bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BMI‐for‐age Z‐score distribution shifts among Chinese children: Gender disparity
Authors: Song Yi , Wang Hai‐Jun , Ma Jun , Lau Patrick W.C. , Hu Peijin , Zhang Bing , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: December 2013

Objective

To identify gender differences among Chinese school‐aged children from 1995 to 2010, and to project the future BMI‐for‐age Z‐score distribution and prevalence of obesity.

Methods

The data were from four cross‐sectional surveys (1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010) of Chinese National Surveys on Students Constitution and Health (CNSSCH) with a national representative sample of Chinese children, involving more than 200,000 participants at each survey. BMI‐for‐age Z‐score distributional shifts overall and in percentiles were compared by gender. Average shift was calculated for four survey periods and used for projecting future distributions and obesity prevalence.

Results

BMI‐for‐age Z‐score increased more in their upper percentile distribution, indicating that Chinese children have become heavier over the past 15 years. Gender disparity in BMI‐for‐age Z‐score has become wider during the period. Over a 15‐year period, BMI‐for‐age Z‐score shift among girls has been stable, while boy's BMI‐for‐age Z‐score shifts has increased linearly. By 2020, the obesity prevalence is predicted to be 10.18% and 4.99% for boys and girls, respectively.

Conclusions

The wider gender disparity suggested a larger proportion of obesity in boys than in girls. Therefore, gender‐specific preventive guidelines and public health policies for childhood obesity and cardiovascular diseases are urgently needed in China.
Hyperbranched polyurethane/triethanolamine functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites as remote induced smart materials
Authors: Kalita Hemjyoti , Karak Niranjan
Published: December 2013

Triethanolamine functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (TEA‐f‐MWCNTs)/hyperbranched polyurethane nanocomposites were prepared by the in situ polymerization technique. The functionalization of the MWCNTs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy studies. The homogeneous distribution and the strong interfacial interaction of TEA‐f‐MWCNTs with the polyurethane chains were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies, respectively. Significant enhancements of tensile strength (6.5 − 28.5 MPa) and scratch resistance (3–7 kg) with content of TEA‐f‐MWCNTs (0–2 wt%) were observed. Thermogravimetric analysis showed an increase in thermal stability from 240 to 287 °C by the formation of nanocomposites. X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry studies confirmed an increment in the degree of crystallinity of the nanocomposites with increase in TEA‐f‐MWCNT content. The extent of shape recovery as well as recovery speed were enhanced with increase in the output power of the microwave. Thus the studied nanocomposites could be utilized as non‐contact microwave energy tunable shape memory materials. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
In Situ Evaluation of Nanoparticle–Protein Interactions by Dynamic Magnetic Susceptibility Measurements
Authors: Bohorquez Ana C. , Rinaldi Carlos
Published: December 2013

The use of dynamic magnetic susceptibility measurements is reported to study nanoparticle–protein interactions in situ. The technique consists of measuring the rotational diffusivity of thermally blocked magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in protein solutions. To illustrate the technique, the effect of nanoparticle zeta potential in carboxymethyl‐dextran‐coated MNPs and their interaction with model anionic and cationic proteins, such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), fibrinogen (FIBR), apo‐transferrin (TRANS), lysozyme (LYZ), and histone (HIS), in a range of protein concentrations is studied. Experiments indicate that interactions between the negatively charged particles and the negatively charged proteins BSA, IgG, FIBR, and TRANS are negligible. However, positively charged proteins LYZ and HIS readily absorb onto the nanoparticles, as evidenced by an increase in size and eventual aggregation of the particles. Onset of this effect seems to happen at a lower concentration of HIS compared with LYZ. The technique could be applied to other particle surface coatings and to particles in complex protein mixtures, such as whole blood and serum, allowing systematic in situ studies of nanoparticle–protein interactions.
Challenging the state of the art in protein structure prediction: Highlights of experimental target structures for the 10th Critical Assessment of Techniques for Protein Structure Prediction Experiment CASP10
Authors: Kryshtafovych Andriy , Moult John , Bales Patrick , Bazan J. Fernando , Biasini Marco , Burgin Alex , Chen Chen , Cochran Frank V. , Craig Timothy K. , Das Rhiju , Fass Deborah , Garcia‐Doval Carmela , Herzberg Osnat , Lorimer Donald , Luecke Hartmut , Ma Xiaolei , Nelson Daniel C. , van Raaij Mark J. , Rohwer Forest , Segall Anca , Seguritan Victor , Zeth Kornelius , Schwede Torsten
Published: December 2013

For the last two decades, CASP has assessed the state of the art in techniques for protein structure prediction and identified areas which required further development. CASP would not have been possible without the prediction targets provided by the experimental structural biology community. In the latest experiment, CASP10, more than 100 structures were suggested as prediction targets, some of which appeared to be extraordinarily difficult for modeling. In this article, authors of some of the most challenging targets discuss which specific scientific question motivated the experimental structure determination of the target protein, which structural features were especially interesting from a structural or functional perspective, and to what extent these features were correctly reproduced in the predictions submitted to CASP10. Specifically, the following targets will be presented: the acid‐gated urea channel, a difficult to predict transmembrane protein from the important human pathogen Helicobacter pylori; the structure of human interleukin (IL)−34, a recently discovered helical cytokine; the structure of a functionally uncharacterized enzyme OrfY from Thermoproteus tenax formed by a gene duplication and a novel fold; an ORFan domain of mimivirus sulfhydryl oxidase R596; the fiber protein gene product 17 from bacteriophage T7; the bacteriophage CBA‐120 tailspike protein; a virus coat protein from metagenomic samples of the marine environment; and finally, an unprecedented class of structure prediction targets based on engineered disulfide‐rich small proteins. Proteins 2014; 82(Suppl 2):26–42. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Labour and Conservative prescribing policy, 1964–79
Authors: Baines Darrin
Published: December 2013

In our series on the history of prescribing policy, Professor Darrin Baines traces how successive governments have attempted to curb drug costs. Here, he describes the recommendations made by the Sainsbury Committee
Spin‐on‐dopant phosphorus diffusion in germanium thin films for near‐infrared detectors
Authors: Sorianello V. , De Iacovo A. , Colace L. , Fabbri A. , Tortora L. , Assanto G.
Published: December 2013

Threading dislocations in germanium thin films on silicon introduce acceptor states in the germanium bandgap close to the valence band. Thus, highly defected germanium thin films spontaneously exhibit a p‐type behavior. Here we report on spin‐on‐dopant diffusion of phosphorus in thermally evaporated, highly defected germanium thin films. We demonstrate effective compensation of the acceptor states associated to dislocations by means of post‐growth doping.

We discuss phosphorus diffusion in these highly defected films and pinpoint the benefits of spin‐on‐doping by realizing and testing near‐infrared photodiodes in evaporated Ge on Si, achieving high responsivities which compare well with those of state‐of‐the‐art Ge p‐i‐n photodiodes. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On an improved boron segregation calibration from a particularly sensitive power MOS process
Authors: Koffel S. , Burenkov A. , Sekowski M. , Pichler P. , Giubertoni D. , Bersani M. , Knaipp M. , Wachmann E. , Schrems M. , Yamamoto Y. , Bolze D.
Published: December 2013

One of the main issues for the simulation of MOS transistors is the correct prediction of threshold voltages that depend on the active doping profiles in the channel under the gate oxide. Simulating a power MOS process we encountered a situation in which Sentaurus Process with default models failed to predict threshold voltages by as much as 3 V. An in‐depth investigation revealed that the threshold voltage in our pMOS devices is determined by a very special distribution of the doping in the channel that involves both n‐type and p‐type doping which nearly compensate each other. As threshold voltages were found in the simulations to be particularly sensitive to boron segregation, silicon samples were implanted with boron and oxidized in several atmospheres for a variety of process times.

The profiles were studied by advanced SIMS methods. Because of the limitations of the SIMS depth resolution, they had to be complemented by electrical measurements on MOS transistors. This combination finally allowed finding a new calibration for the segregation models which allows predicting the electrical characteristics of the transistors in a wide range of experimental conditions. Since the threshold voltage in our transistors turned out to be extremely sensitive to the boron segregation parameters, in contrast to technologies in which only one dopant type prevails, the newly achieved calibration should be superior to previous work. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Atomistic investigation of the impact of stress during solid phase epitaxial regrowth
Authors: Sklenard Benoit , Barbe Jean‐Charles , Batude Perrine , Rivallin Pierrette , Tavernier Clement , Cristoloveanu Sorin , Martin‐Bragado Ignacio
Published: December 2013

An atomistic model to account for the impact of stress during solid phase epitaxial regrowth (SPER) is proposed. This model is based on the lattice kinetic Monte Carlo method. It has been compared with experimental data of regrowth velocity as a function of hydrostatic and non‐hydrostatic stresses.

In particular, it permits to provide a physical explanation of the observations upon in‐plane uniaxial stress based on the assumption that {100} events occur through a dual‐timescale atomistic mechanism. Our model also catches the fact that compressive normal uniaxial stress and hydrostatic pressure result in an enhancement of the regrowth velocity with a similar activation volume.

(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
More Moore meets More than Moore: Enabling healthcare applications
Authors: Brongersma Sywert H. , Blauw Michiel , Zevenbergen Marcel , Karabacak Devrez , Vitushinsky Roman , Dam Van Anh , Calama Mercedes Crego , Vullers Rudolf , Zeng Zeng , Schaijk Rob van
Published: December 2013

Western societies all see their healthcare costs outpace GDP growth. To reverse this trend, several public and private initiatives were taken in the last years to make healthcare more cost efficient. It is anticipated that micro and nano‐system technology will help enable an increase in the functionality of lifestyle and healthcare devices to gradually reduce cost. This builds on the scaling of microelectronics that additionally provides opportunities for reducing both form factor and power requirements. In the next decade, body area network technology will be one of the advancements that provides medical, lifestyle, assisted living, sports or entertainment functions for the user. Such a network comprising a series of miniature sensor nodes, implanted or located around the body should be able to communicate with other sensor nodes and/or with a gateway node that provides a connection to the outside world using a standard telecommunication infrastructure. Early deployment of technology in different application cases are translated into critical technology obstacles that need to be solved in order to enable widespread deployment. For the development of smaller and smarter systems with ever increasing autonomy, key technological challenges are addressed at the level of sensors, energy harvesting, ultra‐low‐power DSP, wireless connectivity, and integration and packaging. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Influence of Poisson equation boundary conditions and quantum corrections to carrier concentrations at material interfaces in TCAD process simulation
Authors: Tsibizov Alexander , Terterian Arsen , Zechner Christoph
Published: December 2013

In TCAD process simulation, the Poisson equation for electrostatic potential is usually solved in silicon and polysilicon regions, assuming a zero normal component of electric field (ZEF) boundary conditions (BCs) at material interfaces. This is correct for a free (or covered only with dielectric) flat surface of silicon, which is typical for 1D SIMS profile simulations. However, it is inaccurate in other important cases, in particular, under the gate of submicron MOS transistors, where more general BCs preserving the continuity of the flux of electric displacement should be applied. In a simulation, the choice of BCs changes the electrostatic potential near material interfaces and, thereby, impacts simulated dopant distributions and transistor characteristics. We introduced such general BCs in Sentaurus Process and applied them to the 2D simulation of CMOS transistors with polysilicon or metal gate. A noticeable (but moderate) increase of simulated threshold voltage in comparison to the ZEF BCs is demonstrated. In addition, the effect of carrier concentration reduction at silicon/dielectric interfaces due to quantum‐mechanical repulsion was introduced into a continuum process simulation using the modified local‐density approximation. This changes the dopant distributions in a nanometre thin layer in semiconductors at both sides of the gate oxide, resulting in a reduced concentration of the main dopant near the interface, which is most pronounced at high dopant concentrations. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Semiconductor with intrinsic spin: a hybrid structure of zigzag edge graphene nanoribbon/single‐walled carbon nanotube
Authors: Lou Ping
Published: December 2013

A hybrid structure of n ‐ZGRN/(m,m)SWCNT, namely n ‐ZGNR‐(m,m)SWCNT, is predicted. It is found that the n ‐ZGNR‐(m,m)SWCNT is a ferromagnetic semiconductor with intrinsic spin in which the manipulation of spin‐polarized currents can be achieved just simply by applying a gate voltage. Moreover, compared to n ‐ZGNR, the n‐ ZGNR‐(m,m)SWCNT possesses enhanced local magnetic moment. Semiconductors with intrinsic spin represent a new direction in the exploration of materials for spintronics and good prospects for practical spintronic applications. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Robust normalization and guaranteed cost control for a class of uncertain singular Markovian jump systems via hybrid impulsive control
Authors: Lv Hui , Zhang Qingling , Yan Xinggang
Published: December 2013

This paper investigates the problem of robust normalization and guaranteed cost control for a class of uncertain singular Markovian jump systems. The uncertainties exhibit in both system matrices and transition rate matrix of the Markovian chain. A new impulsive and proportional‐derivative control strategy is presented, where the derivative gain is to make the closed‐loop system of the singular plant to be a normal one, and the impulsive control part is to make the value of the Lyapunov function does not increase at each time instant of the Markovian switching. A linearization approach via congruence transformations is proposed to solve the controller design problem. The cost function is minimized via solving an optimization problem under the designed control scheme. Finally, three examples (two numerical examples and an RC pulse divider circuit example) are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of managerial ownership on international and business diversification: Balancing incentives and risks
Authors: Alessandri Todd M. , Seth Anju
Published: December 2013

Research has examined the effects of managerial share ownership on business diversification, typically from the incentive alignment perspective. Yet, share ownership also shifts risk to managers (the efficient managerial contracting perspective). Furthermore, the effects of managerial ownership on international diversification are unexplored. We examine how managerial ownership influences both international and business diversification in light of the trade‐off between incentive alignment and risk bearing. Based on the differing risk profiles of the two types of diversification, we argue that incentive contracts with higher levels of managerial ownership will be inefficient, i.e., counter to shareholder interests—reducing international diversification and increasing business diversification. Our findings support our arguments for international diversification. We find no significant effect for business diversification after accounting for endogeneity and serial correlation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two New Nickel(II) Metal‐Organic Networks Constructed From 1,4‐Bis(2‐methylimidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)biphenyl and Dicarboxylates: From Polycatenated 2D + 2D → 3D Framework to 2D hcb Topological Net
Authors: Liu Bing
Published: December 2013

Two new metal‐organic networks, namely, {[Ni2(5‐CH3‐ip)2(L)2(H2O)]·4H2O}n (1) and [Ni(2,4′‐bpdc)(L)(H2O)]n (2), [5‐CH3‐ip = 5‐methylisophthalic acid, 2,4′‐bpdc = biphenyl‐2,4′‐dicarboxylate, and L = 1,4‐bis(2‐methylimidazol‐3‐ium‐1‐yl)biphenyl], were obtained from hydrothermal reactions of Ni2+ with two dicarboxylic acids and N‐donor ligand, respectively. The structures of complexes 1 and 2 show polycatenated 2D + 2D → 3D framework and 2D hcb topological net, respectively. Furthermore, the thermal stability of complexes 1 and 2 are investigated.
SIRT3 Expression as a Biomarker for Better Prognosis in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Huang Kuo‐Hung , Hsu Chia‐Chi , Fang Wen‐Liang , Chi Chin‐Wen , Sung Ming‐Ta , Kao Hwa‐Li , Li Anna Fen‐Yau , Yin Pen‐Hui , Yang Muh‐Hwa , Lee Hsin‐Chen
Published: December 2013

Background

SIRT3—mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide‐dependent deacetylase sirtuin‐3—plays an important role in regulating cell metabolism and carcinogenesis. The role of SIRT3 in gastric cancer has not yet been investigated.

Methods

A total of 221 gastric cancer patients who underwent curative surgery were enrolled at the Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital. SIRT3 expression in gastric tissues and tumors were examined in these patients using immunohistochemical staining. Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival were analyzed and compared in gastric cancer patients with or without SIRT3 expression.

Results

The 5‐year survival rates of patients with or without SIRT3 expression were 51.2 and 39.1 %, respectively (p = 0.005). The 5‐year disease‐free survival rates of patients with or without SIRT3 expression were 49.6 and 38.0 %, respectively (p = 0.010). Microscopic features showed that there are more poor cell differentiation (p = 0.001), more diffuse‐type Lauren’s histology (p = 0.018), and more scirrhous‐type stromal reactions (p = 0.027) in gastric cancer without SIRT expression. Multivariate analysis with overall survival as an endpoint showed that age (p < 0.001), Lauren’s histology (p = 0.007), stromal reaction (p = 0.035), TNM pathologic N category (p < 0.001), and SIRT3 expression (p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with gastric cancer.

Conclusions

Gastric cancer patients with SIRT3 expression have a better prognosis than those without. SIRT3 expression is an independent prognostic marker for overall survival and may act as a tumor suppressor in gastric cancer.
Role of SDHAF2 and SDHD in von Hippel–Lindau Associated Pheochromocytomas
Authors: Kugelberg Johan , Welander Jenny , Schiavi Francesca , Fassina Ambrogio , Bäckdahl Martin , Larsson Catharina , Opocher Giuseppe , Söderkvist Peter , Dahia Patricia L. , Neumann Hartmut P. H. , Gimm Oliver
Published: December 2013

Background

Pheochromocytomas (PCCs) develop from the adrenal medulla and are often part of a hereditary syndrome such as von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) syndrome. In VHL, only about 30 % of patients with a VHL missense mutation develop PCCs. Thus, additional genetic events leading to formation of such tumors in patients with VHL syndrome are sought. SDHAF2 (previously termed SDH5) and SDHD are both located on chromosome 11q and are required for the function of mitochondrial complex II. While SDHAF2 has been shown to be mutated in patients with paragangliomas (PGLs), SDHD mutations have been found both in patients with PCCs and in patients with PGLs.

Materials and methods

Because loss of 11q is a common event in VHL‐associated PCCs, we aimed to investigate whether SDHAF2 and SDHD are targets. In the present study, 41 VHL‐associated PCCs were screened for mutations and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in SDHAF2 or SDHD. Promoter methylation, as well as mRNA expression of SDHAF2 and SDHD, was studied. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of SDHB, known to be a universal marker for loss of any part the SDH complex, was conducted.

Results and conclusions

LOH was found in more than 50 % of the VHL‐associated PCCs, and was correlated with a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in both SDHAF2 and SDHD mRNA expression, which may be suggestive of a pathogenic role. However, while SDHB protein expression as determined by IHC in a small cohort of tumors was lower in PCCs than in the surrounding adrenal cortex, there was no obvious correlation with LOH or the level of SDHAF2/SDHD mRNA expression. In addition, the lack of mutations and promoter methylation in the investigated samples indicates that other events on chromosome 11 might be involved in the development of PCCs in association with VHL syndrome.
Evaluation of Modified Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Choledochocystolithiasis
Authors: Haga Yoshio , Wada Yasuo , Takeuchi Hitoshi , Furuya Takumi
Published: December 2013

Background

The incidence of complicated choledochocystolithiasis is increasing with the aging of society in Japan. We evaluated the utility of our prediction rule modified estimation of physiologic ability and surgical stress (mE‐PASS) in predicting postoperative adverse events in patients with choledochocystolithiasis.

Methods

A total of 4,329 patients who underwent elective surgery for choledochocystolithiasis in 44 referral hospitals between April 1987 and April 2007 were analyzed for mE‐PASS along with postoperative events. The discrimination power of mE‐PASS was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The correlation between ordinal and interval variables was quantified by the Spearman rank correlation (ρ). The ratio of observed‐to‐estimated mortality rates (OE ratio) was used as a metric of surgical quality.

Results

Postoperative in‐hospital mortality rates were 0 % (0/3,442) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 0.19 % (1/521) for open cholecystectomy, 1.6 % (1/63) for laparoscopic choledochotomy, 1.1 % (3/264) for open choledochotomy, and 5.1 % (2/39) for plasty or resection of the common bile duct. mE‐PASS demonstrated a high discrimination power to predict in‐hospital mortality; AUC, 95 % confidence interval (CI) of 0.96, 0.94–0.99. The predicted mortality rates significantly correlated with the severity of postoperative complications (ρ = 0.278, p < 0.0001) and length of hospital stay (ρ = 0.479, p < 0.0001). The OE ratios (95 % CI) improved slightly over time; 1.5 (0.25–9.0) between 1987 and 2000, and 0.40 (0.078–2.1) between 2001 and 2007.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that mE‐PASS can predict postoperative risks in patients who have undergone choledochocystolithiasis. mE‐PASS may be useful in surgical decision making and evaluating the quality of care.
Is Current Perioperative Practice in Hepatic Surgery Based on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Principles?
Authors: Wong‐Lun‐Hing E. M. , van Dam R. M. , Heijnen L. A. , Busch O. R. C. , Terkivatan T. , van Hillegersberg R. , Slooter G. D. , Klaase J. , de Wilt J. H. W. , Bosscha K. , Neumann U. P. , Topal B. , Aldrighetti L. A. , Dejong C. H. C.
Published: December 2013

Background

The worldwide introduction of multimodal enhanced recovery programs has also changed perioperative care in patients who undergo liver resection. This study was performed to assess current perioperative practice in liver surgery in 11 European HPB centers and compare it to enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) principles.

Methods

In each unit, 15 consecutive patients (N = 165) who underwent hepatectomy between 2010 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Compliance was classified as “full,” “partial,” or “poor” whenever ≥80, ≥50, or <50 % of the 22 ERAS protocol core items were met. The primary study end point was overall compliance with the ERAS core program per unit and per perioperative phase.

Results

Most patients were operated on for malignancy (91 %) and 56 % were minor hepatectomies. The median number of implemented ERAS core items was 9 (range = 7–12) across all centers. Compliance was partial in the preoperative (median 2 of 3 items, range = 1–3) and perioperative phases (median 5 of 10 items, range: 4–7). Median postoperative compliance was poor (median 2 of 9 items, range = 0–4). A statistically significant difference was observed between median length of stay and median time to recovery (7 vs. 5 days, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Perioperative care among centers that perform liver resections varied substantially. In current HPB surgical practice, some elements of the ERAS program, e.g., preoperative counselling and minimal fasting, have already been implemented. Elements in the perioperative phase (avoidance of drains and nasogastric tube) and postoperative phase (early resumption of oral intake, early mobilization, and use of recovery criteria) should be further optimized.
Enhanced thermoelectric performance of Nb-doped SrTiO3 by nano-inclusion with low thermal conductivity
Authors: Wang Ning , Chen Haijun , He Hongcai , Norimatsu Wataru , Kusunoki Michiko , Koumoto Kunihito
Published: December 2013

Authors reported an effective path to increase the electrical conductivity while to decrease the thermal conductivity and thus to enhance the ZT value by nano-inclusions. By this method, the ZT value of Nb-doped SrTiO3 was enhanced 9-fold by yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nano-inclusions. YSZ inclusions, located inside grain and in triple junction, can reduce the thermal conductivity by effective interface phonon scattering, enhance the electrical conductivity by promoting the abnormal grain growth and thus lead to the obvious enhancement of ZT value, which strongly suggests that, it is possible to not only reduce the thermal conductivity, but also increase the electrical conductivity by nano-inclusions with low thermal conductivity. This study will give some useful enlightenment to the preparation of high-performance oxide thermoelectric materials.
Fibroblast-to-myofibroblast switch is mediated by NAD(P)H oxidase generated reactive oxygen species
Authors: Alili Lirija , Sack Maren , Puschmann Katharina , Brenneisen Peter
Published: December 2013

Tumour–stroma interaction is a prerequisite for tumour progression in skin cancer. Hereby, a critical step in stromal function is the transition of tumour-associated fibroblasts to MFs (myofibroblasts) by growth factors, for example TGFβ (transforming growth factor beta(). In this study, the question was addressed of whether fibroblast-associated NAD(P)H oxidase (NADH/NADPH oxidase), known to be activated by TGFβ1, is involved in the fibroblast-to-MF switch. The up-regulation of αSMA (alpha smooth muscle actin), a biomarker for MFs, is mediated by a TGFβ1-dependent increase in the intracellular level of ROS (reactive oxygen species). This report demonstrates two novel aspects of the TGFβ1 signalling cascade, namely the generation of ROS due to a biphasic NAD(P)H oxidase activity and a ROS-dependent downstream activation of p38 leading to a transition of dermal fibroblasts to MFs that can be inhibited by the selective NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor apocynin. These data suggest that inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase activity prevents the fibroblast-to-MF switch and may be important for chemoprevention in context of a ‘stromal therapy’ which was described earlier.
Providing 100% throughput in memory–memory–memory switches with in‐sequence service
Authors: Gao Ya , Qiu Zhiliang , Zhang Jian
Published: December 2013

The use of buffers in the central stage of memory–memory–memory (MMM) switch can potentially cause the forwarding of packets to the outputs in out‐of‐sequence order. In this study, the authors present a novel scheduling algorithm, frame‐based in‐sequence scheduling in MMM switch (FIM3), which can provide 100% throughput and in‐sequence service as well. FIM3 adopts a predetermined cyclic shift configuration at the first stage and the oldest‐cell‐first selection for arbitrations at the second and third stages. Frame‐based scheduling algorithm is adopted, and fake packets will be added for an incomplete frame to obtain full. FIM3 is decentralised and requires no speedup. The simulation results show that FIM3 has a better delay performance than padded frame does under uniform traffic, and achieves 100% throughput under non‐uniform traffic.
Symmetric generalized binomial distributions
Authors: Bergeron H. , Curado E. M. F. , Gazeau J. P. , Rodrigues Ligia M. C. S.
Published: December 2013

In two recent articles, we have examined a generalization of the binomial distribution associated with a sequence of positive numbers, involving asymmetric expressions of probabilities that break the symmetry win-loss. We present in this article another generalization (always associated with a sequence of positive numbers) that preserves the symmetry win-loss. This approach is also based on generating functions and presents constraints of non-negativeness, similar to those encountered in our previous articles.
Room temperature in-plane ⟨100⟩ magnetic easy axis for Fe3O4/SrTiO3(001):Nb grown by infrared pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Monti Matteo , Sanz Mikel , Oujja Mohamed , Rebollar Esther , Castillejo Marta , Pedrosa Francisco J. , Bollero Alberto , Camarero Julio , Cuñado Jose Luis F. , Nemes Norbert M. , Mompean Federico J. , Garcia-Hernández Mar , Nie Shu , McCarty Kevin F. , N'Diaye Alpha T. , Chen Gong , Schmid Andreas K. , Marco José F. , de la Figuera Juan
Published: December 2013

We examine the magnetic easy-axis directions of stoichiometric magnetite films grown on SrTiO3:Nb by infrared pulsed-laser deposition. Spin-polarized low-energy electron microscopy reveals that the individual magnetic domains are magnetized along the in-plane ⟨100⟩ film directions. Magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements show that the maxima of the remanence and coercivity are also along in-plane ⟨100⟩ film directions. This easy-axis orientation differs from bulk magnetite and films prepared by other techniques, establishing that the magnetic anisotropy can be tuned by film growth.
Experiment study of an electron cyclotron resonant ion source based on a tapered resonance cavity
Authors: Yang Juan , Shi Feng , Jin Yizhou , Wang Yunmin , Komurasaki Kimiya
Published: December 2013

Electron cyclotron resonant plasma is one type of magnetised plasma generated by continuous microwave energy. It has the property of high degree of ionization and large volume at low gas pressure, which makes it useful for space propulsion and material processing. This article presents the experiment study of the plasma properties and ion beam extraction from an electron cyclotron resonant ion source based on a tapered resonance cavity. Optical emission spectroscopy based on a simple collisional radiation model was used for plasma diagnosis. Experiment results show that, at microwave power setting ranging from 7.06 to 17.40 W and mass flow rate ranging from 1 to 10 sccm, argon gas can be ionized. Ion beam of 109.1 mA from the ion source can be extracted at microwave power of 30 W, mass flow rate of 10 sccm, and accel voltage of 800 V. The diagnosed plasma temperature and density are 2.4–5.2 eV and 2 × 1016–4.8 × 1017 m−3, respectively.
Self-organization during growth of ZrN/SiNx multilayers by epitaxial lateral overgrowth
Authors: Fallqvist A. , Ghafoor N. , Fager H. , Hultman L. , Persson P. O. Å.
Published: December 2013

ZrN/SiNx nanoscale multilayers were deposited on ZrN seed layers grown on top of MgO(001) substrates by dc magnetron sputtering with a constant ZrN thickness of 40 Å and with an intended SiNx thickness of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 15 Å at a substrate temperature of 800 °C and 6 Å at 500 °C. The films were investigated by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The investigations show that the SiNx is amorphous and that the ZrN layers are crystalline. Growth of epitaxial cubic SiNx—known to take place on TiN(001)—on ZrN(001) is excluded to the monolayer resolution of this study. During the course of SiNx deposition, the material segregates to form surface precipitates in discontinuous layers for SiNx thicknesses ≤6 Å that coalesce into continuous layers for 8 and 15 Å thickness at 800 °C, and for 6 Å at 500 °C. The SiNx precipitates are aligned vertically. The ZrN layers in turn grow by epitaxial lateral overgrowth on the discontinuous SiNx in samples deposited at 800 °C with up to 6 Å thick SiNx layers. Effectively a self-organized nanostructure can be grown consisting of strings of 1–3 nm large SiNx precipitates along apparent column boundaries in the epitaxial ZrN.
Ellipsometry with polarisation analysis at cryogenic temperatures inside a vacuum chamber
Authors: Bauer S. , Grees B. , Spitzer D. , Beck M. , Bottesch R. , Ortjohann H.-W. , Ostrick B. , Schäfer T. , Telle H. H. , Wegmann A. , Zbořil M. , Weinheimer C.
Published: December 2013

In this paper we describe a new variant of null ellipsometry to determine thicknesses and optical properties of thin films on a substrate at cryogenic temperatures. In the PCSA arrangement of ellipsometry the polarizer and the compensator are placed before the substrate and the analyzer after it. Usually, in the null ellipsometry the polarizer and the analyzer are rotated to find the searched minimum in intensity. In our variant we rotate the polarizer and the compensator instead, both being placed in the incoming beam before the substrate. Therefore the polarisation analysis of the reflected beam can be realized by an analyzer at fixed orientation. We developed this method for investigations of thin cryogenic films inside a vacuum chamber where the analyzer and detector had to be placed inside the cold shield at a temperature of T ≈ 90 K close to the substrate. All other optical components were installed at the incoming beam line outside the vacuum chamber, including all components which need to be rotated during the measurements. Our null ellipsometry variant has been tested with condensed krypton films on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite substrate (HOPG) at a temperature of T ≈ 25 K. We show that it is possible to determine the indices of refraction of condensed krypton and of the HOPG substrate as well as thickness of krypton films with reasonable accuracy.
Temporal evolution of femtosecond laser induced plasma filament in air and N2
Authors: Papeer J. , Gordon D. , Sprangle P. , Botton M. , Zigler A.
Published: December 2013

We present single shot, high resolution, time-resolved measurements of the relaxation of laser induced plasma filaments in air and in N2 gas. Based on the measurements of the time dependent electromagnetic signal in a waveguide, an accurate and simple derivation of the electron density in the filament is demonstrated. This experimental method does not require prior knowledge of filament dimensions or control over its exact spatial location. The experimental results are compared to numerical simulations of air plasma chemistry. Results reveal the role of various decay mechanisms including the importance of O4+ molecular levels.
Chaotic dynamics of flexible Euler-Bernoulli beams
Authors: Awrejcewicz J. , Krysko A. V. , Kutepov I. E. , Zagniboroda N. A. , Dobriyan V. , Krysko V. A.
Published: December 2013

Mathematical modeling and analysis of spatio-temporal chaotic dynamics of flexible simple and curved Euler-Bernoulli beams are carried out. The Kármán-type geometric non-linearity is considered. Algorithms reducing partial differential equations which govern the dynamics of studied objects and associated boundary value problems are reduced to the Cauchy problem through both Finite Difference Method with the approximation of O(c2) and Finite Element Method. The obtained Cauchy problem is solved via the fourth and sixth-order Runge-Kutta methods. Validity and reliability of the results are rigorously discussed. Analysis of the chaotic dynamics of flexible Euler-Bernoulli beams for a series of boundary conditions is carried out with the help of the qualitative theory of differential equations. We analyze time histories, phase and modal portraits, autocorrelation functions, the Poincaré and pseudo-Poincaré maps, signs of the first four Lyapunov exponents, as well as the compression factor of the phase volume of an attractor. A novel scenario of transition from periodicity to chaos is obtained, and a transition from chaos to hyper-chaos is illustrated. In particular, we study and explain the phenomenon of transition from symmetric to asymmetric vibrations. Vibration-type charts are given regarding two control parameters: amplitude q0 and frequency ωp of the uniformly distributed periodic excitation. Furthermore, we detected and illustrated how the so called temporal-space chaos is developed following the transition from regular to chaotic system dynamics.
Enhancement of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Co/Ni multilayers by in situ annealing the Ta/Cu under-layers
Authors: Wu Di , Chen Shaohai , Zhang Zongzhi , Ma B. , Jin Q. Y.
Published: December 2013

The perpendicular magnetic properties of glass/Ta/Cu/[Co/Ni]4/Ta multilayers can be efficiently tuned by in situ pre-annealing the Ta/Cu under-layers at various temperatures (TCu) before the deposition of the Co/Ni stack. As a result of the co-effect of fcc(111) texture and Cu surface roughness, the perpendicular anisotropy Ku and coercivity Hc⊥ exhibit a similar non-monotonous dependence on the TCu, showing minimum values at TCu = 100 °C and maxima at 400 °C for Ku while at 550 °C for Hc⊥. By in situ annealing the under-layers at 550 °C and then post-annealing the whole stack at 250 °C, the Hc⊥ value can be significantly enhanced from 139 Oe up to 620 Oe, which is important for spintronic applications.
Switching of localized surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles on a GeSbTe film mediated by nanoscale phase change and modification of surface morphology
Authors: Hira T. , Homma T. , Uchiyama T. , Kuwamura K. , Saiki T.
Published: December 2013

As a platform for active nanophotonics, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) switching via interaction with a chalcogenide phase change material (GeSbTe) was investigated. We performed single-particle spectroscopy of gold nanoparticles placed on a GeSbTe thin film. By irradiation with a femtosecond pulsed laser for amorphization and a continuous wave laser for crystallization, significant switching behavior of the LSPR band due to the interaction of GeSbTe was observed. The switching mechanism was explained in terms of both a change in the refractive index and a modification of surface morphology accompanying volume expansion and reduction of GeSbTe.
The origin of remarkable resilience of human tooth enamel
Authors: Zhao Xiaoli , O'Brien Simona , Shaw Jeremy , Abbott Paul , Munroe Paul , Habibi Daryoush , Xie Zonghan
Published: December 2013

The mechanical properties of human tooth enamel depend not only on test locations but also on the indentation depth. However, it remains uncertain what roles the depth-dependant properties play in mechanical performance of enamel. Here we reveal that a change in the mechanical properties of enamel, in particular its strength, with increasing indentation depth promotes inelastic deformation in material. In doing so, the severity and extent of stress concentration is reduced. Furthermore, we observed that following unloading, self-recovery occurs in enamel. These findings improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for the remarkable resilience of enamel.
Control of seeding phase for a cascaded laser wakefield accelerator with gradient injection
Authors: Wang Wentao , Li Wentao , Liu Jiansheng , Wang Cheng , Chen Qiang , Zhang Zhijun , Qi Rong , Leng Yuxin , Liang Xiaoyan , Liu Yanqi , Lu Xiaoming , Wang Cheng , Li Ruxin , Xu Zhizhan
Published: December 2013

We demonstrated experimentally the seeding-phase control for a two-stage laser wakefield accelerator with gradient injection. By optimizing the seeding phase of electrons into the second stage, electron beams beyond 0.5 GeV with a 3% rms energy spread were produced over a short acceleration distance of ∼2 mm. Peak energy of the electron beam was further extended beyond 1 GeV by lengthening the second acceleration stage to 5 mm. Time-resolved magnetic field measurements via magneto-optical Faraday polarimetry allowed us to monitor the processes of electron seeding and acceleration in the second stage.
Note: Development of a high resolution and wide band terahertz spectrometer based on a 1 μm-band external cavity diode laser
Authors: Kitahara K. , Oto K. , Nakajima M. , Muro K.
Published: December 2013

We have developed a frequency-domain terahertz spectrometer based on homebuilt 1 μm band external cavity diode lasers, for high resolution spectroscopy. Our spectrometer is digitally controlled to a resolution of 10 MHz, and uses InGaAs/GaAs photoconductive antennas. We have obtained a spectrum in the range 0.02 THz to 2.5 THz, which exceeds the conventional temperature tuning range of a distributed feedback diode laser. We achieved a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 80 dB at around 0.05 THz, and 20 dB at around 2.0 THz. We observed water vapor spectra in the atmosphere with a frequency step of 0.6 GHz in the region between 1.0 THz and 2.0 THz. We have demonstrated that our 1 μm-band frequency-domain terahertz spectrometer is competitive when compared with existing 800 nm- and 1.5 μm-band systems.
Optical control of the emission direction of a quantum dot
Authors: Luxmoore I. J. , Wasley N. A. , Ramsay A. J. , Thijssen A. C. T. , Oulton R. , Hugues M. , Fox A. M. , Skolnick M. S.
Published: December 2013

Using the helicity of a non-resonant excitation laser, control over the emission direction of an InAs/GaAs quantum dot is demonstrated. The quantum dot is located off-center in a crossed-waveguide structure, such that photons of opposite circular polarization are emitted into opposite waveguide directions. By preferentially exciting spin-polarized excitons, the direction of emission can therefore be controlled. The directional control is quantified by using the ratio of the intensity of the light coupled into the two waveguides, which reaches a maximum of ±35%.
Electrically small resonators for energy harvesting in the infrared regime
Authors: AlShareef Mohammed R. , Ramahi Omar M.
Published: December 2013

A novel structure based on electrically small resonators is proposed for harvesting the infrared energy and yielding more than 80% harvesting efficiency. The dispersion effect of the dielectric and conductor materials of the resonators is taken into account by applying the Drude model. A new scheme to channel the infrared waves from an array of split ring resonators is proposed, whereby a wide-bandwidth collector is utilized by employing this new channeling concept.
Liprin-α/SYD-2 determines the size of dense projections in presynaptic active zones in C. elegans
Authors: Kittelmann Maike , Hegermann Jan , Goncharov Alexandr , Taru Hidenori , Ellisman Mark H. , Richmond Janet E. , Jin Yishi , Eimer Stefan
Published: December 2013

Synaptic vesicle (SV) release is spatially and temporally regulated by a network of proteins that form the presynaptic active zone (AZ). The hallmark of most AZs is an electron-dense projection (DP) surrounded by SVs. Despite their importance for our understanding of triggered SV release, high-resolution analyses of DP structures are limited. Using electron microscopy, we show that DPs at Caenorhabditis elegans neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) were highly structured, composed of building units forming bays in which SVs are docked to the AZ membrane. Furthermore, larger ribbonlike DPs that were multimers of the NMJ building unit are found at synapses between inter- and motoneurons. We also demonstrate that DP size is determined by the activity of the AZ protein SYD-2/Liprin-α. Whereas loss of syd-2 function led to smaller DPs, syd-2 gain-of-function mutants displayed larger ribbonlike DPs through increased recruitment of ELKS-1/ELKS. Therefore, our data suggest that a main role of SYD-2/Liprin-α in synaptogenesis is to regulate the polymerization of DPs.
Geometric local theta correspondence for dual reductive pairs of type II at the Iwahori level
Authors: Farang-Hariri Banafsheh
Published: December 2013

In this paper we are interested in the geometric local theta correspondence at the Iwahori level for dual reductive pairs

(
G
,
H
)

(G,H)

of type II over a non-Archimedean field of characteristic

p
≠
2

p\neq 2

in the framework of the geometric Langlands program. We consider the geometric version of the

I

H

×

I

G

I_{H}\times I_{G}

-invariants of the Weil representation

S

I

H

×

I

G

\mathcal {S}^{I_{H}\times I_{G}}

as a bimodule under the action of Iwahori-Hecke algebras

H

I

G

\mathcal {H}_{I_{G}}

and

H

I

H

\mathcal {H}_{I_{H}}

and we give some partial geometric description of the corresponding category under the action of Hecke functors. We also define geometric Jacquet functors for any connected reductive group

G
G

at the Iwahori level and we show that they commute with the Hecke action of the

H

I

L

\mathcal {H}_{I_{L}}

-subelgebra of

H

I

G

\mathcal {H}_{I_{G}}

for a Levi subgroup

L
L

.