bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly efficient macroporous adsorbents for toxic metal ions in water systems based on polyvinyl alcohol–formaldehyde sponges
Authors: Pan Yanxiong , Liu Zhi , Wang Weicai , Peng Chao , Shi Kai , Ji Xiangling
Published: January 2016

A series of macroporous adsorbents based on polyvinyl alcohol–formaldehyde (PVF) sponges was prepared using redox-initiated grafting polymerization of acrylamide (AM) followed by hydrolysis under alkaline conditions, and used as efficient macroporous adsorbents in water medium.
Interfacial construction of Li2O2for a performance-improved polymer Li–O2battery
Authors: Yi Jin , Wu Shichao , Bai Songyan , Liu Yang , Li Na , Zhou Haoshen
Published: January 2016

Careful interfacial engineering design and construction was carried out to develop a performance-improved polymer Li–O2battery.
Dual ligand co-functionalized fluorescent gold nanoclusters for the “turn on” sensing of glutathione in tumor cells
Authors: Xu Shenghao , Gao Teng , Feng Xiuying , Mao Yaning , Liu Pingping , Yu Xijuan , Luo Xiliang
Published: January 2016

A “turn on” approach was established for GSH sensing in tumor cells based on dual ligand co-functionalized fluorescent Au NCs.
The enzyme-instructed assembly of the core of yeast prion Sup35 to form supramolecular hydrogels
Authors: Yuan Dan , Shi Junfeng , Du Xuewen , Huang Yibing , Gao Yuan , Baoum Abdulgader A. , Xu Bing
Published: January 2016

Using self-assembling core segment (GNNQQNY) of yeast prion Sup35, we design and synthesise structurally related precursors for enzymatic hydrogelation.
Electrochemically switchable photoluminescence of an anionic dye in a cationic metallo-supramolecular polymer
Authors: Suzuki Takahiro , Sato Takashi , Zhang Jian , Kanao Miki , Higuchi Masayoshi , Maki Hideyuki
Published: January 2016

The electrochemically reversible photoluminescence of sulforhodamine B (SRB) anions is demonstrated based on the redox of Fe in a metallo-supramolecular polymer.
Blue light-emitting polymers containing fluorene-based benzothiophene-S,S-dioxide derivatives
Authors: Hu Liwen , Yang Yong , Xu Jin , Liang Junfei , Guo Ting , Zhang Bin , Yang Wei , Cao Yong
Published: January 2016

Blue light-emitting polymers were synthesized via introducing a 9,9-dioctylfluorene bis[2,3-b;6,7-b]benzo-[d]thiophene-S,S-dioxide (FBTO) unit into the polyfluorene or polycarbazole backbone.
An efficient PE-ALD process for TiO2 thin films employing a new Ti-precursor
Authors: Gebhard M. , Mitschker F. , Wiesing M. , Giner I. , Torun B. , de los Arcos T. , Awakowicz P. , Grundmeier G. , Devi A.
Published: January 2016

A new Ti-precursor for low-temperature PE-ALD of titanium dioxide thin films as gas barrier layers on polymer substrates.
Engineering the singlet–triplet energy splitting in a TADF molecule
Authors: Santos Paloma L. , Ward Jonathan S. , Data Przemyslaw , Batsanov Andrei S. , Bryce Martin R. , Dias Fernando B. , Monkman Andrew P.
Published: January 2016

Environment plays a key role in the fine tuning of the energy levels of the charge transfer state with respect to the local donor or acceptor triplet state, which can be used to control the ΔEST in TADF molecules.
Dual-function optoelectronic polymer device for photoelectric conversion and electroluminescence
Authors: Zhang Zhitao , Wang Lie , Li Yiming , Li Xueyi , Guan Guozhen , Zhang Ye , Peng Huisheng
Published: January 2016

A dual-function optoelectronic device created through an all-solution process to realize both photoelectric conversion and electroluminescence.
Eu3+ ion concentration induced 3D luminescence properties of novel red-emitting Ba4La6(SiO4)O:Eu3+ oxyapatite phosphors for versatile applications
Authors: Raju G. Seeta Rama , Pavitra E. , Hussain Sk. Khaja , Balaji D. , Yu Jae Su
Published: January 2016

Novel red-emitting BLSO:Eu3+ phosphors with the quantum efficiency of 65% have been developed for NUV excitation based solid-state lighting and display applications.
Light-blue thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitters realizing a high external quantum efficiency of 25% and unprecedented low drive voltages in OLEDs
Authors: Komatsu Ryutaro , Sasabe Hisahiro , Seino Yuki , Nakao Kohei , Kido Junji
Published: January 2016

A series of TADF emitters composed of pyrimidine/acridine moieties are developed. The optimized device realized its highest power efficiency of 62 lm W−1, a high external quantum efficiency of 25%, and a low turn-on voltage of 2.8 V with light-blue emission.
Dynamic cytotoxic profiles of sulfur mustard in human dermal cells determined by multiparametric high-content analysis
Authors: Long Long , Li Wei , Chen Wei , Li Fei-Fei , Li Hua , Wang Li-Li
Published: January 2016

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a well known chemical warfare agent that poses a major threat to military personnel and also populace.
Ultrawideband monopulse antenna with application as a reflector feed
Authors: Rezazadeh Navid , Shafai Lotfollah
Published: January 2016

A novel ultrawideband pattern diversity antenna, with sum and difference radiation patterns used in monopulse tracking, is proposed. To achieve pattern diversity, a crescent‐shaped radiating element is fed from two sides at an angle close to 90°, by two coaxial feeds. The ground is a corner‐shaped cavity. The sum and difference patterns can be obtained by in‐phase and out‐of‐phase excitations of the two coaxial ports. A single‐element antenna is first studied to show the operating principle of the design. A modified design with two elements is then proposed and studied through simulations and measurements of a fabricated prototype, showing excellent radiation characteristics over a large frequency bandwidth. The application of this antenna as a reflector feed is then studied. It is shown that the antenna can theoretically feed a prime focus reflector with 60% (for the sum pattern) efficiency over a 48% fractional bandwidth (5.5–9 GHz), with a maximum efficiency of 75%. The antenna is compact (5 × 4.1 × 2 cm3) and has low cost and simple fabrication. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to feed a reflector with this class of antennas.
Marangoni flow at droplet interfaces: Three-dimensional solution and applications
Authors: Schmitt M. , Stark H.
Published: January 2016

The Marangoni effect refers to fluid flow induced by a gradient in surface tension at a fluid-fluid interface. We determine the full three-dimensional Marangoni flow generated by a non-uniform surface tension profile at the interface of a self-propelled spherical emulsion droplet. For all flow fields inside, outside, and at the interface of the droplet, we give analytical formulas. We also calculate the droplet velocity vector vD, which describes the swimming kinematics of the droplet, and generalize the squirmer parameter β, which distinguishes between different swimmer types called neutral, pusher, or puller. In the second part of this paper, we present two illustrative examples, where the Marangoni effect is used in active emulsion droplets. First, we demonstrate how micelle adsorption can spontaneously break the isotropic symmetry of an initially surfactant-free emulsion droplet, which then performs directed motion. Second, we think about light-switchable surfactants and laser light to create a patch with a different surfactant type at the droplet interface. Depending on the setup such as the wavelength of the laser light and the surfactant type in the outer bulk fluid, one can either push droplets along unstable trajectories or pull them along straight or oscillatory trajectories regulated by specific parameters. We explore these cases for strongly absorbing and for transparent droplets.
Optimization of micropillar sequences for fluid flow sculpting
Authors: Stoecklein Daniel , Wu Chueh-Yu , Kim Donghyuk , Di Carlo Dino , Ganapathysubramanian Baskar
Published: January 2016

Inertial fluid flow deformation around pillars in a microchannel is a new method for controlling fluid flow. Sequences of pillars have been shown to produce a rich phase space with a wide variety of flow transformations. Previous work has successfully demonstrated manual design of pillar sequences to achieve desired transformations of the flow cross section, with experimental validation. However, such a method is not ideal for seeking out complex sculpted shapes as the search space quickly becomes too large for efficient manual discovery. We explore fast, automated optimization methods to solve this problem. We formulate the inertial flow physics in microchannels with different micropillar configurations as a set of state transition matrix operations. These state transition matrices are constructed from experimentally validated streamtraces for a fixed channel length per pillar. This facilitates modeling the effect of a sequence of micropillars as nested matrix-matrix products, which have very efficient numerical implementations. With this new forward model, arbitrary micropillar sequences can be rapidly simulated with various inlet configurations, allowing optimization routines quick access to a large search space. We integrate this framework with the genetic algorithm and showcase its applicability by designing micropillar sequences for various useful transformations. We computationally discover micropillar sequences for complex transformations that are substantially shorter than manually designed sequences. We also determine sequences for novel transformations that were difficult to manually design. Finally, we experimentally validate these computational designs by fabricating devices and comparing predictions with the results from confocal microscopy.
The weight function for charges—A rigorous theoretical concept for Kelvin probe force microscopy
Authors: Söngen Hagen , Rahe Philipp , Neff Julia L. , Bechstein Ralf , Ritala Juha , Foster Adam S. , Kühnle Angelika
Published: January 2016

A comprehensive discussion of the physical origins of Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) signals for charged systems is given. We extend the existing descriptions by including the open-loop operation mode, which is relevant when performing KPFM in electrolyte solutions. We define the contribution of charges to the KPFM signal by a weight function, which depends on the electric potential and on the capacitance of the tip-sample system. We analyze the sign as well as the lateral decay of this weight function for different sample types, namely, conductive samples as well as dielectric samples with permittivities both larger and smaller than the permittivity of the surrounding medium. Depending on the surrounding medium the sign of the weight function can be positive or negative, which can lead to a contrast inversion for single charges. We furthermore demonstrate that the KPFM signal on thick dielectric samples can scale with the sample size—rendering quantitative statements regarding the charge density challenging. Thus, knowledge on the weight function for charges is crucial for qualitative as well as quantitative statements regarding charges beneath the tip.
An electrically resistive sheet of glial cells for amplifying signals of neuronal extracellular recordings
Authors: Matsumura R. , Yamamoto H. , Niwano M. , Hirano-Iwata A.
Published: January 2016

Electrical signals of neuronal cells can be recorded non-invasively and with a high degree of temporal resolution using multielectrode arrays (MEAs). However, signals that are recorded with these devices are small, usually 0.01%–0.1% of intracellular recordings. Here, we show that the amplitude of neuronal signals recorded with MEA devices can be amplified by covering neuronal networks with an electrically resistive sheet. The resistive sheet used in this study is a monolayer of glial cells, supportive cells in the brain. The glial cells were grown on a collagen-gel film that is permeable to oxygen and other nutrients. The impedance of the glial sheet was measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and equivalent circuit simulations were performed to theoretically investigate the effect of covering the neurons with such a resistive sheet. Finally, the effect of the resistive glial sheet was confirmed experimentally, showing a 6-fold increase in neuronal signals. This technique feasibly amplifies signals of MEA recordings.
Crystalfield symmetries of luminescent Eu3+ centers in GaN: The importance of the 5D to 7F1 transition
Authors: O'Donnell K. P. , Edwards P. R. , Yamaga M. , Lorenz K. , Kappers M. J. , Boćkowski M.
Published: January 2016

Eu-doped GaN is a promising material with potential application not only in optoelectronics but also in magneto-optical and quantum optical devices “beyond the light emitting diode.” Its interesting spectroscopy is unfortunately complicated by spectral overlaps due to “site multiplicity,” the existence in a given sample of multiple composite centers in which Eu ions associate with intrinsic or extrinsic defects. We show here that elementary crystalfield analysis of the 5D0 to 7F1 transition can critically distinguish such sites. Hence, we find that the center involved in the hysteretic photochromic switching observed in GaN(Mg):Eu, proposed as the basis of a solid state qubit material, is not in fact Eu1, as previously reported, but a related defect, Eu1(Mg). Furthermore, the decomposition of the crystalfield distortions of Eu0, Eu1(Mg), and Eu1 into axial and non-axial components strongly suggests reasonable microscopic models for the defects themselves.
Steady cone-jet mode in compound-fluidic electro-flow focusing for fabricating multicompartment microcapsules
Authors: Si Ting , Yin Chuansheng , Gao Peng , Li Guangbin , Ding Hang , He Xiaoming , Xie Bin , Xu Ronald X.
Published: January 2016

A compound-fluidic electro-flow focusing (CEFF) process is proposed to produce multicompartment microcapsules. The central device mainly consists of a needle assembly of two parallel inner needles and one outer needle mounted in a gas chamber with their tips facing a small orifice at the bottom of the chamber. As the outer and the inner fluids flow through the needle assembly, a high-speed gas stream elongates the liquid menisci in the vicinity of the orifice entrance. An electric field is further integrated into capillary flow focusing to promote the formation of steady cone-jet mode in a wide range of operation parameters. The multiphase liquid jet is broken up into droplets due to perturbation propagation along the jet surface. To estimate the diameter of the multiphase liquid jet as a function of process parameters, a modified scaling law is derived and experimentally validated. Microcapsules of around 100 μm with an alginate shell and multiple cores at a production rate of 103–105 per second are produced. Technical feasibility of stimulation triggered coalescence and drug release is demonstrated by benchtop experiments. The proposed CEFF process can be potentially used to encapsulate therapeutic agents and biological cargos for controlled micro-reaction and drug delivery.
Torsion-rotation-vibration effects in the ground and first excited states of methacrolein, a major atmospheric oxidation product of isoprene
Authors: Zakharenko O. , Motiyenko R. A. , Aviles Moreno J.-R. , Jabri A. , Kleiner I. , Huet T. R.
Published: January 2016

Methacrolein is a major oxidation product of isoprene emitted in the troposphere. New spectroscopy information is provided with the aim to allow unambiguous identification of this complex molecule, characterized by a large amplitude motion associated with the methyl top. State-of-the-art millimeter-wave spectroscopy experiments coupled to quantum chemical calculations have been performed. For the most stable s-trans conformer of atmospheric interest, the torsional and rotational structures have been characterized for the ground state, the first excited methyl torsional state (ν27), and the first excited skeletal torsional state (ν26). The inverse sequence of A and E tunneling sub-states as well as anomalous A-E splittings observed for the rotational lines of v26 = 1 state clearly indicates a coupling between methyl torsion and skeletal torsion. A comprehensive set of molecular parameters has been obtained. The far infrared spectrum of Durig et al. [Spectrochim. Acta, Part A 42, 89–103 (1986)] was reproduced, and a Fermi interaction between ν25 and 2ν27 was evidenced.
On-chip spectroscopy with thermally tuned high-Q photonic crystal cavities
Authors: Liapis Andreas C. , Gao Boshen , Siddiqui Mahmudur R. , Shi Zhimin , Boyd Robert W.
Published: January 2016

Spectroscopic methods are a sensitive way to determine the chemical composition of potentially hazardous materials. Here, we demonstrate that thermally tuned high-Q photonic crystal cavities can be used as a compact high-resolution on-chip spectrometer. We have used such a chip-scale spectrometer to measure the absorption spectra of both acetylene and hydrogen cyanide in the 1550 nm spectral band and show that we can discriminate between the two chemical species even though the two materials have spectral features in the same spectral region. Our results pave the way for the development of chip-size chemical sensors that can detect toxic substances.
Determination of absorption cross-section of Si nanocrystals by two independent methods based on either absorption or luminescence
Authors: Valenta J. , Greben M. , Remeš Z. , Gutsch S. , Hiller D. , Zacharias M.
Published: January 2016

Absorption cross-section (ACS) of silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) is determined via two completely independent approaches: (i) Excitation-intensity-dependent photoluminescence (PL) kinetics under modulated (long square pulses) pumping and (ii) absorbance measured by the photothermal deflection spectroscopy combined with morphology information obtained by the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. This unique comparison reveals consistent ACS values around 10−15 cm2 for violet excitation of SiNCs of about 3–5 nm in diameter and this value is comparable to most of direct band-gap semiconductor nanocrystals; however, it decreases steeply towards longer wavelengths. Moreover, we analyze the PL-modulation technique in detail and propose an improved experimental procedure which enables simpler implementation of this method to determine ACS of various (nano)materials in both solid and liquid states.
Time-resolved imaging of electrical discharge development in underwater bubbles
Authors: Tu Yalong , Xia Hualei , Yang Yong , Lu Xinpei
Published: January 2016

The formation and development of plasma in single air bubbles submerged in water were investigated. The difference in the discharge dynamics and the after-effects on the bubble were investigated using a 900 000 frame per second high-speed charge-coupled device camera. It was observed that depending on the position of the electrodes, the breakdown could be categorized into two modes: (1) direct discharge mode, where the high voltage and ground electrodes were in contact with the bubble, and the streamer would follow the shortest path and propagate along the axis of the bubble and (2) dielectric barrier mode, where the ground electrode was not in touch with the bubble surface, and the streamer would form along the inner surface of the bubble. The oscillation of the bubble and the development of instabilities on the bubble surface were also discussed.
Force-noise spectroscopy by tunneling current deflection sensing
Authors: Herz Markus , Scheer Elke
Published: January 2016

An electro-mechanical setup for the measurement of force-noise properties in a low-temperature tunneling microscope has been utilized to enable extremely high resolution and acquire force-noise spectra as function of the applied voltage bias. The direct crosstalk of vibrations onto the tunneling current is used to measure the deflection of a force-sensing cantilever. We demonstrate its capability to measure the mechanical energy of the cantilever, caused by the noise of the force from vacuum tunneling between polycrystalline Iridium electrodes. We observe peak levels of the induced cantilever energy at polarity-symmetric voltages corresponding to dominant peaks of the phonon density of states, which suggests that inelastic transport processes contribute to force fluctuations.
Purcell effect in an organic-inorganic halide perovskite semiconductor microcavity system
Authors: Wang Jun , Cao Runan , Da Peimei , Wang Yafeng , Hu Tao , Wu Lin , Lu Jian , Shen Xuechu , Xu Fei , Zheng Gengfeng , Chen Zhanghai
Published: January 2016

Organic-inorganic halide perovskite semiconductors with the attractive physics properties, including strong photoluminescence (PL), huge oscillator strengths, and low nonradiative recombination losses, are ideal candidates for studying the light-matter interaction in nanostructures. Here, we demonstrate the coupling of the exciton state and the cavity mode in the lead halide perovskite microcavity system at room temperature. The Purcell effect in the coupling system is clearly observed by using angle-resolved photoluminescence spectra. Kinetic analysis based on time-resolved PL reveals that the spontaneous emission rate of the halide perovskite semiconductor is significantly enhanced at resonance of the exciton energy and the cavity mode. Our results provide the way for developing electrically driven organic polariton lasers, optical devices, and on-chip coherent quantum light sources.
Computational characterization of lightweight multilayer MXene Li-ion battery anodes
Authors: Ashton Michael , Hennig Richard G. , Sinnott Susan B.
Published: January 2016

MXenes, a class of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, have shown promise experimentally and computationally for use in energy storage applications. In particular, the most lightweight members of the monolayer MXene family (M = Sc, Ti, V, or Cr) are predicted to have gravimetric capacities above 400 mAh/g, higher than graphite. Additionally, intercalation of ions into multilayer MXenes can be accomplished at low voltages, and low diffusion barriers exist for Li diffusing across monolayer MXenes. However, large discrepancies have been observed between the calculated and experimental reversible capacities of MXenes. Here, dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations are employed to predict reversible capacities and other battery-related properties for six of the most promising members of the MXene family (O-functionalized Ti- and V-based carbide MXenes) as bilayer structures. The calculated reversible capacities of the V2CO2 and Ti2CO2 bilayers agree more closely with experiment than do previous calculations for monolayers. Additionally, the minimum energy paths and corresponding energy barriers along the in-plane [1000] and [0100] directions for Li travelling between neighboring MXene layers are determined. V4C3O2 exhibits the lowest diffusion barrier of the compositions considered, at 0.42 eV, but its reversible capacity (148 mAh/g) is dragged down by its heavy formula unit. Conversely, the V2CO2 MXene shows good reversible capacity (276 mAh/g), but a high diffusion barrier (0.82 eV). We show that the diffusion barriers of all bilayer structures are significantly higher than those calculated for the corresponding monolayers, advocating the use of dispersed monolayer MXenes instead of multilayers in high performance anodes.
Ge0.83Sn0.17 p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors: Impact of sulfur passivation on gate stack quality
Authors: Lei Dian , Wang Wei , Zhang Zheng , Pan Jisheng , Gong Xiao , Liang Gengchiau , Tok Eng-Soon , Yeo Yee-Chia
Published: January 2016

The effect of room temperature sulfur passivation of the surface of Ge0.83Sn0.17 prior to high-k dielectric (HfO2) deposition is investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to examine the chemical bonding at the interface of HfO2 and Ge0.83Sn0.17. Sulfur passivation is found to be effective in suppressing the formation of both Ge oxides and Sn oxides. A comparison of XPS results for sulfur-passivated and non-passivated Ge0.83Sn0.17 samples shows that sulfur passivation of the GeSn surface could also suppress the surface segregation of Sn atoms. In addition, sulfur passivation reduces the interface trap density Dit at the high-k dielectric/Ge0.83Sn0.17 interface from the valence band edge to the midgap of Ge0.83Sn0.17, as compared with a non-passivated control. The impact of the improved Dit is demonstrated in Ge0.83Sn0.17 p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (p-MOSFETs). Ge0.83Sn0.17 p-MOSFETs with sulfur passivation show improved subthreshold swing S, intrinsic transconductance Gm,int, and effective hole mobility μeff as compared with the non-passivated control. At a high inversion carrier density Ninv of 1 × 1013 cm−2, sulfur passivation increases μeff by 25% in Ge0.83Sn0.17 p-MOSFETs.
Optimizing the physical parameters for bio-hydrogen production from food waste co-digested with mixed consortia of clostridium
Authors: Sattar Asma , Arslan Chaudhry , Ji Changying , Chen Kunjie , Nasir Abdul , Fang Huimin , Umair Muhammad
Published: January 2016

Food waste along with its two individual components, noodle waste and rice waste, were tested for bio-hydrogen production by using sludge as a source of mix consortia of Clostridium under different physical conditions (pH 5, 6, and 7; temperature 37 °C and 55 °C). The increase in pH increased the bio-hydrogen yield for all tested wastes, whereas an increase in temperature increased the bio-hydrogen yield just for food waste. The highest experimental yield of 115.76 ml/VSremoved was produced in the mesophilic noodle waste reactor at pH 7. The drop in pH from 7 to 4.8 ± 0.2 was found optimum for bio-hydrogen production for all tested wastes under mesophilic as well as thermophilic conditions. Most of the hydrogen production was observed within 72 h of incubation, which can be used as the optimum bio-hydrogen production period for food waste. The bio-hydrogen yield, final volatile fatty acids (VFA), and glucose consumption at 72 h were analyzed with the help of the response surface methodology. The resultant plots represented an increase in glucose consumption with the increase in pH from 5 till pH 6 ± 0.5, after which glucose consumption started to decrease up to pH 7. The final VFA represented a similar trend as that observed for glucose except that the change in VFA production was observed due to the temperature and transition was observed at 47.5 ± 1.5 °C for food waste as well as for noodle waste.
In-situ realtime monitoring of nanoscale gold electroplating using micro-electro-mechanical systems liquid cell operating in transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Egawa Minoru , Ishida Tadashi , Jalabert Laurent , Fujita Hiroyuki
Published: January 2016

The dynamics of nanoscale electroplating between gold electrodes was investigated using a microfabricated liquid cell mounted on a scanning transmission electron microscope. The electroplating was recorded in-situ for 10 min with a spatial resolution higher than 6 nm. At the beginning of the electroplating, gold spike-like structures of about 50 nm in size grew from an electrode, connected gold nanoclusters around them, and form three dimensional nanoscale structures. We visualized the elementary process of the gold electroplating, and believe that the results lead to the deeper understanding of electroplating at the nanoscale.
Controlling a three dimensional electron slab of graded AlxGa1−xN
Authors: Adhikari R. , Li Tian , Capuzzo G. , Bonanni A.
Published: January 2016

Polarization induced degenerate n-type doping with electron concentrations up to ∼1020 cm−3 is achieved in graded AlxGa1−xN layers (x: 0% → 37%) grown on unintentionally doped and on n-doped GaN:Si buffer/reservoir layers by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. High resolution x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electron dispersive x-ray spectroscopy confirm the gradient in the composition of the AlxGa1−xN layers, while Hall effect studies reveal the formation of a three dimensional electron slab, whose conductivity can be adjusted through the GaN(:Si) buffer/reservoir.
Schrödinger like equation for wavelets
Authors: Zúñiga-Segundo A. , Moya-Cessa H. M. , Soto-Eguibar F.
Published: January 2016

An explicit phase space representation of the wave function is build based on a wavelet transformation. The wavelet transformation allows us to understand the relationship between s − ordered Wigner function, (or Wigner function when s = 0), and the Torres-Vega-Frederick’s wave functions. This relationship is necessary to find a general solution of the Schrödinger equation in phase-space.
Distance-dependent energy transfer between CdSe/CdS quantum dots and a two-dimensional semiconductor
Authors: Goodfellow Kenneth M. , Chakraborty Chitraleema , Sowers Kelly , Waduge Pradeep , Wanunu Meni , Krauss Todd , Driscoll Kristina , Vamivakas A. Nick
Published: January 2016

Atomically thin semiconductors, such as the transition metal dichalcogenides, show great potential for nanoscale photodetection, energy harvesting, and nanophotonics. Here, we investigate the efficiency of energy transfer between colloidal quantum dots with a cadmium selenide core and cadmium sulfide shell and monolayer molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2). We show that MoSe2 effectively quenches the fluorescence of quantum dots when the two materials are in contact. We then separate the MoSe2 and quantum dots by inserting variable thickness hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) spacers and show that the efficiency at which the MoSe2 quenches fluorescence decreases as the h-BN thickness is increased. For distances d, this trend can be modeled by a 1/d4 decay, in agreement with theory and recent studies involving graphene.
Ferroelastic shear bands in Pb3(PO4)2
Authors: Li Suzhi , Bismayer Ulli , Ding Xiangdong , Salje Ekhard K. H.
Published: January 2016

We report shear bands as a precursor structure of deformation twinning in Pb3(PO4)2. Atomic force microscopy shows “slip-line” like traces on the surface of untwinned regions of the sample. The traces are shear bands oriented along twin boundaries of the ferroelastic R3¯m-C2/c transition. Computer simulations reproduce the shear band patterns and show that each shear band is a precursor embryo of a twin wall that forms under higher shear stress. This observation reveals the structural origin of twin boundaries under stress conditions just before ferroelastic switching occurs.
Magnetization enhancement due to incorporation of non-magnetic nitrogen content in (Co84Zr16)Nx nano-composite films
Authors: Singh Jitendra , Shukla Rishabh , Bagri Anita , Dhaka Rajendra S. , Akhtar Jamil
Published: January 2016

We report the magnetic, electronic, and structural properties of nano-composite (Co84Zr16)Nx or CZN films prepared by reactive co-sputter deposition method. As-deposited CZN films have shown enhancement in magnetization (Ms) with incorporation of nitrogen content, which is related to the evolution of nano-composite phase. X-ray diffraction study has confirmed poly-crystalline growth of CZN films with fcc(331) and fcc(422) phases. High-resolution transmission electron microscope study reveals that CZN films are composed of ordered and crystalline ferromagnetic Co nano-clusters, which are embedded in the nano-composite matrix. Photoemission measurements show the change in the intensity near the Fermi level most likely due to defects and shift in the core-levels binding energy with nitrogen concentration. Raman spectroscopy data show an increase in the intensity of the Raman lines with nitrogen concentration upto 20%. However, the intensity is significantly lower for 30% sample. This indicates that less nitrogen or defect states are being substituted into the lattice above 20% and is consistent with the observed magnetic behavior. Our studies indicate that defects induced due to the incorporation of non-magnetic nitrogen content play a key role to enhance the magnetization.
Marking a sense of self and politics in interviews on political engagement
Authors: Zienkowski Jan
Published: January 2016

This paper explores the relationship between notions of self and politics in discourse on political engagement. By means of a heuristic inspired by the poststructuralist notion of logic and the pragmatic concept of metapragmatic awareness, the author argues that metapragmatic markers play an important role in communicating interpretive processes that inform preferred and disavowed modes of subjectivity. He relies on an interview conducted with an activist involved in Flemish minority politics in order to show how activists distinguish between preferred and disavowed modes of politics. In dealing with the multiplicity of identities and issues that constitute political debates, activists need to establish and communicate some degree of coherence. Metapragmatic awareness allows interlocutors to establish patterns of coherence that can be described in terms of interpretive logics. The author presents a strong case for taking the reflexive awareness of language users into account when studying society-wide debates.
English print advertisements for cosmetic and hygienic products and their Persian translations
Authors: Lotfollahi Bahareh , Ketabi Saeed , Barati Hossein
Published: January 2016

Advertising is an important part of marketing and greatly influences the way people behave and think. It communicates information about products and at the same time tries to persuade people to buy them, which makes the translation of advertising materials a challenging, yet necessary task. Using critical discourse analysis, this study aims to examine English print advertisements for cosmetic and hygienic products and their Persian translations. The sample consists of seven matching pairs selected from brochures and catalogs available at Isfahan drugstores between 2010 and 2012. Fairclough’s framework (2010) is adopted to analyze verbal elements. In order to analyze the visual components of advertisements, Johnson’s (2008) approach to the study of advertisements is employed. The analyzed data reveals significant differences between the source and target texts in terms of their textual, discoursal, and ideological features.
Essentialist beliefs about sexuality-related categories / Creencias esencialistas sobre diferentes categorías relacionadas con la sexualidad
Authors: Delgado-Acosta Elena , Betancor Verónica , Rodríguez-Pérez Armando , Delgado Naira
Published: January 2016

People form essentialist beliefs about social categories as a strategy to organize their world and to make sense of the similarities and differences between different categories. This research examines four dimensions of essentialist thinking (biological basis, immutability, clarity of discreteness and informativeness) across different sexuality-related categories. Specifically, the categories of gays, lesbians, transsexuals, paedophiles, rapists and prostitutes were studied. Results show that essentialist beliefs of the six categories vary across dimensions and that essentialist dimensions function independently. Therefore, we discuss the relative usefulness of taking a global measurement as opposed to analysing the dimensions of essentialism separately.
Regulation of Blood Pressure, Appetite, and Glucose by CNS Melanocortin System in Hyperandrogenemic Female SHR
Authors: do Carmo Jussara M. , da Silva Alexandre A. , Moak Sydney P. , Houghton Haley J. , Smith Andrew , Hall John E.
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Hyperandrogenemia in females may be associated with sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation and increased blood pressure (BP). However the importance of hyperandrogenemia in causing hypertension in females and the mechanisms involved are still unclear. We tested whether chronic hyperandrogenemia exacerbates hypertension in young female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and whether endogenous melanocortin-3/4 receptor (MC3/4R) activation contributes to the elevated BP.

METHODS

Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of chronic MC3/4R antagonism were assessed in female SHR treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT, beginning at 5 weeks of age) and placebo-treated female SHR. BP and heart rate (HR) were measured by telemetry and an intracerebroventricular (ICV) cannula was placed in the lateral ventricle for infusions. After control measurements, the MC3/4R antagonist (SHU-9119) was infused for 10 days (1 nmol/hour, ICV, at 15 weeks of age) followed by a 5-day recovery period.

RESULTS

MC3/4R antagonism increased food intake and body weight in DHT-treated SHR (14±1 to 35±1g/day and 244±3 to 298±8g) and controls (14±1 to 34±2g/day and 207±4 to 269±8g). Compared to untreated SHR, DHT-treated SHR had similar BP but lower HR (146±3 vs. 142±4mm Hg and 316±2 vs. 363±4 bpm). Chronic SHU-9119 infusion reduced BP and HR in DHT-treated SHR (−12±2mm Hg and −14±4 bpm) and control female SHR (−19±2mm Hg and −21±6 bpm).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that hyperandrogenemia does not exacerbate hypertension in female SHR. MC3/4R antagonism reduces BP and HR despite marked increases in food intake and body weight in hyperandrogenemic and control female SHR.
Human thioredoxin 2 deficiency impairs mitochondrial redox homeostasis and causes early-onset neurodegeneration
Authors: Holzerova Eliska , Danhauser Katharina , Haack Tobias B. , Kremer Laura S. , Melcher Marlen , Ingold Irina , Kobayashi Sho , Terrile Caterina , Wolf Petra , Schaper Jörg , Mayatepek Ertan , Baertling Fabian , Friedmann Angeli José Pedro , Conrad Marcus , Strom Tim M. , Meitinger Thomas , Prokisch Holger , Distelmaier Felix
Published: January 2016

Thioredoxin 2 (TXN2; also known as Trx2) is a small mitochondrial redox protein essential for the control of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species homeostasis, apoptosis regulation and cell viability. Exome sequencing in a 16-year-old adolescent suffering from an infantile-onset neurodegenerative disorder with severe cerebellar atrophy, epilepsy, dystonia, optic atrophy, and peripheral neuropathy, uncovered a homozygous stop mutation in TXN2. Analysis of patient-derived fibroblasts demonstrated absence of TXN2 protein, increased reactive oxygen species levels, impaired oxidative stress defence and oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction. Reconstitution of TXN2 expression restored all these parameters, indicating the causal role of TXN2 mutation in disease development. Supplementation with antioxidants effectively suppressed cellular reactive oxygen species production, improved cell viability and mitigated clinical symptoms during short-term follow-up. In conclusion, our report on a patient with TXN2 deficiency suggests an important role of reactive oxygen species homeostasis for human neuronal maintenance and energy metabolism.
End of the century CO2 concentrations do not have a negative effect on vital rates of Calanus finmarchicus, an ecologically critical planktonic species in North Atlantic ecosystems
Authors: Runge Jeffrey A. , Fields David M. , Thompson Cameron R. S. , Shema Steven D. , Bjelland Reidun M. , Durif Caroline M. F. , Skiftesvik Anne Berit , Browman Howard I.
Published: January 2016

The Subarctic copepod, Calanus finmarchicus, is an ecologically critical foundation species throughout the North Atlantic Ocean. Any change in the abundance and distribution of C. finmarchicus would have profound effects on North Atlantic pelagic ecosystems and the services that they support, particularly on the coastal shelves located at the southern margins of the species' range. We tested the hypothesis that the physiological rates and processes of C. finmarchicus, determining its vital rates, are unaffected by increases in CO2 concentration predicted to occur in the surface waters of the ocean during the next 100 years. We reared C. finmarchicus from eggs to adults at a control (580 µatm, the ambient concentration at the laboratory's seawater intake) and at predicted mid-range (1200 µatm) and high (1900 µatm) pCO2. There was no significant effect of pCO2 on development times, lipid accumulation, feeding rate, or metabolic rate. Small but significant treatment effects were found in body length and mass (in terms of dry, carbon and nitrogen mass), notably a somewhat larger body size at the mid-pCO2 treatment; that is, a putatively beneficial effect. Based on these results, and a review of other studies of Calanus, we conclude that the present parameterizations of vital rates in models of C. finmarchicus population dynamics, used to generate scenarios of abundance and distribution of this species under future conditions, do not require an “ocean acidification effect” adjustment. A review of research on planktonic copepods indicates that, with only a few exceptions, impacts of increased CO2 are small at the levels predicted to occur during the next century.
Spatiotemporal factors affecting detection of black bears during noninvasive capture–recapture surveys
Authors: Wilton Clay M. , Beringer Jeff , Puckett Emily E. , Eggert Lori S. , Belant Jerrold L.
Published: January 2016

Accounting for low and heterogeneous detection probabilities in large mammal capture–recapture sampling designs is a persistent challenge. Our objective was to improve understanding of ecological and biological factors driving detection using multiple data sources from an American black bear ( Ursus americanus ) DNA hair trap study in south-central Missouri. We used Global Positioning System telemetry and remote camera data to examine how a bear’s distance to traps, probability of space use, sex-specific behavior, and temporal sampling frame affect detection probability and number of hair samples collected at hair traps. Regression analysis suggested that bear distance to nearest hair trap was the best predictor of detection probability and indicated that detection probability at encounter was 0.15 and declined to < 0.05 at nearest distances > 330 m from hair traps. From remote camera data, number of hair samples increased with number of visits, but the proportion of hair samples from known visits declined 39% from early June to early August. Bears appeared attracted to lured hair traps from close distances and we recommend a hair trap density of 1 trap/2.6 km 2 with spatial coverage that encompasses potentially large male home ranges. We recommend sampling during the late spring and early summer molting period to increase hair deposition rates.
Pitfalls when observationally characterizing the relative formation rates of stars and stellar clusters in galaxies
Authors: Kruijssen J. M. Diederik , Bastian Nate
Published: January 2016

Stars generally form in aggregates, some of which are bound (‘clusters’) while others are unbound and disperse on short (${\sim }10 {\,{\rm Myr}}$) time-scales (‘associations’). The fraction of stars forming in bound clusters (Γ) is a fundamental outcome of the star formation process. Recent observational and theoretical work has suggested that Γ increases with the gas surface density (Σ) or star formation rate (SFR) surface density (ΣSFR), both within galaxies and between different ones. However, a recent paper by Chandar et al. has challenged these results, showing that the total number of stellar aggregates per unit SFR does not vary systematically with the host galaxy's absolute SFR. In this Letter, we show that no variations are expected when no distinction is made between bound and unbound aggregates, because the sum of these two fractions should be close to unity. We also demonstrate that any scaling of Γ with the absolute SFR is much weaker than with ΣSFR, due to the mass–radius–SFR relation of star-forming ‘main-sequence’ galaxies. The environmental variation of Γ should therefore be probed as a function of area-normalized quantities, such as Σ or ΣSFR. We present a set of guidelines for meaningful observational tests of cluster formation theories and show that these resolve the reported discrepancy.
In celluloserial crystallography of alcohol oxidase crystals inside yeast cells
Authors: Jakobi Arjen J. , Passon Daniel M. , Knoops Kèvin , Stellato Francesco , Liang Mengning , White Thomas A. , Seine Thomas , Messerschmidt Marc , Chapman Henry N. , Wilmanns Matthias
Published: January 2016

The possibility of using femtosecond pulses from an X-ray free-electron laser to collect diffraction data from protein crystals formed in their native cellular organelle has been explored. X-ray diffraction of submicrometre-sized alcohol oxidase crystals formed in peroxisomes within cells of genetically modified variants of the methylotrophic yeastHansenula polymorphais reported and characterized. The observations are supported by synchrotron radiation-based powder diffraction data and electron microscopy. Based on these findings, the concept ofin celluloserial crystallography on protein targets imported into yeast peroxisomes without the need for protein purification as a requirement for subsequent crystallization is outlined.
Budi and Malay workplace ethics
Authors: Richardson Christopher , Yaapar Md Salleh , Amir Sabrina
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of budi, a concept incorporating moral values and intellect, in shaping the Malay workplace ethics and behaviour of the Malays.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a conceptual paper investigating how existing knowledge of budi and Malay cultural traditions manifests and affects contemporary workplace practices.

Findings

– Although the origins of budi can be traced back to pre-Islamic Malay civilisation, its influence can still be found in contemporary workplace settings. For example, the hierarchical organisational structure and workplace etiquette that characterise Malay managerial practices are related to budi. At the same time, this paper also suggests that budi may potentially serve as a catalyst for certain less desirable work practices, including the greater importance attached to prioritising social relations over work performance.

Originality/value

– In analysing budi, the paper explores a largely overlooked cultural concept within management literature. Although the Malay world is a rapidly growing centre of economic and business activity, relatively little scholarly attention has been devoted to exploring the cultural underpinnings and foundations that shape and influence Malay managerial and workplace practices among Malays.
Can early dietetic intervention improve outcomes in patients with hip fracture?
Authors: Klemm Haydn J. , Bailey Jacqueline K. , Desneves Katherine J. , Crowe Timothy C.
Published: January 2016

Aim

To assess whether the introduction of a new approach to nutritional care for hip fracture patients, in both acute and subacute admissions, can improve nutritional status, length of stay and pressure injuries.

Methods

Medical records of patients admitted to Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia with a fractured hip between January and June 2014 after implementation of a new nutritional care guideline were compared to a historical control group admitted between January and June 2013 prior to introduction of the guideline. Data were collected for both acute and subacute admissions and included length of stay, date of first contact with a dietitian, subjective global assessment category and occurrence of pressure injuries.

Results

There was a significantly shorter length of stay overall for patients who received care under the new guideline (21.6 ± 15.1 vs 26.4 ± 20.4 days; P = 0.043) and during the subacute admission (20.1 ± 10.6 vs 28.8 ± 15.8 days; P < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference in the acute hospital length of stay period. The post‐guideline group had a significantly shorter time between admission and first contact with a dietitian (4.8 ± 3.3 vs 7.5 ± 6.2 days; P < 0.001). Post‐guideline patients also had a significantly lower incidence of pressure injuries with 29, compared to 41 in pre‐guideline patients (P = 0.045). There were significantly less malnourished patients in the post‐guideline group compared to the pre‐guideline group across both acute and subacute admissions (29% vs 35%; P = 0.015).

Conclusions

A nutritional care guideline for patients with hip fractures is associated with improved patient outcomes with a significant reduction in overall and subacute length of stay and pressure injury incidence and earlier dietetic assessment and intervention.