bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative stable states of tidal marsh vegetation patterns and channel complexity
Authors: Moffett K. B. , Gorelick S. M.
Published: May 2016

Intertidal marshes develop between uplands and mudflats, and develop vegetation zonation, via biogeomorphic feedbacks. Is the spatial configuration of vegetation and channels also biogeomorphically organized at the intermediate, marsh‐scale? We used high‐resolution aerial photographs and a decision‐tree procedure to categorize marsh vegetation patterns and channel geometries for 113 tidal marshes in San Francisco Bay estuary and assessed these patterns' relations to site characteristics. Interpretation was further informed by generalized linear mixed models using pattern‐quantifying metrics from object‐based image analysis to predict vegetation and channel pattern complexity. Vegetation pattern complexity was significantly related to marsh salinity but independent of marsh age and elevation. Channel complexity was significantly related to marsh age but independent of salinity and elevation. Vegetation pattern complexity and channel complexity were significantly related, forming two prevalent biogeomorphic states: complex versus simple vegetation‐and‐channel configurations. That this correspondence held across marsh ages (decades to millennia) and at both high and low marsh elevations suggests the following: (1) marshes of shared physiography can exhibit highly variable ecosystem structures; (2) young marshes are not necessarily simple nor necessarily develop vegetation complexity with age and elevation; (3) Bay marshes should continue to exhibit both simple/complex configurations in the future despite a likely shift toward low marshes; (4) salt marshes may tend to occupy two alternative stable states characterized by linked complexity in vegetation and channel organization. This final point may help fill the gap at the marsh scale between biogeomorphic models explaining marsh occurrence at larger coastal and smaller vegetation patch scales. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection and bioactivity of Cry1Ab protein fragments
Authors: Albright Vurtice C. , Hellmich Richard L. , Coats Joel R.
Published: May 2016

The continuing use of transgenic crops has led to an increased interest in the fate of insecticidal crystalline (Cry) proteins in the environment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have emerged as the preferred detection method for Cry proteins in environmental matrices. Concerns exist that ELISAs are capable of detecting fragments of Cry proteins, which may lead to an overestimation of the concentration of these proteins in the environment. Five model systems were used to generate fragments of the Cry1Ab protein, which were then analyzed by ELISAs and bioassays. Fragments from 4 of the model systems were not detectable by ELISA and did not retain bioactivity. Fragments from the proteinase K model system were detectable by ELISA and retained bioactivity. In most cases, ELISAs appear to provide an accurate estimation of the amount of Cry proteins in the environment, as detectable fragments retained bioactivity and nondetectable fragments did not retain bioactivity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:3101–3112. © 2016 SETAC
In ovo tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate concentrations significantly decrease in late incubation after a single exposure via injection, with no evidence of effects on hatching success or latent effects on growth or reproduction in zebra finches
Authors: Eng Margaret L. , Letcher Robert J. , Williams Tony D. , Elliott John E.
Published: May 2016

Zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) eggs were injected with the organophosphate triester flame retardant tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) at 0 μg/g, 0.01 μg/g, 1 μg/g, 10 μg/g, or 50 μg/g egg. Subsets of high-dose eggs were collected throughout incubation to measure TBOEP, which started declining in late incubation and then decreased rapidly to 28% of injected concentration by hatching. The authors found no effects of TBOEP on survival, growth, or reproduction even at very high doses. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:83–88. © 2016 SETAC
Management of Distal & Proximal Penile Prosthesis Crossover
Authors: Karpman Edward
Published: May 2016

The Surgical Techniques Section is sponsored in part by Coloplast
GROUPS WITH THE SAME CHARACTER DEGREES AS SPORADIC ALMOST SIMPLE GROUPS
Authors: ALAVI SEYED HASSAN , DANESHKHAH ASHRAF , JAFARI ALI
Published: May 2016

Let$G$be a finite group and$\mathsf{cd}(G)$denote the set of complex irreducible character degrees of$G$. We prove that if$G$is a finite group and$H$is an almost simple group whose socle is a sporadic simple group$H_{0}$and such that$\mathsf{cd}(G)=\mathsf{cd}(H)$, then$G^{\prime }\cong H_{0}$and there exists an abelian subgroup$A$of$G$such that$G/A$is isomorphic to$H$. In view of Huppert’s conjecture, we also provide some examples to show that$G$is not necessarily a direct product of$A$and$H$, so that we cannot extend the conjecture to almost simple groups.
Predictability Versus Flexibility
Authors: Hafner-Burton Emilie M. , Steinert-Threlkeld Zachary C. , Victor David G.
Published: May 2016

There is heated debate over the wisdom and effect of secrecy in international negotiations. This debate has become central to the process of foreign investment arbitration because parties to disputes nearly always can choose to hide arbitral outcomes from public view. Working with a new database of disputes at the world's largest investor-state arbitral institution, the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, the authors examine the incentives of firms and governments to keep the details of their disputes secret. The authors argue that secrecy in the context of investment arbitration works like a flexibility-enhancing device, similar to the way escape clauses function in the context of international trade. To attract and preserve investment, governments make contractual and treaty-based promises to submit to binding arbitration in the event of a dispute. They may prefer secrecy in cases when they are under strong political pressure to adopt policies that violate international legal norms designed to protect investor interests. Investors favor secrecy when managing politically sensitive disputes over assets they will continue to own and manage in host countries long after the particular dispute has passed. Although governments prefer secrecy to help facilitate politically difficult bargaining, secrecy diminishes one of the central purposes of arbitration: to allow governments to signal publicly their general commitment to investor-friendly policies. Understanding the incentives for keeping the details of dispute resolution secret may help future scholars explain more accurately the observed patterns of wins and losses from investor-state arbitration as well as patterns of investment.
LEAF-POINTS FROM PETROTA (GREEK THRACE) AND THE PALAEOLITHIC CHRONOLOGY OF THE VRAHOS CHERT QUARRY
Authors: Fotiadis Michael
Published: May 2016

The Petrota chert source, in Greek Thrace, was exploited in the Middle Palaeolithic and again in the Neolithic and the beginning of the Early Bronze Age. An extensive scatter of products of that exploitation today surrounds the source. The site was systematically surveyed between 1998 and 2010. The present paper is devoted exclusively to the issue of the chronology of the Middle Palaeolithic component. The best, though still imperfect, indicator of chronology is the presence in the scatter of bifacially flaked leaf-points. A review of the literature on the chronostratigraphy of such artefacts in Europe, from Thuringia to Crimea, shows that they had a long career. They first appeared about 200,000 years ago and were still manufactured about 45,000 years ago. On the basis of various considerations, it is suggested that the leaf-points of Petrota and, accordingly, the Palaeolithic component at the site, belong to an advanced stage of that long period, probably dating between roughly 100,000 and 45/40,000 years ago.
Compassionate Canadians and conflictual Americans? Portrayals of ageism in liberal and conservative media
Authors: MARIER PATRIK , REVELLI MARINA
Published: May 2016

Building upon earlier studies on ageism in the media and the polarised ageism framework, this contribution compares the prevalence of three forms of ageism – intergenerational, compassionate and new ageism – in four Canadian and American newspapers. The analysis has three objectives. First, it adapts the polarised ageism framework to a comparative case study to assess its usefulness beyond Canada. Second, it analyses which form of ageism occurs more frequently in the coverage of ageing-related stories in Canadian or American newspapers. Third, it studies the importance of the political orientation of news media across both countries by comparing the portrayal of ageing-related stories in conservative and liberal newspapers. Core findings include the presence of a stronger focus on intergenerational ageism in American and conservative newspapers and more frequent prevalence of compassionate ageism in Canada and liberal newspapers. American newspapers also typically employ more pejorative and sensational language.
Neo-Kantian theories of self-determination: a critique
Authors: Miller David
Published: May 2016

Neo-Kantian political theories, such as those developed by Jeremy Waldron and Anna Stilz, aim to provide an account of state legitimacy and territorial boundaries that avoids the problems faced by rival nationalist theories. Immanuel Kant’s own theory of the state appears to be biased towards the status quo, and therefore has difficulty in explaining what is wrong with rights-respecting colonialism or the annexation of one state by another. Two possible ways forward are explored. One involves making state legitimacy conditional on meeting more stringent standards of distributive justice. The other involves appealing to the idea of a self-determining ‘people’. However the latter must avoid collapsing into either a version of nationalism (if the ‘people’ are identified in cultural terms) or a form of voluntarism (if the ‘people’ are required subjectively to ‘affirm’ the regime that governs them). Thus neo-Kantian theories cannot deliver a plausible account of self-determination without, like Kant himself, tacitly invoking political identities of the kind that they seek to repudiate.
ON USING LINEAR QUANTILE REGRESSIONS FOR CAUSAL INFERENCE
Authors: Kato Ryutah , Sasaki Yuya
Published: May 2016

We show that the slope parameter of the linear quantile regression measures a weighted average of the local slopes of the conditional quantile function. Extending this result, we also show that the slope parameter measures a weighted average of the partial effects for a general structural function. Our results support the use of linear quantile regressions for causal inference in the presence of nonlinearity and multivariate unobserved heterogeneity. The same conclusion applies to linear regressions.
Opportunities for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Care of Syncope
Authors: Long Brit J. , Serrano Luis A. , Cabanas Jose G. , Bellolio M. Fernanda
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems are vital in the identification, assessment, and treatment of trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, and sepsis patients, improving early recognition, resuscitation, and transport. Emergency Medical Service personnel provide similar care for patients with syncope. The role of EMS in the management of patients with syncope has not been reported.

Hypothesis/Objective

The objective of this study was to describe the management of out-of-hospital syncope by prehospital providers in an urban EMS system.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutively enrolled patients over 18 years of age, over a two-year period, who presented by EMS with syncope, or near-syncope, to a tertiary care emergency department (ED). Demographics included comorbidities, history, and physical exam findings documented by prehospital providers, as well as the interventions provided. Data were collected from standardized patient care records for descriptive analysis.

Results

Of the 723 patients presenting with syncope to the ED, 284 (39.3%) were transported by EMS. Compared to non-EMS patients, those who arrived by ambulance were older (mean age 65 [SD = 18.5] years versus 61 [SD = 19.2] years; P = .019). There were no statistically significant differences in cardiovascular comorbidities (hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, stroke, or congestive heart failure) between EMS and non-EMS patients. The most common chief complaints were fainting (50.0%) and dizziness (44.7%). The most common intervention provided was cardiac monitoring (55.6%), followed by administration of normal saline infusion (50.5%), oxygen (41.9%), blood glucose check (41.5%), and electrocardiogram (EKG; 40.5%).

Conclusion

Emergency Medical Service personnel transport more than one-third of patients presenting to the ED with syncope. Documentation of key elements of the history (witnesses, prodrome, predisposing factors, and post-event symptoms) and physical examination were not recorded consistently.

LongBJ, SerranoLA, CabanasJG, BellolioMF. Opportunities for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) care of syncope. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(4):349–352.
A Qualitative Study of Violence Against Women after the Recent Disasters of Iran
Authors: Sohrabizadeh Sanaz
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Violence against women (VAW) is one of the most widespread violations of human rights and a major barrier to achieving gender equality. Violence against women is increased in disaster-stricken communities. Violence experiences, cases, and lessons-learned concerning Iran’s disasters have not been investigated, documented, or shared so far. To fill this knowledge gap, this qualitative study aimed to explore types of VAW and girls after the recent quakes and floods in Iran.

Problem

The objective for this study was exploring the manifestations of VAW after the natural disasters in Iran.

Methods

A qualitative approach was used for this study. Data were collected by in-depth, unstructured interviews and field observations in three affected regions of Iran, including East Azerbaijan, Bushehr, and Mazandaran. A total of 15 participants, eight damaged women as well as seven key informants, were interviewed. A content analysis using Graneheim approach was performed for analyzing transcribed interviews.

Results

Two main themes were extracted from data, including domestic violence and violence within community. The first theme included three categories: physical, psychological, and sexual violence. Psychological violence and sexual harassment were two categories of violence within the community concept.

Conclusion

Different types of violence emerged from the present research that can be anticipated and integrated into future disaster medicine plans, public health reforms, and national rules of Iran. Improving women’s knowledge on their rights to have a life without violence, and participation of both women and men in violence reduction projects, can be considered in all disaster management phases.

SohrabizadehS. A qualitative study of violence against women after the recent disasters of Iran. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2016;31(4):407–412.
The Healthy Children, Strong Families intervention promotes improvements in nutrition, activity and body weight in American Indian families with young children
Authors: Tomayko Emily J , Prince Ronald J , Cronin Kate A , Adams Alexandra K
Published: May 2016

Objective

American Indian children of pre-school age have disproportionally high obesity rates and consequent risk for related diseases. Healthy Children, Strong Families was a family-based randomized trial assessing the efficacy of an obesity prevention toolkit delivered by a mentorv. mailed delivery that was designed and administered using community-based participatory research approaches.

Design

During Year 1, twelve healthy behaviour toolkit lessons were delivered by either a community-based home mentor or monthly mailings. Primary outcomes were child BMI percentile, child BMIZ-score and adult BMI. Secondary outcomes included fruit/vegetable consumption, sugar consumption, television watching, physical activity, adult health-related self-efficacy and perceived health status. During a maintenance year, home-mentored families had access to monthly support groups and all families received monthly newsletters.

Setting

Family homes in four tribal communities, Wisconsin, USA.

Subjects

Adult and child (2–5-year-olds) dyads (n150).

Results

No significant effect of the mentoredv. mailed intervention delivery was found; however, significant improvements were noted in both groups exposed to the toolkit. Obese child participants showed a reduction in BMI percentile at Year 1 that continued through Year 2 (P<0·05); no change in adult BMI was observed. Child fruit/vegetable consumption increased (P=0·006) and mean television watching decreased for children (P=0·05) and adults (P=0·002). Reported adult self-efficacy for health-related behaviour changes (P=0·006) and quality of life increased (P=0·02).

Conclusions

Although no effect of delivery method was demonstrated, toolkit exposure positively affected adult and child health. The intervention was well received by community partners; a more comprehensive intervention is currently underway based on these findings.
Relationships among Stress, Experiential Avoidance and Depression in Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Rueda Beatriz , Valls Esperanza
Published: May 2016

This study investigated the specific association of stressful life events (SLE) and experiential avoidance (EA) with depression in patients with mental disorders. It also analyzed the possible mediating role of depression in the relation of EA to well-being and life satisfaction. A total of 147 patients (mean age = 40.16 years) diagnosed with anxiety, mood or adjustment disorder were recruited from a mental health centre. They completed measures of SLE, EA, depression, well-being and life satisfaction. Regression analyses showed that SLE and EA were positively related to depression (R2 = .45), although the contribution made by EA was higher (β = .61, p < .001) than the one made by SLE (β = .19, p < .01). Bootstrap mediation analyses revealed that there was an indirect effect from EA to physical well-being (B = –4.52, SE = .70, p < .001, 95% CI [–6.03, –3.20]) and satisfaction (B = –.14, SE = .02, p < .001, 95%, CI [–.19 –.09]) through depression. This indirect effect was less consistently supported with respect to emotional well-being (B = –3.33, SE = .48, p < .001, 95%, CI [–4.30, –2.41]). These findings give support to the hypothesis that EA could be an important factor contributing to depression in patients with mental disorders. The results also provide evidence that depression seems to play an important mediational role when considering the negative impact that EA exerts on patients´ well-being and satisfaction.
The optimization of the fermentation process of wheat germ for flavonoids and two benzoquinones using EKF-ANN and NSGA-II
Authors: Zheng Ziyi , Guo Xiaona , Zhu Kexue , Peng Wei , Zhou Huiming
Published: May 2016

Bi-objective optimization of wheat germ fermentation using EKF-ANN combined with NSGA-II.
Efficient access to alkynylated quinalizinones via the gold(i)-catalyzed aminoalkynylation of alkynes
Authors: Shinde Popat S. , Shaikh Aslam C. , Patil Nitin T.
Published: May 2016

The gold-catalyzed aminoalkynylation of alkynes for the synthesis of quinalizinones from pyridinoalkynes using 1-[(triisopropylsilyl)-ethynyl]-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one (TIPS-EBX) is reported.
WSe2 nanoribbons: new high-performance thermoelectric materials
Authors: Chen Kai-Xuan , Luo Zhi-Yong , Mo Dong-Chuan , Lyu Shu-Shen
Published: May 2016

Armchair WSe2 nanoribbon structures are predicted to exhibit outstanding thermoelectric performance, mainly attributed to the ribbon edge disorder.
Asymmetric sulfoxidation by engineering the heme pocket of a dye-decolorizing peroxidase
Authors: Linde Dolores , Cañellas Marina , Coscolín Cristina , Davó-Siguero Irene , Romero Antonio , Lucas Fátima , Ruiz-Dueñas Francisco J. , Guallar Victor , Martínez Angel T.
Published: May 2016

By enlarging the active site of DyP, F359G stereoselectively converting methyl-phenyl sulfide (MPS) intoSmethyl-phenyl sulfoxide (MPSO) was obtained, while the parent DyP has no activity, and L357G yields racemic mixtures.
Identification of active sites and reaction mechanism on low-temperature SCR activity over Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts prepared by different methods
Authors: Zhang Tao , Qiu Feng , Chang Huazhen , Li Xiang , Li Junhua
Published: May 2016

Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts with similar Si/Al and Cu/Al ratios were prepared by aqueous solution ion-exchange (Cu-SSZ-13-I) and one-pot synthesis (Cu-SSZ-13-O) methods.
Carbonyl group-dependent high-throughput screening and enzymatic characterization of diaromatic ketone reductase
Authors: Zhou Jieyu , Xu Guochao , Han Ruizhi , Dong Jinjun , Zhang Weiguo , Zhang Rongzhen , Ni Ye
Published: May 2016

We have developed a carbonyl group-dependent colorimetric method for assay of carbonyl reductases using inexpensive 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH).
Co-ordination behaviour of a novel tristhiourea tripodal ligand; structural variations in a series of transition metal complexes
Authors: Saad Fawaz A. , Knight James C. , Kariuki Benson M. , Amoroso Angelo J.
Published: May 2016

On coordination, L1 may form a symmetrical array of hydrogen bond donors, suitable for the binding of anions. Mn(ii) and Cd(ii), form symmetrical monocapped octahedral complexes. However Zn(ii) and Ni(ii) favours asymmetric trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral structures respectively.
Platinum(iv) anticancer prodrugs – hypotheses and facts
Authors: Gibson Dan
Published: May 2016

Do we really know how “dual action” Pt(iv) work?
Four-wave-mixing experiments with seeded free electron lasers
Authors: Bencivenga F. , Calvi A. , Capotondi F. , Cucini R. , Mincigrucci R. , Simoncig A. , Manfredda M. , Pedersoli E. , Principi E. , Dallari F. , Duncan R. A. , Izzo M. G. , Knopp G. , Maznev A. A. , Monaco G. , Di Mitri S. , Gessini A. , Giannessi L. , Mahne N. , Nikolov I. P. , Passuello R. , Raimondi L. , Zangrando M. , Masciovecchio C.
Published: May 2016

The development of free electron laser (FEL) sources has provided an unprecedented bridge between the scientific communities working with ultrafast lasers and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and X-ray radiation. Indeed, in recent years an increasing number of FEL-based applications have exploited methods and concepts typical of advanced optical approaches. In this context, we recently used a seeded FEL to demonstrate a four-wave-mixing (FWM) process stimulated by coherent XUV radiation, namely the XUV transient grating (X-TG). We hereby report on X-TG measurements carried out on a sample of silicon nitride (Si3N4). The recorded data bears evidence for two distinct signal decay mechanisms: one occurring on a sub-ps timescale and one following slower dynamics extending throughout and beyond the probed timescale range (100 ps). The latter is compatible with a slower relaxation (time decay > ns), that may be interpreted as the signature of thermal diffusion modes. From the peak intensity of the X-TG signal we could estimate a value of the effective third-order susceptibility which is substantially larger than that found in SiO2, so far the only sample with available X-TG data. Furthermore, the intensity of the time-coincidence peak shows a linear dependence on the intensity of the three input beams, indicating that the measurements were performed in the weak field regime. However, the timescale of the ultrafast relaxation exhibits a dependence on the intensity of the XUV radiation. We interpreted the observed behaviour as the generation of a population grating of free-electrons and holes that, on the sub-ps timescale, relaxes to generate lattice excitations. The background free detection inherent to the X-TG approach allowed the determination of FEL-induced electron dynamics with a sensitivity largely exceeding that of transient reflectivity and transmissivity measurements, usually employed for this purpose.
Repetitive formation of optically-observable planar lipid bilayers by rotating chambers on a microaperture
Authors: Tomoike Fumiaki , Tonooka Taishi , Osaki Toshihisa , Takeuchi Shoji
Published: May 2016

Rotational chambers are applied for painting lipids to the aperture, enabling us to observe the repetitive formation of optically-observable lipid bilayers.
MSLVP: prediction of multiple subcellular localization of viral proteins using a support vector machine
Authors: Thakur Anamika , Rajput Akanksha , Kumar Manoj
Published: May 2016

Knowledge of the subcellular location (SCL) of viral proteins in the host cell is important for understanding their function in depth.
Synthesis, structure and photophysical properties of near-infrared 3,5-diarylbenzoBODIPY fluorophores
Authors: Wang Jun , Wu Qinghua , Xu Yajun , Yu Changjiang , Wei Yun , Mu Xiaolong , Hao Erhong , Jiao Lijuan
Published: May 2016

An efficient synthetic method for 3,5-diarylbenzoBODIPYs was reported, which showed tunable absorption/emission via the variation of the 3,5-aryl substituents.
Effect of solvent additive on active layer morphologies and photovoltaic performance of polymer solar cells based on PBDTTT-C-T/PC71BM
Authors: Guo Xia , Zhang Maojie , Ma Wei , Zhang Shaoqing , Hou Jianhui , Li Yongfang
Published: May 2016

Photovoltaic properties of polymer solar cells (PSCs) are strongly affected by surface and bulk morphologies of their active layers.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of NaA nanozeolite from slag and performance of Ag-doped nanozeolite as an efficient material for determination of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Azizi Seyed Naser , Ghasemi Shahram , Mikhchian Mehrnaz
Published: May 2016

A new amperometric sensor is prepared based on a Ag doped NaA nanozeolite modified carbon paste electrode (Ag/ACPE) in order to detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0).
Adsorptive recovery of palladium(ii) from aqueous solution onto cross-linked chitosan/montmorillonite membrane
Authors: Liu Jian , Zheng Liuchun , Li Yaowei , Free Michael , Yang Mingzhu
Published: May 2016

A cross-linked chitosan/montmorillonite (CCTS-M) membrane was prepared successfully with a glutaraldehyde cross-linker, and then was characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDX, TG/DTG and XPS.
Self-assembly of well-defined triblock copolymers based on poly(lactic acid) and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) prepared by ATRP
Authors: Coumes F. , Beauté L. , Domurado D. , Li S. , Lecommandoux S. , Coudane J. , Darcos V.
Published: May 2016

Self-assembly of a series of amphiphilic poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)-block-poly(lactic acid)-block-poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (P(OEGMA)-b-PLLA-b-P(OEGMA)) copolymers was investigated.
Experimental investigation of interfaces in graphene materials/copper composites from a new perspective
Authors: Zhang Dan-dan , Zhan Zai-ji
Published: May 2016

The interface microstructure between the constituent phases in graphene/Cu composites, namely graphene plane–Cu (Dp) and graphene edges–Cu (De), were observed for the first time from the two directions by means of transmission electron microscopy.
Reusable Fe3O4 and WO3 immobilized onto montmorillonite as a photo-reactive antimicrobial agent
Authors: Mazrad Zihnil A. I. , In Insik , Park Sung Young
Published: May 2016

Reusable MMT exfoliated by WO3 and Fe3O4 complexed polymer demonstrated good stability and effective killing of bacteria based on NIR-responsive photothermal conversion.
3D-printing Ag-line of front-electrodes with optimized size and interface to enhance performance of Si solar cells
Authors: Jiang Yi , Chen Yibo , Zhang Mingjian , Qiu Yang , Lin Yuan , Pan Feng
Published: May 2016

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a Si solar cell strongly depends on the line width (LW) of the Ag front electrode lines and the quality of the Ag/Si interface (ASI).
Effect of valence states of Ni and Mn on the structural and electrochemical properties of Li1.2NixMn0.8−xO2 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Chong Shaokun , Liu Yongning , Yan Wuwei , Chen Yuanzhen
Published: May 2016

Severe capacity fading and voltage decay of Li-rich layered oxides for lithium-ion batteries remain the major bottlenecks to commercialization.
Conventional elastomers doped with benzophenone derivatives as effective media for all-optical fabrication of tunable diffraction elements
Authors: Ryabchun Alexander , Sakhno Oksana , Wegener Michael
Published: May 2016

Transmission and reflection volume gratings were produced in conventional elastic materials by introduction of benzophenone derivatives and following UV-holography exposure.
A “roller-wheel” Pt-containing small molecule that outperforms its polymer analogs in organic solar cells
Authors: He Wenhan , Livshits Maksim Y. , Dickie Diane A. , Yang Jianzhong , Quinnett Rachel , Rack Jeffrey J. , Wu Qin , Qin Yang
Published: May 2016

“Roller-wheel” shaped Pt-containing molecules display enhanced crystallinity and are better performing organic solar cell materials than conventional small molecules and polymers featuring “dumbbell” shaped structures.
Efficient fullerene-based and fullerene-free polymer solar cells using two wide band gap thiophene-thiazolothiazole-based photovoltaic materials
Authors: Zhao Kang , Wang Qi , Xu Bowei , Zhao Wenchao , Liu Xiaoyu , Yang Bei , Sun Mingliang , Hou Jianhui
Published: May 2016

Efficient fullerene-based and fullerene-free PSCs were fabricated based on two wide band gap polymers PBT-TTz and PBT-S-TTz.
Novel Fe2P/graphitized carbon yolk/shell octahedra for high-efficiency hydrogen production and lithium storage
Authors: Yang Jiao , Ouyang Ya , Zhang Huijuan , Xu Haitao , Zhang Yan , Wang Yu
Published: May 2016

Fe2P/GC yolk/shell octahedra exhibit a superior specific capacity and rate capability for LIBs and an excellent catalytic activity toward the HER.
Incorporation of homogeneous Co3O4 into a nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel via a facile in situ synthesis method: implications for high performance asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Sun Guanglin , Ma Liya , Ran Jiabing , Shen Xinyu , Tong Hua
Published: May 2016

A novel high-performance electrode material, nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel/cobalt oxide (NCA/Co3O4) material, was prepared by a facile, one step and in situ coating method, followed by a freeze-drying process.
Increased vis-to-UV upconversion performance by energy level matching between a TADF donor and high triplet energy acceptors
Authors: Yanai Nobuhiro , Kozue Mariko , Amemori Shogo , Kabe Ryota , Adachi Chihaya , Kimizuka Nobuo
Published: May 2016

An efficient visible-to-UV photon upconversion was achieved by combining a TADF sensitizer and UV emitters with the highest T1and S1energy levels.
Position estimation of linear switched reluctance machine with iron losses based on eddy‐current effect
Authors: Wang Qianlong , Chen Hao , Xu Tong , Nie Rui , Wang Jiewei , Abbas Saleem
Published: May 2016

The voltage pulse injection method (VPIM) is widely employed in the sensorless control of switched reluctance machines (SRMs) and linear SRMs (LSRMs) at the starting and low‐speed operations. However, the existing iron losses in SRMs/LSRMs will lead to the distortion of the phase currents, especially in the VPIM, and will in turn affect the accuracy of estimated results. This study presents a novel mover position estimation method for the LSRM based on the eddy‐current effect. The effects of the eddy‐currents on the phase currents and winding terminal voltages are discussed, and the equivalent eddy‐current resistance model is presented through the finite element analysis. Furthermore, the eddy‐current resistance and LSRM magnetic circuit are analysed, obtaining that the positions vary monotonically along with the differences between the rising time and falling time of the response pulse currents. On the basis, the starting and low‐velocity operation methods are proposed. A designed double‐sided LSRM test platform is established, and the proposed methods are verified by the experimental results.
Multiple licence plate detection for Chinese vehicles in dense traffic scenarios
Authors: Asif Muhammad Rizwan , Chun Qi , Hussain Sajid , Fareed Muhammad Sadiq
Published: May 2016

In this study, the authors propose a real‐time multiple licence plate (LP) detection algorithm for dense traffic conditions which is of vital importance in this modern era due to increased traffic congestion. The chromatic component of YDbDr colour space is proposed to detect the blue regions, whereas a simple yet effective colour detection method is used to identify yellow LP regions. The low‐intensity pixel values are eliminated as a pre‐processing step to enhance the LP regions and Otsu method is used to obtain the binary image. The candidate regions are acquired by using the connected component analysis. The false candidate regions are by large rejected by inspecting the area and aspect ratio of LPs. Additionally, a two‐layered false LP detection approach has been introduced to remove fake LP regions. Experimental results in practical scenarios carried out in various weather conditions show that the proposed method is highly effective in coping with various illumination conditions to accurately detect the multiple vehicle LPs with an accuracy of 93.86%. The average processing time per image is 0.33 s that can achieve real‐time performance.
Design of reconfigurable active integrated pulse generator‐antenna with pulse‐shape modulation for ultra‐wideband applications
Authors: Valizade Shahmirzadi Arash , Rezaei Pejman , Orouji Ali Asghar
Published: May 2016

A novel design of ultra‐wideband (UWB) reconfigurable pulse generator (PG) active‐integrated antenna (AIA) is introduced and discussed in this study. The reconfigurable structure of the proposed PG AIA provides pulse‐shape modulation which is desirable for most UWB communication systems. The presented design utilises only a single step‐recovery diode and just a single positive‐intrinsic‐negative diode in order to generate sub‐nanosecond switchable monocycle/doublet pulse shapes. Since in UWB communication systems the design of source pulses and transmitting/receiving antennas should be optimal for the performance of overall systems both frequency domain and time domain characteristics of the designed PG AIA are carefully investigated under realistic conditions. The pulse distortion is insignificant in the operating band and is verified by the measured PG AIA performance with low ringing level, high signal fidelity, and virtually steady group delay. The presented design is a good candidate for UWB transmission because of its simplicity, low cost, and good performance.
Enhanced static ground power unit based on flying capacitor based h‐bridge hybrid active‐neutral‐point‐clamped converter
Authors: Abarzadeh Mostafa , Kojabadi Hossein M. , Deng Fujin , Chen Zhe
Published: May 2016

Static power converters have various applications, such as static ground power units (GPUs) for airplanes. This study proposes a new configuration of a static GPU based on a novel nine‐level flying capacitor h‐bridge active‐neutral‐point‐clamped (FCHB_ANPC) converter. The main advantages of the proposed converter in comparison with conventional nine‐level ANPC converter are decreasing the number of switches and flying capacitors (FCs) in the proposed converter, doubling the output voltage level of a traditional ANPC converter and reduction of output L‐C filter sizes which results in significant improvement in GPU dynamic performances. This progress is achieved by utilising the proposed FCHB converter to an ANPC converter and using the suggested modulation method. This leads to diminish the size and cost and enhance the feasibility and reliability of the converter. Applying the proposed modulation method for FCs in the FCHB_ANPC converter guaranties self‐balancing and voltage level regulation of FCs without using closed‐loop control. Improved output voltage spectrum leads to inductance reduction of output L‐C filter which enhances static GPU performance. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate the validity and feasibility of the proposed converter and the modulation method under various operating conditions.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Secondary Alkyllithiums and Their Application to Stereoselective Cuprations or Intramolecular Carbolithiations for the Stereoselective Synthesis of Alkylidene­cyclobutanes
Authors: Moriya Kohei , Schwärzer Kuno , Karaghiosoff Konstantin , Knochel Paul
Published: May 2016

Secondary alkyllithium reagents were prepared stereoselectively via an iodo–lithium exchange by using tert-butyllithium. The resulting secondary alkyllithiums were converted directly into the corresponding alkylcopper reagents by transmetalation with copper(I) bromide–triethyl phosphite [CuBr·P(OEt)3] with retention of configuration and without significant loss of stereoselectivity. The resulting alkylcopper reagents were used for carbocupration or acylation reactions. In addition, a new intramolecular carbolithiation of secondary alkyllithium reagents possessing a remote alkyne moiety was also investigated, allowing the stereoselective production of alkylidenecylobutane derivatives with very high stereocontrol.
1.1.5 Organometallic Complexes of Nickel (Update 2013)
Authors: Stolley R. M. , Louie J.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution describing the organometallic complexes of nickel. This update highlights the applications of organometallic complexes of nickel, building on the general trends of organonickel chemistry described in the previous contribution. Within this update, particular emphasis is placed on nickel-mediated oxidative and reductive coupling reactions, carbon-heteroatom bond-forming reactions, annulation, and strong-bond activation reactions. This update focuses mainly on literature from 2003 to 2012.
1.7.8.17 Ferrocenes (Update 2014)
Authors: Stephenson G. R.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis Section 1.7.8 describing methods for the synthesis of ferrocenes. The focus is on the literature published between 2000 and early 2013. The main methods discussed are direct complexation of ligands, modification of cyclopentadienyl rings by electrophilic substitution or directed lithiation, and functional-group transformations in ferrocenyl side-chains. The access to nonracemic ferrocenes and to ferrocenes with configurationally defined side-chain chirality is discussed.
32.3.1.3 1,2-Dihaloalkenes (Update 2014)
Authors: Bredenkamp A. , Kirsch S. F.
Published: May 2016

The present chapter is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution Section 32.3.1 (written by Nubbemeyer in 2008) describing general synthetic methods to access 1,2-dihaloalkenes. It focuses on new synthetic developments for this rather broad class of compounds, covering the literature from 2005 until the end of 2013. Some exceptions from before 2005 are included if they are of current interest and are not covered in the original contribution. Due to the vast number of examples in the literature, the current overview does not include methods where new compounds with 1,2-dihaloalkene units are formed from compounds with the same 1,2-dihaloalkene unit through side-chain manipulations. The focus is on synthetic methods that are capable of newly creating the title 1,2-dihalogenated alkene moiety. The update does not include halogenations of aromatics or heteroaromatics.
2.8.10 Organometallic Complexes of Vanadium (Update 2014)
Authors: Shneider O. S. , Szpilman A. M.
Published: May 2016

This manuscript is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution describing methods for synthesis of organometallic complexes of vanadium. It summarizes previous methods and focuses on the literature published in the period 2000–2010.
4.4.41.8 β-Silyl Carbonyl Compounds (Update 2013)
Authors: Nahra F. , Riant O.
Published: May 2016

β-Silyl carbonyl or carboxy compounds are attractive synthetic intermediates. They are important building blocks for various synthetic transformations, thus allowing the construction of more complex molecules. The position of the silyl group far from the carbonyl group allows for numerous transformations on the latter, giving access in some cases to complex natural products. Moreover, the installation of the silyl group on these intermediates in an enantioselective manner has been the subject of numerous investigations, mainly due to its subsequent influence on the adjacent addition of other groups. Finally, the possibility of converting these silyl groups into various other functional groups renders these intermediates valuable tools in the organic chemist’s arsenal.
4.4.9 Product Subclass 9: Silylzinc Reagents
Authors: Durand A. , Hemeon I. , Singer R. D.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is a revision of the contribution on silylzinc reagents published in 2001, which describes the preparation and application of triorganosilylzinc compounds. Homo silylzinc reagents, such as bis(triphenylsilyl)zinc(II) [(Ph3Si)2Zn] and lithium tris[dimethyl(phenyl)silyl]zincate [(PhMe2Si)3ZnLi], as well as hetero or mixed silylzinc reagents, such as lithium [dimethyl(phenyl)silyl]dimethylzincate [(PhMe2Si)ZnMe2Li] and (biphenyl-2,2´-diolato)(tert-butyl)[dimethyl(phenyl)silyl]zincates {M2Zn(t-Bu)[(2-OC6H4)2](SiMe2Ph); M = Li, MgCl}, are prepared with relative ease and are utilized in a variety of synthetic applications. These reagents react under a variety of conditions with unsaturated organic substrates to afford synthetically useful triorganosilylated species.
4.4.44 Product Subclass 44: Silyl Radicals
Authors: Landais Y.
Published: May 2016

Silyl radicals are short-lived species that have found widespread use in various areas, including organic and polymer chemistry and, more recently, material science. These silicon-centered radicals are generated from various sources, including silyl hydrides, disilanes, allylsilanes, silyl halides, and silylenes, and by carbon-heteroatom bond cleavage. Silyl radicals are intermediates in important transformations such as hydrosilylation and reduction processes. They add to unsaturated systems (including alkenes, alkynes, arenes, and carbonyl derivatives) with high rate constants, generating carbon-centered radicals which are then involved in subsequent transformations. The understanding of steric and electronic properties of silyl radicals now allows a better prediction of their reactivity. Silyl radical precursors, such as silyl hydrides, are thus commonly used in the synthesis of complex targets including natural products. These radicals efficiently trigger complex radical cascades as well as rearrangements processes, opening an access to elaborate architectures that would be otherwise difficult to access. Finally, silyl radicals are key intermediates in the functionalization of silicon surfaces, which have recently received a lot of interest due to the importance of organic films for applications as biomaterials and biochips.
4.4.43 Product Subclass 43: Silylium Ions and Stabilized Silylium Ions
Authors: Müller T.
Published: May 2016

This chapter describes methods for the synthesis of silylium ions and silylium ions stabilized by direct interaction with solvents or counteranions. The applications of these species in Lewis acid catalysis and in bond-activation processes are also summarized.
4.4.4.8 Silyl Hydrides (Update 2015)
Authors: Clark R. W. , Wiskur S. L.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is an update to the earlier article in Science of Synthesis (Section 4.4.4) covering the synthesis and use of silyl hydrides. Recent advances in synthetic preparations of silyl hydrides are explored, as well as the use of silyl hydrides for hydrosilylation, reduction, and dehydrogenative silylation.
6.1.6 Product Subclass 6: Haloborates
Authors: Molander G. A. , Beaumard F.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is a revision of the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution describing methods for the synthesis of haloborates. It focuses on the synthesis of organotrifluoroborates and highlights methods published between 1999 and 2013.
7.6.11.21 Grignard Reagents with Transition Metals (Update 2013)
Authors: Song Z. , Takahashi T.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is an update to Science of Synthesis Section 7.6.11, which describes the reactions of Grignard reagents in conjunction with transition metals. This update briefly summarizes the related publications that appeared from 2004 onwards.
9.13.5 1H-Pyrroles (Update 2013)
Authors: Lubell W. D. , St-Cyr D. J. , Dufour-Gallant J. , Hopewell R. , Boutard N. , Kassem T. , Dörr A. , Zelli R.
Published: May 2016

This chapter updates the previous Science of Synthesis contribution on 1H-pyrroles, which covers the literature up to 1998. This update includes the literature to 2011, with coverage of >900 references. Modern advances in pyrrole synthesis, reactivity, and functional-group modification, are described, including syntheses of nitrogen-, oxygen-, and sulfur-substituted pyrroles, multicomponent and annulation reactions, selective modifications at the 1-, 2-, and 3-positions of the pyrrole ring, and enantioselective additions of chiral side chains. Various annulation, ring-contraction, and ring-expansion approaches to the heterocycle, as well as modifications of pyrrole by carbon-hydrogen, carbon-halogen, carbon-heteroatom, and carbon-carboxylate transformations, and substituent migration strategies, all are covered in detail, along with many other recent synthetic developments. In addition, examples of various applications of pyrrole chemistry are presented to illustrate the growing importance of this heterocycle in fields such as medicinal chemistry, materials science, and natural product synthesis.
16.23.4 Diphosphinines (Update 2013)
Authors: Lippert, J. W.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution describing the methods for the preparation of various diphosphinines. The focus is on the literature published in the period 2003–2011.
18.1.7 Cyanogen Halides, Cyanates and Their Sulfur, Selenium, and Tellurium Analogues, Sulfinyl and Sulfonyl Cyanides, Cyanamides, and Phosphaalkynes (Update 2013)
Authors: Podlech J.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution on the preparation of cyanogen halides, cyanates, thiocyanates, sulfonyl cyanides, and cyanamides, as well as their application in organic synthesis. It focuses on the literature published in the period 2003–2012.
24.3.12 Bis(heteroatom-functionalized) Acetylenes (Update 2014)
Authors: Udmark J. , Brøndsted Nielsen M.
Published: May 2016

This chapter provides an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution (Section 24.3) describing methods for the synthesis of bis(heteroatom-functionalized) acetylenes. Selected applications are also included. It focuses on the literature published since the original report in 2006 up until the end of 2013.
24.4.1.3 1-Haloalk-1-ynes and Alk-1-yn-1-ols (Update 2014)
Authors: Petersen A. U. , Brøndsted Nielsen M.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution (Section 24.4.1) describing methods for the synthesis of 1-haloalk-1-ynes. It focuses on the literature published since the original report in 2006 up until the end of 2013.
26.8.4 Aryl Ketones (Update 2014)
Authors: Sellars J. D.
Published: May 2016

This chapter is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution describing methods for the synthesis of aryl ketones. It focuses on the literature published in the period 2003–2013.