bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping paddy rice planting area in wheat-rice double-cropped areas through integration of Landsat-8 OLI, MODIS and PALSAR images
Authors: Wang Jie , Xiao Xiangming , Qin Yuanwei , Dong Jinwei , Zhang Geli , Kou Weili , Jin Cui , Zhou Yuting , Zhang Yao
Published: May 2015

As farmland systems vary over space and time (season and year), accurate and updated maps of paddy rice are needed for studies of food security and environmental problems. We selected a wheat-rice double-cropped area from fragmented landscapes along the rural–urban complex (Jiangsu Province, China) and explored the potential utility of integrating time series optical images (Landsat-8, MODIS) and radar images (PALSAR) in mapping paddy rice planting areas. We first identified several main types of non-cropland land cover and then identified paddy rice fields by selecting pixels that were inundated only during paddy rice flooding periods. These key temporal windows were determined based on MODIS Land Surface Temperature and vegetation indices. The resultant paddy rice map was evaluated using regions of interest (ROIs) drawn from multiple high-resolution images, Google Earth and in-situ cropland photos. The estimated overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient were 89.8% and 0.79, respectively. In comparison with the National Land Cover Data (China) from 2010, the resultant map better detected changes in the paddy rice fields and revealed more details about their distribution. These results demonstrate the efficacy of using images from multiple sources to generate paddy rice maps for two-crop rotation systems.
Abnormal error processing in depressive states: a translational examination in humans and rats
Authors: Beard C , Donahue R J , Dillon D G , Van't Veer A , Webber C , Lee J , Barrick E , Hsu K J , Foti D , Carroll F I , Carlezon Jr W A , Björgvinsson T , Pizzagalli D A
Published: May 2015

Depression has been associated with poor performance following errors, but the clinical implications, response to treatment and neurobiological mechanisms of this post-error behavioral adjustment abnormality remain unclear. To fill this gap in knowledge, we tested depressed patients in a partial hospital setting before and after treatment (cognitive behavior therapy combined with medication) using a flanker task. To evaluate the translational relevance of this metric in rodents, we performed a secondary analysis on existing data from rats tested in the 5-choice serial reaction time task after treatment with corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a stress peptide that produces depressive-like signs in rodent models relevant to depression. In addition, to examine the effect of treatment on post-error behavior in rodents, we examined a second cohort of rodents treated with JDTic, a kappa-opioid receptor antagonist that produces antidepressant-like effects in laboratory animals. In depressed patients, baseline post-error accuracy was lower than post-correct accuracy, and, as expected, post-error accuracy improved with treatment. Moreover, baseline post-error accuracy predicted attentional control and rumination (but not depressive symptoms) after treatment. In rats, CRF significantly degraded post-error accuracy, but not post-correct accuracy, and this effect was attenuated by JDTic. Our findings demonstrate deficits in post-error accuracy in depressed patients, as well as a rodent model relevant to depression. These deficits respond to intervention in both species. Although post-error behavior predicted treatment-related changes in attentional control and rumination, a relationship to depressive symptoms remains to be demonstrated.
A molecular model for neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Gigek C O , Chen E S , Ota V K , Maussion G , Peng H , Vaillancourt K , Diallo A B , Lopez J P , Crapper L , Vasuta C , Chen G G , Ernst C
Published: May 2015

Genes implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) important in cognition and behavior may have convergent function and several cellular pathways have been implicated, including protein translational control, chromatin modification, and synapse assembly and maintenance. Here, we test the convergent effects of methyl-CpG binding domain 5 (MBD5) and special AT-rich binding protein 2 (SATB2) reduced dosage in human neural stem cells (NSCs), two genes implicated in 2q23.1 and 2q33.1 deletion syndromes, respectively, to develop a generalized model for NDDs. We used short hairpin RNA stably incorporated into healthy neural stem cells to supress MBD5 and SATB2 expression, and massively parallel RNA sequencing, DNA methylation sequencing and microRNA arrays to test the hypothesis that a primary etiology of NDDs is the disruption of the balance of NSC proliferation and differentiation. We show that reduced dosage of either gene leads to significant overlap of gene-expression patterns, microRNA patterns and DNA methylation states with control NSCs in a differentiating state, suggesting that a unifying feature of 2q23.1 and 2q33.1 deletion syndrome may be a lack of regulation between proliferation and differentiation in NSCs, as we observed previously for TCF4 and EHMT1 suppression following a similar experimental paradigm. We propose a model of NDDs whereby the balance of NSC proliferation and differentiation is affected, but where the molecules that drive this effect are largely specific to disease-causing genetic variation. NDDs are diverse, complex and unique, but the optimal balance of factors that determine when and where neural stem cells differentiate may be a major feature underlying the diverse phenotypic spectrum of NDDs.
Electrochemistry, biosensors and microfluidics: a convergence of fields
Authors: Rackus Darius G. , Shamsi Mohtashim H. , Wheeler Aaron R.
Published: May 2015

This review catalogues the convergence of electrochemistry, biosensors, and microfluidics, with an emphasis on the emergence of new application areas. Image credit: Lisa Ngo.
Synthesis, structural investigations and corrosion inhibition studies on Mn(ii), Co(ii), Ni(ii), Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) complexes with 2-amino-benzoic acid (phenyl-pyridin-2-yl-methylene)-hydrazide
Authors: Singh Pooja , Singh Divya Pratap , Tiwari Karishma , Mishra Monika , Singh Ashish K. , Singh Vinod P.
Published: May 2015

Metal complexes of 2-amino-benzoic acid (phenyl-pyridin-2-yl-methylene)-hydrazide are synthesized and the structures are determined by X-ray crystallography. These compounds show appreciable corrosion inhibition efficiency for mild steel in 1 M HCl.
Chemical reactivity and solution structure: on the way to a paradigm shift?
Authors: Kononov L. O.
Published: May 2015

Reagent molecules inside solution domains {R1} and {R2} cannot contact hence react. For this reason solution structure may influence chemical reactivity.
In situ picosecond transient diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of opaque TiO2 systems under microwave irradiation and influence of oxygen vacancies on the UV-driven/microwave-assisted TiO2 photocatalysis
Authors: Horikoshi Satoshi , Tsutsumi Hideya , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki , Furube Akihiro , Emeline Alexei V. , Serpone Nick
Published: May 2015

Effect of microwave radiation on pristine TiO2 and oxygen-vacancy rich titania, Vo-TiO2.
Molecular engineering of a dual emission near-infrared ratiometric fluorophore for the detection of pH at the organism level
Authors: Wang Bo-Lin , Jiang Chuang , Li Kun , Liu Yan-Hong , Xie Yongmei , Yu Xiao-Qi
Published: May 2015

Molecular engineering of a dual emission near-infrared ratiometric fluorophore for the detection of pH at the organism level was presented with high sensitivity.
Visible light-induced singlet oxygen-mediated intracellular disassembly of polymeric micelles co-loaded with a photosensitizer and an anticancer drug for enhanced photodynamic therapy
Authors: Saravanakumar Gurusamy , Lee Junseok , Kim Jihoon , Kim Won Jong
Published: May 2015

This communication demonstrates the enhanced photodynamic therapy by means of singlet oxygen sensitive micelle, photosensitizer and anticancer drug.
Sprayed P25 scaffolds for high-efficiency mesoscopic perovskite solar cells
Authors: Huang Haibo , Shi Jiangjian , Lv Songtao , Li Dongmei , Luo Yanhong , Meng Qingbo
Published: May 2015

Uniform, thickness-controllable and large-size mesoscopic TiO2 films have been prepared by a spray method by using commercial P25 nanoparticles, yielding high efficiency for perovskite solar cells.
Metal-free C(3)–H arylation of coumarins promoted by catalytic amounts of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-diethylaminophenyl)porphyrin
Authors: Kojima Masahiro , Oisaki Kounosuke , Kanai Motomu
Published: May 2015

Metal-free, Meerwein-type C(3)–H arylation of coumarins was achieved in the presence of catalytic amounts of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-diethylaminophenyl)porphyrin.
Regioselectivity switch in chiral amine-catalysed asymmetric addition of aldehydes to reactive enals
Authors: Kano Taichi , Maruyama Hiroki , Sakamoto Ryu , Maruoka Keiji
Published: May 2015

A regioselectivity switch was realized in the chiral amine-catalysed asymmetric addition of aldehydes to reactive enals, and either aldol adducts or conjugate adducts were obtained in a stereoselective fashion.
Aminomaleimide fluorophores: a simple functional group with bright, solvent dependent emission
Authors: Mabire Anne B. , Robin Mathew P. , Quan Wen-Dong , Willcock Helen , Stavros Vasilios G. , O'Reilly Rachel K.
Published: May 2015

Amino-substituted maleimides form a new class of highly emissive compounds, with large Stokes shifts (>100 nm) and high quantum yields (up to ∼60%).
A π-electronic covalent organic framework catalyst: π-walls as catalytic beds for Diels–Alder reactions under ambient conditions
Authors: Wu Yang , Xu Hong , Chen Xiong , Gao Jia , Jiang Donglin
Published: May 2015

Covalent organic frameworks were developed as heterogeneous catalysts to explore their π-walls as catalytic beds that enabled Diels–Alder reactions under ambient conditions.
A detachable ester bond enables perfect Z-alkylations of olefins for the synthesis of tri- and tetrasubstituted alkenes
Authors: Nishikata Takashi , Nakamura Kimiaki , Inoue Yuki , Ishikawa Shingo
Published: May 2015

We developed a tandem esterification–intramolecular alkylation reaction catalyzed by a copper catalyst, leading to the formation of a lactone, followed by hydrolysis of the resulting lactone to give Z-alkylated alkenes in good yields with perfect selectivities.
Synthesis and luminescence properties of a H2annealed Mn-doped Y3Al5O12:Ce3+single crystal for WLEDs
Authors: Gu Guorui , Xiang Weidong , Yang Cheng , Liang Xiaojuan
Published: May 2015

Compared to the blue LED chip and the as-grown sample, upon increasing the annealing temperature, the emission intensity in the yellow-orange region is enhanced and reaches the highest at 1550 °C.
Structure and dynamics of metallic and carburized catalytic Ni nanoparticles: effects on growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Gomez-Ballesteros Jose L. , Balbuena Perla B.
Published: May 2015

Carburized Ni nanoparticle/carbon caps show electron accumulation (green) at the metal/rim interface and depletion (blue) on the rim C–C bonds.
Eu2+luminescence in strontium aluminates
Authors: Dutczak D. , Jüstel T. , Ronda C. , Meijerink A.
Published: May 2015

The luminescence properties of Eu2+doped strontium aluminates are reported and reviewed for a variety of aluminates,viz.SrAl12O19, SrAl4O7, Sr4Al14O25, SrAl2O4and Sr3Al2O6.
Why water makes 2-aminopurine fluorescent?
Authors: Barbatti Mario , Lischka Hans
Published: May 2015

Depending on where it binds, a water molecule may change the excited-state lifetime of 2-aminopurine by a factor of 100. We explain why?
Peculiar morphological transitions induced by nanoparticles in polymeric blends: retarded relaxation or altered interfacial tension?
Authors: Pawar Shital Patangrao , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: May 2015

Nanoparticles of different shapes can induce peculiar morphologies in binary polymer blends depending on their position.
Cation-assisted interactions between N-heterocycles and CO2
Authors: Tang Huarong , Lu Dongmei , Wu Chao
Published: May 2015

Interactions between CO2 and N-heterocycles are greatly enhanced by divalent cations.
Role of hydration in phosphatidylcholine reverse micelle structure and gelation in cyclohexane: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Vierros S. , Sammalkorpi M.
Published: May 2015

Molecular simulations reveal lipid headgroup hydration is at key role in organogel transition in lecithin–water–cyclohexane systems.
Plasmon-enhanced homogeneous and heterogeneous triplet–triplet annihilation by gold nanoparticles
Authors: Cao Xian , Hu Bo , Ding Rui , Zhang Peng
Published: May 2015

We report the investigation of surface plasmon induced enhancement of homogeneous and heterogeneous triplet–triplet annihilation by gold nanoparticles.
Efficient dye regeneration at low driving force achieved in triphenylamine dye LEG4 and TEMPO redox mediator based dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Yang Wenxing , Vlachopoulos Nick , Hao Yan , Hagfeldt Anders , Boschloo Gerrit
Published: May 2015

Minimizing the driving force required for the regeneration of oxidized dyes using redox mediators in an electrolyte is essential to further improve the open-circuit voltage and efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).
Twice as smart behavior of tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene derivative in glassy and crystalline form
Authors: Gataullina K. V. , Ziganshin M. A. , Stoikov I. I. , Gubaidullin A. T. , Gorbatchuk V. V.
Published: May 2015

The studied calixarene has a unique ability to record the history of its previous treatment in three essentially different ways. Two corresponding metastable states may be used for molecular recognition.
Artificial switchable catalysts
Authors: Blanco Victor , Leigh David A. , Marcos Vanesa
Published: May 2015

This review describes progress in the field of artificial switchable catalysts, where the rate acceleration, stereochemistry and/or chemoselectivity of catalysed processes can be switched through external stimuli.
Hyperbranched polyethylene-supported l-proline: a highly selective and recyclable organocatalyst for asymmetric aldol reactions
Authors: Wang Song , Liu Pingwei , Wang Wen-Jun , Zhang Zhiguo , Li Bo-Geng
Published: May 2015

A recyclable l-proline-based organocatalyst system with unique hyperbranched polyethylene as a scaffold is prepared for highly stereoselective asymmetric aldol reactions.
A crucial role for the CeO2–ZrO2 support for the low temperature water gas shift reaction over Cu–CeO2–ZrO2 catalysts
Authors: Jeong Dae-Woon , Na Hyun-Suk , Shim Jae-Oh , Jang Won-Jun , Roh Hyun-Seog
Published: May 2015

The catalytic activity of Cu based catalysts is correlated to its amount of defect oxygen which strongly depends on the ratio of CeO2–ZrO2.
Synthesis and structural characterization of BINOL-modified chiral polyoxometalates
Authors: Ishimoto Ryo , Kamata Keigo , Suzuki Kosuke , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Mizuno Noritaka
Published: May 2015

Chiral ligand-modified polyoxometalates (POMs) R-I and S-I were successfully synthesized by the introduction of BINOL into the dititanium-substituted POM.
Correction: Influence of N-heteroaromatic π–π stacking on supramolecular assembly and coordination geometry; effect of a single-atom change in the ligand
Authors: Khavasi Hamid Reza , Sadegh Bahareh Mir Mohammad
Published: May 2015

Correction for ‘Influence of N-heteroaromatic π–π stacking on supramolecular assembly and coordination geometry; effect of a single-atom change in the ligand’ by Hamid Reza Khavasi et al., Dalton Trans., 2015, 44, 5488–5502.
Correction: Three bonding modes of bis(2-picolyl)phenylphosphine at iron: isolation of a dinuclear iron complex featuring dearomatized pyridine moieties
Authors: Jin G. , Vendier L. , Coppel Y. , Sabo-Etienne S. , Bontemps S.
Published: May 2015

Correction for ‘Three bonding modes of bis(2-picolyl)phenylphosphine at iron: isolation of a dinuclear iron complex featuring dearomatized pyridine moieties’ by G. Jin et al., Dalton Trans., 2015, 44, 7500–7505.
Advances in anti-scale magnetic water treatment
Authors: Alabi Adetunji , Chiesa Matteo , Garlisi Corrado , Palmisano Giovanni
Published: May 2015

Water magnetic treatment provides a clean solution to handle scaling concerns. This article reports on the mechanisms and effects associated with magnetic treatment.
Enzyme-catalyzed selective oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and separation of HMF and 2,5-diformylfuran using deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Qin Ye-Zhi , Li Yan-Mei , Zong Min-Hua , Wu Hong , Li Ning
Published: May 2015

An enzyme toolbox was developed for the synthesis of valuable C-6 compoundsviaselective oxidation of HMF. A proof-of-concept based on DES was provided for separation of HMF and DFF.
Synthesis of 2-nitro-3-(pyrrol-1-yl)-5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrins via a Clauson-Kaas reaction and the study of their electronic properties
Authors: Tiwari Raju , Nath Mahendra
Published: May 2015

Versatile synthesis of new porphyrin building blocks, 2-nitro-3-(pyrrol-1-yl)-5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrins is described. These porphyrins demonstrate red shifted absorption bands and S2 emission.
Gap and channeled plasmons in tapered grooves: a review
Authors: Smith C. L. C. , Stenger N. , Kristensen A. , Mortensen N. A. , Bozhevolnyi S. I.
Published: May 2015

We provide a review of plasmons in tapered grooves, covering the fundamental physics, applications, synthesis, and operation methods.
Highly enantioselective asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of α-phthalimide ketones
Authors: Xu Zhou , Li Yong , Liu Jing , Wu Nan , Li Ke , Zhu Songlei , Zhang Rongli , Liu Yi
Published: May 2015

Optically active amino alcohols are obtained in good yield and excellent eeviaan efficient asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of α-phthalimide ketones.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of 3-aminobenzo[b]thiophene scaffolds for the preparation of kinase inhibitors
Authors: Bagley Mark C. , Dwyer Jessica E. , Molina Maria D. Beltran , Rand Alexander W. , Rand Hayley L. , Tomkinson Nicholas C. O.
Published: May 2015

Microwave-assisted synthesis of 3-aminobenzo[b]thiophenes has been applied to 3 kinase inhibitor scaffolds.
Nickel-catalyzed decarboxylative arylation of azoles with perfluoro- and nitrobenzoates
Authors: Crawford Jennifer M. , Shelton Kyle E. , Reeves Emily K. , Sadarananda Bryce K. , Kalyani Dipannita
Published: May 2015

This manuscript details a nickel-catalyzed method for the arylation of azole C–H bonds using perfluoro- and 2-nitro benzoates.
Effect of molecular chain length on the properties of amine-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets/epoxy resins nanocomposites
Authors: Liu Fengdan , Wu Ling , Song Yanjie , Xia Wenguang , Guo Kunkun
Published: May 2015

Amine-functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets were prepared by linear poly(oxyalkylene)amines with two different molecular weights, 400 and 2000 (D400 and D2000), attached onto the surface of graphene oxides.
Cs promoted Fe5C2/charcoal nanocatalysts for sustainable liquid fuel production
Authors: Chan Park Ji , Chun Dong Hyun , Yang Jung-Il , Lee Ho-Tae , Hong Sungjun , Rhim Geun Bae , Jang Sanha , Jung Heon
Published: May 2015

Cs promoted Fe5C2/charcoal nanocatalysts especially at Cs/Fe = 0.025, prepared by a melt-infiltration and a wetness impregnation process, demonstrated an excellent catalytic performance for the high-temperature Fischer–Tropsch reaction.
Monitoring of 2-butanone using a Ag–Cu bimetallic alloy nanoscale electrochemical sensor
Authors: Rahman Latif-ur , Shah Afzal , Lunsford Suzanne Kay , Han Changseok , Nadagouda Mallikarjuna N. , Sahle-Demessie Endalkachew , Qureshi Rumana , Khan Muhammad Saleem , Kraatz Heinz-Bernhard , Dionysiou Dionysios. D.
Published: May 2015

Cu–Ag alloy nanoparticles were synthesized by a novel method and coated over a glassy carbon electrode for the detection of a carcinogen, 2-butanone.
Preparation and properties of carbon nanotube/carbon fiber hybrid reinforcement by a two-step aryl diazonium reaction
Authors: Wang Yuwei , Meng Linghui , Fan Liquan , Wu Guangshun , Ma Lichun , Huang Yudong
Published: May 2015

A two-step aryl diazonium reaction provides a simple and efficient method for fabricating the CNT/CF hybrids in aqueous solution without damaging the substrates.
Co- and Ca-phosphate-based catalysts for the depolymerization of organosolv eucalyptus lignin
Authors: Klamrassamee Thepparat , Laosiripojana Navadol , Faungnawakij Kajornsak , Moghaddam Lalehvash , Zhang Zhanying , Doherty William O. S.
Published: May 2015

Depolymerization of purified organosolv eucalyptus wood lignin by heterogeneous catalyst – calcium phosphate (β-CaP2O6) in methanol–water solvent at 300 °C resulted in a total syringol yield of 16.7%.
Chemical synthesis and characterization of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline/viscose fiber
Authors: Wang Ning , Li Guodong , Zhang Xingxiang , Qi Xiaoling
Published: May 2015

Polyaniline was polymerized on the surface of a viscose fiber to make a conductive fiber.
Passivation of native defects of ZnO by doping Mg detected through various spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Singh V. P. , Rath Chandana
Published: May 2015

Native defects responsible for the n-type behavior of ZnO are found to be reduced by Mg doping.
Properties and applications of flavonoid metal complexes
Authors: Kasprzak Maria M. , Erxleben Andrea , Ochocki Justyn
Published: May 2015

Flavonoid metal complexes have a wide spectrum of activities as well as potential and actual applications.
A novel and sensitive turn-on fluorescent biosensor for the determination of thioctic acid based on Cu2+-modulated N-acetyl-l-cysteine capped CdTe quantum dots
Authors: Tan Xuanping , Li Qin , Zhang Xiaoning , Shen Yizhong , Yang Jidong
Published: May 2015

A new fluorescence sensor for the determination of thioctic acid (TA) in aqueous media based on the recovered fluorescence of N-acetyl-l-cysteine capped CdTe quantum dots [NALC-CdTe QDs]–Cu2+ system was proposed.
Highly porous carbon microflakes derived from catkins for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Ma Fangwei , Wan Jiafeng , Wu Guang , Zhao Hui
Published: May 2015

Highly porous carbon microflakes (CMFs) with oxygen and nitrogen dual-doping were prepared from willow catkins by pyrolysis at 500 °C in nitrogen, followed by KOH activation and were used as a high-performance supercapacitor electrode material.
Hydroxyl radical-induced etching of glutathione-capped gold nanoparticles to oligomeric AuI–thiolate complexes
Authors: Chen Tzu-Heng , Nieh Chih-Chun , Shih Ya-Chen , Ke Chen-Yi , Tseng Wei-Lung
Published: May 2015

Fenton reagent reacted with glutathione-capped gold nanoparticles to form oligomeric Au(i)–thiolate complexes.
Structural and electrochemical evaluation of a TiO2–graphene oxide based sandwich structure for lithium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Ye Yixing , Wang Panpan , Sun Hongmei , Tian Zhenfei , Liu Jun , Liang Changhao
Published: May 2015

We represent a rational sandwich composite structure consisting of polyaniline, amorphous TiO2, and a graphene oxide network as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries with a high rate capability and long cycle life.
High performance NiO microsphere anode assembled from porous nanosheets for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Chu Lihua , Li Meicheng , Li Xiaodan , Wang Yu , Wan Zipei , Dou Shangyi , Song Dandan , Li Yingfeng , Jiang Bing
Published: May 2015

3D NiO microspheres assembled from porous nanosheets were fabricated, showing an excellent electrochemical performance in a lithium ion battery (reversible discharge capacity: up to 820 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g−1; rate capacity: 634 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1).
A region-selective modified capillary microfluidic device for fabricating water–oil Janus droplets and hydrophilic–hydrophobic anisotropic microparticles
Authors: Xu Ke , Ge Xue-Hui , Huang Jin-Pei , Dang Zhu-Xi , Xu Jian-Hong , Luo Guang-Sheng
Published: May 2015

Here we used a region-selective modification process to form a novel microfluidic device to produce W–O Janus droplets with a broadened operating range.
Novel hybrid chitosan blended MoO3–TiO2 nanocomposite film: evaluation of its solar light photocatalytic and antibacterial activities
Authors: Magesan P. , Sanuja S. , Umapathy M. J.
Published: May 2015

Enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of chitosan-blended MoO3–TiO2 nanocomposite film compared to TiO2, MoO3–TiO2 nanocomposites and chitosan film.
N-doped mesoporous carbon nanosheets obtained by pyrolysis of a chitosan–melamine mixture for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Rybarczyk Maria K. , Lieder Marek , Jablonska Milena
Published: May 2015

Simple thermal decomposition of low-cost precursors in an inert atmosphere leads to mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets with electrocatalytic activity towards ORR.
One-step, ultrasonication-mobilized, solvent-free extraction/synthesis of nanocurcumin from turmeric
Authors: Gopal Judy , Muthu Manikandan , Chun Se-Chul
Published: May 2015

One step ultrasonication for direct recovery of water soluble nanocurcumin from turmeric.
Unconventional co-existence of plasmon and thermoelectric activity in In:ZnO nanowires
Authors: Catellani Alessandra , Ruini Alice , Nardelli Marco Buongiorno , Calzolari Arrigo
Published: May 2015

In:ZnO nanowires present the unique property of being simultaneously plasmonic and thermoelectric materials that can be used to realize coupled plasmonic/thermoelectric power generators.
Relevance of the acidic 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulphate ionic liquid in the selective catalysis of the biomass hemicellulose fraction
Authors: Carvalho Ana V. , da Costa Lopes André M. , Bogel-Łukasik Rafał
Published: May 2015

The process represents a sustainable and selective approach of biomass hemicellulose fraction transformation into pivot chemicals, such as xylose and furfural, solely mediated by the acidic [bmim][HSO4] ionic liquid.
Peroxo-niobium oxyhydroxide sensitized TiO2 crystals
Authors: Oliveira L. C. A. , Silva A. C. , Pereira M. C.
Published: May 2015

Peroxo-niobium oxyhydroxide sensitized TiO2 was fabricated by treating niobium oxyhydroxide/TiO2 composites with H2O2. The composite exhibits excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light.
Absolute structure determination of compounds with axial and planar chirality using the crystalline sponge method
Authors: Yoshioka Shota , Inokuma Yasuhide , Hoshino Manabu , Sato Takashi , Fujita Makoto
Published: May 2015

The absolute structure determination of compounds with axial and planar chirality obtained by recently developed asymmetric syntheses was achieved using the crystalline sponge method without using any reference compounds or synthetic modifications.
Free energy pathways of a multistable liquid crystal device
Authors: Kusumaatmaja Halim , Majumdar Apala
Published: May 2015

Understanding the free energy landscape of a multistable liquid crystal device in terms of its minimum free energy configurations, transition states, free energy barriers and minimum energy pathways.
Oxygen storage capacity and thermal stability of the CuMnO2–CeO2 composite system
Authors: Huang Xiubing , Ni Chengsheng , Zhao Guixia , Irvine John T. S.
Published: May 2015

Fast oxygen diffusion and improved oxygen storage capacity of crednerite CuMnO2 have been achieved at reduced temperatures by surface modification with CeO2.
Fundamental physics behind high-efficiency organo-metal halide perovskite solar cells
Authors: Hsiao Yu-Che , Wu Ting , Li Mingxing , Liu Qing , Qin Wei , Hu Bin
Published: May 2015

Polarization and spin-dependent excited states and charge transport.
Layered transition metal oxyhydroxides as tri-functional electrocatalysts
Authors: Lim Chee Shan , Chua Chun Kiang , Sofer Zdeněk , Klímová Kateřina , Boothroyd Christopher , Pumera Martin
Published: May 2015

Layered first-row transition metal (cobalt, chromium, iron, manganese and nickel) oxyhydroxides were investigated for electrocatalytic behaviors in HER, OER, and ORR.
Correction: High photocurrent in oligo-thienylenevinylene-based small molecule solar cells with 4.9% solar-to-electrical energy conversion
Authors: Montcada Núria F. , Domínguez Rocío , Pelado Beatriz , Cruz Pilar de la , Palomares Emilio , Viterisi Aurelien , Langa Fernando
Published: May 2015

Correction for ‘High photocurrent in oligo-thienylenevinylene-based small molecule solar cells with 4.9% solar-to-electrical energy conversion’ by Núria F. Montcada et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c5ta01632k.
Novel multifunctional PB and PBH hydrogels as soft filler for tissue engineering
Authors: Li Xian , Xue Wenjiao , Liu Yannan , Fan Daidi , Zhu Chenhui , Ma Xiaoxuan
Published: May 2015

Multifunctionalized PB and PBH hydrogels scaffolds and injectable particles with good biocompatibility and anti-biodegradation are based on pullulan and human-like collagen for skin restoration, cartilage treatment, and lacrimal drynesstherapy.
Enhanced performance in isoindigo based organic small molecule field-effect transistors through solvent additives
Authors: Park Yu Jung , Seo Jung Hwa , Elsawy Walaa , Walker Bright , Cho Shinuk , Lee Jae-Suk
Published: May 2015

We have investigated the field-effect transistor characteristics of a series of isoindigo based donor–acceptor–donor small molecules via solvent additives.
Diagnostic model of saliva peptide finger print analysis of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients using weak cation exchange magnetic beads
Authors: Jiang Wei-Peng , Wang Zhen , Xu Li-Xin , Peng Xin , Chen Feng
Published: May 2015

Saliva diagnostics utilizing nanotechnology and molecular technologies to detect oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has become an attractive field of study. However, no specific methods have been established. To refine the diagnostic power of saliva peptide fingerprints for the early detection of OSCC, we screened the expression spectrum of salivary peptides in 40 T1 stage OSCC patients (and healthy controls) using MALDI-TOF-MS combined with magnetic beads. Fifty proteins showed significantly different expression levels in the OSCC samples (P<0.05). Potential biomarkers were also predicted. The novel diagnostic proteomic model with m/z peaks of 1285.6 Da and 1432.2 Da are of certain value for early diagnosis of OSCC.
Asymptotic bounded consensus tracking of double‐integrator multi‐agent systems with a bounded‐jerk target via sampled‐data control
Authors: Wu Zhihai , Peng Li , Xie Linbo , Wen Jiwei
Published: May 2015

This study investigates the asymptotic bounded consensus tracking problems of double‐integrator multi‐agent systems (MASs) with an asymptotically‐unbounded‐acceleration and bounded‐jerk target via sampled‐data control. An improved sampled‐data consensus tracking protocol is proposed to guarantee that double‐integrator MASs track an asymptotically‐unbounded‐acceleration and bounded‐jerk target available to only a portion of agents. The augmented matrix method and the eigenvalue analysis method are employed for deriving the necessary and sufficient conditions given in the form of the allowable scope of the sampling period. The existence of the non‐empty allowable scope of the sampling period theoretically shows the effectiveness of the proposed protocol and comparison simulations numerically illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.
Discrete‐time sliding mode control with state bounding for linear systems with time‐varying delay and unmatched disturbances
Authors: That Nguyen Dinh , Ha Quang P.
Published: May 2015

This study is concerned with the problem of quasi‐sliding mode control design for a class of discrete‐time systems with time‐varying delay and unmatched disturbances. On the basis of the Lyapunov–Krasovskii method, combined with the reciprocally convex approach, sufficient conditions for the existence of a stable sliding surface are first derived in terms of matrix inequalities. These conditions also guarantee that the state trajectories of the reduced‐order system are exponentially convergent within a ball whose radius can be minimised to deal with the effects of time‐varying delay and disturbances. A robust quasi‐sliding mode control scheme is then developed to drive the system state trajectories towards that ball in a finite time and maintain them therein after subsequent time. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Credibility forecasting in short‐term load forecasting and its application
Authors: Li Canbing , Li Yijing , Cao Yijia , Ma Jin , Kuang Yonghong , Zhang Zhikun , Li Lijuan , Wei Jing
Published: May 2015

It is very helpful for power system operation to assess and forecast the uncertainty of the load forecasting. The improved credibility assessment index of the short‐term load forecasting results is presented to assess the uncertainty in this study. The forecasting method for credibility of short‐term load forecasting is also proposed by adopting genetic algorithm‐based back propagation neural network. In the case study, it is proved that the improved credibility assessment can evaluate the short‐term load forecasting results and the forecasting methods. Meanwhile, the credibility forecasting can contribute to optimise reserve capacity in power system scheduling.
Mindfulness, inattention and performance in a driving simulator
Authors: Valero‐Mora Pedro , Pareja Ignacio , Pons Diana , Sánchez Mar , Montes Silvana Andrea , Ledesma Rubén Daniel
Published: May 2015

The following study will explore the link between mindfulness, driver inattention and a number of driving performance variables that were tested using the SIMUVEG driving simulator. 67 subjects between the ages of 19 and 27 completed the mindful attention awareness scale, attention‐related driving errors scale and attention‐related cognitive errors scale questionnaires, and were evaluated in two driving performance measures: time to line‐crossing and mean speed. The results did not show a correlation between driving performance and mindfulness measures; they did show low but significant correlations with driver inattention measures. A regression analysis suggested that the specific measure of driver inattention is a predictor of driving performance, but the more general measures are not. These results are relevant to the assessment of psychological variables associated with driving performance.
Application of an advanced eddy‐current loss modelling to magnetic properties of electrical steel laminations in a wide range of measurements
Authors: Hamzehbahmani Hamed , Anderson Philip , Preece Simon
Published: May 2015

This study investigates the influence of a wide range of magnetising frequencies and peak flux densities on the magnetic properties of the electrical steels. In the relevant studies some important factors and operational properties, for example, skin effect, non‐uniform flux density distribution, complex relative permeability and magnetisation characteristic of the material, which are often neglected in the literature, are highlighted. Analytical modelling and experimental works were performed for 3% grain oriented silicon steel. In order to show the impact of peak flux density on the magnetic properties, two peak flux densities 1.3 T as a high permeability point and 1.7 T as a low permeability point were considered. The results highlighted that magnetising frequency and peak flux density are two determinant factors with significant effect on the magnetic properties of electrical steels.
Repeatability and reproducibility in med labs: a procedure to measurement system analysis
Authors: Dalalah Doraid , Diabat Ali
Published: May 2015

Measured data variation is crucial in medical measurements as it may affect the diagnosis and hence the treatment. This study introduces a procedure for measurement assessment in medical laboratories. The authors employ different quality measures such as the signal‐to‐noise, discrimination and precision‐to‐tolerance ratios to evaluate a measurement system of different gages. The different quality criteria will be mapped into one quality diagram that informs about the adequacy of a measurement system. A gage repeatability and reproducibility study in conjunction with analysis of variance analysis are employed. The authors also introduce a health quality characteristic index (HQCI) as a standard indicator of health status according to a given health characteristic. The established procedure, diagrams and HQCI guidelines could remarkably chart the accuracy of measurements and the precision of the used gages on blood pressure data conducted in a clinic. The presented guidelines can be potentially valuable for the assessment measurement with minimal statistical knowledge.
Optimal consensus‐based clock synchronisation algorithm in wireless sensor network by selective averaging
Authors: Panigrahi Niranjan , Khilar Pabitra Mohan
Published: May 2015

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have received much attention in recent years because of its broad area of applications. In the same breadth, it also faces many challenges. Time synchronisation is one of those fundamental and important challenges faced by WSN. Several approaches have been proposed in recent years for time synchronisation. Most of the approaches are based on synchronising to a reference (root) node's time by considering a hierarchical backbone for the network. However, this approach seems to be not purely distributed, higher accumulated synchronisation error for farthest node from the root and subjected to the root node failure problem. In this study, a fully distributed time synchronisation algorithm is proposed which synchronises all nodes’ time to a consensus value, that is, an average of all nodes’ initial clock values. The algorithm exploits a selective pairwise averaging approach with a linear message complexity of O (n), to achieve faster convergence and better synchronisation accuracy than the existing random pairwise average time synchronisation protocol. Simulation results show that almost 50% improvement is achieved in convergence speed, measured in terms of number of iterations, and nearly 30% improvement in total synchronisation error.
Multi‐objective optimisation for selective packet discarding in wireless sensor network
Authors: Yaakob Naimah , Khalil Ibrahim , Atiquzzaman Mohammed
Published: May 2015

Traffic convergence in wireless sensor networks (WSN) during simultaneous data transmission may overwhelm its limited buffer capacity, resulting in congestion, waste of resources and severe performance degradation. The obvious consequences include high packet loss rate, huge amounts of wasted energy and obsolete data that may lead to inaccurate information. Since WSN suffers from scarce resources such as energy, data transmission which is the main cause of energy depletion should be kept to the very minimum. Various studies have used packet discarding as a means to reduce high traffic volumes. However, none of these methods have ever been applied in WSN which possesses different characteristics. This study proposes a new technique for mitigating congestion by selectively discarding some of the least important packets to give sufficient room for more important ones to get through. The proposed discarding policy is integrated with multi‐objective optimisation (MOO) which can optimise several objectives at once. The proposed selective packet discarding policy discards the unimportant packets based on some discarding criteria which will be optimised by the MOO. Performance evaluation using the optimisation tool (LINGGO) and simulation in Network Simulator 2 shows remarkable and promising performance with more than 50% improvement.
“When you see the lipstick kisses …” - military repatriation, public mourning and the politics of respect
Authors: Walklate Sandra , Mythen Gabe , McGarry Ross
Published: May 2015

Between 2007 and 2011, a small town in Wiltshire became indelibly associated with the repatriation of military personnel killed as a result of British involvement in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This article offers some empirical insight into, and analysis of, what this process of bringing the dead back home meant for the people of Wootton Bassett, a town afforded “Royal” status for their role in this particular repatriation process. The data gathered affords a unique opportunity to offer some general reflections on the presence of death and the politics of respect evidenced during this time and the wider implications that these process have for making sense of the ineffable within contemporary society. We suggest that Royal Wootton Bassett has not only changed the way in which we “mark the sacrifice of war”, but also encourages us as social scientists to critically reflect on the extent to which the theories that we have enable us to make sense of contemporary practices of public mourning.
Optical microcavities enhance the exciton coherence length and eliminate vibronic coupling in J-aggregates
Authors: Spano F. C.
Published: May 2015

The properties of polaritons in J-aggregate microcavities are explored using a Hamiltonian which treats exciton-vibrational coupling and exciton-photon coupling on equal footing. When the cavity mode is resonant with the lowest-energy (0-0) transition in the J-aggregate, two polaritons are formed, the lowest-energy polariton (LP) and its higher-energy partner (P1), separated by the Rabi splitting. Strong coupling between the material and cavity modes leads to a decoupling of the exciton and vibrational degrees of freedom and an overall reduction of disorder within the LP. Such effects lead to an expanded material coherence length in the LP which leads to enhanced radiative decay rates. Additional spectral signatures include an amplification of the 0-0 peak coincident with a reduction in the 0-1 peak in the photoluminescence spectrum. It is also shown that the same cavity photon responsible for the LP/P1 splitting causes comparable splittings in the higher vibronic bands due to additional resonances between vibrationally excited states in the electronic ground state manifold and higher energy vibronic excitons.
A large-scale magnetic shield with 106 damping at millihertz frequencies
Authors: Altarev I. , Bales M. , Beck D. H. , Chupp T. , Fierlinger K. , Fierlinger P. , Kuchler F. , Lins T. , Marino M. G. , Niessen B. , Petzoldt G. , Schläpfer U. , Schnabel A. , Singh J. T. , Stoepler R. , Stuiber S. , Sturm M. , Taubenheim B. , Voigt J.
Published: May 2015

We present a magnetically shielded environment with a damping factor larger than 1 × 106 at the mHz frequency regime and an extremely low field and gradient over an extended volume. This extraordinary shielding performance represents an improvement of the state-of-the-art in the difficult regime of damping very low-frequency distortions by more than an order of magnitude. This technology enables a new generation of high-precision measurements in fundamental physics and metrology, including searches for new physics far beyond the reach of accelerator-based experiments. We discuss the technical realization of the shield with its improvements in design.
Molecular simulations of heterogeneous ice nucleation. I. Controlling ice nucleation through surface hydrophilicity
Authors: Cox Stephen J. , Kathmann Shawn M. , Slater Ben , Michaelides Angelos
Published: May 2015

Ice formation is one of the most common and important processes on earth and almost always occurs at the surface of a material. A basic understanding of how the physicochemical properties of a material’s surface affect its ability to form ice has remained elusive. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations to directly probe heterogeneous ice nucleation at a hexagonal surface of a nanoparticle of varying hydrophilicity. Surprisingly, we find that structurally identical surfaces can both inhibit and promote ice formation and analogous to a chemical catalyst, it is found that an optimal interaction between the surface and the water exists for promoting ice nucleation. We use our microscopic understanding of the mechanism to design a modified surface in silico with enhanced ice nucleating ability.
Concentrations of inertial particles in the turbulent wake of an immobile sphere
Authors: Homann Holger , Bec Jérémie
Published: May 2015

Direct numerical simulations are used to study the interaction of a stream of small heavy inertial particles with the laminar and turbulent wakes of an immobile sphere facing an incompressible uniform inflow. Particles that do not collide with the obstacle but move past it are found to form preferential concentrations both in the sphere boundary layer and in its wake. In the laminar case, the upstream diverging flow pattern is responsible for particle clustering on a cylinder that extends far downstream the sphere. The interior of this surface contains no particles and can be seen as a shadow of the large obstacle. Such concentration profiles are also present in the case of turbulent wakes but show a finite extension. The sphere shadow is followed by a region around the axis of symmetry where the concentration is higher than the average. It originates from a resonant centrifugal expulsion of particles from shed vortices. The consequence of this concentration mechanism on monodisperse inter-particle collisions is also briefly discussed. They are enhanced by both the increased concentration and the presence of large velocity differences between particles in the wake.
Atomic-scale thermocapillary flow in focused ion beam milling
Authors: Das K. , Johnson H. T. , Freund J. B.
Published: May 2015

Focused ion beams provide a means of nanometer-scale manufacturing and material processing, which is used for applications such as forming nanometer-scale pores in thin films for DNA sequencing. We investigate such a configuration with Ga+ bombardment of a Si thin-film target using molecular dynamics simulation. For a range of ion intensities in a realistic configuration, a recirculating melt region develops, which is seen to flow with a symmetrical pattern, counter to how it would flow were it driven by the ion momentum flux. Such flow is potentially important for the shape and composition of the formed structures. Relevant stress scales and estimated physical properties of silicon under these extreme conditions support the importance thermocapillary effects. A flow model with Marangoni forcing, based upon the temperature gradient and geometry from the atomistic simulation, indeed reproduces the flow and thus could be used to anticipate such flows and their influence in applications.
Anatomy and propagation dynamics of continuous-flux release bottom gravity currents through emergent aquatic vegetation
Authors: Testik F. Y. , Yilmaz N. A.
Published: May 2015

The anatomy and propagation dynamics of non-Newtonian fluid mud gravity currents through emergent aquatic vegetation were investigated experimentally. The motivation of this study was related to the pipeline disposal of the dredged fluid mud into vegetated wetlands and near-shore areas, during which bottom gravity currents form. Our experimental observations showed that the presence of vegetation affects the propagation dynamics, hence the anatomy, of the gravity currents significantly. Vegetation-induced drag force dominated the resisting forces acting on the gravity current, forcing the current to transition into a drag-dominated propagation phase. During this transition, the gravity current profile evolved into a well-defined triangular/wedge shape. The onset of the fully established drag-dominated propagation phase was marked by the establishment of an equilibrium slope angle for the upper interface of the current with the ambient fluid. This equilibrium/terminal slope angle value remained constant throughout the rest of the drag-dominated propagation phase. Parameterizations for the required propagation distance for the onset of the fully established drag-dominated propagation phase, the array-averaged drag coefficient at the onset of this propagation phase, and the value of the terminal slope angle were proposed. Our experimental observations on the anatomy of gravity currents during the drag-dominated propagation phase were discussed in detail. This study documented significant effects of the vegetation in the propagation dynamics and anatomy of gravity currents, which warrants future detailed studies.