bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generosity motivated by acceptance - evolutionary analysis of an anticipation game
Authors: Zisis I. , Di Guida S. , Han T. A. , Kirchsteiger G. , Lenaerts T.
Published: December 2015

We here present both experimental and theoretical results for an Anticipation Game, a two-stage game wherein the standard Dictator Game is played after a matching phase wherein receivers use the past actions of dictators to decide whether to interact with them. The experimental results for three different treatments show that partner choice induces dictators to adjust their donations towards the expectations of the receivers, giving significantly more than expected in the standard Dictator Game. Adding noise to the dictators’ reputation lowers the donations, underlining that their actions are determined by the knowledge provided to receivers. Secondly, we show that the recently proposed stochastic evolutionary model where payoff only weakly drives evolution and individuals can make mistakes requires some adaptations to explain the experimental results. We observe that the model fails in reproducing the heterogeneous strategy distributions. We show here that by explicitly modelling the dictators’ probability of acceptance by receivers and introducing a parameter that reflects the dictators’ capacity to anticipate future gains produces a closer fit to the aforementioned strategy distributions. This new parameter has the important advantage that it explains where the dictators’ generosity comes from, revealing that anticipating future acceptance is the key to success.
Coincident-site lattice matching during van der Waals epitaxy
Authors: Boschker Jos E. , Galves Lauren A. , Flissikowski Timur , Lopes Joao Marcelo J. , Riechert Henning , Calarco Raffaella
Published: December 2015

Van der Waals (vdW) epitaxy is an attractive method for the fabrication of vdW heterostructures. Here Sb2Te3films grown on three different kind of graphene substrates (monolayer epitaxial graphene, quasi freestanding bilayer graphene and the SiC (6√3 × 6√3)R30° buffer layer) are used to study the vdW epitaxy between two 2-dimensionally (2D) bonded materials. It is shown that the Sb2Te3/graphene interface is stable and that coincidence lattices are formed between the epilayers and substrate that depend on the size of the surface unit cell. This demonstrates that there is a significant, although relatively weak, interfacial interaction between the two materials. Lattice matching is thus relevant for vdW epitaxy with two 2D bonded materials and a fundamental design parameter for vdW heterostructures.
Effects of green and red light in βL-crystallin and ovalbumin
Authors: Espinoza J. Horacio , Reynaga-Hernández Elizabeth , Ruiz-García Jaime , Montero-Morán Gabriela , Sanchez-Dominguez Margarita , Mercado-Uribe Hilda
Published: December 2015

The effects of visible light on biological systems have been widely studied. In particular, the alterations of blue light on the ocular lens have recently attracted much attention. Here, we present a study about the effects produced by green and red light on two different proteins: βL-crystallin and ovalbumin. Based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), circular dichroism (CD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence emission measurements, we found that both wavelengths induce structural changes in these proteins. We also observed that βL-crystallin aggregates. Our work may advance our understanding about conformational and aggregation processes in proteins subjected to visible radiation and the possible relationship with cataracts. While blue light has been considered the only harmful component in the visible espectrum, our findings show the possibility that lower energy components may be also of some concern.
Quantum secured gigabit optical access networks
Authors: Fröhlich Bernd , Dynes James F. , Lucamarini Marco , Sharpe Andrew W. , Tam Simon W.-B. , Yuan Zhiliang , Shields Andrew J.
Published: December 2015

Optical access networks connect multiple endpoints to a common network node via shared fibre infrastructure. They will play a vital role to scale up the number of users in quantum key distribution (QKD) networks. However, the presence of power splitters in the commonly used passive network architecture makes successful transmission of weak quantum signals challenging. This is especially true if QKD and data signals are multiplexed in the passive network. The splitter introduces an imbalance between quantum signal and Raman noise, which can prevent the recovery of the quantum signal completely. Here we introduce a method to overcome this limitation and demonstrate coexistence of multi-user QKD and full power data traffic from a gigabit passive optical network (GPON) for the first time. The dual feeder implementation is compatible with standard GPON architectures and can support up to 128 users, highlighting that quantum protected GPON networks could be commonplace in the future.
Regulation of Bacterial DNA Packaging in Early Stationary Phase by Competitive DNA Binding of Dps and IHF
Authors: Lee Sin Yi , Lim Ci Ji , Dröge Peter , Yan Jie
Published: December 2015

The bacterial nucleoid, a bacterial genome packed by nucleoid binding proteins, forms the physical basis for cellular processes such as gene transcription and DNA replication. Bacteria need to dynamically modulate their nucleoid structures at different growth phases and in response to environmental changes. At the nutrients deficient stationary phase, DNA-binding proteins from starved cells (Dps) and Integration host factors (IHF) are the two most abundant nucleoid associated proteins in E. coli. Yet, it remains unclear how the nucleoid architecture is controlled by the interplay between these two proteins, as well as the nucleoid’s response to environmental changes. This question is addressed here using single DNA manipulation approach. Our results reveal that the two proteins are differentially selected for DNA binding, which can be tuned by changing environmental factors over physiological ranges including KCl (50–300 mM), MgCl2 (0–10 mM), pH (6.5–8.5) and temperature (23–37 °C). Increasing pH and MgCl2 concentrations switch from Dps-binding to IHF-binding. Stable Dps-DNA and IHF-DNA complexes are insensitive to temperature changes for the range tested. The environment dependent selection between IHF and Dps results in different physical organizations of DNA. Overall, our findings provide important insights into E. coli nucleoid architecture.
High contrast microstructural visualization of natural acellular matrices by means of phase-based x-ray tomography
Authors: Hagen Charlotte K. , Maghsoudlou Panagiotis , Totonelli Giorgia , Diemoz Paul C. , Endrizzi Marco , Rigon Luigi , Menk Ralf-Hendrik , Arfelli Fulvia , Dreossi Diego , Brun Emmanuel , Coan Paola , Bravin Alberto , De Coppi Paolo , Olivo Alessandro
Published: December 2015

Acellular scaffolds obtained via decellularization are a key instrument in regenerative medicine both per se and to drive the development of future-generation synthetic scaffolds that could become available off-the-shelf. In this framework, imaging is key to the understanding of the scaffolds’ internal structure as well as their interaction with cells and other organs, including ideally post-implantation. Scaffolds of a wide range of intricate organs (esophagus, lung, liver and small intestine) were imaged with x-ray phase contrast computed tomography (PC-CT). Image quality was sufficiently high to visualize scaffold microarchitecture and to detect major anatomical features, such as the esophageal mucosal-submucosal separation, pulmonary alveoli and intestinal villi. These results are a long-sought step for the field of regenerative medicine; until now, histology and scanning electron microscopy have been the gold standard to study the scaffold structure. However, they are both destructive: hence, they are not suitable for imaging scaffolds prior to transplantation and have no prospect for post-transplantation use. PC-CT, on the other hand, is non-destructive, 3D and fully quantitative. Importantly, not only do we demonstrate achievement of high image quality at two different synchrotron facilities, but also with commercial x-ray equipment, which makes the method available to any research laboratory.
Disassembly of the self-assembled, double-ring structure of proteasome α7 homo-tetradecamer by α6
Authors: Ishii Kentaro , Noda Masanori , Yagi Hirokazu , Thammaporn Ratsupa , Seetaha Supaporn , Satoh Tadashi , Kato Koichi , Uchiyama Susumu
Published: December 2015

The 20S core particle of the eukaryotic proteasome is composed of two α- and two β-rings, each of which is a hetero-heptamer composed of seven homologous but distinct subunits. Although formation of the eukaryotic proteasome is a highly ordered process assisted by assembly chaperones, α7, an α-ring component, has the unique property of self-assembling into a homo-tetradecamer. We used biophysical methods to characterize the oligomeric states of this proteasome subunit and its interaction with α6, which makes direct contacts with α7 in the proteasome α-ring. We determined a crystal structure of the α7 tetradecamer, which has a double-ring structure. Sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation and mass spectrometric analysis under non-denaturing conditions revealed that α7 exclusively exists as homo-tetradecamer in solution and that its double-ring structure is disassembled upon the addition of α6, resulting in a 1:7 hetero-octameric α6–α7 complex. Our findings suggest that proteasome formation involves the disassembly of non-native oligomers, which are assembly intermediates.
RNA-mediated paternal heredity of diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders
Authors: Grandjean Valérie , Fourré Sandra , De Abreu Diana Andrea Fernandes , Derieppe Marie-Alix , Remy Jean-Jacques , Rassoulzadegan Minoo
Published: December 2015

The paternal heredity of obesity and diabetes induced by a high-fat and/or high-sugar diet (Western-like diet) has been demonstrated through epidemiological analysis of human cohorts and experimental analysis, but the nature of the hereditary vector inducing this newly acquired phenotype is not yet well defined. Here, we show that microinjection of either testis or sperm RNA of male mice fed a Western-like diet into naive one-cell embryos leads to the establishment of the Western-like diet-induced metabolic phenotype in the resulting progenies, whereas RNAs prepared from healthy controls did not. Among multiple sequence differences between the testis transcriptomes of the sick and healthy fathers, we noted that several microRNAs had increased expression, which was of interest because this class of noncoding RNA is known to be involved in epigenetic control of gene expression. When microinjected into naive one-cell embryos, one of these small RNA, i.e., the microRNA miR19b, induced metabolic alterations that are similar to the diet-induced phenotype. Furthermore, this pathological phenotype was inherited by the offspring after crosses with healthy partners. Our results indicate that acquired food-induced trait inheritance might be enacted by RNA signalling.
Novel Flower-like Nickel Sulfide as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for Non-aqueous Lithium-Air Batteries
Authors: Ma Zhong , Yuan Xianxia , Zhang Zhenlin , Mei Delong , Li Lin , Ma Zi-Feng , Zhang Lei , Yang Jun , Zhang Jiujun
Published: December 2015

In this paper, metal sulfide materials have been explored for the first time as a new choice of bifunctional cathode electrocatalyst materials for non-aqueous lithium-air batteries (LABs). Nickel sulfides with two different morphologies of flower-like (f-NiS) and rod-like (r-NiS) are successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method with and without the assistance of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide. As LAB cathode catalysts, both f-NiS and r-NiS demonstrate excellent catalytic activities towards the formation and decomposition of Li2O2, resulting in improved specific capacity, reduced overpotentials and enhanced cycling performance when compared to those of pure Super P based electrode. Moreover, the morphology of NiS materials can greatly affect LAB performance. Particularly, the f-NiS is more favorable than r-NiS in terms of their application in LABs. When compared to both r-NiS and pure super P materials as LAB cathode materials, this f-NiS catalyst material can give the highest capacity of 6733 mA h g−1 and the lowest charge voltage of 4.24 V at the current density of 75 mA g−1 and also exhibit an quite stable cycling performance.
Landau damping effects in the synchronization of conformist and contrarian oscillators
Authors: Qiu Tian , Zhang Yue , Liu Jie , Bi Hongjie , Boccaletti S. , Liu Zonghua , Guan Shuguang
Published: December 2015

Two decades ago, a phenomenon resembling Landau damping was described in the synchronization of globally coupled oscillators: the evidence of a regime where the order parameter decays when linear theory predicts neutral stability for the incoherent state. We here show that such an effect is far more generic, as soon as phase oscillators couple to their mean field according to their natural frequencies, being then grouped into two distinct populations of conformists and contrarians. We report the analytical solution of this latter situation, which allows determining the critical coupling strength and the stability of the incoherent state, together with extensive numerical simulations that fully support all theoretical predictions. The relevance of our results is discussed in relationship to collective phenomena occurring in social and economical systems.
Impact of oil spills on coral reefs can be reduced by bioremediation using probiotic microbiota
Authors: Fragoso ados Santos Henrique , Duarte Gustavo Adolpho Santos , Rachid Caio TavoraCoelho da Costa , Chaloub Ricardo Moreira , Calderon Emiliano Nicolas , Marangoni Laura Fernandes de Barros , Bianchini Adalto , Nudi Adriana Haddad , do Carmo Flávia Lima , van Elsas Jan Dirk , Rosado Alexandre Soares , Castro Clovis Barreira e , Peixoto Raquel Silva
Published: December 2015

Several anthropogenic factors, including contamination by oil spills, constitute a threat to coral reef health. Current methodologies to remediate polluted marine environments are based on the use of chemical dispersants; however, these can be toxic to the coral holobiont. In this study, a probiotic bacterial consortium was produced from the coral Mussismilia harttii and was trained to degrade water-soluble oil fractions (WSFs). Additionally, we assessed the effect of WSFs on the health of M. harttii in tanks and evaluated the bacterial consortium as a bioremediation agent. The consortium was responsible for the highly efficient degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons and it minimised the effects of WSFs on coral health, as indicated by raised photosynthetic efficiencies. Moreover, the impact of WSFs on the coral microbiome was diminished by the introduced bacterial consortium. Following introduction, the bacterial consortium thus had a dual function, i.e promoting oil WSF degradation and improving coral health with its probiotic features.
Developmental validation of an X-Insertion/Deletion polymorphism panel and application in HAN population of China
Authors: Zhang Suhua , Sun Kuan , Bian Yingnan , Zhao Qi , Wang Zheng , Ji Chaoneng , Li Chengtao
Published: December 2015

InDels are short-length polymorphisms characterized by low mutation rates, high inter-population diversity, short amplicon strategy and simplicity of laboratory analysis. This work describes the developmental validation of an X-InDels panel amplifying 18 bi-allelic markers and Amelogenin in one single PCR system. Developmental validation indicated that this novel panel was reproducible, accurate, sensitive and robust for forensic application. Sensitivity testing of the panel was such that a full profile was obtainable even with 125 pg of human DNA with intra-locus balance above 70%. Specificity testing was demonstrated by the lack of cross-reactivity with a variety of commonly encountered animal species and microorganisms. For the stability testing in cases of PCR inhibition, full profiles have been obtained with hematin (≤1000 μM) and humic acid (≤150 ng/μL). For the forensic investigation of the 18 X-InDels in the HAN population of China, no locus deviated from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and linkage disequilibrium. Since they are independent from each other, the CDPfemale was 0.999999726 and CDPmale was 0.999934223. The forensic parameters suggested that this X-Indel panel is polymorphic and informative, which provides valuable X-linked information for deficient relationship cases where autosomal markers are uninformative.
Documentoscopy by atomic force microscopy (AFM) coupled with Raman microspectroscopy: applications in banknote and driver license analyses
Authors: Brandão Jandira Maria de O. B. , Almeida Natwrie S. M. , Dixini Pedro V. M. , Baier Clertes H. A. , Dias Heloísa P. , Bassane João F. P. , França Hildegardo S. , Silva Samantha R. C. , Aquije Gloria M. F. V. , Romão Wanderson
Published: December 2015

Document examination to determine document authenticity is an important field in forensic science.
The Ag shell thickness effect of Au@Ag@SiO2 core–shell nanoparticles on the optoelectronic performance of dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Wang Yang , Zhai Jin , Song Yanlin , He Ling
Published: December 2015

The LSPR effect of Au@Ag@SiO2 core–shell–ultra-thin shell nanoparticles is finely tailored and tuned by varying the Ag shell thickness. The growth of silver shell onto Au NPs led to color changes from different tones of red to orange.
Biomorph growth in single-phase systems: expanding the structure spectrum and pH range
Authors: Nakouzi Elias , Knoll Pamela , Steinbock Oliver
Published: December 2015

Biomorphs are life-like microstructures of selfassembled barium carbonate nanorods and silica.
A photoelectrochemical methanol fuel cell based on aligned TiO2 nanorods decorated graphene photoanode
Authors: Li Xinyuan , Wang Guowen , Jing Lin , Ni Wei , Yan Huan , Chen Chao , Yan Yi-Ming
Published: December 2015

We report the photoelectrochemical (PEC) oxidation of methanol on a rationally designed graphene-TiO2 nanorod array (G-TNR) photoanode.
Perfluorocarbon liquid under pressure: a medium for gas delivery
Authors: McKellar Scott C. , Sotelo Jorge , Mowat John P. S. , Wright Paul A. , Moggach Stephen A.
Published: December 2015

A novel method for CO2 delivery to a porous material is reported, wherein a perfluorocarbon containing dissolved CO2 has been used as a pressure-transmitting liquid in a high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment.
Insertion of phosphinidene complexes into the P–H bond of secondary phosphine oxides: a new version of the phospha-Wittig synthesis of PC double bonds
Authors: Hao Yanwei , Wu Di , Tian Rongqiang , Duan Zheng , Mathey François
Published: December 2015

Terminal phosphinidene complexes [RP-W(CO)5], as generated at 60 °C in the presence of copper chloride from the appropriate 7-phosphanorbornadiene complexes, react with secondary phosphine oxides Ar2P(O)H to give the insertion products into the P–H bonds.
A luminescent silver–phosphine tetragonal cage based on tetraphenylethylene
Authors: Feng Juan , Yao Liu , Zhang Jianyong , Mu Yingxiao , Chi Zhenguo , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: December 2015

A phosphine-based tetragonal cage emits strong fluorescence both in dilute solutions and in aggregated states, showing response towards anions/olefin compounds.
Modelling component evaporation and composition change of traffic-induced ultrafine particles during travel from street canyon to urban background
Authors: Nikolova Irina , MacKenzie A. Rob , Cai Xiaoming , Alam Mohammed S. , Harrison Roy M.
Published: December 2015

We developed a model (CiTTy-Street-UFP) of traffic-related particle behaviour in a street canyon and in the nearby downwind urban background that accounts for aerosol dynamics and the variable vapour pressure of component organics. The model simulates the evolution and fate of traffic generated multicomponent ultrafine particles (UFP) composed of a non-volatile core and 17 Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC, modelled asn-alkane proxies). A two-stage modelling approach is adopted: (1) a steady state simulation inside the street canyon is achieved, in which there exists a balance between traffic emissions, condensation/evaporation, deposition, coagulation and exchange with the air above roof-level; and (2) a continuing simulation of the above-roof air parcel advected to the nearby urban park during which evaporation is dominant. We evaluate the component evaporation and associated composition changes of multicomponent organic particles in realistic atmospheric conditions and compare our results with observations from London (UK) in a street canyon and an urban park. With plausible input conditions and parameter settings, the model can reproduce, with reasonable fidelity, size distributions in central London in 2007. The modelled nucleation-mode peak diameter, which is 23 nm in the steady-state street canyon, decreases to 9 nm in a travel time of just 120 s. All modelled SVOC in the sub-10 nm particle size range have evaporated leaving behind only non-volatile material, whereas modelled particle composition in the Aitken mode contains SVOC between C26H54and C32H66. No data on particle composition are available in the study used for validation, or elsewhere. Measurements addressing in detail the size resolved composition of the traffic emitted UFP in the atmosphere are a high priority for future research. Such data would improve the representation of these particles in dispersion models and provide the data essential for model validation. Enhanced knowledge of the chemical composition of nucleation-mode particles from diesel engine exhaust is needed to predict both their atmospheric behaviour and their implications for human health.
Advancements in quantum cascade laser-based infrared microscopy of aqueous media
Authors: Haase K. , Kröger-Lui N. , Pucci A. , Schönhals A. , Petrich W.
Published: December 2015

The large mid-infrared absorption coefficient of water frequently hampers the rapid, label-free infrared microscopy of biological objects in their natural aqueous environment. However, the high spectral power density of quantum cascade lasers is shifting this limitation such that mid-infrared absorbance images can be acquired in situ within signal-to-noise ratios of up to 100. Even at sample thicknesses well above 50 μm, signal-to-noise ratios above 10 are readily achieved. The quantum cascade laser-based microspectroscopy of aqueous media is exemplified by imaging an aqueous yeast solution and quantifying glucose consumption, ethanol generation as well as the production of carbon dioxide gas during fermentation.
Biofluid infrared spectro-diagnostics: pre-analytical considerations for clinical applications
Authors: Lovergne L. , Bouzy P. , Untereiner V. , Garnotel R. , Baker M. J. , Thiéfin G. , Sockalingum G. D.
Published: December 2015

Several proof-of-concept studies on the vibrational spectroscopy of biofluids have demonstrated that the methodology has promising potential as a clinical diagnostic tool. However, these studies also show that there is a lack of a standardised protocol in sample handling and preparation prior to spectroscopic analysis. One of the most important sources of analytical errors is the pre-analytical phase. For the technique to be translated into clinics, it is clear that a very strict protocol needs to be established for such biological samples. This study focuses on some of the aspects of the pre-analytical phase in the development of the high-throughput Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of some of the most common biofluids such as serum, plasma and bile. Pre-analytical considerations that can impact either the samples (solvents, anti-coagulants, freeze–thaw cycles…) and/or spectroscopic analysis (sample preparation such as drying, deposit methods, volumes, substrates, operators dependence…) and consequently the quality and the reproducibility of spectral data will be discussed in this report.
Generation and functional assessment of 3D multicellular spheroids in droplet based microfluidics platform
Authors: Sabhachandani P. , Motwani V. , Cohen N. , Sarkar S. , Torchilin V. , Konry T.
Published: December 2015

Here we describe a microfluidic technique forin situgeneration and analysis of 3D multicellular spheroids as a more effective preclinical testing and screening model.
Understanding the combinatorial action of transcription factors and microRNA regulation from regions of open chromatin
Authors: Zheng Guantao , Zhang Pan , Wu Zhihong , Dong Dong
Published: December 2015

Transcriptional regulatory cascades are always triggered through the combinatorial interplay between transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in eukaryotes.
Straightforward synthesis of tetraalkynylpyrazines and their photophysical properties
Authors: Petrosyan Andranik , Ehlers Peter , Surkus Annette-E. , Ghochikyan Tariel V. , Saghyan Ashot S. , Lochbrunner Stefan , Langer Peter
Published: December 2015

Tetrafold Sonogashira reactions of tetrachloropyrazine were investigated to provide a one-step synthesis of various tetraalkynylpyrazines.
The directing group wins over acidity: kinetically controlled regioselective lithiation for functionalization of 2-(2,4-dihalophenyl)-1,3-dithiane derivatives
Authors: Sakthivel Shanmugam , Kothapalli Raveendra Babu , Balamurugan Rengarajan
Published: December 2015

Directed lithiation: regioselective functionalization of the title compounds with electrophiles was achieved in good yields. The cooperative complexation and inductive effects of 1,3-dihalo substituents favor the lithiation to occur at the less acidic site.
Efficient red emission from poly(vinyl butyral) films doped with a novel europium complex based on a terpyridyl ancillary ligand: synthesis, structural elucidation by Sparkle/RM1 calculation, and photophysical properties
Authors: Yang Chaolong , Liu Shaojun , Xu Jing , Li Youbing , Shang Mingyong , Lei Lei , Wang Guoxia , He Jian , Wang Xuanlun , Lu Mangeng
Published: December 2015

The first example of doped Eu-complex/polymer fluorescent films based on a PVB matrix is reported.
Glycosylation via remote activation of anomeric leaving groups: development of 2-(2-propylsulfinyl)benzyl glycosides as novel glycosyl donors
Authors: Shu Penghua , Yao Wang , Xiao Xiong , Sun Jiuchang , Zhao Xiang , Zhao Yueqi , Xu Yang , Tao Jinyi , Yao Guangmin , Zeng Jing , Wan Qian
Published: December 2015

New glycosyl donors with recyclable and regenerable leaving groups, which could be activated via remote mode, were designed for latent-active glycosylation.
A Ru(iii) – catalyzed α-cross-coupling aldol type addition reaction of activated olefins with isatins
Authors: Kumar A. Sanjeeva , Ramesh Palakuri , Kumar G. Santosh , Swetha A. , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Meshram H. M.
Published: December 2015

A α-cross-coupling aldol type addition reaction activated olefins with isatins has been described in the presence of ruthenium(iii) chloride and tributyltin hydride (TBTH) at room temperature.
Synthesis of mesoporous titanium oxide for release control and high efficiency drug delivery of vinorelbine bitartrate
Authors: Gedda Gangaraju , Pandey Sunil , Khan M. Shahnawaz , Talib Abou , Wu Hui-Fen
Published: December 2015

Schematic illustration of porous titanium oxide for drug delivery of vinorelbine bitartrate.
Superparamagnetic bi-functional composite bead for the thermal ionization mass spectrometry of plutonium(iv) ions
Authors: Paul Sumana , Pandey Ashok K. , Shah Raju V. , Alamelu D. , Aggarwal Suresh K.
Published: December 2015

Single resin bead-based thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) offers numerous advantages for Pu(iv) determinations in complex aqueous samples.
Morphological and interfacial properties of chemically-modified tropical hardwood
Authors: Adebawo F. G. , Naithani V. , Sadeghifar Hasan , Tilotta D. , Lucia L. A. , Jameel Hasan , Ogunsanwo O. Y.
Published: December 2015

Chemical esterification of wood biopolymers using acetic acid is a green method to sustain and improve the physical properties of native tropical hardwoods in part by drastically reducing the surface energy.
Fluorescence amplification detection via terminal protection of small molecule–protein interactions
Authors: Li Sen , Li Yu , Yu Hongwei , Wu Zhan , Jiang Jianhui , Yu Ruqin , Wang Yuansheng
Published: December 2015

A novel fluorescence assay was developed for detecting small molecule–protein interactions on the basis of terminal protection.
Synthesis,64Cu-labeling and PET imaging of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane derived chelators with pendant azaheterocyclic arms
Authors: Gotzmann Carla , Braun Friederike , Bartholomä Mark D.
Published: December 2015

Efficient and stable64Cu complexation by hexadentate TACN-derived chelators with pendant azaheterocyclic arms.
Facile synthesis of nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous lamellar carbon for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Wang , Du Zhiling , Ma Zhipeng , Wang Guiling , Bai Heping , Shao Guangjie
Published: December 2015

Three-dimensional interconnected N-enriched hierarchical porous lamellar carbon with a multilevel pore structure has been fabricated using waste nitrogen-containing mantis shrimp shell as a carbon precursor and KOH as an impregnation solution.
Silica gel-promoted practical synthesis of oxindole–nitrones from diazooxindoles and nitrosoarenes under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Zhang Yun-Hao , Wu Ming-Yue , Huang Wen-Cai
Published: December 2015

A practical and efficient method for the synthesis of oxindole–nitrones from diazooxindoles and nitrosoarenes promoted by silica gel was developed.
Investigation of different aqueous electrolytes on the electrochemical performance of activated carbon-based supercapacitors
Authors: Barzegar F. , Momodu D. Y. , Fashedemi O. O. , Bello A. , Dangbegnon J. K. , Manyala N.
Published: December 2015

Porous activated carbons was synthesized by an environmentally friendly technique, with an in-depth experimental study carried out to understand the electrochemical behaviour in different aqueous electrolytes (KOH, LiCl, and Na2SO4).
Desorption of 1-butanol from polymeric resin: experimental studies and mathematical modeling
Authors: Jiao Pengfei , Wu Jinglan , Ji Yingchun , Ke Xu , Zou Fengxia , Zhou Jingwei , Zhuang Wei , Ying Hanjie
Published: December 2015

Modeling of desorption kinetics and dynamic desorption process of 1-butanol from a polymeric resin.
Metal ion-immobilized magnetic nanoparticles for global enrichment and identification of phosphopeptides by mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhai Rui , Tian Fang , Xue Ruiqing , Jiao Fenglong , Hao Feiran , Zhang Yangjun , Qian Xiaohong
Published: December 2015

Highly selective and sensitive enrichment for global phosphopeptides by novel magnetic nanoparticles Fe3O4@TCPP-DOTA-Ms.
A crystal phase transition and its effect on the dielectric properties of a hydrogenated P(VDF-co-TrFE) with low TrFE molar content
Authors: Xia W. M. , Gu Y. J. , You C. Y. , Cao C. J. , Xu Z. , Zhang Z. C.
Published: December 2015

The crystal phase transition and electric properties of hydrogenated P(VDF-co-TrFE) with low TrFE molar content were characterized with the aid of high electric filed, which is different from traditional P(VDF-co-TrFE) in crystal phase diagram.
Synthesis of graphene oxide–silver nanocomposite with photochemically grown silver nanoparticles to use as a channel material in thin film field effect transistors
Authors: Sarkar K. , Sarkar Kalyan Jyoti , Banerji P.
Published: December 2015

The transport of charge carriers in a graphene oxide–silver nanoparticle composite is found to be controlled by nanoparticle dose.
A multi-iodine doped strategy for ionic conductivity enhancement of crown ether functionalized ionic liquids
Authors: Wang Yun , Tian Zhengnan , Sun Pengfei , Zhao Jie , Sun Hao , Gao Lijun , Zou Guifu
Published: December 2015

A novel crown ether functionalized ionic liquid has been designed, synthesized and characterized in detail.
Green coating by coordination of tannic acid and iron ions for antioxidant nanofiltration membranes
Authors: Fan Lin , Ma Yanyan , Su Yanlei , Zhang Runnan , Liu Yanan , Zhang Qi , Jiang Zhongyi
Published: December 2015

A novel green coating method was proposed to prepare composite nanofiltration (NF) membranes with good structural stability and oxidation resistance ability.
An electrochemically deposited graphene@Mn3O4composite film for supercapacitors
Authors: Cheng Suzhen , Li Shuo , Xia Ji , Lei Tianhui , Zhang Quansheng , Xie Jingying
Published: December 2015

A graphene@Mn3O4composite film with a 3D nanoporous network structure has been successfully fabricatedviaelectrochemical deposition.
Hydrogel formed by the co-assembly of sodium laurate and silica nanoparticles
Authors: Wei Ying , Wang Yijie , Wei Congrui , Zhao Qiang , Yan Yun , Yang Jiang , Huang Jianbin
Published: December 2015

Fibers formed by the co-assembly of sodium laurate and silica nanoparticles.
Oxygen-enriched hierarchical porous carbon derived from biowaste sunflower heads for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Ma Di , Wu Guang , Wan Jiafeng , Ma Fangwei , Geng Weidan , Song Shijiao
Published: December 2015

Sunflower heads, a biowaste from sunflower crop, was first explored as a sustainable precursor to synthesize porous carbon (PC) as a supercapacitor electrode material.
The design of a readily attachable and cleavable molecular scaffold for ortho-selective C–H alkenylation of arene alcohols
Authors: Knight Brian J. , Rothbaum Jacob O. , Ferreira Eric M.
Published: December 2015

A novel molecular scaffold with distinct features (easily attachable, removable, recoverable) induces Pd-catalyzed oxidative olefinations when attached to arene alcohols.
Creation of a new type of ion exchange material for rapid, high-capacity, reversible and selective ion exchange without swelling and entrainment
Authors: Li Baiyan , Zhang Yiming , Ma Dingxuan , Xing Zhenyu , Ma Tianliang , Shi Zhan , Ji Xiulei , Ma Shengqian
Published: December 2015

A new model for ion exchange materials has been proposed on the basis of ion exchange sites grafted to a porous organic polymer.
Li+ interstitials as the charge carriers in superionic lithium-rich anti-perovskites
Authors: Mouta R. , Diniz E. M. , Paschoal C. W. A.
Published: December 2015

Here, we report that in lithium-rich anti-perovskites (LiRAPs) with lithium halide deficiency, Li+ interstitials outnumber vacancies by 2–3 orders of magnitude, so that interstitials might be the actual charge carriers responsible for superionic conduction, as opposed to what has been assumed so far.
Phosphatidylserine-functionalized Fe3O4@SiO2nanoparticles combined with enzyme-encapsulated liposomes for the visual detection of Cu2+
Authors: He Ye , Li Mengxue , Jiang Wenjing , Yang WeiJuan , Lin Ling , Xu LiangJun , Fu FengFu
Published: December 2015

We reported on novel phosphatidylserine-functionalized Fe3O4@SiO2NPs and enzyme-encapsulated liposomes for the visual detection of Cu2+by employing phosphatidylserine for Cu2+recognition and the enzymatic catalysis/oxidation of TMB as a signal generator.
Surface micropatterning with zirconia and calcium phosphate ceramics by micromoulding in capillaries
Authors: Barata D. , Resmini A. , Pereira D. , Veldhuis S. A. , van Blitterswijk C. A. , ten Elshof J. E. , Habibovic P.
Published: December 2015

Micropatterning of silicon surface with bioinert yttria-stabilised zirconia or bioactive calcium phosphate ceramic by micromoulding in capillaries.
Automatic droop control for a low voltage DC microgrid
Authors: Khorsandi Amir , Ashourloo Mojtaba , Mokhtari Hossein , Iravani Reza
Published: December 2015

A DC microgrid (DC‐MG) provides an effective mean to integrate various sources, energy storage units and loads at a common dc‐side. The droop‐based, in the context of a decentralised control, has been widely used for the control of the DC‐MG. However, the conventional droop control cannot achieve both accurate current sharing and desired voltage regulation. This study proposes a new adaptive control method for DC‐MG applications which satisfies both accurate current sharing and acceptable voltage regulation depending on the loading condition. At light load conditions where the output currents of the DG units are well below the maximum limits, the accuracy of the current sharing process is not an issue. As the load increases, the output currents of the DG units increase and under heavy load conditions accurate current sharing is necessary. The proposed control method increases the equivalent droop gains as the load level increases and achieves accurate current sharing. This study evaluates the performance and stability of the proposed method based on a linearised model and verifies the results by digital time‐domain simulation and hardware‐based experiments.
Lagrangian flows within reflecting internal waves at a horizontal free-slip surface
Authors: Zhou Qi , Diamessis Peter J.
Published: December 2015

In this paper sequel to Zhou and Diamessis [“Reflection of an internal gravity wave beam off a horizontal free-slip surface,” Phys. Fluids 25, 036601 (2013)], we consider Lagrangian flows within nonlinear internal waves (IWs) reflecting off a horizontal free-slip rigid lid, the latter being a model of the ocean surface. The problem is approached both analytically using small-amplitude approximations and numerically by tracking Lagrangian fluid particles in direct numerical simulation (DNS) datasets of the Eulerian flow. Inviscid small-amplitude analyses for both plane IWs and IW beams (IWBs) show that Eulerian mean flow due to wave-wave interaction and wave-induced Stokes drift cancels each other out completely at the second order in wave steepness A, i.e., O(A2), implying zero Lagrangian mean flow up to that order. However, high-accuracy particle tracking in finite-Reynolds-number fully nonlinear DNS datasets from the work of Zhou and Diamessis suggests that the Euler-Stokes cancelation on O(A2) is not complete. This partial cancelation significantly weakens the mean Lagrangian flows but does not entirely eliminate them. As a result, reflecting nonlinear IWBs produce mean Lagrangian drifts on O(A2) and thus particle dispersion on O(A4). The above findings can be relevant to predicting IW-driven mass transport in the oceanic surface and subsurface region which bears important observational and environmental implications, under circumstances where the effect of Earth rotation can be ignored.
Compact pulse generators with soft ferromagnetic cores driven by gunpowder and explosive
Authors: Ben Chi , He Yong , Pan Xuchao , Chen Hong , He Yuan
Published: December 2015

Compact pulse generators which utilized soft ferromagnets as an initial energy carrier inside multi-turn coil and hard ferromagnets to provide the initial magnetic field outside the coil have been studied. Two methods of reducing the magnetic flux in the generators have been studied: (1) by igniting gunpowder to launch the core out of the generator, and (2) by detonating explosives that demagnetize the core. Several types of compact generators were explored to verify the feasibility. The generators with an 80-turn coil that utilize gunpowder were capable of producing pulses with amplitude 78.6 V and the full width at half maximum was 0.41 ms. The generators with a 37-turn coil that utilize explosive were capable of producing pulses with amplitude 1.41 kV and the full width at half maximum was 11.68 μs. These two methods were both successful, but produce voltage waveforms with significantly different characteristics.
Kinetics of swelling of polyelectrolyte gels: Fixed degree of ionization
Authors: Sen Swati , Kundagrami Arindam
Published: December 2015

The swelling kinetics of uncharged and charged polymer (polyelectrolyte) gels in salt-free conditions is studied in one dimension by solving the constitutive equation of motion (Newton’s law for the elementary gel volume) of the displacement variable by two theoretical methods: one in which the classical definition of stress is used with the bulk modulus taken as a parameter, and the other in which a phenomenological expression of the osmotic stress as a function of polymer density and degree of ionization is taken as an input to the dynamics. The time-evolution profiles for spatially varying polymer density and stress, along with the location of the gel-solvent interface, are obtained from the two methods. We show that both the polymer density (volume fraction) and stress inside the gel follow expected behaviours of being maximum for the uniformly shrunken gel, and relaxing slowly to the lowest values as the gel approaches equilibrium. We further show that, by comparing the temporal profiles of the gel-solvent interface and other variables between the two methods, one may attempt to assign an effective bulk modulus to the polyelectrolyte gel as a function of the degree of ionization and other parameters of the gel such as hydrophobicity, cross-link density, and the temperature. The major result we get is that the effective bulk modulus of a polyelectrolyte gel increases monotonically with its degree of ionization. In the process of identifying the parameters for a monotonic swelling, we calculated using a well-known expression of the free energy the equilibrium results of two-phase co-existence and the critical point of a polyelectrolyte gel with a fixed degree of ionization.
Effects of degree of freedom below entanglement segment on relaxation of polymer configuration under fast shear in multi-chain slip-spring simulations
Authors: Masubuchi Yuichi
Published: December 2015

In spite of lots of attempts, polymer dynamics under fast flow still remains unrevealed. One of the unsolved issues is the insensitivity of end-to-end relaxation of entangled polymers to shear reported by Watanabe et al. [Macromolecules 35, 8802 (2002)] and recently re-examined by Horio et al. [Macromolecules 47, 246 (2014)]. In this study, the effects of degree of freedom below entanglement segment were investigated on the polymer dynamics by the modified multi-chain slip-spring model. The model was validated through the consistency with earlier simulations and experiments for the shear rate dependence of viscosity, end-to-end dimension projected in the shear gradient direction, entanglement density, and anisotropic diffusion tensor. However, the end-to-end relaxation is accelerated under fast shear to follow the earlier multi-chain slip-link model and modified tube model simulations. The results are insensitive to the number of beads between entanglements, supporting the validity of further coarse-grained models. Nevertheless, the flow insensitivity of end-to-end relaxation of entangled linear chains has remained unsolved.
A multi-species collisional operator for full-F gyrokinetics
Authors: Estève D. , Garbet X. , Sarazin Y. , Grandgirard V. , Cartier-Michaud T. , Dif-Pradalier G. , Ghendrih P. , Latu G. , Norscini C.
Published: December 2015

A linearized multi-species collision operator has been developed for an efficient implementation in gyrokinetic codes. This operator satisfies the main expected properties: particle, momentum, and energy conservation, and existence of an H-theorem. A gyrokinetic version is then calculated, which involves derivatives with respect to the gyrocenter position, parallel velocity, and magnetic momentum. An isotropic version in the velocity space can be constructed for the specific problem of trace impurities colliding with a main species. A simpler version that involves derivatives with parallel velocity only has been developed. This reduced version has been implemented in the GYSELA gyrokinetic code, and is shown to comply with particle, momentum, and energy conservation laws. Moreover, the interspecies relaxation rates for momentum and energy agree very well with the theoretical values.
Band gap control in a line-defect magnonic crystal waveguide
Authors: Morozova M. A. , Grishin S. V. , Sadovnikov A. V. , Romanenko D. V. , Sharaevskii Yu. P. , Nikitov S. A.
Published: December 2015

We report on the experimental observation of the spin wave spectrum control in a line-defect magnonic crystal (MC) waveguide. We demonstrate the possibility to control the forbidden frequency band (band gap) for spin waves tuning the line-defect width. In particular, this frequency may be greater or lower than the one of 1D MC waveguide without line-defect. By means of space-resolved Brillouin light scattering technique, we study the localization of magnetization amplitude in the line-defect area. We show that the length of this localization region depends on the line-defect width. These results agree well with theoretical calculations of spin wave spectrum using the proposed model of two coupled magnonic crystal waveguides. The proposed simple geometry of MC with line-defect can be used as a logic and multiplexing block for application in the novel field of magnonic devices.
Raman spectroscopy and electrical properties of InAs nanowires with local oxidation enabled by substrate micro-trenches and laser irradiation
Authors: Tanta R. , Madsen M. H. , Liao Z. , Krogstrup P. , Vosch T. , Nygård J. , Jespersen T. S.
Published: December 2015

The thermal gradients along indium arsenide nanowires were engineered by a combination of fabricated micro-trenches in the supporting substrate and focused laser irradiation. This allowed local spatial control of thermally activated oxidation reactions of the nanowire on the scale of the diffraction limit. The locality of the oxidation was detected by micro-Raman mapping, and the results were found to be consistent with numerical simulations of the temperature profile. Applying the technique to nanowires in electrical devices the locally oxidized nanowires remained conducting with a lower conductance as expected for an effectively thinner conducting core.
Validation of an analytical compressed elastic tube model for acoustic wave propagation
Authors: Van Hirtum A. , Blandin R. , Pelorson X.
Published: December 2015

Acoustic wave propagation through a compressed elastic tube is a recurrent problem in engineering. Compression of the tube is achieved by pinching it between two parallel bars so that the pinching effort as well as the longitudinal position of pinching can be controlled. A stadium-based geometrical tube model is combined with a plane wave acoustic model in order to estimate acoustic wave propagation through the elastic tube as a function of pinching effort, pinching position, and outlet termination (flanged or unflanged). The model outcome is validated against experimental data obtained in a frequency range from 3.5 kHz up to 10 kHz by displacing an acoustic probe along the tube's centerline. Due to plane wave model assumptions and the decrease of the lowest higher order mode cut-on frequency with increasing pinching effort, the difference between modeled and measured data is analysed in three frequency bands, up to 5 kHz, 8 kHz, and 9.5 kHz, respectively. It is seen that the mean and standard error within each frequency band do not significantly vary with pinching effort, pinching position, or outlet termination. Therefore, it is concluded that the analytical tube model is suitable to approximate the elastic tube geometry when modeling acoustic wave propagation through the pinched elastic tube with either flanged or unflanged termination.