In this study, the suspension of MoO3 nanobelts was first prepared in a hydrothermal way from Mo powders and H2O2 solution, which could be transformed into the suspension of H x MoO3 nanobelts under an acidic condition using N2H4·H2O as the reducing agent. Three paper-form samples made from MoO3 and H x MoO3 nanobelts (low or high hydrogen content) were then fabricated via a vacuum filtration method, followed by their structural comparative analysis such as FESEM, XRD, Raman spectra, and XPS, etc. The measurement of electric resistances at room temperature shows that the conductance of H x MoO3 nanobelts is greatly improved because of hydrogen doping. The temperature-dependent resistances of H x MoO3 nanobelts agree with the exponential correlation, supporting that the conducting carriers are the quasi-free electrons released from Mo5+. In addition, the formation process of H x MoO3 nanobelts from MoO3 nanobelts is also discussed.

Abstract. A 0-Hecke algebra is a deformation of the group algebra of a Coxeter group. Based on work of Norton and Krob-Thibon, we introduce a tableau approach to the representation theory of 0-Hecke algebras of type A, which resembles the classic approach to the representation theory of symmetric groups by Young tableaux and tabloids. We extend this approach to type B and D, and obtain a correspondence between the representation theory of 0-Hecke algebras of type B and D and quasisymmetric functions and noncommutative symmetric functions of type B and D. Other applications are also provided.

The Catalan number Cn enumerates parenthesizations of x0 * · · · * xn where * is a binary operation. We introduce the modular Catalan number C k,n to count equivalence classes of parenthesizations of x0 * · · · * xn when * satisfies a k-associative law generalizing the usual associativity. This leads to a study of restricted families of Catalan objects enumerated by C k,n with emphasis on binary trees, plane trees, and Dyck paths, each avoiding certain patterns. We give closed formulas for C k,n with two different proofs. For each n ≥ 0 we compute the largest size of k-associative equivalence classes and show that the number of classes with this size is a Catalan number.

The 0-Hecke algebra Hn(0) is a deformation of the group algebra of the symmetric group Sn. We show that its coinvariant algebra naturally carries the regular representation of Hn(0), giving an analogue of the well-known result for Sn by Chevalley-Shephard-Todd. By investigating the action of Hn(0) on coinvariants and flag varieties, we interpret the generating functions counting the permutations with fixed inverse descent set by their inversion number and major index. We also study the action of Hn(0) on the cohomology rings of the Springer fibers, and similarly interpret the (noncommutative) Hall-Littlewood symmetric functions indexed by hook shapes. P α summed over all compositions α of n, where every P α is a (left) indecomposable H n (0)-module. It follows that {P α : α |= n} is a complete list of non-isomorphic projective indecomposable H n (0)modules, and {C α : α |= n} is a complete list of non-isomorphic simple H n (0)-modules, where C α = top(P α ) = P α / rad P α for all compositions α |= n. for their helpful suggestions and comments.

A home-use device that allows rapid and quantitative sperm quality analysis is desirable but not yet fully realized. To aid this effort, this article presents a microfluidic device capable of quantifying sperm quality in terms of two critical fertility-related parameters-motile sperm concentration and motility. The microdevice produces flow field for sperms to swim against, and sperms that overcame the flow within a specified time are propelled along in a separate channel and counted via resistive pulse technique. Data are compared to two control methods clinically utilized for sperm quality exam-hemocytometer and the sperm quality analyzer. Results reveal the numbers of pulses generated by passage of sperms correlates strongly with the two control methods: pulse number from 0 to 335 corresponds to progressively motile sperm concentrations from 0 to 19 9 10 6 / ml (hemocytometer) and Sperm Motility Index from 0 to 204 (sperm quality analyzer). The microdevice should be applicable to facilitate self-assessment of sperm quality at home.

The bondage number of a graph G is the minimum number of edges whose removal results in a graph with larger domination number. A dominating set D is called an efficient dominating set of G if |N − [v] ∩ D| = 1 for every vertex v ∈ V (G). In this paper we establish a tight lower bound for the bondage number of a vertex-transitive graph. We also obtain upper bounds for regular graphs by investigating the relation between the bondage number and the efficient domination. As applications, we determine the bondage number for some circulant graphs and tori by characterizing the existence of efficient dominating sets in these graphs.

The functionality and aging mechanism of antibodies physisorbed onto cellulosic films was investigated. Blood grouping antibodies immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were adsorbed onto smooth cellulose acetate (CAF) and regenerated cellulose (RCF) films. Cellulose films and adsorbed IgG layers were characterized at the air and liquid interface by X-ray and neutron reflectivity (NR), respectively. Cellulose film 208 Å thick (in air) swell to 386 Å once equilibrated in water. IgG adsorbs from solution onto cellulose as a partial layer 62 Å thick. IgG and IgM antibodies were adsorbed onto cellulose and cellulose acetate films, air dried, and aged at room temperature for periods up to 20 days. Antibody functionality and surface hydrophobicity were measured everyday with the size of red blood cell (RBC) agglutinates (using RBC specific to IgG/IgM) and the water droplet contact angle, respectively. The functionality of the aged IgG/IgM decreases faster if physisorbed on cellulose than on cellulose acetate and correlates to surface hydrophobicity. IgG physisorbed on RCF or CAF age better and remain functional longer than physisorbed IgM. We found a correlation between antibody stability and hydrogen bond formation ability of the system, evaluated from antibody carbonyl concentration and cellulosic surface hydroxyl concentration. Antibody physisorbs on cellulose by weak dipole forces and hydrogen bonds. Strong hydrogen bonding contributes to the physisorption of antibody on cellulose into a non-functional configuration in which the molecule relaxes by rotation of hydophobic groups toward the air interface.

Abstract. This paper studies a partial order on the general linear group GL(V ) called the absolute order, derived from viewing GL(V ) as a group generated by reflections, that is, elements whose fixed space has codimension one. The absolute order on GL(V ) is shown to have two equivalent descriptions, one via additivity of length for factorizations into reflections, the other via additivity of fixed space codimensions. Other general properties of the order are derived, including self-duality of its intervals.Working over a finite field F q , it is shown via a complex character computation that the poset interval from the identity to a Singer cycle (or any regular elliptic element) in GL n (F q ) has a strikingly simple formula for the number of chains passing through a prescribed set of ranks.