bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlling Dispersion Characteristics of Terahertz Metasurface
Authors: Qu Shi-Wei , Wu Wei-Wei , Chen Bao-Jie , Yi Huan , Bai Xue , Ng Kung Bo , Chan Chi Hou
Published: March 2015

Terahertz (THz) metasurfaces have been explored recently due to their properties such as low material loss and ease of fabrication compared to three-dimensional (3D) metamaterials. Although the dispersion properties of the reflection/transmission-type THz metasurface were observed in some published literature, the method to control them at will has been scarcely reported to the best of our knowledge. In this context, flexible dispersion control of the THz metasurface will lead to great opportunities toward unprecedented THz devices. As an example, a THz metasurface with controllable dispersion characteristics has been successfully demonstrated in this article and the incident waves at different frequencies from a source in front of the metasurface can be projected into different desired anomalous angular positions. Furthermore, this work provides a potential approach to other kinds of novel THz devices that need controllable metasurface dispersion properties.
Spatial evolutionary public goods game on complete graph and dense complex networks
Authors: Kim Jinho , Chae Huiseung , Yook Soon-Hyung , Kim Yup
Published: March 2015

We study the spatial evolutionary public goods game (SEPGG) with voluntary or optional participation on a complete graph (CG) and on dense networks. Based on analyses of the SEPGG rate equation on finite CG, we find that SEPGG has two stable states depending on the value of multiplication factor r, illustrating how the “tragedy of the commons” and “an anomalous state without any active participants” occurs in real-life situations. When r is low ("Equation missing"), the state with only loners is stable and the state with only defectors is stable when r is high ("Equation missing"). We also derive the exact scaling relation for r*. All of the results are confirmed by numerical simulation. Furthermore, we find that a cooperator-dominant state emerges when the number of participants or the mean degree, 〈k〉, decreases. We also investigate the scaling dependence of the emergence of cooperation on r and 〈k〉. These results show how “tragedy of the commons” disappears when cooperation between egoistic individuals without any additional socioeconomic punishment increases.
Stretchable, Weavable Coiled Carbon Nanotube/MnO2/Polymer Fiber Solid-State Supercapacitors
Authors: Choi Changsoon , Kim Shi Hyeong , Sim Hyeon Jun , Lee Jae Ah , Choi A Young , Kim Youn Tae , Lepró Xavier , Spinks Geoffrey M. , Baughman Ray H. , Kim Seon Jeong
Published: March 2015

Fiber and yarn supercapacitors that are elastomerically deformable without performance loss are sought for such applications as power sources for wearable electronics, micro-devices and implantable medical devices. Previously reported yarn and fiber supercapacitors are expensive to fabricate, difficult to upscale, or non-stretchable, which limits possible use. The elastomeric electrodes of the present solid-state supercapacitors are made by using giant inserted twist to coil a nylon sewing thread that is helically wrapped with a carbon nanotube sheet and then electrochemically depositing pseudocapacitive MnO2 nanofibers. These solid-state supercapacitors decrease capacitance by less than 15% when reversibly stretched by 150% in the fiber direction and largely retain capacitance while being cyclically stretched during charge and discharge. The maximum linear and areal capacitances (based on active materials) and areal energy storage and power densities (based on overall supercapacitor dimensions) are high (5.4 mF/cm, 40.9 mF/cm2, 2.6 μWh/cm2 and 66.9 μW/cm2, respectively), despite the engineered superelasticity of the fiber supercapacitor. Retention of supercapacitor performance during large strain (50%) elastic deformation is demonstrated for supercapacitors incorporated into the wristband of a glove.
Quantum dot single-photon switches of resonant tunneling current for discriminating-photon-number detection
Authors: Weng Qianchun , An Zhenghua , Zhang Bo , Chen Pingping , Chen Xiaoshuang , Zhu Ziqiang , Lu Wei
Published: March 2015

Low-noise single-photon detectors that can resolve photon numbers are used to monitor the operation of quantum gates in linear-optical quantum computation. Exactly 0, 1 or 2 photons registered in a detector should be distinguished especially in long-distance quantum communication and quantum computation. Here we demonstrate a photon-number-resolving detector based on quantum dot coupled resonant tunneling diodes (QD-cRTD). Individual quantum-dots (QDs) coupled closely with adjacent quantum well (QW) of resonant tunneling diode operate as photon-gated switches- which turn on (off) the RTD tunneling current when they trap photon-generated holes (recombine with injected electrons). Proposed electron-injecting operation fills electrons into coupled QDs which turn “photon-switches” to “OFF” state and make the detector ready for multiple-photons detection. With proper decision regions defined, 1-photon and 2-photon states are resolved in 4.2 K with excellent propabilities of accuracy of 90% and 98% respectively. Further, by identifying step-like photon responses, the photon-number-resolving capability is sustained to 77 K, making the detector a promising candidate for advanced quantum information applications where photon-number-states should be accurately distinguished.
The Association of GSTM1 Deletion Polymorphism with Lung Cancer Risk in Chinese Population: Evidence from an Updated Meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Haiyan , Yang Siyu , Liu Jing , Shao Fuye , Wang Haiyu , Wang Yadong
Published: March 2015

Previous studies have reported the association of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) deletion polymorphism with genetic susceptibility of lung cancer in Chinese population. However, the results remained controversial. The aim of this study was to clarify the association of GSTM1 deletion polymorphism with lung cancer risk in Chinese population. Systematic searches were performed through the search engines of Medline/Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CNKI and Wanfang Medical Online. The pooled effects were calculated by STATA 10.0 software package and Review Manager 5.0.24. Overall, we observed an association of GSTM1 deletion polymorphism with increased lung cancer risk in Chinese population (odds ratio (OR) = 1.46, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.32–1.66 for null genotype vs. present genotype) based on 53 studies including 7,833 cases and 10,353 controls. We also observed an increased risk of GSTM1 null genotype for lung cancer in stratified analyses by source of control, smoking status and histological type. The findings suggest that GSTM1 deletion polymorphism may contribute to lung cancer risk in Chinese population. Further, well-designed studies with larger sample sizes are required to verify the results.
Leptin ameliorates ischemic necrosis of the femoral head in rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet
Authors: Zhou Lu , Jang Kyu Yun , Moon Young Jae , Wagle Sajeev , Kim Kyoung Min , Lee Kwang Bok , Park Byung-Hyun , Kim Jung Ryul
Published: March 2015

Obesity is a risk factor for ischemic necrosis of the femoral head (INFH). The purpose of this study was to determine if leptin treatment of INFH stimulates new bone formation to preserve femoral head shape in rats with diet-induced obesity. Rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal chow diet (NCD) for 16 weeks to induce progressive development of obesity. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) was surgically induced. Adenovirus-mediated introduction of the leptin gene was by intravenous injection 2 days before surgery-induced AVN. At 6 weeks post-surgery, radiologic and histomorphometric assessments were performed. Leptin signaling in tissues was examined by Western blot. Osteogenic markers were analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. Radiographs showed better preservation of femoral head architecture in the HFD-AVN-Leptin group than the HFD-AVN and HFD-AVN-LacZ groups. Histology and immunohistochemistry revealed the HFD-AVN-Leptin group had significantly increased osteoblastic proliferation and vascularity in infarcted femoral heads compared with the HFD-AVN and HFD-AVN-LacZ groups. Intravenous injection of leptin enhanced serum VEGF levels and activated HIF-1α pathways. Runx 2 and its target genes were significantly upregulated in the HFD-AVN-Leptin group. These results indicate that leptin resistance is important in INFH pathogenesis. Leptin therapy could be a new strategy for INFH.
Anisotropic Superconducting Gap and Elongated Vortices with Caroli-De Gennes-Matricon States in the New Superconductor Ta4Pd3Te16
Authors: Du Zengyi , Fang Delong , Wang Zhenyu , Li Yufeng , Du Guan , Yang Huan , Zhu Xiyu , Wen Hai-Hu
Published: March 2015

The superconducting state is formed by the condensation of a large number of Cooper pairs. The normal state electronic properties can give significant influence on the superconducting state. For usual type-II superconductors, the vortices are cylinder like with a round cross-section. For many two dimensional superconductors, such as Cuprates, albeit the in-plane anisotropy, the vortices generally have a round shape. In this paper we report results based on the scanning tunnelling microscopy/spectroscopy measurements on a newly discovered superconductor Ta4Pd3Te16. The chain-like conducting channels of PdTe2 in Ta4Pd3Te16 make a significant anisotropy of the in-plane Fermi velocity. We suggest at least one anisotropic superconducting gap with gap minima or possible node exists in this multiband system. In addition, elongated vortices are observed with an anisotropy of ξ||b/ξ&bottom⊥b ≈ 2.5. Clear Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon states are also observed within the vortex cores. Our results will initiate the study on the elongated vortices and superconducting mechanism in the new superconductor Ta4Pd3Te16.
Congruent tactile stimulation reduces the strength of visual suppression during binocular rivalry
Authors: Lunghi Claudia , Alais David
Published: March 2015

Presenting different images to each eye triggers ‘binocular rivalry’ in which one image is visible and the other suppressed, with the visible image alternating every second or so. We previously showed that binocular rivalry between cross-oriented gratings is altered when the fingertip explores a grooved stimulus aligned with one of the rivaling gratings: the matching visual grating's dominance duration was lengthened and its suppression duration shortened. In a more robust test, we here measure visual contrast sensitivity during rivalry dominance and suppression, with and without exploration of the grooved surface, to determine if rivalry suppression strength is modulated by touch. We find that a visual grating undergoes 45% less suppression when observers touch an aligned grating, compared to a cross-oriented one. Touching an aligned grating also improved visual detection thresholds for the ‘invisible’ suppressed grating by 2.4 dB, relative to a vision-only condition. These results show that congruent haptic stimulation prevents a visual stimulus from becoming deeply suppressed in binocular rivalry. Moreover, because congruent touch acted on the phenomenally invisible grating, this visuo-haptic interaction must precede awareness and likely occurs early in visual processing.
δ-Tocopherol prevents methylglyoxal-induced apoptosis by reducing ROS generation and inhibiting apoptotic signaling cascades in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Do Moon ho , Kim Su nam , Seo Seung-Yong , Yeo Eui-Ju , Kim Sun Yeou
Published: March 2015

δ-Tocopherol protects HUVECs against apoptotic activity induced by methylglyoxal.
Isolation, biological activity, biosynthesis and synthetic studies towards the rubromycin family of natural products
Authors: Atkinson Darcy J. , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: March 2015

The rubromycins are a unique family of natural products. This review covers their isolation, biological activity, biosynthesis and a detailed discussion of the diverse chemistry employed for total synthesis.
A fundamental in situ IR spectroelectrochemical study of the electrical polarization of nickel, copper and gold electrodes in the presence of the unstable tellurocyanate ion in DMSO and DMF solutions
Authors: Alwis Kethsiri H. K. L. , Mucalo Michael R. , Lane Joseph R.
Published: March 2015

TeCN− ions sense via decomposition the presence of dissolved metal ions produced by electrodissolution of Ni, Cu and Au electrodes.
Catalytic oxidation and adsorption of elemental mercury over nanostructured CeO2–MnOx catalyst
Authors: Jampaiah Deshetti , Tur Katie M. , Venkataswamy Perala , Ippolito Samuel J. , Sabri Ylias M. , Tardio James , Bhargava Suresh K. , Reddy Benjaram M.
Published: March 2015

The presence of oxygen vacancies and synergetic interaction between Ce and Mn were responsible for superior Hg0 oxidation performance of CeO2–MnOx compared to pure CeO2 and MnOx.
Polyaniline–RuO2composite for high performance supercapacitors: chemical synthesis and properties
Authors: Deshmukh P. R. , Bulakhe R. N. , Pusawale S. N. , Sartale S. D. , Lokhande C. D.
Published: March 2015

Polyaniline–ruthenium oxide (PANI–RuO2) composite thin films prepared by a chemical bath deposition (CBD) method for supercapacitor application.
Total synthesis and biochemical characterization of mirror image barnase
Authors: Vinogradov Alexander A. , Evans Ethan D. , Pentelute Bradley L.
Published: March 2015

Chemically prepared d-barnase catalyzes hydrolysis of native RNA and appears to be extremely stable to proteolysis.
Direct arsenic(iii) sensing by a renewable gold plated Ir-based microelectrode
Authors: Touilloux Romain , Tercier-Waeber Mary-Lou , Bakker Eric
Published: March 2015

A renewable gold-plated iridium-based microelectrode was developed, characterized and successfully applied to the direct voltammetric quantification of arsenite in freshwater samples.
Design and performance of a high-flux electrospray ionization source for ion soft landing
Authors: Gunaratne K. Don D. , Prabhakaran Venkateshkumar , Ibrahim Yehia M. , Norheim Randolph V. , Johnson Grant E. , Laskin Julia
Published: March 2015

A high-flux electrospray source enables deposition of micrograms of mass-selected ions for studies in catalysis and materials science.
Enzyme-free and label-free signal amplification for monitoring endonuclease activity and inhibition via hybridization chain reaction
Authors: Zhang Jing , Shi Zhilu , Jin Yan
Published: March 2015

A facile and sensitive method for studying EcoRI activity and inhibition had been developed based on EcoRI-triggered hybridization chain reaction.
Visual fluorescence detection of H2O2 and glucose based on “molecular beacon”-hosted Hoechst dyes
Authors: Lu Ling-Fei , Li Yan-Yun , Zhang Min , Shi Guoyue
Published: March 2015

In this work, a label-free molecular beacon (MB)-like biosensor is designed for the determination of H2O2 and glucose based on the fluorescence regulation of Hoechst dyes hosted by the designed AT-rich single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), in which Hg2+ and cysteine (Cys) act as activators.
Synthesis of metalloporphyrin-based conjugated microporous polymer spheres directed by bipyridine-type ligands
Authors: Ji Guipeng , Yang Zhenzhen , Zhao Yanfei , Zhang Hongye , Yu Bo , Xu Jilei , Xu Huanjun , Liu Zhimin
Published: March 2015

Metalloporphyrin-based conjugated microporous polymer spheres were obtained via Sonagashira–Hagihara cross coupling reactions directed by bipyridine-type ligands.
A triazole-bearing picket fence type nickel porphyrin as a cyanide selective allosteric host
Authors: Hong Kyeong-Im , Yoon Hongsik , Jang Woo-Dong
Published: March 2015

Triazole-bearing nickel porphyrin and cyanide forms host–guest complexes with high selectivity and sensitivity.
Correction: Tackling poison and leach: catalysis by dangling thiol–palladium functions within a porous metal–organic solid
Authors: Gui Bo , Yee Ka-Kit , Wong Yan-Lung , Yiu Shek-Man , Zeller Matthias , Wang Cheng , Xu Zhengtao
Published: March 2015

Correction for ‘Tackling poison and leach: catalysis by dangling thiol–palladium functions within a porous metal–organic solid’ by Bo Gui et al., Chem. Commun., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5cc00140d.
Static and lattice vibrational energy differences between polymorphs
Authors: Nyman Jonas , Day Graeme M.
Published: March 2015

Lattice energy, entropy and free energy differences for over 500 pairs of known polymorphs are computed and discussed.
Controllable growth of durable superhydrophobic coatings on a copper substrate via electrodeposition
Authors: He Ge , Lu Shixiang , Xu Wenguo , Szunerits Sabine , Boukherroub Rabah , Zhang Haifeng
Published: March 2015

Durable superhydrophobic coatings with excellent properties were createdviafacile and time-saving electrodeposition combined with annealing without organic modification.
Using structural diversity to tune the catalytic performance of Pt nanoparticle ensembles
Authors: Barron Hector , Barnard Amanda S.
Published: March 2015

While reducing the size, and restricting shape of nanocatalysts can improve performance, monodispersed samples are not necessarily ideal.
Facile luminescent tuning of ZnII/HgII complexes based on flexible, semi-rigid and rigid polydentate Schiff bases from blue to green to red: structural, photophysics, electrochemistry and theoretical calculations studies
Authors: Wang Xin-Ming , Chen Shuo , Fan Rui-Qing , Zhang Fu-Qiang , Yang Yu-Lin
Published: March 2015

The photophysical properties of ZnII/HgII Schiff base complexes could be tuned by changing the ligand structures.
Titanocene(iii) complexes with 2-phosphinoaryloxide ligands for the catalytic dehydrogenation of dimethylamine borane
Authors: Klahn Marcus , Hollmann Dirk , Spannenberg Anke , Brückner Angelika , Beweries Torsten
Published: March 2015

A study of the dehydrogenation of dimethylamine borane using different titanocene(iii) complexes with 2-phosphinoaryloxide ligands is presented.
Heteroleptic bis(dipyrrinato)copper(ii) and nickel(ii) complexes
Authors: Toyoda Ryojun , Tsuchiya Mizuho , Sakamoto Ryota , Matsuoka Ryota , Wu Kuo-Hui , Hattori Yohei , Nishihara Hiroshi
Published: March 2015

Heteroleptic bis(dipyrrinato)copper(ii) and nickel(ii) complexes are synthesized for the first time, and their structural, photochemical, and electrochemical properties are disclosed.
Synthesis and characterization of bis (acetylacetonato κ-O, O′) [zinc(ii)/copper(ii)] hybrid organic–inorganic complexes as solid metal organic precursors
Authors: Rooydell Reza , Wang Ruey-Chi , Brahma Sanjaya , Ebrahimzadeh Farzaneh , Liu Chuan-Pu
Published: March 2015

We have synthesized novel metal organic hybrid mixed compounds of bis (acetylacetonato κ-O, O′) [zinc(ii)/copper(ii)].
Discrete polynuclear manganese(ii) complexes with thiacalixarene ligands: synthesis, structures and photophysical properties
Authors: Suffren Yan , O'Toole Niall , Hauser Andreas , Jeanneau Erwann , Brioude Arnaud , Desroches Cédric
Published: March 2015

The solid state luminescence of [Mn4(ThiaSO2)2F]X (X = K+ and [K(18-crown-6)]+, ThiaSO2 = p-tert-butylsulphonylcalix[4]arene) compounds show a strong O2 pressure dependence.
Production of C3 platform chemicals from CO2 by genetically engineered cyanobacteria
Authors: Wang Yu , Tao Fei , Ni Jun , Li Chao , Xu Ping
Published: March 2015

A cyanobacterium was genetically engineered to serve as the kernel for production of C3 platform chemicals from CO2.
Optofluidic holographic microscopy with custom field of view (FoV) using a linear array detector
Authors: Bianco V. , Paturzo M. , Marchesano V. , Gallotta I. , Di Schiavi E. , Ferraro P.
Published: March 2015

Microfluidic Space–Time Digital Holography (μSTDH) yields unlimited field of view by on-chip quantitatively microscopy using a linear array detector.
The distribution pattern of genetic variation in the transcript isoforms of the alternatively spliced protein-coding genes in the human genome
Authors: Liu Ting , Lin Kui
Published: March 2015

The relationships among the types of transcripts, the classes of coding SNPs and the population frequencies in the human genome.
A Li4Ti5O12–rutile TiO2 nanocomposite with an excellent high rate cycling stability for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Li Xi-Ping , Mao Jian
Published: March 2015

Layer-stacked Li4Ti5O12–rutile TiO2 nanocomposite with high capacity and excellent long-term cycling performance at a high rate of 10 C.
Highly enantioselective synthesis of naphthoquinones and pyranonaphthoquinones catalyzed by bifunctional chiral bis-squaramides
Authors: Molleti Nagaraju , Singh Vinod K.
Published: March 2015

A variety of enantioenriched naphthoquinones has been synthesized in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) using a bifunctional chiral bis-squaramide catalyzed conjugate addition of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone to 2-enoylpyridines.
Stereoselective synthesis of the C13–C22 fragment of callystatin A by a non-aldol approach
Authors: Raghavan Sadagopan , Rajendar Sheelamanthula
Published: March 2015

A stereoselective route to the C13–C22 subunit of callystatin A is disclosed.
Reactive and ‘clickable’ electrospun polymeric nanofibers
Authors: Kalaoglu-Altan Ozlem I. , Sanyal Rana , Sanyal Amitav
Published: March 2015

This mini-review summarizes the design, synthesis and modification of various reactive and ‘clickable’ electrospun polymeric nanofibers to render them functional.
Salt-mediated polyol synthesis of silver nanowires in a continuous-flow tubular reactor
Authors: Chou Kan-Sen , Hsu Chung-Yen , Liu Bo-Tau
Published: March 2015

Silver nanowires were successfully synthesized by a polyol reduction method in a continuous-flow reactor with a yield of 2 g h−1.
Novel Bi12ZnO20–Bi2WO6 heterostructures: facile synthesis and excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activities
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhang Xiang , Huang Yu-Qi , Pan Cheng-Ling , Hu Jin-Song , Hou Chang-Min
Published: March 2015

Sillenite-type Bi12ZnO20–Bi2WO6 heterostructure were prepared via a controllable partial precipitate conversion strategy and they exhibited excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity.
Three dimensional carbon nanotube/nickel hydroxide gels for advanced supercapacitors
Authors: Cheng Hanlin , Duong Hai M.
Published: March 2015

CNT gel composite presenting different structures have been developed with excellent electrochemical performance for supercapacitor applications.
A method to construct perfect 3D polymer/graphene oxide core–shell microspheres via electrostatic self-assembly
Authors: Li Ying , Xu Yu , Zhou Tao , Zhang Aiming , Bao Jianjun
Published: March 2015

In this study, a method to construct perfect three-dimensional (3D) polymer/graphene oxide (GO) core–shell microspheres was proposed via electrostatic self-assembly.
Characteristics of a CaSO4 oxygen carrier for chemical-looping combustion: reaction with polyvinylchloride pyrolysis gases in a two-stage reactor
Authors: Bi Wenzhuo , Chen Tianju , Zhao Ruidong , Wang Zhiqi , Wu Jingli , Wu Jinhu
Published: March 2015

Chemical-looping combustion (CLC), which is a promising technique that includes an inherent separation of CO2 may reduce the generation of dioxins in municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal because in a CLC system, no free oxygen is available for incineration process.
Bioactive 18(4 → 3)-abeo-abietanoid derivatives from the leaves of Tripterygium wilfordii
Authors: Wang Chao , Li Chuang-Jun , Ma Jie , Yang Jing-Zhi , Chen Xiao-Guang , Li Li , Zhang Dong-Ming
Published: March 2015

Tripterlides A–F are new abietane derivatives, obtained from Tripterygium wilfordii. 1–4 are novel 14(13 → 12),18(4 → 3)-diabeo-abietanoids possessing a 6/6/5 tricyclic ring system.
Silica gel promoted environment-friendly synthesis of α-amino amidines and regioselective transformation of α-amino amidines into amidino substituted indazoles
Authors: Sagar A. , Babu Venkata Nagarjuna , Sharada Duddu. S.
Published: March 2015

Environment-friendly three-component Ugi-type strategy (U-3CR) for the synthesis of α-amino amidines promoted by silica gel and further transformation into amidino substituted indazoles in regioselective manner under iron catalysis is presented.
Development of polyacrylic acid-functionalized porous zinc sulfide nanospheres for a non-aqueous solid phase extraction procedure toward alkaloids
Authors: Zhu Dong , Li Wei , Wen Hong-Mei , Hu Yue , Wang Jun , Zhu Jun-Min , Ni Wen-Ting , Gu Chao-Qian
Published: March 2015

A non-aqueous solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure was developed and optimized utilizing novel polyacrylic acid-functionalized porous zinc sulfide nanospheres (PAA–PZNs) as the sorbents for the enrichment of alkaloids.
Effect of freezing methods on sulforaphane formation in broccoli sprouts
Authors: Guo Liping , Yang Runqiang , Wang Zhiying , Gu Zhenxin
Published: March 2015

Freezing at −20 °C enhanced sulforaphane formation in broccoli sproutsviaincreasing myrosinase activity and decreasing sulforaphane nitrile formation.
Cu2S-incorporated ZnS nanocomposites for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Vimal Michael Robin Jude , Theerthagiri J. , Madhavan J. , Umapathy Manickam J. , Manoharan Periakaruppan T.
Published: March 2015

Transformation from ZnS nanorods to nanoflakes with in situ reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i) to form ZnS–Cu2S, enhanced visible light H2 evolution.
Facile synthesis of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles integrated H2Ti3O7 nanotubes structure as a magnetically recyclable dye-removal catalyst
Authors: Harsha Narayani , Krishna K. V. Swathi , Renuka Neeroli K. , Shukla Satyajit
Published: March 2015

Magnetic nanocomposites (γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles incorporated in H2Ti3O7 nanotubes) have been synthesized via an ion-exchange mechanism and their dye-adsorption capacity has been determined.
Copper-catalyzed intermolecular C(sp3)–H bond functionalization towards the synthesis of tertiary carbamates
Authors: Chikkade Prasanna Kumara , Kuninobu Yoichiro , Kanai Motomu
Published: March 2015

We describe the development of an intermolecular unactivated C(sp3)–H bond functionalization towards the direct synthesis of tertiary carbamates.
Thermite-driven melamine condensation to CxNyHz graphitic ternary polymers: towards an instant, large-scale synthesis of g-C3N4
Authors: Dyjak S. , Kiciński W. , Huczko A.
Published: March 2015

Utilization of heat released from the classical aluminothermic reaction (Fe2O3 + Al) for thermal condensation of melamine allows production of a large amount of C/N/H graphitic ternary polymers within a matter of a few minutes.
Rationally designed 1D Ag@AgVO3nanowire/graphene/protonated g-C3N4nanosheet heterojunctions for enhanced photocatalysis via electrostatic self-assembly and photochemical reduction methods
Authors: Zhang Shouwei , Li Jiaxing , Wang Xiangke , Huang Yongshun , Zeng Meiyi , Xu Jinzhang
Published: March 2015

1D Ag@AgVO3nanowire/graphene/protonated g-C3N4nanosheet heterojunctions were fabricated and applied as an efficient photocatalyst for organic pollutant degradation.
Electrospun Sn-doped LiTi2(PO4)3/C nanofibers for ultra-fast charging and discharging
Authors: Liu Li , Song Taeseup , Han Hyungkyu , Park Hyunjung , Xiang Juan , Liu Zhiming , Feng Yi , Paik Ungyu
Published: March 2015

Sn-doped LiTi2(PO4)3/C composite nanofibers are synthesized by a facile electrospinning process.
Integrating the hierarchical structure with well-dispersed conductive agents to realize synergistically enhanced electrode performance
Authors: Wang Hongmei , Yan Yong , Chen Ge
Published: March 2015

A hierarchical structure composed of stacked TiO2/graphene/N-doped carbon nanosheets is successfully produced and demonstrates enhanced electrode performance.
Correction: Water-soluble and phosphorus-containing carbon dots with strong green fluorescence for cell labeling
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Yongmao , Cheng Lu , Cao Zhiqiang , Liu Wenguang
Published: March 2015

Correction for ‘Water-soluble and phosphorus-containing carbon dots with strong green fluorescence for cell labeling' by Wei Wang et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014, 2, 46–48.
Exploiting single-molecule magnets of β-diketone dysprosium complexes with C3v symmetry: suppression of quantum tunneling of magnetization
Authors: Dong Yanping , Yan Pengfei , Zou Xiaoyan , Liu Tianqi , Li Guangming
Published: March 2015

A series of four unique seven-coordinated β-diketone mononuclear dysprosium complexes with C3v geometry exhibit SMM properties suppressing the QTM, which was tuned by the distortion of coordination symmetry around the Dy(iii) ion.
Characterization of adsorbed water in MIL-53(Al) by FTIR spectroscopy and ab-initio calculations
Authors: Salazar J. M. , Weber G. , Simon J. M. , Bezverkhyy I. , Bellat J. P.
Published: March 2015

Here, we report ab-initio calculations developed with a twofold purpose: understand how adsorbed water molecules alter the infrared spectrum of the metal-organic framework MIL-53(Al) and to investigate which are the associated physico-chemical processes. The analyzed structures are the two anhydrous narrow (np⊘) and large (lp⊘) pore forms and the hydrated narrow pore form (np-H2O) of the MIL-53(Al). For these structures, we determined their corresponding infrared spectra (FTIR) and we identified the vibrational modes associated to the dominant spectral lines. We show that wagging and scissoring modes of CO2 give flexibility to the structure for facilitating the lp⊘- np⊘ transition. In our studies, this transition is identified by eight vibrational modes including the δCH(18a) vibrational mode currently used to identify the mentioned transition. We report an exhaustive band identification of the infrared spectra associated to the analyzed structures. Moreover, the FTIR for the np-H2O structure allowed us to identify four types of water molecules linked to the host structure by one to three hydrogen bonds.
Non-equilibrium alloying controls optoelectronic properties in Cu2O thin films for photovoltaic absorber applications
Authors: Zakutayev A. , Stevanovic V. , Lany S.
Published: March 2015

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) has recently received much attention as a candidate material for oxide photovoltaics. However, its low absorption coefficient due to the symmetry forbidden band gap and low intrinsic p-type doping level are obstacles for further advancing the performance of Cu2O thin film solar cells. Following computational predictions on the band gap, doping, and optical properties, we report combinatorial synthesis and characterization of Cu2−2xZnxO1−ySey thin film alloys and the associated device modeling results. We show that the absorption and the conductivity can be independently controlled by Se and Zn content, thereby devising a possible route to design of more efficient oxide photovoltaics and tandem solar cells.
Lattice parameters and Raman-active phonon modes of β-(AlxGa1−x)2O3
Authors: Kranert Christian , Jenderka Marcus , Lenzner Jörg , Lorenz Michael , von Wenckstern Holger , Schmidt-Grund Rüdiger , Grundmann Marius
Published: March 2015

We present X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy investigations of a (100)-oriented (AlxGa1–x)2O3 thin film on MgO (100) and bulk-like ceramics in dependence on their composition. The thin film grown by pulsed laser deposition has a continuous lateral composition spread allowing to determine precisely the dependence of the phonon mode properties and lattice parameters on the chemical composition. For x < 0.4, we observe the single-phase β-modification. Its lattice parameters and phonon energies depend linearly on the composition. We determined the slopes of these dependencies for the individual lattice parameters and for nine Raman lines, respectively. While the lattice parameters of the ceramics follow Vegard's rule, deviations are observed for the thin film. This deviation has only a small effect on the phonon energies, which show a reasonably good agreement between thin film and ceramics.
Difference in charge transport properties of Ni-Nb thin films with native and artificial oxide
Authors: Trifonov A. S. , Lubenchenko A. V. , Polkin V. I. , Pavolotsky A. B. , Ketov S. V. , Louzguine-Luzgin D. V.
Published: March 2015

Here, we report on the properties of native and artificial oxide amorphous thin film on a surface of an amorphous Ni-Nb sample. Careful measurements of local current-voltage characteristics of the system Ni-Nb / NiNb oxide/Pt, were carried out in contact mode of an atomic force microscope. Native oxide showed n-type conductivity, while in the artificial one exhibited p-type one. The shape of current-voltage characteristic curves is unique in both cases and no analogical behavior is found in the literature. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were used to detect chemical composition of the oxide films and the oxidation state of the alloy components. Detailed analysis of the XPS data revealed that the structure of natural Ni-Nb oxide film consists of Ni-NbOx top layer and nickel enriched bottom layer which provides n-type conductivity. In contrast, in the artificial oxide film Nb is oxidized completely to Nb2O5, Ni atoms migrate into bulk Ni-Nb matrix. Electron depletion layer is formed at the Ni-Nb/Nb2O5 interface providing p-type conductivity.
On the perpendicular propagating modes in the ultra-relativistic weakly magnetized plasma
Authors: Abbas Gohar , Iqbal Z. , Murtaza G.
Published: March 2015

The dispersion relations for the weakly magnetized perpendicular propagating modes (O-mode, X-mode, and upper hybrid mode) based on the ultra-relativistic Fermi-Dirac distribution function with chemical potential are derived using the Vlasov–Maxwell model. The results are presented in terms of Polylog functions without making any approximation. It is found that as the ratio μ/T is increased, the cutoff points shift downward. A comparison is also performed with the previously derived results for ultra-relativistic Maxwellian distribution.
Effect of composition on magnetocaloric properties of Mn3Ga(1−x)SnxC
Authors: Dias E. T. , Priolkar K. R. , Çakir Ö. , Acet M. , Nigam A. K.
Published: March 2015

A study investigating the effect of Sn substitution on the magnetocaloric properties of Mn3Ga(1−x)SnxC compounds reveals that the nature of the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) has a strong dependence on the nature of the magnetic ordering. For small amounts of Sn (x ≤ 0.2), the MCE is of the inverse type, wherein an increase in the applied field beyond 5 T gives rise to a table like temperature dependence of the entropy due to a coupling between the first order ferromagnetic (FM)–antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition and the field induced AFM–FM transition. Replacement of Ga by larger concentrations of Sn (x ≥ 0.71) results in a change of the MCE to a conventional type with very little variation in the position of (ΔSM)max with increasing magnetic field. This has been explained to be due to the introduction of local strain by A site ions (Ga/Sn), which affect the magnetostructural coupling in these compounds.
Phonon dynamics and Urbach energy studies of MgZnO alloys
Authors: Huso Jesse , Che Hui , Thapa Dinesh , Canul Amrah , McCluskey M. D. , Bergman Leah
Published: March 2015

The MgxZn1−xO alloy system is emerging as an environmentally friendly choice in ultraviolet lighting and sensor technologies. Knowledge of defects which impact their optical and material properties is a key issue for utilization of these alloys in various technologies. The impact of phase segregation, structural imperfections, and alloy inhomogeneities on the phonon dynamics and electronic states of MgxZn1−xO thin films were studied via selective resonant Raman scattering (SRRS) and Urbach analyses, respectively. A series of samples with Mg composition from 0–68% were grown using a sputtering technique, and the optical gaps were found to span a wide UV range of 3.2–5.8 eV. The extent of the inherent phase segregation was determined via SRRS using two UV-laser lines to achieve resonance with the differing optical gaps of the embedded cubic and wurtzite structural domains. The occurrence of Raman scattering from cubic structures is discussed in terms of relaxation of the selection rules due to symmetry breaking by atomic substitutions. The Raman linewidth and Urbach energy behavior indicate the phase segregation region occurs in the range of 47–66% Mg. Below the phase segregation, the longitudinal optical phonons are found to follow the model of one-mode behavior. The phonon decay model of Balkanski et al. indicates that the major contributor to Raman linewidth arises from the temperature-independent term attributed to structural defects and alloy inhomogeneity, while the contribution from anharmonic decay is relatively small. Moreover, a good correlation between Urbach energy and Raman linewidth was found, implying that the underlying crystal dynamics affecting the phonons also affect the electronic states. Furthermore, for alloys with low Mg composition structural defects are dominant in determining the alloy properties, while at higher compositions alloy inhomogeneity cannot be neglected.
Performance enhancement of perovskite solar cells with Mg-doped TiO2 compact film as the hole-blocking layer
Authors: Wang Jing , Qin Minchao , Tao Hong , Ke Weijun , Chen Zhao , Wan Jiawei , Qin Pingli , Xiong Liangbin , Lei Hongwei , Yu Huaqing , Fang Guojia
Published: March 2015

In this letter, we report perovskite solar cells with thin dense Mg-doped TiO2 as hole-blocking layers (HBLs), which outperform cells using TiO2 HBLs in several ways: higher open-circuit voltage (Voc) (1.08 V), power conversion efficiency (12.28%), short-circuit current, and fill factor. These properties improvements are attributed to the better properties of Mg-modulated TiO2 as compared to TiO2 such as better optical transmission properties, upshifted conduction band minimum (CBM) and downshifted valence band maximum (VBM), better hole-blocking effect, and higher electron life time. The higher-lying CBM due to the modulation with wider band gap MgO and the formation of magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxides together resulted in an increment of Voc. In addition, the Mg-modulated TiO2 with lower VBM played a better role in the hole-blocking. The HBL with modulated band position provided better electron transport and hole blocking effects within the device.
Being Indigenous in a Non-Indigenous Environment: Identity Politics of the Dogai Ainu and New Indigenous Policies of Japan
Authors: Nakamura Naohiro
Published: March 2015

The author discusses the identities and socioeconomic status of Indigenous people in a non-Indigenous environment, ways to recognize Indigenous belonging statistically, and ethnic policies in a Japanese context, specifically focusing on the Dogai Ainu; that is, the Ainu who left their original homeland of Hokkaido and live elsewhere in Japan. The Japanese Government's 2010 socioeconomic survey of the Dogai Ainu demonstrated a socioeconomic gap between the Dogai Ainu and the majority of the Japanese. This survey also revealed the difficulty of conducting surveys of the Dogai Ainu because, in a non-Indigenous environment, many of them tend to conceal their ethnicity for fear of discrimination and hesitate to participate in surveys. Indigenous peoples in Anglophone countries are increasingly challenging the definition of Indigeneity as imposed by outsiders, and self-identification is becoming an essential component of recognizing Indigenous belonging to reflect the reality and diversity of Indigenous identities. Some countries such as the USA and Canada have also begun using self-identification for enumeration in statistics. The case study of the Dogai Ainu, however, suggests that Indigenous belonging cannot always be recognized by self-identification and Indigenous policies may have to be implemented without comprehensive data.
Urban Escalators and Interregional Elevators: The Difference that Location, Mobility, and Sectoral Specialisation Make to Occupational Progression
Authors: Gordon Ian , Champion Tony , Coombes Mike
Published: March 2015

This paper uses evidence from the Longitudinal Study for England and Wales to examine the influence on occupational advancement of the city-region of residence (an escalator effect) and of relocation between city-regions (an elevator effect). It shows both effects to be substantively important, though less so than the sector of employment. Elevator effects are found to be associated with moves from slacker to tighter regional labour markets. Escalator effects, on the other hand, are linked with residence in larger urban agglomerations, though not specifically London, but also across most of the Greater South East and in second-order or third-order city-regions elsewhere. Sectoral escalator effects are found to be particularly strong in knowledge-intensive activities, with concentrations of these, as of other advanced job types (rather than of graduate labour), contributing strongly to the more dynamic city-regional escalators. The impact of the geographic effects is found to vary substantially with both observed and unobserved personal characteristics, being substantially stronger for the young and for those whose unobserved attributes (eg, dynamic human capital) generally boost rates of occupational advance.
Employment Insecurity and First-Time Homeownership: Evidence from Twenty-Two European Countries
Authors: Lersch Philipp M , Dewilde Caroline
Published: March 2015

Many young people in Europe face employment insecurity, a condition which will likely persist following the global economic downturn that started with the financial crisis of 2007–08. Previous research has shown that employment insecurity impedes the entry into homeownership. It is, however, less clear how this delayed entry into homeownership is filtered by contextual arrangements at the country level. Using longitudinal data from the EU Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (2007–11), we confirm prior findings on the negative effect of employment insecurity across European countries. We also find contextual variations. In more marketised housing provision systems in Northern and Western Europe, where mortgages are readily available to those in secure employment, the negative effect of employment insecurity (relative to having secure employment) on the transition into homeownership is accentuated. In more familialistic systems with strongly regulated labour markets in Southern Europe, the difference between young people in different employment situations is smaller, yet still significant. We find similar-sized differences between those in insecure and secure employment in the Baltic States, but not in the other Eastern and Central European countries, where housing shortages impede the entry into homeownership for young people across different employment positions.
Building Collaborative Partnerships for Climate Change Action in Maputo, Mozambique
Authors: Broto Vanesa Castán , Macucule Domingos Augusto , Boyd Emily , Ensor Jonathan , Allen Charlotte
Published: March 2015

The authors examine partnerships as a policy strategy for climate change governance in cities in the Global South. Partnerships offer the opportunity to link the actions of diverse actors operating at different scales and, thus, they may be flexible enough to deal with uncertain futures and changing development demands. However, simultaneously, partnerships may lack effectiveness in delivering action at the local level, and may constitute a strategy for some actors to legitimate their objectives in spite of the interests of other partners. Engaging with the specific example of urban governance in Maputo, Mozambique, the authors present an analysis of potential partnerships in this context, in relation to the actors that are willing and able to intervene to deliver climate change action. What, they ask, are the challenges to achieving common objectives in partnerships from the perspective of local residents in informal settlements? The analysis describes a changing context of climate change governance in the city, in which the prospects of access to international finance for climate change adaptation are moving institutional actors towards engaging with participatory processes at the local level. However, the analysis suggests a question about the extent to which local communities are actually perceived as actors with legitimate interests who can intervene in partnerships, and whether their interests are recognised.
Residential Mobility of Skilled Migrants in Nanjing, China
Authors: Cui Can , Geertman Stan , Hooimeijer Pieter
Published: March 2015

Economic restructuring and the dramatic expansion of higher education have generated large migration flows of skilled employees to Chinese cities. The residential mobility of skilled migrants has a large impact on the operation of housing and labour markets and the (re)production of social inequities. In this paper we examine the effects of life-course trajectories and institutional factors on the residential mobility of skilled migrants, in comparison with local skilled workers in Nanjing, using a retrospective survey conducted in 2012. Results show that skilled migrants have a higher level of residential mobility than their local counterparts, and that this difference arises from the locals' early entry into homeownership. Yet, migrants and locals also share similarities: market factors that are closely related to household, labour, and housing careers are decisive in explaining the residential mobility of skilled workers, indicating that life-course theories are also applicable in the Chinese context. The impacts of traditional institutional factors, such as hukou, employer type, and Chinese Communist Party membership, are of a much smaller magnitude, indicating that markets have become dominant institutions in China.
When Cultural Workers Become an Urban Social Movement: Political Subjectification and Alternative Cultural Production in the Macao Movement, Milan
Authors: Valli Chiara
Published: March 2015

This paper explores the relationship between cultural production and insurgent political activity. The specific context for the study is the urban cultural movement of Macao, in Milan. Macao is an urban social movement that aims to challenge neoliberal cultural production and neoliberal urban politics through alternative cultural production models. The overarching argument is that Macao pursues its subjectification process through aesthetic tactics: the process of the formation of a political subject passes through arts and creative expressions to impact and reconfigure the sensible domain. This collective subject is created by: first, reappropriating urban spaces; second, enacting alternative practices of cultural production; and third, guerrilla branding tactics. Ultimately, the paper explores the potential of alliances between urban struggles and struggles over commodification and exploitation of culture.
Spatiotemporal Relationships among Audiovisual Stimuli Modulate Auditory Facilitation of Visual Target Discrimination
Authors: Li Qi , Yang Huamin , Sun Fang , Wu Jinglong
Published: March 2015

Sensory information is multimodal; through audiovisual interaction, task-irrelevant auditory stimuli tend to speed response times and increase visual perception accuracy. However, mechanisms underlying these performance enhancements have remained unclear. We hypothesize that task-irrelevant auditory stimuli might provide reliable temporal and spatial cues for visual target discrimination and behavioral response enhancement. Using signal detection theory, the present study investigated the effects of spatiotemporal relationships on auditory facilitation of visual target discrimination. Three experiments were conducted where an auditory stimulus maintained reliable temporal and/or spatial relationships with visual target stimuli. Results showed that perception sensitivity ( d') to visual target stimuli was enhanced only when a task-irrelevant auditory stimulus maintained reliable spatiotemporal relationships with a visual target stimulus. When only reliable spatial or temporal information was contained, perception sensitivity was not enhanced. These results suggest that reliable spatiotemporal relationships between visual and auditory signals are required for audiovisual integration during a visual discrimination task, most likely due to a spread of attention. These results also indicate that auditory facilitation of visual target discrimination follows from late-stage cognitive processes rather than early stage sensory processes.