bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High nitrogen-containing cotton derived 3D porous carbon frameworks for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Fan Li-Zhen , Chen Tian-Tian , Song Wei-Li , Li Xiaogang , Zhang Shichao
Published: October 2015

Supercapacitors fabricated by 3D porous carbon frameworks, such as graphene- and carbon nanotube (CNT)-based aerogels, have been highly attractive due to their various advantages. However, their high cost along with insufficient yield has inhibited their large-scale applications. Here we have demonstrated a facile and easily scalable approach for large-scale preparing novel 3D nitrogen-containing porous carbon frameworks using ultralow-cost commercial cotton. Electrochemical performance suggests that the optimal nitrogen-containing cotton-derived carbon frameworks with a high nitrogen content (12.1 mol%) along with low surface area 285 m2g−1present high specific capacities of the 308 and 200 F g−1in KOH electrolyte at current densities of 0.1 and 10 A g−1, respectively, with very limited capacitance loss upon 10,000 cycles in both aqueous and gel electrolytes. Moreover, the electrode exhibits the highest capacitance up to 220 F g−1at 0.1 A g−1and excellent flexibility (with negligible capacitance loss under different bending angles) in the polyvinyl alcohol/KOH gel electrolyte. The observed excellent performance competes well with that found in the electrodes of similar 3D frameworks formed by graphene or CNTs. Therefore, the ultralow-cost and simply strategy here demonstrates great potential for scalable producing high-performance carbon-based supercapacitors in the industry.
Conjugated Polymers for Memory Device Applications
Authors: Liu Cheng-Liang , Chen Wen-Chang
Published: October 2015

In the past few decades, organic/polymeric electronic devices have been intensively studied due to their flexibility, low cost, easy fabrication and printing capability. Moreover, the demand for inexpensive and high density data storage media has increased with the rapid growth in information technology. Recent reports on electrical memory properties using conjugated polymers have shown relevant performance for volatile/non-volatile memory applications. This chapter pays attention to the design and development of conjugated polymeric materials and their performance in corresponding memory devices over the past few years and a possible switching mechanism is proposed.
One-dimensional coordination polymers of [Co3(dpa)4]2+ and [MF6]2− (M = ReIV, ZrIV and SnIV)
Authors: Bulicanu Vladimir , Pedersen Kasper S. , Rouzières Mathieu , Bendix Jesper , Dechambenoit Pierre , Clérac Rodolphe , Hillard Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2015

1-D coordination polymers of alternating metal–metal bonded trinuclear [Co3(dpa)4]2+ building blocks and [MF6]2− (M = Re, Zr, Sn) linkers have been structurally and magnetically characterized.
Selective CO2reduction on a polycrystalline Ag electrode enhanced by anodization treatment
Authors: Zhou Li Qin , Ling Chen , Jones Michael , Jia Hongfei
Published: October 2015

Electrochemical reduction of CO2to CO on polycrystalline silver (Ag) was greatly improved by a simple anodization treatment.
Palladium-catalyzed Heck-type reaction of oximes with allylic alcohols: synthesis of pyridines and azafluorenones
Authors: Zheng Meifang , Chen Pengquan , Wu Wanqing , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: October 2015

An efficient palladium-catalyzed Heck-type reaction of oximes with allylic alcohol has been developed for the synthesis of pyridines and azafluorenones.
NIR absorbing D–π–A–π–D structured diketopyrrolopyrrole–dithiafulvalene based small molecule for solution processed organic solar cells
Authors: Narayanaswamy K. , Venkateswararao A. , Gupta Vinay , Chand Suresh , Singh Surya Prakash
Published: October 2015

A new low band gap small molecule DPP–DTF with a D–π–A–π–D molecular structure composed of a dithiafulvalene (DTF) donor and a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) acceptor was synthesized and tested for organic solar cells.
Direct electrochemical analysis in complex samples using ITO electrodes modified with permselective membranes consisting of vertically ordered silica mesochannels and micelles
Authors: Yan Fei , Zheng Wenjing , Yao Lina , Su Bin
Published: October 2015

Herein we report a simple and cost-effective method for direct electrochemical detection of redox-active small organic analytes in complex media, such as soil dispersions, human serum and milk, without sample pre-treatment.
Anisotropic thermoelectric properties of layered compounds in SnX2 (X = S, Se): a promising thermoelectric material
Authors: Sun Bao-Zhen , Ma Zuju , He Chao , Wu Kechen
Published: October 2015

The anisotropic structure of layered SnS2 and SnSe2 compounds brings about the anisotropy of transport coefficients, which behaves in different ways. Moreover, their best ZT values are comparable to that in Bi2Te3 (0.8), a typical thermoelectric material.
Interplay between solid state transitions, conductivity mechanisms, and electrical relaxations in a [PVBTMA] [Br]-b-PMB diblock copolymer membrane for electrochemical applications
Authors: Noto Vito Di , Giffin Guinevere A. , Vezzù Keti , Nawn Graeme , Bertasi Federico , Tsai Tsung-han , Maes Ashley M. , Seifert Soenke , Coughlin E. Bryan , Herring Andrew M.
Published: October 2015

A new disorder–order transition, associated with the reordering of side chains, is found to occur in the [PVBTMA][Br]-b-PMB AEM.
Fluorometric sensing of ultralow As(iii) concentrations using Ag doped hollow CdS/ZnS bi-layer nanoparticles
Authors: Boxi Siddhartha Sankar , Paria Santanu
Published: October 2015

Arsenic poisoning from drinking water has been an important global issue in recent years.
Distinguishing of tumor cell-targeting peptide ligands through a color-encoding microarray
Authors: Wang Zihua , Wang Weizhi , Geng Lingling , Hu Zhiyuan
Published: October 2015

A silicon-based microarray chip was constructed to discover and to distinguish the specific peptide ligands of HER1 and HER2 through a color-encoding strategy.
An investigation of the mimetic enzyme activity of two-dimensional Pd-based nanostructures
Authors: Wei Jingping , Chen Xiaolan , Shi Saige , Mo Shiguang , Zheng Nanfeng
Published: October 2015

2D Pd-based nanostructures possess intrinsic peroxidase-, oxidase- and catalase-like activities and the catalytic activities are structure- and composition-dependent.
Stimulation of an indigenous thermophillic anaerobic bacterial consortium for enhanced oil recovery
Authors: Rathi Rohit , Lavania Meeta , Sawale Manoj , Kukreti Vipin , Kumar Subir , Lal Banwari
Published: October 2015

Production of gases, VFAs, solvents and surfactants was achieved by thermophilic methanogenic consortium TERIL63, showing reduction in surface tension from 69 to 35 dynes cm−1. TERIL63 with an optimized nutrient recipe showed 15.49% EOR at 70 °C in a core flood study.
Insights into the corrosion inhibition of copper in hydrochloric acid solution by self-assembled films of 4-octylphenol
Authors: Mo Shi , Qin Ting Ting , Luo Hong Qun , Li Nian Bing
Published: October 2015

4-Octylphenol was used to form self-assembled films on copper to inhibit its corrosion in 0.5 M HCl solution.
In situ growth of metal-sulfide film with solvent-free element-direct reaction: the case of PbS on ITO
Authors: Fan Libo , Wang Peng , Guo Qiuquan , Zhang Zhenhua , Li Ming , Han Hongpei , Xu Shuolu , Zhang Dongxing , Zheng Zhi , Yang Jun
Published: October 2015

In order to prevent the metal-sulfide film from falling off a substrate during in situ preparation, a solvent-free element-direct reaction was developed.
Hydrogen production via silica membrane reactor during the methanol steam reforming process: experimental study
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Kamran , Aghaeinejad-Meybodi Abbas , Vaezi Mohammad Javad , Gholizadeh Ahmad , Abdi Mohammad Adel , Babaluo Ali Akbar , Haghighi Mohammad , Basile Angelo
Published: October 2015

As a first approach, this study presents a comprehensive experimental study of methanol steam reforming for hydrogen production using a tubular silica membrane reactor, in which the modified silica membrane was applied.
Emulsion-templated poly(acrylamide)s by using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) stabilized CO2-in-water emulsions and their applications in tissue engineering scaffolds
Authors: Luo Wei , Xu Ran , Liu Yunfei , Hussain Irshad , Lu Qunwei , Tan Bien
Published: October 2015

Commercially available polymer i.e., polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), is used to produce stable CO2/water emulsions. These emulsions were then used to produce emulsion templated hierarchically porous materials with interesting tissue engineering applications.
Low cost semi-continuous bioprocess and online monitoring of hydrogen production from crude glycerol
Authors: Sarma Saurabh Jyoti , Maiti Sampa , Brar Satinder Kaur , Le Bihan Yann , Buelna Gerardo , Verma Mausam
Published: October 2015

Low cost process dealing with five challenges in enhanced hydrogen production from crude glycerol and online monitoring.
Effect of silica precursor transformation on diclofenac sodium release
Authors: Kierys A. , Kasperek R. , Krasucka P. , Zimmer Ł. , Poleszak E. , Goworek J.
Published: October 2015

The present paper describes the preparation of a new type of ternary composites where pure silica gel or polysilsesquioxane was deposited on a polymer carrier loaded with a high dose of diclofenac sodium.
Sugar thiacrown-ether appended calix[4]arene as a selective chemosensor for Fe2+and Fe3+ions
Authors: Ling Irene , Hashim Rauzah , Sabah Karem J.
Published: October 2015

A fluorescent chemosensor derived from sugar-thiacrown-ether appended calix[4]arene coupled with pyrene units was synthesized. Upon addition of Fe2+or Fe3+the fluorescence intensities are quenched indicating high selectivity for these metal ions.
Structurally novel C17-sesquiterpene lactones from Ainsliaea pertyoides
Authors: Shi Zhi-Ran , Shen Yun-Heng , Zhang Xian-Yuan , Fang Xin , Zeng Ren-Tao , Liu Qing-Xin , Zhuo Zhi-Guo , Feng Feng , Zhang Wei-Dong
Published: October 2015

Pertyolides A (1) and B (2), two unprecedented C17-eudesmanolides with extended side chains, and one rare C17-guaianolide, pertyolide C (3), along with 15 known sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the whole plant of Ainsliaea pertyoides.
Screening, purification, and characterization of proteinase from 3 Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Zhang Lanwei , Zhang Lili , Feng Zhen , Shigwedha Nditange
Published: October 2015

Three strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus were selected for their proteinase properties in order to improve milk gel firmness.
Highly percolated poly(vinyl alcohol) and bacterial nanocellulose synthesized in situ by physical-crosslinking: exploiting polymer synergies for biomedical nanocomposites
Authors: Castro C. , Zuluaga R. , Rojas O. J. , Filpponen I. , Orelma H. , Londoño M. , Betancourt S. , Gañán P.
Published: October 2015

Bacterial cellulose (BC) grown from a culture medium in the presence of water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) produced an assemblage that was used as precursor for the synthesis of biocompatible nanocomposites.
Comparison study of biosorption and coagulation/air flotation methods for chromium removal from wastewater: experiments and neural network modeling
Authors: Esmaeili Akbar , Hejazi Elahe , Vasseghian Yasser
Published: October 2015

This work aims to compare a biosorption method (BM) and a coagulation–dissolved air flotation method (C/DAFM) as inexpensive and effective means of eliminating hexavalent chromium (Cr[vi]) from industrial wastewater.
Paraffin confined in carbon nanotubes as nano-encapsulated phase change materials: experimental and molecular dynamics studies
Authors: Nie Changda , Tong Xuan , Wu Shuying , Gong Shuguang , Peng Deqi
Published: October 2015

The characteristics of paraffin confined in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were investigated using experimental and molecular dynamics (MD) methods.
Self-assembled ZnS nanospheres with nanoscale porosity as an efficient carrier for the delivery of doxorubicin
Authors: Kumari Vandana , Chatterjee Nabanita , Das Subhadip , Bhunia Subhajit , Saha Krishna Das , Bhaumik Asim
Published: October 2015

Self-aggregated mesoporous ZnS nanomaterials have been utilized as a drug-delivery vehicle that can activates the apoptotic pathway with a minimal concentration of doxorubicin and it can regulates lymphocytic leukemia cell growth.
Functionalized boron nitride porous solids
Authors: Sudeep P. M. , Vinod S. , Ozden S. , Sruthi R. , Kukovecz Akos , Konya Zoltan , Vajtai Robert , Anantharaman M. R. , Ajayan P. M. , Narayanan Tharangattu N.
Published: October 2015

A demonstration of the chemical functionalization of h-BN flakes and a template free approach for the development of macroscopic porous h-BN solids.
Zn(ii) complex with 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazone: synthesis, structure, interaction studies with DNA/HSA, molecular docking and caspase-8 and -9 independent apoptose induction
Authors: Filipović Nenad R. , Bjelogrlić Snežana , Marinković Aleksandar , Verbić Tatjana Ž. , Cvijetić Ilija N. , Senćanski Milan , Rodić Marko , Vujčić Miroslava , Sladić Dušan , Striković Zlatko , Todorović Tamara R. , Muller Christian D.
Published: October 2015

A new Zn(ii)-based complex shows a concentration-dependent apoptotic response in highly resistant pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells with extensive activation of caspase-8 and -9.
Optimizing ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone by using aluminum complexes bearing amide as catalysts and their application in synthesizing poly-ε-caprolactone with special initiators and other polycycloesters
Authors: Tseng Hsi-Ching , Chen Fu-Shen , Chiang Michael Y. , Lu Wei-Yi , Chen Yu-Hsieh , Lai Yi-Chun , Chen Hsuan-Ying
Published: October 2015

A series of aluminum complexes bearing amidate ligands, including acylamide, sulfonamide, and aryl carbamate, was synthesized.
Why Ni is absent from the surface of La2NiO4+δ?
Authors: Wu Ji , Pramana Stevin S. , Skinner Stephen J. , Kilner John A. , Horsfield Andrew P.
Published: October 2015

The calculated Gibbs reaction energy of La2NiO4decomposition (left) and the proposed resulting layered structure (right) provide an explanation for the experimentally observed Ni-absent surfaces and Ni-enriched subsurface layers on La2NiO4.
Lead-free germanium iodide perovskite materials for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Thirumal , Ding Hong , Yan Chen , Leong Wei Lin , Baikie Tom , Zhang Ziyi , Sherburne Matthew , Li Shuzhou , Asta Mark , Mathews Nripan , Mhaisalkar Subodh G.
Published: October 2015

We demonstrate strong potential of computational screening and germanium iodide perovskite compounds for photovoltaic applications.
A new method for the synthesis of β-cyano substituted porphyrins and their use as sensitizers in photoelectrochemical devices
Authors: Antoniuk-Pablant A. , Terazono Y. , Brennan B. J. , Sherman B. D. , Megiatto J. D. , Brudvig G. W. , Moore A. L. , Moore T. A. , Gust D.
Published: October 2015

The properties of cyanoporphyrins make them good candidates for sensitizers in photoelectrosynthetic cells. A new procedure for preparation of these has been developed and two cyanoporphyrins have been evaluated as sensitizers for photoanodes.
Synthesis and characterization of reduced graphene oxide/spiky nickel nanocomposite for nanoelectronic applications
Authors: Salimian Maryam , Ivanov Maxim , Deepak Francis Leonard , Petrovykh Dmitri Y. , Bdikin Igor , Ferro Marta , Kholkin Andrei , Titus Elby , Goncalves Gil
Published: October 2015

This work describes a new hydrothermal one-step method for the simple and controllable synthesis of reduced GO/nickel nanocomposites. The switchable diode effect induced by large resistive switching behaviour shows a promising potential for graphene based embedded nanoelectronic applications.
Putting the pieces into place: Properties of intact zinc metallothionein 1A determined from interaction of its isolated domains with carbonic anhydrase
Authors: Pinter Tyler B.J. , Stillman Martin J.
Published: October 2015

Mammalian metallothioneins (MTs) bind up to seven Zn2+ using a large number of cysteine residues relative to their small size and can act as zinc-chaperones. In metal-saturated Zn7–MTs, the seven zinc ions are co-ordinated tetrahedrally into two distinct clusters separated by a linker; the N-terminal β-domain [(Zn3Cys9)3−] and C-terminal α-domain [(Zn4Cys11)3−]. We report on the competitive zinc metalation of apo-carbonic anhydrase [CA; metal-free CA (apo-CA)] in the presence of apo-metallothionein 1A domain fragments to identify domain specific determinants of zinc binding and zinc donation in the intact two-domain Znn–βαMT1A (human metallothionein 1A isoform; n=0–7). The apo-CA is shown to compete effectively only with Zn2–3–βMT and Zn4–αMT. Detailed modelling of the ESI mass spectral data have revealed the zinc-binding affinities of each of the zinc-binding sites in the two isolated fragments. The three calculated equilibrium zinc affinities [log(KF)] of the isolated β-domain were: 12.2, 11.7 and 11.4 and the four isolated α-domain affinities were: 13.5, 13.2, 12.7 and 12.6. These data provide guidance in identification of the location of the strongest-bound and weakest-bound zinc in the intact two-domain Zn7βαMT. The β-domain has the weakest zinc-binding site and this is where zinc ions are donated from in the Zn7–βαMT. The α-domain with the highest affinity binds the first zinc, which we propose leads to an unscrambling of the cysteine ligands from the apo-peptide bundle. We propose that stabilization of the intact Zn6–MT and Zn7–MT, relative to that of the sum of the separated fragments, is due to the availability of additional cysteine ligand orientations (through interdomain interactions) to support the clustered structures.
Area and power efficient decimal carry‐free adder
Authors: Han Liu , Zhang Hao , Ko Seok‐Bum
Published: October 2015

As decimal floating‐point (DFP) is better than binary floating‐point in commercial and financial computing including billing systems, currency conversion, tax calculation and banking, many research activities have been focused on improving the performance of the DFP arithmetic unit recently. To achieve the high performance of the DFP arithmetic unit, a fast decimal fixed‐point adder is the most important building block. The conventional three steps carry‐free signed digit (SD) addition algorithm is first investigated. A new method for the decimal SD addition and subtraction based on the digit set [−9, 9] is proposed. Additionally, a digit‐set converter which can directly generate the absolute value of the result is proposed. A model of the proposed decimal SD adder is implemented in VHDL. After exhaustive tests to ensure the correctness, the proposed design was synthesised in STM 90 nm technology. The results show that the proposed adder has a lower power and area consumption compared with previous designs.
Robust stopping criterion in signal‐to‐noise ratio uncertainty environment
Authors: Mohamad R. , Harun H. , Mokhtar M. , Adnan W.A.W , Dimyati K.
Published: October 2015

A robust stopping criterion (called online‐BER [OB]) that can terminate iterative turbo decoding in a signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) uncertainty environment is proposed. OB is based on the online bit error rate (BER) estimation and the BER thresholds. Both values are used to detect convergence and non‐convergence decoder output and also to halt iterative decoding in various SNRs. Unlike other well‐known stopping criteria, OB does not depend on SNR information in its stopping rules and hence it is less complex. OB is also more robust than other stopping criteria in a SNR uncertainty environment while being capable of reducing the average iteration number and resulting in less degradation in BER performance.
Modulation of terahertz radiation using optical control of Fabry–Perot resonances
Authors: Šlekas G. , Seliuta D. , Devenson J. , Urbanovič A. , Kancleris Ž.
Published: October 2015

Modulation of the terahertz radiation with the modulation depth up to 95% has been demonstrated employing optically tunable Fabry–Perot resonance phenomenon in semi‐insulating GaAs plate.
Edge illuminated SiGe heterojunction phototransistor for RoF applications
Authors: Tegegne Z.G. , Viana C. , Polleux J.L. , Grzeskowiak M. , Richalot E.
Published: October 2015

The first edge illuminated SiGe phototransistor based on the available commercial SiGe/Si BiCMOS technology for a low‐cost detector or mixer in radio‐over‐fibre applications. Its technology and structure are described. Edge mapping of the phototransistor performances, so as to observe the fastest and the highest sensitive areas of the structure, is performed. The phototransistor exhibits a cutoff frequency of 890 MHz and low frequency responsivity of 0.45 A/W at 850 nm. This new SiGe/Si phototransistor structure provides a cutoff frequency double that of a top illuminated SiGe/Si phototransistor obtained using the same BiCMOS technology.
Compact scalable frequency dependent precoding and its FPGA implementation for 5G massive MIMO wireless systems
Authors: Guan L.
Published: October 2015

Massive multiple‐input multiple‐output has been broadly accepted as one of the key candidate technologies for enabling next generation (5G) wireless network. To ensure system performance, an efficient frequency dependent precoding has to be in place to pre‐compensate the frequency selective channel response in real time. This Letter presents a compact scalable frequency dependent precoding approach and its area‐efficient field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) implementation. The proposed approach has been validated and well compared with other architectures both in the Matlab/Simulink and Xilinx FPGAs.
Context‐aware part‐based people detection for video monitoring
Authors: García‐Martín A. , SanMiguel J.C.
Published: October 2015

A novel approach for part‐based people detection in images that uses contextual information is proposed. Two sources of context are distinguished regarding the local (neighbour) information and the relative importance of the parts in the model. Local context determines part visibility which is derived from the spatial location of static objects in the scene and from the relation between scales of analysis and detection window sizes. Experimental results over various datasets show that the proposed use of context outperforms the related state‐of‐the‐art.
Wave propagation in two‐dimensional left‐handed non‐linear transmission line metamaterials
Authors: Wang Zhengbin , Chen Jinchang , Wu Zhaozhi , Zhu Yuan
Published: October 2015

Recent research on harmonic generations in one‐dimensional (1D) left‐handed non‐linear transmission line (LH NLTL) metamaterials has shown that the fundamental wave and its higher harmonics can realise quasi‐phase matching, which in turn ensures the high conversion efficiency of the harmonics. In this study, the authors first present the electromagnetic (EM) theory to describe the generation and propagation of both second‐harmonic (SH) and third‐harmonic (TH) waves in a 2D non‐linear transmission line metamaterial. Then, with the aid of the microwave circuit simulations, they fabricate a 2D LH NLTL metamaterial and demonstrate that an EM wave propagation in such medium has three states: left‐handed (LH), right‐handed (RH), and non‐propagation. Furthermore, the response of the medium to applied field intensity shows that it can realise self‐tuning between LH and RH states for the TH waves.
Universal islanding detection technique based on rate of change of sequence components of currents for distributed generations
Authors: Sareen Karan , Bhalja Bhavesh R. , Maheshwari Rudra Prakash
Published: October 2015

This study presents a universal islanding detection technique for distribution network containing synchronous, induction and inverter‐based distributed generations (DGs). The proposed scheme is based on rate of change of sequence components of current signals acquired at the point of common coupling of the targeted DG. Various non‐islanding events along with islanding conditions have been simulated by modelling IEEE 34 bus system using PSCAD/EMTDC software package. Utilising three‐phase current samples for full cycle duration of each simulation case of islanding/non‐islanding conditions, robust performance of the proposed scheme is achieved. The simulation results indicate that the proposed scheme is capable to detect islanding condition rapidly even with zero active and reactive power mismatches for both synchronous and inverter‐based DGs. Further, it eliminates non‐detection zone completely, works perfectly for multiple DG systems and avoids nuisance tripping during various non‐islanding events. Moreover, the performance of the proposed scheme is not affected by change in capacity of DG, location of DG and length of distribution line. Comparative evaluation of the proposed scheme with the existing scheme clearly indicates the superiority of the proposed scheme.
Direction‐of‐arrival estimation of incoherently distributed sources using Bayesian compressive sensing
Authors: Yang Xuemin , Ko Chi Chung , Zheng Zhi
Published: October 2015

Much attention has recently been paid to incoherently distributed sources (IDSs) in this field of direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation of distributed sources. This study introduces the sparse reconstruction theory to DOA estimation of IDSs and proposes two DOA estimation methods of IDSs based on different sparse representations. First, the DOA estimation problem of IDSs is translated into a sparse reconstruction problem by building two parametric sparse representation models (on‐grid and off‐grid), which indicate the fact that the central DOAs of IDSs may be not on the discretised sampling grid. Then, based on the two different models, the corresponding sparse reconstruction problem is solved using the Bayesian compressive sensing method. Accordingly, the central DOA estimation of IDSs is also obtained. Compared with the existing methods, the authors’ approach can provide a better performance under the condition of low signal‐to‐noise ratio, limited number of snapshots and closely spaced sources. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Improvements of PKU PMECRIS for continuous hundred hours CW proton beam operation
Authors: Peng S. X. , Zhang A. L. , Ren H. T. , Zhang T. , Zhang J. F. , Xu Y. , Guo Z. Y. , Chen J. E.
Published: October 2015

In order to improve the source stability, a long term continuous wave (CW) proton beam experiment has been carried out with Peking University compact permanent magnet 2.45 GHz ECR ion source (PKU PMECRIS). Before such an experiment a lot of improvements and modifications were completed on the source body, the Faraday cup and the PKU ion source test bench. At the beginning of 2015, a continuous operation of PKU PMECRIS for 306 h with more than 50 mA CW beam was carried out after success of many short term tests. No plasma generator failure or high voltage breakdown was observed during that running period and the proton source reliability is near 100%. Total beam availability, which is defined as 35-keV beam-on time divided by elapsed time, was higher than 99% [S. X. Peng et al., Chin. Phys. B 24(7), 075203 (2015)]. A re-inspection was performed after another additional 100 h operation (counting time) and no obvious sign of component failure was observed. Counting the previous source testing time together, this PMECRs longevity is now demonstrated to be greater than 460 h. This paper is mainly concentrated on the improvements for this long term experiment.
Mimicking Martian dust: An in-vacuum dust deposition system for testing the ultraviolet sensors on the Curiosity rover
Authors: Sobrado J. M. , Martín-Soler J. , Martín-Gago J. A.
Published: October 2015

We have designed and developed an in-vacuum dust deposition system specifically conceived to simulate and study the effect of accumulation of Martian dust on the electronic instruments of scientific planetary exploration missions. We have used this device to characterize the dust effect on the UV sensor of the Rover Environmental Monitoring Station in the Mars science Laboratory mission of NASA in similar conditions to those found on Mars surface. The UV sensor includes six photodiodes for measuring the radiation in all UV wavelengths (direct incidence and reflected); it is placed on the body of Curiosity rover and it is severely affected by the dust deposited on it. Our experimental setup can help to estimate the duration of reliable reading of this instrument during operation. We have used an analogous of the Martian dust in chemical composition (magnetic species), color, and density, which has been characterized by X-ray spectroscopy. To ensure a Brownian motion of the dust during its fall and a homogeneous coverage on the instrumentation, the operating conditions of the vacuum vessel, determined by partial pressures and temperature, have to be modified to account for the different gravities of Mars with respect to Earth. We propose that our designed device and operational protocol can be of interest to test optoelectronic instrumentation affected by the opacity of dust, as can be the degradation of UV photodiodes in planetary exploration.
Correlation between length and tilt of lipid tails
Authors: Kopelevich Dmitry I. , Nagle John F.
Published: October 2015

It is becoming recognized from simulations, and to a lesser extent from experiment, that the classical Helfrich-Canham membrane continuum mechanics model can be fruitfully enriched by the inclusion of molecular tilt, even in the fluid, chain disordered, biologically relevant phase of lipid bilayers. Enriched continuum theories then add a tilt modulus κθ to accompany the well recognized bending modulus κ. Different enrichment theories largely agree for many properties, but it has been noticed that there is considerable disagreement in one prediction; one theory postulates that the average length of the hydrocarbon chain tails increases strongly with increasing tilt and another predicts no increase. Our analysis of an all-atom simulation favors the latter theory, but it also shows that the overall tail length decreases slightly with increasing tilt. We show that this deviation from continuum theory can be reconciled by consideration of the average shape of the tails, which is a descriptor not obviously includable in continuum theory.
Investigation of the boundary layer during the transition from volume to surface dominated H− production at the BATMAN test facility
Authors: Wimmer C. , Schiesko L. , Fantz U.
Published: October 2015

BATMAN (Bavarian Test Machine for Negative ions) is a test facility equipped with a 18 scale H− source for the ITER heating neutral beam injection. Several diagnostics in the boundary layer close to the plasma grid (first grid of the accelerator system) followed the transition from volume to surface dominated H− production starting with a Cs-free, cleaned source and subsequent evaporation of caesium, while the source has been operated at ITER relevant pressure of 0.3 Pa: Langmuir probes are used to determine the plasma potential, optical emission spectroscopy is used to follow the caesiation process, and cavity ring-down spectroscopy allows for the measurement of the H− density. The influence on the plasma during the transition from an electron-ion plasma towards an ion-ion plasma, in which negative hydrogen ions become the dominant negatively charged particle species, is seen in a strong increase of the H− density combined with a reduction of the plasma potential. A clear correlation of the extracted current densities (jH−, je) exists with the Cs emission.
Strong anisotropic thermal conductivity of nanoporous silicon
Authors: Kim Kyowon , Murphy Thomas E.
Published: October 2015

Nanoporous silicon is known to have a thermal conductivity that is orders of magnitude smaller than the bulk crystalline silicon from which it is formed. Even though the strong columnar microscopic structure of porous silicon indicates the possibility of highly anisotropic thermal properties, there have been no measurements. We report here an experimental investigation of this anisotropy. An analytical heat spreading model with 3ω thermal conductivity measurement method was used to derive both in-plane and cross-plane conductivities. Additionally, we describe a finite element analysis that supports the experimental measurements. Our measurements reveal that because of the nanoscale columnar nature of the material, the in-plane thermal conductivity of nanoporous silicon is 1–2 orders of magnitude smaller than the cross-plane thermal conductivity and 2–3 orders of magnitude smaller than that of crystalline silicon, making it comparable to the best thermal insulators available.
Fusion energy in an inertial electrostatic confinement device using a magnetically shielded grid
Authors: Hedditch John , Bowden-Reid Richard , Khachan Joe
Published: October 2015

Theory for a gridded inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion system is presented, which shows a net energy gain is possible if the grid is magnetically shielded from ion impact. A simplified grid geometry is studied, consisting of two negatively biased coaxial current-carrying rings, oriented such that their opposing magnetic fields produce a spindle cusp. Our analysis indicates that better than break-even performance is possible even in a deuterium-deuterium system at bench-top scales. The proposed device has the unusual property that it can avoid both the cusp losses of traditional magnetic fusion systems and the grid losses of traditional IEC configurations.
Effect of Sn doping on the room temperature magnetodielectric properties of yttrium iron garnet
Authors: Zhang Zhizhi , Chen Fu , Li Junnan , Feng Zekun , Nie Yan
Published: October 2015

The structures, magnetic properties, permittivity spectra, and magnetodielectric (MD) effects of polycrystalline Y3Fe5−xSnxO12 compounds prepared by solid state reactions were systematically investigated. The substitution of Sn4+ leads to lattice expansion and the donation of excess electrons in ceramics, which affects the concentration of Fe2+, space charge, and electric dipole. As a result, as the amount of Sn dopant increases, so does saturation magnetization and permittivity in the low frequency band. The MD coefficient ([εr(H) − εr(0)]/εr(0)) of lightly doped samples (x ≤ 0.05) is negative in the entire frequency band, reaching −2.3% at 350 MHz and 0.6 T for Y3Fe4.95Sn0.05O12 ceramics. The MD coefficient of heavily doped samples (x > 0.05) is positive in the low frequency band, reaching 0.83% at 10 MHz and 0.6 T for Y3Fe4.925Sn0.075O12 ceramics, and then decreasing with the increasing frequency, gradually becoming negative in the high frequency band. A detailed explanation is provided based on the origin of permittivity. This study provides a new methodology according to which the MD materials may be designed in order to satisfy the requirements of engineering applications.
Effects of tillage management on soil CO2 emission and wheat yield under rain-fed conditions
Authors: Lu Xingli , Lu Xingneng , Tanveer Sikander Khan , Wen Xiaoxia , Liao Yuncheng
Published: October 2015

Tillage disturbance can affect carbon dynamics in soil and plant production through several mechanisms. There are few integrated studies that have dealt with the effect of tillage management on soil CO2 emission and yield of wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L.) in the Loess Plateau in China. A 3-year (2010–12 and 2013–14) field experiment with two types of tillage was established to investigate CO2 emission, its related soil properties, crop yields and yield-scaled CO2 emissions (CO2 emissions per unit crop production) under rain-fed field conditions. Some land was planted with winter wheat without using tillage (‘no tillage’; NT), whereas some used mouldboard plough tillage (‘conventional tillage’; CT). The results indicate that CO2 was significantly and positively related to total nitrogen (P < 0.01), soil organic matter (P < 0.01), soil enzymes (P < 0.01; urease, invertase, and catalase), soil temperature (P < 0.01) and total pore space (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis in the NT plot included soil temperature and air filled pore space, explaining 85% (P < 0.05) of the CO2 variability, whereas in the CT plot the multiple linear regression model included soil temperature, urease, bulk density and pH, explaining 80% (P < 0.001) of the CO2 variability. Compared with the CT treatment, NT reduced the 3-year average yield-scaled CO2 emissions by 41% because of a 40% reduction in total CO2 emissions with no reduction in wheat yield. Thus, the results indicate that NT could be used to reduce the contribution of agriculture to CO2 emissions while simultaneously maintaining wheat crop production in this area.
Role Played by Paxillin and Paxillin Tyrosine Phosphorylation in Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Sphingosine‐1‐Phosphate‐Mediated Reactive Oxygen Species Generation, Lamellipodia Formation, and Endothelial Barrier Function
Authors: Fu Panfeng , Usatyuk Peter V. , Jacobson Jeffrey , Cress Anne E. , Garcia Joe G. N. , Salgia Ravi , Natarajan Viswanathan
Published: October 2015

Paxillin is a multifunctional and multidomain focal adhesion adaptor protein. It serves as an important scaffolding protein at focal adhesions by recruiting and binding to structural and signaling molecules. Paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation at Y31 and Y118 is important for paxillin redistribution to focal adhesions and angiogenesis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) are potent stimulators of lamellipodia formation, a prerequisite for endothelial cell migration. The role played by paxillin and its tyrosine phosphorylated forms in HGF‐ or S1P‐induced lamellipodia formation and barrier function is unclear. HGF or S1P stimulated lamellipodia formation, tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin at Y31 and Y118, and c‐Abl in human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs). Knockdown of paxillin with small interfering RNA (siRNA) or transfection with paxillin mutants (Y31F or Y118F) mitigated HGF‐ or S1P‐induced lamellipodia formation, translocation of p47phox to lamellipodia, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HLMVECs. Furthermore, exposure of HLMVECs to HGF or S1P stimulated c‐Abl‐mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin at Y31 and Y118 in a time‐dependent fashion, and down‐regulation of c‐Abl with siRNA attenuated HGF‐ or S1P‐mediated lamellipodia formation, translocation of p47phox to lamellipodia, and endothelial barrier enhancement. In vivo, knockdown of paxillin with siRNA in mouse lungs attenuated ventilator‐induced lung injury. Together, these results suggest that c‐Abl‐mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin at Y31 and Y118 regulates HGF‐ or S1P‐mediated lamellipodia formation, ROS generation in lamellipodia, and endothelial permeability.
Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Inhibits Vascular Intimal Proliferation With
Activation of PPARγ
Authors: Kukida Masayoshi , Mogi Masaki , Ohshima Kousei , Nakaoka Hirotomo , Iwanami Jun , Kanno Harumi , Tsukuda Kana , Chisaka Toshiyuki , Min Li-Juan , Wang Xiao-Li , Bai Hui-Yu , Shan Bao-Shuai , Higaki Akinori , Yamauchi Toshifumi , Okura Takafumi , Higaki Jitsuo , Horiuchi Masatsugu
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin II type 2 (AT 2 ) receptor stimulation could exert beneficial effects on vascular remodeling. Previously, we reported that AT 2 receptor stimulation ameliorated insulin resistance in diabetic mice accompanied by PPARγ activation which also plays a variety of crucial roles in the vasculature. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the vascular protective effect of the AT 2 receptor with activation of PPARγ involving AT 2 receptor-interacting protein (ATIP).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Vascular injury was induced by polyethylene-cuff placement around the femoral artery in C57BL/6J mice. Treatment with compound 21 (C21), an AT 2 receptor agonist, decreased neointimal formation, cell proliferation, and the mRNA levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin-1β, and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B, and increased PPARγ DNA-binding activity in the injured artery, whereas these inhibitory effects of C21 were attenuated by co-treatment with a PPARγ antagonist, GW9662. Treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) with C21 prepared from smAT 2 transgenic mice, which highly express the AT 2 receptor in VSMC, increased both PPARγ activity and its DNA-binding activity determined by dual-luciferase assay and electrophoresis mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. We observed that ATIP was involved in PPARγ complex formation, and that transfection of siRNA of ATIP1 attenuated the AT 2 receptor-mediated increase in PPARγ activity in VSMC. In response to AT 2 receptor stimulation, ATIP was translocated from the plasma membrane to the nucleus.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest a new mechanism by which AT 2 receptor stimulation activates PPARγ, thereby resulting in amelioration of vascular intimal proliferation, and that ATIP plays an important role in AT 2 receptor-mediated PPARγ activation.
BioSynther: a customized biosynthetic potential explorer
Authors: Tu Weizhong , Zhang Haoran , Liu Juan , Hu Qian-Nan
Published: October 2015

Motivation: One of the most promising applications of biosynthetic methods is to produce chemical products of high value from the ready-made chemicals. To explore the biosynthetic potentials of a chemical as a synthesis precursor, biosynthetic databases and related chemoinformatics tools are urgently needed. In the present work, a web-based tool, BioSynther, is developed to explore the biosynthetic potentials of precursor chemicals using BKM-react, Rhea, and more than 50 000 in-house RxnFinder reactions manually curated. BioSynther allows researchers to explore biosynthetic potentials, through so far known biochemical reactions, step by step interactively, which could be used as a useful tool in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.

Availability and implementation: BioSynther is available at: http://www.lifemodules.org/BioSynther/.

Contact: hu_qn@tib.cas.cn.

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Effect of Environment and Sugar Beet Genotype on Root Rot Development and Pathogen Profile During Storage
Authors: Liebe Sebastian , Varrelmann Mark
Published: October 2015

Storage rots represent an economically important factor impairing the storability of sugar beet by increasing sucrose losses and invert sugar content. Understanding the development of disease management strategies, knowledge about major storage pathogens, and factors influencing their occurrence is crucial. In comprehensive storage trials conducted under controlled conditions, the effects of environment and genotype on rot development and associated quality changes were investigated. Prevalent species involved in rot development were identified by a newly developed microarray. The strongest effect on rot development was assigned to environment factors followed by genotypic effects. Despite large variation in rot severity (sample range 0 to 84%), the spectrum of microorganisms colonizing sugar beet remained fairly constant across all treatments with dominant species belonging to the fungal genera Botrytis, Fusarium, and Penicillium. The intensity of microbial tissue necrotization was strongly correlated with sucrose losses (R2 = 0.79 to 0.91) and invert sugar accumulation (R2 = 0.91 to 0.95). A storage rot resistance bioassay was developed that could successfully reproduce the genotype ranking observed in storage trials. Quantification of fungal biomass indicates that genetic resistance is based on a quantitative mechanism. Further work is required to understand the large environmental influence on rot development in sugar beet.
Short-term Effects of Corticosteroid Therapy on Cardiac and Skeletal Muscles in Muscular Dystrophies
Authors: Hussein Gehan , Mansour Lobna , Ghafar Hadeer Abdel , Mostafa Fatma Alzahraa , Fawaz Lubna
Published: October 2015

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common muscular dystrophy of childhood. It leads to progressive deterioration in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Corticosteroids are considered an effective therapy.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the role of short-term prednisone therapy in improving left ventricular (LV) systolic function, LV mass (LVM), and motor power in cases of muscular dystrophies.

Patients and Methods

Twenty-five cases of muscular dystrophy including 17 cases of DMD, 3 cases of Becker muscular dystrophies, and 5 cases of female patients with DMD-like phenotype were included in the study. The diagnosis of 12 patients was confirmed by muscle biopsy with immunohistochemistry; the patients were subjected to motor assessment, measurement of creatine kinase level, and echocardiographic examination before and after prednisone therapy. Transthoracic echocardiographic assessment of the LV systolic function (fractional shortening) was done. Myocardial performance index and LVM were calculated. Intermittent dosage of prednisone was administered 5 mg/kg per day on 2 consecutive days weekly for 3 months.

Results

Fractional shortening improved on prednisone therapy ( P = 0.009) and LVM increased ( P = 0.012); improvement in walking was detected in 77% of the patients, climbing stairs improved in 88.9%, Gower sign improved in 70%, and rising from chair improved in 60%. Prednisone had no effect on the patients with marked motor impairment (on wheelchair). The creatine kinase level was significantly lower after steroid therapy ( P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Three months of intermittent prednisone therapy could improve cardiac and skeletal muscle function in congenital muscular dystrophy.
Noninvasive Assessment of Endothelial Function: The Classic Methods and the New Peripheral Arterial Tonometry
Authors: Vizzardi Enrico , Gavazzoni Mara , Della Pina Paolo , Bonadei Ivano , Regazzoni Valentina , Sciatti Edoardo , Trichaki Eleftheria , Raddino Riccardo , Metra Marco
Published: October 2015

The combination of risk stratification by assessment of conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) with not only a morphological assessment of vascular damage (such as carotid ultrasound examination) but also vascular function tests may be a useful strategy for the management of CVD and its related risk factors. Endothelial dysfunction is present in a great variety of pathological conditions: it is considered the first alteration of vascular function in atherosclerosis and one of the phenomena involved in the progression of heart failure. Assessing endothelial function with noninvasive methods could have a central role for evaluation of treatment, prognostic stratification, and pharmacological studies in CVD. In this review, we focus on noninvasive techniques that have recently become available to assess endothelial function and express the possible clinical role in different clinical settings.