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Abstract: Superhydrophobic surfaces with micro/nano structures were prepared using the synergistic effect of the hydroxyl-silicone-oil modified microscale tourmaline particles (HTP) and the nanoscale silica (SiO2) by a simple spraying method. The SiO2/HTP/Polyurethane (PU) and HTP/PU dispersions were sprayed onto the waterborne polyurethane (WPU) film using a shower nozzle driven by an air compressor. After drying of the spraying film at room temperature, a surface with micro/nano structures was obtained and the micro/nano structures were consisted of the microscale HTP coated by the nanoscale SiO2. Static water contact angle measurements proved that the rough surfaces were superhydrophobic. Furthermore, their performance of releasing negative air ion was significantly enhanced due to the rough structure. Importantly, this method is simple, low-cost and suitable for the fast and large-scale preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces, which is particularly important for the modification of hydrophilic polymer surfaces. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • An operationally simple and green method for chemoselective reduction of 2-benzylidene indanones and analogues to saturated ketones with water as a sole solvent is described. • Water soluble iridium pyridine-imidazoline complex was used as a catalyst with a mixture of formic acid/triethyl amine as a hydrogen source. • This method has a good functional group tolerance and is also applicable to gram-scale synthesis. A chemoselective iridium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of α, β-unsaturated ketones was realized in water. The C C double bonds of 2-benzylidene indanones and analogues were hydrogenated exclusively catalyzed by an iridium complex (0.1 mol%) bearing a pyridine-imidazoline ligand, using a mixture of formic acid/triethyl amine (molar ratio: 5/2) as a hydrogen source in water. A series of 2-benzyl indanones and analogues were obtained with good functional group tolerance and good yields. The practicability of this approach is also demonstrated by a gram-scale synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was achieved in the styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) coated by liquid bisphenol A bis(diphenyl phosphate) (BDP), a halogen-free flame retardant. It was found that most of CNTs existed in a filamentous stretched state. Compared with pure SEBS, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the SEBS/3wt.% CNTs composite with 5wt.% BDP (SEBS-3), were increased by 114% and 225%, respectively. The temperature of 50% weight loss under air condition increased from 351°C of pure SEBS to 437°C of the SEBS-3. Meanwhile, the limited oxygen index value and UL-94 tests of the SEBS-3 reached 25.5% and V-0, respectively. More importantly, this method endowed the SEBS/BDP/CNT composites with the good mechanical and flame-retardant properties, broadening their scope of application, reducing their cost. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Eu3+, Li+ co-doped CaZrO3 nanocrystals composed of perovskite structure have been prepared by sol-gel-combustion method at 700°C using ammonium nitrate as a fuel and citric acid as a complexing agent. No additional annealing was required, as crystalline CaZrO3 resulted directly from the combustion reaction. The structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The photoluminescence properties were measured using an Edinburgh FLS920 at room temperature. Stable orange-red emission from 550nm to 630nm has been observed from CaZrO3 crystalline phase. The incorporation of Li+ ions into CaZrO3 lattice could induce a remarkable increase of photoluminescence intensity by about three times. The mechanism of the enhanced emission by Li+ doping was discussed. The strong and color-uniform fluorescence images of the doped samples confirmed the potential applications of the phosphors in luminescence devices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Novel blue–white Y2Zr2O7:Dy3+, Li+ phosphors have been prepared by a facile and efficient sol–gel-combustion method at 800°C, using ammonium nitrate as a fuel and citric acid as a complexing agent. No additional annealing was required, as crystalline Y2Zr2O7 resulted directly from the combustion reaction. The structure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The photoluminescence properties were measured using an Edinburgh FLS920 at room temperature. Stable blue–white emission from 425nm to 625nm has been observed from Y2Zr2O7:Dy3+ and Y2Zr2O7:Dy3+, Li+ phosphors. The optimal doping concentration of Dy3+ ions is 2mol%. Experimental analysis and theoretical calculations reveal that the dipole–quadrupole (d–q) interaction should be the major concentration quenching mechanism of Dy3+ ions emission. Li+ co-doping improves luminescence intensity as well as crystallinity significantly. The incorporation of Li+ ions into Y2Zr2O7 lattice could induce a remarkable increase of photoluminescence intensity by about 2 times. The mechanism of the enhanced emission by Li+ doping was discussed. Both the chromaticity coordinates of Y2Zr2O7:Dy3+ and Y2Zr2O7:Dy3+, Li+ samples were in the near cold-white region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The phosphors, CaZrO3:Er3+ and Ce3+-activated CaZrO3:Er3+ were prepared by citric acid sol–gel combustion method, and their luminescent properties were investigated. The emission spectrum exhibited broad peaks at about 527 and 548nm due to (2H11/2, 4S3/2)–4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions. There is significant energy overlap between the emission band of Ce3+ ions and the excitation band of Er3+ ions, which allows energy transfer from Ce3+ ions to Er3+ ions. The luminescent intensity was greatly improved by the incorporation of Ce3+ ions. The photoluminescent intensities of the two phosphors were compared with the different doping concentration and calcination temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The solution behavior of purified sodium lignosulfonate (PSL) at different pH values were investigated by means of acid–base titration, surface tension, viscosity, fluorescence spectrometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) experiments. Fluorescence experiments showed that the critical aggregate concentration (CAC) of PSL was 0.05g/L. DLS results indicated that the average dimension of PSL molecule and PSL aggregate was about 8nm and 80nm, respectively. The surface charge of PSL molecules and the aggregation degree of PSL in solution increased with the increasing of pH due to the ionization of sulfonic and phenolic hydroxyl groups. The size of PSL aggregates and reduced viscosity of PSL solution increased as pH values increased because expansion of the PSL cores. A model for the assembly behavior of PSL was first proposed to explain the influence of pH on the molecular configuration and aggregation behaviors of lignosulfonate in aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pyrolysis characteristics and product distribution of BLS were studied. • The activation energy of BLS was higher than that of lignin. • The aromatic hydrocarbon content of BLS through down tube reactor pyrolysis was 90.15%. • The inorganic salt in BLS promoted the removal of phenolic hydroxyl groups. • The mechanism of bond breaking during PL pyrolysis was proposed. In this study, the pyrolysis behaviors, kinetics and product distribution of black liquor solid (BLS) and precipitated lignin (PL) were studied by TGA, Py-GC/MS and a homemade down tube reactor. Compared with PL, the pyrolysis process of BLS was more complex and the residue was lower based on TG/DTG analysis. The average activation energy of BLS (440 ~ 456 KJ/mol) calculated by three model-free methods were higher than that of PL (293 ~ 339 KJ/mol). Py-GC/MS analysis showed that the total content of aromatic monomers in BLS bio-oil products was 26.02 ~ 26.50% (750 ~ 850 °C), while it was 57.86 ~ 66.58% in PL bio-oil products. Moreover, BLS obtained a maximum aromatic hydrocarbon content of 90.15% (950 °C) through down tube reactor pyrolysis, while it was 81.38% for PL. The alkali catalysis of the inorganic salt in BLS promoted the removal of phenolic hydroxyl groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multifunctional KBiO 3 has physical adsorption, chemical oxidation and photocatalytic abilities. • The multifunctional abilities of KBiO 3 could be facile and controlled regulation through acidification. • Degradation of MB by KBiO 3 was investigated under both dark and light conditions. • KBiO 3 -1.0 improved the MB degradation efficiency by 7.04 times under light condition. In this work, a facile and effective strategy for improving the degradation ability of potassium bismuthate (KBiO 3) was first proposed by using HNO 3 acidification. The degradation ability of methylene blue (MB) by untreated and acidified KBiO 3 was systematically investigated under both dark and light conditions. Under light condition, KBiO 3 exhibited physical adsorption, chemical oxidation, and photocatalysis abilities during the MB degradation. Compared with KBiO 3 -0, the apparent reaction rate constant of KBiO 3 -1.0 (c(HNO 3)/c(KBiO 3) = 1.0) increased by 7.04 times. The specific surface area increased by 2.94 times. In-situ EPR demonstrated that the generation of singlet oxygen (1O 2) was gradually increased with increasing acid addition, which promoted the oxidation degradation of MB. Moreover, according to the photocurrent, EIS, and PL spectra measurements, the separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes was significantly enhanced, indicating the improved photocatalysis ability of KBiO 3. This work provides a deep understanding into the regulation of adsorption, oxidation, and photocatalysis abilities of bismuthate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• From the mechanism of existing ferroptosis inhibitors a new scaffold was designed. • Tetrahydroquinoxaline deviates showed excellent in vitro anti-ferroptotic cell death effect. • The molecular weight tetrahydroquinoxaline deviate is small (148 Da for the smallest). Ferroptosis is a recently characterized form of regulated necrosis with the iron-dependent accumulation of (phospho)lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH). It has attracted considerable attention for its putative involvement in diverse pathophysiological processes, such as cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration. Here we describe the discovery of tetrahydroquinoxaline, a novel scaffold of ferroptosis inhibitors based on quantum chemistry methods. Tetrahydroquinoxaline deviates showed very good inhibition of ferroptosis, while being non cytotoxic for human cancer cells. And, the advantage of them is their small molecular weight (MW. = 148 Da) that can be coupled with other drugs to form multi-target drugs to better meet the treatment of complicated diseases. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Immunomodulatory mechanisms of yupingfeng granules were investigated by integration of metabolomics and network pharmacology. • The potential regulatory mechanism was related to bile acid metabolism and inflammation. • Flavonoids and saponins were found to be the major active ingredients in the immunomodulatory effects of yupingfeng granules. • Biological verification was also performed. Systems biology is an approach that employs modern biological techniques and methods to combine the overall regulation of the body by Chinese herbal formulas with systems analysis at the molecular level. In this study, the underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms of yupingfeng granules (YPFG) were investigated based on the integration of metabolomics and network pharmacology methods. Selected routine peripheral blood indicators, body weight, and organ indices related to immunity were firstly measured in order to evaluate the effects of YPFG in cyclophosphamide-induced immunocompromised rats. Plasma metabolomics analyses were carried out by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with a multivariate data analysis. Our study indicates that the potential regulatory mechanism was related to bile acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism, involving the regulation of 11 metabolites, including 8 bile acids, 1 phosphatidylserine, and 2 phosphatidylethanolamines. By means of network pharmacology, the compound-target network between potential active components of YPFG and immune dysregulation was constructed, which releated to estrogen receptor, PPAR, MAPK, PI3K-Akt, JNK signaling pathways, and ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation. The immunomodulatory effect of YPFG may be exerted through regulating lipid metabolism, then bile acid metabolism and inflammation were affected. Biological verification was also performed on cyclophosphamide-induced immunocompromised BALB/c mice. Flavonoid and saponin, two types of compounds in YPFG, were found to be the major active ingredients in the immunomodulatory effects of YPFG, and these components may regulate the abnormal metabolism of bile acids by enhancing the expression of FXR and LXRα. This work elucidated active ingredients, potential biomarkers, and mechanisms of action in the immunoregulatory effects of YPFG from the perspective of systems biology, which provides a scientific basis for its precise clinical medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Compatible redox with simple catalytic system. • One-pot deracemization transformation. • Wide substrate scope and good enantioselectivity. The deracemization of benzylic alcohols has been achieved using a redox-driven one-pot two-step process. The racemic alcohols were oxidized by bis(methoxypropyl) ether and oxygen to give the ketone intermediates, followed by an asymmetric transfer hydrogenation with a chiral ruthenium catalyst. This compatible oxidation/reduction process gave the enantiomerically enriched alcohols with up to 95% ee values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Ho3+ doping enhances the green and red emission of NaYF 4 :10%Er greatly. • The introducing Ca2+ effectively enhances the upconversion emission. • The color of NaYF 4 : Er/Ho/Ca@NaYF 4 can be tuned by the pulse width modulation. NaYF 4 :10Er/0.5Ho/30Ca@NaYF 4 is designed to achieve up-conversion luminescence color adjustment under 980 nm excitation. Ho3+ doping enhances the red emission level of the system and changes the characteristic green emission into red emission. Importantly, Ho3+ doping increases the difference in pumping time between green and red excited states. Under short pulse-width laser excitation, the red excited state does not have enough time to be populated, which weakens the emission of red emission, and the ratio of green to red emission will change. It is an effective up-conversion luminescence enhancement method to change the symmetry of crystal field around lanthanide ions by doping Ca2+. The green and red emission intensities of NaYF 4 :10Er/0.5Ho/30Ca doped with 30% Ca2+ ions are 9.0 and 6.3 times higher than those of Ca2+ free samples, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Metal-free condition. • Pot-economy and step-economy. • Aqueous medium. • Gram-scale synthesis. A metal-free one-pot two-step synthesis of sulfonamides from readily available nitroarenes and sodium arylsulfinates in a mixture of methanol and water has been developed. In this procedure, the aryl amines were produced in situ by the reduction of nitroarenes mediated by diboronic acid, and then coupled with sodium arylsulfinates in the presence of iodine. A series of N -arylsulfonamides with various functional groups were obtained in moderate to good yields under the optimal reaction conditions. In addition, this one-pot process is applicable for gram-scale synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel binary AgBiO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 composite has been successfully synthesized via in-situ growth of AgBiO 3 on g-C 3 N 4. The AgBiO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 composite exhibited improved degradation performance towards organic pollutants of methyl orange (MO), tetracycline (TC), and phenol. The reaction proceeds at ambient temperature and pressure without any other energy sources or light. The characterization of ABC-3 and its corrosion product by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and XPS indicated the transformation of ABC-3 into Bi 2 (CO 3)O 2 during the degradation process. Singlet oxygen (1O 2) was demonstrated as the main reactive species during the degradation of MO, TC, and phenol. The improvement of degradation ability of ABC-3 might be attributed to the enhanced surface area and fast electron transfer rate. This work not only demonstrates AgBiO 3 /g-C 3 N 4 composite as a promising composite for removing organic pollutants without the requirement of any auxiliary energy, but also meets the increasing requirement of practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel betaine-amino acid based NDES was prepared at room temperature. • [Bet][AA] NDES showed excellent lignin and xylan solubility. • MCC and corncob showed enhanced glucose yield after pretreatment. • The mechanism of [Bet][AA] NDES pretreatment was proposed. A novel natural deep eutectic solvent (NDES) with water content ranging from 65 to 93 wt%, in which betaine (Bet) acts as the cation and amino acids (AAs) as the anions, was prepared by a simple and green chemical route. [Bet][AA] NDES showed excellent xylan and lignin solubility, however, scare cellulose solubility. A mild and facile pretreatment process with [Bet][AA] NDES was carried out at 60 °C for 5 h. The enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of cellulose and corncob was significantly improved. Detailed characterization showed that the enhancement of cellulose digestibility derived mainly from xylan and lignin removal. Xylan and lignin removal for [Bet][Lys]-W87 was 47.68 and 49.06%, while it was 42.20% and 57.01% for [Bet][Arg]-W82, respectively. FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and HSQC NMR studies confirmed the effectiveness and mechanism of [Bet][Lys]-W87 and [Bet][Arg]-W82 on biomass pretreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on SO 2 pollution in China has been hotly debated over the past decades. Different from the existing studies, this work employs satellite observed SO 2 columns from 2005 to 2016 and applies a spatial econometric approach to investigate the socio-economic influencing factors of SO 2 pollution of 270 prefecture-level cities in China. The findings are as follows. (1) SO 2 pollution over China exhibits a significant and positive spatial autocorrelation. (2) The most polluted area is concentrated on the North China Plain. However, SO 2 pollution over China has been reduced gradually during the sample period, implying that overall environmental quality in China has been substantially improved. (3) Besides, the results of spatial econometric models are not in support of "pollution haven hypothesis". On the contrary, the pollution halo effect of foreign direct investment works well and contributes to reducing SO 2 pollution in China. Moreover, we find that urban economic levels and innovative capability are negatively correlated with SO 2 pollution, indicating that economic growth and an increase in innovation can help improve environmental quality. On contrast, the share of the secondary industry, urbanization and transportation are found to have positive impacts, indicating that they are three main contributors to SO 2 pollution in China. • Spatio-temporal variations of SO 2 columns from 2005 to 2016 over China are analyzed. • Spatial econometric models are used to study the socio-economic factors of SO 2. • Economic growth and innovation have positive impacts on SO 2 columns. • Industry, urbanization and transport are three contributors to SO 2 pollution. • Foreign direct investment has a negative effect, implying pollution halo works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy embodied in international trade is transferred globally through trade links. The understanding of the energy flows embodied in international trade and what drives the variations in embodied energy use is of great significance for achieving the global goal of saving energy and reducing energy-related emissions. Thus, this research, in its first stage, calculated the energy use embodied in international trade of 39 countries from 1995 to 2011 by building a multiregional input-output model and described the spatial transfer patterns of energy flows using geo-visualization techniques. In the second stage, this paper applied the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) approach to identify the driving factors of embodied energy use. The findings are as follows. (1) The aggregated embodied energy use of these 39 countries significantly increased during the sample period. (2) Regarding the flows of embodied energy use, these 39 countries can be classified into 3 groups, namely, energy-rich countries with net outflows (Group 1), developed countries (Group 2) and developing countries with net inflows (Group 3). (3) From the decomposition results of the LMDI method, both energy intensity and economic output are the main driving factors that affect embodied energy outflow and inflow changes in international trade. The improvement of energy intensity is the main contributor to reducing the increase in energy use embodied in international trade. Moreover, increases in embodied energy use are attributed to the growth of imports and exports, economic output, and population. On the other hand, upgrading industrial systems and optimizing industrial structure can contribute to reducing embodied energy use growth. Accordingly, policy recommendations are given. International trade plays a crucial role in assigning different shares of responsibility for energy-related emissions reduction. To formulate effective and efficient environmental policies, embodied energy use should be considered. Moreover, solutions to alleviate environmental pollution are improved energy use and extensive use of clean energy. • We accounted energy use embodied in trade of 39 countries from 1995 to 2011. • Spatial transfer patterns of embodied energy use of 39 countries are geo-visualized. • LMDI method was utilized to identify the driving factors of embodied energy use. • Energy intensity and economic output are main factors affecting embodied energy use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-functional nanosensors based on small molecule regulation can be widely used due to their simplicity, high sensitivity and selectivity. Herein, glutathione (GSH) calibrated dual-functional system for GSH and cadmium ions (Cd2+) detection based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between NH 2 –NaYF 4 :Yb,Er/NaYF 4 @SiO 2 upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is designed. Unmodified AuNPs are easy to aggregate in high-salt solution and thereby quenching the red emission of UCNPs. The presence of GSH prevents the aggregation of AuNPs, so GSH can be detected by the changes in the color of solution and the recovery of red emission of UCNPs. However, Cd2+ can interact with GSH, which makes AuNPs easy to aggregate, resulting in a gradual decrease in red emission of UCNPs. The fluorescence response of the system is linear with the concentrations of GSH and Cd2+ in a wide range of concentrations, with low detection limits of 0.016 μM and 0.059 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the nanosensor demonstrates high selectivity for GSH and Cd2+ detection and can be applied for the detection of GSH in human plasma and Cd2+ in drinking water. Image 1 • Aggregated-AuNPs as the red emission quencher of UCNPs were used to construct a dual-function nanosensor. • The dual-functional nanosensor was fabricated for the detection of GSH and Cd2+. • The nanosensor exhibits high sensitivity, selectivity and low detection limit of 0.016 μM for GSH and 0.059 μM for Cd2+. • The nanosensor can be used to detect GSH in human plasma and Cd2+ in drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electrospinning of SiO 2 -MgO hybrid fibers (SMHFs) for the first time. • High-pressure steam pretreated SMHFs have high S BET and adsorption capacity. • The affinity sequence of tested ions was Pb(II)>Cu(II)>Ni(II)>Cd(II)>Zn(II). • Maximum capacities of 787.9 and 493.0 mg g−1 for Pb(II) and Cu(II) at 298 K. • Spontaneous and physicochemical adsorption nature of SMHFs for Pb(II) and Cu(II). SiO 2 -MgO hybrid fibers (SMHFs) were fabricated by one-step electrospinning process, characterized, and evaluated in heavy metal adsorption, for the first time. High-pressure steam (HPS) pretreated SMHFs showed high specific surface area (S BET) and large number of surface basic sites accompanied by the crystallization of MgO. The SMHFs showed high affinities for Pb(II) and Cu(II) with the distribution coefficients K d >100 L·g−1 (when pH > 4). Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model described the experimental data well, and the maximum adsorption capacities of 787.9 and 493.0 mg·g−1 for Pb(II) and Cu(II) at 298 K were the highest among those of reported SiO 2 -MgO adsorbents. Thermodynamics indicated SMHFs had the spontaneous and physicochemical adsorption nature. SMHFs kept good capacities in the presence of interfering substances and retained their reusability. The SMHFs with the superiority of high efficiency, low cost, easy preparation and environmentally benign, have promising applications in wastewater treatment and relative fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Highly stretchable hydrogel was prepared from biomass lignin. • LCP hydrogel performed excellent viscoelasticity and stretchability. • Compared with PVA hydrogel, the elongation rate of LCP increased by 20 times. • LCP hydrogel showed good thermosensitivity and electrical conductivity. In this study, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the framework, borax as the cross-linker, and biomass lignin from pulping black liquors and biorefinery as the plasticizer were used to synthesize the lignin-based HEC-PVA (LCP) self-healing conductive hydrogel with highly stretchable and thermosensitive properties by the one-step fabrication method. Compared with the PVA hydrogel, the maximum storage modulus and the elongation rate was increased by 7 times and 20 times, respectively. Uniformly distributed lignin could increase the mobility and distance of polymer molecular chains, therefore improve the viscoelasticity and stretchability of the LCP self-healing hydrogel. The LCP hydrogel could recover to the original state in 12 s after 10000% shear strain for 4 cycles. The LCP hydrogel also presented good thermosensitivity and electrical conductivity, and were very promising for applications in the fields of 3D printing and wearable electronic devices, that broadened the efficient utilization of biorefinery lignin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe(OTf)3-catalyzed condensation of o-phenylenediamine and hexafluoroacetylacetone results in an efficient formation of 2-trifluoromethyl substituted benzimidazoles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study which examines the chemical composition of Paederia scandens. It states that the aerial parts of P. scandens were extracted with ethanol and the ethanol extract was partitioned with petroleum ether and were investigated through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry. Result shows that an ester carbonyl correlated with the sulfur methyl group shows the presence of the partial structure of two nonequivalent hydrogen.

Pure and Ho3+, Bi3+ co-doped LaNbTiO6 phosphors are synthesized by a sol-gel and combustion method using La2O3, Ho2O3, Bi(NO3)3, Nb2O5, Ti(O-Bu)4, HNO3, HF, NH4NO3, and citric acid as starting materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel blue-white Y2Zr2O7:Dy3+,Li+ phosphors are synthesized by the sol-gel combustion method starting with ZrO(Ac)2, Y(NO3)3, Dy(NO3)3, Li(NO3), NH4NO3, and citric acid (800 °C, 30 min). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Efficient and broadband polarization rotator using horizontal slot waveguide for silicon photonics" which was published in the 2012 issue is presented which discusses the list of authors of the article.

We report an efficient and low-loss polarization rotator based on mode evolution using horizontal slot waveguide. The device is fabricated using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor compatible processes, which allows monolithic integration with active drive electronics and other photonic components. A rotator fabricated with 100 μm transition length provides a high extinction ratio >14 dB for both transverse-magnetic (TM)-transverse-electric (TE) and TE-TM rotation. The excess loss of the device is <1 dB for both rotations as etching of the bottom Si waveguide is prevented. The device also exhibits a uniform rotation response over C+L band wavelength range of 1530-1600 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]