bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autophagy in Dementias
Authors: Kragh Christine Lund , Ubhi Kiren , Wyss‐Corey Tony , Masliah Eliezer
Published: December 2011

Dementias are a varied group of disorders typically associated with memory loss, impaired judgment and/or language and by symptoms affecting other cognitive and social abilities to a degree that interferes with daily functioning. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of a progressive dementia, followed by dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), (VaD) and HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The pathogenesis of this group of disorders has been linked to the abnormal accumulation of proteins in the brains of affected individuals, which in turn has been related to deficits in protein clearance. Autophagy is a key cellular protein clearance pathway with proteolytic cleavage and degradation via the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway representing another important clearance mechanism. Alterations in the levels of autophagy and the proteins associated with the autophagocytic pathway have been reported in various types of dementias. This review will examine recent literature across these disorders and highlight a common theme of altered autophagy across the spectrum of the dementias.
Peer Play Interactions and Readiness to Learn: A Protective Influence for African American Preschool Children From Low‐Income Households
Authors: Bulotsky‐Shearer Rebecca J. , Manz Patricia H. , Mendez Julia L. , McWayne Christine M. , Sekino Yumiko , Fantuzzo John W.
Published: December 2011

Abstract— Guided by a strengths‐based resiliency framework, this article reviews a body of research on the positive influence of interactive peer play for African American preschool children from low‐income households. This literature provides evidence for positive associations among interactive peer play experiences at home and in school, and children’s early childhood social and academic skills. It presents the development and validation of three distinct dimensions of interactive peer play with African American children attending Head Start. It reviews research examining associations between these 3 dimensions and children’s academic and social outcomes, as well as evidence‐based interventions designed to foster interactive peer play for this population. It highlights challenges and directions for future research, with emphasis on the likely research needed to extend our understanding of interactive peer play experiences for Latino and Asian American children and the complex mechanisms through which positive peer interactions during early childhood may support children’s early learning and development.
Unequal in Opportunity, Equal in Process: Parental Sensitivity Promotes Positive Child Development in Ethnic Minority Families
Authors: Mesman Judi , van IJzendoorn Marinus H. , Bakermans‐Kranenburg Marian J.
Published: December 2011

Abstract— Most studies on parental sensitivity are based on Western samples, and the cross‐cultural applicability of this construct has been subject to debate. This article reports on a systematic literature review on observational studies of parental sensitivity in ethnic minority families with young children. It shows that parental sensitivity is generally lower in ethnic minority families than in majority families. The evidence suggests that the main cause for this difference is family stress due to socioeconomic disadvantage. The review found little evidence for cultural explanations. Most importantly, the review shows that parental sensitivity is related to positive child development in ethnic minority families. Interventions attempting to improve ethnic minority children’s well‐being should focus on both reducing family stress and enhancing parental sensitivity.
Oral Narrative Skills: Implications for the Reading Development of African American Children
Authors: Gardner‐Neblett Nicole , Pungello Elizabeth P. , Iruka Iheoma U.
Published: December 2011

Abstract—This article reviews research concerning an area of strength for African American children: oral narrative skills. The article discusses the historical and cultural factors that have contributed to the rich tradition of oral narratives among African Americans and the implications of oral narrative skills for reading development. Although early research suggested that African American children have a limited narrative style, more recent research shows that, in fact, they can produce a range of narrative styles using sophisticated discourse techniques. Recent research also provides evidence that, compared to European American children, African American children produce narratives of higher quality and have greater narrative comprehension. The article discusses the implications of this research for education and offers directions for future research.
Verwaltungsführung und soziale Sicherheit: Auf der Grundlage der IVSS‐Good‐Governance‐Richtlinien für Institutionen der sozialen Sicherheit voranschreiten
Authors: Musalem Alberto R. , Ortiz Maribel D.
Published: December 2011

Auszug

Um auf den großen und wachsenden Bedarf an sozialer Sicherheit ihrer Bürger zu reagieren, bemühen sich Regierungen in vielen Ländern um eine Neudefinition von politischen Handlungskonzepten und Strategien. Weil neue Konzepte und Strategien nur so gut sein können, wie sie auch umgesetzt werden, ist gute Verwaltungsführung in Institutionen der sozialen Sicherheit unentbehrlich, um die gewünschten Ergebnisse zu erreichen. Der Artikel konzentriert sich auf gute Verwaltungsführung auf zwei Autoritätsebenen: i) bei Institutionen der sozialen Sicherheit und ii) bei der nationalen Regierung. Auf der Ebene der Institutionen der sozialen Sicherheit erörtern wir einen stilisierten Rahmen für Verwaltungsführung, der eine Übersicht darüber bietet, worauf es bei der Durchführung eines Programms der sozialen Sicherheit ankommt. Die Erörterung wird dann auf die nationale Ebene verlagert, um sich auf die Verwaltungsführung eines Systems der sozialen Sicherheit konzentrieren zu können. Im Hinblick auf die Verwaltungsführung unterstreicht dieser Artikel die vorrangige Rolle von Regierungen bei der Herbeiführung eines nationalen Konsenses über die Gesamtziele des Systems der sozialen Sicherheit eines Landes. Er plädiert für die Bestimmung einer nationalen Stelle mit der Zuständigkeit für die soziale Sicherheit, welche die kohärente Durchführung und Entwicklung der verschiedenen Programme sicherstellt, die das System der sozialen Sicherheit des Landes ausmachen. Eine bessere Abstimmung der Politik in Bezug auf die soziale Sicherheit mit der Beschäftigungs‐ und Arbeitsmarktpolitik ist wichtig, um positive Synergien und gemeinsame Wirksamkeit bei der Bereitstellung des Zugangs zu Arbeitsmöglichkeiten in den formellen Sektoren der Volkswirtschaft zu gewährleisten, was wiederum eine Voraussetzung für die Bekämpfung von Armut und sozialer Ausgrenzung sowie dafür ist, den Armen besseren Zugang zu umfassenderen Formen des Schutzes durch die soziale Sicherheit zu ermöglichen. Gute Verwaltungsführung wird den nachhaltigen und dauerhaften Beitrag der sozialen Sicherheit zu Wirtschaftswachstum und Entwicklung auf nationaler Ebene besser sicherstellen.
Fragen des Klimawandels in den Praktiken von Investitionsfonds
Authors: Sørensen Ole Beier , Pfeifer Stephanie
Published: December 2011

Auszug

Es gibt eine bedeutende Entwicklung in der Art, wie institutionelle Investoren Umwelt‐, Sozial‐ und Governance‐bezogene (kurz USG) Themen in ihre Investitionspraktiken einfließen lassen. Sowohl für öffentliche als auch für private Investoren sind diese Fragen nun Bestandteil etablierter Investitionspraktiken geworden. Dies zeugt von einem größeren Verständnis für tatsächliche Chancen und Risiken, die als Teil der treuhänderischen Verpflichtung betrachtet werden müssen. Einige USG‐Themen erfordern eine Herangehensweise, die weit über die einfachen traditionellen Auswahlverfahren hinausgeht, die von den frühen Nischenfonds verwendet wurden. Das zeigt sich an der detaillierten Diskussion über Investorenpraktiken bezüglich des Klimawandels, die eine Einschätzung der langfristigen Chancen und Risiken erfordern, sowie der diesbezüglich eingesetzten Strategien. Es wird zudem die Auffassung vertreten, dass die Rolle von Politik und Gesetzgebung entscheidend ist bei der wirtschaftlichen Veränderung etwa zugunsten von Investitionen in Bereiche mit niedrigem Kohlendioxidausstoß. Es braucht daher einen strukturierten Dialog zwischen Investoren und politischen Entscheidungsträgern, der dafür sorgt, dass einerseits institutionelles Kapital mobilisiert wird, um das politische Ziel einer Kontrolle des Klimawandels zu errechnen, während es andererseits den Investoren weiterhin möglich bleiben soll, in Einklang mit ihrer treuhänderischen Verantwortung zu handeln.
Frequency of dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1 in 4 breeds native to different areas inTurkey
Authors: Ergul Ekiz Elif , Arslan Murat , Ozcan Mukaddes , Gultekin Guldal Inal , Gulay Ozlem Yildiz , Kirmizibayrak Turgut , Giger Urs
Published: December 2011

Background

Dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1.1 is the most importantRBCantigen clinically, as it is highly immunogenic and causes acute hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTR) in sensitized dogs.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to determine the frequency ofDEA1.1 expression in 4 Turkish dog breeds, and to estimate the potential risk ofHTRwhen blood from aDEA1.1‐positive donor is administered to aDEA1.1‐negative recipient following sensitization by a prior mismatched transfusion.

Methods

EDTAblood samples (n = 178) were typed forDEA1.1 using a commercial gel‐column agglutination test (ID‐Gel‐Test CanineDEA1.1). Probabilities of sensitization and risk of anHTRwere calculated.

Results

The frequency of positivity forDEA1.1 among Kars (n = 59), Kangal (n = 53), Akbash (n = 50), and Catalburun (n = 16) breeds was 71.2%, 67.9%, 60.0%, and 50.0%, respectively. Potential risk for occurrence of anHTRafter administration of blood from a dog of the same breed ranged from 12.5% to 14.8%, whereasHTRinduced by blood of a dog from a different breed ranged from 7.2% to 25.3%.

Conclusions

The frequency ofDEA1.1‐positive dogs among 4 Turkish breeds is high compared with that of most other breeds previously surveyed. The predicted risk of both sensitization and occurrence ofDEA1.1‐relatedHTRfollowing transfusion between dogs of either the same or different Turkish breeds was considerable. Although few dogs are transfused ≥4 days after the first transfusion, we recommend that (1) all donors and recipients be typed forDEA1.1, (2)DEA1.1‐negative recipients receive onlyDEA1.1‐negative blood, and (3) blood be cross‐matched prior to transfusing any dog ≥4 days after the first transfusion. These guidelines are also applicable to other breeds and countries.
Flow cytometric assessment of canine erythrocytes and platelets for dog erythrocyte antigen 1.1
Authors: de A. Lucidi Cynthia , Takahira Regina K. , Gerlach John A. , Davis John M. , Schwartz Kenneth A. , Scott Michael A.
Published: December 2011

Background

In human medicine, transfusion ofABO‐mismatched platelets has been associated with shortened platelet survival and refractoriness to platelet transfusion because of expression of certain blood group antigens on platelets. It remains unknown if canine platelets express dog erythrocyte antigens (DEAs).

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop a flow cytometric assay forDEA1.1 and determine whetherDEA1.1 is present on canine platelets.

Methods

Blood was collected from 172 clinically healthy dogs. Platelets and erythrocytes from each dog were tested forDEA1.1 by flow cytometry using anti‐DEA1.1 blood‐typing sera. Erythrocytes from each dog were also assessed forDEA1.1 using a standard tube‐typing test (T1) and using a second tube method (T2), if the flow cytometric and T1 results differed.

Results

Using flow cytometry,DEA1.1 was detected on erythrocytes of all 110 dogs shown by T1 or T2 testing to beDEA1.1‐positive. Initial results of the T1 test had a diagnostic accuracy of 93% (160 correct/172 tests). The frequency of erythrocyteDEA1.1 positivity in previously untyped dogs (n = 118) was 56%.DEA1.1 expression was not detected on platelets fromDEA1.1‐positive dogs.

Conclusions

Flow cytometry was a reliable method for detection ofDEA1.1 on canine erythrocytes. The absence ofDEA1.1 on platelets fromDEA1.1‐positive dogs suggests that their platelets do not expressDEA1.1 and will not induce production of anti‐DEA1.1 antibodies that might lead to platelet refractoriness or reactions to a subsequent transfusion ofDEA1.1‐positive erythrocytes.
Granulomatous lymphadenitis caused by Talaromyces helicus in a Labrador Retriever
Authors: Tomlinson Julie Kristy , Cooley Avery James , Zhang Shuping , Johnson Melanie Elaine
Published: December 2011

A 3‐year‐old spayed female Labrador Retriever was presented for right prescapular lymphadenomegaly. Examination of fine‐needle aspirates and impression smears of the node revealed many short hyphal structures found within macrophages and extracellularly. Hyphae were approximately 3 μm in diameter, were irregularly septate with nonparallel walls, and had a small clear halo surrounding a partially stained basophilic internal structure. Hyphae were tapered on one end and had oval to pyriform swellings of 7–10 μm on the other, resulting in a bulbous appearance. Fungal elements stained positively with Gomori methenamine silver and Periodic acid‐Schiff stains. The dog was euthanized at the owner's request, and necropsy revealed marked peripheral and visceral lymphadenomegaly. Histopathologic examination of lymph nodes confirmed granulomatous lymphadenitis with many fungal hyphae. Fungal culture yielded pure cultures of organisms that failed to produce ascospores or conidia precluding morphologic identification. PCR was performed using pan‐fungal primers, ITS‐1 and ITS‐2, to amplify the intergenic spacer regions of ribosomal RNA; the PCR product was sequenced and a BLAST search of the GenBank databases at NCBI revealed 100% identity of the organism with Talaromyces helicus, the sexual form of Penicillium helicum. Talaromyces helicus has not previously been reported to cause disease in people or animals.
Can – Should – Must We Negotiate with Evil?*
Authors: Clemens Jr. Walter C.
Published: December 2011

How should the USA and its allies deal with regimes that abuse their own people and threaten world order? Are some regimes so evil that it is wrong and unwise to engage with them – even on matters of shared concern? The answer depends not only on the “facts of the case” but also on priorities and frames of reference. Thus, two Soviet citizens, each a Nobel Prize winner, disagreed on whether Western governments should treat the Kremlin as a viable partner in negotiations to control the arms race. Alexander I. Solzhenitsyn said “no,” because a regime that oppressed its own people could not be trusted. But Andrei D. Sakharov answered “yes,” because the stakes for humanity were so high. Solzhenitsyn put human rights first; Sakharov, the survival of humanity.

Today a similar choice confronts Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo as they face leaders in Pyongyang moving to expand their nuclear and missile capabilities. President George W. Bush placed North Korea on an “axis of evil.” He loathed a leader who permitted more than a million of his subjects to starve. But even if this repugnance was justified, did it serve US and allied interests to end the dialogues that, in the Clinton years, offered hope of limiting and perhaps terminating the North's nuclear weapons and missile programs?

“We are good and they are bad” is dangerous as an approach to foreign affairs. But it is also wrong and reckless to assume that all actors are equally flawed. Still, if a cruel dictatorship is willing to negotiate security arrangements likely to limit arms competition and make war less likely, democratic governments should engage and seek verifiable arrangements.
Why Is Russian Energy Policy Failing in Asia?*
Authors: Blank Stephen , Kim Younkyoo
Published: December 2011

Russia has tied the success of its efforts to reclaim great power status in Asia to its success in selling China, Japan, and South Korea energy. Consequently energy policy has been tied to defense and security and, for example, defense of energy projects has become a major mission for the navy. But Russia is encountering difficulties. In the Arctic, its new frontier for exploration of energy, much of which will go to East Asia, it faces Chinese political challenges. More broadly, throughout East Asia, and due to its own political and economic failings, it is not able to meet the needs of either South Korea or Japan. As a result, it is forced to rely ever more exclusively on China to help it develop the Russian Far East and export energy. Consequently Russia is falling into a greater dependence on China that contradicts and undermines its great power aspirations in East Asia.
A mixture of Trachelospermi caulis and Moutan cortex radicis extracts suppresses collagen-induced arthritis in mice by inhibiting NF-κB and AP-1
Authors: Kim Hyuk Soon , Kim A-Ram , Lee Jeong Min , Kim Se Na , Choi Jung Ho , Kim Do Kyun , Kim Ji Hyung , Kim Bokyung , Her Erk , Yang Young Mok , Kim Hyung Sik , Kim Young Mi , Choi Wahn Soo
Published: December 2011

Objectives

We aimed to determine the anti-arthritis effect and its mechanism of a combination of herbal extracts from Trachelospermi caulis (TC) and Moutan cortex radicis (MC) (TCMC).

Methods

The anti-arthritis activity of TCMC was assessed using a mouse model of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and other biological assays were performed.

Key findings

TCMC significantly ameliorated various inflammatory parameters, such as clinical arthritis index, histological deformation of joints, serum levels of rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, serum amyloid P and anti-collagen type II IgG antibody), and Th1-related responses (T cell proliferation, and production of Interferon-γ and interleukin (IL)-2 in splenocytes isolated from CIA mice). The production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and chemokines (macrophage inflammatory protein-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and Regulated upon Activation, Normal T-cell Expressed, and Secreted) was suppressed by TCMC in CIA mice. In addition, the number of osteoclasts in the hind tibia was significantly decreased. With regard to the mechanism, TCMC suppressed the activation of the transcription factors nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1.

Conclusions

TCMC exerts an anti-arthritis effect in CIA mice by suppression of the production of various inflammatory factors and the formation of osteoclasts through the inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1 activation.
Parametric Simulation of Turbulent Reacting Flow and Emissions in a Lean Premixed Reverse Flow Type Gas Turbine Combustor
Authors: Joung Daero , Huh Kang Y. , An Yunho
Published: December 2011

This paper describes simulation of a small stationary gas turbine combustor of a reverse flow, semi-silo type for power generation. The premixed coherent flame model (PCFM) is applied for partially premixed methane/air with an imposed downstream flame area density (FAD) to avoid flashback and incomplete combustion. Physical models are validated against the measurements of outlet temperature, product gas composition, and NO emission at the low operating pressure. Parametric study is performed to investigate the effect of load and pilot/total (P/T) fuel ratio on mixing characteristics and the resulting temperature distribution and pollutant emissions. As the P/T fuel ratio increases, the high temperature region over 1900 K enhances reaction of the mixture from the main nozzle in the primary mixing zone. For low P/T ratios, the pilot stream dilutes the mixture, on the contrary, to suppress reaction with an increasing height of the lifted flame. The NO is associated with the unmixedness as well as the mean temperature level and tends to increase with increasing load and P/T ratio. The high operating pressure does not affect overall velocity and temperature distribution, while it tends to increase NO and liner temperature under the given boundary conditions.
Shock and Dynamic Loading in Portable Electronic Assemblies: Experimental Results
Authors: Askari Farahani A. F. , Al-Bassyiouni M. , Dasgupta A.
Published: December 2011

The development of portable electronics poses design challenges when evolving new designs for high strain-rate life cycle loading, such as in drop events, blast events, vibration, ultrasonic process steps, etc. This paper discusses an experimental investigation of the transient response of a portable electronic product and its subassemblies to dynamic mechanical loading encountered in drop and shock conditions. The portable electronic product tested in this study consists of a circuit card assembly and a battery pack supported in a two-piece plastic housing with a separate battery compartment. Dynamic loading, consisting of various shock profiles, is applied using an electrodynamic shaker. A number of drop tests are also conducted on a drop tower. Fourier transform technique (FFT) is utilized to analyze the dynamic response of the printed wiring board and the plastic housing in the frequency domain. Tests at the subassembly level are used to study the dynamic response of the individual constituents. The nonlinear interactions due to dynamic contact between these subassemblies are then investigated through shock and drop testing at the system level. These results will be used in a subsequent study to investigate the ability of finite element models to accurately capture this transient response of complex portable electronic assemblies under shock and drop loading. The long-term goal of this combined study is to demonstrate a systematic modeling methodology to predict the drop response of future portable electronic products, so that relevant failure modes can be eliminated by design iterations early in the design cycle.
Wetting Mode Evolution of Steam Dropwise Condensation on Superhydrophobic Surface in the Presence of Noncondensable Gas
Authors: Ma Xuehu , Wang Sifang , Lan Zhong , Peng Benli , Ma H. B. , Cheng P.
Published: December 2011

It is well known that heat transfer in dropwise condensation (DWC) is superior to that in filmwise condensation (FWC) by at least one order of magnitude. Surfaces with larger contact angle (CA) can promote DWC heat transfer due to the formation of “bare” condensation surface caused by the rapid removal of large condensate droplets and high surface replenishment frequency. Superhydrophobic surfaces with high contact angle (> 150°) of water and low contact angle hysteresis (< 5°) seem to be an ideal condensing surface to promote DWC and enhance heat transfer, in particular, for the steam-air mixture vapor. In the present paper, steam DWC heat transfer characteristics in the presence of noncondensable gas (NCG) were investigated experimentally on superhydrophobic and hydrophobic surfaces including the wetting mode evolution on the roughness-induced superhydrophobic surface. It was found that with increasing NCG concentration, the droplet conducts a transition from the Wenzel to Cassie-Baxter mode. And a new condensate wetting mode—a condensate sinkage mode—was observed, which can help to explain the effect of NCG on the condensation heat transfer performance of steam-air mixture on a roughness-induced superhydrophobic SAM-1 surface.
A Framework for Building Dimensionless Behavioral Models to Aid in Function-Based Failure Propagation Analysis
Authors: Coatanéa Eric , Nonsiri Sarayut , Ritola Tuomas , Tumer Irem Y. , Jensen David C.
Published: December 2011

This research builds on previous work on function-based failure analysis and dimensional analysis to develop a design stage failure identification framework. The proposed framework is intended to provide an alternative approach to model the behavior for use in function-based failure analysis proposed in the literature. This paper specifically proposes to develop more detailed behavioral models derived from information available at the configuration level. The new behavioral model uses design variables, which are associated with units and quantities (i.e., mass, length, time, etc…), and generates a graph of interactions for each component to define the quantitative behavior of components. The dimensionless behavioral modeling is applied briefly to the analysis of functional failures and fault propagation at a highly abstract system concept level before any potentially high-cost design commitments are made. The main contributions in this paper include: a method to automatically select the main variables of interest, an automatic causal ordering of the variables based on their units, an automatically generated graph associating the variables, a machinery based on dimensional analysis allowing a quantitative simulation of the graphs, and a methodology to combine subgraphs and create component behavioral models.
Modeling Simplification for Thermal Mechanical Analysis of High Density Chip-to-Substrate Connections
Authors: Nicole An Ping , Kohl Paul A.
Published: December 2011

Finite element modeling (FEM) is an important component in the design of reliable chip-to-substrate connections. However, FEM can quickly become complex as the number of input/output connections increases. Three-dimensional (3D) chip-substrate models are usually simplified where only portions of the chip-substrate structure is considered in order to conserve computer resources and time. Chip symmetry is often used to simplify the models from full-chip structures to quarter or octant models. Recently, an even simpler 3D model, general plane deformation (GPD) slice model, has been used to characterize the properties of the full-chip and local regions on the structures, such as in the structures for solder ball fatigue. In this study, the accuracy of the GPD model is examined by comparing the mechanical behavior of a flip-chip, copper pillar package from various full and partial chip models to that of the GDP model. In addition, it is shown that the GPD model can be further simplified to a half-GPD model by using the symmetry plane in the middle of the slice and choosing the proper boundary conditions. The number of nodes required for each model and the accuracy of the different FEM models are compared. Analysis of the maximum stress in the silicon chip shows that the full-chip model, quarter model, and octant model all convergence to the same result. However, the GPD and half-GPD models, with the previously used boundary conditions, converge to a different stress values from that of the full-chip models. The error in the GPD models for small, 36 I/O package was 4.7% compared to the more complete, full-chip FEM models. The displacement error in the GPD models was more than 50%, compared to the full-chip models, and increased with larger structures. The high displacement error of the GPD models was due to the ordinarily used boundary conditions which neglect the effect from adjacent I/O on the sidewall of the GPD slice. An optimization equation is proposed to account for the spatial variation in the stress on the GPD sidewall. The GPD displacement error was reduced from 50% to 3.3% for the 36 pillar array.
Downhole Electronics Cooling Using a Thermoelectric Device and Heat Exchanger Arrangement
Authors: Sinha Ashish , Joshi Yogendra K
Published: December 2011

This paper investigates the use of thermoelectric (TE) devices for thermal management of downhole electronics. The research carried out will help in the mitigation of costs associated with thermal damage of downhole electronics used in oil drilling industry. An experimental set up was prepared where a TE device was used in conjunction with heat exchanger and a cold plate to remove heat from electronics module. A finned copper rod in contact with hot side of TE device was used to reject the heat out to the ambient. The experimental set up was housed inside a cylindrical vacuum flask, which was in turn placed inside an oven to simulate thermally harsh downhole conditions. Experiments were carried out with electronics heat dissipation of 0–8 W and ambient temperature of 140 °C. Due to the differences in the environmental conditions of the laboratory and the practical downhole scenario, the experiment could not completely capture the conditions of downhole heat rejection. A mathematical model of the experimental apparatus was prepared and validated against the experimental results. The model was used to predict performance of a TE device for thermal management of downhole electronics at an ambient temperature of 200–250 °C. It was observed that the ability of the thermal management system to keep electronics cool varied from 30 °C to a few degrees below the surrounding temperature, for chip wattage varying from 0 W to 8 W, respectively.
Different Conservation Laws Constructed on Warpage Analyses for Bimaterial Plates With Temperature-Dependent Properties
Authors: Chen Chih-Sung
Published: December 2011

Polymeric material has been applied in electronic product extensively, especially for packaging applications, thus thermomechanical analyses for encapsulated structure are frequently encountered. However, modulus and thermally induced strain of polymeric material are not constant, but time- and temperature-dependence. For simplification of the stress constitutive models, particularly for applications on electronic packaging can be found in literature, the time-dependent behavior could be neglected. Otherwise, the property only considered as a function of temperature can achieve time saving and cost down, but to the best of the author’s knowledge, the thermomechanical analysis based on different conservation laws so far has not been studied indeed. Most of the relative studies published in literature are in strain conservation law, and recently strain–stress conservation law was formulated, so-called force-displacement incremental solution. This study has developed a stress-based conservation law regardless of derived strain and strain–stress based conservation laws for stress constitutive models applied in thermomechanical analysis; meanwhile, incorporated cross-link induced residual strain from polymer forming. Furthermore, the nonincrement approach is implemented by a concept of force and moment equilibrium on the flexural stiffness of final stage, and derived for efficiency enhancing. On the other hand, analytical solutions based on different conservation laws for bimaterial plate were utilized to compare with experimental measurements. The results indicate that warpage analysis based on stress conservation law with temperature-dependent property can be more realistically predicted over a range of temperature, whereas a large error can be caused by using approximated CTE or nonconsidering residual strain, especially for temperature above Tg.
Solid State Bonding of Silver Foils to Metalized Alumina Substrates at 260°C
Authors: Sha Chu-Hsuan , Wang Pin J. , Lin Wen P. , Lee Chin C.
Published: December 2011

Silver (Ag) foils are bonded to alumina substrates by a low temperature solid state bonding process. The alumina substrate is premetalized with 40 nm titanium tungsten (TiW) and 2.54 μm gold (Au). The bonding temperature is just 260 °C, compatible with the peak reflow temperature of lead-free (Pb-free) solders used in electronic industries. The Ag foil is quite soft and ductile. It can deform to mate with the Au surface on alumina. Thus, only 1000 psi of static pressure is needed to bring Ag atoms and Au atoms within atomic distance on the interface. Ag has superior physical properties. It has the highest electrical and thermal conductivities among the metals. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show that the Ag foil is well bonded to the Au layer on alumina. A standard shear test is performed to determine the shear strength of the bonding. The shear strength of five samples tested far exceeds the strength requirement of MIL-STD-883 G standard.
A Review of Recent Advances in Thermal Management in Three Dimensional Chip Stacks in Electronic Systems
Authors: Venkatadri Vikram , Sammakia Bahgat , Srihari Krishnaswami , Santos Daryl
Published: December 2011

Three dimensional (3D) integration offers numerous electrical advantages like shorter interconnection distances between different dies in the stack, reduced signal delay, reduced interconnect power and design flexibilities. The main enabler of 3D integration is through-silicon-vias (TSVs) and stacking of multiple dies. Irrespective of these advantages, thermal management in 3D stacks poses significant challenges for the implementation of 3D integrated circuits. Even though extensive research work has been done in understanding the thermal management in two dimensional (2D) planar circuits for the past several decades, 3D integration offers a new set of challenges in terms of thermal management, which makes it difficult to readily apply the thermal management strategies available for 2D planar circuits. Over the past decade, some work has been done in thermal analysis and management of 3D stacks but still, knowledge is scattered and a comprehensive understanding is lacking. This research work focuses on bringing together the limited work on thermal analysis and thermal management in 3D vertically integrated circuits available in the literature. A compilation and analysis of the results from investigations on thermal management in 3D stacks is presented in this review with special emphasis on experimental studies conducted on different thermal management strategies. Furthermore, 3D integration technologies, thermal management challenges, and advanced 2D thermal management solutions are discussed.
Adhesion and frictional force measurements employing scanning probe microscopy in a pentafluoropropane gas atmosphere
Authors: Okada Makoto , Iwasa Masayuki , Hiroshima Hiroshi , Haruyama Yuichi , Kanda Kazuhiro , Matsui Shinji
Published: December 2011

Ultraviolet (UV) nanoimprinting is a useful technique to fabricate nanostructure devices with high throughput, high resolution, and low cost. To eliminate bubble defects, one of the main problems in UV nanoimprinting, UV nanoimprinting in an atmosphere of pentafluoropropane (PFP) gas, which is a condensable gas, is proposed. This process has been reported to reduce the demolding force. To examine the PFP gas effect in a nanometer-scale area, adhesion and frictional forces were measured by scanning probe microscopy in a PFP gas atmosphere. The results show that the adhesion and frictional forces measured by scanning probe microscopy in a PFP gas atmosphere were lower than those measured in air and a N2 gas atmosphere. Furthermore, the adhesion and frictional forces were found to depend on the PFP gas pressure.
Initiation of atomic layer deposition of metal oxides on polymer substrates by water plasma pretreatment
Authors: Steven Brandt E. , Grace Jeremy M.
Published: December 2011

The role of surface hydroxyl content in atomic layer deposition (ALD) of aluminum oxide (AO) on polymers is demonstrated by performing an atomic layer deposition of AO onto a variety of polymer types, before and after pretreatment in a plasma struck in water vapor. The treatment and deposition reactions are performed in situ in a high vacuum chamber that is interfaced to an x-ray photoelectron spectrometer to prevent adventitious exposure to atmospheric contaminants. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to follow the surface chemistries of the polymers, including theformation of surface hydroxyls and subsequent growth of AO by ALD. Using dimethyl aluminum isopropoxide and water as reactants, ALD is obtained for water-plasma-treated poly(styrene) (PS), poly(propylene) (PP), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN). For PS, PP, and PEN, initial growth rates of AO on the native (untreated) polymers are at least an order of magnitude lower than on the same polymer surface following the plasma treatment. By contrast, native PVA is shown to initiate ALD of AO as a result of the presence of intrinsic surface hydroxyls that are derived from the repeat unit of this polymer.
Process study of gadolinium aluminate atomic layer deposition fromthegadolinium tris-di-isopropylacetamidinate precursor
Authors: Rodriguez Leonard N. J. , Franquet A. , Brijs B. , Tielens H. , Adelmann C.
Published: December 2011

The growth of gadolinium aluminate films by atomic layer deposition from gadolinium tris-di-isopropylacetamidinate and trimethylaluminium was studied. The consequences of using water versus ozone as the oxidant were studied. The effects of pulse lengths, metal source ratios, and temperature were noted. Depositing two cycles of gadolinium oxide per cycle of aluminum oxide was found to yield films with a stiochiometry of Gd1.04AlO3 and a growth rate of 2.2 Å in aggregate for each set of gadolinium and aluminum cycles. The deposition rate was found to be stable between 210 and 325 °C. The use of ozone instead of water as the oxygen source was found to reduce the film uniformity. The densities ranged from 3 to 6 g/cm3 depending on the Gd content of the films. The impurity contamination of the films was measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry and infrared absorption and found consistent with carboxylated species. Theextracted bandgap for the Gd1.04AlO3 films was 5.8 eV. The films were amorphous as deposited.
Wide-angle antireflection ZnO films on bullet-like nanostructures of multi-crystalline silicon
Authors: Chen Sheng-Hui , Tseng Shao-Ze , Chen Wei , Cho Wen-Hao , Chan Chia-Hua
Published: December 2011

Nanosphere lithography and antireflection coating techniques have been applied to fabricate wide-angle antireflection structures on multicrystalline silicon substrates. Self-assembled 550-nm SiO2 nanospheres were arranged periodically to act as a mask to block the inductively coupled plasma dry etching and form bulletlike nanostructures on the surface of the multicrystalline silicon wafer. Then a 65-nm-thick zinc oxide film was deposited on the nanostructures using the atomic layer deposition method. The results show that when applying the nanostructure with a ZnO film the average reflectivity of the multicrystalline silicon wafer can be decreased from 36% to 0.65% in the wavelength range from 400 nm to 850 nm for an incident angle of 8°. When the incident angle reaches 60° the average reflectivity of the sample becomes less than 4.6%.
Two-bit/four-level Pr2O3 trapping layer for silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon-type flash memory
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsien , You Hsin-Chiang , Chien Chao-Hsin
Published: December 2011

This study proposes and demonstrates a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS)-type memory device based on a high-k dielectric praseodymium oxide (Pr2O3) trapping layer. In the proposed design, channel hot electron injection programming and band-to-band hot-hole injection erasing allow highly efficient two-bit and four-level device operation. The proposed design also has a total memory window of 5 V, a ten-year Vt retention window larger than 0.8 V between adjacent levels, and enough memory window for 105 programming/erasing cycles of endurance. The proposed SONOS-type Pr2O3 trapping layer flash memory exhibits large memory windows, high program/erase speed, good endurance, and good disturbance characteristics.
Physical and electrical properties of thermally oxidized dielectrics on Si-capped Ge-on-Si substrate
Authors: Zheng Yuanyu , Liu Guanzhou , Li Cheng , Huang Wei , Chen Songyan , Lai Hongkai
Published: December 2011

Thermal oxidation of silicon (Si)-capped germanium (Ge) epilayer on Si substrate is performed to study the effect of the physical interface on the electrical properties of Ge metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors. During the growth and oxidation of the Si cap layer, Ge atoms diffuse through the Si cap layer, and they are oxidized to GeO2. Once the Si cap layer is consumed, more Ge suboxides are generated, resulting in the serious degradation of the capacitance-voltage characteristics. Both the positive fixed charges generated by the evaporation of GeO and the negative fixed charges induced by the formation of Si-O- dangling bonds are proposed to affect the flat-band voltage shifts. These results suggest that the deposition of a thin Si cap layer on Ge is effective in suppressing the generation of Ge sub-oxides during thermal oxidation, thereby improving the performance of Ge capacitors.
Stop Signals Provide Cross Inhibition in Collective Decision-Making by Honeybee Swarms
Authors: Seeley Thomas D. , Visscher P. Kirk , Schlegel Thomas , Hogan Patrick M. , Franks Nigel R. , Marshall James A. R.
Published: December 2011

Stop, Don't Go There

Decision-making in complex brains requires the reaching of a consensus based on information relayed by multiple neurons. A similar situation occurs in the decision-making process of swarming bees, where multiple individuals relay information about suitable hive sites, but a single site is chosen by the swarm.

Seeley
et al.

(p.
108
, published online 8 December; see the Perspective by

Niven

) show that consensus in this system is reached as information from scouting bees accumulates within the hive. Stop signals were given by scout bees from a particular site to those scout bees signaling from other sites. As the signals accumulate, scouting ceases and the bees prepare to swarm to the site that was best represented among the scouts. When this process was simulated, the results indicated that cross-inhibition among the bees functions similarly to that which occurs among neurons within complex brains. In both cases, such cross-inhibition prevents the overall system from coming to an impasse.
Comparison of Lysis Filtration and an Automated Blood Culture System (BACTEC) for Detection, Quantification, and Identification of Odontogenic Bacteremia in Children
Authors: Lucas Victoria S. , Lytra Vasiliki , Hassan Thoraya , Tatham Helen , Wilson M. , Roberts Graham J.
Published: December 2011

Lysis filtration (LyF) was compared with BACTEC PAEDS PLUS in estimating the prevalence of, and sensitivity for, detection of odontogenic bacteremia. Both real bacteremia and simulated bacteremia (seeded blood or saline samples) were assessed to determine the validity of LyF in estimating bacteremia. The simulated bacteremia was also used to assess the reliability of LyF to estimate intensity of bacteremia in CFU per milliliter of blood. Reference organisms were used to assess the abilities of LyF and BACTEC to isolate known oral streptococci. There was no difference in the number of CFU per milliliter of seeded saline, seeded blood, and drop cultures of the organisms plated directly onto agar. Blood cell volume had a negligible effect on the yield of organisms for simulated bacteremia. When LyF and BACTEC were compared, the time to detection of bacteremia was always significantly shorter for BACTEC. For aerobic cultures, these times were 43.7 and 9.6 h, respectively (
P
< 0.01). For anaerobic cultures, these times were 45.1 and 9.9 h, respectively (
P
< 0.01). These differences occurred as well for bacteremia following the extraction of a single tooth, with LyF and BACTEC aerobic cultures taking 78 and 30.5 h, respectively (
P
< 0.0001). For anaerobic cultures, the times were 90.8 and 45 h, respectively (
P
< 0.0004). A preextraction bacteremia was detected on 2.1% of occasions with BACTEC compared to 31% of occasions with LyF (
P
< 0.05) The use of LyF was an effective and reliable means of estimating the intensity of pre- and postextraction bacteremia. The values were 3.6 and 5.9 CFU/ml, respectively (
P
< 0.4729), and the difference was not statistically significant. In summary, BACTEC is quicker than LyF, but less sensitive. LyF provides additional important information in estimating the intensity of bacteremia.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Porcine Circovirus-Like Agent
Authors: Wen LiBin , He KongWang , Yu ZhengYu , Mao AiHua , Ni YanXiu , Zhang XueHan , Guo RongLi , Li Bin , Wang XiaoMin , Zhou JunMing , Lv LiXin
Published: December 2011

We report here the genome sequence of a porcine circovirus-like agent. The sequenced genome of this porcine circovirus-like agent is composed of a 648-nucleotide circular DNA that includes three predicted protein-coding genes, which means the agent should be a novel member of the family
Circoviridae
.
A retrospective cohort study to re-evaluate clinical correlates for intracranial injury in minor head injury
Authors: Sheehan Alison , Batchelor John S
Published: December 2011

Introduction

The aim of this study was to determine the Relative Risk (RR) ratios for common clinical correlates in adult patients with minor head injury in a cohort of patients in which loss of consciousness (LOC) and post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) were not the only entry criteria for CT scanning.

Methods

The computerised CT request notes were reviewed on all patients who underwent a CT head scan with a minor head injury over a 1-year period (January 2009–December 2009). The clinical signs and symptoms at presentation were extracted from the request notes and the RR ratios were calculated for five clinical correlates: LOC, PTA, vomiting, nausea and headache.

Results

456 Glasgow coma scale (GCS) 15 patients underwent CT scanning during the period January 2009–December 2009. 55 of the 456 patients had positive CT findings (12%). 270 patients (59%) of the GCS 15 cohort had neither LOC nor PTA and of this subgroup 27 had positive scans. LOC was the only clinical correlate in which the RR reached statistical significance; RR 2.0930 (95% CI 1.25 to 3.50). However, vomiting accounted for four cases, headache for four cases and nausea for no cases.

Conclusions

Using LOC or PTA as the principal entry criterion for CT scanning may result in a significant number of patients with traumatic intracranial injury being missed. Using a less stringent approach still achieved an acceptable CT abnormality rate.
Knowledge, attitude and response of mothers about fever in their children
Authors: Arica Seçil Gunher , Arica Vefik , Onur Hatice , Gülbayzar Sayat , Dağ Hüseyin , Obut Ömer
Published: December 2011

Aim

This study was conducted to determine mothers' knowledge about fever, and their attitudes and responses to fever in children, along with the influence of demographic characteristics on the level of knowledge, and to identify occurrences of fear of fever.

Materials and Methods

The study consisted of 4500 mothers with children 0–12 years of age who were referred to the pediatric health and disease polyclinic and primary care polyclinic over a period of 24 months. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing 32 open-ended, multichoice questions, and assessed using number, percentage and χ2analyses.

Results

In this study, 36% of mothers regarded body temperatures lower than 37°C as fever; 83% believed that fever was harmful for their children, and 92.3% experienced fear and concern due to their child's fever. The most significant reason for fear was the belief that the child may have a seizure. Moreover, 12% of mothers feared that their child would die due to fever. The level of fear triggered by fever was lower as the education level of the mothers increased. Meanwhile, when their child had a fever, 28.9% of mothers used antifebrile drugs without consulting a physician, while 19% applied cold water and 7.7% applied water with alcohol or vinegar, among other inappropriate practices.

Conclusion

Increased information about fevers geared towards the caregivers of children, particularly mothers, would prevent the unnecessary treatment of children, as well as minimising delayed and insufficient responses to fever.