bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solving the Controversy on the Wetting Transparency of Graphene
Authors: Kim Donggyu , Pugno Nicola M. , Buehler Markus J. , Ryu Seunghwa
Published: October 2015

Since its discovery, the wetting transparency of graphene, the transmission of the substrate wetting property over graphene coating, has gained significant attention due to its versatility for potential applications. Yet, there have been debates on the interpretation and validity of the wetting transparency. Here, we present a theory taking two previously disregarded factors into account and elucidate the origin of the partial wetting transparency. We show that the liquid bulk modulus is crucial to accurately calculate the van der Waals interactions between the liquid and the surface and that various wetting states on rough surfaces must be considered to understand a wide range of contact angle measurements that cannot be fitted with a theory considering the flat surface. In addition, we reveal that the wetting characteristic of the substrate almost vanishes when covered by any coating as thick as graphene double layers. Our findings reveal a more complete picture of the wetting transparency of graphene as well as other atomically thin coatings and can be applied to study various surface engineering problems requiring wettability-tuning.
Exploration of tetrahedral structures in silicate cathodes using a motif-network scheme
Authors: Zhao Xin , Wu Shunqing , Lv Xiaobao , Nguyen Manh Cuong , Wang Cai-Zhuang , Lin Zijing , Zhu Zi-Zhong , Ho Kai-Ming
Published: October 2015

Using a motif-network search scheme, we studied the tetrahedral structures of the dilithium/disodium transition metal orthosilicates A2MSiO4 with A = Li or Na and M = Mn, Fe or Co. In addition to finding all previously reported structures, we discovered many other different tetrahedral-network-based crystal structures which are highly degenerate in energy. These structures can be classified into structures with 1D, 2D and 3D M-Si-O frameworks. A clear trend of the structural preference in different systems was revealed and possible indicators that affect the structure stabilities were introduced. For the case of Na systems which have been much less investigated in the literature relative to the Li systems, we predicted their ground state structures and found evidence for the existence of new structural motifs.
Development and External Validation of Nomograms for Predicting Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients after Definitive Radiotherapy
Authors: Yang Lin , Hong Shaodong , Wang Yan , Chen Haiyang , Liang Shaobo , Peng Peijian , Chen Yong
Published: October 2015

The distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and overall survival (OS) differ significantly among individuals even within the same clinical stages. The purpose of this retrospective study was to build nomograms incorporating plasma EBV DNA for predicting DMFS and OS of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients after definitive radiotherapy. A total of 1168 non-metastatic NPC patients from two institutions were included to develop the nomograms. Seven and six independent prognostic factors were identified to build the nomograms for OS and DMFS, respectively. The models were externally validated by a separate cohort of 756 NPC patients from the third institutions. For predicting OS, the c-index of the nomogram was significantly better than that of the TNM staging system (Training cohort, P = 0.005; validation cohort, P = 0.03). The c-index of nomogram for DMFS in the training and validation set were both higher than that of TNM classification with marginal significance (P = 0.048 and P = 0.057, respectively). The probability of 1-, 3- and 5-year OS and DMFS showed optimal agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. The proposed stratification of risk groups based on the nomograms allowed significant distinction between Kaplan-Meier curves for survival outcomes. The prognostic nomograms could better stratify patients into different risk groups.
Phenotypic, Morphological and Adhesive Differences of Human Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Cultured on Murine versus Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Reichert Doreen , Friedrichs Jens , Ritter Steffi , Käubler Theresa , Werner Carsten , Bornhäuser Martin , Corbeil Denis
Published: October 2015

Xenogenic transplantation models have been developed to study human hematopoiesis in immunocompromised murine recipients. They still have limitations and therefore it is important to delineate all players within the bone marrow that could account for species-specific differences. Here, we evaluated the proliferative capacity, morphological and physical characteristics of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) after co-culture on murine or human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). After seven days, human CD34+CD133– HSPCs expanded to similar extents on both feeder layers while cellular subsets comprising primitive CD34+CD133+ and CD133+CD34– phenotypes are reduced fivefold on murine MSCs. The number of migrating HSPCs was also reduced on murine cells suggesting that MSC adhesion influences cellular polarization of HSPC. We used atomic force microscopy-based single-cell force spectroscopy to quantify their adhesive interactions. We found threefold higher detachment forces of human HSPCs from murine MSCs compared to human ones. This difference is related to the N-cadherin expression level on murine MSCs since its knockdown abolished their differential adhesion properties with human HSPCs. Our observations highlight phenotypic, morphological and adhesive differences of human HSPCs when cultured on murine or human MSCs, which raise some caution in data interpretation when xenogenic transplantation models are used.
In-situ characterization of nanoparticle beams focused with an aerodynamic lens by Laser-Induced Breakdown Detection
Authors: Barreda F.-A. , Nicolas C. , Sirven J.-B. , Ouf F.-X. , Lacour J.-L. , Robert E. , Benkoula S. , Yon J. , Miron C. , Sublemontier O.
Published: October 2015

The Laser-Induced Breakdown Detection technique (LIBD) was adapted to achieve fast in-situ characterization of nanoparticle beams focused under vacuum by an aerodynamic lens. The method employs a tightly focused, 21 μm, scanning laser microprobe which generates a local plasma induced by the laser interaction with a single particle. A counting mode optical detection allows the achievement of 2D mappings of the nanoparticle beams with a reduced analysis time thanks to the use of a high repetition rate infrared pulsed laser. As an example, the results obtained with Tryptophan nanoparticles are presented and the advantages of this method over existing ones are discussed.
Enhanced Dispersion of TiO2 Nanoparticles in a TiO2/PEDOT:PSS Hybrid Nanocomposite via Plasma-Liquid Interactions
Authors: Liu Yazi , Sun Dan , Askari Sadegh , Patel Jenish , Macias-Montero Manuel , Mitra Somak , Zhang Richao , Lin Wen-Feng , Mariotti Davide , Maguire Paul
Published: October 2015

A facile method to synthesize a TiO2/PEDOT:PSS hybrid nanocomposite material in aqueous solution through direct current (DC) plasma processing at atmospheric pressure and room temperature has been demonstrated. The dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles is enhanced and TiO2/polymer hybrid nanoparticles with a distinct core shell structure have been obtained. Increased electrical conductivity was observed for the plasma treated TiO2/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite. The improvement in nanocomposite properties is due to the enhanced dispersion and stability in liquid polymer of microplasma treated TiO2 nanoparticles. Both plasma induced surface charge and nanoparticle surface termination with specific plasma chemical species are proposed to provide an enhanced barrier to nanoparticle agglomeration and promote nanoparticle-polymer binding.
Self-aligned, full solution process polymer field-effect transistor on flexible substrates
Authors: Yan Yan , Huang Long-Biao , Zhou Ye , Han Su-Ting , Zhou Li , Zhuang Jiaqing , Xu Zong-Xiang , Roy V. A. L.
Published: October 2015

Conventional techniques to form selective surface energy regions on rigid inorganic substrates are not suitable for polymer interfaces due to sensitive and soft limitation of intrinsic polymer properties. Therefore, there is a strong demand for finding a novel and compatible method for polymeric surface energy modification. Here, by employing the confined photo-catalytic oxidation method, we successfully demonstrate full polymer filed-effect transistors fabricated through four-step spin-coating process on a flexible polymer substrate. The approach shows negligible etching effect on polymeric film. Even more, the insulating property of polymeric dielectric is not affected by the method, which is vital for polymer electronics. Finally, the self-aligned full polymer field-effect transistors on the flexible polymeric substrate are fabricated, showing good electrical properties and mechanical flexibility under bending tests.
Adsorption between TC-stabilized AuNPs and the phosphate group: application of the PTP1B activity assay
Authors: Lv Jun , Wang Xiaonan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Defeng , Zhang Juan , Sun Lizhou
Published: October 2015

Based on the adsorption between tetracycline (TC) and phosphate groups, a general colorimetric method is explored in this work by using TC-stabilized gold nanoparticles (TC/AuNPs) and 4-aminophenyl phosphate-functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (APP/MNPs).
Development of a rapid detection method for eight organophosphate esters in plastic samples from automobile interiors using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with microwave assisted extraction
Authors: Wang Yiping , Du Zhenxia , Zhang Yun , Zhou Lili , Yu Wenlian
Published: October 2015

A UPLC-MS/MS method combined with MAE for detection of OPEs in automobile interiors. The method is rapid, effective and eco-friendly.
The association and aggregation of the metamorphic chemokine lymphotactin with fondaparinux: from nm molecular complexes to μm molecular assemblies
Authors: Harvey Sophie R. , MacPhee Cait E. , Volkman Brian F. , Barran Perdita E.
Published: October 2015

Transmission electron microscopy and drift tube ion mobility-mass spectrometry are used to study the assemblies formed by the metamorphic chemokine lymphotactin in the presence of a model glycosaminoglycan.
Mesoporous carbon derived from vitamin B12: a high-performance bifunctional catalyst for imine formation
Authors: Chen Bo , Shang Sensen , Wang Lianyue , Zhang Yi , Gao Shuang
Published: October 2015

Mesoporous carbon derived from natural vitamin B12is applied for the first time in organic synthesis and exhibits exceptionally high dual activity for imine formationviathe cross-coupling of alcohols with amines and the self-coupling of primary amines.
Upper critical solution temperature (UCST) phase transition of halide salts of branched polyethylenimine and methylated branched polyethylenimine in aqueous solutions
Authors: Noh Minwoo , Kang Sunah , Mok Yeongbong , Choi So Jung , Park Jeongseon , Kingma Jannick , Seo Ji-Hun , Lee Yan
Published: October 2015

Halide salts of branched polyethylenimine (b-PEI) and methylated b-PEI exhibited UCST phase transition in aqueous solutions.
Correction: Coordination-directed self-assembly of a simple benzothiadiazole-fused tetrathiafulvalene to low-bandgap metallogels
Authors: Amacher Anneliese M. , Puigmartí-Luis Josep , Geng Yan , Lebedev Victor , Laukhin Vladimir , Krämer Karl , Hauser Jürg , Amabilino David B. , Decurtins Silvio , Liu Shi-Xia
Published: October 2015

Correction for ‘Coordination-directed self-assembly of a simple benzothiadiazole-fused tetrathiafulvalene to low-bandgap metallogels' by Anneliese M. Amacher et al., Chem. Commun., 2015, 51, 15063–15066.
A single-crystal to single-crystal phase transition in [Co(NH3)5NO2]Br2 at high pressure: a step towards understanding linkage photo-isomerisation
Authors: Zakharov B. A. , Marchuk A. S. , Boldyreva E. V.
Published: October 2015

A single-crystal to single-crystal phase transition above 6.0 GPa is discussed in relation to the structural mechanism of homogeneous linkage photoisomerisation that is accompanied by photomechanical effects in the same compound.
Determination of the thermodynamic activities of LiF and ThF4in the LixTh1−xF4−3xliquid solution by Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry
Authors: Capelli Elisa , Beneš Ondřej , Colle Jean-Yves , Konings Rudy J. M.
Published: October 2015

Vapour pressure and thermodynamic activities of LiF and ThF4in the liquid solution are studied by Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry.
Shock wave study and theoretical modeling of the thermal decomposition of c-C4F8
Authors: Cobos C. J. , Hintzer K. , Sölter L. , Tellbach E. , Thaler A. , Troe J.
Published: October 2015

The thermal dissociation of octafluorocyclobutane, c-C4F8, was studied in shock waves over the range 1150–2300 K by recording UV absorption signals of CF2.
Designing the topology of ion nano-channels in the mesophases of amphiphilic wedge-shaped molecules
Authors: Grafskaia K. N. , Rueda J. J. Hernandz , Zhu X. , Nekipelov V. M. , Anokhin D. V. , Moeller M. , Ivanov D. A.
Published: October 2015

The wedge-shaped amphiphiles bearing sulfonate groups at the tip of the wedge are prone to form ion nano-channels upon exposure to a humid atmosphere.
Molten salt medium synthesis of wormlike platinum silver nanotubes without any organic surfactant or solvent for methanol and formic acid oxidation
Authors: Zhao Haidong , Liu Rui , Guo Yong , Yang Shengchun
Published: October 2015

Wormlike PtxAgy nanotubes (NTs) were synthesized in a molten salt media without using any organic surfactant or solvent. They presented a enhanced performance in fuel cell catalysis compared with that of the Pt black.
Correction: The invertible electrochemical properties and thermal response of a series of gel-type ionic liquids based on polyoxometalates
Authors: Wu Xuefei , Li Yunyan , Wu Qingyin , Ding Hong , Yan Wenfu
Published: October 2015

Correction for ‘The invertible electrochemical properties and thermal response of a series of gel-type ionic liquids based on polyoxometalates’ by Xuefei Wu et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 24598–24603.
Developments in spontaneous and coherent Raman scattering microscopic imaging for biomedical applications
Authors: Krafft C. , Schie I. W. , Meyer T. , Schmitt M. , Popp J.
Published: October 2015

An overview about the instrumentation for spontaneous and coherent Raman scattering microscopic imaging is given with a focus on recent developments.
Intrinsic femtosecond charge generation dynamics in single crystal CH3NH3PbI3
Authors: Valverde-Chávez David A. , Ponseca Carlito S. , Stoumpos Constantinos C. , Yartsev Arkady , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Sundström Villy , Cooke David G.
Published: October 2015

Using time-resolved multi-THz we measure femtosecond charge generation, conductivity and exciton dissociation dynamics in single crystal methylammonium lead triiodide, the prototypical perovskite solar cell material.
Effect of sewage sludge type on the partitioning behaviour of pharmaceuticals: a meta-analysis
Authors: Berthod L. , Roberts G. , Sharpe A. , Whitley D. C. , Greenwood R. , Mills G. A.
Published: October 2015

Understanding the partitioning behaviour of active pharmaceutical ingredients between sludge and aqueous phases in wastewater treatment plants is important for environmental regulation.
Thermo-compression molding of chitosan with a deep eutectic mixture for biofilms development
Authors: Galvis-Sánchez Andrea C. , Sousa Ana M. M. , Hilliou Loic , Gonçalves Maria P. , Souza Hiléia K. S.
Published: October 2015

A deep eutectic mixture of choline chloride and citric acid was used for the preparation of chitosan bio-films by thermo-compression molding.
Unlocking the potential of a sleeping giant: lignins as sustainable raw materials for renewable fuels, chemicals and materials
Authors: Bruijnincx Pieter C. A. , Rinaldi Roberto , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: October 2015

Editorial article to accompany the Green Chemistry themed issue ‘Lignin Chemistry and Valorisation’.
Analytical spectral dependent partial least squares regression: a study of nuclear waste glass from thorium based fuel using LIBS
Authors: Singh Manjeet , Karki Vijay , Mishra Raman K. , Kumar Amar , Kaushik C. P. , Mao Xianglei , Russo Richard E. , Sarkar Arnab
Published: October 2015

LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) for simultaneous multielement quantification of nuclear waste glass using a spectral modification based PLSR approach.
Electronic and geometric structures of Au30clusters: a network of 2e-superatom Au cores protected by tridentate protecting motifs with u3-S
Authors: Tian Zhimei , Cheng Longjiu
Published: October 2015

A structural model of Au30S2(SR)18:4 × 2e SAN in a ligand-protected Au30S2(SR)18cluster with two new branching staple motifs and two trimer staple motifs.
Magnetic and photo-physical investigations into DyIII and YbIII complexes involving tetrathiafulvalene ligand
Authors: Soussi K. , Jung J. , Pointillart F. , Le Guennic B. , Lefeuvre B. , Golhen S. , Cador O. , Guyot Y. , Maury O. , Ouahab L.
Published: October 2015

Three TTF-based complexes have been elaborated using β-diketonate DyIII and YbIII precursors. [Yb(tta)3(L)]·2CH2Cl2 enlarges the scarce series of redox-active luminescent single-molecule magnets with correlation between emissive and magnetic properties.
TDDFT studies on the chiroptical properties of a chiral inorganic polythioanion Möbius strip
Authors: Li Chun-Yan , Zhang Ting , Chi Jia-Shu , Yan Li-Kai , Su Zhong-Min
Published: October 2015

We investigate the ECD spectra of a chiral inorganic polythioanion Möbius strip.
Chemoselective catalytic reduction of conjugated α,β-unsaturated ketones to saturated ketones via a hydroboration/protodeboronation strategy
Authors: Ding Wen , Song Qiuling
Published: October 2015

A novel copper-catalyzed chemoselective reduction of a carbon–carbon double or triple bond to a carbon–carbon single bond on α,β-unsaturated ketones is developed, this reaction proceeds under hydrogen gas or stoichiometric metal hydride free conditions.
Study of the enhanced electronic and thermoelectric (TE) properties of ZrxHf1−x−yTayNiSn: a first principles study
Authors: Rai D. P. , Shankar A. , Sandeep Sandeep , Ghimire M. P. , Khenata R. , Thapa R. K.
Published: October 2015

A density functional theory (DFT) approach employing generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and the modified Becke Johnson (TB-mBJ) potential has been used to study the electronic and thermoelectric (TE) properties of ZrxHf1−x−yTayNiSn.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4β-benzoxazolepodophyllotoxin hybrids as DNA topoisomerase-II targeting anticancer agents
Authors: Paidakula Suresh , Kankala Shravankumar , Kankala Ranjith kumar , Juluru Bhasker , Jonnalagadda Sreekantha B. , Lee Chia-Hung , Vadde Ravinder , Vasam Chandra Sekhar
Published: October 2015

A series of new 4β-benzoxazolepodophyllotoxin compounds (9a–j) were prepared and screened for molecular modelling and cytotoxicity against various human tumour cell lines. Cell apoptosis evaluation was performed using Hoechst staining.
Synthesis of a cationic fluorinated polyacrylate emulsifier-free emulsion via ab initio RAFT emulsion polymerization and its hydrophobic properties of coating films
Authors: Chen Xin , Zhou Jianhua , Ma Jianzhong
Published: October 2015

Cationic fluorinated polyacrylate emulsifier-free emulsion was synthesized by RAFT emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization.
Identification and characterization of a Bacillus methylotrophicus strain with high flocculating activity
Authors: Li Tan , Wang Jing , Wei Xiaoling , Zhao Hong-Yi , Zhao Zhong-Xing , Liu Hai-Bo
Published: October 2015

A novel bioflocculant-producing strain C412 was derived from Bacillus methylotrophicus. The bioflocculant is pH tolerant and thermostable; charge neutralization and bridging are the main flocculation mechanism.
One-step preparation of flower-like poly(styrene-co-zwitterionic ionic liquid) microspheres with hierarchical structures for supported acidic heterogeneous catalysts
Authors: Mao Hui , Song Yang , Qian Dongmei , Liu Daliang , Wu Shuyao , Zhang Yu , Hisaeda Yoshio , Song Xi-Ming
Published: October 2015

Novel flower-like poly(styrene-co-zwitterionic ionic liquid) microspheres with hierarchical structures for supported acidic heterogeneous catalysts show excellent catalytic activities for the esterifications, acetalizations and transesterifications.
Tailored graphene based polyurethane composites for efficient electrostatic dissipation and electromagnetic interference shielding applications
Authors: Verma Meenakshi , Verma Pawan , Dhawan S. K. , Choudhary Veena
Published: October 2015

Electrostatic dissipative and electromagnetic interference shielding materials were designed using thermally reduced graphene oxide nanosheets incorporated into a thermoplastic polyurethane matrix.
Synthesis of chitosan-coated polyoxometalate nanoparticles against cancer and its metastasis
Authors: Shah Hamid Saeed , Joshi Sachin A. , Haider Ali , Kortz Ulrich , ur-Rehman Nisar , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: October 2015

HeLa cells, before and after treatment with nanoparticles.
Corrosion behaviour of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) filled titania nano tubes
Authors: Mohan L. , Viswanathan S. , Anandan C. , Rajendran N.
Published: October 2015

3D images of nanotube (a) TNT and ta-C filled TNT samples at (b) 0.5 min, (c) 1 min, (d) 2 min, (e) 5 min and (f) 10 min.
Correction: Nano-Al2O3-based micro solid-phase filter membrane extraction for simultaneous determination of tartrazine and sunset yellow in food
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhen , Wang Lingling , Liu Xueyan , Zhang Danfeng , Zhang Lei , Li Qi
Published: October 2015

Correction for ‘Nano-Al2O3-based micro solid-phase filter membrane extraction for simultaneous determination of tartrazine and sunset yellow in food’ by Zhenzhen Zhang et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 86445–86452.
Exploring the impact of argumentation on pre-service science teachers' conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium
Authors: Aydeniz Mehmet , Dogan Alev
Published: October 2015

This study examines the impact of argumentation on pre-service science teachers' (PST) conceptual understanding of chemical equilibrium. The sample consisted of 57 first-year PSTs enrolled in a teacher education program in Turkey. Thirty two of the 57 PSTs who participated in this study were in the experimental group and 25 in the control group. The experimental group students learned the concept of chemical equilibrium through argumentation; the control group students learned the same concepts through business as usual (i.e.lectures, supported by laboratory experiments). The intervention lasted for 12 instructional hours, of which 4 were spent in the laboratory. The chemical equilibrium concept test was administered to both groups of students one week after the intervention. The results show that the experimental group students performed significantly better than then control group students on the chemical equilibrium concept test. The mean difference between two groups is 14.026. This difference is statistically significant at (*p< 0.001). However, the control group students performed significantly better on the comprehensive course final exam.
Controllable synthesis of mesostructures from TiO2hollow to porous nanospheres with superior rate performance for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Ren Hao , Sun Jiajia , Yu Ranbo , Yang Mei , Gu Lin , Liu Porun , Zhao Huijun , Kisailus David , Wang Dan
Published: October 2015

Uniform TiO2nanospheres formed from hollow and mesoporous nanospheres composed of 7 nm sized nanoparticles have been synthesized and show superior rate performance as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Surfactant encapsulated palladium-polyoxometalates: controlled assembly and their application as single-atom catalysts
Authors: He Peilei , Xu Biao , Xu Xiaobin , Song Li , Wang Xun
Published: October 2015

Two kinds of assembly structures (nanorolls and hollow spindles) based on the palladium substituted Wells–Dawson polyoxometalate (Pd-POM) were synthesised and showed high catalytic activity for both the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction and semihydrogenation reaction.
Anticancer metallohelices: nanomolar potency and high selectivity
Authors: Kaner Rebecca A. , Allison Simon J. , Faulkner Alan D. , Phillips Roger M. , Roper David I. , Shepherd Samantha L. , Simpson Daniel H. , Waterfield Nicholas R. , Scott Peter
Published: October 2015

New optically pure helicate-like architectures are extremely active against cancer cell lines, with IC50 values as low as 40 nM, but nearly three orders of magnitude less active against healthy cells. There is also low toxicity to microbes and amoeba.
β-Lactoglobulin nanofibrils can be assembled into nanotapes via site-specific interactions with pectin
Authors: Hettiarachchi Charith A. , Melton Laurence D. , McGillivray Duncan J. , Loveday Simon M. , Gerrard Juliet A. , Williams Martin A. K.
Published: October 2015

β-Lg nanofibrils can be cross-linked into ordered nanotapes by the use of specific, highly methylesterified pectins.
Structural change and dynamics of colloidal gels under oscillatory shear flow
Authors: Park Jun Dong , Ahn Kyung Hyun , Lee Seung Jong
Published: October 2015

The dynamics and rheological behavior of colloidal gels under different regimes of oscillatory shear flow have been studied by Brownian dynamics simulation. The dynamics and rheological behavior are discussed in terms of the microstructural change from rigid to soft chain structures.
Nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon single crystals: aqueous organic–organic self-assembly and superior supercapacitor performance
Authors: Shen Guozhu , Sun Xiaoran , Zhang Hongwei , Liu Yang , Zhang Jun , Meka Anand , Zhou Liang , Yu Chengzhong
Published: October 2015

Nitrogen-doped ordered mesoporous carbon single crystals have been synthesized. The resultant material shows high specific capacitance, excellent rate performance, and outstanding cycling stability in EDLCs.
Informed Consent in Clinical and Research Settings: What Do Patients and Families Need to Make Informed Decisions?
Authors: Sharp Helen M.
Published: October 2015

Informed consent requires that patients in clinical settings and participants in research voluntarily agree to a proposed plan based on their understanding of a clear and thorough explanation of purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives. Although the need to obtain informed consent is well understood in clinical and research environments, the evidence suggests that patients, family members, and participants in research are often unclear about options, risks, and benefits even after providing “informed” consent. Individuals with communication or cognitive disorders are at particular risk for a suboptimal outcome of the informed consent process. There are many barriers to achieving true informed consent, but the use of appropriate strategies can minimize the impact of these barriers and allow clinicians and researchers to improve the process of achieving true informed consent.
Swallowing and Feeding Services in the Schools: From Therapy to the Dinner Table
Authors: Homer Emily M. , Carbajal Patricia
Published: October 2015

Addressing swallowing and feeding in a school system is a team effort. Working closely with parents is essential to the student's progress. This article profiles swallowing and feeding intervention by a school-based team with a 5-year-old Down's Syndrome student with dysphagia and behavioral feeding disorders. The team was able to work successfully with the parents which resulted in the student making significant progress both at school and in the home setting.
Pipelined median architecture
Authors: Cadenas J.
Published: October 2015

The core processing step of the noise reduction median filter technique is to find the median within a window of integers. A four‐step procedure method to compute the running median of the last N W‐bit stream of integers showing area and time benefits is proposed. The method slices integers into groups of B‐bit using a pipeline of W/B blocks. From the method, an architecture is developed giving a designer the flexibility to exchange area gains for faster frequency of operation, or vice versa, by adjusting N, W and B parameter values. Gains in area of around 40%, or in frequency of operation of around 20%, are clearly observed by FPGA circuit implementations compared with latest methods in the literature.
Driving posture recognition by convolutional neural networks
Authors: Yan Chao , Coenen Frans , Zhang Bailing
Published: October 2015

Driver fatigue and inattention have long been recognised as the main contributing factors in traffic accidents. This study presents a novel system which applies convolutional neural network (CNN) to automatically learn and predict pre‐defined driving postures. The main idea is to monitor driver hand position with discriminative information extracted to predict safe/unsafe driving posture. In comparison to previous approaches, CNNs can automatically learn discriminative features directly from raw images. In the authors' works, a CNN model was first pre‐trained by an unsupervised feature learning method called sparse filtering, and subsequently fine‐tuned with classification. The approach was verified using the Southeast University driving posture dataset, which comprised of video clips covering four driving postures, including normal driving, responding to a cell phone call, eating, and smoking. Compared with other popular approaches with different image descriptors and classification methods, the authors' scheme achieves the best performance with an overall accuracy of 99.78%. To evaluate the effectiveness and generalisation performance in more realistic conditions, the method was further tested using other two specially designed datasets which takes into account of the poor illuminations and different road conditions, achieving an overall accuracy of 99.3 and 95.77%, respectively.
Extended particle swarm optimisation method for folding protein on triangular lattice
Authors: Guo Yuzhen , Wu Zikai , Wang Ying , Wang Yong
Published: October 2015

In this study, the authors studied the protein structure prediction problem by the two‐dimensional hydrophobic–polar model on triangular lattice. Particularly the non‐compact conformation was modelled to fold the amino acid sequence into a relatively larger triangular lattice, which is more biologically realistic and significant than the compact conformation. Then protein structure prediction problem was abstracted to match amino acids to lattice points. Mathematically, the problem was formulated as an integer programming and they transformed the biological problem into an optimisation problem. To solve this problem, classical particle swarm optimisation algorithm was extended by the single point adjustment strategy. Compared with square lattice, conformations on triangular lattice are more flexible in several benchmark examples. They further compared the authors’ algorithm with hybrid of hill climbing and genetic algorithm. The results showed that their method was more effective in finding solution with lower energy and less running time.
2.1.1 Modern Variants of Wittig, Peterson, and Tebbe Protocols
Authors: Müller C. , Cokoja M. , Kühn F. E.
Published: October 2015

The reaction of carbanions with aldehydes or ketones is the most established strategy for the preparation of alkenes via alkenation. Generally, the carbanion is stabilized by an electron-withdrawing group and, depending on its nature, these are known as Wittig, Horner–Wittig, Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (phosphorus-based), Julia (sulfur-based), and Peterson (silicon-based) alkenation reactions. Carbonyl alkenations can also be carried out with metal carbenes, carbenoids, or gem-dimetal complexes, using titanium (Tebbe reagent), zinc, chromium, or zirconium.

This section discusses the introduction of C-1 units using the Wittig, Peterson, and Tebbe protocols, with a special focus on new developments.
2.2.2 Carbonylation of Aryl and Vinyl Halides
Authors: Neumann H. , Schranck J.
Published: October 2015

The carbonylation of aryl and vinyl halides gives arenecarboxylic acids and α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids, respectively. Alkoxycarbonylation and aminocarbonylation of the same substrates give esters and amides.

Starting from aryl bromides, aromatic aldehydes can be synthesized in a palladium-catalyzed carbonylation using synthesis gas.

The well-established Heck, Suzuki, and Sonogashira C—C cross-coupling reactions can be carried out in a carbonylative manner using carbon monoxide to give α,β-unsaturated ketones, unsymmetrical ketones, and alkynones, respectively.
2.3.1 Carbene Insertion into C—H Bonds with C-1
Authors: Nicasio M. C. , Belderrain T. R.
Published: October 2015

Treatment of a diazo compound, i.e. a (diazomethyl)phosphonate or diazo(trimethylsilyl)methane, with a base, and subsequent alkenation of a carbonyl compound (Wittig–Horner reaction or Peterson elimination), followed by decomposition of the resulting diazoalkene affords an alkylidene carbene. This species may undergo intramolecular C—H insertion to generate five-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic systems. In this chapter, some applications of this methodology in organic synthesis are reviewed.
2.5.2 Cyanation of Epoxides
Authors: te Grotenhuis C. , Schoonen L. , Rutjes F. P. J. T.
Published: October 2015

Opening of epoxides with cyanide yields β-cyanohydrins (β-hydroxy nitriles), which are synthetically versatile intermediates that can be readily converted into a wide array of new functional groups. During the ring-opening reaction two contiguous stereocenters are generated, which can be controlled in several ways. When the reaction is performed without activation, terminal epoxides can be opened such that attack will take place at the least hindered carbon atom. Addition of a hard Lewis acidic catalyst will lead to activation of the epoxide, due to coordination to the epoxide oxygen atom, allowing the use of electronically and sterically more demanding substrates. Furthermore, ligands surrounding the metal of the catalyst can direct to which position of the epoxide attack will take place. If enantiopure ligands are used, meso-epoxides can be desymmetrized, resulting in the formation of a single enantiomer of the β-hydroxy nitrile product.
2.5.4 Carboxylation of Organometallic Reagents
Authors: Takaya J. , Iwasawa N.
Published: October 2015

Nucleophilic carboxylations of organometallic compounds, organic halides, and aromatic hydrocarbons with carbon dioxide are promoted by transition-metal catalysts or stoichiometric basic promoters. These reactions provide efficient methods for the synthesis of carboxylic acids and their derivatives.
First experiments with gasdynamic ion source in CW mode
Authors: Skalyga V. , Izotov I. , Golubev S. , Vodopyanov A. , Tarvainen O.
Published: October 2015

A new type of ECR ion source—a gasdynamic ECR ion source—has been recently developed at the Institute of Applied Physics. The main advantages of such device are extremely high ion beam current with a current density up to 600–700 emA/cm2 in combination with low emittance, i.e., normalized RMS emittance below 0.1 π mm mrad. Previous investigations were carried out in pulsed operation with 37.5 or 75 GHz gyrotron radiation with power up to 100 kW at SMIS 37 experimental facility. The present work demonstrates the first experience of operating the gasdynamic ECR ion source in CW mode. A test bench of SMIS 24 facility has been developed at IAP RAS. 24 GHz radiation of CW gyrotron was used for plasma heating in a magnetic trap with simple mirror configuration. Initial studies of plasma parameters were performed. Ion beams with pulsed and CW high voltage were successfully extracted from the CW discharge. Obtained experimental results demonstrate that all advantages of the gasdynamic source can be realized also in CW operation.
All-dielectric nanoantennas for unidirectional excitation of electromagnetic guided modes
Authors: Li Sergey V. , Baranov Denis G. , Krasnok Alexander E. , Belov Pavel A.
Published: October 2015

Engineering of intensity and direction of radiation from a single quantum emitter by means of structuring of their environment at the nanoscale is at the cornerstone of modern nanophotonics. Systems exhibiting spin–orbit coupling of light are of particular interest in this context. In this letter, we have demonstrated that the asymmetrical excitation of a high-index subwavelength (λ/3−λ/2) dielectric nanoparticle by a point dipole source located in a notch at its surface results in formation of a chiral near field, which is similar to that of a circularly polarized dipole or quadrupole. Using numerical simulations, we have shown that this effect is the result of a higher multipole (quadrupole and octupole) modes excitation within the nanoparticle. We have applied this effect for unidirectional excitation of dielectric waveguide and surface plasmon-polariton modes. We have achieved the value of front–to–back ratio up to 5.5 for dielectric waveguide and to 7.5 for the plasmonic one. Our results are important for the integrated nanophotonics and quantum information processing systems.
Integrating battery banks to wind farms for frequency support provision–capacity sizing and support algorithms
Authors: Attya A. B.
Published: October 2015

The expected high penetration levels of wind energy in power systems require robust and practical solutions to maintain typical conventional systems performance. Wind farms (WFs) positive contribution in eliminating grid frequency deviations is still a grey area, especially when they replace considerable conventional generation capacities. This paper offers a sizing algorithm to integrate storage battery banks (SBs) in WFs to provide feasible power support during frequency events. This algorithm determines the required rated power and capacity of each SB inside a WF according to several constrains, including wind speed (WS) characteristics at WF location. The size of the SB is based on a statistical study for the amounts of rejected wind power, and the events of low wind production. The offered operation algorithm controls the SB charging, discharging, and standby modes based on the acquisition of different dynamic variables, for example, WF output, load demand, and storage cells' state of charge. The operation algorithm aims to mitigate frequency drops and rejected wind power and to maintain the battery lifetime. Both algorithms are applied on a defined sector from a genuine conventional system merged with real WS chronological records at certain locations which are candidates to host WFs. Results reveal the positive influence of SB involvement on frequency excursions clearance; in addition, wasted wind energy is mitigated since wind turbines de-loading techniques are avoided and some rejected wind power is utilized to charge the installed SBs. Precise models are integrated through MATLAB and Simulink simulation environment.
Dose rate effects on array CCDs exposed by Co-60 γ rays induce saturation output degradation and annealing tests
Authors: Wang Zujun , Chen Wei , He Baoping , Yao Zhibin , Xiao Zhigang , Sheng Jiangkun , Liu Minbo
Published: October 2015

The experimental tests of dose rate and annealing effects on array charge-coupled devices (CCDs) are presented. The saturation output voltage (VS) versus the total dose at the dose rates of 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 and 50 rad(Si)/s are compared. Annealing tests are performed to eliminate the time-dependent effects. The VS degradation levels depend on the dose rates. The VS degradation mechanism induced by dose rate and annealing effects is analyzed. The VS at 20 krad(Si) with the dose rate of 0.03 rad(Si)/s are supplemented to assure the degradation curves between the dose rates of 0.1 and 0.01 rad(Si)/s. The CCDs are divided into two groups, with one group biased and the other unbiased during 60Co γ radiation. The VS degradation levels of the biased CCDs during radiation are more severe than that of the unbiased CCDs.
Three 3d–4f Tetranuclear Complexes Based on 2,3,5-Trichlorobenzoic Acid: Syntheses, Structures, and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zheng Ji-Min
Published: October 2015

The solvothermal reactions of 2,3,5-trichlorobenzoic acid (HL) 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), CoCl2·6H2O, and Ln2O3 afforded three novel 3d–4f tetranuclear complexes Co2Ln2(L)10(bipy)2 (Ln = Dy 1, Ho 2, and Er 3), which have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and element analyses. Complexes 1–3 crystallize in the triclinic space group P1, and the completely deprotonated L ligands possess μ2 : η2, η1 and μ2 : η1, η1 coordination modes to bridge adjacent metal ions, which further connect into 2D layers by hydrogen bonds. Magnetic studies indicate ferromagnetic interactions between adjacent metal ions in complexes 1 and 3.
A novel method for the quantification, characterisation and speciation of silver nanoparticles in earthworms exposed in soil
Authors: Makama Sunday , Peters Ruud , Undas Anna , van den Brink Nico W.
Published: October 2015

Environmental context Increasing production and application of engineered nanoparticles has led to an increased potential for their environmental release, raising ecotoxicological concerns. To appropriately characterise the fate, effects and risks of engineered nanoparticles in environmental systems, methods are essential to characterise nanoparticles in complex biological matrices. This study reports a method that extracts nanoparticles from tissues of organisms, enabling their detection, quantification and characterisation. Abstract Currently, metal engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in tissues are generally quantified based on total concentrations after acid digestion of samples. Electron microscopy has also been used for non-quantitative characterisation of NPs in situ, and can be enhanced with tissue-processing methods that can extract NPs with minimal destruction. For a proper risk assessment, it is essential to quantify and characterise the ENPs in both exposure media and organisms. For this, we developed a method using a combination of enzymatic tissue processing, followed by single particle inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) to characterise and quantify AgNPs in tissues of earthworms after in vivo exposure in soil to 50-nm AgNPs or AgNO3. Tissue concentration of Ag in worms exposed to 250mg AgNP kg–1 soil (dry weight) was 0.502±0.219mgkg–1 (dry weight) reflecting a bioaccumulation factor of 0.002. In both AgNP- and AgNO3-treated groups, the metal-rich granule fraction contained the highest Ag concentrations (77 and 64% respectively). Total Ag contained in the earthworm tissue of the AgNP- and AgNO3-treated groups comprised ~34 and <5% particulate Ag respectively. Average particle size of AgNPs extracted from tissues was consistent with exposure material (44 v. 43nm respectively). High resolution field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray (FEG-SEM/EDX) identified individual AgNPs in tissue extracts with corresponding spectral elemental peaks, providing further evidence of tissue particle uptake and composition.
A guided approach to conceptual design in the information design process
Authors: Pontis Sheila
Published: October 2015

Conceptual design is often overlooked and underestimated by information designers who tend to be more focused on implementation and concerned with aesthetic qualities. Consequently, there is a lack of thorough thinking and understanding during the conceptual part of the design process that results in a recurrent development of unintelligible diagrams in information design practice. Bringing awareness to conceptual design can help designers realize its function and importance for the development of effective diagrams. To address this situation, this paper proposes the adoption in professional practice of a conceptual design tool with a guided approach, e.g., MapCI Cards. Working with this approach may aid information designers in the preparation of diagrams by guiding conceptual design tasks: understanding the diagram purpose and intended-audience, analyzing and simplifying information sources, identifying subject areas and information types, and defining their organization into a hierarchical structure. We describe this type of approach and discuss its usefulness for information designers, explaining how it could support their conceptual design decision-making. Then, we present scenarios in which working with the approach could be beneficial, followed by recommendations to use this approach in professional practice.
Subject versus addressee in Dogon imperatives and hortatives
Authors: Heath Jeffrey , Dyachkov Vadim
Published: October 2015

Indicative sentences in Dogon have a subject of S/A type identifiable by convergent criteria. However, Dogon imperatives diverge from English in lacking full-fledged referential subjects. Specifically, covert imperative actors (“subjects”) cannot bind transpersonal reflexive pronominals the way indicative subjects do. Instead, Dogon imperative verbs morphologically index addressee number. Dogon hortatives have both overt first-person plural subjects and imperative-like second-person addressees. We must therefore tease apart (referential) subjecthood and addresseehood. Crosslinguistic comparisons (Basque allocutives, Russian transpersonal reflexives) bring out similarities and differences. A cultural focus on immediate observation as opposed to projected result, also observed in action verb semantics, may be behind the Dogon difference.
Synaptopodin couples epithelial contractility to α-actinin-4–dependent junction maturation
Authors: Kannan Nivetha , Tang Vivian W.
Published: October 2015

The epithelial junction experiences mechanical force exerted by endogenous actomyosin activities and from interactions with neighboring cells. We hypothesize that tension generated at cell–cell adhesive contacts contributes to the maturation and assembly of the junctional complex. To test our hypothesis, we used a hydraulic apparatus that can apply mechanical force to intercellular junction in a confluent monolayer of cells. We found that mechanical force induces α-actinin-4 and actin accumulation at the cell junction in a time- and tension-dependent manner during junction development. Intercellular tension also induces α-actinin-4–dependent recruitment of vinculin to the cell junction. In addition, we have identified a tension-sensitive upstream regulator of α-actinin-4 as synaptopodin. Synaptopodin forms a complex containing α-actinin-4 and β-catenin and interacts with myosin II, indicating that it can physically link adhesion molecules to the cellular contractile apparatus. Synaptopodin depletion prevents junctional accumulation of α-actinin-4, vinculin, and actin. Knockdown of synaptopodin and α-actinin-4 decreases the strength of cell–cell adhesion, reduces the monolayer permeability barrier, and compromises cellular contractility. Our findings underscore the complexity of junction development and implicate a control process via tension-induced sequential incorporation of junctional components.