bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Secondary School Students’ English Literacy: Use of Interactive Read Aloud Instructional Strategy
Authors: Ayu Mutiara , Dahlan Diem Chuzaimah , Vianty Machdalena 
Published: October 2017

The Global era has had a great impact on the existence of English as a global language which requires students to be good at its every skill. It is believed that students’ English could be enhanced well with the use of certain strategies, one of which is Interactive Read Aloud Instructional Strategy (IRAIS). This study was aimed at examining the efﬁcacy of IRAIS to help students to improve their English literacy achievements. Forty five out of 746 students were selected randomly as sample based on their grade levels (7th, 8th, 9th) and their levels of comprehension. By using time series design, these students were given interventions for three months using IRAIS and their English achievements were obtained from pre- and post-tests of four English literacy skills. During the interventions, the progress of the students was also monitored regularly by using three formative tests.The results showed consistent progress on the students’ achievement during the interventions and upon their total English literacy achievement after the interventions. Among the four English literacy skills, the most significant improvement was in listening followed by writing, reading, and speaking. In terms of aspects of each literacy skill, the highest achievement scores were in inference of listening, narrative techniques of writing, vocabulary of reading, and vocal expression of speaking. These findings lead to the conclusion that IRAIS is an effective strategy in helping students to improve their level of English proficiency.
The Effectiveness of Note-Taking on Reading Comprehension of Iranian EFL Learners
Authors: Bahrami Farnoush , Nosratzadeh Heidar 
Published: October 2017

By taking notes students could save time for reading all textbooks for their exams or for their representations. It helps them to be vigilant all the time in class for having good notes and they have to paying attention to lectures or teachers all the time, therefore note-taking causes to listening better to lessons and lectures an also it causes to improves their comprehension when they read texts. Thus, the present study is important because note-taking could provide student’s memorization and helps them to remember what they learnt, absolutely important information. Also it accelerates to one-over their studies.The method used in this research was survey. The 40 Persian EFL learners were selected from a language institute in Karaj to participate in the present study. These learners were divided into two groups; one of them is experimental group (N=20) and the other one is control group (N=20). Pretest and post test were two instruments that were used to carry out this study, a pretest about skill of note-taking of passages of the lessons was used for both experimental and control group. This test consisted of 4 passages. The same test was administrated again as the post test for both groups by the end of the course to see the different conclusion between taking note of experimental group and control group control groups. Reliability between 4 texts is in oscillation from 0.6 to 0.81 (from 0.6 upwards). Therefore this reliability was an acceptable one. To analyze data descriptive statistics (that was contained percentage, frequency and mean score) and also inferential statistics (that was contained ANOVA, Pearson correlation, independent sample t-test, multivariate’s test, regression) were carried out by using SPSS16 soft ware. The findings confirmed that note taking is effective in reading comprehension.
Similarity Assessment of Land Surface Model Outputs in the North American Land Data Assimilation System
Authors: Kumar Sujay V. , Wang Shugong , Mocko David M. , Peters‐Lidard Christa D. , Xia Youlong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMultimodel ensembles are often used to produce ensemble mean estimates that tend to have increased simulation skill over any individual model output. If multimodel outputs are too similar, an individual LSM would add little additional information to the multimodel ensemble, whereas if the models are too dissimilar, it may be indicative of systematic errors in their formulations or configurations. The article presents a formal similarity assessment of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) multimodel ensemble outputs to assess their utility to the ensemble, using a confirmatory factor analysis. Outputs from four NLDAS Phase 2 models currently running in operations at NOAA/NCEP and four new/upgraded models that are under consideration for the next phase of NLDAS are employed in this study. The results show that the runoff estimates from the LSMs were most dissimilar whereas the models showed greater similarity for root zone soil moisture, snow water equivalent, and terrestrial water storage. Generally, the NLDAS operational models showed weaker association with the common factor of the ensemble and the newer versions of the LSMs showed stronger association with the common factor, with the model similarity increasing at longer time scales. Trade‐offs between the similarity metrics and accuracy measures indicated that the NLDAS operational models demonstrate a larger span in the similarity‐accuracy space compared to the new LSMs. The results of the article indicate that simultaneous consideration of model similarity and accuracy at the relevant time scales is necessary in the development of multimodel ensemble.
Chemical Intercalation of Topological Insulator Grid Nanostructures for High‐Performance Transparent Electrodes
Authors: Guo Yunfan , Zhou Jinyuan , Liu Yujing , Zhou Xu , Yao Fengrui , Tan Congwei , Wu Jinxiong , Lin Li , Liu Kaihui , Liu Zhongfan , Peng Hailin 
Published: October 2017

Abstract2D layered nanomaterials with strong covalent bonding within layers and weak van der Waals' interactions between layers have attracted tremendous interest in recent years. Layered Bi2Se3 is a representative topological insulator material in this family, which holds promise for exploration of the fundamental physics and practical applications such as transparent electrode. Here, a simultaneous enhancement of optical transmittancy and electrical conductivity in Bi2Se3 grid electrodes by copper‐atom intercalation is presented. These Cu‐intercalated 2D Bi2Se3 electrodes exhibit high uniformity over large area and excellent stabilities to environmental perturbations, such as UV light, thermal fluctuation, and mechanical distortion. Remarkably, by intercalating a high density of copper atoms, the electrical and optical performance of Bi2Se3 grid electrodes is greatly improved from 900 Ω sq−1, 68% to 300 Ω sq−1, 82% in the visible range; with better performance of 300 Ω sq−1, 91% achieved in the near‐infrared region. These unique properties of Cu‐intercalated topological insulator grid nanostructures may boost their potential applications in high‐performance optoelectronics, especially for infrared optoelectronic devices.
Imbedded Nanocrystals of CsPbBr3 in Cs4PbBr6: Kinetics, Enhanced Oscillator Strength, and Application in Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Xu Junwei , Huang Wenxiao , Li Peiyun , Onken Drew R. , Dun Chaochao , Guo Yang , Ucer Kamil B. , Lu Chang , Wang Hongzhi , Geyer Scott M. , Williams Richard T. , Carroll David L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSolution‐grown films of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals imbedded in Cs4PbBr6 are incorporated as the recombination layer in light‐emitting diode (LED) structures. The kinetics at high carrier density of pure (extended) CsPbBr3 and the nanoinclusion composite are measured and analyzed, indicating second‐order kinetics in extended and mainly first‐order kinetics in the confined CsPbBr3, respectively. Analysis of absorption strength of this all‐perovskite, all‐inorganic imbedded nanocrystal composite relative to pure CsPbBr3 indicates enhanced oscillator strength consistent with earlier published attribution of the sub‐nanosecond exciton radiative lifetime in nanoprecipitates of CsPbBr3 in melt‐grown CsBr host crystals and CsPbBr3 evaporated films.
Unraveling the Mystery of the Blue Fog: Structure, Properties, and Applications of Amorphous Blue Phase III
Authors: Gandhi Sahil Sandesh , Chien Liang‐Chy 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe amorphous blue phase III of cholesteric liquid crystals, also known as the “blue fog,” are among the rising stars in materials science that can potentially be used to develop next‐generation displays with the ability to compete toe‐to‐toe with disruptive technologies like organic light‐emitting diodes. The structure and properties of the practically unobservable blue phase III have eluded scientists for more than a century since it was discovered. This progress report reviews the developments in this field from both fundamental and applied research perspectives. The first part of this progress report gives an overview of the 130‐years‐long scientific tour‐de‐force that very recently resulted in the revelation of the mysterious structure of blue phase III. The second part reviews progress made in the past decade in developing electrooptical, optical, and photonic devices based on blue phase III. The strong and weak aspects of the development of these devices are underlined and criticized, respectively. The third‐ and‐final part proposes ideas for further improvement in blue phase III technology to make it feasible for commercialization and widespread use.
In Situ Characterization of Interfaces Relevant for Efficient Photoinduced Reactions
Authors: Supplie Oliver , May Matthias M. , Brückner Sebastian , Brezhneva Nadzeya , Hannappel Thomas , Skorb Ekaterina V. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSolar energy conversion and photoinduced bioactive sensors are representing topical scientific fields, where interfaces play a decisive role for efficient applications. The key to specifically tune these interfaces is a precise knowledge of interfacial structures and their formation on the microscopic, preferably atomic scale. Gaining thorough insight into interfacial reactions, however, is particularly challenging in relevant complex chemical environment. This review introduces a spectrum of material systems with corresponding interfaces significant for efficient applications in energy conversion and sensor technologies. It highlights appropriate analysis techniques capable of monitoring critical physicochemical reactions in situ during non‐vacuum preparation and photoactivity studies including well‐defined inorganic epitaxial reference surfaces, buried interfaces, and low‐defect nucleation of disjunct epitaxial materials that are analyzed during preparation in chemical vapor environment. Their surfaces are then modified and functionalized in gaseous and liquid environment. Finally, even more complex coupling of inorganic stable photoactive materials with responsive soft matter for bioactivity is reviewed. Interface formation, structure, and/or artificial photochemical interfacial reactions are scrutinized down to the atomic scale in real time, also accounting for equilibrium versus non‐equilibrium, kinetically driven processes, in order to accelerate progresses in the realization of efficient energy materials and in the exploitation of photoinduced processes at interfaces.
Magnetically Controllable Random Lasers
Authors: Tsai Cheng‐Yen , Liao Yu‐Ming , Liao Wei‐Cheng , Lin Wei‐Ju , Perumal Packiyaraj , Hu Hsiu‐Hao , Lin Shih‐Yao , Chang Cheng‐Han , Cai Shu‐Yi , Sun Tzu‐Min , Lin Hung‐I , Haider Golam , Chen Yang‐Fang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractToward practical applications of random lasers, controllability is a key factor. Here, magnetically controllable random lasers (MCRLs) are designed, fabricated, and demonstrated. Under a prescribed magnetic field, the MCRLs composed of stilbene 420 laser dye, TiO2 nanoparticles, and Fe3O4 nanoparticles possess magnetic controllability and switchability with good responsivity and durability. The applied magnetic field can be used to manipulate the distribution of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which in turn alters the formation of the coherent loops and the properties of laser action. The MCRLs developed here can serve as magneto‐optics prototypes for several potential applications, such as biomedicine and optical communications.
Molecular‐Printed Thermochromic with Fast Color Switching
Authors: Cho Sungjun , Kim Gwangmook , Lee Sooun , Park Jinwoo , Shim Wooyoung 
Published: October 2017

AbstractColor generation by thermochromic materials offers several advantages over the light‐based technology: a passive circuit element‐driven simplified device layout, cost‐effectiveness, and clear visibility. However, thermochromic materials need to be effectively coupled with an external heat source to induce coloration, which generally involves slow heat transfer processes that are not suitable for potential display applications. Here, a method for molecular printing of a thermochromic ink with a low heat capacity, enabling an unprecedented, fast color switching without any optoelectronic elements, is demonstrated. Molecularly printed ink is patterned on fabricated microheaters that induce transient local heat generation, facilitating local heating and cooling processes. Depending on the density of the thermochromic ink, that is, the number of microcapsuled dyes in the form of a monolayer resulting in a low heat capacity, the chroma of the patterned ink could be increased. Using this technique, the thermochromic ink could be printed over centimeter scales, with cyan‐magenta‐yellow‐black colors at a color‐switching rate of 20–500 ms, to be integrated into the thermochromic device prototype for potential display applications.
High‐Performance Wide Bandgap Copolymers Using an EDOT Modified Benzodithiophene Donor Block with 10.11% Efficiency
Authors: Feng Kui , Yang Guofang , Xu Xiaopeng , Zhang Guangjun , Yan He , Awartani Omar , Ye Long , Ade Harald , Li Ying , Peng Qiang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNewly developed benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT) block with 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) side chains is first employed to build efficient photovoltaic copolymers. The resulting copolymers, PBDTEDOT‐BT and PBDTEDOTFBT, have a large bandgap more than 1.80 eV, which is attributed to the increased steric hindrance between the BDT and EDOT skeletons. Both copolymers possess the satisfied absorptions, low‐lying highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) levels and high crystallinity. Using the fluorination strategy, PBDTEDOT‐FBT exhibits a wider and stronger absorption and a deeper HOMO level than those of PBDTEDOT‐BT. PBDTEDOT‐FBT:[6,6]‐Phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) blend also shows the higher hole mobility and better surface morphology compared with the PBDTEDOTBT:PC71BM blend. Combination of above advantages, PBDTEDOT‐FBT devices exhibit much higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.11%, with an improved open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.86 V, short circuit current densities (Jsc) of 16.01 mA cm−2, and fill factor (FF) of 72.6%. This work not only provides a newly efficient candidate of BDT donor block modified with EDOT conjugated side chains, but also achieves high‐performance large bandgap copolymers for polymer solar cells (PSCs) via the synergistic effect of fluorination and side chain engineering strategies.
Traumatic brain injury in the prodromal period of Parkinson's disease: A large epidemiological study using medicare data
Authors: Camacho‐Soto Alejandra , Warden Mark N. , Searles Nielsen Susan , Salter Amber , Brody David L. , Prather Heidi , Racette Brad A. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveStudies suggest a greater risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) after traumatic brain injury (TBI), but it is possible that the risk of TBI is greater in the prodromal period of PD. We aimed to examine the time‐to‐TBI in PD patients in their prodromal period compared to population‐based controls.MethodsWe identified 89,790 incident PD cases and 118,095 comparable controls aged > 65 years in 2009 using Medicare claims data. Using data from the preceding 5 years, we compared time‐to‐TBI in PD patients in their prodromal period to controls. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for TBI in a Cox regression, while adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, modified Charlson comorbidity index, smoking, and alcohol use.ResultsRisk of TBI was greater in PD patients in their prodromal period across all age and sex groups, with HRs consistently increasing with proximity to PD diagnosis. HRs ranged from 1.64 (95% CI, 1.52, 1.77) 5 years preceding diagnosis to 3.93 (95% CI, 3.74, 4.13) in the year before. The interaction between PD, TBI, and time was primarily observed for TBI attributed to falls. Motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment, suggested by corresponding International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes, partially mediated the PD‐TBI association.InterpretationThere is a strong association between PD and a recent TBI in the prodromal period of PD. This association strengthens as PD diagnosis approaches and may be a result of undetected nonmotor and motor symptoms, but confirmation will be required. Ann Neurol 2017;82:744–754
Guianolactones A and B, Two Rearranged Pentacyclic Limonoids from the Seeds of Carapa guianensis
Authors: Higuchi Keiichiro , Tani Yoshimi , Kikuchi Takashi , In Yasuko , Yamada Takeshi , Muraoka Osamu , Tanaka Naonobu , Tanaka Reiko 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTwo novel rearranged limonoids, guianolactones A (1) and B (2), were isolated from Carapa guianensis Aubl. (Meliaceae) seeds. The structures of 1 and 2 with their absolute configurations were elucidated in detailed examinations using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses and 2D NMR spectra. Guianolactone A (1) has a novel 5/6/6/6/6 pentacyclic core including two δ‐lactone and a tetrahydropyran ring, while guianolactone B (2) is a novel limonoid with a 6/6/5/6/6 pentacyclic core featuring a δ‐lactone and a tetrahydrofuran ring.
Mass Transfer and Drop Size Distributions in Reactive Nanoparticle‐Stabilized Multiphase Systems
Authors: Petzold Marc , Röhl Susanne , Hohl Lena , Stehl Dmitrij , Lehmann Maren , von Klitzing Regine , Kraume Matthias 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMass transfer in stirred liquid‐liquid systems with and without silica nanoparticles is investigated for the saponification of benzoyl chloride. The mass transfer area is positively affected by the nanoparticles which lead to an increase of the liquid‐liquid interfacial area due to droplet coalescence hindrance. However, an additional mass transfer resistance induced by particles at the liquid‐liquid interface was observed for all particle concentrations, since the high occupancy diminishes the available area for mass transfer. The ratio of the two oppositional effects needs to be determined to identify suitable nanoparticle reaction systems.
Manifestations of classical physics in the quantum evolution of correlated spin states in pulsed NMR experiments
Authors: Ligare Martin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMultiple‐pulse NMR experiments are a powerful tool for the investigation of molecules with coupled nuclear spins. The product operator formalism provides a way to understand the quantum evolution of an ensemble of weakly coupled spins in such experiments using some of the more intuitive concepts of classical physics and semi‐classical vector representations. In this paper I present a new way in which to interpret the quantum evolution of an ensemble of spins. I recast the quantum problem in terms of mixtures of pure states of two spins whose expectation values evolve identically to those of classical moments. Pictorial representations of these classically evolving states provide a way to calculate the time evolution of ensembles of weakly coupled spins without the full machinery of quantum mechanics, offering insight to anyone who understands precession of magnetic moments in magnetic fields.
Local Chemical Stimulation of Neurons with the Fluidic Force Microscope (FluidFM)
Authors: Aebersold Mathias J. , Dermutz Harald , Demkó László , Cogollo José F. Saenz , Lin Shiang‐Chi , Burchert Conrad , Schneider Moritz , Ling Doris , Forró Csaba , Han Hana , Zambelli Tomaso , Vörös János 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPhysiological communication between neurons is dependent on the exchange of neurotransmitters at the synapses. Although this chemical signal transmission targets specific receptors and allows for subtle adaptation of the action potential, in vitro neuroscience typically relies on electrical currents and potentials to stimulate neurons. The electric stimulus is unspecific and the confinement of the stimuli within the media is technically difficult to control and introduces large artifacts in electric recordings of the activity. Here, we present a local chemical stimulation platform that resembles in vivo physiological conditions and can be used to target specific receptors of synapses. Neurotransmitters were dispensed using the force‐controlled fluidic force microscope (FluidFM) nanopipette, which provides exact positioning and precise liquid delivery. We show that controlled release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate induces spiking activity in primary rat hippocampal neurons, as measured by concurrent electrical and optical recordings using a microelectrode array and a calcium‐sensitive dye, respectively. Furthermore, we characterized the glutamate dose response of neurons by applying stimulation pulses of glutamate with concentrations from 0 to 0.5 mm. This new stimulation approach, which combines FluidFM for gentle and precise positioning with a microelectrode array read‐out, makes it possible to modulate the activity of individual neurons chemically and simultaneously record their induced activity across the entire neuronal network. The presented platform not only offers a more physiological alternative compared with electrical stimulation, but also provides the possibility to study the effects of the local application of neuromodulators and other drugs.
Catalytic, Conductive Bipolar Membrane Interfaces through Layer‐by‐Layer Deposition for the Design of Membrane‐Integrated Artificial Photosynthesis Systems
Authors: McDonald Michael B. , Freund Michael S. , Hammond Paula T. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn the presence of an electric field, bipolar membranes (BPMs) are capable of initiating water disassociation (WD) within the interfacial region, which can make water splitting for renewable energy in the presence of a pH gradient possible. In addition to WD catalytic efficiency, there is also the need for electronic conductivity in this region for membrane‐integrated artificial photosynthesis (AP) systems. Graphene oxide (GO) was shown to catalyze WD and to be controllably reduced, which resulted in electronic conductivity. Layer‐by‐layer (LbL) film deposition was employed to improve GO film uniformity in the interfacial region to enhance WD catalysis and, through the addition of a conducting polymer in the process, add electronic conductivity in a hybrid film. Three different deposition methods were tested to optimize conducting polymer synthesis with the oxidant in a metastable solution and to yield the best film properties. It was found that an approach that included substrate dipping in a solution containing the expected final monomer/oxidant ratio provided the most predictable film growth and smoothest films (by UV/Vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, respectively), whereas dipping in excess oxidant or co‐spraying the oxidant and monomer produced heterogeneous films. Optimized films were found to be electronically conductive and produced a membrane ohmic drop that was acceptable for AP applications. Films were integrated into the interfacial region of BPMs and revealed superior WD efficiency (≥1.4 V at 10 mA cm−2) for thinner films (<10 bilayers≈100 nm) than for either the pure GO catalyst or conducting polymer individually, which indicated that there was a synergistic effect between these materials in the structure configured by the LbL method.