bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
α-Galactosides present in lupin flour affect several metabolic parameters in Wistar rats
Authors: Palacio María I. , Weisstaub Adriana R. , Zuleta Ángela , Etcheverría Analía I. , Manrique Guillermo D.
Published: November 2016

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of α-galactosides present in a lupin diet on metabolic parameters in growing Wistar rats.
Single-cell isolation by a modular single-cell pipette for RNA-sequencing
Authors: Zhang Kai , Gao Min , Chong Zechen , Li Ying , Han Xin , Chen Rui , Qin Lidong
Published: November 2016

We report a modular single-cell pipette (mSCP), consisting of an air-displacement pipette (ADP), ADP-Tips, and a SCP-Tip, and its application in single-cell isolation for RNA-sequencing.
A Biginelli-based organic nanoprobe for simultaneous estimation of tyramine and 1,2-diaminopropane: application in real samples
Authors: Kaur Gaganpreet , Raj Tilak , Kaur Navneet , Singh Narinder
Published: November 2016

An Ag(i) complex of organic nanoparticles has been developed for the detection of biogenic amines in milk and wine samples.
Selective complexation of divalent cations by a cyclic α,β-peptoid hexamer: a spectroscopic and computational study
Authors: De Santis E. , Edwards A. A. , Alexander B. D. , Holder S. J. , Biesse-Martin A.-S. , Nielsen B. V. , Mistry D. , Waters L. , Siligardi G. , Hussain R. , Faure S. , Taillefumier C.
Published: November 2016

The first report on metal binding ability of a cyclic α,β-peptoid hexamer towards a selection of metal cations is presented.
Phospha-Michael addition reaction of maleimides employing N-heterocyclic phosphine-thiourea as a phosphonylation reagent: synthesis of 1-aryl-2,5-dioxopyrrolidine-3-yl-phosphonate derivatives
Authors: Molleti Nagaraju , Bjornberg Chad , Kang Jun Yong
Published: November 2016

The phospha-Michael addition reaction of maleimides with NHP-thiourea under catalyst and additive free conditions has been developed for desymmetrization of maleimides.
Protonated montmorillonite-mediated highly specific isomerization of oleanolic acid esters: application to the synthesis of Δ13(18)-CDDO-Me
Authors: Chen Dongyin , Zhang Pu , Sun Yan , Wang Pengfei , Zhang Can , Kong Lingyi , Zhang Ji , Sun Hongbin , Wen Xiaoan
Published: November 2016

A one-pot highly specific isomerization of oleanolic acid esters (5a–g) to δ-oleanolic acid esters (6a–g) was achieved in the presence of proton-exchanged montmorillonite (H-mont) under mild reaction conditions.
Synthesis and application of a novel poly-l-phenylalanine electroactive macromonomer as matrix for the biosensing of ‘Abused Drug’ model
Authors: Yilmaz Tulay , Guler Emine , Gumus Z. Pinar , Akbulut Huseyin , Aldemir Ebru , Coskunol Hakan , Goen Colak Demet , Cianga Ioan , Yamada Shuhei , Timur Suna , Endo Takeshi , Yagci Yusuf
Published: November 2016

The synthesis and biosensing application of a novel poly-l-phenylalanine-bearing electroactive macromonomer has been carried out.
Towards mismatched DNA photoprobes and photoreagents: “elbow-shaped” Ru(ii) complexes
Authors: Deraedt Q. , Marcélis L. , Loiseau F. , Elias B.
Published: November 2016

Due to their potentially harmful consequences, the detection of mismatched DNA is a subject of high interest. In order to probe these DNA mismatches, we report new Ru(ii) complexes, bearing “elbow-shaped” extended planar ligands based on an acridine or a phenazine core.
Ultrafine Pt–Ru bimetallic nanoparticles anchored on reduced graphene oxide sheets as highly active electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation
Authors: Reddy G. Vishwakshan , Raghavendra P. , Ankamwar B. , Sri Chandana P. , Senthil Kumar S. M. , Sarma L. Subramanyam
Published: November 2016

Herein, uniform sized Pt–Ru bimetallic nanoparticles were deposited on a reduced graphene oxide (RGO) support using methyl ammonia borane as a reducing agent.
Grafting modification of epoxidized natural rubber with poly(ethylene glycol) monomethylether carboxylic acid and ionic conductivity of graft polymer composite electrolytes
Authors: Wang Ran , Mei Hua , Ren Wentan , Zhang Yong
Published: November 2016

A novel polymer was synthesized via a grafting reaction of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) with poly(ethylene glycol) monomethylether carboxylic acid (mPEG-COOH), which can improve the conductivity as a matrix of CPE.
Ultra-small and size tunable PVP-NaGdF4:Dy nanoparticles with high biocompatibility for multimodal tumor imaging
Authors: Yang Min , Wang Tao , Wang Ying , Jiang Chunhuan , Chen Jinxing , Zhao Yanzhi , Wang Honglei , Jiang Yu , Sun Guoying , Liu Jianhua
Published: November 2016

Ultra-small PVP-NaGdF4:Dy nanoprobes were prepared and they could induce obvious signal enhancement in T1/T2-weighted MRI and CT imaging.
Low-cost and high-performance of a vertically grown 3D Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide/graphene aerogel supercapacitor electrode material
Authors: Gao Xiujiao , Lv Haipeng , Li Zhihong , Xu Qunjie , Liu Haimei , Wang Yonggang , Xia Yongyao
Published: November 2016

A three-dimensional Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide/graphene hybrid aerogel (Ni–Fe LDH/GHA) was synthesised and used as a high performance supercapacitor electrode material.
PDGF-BB, NGF and BDNF enhance pulp-like tissue regeneration via cell homing
Authors: Li Lin , Wang Zuolin
Published: November 2016

In this study, we investigated the cytobiological effects of PDGF-BB, NGF and BDNF on the culture of BMSCs from rats and explored a viable approach for regenerating ectopic dental pulp-like tissueviacell homing.
Preparation of a novel flocculant and its performance for treating acidic oily wastewater
Authors: Zhang Heng , Duan Ming , Fang Shenwen , Zhai Lei , Wang Xiujun
Published: November 2016

In this study, a series of copolymers of methyl methacrylate (MMA), methacrylic acid (MAA) and chitosan (CS), named P(MMA–MAA–CS), were prepared via emulsion copolymerization (CS content in monomer mass was less than 3 wt%).
High-accuracy QSAR models of narcosis toxicities of phenols based on various data partition, descriptor selection and modelling methods
Authors: Zhou Wei , Fan Yanjun , Cai Xunhui , Xiang Yan , Jiang Peng , Dai Zhijun , Chen Yuan , Tan Siqiao , Yuan Zheming
Published: November 2016

The environmental protection agency thinks that quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) analysis can better replace toxicity tests.
A comparative study on the characteristics and coagulation mechanism of PAC-Al13 and PAC-Al30
Authors: Wu Zhen , Zhang Xian , Zhou Chunjiao , Pang Jinglin , Zhang Panyue
Published: November 2016

Polyaluminum chlorides with a high Al13 content (PAC-Al13) and a high Al30 content (PAC-Al30) were prepared in a laboratory.
Solution-phase synthesis of γ-In2Se3 nanoparticles for highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation under simulated sunlight irradiation
Authors: Yang Shuang , Xu Cheng-Yan , Yang Li , Hu Sheng-Peng , Zhen Liang
Published: November 2016

Hexagonal indium selenide (In2Se3) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a hot-injection method using triethylene glycol as solvent, which have superior and stable photocatalytic hydrogen generation under simulated sunlight irradiation.
A gold nanoparticle chemically modified gold electrode for the determination of surfactants
Authors: Merli Daniele , Ferrari Chiara , Cabrini Elisa , Dacarro Giacomo , Pallavicini Piersandro , Profumo Antonella
Published: November 2016

A gold nanoparticles modified gold electrode was developed for the determination of surfactants in solution, using a redox probe and exploiting the tendency of surfactants to adsorb onto the nanoparticles' surface.
Synthesis of dihydroindeno[1,2-c]isochromene via cascade cyclization and Friedel–Crafts reaction
Authors: Saikia Anil K. , Ghosh Priya , Deka Manash Jyoti , Borah Madhurjya
Published: November 2016

Dihydroindeno[1,2-c]isochromene can be efficiently prepared from alkynol and aldehydesviacascade cyclization and Friedel–Crafts reaction. The reaction is highly regioselective.
Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of fluorescently labeled bedaquiline analogues
Authors: Rombouts Jeroen A. , Veenboer Richard M. P. , Villellas Cristina , Lu Ping , Ehlers Andreas W. , Andries Koen , Koul Anil , Lill Holger , Ruijter Eelco , Orru Romano V. A. , Lammertsma Koop , Bald Dirk , Slootweg J. Chris
Published: November 2016

Labeling the tuberculosis drug bedaquiline with a fluorescent alkynyl-BODIPY moiety does not disrupt its antibacterial properties.
Enhanced lithium storage capabilities of NiO@Si core–shell nanowall arrays by voltage-control technique and their use as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Shali , Du Ning , Wu Hao , Xiao Chengmao , Zhao Wenjia , Yang Deren
Published: November 2016

In this work, we demonstrate the synthesis of Ni–Li2O@Si core–shell nanowall arrays through the lithiation of pre-synthesized NiO@Si core–shell nanowall arrays during the first lithium insertion process.
A facile post-process method to enhance crystallinity and electrochemical properties of SnO2/rGO composites with three-dimensional hierarchically porous structure
Authors: Tian Fei , Wang Xiaobing , Chen Zhenyu , Guo Yuming , Liang Huijun , Lu Zhansheng , Wang Dong , Lou Xiangdong , Yang Lin
Published: November 2016

In this work, three SnO2/reduced graphene oxide (SnO2/rGO) composites with a three-dimensional hierarchically porous structure were synthesized via freeze drying and different annealing temperatures in an air atmosphere.
Synthesis of biocompatible polymeric nanomaterial dually loaded with paclitaxel and nitric oxide for anti-MDR cancer therapy
Authors: Fan Jing , Song Jibin , Liu Yijing , Yu Guocan , Ma Ying , Deng Yan , He Nongyue , Zhang Fuwu
Published: November 2016

A copolymer nanomedicine mPEG–PEI–PLLA–PTX–NO was synthesized and studied in an OVCAR-8/ADR MDR cancer model.
The sorption of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs diclofenac and naproxen onto UV and/or H2O2 treated MWCNT-COOH and MWCNT-OH
Authors: Czech B.
Published: November 2016

The kinetics and mechanism of diclofenac and naproxen sorption onto UV and/or H2O2 treated functionalized CNTOHs and CNTCOOHs were studied.
Effect of vapor pressure on performance of sulfurized polyacrylonitrile cathodes for Li/S batteries
Authors: Liu Yonggang , Wang Weikun , Wang Anbang , Jin Zhaoqing , Zhao Hailei , Yang Yusheng
Published: November 2016

Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (S@pPAN) composites have been synthesized in a high pressure reactor under certain vapor pressure.
Framework-mediated synthesis of highly microporous onion-like carbon: energy enhancement in supercapacitors without compromising power
Authors: Shaibani Mahdokht , Smith Stefan J. D. , Banerjee Parama Chakraborty , Konstas Kristina , Zafari Ahmad , Lobo Derrek E. , Nazari Marziyeh , Hollenkamp Anthony F. , Hill Matthew R. , Majumder Mainak
Published: November 2016

A new pathway to onion-like carbon with narrow, regular and connected pores overcomes the trade-off between power delivery and energy storage capacity in supercapacitors.
High-capacity zinc-ion storage in an open-tunnel oxide for aqueous and nonaqueous Zn-ion batteries
Authors: Kaveevivitchai Watchareeya , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: November 2016

An ultrafast technique for chemical insertion of Zn ions is demonstrated with an open-tunnel oxide host, and the Zn-inserted oxide serves as an excellent insertion anode for both aqueous and non-aqueous Zn-based batteries.
A facile method to fabricate a double-layer stainless steel mesh for effective separation of water-in-oil emulsions with high flux
Authors: Cai Yahui , Chen Dongyun , Li Najun , Xu Qingfeng , Li Hua , He Jinghui , Lu Jianmei
Published: November 2016

Oil wastewater, which is generated by oil discharge from industrial processes and daily human activities, is a major source of water pollution worldwide, which poses a serious threat to the environment and the health of human beings.
Multifunctional ultrathin aluminum foil: oil/water separation and particle filtration
Authors: Li Guoqiang , Fan Hua , Ren Feifei , Zhou Chen , Zhang Zhen , Xu Bing , Wu Sizhu , Hu Yanlei , Zhu Wulin , Li Jiawen , Zeng Yishan , Li Xiaohong , Chu Jiaru , Wu Dong
Published: November 2016

We present here a kind of novel multifunctional ultrathin aluminum foil which consists of large-area regular micropore arrays covered with nanostructures.
Balancing the galvanic replacement and reduction kinetics for the general formation of bimetallic CuM (M = Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt) hollow nanostructures
Authors: Han Lin , Wang Pengfei , Liu Hui , Tan Qiangqiang , Yang Jun
Published: November 2016

A balance between galvanic replacement and reduction kinetics was achieved for the synthesis of Cu-based bimetallic hollow nanostructures.
High surface area carbon from polyacrylonitrile for high-performance electrochemical capacitive energy storage
Authors: Gupta Kishor , Liu Tianyuan , Kavian Reza , Chae Han Gi , Ryu Gyeong Hee , Lee Zonghoon , Lee Seung Woo , Kumar Satish
Published: November 2016

High surface area carbon with a surface area of 3550 m2g−1is synthesizedviaa low-cost, scalable process from polyacrylonitrile.
Encapsulation of SnO2 nanocrystals into hierarchically porous carbon by melt infiltration for high-performance lithium storage
Authors: Shen Li , Liu Fang , Chen Gen , Zhou Huihui , Le Zaiyuan , Wu Hao Bin , Wang Ge , Lu Yunfeng
Published: November 2016

A melt infiltration method is developed to encapsulate SnO2 nanocrystals into porous carbon as a high-performance lithium storage material.
NOD1 activation in cardiac fibroblasts induces myocardial fibrosis in a murine model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Val-Blasco Almudena , Prieto Patricia , Gonzalez-Ramos Silvia , Benito Gemma , Vallejo-Cremades María Teresa , Pacheco Ivette , González-Peramato Pilar , Agra Noelia , Terrón Verónica , Delgado Carmen , Martín-Sanz Paloma , Boscá Lisardo , Fernández-Velasco María
Published: November 2016

Cardiac fibrosis and chronic inflammation are common complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Since nucleotide oligomerization-binding domain 1 (NOD1), an innate immune receptor, is involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetes outcomes, we sought to investigate its involvement in cardiac fibrosis. Here, we show that selective staining of cardiac fibroblasts from T2D (db/db;db) mice exhibits up-regulation and activation of the NOD1 pathway, resulting in enhanced NF-κB and TGF-β signalling. Activation of the TGF-β pathway in cardiac fibroblasts from db mice was prevented after inhibition of NF-κB with BAY-11-7082 (BAY). Moreover, fibrosis progression in db mice was also prevented by BAY treatment. Enhanced TGF-β signalling and cardiac fibrosis of db mice was dependent, at least in part, on the sequential activation of NOD1 and NF-κB since treatment of db mice with a selective NOD1 agonist induced activation of the TGF-β pathway, but co-administration of a NOD1 agonist plus BAY, or a NOD1 inhibitor prevented the NOD1-induced fibrosis. Therefore, NOD1 is involved in cardiac fibrosis associated with diabetes, and establishes a new mechanism for the development of heart fibrosis linked to T2D.
Target classification scheme using phase characteristics for automotive FMCW radar
Authors: Lee Jingu , Kim Daehyun , Jeong Seonghee , Ahn Gil‐Cho , Kim Younglok
Published: November 2016

Moving target has a non‐coherent phase characteristic regardless of micro‐Doppler effect caused by body motion, because the movement of the target changes the beat‐frequency and its phase. A phase compensation method to remove the phase variations caused by movement is proposed. Using the proposed phase compensation method, it is possible to classify targets as pedestrians or automobiles based on the phase variance because pedestrians and automobiles have non‐coherent and coherent phases, respectively. Through applying experimental data, the possibility of target classification is shown.
Universal active disturbance rejection control for non‐linear systems with multiple disturbances via a high‐order sliding mode observer
Authors: Dai Chen , Yang Jun , Wang Zuo , Li Shihua
Published: November 2016

This study is concerned with the output feedback control design for a class of non‐linear systems subject to multiple sources of disturbances/uncertainties including parameter perturbations, complicated non‐linear dynamics and external disturbances. By developing the high‐order sliding mode observer, both state and disturbance observations are incorporated into the controller design. By means of the lumped disturbance estimation as well as virtual state estimations, a composite output feedback controller combined with an additional feedforward compensation is proposed. The stability of the closed‐loop system is rigorously demonstrated based on Lyapunov stability criterion. Application of the proposed approach to a single‐phase DC–AC inverter system is finally implemented with experimental results to validate the feasibility and effectiveness.
Fixed‐time backstepping control design for high‐order strict‐feedback non‐linear systems via terminal sliding mode
Authors: Li Junpeng , Yang Yana , Hua Changchun , Guan Xinping
Published: November 2016

In this study, the state feedback fixed‐time control problem is addressed for a class of high‐order strict‐feedback non‐linear systems (SFNSs) with mismatching system uncertainties. Based on the fixed‐time control technique and uniform exact difference method, a new fixed‐time tracking control algorithm via the backstepping method in conjunction with a novel second‐order sliding mode super‐twisting‐like structure adaptive fixed‐time disturbance observer is proposed. Compared with many existing finite‐time control results in which the convergence time grows unboundedly when the system initial conditions grow, the fixed‐time control provides faster convergence rate by using high‐degree terms and the settling time function derived only with controller parameters, is allowed to be adjusted independently of the system initial conditions. Moreover, to avoid the computation explosion, the singularity problem and to relax the assumption on the mismatching system uncertainties, the dynamics surface control method is employed based on a novel non‐linear non‐smooth first‐order filter. Then the semi‐globally uniformly fixed‐time convergent performance of the high‐order SFNSs is achieved. Finally, theoretical results are supported by simulation and experimental results.
Robust sliding‐mode observers for large‐scale systems with application to a multimachine power system
Authors: Mohamed Mokhtar , Yan Xing‐Gang , Spurgeon Sarah K. , Jiang Bin
Published: November 2016

In this study, a class of interconnected systems with structured and unstructured uncertainties is considered where the known interconnections and uncertain interconnections are non‐linear. The bounds on the uncertainties are employed in the observer design to enhance the robustness when the structure of the uncertainties is available for design. Under the condition that the structure distribution matrices of the uncertainties are known, a robust sliding‐mode observer is designed and a set of sufficient conditions is developed to guarantee that the error dynamics are asymptotically stable. In the case that the structure of uncertainties is unknown, an ultimately bounded approximate observer is developed to estimate the system states using sliding mode techniques. The results obtained are applied to a multimachine power system, and simulation for a two‐machine power system is presented to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the developed methods.
Compact stochastic models for multidimensional quasiballistic thermal transport
Authors: Vermeersch Bjorn
Published: November 2016

The Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) has proven indispensable in elucidating quasiballistic heat dynamics. The experimental observations of nondiffusive thermal transients, however, are interpreted almost exclusively through purely diffusive formalisms that merely extract “effective” Fourier conductivities. Here, we build upon stochastic transport theory to provide a characterisation framework that blends the rich physics contained within the BTE solutions with the convenience of conventional analyses. The multidimensional phonon dynamics are described in terms of an isotropic Poissonian flight process with a rigorous Fourier-Laplace single pulse response P(ξ→,s)=1/[s+ψ(∥ξ→∥)]. The spatial propagator ψ(∥ξ→∥), unlike commonly reconstructed mean free path spectra κΣ(Λ), serves as a genuine thermal blueprint of the medium that can be identified in a compact form directly from the raw measurement signals. Practical illustrations for transient thermal grating and time domain thermoreflectance experiments on respectively GaAs and InGaAs are provided.
Science and technology of cuprate-based high temperature superconductor thin films, heterostructures and superlattices—the first 30 years (Review Article)
Authors: Habermeier H.-U.
Published: November 2016

During the three decades after the discovery of superconductivity at high temperatures in copper oxides, intense research activities generated a tremendous progress in both, mastering the scientific challenges underpinning the understanding of the properties of these chemically and structurally complex materials as well as achieving a mature technology in preparing single phase bulk specimens—including single crystals—and epitaxially grown single crystalline thin films. This review covers in addition to more basic physics oriented developments mainly technological aspects of complex oxide thin film deposition as an enabling technology to explore the physics of these materials. It consists of two parts: after a brief introduction to the materials development prior to the discovery of superconducting copper oxides, a description of the relevant properties of copper oxide superconductors with focus on YBa2Cu3O7−δ is given, followed by the coverage of essentials of complex oxide thin film deposition technology with the copper oxides at its core. Here, the major physical vapor deposition technologies (evaporation and oxide molecular beam technology, sputtering and pulsed laser deposition) are described followed by an overview of substrate requirements to deposit high quality thin films. Opportunities by choosing special substrates with unique properties far beyond the usual mechanical support for a film are introduced with examples aside from usual lattice mismatch induced strain effects. One is the continuous modification of the strain state by poling ferroelectric oxide substrates linked to a piezoelectric effect, the other is the nanoscale tailoring of substrate step-and-terrace structures resulting in a controllable generation of planar defects in complex oxides, thus contributing to the physics of flux-line pinning in cuprate superconductors. In the second part of this review, first some highlights of single layer thin film research are given such as to tailor thin film orientation, generating well defined antiphase boundaries in YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films as flux-line pinning centers as well as contributions to understand fluctuation conductivity in relation to the pseudogap state. In the last section new developments in high Tc cuprate based heterostructures and superlattices are reviewed with a special focus on the opportunities offered by interface-induced electronic interactions.
Formula for growth rate of mixing width applied to Richtmyer-Meshkov instability
Authors: Gao Fujie , Zhang Yousheng , He Zhiwei , Tian Baolin
Published: November 2016

The mixing zone width and its growth rate are of great significance in the study of the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI). In this paper, a formula for the growth rate of the mixing width is proposed for analysis of the RMI-induced mixing process. A new definition of the mixing width ḣ, based on the mass fraction ϕ, is used to derive the formula of the growth rate of the mixing width, ḣ. In the derivation, the velocity field and the diffusion term are concisely introduced into the formula by using the mass equation and mass fraction equation. This formula is used together with two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) numerical data to quantitatively study the effects of compressibility and the diffusion process on the development of the RMI. The results based on our simulations show the following. After a shock, the magnitudes of the contributions of compressibility and diffusion to ḣ increase initially, and in the middle stage of the RMI, they appear to attain a maximum value, around 10%; however, under some conditions (e.g., absolute value of Atwood number ∼0.9), this value can be more than 10%. The results indicate that compressibility and the diffusion process become important in the later stages of the RMI and the neglect of these physical processes is not always suitable. This study shows that the derived formula is not only an approach for modeling of the mixing zone width but also a quantitative tool for the study of an RMI-induced mixing process. This formula is expected to be useful in the analysis of turbulent mixing in the later stages of the RMI process.
Transformation of the polarization of the electromagnetic waves reflected from the layered superconductors in an external dc magnetic field
Authors: Rokhmanova T. N. , Apostolov S. S. , Maizelis Z. A. , Yampol'skii V. A.
Published: November 2016

The reflection of transverse-electric and transverse-magnetic polarized waves from the surface of a semi-infinite layered superconductor in the presence of external dc magnetic field is studied theoretically. The superconducting layers are assumed to be perpendicular to the boundary of the sample. Due to a strong anisotropy of the irradiated superconductor surface, a transformation of the wave polarization occurs upon the reflection. It is shown that, despite a relatively small penetration depth of the dc magnetic field, it qualitatively affects the field distribution of the electromagnetic wave and, therefore, the reflection and transformation coefficients. Thus, the external dc magnetic field can serve as an efficient tool to control the transformation of the wave polarization. The analytical expressions for the reflection and transformation coefficients are obtained and the parameters at which the most effective transformation of the transverse-electric to transverse-magnetic waves and vice versa occurs are found.
Enhanced ultraviolet emission and its irreversible temperature antiquenching behavior of twofold coordinated silicon centers in silica glass
Authors: Nagayoshi Yu , Uchino Takashi
Published: November 2016

It has been well documented that an oxygen divacancy center, or a twofold-coordinated Si center, in silica glass yields a singlet-to-singlet photoluminescence (PL) emission at 4.4 eV with a decay time of ∼4 ns. Although the 4.4-eV PL band is interesting in terms of a deep-ultraviolet light emitter, the emission efficiency has been too low to be considered for a practical application. In this work, we show that a highly luminescent silica glass, with an internal quantum yield of 68% for the 4.4-eV PL band at room temperature, can be prepared when micrometer-sized silica powders are heat treated at ∼1900 °C under inert gas atmosphere by using a high-frequency induction heating unit equipped with a graphite crucible. We also show that the intensity of the 4.4-eV emission in the thus prepared silica glass exhibits an irreversible temperature antiquenching behavior in the temperature region below ∼320 K during heating-cooling cycles. The anomalous temperature dependencies of the 4.4-eV emission can be interpreted in terms of thermally activated trapping-detrapping processes of photoexcited electrons associated with deep trap states.
Compact photonic spin filters
Authors: Ke Yougang , Liu Zhenxing , Liu Yachao , Zhou Junxiao , Shu Weixing , Luo Hailu , Wen Shuangchun
Published: November 2016

In this letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a compact photonic spin filter formed by integrating a Pancharatnam-Berry phase lens (focal length of ±f) into a conventional plano-concave lens (focal length of −f). By choosing the input port of the filter, photons with a desired spin state, such as the right-handed component or the left-handed one, propagate alone its original propagation direction, while the unwanted spin component is quickly diverged after passing through the filter. One application of the filter, sorting the spin-dependent components of vector vortex beams on higher-order Poincaré sphere, is also demonstrated. Our scheme provides a simple method to manipulate light, and thereby enables potential applications for photonic devices.
High power factor in thiospinels Cu2TrTi3S8 (Tr= Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) arising from TiS6 octahedron network
Authors: Hashikuni Katsuaki , Suekuni Koichiro , Usui Hidetomo , Ohta Michihiro , Kuroki Kazuhiko , Takabatake Toshiro
Published: November 2016

Thermoelectric properties and electronic structures of n-type thiospinels Cu2TrTi3S8 composed of CuS4 tetrahedron and (Tr/Ti)S6 octahedron network have been studied for Tr= Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni. The samples with Tr= Mn, Co, and Ni exhibit metallic behaviors in the electrical resistivity (ρ) and rather large and negative thermopower (S), leading to a high power factor (S2/ρ) of 0.4–0.6 mW/K2 m at 650 K. In addition to the superior electrical properties, relatively low thermal conductivity of ∼2 W/Km gives rise to a dimensionless figure of merit ZT reaching 0.16–0.18 at 650 K. The analysis of the temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility indicates that the Mn, Fe, and Ni ions are in high-spin divalent states while the Co2+ ion is in a low-spin nonmagnetic state. This electronic state for the Co2+ in Cu2CoTi3S8 is consistent with our first-principles electronic structure calculation indicating that the Fermi level lies in the conduction bands composed mainly of Ti-3d, Co-3d, and S-3p orbitals. The Ti-3d and S-3p orbitals forming the octahedron network likely results in high power factors irrespective of Tr elements. The addition of Co-3d orbitals makes a peak with steep slope in the density of states near the Fermi level, leading to the further enhanced power factor.
Tunable thermal expansion and magnetism in Zr-doped ScF3
Authors: Wang Tao , Xu Jiale , Hu Lei , Wang Wei , Huang Rongjin , Han Fei , Pan Zhao , Deng Jinxia , Ren Yang , Li Laifeng , Chen Jun , Xing Xianran
Published: November 2016

The negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior provides us an opportunity to design materials with controllable coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). In this letter, we report a tunable isotropic thermal expansion in the cubic (Sc1−xZrx)F3+δ over a wide temperature and CTE range (αl = −4.0 to+ 16.8 × 10−6 K−1, 298–648 K). The thermal expansion can be well adjusted from strong negative to zero, and finally to large positive. Intriguingly, isotropic zero thermal expansion (αl = 2.6 × 10−7 K−1, 298–648 K) has been observed in the composition of (Sc0.8Zr0.2)F3+δ. The controllable thermal expansion in (Sc1−xZrx)F3+δ is correlated to the local structural distortion. Interestingly, the ordered magnetic behavior has been found in the zero thermal expansion compound of (Sc0.8Zr0.2)F3+δ at room temperature, which presumably correlates with the unpaired electron of the lower chemical valence of Zr cation. The present study provides a useful reference to control the thermal expansion and explore the multi-functionalization for NTE materials.
Dynamics of antiferromagnetic skyrmion driven by the spin Hall effect
Authors: Jin Chendong , Song Chengkun , Wang Jianbo , Liu Qingfang
Published: November 2016

Magnetic skyrmion moved by the spin-Hall effect is promising for the application of the generation racetrack memories. However, the Magnus force causes a deflected motion of skyrmion, which limits its application. Here, we create an antiferromagnetic skyrmion by injecting a spin-polarized pulse in the nanostripe and investigate the spin Hall effect-induced motion of antiferromagnetic skyrmion by micromagnetic simulations. In contrast to ferromagnetic skyrmion, we find that the antiferromagnetic skyrmion has three evident advantages: (i) the minimum driving current density of antiferromagnetic skyrmion is about two orders smaller than the ferromagnetic skyrmion; (ii) the velocity of the antiferromagnetic skyrmion is about 57 times larger than the ferromagnetic skyrmion driven by the same value of current density; (iii) antiferromagnetic skyrmion can be driven by the spin Hall effect without the influence of Magnus force. In addition, antiferromagnetic skyrmion can move around the pinning sites due to its property of topological protection. Our results present the understanding of antiferromagnetic skyrmion motion driven by the spin Hall effect and may also contribute to the development of antiferromagnetic skyrmion-based racetrack memories.
Kinetics of alkali-based photocathode degradation
Authors: Pavlenko Vitaly , Liu Fangze , Hoffbauer Mark A. , Moody Nathan A. , Batista Enrique R.
Published: November 2016

We report on a kinetic model that describes the degradation of the quantum efficiency (QE) of Cs3Sb and negative electron affinity (NEA) GaAs photocathodes under UHV conditions. In addition to the generally accepted irreversible chemical change of a photocathode’s surface due to reactions with residual gases, such as O2, CO2, and H2O, the model incorporates an intermediate reversible physisorption step, similar to Langmuir adsorption. This intermediate step is needed to satisfactorily describe the strongly non-exponential QE degradation curves for two distinctly different classes of photocathodes –surface-activated and “bulk,” indicating that in both systems the QE degradation results from surface damage. The recovery of the QE upon improvement of vacuum conditions is also accurately predicted by this model with three parameters (rates of gas adsorption, desorption, and irreversible chemical reaction with the surface) comprising metrics to better characterize the lifetime of the cathodes, instead of time-pressure exposure expressed in Langmuir units.
Memristor-based neural networks: Synaptic versus neuronal stochasticity
Authors: Naous Rawan , AlShedivat Maruan , Neftci Emre , Cauwenberghs Gert , Salama Khaled Nabil
Published: November 2016

In neuromorphic circuits, stochasticity in the cortex can be mapped into the synaptic or neuronal components. The hardware emulation of these stochastic neural networks are currently being extensively studied using resistive memories or memristors. The ionic process involved in the underlying switching behavior of the memristive elements is considered as the main source of stochasticity of its operation. Building on its inherent variability, the memristor is incorporated into abstract models of stochastic neurons and synapses. Two approaches of stochastic neural networks are investigated. Aside from the size and area perspective, the impact on the system performance, in terms of accuracy, recognition rates, and learning, among these two approaches and where the memristor would fall into place are the main comparison points to be considered.
The improvement of all-solid-state electrochromic devices fabricated with the reactive sputter and cathodic arc technology
Authors: Wang Min-Chuan , Chen Yung-Chih , Hsieh Ming-Hao , Li Yu-Chen , Wang Jen-Yuan , Wu Jin-Yu , Tsai Wen-Fa , Jan Der-Jun
Published: November 2016

The all-solid-state electrochromic device (ECD) with the one substrate structure fabricated by the reactive dc magnetron sputtering (DCMS) and cathodic vacuum arc plasma (CVAP) technology has been developed for smart electrochromic (EC) glass application. The EC layer and ion conductor layer were deposited by reactive DCMS and CVAP technology, respectively. The ion conductor layer Ta2O5 deposited by the CVAP technology has provided the better porous material structure for ion transportation and showed 1.76 times ion conductivity than devices with all sputtering process. At the same time, the EC layer WO3 and NiO deposited by the reactive DCMS have also provided the high quality and uniform characteristic to overcome the surface roughness effect of the CVAP ion conductor layer in multilayer device structure. The all-solid-state ECD with the CVAP ion conductor layer has demonstrated a maximum transmittance variation (ΔT) of 55% at 550nm and a faster-switching speed. Furthermore, the lower equipment cost and higher deposition rate could be achieved by the application of CVAP technology.
Upper subsoil pore characteristics and functions as affected by field traffic and freeze–thaw and dry–wet treatments
Authors: Schjønning Per , Lamandé Mathieu , Crétin Valentin , Nielsen Janne Aalborg
Published: November 2016

Cultivated soils are subject to very high stresses from machinery. This may affect the soil pore system and its processes, soil functions and soil ecosystem services. Compaction experiments were performed on loamy Luvisols at three sites in Denmark: Aarslev, Flakkebjerg and Taastrup. Non-trafficked control soil was compared with soil subjected to four annual traffic events with approximately 3-, 6- or 8-Mg wheel loads from tractor–trailer combinations. A self-propelled machine with a single pass of approximately 12-Mg wheel load was tested at Aarslev. Undisturbed soil cores were sampled at 0.3m depth when the experimental plots had received either 2 years (Flakkebjerg) or 3 years (Aarslev and Taastrup) of repeated compaction treatment. The volume of air-filled pores and air permeability were quantified for soil drained to –100hPa matric potential. Freeze–thaw and dry–wet treatments were applied to soil cores in the laboratory for Aarslev and Taastrup samples. The multipass machinery significantly affected >30µm soil pores and air permeability at wheel loads of ~6 Mg or higher, whereas no or only minor effects could be detected for ~3-Mg wheel loads. Indices combining air permeabilities with air-filled porosities indicated that pore morphological features had also been affected. Estimates of hydraulic conductivity indicated critical conditions for the percolation of excess rainwater for severely compacted soil at Aarslev. Generally, the single-pass machine with a high wheel load did not affect the pores and their function. A dry–wet event was a more effective remediation of compaction than a freeze–thaw treatment. In conclusion, present-day field traffic risks creating a bottleneck soil layer for important soil functions just below the tilled topsoil.
Mechanism of microtubule lumen entry for the α-tubulin acetyltransferase enzyme αTAT1
Authors: Coombes Courtney , Yamamoto Ami , McClellan Mark , Reid Taylor A. , Plooster Melissa , Luxton G. W. Gant , Alper Joshua , Howard Jonathon , Gardner Melissa K.
Published: November 2016

Significance

αTAT1 is an enzyme that acetylates microtubules inside of cells, and acetylation is an important posttranslational microtubule modification. However, microtubules are long tubes, and the acetylation site for αTAT1 is on the inside of this tube. We investigated how αTAT1 enters the microtubule and moves around to access its acetylation sites once inside. We found that αTAT1 enters microtubules through its ends but does not move efficiently inside of the microtubule. However, a lowered affinity allows the enzyme to move more efficiently and leads to longer stretches of acetylation. Therefore, acetylation of microtubules could be controlled in the cell by modulating the affinity of αTAT1 for its acetylation site or increasing the number of microtubule ends.
Molecular mechanism for cavitation in water under tension
Authors: Menzl Georg , Gonzalez Miguel A. , Geiger Philipp , Caupin Frédéric , Abascal José L. F. , Valeriani Chantal , Dellago Christoph
Published: November 2016

Significance

Cavitation, the formation of vapor-filled bubbles in a liquid at low pressures, is a powerful phenomenon with important consequences in nature and technology. For instance, cavitation bubbles may interrupt water flow in plants under dry conditions or severely damage the metal surfaces of machines such as pumps and propellers. Using molecular simulations, we have studied cavitation in water at strongly negative pressures and have revealed its molecular mechanism. We find that bubble growth is governed by the viscosity of the liquid. Although small bubbles are shaped irregularly, classical nucleation theory accurately describes the free energy barrier that impedes rapid bubble formation. Our simulations indicate that water can withstand negative pressures exceeding −120 MPa in agreement with recent experiments.
Jointly reduced inhibition and excitation underlies circuit-wide changes in cortical processing in Rett syndrome
Authors: Banerjee Abhishek , Rikhye Rajeev V. , Breton-Provencher Vincent , Tang Xin , Li Chenchen , Li Keji , Runyan Caroline A. , Fu Zhanyan , Jaenisch Rudolf , Sur Mriganka
Published: November 2016

Significance

Understanding neurophysiological correlates of neurodevelopmental disorders is one of the pressing challenges of neuroscience. By analyzing a mouse model of Rett syndrome (RTT), we show that cortical pyramidal neurons in methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) mutant mice have reduced excitatory as well as inhibitory synaptic drive. Thus, neuronal response reliability and selectivity, features that arise from excitatory/inhibitory processing circuits within cortex, are reduced. MeCP2 deletion crucially regulates inhibition via two complementary mechanisms: reducing responses of parvalbumin-expressing (PV
+
) inhibitory neurons and altering the polarity of GABAergic inhibition in pyramidal neurons. Treating mutant mice with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 (rhIGF1) restores GABAergic polarity along with PV
+
and pyramidal neuron responses, thus providing a mechanistic basis of action of rhIGF1 in RTT.
“The pitch itself was no man's land:” Siege, Željezničar Sarajevo Football Club and the Grbavica Stadium
Authors: Mills Richard
Published: November 2016

Inspired by microhistory, this essay explores the wartime plight of a football stadium and the multi-ethnic club that called it home as a means of understanding Bosnia and Herzegovina's descent into conflict, the siege of Sarajevo, and the impact upon civilians. Like the suburb of the same name, Grbavica became part of the frontline during the siege. Deprived of its home, FK Željezničar continued to function, while players, staff, and supporters longed for a return to the shattered ground. At a local level, the organization offers a means of visualizing the development of the Grbavica suburb, from its socialist foundations to its post-Dayton reintegration. In this way, the life of the stadium and those who frequent it map onto the history of Yugoslavia, its dissolution, and the independent republic that emerged in its wake. Moreover, the wartime partition of the stadium, the club, and its supporters’ group – all of which were claimed by actors on both sides of the frontline – were representative of political developments in a state where the ethnic balance was forcibly reengineered. This reconstruction of Grbavica's war harnesses original photographic evidence, oral history, maps, contemporary journalism, and the transcripts of the Hague Tribunal.
Internal friction analysis of lath martensite in press hardened steel
Authors: Sulistiyo D. H. , Cho L. , Seo E. J. , De Cooman B. C.
Published: November 2016

Internal friction (IF) measurements were carried out on a press hardened steel (PHS) after continuous annealing, press hardening and bake hardening. The IF peaks of the PHS with a lath martensite microstructure were analysed by comparison with previously published data. This was supplemented by comparison with the IF spectra of the same steel with a ferrite–pearlite microstructure after deformation at room temperature, and after recrystallisation annealing and quenching. The relation between the IF peaks of PHS, and the γ-peak, Snoek peak and Snoek-Kê-Köster peak observed for ferritic steel is discussed.
Modern Italy: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Bull Anna Cento
Published: November 2016

Modern Italy: A Very Short Introduction addresses the question of what modernity means to Italy and explores the extent to which modernity still represents a shared vision among Italian intellectuals, political leaders, and ordinary people. It covers the history of Italy from the Risorgimento (Resurgence), the movement leading to the Italian Unification in 1861, to the present. Italy’s political system and style of government is considered along with its economic modernization and issues with emigration, internal migration, and immigration. This volume concludes by looking at Italian culture and lifestyle, including modern art and architecture, cinema, literature, gastronomy, fashion, and sport.
Pseudocapacitive materials for electrochemical capacitors: from rational synthesis to capacitance optimization
Authors: Wang Jie , Dong Shengyang , Ding Bing , Wang Ya , Hao Xiaodong , Dou Hui , Xia Yongyao , Zhang Xiaogang
Published: November 2016

Among various energy-storage devices, electrochemical capacitors (ECs) are prominent power provision but show relatively low energy density. One way to increase the energy density of ECs is to move from carbon-based electric double-layer capacitors to pseudocapacitors, which manifest much higher capacitance. However, compared with carbon materials, the pseudocapacitive electrodes suffer from high resistance for electron and/or ion transfer, significantly restricting their capacity, rate capability and cyclability. Rational design of electrode materials offers opportunities to optimize their electrochemical performance, leading to devices with high energy density while maintaining high power density. This paper reviews the different approaches of electrodes striving to advance the energy and power density of ECs.
Staphylococcus epidermidis Protection Against Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in an Inner-City Outpatient Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sullivan Sean B. , Kamath Suneel , McConville Thomas H. , Gray Brett T. , Lowy Franklin D. , Gordon Peter G. , Uhlemann Anne-Catrin
Published: November 2016

Background

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) have been disproportionally affected by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and infection, in particular by clones USA300 and USA500. However, the contribution of epidemiological, bacterial, and immunological risk factors to the excess of S aureus in PLWH remain incompletely understood.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we determined the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of S aureus colonization in 93 PLWH attending an urban human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinic. Participants completed a structured interview assessing demographic information and risk factors for MRSA. Swabs were obtained from the nose, throat, and groin and cultured for S aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Results

Most participants had well controlled HIV infection (89, 96% CD4 >200). Thirty-six (39%) individuals were colonized with S aureus at 1 or more body sites, including 6 (6%) with MRSA. Regular gym use was a risk factor for S aureus but not MRSA carriage. In contrast, S epidermidis was present in almost all individuals (n = 84, 90%), predominantly in the nares (n = 66, 71%). Using generalized estimating equation models, we observed that the odds of S aureus colonization were significantly and drastically reduced when S epidermidis was detected (P = .0001). After controlling for site, gender, and age, we identified that the odds of S aureus colonization were 80% less if S epidermidis was present (adjusted odds ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, .09–.45; P < .0001).

Conclusions

Taken together, we observed a lower prevalence of S aureus and MRSA colonization than has been previously reported in PLWH. In this cohort, colonization with S epidermidis was protective against S aureus colonization.