bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of Hg(II) tetrathiolate complexes with cysteine at neutral pH
Authors: Warner Thomas , Jalilehvand Farideh
Published: January 2016

Mercury(II) ions precipitate from aqueous cysteine (H2Cys) solutions containing H2Cys/Hg(II) mole ratio ≥ 2.0 as Hg(S-HCys)2. In the absence of additional cysteine, the precipitate dissolves at pH ∼12 with the [Hg(S,N-Cys)2]2– complex dominating. With excess cysteine (H2Cys/Hg(II) mole ratio ≥ 4.0), higher complexes form and the precipitate dissolves at lower pH values. Previously, we found that tetrathiolate [Hg(S-Cys)4]6– complexes form at pH = 11.0; in this work, we extend the investigation to pH values of physiological interest. We examined two series of Hg(II)–cysteine solutions in which CHg(II) varied between 8 and 9 mmol/L and 80 and 100 mmol/L, respectively, with H2Cys/Hg(II) mole ratios from 4 to ∼20. The solutions were prepared in the pH range 7.1–8.8 at the pH at which the initial Hg(S-HCys)2 precipitate dissolved. The variations in the Hg(II) speciation were followed by 199Hg NMR, X-ray absorption, and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Our results show that in the dilute solutions (CHg(II) = 8–9 mmol/L), mixtures of di-, tri- (major), and tetrathiolate complexes exist at moderate cysteine excess (CH2Cys ∼0.16 mol/L) at pH 7.1. In the more concentrated solutions (CHg(II) = 80–100 mmol/L) with high cysteine excess (CH2Cys > 0.9 mol/L), tetrathiolate [Hg(S-cysteinate)4]m−6 (m = 0–4) complexes dominate in the pH range 7.3–7.8, with lower charge than for the [Hg(S-Cys)4]6– complex due to protonation of some (m) of the amino groups of the coordinated cysteine ligands. The results of this investigation could provide a key to the mechanism of biosorption and accumulation of Hg(II) ions in biological/environmental systems.
Reset Thresholds of Automata with Two Cycle Lengths
Authors: Gusev Vladimir V. , Pribavkina Elena V.
Published: January 2016

We present several series of synchronizing automata with multiple parameters, generalizing previously known results. Let p and q be two arbitrary co-prime positive integers, [Formula: see text]. We establish reset thresholds of the colorings of primitive digraphs with exactly one simple cycle of length p and one simple cycle of length q. Also, we study reset thresholds of the colorings of primitive digraphs with exactly one simple cycle of length q and two simple cycles of length p. We obtain the reset thresholds of the form [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a linear function of p and q.
EEG Alpha and Gamma Modulators Mediate Motion Sickness-Related Spectral Responses
Authors: Chuang Shang-Wen , Chuang Chun-Hsiang , Yu Yi-Hsin , King Jung-Tai , Lin Chin-Teng
Published: January 2016

Motion sickness (MS) is a common experience of travelers. To provide insights into brain dynamics associated with MS, this study recruited 19 subjects to participate in an electroencephalogram (EEG) experiment in a virtual-reality driving environment. When riding on consecutive winding roads, subjects experienced postural instability and sensory conflict between visual and vestibular stimuli. Meanwhile, subjects rated their level of MS on a six-point scale. Independent component analysis (ICA) was used to separate the filtered EEG signals into maximally temporally independent components (ICs). Then, reduced logarithmic spectra of ICs of interest, using principal component analysis, were decomposed by ICA again to find spectrally fixed and temporally independent modulators (IMs). Results demonstrated that a higher degree of MS accompanied increased activation of alpha ([Formula: see text]) and gamma ([Formula: see text]) IMs across remote-independent brain processes, covering motor, parietal and occipital areas. This co-modulatory spectral change in alpha and gamma bands revealed the neurophysiological demand to regulate conflicts among multi-modal sensory systems during MS.
Complex symmetry of weighted composition operators in several variables
Authors: Wang Maofa , Yao Xingxing
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we investigate analytic symbols [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] when the weighted composition operator [Formula: see text] is complex symmetric on general function space [Formula: see text]. As applications, we characterize completely the compactness, normality and isometry of complex symmetric weighted composition operators. Especially, we show that the equivalence of compactness and Hilbert–Schmidtness, and the existence of non-normal complex symmetric operators for such operators, which answers one open problem raised by Noor in [On an example of a complex symmetric composition operators on [Formula: see text], J. Funct. Anal. 269 (2015) 1899–1901] for higher dimensional case.
Optimal multi-community network modularity for information diffusion
Authors: Wu Jiaocan , Du Ruping , Zheng YingYing , Liu Dong
Published: January 2016

Studies demonstrate that community structure plays an important role in information spreading recently. In this paper, we investigate the impact of multi-community structure on information diffusion with linear threshold model. We utilize extended GN network that contains four communities and analyze dynamic behaviors of information that spreads on it. And we discover the optimal multi-community network modularity for information diffusion based on the social reinforcement. Results show that, within the appropriate range, multi-community structure will facilitate information diffusion instead of hindering it, which accords with the results derived from two-community network.
New contributions to physics by Prof. C. N. Yang: 2009–2011
Authors: Ma Zhong-Qi
Published: January 2016

In a seminal paper of 1967, Professor Chen Ning Yang found the full solution of the one-dimensional Fermi gas with a repulsive delta function interaction by using the Bethe ansatz and group theory. This work with a brilliant discovery of the Yang–Baxter equation has been inspiring new developments in mathematical physics, statistical physics, and many-body physics. Based on experimental developments in simulating many-body physics of one-dimensional systems of ultracold atoms, during a period from 2009 to 2011, Prof. Yang published seven papers on the exact properties of the ground state of bosonic and fermionic atoms with the repulsive delta function interaction and a confined potential to one dimension. Here I would like to share my experience in doing research work fortunately under the direct supervision of Prof. Yang in that period.
Feature Subspace Estimation for Resolving Dimensionality Mismatch in Practical Color-Based Face Recognition Systems
Authors: Choi Jae Young
Published: January 2016

Recently, considerable research efforts have been devoted to effective utilization of facial color information for improved recognition performance. Of all color-based face recognition (FR) methods, the most widely used approach is a color FR method using input-level fusion. In this method, augmented input vectors of the color images are first generated by concatenating different color components (including both luminance and chrominance information) by column order at the input level and feature subspace is then trained with a set of augmented input vectors. However, in practical applications, a testing image could be captured as a grayscale image, rather than as a color image, mainly caused by different, heterogeneous image acquisition environment. A grayscale testing image causes so-called dimensionality mismatch between the trained feature subspace and testing input vector. Disparity in dimensionality negatively impacts the reliable FR performance and even imposes a significant restriction on carrying out FR operations in practical color FR systems. To resolve the dimensionality mismatch, we propose a novel approach to estimate new feature subspace, suitable for recognizing a grayscale testing image. In particular, new feature subspace is estimated from a given feature subspace created using color training images. The effectiveness of proposed solution has been successfully tested on four public face databases (DBs) such as CMU, FERET, XM2VTSDB, and ORL DBs. Extensive and comparative experiments showed that the proposed solution works well for resolving dimensionality mismatch of importance in real-life color FR systems.
Quantum mechanics for quantum computing
Authors: Owczarek Robert
Published: January 2016

Quantum computing is a field of great interest, attracting, among others, the attention of many mathematicians. Although not all quantum mechanics is needed to successfully engage in research on quantum computing, the somewhat superficial approach usually applied by non-physicists is, in the opinion of the author of the lectures, not feasible. The following notes from lectures given at the mathematics department of George Washington University are meant to be a partial remedy to the situation, offering a very brief and slightly unorthodox introduction to one-particle quantum mechanics, and even shorter discussion of passage to multi-particle quantum mechanics, as needed for quantum computing.
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION OF TUNGSTEN MATERIAL AND ION FLUX DURING NANOSECOND PULSED LASER DEPOSITION
Authors: HUSSAIN M. S. , DOGAR A. H. , QAYYUM A. , ABBASI S. A.
Published: January 2016

Tungsten thin films were prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique on glass substrates placed at the angles of 0[Formula: see text] to 70[Formula: see text] with respect to the target surface normal. Rutherford backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) analysis of the films indicated that about 90% of tungsten material flux is distributed in a cone of 40[Formula: see text] solid angle while about 54% of it lies even in a narrower cone of 10[Formula: see text] solid angle. Significant diffusion of tungsten in glass substrate has been observed in the films deposited at smaller angles with respect to target surface normal. Time-of-flight (TOF) measurements performed using Langmuir probe indicated that the most probable ion energy decreases from about 600 to 91[Formula: see text]eV for variation of [Formula: see text] from 0[Formula: see text] to 70[Formula: see text]. In general ion energy spread is quite large at all angles investigated here. The enhanced tungsten diffusion in glass substrate observed at smaller angles is most probably due to the higher ion energy and ion assisted recoil implantation of already deposited tungsten.
Existence of Equilibrium Points for Bimatrix Game with Interval Payoffs
Authors: Bhurjee Ajay Kumar
Published: January 2016

This paper deals a bimatrix game with payoffs as closed intervals. Existence of equilibrium point of this game is discussed by using suitable interval quadratic programming problem. Further, a methodology is proposed for finding optimal strategies for each player of the game. The methodology is illustrated by numerical example.
Existence and multiplicity of entire radial spacelike graphs with prescribed mean curvature function in certain Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker spacetimes
Authors: Bereanu Cristian , de la Fuente Daniel , Romero Alfonso , Torres Pedro J.
Published: January 2016

We provide sufficient conditions for the existence of a uniparametric family of entire spacelike graphs with prescribed mean curvature in a Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker spacetime with flat fiber. The proof is based on the analysis of the associated homogeneous Dirichlet problem on a Euclidean ball together with suitable bounds for the gradient which permit the prolongability of the solution to the whole space.
A note on statistical properties for nonuniformly hyperbolic systems with slow contraction and expansion
Authors: Melbourne Ian , Varandas Paulo
Published: January 2016

We provide a systematic approach for deducing statistical limit laws via martingale-coboundary decomposition, for nonuniformly hyperbolic systems with slowly contracting and expanding directions. In particular, if the associated return time function is square-integrable, then we obtain the central limit theorem, the weak invariance principle, and an iterated version of the weak invariance principle.
Note on limit distribution of normalized return times and escape rate
Authors: Zhang Xuan
Published: January 2016

In this note we discuss limit distribution of normalized return times for shrinking targets and draw a necessary and sufficient condition using sweep-out sequence in order for the limit distribution to be exponential with parameter 1. The normalizing coefficients are the same as the sizes of the targets. Moreover we study escape rate, namely the exponential decay rate of sweep-out sequence and prove that in [Formula: see text]-mixing systems for a certain class of sets the escape rate is in limit proportional to the size of the set.
Extreme value theory for piecewise contracting maps with randomly applied stochastic perturbations
Authors: Faranda Davide , Freitas Jorge Milhazes , Guiraud Pierre , Vaienti Sandro
Published: January 2016

We consider globally invertible and piecewise contracting maps in higher dimensions and perturb them with a particular kind of noise introduced by Lasota and Mackey. We got random transformations which are given by a stationary process: in this framework we develop an extreme value theory for a few classes of observables and we show how to get the (usual) limiting distributions together with an extremal index depending on the strength of the noise.
Semidualizing bimodules and related Gorenstein homological dimensions
Authors: Xu Aimin , Ding Nanqing
Published: January 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be a semidualizing bimodule with [Formula: see text] left coherent and [Formula: see text] right coherent. For a non-negative integer [Formula: see text], it is shown that [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] if and only if every finitely presented left [Formula: see text]-module has [Formula: see text]-projective dimension at most [Formula: see text] if and only if every finitely presented right [Formula: see text]-module has [Formula: see text]-projective dimension at most [Formula: see text]. As applications, some well-known results are extended.
Numerical solution of two-dimensional first kind Fredholm integral equations by using linear Legendre wavelet
Authors: Tahami M. , Askari Hemmat A. , Yousefi S. A.
Published: January 2016

In one-dimensional problems, the Legendre wavelets are good candidates for approximation. In this paper, we present a numerical method for solving two-dimensional first kind Fredholm integral equation. The method is based upon two-dimensional linear Legendre wavelet basis approximation. By applying tensor product of one-dimensional linear Legendre wavelet we construct a two-dimensional wavelet. Finally, we give some numerical examples.
Reverse engineering of gene regulatory networks based on S-systems and Bat algorithm
Authors: Mandal Sudip , Khan Abhinandan , Saha Goutam , Pal Rajat Kumar
Published: January 2016

The correct inference of gene regulatory networks for the understanding of the intricacies of the complex biological regulations remains an intriguing task for researchers. With the availability of large dimensional microarray data, relationships among thousands of genes can be simultaneously extracted. Among the prevalent models of reverse engineering genetic networks, S-system is considered to be an efficient mathematical tool. In this paper, Bat algorithm, based on the echolocation of bats, has been used to optimize the S-system model parameters. A decoupled S-system has been implemented to reduce the complexity of the algorithm. Initially, the proposed method has been successfully tested on an artificial network with and without the presence of noise. Based on the fact that a real-life genetic network is sparsely connected, a novel Accumulative Cardinality based decoupled S-system has been proposed. The cardinality has been varied from zero up to a maximum value, and this model has been implemented for the reconstruction of the DNA SOS repair network of Escherichia coli. The obtained results have shown significant improvements in the detection of a greater number of true regulations, and in the minimization of false detections compared to other existing methods.
Baer ideals in 0-distributive posets
Authors: Joshi Vinayak , Mundlik Nilesh
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we study Baer ideals in posets and obtain some characterizations of Baer ideals in [Formula: see text]-distributive posets. Further, we prove that in an ideal-distributive poset, every ideal is Baer (normal) if and only if every prime ideal is Baer (normal). We extend the concept of a quasicomplement to posets and prove characterizations of quasicomplemented poset. This extend the results regarding Baer ideals and quasicomplemented lattices mentioned in [Y. S. Pawar and S. S. Khopade, [Formula: see text]-ideals and annihilator ideals in 0-distributive lattices, Acta Univ. Palack. Olomuc. Fac. Rerum Natur. Math. 49(1) (2010) 63–74; Y. S. Pawar and D. N. Mane, [Formula: see text]-ideals in 0-distributive semilattices and 0-distributive lattices, Indian J. Pure Appl. Math. 24(7–8) (1993) 435–443] to posets.
Absorption and optical conduction in InSe/ZnSe/InSe thin film transistors
Authors: Al Garni S. E. , Qasrawi A. F.
Published: January 2016

In this work, (n)InSe/(p)ZnSe and (n)InSe/(p)ZnSe/(n)InSe heterojunction thin film transistor (TFT) devices are produced by the thermal evaporation technique. They are characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy and optical spectroscopy techniques. While the InSe films are found to be amorphous, the ZnSe and InSe/ZnSe films exhibited polycrystalline nature of crystallization. The optical analysis has shown that these devices exhibit a conduction band offsets of 0.47 and valence band offsets of 0.67 and 0.74[Formula: see text]eV, respectively. In addition, while the dielectric spectra of the InSe and ZnSe displayed resonance peaks at 416 and 528[Formula: see text]THz, the dielectric spectra of InSe/ZnSe and InSe/ZnSe/InSe layers indicated two additional peaks at 305 and 350[Formula: see text]THz, respectively. On the other hand, the optical conductivity analysis and modeling in the light of free carrier absorption theory reflected low values of drift mobilities associated with incident alternating electric fields at terahertz frequencies. The drift mobility of the charge carrier particles at femtoseconds scattering times increased as a result of the ZnSe sandwiching between two InSe layers. The valence band offsets, the dielectric resonance at 305 and 350[Formula: see text]THz and the optical conductivity values nominate TFT devices for use in optoelectronics.
Synthesis and electromagnetic properties of nanodendritic γ′-Fe4N
Authors: Zhu Mengna , Yu Meijie , Mao Qiong , Li Fazhan , Wang Chengguo
Published: January 2016

Nanodendritic [Formula: see text]-Fe4N was successfully synthesized through a nitriding process from dendritic [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3, which was prepared by hydrothermal method using potassium ferricyanide (K3[Fe(CN)6]) as iron source. The structure and electromagnetic properties of this material were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and vector network analyzer (VNA). The results revealed that the dendritic morphology can be mostly inherited from [Formula: see text]-Fe2O3 to [Formula: see text]-Fe4N by controlling the nitriding temperature, duration and nitrogen potential precisely. The dendritic [Formula: see text]-Fe4N has the saturation magnetization of 146[Formula: see text]emu/g and the coercive force of 94[Formula: see text]Oe at 300[Formula: see text]K. The maximum reflection loss is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB at 3[Formula: see text]GHz with the thickness of 3.0[Formula: see text]mm for the composite sample.
Preparation of highly c-axis oriented AlN thin films on Hastelloy tapes with Y2O3 buffer layer for flexible SAW sensor applications
Authors: Peng Bin , Jiang Jianying , Chen Guo , Shu Lin , Feng Jie , Zhang Wanli , Liu Xinzhao
Published: January 2016

Highly c-axis oriented aluminum nitrade (AlN) films were successfully deposited on flexible Hastelloy tapes by middle-frequency magnetron sputtering. The microstructure and piezoelectric properties of the AlN films were investigated. The results show that the AlN films deposited directly on the bare Hastelloy substrate have rough surface with root mean square (RMS) roughness of 32.43[Formula: see text]nm and its full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the AlN (0002) peak is [Formula: see text]. However, the AlN films deposited on the Hastelloy substrate with Y2O3 buffer layer show smooth surface with RMS roughness of 5.46[Formula: see text]nm and its FWHM of the AlN (0002) peak is only [Formula: see text]. The piezoelectric coefficient d[Formula: see text] of the AlN films deposited on the Y2O3/Hastelloy substrate is larger than three times that of the AlN films deposited on the bare Hastelloy substrate. The prepared highly c-axis oriented AlN films can be used to develop high-temperature flexible SAW sensors.
Socioemotional, Personality, and Biological Development: Illustrations from a Multilevel Developmental Psychopathology Perspective on Child Maltreatment
Authors: Cicchetti Dante
Published: January 2016

Developmental theories can be affirmed, challenged, and augmented by incorporating knowledge about atypical ontogenesis. Investigations of the biological, socioemotional, and personality development in individuals with high-risk conditions and psychopathological disorders can provide an entrée into the study of system organization, disorganization, and reorganization. This article examines child maltreatment to illustrate the benefit that can be derived from the study of individuals subjected to nonnormative caregiving experiences. Relative to an average expectable environment, which consists of a species-specific range of environmental conditions that support adaptive development among genetically normal individuals, maltreating families fail to provide many of the experiences that are required for normal development. Principles gleaned from the field of developmental psychopathology provide a framework for understanding multilevel functioning in normality and pathology. Knowledge of normative developmental processes provides the impetus to design and implement randomized control trial (RCT) interventions that can promote resilient functioning in maltreated children.
Neural Plasticity following Abacus Training in Humans: A Review and Future Directions
Authors: Li Yongxin , Chen Feiyan , Huang Wenhua
Published: January 2016

The human brain has an enormous capacity to adapt to a broad variety of environmental demands. Previous studies in the field of abacus training have shown that this training can induce specific changes in the brain. However, the neural mechanism underlying these changes remains elusive. Here, we reviewed the behavioral and imaging findings of comparisons between abacus experts and average control subjects and focused on changes in activation patterns and changes in brain structure. Finally, we noted the limitations and the future directions of this field. We concluded that although current studies have provided us with information about the mechanisms of abacus training, more research on abacus training is needed to understand its neural impact.
Comparing Erlang Distribution and Schwinger Mechanism on Transverse Momentum Spectra in High Energy Collisions
Authors: Gao Li-Na , Liu Fu-Hu
Published: January 2016

We study the transverse momentum spectra ofJ/ψandΥmesons by using two methods: the two-component Erlang distribution and the two-component Schwinger mechanism. The results obtained by the two methods are compared and found to be in agreement with the experimental data of proton-proton (pp), proton-lead (p-Pb), and lead-lead (Pb-Pb) collisions measured by the LHCb and ALICE Collaborations at the large hadron collider (LHC). The related parameters such as the mean transverse momentum contributed by each parton in the first (second) component in the two-component Erlang distribution and the string tension between two partons in the first (second) component in the two-component Schwinger mechanism are extracted.
CTA Characteristics of the Circle of Willis and Intracranial Aneurysm in a Chinese Crowd with Family History of Stroke
Authors: Jin Zhang-ning , Dong Wen-tao , Cai Xin-wang , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Li-tong , Gao Feng , Kang Xiao-kui , Li Jia , Wang Hai-ning , Gao Nan-nan , Ning Xian-jia , Tu Jun , Li Feng-tan , Zhang Jing , Jiang Ying-jian , Li Nai-xin , Yang Shu-yuan , Zhang Jian-ning , Wang Jing-hua , Yang Xin-yu
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose.The vascular morphology in crowd with family history of stroke remains unclear. The present study clarified the characteristics of the intracranial vascular CoW and prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in subjects with family history of stroke.Methods.A stratified cluster, random sampling method was used for subjects with family history of stroke among rural residents in Jixian, Tianjin, China. All the subjects underwent a physical examination, head computed tomography (CT) scan, and cephalic and cervical computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan. Anatomic variations in the Circle of Willis and cerebrovascular disease in this population were analyzed.Results.In the crowd with similar living environment, stable genetic background, and family history of stroke and without obvious nerve function impairment (1) hypoplasia or absence of A1 segment was significantly different in gender (male versus female: 9.8% versus 18.8%,p=0.031), especially the right-side A1 (male versus female: 5.9% versus 16.4%,p=0.004). (2) Hypoplasia or absence of bilateral posterior communicating arteries was more common in men than women (58.2% versus 45.3%,p=0.032). Unilateral fetal posterior cerebral artery was observed more often in women than men (17.2% versus 8.5%,p=0.028). (3) The percentage of subjects with incomplete CoW did not increase significantly with age. Compared to healthy Chinese people, the crowd had a higher percentage of incomplete CoW (p<0.001). (4) No obvious correlation between risk factors and CoW was found. (5) The prevalence of aneurysm was 10.3% in the special crowd.Conclusions.The certain variations of CoW showed significant relation to gender, but not to age in people with family history of stroke. The incomplete circle may be a dangerous factor that is independent of common risk factors for stroke and tend to lead to cerebral ischemia in the crowd with family history of stroke. The prevalence of intracranial aneurysm is comparatively high in the present subjects compared to other people.
Effects of Tetrahydrocurcumin on Tumor Growth and Cellular Signaling in Cervical Cancer Xenografts in Nude Mice
Authors: Yoysungnoen Bhornprom , Bhattarakosol Parvapan , Changtam Chatchawan , Patumraj Suthiluk
Published: January 2016

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) is a stable metabolite of curcumin (CUR) in physiological systems. The mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of THC is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of THC on tumor growth and cellular signaling in cervical cancer xenografts in nude mice. Cervical cancer cells (CaSki) were subcutaneously injected in nude mice to establish tumors. One month after the injection, mice were orally administered vehicle or 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg of THC daily for 30 consecutive days. Relative tumor volume (RTV) was measured every 3-4 days. COX-2, EGFR, p-ERK1&2, p-AKT, and Ki-67 expressions were measured by immunohistochemistry whereas cell apoptosis was detected by TUNELS method. THC treatments at the doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg statistically retarded the RTV by 70.40%, 76.41%, and 77.93%, respectively. The CaSki + vehicle group also showed significantly increased COX-2, EGFR, p-ERK1&2, and p-AKT; however they were attenuated by all treatments with THC. Ki-67 overexpression and a decreasing of cell apoptosis were found in CaSki + vehicle group, but these findings were reversed after the THC treatments.
Magnetic and Electrical Properties of Heusler Alloy Co2MnSi Thin Films Grown on Ge(001) Substrates via an Al2O3Tunnel Barrier
Authors: Li Gui-fang , Liu Shibin , Du Yongqian
Published: January 2016

Heusler alloy Co2MnSi/Al2O3heterostructures on single-crystal Ge(001) substrates were prepared through magnetron sputtering for both Co2MnSi and Al2O3thin films as a promising candidate for future-generation semiconductor-based spintronic devices. Sufficiently high saturation magnetization 781 emu/cm3was obtained for the Co2MnSi thin film. Furthermore, the current versus voltage (I-V) characteristics showed that the tunneling conduction was dominant in Co2MnSi/Al2O3(2 nm)/Ge(001) heterostructure and theI-Vcharacteristics were slightly dependent on temperature. The conductance versus voltage (dI/dV-V) characteristics indicated that the potential barrier height at the Co2MnSi/Al2O3interface was almost equal to that at then-Ge/Al2O3interface for the prepared Co2MnSi/Al2O3/Ge(001) heterostructure.
Diversity and Multiplexing Technologies by 3D Beams in Polarized Massive MIMO Systems
Authors: Su Xin , Chang KyungHi
Published: January 2016

Massive multiple input, multiple output (M-MIMO) technologies have been proposed to scale up data rates reaching gigabits per second in the forthcoming 5G mobile communications systems. However, one of crucial constraints is a dimension in space to implement the M-MIMO. To cope with the space constraint and to utilize more flexibility in 3D beamforming (3D-BF), we propose antenna polarization in M-MIMO systems. In this paper, we design a polarized M-MIMO (PM-MIMO) system associated with 3D-BF applications, where the system architectures for diversity and multiplexing technologies achieved by polarized 3D beams are provided. Different from the conventional 3D-BF achieved by planar M-MIMO technology to control the downtilted beam in a vertical domain, the proposed PM-MIMO realizes 3D-BF via the linear combination of polarized beams. In addition, an effective array selection scheme is proposed to optimize the beam-width and to enhance system performance by the exploration of diversity and multiplexing gains; and a blind channel estimation (BCE) approach is also proposed to avoid pilot contamination in PM-MIMO. Based on the Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) specification, the simulation results finally confirm the validity of our proposals.
Pharmacological Inhibition of Gal‐3 in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhances Their Capacity to Promote Alternative Activation of Macrophages in Dextran Sulphate Sodium‐Induced Colitis
Authors: Simovic Markovic Bojana , Nikolic Aleksandar , Gazdic Marina , Nurkovic Jasmin , Djordjevic Irena , Arsenijevic Nebojsa , Stojkovic Miodrag , Lukic Miodrag L. , Volarevic Vladislav
Published: January 2016

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reduces the severity of dextran sulphate sodium‐ (DSS‐) induced colitis. MSCs are able to secrete Galectin‐3 (Gal‐3), a protein known to affect proliferation, adhesion, and migration of immune cells. We investigate whether newly synthetized inhibitor of Gal‐3 (Davanat) will affect production of Gal‐3 in MSCs and enhance their potential to attenuate DSS‐induced colitis. Pharmacological inhibition of Gal‐3 in MSCs enhances their capacity to promote alternative activation of peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Injection of MSCs cultured in the presence of Davanat increased concentration of IL‐10 in sera of DSS‐treated animals and markedly enhanced presence of alternatively activated and IL‐10 producing macrophages in the colons of DSS‐treated mice. Pharmacological inhibition of Gal‐3 in MSCs significantly attenuates concentration of Gal‐3 in sera of DSS‐treated animals, indicating that MSCs produce Gal‐3 in this disease. In conclusion, our findings indicate that Davanat could be used for improvement of MSC‐mediated polarization towards immunosuppressive M2 phenotype of macrophages.
Establishment of a Rat Adjuvant Arthritis-Interstitial Lung Disease Model
Authors: Song Liu-nan , Kong Xiao-dan , Wang Hong-jiang , Zhan Li-bin
Published: January 2016

Introduction. Development of an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and improved knowledge of the pathogenesis of RA-ILD may facilitate earlier diagnosis and the development of more effective targeted therapies.Methods. Adult male Wistar rats were studied in an adjuvant arthritis (AA) model induced by the injection of Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA). Rats were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 after FCA injection. Lung tissue was obtained for histopathological examination and evaluation of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β1) protein expression levels.Results. Pulmonary inflammation was evident in lung tissue from day 21 after FCA injection. Inflammation and mild fibrosis were observed in lung tissue on day 28 after FCA injection. Cav-1 protein expression was significantly decreased from day 7 through day 28 and TGF-β1 protein expression was significantly increased on day 28 after FCA injection compared to control (P<0.05).Conclusion. We established an AA rat model that exhibited the extra-articular complication of RA-ILD. We identified Cav-1 and TGF-β1 as protein biomarkers of RA-ILD in this model and propose their signaling pathway as a possible target for therapeutic intervention.
Angle and Context Free Grammar Based Precarious Node Detection and Secure Data Transmission in MANETs
Authors: Veerasamy Anitha , Madane Srinivasa Rao , Sivakumar K. , Sivaraman Audithan
Published: January 2016

Growing attractiveness of Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs), its features, and usage has led to the launching of threats and attacks to bring negative consequences in the society. The typical features of MANETs, especially with dynamic topology and open wireless medium, may leave MANETs vulnerable. Trust management using uncertain reasoning scheme has previously attempted to solve this problem. However, it produces additional overhead while securing the network. Hence, a Location and Trust-based secure communication scheme (L&TS) is proposed to overcome this limitation. Since the design securing requires more than two data algorithms, the cost of the system goes up. Another mechanism proposed in this paper, Angle and Context Free Grammar (ACFG) based precarious node elimination and secure communication in MANETs, intends to secure data transmission and detect precarious nodes in a MANET at a comparatively lower cost. The Elliptic Curve function is used to isolate a malicious node, thereby incorporating secure data transfer. Simulation results show that the dynamic estimation of the metrics improves throughput by 26% in L&TS when compared to the TMUR. ACFG achieves 33% and 51% throughput increase when compared to L&TS and TMUR mechanisms, respectively.
Gearbox Fault Diagnosis Using Complementary Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition and Permutation Entropy
Authors: Zhao Liye , Yu Wei , Yan Ruqiang
Published: January 2016

This paper presents an improved gearbox fault diagnosis approach by integrating complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition (CEEMD) with permutation entropy (PE). The presented approach identifies faults appearing in a gearbox system based on PE values calculated from selected intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) of vibration signals decomposed by CEEMD. Specifically, CEEMD is first used to decompose vibration signals characterizing various defect severities into a series of IMFs. Then, filtered vibration signals are obtained from appropriate selection of IMFs, and correlation coefficients between the filtered signal and each IMF are used as the basis for useful IMFs selection. Subsequently, PE values of those selected IMFs are utilized as input features to a support vector machine (SVM) classifier for characterizing the defect severity of a gearbox. Case study conducted on a gearbox system indicates the effectiveness of the proposed approach for identifying the gearbox faults.
Serous Macular Detachment Secondary to Optic Pit: Surgical Treatment and Long Time Results
Authors: Cevher Selim , Sahinoglu-Keskek Nedime , Unal Fikret , Demirduzen Selahaddin , Oksuz Huseyin
Published: January 2016

32-year-old Turkish male patient presented with an optic disk pit and serous macular detachment in the left eye. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography revealed serous macular detachment and retinoschisis. After vitrectomy the retina gradually flattened and vision was gradually improved. We aimed to report a case of serous macula detachment secondary to optic pit and long term result of surgical treatment.
On Coupled Systems of Time-Fractional Differential Problems by Using a New Fractional Derivative
Authors: Alsaedi Ahmed , Baleanu Dumitru , Etemad Sina , Rezapour Shahram
Published: January 2016

The existence of solutions for a coupled system of time-fractional differential equations including continuous functions and the Caputo-Fabrizio fractional derivative is examined. After that we investigated a coupled system of time-fractional differential inclusions including compact- and convex-valuedL1-Caratheodory multifunctions and the Caputo-Fabrizio fractional derivative.
Genetic and Linkage Studies of New Autosomal Sex-Limited Mutant Hairless Antenna in Anopheles stephensi Liston
Authors: Madhyastha A. Dinesh , Shetty N. J.
Published: January 2016

A new morphological mutant hairless antenna (hla) was induced in the mosquito Anopheles stephensi by γ-irradiation. The expression of the mutant in the male adult revealed the antennae without the hairs. The inheritance pattern from our data demonstrates that hairless antenna is essentially sex-limited to males and is autosomal and recessive. The linkage relationships studies between the hairless antenna and greyish brown larva (grb) mutant indicated independent assortment and are present on different chromosomes, while the linkage relationship studies between the hairless antenna and ruby eye (ru) mutant revealed the suppression of hla by the ru gene in heterozygous condition. These mutants can be useful in conducting basic and applied research such as construction of linkage maps and understanding biochemical pathways and in genetic control programmes.
Cyclic and Explosive Evaluation of New Proposed Steel Joint
Authors: Faridmehr Iman , Ahmad Yusof , Tahir Mahmood Md. , Osman Mohd Hanim
Published: January 2016

The behaviour of a novel steel beam-to-column connection, the saddlebag, subjected to cyclic and progressive collapse, was evaluated in this paper. The cyclic behaviour considered the interstory drift angle and flexural strength in accordance with 2010 AISC Seismic Provisions, while progressive collapse assessment was evaluated through the plastic hinge rotation angle based on acceptance criteria provided in the UFC 4-023-03 guideline. From the cyclic test, one complete cycle of an interstory drift angle of 0.06 rad was satisfied for the saddlebag connection, which is an indication of the effectiveness in accordance with 2010 AISC Seismic Provisions. Besides, the new proposed connection developed adequate catenary action, which is a fundamental criterion to resist against progressive collapse. The resulting fuller hysteretic loops with large energy dissipation capacity in the proposed saddlebag connection guarantee its ability to address the inelastic deformation demands in earthquake conditions.
Development of Energy Efficient Clustering Protocol in Wireless Sensor Network Using Neuro-Fuzzy Approach
Authors: Julie E. Golden , Selvi S. Tamil
Published: January 2016

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) consist of sensor nodes with limited processing capability and limited nonrechargeable battery power. Energy consumption in WSN is a significant issue in networks for improving network lifetime. It is essential to develop an energy aware clustering protocol in WSN to reduce energy consumption for increasing network lifetime. In this paper, a neuro-fuzzy energy aware clustering scheme (NFEACS) is proposed to form optimum and energy aware clusters. NFEACS consists of two parts: fuzzy subsystem and neural network system that achieved energy efficiency in forming clusters and cluster heads in WSN. NFEACS used neural network that provides effective training set related to energy and received signal strength of all nodes to estimate the expected energy for tentative cluster heads. Sensor nodes with higher energy are trained with center location of base station to select energy aware cluster heads. Fuzzy rule is used in fuzzy logic part that inputs to form clusters. NFEACS is designed for WSN handling mobility of node. The proposed scheme NFEACS is compared with related clustering schemes, cluster-head election mechanism using fuzzy logic, and energy aware fuzzy unequal clustering. The experiment results show that NFEACS performs better than the other related schemes.
Imbalanced Learning Based on Logistic Discrimination
Authors: Guo Huaping , Zhi Weimei , Liu Hongbing , Xu Mingliang
Published: January 2016

In recent years, imbalanced learning problem has attracted more and more attentions from both academia and industry, and the problem is concerned with the performance of learning algorithms in the presence of data with severe class distribution skews. In this paper, we apply the well-known statistical model logistic discrimination to this problem and propose a novel method to improve its performance. To fully consider the class imbalance, we design a new cost function which takes into account the accuracies of both positive class and negative class as well as the precision of positive class. Unlike traditional logistic discrimination, the proposed method learns its parameters by maximizing the proposed cost function. Experimental results show that, compared with other state-of-the-art methods, the proposed one shows significantly better performance on measures of recall,g-mean,f-measure, AUC, and accuracy.
Organic Solar Cells with Boron- or Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotubes in the P3HT : PCBM Photoactive Layer
Authors: Keru Godfrey , Ndungu Patrick G. , Mola Genene T. , Nogueira Ana F. , Nyamori Vincent O.
Published: January 2016

Either boron- or nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (B- or N-CNTs) were incorporated in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells photoactive layer composed of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) : (6,6)-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The physical and chemical properties were investigated using different spectroscopic techniques. The cell performance was followed from their current-voltage (J-V) characteristics. Recombination dynamics of the photo-generated free charge carriers were investigated using micro- to milliseconds transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed the presence of cone structures and bamboo compartments in B-CNTs and N-CNTs, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed very little boron was substituted in the carbon network and presence of pyrrolic, pyridinic, and quaternary species of nitrogen in N-CNTs.J-Vcharacteristics were found to be similar for the devices with B- and N-CNTs even though boron- and nitrogen-doped CNTs are known to have different properties, that is, p-type and n-type, respectively. TAS results showed that all devices had long lived free charge carriers but the devices with B- or N-CNTs had low power conservation efficiency and voltage.
Urea Formaldehyde Composites Reinforced with Sago Fibres Analysis by FTIR, TGA, and DSC
Authors: Chiang Tay Chen , Hamdan Sinin , Osman Mohd Shahril
Published: January 2016

Agricultural material or biomaterial plays an important role in the field of fibre-reinforced polymeric materials with their new range of applications and achieves the ecological objective. Composition and structure of the nature fibre and matrix must be taken into consideration for the end use. In this project, Sago fibre particleboard bonds with Urea Formaldehyde to form composite. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra are used to characterize the Sago/Urea Formaldehyde composite in terms of their functional group and bonding. Sago/UF composite with smaller particle and higher loading of fibre with 15 wt% of UF matrix has the higher curing properties. The composite will have a denser structure by adopting bigger particle and higher loading of UF matrix. The Sago/UF composite only endures a single stage of decomposition. Thermal stability results indicate that particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion, and particle loading have great influence on the thermal properties of the composites.
Pharmacological Therapy in the Heart as an Alternative to Cellular Therapy: A Place for the Brain Natriuretic Peptide?
Authors: Rosenblatt-Velin Nathalie , Badoux Suzanne , Liaudet Lucas
Published: January 2016

The discovery that stem cells isolated from different organs have the ability to differentiate into mature beating cardiomyocytes has fostered considerable interest in developing cellular regenerative therapies to treat cardiac diseases associated with the loss of viable myocardium. Clinical studies evaluating the potential of stem cells (from heart, blood, bone marrow, skeletal muscle, and fat) to regenerate the myocardium and improve its functional status indicated that although the method appeared generally safe, its overall efficacy has remained modest. Several issues raised by these studies were notably related to the nature and number of injected cells, as well as the route and timing of their administration, to cite only a few. Besides the direct administration of cardiac precursor cells, a distinct approach to cardiac regeneration could be based upon the stimulation of the heart’s natural ability to regenerate, using pharmacological approaches. Indeed, differentiation and/or proliferation of cardiac precursor cells is controlled by various endogenous mediators, such as growth factors and cytokines, which could thus be used as pharmacological agents to promote regeneration. To illustrate such approach, we present recent results showing that the exogenous administration of the natriuretic peptide BNP triggers “endogenous” cardiac regeneration, following experimental myocardial infarction.
Elastodynamic Response of Thermal Laser Pulse in Micropolar Thermoelastic Mass Diffusion Medium
Authors: Kumar Rajneesh , Kumar Arvind
Published: January 2016

The present investigation deals with the deformation in micropolar thermoelastic diffusion medium due to inclined load subjected to thermal laser pulse. Normal mode analysis technique is used to solve the problem. The inclined load is assumed to be a linear combination of a normal load and a tangential load. The closed form expressions of normal stress, tangential stress, couple stress, temperature distribution, and mass concentration are obtained. A computer program has been developed to derive the physical quantities numerically. The variation of normal stress, tangential stress, coupled stress, temperature change, and mass concentration is depicted graphically to show the effect of relaxation times and mass concentration. Some particular cases of interest are deduced from the present investigation.