bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel design of reconfigurable monopole antenna with switchable triple band-rejection for UWB applications
Authors: Nasrabadi Esmail , Rezaei Pejman
Published: April 2015

In this paper, a new antenna has been proposed with dimensions of 28 × 28 × 0.8 mm3 and the ability of operating in ultra-wideband (UWB) frequency and switching three notched bands. In the structure, to achieve the removal of characteristic of three frequency bands, a rectangular patch with an H-shaped slot on its surface and two C-shaped arms on its sides have been used. In addition, the designed antennas have the ability of operating in five different modes. To achieve the performance of reconfiguring, three pin diodes are used on the slots of rectangular patch and those two C-shaped arms. Also, with the defect ground structure and creating two rectangular slots and two L-shaped slots on the ground plane we make the excite of additional resonances and thus increase antenna bandwidth. Simulation and measurement results show that the designed antenna is able to cover the range of frequencies 3–12 GHz and a controllable frequency band rejection in the three frequency bands 3.2–3.75 GHz (WiMAX), 5.05–5.9 GHz (WLAN), and 8–8.45 GHz (ITU). The proposed antenna decreases the interference of the mentioned wireless systems with the UWB frequency.
Ghiorso and Sack Receive 2014 Norman L. Bowen Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: April 2015

Mark Ghiorso and Richard O. Sack received 2014 Norman L. Bowen Awards at the 2014 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, held 15–19 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to volcanology, geochemistry, or petrology.
Erratum: Culture and molecular-based profiles show shifts in bacterial communities of the upper respiratory tract that occur with age
Authors: Stearns Jennifer C , Davidson Carla J , McKeon Suzanne , Whelan Fiona J , Fontes Michelle E , Schryvers Anthony B , Bowdish Dawn M E , Kellner James D , Surette Michael G
Published: April 2015

Correction to: The ISME Journal advance online publication, 9 January 2015; doi:10.1038/ismej.2014.250 After the publication of this paper, it was noticed that the names were not spelled out in full as per the ISME Journal’s style. The following is how the names should appear: ‘Jennifer C Stearns, Carla J Davidson, Suzanne McKeon, Fiona J Whelan, Michelle E Fontes, Anthony B Schryvers, Dawn ME Bowdish, James D Kellner and Michael G Surette.
Causal factors for seismicity near Azle, Texas
Authors: Hornbach Matthew J. , DeShon Heather R. , Ellsworth William L. , Stump Brian W. , Hayward Chris , Frohlich Cliff , Oldham Harrison R. , Olson Jon E. , Magnani M. Beatrice , Brokaw Casey , Luetgert James H.
Published: April 2015

In November 2013, a series of earthquakes began along a mapped ancient fault system near Azle, Texas. Here we assess whether it is plausible that human activity caused these earthquakes. Analysis of both lake and groundwater variations near Azle shows that no significant stress changes were associated with the shallow water table before or during the earthquake sequence. In contrast, pore-pressure models demonstrate that a combination of brine production and wastewater injection near the fault generated subsurface pressures sufficient to induce earthquakes on near-critically stressed faults. On the basis of modelling results and the absence of historical earthquakes near Azle, brine production combined with wastewater disposal represent the most likely cause of recent seismicity near Azle. For assessing the earthquake cause, our research underscores the necessity of monitoring subsurface wastewater formation pressures and monitoring earthquakes having magnitudes of ∼M2 and greater. Currently, monitoring at these levels is not standard across Texas or the United States.
Combinatorial code governing cellular responses to complex stimuli
Authors: Cappuccio Antonio , Zollinger Raphaël , Schenk Mirjam , Walczak Aleksandra , Servant Nicolas , Barillot Emmanuel , Hupé Philippe , Modlin Robert L. , Soumelis Vassili
Published: April 2015

Cells adapt to their environment through the integration of complex signals. Multiple signals can induce synergistic or antagonistic interactions, currently considered as homogenous behaviours. Here, we use a systematic theoretical approach to enumerate the possible interaction profiles for outputs measured in the conditions 0 (control), signals X, Y, X+Y. Combinatorial analysis reveals 82 possible interaction profiles, which we biologically and mathematically grouped into five positive and five negative interaction modes. To experimentally validate their use in living cells, we apply an original computational workflow to transcriptomics data of innate immune cells integrating physiopathological signal combinations. Up to 9 of the 10 defined modes coexisted in context-dependent proportions. Each interaction mode was preferentially used in specific biological pathways, suggesting a functional role in the adaptation to multiple signals. Our work defines an exhaustive map of interaction modes for cells integrating pairs of physiopathological and pharmacological stimuli.
APOBEC3A cytidine deaminase induces RNA editing in monocytes and macrophages
Authors: Sharma Shraddha , Patnaik Santosh K. , Thomas Taggart R. , Kannisto Eric D. , Enriquez Sally M. , Gollnick Paul , Baysal Bora E.
Published: April 2015

The extent, regulation and enzymatic basis of RNA editing by cytidine deamination are incompletely understood. Here we show that transcripts of hundreds of genes undergo site-specific C>U RNA editing in macrophages during M1 polarization and in monocytes in response to hypoxia and interferons. This editing alters the amino acid sequences for scores of proteins, including many that are involved in pathogenesis of viral diseases. APOBEC3A, which is known to deaminate cytidines of single-stranded DNA and to inhibit viruses and retrotransposons, mediates this RNA editing. Amino acid residues of APOBEC3A that are known to be required for its DNA deamination and anti-retrotransposition activities were also found to affect its RNA deamination activity. Our study demonstrates the cellular RNA editing activity of a member of the APOBEC3 family of innate restriction factors and expands the understanding of C>U RNA editing in mammals.
Patterning two-dimensional chalcogenide crystals of Bi2Se3 and In2Se3 and efficient photodetectors
Authors: Zheng Wenshan , Xie Tian , Zhou Yu , Chen Y. L. , Jiang Wei , Zhao Shuli , Wu Jinxiong , Jing Yumei , Wu Yue , Chen Guanchu , Guo Yunfan , Yin Jianbo , Huang Shaoyun , Xu H. Q. , Liu Zhongfan , Peng Hailin
Published: April 2015

Patterning of high-quality two-dimensional chalcogenide crystals with unique planar structures and various fascinating electronic properties offers great potential for batch fabrication and integration of electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, it remains a challenge that requires accurate control of the crystallization, thickness, position, orientation and layout. Here we develop a method that combines microintaglio printing with van der Waals epitaxy to efficiently pattern various single-crystal two-dimensional chalcogenides onto transparent insulating mica substrates. Using this approach, we have patterned large-area arrays of two-dimensional single-crystal Bi2Se3 topological insulator with a record high Hall mobility of ∼1,750 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature. Furthermore, our patterned two-dimensional In2Se3 crystal arrays have been integrated and packaged to flexible photodetectors, yielding an ultrahigh external photoresponsivity of ∼1,650 A W−1 at 633 nm. The facile patterning, integration and packaging of high-quality two-dimensional chalcogenide crystals hold promise for innovations of next-generation photodetector arrays, wearable electronics and integrated optoelectronic circuits.
Common genetic variant association with altered HLA expression, synergy with pyrethroid exposure, and risk for Parkinson’s disease: an observational and case–control study
Authors: Kannarkat G T , Cook D A , Lee J-K , Chang J , Chung J , Sandy E , Paul K C , Ritz B , Bronstein J , Factor S A , Boss J M , Tansey M G
Published: April 2015

Background:

The common noncoding single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3129882 in HLA-DRA is associated with risk for idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). The location of the SNP in the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) locus implicates regulation of antigen presentation as a potential mechanism by which immune responses link genetic susceptibility to environmental factors in conferring lifetime risk for PD.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of this SNP on the MHC-II locus and its synergy with pesticide exposure.

Methods:

For immunophenotyping, blood cells from 81 subjects were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and flow cytometry. A case–control study was performed on a separate cohort of 962 subjects to determine association of pesticide exposure and the SNP with risk of PD.

Results:

Homozygosity for G at this SNP was associated with heightened baseline expression and inducibility of MHC class II molecules in B cells and monocytes from peripheral blood of healthy controls and PD patients. In addition, exposure to a commonly used class of insecticide, pyrethroids, synergized with the risk conferred by this SNP (odds ratio=2.48, P=0.007), thereby identifying a novel gene–environment interaction that promotes risk for PD via alterations in immune responses.

Conclusions:

In sum, these novel findings suggest that the MHC-II locus may increase susceptibility to PD through presentation of pathogenic, immunodominant antigens and/or a shift toward a more pro-inflammatory CD4+ T-cell response in response to specific environmental exposures, such as pyrethroid exposure through genetic or epigenetic mechanisms that modulate MHC-II gene expression.
Ultrafast optical excitation of magnetic skyrmions
Authors: Ogawa N. , Seki S. , Tokura Y.
Published: April 2015

Magnetic skyrmions in an insulating chiral magnet Cu2OSeO3 were studied by all-optical spin wave spectroscopy. The spins in the conical and skyrmion phases were excited by the impulsive magnetic field from the inverse-Faraday effect and resultant spin dynamics were detected by using time-resolved magneto-optics. Clear dispersions of the helimagnon were observed, which is accompanied by a distinct transition into the skyrmion phase, by sweeping temperature and magnetic field. In addition to the collective excitations of skyrmions, i.e., rotation and breathing modes, several spin precession modes were identified, which would be specific to optical excitation. The ultrafast, nonthermal and local excitation of the spin systems by photons would lead to the efficient manipulation of nano-magnetic structures.
Yeast nitrogen utilization in the phyllosphere during plant lifespan under regulation of autophagy
Authors: Shiraishi Kosuke , Oku Masahide , Kawaguchi Kosuke , Uchida Daichi , Yurimoto Hiroya , Sakai Yasuyoshi
Published: April 2015

Recently, microbe-plant interactions at the above-ground parts have attracted great attention. Here we describe nitrogen metabolism and regulation of autophagy in the methylotrophic yeast Candida boidinii, proliferating and surviving on the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. After quantitative analyses of yeast growth on the leaves of A. thaliana with the wild-type and several mutant yeast strains, we showed that on young leaves, nitrate reductase (Ynr1) was necessary for yeast proliferation and the yeast utilized nitrate as nitrogen source. On the other hand, a newly developed methylamine sensor revealed appearance of methylamine on older leaves and methylamine metabolism was induced in C. boidinii and Ynr1 was subjected to degradation. Biochemical and microscopic analysis of Ynr1 in vitro during a shift of nitrogen source from nitrate to methylamine revealed that Ynr1 was transported to the vacuole being the cargo for biosynthetic cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting (Cvt) pathway and degraded. Our results reveal changes in the nitrogen source composition for phyllospheric yeasts during plant aging and subsequent adaptation of the yeasts to this environmental change mediated by regulation of autophagy.
Segregation of information about emotional arousal and valence in horse whinnies
Authors: Briefer Elodie F. , Maigrot Anne-Laure , Mandel Roi , Freymond Sabrina Briefer , Bachmann Iris , Hillmann Edna
Published: April 2015

Studying vocal correlates of emotions is important to provide a better understanding of the evolution of emotion expression through cross-species comparisons. Emotions are composed of two main dimensions: emotional arousal (calm versus excited) and valence (negative versus positive). These two dimensions could be encoded in different vocal parameters (segregation of information) or in the same parameters, inducing a trade-off between cues indicating emotional arousal and valence. We investigated these two hypotheses in horses. We placed horses in five situations eliciting several arousal levels and positive as well as negative valence. Physiological and behavioral measures collected during the tests suggested the presence of different underlying emotions. First, using detailed vocal analyses, we discovered that all whinnies contained two fundamental frequencies (“F0” and “G0”), which were not harmonically related, suggesting biphonation. Second, we found that F0 and the energy spectrum encoded arousal, while G0 and whinny duration encoded valence. Our results show that cues to emotional arousal and valence are segregated in different, relatively independent parameters of horse whinnies. Most of the emotion-related changes to vocalizations that we observed are similar to those observed in humans and other species, suggesting that vocal expression of emotions has been conserved throughout evolution.
Genome-wide association study of behavioural and psychiatric features in human prion disease
Authors: Thompson A G B , Uphill J , Lowe J , Porter M-C , Lukic A , Carswell C , Rudge P , MacKay A , Collinge J , Mead S
Published: April 2015

Prion diseases are rare neurodegenerative conditions causing highly variable clinical syndromes, which often include prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms. We have recently carried out a clinical study of behavioural and psychiatric symptoms in a large prospective cohort of patients with prion disease in the United Kingdom, allowing us to operationalise specific behavioural/psychiatric phenotypes as traits in human prion disease. Here, we report exploratory genome-wide association analysis on 170 of these patients and 5200 UK controls, looking for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with three behavioural/psychiatric phenotypes in the context of prion disease. We also specifically examined a selection of candidate SNPs that have shown genome-wide association with psychiatric conditions in previously published studies, and the codon 129 polymorphism of the prion protein gene, which is known to modify various aspects of the phenotype of prion disease. No SNPs reached genome-wide significance, and there was no evidence of altered burden of known psychiatric risk alleles in relevant prion cases. SNPs showing suggestive evidence of association (P<10−5) included several lying near genes previously implicated in association studies of other psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. These includeANK3,SORL1and a region of chromosome 6p containing several genes implicated in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We would encourage others to acquire phenotype data in independent cohorts of patients with prion disease as well as other neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions, to allow meta-analysis that may shed clearer light on the biological basis of these complex disease manifestations, and the diseases themselves.
The International SSRI Pharmacogenomics Consortium (ISPC): a genome-wide association study of antidepressant treatment response
Authors: Biernacka J M , Sangkuhl K , Jenkins G , Whaley R M , Barman P , Batzler A , Altman R B , Arolt V , Brockmöller J , Chen C H , Domschke K , Hall-Flavin D K , Hong C J , Illi A , Ji Y , Kampman O , Kinoshita T , Leinonen E , Liou Y J , Mushiroda T , Nonen S , Skime M K , Wang L , Baune B T , Kato M , Liu Y L , Praphanphoj V , Stingl J C , Tsai S J , Kubo M , Klein T E , Weinshilboum R
Published: April 2015

Response to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) varies considerably between patients. The International SSRI Pharmacogenomics Consortium (ISPC) was formed with the primary goal of identifying genetic variation that may contribute to response to SSRI treatment of major depressive disorder. A genome-wide association study of 4-week treatment outcomes, measured using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17), was performed using data from 865 subjects from seven sites. The primary outcomes were percent change in HRSD-17 score and response, defined as at least 50% reduction in HRSD-17. Data from two prior studies, the Pharmacogenomics Research Network Antidepressant Medication Pharmacogenomics Study (PGRN-AMPS) and the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study, were used for replication, and a meta-analysis of the three studies was performed (N=2394). Although many top association signals in the ISPC analysis map to interesting candidate genes, none were significant at the genome-wide level and the associations were not replicated using PGRN-AMPS and STAR*D data. Top association results in the meta-analysis of response included single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HPRTP4 (hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase pseudogene 4)/VSTM5 (V-set and transmembrane domain containing 5) region, which approached genome-wide significance (P=5.03E−08) and SNPs 5’ upstream of the neuregulin-1 gene, NRG1 (P=1.20E−06). NRG1 is involved in many aspects of brain development, including neuronal maturation and variations in this gene have been shown to be associated with increased risk for mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia. Replication and functional studies of these findings are warranted.
Rapid detection of chlorpyriphos residue in rice by surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Huang Shuanggen , Hu Jianping , Guo Ping , Liu Muhua , Wu Ruimei
Published: April 2015

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technology coupled with a quick pre-treatment method is used to detect chlorpyriphos (CP) pesticide residue in rice.
A label-free electrochemical immunosensor based on poly(thionine)–SDS nanocomposites for CA19-9 detection
Authors: Jiang Zhouqian , Zhao Chengfei , Lin Liqing , Weng Shaohuang , Liu Qicai , Lin Xinhua
Published: April 2015

In this paper, poly(thionine) doped sodium dodecyl sulphate nanocomposites (PThi–SDS NCs) were synthesised for the first time.
Label-free immunosensor for morphine based on the electrochemiluminescence of luminol on indium–tin oxide coated glass functionalized with gold nanoparticles
Authors: Ya Yang , Xiaoshu Wang , Qing Da , Lin Jiang , Yifeng Tu
Published: April 2015

We report here the development of an immunosensor for morphine based on electrochemiluminescence using luminol as the probe.
Injectable and mechanically robust 4-arm PPO–PEO/graphene oxide composite hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Lee Yunki , Bae Jin Woo , Hoang Thi Thai Thanh , Park Kyung Min , Park Ki Dong
Published: April 2015

Graphene-based nanomaterials with different oxidation degrees were incorporated into Tetronic–tyramine (Tet–TA) hydrogels via enzymatic cross-linking.
Zinc(ii)-methimazole complexes: synthesis and reactivity
Authors: Isaia Francesco , Aragoni Maria Carla , Arca Massimiliano , Bettoschi Alexandre , Caltagirone Claudia , Castellano Carlo , Demartin Francesco , Lippolis Vito , Pivetta Tiziana , Valletta Elisa
Published: April 2015

The Zn-bound chelating anion methimazole reveals a different reactivity towards the electrophilic addition of H+and CH3+.
Aminobisphenolate supported tungsten disulphido and dithiolene complexes
Authors: Salojärvi E. , Peuronen A. , Sillanpää R. , Damlin P. , Kivelä H. , Lehtonen A.
Published: April 2015

Dioxotungsten(vi) complexes react with thionation reagents to form disulphides and furthermore with activated alkyne to generate dithiolene complexes.
Marigold flower-powder exhibits significant potential to inhibit lipid oxidation in rice bran tea
Authors: Wanyo Pitchaporn , Kaewseejan Niwat , Meeso Naret , Siriamornpun Sirithon
Published: April 2015

Marigold flower-powder supplemented in rice bran tea was able to retard lipid oxidation, protecting the loss of essential fatty acids.
Efficient syntheses of bolaform surfactants froml-rhamnose and/or 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid
Authors: Obounou Akong Firmin , Bouquillon Sandrine
Published: April 2015

Efficient syntheses of symmetric and asymmetric bolaamphiphiles derived froml-rhamnose and/or 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid.
Physicochemical properties of the ternary complexes of Pt(ii) with uracil and small peptide moieties: an experimental and computational study
Authors: Mandal Shilpi , Das Gunajyoti , Askari Hassan
Published: April 2015

Interactions of Pt(Ura)(GL) with DNA.
An improved transition-metal-free synthesis of aryl alkynyl sulfides via substitution of a halide at an sp-centre
Authors: Chowdhury Roomi Mohima , Wilden Jonathan D.
Published: April 2015

A simple high-yielding preparation of aryl alkynyl sulfides is presented. The reaction of a chloroacetylene with a thiolate salt in the presence of an amine mediator (dimethylamine or N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine) yields the alkynyl sulfides in excellent yields. The alkynyl chloride is easily prepared from the parent alkyne.
Polymerization and degradation of aliphatic polyesters synthesized by atom transfer radical polyaddition
Authors: Han Yu-Min , Chen Hsin-Hua , Huang Chih-Feng
Published: April 2015

By tuning leaving group affinity, the aliphatic polyesters synthesized by ATRPA can avoid lactonization and obtain high molecular weights.
Single-molecule imaging reveals topological isomer-dependent diffusion by 4-armed star and dicyclic 8-shaped polymers
Authors: Habuchi Satoshi , Fujiwara Susumu , Yamamoto Takuya , Tezuka Yasuyuki
Published: April 2015

The diffusion modes of the fluorophore incorporated 4-armed star and dicyclic 8-shaped polymers were investigated at the molecular level by means of single-molecule fluorescence imaging.
Fused arene-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes as thermoelectric materials
Authors: Huzyak Paige , Ferguson John , Sharpensteen Jeremiah , Xu Lan , Ananthakrishnan Soundaram Jeevarathinam , Rathnayake Hemali
Published: April 2015

Two derivatives of fused-arene functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS-ANT and POSS-PDI-POSS) were synthesized and their electronic properties were studied for organic-based thermoelectric devices.
Site-selection and adaptive reconstruction in a two-dimensional nanoporous network in response to guest inclusion
Authors: Xue JinDong , Deng Ke , Liu Bo , Duan WuBiao , Zeng QingDao , Wang Chen
Published: April 2015

We coronene (COR) molecule is added into the flexible binary network formed by tetraacidic azobenzene (NN4A) and trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (DPE), the binary network breaks and reconstruction structures of NN4A/COR host–guest systems are subsequently formed.
Mechanical stability of zinc oxide nanowires under tensile loading: is wurtzite stable at the nanoscale?
Authors: Soldano Germán J. , Zanotto Franco M. , Mariscal Marcelo M.
Published: April 2015

New theoretical evidence suggests that ZnO wurtzite nanowires transform to a body-centered-tetragonal structure under tensile loading at 600 K.
Supercritical fluid deposition of Ru nanoparticles onto SiO2 SBA-15 as a sustainable method to prepare selective hydrogenation catalysts
Authors: Morère J. , Torralvo M. J. , Pando C. , Renuncio J. A. R. , Cabañas A.
Published: April 2015

Ru/SiO2 SBA-15 materials prepared using supercritical CO2 (scCO2) are efficient and selective catalysts in partial hydrogenation reactions.
Architectural chemistry of polyoxometalate-based coordination frameworks constructed from flexible N-donor ligands
Authors: Wang Xiang , Tian Aixiang , Wang Xiuli
Published: April 2015

Polyoxometalate-based coordination frameworks (POMCFs) constructed from flexible N-donor ligands can exhibit diverse properties and fascinating architectures, extending the families of material chemistry and structural chemistry.
Colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor for fluoride ions based on phenanthroimidazole (PI): spectroscopic, NMR and density functional studies
Authors: Mahapatra Ajit Kumar , Karmakar Parthasarathi , Roy Jagannath , Manna Srimanta , Maiti Kalipada , Sahoo Prithidipa , Mandal Debasish
Published: April 2015

Phenanthro-imidazole conjugate of biscarbanohyrazone, probe PI was designed, synthesized and characterized for selective detection of fluoride ion.
Retraction: Homonuclear bond activation using a stable N,N′-diamidocarbene
Authors: Wiggins Kelly M. , Moerdyk Jonathan P. , Bielawski Christopher W.
Published: April 2015

Retraction of ‘Homonuclear bond activation using a stable N,N′-diamidocarbene’ by Kelly M. Wiggins et al., Chem. Sci., 2012, 3, 2986–2992.
Rational design of diketopyrrolopyrrole-based oligomers for high performance small molecular photovoltaic materials via an extended framework and multiple fluorine substitution
Authors: Yin Qing-Ru , Miao Jing-Sheng , Wu Zhuo , Chang Zheng-Feng , Wang Jin-Liang , Wu Hong-Bin , Cao Yong
Published: April 2015

The high PCE ofDPPBIT4Fproved that introduction of four fluorine atoms on extended molecules is a valid design strategy for high PCE of OSCs.
Cu–BTC MOF–graphene-based hybrid materials as low concentration ammonia sensors
Authors: Travlou Nikolina A. , Singh Kavindra , Rodríguez-Castellón Enrique , Bandosz Teresa J.
Published: April 2015

The synergistic effect on conductivity of Cu–BTC MOF–graphene-based hybrid material components allows their application as ammonia sensing materials.
Co-sensitization of N719 with polyphenylenes from the Bergman cyclization of maleimide-based enediynes for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Dong Luhua , Zheng Zhiwei , Wang Youfu , Li Xing , Hua Jianli , Hu Aiguo
Published: April 2015

N719 co-sensitized with a conjugated polyphenylene (7-BC) shows a high efficiency of 9.68% (VOC of 750 mV, JSC of 18.18 mA cm−2 and FF of 0.71) in dye-sensitized solar cells, exhibiting an improvement of 16% compared to devices sensitized with N719 (PCE of 8.34%) alone.
Bimetallic Au@Pt@Au core–shell nanoparticles on graphene oxide nanosheets for high-performance H2O2bi-directional sensing
Authors: Li Xiao-Rong , Xu Ming-Chen , Chen Hong-Yuan , Xu Jing-Juan
Published: April 2015

Synthesis of bimetallic Au@Pt@Au core–shell nanoparticles on graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and their application for bi-directional determination of H2O2from cancer cells.
Preparation of a cobalt mono-substituted silicotungstic acid doped with aniline for the selective adsorption of ovalbumin
Authors: Zhang Dan-Dan , Chen Qing , Hu Lin-Lin , Chen Xu-Wei , Wang Jian-Hua
Published: April 2015

A cobalt mono-substituted silicotungstic acid doped with aniline (SiW11Co–PANI composite, where PANI denotes polyaniline) possesses a porous framework structure and exhibits favorable selectivity towards ovalbumin adsorption.
Second-harmonic generation (SHG) and photoluminescence properties of noncentrosymmetric (NCS) layered perovskite solid solutions, CsBi1−xEuxNb2O7 (x = 0, 0.1, and 0.2)
Authors: Kim Hyung Gu , Yoo Jae Soo , Ok Kang Min
Published: April 2015

Solid solutions of noncentrosymmetric Dion–Jacobson phases, CsBi1-xEuxNb2O7, have been synthesized. Second harmonic generation and photoluminescence properties of the materials are reported.
High performance UV light photodetectors based on Sn-nanodot-embedded SnO2 nanobelts
Authors: Huang Yang , Lin Jing , Li Liang , Xu Lulu , Wang Weijia , Zhang Jun , Xu Xuewen , Zou Jin , Tang Chengchun
Published: April 2015

Sn-nanodot-embedded SnO2 nanobelts are promising as building blocks for high performance solar-blind UV photodetectors.
Near room temperature plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition of ruthenium using the RuO4-precursor and H2-plasma
Authors: Minjauw Matthias M. , Dendooven Jolien , Capon Boris , Schaekers Marc , Detavernier Christophe
Published: April 2015

A plasma enhanced ALD process for Ru using RuO4 and H2-plasma is reported at sample temperatures ranging from 50 °C to 100 °C.
An in situ SERS study of substrate-dependent surface plasmon induced aromatic nitration
Authors: Huang Wei , Jing Qiang , Du Yunchen , Zhang Bin , Meng Xiangli , Sun Mengtao , Schanze Kirk S. , Gao Hong , Xu Ping
Published: April 2015

Here we demonstrate the surface plasmon (SP) induced nitration of benzene by anin situsurface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technique, where the plasmonic heating effect arising from SP is necessarily involved.
Chance‐constrained programming approach to stochastic congestion management considering system uncertainties
Authors: Hojjat Mehrdad , Javidi Mohammad Hossein
Published: April 2015

Considering system uncertainties in developing power system algorithms such as congestion management (CM) are a vital issue in power system analysis and studies. This study proposes a new model for network CM based on chance‐constrained programming (CCP), accounting for the power system uncertainties. In the proposed approach, transmission constraints are taken into account by stochastic rather than deterministic models. The proposed approach considers network uncertainties with a specific level of probability in the optimisation process. Then, single and joint chance‐constrained models are implemented on the stochastic CM. Finally, an analytical approach is used to derive the new model of the stochastic CM. In both models, the stochastic optimisation problem is transformed into an equivalent easy‐to‐solve deterministic problem. Effectiveness of the proposed approach is evaluated by applying the method to the IEEE 30‐bus test system. The results show that the proposed CCP model outperforms the existing models as the analytical solving approach applies fewer approximations and moreover, may have less complexity and computational burden in some special situations.
Simplified probabilistic voltage stability evaluation considering variable renewable distributed generation in distribution systems
Authors: Liu Ke‐yan , Sheng Wanxing , Hu Lijuan , Liu Yongmei , Meng Xiaoli , Jia Dongli
Published: April 2015

This study investigates the evaluation of static voltage stability using a two‐point estimation method (2PEM) and continuation power flow (CPF) in distribution systems. The stochastic distribution generation (DG) units have been considered with their respective probability density function (PDF). The proposed static voltage stability evaluation method first chooses several sample points to replace the PDFs using 2PEM. Then, based on each sample point, the critical static voltage stability value is calculated by CPF. On the basis of the critical values corresponding to all selected sample points, Cornish–Fisher series are used to evaluate the PDF of the critical static voltage stability, and then the static voltage stability state can be obtained. The proposed method has been tested on IEEE 33‐bus, PG&E 69‐bus and a real case with two stochastic DG units. Comparisons have been made with the Monte Carlo simulation and the first‐order second‐moment method. The results show that the proposed method has better efficiency and accuracy.
Waveshape recognition technique to detect current transformer saturation
Authors: Hooshyar Ali , Sanaye‐Pasand Majid
Published: April 2015

This study presents a technique to identify current transformer (CT) saturation based on waveshape properties of the CT secondary current. First, a variable‐length window, designated as the symmetry assessment window (SAW), is defined. Certain distinctive features of the distorted and undistorted currents inside the SAW are extracted by defining two variance functions. Using the extracted features, a new criterion is introduced to detect CT saturation. The proposed method is unaffected by fault current characteristics and CT variable parameters, such as CT burden, core remanence and its magnetising curve. One major contribution of this method is allowing cheaper measurement systems for busbar protection by easing the relay CT requirements. Analysis of real power system fault currents in a real‐time manner using a hardware setup is accompanied by PSCAD/EMTDC simulation results to verify the accuracy and high speed of the proposed technique in various conditions.
Positive switching impulse discharge performance of rod‐plane short air gap under rain conditions
Authors: Xingliang Jiang , Yanbin Xie , Yao Yuan , Lichun Shu , Zhijin Zhang
Published: April 2015

In China external discharge accidents caused by heavy rain is growing. However, the rain effect is not considered in atmospheric correction for external insulation design in IEC 60071‐1(Edition 8.1, 2011) or domestic standard. Hence, a series of experiments are implemented with positive switching impulse, a typical kind of overvoltage of power grid, to analyse the discharge performance of rod‐plane short air gap under rain conditions. The effects of rain and its intensity, rain conductivity and ambient temperature on the discharge voltage are explored, and the theory behind them, which can help in the development of discharge mechanism of air gap under rain condition, are respectively given. The results show that under the experimental rain condition, the discharge voltage can be up to −10.9, −9, −8.5, −3.2 and −2.3% lower than under dry condition for clearance distance of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 m, respectively. Besides, it decreases with increase in rain intensity, rain conductivity and ambient temperature, respectively. Among them, the rain intensity is the most significant one, next is temperature, whereas rain conductivity is the minimum and trifling. Finally, a correction formula for breakdown voltage (positive switching impulse) of rod‐plane air gap under rain condition is proposed for reference.
Mobilizing Māori identity: cultural capital and expatriate “portable personhood”
Authors: Thornley Davinia
Published: April 2015

Elliott and Urry suggest that the paradigm of mobilities is “becoming increasingly central to contemporary identity formation and re-formation” (7). I match this claim against a focus group study I undertook with expatriate New Zealanders in London. The participants were questioned about their experiences of watching Aotearoa New Zealand films while living overseas to understand their perspectives regarding “mobilized” national identity. While my findings regarding the responses of the majority of the participants have been published, I remained convinced additional work was needed to adequately represent the unique perspectives of the final group: four women who self-identified as being involved with Ngāti Rānana (a London-based Māori culture club). Utilizing Elliott and Urry’s term, “portable personhood”, these four women mobilized specific aspects of Māori affiliation through Ngāti Rānana and joint film viewings (3). The concept of portable personhood, as developed and employed by these women, both recognizes and expands their traditional indigenous relationships and responsibilities. These changes include, but are not limited to: (i) how the act of relocation allows for portable personhood (specifically, in this case study, mobile indigenous-orientated identities), not only physically but also culturally, “racially” and even in terms of kaitiakitanga (guardianship); and (ii) what it means—on the ground—to build a cultural network around an identity dislocated from the land that makes it.
Influence of mechanical noise inside a scanning electron microscope
Authors: de Faria Marcelo Gaudenzi , Haddab Yassine , Le Gorrec Yann , Lutz Philippe
Published: April 2015

The scanning electron microscope is becoming a popular tool to perform tasks that require positioning, manipulation, characterization, and assembly of micro-components. However, some of these applications require a higher level of performance with respect to dynamics and precision of positioning. One limiting factor is the presence of unidentified noises and disturbances. This work aims to study the influence of mechanical disturbances generated by the environment and by the microscope, identifying how these can affect elements in the vacuum chamber. To achieve this objective, a dedicated setup, including a high-resolution vibrometer, was built inside the microscope. This work led to the identification and quantification of main disturbances and noise sources acting on a scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the effects of external acoustic excitations were analysed. Potential applications of these results include noise compensation and real-time control for high accuracy tasks.
Direct conversion of syngas to dimethyl ether as a green fuel over CuO-ZnO-Al2O3/HZSM-5 nanocatalyst: Effect of aging time on physicochemical and catalytic properties
Authors: Khoshbin Reza , Haghighi Mohammad
Published: April 2015

The effect of aging time on physicochemical and catalytic properties of CuO-ZnO-Al2O3/HZSM-5 nanocatalyst for direct conversion of syngas to dimethyl ether (DME) has been investigated. Nanocatalysts were synthesized using co-precipitation method in which the aging time varied from 0 to 6 h. The physicochemical properties of the nanocatalysts were studied by X-ray diffraction, Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray, transmission electron microscopy, FTIR, and temperature-programmed reduction by hydrogen (TPR-H2) techniques. Results showed that the crystallinity of CuO-ZnO-Al2O3 has been increased significantly by increasing of aging time. FESEM analysis showed that, with extension of the aging time, the aggregation of CuO-ZnO-Al2O3 over HZSM-5 has been increased. The size of the particles in the active phase was between 25.0 and 127.1 nm with an average size of 48.36 nm. TPR-H2 profiles indicated that reducibility of nanocatalysts was enhanced with increasing of aging time. Catalytic performance was investigated at 200–300 °C, 10–40 bar, GHSV = 600 cm3 g/h, and H2/CO = 2. It was found that the increase of aging time had a great influence on the activity of nanocatalysts. Moreover, the 6 h aged nanocatalyst displayed the highest catalytic activity. It was also observed that the optimum operating conditions for syngas to DME reaction were 275 °C and 40 bar.
Methods of high current magnetic field generator for transcranial magnetic stimulation application
Authors: Bouda N. R. , Pritchard J. , Weber R. J. , Mina M.
Published: April 2015

This paper describes the design procedures and underlying concepts of a novel High Current Magnetic Field Generator (HCMFG) with adjustable pulse width for transcranial magnetic stimulation applications. This is achieved by utilizing two different switching devices, the MOSFET and insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). Results indicate that currents as high as ±1200 A can be generated with inputs of +/−20 V. Special attention to tradeoffs between field generators utilizing IGBT circuits (HCMFG1) and MOSFET circuits (HCMFG2) was considered. The theory of operation, design, experimental results, and electronic setup are presented and analyzed.
Laser-induced versus shock wave induced transformation of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite
Authors: Veysset D. , Pezeril T. , Kooi S. , Bulou A. , Nelson Keith A.
Published: April 2015

We demonstrate that in-plane 2D propagation and focusing of a laser-induced shock wave result in enhanced nano-crystallization of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite. Throughout the 2D shock focusing technique, which enables to clearly distinguish between the laser-induced and the shock-induced transformation/transition, our findings establish the role of the shock wave during the transformation/transition process. This configuration could open the way to an alternative path for laser shock fabrication of graphitic compounds and would give access to real time investigation of shock waves mediated phase transitions.
Vibration piezoelectric energy harvester with multi-beam
Authors: Cui Yan , Zhang Qunying , Yao Minglei , Dong Weijie , Gao Shiqiao
Published: April 2015

This work presents a novel vibration piezoelectric energy harvester, which is a micro piezoelectric cantilever with multi-beam. The characteristics of the PZT (Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3) thin film were measured; XRD (X-ray diffraction) pattern and AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) image of the PZT thin film were measured, and show that the PZT (Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3) thin film is highly (110) crystal oriented; the leakage current is maintained in nA magnitude, the residual polarisation Pr is 37.037 μC/cm2, the coercive field voltage Ec is 27.083 kV/cm, and the piezoelectric constant d33 is 28 pC/N. In order to test the dynamic performance of the energy harvester, a new measuring system was set up. The maximum output voltage of the single beam of the multi-beam can achieve 80.78 mV under an acceleration of 1 g at 260 Hz of frequency; the maximum output voltage of the single beam of the multi-beam is almost 20 mV at 1400 Hz frequency.
The effect of inclusion level and basal diet on the determination of the digestible and metabolisable energy content of soybean oil and its digestibility when fed to growing pigs
Authors: Su Yongbo , Bi Xiaohua , Huang Qiang , Liu Ling , Piao Xiangshu , Li Defa
Published: April 2015

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of inclusion level and type of basal diet on the digestible (DE) and metabolisable (ME) energy content of soybean oil and its digestibility when fed to growing pigs. Thirty-six barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weighing 34.2 ± 3.8 kg) were randomly allotted to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement involving two basal diets and three levels of soybean oil (0%, 5% and 10%). One basal diet was based on corn and soybean meal. The other basal diet was based on corn starch and casein. The barrows were housed in individual metabolism crates to facilitate separate collection of faeces and urine, and were fed the assigned test diets at 4% of initial bodyweight per day. A 5-day total collection of faeces and urine followed a 7-day diet-adaptation period. The DE and ME contents of soybean oil were significantly affected by the dietary inclusion level (P < 0.05), but not by the type of basal diet. The DE contents of soybean oil at the 5% and 10% inclusion level were 34.99 and 37.63 MJ/kg, respectively, for the corn–soybean meal basal diet and 33.72 and 35.21 MJ/kg, respectively, for the corn starch–casein basal diet. The respective corresponding values for ME were 33.91, 37.07, 33.06 and 34.83 MJ/kg. The DE values calculated from regression equation were 38.05 and 37.85 MJ/kg, respectively, for corn–soybean meal and corn starch–casein basal diet. The DE value calculated from regression equation was greater than the values determined from the difference method for corn starch–casein basal diet. The value of endogenous loss for acid-hydrolysed ether extract was greater (P < 0.05) for corn–soybean meal basal diet than for corn starch–casein (13.06 g/kg of dry matter intake for corn–soybean meal basal diet and 1.37 g/kg of dry matter intake for corn starch–casein basal diet, respectively). The values of the true total tract digestibility and apparent total tract digestibility of soybean oil determined from the corn–soybean meal basal diet were not different from those determined from the corn starch–casein basal diet (true total tract digestibility: 97.1% and 95.4%; apparent total tract digestibility: 95.8% and 95.3%, respectively). In conclusion, the DE and ME values of soybean oil are affected by its inclusion level but not by basal diet. The type of basal diet did not affect the digestibility of soybean oil, but affected the endogenous loss of acid-hydrolysed ether extract for soybean oil.
Simple versus diverse pastures: opportunities and challenges in dairy systems
Authors: Pembleton Keith G. , Tozer Katherine N. , Edwards Grant R. , Jacobs Joe L. , Turner Lydia R.
Published: April 2015

For Australian and New Zealand dairy farms, the primary source of home-grown feed comes from grazed perennial pastures. The high utilisation of perennial pasture is a key factor in the low cost of production of Australian and New Zealand dairy systems and, hence, in their ability to maintain international competiveness. The major pasture species used are perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), normally grown in a simple binary mixture. As pasture production has been further driven by increasing use of nitrogen fertiliser and irrigation, farms are getting closer to their economic optimum level of pasture utilisation. Increasing inputs and intensification have also increased scrutiny on the environmental footprint of dairy production. Increasing the diversity of pasture species within dairy swards presents opportunities to further increase pasture utilisation through additional forage production, extending the growing season, improving forage nutritive characteristics and, ultimately, increasing milk production per cow and/or per hectare. Diverse pastures also present an opportunity to mitigate some of the environmental consequences associated with intensive pasture-based dairy systems. A consistent finding of experiments investigating diverse pastures is that their benefits are due to the attributes of the additional species, rather than increasing the number of species per se. Therefore, the species that are best suited for inclusion into dairy pastures will be situation specific. Furthermore, the presence of additional species will generally require modification to the management of dairy pastures, particularly around nitrogen fertiliser and grazing, to ensure that the additional species remain productive and persistent.
Synthesis and Characterization of SmIII and EuIII Coordination Compounds of 3-(2-Pyridyl)-1-pyrazolyl Acetic Acid
Authors: Zou Jian Hua , Liu Qiao , Dong Jia Fang , Cao Meng Jie , Wu Qian Qian , Yue Qiu Yan , Li Qiao Yun , Yang Gao Wen
Published: April 2015

Two novel coordination compounds, namely, [Sm2(pypza)2(H2O)10]Cl4·H2O (1) and [Eu(pypza)(C2O4)] (2), where pypza = 3-(2-pyridyl)-1-pyrazolyl acetato, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that compound 1 displays double one-dimensional chains, whereas 2 shows a two-dimensional layer structure via the bridging pypza and oxalate (C2O42–) which may arise from the oxidation of hydroacetic acid through the decomposition and hydrolysis of Hpypza by means of the cleavage of the C–N bond between the carboxylate group and the pyrazolyl ring. Compounds 1 and 2 show three-dimensional networks by hydrogen bonding interactions. Furthermore, the luminescence properties of 1 and 2 have also been investigated at room temperature in the solid state.