bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Impressions Which Will Never Be Lost”: Missionary Periodicals for Protestant Children in Late-Nineteenth Century Canada and New Zealand
Authors: Morrison Hugh
Published: May 2013

Despite extensive engagement, children were invisible in the programs of the nineteenth-century Protestant missionary conferences. By the early 1900s this had noticeably changed as denominations and missionary organizations sought to maximize and enhance juvenile missionary interest. Childhood was the key stage in which to establish habits; the future depended upon “the education of the childhood of the race, in missionary matters as in all others.” Literature was pivotal and periodicals were deemed to be the most effective literary form. They provided the young with “impressions which will never be lost . . . nothing will appeal to the young more strongly than stories from beyond the seas, of strange people who know not of Christ, but who need His gospel.” Juvenile missionary periodicals were ubiquitous in Britain, Europe, and America, but they are still only partially understood. Adult and juvenile literature was qualitatively different so that “any adequate analysis . . . requires to be grounded in an understanding of the construction of childhood in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.” This task remains very much a work in progress. Most recent scholarship tends to discursively situate children's periodicals with respect to religion, culture, and politics. All agree on at least a broad two-fold function: the spiritual and the philanthropic. Periodicals per se were an integral part of a large and pervasive Victorian corpus of juvenile religious and moral literature. At the same time missionary periodicals were different. They emphasized child agency by encouraging a “participatory relationship” between readers and their subject. Children became active agents “in a diaologic relationship with [their] world.”
Novel use of Coblation technology in an unusual congenital tracheal stenosis
Authors: Sim G , Vijayasekaran S
Published: May 2013

Background:

We report the case of an unusual late presentation of congenital tracheal stenosis in a 13-year-old boy. He was treated with minimally invasive Coblation resection of the stenotic segment, avoiding a major open tracheal resection and reconstruction. This case report is the first to document the use of an ultra-fine Coblation wand in the treatment of congenital tracheal stenosis.

Results:

The case proceeded well, without any complications. The patient had a fully healed and patent trachea at 12-week post-operative review.

Conclusion:

Complex cases of congenital stenosis should be managed with a multidisciplinary approach. Different and novel treatment options should be explored to find one that suits the individual patient. Minimally invasive Coblation technology can offer less invasive treatment with quicker recovery and shorter hospitalisation.
Sudden bilateral sensorineural hearing loss associated with urticarial vasculitis
Authors: Hall A C , Leong A C , Jiang D , Fitzgerald-O'Connor A
Published: May 2013

Background:

Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss associated with recurrent urticarial skin lesions may be signs of underlying Muckle–Wells syndrome. Previous reports have described the hearing loss to be progressive in nature.

Method:

To our knowledge, this paper presents the first published case of sudden onset, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss associated with urticarial vasculitis due to underlying Muckle–Wells syndrome.

Results:

The patient underwent a cochlear implantation with a modest outcome.

Conclusion:

Cochlear implantation may help to rehabilitate sudden hearing loss associated with this condition, but early diagnosis may allow treatment with interleukin-1β inhibitors such as anakinra.
Leadership in China's Urban Middle Class Protest: The Movement to Protect Homeowners' Rights in Beijing
Authors: Wang Zhengxu , Sun Long , Xu Liuqing , Pavlićević Dragan
Published: May 2013

In the last few years, the demands of homeowners in Chinese cities have gradually shifted away from economic rights and towards political ones. At the same time, alliances across different communities have emerged and vigorous attempts to form citywide solidarities have been made. In this process, a group of dedicated leaders has emerged, contributing greatly to the escalation of collective actions. This article focuses on a core group of Beijing activists behind the organization, expression and participation of homeowners' associations. Relying on data collected from interviews, documents and participatory observations conducted over a period of more than two years, we were able to pin down the socio-economic, social and political backgrounds of these leaders, as well as their attitudes, objectives and repertoire of actions. We describe leaders as falling into a two-by-two typology that is defined by a motivation dimension and an activeness dimension. Depending on his or her goals and approaches, a protest leader can be variously viewed as a political actionist, a frustrated changer, a double harvester or a tiger rider. These different types of leaders are all in one way or another promoting socio-political changes in China.
S-adenosylmethionine modifies cocaine-induced DNA methylation and increases locomotor sensitization in mice
Authors: Anier Kaili , Zharkovsky Alexander , Kalda Anti
Published: May 2013

Several studies suggest that individual variability is a critical component underlying drug addiction as not all members of a population who use addictive substance become addicted. There is evidence that the overall epigenetic status of a cell (epigenome) can be modulated by a variety of environmental factors, such as nutrients and chemicals. Based on these data, our aim was to investigate whether environmental factors like S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) via affecting epigenome could alter cocaine-induced gene expression and locomotor sensitization in mice. Our results demonstrate that repeated SAM (10 mm/kg) pretreatment significantly potentiated cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization. Using mouse nucleus accumbens (NAc) tissue, whole-genome gene expression profiling revealed that repeated SAM treatment affected a limited number of genes, but significantly modified cocaine-induced gene expression by blunting non-specifically the cocaine response. At the gene level, we discovered that SAM modulated cocaine-induced DNA methylation by inhibiting both promoter-associated CpG-island hyper- and hypomethylation in the NAc but not in the reference tissue cerebellum. Finally, our in vitro and in vivo data show that the modulating effect of SAM is in part due to decreased methyltransferase activity via down-regulation of Dnmt3a mRNA. Taken together, our results suggest that environmental factors that affect the NAc-cell epigenome may alter the development of psychostimulant-induced addiction and this may explain, at least partly, why some individuals are more vulnerable to drug addiction.
The Effect of Suicide-Related Internet Use on Users’ Mental Health
Authors: Sueki Hajime
Published: May 2013

Background: Previous studies have shown that suicide-related Internet use can have both negative and positive psychological effects. Aims: This study examined the effect of suicide-related Internet use on users’ suicidal ideation, depression/anxiety tendency, and loneliness. Method: A two-wave panel study of 850 Internet users was conducted via the Internet. Results: Suicide-related Internet use (e.g., browsing websites about suicide methods) had negative effects on suicidal ideation and depression/anxiety tendency. No forms of suicide-related Internet use, even those that would generally be considered positive, were found to decrease users’ suicidal ideation. In addition, our results suggest that the greater the suicidal ideation and feelings of depression and loneliness of Internet users, the more they used the Internet. Conclusion: Since suicide-related Internet use can adversely influence the mental health of young adults, it is necessary to take measures to reduce their exposure to such information.
Clinical and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Suicidal Intent Among Young Adults: A Study From South India
Authors: Menon Vikas , Kattimani Shivanand , Shrivastava Manohar Kant , Thazath Harichandrakumar Kottyen
Published: May 2013

Background: Intent in attempted suicide is considered an indicator of subsequent suicide. Few studies in developing countries have examined correlates of suicidal intent among young adults. Aims: This study aimed to assess the intent score among a sample of young suicide attempters from South India and to identify the factors associated with suicide intent among them. Method: The clinical charts of 64 consecutive subjects aged 15–24 years attending emergency services for attempted suicide were reviewed. All participants completed a semistructured proforma, the Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Pierce Suicide Intent Scale, and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Psychiatric diagnoses were made according to the ICD-10 clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines. Results: The intent scores were in the moderate-to-high range for most subjects. Suicide intent score significantly varied depending on the presence or absence of psychiatric morbidity. In bivariate analysis, psychiatric morbidity and hopelessness correlated positively with suicide intent, and in linear regression, hopelessness emerged as a predictor of suicide intent. Conclusion: A high intent of suicide in young is associated with psychiatric morbidity and presence of hopelessness. Hopelessness may be a key predictor of suicidal intent. Assessment of suicidal intent and hopelessness among young attempters is important and may help identify high-risk individuals who need intensive interventions.
A Typology of Male Prisoners Making Near-Lethal Suicide Attempts
Authors: Rivlin Adrienne , Ferris Robert , Marzano Lisa , Fazel Seena , Hawton Keith
Published: May 2013

Background: Prisoners are at high risk of suicide. Aims: This study aimed to develop a typology of prison suicide. Method: We interviewed 60 male prisoners who made near-lethal suicide attempts in prison to obtain quantitative and qualitative data regarding psychiatric, psychological, social, and criminological factors. We analyzed this information to develop a typology to classify suicidal prisoners and validated it by having a prison psychiatrist independently rate each interview transcript. Results: We developed a typology of five subgroups: attempts that (1) were due to a prisoner being unable to cope in prison, (2) were motivated by psychotic symptoms, (3) had instrumental motives, (4) were ”unexpected” by the prisoners themselves, and (5) were associated with withdrawal from drugs. The interrater reliability as measured by Cohen’s was good to excellent at 0.81 (p < .001), 95% CI (0.69, 0.93). Conclusion: With further validation in other samples, this typology may assist suicide prevention initiatives in prisons as well as other forensic institutions by informing the assessment and formulation of suicide risk.
Diagnostic model of saliva peptide finger print analysis of primary Sjögren's syndrome patients by using weak cation exchange magnetic beads
Authors: Wei Pan , Kuo Winston Patrick , Chen Feng , Hua Hong
Published: May 2013

Saliva diagnostics has become an attractive field utilizing nanotechnology and molecular technologies for pSS (primary Sjögren's syndrome). However, no specific methods have been established. To refine the diagnostic power of the saliva peptide finger print for the early detection of pSS, we screened the expression spectrum of salivary peptides in pSS patients by using mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF-MS (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization-time-of-flight MS) combined with magnetic bead. The present study was comprised 12 pSS patients and 13 healthy controls and broken down to two different phases. In the initial ‘exploratory phase’, we enrolled seven pSS patients with eight age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Proteomics analysis of the unstimulated salivary samples was conducted to generate proportional peptide mass fingerprints. A diagnostic model was established. The testing cohort of the second ‘validation phase’ was represented by five pSS patients and five age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The diagnostic power of this diagnostic panel was then validated. The results showed seven m/z (mass-to-charge) ratio peaks with significant differences. Five peptides were up-regulated and two down-regulated in the pSS patients compared with matched healthy subjects. In the validation phase, four out of five pSS patients were diagnosed as pSS, and four of the five healthy controls were diagnosed as healthy controls, respectively. Potential biomarkers were also primarily predicted. The novel diagnostic proteomic model with m/z peaks 1068.1 Da, 1196.2 Da, 1738.4 Da, 3375.3 Da, 3429.3 Da, 3449.7 Da and 3490.6 Da is of certain value for early diagnosis of pSS.
Effects of Prosody and Position on the Timing of Deictic Gestures
Authors: Rusiewicz Heather Leavy , Shaiman Susan , Iverson Jana M. , Szuminsky Neil
Published: May 2013

Purpose

In this study, the authors investigated the hypothesis that the perceived tight temporal synchrony of speech and gesture is evidence of an integrated spoken language and manual gesture communication system. It was hypothesized that experimental manipulations of the spoken response would affect the timing of deictic gestures.

Method

The authors manipulated syllable position and contrastive stress in compound words in multiword utterances by using a repeated-measures design to investigate the degree of synchronization of speech and pointing gestures produced by 15 American English speakers. Acoustic measures were compared with the gesture movement recorded via capacitance.

Results

Although most participants began a gesture before the target word, the temporal parameters of the gesture changed as a function of syllable position and prosody. Syllables with contrastive stress in the 2nd position of compound words were the longest in duration and also most consistently affected the timing of gestures, as measured by several dependent measures.

Conclusion

Increasing the stress of a syllable significantly affected the timing of a corresponding gesture, notably for syllables in the 2nd position of words that would not typically be stressed. The findings highlight the need to consider the interaction of gestures and spoken language production from a motor-based perspective of coordination.
Indirect output voltage regulation of DC–DC buck/boost converter operating in continuous and discontinuous conduction modes using adaptive backstepping approach
Authors: Salimi Mahdi , Soltani Jafar , Markadeh Gholamreza Arab , Abjadi Navid Reza
Published: May 2013

In this study, an adaptive non‐linear controller is designed for DC–DC buck/boost converter which is robust and stable against converter load changes, input voltage variations and parameter uncertainties. The proposed controller is developed based on input–output linearisation using an adaptive backstepping approach. The controller can be applied in both continuous and discontinuous conduction modes (CCM and DCM). Owing to non‐minimum phase nature of buck/boost converter, the output voltage of this converter is indirectly controlled by tracking the inductor reference current. The inductor reference current is generated by a conventional PI controller. Using a MATLAB/Simulink toolbox and a stand‐alone TMS320F2810 digital signal processor from Texas Instruments, some simulations and practical results are presented to verify the capability and effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
Cross‐switched multilevel inverter: an innovative topology
Authors: Farhadi Kangarlu Mohammad , Babaei Ebrahim
Published: May 2013

Multilevel inverters have attractive features which make them one of the most popular fields of investigations. They can operate in high power and high voltage conditions. Multilevel inverters generate output voltage with high quality and low harmonic contents. As the number of output voltage levels increases, the quality of the output voltage is improved leading to reduction of the filtering requirements. However, multilevel inverters have the disadvantage of increased power electronic switches. This leads to higher cost, size and complication. Some advanced topologies have been introduced to reduce the number of power electronic switches, unfortunately, most of these topologies need high voltage switches on their structure making them unsuitable for high voltage conditions. In this study, an innovative topology for multilevel inverter is proposed which reduces the number of switches considerably without using high voltage switches. The proposed topology is a general topology which can be extended for any number of voltage levels. The authors call this topology as cross‐switched multilevel inverter. The simulation results obtained in PSCAD/EMTDC as well as the experimental results verify the proposed topology.
Performance evaluation of a simple and general space vector pulse‐width modulation‐based M‐level inverter including over‐modulation operation
Authors: Jana Kartick Chandra , Biswas Sujit K. , Chowdhury Suparna Kar
Published: May 2013

This study presents a simple and a generalised space vector pulse‐width modulation scheme for a neutral point clamped multi‐level inverter as well as cascaded inverter of any level. This modulation algorithm implements the online generation of desired switching states and their sequences through generalised expressions without any predetermined stored data in a memory look‐up table. The proposed algorithm also incorporates the concept of reference vector and on‐time modification combined during the over‐modulation region for any level of inverter. Performance of the proposed modulation algorithm is tested experimentally through a digital signal processor‐based controller for a five‐level cascaded inverter with very low execution time that does not depend much on the level of inverter. The simulation waveform and the harmonic analysis of the voltage at different modulation index are presented and these are verified with the experimental results.
Improved pulse‐width modulation and capacitor voltage‐balancing strategy for a scalable hybrid cascaded multilevel converter
Authors: Zhang Yushu , Adam Grain , Finney Stephen , Williams Barry
Published: May 2013

This study re‐introduces a hybrid multilevel converter that is capable of operating independent of load power factor and modulation index plus is applicable to medium‐ to high‐voltage application. These features are achieved by adopting a new modulation strategy that utilises third harmonic subtraction in order to: increase the modulation index linear range, have a smaller capacitor size and smaller footprint, have zero net power exchange between the cell capacitors, and the load is guaranteed for all operating conditions. This study establishes an optimal magnitude of third harmonic to be subtracted by the H‐bridge cells to ensure proper converter operation. The validity of the presented modulation strategy and capacitor voltage balancing are confirmed by simulation and experimentation on a scaled‐down model and prototype. The scalability of the hybrid multilevel converters to high‐voltage application is demonstrated using simulation, including start‐up and shut down without the need for auxiliary circuitry.
Modified space vector modulation for fault‐tolerant operation of multilevel cascaded H‐bridge inverters
Authors: Aleenejad Mohsen , Iman‐Eini Hossein , Farhangi Shahrokh
Published: May 2013

In this study, fault‐tolerant operation of multilevel cascaded H‐bridge (CHB) inverters is presented and a novel switching strategy based on space vector modulation is proposed. A faulty power switch in high power converters can lead to expensive downtime, loss of productivity and increased costs. Various power switch faults and their influence on space vector diagram of CHB inverters are investigated. In the event of a fault, the output voltage of inverter is reduced and redundant switching states are used to generate balanced line‐to‐line voltages. By adding some devices to the basic structure, CHB inverter will operate with maximum achievable output voltage. Simulation and experimental results are shown for a five‐level CHB inverter to validate the proposed modulation technique.
Types‐1 and ‐2 fuzzy logic controllers‐based shunt active filter Id–Iq control strategy with different fuzzy membership functions for power quality improvement using RTDS hardware
Authors: Mikkili Suresh , Panda Anup Kumar
Published: May 2013

This research paper proposes the shunt active filter (SHAF), which is used to improve the power quality of the electrical network by mitigating the harmonics with the help of Types‐1 and ‐2 fuzzy logic controllers (Types‐1 and ‐2 FLC) using different fuzzy membership functions (MFs). To carry out this analysis, active and reactive current (Id–Iq) control strategy is chosen. Three‐phase reference current waveforms generated by proposed scheme are tracked by the three‐phase voltage source converter in a hysteresis band control scheme. The performance of the proposed control strategy has been evaluated in terms of harmonic mitigation and DC‐link voltage regulation under various source conditions. To maintain DC‐link voltage constant and to generate the compensating reference currents, the authors have developed Types‐1 and ‐2 FLC with different fuzzy MFs (trapezoidal, triangular and Gaussian). The Id–Iq control strategy with proposed Type‐2 FLC is able to eliminate the uncertainty in the system and SHAF gains outstanding compensation abilities. The detailed real‐time results using real‐time digital simulator are presented to support the feasibility of proposed control strategy.
Direct measurement of bending stiffness and estimation of Young's modulus of vertically aligned carbon nanofibers
Authors: Ghavanini F. A. , Jackman H. , Lundgren P. , Svensson K. , Enoksson P.
Published: May 2013

The bending stiffness of individual, as-grown, vertically aligned carbon nanofibers was measured using a custom-built atomic force microscope placed inside a scanning electron microscope. The internal structure of the nanofiber was best modeled as dual-phase, composed of an inner graphitic core covered with a tapered amorphous carbon shell. It was found that the fibers have a relatively low bending stiffness, with Young's modulus values of about 10 GPa for the inner core and 65 GPa for the outer shell. The low Young's modulus of the inner core is attributed to a non-zero angle between the graphitic sheets and the nanofiber axis. The weak shear modulus between graphitic sheets thereby dominates the mechanical behaviour of the fibers.
Direct-dynamics VTST study of hydrogen or deuterium abstraction and C–C bond formation or dissociation in the reactions of CH3 + CH4, CH3 + CD4, CH3D + CD3, CH3CH3 + H, and CH3CD3 + D
Authors: Ramazani Shapour
Published: May 2013

Direct-dynamics variational transition-state theory calculations are studied at the MPWB1K/6-311++G(d,p) level for the four parts of reactions. The first part is hydrogen or deuterium abstraction in the reactions of CH3 + CH4, CH3 + CD4, and CH3D + CH3. The second part involves C–C bond formation in these reactions. The third one is the reactions of CH3CH3 + H and CH3CD3 + D to form of H2, HD, and D2. The last one is the dissociation of C–C bonds in the last group of reactions. The ground-state vibrational adiabatic potential is plotted for all channels. We have carried out direct-dynamics calculations of the rate constants, including multidimensional tunneling in the temperature range T = 200–2200 K. The results of CVT/μOMT rate constants were in good agreement with the experimental data which were available for some reactions. Small-curvature tunneling and Large-curvature tunneling with the LCG4 version were used to include the quantum effects in calculation of the rate constants. To try to find the region of formation and dissociation of bounds we have also reported the variations of harmonic vibrational frequencies along the reaction path. The thermally averaged transmission probability (P(E)exp (−ΔE/RT)) and representative tunneling energy at 298 K are reported for the reactions in which tunneling is important. We have calculated kinetic isotope effect which shows tunneling and vibrational contributions are noticeable to determine the rate constant. Nonlinear least-squares fitting is used to calculate rate constant expressions in the temperature range 200–2200 K. These expressions revealed that pre-exponential factor includes two parts; the first part is a constant number which is important at low temperatures while the second part is temperature dependent which is significant at high temperatures.
Intensified and attenuated waves in a microbubble Taylor–Couette flow
Authors: Watamura T. , Tasaka Y. , Murai Y.
Published: May 2013

The effect of the presence of microbubbles on a flow state is experimentally investigated in a Taylor–Couette flow with azimuthal waves, in order to examine the interaction mechanism of bubbles and flows that result in drag reduction. The average diameter of the bubbles is 60 μm, which is smaller than the Kolmogorov length scale, and the maximum void fraction is 1.2 × 10−4 at the maximum case. The modifications of the fluid properties, bulk density, effective viscosity, and the extra energy input caused by the addition of microbubbles are expected to have a small effect on modifying flow states. The power of the basic wave propagating in the azimuthal direction is enhanced; its modulation, however, is decreased by adding microbubbles in the flow regime corresponding to modulated Taylor vortex flow. Moreover, the gradient of the azimuthal velocity near the walls, source of the wall shear stress, decreases by 10%. The modified velocity distribution by adding microbubbles is comparable to that obtained with a 20% lower Reynolds number. Microbubbles in the coherent structure of the wavy Taylor vortices are visualized and exhibit a preferential distribution and motion at the crests and troughs of the waviness. The roles of the inhomogeneously distributed microbubbles in wavy vortical structures are discussed in view of our findings.
Transverse spin penetration length in metallic spin valves
Authors: Baláž Pavel , Barnaś Józef , Ansermet Jean-Philippe
Published: May 2013

A semiclassical description of diffusive spin transport in spin valves, which takes into account the transverse components of spin accumulation, is used to calculate the second harmonic voltage response to a low-frequency current. The description is applied to single as well as dual spin valves, with the magnetic moment of the sensing layer slightly tilted out of the equilibrium position by an in-plane external magnetic field. In the case of double spin valves, only the antiparallel configuration is considered since the spin torque in this configuration is enhanced, while in the parallel configuration it is significantly reduced. In both cases considered, the second harmonic voltage response and the relevant magnetoresistance are shown to be significantly dependent on the transverse spin penetration length.
Characterization of a hollow core fibre-coupled near field terahertz probe
Authors: Misra M. , Pan Y. , Williams C. R. , Maier S. A. , Andrews S. R.
Published: May 2013

We describe the design and performance of a freely positionable THz near field probe based on a hollow core photonic crystal fibre-coupled photoconducting dipole antenna with an integrated sub-wavelength aperture. Experimental studies of the spatial resolution are compared with detailed finite element electromagnetic simulations and imaging artefacts that are a particular feature of this type of device are discussed. We illustrate the potential applications with descriptions of time domain near field studies of surface waves on a metamaterial and multimode propagation in a parallel plate waveguide.
Efficiency limits for the rectification of solar radiation
Authors: Mashaal Heylal , Gordon Jeffrey M.
Published: May 2013

Efficiency limits for rectifying (converting AC to DC) incoherent broadband radiation are presented, prompted by establishing a fundamental bound for solar rectennas. For an individual full-wave rectifier, the bound is 2/π. The efficiency boosts attainable with cascaded rectifiers are also derived. The derivation of the broadband limit follows from the analysis of an arbitrary number of random-phase sinusoidal signals, which is also relevant for harvesting ambient radio-frequency radiation from a discrete number of uncorrelated sources.
Direct monitoring of minority carrier density during light induced degradation in Czochralski silicon by photoluminescence imaging
Authors: Uberg Naerland Tine , Angelskår Hallvard , Stensrud Marstein Erik
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we present a new method for studying the light induced degradation process, in which the minority carrier density is monitored directly during light soaking by photoluminescence imaging. We show experimentally that above a certain minority carrier concentration limit, Δnlim, the boron oxygen (B-O) defect generation rate is fully independent of the injected carrier concentration. By simulation, we determine Δnlim for a range of p-type Czochralski silicon samples with different boron concentrations. The normalized defect concentrations, Nt*, are determined for the same samples by time-resolved Quasi Steady State Photoconductance measurements. After 10 min of light degradation, no correlation between Δnlim, and Nt* is observed. These results indicate that the role of the excess carriers during the rapid decay is to first change the charge state of the defects by shifting the electron quasi-Fermi level across the energy level of the defect centre in its passive state (Elat = EV + (635 ± 18) meV) and that, subsequently, another rate-determining step proceeds before the defect centre becomes recombination active.
Magnetic tunnel junctions with Al2O3 tunnel barriers prepared by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Liu Xinfei , Shi Jing
Published: May 2013

Uniform Al2O3 tunnel barriers are fabricated with atomic layer deposition. The tunneling magnetoresistance in optimized Al2O3-based magnetic tunnel junctions is studied as a function of temperature in comparison with SrTiO3-based tunnel devices having the same La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and Co electrodes. The junction resistance peaks at the onset temperature of the tunneling magnetoresistance which lies below the metal-insulator transition temperature of the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 film. These results suggest a lower interface metal-insulator and ferromagnetic ordering temperature.
A study of oxidative stress induced by non-thermal plasma-activated water for bacterial damage
Authors: Zhang Qian , Liang Yongdong , Feng Hongqing , Ma Ruonan , Tian Ying , Zhang Jue , Fang Jing
Published: May 2013

Ar/O2 (2%) cold plasma microjet was used to create plasma-activated water (PAW). The disinfection efficacy of PAW against Staphylococcus aureus showed that PAW can effectively disinfect bacteria. Optical emission spectra and oxidation reduction potential results demonstrated the inactivation is attributed to oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species in PAW. Moreover, the results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy suggested that the chemical state of cell surface, the integrity of cell membrane, as well as the cell internal components and structure were damaged by the oxidative stress.
A temperature dependent measurement of the carrier velocity vs. electric field characteristic for as-grown and H-intercalated epitaxial graphene on SiC
Authors: Winters M. , Hassan J. , Zirath H. , Janzén E. , Rorsman N.
Published: May 2013

A technique for the measurement of the electron velocity versus electric field is demonstrated on as-grown and H-intercalated graphene. Van der Pauw, coplanar microbridge, and coplanar TLM structures are fabricated in order to assess the carrier mobility, carrier concentration, sheet resistance, and contact resistance of both epi-materials. These measurements are then combined with dynamic IV measurements to extract a velocity-field characteristic. The saturated electron velocity measurements indicate a value of 2.33 × 107cm/s for the as-grown material and 1.36 × 107cm/s for the H-intercalated material at 300 K. Measurements are taken as a function of temperature from 100 K to 325 K in order to estimate the optical phonon energy Eso of 4H-SiC by assuming an impurity scattering model. The extracted values of Eso are 97 meV for the as-grown sample and 115 meV for the H-intercalated sample. The H-intercalated result correlates to the anticipated value of 116 meV for 4H-SiC, while the as-grown value is significantly below the expected value. Therefore, we hypothesize that the transport properties of epitaxial graphene on SiC are influenced both by intercalation and by remote phonon scattering with the SiC substrate.
Medium range order engineering in amorphous silicon thin films for solid phase crystallization
Authors: Law Felix , Widenborg Per I. , Luther Joachim , Hoex Bram
Published: May 2013

In recent years, it has been recognized that medium range ordering (MRO) in amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) plays a role in controlling its solid phase crystallization (SPC) behavior. Information on the MRO can be obtained from the width of the first X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak of a-Si:H centered around 2θ = 27.5°. The broader the full width half maximum (FWHM) of the first XRD peak, the less ordered the a-Si:H material in the medium range length scale (up to 5 nm). In this work, it was found that the FWHM of the first XRD peak changes with the pressure used during the deposition of a-Si:H. A threshold SPC behavior was observed as a function of the a-Si:H deposition pressure and a good correlation between the SPC behavior and the a-Si:H XRD peak width was found. Results in this study indicate that higher MRO in a-Si:H led to faster SPC rates and smaller grain sizes, suggesting the presence of relatively active and high density of nucleation sites. High angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet reflectance indicate that films with higher MRO yielded polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) grains which were more defective and non-columnar in morphology. Results suggest that a-Si:H material with lower MRO were preferred as a precursor for SPC, which forms a better quality poly-Si thin film material. It was proposed that ion bombardment seems to play a role in altering the a-Si:H properties.
Enhanced photon-generated carrier extraction from Si nanostructure under additional infrared light irradiation
Authors: Yu Wei , Xu Yanmei , Li Huimin , Wang Jin , Fu Guangsheng , Lu Wanbing
Published: May 2013

Recombination and trapping effect in quantum dots are large barriers to efficient photon-generated carrier extraction. In this paper, Infrared (IR)-assisted carrier extraction in a Si/SiO2 multiple quantum well is demonstrated. Operated at reverse bias, enhanced photoresponse from 300 to 700 nm is observed. External quantum efficiency nearly 200% is obtained when both visible light and IR are added. The enhancement is attributed to potential modulation by photo-illumination. A theoretical model including three processes is presented to explain this conclusion. The secondary light source IR could excite trapped carriers from the defects at the Si/SiO2 interface, improving extraction efficiency.
Thermal conductivity of single biological cells and relation with cell viability
Authors: Kyoo Park Byoung , Yi Namwoo , Park Jaesung , Kim Dongsik
Published: May 2013

This paper presents measurements of effective thermal conductivity of single biological cells (HeLa, NIH-3T3 J2, and hepatocyte). Such cellular-level measurements have not been performed previously, due to the small size (∼10 pl) of cells. The measurement uses the three-omega method with a nanoscale thermal sensor and a micro-well structure that confines the cell. The results provide a fundamental property to investigate the thermodynamics of cells. We also measured thermal conductivity of dead cells; results were significantly different from those of live cells. The difference means that thermal conductivity can be used for probing cell viability.
White-light-emitting diode based on a single-layer polymer
Authors: Wang B. Z. , Zhang X. P. , Liu H. M.
Published: May 2013

A broad-band light-emitting diode was achieved in a single-layer device based on pure poly(9,9′-dioctylfluorene-co-bis-N,N′-(4-butylphenyl)-bis-N,N′-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine) (PFB). Electromer emission was observed in the red with a center wavelength of about 620 nm in electroluminescence (EL) spectrum. This kind of emission exhibits strong dependence on the thickness of the PFB layer, so that the shape of the EL spectrum may be adjusted through changing the thickness of the active polymer layer to balance between the intrinsic PFB emission in the blue and the electromer emission in the red. Thus, white light emission may be achieved from such a single-layer single-material diode.
Operative times, postanesthesia recovery times, and complications during sinonasal surgery using general anesthesia and local anesthesia with sedation
Authors: Fedok Fred G. , Ferraro Richard E. , Kingsley Charles P. , Fornadley John A.
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE

The goal was to compare complication rates and recovery times in patients undergoing elective septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery using local anesthesia with sedation (LAS) versus general anesthesia (GA).

METHODS AND PATIENTS

A retrospective chart review of a consecutive sample of 177 patients undergoing elective septoplasty or endoscopic sinus surgery between July 1, 1994, and June 30, 1996, was carried out at our university‐based outpatient surgery unit. Outcome measures included total operative time, surgical time, recovery time, and perioperative complications.

RESULTS

Total operative and recovery times were shorter in patients undergoing LAS. The frequency of emesis, epistaxis, and nausea were less in the LAS population than in the GA population. Three patients who underwent GA required unplanned admissions.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that in selected patients undergoing sinonasal surgery, LAS may result in shorter total operative times, shorter recovery times, and less frequent nausea, emesis, and epistaxis than GA.
Thyroplasty type I: Short‐ versus long‐term results
Authors: Lundy Donna S. , Casiano Roy R. , Xue Jun W. , Lu F. Ling
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE

After thyroplasty type I, significant improvement has been reported in objective measures of vocal function. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the short‐ and long‐term results in patients undergoing thyroplasty type I.

METHODS

Data on 26 patients who had undergone thyroplasty type I for management of unilateral vocal fold paralysis were compared from before surgery to the short‐term (1‐month) and long‐term (>1‐year) postoperative assessment points. Statistical analysis included paired t tests to assess the significance of between‐group differences.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found between the preoperative and both postoperative evaluations for the measures of mean glottal flow rate, maximum phonation time, jitter, shimmer, and harmonic‐to‐noise ratio. However, no significant differences were found between the 1‐month and >1‐year assessment points.

CONCLUSIONS

The results for the parameters studied appeared to reach maximum improvement within 1 month after surgery. It is possible that the effects of time, including the normal aging process, hormonal changes, or other alterations in general health, may require longer follow‐up to better address these issues.
External and middle ear effects on infant hearing screening test results
Authors: Doyle Karen Jo , Rodgers Paula , Fujikawa Sharon , Newman Erin
Published: May 2013

This study investigated the relationship between external and middle ear factors and hearing screening results by automated auditory brain stem response (ABR) and transient‐evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAEs). The ears of 200 healthy new‐borns aged 5 to 48 hours underwent screening by ABR and EOAE, followed by otoscopic examination. The pass rates for ABR and EOAE were 91% and 58.5%, respectively. On otoscopic examination, 28% (112/400) ears had occluding vernix obscuring the view of the tympanic membrane. Cleaning of vernix was successfully performed in all but 2 ears that had occluding vernix. Cleaning of vernix significantly increased the pass rates of all 400 ears for ABR and EOAE to 96% and 69%. Decreased tympanic membrane mobility was found in 22.7% (90/396) of ears that were evaluated otoscopically. Decreased tympanic membrane mobility had a significant effect on EOAE screening; only 33.4% of ears passed EOAE testing. Decreased tympanic membrane mobility did not significantly affect pass rates for ABR screening; 95% of these ears passed the automated ABR screen. Implications for newborn hearing screening are discussed.
Vocal fold paresis
Authors: Koufman James A. , Postma Gregory N. , Cummins Michelle M. , Blalock P. David
Published: May 2013

Vocal fold paresis (VFP) is a relatively common and often overlooked condition that can be difficult to diagnose based on the laryngeal examination alone. A retrospective review of the records of 50 consecutive adult patients with VFP was performed. In each case, the diagnosis of VFP was confirmed by laryngeal electromyography. The presenting symptoms were dysphonia (100%), vocal fatigue (76%), diplophonia (40%), and odynophonia (12%), and the findings were unilateral vocal fold hypomobility (50%), unilateral bowing (36%), and bilateral bowing (22%). Laryngoplasty and/or lipoinjection was performed in 54% of the subjects, and significant vocal improvement was achieved in 85%. VFP appears to be underdiagnosed because many VFP patients have compensatory hyperkinetic disorders at presentation. Although the diagnosis of VFP may be suspected based on the patient's symptoms and findings, the diagnostic sine qua non is laryngeal electromyography. In addition, surgical treatment for VFP appears to be safe and effective.
Vagal paraganglioma: The Jefferson experience
Authors: Miller Randy B. , Boon Maurits S. , Atkins Joseph P. , Lowry Louis D.
Published: May 2013

Vagal paraganglioma is a rare tumor of neural crest origin. Although the literature is in agreement with regard to epidemiology, diagnosis, and tumor biology, there is some controversy over treatment modalities for these patients. We performed a non‐randomized retrospective study in a large single‐institution series of patients (n = 19) in whom vagal paraganglioma was diagnosed. General statistics included age, male/female ratio, tumor size, and duration of follow‐up. Other variables such as signs and symptoms at presentation, family history, multicentricity, metastatic disease, and secretion of catecholamines were included. CT scan, MRI, and angiography were used in combination for diagnostic purposes as well as for treatment planning. Preoperative embolization was performed in 5 of the more recently treated patients. Current issues regarding the use of preoperative embolization and choice of surgical approach were analyzed. In this article the possibility and sequela of vagus nerve‐sparing procedures will be presented. Operative complications and postoperative morbidity related to cranial neuropathies will be discussed. The rationale for performing adjunct procedures, including cricopharyngeal myotomy and vocal fold medialization, to facilitate the rehabilitation of patients with postoperative cranial nerve deficits will be given. Our findings and recommendations will be compared with currently accepted treatment protocols in conjunction with a review of the literature.
Auricular composite grafting to repair nasal vestibular stenosis
Authors: Karen Matthew , Chang Edward , Keen Monte S.
Published: May 2013

Nasal vestibular stenosis is defined as a narrowing of the nasal inlet resulting in airway obstruction. Causes include nasal trauma, infection, and iatrogenic insults. The objectives of this article are to illustrate nasal vestibular stenosis and to analyze common causes and surgical treatments. The operative technique of the senior author (M.S.K.), will be presented. Donor site morbidity and patient outcomes will be discussed. Sixteen patients were seen during a 5‐year period. Eleven women and 5 men were evaluated and found to have nasal vestibular stenosis. Three patients had stenosis as a result of nasal fracture or laceration. Stenosis developed in the remaining 13 as a result of nasal surgery. All patients underwent auricular composite grafting, and grafts took in 100%. Partial skin slough occurred in up to 50%; however, re‐epithelialization was seen within 3 weeks. Complications were seen at the donor site. Immediate patient satisfaction was seen and continues during long‐term follow‐up.
Prognostic assessment of sonography and tumor volumetry in advanced cancer of the head and neck by use of Doppler ultrasonography
Authors: Dietz Andreas , Delorme Stefan , Rudat Volker , Zuna Ivan , Conradt Christian , Vanselow Bernhard , Weidauer Hagen
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this trial was to examine the degree of tumor vascularity in lymph node metastases as depicted by computer‐assisted color Doppler sonography and the tumor volumes associated with prognosis in carcinomas of the oropharynx and hypopharynx after primary radiochemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective trial, 25 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx and hypopharynx (stage IV UICC 1997) were treated with radiochemotherapy. The color Doppler findings were quantified with a computer‐assisted protocol that quantitatively describes color Doppler images by the relative color pixel density (CPD). As important prognostic cofactor, total tumor volume (TTV) was calculated from CT sections and related to the degree of vascularity. RESULTS: Low CPD in neck metastases showed a correlation with better overall survival. A high‐CPD group and a high‐TTV group (median survival 10.1 months) were determined and were compared with all other CPD/TTV combinations (median survival 28.4 months); the difference in survival was significant (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that high tumor vascularity in combination with high TTV indicates a particularly bad prognosis in patients treated with primary radiochemotherapy for head and neck cancer.
Management of chronic hepatitis B in the Torres Strait Islands: an identified need for a comprehensive public health approach to chronic hepatitis B in remote Australian Indigenous communities
Authors: Wallace Jack , Pitts Marian , Ward James , McNally Stephen
Published: May 2013

We aimed to document how health service providers in the Torres Strait Island region of northern Australia respond to chronic hepatitis B, and to identify priorities for the effective clinical management of the infection. Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 61 health service providers were conducted in 2011 in the Torres Strait and north Queensland region to explore issues affecting chronic hepatitis B management. Two critical issues were identified affecting the health service response to chronic hepatitis B: (i) the absence of a systems-based approach to clinically managing the infection; and (ii) variable knowledge about the infection by the health workforce. Other issues identified were competing and more urgent health priorities, the silent nature of chronic hepatitis B infection at an individual and systems level, inadequate resources and the transient health workforce. While people living in the Torres Strait region are screened, diagnosed and informed that they are infected with chronic hepatitis B, there is an ad hoc approach to its clinical management. An effective and coordinated public health response to this infection in remote and isolated Australian Indigenous communities needs to be developed and resourced. Critical elements of this response will include the development of clinical guidelines and workforce development.