bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applicable Law for Contracts in the Sporting Context
Authors: Medić Ines
Published: May 2017

This article presents an analysis of contractual relations in sport from the standpoint of the Croatian legislative system. Due to the complexity of the subject matter, the author considers only a small fragment of it - the significance and the role of sport in Croatian society and the law of contracts „as a cornerstone on which „sports law“ has been built and which is of primary importance in most areas where there is an interface between sport and the law, irrespective of whether the sport is being played at an elite level or at a more humble one“.

Bearing in mind the limited extent of this article, the autor tries to provide some clarifications and some guidance on how to deal with the designation and the determination of the applicable law for contracts in the sporting context. Considering that there are different legal regimes which may come into play with regard to the designation of the law applicable to contracts in the sporting context, the author first presents the determination of the applicable law according to the Rome I Regulation and then according to the Croatian Arbitration Act, Swiss Private International Law Act and the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration, as the most common in sports practice. Then, the author deals with contracts concluded with minor athletes and the determination of the law applicable to some preliminary questions.

Finally, the author presents her perception of the problems encountered and some suggestions for the improvement of the existing legal framework.
The future of Saussure
Authors: Weber Samuel
Published: May 2017

Saussure’s theory of language as a process of differential and contextual signifying opens up the possibility of analyzing and interpreting not just verbal language but all phenomena taken to be significant, whether verbal, visual, acoustical or otherwise accessed. In so doing his work transcends the fashions of structuralism and poststructuralism that first made him widely known, and is not just situated in the past but points to the future.
Constitutionalizing Power: How Do Rules Legitimize the Executive?
Authors: Rashkova Ekaterina R.
Published: May 2017

Reflecting upon recent political events, attention toward political legitimacy has been renewed within political science debate. However, the concept remains rather broad and elusive with few attempts to find a common way to measure it. An increasing number of scholars have recently examined the link between party regulation and political legitimacy. Building on this research, the current paper explores the role of regulation in legitimizing power. In particular, this project studies how rules endorse leaders. The paper discusses extant measurements of legitimacy and offers a new one. The new measure, Executive Legitimizing Index (ELI), is based on content analysis of constitutional texts in 30 European democracies and emphasizes the power that regulations give to the public to control the executive branch. The paper develops the index both conceptually and empirically and shows that there are significant differences in executive regulation among four pre-defined groups of democracies.
Are Cultural and Gender Diversity Drivers of Firm Performance in Post- Crises Emergent Economies?
Authors: Sumedrea Silvia
Published: May 2017

The study aims to see if it could offer a positive response to the question whether the company’s financial performance depends on diversity of ownership structure, board and management team. Studies of this type have been made in the developed financial markets, but hardly any were made in recent years in emerging markets. The results of this study on the Romanian financial market indicate that relationships between ownership structure, board and management team composition and firm performance are mixed. ROA, ROE, ROS and P/BV as measures of firm performance are influenced by the presence of foreign shareholders, top foreign managers, and the percentage of women managers and by company’s size. Boards including foreign members are more inclined to appoint foreign managers and women in firm’s managerial teams, but a small number of such persons are not positively associated with an increased financial performance of the firm.
In memoriam Elena Saulea. Something about Hamlet…
Authors: Visarion Alexa
Published: May 2017

Theatre, just like life, is not and could never be a purpose in itself. It is a part of living, of learning how to live. There is only one matter we can be dogmatic about in regard to any kind of theatre: it cannot exist in a state of boredom. Theatre has to be lively in order not to become unbearable. Far from being superficial, the dialectics of interest and boredom is very much active, and the question “What causes interest?” is definitely profound. One could easily give theoretical answers, stating “this should arouse their interest.” Unfortunately, most of the time this “should” does not match the reality of the stage, so we finally settle for “this should have aroused their interest, but…”
Commedia dell’arte in the Contemporary World – Challenge, Performance, Practice
Authors: Milea Luminița
Published: May 2017

Influenced by the components of everyday life, contemporary theatre is undoubtedly subject to multiple transformations. Theatre needs a new lease on life, new subject matters. Without minimizing the importance of modern theatre, but out of sheer fondness of Commedia dell’arte, we have tried to outline certain characteristics, traits that impart colour to this provocative genre, regardless of space and time. Of course, only time will verify its future dual value as spectacle, as spectacle - performance and practice. Considering all these aspects from a musician’s perspective, it was only natural to emphasize the important position music occupies in Commedia dell’arte and its role as binding agent that in this way creates a balance between modernity and tradition.
For a Phenomenology of the Interval in the Theatre performance. A Semiotic Analysis
Authors: Piroşcă Alin Daniel
Published: May 2017

Theatre, in the notional complexity to be undertaken, updates and in this update it feels more pronounced the tendencies of increasing the performing spectrum. Writing about theatre inevitably leads you to set on something, on that attribute bringing the conviction that around its analysis the appreciative matters get interesting and reveal assumptions for future analysis.

The article we propose approaches theatre in the cardinal ambiguity of meanings, namely in what we call here interval. We assume an approximate delimitation of this range, balancing and improving the center-periphery relationship, and then establish ourselves to turn the performance itself into a phenomenon, with a double implication. Making a connection between the audience and the performance is not something new, but if the significance, the midpoint of this relationship is fractured in the process transmitter-receiver, can we not think of the possibility of the interval/range as a deconstruct refuge of meanings?

This paper asserts that if hiding the meaning becomes a phenomenon itself, it will be possible to read the performance by averaging this interval in which will be found, in the articulation of the public’s reception, the association of the cultural and theatrical codes.
Beckett and Joyce. Dialectical Reciprocity
Authors: Bandac Alexandra
Published: May 2017

Beckett’s literary beginnings are undoubtedly linked to his friendship and worship of James Joyce, his fellow Irishman, also established in Paris, whose literary work he enjoys and thoroughly studies. There are many similarities between James Joyce’s work and Samuel Beckett’s, taking into account the fact that the latter has been, in his youth, a sort of literary apprentice, their friendship being one of the main reasons in the dialectical study of their creations. What interests us most is the critical aligning of some fractures from their writings, in order to find the junction of themes and structure, the way in which Beckett takes Joyce’s leitmotivs and transforms them, filtering them into personal marks of his style.

Although Beckett detaches himself, in a way, from the influence of his master, by adopting French as his primary language of creation, but also by channeling his efforts into playwright, instead of prose, there are recurrences from Joyce now and then, especially in his late writings. Theoretical studies emphasize a common preoccupation for limit in their maturity works, perceived as a climax of the author’s experience with his work.

That is to say these Irishmen’s creations are, in a way, complementary, becoming proof of the literary transgression of the first half of the XXth century, from the canonized form and structure of realism, existentialism or naturalism, to a personal and free way of seeing the world, materialized into postmodernism.
Mihail Sebastian and the Intimist Writings. From Theatricality to the Illusion of Reality
Authors: Vasiniuc Tiberius
Published: May 2017

Writing his work, Sebastian had to confront a world thrown into history in the making, being forced to see what was happening around him, namely to privilege the sight and the entelechy which it animates. We almost dare to say that only in this manner - through a terrible aggression against the sight - Sebastian had the possibility to reflect, in his intimist writings, the contingent reality, for himself and for the others, with minimal styling effects. On the other hand, Sebastian’s texts reveal a purely phenomenological intention of the author. Thus, the author is no longer using the pen to fill with meaning a state of the facts or to transform everyday fiction into a significant dramatic discourse. In his case, the emphasis is on a continuous present and on the ontological message of the ideas, we would say, on the message which was freed from constraints of the past or future aspirations. Thus, Sebastian gives the events total freedom to express themselves - to utter themselves! -, with all the risks and the mortifying consequences of the decision taken. Sometimes the author reaches hidden humour areas, such as the one practiced by Pirandello.
“Animating” the Stage - Stage Elements
Authors: Volbea Beatrice
Published: May 2017

In modern days, new acting spaces have become popular through the artistic expression and diversity of means they offer to the actors so that they get closer to their audience, sometimes ignoring the dramatic text and using it more like a pretext in a given context. The act of creation is now motivated by the possibility it offers its creator to artistically acquire new knowledge and discover new forms of expression to render aspects of contemporary life. Art is not a product, it is a perpetually changing process in time and space. All the artistic research arises from unanswered questions, from an unrefrainable need to express oneself in the new context: cinema, artistic films, documentary films, modern and contemporary performances, visual culture and associated culture, body and space, public space, video editing/processing.
Theatre, in Ionescu’s Vision: “The Eternal Need for Miracle and Horror”
Authors: Moroșanu Elena-Mirabela
Published: May 2017

A subject the phenomenological modernity of which imposes itself, regardless of the time of the debate and the critic-literary orientation of the messmate, which burned in profile magazines pages and specialist meetings, and the conclusions of which are still expected, is represented by the dilemma: Eugen Ionescu or Eugene Ionesco? The Romanian by birth (and formation, some say) or Frenchman by adoption?

As it was already used to, according to the formula that opposites are attracted to cancel each other, Ionescu refused widely known theories about the purpose of theatre, annihilated them and replaced them with his own ideal concept of what theatre means to the public and, especially, what is the purpose of its mission. Theatre has, like any other art, a mission of knoweledge. You don’t silly around to discover, but deepening, separating, purifying realities. (...) Theatre is a presence, Ionescu says.
Bizarre Dialogues with the Director Radu Afrim and the Scenographer Irina Moscu
Authors: Petcu Ioana
Published: May 2017

The end of January in Iaşi is like the beginning of January. Meaning that it is also very cold. Director Radu Afrim is in rehearsals at Teatrul Naţional with Măcelăria lui Iov (Job’s Butchery) by Fausto Paravidino and he is accompanied by his scenographer, Irina Moscu. They are on the fifth collaboration after Naïve, Completely Frivolous Details in yhe Life and Death of the Audience (Teatrul Maghiar de Stat in Timişoara), Suntrack (Teatrul Maria Filotti in Brăila), Everything’s Alright between Us (Teatrul Naţional in Bucharest) and The Retro Bird Hits the Block and Falls on The Hot Sand (Teatrul Naţional in Târgu-Mureş).
Cannabis indica as a motivation for foreign travel by Polish citizens
Authors: Matczak Andrzej , Pawlicki Przemysław
Published: May 2017

Based on an anonymous on-line questionnaire survey, conducted among 1000 respondents, the authors present their demographic, socio-economic and spatial profile, their attitude to cannabis and the tourist trips they went on (scale, directions, destinations), involving cannabis consumption. Tourist trips of this kind were attractive to quite a large number of young people, mostly inhabiting large Polish cities, who usually had used and continued to use this drug. Trips inspired by cannabis were most often made to the nearby Czech Republic and Netherlands, as well as (less frequently) to Spain.
The characteristics of cultural tourists who visit urban jewish heritage centres: the case study of visitors to the White Stork Synagogue in Wrocław
Authors: Duda-Seifert Magdalena
Published: May 2017

Since the White Stork Synagogue in Wrocław has been restored, opened to visitors and become a part of the so-called District of the Four Faiths promoted by the city council, both the synagogue and its neighbourhood have become tourist attractions which support Wrocław’s image as a multicultural city. Therefore, the aim of the article is to identify the characteristics of tourists visiting the synagogue which could help understand the specific features of those attracted by urban Jewish heritage. As a result of research with the use of surveys, interviews and observation, the highly emotive cognitive approach of tourists has been determined as the dominant feature in this niche market. Moreover, its strongly international character and its specific age and education structure have been pinpointed. These features form the basis for the conclusion that the tourists attracted by urban Jewish heritage form a very specific niche market which can be targeted especially by large cities through the development of themed tourist products.
Generalised Multiplicative Indices of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Benzenoid Systems
Authors: Kulli V.R. , Stone Branden , Wang Shaohui , Wei Bing
Published: May 2017

Many types of topological indices such as degree-based topological indices, distance-based topological indices, and counting-related topological indices are explored during past recent years. Among degree-based topological indices, Zagreb indices are the oldest one and studied well. In the paper, we define a generalised multiplicative version of these indices and compute exact formulas for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and jagged-rectangle Benzenoid systems.
A dinuclear nickel(II) complex derived from an asymmetric Salamo-type N2O2chelate ligand: synthesis, structure and optical properties
Authors: Dong Xiu-Yan , Kang Quan-Peng , Jin Bo-Xian , Dong Wen-Kui
Published: May 2017

A new dinuclear Ni(II) complex, [{Ni(L)(C5H5N)}2], has been synthesized with 4-chloro-4′,6′-dibromo-2,2′-[ethylenedioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol (H2L), and characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, UV/Vis, molar conductance and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Each Ni(II) atom is located at a N2O2coordination site of a completely deprotonated (L)2−unit. Twoμ-phenoxo oxygen atoms from two [Ni(L)] units and two pyridine nitrogen atoms coordinate with two Ni(II) atoms. The two hexa-coordinated Ni(II) atoms have slightly distorted octahedral geometries. Theμ-phenoxo bridges play important roles in assembling Ni2+and (L)2−units. This 2:2 (Ni2+:(L)2−) structure is different from that of other Salamo-type Ni(II) complexes reported earlier.
Synthesis, structural characterization, and hydrogen bonds of Co9(OH)14[SO4]2
Authors: Ben Yahia Hamdi , Shikano Masahiro , Belharouak Ilias
Published: May 2017

The new compound Co9(OH)14[SO4]2 was synthesized using a hydrothermal method from LiF, Na2SO3, and Co(CH3COO)2·4H2O in a molar ratio of 1:1:1 in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. Its crystal structure was determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. Co9(OH)14[SO4]2 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1̅ with a=7.693(2) Å, b=8.318(2) Å, c=8.351(2) Å, α=82.375(5)°, β=77.832(4)°, γ=68.395(4)°, V=484.8(2) Å3, and Z=2. Its structure is composed of cobalt-containing sheets interconnected by SO4 tetrahedra. Bent and symmetrically trifurcated hydrogen bonds have been observed. Furthermore, structural similarities with hydrozincite and brucite minerals have been noticed.
The Sumo Deadlift
Authors: Belcher Daniel
Published: May 2017

THE SUMO DEADLIFT IS A COMMON VARIATION OF THE DEADLIFT USED IN POWERLIFTING COMPETITIONS. THE EXERCISE USES EXTENSION OF THE BACK, HIPS, AND KNEES IN UNISON TO LIFT A LOADED BARBELL FROM THE GROUND TO A FULLY ERECT STANDING POSITION. THIS COLUMN OFFERS A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROPER SUMO DEADLIFTING TECHNIQUE. A VIDEO ABSTRACT DESCRIBING THIS ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND IN SUPPLEMENTAL DIGITAL CONTENT 1, HTTP://LINKS.LWW.COM/SCJ/A204.
Effect of metformin on bioactive lipid metabolism in insulin-resistant muscle
Authors: Zabielski Piotr , Chacinska Marta , Charkiewicz Karol , Baranowski Marcin , Gorski Jan , Blachnio-Zabielska Agnieszka U
Published: May 2017

Intramuscular accumulation of bioactive lipids leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). There is lack of consensus concerning which of the lipid mediators has the greatest impact on muscle insulin actionin vivo. Our aim was to elucidate the effects of high-fat diet (HFD) and metformin (Met) on skeletal muscle bioactive lipid accumulation and insulin resistance (IR) in rats. We employed a [U-13C]palmitate isotope tracer and mass spectrometry to measure the content and fractional synthesis rate (FSR) of intramuscular long-chain acyl-CoA (LCACoA), diacylglycerols (DAG) and ceramide (Cer). Eight weeks of HFD-induced intramuscular accumulation of LCACoA, DAG and Cer accompanied by both systemic and skeletal muscle IR. Metformin treatment improved insulin sensitivity at both systemic and muscular level by the augmentation of Akt/PKB and AS160 phosphorylation and decreased the content of DAG and Cer and their respective FSR. Principal component analysis (PCA) of lipid variables revealed that altered skeletal muscle IR was associated with lipid species containing 18-carbon acyl-chain, especially with C18:0-Cer, C18:1-Cer, 18:0/18:2-DAG and 18:2/18:2-DAG, but not palmitate-derived lipids. It is concluded that the insulin-sensitizing action of metformin in skeletal muscle is associated with decreased 18-carbon acyl-chain-derived bioactive lipids.
Declaración jurada de autoría y autorización para la publicación del artículo científico
Authors: Pacheco-Romero José
Published: May 2017

Declaración jurada de autoría y autorización para la publicación del artículo científico
Lista de verificación que debe acompañar a todo trabajo remitido a la Revista Anales de la Facultad de Medicina
Authors: Pacheco-Romero José
Published: May 2017

Lista de verificación que debe acompañar a todo trabajo remitido a la Revista Anales de la Facultad de Medicina
Una interpretación del conflicto por el desabastecimiento de agua potable ocurrido durante el 2014 en el cantón de Barva de Heredia, Costa Rica
Authors: Montero Diego
Published: May 2017

Este artículo busca estudiar el caso de la conflictividad por el desabastecimiento en el servicio de agua que se generó en el cantón de Barva de Heredia durante el 2014. El primer objetivo consiste en describir algunos de los acontecimientos más notables de dicho conflicto, con el fin de mostrar las características principales adquiridas por la contienda, para, posteriormente, como segundo objetivo, establecer un análisis de los hechos, focalizando la atención en la organización comunal que se creó en medio de la problemática. Para lo anterior, se empleó la observación participante, noticias de prensa escrita y reportajes televisivos, así como información, imágenes y videos publicados en la página de Facebook del movimiento y en el portal YouTube. Así, el planteamiento que se intenta defender es que para poder entender por qué surgió el conflicto entre los actores comunales y las autoridades municipales, es necesario sobrepasar su causa más inmediata, que fueron los recortes en el suministro de agua, prestándoles atención a otras variables políticas, históricas y socioculturales.
La frontera de la frontera: sociedad indígena costarricense, 1800-1830
Authors: Bozzoli María E.
Published: May 2017

Se parte de que en el momento de la Independencia (1821) Costa Rica era una sociedad de frontera, por haber sido región fronteriza de la jurisdicción colonial española en general y específicamente de la Capitanía General de Guatemala. Al emanciparse, en la construcción de la estatalidad desarrolla la centralidad, la que a su vez se estructura en centro y periferia. La periferia es frontera en el sentido sociocultural (indígenas separados socialmente como inferiores) y en el sentido geográfico (en las márgenes urbanas o en la vasta zona fronteriza muy alejada de los poblados hispano criollos). La administración colonial creó los pueblos reducidos; se diferencian los más cercanos a los centros urbanos de aquellos colindantes con la zona fronteriza; las etnias independientes en esta zona y los pueblos cambian, a diferentes ritmos, su condición de frontera, después de 1821. La frontera separa pero también permite la interacción, la permeabilidad.
Profesionales de la salud y emblematización urbana en la ciudad de rango medio
Authors: Galarza Bárbara
Published: May 2017

El objetivo del presente trabajo es verificar la hipótesis de la incidencia de la escala metropolitana como un obstáculo epistemológico dentro de los imaginarios urbanos de la salud de la ciudad media, tomando como fuente etnográfica las representaciones de los profesionales de la salud y su distinción emblemática local en situaciones de migración, especialización y valorización. Para esto, se describe y analiza el proceso social de construcción de prestigio de los profesionales a escala local. Se identifican así las trayectorias de migración de los actores y su entramado urbano como elementos constitutivos de este prestigio que es construido con imágenes nativas de próceres y dioses. Esta elaboración, propia de la urbanización de rango medio, resulta una paradoja significativa cuya producción de sentido tiene por efecto convertir a los profesionales de la salud de “laburantes”, de la metrópolis intranquila, en “próceres” de la ciudad de referencia emblematizada como “la ciudad del trabajo”. La investigación demuestra que la construcción social del prestigio profesional que se articula a la producción de emblemas urbanos locales contribuye a la producción y reproducción de la segmentación social que promueve el proceso de urbanización capitalista en las ciudades de rango medio del centro bonaerense. En este proceso, los emblemas de la ciudad media vista en contraste con la metrópolis funcionan como integradores obstaculizadores de la identidad de trabajador del profesional.
Defect Physics of CuInSe2 for Photovoltaic Applications Using Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS)
Authors: Schiros Theanne , Calvin Scott , Stallworth P.E. , Alamgir Faisal , Guillemoles J.-F. , Greenbaum S.G. , den Boer M.L.
Published: May 2017

Native point defects in undoped samples of CuInSe2 (CIS) have been identified by a multiple-edge refinement of the extended x-ray absorption fine structure of the copper, indium and selenium absorption edges. Ab initio theoretical models for the pure compound and for various defect structures were constructed and carrier-type statistics were predicted by simultaneously fitting multiple absorption sites to these models. As expected, a model of our measurements based on pure compounds with no defects does not yield a good fit to the data. We find that a best fit requires a significant population of defects. Preliminary quantitative analysis suggests a 15 % vacancy in Cu, a 2-12% population of Cu-Se anti-sites and 15% In-Se anti-sites.
Recombination Parameters in InGaAsSb Epitaxial Layers for Thermophotovoltaic Applications
Authors: Kumar R. J. , Gutmann R. J. , Borrego J.M. , Dutta P. S. , Wang C. A. , Martinelli R.U. , Nichols G.
Published: May 2017

Radio-frequency (RF) photoreflectance measurements and one-dimensional device simulations have been used to evaluate bulk recombination parameters and surface recombination velocity (SRV) in doubly-capped 0.55-eV p-InGaAsSb epitaxial layers, doped at 2 × 1017 cm-3, for thermophotovoltaic (TPV) applications. Bulk lifetimes of 90 to 100 ns and SRVs of 680 cm/s to 3200 cm/s (depending on the capping layer) are obtained, with higher doping and higher bandgap capping layers most effective in reducing SRV. RF photoreflectance measurements and one-dimensional device simulations are compatible with a radiative recombination coefficient (B) of 3 × 10-11 cm3/s and Auger coefficient (C) of 1 × 10-28 cm6/s.
Meyer-Neldel Rule in Deep-Level-Transient-Spectroscopy and its Ramifications
Authors: Crandall Richard S.
Published: May 2017

This paper presents data showing a Meyer-Neldel rule (MNR) in InGaAsN alloys. It is shown that without this knowledge, significant errors will be made using Deep-Level Transient-Spectroscopy (DLTS) emission data to determine capture cross sections. By correctly accounting for the MNR in analyzing the DLTS data the correct value of the cross section is obtained.
Evidence of the Meyer-Neldel Rule in InGaAsN Alloys: Consequences for Photovoltaic Materials
Authors: Johnston Steven W. , Crandall Richard S.
Published: May 2017

We present data showing the potential adverse effects on photovoltaic device performance of all traps in InGaAsN. Deep-level transient spectroscopy measurements were performed on InGaAsN samples grown by both metal-organic chemical vapor deposition and RF plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. For each growth technique, we studied samples with varying nitrogen composition ranging from 0% to 2.2%. A deep hole trap with activation energy ranging between 0.5 and 0.8 eV is observed in all samples. These data clearly obey the Meyer-Neldel rule, which states that all traps have the same emission rate at the isokinetic temperature. A fit of our trap data gives an isokinetic temperature of 350 K. We find that the emission time for all deep hole traps is on the order of milliseconds at room temperature. This means that both deep and shallow traps emit slowly at the operating temperature of solar cells—thus, the traps can be recombination centers.
CdS Window Layer for Large Open Circuit Voltages of Low Environmental-Load CdS/CdTe Solar Cells
Authors: Toyama T. , Oda H. , Nakamura K. , Fujihara T. , Shimizuand K. , Okamoto H.
Published: May 2017

The low ‘environmental-load’ CdS/CdTe solar cells for reducing consumption of Cd compounds have been investigated employing the CdS layers fabricated at various substrate temperatures, TCdS, and a conversion efficiency of 14.1% has been achieved. The nanostructure of CdS crystallites made at different TCdS are compared to the crystallinity of CdS, and CdTe deposited on CdS as well as sulfur fraction in CdTe1-xSx mixed crystal layer unintentionally formed at CdS/CdTe(S) interface. The photovoltaic performances, especially obtained relative high open circuit voltages, are discussed in conjunction with the structural properties as well as electrical properties of the solar cells. The solar cells show a relative high Voc due to the large CdTe grains as well as the narrow depletion layer width. Besides, preventing deterioration of the CdS/CdTe(S) interface is found to be quite effective for achieving high open circuit voltages and fill factors.
Microstructural And Microchemical Analysis of Chalcopyrite Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Films
Authors: Li Chun-Ming , Lei Chang-Hui , Robertson Ian M. , Rockett Angus
Published: May 2017

The microstructure and microchemistry of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) films have been analyzed by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Specimens were obtained from a number of groups producing high-performance solar cells from these materials. Both plan-view and cross-sectional TEM samples were prepared by mechanical grinding and ion milling. Twins can be found easily within the films while dislocations are present only in a few grains and with low density. No extended structural defects such as stacking faults were discovered. X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to study the chemical composition of grains and grain boundaries. Experimental results showed no difference between the composition in the grain interiors and the grain boundary. In addition, there is no obvious enhancement of oxygen and sodium at grain boundaries. Structural depth dependences were also not found.
Point Defect Changes in CuGaSe2 Induced by Gas Annealing
Authors: Yamada Akimasa , Nishio Akihiko , Fons Paul. , Shibata Hajime , Matsubara Koji , Niki Shigeru , Nakanishi Hisayuki
Published: May 2017

Epitaxial CuGaSe2 films were grown on GaAs substrates under Cu-excess conditions to obtain stoichiometric compositions. The films were annealed in Ar, Sex or O2 ambients with or without a Cu or Cu-Se cap layer with the intention of changing the intrinsic defect concentrations. Samples were evaluated using low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Annealing of the samples dramatically changed the PL spectra indicating that not only interdiffusion had occurred, but defect species and populations were changed. Comprehensive consideration of the changes led to the conclusion that the emissions at 1.62 eV, 1.66 eV and in the range from 1.2 to 1.4 eV are related to specific defects of Se vacancies, Cu vacancy-Se vacancy complexes and interstitial Cu, respectively.
Electronic and Chemical Phenomena at Cu(In, Ga)Se2/CdS Heterojunctions and Their Implications for Photovoltaic Devices
Authors: Liao Dongxiang , Rockett Angus
Published: May 2017

The surface chemical composition of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) alloys and CIGS/CdS interfaces are characterized by photoelectron emission spectroscopy. The results show that there is a severe but shallow (1-2 atomic layers) Cu depletion at {112} surfaces of CuInSe2 epitaxial films, consistent with earlier results. The depletion is not due to the existence of ordered defect compounds, but likely a result of the reconstruction of polar CIGS surfaces. Cd was found incorporated into the top 1-2 atomic layers of Cu-poor surfaces of CIGS, which may explain the n-type surface inversion in finished devices. These results and others formed the basis of a numerical model of CIGS solar cells. It is argued from the experimental and simulation results that the performance of devices based on high Ga content alloys may be reduced by failure to dope the surface of CuGaSe2 sufficiently n-type. The effect of observed defect states on the energy gap is considered, in particular with respect to pinning of the Fermi level near the heterojunction. By contrast, devices based on high In-content alloys show strong surface inversion in CIGS/CdS heterojunctions, which is suggestive of an effect of Cd incorporation in the CIGS surface.
Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)2 Absorbers Formed by Rapid Thermal Processing of Elemental Precursors: Analysis of Thin Film Formation and Implementation of A Large Area Industrial Process
Authors: Palm Joerg , Probst V. , Stetter W. , Toelle R.
Published: May 2017

Large area Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)2 thin films (CIGSSe) for solar modules are processed by rapid thermal annealing of stacked elemental layers. A pilot line for 60×90 cm2 absorbers and 30×30cm2 modules is now up and running. Modules with efficiencies at 12% are fabricated with excellent structural and electrical uniformity. For the optimization of electrical performance the selenization and sulfurization process is analyzed by x-ray fluorescence (XRFA), x-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and current voltage (I-V) measurements. Sequentially processed CIGSSe films show characteristic depth distribution profiles of gallium and sulfur. Based upon our previously published model obtained by In-Situ XRD analysis the Ga profile can be explained by the strongly inhibited formation of binary gallium-selenides. The sulfur incorporation is investigated by comparing XRFA data and SIMS profiles of samples from different sulfurization recipes. A characteristic dependence of S on the Cu/(In+Ga) ratio is observed. Two different mechanisms for sulfur incorporation are proposed. It will be shown that the accumulation of sulfur towards the back is predominantly due to the incorporation into an intermediate molybdenum sulfo-selenide layer. Device characterization shows that the Ga and S profiles lead to a favorable double band gap grading structure.
Current Status and Future Prospects of CISCuT Based Solar Cells and Modules
Authors: Tober Olaf , Wienke Jeannette , Winkler Michael , Penndorf Jürgen , Griesche Joachim
Published: May 2017

CISCuT - CIS on Cu-Tape - has been established as a new thin film technology, in which Cu/In/S based solar cells are continuously fabricated on a Cu-tape in a series of consecutive roll-to-roll processes. Flexible modules encapsulated into polymer foils are assembled by interconnecting stripes of this tape cell in a roof-tile manner in an automated assembly line. J-V characteristics that show efficiencies of 9 % so far and that have been certified by the Frauenhofer Institut Solare Energiesysteme are presented. Stability tests over more than 8000 hours show promising results. Best results obtained from cells and from modules that have automatically been assembled to different areas are compared. This comparison gives insight into how the different roll-to-roll processes including the assembling of the module influence the overall quality of the module. Latest results including the unique mechanical properties of CISCuT-based solar cells and modules are highlighted. An outlook on the future prospects of this exciting technology is given.
In-Situ XRD Studies of Sequential CuIn(Se, S)2 Formation
Authors: Djordjevic Jovana , Rudigier Eveline , Scheer Roland
Published: May 2017

The formation of CuInSe2-CuInS2 alloy films from chalcogenisation of different precursors was investigated by in-situ energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXRD). A sequential synthesis procedure was used. Copper and indium (Cu/In = 1.8) were sputtered on molybdenum coated soda-lime glass and selenium was introduced as a layer of elemental selenium or as a In2Se3 layer. Such prepared precursor films were then sulfurized in elemental sulfur vapor. The effects of the selenium precursors and the influence of sulfurization conditions on the resulting absorber films composition and properties were investigated. It is shown that from different precursors, chalcopyrite phases are formed via significantly different formation pathways which are investigated in detail.
Investigation of CdZnTe for Thin-Film Tandem Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Dhere Ramesh , Gessert Tim , Zhou Jie , Asher Sally , Pankow Joel , Moutinho Helio
Published: May 2017

Modeling of two-junction tandem devices shows that for optimal device performance, the bandgap of the top cell should be around 1.6-1.8 eV. CdZnTe alloys can be tailored to yield bandgaps in the desired range. In this study, three approaches were used to fabricate these films. The CdTe and ZnTe films were deposited by close-spaced sublimation (CSS) and radio-frequency sputtering (RFS) techniques respectively. In the first approach, we used mixed powders of CdTe and ZnTe as the source for film deposition by CSS. Even for the ZnTe/CdTe (95:5 ratio) source material, the deposited films were entirely CdTe due to higher vapor pressure of CdTe. In the second approach, we used pre-alloyed CdZnTe powders (CERAC, Inc.) as the source. Due to the lower sticking coefficient of Zn, even for the source composition of 75% Zn, these films contained very low quantities of Zn (∼5%). We tried unsuccessfully to increase the Zn content in the films by confining Zn vapor by enclosing the region between the source and substrate, reducing the substrate temperature to 400°C, and adjusting the source/substrate distance. Finally, we used thin-film couples consisting of 300-nm-thick CdTe deposited by CSS and 300-nm-thick ZnTe deposited by RFS; the samples were then heat-treated in cadmium chloride vapor. Compositional analysis of the samples showed extensive interdiffusion of Cd and Zn for the annealed samples. We will present the data on the various stack configurations of CdTe and ZnTe, the effect of different post-deposition anneals, the effect of oxygen on the interdiffusion and alloy formation and its possible correlation to the device performance degradation.
Reduction of Micro-Cracks in Large Diameter InxGa1-xSb Bulk Crystals
Authors: Vogel Juliet , Dutta Partha S.
Published: May 2017

The ternary alloy, InxGa1-xSb, is a compound semiconductor of tunable bandgap in the range of 0.18 - 0.72 eV, making it useful for infrared optoelectronic devices. Utilizing a unique system based upon vertical Bridgman technique, large diameter (50 millimeter) InxGa1-xSb polycrystals of composition ranging in x from 0.015 to 0.988 have been grown. Methods of mixing the melt during solidification, including the accelerated crucible rotation technique (ACRT), have been used in conjunction with optimization of the furnace temperature gradient profile to significantly reduce micro-cracking in the crystal boules while accelerating the growth rate from less than a millimeter per hour to three millimeters per hour. In this paper, the experimental system and crystal growth parameters for a set of ternary experiments will be detailed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of vertical cross-sections of In0.15Ga0.85Sb samples show a 95.8 percent reduction in micro-cracking resulting from specific melt mixing schemes. The mechanism for micro-crack removal during bulk alloy growth will be discussed briefly.
Role of Surface Band Gap Widening in Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)2 Thin-Films for the Photovoltaic Performance of ZnO/CdS/Cu(In, Ga)(Se, S)2 Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Rau U. , Turcu M.
Published: May 2017

Numerical simulations are used to investigate the role of the Cu-poor surface defect layer on Cu(In, Ga)Se2 thin-films for the photovoltaic performance of ZnO/CdS/Cu(In, Ga)Se2 heterojunction solar cells. We model the surface layer either as a material which is n-type doped, or as a material which is type-inverted due to Fermi-level pinning by donor-like defects at the interface with CdS. We further assume a band gap widening of this layer with respect to the Cu(In, Ga)Se2 bulk. This feature turns out to represent the key quality of the Cu(In, Ga)Se2 surface as it prevents recombination at the absorber/CdS buffer interface. Whether the type inversion results from n-type doping or from Fermi-level pinning is only of minor importance as long as the surface layer does not imply a too large number of excess defects in its bulk or at its interface with the normal absorber. With increasing number of those defects an n-type layer proofs to be less sensitive to material deterioration when compared to the type-inversion by Fermi-level pinning. For wide gap chalcopyrite solar cells the internal valence band offset between the surface layer and the chalcopyrite appears equally vital for the device efficiency. However, the unfavorable band-offsets of the ZnO/CdS/Cu(In, Ga)Se2 heterojunction limit the device efficiency because of the deterioration of the fill factor.
Integrin-Linked Kinase Signaling Promotes Cyst Growth and Fibrosis in Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Raman Archana , Reif Gail A. , Dai Yuqiao , Khanna Aditi , Li Xiaogang , Astleford Lindsay , Parnell Stephen C. , Calvet James P. , Wallace Darren P.
Published: May 2017

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by innumerous fluid-filled cysts and progressive deterioration of renal function. Previously, we showed that periostin, a matricellular protein involved in tissue repair, is markedly overexpressed by cyst epithelial cells. Periostin promotes cell proliferation, cyst growth, interstitial fibrosis, and the decline in renal function in PKD mice. Here, we investigated the regulation of these processes by the integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a scaffold protein that links the extracellular matrix to the actin cytoskeleton and is stimulated by periostin. Pharmacologic inhibition or shRNA knockdown of ILK prevented periostin-induced Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and ADPKD cell proliferation in vitro. Homozygous deletion of ILK in renal collecting ducts (CD) of Ilkfl/fl
;Pkhd1-Cre mice caused tubule dilations, apoptosis, fibrosis, and organ failure by 10 weeks of age. By contrast, Ilkfl/+
;Pkhd1-Cre mice had normal renal morphology and function and survived >1 year. Reduced expression of ILK in Pkd1fl/fl
;Pkhd1-Cre mice, a rapidly progressive model of ADPKD, decreased renal Akt/mTOR activity, cell proliferation, cyst growth, and interstitial fibrosis, and significantly improved renal function and animal survival. Additionally, CD-specific knockdown of ILK strikingly reduced renal cystic disease and fibrosis and extended the life of pcy/pcy mice, a slowly progressive PKD model. We conclude that ILK is critical for maintaining the CD epithelium and renal function and is a key intermediate for periostin activation of signaling pathways involved in cyst growth and fibrosis in PKD.
Crises, Rumours and Reposts: Journalists’ Social Media Content Gathering and Verification Practices in Breaking News Situations
Authors: Backholm Klas , Ausserhofer Julian , Frey Elsebeth , Larsen Anna Grøndahl , Hornmoen Harald , Högväg Joachim , Reimerth Gudrun
Published: May 2017

Social media (SoMe) platforms provide potentially important information for news journalists during everyday work and in crisis-related contexts. The aims of this study were (a) to map central journalistic challenges and emerging practices related to using SoMe for collecting and validating newsworthy content; and (b) to investigate how practices may contribute to a user-friendly design of a web-based SoMe content validation toolset. Interviews were carried out with 22 journalists from three European countries. Information about journalistic work tasks was also collected during a crisis training scenario (N = 5). Results showed that participants experienced challenges with filtering and estimating trustworthiness of SoMe content. These challenges were especially due to the vast overall amount of information, and the need to monitor several platforms simultaneously. To support improved situational awareness in journalistic work during crises, a user-friendly tool should provide content search results representing several media formats and gathered from a diversity of platforms, presented in easy-to-approach visualizations. The final decision-making about content and source trustworthiness should, however, remain as a manual journalistic task, as the sample would not trust an automated estimation based on tool algorithms.
AMOR Volume 1, Issue 2: Full Issue
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: May 2017

View the full issue here.
Biocontrol and growth promotive potential of Streptomyces spp. in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)
Authors: Suseela Bhai R. , Lijina A. , Prameela T. P. , Krishna P. B. , Thampi Anushree
Published: May 2017

Actinomycetes isolated from the rhizosphere of black pepper and from vermicompost were tested for their antagonistic effect against Phytophthora capsici and Radopholus similis, the causal agents of foot rot and slow decline diseases of black pepper. Based on in vitro evaluations, four isolates were shortlisted (IISR Act2, IISR Act5, IISR Act6, and IISR Act9) and subjected to in vivo evaluation for Phytophthora infection by challenge inoculation and also greenhouse evaluation for growth promotion in black pepper. Rooted plants of black pepper were raised in soil amended with Actinomycetes strains individually and in combinations in portray and were transplanted into earthenware pots containing potting mixture amended with respective actinomycetes keeping un-amended plants as control. Observations were recorded on growth parameters like plant height, root weight, shoot weight and root infection by nematodes. Besides, soil was also analyzed for pH, dehydrogenase activity, EC and NPK content to know the influence of actinomycetes on soil microflora as well as on nutrient status. The results showed that consortia are more effective than individual isolates. Consortia holding IISR Act5+IISR Act9 were found highly effective in enhancing all the growth parameters followed by IISR Act2+ IISR Act9 and IISR Act2 + IISR Act5. The dehydrogenase activity was found higher in these consortia showing the higher microbial metabolic activity. Root lesions were also negligible in these treatments. Being effective in growth promotion as well as antagonistic activity, the isolates were tested for plant growth promotion and biocontrol traits. Among the isolates, IISR Act9 was found highly efficient in IAA production (119μg/ml) when compared to IISR Act2 (36.25μg/ml) and IISR Act5 (32.4μg/ml). Hence based on the growth promotive and pathogen suppressive effect, the consortia of either IISR Act5+IISR Act9 , IISR Act2+IISR Act9 or IISR Act2+IISR Act5 can be effectively used in black pepper for growth promotion and biological control of foot rot and slow decline diseases. The potential actinomycetes were identified as Streptomyces spp. as per Bergey’s manual and rpoB gene sequence similarity of which IISR Act2 is identified as Streptomyces sp., IISR Act9 as Streptomyces albus and IISR Act5 as Streptomyces sp.
Impact of release of Neochetina spp. on growth and density of water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes
Authors: Sivaraman K. , Murugesan A. G.
Published: May 2017

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an invasive aquatic macrophyte which creates several problems in irrigation system of rivers. To control their rapid distribution in water bodies the biological control method was carried by employing weevils Neochetina bruchi and Neochetina eichhorniae on river based field trial. The study demonstrates effectiveness of biocontrol weevil open field release on experimental site (Chittar river). When compared to first release in field, the weevil intensity was increased in numbers. Active scraping was observed in the leaves and decay spots were seen in the stems of weed. Both N. bruchi and N. eichhorniae (250 No) were introduced biyearly at experimental site for one year. During these two years of observation period, stunted growth and reduced population were observed in the study site. The study highlights importance of Neochetina spp. on the management of E. crassipes.