bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spray reaction prepared FA1−xCsxPbI3 solid solution as a light harvester for perovskite solar cells with improved humidity stability
Authors: Xia Xiang , Wu Wenyi , Li Hongcui , Zheng Bo , Xue Yebin , Xu Jing , Zhang Dawei , Gao Chunxiao , Liu Xizhe
Published: January 2016

High efficiency and humidity stability perovskite solar cells based on FA1−xCsxPbI3 solid solution are prepared by spray reaction technology.
Effect of TEOS plasma polymerization on corn starch/poly(ε-caprolactone) film: characterization, properties and biodegradation
Authors: Arolkar Gauree A. , Jacob Salgo M. , Pandiyaraj Krishnasamy N. , Kelkar-Mane Varsha R. , Deshmukh Rajendra R.
Published: January 2016

An improvement in the barrier properties of biopolymer CSPCL films was achieved without affecting the biodegradability, using plasma polymerization techniques.
Synergic effect of graphene and MWCNT fillers on electromagnetic shielding properties of graphene–MWCNT/ABS nanocomposites
Authors: Sharma S. K. , Gupta Vinay , Tandon R. P. , Sachdev V. K.
Published: January 2016

Graphene–MWCNT/ABS nanocomposites have been prepared using a solvent-free dry tumble mixing process followed by hot compaction.
Fabrication of core@spacer@shell Aunanorod@mSiO2@Y2O3:Er nanocomposites with enhanced upconversion fluorescence
Authors: Li Huiqin , Deng Qingqing , Liu Bin , Yang Jianhui , Wu Biao
Published: January 2016

We fabricated the well-defined Aunanorod@mSiO2@Y2O3:Er nanocomposites with about 10- and 8-fold strongest upconversion enhancement for green and red emissions, respectively.
Improved coulombic efficiency and cycleability of SnO2–Cu–graphite composite anode with dual scale embedding structure
Authors: Lu Bin , Hu Renzong , Liu Jiangwen , Liu Jun , Wang Hui , Zhu Min
Published: January 2016

SnO2–Cu–graphite composite has unique dual scale embedding structure through two-step milling process, the nanocrystalline Cu and microsized graphite jointly cause the significant improvement in the coulombic efficiency and cyclic stability.
Grafting bioactive polymers onto titanium implants by UV irradiation
Authors: Chouirfa H. , Migonney V. , Falentin-Daudré C.
Published: January 2016

A new method to graft bioactive polymers by UV irradiation in a record time.
Fast analysis of nine PAHs in beer by ultrasound-vortex-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid micro-extraction coupled with gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry
Authors: Russo Mario Vincenzo , Avino Pasquale , Perugini Luisa , Notardonato Ivan
Published: January 2016

An Ultrasound-Vortex-Assisted Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Micro-Extraction (USVADLLME) procedure coupled with Gas Chromatography-Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry (GC-IT/MS) is proposed for the fast analysis of nine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in beer.
Mechanism of short-pulse-induced solute migration in comparison to continuous-light-driven thermal diffusion
Authors: Lee Li-Shu , Kuo Yu-Ting , Wang Chi-Chen , Li Yi-Ci , Huang Po-Yuan , Lee Cheng-I. , Wei Tai-Huei
Published: January 2016

Short-pulse-induced and continuous-light-driven solute migrations are distinguished based on the composite time rate of photo absorption and intra-molecular excess energy redistribution relative to that of inter-molecular excess energy transfer.
Dendrimer-based preparation and luminescence studies of SiO2 fibers doping Eu3+ activator in interstitial sites
Authors: Chen Jie , Sheng Ye , Zhou Xiuqing , Abualrejal Murad M. A. , Chang Meiqi , Shi Zhan , Zou Haifeng
Published: January 2016

The formation mechanism of SiO2:Eu3+ fibers.
Facile synthesis of MnOx nanoparticles sandwiched between nitrogen-doped carbon plates for lithium ion batteries with stable capacity and high-rate capability
Authors: Zhou Xiangyang , Bai Tao , Chen Feng , Tang JingJing , Liao Qunchao , Zhao Yingrui , Yang Juan
Published: January 2016

MnOx nanoparticles sandwiched between nitrogen-doped carbon plates architecture (C/MnOx/C) has been successfully synthesized via a step-by-step strategy.
Colloidal properties of water dispersible magnetite nanoparticles by photon correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Iyengar Srividhya J. , Joy Mathew , Maity Titir , Chakraborty Jnananjan , Kotnala Ravinder K. , Ghosh Swapankumar
Published: January 2016

Temperature and time trend analyses by light scattering technique over a year on aqueous ferrofluid, synthesized by coprecipitation technique, showed unambiguously that they are ultrastable and monodisperse.
Determination of blood potassium using a fouling-resistant PVDF–HFP-based optode
Authors: Tenjimbayashi Mizuki , Komatsu Hirokazu , Akamatsu Masaaki , Nakanishi Waka , Suzuki Koji , Hill Jonathan P. , Shiratori Seimei , Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: January 2016

Monitoring potassium levels in blood is a significant aspect of clinical analysis. Here, we report a system for determination of potassium in blood which has the additional advantage of being blood-fouling resistant for safe and easy in situ sensing.
Tailoring elastomeric properties of waterborne polyurethane by incorporation of polymethyl methacrylate with nanostructural heterogeneity
Authors: Fang Huagao , Wang Haili , Sun Jing , Wei Haibing , Ding Yunsheng
Published: January 2016

Nanostructural heterogeneous hybrid materials of waterborne polyurethane acrylate were prepared by a two-step procedure. The elastomeric properties of WPUA can be tailored by incorporated content of polymethyl methacrylate.
Band gap engineering of MnO2 through in situ Al-doping for applicable pseudocapacitors
Authors: Li Tianqi , Wu Jiabin , Xiao Xu , Zhang Bingyan , Hu Zhimi , Zhou Jun , Yang Peihua , Chen Xun , Wang Bo , Huang Liang
Published: January 2016

Band gap engineering was achieved by in situ doping method for high electrical conductivity and chemical activity of MnO2.
Carbon nitride based mesoporous materials as cathode matrix for high performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Li Xueliang , Xu Congsheng , Zhao Kun , Wang Yiyi , Pan Lisheng
Published: January 2016

A facile silica template nanocasting method was adopted to effectively synthesize mesoporous carbon nitride (MCN) based materials as cathode matrixes for advanced lithium/sulfur (Li/S) batteries.
A novel cyclometalated Ir(iii) complex based luminescence intensity and lifetime sensor for Cu2+
Authors: Shen Wei , Qi Zhengjian , Yan Liqiang , Tian Wenwen , Cui Xia , Yao Hongtao , Sun Yueming
Published: January 2016

A novel green luminescent complex [Ir(dfppy)2(bpy-BiDPA)]PF6 was prepared for the reversible detection of Cu2+.
Overall water splitting by Pt/g-C3N4photocatalysts without using sacrificial agents
Authors: Zhang Guigang , Lan Zhi-An , Lin Lihua , Lin Sen , Wang Xinchen
Published: January 2016

Direct splitting of pure water into H2and O2in a stoichiometric molar ratio of 2 : 1 by conjugated polymersviaa 4-electron pathway was established for the first time, as demonstrated here using a g-C3N4polymer and redox co-catalysts of Pt and Co species.
Dark-blue mirror-like perovskite dense films for efficient organic–inorganic hybrid solar cells
Authors: Qiu Jianhang , Wang Gaoxiang , Xu Wenjing , Jin Qun , Liu Lusheng , Yang Bing , Tai Kaiping , Cao Anyuan , Jiang Xin
Published: January 2016

A new solvent-treated two-step spin-coating route is proposed for preparing high quality dark-blue mirror-like perovskite films for efficient hybrid photovoltaic cells.
The transformation of polyoxometalates in the formation of intercluster compound [Ag41(α-SiW10O37)(tBuCC)27(CH3CN)3][β-SiW12O40]
Authors: Liu Kuan-Guan , Liu Xi-Yan , Guan Zong-Jie , Shi Kang , Lin Yu-Mei , Wang Quan-Ming
Published: January 2016

A unique intercluster comprising a Ag41 cage encapsulating a divacant [α-SiW10O37]10− anion and a complete [β-SiW12O40]4− anion as a counteranion.
Examining the role of Rh/Si cooperation in alkene hydrogenation by a pincer-type [P2Si]Rh complex
Authors: Whited Matthew T. , Deetz Alexander M. , Donnell Theodore M. , Janzen Daron E.
Published: January 2016

A bis(phosphine)/triflatosilyl pincer-type Rh(i) complex can reversibly store one equivalent of H2 across the Si–Rh bond upon triflate migration from silicon to rhodium.
Oxidatively-induced aromatic cyanation mediated by Ni(iii)
Authors: Zhou Wen , Rath Nigam P. , Mirica Liviu M.
Published: January 2016

A NiII(tBuNC)2 complex supported by a N3C− tetradentate ligand undergoes rapid oxidatively-induced aromatic cyanation mediated by a Ni(iii) center.
Design and synthesis of pyridine-pyrazole-sulfonate derivatives as potential anti-HBV agents
Authors: Chuang Hong , Huang Lin-Chiang Sherlock , Kapoor Mohit , Liao Yi-Jen , Yang Cheng-Lin , Chang Chia-Ching , Wu Chun-Yi , Hwu Jih Ru , Huang Tsurng-Juhn , Hsu Ming-Hua
Published: January 2016

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an infectious disease, which can cause acute and chronic infections.
School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Knowledge and Perceptions of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Bullying
Authors: Ofe Erin E. , Plumb Allison M. , Plexico Laura W. , Haak Nancy J.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the current investigation was to examine speech-language pathologists' (SLPs') knowledge and perceptions of bullying, with an emphasis on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Method

A 46-item, web-based survey was used to address the purposes of this investigation. Participants were recruited through e-mail and electronic mailing lists for American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) special interest divisions 1 (Language, Learning, and Education) and 16 (School-Based Issues). Also, an embedded link to the survey was posted on the ASHA Community website and ASHA Facebook page.

Results

Participants demonstrated knowledge of many aspects of bullying research; however, they demonstrated weaknesses in others. All respondents agreed that SLPs should intervene in moments of bullying, but not all indicated that they feel comfortable intervening. Few participants indicated that their school district implemented antibullying campaigns specific to children with special needs, such as ASD.

Conclusions

As recognized experts in working with children with communication deficits, including individuals with ASD, SLPs have the opportunity to play a key role in antibullying efforts. Results revealed, however, that school-based SLPs may benefit from more information on bullying in order to understand the nature, context, and extent of this issue, as well as ways in which to respond to bullying when it is observed.
Exact outage analysis of modified partial relay selection in cooperative cognitive networks under channel estimation errors
Authors: Ho‐Van Khuong
Published: January 2016

This study first modifies the traditional partial relay selection in cooperative cognitive networks to prevent error propagation and then proposes exact and asymptotic outage analysis for the modified partial relay selection under practical operation conditions such as channel estimation errors (CEEs) on all wireless channels, independent and non‐identical fading distributions, interference power constraint, and maximum transmit power constraint. The proposed analysis is useful in assessing system performance in important parameters as well as providing insights into performance limits without exhaustive simulations. Moreover, in order to quantitatively evaluate the performance gain of utilising the direct channel between the source and the destination in relaying communications, the authors extend their proposed analysis to dual‐hop cognitive networks. Illustrative results demonstrate that CEEs and outage threshold significantly degrade system performance, and the direct channel dramatically contributes to performance improvement of relaying communications.
Feasibility of maximum eigenvalue cooperative spectrum sensing based on Cholesky factorisation
Authors: Zhou Fuhui , Beaulieu Norman C. , Li Zan , Si Jiangbo
Published: January 2016

An efficient cooperative spectrum sensing (SS) scheme based on Cholesky decomposition of the covariance matrix is proposed. The maximum eigenvalue (ME) of the matrix obtained by Cholesky decomposition is used as a test statistic. Analytical expressions for the false alarm probability and the decision threshold are derived. The effects of noise uncertainty on the ME SS algorithm and on the Cholesky ME cooperative SS scheme are assessed. It is proved that the proposed SS scheme is more robust than the conventional ME SS scheme in terms of noise uncertainty. Simulation results show that the performance of the proposed scheme is better than that of existing ME SS scheme in some conditions.
Optimal operating strategy and revenue estimates for the arbitrage of a vanadium redox flow battery considering dynamic efficiencies and capacity loss
Authors: He Guannan , Chen Qixin , Kang Chongqing , Xia Qing
Published: January 2016

Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRBs) are a promising solution to facilitate the expansion of intermittent renewables. The efficiency of VRBs is dynamically dependent on the instantaneous operating states, including the output power level and state of charge (SOC). In addition, VRB capacity fades over long‐term cycling and thus might limit the market revenue. Modelling these two factors would assist deciding better operating strategy, enhance and more precisely evaluate the economics of VRBs. This study establishes an operation optimisation model that integrates the characteristics of the dynamic efficiency performance and the capacity loss of VRBs. First, the dynamic efficiency functions of the operating states are transformed into VRB power functions using a fitting technique to be compatible with the operation optimisation model and reduce the computational complexity. The VRB power functions are then embedded into the operation optimisation model, which decides the optimal charge–discharge schedule of VRBs to maximise the revenue. The capacity loss model is also implemented to estimate the revenue decrease caused by capacity loss, which could help decide the preventive measures and capacity restoration from an economic perspective. The validity of the proposed model is demonstrated by case study results based on the market prices of ERCOT in 2014.
Multi‐objective unit commitment using search space‐based crazy particle swarm optimisation and normal boundary intersection technique
Authors: Shukla Anup , Singh Sri Niwas
Published: January 2016

In this study, a multi‐objective unit commitment problem is formulated and solved considering the profit maximisation and emission minimisation. To find the optimal schedule of the generation units, search space‐based crazy particle swarm optimisation is proposed. A search space is the combination of binary states for unit ON(1)/OFF(0) status, which is used for the movement of the particles to maintain good exploration and exploitation search capabilities. To solve the problem and generate the non‐inferior solutions, normal boundary intersection (NBI) method is applied. The main advantage of the NBI technique is to provide a set of uniformly distributed non‐dominated solutions regardless of the scales of objective function values. To select a non‐inferior solution a fuzzy‐based decision making approach is employed. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been tested on the large‐scale power system.
Efficient TOPS mode raw data simulator of extended scenes
Authors: Yang Liang , Wang Gang , Lv Gaohuan
Published: January 2016

The terrain observation by progressive scans (TOPS) mode is a novel wide‐swath imaging scheme, and it reduces the major drawbacks existing in conventional ScanSAR. An accurate and efficient synthetic aperture radar (SAR) raw data generator of distributed extended scenes is of considerable value for testing system parameters and verifying the imaging algorithms, particularly when the real raw data of recently proposed imaging mode are not available yet. The TOPS mode raw data simulation can only be exactly and directly realised in the time domain because an azimuth window function is not be suitable for each point target echo in the scene, however it is not efficient especially when simulating an extended scene. In this study, a novel TOPS mode raw data simulation method is presented to solve above issues. In this approach, an azimuth linear frequency modulated signal is introduced to form the azimuth window function and the echo is obtained in two‐dimensional frequency domain by chirp‐z transformation, which improves the efficiency greatly while retaining the simulation accuracy. Simulation results for point targets and a real SAR image demonstrate its validity and effectiveness.
Gauge-invariant expectation values of the energy of a molecule in an electromagnetic field
Authors: Mandal Anirban , Hunt Katharine L. C.
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we show that the full Hamiltonian for a molecule in an electromagnetic field can be separated into a molecular Hamiltonian and a field Hamiltonian, both with gauge-invariant expectation values. The expectation value of the molecular Hamiltonian gives physically meaningful results for the energy of a molecule in a time-dependent applied field. In contrast, the usual partitioning of the full Hamiltonian into molecular and field terms introduces an arbitrary gauge-dependent potential into the molecular Hamiltonian and leaves a gauge-dependent form of the Hamiltonian for the field. With the usual partitioning of the Hamiltonian, this same problem of gauge dependence arises even in the absence of an applied field, as we show explicitly by considering a gauge transformation from zero applied field and zero external potentials to zero applied field, but non-zero external vector and scalar potentials. We resolve this problem and also remove the gauge dependence from the Hamiltonian for a molecule in a non-zero applied field and from the field Hamiltonian, by repartitioning the full Hamiltonian. It is possible to remove the gauge dependence because the interaction of the molecular charges with the gauge potential cancels identically with a gauge-dependent term in the usual form of the field Hamiltonian. We treat the electromagnetic field classically and treat the molecule quantum mechanically, but nonrelativistically. Our derivation starts from the Lagrangian for a set of charged particles and an electromagnetic field, with the particle coordinates, the vector potential, the scalar potential, and their time derivatives treated as the variables in the Lagrangian. We construct the full Hamiltonian using a Lagrange multiplier method originally suggested by Dirac, partition this Hamiltonian into a molecular term Hm and a field term Hf, and show that both Hm and Hf have gauge-independent expectation values. Any gauge may be chosen for the calculations; but following our partitioning, the expectation values of the molecular Hamiltonian are identical to those obtained directly in the Coulomb gauge. As a corollary of this result, the power absorbed by a molecule from a time-dependent, applied electromagnetic field is equal to the time derivative of the non-adiabatic term in the molecular energy, in any gauge.
Simultaneous streak and frame interferometry for electron density measurements of laser produced plasmas
Authors: Quevedo H. J. , McCormick M. , Wisher M. , Bengtson Roger D. , Ditmire T.
Published: January 2016

A system of two collinear probe beams with different wavelengths and pulse durations was used to capture simultaneously snapshot interferograms and streaked interferograms of laser produced plasmas. The snapshots measured the two dimensional, path-integrated, electron density on a charge-coupled device while the radial temporal evolution of a one dimensional plasma slice was recorded by a streak camera. This dual-probe combination allowed us to select plasmas that were uniform and axisymmetric along the laser direction suitable for retrieving the continuous evolution of the radial electron density of homogeneous plasmas. Demonstration of this double probe system was done by measuring rapidly evolving plasmas on time scales less than 1 ns produced by the interaction of femtosecond, high intensity, laser pulses with argon gas clusters. Experiments aimed at studying homogeneous plasmas from high intensity laser-gas or laser-cluster interaction could benefit from the use of this probing scheme.
Design of a finger base-type pulse oximeter
Authors: Lin Bor-Shyh , Huang Cheng-Yang , Chen Chien-Yue , Lin Jiun-Hung
Published: January 2016

A pulse oximeter is a common medical instrument used for noninvasively monitoring arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2). Currently, the fingertip-type pulse oximeter is the prevalent type of pulse oximeter used. However, it is inconvenient for long-term monitoring, such as that under motion. In this study, a wearable and wireless finger base-type pulse oximeter was designed and implemented using the tissue optical simulation technique and the Monte Carlo method. The results revealed that a design involving placing the light source at 135°–165° and placing the detector at 75°–90° or 90°–105° yields the optimal conditions for measuring SpO2. Finally, the wearable and wireless finger base-type pulse oximeter was implemented and compared with the commercial fingertip-type pulse oximeter. The experimental results showed that the proposed optimal finger base-type pulse oximeter design can facilitate precise SpO2 measurement.
Three-dimensional piezoelectric vibration energy harvester using spiral-shaped beam with triple operating frequencies
Authors: Zhao Nian , Yang Jin , Yu Qiangmo , Zhao Jiangxin , Liu Jun , Wen Yumei , Li Ping
Published: January 2016

This work has demonstrated a novel piezoelectric energy harvester without a complex structure and appended component that is capable of scavenging vibration energy from arbitrary directions with multiple resonant frequencies. In this harvester, a spiral-shaped elastic thin beam instead of a traditional thin cantilever beam was adopted to absorb external vibration with arbitrary direction in three-dimensional (3D) spaces owing to its ability to bend flexibly and stretch along arbitrary direction. Furthermore, multiple modes in the elastic thin beam contribute to a possibility to widen the working bandwidth with multiple resonant frequencies. The experimental results show that the harvester was capable of scavenging the vibration energy in 3D arbitrary directions; they also exhibited triple power peaks at about 16 Hz, 21 Hz, and 28 Hz with the powers of 330 μW, 313 μW, and 6 μW, respectively. In addition, human walking and water wave energies were successfully converted into electricity, proving that our harvester was practical to scavenge the time-variant or multi-directional vibration energies in our daily life.
CO adsorption on small Aun (n = 1–4) structures supported on hematite. II. Adsorption on the O-rich termination of α-Fe2O3(0001) surface
Authors: Pabisiak Tomasz , Winiarski Maciej J. , Kiejna Adam
Published: January 2016

The adsorption of small Aun (n = 1–4) nanostructures on oxygen terminated α-Fe2O3(0001) surface was investigated using density functional theory in the generalized gradient approximation of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) form with Hubbard correction U, accounting for strong electron correlations (PBE+U). The structural, energetic, and electronic properties were examined for two classes of the adsorbed Aun nanostructures with vertical and flattened configurations. Similarly to the Fe-terminated α-Fe2O3(0001) surface considered in Part I, the flattened configurations were found energetically more favored than vertical ones. The binding of Aun to the O-terminated surface is much stronger than to the Fe-termination. The adsorption bonding energy of Aun and the work function of the Aun/α-Fe2O3(0001) systems decrease with the increased number of Au atoms in a structure. All of the adsorbed Aun structures are positively charged. The bonding of CO molecules to the Aun structures is distinctly stronger than on the Fe-terminated surface; however, it is weaker than the binding to the bare O-terminated surface. The CO molecule binds to the Aun/α-Fe2O3(0001) system through a peripheral Au atom partly detached from the Aun structure. The results of this work indicate that the most energetically favored sites for adsorption of a CO molecule on the Aun/α-Fe2O3(0001) systems are atoms in the Au0.5+ oxidation state.
Effects of nanoscale vacuum gap on photon-enhanced thermionic emission devices
Authors: Wang Yuan , Liao Tianjun , Zhang Yanchao , Chen Xiaohang , Su Shanhe , Chen Jincan
Published: January 2016

A new model of the photon-enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) device with a nanoscale vacuum gap is established by introducing the quantum tunneling effect and the image force correction. Analytic expressions for both the thermionic emission and tunneling currents are derived. The electron concentration and the temperature of the cathode are determined by the particle conservation and energy balance equations. The effects of the operating voltage on the maximum potential barrier, cathode temperature, electron concentration and equilibrium electron concentration of the conduction band, and efficiency of the PETE device are discussed in detail for different given values of the vacuum gap length. The influence of the band gap of the cathode and flux concentration on the efficiency is further analyzed. The maximum efficiency of the PETE and the corresponding optimum values of the band gap and the operating voltage are determined. The results obtained here show that the efficiency of the PETE device can be significantly improved by employing a nanoscale vacuum gap.
Extension of the general thermal field equation for nanosized emitters
Authors: Kyritsakis A. , Xanthakis J. P.
Published: January 2016

During the previous decade, Jensen et al. developed a general analytical model that successfully describes electron emission from metals both in the field and thermionic regimes, as well as in the transition region. In that development, the standard image corrected triangular potential barrier was used. This barrier model is valid only for planar surfaces and therefore cannot be used in general for modern nanometric emitters. In a recent publication, the authors showed that the standard Fowler-Nordheim theory can be generalized for highly curved emitters if a quadratic term is included to the potential model. In this paper, we extend this generalization for high temperatures and include both the thermal and intermediate regimes. This is achieved by applying the general method developed by Jensen to the quadratic barrier model of our previous publication. We obtain results that are in good agreement with fully numerical calculations for radii R > 4 nm, while our calculated current density differs by a factor up to 27 from the one predicted by the Jensen's standard General-Thermal-Field (GTF) equation. Our extended GTF equation has application to modern sharp electron sources, beam simulation models, and vacuum breakdown theory.
Enhanced surface transfer doping of diamond by V2O5 with improved thermal stability
Authors: Crawford Kevin G. , Cao Liang , Qi Dongchen , Tallaire Alexandre , Limiti E. , Verona C. , Wee Andrew T. S. , Moran David A. J.
Published: January 2016

Surface transfer doping of hydrogen-terminated diamond has been achieved utilising V2O5 as a surface electron accepting material. Contact between the oxide and diamond surface promotes the transfer of electrons from the diamond into the V2O5 as revealed by the synchrotron-based high resolution photoemission spectroscopy. Electrical characterization by Hall measurement performed before and after V2O5 deposition shows an increase in hole carrier concentration in the diamond from 3.0 × 1012 to 1.8 × 1013 cm−2 at room temperature. High temperature Hall measurements performed up to 300 °C in atmosphere reveal greatly enhanced thermal stability of the hole channel produced using V2O5 in comparison with an air-induced surface conduction channel. Transfer doping of hydrogen-terminated diamond using high electron affinity oxides such as V2O5 is a promising approach for achieving thermally stable, high performance diamond based devices in comparison with air-induced surface transfer doping.
A temperature-mapping molecular sensor for polyurethane-based elastomers
Authors: Mason B. P. , Whittaker M. , Hemmer J. , Arora S. , Harper A. , Alnemrat S. , McEachen A. , Helmy S. , Read de Alaniz J. , Hooper J. P.
Published: January 2016

We present a crosslinked polyurethane elastomer featuring a thermochromic molecular sensor for local temperature analysis. The thermochrome is a modified donor-acceptor Stenhouse adduct (DASA) that was dispersed homogeneously into the polymer blend in minuscule amounts. Rapid temperature jump measurements in a pyroprobe and impacts in a Hopkinson bar show that the DASA has suitable kinetics for detecting localized temperature increase following impact or rapid heating. The thermochrome retains a signature of the peak temperature in the elastomer, allowing post-mortem mapping of micron-scale temperature localization in materials such as explosive and propellant composites. We demonstrate the concept by using the kinetics of the DASA activation to determine peak temperatures reached during bullet perforation of the polyurethane.
Inspiration of induced magnetic field on nano hyperbolic tangent fluid in a curved channel
Authors: Nadeem S. , Shahzadi Iqra
Published: January 2016

In this research, peristaltic flow of nano hyperbolic tangent fluid is investigated in a curved channel. The model used for the nanofluid includes the effects of thermophoresis and Brownian motion. The resulting equations are assembled in wave frame of reference under the effects of curvature. Influence of induced magnetic field is studied. Long wavelength and low Reynolds number supposition are treated. The travelling wave front of peristaltic flow is chosen sinusoidal (extension /reduction). Analytical solutions are computed by homotopy perturbation method. Results of substantial quantities are explained with particular attention to rheological aspects.
Anisotropy in layered half-metallic Heusler alloy superlattices
Authors: Azadani Javad G. , Munira Kamaram , Romero Jonathon , Ma Jianhua , Sivakumar Chockalingam , Ghosh Avik W. , Butler William H.
Published: January 2016

We show that when two Heusler alloys are layered in the [001], [110], or [111] directions for various thicknesses to form a superlattice, the Slater-Pauling rule may still be satisfied and the resulting superlattice is often half-metallic with gaps comparable to or larger than those of its constituents. In addition, uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy is induced because of the differences in the electronic structure of the two Heuslers in the superlattice. Various full-full, full-half, and half-half Heusler superlattices are studied, and potential half-metallic superlattices with perpendicular magnetocrystalline anisotropy are identified.
Modification of the G-phonon mode of graphene by nitrogen doping
Authors: Lukashev Pavel V. , Zhao Liuyan , Paudel Tula R. , Schiros Theanne , Hurley Noah , Tsymbal Evgeny Y. , Pinczuk Aron , Pasupathy Abhay , He Rui
Published: January 2016

The effect of nitrogen doping on the phonon spectra of graphene is analyzed. In particular, we employ first-principles calculations and scanning Raman analysis to investigate the dependence of phonon frequencies in graphene on the concentration of nitrogen dopants. We demonstrate that the G phonon frequency shows oscillatory behavior as a function of nitrogen concentration. We analyze different mechanisms which could potentially be responsible for this behavior, such as Friedel charge oscillations around the localized nitrogen impurity atom, the bond length change between nitrogen impurity and its nearest neighbor carbon atoms, and the long-range interactions of the nitrogen point defects. We show that the bond length change and the long range interaction of point defects are possible mechanisms responsible for the oscillatory behavior of the G frequency as a function of nitrogen concentration. At the same time, Friedel charge oscillations are unlikely to contribute to this behavior.
Elastic properties of suspended multilayer WSe2
Authors: Zhang Rui , Koutsos Vasileios , Cheung Rebecca
Published: January 2016

We report the experimental determination of the elastic properties of suspended multilayer WSe2, a promising two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting material combined with high optical quality. The suspended WSe2 membranes have been fabricated by mechanical exfoliation of bulk WSe2 and transfer of the exfoliated multilayer WSe2 flakes onto SiO2/Si substrates pre-patterned with hole arrays. Then, indentation experiments have been performed on these membranes with an atomic force microscope. The results show that the 2D elastic modulus of the multilayer WSe2 membranes increases linearly while the prestress decreases linearly as the number of layers increases. The interlayer interaction in WSe2 has been observed to be strong enough to prevent the interlayer sliding during the indentation experiments. The Young's modulus of multilayer WSe2 (167.3 ± 6.7 GPa) is statistically independent of the thickness of the membranes, whose value is about two thirds of other most investigated 2D semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides, namely, MoS2 and WS2. Moreover, the multilayer WSe2 can endure ∼12.4 GPa stress and ∼7.3% strain without fracture or mechanical degradation. The 2D WSe2 can be an attractive semiconducting material for application in flexible optoelectronic devices and nano-electromechanical systems.
Magnetic and electronic properties of porphyrin-based molecular nanowires
Authors: Zheng Jia-Jia , Li Qiao-Zhi , Dang Jing-Shuang , Wang Wei-Wei , Zhao Xiang
Published: January 2016

Using spin-polarized density functional theory calculations, we performed theoretical investigations on the electronic and magnetic properties of transition metal embedded porphyrin-based nanowires (TM-PNWs, TM = Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn). Our results indicate that Ni-PNW and Zn-PNW are nonmagnetic while the rest species are magnetic, and the magnetic moments in TM-PNWs and their corresponding isolated monomer structures are found to be the same. In addition, the spin coupling in the magnetic nanowires can be ignored leading to their degenerate AFM and FM states. These results can be ascribed to the weak intermetallic interactions because of the relatively large distances between neighbor TM atoms. Among all TM-PNW structures considered here, only Mn-PNW shows a half-metallic property while the others are predicted to be semiconducting. The present work paves a new way of obtaining ferromagnetic porphyrin-based nanowires with TM atoms distributed separately and orderly, which are expected to be good candidates for catalysts, energy storage and molecular spintronics.
Movement patterns of koalas in remnant forest after fire
Authors: Matthews Alison , Lunney Daniel , Gresser Shaan , Maitz Wendy
Published: January 2016

The increasing fragmentation of fire-prone forests of Australia has made the remaining populations of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) more vulnerable to extinction. We examined the movement patterns of koalas in remnant forest of Port Stephens following a major wildfire. Each koala (n = 55) was monitored regularly by radio-tracking for up to 35 months. The movements of koalas showed a wide variation in patterns, from highly localised movements to long-range dispersal over 20 km. Within the first 12 months, 35% of tracked koalas moved from their release location to new areas where they established home ranges. Daily movement distances of males (mean = 278.3 m) was higher than for females (141.0 m). Monthly displacement ranged from less than 10 m to more than 5 km, and was higher for koalas that subsequently died. Home ranges of males (95% kernel) were significantly larger than those of females (mean for males = 58.9 ± 10.5 ha; mean for females = 25.7 ± 8.6 ha), and this sex difference was also evident for core areas (50% kernel). There were no differences in the movement patterns or home-range sizes of rehabilitated koalas compared with wild koalas. This study has shown that resource depletion from wildfire is short term for koalas because their mobility allows rapid recolonisation of the burnt forest, and they can maintain home ranges within sites regenerating from fire. The reintroduction of rehabilitated koalas into burnt forest may also assist in the recovery of populations in fragmented and isolated habitat.
Self-Assembled Mace-Like Fe3O4 Nanostructures as a Lithium–Air Battery Cathode Material
Authors: Lv Hui , Jiang Rongli , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Jing
Published: January 2016

Mace-like Fe3O4 nanostructures with a length of 200–300 nm and a diameter of 10–30 nm were successfully synthesized via a microemulsion-mediated solvothermal method and used as an electrode catalyst for lithium–air batteries. The results showed that the mace-like Fe3O4 nanostructures were obtained by adjusting the NaOH concentration and reaction temperature, and by adding polyethylene glycol-1000. The growth and assembly mechanism of the mace-like Fe3O4 nanostructures was also discussed. Polyethylene glycol-1000 not only acted as a soft template to form Fe3O4 nanorods, but also assisted in the assembly of the Triton X-100-decorated Fe3O4 nanoparticles onto the nanorods. The results of charge–discharge tests showed that the lithium–air battery based on mace-like Fe3O4 nanostructures exhibited a high discharge capacity of 1427 mA h g−1 in ambient air. The unique one-dimensional mace-like Fe3O4 nanostructures could effectively enhance the catalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reduction process, which is effective for decreasing the charging potential plateau.
Ionic Thiourea Organocatalysis of the Morita–Baylis–Hillman Reaction
Authors: McGrath Trevor , Robertson Katherine N. , Masuda Jason D. , Clyburne Jason A. C. , Singer Robert D.
Published: January 2016

An ionic thiourea based organocatalyst has been shown to promote a 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, (DABCO) catalysed Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction between benzaldehyde and cyclohex-2-en-1-one. The ionic thiourea catalyst was easily prepared from a pyrrolidinium salt containing an arylamine moiety and 3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)phenylisothiocyanate. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the ionic thiourea catalyst shows an acetone molecule doubly hydrogen bonded to the Lewis acidic thiourea N-H protons. Entrainment of the ionic thiourea co-catalyst in the ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bistriflimide, [BMPyr][N(Tf)2], facilitates catalyst recycling and affords very good yields with reaction times reduced through use of microwave heating.
On the Jacquet Conjecture on the local converse problem for 𝑝-adic 𝐺𝐿_{𝑁}
Authors: Adrian Moshe , Liu Baiying , Stevens Shaun , Xu Peng
Published: January 2016

Based on previous results of Jiang, Nien and the third-named author, we prove that any two minimax unitarizable supercuspidals of 

p
p

-adic 

G
L

N

\mathrm {GL}_N

that have the same depth and central character admit a special pair of Whittaker functions. As a corollary of our result, we prove Jacquet’s conjecture on the local converse problem for 

G
L

N

\mathrm {GL}_N

, when 

N
N

is prime.
Oxygen Reserve Index
Authors: Szmuk Peter , Steiner Jeffrey W. , Olomu Patrick N. , Ploski Roxana P. , Sessler Daniel I. , Ezri Tiberiu
Published: January 2016

AbstractAbstract

During prolonged apnea in healthy anesthetized children, the Oxygen Reserve Index detected impending desaturation in median of 31.5 s (interquartile range, 19 to 34.3 s) before noticeable changes in Spo2 occurred.

Background

Pulse oximetry provides no indication of downward trends in Pao
2 until saturation begins to decrease. The Oxygen Reserve Index (ORI) is a novel pulse oximeter–based nondimensional index that ranges from 1 to 0 as Pao
2 decreases from about 200 to 80 mmHg and is measured by optically detecting changes in Svo
2 after Sao
2 saturates to the maximum. The authors tested the hypothesis that the ORI provides a clinically important warning of impending desaturation in pediatric patients during induction of anesthesia.

Methods

After preoxygenation, anesthesia induction, and tracheal intubation, the anesthesia circuit was disconnected and oxygen saturation was allowed to decrease to 90% before ventilation recommenced. The ORI and Spo
2 values were recorded from a Masimo Pulse Co-Oximeter Sensor at the beginning of apnea, beginning and end of intubation, beginning and end of the ORI alarm, and 2 min after reoxygenation.

Results

Data from 25 healthy children, aged 7.6 ± 4.6 yr, were included in the analysis. During apnea, the ORI slowly and progressively decreased over a mean of 5.9 ± 3.1 min from 0.73 ± 0.16 at the beginning of apnea to 0.37 ± 0.11. Spo
2 remained 100% throughout this initial period. Concurrently with alarm activation, the ORI began to decrease rapidly, and in median of 31.5 s (interquartile range, 19 to 34.3 s), saturation decreased to 98%.

Conclusions

In this pilot study, the ORI detected impending desaturation in median of 31.5 s (interquartile range, 19–34.3 s) before noticeable changes in Spo
2 occurred. This represents a clinically important warning time, which might give clinicians time for corrective actions.
Preoperative Laboratory Investigations
Authors: Kirkham Kyle R. , Wijeysundera Duminda N. , Pendrith Ciara , Ng Ryan , Tu Jack V. , Boozary Andrew S. , Tepper Joshua , Schull Michael J. , Levinson Wendy , Bhatia R. Sacha
Published: January 2016

AbstractAbstract

The cohort included more than 900,000 patients in 119 hospitals who had ophthalmologic and other low-risk procedures. Various risk factors and medical consultation increased use of preoperative testing. The amount of testing varied widely among institutions.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background

Increasing attention has been focused on low-value healthcare services. Through Choosing Wisely campaigns, routine laboratory testing before low-risk surgery has been discouraged in the absence of clinical indications. The authors investigated rates, determinants, and institutional variation in laboratory testing before low-risk procedures.

Methods

Patients who underwent ophthalmologic surgeries or predefined low-risk surgeries in Ontario, Canada, between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2013, were identified from population-based administrative databases. Preoperative blood work was defined as a complete blood count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin, or basic metabolic panel within 60 days before an index procedure. Adjusted associations between patient and institutional factors and preoperative testing were assessed with hierarchical multivariable logistic regression. Institutional variation was characterized using the median odds ratio.

Results

The cohort included 906,902 patients who underwent 1,330,466 procedures (57.1% ophthalmologic and 42.9% low-risk surgery) at 119 institutions. Preoperative blood work preceded 400,058 (30.1%) procedures. The unadjusted institutional rate of preoperative blood work varied widely (0.0 to 98.1%). In regression modeling, significant predictors of preoperative testing included atrial fibrillation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.58; 95% CI, 2.51 to 2.66), preoperative medical consultation (AOR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.65 to 1.71), previous mitral valve replacement (AOR, 2.33; 95% CI, 2.10 to 2.58), and liver disease (AOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.55 to 1.84). The median odds ratio for interinstitutional variation was 2.43.

Conclusions

Results of this study suggest that testing is associated with a range of clinical covariates. However, an association was similarly identified with preoperative consultation, and significant variation between institutions exists across the jurisdiction.
Down-regulation of MicroRNA-31 in CD4+ T Cells Contributes to Immunosuppression in Human Sepsis by Promoting TH2 Skewing
Authors: van der Heide Verena , Möhnle Patrick , Rink Jessica , Briegel Josef , Kreth Simone
Published: January 2016

AbstractAbstract

In 23 patients with sepsis, a microRNA termed miR-31 was down-regulated and this was associated with an increased antiinflammatory signaling and a shift in T-helper cells toward a predominance of TH2 (antiinflammatory) subtypes. This suggests that in sepsis, decreased expression of miR-31 contributes to depression of immunity.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background

Immunosuppression has been recognized as a major cause of sepsis-related mortality. Currently, there is much interest in identifying central hubs controlling septic immunoparalysis. In this context, in this study, the authors investigate the role of microRNA-31 (miR-31) as a regulator of T cell functions.

Methods

Primary human T cells were separated from healthy volunteers (n = 16) and from sepsis patients by magnetic beads (n = 23). Expression of mRNA/microRNA (miRNA) was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Gene silencing was performed by small interfering RNA transfection, and miRNA-binding sites were validated by reporter gene assays. Effects of miR-31 or anti-miR-31 transfection were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and flow cytometry.

Results

Overexpression of miR-31 in stimulated CD4+ T cells promoted a proinflammatory phenotype with increased levels of interferon-γ (1.63 ± 0.43; P = 0.001; means ± SD) and reduced expression of interleukin (IL)-2 (0.66 ± 0.19; P = 0.005) and IL-4 (0.80 ± 0.2; P = 0.0001). In contrast, transfection of anti-miR-31 directed cells toward a TH2 phenotype. Effects on IL-2 and IL-4 were mediated by targeting of nuclear factor-kappa B–inducing kinase and factor-inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. Interferon-γ, however, was influenced via control of signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM)-associated protein, an essential adaptor molecule of immunomodulatory SLAM receptor signaling, which was identified as a novel target gene of miR-31. In sepsis patients, an epigenetically driven down-regulation of miR-31 was found (0.44 ± 0.25; P = 0.0001), associated with increased nuclear factor-kappa B–inducing kinase, factor-inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, SLAM-associated protein expression, and a cytokine shift toward TH2.

Conclusions

In this study, the authors provide novel evidence of miR-31 as an emerging key posttranscriptional regulator of sepsis-associated immunosuppression. The study results contribute to a further understanding of septic immunoparalysis and provide new perspectives on miRNA-based diagnostic approaches.
An economic cost analysis of emergency department key performance indicators in Ireland
Authors: Gannon Brenda , Jones Cheryl , McCabe Aileen , O’Sullivan Ronan , Wakai Abel
Published: January 2016

Objectives

High quality data is fundamental to using key performance indicators (KPIs) for performance monitoring. However, the resources required to collect high quality data are often significant and should usually be targeted at high priority areas. As part of a study of 11 emergency department (ED) KPIs in Ireland, the primary objective of this study was to estimate the relative cost of collecting the additional minimum data set (MDS) elements for those 11 KPIs.

Methods

An economic cost analysis focused on 12 EDs in the Republic of Ireland. The resource use data were obtained using two separate focus group interviews. The number of available MDS elements was obtained from a sample of 100 patient records per KPI per participating ED. Unit costs for all resource use were taken at the midpoint of the relevant staff salary scales.

Results

An ED would need to spend an estimated additional €3561 per month on average to capture all the MDS elements relevant to the 11 KPIs investigated. The additional cost ranges from 14.8 to 39.2%; this range is 13.9–32.3% for small EDs, whereas the range for medium EDs is 11.7–40%. Regional EDs have a higher additional estimated cost to capture all the relevant MDS elements (€3907), compared with urban EDs (€3353).

Conclusion

The additional cost of data collection, contingent on that already collected, required to capture all the relevant MDS elements for the KPIs examined, ranges from 14.8 to 39.2% per KPI, with variation identified between regional and urban hospitals.