bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Campus Climate for Personal and Social Responsibility
Authors: Ryder Andrew J. , Mitchell Joshua J.
Published: December 2013

Understanding institutional climate enhances decision‐making capacity when planning new programs and improving learning environments on college campuses. This chapter defines climate, discusses the purpose and advantages of climate assessment, and identifies important factors to consider in planning and conducting a personal and social responsibility climate assessment, using the Personal and Social Responsibility Inventory as an example.
T-Cell Ig and ITIM Domain Regulates Natural Killer Cell Activation in Murine Acute Viral Hepatitis
Authors: Bi Jiacheng , Zhang Qing , Liang Dan , Xiong Lei , Wei Haiming , Sun Rui , Tian Zhigang
Published: December 2013

Uncontrolled natural killer (NK) cell activation during the early response to acute viral infection can lead to severe immunopathology, and the mechanisms NK cells use to achieve self-tolerance in such contexts are currently unclear. Here, NK cells up-regulated a coinhibitory receptor, T-cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT), during challenge with the viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) analog poly I:C. Blocking TIGIT by antibody treatment

in vivo

or a genetic deficiency in

Tigit

enhanced NK cell activation and aggravated liver injury in a poly I:C/D-GalN-induced model of acute fulminant hepatitis, suggesting that TIGIT is normally required for protecting against NK cell-mediated liver injury. Furthermore, adoptively transferring

Tigit−/−

NK cells into NK cell-deficient

Nfil3

−/− mice also resulted in elevated liver injury. Reconstituting Kupffer cell-depleted mice with poliovirus receptor (PVR/CD155, a TIGIT ligand)-silenced Kupffer cells led to aggravated liver injury in a TIGIT-dependent manner. Blocking TIGIT in an NK-Kupffer cell coculture

in vitro

enhanced NK cell activation and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production in a PVR-dependent manner. We also found that TIGIT was up-regulated selectively on NK cells and protected against liver injury in an acute adenovirus infection model in both an NK cell- and Kupffer cell-dependent manner. Knocking down PVR in Kupffer cells resulted in aggravated liver injury in response to adenovirus infection in a TIGIT-dependent manner.

Conclusion :

TIGIT negatively regulates NK-Kupffer cell crosstalk and alleviates liver injury in response to poly I:C/D-GalN challenge or acute adenovirus infection, suggesting a novel mechanism of NK cell self-tolerance in liver homeostasis during acute viral infection. (Hepatology 2014;59:1715–1725)
Chemical Study on Protective Effect Against Hydroxyl‐induced DNA Damage and Antioxidant Mechanism of Myricitrin
Authors: Li Xican , Mai Wenqiong , Chen Dongfeng
Published: December 2013

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) can oxidatively damage DNA to cause severe biological consequences. In the study, a natural flavonoid, myricitrin (myricetin‐3‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranoside), was found to have a protective effect against hydroxyl‐induced DNA damage (IC50 159.86 ± 54.24 μg/mL). To investigate the mechanism, it was determined by various antioxidant assays. The results revealed that myricitrin could effectively scavenge ·OH, ·O2−, DPPH· (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical), and ABTS+· (2,2′‐Azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) radicals (IC50 values were respectively 69.71 ± 5.93, 69.71 ± 5.93, 25.34 ± 2.14, and 1.71 ± 0.09 μg/mL), and bind Cu2+ (IC50 27.33 ± 2.36 μg/mL). Based on the mechanistic analysis, it can be concluded that: (i) myricitrin can effectively protect against hydroxyl‐induced DNA oxidative damage via ROS scavenging and deoxynucleotide radicals repairing approaches. Both approaches can be attributed to its antioxidant. From a structure‐activity relationship viewpoint, its antioxidant ability can be attributed to the ortho‐dihydroxyl moiety, and ultimately to the stability of its oxidized form ortho‐benzoquinone; (ii) its ROS scavenging is mediated via metal‐chelating, and direct radical‐scavenging which is through donating hydrogen (H·) and electron (e); and (iii) its protective effect against DNA oxidative damage may be primarily responsible for the pharmacological effects, and offers promise as a new therapeutic reagent for diseases from DNA oxidative damage.
Polycyclic N‐Heterocyclic Compounds. Part 82: Synthesis and Evaluation of Anti‐Platelet Aggregation Activity of 2,4‐Disubstituted 5,6‐Dihydro[1]benzothiepino[5,4‐d]pyrimidine and Related Compounds
Authors: Okuda Kensuke , Hirota Takashi , Sasaki Kenji
Published: December 2013

We have synthesized a large number of tricyclic 2‐substituted 4‐alkylamino‐5,6‐dihydro[1]benzothiepino[5,4‐d]pyrimidines as part of our research to develop new effective anti‐platelet drugs. A variety of alkyl and aryl groups were used as substituents at the 2‐position. Evaluation of the effects of the newly synthesized compounds on collagen‐induced platelet aggregation revealed several promising anti‐platelet candidates with potencies superior to aspirin.
Solid‐phase microextraction based on polyaniline doped with perfluorooctanesulfonic acid coupled to HPLC for the quantitative determination of chlorophenols in water samples
Authors: He Huan , Zhuang Yuan , Peng Ying , Gao Zhanqi , Yang Shaogui , Sun Cheng
Published: December 2013

A porous and highly efficient polyaniline‐based solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) coating was successfully prepared by the electrochemical deposition method. A method based on headspace SPME followed by HPLC was established to rapidly determine trace chlorophenols in water samples. Influential parameters for the SPME, including extraction mode, extraction temperature and time, pH and ionic strength procedures, were investigated intensively. Under the optimized conditions, the proposed method was linear in the range of 0.5–200 μg/L for 4‐chlorophenol and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol, 0.2–200 μg/L for 2,4‐dichlorophenol and 2–200 μg/L for 2,3,4,6‐tetrachlorophenol and pentachlorophenol, with satisfactory correlation coefficients (>0.99). RSDs were <15% (n = 5) and LODs were relatively low (0.10–0.50 μg/L). Compared to commercial 85 μm polyacrylate and 60 μm polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene fibers, the homemade polyaniline fiber showed a higher extraction efficiency. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of chlorophenols in water samples with satisfactory recoveries.
Structural Relationships among Strategic Experiential Modules, Emotion and Satisfaction at the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea
Authors: Song Hak‐Jun , Ahn Young‐joo , Lee Choong‐Ki
Published: December 2013

A structural equation model was constructed to analyze the relationship among strategic experiential modules, emotion and visitor satisfaction. For its research site, this study focused on ‘the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea’ held in South Korea. The results of the study supported the hypothesis that the event experience is an important factor and influences visitors' level of satisfaction through emotions during the Expo. This study found that Schmitt's five types of experience indirectly affect satisfaction through positive emotional experience. The results of this study demonstrated that satisfaction not only is an issue that may be attributed to the event but also involves psychological and emotional concerns. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recombinant Human Elastin‐like Magnetic Microparticles for Drug Delivery and Targeting
Authors: Ciofani Gianni , Genchi Giada Graziana , Guardia Pablo , Mazzolai Barbara , Mattoli Virgilio , Bandiera Antonella
Published: December 2013

Bioinspired recombinant polypeptides represent a highly promising tool in biomedical research, being protein intrinsic constituents of both cells and their natural matrices. In this regard, a very interesting model is represented by polypeptides inspired by elastin, which naturally confers rubber‐like elasticity to tissues, and is able to undergo wide deformations without rupture. In this paper, a microparticle system based on a recombinant human elastin‐like polypeptide (HELP) is reported for drug delivery applications. HELP microparticles are prepared through a water‐in‐oil emulsion of an aqueous solution of recombinant polypeptide in isoctane, followed by enzymatic cross‐linking. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are introduced in this system with the purpose of conferring magnetic properties to the microspheres, and thus controlling their targeting and tracking as drug vectors. The obtained microparticles are characterized in terms of morphology, structure, magnetic properties, drug release, and magnetic drivability, showing interesting and promising results for further biomedical applications.
Global differential equations for slice regular functions
Authors: Ghiloni Riccardo , Perotti Alessandro
Published: December 2013

In the present paper, we give a system of global differential equations which are satisfied by slice regular functions on a real alternative algebra. By means of the concepts of stem function and slice function, we are able to improve some results obtained recently in the quaternionic and slice monogenic case and to extend them to this general setting. In particular, we describe the precise relation existing between the global differential equations and the condition of slice regularity.
Roles of rpoS‐activating small RNAs in pathways leading to acid resistance of Escherichia coli
Authors: Bak Geunu , Han Kook , Kim Daun , Lee Younghoon
Published: December 2013

Escherichia coli and related enteric bacteria can survive under extreme acid stress condition at least for several hours. RpoS is a key factor for acid stress management in many enterobacteria. Although three rpoS‐activating sRNAs, DsrA, RprA, and ArcZ, have been identified in E. coli, it remains unclear how these small RNA molecules participate in pathways leading to acid resistance (AR). Here, we showed that overexpression of ArcZ, DsrA, or RprA enhances AR in a RpoS‐dependent manner. Mutant strains with deletion of any of three sRNA genes showed lowered AR, and deleting all three sRNA genes led to more severe defects in protecting against acid stress. Overexpression of any of the three sRNAs fully rescued the acid tolerance defects of the mutant strain lacking all three genes, suggesting that all three sRNAs perform the same function in activating RpoS required for AR. Notably, acid stress led to the induction of DsrA and RprA but not ArcZ.
Clinical reappraisal of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Screening Scales (CIDI‐SC) in the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS)
Authors: Kessler Ronald C. , Santiago Patcho N. , Colpe Lisa J. , Dempsey Catherine L. , First Michael B. , Heeringa Steven G. , Stein Murray B. , Fullerton Carol S. , Gruber Michael J. , Naifeh James A. , Nock Matthew K. , Sampson Nancy A. , Schoenbaum Michael , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Ursano Robert J.
Published: December 2013

A clinical reappraisal study was carried out in conjunction with the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS) All‐Army Study (AAS) to evaluate concordance of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM‐IV) diagnoses based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Screening Scales (CIDI‐SC) and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist (PCL) with diagnoses based on independent clinical reappraisal interviews (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV [SCID]). Diagnoses included: lifetime mania/hypomania, panic disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder; six‐month adult attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder; and 30‐day major depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, and substance (alcohol or drug) use disorder (abuse or dependence). The sample (n = 460) was weighted for over‐sampling CIDI‐SC/PCL screened positives. Diagnostic thresholds were set to equalize false positives and false negatives. Good individual‐level concordance was found between CIDI‐SC/PCL and SCID diagnoses at these thresholds (area under curve [AUC] = 0.69–0.79). AUC was considerably higher for continuous than dichotomous screening scale scores (AUC = 0.80–0.90), arguing for substantive analyses using not only dichotomous case designations but also continuous measures of predicted probabilities of clinical diagnoses.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS)
Authors: Kessler Ronald C. , Colpe Lisa J. , Fullerton Carol S. , Gebler Nancy , Naifeh James A. , Nock Matthew K. , Sampson Nancy A. , Schoenbaum Michael , Zaslavsky Alan M. , Stein Murray B. , Ursano Robert J. , Heeringa Steven G.
Published: December 2013

The Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS) is a multi‐component epidemiological and neurobiological study designed to generate actionable evidence‐based recommendations to reduce US Army suicides and increase basic knowledge about the determinants of suicidality. This report presents an overview of the designs of the six components of the Army STARRS. These include: an integrated analysis of the Historical Administrative Data Study (HADS) designed to provide data on significant administrative predictors of suicides among the more than 1.6 million soldiers on active duty in 2004–2009; retrospective case‐control studies of suicide attempts and fatalities; separate large‐scale cross‐sectional studies of new soldiers (i.e. those just beginning Basic Combat Training [BCT], who completed self‐administered questionnaires [SAQs] and neurocognitive tests and provided blood samples) and soldiers exclusive of those in BCT (who completed SAQs); a pre‐post deployment study of soldiers in three Brigade Combat Teams about to deploy to Afghanistan (who completed SAQs and provided blood samples) followed multiple times after returning from deployment; and a platform for following up Army STARRS participants who have returned to civilian life. Department of Defense/Army administrative data records are linked with SAQ data to examine prospective associations between self‐reports and subsequent suicidality. The presentation closes with a discussion of the methodological advantages of cross‐component coordination. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiobjective fractional programming duality theory
Authors: Singh C. , Hanson M.A.
Published: December 2013

Results of Geoffrion for efficient and properly efficient solutions of multiobjective programming problems are extended to multiobjective fractional programming problems. Duality relationships are given for these problems where the functions are generalized convex or invex.
Human‐inspired motion primitives and transitions for bipedal robotic locomotion in diverse terrain
Authors: Zhao H. , Powell M. J. , Ames A. D.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, a control design approach is presented, which uses human data in the development of bipedal robotic control techniques for multiple locomotion behaviors. Insight into the fundamental behaviors of human locomotion is obtained through the examination of experimental human data for walking on flat ground, upstairs, and downstairs. Specifically, it is shown that certain outputs of the human, independent of locomotion terrain, can be characterized by a single function, termed the extended canonical human function. Through feedback linearization, human‐inspired locomotion controllers are leveraged to drive the outputs of the simulated robot, via the extended canonical human function, to the outputs from human locomotion. An optimization problem, subject to the constraints of partial hybrid zero dynamics, is presented that yields parameters of these controllers that provide the best fit to human data while ensuring stability of the controlled bipedal robot. The resulting behaviors are stable walking on flat ground, upstairs, and downstairs—these three locomotion modes are termed ‘motion primitives’. A second optimization is presented, which yields controllers that evolve the robot from one motion primitive to another—these modes of locomotion are termed ‘motion transitions’. A directed graph consisting these motion primitives and motion transitions has been constructed for the stable motion planning of bipedal locomotion. A final simulation is given, which shows the controlled evolution of a robotic biped as it transitions through each mode of locomotion over a pyramidal staircase. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Path‐dependent Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations related to controlled stochastic functional differential systems
Authors: Ji Shaolin , Wang Lin , Yang Shuzhen
Published: December 2013

In this paper, a stochastic optimal control problem is investigated in which the system is governed by a stochastic functional differential equation. In the framework of functional Itô calculus, we build the dynamic programming principle and the related path‐dependent Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. We prove that the value function is the viscosity solution of the path‐dependent Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time 3D Tracking
Authors: Milanović Veljko , Kasturi Abhishek
Published: December 2013

The ability to track objects in real time in a 3D environment has many real world applications, such as sensors that allow people to interact with electronic devices in very natural and intuitive ways. Controllers that can follow our hands or fingers and interpret our intentions could make human‐machine interaction a more enjoyable, ergonomic and a more precise experience. Another application area is industrial automation, that heavily depends on the ability of robots to precisely locate and position objects.
Magnetic Field‐Controlled Release of Paclitaxel Drug from Functionalized Magnetoelectric Nanoparticles
Authors: Guduru Rakesh , Khizroev Sakhrat
Published: December 2013

Using magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENs) for targeted drug delivery and on‐demand, field‐controlled release can overcome the control challenges of the conventional delivery approaches. The magnetoelectric effect provides a new way to use an external magnetic field to remotely control the intrinsic electric fields that govern the binding forces between the functionalized surface of the MEN and the drug load. Here, a study is reported in which the composition of the intermediate functionalized layer is tailored to control not only the toxicity of the new nanoparticles but also the threshold magnetic field for the dissociation of the drug from 30‐nm CoFe2O4–BaTiO3 core–shell MENs in a controllably wide field range, from below 10 to over 200 Oe, as required to facilitate superficial, intermediate, and deep‐tissue drug delivery. Paclitaxel is used as a test drug. Specific experiments are described to maintain low toxicity levels and to achieve controllable dissociation of the drug molecules from the MENs' surface at three different subranges—low (<10 Oe), moderate (100 Oe), and high (>200 Oe)—by selecting the following 2‐nm intermediate layers: i) glycerol monooleate (GMO), ii) Tween‐20, and iii) ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC). Field‐dependent FTIR, absorption spectra, atomic force microscopy, magnetometry analysis, zeta‐potential measurements, and blood circulation experiments are used to study the described functionalization effects.
Optical Response of Metallic Nanoparticle Heteroaggregates with Subnanometric Gaps
Authors: Tserkezis Christos , Taylor Richard W. , Beitner Jan , Esteban Rubén , Baumberg Jeremy J. , Aizpurua Javier
Published: December 2013

The optical response of metallic nanoparticle heteroaggregates with well‐defined, subnanometric interparticle gaps is studied both theoretically and experimentally for clusters formed by nanoparticles of different size and/or different material (Au and Ag). The optical spectra of the aggregates can be understood in terms of excitation of chain‐like plasmon modes, which are associated with short and long linear chains that constitute the cluster internally. The dependence of the optical properties of the aggregates on the size of the metallic nanoparticles, the interparticle gaps, and the dielectric environment is revealed in model electromagnetic calculations. A rigid molecular linker, cucurbit[5]uril, is used to experimentally form Au heteroaggregates of different sized particles, as well as heteroaggregates of silver and gold. It is shown that in both types of heteroaggregates, the ratio of the two different nanoparticles provides a versatile and easily controllable way to tailor the dominant long‐wavelength chain mode. Experimental tracing of the optical response of such heteroaggregates in time during aggregation supports the formation of long‐wavelength modes, which can be attributed to excitation of long chains inside the clusters.
Characterization of a highly flexible self‐assembling protein system designed to form nanocages
Authors: Patterson Dustin P. , Su Min , Franzmann Titus M. , Sciore Aaron , Skiniotis Georgios , Marsh E. Neil G.
Published: December 2013

The design of proteins that self‐assemble into well‐defined, higher order structures is an important goal that has potential applications in synthetic biology, materials science, and medicine. We previously designed a two‐component protein system, designated A‐(+) and A‐(−), in which self‐assembly is mediated by complementary electrostatic interactions between two coiled‐coil sequences appended to the C‐terminus of a homotrimeric enzyme with C3 symmetry. The coiled‐coil sequences are attached through a short, flexible spacer sequence providing the system with a high degree of conformational flexibility. Thus, the primary constraint guiding which structures the system may assemble into is the symmetry of the protein building block. We have now characterized the properties of the self‐assembling system as a whole using native gel electrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and the properties of individual assemblies using cryo‐electron microscopy (EM). We show that upon mixing, A‐(+) and A‐(−) form only six different complexes in significant concentrations. The three predominant complexes have hydrodynamic properties consistent with the formation of heterodimeric, tetrahedral, and octahedral protein cages. Cryo‐EM of size‐fractionated material shows that A‐(+) and A‐(−) form spherical particles with diameters appropriate for tetrahedral or octahedral protein cages. The particles varied in diameter in an almost continuous manner suggesting that their structures are extremely flexible.
TCAD simulation of thermally evaporated germanium
Authors: De Iacovo A. , Sorianello V. , Colace L. , Assanto G.
Published: December 2013

Epitaxial growth of germanium on silicon produces large misfit and threading dislocation densities which dramatically affect electronic properties of Ge. For this reason, TCAD standard models and parameters, optimized for bulk Ge, fail when applied to Ge epilayers. In this work we describe a novel approach for the simulation of highly defected germanium films grown by thermal evaporation.

We also take into account the gradient of defect concentration depending on the germanium thickness. The proposed model is successfully employed for TCAD simulations of Ge‐on‐Si pn heterojunction photodiodes, demonstrating good agreement with experimental data. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Large boron‐interstitial cluster modelling in BF3 plasma implanted silicon
Authors: Essa Z. , Cristiano F. , Spiegel Y. , Qiu Y. , Boulenc P. , Quillec M. , Taleb N. , Zographos N. , Bedel‐Pereira E. , Mortet V. , Burenkov A. , Hackenberg M. , Torregrosa F. , Tavernier C.
Published: December 2013

BF3 plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) is a promising technique in the race for highly boron doped P+/N ultra‐shallow junctions (USJs) in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) silicon technologies. Implantation conditions used in BF3 PIII lead to high super‐saturations (≥1 × 1020 cm–3) of both boron and silicon interstitial atoms in the implantation region. In such conditions, very large loop‐shaped boroninterstitial clusters (BICs) are formed during subsequent thermal anneals, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements.

In this study, amorphizing BF3 PIII implants (10 keV, 5 × 1015 cm–2) followed by different thermal anneals were carried out in order to investigate the large BICs precipitation. A ”large BICs“ model based on moments approach allowed to reproduce the experimental data including boron diffusion profiles (obtained by SIMS) and boron electrical activation obtained by Hall effect sheet resistance measurements.

(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The effect of Ge content on the formation and evolution of {113} defects in SiGe alloys
Authors: Laânab Larbi , Belafhaili Amine , Cristiano Filadelfo , Cherkashin Nikolay , Claverie Alain
Published: December 2013

The aim of this work is to study the influence of the Ge content on the {113} defects formed, after a (35 keV, 1 × 1015 Ge+/cm2) preamorphization step followed by annealing at 680 °C, in relaxed SiGe alloys. For that, plan‐view Transmission Electron Microscopy (PTEM) under appropriate imaging conditions was used to study the {113} defects evolution as a function of the Ge content. Experimental results show that, increasing the Ge content results in a net reduction of both the density and the size of the {113} defects. Results analysis was performed in the framework of the “excess interstitials” model which describes perfectly the observed decrease of the {113} defects density in Si. Moreover, through a confrontation between the TEM observations and the predictions of this model, we show that the density of the interstitials contained in the defects (deduced from PTEM images) is a quasi linear function of the density of excess interstitials generated during the preamorphization step beneath the c/a interface, as calculated by the SRIM code. We conclude that collisional arguments can appropriately explain the observed evolution of the {113} defects density as a function of the Ge content. Meanwhile, the observed reduction of the {113} defects size with the Ge content, may be ascribed to a decrease of the transport capacity DiCi*, responsible for the defects growth. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
NMOS contact resistivity reduction with implants into silicides
Authors: Rao K. V. , Khaja Fareen Adeni , Ni Chi‐Nung , Muthukrishnan Shankar , Darlak Andrew , Lei Jianxin , Brand Adam , Variam Naushad
Published: December 2013

NMOS contact resistivity (ρc) for NiPtSi was reduced by up to 50% by implanting either Se or P into the silicide film, followed by thermally recrystallizing the silicide and activating the implanted species. The silicide module integration included use of plasma pre‐clean, a thin NiPt film, a low temperature soak anneal (RTP1), and millisecond laser anneals for post‐implant anneals (RTP2 and RTP3). Additionally, experiments with Se implants into TiSi2 achieved 60% reduction in ρc with exclusive use of laser anneals (for both RTP1 and RTP2). The test structures included van der Pauw, transmission line model (TLM) and diodes, all of which are testable after silicidation to extract of silicide phase and sheet resistance (Rs), silicide/SD external resistance (Rext), ρc, and junction breakdown (Vbj). In order to mimic realistic CMOS process flows, contact chain structures testable after metal‐1 were also used to obtain average resistance/contact and extract contact resistivity. The results in this work demonstrated adequate process window, while maintaining junction characteristics without degradation of Rs. Laser anneal steps were key enabler to achieve these results, and were designed to prevent dopant deactivation while minimizing diffusion of SD regions for USJ compatibility for sub‐20 nm CMOS nodes. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The design of authentication key protocol in certificate‐free public key cryptosystem
Authors: Chung Yu‐Fang
Published: December 2013

In regard to the communication security of open networks, authenticated key management agreements are able to provide confidentiality, integrity, and verification so as to establish a more secure and fair digital rights management mechanism. For this reason, this paper, aiming at authentication key management agreements, tends to provide a security study on the application of authentication key management agreements, covering the establishment, analysis, design, security study, and performance optimization in various environments. Based on present public key schemes, such as public key cryptography, identity‐recognized cryptography, and undocumented cryptography, it aims to establish an authenticated key management agreement suitable for various application environments. Using the one‐way transmission in identity‐recognized cryptography or undocumented cryptography for formulating practical and effective security models, it tends to establish the one‐way authentication key agreement for both parties. Based on the design of single authentication key, an authentication key agreement for the undocumented public key cryptography is proposed to design a security model for the secure and high‐efficiency undocumented two‐party authentication key agreement. Under random oracle model and standard model, the security of the undocumented two‐party authentication key agreement is authenticated. Furthermore, aiming at the computational efficiency, communication efficiency, and key exchange frequency of group key management agreements, this paper aims to propose a method for dynamic membership. Besides, regarding the secure communication environment in different application backgrounds, such as the network applications of Grid, P2P, and ad‐hoc, it would propose practical group key agreements for networks and multi‐node communications to promote the security of group key management and to facilitate the computation of agreements and the optimization of communications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Understanding the exploration–exploitation dilemma: An fMRI study of attention control and decision‐making performance
Authors: Laureiro‐Martínez Daniella , Brusoni Stefano , Canessa Nicola , Zollo Maurizio
Published: December 2013

This paper studies the cognitive processes that enable decision makers to switch between exploitation and exploration. We use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in a sample of expert decision makers to make two main contributions. First, we identify and contrast the specific brain regions and cognitive processes associated with exploitation and exploration decisions. Exploitation activates regions associated with reward seeking, which track and evaluate the value of current choices, while exploration relies on regions associated with attentional control, tracking the value of alternative choices. Second, we propose and test the idea that stronger activation of the brain circuits related to attentional control allows individuals to achieve better decision‐making performance as a result. We discuss the implications of these results for strategic management research and practice. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Graph planarization problem optimization based on triple‐valued gravitational search algorithm
Authors: Gao Shangce , Todo Yuki , Gong Tao , Yang Gang , Tang Zheng
Published: December 2013

This article presents a triple‐valued gravitational search algorithm (TGSA) to tackle the graph planarization problem (GPP). GPP is one of the most important tasks in graph theory, and has proved to be an NP‐hard problem. To solve it, TGSA uses a triple‐valued encoding scheme and models the search space into a triangular hypercube quantitatively based on the well‐known single‐row routing representation method. The agents in TGSA, whose interactions are driven by the gravity law, move toward the global optimal position gradually. The position updating rule for each agent is based on two indices: one is a velocity index which is a function of the current velocity of the agent, and the other is a population index based on the cumulative information in the whole population. To verify the performance of the algorithm, 21 benchmark instances are tested. Experimental results indicate that TGSA can solve the GPP by finding its maximum planar subgraph and embedding the resulting edges into a plane simultaneously. Compared with traditional algorithms, a novelty of TGSA is that it can find multiple optimal solutions for the GPP. Comparative results also demonstrate that TGSA outperforms the traditional meta‐heuristics in terms of the solution qualities within reasonable computational times. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Role of coarse woody debris in the carbon cycle of Takayama forest, central Japan
Authors: Ohtsuka Toshiyuki , Shizu Yoko , Hirota Mitsuru , Yashiro Yuichiro , Shugang Jia , Iimura Yasuo , Koizumi Hiroshi
Published: December 2013

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is an important component of the forest carbon cycle, acting as a carbon pool and a source of CO2 in temperate forest ecosystems. We used a soda‐lime closed‐chamber method to measure CO2 efflux from downed CWD (diameter ≥5 cm) and to examine CWD respiration (RCWD) under field conditions over 1 year in a temperate secondary pioneer forest in Takayama forest. We also investigated tree mortality (input to the CWD pool) from the data obtained from the annual tree census, which commenced in 2000. We developed an exponential function of temperature to predict RCWD in each decay class (R2 = 0.81–0.97). The sensitivity of RCWD to changing temperature, expressed as Q10, ranged from 2.12 to 2.92 and was relatively high in decay class III. Annual C flux from CWD (FCWD) was extrapolated using continuous air temperature measurements and CWD necromass pools in the three decay classes. FCWD was 3.0 (class I), 17.8 (class II), and 13.7 g C m−2 year−1 (class III) and totaled 34 g C m−2 year−1 in 2009. Annual input to CWD averaged 77 g C m−2 year−1 from 2000 to 2009. The budget of the CWD pool in the Takayama forest, including tree mortality inputs and respiratory outputs, was 0.43 Mg C ha−1 year−1 (net C sink) owing to high tree mortality in the mature pioneer forest. The potential CWD sink is important for the carbon cycle in temperate successional forests.
Does Standard Deviation Matter? Using “Standard Deviation” to Quantify Security of Multistage Testing
Authors: Wang Chun , Zheng Yi , Chang Hua-Hua
Published: December 2013

With the advent of web-based technology, online testing is becoming a mainstream mode in large-scale educational assessments. Most online tests are administered continuously in a testing window, which may post test security problems because examinees who take the test earlier may share information with those who take the test later. Researchers have proposed various statistical indices to assess the test security, and one most often used index is the average test-overlap rate, which was further generalized to the item pooling index (Chang & Zhang, 2002, 2003). These indices, however, are all defined as the means (that is, the expected proportion of common items among examinees) and they were originally proposed for computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Recently, multistage testing (MST) has become a popular alternative to CAT. The unique features of MST make it important to report not only the mean, but also the standard deviation (SD) of test overlap rate, as we advocate in this paper. The standard deviation of test overlap rate adds important information to the test security profile, because for the same mean, a large SD reflects that certain groups of examinees share more common items than other groups. In this study, we analytically derived the lower bounds of the SD under MST, with the results under CAT as a benchmark. It is shown that when the mean overlap rate is the same between MST and CAT, the SD of test overlap tends to be larger in MST. A simulation study was conducted to provide empirical evidence. We also compared the security of MST under the single-pool versus the multiple-pool designs; both analytical and simulation studies show that the non-overlapping multiple-pool design will slightly increase the security risk.
African American Religious Participation
Authors: Taylor Robert Joseph , Chatters Linda M. , Brown R. Khari
Published: December 2013

This study examines the socio-demographic correlates of religious participation using data from the African American sub-sample of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL, 2001–2003). Twelve indicators of organizational religiosity, non-organizational religiosity, subjective religiosity, religious non-involvement and religious identity are examined. Both standard (e.g., age, gender) and novel (e.g., incarceration history, military service, welfare history, co-habitation, remarriage) demographic variables are utilized. Female gender, older age, being in a first marriage and Southern residency are consistently associated with higher religious involvement. Three significant differences between urban Southerners and rural Southerners indicate that rural Southerners were more likely to be official members of their church, read religious materials more frequently, and felt that religion was more important in their home during childhood than their urban Southern counterparts. Persons in cohabiting relationships and those who have been incarcerated report lower levels of organizational religious participation and feel less close to religious people (but are similar to their counterparts for non-organizational and subjective religiosity). Persons with previous military service read religious materials, pray, and request prayer from others less frequently (but are similar to their counterparts for organizational and subjective religiosity). Findings suggest that for stigmatized life circumstances (incarceration and cohabitation), social processes within religious institutions may inhibit organizational religious participation. This study contributes to the broader literature by focusing on subgroup differences in diverse forms of religious involvement within a large and nationally representative sample of African Americans and provides a more nuanced portrait of African American religious participation.
Use of a group concept mapping approach to define learning outcomes for an interdisciplinary module in medicine
Authors: Stoyanov Slavi , Spoelstra Howard , Bennett Deirdre , Sweeney Catherine , Van Huffel Sabine , Shorten George , O’Flynn Siun , Cantillon-Murphy Padraig , O’Tuathaigh Colm , Burgoyne Louise
Published: December 2013

Learning outcomes are typically developed using standard group-based consensus methods. Two main constraints with standard techniques such as the Delphi method or expert working group processes are: (1) the ability to generate a comprehensive set of outcomes and (2) the capacity to reach agreement on them. We describe the first application of Group Concept Mapping (GCM) to the development of learning outcomes for an interdisciplinary module in medicine and engineering. The biomedical design module facilitates undergraduate participation in clinician-mentored team-based projects that prepare students for a multidisciplinary work environment. GCM attempts to mitigate the weaknesses of other consensus methods by excluding pre-determined classification schemes and inter-coder discussion, and by requiring just one round of data structuring. Academic members from medicine and engineering schools at three EU higher education institutions participated in this study. Data analysis, which included multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis, identified two main categories of outcomes: technical skills (new advancement in design process with special attention to users, commercialization and standardization) and transversal skills such as working effectively in teams and creative problem solving. The study emphasizes the need to address the highest order of learning taxonomy (analysis, synthesis, problem solving, creativity) when defining learning outcomes.
Coupling neutral desorption sampling to dielectric barrier discharge ionization mass spectrometry for direct oil analysis
Authors: Zhou Yafei , Wu Zhongchen , Li Cao , Wang Nannan , Zhang Xinglei , Chen Huanwen , Xiao Saijin
Published: December 2013

A new, powerful, rapid analytical method based on neutral desorption sampling in conjunction with dielectric barrier discharge ionization mass spectrometry was developed for identification of hogwash oil and edible oil samples.
Application of 3-D surface reconstruction by mid- and near-infrared microscopic imaging for anatomical studies on Hericium coralloides basidiomata
Authors: Pallua J. D. , Unterberger S. H. , Metzler G. , Pfaller K. , Pallua A. K. , Lackner R. , Pallua A. F. , Recheis W. , Pöder R.
Published: December 2013

Tens of thousands of known mushrooms (incl. mycelia) represent, besides their nutritional and economic value, a huge reservoir of biologically active substances.
Negative area compressibility in silver(i) tricyanomethanide
Authors: Hodgson Sarah A. , Adamson Jasper , Hunt Sarah J. , Cliffe Matthew J. , Cairns Andrew B. , Thompson Amber L. , Tucker Matthew G. , Funnell Nicholas P. , Goodwin Andrew L.
Published: December 2013

Under hydrostatic pressure, crystals of silver tricyanomethanide actually expand in two orthogonal directions.
An unexpected semi-hydrogenation of a ligand in the complexation of 2,7-bispyridinyl-1,8-naphthyridine with Ru3(CO)12
Authors: Liao Bei-Sih , Liu Yi-Hung , Peng Shie-Ming , Reddy K. Rajender , Liu Shin-Hung , Chou Pi-Tai , Liu Shiuh-Tzung
Published: December 2013

A novel formate-bridged diruthenium complex [(bpnp-H3)Ru2(μ-HCOO)(CO)4] was prepared, in which the ligand bpnp was partially hydrogenated during the complexation of the ligand with Ru3(CO)12 in the presence of water.
A facile microwave-assisted protocol for rapid synthesis of N-acetylneuraminic acid congeners
Authors: Saludes Jonel P. , Sahoo Dhananjaya , Monreal I. Abrrey
Published: December 2013

Microwave irradiation offers expedient access to important Neu5ac derivatives at rates that are 1- to 2-orders of magnitude faster than conventional techniques.
Atomic properties and chemical bonding in the pyrite and marcasite polymorphs of FeS2: a combined experimental and theoretical electron density study
Authors: Schmøkel Mette S. , Bjerg Lasse , Cenedese Simone , Jørgensen Mads R. V. , Chen Yu-Sheng , Overgaard Jacob , Iversen Bo B.
Published: December 2013

The chemical bonding in the pyrite (left) and marcasite (right) polymorphs of FeS2is investigated by charge density analysis.
High performance of Pt-free dye-sensitized solar cells based on two-step electropolymerized polyaniline counter electrodes
Authors: Xiao Yaoming , Han Gaoyi , Li Yanping , Li Miaoyu , Chang Yunzhen
Published: December 2013

Two-step cyclic voltammetry approach is employed to prepare polyaniline nanofibers, which supplies a quick and controllable method to obtain polyanilines with short-branched structure to increase the active surface area.
Ca2+/S100 proteins inhibit the interaction of FKBP38 with Bcl-2 and Hsp90
Authors: Shimamoto Seiko , Tsuchiya Mitsumasa , Yamaguchi Fuminori , Kubota Yasuo , Tokumitsu Hiroshi , Kobayashi Ryoji
Published: December 2013

FKBP38 (FK506-binding protein 38), a membrane-anchored TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat)-containing immunophilin, regulates signalling pathways such as cell survival, apoptosis, proliferation and metastasis. However, the mechanisms that regulate the activity of FKBP38 are, at present, poorly understood. We previously reported that Ca2+/S100 proteins directly associate with the TPR proteins, such as Hop [Hsp70 (heat-shock protein of 70 kDa)/Hsp90-organizing protein], kinesin-light chain, Tom70 (translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 70), FKBP52, CyP40 (cyclophilin 40), CHIP (C-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein) and PP5 (protein phosphatase 5), leading to the dissociation of the interactions of the TPR proteins with their target proteins. Therefore we have hypothesized that Ca2+/S100 proteins can interact with FKBP38 and regulate its function. In vitro binding studies demonstrated that S100A1, S100A2, S100A6, S100B and S100P specifically interact with FKBP38 and inhibit the interaction of FKBP38 with Bcl-2 and Hsp90. Overexpression of permanently active S100P in Huh-7 cells inhibited the interaction of FKBP38 with Bcl-2, resulting in the suppression of Bcl-2 stability. The association of the S100 proteins with FKBP38 provides a Ca2+-dependent regulatory mechanism of the FKBP38-mediated signalling pathways.
Revised Knudsen-layer reduction of fusion reactivity
Authors: Albright B. J. , Molvig Kim , Huang C.-K. , Simakov A. N. , Dodd E. S. , Hoffman N. M. , Kagan G. , Schmit P. F.
Published: December 2013

Recent work by Molvig et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 095001 (2012)] examined how fusion reactivity may be reduced from losses of fast ions in finite assemblies of fuel. In this paper, this problem is revisited with the addition of an asymptotic boundary-layer treatment of ion kinetic losses. This boundary solution, reminiscent of the classical Milne problem from linear transport theory, obtains a free-streaming limit of fast ion losses near the boundary, where the diffusion approximation is invalid. Thermonuclear reaction rates have been obtained for the ion distribution functions predicted by this improved model. It is found that while Molvig's “Knudsen distribution function” bounds from above the magnitude of the reactivity reduction, this more accurate treatment leads to less dramatic losses of tail ions and associated reduction of thermonuclear reaction rates for finite fuel volumes.
Anomalously high lifetimes measured by quasi-steady-state photoconductance in advanced solar cell structures
Authors: Juhl Mattias , Chan Catherine , Abbott Malcolm D. , Trupke Thorsten
Published: December 2013

Quasi-Steady-State Photoconductance is widely used in photovoltaics industry to measure the effective minority carrier lifetime of silicon wafers, a key material parameter affecting final solar cell efficiency. When interpreting photoconductance based lifetime measurements, it is important to account for various artefacts that can cause an over-estimation of the carrier lifetime, such as minority carrier trapping. This paper provides experimental evidence for another artefact in photoconductance lifetime measurements, affecting samples that have a conductive layer that is interrupted by lines of the opposite polarity doping, forming laterally alternating regions of p/n doping. This structure often appears in the emitter region of samples used to monitor the lifetime of interdigitated back contact cells. The cause of this artefact is linked to a reduction in the measured dark conductance. Experimental data are presented that suggest this is due to the formation of a phototransistor type structure on the samples surface, resulting in variations in conductivity under different illumination levels.
The influence of surface properties on the plasma dynamics in radio-frequency driven oxygen plasmas: Measurements and simulations
Authors: Greb Arthur , Niemi Kari , O'Connell Deborah , Gans Timo
Published: December 2013

Plasma parameters and dynamics in capacitively coupled oxygen plasmas are investigated for different surface conditions. Metastable species concentration,electronegativity, spatial distribution of particle densities as well as the ionization dynamics are significantly influenced by the surface loss probability of metastable singlet delta oxygen (SDO). Simulated surface conditions are compared to experiments in the plasma-surface interface region using phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy. It is demonstrated how in-situ measurements of excitation features can be used to determine SDO surface loss probabilities for different surface materials.