bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modification of Pinus sylvestris L. wood with quat- and amino-silicones of different chain lengths
Authors: Ghosh Shyamal C. , Militz Holger , Mai Carsten
Published: November 2012

The water-related properties of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood have been improved by treatment with quat- and amino-silicones of different chain lengths. Standard leaching test and hot water Soxhlet extraction (6 h) showed that the amino-silicones are better fixed in wood than the quat-silicones. A water dipping test (24 h) revealed that both quat- and amino-silicones made wood hydrophobic; however, amino-silicones were more effective in reducing water uptake. The long-chained silicones of both types resulted in higher water repellent effectiveness compared with the respective short-chained silicones. As demonstrated by assessing cell wall bulking, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and SEM energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, silicones with short chains penetrated the cell wall better than those with long chains regardless of the silicone type. The maximum antishrink efficiency of approximately 60% was attained with short-chained amino-silicone at approximately 39% weight percent gain. The short-chained silicones show more potential to enhance the water-related properties of solid wood and for the development of silicone-based industrial wood modification processes.
Cloning and characterization of a 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase from Eleutherococcus trifoliatus
Authors: Ma Li-Ting , Wang Sheng-Yang , Tseng Yen-Hsueh , Lee Yi-Ru , Chu Fang-Hua
Published: November 2012

The 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) are a family of enzymes that have an important role in plant triterpene biosynthesis. In this study, an OSC gene designed EtLUS from Eleutherococcus trifoliatus has been cloned. EtLUS includes a 2292-bp open reading frame and encodes a 763-amino acid protein. EtLUS has an MLCYCR motif, which is conserved in lupeol synthases. Comparison of active-site residues and gene expression in yeast showed that EtLUS synthesizes lupeol. However, EtLUS has the highest sequence identity with β-amyrin synthases from Araliaceae rather than lupeol synthases, adding new perspective to the evolution of the OSCs of Araliaceae. Furthermore, EtLUS is upregulated in leaf tissues under methyl jasmonate treatment, which can be interpreted that lupeol and its derivatives play an ecological and physiological role in plant defense against pathogens and insect herbivores.
Measuring the thermal properties of green wood by the transient plane source (TPS) technique
Authors: Dupleix Anna , Kusiak Andrzej , Hughes Mark , Rossi Fréderic
Published: November 2012

The thermal properties of wood in the green state have been determined by the transient plane source (TPS) technique. Data are presented on thermal conductivity (λ), heat capacity (C), and thermal diffusivity (κ) at moisture contents (MCs) above the fiber saturation point, which are based on measurements using the HotDisk® apparatus. Four wood species (Douglas fir, beech, birch, and spruce) were tested, and the results are compared with literature data and those obtained by the flash method. A linear relationship was found between the thermal properties λ, C, and κ on the one hand and MC on the other. Equations predicting the thermal values as a function of MC and wood anisotropy are presented. Wood C and λ increase with MC, but wet wood diffuses heat more rapidly than dry wood.
Kinetics of Mechanical Alloying, Mechanical Properties of Micro and Nanostructural Al-C Systems
Authors: Besterci Michal , Sülleiová Katarína , Velgosová Oksana
Published: November 2012

A method of mechanical alloying process is described. Carbon transformation to Al4C3 is characterized within the different heat treatment schedules and nine commercial carbon powders are tested. The micromechanism of carbon incorporation into the metallic powder, and its compacting are described. The influence of dispersed carbides on mechanical properties is evaluated together with the influence of deformation on microstructure and properties. It was proved that the transformation efficiency of carbon to Al4C3 by heat treatment of aluminium with the porous furnace black and electrographite is higher than that of the hard cracked graphite. Microstructure changes consisted of the fracture processes and welding of the particles with incorporation of C phase and forming of final granules. The dispersed phase Al4C3 particle size was measured on thin foil structures, and it was constant and as small as 30 nm. The particle size was influenced neither by the carbon type nor by the heat treatment technology applied. Subgrain size measured in the range of 100 grains in thin foils depended on the carbon type, as well. It ranged from 0.3 to 0.7 µm. Using a DSI (depth sensing indentation technique), the Martens hardness, indentation modulus E and deformation work W for Al matrix and Al4C3 particles have been measured. The temperature dependence of ductility, and reduction of area in the temperature range of 623–723 K and strain rate of 10−1 s−1, indicated a considerable increase of these properties. In a case when the volume fraction of Al4C3 changes from lower to higher, the grain rotation mechanism dominates instead of the grain boundary sliding. The comparison of the tensile test results and changes in fracture for the Al-Al4C3 system at two temperatures and two strain rates is summarized. The dependence of the minimum deflection rate on the applied force as well as the dependence of the time to fracture on the applied force for two temperature levels (623 and 723 K) by small punch testing are depicted. The composite was tested in two different states: a) as received by mechanical alloying with hot extrusion (HE) as the final operation and b) ECAPed (mean grain size of 100–200 nm). The dependence of the minimum deflection rate on the applied force as well as the dependence of the time to fracture on the applied force for two temperature levels are evaluated. The anisotropy of the creep properties and fracture using small punch tests for the Al-Al4C3 system produced by ECAP were analysed.
Educating for the future: adolescent girls’ health and education in West Bengal, India
Authors: Rees Chris A. , Long Katelyn N. , Gray Bobbi , West Joshua H. , Chanani Sheila , Spielberg Freya , Crookston Benjamin T.
Published: November 2012

Adolescent girls in India carry a disproportionate burden of health and social risks; girls that do not finish secondary education are more likely to have an earlier age of sexual initiation, engage in risky sexual behavior, and consequentially be at greater risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes. This paper presents a comparison of girls in school and girls not in school from 665 participants in rural West Bengal, India. The social cognitive theory (SCT), a comprehensive theoretical model, was used as a framework to describe the personal, behavioral, and environmental factors affecting the lives of these adolescent girls. There were significant differences between girls in and out of school in all three categories of the SCT; girls in school were more likely to have heard of sexually transmitted diseases or infections than girls not in school (p<0.0001). Girls in school were also more likely than girls not in school to boil water before drinking (p=0.0078), and girls in school lived in dwellings with 2.3 rooms on average, whereas girls not in school lived in dwellings with only 1.7 rooms (p<0.0001). Indian adolescent girls who are not in school are disadvantaged both economically and by their lack of health knowledge and proper health behaviors when compared with girls who are still in school. In addition, to programs to keep girls in school, efforts should also be made to provide informal education to girls not in school to improve their health knowledge and behaviors.
Internet use, misuse, and addiction in adolescents: current issues and challenges
Authors: Greydanus Donald E. , Greydanus Megan M.
Published: November 2012

The Internet has revolutionized education and social communication in the 21st century. This article reviews the growing literature identifying a number of adolescents and young adults with a pathologically excessive Internet use leading to many potential consequences. Current research dilemmas in this area include that Internet addiction is a broad topic with no standard definition and no standard measurement tools. Management of youth with identified problematic Internet use or misuse centers on behavioral therapy and treatment of comorbidities. Pharmacologic approaches are limited at this time but are undergoing research, such as use of opioid antagonists and antidepressants in adults with pathological gambling. Efforts should be expanded on not only the education of all adolescents regarding the benefits but also the potential negative consequences of Internet use. It is vital that we do this for Generation Z, whereas Generation ALPHA will soon benefit or suffer from our efforts in this regard today.
Early executive function deficit in preterm children and its association with neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood: a literature review
Authors: Sun Jing , Buys Nicholas
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study is to examine the association of deficits of executive function (EF) and neurodevelopmental disorders in preterm children and the potential of assessing EF in infants as means of early identification. EF refers to a collection of related but somewhat discrete abilities, the main ones being working memory, inhibition, and planning. There is a general consensus that EF governs goal-directed behavior that requires holding those plans or programs on-line until executed, inhibiting irrelevant action and planning a sequence of actions. EF plays an essential role in cognitive development and is vital to individual social and intellectual success. Most researchers believe in the coordination and integrate cognitive–perceptual processes in relation to time and space, thus regulating higher-order cognitive processes, such as problem solving, reasoning, logical and flexible thinking, and decision-making. The importance of the maturation of the frontal lobe, particularly the prefrontal cortex, to the development of EF in childhood has been emphasized. Therefore, any abnormal development in the prefrontal lobes of infants and children could be expected to result in significant deficits in cognitive functioning. As this is a late-maturing part of the brain, various neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, language disorders, and schizophrenia, as well as acquired disorders of the right brain (and traumatic brain injury) impair EF, and the prefrontal cortex may be particularly susceptible to delayed development in these populations. The deficits of EF in infants are persistent into childhood and related to neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and adolescence.
Access to contraception and HIV testing among young women in a peri-urban district of Uganda
Authors: Mbonye Anthony K. , Wamono Felix
Published: November 2012

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess care-seeking practices for contraception and human immune deficiency virus (HIV) testing services among young women (14–24 years) in a peri-urban district of Uganda.

Methods: A formative study assessed care-seeking practices among women in Wakiso district, Central Uganda. A survey was carried out in 11 randomly selected parish clusters targeting women in the reproductive age group. Data on current use of contraception, information from women who had been tested for HIV, future desire for an HIV test, and choice of care were captured.

Results: A total of 10,993 women were interviewed of whom young women were 5384 (49.0%). The proportion of young women using a method of contraception was less, 2446 (45.8%), compared with 2832 (54.3%) for older women, p=0.0001. Few adolescents (14–19 years), 850 (45.3%), had tested for HIV compared with older women, p=0.0001, whereas majority of the young women, 1321 (75.5%), wished to have an HIV test compared with older women, 742 (66.0%), p=0.0001. Fear for an HIV test was common among women of both age groups, p=0.9. Data further show that young women were less likely to deliver at hospitals, 1582 (50.8%), compared with older women, 2586 (53.3%), p=0.0001. Similarly, a lesser proportion of young women, 845 (50.4%), sought contraception at hospitals compared with older women, 1432 (54.4%), p=0.004. The factors that most influenced access to services were age, educational level, source of care, marital status, and future intention to use a particular service.

Conclusions: Young women are less likely to access contraception and HIV testing services in this district. These results will be useful in designing and evaluating future interventions targeting young women.
Exploring resilience: strengths of trafficking survivors in Cambodia
Authors: Gray Glori G. , Luna Lilia , Seegobin Winston
Published: November 2012

Western literature provides an array of information regarding resilience within at-risk youth. Resilience research within non-Western contexts, and more specifically with exploited youth, is more limited. Despite exploitation, some youth develop a hardy ability to overcome adversity, allowing them more mastery over their environments and even increased psychological steadfastness. This project involved exploring the protective factors of resilience and psychological functioning in Cambodian youth, specifically a group of 24 survivors of sexual trafficking and another group of 24 rural youth without reported exploitation. The ages of participants ranged from 13 to 22 years, with the average age being 15.62 years [standard deviation (SD=2.68)]. Results indicated resilience constructs (mastery and relatedness) correlated with psychological functioning (anxiety and depression), as expected. The sense of relatedness was moderately associated with age. Also, as predicted, the trafficked young women demonstrated more resilience and less pathology. Consistent with previous research, earlier trauma is believed to inoculate survivors of trauma against further stress, mobilize them to better confront adversity and reduce psychological disruptions. Understanding these issues can help in understanding the relationship between resilience factors and psychological functioning as well as the strengths of many trauma survivors. Their strengths are particularly useful for developing effective treatment protocols for traumatized youth from non-Western backgrounds.
Deliberate self-poisoning: a study from Nablus
Authors: Sawalha Ansam F.
Published: November 2012

Aim: Arab Palestinians have experienced intense political, domestic and economic stressful conditions, which can increase the risk of self-harm. No previous studies haves been published to describe the patterns and rates of deliberate self-harm, particularly self-poisoning, in the Palestinian Authority. The objective of this study was to investigate deliberate self-poisoning in the Palestinian Authority.

Methods: All patients admitted to the emergency department of Al-Watani Governmental Hospital from May 2008 to April 2009 and identified as deliberate self-poisoning were investigated. The demographic and clinical data of the subjects were analyzed using SPSS16.

Results: A total of 54 individuals were identified. The mean age of these patients was 23.8±7.9 years and less than one-third (16; 29.6%) were under 18 years of age. The majority of the patients were female (35; 64.8%). Two-thirds (37; 68.5%) of the patients were Nablus city residents. An overdose of pharmaceutical products (39; 72.2%) was the most common method of self-poisoning. Significant associations were found between the type of material used in self-poisoning and place of residence (p=0.008) as well as gender (p=0.021). Gastric lavage was performed for 23 (42.6%) individuals, while only four (7.4%) received activated charcoal, and six (11.1%) had both.

Conclusion: Rates of deliberate self-poisoning in the Palestinian Authority are lower than those reported from developed countries, but higher than that reported from other Arab countries. Regulations regarding the sale and storage of poisonous agricultural chemicals are needed in the Palestinian Authority.
Can prenatal detection of Down syndrome be improved by enhancing obstetricians’ skills of performing adequate foetal cardiac examination at the primary level?a
Authors: Gersak Ksenija , Vesel Samo
Published: November 2012

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in live-born infants with Down syndrome (DS) and to investigate whether these CHDs might be detected during routine second trimester ultrasound screening performed at the primary level.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 66 cases of DS in live-born infants. The infants with DS underwent a detailed echocardiographic examination to evaluate cardiac morphological characteristics and function.

Results: Thirty-six live-born DS infants (54.5%) had associated CHDs. According to the apical four-chamber view at the first postnatal echocardiographic examination, we estimated that 20 (55.6%) of the 36 patients with associated CHDs should have been identified during the routine second-trimester prenatal scan [17 infants with complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), two with partial AVSD, and one with non-restrictive perimembranous ventricular septal defect] if the results had been correctly interpreted. An additional seven patients with associated CHDs should have been identified if the evaluation of both outflow tracts had been included into the screening protocol.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that the prenatal DS detection rate can be significantly increased by improving obstetricians’ skills of performing adequate foetal cardiac examination as part of the routine 18- to 23-week ultrasound examination at the primary level.
Feeding on the edge: the diet of the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius (Linnaeus 1758) on the northern periphery of its distributional range
Authors: Juškaitis Rimvydas , Baltrūnaitė Laima
Published: November 2012

Although the hazel dormouse
Stimuli responsive nanomaterials for controlled release applications
Authors: Li Song , Li Wengang , Khashab Niveen M.
Published: November 2012

The controlled release of therapeutics has been one of the major challenges for scientists and engineers during the past three decades. Coupled with excellent biocompatibility profiles, various nanomaterials have showed great promise for biomedical applications. Stimuli-responsive nanomaterials guarantee the controlled release of cargo to a given location, at a specific time, and with an accurate amount. In this review, we have combined the major stimuli that are currently used to achieve the ultimate goal of controlled and targeted release by “smart” nanomaterials. The most heavily explored strategies include (1) pH, (2) enzymes, (3) redox, (4) magnetic, and (5) light-triggered release.
Laser therapy applications for osteoarthritis and chronic joint pain – A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Marquina Nelson , Dumoulin-White Roger , Mandel Arkady , Lilge Lothar
Published: November 2012

A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate an adjunctive treatment modality for pain associated with knee disorders was conducted utilizing a therapeutic laser system (low energy, non-surgical).

The therapeutic laser system utilized a dual wavelength, multiple diode laser cluster probe with five super-pulsed 905 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser diodes, each emitting at 40 mW average power and four continuous wave 660 nm visible (VIS) red laser diodes, each emitting at 25 mW. It was used as an adjunctive modality providing 12 treatments, three times a week to a homogeneous patient population (n=126), in combination with standardized chiropractic techniques, to evaluate effectiveness on subjects presenting with osteoarthritis and knee pain. The primary endpoint was measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) to assess pain levels on a scale of 0–10. The success criteria for an individual patient in this study were identified as an improvement of 30% or more in the VAS from baseline to 12th treatment and/or an improvement of 20% or more in the VAS from baseline to 30-day follow-up evaluation.

The data obtained in the study demonstrated that the present therapeutic laser system provided significant pain relief and osteoarthritic improvements in all primary evaluation criteria, with a statistical and clinical significance of
Current situation on analysis of marine toxins
Authors: Botana Ana M. , Otero Paz , Rodríguez Paula , Alfonso Amparo , Botana Luis M.
Published: November 2012

Marine toxins are a food safety concern worldwide. This review discusses current analytical methods for those toxins that are legally regulated in Europe, namely domoic acid, saxitoxin, okadaic acid, yessotoxin, pectenotoxin and azaspiracids, and all their analogues, and those that are not regularly monitored but are a threat to humans, such as tetrodotoxin, ciguatoxins and cyclic imines. Because of legislative changes that were implemented in 2011, most legally required methods are chromatographic. Saxitoxin and domoic acid are monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescent and ultraviolet detection, respectively. All other toxins are monitored nowadays by means of chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry detection.
Influence of nanoparticle on hygroscopic thickness swelling rate of composites from hemp fiber and recycled plastic
Authors: Kord Behzad
Published: November 2012

In this study, the effect of nanoparticle on hygroscopic thickness swelling rate of composites from hemp fiber and recycled plastic was investigated. To meet this objective, hemp fiber was mixed with either virgin or recycled polypropylene (PP) at 50% by weight fiber loading. The samples were made by melt compounding and then injection molding. The concentration was varied as 0, 1, and 3 per hundred compounds (phc) for nanoclay. The amount of coupling agent was fixed at 2 phc for all formulations. The long-term thickness swelling rate of samples was evaluated by immersing them in water at room temperature for several weeks (up to 3000 h). The results indicated that whether or not virgin plastic is used has a significant effect on the thickness swelling of composites. The thickness swelling of the hemp fiber/recycled plastic composites was higher than those of virgin plastics. Furthermore, with the addition of nanoclay content in composites, thickness swelling decreased. The swelling rate parameter (KSR) of the composites was influenced by plastics virginity and nanoclay. The minimum KSR values were observed in composites made of 50VPP/50F/2C/3N. Morphological findings showed that samples containing 1 phc of nanoclay had higher order of intercalation and better dispersion.
Hänge ihn an den Baum des Unheils (Liv. 1,26,11) – das Kreuz in römischen Hochverrats-Prozessen
Authors: Zilling Henrike Maria
Published: November 2012

Bevor diese Untersuchung sich auf den Kerngegenstand, die Kreuzigungspraxis im römischen Hochverrats-Prozeß bezieht, werden die antiken Wurzeln dieser Todesstrafe skizziert. Ausführlich wird auf die von Mommsen in seinem Strafrecht vorgenommene Analyse der Kreuzesstrafe in römischen Hochverrats-Prozessen Bezug genommen. Besonders wird die Exekutionspraxis nach altem Brauch untersucht, die, anders als Mommsen es dargestellt hat, nicht immer als Kreuzigung im engeren Sinne zu sehen ist, insbesondere, wenn es sich um Hinrichtungen freier römischer Bürger handelte. Diese Untersuchung steht vielmehr in einem Forschungsdiskurs, der deutliche Belege für eine Rechtspraxis sieht, die die Kreuzigung Barbaren und Sklaven vorbehält. Der Aufsatz befaßt sich eingehend mit der Kreuzigungspraxis zur Zeit Jesu. Auch hier stützt der Quellenbefund Mommsens Sichtweise nicht, letztlich wegen dessen definitorisch unscharfer Relation zwischen Kreuzigung und furca. Die Praxis der Geißelung wird im weiteren eingehend im Zusammenhang mit der Kreuzigung untersucht. Die auch als Einzelstrafe angewandte Geißelung erfolgte wegen ihrer Härte zumeist vor einer Kreuzigung. Zum Abschluß des Aufsatzes wird die Kreuzigung Jesu rekonstruiert und in ihren historisch-sozialen Kontext der Hinrichtungspraxis Roms gestellt.
Bad Emperors on the Rise: Negative assessments of imperial investitures, AD 284–395
Authors: Icks Martijn
Published: November 2012

In this article, the author examines how imperial investiture rituals, which normally served to boost the prestige of aspiring rulers, could be turned against them by hostile authors. In their descriptions, these authors deviated from the ideal patterns to make imperial candidates look bad or ridiculous. The focus is on the period AD 284–395. Three cases are analyzed in detail, namely those of Maximinus Daia (AD 305), Jovian (AD 363) and Procopius (AD 365), followed by an analysis of negative descriptions of investitures in late antiquity in general. Contrary to accounts from the principate, when criticism focussed on a candidate’s immoral behaviour during his investiture, negative descriptions from the late third and fourth centuries also put great emphasis on uninspired acclamations and the use of improper attributes to signal that someone was/would be a bad ruler. Thus authors not only questioned a candidate’s morality, but his legitimacy as well.
Radiation-induced nitration of organic compounds in aqueous solutions
Authors: Ershov B. G. , Gordeev A. V. , Bykov G. L. , Moisy Philippe
Published: November 2012

Radiolysis in aqueous nitrate and acetic acid solutions and nitrate/nitric acid and phenol was studied. The radiolysis of these solutes occurs with •NO2 radical, which is the active nitrating agent. Accumulation of nitromethane and nitrite was determined during γ-irradiation of aqueous solutions containing acetic and nitrate solutions. Irradiation of aqueous phenol–nitrate/nitric acid solutions results in the formation of 2- and 4-nitrophenols.
Explanation for the stacking disorder in tris(bicyclo[2.1.1]hexeno)benzene using lattice-energy minimisations
Authors: Schmidt Martin U. , Glinnemann Jürgen
Published: November 2012

The stacking disorder in the hexagonal polymorph of tris(bicyclo[2.1.1]hexeno)benzene, C18H18, is explained by lattice-energy minimisations. The compound crystallises in layers withP(-6)2mlayer-group symmetry. Each layer can be placed in one of three possible positions. Possible stacking sequences were derived from order-disorder (OD) theory and by a combinatorial approach. The resulting periodic model structures were optimised by lattice-energy minimisations. The calculations show thateclipsedarrangements of layers (sequencee.g. ABA) are energetically less favourable thannon-eclipsedones (sequencee.g. ABC). The reason was found in the deviation fromP(-6)2msymmetry. Molecules ineclipsedlayers are almost parallel to the layer plane, whereas molecules innon-eclipsedlayers are inclined to it by about 3° leading to a more efficient packing. The influence of the next-nearest layers was found to be not a direct one, but mediated by the distortion of the layers between them. Using Boltzmann statistics, the stacking probabilities for all four-layer sequences were calculated. The results match well with the probabilities derived from the diffuse scattering by Bürgiet al.(2005) (Z. Kristallogr. 220, 1066–1075). The lattice-energy minimisations allowed to determine the actual local structures in all individual layers including packing effects like rotation of molecules, lateral shifts, and to calculate the stacking layer thickness, depending on the actual layer sequences.

The diffraction pattern, calculated from a lattice-energy optimised structure with 54 layers, is similar to the experimental one, and even approximates the diffuse scattering.
Associations of Work Hours and Actual Availability of Weekly Rest Days with Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Itani Osamu , Kaneita Yoshitaka , Ikeda Maki , Kondo Shuji , Murata Atsushi , Ohida Takashi
Published: November 2012

Associations of Work Hours and Actual Availability of Weekly Rest Days with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Osamu ITANI, et al. Division of Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine—

Objectives

The aim of study was to determine the associations of work hours and actual availability of weekly rest days with the onset of lifestyle‐related diseases such as obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low levels of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and hyperglycemia.

Methods

For this longitudinal study, we used data from checkups conducted in 1999 and 2006 for 30,194 men who worked for a local public institution in Japan. We calculated the cumulative incidence rates of onset of obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL cholesterol over this 7‐year period and performed a χ2test to determine the association between the above diseases and work conditions (work hours and actual availability of weekly rest days) at the time of the baseline survey. We then performed multiple logistic regression analysis of the diseases that showed significant associations.

Results

The adjusted odds ratio for the onset of hypertriglyceridemia in subjects who worked ≥9 hours was high (1.11 [95% CI: 1.02−1.22], p=0.02) in comparison with those who worked <9 hours. The adjusted odds ratio for the onset of hypertriglyceridemia in subjects who could not often take weekly rest days was high (1.13 [95% CI: 1.01−1.27], p=0.03) in comparison with those who were able to take most of the available weekly rest days off work.

Conclusions

These results show that work hours and actual availability of weekly rest days independently predict the onset of hypertriglyceridemia. Working only regular hours and taking advantage of weekly rest days can contribute to the prevention of hypertriglyceridemia.
Personality and Resilience Associated with Perceived Fatigue of Local Government Employees Responding to Disasters
Authors: Kitamura Hideaki , Shindo Masanobu , Tachibana Akira , Honma Hiroko , Someya Toshiyuki
Published: November 2012

Personality and Resilience Associated with Perceived Fatigue of Local Government Employees Responding to Disasters: Hideaki KITAMURA, et al. Department of Psychiatry, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences—

Objectives

According to some newspapers, concerns are growing over the health of local government employees in the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster areas. Concerns were consistently present after the Hanshin‐Awaji and Niigata‐Chuetsu earthquakes but not studied analytically.

Methods

Municipal employees responding to the disasters after an earthquake and floods answered a questionnaire about the degrees of workload, fatigue, psychological distress, resilience and personality traits.

Results

Twothirds of the employees suffered fatigue and psychological distress, which were significantly correlated with workload but inversely correlated with emotional stability personality traits and psychological resilience.

Conclusions

Together with substantial workload, individual differences in emotional stability and to lesser degree in resilience were found to have an impact on perceived fatigue. These individual factors should be considered as potential mediators of distresses among local government employees responding to disasters.
A 3‐dB Quadrature WLP Coupler for 60 GHz Applications
Authors: Kiumarsi Hamid , Ito Hiroyuki , Ishihara Noboru , Okada Kenichi , Uemichi Yusuke , Chiba Yasuto , Masu Kazuya
Published: November 2012

A 60 GHz tandem coupler using offset broadside coupled lines is proposed in a WLP (Wafer Level Packaging) technology. The fabricated coupler has a core chip area of 750 μm × 385 μm (0.288 mm2). The measured results show an insertion loss of 0.44 dB, an amplitude imbalance of 0.03 dB and a phase difference of 87.6° at 60 GHz. Also the measurement shows an insertion loss of less than 0.67 dB, an amplitude imbalance of less than 0.31 dB, a phase error of less than 3.7°, an isolation of more than 29.7 dB and a return loss of more than 27.9 dB at the input ant coupled ports and more than 14.3 dB at the direct and isolated ports over the frequency band of 57-66 GHz, covering 60 GHz band both in Japan and US. To the best of our knowledge the proposed coupler achieves the lowest ever reported insertion loss and amplitude imbalance for a 3-dB coupler on a silicon substrate. With its superior performance and lower cost compared to the CMOS counterparts, the proposed coupler is a suitable candidate for low-cost high-performance millimeter-wave systems.
A Green Approach to Reversibly Tuning the Optical Properties of Metal Oxides
Authors: Lee Szetsen , Peng Jr-Wei
Published: November 2012

Metal oxide (MO) films (ZnO and CuO) were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and treated with hydrogen and oxygen plasmas. From uv-visible transmittance spectra, we have found that the optical band gaps of MO films blue-shifted with hydrogen plasma treatment, but red-shifted with oxygen plasma treatment. By alternating the treatment sequence of hydrogen and oxygen plasmas, the MO optical band gap values can be reversibly tuned with the tunable ranges as wide as 80 and 550 meV for ZnO and CuO, respectively. The mechanism for reversible tuning of optical property is proposed based on the results of optical emission, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy characterization. Compared to conventional metal ion doping and high temperature annealing methods, the use of low-temperature hydrogen and oxygen plasmas is more environmentally friendly.
Engineered Bone-Inspired Multicomponent Bionanocomposite Scaffolds with Tunable Hardness and Modulus
Authors: Labriola Matthew , Slaboch Constance , Ovaert Timothy C. , Wang Tao , Csaba George , Bayer Ilker S. , Dervishi Enkeleda , Biris Alexandru S. , Ghosh Anindya , Gupta Rajeev , Biswas Abhijit
Published: November 2012

We show a novel, bioengineered, moldable platform for bone regeneration composed of porous bionanocomposite scaffolds made of components that are normally found in bone tissue (calcium, collagen, carbonate, sodium, and phosphorous). To accommodate high- or low-stress environments, the hardness and modulus (stiffness) of these scaffolds can be tuned in a wide range in Megapascal (MPa) to Gigapascal (GPa) regions, while maintaining the required viscoelasticity. Our approach to control the mechanical properties is based on a new formulation of mineralized bioscaffolds by incorporation of calcium carbonate in which, calcium and phosphorous are in the form of calcite, calcium polyphosphate (CPP) and hydroxyapatite (HAP). The variation in the calcium carbonate concentration allows tuning of calcite/CPP contents in the bioscaffold to tailor the degree of mineralization and mechanical and viscoelastic properties that closely match those of natural bone. Our results demonstrate an ideal framework for new bone scaffold designs for advanced bone substitute applications.
On the Electrical and Photoluminescence Properties of Erbium Doped ZnO Thin Film
Authors: Chao Liang-Chiun , Liau Chung-Chi , Chang Wan-Chun
Published: November 2012

Er doped ZnO (Er:ZnO) thin films with Er concentration from 0.1 to 3.6 at. % were prepared by dual beam ion beam sputter deposition at room temperature. Experimental results show that as Er concentration increases from 0.1 to 1.1 at. %, the resistivity of the as-deposited Er:ZnO film decreases from 560 Ω·cm to a minimum of 0.23 Ω·cm, while further increasing Er concentration to 3.6 at. % results in increase of the resistivity to 4.2 kΩ·cm. The as-deposited Er:ZnO with Er concentration of 1.1 at.% also exhibits the highest carrier concentration of 2.3×1019 cm-3. None of the as-deposited Er:ZnO films show 1.5 μm emission without post-growth annealing. Er:ZnO film with Er concentration at 0.5~1.1 at.% shows the strongest 1.5 μm emission after annealing at 700 ~ 900°C, while all the Er:ZnO film becomes semi-insulating after annealing. The discrepancy between the processing conditions for optimized carrier concentration and optimized optically activated Er ions may due to the formation of the pseudo-octahedral structure after annealing that favors the 1.5 μm emission.
Protic Ionic Liquids Based on a Super-Strong Base: Correlation between Physicochemical Properties and ΔpKa
Authors: Miran Muhammed Shah , Kinoshita Hiroshi , Yasuda Tomohiro , Bin Hasan Susan Md. Abu , Dokko Kaoru , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: November 2012

1,8-Diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (DBU) was neutralized by a range of Brønsted acids with a wide variation in the ΔpKa values of their constituent acids and base. The salts exhibited properties characteristic of an ionic liquid, such as high thermal stability and liquidity near ambient temperature. Analyses of thermal behaviors and temperature dependencies of density, viscosity (η), and ionic conductivity were made to correlate the physicochemical properties with the ΔpKa value of the obtained protic ionic liquids (PILs). Differential thermal analyses (DTA) revealed that PILs with high ΔpKa values underwent thermal decomposition resembling their aprotic counterparts; however, PILs with a low ΔpKa exhibited the evaporation of neutral species progressively generated from the shifting of the equilibrium toward neutral components during the weight loss process. The ionicity of the PILs, determined from Walden plots utilizing density, conductivity, and viscosity data, was found to decrease as temperature increased, and this effect was more pronounced for low ΔpKa values, possibly because of the shifting of the equilibrium and the imbalance between strong hydrogen bonds and Coulombic interactions. Fragility, estimated from plots of log(η) versus the scaled temperature Tg/T was found to be lower for PILs than for DBU owing to neutralization. [DBU]-based PILs exhibit intermediate fragility in nature, but this fragility becomes more prominent for PILs with low ΔpKa values
Room Temperature Process for Chemical Vapor Deposition of Amorphous Silicon Carbide Thin Film Using Monomethylsilane Gas
Authors: Habuka Hitoshi , Ando Yusuke , Tsuji Masaki
Published: November 2012

The silicon carbide thin film formation process, completely performed at room temperature, was developed by argon plasma and a chemical vapor deposition using monomethylsilane gas. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry showed that siliconcarbon bonds existed in the obtained film, the surface of which could remain specular after the exposure to hydrogen chloride gas at 800 °C. The silicon dangling bonds formed at the silicon surface by the argon plasma are considered to easily accept the monomethylsilane molecules at room temperature to produce the amorphous silicon carbide film.
Effects of Post-Deposition Annealing Temperature on Band Alignment and Electrical Characteristics of Lanthanum Cerium Oxide on 4H-SiC
Authors: Lim Way F. , Cheong Kuan Y.
Published: November 2012

Investigation of lanthanum cerium oxide as a gate oxide on 4H-SiC was performed by varying post-deposition annealing temperature from 400 to 1000°C. Energy band alignment and band gap of bulk oxide and interfacial layer (IL) with respect to SiC were extracted using X-ray photoelectron microscopy. Two band alignment structures were proposed and the change of band alignment was affected by the changes in chemical composition in bulk oxide and in IL that may induce lattice strains and dipoles. A conduction band offset of IL/SiC was 0.97 eV for sample annealed at 1000°C, which was comparable to the value extracted from Fowler-Nordheim model. The acquisition of sufficient conduction band offset, coupled with the lowest slow trap density, effective oxide charges, interface trap density, as well as total interface trap density, yielded the lowest leakage current density for this sample.
Growth mechanism during selective epitaxy of p-doped SiC using VLS transport
Authors: Carole D. , Vo-Ha A. , Lazar M. , Thierry-Jebali N. , Tournier D. , Brosselard P. , Thomas A. , Soulière V. , Ferro G.
Published: November 2012

Since a few years, VLS transport is studied not only for homoepitaxial SiC growth but also for SiC selective epitaxial growth (SEG). In this approach, a stacking of silicon and aluminum layers is deposited on the substrate and patterns are created by photolithography. Upon melting, the Al-Si liquid droplets are fed by propane to obtain the SEG of p-doped SiC. In this work, the growth mechanisms were deeper investigated, in particular the influence of the carrier gas (H2 or Ar) and the growth temperature. SEG experiments showed higher growth rates than those measured in the standard configuration (nonselective growth). Moreover, the SiC layers exhibited step-bunched areas characteristic of liquid phase growth but also areas with morphological features due to a disruption of the step-bunching growth mode.
Argon incorporation on silicon carbide thin films deposited by bias co-sputtering technique
Authors: Medeiros H. S. , Pessoa R. S. , Fraga M. A. , Santos L. V. , Maciel H. S. , Massi M. , da Silva Sobrinho A. S.
Published: November 2012

The influence of negative substrate bias on the chemical, electrical and mechanical properties of silicon carbide (SiC) thin films deposited onto (100) silicon substrate by dc magnetron cosputtering without external substrate heating is reported. These studies were performed by using the following techniques: Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), profilometry, Raman spectroscopy, four-point probe method and nanoindentation. The results indicate that there is a good correlation between the substrate bias voltage and the argon incorporation into SiC film, namely, the SiC films deposited under substrate bias of –200 V and –300 V have higher argon content and higher elastic modulus and hardness than those deposited at 0 V. An opposite behavior was found for electrical resistivity: the SiC deposited at –300 V has resistivity of 0.45 Ω.cm whereas the deposited at 0 V has 7.0 Ω.cm.
Characterization of 4H <000-1> Silicon Carbide Films Grown by Solvent-Laser Heated Floating Zone
Authors: Woodworth Andrew A. , Sayir Ali , Neudeck Philip G. , Raghothamachar Balaji , Dudley Michael
Published: November 2012

Commercially available bulk silicon carbide (SiC) has a high number (>2000/cm2) of screw dislocations (SD) that have been linked to degradation of high-field power device electrical performance properties. Researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center have proposed a method to mass-produce significantly higher quality bulk SiC. In order for this bulk growth method to become reality, growth of long single crystal SiC fibers must first be achieved. Therefore, a new growth method, Solvent-Laser Heated Floating Zone (Solvent-LHFZ), has been implemented. While some of the initial Solvent-LHFZ results have recently been reported, this paper focuses on further characterization of grown crystals and their growth fronts. To this end, secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) depth profiles, cross section analysis by focused ion beam (FIB) milling and mechanical polishing, and orientation and structural characterization by X-ray transmission Laue diffraction patterns and X-ray topography were used. Results paint a picture of a chaotic growth front, with Fe incorporation dependant on C concentration.
A Biocompatible SiC RF Antenna for In-Vivo Sensing Applications
Authors: Afroz Shamima , Thomas Sylvia W , Mumcu Gokhan , Locke Christopher W. , Saddow Stephen E
Published: November 2012

In this study, we present a small-size implantable RF antenna (biosensor) which is made of fully biocompatible material, cubic silicon carbide. Silicon Carbide is one of the few semiconducting materials that combine biocompatibility and sensing potentiality. The hypothesis of a SiC based antenna, to be used for glucose monitoring, is that the changes in the medium surrounding the antenna affect the antenna properties such as input impedance and resonance frequency, and these changes can be used to estimate the patient’s plasma glucose level. An all-SiC patch antenna has been designed, simulated and fabricated with a target frequency of operation of 10 GHz. A Cu patch antenna was fabricated on SiC to serve as a reference antenna. The all-SiC antenna was realized by growing a poly-crystalline 3C-SiC film using CVD on a thick oxide layer that had been coated with poly-Si to serve as a growth template. A semi-insulating 4H-SiC substrate was used to minimize RF losses during operation.
Silicon Nanowire Integrated Electrolyte-Insulator-Semiconductor Sensor with an Above-Nernstian Sensitivity for Bio-Sensing Applications
Authors: Oh Jin Yong , Jang Hyun-June , Cho Won-Ju , Pala Nezih , Islam M. Saif
Published: November 2012

Highly sensitive electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) sensors were realized by the integration of Si nanowires (NWs), which were fabricated by using a simple and economic electroless wet etching technique. EIS sensors with NWs longer than 1 μm were observed to have considerably increased capacitance and high pH sensitivity. The pH sensitivity of the EIS sensor with 3.8 μm long NWs was 60.2 mV/pH, which is higher than the theoretical Nernstian of 59 mV/pH. The EIS sensors with NWs exhibited slightly worse pH hysteresis and drift properties than that of the conventional planar type EIS sensor. The increases in pH sensitivity, hysteresis and drift are attributable to the extended surface area of the EIS sensors enabled by the NWs.
ZnO Nanostructured Diodes: The Influence of Synthesis Conditions and p-type Material on Device Performance
Authors: Hatch S.M. , Dunn S.
Published: November 2012

We produce four distinct ZnO nanorod diode structures that are based on ZnO nanorods produced at pH 6 and pH 11 and have the p-type material PEDOT:PSS (hybrid device) or CuSCN (all inorganic device). After testing the performance of the diodes we show a rectification of 1050 at ±1V in the dark for the inorganic device. The device also exhibits good UV photodetection showing a rapid ca0.1ms turn on and off to a source of illumination. The hybrid devices performed as previously reported with a rectification of 25 at ±1V in both dark and under illumination. We ascribe the performance of the devices to the differences in morphology in the ZnO brought about by the processing conditions and the way in which the p-type layer coats the nanostructure.
Synthesis of Icosahedral Boron Arsenide Nanowires for Betavoltaic Applications
Authors: Frye Clint D. , Edgar J.H. , Zhang Yi , Cooper Kevin , Nyakiti Luke O. , Gaskill D.K.
Published: November 2012

With a wide band gap of greater than 3.0 eV and the ability to self-heal from radiation damage, icosahedral boron arsenide (B12As2) is an apt candidate for use in next-generation betavoltaics. By capturing and converting high energy electrons from radioisotopes into usable electricity, “nuclear batteries” made from B12As2 could potentially power devices for decades. Compared to bulk crystals or epitaxial films, B12As2 nanowires may have lower defect densities or may even be defect-free, leading to better electrical properties and device performance. In our study, B12As2 nanowires were synthesized via vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth using platinum powder and nickel powder on silicon carbide and 20 nm thick nickel film on silicon substrates from 700 °C to 1200 °C. Platinum yielded the highest quality nanowires from 900 °C to 950 °C, resulting in platinum particles densely covered with wires formed by straight segments connected by sharp angular kinks. At these growth temperatures, diameters ranged from less than 30 nm to about 300 nm as determined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Growth temperatures of 850 °C or less produced curled wires 200-1000 nm in diameter. Transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction revealed excellent crystallinity in wires grown above 850 °C, while wires grown at or below 850 °C were partially amorphous. Wires grown from the 20 nm nickel film displayed similar morphologies at temperatures up to 850 °C; from 900 °C to 950 °C, straight, isolated wires were grown with diameters of 200-400 nm. Nickel powder only produced wires larger than 1 μm in diameter. The comparative quality and growth of B12As2nanowires will be discussed.