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Audio‐driven talking face generation is essentially a cross‐modal mapping from audio to video frames. The main challenge lies in the intricate one‐to‐many mapping, which affects lip sync accuracy. And the loss of facial details during image reconstruction often results in visual artifacts in the generated video. To overcome these challenges, this paper proposes to enhance the quality of generated talking faces with a new spatio‐temporal consistency. Specifically, the temporal consistency is achieved through consecutive frames of the each phoneme, which form temporal modules that exhibit similar lip appearance changes. This allows for adaptive adjustment in the lip movement for accurate sync. The spatial consistency pertains to the uniform distribution of textures within local regions, which form spatial modules and regulate the texture distribution in the generator. This yields fine details in the reconstructed facial images. Extensive experiments show that our method can generate more natural talking faces than previous state‐of‐the‐art methods in both accurate lip sync and realistic facial details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the effects of pre-heating treatment temperatures (Tpre) on the flowability and wax deposition characteristics of a typical waxy crude oil after adding wax inhibitors. It is found that there is little difference in wax precipitation exothermic characteristics of crude oils at different Tpre, as well as the wax crystal solubility coefficient in the temperature range of 25e30 °C. For the undoped crude oil, the flowability after wax precipitation gets much improved and the wax deposition is alleviated as Tpre increasing. At Tpre = 50 °C, the viscosity and wax deposition rate of crude oil adding wax inhibitors are higher than those of the undoped crude oil. When the Tpre increases to 60, 70, and 80 °C, the flowability of the doped crude oil are largely improved and the wax deposition is suppressed with the Tpre increase, but the wax content of wax deposit increases gradually. It is speculated that, on the one hand, the Tpre increase helps the dispersion of asphaltenes into smaller sizes, which facilitates the cocrystallization with paraffin waxes and generates more aggregated wax crystal flocs. This weakens the low-temperature gel structure and increases the solid concentration required for the crosslink to form the wax deposit. On the other hand, the decrease in viscosity increases the diffusion rate of wax molecules and accelerates the aging of wax deposits. The experimental results have important guiding significance for the pipeline transportation of doped crude oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predictive methods of tool wear are usually based on different algorithm predictors, different source data, and different sensing devices for remaining useful life (RUL). In general, it has challenges to model and ensure all of the cutting conditions that are suitable in the actual cutting process for sustainable manufacturing. In order to overcome the doing large amount of experimental data and predict different tool RULs, this study combines the analytical force modeling, the back-propagation neural network (BPNN) machine learning, and the current sensor which all are integrated in smart machine box (SMB) to realize the practical RUL prediction for on-line and real-time applications. The analytical model of the cutting force coefficients of shear and ploughing was established from average cutting forces, it could reduce the experimental number and predict the different cutting conditions. In general, the loading current of the cutting tool from a spindle motor is relatively easier acquired than the resultant forces. Thus, the loading currents of the spindle are used to train and predict the cutting forces using the BPNN model during intelligent manufacturing. The SMB architecture mainly performed the autonomous actions based on the edge layer, the fog layer, and the cloud layer via the TCP/IP, the MQTT protocol, and the unified communication library. Results showed that a predictive error for the ends of the tool life is about 3–10% that are based on the calculating of the cumulative current ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Cu micromembrane is successfully fabricated and validated as a porous flexible electrode. The Cu micromembrane is prepared by functionalizing individual polypropylene (PP) fibers in a polypropylene micromembrane (PPMM) using a mixture of polydopamine (PDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). The mixture of PDA and PEI provides adhesive, wetting, and reducing functionalities that facilitate subsequent Ag activation and Cu electroless plating. Scanning electron microscopy reveals conformal deposition of Cu on individual PP fibers. Porometer analysis indicates that the porous nature of PPMM is properly maintained. The Cu micromembrane demonstrates impressive electrical conductivities in both the X direction (1.04 ± 0.21 S/cm) and Z direction (2.99 ± 0.54 × 10−3 S/cm). In addition, its tensile strength and strain are better than those of pristine PPMM. The Cu micromembrane is flexible and mechanically robust enough to sustain 10,000 bending cycles with moderate deterioration. Thermogravimetric analysis shows a thermal stability of 400 °C and an effective Cu loading of 5.36 mg/cm2. Cyclic voltammetric measurements reveal that the Cu micromembrane has an electrochemical surface area of 277.8 cm2 in a 1 cm2 geometric area (a roughness factor of 227.81), a value that is 45 times greater than that of planar Cu foil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The related research on the corrosion of degradable Zn-Mn alloy in vitro is not comprehensive. This work investigated the effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on corrosion of Zn-Mn alloy in simulated body fluid. The corrosion influence of BSA on the alloy is related to the immersing time. When tribocorrosion occurs, the average depth of frictional wear scratches decreases by 10.7 % and 57.1 % after adding 0.1 g/L and 10 g/L BSA, respectively. It can be further reduced to 68.1 % after applying a voltage of-1.05 V (vs. SCE). This work contributes to degradation control of Zn-Mn alloy implants in vivo. • The effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on corrosion of as-extruded Zn-0.4Mn alloy are studied. • A three-stage corrosion mechanism of Zn-0.4Mn alloy in simulated body fluid is revealed. • Scratch depths due to tribocorrosion are reduced by 10.7 % and 57.1 % with 0.1 g/L and 10 g/L BSA, respectively. • The relationship between concentration of BSA and mass loss reduction of alloy is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the fabrication of a flexible and conductive bioelectrode via the electrodeposition of IrO 2 nanoparticles on a metalized polypropylene micromembrane (PPMM). The metalized PPMM is prepared by carrying out conformal electroless deposition of Au on individual polypropylene (PP) fibers of PPMM using both polydopamine and polyvinyl alcohol as the surface–modifying agents to improve the hydrophilicity of PPMM. Images from scanning and transmission electron microscopes, as well as analysis from energy dispersive X–ray spectrometer and X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the successful formation of IrO 2 nanoparticles on individual PP fibers of metalized PPMM. For bio–stimulating purpose, the IrO 2 –coated PPMM reveals an impressive charge–storage–capacity of 54.6 mC/cm2 in cyclic voltammetry, In addition, under a symmetric bi–phasic current pulse, its charge–injection–capacity reaches 466 μC/cm2. Since the entire constituents for the IrO 2 –coated PPMM are bio−compatible, we envision its potential use as a bioelectrode in implantable biomedical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proton range uncertainties limit the ability to make full clinical use of the sharp distal falloff of the proton beam. To overcome this limitation, prompt gamma (PG) imaging system with mechanical collimation can be used in non-invasive proton beam range verification. In this study, we developed a focusing multi-knife-edge collimator to improve the counting efficiency and accuracy in detecting proton beam range. Unlike the common design of a single-knife-edge slit (SKE) collimator, the multi-knife-edge slit (MKE) collimator consists of three slits and focuses on the target detection area. To compare the performances of these two collimator designs, Monte Carlo simulation was unitized to model the cameras for measuring the PGs during proton irradiation. The simulation was performed using the GATE v9.1. The setup included a pencil beam of 100 MeV, 160 MeV, and 230 MV protons incident upon a cylindrical PMMA phantom with three different proton numbers of 107, 108, and 109. The detection PG profiles were fitted with a 3-line-segment fitting method to estimate the range of proton beams. Both cameras were aimed at the expected range depth for the corresponding proton beam energies. Experiments for range shifts were conducted by shifting the phantom between −20 mm and 20 mm along the beam axis. Results demonstrate that the MKE camera exhibits approximately twice the efficiency of the SKE camera in detecting PGs. In range shift retrieval, with the delivery of 108 protons, the MKE camera achieves submillimeter accuracy (except for incident protons at 230 MeV), while the SKE camera achieves accuracy within 2 mm. In conclusion, this study assesses the feasibility of the MKE camera and illustrates its potential application for range shift detection, contributing to precise range monitoring in proton therapy. • Focusing multi-knife-edge slit (MKE) camera for proton beam range verification is proposed. • Slit cameras with multiple knife edges and single knife edge were evaluated. • MKE camera provides higher detection efficiency and a larger peak and slope in the PG distribution • MKE camera achieves submillimeter accuracy in range shift retrieval with 108 protons delivered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embodied theories propose that language is understood via mental simulations of sensory states related to perception and action. Given that direct speech (e.g., She says, "It's a lovely day!") is perceived to be more vivid than indirect speech (e.g., She says (that) it's a lovely day) in perception, recent research shows in silent reading that more vivid speech representations are mentally simulated for direct speech than for indirect speech. This 'simulated' speech is found to contain suprasegmental prosodic representations (e.g., speech prosody) but its phonological detail and its causal role in silent reading of direct speech remain unclear. Here in three experiments, I explored the phonological aspect and the causal role of speech simulations in silent reading of tongue twisters in direct speech, indirect speech and non-speech sentences. The results demonstrated greater visual tongue-twister effects (phonemic interference) during silent reading (Experiment 1) but not oral reading (Experiment 2) of direct speech as compared to indirect speech and non-speech. The tongue-twister effects in silent reading of direct speech were selectively disrupted by phonological interference (concurrent articulation) as compared to manual interference (finger tapping) (Experiment 3). The results replicated more vivid speech simulations in silent reading of direct speech, and additionally extended them to the phonological dimension. Crucially, they demonstrated a causal role of phonological simulations in silent reading of direct speech, at least in tongue-twister reading. The findings are discussed in relation to multidimensionality and task dependence of mental simulation and its mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developments in nanotechnology and natural product research toward the search for novel antibacterial agents have drawn the interest of many scientists to the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from natural product (especially plants) due to its numerous benefits over other methods of synthesis such as been easy, economical, convenient, and environmental friendly. Aside from the aforementioned advantages, the synthesis of AgNPs from medicinal plant has been reported as the best approach of synthesizing AgNPs with great biological activities due to the numerous biomolecules found in plants. Recently, the number of researches toward the improvement of the yield, morphological properties, analytical techniques, and the development of optimal conditions and exact mechanism for synthesizing AgNPs from plants have been increasing tremendously. In this review, we present a comprehensive report on the recent development in the synthesis, optimization conditions, mechanism, and characterization techniques of AgNPs synthesized from plant extracts. Furthermore, a thorough discussion on the recent advances in the application of AgNPs synthesized from plant as therapeutic agent against bacterial infections was made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the preparation of self-organized 1-dimensional magnetic structures of Fe on Al2O3 (0001) by oblique deposition. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) results in this study show the preferred (110) texture of the Fe films. XRD and extended x-ray adsorption fine structure measurements indicate larger oblique deposition angle (65°) leads to more disorder in the Fe crystalline structure. After capping with a Pd overlayer, the Pd/Fe/Al2O3 (0001) still exhibits uniaxial magnetic anisotropy induced by the underlying 1-dimensional Fe nanostructure. This uniaxial magnetic anisotropy changes with the variation in Fe thickness and oblique deposition angle. These results clearly indicate the feasibility of manipulating uniaxial magnetic anisotropy and crystalline order through the oblique deposition of magnetic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotion (positive and negative) words are typically recognized faster than neutral words. Recent research suggests that emotional valence, while often treated as a unitary semantic property, may be differentially represented in concrete and abstract words. Studies that have explicitly examined the interaction of emotion and concreteness, however, have demonstrated inconsistent patterns of results. Moreover, these findings may be limited as certain key lexical variables (e.g., familiarity, age of acquisition) were not taken into account. We investigated the emotion-concreteness interaction in a large-scale, highly controlled lexical decision experiment. A 3 (Emotion: negative, neutral, positive) × 2 (Concreteness: abstract, concrete) design was used, with 45 items per condition and 127 participants. We found a significant interaction between emotion and concreteness. Although positive and negative valenced words were recognized faster than neutral words, this emotion advantage was significantly larger in concrete than in abstract words. We explored potential contributions of participant alexithymia level and item imageability to this interactive pattern. We found that only word imageability significantly modulated the emotion-concreteness interaction. While both concrete and abstract emotion words are advantageously processed relative to comparable neutral words, the mechanisms of this facilitation are paradoxically more dependent on imageability in abstract words. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogenation has recently been proposed for use in modulating the magnetic properties of Pd-rich ferromagnetic (FM) alloy films. This study successfully fabricated Pd-rich Mn/MnPd/Fe antiferromagnetic/FM films with an established exchange bias field at RT, and determined that hydrogenation can enhance the exchange bias coupling in such films. Specifically, magnetic hysteresis loops revealed that the magnetic state of the Pd-rich Mn/MnPd/Fe films was gradually changed from an unbiased state to an exchange-biased state upon exposure to a hydrogen environment; moreover, hydrogenation engendered a larger magnitude of the exchange bias field than conventional field cooling. This phenomenon can be attributed to the enhanced long-range antiferromagnetic ordering of the Pd-rich MnPd film upon uptake of hydrogen atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment on the propagation of electromagnetic (EM) signals in continuous time-varying plasma is designed to establish the nonlinear mirror between electron density and transmission coefficient. The nonlinearity is confirmed from the theoretical and experimental results. The amplitude and phase can be considered nonlinear functions of electron density when the complex interaction between plasma and EM waves is ignored. Results show that amplitude and phase distributions are asymmetrical when electron density follows symmetric distribution. The skewness of amplitude is positive, whereas the skewness of phase is negative. The nonlinear degree is closely related to the ratio of plasma frequency to the incident wave frequency and the range of electron density. The conclusions are crucial to the modeling of plasma sheath channels and understanding the blackout problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mw 6.4 Meinong earthquake occurred on 6 February 2016 in the southern region of Taiwan. The earthquake caused significant damage in and around Tainan city, with a number of collapsed and severely damaged buildings and 117 deaths. A five-member Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) team visited Taiwan approximately one month after the earthquake, with particular focus on learning from changes to design practice and seismic mitigation efforts following the 1999 Chi-C'hi earthquake in Taiwan. Land damage was generally modest with liquefaction and slope-failures observed in a limited number of locations. Some notable instances of liquefaction-related foundation settlement and tilting occurred in areas associated with historical filling. Following the earthquake, the Taiwanese government publically released liquefaction hazard maps that will have a significant impact on public awareness and land values. The observed structural damage was characteristic of non-ductile and poorly configured buildings. The collapsed buildings all contained irregularities and soft-storeys. The majority of older mixed-use buildings performed adequately, but severe column failures were observed in several taller apartment buildings constructed in the 1990s. The performance of schools and district offices provided valuable insight into the successful implementation of seismic assessment and strengthening programmes. A comparison of existing and strengthened buildings showed that efficient retrofit solutions can reduce the risk posed by critical structural weaknesses and improve the safety and resilience of these buildings. A similar strategy could be implemented for common critical structural weaknesses in New Zealand buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have demonstrated a nonlinear behavior for the bandgap opening of doped graphene by controlling the concentration of B and N co-dopants. X-ray absorption and emission spectra reveal that the bandgap increases from 0 to 0.6 eV as the concentration of BN dopants is increased from 0 to 6%, while the bandgap closes when the doping concentration becomes 56%. This nonlinear behavior of bandgap opening of the BN-doped graphene depending on the BN concentrations is consistent with the valence-band photoemission spectroscopic measurements. The spatially resolved B, N and C K -edge scanning transmission x-ray microscopy and their x-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra all support the scenario of the development of h -BN-like domains at high concentrations of BN. Ab initio calculation, by taking into account of the strong correlation between the bandgap and the geometry/concentration of the dopant, has been performed with various BN-dopant nano-domains embedded in the graphene monolayer to verify the unique bandgap behavior. Based on the experimental measurements and ab initio calculation, we propose the progressive formation of a phase-separated zigzag-edged BN domain from BN quantum dots with increasing BN-dopant concentration to explain the extraordinary nonlinear behavior of bandgap opening of BN-doped graphene sheets. This study reveals a new way to engineer the bandgap of low-dimensional systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to examine the clinical value of 'tying, binding and fixing operation' in treating severe mixed hemorrhoids. A total of 160 patients with severe mixed hemorrhoids were selected and randomly divided into the experimental (n=80) and control (n=80) groups. The groups were treated using 'tying, binding and fixing operation' and Doppler ultrasound-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DG-HAL), respectively. The results showed that the average operative time of the experimental group (35.57±6.17) was significantly higher than that of the control group (12.73±4.92). There was no significant difference of blood loss during the operation between the two groups (P>0.05). There was also no significant difference in improving the hemorrhage symptom between the two groups (P>0.05). In addition, concerning improvement of prolapse symptoms and reduction of the volume of hemorrhoids, the experimental group were significantly improved as compared to the control group. No anal function damage in the two groups was identified, and the length of stay in hospital for the two groups was not significantly different (P>0.05). However, the hospitalization cost in the experimental group (5,334.77±875.54) was significantly lower than that of the control group (8,551.81+1,806.54) and satisfaction degree was significantly higher than that of the control group. The incidences of perianal pain, anal edema and dysuria between two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). There were 10 cases of secondary hemorrhage and 18 cases of infection in the experimental group, and 12 cases of secondary hemorrhage and 14 cases of infection in the control group, although the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The incidence rate of local hematoma in the experimental group (1.2%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (15.0%). The recurrence rate of the control group (22.5%) was also significantly higher than that of the experimental group (2.5%). In conclusion, tying, binding and fixing operation is a promising method that may be employed for the treatment of sever mixed hemorrhoids, and it is better than DG-HAL in improving the prolapse and reducing the volume of hemorrhoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proteins play a special role in bioinformatics. The surface shape of a protein, which is an important characteristic of the protein, defines a geometric and biochemical domain where the protein interacts with other proteins. The similarity analysis among protein models has become an important topic of protein analysis, by which it can reveal the structure and the function of proteins. Results: In this paper, a new protein similarity analysis method based on three-dimensional protein models is proposed. It constructs a feature matrix descriptor for each protein model combined by calculating the shape index (SI) and the related salient geometric feature (SGF), and then analyzes the protein model similarity by using this feature matrix and the extended grey relation analysis. Conclusions: We compare our method to the Multi-resolution Reeb Graph (MRG) skeleton method, the L1-medial skeleton method and the local-diameter descriptor method. Experimental results show that our protein similarity analysis method is accurate and reliable while keeping the high computational efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of reversible hydrogen absorption on the magnetism of Co–Pd alloy thin films were investigated. Evident enhancement of magnetic coercivity H c and squareness, measured by magneto optical Kerr effect (MOKE), was observed in the magnetic hysteresis loops of films with Pd content of 61%, 76%, and 86%, whereas no observable changes were noted in the MOKE hysteresis loops of Co-rich alloy films. For Co 39 Pd 61 , perpendicular magnetic anisotropy increased as film thickness increased from 10 to 20 nm. Hydrogenation induced three times enhancement of perpendicular H c for 20 nm Co 39 Pd 61 , whereas the H c change in 10 nm Co 39 Pd 61 was within 10%. A Pd-rich alloy composition and appropriate film thickness for perpendicular magnetization are both crucial for hydrogen absorption-induced effect on magnetic properties, i.e. the enhancement of H c and squareness as well as the reduction of Kerr rotation angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiferromagnetic (AFM) thin films were recently proposed to be an alternative to conventional materials for achieving perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in ferromagnetic thin films, because AFM thin films exhibit an advantage of flexible control. Here, we report that antiferromagnet-induced PMA is highly sensitive to interfacial moments of AFM thin films as well as the magnetic interaction of such moments with volume moments, determined according to the vertical interlayer distance. Magnetic hysteresis loops and x-ray magnetic domain imaging revealed the establishment of perpendicular magnetization on face-centered tetragonal (fct)-like Mn/Co/Ni films when covered with monolayered Mn films. A cover of Mn films that exhibit contracted fct- [vertical-to-in-plane lattice constant ratio (c/a) = 0.95] and expanded fct-like (c/a = 1.05) structures at different thickness levels induced in-plane magnetic anisotropy and PMA in Co/Ni films, respectively, confirming that the interlayer distance is a crucial parameter for establishing perpendicular magnetization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pd(II)-catalyzedoxidative double cyclization of the 1,2-diarylethynesbearing an N-methyl-N-(2-methoxycarbonyl)ethylaminoand an aminosulfonyl group afforded indolobenzothiazine S,S-dioxides in good to excellent yields.The 2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl group attached to the indolylnitrogen is readily removed under basic conditions (DBU, DMF, 120°C) to provide the corresponding tetracycles with a free indolylnitrogen in excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne illness outbreaks resulting from contamination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 remain a serious concern in food safety. E. coli O157:H7 can cause bloody diarrhea, hemolytic uremic syndrome, or even death. The pathogenicity of E. coli O157:H7 is mainly caused by the expression of Shiga-like toxins (SLTs), i.e., SLT-1 and SLT-2. SLTs are pentamers composed of a single A and five B subunits. In this study, we propose a magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based platform to rapidly identify SLT-1 from the complex cell lysate of E. coli O157:H7. The core of the MNPs is made of iron oxide, whereas the surface of the core is coated with a thin layer of alumina (Fe3O4@Al2O3 MNPs). The Fe3O4@Al2O3 MNPs are functionalized with pigeon ovalbumin (POA), which contains Gal-α(1→4)-Gal-β(1→4)-GlcNAc termini that can bind SLT-1B selectively. Furthermore, POA is a phosphate protein. Thus, it can be easily immobilized on the surface of the Fe3O4@Al2O3 MNPs through aluminum phosphate chelation under microwave heating within 1.5 min. The generated POA-Fe3O4@Al2O3 MNPs are capable of effectively enriching SLT-1B from complex cell lysates simply by pipetting 20 µL of the sample in and out of the tip in a vial for ~1 min. To release SLT-1 from the MNPs, Gal-α(1→4)-Gal disaccharides were used for displacement. The released target species are sufficient to be identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Although the sample volume used in this approach is small (20 µL) and the enrichment time is short (1 min), the selectivity of this approach toward SLT-1B is quite good. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach for rapid determination of the presence of SLT-1 from complex cell lysates and ham/juice samples based on the detection of SLT-1B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pd(II)-catalyzeddouble cyclization of 1,2-diarylethynes bearingan N-methyl-N-[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]aminoand an aminocarbonyl group at the orthopositionsof the two aromatic rings afforded the tetracyclic N-[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]indoloisoquinolinones in good to excellentyields. The N-[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl] group isreadily removed under basic conditions (DBU, DMF, 120 °C) toafford the corresponding tetracycles with a free indolyl nitrogenin excellent yields. The 2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl as a removable N-protecting group is illustrated in other Pd(II)- and Pd(0)-catalyzedand selenium-mediated transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KTa1-xNbxO3 single crystals are typically regarded as normal ferroelectrics. Such crystals are thought to undergo a paraelectric-ferroelectric phase transition from the cubic to the tetragonal phase where generally a single hysteresis loop is expected. Nevertheless, a double-loop hysteresis is clearly observed in the tetragonal phase of KTa0.58Nb0.42O3. Our investigations reveal further that the double loop exhibits good ergodicity during changes in temperature under various applied electric fields. The origin of this unusual double-loop hysteresis in tetragonal KTa0.58Nb0.42O3 is revealed with the recoverable reorientation of the asymmetric polar domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an experimental investigation of the magnetoelastic effects of ultrathin antiferromagnets, performed by comparing the characteristic behavior of the induced spin-reorientation transition (SRT) of Co films in two types of epitaxially grown bilayers: face-centered-cubic (fcc)-like Mn/Co (fcc-Mn: a = 3.75 Å, c = 3.76 Å) and face-centered-tetragonal (fct)-Mn (a = 3.61 Å, c = 3.78 Å). Magnetic hysteresis loops and magnetic domain images indicate that both fcc-Mn and fct-Mn films can produce a (110) to (100) SRT in adjacent Co films when the thickness of the Mn layer is greater than a temperature-dependent critical value. Detailed analysis of the critical thickness of Mn films and the evolution of the Co domain structure upon SRT indicate that the fct-Mn film had a higher antiferromagnetic ordering temperature and stronger lateral Mn-Mn exchange coupling compared with the fcc-Mn film. The enhanced long-range antiferromagnetic ordering emerging concurrently with the in-plane lattice variation of the fcc-like Mn film in Mn/Co bilayers clearly showed the magnetoelastic effect of ultrathin antiferromagnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present in-situ measurements of atmospheric sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) conducted by an automated gas chromatograph-electron capture detector system and a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry system at a regional background site, Shangdianzi, in China, from June 2009 to May 2011, using the System for Observation of Greenhouse gases in Europe and Asia and Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) techniques. The mean background and polluted mixing ratios for SF6 during the study period were 7.22 × 10−12 (mol/mol, hereinafter) and 8.66 × 10−12, respectively. The averaged SF6 background mixing ratios at Shangdianzi were consistent with those obtained at other AGAGE stations located at similar latitudes (Trinidad Head and Mace Head), but larger than AGAGE stations in the Southern Hemisphere (Cape Grim and Cape Matatula). SF6 background mixing ratios increased rapidly during our study period, with a positive growth rate at 0.30 × 10−12 year−1. The peak to peak amplitude of the seasonal cycle for SF6 background conditions was 0.07 × 10−12, while the seasonal fluctuation of polluted conditions was 2.16 × 10−12. During the study period, peak values of SF6 mixing ratios occurred in autumn when local surface horizontal winds originated from W/WSW/SW/SWS/S sectors, while lower levels of SF6 mixing ratios appeared as winds originated from N/NNE/NE/ENE/E sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of our recent discovery of high valent organocopper compounds, we have designed and achieved efficient copper(II)-catalyzed oxidative arene C-H bond azidation under very mild aerobic conditions by using NaN3 as an azide source. In the presence of a Cu(II) catalyst, a number of azacalix[1]arene[3]pyridines underwent direct arene C-H bond cupration through an electrophilic aromatic metalation pathway to form an arylcopper(II) intermediate. Oxidized by a free copper(II) ion, the arylcopper(II) intermediate was transformed into an arylcopper(III) species that subsequently cross-coupled with azide to furnish the formation of aryl azide products with the release of a copper(I) ion. Under ambient catalytic reaction conditions, the copper(I) species generated was oxidized by air into copper(II), which entered into the next catalytic cycle. Application of the method was demonstrated by the synthesis of functional azacalix[1]arene[3]pyridines by means of simple and practical functional group transformations of azide. The showcase of the Cu(II)-ArCu(II)-ArCu(III)-Cu(I) catalytic cycle would provide a new strategy for the design of copper(II)-catalyzed aerobic oxidative arene C-H bond activation and transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rate-equation theory model with the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) effect considered for the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waveguide amplifier is presented for analyzing the SPP amplifications with both side and SPP pumping techniques. By partitioning the cross section of the waveguide to suitable small units and introducing the overlapping integrated factor in each unit, the 3-D coupled equations of the model can be simplified to 1-D equations, which could be solved more conveniently. With our model, the gain and noise properties of a dielectric-loaded SPP waveguide amplifier are simulated. The results show that the ASE effect reduces the signal gain and deteriorates the signal-to-noise ratio of the SPP amplifier. For both the pumping schemes, the gains and noises for SPP multimode amplifications depend on the waveguide structure. By optimizing the waveguide structure, the gain-equalized amplification for different SPP modes may be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper and its salts are abundant, inexpensive, and eco-friendly and have been used as the surrogates of noble metals to effect arene C-H bond activation and transformations. Despite of the recent significant progress of the study, syntheses of high-valent arykopper(II-III) compounds are still very rare and mechanisms of copper(II)-catalyzed reactions remain elusive. With the use of ? azacalix[l] arene [3]pyridines as a platform, a number of arylcopper(II) compounds were synthesized efficiently from the reaction of Cu(ClO4)2 under ambient conditions. The resulting aryl-Cu(II) compounds, which contain an unprecedented (substituted) phenyl-Cu(II) σ-bond, were stable under atmospheric conditions and can undergo facile oxidation reaction by free copper(II) ions or oxone to afford arykopper(III) compounds in good yields. Both arylcopper(II) and arylcopper(III) compounds were characterized unambiguously by means of XRD, XPS, and NMR methods. Experimental evidence including reaction kinetics, LFER and KIE, and theoretical calculations indicated that the Cu(ClO4)2-mediated arene C-H bond activation proceeds plausibly through an electrophilic aromatic metalation pathway. The synthesis of high-valent arykopper compounds and the reaction mechanism reported here highlight the diversity and richness of organocopper chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the continuum model, i.e., the Dirac equation approach, we study the boundary states around the line defect in graphene in the quantum Hall regime. We find that the boundary states localize at the opposite sides of the line defect if they propagate toward the opposite directions. Meanwhile, some boundary states show simultaneously the valley and sublattice polarizations. In addition, a pseudomagnetic field induced by an inhomogeneous strain field, in place of the real magnetic field, can drive the line defect embedded graphene to the quantum valley Hall regime, due to the occurrence of the valley polarized boundary states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder caused by chronic inflammatory reactions in the central nervous system. Currently, little is known about the changes of plasma proteomic profiles in Chinese patients with MS (CpwMS) and its relationship with the altered profiles of multi-omics such as metabolomics and gut microbiome, as well as potential molecular networks that underlie the etiology of MS. To uncover the characteristics of proteomics landscape and potential multi-omics interaction networks in CpwMS, Plasma samples were collected from 22 CpwMS and 22 healthy controls (HCs) and analyzed using a Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics approach. Our results showed that the plasma proteomics pattern was significantly different in CpwMS compared to HCs. A total of 90 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), such as LAMP1 and FCG2A, were identified in CpwMS plasma comparing to HCs. Furthermore, we also observed extensive and significant correlations between the altered proteomic profiles and the changes of metabolome, gut microbiome, as well as altered immunoinflammatory responses in MS-affected patients. For instance, the level of LAMP1 and ERN1 were significantly and positively correlated with the concentrations of metabolite L-glutamic acid and pro-inflammatory factor IL-17 (Padj < 0.05). However, they were negatively correlated with the amounts of other metabolites such as L-tyrosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate, as well as the concentrations of IL-8 and MIP-1α. This study outlined the underlying multi-omics integrated mechanisms that might regulate peripheral immunoinflammatory responses and MS progression. These findings are potentially helpful for developing new assisting diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic strategies for MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new wideband circularly polarized (CP) open C-slot antenna fed by a microstrip line for size reduction is presented. The proposed antenna consists of an open C-slot with a straight slit on the ground plane, and a microstrip line with a semicircle-shaped patch on the other side of the substrate. The antenna size is reduced by about 35% compared with the circular slot antenna. By using the semicircle-shaped patch to disturb the magnetic current distribution on the open C-slot, a wider CP bandwidth can be achieved. The measured results show that the proposed antenna can provide a 3 dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of 40% (4.1–6.2 GHz) and a 10 dB return loss impedance bandwidth of 107% (2.3–7.6 GHz). The measured gain variation is from 2.8 to 4.3 dBic in the 3 dB AR bandwidth. A prototype of the proposed antenna has a simple and compact size of 30 × 55 × 1.6 mm3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacial moments of an antiferromagnet are known for their prominent effects of induced coercivity enhancement and exchange bias in ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic exchange-coupled systems. Here we report that the unpinned moments of an antiferromagnetic face-centered-cubic Mn layer can drive the magnetization of an adjacent Fe film perpendicular owing to a formation of intrinsic perpendicular anisotropy. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and hysteresis loops show establishment of perpendicular magnetization on Fe/Mn bilayers while temperature was decreased. The fact that the magnitude of perpendicular anisotropy of the Fe layer is enhanced proportionally to the out-of-plane oriented orbital moment of the Mn unpinned layer, rather than that of Fe itself, gives evidence for the Mn unpinned moments to be the origin of the established perpendicular magnetization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to observe the clinical therapeutic effects of Yiqi Kaimi Prescription and biofeedback therapy on treating constipation with deficiency of spleen qi, the 30 cases in the control group were given oral administration of Yiqi Kaimi Prescription, in combination with anus-lifting exercise; the 30 cases in the treatment group were given biofeedback therapy on the basis of the afore mentioned methods for the control group. The TCM symptom scores and anorectal pressures before and after treatment were observed and evaluated. There were significant differences in TCM symptom scores, anorectal pressure, and clinical recovery rate before and after treatment. In the treatment group, the total recovery rate was 86.66%, while in the control group it was 50%; there were significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01). Yiqi Kaimi Prescription coupled with biofeedback therapy is clinically effective for treating constipation with deficiency of spleen qi, and thus this method is applicable for functional constipation with deficiency of spleen qi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying protein surface regions preferentially recognizable by antibodies (antigenic epitopes) is at the heart of new immunodiagnostic reagent discovery and vaccine design, and computational methods for antigenic epitope prediction provide crucial means to serve this purpose. Many linear B-cell epitope prediction methods were developed, such as BepiPred, ABCPred, AAP, BCPred, BayesB, BEOracle/BROracle, and BEST, towards this goal. However, effective immunological research demands more robust performance of the prediction method than what the current algorithms could provide. In this work, a new method to predict linear antigenic epitopes is developed; Support Vector Machine has been utilized by combining the Tri-peptide similarity and Propensity scores (SVMTriP). Applied to non-redundant B-cell linear epitopes extracted from IEDB, SVMTriP achieves a sensitivity of 80.1% and a precision of 55.2% with a five-fold cross-validation. The AUC value is 0.702. The combination of similarity and propensity of tri-peptide subsequences can improve the prediction performance for linear B-cell epitopes. Moreover, SVMTriP is capable of recognizing viral peptides from a human protein sequence background. A web server based on our method is constructed for public use. The server and all datasets used in the current study are available at http://sysbio.unl.edu/SVMTriP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regiospecific halogenation of azacalix[1]arene[3]pyridines at the lower rim position of the benzene ring was achieved from their cross-coupling reaction with cost-effective alkali metal halides through the Cu(ClO4)2-mediated aerobic aryl C-H activation, which gave structurally well-defined aryl-Cu(III) intermediates, and a subsequent C-X bond formation reaction under very mild conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In human communication, direct speech (e.g., Mary said: "I'm hungry") is perceived to be more vivid than indirect speech (e.g., Mary said [that] she was hungry). However, for silent reading, the representational consequences of this distinction are still unclear. Although many of us share the intuition of an "inner voice," particularly during silent reading of direct speech statements in text, there has been little direct empirical confirmation of this experience so far. Combining fMRI with eye tracking in human volunteers, we show that silent reading of direct versus indirect speech engenders differential brain activation in voice-selective areas of the auditory cortex. This suggests that readers are indeed more likely to engage in perceptual simulations (or spontaneous imagery) of the reported speaker's voice when reading direct speech as opposed to meaning-equivalent indirect speech statements as part of a more vivid representation of the former. Our results may be interpreted in line with embodied cognition and form a starting point for more sophisticated interdisciplinary research on the nature of auditory mental simulation during reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new, simple method for selectively synthesizing alkyl aryl ketones has been developed by palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of trialkylamines with aryl iodides. In the presence of PdCl2(MeCN)2, TBAB, and ZnO, a variety of aryl iodides underwent an oxidative coupling reaction with tertiary amines and water to afford the corresponding alkyl aryl ketones in moderate to excellent yields. It is noteworthy that this method is the first example of using trialkylamines as the carbonyl sources for constructing alkyl aryl ketone skeletons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a fully integrated hand-held photometer based on the liquid-core waveguide (LC detection principle for nanoliter-scale samples. All components of the photometer including light-emitting diode (LED) light source, LCW flow cell, photodiode detector, dropper pump, electronic circuit, liquid-crystal display screen, and battery were fully integrated into a small-sized (12 x 4.5 x 2.1 cm) instrument. A bent optical coupler was developed to conduct the detection light into or out of the LCW flow cell through its sidewall. This design allowed the sampling probe, input and output optical couplers, and LCW flow cell to be integrated in a single Teflon P.F capillary, which significantly simplified system structure, improved working reliability, and reduced sample consumption. Two UV-LEDs were used as light source in the photometer to achieve dual wavelength detection at 260 and 280 nm, which was applied to assess on-site the quality and quantity of DNA samples. The effective optical path length of the photometer was ∼15mm with a sample consumption of only 350 nL The potential of the photometer applied in point of care testing was also demonstrated in the measurement of total cholesterol in serum samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The false-estimation problem of SMC-PHD in scenarios with missed detections has been studied. • Based on the analysis of this problem, some dummy measurements are first added into the measurement set by developing a new compensatory measurements generating mechanism, and the MC-SMC-PHD filter without clustering is proposed. • Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed filter can solve the false-estimation problem effectively, and has better estimation performance than the SMC-PHD filter. The probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter has been regarded as a practicable multi-target tracking algorithm which can alleviate the computational difficulty of the multi-target Bayes filter due to the multiple high-dimensional space integrals. As one of the major implementations of the PHD filter, sequential Monte Carlo PHD (SMC-PHD) is suitable for highly nonlinear systems. However, in scenarios with missing detections, the false-estimation problem occurs which leads to estimation performance degradation. To reduce the negative effects of missing detections, this paper develops a compensatory measurements generating mechanism and presents a novel measurement compensation based SMC-PHD filter, which can avoid the unreliable clustering. Comparative results verify the proposed filter, indicating good application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We improve the efficiency of static timing analysis when false paths are considered. The efficiency of timing analysis is critical for the performance driven optimization program because timing analysis is invoked heavily in the inner loop. However, when false paths are dealt with in timing analysis, a large number of tags needs to be created and propagated, thus deteriorating efficiency. In this paper, we minimize the number of the tags through a biclique-covering approach, which iteratively removes a tag if the false path information in the tag is covered by the union of other tags. With the produced tags, we remove the false path timing and guarantee to cover the nonfalse path timing. Since the minimum biclique covering of the general bipartite graph is NP complete [Indag. Math., vol. 39, p. 211, 1977], [Discrete Math., vol. 149, no. 1-3, p. 159, 1996], we use a minimal degree ordering approach to perform the biclique-covering minimization. The experimental results show significant reduction on the number of tags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Co x Ni1−x /Cu3Au(100) with x ⩽11% was prepared at room temperature to study the strain relaxation and their correlation with the spin-reorientation transition. The vertical interlayer distance relaxed from 1.66Å (fct) to 1.76Å (fcc) while the thickness increased from 8ML to 18ML. Such rapid strain relaxation with thickness was attributed to the larger lattice mismatch between Co x Ni1−x and Cu3Au(100) (η ∼−6.5%). The smooth change for crystalline structure was observed during strain relaxation process in which the crystalline structure seems irrespective of the alloy composition. To explain the strain relaxation, a phenomenological model was proposed. We provide a physical picture that the deeper layers may not relax while the surface layer start to relax. This assumption is based on the several experimental studies. Using the strain averaged from all layers of thin film as the volume strain of magneto-elastic anisotropy energy, the interrelation between strain relaxation and spin reorientation transition can be well described in a Néel type magneto-elastic model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An integrated and simplified microfluidic device using a 250 μm × 1-4 cm of organic light emitting diode (OLED) array as a two-dimensional light source for single-channel and multichannel whole-column imaging detection was developed. This fluorescence detection system was used for isoelectric focusing (IEF) of R-phycoerythrin in a microchip. The IEF conditions were optimized, and the total analysis time was extremely reduced to 30 s for 2-cm-long microchannels at 700 V/cm of electric field strength without the presence of electroosmotic flow. The compression of pH gradient caused by electrolytes drawing into the microchannels was efficiently restrained when 1% hydroxylpropylmethyl cellulose in 2% ampholyte was used as the carder for IEF. Under optimized IEF conditions, the detection limit of this system was ∼0.6 μg/mL or 45 pg at 75 nL/column injection of R-phycoerythrin. This OLED-induced fluorescence detection system for WCID provides a high-speed IEF technique with quantitative ability and the potential for high integration and throughput microchip systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-transferable utility (NTU) games arise from many economic situations. A classic example is the exchange economy. By pooling and redistributing their initial endowments, coalitions can achieve certain distributions of gains (utilities) that make up the coalition's feasible set. This paper studies a new class of NTU games called host games. A host game is an agent-parametrized family of NTU games, and an NTU game is associated with any agent (called the host in that case). We provide an adequate presumption for the existence of an allocation that is part of the host game's core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a quantitative detection scheme for nucleic acids, combining solid-phase rolling circle amplification and chronocoulometry (RCA-CC). A gold electrode was directly formed on a polystyrene substrate as a cost-effective and flexible biosensor for sensitive detection of microRNA (mir-143) in blood samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perfluorocarbons tetrafluoromethane (CF4, PFC-14) and hexafluoroethane (C2F6, PFC-116) are potent greenhouse gases with near-permanent atmospheric lifetimes relative to human timescales and global warming potentials thousands of times that of CO2. Using long-term atmospheric observations from a Chinese network and an inverse modeling approach (top--down method), we determined that CF4 emissions in China increased from 4.7 (4.2-5.0, 68% uncertainty interval) Gg y-1 in 2012 to 8.3 (7.7-8.9) Gg y-1 in 2021, and C2F6 emissions in China increased from 0.74 (0.66-0.80) Gg y-1 in 2011 to 1.32 (1.24-1.40) Gg y-1 in 2021, both increasing by approximately 78%. Combined emissions of CF4 and C2F6 in China reached 78 Mt CO2-eq in 2021. The absolute increase in emissions of each substance in China between 2011-2012 and 2017-2020 was similar to (for CF4), or greater than (for C2F6), the respective absolute increase in global emissions over the same period. Substantial CF4 and C2F6 emissions were identified in the less-populated western regions of China, probably due to emissions from the expanding aluminum industry in these resource-intensive regions. It is likely that the aluminum industry dominates CF4 emissions in China, while the aluminum and semiconductor industries both contribute to C2F6 emissions. Based on atmospheric observations, this study validates the emission magnitudes reported in national bottom--up inventories and provides insights into detailed spatial distributions and emission sources beyond what is reported in national bottom--up inventories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northern margin of the North China Craton experienced prolonged tectono-magmatic evolution during the late Paleozoic-early Mesozoic in response to the southward subduction and closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. However, details about the subduction process and the timing of the tectonic transition from subduction to post-collision are still poorly constrained. Here, we identify two-stage crust-mantle interactions in the Wulashan area and report new geochronology, geochemistry, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopic data for magmatic rocks that record such processes following the subduction and closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. The early Carboniferous Xiguanjing pluton features a bimodal suite of gabbro (ca. 333 Ma) and syenogranite (ca. 331 Ma). The gabbros have arc-like geochemical affinities, with low Nb/La (0.31-0.40) and La/Ba (0.04-0.09) ratios, and variable Rb/Y (1.22-2.94) ratios, as well as enriched, mantle-like Sr-Nd-Pb (87Sr/86Sri = 0.7046-0.7047; eNd(t) = -3.8 to -3.5; 206Pb/204Pbi = 17.078-17.141) and enriched to depleted Hf (eHf(t) = -4.5 to +6.2) isotopic values. Such geochemical signatures indicate that they were derived from partial melting of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle that was metasomatized by slabderived fluids, with minor involvement of asthenospheric components. In contrast, the contemporaneous syenogranites are characterized by lower negative eNd(t) (-13.5 to -12.1) and eHf(t) values (-16.3 to -8.2), which suggests that they were formed by partial melting of the lower crust. Late Triassic Shadegai and Xishadegai plutons are mainly composed of enclave-bearing syenogranite, and both mafic microgranular enclaves and syenogranites crystallized at ca. 233-231 Ma. The mafic microgranular enclaves have geochemical features similar to those of the early Carboniferous gabbros, and also have moderately enriched isotopic compositions (eNd(t) = -9.7 to -8.4; eHf(t) = -9.2 to -0.3), which suggests that they originated from interaction between mantle-derived magma and overlying crust-derived magma, with minor additions of asthenospheric melts in their sources. Field and petrological observations, coupled with the similar ages of the host granites and mafic microgranular enclaves, suggest a magmatic mingling process. Isotopic mixing models suggest that minor amounts (~10%-20%) of lower crustal materials were mixed during the formation of the mafic microgranular enclaves. The host syenogranites display calc-alkaline to alkalic and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous compositions, and negative eNd(t) (-15.0 to -12.1) and eHf(t) values (-16.4 to -9.8), which indicates that they were mainly derived from partial melting of the lower crust and experienced the injection of deep mantle-derived magmas. Our new data, along with previously published data for magmatic rocks in the northern margin of the North China Craton, suggest that the early Carboniferous bimodal intrusive rocks formed in a localized back-arc extensional regime that was probably triggered by slab rollback of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. However, the Late Triassic plutons formed in a postcollisional extensional regime in response to slab breakoff or lithospheric delamination. Temporal variations of Nd-Hf isotopes for the magmatism in the northern margin of the North China Craton suggest that tectonic switching from advancing to retreating subduction to post-collisional extension occurred during the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic. We propose that a tectonic transition from subduction to post-collisional extension may have occurred during the Early-Middle Triassic, marking the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, which most likely took place at ca. 250-235 Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Establishment of exchange bias coupling in annealed Fe/MgO(0 0 1) films. • High thermal stability of exchange bias coupling in annealed Fe/MgO(0 0 1) films. • Promoted exchange bias coupling from involving only interface spins to involving the full-volume magnetization of the Fe film. • A formation of FeO-Fe matrix-like structure at Fe-MgO interface is characterized. • Origin of promoted exchange bias coupling in annealed Fe/MgO(0 0 1) is proposed. MgO-based magnetic heterostructures are crucial building blocks in state-of-the-art spintronic devices. In this study, we performed thermal annealing to control the formation and distribution of FeO across the interface of a Fe-MgO system. The exchange bias phenomenon (i.e., a horizontal shift of magnetic hysteresis loops) was extended from involving only interface spins to involving the full-volume magnetization of the Fe film. The extended and reinforced exchange bias coupling in the annealed Fe/MgO(0 0 1) films can be attributed to the formation of a Fe-FeO matrix-like structure at the Fe/MgO interface under an increasing degree of interface roughness and the reduction or diffusion of oxygen from the interfacial oxides, as indicated by X-ray absorption near edge structures and X-ray reflectivity measurements. Moreover, the thermal stability of exchange bias coupling in the annealed Fe/MgO(0 0 1) films (maximum value at approximately 600 K) was considerably higher than that in conventional thin-film-based Fe/FeO structures (approximately 50 K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under very mild aerobic conditions, azacalix[1]arene[3]pyridine underwent highly efficient C–H activation with Cu(ClO4)2·6H2O to form a stable aryl–Cu(iii) complex which reacted rapidly with various nucleophiles at ambient temperature to afford diverse functionalized azacalix[1]arene[3]pyridine derivatives in excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modification of crystalline structure by epitaxial growth on different single crystals induces crucial effects on the exchange bias coupling. Due to the larger lattice constant (a0) of Cu3Au(100) (a0=3.75 Å), the vertical lattice constants of Fe/FexMn1-x films on Cu3Au(100) are much smaller than those of the Fe/FexMn1-x/Cu(100) system (Cu: a0=3.61 Å). By reducing the vertical lattice constants, the interface exchange bias coupling energy of Fe/FexMn1-x/Cu3Au(100) is enhanced to be 0.12–0.18 erg/cm2, which is approximately four times that of the Cu(100) system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different doping contents of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3) on the performance of zinc oxide (ZnO)-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have never been discussed. In this paper, ZnO nanopowder and CaCO 3 nanopowder at different weight percentage concentrations (0–9 wt%) were made into the photoanodes of DSSCs using the wet powder mixing and grinding method. The CaCO 3 /ZnO DSSC doped with 3 wt% CaCO 3 had the highest short-circuit current density (4.35 mA/cm2) and photovoltaic conversion efficiency (1.18%), higher than the short-circuit current density of the reference ZnO-based DSSC by 52%, and the photovoltaic conversion efficiency by 46%. It was found that the photoanodes prepared by doping a small amount of CaCO 3 into ZnO could enhance the photoelectric properties of ZnO-based DSSC effectively. The characterization of the CaCO 3 /ZnO DSSCs were carried out via the measurement of scanning electron microscope (SEM), contact angle (CA) and photocurrent density-voltage (J - V) characteristics. A theoretical background based on charge transport and interfacial recombination was provided to elucidate the process and was tried to explain the mechanism of CaCO 3 /ZnO DSSC. Although the efficiency of CaCO 3 /ZnO DSSC still has much room for improvement, the related processes and mechanisms behind this device have considerable research and/or reference value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]