bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Italian Validation of Homophobia Scale (HS)
Authors: Ciocca Giacomo , Capuano Nicolina , Tuziak Bogdan , Mollaioli Daniele , Limoncin Erika , Valsecchi Diana , Carosa Eleonora , Gravina Giovanni L. , Gianfrilli Daniele , Lenzi Andrea , Jannini Emmanuele A.
Published: April 2015

Introduction

The Homophobia Scale (HS) is a valid tool to assess homophobia. This test is self-reporting, composed of 25 items, which assesses a total score and three factors linked to homophobia: behavior/negative affect, affect/behavioral aggression, and negative cognition.

Aim

The aim of this study was to validate the HS in the Italian context.

Methods

An Italian translation of the HS was carried out by two bilingual people, after which an English native translated the test back into the English language. A psychologist and sexologist checked the translated items from a clinical point of view. We recruited 100 subjects aged18–65 for the Italian validation of the HS. The Pearson coefficient and Cronbach's α coefficient were performed to test the test–retest reliability and internal consistency.

Main Outcome Measures

A sociodemographic questionnaire including the main information as age, geographic distribution, partnership status, education, religious orientation, and sex orientation was administrated together with the translated version of HS.

Results

The analysis of the internal consistency showed an overall Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.92. In the four domains, the Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.90 in behavior/negative affect, 0.94 in affect/behavioral aggression, and 0.92 in negative cognition, whereas in the total score was 0.86. The test–retest reliability showed the following results: the HS total score was r = 0.93 (P < 0.0001), behavior/negative affect was r = 0.79 (P < 0.0001), affect/behavioral aggression was r = 0.81 (P < 0.0001), and negative cognition was r = 0.75 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The Italian validation of the HS revealed the use of this self-report test to have good psychometric properties. This study offers a new tool to assess homophobia. In this regard, the HS can be introduced into the clinical praxis and into programs for the prevention of homophobic behavior.
Modeling of Microstructure Evolution with Dynamic Recrystallization in Finite Element Simulations of Martensitic Steel
Authors: Baron Thomas Josef , Khlopkov Kirill , Pretorius Thomas , Balzani Daniel , Brands Dominik , Schröder Jörg
Published: April 2015

A metallurgical material description of the flow behavior for finite element (FE) simulations was developed. During hot compression tests, the dynamic microstructure evolution is modeled on the example of high‐strength martensitic steel MS‐W 1200. Compression tests at 900–1000 °C with a strain rate of 0.1 s−1 on fine‐grain and coarse‐grain samples were performed. An analysis of the flow behavior identified a strong correlation between the dynamic recrystallization kinetics and the initial microstructure. The regression analysis has been used to determine correction factors of the new model to describe the dynamic recrystallization. A good agreement between FE simulation and measurement shows the validity of the new model.
Macrophage-Lineage Cells Negatively Regulate the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Pool in Response to Interferon Gamma at Steady State and During Infection
Authors: McCabe Amanda , Zhang Yubin , Thai Vinh , Jones Maura , Jordan Michael B. , MacNamara Katherine C.
Published: April 2015

Bone marrow (BM) resident macrophages (Mϕs) regulate hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) mobilization; however, their impact on HSC function has not been investigated. We demonstrate that depletion of BM resident Mϕs increases HSC proliferation as well as the pool of quiescent HSCs. At the same time, during bacterial infection where BM resident Mϕs are selectively increased we observe a decrease in HSC numbers. Moreover, strategies that deplete or reduce Mϕs during infection prevent HSC loss and rescue HSC function. We previously found that the transient loss of HSCs during infection is interferon-gamma (IFNγ)-dependent. We now demonstrate that IFNγ signaling specifically in Mϕs is critical for both the diminished HSC pool and maintenance of BM resident Mϕs during infection. In addition to the IFNγ-dependent loss of BM HSC and progenitor cells (HSPCs) during infection, IFNγ reduced circulating HSPC numbers. Importantly, under infection conditions AMD3100 or G-CSF-induced stem cell mobilization was impaired. Taken together, our data show that IFNγ acts on Mϕs, which are a negative regulator of the HSC pool, to drive the loss in BM and peripheral HSCs during infection. Our findings demonstrate that modulating BM resident Mϕ numbers can impact HSC function in vivo, which may be therapeutically useful for hematologic conditions and refinement of HSC transplantation protocols. Stem Cells 2015;33:2294–2305
Making variability less variable: matching expression system and host for oxygenase-based biotransformations
Authors: Lindmeyer Martin , Meyer Daniel , Kuhn Daniel , Bühler Bruno , Schmid Andreas
Published: April 2015

Variability in whole-cell biocatalyst performance represents a critical aspect for stable and productive bioprocessing. In order to investigate whether and how oxygenase-catalyzed reactions are affected by such variability issues in solvent-tolerant Pseudomonas, different inducers, expression systems, and host strains were tested for the reproducibility of xylene and styrene monooxygenase catalyzed hydroxylation and epoxidation reactions, respectively. Significantly higher activity variations were found for biocatalysts based on solvent-tolerant Pseudomonas putida DOT-TIE and S12 compared with solvent-sensitive P. putida KT2440, Escherichia coli JM101, and solvent-tolerant Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120. Specific styrene epoxidation rates corresponded to cellular styrene monooxygenase contents. Detected variations in activity strictly depended on the type of regulatory system employed, being high with the alk- and low with the lac-system. These results show that the occurrence of clonal variability in recombinant gene expression in Pseudomonas depends on the combination of regulatory system and host strain, does not correlate with a general phenotype such as solvent tolerance, and must be evaluated case by case.
Trust-based decision-making for smart and adaptive environments
Authors: Hammer Stephan , Wißner Michael , André Elisabeth
Published: April 2015

Smart environments are able to support users during their daily life. For example, smart energy systems can be used to support energy saving by controlling devices, such as lights or displays, depending on context information, such as the brightness in a room or the presence of users. However, proactive decisions should also match the users’ preferences to maintain the users’ trust in the system. Wrong decisions could negatively influence the users’ acceptance of a system and at worst could make them abandon the system. In this paper, a trust-based model, called User Trust Model (UTM), for automatic decision-making is proposed, which is based on Bayesian networks. The UTM’s construction, the initialization with empirical data gathered in an online survey, and its integration in an office setting are described. Furthermore, the results of a live study and a live survey analyzing the users’ experience and acceptance are presented.
Regret following female sterilization in Slovenia
Authors: Becner Anja , Turkanović Anela Bečić , But Igor
Published: April 2015

Objective

To estimate the regret rate and risk factors for regret among women who have undergone sterilization.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted among all women who underwent a sterilization procedure at the University Medical Center Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia, in 2008–2012. Identified women were contacted and asked to complete an online questionnaire assessing regret and symptoms associated with depression.

Results

Among 714 identified women, 308 (43.1%) completed the questionnaire. Four (1.3%) participants reported regret, and 9 (2.9%) reported that they would not opt for sterilization again, all of whom had post‐sterilization problems. Such problems were significantly associated with participants reporting that they would not opt for sterilization again (P = 0.003). Additionally, women who would not choose sterilization again had significantly higher scores on the depressive scale used than did those who would undergo sterilization again (P = 0.028).

Conclusion

Few women report regret after tubal sterilization in Slovenia. However, an additional consultation on post‐sterilization problems and depressive disorder before sterilization might minimize the risk of regret.
The Women of Kenya Speak: Imperial Activism and Settler Society, c.1930
Authors: van Tol Deanne
Published: April 2015

This article examines the politics of colonial voluntary work as an aspect of settler society and in relation to broader networks of imperial activism and reform. The East Africa Women's League, a predominant white women's organization in colonial Kenya, participated in settler politics during debates in 1930 concerning a Closer Union of British territories in East Africa. This involvement established connections between the voluntary welfare activities of settler women in Kenya and contemporary transimperial activist networks. Drawing on the private archives of the League, this article argues that the public lives of white women in colonial Kenya were entwined in the tensions of welfare in the twentieth-century British imperial project.
Managers and Ministers: Instilling Christian Free Enterprise in the Postwar Workplace
Authors: Fones-Wolf Elizabeth , Fones-Wolf Ken
Published: April 2015

This article examines the early industrial chaplain movement. In the midst of a postwar religious revival, companies, primarily in the South, hired Protestant ministers to care for their workers' spiritual needs. Many were motivated by both religious convictions and the desire to build a productive, loyal workforce. The opposition of unions and liberal Protestantism slowed the movement's growth, although over the last three decades thousands of employers have rediscovered the benefits of faith-based workplace programs. This article illuminates important postwar trends such as the persistence of paternalism and the importance of religion in managerial strategies.
CaV3.2 KO mice have altered retinal waves but normal direction
selectivity
Authors: HAMBY AARON M. , ROSA JULIANA M. , HSU CHING-HSIU , FELLER MARLA B.
Published: April 2015

Early in development, before the onset of vision, the retina establishes
direction-selective responses. During this time period, the retina spontaneously
generates bursts of action potentials that propagate across its extent. The
precise spatial and temporal properties of these “retinal
waves” have been implicated in the formation of retinal projections
to the brain. However, their role in the development of direction selective
circuits within the retina has not yet been determined. We addressed this issue
by combining multielectrode array and cell-attached recordings to examine mice
that lack the CaV3.2 subunit of T-type Ca2+ channels
(CaV3.2 KO) because these mice exhibit disrupted waves during the period that
direction selective circuits are established. We found that the spontaneous
activity of these mice displays wave-associated bursts of action potentials that
are altered from that of control mice: the frequency of these bursts is
significantly decreased and the firing rate within each burst is reduced.
Moreover, the projection patterns of the retina demonstrate decreased
eye-specific segregation in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN).
However, after eye-opening, the direction selective responses of CaV3.2 KO
direction selective ganglion cells (DSGCs) are indistinguishable from those of
wild-type DSGCs. Our data indicate that although the temporal properties of the
action potential bursts associated with retinal waves are important for
activity-dependent refining of retinal projections to central targets, they are
not critical for establishing direction selectivity in the retina.
The Hermeneutics of Omens: The Bankruptcy of Moral Cosmology in Western Han China (206bce–8ce)
Authors: CAI LIANG
Published: April 2015

Students of Chinese intellectual history are familiar with moral cosmology developed in the Han era, a theory that alleges thatruuse omens to admonish the emperor, and thereby to constrain and compete with his absolute political power. This thesis, in theory, is convincing; in actuality it is not. This article questions the autonomous power of omen discourse. Focusing on the socio-political conditions in which this discourse functioned, it demonstrates that, in real politics, the enactment of omen interpretation had nothing to do with restraining the power of the throne, but evolved with bloody factional struggles. Replacing the secret knowledge of diviners and astrologers with the common cultural heritage—the classics—and transforming the mysterious otherworldly spirits into a moral agent,rusuccessfully defeated the technical specialists and became the primary operators of the omen interpretation enterprise. The theoretical innovation that contributed toru'ssuccess, however, undermined their chance of building a social closure both to close off competition and to secure their interpretative authority. As numerous historical cases show, neither theruclassics nor the moral competence of the speaker add to the social efficacy of omen explanation: without monopolised knowledge, standardised hermeneutic rules, or institutionalised positions, omen discourse, rather than contesting political power, became its servant.
Quantification of Blood Flow-Dependent Component in Estimates of Beta-Amyloid Load Obtained Using Quasi-Steady-State Standardized Uptake Value Ratio
Authors: Cselényi Zsolt , Farde Lars
Published: April 2015

Longitudinal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of beta-amyloid is used in basic research and in drug efficacy trials in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the extent of amyloid accumulation after clinical onset is not fully known. Importantly, regional PET data are typically quantified using the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR), which according to simulations is sensitive to changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). We aimed to better understand the potentials of longitudinal amyloid imaging by disentangling the influence of blood flow on SUVR using experimental data. [18F]AV-45 PET data from 101 subjects, ranging from cognitively normal to AD patients, in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative were extracted. The relationship between global cortical distribution volume ratio, indicator of rCBF (R1), and SUVR was examined using multilinear regression. There was a significant effect of rCBF on SUVR. The effect increased by disease severity. Results suggest that changes in rCBF can produce apparent changes in SUVR in AD. Therefore, future longitudinal studies should measure amyloid changes in a way not sensitive to this effect, ideally using quantitative PET imaging. Furthermore, the results suggest no true accumulation beyond clinical onset and highlight the risks of longitudinal amyloid imaging in drug trials in AD.
Efficient light emission from inorganic and organic semiconductor hybrid structures by energy-level tuning
Authors: Schlesinger R. , Bianchi F. , Blumstengel S. , Christodoulou C. , Ovsyannikov R. , Kobin B. , Moudgil K. , Barlow S. , Hecht S. , Marder S.R. , Henneberger F. , Koch N.
Published: April 2015

The fundamental limits of inorganic semiconductors for light emitting applications, such as holographic displays, biomedical imaging and ultrafast data processing and communication, might be overcome by hybridization with their organic counterparts, which feature enhanced frequency response and colour range. Innovative hybrid inorganic/organic structures exploit efficient electrical injection and high excitation density of inorganic semiconductors and subsequent energy transfer to the organic semiconductor, provided that the radiative emission yield is high. An inherent obstacle to that end is the unfavourable energy level offset at hybrid inorganic/organic structures, which rather facilitates charge transfer that quenches light emission. Here, we introduce a technologically relevant method to optimize the hybrid structure’s energy levels, here comprising ZnO and a tailored ladder-type oligophenylene. The ZnO work function is substantially lowered with an organometallic donor monolayer, aligning the frontier levels of the inorganic and organic semiconductors. This increases the hybrid structure’s radiative emission yield sevenfold, validating the relevance of our approach.
The effects of interfacial potential on antimicrobial propensity of ZnO nanoparticle
Authors: Arakha Manoranjan , Saleem Mohammed , Mallick Bairagi C. , Jha Suman
Published: April 2015

The work investigates the role of interfacial potential in defining antimicrobial propensity of ZnO nanoparticle (ZnONP) against different Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. ZnONPs with positive and negative surface potential are tested against different bacteria with varying surface potentials, ranging −14.7 to −23.6 mV. Chemically synthesized ZnONPs with positive surface potential show very high antimicrobial propensity with minimum inhibitory concentration of 50 and 100 μg/mL for Gram negative and positive bacterium, respectively. On other hand, ZnONPs of the same size but with negative surface potential show insignificant antimicrobial propensity against the studied bacteria. Unlike the positively charged nanoparticles, neither Zn2+ ion nor negatively charged ZnONP shows any significant inhibition in growth or morphology of the bacterium. Potential neutralization and colony forming unit studies together proved adverse effect of the resultant nano-bacterial interfacial potential on bacterial viability. Thus, ZnONP with positive surface potential upon interaction with negative surface potential of bacterial membrane enhances production of the reactive oxygen species and exerts mechanical stress on the membrane, resulting in the membrane depolarization. Our results show that the antimicrobial propensity of metal oxide nanoparticle mainly depends upon the interfacial potential, the potential resulting upon interaction of nanoparticle surface with bacterial membrane.
Largely Enhanced Saturable Absorption of a Complex of Plasmonic and Molecular-Like Au Nanocrystals
Authors: Ding Si-Jing , Nan Fan , Yang Da-Jie , Liu Xiao-Li , Wang Ya-Lan , Zhou Li , Hao Zhong-Hua , Wang Qu-Quan
Published: April 2015

A saturable absorber is a nonlinear functional material widely used in laser and photonic nanodevices. Metallic nanostructures have prominent saturable absorption (SA) at the plasmon resonance frequency owing to largely enhanced ground state absorption. However, the SA of plasmonic metal nanostructures is hampered by excited-state absorption processes at very high excitation power, which usually leads to a changeover from SA to reversed SA (SA→RSA). Here, we demonstrate tunable nonlinear absorption behaviours of a nanocomplex of plasmonic and molecular-like Au nanocrystals. The SA→RSA process is efficiently suppressed and the stepwise SA→SA process is fulfilled owing to energy transfer in the nanocomplex. Our observations offer a strategy for preparation of the saturable absorber complex and have prospective applications in liquid lasers as well as one-photon nonlinear nanodevices.
Joint Skewness and Its Application in Unsupervised Band Selection for Small Target Detection
Authors: Geng Xiurui , Sun Kang , Ji Luyan , Tang Hairong , Zhao Yongchao
Published: April 2015

Few band selection methods are specially designed for small target detection. It is well known that the information of small targets is most likely contained in non-Gaussian bands, where small targets are more easily separated from the background. On the other hand, correlation of band set also plays an important role in the small target detection. When the selected bands are highly correlated, it will be unbeneficial for the subsequent detection. However, the existing non-Gaussianity-based band selection methods have not taken the correlation of bands into account, which generally result in high correlation of obtained bands. In this paper, combining the third-order (third-order tensor) and second-order (correlation) statistics of bands, we define a new concept, named joint skewness, for multivariate data. Moreover, we also propose an easy-to-implement approach to estimate this index based on high-order singular value decomposition (HOSVD). Based on the definition of joint skewness, we present an unsupervised band selection for small target detection for hyperspectral data, named joint skewness band selection (JSBS). The evaluation results demonstrate that the bands selected by JSBS are very effective in terms of small target detection.
Atomic structure of biodegradable Mg-based bulk metallic glass
Authors: Christie J. K.
Published: April 2015

Very accurate first-principles molecular dynamics simulations of two Mg–Zn–Ca glasses, which are candidate materials for implants, have been performed. Their structure does not strongly depend on composition, and other directions for optimisation of these glasses are discussed.
Optimization of the catalytic hydrogenation of terebinth by a Ni-based catalyst
Authors: Wang Linlin , Guo Huiqing , Chen Xiaopeng , Chen Qingmei , Wei Xiaojie , Ding Yonghui , Zhu Bixin
Published: April 2015

A transformation of renewable biomass to useful chemicals, using waste fluid catalytic cracking catalyst-supported nickel, was accomplished.
Improved DNA equilibrium binding affinity determinations of platinum(ii) complexes using synchrotron radiation circular dichroism
Authors: Ang Dale L. , Jones Nykola C. , Stootman Frank , Ghadirian Bahman , Aldrich-Wright Janice R.
Published: April 2015

The DNA binding affinity of a range of Pt(ii) complexes was reinvestigated using SRCD and a new method was implemented for determining the binding constant, saving time and minimising data collection.
Mechanochemical surface functionalisation of superparamagnetic microparticles with in situ formed crystalline metal-complexes: a fast novel core–shell particle formation method
Authors: Brede F. A. , Mandel K. , Schneider M. , Sextl G. , Müller-Buschbaum K.
Published: April 2015

An innovative mechanochemical method is reported for the in situ formation of crystalline metal-complexes on the surface of superparamagnetic nanocomposite microparticles.
Highly crystalline Ti-doped SnO2 hollow structured photocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic activity for degradation of organic dyes
Authors: Ran Lei , Zhao Danyang , Gao Xueping , Yin Longwei
Published: April 2015

We developed a facile infiltration route for synthesizing hollow-structured SnO2 with an adjustable Ti doping content using SiO2 microspheres as hard templates via an improved Stober method.
The N-atom in [N(PR3)2]+ cations (R = Ph, Me) can act as electron donor for (pseudo) anti-electrostatic interactions
Authors: Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Mooibroek Tiddo J. , Reedijk Jan
Published: April 2015

A CSD analysis and DFT study reveal that the nitrogen lone-pair in [N(PPh3)2]+ is partially intact and involved in intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
A class of rare antiferromagnetic metallic oxides: double perovskite AMn3V4O12 (A = Na+, Ca2+, and La3+) and the site-selective doping effect
Authors: Zhang Guangbiao , Wang Yuanxu , Cheng Zhenxiang , Yan Yuli , Peng Chengxiao , Wang Chao , Dong Shuai
Published: April 2015

A-site-ordered double perovskite oxides will work as an ideal platform for designing novel antiferromagnetic metallic oxides.
Doped golden fullerene cages
Authors: Baletto Francesca , Ferrando Riccardo
Published: April 2015

A first-principles investigation of the effect of the doping of golden cages of 32 atoms is proposed.
Oxygen exchange and transport in dual phase ceramic composite electrodes
Authors: Druce John , Téllez Helena , Ishihara Tatsumi , Kilner John A.
Published: April 2015

Composites consisting of a perovskite-based electronic or mixed conductor with a fluorite-structured ionic conductor are often used as electrodes in solid oxide electrochemical energy conversion devices. After sintering the materials, there is often evidence for inter-reaction between the two phases, or inter-diffusion of cations or impurities between the two phases. We studied the18O exchange properties of a composite consisting of CGO and LSCF in a 50 : 50 ratio. High resolution ToF-SIMS mapping reveals that the18O fraction at the very outer surface of grains of the CGO phase is much higher than expected fromD* andk* values for the single-phase parent material. Surface compositional analysis by ToF-SIMS and low energy ion scattering (LEIS) spectroscopy suggests that the surfaces of the CGO grains in the composite do not show the impurities which typically segregate to the surface in single-phase CGO. Thus, the “cleaning” of impurities from the CGO surface by dissolution into the perovskite phase may be one explanation for the apparent enhanced surface exchange for CGO in these composites.
The synthesis and aqueous solution properties of sulfobutylbetaine (co)polymers: comparison of synthetic routes and tuneable upper critical solution temperatures
Authors: Zhu Yicheng , Noy Janina-Miriam , Lowe Andrew B. , Roth Peter J.
Published: April 2015

With an additional methyl group in the ion bridge, sulfobutylbetaine (co)polymers show significantly higher UCSTs than their more common sulfopropylbetaine counterparts making them a promising class of smart materials.
Facile modification of ZIF-8 mixed matrix membrane for CO2/CH4 separation: synthesis and preparation
Authors: Md Nordin Nik Abdul Hadi , Racha Surya Murali , Matsuura Takeshi , Misdan Nurasyikin , Abdullah Sani Nur Aimie , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi , Mustafa Azeman
Published: April 2015

The MMM consisting of ZIF-8 after facile ammonia modification provides excellent separation properties with increases CO2 permeability up to 43% and ideal CO2/CH4 selectivity up to 72% even only 0.5 wt% fillers were embodied.
Photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical activity of N-doped BiPO4 photocatalyst
Authors: She Liaona , Tan Guoqiang , Ren Huijun , Huang Jing , Xu Chi , Xia Ao
Published: April 2015

N-doped BiPO4 photocatalysts were successfully synthesized via a facile microwave hydrothermal method.
Synthesis and bioactivity of novel xanthone and thioxanthone l-rhamnopyranosides
Authors: Song Gao-peng , Li Su-mei , Si Hong-zong , Li Yi-bin , Li Ya-sheng , Fan Ji-hong , Liang Qian-qian , He Hui-bing , Ye Han-ming , Cui Zi-ning
Published: April 2015

Xanthone l-rhamnopyranoside derivative 11 was discovered as one of novel topo-I inhibitors.
Electrochemical synthesis of pillared layer mixed ligand metal–organic framework: DMOF-1–Zn
Authors: Khazalpour Sadegh , Safarifard Vahid , Morsali Ali , Nematollahi Davood
Published: April 2015

In this paper, a pillared layer mixed ligand metal–organic framework (MOF), namely, DMOF-1–Zn was synthesized via anodic dissolution in an electrochemical cell.
Conducting polymer nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Doshi Mona , Krienke Marissa , Khederzadeh Saeid , Sanchez Henry , Copik Alicja , Oyer Jeremiah , Gesquiere Andre J.
Published: April 2015

Functionalized conducting polymer nanoparticles allow for targeted delivery, tracking by fluorescence bioimaging, and therapeutics through formation of reactive oxygen species.
Design of a solar-driven TiO2 nanofilm on Ti foil by self-structure modifications
Authors: Liu Yan , Mu Kangsheng , Zhong Jiandan , Chen Keni , Zhang Yanzong , Yang Gang , Wang Lilin , Deng Shihuai , Shen Fei , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: April 2015

A novel solar-driven VO–N–TiO2 (A/R) nanofilm was designed. Its optical absorption can cover the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared region.
Amorphous carbon layer contributing Li storage capacity to Nb2O5@C nanosheets
Authors: Wang Lei , Ruan Boyang , Xu Jiantie , Liu Hua Kun , Ma Jianmin
Published: April 2015

The high-capacity of Nb2O5 nanosheets has been successfully realized through introducing amorphous carbon layers, which have been demonstrated to have a large capacity owing to the existence of defects on amorphous carbon layers.
On the stability of aqueous dispersions containing conducting colloidal particles
Authors: Szparaga Ryan , Woodward Clifford E. , Forsman Jan
Published: April 2015

We use a combination of simulations and a simple theoretical approach to investigate interactions between neutral conducting surfaces, immersed in an electrolyte solution.
Ultrafast charge transfer in solid-state films of pristine cyanine borate and blends with fullerene
Authors: De Jonghe-Risse Jelissa , Heier Jakob , Nüesch Frank , Moser Jacques-E.
Published: April 2015

Kinetic competition between charge separation and intra-ion pair reductive quenching depends on the acceptor concentration and phase intermixing morphology.
D–A–π–A featured sensitizers containing an auxiliary acceptor of benzoxadiazole: molecular engineering and co-sensitization
Authors: Zhu Haibo , Wu Yongzhen , Liu Jingchuan , Zhang Weiwei , Wu Wenjun , Zhu Wei-Hong
Published: April 2015

Benzoxadiazole-based D–A–π–A organic sensitizers can red shift absorption bands and predominantly deepen the LUMO level, realizing photovoltaic efficiency as high as 9.72% via a co-sensitization process.
Correction: Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped porous carbon derived from human hair as highly efficient metal-free electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions
Authors: Liu Xiaojun , Zhou Weijia , Yang Linjing , Li Ligui , Zhang Zhenyuan , Ke Yunting , Chen Shaowei
Published: April 2015

Correction for ‘Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped porous carbon derived from human hair as highly efficient metal-free electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reactions’ by Xiaojun Liu et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, 3, 8840–8846.
One-pot cross-linked copolymerization for the construction of robust antifouling and antibacterial composite membranes
Authors: Cheng Chong , He Ai , Nie Chuanxiong , Xia Yi , He Chao , Ma Lang , Zhao Changsheng
Published: April 2015

This study reports a highly efficient, convenient and universal protocol for the fabrication of robust antifouling and antibacterial polymeric membranes via one-pot cross-linked copolymerization of functional monomers.
Hierarchical manipulation of uniform multi-nanoparticles by electrochemical coupling assembly
Authors: Zhang Jian , Qi Ji , Kang Shusen , Sun Haizhu , Li Mao
Published: April 2015

Multiple uniform nanoparticles are electrochemically integrated into thin bulk-hybrid gradient or periodic tandem multilayer films for their use in photovoltaic devices.
Electroswitchable red-NIR luminescence of ionic clustomesogen containing nematic liquid crystalline devices
Authors: Prévôt M. , Amela-Cortes M. , Manna S. K. , Cordier S. , Roisnel T. , Folliot H. , Dupont L. , Molard Y.
Published: April 2015

Nematic phosphorescent ionic clustomesogens have been designed and their luminescence modulated once integrated into an electroswitchable device.
Light programmable/erasable organic field-effect transistor ambipolar memory devices based on the pentacene/PVK active layer
Authors: Yi Mingdong , Xie Ming , Shao Yaqing , Li Wen , Ling Haifeng , Xie Linghai , Yang Tao , Fan Quli , Zhu Jialu , Huang Wei
Published: April 2015

We demonstrated organic field-effect transistor (OFET) ambipolar memory devices based on unipolar OFETs by utilizing light illumination.
Cooperative adaptive fault‐tolerant tracking control for a class of multi‐agent systems with actuator failures and mismatched parameter uncertainties
Authors: Wang Xin , Yang Guang‐Hong
Published: April 2015

This study addresses the cooperative fault‐tolerant tracking control problem for a class of multi‐agent systems subject to mismatched parameter uncertainties, external disturbances and actuator faults including loss of effectiveness, outage and stuck. The communication network is undirected connected graph with a fixed topology. It is assumed that the actuator efficiency factors, the upper bounds of the unparametrisable time‐varying stuck faults and disturbance, are unknown. Different from the traditional centralised fault‐tolerant tracking control problem, only part of the follower nodes can obtain the information of leader directly. On the basis of the local state information of neighbouring agents, a novel cooperative fault‐tolerant tracking control scheme by using adaptive mechanism is proposed. By introducing the estimates of controller parameters driven by neighbourhood tracking errors, it is shown that not only the actuator faults in the follower nodes can be compensated, but also the global tracking objective can be achieved. Furthermore, it is proved that all closed‐loop signals are bounded and all follower nodes asymptotically tracking to the leader can be achieved in the presence of actuator faults, external disturbances and mismatched parameter uncertainties. Finally, a numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Reduced state feedback sliding‐mode current control for voltage source inverter‐based higher‐order circuit
Authors: Gudey Satish Kumar , Gupta Rajesh
Published: April 2015

This study presents a reduced state feedback sliding‐mode current controller (RSFSMCC) for a voltage source inverter (VSI)‐based higher‐order circuit. The proposed controller consists of an inner current loop and an outer voltage loop. The reference for the inner input inverter current is generated from the outer voltage loop through a proportional plus integral controller. The stability of the system is ensured by using feedback of only two state variables, that is, input inverter current and output capacitor voltage of the VSI circuit. A reduced state feedback analysis is used to obtain the gain matrix for the higher‐order circuit. The tracking control convergence criterion of the system is examined through the eigen values of the resultant state matrix derived for the VSI circuit. The frequency response plot shows that the proposed RSFSMCC is robust with good stability margins. The simulation results show that the output voltage well tracks the reference voltage with reduced steady‐state error for both linear and non‐linear loads. The simulation results obtained in power systems CAD/electromagnetic transients including DC (PSCAD/EMTDC) v4.2.1 software are verified through the experimental results conducted on a single‐phase VSI circuit using field programmable gate array implementation of the RSFSMCC.
Electromechanical response of reduced graphene oxide–polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites prepared through in-situ thermal reduction
Authors: Sigamani Nirmal , Ounaies Zoubeida , Ehlert Greg , Sodano Henry
Published: April 2015

Carbon fillers, such as carbon nanotubes, have been used to address drawbacks of existing electroactive polymers (EAPs) with varying success. More recently, there has been interest in investigating potential of 2D graphene in improving the actuation response of EAPs, owing to its unique geometry and electrical properties. In our study, the effect of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets on electromechanical response of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based nanocomposites is studied. We show that incorporating GO produces considerable strain under an applied electric field when processed using a co-solvent approach involving water and N, N dimethylformamide. Starting with GO enables good dispersion and interaction with PVDF and then thermally reducing it in-situ yields EAP with some controllability over the desired properties. A key result is that the extensional strain S11 is quadratic with the electric field, which suggests electric field-induced electrostrictive response. Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy results indicate that the mechanism for the electrostrictive response is due to induced polarization resulting from the enhanced dipolar mobility from polar γ-phase PVDF and reduced GO. Finally, we show that the coefficient of electrostriction depends on the GO content and on the amount of conversion from GO to reduced GO.
Topology of pair-sphere trajectories in finite inertia suspension shear flow and its effects on microstructure and rheology
Authors: Haddadi Hamed , Morris Jeffrey F.
Published: April 2015

The relative motion of pairs of spheres in finite inertia shear flow is examined. The pair relative trajectory is studied, using lattice-Boltzmann simulation, both for pairs which are isolated and for pairs in suspension of solid volume fraction of ϕ ≤ 0.3. For the suspension, the average trajectory and aspects of its dispersion are considered. For neutrally buoyant particles in simple-shear flow, particle-scale inertia is represented by a Reynolds number Re=ργ̇a2μ, where γ̇ is the shear rate, a is the particle radius, and ρ and μ are the density and viscosity of the Newtonian suspending fluid. The pair trajectories in a dilute inertial suspension have the same basic features as the streamlines around an isolated particle at similar Re: reversing, in-plane and off-plane spiraling, and open but fore-aft asymmetric trajectories are observed. The origin of the off-plane spirals is examined in detail in this work. The average pair trajectory space in a suspension of finite volume fraction is found to be qualitatively similar to the dilute suspension pair trajectories, as the spiraling and reversing zones are retained; the influence of ϕ and Re on the extension of different zones is described. The role of the average pair trajectory in setting the microstructure of the suspension is analyzed through a convection equation description of the pair distribution function, showing extreme accumulation at contact consistent with sampling from simulation. The influence of the microstructure on the bulk rheology is considered, with a focus on the combined effects of ϕ and Re on the near contact structural effects on rheology.
Origin and implications of zero degeneracy in networks spectra
Authors: Yadav Alok , Jalan Sarika
Published: April 2015

The spectra of many real world networks exhibit properties which are different from those of random networks generated using various models. One such property is the existence of a very high degeneracy at the zero eigenvalue. In this work, we provide all the possible reasons behind the occurrence of the zero degeneracy in the network spectra, namely, the complete and partial duplications, as well as their implications. The power-law degree sequence and the preferential attachment are the properties which enhances the occurrence of such duplications and hence leading to the zero degeneracy. A comparison of the zero degeneracy in protein-protein interaction networks of six different species and in their corresponding model networks indicates importance of the degree sequences and the power-law exponent for the occurrence of zero degeneracy.
X-ray grating interferometry at photon energies over 180 keV
Authors: Ruiz-Yaniz M. , Koch F. , Zanette I. , Rack A. , Meyer P. , Kunka D. , Hipp A. , Mohr J. , Pfeiffer F.
Published: April 2015

We report on the implementation and characterization of grating interferometry operating at an x-ray energy of 183 keV. With the possibility to use this technique at high x-ray energies, bigger specimens could be studied in a quantitative way. Also, imaging strongly absorbing specimens will benefit from the advantages of the phase and dark-field signals provided by grating interferometry. However, especially at these high photon energies the performance of the absorption grating becomes a key point on the quality of the system, because the grating lines need to keep their small width of a couple of micrometers and exhibit a greater height of hundreds of micrometers. The performance of high aspect ratio absorption gratings fabricated with different techniques is discussed. Further, a dark-field image of an alkaline multicell battery highlights the potential of high energy x-ray grating based imaging.
An analytic expression for the sheath criterion in magnetized plasmas with multi-charged ion species
Authors: Hatami M. M.
Published: April 2015

The generalized Bohm criterion in magnetized multi-component plasmas consisting of multi-charged positive and negative ion species and electrons is analytically investigated by using the hydrodynamic model. It is assumed that the electrons and negative ion density distributions are the Boltzmann distribution with different temperatures and the positive ions enter into the sheath region obliquely. Our results show that the positive and negative ion temperatures, the orientation of the applied magnetic field and the charge number of positive and negative ions strongly affect the Bohm criterion in these multi-component plasmas. To determine the validity of our derived generalized Bohm criterion, it reduced to some familiar physical condition and it is shown that monotonically reduction of the positive ion density distribution leading to the sheath formation occurs only when entrance velocity of ion into the sheath satisfies the obtained Bohm criterion. Also, as a practical application of the obtained Bohm criterion, effects of the ionic temperature and concentration as well as magnetic field on the behavior of the charged particle density distributions and so the sheath thickness of a magnetized plasma consisting of electrons and singly charged positive and negative ion species are studied numerically.
Collagen-based brain microvasculature modelin vitrousing three-dimensional printed template
Authors: Kim Jeong Ah , Kim Hong Nam , Im Sun-Kyoung , Chung Seok , Kang Ji Yoon , Choi Nakwon
Published: April 2015

We present an engineered three-dimensional (3D) in vitro brain microvasculature system embedded within the bulk of a collagen matrix. To create a hydrogel template for the functional brain microvascular structure, we fabricated an array of microchannels made of collagen I using microneedles and a 3D printed frame. By culturing mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3) on the luminal surface of cylindrical collagen microchannels, we reconstructed an array of brain microvasculature in vitro with circular cross-sections. We characterized the barrier function of our brain microvasculature by measuring transendothelial permeability of 40 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (Stoke's radius of ∼4.5 nm), based on an analytical model. The transendothelial permeability decreased significantly over 3 weeks of culture. We also present the disruption of the barrier function with a hyperosmotic mannitol as well as a subsequent recovery over 4 days. Our brain microvasculature model in vitro, consisting of system-in-hydrogel combined with the widely emerging 3D printing technique, can serve as a useful tool not only for fundamental studies associated with blood-brain barrier in physiological and pathological settings but also for pharmaceutical applications.
Fusion power production in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor baseline H-mode scenarios
Authors: Rafiq T. , Kritz A. H. , Kessel C. E. , Pankin A. Y.
Published: April 2015

Self-consistent simulations of 15 MA ITER H-mode DT scenarios, from ramp-up through flat-top, are carried out. Electron and ion temperatures, toroidal angular frequency, and currents are evolved, in simulations carried out using the predictive TRANSPort and integrated modeling code starting with initial profiles and equilibria obtained from tokamak simulation code studies. Studies are carried out examining the dependence and sensitivity of fusion power production on electron density, argon impurity concentration, choice of radio frequency heating, pedestal temperature without and with E × B flow shear effects included, and the degree of plasma rotation. The goal of these whole-device ITER simulations is to identify dependencies that might impact ITER fusion performance.
Probing the deep nonlinear stage of the ablative Rayleigh-Taylor instability in indirect drive experiments on the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Casner A. , Masse L. , Liberatore S. , Loiseau P. , Masson-Laborde P. E. , Jacquet L. , Martinez D. , Moore A. S. , Seugling R. , Felker S. , Haan S. W. , Remington B. A. , Smalyuk V. A. , Farrell M. , Giraldez E. , Nikroo A.
Published: April 2015

Academic tests in physical regimes not encountered in Inertial Confinement Fusion will help to build a better understanding of hydrodynamic instabilities and constitute the scientifically grounded validation complementary to fully integrated experiments. Under the National Ignition Facility (NIF) Discovery Science program, recent indirect drive experiments have been carried out to study the ablative Rayleigh-Taylor Instability (RTI) in transition from weakly nonlinear to highly nonlinear regime [A. Casner et al., Phys. Plasmas 19, 082708 (2012)]. In these experiments, a modulated package is accelerated by a 175 eV radiative temperature plateau created by a room temperature gas-filled platform irradiated by 60 NIF laser beams. The unique capabilities of the NIF are harnessed to accelerate this planar sample over much larger distances (≃1.4 mm) and longer time periods (≃12 ns) than previously achieved. This extended acceleration could eventually allow entering into a turbulent-like regime not precluded by the theory for the RTI at the ablation front. Simultaneous measurements of the foil trajectory and the subsequent RTI growth are performed and compared with radiative hydrodynamics simulations. We present RTI growth measurements for two-dimensional single-mode and broadband multimode modulations. The dependence of RTI growth on initial conditions and ablative stabilization is emphasized, and we demonstrate for the first time in indirect-drive a bubble-competition, bubble-merger regime for the RTI at ablation front.
Techno-economical assessment of renewable energies integrated with fuel cell for off grid electrification: A case study for developing countries
Authors: Jahangiri Mehdi , Nematollahi Omid , Sedaghat Ahmad , Saghafian Mohsen
Published: April 2015

One of the development parameters of each country is the accessibility of its different regions to energy resources, especially electrical energy. Therefore, construction of new power plants is inevitable. Nevertheless, limited fossil fuel energy resources and environmental pollutant emissions further proves the necessity toward renewable energy use. To overcome intermittent nature of renewable energies such as solar and wind, development of hybrid energy systems has been proposed. In this study, the feasibility of wind and solar renewable energies was investigated for Khorramabad city as an example of a city in a developing country using HOMER (hybrid optimization model for electric renewable) software. First, data for wind and solar energies were collected from renewable energy organization of Iran. Second, Geographic Information System (GIS) maps were plotted for solar and wind energies of the country and Lorestan Province where the city of Khorramabad is located. Third for Khorramabad city, the amount of electricity generated by wind, solar, and fuel cell sources were investigated in different months of a year, the contribution of each unit in costs, the amount of costs associated to different power plants, and the amount of pollutant emissions from fuel cell using HOMER. The results indicate that the use of fuel-cell system is not recommended for Khorramabad or similar cities in developing countries due to low performance and high initial costs. On the other hand, using a combined system of wind energy, solar energy, and diesel generator will be economical and is recommended.