bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yeats’s “Sailing to Byzantium”: The Poetic Process of Impersonal Art
Authors: Bharadwaj S.
Published: September 2018

W.B.Yeats’s “Sailing to Byzantium” is a symbol of unity combining the realistic, intellectual, emotional and mythical elements into a harmony; the harmony ensuing from a resolution of conflicts or contending claims of his contemporaries, D.H.Lawrence and T.S.Eliot. All sorts of existing critical perspectives on the most popular poem, though they provide “a greatly deepened understanding of Yeats,” are limited to either paraphrasal or aesthetic, biographical or holistic, spiritual or allusive, symbolic or technical level and they fail to read the text in the context of the pre-texts and the texts falling within its texture, in the light of other poems of Yeats and his contemporaries to bring out its totally different poetic structure and its single distinctive quality. This paper adopting an analytical inquiry into rhetoric of the poem, the play of meanings, filiations among meanings and signs, substitutions and intertextuality, strives to uncover the difference within unity, the life-centric poetic process of Yeats’s impersonal art, his paradoxical structure of life-in-death for “perfection of life” of mortal man in contradistinction to his contemporaries’s death-centric structural concerns for “perfect work of art.”
The Effect of Critical Pedagogy-Based Instruction on Altering EFL Teachers’ Viewpoints Regarding Teaching-Learning Practices and Localizing Cultural Notes
Authors: Goljani Amirkhiz Abdolmajid , Moinzadeh Ahmad , Eslami-Rasekh Abbas
Published: September 2018

This study aimed at inspiring EFL teachers to take a new attitude towards using teaching techniques as well as instructing cultural notes making them aware of the principles of critical pedagogy (CP) through instruction. In the same line, it tried to find out different techniques applied by teachers before and after the instruction. On the account of the dichotomy by which IRF (initiation, response and feedback) architecture is in contrast with the tenets of critical pedagogy encouraging multivocality of a classroom discourse, the teaching steps which can distinct these two architectures are still underexplored. To cover the purposes of the research, 20 EFL teachers teaching at institutes and universities were purposefully sampled to be interviewed and trained. Four sessions before and four sessions after instruction were video-recorded and taking benefit of conversation analysis methods, they were transcribed and the visible changes were dialogically discussed with the teachers using semi-structured interviews and stimulated recall sessions to find out the rationale. Adopting new techniques regarding both cultural notes and teaching techniques after instruction such as strategies in “turn taking”, “latched turns”, “more chances to create dialogue”, “fewer teacher echo and interruption”, “using L1”, “educational feedback”, applying referential questions”, promoting self-initiation”, “glocalizing cultural notes” and “less dependability on the coursebook” indicated that raising awareness among teachers considering the principles of CP, they can change both their attitudes and abilities from transmission-based pedagogy to place-based responsive pedagogy in which learners as a whole play an active role.
The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Speaking Skills of Iranian Advanced EFL Learners
Authors: Esmaeeli Zohre , Khalili Sabet Masoud , Shahabi Yadollah
Published: September 2018

The role of emotional intelligence as a significant factor contributing to academic achievement was central in the area of research for several years. In second language learning research, personal and social skills seems to be critical as individual differences in language production. In this regard, this study has attempted to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and speaking skills of Iranian advanced EFL learners. In order to achieve this goal, 96 advanced EFL learners including 48 males and 48 females were randomly selected from eight institutes in Tehran. The design of the study is a quantitative, non- experimental research utilizing a correlational approach. The data were gathered through an EQ questionnaire (namely EQ- i: S, designed by Bar- On), and speaking test (from ILETS samples of speaking tests in the form of individual interview). The value of Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that there was a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and speaking score of advanced EFL learners. The findings of the present study which denoted the role of EQ in speaking ability can be efficiently implemented in educational system through social- and- emotional- learning programs to improve students’ oral proficiency in language classroom. And it is the job of English teachers to exploit students’ full potential in order to facilitate language learning.
Disempowering Forces and Disillusioned Selves: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Analysis of Demotivation among French Student Learners of English
Authors: Hill Rowland , Pottier Véronique
Published: September 2018

France sits steadfastly at the bottom of EU rankings for English proficiency, and yet French learners have an equivalent access to educational resources and teacher competence. It is a curious phenomenon which points to pupil demotivation during second language (L2) learning at school as a likely cause. The dominant model in L2 motivation – Dörnyei’s Motivational Self System – with its symbiosis of the ought self, the ideal self and the quality of the learning environment, has had its usefulness verified in other countries, but lacks sufficient flexibility to explain L2 demotivation in France. As a departure from the existing corpus of quantitative research on L2 motivation, this research uses Charmaz’ constructivist grounded theory approach to delve into the L2 learning experiences of twelve French students at a qualitative level. The originality of this approach is that the researcher must relinquish preconceived ideas, enter the constructed world of the participant and make conceptual sense of the data produced from the shared construction. The resulting force field/self-discrepancy model indicates that pupils are prevented from reaching language proficiency by disempowering forces, for example, limited contact with English speakers, and that this is compounded by negative emotions arising from discrepancies between the learner’s actual, ought and ideal selves. To address the complexity of this model, French schools should begin by empowering students to set targets towards a realistic English-speaking ideal self. Otherwise, there is a danger that the ideal L2 self becomes another source of disillusionment and hence another disempowering force.
Exaggeration in Congratulatory Expressions in Jordanian Arabic: A socio Pragmatic Study
Authors: Moh`d Khatatbeh Abeer Ahmad , Al-abed Al-Haq Fawwaz , Al Sobh Mahmoud
Published: September 2018

This study is an attempt to investigate exaggeration in congratulatory expressions that are used by Jordanian Arabic speakers. From a socio pragmatic view exaggeration in congratulatory expressions has not been thoroughly studied in Jordan. Therefore, this study sheds light on expressions used by Jordanian Arabic speakers and the effect of sociological factors, such as: age, gender and level of education on using these expressions in the Jordanian society. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to 88 male and female participants randomly selected from Irbid. The findings of the study reveal the most prominent exaggerated expressions that express congratulation in Jordanian Arabic. The findings also reveal that the social variables: age, gender and level of education affect the use of these expressions in certain situations. They also reveal the importance of studying the language in relation to social variables.
The Place of Literary Writings in Fiji’s Education System An Overview of Hindi Writings in Fiji
Authors: Narayan Ravnil
Published: September 2018

The teaching of vernacular languages or mother tongues in the Pacific island countries is one of the most neglected and vulnerable areas in education. This is borne out by the results of various studies that have been conducted over the past decades on literacy writings in vernacular. To an utter dismay, day by day and year by year, the numbers of Hindi vernacular students have been considerably declining, which is having a direct repercussion on scant publication of local literally writings in Hindi language. This original article will shed some light upon the vernacular teaching and learning of Hindi language, which has a long history in Fiji’s education system. What used to be one’s identity is now treated as a vehicular language, only to be used for conversational purposes. The novelty of the article will also oversee the extent of Hindi language teachings, since its early inception, and the repertoire of means that were adopted to retain her true essence in safe guarding her for the future generations. So much so, the piece is also going to look upon some of the ways in which Hindi literary writings could be brought back in Fiji’s current digitalised era, and what could be done to stop her from being near extinction.
Trends—Spark Ignition
Authors: Pischinger Stefan , Nijs Martin , Adomeit Philipp , Seebach Dieter , Lehrheuer Bastian , Dünschede Thomas , Brassat Adrien , Wittek Karsten , Uhlmann Tolga , Schürmann Gregor , Höpke Björn , Bähr Moritz , Serpa Joao , Kuhlmann Axel
Published: September 2018

Current and future combustion engine development targets a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emissions to meet strict emission legislation despite steady or increasing customer comfort and performance demands. Additionally, reduced time to market is required despite increasing variations in customer demands and fuel qualities in worldwide markets. To meet these targets, gasoline engines have made progress in efficiency by the introduction of technologies such as direct injection in combination with downsizing and turbo‐ or supercharging, valve train variability, and a variety of additional measures to reduce friction losses such as electrification of accessories. In this article, current and future engine development trends are described and illustrated in detail. Potential future measures to further reduce fuel consumption are pointed out and evaluated. Besides well‐known mega trends such as downsizing and variable valve trains, concepts such as controlled autoignition, variable compression, and new ignition systems are considered. In general, the article shows the potential of new technologies to improve fuel consumption and emission behavior of future combustion engines.
Technologies—Communication: WirelessLAN‐Based Vehicular Communication
Authors: Festag Andreas , Hartenstein Hannes , Mittag Jens
Published: September 2018

Wireless local area networking(WLAN)‐based communication enables vehicles to exchange information that is beyond the vehicle's and the driver's direct perception. It has the potential to support various applications for road safety and traffic efficiency, such as road hazard warning and collision avoidance. As opposed to cellular mobile networks,WLAN‐based vehicular communication does not require a central control or an operator; instead it uses a decentralized and self‐organizing approach. This article introduces key requirements and basic characteristics ofWLAN‐based vehicular communication and outlines the system architecture. Furthermore, it gives an overview of the most important technology components forWLAN‐based vehicular communication, covering radio and communication protocols, security and privacy, radio resource management, and congestion control. The article concludes with an overview about standardization and an outlook on the system deployment.
The SIF debate: Lines drawn with Rosenstein op‐ed, but truth may lie in the middle
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2018

The federal Department of Justice is not going to allow supervised injection facilities (SIFs) to go forward, with Rod J. Rosenstein, deputy attorney general, drawing a clear line in the sand in an Aug. 27 op‐ed in The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/27/opinion/opioids‐heroin‐injection‐sites.html). “Advocates euphemistically call them ‘safe injection sites,’ but they are very dangerous and would only make the opioid crisis worse,” he wrote, calling them “B.Y.O.D.” facilities (for “bring your own drugs,” which they are). In SIFs, people can be revived by naloxone if they overdose; if they inject alone, which happens often, they can't.
Mix of CD and substance use may lead to premature death
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2018

Conduct disorder (CD) is the main predictor of premature death in youth with both CD and substance use problems, researchers have found. These youth — and their siblings — are at greater risk of premature death than demographically similar controls, according to the study, published online Aug. 9 in Addiction. The extent to which risk factors reflect differences on the family or individual level has been unknown. But there are many common factors among CD and substance use problems, with interplay going on over time.
Anomalous Photovoltaic Effect in Centrosymmetric Ferroelastic BiVO4
Authors: Liu Xitao , Zhang Faqiang , Long Peiqing , Lu Teng , Zeng Huarong , Liu Yun , Withers Ray L. , Li Yongxiang , Yi Zhiguo
Published: September 2018

The anomolous photovoltaic (APV) effect is an intriguing phenomenon and rarely observed in bulk materials that structurally have an inversion symmetry. Here, the discovery of such an APV effect in a centrosymmetric vanadate, BiVO4, where noticeable above‐bandgap photovoltage and a steady‐state photocurrent are observed in both ceramics and single crystals even when illuminated under visible light, is reported. Moreover, the photovoltaic voltage can be reversed by the stress modulation, and a sine‐function relationship between the photovoltage and stress directional angle is derived. Microstructure and strain‐field analysis reveal localized asymmetries that are caused by strain fluctuations in bulk centrosymmetric BiVO4. On the basis of the experimental results, a flexoelectric coupling via a strain‐induced local polarization mechanism is suggested to account for the APV effect observed. This work not only allows new applications for BiVO4 in optoelectronic devices but also deepens insights into the mechanisms underlying the APV effect.
Large‐Area Synthesis of Layered HfS2(1−x)Se2x Alloys with Fully Tunable Chemical Compositions and Bandgaps
Authors: Wang Denggui , Zhang Xingwang , Guo Gencai , Gao Shihan , Li Xingxing , Meng Junhua , Yin Zhigang , Liu Heng , Gao Menglei , Cheng Likun , You Jingbi , Wang Ruzhi
Published: September 2018

Alloying transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with different compositions is demonstrated as an effective way to acquire 2D semiconductors with widely tunable bandgaps. Herein, for the first time, the large‐area synthesis of layered HfS2(1−x)Se2x alloys with fully tunable chemical compositions on sapphire by chemical vapor deposition is reported, greatly expanding and enriching the family of 2D TMDs semiconductors. The configuration and high quality of their crystal structure are confirmed by various characterization techniques, and the bandgap of these alloys can be continually modulated from 2.64 to 1.94 eV with composition variations. Furthermore, prototype HfS2(1−x)Se2x photodetectors with different Se compositions are fabricated, and the HfSe2 photodetector manifests the best performance among all the tested HfS2(1−x)Se2x devices. Remarkably, by introducing a hexagonal boron nitride layer, the performance of the HfSe2 photodetector is greatly improved, exhibiting a high on/off ratio exceeding 105, an ultrafast response time of about 190 µs, and a high detectivity of 1012 Jones. This simple and controllable approach opens up a new way to produce high‐quality 2D HfS2(1−x)Se2x layers, which are highly qualified candidates for the next‐generation application in high‐performance optoelectronics.
Direct Chirality Recognition of Single‐Crystalline and Single‐Walled Transition Metal Oxide Nanotubes on Carbon Nanotube Templates
Authors: Shen Boyuan , Xie Huanhuan , Gu Lin , Chen Xiao , Bai Yunxiang , Zhu Zhenxing , Wei Fei
Published: September 2018

Chirality is a significant structural feature for chemistry, biology, physics, and materials science, and especially determines the electrical, mechanical, and optical properties of diverse tubular structures, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs). To recognize the chirality of nanotubes, templates are introduced as potential tools to obtain crystalline samples with visible chiral fringes under electron microscopes. However, few efforts show optimistic results, and new understanding is desired to control the sample quality with CNT templates. Here, a synthesis strategy of single‐crystalline molybdenum trioxide (α‐MoO3) nanotubes (MONTs) on CNT surfaces is reported to build a 1D van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure. The chirality of the MONTs can be directly “seen” and their structural selectivity is revealed. First, the centralized distribution of the chiral angles of the MONTs indicates a preferential orientation due to the anisotropic bending rigidity of the 2D layers. Then, the interlayer mismatching rejects the radial stacking of α‐MoO3to maintain the single‐walled nature. These results provide a spontaneous strategy for the efficient recognition and control of chirality, and open up a new avenue for CNT‐based functional 1D vdW heterostructures.
A Ternary Ni46Co40Fe14 Nanoalloy‐Based Oxygen Electrocatalyst for Highly Efficient Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Nam Gyutae , Son Yeonguk , Park Sung O , Jeon Woo Cheol , Jang Haeseong , Park Joohyuk , Chae Sujong , Yoo Youngshin , Ryu Jaechan , Kim Min Gyu , Kwak Sang Kyu , Cho Jaephil
Published: September 2018

Replacing noble‐metal‐based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is the key to developing efficient Zn–air batteries (ZABs). Here, a homogeneous ternary Ni46Co40Fe14 nanoalloy with a size distribution of 30–60 nm dispersed in a carbon matrix (denoted as C@NCF‐900) as a highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst produced via supercritical reaction and subsequent heat treatment at 900 °C is reported. Among all the transition‐metal‐based electrocatalysts, the C@NCF‐900 exhibits the highest ORR performance in terms of half‐wave potential (0.93 V) in 0.1 m KOH. Moreover, C@NCF‐900 exhibits negligible activity decay after 10 000 voltage cycles with minor reduction (0.006 V). In ZABs, C@NCF‐900 outperforms the mixture of Pt/C 20 wt% and IrO2, cycled over 100 h under 58% depth of discharge condition. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy strongly support the active sites and site‐selective reaction as a plausible ORR/OER mechanism of C@NCF‐900.
Mechanochemically Assisted Synthesis of a Ru Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution with Performance Superior to Pt in Both Acidic and Alkaline Media
Authors: Li Feng , Han Gao‐Feng , Noh Hyuk‐Jun , Ahmad Ishfaq , Jeon In‐Yup , Baek Jong‐Beom
Published: September 2018

Catalysts are at the heart of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) for the production of pure and clean hydrogen. For practical applications, the scalable synthesis of efficient HER catalysts, which work in both acidic and alkaline media, is highly desired. In this work, the mechanochemically assisted synthesis of a Ru catalyst with HER performance surpassing Pt in both acidic and alkaline media is reported. Mass production of this Ru catalyst can be achieved via a two‐step procedure: the mechanochemical reaction between graphite and dry ice produces edge‐carboxylic‐acid‐functionalized graphene nanoplatelets (CGnP); mixing a Ru precursor and the CGnP in an aqueous medium introduces Ru ions, which coordinate on the CGnP. Subsequent annealing results in uniform Ru nanoparticles (≈2 nm) anchored on the GnP matrix (Ru@GnP). The efficient Ru@GnP catalyst can be easily powered by a single silicon solar cell using a wireless integration device. The self‐powered device exhibits robust hydrogen evolution under the irradiation of standard AM 1.5 solar light. This work provides a new opportunity for the low‐cost mass production of efficient and stable catalysts for practical applications.
Flexible Linearly Polarized Photodetectors Based on All‐Inorganic Perovskite CsPbI3 Nanowires
Authors: Zhou Ying , Luo Jiajun , Zhao Yang , Ge Cong , Wang Chong , Gao Liang , Zhang Cheng , Hu Manchen , Niu Guangda , Tang Jiang
Published: September 2018

Polarization‐sensitive photodetection has drawn a great deal of research interests, which takes advantage of anisotropy from the lattice structure or the morphology of active material. However, no photodetectors combined these two kinds of anisotropy together for linearly polarized photodetection. Here, a photodetector based on cesium lead iodide (β‐CsPbI3) nanowire array with anisotropic crystal structure is demonstrated. Owing to the crystal structure and morphology anisotropy of the β‐CsPbI3 nanowires, the device exhibited high sensitivity to linearly polarized light with a photocurrent anisotropy ratio of 2.68 and 2.17 on rigid and flexible substrates, respectively, which was much higher than existing linearly polarized photodetectors. In addition, the photocurrent anisotropy ratio of the device on flexible substrate only dropped by 5% after 500 bending cycles, indicating excellent flexibility and folding endurance of flexible CsPbI3 device. The application of anisotropic CsPbI3 nanowires in polarization‐sensitive photodetection might provide new functionalities in novel optoelectronic applications.
Low Temperature Fabrication for High Performance Flexible CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Jiang Hong , Feng Jiangshan , Zhao Huan , Li Guijun , Yin Guannan , Han Yu , Yan Feng , Liu Zhike , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: September 2018

All‐inorganic CsPbX3‐based perovskites, such as CsPbI2Br, show much better thermal and illumination stability than their organic–inorganic hybrid counterparts. However, fabrication of high‐quality CsPbI2Br perovskite film normally requires annealing at a high temperature (>250 °C) that is not compatible with the plastic substrate. In this work, a Lewis base adduct‐promoted growth process that makes it possible to fabricate high quality CsPbI2Br perovskite films at low temperature is promoted. The mechanism is attributed to synthesized dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) adducts which allow a low activation energy route to form CsPbI2Br perovskite films during the thermal annealing treatment. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.54% is achieved. As far as it is known, this is the highest efficiency for the CsPbI2Br solar cells fabricated at low temperature (120 °C). In addition, the method enables fabrication of flexible CsPbI2Br PSCs with PCE as high as 11.73%. Surprisingly, the bare devices without any encapsulation maintain 70% of their original PCEs after being stored in ambient air for 700 h. This work provides an approach for preparing other high performance CsPbX3‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) at low temperature, particularly for flexible ones.
Sequentially Fluorinated PTAA Polymers for Enhancing VOC of High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Youngwoong , Jung Eui Hyuk , Kim Geunjin , Kim Donguk , Kim Bumjoon J. , Seo Jangwon
Published: September 2018

The energy level alignment of the perovskite and hole transporting materials (HTMs) is essential for increasing the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and enhancing the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, new sequentially fluorinated poly(triarylamine) polymers (PTAA, 1F‐PTAA, and 2F‐PTAA) with tuned highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels are developed and applied as HTMs into PSCs. The fluorination approach successfully leads to stepwise downshifting of the HOMO levels of PTAA derivatives, resulting in an obvious increase in the Voc and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the PSCs. In particular, introduction of 1F‐PTAA polymer in (FAPbI3)0.85(MAPbBr3)0.15‐based mesoporous n‐i‐p structure PSCs achieves the high stabilized PCE of 21.2% at the maximum power point with improved Voc of 1.14 V. To elucidate the importance of the optimized degree of fluorination of PTAA polymers on the photovoltaic performances, the optical, electrical, photophysical properties, and doping behaviors of the fluorinated PTAA derivatives are investigated.
Solution‐Processable, Solid State Donor–Acceptor Materials for Singlet Fission
Authors: Masoomi‐Godarzi Saghar , Liu Maning , Tachibana Yasuhiro , Goerigk Lars , Ghiggino Kenneth P. , Smith Trevor A. , Jones David J.
Published: September 2018

The exploitation of singlet fission (SF) materials in optoelectronic devices is restricted by the limited number of SF materials available and developing new organic materials that undergo singlet fission is a significant challenge. Using a new strategy based on conjugating strong donor and acceptor building blocks, the small molecule (BDT(DPP)2) and polymer (p‐BDT‐DPP) systems are designed and synthesized knowing that bisthiophene‐2,5‐dihydropyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione (DPP) has a low lying triplet energy level, which is further confirmed by time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations. TD‐DFT and natural transition orbital (NTO) analysis are conducted to gain insight into the photophysical properties and features of excited states in BDT(DPP)2, respectively. Femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopies are used to investigate the excited state kinetics in the synthesized compounds. Fast formation of triplet pairs in thin film of p‐BDT‐DPP and BDT(DPP)2 and the equilibrium formation of correlated triplet pairs and S1 from triplet–triplet annihilation in solution of BDT(DPP)2 are further evidence of SF in these compounds. The short triplet lifetime, as a result of fast biexcitonic recombination, provides additional support for triplet pair formation through singlet fission.
Charge State Manipulation of Cobalt Selenide Catalyst for Overall Seawater Electrolysis
Authors: Zhao Yongqiang , Jin Bo , Zheng Yao , Jin Huanyu , Jiao Yan , Qiao Shi‐Zhang
Published: September 2018

Facile and controllable fabrication of highly active and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for water electrolysis is important for hydrogen production. 3D cobalt selenide electrodes with CoSe and Co9Se8 phases are synthesized by one‐step calcination of Co foil with Se powder in a vacuum‐sealed ampoule. The charge state of Co species and the electrocatalytic performance of the prepared catalysts are manipulated by controlling Co to Se mass ratio. Mechanistic studies show that a high Co charge state favors oxygen evolution reaction performance and a low Co charge state promotes hydrogen evolution reaction activity for as‐prepared cobalt selenide electrocatalysts. The resultant materials can act as free‐standing bifunctional electrocatalytic electrodes for oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media. Moreover, a 10.3 mA cm−2 current density at 1.8 V is achieved for overall seawater electrolysis through exploiting as‐synthesized cobalt selenide electrodes as both anode and cathode, which is three times higher than that for novel‐metal‐based seawater electrolyzer at the same voltage (2.9 mA cm−2). Experimental results reveal that the cobalt selenide electrodes show significantly higher electrocatalytic performance than that of integrated Ni/Ir–C and Ni/Pt–C electrodes. Consequently, these novel bifunctional electrodes are promising candidates for realistic large‐scale water electrolysis.
Edge‐Nitrogen‐Rich Carbon Dots Pillared Graphene Blocks with Ultrahigh Volumetric/Gravimetric Capacities and Ultralong Life for Sodium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Liu Zheng , Zhang Longhai , Sheng Lizhi , Zhou Qihang , Wei Tong , Feng Jing , Fan Zhuangjun
Published: September 2018

The development of stable electrode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (NIBs) with excellent rate capacity, high volumetric/gravimetric capacity, and ultralong‐term cycling stability still remains a challenge. Herein, a novel strategy for the synthesis of edge‐nitrogen‐rich carbon dots pillared graphene blocks (N‐CDGB) through self‐polymerization of aniline into graphene oxide blocks, and subsequent carbonization is developed. Due to high bulk density (1.5 g cm−3) and integrated lamellar structure with large edge‐interlayer spacing (4.2 Å) pillared by nitrogen‐doped carbon dots (95% edge‐nitrogen content), the dense N‐CDGB shows robust structural stability, fast ion/electron transfer pathways, and more active sites for sodium storage. As a result, the N‐CDGB electrode exhibits ultrahigh reversible volumetric and gravimetric capacities (780 mAh cm−3/520 mAh g−1 at 0.02 A g−1) far exceeding those of graphene (108 mAh cm−3/290 mAh g−1) and hard carbon (297 mAh cm−3/311 mAh g−1), excellent rate capability (118 mAh g−1/177 mAh cm−3 at 10 A g−1), and superior cycling stability up to 10 000 cycles with almost no capacity loss at 10 A g−1. This work signifies the superiority of densely pillared structure in the future development of NIBs with high volumetric/gravimetric capacity and ultralong‐term cycling stability.
Intermolecular Exchange Boosts Efficiency of Air‐Stable, Carbon‐Based All‐Inorganic Planar CsPbIBr2 Perovskite Solar Cells to Over 9%
Authors: Zhu Weidong , Zhang Qianni , Chen Dazheng , Zhang Zeyang , Lin Zhenhua , Chang Jingjing , Zhang Jincheng , Zhang Chunfu , Hao Yue
Published: September 2018

Among all inorganic halide perovskite photovoltaic materials, CsPbIBr2 exhibits the most balanced features in terms of bandgap and stability. However, the poor quality of solution‐processed CsPbIBr2 films impedes further optimization of cells performance. Herein, a facile intermolecular exchange strategy for CsPbIBr2 film is demonstrated, wherein an optimized methanol solution of CsI is spin‐coated on CsPbIBr2 precursor film in conventional one‐step solution route. It surprisingly produces full‐coverage and pure‐phase CsPbIBr2 films featured with average grain size of ≈0.65 µm, few grain boundaries, high crystallinity, preferable (100) orientation, stoichiometric composition along with favorable electronic structures for effective dissociation and transfer of carriers. Hence, the cost‐effective, carbon‐based all‐inorganic planar perovskite solar cells based on them, yield an optimized efficiency of 9.16% with a stabilized value of 8.46% in ambient air conditions that highlight a particularly superb open‐circuit voltage of 1.245 V, all of which represent the highest values reported in pure CsPbIBr2 based cells so far. Moreover, the optimized cell without encapsulation shows excellent long‐term stability because it can retain 90% over 60 days and 97% over 7 days of its initial efficiency, when is stored controllably in ≈45% relative humidity at 25 or 85 °C at zero humidity, respectively.
Pore network modeling of catalyst deactivation by coking, from single site to particle, during propane dehydrogenation
Authors: Ye Guanghua , Wang Haizhi , Duan Xuezhi , Sui Zhijun , Zhou Xinggui , Coppens Marc‐Olivier , Yuan Weikang
Published: September 2018

A versatile pore network model is used to study deactivation by coking in a single catalyst particle. This approach allows to gain detailed insights into the progression of deactivation from active site, to pore, and to particle—providing valuable information for catalyst design. The model is applied to investigate deactivation by coking during propane dehydrogenation in a Pt‐Sn/Al2O3 catalyst particle. We find that the deactivation process can be separated into two stages when there exist severe diffusion limitation and pore blockage, and the toxicity of coke formed in the later stage is much stronger than of coke formed in the early stage. The reaction temperature and composition change the coking rate and apparent reaction rate, informed by the kinetics, but, remarkably, they do not change the capacity for a catalyst particle to accommodate coke. Conversely, the pore network structure significantly affects the capacity to contain coke. © 2018 The Authors. AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers. AIChE J, 65: 140–150, 2019
Shifts in pollen release envelope differ between genera with non‐uniform climate change
Authors: Panchen Zoe A. , Johnston Mark O.
Published: September 2018

Premise of THE Study

Plant phenological responses to climate change now constitute one of the best studied areas of the ecological impacts of climate change. Flowering time responses to climate change of wind‐pollinated species have, however, been less well studied. A novel source of flowering time data for wind‐pollinated species is allergen monitoring records.

Methods

We studied the male flowering time response to climatic variables of two wind‐pollinated genera, Betula (Betulaceae) and Populus (Salicaceae), using pollen count records over a 17‐year period.

Key Results

We found that changes in the pollen release envelope differed between the two genera. Over the study period, the only month with a significant rise in temperature was April, resulting in the duration of pollen release of the April‐flowering Populus to shorten and the start and peak of the May‐flowering Betula to advance. The quantity of pollen released by Betula has increased and was related to increases in the previous year's August precipitation, while the quantity of pollen released by Populus has not changed and was related to the previous year's summer and autumn temperatures.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that taxa differ in the reproductive consequences of environmental change. Differing shifts in phenology among species may be related to different rates of change in climatic variables in different months of the year. While our study only considers two genera, the results underscore the importance of understanding non‐uniform intra‐annual variation in climate when studying the ecological implications of climate change.
Busy Streets Theory: The Effects of Community‐engaged Greening on Violence
Authors: Heinze Justin E. , Krusky‐Morey Allison , Vagi Kevin J. , Reischl Thomas M. , Franzen Susan , Pruett Natalie K. , Cunningham Rebecca M. , Zimmerman Marc A.
Published: September 2018

Lack of maintenance on vacant neighborhood lots is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress for nearby residents. Overgrown grasses and dense brush provide hiding spots for criminals and space to conduct illicit activities. This study builds upon previous research by investigating greening programs that engage community members to conduct routine maintenance on vacant lots within their neighborhoods. The Clean & Green program is a community‐based solution that facilitates resident‐driven routine maintenance of vacant lots in a midsized, Midwestern city. We use mixed effects regression to compare assault and violent crime counts on streets where vacant lot(s) are maintained by community members (N = 216) versus streets where vacant lots were left alone (N = 446) over a 5‐year timeframe (2009–2013). Street segments with vacant lots maintained through the Clean & Green program had nearly 40% fewer assaults and violent crimes than street segments with vacant, abandoned lots, which held across 4 years with a large sample and efforts to test counterfactual explanations. Community‐engaged greening programs may not only provide a solution to vacant lot maintenance, but also work as a crime prevention or reduction strategy. Engaging the community to maintain vacant lots in their neighborhood reduces costs and may increase the sustainability of the program.
Why Name Generators with a Fixed Number of Alters may be a Pragmatic Option for Personal Network Analysis
Authors: Maya Jariego Isidro
Published: September 2018

Social network analysis has grown exponentially in recent years, giving rise to methodological innovations in different scientific disciplines. In psychology, social network analysis has been incorporated into studies of individual personality differences and has generated novel areas, such as network psychometrics and network interventions. In community psychology, a recent review examined the use of network analysis inAmerican Journal of Community Psychologypublications (Neal & Neal,American Journal of Community Psychology, 2017, 60, 279). Based on their study, the authors advise researchers to avoid using the fixed‐choice name generator when possible, as one of the five methodological recommendations proposed. In this essay, I explain how the recent increase of name generators with a fixed number of alters when studying personal networks is originally linked to an interest in describing structural properties. Second, I analyze the pragmatic contributions of this method: establishing a limit of alters a priori can entail advantages in terms of standardization and comparability of personal networks. Finally, to contextualize the methodological debate, I argue that personal networks represent the diversity of contexts in which the individual participates and are naturally integrated into community surveys.
Dietary intake in youth with prader‐willi syndrome
Authors: Mackenzie Michelle L. , Triador Lucila , Gill Jasmeena K. , Pakseresht Mohammadreza , Mager Diana , Field Catherine J. , Haqq Andrea M.
Published: September 2018

Dietary management is important to prevent severe obesity in individuals with Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS); however, few studies have examined dietary intake and quality in youth with PWS. Our objective was to estimate intake of essential nutrients and diet quality in youth with PWS compared to those without PWS. Three‐day food records were used to estimate intake of energy, nutrients, nutrient‐density, foods, and adherence to healthy eating guidelines. Data were presented as medians and interquartile ranges with Mann–Whitney U and Fisher's test used to compare between groups with p < .05 considered significant. Youth with (n = 23) and without (n = 23) PWS were similar in age and sex distribution. The PWS group had a lower energy intake (p ≤ .001), higher nutrient density (p = .003), and better adherence to guidelines (p = .007) compared to the control group. The proportion with nutrient intake from food below Estimated Average Requirement or Adequate Intake were similar between groups. Fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium intake were below recommendations in 50% or more in both groups. The inclusion of supplement intake lowered the proportion below recommendations, except for fiber and potassium. Youth with PWS had a similar nutrient intake as those without PWS despite a lower energy intake, which could be attributed to higher diet quality. However, more than half of youth with PWS were at risk of inadequate fiber, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium intake. A greater emphasis on nutrient‐dense foods would improve nutrient intake, but supplements may be warranted in youth with PWS who do not meet recommendations.
A previously unrecognized 22q13.2 microdeletion syndrome that encompasses TCF20 and TNFRSF13C
Authors: Upadia Jariya , Gonzales Patrick R. , Atkinson T. Prescott , Schroeder Harry W. , Robin Nathaniel H. , Rudy Natasha L. , Mikhail Fady M.
Published: September 2018

Phelan‐McDermid syndrome (PMS, OMIM 606232) is a heterozygous contiguous gene microdeletion syndrome occurring at the distal region of chromosome 22q13. This deletion encompasses the SHANK3 gene at 22q13.33, which is thought to be the critical gene for the neurodevelopmental features seen in this syndrome. PMS is typically characterized by intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, absent to severely delayed speech, neonatal hypotonia, and dysmorphic features. Two patients presenting with classic clinical features of PMS have been reported to have interstitial microdeletions in the 22q13.2 region that map proximal to the SHANK3 gene (0.54 and 0.72 Mb, respectively). Here, we describe a 13‐month‐old girl with a de novo 1.16 Mb interstitial deletion in the 22q13.2 region who presented with global developmental delay, subtle dysmorphic features, and immunodeficiency. This deletion overlaps with the two previously published cases and five cases from the DECIPHER database. All eight patients share features common to patients with PMS including developmental delay and language delay, which suggests that this represents a previously unrecognized microdeletion syndrome in the 22q13.2 region. Our patient's deletion encompasses the TCF20 and TNFRSF13C genes, which are thought to play causative roles in the patient's neurodevelopmental and immunological features, respectively.
Breaking the rules: Phylogeny, not life history, explains dental eruption sequence in primates
Authors: Monson Tesla A. , Hlusko Leslea J.
Published: September 2018

Objectives

Although a great deal is known about the biology of tooth development and eruption, there remains disagreement about the factors driving the evolution of dental eruption sequence. We assessed postcanine eruption sequence across a large sample of primates to test two hypotheses: (1) Dental eruption sequence is significantly correlated with life history and body size variables that capture postnatal growth and longevity (Schultz's rule), and (2) Dental eruption sequence is conserved phylogenetically.

Materials and methods

We assessed postcanine dental eruption sequence for 194 individuals representing 21 primate genera spanning eight families. With the inclusion of an additional 29 primate genera from the literature, this is the most comprehensive report on dental eruption sequence in primates to date. We used a series of phylogenetic analyses to statistically compare dental eruption sequence to life history and body size and test for phylogenetic signal in these traits.

Results

Dental eruption sequence is conserved phylogenetically in primates, and body and brain size are both significantly associated with dental eruption sequence. Ancestral state reconstruction supports the hypothesis that the third molar erupted before one or more of the premolars in the ancestor of primates, and derived clades within primates evolved an eruption sequence in which the third molar erupts after the premolars.

Discussion

Schultz's rule, as it is currently written and applied, is not supported by this extended data set. Our results demonstrate that dental eruption sequence is a far better predictor of phylogeny and will likely prove useful in phylogenetic hypotheses about relationships between extinct and extant mammalian taxa. The evolution of dental eruption sequence is likely driven by factors that significantly influence body size and mandibular symphyseal fusion.
International assessment of inter‐ and intrarater reliability of the International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification system
Authors: Villarreal Ricardo , Wrobel Bozena B. , Macias‐Valle Luis F. , Davis Greg E. , Prihoda Thomas J. , Luong Amber U. , McMains K. Christopher , Weitzel Erik K. , Yao William C. , Brunworth Joe , Clark David W. , Nair Salil , Valdés Constanza J. , Halderman Ashleigh , Jang David W. , Sivasubramaniam Rahuram , Zhang Zhipeng , Chen Philip G.
Published: September 2018

Background

Inconsistencies in the nomenclature of structures of the frontal sinus have impeded the development of a validated “reference standard” classification system that surgeons can reliably agree upon. The International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification (IFAC) system was developed as a consensus document, based on expert opinion, attempting to address this issue. The purposes of this study are to: establish the reliability of the IFAC as a tool for classifying cells in the frontal recess among an international group of rhinologists; and improve communication and teaching of frontal endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Methods

Forty‐two computed tomography (CT) scans, each with a marked frontal cell, were reviewed by 15 international fellowship‐trained rhinologists. Each marked cell was classified into 1 of 7 categories described in the IFAC, on 2 occasions separated by 2 weeks. Inter‐ and intrarater reliability were evaluated using Light's kappa (κ), the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and simple proportion of agreement.

Results

Interrater reliability showed pairwise κ values ranging from 0.7248 to 1.0, with a mean of 0.9162 (SD, 0.0537). The ICC was 0.98. Intrarater reliability showed κ values ranging from 0.8613 to 1.0, with a mean of 0.9407 (SD, 0.0376). The within‐rater ICC was 0.98.

Conclusion

Among a diverse sample of rhinologists (raters), there was substantial to almost perfect agreement between raters, and among individual raters at different timepoints. The IFAC is a reliable tool for classification of cells in the frontal sinus. Further outcome studies are still needed to determine the validity of the IFAC.
Pro‐inflammatory role of transient receptor potential canonical channel 6 in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Authors: Tang Ru , Li Zhi‐Peng , Li Ming‐Xian , Li Da‐Wei , Ye Hai‐Bo , Su Kai‐Ming , Lin Hai , Zhang Wei‐Tian
Published: September 2018

Background

The pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has not been fully elucidated. This study sought to explore the role and mechanism of transient receptor potential canonical channel 6 (TRPC6) in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to evaluate TRPC6 immunolabeling. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to assay TRPC6, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), and calcium release‐activated calcium channel protein 1 (Orai1) messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in 70 patients with CRSwNP, including eosinophilic CRSwNP (ECRSwNP) or non‐eosinophilic CRSwNP (nECRSwNP), and 28 control subjects. The concentrations of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐5, and IL‐25, were assayed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In experiments on human nasal epithelial cell (HNEC) culture and stimulation, the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of intracellular Ca2+ was assayed by flow cytometry. Western blotting, real‐time PCR, and ELISA were also conducted to assess the effects and mechanisms of TRPC6 activator 1‐oleoyl‐2‐acetyl‐glycerol (OAG) and TRPC6 inhibitor 1‐[2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐[3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl) propoxy]ethyl‐1H‐imidazole (SKF‐96365) on HNECs.

Results

Upregulation of TRPC6, STIM1, and Orai1 levels was found in CRSwNP patients, particularly in those with ECRSwNP. TRPC6‐positive cells correlated positively with the numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils, respectively. Moreover, TRPC6 mRNA was positively correlated with STIM1 and Orai1 mRNA levels. The concentrations of inflammatory mediators, including IL‐1β, IL‐5, and IL‐25, were elevated in CRSwNP, especially in ECRSwNP. In cultured HNECs, TRPC6, STIM1, Orai1, Ca2+ MFI levels, and inflammatory mediators were upregulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and OAG but were inhibited by SKF‐96365.

Conclusion

TRPC6 plays a pro‐inflammatory role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP via regulating Ca2+ flow.
Exponential Stability of Highly Nonlinear Neutral Pantograph Stochastic Differential Equations
Authors: Shen Mingxuan , Fei Weiyin , Mao Xuerong , Deng Shounian
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we investigate the exponential stability of highly nonlinear hybrid neutral pantograph stochastic differential equations (NPSDEs). The aim of this paper is to establish exponential stability criteria for a class of hybrid NPSDEs without the linear growth condition. The methods of Lyapunov functions and M‐matrix are used to study exponential stability and boundedness of the hybrid NPSDEs.