bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Representing analogies to influence fixation and creativity: A study comparing computer-aided design, photographs, and sketches
Authors: Atilola Olufunmilola , Linsey Julie
Published: April 2015

Many tools are being developed to assist designers in retrieving analogies. One critical question these designers face is how these analogues should be represented in order to minimize design fixation and maximize idea generation. To address this question, an experiment is presented that compares various representations' influence on creativity and design fixation. This experiment presents an effective example (analogue) as computer-aided design (CAD), sketch, or photograph representations. We found that all representations induced fixation, and the degree of fixation did not vary significantly. We also found that CAD representations encourage engineering designers to identify and copy the key effective features of the example. CAD and photo representations also produced a higher quality of design concepts. Results from this experiment offer insights into how these various representations may be used in examples during idea generation; CAD representations appear to offer the greatest advantages during the idea generation process. The results from this experiment also indicate that analogical databases of effective design examples should include CAD and photolike images of the analogue rather than sketches.
Information and interaction requirements for software tools supporting analogical design
Authors: Töre Yargin Gülşen , Crilly Nathan
Published: April 2015

One mode of creative design is for designers to draw analogies that connect the design domain (e.g., a mechanical device) to some other domain from which inspiration is drawn (e.g., a biological system). The identification and application of analogies can be supported by software tools that store, structure, present, or propose source domain stimuli from which such analogies might be constructed. For these tools to be effective and not impact the design process in negative ways, they must fit well with the information and interaction needs of their users. However, the user requirements for these tools are seldom explicitly discussed. Furthermore, the literature that supports the identification of such requirements is distributed across a number of different domains, including those that address analogical design (especially biomimetics), creativity support tools, and human–computer interaction. The requirements that these literatures propose can be divided into those that relate to the information content that the tools provide (e.g., level of abstraction or mode of representation) and those that relate to the interaction qualities that the tools support (e.g., accessibility or shareability). Examining the relationships between these requirements suggests that tool developers should focus on satisfying the key requirements of open-endedness and accessibility while managing the conflicts between the other requirements. Attention to these requirements and the relationships between them promises to yield analogical design support tools that better permit designers to identify and apply source information in their creative work.
Generalized barycentric coordinates and applications
Authors: Floater Michael S.
Published: April 2015

This paper surveys the construction, properties, and applications of generalized barycentric coordinates on polygons and polyhedra. Applications include: surface mesh parametrization in geometric modelling; image, curve, and surface deformation in computer graphics; and polygonal and polyhedral finite element methods.
Solving PDEs with radial basis functions
Authors: Fornberg Bengt , Flyer Natasha
Published: April 2015

Finite differences provided the first numerical approach that permitted large-scale simulations in many applications areas, such as geophysical fluid dynamics. As accuracy and integration time requirements gradually increased, the focus shifted from finite differences to a variety of different spectral methods. During the last few years, radial basis functions, in particular in their ‘local’ RBF-FD form, have taken the major step from being mostly a curiosity approach for small-scale PDE ‘toy problems’ to becoming a major contender also for very large simulations on advanced distributed memory computer systems. Being entirely mesh-free, RBF-FD discretizations are also particularly easy to implement, even when local refinements are needed. This article gives some background to this development, and highlights some recent results.
Multilevel Monte Carlo methods
Authors: Giles Michael B.
Published: April 2015

Monte Carlo methods are a very general and useful approach for the estimation of expectations arising from stochastic simulation. However, they can be computationally expensive, particularly when the cost of generating individual stochastic samples is very high, as in the case of stochastic PDEs. Multilevel Monte Carlo is a recently developed approach which greatly reduces the computational cost by performing most simulations with low accuracy at a correspondingly low cost, with relatively few simulations being performed at high accuracy and a high cost.

In this article, we review the ideas behind the multilevel Monte Carlo method, and various recent generalizations and extensions, and discuss a number of applications which illustrate the flexibility and generality of the approach and the challenges in developing more efficient implementations with a faster rate of convergence of the multilevel correction variance.
When is “Everyone's Doing It A Moral Justification?
Authors: Green Ronald M.
Published: April 2015

The claim that “Everyone's doing it” is frequently offered as a reason for engaging in behavior that is widespread but less-than-ideal. This is particularly true in business, where competitors’ conduct often forces hard choices on managers. When is the claim “Everyone's doing it” a morally valid reason for following others’ lead? This discussion proposes and develops fiveprima facieconditions to identify when the existence of prevalent but otherwise undesirable behavior provides a moral justification for our engaging in such behavior ourselves. The balance of the discussion focuses on testing these conditions by applying them to a series of representative cases in business ethics.
Sovereign disaster risk financing and insurance impact appraisal
Authors: Teh T.-L.
Published: April 2015

The combination of increasing vulnerability and intensity of natural disasters has led to severe humanitarian impacts in recent years. The uncertainty of environmental change and growing populations suggests that this trend is a cause for significant concern. Increasingly, nations are seeking additional methods to increase their financial resilience to disaster events. Sovereign disaster risk financing and insurance (SDRFI) may be the panacea for managing disaster risk at a national level. However, there is a need for better evidence to enhance, guide and support these programmes. The design of SDRFI programmes aim to maximise their impact and reduce the human and economic cost of disasters. This paper presents an overview of 16 technical background papers that offer insights into the development of an impact appraisal methodology for SDRFI evaluation. The papers are part of a joint project between the UK Department for International Development and the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.
Homesickness: A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature
Authors: Stroebe Margaret , Schut Henk , Nauta Maaike
Published: April 2015

Large-scale migration in contemporary society underscores the need to learn about the complex experience of leaving home and relocating within or beyond one's own country. Separate consideration of various types of stressors associated with geographic moves is called for, because these are likely to be associated with different (but mutually exacerbating) correlates and consequences, perhaps leading to comorbidity. Homesickness (HS) is a frequent component of relocation, known to be related to certain adjustment difficulties and health problems, as well as clinical disorders. However, an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of scientific investigations of HS is lacking. Therefore, this article systematically reviews empirical research on HS, focusing on temporary sojourns from home. Fifty-five articles that conformed to adequate design and methodological criteria were identified in the literature. These studies reveal indicative patterns of findings relating to the prevalence, consequences, predictors, and prevention/treatment strategies for HS. Gaps in knowledge about phenomena and manifestations associated with HS are also discussed. Importantly, it is demonstrated that the inclusion of stressors in the new place when assessing HS limits understanding. We suggest theory-guided directions for future research.
The role of recent thymic emigrant‐regulatory T‐cell (RTE‐Treg) differentiation during pregnancy
Authors: Wagner Miriam I , Mai Charlotte , Schmitt Edgar , Mahnke Karsten , Meuer Stefan , Eckstein Volker , Ho Anthony D , Schaier Matthias , Zeier Martin , Spratte Julia , Fluhr Herbert , Steinborn Andrea
Published: April 2015

During pregnancy, regulatory T cells (Tregs) have a key role in maternal immune tolerance to the semi‐allogeneic fetus. Our previous results showed that the naive CD45RA+‐Treg pool is functionally improved in pregnant women compared with non‐pregnant women. Therefore, we examined the thymic output and differentiation of CD45RA+CD31+ recent thymic emigrant (RTE)‐Tregs during normal pregnancy and in the presence of preeclampsia. With the onset of pregnancy, the composition of the total CD4+CD127low+/−FoxP3+‐Treg pool changed in the way that its percentage of RTE‐ and CD45RA−CD31+‐memory Tregs decreased strongly, whereas that of the CD45RA+CD31−‐mature naive (MN)‐Tregs did not change and that of the CD45RA−CD31−‐memory Tregs increased complementary. Thereby, the ratio of RTE‐/MN‐Tregs decreased from 1.0 to 0.7 leading to a significant increase in the suppressive activity of the naive CD45RA+‐Treg pool. This effect was confirmed by re‐assembling separated RTE‐ and MN‐Tregs from non‐pregnant women in the ratio of pregnant women. The suppressive activity of both separated naive Treg subsets was equally high in non‐pregnant and pregnant women, but considerably reduced in preeclampsia patients, who showed significantly increased percentages of CD45RA−CD31+‐memory Tregs, but decreased percentages of RTE‐ and MN‐Tregs. Our results suggest a reduced thymic output of RTE‐Tregs during pregnancy, which causes a decrease in the ratio of RTE‐/MN‐Tregs and thus an increase in the differentiation of RTE‐Tregs towards CD45RA−CD31−‐memory Tregs. Presumably, this differentiation of RTE‐Tregs, which was impaired in preeclampsia patients, ensures the improved suppressive activity of the CD45RA+‐naive Treg pool and thus retains the maintenance of pregnancy.
Programmable definition of nanogap electronic devices using self-inhibited reagent depletion
Authors: Lam Brian , Zhou Wendi , Kelley Shana O. , Sargent Edward H.
Published: April 2015

Electrodes exhibiting controlled nanoscale separations are required in devices for light detection, semiconductor electronics and medical diagnostics. Here we use low-cost lithography to define micron-separated electrodes, which we downscale to create three-dimensional electrodes separated by nanoscale gaps. Only by devising a new strategy, which we term electrochemical self-inhibited reagent depletion, were we able to produce a robust self-limiting nanogap manufacturing technology. We investigate the method using experiment and simulation and find that, when electrodeposition is carried out using micron-spaced electrodes simultaneously poised at the same potential, these exhibit self-inhibited reagent depletion, leading to defined and robust nanogaps. Particularly remarkable is the formation of fractal electrodes that exhibit interpenetrating jagged elements that consistently avoid electrical contact. We showcase the new technology by fabricating photodetectors with responsivities (A/W) that are one hundred times higher than previously reported photodetectors operating at the same low (1–3 V) voltages. The new strategy adds to the nanofabrication toolkit method that unites top–down template definition with bottom–up three-dimensional nanoscale features.
Body mass index and health status in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals
Authors: Jerant A , Bertakis K D , Franks P
Published: April 2015

Background/Objectives:

There is controversy regarding the existence of a body mass index (BMI) mortality paradox in diabetes, whereby the optimal BMI category is higher than it is in non-diabetic persons. To explore possible pathways to a mortality paradox, we examined the relationship of BMI with physical and mental health status in diabetic and non-diabetic persons.

Subjects/Methods:

We examined adjusted SF-12 Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS-12 and MCS-12) scores by BMI (kg m−2) category (underweight, <20; normal weight, 20 to <25; overweight, 25 to <30; obese, 30 to <35; severely obese ⩾35) in adult diabetic and non-diabetic respondents to the 2000–2011 United States national Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (N=119 161). Adjustors were age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, health insurance, education, smoking, comorbidity, urbanicity, geographic region and survey year.

Results:

In non-diabetic persons the adjusted mean PCS-12 score was highest (that is, most optimal) in the normal-weight category, whereas for diabetic persons the optimal adjusted mean PCS-12 score was in the overweight category (adjusted difference between non-diabetic and diabetic persons in the difference in PCS-12 means for overweight versus normal-weight category=0.8 points, 95% confidence interval; CI 0.1, 1.6; P=0.03). This paradoxical pattern was not evident for the MCS-12, and the adjusted difference between non-diabetic and diabetic persons in the difference in MCS-12 means for overweight versus obese persons was not significant (−0.3 points, 95% CI −0.9, 0.4; P=0.43). The findings were not significantly moderated by smoking status, cancer diagnosis or time period.

Conclusions:

The optimal BMI category for physical health status (but not mental health status) was higher among diabetic than non-diabetic persons. The findings are consistent with a BMI physical health status paradox in diabetes and, in turn, a mortality paradox.
Comparison of the gut microbiota of people in France and Saudi Arabia
Authors: Yasir M , Angelakis E , Bibi F , Azhar E I , Bachar D , Lagier J-C , Gaborit B , Hassan A M , Jiman-Fatani A A , Alshali K Z , Robert C , Dutour A , Raoult D
Published: April 2015

Background/Objectives:

The gut microbiota contributes to energy acquisition from food, and changes in the gut microbiome are associated with obesity. The eating habits of Saudis are much different than those of Europeans, and our objective was to compare the fecal microbiota of obese and normal weight Saudis and French.

Subjects/Methods:

Illumina MiSeq deep sequencing was used to test the gut microbiota of 9 normal weight and 9 obese individuals from Saudi Arabia and 16 normal weight and 12 obese individuals from France.

Results:

Obese French possessed significantly more relative Proteobacteria (P=0.002) and Bacteroidetes (P=0.05) and had lower richness and biodiversity at all the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) cutoffs (P<0.05) than normal weight French. Obese Saudis possessed significantly more Firmicutes (P=0.001) without a difference in richness (P=0.2) and biodiversity (P=0.3) compared with normal weight Saudis. We found a common bacterial species core of 23 species existing in ⩾50% of obese and normal weight Saudis and 29 species in ⩾50% of obese and normal weight French. Actinomyces odontolyticus, Escherichia coli and Ruminococcus obeum were present in at least 50% of all individuals tested. French individuals had significantly higher richness and biodiversity compared with Saudis at all the OTU cutoffs (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Microbiota differences between obese and normal weight French were not similar to those between obese and normal weight Saudis. The studies of different populations can result in contrasting data regarding the associations of the gut microbiota and obesity.
Strategical incoherence regulates cooperation in social dilemmas on multiplex networks
Authors: Matamalas Joan T. , Poncela-Casasnovas Julia , Gómez Sergio , Arenas Alex
Published: April 2015

Cooperation is a very common, yet not fully-understood phenomenon in natural and human systems. The introduction of a network within the population is known to affect the outcome of cooperative dynamics, allowing for the survival of cooperation in adverse scenarios. Recently, the introduction of multiplex networks has yet again modified the expectations for the outcome of the Prisoner’s Dilemma game, compared to the monoplex case. However, much remains unstudied regarding other social dilemmas on multiplex, as well as the unexplored microscopic underpinnings of it. In this paper, we systematically study the evolution of cooperation in all four games in the T − S plane on multiplex. More importantly, we find some remarkable and previously unknown features in the microscopic organization of the strategies, that are responsible for the important differences between cooperative dynamics in monoplex and multiplex. Specifically, we find that in the stationary state, there are individuals that play the same strategy in all layers (coherent) and others that don’t (incoherent). This second group of players is responsible for the surprising fact of a non full-cooperation in the Harmony Game on multiplex, never observed before, as well as a higher-than-expected cooperation rates in some regions of the other three social dilemmas.
Magnetic fabric from Red clay sediments in the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Gong Hujun , Zhang Rui , Yue Leping , Zhang Yunxiang , Li Jianxing
Published: April 2015

Well-distributed eolian red clay in a wide area of northern China is believed to imply the onset of an ancient East Asian monsoon system since Late Miocene. Two continuous red clay sequences spanning the time interval 7–2.6 Ma and 11–2.6 Ma in the Chinese Loess Plateau was investigated to determine the magnetic orientation and grain alignment in the primary fabric of eolian sediments. The north-westerly orientation of the AMS of the eolian red clay sequences parallels the material transportation direction, which differs from the model that suggests that airborne dust from overlying loess-paleosol sequences were transported by the East Asian winter monsoon and fixed by the East Asian summer monsoon. Our results further reveal that present-day climate and air circulation patterns differ from those of the pre-Quaternary and may provide evidence of a prevailing wind during deposition of the red clay.
A high-throughput microfluidic single-cell screening platform capable of selective cell extraction
Authors: Kim Hyun Soo , Devarenne Timothy P. , Han Arum
Published: April 2015

A high-throughput microfluidic single-cell screening platform capable of investigating cell properties, such as growth and biomolecule production, followed by selectively extracting particular cells of interest off-chip for further study is developed.
An efficient and reusable catalyst for Suzuki cross-coupling reactions in aqueous solution—hollow palladium–ferrum bimetallic magnetic spheres
Authors: Liu Mengmeng , Zhu Xiaohang , Wu Li , Zhou Xingchun , Li Jing , Ma Jiantai
Published: April 2015

Hollow Pd–Fe bimetallic magnetic spheres are synthesized in this work.
Unsupervised explorative data analysis of normal human leukocytes and BCR/ABL positive leukemic cells mid-infrared spectra
Authors: Bellisola G. , Bolomini Vittori M. , Cinque G. , Dumas P. , Fiorini Z. , Laudanna C. , Mirenda M. , Sandt C. , Silvestri G. , Tomasello L. , Vezzalini M. , Wehbe K. , Sorio C.
Published: April 2015

Infrared microspectroscopy complemented with unsupervised principal component analysis is a suitable method to study protein phosphorylation/de-phosphorylation balance in cell models.
Analytical chemistry in the field of cultural heritage
Authors: Madariaga Juan Manuel
Published: April 2015

This review covers the analytical developments, instrumentation and methodologies applied to the characterisation of cultural heritage materials published up until 2014.
Excited state investigation of a new Ru(ii) complex for dual reactivity with low energy light
Authors: Knoll J. D. , Albani B. A. , Turro C.
Published: April 2015

The new complex [Ru(tpy)(Me2dppn)(py)]2+ undergoes unique excited state dynamics that promote both efficient pyridine dissociation and 1O2 production with visible light, resulting in dual activity.
Reversible water uptake/release by thermoresponsive polyelectrolyte hydrogels derived from ionic liquids
Authors: Deguchi Yuki , Kohno Yuki , Ohno Hiroyuki
Published: April 2015

Thermoresponsive polyelectrolyte hydrogels show reversible water uptake/release.
Total synthesis of (−)-deguelin via an iterative pyran-ring formation strategy
Authors: Lee Seungbeom , An Hongchan , Chang Dong-Jo , Jang Jaebong , Kim Kyeojin , Sim Jaehoon , Lee Jeeyeon , Suh Young-Ger
Published: April 2015

Asymmetric synthesis of (−)-deguelin has been accomplished via iterative pyran-ring formation of the O- and C-arylation precursor prepared by an anionic addition of a chromene unit to aryloxy alkyl aldehyde.
A “uniform” heterogeneous photocatalyst: integrated p–n type CuInS2/NaInS2 nanosheets by partial ion exchange reaction for efficient H2 evolution
Authors: Hu Peng , Ngaw Chee Keong , Tay Yee Yan , Cao Shaowen , Barber James , Tan Timothy Thatt Yang , Loo Say Chye Joachim
Published: April 2015

Single-crystalline-like p–n type CuInS2/NaInS2 heterogeneous nanosheets were synthesized by partial cation exchange reaction.
Synthesis of a heterogeneous artificial metallolipase with chimeric catalytic activity
Authors: Filice M. , Romero O. , Gutiérrez-Fernández J. , de las Rivas B. , Hermoso J. A. , Palomo J. M.
Published: April 2015

The practical synthesis in high overall yields of a heterogeneous artificial copper-lipase with chimeric catalytic activity (native plus artificial) is presented here. This novel hybrid catalyst showed excellent catalytic properties in Diels–Alder and cascade reactions.
Pd-catalyzed carbonylative cycloamidation of ketoimines for the synthesis of pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones
Authors: Xie Ying , Chen Tengfei , Fu Shaomin , Jiang Huanfeng , Zeng Wei
Published: April 2015

The Pd(ii)-catalyzed pyridine-directed carbonylative cycloamidation of ketoimines has provided an efficient protocol for assembly of pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones.
A facile synthesis of Pt@Ir zigzag bimetallic nanocomplexes for hydrogenation reactions
Authors: Wang Jiaqing , Ge Danhua , Cao Xueqin , Tang Minghua , Pan Yue , Gu Hongwei
Published: April 2015

A facile approach for the synthesis of Pt@Ir zigzag bimetallic nanocomplexes with high catalytic activity.
Nanostructure formation via post growth of particles
Authors: Ni Bing , Wang Xun
Published: April 2015

Post growth of nanoparticles enables new nanostructure formation and blurs the boundary between crystals and molecules.
Inclusion compounds of a borneol dumb-bell host with methylcyclohexanones and 2-butanols: structures and resolutions
Authors: Batisai Eustina , Nassimbeni Luigi R. , Weber Edwin
Published: April 2015

Partial resolution of racemic methylcyclohexanones and 2-butanol via inclusion within a borneol dumb-bell host.
Numerically accurate linear response-properties in the configuration-interaction singles (CIS) approximation
Authors: Kottmann Jakob S. , Höfener Sebastian , Bischoff Florian A.
Published: April 2015

The spatial extent of the singlet 21B3u excitation of the ethylene molecule. The depicted box is 50 bohr wide.
Unassisted HI photoelectrolysis using n-WSe2 solar absorbers
Authors: McKone James R. , Potash Rebecca A. , DiSalvo Francis J. , Abruña Héctor D.
Published: April 2015

A single n-WSe2 photoelectrode, electrically connected to a Pt counter electrode, can drive unassisted HI electrolysis under solar-simulated illumination.
One-pot synthesis and Nb4N5 surface modification of Nb4+ self-doped KNbO3 nanorods for enhanced visible-light-driven hydrogen production
Authors: Wang Jianqiang , Wang Xia , Cui Zhentao , Liu Bing , Cao Minhua
Published: April 2015

A facile method is developed to synthesize Nb4+ self doped KN nanorods modified with Nb4N5 nanoparticles, which exhibit enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production.
To π or not to π – how does methanol dock onto anisole?
Authors: Heger Matthias , Altnöder Jonas , Poblotzki Anja , Suhm Martin A.
Published: April 2015

Supersonic jet spectroscopy reveals that methanol opts against aromatic docking onto anisole despite a very close competition.
Evolution of water sorption in catalyst coated membranes subjected to combined chemical and mechanical degradation
Authors: Venkatesan Senthil velan , Lim Chan , Rogers Erin , Holdcroft Steven , Kjeang Erik
Published: April 2015

Ionomer water sorption is altered with combined chemical and mechanical degradation.
Theoretical study of the oxidation mechanisms of naphthalene initiated by hydroxyl radicals: the O2 addition reaction pathways
Authors: Shiroudi A. , Deleuze M. S. , Canneaux S.
Published: April 2015

Atmospheric oxidation of the naphthalene–OH adduct [C10H8OH]˙ (R1) by molecular oxygen in its triplet electronic ground state has been studied using density functional theory along with the B3LYP, ωB97XD, UM05-2x and UM06-2x exchange–correlation functionals.
A comparison study of aliphatic and aromatic structure directing agents influencing the crystal and electronic structures, and properties of iodoplumbate hybrids: water induced structure conversion and visible light photocatalytic properties
Authors: Liu Guang-Ning , Shi Jian-Ru , Han Xiao-Jiang , Zhang Xiao , Li Ke , Li Jie , Zhang Tao , Liu Qi-Sheng , Zhang Zhen-Wei , Li Cuncheng
Published: April 2015

This work discloses the different roles of aliphatic and aromatic cations as structure directing agents.
Synthesis and structure of rhodium(i) silyl carbonyl complexes: photochemical C–F and C–H bond activation of fluorinated aromatic compounds
Authors: Zámostná Lada , Sander Stefan , Braun Thomas , Laubenstein Reik , Braun Beatrice , Herrmann Roy , Kläring Paul
Published: April 2015

Rhodium(i) silyl carbonyl complexes such as [Rh{Si(OEt)3}(CO)(dippe)] turned out to be a suitable precursor for the photochemical C–F and C–H bond activation of fluorinated aromatic compounds.
One-pot synthesis of B-doped three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide via supercritical fluid for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Zhou Yazhou , Yen Clive Hsu , Fu Shaofang , Yang Guohai , Zhu Chengzhou , Du Dan , Wo Pui Ching , Cheng Xiaonong , Yang Juan , Wai Chien M. , Lin Yuehe
Published: April 2015

B-doped 3D reduced graphene synthesize from a one-pot supercritical fluid technique is an excellent electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction.
Understanding the origin of phase segregation of nano-crystalline in a BexZn1−xO random alloy: a novel phase of Be1/3Zn2/3O
Authors: Yong Dingyu , He Haiyan , Su Longxing , Zhu Yuan , Tang Zikang , Zeng Xiao Cheng , Pan Bicai
Published: April 2015

The usage of a BexZn1−xO alloy in ultraviolet (UV)-region optoelectronic devices is largely hindered by its intricate phase segregation of crystallites of different sizes.
The role of ammonia oxide in the reaction of hydroxylamine with carboxylic esters
Authors: Silva Carlos M. , Dias Isabela C. , Pliego Josefredo R.
Published: April 2015

Hydroxylamine can form a stable zwitterionic isomer that is a key for its high reactivity.
Synthesis and evaluation of cationic norbornanes as peptidomimetic antibacterial agents
Authors: Hickey Shane M. , Ashton Trent D. , Khosa Simren K. , Robson Ryan N. , White Jonathan M. , Li Jian , Nation Roger L. , Yu Heidi Y. , Elliott Alysha G. , Butler Mark S. , Huang Johnny X. , Cooper Matthew A. , Pfeffer Frederick M.
Published: April 2015

A family of structurally amphiphilic norbornanes has been constructed; several of which possess broad spectrum antibacterial activity.
Biomagnification of mercury in mollusks from coastal areas of the Chinese Bohai Sea
Authors: Meng Mei , Shi Jian-bo , Liu Cheng-bin , Zhu Na-li , Shao Jun-juan , He Bin , Cai Yong , Jiang Gui-bin
Published: April 2015

Biomagnification of methylmercury and growth dilution of inorganic mercury were found during the trophic transfer of mercury in different mollusk species.
Hollow Sn–Ni nanoparticles coated with ion-conductive polyethylene oxide as anodes for lithium ion batteries with superior cycling stability
Authors: Zhu Jin , Jiang Anni , Shi Yongqian , Fan Xin , Dou Peng , Ma Daqian , Xu Xinhua
Published: April 2015

A facile strategy is designed for the fabrication of hollow, Sn–Ni nanoparticles (NPs) surrounded by ion-conductive, polyethylene oxide (PEO) coating to address the structural and interfacial stability concerns facing Sn-based anodes.
Structure and electrical properties of Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Cheng Renfei , Xu Zhijun , Chu Ruiqing , Hao Jigong , Du Juan , Li Guorong
Published: April 2015

Surface chemistry and electrochemical properties of ball milled edge-carboxylated graphene anchored with magnetite–hydroxyapatite nanocomposites were studied through the sensitive and selective detection of 4-NP by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulsed voltammetry.
Lab in a tube: a fast-assembled colorimetric sensor for highly sensitive detection of oligonucleotides based on a hybridization chain reaction
Authors: Zhang Siqi , Wang Kun , Li Zhenyu , Feng Zhongmin , Sun Ting
Published: April 2015

Upon adding THBV, the self-assembly of THBV with H1 allows the rest of the DNA sequence of H1 to accelerate H1–H2 complex formation. The G-quadruplex at the end of the H1–H2 complex could catalyze TMB into a colored product.
Kinetic exploration supplemented by spectroscopic and molecular docking analysis in search of the optimal conditions for effective degradation of malachite green
Authors: Dasmandal Somnath , Mandal Harasit Kumar , Rudra Suparna , Kundu Arjama , Majumdar Tapas , Mahapatra Ambikesh
Published: April 2015

The degradation of malachite green (MG) by an alkaline hydrolytic process has been explored spectrophotometrically.
Development of the CaO–SrO–ZrO2–B2O3–SiO2 sealing glasses for solid oxide fuel cell applications: structure–property correlation
Authors: Zhang Qi , Yang Hsiwen , Zeng Fanrong , Wang Shaorong , Tang Dian , Zhang Teng
Published: April 2015

The Cr6+ fraction in the glass/Cr2O3 reaction couple decreases significantly with increasing ZrO2 content at 700 °C because of the condensed glass structure and increases at 750 and 800 °C due to the increase in residual glass content in the glass–ceramics.
Identification of dimethyl sulfide in dimethyl sulfoxide and implications for metal-thiolate disulfide exchange reactions
Authors: Garusinghe Gamage S. P. , Bessey S. Max , Boyd Chelsea , Aghamoosa Mostapha , Frederick Brian G. , Bruce Mitchell R. M. , Bruce Alice E.
Published: April 2015

3 mM p-nitrophenyldisulfide solutions in various solvents: (A) THF, (B) CH2Cl2, (C) (CH3)2CO (acetone), (D) CH3CN, (E) (CH3)2SO (DMSO). The picture for DMSO was taken approximately 1 min after mixing, all other solutions remain colorless at all times.
Thermal conductivity and thermal rectification in H-terminated graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Fan Haibiao , Deng Lin , Yuan Xiaoming , Guo Juan , Li Xialong , Yang Ping
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic evaluation to perform characteristics on the thermal conductivity and thermal rectification of H-terminated graphene nanoribbons (HGNRs) with Lpristine/LH-terminated = 1.
Prediction of half-semiconductor antiferromagnets with vanishing net magnetization
Authors: He Junjie , Zhou Pan , Jiao N. , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lu Wei , Sun L. Z.
Published: April 2015

Using a self-consistent DFT + U approach, we found that spin-polarized electrons and zero magnetization co-exist in a 2D semiconductor codoped with transition metal pairs, meaning that promising candidates for spintronics can be achieved.
Esterification of glycerol over a solid acid biochar catalyst derived from waste biomass
Authors: Rafi J. Mahammad , Rajashekar A. , Srinivas M. , Rao B. V. S. K. , Prasad R. B. N. , Lingaiah N.
Published: April 2015

Karanja seed shells were subjected to pyrolysis in an inert atmosphere at different temperatures to prepare a biochar.
A concise protecting-group-free synthesis of cephalosporolides E and F
Authors: Chaudhari Dipali A. , Kattanguru Pullaiah , Fernandes Rodney A.
Published: April 2015

A concise protecting-group-free synthesis of cephalosporolides E and F has been accomplished from l-mannonic-γ-lactone by one-pot conversion to γ-vinyl-β-hydroxy-γ-lactone, cross-metathesis and Wacker-type oxidative spiroketalization.
Tuning of sunlight-induced self-cleaning and self-healing attributes of an elastomeric nanocomposite by judicious compositional variation of the TiO2–reduced graphene oxide nanohybrid
Authors: Thakur Suman , Karak Niranjan
Published: April 2015

A sunlight induced self-cleaning and healable tough elastomeric hyperbranched polyurethane/TiO2–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite is fabricated by an in situ polymerization technique.
Engineering aligned electrospun PLLA microfibers with nano-porous surface nanotopography for modulating the responses of vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Zhou Qihui , Xie Jing , Bao Min , Yuan Huihua , Ye Zhaoyang , Lou Xiangxin , Zhang Yanzhong
Published: April 2015

Surface nanotopography in the form of elliptical nano-pores onto the aligned PLLA fibers allows for enhancing the biomimetic properties of the fibrous substrata by stimulating the vSMC functioning more effectively.
The novel design of a remote phosphor ceramic plate for white light generation in high power LEDs
Authors: Song Young Hyun , Han Gill Sang , Ji Eun Kyung , Lee Min-Ji , Song Ye Lim , Kong Dal Sung , Jung Mong Kwon , Jeong Byung Woo , Jung Hyun Suk , Yoon Dae-Ho
Published: April 2015

Here, we report a phosphor ceramic plate (PCP) constructed using Y3Al5O12:Ce3+ (YAG:Ce) nanoparticles (NPs) with a uniform spherical size distribution for high-power light emitting diode (LED) applications.
Iterative learning control for discrete‐time systems with quantised measurements
Authors: Xuhui Bu , Taihua Wang , Zhongsheng Hou , Ronghu Chi
Published: April 2015

In this study, the problem of iterative learning control (ILC) for discrete‐time systems with quantised output measurements is considered. Here, a logarithmic quantiser is introduced and an ILC scheme is constructed by using output signals with only a finite number of quantisation levels. By using sector bound method to deal with the quantisation error, a learning condition of ILC that guarantees the convergence of tracking error is derived through rigorous analysis. It is shown that the convergence condition is determined by quantisation level, and the tracking error converges to a bound depending on quantisation density. Furthermore, the extension from linear systems to non‐linear systems is also addressed. Finally, two illustrative examples are presented to demonstrate the theoretical results for both linear and non‐linear systems.
Characteristics of the magnetic energy recovery switch as a static Var compensator technology
Authors: Cheng Miao‐miao , Feng Kai , Isobe Takanori , Shimada Ryuichi
Published: April 2015

The magnetic energy recovery switch (MERS) has been proposed as a new reactive power compensator. It has been proven by some series compensation applications. In terms of shunt compensation, however, research on MERS is still at its early stage. In this study, the characteristics of MERS that operates as a static Var compensator (SVC‐MERS) technology are clarified. First, the operating principles of SVC‐MERS are described. The proposed device achieves continuously controllable capacitive power compensation with a simple control. Its unique characteristics include line frequency switching and wide‐range impedance control by a small capacitor, which lead to a wide operating range. Second, the electrical model of SVC‐MERS is described using analytical equations, and then followed by a detailed performance analysis. In particular, the optimal parameter design and the optimal combination of control variables are established from the perspectives of low peak capacitor voltage and current harmonics. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the characteristics of SVC‐MERS. Finally, SVC‐MERS is compared with other existing SVC technologies. In conclusion, SVC‐MERS is determined to be an attractive alternative shunt compensator.
The manifestation of spin-phonon coupling in CaMnO3
Authors: Goian V. , Kamba S. , Borodavka F. , Nuzhnyy D. , Savinov M. , Belik A. A.
Published: April 2015

Recently predicted presence of spin-phonon coupling in the CaMnO3 is experimentally confirmed in infrared (IR), Raman and time-domain THz spectra. Most of phonon frequencies seen below 350 cm−1 exhibit significant shifts on cooling below antiferromagnetic phase transition at TN ≅ 120 K. Moreover, several new modes activate in the IR and Raman spectra on cooling below TN. Sum of phonon contributions to static permittivity exhibits small but reliable anomaly at TN. On the other hand, the spin-phonon coupling is not manifested in temperature dependence of radio-frequency permittivity, because intrinsic permittivity is screened by extrinsic contribution from conductivity, which enhances the permittivity to giant values.
Effective phonon mean free path in polycrystalline nanostructures
Authors: Hori Takuma , Shiomi Junichiro , Dames Chris
Published: April 2015

We have calculated the mean free path (MFP) of phonons associated with grain boundary scattering in polycrystalline nanostructures, by developing a Monte Carlo ray tracing transmission model that can be applied to arbitrary geometries. The calculations for various log-normal grain-size distributions realized by Voronoi diagrams and genetic algorithms show that the boundary-scattering MFP in a polycrystalline nanostructure is 20%–30% longer than that in a simple cubic structure with the same average grain size (defined by matching grain volumes). The impact on thermal conductivity is quantified for nanocrystalline silicon by using Matthiessen's rule to combine boundary scattering with intrinsic phonon-phonon scattering. The result reveals that the thermal conductivity depends strongly on the average grain size but only weakly on the breadth of the grain-size distribution, and thus, the simple cubic structure is a reasonable approximation for the polydisperse grain structure of actual materials.
Nanophotonic front electrodes for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Paetzold Ulrich Wilhelm , Qiu Weiming , Finger Friedhelm , Poortmans Jef , Cheyns David
Published: April 2015

In less than 3 years' time, a vast progress in power conversion efficiencies of organometal halide perovskite solar cells has been achieved by optimization of the device architecture, charge transport layers, and interfaces. A further increase in these efficiencies is expected from an improvement in the optical properties via anti-reflection coatings and nanophotonic light management concepts. In this contribution, we report on the development and implementation of a nanophotonic front electrode for perovskite solar cells. The nanostructures were replicated via the versatile and large-area compatible UV-nanoimprint lithography. The shallow design of the used transparent and conductive nanostructures enabled easy integration into our solution-based baseline process. Prototype methylammonium lead iodide perovskite solar cells show an improvement of 5% in short-circuit current density and an improvement from 9.6% to 9.9% in power conversion efficiency compared to the flat reference device.
Cavity quantum electrodynamics using a near-resonance two-level system: Emergence of the Glauber state
Authors: Sarabi B. , Ramanayaka A. N. , Burin A. L. , Wellstood F. C. , Osborn K. D.
Published: April 2015

Random tunneling two-level systems (TLSs) in dielectrics have been of interest recently because they adversely affect the performance of superconducting qubits. The coupling of TLSs to qubits has allowed individual TLS characterization, which has previously been limited to TLSs within (thin) Josephson tunneling barriers made from aluminum oxide. Here, we report on the measurement of an individual TLS within the capacitor of a lumped-element LC microwave resonator, which forms a cavity quantum electrodynamics (CQED) system and allows for individual TLS characterization in a different structure and material than demonstrated with qubits. Due to the reduced volume of the dielectric (80 μm3), even with a moderate dielectric thickness (250 nm), we achieve the strong coupling regime as evidenced by the vacuum Rabi splitting observed in the cavity spectrum. A TLS with a coherence time of 3.2 μs was observed in a film of silicon nitride as analyzed with a Jaynes-Cummings spectral model, which is larger than seen from superconducting qubits. As the drive power is increased, we observe an unusual but explicable set of continuous and discrete crossovers from the vacuum Rabi split transitions to the Glauber (coherent) state.
Role of string-like collective atomic motion on diffusion and structural relaxation in glass forming Cu-Zr alloys
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zhong Cheng , Douglas Jack F. , Wang Xiaodong , Cao Qingping , Zhang Dongxian , Jiang Jian-Zhong
Published: April 2015

We investigate Cu-Zr liquid alloys using molecular dynamics simulation and well-accepted embedded atom method potentials over a wide range of chemical composition and temperature as model metallic glass-forming (GF) liquids. As with other types of GF materials, the dynamics of these complex liquids are characterized by “dynamic heterogeneity” in the form of transient polymeric clusters of highly mobile atoms that are composed in turn of atomic clusters exhibiting string-like cooperative motion. In accordance with the string model of relaxation, an extension of the Adam-Gibbs (AG) model, changes in the activation free energy ΔGa with temperature of both the Cu and Zr diffusion coefficients D, and the alpha structural relaxation time τα can be described to a good approximation by changes in the average string length, L. In particular, we confirm that the strings are a concrete realization of the abstract “cooperatively rearranging regions” of AG. We also find coexisting clusters of relatively “immobile” atoms that exhibit predominantly icosahedral local packing rather than the low symmetry packing of “mobile” atoms. These two distinct types of dynamic heterogeneity are then associated with different fluid structural states. Glass-forming liquids are thus analogous to polycrystalline materials where the icosahedrally packed regions correspond to crystal grains, and the strings reside in the relatively disordered grain boundary-like regions exterior to these locally well-ordered regions. A dynamic equilibrium between localized (“immobile”) and wandering (“mobile”) particles exists in the liquid so that the dynamic heterogeneity can be considered to be type of self-assembly process. We also characterize changes in the local atomic free volume in the course of string-like atomic motion to better understand the initiation and propagation of these fluid excitations.
Realization of unbiased photoresponse in amorphous InGaZnO ultraviolet detector via a hole-trapping process
Authors: Jiang D. L. , Li L. , Chen H. Y. , Gao H. , Qiao Q. , Xu Z. K. , Jiao S. J.
Published: April 2015

A metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) structure ultraviolet photodetector has been fabricated from amorphous InGaZnO (a-IGZO) film at room temperature. The photodetector can work without consuming external power and show a responsivity of 4 mA/W. The unbiased photoresponse characteristic is attributed to the hole-trapping process occurred in the electrode/a-IGZO interface, and a physical model based on band energy theory is proposed to explain the origin of the photoresponse at zero bias in our device. Our findings may provide a way to realize unbiased photoresponse in the simple MSM structure.
Photo-induced valence change of the sulfur atom in an L-cysteine thin film grown on a silver metal substrate in a saliva-emulated aqueous solution
Authors: Tsujibayashi Toru , Azuma Junpei , Yamamoto Isamu , Takahashi Kazutoshi , Kamada Masao
Published: April 2015

A thin film of L-cysteine (HSCH2CH(NH2)COOH) is grown on a silver substrate in saliva-emulated aqueous solution. X-ray photoemission spectroscopic measurements have revealed that the sulfur atom shows valence change under IR laser irradiation at 825 nm. The valence change maintains for about a minute at room temperature and more than an hour between 110 and 250 K after stopping the laser irradiation. It is not observed at all at temperatures lower than 110 K. This temperature-dependent behavior indicates that the photo-excited electronic change should be accompanied by a conformational change in the L-cysteine molecule. It is strongly suggested that the reversible valence change of the sulfur atom is applicable to a memory used around room temperature.
Anomalous compression behavior of germanium during phase transformation
Authors: Yan Xiaozhi , Tan Dayong , Ren Xiangting , Yang Wenge , He Duanwei , Mao Ho-Kwang
Published: April 2015

In this article, we present the abnormal compression and plastic behavior of germanium during the pressure-induced cubic diamond to β-tin structure transition. Between 8.6 GPa and 13.8 GPa, in which pressure range both phases are co-existing, first softening and followed by hardening for both phases were observed via synchrotron x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. These unusual behaviors can be interpreted as the volume misfit between different phases. Following Eshelby, the strain energy density reaches the maximum in the middle of the transition zone, where the switch happens from softening to hardening. Insight into these mechanical properties during phase transformation is relevant for the understanding of plasticity and compressibility of crystal materials when different phases coexist during a phase transition.
Phase locking of multi-helicity neoclassical tearing modes in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Fitzpatrick Richard
Published: April 2015

The attractive “hybrid” tokamak scenario combines comparatively high q95 operation with improved confinement compared with the conventional H98,y2 scaling law. Somewhat unusually, hybrid discharges often exhibit multiple neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) possessing different mode numbers. The various NTMs are eventually observed to phase lock to one another, giving rise to a significant flattening, or even an inversion, of the core toroidal plasma rotation profile. This behavior is highly undesirable because the loss of core plasma rotation is known to have a deleterious effect on plasma stability. This paper presents a simple, single-fluid, cylindrical model of the phase locking of two NTMs with different poloidal and toroidal mode numbers in a tokamak plasma. Such locking takes place via a combination of nonlinear three-wave coupling and conventional toroidal coupling. In accordance with experimental observations, the model predicts that there is a bifurcation to a phase-locked state when the frequency mismatch between the modes is reduced to one half of its original value. In further accordance, the phase-locked state is characterized by the permanent alignment of one of the X-points of NTM island chains on the outboard mid-plane of the plasma, and a modified toroidal angular velocity profile, interior to the outermost coupled rational surface, which is such that the core rotation is flattened, or even inverted.