Design of space-centered interaction using invisible and intangible spatial inputs

In this paper,we investigate methodologies to improve direct-touch interaction on invisible and intangible spatial input.We firstly discuss about the motive of looking for a new input method for whole body interaction and how it can be meaningful.We also describe the role that can play spatial interaction to improve the freedom of interaction for a user.We propose a method of spatial centered interaction using invisible and intangible spatial inputs.However,given their lack of tactile feedback and visual representation,direct touch interaction on such input can be confused.In order to make a step toward understanding causes and solutions for such phenomena,we made 2 user experiments.In the first one,we test 5 setups of helper that provide information of the location of the input by constraining the dimension it is located at.The results show that using marker on the ground and a relationship with the height of the user's body improve significantly the locative task.In the second experiment,we create a dancing game using invisible and intangible spatial inputs and we stress the results obtained in the first experiment within this cognitively demanding context.Results show that the same setup of helper is still providing very good results in that context.     

Isolation and identification of an antiproliferative substance from fructose–tyrosine Maillard reaction products

We isolated a substance from fructose–tyrosine Maillard reaction products (MRPs) and investigated its antiproliferative effect on six human cancer cell lines. The ethyl acetate fraction of fructose–tyrosine MRPs showed a strong antiproliferative effect; this fraction was isolated and purified using silica gel column chromatography, semipreparative RP-HPLC, and recycling HPLC. The structure of the purified compound was determined using spectroscopic methods. The isolated compound was identified as 2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenal (C₁₆H₁₄O₃, HPB242). HPB242 inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner (10–80 μg/ml) on the six human cancer cell lines. The IC₅₀ values of HPB242 on the six human cancer cell lines were 17.34 μg/ml (MCF-7), 29.21 μg/ml (HCT-116), 34.57 μg/ml (H-460), 34.87 μg/ml (HepG2), 48.77 μg/ml (PC-3), and 55.83 μg/ml (MKN-45).     

Durability of a niobium thin film for bipolar plates in PEMFC

The durability of a niobium (Nb) thin film deposited on AISI 316L by magnetron sputtering was investigated in simulated polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) environments. The result of a potentiostatic test in a simulated corrosion environment showed that the current densities of the cathode and anode were 1.56 × 10⁻⁷ and -7.2 × 10⁻⁷ A/cm², respectively.Before and after the potentiostatic test, the value of the interfacial contact resistance (ICR) increased 40.1 mΩ cm² at 1.5 MPa. The cell performance observed with the Nb-bipolar plate (BP) was slightly decreased compared to the commercial graphite-BP over this test period. After a 300 h durability test, cell performance of the Nb-BP unit cell was slightly decreased by 5.4% at a current density of 400 mA/cm².     

A downlink beamforming assisted by locally positioned communication devices

Recently, multiple cell types with overlapping coverage have been deployed simultaneously to increase cellular network capacity. Cross‐tier interference is one of the key technical challenges in the use of this method. A simple and practical beamforming scheme assisted by locally positioned communication devices for the downlink of a multi‐cell wireless hierarchical cell structure system is proposed in this paper to maximize the capacity of the embedded small cell and simultaneously ensure minimal impact on the performance of existing macrocells. The locally positioned communication devices can be implemented with low complexity and at low cost and can continuously provide helpful and accurate information to base stations for the proper configuration of geographical cell coverage, allowing neighboring cells to cooperate effectively with each other. Simulation results verify that the proposed scheme can provide a significant gain over conventional systems not using the proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of yellow pyridonylazo colorants and their application in dye–pigment hybrid colour filters for liquid crystal display

Nine yellow azo dyes were designed and synthesised by using different diazo components and pyridonyl coupling components for application in dye–pigment hybrid colour filters for liquid crystal displays. The synthesised dyes were characterised by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis. The thermal stability was examined by thermogravimetric analysis, and solubility was estimated in industrial solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and propylene glycol methyl ether acetate. The dyes, which exhibited suitable physical properties for use in a dye–pigment hybrid colour filter, were fabricated into colour filters, and their optical properties were measured.     

Vibration and noise characteristics of coaxial magnetic gear according to low-speed rotor structure

This paper presents the analysis of the vibration and noise characteristics of Coaxial magnetic gears (CMGs) according to the Lowspeed rotor (LSR) structure. Surface-mounted permanent magnet CMG (SPM_CMG) and Flux concentrated CMG (FC_CMG) are selected for the comparison models. The electromagnetic force distributions in the air-gap adjacent to the LSR are calculated to predict the deformed shape of the LSR. In addition, the electromagnetic forces acting on each pole of the LSR according to the rotation of the rotors and their frequencies are obtained to investigate the vibration and noise characteristics. The mode shapes of the LSR core and their resonant frequencies are obtained through modal analysis to consider the resonance of the analytical models. The vibration and noise analysis result indicates that SPM_CMG has less vibration and noise compared than the FC_CMG.     

Modulation of Cyclins,p53 and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Signaling in Breast Cancer Cell Lines by 4-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenoxy)benzoic Acid

Despite the advances in cancer therapy and early detection, breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among females worldwide. The aim of the current study was to investigate the antitumor activity of a novel compound, 4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)benzoic acid (TMPBA) and its mechanism of action, in breast cancer. Results indicated the relatively high sensitivity of human breast cancer cell-7 and MDA-468 cells towards TMPBA with IC₅₀ values of 5.9 and 7.9 μM, respectively compared to hepatocarcinoma cell line Huh-7, hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2, and cervical cancer cell line Hela cells. Mechanistically, TMPBA induced apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells as indicated by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) nuclear staining, cell cycle analysis and the activation of caspase-3. Western blot analysis revealed the ability of TMPBA to target pathways mediated by mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and p53, of which the concerted action underlined its antitumor efficacy. In addition, TMPBA induced alteration of cyclin proteins’ expression and consequently modulated the cell cycle. Taken together, the current study underscores evidence that TMPBA induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells via the modulation of cyclins and p53 expression as well as the modulation of AMPK and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling. These findings support TMPBA’s clinical promise as a potential candidate for breast cancer therapy.     

Triethyl and tributyl phosphite as flame-retarding additives in Li-ion batteries

This study examined the influence of triethyl and tributyl phosphite (TEP and TBP) additives on the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion cells. The cell performance of the TEP- and TBP-containing electrolytes was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, thermogravimetric analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The flammability of the electrolytes was also investigated by measuring the self-extinguishing time of the electrolytes. The results showed that the TEP and TBP additives suppressed the flammability of the electrolyte, with a significant improvement in cell performance observed for the TEP additive. In addition, TEP and TBP additives improved the thermal stability of the battery and its electrochemical cell performance. Overall, 5 wt% TEP and TBP can be used as a flame-retarding additive to improve the cell performance of Li-ion batteries due to the decrease in cell impedance and SEI formation.     

System analysis study for Korean fusion DEMO reactor

A conceptual design study for a steady-state Korean fusion DEMO reactor (K-DEMO) has been initiated. Two peculiar features need to be noted. First, the major radius is designed to be just below 6.5 m, considering practical engineering feasibilities. But still, high magnetic field at the plasma center around 8 T is expected to be achieved by using current state-of-the-art high performance Nb₃Sn strand technology. Second, a two-stage development plan is being considered. In the first stage, K-DEMO will demonstrate a net electricity generation but will also act as a component test facility. Then, after a major upgrade, K-DEMO is expected to show a net electric generation on the order of 300 MWe and the competitiveness in cost of electricity (COE). Feasibility of such a practical, near-future demonstration reactor is studied in this paper, based on a zero dimensional system analysis code study. It was shown that a net electric generation on the order of 300 MWe can be achieved below the optimistic β_N limit of 5. The elongation of K-DEMO is around 1.8 with single null configuration. Detailed optimization process and the resultant various plasma parameters are described.