bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cisplatin and Radiotherapy With or Without Erlotinib in Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Randomized Phase II Trial
Authors: Martins Renato G. , Parvathaneni Upendra , Bauman Julie E. , Sharma Anand K. , Raez Luis E. , Papagikos Michael A. , Yunus Furhan , Kurland Brenda F. , Eaton Keith D. , Liao Jay J. , Mendez Eduardo. , Futran Neal , Wang David X. , Chai Xiaoyu , Wallace Sarah G. , Austin Melissa , Schmidt Rodney , Hayes D. Neil
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The combination of cisplatin and radiotherapy is a standard treatment for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Cetuximab-radiotherapy is superior to radiotherapy alone in this population, validating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a target. Erlotinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of EGFR. Adding EGFR inhibition to standard cisplatin-radiotherapy may improve efficacy.

Patients and Methods

Patients with locally advanced SCCHN were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on days 1, 22, and 43 combined with 70 Gy of radiotherapy (arm A) or the same chemoradiotherapy with erlotinib 150 mg per day, starting 1 week before radiotherapy and continued to its completion (arm B). The primary end point was complete response rate (CRR), evaluated by central review. The secondary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Available tumors were tested for p16 and EGFR by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Results

Between December 2006 and October 2011, 204 patients were randomly assigned. Arms were well balanced for all patient characteristics including p16, with the exception of more women on arm A. Patients on arm B had more rash, but treatment arms did not differ regarding rates of other grade 3 or 4 toxicities. Arm A had a CRR of 40% and arm B had a CRR of 52% (P = .08) when evaluated by central review. With a median follow-up time of 26 months and 54 progression events, there was no difference in PFS (hazard ratio, 0.9; P = .71).

Conclusion

Erlotinib did not increase the toxicity of cisplatin and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced HNSCC but failed to significantly increase CRR or PFS.
Observation of a Hydrogen-Bonded 3D Structure of Crystalline Glycerol
Authors: Kusukawa Takahiro , Niwa Genki , Sasaki Takato , Oosawa Ryosuke , Himeno Wataru , Kato Masahiro
Published: March 2013

The crystal structure analysis of glycerol was revisited and the hydrogen atoms of three hydroxy groups were observed. A hydrogen-bonded 3D network structure of glycerol was created by the formation of a wave-like sheet structure and its assembly through hydrogen bonding.
Inventory Management for an Assembly System Subject to Supply Disruptions
Authors: DeCroix Gregory A.
Published: March 2013

We consider an assembly system with a single end product and a general assembly structure, where one or more of the component suppliers or (sub)assembly production processes is subject to random supply disruptions. We present a method for reducing the system to an equivalent system with some subsystems replaced by a series structure. This reduction simplifies the computation of optimal ordering policies and can also allow for comparison of disruption impacts across systems with different supply chain structures. We identify conditions under which a state-dependent echelon base-stock policy is optimal. Based on this result, we propose a heuristic policy for solving the assembly system with disruptions and test its performance in numerical trials. Using additional numerical trials, we explore a variety of strategic questions. For example, contrary to what is typically observed in systems without disruptions, we find that choosing a supplier with a longer lead time can sometimes yield lower system costs. We also find that backup supply is more valuable for a supplier with a shorter lead time than one with a longer lead time. In addition, because of component complementarities, we find that choosing suppliers whose disruptions are perfectly correlated yields lower system costs than choosing suppliers whose disruptions are independent, in contrast to the strategy that is typically preferred when choosing backup suppliers for a single product.

This paper was accepted by Gérard P. Cachon, operations management.
The Impact of Gender Diversity on the Performance of Business Teams: Evidence from a Field Experiment
Authors: Hoogendoorn Sander , Oosterbeek Hessel , van Praag Mirjam
Published: March 2013

This paper reports on a field experiment conducted to estimate the impact of the share of women in business teams on their performance. Teams consisting of undergraduate students in business studies start up a venture as part of their curriculum. We manipulated the gender composition of teams and assigned students randomly to teams, conditional on their gender. We find that teams with an equal gender mix perform better than male-dominated teams in terms of sales and profits. We explore various mechanisms suggested in the literature to explain this positive effect of gender diversity on performance (including complementarities, learning, monitoring, and conflicts) but find no support for them.

This paper was accepted by Jesper Sørensen, organizations.
Do Hedge Funds Outperform Stocks and Bonds?
Authors: Bali Turan G. , Brown Stephen J. , Demirtas K. Ozgur
Published: March 2013

Hedge funds' extensive use of derivatives, short selling, and leverage and their dynamic trading strategies create significant nonnormalities in their return distributions. Hence, the traditional performance measures fail to provide an accurate characterization of the relative strength of hedge fund portfolios. This paper uses the utility-based nonparametric and parametric performance measures to determine which hedge fund strategies outperform the U.S. equity and/or bond markets. The results from the realized and simulated return distributions indicate that the long/short equity hedge and emerging markets hedge fund strategies outperform the U.S. equity market, and the long/short equity hedge, multistrategy, managed futures, and global macro hedge fund strategies dominate the U.S. Treasury market.

This paper was accepted by Wei Jiang, finance.
Congenital lung malformations: an ongoing controversy
Authors: Peters RT , Burge DM , Marven SS
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Congenital lung malformations are rare lesions that are most commonly diagnosed antenatally. Management of such lesions, particularly those that are asymptomatic, remains controversial. We undertook a survey to ascertain current practice of surgeons in the UK and Ireland.

Methods

All consultant members of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons were asked to complete a survey on congenital lung malformations with respect to antenatal management, symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions, and operative techniques.

Results

Responses were received from 20 paediatric surgical centres and highlighted the ongoing variability in management of such lesions, particularly those that are asymptomatic. Twenty per cent of surgeons never resect an asymptomatic lesion and twenty-four per cent always do. The remainder intervene selectively, with size being the most commonly stated indication. Most resections are undertaken via thoracotomy although 35% of surgeons use thoracoscopy for some procedures.

Conclusions

National data based on congenital anomaly registers are needed to determine the natural history of these malformations and to guide future management.
Complete remission of primary retroperitoneal transitional cell carcinoma after radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy: a case report
Authors: Ichinohe K , Ijima M , Usami T , Baba S
Published: March 2013

Primary retroperitoneal transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) are extremely rare neoplasms for which prognosis is very poor. We present a case that underwent complete remission after radiotherapy and concurrent oral chemotherapy. A 68-year-old woman presented with acute onset of bloody stool. Urgent colonoscopy only detected haemorrhoids. Subsequent abdominal ultrasonography revealed a mass of 7cm in maximal diameter in the left iliac fossa. Laparotomy disclosed a retroperitoneal mass that could not be dissected and therefore only incision biopsy was performed. After a final diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal TCC, chemotherapy with tegafur-uracil (UFT) was initiated but was not effective. Subsequently, radiotherapy was initiated concurrently with UFT at a total dose of 50Gy in 25 fractions. At 20 months after radiotherapy, the tumour seemed to have completely remitted. At the last follow-up, ten years from radiotherapy, computed tomography revealed no recurrence.

We identified only three single case reports regarding primary retroperitoneal TCC over the last five decades. All patients died from the tumour 8−24 months after diagnosis or treatment. Based on the success of our case, radiotherapy with concurrent oral chemotherapy should be considered as an option for unresected cases.
Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia: delayed presentation with tension viscerothorax – lessons to learn
Authors: Al Skaini MS , Sardar A , Haroon H , Al Ghamdi SM , Homran Abdulla , Ezzedien Rabie M
Published: March 2013

Diaphragmatic rupture is a serious complication of thoracoabdominal trauma. The condition may be missed initially. We describe the clinical course of a patient who sustained blunt abdominal trauma in a car accident. His diaphragmatic injury passed unnoticed, to present two years later with left tension viscerothorax, a rarely reported and hardly recognised entity. Nasogastric tube insertion aborted the emergency situation and the hernia was repaired successfully in a semielective setting.
The case for bilateral mastectomy and male chest contouring for the female-to-male transsexual
Authors: Richards C , Barrett J
Published: March 2013

Introduction

In the UK, funding for a bilateral mastectomy (BLM) and associated chest recontouring for female-to-male transsexuals (trans men) has been rejected by some funding authorities on a number of unsustainable grounds.

Methods

As funding is increasingly an important area for both surgeons and referrers, we undertook a review of the small amount of literature pertaining to this issue and considered it in light of our clinical experience of this group.

Findings

The literature showed that BLM is necessary for trans men to live safely and effectively in their reassigned gender role, and further that it acts as a prophylaxis against distress, ameliorates extant distress as well as providing improved quality of life and global functioning for this patient group.
Coress feedback
Authors: Smith Frank CT
Published: March 2013

Three of the cases in this issue of CORESS Feedback relate to failure of either giving or taking of information. A good clinical history underpins management decisions and emphasis on providing the general practitioner (and patient) with a comprehensive written discharge summary, describing treatment, is paramount. The final case illustrates once again that the role of the World Health Organization checklist and the ‘time-out’ cannot be overestimated in facilitating safe surgery.

We are grateful to the clinicians who have provided the material for these reports. The online reporting form is on our website ( www.coress.org.uk ), which also includes all previous Feedback Reports. Published contributions will be acknowledged by a ‘Certificate of Contribution’, which may be included in the contributor’s record of continuing professional development.
The contribution of child maintenance payments to the income packages of lone mothers
Authors: Skinner Christine , Main Gill
Published: March 2013

Using the UK Families and Children Study (FACS) (2008-09 wave), this paper assesses the contribution made by child maintenance to the income packages of lone mothers and whether it helps to lift them out of poverty. Results show that, despite reforms implemented in October 2008 which allowed parents on means-tested benefits to keep up to £20 per week of child maintenance, the effect on poverty is disappointing. The median amount of payments remains low and only a minority of lone mothers report receiving any money. This raises concerns about the UK Coalition government's latest proposals to introduce charges for using the statutory child maintenance scheme.
Zur Bedeutung normierter Terminologien in Zeiten moderner Sprach- und Information- Retrieval-Technologien
Authors: Hauer Manfred
Published: March 2013

Wie Übersetzer sollten Bibliothekare den Dialog zwischen Autoren, die bereits Werke verfasst haben, und zumeist solchen, die an neuen Werken arbeiten, vermitteln. Sie bedienen sich einer so stark reduzierten „Übersetzungssprache“, dass der Dialog oft nicht mehr ausreichend gelingt. Seit zehn Jahren erweitern deshalb im deutschen und amerikanischen Bereich Bibliotheken zunehmend den Terminologieraum ihrer Kataloge durch die wichtigsten, originalsprachlichen Fachbegriffe der Autoren. Dadurch ergeben sich in der Recherche „Docking-Stellen“ für terminologische Netze, die zur Query-Expansion statt Dokument-Reduktion genutzt werden können. Die sich daraus ergebende Optimierung des Recalls kann im Dialog mit einem modernen Retrieval-System mittels Facettierungstechnik hinsichtlich Precision verfeinert werden, wobei die ursprünglich oft schwer zugängliche Fachterminologie des Bibliothekars dann auch ohne ungeliebtes Vortraining entschlüsselt werden kann.
Why We Need High-tech Politics to Make Renewables a Success Story
Authors: Goldammer Kathrin , Mans Ulrich
Published: March 2013

With the continued growth of renewable energy technologies, major changes are under way in a growing number of energy systems across the globe. Wind, solar, biomass, hydroelectric and geothermal solutions experience an impressive boom and have created a new business sector worth US$243 billion in 2011. This trend is not caused by recent breakthroughs in engineering; in fact most of the technology has been around for some time. The way we organize our energy infrastructure is not primarily a technical matter; it is above all a political decision. The scale-up of renewable energy supplies at the cost of today's fossil-fuel dominated energy infrastructure is a systemic transition from one technology regime to another and thus requires political leadership for setting the targets, guiding institutional change, freeing resources and deciding on the relevant regulations. Today's energy systems are based on well-established routines and – as any other existing societal arrangement – are governed by a certain degree of lock-in: because people are generally happy to do things the way they have done it in the past, they are unlikely to embrace change quickly. These “lock-ins” shape, to a large extent, the speed of change as well as the type of solutions required in order to leave behind what works for today in favor of what we want to work for tomorrow. This article provides an overview of recent developments in the energy systems in Germany, California and Japan. We show that in order to appreciate the dilemma's that arise when creating a more sustainable energy system, we need to understand the local political landscape and how it influences decision-making processes. Looking at the three regions, it becomes evident that the level of political leadership determines much of what technology can do to facilitate innovation in the field of sustainable energy.
Speaker Recognition in Uncontrolled Environment: A Review
Authors: Karamangala Narendra , Kumaraswamy Ramaswamy
Published: March 2013

Speaker recognition has been an active research area for many years. Methods to
represent and quantify information embedded in speech signal are termed as
features of the signal. The features are obtained, modeled and stored for
further reference when the system is to be tested.
Decision whether to accept or reject speakers are taken based on parameters of the data modeling techniques.
Real world offers various degradations to the signal
that hamper the signal quality. The degradations may be due to ambient
background noise, reverberation or multispeaker scenario. This paper
presents a survey of various feature extraction, data modeling methods,
metrics that are used to take the decisions and methods that can be used to
preprocess the degraded data that have been used to perform the task of
speaker recognition.
Writing-to-Learn, Writing-to-Communicate, & Scientific Literacy
Authors: Balgopal Meena , Wallace Alison
Published: March 2013

Writing-to-learn (WTL) is an effective instructional and learning strategy that centers on the process of organizing and articulating ideas, as opposed to writing-to-communicate, which centers on the finished written product. We describe a WTL model that we have developed and tested with various student groups over several years. With effective instructor guidance (through prompts and in-class discussion), students demonstrated greater scientific literacy after participating in writing activities about engaging socio-scientific issues. We believe that WTL activities are underused in secondary and post-secondary biology courses.
Minnows as a Classroom Model for Human Environmental Health
Authors: Weber Daniel N. , Hesselbach Renee , Kane Andrew S. , Petering David H. , Petering Louise , Berg Craig A.
Published: March 2013

Understanding human environmental health is difficult for high school students, as is the process of scientific investigation. This module provides a framework to address both concerns through an inquiry-based approach using a hypothesis-driven set of experiments that draws upon a real-life concern, environmental exposures to lead (Pb2+). Students learn how scientists use model organisms to understand basic biological concepts, and how these models relate to human and environmental health. Students observe how Pb2+ alters fish behaviors. Because many levels of biological organization are involved, this module has application for multiple units within general and advanced biology classes. Beginning with what is known about Pb2+ toxicity, students develop testable hypotheses about how it may affect behavior, apply this knowledge to human populations, and identify the “next experiment.”
Long Noncoding RNAs: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Kung Johnny T Y , Colognori David , Lee Jeannie T
Published: March 2013

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gained widespread attention in recent years as a potentially new and crucial layer of biological regulation. lncRNAs of all kinds have been implicated in a range of developmental processes and diseases, but knowledge of the mechanisms by which they act is still surprisingly limited, and claims that almost the entirety of the mammalian genome is transcribed into functional noncoding transcripts remain controversial. At the same time, a small number of well-studied lncRNAs have given us important clues about the biology of these molecules, and a few key functional and mechanistic themes have begun to emerge, although the robustness of these models and classification schemes remains to be seen. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of the lncRNA field, discussing what is known about the genomic contexts, biological functions, and mechanisms of action of lncRNAs. We also reflect on how the recent interest in lncRNAs is deeply rooted in biology’s longstanding concern with the evolution and function of genomes.
Population Genetics and a Study of Speciation Using Next-Generation Sequencing: An Educational Primer for Use with “Patterns of Transcriptome Divergence in the Male Accessory Gland of Two Closely Related Species of Field Crickets”
Authors: Wittkopp Patricia J
Published: March 2013

Understanding evidence for the genetic basis of reproductive isolation is imperative for supporting students’ understanding of mechanisms of speciation in courses such as Genetics and Evolutionary Biology. An article by Andrés et al. in the February 2013 issue of GENETICS illustrates how advances in DNA sequencing are accelerating studies of population genetics in species with limited genetic and genomic resources. Andrés et al. use the latest sequencing technologies to systematically identify and characterize sites in the DNA that vary within, and have diverged between, species to explore speciation in crickets. This primer, coupled with that article, will help instructors introduce and reinforce important concepts in genetics and evolution while simultaneously introducing modern methodology in the undergraduate classroom.

Related article in GENETICS: Andrés, J. A., E. L. Larson, S. M. Bogdanowicz, and R. G. Harrison, 2013 Patterns of transcriptome divergence in the male accessory gland of two closely related species of field crickets. Genetics 193: 501–513.
Challenges of Newborn Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Screening Among Premature Infants
Authors: Ward Claire E. , Baptist Alan P.
Published: March 2013

Newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is currently being performed in many states. It is important to address diagnostic challenges while outcomes are emerging from the first several years of screening. We present the case of a premature infant whose initial newborn screen was strongly positive for SCID. Subsequent lymphocyte subset analysis by flow cytometry was difficult to interpret due to the lack of age-matched reference values, a history of prenatal corticosteroid administration, and the possibility of maternal or posttransfusion engraftment. A repeat newborn screen for SCID ultimately revealed a normal result, confirming the initial newborn screen as a false positive. This case report reveals several of the diagnostic challenges unique to newborn SCID screening in premature infants and highlights the potential for states to address the feasibility of a standard protocol in this population.
Predictors of Phrase and Fluent Speech in Children With Autism and Severe Language Delay
Authors: Wodka Ericka L. , Mathy Pamela , Kalb Luther
Published: March 2013

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the prevalence and predictors of language attainment in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and severe language delay. We hypothesized greater autism symptomatology and lower intelligence among children who do not attain phrase/fluent speech, with nonverbal intelligence and social engagement emerging as the strongest predictors of outcome.

METHODS:

Data used for the current study were from 535 children with ASD who were at least 8 years of age (mean = 11.6 years, SD = 2.73 years) and who did not acquire phrase speech before age 4. Logistic and Cox proportionate hazards regression analyses examined predictors of phrase and fluent speech attainment and age at acquisition, respectively.

RESULTS:

A total of 372 children (70%) attained phrase speech and 253 children (47%) attained fluent speech at or after age 4. No demographic or child psychiatric characteristics were associated with phrase speech attainment after age 4, whereas slightly older age and increased internalizing symptoms were associated with fluent speech. In the multivariate analyses, higher nonverbal IQ and less social impairment were both independently associated with the acquisition of phrase and fluent speech, as well as earlier age at acquisition. Stereotyped behavior/repetitive interests and sensory interests were not associated with delayed speech acquisition.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study highlights that many severely language-delayed children in the present sample attained phrase or fluent speech at or after age 4 years. These data also implicate the importance of evaluating and considering nonverbal skills, both cognitive and social, when developing interventions and setting goals for language development.
Weight Status of Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Chawla Anjulika , Sprinz Philippa G. , Welch Jennifer , Heeney Matthew , Usmani Naheed , Pashankar Farzana , Kavanagh Patricia
Published: March 2013

OBJECTIVE:

Historically, many children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) were underweight. Treatment advances like hydroxyurea have been associated with improved growth. We hypothesized that increased hemoglobin (Hb) levels would be associated with increased weight status of children with SCD.

METHODS:

Investigators at 6 institutions conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients aged 2 to 19 years of age for the calendar years 2007–2009. Height, weight, baseline Hb levels, demographic information, and select comorbidities were recorded from the most recent clinic visit. Overweight and obesity were defined as ≥85th and ≥95th BMI percentiles for age and gender, respectively, and underweight was defined as <5th BMI percentile.

RESULTS:

Data were collected on 675 children and adolescents in 3 New England states. In this sample, 22.4% were overweight or obese, whereas only 6.7% were underweight. Overweight or obese status was associated with sickle genotypes other than Hb SS or Hb Sβ0 disease, and were associated with higher baseline Hb levels. Underweight individuals were more likely to be male, older, and have had at least 1 SCD-related complication. After adjusting for demographic factors, any SCD-related complication, SCD-directed treatments, and obesity-related conditions, there was a 36% increased odds of overweight/obesity for each 1 g/dL increase in baseline Hb levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

Nearly one-quarter of children and adolescents with SCD in New England are overweight or obese. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the impact of elevated BMI on the morbidity and mortality of both children and adults with SCD.
Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) Membranes for Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Casey Meghan E. , Ventura Anthony P. , Misiolek Wojciech Z. , Jedlicka Sabrina
Published: March 2013

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes were fabricated in a mild two-step anodization procedure. The voltage was varied during both anodization steps to control the pore size and morphology of the AAO membranes. Pore sizes ranged from 34 nm to 117 nm. Characterization of the pore structure was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To assess the potential of the AAO membranes as a neuronal differentiation platform, C17.2 neural stem cells (NSCs), an immortalized and multipotent cell line, were used. The NSCs were forced to differentiate via serum-withdrawal. Cellular growth was characterized by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and SEM. ImageJ software was used to obtain phenotypic cell counts and neurite outgrowth lengths. Results indicate a highly tunable correlation between AAO nanopore sizes and differentiated cell populations. By selecting AAO membranes with specific pore size ranges, control of neuronal network density and neurite outgrowth length was achieved.
Low Temperature ZnO TFTs Fabrication with Al and AZO Contacts for Flexible Transparent Applications
Authors: Gutierrez-Heredia Gerardo , Mejia Israel , Hernandez-Como Norberto , Rivas-Aguilar Martha E. , Martinez-Landeros Victor H. , Aguirre-Tostado Francisco S. , Gnade Bruce E. , Quevedo Manuel
Published: March 2013

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Thin-Film Transistors (TFTs) using Aluminum (Al) and Aluminum-doped zinc Oxide (AZO) as Source-Drain (S-D) contacts are reported. The fabrication process was carried out using five photolithography steps with a maximum processing temperature of 100 °C, which makes the process compatible with flexible/transparent applications. The AZO and ZnO films were deposited using Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD). Aluminum was deposited using ebeam. The devices showed mobilities >10 cm2/V-s, threshold voltage in the range of 7 V and On/Off current ratios >105. The resistance analysis showed that AZO is a better contact with lower contact resistance as identified in the TFTs. The AZO and ZnO stacks characterized by UV-V shows an optical transmission >80 %.
Fabrication of Corundum-Structured α-(InFe)2O3 Alloy Films on Sapphire Substrates by Inserting α-Fe2O3 Buffer Layer
Authors: Akaiwa Kazuaki , Suzuki Norihiro , Kaneko Kentaro , Fujita Shizuo
Published: March 2013

We successfully fabricated corundum-structured α-(InFe)2O3 alloy films on sapphire substrates by inserting α-Fe2O3 buffer layers. The ion compositions in the α-(In1-xFex)2O3 films, x, were artificially tuned for the entire range from 0 to 1 by changing the ion precursor composition in source solution. Magnetic measurements revealed that the α-(In1-xFex)2O3 (x = 0.13) alloy film showed ferromagnetism at 5 K.
A Study of Quaternary Cr-Cr2Ta Alloys - Microstructure and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Choda Varun , Bhowmik Ayan , Edmonds Ian M. , Jones C. Neil , Stone Howard J.
Published: March 2013

Six alloys based on Cr-10Ta-7Si (by at.%) with quaternary additions of 0.5Ag, 5Ti, 1Hf, 3Mo, 3Al, or 3Re (by at.%) substituted for Cr were produced by vacuum arc-melting. The microstructures of the alloys were found to predominantly consist of a eutectic mixture of an A2 Cr-based solid solution and a C14 Cr2Ta Laves phase along with proeutectic Cr2Ta dendrites. Microstructural macro- and micro-scale inhomogeneities were observed in all alloy ingots, which were attributed to the non-equilibrium arc-melting process. The measured lattice parameters of the constituent phases and the elemental partitioning behaviour between the phases have been correlated with the respective covalent atomic radii. The bulk hardnesses of the alloys, along with the hardness of individual phases, have also been reported.
Growth and Characterization of ZnO Thin Film by RF Magnetron Sputtering for Photoacoustic Tomography Sensor
Authors: Matsuo Takuya , Okuda Shuhei , Washio Katsuyoshi
Published: March 2013

To apply thin ZnO film to photoacoustic tomography sensors, we investigated methods to improve its piezoelectricity with high optical transmittance. ZnO film was deposited by RF magnetron sputtering on a quartz substrate with various changes of the following conditions: RF sputtering power, Ar gas pressure, and substrate temperature (TSUB). The preliminary optimization of sputtering conditions is to form the ZnO film with good c-axis crystalline alignment. The results of X-ray diffraction measurement and cross-sectional observations indicated that the high-TSUB condition was preferable. This was because the desorption of Zn due to high-TSUB during the deposition process induced the formation of excellent columnar grains normal to the substrate. To enhance the piezoresponse, the substitution of Zn with different crystal-radius atoms was investigated, the aim being to increase the electrically neutral dipole moment by the partial displacement of the Zn-O bond. The transition metal V, with the potential to have the various configurations and coordination numbers, was selected as the dopant. As a result, it was confirmed that the diffraction peak from the (002) plane shifted to low angles with small degradation of the diffraction intensities.
Dextran Based Polyampholyte Having Cryoprotective Properties
Authors: Jain Minkle , Matsumura Kazuaki
Published: March 2013

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has been used for several decades as the most efficient cryoprotective agent (CPA) for many types of cells in spite of its cytotoxicity and its effect on differentiation. Recently we showed that carboxylated poly-L-lysine, which is classified as a polyampholyte, has a cryoprotective effect on cells in solution without any other cryoprotectant. Here we developed high molecular weight polyampholytes with an appropriate ratio of amino and carboxyl groups and evaluated their cryopreservation efficiency. A novel polyampholyte based on naturally available polymer dextran, in which we introduced both amino and carboxyl groups shows an excellent post thaw-survival efficiency of more than 90% of murine L929 cells. It can serve as the sole high molecular weight CPA for tissue engineering applications without animal derived materials.
The Electrical Characteristics of ZnO :Ga/p-Si Junction Diode
Authors: Lin Tien-Chai , Huang Wen-Chang , Horng Chia-Tsung , Yang Shu-Hui
Published: March 2013

The junction characteristics between ZnO:Ga (GZO) film and p-Si substrate are discussed in the research. For the transparent semiconductor ZnO, the element Ga is chosen to be the dopant source to produce a high quality n-type ZnO thin film. The ZnO:Ga (GZO) film shows a average transmittance is 84.7% (above 400 nm), a bandgap energy of 3.37 eV, a carrier concentration of 7.29×1013 cm−3and a resistivity of 118 Ω-cm. For the GZO/p-Si junction, it shows a junction barrier height of 0.54 eV with an ideality factor of 1.24. The capacitance-voltage measurement shows that it has a uniform reverse bias depletion layer. The Cheung function is also brought to discussion the diode characteristics.
Crystal Structure Evolution of La2Ni7 during Hydrogenation
Authors: Iwatake Yuki , Kishida Kyosuke , Inui Haruyuki
Published: March 2013

Atomic scale characterization of the La2Ni7 hydrides by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) revealed that not only the anisotropic expansion of the La2Ni4 unit layer previously reported but also the shearing on the basal plane of the La2Ni4 unit layers occur during one-cycle of hydrogen absorption/desorption process. Two different types of orthorhombic La2Ni7 hydrides with the same atomic arrangement of La and different atomic arrangement of Ni were observed depending on the maximum hydrogen concentration achieved during one hydrogen absorption/desorption cycle.
Thermal Conversion of Cs-exchanged IONSIV IE-911 into a Novel Caesium Ceramic Wasteform by Hot Isostatic Pressing
Authors: Chen Tzu-Yu , Hriljac Joseph A. , Gandy Amy S. , Stennett Martin C. , Hyatt Neil C. , Maddrell Ewan. R.
Published: March 2013

Hot Isostatic Pressing of Cs-exchanged IONSIV IE-911 samples is shown to produce a mixture of ceramic phases, the nature and mass fractions of these have been determined by Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data. The main Cs phase that forms is Cs2TiNb6O18, after this reaches approximately 30% of the total crystalline content the remaining Cs is partitioned into Cs2ZrSi6O15. Durability tests using the PCT-B method for 7 days at 90 °C with deionised water lead to Cs leach rates of 0.032 and 0.038 g∙m−2∙day−1 for samples exchanged to 6 and 12 wt% Cs, respectively, indicating a durable wasteform is produced.
Quasicrystalline Phase of Silicon on Glass
Authors: Middya A. R. , Ghosh Kartik
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we report new phase of crystalline silicon, quasicrystalline silicon thin-film on glass substrate. The surface topography of these films reveal simultaneous existence of sixfold and fivefold symmetry. We found an array of quasi-unit cell in 2-D that formed quasicrystalline solid. This is first time demonstration of quasicrystalline for single element, silicon (Si). Raman spectra suggests that we found crystalline silicon structure on glass substrate that is not single-crystal silicon (c-Si) but very close to c-Si.
Quantum-kinetic Theory of Defect-mediated Recombination in Nanostructure-based Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Aeberhard Urs
Published: March 2013

In this paper, a quantum-kinetic equivalent of Shockley-Read-Hall recombination is derived within the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism for a photovoltaic system with selectively contacted extended-state absorbers and a localized deep defect state in the energy gap. The novel approach is tested on a homogeneous bulk absorber and then applied to a thin film photo-diode with large built-in field in the defect-rich absorber region. While the quantum-kinetic treatment reproduces the semi-classical characteristics for a bulk absorber in quasi-equilibrium conditions, for which the latter picture is valid, it reveals in the thin film case non-classical characteristics of recombination enhanced by tunneling into field-induced sub-gap states.
Comparisons of the Mechanical Behaviors of Poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and ITO on Flexible Substrates
Authors: Alzoubi Khalid , Choi Gihoon , Hamasha Mohammad M. , Alkhazali Atif S , DeFranco John , Lu Susan , Sammakia Bahgat , Westgate Charles
Published: March 2013

Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) has been widely used as a Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) layer in the photovoltaic solar technology because of its excellent electrical and optical properties. However, ITO is brittle, and its conductivity decreases significantly as the ITO films are exposed to stretching or bending strains especially in flexible/foldable solar cell applications. The cracks in ITO appear at very low strains which might cause failure in the conductive layer because of the combination of a very thin film of brittle ceramic material applied to a polymer substrate. Poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene), abbreviated PEDOT, is of increasing interest as a competitive candidate to ITO. PEDOT has found its way in many applications such as transparent electrode materials and transparent conductive layers in photovoltaic solar cells. In this work, the mechanical behavior of PEDOT was studied under high cycle bending fatigue in which the effects of bending diameter and bending frequency were considered and compared to ITO. High magnification optical images were used to study cracking in the PEDOT as well as the ITO layers. In flexible solar cells, the web will be exposed to folding/bending many times during manufacturing and installation. Therefore, the thin film substrate structure will be exposed to cyclic loading cyclic tensile and compressive strains. Therefore, this work was designed to mechanically fatigue the structure and study its behavior. It was found that bending diameters as well as material (PEDOT or ITO) have a great influence on the electrical conductivity of the thin films.
High Efficiency Solar to Electric Energy Conversion through Spectrum Splitting and Multi-channel Full Spectrum Harvesting
Authors: Broderick Lirong Zeng , Zhang Tiejun , Stefancich Marco , Albert Brian R. , Wang Evelyn , Chen Gang , Armstrong Peter , Chiesa Matteo , Kimerling Lionel , Michel Jurgen
Published: March 2013

A system combining photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal approaches is designed to convert solar energy to electricity with high efficiency across the full solar spectrum. Concentrated solar spectrum is split into two parts: PV and thermal. The PV part of the spectrum is further split into several subbands directed to bandgap appropriate solar cells on an inexpensive Si substrate. Epitaxial Ge on Si is used as a virtual substrate for III-V semiconductor growth. At long and very short wavelengths where PV efficiency is low, solar radiation is directed to a high temperature thermal storage tank for electricity generation using heat engines. The potential of using PV waste heat due to thermalization of high energy photoelectrons for electricity generation is also investigated. Detailed optical and thermal analysis show that with optimized design and neglecting optical component loss, system power conversion efficiency can reach 56%, including more than 16% absolute contribution from thermal storage.
Realizing the World’s First Upgradeable, 40-year Lifetime High Concentration Photovoltaic (HCPV) System – An Accelerated Pathway to Grid Parity
Authors: Yoon Hojun , Nabar Sameet , Banin Yoav
Published: March 2013

As incentive programs for solar energy are gradually being phased out around the world, solar must quickly become a viable and competitive option to the mainstream, fossil-based power generation technologies. As such, it must begin to assume more of the characteristics of the traditional technologies in order to be compatible with utility generation business models. With this goal in mind, Solergy has realized a series of innovations that include optics, concentrator module design, and tracking to create a high performing, long-lasting High Concentration Photovoltaic (HCPV) system. Because it is upgradeable, Solergy is the only HCPV system that can actually increase its power output over its lifetime and then subsequently extend its life out to 40 years. This talk will discuss the types of technological advances required to achieve this and share results from the lab and the field. In particular, the talk will cover the world’s only all-glass concentrating lens, high performance tracking, and the unique upgrade mechanism.
The Effect of Cellulose Nanofibres on Mechanical Properties and Bioactivity of Natural Polymers
Authors: Shirazi Ali Negahi , Fathi Ali , Dehghani Fariba
Published: March 2013

Natural polymers, used for hydrogel fabrication, are generally bioactive and provide good environment for cell growth and proliferation. However, these polymers have low mechanical strength. Several approaches have been attempted to improve their mechanical properties such as fabrication of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) and semi-IPN hydrogels, and also addition of a nano sized fibers or nano-particles. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using naturally derived nano-fillers such as cellulose nanocrystallines to enhance the mechanical properties of hydrogels. Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) was used as a protein model for preparation of photo-crosslinked hydrogel. The effects of concentrations of photo initiator and cellulose nanocrystallines (CNC) on the characteristics of hydrogels were examined. In vitro studies showed negligible cytotoxic effect of CNC on human osteosarcoma cell growth when using less than 20 mg/ml CNC. Therefore, it is viable to use this nano-filler for biomedical applications. It was found that the compression modulus of gelatin hydrogel was increased 1.5 fold by addition of 10 mg/ml of CNC. These results demonstrate the high potential of using CNC for tissue engineering applications to enhance the mechanical strength of hydrogels.
Analysis of Cu traces in Si using Transient Ion Drift combined with Rapid Thermal Annealing.
Authors: Heiser T. , Belayachi A. , Pihan E. , Kempf A. , Bourdais S. , Bloechl P. , Huber A. , Semmache B.
Published: March 2013

Copper trace analysis using Transient Ion Drift (TID) combined with a Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA) process is investigated. A double pulse method is implemented to allow unambiguous identification of the copper-induced capacitance signal. Use of a mercury probe as sensing Schottky barrier enhances the flexibility of the method and allows mapping of the contaminant. The method is evaluated on quantitatively contaminated silicon wafers and compared to Total X-ray fluorescence (TXRF).

It is shown that in Czochralski grown material, the RTA is sufficient to dissolve most copper atoms into interstitial sites independently of their initial configuration. As a result, both, the surface and bulk contamination can be monitored by RTA/TID with a bulk detection limit close to 1011cm-3.

In Float Zone material mapping of the quenched interstitial copper revealed the existence of defect reactions involving presumably vacancy clusters.
Displacement response to axial cycling of piles driven in sand
Authors: Rimoy Siya P. , Jardine Richard J. , Standing Jamie R.
Published: March 2013

A review of the load applied to multi-pile offshore wind turbine foundations is presented, from which the need to consider the response to axial cyclic loading is emphasised. The paucity of available data on field tests on driven piles in sand is noted. A comprehensive data set of multiple axial cyclic and static tests conducted on seven industrial-scale steel pipe-piles at a marine sand site in Dunkerque, France, is re-examined in this paper. The effects of cycling on axial capacity are interpreted by reference to stable, metastable or unstable zones defined in a normalised cyclic stability interaction diagram. A detailed analysis is made of the load–displacement and stiffness response associated with each mode of cycling. It is shown that in all cases the piles' cyclic stiffnesses show only minor changes until cyclic failure is approached. The patterns of permanent cyclic strain accumulation are sensitive to the applied mean and cyclic loading levels. Whereas displacements accumulate rapidly over just a few cycles in the unstable zone, extended cycling in the stable zone leads to minimal accumulated displacements and constant transient cyclic displacements.
Effect of side chains on the dispersing properties of polycarboxylate-type superplasticisers in cement systems
Authors: Peng Xiongyi , Li Xia , Chen Dongzhi , Ma Deyun
Published: March 2013

To study the effect of side chains on the dispersing properties of polycarboxylate-type superplasticisers (PCs) in cement pastes, PCs with different side chains were synthesised and used as a superplasticiser for cement suspensions. The effect of side chains of PC on the zeta potential, adsorption, fluidity of the corresponding cement suspensions was investigated systematically, and total interparticle potential energy between particles was calculated. The results show that the higher the short side chains ratio of PC, the larger the adsorption amount of PC. PC with both short and long side chains presents a better dispersing property than PC with short side chains, while PC with long side chains falls in between. The maintaining dispersing ability of PC for cement particles increases as the short side chains ratio increases. The changing rule of total interparticle potential energy produced by PC is in accordance with the changing rule of dispersing property of PC in cement pastes. This indicates that the calculated results of total interparticle potential energy further support the explanation of dispersing property difference of PC in theory. This paper uses the sum of electrostatic energy and steric hindrance potential as the total interparticle potential energy to evaluate the dispersing property of PC for the first time, which is meaningful for the evaluation of dispersing property of polymer dispersant adsorbed on particle surfaces.
Drilling Systems Automation - Preparing for the Big Jump Forward
Authors: de Wardt John P , Behounek Michael , Chapman Clinton , Putra Devi
Published: March 2013

This paper presents results and knowledge shared from the SPE Applied Technology Workshop held in Vail, Colorado USA in July 2012 titled Well Construction Automation – Preparing for the Big Jump Forward.

Automation in drilling and completion operations is coming quickly, and its rapid adoption will leave many industry players behind if they are not aware of the future it will bring. Advances in control and automation of the whole drilling and completion process will increase improvements in safety, performance, quality, reliability, consistency and interoperability. This progressive application of automation will also create shifts in skills and competencies, and transform the role of the driller, rig crew, and service specialists along the way. Advances in automation are being made on multiple fronts, and many lessons are available from its adoption in other industries and the transformation industrial automation afforded in the 1990s.

This workshop included important lessons learned from other industries and provided an update on the latest advances in automation developments. It explored the applications of such technologies as robotics, machine learning, and autonomous task performance without continuous human guidance, along with the speed with which these technologies can be applied.

This was the first workshop that has actively brought people involved in automation from other industries into the discussion on drilling systems automation. The workshop involved key speakers and participants from leading edge applications including academia and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). These organizations are automating things that the drilling industry has not yet heard about. The workshop participants developed plans for adopting these technologies into drilling systems and created a vision of rapid automation adoption into drilling operations.