bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of cues in virtual reality depends on visual feedback
Authors: Fulvio Jacqueline M. , Rokers Bas
Published: November 2017

3D motion perception is of central importance to daily life. However, when tested in laboratory settings, sensitivity to 3D motion signals is found to be poor, leading to the view that heuristics and prior assumptions are critical for 3D motion perception. Here we explore an alternative: sensitivity to 3D motion signals is context-dependent and must be learned based on explicit visual feedback in novel environments. The need for action-contingent visual feedback is well-established in the developmental literature. For example, young kittens that are passively moved through an environment, but unable to move through it themselves, fail to develop accurate depth perception. We find that these principles also obtain in adult human perception. Observers that do not experience visual consequences of their actions fail to develop accurate 3D motion perception in a virtual reality environment, even after prolonged exposure. By contrast, observers that experience the consequences of their actions improve performance based on available sensory cues to 3D motion. Specifically, we find that observers learn to exploit the small motion parallax cues provided by head jitter. Our findings advance understanding of human 3D motion processing and form a foundation for future study of perception in virtual and natural 3D environments.
Mott transition in chain structure of strained VO2 films revealed by coherent phonons
Authors: Slusar Tetiana V. , Cho Jin-Cheol , Lee Hyang-Rok , Kim Ji-Wan , Yoo Seung Jo , Bigot Jean-Yves , Yee Ki-Ju , Kim Hyun-Tak
Published: November 2017

The characteristic of strongly correlated materials is the Mott transition between metal and insulator (MIT or IMT) in the same crystalline structure, indicating the presence of a gap formed by the Coulomb interaction between carriers. The physics of the transition needs to be revealed. Using VO2, as a model material, we observe the emergence of a metallic chain in the intermediate insulating monoclinic structure (M2 phase) of epitaxial strained films, proving the Mott transition involving the breakdown of the critical Coulomb interaction. It is revealed by measuring the temperature dynamics of coherent optical phonons with separated vibrational modes originated from two substructures in M2: one is the charge-density-wave, formed by electron-phonon (e-ph) interaction, and the other is the equally spaced insulator-chain with electron-electron (e-e) correlations.
Heterolytic Splitting of Molecular Hydrogen by Frustrated and Classical Lewis Pairs: A Unified Reactivity Concept
Authors: Skara Gabriella , De Vleeschouwer Freija , Geerlings Paul , De Proft Frank , Pinter Balazs
Published: November 2017

Using a set of state-of-the-art quantum chemical techniques we scrutinized the characteristically different reactivity of frustrated and classical Lewis pairs towards molecular hydrogen. The mechanisms and reaction profiles computed for the H2 splitting reaction of various Lewis pairs are in good agreement with the experimentally observed feasibility of H2 activation. More importantly, the analysis of activation parameters unambiguously revealed the existence of two reaction pathways through a low-energy and a high-energy transition state. An exhaustive scrutiny of these transition states, including their stability, geometry and electronic structure, reflects that the electronic rearrangement in low-energy transition states is fundamentally different from that of high-energy transition states. Our findings reveal that the widespread consensus mechanism of H2 splitting characterizes activation processes corresponding to high-energy transition states and, accordingly, is not operative for H2-activating systems. One of the criteria of H2-activation, actually, is the availability of a low-energy transition state that represents a different H2 splitting mechanism, in which the electrostatic field generated in the cavity of Lewis pair plays a critical role: to induce a strong polarization of H2 that facilities an efficient end-on acid-H2 interaction and to stabilize the charge separated “H+–H−” moiety in the transition state.
Specification of murine ground state pluripotent stem cells to regional neuronal populations
Authors: Alsanie Walaa F. , Niclis Jonathan C. , Hunt Cameron P. , De Luzy Isabelle R. , Penna Vanessa , Bye Christopher R. , Pouton Colin W. , Haynes John , Firas Jaber , Thompson Lachlan H. , Parish Clare L.
Published: November 2017

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a valuable tool for interrogating development, disease modelling, drug discovery and transplantation. Despite the burgeoned capability to fate restrict human PSCs to specific neural lineages, comparative protocols for mouse PSCs have not similarly advanced. Mouse protocols fail to recapitulate neural development, consequently yielding highly heterogeneous populations, yet mouse PSCs remain a valuable scientific tool as differentiation is rapid, cost effective and an extensive repertoire of transgenic lines provides an invaluable resource for understanding biology. Here we developed protocols for neural fate restriction of mouse PSCs, using knowledge of embryonic development and recent progress with human equivalents. These methodologies rely upon naïve ground-state PSCs temporarily transitioning through LIF-responsive stage prior to neural induction and rapid exposure to regional morphogens. Neural subtypes generated included those of the dorsal forebrain, ventral forebrain, ventral midbrain and hindbrain. This rapid specification, without feeder layers or embryoid-body formation, resulted in high proportions of correctly specified progenitors and neurons with robust reproducibility. These generated neural progenitors/neurons will provide a valuable resource to further understand development, as well disorders affecting specific neuronal subpopulations.
Click chemistry-based tracking reveals putative cell wall-located auxin binding sites in expanding cells
Authors: Mravec Jozef , Kračun Stjepan K. , Zemlyanskaya Elena , Rydahl Maja G. , Guo Xiaoyuan , Pičmanová Martina , Sørensen Kasper K. , Růžička Kamil , Willats William G. T.
Published: November 2017

Auxin is a key plant regulatory molecule, which acts upon a plethora of cellular processes, including those related to cell differentiation and elongation. Despite the stunning progress in all disciplines of auxin research, the mechanisms of auxin-mediated rapid promotion of cell expansion and underlying rearrangement of cell wall components are poorly understood. This is partly due to the limitations of current methodologies for probing auxin. Here we describe a click chemistry-based approach, using an azido derivative of indole-3-propionic acid. This compound is as an active auxin analogue, which can be tagged in situ. Using this new tool, we demonstrate the existence of putative auxin binding sites in the cell walls of expanding/elongating cells. These binding sites are of protein nature but are distinct from those provided by the extensively studied AUXIN BINDING PROTEIN 1 (ABP1). Using immunohistochemistry, we have shown the apoplastic presence of endogenous auxin epitopes recognised by an anti-IAA antibody. Our results are intriguingly in line with previous observations suggesting some transcription-independent (non-genomic) activity of auxin in cell elongation.
A Deep-Dream Virtual Reality Platform for Studying Altered Perceptual Phenomenology
Authors: Suzuki Keisuke , Roseboom Warrick , Schwartzman David J. , Seth Anil K.
Published: November 2017

Altered states of consciousness, such as psychotic or pharmacologically-induced hallucinations, provide a unique opportunity to examine the mechanisms underlying conscious perception. However, the phenomenological properties of these states are difficult to isolate experimentally from other, more general physiological and cognitive effects of psychoactive substances or psychopathological conditions. Thus, simulating phenomenological aspects of altered states in the absence of these other more general effects provides an important experimental tool for consciousness science and psychiatry. Here we describe such a tool, which we call theHallucination Machine. It comprises a novel combination of two powerful technologies: deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) and panoramic videos of natural scenes, viewed immersively through a head-mounted display (panoramic VR). By doing this, we are able to simulate visual hallucinatory experiences in a biologically plausible and ecologically valid way. Two experiments illustrate potential applications of theHallucination Machine. First, we show that the system induces visual phenomenology qualitatively similar to classical psychedelics. In a second experiment, we find that simulated hallucinations do not evoke the temporal distortion commonly associated with altered states. Overall, theHallucination Machineoffers a valuable new technique for simulating altered phenomenology without directly altering the underlying neurophysiology.
Different protein-protein interface patterns predicted by different machine learning methods
Authors: Wang Wei , Yang Yongxiao , Yin Jianxin , Gong Xinqi
Published: November 2017

Different types of protein-protein interactions make different protein-protein interface patterns. Different machine learning methods are suitable to deal with different types of data. Then, is it the same situation that different interface patterns are preferred for prediction by different machine learning methods? Here, four different machine learning methods were employed to predict protein-protein interface residue pairs on different interface patterns. The performances of the methods for different types of proteins are different, which suggest that different machine learning methods tend to predict different protein-protein interface patterns. We made use of ANOVA and variable selection to prove our result. Our proposed methods taking advantages of different single methods also got a good prediction result compared to single methods. In addition to the prediction of protein-protein interactions, this idea can be extended to other research areas such as protein structure prediction and design.
Transcriptomic profiling of Alternaria longipes invasion in tobacco reveals pathogenesis regulated by AlHK1, a group III histidine kinase
Authors: Yang Juan , Yin Zhi-Qun , Kang Zi-Teng , Liu Chen-Jian , Yang Jin-Kui , Yao Jian-Hua , Luo Yi-Yong
Published: November 2017

Tobacco brown spot, caused by Alternaria species, is a devastating tobacco disease. To explore the role of a group III histidine kinase (AlHK1) on A. longipes pathogenesis, the invasion progress of A. longipes was monitored. We found that the wild-type strain C-00 invaded faster than the AlHK1-disrupted strain HK∆4 in the early and middle infection stages and the reverse trend occurred in the late infection stage. Then, eight invasion transcriptomes were performed using RNA-Seq and 205 shared, 505 C-00 and 222 HK∆4 specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The annotation results showed seven antioxidant activity genes were specifically identified in the HKΔ4 DEGs. A subsequent experiment confirmed that HKΔ4 was more resistant to low concentrations oxidative stress than C-00. In addition, the results from 1) statistics for the number of DEGs, GO enriched terms, DEGs in clusters with rising trends, and 2) analyses of the expression patterns of some DEGs relevant for osmoadaptation and virulence showed that changes in C-00 infection existed mainly in the early and middle stages, while HKΔ4 infection arose mainly in the late stage. Our results reveal firstly the pathogenesis of A. longipes regulated by AlHK1 and provide useful insights into the fungal-plant interactions.
A windable and stretchable three-dimensional all-inorganic membrane for efficient oil/water separation
Authors: Wang Kui , Han Dong Suk , Yiming Wubulikasimu , Ahzi Said , Abdel-Wahab Ahmed , Liu Zhaoyang
Published: November 2017

There is strong interest in windable and stretchable membranes to meet the technological demands of practical water treatments. Oil/water separating membranes of this type is still significantly underdeveloped. Here, we reported a windable and stretchable membrane with three-dimensional structure for efficient oil/water separation. This membrane is made of ZnO nanorods arrays conformally grown on woven carbon microfibers. This three-dimensional architecture endows the fabricated membrane with highly windable and stretchable properties, at the same time ensures ZnO nanorods fully exposed outwards on the membrane surface. Due to its superior hydrophilicity and oleophobicity of ZnO nanorods, this all-inorganic membrane exhibits outstanding antifouling property, with the foulants on membrane surfaces easily removed by simple physical cleaning without chemicals. The membrane can effectively separate both oil/saline-water mixtures and oil-in-water emulsions, solely driven by gravity, with extremely high permeation flux of 20933.4 L m−2 h−1 and high separation efficiency over 99%.
Pyridoxine dipharmacophore derivatives as potent glucokinase activators for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Dzyurkevich Mikhail S. , Babkov Denis A. , Shtyrlin Nikita V. , Mayka Olga Yu. , Iksanova Alfiya G. , Vassiliev Pavel M. , Balakin Konstantin V. , Spasov Alexander A. , Tarasov Vadim V. , Barreto George , Shtyrlin Yurii G. , Aliev Gjumrakch
Published: November 2017

Glucokinase is one of the promising targets for glucose-lowering agents, and the development of GK activators are now considered as one of the most promising strategies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this work, a series of novel symmetric molecular constructs, in which two pyridoxine moieties are connected via sulfur-containing linkers, have been synthesized and testedin vitrofor glucokinase activation potential. The enzyme activation rates by two most active compounds at 100 μM (~150% and 130%) were comparable to that of the reference agent PF-04937319 (~154%). Both leading compounds demonstrated low cytotoxicity and excellent safety profile in acute toxicity experiment in rats after oral administration with LD50exceeding 2000 mg/kg of body weight. Binding mode of the active compounds in comparison with the reference agent was studied using molecular docking. The leading compounds represent viable preclinical candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as a promising starting point for the design of structural analogs with improved activity.
Identifying light impurities in transition metal dichalcogenides: the local vibrational modes of S and O in ReSe2 and MoSe2
Authors: Hart Lewis S. , Webb James L. , Murkin Stephen , Wolverson Daniel , Lin Der-Yuh
Published: November 2017

The transition metal dichalcogenides provide a rich field for the study of two-dimensional materials, with metals, semiconductors, superconductors and charge density wave materials being known. Members of this family are typically hexagonal, but those based on rhenium (ReSe2 and ReS2) and their ternary alloys are attracting attention due to their triclinic structure and their resulting, strong in-plane anisotropy. Here, Raman spectra of dilute ReSe2 - 
x
S
x
alloys containing low levels of sulfur (x ≤ 0.25) were obtained in order to investigate the distribution of substitutional sulfur atoms over the non-equivalent chalcogen sites of the ReSe2 unit cell. Four different Raman bands arising from the local vibrational modes of sulfur atoms were observed, corresponding to these four sites. One local vibrational mode has a substantially in-plane displacement of the sulfur atom, two are partially out-of-plane and one is completely out-of-plane. The interpretation of the experimental data is based on calculations of the lattice dynamics and non-resonant Raman tensors of a model alloy via density functional theory. For comparison, polarization-dependent Raman spectra of pure ReS2 are also presented; a dramatic increase in the Raman cross-section is found for the out-of-plane modes when the excitation polarization is normal to the layers and the light propagates in the layer plane. A similar increase in cross-section is found experimentally for the local vibrational modes of sulfur in dilute ReSe2 -x 
S
x
alloys and is predicted for dilute sulfur-containing alloys based on MoSe2. The analogous local vibrational modes of substitutional oxygen impurities in ReSe2 were also investigated computationally.
Development of a label-free Raman imaging technique for differentiation of malaria parasite infected from non-infected tissue
Authors: Frame Laura , Brewer James , Lee Rebecca , Faulds Karen , Graham Duncan
Published: November 2017

This work uses Raman in resonance with Fe-containing porphyrin chromophores to clearly differentiateP. bergheiinfected & non-infected spleen tissue.
Colorimetric ELISA with an acid–base indicator for sensitive detection of ochratoxin A in corn samples
Authors: Pei Ke , Xiong Ying , Li Xiangmin , Jiang Hu , Xiong Yonghua
Published: November 2017

In this study, a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dcELISA) with an acid–base indicator was developed for the naked-eye detection of ochratoxin A (OTA).
Metal-assisted exfoliation of few-layer black phosphorus with high yield
Authors: Guan Liao , Xing Boran , Niu Xinyue , Wang Dan , Yu Ying , Zhang Shucheng , Yan Xiaoyuan , Wang Yewu , Sha Jian
Published: November 2017

We introduce a metal-assisted exfoliation method to produce few-layer black phosphorus with the lateral size larger than 50 μm and the area 100 times larger than those exfoliated using the normal “scotch-tape” technique.
A new Tb(iii)-functionalized layer-like Cd MOF as luminescent probe for high-selectively sensing of Cr3+
Authors: Wang Yi , Yang Huan , Cheng Gang , Wu Yunying , Lin Shaomin
Published: November 2017

A new layer-like metal–organic framework {[Cd4(NDIC)4·5DMF·H2O]DMF}n (NDIC = 5-(5-norbonene-2,3-dicarboximide) isophthalic acid) was synthesized by solvothermal method.
Polysulfide intercalation in bilayer-structured graphitic C3N4: a first-principles study
Authors: Li Sinan , Yang Shaobin , Shen Ding , Sun Wen , Shan Xueying , Dong Wei , Chen Yuehui , Zhang Xu , Mao Yongqiang , Tang Shuwei
Published: November 2017

A graphitic C3N4 bilayer can stabilize polysulfides (PSs) by using a micropore-scale interlayer as a promising anchoring material, and improve sulfur utilisation.
Lower lattice thermal conductivity in SbAs than As or Sb monolayers: a first-principles study
Authors: Guo San-Dong , Liu Jiang-Tao
Published: November 2017

The lattice thermal conductivity of monolayer SbAs is lower than those of both monolayer As and Sb.
Exploring what prompts ITIC to become a superior acceptor in organic solar cell by combining molecular dynamics simulation with quantum chemistry calculation
Authors: Pan Qing-Qing , Li Shuang-Bao , Duan Ying-Chen , Wu Yong , Zhang Ji , Geng Yun , Zhao Liang , Su Zhong-Min
Published: November 2017

A comparison on charge transfer process in OSC between non-fullerene electron acceptor ITIC and PC71BM was taken by microscopic analysis based on the molecular dynamics and quantum chemistry method.
Elucidating the stability of bolaamphiphilic polypeptide nanosheets using atomistic molecular dynamics
Authors: Malaspina T. , Fileti E. E. , Colherinhas G.
Published: November 2017

Atomistic molecular dynamics was employed to characterize bolaamphiphilic polypeptides nanosheets.
Electrochemical aspects of photocatalysis: Au@FeS2 nanocomposite for removal of industrial pollutant
Authors: Kaur Gurpreet , D. Pooja , Kumar Manjeet , Thakur Anup , Bala Rajni , Kumar Akshay
Published: November 2017

A wide range of endeavors have been dedicated to building up an impetus in the field of catalysis to enhance the removal of toxic contaminants from water.
Synthesis and properties of [7]helicene and [7]helicene-like compounds with a cyclopenta[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene or dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]heterole skeleton
Authors: Uematsu K. , Noguchi K. , Nakano K.
Published: November 2017

A series of [7]helicene and [7]helicene-like compounds composed of a cyclopenta[1,2-b:4,3-b′]dithiophene or dithieno[2,3-b:3′,2′-d]heterole moiety and two naphthalene moieties were successfully synthesized from a common synthetic intermediate, 1,1′-binaphtho[2,1-b]thiophene.
Electronic structure and dynamics of torsion-locked photoactive yellow protein chromophores
Authors: Henley Alice , Diveky Matus E. , Patel Anand M. , Parkes Michael A. , Anderson James C. , Fielding Helen H.
Published: November 2017

Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and computational chemistry study of the role of torsional motions in the electronic relaxation of PYP chromophores.
Photoresponsive ruthenium-containing polymers: potential polymeric metallodrugs for anticancer phototherapy
Authors: Sun Wen , Zeng Xiaolong , Wu Si
Published: November 2017

The recent development of photoresponsive Ru-containing polymers for combined photoactivated chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy is discussed.
A pillar[5]arene based gel from a low-molecular-weight gelator for sustained dye release in water
Authors: Yao Yong , Sun Yan , Yu Huaxu , Chen Wenrui , Dai Hong , Shi Yujun
Published: November 2017

A soft gel based on pillar[5]arene was successfully prepared using a carbazone reaction.
Barley beta-glucans varying in molecular mass and oligomer structure affect cecal fermentation and microbial composition but not blood lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic rats
Authors: Mikkelsen Mette S. , Jensen Morten G. , Nielsen Tina S.
Published: November 2017

There is an unmet need for appealing and functional barley β-glucan (BG) food matrices that can provide sufficient and active BG doses to consumers.
An efficient palladium catalyzed Mizoroki–Heck cross-coupling in water
Authors: Jadhav Sanjay N. , Rode Chandrashekhar V.
Published: November 2017

The homogeneous Pd-catalysed Mizoroki–Heck coupling reaction was successfully performed in water in the absence of any additives under aerobic conditions.
Dense monolayer films of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons on metallic substrates enabled by direct contact transfer of molecular precursors
Authors: Teeter Jacob D. , Costa Paulo S. , Zahl Percy , Vo Timothy H. , Shekhirev Mikhail , Xu Wenwu , Zeng Xiao Cheng , Enders Axel , Sinitskii Alexander
Published: November 2017

We produced monolayers of atomically precise graphene nanoribbons by depositing their molecular precursors on Au(111) using a direct contact transfer method.
Conformational isomerism in cyclic peptoids and its specification
Authors: D'Amato A. , Schettini R. , Della Sala G. , Costabile C. , Tedesco C. , Izzo I. , De Riccardis F.
Published: November 2017

Conformational chirality is an emerging and neglected property of rigid cyclic peptoids determining structural, catalytic, and biological properties. The present contribution analyzes its impact and sets the configurational rules to define it.
Hybrid single-chain nanoparticles via the metal induced crosslinking of N-donor functionalized polymer chains
Authors: Freytag Karen , Säfken Stefanie , Wolter Kai , Namyslo Jan C. , Hübner Eike G.
Published: November 2017

A set of single-chain nanoparticles was prepared via the intramolecular crosslinking of functionalized copolymers with various metal salts.
Synthesis of pyridine trans-tetrafluoro-λ6-sulfane derivatives via radical addition
Authors: Das Prajwalita , Takada Masahiro , Tokunaga Etsuko , Saito Norimichi , Shibata Norio
Published: November 2017

Pyridine-trans-SF4-alkenes or -alkanes have been synthesized for the first time via the radical addition reactions of pyridine-trans-SF4Cl to alkynes or alkenes in good to high yields.
Novel rod-Y2O3:Eu3+@0.01YVO4:Eu3+ with open core/shell nanostructure and “off-and-on” fluorescent performance
Authors: Han Nianchen , Gao Xueshan , Lu Guang , Zeng Daiwen , Wan Xia , Tie Shaolong , Lan Sheng
Published: November 2017

Novel rod-Y2O3:Eu3+@0.01YVO4:Eu3+ with an open core/shell could be a sensitive fluorescent probe and show “off-and-on” performance.
Correction: Ultra-fast and highly sensitive enzyme-free glucose biosensing on a nickel–nickel oxide core–shell electrode
Authors: Begum Halima , Ahmed Mohammad Shamsuddin , Jeon Seungwon
Published: November 2017

Correction for ‘Ultra-fast and highly sensitive enzyme-free glucose biosensing on a nickel–nickel oxide core–shell electrode’ by Halima Begum et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 3554–3562.
A three-in-one-bullet for oesophageal cancer: replication fork collapse, spindle attachment failure and enhanced radiosensitivity generated by a ruthenium(ii) metallo-intercalator
Authors: Gill Martin R. , Jarman Paul J. , Halder Swagata , Walker Michael G. , Saeed Hiwa K. , Thomas Jim A. , Smythe Carl , Ramadan Kristijan , Vallis Katherine A.
Published: November 2017

[Ru(phen)2(tpphz)]2+ simultaneously inhibits DNA replication, blocks mitosis and enhances DNA-damaging ionising radiation in oesophageal cancer cells.
A new generation of ferrociphenols leads to a great diversity of reactive metabolites, and exhibits remarkable antiproliferative properties
Authors: Wang Yong , Dansette Patrick M. , Pigeon Pascal , Top Siden , McGlinchey Michael J. , Mansuy Daniel , Jaouen Gérard
Published: November 2017

Two chemotypes of quinone methide pathways from a single substrate are reported, which may be linked to its remarkable antiproliferative activity.
Creation of oxygen vacancies to activate WO3 for higher efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Elbohy Hytham , Reza Khan Mamun , Abdulkarim Salem , Qiao Qiquan
Published: November 2017

Oxygen vacancies were created to activate tungsten trioxide (WO3) as a highly efficient counter electrode (CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
Frame, metric and geodesic evolution in shape-changing nematic shells
Authors: Mostajeran Cyrus , Warner Mark , Modes Carl D.
Published: November 2017

Light and heat-induced, non-uniform deformations in nematic shells lead to Gaussian curvature, unusual geodesics and ultimately strong actuation.
A bio-conjugated chitosan wrapped CNT based 3D nanoporous architecture for separation and inactivation of Rotavirus and Shigella waterborne pathogens
Authors: Pramanik Avijit , Jones Stacy , Gao Ye , Sweet Carrie , Begum Salma , Shukla Manoj K. , Buchanan Janice Paige , Moser Robert D. , Ray Paresh Chandra
Published: November 2017

The multifunctional bio-conjugated 3D architecture reported here represents huge advances in the fields of environmental remediation and sustainable remediation.
Retracted Article: Triple signalling mode carbon dots-based biodegradable molecularly imprinted polymer as a multi-tasking visual sensor for rapid and “on-site” monitoring of silver ions
Authors: Patra Santanu , Choudhary Raksha , Roy Ekta , Madhuri Rashmi , Sharma Prashant K.
Published: November 2017

Triple-signalling mode fluorescent carbon dots based molecularly imprinted polymer for calligraphy and indoor/outdoor visual detection of silver ions.
Phosphorescent and semiconductive fiber-like micelles formed by platinum(ii) complexes and block copolymers
Authors: Hu Linlin , Qu Fang , Wang Yongyue , Shen Junfang , He Qun , Zhang Bin , Bu Weifeng
Published: November 2017

The electrostatic self-assembly of cationic platinum(ii) complexes with negatively charged block copolymers in water leads to the formation of fiber-like micelles with a platinum(ii)-based ionic core surrounded by a poly(ethylene oxide) corona, which exhibit intense phosphorescent emissions and appreciable conductivity.
New Car, Same Principles: Using Language Development Theories to Drive the Design of Supportive Augmentative and Alternative Communication System Interfaces
Authors: Boster Jamie B. , Benigno Joann P. , McCarthy John W.
Published: November 2017

Innovations in technology have resulted in increased use of tablets, mobile devices, and applications as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems for children with complex communication needs (CCN). Although research has been conducted on the specific characteristics of AAC technologies, many interfaces remain replications of prior communication devices with little consideration of the features of newer platforms. A greater concern is that these interfaces may not be based on empirical evidence or derived from key developmental language theories. As such, these interfaces may place additional demands on children with CCN instead of supporting their development of language content, form, and use. The purpose of this paper is to discuss potential interface supports for AAC systems that capitalize on current technologies and draw upon key tenets of developmental theory.
Suspended stripline bandpass filter using HTLSIR with controllable Tz
Authors: Xu ZhaoXu , Yu Xi , Chen Yongpin Pin , Kai Kang
Published: November 2017

A suspended stripline (SSL) bandpass filter using a hybrid transmission line stepped impedance resonator with a transmission zero (Tz) in the higher band is proposed. The novel resonator consists of a thin inductive strip, a set of hybrid transmission lines and patch‐like capacitive elements, a coupled electromagnetic field to the input lines and adjacent resonators. The characteristics of the HTLSIR have been analysed clearly. Moreover, a novel non‐resonating node is introduced to generate a Tz, its position can be adjusted by changing its parameter. A detailed discussion of this effect is given, and a sample filter is designed, fabricated and tested. Both experimental results agree well with the simulations.
Outage performance of decode‐and‐forward (DF)‐based multiuser spectrum sharing relay system with direct link in the presence of primary users’ power
Authors: Kandelusy Omid Moghimi , Andargoli Seyed Mehdi Hosseini
Published: November 2017

This study investigates outage probability (OP) of a generalised decode‐and‐forward‐based multiuser spectrum sharing relay system. In practice, the secondary users are exposed to the primary transmitters’ signals which can measurably affect the OP in the secondary system. In this context, analytical and asymptotic outage analysis are presented for two different relay selection techniques, namely partial relay selection (PRS) and opportunistic relay selection (ORS). In terms of the ORS, deriving an exact analytical expression for the end‐to‐end (e‐t‐e) OP is contingent upon solving a very complicated integral. To resolve this problem, they propose a simple modification under which the OP can be obtained with preferable accuracy. Numerical simulations are presented where the excellent agreement of the simulation results with the analytical results validates the mathematical derivations and confirms that the proposed simplification is accurate. Findings suggest that the ORS has three main advantages over the PRS. First, it is more robust against the primary interference. Second, it achieves the full diversity order, whereas the PRS limits the diversity order to the number of secondary destinations plus one. Third, the gain of enhancement achieved by increasing the number of relays is significantly larger.
Improved stability and stabilisation criteria for discrete time‐delay systems via a novel double summation inequality
Authors: Zhao Tao , Liang Weibo , Dian Songyi , Xiao Jian , Wei Zhenbo
Published: November 2017

This study focuses on the problem of stability analysis and stabilisation for discrete time‐delay systems. A new type of augmented Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) is proposed to derive less conservative stability and stabilisation conditions. A novel inequality is developed to handle more general double summation terms which arise from the forward difference of augmented LKF. Several zero equalities are introduced to further relax the existing results. Using some advanced convexificator techniques, the derived stability and stabilisation conditions are presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Several numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the advantage of the proposed approach.
Vision‐based game design and assessment for physical exercise in a robot‐assisted rehabilitation system
Authors: Erdogan Huseyin , Palaska Yunus , Masazade Engin , Erol Barkana Duygun , Ekenel Hazım Kemal
Published: November 2017

Engagement is a key factor in gaming. Especially, in gamification applications, users’ engagement levels have to be assessed in order to determine the usability of the developed games. The authors first present computer vision‐based game design for physical exercise. All games are played with gesture controls. The authors conduct user studies in order to evaluate the perception of the games using a game engagement questionnaire. Participants state that the games are interesting and they want to play them again. Next, as a use case, the authors integrate one of these games into a robot‐assisted rehabilitation system. The authors perform additional user studies by employing self‐assessment manikin to assess the difficulty levels that can range from boredom to excitement. The authors observe that with the increasing difficulty level, users’ arousal increases. Additionally, the authors perform psychophysiological signal analysis of the participants during the execution of the game under two distinctive difficulty levels. The authors derive features from the signals obtained from blood volume pulse (BVP), skin conductance, and skin temperature sensors. As a result of analysis of variance and sequential forward selection, the authors find that changes in the temperature and frequency content of BVP provide useful information to estimate the players’ engagement.
Fault location in distribution systems from analysis of the energy of sequence component waveforms
Authors: Moraes Tiago Fernandes , Lovisolo Lisandro , Monteiro Luís Fernando Corrêa
Published: November 2017

This study presents a technique to locate the source of faults in distribution systems, i.e. to pinpoint where the fault has occurred along the distribution system. More specifically, it localises the origin of short duration voltage variations (SDVVs) in a distribution system. Fault location (its origin) is estimated solely from the voltage waveforms during the fault. More specifically, the energies of the instantaneous symmetrical components corresponding to the voltage waveforms are used to estimate the fault location. The proposed localisation strategy considers that the signal records during a fault are captured at the feeder start node and at other nodes scattered along the distribution systems. Simulation results show the feasibility of the proposed technique to accurately localise the origin of faults in distribution systems.
Simple and efficient control of DSTATCOM in three‐phase four‐wire polluted grid system using MCCF‐SOGI based controller
Authors: Chittora Prakash , Singh Alka , Singh Madhusudan
Published: November 2017

Load current may become highly distorted in a weak power system network due to the presence of non‐linear and dynamic loads. Harmonics get penetrated into the supply system too; thereby making it polluted and rich in harmonic content and causing a detrimental effect on the performance of other connected loads. In such cases, the conventional control algorithms fail to work effectively to mitigate power quality (PQ) issues. This study addresses solutions to PQ issues which get aggravated in the presence of distorted supply. This study proposes a multiple complex coefficient filter (MCCF)‐second‐order generalised integrator (SOGI)‐based controller designed to effectively compensate for PQ problems associated with weak grid. A MCCF filter is designed to extract the fundamental components of grid voltage used further for grid synchronisation. The SOGI is designed to extract the fundamental active current magnitude of the load current and reduce PQ issues with the help of Distributed Static Compensator (DSTATCOM). Neutral current compensation is achieved with an appropriately designed zigzag transformer. Extensive simulation and hardware results realising dSPACE 1104 as Digital Signal Processor are considered in this study to show that the performance of the proposed control algorithm under PQ issues with distorted grid.
Decentralised control for reactive power sharing using adaptive virtual impedance
Authors: Hu Yalong , Xiang Ji , Peng Yonggang , Yang Pengcheng , Wei Wei
Published: November 2017

The droop control strategy has been widely used in the microgrid. Though the real power sharing is accurate, the performance of reactive power sharing is not good due to the lack of global information. A new control strategy that employs an adaptive virtual impedance is proposed to improve the reactive power sharing accuracy without communication. In the proposed controller, reactive power sharing is realised through the adaptive virtual impedance, whose coefficient is set to the square of the reactive power sharing ratio. Only inductive virtual impedance is adopted by using the absolute value of the reactive power. The proposed controller only uses local information. Its reactive power sharing accuracy and the virtual impedance design principle are analysed and explained. Small signal stability of an inverter equipped with the proposed controller is analysed. It has been shown that the reactive power sharing error of the proposed controller could be reduced by less about 50% compared to conventional droop control. Real‐time simulation results are submitted to verify the effectiveness.
Krylov subspace method for passive reduced‐order modelling of electrical networks
Authors: Liu Bo , Du Zhengchun
Published: November 2017

This study presents a two‐stage method to compute the passive reduced‐order models of multi‐input multi‐output electrical networks containing distributed‐parameter transmission lines (TLs). The method is based on the discretised TL models and a Krylov subspace model‐order reduction method called passive reduced‐order interconnect macromodelling algorithm. The section numbers of the TLs are adaptively determined using an innovative and fast algorithm. In stage 1, the high‐order cascaded circuit models of the TLs are reduced and synthesised into low‐order RLC two ports; stage 2 further reduces the entire lumped network. System passivity is preserved during the reduction. Useful postprocesses and a practical passivity test technique are given. Numerical tests confirm the superiority of the proposed method in reliable passivity preservation with decent accuracy and efficiency.
Perceptual hash algorithm‐based adaptive GOP selection algorithm for distributed compressive video sensing
Authors: Chen Can , Ding Fei , Zhang Dengyin
Published: November 2017

Distributed compressive video sensing (DCVS) is a novel video coding technique that shifts sophisticated motion estimation and compensation from the encoder to the decoder and is suitable for resource‐limited communication, namely wireless video sensor networks (WVSNs). In DCVS, key frames serve as the reference for subsequent non‐key frames in a given group of pictures (GOP). However, in fast‐motion sequences, e.g. scene‐changing sequences, a fixed GOP size can cause inaccuracy in the selection of reference key frames. The difference in the peak signal‐to‐noise ratio between key frames and non‐key frames caused by this inaccuracy appears as flicker in the decoded video, negatively affecting the quality of experience. To address this problem, the authors present a perceptual hash algorithm‐based adaptive GOP selection algorithm for DCVS and a novel allocation model for the frame sampling rate. In addition, the authors define several indexes to assess the degree of flicker in decoded video. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm reduces the degree of flicker in fast‐motion sequences by 40–60% relative to the state‐of‐the‐art architecture, while also outperforming other adaptive GOP selection strategies.
Analysis and design of voltage‐lift technique‐based non‐isolated boost dc–dc converter
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Shahir Farzad , Babaei Ebrahim , Farsadi Murtaza
Published: November 2017

In this study, a new structure is proposed for non‐isolated boost dc–dc converters using voltage‐lift technique. The increasing voltage gain in the proposed converter is achieved step‐to‐step by a simple structure. In the proposed converter, there is a direct connection to an inductor in input side which provides free current ripple for the input source. Here, the proposed converter performance analysis and their relations are presented in continuous conduction mode and discontinuous conduction mode as well as voltage gain equations for each mode in detail. Then, switching current stress equations in each mode and critical inductance equations are extracted for design considerations. Finally, the carried theoretical analysis and satisfying operation of the proposed converter are verified via experimental results of laboratory prototype.
Distributed capacitance effects on the transmission performance of contactless power transfer for rotary ultrasonic grinding
Authors: Yang Qiang , Lin Bin , Luan Yujia , Duan Jiyue
Published: November 2017

The contactless rotary transformer has been widely used in rotary ultrasonic machining because of less heat, less vibration, no friction and higher revolving speed. However, the power transfer efficiency of the rotary transformer is rather low. So it is necessary to adopt the method of capacitance compensation to maximum transfer efficiency, and more accurate compensation model will achieve better transmission performance. However, distributed capacitance existing in the primary and secondary winding current compensation models, which will seriously effect accuracy of capacitance compensation. In this study, a new mathematical model of four circuit compensation topologies is proposed, which takes distributed capacitance into consideration. Moreover, a series of experiments are conducted, which focus on the transmission efficiency and output power. The results of experiments have a good consistency with the new model and show higher accuracy compared with the previous models. In addition, the effect of distributed capacitance at different frequencies is also researched.
Review of magnetic gear technologies and their applications in marine energy
Authors: McGilton Ben , Crozier Richard , McDonald Alasdair , Mueller Markus
Published: November 2017

The marine energy industry is in its early stages but has a large potential for growth. One of the most significant challenges is the reduction of operation and maintenance costs. Magnetic gears (MGs) offer the potential for long periods between maintenance intervals due to their frictionless torque transmission which could reduce these costs. This study presents a summary of the state of the art in MG technology and then investigates its potential for marine energy applications. A brief overview is given of the state of the marine energy industry and the environment in which marine energy converters (MECs) operate. A short history of MG development over the past century is then presented followed by a discussion of the leading MG technologies and their relative advantages. In order to demonstrate the potential of MGs in marine applications, the current technologies, i.e. mechanically geared and direct drive machines, are examined in terms of sizing, reliability and economic value using previous studies on a similar technology, namely wind. MGs are applied to four types of MECs to demonstrate how the technology can be incorporated. The potential to deploy at scale and potential obstacles to this are then discussed.
Synthetic inertia versus fast frequency response: a definition
Authors: Eriksson Robert , Modig Niklas , Elkington Katherine
Published: November 2017

This study discusses synthetic inertia from the perspective of a transmission system operator and compares it to fast frequency response based on frequency deviation. A clear distinction of the meanings between these concepts is discussed, the basis of which is a description of their characteristics. A contribution and the purpose is the clarification of these concepts in addition to share the perspectives of a transmission system operator. The frequency response of a power system based on the Nordic system is examined for future scenarios with large amounts of wind power. Conclusions are drawn regarding the benefit of synthetic inertia compared with fast frequency response based on frequency deviation.
Sub/super‐synchronous harmonics measurement method based on PMUs
Authors: Liu Hao , Xu Sudi , Bi Tianshu , Cao Chuang
Published: November 2017

In recent years, there are more and more inter‐harmonics in power system, with the rapid development of new energy and the application of the quantity power electronic equipment in power grid. These lead to the sub‐synchronous oscillation having a negative effect on the stable of power grid. Nowadays, phasor measurement units (PMUs) are deployed in the power system in large quantities, which provides a possibility to monitor the inter‐harmonics in grid. In this paper, a reduction method of sub/super‐synchronous harmonics based on PMU phasor data is proposed. To decompose the sub/super‐synchronous harmonics, first spectrum analysis on complex phasor sequences should be done. Second, an idea is proposed that calculates the frequency and amplitude of inter‐harmonics separately. That is to say, the frequency can be got by spectrum analysis while zero‐padding in short time window, and the amplitude can be calculated by solving equations. This can overcome the shortcoming of spectrum analysis which has larger amplitude error. Simulation and experimental tests show that the frequency and amplitude of inter‐harmonics can be calculated using the proposed algorithm.
Modelling of PV module and its application for partial shading analysis – part I: model and parameter estimation of PV module
Authors: Mao Zhang , Sunan Zhong , Peng Mao , Yanlong Sun , Weiping Zhang
Published: November 2017

Under partially shaded conditions (PSC), a photovoltaic (PV) array gets more complex characteristics. Yet, it is very difficult and utterly necessary for PV system designers to understand and predict them. Other than the prevailing methodology of solving a set of non‐linear equations, the proposed methodology focus on three key points of short circuit (0, I sc), MPP(V mp, I mp), and open circuit (V oc, 0), and splits its V –I curve into three regions, which are replaced by three asymptote lines. From this new viewpoint, this study presents a novel Psim‐based piece‐wise linear macro‐model and its circuit parameter values can be determined based on the three key points. Parameter estimation method is then developed to calculate the values of three key points under arbitrary irradiance and temperature by using only the datasheet under the standard test condition. The new model can be used to predict PV module characteristics for various operating conditions and understand the behaviours of a long PV string and a large‐scale PV array under any PSC patterns on Psim platform. Compared with the published other models, the new model have merits of short running time, relative high accurateness, and reliable unique solution, avoiding the computational complexity and convergence issues. The accurateness of new model and formulas is experimentally validated and the computational error can meet the requirement of routine engineering analysis and design. Therefore, the new model and formulas will provide a powerful tool for one to learn the behaviour of a large‐scale PV array in a complex scenario and optimise entire PV power plant, which involves DC/DC converter for MPPT and DC/AC inverter.