bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination and evaluation of the thermophysical properties of an alkali carbonate eutectic molten salt
Authors: An Xuehui , Cheng Jinhui , Zhang Peng , Tang Zhongfeng , Wang Jianqiang
Published: February 2016

The thermal physical properties of Li2CO3–Na2CO3–K2CO3 eutectic molten salt were comprehensively investigated. It was found that the liquid salt can remain stable up to 658 °C (the onset temperature of decomposition) by thermal analysis, and so the investigations on its thermal physical parameters were undertaken from room temperature to 658 °C. The density was determined using a self-developed device, with an uncertainty of ±0.00712 g cm−3. A cooling curve was obtained from the instrument, giving the liquidus temperature. For the first time, we report the obtainment of the thermal diffusivity using a laser flash method based on a special crucible design and establishment of a specific sample preparation method. Furthermore, the specific heat capacity was also obtained by use of DSC, and combined with thermal diffusivity and density, was used to calculate the thermal conductivity. We additionally built a rotating viscometer with high precision in order to determine the molten salt viscosity. All of these parameters play an important part in the energy storage and transfer calculation and safety evaluation for a system.
Selective aerobic oxidation of biomass-derived HMF to 2,5-diformylfuran using a MOF-derived magnetic hollow Fe–Co nanocatalyst
Authors: Fang Ruiqi , Luque Rafael , Li Yingwei
Published: February 2016

The present work reports a sustainable, cost-effective, and highly efficient catalytic system for directly transforming HMF to DFF that afforded >99% DFF yield under relatively mild reaction conditions.
Enhancement of aqueous stability and fluorescence brightness of indocyanine green using small calix[4]arene micelles for near-infrared fluorescence imaging
Authors: Jin Takashi , Tsuboi Setsuko , Komatsuzaki Akihito , Imamura Yukio , Muranaka Yoshinori , Sakata Takao , Yasuda Hidehiro
Published: February 2016

Incorporation of ICG into calix[4]arene micelles improves its aqueous stability and fluorescence brightness.
Supramolecular encapsulation of benzocaine and its metabolite para-aminobenzoic acid by cucurbit[7]uril
Authors: Li Shengke , Yin Hang , Martinz Gudrun , Wyman Ian W. , Bardelang David , Macartney Donal H. , Wang Ruibing
Published: February 2016

Cucurbit[7]uril forms 1 : 1 molecular capsules with benzocaine (an anesthetic agent) and its metabolite para-aminobenzoic acid, respectively, in aqueous solution.
Silver nanoparticle film induced photoluminescence enhancement of near-infrared emitting PbS and PbS/CdS core/shell quantum dots: observation of different enhancement mechanisms
Authors: Liang H. Y. , Zhao H. G. , Li Z. P. , Harnagea C. , Ma D. L.
Published: February 2016

A plasmon/fluorophore system consisting of Ag nanoparticles and near-infrared quantum dots (QDs) is investigated for photoluminescence (PL) enhancement.
Surface energy and wettability of van der Waals structures
Authors: Annamalai Meenakshi , Gopinadhan Kalon , Han Sang A. , Saha Surajit , Park Hye Jeong , Cho Eun Bi , Kumar Brijesh , Patra Abhijeet , Kim Sang-Woo , Venkatesan T.
Published: February 2016

Our study shows that the surface energy of all 2D layered materials is undoubtedly dominated by London–van der Waals forces with little contribution from dipole–dipole interactions.
DNA origami based Au–Ag-core–shell nanoparticle dimers with single-molecule SERS sensitivity
Authors: Prinz J. , Heck C. , Ellerik L. , Merk V. , Bald I.
Published: February 2016

DNA origami nanostructures are used to arrange gold nanoparticles into dimers with defined distance, which can be exploited as novel substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Single dye molecules (TAMRA and Cy3) can be placed into the SERS hot spots, with Raman enhancement up to 1010, which is sufficient to detect single molecules by Raman scattering.
Electrical properties analysis of materials with ferroic order
Authors: Macutkevic J. , Banys J.
Published: February 2016

In this letter we emphasize that the data analysis in the paper RSC Advances, 2015, 5, 2177 is partially not reasonable.
Electrochemical properties of PVA–GO/PEDOT nanofibers prepared using electrospinning and electropolymerization techniques
Authors: Zubair Nur Afifah , Rahman Norizah Abdul , Lim Hong Ngee , Zawawi Ruzniza Mohd , Sulaiman Yusran
Published: February 2016

Conducting nanofibers composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), graphene oxide (GO) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) were fabricated via a combined method using electrospinning and electropolymerization techniques.
Development of a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method based on high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry to analyze in vivo exposure profiles of complex herbal components independent of standards
Authors: Xie Tong , Kang An , Xu Jianya , Shen Cunsi , Zhao Xia , Di Liuqing , Wang Shouchuan , Shan Jinjun
Published: February 2016

Exposure profiles of herbal componentsin vivoplay pivotal roles in pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evaluation. The proposed MRM method has enabled profile exposure components, time and relative levels accurately.
Synthesis of a novel and stable reduced graphene oxide/MOF hybrid nanocomposite and photocatalytic performance for the degradation of dyes
Authors: Huang Lizhang , Liu Bingsi
Published: February 2016

A simple and facile solvothermal method is developed for the preparation of a reduced graphene oxide/NH2-MIL-125(Ti) (rGO–NMTi) hybrid nanocomposite photocatalyst with large specific surface area and thermal stability.
PVAc/PEDOT:PSS/graphene–iron oxide nanocomposite (GINC): an efficient thermoelectric material
Authors: Dey Abhijit , Maity Arunava , Shafeeuulla Khan Md Abdul , Sikder Arun Kanti , Chattopadhyay Santanu
Published: February 2016

In continuation of a previous study, PEDOT:PSS was used to further enhance the power factor (PF) and figure of merit (ZT) of a GINC based composite.
A large-scale on-chip droplet incubation chamber enables equal microbial culture time
Authors: Dai Jing , Kim Hyun Soo , Guzman Adrian Ryan , Shim Won-Bo , Han Arum
Published: February 2016

A compact on-chip first-in first-out droplet incubation chamber enables an equal droplet incubation time for a large number of droplets.
Strategy to improve phase compatibility between proton conductive BaZr0.8Y0.2O3−δ and nickel oxide
Authors: Han Donglin , Otani Yuki , Noda Yohei , Onishi Takayuki , Majima Masatoshi , Uda Tetsuya
Published: February 2016

Precisely controlling BaO activity and improving the compositional homogeneity of BZY20 suppress effectively formation of second phases of BaY2NiO5 and Y2O3.
Preparation of Ti mesh supported N–S–C-tridoped TiO2 nanosheets to achieve high utilization of optical energy for photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyun , Li Dong , Wan Jiafeng , Yu Xiujuan
Published: February 2016

The Ti mesh supported N–S–C-tridoped TiO2 nanosheet (N–S–C/TiO2/TMs) catalysts were successfully fabricated by the one-step in situ hydrothermal synthesis method, and then used for photocatalytic degradation of norfloxacin.
Understanding the origin of photoelectrode performance enhancement by probing surface kinetics
Authors: Thorne James E. , Jang Ji-Wook , Liu Erik Y. , Wang Dunwei
Published: February 2016

Probing the surface kinetics of different hematite electrodes with and without surface passivations.
Directed self-assembly of solvent-vapor-induced non-bulk block copolymer morphologies on nanopatterned substrates
Authors: Wan Lei , Ji Shengxiang , Liu Chi-Chun , Craig Gordon S. W. , Nealey Paul F.
Published: February 2016

We demonstrate that annealing a thin film of block copolymer in the vapor of a solvent that is selective to one of the blocks can yield block copolymer domains that do not naturally occur in the bulk, and that these domains can be aligned with and registered to an underlying chemical pattern.
Supramolecular polymerisation in water; elucidating the role of hydrophobic and hydrogen-bond interactions
Authors: Leenders Christianus M. A. , Baker Matthew B. , Pijpers Imke A. B. , Lafleur René P. M. , Albertazzi Lorenzo , Palmans Anja R. A. , Meijer E. W.
Published: February 2016

The self-assembly of a family of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamides (BTAs) in water is studied systematically to elucidate the role of hydrophobic and hydrogen-bond interactions.
One step emission tunable synthesis of PEG coated Ag2S NIR quantum dots and the development of receptor targeted drug delivery vehicles thereof
Authors: Asik D. , Yagci M. B. , Demir Duman F. , Yagci Acar H.
Published: February 2016

Emission tunable Ag2S–PEG–folic acid QDOTs synthesized in a single step in water are effective theranostic nanoparticles.
Finely tuned digital memory modes and performances in diblock copolymer devices by well-defined lamellar structure formation and orientation control
Authors: Wi Dongwoo , Kim Jonghyun , Lee Hoyeol , Kang Nam-Goo , Lee Jinseok , Kim Myung-Jin , Lee Jae-Suk , Ree Moonhor
Published: February 2016

Block copolymers bearing carbazole moieties in thin films nicely demonstrated vertical or horizontal lamellar structure depending on the process condition. The vertical lamellar structure revealed permanent memory behavior, where the horizontal lamellar structure exhibited volatile memory behavior.
eIF3 regulates migration, invasion and apoptosis in cadmium transformed 16HBE cells and is a novel biomarker of cadmium exposure in a rat model and in workers
Authors: Zhou Zhiheng , Lu Qian , Huang Qinhai , Zheng Chanjiao , Chen Baoxin , Lei Yixiong
Published: February 2016

Translation (eukaryotic) initiation factor 3 (eIF3orTIF3) has been found to be a proto-oncogene in cadmium (Cd) response bothin vitroandvivo, but whethereIF3may serve as a biomarker of Cd exposure is still unclear.
Direct water-phase synthesis of lead sulfide quantum dots encapsulated by β-lactoglobulin for in vivo second near infrared window imaging with reduced toxicity
Authors: Chen Jun , Kong Yifei , Wang Wei , Fang Hongwei , Wo Yan , Zhou Dejian , Wu Ziying , Li Yunxia , Chen Shiyi
Published: February 2016

LG capped PbS quantum dots: a highly water-dispersible and biocompatible image reporter in the second near-infrared window.
White light emissive molecular siblings
Authors: Sarkar Samir Kumar , Kumar George Rajendra , Thilagar Pakkirisamy
Published: February 2016

White-light emission from boron based molecular siblings.
Highly selective and sensitive fluorescence detection of Zn2+and Cd2+ions by using an acridine sensor
Authors: Visscher A. , Bachmann S. , Schnegelsberg C. , Teuteberg T. , Mata R. A. , Stalke D.
Published: February 2016

Fluorescence spectroscopy investigations of the new acridine derivative bis(N,N-dimethylaminemethylene)acridine (3) show remarkable selectivity and sensitivity towards Zn2+and Cd2+ions in methanol and for the latter even in water.
Textured nanoporous Mo:BiVO4 photoanodes with high charge transport and charge transfer quantum efficiencies for oxygen evolution
Authors: Nair Vineet , Perkins Craig L. , Lin Qiyin , Law Matt
Published: February 2016

Nanoporous, catalyst-free BiVO4 films made by a simple spin coating process show a hole-limited charge transport quantum efficiency of ∼70% and >60% charge transfer efficiency for oxidizing water.
Palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of amides by carbon–nitrogen cleavage: general strategy for amide N–C bond activation
Authors: Meng Guangrong , Szostak Michal
Published: February 2016

A unified strategy for the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of amides with boronic acids for the synthesis of ketones by N–C bond activation is reported.
Deep eutectic solvent choline chloride·2CrCl3·6H2O: an efficient catalyst for esterification of formic and acetic acid at room temperature
Authors: Cao Jin , Qi Bin , Liu Jun , Shang Yuhan , Liu Huiwen , Wang Wenjing , Lv Jia , Chen Zhiyan , Zhang Haibo , Zhou Xiaohai
Published: February 2016

A highly efficient and selective method for esterification of formic and acetic with alcohols has been achieved at room temperature, with chromium based deep eutectic solvent as a catalyst.
Compressive mechanical properties and microstructure of PVA–HA hydrogels for cartilage repair
Authors: Li Wenxu , Wang Duo , Yang Wen , Song Ying
Published: February 2016

In this paper, hydroxyapatite (HA) was deposited on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) molecular chains by anin situsynthetic method.
Correction: Simple route for gram synthesis of less defective few layered graphene and its electrochemical performance
Authors: Parveen Nazish , Ansari Mohd Omaish , Hwan Cho Moo
Published: February 2016

Correction for ‘Simple route for gram synthesis of less defective few layered graphene and its electrochemical performance’ by Nazish Parveen et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 44920–44927.
Practical framework for ultra‐fair dynamic interference coordination in mobile communication systems
Authors: Wang Lusheng , Chen Wenqiang , Ding Zhizhong , Guo Wen , Peng Min
Published: February 2016

Inter‐cell interference coordination (ICIC) has been widely studied in recent years, in which dynamic schemes form one of the most promising categories thanks to their flexibility and high performance. By carefully coordinating user equipments (UEs) in adjacent cells using Hungarian algorithm or heuristic algorithms, inter‐cell interference can be decreased and traditional max–min fairness can be achieved. However, some interferers are so strong that even UEs close to their evolved nodeBs can be damaged to low performance, referred to as ‘excessive coordination’ in this study. Therefore, the authors propose a framework for ultra‐fair dynamic ICIC, which balances the serious impacts of strong interferers so that higher max–min fairness than the traditional one can be achieved. By dividing the coordination procedure into periods, the authors’ framework maintains a utility matrix obtained by combining the instantaneous channel state information of the current period and previously achieved cumulative spectral efficiencies. Heuristic algorithms are used on this utility matrix periodically to achieve higher max–min fairness. In this way, a fairer coordination than traditional max–min fairness is achieved after iterating for several periods. Extensive simulations demonstrate that their framework largely improves max–min fairness without obviously degrading the system spectral efficiency.
New statistical approach to interpret power transformer frequency response analysis: non‐parametric statistical methods
Authors: Behjat Vahid , Mahvi Mojtaba , Rahimpour Ebrahim
Published: February 2016

The frequency response analysis (FRA) test has been recognised as one of the sensitive tools for detecting electrical and mechanical faults inside power transformers. However, there is still no universally systematic interpretation technique for these tests. Many research efforts have employed different statistical criteria in order to aid the interpretative capability of the FRA, but it is shown that the methods used so far are based on parametric statistics, which need a set of assumptions about the normality, randomness and statistical independence of FRA data. Therefore, this study aims to propose some non‐parametric statistical methods which are based on explicitly weaker assumptions than such classical parametric methods. The proposed statistical methods are applied to the experimental FRA measurements obtained from two test objects: a three phase distribution transformer (35/0.4 kV, 100 kVA) to study the winding interturn fault and a two winding transformer (1.2 MVA, 10 kV) for the study of radial deformation. The non‐parametric statistical methods, namely Spearman correlation coefficient, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Friedman test are used to compare FRA traces. It was found through this research work that the applied non‐parametric methods can effectively reflect the differences between compared FRA data and diagnose the fault.
Fabrication of superoleophobic surfaces on Zn substrates by electrochemical etching and perfluorooctanoic acid modification
Authors: Liu Xin , Song Jinlong , Liu Jiyu , Zhang Fangdong , Sun Jing , Xu Wenji
Published: February 2016

Superoleophobic surfaces on zinc substrates are fabricated via electrochemical etching and perfluorooctanoic acid modification. The wettability, surface morphology and chemical composition of the sample surfaces are investigated using optical contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction, respectively. The influences of the main processing parameters, for example, etching time, current density and electrolyte composition, on the wettability are also studied. The results show that the processed surfaces are composed of micro/nanoscale voids and suspended structures, presenting superoleophobicity with the contact angles of water, glycerin, peanut oil and hexadecane exceeding 150° and the sliding angles of them being <20°.
Feedback system for divertor impurity seeding based on real-time measurements of surface heat flux in the Alcator C-Mod tokamak
Authors: Brunner D. , Burke W. , Kuang A. Q. , LaBombard B. , Lipschultz B. , Wolfe S.
Published: February 2016

Mitigation of the intense heat flux to the divertor is one of the outstanding problems in fusion energy. One technique that has shown promise is impurity seeding, i.e., the injection of low-Z gaseous impurities (typically N2 or Ne) to radiate and dissipate the power before it arrives to the divertor target plate. To this end, the Alcator C-Mod team has created a first-of-its-kind feedback system to control the injection of seed gas based on real-time surface heat flux measurements. Surface thermocouples provide real-time measurements of the surface temperature response to the plasma heat flux. The surface temperature measurements are inputted into an analog computer that “solves” the 1-D heat transport equation to deliver accurate, real-time signals of the surface heat flux. The surface heat flux signals are sent to the C-Mod digital plasma control system, which uses a proportional–integral–derivative (PID) algorithm to control the duty cycle demand to a pulse width modulated piezo valve, which in turn controls the injection of gas into the private flux region of the C-Mod divertor. This paper presents the design and implementation of this new feedback system as well as initial results using it to control divertor heat flux.
Geometrical aspects of the Lie algebra S-expansion procedure
Authors: Artebani M. , Caroca R. , Ipinza M. C. , Peñafiel D. M. , Salgado P.
Published: February 2016

In this article it is shown that S-expansion procedure affects the geometry of a Lie group, changing it and leading us to the geometry of another Lie group with higher dimensionality. A method for determining the semigroup, which would provide a Lie algebra from another, is outlined via an example. Finally, it is proved that a Lie algebra obtained from another Lie algebra via S-expansion is a non-simple Lie algebra.
Swimming in a two-dimensional Brinkman fluid: Computational modeling and regularized solutions
Authors: Leiderman Karin , Olson Sarah D.
Published: February 2016

The incompressible Brinkman equation represents the homogenized fluid flow past obstacles that comprise a small volume fraction. In nondimensional form, the Brinkman equation can be characterized by a single parameter that represents the friction or resistance due to the obstacles. In this work, we derive an exact fundamental solution for 2D Brinkman flow driven by a regularized point force and describe the numerical method to use it in practice. To test our solution and method, we compare numerical results with an analytic solution of a stationary cylinder in a uniform Brinkman flow. Our method is also compared to asymptotic theory; for an infinite-length, undulating sheet of small amplitude, we recover an increasing swimming speed as the resistance is increased. With this computational framework, we study a model swimmer of finite length and observe an enhancement in propulsion and efficiency for small to moderate resistance. Finally, we study the interaction of two swimmers where attraction does not occur when the initial separation distance is larger than the screening length.
A parametric study for the generation of ion Bernstein modes from a discrete spectrum to a continuous one in the inner magnetosphere. II. Particle-in-cell simulations
Authors: Sun Jicheng , Gao Xinliang , Lu Quanming , Chen Lunjin , Tao Xin , Wang Shui
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we perform one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations to investigate the properties of perpendicular magnetosonic waves in a plasma system consisting of three components: cool electrons, cool protons, and tenuous ring distribution protons, where the waves are excited by the tenuous proton ring distribution. Consistent with the linear theory, the spectra of excited magnetosonic waves can change from discrete to continuous due to the overlapping of adjacent unstable wave modes. The increase of the proton to electron mass ratio, the ratio of the light speed to the Alfven speed, or the concentration of protons with a ring distribution tends to result in a continuous spectrum of magnetosonic waves, while the increase of the ring velocity of the tenuous proton ring distribution leads to a broader one, but with a discrete structure. Moreover, the energization of both cool electrons and protons and the scattering of ring distribution protons due to the excited magnetosonic waves are also observed in our simulations, which cannot be predicted by the linear theory. Besides, a thermalized proton ring distribution may lead to the further excitation of several lower discrete harmonics with their frequencies about several proton gyrofrequencies.
Stability analysis of non-inertial thin film flow over a heterogeneously heated porous substrate
Authors: Kumawat Tara Chand , Tiwari Naveen
Published: February 2016

The dynamics and linear stability of a gravity drive thin film flowing over non-uniformly heated porous substrate are studied. A governing equation for the evolution of film-thickness is derived within the lubrication approximation. Darcy-Brinkman equation is used to model flow in the porous medium along with a tangential stress-jump condition at the interface of the porous layer and the fluid film. A temperature profile is imposed at the solid wall to model an embedded heater beneath the porous layer. At the upstream edge of the heater, an opposing thermocapillary stress at the liquid-air interface leads to the formation of a thermocapillary ridge. The ridge becomes unstable beyond a critical Marangoni number leading to the formation of rivulets that are periodic in the spanwise direction. Increase in the values of parameters such as Darcy number, stress jump coefficient, and porosity is shown to have stabilizing effect on the film dynamics. The critical Marangoni number is shown to increase monotonically with Darcy number for various values of porosity. At large values of stress-jump coefficient, a non-monotonic variation in critical Marangoni number versus Darcy number is shown. A correlation is developed numerically for the ratio of critical Marangoni number at large Darcy number to that for a non-porous substrate as a function of porosity and thickness of the porous substrate. A transient growth analysis is carried out followed by non-linear stability analysis. The non-modal growth is found to be negligible thus indicating that the eigenvalues are physically determinant.
An x-ray backlit Talbot-Lau deflectometer for high-energy-density electron density diagnostics
Authors: Valdivia M. P. , Stutman D. , Stoeckl C. , Theobald W. , Mileham C. , Begishev I. A. , Bromage J. , Regan S. P.
Published: February 2016

X-ray phase-contrast techniques can measure electron density gradients in high-energy-density plasmas through refraction induced phase shifts. An 8 keV Talbot-Lau interferometer consisting of free standing ultrathin gratings was deployed at an ultra-short, high-intensity laser system using K-shell emission from a 1-30 J, 8 ps laser pulse focused on thin Cu foil targets. Grating survival was demonstrated for 30 J, 8 ps laser pulses. The first x-ray deflectometry images obtained under laser backlighting showed up to 25% image contrast and thus enabled detection of electron areal density gradients with a maximum value of 8.1 ± 0.5 × 1023 cm−3 in a low-Z millimeter sized sample. An electron density profile was obtained from refraction measurements with an error of <8%. The 50 ± 15 μm spatial resolution achieved across the full field of view was found to be limited by the x-ray source-size, similar to conventional radiography.
Minimal physical requirements for crystal growth self-poisoning
Authors: Whitelam Stephen , Dahal Yuba Raj , Schmit Jeremy D.
Published: February 2016

Self-poisoning is a kinetic trap that can impair or prevent crystal growth in a wide variety of physical settings. Here we use dynamic mean-field theory and computer simulation to argue that poisoning is ubiquitous because its emergence requires only the notion that a molecule can bind in two (or more) ways to a crystal; that those ways are not energetically equivalent; and that the associated binding events occur with sufficiently unequal probability. If these conditions are met then the steady-state growth rate is in general a non-monotonic function of the thermodynamic driving force for crystal growth, which is the characteristic of poisoning. Our results also indicate that relatively small changes of system parameters could be used to induce recovery from poisoning.
Gallium arsenide 55Fe X-ray-photovoltaic battery
Authors: Butera S. , Lioliou G. , Barnett A. M.
Published: February 2016

The effects of temperature on the key parameters of a prototype GaAs 55Fe radioisotope X-ray microbattery were studied over the temperature range of −20 °C to 70 °C. A p-i-n GaAs structure was used to collect the photons from a 254 Bq 55Fe radioisotope X-ray source. Experimental results showed that the open circuit voltage and the short circuit current decreased with increased temperature. The maximum output power and the conversion efficiency of the device decreased at higher temperatures. For the reported microbattery, the highest maximum output power (1 pW, corresponding to 0.4 μW/Ci) was observed at −20 °C. A conversion efficiency of 9% was measured at −20 °C.
Comment on “Droplet shaped anode double layer and electron sheath formation in magnetically constricted anode” [Phys. Plasmas 23, 013502 (2016)]
Authors: Gruenwald J.
Published: February 2016

This comment aims at clarifying some points in the very recent work of Chauhan et al. who presented an experimental study of a fireball (FB) configuration in a magnetized plasma, similar to R. L. Stenzel et al., Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 21, 015012 (2012).
Flux modulation scheme for direct current SQUID readout revisited
Authors: Hong Tao , Wang Hai , Zhang Yi , Krause Hans-Joachim , Braginski Alex I. , Xie Xiaoming , Offenhäusser Andreas , Jiang Mianheng
Published: February 2016

The flux modulation scheme (FMS) is the standard readout technique of dc SQUIDs, where a step-up transformer links the SQUID to the preamplifier. The transformer's primary winding shunts the SQUID via a large capacitor while the secondary winding connects it to the preamplifier. A modulation flux having a frequency of typically 100 kHz generates an ac voltage across the SQUID, stepped up by the transformer. The SQUID with FMS is customarily operated in the current bias mode, because a constant dc bias current flows only through the SQUID due to the capacitor isolation. With FMS, however, the transformer ac shunts the SQUID so that in reality the operating mode is neither purely current-biased nor voltage-biased but rather nominal current-biased or “mixed biased.” Our objective is to experimentally investigate the consequences of ac shunting of the dc SQUID in FMS and the transformer's transfer characteristics. For different shunt values we measure the change in the SQUID bias current due to the ac shunt using another SQUID in the two-stage readout scheme, and simultaneously monitor the SQUID output voltage signal. We then explain our measurements by a simplified graphic analysis of SQUID intrinsic current-voltage (I–V) characteristics. Since the total current flowing through the SQUID is not constant due to the shunting effect of the transformer, the amplitude of SQUID flux-to-voltage characteristics V(Φ) is less as compared to the direct readout scheme (DRS). Furthermore, we analyze and compare V(Φ) obtained by DRS and FMS. We show that in FMS, the transfer characteristics of the SQUID circuit also depend on the isolation capacitance and the dynamic resistance of the SQUID.
Superstrong coupling of a microwave cavity to yttrium iron garnet magnons
Authors: Kostylev Nikita , Goryachev Maxim , Tobar Michael E.
Published: February 2016

Multiple-post reentrant 3D lumped cavity modes have been realized to design the concept of a discrete Whispering Gallery and Fabry-Pérot-like Modes for multimode microwave Quantum Electrodynamics experiments. Using the magnon spin-wave resonance of a submillimeter-sized Yttrium-Iron-Garnet sphere at millikelvin temperatures and a four-post cavity, we demonstrate the ultra-strong coupling regime between discrete Whispering Gallery Modes and a magnon resonance with a strength of 1.84 GHz. By increasing the number of posts to eight and arranging them in a D4 symmetry pattern, we expand the mode structure to that of a discrete Fabry-Pérot cavity and modify the Free Spectral Range (FSR). We reach the superstrong coupling regime, where spin-photon coupling strength is larger than FSR, with coupling strength in the 1.1 to 1.5 GHz range.
Materials properties of out-of-plane heterostructures of MoS2-WSe2 and WS2-MoSe2
Authors: Amin Bin , Kaloni Thaneshwor P. , Schreckenbach Georg , Freund Michael S.
Published: February 2016

Based on first-principles calculations, the materials properties (structural, electronic, vibrational, and optical properties) of out-of-plane heterostructures formed from the transition metal dichalcogenides, specifically MoS2-WSe2 and WS2-MoSe2, were investigated. The heterostructures of MoS2-WSe2 and WS2-MoSe2 are found to be direct and indirect band gap semiconductors, respectively. However, a direct band gap in the WS2-MoSe2 heterostructure can be achieved by applying compressive strain. Furthermore, the excitonic peaks in both monolayer and bilayer heterostructures are calculated to understand the optical behavior of these systems. The suppression of the optical spectrum with respect to the corresponding monolayers is due to interlayer charge transfer. The stability of the systems under study is confirmed by performing phonon spectrum calculations.
Diode-like electrical characteristics of SiGe wrinkled heterostructure operating under both forward and reverse bias
Authors: Li H. , Chen T. P. , Chang C. , Cheng H. H. , Chang Guo-En , Hung K. M.
Published: February 2016

We report the electrical behaviour of heterostructure channels with spatially deformed wrinkle patterns at the edge. Instead of the linear current–voltage relationship, a diode-like current–voltage trace is observed under both forward and reverse bias. Analysing the position-dependent strain and energy levels of the wrinkled heterostructure shows that the energy minimum transforms from a two-dimensional plane at the heterointerface to a one-dimensional trajectory at the wrinkled edge characterized by a potential. When a voltage is applied, the carriers at the left and right electrodes travel through a one-dimensional potential, analogously to how carriers move across a potential in the p-n junction, resulting in diode-like electrical characteristics. This work represents a step forward in developing the wrinkled structure for electronic devices.
Assemblies of magnetite nanoparticles extracted from magnetotactic bacteria: A magnetic study
Authors: Huízar-Félix A. M. , Muñoz D. , Orue I. , Magén C. , Ibarra A. , Barandiarán J. M. , Muela A. , Fdez-Gubieda M. L.
Published: February 2016

Self-assembly has emerged as a suitable technique for tuning the properties of nanoparticles. In this work, we report the self-assembly of magnetosomes assisted by an external magnetic field. The magnetosomes are magnetite nanoparticles biomineralized by magnetotactic bacteria Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense. These nanoparticles present truncated cubo-octahedral morphology with a mean diameter of ≈36 nm and are surrounded by a lipid bilayer membrane with a thickness ≈2–4 nm. The use of the appropriate preparation conditions, such as initial colloidal concentration and magnetic fields applied during deposition allowed us to obtain very reproducible self-assembled 2D patterns. Homogeneous ensembles of magnetosomes onto silicon and carbon surfaces are composed of elongated structures in the form of wide chains that cover a large area of the substrates. Transmission electron microscopy image and off-axis electron holography showed the map of the stray magnetic fields produced by these assemblies. The induced magnetic anisotropy was analyzed by measuring the hysteresis loops of the assemblies at different angles in a magneto-optical Kerr effect magnetometer. The evolution of the coercive field and remanence verified the presence of well-defined patterns. The experimental results were analyzed on the based of a biaxial model.
Effect of wheel speed on the crystallization behavior of as-quenched Nd-Fe-B alloys
Authors: Men Kuo , Yu Dunbo , Luo Yang , Jin Jinling , Zhang Kun , Li Kuoshe
Published: February 2016

A series of alloys composed of Nd9Fe85Nb0.5B5.5 were prepared through rapid quenching by different wheel speeds. Nanocomposite was usually obtained by subjecting the as-quenched alloys to a crystallization annealing. The crystallization behavior was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as the primary method. The results showed that the DSC curve of sample prepared at 15 m/s had only one exothermic peak at about 690 °C. When the wheel speed increased to 18-27 m/s, one more peak at 590 °C appeared. Moreover, the intensity of this new peak enhances while the original one at 690 °C declined as the speed increases within this range. When the speed further grew up to 30, 35, or 40 m/s , only the peak at 590 °C remained while the other disappeared. This could be ascribed to the different initial phase structures of the alloys, which were found to vary with the wheel speeds. As can be seen, with increasing the wheel speed, the contents of amorphous and metastable phase increased while Nd2Fe14B phase decreased. This change resulted in a huge effect on the crystallization behavior. We could deduce the relative content of each phase from the integral areas of peaks in DSC curves in different samples and figure out the phase transition in the crystallization. The results showed that the crystallization of samples prepared by relatively high speeds, which are almost amorphous initially, manifest as only one step, while those prepared by relatively low speeds showed two. Subsequently, we analyzed the crystallization process and interpreted it from the theory of energy barrier.
New evidence for mammal pollination of Protea species (Proteaceae) based on remote-camera analysis
Authors: Zoeller K. C. , Steenhuisen S.-L. , Johnson S. D. , Midgley J. J.
Published: February 2016

Flower visitation by small mammals is difficult to observe directly on account of their sensitivity to human presence and the nocturnal activity of some species. Their role in pollination has, thus, been inferred mostly from analysis of fur and faecal pollen loads of field-trapped animals. The development of motion-activated remote cameras allows for unprecedented insights into natural behaviours of small mammals on flowers. We used remote cameras to assess the identity of flower visitors, and the frequency and timing of their visitation to flower heads of four poorly studied Protea species (P. cordata, P. decurrens P. scabra and P. subulifolia) that were predicted to be rodent-pollinated on the basis of floral traits. Camera footage revealed that small mammals (typically three to six rodent species per Protea species) were frequent visitors to flower heads over one flowering season, making up 100% of visits to P. cordata and P. subulifolia, 98% of visits to P. decurrens, and 90% of visits to P. scabra. Rodents that are known pollinators of other ground Protea species, such as Acomys subspinosus, Micaelamys namaquensis and Rhabdomys pumulio, were observed to make contact with reproductive parts of the flowers, but further work would be required to demonstrate unequivocally that they are the main pollen vectors of these species. Mus minutoides was recorded for the first time to frequently visit inflorescences of P. subulifolia. Other visitors included genets that visited P. scabra inflorescences to lick nectar off florets, and birds that were relatively infrequent visitors to all species. Together with recent literature, the present study has shown that the utilisation of remote cameras in pollination studies provides an efficient, discreet method for observing vertebrate flower-visiting behaviour.
Rapid and Facile Synthesis of Rod-Like Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Material for Dye Adsorption from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Chen Aibing , Li Yuetong , Yu Yifeng , Yu Yunhong , Li Yonglei
Published: February 2016

A rapid and facile synthesis method for rod-like ordered mesoporous carbon material (OMC) was developed, in which the phenolic resin was used as the carbon source and the precursor solution of rod-like SBA-15 was employed as a hard-template. This new method skipped several processes related to the preparation of SBA-15. The as-synthesized OMC featured a rod morphology with rod lengths of 0.7–1 μm, uniformly sized mesopores (5.1 nm), and a high surface area (795 m2 g–1). Furthermore, the as-synthesized OMC showed excellent capacity for dye adsorption from aqueous solution.
Free living amoebae and human disease
Authors: Bursle Evan , Robson Jennifer
Published: February 2016

Pathogenic FLA are ubiquitous protozoans and despite frequent human contact remain a rare cause of often devastating infection with poor prognosis. Given changes in climate, human encroachment into the environment, increasing immunosuppression, and improving diagnostic capacity, it is likely we will see increased cases in the future. Early diagnosis is challenging but crucial to achieving a favourable outcome. It is best facilitated by improved awareness of FLA disease, appropriate clinical suspicion and early diagnostic testing.
Tapeworm cysts in the brain: can we prevent it happening?
Authors: Lightowlers Marshall
Published: February 2016

Imagine the consternation; you are a member of an orthodox Jewish family and you and another family member are diagnosed with larvae of a pork tapeworm in your brain. You have recurrent seizures as a result. Ridiculous? Not for members of a Jewish community in New York where a Mexican domestic worker harbouring a Taenia solium tapeworm had apparently contaminated the family's food with eggs from her tapeworm1.
Children, snails and worms: the Brachylaima cribbi story
Authors: Butcher Andrew R
Published: February 2016

Brachylaimids are parasitic trematode fluke worms that have a terrestrial life cycle involving land snails and slugs as the first and/or second intermediate hosts for the cercarial and metacercarial larval stages. A wide range of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians are the definitive hosts for the adult worm. Brachylaima spp. have been reported from most continents including Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia. There are over 70 described species in the genus with seven species indigenous to Australia. Although Brachylaima spp. are a cosmopolitan terrestrial trematode they have not been recorded to infect humans other than the three Brachylaima cribbi infections reported in two children and an adult from South Australia.
Increases in humic and bioavailable dissolved organic matter in a forested New England headwater stream with increasing discharge
Authors: Wilson Henry F. , Raymond Peter A. , Saiers James E. , Sobczak William V. , Xu Na
Published: February 2016

Understanding the processes controlling the transfer of organic matter from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems is of fundamental importance for the aquatic sciences. Over the course of a full year, fluorescence, absorbance and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were characterised in Bigelow Brook, a forested headwater stream in Massachusetts, USA. Parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) identified a four-component model to describe observed DOM fluorescence (C1–C4). Component C2 exhibited the characteristics of a more humic-like fluorophore, with a potentially more reduced redox state and increased with discharge, whereas more fulvic-like (C1) and protein-like (C3, C4) fluorophores decreased. Under both dark and light-exposed conditions, percentage bioavailable dissolved organic carbon (%BDOC) increased with discharge (R2 = 0.37 and R2 = 0.56). C2 and specific absorptivity (SUVA) were reduced following BDOC incubations, whereas C1, C3 and C4 increased. These changes to DOM characteristics with increasing discharge were observed under both baseflow and stormflow conditions, indicating that with rising watertable, loading from a large riparian or hyporheic pool of organic matter is likely occurring. Other headwater streams, where loading is controlled by hillslope processes, are likely to exhibit a similar pattern of increasing export of more humic and bioavailable DOM during hydrologic events.
Reflections on the integration of social media in the foreign language classroom
Authors: Falk Simon
Published: February 2016

Highly interactive social networks (e.g. Twitter or Facebook) offer possibilities to create personal content in virtual space that can be shared with other users. These multifaceted platforms support both formal and informal learning scenarios. Due to their high popularity, educational institutions become more and more interested in integrating them into their teaching practice. In this article, the author shows the payoffs and pitfalls that can arise by implementing social media in the foreign language classroom.
Social media in EFL teaching
Authors: Wiemeyer Leonie , Zeaiter Sabrina
Published: February 2016

This article presents an approach to fostering (oral) communication skills in L2 English using social media. It proposes that social media provide a setting for synchronous and asynchronous oral CMC and can be a motivating environment for communicative tasks in the lingua franca English as adolescent learners are used to participating online, both in written and spoken modes. This can be exploited in complex competency tasks in which learners are exposed to real-life discourse and the associated linguistic challenges. Complex competency tasks can provide a framework for web-based language learning and facilitate the development of oral communicative competencies. Among the implications for teaching discussed are sensible embedding in tasks, potential issues of student participation and motivation, and the authenticity of the environments. The article concludes that social media provide a fruitful platform for combining web-based and task-based language and media learning in (semi-)authentic contexts in complex competency tasks.
Discourse management
Authors: Azar Zeynep , Özyürek Aslı
Published: February 2016

Speakers achieve coherence in discourse by alternating between differential lexical forms e.g. noun phrase, pronoun, and null form in accordance with the accessibility of the entities they refer to, i.e. whether they introduce an entity into discourse for the first time or continue referring to an entity they already mentioned before. Moreover, tracking of entities in discourse is a multimodal phenomenon. Studies show that speakers are sensitive to the informational structure of discourse and use fuller forms (e.g. full noun phrases) in speech and gesture more when re-introducing an entity while they use attenuated forms (e.g. pronouns) in speech and gesture less when maintaining a referent. However, those studies focus mainly on non-pro-drop languages (e.g. English, German and French). The present study investigates whether the same pattern holds for pro-drop languages. It draws data from adult native speakers of Turkish using elicited narratives. We find that Turkish speakers mostly use fuller forms to code subject referents in re-introduction context and the null form in maintenance context and they point to gesture space for referents more in re-introduction context compared maintained context. Hence we provide supportive evidence for the reverse correlation between the accessibility of a discourse referent and its coding in speech and gesture. We also find that, as a novel contribution, third person pronoun is used in re-introduction context only when the referent was previously mentioned as the object argument of the immediately preceding clause.
A dynamic, usage-based approach to teaching L2 Dutch
Authors: Koster Dietha Eugenie Simone
Published: February 2016

Language teaching follows trends in theory of second language development (SLD). In recent years, a dynamic, usage-based (DUB) approach to SLD has gotten theoretical foothold. With DUB principles in mind, a teaching program was developed for teaching Dutch as a second language (L2), where authentic input stood central. The program was based on a popular Dutch movie and has been applied in a foreign language context, working with advanced, German learners of L2 Dutch at the University of Münster (Germany). In an exploratory study, we examined what effect the program had on students´ motivation and general language proficiency. Results indicate that students appreciated the method in several ways (learning, motivation) and that they showed a significant increase in language proficiency. The aim of this report is to provide supported ideas for engaging and effective L2 teaching.
Clause-final negative markers in Bobo and Samogo
Authors: Idiatov Dmitry
Published: February 2016

As many other languages of northern sub-Saharan Africa, almost all Bobo and Samogo languages (two distantly related Mande groups) exhibit prominently clause-final negative markers (CFNMs), a cross-linguistically uncommon property. Unlike negators in other parts of the world, CFNMs in the area prove to be rather unstable diachronically and relatively easy to borrow, similar to discourse markers, focus particles and phasal adverbs, with which they also happen to share peculiarities of morphosyntax and paths of historical development. This article first provides an exhaustive overview of the data available on the use of CFNMs in these languages. Building on these data, I advance an account of the history of the default CFNMs in these languages. In particular, I argue that the default CFNMs of Jo, Seen and probably Kpeen (all Samogo) go back to the phasal adverbial *kè ‘(not) yet; still’, whereas the default CFNMs of Bobo and Dzuun, Ban and Kpaan ultimately go back to a phasal adverbial *kÚDà(C)á ‘(not) again’. However, the default CFNMs of Dzuun, Kpaan and Ban turn out to be only indirect reflexes resulting from a lateral transfer of the Bobo CFNM, which expanded an already rich system of semantically more specific CFNMs in these languages.