bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Debating “Intrinsic Evil”
Authors: Jaycox Michael P.
Published: May 2014

Recent US election cycles, debates about the Affordable Care Act, and a variety of so-called culture war issues have placed the term “intrinsic evil” into public discourse. This issue's roundtable affords readers the opportunity to probe deeply various dimensions of the concept, such as the pedagogical effectiveness of the term, its current use in virtue ethics, and the rhetorical effectiveness of competing moral discourses. The authors' explorations range from consideration of classical questions about the substance and circumstances of acts to a taxonomy for “intrinsic evil” to how social processes affect the discourses available to ethicists.
Spray Performances and Cryogenic Characteristics of C02 Snow under Cryosurgery Guided by Endoscopic
Authors: Lin T.-C. , Shen Y.-J. , Wang M.-R.
Published: May 2014

This research experimentally investigated effects of injection pressure, formation chamber and bypass flow on spray performances and cryogenic characteristics of CO2 snow under cryosurgery guided by endoscopic. Results show that CO2 snow has a superior freezing capability in the application of cryosurgery. The length of formation chamber is an effective design parameter to control spray performances and cryogenic characteristics. Increase in the length of formation chamber can increase snow size and conversion ratio, as well as the cooling rate and impact area of the tissue. Thus, it is suitable for the application on wider range nidus. Moreover, the bypass flow can efficiently modulate the cooling effect of the main flow with CO2 snow particles, and extend the operation time of cryosurgery. The experimental results also show that decrease the cylinder pressure, decrease the length of formation chamber, and increase the diameter of bypass apertures can slow down the flying velocity of CO2 snow which are effective methods to control the jet velocity and prevent the risk of penetration.
Adapted cognitive–behavioural therapy required for targeting negative symptoms in schizophrenia: meta-analysis and meta-regression
Authors: Velthorst E. , Koeter M. , van der Gaag M. , Nieman D. H. , Fett A.-K. J. , Smit F. , Staring A. B. P. , Meijer C. , de Haan L.
Published: May 2014

Background

There is an increasing interest in cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions targeting negative symptoms in schizophrenia. To date, CBT trials primarily focused on positive symptoms and investigated change in negative symptoms only as a secondary outcome. To enhance insight into factors contributing to improvement of negative symptoms, and to identify subgroups of patients that may benefit most from CBT directed at ameliorating negative symptoms, we reviewed all available evidence on these outcomes.

Method

A systematic search of the literature was conducted in PsychInfo, PubMed and the Cochrane register to identify randomized controlled trials reporting on the impact of CBT interventions on negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed on end-of-treatment, short-term and long-term changes in negative symptoms.

Results

A total of 35 publications covering 30 trials in 2312 patients, published between 1993 and 2013, were included. Our results showed studies’ pooled effect on symptom alleviation to be small [Hedges’ g = 0.093, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.028 to 0.214, p = 0.130] and heterogeneous (Q = 73.067, degrees of freedom = 29, p < 0.001, τ2 = 0.081, I2 = 60.31) in studies with negative symptoms as a secondary outcome. Similar results were found for studies focused on negative symptom reduction (Hedges’ g = 0.157, 95% CI −0.10 to 0.409, p = 0.225). Meta-regression revealed that stronger treatment effects were associated with earlier year of publication, lower study quality and with CBT provided individually (as compared with group-based).

Conclusions

The co-occurring beneficial effect of conventional CBT on negative symptoms found in older studies was not supported by more recent studies. It is now necessary to further disentangle effective treatment ingredients of older studies in order to guide the development of future CBT interventions aimed at negative symptom reduction.
Density of warm ionized gas near the Galactic center: low radio frequency observations
Authors: Roy Subhashis
Published: May 2014

We have detected 62 compact likely extragalactic sources in the Galactic center (GC) region at 0.154 and 0.255 GHz with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). Their scattering sizes go down linearly with angular distance from the GC up to about 1°. These are more than 10 times lower than the proposed Hyperstrong scattering model within 0.5° from the GC. We also detect 7 out of 10 EG sources expected in the region from existing catalogs. Ionized interfaces of dense molecular clouds to the ambient medium are likely responsible for strong scattering. However, dense GC clouds traced by CS J = (1 − 0) emission are found to have a narrow distribution of ∼0.2° across the Galactic plane. Lack of strong scattering towards EG sources within ∼ 0.5° from GC with |b| ≳ 0.2° could explain our results.
3 mm band line survey toward the high-velocity compact cloud CO−0.40−0.22
Authors: Oka T. , Tanaka K. , Matsumura S. , Miura K. , Takekawa S. , Takahata Y. , Nishino Akihiko
Published: May 2014

High-velocity compact clouds (HVCCs) are a population of molecular clouds which have compact appearance (d < 10 pc) and large velocity width (Δ V > 50 km s−1), and are found in the central molecular zone of our Galaxy. We performed a 3 mm band line survey toward CO−0.40−0.22, a spatially unresolved HVCC with an extremely large velocity width (Δ V ≃ 90 km s−1), using the Mopra 22 m telescope. We surveyed the frequency range between 76 GHz and 116 GHz with a 0.27 MHz frequency resolution. We detect at least 54 lines from 32 molecules. Many line profiles show a prominent peak at vLSR ∼ 70 km s−1 with very large velocity width, indicating they are emitted by the HVCC. Detections of largish molecules are indicative of non-equilibrium chemistry. We extracted some prominent lines based on velocity structure, intensity ratios, and PCA analyses. Shock diagnostic lines (SiO, SO, CH3OH, HNCO) and dense gas probes (HCN, HCO+) appear to be prominent. Excitation analysis of CH3OH lines show an enhancement in Trot in the negative high-velocity end of the profile. These results suggest that CO−0.40−0.22 has experienced a shock, acceleration, compression, and heating in the recent past.
The nature and origin of the Galactic center radio arc: a VLA Faraday study
Authors: Lang Cornelia C. , Toomey James , Ludovici Dominic , Mao Ann , Morris Mark
Published: May 2014

Despite their discovery almost 30 years ago, the origin of the Galactic center nonthermal filaments (NTFs) remains poorly understood. The improved capabilities of the VLA offer a fantastic opportunity to make a multi-frequency, full spectropolarimetric study of the radio arc at high angular resolution. Observations presented here are from DnC and CnB array configuration data taken at S, C and X band (coverage between 2-12 GHz; continuum only). In addition there are also Ka and Q band (continuum and spectral line coverage) observations that are part of the study but not shown in this short proceedings. These data will allow us to make the first high angular resolution Faraday study of the Galactic center radio arc.
Behavioral Competence and Emotional Well-Being of Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Wettstein Markus , Seidl Ulrich , Wahl Hans-Werner , Shoval Noam , Heinik Jeremia
Published: May 2014

We examined whether older individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) differed from healthy controls (HC) and persons with dementia (AD) in objective and perceived behavioral competence as well as in emotional well-being. We used a merged sample of 257 older adults aged 59 to 91 years (M = 72.9; SD = 6.4) stemming from Israel and Germany. Objective behavioral competence (assessed based on global positioning system (GPS)-based tracking data and a structured questionnaire) of MCI individuals was mostly similar to the HC group. Regarding perceived behavioral competence and emotional well-being, MCI individuals were more similar to the AD group and below the HC group’s mean levels. Findings suggest that a differentiated view of MCI individual’s competence and emotional well-being is in place.
Room temperature spontaneous conversion of OCS to CO2 on the anatase TiO2 surface
Authors: Civiš Svatopluk , Ferus Martin , Šponer Judit E. , Šponer Jirí , Kavan Ladislav , Zukalová Markéta
Published: May 2014

Spontaneous OCS disproportionation on the anatase surface has been observed and the mechanism has been explained using quantum chemical calculations.
Separation and enrichment of enantiopure from racemic compounds using magnetic levitation
Authors: Yang Xiaochuan , Wong Shin Yee , Bwambok David K. , Atkinson Manza B. J. , Zhang Xi , Whitesides George M. , Myerson Allan S.
Published: May 2014

Magnetic levitation is a useful technique for analysis, separation and enantioenrichment of chiral/racemic products.
On-surface Ullmann polymerization via intermediate organometallic networks on Ag(111)
Authors: Eichhorn Johanna , Strunskus Thomas , Rastgoo-Lahrood Atena , Samanta Debabrata , Schmittel Michael , Lackinger Markus
Published: May 2014

The role of organometallic intermediates during on-surface polymerization via Ullmann coupling was studied on Ag(111).
Synthesis and visible photocatalytic activities of a Au@Ag@ZnO triple layer core–shell nanostructure
Authors: Misra Mrinmoy , Kapur Pawan , Nayak Manoj Kumar , Singla MadanLal
Published: May 2014

Visible light induced photocatalytic mechanism of Au@Ag@ZnO core–shell nanostructure and kinetics of methyl orange (MO) photo degradation by ZnO, Au@ZnO, Au@Ag@ZnO and TiO2.
Modelling of ultrasonic propagation in turbulent liquid sodium with temperature gradient
Authors: Massacret N. , Moysan J. , Ploix M. A. , Jeannot J. P. , Corneloup G.
Published: May 2014

The use of ultrasonic instrumentation in sodium-cooled fast reactors requires to understand and to predict how ultrasonic waves can be deflected, slowed down or speeded up, depending on the thermo-hydraulic characteristics of the liquid sodium. These thermo-hydraulic characteristics are mainly the local temperature and flow speed of the sodium. In this study we show that ray theory can be used to simulate ultrasonic propagation in a medium similar to the core of a sodium-cooled fast reactor, in order to study ultrasonic instrumentation and prepare it installation and utilisation in the sodium of the nuclear reactor. A suitable model has been developed and a set of thermo-hydraulics data has been created, taking account of the particularities of the sodium flow. The results of these simulations are then analysed within the framework of acoustic thermometry, in order to determine which disturbance must be taken into account for the correct operation of the temperature measurement.
Fast Seebeck coefficient measurement based on dynamic method
Authors: Zhou Yang , Yang Donghua , Li Liangliang , Li Fu , Li Jing-Feng
Published: May 2014

A setup based on dynamic method was developed for fast Seebeck coefficient measurement from room temperature to 473 K. Two T-type thermocouples with a response time of less than 0.1 s were used to measure the dynamic temperatures of the sample. The Cu wires of the two thermocouples served as leads for Seebeck voltage measurement. The dynamic temperature feature of the setup was characterized. Test measurements were conducted with LaCo0.9Cu0.1O3 and LaCo0.85Cu0.15O3 samples with the customized setup, and the results had a difference of ±8.4% compared with the data provided by ZEM-2 (Ulvac-Riko, Japan), which showed that the Seebeck measurement with the customized setup was reliable. In addition, the error on the Seebeck coefficient caused by the dynamic variation of temperature was discussed. The setup described in this paper has the advantage of fast Seebeck coefficient measurement with a measurement speed of about 14−23 K min−1.
Determining the crystalline degree of silicon nanoclusters/SiO2 multilayers by Raman scattering
Authors: Hernández S. , López-Vidrier J. , López-Conesa L. , Hiller D. , Gutsch S. , Ibáñez J. , Estradé S. , Peiró F. , Zacharias M. , Garrido B.
Published: May 2014

We use Raman scattering to investigate the size distribution, built-in strains and the crystalline degree of Si-nanoclusters (Si-nc) in high-quality Si-rich oxynitride/SiO2 multilayered samples obtained by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and subsequent annealing at 1150 °C. An initial structural characterization of the samples was performed by means of energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to obtain information about the cluster size and the presence of significant amounts of crystalline phase. The contributions to the Raman spectra from crystalline and amorphous Si were analyzed by using a phonon confinement model that includes the Si-nc size distribution, the influence of the matrix compressive stress on the clusters, and the presence of amorphous Si domains. Our lineshape analysis confirms the existence of silicon precipitates in crystalline state, in good agreement with XRD results, and provides also information about the presence of a large compressive stress over the Si-nc induced by the SiO2 matrix. By using the Raman spectra from low temperature annealed samples (i.e., before the crystallization of the Si-nc), the relative scattering cross-section between crystalline and amorphous Si was evaluated as a function of the crystalline Si size. Taking into account this parameter and the integrated intensities for each phase as extracted from the Raman spectra, we were able to evaluate the degree of crystallization of the precipitated Si-nc. Our data suggest that all samples exhibit high crystalline fractions, with values up to 89% for the biggest Si-nc. The Raman study, supported by the EFTEM characterization, indicates that this system undergoes a practically abrupt phase separation, in which the precipitated Si-nanoclusters are formed by a crystalline inner part surrounded by a thin amorphous shell of approximately 1–2 atomic layers.
Top-up operation at Pohang Light Source-II
Authors: Hwang I. , Huang J. Y. , Kim M. , Lee B.-J. , Kim C. , Choi J.-Y. , Kim M.-H. , Lee H. S. , Moon D. , Lee E. H. , Kim D.-E. , Nam S. H. , Shin S. , Cho Moohyun
Published: May 2014

After three years of upgrading work, PLS-II (S. Shin, Commissioning of the PLS-II, JINST, January 2013) is now successfully operating. The top-up operation of the 3 GeV linear accelerator had to be delayed because of some challenges encountered, and PLS-II was run in decay mode at the beginning in March 2012. The main difficulties encountered in the top-up operation of PLS-II are different levels between the linear accelerator and the storage ring, the 14 narrow gap in-vacuum undulators in operation, and the full energy injection by 3 GeV linear accelerator. Large vertical emittance and energy jitter of the linac were the major obstacles that called for careful control of injected beam to reduce beam loss in the storage ring during injection. The following measures were taken to resolve these problems: (1) The high resolution Libera BPM (see http://www.i-tech.si) was implemented to measure the beam trajectory and energy. (2) Three slit systems were installed to filter the beam edge. (3) De-Qing circuit was applied to the modulator system to improve the energy stability of injected beam. As a result, the radiation by beam loss during injection is reduced drastically, and the top-up mode has been successfully operating since 19th March 2013. In this paper, we describe the experimental results of the PLS-II top-up operation and the improvement plan.
Bias-field controlled phasing and power combination of gyromagnetic nonlinear transmission lines
Authors: Reale D. V. , Bragg J.-W. B. , Gonsalves N. R. , Johnson J. M. , Neuber A. A. , Dickens J. C. , Mankowski J. J.
Published: May 2014

Gyromagnetic Nonlinear Transmission Lines (NLTLs) generate microwaves through the damped gyromagnetic precession of the magnetic moments in ferrimagnetic material, and are thus utilized as compact, solid-state, frequency agile, high power microwave (HPM) sources. The output frequency of a NLTL can be adjusted by control of the externally applied bias field and incident voltage pulse without physical alteration to the structure of the device. This property provides a frequency tuning capability not seen in many conventional e-beam based HPM sources. The NLTLs developed and tested are mesoband sources capable of generating MW power levels in the L, S, and C bands of the microwave spectrum. For an individual NLTL the output power at a given frequency is determined by several factors including the intrinsic properties of the ferrimagnetic material and the transmission line structure. Hence, if higher power levels are to be achieved, it is necessary to combine the outputs of multiple NLTLs. This can be accomplished in free space using antennas or in a transmission line via a power combiner. Using a bias-field controlled delay, a transient, high voltage, coaxial, three port, power combiner was designed and tested. Experimental results are compared with the results of a transient COMSOL simulation to evaluate combiner performance.
Magneto-electric effects in functionally stepped magnetic nanobilayers on ferroelectric substrates: Observation and theory on the influence of interlayer exchange coupling
Authors: Gribov I. V. , Osotov V. I. , Nosov A. P. , Petrov V. M. , Sreenivasulu G. , Srinivasan G.
Published: May 2014

The strain mediated magnetoelectric (ME) coupling is studied in composites of functionally stepped ferromagnetic thin films on ferroelectric lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate substrates. Nanometer thick layers of nickel with negative piezomagnetic coefficient q and Fe0.81Ga0.19 (Galfenol) with positive q were deposited by pulsed laser deposition to achieve the desired step in q for the ferromagnetic phase. The measured maximum ME voltage coefficient (MEVC) ranges from 4.2 to 5.05 mV/(cm Oe) and shows a general increase with increasing Ni-to-Galfenol thickness ratio. Data on MEVC as a function of static field H show a large zero-bias ME coefficient. A model is developed for the ME effect that considers (i) the step in q in the magnetic layers of the ME composite and (ii) influence of the interlayer exchange interaction between Ni and Galfenol. Estimated bias magnetic field dependence of MEVC is in qualitative agreement with the experimental data.
Self-adjointness and boundedness in quadratic quantization
Authors: Dhahri Ameur
Published: May 2014

We construct a counter example showing, for the quadratic quantization, the identity (Γ(T))* = Γ(T*) is not necessarily true. We characterize all operators on the one-particle algebra whose quadratic quantization are self-adjoint operators on the quadratic Fock space. Finally, we discuss the boundedness of the quadratic quantization.
Band alignment at interfaces of amorphous Al2O3 with Ge1−xSnx- and strained Ge-based channels
Authors: Chou H.-Y. , Afanas'ev V. V. , Houssa M. , Stesmans A. , Vincent B. , Gencarelli F. , Shimura Y. , Merckling C. , Loo R. , Nakatsuka O. , Zaima S.
Published: May 2014

Spectroscopy of internal photoemission of electrons from Ge and Ge1−xSnx (x ≤ 0.08) alloys into amorphous Al2O3 is used to evaluate the energy of the semiconductor valence band top. It is found that in Ge and Ge1−xSnx the valence bands are aligned within the measurement accuracy (±0.05 eV) irrespective of the strain imposed on the semiconductor or by the kind of passivating inter-layer applied between the semiconductor and alumina. This indicates that the Ge1−xSnx-stressor approach may be useful for strain engineering in p-channel Ge metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors.
Enhanced tunability of thermodynamic stability of complex hydrides by the incorporation of H– anions
Authors: Takagi Shigeyuki , Humphries Terry D. , Miwa Kazutoshi , Orimo Shin-ichi
Published: May 2014

First-principles calculations were employed to investigate hypothetical complex hydrides (M,M′)4FeH8 (M = Na, Li; M′=Mg, Zn, Y, Al). Besides complex anion [FeH6]4–, these materials contain two H– anions, which raise the total anionic charge state from tetravalent to hexavalent, and thereby significantly increasing the number of combinations of countercations. We have determined that similar to complex hydrides (M,M′)2FeH6 containing only [FeH6]4–, the thermodynamic stability is tuned by the average cation electronegativity. Thus, the chemical flexibility provided by incorporating H– enhances the tunability of thermodynamic stability, which will be beneficial in obtaining optimal stability for hydrogen storage materials.
Effects of electron exchange-correlation potential on electrostatic oscillations in single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Khan S. A. , Hassan Sunia
Published: May 2014

Using macroscopic quantum hydrodynamic formulation, we study the dispersion properties of electrostatic electron plasma oscillations in single-walled carbon nanotubes. The electrons and ions are considered uniformly distributed over the cylindrical surface of a nanotube thus forming a two-component (electron-ion) quantum plasma system. Electron degeneracy via Fermi-Dirac statistics as well as electron exchange and correlation effects is taken into account. It is found that the quantum (Bohm) potential arising due to fermionic nature of electrons and exchange-correlations effects has significant impact on the wave. The frequency of wave is influenced by variation in azimuthal index and radius of the nanotube. The results are analyzed numerically for typical systems for relatively longer wavelength waves and possible consequences are discussed. The results can be important in general understanding of the role of exchange-correlation potential in quantum hydrodynamic treatment of charge-carriers in nanotubes.
Shockwave generation by a semiconductor bridge operation in water
Authors: Zvulun E. , Toker G. , Gurovich V. Tz. , Krasik Ya. E.
Published: May 2014

A semiconductor bridge (SCB) is a silicon device, used in explosive systems as the electrical initiator element. In recent years, SCB plasma has been extensively studied, both electrically and using fast photography and spectroscopic imaging. However, the value of the pressure buildup at the bridge remains unknown. In this study, we operated SCB devices in water and, using shadow imaging and reference beam interferometry, obtained the velocity of the shock wave propagation and distribution of the density of water. These results, together with a self-similar hydrodynamic model, were used to calculate the pressure generated by the exploding SCB. In addition, the results obtained showed that the energy of the water flow exceeds significantly the energy deposited into the exploded SCB. The latter can be explained by the combustion of the aluminum and silicon atoms released in water, which acts as an oxidizing medium.
Induced spin-accumulation and spin-polarization in a quantum-dot ring by using magnetic quantum dots and Rashba spin-orbit effect
Authors: Eslami L. , Faizabadi E.
Published: May 2014

The effect of magnetic contacts on spin-dependent electron transport and spin-accumulation in a quantum ring, which is threaded by a magnetic flux, is studied. The quantum ring is made up of four quantum dots, where two of them possess magnetic structure and other ones are subjected to the Rashba spin-orbit coupling. The magnetic quantum dots, referred to as magnetic quantum contacts, are connected to two external leads. Two different configurations of magnetic moments of the quantum contacts are considered; the parallel and the anti-parallel ones. When the magnetic moments are parallel, the degeneracy between the transmission coefficients of spin-up and spin-down electrons is lifted and the system can be adjusted to operate as a spin-filter. In addition, the accumulation of spin-up and spin-down electrons in non-magnetic quantum dots are different in the case of parallel magnetic moments. When the intra-dot Coulomb interaction is taken into account, we find that the electron interactions participate in separation between the accumulations of electrons with different spin directions in non-magnetic quantum dots. Furthermore, the spin-accumulation in non-magnetic quantum dots can be tuned in the both parallel and anti-parallel magnetic moments by adjusting the Rashba spin-orbit strength and the magnetic flux. Thus, the quantum ring with magnetic quantum contacts could be utilized to create tunable local magnetic moments which can be used in designing optimized nanodevices.
Study on dynamics of photoexcited charge injection and trapping in CdS quantum dots sensitized TiO2 nanowire array film electrodes
Authors: Pang Shan , Cheng Ke , Yuan Zhanqiang , Xu Suyun , Cheng Gang , Du Zuliang
Published: May 2014

The photoexcited electrons transfer dynamics of the CdS quantum dots (QDs) deposited in TiO2 nanowire array films are studied using surface photovoltage (SPV) and transient photovoltage (TPV) techniques. By comparing the SPV results with different thicknesses of QDs layers, we can separate the dynamic characteristics of photoexcited electrons injection and trapping. It is found that the TPV signals of photoexcited electrons trapped in the CdS QDs occur at timescales of about 2 × 10−8 s, which is faster than that of the photoexcited electrons injected from CdS into TiO2. More than 90 nm of the thickness of the CdS QDs layer will seriously affect the photoexcited electrons transfer and injection.
Controlling the surface roughness of epitaxial SiC on silicon
Authors: Mishra N. , Hold L. , Iacopi A. , Gupta B. , Motta N. , Iacopi F.
Published: May 2014

The surface of cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) hetero-epitaxial films grown on the (111) surface of silicon is a promising template for the subsequent epitaxial growth of III-V semiconductor layers and graphene. We investigate growth and post-growth approaches for controlling the surface roughness of epitaxial SiC to produce an optimal template. We first explore 3C-SiC growth on various degrees of offcut Si(111) substrates, although we observe that the SiC roughness tends to worsen as the degree of offcut increases. Hence we focus on post-growth approaches available on full wafers, comparing chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and a novel plasma smoothening process. The CMP leads to a dramatic improvement, bringing the SiC surface roughness down to sub-nanometer level, though removing about 200 nm of the SiC layer. On the other hand, our proposed HCl plasma process appears very effective in smoothening selectively the sharpest surface topography, leading up to 30% improvement in SiC roughness with only about 50 nm thickness loss. We propose a simple physical model explaining the action of the plasma smoothening.
Suppression of grain boundary relaxation in Zr-doped BiFeO3 thin films
Authors: Mukherjee Somdutta , Srivastava Amar , Gupta Rajeev , Garg Ashish
Published: May 2014

Here, we present the results of temperature dependent dielectric studies on chemical solution processed Zr-doped BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films deposited on Pt/Si substrates. We find that in contrast to the undoped BFO films, Zr doping at Fe-site suppresses the low frequency dielectric relaxation originating from the grain boundaries, attributed to the increased dipolar rigidity due to stronger Zr-O bonds. Temperature dependent dc conductivity obtained from impedance and modulus analyses shows two distinct conduction processes occurring inside the grains. At temperature below ∼ 423 K, conductivity is nearly temperature independent, while in the high temperature regime (above ∼ 423 K), conduction is governed by the long range movement of oxygen vacancies with an activation energy of ∼1 eV.
Multi-step phase-change behavior in Ga30Sb70/SnSe2 nanocomposite multilayer thin films
Authors: Feng Xiaoyi , Hu Yifeng , Zhai Jiwei , Wang Changzhou , Song Sannian , Song Zhitang
Published: May 2014

Multi-step phase-change behavior in Ga30Sb70/SnSe2 nanocomposite multilayer films was investigated for multi-level storage in phase change random access memory in order to increase its storage density. It can be found in the temperature-dependent resistance curves that multi-step phase change happened at the temperature of 210 °C and 270 °C, respectively, which can provide the possibility of high temperature storage. At the constitute of [Ga30Sb70(10 nm)/SnSe2(15 nm)]2 and [Ga30Sb70(25 nm)/SnSe2(25 nm)]1, the nanocomposite multilayer films show well resistance gap between amorphous and crystalline state, which represent the on/off ratios in practical devices and better multi-step prosperities in archival life stability compared to Ge2Sb2Te5 films. The analysis of both XRD patterns and TEM images confirmed the two step phase change in Ga30Sb70/SnSe2 nanocomposite multilayer films. The Ga30Sb70/SnSe2 nanocomposite multilayer film is a promising phase change materials in high density storage device.
Open circuit voltage decay transients and recombination in bulk-heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Sudheendra Rao K. , Mohapatra Y. N.
Published: May 2014

The internal loss mechanisms in polymer:fullerene bulk-heterojunction solar cells can be fruitfully studied using open circuit voltage decay (OCVD). For OCVD transients of poly (3-hexylthiophene-2, 5-diyl) (P3HT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) solar cells, we observe that the open circuit voltage as a function time t changes from initially being nearly constant to being proportional to ln(t) for most part of the decay before eventually decaying to zero. We demonstrate that the transients can be fully described over eight orders of magnitude in time using a simple model of decay based on a diode coupled to a capacitor. The fitting to the analytical model solution enables true determination of the diode ideality factor and saturation leakage current. The ideality factor is observed to vary between 1.52 and 1.68 depending on excess carrier concentration and temperature. The technique is used to isolate the diode current in presence of excess carriers, and hence to independently determine the intensity dependence of the light-induced recombination current and shunt resistance.
Room-temperature spin-polarized organic light-emitting diodes with a single ferromagnetic electrode
Authors: Ding Baofu , Song Qunliang , Alameh Kamal
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we demonstrate the concept of a room-temperature spin-polarized organic light-emitting diode (Spin-OLED) structure based on (i) the deposition of an ultra-thin p-type organic buffer layer on the surface of the ferromagnetic electrode of the Spin-OLED and (ii) the use of oxygen plasma treatment to modify the surface of that electrode. Experimental results demonstrate that the brightness of the developed Spin-OLED can be increased by 110% and that a magneto-electroluminescence of 12% can be attained for a 150 mT in-plane magnetic field, at room temperature. This is attributed to enhanced hole and room-temperature spin-polarized injection from the ferromagnetic electrode, respectively.
Evaluation of the intrinsic magneto-dielectric coupling in LaMn0.5Co0.5O3 single crystals
Authors: Manna Kaustuv , Joshi Rajeev S. , Elizabeth Suja , Anil Kumar P. S.
Published: May 2014

The magneto-dielectric coupling in (l00) oriented LaMn0.5Co0.5O3 single crystals has been investigated using temperature, frequency, and magnetic field dependent dielectric response. Electronic transport data divulges that polaronic hopping arises due to Emin-Holstein adiabatic small polarons. Spin realignment through external magnetic field favors faster polaronic hopping by lowering activation energy for dielectric relaxation. Finally, positive magneto-dielectricity and magnetoloss under increasing magnetic field at high frequency of the exciting ac field confirms intrinsic magneto-dielectric effect in disordered ferromagnetic-insulator LaMn0.5Co0.5O3. This study also emphasizes the need to use single crystals as well as the frequencies higher than the corresponding inverse relaxation time.
High-voltage field effect transistors with wide-bandgap β-Ga2O3 nanomembranes
Authors: Hwang Wan Sik , Verma Amit , Peelaers Hartwin , Protasenko Vladimir , Rouvimov Sergei , (Grace) Xing Huili , Seabaugh Alan , Haensch Wilfried , de Walle Chris Van , Galazka Zbigniew , Albrecht Martin , Fornari Roberto , Jena Debdeep
Published: May 2014

Nanoscale semiconductor materials have been extensively investigated as the channel materials of transistors for energy-efficient low-power logic switches to enable scaling to smaller dimensions. On the opposite end of transistor applications is power electronics for which transistors capable of switching very high voltages are necessary. Miniaturization of energy-efficient power switches can enable the integration with various electronic systems and lead to substantial boosts in energy efficiency. Nanotechnology is yet to have an impact in this arena. In this work, it is demonstrated that nanomembranes of the wide-bandgap semiconductor gallium oxide can be used as channels of transistors capable of switching high voltages, and at the same time can be integrated on any platform. The findings mark a step towards using lessons learnt in nanomaterials and nanotechnology to address a challenge that yet remains untouched by the field.
Comparison of methods for numerical calculation of continuum damping
Authors: Bowden G. W. , Könies A. , Hole M. J. , Gorelenkov N. N. , Dennis G. R.
Published: May 2014

Continuum resonance damping is an important factor in determining the stability of certain global modes in fusion plasmas. A number of analytic and numerical approaches have been developed to compute this damping, particularly, in the case of the toroidicity-induced shear Alfvén eigenmode. This paper compares results obtained using an analytical perturbative approach with those found using resistive and complex contour numerical approaches. It is found that the perturbative method does not provide accurate agreement with reliable numerical methods for the range of parameters examined. This discrepancy exists even in the limit where damping approaches zero. When the perturbative technique is implemented using a standard finite element method, the damping estimate fails to converge with radial grid resolution. The finite elements used cannot accurately represent the eigenmode in the region of the continuum resonance, regardless of the number of radial grid points used.
Microfluidic dielectrophoretic sorter using gel vertical electrodes
Authors: Luo Jason , Nelson Edward L. , Li G. P. , Bachman Mark
Published: May 2014

We report the development and results of a two-step method for sorting cells and small particles in a microfluidic device. This approach uses a single microfluidic channel that has (1) a microfabricated sieve which efficiently focuses particles into a thin stream, followed by (2) a dielectrophoresis (DEP) section consisting of electrodes along the channel walls for efficient continuous sorting based on dielectric properties of the particles. For our demonstration, the device was constructed of polydimethylsiloxane, bonded to a glass surface, and conductive agarose gel electrodes. Gold traces were used to make electrical connections to the conductive gel. The device had several novel features that aided performance of the sorting. These included a sieving structure that performed continuous displacement of particles into a single stream within the microfluidic channel (improving the performance of downstream DEP, and avoiding the need for additional focusing flow inlets), and DEP electrodes that were the full height of the microfluidic walls (“vertical electrodes”), allowing for improved formation and control of electric field gradients in the microfluidic device. The device was used to sort polymer particles and HeLa cells, demonstrating that this unique combination provides improved capability for continuous DEP sorting of particles in a microfluidic device.
Electronic Structures, DNA-binding, SAR, and Spectral Properties of Ruthenium Methylimidazole Complexes [Ru(MeIm)4L]2+ (L=iip, tip, 2ntz)
Authors: Li Guo-dong , Chen Lan-mei , Wang Xin-yu , Wu Ling-feng , Jie Xin-ming , Chen Jin-can
Published: May 2014

Theoretical studies on the electronic and geometric structures, the trend in DNA-binding affinities as well as the the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a series of water-soluble Ru(II) methylimidazole complexes, i.e. [Ru(MeIm)4iip]2+ (1) (MeIm=1-methylimidazole, iip=2-(1H-imidazo-4-group)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), [Ru(MeIm)4tip]2+ (2) (tip=2-(thiophene-2-group)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), and [Ru(MeIm)42ntz]2+ (3) (2ntz=2-(2-nitro-1,3-thiazole-5-group)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline), were carried out using the density functional theory (DFT). The electronic structures of these Ru(II) complexes were analyzed on the basis of their geometric structures optimized in aqueous solution, and the trend in the DNA-binding constants (Kb) was reasonably explained. The results show that the replacement of imidazole ligand by thiophene ligand can effectively improve the DNA-binding affinity of the complex. Meanwhile, it was found that introducing the stronger electronegative N atom and NO2 group on terminal loop of intercalative ligand can obviously reduce the complex's LUMO and HOMO-LUMO gap energies. Based on these findings, the designed complex [Ru(MeIm)42ntz]2+ (3) can be expected to have the greatest Kb value in complexes 1–3. In addition, the structure-activity relationships and antitumor mechanism were also carefully discussed, and the antimetastatic activity of the designed complex 3 was predicted. Finally, the electronic absorption spectra of this series of complexes in aqueous solution were calculated, simulated and assigned using DFT/TDDFT methods as well as conductor-like polarizable continuum model (CPCM), and were in good agreement with the experimental results.
Spin-Unrestricted Multi-Configuration Time-Dependent Hartree Fock Theory
Authors: Li Wen-liang , Bian Ji-cheng , Yang Lei
Published: May 2014

Based on spin-unrestricted hartree fock theory, we present the spin unrestricted multi-configuration time dependent hartree fock theory (UMCTDHF) to describe the electron correlation dynamics of systems interacting with laser field. The positive spin orbitals and the negative spin orbitals are propagated in their own subspace respectively. The spin orbital in the spin-down subspace acts with that in the spin-up subspace by the reduced density matrix and mean field operator. The ground energy is acquired by propagating the trial wave function in the imaginary time by using spin-restricted MCTDHF (RMCTDHF) and UMCTDHF respectively. Then the ionization probabilities and the electrons energies are calculated by using RMCTDHF and UMCTDHF when the laser field is present. The ionization probability calculated with UMCTDHF agrees with the previous theoretical reports very well. The UMCTDHF method is accurate and applicable for open shell system beyond the capability of the RMCTDHF method.
Spectral Shift of π→π* Transition for p-Nitroaniline Based on a New Expression of Nonequilibrium Solvation Energy
Authors: Li Jian , Ren Hai-sheng , Ma Jian-yi , Li Xiang-yuan
Published: May 2014

According to the nonequilibrium solvation theory studies, a constrained equilibrium principle is introduced and applied to the derivations of the nonequilibrium solvation energy, and a reasonable expression of the spectral shift of the electronic absorption spectra is deduced. Furthermore, the lowest transition of p-nitroaniline (pNA) in water is investigated by time-dependent density functional theory method. In addition, the details of excited state properties of pNA are discussed. Using our novel expression of the spectral shift, the value of −0.99 eV is obtained for π→π* transition in water, which is in good agreement with the available experimental result of −0.98 eV.
Influence of Ammonium Polyphosphate on Thermal Decomposition of Reconstituted Tobacco and CO Evolution
Authors: Ge Shao-lin , She Shi-ke , Xu Ying-bo , Ning Min , Wang Cheng-hui , Tian Zheng-feng , Zhou Shun , Huang Lan , Zhang Zhao , Sheng Liu-si
Published: May 2014

The thermal behaviors and burning characteristics of reconstituted tobacco (RT) are strongly related with evolved gaseous products. The effect of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) as an additive of RT on the pyrolysis behavior and CO evolution was studied, emphasizing the role of heating velocity in reducing CO delivery of the mainstream smoke by APP. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to investigate the influence of APP on RT thermal behavior. Slow and flash pyrolysis of RT were compared to discuss the role of heating rate in decreasing CO by APP. TGA results demonstrated that, in dependence on APP concentration, APP influenced exothermal amount and weight loss rate during RT thermal decomposition, promoted the formation of char and retarded the thermal decomposition of RT. In addition, APP had a considerable influence on the evolution of gaseous products during thermal decomposition of RT. Both CO delivery per cigarette and that per puff in the smoking process were significantly reduced in dependence on APP content in RT. Comparative analysis of CO evolution patterns in the flash and slow pyrolysis elucidated that heating rate played a key role in decreasing CO evolution by APP. The results suggest that APP is a potential burning additive for controlling CO delivery in mainstream smoke of RT.
Phonological events
Authors: Ladd D. Robert
Published: May 2014

The concept of the speech segment, which is central to IPA transcription and most theories of phonology, is difficult to define, and segments are often difficult to identify in speech. Some theorists therefore reject the segment as an unnecessary artefact of alphabetic writing. Work in cognitive psychology on the identification and segmentation of ‘events’ in continuous voluntary action may provide a good theoretical basis for reconciling the apparent need for a segmented representation of linguistic sound structure and the continuous physical reality of speech. Pursuing this idea entails abandoning the idea of universal systematic phonetics, but potentially allows us to understand phonological structure beyond segments by investigating the cognitive status of simultaneous communicative events such as co-occurring words and intonation, or speech and gesture
Impartial Benevolence and Partial Love
Authors: Chappell Sophie Grace
Published: May 2014

It is a necessary condition on any adequate approach to the problems of demandingness and partiality that it should recognize and represent the differences between impartial benevolence and partial love, between third-personal and second-personal reasons, and the space in the ethical life that, intuitively, is available for both. The argument brings out how moral theories like utilitarianism struggle to satisfy this necessary condition. It also shows something more about the diversity of reasons argued for in Chapter 3; and it foregrounds the notions of the personal, and of persons.
Internal Reasons and the Heart’s Desire
Authors: Chappell Sophie Grace
Published: May 2014

Pace Mackie, there is nothing necessarily ‘queer’ about the idea of intrinsically motivating or justifying reasons. Williams’ internal reasons thesis, even if true, does not exclude anything like as much as it is often thought to. Williams himself admits that Kantianism is not excluded by his internal reasons thesis; neither is a Thomistic natural-law account of our reasons, nor a phenomenological account of the type that can be found in Augustine’s Confessions, in Dante, and in Tal Brewer’s recent work on the dialectical conception of desire.
Glory as an Ethical Idea
Authors: Chappell Sophie Grace
Published: May 2014

Chapter 7 is a case study of how far actual ethical reflection diverges from moral theory; the case which it looks at in detail is the notion of glory, a notion which everybody recognizes as of key practical and motivational importance, but no one makes room for in moral theory. This divergence tells against moral theory, and in favour of less constricted and more flexible modes of ethical reflection.
Identification of chromosomal translocation hotspots via scan statistics
Authors: Silva Israel T. , Rosales Rafael A. , Holanda Adriano J. , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Jankovic Mila
Published: May 2014

Motivation: The detection of genomic regions unusually rich in a given pattern is an important undertaking in the analysis of next-generation sequencing data. Recent studies of chromosomal translocations in activated B lymphocytes have identified regions that are frequently translocated to c-myc oncogene. A quantitative method for the identification of translocation hotspots was crucial to this study. Here we improve this analysis by using a simple probabilistic model and the framework provided by scan statistics to define the number and location of translocation breakpoint hotspots. A key feature of our method is that it provides a global chromosome-wide nominal control level to clustering, as opposed to previous methods based on local criteria. While being motivated by a specific application, the detection of unusual clusters is a widespread problem in bioinformatics. We expect our method to be useful in the analysis of data from other experimental approaches such as of ChIP-seq and 4C-seq.

Results: The analysis of translocations from B lymphocytes with the method described here reveals the presence of longer hotspots when compared with those defined previously. Further, we show that the hotspot size changes substantially in the absence of DNA repair protein 53BP1. When 53BP1 deficiency is combined with overexpression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase, the hotspot length increases even further. These changes are not detected by previous methods that use local significance criteria for clustering. Our method is also able to identify several exclusive translocation hotspots located in genes of known tumor supressors.

Availability and implementation: The detection of translocation hotspots is done with hot_scan , a program implemented in R and Perl. Source code and documentation are freely available for download at https://github.com/itojal/hot_scan .

Contact:  isilva@rockefeller.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Atomic force microscopy-based microrheology reveals significant differences in the viscoelastic response between malign and benign cell lines
Authors: Rother Jan , Nöding Helen , Mey Ingo , Janshoff Andreas
Published: May 2014

Mechanical phenotyping of cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM) was proposed as a novel tool in cancer cell research as cancer cells undergo massive structural changes, comprising remodelling of the cytoskeleton and changes of their adhesive properties. In this work, we focused on the mechanical properties of human breast cell lines with different metastatic potential by AFM-based microrheology experiments. Using this technique, we are not only able to quantify the mechanical properties of living cells in the context of malignancy, but we also obtain a descriptor, namely the loss tangent, which provides model-independent information about the metastatic potential of the cell line. Including also other cell lines from different organs shows that the loss tangent (
G″
/
G′
) increases generally with the metastatic potential from MCF-10A representing benign cells to highly malignant MDA-MB-231 cells.