bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
c-MET as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kim Ha-Jeong , Yoon Aera , Ryu Ji-Yoon , Cho Young-Jae , Choi Jung-Joo , Song Sang Yong , Bang Heejin , Lee Ji Soo , Cho William Chi , Choi Chel Hun , Lee Jeong-Won , Kim Byoung-Gie , Bae Duk-Soo
Published: December 2016

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of c-MET inhibition in ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC). Expression levels of c-MET in the epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) and normal ovarian tissues were evaluated using real-time PCR. To test the effects of c-MET inhibitors in OCCC cell lines, we performed MTT and apoptosis assays. We used Western blots to evaluate the expression of c-MET and its down-stream pathway. In vivo experiments were performed to test the effects of c-MET inhibitor on tumor growth in orthotopic mouse xenografts of OCCC cell line RMG1 and a patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDX) model of OCCC. c-MET expression was significantly greater in OCCCs compared with serous carcinomas and normal ovarian tissues (p < 0.001). In in vitro study, inhibition of c-MET using c-MET inhibitors (SU11274 or crizotinib) significantly decreased the proliferation, and increased the apoptosis of OCCC cells. SU11274 decreased expression of the p-c-MET proteins and blocked the phosphorylation of down-stream proteins Akt and Erk. Furthermore, SU11274 treatment significantly decreased the in vivo tumor weight in xenograft models of RMG1 cell and a PDX model for OCCC compared to control (p = 0.004 and p = 0.009, respectively).
Improvement in Stroke-induced Motor Dysfunction by Music-supported Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yingshi , Cai Jiayi , Zhang Yaqiong , Ren Tianshu , Zhao Mingyi , Zhao Qingchun
Published: December 2016

To conduct a meta-analysis of clinical trials that examined the effect of music-supported therapy on stroke-induced motor dysfunction, comprehensive literature searches of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library from their inception to April 2016 were performed. A total of 10 studies (13 analyses, 358 subjects) were included; all had acceptable quality according to PEDro scale score. The baseline differences between the two groups were confirmed to be comparable. Compared with the control group, the standardized mean difference of 9-Hole Peg Test was 0.28 (−0.01, 0.57), 0.64 (0.31, 0.97) in Box and Block Test, 0.47 (0.08, 0.87) in Arm Paresis Score and 0.35 (−0.04, 0.75) in Action Research Arm Test for upper-limb motor function, 0.11 (−0.24, 0.46) in Berg Balance Scale score, 0.09 (−0.36, 0.54) in Fugl-Meyer Assessment score, 0.30 (−0.15, 0.74) in Wolf Motor Function Test, 0.30 (−0.15, 0.74) in Wolf Motor Function time, 0.65 (0.14, 1.16) in Stride length and 0.62 (0.01, 1.24) in Gait Velocity for total motor function, and 1.75 (0.94, 2.56) in Frontal Assessment Battery score for executive function. There was evidence of a positive effect of music-supported therapy, supporting its use for the treatment of stroke-induced motor dysfunction. This study was registered at PRESPERO (CRD42016037106).
Vessel wall differences between middle cerebral artery and basilar artery plaques on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Niu Peng-Peng , Yu Yao , Zhou Hong-Wei , Liu Yang , Luo Yun , Guo Zhen-Ni , Jin Hang , Yang Yi
Published: December 2016

A recent study showed that posterior circulation plaques have a greater capacity for positive remodeling in a non-Asian population. We aimed to investigate if the features of plaques in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were different from those in the basilar artery (BA) in a northern Chinese population. We retrospectively analysed the records of 71 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke. All patients had at least one MCA or BA plaque with early or mild (<50% stenosis) atherosclerosis identified using vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging. The remodeling ratio, eccentricity index, and plaque range were compared between MCA and BA plaques using multilevel analysis. A total of 101 plaques were included. There were 70 plaques located in the MCA and 31 plaques located in the BA. The features of non-advanced atherosclerotic plaques did not differ between the MCA and BA when accounting for the degree of stenosis or plaque burden in a northern Chinese population. Symptomatic plaques were associated with a higher eccentricity index and smaller plaque range than asymptomatic plaques under the same plaque burden. Further studies are warranted to investigate the progression of atherosclerosis in different intracranial arteries.
Fractionation for further conversion: from raw corn stover to lactic acid
Authors: He Ting , Jiang Zhicheng , Wu Ping , Yi Jian , Li Jianmei , Hu Changwei
Published: December 2016

Fractionation is considered to be one promising strategy to utilize raw biomass to its fullest and produce chemicals with high selectivity. Herein, ethanol/H2O (1/1, v/v) co-solvent with 0.050 M oxalic acid is used to simultaneously fractionate 88.0 wt% of hemicellulose and 89.2 wt% of lignin in corn stover, while cellulose is not obviously degraded. H2O dissolves hemicellulose, G unit and those with β-O-4 linkage of lignin; whereas ethanol extracts G and S units as well as the skeleton with β-5 and β-β linkages of lignin. Oxalic acid effectively catalyzes the hydrolysis of hemicellulose and breaks the intermolecular linkages between hemicellulose and lignin, therefore further promotes the release of lignin. The dissolved hemicelluloses derivatives are reprocessed to produce lactic acid obtaining a high yield of 79.6 wt% with 90% selectivity by the catalysis of MgO. The remained cellulose and recovered lignin can be used further as feedstock to produce chemicals.
A thermochromic europium(iii) room temperature ionic liquid with thermally activated anion–cation interactions
Authors: Monteiro Bernardo , Outis Mani , Cruz Hugo , Leal João Paulo , Laia César A. T. , Pereira Cláudia C. L.
Published: December 2016

An observable and reversible case of thermochromism due to an unusual interaction between the countercation and the ligand of an europium(iii) tetrakis-β-diketonate room temperature ionic liquid is reported.
N-Doping of graphene oxide at low temperature for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Tao Hengcong , Yan Chao , Robertson Alex W. , Gao Yunnan , Ding Jingjing , Zhang Yuqin , Ma Tao , Sun Zhenyu
Published: December 2016

Nitrogen doping of graphene oxide was demonstrated for the first time at 5 °C in ammonia solution via ultrasonication.
Superfluorinated and NIR-luminescent gold nanoclusters
Authors: Dichiarante V. , Tirotta I. , Catalano L. , Terraneo G. , Raffaini G. , Chierotti M. R. , Gobetto R. , Baldelli Bombelli F. , Metrangolo P.
Published: December 2016

A novel class of superfluorinated gold nanoclusters obtained from a branched thiol with 27 equivalent 19F atoms per molecule, which combine both NIR photoluminescence and 19F NMR properties, thus representing a promising multimodal nanoplatform for bioimaging applications.
Temperature- and vapor-induced reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations of three 2D/3D GdIII–organic frameworks exhibiting significant magnetocaloric effects
Authors: Liu Sui-Jun , Cao Chen , Yao Shu-Li , Zheng Teng-Fei , Wang Zheng-Xiang , Liu Chao , Liao Jin-Sheng , Chen Jing-Lin , Li Yun-Wu , Wen He-Rui
Published: December 2016

Reversible SCSC transformations of three GdIII MOFs derived from two dicarboxylates have been successfully realized and they exhibit significant MCEs.
Halochromic coordination polymers based on a triarylmethane dye for reversible detection of acids
Authors: Zavakhina Marina S. , Yushina Irina V. , Samsonenko Denis G. , Dybtsev Danil N. , Fedin Vladimir P. , Argent Stephen P. , Blake Alexander J. , Schröder Martin
Published: December 2016

A pH-sensitive coordination polymer reversibly changes its color in air or acidic atmosphere.
Transitions of two magnetic interaction states in dinuclear Dy(iii) complexes via subtle structural variations
Authors: Zhang Kun , Liu Dan , Vieru Veacheslav , Hou Lei , Cui Bin , Guo Fu-Sheng , Chibotaru Liviu F. , Wang Yao-Yu
Published: December 2016

Herein we explored the transitions of two magnetic interaction states (antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic) upon structural variations in two dinuclear Dy(iii) complexes.
A stable and practical nickel catalyst for the hydrogenolysis of C–O bonds
Authors: Cui Xinjiang , Yuan Hangkong , Junge Kathrin , Topf Christoph , Beller Matthias , Shi Feng
Published: December 2016

The selective hydrogenolysis of C–O bonds constitutes a key step for the valorization of biomass including lignin fragments.
Imaging the 3D trace metal and metalloid distribution in mature wheat and rye grains via laser ablation-ICP-mass spectrometry and micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Van Malderen Stijn J. M. , Laforce Brecht , Van Acker Thibaut , Vincze Laszlo , Vanhaecke Frank
Published: December 2016

In this work, a serial sectioning approach, based on polishing an epoxy-embedded sample, is used to image trace metals in cereal grains in 3D.
Development of new scaffolds as reversible tissue transglutaminase inhibitors, with improved potency or resistance to glutathione addition
Authors: Apperley Kim Y. P. , Roy Isabelle , Saucier Vincent , Brunet-Filion Nicholas , Piscopo Sara-Pier , Pardin Christophe , De Francesco Élise , Hao Catherine , Keillor Jeffrey W.
Published: December 2016

Starting from known reversible inhibitor CP4d, we have designed two new classes of inhibitors, improving both potency (22b) and glutathione resistance (27d).
A high-performance dielectric block copolymer with a self-assembled superhelical nanotube morphology
Authors: Liu Wenmei , Chen Jie , Zhou Dandan , Liao Xiaojuan , Xie Meiran , Sun Ruyi
Published: December 2016

A block copolymer consisting of functional polynorbornene and polyacetylene segments was self-assembled into a superhelical nanotube, and displayed good dielectric properties.
Self-assembling ultrashort NSAID-peptide nanosponges: multifunctional antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory materials
Authors: McCloskey A. P. , Gilmore S. M. , Zhou J. , Draper E. R. , Porter S. , Gilmore B. F. , Xu Bing , Laverty G.
Published: December 2016

This paper outlines the design, synthesis and characterisation of innovative NSAID-peptide gelators which demonstrate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and have potential use as multifunctional materials for biomedical applications.
Nitric oxide (NO) reactivity studies on mononuclear iron(ii) complexes supported by a tetradentate Schiff base ligand
Authors: Tyagi Nidhi , Singh Ovender , Singh Udai P. , Ghosh Kaushik
Published: December 2016

Mononuclear iron(ii) complexes were synthesised and characterized from tetradentate ligands. The reactivity of NO afforded ligand nitrated iron(ii) complex along with the in situ formation of an unstable nitrosylated iron complex which was monitored by UV-vis spectroscopy.
Gold nanoflowers modified ITO glass as SERS substrate for carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in vitro detection
Authors: Wang Ying , Yang Qingran , Sun Jie , Nie Mengmeng , Dong Jian , Qian Weiping
Published: December 2016

For the sensitive and convenient detection of acute liver injury, several methods and materials have been developed.
Microarrays for the study of compartmentalized microorganisms in alginate microbeads and (W/O/W) double emulsions
Authors: Håti Armend G. , Arnfinnsdottir Nina Bjørk , Østevold Camilla , Sletmoen Marit , Etienne Gianluca , Amstad Esther , Stokke Bjørn T.
Published: December 2016

Here, we present two array platforms for small (50–100 μm) cell-containing 3D compartments prepared by droplet-based microfluidics.
Crystal structure, tunable luminescence and energy transfer properties of Na3La(PO4)2:Tb3+,Eu3+phosphors
Authors: Qin Dan , Tang Wanjun
Published: December 2016

A series of Tb3+and/or Eu3+doped Na3La(PO4)2phosphors were successfully synthesized and their crystal structure and photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated in detail.
The interplay between fluorescence and phosphorescence with luminescent gold(i) and gold(iii) complexes bearing heterocyclic arylacetylide ligands
Authors: Chan Kaai Tung , Tong Glenna So Ming , To Wai-Pong , Yang Chen , Du Lili , Phillips David Lee , Che Chi-Ming
Published: December 2016

The rates of intersystem crossing of two families of gold complexes are significantly influenced by the oxidation state of the metal ion, which dictates the coordination geometries.
One-step electric-field driven methane and formaldehyde synthesis from liquid methanol
Authors: Cassone Giuseppe , Pietrucci Fabio , Saija Franz , Guyot François , Saitta A. Marco
Published: December 2016

By means of state-of-the-art computational approaches, a new fundamental chemical reaction, involving formaldehyde and methane, has been observed when an electric field is applied to liquid methanol.
Thermal crosslinking of PBI/sulfonated polysulfone based blend membranes
Authors: Joseph Dickson , Krishnan N. Nambi , Henkensmeier Dirk , Jang Jong Hyun , Choi Sun Hee , Kim Hyoung-Juhn , Han Jonghee , Nam Suk Woo
Published: December 2016

Ionically crosslinked PBI/sulfonated polysulfone blend membranes are covalently crosslinked by thermal curing. The crosslinking unit is an aromatic sulfone group.
A novel metalporphyrin-based microporous organic polymer with high CO2 uptake and efficient chemical conversion of CO2 under ambient conditions
Authors: Wang Shaolei , Song Kunpeng , Zhang Chengxin , Shu Yu , Li Tao , Tan Bien
Published: December 2016

A novel metalporphyrin-based microporous organic polymer (HUST-1-Co), which exhibits a high CO2 uptake and efficient chemical conversion of CO2 under ambient conditions, is reported.
Ultrathin MoS2–MoO3 nanosheets functionalized CdS photoanodes for effective charge transfer in photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells
Authors: Pareek Alka , Kim Hyun Gyu , Paik Pradip , Borse Pramod H.
Published: December 2016

The study focuses on hydrothermal synthesis of MoS2–MoO3 nanostructures and their application in the modification of CdS photoanodes.
Hematite electron-transporting layers for environmentally stable planar perovskite solar cells with enhanced energy conversion and lower hysteresis
Authors: Hu Wei , Liu Tao , Yin Xuewen , Liu Hu , Zhao Xingyue , Luo Songping , Guo Ying , Yao Zhibo , Wang Jinshu , Wang Ning , Lin Hong , Guo Zhanhu
Published: December 2016

Hematite electron transporting layer based planar perovskite cells were developed with reduced hysteresis and good stability in ambient air.
Neodymium-doped NaHoF4 nanoparticles as near-infrared luminescent/T2-weighted MR dual-modal imaging agents in vivo
Authors: Feng Yamin , Xiao Qingbo , Zhang Yanhui , Li Fujin , Li Yanfang , Li Chunyan , Wang Qiangbin , Shi Liyi , Lin Hongzhen
Published: December 2016

Efficient NIR luminescence and high r2 value are simultaneously achieved for NaHoF4:Nd3+ nanoplates, which are successfully applied for NIR luminescence and MR imaging in vivo.
Development of functionalized hollow microporous organic capsules encapsulating morphine – an in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Razzaque Shumaila , Cai Chen , Lu Qun-Wei , Huang Feng-Zhen , Li Yu-Sang , Tang He-Bin , Hussain Irshad , Tan Bien
Published: December 2016

Carboxylic group functionalized hollow microporous organic capsules (HMOCs) are synthesized that show extraordinary high encapsulation efficiency of morphine·HCl and its promising prolonged release.
Ce4+/Ce3+ redox-controlled luminescence ‘off/on’ switching of highly oriented Ce(OH)2Cl and Tb-doped Ce(OH)2Cl films
Authors: Kim Hyunsub , Kim Minhee , Byeon Song-Ho
Published: December 2016

Highly oriented Ce(OH)2Cl and Tb-doped Ce(OH)2Cl films show the Ce4+/Ce3+ redox-controlled luminescence ‘off/on’ switching.
Poling engineering of (K,Na)NbO3-based lead-free piezoceramics with orthorhombic–tetragonal coexisting phases
Authors: Li Qi , Zhang Mao-Hua , Zhu Zhi-Xiang , Wang Ke , Zhou Jin-Song , Yao Fang-Zhou , Li Jing-Feng
Published: December 2016

The poling process of KNN-based piezoceramics is influenced by two competitive effects. The optimal poling conditions converge at a balance point between domain reorientation and space charge accumulation.
Multi‐layered graded porous radome design for dual‐band airborne radar applications
Authors: Vinisha C.V. , Mohammed Yazeen P.S. , Mahima P. , Joy Vineetha , Nair R.U.
Published: December 2016

A multi‐layered graded porous airborne nose‐cone radome design for radar antenna system with surveillance and tracking capabilities at X and K bands, respectively, is presented. The radome wall structure has five layers and is symmetrically constructed with the dielectric constant increasing gradually from the outer layer to the middle layer on either side. The inner layers are made up of silicon nitride with varying porosity for attaining variable dielectric parameters, whereas the outermost layers are composed of quartz lamination for better impedance matching. The analysis shows that the proposed radome design gives excellent EM performance characteristics in the EM window regions at both X and K bands. The novel dual‐band radome design presented has potential application in airborne radar antenna system incorporating both surveillance and tracking capabilities.
Pricing‐based distributed spectrum access for cognitive radio networks with geolocation database
Authors: Lee Woongsup , Jung Bang Chul
Published: December 2016

A pricing‐based distributed spectrum access technique for cognitive radio (CR) networks which adopt the geolocation database (GD) is proposed. The GD contains which frequency bands are occupied by the primary system in a particular location. Given that multiple CR systems may attempt to transmit data over the same frequency band when the GD is used, the achievable rate of the CR systems becomes deteriorated due to interference. In the proposed technique, each (secondary) CR system determines whether it utilises vacant frequency bands by considering the cost of using them, which is calculated by taking into account the interference. The authors analyse the behaviour of the CR systems based on game theory. In particular, it is shown that the sum capacity of CR systems is maximised when the number of utilised bands is proportional to the relative channel gain with respect to the average channel gain at each CR system. In addition, the authors obtain the optimal cost for the vacant bands, which achieves the maximum sum capacity of CR systems. Finally, it is shown that the sum capacity of the (secondary) CR systems is significantly improved via proper pricing policy on the vacant frequency bands through extensive computer simulations.
Non‐uniform sampling and super‐resolution method to increase the accuracy of tank gauging radar
Authors: Kaveh Sajjad , Norouzi Yaser
Published: December 2016

Different methods are proposed for fluid level measurement in storage tanks. Majority of these methods have some in‐contact elements or are based on mechanical waves which are vulnerable to changes due to temperature change, pressure change or ageing. Electromagnetic based (i.e. radar) level measurement is a contactless method and it is less vulnerable to such changes. However, a wide band or ultra‐wide band radar signal should be transmitted in order to achieve the required accuracy. Usually, linear frequency modulation or step frequency waveforms are used for this goal and matched filter (MF) processing or fast Fourier transform (FFT) are used to find the true level of the liquid inside the tank. In this study, the authors have shown that, those super‐resolution methods used for array signal processing and direction finding can be also used in tank gauging problem. Through the simulations and also practical laboratory test, it is shown that, if the frequency steps are selected non‐uniformly, the super‐resolution methods produce more accurate result compared with MF or FFT processing.
Readout circuit based on double voltage feedback loops in the two‐dimensional resistive sensor array: design, modelling and simulation evaluation
Authors: Wu Jian‐Feng , Li Jian‐Qing , Song Ai‐Guo
Published: December 2016

With one voltage feedback loop, the traditional voltage feedback readout circuit could access all elements in the two‐dimensional (2D) resistive sensor array with the shared row–column fashion but it suffered from the low readout rate problem for in it only one element could be selected and measured at the same time. First, the authors designed a novel readout circuit based on double voltage feedback loops (RC‐DVFLs) which could access two elements in the array simultaneously. Then, an approximate circuit model of the RC‐DVFL was presented and its mathematical equivalent resistance expressions of the elements being tested were analytically derived. Followed, the RC‐DVFL and its expressions were evaluated by simulation experiments and test experiments with a prototype circuit of the RC‐DVFL. The experiment results show that two elements in the 2D resistive sensor array can be accessed with the RC‐DVFL but only part crosstalk is suppressed, and the mathematical equivalent resistance expressions of the elements being tested can be used as the general formulas to evaluate the performance of the RC‐DVFL.
Physiometric and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of cellulose insulation in blend of mineral and synthetic ester oils for transformers
Authors: Rao U. Mohan , Sood Yog Raj , Jarial Raj Kumar
Published: December 2016

This study reports experimental study of cellulose performance in mixture of mineral and synthetic ester (SE) oils. Solid insulation impregnated with mineral oil (MO) and mixture oil has been subjected to accelerated thermal stresses to understand the deterioration rate of cellulose. Diffusion of oil–moisture mixture into paper and corresponding variation in dielectric strength of paper has been examined. Compatibility of solid insulation with MO and mixture oil is analysed by thermal expansion coefficients, X‐ray diffraction analysis and dissolved decay products. Furthermore, chemical functional groups present in aged oils are identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. It is observed that the performance of cellulose insulation is improved with addition of SE to MO. This is achieved by higher water solubility of esters, which enables higher moisture consumption during hydrolysis and keeps cellulose dry.
Kernohan-Woltman Notch Phenomenon—Case Report
Authors: Pereira Carlos
Published: December 2016

The Kernohan-Woltman notch phenomenon is a paradoxical neurological manifestation consisting of a motor deficit ipsilateral to a primary brain injury. It has been observed in patients with brain tumors and with supratentorial hematomas. It is considered a false localizing neurological sign. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan has been the test of choice. The recognition of this phenomenon is important to prevent a surgical procedure on the opposite side of the lesion. The present case report describes a case of chronic subdural hematoma with a probable finding of the Kernohan-Woltman phenomenon, and it discusses its pathophysiology, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis.
Verification of the flexoelectricity in barium strontium titanate through d33 meter
Authors: Shu Longlong , Wang Tong , Jiang Xiaoning , Huang Wenbin
Published: December 2016

Flexoelectricity is a newly arising electromechanical property that couples strain gradient to polarization. This physical property widely exists in most of the solid dielectrics but has quite weak response that often overlooked. Recently, barium strontium titanate (BST), a well-known ferroelectrics, has been reported to be a promising flexoelectric material, and thus triggered the associated studies on flexoelectricity to a new height. However, part of the researchers argued the observed flexoelectricity in BST is either by residual piezoelectricity or centric symmetry breaking during the densification process. In this paper, we would verify the flexoelectricity in BST ceramics by many comparison experiments. Our experimental result suggested the observed polarization in BST material is likely to be induced by strain gradient through flexoelectricity.
Research on ultra-fast vacuum mechanical switch driven by repulsive force actuator
Authors: Yuan Zhao , He Junjia , Pan Yuan , Jing Xin , Zhong Canyi , Zhang Ning , Wei Xiaoguang , Tang Guangfu
Published: December 2016

In order to meet the fast operation demands of DC circuit breakers, a high-speed vacuum mechanical switch (VMS) driven by a repulsive force actuator is focused. To improve the drive speed and energy conversion efficiency (ECE) of the actuators, the dynamic characteristics of the double sided coil repulsive force actuators are investigated, and two generalized optimization design methods focusing on the aspect ratio of the driving coils (defined as ARF) and the electrical parameters (defined as EF) are developed. FEM simulation models’ simulation and tests of VMS prototypes are conducted to verify the optimization methods. Results prove that the ARF method could improve the ECE of a VMS from 1.05% to 7.55%, and EF method could improve ECE of the same VMS from 1.05% to 6.61%, the combination of ARF and EF could improve the value of VMS’s ECE to 10.50%, thus proving the validity and accuracy of the optimization methods.
Dynamic homogenization of viscoelastic phononic metasolids
Authors: Pichard Hélène , Torrent Daniel
Published: December 2016

The effects of dissipation in metamaterials is a sensitive issue and, although experiments show that they are more than relevant, their theoretical study and modeling has received less attention. In this work, we study the effects of viscosity on the dissipation of elastic metamaterials. It is found that these metasolids present effective constitutive parameters that are in general complex, in contrast with common elastic materials where the mass density is a real valued scalar quantity and dissipation enters only through the stiffness tensor. It is also found that, while in the low frequency limit the dissipation is higher as the viscoelastic coefficient is also higher, near a resonance of the metamaterial this condition does not hold, since the imaginary part of the constitutive parameters is higher as the viscosity is smaller. Finally, the effects of viscosity are studied on the non-local properties of the effective parameters, and it is found that this property is attenuated with dissipation although still has to be considered.
Non-Markovian quantum feedback networks I: Quantum transmission lines, lossless bounded real property and limit Markovian channels
Authors: Gough John E.
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this paper is to set out the problems of modeling quantum communication and signal processing where the communication between systems is via a non-Markovian channel. This is a general feature of quantum transmission lines. Our ultimate objective is to extend the network rules that have been developed for Markovian models. To this end we recall the Hamiltonian description of such non-Markov models of transmission lines and their quantization. These have occurred in the context of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, but our interest is in the transmission lines as carriers of information rather than heat baths. We show that there is an analytic scattering matrix associated with these models and that stability may be formulated in terms of the lossless bounded real property. Noting that the input and output fields do not separately satisfy a non-self-demolition principle, we discuss the rigorous limit in which such models appear Markov and so amenable to standard approaches of quantum filtering and control.
Invited Article: Division and multiplication of the state order for data-carrying orbital angular momentum beams
Authors: Zhao Zhe , Ren Yongxiong , Xie Guodong , Li Long , Yan Yan , Ahmed Nisar , Wang Zhe , Liu Cong , Willner Asher J. , Ashrafi Solyman , Willner Alan E.
Published: December 2016

We demonstrate all-optical division and multiplication of the state order ℓ for data-carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams. We use linear optical transformations between log-polar and Cartesian coordinates to: (i) divide the OAM state order to convert the OAM order from 2ℓ to ℓ (ℓ = −5, −4, …, +4, +5), and (ii) multiply the OAM state order from ℓ to 2ℓ. We analyze the OAM mode purity and the bit-error-rate performance of a classical two-mode OAM multiplexed link for the case of division and multiplication of the OAM state order. The experimental mode purity for halving and doubling OAM state order can reach around 87% and 40%, respectively. We further study the dependence of the OAM mode purity on the displacement of SLMs in simulation. The obtained results show that the transformation for doubling the OAM state order is more sensitive to the increase of the displacement than that for halving the OAM state order. The link bit error rates are below the forward error correction threshold of 3.8 × 10−3 for both channels.
Efficiency of four-wave mixing in injection-locked InAs/GaAs quantum-dot lasers
Authors: Huang H. , Arsenijević D. , Schires K. , Sadeev T. , Erasme D. , Bimberg D. , Grillot F.
Published: December 2016

Frequency conversion using highly non-degenerate four-wave mixing is investigated in optically injection-locked InAs/GaAs quantum-dot Fabry-Perot lasers with different ridge waveguide dimensions. Conversion efficiencies up to -16 dB with a large optical signal-to-noise ratios of 36 dB are unveiled. The conversion bandwidth is extended to 4 THz with a quasi-symmetrical response between up- and down-converted signals.
n-ZnO/p-GaN heterojunction light-emitting diodes featuring a buried polarization-induced tunneling junction
Authors: Li Ling , Zhang Yuantao , Yan Long , Jiang Junyan , Han Xu , Deng Gaoqiang , Chi Chen , Song Junfeng
Published: December 2016

n-ZnO/p-GaN heterojunction light-emitting diodes with a p-GaN/Al0.1Ga0.9N/n+-GaN polarization-induced tunneling junction (PITJ) were fabricated by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. An intense and sharp ultraviolet emission centered at ∼396 nm was observed under forward bias. Compared with the n-ZnO/p-GaN reference diode without PITJ, the light intensity of the proposed diode is increased by ∼1.4-folds due to the improved current spreading. More importantly, the studied diode operates continuously for eight hours with the decay of only ∼3.5% under 20 mA, suggesting a remarkable operating stability. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using PITJ as hole injection layer for high-performance ZnO-based light-emitting devices.
Thin film zinc oxide gas sensor fabricated using near-field electrospray
Authors: Zheng Gaofeng , Zhu Ping , Sun Lingling , Jiang Jiaxin , Liu Juan , Wang Xiang , Li Wenwang
Published: December 2016

Near-field electrospray was used to deposit zinc acetate precursor particles over comb electrodes. These particles were heated and oxidized to form a zinc oxide (ZnO) semiconductor at 500 °C. The resulting ZnO thin film on the comb electrode was incorporated into a gas sensor, which was examined using a custom built measurement system. The current that was measured through the electrodes was used to calculate the resistance of the ZnO between the fingers of the comb electrode. The resistance decreased as the sensor was exposed to the target gas of ethanol, while the sensing response (R0/Rg) increased at higher concentrations of target gas. The ZnO sensor displayed high sensitivity because of the small diameters and high specific surface area of the electrospray particles. The ZnO sensors show great promise for use as micro/nano gas sensors as they exhibit high sensitivity, repeatability and stability.
Coarse grained model for calculating the ion mobility of hydrocarbons
Authors: Kuroboshi Y. , Takemura K.
Published: December 2016

Hydrocarbons are widely used as insulating compounds. However, their fundamental characteristics in conduction phenomena are not completely understood. A great deal of effort is required to determine reasonable ionic behavior from experiments because of their complicated procedures and tight controls of the temperature and the purity of the liquids. In order to understand the conduction phenomena, we have theoretically calculated the ion mobilities of hydrocarbons and investigated their characteristics using the coarse grained model in molecular dynamics simulations. We assumed a molecule of hydrocarbons to be a bead and simulated its dependence on the viscosity, electric field, and temperature. Furthermore, we verified the suitability of the conformation, scale size, and long-range interactions for the ion mobility. The results of the simulations show that the ion mobility values agree reasonably well with the values from Walden’s rule and depend on the viscosity but not on the electric field. The ion mobility and self-diffusion coefficient exponentially increase with increasing temperature, while the activation energy decreases with increasing molecular size. These values and characteristics of the ion mobility are in reasonable agreement with experimental results. In the future, we can understand not only the ion mobilies of hydrocarbons in conduction, but also we can predict general phenomena in electrochemistry with molecular dynamics simulations.
Optical reflectivity and hardness improvement of hafnium nitride films via tantalum alloying
Authors: Gu Zhiqing , Huang Haihua , Zhang Sam , Wang Xiaoyi , Gao Jing , Zhao Lei , Zheng Weitao , Hu Chaoquan
Published: December 2016

It is found that incorporation of tantalum in a hafnium nitride film induces a tunable optical reflectivity and improves the hardness. The underlying mechanism can be illustrated by a combination of experiments and first-principles calculations. It is shown that the evolution of optical reflectivity and the increase in hardness arise from the formation of Hf1−xTaxN solid solutions and the resulting changes in the electronic structure. The increase in infrared reflectance originates from the increase in concentration of free electrons (n) because Ta (d3s2) has one more valence electron than Hf (d2s2). The sharp blue-shift in cutoff wavelength is attributed to the increase in n and the appearance of t2g → eg interband absorption. These results suggest that alloying of a second transition metal renders an effective avenue to improve simultaneously the optical and mechanical properties of transition metal nitride films. This opens up a door in preparing high-reflectance yet hard films.
Surface passivation and protection of Pt loaded multicrystalline pn+ silicon photocathodes by atmospheric plasma oxidation for improved solar water splitting
Authors: Fan Ronglei , Tang Chengshuang , Xin Yu , Su Xiaodong , Wang Xiaodong , Shen Mingrong
Published: December 2016

In the traditional methods such as atomic layer deposition and sputtering, a thin metal oxide layer was usually deposited before the loading of catalysts to protect Si photoelectrodes from oxidation during solar water splitting, and this often results in the transfer of photogenerated carriers from Si to electrolyte more or less inhibited. We here use an atmospheric plasma oxidation method to improve this. A SiO2 protective layer, also an effective passivation layer of Si to increase the life time of carriers, is fabricated on Pt loaded multicrystalline pn+-Si photocathodes. Compared with the un-protected one, the energy conversion efficiency of the plasma-treated Pt/pn+-Si photocathode increases from 6.2% to 8.9% under 100 mW/cm2 Xe lamp, and its stability improves from less than 1–22 h under continuous H2 production. This research provides a conceptual strategy to ensure the direct contact among the Si/Pt/electrolyte and protect and passivate the other part of Si simultaneously.
Heterogeneous nucleation and heat flux avalanches in La(Fe, Si)13 magnetocaloric compounds near the critical point
Authors: Bennati C. , Gozzelino L. , Olivetti E. S. , Basso V.
Published: December 2016

The phase transformation kinetics of LaFe11.41Mn0.30Si1.29-H1.65 magnetocaloric compound is addressed by low rate calorimetry experiments. Scans at 1 mK/s show that its first order phase transitions are made by multiple heat flux avalanches. Getting very close to the critical point, when the transition becomes of the second order type, the step-like discontinuous behaviour associated with avalanches is smoothed out and the thermal hysteresis disappears. This result is confirmed by magneto-resistivity measurements and allows to obtain accurate values of the temperature hysteresis (ΔThyst = 0.37 K) at zero external magnetic field and of the critical field (Hc = 1.19 T). The number and magnitude of heat flux avalanches change as the magnetic field strength is increased, showing the interplay between the intrinsic energy barrier between phases and the microstructural disorder of the sample.
On the motion of a sessile drop on an incline: Effect of non-monotonic thermocapillary stresses
Authors: Mamalis Dimitrios , Koutsos Vasileios , Sefiane Khellil
Published: December 2016

We studied the short-time contact-line dynamics of a self-rewetting sessile droplet sliding “freely” on a silicone oil layer, on an inclined, uniformly heated substrate under non-isothermal conditions (liquid–solid). The effect of thermocapillarity and the contribution of surface tension gradients (Marangoni effect) to the droplet motion was investigated. The temperature of the substrate in conjunction with the non-monotonic surface tension/temperature dependence of the deformed self-rewetting droplet was found to significantly affect the early-stage inertial-capillary spreading regime. Infrared (IR) thermography images were also acquired to investigate the generation of thermal patterns at the liquid surface due to the strong surface-tension gradients. Our results demonstrate that the presence of strong surface tension driven flows at the liquid interface combined with droplet deformation (contact-angle hysteresis) gives rise to complex droplet dynamics. The interplay between thermocapillary stresses and body forces results in enhanced spreading rates, temporal non-monotonic dependence of the contact-line speed, as well as the droplet motion overcoming gravity in some instances.
Wave propagation in nonlinear metamaterial multi-atomic chains based on homotopy method
Authors: Fang Xin , Wen Jihong , Yin Jianfei , Yu Dianlong
Published: December 2016

This paper studies the dispersion properties and wave propagation in the tetratomic nonlinear acoustic metamaterial chain based on the homotopy analysis method (HAM). We perform a comparison between HAM and Perturbation approach, harmonic balance method (HBM) and equivalent method. Results indicate that HAM can filter the unstable multiple periodic solutions fined by HBM and be more accurate. The succinct equivalent formulas can estimate the bandgaps. There is a limit of the dispersion solution when the nonlinearity tends to infinity. Analyses demonstrate that the energy dispersion in spectrum replaces the linear energy localization because of the hyperchaos that is induced by period-doubling bifurcations. The hyper-chaotic phenomena are demonstrated with frequency spectra, bifurcation diagram and Lyapunov Exponents. This paper further proves the chaotic bands can significantly expand the bandwidth for wave suppression. Enhancing the nonlinearity will vary the behavior of nonlinear bandgaps from independent state to coupling state and then experience a transition. Approaches to manipulate bands are elucidated. The strong nonlinearity is beneficial to expand the total width about 6 times. Moreover, lightweight, low-frequency and broadband characteristics are compatible so can be achieved simultaneously for nonlinear acoustic metamaterial.
Cu passivation for integration of gap-filling ultralow-k dielectrics
Authors: Zhang Liping , de Marneffe Jean-Francois , Lesniewska Alicja , Verdonck Patrick , Heylen Nancy , Murdoch Gayle , Croes Kristof , Boemmels Juergen , Tokei Zsolt , De Gendt Stefan , Baklanov Mikhail R.
Published: December 2016

For Cu/low-k interconnects, the reversed damascene is an alternative integration approach where the metal wires are patterned first and then the spacing filled with a flowable dielectric. In this paper, the replacement of a sacrificial template by gap-filling ultralow-k dielectrics is studied, focusing on yield and transport performance (“replacement dielectric” scheme). On non-passivated copper, the low-k curing processes induce severe damage to the metal lines, leading to the degraded electrical properties. This is confirmed by chemical inspection on the blanket Cu films and morphological inspection on patterned structures. In order to avoid Cu oxidation and out-diffusion at elevated temperature, Cu passivation by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition SiCN is proposed and studied in detail. The inter-metal dielectric properties of replacement low-k are evaluated by resistance-capacitance and IV measurements using a Meander-Fork structure. By tuning the passivation layer thickness and ultraviolet curing time, high electrical yield is obtained with integrated porous low-k showing promising effective k-values (keff) and breakdown voltages (Ebd), confirming the interest of this specific integration scheme.
Local heterogeneity in the mechanical properties of bicontinuous composites made by liquid metal dealloying
Authors: McCue Ian , Gaskey Bernard , Crawford Bryan , Erlebacher Jonah
Published: December 2016

Bicontinuous composites made by liquid metal dealloying are excellent structural materials, with a unique combination of size-dependent strengthening and facile fabrication. However, due to the stochastic nature of dealloying, the local composition of individual ligaments can vary significantly and it is an open research question how this affects the bulk mechanical behavior. In this study, we use statistically significant nanoindentation to characterize the mechanical properties of individual phases in dealloyed bicontinuous composites. Through the analysis of several thousand indents, we correlate variances in the hardness and elastic modulus directly with the local microstructure and composition of the material.
“I hope they have a lot of Vania out there”
Authors: Leal Priscila
Published: December 2016

The question of use of second language speakers’ personal narratives-in-interview as data has been widely debated in the applied linguistics field. I subscribe to scholars before me who argue for an analysis beyond content but one that also takes into consideration context and form. Bamberg’s positioning theory (1997; 2004) guides this analysis as I examine the storied world, the storytelling world, and the existing discourses in the personal narratives-in-interview by a woman from the island of Chuuk residing in Hawai‘i. I discuss the linguistic, rhetorical, and interactional properties of her narratives, how she positions herself in relation to ideologies of language and identity that have value in her spaces, and juxtapose them against sociolinguistic and socio-historic contexts in which they were produced. I argue that by looking at the interdependence between all positioning levels (i.e., context, content, and form), it is possible to understand how the narrator positions herself with regards to societal discourses on language and identity both in the micro and macro contexts of the interview space and of Hawai‘i.
Negotiating with the Boss
Authors: Fant Lars , Denke Annika
Published: December 2016

Elicited conversations with participants engaged in a problematic negotiation with their boss were analyzed in groups of native speakers of British English, Chilean Spanish and Swedish, and in groups of Swedish speakers of L2 English and L2 Spanish (longtime residents in their host community and highly proficient in their L2). Two planes of comparison were involved: cross-culturally, addressing differences between the native groups, and, inter-culturally, addressing interaction between natives and non-natives. Results show considerable distance between the three L1 groups, especially regarding how power distance and social distance are managed both by the ‘employees’ and the ‘bosses’. As regards L2 speaker behavior, alignment with target community patterns largely prevails and few instances of L1 transfer occur. Communicative clashes are found to take place more often in the Swedish-Spanish encounters than in the Swedish-English ones, arguably due to the wider cultural distance between the Chilean and Swedish socio-cultures.
Apologies made at the Leveson Inquiry
Authors: Murphy James
Published: December 2016

This paper discusses apologies made by politicians at a recent UK public inquiry, the Leveson Inquiry into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press. I use the freely available data from the Inquiry to explore how politicians apologise in this interactional setting, contrasting it with more usual monologic political apologies. Firstly, I identify the sorts of actions which may be seen as apologisable. I then take a conversation analytic (CA) approach to explore how the apologies can come as a result of an overt complaint and how the apologies are reacted to by counsel and the Inquiry chair. I show that, unlike in everyday conversation, apologies are not the first pair parts of adjacency pairs (cf. Robinson 2004), but rather form action chains (Pomerantz 1978) where the absence of a response is unmarked. I conclude with some observations on how apology tokens may be losing their apologetic meaning.
When questioners count on recipients’ lack of knowledge
Authors: Ticca Anna-Claudia , Traverso Veronique
Published: December 2016

This paper studies a type of question-answer sequences which accomplish what can be considered as a delicate activity due to its projected sequential development. In contrast with other formats of question-answer sequences with different functions (i.e. eliciting information, checking the questionee’s knowledge, etc.), here the studied format seems to count on the questionee’s lack of knowledge, consequently projecting the questioner’s own answer. This hypothesis is examined through a detailed analysis of video-recorded guided tours in French and Italian. The paper describes the different sequence trajectories occurring after the guide’s question, and the difficulties both participants may find in dealing with the procedure.
Patterns of thanking in the closing section of UK service calls
Authors: Mosegaard Hansen Maj-Britt
Published: December 2016

I investigate patterns of usage of thanking formulae in the closing section of a corpus of 94 telephone calls made by tenants to a UK housing association. The data suggest that unilateral thanking is the norm when calls are institutionally and interactionally unmarked. In contrast, mutual thanking correlates mainly with the presence of interactional problems of various kinds, or, in a few cases, with features that are not problematic as such, but simply interactionally marked given the nature of the activity. When initiated by agents rather than by callers, thanking is frequently hearable as conveying an apologetic stance. Participants thus seem to orient to different thanking patterns as devices which may be used either to mark the preceding interaction as an instance of ‘business-as-usual’ or, if such is not the case, to restore interpersonal harmony or index awareness that aspects of the preceding interaction have otherwise deviated from situational expectations.
Talking around the texts
Authors: Schneider Cindy
Published: December 2016

This paper examines the role of literacy as it is practiced in a multilingual community on the Gazelle Peninsula in East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. Ethnographic observational fieldwork and semi-structured interviews reveal how literacy plays out in six common domains of everyday life: public discourse, home, school, church, health care, and government. Following Street (1984, 1995), an ideological framework is used to explore the unique cultural context of literacy in this community. It is found that: (a) the community venerates external standards of literacy, at the expense of local practices; nevertheless, (b) literacy practices reflect the multilingual skills of the general population; and (c) literacy events provide an opportunity for oral discourse and social bonding. It is also argued that the community would benefit if local literacy practices were recognised and validated on their own merit.