bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiscale visualization of the structural and characteristic changes of sewage sludge biochar oriented towards potential agronomic and environmental implication
Authors: Zhang Jining , Lü Fan , Zhang Hua , Shao Liming , Chen Dezhen , He Pinjing
Published: March 2015

Sewage sludge biochars were obtained at different pyrolysis temperatures from 300°C to 900°C and their macro- and microscale properties were analyzed. The biochar's plant-available nutrients and humus-like substances in the water-extractable phase and fixed nutrients in the solid fraction were evaluated for their potential agronomic implications. FT-IR, Raman, XRD, XPS and SEM techniques were used to investigate the chemical structure, functional groups and microcrystal structure on the surface of the biochar. The results revealed minor chemical changes and dramatic mass loss in the biochar obtained at 300–500°C, whereas significant chemical changes in the biochar were obtained at 600–900°C. The concentrations of plant-available nutrients as well as fulvic- and humic-acid-like materials decreased in the biochar samples obtained at higher temperatures. These results implied that the biochar samples pyrolyzed at 300–500°C could be a direct nutrient source and used to neutralize alkaline soil. The surface area and porosity of the biochar samples increased with temperature, which increased their adsorption capacity. Rearrangement occurred at higher temperature 600–900°C, resulting in the biochar becoming increasingly polyaromatic and its graphite-like carbon becoming organized.
Probing the intrinsic failure mechanism of fluorinated amorphous carbon film based on the first-principles calculations
Authors: Zhang Ren-hui , Wang Li-ping , Lu Zhi-bin
Published: March 2015

Fluorinated amorphous carbon films exhibit superlow friction under vacuum, but are prone to catastrophic failure. Thus far, the intrinsic failure mechanism remains unclear. A prevailing view is that the failure of amorphous carbon film results from the plastic deformation of substrates or strong adhesion between two contacted surfaces. In this paper, using first-principles and molecular dynamics methodology, combining with compressive stress-strain relation, we firstly demonstrate that the plastic deformation induces graphitization resulting in strong adhesion between two contacted surfaces under vacuum, which directly corresponds to the cause of the failure of the films. In addition, sliding contact experiments are conducted to study tribological properties of iron and fluorinated amorphous carbon surfaces under vacuum. The results show that the failure of the film is directly attributed to strong adhesion resulting from high degree of graphitization of the film, which are consistent with the calculated results.
Creation of vortices by torque in multidimensional media with inhomogeneous defocusing nonlinearity
Authors: Driben Rodislav , Meier Torsten , Malomed Boris A.
Published: March 2015

Recently, a new class of nonlinear systems was introduced, in which the self-trapping of fundamental and vortical localized modes in space of dimension D is supported by cubic self-repulsion with a strength growing as a function of the distance from the center, r, at any rate faster that rD. These systems support robust 2D and 3D modes which either do not exist or are unstable in other nonlinear systems. Here we demonstrate a possibility to create solitary vortices in this setting by applying a phase-imprinting torque to the ground state. Initially, a strong torque completely destroys the ground state. However, contrary to usual systems, where the destruction is irreversible, the present ones demonstrate a rapid restabilization and the creation of one or several shifted vortices orbiting the center. For the sake of comparison, we show analytically that, in the linear system with a 3D trapping potential, the action of a torque on the ground state is inefficient and creates only even-vorticity states with a small probability.
Selectivity control in Pt-catalyzed cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation
Authors: Durndell Lee J. , Parlett Christopher M. A. , Hondow Nicole S. , Isaacs Mark A. , Wilson Karen , Lee Adam F.
Published: March 2015

Chemoselectivity is a cornerstone of catalysis, permitting the targeted modification of specific functional groups within complex starting materials. Here we elucidate key structural and electronic factors controlling the liquid phase hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde and related benzylic aldehydes over Pt nanoparticles. Mechanistic insight from kinetic mapping reveals cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation is structure-insensitive over metallic platinum, proceeding with a common Turnover Frequency independent of precursor, particle size or support architecture. In contrast, selectivity to the desired cinnamyl alcohol product is highly structure sensitive, with large nanoparticles and high hydrogen pressures favoring C = O over C = C hydrogenation, attributed to molecular surface crowding and suppression of sterically-demanding adsorption modes. In situ vibrational spectroscopies highlight the role of support polarity in enhancing C = O hydrogenation (through cinnamaldehyde reorientation), a general phenomenon extending to alkyl-substituted benzaldehydes. Tuning nanoparticle size and support polarity affords a flexible means to control the chemoselective hydrogenation of aromatic aldehydes.
HPIP is upregulated in colorectal cancer and regulates colorectal cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion
Authors: Feng Yingying , Xu Xiaojie , Zhang Yunjing , Ding Jianhua , Wang Yonggang , Zhang Xiaopeng , Wu Zhe , Kang Lei , Liang Yingchun , Zhou LiYing , Song Santai , Zhao Ke , Ye Qinong
Published: March 2015

Hematopoietic pre-B cell leukemia transcription factor (PBX)-interacting protein (HPIP) was shown to play a role in cancer development and progression. However, the role of HPIP in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. Here, we report that HPIP is overexpressed in most of CRC patients and predicts poor clinical outcome in CRC. HPIP promotes CRC cell proliferation via activation of G1/S and G2/M checkpoint transitions, concomitant with a marked increase of the positive cell cycle regulators, including cyclin D1, cyclin A and cyclin B1. HPIP inhibits CRC cell apoptosis accompanied by the decreased levels of BAX and PIG3, the inducers of apoptosis and the increased level of the apoptosis inhibitor BCL2. HPIP blocks caspase-3-mediated cleavage of PARP, an important apoptosis marker. HPIP promotes CRC cell migration and invasion and regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays a critical role in cancer cell migration and invasion. Activation of MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3k/AKT pathways is required for HPIP modulation of CRC cell proliferation, migration and EMT. Moreover, HPIP knockdown suppresses colorectal tumor growth in nude mice. These data highlight the important role of HPIP in CRC cell proliferation and progression and suggest that HPIP may be a useful target for CRC therapy.
Parametric excitation of multiple resonant radiations from localized wavepackets
Authors: Conforti Matteo , Trillo Stefano , Mussot Arnaud , Kudlinski Alexandre
Published: March 2015

Fundamental physical phenomena such as laser-induced ionization, driven quantum tunneling, Faraday waves, Bogoliubov quasiparticle excitations and the control of new states of matter rely on time-periodic driving of the system. A remarkable property of such driving is that it can induce the localized (bound) states to resonantly couple to the continuum. Therefore experiments that allow for enlightening and controlling the mechanisms underlying such coupling are of paramount importance. We implement such an experiment in a special optical fiber characterized by a dispersion oscillating along the propagation coordinate, which mimics “time”. The quasi-momentum associated with such periodic perturbation is responsible for the efficient coupling of energy from the localized wave-packets (solitons in anomalous dispersion and shock fronts in normal dispersion) sustained by the fiber nonlinearity, into free-running linear dispersive waves (continuum) at multiple resonant frequencies. Remarkably, the observed resonances can be explained by means of a unified approach, regardless of the fact that the localized state is a soliton-like pulse or a shock front.
Abnormal pairing of X and Y sex chromosomes during meiosis I in interspecific hybrids of Phodopus campbelli and P. sungorus
Authors: Ishishita Satoshi , Tsuboi Kazuma , Ohishi Namiko , Tsuchiya Kimiyuki , Matsuda Yoichi
Published: March 2015

Hybrid sterility plays an important role in the maintenance of species identity and promotion of speciation. Male interspecific hybrids from crosses between Campbell's dwarf hamster (Phodopus campbelli) and the Djungarian hamster (P. sungorus) exhibit sterility with abnormal spermatogenesis. However, the meiotic phenotype of these hybrids has not been well described. In the present work, we observed the accumulation of spermatocytes and apoptosis of spermatocyte-like cells in the testes of hybrids between P. campbelli females and P. sungorus males. In hybrid spermatocytes, a high frequency of asynapsis of X and Y chromosomes during the pachytene-like stage and dissociation of these chromosomes during metaphase I (MI) was observed. No autosomal univalency was observed during pachytene-like and MI stages in the hybrids; however, a low frequency of synapsis between autosomes and X or Y chromosomes, interlocking and partial synapsis between autosomal pairs and γ-H2AFX staining in autosomal chromatin was observed during the pachytene-like stage. Degenerated MI-like nuclei were frequently observed in the hybrids. Most of the spermatozoa in hybrid epididymides exhibited head malformation. These results indicate that the pairing of X and Y chromosomes is more adversely affected than that of autosomes in Phodopus hybrids.
Molecular-Orientation-Induced Rapid Roughening and Morphology Transition in Organic Semiconductor Thin-Film Growth
Authors: Yang Junliang , Yim Sanggyu , Jones Tim S.
Published: March 2015

We study the roughening process and morphology transition of organic semiconductor thin film induced by molecular orientation in the model of molecular semiconductor copper hexadecafluorophthalocyanine (F16CuPc) using both experiment and simulation. The growth behaviour of F16CuPc thin film with the thickness, D, on SiO2 substrate takes on two processes divided by a critical thickness: (1) D ≤ 40 nm, F16CuPc thin films are composed of uniform caterpillar-like crystals. The kinetic roughening is confirmed during this growth, which is successfully analyzed by Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) model with scaling exponents α = 0.71 ± 0.12, β = 0.36 ± 0.03 and 1/z = 0.39 ± 0.12; (2) D > 40 nm, nanobelt crystals are formed gradually on the caterpillar-like crystal surface and the film growth shows anomalous growth behaviour. These new growth behaviours with two processes result from the gradual change of molecular orientation and the formation of grain boundaries, which conversely induce new molecular orientation, rapid roughening process and the formation of nanobelt crystals.
Glucocorticoid receptors in the locus coeruleus mediate sleep disorders caused by repeated corticosterone treatment
Authors: Wang Zi-Jun , Zhang Xue-Qiong , Cui Xiang-Yu , Cui Su-Ying , Yu Bin , Sheng Zhao-Fu , Li Sheng-Jie , Cao Qing , Huang Yuan-Li , Xu Ya-Ping , Zhang Yong-He
Published: March 2015

Stress induced constant increase of cortisol level may lead to sleep disorder, but the mechanism remains unclear. Here we described a novel model to investigate stress mimicked sleep disorders induced by repetitive administration of corticosterone (CORT). After 7 days treatment of CORT, rats showed significant sleep disturbance, meanwhile, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) level was notably lowered in locus coeruleus (LC). We further discovered the activation of noradrenergic neuron in LC, the suppression of GABAergic neuron in ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO), the remarkable elevation of norepinephrine in LC, VLPO and hypothalamus, as well as increase of tyrosine hydroxylase in LC and decrease of glutamic acid decarboxylase in VLPO after CORT treatment. Microinjection of GR antagonist RU486 into LC reversed the CORT-induced sleep changes. These results suggest that GR in LC may play a key role in stress-related sleep disorders and support the hypothesis that repeated CORT treatment may decrease GR levels and induce the activation of noradrenergic neurons in LC, consequently inhibit GABAergic neurons in VLPO and result in sleep disorders. Our findings provide novel insights into the effect of stress-inducing agent CORT on sleep and GRs' role in sleep regulation.
Structure and function of a Clostridium difficile sortase enzyme
Authors: Chambers Christopher J. , Roberts April K. , Shone Clifford C. , Acharya K. Ravi
Published: March 2015

Sortase enzymes are responsible for covalent anchoring of specific proteins to the peptidoglycan of the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria. In some gram-positive bacteria (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus), sortases have been found to be essential for pathogenesis and their inhibitors are under development as potential novel therapeutics. Here we provide the first report on the structural characterisation of the C. difficile sortase. An active site mutant was crystallised and its structure determined to 2.55 Å by X-ray diffraction to provide structural insight into its catalytic mechanism. In order to elucidate the role of the sortase in the cell wall biogenesis, a C. difficile sortase knockout strain was constructed by intron mutagenesis. Characterisation of this mutant led to the discovery that the putative adhesin CD0386 is anchored to the peptidoglycan of C. difficile by the sortase SrtB and that an SPKTG peptide motif is involved in the transpeptidation reaction with the C. difficile peptidoglycan. In an animal model for C. difficile infection, the SrtB mutant caused disease at a similar rate of onset as the wild type strain. In conclusion, our detailed study shows that the SrtB enzyme from C. difficile does not play an essential role in pathogenesis.
Sex differences in mania phenotype and ethanol consumption in the lateral hypothalamic kindled rat model
Authors: Abulseoud O A , Gawad N A , Mohamed K , Vadnie C , Camsari U M , Karpyak V , Frye M A , Choi D-S
Published: March 2015

Sex differences have been observed in mania phenotypes in humans. However the mechanisms underlying this difference are poorly understood. Activating the lateral hypothalamus is implicated in manic-like behaviors in rodents. Using newly established lateral hypothalamus kindled (LHK) rat mania model, we investigated sex differences of manic-like behaviors and its correlation with voluntary ethanol intake. We stimulated the lateral hypothalamus bilaterally in the male and female Wistar rats over five consecutive days. We recorded and quantified kindling-induced behaviors for each individual animal. We also assessed ethanol consumption using a two-bottle choice ethanol drinking as well as circadian locomotor activity counts daily throughout the experiment. We found notable sex differences in several aspects of manic-like behaviors during kindling. Males exhibited a significantly increased locomotor activity during the light phase, and reduced rest interval. On the other hand, females displayed significantly higher ethanol consumption and more frequent rearing behavior. However, no sex differences were present in the duration of sexual, feeding or grooming behaviors or in dark-phase activity counts. The excessive alcohol intake in LHK female rats is reminiscent of clinically reported sex differences in bipolar patients while the other phenotypic sex differences such as rearing and locomotor activity are less clearly described in clinical studies. Overall, our results lend further evidence for the validity of the LHK rat as a useful model to study brain region-specific molecular changes during mania and its correlation with alcohol use disorders.
Interface-controlled calcium phosphate mineralization: effect of oligo(aspartic acid)-rich interfaces
Authors: Hentrich Doreen , Junginger Mathias , Bruns Michael , Börner Hans G. , Brandt Jessica , Brezesinski Gerald , Taubert Andreas
Published: March 2015

The phase behavior of an amphiphilic block copolymer based on a poly(aspartic acid) hydrophilic block and a poly(n-butyl acrylate) hydrophobic block was investigated at the air–water and air–buffer interface.
Collisional relaxation of apocarotenals: identifying the S* state with vibrationally excited molecules in the ground electronic state S0*
Authors: Ehlers Florian , Scholz Mirko , Schimpfhauser Jens , Bienert Jürgen , Oum Kawon , Lenzer Thomas
Published: March 2015

The S* signal of carotenoids corresponds to vibrationally hot molecules in the ground electronic state S0*.
Coalescence of water films on carbon-based substrates: the role of the interfacial properties and anisotropic surface topography
Authors: Ren Hongru , Li Xiongying , Li Hui , Zhang Leining , Wu Weikang
Published: March 2015

The typical early-time coalescence evolution of identical water films on carbon-based substrates with the rapid growth of a liquid bridge connecting two films.
Use of Ga for mass bias correction for the accurate determination of copper isotope ratio in the NIST SRM 3114 Cu standard and geological samples by MC-ICPMS
Authors: Hou QingHua , Zhou Lian , Gao Shan , Zhang Ting , Feng Lanping , Yang Lu
Published: March 2015

The absolute determination of the Cu isotope ratio in NIST SRM 3114 based on a regression mass bias correction model is performed for the first time with NIST SRM 944 Ga as the calibrant.
Spatial distribution and temporal evolution of DRONPA-fused SNAP25 clusters in adrenal chromaffin cells
Authors: Antoku Yasuko , Dedecker Peter , Pinheiro Paulo S. , Vosch Tom , Sørensen Jakob Balslev
Published: March 2015

Sub-diffraction imaging of plasma membrane localized proteins, such as the SNARE (SolubleNSFAttachment Protein Receptor) proteins involved in exocytosis, in fixed cells have resulted in images with high spatial resolution, at the expense of dynamical information. Here, we have imaged localized fluorescence bursts of DRONPA-fused SNAP-25 molecules in live chromaffin cells by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) imaging. We find that this method allows tracking protein cluster dynamics over relatively long times (∼20 min.), partly due to the diffusion into the TIRF field of fresh molecules, making possible the simultaneous identification of cluster size, location and temporal evolution. The results indicate that the DRONPA-fused SNAP-25 clusters display rich dynamics, going from staying constant to disappearing and reappearing in specific cluster domains within minutes.
Synthesizing MgO with a high specific surface for carbon dioxide adsorption
Authors: Ding Yu-Dong , Song Gan , Zhu Xun , Chen Rong , Liao Qiang
Published: March 2015

Porous MgO were synthesized by simple and economic methods. The synthesized MgO exhibited highly porous structure and high CO2 adsorption capacity. This work provides a new way to synthesized MgO with highly porous structure for CO2 adsorption.
High thermal radiation of Ca-doped lanthanum chromite
Authors: Lu Yi , Fang Zhenggang , Lu Chunhua , Wei Ling , Ni Yaru , Xu Zhongzi , Tao Shunyan
Published: March 2015

The graph describes the preparation process and characterization methods, as well as applications of samples.
High performance ceria–bismuth bilayer electrolyte low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) fabricated by combining co-pressing with drop-coating
Authors: Hou Jie , Bi Lei , Qian Jing , Zhu Zhiwen , Zhang Junyu , Liu Wei
Published: March 2015

A LT high performance SNDC–ESB bilayer structured cell was successfully fabricated by combining one-step co-pressing with drop-coating.
Transfection efficiency and internalization of the gene carrier prepared from a triple-helical β-glucan and polydeoxyadenylic acid in macrophage RAW264.7 cells
Authors: Liu Qingye , Xu Hui , Cao Yan , Li Mengxia , Xu Xiaojuan , Zhang Lina
Published: March 2015

The stability and gene transfection efficiency of poly(dA)–s-LNT complexes strongly depend on the base length of poly(dA) in the target DNA sequence.
Nucleation-controlled vacancy formation in light-emitting wide-band-gap oxide nanocrystals in glass
Authors: Golubev N. V. , Ignat'eva E. S. , Sigaev V. N. , De Trizio L. , Azarbod A. , Paleari A. , Lorenzi R.
Published: March 2015

Controlling nanocrystal nucleation in a solid host, as in the gallium-oxide nanophase grown in glass, provides a strategy for tailoring not only nanocrystal size but also light-emitting donor–acceptor population.
Metabolomic profiling of emodin-induced cytotoxicity in human liver cells and mechanistic study
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Liu Yanqiu , Qu Yang , Cheng Mengchun , Xiao Hongbin
Published: March 2015

A metabolomics approach was used to explore emodin-induced liver cells toxicology and a new mechanism was tentatively proposed.
Solvent-induced structural transitions of lysozyme in an electrospray ionization source
Authors: Lee Jong Wha , Kim Hugh I.
Published: March 2015

Organic solvents and acids denature lysozyme in solution. however, they cooperate during ESI to promote its compaction.
Palladium-catalyzed picolinamide-directed coupling of C(sp2)–H and C(sp2)–H: a straightforward approach to quinolinone and pyridone scaffolds
Authors: Zhang Dengyou , Gao Feng , Nian Yong , Zhou Yu , Jiang Hualiang , Liu Hong
Published: March 2015

An unprecedented palladium-catalyzed picolinamide-directed coupling of C(sp2)–H and C(sp2)–H has been developed with exclusive formation of the six-membered ring heterocyclics – quinolinone and pyridone.
A FRET–ICT dual-quenching fluorescent probe with large off–on response for H2S: synthesis, spectra and bioimaging
Authors: Zhang Changyu , Wei Lv , Wei Chao , Zhang Jie , Wang Runyu , Xi Zhen , Yi Long
Published: March 2015

A FRET–ICT dual-quenching fluorescent probe with significant off–on response toward H2S is rationally designed and prepared for imaging of H2S in living cells.
The B32cluster has the most stable bowl structure with a remarkable heptagonal hole
Authors: Tai Truong Ba , Nguyen Minh Tho
Published: March 2015

The cluster B320/−exhibits an aromatic bowl structure containing one heptagonal hole.
A ratiometric biosensor for metallothionein based on a dual heterogeneous electro-chemiluminescent response from a TiO2 mesocrystalline interface
Authors: Dai Hong , Xu Guifang , Zhang Shupei , Hong Zhensheng , Lin Yanyu
Published: March 2015

An dual-responses ECL sensor for metallothionein was developed by the TiO2 mesocrystals-dependent metallothionein-regulated ECL emissions of Ru(bpy)32+ and CdTe QDs.
A formal anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of allylic alcohols via tandem oxidation/1,4-conjugate addition/1,2-reduction using a Ru catalyst
Authors: Nakamura Yushi , Ohta Tetsuo , Oe Yohei
Published: March 2015

A formal Ru-catalyzed anti-Markovnikov hydroamination of allylic alcohols via tandem oxidation/1,4-conjugate addition/1,2-reduction was developed.
Twist grain boundary (TGB) states of chiral liquid crystalline bent-core mesogens
Authors: Ocak Hale , Bilgin-Eran Belkız , Güzeller Dilek , Prehm Marko , Tschierske Carsten
Published: March 2015

Chiral 4-cyanoresorcinol derived bent-core molecules form liquid crystalline phases with helically deformed layers representing TGBA and TGBC-like structures.
Peroxide promoted tunable decarboxylative alkylation of cinnamic acids to form alkenes or ketones under metal-free conditions
Authors: Ji Jing , Liu Ping , Sun Peipei
Published: March 2015

In the presence of DTBP or DTBP/TBHP, the decarboxylative alkylation of cinnamic acids with alkanes gave alkenes and ketones respectively via a radical mechanism in moderate to good yields.
The long-sought seventeen-electron radical [(C6Me6)Cr(CO)3]+: isolation, crystal structure and substitution reaction
Authors: Wang Wenqing , Wang Xingyong , Zhang Zaichao , Yuan Ningning , Wang Xinping
Published: March 2015

A highly air-sensitive seventeen-electron half-sandwich radical, [(C6Me6)Cr(CO)3]+, which has been long sought over 40 years, was isolated and structurally characterized.
Adsorption of CO2 on amine-functionalised MCM-41: experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: dos Santos Thiago Custódio , Bourrelly Sandrine , Llewellyn Philip L. , de M. Carneiro José Walkimar , Machado Ronconi Célia
Published: March 2015

A set of amines with different basicities was anchored onto MCM-41 and CO2 and CH4 adsorption capacities were investigated.
Imaging the C black formation by acetylene pyrolysis with molecular reactive force field simulations
Authors: Zhang Chaoyang , Zhang Chi , Ma Yu , Xue Xianggui
Published: March 2015

Formation of C black undergoes four main stages: chain elongation, chain branching, cyclization and cycle-condensation, and folding of condensed cycles.
Li adsorption, hydrogen storage and dissociation using monolayer MoS2: an ab initio random structure searching approach
Authors: Putungan Darwin Barayang , Lin Shi-Hsin , Wei Ching-Ming , Kuo Jer-Lai
Published: March 2015

Utilizingab initiorandom structure searching, we investigated Li adsorption on MoS2and hydrogen molecules on Li-decorated MoS2.
Aluminium-catalysed intramolecular hydroamination of aminoalkenes: computational perusal of alternative pathways for aminoalkene activation
Authors: Tobisch Sven
Published: March 2015

Rival mechanistic pathways for CC bond activation in aluminium-catalysed hydroamination: computational mechanistic analysis reveals that a catalytically relevant [(pda)Al(NHR)] compound promotes hydroamination through a stepwise σ-bond insertive mechanism with turnover-limiting aminolysis.
Three bonding modes of bis(2-picolyl)phenylphosphine at iron: isolation of a dinuclear iron complex featuring dearomatized pyridine moieties
Authors: Jin G. , Vendier L. , Coppel Y. , Sabo-Etienne S. , Bontemps S.
Published: March 2015

Three iron complexes displaying different coordination modes of the NPN ligand were isolated, including one dinuclear compound featuring dearomatized pyridine moieties.
Tubular TiC fibre nanostructures as supercapacitor electrode materials with stable cycling life and wide-temperature performance
Authors: Xia Xinhui , Zhang Yongqi , Chao Dongliang , Xiong Qinqin , Fan Zhanxi , Tong Xili , Tu Jiangping , Zhang Hua , Fan Hong Jin
Published: March 2015

Hierarchical TiC hollow branched fibres are synthesized and demonstrate high-rate supercapacitor energy storage with remarkable wide-temperature specific capacitance and excellent cycling stability.
Experimental demonstrations of spontaneous, solar-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Ager Joel W. , Shaner Matthew R. , Walczak Karl A. , Sharp Ian D. , Ardo Shane
Published: March 2015

Laboratory demonstrations of spontaneous photoelectrochemical solar water splitting cells are reviewed. Reported solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies are as high as 18%. Reported operational lifetimes are relatively short, with few demonstrations exceeding one week.
A sensitive and high throughput bacterial luminescence assay for assessing aquatic toxicity – the BLT-Screen
Authors: van de Merwe Jason P. , Leusch Frederic D. L.
Published: March 2015

The development of a cost effective, sensitive and high throughput aquatic toxicity assay with a wide range of research and monitoring applications.
Research highlights: translating chips
Authors: Kong Janay Elise , Koh Jaekyung , Lin Jonathan , Di Carlo Dino
Published: March 2015

Microfluidic smartphone accessory for immunosurveillance – Intraocular microfluidic pressure sensor – Implanted iontophoretic delivery of chemotherapy.
Dynamic effects in friction and adhesion through cooperative rupture and formation of supramolecular bonds
Authors: Blass Johanna , Albrecht Marcel , Bozna Bianca L. , Wenz Gerhard , Bennewitz Roland
Published: March 2015

Friction and adhesion mediated by complexation of multiple adamantane connector molecules reveal a remarkably difference in their dynamic behavior.
Concise total synthesis of (±)-aspidospermidine
Authors: Ma Haichen , Xie Xingang , Jing Peng , Zhang Weiwei , She Xuegong
Published: March 2015

(±)-Aspidospermidine (1) has been synthesized from the commercially available 2,3-dihydro-1H-carbazol-4(9H)-one 6 in 10 steps with 20% overall yield. The key step of the strategy is a one-pot carbonyl reduction/iminium formation/intramolecular conjugate addition reaction that may be applied for the synthesis of other kinds of Aspidosperma alkaloids.
The electrophilic effect of thiol groups on thiol–yne thermal click polymerization for hyperbranched polythioether
Authors: Zhao Bo , Zheng Yaochen , Weng Zhulin , Cai Shengying , Gao Chao
Published: March 2015

The significant effect of the electrophilicity of the thiol groups on thiol–yne click polymerization was found and well demonstrated.
Acid-responsive intracellular doxorubicin release from click chemistry functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles
Authors: Yan Yue , Fu Jie , Liu Xin , Wang Tianfu , Lu Xiuyang
Published: March 2015

An intracellular acidity-triggered doxorubicin release from “click chemistry” functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticle was demonstrated.
Hydrogen peroxide sensitive hemoglobin-capped gold nanoclusters as a fluorescence enhancing sensor for the label-free detection of glucose
Authors: Molaabasi Fatemeh , Hosseinkhani Saman , Moosavi-Movahedi Ali Akbar , Shamsipur Mojtaba
Published: March 2015

A novel label-free fluorescent probe based on blue-emitting gold nanoclusters capped by hemoglobin for the direct detection of glucose is presented.
Thermal intumescent behavior of a gel containing silica
Authors: Liu Wei , Ge Xinguo , Zhou Xiaoyong , Tang Yong
Published: March 2015

Thermal insulation of a transparent gel containing silica can be attributed to the different thermal behavior of Residue (I), Residue (II) and Residue (III) from its intumescent residual layer at high temperature.
Chiral metal–organic framework coated quartz crystal microbalance for chiral discrimination
Authors: Duan Hao-Jie , Yang Cheng-Xiong , Yan Xiu-Ping
Published: March 2015

A 3D chiral porous Zn–organic framework (Zn2(bdc)(l-lac)(dmf)·DMF) coated quartz crystal microbalance sensor was fabricated for chiral recognition of enantiomers.
Beaded structured CNTs-Fe3O4@C with low Fe3O4 content as anode materials with extra enhanced performances in lithium ion batteries
Authors: Xu Yuan , Feng Jingdong , Chen Xuecheng , Kierzek Krzysztof , Liu Wenbin , Tang Tao , Mijowska Ewa
Published: March 2015

A simple, effective and reproducible method has been carried out for synthesis of CNT-Fe2O3 and CNT-Fe3O4@C beaded structures for lithium ion battery.
Stable underwater superoleophobic conductive polymer coated meshes for high-efficiency oil–water separation
Authors: Liu Mingming , Li Jing , Shi Lei , Guo Zhiguang
Published: March 2015

Conductive polymers (such as polyaniline and polypyrrole) as hydrophilic building blocks are used for the construction of underwater superoleophobic films.
Development of a capillary electrophoresis system with Mn(ii) complexes and β-cyclodextrin as the dual chiral selectors for enantioseparation of dansyl amino acids and its application in screening enzyme inhibitors
Authors: Su Yuan , Mu Xiaoyu , Qi Li
Published: March 2015

A novel CLE-CE system with Mn(ii)–[BMIm][l-Ala] complexes and β-CD as the dual chiral selectors based on the synergistic effect was successfully constructed for enantioseparation of Dns-d,l-AAs and applied in screening the tyrosinase inhibitors.
Lateral heterojunctions within monolayer h-BN/graphene: a first-principles study
Authors: Sun Qilong , Dai Ying , Ma Yandong , Wei Wei , Huang Baibiao
Published: March 2015

Efficient bandgap engineering and novel magnetic properties can be achieved by adjusting the numbers or ratios of the “building blocks”.
Enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity by Cu2O/SrTiO3 p–n heterojunction via a facile deposition–precipitation technique
Authors: Liu Chunbo , Li Ping , Wu Guoling , Luo Bifu , Lin Shuang , Ren Ao , Shi Weidong
Published: March 2015

In our study, a new visible-light-driven photocatalyst Cu2O/SrTiO3 (C/S) heterojunction was firstly prepared by a simple, facile and effective deposition–precipitation technique.
Catalyst free production of partial glycerides: acetone as solvent
Authors: Go Alchris Woo , Sutanto Sylviana , Ismadji Suryadi , Ju Yi-Hsu
Published: March 2015

Acetone as solvent glycerolysis of oil and simultaneous production of solketal. Reactor loading and quality of stirring are important factors for efficient glycerolysis.
Self-assembly and recognition properties of a tetraanionic macrocyclic boronate ester in aqueous medium
Authors: Martínez-Aguirre Mayte A. , del Campo Jorge M. , Escalante-Tovar Sigfrido , Yatsimirsky Anatoly K.
Published: March 2015

A tetraanionic [2 + 2] boronate ester macrocycle is self-assembled in water containing 0–5% vol DMSO and binds efficiently various cationic guests including R4N+ cations, choline, acetylcholine, 1-methylnicotinamide and an alkaloid berberine.
Facile synthesis of porous Li-rich layered Li[Li0.2Mn0.534Ni0.133Co0.133]O2 as high-performance cathode materials for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Cao Chenwei , Xi Liujiang , Leung Kwan Lan , Wang Man , Liu Ying , Ma Ruguang , Yang Shiliu , Lu Zhouguang , Chung C. Y.
Published: March 2015

Porous Li-rich layered Li[Li0.2Mn0.534Ni0.133Co0.133]O2 was successfully prepared by a facile polymer-thermolysis method and exhibited superior electrochemical performance as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Synthesis and properties of monomer cast nylon-6-b-polyether amine copolymers with different structures
Authors: Xu Sheng , Ye Lin
Published: March 2015

The effect of the molecular structure of polyether amine on the synthesis and properties of nylon-6-b-polyether amine copolymers was studied and the toughening mechanism was deduced as a multi-layer crack extension mechanism.
TsOH-mediated reaction of aziridinofullerene with diols for the preparation of fullerene-fused dioxygenated ring compounds
Authors: Wu Jun , Li Fa-Bao , Zhang Xiao-Feng , Shi Ji-Long , Liu Li
Published: March 2015

Reaction of aziridinofullerene with diols promoted by p-toluenesulfonic acid affords various fullerene-fused dioxygenated ring compounds with six- to ten-membered heterocycles.
Performance in synthetic applications of a yeast surface display-based biocatalyst
Authors: Eby J. M. , Peretti S. W.
Published: March 2015

Organic synthesis with surface-displayed lipase: alkyl esters of fatty acids. Compared performance to commercial preparations. Catalyst is reusable and stable up to 50–60 °C. Kinetics of surface-displayed synthesis of butyl decanoate.
Preparation of a sponge-like biocomposite agarose–chitosan scaffold with primary hepatocytes for establishing an in vitro 3D liver tissue model
Authors: Tripathi Anuj , Melo Jose Savio
Published: March 2015

Sponge-like agarose–chitosan scaffold synthesized by cryo-polymerization andin vitroevaluation of interfacial cell–material interaction and liver-like functions of impregnate primary hepatocytes.
Largely reinforced polyurethane via simultaneous incorporation of poly(lactic acid) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zhou Yan , Xiu Hao , Dai Jia , Bai Hongwei , Zhang Qin , Fu Qiang
Published: March 2015

In this study, we simultaneously introduced both poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the polyurethane (PU) matrix via melt blending, to achieve balanced mechanical properties and good conductivity.
Isomerisation of nido-[C2B10H12]2− dianions: unprecedented rearrangements and new structural motifs in carborane cluster chemistry
Authors: McKay David , Macgregor Stuart A. , Welch Alan J.
Published: March 2015

The formation and isomerisation of nido-[C2B10H12]2− species is investigated through DFT calculations, which reveal novel basket and inverted nido intermediates and unusual inverconversion pathways, including basket collapse and pivoting triangles and diamonds.
Synthesis of snowflake-shaped Co3O4 with a high aspect ratio as a high capacity anode material for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Wang Bin , Lu Xiao-Ying , Tang Yuanyuan
Published: March 2015

In this study, snowflake-shaped Co3O4 nanosheets (Co3O4-SF) are successfully fabricated by a facile ammonia-assisted hydrothermal route followed by calcination at 450 °C.
Dielectric elastomer actuator with excellent electromechanical performance using slide-ring materials/barium titanate composites
Authors: Yang Dan , Ge Fengxing , Tian Ming , Ning Nanying , Zhang Liqun , Zhao Changming , Ito Kohzo , Nishi Toshio , Wang Huaming , Luan Yunguang
Published: March 2015

A dielectric elastomer actuator with excellent electromechanical performance was fabricated by incorporating modified barium titanate into slide-ring materials with necklace-like molecular structure.
High photocurrent in oligo-thienylenevinylene-based small molecule solar cells with 4.9% solar-to-electrical energy conversion
Authors: Montcada Núria F. , Domínguez Rocío , Pelado Beatriz , Cruz Pilar de la , Palomares Emilio , Langa Fernando
Published: March 2015

A set of five novel oligo-thienylenevinylene organic molecules have been synthesized and characterized for use as electron donor moieties in bulk-heterojunction solution-processed organic solar cells combined with PC71BM as an electron acceptor.
Highly efficient, flexible, indium-free perovskite solar cells employing metallic substrates
Authors: Troughton Joel , Bryant Daniel , Wojciechowski Konrad , Carnie Matthew J. , Snaith Henry , Worsley David A. , Watson Trystan M.
Published: March 2015

Flexible perovskite solar cells with power conversion efficiencies of up to 10.3% have been prepared using titanium foil as an electrode substrate.
An alcohol soluble amino-functionalized organoplatinum(ii) complex as the cathode interlayer for highly efficient polymer solar cells
Authors: Liu Shengjian , Zhang Guichuan , Lu Junming , Jia Jianchao , Li Wei , Huang Fei , Cao Yong
Published: March 2015

An alcohol soluble amino-functionalized organoplatinum(ii) complex Pt–N has been developed and utilized as a cathode interlayer in polymer solar cells with a power conversion efficiency up to 8.89%.
Approaching the structure of REBaB9O16 (RE = rare earth) by characterization of a new analogue Ba6Bi9B79O138
Authors: Cong Rihong , Zhou Zhengyang , Li Qiaoqi , Sun Junliang , Lin Jianhua , Yang Tao
Published: March 2015

The structure determination of Ba6Bi9B79O138 uncovers the mystery of the crystallography of the well-known phosphors REBaB9O16 (RE = rare earth).
Aligning Business and IT Strategies in Multi-business Organizations
Authors: Reynolds Peter , Yetton Philip
Published: March 2015

The alignment of business and information technology (IT) strategies is an important and enduring theoretical challenge for the information systems discipline, remaining a top issue in practice over the past 20 years. Multi-business organizations (MBOs) present a particular alignment challenge because business strategies are developed at the corporate level, within individual strategic business units and across the corporate investment cycle. In contrast, the extant literature implicitly assumes that IT strategy is aligned with a single business strategy at a single point in time. This paper draws on resource-based theory and path dependence to model functional, structural, and temporal IT strategic alignment in MBOs. Drawing on Makadok's theory of profit, we show how each form of alignment creates value through the three strategic drivers of competence, governance, and flexibility, respectively. We illustrate the model with examples from a case study on the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. We also explore the model's implications for existing IT alignment models, providing alternative theoretical explanations for how IT alignment creates value.
Beyond being Systematic in Literature Reviews in IS
Authors: Watson Richard T
Published: March 2015

The dual goals of efficiency and effectiveness when writing a literature review are considered. Effectiveness is concerned with producing a synthesis of the published knowledge. A systematic approach to reviewing is at best a partial approach to efficiency because the foundations of the academic publishing system are rigidly locked into old technology. An outline for redesigning academic publishing to jump literature reviewing efficiency to a new level and enhance the productivity of many other aspects of scholarship is proposed.
The Impact of Openness on the Market Potential of Multi-Sided Platforms: A Case Study of Mobile Payment Platforms
Authors: Ondrus Jan , Gannamaneni Avinash , Lyytinen Kalle
Published: March 2015

A multi-sided platform can only succeed if a critical mass of users can join. This is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for a platform's success. However, there is a limited understanding of the factors that contribute to reaching such critical mass. In this study we identify ways to determine the market potential of a platform and to reach critical mass. We particularly enrich past studies by exploring how the openness of a platform influences market potential. We examine openness at three levels – provider, technology, and user level – and ask the question: to what extent can opening (or closing) each level increase or decrease a platform's market potential? The provider level recognizes the strategic involvement of key stakeholders that provide a platform. The technology level is concerned with the interoperability of a platform across different technologies. The user level relates to what extent a platform discriminates different segments of the customer base. On the basis of analytical modeling and theoretical analysis, we formulate four propositions concerning the effects of openness on platforms’ market potential. We illustrate the strength of propositions through a confirmatory case study, which is informed by five theoretically sampled cases. The cases illustrate cogently the effects of opening different levels of a multi-sided platform. In conclusion, we propose a decision model that can assist decision making concerning the opening of a platform to catalyze its growth.
Spinstand demonstration of areal density enhancement using two-dimensional magnetic recording (invited)
Authors: Lippman Thomas , Brockie Richard , Coker Jon , Contreras John , Galbraith Rick , Garzon Samir , Hanson Weldon , Leong Tom , Marley Arley , Wood Roger , Zakai Rehan , Zolla Howard , Duquette Paul , Petrizzi Joe
Published: March 2015

Exponential growth of the areal density has driven the magnetic recording industry for almost sixty years. But now areal density growth is slowing down, suggesting that current technologies are reaching their fundamental limit. The next generation of recording technologies, namely, energy-assisted writing and bit-patterned media, remains just over the horizon. Two-Dimensional Magnetic Recording (TDMR) is a promising new approach, enabling continued areal density growth with only modest changes to the heads and recording electronics. We demonstrate a first generation implementation of TDMR by using a dual-element read sensor to improve the recovery of data encoded by a conventional low-density parity-check (LDPC) channel. The signals are combined with a 2D equalizer into a single modified waveform that is decoded by a standard LDPC channel. Our detection hardware can perform simultaneous measurement of the pre- and post-combined error rate information, allowing one set of measurements to assess the absolute areal density capability of the TDMR system as well as the gain over a conventional shingled magnetic recording system with identical components. We discuss areal density measurements using this hardware and demonstrate gains exceeding five percent based on experimental dual reader components.
A 2-terminal perovskite/silicon multijunction solar cell enabled by a silicon tunnel junction
Authors: Mailoa Jonathan P. , Bailie Colin D. , Johlin Eric C. , Hoke Eric T. , Akey Austin J. , Nguyen William H. , McGehee Michael D. , Buonassisi Tonio
Published: March 2015

With the advent of efficient high-bandgap metal-halide perovskite photovoltaics, an opportunity exists to make perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells. We fabricate a monolithic tandem by developing a silicon-based interband tunnel junction that facilitates majority-carrier charge recombination between the perovskite and silicon sub-cells. We demonstrate a 1 cm2 2-terminal monolithic perovskite/silicon multijunction solar cell with a VOC as high as 1.65 V. We achieve a stable 13.7% power conversion efficiency with the perovskite as the current-limiting sub-cell, and identify key challenges for this device architecture to reach efficiencies over 25%.
Impact of interfacial InAs layers on Al2O3/GaSb metal-oxide-semiconductor interface properties
Authors: Yokoyama Masafumi , Yokoyama Haruki , Takenaka Mitsuru , Takagi Shinichi
Published: March 2015

We have systematically studied the impact of interfacial InAs layers on Al2O3/GaSb metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) interface properties. The interfacial InAs layers improved the capacitance versus voltage (C-V) curves of the Al2O3/GaSb MOS capacitors (MOSCAPs) fabricated by an ex-situ process. The minimum interface-trap density (Dit) value of an Al2O3/1.5-nm-thick InAs/p-GaSb MOSCAP is ∼6.6 × 1012 cm−2eV−1, which is reduced by ∼50% from that of ∼1.4 × 1013 cm−2eV−1 in an Al2O3/p-GaSb MOSCAP. Also, the interfacial InAs layers significantly improved the C-V curves of the Al2O3/n-GaSb MOSCAPs. The InAs layer can improve the Al2O3/GaSb MOS interface properties both in valence band side and in conduction band side.
Time-dependent projected Hartree-Fock
Authors: Tsuchimochi Takashi , Van Voorhis Troy
Published: March 2015

Projected Hartree-Fock (PHF) has recently emerged as an alternative approach to describing degenerate systems where static correlation is abundant, when the spin-symmetry is projected. Here, we derive a set of linearized time-dependent equations for PHF in order to be able to access excited states. The close connection of such linear-response time-dependent PHF (TDPHF) to the stability condition of a PHF wave function is discussed. Expanding this analysis also makes it possible to give analytical expressions for the projected coupling terms of Hamiltonian and overlaps between excited Slater determinants. TDPHF with spin-projection (TDSUHF) and its Tamm-Dancoff approximation are benchmarked for several electronically degenerate molecules including the dissociating H2, F2 and O3 at equilibrium, and the distorted ethylene. It is shown that they give consistently better descriptions of excited states than does time-dependent HF (TDHF). Furthermore, we demonstrate that they offer not only singly but also doubly excited states, which naturally arise upon spin-projection. We also address the thermodynamic limit of TDSUHF, using non-interacting He gas. While TDPHF singly excited states tend to converge to those of HF with the size of the system due to the lack of size-extensivity of PHF, doubly excited states remain reasonable even at the thermodynamic limit. We find that the overall performance of our method is systematically better than the regular TDHF in many cases at the same computational scaling.
Control of thermal gradient using thermoelectric coolers for study of thermal effects
Authors: Zhang J. , Gifford J. A. , Zhao G. J. , Kim D. R. , Snider C. N. , Vargas N. , Chen T. Y.
Published: March 2015

Thermoelectric coolers based on the Peltier effect have been utilized to control temperature gradient to study thermal effects in both bulk and thin film samples. The temperature gradient is controlled by two coolers and the polarity of the thermal gradient can be reversed by reversing an electric driven voltage. With appropriate controlled thermal gradient using this technique, the Nernst and the Seebeck effects can be measured in both bulk and thin film samples free of spurious contributions. In an arbitrary direction of thermal gradient, the Seebeck and the Nernst components can be decomposed from the measured signal based on the symmetry of the effects in a magnetic field.