diffusion, and introduces active sites to lower the overpotential.
A self-sensing, superhydrophobic, heterogeneous graphene network with controllable adhesion behavior
Authors: Ding Guomin , Jiao Weicheng , Chen Liuyang , Yan Meiling , Hao Lifeng , Wang Rongguo
Published: August 2018

An open-cell graphene heterogeneous network is designed and fabricated, and it has a controllable adhesion behavior and shows a self-sensing capability for continuously falling water droplets.
Effects of nuisance variables selection on target localisation accuracy in multistatic passive radar
Authors: Wang Jun , Qin Zhaotao , Wei Shaoming , Sun Zhongsheng , Xiang Hong
Published: August 2018

The target localisation problem is considered using the bistatic range measurement in multistatic passive radar. The well‐known two‐step weighted least‐squares algorithm is widely used to locate a single target, in which the nuisance variables are normally introduced in the first step. Whereas the nuisance variables can be categorised as either target–transmitter ranges based or target–receiver ranges based. The influence of nuisance variables selection on target positioning accuracy is investigated in this Letter. Some basic criteria on choosing nuisance variables are presented and validated through simulations.
Fifth Generation promising integrated full loaded MIMO space‐time spreading‐aided‐orthogonal frequency code division multiple access system
Authors: Mansour Ahmed Hassan , Saleh Mona Z. , Elramly Salwa H.
Published: August 2018

The optimisation of a communication system becomes a difficult objective if distinct techniques are utilised to resolve different problems of the same system. Accordingly, the main target of future mobile communication systems (e.g. fifth generation) is to integrate different techniques under a unified framework for the optimisation purpose. This study proposes a downlink air interface that targets maximum capacity and bit error rate (BER) performance enhancement. The proposed system is an integration of a full loaded multi‐code transmission orthogonal frequency code division multiple access and space‐time spreading that exploits transmit diversity needed for BER enhancement and data rate optimisation. Further BER improvement was achieved through applying an effective iterative interference cancellation in the space domain combined with multi‐code interference suppression algorithm at the receiver. The authors present a system performance analysis in addition to simulation results for the proposed system. The BER performance improvement was emphasised through comparing the proposed system with a similar system that uses joint iterative detection. Finally, the effect of frequency domain spreading factor with different number of iteration loops was investigated for further BER system performance enhancement. The achieved BER performance outperforms the maximal ratio receive combining diversity system performance with 1Tx and 8Rx.
Exploiting high rate differential algebraic space‐time block code in downlink multiuser MIMO systems
Authors: Alsifiany Fahad , Ikhlef Aissa , Chambers Jonathon
Published: August 2018

This paper considers a multiuser multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) space‐time block coded system that operates at a high data rate with full diversity. In particular, they propose to use a full rate downlink algebraic transmission scheme combined with a differential space‐time scheme for multiuser MIMO systems. To achieve this, perfect algebraic space‐time codes and Cayley differential transforms are employed. Since channel state information (CSI) is not needed at the differential receiver, differential schemes are ideal for multiuser systems to shift the complexity from the receivers to the transmitter, thus simplifying user equipment. Furthermore, orthogonal spreading matrices are employed at the transmitter to separate the data streams of different users and enable simple single user decoding. In the orthogonal spreading scheme, the transmitter does not require any knowledge of the CSI to separate the data streams of multiple users; this results in a system which does not need CSI at either end. With this system, to limit the number of possible codewords, a sphere decoder is used to decode the signals at the receiving end. The proposed scheme yields low complexity transceivers while providing full rate full diversity with good performance. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Indoor visible light positioning combined with ellipse‐based ACO‐OFDM
Authors: Li Haoxu , Wang Jin , Zhang Xiaofeng , Wu Rangzhong
Published: August 2018

Visible light communications have recently gained increasing attention as it is appealing for a wide range of applications such as indoor positioning. However, the light‐emitting diode‐based indoor positioning systems suffer from multipath distortion inside a room, leading to high positioning error. In order to mitigate the effect of multipath distortion of the optical channel, an indoor visible light positioning algorithm combined with ellipse‐based asymmetrically clipped optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ACO‐OFDM) is proposed in this study, wherein the real‐valued output of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is modulated onto an ellipse, and only the imaginary value from the complex point on the ellipse is transmitted. Moreover, a received‐signal‐strength technique is used to determine the location of the receiver, and the Trust‐region technique is employed to realise the 3D positioning. Simulation results demonstrate that this proposed algorithm can achieve high positioning accuracy, and the impact of different system parameters on the positioning accuracy is further investigated compared with the systems based on ACO‐OFDM.
V2V radio channel properties at urban intersection and ramp on urban viaduct at 5.9 GHz
Authors: Li Changzhen , Chen Wei , Yu Junyi , Yang Kun , Li Fang , Shui Yishui
Published: August 2018

As a hotspot of wireless communication, vehicular communication is playing an important role in the smart city. This study focuses on vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) radio channel characteristics at 5.9 GHz band based on measurement, under a ramp with soundproof wall on the urban viaduct and an urban intersection scenario, which are two similar but with slight difference propagation environments. Differences of V2V radio channel characteristics between two scenarios have been measured and analysed, in the view of best fit distribution of fades, power delay profile, delay spread, channel gain and Doppler spread. It is found that Weibull and Ricean distribution has a good match in non‐line‐of‐sight and line‐of‐sight region, respectively. Transformation of different propagation mechanisms can increase or reduce the received power by 9–11 dB on average. Also, the power delay profile and root mean square delay spread are influenced by the different propagation conditions. Moreover, Ricean K‐factors and Weibull shape parameters are modelled based on the least‐square. The comparison of channel properties between these two classical urban scenarios is vital to the optimal design and performance of V2V communication system.
Coprime array‐based robust beamforming using covariance matrix reconstruction technique
Authors: Liu Ke , Zhang Yimin D.
Published: August 2018

A novel robust adaptive beamforming algorithm based on a coprime array is proposed in this study. First, the authors exploit the virtual array structure of the coprime coarray to construct two subspaces. The first subspace is obtained from the covariance matrix of the virtual uniform linear array, whereas the second one is obtained by integrating a spatial spectrum over each angular sector of the signal. Then, by using a closed‐form expression of the projection‐based method, the steering vectors (SVs) of the signals are estimated from the intersection of the two subspaces. Moreover, according to the covariance fitting theory, the power associated with the desired signal, interference signals, and noise is obtained from the virtual sample covariance matrix. In addition, to reconstruct the interference‐plus‐noise covariance matrix (INCM), the maximum correlation principle is used to transfer the virtual SVs of the signals to real ones corresponding to a physical array. Finally, with the estimated SV of the desired signal and INCM, the proposed robust algorithm is devised. Simulation results demonstrate the superiority and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Position optimisation for multiple mobile relays by utilising one‐bit feedback information
Authors: Xie Ning , Liang Yuan , Chen JingKun
Published: August 2018

This paper investigates the problem of position optimization for multiple mobile relays. The authors propose a new scheme involving multiple mobile relays with fixed orbits to avoid collision risk among the multiple mobile relays and to relax the requirements of the existing approaches, e.g., multiple on‐board antennas and complex feedback signals. The proposed scheme exhibits satisfactory performance with low cost and low complexity, as it requires only a single on‐board antenna and merely a one‐bit feedback signal, which is highly suitable for a scenario in which the source node has limited energy at its disposal, such as in a disaster area. The authors further design three implementation algorithms based on the easy implementation of the proposed scheme. The first algorithm is the simplest one in so far as it utilizes only single positive feedback information, but it exhibits poor performance. The second algorithm achieves better performance by exploiting successive points of negative feedback information. Based on the second algorithm, the third algorithm exhibits the best performance by further exploiting cumulative points of positive feedback information.
3D motion capture system for assessing patient motion during Fugl‐Meyer stroke rehabilitation testing
Authors: Eichler Nadav , Hel‐Or Hagit , Shimshoni Ilan , Itah Dorit , Gross Bella , Raz Shmuel
Published: August 2018

The authors introduce a novel marker‐less multi‐camera setup that allows easy synchronisation between 3D cameras as well as a novel pose estimation method that is calculated on the fly based on the human body being tracked, and thus requires no calibration session nor special calibration equipment. They show high accuracy in both calibration and data merging and is on par with equipment‐based calibration. They deduce several insights and practical guidelines for the camera setup and for the preferred data merging methods. Finally, they present a test case that computerises the Fugl‐Meyer stroke rehabilitation protocol using the authors’ multi‐sensor capture system. They conducted a Helsinki‐approved research in a hospital in which they collected data on stroke patients and healthy subjects using their multi‐camera system. Spatio‐temporal features were extracted from the acquired data and machine learning‐based evaluations were applied. Results showed that patients and healthy subjects can be correctly classified at a rate of above 90%. Furthermore, they show that the most significant features in the classification are strongly correlated with the Fugl‐Meyer guidelines. This demonstrates the feasibility of a low‐cost, flexible and non‐invasive motion capture system that can potentially be operated in a home setting.
Multi‐objective optimisation of a permanent magnet flux‐switching motor by combined parameter sensitivities analysis with non‐linear varying‐network magnetic circuit method
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyong , Jian Yanhong , Xiang Zixuan , Fan Deyang , Yang Minjian
Published: August 2018

In this study, a new sensitivity analysis based on non‐linear varying‐network magnetic circuit (VNMC) method is proposed for an outer‐rotor I‐shaped permanent magnet flux‐switching motor. By integrating concept of sensitivity analysis into the non‐linear VNMC method, the whole design efficiency can be improved effectively by using the comprehensive sensitivity method and sequential non‐linear programming algorithm. In the optimisation process, two design objectives are selected, including machine output torque and torque ripple. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the parameters possessing the significant influence on the design objectives can be selected purposely, thus the overall amount of calculation is obviously reduced. After the determination of the sensitive parameters, the rest of optimisation can be realised efficiently by the non‐linear VNMC method. Finally, a prototype motor is manufactured and tested. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.
An equivalent circuit of the single‐sided linear induction motor considering the discontinuous secondary
Authors: Lv Gang , Yan Shaoqiang , Zeng Dihui , Zhou Tong
Published: August 2018

Due to the influence of the switch and rail equipment, the secondary cannot be laid continuously in the linear metro. An equivalent circuit of the single‐sided linear induction motor (SLIM) is presented to consider the discontinuity of the secondary plate, and the electromagnetic characteristics of the motor with the discontinuous secondary are obtained. First, the analysis model of the SLIM considering the missing part of the secondary plate is proposed. Second, the variation of the length of the coupled region between the primary and secondary are considered by the method of approximate linearisation to correct the parameters including the primary leakage inductance, magnetising inductance, secondary resistance and secondary leakage inductance. Third, three typical cases of the relative position between the primary and discontinuous secondary are analysed, and the equivalent circuit in each case is deduced according to the distribution of the secondary magnetic motive force and air gap flux density. Then, two coefficients considering the longitudinal end effect, on the basis of the corrected secondary time constant, are proposed to correct the magnetising inductance and secondary resistance. Finally, the analytical results are verified by the results measured on the test rig of an SLIM.
Microwave vortex beam launcher design
Authors: Salem Nedime Pelin M.H. , Niver Edip , Salem Mohamed A.
Published: August 2018

A novel design for a vectorial vortex beam launcher in the microwave regime is devised. The beam is formed by launching a single guided transverse electric (TE) mode of a metallic circular waveguide into free‐space. Excitation is achieved by the mean of an inserted coaxial loop antenna. Modal expansion coefficients are computed, and the resulting electric and magnetic fields are determined. The effect of the antenna location inside the waveguide on its effective input impedance is modelled using transmission‐line relations and location for optimal matching is established. The analytical results are confirmed using multi‐level fast multipole method full‐wave simulations.
Dual‐feed CSRR‐loaded switchable multiband microstrip patch antenna for ITS applications
Authors: Upadhyay Gaurav , Kishore Nand , Raj Saurabh , Tripathi Shivesh , Tripathi Vijay Shanker
Published: August 2018

A novel complementary split ring resonator (CSRR)‐loaded switchable multiband antenna with circular and linear polarisation switching is proposed for intelligent transportation system (ITS) application. It has one C‐shaped square patch with coaxial feeding and another direct coupled square‐ring patch with short‐ended microstrip feeding. In order to achieve switchable frequency response, a PIN‐diode is used. The proposed antenna is designed, fabricated, and experimentally tested. The measured data at the centre frequency 1.93, 3.73, 4.35, 5.9, 6.35, 7.25, and 8.75 GHz have impedance bandwidths of 50 MHz (1.90–1.95 GHz), 50 MHz (3.70–3.75 GHz), 500 MHz (4.10–4.60 GHz), 200 MHz (6.25–6.45 GHz), 300 MHz (7.10–7.40 GHz), and 600 MHz (8.45–9.05 GHz). The maximum bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 13%. The simulated and measured values of return loss of the antenna are in very good uniformity.
Enhanced inter‐lighting interference cancellation using power control to improve the performance of indoor visible light communication systems
Authors: Romero‐Munoz Gabriela Alejandra , Kim Kyuntak , Lee Kyesan
Published: August 2018

In this study, the authors propose an enhanced inter‐lighting interference cancellation (E‐ILIC) in order to distinguish the received signals, combating the equal powers at the receiver side and hence improve the average bit error rate (BER) performance of a multiple‐input‐single‐output visible light communication (VLC) system. VLC is a promising technology for indoor environments, it makes use of the light emitting diode (LED) lamps already installed to transmit information through the visible light. When several LEDs transmit simultaneously different data to increase the transmission capacity, it leads to co‐channel interference that degrades the BER performance. For this reason, they investigate E‐ILIC that is a combination of ILIC with closed loop power control to receive the signals with different power level. It employs power allocation at the transmitter when the received power ratio does not comply with a specific threshold. Furthermore, it reduces significantly the interference between adjacent LED lamps, obtaining useful information at the receiver side. Through computer simulations, E‐ILIC achieves the best average BER performance in any user position when the assignment of the power weights is correctly performed on the LEDs.
Recognition of multiple partial discharge patterns by multi‐class support vector machine using fractal image processing technique
Authors: Basharan Vigneshwaran , Maria Siluvairaj Willjuice Iruthayarajan , Ramasamy Velayutham Maheswari
Published: August 2018

Partial discharge (PD) measurement is an efficient method for condition monitoring of insulation in high‐voltage (HV) power apparatus. Generally, phase‐resolved PD (PRPD) patterns are commonly used to identify the PD sources. It is clearly recognised that there is a correlation between the PD patterns and the insulation quality. However, in the case of multiple PDs, the PRPD patterns partially overlapped in nature, which results in difficult to identify the types of partial discharges. In this proposed methodology, a combined algorithm of different edge detection methods with box‐counting fractal image compression technique is used for fractal feature extraction. The extracted features used as the input vector for the classifiers for PD recognition. To evaluate the performance of the proposed methodology, artificially multiple PD sources are simulated in HV laboratory. The result of this proposed work shows better recognition for canny edge detected fractal features implemented with user define kernel multi‐class nonlinear support vector machine which can be further used to assess the insulation properties for practical implementation in power industry.
Modelling of heat transfer in low‐power IPM synchronous motors
Authors: Mynarek Piotr , Łukaniszyn Marian , Jagieła Mariusz , Kowol Marcin
Published: August 2018

This study presents results of modelling of heat transfer in low‐power synchronous motors with internal permanent magnets (IPM). The analysis is conducted on the basis of equivalent thermal network as well as the magnetostatic finite element analysis for determination of usual electromagnetic loss components. The approach which consistently combines the two mentioned models allows for effective analysis of heat transfer in the machine at the designing stage. Special attention is focused on the method for homogenisation of a mush‐wound winding and sheet stack. The results of computer simulations are positively verified by measurements carried out on the physical motor.
Frequency tunable graphene metamaterial reflectarray for terahertz applications
Authors: Zainud‐Deen Saber H. , Mabrouk Ahmed M. , Malhat Hend A.
Published: August 2018

A graphene‐based metamaterial (GMM) reflectarray antenna with frequency tunable radiation characteristics has been investigated in this study. The unit‐cell element consists of graphene split‐ring‐resonator (SRR) with two gaps printed on a grounded SiO2 substrate. The electrical properties of the metamaterial unit‐cell have been determined at different graphene chemical potentials and different SRR gaps using the waveguide simulator. The metamaterial unit‐cell element introduces negative ɛ r and μ r over a wide frequency band starting from 390 to 550 GHz. A reflectarray unit‐cell element based on the GMM is designed at different frequencies. The phase compensation of the reflected waves is achieved by changing the SRR gap width. Reflection coefficient phase variations for 0°–301° with a variable slope are obtained for different graphene conductivities. Three different 13 × 13 GMM reflectarrays are designed and analysed at different graphene chemical potentials. A maximum gain of 22.6, 19, and 21.5 dB with side lobe level (SLL) is 11.31/9.15, 10.98/5.31, and 7.31/8.45 dB in an E/H‐plane for the reflectarray arrangements (I), (II) and (III), respectively. An averaging phase curve is calculated to construct a single structure GMM reflectarray with frequency tunable radiation characteristics. A maximum gain of 21.8 ± 1 dB with improved SLL of 13 dB was achieved.
Chemical synthesis of single‐layer graphene by using ball milling compared with NaBH4 and hydroquinone reductants
Authors: Niftaliyeva Aysel , Pehlivan Erol , Polat Safa , Avci Ahmet
Published: August 2018

Graphene materials especially single‐layer graphene have been identified as a new generation of nanomaterials having various potential applications in material industries. However, the synthesis procedure of single‐layer graphene to improve its quality, size and amount has been still under research for commercial applications. The graphene oxide (GO) is synthesised from graphite by Hummer's spontaneous approach which is the most suitable reaction for a large‐scale production. For the single‐layer graphene, in this work, GO was exfoliated by using a ball milling in an inert atmosphere. Owing to using ball milling as intermediate treatment degreased oxygen functional groups and number of layers, it facilitates to synthesise graphene. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and hydroquinone were used as a reductant for the chemical conversion of the exfoliated GO to graphene. The results showed that due to the strong reduction feature, both reducing agents can be applied in the graphene production. As a preferred reductant, hydroquinone can be successfully applied for the synthesis of the single‐layer graphene compared to NaBH4. The obtained graphene particles by two different chemicals were characterised by various analytical techniques. The big difference in the structure of GO and graphene was observed in transmission electron microscope analysis.
Stability analysis of platinum nanoparticles prepared by ESDM in deionised water
Authors: Tseng Kuo‐Hsiung , Lin Yu‐Hung , Tien Der‐Chi , Ku Hsueh‐Chien , Stobinski Leszek
Published: August 2018

Electrical discharge machine was used to prepare platinum nanocolloid by electric spark discharge method (ESDM) at room temperature. Preparation of platinum nanocolloid needed only traditional electrical discharge machine, platinum wire (99.5%) and magnet mixer. Then verify whether platinum nanoparticles be could successfully prepared under different preparation and their suspension stability. The optical properties and zeta potential were measured by UV–vis and Zetasizer, and their characteristic peaks (surface plasmon resonant), while suspension stability was analysed. The results of transmission electron microscope showed size, shape and dispersibility of platinum nanoparticles with a size of mostly <10 nm. X‐ray diffraction was used to measure crystal lattice structure and component of platinum nanoparticles. In this work, platinum nanocolloid in conditions of normal and centrifuge were analysed. Zeta potential of normal colloid was decreased from −29.5 to −18.8 mV after precipitation, while zeta potential of the centrifuged colloid still maintained at −40 mV, confirming the good suspension stability of platinum nanocolloid prepared by ESDM after centrifugation.
Managing university landscape and infrastructure towards green and sustainable campus
Authors: Anis Muhammad , Afiff Adi Zakaria , Kiswanto Gandjar , Suwartha Nyoman , Sari Riri Fitri
Published: August 2018

Landscape and infrastructure are two main basic aspects which play a significant role for any universities in achieving environmental, social-behavioural, or aesthetic outcomes. This paper describes the setting and infrastructure management at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) as a continuous effort towards green and sustainable campus. Some developments and improvements have been made during the last three years, such as forest city maintenance, development of pedestrian boulevard, and installation of road marks and traffics signs. In addition, infrastructures have been improved by replacing conventional lamps with LED type ones, development of real-time energy consumption monitoring system, green chilling system, solar photo-voltaic development, solar cooling absorption chiller system, air conditioning with VRF/VRV system, and preparation for green certified building. These improvements on campus setting and landscape are reflected on the UI GreenMetric 2017 results which ranked at #23 worldwide with the score of 957 out of 1500 total score for “setting and infrastructure” category. With regards to these achievements, some challenges and strong commitment in sustainability policy need to be implemented in the forthcoming years to maintain the UI’s vision to be a “world class sustainable university”.
Greening campus experience: moving towards living laboratory action plan
Authors: Omar Wahid , Abdul Rahman Azlan , Fadhil Md Din Mohd , Mat Taib Shazwin , krishnan Santhana , Safitri Zen Irina , Hanafi Norhisyam
Published: August 2018

Sustainability is a growing priority for higher education institutions around the world. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) through UTM Campus Sustainability Office ready to transform the campus as platform to inculcate the sustainability mind set of young people through education and empowering them to continue living the values in the future as stated in Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) development plan. In 2010, among the first institution supporting UI GreenMetric auditing, UTM was positioned at rank 85, and then gradually improving the performance to position ourself to rank 66 in 2017. To boost this effort, sustainability elements have been implemented in Universiti Global Plan III (2018-2020) and UTM Master Plan 2017-2037. One of the main strength of UTM in UI GreenMetric evaluation components is Setting and Infrastructure that incorporates environmental and social considerations in addition to the traditional cost, time and quality. Improvement through transnational researches which is under Water and Energy Nexus projects such as biomass utilization and groundwater projects are escalating the efforts. For developing more robust approach, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has been incorporated in to six Living Labs (LL) initiatives. Positioning in global branding, integration across campus and regional level networking was aimed to leverage currents assets into further opportunities for research, teaching and institutional development.
The Unibo energy saving and climate change approach
Authors: Esposti Mirko Degli , Bernardi Olivia , Sacchetti Luciana
Published: August 2018

For the university of Bologna, the core of sustainability combines both environmental and social dimensions: enhancement of the territory, ensuring its protection and the renewal of its natural resources and the ability of the parties involved, encouraged by the concerted efforts of the various institutions, to work together effectively. The commitment of the university is to reduce the impact on the environment deriving from its activities and to encourage the community to assume responsible and environmentally respectful behaviours. Since 2016, the university integrates its Strategic Plan with a rereading of the 17 UN SDGs and reports the direct and indirect impact produced in the dimensions of teaching, research and third mission.
Green transportation system to promote sustainable lifestyle in Chulalongkorn University
Authors: Pinthong Jirarat , Limsuwan Korb , Stitmannaithum Boonchai
Published: August 2018

Chulalongkorn University (CU) is located at the heart of Bangkok, which is one of the most traffic congested cities in the world. It is very crucial for the university to develop a green and clean transportation system that is good for both the CU community and the whole society. To reduce on-campus traffic, the university provides four parking buildings on the edge of four corners of the campus to serve visitors, students, faculties and staffs who travel by private cars. While providing added convenience, these parking garages reduce traffic congestion on campus and, thus, pollutions from harmful emissions and traffic noises. To promote eco-friendly transportation in the campus, the university provides “CU Shuttle Bus” - an electric shuttle bus service that cover not only campus area, but also reach out to public sky train and subway stations around the campus. The CU Shuttle Bus’s mobile application, developed by engineering students, helps improve user experience by showing all useful information including campus map, bus routing, and real-time locations of all buses. To encourage walking and cycling within the campus and to promote good health and fitness, the university has been constructing covered walkways and bike lanes throughout the campus. In addition, “CU Bike” - a bike sharing program, was first introduced in 2014 and has quickly grown in popularity among CU students since. A new “CU Toyota Hamo”, an electric vehicle rental program, is another great option of green transportations for those who cannot ride a bicycle and for older people of the aging society. All these projects help promote the development of innovations and practices that are both sustainable and protective of the environment of Chulalongkorn University, as well as the surrounding community, the country and planet as a whole.