bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and solid state structure of a metalloid tin cluster [Sn10(trip8)]
Authors: Wiederkehr J. , Wölper C. , Schulz S.
Published: August 2016

The Mg(i) compound (LMg)2reacts with (trip2Sn)2with formation of the metalloid Sn10trip8cluster1, which contains Sn atoms in the formal oxidations states 0, +I and +II, while the stronger Mg(i) reductant (L′Mg)2yielded elemental tin. The reaction demonstrates the promising potential of Mg(i) compounds to serve as soluble reductants for cluster synthesis.
The Ebola virus protein VP40 hexamer enhances the clustering of PI(4,5)P2 lipids in the plasma membrane
Authors: GC Jeevan B. , Gerstman Bernard S. , Stahelin Robert V. , Chapagain Prem P.
Published: August 2016

Molecular simulations show that the VP40 hexamer strongly interacts with PI(4,5)P2 that results in an enhanced PI(4,5)P2 clustering.
Water-mediated aggregation of 2-butoxyethanol
Authors: Pattenaude Shannon R. , Rankin Blake M. , Mochizuki Kenji , Ben-Amotz Dor
Published: August 2016

Water plays an important role in mediating hydrophobic interactions, and yet important open questions remain regarding the magnitude, and even the sign, of water-mediated contributions to the potential of mean force between a pair of oily molecules dissolved in water.
Post-perovskite CaIrO3: a conventional Slater type antiferromagnetic insulator
Authors: Singh Vijeta , Pulikkotil J. J.
Published: August 2016

To resolve the controversy of whether or not the origin of an electronic gap in antiferromagnetic post-perovskite (pPv) CaIrO3 is due to Coulomb repulsion or spin–orbit coupling, and/or both, we have performed comprehensive full potential density functional theory based calculations.
A simple approach to a new T8-POSS based MRI contrast agent
Authors: Strauch Helene , Engelmann Jörn , Scheffler Klaus , Mayer Hermann A.
Published: August 2016

A simple synthesis of a new nanoglobular T8-silsesquioxane based contrast agent for the application in MRI is reported.
Metal–ligand cooperative activation of nitriles by a ruthenium complex with a de-aromatized PNN pincer ligand
Authors: Eijsink Linda E. , Perdriau Sébastien C. P. , de Vries Johannes G. , Otten Edwin
Published: August 2016

Metal–ligand cooperative activation of nitriles by a de-aromatized Ru pincer complex leads to equilibrium mixtures (tautomers) as a result of ligand deprotonation by the Brønsted basic Ru-ketimido moiety.
Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of metal–organic polyhedra based on unprecedented {V7} isopolyoxometalate clusters
Authors: Zhang Yu-Teng , Li Shuang-Bao , Wang Xin-Long , Gong Ya-Ru , Shao Kui-Zhan , Su Zhong-Min
Published: August 2016

Two polyoxovanadate-based metal–organic polyhedra based on unprecedented {V7} clusters were synthesized, which adopt isostructural truncated tetrahedral cage geometries.
Polyurethanes with aggregation-enhanced emission characteristics: preparation and properties
Authors: Wang Kun , Yang Jiping , Gong Chen , Lu Hao
Published: August 2016

An amino-terminated poly(propylene glycol)-modified tetraaryl-buta-1,3-diene derivative (TABDAA) was introduced to synthesize polyurethanes with different ratios of soft/hard segments. A mixture of TABDAA and poly(tetrahydrofuran) 1000 as the soft segments was reacted with 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and 1,4-butanediol as the hard segments in molar ratios of 1 : 2 : 1, 2 : 3 : 1, and 3 : 4 : 1 to give the desired polyurethanes named TMPU-211, TMPU-321 and TMPU-431, respectively. The three polyurethanes exhibited different aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE) behaviors because of their different soft/hard segment ratios. The polyurethanes with a higher soft segment content tended to form bigger particles in a DMF/water mixture solution, thus causing a sharper increase in their fluorescence intensity. In addition, the polyurethane films exhibited different fluorescence intensities after different heat treatments. After a quenching treatment of the soft segments in the polyurethane films, the fluorescence intensity dropped greatly. When these quenched polyurethane films were thermally annealed at 60 °C for 24 hours, their fluorescence intensity exceeded the initial intensity of the as-prepared films. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the polyurethane films in the quenched condition did not present the endothermal melting peak of the soft segments, and the melting peaks appeared again after thermal annealing. AFM experiments showed that an ordered arrangement was achieved after the heat treatment of these AEE polyurethane films. These results demonstrated that the polymer structure had a significant effect on the AEE properties of the polyurethane films, and more importantly, it is of great significance in improving the fluorescence emission of the AEE polymers and also for their potential application in fluorescent probes, stimuli-responsive materials, PLED devices and so on.
Techno-economic analysis of a conceptual biofuel production process from bioethylene produced by photosynthetic recombinant cyanobacteria
Authors: Markham Jennifer N. , Tao Ling , Davis Ryan , Voulis Nina , Angenent Largus T. , Ungerer Justin , Yu Jianping
Published: August 2016

The economics of bioethylene produced through the EFE pathway is driven by ethylene productivity.
Multi-criteria screening of chemicals considering thermodynamic and life cycle assessment metrics via data envelopment analysis: application to CO2capture
Authors: Limleamthong P. , Gonzalez-Miquel M. , Papadokonstantakis S. , Papadopoulos A. I. , Seferlis P. , Guillén-Gosálbez G.
Published: August 2016

We propose a decision-support tool to assess the sustainability level of chemical products and processes.
A large-scale synthesis of photoluminescent carbon quantum dots: a self-exothermic reaction driving the formation of the nanocrystalline core at room temperature
Authors: Chen Bin Bin , Liu Ze Xi , Deng Wen Chan , Zhan Lei , Liu Meng Li , Huang Cheng Zhi
Published: August 2016

Core–shell structural carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are prepared through a highly efficient self-exothermic reaction at room temperature, which possess 24.6% absolute quantum yield and can be well applied for analysis applications.
Mass bias stabilization by Mg doping for Si stable isotope analysis by MC-ICP-MS
Authors: Oelze Marcus , Schuessler Jan A. , von Blanckenburg Friedhelm
Published: August 2016

The combined SSB + Mg technique for Si isotope measurements under ‘dry’ plasma conditions provides high tolerances against matrix effects induced by matrix mismatch or contaminant elements.
Combined 1D, 2D and 3D micro-XRF techniques for the analysis of illuminated manuscripts
Authors: Lachmann Tim , van der Snickt Geert , Haschke Michael , Mantouvalou Ioanna
Published: August 2016

The combination of several micro-XRF analysis modes is presented for the 3D investigation of an illuminated parchment manuscript.
Regulation of MAP4K4 gene expression by RNA interference through an engineered theophylline-dependent hepatitis delta virus ribozyme switch
Authors: Cheng Hui , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Hongyan , Sun Na , Liu Min , Chen Hongxia , Pei Renjun
Published: August 2016

We chose the HDV ribozyme with an embedded theophylline aptamer as the sensor domain and the pri-miRNA as the effector domain to engineer a gene-regulatory device, and developed a new approach for inducible RNAi in the control of MAP4K4 gene expression.
An antithrombotic hydrogel with thrombin-responsive fibrinolytic activity: breaking down the clot as it forms
Authors: Du Hui , Li Cong , Luan Yafei , Liu Qi , Yang Weikang , Yu Qian , Li Dan , Brash John L. , Chen Hong
Published: August 2016

A novel concept of a thrombolytic material whose activity is triggered by the generation of a clot/thrombus is developed.
Synthesis of quinolines and naphthyridines via catalytic retro-aldol reaction of β-hydroxyketones with ortho-aminobenzaldehydes or nicotinaldehydes
Authors: Zhang Song-Lin , Deng Zhu-Qin
Published: August 2016

Efficient, chemo- and regioselective preparation of quinolines and naphthyridines is achieved by copper-catalyzed retro-aldol reaction of β-hydroxyketones withortho-amino aryl aldehydes under mild and weakly basic conditions.
Ethionamide biomimetic activation and an unprecedented mechanism for its conversion into active and non-active metabolites
Authors: Laborde Julie , Deraeve Céline , Duhayon Carine , Pratviel Geneviève , Bernardes-Génisson Vania
Published: August 2016

We propose that sulfinic acid is neither a precursor of the iminoyl radical nor an intermediate of the ethionamide active metabolite.
Substitution dependent stereoselective construction of bicyclic lactones and its application to the total synthesis of pyranopyran, tetraketide and polyrhacitide A
Authors: Subba Reddy B. V. , Biradar Dhanraj O. , Vikram Reddy Y. , Yadav J. S. , Singarapu Kiran Kumar , Sridhar B.
Published: August 2016

A novel strategy has been developed for the synthesis of bicyclic lactones and has been successfully applied to the total synthesis of pyranopyran, tetraketide, and polyrhacitide A.
Deoxyfluoro-d-trehalose (FDTre) analogues as potential PET probes for imaging mycobacterial infection
Authors: Rundell Sarah R. , Wagar Zachary L. , Meints Lisa M. , Olson Claire D. , O'Neill Mara K. , Piligian Brent F. , Poston Anne W. , Hood Robin J. , Woodruff Peter J. , Swarts Benjamin M.
Published: August 2016

FDTre analogues were synthesized and purified in 60 min, confirmed to mimic the solution conformation of native trehalose, and successfully metabolized by the mycobacterial trehalose-recycling transporter.
DBN hexafluorophosphate salts as convenient sulfonylating and phosphonylating agents
Authors: Jones Caroline S. , Bull Steven D. , Williams Jonathan M. J.
Published: August 2016

Air-stable N-sulfonyl and N-phosphonyl DBN hexafluorophosphate salts have been synthesised under mild conditions as sulfonylating and phosphonylating agents.
Catalytic role of iron-superoxide dismutase in hydrogen abstraction by super oxide radical anion from ascorbic acid
Authors: Tiwari Manish K. , Mishra Phool C.
Published: August 2016

The catalytic role of iron-superoxide dismutase (Fe-SOD) in the working of ascorbic acid (AA) as a superoxide radical anion scavenger has been studied by employing a model developed recently for the active site of the enzyme.
Facile fabrication of silk protein sericin-mediated hierarchical hydroxyapatite-based bio-hybrid architectures: excellent adsorption of toxic heavy metals and hazardous dye from wastewater
Authors: Koley Pradyot , Sakurai Makoto , Takei Toshiaki , Aono Masakazu
Published: August 2016

Facilely fabricated silk protein sericin-mediated hierarchical hydroxyapatite hybrid architectures show excellent adsorption of toxic heavy metal ions of Pb(ii), Cd(ii) and Hg(ii) and a hazardous dye, Congo red (CR), from wastewater.
Analysis and simulations on the structure of sulfanilic acid zwitterion intercalated hydrotalcite and montmorillonite
Authors: He Shu-Heng , Pu Min , Zhang Xiao-Fei , Wang Chen-Xi , Wang Hai-Xia
Published: August 2016

A new type of layered complex was synthesized by combined the single layer of LDHs and MMT with the ABS zwitterions as intercalated agent. Two kinds of conformations were proposed by comparing the experimental data and simulation patterns.
Spiral frameworks constructed by 1,2-phenylene-dioxydiacetic acid as highly sensitive and selective luminescent probes to detect PO43− ions in aqueous solutions
Authors: Gao Enjun , Sun Na , Zhan Yang , Qiu Xue , Ding Yuqing , Zhang Shaozhong , Zhu Mingchang
Published: August 2016

Three novel clubbed photo-luminescent lanthanide 1D coordination polymers, [Ln(L)(NO3)(H2O)2]n (where Ln is La, Ce, and Pr, respectively, and H2L = 1,2-phenylenedioxydiacetic acid), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions.
Mechanical properties, in vitro degradation behavior, hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity evaluation of Zn–1.2Mg alloy for biodegradable implants
Authors: Shen Chao , Liu Xiwei , Fan Bo , Lan Pingheng , Zhou Feiyu , Li Xiaokang , Wang Hailiang , Xiao Xin , Li Li , Zhao Shen , Guo Zheng , Pu Zhongjie , Zheng Yufeng
Published: August 2016

The microstructure, mechanical properties, in vitro degradation behavior, in vitro hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity were tested to investigate Zn–1.2Mg alloy as a new biodegradable material.
A dual functional probe: sensitive fluorescence response to H2S and colorimetric detection for SO32−
Authors: Chen Sheng , Ma Chao , Yuan Mao-Sen , Wang Wenji , Wang Dong-En , Chen Shu-Wei , Wang Jinyi
Published: August 2016

In this study, we developed a new dual functional probe,NIR-DNP, for discriminative detection of H2S and SO32−.
Facile and controllable synthesis of triplex Au@Ag–Pt@infinite coordination polymer core–shell nanoparticles for highly efficient immobilization of enzymes and enhanced electrochemical biosensing activity
Authors: Wang Lihua , Zeng Yi , Shen Aiguo , Fu Yingchun , Zeng Lingwen , Hu Jiming
Published: August 2016

Well-dispersed Au@Ag–Pt@infinite coordination polymer core–shell nanoparticles (Au@Ag–Pt@ICPs NPs) are presented as effective host matrixes for biosensing of enzymes.
Enhanced fire-retardancy of poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) electrical cable coatings containing microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate as intumescent flame retardant
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Bibo , Sheng Haibo , Yuan Bihe , Yu Bin , Tang Gang , Jie Ganxin , Feng Hao , Tao Youji , Hu Yuan
Published: August 2016

There is a need to improve and maintain the protection function of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) cable materials from ageing degradation to avoid fire hazards and extend their service lives.
Antimicrobial activities of phosphonium containing polynorbornenes
Authors: Süer N. Ceren , Demir Ceren , Ünübol Nihan A. , Yalçın Özlem , Kocagöz Tanıl , Eren Tarik
Published: August 2016

In this study, amphiphilic polyoxanorbornene with different alkyl and aromatic phosphonium side chains was synthesized and investigated their biocidal properties.
Surface modification of polyhedral nanocrystalline MgO with imidazolium carboxylates for dehydration reactions: a new approach
Authors: Shaikh Melad , Sahu Mahendra , Khilari Santimoy , Kumar Atyam Kiran , Maji Pathik , Ranganath Kalluri V. S.
Published: August 2016

The surface of nanocrystalline MgO was modified with achiral and chiral imidazolium carboxylates which generate MgO–[NHC] complexes. Thus as synthesized complexes were utilized in the dehydration of glucose and also in selective dehydration of (±) nitro alcohol.
An optical fiber SERS sensor based on GO/AgNPs/rGO sandwich structure hybrid films
Authors: Gao S. S. , Shang S. B. , Liu X. Y. , Li Z. , Sheng Y. Q. , Zhang C. , Yang C. , Qiu H. W. , Huo Y. Y. , Jiang S. Z.
Published: August 2016

In this work, we present a novel optical fiber SERS (OF-SERS) sensor based on a sandwich structure of GO/AgNPs/rGO.
Control of disinfection by-product derived from humic acid using MIEX process: optimization through response surface methodology
Authors: Lu Xian , Shao Yisheng , Gao Naiyun , Chen Juxiang , Wang Qiongfang , Zhu Yanping
Published: August 2016

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize humic acid (HA) removal by MIEX resin for controlling the disinfection by-product (DBP) formation.
Production of xylooligosaccharides from hardwood xylan by using immobilized endoxylanase of Clostridium strain BOH3
Authors: Rajagopalan Gobinath , Shanmugavelu Kavitha , Yang Kun-Lin
Published: August 2016

Endoxylanase ofClostridiumsp. BOH3 was immobilized in calcium alginate/silica gel matrix with a 100% yield. This immobilized xylanase can be reused 7 times to produce prebiotic xylooligosaccharides from hardwood xylan with 62% of activity recovery.
Catalytic and antibacterial activities of novel colored zinc borophosphate glasses
Authors: Tupberg Chayopas , Chandet Nopakarn , Wattanavichan Kamjad , Randorn Chamnan
Published: August 2016

Colored ZBP glasses with multiple catalytic properties have been successfully synthesized using a one-step melt-quenching technique.
Ferroelectric relaxation dependence of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) on frequency and temperature after grafting with poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Miao Bei , Liu Jingjing , Zhang Xiao , Lu Junyong , Tan Shaobo , Zhang Zhicheng
Published: August 2016

By monitoring the D–E curves of P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE)-g-PMMAs at different frequency and temperature, the dependence of the ferroelectric relaxation of grafted copolymers onto testing conditions and composition has been finely illustrated.
Highly fluorescent cucurbit[8]uril–perylenemonoimide host–guest complexes as efficient fluorescent probes for N-terminal phenylalanine
Authors: Aryal Gyan Hari , Huang Liming , Hunter Kenneth W.
Published: August 2016

We have developed host–guest fluorescent complexes based on cucurbit[8]uril and a perylenemonoimide for selective and sensitive detection of N-terminal phenylalanine peptides.
Light-active azaphenalene alkoxyamines: fast and efficient mediators of a photo-induced persistent radical effect
Authors: Bottle Steven E. , Clement Jean-Louis , Fleige Mirco , Simpson Emily M. , Guillaneuf Yohann , Fairfull-Smith Kathryn E. , Gigmes Didier , Blinco James P.
Published: August 2016

Reported is the first example of an alkoxyamine that quantitatively yields a nitroxide upon light exposure. The alkoxyamine is used to generate a light driven persistent radical effect and applied to radical insertion, exchange and polymerization reactions.
Magnesium cofactor produces unpaired electrons confined by triplet nucleotide loops in a full-turn DNA fragment
Authors: Tulub Alexander A.
Published: August 2016

The B-DNA curvature arising from pairing between nucleotides of the two curved complementary DNA strands affects the oxidation number of magnesium cofactor.
Synthesis and self-assembly of ABC linear triblock copolymers to target CO2-responsive multicompartment micelles
Authors: Liu Hanbin , Guo Zanru , He Shuai , Yin Hongyao , Feng Yujun
Published: August 2016

A series of ABC triblock copolymers were synthesized by tailoring the block length, suggesting polymers in a narrow composition window (0.34 ≤ fF ≤ 0.38) might transform from spherical micelles to multicompartment micelles upon stimulation of CO2.
A theoretical study of DABCO and PPh3 catalyzed annulations of allenoates with azodicarboxylate
Authors: Li Yan , Du Shiwen , Du Zheng , Chen Congmei
Published: August 2016

Previous experiments have shown that DABCO-catalyzed annulation of 2,3-butadienoate and diethylazodicarboxylate leads to 1,2-diazetidine (reaction (1)), whereas PPh3-catalyzed 2-benzyl-2,3-butadienoate and diethylazodicarboxylate gives pyrazoline (reaction (2)).
Facile, ethylene glycol-promoted microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis of high-performance LiCoPO4 as a high-voltage cathode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Ludwig Jennifer , Marino Cyril , Haering Dominik , Stinner Christoph , Nordlund Dennis , Doeff Marca M. , Gasteiger Hubert A. , Nilges Tom
Published: August 2016

A simple and rapid microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis delivers hexagonal platelets of LiCoPO4 with tuned crystal orientations and leading-edge electrochemical properties.
Difluoromethylation of N-arylsulfonyl hydrazones with difluorocarbene leading to difluoromethyl aryl sulfones
Authors: Zheng Qu-Tong , Wei Yun , Zheng Jian , Duan Ya-ya , Zhao Gang , Wang Zong-Bao , Lin Jin-Hong , Zheng Xing , Xiao Ji-Chang
Published: August 2016

Difluoromethylation of N-arylsulfonyl hydrazones with difluorocarbene generated from difluoromethylene phosphobetaine (Ph3P+CF2CO2−) is described to give various difluoromethyl aryl sulfones.
Enantiodivergent Steglich rearrangement of O-carboxylazlactones catalyzed by a chirality switchable helicene containing a 4-aminopyridine unit
Authors: Chen Chien-Tien , Tsai Cheng-Che , Tsou Pei-Kang , Huang Gou-Tao , Yu Chin-Hui
Published: August 2016

Chirality-switchable, 4-aminopyridine-based, pseudo-enantiomeric helicenes can catalyze enantiodivergent Steglich rearrangement in up to 91% ee (R) and 94% ee (S), respectively.
Organic linkers control the thermosensitivity of the emission intensities from Tb(iii) and Eu(iii) in a chameleon polymer
Authors: Hatanaka Miho , Hirai Yuichi , Kitagawa Yuichi , Nakanishi Takayuki , Hasegawa Yasuchika , Morokuma Keiji
Published: August 2016

Thermosensitivity of emission intensity in a polymer comprised Tb3+ and Eu3+ can be controlled by the energy level of the organic linker-centered triplet state as well as that of the ligand-centered triplet state.
Manipulating charge transfer excited state relaxation and spin crossover in iron coordination complexes with ligand substitution
Authors: Zhang Wenkai , Kjær Kasper S. , Alonso-Mori Roberto , Bergmann Uwe , Chollet Matthieu , Fredin Lisa A. , Hadt Ryan G. , Hartsock Robert W. , Harlang Tobias , Kroll Thomas , Kubiček Katharina , Lemke Henrik T. , Liang Huiyang W. , Liu Yizhu , Nielsen Martin M. , Persson Petter , Robinson Joseph S. , Solomon Edward I. , Sun Zheng , Sokaras Dimosthenis , van Driel Tim B. , Weng Tsu-Chien , Zhu Diling , Wärnmark Kenneth , Sundström Villy , Gaffney Kelly J.
Published: August 2016

Optical and X-ray free-electron laser measurements reveal ligand substitution in an Fe(ii)-centered complex extends its MLCT lifetime.
Oxygen-mediated formation of MoSx-doped hollow carbon dots for visible light-driven photocatalysis
Authors: Park Jung Hyun , Raza Faizan , Jeon Su-Ji , Yim DaBin , Kim Hye-In , Kang Tae Woog , Kim Jong-Ho
Published: August 2016

MoSx-doped hollow carbon dots exhibit outstanding photocatalytic activity in the aerobic oxidative amine coupling reaction at room temperature.
Valence and conduction band tuning in halide perovskites for solar cell applications
Authors: Meloni Simone , Palermo Giulia , Ashari-Astani Negar , Grätzel Michael , Rothlisberger Ursula
Published: August 2016

We performed density functional calculations aimed at identifying the atomistic and electronic structure origin of the valence and conduction band, and band gap tunability of halide perovskites ABX3 upon variations of the monovalent and bivalent cations A and B and the halide anion X.
Enhancement of catalytic activity of AgPd@Pd/TiO2 nanoparticles under UV and visible photoirradiation
Authors: Tsuji Masaharu , Shimamoto Daisuke , Uto Keiko , Hattori Masashi , Ago Hiroki
Published: August 2016

The hydrogen production rate of AgPd@Pd/TiO2 nanocatalysts from formic acid decomposition was enhanced by 50–60% at room temperature under photoirradiation.
Metal–organic framework-combustion: a new, cost-effective and one-pot technique to produce a porous Co3V2O8 microsphere anode for high energy lithium ion batteries
Authors: Sambandam Balaji , Soundharrajan Vaiyapuri , Mathew Vinod , Song Jinju , Kim Sungjin , Jo Jeonggeun , Tung Duong Pham , Kim Seokhun , Kim Jaekook
Published: August 2016

A simple one-pot metal organic framework based combustion technique is utilized for making a porous Co3V2O8 microspheres anode for energy storage.
Efficient ternary blend all-polymer solar cells with a polythiophene derivative as a hole-cascade material
Authors: Su Wenyan , Fan Qunping , Guo Xia , Guo Bing , Li Wanbin , Zhang Youdi , Zhang Maojie , Li Yongfang
Published: August 2016

Efficient ternary all polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) based on PTB7-Th:PBDD-ff4T:N2200 were reported, where PTB7-Th and PBDD-ff4T were two polymer donors and N2200 was a polymer acceptor. The all-PSCs showed an optimized PCE of up to 7.2% which is superior to those of the binary all-PSCs based on PTB7-Th:N2200 and PBDD-ff4T:N2200.
A free-standing sulfur-doped microporous carbon interlayer derived from luffa sponge for high performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Yang Juan , Chen Feng , Li Chen , Bai Tao , Long Bo , Zhou Xiangyang
Published: August 2016

A sulfur-doped microporous carbon interlayer derived from luffa sponge is successfully employed as the polysulfide diffusion inhibitor in Li–S batteries.
Thermoresponsive-polymer-based materials for temperature-modulated bioanalysis and bioseparations
Authors: Nagase Kenichi , Okano Teruo
Published: August 2016

In this review, bioseparations using thermoresponsive polymers are summarized. Thermoresponsive chromatography for separating bioactive compounds and proteins, and cell separations using thermoresponsive polymers and their properties are reviewed.
RF magnetron co-sputtering growth and characterisation of multiferroic composite films of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 + BiFeO3
Authors: Lu Shih-Zong , Qi Xiaoding
Published: August 2016

Multiferroic composite films of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (NZFO) + BiFeO3 (BFO) were deposited on Si and LaNiO3 (LNO) buffered Si substrates at 700 °C, by co-sputtering from two individual targets of the components.
Alpha‐numeric hand gesture recognition based on fusion of spatial feature modelling and temporal feature modelling
Authors: Yang C. , Ku B. , Han D.K. , Ko H.
Published: August 2016

Alpha‐numeric gesture refers to writing in air of alphabet and numeric characters. With prevalent usage of vision enabled smart devices, these gestures are considered as an alternative user interface. As each individual has a unique handwriting style, it has been observed that alpha‐numeric gesturing also exhibits different individualistic styles, posing a challenge to the vision based gesture recognition. In this Letter, a simple but effective method of modelling alpha‐numeric hand gestures by fusing temporal‐feature‐state modelling and total‐trajectory‐shape modelling is proposed. The proposed method employs a convolution neural network that represents total‐trajectory‐shapes, and combines it with conventional conditional random fields based temporal‐feature‐state modelling. The proposed algorithm is evaluated in public database of both alphabet and numeric hand gestures. Experimental results show a performance improvement of the proposed algorithm compared with the state‐of‐the art methods.
Sliding discrete Fourier transform based frequency‐locked loop for adaptive carrier tracking of bi‐phase signals
Authors: Joshi Udaya , Parasuraman Sumathi
Published: August 2016

For bi‐phase signals, an adaptive carrier tracking method based on sliding discrete Fourier transform (SDFT) frequency‐locked loop (FLL) is proposed. Magnitude and phase spectra of closed‐loop SDFT filter provide almost flat response around the centre frequency. However, the small magnitude and phase errors observed at the SDFT in‐phase and quadrature components are corrected by adaptive sampling frequency control. The carrier frequency is estimated by computing the frequency error. Hence, the input frequency variation due to Doppler shift could be estimated for the bi‐phase signal. Experimental investigations with digital implementation demonstrate the suitability of the FLL for bi‐phase signals.
Active disturbance rejection in switched neutral‐delay systems based on equivalent‐input‐disturbance approach
Authors: Wu Min , Gao Fang , She Jinhua , Cao Weihua
Published: August 2016

This study presents a new configuration and a design method for the control of a switched neutral‐delay system. The equivalent‐input‐disturbance (EID) approach is used to construct an EID estimator to estimate the influence of exogenous disturbances on the system. A new control law is constructed that incorporates an EID estimate to ensure satisfactory disturbance rejection performance. A sufficient condition for uniformly ultimate boundedness is derived in term of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) to guarantee the stability of the system. Moreover, state feedback control laws and state observers are designed based on the LMIs for arbitrary switching rules. A numerical example demonstrates the validity of the method.
Analysis and design of a Q/V‐band low‐noise amplifier in GaAs‐based 0.1 µm pHEMT technology
Authors: Pantoli Leonardo , Barigelli Alessandro , Leuzzi Giorgio , Vitulli Francesco
Published: August 2016

In this study, the design of a monolithic wideband low‐noise amplifier (LNA) is presented and addressed with circuitry and modelling techniques which make it suitable for system integration. Particular emphasis has been dedicated to the interconnections analysis and to the enforcement of the stability characteristics that is usually a crucial point for LNAs. The proposed monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) amplifier covers the Q/V band showing valuable linear and non‐linear characteristics in the full bandwidth from 40 to 51 GHz. The amplifier has been realised with the new 0.1 µm GaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (pHEMT) process provided by UMS Foundry, and it is suitable for radar and space applications. The LNA shows a noise figure <2 dB, a gain of 16 dB with a 1 dB compression point of 5 dBm. The amplifier is matched at both input and output ports, and also the bond wires are taken into account in the design. The integrability characteristics have been validated with measurements in a dedicated Test‐Jig.
Two‐dimensional distributed amplifier by 2D‐LC lattice
Authors: Hamze Mogheyse Amir , MiarNaimi Hossein
Published: August 2016

In this study a new configuration for distributed amplifiers (DAs) is presented for the first time. Using two‐dimensional (2D) LC lattices instead of one‐dimensional transmission lines leads to 2D wave propagation. This configuration can cover the traditional problem of increasing conventional DA stages by decreasing the distance of power sources to the load. This new additive gain mechanism uses an electrical funnel to add the drain powers. Gain and noise relations are extracted and a broad band, high gain, low noise DA with reasonable DC power consumption is designed. Circuit layout is presented and all inductors and connections are simulated by advanced design system electromagnetic simulator with TSMC 0.18 CMOS layout specifications. Good agreements between post layout simulation results and the presented relations are achieved. The final design shows a 21.8 dB gain along 0.7 to 43.9 GHz band width. The circuit consumes only 183 mw DC power and it shows noise figure less than 7.8 dB. The output power of this circuit at 1‐dB output compression point (OP1dB) is more than 8.1 dBm. The proposed technique yields excellent performance in comparison with other design techniques.
Comparative study between the rotor flux oriented control and non‐linear backstepping control of a five‐phase induction motor drive – an experimental validation
Authors: Echeikh Hamdi , Trabelsi Ramzi , Iqbal Atif , Bianchi Nicola , Mimouni Mohamed Faouzi
Published: August 2016

Multiphase variable speed electric drives are employed in applications where the reduction in the total power per phase and the highest level of overall system reliability is required. Most of the literature on five‐phase induction motor (IM) drive deals with field oriented control, direct torque control, and other non‐linear control such as backstepping method. This study deals with the theoretical concept and experimental implementation of indirect rotor flux oriented control (IRFOC) and backstepping control (BSC) of a five‐phase IM drive. A comprehensive comparison is done between the most popular IRFOC and non‐linear BSC. Backstepping control offers high performance in both steady state and transient operations even in the presence of parameters variations. However, this strategy (BSC) allows the synthesis of the speed and the flux control for a five‐phase IM, nevertheless this strategy is asymptotically stable in the context of Lyapunov. The comparison is done using experimental approach. The two control approaches are compared in different terms such as their stability proprieties, achievable dynamic performances, online computational effort, the possibilities of controller design and the complexity of their implementation.
Plasma electron hole kinematics. I. Momentum conservation
Authors: Hutchinson I. H. , Zhou C.
Published: August 2016

We analyse the kinematic properties of a plasma electron hole: a non-linear self-sustained localized positive electric potential perturbation, trapping electrons, which behaves as a coherent entity. When a hole accelerates or grows in depth, ion and electron plasma momentum is changed both within the hole and outside, by an energization process we call jetting. We present a comprehensive analytic calculation of the momentum changes of an isolated general one-dimensional hole. The conservation of the total momentum gives the hole's kinematics, determining its velocity evolution. Our results explain many features of the behavior of hole speed observed in numerical simulations, including self-acceleration at formation, and hole pushing and trapping by ion streams.
Thermal stability and relaxation mechanisms in compressively strained Ge0.94Sn0.06 thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Fleischmann C. , Lieten R. R. , Hermann P. , Hönicke P. , Beckhoff B. , Seidel F. , Richard O. , Bender H. , Shimura Y. , Zaima S. , Uchida N. , Temst K. , Vandervorst W. , Vantomme A.
Published: August 2016

Strained Ge1-xSnx thin films have recently attracted a lot of attention as promising high mobility or light emitting materials for future micro- and optoelectronic devices. While they can be grown nowadays with high crystal quality, the mechanism by which strain energy is relieved upon thermal treatments remains speculative. To this end, we investigated the evolution (and the interplay) of composition, strain, and morphology of strained Ge0.94Sn0.06 films with temperature. We observed a diffusion-driven formation of Sn-enriched islands (and their self-organization) as well as surface depressions (pits), resulting in phase separation and (local) reduction in strain energy, respectively. Remarkably, these compositional and morphological instabilities were found to be the dominating mechanisms to relieve energy, implying that the relaxation via misfit generation and propagation is not intrinsic to compressively strained Ge0.94Sn0.06 films grown by molecular beam epitaxy.
Highly repeatable room temperature negative differential resistance in AlN/GaN resonant tunneling diodes grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Growden Tyler A. , Storm David F. , Zhang Weidong , Brown Elliott R. , Meyer David J. , Fakhimi Parastou , Berger Paul R.
Published: August 2016

AlN/GaN resonant tunneling diodes grown on low dislocation density semi-insulating bulk GaN substrates via plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy are reported. The devices were fabricated using a six mask level, fully isolated process. Stable room temperature negative differential resistance (NDR) was observed across the entire sample. The NDR exhibited no hysteresis, background light sensitivity, or degradation of any kind after more than 1000 continuous up-and-down voltage sweeps. The sample exhibited a ∼90% yield of operational devices which routinely displayed an average peak current density of 2.7 kA/cm2 and a peak-to-valley current ratio of ≈1.15 across different sizes.
250 kV 6 mA compact Cockcroft-Walton high-voltage power supply
Authors: Ma Zhan-Wen , Su Xiao-Dong , Lu Xiao-Long , Wei Zhen , Wang Jun-Run , Huang Zhi-Wu , Miao Tian-You , Su Tong-Ling , Yao Ze-En
Published: August 2016

A compact power supply system for a compact neutron generator has been developed. A 4-stage symmetrical Cockcroft-Walton circuit is adopted to produce 250 kV direct current high-voltage. A 2-stage 280 kV isolation transformer system is used to drive the ion source power supply. For a compact structure, safety, and reliability during the operation, the Cockcroft-Walton circuit and the isolation transformer system are enclosed in an epoxy vessel containing the transformer oil whose size is about ∅350 mm × 766 mm. Test results indicate that the maximum output voltage of the power supply is 282 kV, and the stability of the output voltage is better than 0.63% when the high voltage power supply is operated at 250 kV, 6.9 mA with the input voltage varying ±10%.
Flow sensing by buckling monitoring of electrothermally actuated double-clamped micro beams
Authors: Kessler Y. , Krylov S. , Liberzon A.
Published: August 2016

We report on a flow sensing approach based on deflection monitoring of a micro beam buckled by the compressive thermal stress due to electrothermal Joule's heating. The air stream, convectively cooling the device, affects both the critical buckling values of the electric current and the postbuckling deflections of the structure. After calibration, the flow velocity can be obtained from the deflection measurements. The quasi-static responses of 1000 μm and 2000 μm long, 10 μm wide, and 30 μm high single crystal silicon beams were consistent with the prediction of the model, which couples thermoelectric, thermofluidic, and structural domains. The deflection sensitivity of up to 1.5 μm/(m/s) and the critical current sensitivity of up to 0.43 mA/(m/s) were registered in the experiments. Our model and experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the sensing approach and further suggest that simple, robust, and potentially downscalable beam-type devices may have use in flow velocity and wall shear stress sensors.
Depinning of the ferroelectric domain wall in congruent LiNbO3
Authors: Lee Donghwa , Gopalan Venkatraman , Phillpot Simon R.
Published: August 2016

The high coercive field, Ec, of congruent LiNbO3 can be reduced by doping with Mg or Zn atoms, or by increasing the temperature above a threshold value. The physical origin for this reduction is not currently understood. Here, density functional theory calculations illustrate the atomic origin of the change in the switching field of the congruent LiNbO3. They show that the high Ec in the congruent LiNbO3 is a result of niobium antisite atoms on the lithium sublattice, pinning the motion of the domain walls. Thus, the healing of antisites by diffusion can significantly reduce the coercive field. In addition, this work demonstrates that the migration of these niobium antisites can be enhanced by doping or by changing the temperature. Thus, the depinning process of the congruent LiNbO3 is understood by the migration of the niobium antisite defect across the domain wall.
Electronic transport in thermoelectric YbzCo4Sb12 skutterudite thin films studied by resistance noise spectroscopy
Authors: Lonsky M. , Heinz S. , Daniel M. V. , Albrecht M. , Müller J.
Published: August 2016

Skutterudites CoSb3 are considered interesting candidates for thermoelectric applications, because the filling of guest atoms into the cage-like structure has the potential to improve its thermoelectric properties by an increased phonon scattering, which reduces the thermal conductivity. This, however, requires that a high electrical conductivity is maintained. In this study, we performed resistivity, Hall effect, and fluctuation spectroscopy measurements on polycrystalline thin films of semiconducting YbzCo4Sb12 with 0<z<0.27. Our aim is to better understand the conventional dc electronic transport but also the low-frequency dynamical properties of the charge carriers. The electronic properties are highly sensitive to the filling factor z as well as other parameters, e.g., the Sb content. The resistivity can be described by Mott variable range hopping at low temperatures. A large 1/f noise level suggests an influence of the granularity of the polycrystalline thin films. By analyzing the 1/f-noise and two-level fluctuations, which are abundant for filled samples annealed at 500 °C, we are able to determine the energy distribution of the relevant electronic switching processes. A likely explanation for the observed low-frequency dynamics is capture/emission processes of impurities with a broad distribution within the energy gap.
Smallholder large ruminant health and production in Lao PDR: challenges and opportunities for improving domestic and regional beef supply
Authors: Nampanya S. , Khounsy S. , Young J. R. , Napasirth V. , Bush R. D. , Windsor P. A.
Published: August 2016

Indigenous yellow cattle (Bos indicus) and Asiatic swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are important livestock species in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos). Data from 2011 estimated there was a national herd of 1 586 200 cattle and 774 200 buffalo, with average numbers of 5.3 cattle and 3.4 buffalo per farm household, indicating that the majority of farm households with large ruminants were smallholders, retaining large ruminants as a storage of wealth, for sale as meat, and as a source of manure fertiliser. Increasing demand for red meat in both domestic and neighbouring markets, driven by rapidly growing economies and urbanisation, offers opportunities for Lao smallholders to gain more income from their livestock. However, improving cattle and buffalo production and a more sustainable supply of safe beef and buffalo meat, requires that numerous production, health and welfare constraints be addressed, including: prevalence of important infectious and parasitic diseases, nutritional deficits particularly in the dry season, undeveloped trading, meat processing and marketing systems, limited veterinary and extension service capacity, adverse impacts from climate change and cultural practices specific to buffalo husbandry, plus policy developments that recognise and adapt to changes in land use. Improvements in large ruminant health, processing and marketing are of particular importance as these will enable poor smallholder farmers to participate in emerging beef markets and expand other agricultural enterprises, improving rural livelihoods, with potential reductions in rural poverty and increased food security. This paper identifies the strategic interventions that may increase the supply of cattle and buffalo and improve rural livelihoods in Laos and the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Novel SrO-CaO Mixed Metal Oxides Catalyst for Ultrasonic-Assisted Transesterification of Jatropha Oil into Biodiesel
Authors: Ali Syed Danish , Javed Isma Noreen , Rana Usman Ali , Nazar Muhammad Faizan , Ahmed Waqas , Junaid Asifa , Pasha Mahmood , Nazir Rumana , Nazir Rizwana
Published: August 2016

The transesterification of edible and non-edible oils to produce biodiesel is traditionally carried out using homogeneous catalysts (such as NaOH, KOH, and H2SO4). However, these homogenous catalysts often suffer from multiple drawbacks including their corrosive nature and solubility in the reaction mixture, and high costs associated with their recovery. Recent studies have shown that heterogeneous catalysts based on mixed metal oxides have the potential to address the issues associated with conventional homogeneous catalysts, thereby emerging as an efficient class of catalyst materials for biodiesel production. In this study, we describe a heterogeneous strontium oxide/calcium oxide (SrO-CaO) mixed metal oxides catalyst, which displays remarkable efficiency towards the ultrasonic-assisted transesterification of Jatropha oil into biodiesel. The SrO-CaO heterogeneous catalyst was prepared by the wet impregnation method, and the structural morphology of the as-synthesized catalyst was revealed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and nitrogen sorption technique coupled with the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda methods. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the cubic structure of the SrO-CaO catalyst. The catalytic activity of this newly developed catalyst showed a high percentage conversion of triglyceride into the corresponding fatty acid methyl esters (98.19 %) as confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The chemical composition of the prepared biodiesel by this ultrasonic-assisted transesterification process was determined by the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Five major fatty acid methyl esters were identified, of which 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester was obtained with the highest percentage ~38.22 %. Hence, the study reveals that the SrO-CaO catalyst exhibits high efficiency towards converting Jatropha oil into biodiesel by ultrasonic-assisted transesterification.
Impact of membrane lipid composition on the structure and stability of the transmembrane domain of amyloid precursor protein
Authors: Dominguez Laura , Foster Leigh , Straub John E. , Thirumalai D.
Published: August 2016

Significance

Aggregation of proteins of known sequence is linked to a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. Familial mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP), from which the amyloid β (Aβ) protein is excised, are associated with early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The structures of APP-C99 dimers and the associated stability as well as the monomer–dimer equilibrium are critically influenced by membrane composition. Using a multiscale modeling approach, we have investigated the influence of varying lipid composition on the structure of homodimers of an APP-C99 congener peptide. Besides resolving contradicting experimental results, we demonstrate that membrane lipid composition dramatically influences the relative populations of competing homodimer structures in a way that is linked to the recognition and processing of APP-C99 by γ-secretase.
Electron anions and the glass transition temperature
Authors: Johnson Lewis E. , Sushko Peter V. , Tomota Yudai , Hosono Hideo
Published: August 2016

Significance

Electrides are ionic materials in which electrons act as anions. Solvated electrons in ammonia are one of the early known examples of such anions in liquids. Electron anions in crystalline materials have previously been shown to dramatically alter their electronic properties, for example, to turn an insulator into a superconductor with minimal changes in the structure and stoichiometry. We show that electron anions modify the disordered glass network by creating highly mobile weak links, thus fundamentally altering the thermodynamic and electronic properties of the network and enabling a new design paradigm for amorphous materials.
The Behavioral Responses of a Warmwater Teleost to Different Spectra of Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Sullivan Brittany G. , Wilson Alexander D. M. , Gutowsky Lee F. G. , Patrick Paul H. , Sills Michael , Cooke Steven J.
Published: August 2016

Freshwater ecosystems are threatened by a wide range of anthropogenic infrastructure related to hydropower, irrigation, municipal withdrawals, and industrial cooling. Technology can be used to mitigate the loss of fish associated with such infrastructure by exploiting the sensory physiology of a species through stimuli designed to manipulate their natural behaviors (e.g., to attract or repel). Technologies used for behavioral guidance often incorporate light; however, previous studies investigating light devices have focused on mercury vapor bulbs and thus have been limited in their exploration of the broader light spectra. Innovations in light-emitting diode (LED) technology provide opportunities for manipulating light spectra (i.e., color) as well as light-pulse frequency. We tested the behavioral response of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides under 16 different LED color and light-pulse frequency combinations as well as in a control in which no light was emitted. Red, orange, yellow, and green were considered with four light-pulse frequencies (0, 120, 300, and 600 pulses/min). Using a large shallow arena, lateral fish movement in response to the light treatments was examined. Regardless of color or light-pulse frequency, fish were repelled by the light source. In contrast, when there was no light emitted, fish were evenly distributed throughout the arena. This work suggests that colored light accompanied with light-pulse frequencies produced by LEDs can induce an avoidance response in Largemouth Bass.

Received May 7, 2015; accepted January 5, 2016 Published online August 24, 2016