bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DERRIDA ON THE DEATH PENALTY
Authors: FRITSCH MATTHIAS
Published: August 2012

abstract

Responding to Derrida's Death Penalty Seminar of 1999–2000 and its interpretation by Michael Naas, in this paper I argue that Derrida's deconstruction of the theologico‐political concept of the sovereign right over life and death in view of abolishing capital punishment should be understood in terms of the unconditional renunciation of sovereignty that dominates Derrida's later political writings, Rogues (2005) in particular. My reading takes seriously what I call the functional need for a “theological” moment in sovereignty beyond a merely historicist or genealogical interpretation of the European monotheistic heritage. Further, I ask how Derrida can follow through on his goal of developing the allegedly first principled philosophical stance against capital punishment. To this end, I assemble some ingredients of this complex but “unconditional” abolitionism, one that doubts our comprehension of and active relation to death to the point of questioning the commonsense distinctions among murder, suicide, and legal putting to death. I conclude that, for Derrida, letting another die of hunger or AIDS may be understood as a form of a death sentence, so that a deconstructive abolitionism leaves no room for the development of a good conscience.
SEE TOPSY “RIDE THE LIGHTNING”: THE SCOPIC MACHINERY OF DEATH
Authors: OLIVER KELLY
Published: August 2012

abstract:  This essay explores the connections between speculation, spectacle, and the death penalty, particularly insofar as they bear on what is “proper to man” and on the man–animal distinction. Returning to a scene of death from Derrida's seminar The Beast and the Sovereign, specifically the scene of an elephant's autopsy, we see how what he calls “the globalization of the autopsic model” of sovereignty requires the death of the animal (Derrida 2009, 296). Following Derrida, we see how man's dominion over other animals is built on a model of sovereignty as necropsy that erects itself through the autopsic model of power, which ultimately is built on the scaffolding of death and the death penalty. Following the history of the death penalty, however, we see that it becomes the property of man through its exercise on animals, particularly through the capital punishment of animals, which inaugurated the codification of law in Europe, and Thomas Edison's electrocution of animals, which inaugurated the electric chair as a form of execution in the United States. Moreover, the case of Edison (who invented both the electric chair and the first moving pictures, many of which were images of execution) makes manifest the connection between spectacle, animals, and the death penalty.
Hic‐5 affects proliferation, migration and invasion of B16 murine melanoma cells
Authors: Noguchi Fumihito , Inui Shigeki , Nakajima Takeshi , Itami Satoshi
Published: August 2012

Hic‐5 is a shuttling protein between the cell membrane and the nucleus which functions as a focal adhesion adaptor protein and a nuclear receptor coactivator. Although several studies have shown its involvement in other types of cancer, the role of Hic‐5 in melanoma is unknown. Herein, we show for the first time that Hic‐5 is expressed in B16‐F1 murine melanoma cells. To determine its function in melanoma cells, we used shRNA‐mediated RNA interference and established stable clones with down‐regulated Hic‐5 expression. These clones had impaired growth and metastatic potential compared with controls in vivo, which correlated with decreased proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Moreover, silencing of Hic‐5 expression in B16‐F1 activated RhoA with an amoeboid phenotypic change, indicating that Hic‐5 is a key regulator of B16‐F1 metastasis in the context of Rho‐dependent motility. These results provide new evidence that Hic‐5 is a possible molecular target for treatment of melanoma.
Modeling of Contact and Stiction in Electrostatic Microcantilever Actuators
Authors: Vyasarayani C. P. , Abdel-Rahman Eihab M. , McPhee John
Published: August 2012

A dynamic model of a microcantilever actuator is developed to simulate the events of contact, impact, stiction, and pull-off from the substrate. The model accounts for geometric, electrostatic, adhesive, and contact nonlinearities. The model is validated by comparison to experimental data and other analytical model predictions. We find that microcantilever electrostatic microelectromechanical (MEMS) actuators can exhibit bistable and tristable equilibrium configurations. We also find that the transients subsequent to pull-in play an important role in determining whether or not stiction will occur.
Finite Displacement Screw Operators With Embedded Chasles’ Motion
Authors: Dai Jian S.
Published: August 2012

Rigid body displacement can be presented with Chasles’ motion by rotating about an axis and translating along the axis. This motion can be implemented by a finite displacement screw operator in the form of either a 3 × 3 dual-number matrix or a 6 × 6 matrix that is executed with rotation and translation as an adjoint action of the Lie group. This paper investigates characteristics of this finite displacement screw matrix and decomposes the secondary part that is the off diagonal part of the matrix into the part of an equivalent translation due to the effect of off-setting the rotation axis and the part of an axial translation. The paper hence presents for the first time the axial translation matrix and reveals its property, leading to discovery of new results and new formulae. The analysis further reveals two new traces of the matrix and presents the relationship between the finite displacement screw matrix and the instantaneous screw, leading to the understanding of Chasles’ motion embedded in a rigid body displacement. An algebraic and geometrical interpretation of the finite displacementscrew matrix is thus given, presenting an intrinsic property of the matrix in relation to the finite displacement screw. The paper ends with a case study to verify the theory and illustrate the principle.
On the Oscillation Frequency of Ellipsoidal Fullerene–Carbon Nanotube Oscillators
Authors: Ansari R. , Sadeghi F.
Published: August 2012

There are many new nanomechanical devices created based on carbon nanostructures among which gigahertz oscillators have generated considerable interest to many researchers. In the present paper, the oscillatory behavior of ellipsoidal fullerenes inside single-walled carbon nanotubes is studied comprehensively. Utilizing the continuum approximation along with Lennard–Jones potential, new semi-analytical expressions are presented to evaluate the potential energy and van der Waals interaction force of such systems. Neglecting the frictional effects, the equation of motion is directly solved on the basis of the actual force distribution between the interacting molecules. In addition, a semi-analytical expression is given to determine the oscillation frequency into which the influence of initial conditions is incorporated. Based on the newly derived expression, a thorough study on the various aspects of operating frequencies under different system variables such as geometrical parameters and initial conditions is conducted. Based on the present study, some new aspects of such nano-oscillators have been disclosed.
Mechanics of Ellipsoidal Carbon Onions Inside Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Sadeghi F. , Ansari R.
Published: August 2012

On the basis of the continuum approximation along with Lennard–Jones potential function, new semi-analytical expressions are presented to evaluate the van der Waals interactions between an ellipsoidal fullerene and a semi-infinite single-walled carbon nanotube. Using direct method, these expressions are also extended to model ellipsoidal carbon onions inside multiwalled carbon nanotubes. In addition, acceptance and suction energies which are two noticeable issues for medical applications such as drug delivery are determined. Neglecting the frictional effects and by imposing some simplifying assumptions on the van der Waals interaction force, a simple formula is given to evaluate the oscillation frequency of ellipsoidal carbon onions inside multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Also, the effects of the number of tube shells and ellipsoidal carbon onion shells on the oscillatory behavior are examined. It is shown that there exists an optimal value for the number of tube shells beyond which the oscillation frequency remains unchanged.
Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Epoxy/MWCNT Nanocomposites—Effects of Acid Treatment, Pressured Curing, and Liquid Rubber
Authors: Li Yuan , Hu Ning , Kojima Takashi , Itoi Takaomi , Watanabe Tomonori , Nakamura Takaya , Takizawa Naoya , Inoue Tsukuru , Cui Hao , Atobe Satoshi , Fukunaga Hisao
Published: August 2012

The unique properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) have made it very attractive as reinforcement in polymer nanocomposites in the hope of effectively improving the mechanical properties. In order to explore the effects of three appealing influencing factors, i.e., acid treatment, pressured curing, and liquid rubber (LR) on mechanical properties of nanocomposites, tensile tests, and single-edge notched bending (SENB) tests are carried out for four types of CNT-reinforced nanocomposites. Compared with type I of nanocomposites using pristine multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as reinforcement for epoxy, which are termed as Epoxy/MWCNT, type II of Epoxy/MWCNT-COOH nanocomposites with acid-treated MWCNTs as reinforcement, show obvious improvement on tensile properties and fracture toughness. This positive effect of acid treatment can be attributed to better dispersion of CNTs and stronger interface based on the corresponding fracture surfaces. For type III of P-Epoxy/MWCNT-COOH nanocomposites under pressured curing, although the voids in samples are decreased effectively and the interface is strengthened, there is no expected positive results because of severe CNTs agglomeration. For type IV of P-Epoxy/LR/MWCNT-COOH nanocomposites, addition of LR results in at least around a threefold increase in fracture toughness compared with that of P-Epoxy/MWCNT-COOH, indicating the amazing effect of LR. The present work provides much more choices for fabricating specific CNT-reinforced nanocomposites with desired properties by reasonably combining proper fabrication conditions including acid treatment, pressured curing, liquid rubber with polymer matrix, and reinforcement loading.
Magnetic Guidance of Cochlear Implants: Proof-of-Concept and Initial Feasibility Study
Authors: Clark James R. , Leon Lisandro , Warren Frank M. , Abbott Jake J.
Published: August 2012

Cochlear implants have become a standard treatment for many with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. However, delicate cochlear structures can be damaged during surgical insertion, which can lead to loss of residual hearing and decreased implant effectiveness. We propose a magnetic guidance concept in which a magnetically tipped cochlear implant is guided as it is inserted into the cochlea. In a scaled in vitro experimental study, we record insertion forces for nonguided and magnetically guided insertion experiments and compare the results. Results indicate that magnetic guidance reduced insertion forces by approximately 50%. Using first principles, we discuss the effects of scaling down our in vitro experiments, and account for realistic clinical dimensions. We conclude that scale–down effects are negligible, but to produce the same field strength as in our experiments and provide sufficient clearance between the patient and the manipulator, the magnet dimensions should be increased by approximately four times.
Interface studies on high-k/GaAs MOS capacitors by deep level transient spectroscopy
Authors: Kundu Souvik , Anitha Yelagam , Chakraborty Supratic , Banerji Pallab
Published: August 2012

An experimental analysis has been performed in high-k/GaAs MOS devices to investigate the slow and fast interface traps (Dit) using high frequency capacitance-voltage and deep level transient spectroscopic (DLTS) measurements. Prior to deposition of high-k gate dielectric, an ultrathin layer of ZnO was deposited on GaAs by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The number of slow interface traps was found to be 2.80 × 1011 cm−2, whereas the fast interface trap density was measured to be 1.80 × 1011 eV−1 cm−2. The activation energy, capture cross section, and concentration of majority carrier traps were measured to be 0.30 eV, 5.70 × 10−19 cm2, and 4.93 × 1015 cm−3, respectively. Combining conventional DLTS with insufficient-filling, the trap location was found to be at 0.14 eV. Therefore, the traps are not exactly at the interface of GaAs and high-k but in the GaAs surfaces very close to the interfaces. According to the trap energy level position, Dit was found to be 5.3 × 1011 eV−1 cm−2. The leakage current is found to reduce in ZnO passivated devices due to an increase in valance band offset by 0.49 eV. Such an improvement is due to a higher surface potential resulting from the wide bandgap of ZnO.
Highly Conserved Protective Epitopes on Influenza B Viruses
Authors: Dreyfus Cyrille , Laursen Nick S. , Kwaks Ted , Zuijdgeest David , Khayat Reza , Ekiert Damian C. , Lee Jeong Hyun , Metlagel Zoltan , Bujny Miriam V. , Jongeneelen Mandy , van der Vlugt Remko , Lamrani Mohammed , Korse Hans J. W. M. , Geelen Eric , Sahin Özcan , Sieuwerts Martijn , Brakenhoff Just P. J. , Vogels Ronald , Li Olive T. W. , Poon Leo L. M. , Peiris Malik , Koudstaal Wouter , Ward Andrew B. , Wilson Ian A. , Goudsmit Jaap , Friesen Robert H. E.
Published: August 2012

Influenza Antibodies, Part B

With its ability to reassort in animal hosts like pigs and birds, and to cause pandemics, influenza A viruses are often in the spotlight. However, a substantial portion of the annual flu burden is also the result of influenza B virus, which is a single influenza type that is characterized by two antigenically and genetically distinct lineages.

Dreyfus
et al.

(p.
1343
, published online 9 August) identify three monoclonal human antibodies that are able to protect against lethal infection with both lineages of influenza B virus in mice. Two antibodies, which bind to distinct regions of the viral hemagluttinin (HA) molecule, neutralize multiple strains from both lineages of influenza B virus, whereas the third antibody binds to the stem region of HA and is able to neutralize both influenza A and B strains. The structural data from these antibodies bound to HA, together with already known antibodies targeting influenza A, may provide clues for designing a universal vaccine to protect against both influenza virus types.
Direct Mapping of Nuclear Shell Effects in the Heaviest Elements
Authors: Ramirez E. Minaya , Ackermann D. , Blaum K. , Block M. , Droese C. , Düllmann Ch. E. , Dworschak M. , Eibach M. , Eliseev S. , Haettner E. , Herfurth F. , Heßberger F. P. , Hofmann S. , Ketelaer J. , Marx G. , Mazzocco M. , Nesterenko D. , Novikov Yu. N. , Plaß W. R. , Rodríguez D. , Scheidenberger C. , Schweikhard L. , Thirolf P. G. , Weber C.
Published: August 2012

Pinning Down Nuclear Shells

The nuclei of heavy atoms are destabilized by proton repulsions, and, conversely, the quantum-mechanical shell effects help to stabilize them. There are theoretical models for predicting the masses of yet-to-be-discovered superheavy elements, based on such shell effects, and these models can be tested by studying the shells of known actinide nuclei. The problem is that current mass values determined from studying radioactive decay products have substantial errors.

Minaya Ramirez
et al.

(p.
1207
, published online 9 August; see the Perspective by

Bollen

) were able to collect a sufficient number of nuclei of lawrencium and nobelium isotopes in an ion trap to determine their masses directly by mass spectroscopy. These results will be helpful in predicting the heaviest possible element.
Satisfaction with the humanitarian response to the 2010 Pakistan floods: a call for increased accountability to beneficiaries
Authors: Kirsch Thomas , Siddiqui Muhammad Ahmed , Perrin Paul Clayton , Robinson W Courtland , Sauer Lauren M , Doocy Shannon
Published: August 2012

Objective

Ascertain recipients' level of satisfaction with humanitarian response efforts.

Design

A multi-stage, 80×20 cluster sample randomized survey (1800 households) with probability proportional to size of households affected by the 2010 Indus river floods in Pakistan. The floods affected over 18 million households and led to more than 8 billion USD in response dollars.

Results

Less than 20% of respondents reported being satisfied with response, though a small increase in satisfaction levels was observed over the three time periods of interest. Within the first month, receipt of hygiene items, food and household items was most strongly predictive of overall satisfaction. At 6 months, positive receipt of medicines was also highly predictive of satisfaction. The proportion of households reporting unmet needs remained elevated throughout the 6-month period following the floods and varied from 50% to 80%. Needs were best met between 1 and 3 months postflood, when response was at its peak. Unmet needs were the greatest at 6 months, when response was being phased down.

Conclusions

Access-limiting issues were rarely captured during routine monitoring and evaluation efforts and seem to be a significant predictor in dissatisfaction with relief efforts, at least in the case of Pakistan, another argument in favor of independent, population-based surveys of this kind. There is also need to better identify and serve those not residing in camps. Direct surveys of the affected population can be used operationally to assess ongoing needs, more appropriately redirect humanitarian resources, and ultimately, judge the overall quality of a humanitarian response.
Association between pre-eclampsia and locally derived traffic-related air pollution: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Pereira Gavin , Haggar Fatima , Shand Antonia W , Bower Carol , Cook Angus , Nassar Natasha
Published: August 2012

Background

Pre-eclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy and is a major cause of fetal–maternal mortality and morbidity. Despite a number of plausible mechanisms by which air pollutants might contribute to this process, few studies have investigated the association between pre-eclampsia and traffic emissions, a major contributor to air pollution in urban areas.

Objective

The authors investigated the association between traffic-related air pollution and risk of pre-eclampsia in a maternal population in the urban centre of Perth, Western Australia.

Method

The authors estimated maternal residential exposure to a marker for traffic-related air pollution (nitrogen dioxide, NO2) during pregnancy for 23 452 births using temporally adjusted land-use regression. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations with pre-eclampsia.

Results

Each IQR increase in levels of traffic-related air pollution in whole pregnancy and third trimester was associated with a 12% (1%–25%) and 30% (7%–58%) increased risk of pre-eclampsia, respectively. The largest effect sizes were observed for women aged younger than 20 years or 40 years or older, aboriginal women and women with pre-existing and gestational diabetes, for whom an IQR increase in traffic-related air pollution in whole pregnancy was associated with a 34% (5%–72%), 35% (0%–82%) and 53% (7%–219%) increase in risk of pre-eclampsia, respectively.

Conclusions

Elevated exposure to traffic-related air pollution in pregnancy was associated with increased risk of pre-eclampsia. Effect sizes were highest for elevated exposures in third trimester and among younger and older women, aboriginal women and women with diabetes.
VOID PROBABILITY ENHANCED MULTIPLICITY DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCED HADRONS IN p–p COLLISION AT LHC ENERGIES
Authors: DUTTA S. , CHAN A. H. , OH C. H.
Published: August 2012

This paper studies the multiplicity distribution of hadrons produced in p–p collisions at 0.9 and 2.36 TeV using ALICE as a detector. The multiplicity distribution exhibits enhanced void probability. They are also found to satisfy the void probability scaling. The scaling of χ with [Formula: see text] is studied using the generalized hypergeometric model. The variation of the parameter "a" of the hyper geometric model with energy and type of events is also studied. The parameter "a" distinguishes between various theoretical models, e.g. Lorentz/Catalan, negative binomial, geometric distribution etc. Finally a comparison is made with the [Formula: see text] collisions at 200, 546 and 900 GeV. It is observed both for p–p and [Formula: see text] data, the value of "a" decreases with increase in collision energy and approach towards the upper bound or the NB model of the void probability scaling.
HARMONIC SUPERSPACE GAUGEON FORMALISM FOR THE ABJM THEORY
Authors: FAIZAL MIR
Published: August 2012

In this paper, we will analyze the ABJM theory in harmonic superspace. The harmonic superspace variables will be parametrized by the coset SU(2)/U(1) and thus will have manifest [Formula: see text] supersymmetry. We will study the quantum gauge transformations and the BRST transformations of this theory in gaugeon formalism. We will use this BRST symmetry to project out the physical subspace from the total Hilbert space. We will also show that the evolution of the [Formula: see text]-matrix is unitary for this ABJM theory in harmonic superspace.
NAKED SINGULARITY IN HIGHER-DIMENSIONAL CHARGED-VAIDYA SPACETIME
Authors: AHMAD ZAHID
Published: August 2012

In this paper, the gravitational collapse has been studied in the context of higher-dimensional charged-Vaidya spacetime. It is shown that naked singularity always exists in this case and strong form of cosmic censorship is violated. This work extends the earlier studies on naked singularity formation in higher dimensions.
INTRODUCTION TO VIRTUAL KNOT THEORY
Authors: KAUFFMAN LOUIS H.
Published: August 2012

This paper is an introduction to virtual knot theory and an exposition of new ideas and constructions, including the parity bracket polynomial, the arrow polynomial, the parity arrow polynomial and categorifications of the arrow polynomial.
A CATEGORICAL MODEL FOR THE VIRTUAL BRAID GROUP
Authors: KAUFFMAN LOUIS H. , LAMBROPOULOU SOFIA
Published: August 2012

This paper gives a new interpretation of the virtual braid group in terms of a strict monoidal category SC that is freely generated by one object and three morphisms, two of the morphisms corresponding to basic pure virtual braids and one morphism corresponding to a transposition in the symmetric group. The key to this approach is to take pure virtual braids as primary. The generators of the pure virtual braid group are abstract solutions to the algebraic Yang–Baxter equation. This point of view illuminates representations of the virtual braid groups and pure virtual braid groups via solutions to the algebraic Yang–Baxter equation. In this categorical framework, the virtual braid group is a natural group associated with the structure of algebraic braiding. We then point out how the category SC is related to categories associated with quantum algebras and Hopf algebras and with quantum invariants of virtual links.
ANALYTICAL APPROXIMATION FOR NON-LINEAR FBSDEs WITH PERTURBATION SCHEME
Authors: FUJII MASAAKI , TAKAHASHI AKIHIKO
Published: August 2012

In this work, we have presented a simple analytical approximation scheme for generic non-linear FBSDEs. By treating the interested system as the linear decoupled FBSDE perturbed with non-linear generator and feedback terms, we have shown that it is possible to carry out a recursive approximation to an arbitrarily higher order, where the required calculations in each order are equivalent to those for standard European contingent claims. We have also applied the perturbative method to the PDE framework following the so-called Four Step Scheme. The method is found to render the original non-linear PDE into a series of standard parabolic linear PDEs. Due to the equivalence of the two approaches, it is also possible to derive approximate analytic solution for the non-linear PDE by applying the asymptotic expansion to the corresponding probabilistic model. Two simple examples are provided to demonstrate how the perturbation works and show its accuracy relative to known numerical techniques. The method presented in this paper may be useful for various important problems which have eluded analytical treatment so far.
THE MINIMAL κ-ENTROPY MARTINGALE MEASURE
Authors: TRIVELLATO BARBARA
Published: August 2012

We introduce the notion of κ-entropy (κ ∈ ℝ, |κ| ≤ 1), starting from Kaniadakis' (2001, 2002, 2005) one-parameter deformation of the ordinary exponential function. The κ-entropy is in duality with a new class of utility functions which are close to the exponential utility functions, for small values of wealth, and to the power law utility functions, for large values of wealth. We give conditions on the existence and on the equivalence to the basic measure of the minimal κ-entropy martingale measure. Moreover, we provide characterizations of its density as a κ-exponential function. We show that the minimal κ-entropy martingale measure is closely related to both the standard entropy martingale measure and the well known q-optimal martingale measures. We finally establish the convergence of the minimal κ-entropy martingale measure to the minimal entropy martingale measure as κ tends to 0.
MODELING BELIEF CHANGE IN A POPULATION USING EXPLANATORY COHERENCE
Authors: EDMONDS BRUCE
Published: August 2012

A simulation model that represents belief change within a population of agents who are connected by a social network is presented based on Thagard's theory of explanatory coherence. In this model there are a fixed number of represented beliefs, each of which are either held or not by each agent. These are conceived of existing against a background of a large set of (unrepresented) shared beliefs. These beliefs are to different extents coherent with each other — this is modeled using a coherence function from possible sets of core beliefs to [-1, 1]. The social influence is achieved through gaining of a belief across a social link. Beliefs can be lost by being dropped from an agent's store. Both of these processes happen with a probability related to the change in coherence that would result in an agent's belief store. A resulting measured "opinion" can be retrieved in a number of ways, here as a weighted sum of a pattern of the core beliefs — opinion is thus an outcome and not directly processed by agents. This model suggests hypotheses about group opinion dynamics that differ from that of many established models.
Synthesis and photophysical properties of covalent conjugates of aqua platinum(II) and octacarboxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanine
Authors: Bulgakov Roman A. , Kuznetsova Nina A. , Dolotova Olga V. , Solovieva Ludmila I. , Mack John , Chidawanyika Wadzanai J. U. , Kaliya Oleg L. , Nyokong Tebello
Published: August 2012

New covalent conjugates of aqua platinum(II) and octacarboxy-substituted zinc phthalocyanine, bearing one, two, three and four aqua platinum moieties on the periphery of the Pc ligand have been synthesized and characterized. The effect of the stepwise introduction of the aqua platinums on the photophysical and photochemical properties of these compounds has been investigated in dimethylsulfoxide solution. It has been found that aqua platinum moieties have only a limited effect on the dynamics of the singlet and triplet excited states, on the ability to sensitize singlet oxygen formation and on the photostability. Each conjugate has a high singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ 0.51–0.62) and thus retains potential for use as a dual action anticancer drugs by acting as a sensitizer for PDT in addition to the likely chemotherapeutic effects of the Pt(II) complexes.
DEFECT-ORIGIN AND STABILITY OF VISIBLE EMISSION IN ZnO NANOPILLARS
Authors: XU XIAOYONG , JIN ZHULIN , XU CHUNXIANG , GUO JIYUAN , SHI ZENGLIANG , PAN J. , HU JINGGUO
Published: August 2012

ZnO nanopillars with the strong violet photoluminescence were fabricated via the vapor-phase transport method. The annealing effect on photoluminescence property was probed to indicate the defect-origins of visible emissions and their thermodynamic stabilities. Moreover, the electron structures of ZnO with zinc interstitial, oxygen vacancy and oxygen interstitial were calculated based on the density functional theory. Three important points were demonstrated: zinc interstitial as an instable donor determines the violet emission and the concentration of free carriers; oxygen vacancy as a steady donor is responsible for the green emission; and oxygen interstitial may induce the yellow-green emission and lead to the red-shift and asymmetry of photoluminescence spectra. These results are beneficial to understand the defect-origins of the visible emissions and their stabilities in ZnO nanostructures, and extending optical and electronic applications.
PREPARATION AND MICROWAVE ABSORPTION OF MICRO-FIBROUS Fe/C NANOCOMPOSITE
Authors: CHEN XUE-GANG , YE YING , LV SHUANG-SHUANG , CHENG JI-PENG
Published: August 2012

Wide-band absorption with low density is essential for microwave absorbers. We fabricated a novel micro-fibrous Fe/C nanocomposite with bulk density of only 0.47 ± 0.03 g cm-3 using carbonized cotton fibers as template. Monodisperse iron nanoparticles with diameter of about 100 nm covered on the fibers and significantly increased the complex permittivity and permeability, and therefore enhanced the reflection loss (RL) for electromagnetic waves. The optimum thickness for the nanocomposite is 1.5–1.8 mm, with maximum RL of -14 dB and bandwidth of RL < -5 dB from 10 to 18 GHz, similar to that of Fe/C nanocomposite without using carbonized cotton fibers. Because of its low density and broad bandwidth at thin matching thickness, micro-fibrous Fe/C nanocomposite is a promising light-weight microwave absorber.
RIGHT TAIL ASYMPTOTIC EXPANSION OF TRACY–WIDOM BETA LAWS
Authors: BOROT GAËTAN , NADAL CÉLINE
Published: August 2012

Using loop equations, we compute the large deviation function of the maximum eigenvalue to the right of the spectrum in the Gaussian β matrix ensembles, to all orders in 1/N. We then give a physical derivation of the all order asymptotic expansion of the right tail of Tracy–Widom β laws, for all β > 0, by studying the double scaling limit.
Numerical Simulations to Study Growth of Single-Crystal Diamond by Using Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition with Reactive (H, C, N) Species
Authors: Yamada Hideaki
Published: August 2012

A model of microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition for the growth of diamond crystals has been developed. The model focuses on the characteristics of bulk plasma, while atomic-scale simulation is also utilized to determine the boundary conditions of heavier species. In comparison with recent numerical studies of microwave plasma chemical vapor depositions by several groups, the present model places emphasis on the treatment of chemistry among reactive (H, C, N) species as well as the dynamics of species under practical configuration, i.e., configuration close to an actual apparatus, where the governing equations are reduced to be as simple as possible under acceptable assumptions. Results are consistent with several preceding reports. This suggests the validity of the assumptions. The two-dimensional distributions of not only the various hydrocarbon species but also the nitrogen-related species are shown for the first time under the practical configuration.
Electron Spectroscopic Determination of Electronic Structures of Phosphorus-Doped n-Type Heteroepitaxial Diamond (001) Surface and Junction
Authors: Kono Shozo , Nohara Takuya , Abe Satoshi , Kodama Hideyuki , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Koizumi Satoshi , Abukawa Tadashi , Sawabe Atsuhito
Published: August 2012

A phosphorus (P)-doped n-type heteroepitaxial diamond (001) sample was grown in a DC-plasma chemical-vapor-deposition chamber. The crystalline properties of incorporated phosphorus were examined by cathode luminescence. Hall-effect measurement of the sample was performed for the temperature range of 293–870 K. The results of these measurements showed that the bulk properties of the n-type sample are comparable to those of previously reported homoepitaxial P-doped n-type diamond (001) samples. The work function of the heteroepitaxial sample was measured by photoemission electron microspectroscopy. The Fermi-level positions at the surface and at a Au Schottky junction of the sample were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Knowing the bulk properties and the critical values of the energy band structure, the whole energy band diagrams at the surface and at the Schottky junction of the sample were evaluated by solving the Poisson equation. The resulting surface electronic structure of the sample was qualitatively different from those of the previously reported H-terminated P-doped n-type diamond (111) surface and heavily P-doped H- and O-terminated diamond (111) surfaces. The presence of ∼0.02 ML of Sn impurity is tentatively ascribed to the peculiarity of the surface electronic structure of the heteroepitaxial sample. The Schottky barrier height of ∼4.2 eV determined for the present sample was consistent with those of previously reported n-type diamond (111) and (001) samples. It is noted that the Schottky barrier height may be determined by the Fermi-level pinning states at the junctions irrespective of the type of dopant to diamond.
Comprehensive Investigation of Single Crystal Diamond Deep-Ultraviolet Detectors
Authors: Liao Meiyong , Sang Liwen , Teraji Tokuyuku , Imura Masataka , Alvarez Jose , Koide Yasuo
Published: August 2012

The wide bandgap of diamond, along with its extreme semiconductor properties, offers the promising route for deep-ultraviolet (DUV) detection, especially under solar-blind condition and harsh environments. The ideal photodetector should generally satisfy the 5S requirements such as highsensitivity, highsignal-to-noise ratio, high spectralselectivity, highspeed, and highstability. In this paper, we comprehensively investigate the DUV detectors fabricated from various kinds of single crystal diamonds such as boron-doped diamond homoepitaxial layer, intrinsic diamond homoepitaxial layers with different thicknesses, and single crystal diamond substrates. The post process such as hydrogen plasma treatment on the performance of the DUV detectors is also examined. The strategies to develop high-performance diamond DUV detectors are provided.
Functional Effects of the Deposition Substrate on the Electrochemical Behavior of Platinum Particles
Authors: Spātaru Tanţa , Osiceanu Petre , Marcu Maria , Lete Cecilia , Munteanu Cornel , Spātaru Nicolae
Published: August 2012

In the present work, polytyramine (PTy) and cobalt oxide (Co3O4) were used as substrates for platinum electrodeposition, in order to obtain electrode systems with electrocatalytic properties. PTy and Co3O4were previously electrochemically deposited on graphite and boron-doped diamond (BDD) supports, respectively. Anodic oxidation of methanol was used as a test-reaction for assessing possible functional effects of the substrate on the electrochemical behavior of the Pt particles. It was found that, when deposited on PTy or cobalt oxide, the electrocatalyst exhibits higher activity and is less susceptible to fouling, via strong adsorption of reaction intermediates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements suggested that these features can be ascribed to the presence of –OH functional groups at the surface of the Pt particles. It was also found that electrodeposition of platinum on BDD resulted only in metallic Pt and Pt(OH)2, whereas when graphite was used as substrate the presence of platinum oxides was also evident. During prolonged anodic oxidation of methanol, a higher stability of the –OH groups from the platinum surface was observed for graphite-supported Pt particles, compared to the case when bare BDD was used as support.
Fabrication of Silicon Oxide Thin Films by Mist Chemical Vapor Deposition Method from Polysilazane and Ozone as Sources
Authors: Piao Jinchun , Katori Shigetaka , Kawaharamura Toshiyuki , Li Chaoyang , Fujita Shizuo
Published: August 2012

Silicon oxide thin films were grown from the liquid source, polysilazane, by using mist chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at temperatures of 200–350 °C. The films were grown with a reasonable growth rate of 12 nm/min at the temperature of 200 °C, and they showed resistivity of the order of 1013 Ω·cm, although the incorporation of carbon and oxygen remains as a problem to be discussed and solved in the future. The results are encouraging for the future application of mist CVD for the growth of silicon oxide films on plastic substrates.
Passivation of the Exposed Silver Electrodes on a Tuning Fork Crystal Oscillator by Chronoamperometry
Authors: Jeong Chan-Yong , Sohn Joonsung , Kwon Hyuck-In , Song Sang-Hun
Published: August 2012

We present a simple passivation method for the silver electrodes on a tuning fork crystal oscillator to be used in sensor applications. To cover their three dimensional shapes, a solution based process, chronoamperometry, was used. Both depth profiling and electrical characterization were performed to verify the validity of the selected process. We found that sulfur contamination mainly caused the resonance frequency degradation of the unprocessed oscillator. In contrast, the resonance frequency of the passivated oscillator remained unchanged in time up to 3258 h. This robustness is attributed to the formation of the AgCl and Ag2O passivation layer by chronoamperometry.
SF6-Based Deep Reactive Ion Etching of (001) Rutile TiO2 Substrate for Photonic Crystal Structure with Wide Complete Photonic Band Gap
Authors: Matsutani Akihiro , Hayashi Mikiro , Morii Yasushi , Nishioka Kunio , Isobe Toshihiro , Nakajima Akira , Matsushita Sachiko
Published: August 2012

We demonstrated the fabrication of a photonic crystal structure of a (001) rutile TiO2 substrate by deep reactive ion etching (RIE) using SF6 plasma. A vertical etching profile and a smooth etched surface, which satisfy the requirements for optical device application, were obtained. We think that this proposed process is useful for the microfabrication of TiO2-crystal-based optical devices, such as photonic crystals with a complete photonic band gap (CPBG) and optical waveguides.
From oceanic crust to exhumed mantle: a 40 year (1970–2010) perspective on the nature of crust under the Santos Basin, SE Brazil
Authors: Kumar Naresh , Danforth A. , Nuttall P. , Helwig J. , Bird D. E. , Venkatraman S.
Published: August 2012

The first comprehensive geological and geophysical surveys of the Brazilian continental margin during the 1970s recognized the crust in the SE Brazilian basins as ‘anomalous’ but models for the opening of the South Atlantic proposed at that time invoked a very narrow continent–ocean transition. Nevertheless, such studies established the presence of a thick sedimentary prism, including an extensive salt layer under the São Paulo Plateau. The earliest reconstructions for the South Atlantic invoked a seaward shift of the spreading axis to account for the asymmetric widths of the salt layer between the Brazilian margin and its conjugate in offshore Africa.

Although our understanding of continent–ocean transition has progressed since then, direct seismic imaging at crustal scale has only been possible recently through long offset (10 km), deep recording (18 s), pre-stack depth migrated (PSDM) to 40 km, seismic-reflection data. These data allow us to generally image the Moho from under thick continental crust (>30 km) to thin oceanic crust (
c.
5 km). Although the nature of the transitional crust is still contested, these seismic data allow for constraints on various models for continent–ocean transition. Future integrated studies utilizing PSDM and refraction-seismic data will further refine these models.
Animal models of intestinal fibrosis: new tools for the understanding of pathogenesis and therapy of human disease
Authors: Rieder Florian , Kessler Sean , Sans Miquel , Fiocchi Claudio
Published: August 2012

Fibrosis is a serious condition complicating chronic inflammatory processes affecting the intestinal tract. Advances in this field that rely on human studies have been slow and seriously restricted by practical and logistic reasons. As a consequence, well-characterized animal models of intestinal fibrosis have emerged as logical and essential systems to better define and understand the pathophysiology of fibrosis. In point of fact, animal models allow the execution of mechanistic studies as well as the implementation of clinical trials with novel, pathophysiology-based therapeutic approaches. This review provides an overview of the currently available animal models of intestinal fibrosis, taking into consideration the methods of induction, key characteristics of each model, and underlying mechanisms. Currently available models will be classified into seven categories: spontaneous, gene-targeted, chemical-, immune-, bacteria-, and radiation-induced as well as postoperative fibrosis. Each model will be discussed in regard to its potential to create research opportunities to gain insights into the mechanisms of intestinal fibrosis and stricture formation and assist in the development of effective and specific antifibrotic therapies.
Enteric glia and neuroprotection: basic and clinical aspects
Authors: De Giorgio Roberto , Giancola Fiorella , Boschetti Elisa , Abdo Hind , Lardeux Bernard , Neunlist Michel
Published: August 2012

The enteric nervous system (ENS), a major regulatory system for gastrointestinal function, is composed of neurons and enteric glial cells (EGCs). Enteric glia have long been thought to provide only structural support to neurons. However, recent evidence indicates enteric glia-neuron cross talk significantly contributes to neuronal maintenance, survival, and function. Thus damage to EGCs may trigger neurodegenerative processes thought to play a role in gastrointestinal dysfunctions and symptoms. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on EGCs, particularly focusing on their possible neuroprotective features and the resultant enteric neuron abnormalities subsequent to EGC damage. These neuroprotective mechanisms may have pathogenetic relevance in a variety of functional and inflammatory gut diseases. Basic and clinical (translational) studies support a neuroprotective role mediated by EGCs. Different models have been developed to test whether selective EGC damage/ablation has an impact on gut functions and the ENS. Preclinical data indicated that selective EGC alterations were associated with changes in gut physiology related to enteric neuron abnormalities. In humans, a substantial loss of EGCs was described in patients with various functional and/or inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. However, whether EGC changes precede or follow neuronal degeneration and loss and how this damage occurs is not defined. Additional studies on EGC neuroprotective capacity are expected to improve knowledge of gut diseases and pave the way for targeted therapeutic strategies of underlying neuropathies.
Comparison of the Gibbs and Suga formulations of cardiac energetics: the demise of “isoefficiency”
Authors: Han J.-C. , Taberner A. J. , Tran K. , Goo S. , Nickerson D. P. , Nash M. P. , Nielsen P. M. F. , Crampin E. J. , Loiselle D. S.
Published: August 2012

Two very different sorts of experiments have characterized the field of cardiac energetics over the past three decades. In one of these, Gibbs and colleagues measured the heat production of isolated papillary muscles undergoing isometric contractions and afterloaded isotonic contractions. The former generated roughly linear heat vs. force relationships. The latter generated enthalpy-load relationships, the peak values of which occurred at or near peak isometric force, i.e., at a relative load of unity. Contractile efficiency showed a pronounced dependence on afterload. By contrast, Suga and coworkers measured the oxygen consumption (V̇o2) while recording the pressure-volume-time work loops of blood-perfused isolated dog hearts. From the associated (linear) end-systolic pressure-volume relations they derived a quantity labeled pressure-volume area (PVA), consisting of the sum of pressure-volume work and unspent elastic energy and showed that this was linearly correlated with V̇o2over a wide range of conditions. This linear dependence imposed isoefficiency: constant contractile efficiency independent of afterload. Neither these data nor those of Gibbs and colleagues are in dispute. Nevertheless, despite numerous attempts over the years, no demonstration of either compatibility or incompatibility of these disparate characterizations of cardiac energetics has been forthcoming. We demonstrate that compatibility between the two formulations is thwarted by the concept of isoefficiency, the thermodynamic basis of which we show to be untenable.
Cognitive impairment during 5 m water immersion
Authors: Dalecki Marc , Bock Otmar , Schulze Benjamin
Published: August 2012

Experimental data document that human cognition remains intact down to 6 m water immersion. This, however, is difficult to reconcile with introspective observations from experienced divers, who report cognitive impairments. We hypothesized that the discrepancy might be related to the fact that previous experiments assessed abstract cognitive skills, such as mental arithmetic, which might be less sensitive to immersion than performance-related cognitive skills, such as planning of behavior that is adequate for a given situation. Moreover, previous studies did not control for the effects of water viscosity on subjects' response times. To address these issues, the present study evaluated performance-related cognitive skills based on subjects' isometric responses. Forty-eight subjects were tested in 5 m under water and on dry land using multiple choice reaction tasks, a tracking task, and a combination of both. Sustained attention was also registered, and subjective workload was assessed by questionnaire. We found that a subject's cognitive performance was degraded under water by 9%, independent of task type and equally under single- and dual-task conditions. Sustained attention was reduced under water by 11% and tracking by 48%. The observed deficits were not correlated, which suggests multiple independent effects of immersion. Our findings support the hypothesis that performance-related cognitive skills are affected already by shallow-water immersion. Since no such deficits were observed in a companion study just below the water's surface, the present findings are probably due to increased ambient pressure.
The Role of Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Evaluating the Response to Treatment in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Caldarella Carmelo , Treglia Giorgio , Isgrò Maria Antonietta , Treglia Ivan , Giordano Alessandro
Published: August 2012

Background and Aim. Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is well recognized as a powerful diagnostic tool in the initial staging of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this paper is to perform a systematic review about the usefulness of FDG-PET or PET/CT in evaluating the response to treatment in patients with MM. Methods. The scientific literature about the role of FDG-PET or PET/CT in evaluating the response to treatment in patients affected by MM was systematically reviewed. Results. Ten studies about the role of FDG-PET or PET/CT in evaluating treatment response in MM were retrieved and discussed. Conclusions. FDG-PET or PET/CT seems to be helpful in assessing the response to treatment in patients with MM and in the evaluation of possible sites of recurrent or progressive disease.
K7Na3P2W18Cu4O68: A Mild, Efficient, and Reusable Catalyst for the One‐Pot Synthesis of 1,2,4,5‐Tetra Substituted Imidazoles
Authors: Milani Kalkhorani Nasim , Heravi Majid M.
Published: August 2012

An efficient method for the synthesis of 1,2,4,5‐tetra substituted imidazoles using K7Na3P2W18Cu4O68 as catalyst is reported. This four‐component condensation of benzil, aldehydes, amines, and ammonium acetate proceeds under solvent‐free conditions. The catalyst is handling and recoverable.