bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure-dynamic determinants governing a mode of regulatory response and propagation of allosteric signal in splice variants of Na+/Ca2+ exchange (NCX) proteins
Authors: Giladi Moshe , Lee Su Youn , Hiller Reuben , Chung Ka Young , Khananshvili Daniel 
Published: November 2014

The Ca2+-dependent allosteric regulation of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) proteins represents Ca2+ interaction with the cytosolic domains, CBD1 (calcium-binding domain 1) and CBD2, which is associated either with activation, inhibition or no response to regulatory Ca2+ in a given splice variant. CBD1 contains a high affinity Ca2+-sensor (which is highly conserved among splice variants), whereas primary information upon Ca2+ binding to CBD1 is modified by alternative splicing of CBD2, yielding the diverse regulatory responses to Ca2+. To resolve the structure-dynamic determinants of splicing-dependent regulation, we tested two-domain tandem (CBD12) constructs possessing either positive, negative or no response to Ca2+ using hydrogen–deuterium exchange MS (HDX–MS), SAXS, equilibrium 45Ca2+ binding and stopped-flow kinetics. Taken together with previously resolved crystallographic structures of CBD12, the data revealed that Ca2+ binding to CBD1 rigidifies the main-chain flexibility of CBD2 (but not of CBD1), whereas CBD2 stabilizes the apo-CBD1. Strikingly, the extent and strength of Ca2+-dependent rigidification of CBD2 is splice-variant dependent, where the main-chain rigidification spans from the Ca2+-binding sites of CBD1, through a helix of CBD2 (positioned at the domains’ interface) up to the tip of CBD2 [&gt;50 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm)] or alternatively, it stops at the CBD2 helix in the splice variant exhibiting an inhibitory response to regulatory Ca2+. These results provide a structure-dynamic basis by which alternative splicing diversifies the regulatory responses to Ca2+ as well as controls the extent and strength of allosteric signal propagation over long distance.
Power‐efficient pre‐emphasis method for transmitters with LVDS drivers
Authors: Wang Yang , Gai Weixin 
Published: November 2014

A 65 nm CMOS 20 Gb/s transmitter with a low‐voltage differential signalling (LVDS) driver is presented. A novel power‐efficient pre‐emphasis method that eliminates power wasting in conventional pre‐emphasis is proposed. The input to the driver is pre‐coded so that the pre‐emphasis taps only inject current to the output nodes upon voltage level transition of the output signal. Current does not flow through the pre‐emphasis taps when there is no transition. Simulation results show that the proposed pre‐emphasis achieves the same output waveform and pre‐emphasis capability as the conventional approach while consuming less power.
2.56 GHz sub‐harmonically injection‐locked PLL with cascaded DLL for multi‐phase injection
Authors: Choi Changsung , Hwang Sewook , Song Junyoung , Kim Chulwoo 
Published: November 2014

A 2.56 GHz injection‐locked phase‐locked loop (ILPLL) cascaded with a delay‐locked loop (DLL) for minimising phase noise is presented. Generally, an ILPLL includes an injection‐locked voltage‐controlled oscillator (ILVCO), which is directly injected with the reference clock phase. However, the proposed scheme connects the output multi‐phased clocks of the DLL to the injection node and they can be selected with turn on/off switches. This can shorten the realignment time of the VCO phases and thus the in‐band phase noise is decreased. The proposed circuit is implemented in a 65 nm CMOS technology, and reduces the phase noise by 10.86 dBc/Hz at a 1 MHz offset with 16 multi‐phased injections, compared with a conventional PLL.
Small oxide‐free vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting lasers with high efficiency and high power
Authors: Yang Xu , Li Ming Xin , Zhao Guowei , Freisem Sabine , Deppe Dennis G. 
Published: November 2014

Data are presented showing high external differential quantum efficiency (DQE) and record‐high output power in vertical‐cavity surface‐emitting lasers (VCSELs) with diameters below 3 µm. Good uniformity and reproducibility are achieved in devices with very small sizes. Over 75% DQEs are measured with maximum output powers of 5, 7.3, 8, 8.7 and 11.6 mW for 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 µm diameter VCSELs, respectively.
Enhancement of specific heat of ternary nitrate (LiNO3‐NaNO3‐KNO3) salt by doping with SiO2 nanoparticles for solar thermal energy storage
Authors: Seo Joohyun , Shin Donghyun 
Published: November 2014

An enhancement of specific heat in a ternary molten nitrate salt eutectic doped with nanoparticles at a minute concentration is reported. SiO2 nanoparticles, whose nominal size is 60 nm, were doped into a ternary nitrate molten salt eutectic (LiNO3‐NaNO3‐KNO3) at 1% concentration by weight. A modulated differential scanning calorimeter was employed to characterise the specific heat of the eutectic mixture. According to a density weighted specific heat model, the effective specific heat of the mixture should not significantly change since the concentration of the nanoparticles is very small. However, the specific heat of the mixture of eutectic and nanoparticles was enhanced by 13%. From a subsequent material characterisation, a large amount of fractal‐like nanostructure formation by the eutectic near embedded SiO2 nanoparticles was observed. The nanostructure has a very large specific surface area as have the embedded SiO2 nanoparticles. This can significantly amplify the effect of surface energy on the effective specific heat and is thus responsible for the enhanced specific heat of the mixture. Using the ternary molten salt eutectic with enhanced specific heat for thermal energy storage can significantly increase the energy storage efficiency and thus reduce the cost of electricity in a concentrated solar power system.
Preparation of heat resisting poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica fume composite microspheres used as ultra‐lightweight proppants
Authors: Chen Tao , Wang Yixia , Yan Chunjie 
Published: November 2014

Ultra‐lightweight heat resisting poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/silica fume microspheres were successfully prepared via in‐situ suspension polymerisation. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that PMMA/silica fume composite microspheres had good sphericity and the silica fume particles were evenly dispersed in microspheres and formed lots of macroporous material. Furthermore, density analysis illustrated that the density of composites was about 1.06–1.24 g/cm3 with good suitability for water carrying. Thermal stability of the PMMA/silica fume composite particles was significantly better than pure for PMMA. Therefore, PMMA/silica fume composite microspheres possess an entirely feasible application in oil exploitation as ultra‐lightweight proppants.
Mutagenicity and tumor-promoting effects of Tiglium seed extract via PKC and MAPK signaling pathways
Authors: Kim Ji-Young , Yun Jun-Won , Kim Yun-Soon , Kwon Euna , Choi Hyung Jun , Yeom Su-Cheong , Kang Byeong-Cheol 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Tiglium seed is a seed of mature Croton Tiglium Linne containing croton oils, which have been traditionally used as laxative or purgative. As it contains phorbol derivatives, we investigated the mutagenicity and tumor-promoting activity of Tiglium seed. Tiglium seed extract produced the mutagenic responses in five Salmonella typhimurium strains in Ames assay, whereas it did not alter the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations or micronuclei, indicating that it exerted the mutagenic potential, not clastogenicity. Accompanied with phosphorylation of connexin43 (Cx43) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), Tiglium seed extract inhibited gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) associated with tumor-promoting potential. Importantly, these effects were blocked by a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) inhibitors, suggesting that Tiglium seed-induced GJIC inhibition was regulated by phosphorylation of Cx43 via PKC and MAPKs signaling. In conclusion, Tiglium seed has mutagenicity, possibly linking to tumor-promoting potential through the dysfunction of GJIC.
Aroma compounds in Japanese sweet rice wine (Mirin) screened by aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA)
Authors: Kaneko Shu , Kumazawa Kenji 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Thirty-nine key aroma compounds were newly identified or tentatively identified in the aroma concentrate of Japanese sweet rice wine (Mirin) by an aroma extract dilution analysis technique based on the 68 detected peaks. Among them, 3-(methylthio)propanal, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone, 3-methylbutanoic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol were detected with the highest FD factors in this study.
Examining the benefits of collaboration: the Provider-User Matrix for collaborative flood risk management illustrated by the case of the Ljusnan River, Sweden
Authors: Hedelin Beatrice , Hjerpe Mattias 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis paper examines the benefits of collaboration in flood risk management by introducing a Provider-User Matrix. The matrix is illustrated through a Swedish case of polycentric decision-making. In the Swedish case the users have not yet benefited from collaboration-benefits such as a more advanced understanding of the flood response system or from sharing detailed hydrological data; benefits that should be easily implemented. The Provider-User Matrix offers both a more holistic way to study benefits and a way to start raising the efficiency of collaboration, by identifying mismatches between the benefits provided and the benefits that users need.
Hi-Corrector: a fast, scalable and memory-efficient package for normalizing large-scale Hi-C data
Authors: Li Wenyuan , Gong Ke , Li Qingjiao , Alber Frank , Zhou Xianghong Jasmine 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Summary: Genome-wide proximity ligation assays, e.g. Hi-C and its variant TCC, have recently become important tools to study spatial genome organization. Removing biases from chromatin contact matrices generated by such techniques is a critical preprocessing step of subsequent analyses. The continuing decline of sequencing costs has led to an ever-improving resolution of the Hi-C data, resulting in very large matrices of chromatin contacts. Such large-size matrices, however, pose a great challenge on the memory usage and speed of its normalization. Therefore, there is an urgent need for fast and memory-efficient methods for normalization of Hi-C data. We developed Hi-Corrector, an easy-to-use, open source implementation of the Hi-C data normalization algorithm. Its salient features are (i) scalability—the software is capable of normalizing Hi-C data of any size in reasonable times; (ii) memory efficiency—the sequential version can run on any single computer with very limited memory, no matter how little; (iii) fast speed—the parallel version can run very fast on multiple computing nodes with limited local memory.
Availability and implementation: The sequential version is implemented in ANSI C and can be easily compiled on any system; the parallel version is implemented in ANSI C with the MPI library (a standardized and portable parallel environment designed for solving large-scale scientific problems). The package is freely available at http://zhoulab.usc.edu/Hi-Corrector/.
Contact: alber@usc.edu or xjzhou@usc.edu
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
First Report of Fig mosaic virus Infecting Common Fig (Ficus carica) in China
Authors: Mijit M. , Li S. F. , Zhang S. , Zhang Z. X. 
Published: November 2014

The common fig (Ficus carica) is one of the earliest plants domesticated by humans. It has been cultivated in China ever since the early seventh century. Fig fruit is an important traditional Chinese medicine and a fine health food, featuring a unique flavor and rich nutrients. In addition to its great medicinal values, its abundant availability in the Xinjiang province of China has made the fig one of the most popular fruits in the country. One of the major diseases that affect figs is the fig mosaic disease (FMD) (1,4), which was reported in China in 1935 (3). A causal agent of this disease is associated with the Fig mosaic virus (FMV), a negative-strand RNA virus with six RNA segments (2). In 2013, and later during a survey in 2014, fig plants in several orchards in Xinjiang displayed symptoms of a virus-like disease, which was characterized as FMD. These symptoms included chlorotic clearing as well as banding of leaf veins along with various patterns of discoloration, severely distorted leaves, and deformed fruits. Total RNA extracts (TRIzol reagent, Ambion) from 18 symptomatic and four asymptomatic leaf samples were subjected to reverse reaction (RT) assays using M-MLV reverse transcriptase (Promega, Fitchburg, WI) with primer FMV-GP-R (TATTACCTGGATCAACGCAG). PCR analysis of the synthesized cDNA was performed using FMV-specific primers FMV-GP-F (ACTTGCAAAGGCAGATGATA) and FMV-GP-R. Amplicons of 706 bp produced by RT-PCR assays were obtained from most (15 out of 18) of the symptomatic samples; however, none was obtained from the four asymptomatic leaves. The purified amplicons were cloned and sequenced. BLAST analysis of these sequences revealed more than 94% nucleotide identity with glycoprotein precursor (GP) genes of an FMV-Serbia isolate (SB1). One sequence was deposited in NCBI databases, and one sequence was submitted to GenBank (Accession No. KM034915). RNA segments 2 to 6 of FMV were also amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. These sequences showed 94 to 96% identity with FMV sequences deposited in the NCBI databases. The collected samples were further detected by Northern-blot hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled RNA probe, which targets the RNA1 genome of the FMV. The result was in line with RT-PCR detection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of FMV in fig trees in China. Considering the economic importance of fig plants and the noxious nature of FMV, this virus poses a great threat to the economy of the fig industry of Xinjiang. Thus, it is important to develop immediate effective quarantine and management of this virus to reduce any further predictable loss. References: (1) T. Elbeaino et al. J. Gen. Virol. 90:1281, 2009. (2) K. Ishikawa et al. J. Gen. Virol. 93:1612, 2012. (3) H. A. Pittman. J. West Aust. Dept. Agric. 12:196, 1935. (4) J. J. Walia et al. Plant Dis. 93:4, 2009.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of UspE fromEscherichia coli
Authors: Xu Yongbin , Quan Chun-Shan , Jin Xuanzhen , Jin Xiaoling , Zhao Jing , Li Xihui , Zheng Wei , Jin Liming , Liu Dedi , Fan Shengdi , Ha Nam-Chul 
Published: November 2014

Universal stress proteins (Usps) are among the most highly induced genes when bacteria are subjected to several stress conditions such as heat shock, nutrient starvation or the presence of oxidants or other stress agents.Escherichia colihas five small Usps and one tandem-type Usp. UspE (or YdaA) is the tandem-type Usp and consists of two Usp domains arranged in tandem. To date, the structure of UspE remains to be elucidated. To contribute to the molecular understanding of the function of the tandem-type UspE, UspE fromE. coliwas overexpressed and the recombinant protein was purified using Ni–NTA affinity, Q anion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Crystals of UspE were obtained by sitting-drop vapour diffusion. A diffraction data set was collected to a resolution of 3.2 Å from flash-cooled crystals. The crystals belonged to the tetragonal space groupI4122 orI4322, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 121.1,c = 241.7 Å.
Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of KstR2 (ketosteroid regulatory protein) fromMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Dawes Stephanie S. , Kendall Sharon L. , Baker Edward N. , Lott J. Shaun 
Published: November 2014

KstR2 (Rv3557c) is one of two TetR-family transcriptional repressors of cholesterol metabolism inMycobacterium tuberculosis. The ability to degrade cholesterol fully is important for pathogenesis, and therefore this repressor was expressed, purified and crystallized. Crystals of KstR2 diffracted to better than 1.9 Å resolution and belonged to space groupC2, with unit-cell parametersa = 72.3,b= 90.3,c= 49.7 Å, α = γ = 90, β = 128.2°.
The effect of epoxy‐polyester sealing of sprayed metal coatings for additional corrosion protection
Authors: Akinci A. , Yilmaz F. 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report salt spray testing of epoxy‐polyester top‐coating applied on Zn‐sprayed, Al‐sprayed and 85Zn‐15Al‐sprayed steel samples.Design/methodology/approachIn these tests, steel substrates sprayed with Zn, Al and 85Zn‐15Al coatings of different average thicknesses ranging from 120 to 210 μm were top‐coated with an epoxy‐polyester sealing layer. The corrosion test was performed with salt solution for over 2,000‐h. The degree of damage to the samples was evaluated quantitatively in terms of ratio of scribed to unscribed area of coating.FindingsIt was evident that the corrosion resistance of Al‐sprayed top‐coated surfaces was better than coated Zn‐spray or coated 85Zn‐15Al‐spray systems. As a result, when Al‐coated surfaces were top‐coated with polymeric layer, it was found that their surfaces were remarkably unaffected by the salt spray environment.Originality/valueThe salt spray measurements indicated that the Al‐spray epoxy‐polyester polymer double system was more durable than the other two systems (polymeric top‐coated Zn‐spay, and polymeric top‐coated 85Zn‐15Al‐spray), so far as protection from the chloride salt spray environment was concerned.
Filling through holes and blind microvias with copper using reverse pulse plating and insoluble anodes
Authors: Roelfs Bernd , Dambrowsky Nina , Erben Christof , Kenny Stephen 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a summary of development work made in technical centres and on the subsequent customer qualification of copper filled through holes and blind microvias.Design/methodology/approachVarious copper deposition parameters were investigated in a small‐scale production line which was then extended to full‐scale production qualification in a horizontal conveyorised system. Samples of substrates with copper filled through holes were qualified at end‐user facilities.FindingsThe copper plating process may be used to replace an existing production process for printed circuit boards. The proposed system can give a more reliable result in terms of filling and technical capability for the produced substrate. Overall production cost savings are possible.Research limitations/implicationsThe technology is based on a copper plating electrolyte using a redox pair for copper replenishment. The results achieved depend on use of this system and on production equipment which can control the redox system and copper concentration within a tight range.Originality/valueThe paper shows how the use of a horizontal production system with redox copper replenishment can achieve filling of though holes and blind microvias with reduced surface plated copper thickness. Reduction in the use of copper saves both resources and also reduces production costs. The process is proposed as an alternative to existing paste plugging processes, which are both cost and labour intensive.
Flaw detection on FPC solder surface
Authors: Ye Feng , Li Di , Huang Jie‐xian , Dong Zhi‐jie 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the application of advanced computer image processing techniques for flaw detection on flexible printed circuit (FPC) solder.Design/methodology/approachTexture directionality feature is obtained based on texture gradient, contour's position is extracted and directionality information obtained through analyzing the distribution of directionality. Contour similarity function is established to filter out false contour and keep proper contour, and the solder's location work is accomplished based on reversed contour. After that, a combination of grey and texture gradient's value deviation from reference value is utilized to reflect and describe texture on the solder's surface. Flaw can be distinguished from homogeneous texture background.FindingsThe method has been applied to the inspecting system and achieved a higher accuracy and a lower false defect rate. It demonstrates that the method can detect flaws efficiently and effectively.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the work on FPC solder's location and flaw detection is presented, defective classification is not involved that is also very important content for inspection.Originality/valueThe paper provides a new way to locate solder based on directionality. The method not only extracts contour feature but also gains directional parameters to help realize accurate location, especially for some solders that are deformed to some extent. Entropy statistic based on distribution of grey and texture gradient is proposed to describe and measure solder's surface texture. The new algorithm performs stably and efficiently and is fit for practical application.
Using a tubular electrode for radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Antunes Carlos L. , Almeida Tony Richard O. , Raposeiro Nélia , Gonçalves Belarmino , Almeida Paulo 
Published: November 2014

PurposeDue to its good mechanical and biocompatibility characteristics, nitinol SEMS is a popular endoprothesis used for relieving stricture problems in hollow organs due to carcinomas. Besides its mechanical application, SEMS can be regarded as well as potential electrode for performing RF ablation therapy on the tumor. The purpose of this work is to perform numerical and experimental analyses in order to characterize the lesion volume induced in biological tissue using this kind of tubular electrode.Design/methodology/approachData concerning electrical conductivity and dimension of the damaged tissue after RF ablation procedure were obtained from ex vivo samples. Next, numerical models using 3D finite element method were obtained reassembling the conditions considered at experimentation setup and results were compared.FindingsNumerical and experimental results show that a regular volume of damaged tissue can be obtained considering this type of electrode. Also, results obtained from numerical simulation are close to those obtained by experimentation.Originality/valueSEMSs, commonly used as devices to minimize obstruction problems due to the growth of tumors, may still be considered as an active electrode for RF ablation procedures. A method considering this observation is presented in this paper. Also, numerical simulation can be regarded in this case as a tool for determining the lesion volume.
Evaluation of induced AC voltages in underground metallic pipeline
Authors: Micu Dan D. , Czumbil Levente , Christoforidis Georgios C. , Ceclan Andrei , Şteţ Denisa 
Published: November 2014

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to make a study of electromagnetic interference between electrical power lines and nearby underground metallic pipelines.Design/methodology/approachThe equivalent electrical circuit of the studied electromagnetic interference problem between electrical power lines and nearby metallic pipelines is created and solved using a loop currents technique based on a hybrid method. The used circuit solving technique was implemented in a software application developed by the authors.FindingsThe authors have identified the influence of phase sequence on induced voltage level in an underground pipeline for a double circuit electrical power line. Also the effect of different normal operation and phase to earth fault currents have been revealed.Practical implicationsThe study has been made through a research project with the Romanian gas transportation company, in order to find the proper protection techniques for underground metallic pipelines.Originality/valueThe paper reveals the influence of some electrical and geometrical parameters that have not been studied in detail previously.