bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of a hand-carried ultrasound device for free intra-abdominal fluid and organ lacerations in major trauma patients
Authors: Schleder Stephan , Dendl Lena-Marie , Ernstberger Antonio , Nerlich Michael , Hoffstetter Patrick , Jung Ernst-Michael , Heiss Peter , Stroszczynski Christian , Schreyer Andreas G
Published: April 2012

Background

Technological progress has led to the introduction of hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) imagers in clinical workflow. The aim of this study is to analyse whether examination with a HCU device is a rapid and reliable alternative to contrast-enhanced multidetector CT (MDCT) scans in diagnosis of free intra-abdominal fluid and organ lacerations in major trauma patients.

Methods

31 major trauma patients with an injury severity score >15 and the necessity of a MDCT scan (standard of reference) were enrolled prospectively to this study, and additionally examined with a HCU, according to ‘focused assessment with sonography for trauma’ principles for the assessment of organ lacerations and free intra-abdominal fluid. The HCU device employed was of the latest generation. Statistical analysis was performed using PASW V.18.

Results

Four patients were diagnosed with free intra-abdominal fluid (prevalence 12.9%). HCU showed a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 100%, respectively. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 100% and 96%, respectively. Five patients had organ lacerations (prevalence 16.1%). In these cases, the HCU was able to detect organ lacerations with a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 100%, respectively. Therefore, a positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 100% and 96%, respectively, were calculated.

Conclusion

In major trauma patients, examination with HCU according to the ‘focused assessment with sonography for trauma’ principles for the diagnosis of organ lacerations and free intra-abdominal fluid is a reliable and rapid alternative to MDCT scans and can help save precious time in emergency situations, and should, additionally, be evaluated in the pre-clinical workflow.
Narrating stroke: the life-writing and fiction of brain damage
Authors: Zimmermann Martina
Published: April 2012

Cerebro-vascular events are, after neurodegenerative disorders, the most frequent cause of brain damage that leads to the patient's impaired cognitive and/or bodily functioning. While the medico-scientific discourse related to stroke suggests that patients experience a change in identity and self-concept, the present analysis focuses on the patients' personal presentation of their experience to, first, highlight their way of thinking and feeling and, second, contribute to the clinician's actual understanding of the meaning of stroke within the life of each individual. As stroke ‘victims’ necessarily speak from the position of having undergone very abrupt degeneration followed by being confronted with a gradual relocation within their ‘recovery’, the present study addresses how narrative texts describe the condition, that is, the insult itself and its impairing consequences for body and mind, and how patients portray themselves within their illness. Furthermore, given that all illness narrative must remain non-representative, especially when exploring conditions that impair cognitive abilities, autobiographically inspired fiction, equally, contributes to neuroscientific perspectives on embodiment: it gives further insight into how the condition is perceived and alerts us to those aspects of the experience that are understood as particularly momentous.
Republished original research: Understanding how rapid response systems may improve safety for the acutely ill patient: learning from the frontline
Authors: Mackintosh Nicola , Rainey Helen , Sandall Jane
Published: April 2012

Introduction

Rapid response systems (RRSs) have been introduced to facilitate effective ‘rescue’ of seriously ill patients on hospital wards. While research has demonstrated some benefit, uncertainty remains regarding impact on patient outcomes. Little is known about the relationship between social contexts and the application of the RRS.

Design

This comparative case study of the RRS within the medical services of two UK hospitals used ethnographic methods over a 12-month period in 2009, including observation (ward work and shadowing medical staff = 150 h), interviews with doctors, ward and critical care nurses, healthcare assistants, safety leads and managers (n=35), documentary review and analysis of routine data. Data were analysed using NVivo software.

Results

The RRS reduced variability in recording, recognition and response behaviour. The RRS formalised understandings of deterioration and provided a mandate for escalating care across professional and hierarchical boundaries. However, markers of deterioration not assimilated into risk scores were marginalised and it was harder for staff to escalate care without the ‘objective evidence’ provided by the score. Contextual features (eg, leadership, organisational culture and training) shaped implementation, utilisation and impact of the RRS. Reporting and feedback of audit data enabled learning about ‘selected’ escalation work on the wards. Difficulties with referral upwards and across medical boundaries were reported by junior medical staff.

Conclusion

Locating a RRS within a pathway of care for the acutely ill patient illustrates the role of these safety strategies within the social organisation of clinical work. There is a need to broaden the focus of inquiry from detection and initiation of escalation (where the strategies are principally directed) towards team response behaviour and towards those medical response practices which to date have escaped scrutiny and monitoring.
SMS reminders improve re-screening in women and heterosexual men with chlamydia infection at Sydney Sexual Health Centre: a before-and-after study
Authors: Guy Rebecca , Wand Handan , Knight Vickie , Kenigsberg Aurelie , Read Phillip , McNulty Anna M
Published: April 2012

Background

In 2009, Sydney Sexual Health Centre implemented a short message service (SMS) reminder system to improve re-screening after chlamydia infection. SMS reminders were sent at 3 months recommending the patient make an appointment for a re-screen.

Methods

Using a before-and-after study, the authors compared the proportion re-screened within 1–4 months of chlamydia infection in women and heterosexual men who were sent an SMS in January to December 2009 (intervention period) with a 18-month period before the SMS was introduced (before period). The authors used a χ2test and multivariate regression. Visitors and sex workers were excluded.

Results

In the intervention period, 141 of 343 (41%) patients were diagnosed with chlamydia and sent the SMS reminder. In the before period, 338 patients were diagnosed as having chlamydia and none received a reminder. The following baseline characteristics were significantly different between those sent the SMS in the intervention period and the before period: new patients (82% vs 72%, p=0.02), aged <25 years (51% vs 33% p<0.01), three or more sexual partners in the last 3 months (31% vs 27%, p<0.01) and anogenital symptoms (52% vs 38%, p<0.01). The proportion re-screened 1–4 months after chlamydia infection was significantly higher in people sent the SMS (30%) than the before period (21%), p=0.04, and after adjusting for baseline differences, the OR was 1.57 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.46).

Conclusions

SMS reminders increased re-screening in patients diagnosed as having chlamydia at a sexual health clinic. The clinic now plans to introduce electronic prompts to maximise the uptake of the initiative and consider strategies to further increase re-screening.
Genotyping ofChlamydia trachomatisin rectal and pharyngeal specimens: identification of LGV genotypes in Finland
Authors: Korhonen Suvi , Hiltunen-Back Eija , Puolakkainen Mirja
Published: April 2012

Objectives

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) infections caused byChlamydia trachomatisL types have recently emerged in Europe among HIV-positive men having sex with men. Our aim was to introduce a genotyping strategy suitable for a diagnostic laboratory using nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) for detection ofC trachomatisand to investigate the prevalence of LGV types in rectal and pharyngeal specimens in Finland.

Methods

Aptima Combo 2 (Gen-Probe) was used to detectC trachomatisin swabs. Altogether 140C trachomatisNAAT-positive rectal and pharyngeal samples were genotyped bypmpHandompAreal-time PCR.

Results

Of the 140 NAAT-positive rectal and pharyngeal specimens, 114 (81%) were successfully typed bypmpHPCR. One hundred and four samples contained non-LGV, nine samples LGV and one sample both non-LGV and LGVC trachomatistypes. TheC trachomatisLGV types were mainly found in rectal samples. Six of the L types were confirmed to be genotype L2b and two were L2 withompAPCR and sequencing.

Conclusions

Our experience suggests that genotypingC trachomatisbypmpHPCR can be introduced as a function of a diagnostic laboratory already using NAAT for detection ofC trachomatis. The data show that LGV infections occur also in Finland. LGV should be taken into account when considering treatment and management of rectalC trachomatisinfections.
What is the appropriate treatment for the management of rectalChlamydia trachomatisin men and women?
Authors: Hathorn Emma , Opie Catherine , Goold Penny
Published: April 2012

Background

There is no UK guidance specifically for the management of rectalChlamydia trachomatisyet there is documented treatment failure with single-dose azithromycin suggesting that test of cure (TOC) and alternative treatment may be needed.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of single-dose azithromycin compared with 1 week of doxycycline in the treatment of rectalC trachomatis.

Methods

Data were collected prospectively on all patients diagnosed with rectalC trachomatiswho received azithromycin 1 g stat between 1 January and 30 June 2010 and between 1 October 2010 and 31 March 2011 following a local change in treatment protocol to 1 week of doxycycline 100 mg twice a day. Information was collected on gender, concurrent sexually transmitted infections, treatment received, re-infection risk, re-treatment and TOC at 6 weeks.

Results

11 patients (26.2%) had a positive TOC following treatment with stat azithromycin. The risk of re-infection was excluded in two, identifying nine of the 11 (81.8%) as treatment failures. Two patients had a positive TOC following treatment with 1 week of doxycycline, both were found to have a risk of re-infection. There was a significantly higher treatment failure rate in patients receiving azithromycin (p=0.0025).

Conclusions

A higher treatment failure rate was found following azithromycin for rectalC trachomatisthan previously published. If azithromycin is used for treatment of rectalC trachomatis, TOC may be required or alternative treatment with doxycycline may be preferable, but further data are required.
Perceived risk of cervical cancer among pre-screening age women (18–24 years): the impact of information about cervical cancer risk factors and the causal role of HPV
Authors: Nadarzynski Tomasz , Waller Jo , Robb Kathryn A , Marlow Laura A V
Published: April 2012

Objectives

Current National Health Service cervical screening information does not explain that the cause of cervical cancer is a sexually transmitted infection (human papillomavirus (HPV)). This study aimed to consider the impact that providing this information, in addition to risk factor information, might have on women's perceived risk of cervical cancer.

Methods

Female students aged 18–24 years (n=606) completed a web-based survey and were randomised to receive (1) control information about cervical cancer; (2) details of the link between HPV and cervical cancer; (3) risk factor information or (4) details about the link with HPV + risk factor information. Risk perceptions for cervical cancer were assessed before and after reading the information.

Results

There was a significant difference in perceived risk of cervical cancer between the four groups following information exposure (p=0.002). Compared with the control group, risk perceptions were significantly lower among women given risk factor information but not among those informed about HPV. There were significant group by risk factor interactions for smoking status (p<0.001), age of first sex (p=0.018) and number of sexual partners (p<0.001). Risk perceptions were lower among women considered at low risk and given risk factor information, but there was no association between information group and perceived risk for high-risk women.

Conclusions

Providing risk factor information appears to reduce cervical cancer risk perceptions, but learning about the aetiological role of HPV appears to have no impact on risk perceptions. Incorporating brief information about HPV as the cause of cervical cancer should be in addition to, rather than in place of, risk factor information.
NUCLEAR STRUCTURE STUDY WITH CORE EXCITATIONS IN Ni REGION: FOR fpg9/2 SPACE
Authors: SRIVASTAVA P. C.
Published: April 2012

Shell model calculations for Ni, Cu and Zn isotopes by modifying fpg interaction due to Sorlin et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 092501 (2002)] have been reported. In the present work, 28 two-body matrix elements of the earlier interaction have been modified. Present interaction is able to explain new experimental results for this region.
SOFT BREAKING OF BRST SYMMETRY AND GAUGE DEPENDENCE
Authors: LAVROV P. M. , RADCHENKO O. V. , RESHETNYAK A. A.
Published: April 2012

We continue investigation of soft breaking of BRST symmetry in the Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) formalism beyond regularizations like dimensional ones used in our previous paper [JHEP 1110, 043 (2011)]. We generalize a definition of soft breaking of BRST symmetry valid for general gauge theories and arbitrary gauge fixing. The gauge dependence of generating functionals of Green's functions is investigated. It is proved that such introduction of a soft breaking of BRST symmetry into gauge theories leads to inconsistency of the conventional BV formalism.
N-ENLARGED GALILEI HOPF ALGEBRA AND ITS TWIST DEFORMATIONS
Authors: DASZKIEWICZ MARCIN
Published: April 2012

The N-enlarged Galilei Hopf algebra is constructed. Its twist deformations are considered and the corresponding twisted spacetimes are derived.
ON THE POSSIBLE DECOHERENCE OBSERVED AT $\sqrt{s} = 7~{\rm TeV}$
Authors: TROSHIN S. M. , TYURIN N. E.
Published: April 2012

We briefly discuss the possible decoherence observed at the LHC emphasizing that the value of the average transverse momentum at [Formula: see text] can be interpreted as a manifestation of the deviation from the mechanism of the transient state of rotating matter.
TIME BOUNDARY TERMS AND DIRAC CONSTRAINTS
Authors: GALLARDO ALEJANDRO
Published: April 2012

Time boundary terms usually added to action principles are systematically handled in the framework of Dirac's canonical analysis. The procedure begins with the introduction of the boundary term into the integral Hamiltonian action and then the resulting action is interpreted as a Lagrangian one to which Dirac's method is applied. Once the general theory is developed, the current procedure is implemented and illustrated in various examples which are originally endowed with different types of constraints.
SOME CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT PODOLSKY-AXIONIC ELECTRODYNAMICS
Authors: GAETE PATRICIO
Published: April 2012

For a Podolsky-axionic electrodynamics, we compute the interaction potential within the structure of the gauge-invariant but path-dependent variables formalism. The result is equivalent to that of axionic electrodynamics from a new noncommutative approach, up to first-order in θ.
THE THIRD TYPE OF FERMION MIXING IN THE LEPTON AND QUARK INTERACTIONS WITH LEPTOQUARKS
Authors: KUZNETSOV A. V. , MIKHEEV N. V. , SERGHIENKO A. V.
Published: April 2012

The low-energy manifestations of a minimal extension of the electroweak standard model based on the quark–lepton symmetry SU(4)V ⊗SU(2)L ⊗GR of the Pati–Salam-type are analyzed. Given this symmetry the third type of mixing in the interactions of the SU(4)V leptoquarks with quarks and leptons is shown to be required. An additional arbitrariness of the mixing parameters could allow, in principle, to decrease noticeably the lower bound on the vector leptoquark mass originated from the low-energy rare processes, strongly suppressed in the standard model.
AUTOMATIC INTERACTIVE MUSIC IMPROVIZATION BASED ON DATA MINING
Authors: HALKIOPOULOS CONSTANTINOS , BOUTSINAS BASILIS
Published: April 2012

An area of focus in music improvization is interactive improvization between a human and a computer system in real time. In this paper, we present a musical interactive system acting as a melody continuator. For each musical pattern given by the user, a new one is returned by the system which is built by using general patterns for both pitch and duration stored in its knowledge base. The latter consists of data mining rules extracted from different sets of melodies for different musical styles. The proposed system uses a new music representation scheme which treats separately pitch and duration. Also, it adopts a similarity measure initially developed for clustering categorical data. Moreover, we present experimental results, using Bach's Chorales and Jazz as test inputs, for both assessing the aesthetic quality of the proposed system and comparing it to human results.
A COMPARATIVE SURVEY ON NLP/U METHODOLOGIES FOR PROCESSING MULTI-DOCUMENTS
Authors: MILLS MICHAEL T. , BOURBAKIS NIKOLAOS G.
Published: April 2012

This paper provides a comparative survey of natural language understanding (NLU) methodologies used for processing multiple documents. The scope of these methodologies is to generate a text output with reduced information redundancy and increased information coverage. The purpose of this paper is to inform the reader what methodologies exist and their features, capabilities and maturities based on evaluation criteria selected by users and developers. Tables of comparison, at the end of this survey, provide a quick glance of these technical attributes and maturity indicators abstracted from available information in the publications.
RACE CLASSIFICATION FROM FACE IMAGES USING LOCAL DESCRIPTORS
Authors: MUHAMMAD GHULAM , HUSSAIN MUHAMMAD , ALENEZY FATMAH , BEBIS GEORGE , MIRZA ANWAR M. , ABOALSAMH HATIM
Published: April 2012

This paper investigates and compares the performance of local descriptors for race classification from face images. Two powerful types of local descriptors have been considered in this study: Local Binary Patterns (LBP) and Weber Local Descriptors (WLD). First, we investigate the performance of LBP and WLD separately and experiment with different parameter values to optimize race classification. Second, we apply the Kruskal-Wallis feature selection algorithm to select a subset of more "discriminative" bins from the LBP and WLD histograms. Finally, we fuse LBP and WLD, both at the feature and score levels, to further improve race classification accuracy. For classification, we have considered the minimum distance classifier and experimented with three distance measures: City-block, Euclidean, and Chi-square. We have performed extensive experiments and comparisons using five race groups from the FERET database. Our experimental results indicate that (i) using the Kruskal-Wallis feature selection, (ii) fusing LBP with WLD at the feature level, and (iii) using the City-block distance for classification, outperforms LBP and WLD alone as well as methods based on holistic features such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and LBP or WLD (i.e., applied globally).
REUSABLE COMPONENT-BASED ARCHITECTURE FOR DECISION TREE ALGORITHM DESIGN
Authors: VUKIĆEVIĆ MILAN , JOVANOVIĆ MILOŠ , DELIBAŠIĆ BORIS , IŠLJAMOVIĆ SONJA , SUKNOVIĆ MILIJA
Published: April 2012

Many decision tree algorithms were proposed over the last few decades. A lack of publishing standards for decision tree algorithm software produced a large time gap between algorithm proposals and their wider application in practice. Non-existence of common repository for storing algorithms and their parts led to a need to re-implement these algorithms from a scratch when they had to be implemented on a different platform. This makes the comparison between algorithms and their partial improvements vague. In addition, combinations and interactions between different algorithm parts haven't been analyzed thoroughly. Reusable component design of decision tree algorithms has been recently suggested as a potential solution to these problems. In this paper we describe an architecture for component-based (white-box) decision tree algorithm design, and we present an open-source framework which enables design and fair testing of decision tree algorithms and their parts. This architecture and developed platform can provide the research community with a common codebase for storing, designing, and evaluating decision tree algorithms (traditional, multivariate and hybrid) and their partial improvements. It is intended for data mining practitioners, algorithm and software developers, and as well for students, as a technology enhanced learning tool.
THE SHAPE TRANSITIONS IN ROTATING NUCLEI
Authors: IVANYUK F. , POMORSKI K. , BARTEL J.
Published: April 2012

The effect of rotation on the shapes of nuclei is discussed within Strutinsky's optimal-shape approach generalized to nonaxial deformations. The limiting value of the angular momentum at which the nucleus loses its stability with respect to fission, as well as the angular momentum at which the Jacobi transition takes place, are calculated as function of the fissility parameter. The results are compared with those obtained for triaxial spheroidal forms.
COLLECTIVE EXCITED STATES IN EVEN–EVEN NUCLEI WITH QUADRUPOLE AND OCTUPOLE DEFORMATIONS
Authors: NADIRBEKOV M. S. , YULDASHEVA G. A. , MINKOV N. , SCHEID W.
Published: April 2012

Deformed even–even nuclei with quadrupole and octupole deformations are investigated on the basis of a nonadiabatical collective model. It is shown that the model satisfactorily describes energy levels of the yrast and first nonyrast bands with alternating parity in the rare-earth nuclei 150 Nd , 152, 154 Sm , 154 Gd , 156 Dy , 162, 164 Er and the actinides 232, 234, 236, 238 U . In the nuclei 156, 158 Gd , 224 Ra , 228 Th and 240 Pu the energy levels of second nonyrast bands are also described. The structure of the considered alternating-parity bands is examined in terms of odd–even staggering diagrams.
EXTRA-ARTICULAR OSTEOCHONDROMA IN THE TIBIALIS ANTERIOR TENDON — CASE REPORT
Authors: Gupta Sumit , Sud Alok , Sharma Deep , Mehtani Anil , Parihar Asmita
Published: April 2012

Extra skeletal osteochondroma is a rare soft tissue tumor. We report a case of extra skeletal osteochondroma in the tendon sheath of tibialis anterior tendon near the left ankle joint in a 7 year old child. The diagnosis of soft tissue osteochondroma should be considered when a well defined bony mass is located in the soft tissue. It must be differentiated from other causes of soft tissue calcification as myositis ossificans, synovial (osteo) chondromatosis, tumor calcinosis; synovial sarcoma, extra skeletal osteosarcoma & other causes of heterotopic ossification.
EXPLOITING SYMMETRY PROPERTIES OF THE DISCRETIZABLE MOLECULAR DISTANCE GEOMETRY PROBLEM
Authors: MUCHERINO ANTONIO , LAVOR CARLILE , LIBERTI LEO
Published: April 2012

The Discretizable Molecular Distance Geometry Problem (DMDGP) involves a subset of instances of the distance geometry problem for which some assumptions allowing for discretization are satisfied. The search domain for the DMDGP is a binary tree that can be efficiently explored by employing a Branch & Prune (BP) algorithm. We showed in recent works that this binary tree may contain several symmetries, which are directly related to the total number of solutions of DMDGP instances. In this paper, we study the possibility of exploiting these symmetries for speeding up the solution of DMDGPs, and propose an extension of the BP algorithm that we named symmetry-driven BP (symBP). Computational experiments on artificial and protein instances are presented.
Manganese meso-tetra-4-carboxyphenylporphyrin immobilized on MCM-41 as catalyst for oxidation of olefins with different oxygen donors in stoichiometric conditions
Authors: Rayati Saeed , Zakavi Saeed , Jafarzadeh Parisa , Sadeghi Omid , Amini Mostafa M.
Published: April 2012

Oxidation of olefins with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), tetra-n-butylammonium periodate (TBAP) and potassium peroxomonosulfate (Oxone) in the presence of MCM-41 immobilized meso-tetra-4-carboxyphenylporphyrinatomanganese(III) acetate has been studied. The results of this study show better catalytic performance of the heterogonous catalyst using TBHP as oxidant in comparison with Oxone and TBAP in oxidation of the used olefins with the exception of cyclooctene. However, different order of reactivity of various olefins has been observed in the presence of Oxone and TBHP. In spite of the absence of good electron-withdrawing groups at the periphery of porphyrin ligand, the catalyst was recovered and reused (at least four times) without detectable catalyst leaching or a significant loss of the catalytic efficiency. All results have been obtained in the absence of using excess molar ratios of olefin to the oxidant, commonly employed as a strategy to overcome the instability of metalloporphyrins in oxidative conditions.
Germanium(IV) phthalocyanine-porphyrin based hetero trimers: synthesis, spectroscopy and photochemistry
Authors: Kandhadi Jaipal , Kanaparthi Ravi Kumar , Giribabu Lingamallu
Published: April 2012

The known oxophilicity of Germanium(IV) ion of Germanium(IV) phthalocyanine and porphyrins have been exploited to synthesize functionally active, "axial-bonding" -type hetero oligomers. These hetero trimers have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, FAB-MS, UV-visible, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1D and 1 H -1 H COSY) and fluorescence spectroscopies, as well as differential pulse voltammetric method. Comparison of their spectroscopic and electrochemical data with those of the corresponding individual constituents reveals that there is no apparent π–π interactions in these "vertically" linked hetero oligomers. The fluorescence quantum yields were found to be lower of these hetero oligomers in comparison with those of the monomeric chromophores. Electronic energy transfer and photoinduced electron transfer from axial porphyrins to central metalloid phthalocyanine and photoinduced electron transfer from singlet state of axial porphyrins to central metalloid phthalocyanine is detected in these hetero oligomers.
Dioxygen reduction catalyzed by substituted iron tetraphenylporphyrins in acidic media
Authors: Lü Aixiang , Fang Yuanyuan , Zhu Min , Huang Shi , Ou Zhongping , Kadish Karl M.
Published: April 2012

Five iron tetraphenylporphyrins including the (TPP)FeCl and its derivatives which contain electron-withdrawing or electron-donating substituents on the meso-phenyl rings of the porphyrin macrocycle were examined as catalysts for the electoreduction of dioxygen in 1.0 M HClO4. The investigated compounds are represented as ( T p RPP ) FeCl , where T p RPP is the dianion of the para-substituted tetraphenylporphyrin and R = NEt2, OMe , H , Br or CF3. Cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry at a rotating disk electrode (RDE) or a rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) were utilized to examine the catalytic activity of the compounds. The number of electrons transferred and the percentage of H2O2produced as the product of O2electroreduction were calculated. The investigated iron porphyrins containing electron-withdrawing substituents ( R = Br and CF3) were shown to be more efficient catalysts for O2reduction than the compounds having electron-donating groups ( R = NEt2and OMe ) on the four phenyl rings of the porphyrin macrocycle.
EFFECTIVE SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF ZAO NANOPARTICLES WITH GOOD DISPERSION
Authors: ZHANG LIN-LIN , XIE HONG-ZHEN , ZHANG MIN , LIU JIN-KU , YANG XIAO-HONG
Published: April 2012

The well dispersed ZAO nanoparticle with 25–30 nm in diameter was prepared by an ultrasonic-template method. The morphologies, structures, and photoelectricity of the ZAO nanoparticles were analyzed by TEM, XRD, UV-Vis, etc. The thermochemistry behaviors of the precursor were studied by TG-DSC. The composite film with semipermeable structure made from ZAO nanoparticles and collodion can be explored firstly. The photocatalytic properties of the ZAO nanoparticles and composite film were investigated. The composite film can be applied in the sewage treatment field.
NONLOCAL ANALYTICAL FLUGGE SHELL MODEL FOR AXIAL BUCKLING OF DOUBLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES WITH DIFFERENT END CONDITIONS
Authors: ROUHI HESSAM , ANSARI REZA
Published: April 2012

In this paper, a nonlocal Flugge shell model is utilized to investigate the axial buckling behavior of double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) under various boundary conditions. According to the nonlocal elasticity theory, the displacement field equations coupled by the van der Waals interaction are derived. The set of governing equations of motion is then solved by the Rayleigh–Ritz method. The present analysis can treat boundary conditions in a layer-wise manner. The effects of nonlocal parameter, layer-wise boundary conditions and geometrical parameters on the mechanical behavior of DWCNTs are examined. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations are performed to assess the validity of the results and also to predict the appropriate values of nonlocal parameter. It is found that the type of boundary conditions affects the proper value of nonlocal parameter.
China's Economy: Moderate Slowdown, Still Weaker Growth Prospects for 2012
Authors: WONG John
Published: April 2012

China's economic growth in 2011 slowed to 9.2% from the 10.3% of 2010 while inflation went up to 5.4%, well above the government's original target of four per cent. In 2011, China's economic growth mode changed from export- to domestic consumption-dominated, a development in line with government plans. For 2012, the outgoing leadership is likely to mobilise all available sources to maintain reasonably fast growth for the sake of a smooth leadership transition.
China's Foreign Policy: Coping with Shifting Geopolitics and Maintaining Stable External Relations
Authors: ZHENG Yongnian , LYE Liang Fook , CHEN Gang
Published: April 2012

China's foremost foreign policy challenge in 2011 was to grapple with an increased American presence in the Asia-Pacific which has affected the dynamics of big power relations in the region. China, nevertheless, did not overreact but sought stable ties with major powers and friendly cooperation with its neighbours. It also tempered expectations of its role in the eurozone debt situation. With an impending leadership succession in 2012, China will place a premium on maintaining a stable external environment.
Taiwan Politics: Cross-strait Relations Continue to dominate
Authors: TSENG Katherine Hui-yi , CHIANG Min-hua
Published: April 2012

While the Ma administration claims that the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement is a means to promote Taiwan's economic growth, the opposition party, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), continues to blame the Kuomintang for its negative impacts on Taiwan's economy. Politically, limited progress on cross-strait relations has been made. Beijing and Washington had paid close attention to Taiwan's 2012 presidential election for the unpredictable variables it may add to future China-US relations.
Japan's Politics: Under the Shadow of the Triple Disasters
Authors: LAM Peng Er
Published: April 2012

Contributory factors to Japan's poor economic performance in 2011 included the March triple disasters, the eurozone financial crisis and the yen's appreciation. The rise of 52-year-old Noda Yoshihiko as Prime Minister signals the changing of the guard in Japan. A consequence of voter discontent with the two major national parties (the Democratic Party of Japan and Liberal Democratic Party) is the rise of regional parties possibly leading to a major political realignment in Japan.
China Recruits Top SOE Executives into Government
Authors: GORE Lance L. P.
Published: April 2012

An increasing number of top executives of China's giant state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have become provincial leaders through a scheme of cadre grooming by rotating their positions. Overall, SOE executives constitute a valuable pool of human resources from which the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) can draw upon to promote local economic development. These CEO-turned provincial leaders inject fresh blood into the CCP's cadre corps but they also provide the bridge for state intervention in the marketplace.
CELL MIGRATION AND PROLIFERATION IN BIONANOHYBRIDS COMPOSED OF TYPE II COLLAGEN AND POSS AMPHIPHILES
Authors: WYSOCKI ANNETTE B. , TRAN ANH , JANORKAR AMOL V.
Published: April 2012

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) based nanocompounds have recently emerged as viable compounds to make totally synthetic biocompatible tissue substitutes for use in the clinical arena. Here, we report on the use of three POSS based compounds to develop bionanohybrid scaffolds composed primarily of purified Type II collagen. The bionanohybrid scaffolds were prepared by blending purified Type II collagen with octa maleamic acid POSS, octa ammonium POSS, or polyethylene glycol POSS. We were able to differentially detect the presence of the different POSS compounds in the bionanohybrid scaffolds using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) characterized the effect of the hydrophilic POSS additives on the thermal behavior of the bionanohybrid scaffolds. Next, scanning electron microscopy revealed that different POSS compounds enhanced, refined, or altered the three-dimensional scaffold microstructure. Finally, by using these scaffolds to create three-dimensional tissue constructs, we measured the ability of human foreskin fibroblasts to migrate out and proliferate into the biomaterials. Our data suggest that POSS can be incorporated with native polymeric structural proteins to influence biomaterial architecture where cells can migrate and proliferate.
MACROSCOPIC SPRAY BEHAVIOR AND ATOMIZATION CHARACTERISTICS OF R407C INJECTION
Authors: ROH CHUL WOO , KIM MIN SOO
Published: April 2012

This study investigated the spray behavior and atomization characteristics of refrigerant R407C injection in a high pressure chamber under various ambient pressure conditions using a spray visualization system and image processing methods. In order to observe the spray behavior of refrigerant R407C, the spray images were analyzed in time series after the start of injection. From images of spraying features, spray characteristics, for example, the spray tip penetration and cone angle were investigated by using the contour map of the light intensity levels. By using these processes, qualitative properties of refrigerant, when it is discharged from the valve, were quantified.
Characteristics of Defect Generation and Breakdown in SiO2 for Polycrystalline Silicon Channel Field-Effect Transistor
Authors: Hirano Izumi , Saitoh Masumi , Numata Toshinori , Mitani Yuichiro
Published: April 2012

In this study, the defect generation and breakdown characteristics of a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) channel field-effect transistor (FET) have been investigated in detail from the channel area scaling point of view. In the case of a sufficiently larger channel area than the grain size of poly-Si, it was found that defects in SiO2 on a poly-Si channel are more easily created than those on a Si(100) channel and a smaller Weibull slope of charge to breakdown (Q
bd) for the poly-Si channel than that for the Si(100) channel was observed, resulting in poor reliabilities. When the channel area is reduced to a similar size to that of the grains, the Weibull slope of Q
bd for the poly-Si channel FETs becomes steeper and close to that for the Si(100) channel. Grain size control and surface orientation engineering of the poly-Si channel are required to improve the reliability for further scaled poly-Si channel devices.
Experimental Comparisons between Tetrakis(dimethylamino)titanium Precursor-Based Atomic-Layer-Deposited and Physical-Vapor-Deposited Titanium–Nitride Gate for High-Performance Fin-Type Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Hayashida Tetsuro , Endo Kazuhiko , Liu Yongxun , O'uchi Shin-ichi , Matsukawa Takashi , Mizubayashi Wataru , Migita Shinji , Morita Yukinori , Ota Hiroyuki , Hashiguchi Hiroki , Kosemura Daisuke , Kamei Takahiro , Tsukada Junichi , Ishikawa Yuki , Yamauchi Hiromi , Ogura Atsushi , Masahara Meishoku
Published: April 2012

In this study, we successfully introduced an atomic-layer-deposited (ALD) titanium nitride (TiN) gate grown with a tetrakis(dimethylamino)titanium (TDMAT) precursor into fin-type metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (FinFET) fabrication for the first time, and comparatively investigated the electrical characteristics, including mobility and threshold voltage (V
th) variation, of the fabricated ALD and physical-vapor-deposited (PVD)-TiN gate FinFETs. The ALD-TiN gate FinFETs showed superior conformality to the PVD-TiN gate FinFETs. The electron mobilities of the ALD- and PVD-TiN gate FinFETs were comparable in the small L
g region. It was also confirmed that the ALD-TiN gate FinFETs showed a smaller V
th variation than the PVD-TiN gate FinFETs.
Single-Tube Characterization Methodology for Experimental and Analytical Evaluation of Carbon Nanotube Synthesis
Authors: Chen Hong-Yu , Lin Albert , Liyanage Luckshitha Suriyasena , Beasley Cara , Patil Nishant , Wei Hai , Mitra Subhasish , Wong H.-S. Philip
Published: April 2012

The existing evaluations of the semiconducting/metallic properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis do not take into account CNT variation and simply characterize the material with only one parameter p
semi: the percentage of semiconducting CNTs. Specifically, this p
semi figure of merit does not consider intermediate-on–off-ratio CNTs (semiconducting CNTs with poor I
on/I
off), and yet, such CNTs can have a large impact on device- and circuit-level performance. Inspired by the complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) community, we address this inadequacy by considering intermediate-on–off-ratio CNTs and other CNT variations by offering a holistic view of CNT characterization through parameter distributions. In this paper, a new methodology, called single-tube characterization (STC), is presented, which directly observes and evaluates the distributions of CNT material properties. Such holistic distributions not only enable more accurate characterization and analyses of the material properties and variations, but they also further enable analyses to accurately predict performance and variation at the device- and circuit-levels.
Room-Temperature Microjoining of LSI Chips on Poly(ethylene naphthalate) Film Using Mechanical Caulking of Au Cone Bump
Authors: Shuto Takanori , Watanabe Naoya , Ikeda Akihiro , Asano Tanemasa
Published: April 2012

We show that room-temperature bonding of LSI chips on a resin film made of poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) can be realized by using mechanical caulking of a cone-shaped bump electrode made of Au. A 20-µm-pitch area array of cone-shaped Au bumps was fabricated on a Si wafer by photolithography and electroplating. The counter electrode with cross-shaped slits on the PEN film was composed of a Au (top)/Ni/Al (bottom) layered structure, where Ni and Au layers were deposited by electroless plating on patterned Al. Bonding of about 10,000 bump connections with 184 mΩ/bump has been achieved at room temperature.
Potential Characterization of Interconnect Corrosion by Kelvin Probe and Electrostatic Force Microscopies
Authors: Kodera Masako , Yoshimizu Yasuhito , Uchida Kanae
Published: April 2012

The fine-scale potential observation was performed by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KFM) and electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) using tungsten interconnects in which the minimum width was 43 nm. It was confirmed that the line connected to pads and/or a transistor has a peculiar KFM potential by comparing it with the surrounding pattern. Only the plugs attached to this line were corroded, while the other plugs remained intact. By comparing the results of KFM and EFM observations, the peculiar potential of the line can be attributed to the electron charge up in the bulk of the sample. Charged electrons induced corrosion not only in the line itself but also in the connected structure. It was also revealed that the particular potential can be suppressed by a wet treatment.
Oxygen-Induced Barrier Failure in Ti-Based Self-Formed and Ta/TaN Barriers for Cu Interconnects
Authors: Ito Kazuhiro , Kohama Kazuyuki , Hamasaka Keiji , Sonobayashi Yutaka , Sasaki Nobuharu , Shirai Yasuharu , Murakami Masanori
Published: April 2012

To understand the electromigration degradation in Cu interconnects that utilize the TiO
x
self-formed barrier (SFB) probably due to Cu oxidation at the Cu/barrier interface, Cu films deposited on TiO
x
SFB and conventional Ta/TaN barriers were annealed in atmospheres of various oxygen concentrations. The Ta layer was preferentially oxidized to give Ta2O5, and contained a large amount of oxygen. The barrier layer, which consisted of Ta2O5 and Ta(O), could not suppress Cu diffusion. The TaN layer seemed to remain even after annealing at 400 °C in 10 ppm O2, and still suppressed Cu diffusion. This suggests that the TaN layer plays a key role to suppress barrier failure induced by oxygen originating from pores in dielectrics. On the other hand, the oxygen-induced barrier failure was observed in the TiO
x
SFB after annealing at 500 °C in 5 ppm O2 and more. Oxygen facilitated Cu2O formation above the TiO
x
SFB, and the Cu2O formation caused discontinuity of the TiO
x
SFB, leading to the barrier failure. The less oxidized Ti2O3 and TiO in the TiO
x
SFB were not further oxidized to TiO2 by oxygen in atmospheres, and thus they would not be oxygen absorbers suppressing the Cu2O formation above the barrier. Thus, for suppressing the Cu2O formation, it is essential to increase oxygen barrier ability of the TiO
x
SFB (probably increasing Ti concentration of the TiO
x
SFB).
Mn2O3 Slurry Reuse by Circulation Achieving High Constant Removal Rate
Authors: Kishii Sadahiro , Nakamura Ko , Hanawa Kenzo , Watanabe Satoru , Arimoto Yoshihiro , Kurokawa Syuhei , Doi Toshiro K.
Published: April 2012

Fumed silica is widely used in SiO2 chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). In semiconductor processes, only fresh slurry is used, and used slurry is disposed. Sustainable development demands a reduction in waste. Since reuse of slurry is effective for reducing the amount of used slurry generated, we investigated the reuse of Mn2O3 slurry and conventional fumed silica slurry. In both cases, abrasive concentration decreases as reuse time increases. The removal rate for Mn2O3 slurry maintains a value 4 times that of the conventional fumed silica slurry during slurry reuse, because the removal rate for Mn2O3 slurry is almost constant for solid concentrations between 1.0 and 10 wt %. Pad conditioning was not performed for Mn2O3 slurry. The removal rate for conventional slurry decreases as the number of times of reuse increases, even when pad conditioning is appropriately performed.
Recovery Characteristics of Anomalous Stress-Induced Leakage Current of 5.6 nm Oxide Films
Authors: Inatsuka Takuya , Kumagai Yuki , Kuroda Rihito , Teramoto Akinobu , Sugawa Shigetoshi , Ohmi Tadahiro
Published: April 2012

Anomalous stress-induced leakage current (SILC), which has a much larger current density than average SILC, causes severe bit error in flash memories. To suppress anomalous SILC, detailed evaluations are strongly required. We evaluate the characteristics of anomalous SILC of 5.6 nm oxide films using a fabricated array test pattern, and recovery characteristics are observed. Some characteristics of typical anomalous cells in the time domain are measured, and the recovery characteristics of average and anomalous SILCs are examined. Some of the anomalous cells have random telegraph signals (RTSs) of gate leakage current, which are characterized as discrete and random switching phenomena. The dependence of RTSs on the applied electric field is investigated, and the recovery tendency of anomalous SILC with and without RTSs are also discussed.
Advanced 10 nm Width Silicon-on-Insulator Tri-Gate Transistors with NO Annealing of Gate Oxide Using Optimized Novel Silicon-on-Insulator Realization Technology
Authors: Kim Sung Hwan , Bae Hyun Jun , Oh Chang Woo , Kim Dong-Won , Yamada Satoru , Jin Gyoyoung , Roh Yonghan
Published: April 2012

An advanced method of the novel silicon-on-insulator (SOI) realization technology is proposed for the fabrication of SOI tri-gate transistors. Using the new method, 10 nm width SOI tri-gate transistors are successfully fabricated on standard Si bulk wafers, and result in excellent electrical characteristics after optimizing the processing parameters. Among others, low-cost and high manufacturability to fabricate SOI tri-gate transistors are advantages of the proposed method. Formed on the standard Si bulk wafer process, the SOI tri-gate transistors with gate length (L
G) of 45 nm have reasonable threshold voltage (V
TH) of 0.18 V and showed the enhanced current drivability up to 20%. They also demonstrated good short channel effect immunities: sub-threshold swing (SS) and drain induced barrier lowering (DIBL) were 70 mV/dec and 24 mV/V, respectively. Therefore, the novel method for the novel SOI realization technology proposed in this work will be one of the candidates for the scaling-down strategy in the future.
Hole Mobility in Accumulation Mode Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Gaubert Philippe , Teramoto Akinobu , Sugawa Shigetoshi , Ohmi Tadahiro
Published: April 2012

The paper deals with the investigation of the mobility in accumulation mode p-channel metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (p-MOSFETs). The mobility extracted following the conventional methodology used for the inversion mode p-MOSFETs is actually incorporating a component related to the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) layer. Thus, a very simple and efficient technique to remove the contribution coming from the SOI layer has been proposed. This ultimately led to the extraction of the hole mobility of the accumulation layer. Its study carried out for several doping concentrations revealed a universal behavior similar to the one of the inversion layer. To finish, the contribution of the SOI layer to the measured mobility has been done and revealed a linear trend with the doping concentration. As a result, a simple and very efficient modeling of the mobility in the accumulation mode p-MOSFETs, incorporating the contribution of both the channel and bulk regions, has been achieved.
64 kbit Ferroelectric-Gate-Transistor-Integrated NAND Flash Memory with 7.5 V Program and Long Data Retention
Authors: Zhang Xizhen , Takahashi Mitsue , Takeuchi Ken , Sakai Shigeki
Published: April 2012

A 64 kbit (kb) one-transistor-type ferroelectric memory array was fabricated and characterized. Pt/SrBi2Ta2O9/Hf–Al–O/Si ferroelectric-gate field-effect transistors (FeFETs) were used as the memory cells. The gate length and width were 5 and 5 µm, respectively. The array design was based on NAND flash memory organized as 8 word lines × 32 blocks × 256 bit lines. Erase, program, and nondestructive-read operations were demonstrated in every block. Threshold-voltage (Vth) reading of all the 64 kb memory cells showed a clear separation between their all-erased and all-programmed states. A checkerboard pattern was also programmed in a block and the two distinguishableVthdistributions were read out. TheVthretention of a block of 2 kb memory cells showed no significant degradation after two days.