bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Integrated Primary Care Approach to Help Children B-HIP!
Authors: London Lorna H. , Watson Erin C. , Berger Jared
Published: June 2013

This article outlines a collaborative health care initiative entitled “Be Happy, Involved, and Positive (B-HIP)”—a grant-funded program through the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation. The B-HIP program was developed in January 2009 at the Rush-Copley Medical Center to address the previously undiagnosed mental health care needs for pediatric patients in a primary care setting. This article seeks to illustrate how, through collaborative care, efforts are being made to assess and address the mental health care needs for pediatric patients, and is furthermore an attempt to share information about implementing a pediatric mental health screening for best practices of the proposed prevention program, “B-HIP.” The investigators applied the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) as a standard of care for identified pediatric patients. Along with anecdotal data of the B-HIP program, an outline of the theory, design, and implementation behind the program’s inception is presented.
Treatment of Comorbid Selective Mutism and Procedural Anxiety in a Child With Pediatric Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disease: A Case Study
Authors: Welkom Josie S. , Gabrielsen Terisa P. , Robins Paul M.
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this case report is to describe the conceptualization and treatment of comorbid anxiety diagnoses, selective mutism, and procedural anxiety in a young female presenting to a pediatric family therapy clinic with common variable immunodeficiency disease (CVID) and behavioral concerns. Treatment included a comprehensive interview assessing domains of functioning. Treatment plans for both selective mutism and procedural anxiety were informed by behavior learning theories. In collaboration with parents and teachers, evidence-based interventions were implemented concurrently across the clinic, home, and school settings to facilitate generalization. Over the course of 8 sessions, coping skills were successfully employed in the home setting to decrease procedural anxiety. Behavioral techniques implemented by clinician, parents, and the patient’s teacher to reinforce functional communication resulted in the reestablishment of speech in the school setting. Comorbid treatment of anxiety disorders proved successful and was effectively applied within an academic medical setting in a child with CVID. Application of evidence-based interventions informed by behavioral learning theories brought about improvements in both functional communication and procedural anxiety. Close collaboration among pediatric psychologists, school personnel, and parents was critical to achieving positive treatment outcomes across multiple settings.
The Development and Preliminary Validation of the Psychosocial Adjustment to Burn Questionnaire
Authors: Pelley Terri J. , Brown Kirschman Keri J. , Odar Cathleen C. , Butz Catherine L. , Rye Mark , Fabia Renata B. , Besner Gail E.
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop and conduct a preliminary validation of a screening tool to assess psychosocial adjustment in young children and their parents following an unintentional pediatric burn-injury. Parents ( N = 62) of young children receiving medical treatment for a pediatric burn injury completed our newly developed Psychosocial Adjustment to Burn Questionnaire (PABQ), a 35-item psychosocial risk screening measure for children aged 0-5 that contains Child, Parent, and Regression subscales. Parents completed additional assessments of child and parent posttraumatic stress symptoms and an assessment of optimism. The PABQ-Child and PABQ-Parent subscales demonstrated strong internal consistency and test/retest reliability. Consistent with hypotheses, the PABQ-Child and PABQ-Parent subscales were positively correlated with the Child Stress Disorder Checklist, Behavior Assessment Scale for Children (Second Edition), and the PTSD Checklist. Lastly, discriminant validity was demonstrated using the Life Orientation Test-Revised. The PABQ is a promising screening tool for psychosocial risk in young pediatric burn patients and their parents.
From Drug Dosage Forms to Intelligent Drug-delivery Systems: a Change of Paradigm
Authors: Alvarez-Lorenzo C. , Concheiro A.
Published: June 2013

The design of new drug-delivery systems (DDSs) able to regulate the moment and the rate at which the release should take place, and even to target the drug to specific tissues and cell compartments, has opened novel perspectives to improve the efficacy and safety of the therapeutic treatments. Ideally, the drug should only have access to its site of action and the release should follow the evolution of the disease or of certain biorhythms. The advances in the DDSs field are possible because of a better knowledge of the physiological functions and barriers to the drug access to the action site, but also due to the possibility of having “active” excipients that provide novel features. The joint work in a wide range of disciplines, comprising materials science, biomedical engineering and pharmaceutical technology, prompts the design and development of materials (lipids, polymers, hybrids) that can act as sensors of physiological parameters or external variables, and as actuators able to trigger or tune the release process. Such smart excipients lead to an advanced generation of DDSs designed as intelligent or stimuli-responsive. This chapter provides an overview of how the progress in DDSs is intimately linked to the evolution of the excipients, understood as a specific category of biomaterials. The phase transitions, the stimuli that can trigger them and the mechanisms behind the performance of the intelligent DDSs are analyzed as a whole, to serve as an introduction to the topics that are comprehensively discussed in the subsequent chapters of the book. A look to the future is also provided.
Temperature- and pH-sensitive Polymeric Micelles for Drug Encapsulation, Release and Targeting
Authors: Sosnik Alejandro
Published: June 2013

More than 50% of the drugs in the market and 70% of the new candidates are poorly water soluble according to the Biopharmaceutic Classification System (BCS(. Poor aqueous solubility and physico-chemical stability of drugs in biological fluids remain key limitations in oral, parenteral and transdermal administration and contribute to an increase the drug attrition rate. Motivated by the outbreak of nanotechnology, different nanocarriers made of lipids and polymers have been designed and developed to address these limitations. Moreover, robust platforms were exploited to achieve the temporal and spatial release of drugs, thus constraining the systemic exposure to toxic agents and the appearance of severe adverse effects and improving the safety ratio. Owing to unique features such as (i( great chemical flexibility, (ii( capacity to host, solubilize and physico-chemically stabilize poorly water soluble drugs, (iii( ability to accumulate selectively in highly vascularized solid tumors and (iv( ability of single amphiphile molecules (unimers( to inhibit the activity of different pumps of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily (ABCs(, polymeric micelles have emerged as one of the most versatile nanotechnologies. Despite their diverse applications to improve the therapeutic outcomes, polymeric micelles remain clinically uncapitalized. The present chapter overviews the most recent applications of temperature- and pH-responsive polymeric micelles for the encapsulation, release and targeting of drugs and discusses the perspectives for these unique nanocarriers in the near future.
Advances in Drug-delivery Systems Based on Intrinsically Conducting Polymers
Authors: Sharma Manisha , Svirskis Darren , Garg Sanjay
Published: June 2013

Intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) are organic polymers with unique capabilities including the ability to conduct electricity. The release of drugs from ICP-based drug delivery systems can be controlled using electrical signaling to alter the redox state of the ICP, leading to subsequent changes in polymer charge and volume. The increasing use of ICPs in drug delivery systems can be attributed to their biocompatible nature and the ability to regulate drug release electrically. Drug can be easily incorporated into these polymers by physical and chemical means. As the release of the drugs from ICPs is in accordance with electrical stimulus the therapeutic effect can be maximized with a reduction in the side effects. In this chapter a general overview of ICPs, their electrochemical properties and the techniques used to characterize these materials with specifics pertaining to drug delivery is provided. Emphasis is given to advances in methods and technology to enhance the drug-loading capacity of these polymers and to achieve precise controlled therapy. The chapter discusses some of the exciting applications of ICPs as devices for controlled delivery of drugs to desired locations.
UV and Near-IR Triggered Release from Polymeric Micelles and Nanoparticles
Authors: Alatorre-Meda Manuel , Alvarez-Lorenzo Carmen , Concheiro Angel , Taboada Pablo
Published: June 2013

Nano- and micro-carriers were originally conceived to release active molecules passively via diffusion or upon long-term erosion. However, with the help of novel, minimally invasive technologies, which enable their remotely induced disruption, these systems have evolved to become smart carriers able to release substances upon subtle structural changes in response to certain physiological environments/processes or external applied stimuli. In the present chapter, light-responsive polymer-based drug-delivery systems are reviewed in terms of i) interactions of light with the biological tissues and the repercussions on the use of light as an external stimulus for drug delivery and related applications; ii) materials and methodologies useful for their preparation; iii) mechanisms by which the light-responsiveness is imparted; and iv) structure of the carriers and applications for drug release. Representative examples of ultra-violet (UV) and near-infrared (near-IR) light-responsive polymeric micelles, polymersomes, micro-/nanocapsules and micro-/nanoparticles for drug delivery are discussed from the point of view of their composition, preparation, mechanism involved in irradiation induced release and potential clinical applications.
Effects of moderate-intensity aerobic cycling and swim exercise on post-exertional blood pressure in healthy young untrained and triathlon-trained men and women
Authors: Lakin Robert , Notarius Catherine , Thomas Scott , Goodman Jack
Published: June 2013

Aerobic exercises such as running, walking and cycling are known to elicit a PEH (post-exercise hypotensive) response in both trained and UT (untrained) subjects. However, it is not known whether swim exercise produces a similar effect in normotensive individuals. The complex acute physiological responses to water immersion suggest swimming may affect BP (blood pressure) differently than other forms of aerobic exercises. We tested the hypothesis that an acute bout of swimming would fail to elicit a PEH BP response compared with an equivalent bout of stationary cycling, regardless of training state. We studied 11 UT and ten triathlon-trained young healthy normotensive [SBP/DBP (systolic BP/diastolic BP) <120/80 mmHg)] men and women (age 23±1 years) who underwent 30 min of intensity-matched cycling and swimming sessions to assess changes in BP during a 75-min seated recovery. CO (cardiac output), SV (stroke volume), TPR (total peripheral resistance), HR (heart rate), HRV (HR variability) and core and skin temperature were also assessed. In UT subjects, PEH was similar between cycling (−3.1±1 mmHg) and swimming (−5.8±1 mmHg), with the greater magnitude of PEH following swimming, reflecting a significant fall in SV between modalities (P<0.05). Trained individuals did not exhibit a PEH response following swimming (0.3±1 mmHg), yet had a significant fall in SBP at 50 min post-cycling exercise (−3.7±1 mmHg) (P<0.05). The absence of PEH after swimming in the trained group may reflect a higher cardiac sympathetic outflow [as indicated by the LF (low-frequency) spectral component of HRV) (25 and 50 min) (P<0.05)] and a slower return of vagal tone, consistent with a significant increase in HR between modalities at all time points (P<0.05). These results suggest that training may limit the potential for an effective post-exertional hypotensive response to aerobic swimming.
Methods of source current reference generation for predictive control in a direct matrix converter
Authors: Rivera Marco , Rojas Christian , Rodriguez Jose , Espinoza Jose
Published: June 2013

Two control strategies that allow the control of source and load currents for direct matrix converters are presented in this study. Both methods use the switching state of the converter in the subsequent sampling time, based on an optimisation algorithm given by a simple cost function and the discrete system model. The control goals include regulation of load currents according to an arbitrary reference and good tracking of the source currents to their references. In the first method, the input current reference is given as a function of the instantaneous active power. In the second case, the source current reference is given as a function of the output current reference and system parameters. Experimental results with an experimental prototype support the theoretical approach.
Analysis and design of reduced‐order sliding‐mode controller for three‐phase power factor correction using Cuk rectifiers
Authors: Umamaheswari Mallapu Gopinath , Uma Govindarajan , Vijayalakshmi Kanjanalai Mahadevan
Published: June 2013

In this study, the analysis and design of reduced‐order sliding‐mode controller (ROSMC) for power factor correction (PFC) in a three‐phase system is presented. A new and systematic technique for the selection of sliding surface co‐efficients to implement ROSMC is attempted. The front end is a three‐phase diode rectifier followed by DC–DC Cuk converter modules with the common DC output. Instantaneous symmetrical component theory is used for reference current generation. The control strategy uses three inner ROSMC current controllers for source current shaping and an outer voltage loop using proportional integral controller for load voltage regulation. The proposed method offers simple control strategy, fast transient response and power factor close to unity. To validate the proposed method, a prototype controlled by dSPACE 1104 signal processor is set up. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the proposed system offers regulated output voltage for wide load variations and power factor close to unity.
Novel technique for bidirectional series‐resonant DC/DC converter in discontinuous mode
Authors: Ibanez Federico , Echeverria Jose Martín , Fontan Luis
Published: June 2013

This study analyses a novel technique for obtaining a voltage conversion ratio greater than one in a bidirectional series‐resonant DC/DC converter (SRC). The converter works in a discontinuous mode: it transfers energy in packets, but it also accumulates some packets in order to raise the output voltage. This study presents a comprehensive theoretical analysis for the two modes: the step‐down mode (common mode) and the novel step‐up mode. The converter transfers energy during fixed time intervals (called states), and it is also able to accumulate energy in a novel state called the accumulation state. With this, the circuit can achieve a voltage conversion ratio of up to two. In addition, a design methodology is presented, and it is validated in the design of a high‐current bidirectional DC/DC converter for battery applications. The results of the voltage conversion ratio and efficiency measurement are presented along with a comparison with an resonant LLC converter. The converter reaches an efficiency rate of 91% and the voltage conversion ratio varies from 0.8 to 1.22 at maximum power. Using this novel technique, the SRC can now be used in a bidirectional DC/DC converter applied to energy storage devices, such as batteries or supercapacitors.
Reactive power allocation for loss minimisation in a stand alone variable speed constant frequency double output induction generator
Authors: Bagarty Durgesh Prasad , Kastha Debaprasad
Published: June 2013

Vector control algorithms reported so far for stand alone operation of variable speed constant frequency double output induction generators propose to supply the full magnetisation current of the machine in addition to the torque producing component from the rotor side converter. As the rotor of a normal induction machine is not designed for this additional load this approach leads to underutilisation of the machine torque capacity. Moreover, supplying the entire magnetisation current from the rotor side is not optimal from the point of view of the machine losses. Since the load voltage is regulated by manipulating the magnetising current through a slow acting flux control loop undesirable fluctuations in the load voltage waveforms are observed during fast load transients. An improved stator flux oriented control strategy for this type of generators, proposed in this study, eliminates undesirable load voltage transients by directly regulating the stator flux through the stator side converter. The total reactive power demand of the system is dynamically distributed between the two converters according to an optimum allocation program so as to minimise the losses without disturbing the stator flux. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is verified experimentally on a laboratory prototype.
Design and implementation of reduced‐order sliding mode controller plus proportional double integral controller for negative output elementary super‐lift Luo‐converter
Authors: Ramash Kumar Kuppan , Jeevananthan Seenithangam
Published: June 2013

This study presents a simple sliding surface design of variable frequency‐based reduced‐order sliding mode controller (ROSMC) plus proportional double‐integral controller (PDIC) for the negative output elementary super‐lift Luo‐converter (NOESLLC) operated in continuous conduction mode (CCM). Owing to the time‐varying switched mode operation, the dynamic characteristics of the NOESLLC is non‐linear and the developed ROSMC plus PDIC aims at improving the dynamic performance along with the inductor current and the output voltage regulation of the NOESLLC. The developed ROSMC is well suitable to the inherently variable‐structured NOESLLC when represented in the reduced‐order state‐space average‐based model. The designed PDIC eliminates the steady‐state error and also excellent start‐up response of NOESLLC despite of line and load variations. The performance of the developed controller is verified for its robustness to perform over a wide range of operating conditions through both in MATLAB/Simulink models as well as in the laboratory prototype with the comparative study of a typical ROSMC plus proportional‐integral‐controller. Simulation and experimental results are showed that ROSMC plus PDIC can achieve proficient output voltage and inductor current regulation at various working conditions.
Dual‐output dc–dc buck converters with bidirectional and unidirectional characteristics
Authors: dos Santos Euzeli Cipriano
Published: June 2013

This study presents single‐input double‐output unidirectional and bidirectional dc–dc buck converters, for applications that demand two dc‐controlled output voltages. The proposed converters present a component count reduction and it is considered as a monolithic device with two output voltages generated by the same power converter. The main advantages of the proposed converters are reduction of costs and better power losses distribution among the semiconductor devices. Besides the proposal of suitable power converters, this study presents their models, control strategies, modulation approaches and design specification. The selected simulated and experimental results are presented as well.
New channel model for wireless body area network with compressed sensing theory
Authors: Balouchestani Mohammadreza , Raahemifar Kaamran , Krishnan Sridhar
Published: June 2013

Wireless body area networks (WBANs) consist of small intelligent wireless sensors attached on or implanted in the body to collect vital biomedical data for providing a Continuous Health Monitoring System for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. To fully exploit the benefits of WBANs the power consumption and sampling rate should be restricted to a minimum. The power usage can be minimised by optimising the features of multipath fading channels (MFCs) such as the number of arrival paths. That is why an improving of MFCs as well as a simple and generic channel model is inevitably required. With this in mind, compressed sensing (CS) theory, as a new sampling procedure, is employed to MFCs. Advance WBANs with the authors new model for MFCs based on CS theory will be able to deliver healthcare not only to patients in hospital and medical centres; but also in their homes and workplaces thus offering cost saving, and improving the quality of life. The authors simulation results illustrate 20% reduction for path loss and 10% for bit‐error rate at gate way (GW). The simulation results also confirm that signal amplitude at GW increases by 25%, which will result in an increase, in the distance, between transmitter and receiver sensors.
Single instruction multiple data code auto generation for a very long instruction words digital signal processor in sensor‐based systems
Authors: Yang Xu , Zhang Yanjun , Liu Dake , Guo Deyuan , He Hu
Published: June 2013

The emerging applications have imposed strong requirements, such as high processing capacity, low‐power consumption, reduced size and many others, on the sensor‐based systems. Owing to their balanced combination of flexibility and hardware performance, digital signal processors (DSPs) have become more and more popular used in sensor‐based systems. Many DSPs have adopted very long instruction words (VLIW) style architecture, for its ability to greatly enhance instruction level parallelism. However, as VLIW codes are statically scheduled, the behaviour of VLIW architecture is dominated by the efficiency of its compiler. Single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instructions, which perform multiple operations in parallel on multiple data packed in registers, have been widely used in DSPs to meet the requirements of sensor‐based systems. Although hand programming still yields the best performing SIMD codes, it is both time consuming and error prone. Advanced compiler techniques to automatically generate SIMD instructions, are under urgent demand. In this study, the authors proposed an SIMD code auto generation approach for VLIW architecture. It recognises candidates of operations in the intermediate representation, evaluates the possibility of grouping them into SIMD code, reconstructs the verified ones according to the cost model and finally generates the SIMD code. The authors have implemented this approach in the compiler of a VLIW DSP named Magnolia, which is designed for sensor‐based systems. The results show that the authors’ approach is very efficient, and can largely enhance the performance.
Microwave properties of nanodiamond particles
Authors: Slocombe Daniel , Porch Adrian , Bustarret Etienne , Williams Oliver A.
Published: June 2013

The dielectric properties of nanodiamond powders were characterised at microwave frequencies using a cavity perturbation technique, and results were compared with UV Raman spectroscopy. Surface sp2 hybridisation in the nanodiamond samples was varied by subsequent oxygenation and hydrogenation. Dielectric polarisation and loss increased as the sp2 hybridisation was increased. The sensitivity to surface bound sp2 carbon obtained by the microwave cavity technique far exceeds that of comparable techniques (such as Raman spectroscopy) and is much more convenient in practice, lending itself to studies of real-time modification of such powders by external influences (such as temperature and chemical functionalisation).
Dispersive transport in the temperature dependent transient photoresponse of organic photodiodes and solar cells
Authors: Christ Nico , Kettlitz Siegfried , Mescher Jan , Valouch Sebastian , Lemmer Uli
Published: June 2013

The nanosecond transient photoresponse of organic solar cells and photodiodes based on a conjugated polymer (poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)) blended with a fullerene derivative ([6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester) exhibits a strong temperature dependence, whose origin can be traced back to charge carrier transport phenomena. In the framework of a drift-diffusion model including multiple-trapping, the temperature dependence of effective mobilities arises naturally without the need of using a temperature dependent parameterization of the mobilities. Furthermore, the extended drift-diffusion simulation reproduces the measured change of slope of the transient current density from j(t)∼t(−1+α) to j(t)∼t(−1−α), indicating dispersive charge carrier transport influenced by an exponential trap distribution characterized by the dimensionless parameter α. A second kink is identified to be the point in time of the crossover from electron to hole dominated charge carrier transport, enabling for the determination of the donor and acceptor transport properties independent of each other.
The nature and role of trap states in a dendrimer-based organic field-effect transistor explosive sensor
Authors: Tang Guoqiang , Chen Simon S. Y. , Lee Kwan H. , Pivrikas Almantas , Aljada Muhsen , Burn Paul L. , Meredith Paul , Shaw Paul E.
Published: June 2013

We report the fabrication and charge transport characterization of carbazole dendrimer-based organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) for the sensing of explosive vapors. After exposure to para-nitrotoluene (pNT) vapor, the OFET channel carrier mobility decreases due to trapping induced by the absorbed pNT. The influence of trap states on transport in devices before and after exposure to pNT vapor has been determined using temperature-dependent measurements of the field-effect mobility. These data clearly show that the absorption of pNT vapor into the dendrimer active layer results in the formation of additional trap states. Such states inhibit charge transport by decreasing the density of conducting states.
Growth diagram of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films using pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Guo Hangwen , Sun Dali , Wang Wenbin , Gai Zheng , Kravchenko Ivan , Shao Jian , Jiang Lu , Ward Thomas Z. , Snijders Paul C. , Yin Lifeng , Shen Jian , Xu Xiaoshan
Published: June 2013

An experimental study was conducted on controlling the growth mode of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films on SrTiO3 substrates using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) by tuning growth temperature, pressure, and laser fluence. Different thin film morphology, crystallinity, and stoichiometry have been observed depending on growth parameters. To understand the microscopic origin, the adatom nucleation, step advance processes, and their relationship to film growth were theoretically analyzed and a growth diagram was constructed. Three boundaries between highly and poorly crystallized growth, 2D and 3D growth, stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric growth were identified in the growth diagram. A good fit of our experimental observation with the growth diagram was found. This case study demonstrates that a more comprehensive understanding of the growth mode in PLD is possible.
Lattice mismatch-induced evolution of microstructural properties in FePt films
Authors: Dong K. F. , Li H. H. , Chen J. S.
Published: June 2013

FePt (10, 20, 40, and 60 nm) films were fabricated on four different single crystal substrates [MgO (001), KTaO3 (001), SrTiO3 (001), and LaAlO3 (001)], and the effects of lattice mismatch on the microstructure and magnetic properties of FePt films were systematically investigated. The X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that the different lattice mismatch between the substrates and FePt films resulted in the different crystallographic texture and microstructure of the FePt films. Under the tensile strain between the FePt and substrates (MgO, KTaO3, SrTiO3), the FePt films preferred to form L10 FePt (001) texture. The perpendicular anisotropy of the FePt films grown on MgO was larger than that grown on KTaO3 and SrTiO3. For the FePt films grown on the LaAlO3 substrate, both FePt (110) and (001) orientations were found, which indicated the presence of tensile and compressive strain, respectively. With the reduction of the lattice mismatch between the FePt (10 nm) and substrate from 5.8% (MgO) to 2.4% (KTaO3), and 0.1% (SrTiO3), the microstructure of the FePt films changed gradually from granular to continuous films (SEM and TEM results). The microstructure of the 10 nm FePt film grown on LaAlO3 substrate showed granular structure.
Effect of high temperature deposition on CoSi2 phase formation
Authors: Comrie C. M. , Ahmed H. , Smeets D. , Demeulemeester J. , Turner S. , Van Tendeloo G. , Detavernier C. , Vantomme A.
Published: June 2013

This paper discusses the nucleation behaviour of the CoSi to CoSi2 transformation from cobalt silicide thin films grown by deposition at elevated substrate temperatures ranging from 375 °C to 600 °C. A combination of channelling, real-time Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, real-time x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the effect of the deposition temperature on the subsequent formation temperature of CoSi2, its growth behaviour, and the epitaxial quality of the CoSi2 thus formed. The temperature at which deposition took place was observed to exert a significant and systematic influence on both the formation temperature of CoSi2 and its growth mechanism. CoSi films grown at the lowest temperatures were found to increase the CoSi2 nucleation temperature above that of CoSi2 grown by conventional solid phase reaction, whereas the higher deposition temperatures reduced the nucleation temperature significantly. In addition, a systematic change in growth mechanism of the subsequent CoSi2 growth occurs as a function of deposition temperature. First, the CoSi2 growth rate from films grown at the lower reactive deposition temperatures is substantially lower than that grown at higher reactive deposition temperatures, even though the onset of growth occurs at a higher temperature, Second, for deposition temperatures below 450 °C, the growth appears columnar, indicating nucleation controlled growth. Elevated deposition temperatures, on the other hand, render the CoSi2 formation process layer-by-layer which indicates enhanced nucleation of the CoSi2 and diffusion controlled growth. Our results further indicate that this observed trend is most likely related to stress and changes in microstructure introduced during reactive deposition of the CoSi film. The deposition temperature therefore provides a handle to tune the CoSi2 growth mechanism.
Cryogenic on-chip multiplexer for the study of quantum transport in 256 split-gate devices
Authors: Al-Taie H. , Smith L. W. , Xu B. , See P. , Griffiths J. P. , Beere H. E. , Jones G. A. C. , Ritchie D. A. , Kelly M. J. , Smith C. G.
Published: June 2013

We present a multiplexing scheme for the measurement of large numbers of mesoscopic devices in cryogenic systems. The multiplexer is used to contact an array of 256 split gates on a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure, in which each split gate can be measured individually. The low-temperature conductance of split-gate devices is governed by quantum mechanics, leading to the appearance of conductance plateaux at intervals of 2e2/h. A fabrication-limited yield of 94% is achieved for the array, and a “quantum yield” is also defined, to account for disorder affecting the quantum behaviour of the devices. The quantum yield rose from 55% to 86% after illuminating the sample, explained by the corresponding increase in carrier density and mobility of the two-dimensional electron gas. The multiplexer is a scalable architecture, and can be extended to other forms of mesoscopic devices. It overcomes previous limits on the number of devices that can be fabricated on a single chip due to the number of electrical contacts available, without the need to alter existing experimental set ups.
Error-field penetration in reversed magnetic shear configurations
Authors: Wang H. H. , Wang Z. X. , Wang X. Q. , Wang X. G.
Published: June 2013

Error-field penetration in reversed magnetic shear (RMS) configurations is numerically investigated by using a two-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic model in slab geometry. To explore different dynamic processes in locked modes, three equilibrium states are adopted. Stable, marginal, and unstable current profiles for double tearing modes are designed by varying the current intensity between two resonant surfaces separated by a certain distance. Further, the dynamic characteristics of locked modes in the three RMS states are identified, and the relevant physics mechanisms are elucidated. The scaling behavior of critical perturbation value with initial plasma velocity is numerically obtained, which obeys previously established relevant analytical theory in the viscoresistive regime.
Hydrogen adsorption promoted perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in nano-structured Fe coverage on Pd/W{112} faceting surface
Authors: Chiu Chieh-Chen , Lin Wen-Chin , Yeh Yu-Chen , Song Ker-Jar
Published: June 2013

Nano-structured Fe coverage was deposited on Pd/W{112} faceting surface for the investigation of magnetic properties. The morphology consisting of 3-sided nano-pyramids in Fe coverage remained stable at least up to 400 K. The Fe magnetization switched from perpendicular to in-plane direction at 2 physical monolayer (PML). Hydrogen adsorption significantly enhanced the perpendicular coercivity by 6-7 times, and shifted the switching critical thickness to 2.8 PML. The hydrogen thermal desorption and re-adsorption seriously influenced the magnetic behaviors, depending on the hydrogen partial pressure.
Mechanical response of polar/non-polar ZnO under low dimensional stress
Authors: Sung T. H. , Huang J. C. , Chen H. C.
Published: June 2013

The mechanical properties of high quality polar (c-plane) and non-polar (a-plane and m-plane) ZnO wafers were examined by using nanoindentation and microcompression testing. The nano-scaled modulus, hardness, and yield strength readings of the c-plane, a-plane and m-plane ZnO wafers determined by nanoindentation are 140, 159, and 161; 7.1, 3.9, and 4.0; and 12.0, 6.7, and 4.5 GPa, respectively. The micro-scaled data directly measured by microcompression are much lower than the nano-scaled data. The cathodoluminescence images are in consistence with the slip systems observed from the transmission electron microscopy characterization.
Implicit Association of Symmetry with Positive Valence, High Arousal and Simplicity
Authors: Bertamini Marco , Makin Alexis , Rampone Giulia
Published: June 2013

Symmetrical visual patterns are preferred to random patterns. Studies using the Implicit Association Test (IAT) have shown that symmetry is associated with positive valence words (e.g. love), and random with negative valence words (e.g. hate). Valence is an important aspect of emotion, but equally interesting is the relationship between the symmetry–random dimension and the dimensions of arousal and complexity. Possible links have long been discussed but empirical evidence is limited. Using a series of four IAT experiments, we report that participants implicitly associate symmetrical patterns with words high in arousal, and random patterns with low arousal. We also found that symmetrical patterns were associated with simple mathematic expressions, while random patterns were associated with complex expressions. No link was found for another aspect of mathematical complexity (smaller or larger numbers). This pattern of results shows that aesthetic responses to symmetry involve both positive valence and high arousal and that these emotional responses arise from the perceptual simplicity of symmetry, in line with the fluency account of aesthetics.
Land use and management influences on surface soil organic carbon in Tasmania
Authors: Cotching W. E. , Oliver G. , Downie M. , Corkrey R. , Doyle R. B.
Published: June 2013

The effects of environmental parameters, land-use history, and management practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations, nitrogen, and bulk density were determined in agricultural soils of four soil types in Tasmania. The sites sampled were Dermosols, Vertosols, Ferrosols, and a group of texture-contrast soils (Chromosol and Sodosol) each with a 10-year management history ranging from permanent perennial pasture to continuous cropping. Rainfall, Soil Order, and land use were all strong explanatory variables for differences in SOC, soil carbon stock, total nitrogen, and bulk density. Cropping sites had 29–35% less SOC in surface soils (0–0.1 m) than pasture sites as well as greater bulk densities. Clay-rich soils contained the greatest carbon stocks to 0.3 m depth under pasture, with Ferrosols containing a mean of 158 Mg C ha–1, Vertosols 112 Mg C ha–1, and Dermosols 107 Mg C ha–1. Texture-contrast soils with sandier textured topsoils under pasture had a mean of 69 Mg C ha–1. The range of values in soil carbon stocks indicates considerable uncertainty in baseline values for use in soil carbon accounting. Farmers can influence SOC more by their choice of land use than their day-to-day soil management. Although the influence of management is not as great as other inherent site variables, farmers can still select practices for their ability to retain more SOC.
Lifting to maximal rigid objects in 2-Calabi-Yau triangulated categories
Authors: Xie Yunli , Liu Pin
Published: June 2013

We show that a tilting module over the endomorphism algebra of a maximal rigid object in a 2-Calabi-Yau triangulated category lifts to a maximal rigid object in this 2-Calabi-Yau triangulated category. This strengthens recent work of Fu and Liu for cluster-tilting objects.
A novel two-dimensional metal–organic supramolecular framework including π–π stacking and hydrogen-bond interactions
Authors: Wu Xiao-Liu , Zhang Xiao-Min , Huang Shu-Yun , Zhou Wei-Na , Wang Zhi-Chang
Published: June 2013

[μ-N,N′-Bis(pyridin-3-yl)benzene-1,4-dicarboxamide-1:2κ2N:N′]bis{[N,N′-bis(pyridin-3-yl)benzene-1,4-dicarboxamide-κN]diiodidomercury(II)}, [Hg2I4(C18H14N4O2)3], is an S-shaped dinuclear molecule, composed of two HgI2units and threeN,N′-bis(pyridin-3-yl)benzene-1,4-dicarboxamide (L) ligands. The centralLligand is centrosymmetric and coordinated to two HgIIcationsviatwo pyridine N atoms, in asyn–synconformation. The two terminalLligands are monodentate, with one uncoordinated pyridine N atom, and each adopts asyn–anticonformation. The HgI2units show highly distorted tetrahedral (sawhorse) geometry, as the HgIIcentres lie only 0.34 (2) or 0.32 (2) Å from the planes defined by the I and pyridine N atoms. Supramolecular interactions, thermal stability and solid-state luminescence properties were also measured.
New Python-based methods for data processing
Authors: Sauter Nicholas K. , Hattne Johan , Grosse-Kunstleve Ralf W. , Echols Nathaniel
Published: June 2013

Current pixel-array detectors produce diffraction images at extreme data rates (of up to 2 TB h−1) that make severe demands on computational resources. New multiprocessing frameworks are required to achieve rapid data analysis, as it is important to be able to inspect the data quickly in order to guide the experiment in real time. By utilizing readily available web-serving tools that interact with the Python scripting language, it was possible to implement a high-throughput Bragg-spot analyzer (cctbx.spotfinder) that is presently in use at numerous synchrotron-radiation beamlines. Similarly, Python interoperability enabled the production of a new data-reduction package (cctbx.xfel) for serial femtosecond crystallography experiments at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). Future data-reduction efforts will need to focus on specialized problems such as the treatment of diffraction spots on interleaved lattices arising from multi-crystal specimens. In these challenging cases, accurate modeling of close-lying Bragg spots could benefit from the high-performance computing capabilities of graphics-processing units.
Decision making inxia2
Authors: Winter Graeme , Lobley Carina M. C. , Prince Stephen M.
Published: June 2013

xia2 is an expert system for the automated reduction of macromolecular crystallography (MX) data employing well trusted existing software. The system can process a full MX data set consisting of one or more sequences of images at one or more wavelengths from images to structure-factor amplitudes with no user input. To achieve this many decisions are made, the rationale for which is described here. In addition, it is critical to support the testing of hypotheses and to allow feedback of results from later stages in the analysis to earlier points where decisions were made: the flexible framework employed byxia2 to support this feedback is summarized here. While the decision-making protocols described here were developed forxia2, they are equally applicable to interactive data reduction.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 virion‐derived US11 inhibits type 1 interferon‐induced protein kinase R phosphorylation
Authors: Ishioka Ken , Ikuta Kazufumi , Sato Yuka , Kaneko Hisatoshi , Sorimachi Kotaro , Fukushima Eiko , Saijo Masayuki , Suzutani Tatsuo
Published: June 2013

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) VRTK− strain that was previously isolated in our laboratory as an acyclovir‐resistant thymidine kinase (TK)‐deficient mutant, is more sensitive to type 1 interferon than is the parent strain VR3. The properties of this mutant were investigated to clarify the mechanism for its hyper‐sensitivity to interferon (IFN). It was found that: (i) IFN‐pretreated cells, but not those treated with IFN after adsorption, are hyper‐sensitive to IFN; (ii) the mutant cannot inhibit protein kinase R phosphorylation efficiently during the early stage of replication (2 hrs post‐infection); (iii) expression of US11 in infected cells and its incorporation into the virion is reduced in the mutant compared to the wild type, despite the fact that a similar degree of DNA synthesis occurs during replication of both strains and; (iv) over‐expression of wild‐type viral TK has no effect on the phenotype of the VRTK− strain, indicating that the phenotype is induced by a mutation(s) that does not involve the TK gene. These results suggested that the presence of US11 in the virion, but not that expressed after infection, plays an important role in the escape function of HSV‐1 from the antiviral activity of type 1 IFN.
New immunological investigations on Helicobacter pylori‐induced gastric ulcer in patients
Authors: Rahimi Hamid Reza , Rasouli Manoochehr , Jamshidzadeh Akram , Farshad Shohreh , Firoozi Mehdi Saberi , Taghavi Ali Reza , Kiany Simin
Published: June 2013

Although Helicobacter pylori (Hp) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer, little is known about the probable mechanisms of these types of gastrointestinal damage. To determine the precise mechanisms involved in ulcer formation, immune responses in patients with gastric ulcer (GUP) caused by Hp infection (Hp+) were compared with those of other gastritis patients (GP). The sensitivity and proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) obtained from patients were evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against exposure with complex Hp crude antigen (HPCA) and mitogen (phytohemagglutinin, PHA). Production of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐8, in serum and supernatants of PBMNCs were then measured by ELISA. It was found that, after stimulation with PHA, both IL‐8 and IL‐1β concentrations in sera and supernatants as well as proliferation and sensitivity were statistically greater in GUP Hp+ than GP Hp−. Furthermore, HPCA inhibited the proliferation of PBMNCs dose‐dependently; however, it stimulated IL‐8 and IL‐1β production in supernatants of mononuclear cells. Therefore, the up‐regulated concentrations of IL‐8 and IL‐1β may have been caused by increase in the size of mononuclear cell subpopulations or in their cytokine secretory activity, indicating the greatest cell responsiveness in GUP Hp+ patients. These results suggest that tissue damage and ulcers occur in patients who produce more IL‐8 and IL‐1β than patients who do not develop ulcers; the former consequently have more activated immune cells at the site of infection. Therefore, both host responses and Hp virulence factors may be involved in the development of gastric ulcers.
Flexural waves in drill‐string tubulars with variable loads
Authors: Poletto Flavio , Carcione José M. , Pinna Giorgia
Published: June 2013

We revisit the equations governing the bending motions in thin rods and analyse the filtration of flexural waves in vertical drill strings pre‐stressed by gravity. The aim is to study transverse drill‐string vibrations at seismic frequencies for acoustic communication purposes and provide an algorithm for processing reflected and transmitted bending motions generated by downhole lateral vibrations. We obtain the dispersion equation, including attenuation due to a gravity pre‐stress gradient and frequency‐dependent reflection and transmission coefficients at the interface between subsequent tube intervals. We then develop a propagation‐matrix algorithm to simulate flexural waves in a drill string consisting in an assembly of multiple tube sections of different dimensions. The deflection vibrations are obtained at any arbitrary recording point in the drill string. The modelling is cross‐checked with a full‐wave grid algorithm. The analysis shows that the waves produced by a concentrated force are partitioned in standing and propagating modes, which are calculated by using the flexural impedance of the drill string. Moreover, the reflection coefficients weakly depend on the pre‐stress conditions and pre‐stress has important effects for far‐field signal transmission with variable weight on bit (WOB). We discuss the approximations and limits of the method with respect to realistic drilling conditions.
Pussy Riot and the Politics of Profanation: Parody, Performativity, Veridiction
Authors: Prozorov Sergei
Published: June 2013

The article addresses the performances of the Russian feminist-punk band Pussy Riot as a paradigm of the politics of profanation developed in the recent work of Giorgio Agamben. Drawing on Agamben's genealogies of the concepts of parody, blasphemy and profanation, the article challenges the depoliticising interpretation of Pussy Riot's scandalous performance at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow in February 2012 as a blasphemous parody of religious rituals. Instead, we argue that their ‘punk prayer’ exemplifies the logic of profanation that reclaims the performative force of prayer by wresting it away from the conventions and rituals governing its possible use. While not conforming to J. L. Austin's conventional ‘felicity conditions' of the performative act, practices of profanation resonate with the experience of performativity as ‘veridiction’, analysed by Michel Foucault with reference to the ancient Greek parrhesia and by Agamben in the context of Pauline messianism. The article concludes with the discussion of implications of this profanatory performativity for political subjectivation and wider social transformation.
Playing with Privacy: Games for Education and Communication in the Politics of Online Privacy
Authors: Barnard-Wills David , Ashenden Debi
Published: June 2013

Using the politics of personal information and online privacy as a case study, this article sets out the justification for the use of games in the education and communication of online privacy issues. It draws upon existing research into privacy knowledge and behaviour, game design for education and the experience of the Visualisation and Other Methods of Expression (VOME) project in designing a privacy education game.