Controlling the Minimum Item Exposure Rate in Computerized Adaptive Testing: A Two-Stage Sympson-Hetter Procedure.

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) can improve test efficiency, but it also causes the problem of unbalanced item usage within a pool. The effect of uneven item exposure rates can not only induce a test security problem due to overexposed items but also raise economic concerns about item pool development due to underexposed items. Therefore, this study proposes a two-stage Sympson-Hetter (TSH) method to enhance balanced item pool utilization by simultaneously controlling the minimum and maximum item exposure rates. The TSH method divides CAT into two stages. While the item exposure rates are controlled above a prespecified level (e.g., rmin) in the first stage to increase the exposure rates of the underexposed items, they are controlled below another prespecified level (e.g., rmax) in the second stage to prevent items from overexposure. To reduce the effect on trait estimation, TSH only administers a minimum sufficient number of underexposed items that are generally less discriminating in the first stage of CAT. The simulation study results indicate that the TSH method can effectively improve item pool usage without clearly compromising trait estimation precision in most conditions while maintaining the required level of test security.

A Dynamic Stratification Method for Improving Trait Estimation in Computerized Adaptive Testing Under Item Exposure Control.

When computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is under stringent item exposure control, the precision of trait estimation will substantially decrease. A new item selection method, the dynamic Stratification method based on Dominance Curves (SDC), which is aimed at improving trait estimation, is proposed to mitigate this problem. The objective function of the SDC in item selection is to maximize the sum of test information for all examinees rather than maximizing item information for individual examinees at a single-item administration, as in conventional CAT. To achieve this objective, the SDC uses dominance curves to stratify an item pool into strata with the number being equal to the test length to precisely and accurately increase the quality of the administered items as the test progresses, reducing the likelihood that a high-discrimination item will be administered to an examinee whose ability is not close to the item difficulty. Furthermore, the SDC incorporates a dynamic process for on-the-fly item-stratum adjustment to optimize the use of quality items. Simulation studies were conducted to investigate the performance of the SDC in CAT under item exposure control at different levels of severity. According to the results, the SDC can efficiently improve trait estimation in CAT through greater precision and more accurate trait estimation than those generated by other methods (e.g., the maximum Fisher information method) in most conditions.

CdSe/ZIF-8-x: synthesis and photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance.

The photocatalytic reduction of CO2 is an effective way to solve the greenhouse effect. Different kinds of materials, such as semiconductors, coordination compounds, and bioenzymes, have been widely investigated to increase the efficiency of the photocatalytic reduction of CO2. However, a high selectivity and great stability are still challenges for material scientists. Here, we report for the first time visible light photocatalytic CO2 reduction by a series of CdSe/ZIF-8 nanocomposites combining the excellent CO2 adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 and the narrow energy gap of CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The composites show a higher catalytic performance than those of the pure components. Among CdSe/ZIF-8-x (x = n CdSe/n ZIF-8), the highest yield (42.317 µmol g-1) for reducing CO2 to CO in 12 h, was obtained using nanocomposites with a ratio of 0.42 (n CdSe/n ZIF-8) within the range of investigation.

Synthesis, characterization, photophysics, and anion binding properties of platinum(ii) acetylide complexes with urea group.

A new class of platinum(ii) acetylide complexes with urea group, [Pt((t)Bu3tpy)(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CC6H4-4-NHC(O)NHC6H4-4-R)](OTf) ((t)Bu3tpy = 4,4',4''-tri-tert-butyl-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine; R = H (), Cl (), CF3 (), and NO2 ()), has been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of , ·DMF·THF, ·CH3CN, and ·CH3CN have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Upon excitation at λ > 380 nm, the solid samples of complexes show orange light at 298 K. The anion binding properties of complexes have been studied by UV-vis titration experiments in CH3CN and DMSO. In general, the log K values of with the same anion in CH3CN depend on the substituent R on the acetylide ligand of and follow this order: R = NO2 () > CF3 () > Cl () > H (). For the same complex with different anions, the log K values are in the following order: F(-) > OAc(-) > Cl(-) > Br(-) ≈ HSO4(-) ≈ NO3(-) > I(-), which is in accordance with the decrease in the basicity of anions. Complex with NO2 group shows a dramatic colour change towards F(-) in DMSO, allowing the naked eye detection of F(-).

Two-dimensional metal-organic framework with wide channels and responsive turn-on fluorescence for the chemical sensing of volatile organic compounds.

We report a 2D layered metal-organic framework (MOF) with wide channels named NUS-1 and its activated analogue NUS-1a composed of Zn4O-like secondary building units and tetraphenylethene (TPE)-based ligand 4,4'-(2,2-diphenylethene-1,1-diyl)dibenzoic acid. Due to its special structure, NUS-1a exhibits unprecedented gas sorption behavior, glass-transition-like phase transition under cryogenic conditions, and responsive turn-on fluorescence to various volatile organic compounds. Our approach using angular ligand containing partially fixed TPE units paves a way toward highly porous MOFs with fluorescence turn-on response that will find wide applications in chemical sensing.

Visible-light-induced photooxidation of ruthenium(II) complex with 2,2'-biimidazole-like ligand by singlet oxygen.

Four new ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)2(TMBiimH2)](ClO4)2 (Ru-5; bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine and TMBiimH2 is 4,5,4',5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-biimidazole), [Ru(bpy)2(L1H2)](ClO4)2·H2O (Ru-6; L1H2 is 4,5-dimethyl-2-(N,N-diacetyl)carboximidamide-1H-imidazole), [Ru(bpy)2(L2H2)](ClO4)2 (Ru-7; L2H2 is N(1),N(1),N(2),N(2)-tetrakis(acetyl)ethanediimidamide), and [Ru(phen)2(TMBiimH2)](ClO4)2 (Ru-8; phen is 1,10'-phenanthroline) have been synthesized and characterized. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties have been studied and compared to the previously reported [Ru(bpy)2(BiimH2)](PF6)2 (Ru-1), [Ru(bpy)2(BbimH2)](PF6)2 (Ru-2), [Ru(bpy)2(DMBbimH2)](PF6)2 (Ru-3), and [Ru(bpy)2(TMBbimH2)](PF6)2 (Ru-4). Under irradiation with either sunlight or household light in atmosphere, Ru-5 reacts with molecular oxygen to produce Ru-6 in an acetonitrile solution with a relatively high concentration and Ru-7 in a methanol or dilute acetonitrile solution, respectively. The mechanism studies show that singlet oxygen is the reactive oxygen species in the ring-opening reaction and the photooxidation reaction is solvent- and concentration-dependent. The photoreaction product Ru-6 is an intermediate, which has been isolated and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Ru-6 is stable in the solid state and an acetonitrile solution with a high concentration, but can be further oxidized to Ru-7 in a methanol or dilute acetonitrile solution.

Highly Ag+ selective tripodal gold(I) acetylide-based "off-on" luminescence chemosensors based on 3(ππ*) emission switching.

Newly prepared gold(I) acetylide-based luminescent cation sensors 1c and 1d, which bear a novel three-armed flexible conformation, together with control molecule 2c, were synthesized in four steps. 1c and 1d exhibit the π → π* absorption of the acetylide ligands in fluid solutions and produce the (3)(ππ*) emission of the acetylide ligands in the solid state and degassed THF solution. The (3)(ππ*) emission of 1c in DMSO can be turned on upon addition of Ag(+). The binding ratio between 1c and Ag(+) as well as the binding constant log K were determined as 1:1 and 4.35 ± 0.12 respectively by UV-vis titration experiments. The formation of [1c·Ag](+) adduct, which leads to the appearance of new up-field peaks, was confirmed by (1)H NMR spectroscopic titrations. The control (1)H NMR titration experiments for the acetylide-free analogue 1a and single-armed analogue 2c indicate the acetylide groups and tripodal structures are responsible for the binding of Ag(+). The control experiment for tripodal gold(I) acetylide analogue 1d suggests the change of PPh3 with P(2-Py)Ph2 induces similar binding affinity toward Ag(+) but less selectivity toward Ag(+). Free 1c also exhibits the anion binding affinity toward F(-), but the Ag(+) adduct [1c·Ag](+) shows less affinity toward F(-).

Mononuclear gold(I) acetylide complexes with urea group: synthesis, characterization, photophysics, and anion sensing properties.

A series of mononuclear gold(I) acetylide complexes with urea moiety, R'(3)PAuC≡CC(6)H(4)-4-NHC(O)NHC(6)H(4)-4-R (R' = cyclohexyl, R = NO(2) (2a), CF(3) (2b), Cl (2c), H (2d), CH(3) (2e), (t)Bu (2f), OCH(3) (2g); R' = phenyl, R = NO(2) (3a), OCH(3) (3b); R' = 4-methoxyphenyl, R = H (4a), OCH(3) (4b)), have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of Ph(3)PAuC≡CC(6)H(4)-4-NHC(O)NHC(6)H(4)-4-NO(2) (3a) and (4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4))(3)PAuC≡CC(6)H(4)-4-NHC(O)NHC(6)H(5) (4a) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Complexes 2a-2g, 3b, and 4a-4b show intense luminescence both in the solid state and in degassed THF solution at 298 K. Anion binding properties of complexes 2a-2g, 3a-3b, and 4a-4b have been studied by UV-vis and (1)H NMR titration experiments. In general, the log K values of 2a-2g with the same anion in THF depend on the substituent R on the acetylide ligand of 2a-2g: R = NO(2) (2a) > CF(3) (2b) ≥ Cl (2c) > H (2d) > CH(3) (2e) ≈ (t)Bu (2f) ≥ OCH(3) (2g). Complex 2a with NO(2) group shows the dramatic color change toward F(-) in DMSO, which provides an access of naked eye detection of F(-).

The (3)[ndsigma*(n+1)psigma] emissions of linear silver(I) and gold(I) chains with bridging phosphine ligands.

The complexes [Au(3)(dcmp)(2)][X](3) {dcmp=bis(dicyclohexylphosphinomethyl)cyclohexylphosphine; X=Cl(-) (1), ClO(4) (-) (2), OTf(-) (3), PF(6) (-) (4), SCN(-)(5)}, [Ag(3)(dcmp)(2)][ClO(4)](3) (6), and [Ag(3)(dcmp)(2)Cl(2)][ClO(4)] (7) were prepared and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 2-4 display a high-energy emission band with lambda(max) at 442-452 nm, whereas 1 and 5 display a low-energy emission with lambda(max) at 558-634 nm in both solid state and in dichloromethane at 298 K. The former is assigned to the (3)[5dsigma*6psigma] excited state of [Au(3)(dcmp)(2)](3+), whereas the latter is attributed to an exciplex formed between the (3)[5dsigma*6psigma] excited state of [Au(3)(dcmp)(2)](3+) and the counterions. In solid state, complex [Ag(3)(dcmp)(2)][ClO(4)](3) (6) displays an intense emission band at 375 nm with a Stokes shift of approximately 7200 cm(-1) from the (1)[4dsigma*-->5psigma] absorption band at 295 nm. The 375 nm emission band is assigned to the emission directly from the (3)[4dsigma(*)5psigma] excited state of 6. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the absorption and emission energies are inversely proportional to the number of metal ions (n) in polynuclear Au(I) and Ag(I) linear chain complexes without close metalanion contacts. The emission energies are extrapolated to be 715 and 446 nm for the infinite linear Au(I) and Ag(I) chains, respectively, at metalmetal distances of about 2.93-3.02 A. A QM/MM calculation on the model [Au(3)(dcmp)(2)Cl(2)](+) system, with Au...Cl contacts of 2.90-3.10 A, gave optimized Au...Au distances of 2.99-3.11 A in its lowest triplet excited state and the emission energies were calculated to be at approximately 600-690 nm, which are assigned to a three-coordinate Au(I) site with its spectroscopic properties affected by Au(I)...Au(I) interactions.

Conformation changes and luminescent properties of Au-Ln (Ln = Nd, Eu, Er, Yb) arrays with 5-ethynyl-2,2'-bipyridine.

Reaction of polymeric gold(I) acetylide species (bpyC[triple bond]CAu)n (bpyC[triple bond]CH = 5-ethynyl-2,2'-bipyridine) with diphosphine ligands Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2 (n = 2-6) or 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene (dppf) in dichloromethane induces isolation of binuclear gold(I) complexes (bpyC[triple bond]CAu)2{mu-Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2} or (bpyC[triple bond]CAu)2(mu-dppf). Complexation of Ln(hfac)3 (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate, Ln = Nd, Eu, Er, Yb) subunits to the binuclear gold(I) complexes through 2,2'-bipyridyl chelation gives the corresponding Au4Ln4 or Au2Ln2 heteropolynuclear complexes. Noticeably, upon formation of the Au4Ln4 arrays by complexation of (bpyC[triple bond]CAu)2(mu-Ph2P(CH2)4PPh2) (3) with Ln(hfac)3 units, trans-conformation in 3 transforms dramatically to the cis-arranged form due to the strong driving force from ligand-unsupported Au-Au contacts between two Au2Ln2 subunits. In contrast, cis-conformation in (bpyC[triple bond]CAu)2(mu-dppf) (6) stabilized by Au-Au interactions is reversed to the trans-oriented form upon formation of Au2Ln2 arrays by introducing Ln(hfac)3 units through 2,2-bipyridyl chelation. The binuclear gold(I) complexes show bright blue luminescence featured by ligand-centered pi --> pi* (C[triple bond]Cbpy) states together with low-energy emission at 500-540 nm, associated with 3(pi-->pi*) excited states, mixed probably with some characteristic from (Au-Au) --> (C[triple bond]Cbpy) 3MMLCT transition. For Au4Ln4 or Au2Ln2 complexes, sensitized lanthanide luminescence is achieved by energy transfer from Au-acetylide chromophores with lifetimes in the sub-millisecond range for EuIII complexes, whereas in the microsecond range for near-infrared emitting NdIII, ErIII, and YbIII species.

A luminescent supermolecule with gold(I) quinoline-8-thiolate: crystal structure, spectroscopic and photophysical properties.

The trinuclear complex [(8-QNS)(2)Au(AuPPh(3))(2)].BF(4) (8-QNS = quinoline-8-thiolate), with intramolecular gold(I)...gold(I) distances of 3.0952(4) and 3.0526(3) A, is aggregated to form a novel hexanuclear supermolecule, ([(8-QNS)2(Au(AuPPh3)2])2.(BF4)2, via a close intermolecular gold(I)...gold(I) contact of 3.1135(3) A. The beautiful hexanuclear supermolecule has an inversion center, and the six metal centers can be viewed as roughly coplanar. Six gold(I) ions are embedded in an ellipse and surrounded by 4 quinoline and 12 phenyl rings. The title compound shows interesting spectroscopic and luminescence properties dependent on the solvent polarity; i.e., it emits at ca. 440 and 636 nm in CH(2)Cl(2) and only at ca. 450 nm in CH(3)CN. The long-lived emission at ca. 636 nm (16.2 micros) in CH(2)Cl(2) is quenched by polar solvents such as CH(3)CN and CH(3)OH with quenching constants as 1.00 x 10(5) and 3.03 x 10(4) s(-1) M(-1), respectively, which is suggested to be related to the presence or absence of gold(I)...gold(I) interactions due to scrambling of the [AuPPh(3)]+ units, isolobal to H+.

3[(dx2-y2,dxy)(pz)] excited state of binuclear copper(I) phosphine complexes: effect of copper-ligand and copper-copper interactions on excited state properties and photocatalytic reductions of the 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridinium ion in alcohols.

A comprehensive study of the structural and spectroscopic properties of two-, three-, and four-coordinate copper(I) complexes with aliphatic phosphine ligands is presented. All complexes described in this work are characterized by X-ray crystallography. The intramolecular Cu...Cu separations in [Cu2(dcpm)2]X2, [Cu2(dcpm)2-(CH3CN)2]X2, and [Cu2(dmpm)3]-(ClO4)2 (dcpm=bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane; dmpm=bis(dimethylphosphino)methane; X=ClO4- and PF6-) are in the range 2.639(2)-3.021(2) A. The anion...CuI interaction is weak, as evidenced by the nearest O...Cu separation of 2.558(6) A in [Cu2(dcpm)2](ClO4)2 and the closest Cu...F separation of 2.79(1) A in [Cu2(dcpm)2](PF6)2. The absorption bands of [Cu2(dcpm)2]X2 and [Cu2(dcpm)2(CH3CN)2]X2 (X=ClO4- and PF6-) at lambda max 307-311 nm in CH2Cl2 are assigned as 1[3d sigma* --> 4p sigma] transitions; this has been confirmed by resonance Raman spectroscopy. The triplet emissions in the visible region from these complexes exhibit long lifetimes and are sensitive to the environment. The lowest emissive excited state is tentatively ascribed as 3[(dx2-y2, dxy)(pz)] in nature. For [Cu2(dcpm)2]2+ salts in CH3CN, the emissive species is postulated to be [Cu2(dcpm)2(CH3CN)n]2+ (n > or = 3). Efficient photocatalytic reduction of MV2+ (4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridinium) to MV+ in alcoholic solutions by using [Cu2(dcpm)2](PF6)2 or [Cu2(dppm)2(CH3CN)4](ClO4)2 (dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) as a catalyst has been observed. The addition of CH3CN or use of [Cu2(dmpm)3]-(ClO4)2 as a catalyst did not allow photocatalytic reduction processes to occur.

Organic triplet emissions of arylacetylide moieties harnessed through coordination to [Au(PCy(3))]+. Effect of molecular structure upon photoluminescent properties.

A family of mono- and binuclear Cy(3)P-supported gold(I) complexes containing various pi-conjugated linear arylacetylide ligands, including the two homologous series (Cy(3)P)Au(Ctbd1;CC(6)H(4))(n)()(-)(1)(Ctbd1;CPh) and (Cy(3)P)Au(Ctbd1;CC(6)H(4))(n)()Ctbd1;CAu(PCy(3)) (n = 1-4), have been prepared. X-ray crystal analyses revealed no intermolecular aurophilic interactions in their crystal lattice. The lowest-energy singlet transitions are predominately intraligand in nature and exhibit both phenyl and acetylenic (1)(pipi) character. Strong photoluminescence is detected in solid and solution states under ambient conditions, with lifetimes in the microsecond regime. For complexes with a single arylacetylide group, only phosphorescence from the arylacetylide (3)(pipi) state is observed. Vibrational spacings in the solid-state emission spectra can be attributed to a combination of phenyl ring deformation and symmetric phenyl ring and Ctbd1;C stretches. Additional delayed-fluorescence emission is recorded for complexes with multiple p-arylacetylide units, and this is attributed to a triplet-triplet annihilation process. The phosphorescence energy of these complexes are readily modified by altering the length of the conjugated arylacetylide system, while the intensity of phosphorescence relative to fluorescence decreases when the p-arylacetylide chain is elongated. Information regarding the nature and relative energies of arylacetylide singlet and triplet excited states has been derived from the two homologous series and extrapolated to polymeric arylacetylide species. The (3)(pipi) excited-state reduction potentials E degrees [Au(+)/Au] (Au = 1a, 2, and 4) are estimated to be -1.80, -1.28, and -1.17 V versus SSCE, respectively.