bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Next for Multilateral Trade Talks? Quantifying the Role of Negotiation Modalities
Authors: DECREUX YVAN , FONTAGNÉ LIONEL
Published: January 2015

What are the lessons from the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) from a forward-looking point of view? A decade of negotiations is likely to go nowhere. This paper argues that absence of a landing-zone was in the data. Quantitative tools modelling the detail of the modalities predicted failure but were not taken seriously: the design of the negotiations implied that any achievements of the Round could only be limited. Such a weakness was induced by the way multilateral negotiations were organized – in separate groups, without much consideration for, or understanding of, how the different elements added up to more than the sum of the parts. We put sensible figures on that argument by using a dynamic computable general equilibrium model of the world economy, addressing exceptions, flexibilities, as well as the non-linear design of the liberalization formulas, a reduction in domestic support, the phasing out of export subsidies in agriculture, and trade facilitation. Our conclusion is that negotiators have to go back to simplicity and re-bundle the topics if they wish to revamp multilateral negotiations.
Formulas for Failure? Were the Doha Tariff Formulas too Ambitious for Success?
Authors: LABORDE DAVID , MARTIN WILL
Published: January 2015

This paper views tariff-cutting formulas as a potential solution to the free-rider problem that arises when market opening is negotiated bilaterally and extended on a most-favored-nation basis. The negotiators in the Doha Agenda chose formulas that are ideal from an economic efficiency viewpoint in that they most sharply reduce the highest – and most economically – costly tariffs. When the political support that gave rise to the original tariffs is considered, however, this approach appears to generate very high political costs per unit of gain in economic efficiency. The political costs associated with the formulas appear to have led to strong pressure for many, complex exceptions, which both lowered and increased uncertainty about members' market access gains. Where tariff cuts focus on applied rates, it seems likely that a proportional cut rule would reduce the political costs of securing agreements. However, detailed examination of the Doha proposals with their product exceptions suggests that negotiators are likely to find cuts with exceptions politically attractive but economically costly when cuts are based on bound tariffs with different degrees of binding overhang.
A Shifting Mandate: International Ownership, Global Fragmentation, and a Case for Deeper Integration under the WTO
Authors: BLANCHARD EMILY J.
Published: January 2015

This paper reviews several key implications of international investment and global supply chain fragmentation for the multilateral trading system. Based on existing economic research, I identify a two-fold challenge for policy makers: first, to leverage the trade-liberalizing potential of global fragmentation at the multilateral level; and, second, to counter the potential for opportunistic manipulation of behind-the-border policy instruments.
Introduction to the Symposium Issue on Structural Issues at the World Trade Organisation
Authors: FRANCOIS JOSEPH , HOEKMAN BERNARD
Published: January 2015

The papers in this Symposium issue complement two other compilations of research on the multilateral trading system published in Evenett and Hoekman (2006) and Hoekman and Vines (2007) and are a final output of the UK Department for International Development supported Global Trade and Financial Architecture project. The genesis of this Symposium was a CEPR workshop hosted by the OECD in March 2012 with support from DG Research (grant: PEGGED Collaborative Projects under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme, Contract no. SSH-CT-2008-217559). Draft papers were presented at a conference at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University, hosted by Michael Moore in April 2013. We are very grateful to Frank van Tongeren at the OECD and Mike Moore at the Elliott School for their support of the meetings, to Michelle Chester and Rebecca Martin at the World Bank for help with logistics, to the participants in both events, especially the discussants, and to Alan Winters and an anonymous referee for comments on the submitted papers.
Psychopathological Factors that can Influence Academic Achievement in early Adolescence: a Three-Year Prospective Study
Authors: Voltas Núria , Hernández-Martínez Carmen , Aparicio Estefania , Arija Victoria , Canals Josefa
Published: January 2015

This three-phase prospective study investigated psychosocial factors predicting or associated with academic achievement. An initial sample of 1,514 school-age children was assessed with screening tools for emotional problems (Screen for Childhood Anxiety and Related Emotional Disorders; Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version; Children’s Depression Inventory). The following year, 562 subjects (risk group/without risk group) were re-assessed and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was assessed. Two years later, 242 subjects were followed, and their parents informed about their academic achievement. Results showed that early depression (phase 1 B = –.130, p = .001; phase 1 + phase 2 B = –.187, p < .001), persistent anxiety symptoms (phase 1 + phase 2 B = –1.721, p = .018), and ADHD were predictors of lower academic achievement (phase 1 + phase 2 B = -3.415, p = .005). However, some anxiety symptoms can improve academic achievement (Social phobia B = .216, p = .018; Generalized anxiety B = .313, p < .001). Socio-economic status (SES) was positively related to academic achievement. We can conclude that in the transition period to adolescence, school-health professionals and teachers need to consider the emotional issues of students to avoid unwanted academic outcomes.
The Effect of the Emotive Decisions in Prospect Theory
Authors: Bonavia Tomas
Published: January 2015

The main purpose of this paper was to show that the certainty and reflection effects of prospect theory do not occur when stimuli have an affective value. To this end, 160 participants were asked to reply to a series of problems originally designed by Kahneman and Tversky (1979), but modified according to the contributions of Rottenstreich and Hsee (2001). The sample was divided into four experimental conditions, two in a gain situation and two in a loss situation. In both cases, affect-rich and affect-poor stimuli were applied in sure and probable alternatives. The findings showed that, in agreement with our hypotheses, the affective value of the stimuli altered the outcome predicted by prospect theory, showing response patterns contrary to certainty and reflection effects (p ≤ .01 and p ≤ .05 respectively). Therefore, this research supports the influence of the emotions in the decision-making process, and should be extended to other aspects of prospect theory.
Male and Female Pathological Gamblers: Bet in a Different Way and Show Different Mental Disorders
Authors: Díez Dominica , Aragay Núria , Soms Mercè , Prat Gemma , Casas Miquel
Published: January 2015

Although in the last years several studies comparing male and female pathological gamblers have been published, most of them have been carried out using only samples of males. The aim of this study was to investigate gender differences in a sample of subjects diagnosed with pathological gambling (PG) attending three specialized outpatient units. Retrospective study was carried out of 96 patients (49% female and 51% male), comparing the main socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral data. Most subjects (94%) met the criteria for pathological gambling. No significant differences between sexes were found in the severity of gambling behavior or the socio-demographic variables studied. Whereas slot machines were the main type of game for most subjects, a higher percentage of women were addicted to bingo (χ2(1, 4)= 5.19,p =.029 Cohen’sd= 0.48) and had more than one type of game as a secondary addiction χ2(1, 4)= 7.63,p =.006; Cohen’sd =0.59) . Women started gambling at a later age than men (t(94)= 2.95,p= .004; Cohen’sd =0.60), but developed a pattern of addiction faster (t(94)= 2.95,p= .004; Cohen’sd =–0.61) . Women also had higher comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders (χ2(1)= 7.28,p =.007; Cohen’sd =0.57), specifically with affective (χ2(1)= 11.31,p =.001; Cohen’sd =0.73) and personality disorders (χ2(1)= 4.71,p =.030; Cohen’sd =0.45). Our results indicate the existence of differences between women and men in the pattern of gambling behavior and in psychiatric comorbidity. These aspects should be considered in the design of treatment programs for pathological gamblers.
Analysis of thiabendazole, 4-tert-octylphenol and chlorpyrifos in waste and sewage water by direct injection – micellar liquid chromatography
Authors: Romero-Cano Ricard , Kassuha Diego , Peris-Vicente Juan , Roca-Genovés Pasqual , Carda-Broch Samuel , Esteve-Romero Josep
Published: January 2015

A micellar liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the simultaneous quantification of the pesticides thiabendazole and chlorpyrifos, and the surfactant 4-tert-octylphenol in water.
The development of a sensitive and rapid liquid-phase microextraction method followed by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry for the determination of zearalenone residues in beer samples
Authors: Rempelaki Ioanna E. , Sakkas Vasilios A. , Albanis Triantafyllos A.
Published: January 2015

Determination of zearalenone in beer samples by DSME.
Simultaneous determination of dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid using a multi-walled carbon nanotube and reduced graphene oxide hybrid functionalized by PAMAM and Au nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Siyuan , Zhang Wen , Zhong Xia , Chai Yaqin , Yuan Ruo
Published: January 2015

A nanohybrid (RGO–PAMAM–MWCNT–AuNPs) for simultaneous electrochemical determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) was reported in this paper.
Chemical identification of cannabinoids in street marijuana samples using electrospray ionization FT-ICR mass spectrometry
Authors: Nascimento Iendel R. , Costa Helber B. , Souza Lindamara M. , Soprani Letícia C. , Merlo Bianca B. , Romão Wanderson
Published: January 2015

The Cannabis sativa L. plant is a species rich in a variety of cannabinoid compounds and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) has been reported as a main psychotropic substance.
A combination of GC-MS and chemometrics reveals metabolic differences between serum and plasma
Authors: Shi Shuting , Yi Lunzhao , Yun Yonghuan , Zhang Xiaojuan , Liang Yizeng
Published: January 2015

Blood serum and plasma are the most frequently used biofluids in metabolomics.
Magnetic solid-phase extraction based on Fe3O4@polyaniline particles followed by ultrafast liquid chromatography for determination of Sudan dyes in environmental water samples
Authors: Xu Bo , Wang Yuanpeng , Jin Rui , Li Xinpei , Song Daqian , Zhang Hanqi , Sun Ying
Published: January 2015

Magnetic Fe3O4@polyaniline (Fe3O4@PANI) particles were successfully prepared and used as an adsorbent in the magnetic solid-phase extraction of Sudan dyes in environmental water samples.
A novel ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor based on carboxy-endcapped conductive polypyrrole for the detection of gypican-3 in human serum
Authors: Yuan Guolin , He Junlin , Li Yuan , Xu Wailan , Gao Liuliu , Yu Chao
Published: January 2015

A pyrrole-α-carboxylic acid (Py-α-COOH)-coated disposable indium tin oxide (ITO) glass array was used as a platform for GPC3 detection.
Local linear embedded regression in the quantitative analysis of glucose in near infrared spectra
Authors: Patchava Krishna Chaitanya , Benaissa Mohammed , Malik Bilal , Behairy Hatim
Published: January 2015

This paper investigates the use of local linear embedded regression in the context of determination of glucose from NIR spectra.
A selenium-containing ruthenium complex as a cancer radiosensitizer, rational design and the important role of ROS-mediated signalling
Authors: Deng Zhiqin , Yu Lianling , Cao Wenqiang , Zheng Wenjie , Chen Tianfeng
Published: January 2015

We have described the rational design of selenium-containing ruthenium complexes and their use as cancer radiosensitizers through regulating ROS-mediated pathways.
Rationally engineered variants of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) synthase: reduced product inhibition and synthesis of artificial cofactor homologues
Authors: Dippe M. , Brandt W. , Rost H. , Porzel A. , Schmidt J. , Wessjohann L. A.
Published: January 2015

Rational redesign of bacterialS-adenosylmethionine-synthase by 3D-modelling and docking led to variants that allow synthesis of methylation cofactor SAM (AdoMet) without product inhibition, and of higher alkyl homologues.
Supramolecular intracellular delivery of an anionic porphyrin by octaarginine-conjugated per-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin
Authors: Kitagishi Hiroaki , Chai Fumihiko , Negi Shigeru , Sugiura Yukio , Kano Koji
Published: January 2015

A convenient and efficient method for intracellular delivery of a water-soluble anionic porphyrin has been developed by utilizing its supramolecular interaction with per-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin bearing an octaarginine chain as a cell-penetrating peptide.
Highly reduced graphene oxide supported Pt nanocomposites as highly efficient catalysts for methanol oxidation
Authors: Feng Hongbin , Liu Yong , Li Jinghong
Published: January 2015

The highly reduced graphene oxide by solvated electrons supported Pt nanocomposites shows highly efficient catalytic activity for methanol oxidation.
Exploration of Na2.65Ti3.35Fe0.65O9as anode materials for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Xu Maowen , Hou Jun-Ke , Niu Yu-Bin , Li Guan-Nan , Li Yu-Tao , Li Chang Ming
Published: January 2015

Na2.65Ti3.35Fe0.65O9rods were prepared by a simple solid-state route and coated with carbon to enhance their electronic conductivity and evaluated as anode materials in sodium-ion batteries.
A minimized designer protein for facile biofabrication of ZnS:Mn immuno-quantum dots
Authors: Zhou Weibin , Swift Brian J. F. , Baneyx François
Published: January 2015

A minimized designer protein consisting of an antibody binding domain (BB) followed by a linear ZnS binding peptide supports the biofabrication of smaller and brighter immuno quantum dots.
Modular and orthogonal synthesis of hybrid polymers and networks
Authors: Liu Shuang , Dicker Kevin T. , Jia Xinqiao
Published: January 2015

In this review, we highlight and discuss recent progress in the synthesis of hybrid biomaterials using modular, molecular building blocks and employing novel, bioorthogonal chemistries.
Antimony-dependent expansion for the Keggin heteropolyniobate family
Authors: Zhang Zhe-Yu , Peng Jun , Shi Zhen-Yu , Zhou Wan-Li , Khan Shifa Ullah , Liu Hong-Sheng
Published: January 2015

Antimony-dependent syntheses leading to the expansion of the Keggin heteropolyoxoniobate family involved nine new members.
Stabilizing volatile liquid chemicals using co-crystallization
Authors: Aakeröy Christer B. , Wijethunga Tharanga K. , Benton Joshua , Desper John
Published: January 2015

A convenient, effective, and scalable protocol for stabilizing volatile liquid chemicals is reported.
Mechanically stable, hierarchically porous Cu3(btc)2 (HKUST-1) monoliths via direct conversion of copper(ii) hydroxide-based monoliths
Authors: Moitra Nirmalya , Fukumoto Shotaro , Reboul Julien , Sumida Kenji , Zhu Yang , Nakanishi Kazuki , Furukawa Shuhei , Kitagawa Susumu , Kanamori Kazuyoshi
Published: January 2015

Robust, hierarchically porous Cu3(btc)2 (HKUST-1, btc3− = benzene-1,3,5-tricalboxylate) monoliths have been synthesized by direct conversion of sol–gel-derived Cu(OH)2-based monoliths.
Diversity-oriented synthesis of acyclic nucleosides via ring-opening of vinyl cyclopropanes with purines
Authors: Niu Hong-Ying , Du Cong , Xie Ming-Sheng , Wang Yong , Zhang Qian , Qu Gui-Rong , Guo Hai-Ming
Published: January 2015

The diversity-oriented synthesis of acyclic nucleosides has been achieved via ring-opening of vinyl cyclopropanes with purines.
On the concomitant crystallization of amino acid crystals upon dissolution of some amino acid salt crystals
Authors: Kempkes L. J. M. , van Enckevort W. J. P.
Published: January 2015

Amino acid crystals form spontaneously upon dissolution of their chloride salts.
Facile fabrication of ZnO:S/ZnO hetero-nanostructures and their electronic structure investigation by electron energy loss spectroscopy
Authors: Wu L. L. , Zhang X. T.
Published: January 2015

Asymmetric ZnO:S/ZnO branched hetero-nanostructures were synthesized by a gas phase condensation process. The electronic structures of these hetero-nanostructures were investigated.
Magnetic CoFe2O4 films with controllable dendritic arrays by a combined method of electrodeposition and anode activation
Authors: He Hongcai , Qian Neng , Wang Ning
Published: January 2015

Magnetic CoFe2O4 films with controllable dendritic arrays were successfully prepared by a combined method of electrodeposition and anode activation.
Synthesis and aggregation properties of a series of dumbbell polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane-perylene diimide triads
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Liangliang , Liu Heyuan , Sun Di , Li Xiyou
Published: January 2015

A series of perylenetetracarboxylic diimide compounds connected with POSS groups have been synthesized and their solid state emission properties are investigated.
Encapsulation of an f-block metal atom/ion to enhance the stability of C20with the Ihsymmetry
Authors: Meng Fanchen , Zhou Zuowan , Zhang Pinliang , Jiang Man , Xu Xiaoling , Wang Yong , Gou Jihua , Hui David , Die Dong
Published: January 2015

Encapsulation of a 12 valence-electron f-block metal atom/ion strongly enhanced the stability of C20.
Probing the mechanisms and dynamics of gas phase hydrogen–deuterium exchange reactions of sodiated polyglycines
Authors: McMahon T. B. , Ohanessian G.
Published: January 2015

The kinetics and mechanisms for H–D exchange reactions of sodiated polyglycines (GnNa+, n = 2–8) and polyalanines (AnNa+, n = 2, 3 and 5) with ND3 have been investigated via FT-ICR experiments and electronic structure calculations.
Unravelling the impact of hydrocarbon structure on the fumarate addition mechanism – a gas-phaseab initiostudy
Authors: Bharadwaj Vivek S. , Vyas Shubham , Villano Stephanie M. , Maupin C. Mark , Dean Anthony M.
Published: January 2015

The fumarate addition mechanism for hydrocarbon biodegradation. Model aromatic and aliphatic fuel degradation is comparedviaa reduced gas-phase model.
Water structure and chaotropicity: their uses, abuses and biological implications
Authors: Ball Philip , Hallsworth John E.
Published: January 2015

The concept of “water structure” has been invoked to explain all manner of aqueous phenomena.
A long-term oxidation barrier for copper nanowires: graphene says yes
Authors: Shi Liangjing , Wang Ranran , Zhai Haitao , Liu Yangqiao , Gao Lian , Sun Jing
Published: January 2015

Cu nanowire oxidation kinetics is proposed, and the protecting mechanism of transferred graphene on Cu nanowires is proved by stability investigation.
Voltammetric study of the boric acid–salicylaldehyde–H-acid ternary system and its application to the voltammetric determination of boron
Authors: Kajiwara Mari , Ito Yoshio N. , Miyazaki Yoshinobu , Fujimori Takao , Takehara Kô , Yoshimura Kazuhisa
Published: January 2015

We fully elucidated the three-component reaction kinetics and thermodynamics of a boric acid complex with H-acid and salicylaldehyde using voltammetry.
Applicability of optimal functional tuning in density functional calculations of ionization potentials and electron affinities of adenine–thymine nucleobase pairs and clusters
Authors: Sun Haitao , Zhang Shian , Sun Zhenrong
Published: January 2015

Successful application of optimally tuned long-range corrected functionals for calculation of vertical ionization potentials and electron affinities of various adenine–thymine nucleobase pairs and clusters is demonstrated.
Olefinic C–H functionalization through radical alkenylation
Authors: Tang Shan , Liu Kun , Liu Chao , Lei Aiwen
Published: January 2015

This tutorial review provides a comprehensive overview of olefinic C–H functionalization through radical addition and following SET oxidation/elimination.
A comparative study of PdZSM-5, Pdβ, and PdY in hybrid catalysts for syngas to hydrocarbon conversion
Authors: Wang Chun , Ma Xiangang , Ge Qingjie , Xu Hengyong
Published: January 2015

Pd zeolites with large pores and cavities in hybrid catalysts could promote the formation of C4+ hydrocarbons in the syngas to hydrocarbon process.
Platinum(ii)–porphyrin as a sensitizer for visible-light driven water oxidation in neutral phosphate buffer
Authors: Chen Hung-Cheng , Hetterscheid Dennis G. H. , Williams René M. , van der Vlugt Jarl Ivar , Reek Joost N. H. , Brouwer Albert M.
Published: January 2015

A water-soluble Pt(ii)–porphyrin with a high potential for one-electron oxidation (∼1.42 V vs. NHE) proves very suitable for visible-light driven water oxidation in neutral phosphate buffer solution in combination with a variety of WOCs.
Mechanical properties of self-assembled nanoparticle membranes: stretching and bending
Authors: Wang Yifan , Kanjanaboos Pongsakorn , McBride Sean P. , Barry Edward , Lin Xiao-Min , Jaeger Heinrich M.
Published: January 2015

Monolayers composed of colloidal nanoparticles, with a thickness of less than ten nanometers, have remarkable mechanical strength and can suspend over micron-sized holes to form free-standing membranes. We discuss experiments probing the tensile strength and bending stiffness of these self-assembled nanoparticle sheets. The fracture behavior of monolayers and multilayers is investigated by attaching them to elastomer substrates which are then stretched. For different applied strain, the fracture patterns are imaged down to the scale of single particles. The resulting detailed information about the crack width distribution allows us to relate the measured overall tensile strength to the distribution of local bond strengths within a layer. We then introduce two methods by which freestanding nanoparticle monolayers can be rolled up into hollow, tubular “nano-scrolls”, either by electron beam irradiation during imaging with a scanning electron microscope or by spontaneous self-rolling. Indentation measurements on the nano-scrolls yield values for the bending stiffness that are significantly larger than expected from the response to stretching. The ability to stretch, bend, and roll up nanoparticle sheets offers new possibilities for a variety of applications, including sensors and mechanical transducers.
Magnetic field-induced self-assembly of iron oxide nanocubes
Authors: Singh Gurvinder , Chan Henry , Udayabhaskararao T. , Gelman Elijah , Peddis Davide , Baskin Artem , Leitus Gregory , Král Petr , Klajn Rafal
Published: January 2015

Self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles has been studied extensively for particles having different sizes and compositions. However, relatively little attention has been devoted to how the shape and surface chemistry of magnetic nanoparticles affects their self-assembly properties. Here, we undertook a combined experiment–theory study aimed at better understanding of the self-assembly of cubic magnetite (Fe3O4) particles. We demonstrated that, depending on the experimental parameters, such as the direction of the magnetic field and nanoparticle density, a variety of superstructures can be obtained, including one-dimensional filaments and helices, as well as C-shaped assemblies described here for the first time. Furthermore, we functionalized the surfaces of the magnetic nanocubes with light-sensitive ligands. Using these modified nanoparticles, we were able to achieve orthogonal control of self-assembly using a magnetic field and light.
Functional food microstructures for macronutrient release and delivery
Authors: Norton J. E. , Gonzalez Espinosa Y. , Watson R. L. , Spyropoulos F. , Norton I. T.
Published: January 2015

There is a need to understand the role of fat, protein and carbohydrate in human health, and also how foods containing and/or structured using these macronutrients can be designed so that they can have a positive impact on health.
Simulation and life cycle assessment of algae gasification process in dual fluidized bed gasifiers
Authors: Azadi Pooya , Brownbridge George , Mosbach Sebastian , Inderwildi Oliver , Kraft Markus
Published: January 2015

We present simulation results for the production of algae-derived syngas using dual fluidized bed (DFB) gasifiers.
Thermodynamic and experimental study of the degradation of the red pigment mercury sulfide
Authors: Radepont Marie , Coquinot Yvan , Janssens Koen , Ezrati Jean-Jacques , de Nolf Wout , Cotte Marine
Published: January 2015

Combination of thermodynamic and experimental approaches to study the instability of red mercury sulfide and the formation and evolution of the different degradation compounds.
Controllable organization and high throughput production of recoverable 3D tumors using pneumatic microfluidics
Authors: Liu Wenming , Wang Jian-Chun , Wang Jinyi
Published: January 2015

We present a microfluidic approach for production and recovery of biomimetic 3D tumors in a simple and high throughput way.
Electro-optical phenomena based on ionic liquids in an optofluidic waveguide
Authors: He Xiaodong , Shao Qunfeng , Cao Pengfei , Kong Weijie , Sun Jiqian , Zhang Xiaoping , Deng Youquan
Published: January 2015

An optofluidic waveguide with a two-terminal electrode geometry was used to study the electro-optical phenomena of ionic liquids at three different wavelengths (λ = 1530, 1330 and 663 nm).
The chemical biology of dimethylsulfoniopropionate
Authors: Dickschat Jeroen S. , Rabe Patrick , Citron Christian A.
Published: January 2015

This review addresses synthesis, biosynthesis, transport and degradation of dimethylsulfoniopropionate and its derivatives.
A comparison of chemiluminescent acridinium dimethylphenyl ester labels with different conjugation sites
Authors: Natrajan Anand , Wen David
Published: January 2015

Chemiluminescent acridinium esters containing conjugation sites at the acridinium nitrogen show increased light yield when labeled to proteins.
Polymeric carbon Lewis base–acid adducts: poly(NHC–C60)
Authors: Hong Miao , Chen Eugene Y.-X.
Published: January 2015

Polymers with high C60 incorporations and intriguing properties are conveniently synthesized via adduct formation between polymeric Lewis bases and C60.
Thiol-reactive Passerini-methacrylates and polymorphic surface functional soft matter nanoparticles via ethanolic RAFT dispersion polymerization and post-synthesis modification
Authors: Pei Yiwen , Noy Janina-Miriam , Roth Peter J. , Lowe Andrew B.
Published: January 2015

RAFT dispersion polymerization (RAFTDP) is used to prepare reactive nanoparticles via the incorporation of Passerini-derived methacrylic comonomers containing pentafluorophenyl (PFP) groups.
Low cost and large-area fabrication of self-cleaning coating on polymeric surface based on electroless-plating-like solution deposition approach
Authors: Wu Liangzhuan , Yu Yuan , Zhi Jinfang
Published: January 2015

Self-cleaning coating on polymeric surface based on electroless-plating-like solution deposition approach.
Large-scale fabrication of porous carbon-decorated iron oxide microcuboids from Fe–MOF as high-performance anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Minchan , Wang Wenxi , Yang Mingyang , Lv Fucong , Cao Lujie , Tang Yougen , Sun Rong , Lu Zhouguang
Published: January 2015

A novel microcuboid-shaped C–Fe3O4 assembly consisting of ultrafine nanoparticles derived from Fe–MOFs exhibits a greatly enhanced performance with high specific capacity, excellent cycling stability and good rate capability as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Novel ferrocene-based nanoporous organic polymers for clean energy application
Authors: Liu Qingquan , Tang Zhe , Wu Minda , Liao Bo , Zhou Hu , Ou Baoli , Yu Guipeng , Zhou Zhihua , Li Xiaojuan
Published: January 2015

A novel ferrocene-based nanoporous organic polymer has been prepared by coupling 1,1′-ferrocene-dicarboxaldehyde with melamine.
Structural characterization and in vitro antitumor activity of polysaccharides from Zizyphus jujuba cv. Muzao
Authors: Wang Yongjie , Liu Xinquan , Zhang Jiaozhen , Liu Guangpu , Liu Yan , Wang Kaiming , Yang Min , Cheng Huiling , Zhao Zhongxi
Published: January 2015

Complete structural characterization and in vitro antitumor activity of polysaccharides from Zizyphus jujuba cv. Muzao.
What can NMR spectroscopy of selenoureas and phosphinidenes teach us about the π-accepting abilities of N-heterocyclic carbenes?
Authors: Vummaleti Sai V. C. , Nelson David J. , Poater Albert , Gómez-Suárez Adrián , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Nolan Steven P. , Cavallo Luigi
Published: January 2015

The relationship between the NMR chemical shifts of phosphinidene and selenourea compounds and the π-accepting ability of the related carbene ligands has been investigated.
Response of adherent cells to mechanical perturbations of the surrounding matrix
Authors: Ben-Yaakov Dan , Golkov Roman , Shokef Yair , Safran Samuel A.
Published: January 2015

We present a generic and unified theory to explain how cells respond to perturbations of their mechanical environment such as the presence of neighboring cells, slowly applied stretch, or gradients of matrix rigidity.
Role of disorder in finite-amplitude shear of a 2D jammed material
Authors: Keim Nathan C. , Arratia Paulo E.
Published: January 2015

Using experiments that feature a stable population of repeated structural relaxations, we study the way the response of jammed solids depends on disorder in the materials' structures.
Solar thermochemical conversion of CO2 into fuel via two-step redox cycling of non-stoichiometric Mn-containing perovskite oxides
Authors: Demont Antoine , Abanades Stéphane
Published: January 2015

A-site and B-site substituted lanthanum manganite perovskites were synthesized and characterized for application in two-step metal oxide redox cycles for thermochemical splitting of CO2.
Ammonia borane–polyethylene oxide composite materials for solid hydrogen storage
Authors: Nathanson A. S. , Ploszajski A. R. , Billing M. , Cook J. P. , Jenkins D. W. K. , Headen T. F. , Kurban Z. , Lovell A. , Bennington S. M.
Published: January 2015

Co-electrospinning ammonia borane (AB) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) has created a unique crystal phase that promotes faster hydrogen release from AB below its melting temperature with no incubation time.
Low-cost photo-responsive nanocarriers by one-step functionalization of flame-made titania agglomerates withl-Lysine
Authors: Zhang Tina , Go Mary A. , Stricker Christian , Daria Vincent R. , Tricoli Antonio
Published: January 2015

A novel versatile photo-responsive nanocarrier that is able to load and release several functional molecules is obtained by one-step conjugation of scalable flame-made titania agglomerates.
Combination delivery of Adjudin and Doxorubicin via integrating drug conjugation and nanocarrier approaches for the treatment of drug-resistant cancer cells
Authors: Li Xu , Gao Cuixia , Wu Yupei , Cheng C.-Yan , Xia Weiliang , Zhang Zhiping
Published: January 2015

We integrate drug conjugation and nanocarrier approaches to co-deliver Adjudin and Doxorubicin for the treatment of drug-resistant cancer cells.
Mixed self-assembled monolayer gate dielectrics for low-voltage solution-processed polymer field-effect transistors
Authors: de Oliveira T. V. A. G. , Eleta A. , Hueso L. E. , Bittner A. M.
Published: January 2015

Highly insulating gate dielectrics based on AlOx and on mixed phosphonic-acid SAMs terminated with methyl/carboxylic acid groups are demonstrated.
Direction‐of‐arrival estimation for far‐field acoustic signal in presence of near‐field interferences
Authors: Zhang Liang , Mei Jidan , Zielinski Adam , Cai Ping
Published: December 2014

The far‐field acoustic signal received by an acoustic array is frequently affected by near‐field interferences. This causes deterioration of the direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimate for the far‐field signal. To enhance the DOA estimate, the novel near‐field/far‐field (NFFF) beamformer is proposed. Such a beamformer optimises the beam pattern for far‐field detection by maximising the beamformer output in the direction of the far‐field target signal with the imposed condition to eliminate interfering signals from near‐field locations. As the interference suppression only occurs at specific positions of near‐field interferences, a blind zone in the far‐field direction present in conventional methods will not be introduced. The NFFF beamformer is also applicable for coherent signals and for multi‐interferers. For a stationary situation where interferers’ locations are fixed, the NFFF beamformer computations do not require time updates and the computational load is similar to that of the conventional beamformer. The method can be extended to several situations such as acoustic monitoring performed from a stationary platform subjected to water currents, waves, winds and other variables, all of them generating nearby interferences, and also to different array configurations including two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D arrays.
Undershoot suppression technique for fully integrated pulse‐width modulated switching converters
Authors: Huang Cheng , Mok Philip K.T.
Published: December 2014

A shunt‐regulation control technique is presented to improve the load transient performance of fully integrated high‐frequency converters. The undershoot voltage, which used to be limited by the system loop response and the nanofarad range small on‐chip capacitor, is significantly suppressed. The proposed converter is simulated by a standard 0.13 μm CMOS process using a 6 nH inductor and 10 nF capacitor under different process corners with parasitics extracted from the layout of critical blocks. Compared to a conventional converter with the bandwidth pushed to the limit, the undershoot voltage is reduced from 360 to 100 mV with a transient step of 150–550 mA in 100 ps.
Decoupling capacitors selection algorithm based on maximum anti‐resonance points and quality factor of capacitor
Authors: Liu Yang , Yuan Yu‐Zhang , Chen Kong‐Qian , Chen Wei‐Wei
Published: December 2014

A decoupling capacitors (decaps) selection algorithm based on maximum anti‐resonance points of the power distribution network and the quality factor (Q) of the capacitor is proposed. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to the fast algorithm regarding the number of consuming decaps and the genetic algorithm regarding the time consumed.
Optimal joint power allocation and sub‐carrier pairing in amplify‐and‐forward SC‐FDMA relaying networks
Authors: Karimi A. , Sabbaghian M.
Published: December 2014

Optimal power allocation (PA) and sub‐carrier pairing (SP) strategies for a dual‐hop amplify‐and‐forward single‐carrier frequency division multiple access network are derived. Frequency domain equalisers based on minimum mean square error (MMSE) and zero forcing (ZF) criteria are considered. For each equaliser, the problem of joint PA and SP is solved to maximise the system capacity subject to the total network power constraint. The optimality of ordered SP (OSP) and reverse OSP scenarios for MMSE and ZF equalisers, respectively, is proved.
Commutation point estimation for sensorless brushless DC motor using back‐electromagnetic force change rate by least‐square method
Authors: Kim Jung‐Hwan , Kim Sun‐Kyu , Lim Joonhong
Published: December 2014

A new commutation point (CP) estimation method for a high‐speed sensorless brushless motor using the back‐electromagnetic force (EMF) change rate is proposed. Typical CP estimation methods may not work correctly either at high speed when the number of sampled data is not enough or at low speed when the back‐EMF voltage is weak. In the proposed method, the back‐EMF voltages are measured using an analogue‐to‐digital converter. The back‐EMF voltage change rate is calculated from the measured values and utilised to estimate the CP by employing the least‐square method. The experimental results show that the proposed estimation method works correctly over a wide speed‐range operation.
Fast and robust adaptive beamforming method based on l1‐norm constraint for large array
Authors: Xie Hu , Feng DaZheng , Yu HongBo
Published: December 2014

A robust adaptive beamformer (BF) with low computational complexity is proposed, where the adaptive weight is formulated as a linear combination of the training samples vectors and the target steering vector in the high interferences‐to‐noise ratio (INR) case. When the number of samples is greater than that of the interferences, an l1‐norm constraint is imposed on the combinational vector to force its sparsity. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm outperforms some classical robust BFs.
Dual‐port planar MIMO antenna with ultra‐high isolation and orthogonal radiation patterns
Authors: Wang Han , Zhang Zhijun , Feng Zhenghe
Published: December 2014

A dual‐port planar MIMO antenna designed for 2.4 GHz WLAN applications is presented. It consist of two X‐shaped arms etched on a square‐shaped substrate, which forms a self‐decoupled structure that can generate two orthogonal modes with ultra‐high isolation. In measurement, the −10 dB bandwidth covers from 2.39 to 2.51 GHz, and better than 43 dB isolation is achieved between the two ports. Meanwhile, the patterns are orthogonal, and the envelope correlation coefficient is only 0.0052. The antenna it is fabricated on FR‐4 substrate, and the size is only 33 × 33 × 3.2 mm, which is very much suited to space‐limited MIMO applications that require ultra‐high isolation, good pattern diversity and low fabrication cost.
Digital bilinear feedback for low‐power double‐sampling sigma–delta modulators
Authors: De Bock M. , Rombouts P.
Published: December 2014

A novel double‐sampling (DS) technique for use in sigma–delta modulators (ΣΔMs) is presented. The proposed technique uses a digital bilinear filter in the feedback path of the modulator loop. The bilinear filter suppresses the quantisation noise folding (QNF) that results from the DS path mismatch. Unlike other solutions for the QNF, the digital implementation of this filter allows the sharing of the input sampling capacitor with the feedback sampling capacitor without any additional analogue gain stages. This way, the power consumption in the input signal buffer can be greatly reduced, because it benefits from the nullator effect at the input of the ΣΔM loop, and hence the current needed to drive the shared sampling capacitor is drastically reduced. Moreover, the proposed DS technique is also suitable for a single‐ended circuit implementation of DS.
Fairness‐aware power allocation in two‐way decode‐and‐forward relay systems
Authors: Yang Yehua , Bai Lin , Chen Chen , Jin Ye , Choi Jinho
Published: December 2014

Data rate fairness issues in a two‐way decode‐and‐forward relay system are investigated. A fairness‐aware power allocation (FPA) scheme is studied to maximise the achievable sum data rate under a total power constraint as well as a data rate fairness constraint. It is shown that the data rate fairness can be achieved between the two source nodes with balanced data rates in both multiple access and broadcast phases. Furthermore, simulation results show that the achievable sum rate of the proposed FPA scheme is very close to that of the optimal power allocation scheme without the data rate fairness constraint.
Two‐band fast Hartley transform
Authors: Skodras A.N. , Aburdene M.F. , Nandi A.K.
Published: December 2014

Efficient algorithms have been developed over the past 30 years for computing the forward and inverse discrete Hartley transforms (DHTs). These are similar to the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithms for computing the discrete Fourier transform (DFT). Most of these methods seek to minimise the complexity of computations and/or the number of operations. A new approach for the computation of the radix‐2 fast Hartley transform (FHT) is presented. The proposed algorithm, based on a two‐band decomposition of the input data, possesses a very regular structure, avoids the input or out data shuffling, requires slightly less multiplications than the existing approaches, but increases the number of additions.
Source follower‐based high‐speed switched capacitor amplifier for pipelined ADCs
Authors: Qiu Lei , Zheng Yuanjin , Siek Liter
Published: December 2014

A low‐power high‐speed source follower‐based switched capacitor (SC) amplifier for pipelined analogue‐to‐digital converters (ADCs) is proposed. Using the source follower as the core of the SC amplifier, the power consumption can be significantly reduced while obtaining the same linearity and bandwidth. Meanwhile, through replicating the input signal to the drain of the input transistor, the channel‐length modulation effect can be suppressed, achieving a high linearity (>60 dB). The functionality and linearity of the proposed SC amplifier are verified by simulation results.
Matching pursuit‐based singular vectors estimation for large MIMO beamforming
Authors: Wang Mengyao , Cheng Xiantao , Zhu Xiaodong
Published: December 2014

In multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) systems, beamforming can maximise the signal‐to‐noise ratio by using the principal right and left singular vectors of the channel matrix as transmit and receive beam vectors, respectively. A matching pursuit (MP)‐based singular vectors estimation (SVE) scheme is proposed, referred to as MP‐SVE, for beamforming transmission and detection in large MIMO systems. By judiciously exploiting the specific properties of large MIMO channel matrix, the proposed MP‐SVE is able to determine the optimal beamforming vector pair while circumventing the burdensome channel estimation and singular value decomposition. The simulations verify that with the same training overhead, the proposed MP‐SVE remarkably outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art counterparts.
Weighted overlapped recovery for blocking artefacts reduction in block‐based compressive sensing of images
Authors: Dinh Khanh Quoc , Shim Hiuk Jae , Jeon Byeungwoo
Published: December 2014

In compressive sensing (CS) of images, a block‐based framework is preferred to avoid the huge memory and computation required for a frame‐based approach. However, the recovered image suffers from blocking artefacts due to independent block processing, especially at a low subrate. As a result of this reported work the artifacts are reduced by weighted averaging adopting two techniques: overlapped CS recovery and adaptive weighting. Simulation results show its improvement in both subjective and objective qualities.
Compact high‐current diode laser nanosecond‐pulse source with high efficiency and 13 µJ output energy
Authors: Hoffmann Th. , Klehr A. , Liero A. , Erbert G. , Heinrich W.
Published: December 2014

A compact gain‐switched nanosecond diode laser pulse source at 920 nm with an output energy of 13 µJ is presented. The developed nanosecond electronic driver is based on GaN transistors and controlled by transistor–transistor logic compatible input pulses. A peak current of more than 430 A for 20–50 ns‐long pulses with a repetition rate up to 100 kHz and an electrical efficiency of more than 50% is reached. About 50 ns optical pulses with a peak power of 250 W (13 µJ) are generated with a tapered ridge waveguide bar with 29 emitters. The rise and fall time of the pulses is about 13 ns.
Combining Newton interpolation and deep learning for image classification
Authors: Zhang Yongfeng , Shang Changjing
Published: December 2014

A novel approach for image classification, by integrating deep learning and feature interpolation, supported with advanced learning classification techniques, is presented. The recently introduced deep spatiotemporal inference network (DeSTIN) is employed to carry out limited original feature extraction. Newton interpolation is then used to artificially increase the dimensionality of the extracted feature sets for accurate classification, without incurring heavy computational cost. Support vector machines are utilised for image classification. The proposed approach is tested against the popular MNIST dataset of handwritten digits, demonstrating the potential of the approach.
High‐speed column‐line driving with polarity switch‐embedded output buffer amplifiers for TFT‐LCD application
Authors: An C.‐H. , Ko J.‐H. , Kim H.‐R. , Kong B.‐S.
Published: December 2014

A novel high‐speed column‐line driving scheme having output buffer amplifiers embedded with polarity multiplexer switches is proposed for use in large‐sized thin‐film transistor liquid‐crystal displays. The proposed driving scheme does not have explicit output‐polarity switches, resulting in lower settling time. Experimental results in a 1.2 μm 13.5 V CMOS process indicated that using the proposed driving scheme the settling times to reach 99% of target voltages for the dot and column inversions were improved by up to 48.6%. This driving scheme can be applied to class AB‐ or class B‐type amplifiers for liquid‐crystal display column drivers and output buffers controlled by output switches.
Speech emotion recognition method based on hidden factor analysis
Authors: Song Peng , Jin Yun , Zha Cheng , Zhao Li
Published: December 2014

A robust speech emotion recognition system relies on a large number of training data, which are difficult to collect in practice. To tackle this problem, a novel speech emotion recognition method based on hidden factor analysis is presented. By utilising the mixture of factor analysers approach, the acoustic features are decomposed into an emotion‐independent component and an emotion‐specific component. The emotion‐specific component, described by a low‐dimensional emotion identity vector, is adopted for classification. The proposed approach is evaluated via cross‐corpus emotion recognition, and the experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method.
High‐performance 4 × 4 intra prediction hardware for high‐efficiency video coding
Authors: Kang Youngsuk , Lee Eunchong , Kang Donggil , Hong Youpyo
Published: December 2014

Intra mode prediction is extended in high‐efficiency video coding (HEVC) for a higher coding efficiency than that specified in the previous video coding standards such as H.264/AVC. Improved coding was achieved mainly due to the increased block partition possibilities and types of modes at the expense of an increased computational complexity. Efficient 4 × 4 intra prediction logic combined with transform logic for HEVC is presented. The proposed design enables 108 frames/s intra prediction for full HD video with reasonable logic size.
Fluorescence lifetime extraction algorithm based on multiple signal classification
Authors: Yu Hongqi , Day‐Uei Li David
Published: December 2014

The multiple signal classification algorithm has been widely used in array signal processing for direction‐of‐arrival estimation. In this reported work, this algorithm has been applied, for the first time to our knowledge, to estimate fluorescence lifetimes for fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to test its performance compared with the previously reported integral equation method, the centre‐of‐mass method and the phasor method. Simulation results show that the multiple signal classification algorithm can achieve comparable or better results than the others. More importantly, it can easily resolve multi‐exponential decays.
Before convergence early stopping criterion for inner LDPC code in DVB standards
Authors: Marchand C. , Boutillon E.
Published: December 2014

A ‘before convergence’ early stopping criterion (ESC) is proposed for the low‐density parity check (LDPC) decoder defined in the second generation of digital video broadcasting (DVB) standards. The idea is to stop the decoding process once the estimated number of remaining errors is below the maximum capacity correction of the outer Bose‐Chaudhuri‐Hocquenghem (BCH) decoder used in the DVB‐S2, ‐T2 and ‐C2 standards. Simulations show that the average number of iterations is reduced by up to 26% compared with the classical ESC.