bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coupling effect of nodes popularity and similarity on social network persistence
Authors: Jin Xiaogang , Jin Cheng , Huang Jiaxuan , Min Yong 
Published: February 2017

AbstractNetwork robustness represents the ability of networks to withstand failures and perturbations. In social networks, maintenance of individual activities, also called persistence, is significant towards understanding robustness. Previous works usually consider persistence on pre-generated network structures; while in social networks, the network structure is growing with the cascading inactivity of existed individuals. Here, we address this challenge through analysis for nodes under a coevolution model, which characterizes individual activity changes under three network growth modes: following the descending order of nodes’ popularity, similarity or uniform random. We show that when nodes possess high spontaneous activities, a popularity-first growth mode obtains highly persistent networks; otherwise, with low spontaneous activities, a similarity-first mode does better. Moreover, a compound growth mode, with the consecutive joining of similar nodes in a short period and mixing a few high popularity nodes, obtains the highest persistence. Therefore, nodes similarity is essential for persistent social networks, while properly coupling popularity with similarity further optimizes the persistence. This demonstrates the evolution of nodes activity not only depends on network topology, but also their connective typology.
Extending calibration-free force measurements to optically-trapped rod-shaped samples
Authors: Català Frederic , Marsà Ferran , Montes-Usategui Mario , Farré Arnau , Martín-Badosa Estela 
Published: February 2017

AbstractOptical trapping has become an optimal choice for biological research at the microscale due to its non-invasive performance and accessibility for quantitative studies, especially on the forces involved in biological processes. However, reliable force measurements depend on the calibration of the optical traps, which is different for each experiment and hence requires high control of the local variables, especially of the trapped object geometry. Many biological samples have an elongated, rod-like shape, such as chromosomes, intracellular organelles (e.g., peroxisomes), membrane tubules, certain microalgae, and a wide variety of bacteria and parasites. This type of samples often requires several optical traps to stabilize and orient them in the correct spatial direction, making it more difficult to determine the total force applied. Here, we manipulate glass microcylinders with holographic optical tweezers and show the accurate measurement of drag forces by calibration-free direct detection of beam momentum. The agreement between our results and slender-body hydrodynamic theoretical calculations indicates potential for this force-sensing method in studying protracted, rod-shaped specimens.
Atom-Based Sensing of Weak Radio Frequency Electric Fields Using Homodyne Readout
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Fan Haoquan , Kübler Harald , Sheng Jiteng , Shaffer James P. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe utilize a homodyne detection technique to achieve a new sensitivity limit for atom-based, absolute radio-frequency electric field sensing of 5 μV cm−1 Hz−1/2. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer is used for the homodyne detection. With the increased sensitivity, we investigate the dominant dephasing mechanisms that affect the performance of the sensor. In particular, we present data on power broadening, collisional broadening and transit time broadening. Our results are compared to density matrix calculations. We show that photon shot noise in the signal readout is currently a limiting factor. We suggest that new approaches with superior readout with respect to photon shot noise are needed to increase the sensitivity further.
Floating of the lobes of mosquito (Aedes togoi) larva for respiration
Authors: Lee Seung Chul , Kim Jun Ho , Lee Sang Joon 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMosquito (Aedes togoi) larva has to float its siphon on the water surface to breathe air. To elucidate the floating mechanism of the siphon, morphological structures, especially the flap-like lobes and spiracle of the siphon, were observed. Wettability and dynamic behavior of the lobes on the water surface were also experimentally examined. The lobes formed a hollow cone shape under water and expanded on the water surface. The spiracle was located at the base of the cone. The lobes exhibited hydrophobic wettability. During floating process, the lobes were spread into a triangular shape in apical view, and the spiracle was exposed to air. When they were submerged in water, the lobes were folded into a cone shape to seal the spiracle and protect it from water penetration. These dynamic processes occurred at the water surface. In this study, the floating mechanism of the lobes for respiration was described based on the cross-sectional morphology of the lobes with the pressure induced by surface tension and the hydrostatic pressure proportional to depth. This study would be helpful in elucidating the behavior of mosquito larvae near the water surface and may facilitate the formulation of methods to control mosquito larvae.
A novel thymoma-associated autoimmune disease: Anti-PIT-1 antibody syndrome
Authors: Bando Hironori , Iguchi Genzo , Okimura Yasuhiko , Odake Yukiko , Yoshida Kenichi , Matsumoto Ryusaku , Suda Kentaro , Nishizawa Hitoshi , Fukuoka Hidenori , Mokubo Atsuko , Tojo Katsuyoshi , Maniwa Yoshimasa , Ogawa Wataru , Takahashi Yutaka 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAnti-PIT-1 antibody syndrome has recently been reported and characterized by acquired growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) deficiencies associated with autoimmunity to a pituitary specific transcription factor PIT-1, which plays an essential role in GH-, PRL-, and TSH-producing cells. Although circulating anti-PIT-1 antibody and PIT-1-reactive cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) were detected in the patients, the pathophysiology and precise mechanisms for the autoimmunity remain unclarified. During the follow up, thymoma was diagnosed in all 3 cases with anti-PIT-1 antibody syndrome. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that PIT-1 was strongly expressed in neoplastic cortical thymic epithelial cells. Importantly, after thymectomy, the titer of anti-PIT-1 antibody decreased and reactivity of CTLs toward PIT-1 diminished. These data strongly suggest that the aberrant expression of PIT-1 in the thymoma plays a causal role in the development of this syndrome. Thus, we define that this syndrome is a novel thymoma-associated autoimmune disease.
A Frailty Index Based On Deficit Accumulation Quantifies Mortality Risk in Humans and in Mice
Authors: Rockwood K. , Blodgett J. M. , Theou O. , Sun M. H. , Feridooni H. A. , Mitnitski A. , Rose R. A. , Godin J. , Gregson E. , Howlett S. E. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAlthough many common diseases occur mostly in old age, the impact of ageing itself on disease risk and expression often goes unevaluated. To consider the impact of ageing requires some useful means of measuring variability in health in animals of the same age. In humans, this variability has been quantified by counting age-related health deficits in a frailty index. Here we show the results of extending that approach to mice. Across the life course, many important features of deficit accumulation are present in both species. These include gradual rates of deficit accumulation (slope = 0.029 in humans; 0.036 in mice), a submaximal limit (0.54 in humans; 0.44 in mice), and a strong relationship to mortality (1.05 [1.04–1.05] in humans; 1.15 [1.12–1.18] in mice). Quantifying deficit accumulation in individual mice provides a powerful new tool that can facilitate translation of research on ageing, including in relation to disease.
Enhancement of Local Photovoltaic Current at Ferroelectric Domain Walls in BiFeO3
Authors: Yang Ming-Min , Bhatnagar Akash , Luo Zheng-Dong , Alexe Marin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDomain walls, which are intrinsically two dimensional nano-objects exhibiting nontrivial electronic and magnetic behaviours, have been proven to play a crucial role in photovoltaic properties of ferroelectrics. Despite this recognition, the electronic properties of domain walls under illumination until now have been accessible only to macroscopic studies and their effects upon the conduction of photovoltaic current still remain elusive. The lack of understanding hinders the developing of nanoscale devices based on ferroelectric domain walls. Here, we directly characterize the local photovoltaic and photoconductive properties of 71° domain walls on BiFeO3 thin films with a nanoscale resolution. Local photovoltaic current, proven to be driven by the bulk photovoltaic effect, has been probed over the whole illuminated surface by using a specially designed photoelectric atomic force microscopy and found to be significantly enhanced at domain walls. Additionally, spatially resolved photoconductive current distribution reveals a higher density of excited carriers at domain walls in comparison with domains. Our measurements demonstrate that domain wall enhanced photovoltaic current originates from its high conduction rather than the internal electric field. This photoconduction facilitated local photovoltaic current is likely to be a universal property of topological defects in ferroelectric semiconductors.
Use of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in the first trimester and risk of cardiovascular-related malformations: a meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Zhang Tie-Ning , Gao Shan-Yan , Shen Zi-Qi , Li Da , Liu Cai-Xia , Lv Hai-Chen , Zhang Yuan , Gong Ting-Ting , Xu Xin , Ji Chao , Wu Qi-Jun 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe relationship between selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) use during first trimester and cardiovascular-related malformations of infants is still uncertain. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the aforementioned association. A systematic literature review identified studies for cohort studies about SSRIs use and cardiovascular-related malformations in PubMed and Web of Science. We summarized relative risk (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of cardiovascular-related malformations using random-effects model, and heterogeneity and publication-bias analyses were conducted. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Pregnant women who were exposed to SSRIs at any point during the first trimester had a statistically significant increased risk of infant cardiovascular-related malformations (RR = 1.26, 95%CI = 1.13–1.39), with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 53.6). The corresponding RR of atrial septal defects (ASD), ventricular septal defects (VSD), ASD and/or VSD was 2.06 (95%CI = 1.40–3.03, I2 = 57.8), 1.15 (95%CI = 0.97–1.36; I2 = 30.3), and 1.27 (95%CI = 1.14–1.42; I2 = 40.0), respectively. No evidence of publication bias and significant heterogeneity between subgroups was detected by meta-regression analyses. In conclusion, SSRIs use of pregnant women during first trimester is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular-related malformations of infants including septal defects. The safety of SSRIs use during first trimester should be discussed to pregnant women with depression.
Theory of topological insulator waveguides: polarization control and the enhancement of the magneto-electric effect
Authors: Crosse J. A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTopological insulators subject to a time-reversal-symmetry-breaking perturbation are predicted to display a magneto-electric effect that causes the electric and magnetic induction fields to mix at the material’s surface. This effect induces polarization rotations of between ≈1–10 mrad per interface in an incident plane-polarized electromagnetic wave normal to a multilayered structure. Here we show, theoretically and numerically, that by using a waveguide geometry with a topological insulator guide layer and magneto-dielectric cladding it is possible to achieve rotations of ≈100 mrad and generate an elliptical polarization with only a three-layered structure. This geometry is beneficial, not only as a way to enhance the magneto-electric effect, rendering it easier to observe, but also as a method for controlling the polarization of electromagnetic radiation.
Uniformly Dispersed ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles on Nitrogen-Modified Graphene for High-Performance Supercapacitor as Electrode
Authors: Li Lei , Bi Huiting , Gai Shili , He Fei , Gao Peng , Dai Yunlu , Zhang Xitian , Yang Dan , Zhang Milin , Yang Piaoping 
Published: February 2017

AbstractA facile strategy has been adopted for the preparation of ZnFe2O4/NRG composite by anchoring ultrasmall ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped reduced graphene (denoted as NRG) for high-performance supercapacitor electrode. Remarkably, the growth of ZnFe2O4 nanocrystals, the reduction of graphitic oxide and the doping of nitrogen to graphene have been simultaneously achieved in one process. It is found that the NRG employed as substrate can not only control the formation of nano-sized ZnFe2O4, but also guarantee the high dispersion without any agglomeration. Benefiting from this novel combination and construction, the hybrid material has large surface area which can provide high exposure of active sites for easy access of electrolyte and fast electron transport. When served as supercapacitor electrode, the ZnFe2O4/NRG composite exhibits a favorable specific capacitance of 244 F/g at 0.5 A/g within the potential range from −1 to 0 V, desirable rate stability (retain 131.5 F/g at 10 A/g) and an admirable cycling durability of 83.8% at a scan rate of 100 mV/s after 5000 cycles. When employed as symmetric supercapacitor, the device demonstrates favorable performance. These satisfactory properties of the ZnFe2O4/NRG composite can make it be of great promise in the supercapacitor application.
Application of carbohydrate arrays coupled with mass spectrometry to detect activity of plant-polysaccharide degradative enzymes from the fungus Aspergillus niger
Authors: van Munster Jolanda M. , Thomas Baptiste , Riese Michel , Davis Adrienne L. , Gray Christopher J. , Archer David B. , Flitsch Sabine L. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRenewables-based biotechnology depends on enzymes to degrade plant lignocellulose to simple sugars that are converted to fuels or high-value products. Identification and characterization of such lignocellulose degradative enzymes could be fast-tracked by availability of an enzyme activity measurement method that is fast, label-free, uses minimal resources and allows direct identification of generated products. We developed such a method by applying carbohydrate arrays coupled with MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry to identify reaction products of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger. We describe the production and characterization of plant polysaccharide-derived oligosaccharides and their attachment to hydrophobic self-assembling monolayers on a gold target. We verify effectiveness of this array for detecting exo- and endo-acting glycoside hydrolase activity using commercial enzymes, and demonstrate how this platform is suitable for detection of enzyme activity in relevant biological samples, the culture filtrate of A. niger grown on wheat straw. In conclusion, this versatile method is broadly applicable in screening and characterisation of activity of CAZymes, such as fungal enzymes for plant lignocellulose degradation with relevance to biotechnological applications as biofuel production, the food and animal feed industry.
Pathway-wide association study identifies five shared pathways associated with schizophrenia in three ancestral distinct populations
Authors: Liu C , Bousman C A , Pantelis C , Skafidas E , Zhang D , Yue W , Everall I P 
Published: February 2017

AbstractGenome-wide association studies have confirmed the polygenic nature of schizophrenia and suggest that there are hundreds or thousands of alleles associated with increased liability for the disorder. However, the generalizability of any one allelic marker of liability is remarkably low and has bred the notion that schizophrenia may be better conceptualized as a pathway(s) disorder. Here, we empirically tested this notion by conducting a pathway-wide association study (PWAS) encompassing 255 experimentally validated Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways among 5033 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and 5332 unrelated healthy controls across three distinct ethnic populations; European-American (EA), African-American (AA) and Han Chinese (CH). We identified 103, 74 and 87 pathways associated with schizophrenia liability in the EA, CH and AA populations, respectively. About half of these pathways were uniquely associated with schizophrenia liability in each of the three populations. Five pathways (serotonergic synapse, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, hedgehog signaling, adipocytokine signaling and renin secretion) were shared across all three populations and the single-nucleotide polymorphism sets representing these five pathways were enriched for single-nucleotide polymorphisms with regulatory function. Our findings provide empirical support for schizophrenia as a pathway disorder and suggest schizophrenia is not only a polygenic but likely also a poly-pathway disorder characterized by both genetic and pathway heterogeneity.
Compact lowpass filter with flat group delay using lattice‐shaped resonator
Authors: Hayati M. , Ekhteraei M. , Shama F. 
Published: February 2017

A compact lowpass filter (LPF) using a lattice‐shaped resonator is presented with a wide rejection band and sharp roll‐off. The designed LPF has −3 dB cut‐off frequency at 4.34 GHz. The fabricated LPF is simulated and tested; there is a good agreement between the simulation and experimental results. Experimental results show that the maximum variation of flat group delay is only 0.3 ns in the passband. Also, the measured return‐loss and insertion loss are more than 19 dB and <0.1 dB in 88% of the passband region, respectively. The size of the designed filter is only 22.5 × 8.65 mm2.
Quad‐band BPF based on SLRs with inductive source and load coupling
Authors: Liu Bing , Guo Zijun , Wei Xiangyun , Ma Yu , Zhao Renrong , Xing Ke , Wu Lei 
Published: February 2017

A quad‐band microstrip bandpass filter (BPF) based on stub‐loaded resonators (SLRs) with improved skirt selectivity is presented. A single metallic via hole in microstrip is utilised to introduce a compact inductive source–load coupling, with which two pairs of SLRs generate eight controllable transmission zeros at each side of all the quadruple passbands. As an example, a quad‐band BPF with measured centre frequencies of 1.88, 2.55, 3.55 and 5.15 GHz as well as insertion losses of 1.53, 1.64, 1.79 and 2.55 dB, and respective fractional bandwidths of 4.38, 3.84, 3.44 and 2.9% is designed and fabricated. The measured response shows a good concordance with the simulated one.
Experimental demonstration of 4 × 80‐Gbit/s PAM‐4 transmission over 8‐km SSMF using Wiener filter
Authors: Liang Chenyu , Zhang Wenjia , Sun Lin , You Yue , Yang Fan , Du Jiangbing , He Zuyuan 
Published: February 2017

A 100‐Gbit/s PAM‐4 (pulse amplitude modulation) transmission over 4‐km standard single‐mode fibre (SSMF) and a C‐band 4 × 80‐Gbit/s PAM‐4 transmission over 8‐km standard SSMF experimentally demonstrated. A digital Wiener filter (WF) at the receiver side is utilised to compensate the impairments introduced by the transmission link. Bit error rate below 7% forward error correction threshold (3.8 × 10−3) is achieved with received optical power of 0 dBm for the single lane 100‐Gbit/s transmission and around −4 dBm for the four channels after 8‐km transmission with WF, which is over one order of magnitude better than that without equalisation. The results indicate that WF is a good enough option for practical application in short reach optical interconnect.
High power factor high power density high voltage converter based on AC link
Authors: Li Wei , Liu Qingxiang , Zhang Zhengquan , Wang Qingfeng 
Published: February 2017

To meet the demand of high efficiency, high power density and good input and output performance for high power high voltage converter, the high frequency AC‐link scheme, below resonance mode of LCC resonant circuit and soft‐switched control method are combined in the proposed converter. The AC‐link scheme can bring good performance at input port with small size, the continuous mode can reduce the peak current value in switches and the conduction loss, soft‐switching character can reduce the switching loss. To make the combination applicable in high voltage application, this study introduces a control method including switch commutation, control algorithm and control block diagram. To verify accuracy of control parameters and feasibility of the proposed converter, the simulation and experiment are conducted on a 50 kV, 80 kW prototype. It turns out that the experiment results are in agreement with simulation and theoretically expected results. The experimental results also show that the output voltage ripple is less than 1% at 50 kV, the input power factor is 0.99, the total harmonic distortion of input current is less than 7.5%, the total efficiency is 94.5% and power density is 0.93 W/cm3.
Relay‐assisted nanoscale communication in the THz band
Authors: Rong Zhichao , Leeson Mark Stephen , Higgins Matthew David 
Published: February 2017

The bit error rate (BER) performance of a cooperative relaying transmission scheme for wireless nanosensor networks in the terahertz (THz) band is investigated. Nanosensor networks comprising several graphene‐based devices deployed at the nanoscale are considered. Both amplify‐and‐forward (AF) and decode‐and‐forward (DF) relaying modes are studied. A line‐of‐sight (LOS) channel model in the THz band is considered which takes into account both spreading loss and molecular absorption loss. Given the high path loss and level of noise from significant random fluctuations through the THz channel, relay‐assisted schemes offer advantages in terms of significant performance improvements. To quantify the likely benefits, the predicted BER of the proposed scheme is derived. A simulation of the proposed relay schemes based on the THz LOS channel model utilising a Monte Carlo method is conducted. The results obtained show that a performance improvement of 2.2 dB for AF and of 5 dB for DF is achievable at a target BER of 10−5.
Design and Synthesis of New 1,3,4-Oxadiazole – Benzothiazole and Hydrazone Derivatives as Promising Chemotherapeutic Agents
Authors: Kaya Betül , Hussin Weiam , Yurttaş Leyla , Turan-Zitouni Gülhan , Gençer Hülya , Baysal Merve , Karaduman Abdullah , Kaplancıklı Zafer 
Published: February 2017

AbstractLooking for new cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents with improved antitumor activity, a series of hydrazide and oxadiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized using 3-methoxyphenol as starting substance. Novel N’-(arylidene)-2-(3-methoxyphenoxy)acetohydrazide derivatives (4a–f)/1-(4-substitutedphenyl)-2-[(5-[(3-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)thio]ethan-1-one derivatives (6a–f)/N-(6-substitutedbenzothiazol-2-yl)-2-[(5-[(3-methoxyphenoxy)methyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)thio]acetamide derivatives (7a–e) were obtained and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against various gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The antimicrobial activity potential of the compounds against gram-negative bacteria was found to have higher compared to the potential against gram-positive bacteria. Also, compounds were screened for their antiproliferative activity against 2 selected human tumor cell lines, A549 lung, MCF7 breast cancer cell line and mouse embryo fibroblast cell line, NIH/3T3 as healthy cell line. Among the compounds evaluated, compound 7c bearing 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring and 6-methoxy benzothiazole moiety exhibited the highest inhibitory activity against A549 and MCF-7 tumor cell lines in contrary to NIH/3T3 cell line, as desired.