bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating Thermodynamic Properties of Pure Triglyceride Systems Using the Triglyceride Property Calculator
Authors: Moorthy Arun S. , Liu Rong , Mazzanti Gianfranco , Wesdorp Leendert H. , Marangoni Alejandro G.
Published: December 2016

To date, the most comprehensive model for predicting thermodynamic properties of pure triglycerides was presented by Wesdorp in “Liquid‐multiple solid phase equilibria in fats: theory and experiments” (1990). In this paper, we present (1) corrections to the published model, as well as (2) a software implementation of the model for numerical assessment. The software tool, Triglyceride Property Calculator (TPC), uses a semi‐empirical model to estimate the enthalpy of fusion and melting temperature for a given triglyceride based on its molecular composition and polymorphic form. These estimates are compared to experimentally collected data when available. The web application is available at http://www.crcfoodandhealth.com (under research tools) and through the AOCS Lipid Library. The quality of estimates is characterized according to defined counting metrics and presented for TAG subcategories. Additionally, the extrapolative value of the TPC is assessed by checking for consistency with underlying thermodynamic constraints. The current TPC implementation is effective in describing experimentally collected melting point data, with greater than 91% of the fitted values falling within 10% of the actual data. The TPC is also very good at describing collected enthalpy data. The underlying semi‐empirical model and parameter set perform well in ensuring enthalpy predictions are thermodynamically consistent, however, extrapolated melting temperatures appear unreliable. Developing models and parameter sets that ensure thermodynamic consistency is a priority with future TPC iterations.
Effects of Drought Stress on Oil Characteristics of Carthamus Species
Authors: Nazari Mohamadreza , Mirlohi Aghafakhr , Majidi Mohammad Mahdi
Published: December 2016

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is one of the oldest domesticated crops, mainly grown as oilseed in the arid and semi arid regions of the world. Cross‐ability of Carthamus species has made wild safflower species a suitable source for transferring drought tolerant genes to cultivated species. This study was conducted to investigate seed yield per plant, oil content and fatty acid composition of some Carthamus species and to identify the effects of drought stress on these measured traits. In this regard, 27 genotypes from C. tinctorius, C. palaestinus, C. oxyacanthus, C. lanatus and C. glaucus were planted in the field under normal and drought‐stress conditions for two years. Results showed that some studied species differed in oil content, seed yield per plant and fatty acid profiles. As an example, the highest seed oil content (32%) was found in genotype number 22 from C. palaestinus, and the lowest (18%) was obtained for the genotype number 11 from C. lanatus. For all the species, oil content was not affected by moisture stress and did not change over different environments. Similar and stable responses of various Carthamus species for fatty acid composition indicated that hybridization between these species for genetic improvement of drought tolerance may have no adverse effects on oil quality. Considerable diversity within species for all measured traits, similarity in fatty acid profiles and almost the same pattern of changes under drought stress showed that the wild species especially the crossable ones, are good candidates to be used in breeding of cultivated safflower.
Tactile Perception for Stroke Induce Changes in Electroencephalography
Authors: Ahn Si-Nae , Lee Jeong-Weon , Hwang Sujin
Published: December 2016

Objective/Background

Tactile perception is a basic way to obtain and evaluate information about an object. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of tactile perception on brain activation using two different tactile explorations, passive and active touches, in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke.

Methods

Twenty patients who were diagnosed with stroke (8 right brain damaged, 12 left brain damaged) participated in this study. The tactile perception was conducted using passive and active explorations in a sitting position. To determine the neurological changes in the brain, this study measured the brain waves of the participants using electroencephalography (EEG).

Results

The relative power of the sensory motor rhythm on the right prefrontal lobe and right parietal lobe was significantly greater during the active tactile exploration compared to the relative power during the passive exploration in the left damaged hemisphere. Most of the measured brain areas showed nonsignificantly higher relative power of the sensory motor rhythm during the active tactile exploration, regardless of which hemisphere was damaged.

Conclusion

The results of this study provided a neurophysiological evidence on tactile perception in individuals with chronic stroke. Occupational therapists should consider an active tactile exploration as a useful modality on occupational performance in rehabilitation training.
MAXIMAL COMPUTABILITY STRUCTURES
Authors: ILJAZOVIĆ ZVONKO , VALIDŽIĆ LUCIJA
Published: December 2016

A computability structure on a metric space is a set of sequences which satisfy certain conditions. Of a particular interest are those computability structures which contain a dense sequence, so called separable computability structures. In this paper we observe maximal computability structures which are more general than separable computability structures and we examine their properties. In particular, we examine maximal computability structures on subspaces of Euclidean space, we give their characterization and we investigate conditions under which a maximal computability structure on such a space is unique. We also give a characterization of separable computability structures on a segment.
ISOMORPHISM INVARIANCE AND OVERGENERATION
Authors: GRIFFITHS OWEN , PASEAU A.C.
Published: December 2016

The isomorphism invariance criterion of logical nature has much to commend it. It can be philosophically motivated by the thought that logic is distinctively general or topic neutral. It is capable of precise set-theoretic formulation. And it delivers an extension of ‘logical constant’ which respects the intuitively clear cases. Despite its attractions, the criterion has recently come under attack. Critics such as Feferman, MacFarlane and Bonnay argue that the criterion overgenerates by incorrectly judging mathematical notions as logical. We consider five possible precisifications of the overgeneration argument and find them all unconvincing.
The “Singapore Fever” in China: Policy Mobility and Mutation
Authors: Lim Kean Fan , Horesh Niv
Published: December 2016

The “Singapore model” constitutes only the second explicit attempt by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to learn from a foreign country following Mao Zedong's pledge to contour “China's tomorrow” on the Soviet Union experience during the early 1950s. This paper critically evaluates policy transfers from Singapore to China in the post-Mao era. It re-examines how this Sino-Singaporean regulatory engagement came about historically following Deng Xiaoping's visit to Singapore in 1978, and offers a careful re-reading of the degree to which actual policy borrowing by China could transcend different state ideologies, abstract ideas and subjective attitudes. Particular focus is placed on the effects of CCP cadre training in Singaporean universities and policy mutation within two government-to-government projects, namely the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Tianjin Eco-City. The paper concludes that the “Singapore model,” as applied in post-Mao China, casts institutional reforms as an open-ended process of policy experimentation and adaptation that is fraught with tension and resistance.
Big Data Technology, Evolving Knowledge Skills and Emerging Roles
Authors: Smith Alex
Published: December 2016

In a world where articles and tweets are discussing how artificial intelligence technology will replace humans, including lawyers and their support functions in firms, it can be hard to understand what the future holds. This article, written by Alex Smith, is based on his presentation at the British and Irish Association of Law Librarians conference in Dublin 2016 and looks at demystifying the emerging technology boom and identifies the expertise needed to make these tools work and be deployed in law firms. The article then looks at the skills and expertise of the knowledge and information teams, based in law firms, and suggests how they are ideally placed to lead these challenges as a result of their domain expertise and their existing, well defined skills that are essential to this new generation of technology. The article looks at the new technical environment, the emerging areas of products and legal problems, the skills needed for the new roles that this revolution is creating and how this could fit into a reimagined knowledge team.
Indigenizing Political Science or Decolonizing Political Scientists?
Authors: Wilmer Franke
Published: December 2016

Native Americans have been structurally excluded from the discipline of political science in the continental United States, as has Native epistemology and political issues. I analyze the reasons for these erasures and elisions, noting the combined effects of rejecting Native scholars, political issues, analysis, and texts. I describe how these arise from presumptions inherent to the disciplinary practices of U.S. political science, and suggest a set of alternative formulations that could expand our understanding of politics, including attention to other forms of law, constitutions, relationships to the environment, sovereignty, collective decision-making, U.S. history, and majoritarianism.
A Discussion of Robert Vitalis’sWhite World Order, Black Power Politics: The Birth of American International Relations
Authors: Nexon Daniel H.
Published: December 2016

InWhite World Order, Black Power Politics: The Birth of American International Relations, Robert Vitalis presents a critical disciplinary history of the field of international relations, and the discipline of political science more broadly. Vitalis argues that the interconnections between imperialism and racism were “constitutive” of international relations scholarship in the U.S. since the turn of the 20thcentury, and that the perspectives of a generation of African-American scholars that included W. E. B. Dubois, Alain Locke, and Ralph Bunche were equally constitutive of this scholarship—by virtue of the way the emerging discipline sought to marginalize these scholars. In developing this argument, Vitalis raises questions about the construction of knowledge and the racial foundations of American political development. These issues lie at the heart of U.S. political science, and so we have invited a range of political scientists to comment on the book and its implications for our discipline.
Is SMS APPropriate?
Authors: Walsh Erin I. , Brinker Jay K.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The ubiquity of mobile telephones worldwide offers a unique opportunity for bidirectional communication between researchers and participants. There are two ways mobile phones could be used to collect self-report data: via Short Message Service (SMS) or app (mobile telephone software applications). This study examined the comparative data quality offered by SMS and app, when mobile phone type, self-report instrument, and sampling schedule are controlled. One hundred ten undergraduate students used their own iPhones to complete the same repeated measures instrument on 20 occasions, responding either by SMS or by app. There were no differences between SMS and app respondents in terms of response rates or response delay. However, data from those responding via SMS was significantly less complete than from app respondents. App respondents rated their respondent experience as more convenient than SMS respondents. Though findings are only generalizable to an undergraduate sample, this suggests that researchers should consider using apps rather than SMS for repeated measures self-report data collection.
Portuguese Version of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised
Authors: Campos Rui C. , Holden Ronald R.
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The aim of the present study is to provide validation data regarding the Portuguese version of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised in nonclinical individuals. Two studies were undertaken with two different nonclinical samples in order to demonstrate reliability, concurrent, predictive, and construct validity, and in order to establish an appropriate cut-score for nonclinical individuals. A sample of 810 community adults participated in Study 1. Results from this study provided information regarding scale internal consistency, confirmatory factor analysis, and concurrent validity. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis established a cut-off score to be used for screening purposes with nonclinical individuals. A sample of 440 young adults participated in Study 2, which demonstrated scale score internal consistency and 5-month predictive validity. Further, 5-month test-retest reliability was also evaluated and the correlations of SBQ-R scale scores with two other measures that assess constructs related to suicidality, depression and psychache, were also performed. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis was undertaken to demonstrate the robustness of the result obtained in Study 1. Overall, findings supported the psychometric appropriateness of the Portuguese Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised.
Dimethyl sulfoxide as a mild oxidant in S–P(O) bond construction: simple and metal-free approaches to phosphinothioates
Authors: Sun Jian-Guo , Weng Wei-Zhi , Li Ping , Zhang Bo
Published: December 2016

A direct metal-free oxidative S–P(O) coupling reaction for the preparation of phosphinothioates starting with readily available thiols (or disulfides) and P(O)H compounds using DMSO as a mild oxidant is presented.
Phase engineering of a multiphasic 1T/2H MoS2 catalyst for highly efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Wang Dezhi , Zhang Xiangyong , Bao Siyuan , Zhang Zhongting , Fei Hao , Wu Zhuangzhi
Published: December 2016

A multiphasic 1T/2H MoS2 electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution, which exhibits excellent performances with a small Tafel slope of 46 mV dec−1, is developed by phase engineering via a simple hydrothermal route.
Functions in cooperation for enhanced oxygen reduction reaction: the independent roles of oxygen and nitrogen sites in metal-free nanocarbon and their functional synergy
Authors: Wu Kuang-Hsu , Wang Da-Wei , Zong Xu , Zhang Bingsen , Liu Yuefeng , Gentle Ian R. , Su Dang-Sheng
Published: December 2016

Oxygen and nitrogen-doped nanocarbons carry different functions and can cooperatively promote the oxygen reduction reaction.
Cellular internalization of rod-like nano hydroxyapatite particles and their size and dose-dependent effects on pre-osteoblasts
Authors: Zhang Huaifa , Qing Fangzhu , Zhao Huan , Fan Hongsong , Liu Ming , Zhang Xingdong
Published: December 2016

We investigated the size/dose effects of n-HA on pre-osteoblasts, tracked the n-HA migration under TEM, and quantified extracellular and intracellular [Ca2+].
Facile synthesis of RGD-conjugated unimolecular micelles based on a polyester dendrimer for targeting drug delivery
Authors: Fan Xiaoshan , Zhang Weiwei , Hu Zhiguo , Li Zibiao
Published: December 2016

Arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD)-conjugated core–shell amphipilic copolymers were synthesized as unimolecular micelles for targeted drug delivery.
Rapamycin-loaded nanoporous α-Fe2O3as an endothelial favorable and thromboresistant coating for biodegradable drug-eluting Fe stent applications
Authors: Li Ming , Xu Xuchen , Jia Zhaojun , Shi Yuying , Cheng Yan , Zheng Yufeng
Published: December 2016

Fe2O3nanotubes were fabricated on iron by anodic oxidation with potential applications as biodegradable stents, expecting to promote re-endothelialization and decrease VSMC proliferation.
Tunable high reflective bands to improve quantum dot white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Chen Zhi-Hui , Liang Li , Wang Yang , Qiao Na , Gao Junkuo , Gan Zhixing , Yang Yibiao
Published: December 2016

This work shows a hetero-structure substrate with multiple tunable high reflective bands to improve quantum dot light-emitting-diodes.
Acute Improvement in Intraoperative EMG Following Common Fibular Nerve Decompression in Patients with Symptomatic Diabetic Sensorimotor Peripheral Neuropathy: 1. EMG Results
Authors: Nickerson D. , Tracy Brian , Paxton Roger , Yamasaki Dwayne , Anderson James
Published: December 2016

Background and Study Aims Electromyographic (EMG) recordings of the fibularis longus (FL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were performed intraoperatively during common fibular nerve (CFN) nerve decompression (ND) in patients with symptomatic diabetic sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy (DSPN) and clinical nerve compression.

Materials and Methods Forty-six legs in 40 patients underwent surgical ND by external neurolysis; FL and TA muscles were monitored intraoperatively. Evoked EMGs were recorded just prior to and within 1 minute after ND.

Results Thirty-eight legs (82.6%) demonstrated EMG improvement 1 minute after ND. Sixty muscles (31 FL, 29 TA) were monitored, with 44 (73.3%) improving in EMG amplitude. Mean change in EMG amplitude represented a 73.6% improvement (p < 0.0001). Changes in EMG amplitudes correlated with visual analog scale pain improvement (p = 0.03).

Conclusion This is the first report of acute changes in objective EMG responses during ND of CFN in DSPN patients and demonstrates that patients with symptomatic DSPN and clinical nerve entrapment have latent but functional axons that surgical ND can improve immediately.
Vertex Extradural Hematoma due to Traumatic Coronal Suture Diastasis: Review of Three Cases
Authors: Sharma Somnath , Chopra Sanjeev , Purohit Devendra , Varshney Tarun
Published: December 2016

Vertex extradural hematomas (VEHs) are rare and account for only 1.3 to 8.2% of all traumatic hematomas. The clinical picture of VEH is variable. Three cases of traumatic VEH with coronal suture diastasis following head injury on neuroimaging presented in emergency. All underwent emergency surgery and had excellent outcome.
Single-Site Robotic Radical Hysterectomy and Sentinel Lymphnode Biopsy in Cervical Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Silva e Silva Alexandre , Fernandes Rodrigo Pinto , Araujo Marcia Pereira de , Carvalho João Paulo Mancusi de , Carvalho Filomena Marino , Favero Giovani Mastrantônio , Carvalho Jesus Paula
Published: December 2016

Robotic surgeries for cervical cancer have several advantages compared with laparotomic or laparoscopic surgeries. Robotic single-site surgery has many advantages compared with the multiport approach, but its safety and feasibility are not established in radical oncologic surgeries. We report a case of a Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB1 cervical carcinoma whose radical hysterectomy, sentinel lymph node mapping, and lymph node dissection were entirely performed by robotic single-site approach. The patient recovered very well, and was discharged from the hospital within 24 hours.
Readability of Online Sources Regarding Meniscal Tears
Authors: Baird Grayson , McBride Trevor , Owens Brett , Hodax Jonathan
Published: December 2016

Meniscal injuries are extremely common, with an incidence of 8.3 per 1,000 person/years in young, active individuals. Patients often turn to the internet to glean information about their injuries, and even to guide decision making about treatment. Much research has been done demonstrating that a reading level of eighth grade or lower is appropriate for accurately communicating written information to patients, yet medical practitioners often fail to meet this requirement. To better examine the information patients receive about meniscal injuries, we set out to evaluate the reading level and content of three commonly used search terms on the three search engines with the largest market share. The authors examined the keywords “meniscus tear,” “meniscus tear treatment,” and “knee pain meniscus” on the three highest market share search engines. The top 10 results from each search were included, and redundancies identified. Unique Web sites were evaluated for source, word count, reading level, and content including advertisements, diagrams, photographs, nonoperative and operative options, and accurate medical information. A total of 23 unique Web sites were identified in our search, including 13 public education sources, 6 academic institutions, and 4 private physicians/groups. Average grade levels of articles ranged from 9.4 to 14.2 (mean, 11.14; standard deviation [SD] 1.46), and Flesch–Kincaid reading ease scores ranged from 23.9 to 68.7 (mean, 55.31; SD, 10.11). Pages from public sources required the highest level of readability (11.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.8–13.2), which was significantly higher than private (11.0, 95% CI: 9.3, 12.7]) and academic (10.9, 95% CI: 8.9–12.9), p = 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively. Further efforts to make appropriate health information available to patients are needed.
Enhanced mechanical properties of W1−yMoyO3 nanocomposite thin films
Authors: Dubey P. , Lopez G. A. , Martinez G. , Ramana C. V.
Published: December 2016

We report on the enhanced mechanical properties of ∼60 nm thick W-Mo-O nanocomposite films, which are of current interest as structural and electrode materials in photo-related energy technologies. W-Mo-O films were sputter-deposited onto Si(100) by varying the growth temperature (Ts) ranging from 25 to 500 °C. The molybdenum (Mo) content in the films was varied in the range of y = 0.05–0.15 by employing the W-Mo target with a variable Mo content. Structural and mechanical characterization was performed to understand the combined effect of the Mo content and Ts on the structure and mechanical behavior of W-Mo-O films. The results indicate that the effect of Ts is significant on the growth and microstructure of W-Mo-O films. The effect of the Mo-content is reflected in elevating the Ts needed for film crystallization coupled with the average grain-size reduction. Structural studies revealed that the W-Mo-O films were amorphous for Ts ≤ 300 °C, at which point amorphous-to-crystalline transformation occurs. Monoclinic (m) W-Mo-O nanocomposite films exhibit a combination of m-WO3 and m-MoO3 phases with m-WO3 being predominant in the matrix. The peak intensities of the m-MoO3 phase increases with increasing Mo-content. The nanoindentation results indicate a non-monotonic mechanical response in terms of hardness (H) and reduced elastic modulus (Er) of the deposited films with increasing Ts. The effect of microstructure evolution is remarkable on the mechanical properties. Structural transformation at Ts = 300 °C induces a significant change in H and Er values. The W-Mo-O with y = 0.05 exhibit maximum H (∼21 GPa) and Er (∼216 GPa), where Mo-incorporation induced enhancement in mechanical characteristics is pronounced. A strain rate dependence of the H value of W-Mo-O films has been observed. Based on the results, structure-composition-mechanical property correlation in W-Mo-O films is established.
Mesa-top quantum dot single photon emitter arrays: Growth, optical characteristics, and the simulated optical response of integrated dielectric nanoantenna-waveguide systems
Authors: Zhang Jiefei , Chattaraj Swarnabha , Lu Siyuan , Madhukar Anupam
Published: December 2016

Nanophotonic quantum information processing systems require spatially ordered, spectrally uniform single photon sources (SPSs) integrated on-chip with co-designed light manipulating elements providing emission rate enhancement, emitted photon guidance, and lossless propagation. Towards this goal, we consider systems comprising an SPS array with each SPS coupled to a dielectric building block (DBB) based multifunctional light manipulation unit (LMU). For the SPS array, we report triggered single photon emission from GaAs(001)/InGaAs single quantum dots grown selectively on top of nanomesas using the approach of substrate-encoded size-reducing epitaxy (SESRE). Systematic temperature and power dependent photoluminescence (PL), PL excitation, time-resolved PL, and emission statistics studies reveal high spectral uniformity and single photon emission at 8 K with g(2)(0) of 0.19 ± 0.03. The SESRE based SPS arrays, following growth of a planarizing overlayer, are readily integrable with LMUs fabricated subsequently using either the 2D photonic crystal approach or, as theoretically examined here, DBB based LMUs. We report the simulated optical response of SPS embedded in DBB based nanoantenna-waveguide structures as the multifunctional LMU. The multiple functions of emission rate enhancement, guiding, and lossless propagation are derived from the behavior of the same collective Mie resonance (dominantly magnetic) of the interacting DBB based LMU tuned to the SPS targeted emission wavelength of 980 nm. The simulation utilizes an analytical approach that provides physical insight into the obtained numerical results. Together, the combined experimental and modelling demonstrations open a rich approach to implementing co-designed on-chip integrated SPS-LMUs that, in turn, serve as basic elements of integrated nanophotonic information processing systems.
Multi-bit dark state memory: Double quantum dot as an electronic quantum memory
Authors: Aharon Eran , Pozner Roni , Lifshitz Efrat , Peskin Uri
Published: December 2016

Quantum dot clusters enable the creation of dark states which preserve electrons or holes in a coherent superposition of dot states for a long time. Various quantum logic devices can be envisioned to arise from the possibility of storing such trapped particles for future release on demand. In this work, we consider a double quantum dot memory device, which enables the preservation of a coherent state to be released as multiple classical bits. Our unique device architecture uses an external gating for storing (writing) the coherent state and for retrieving (reading) the classical bits, in addition to exploiting an internal gating effect for the preservation of the coherent state.
Zonal flow induced by energetic particles in tokamak
Authors: Wang Zhongtian , He Zhixiong , Dong Jiaqi , Yan Yifan , Li Huidong , Feng Hao , Fu Libin
Published: December 2016

Zonal flow induced by energetic particles in tokamak is investigated while considering the effects of plasma rotation. The gyro-kinetics of the rotating plasma are presented to deal with problems of arbitrary frequency. A self-consistent dispersion relation is rigorously derived with a finite wave-number. The calculated real frequency is about half of the transit frequency. The frequency is slightly up-chirping and the damping rate decreases with increases in the hot-ion population and the plasma rotation, which will help generate the zonal flow and the low-to-high confinement transition. The co-current flow benefits confinement, which is consistent with the results of an experiment conducted for DIII-D tokamak and in contrast to results obtained by Deng Zhou in which eikonal approximation loses the parallel resonant feature.
Computational screening of core@shell nanoparticles for the hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction reactions
Authors: Corona Benjamin , Howard Marco , Zhang Liang , Henkelman Graeme
Published: December 2016

Using density functional theory calculations, a set of candidate nanoparticle catalysts are identified based on reactivity descriptors and segregation energies for the oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions. Trends in the data were identified by screening over 700 core@shell 2 nm transition metal nanoparticles for each reaction. High activity was found for nanoparticles with noble metal shells and a variety of core metals for both reactions. By screening for activity and stability, we obtain a set of interesting bimetallic catalysts, including cases that have reduced noble metal loadings and a higher predicted activity as compared to monometallic Pt nanoparticles.
Solvation of Mg in helium-4: Are there meta-stable Mg dimers?
Authors: Krotscheck Eckhard , Zillich Robert E.
Published: December 2016

Experiments with 4He nanodroplets doped with Mg atoms were interpreted as the observation of the formation of weakly bound magnesium complexes. We present results for single Mg and Mg dimer solvation using the hypernetted chain/Euler-Lagrange (HNC-EL) method as well as path integral Monte Carlo simulations. We find that the phonon-mediated, indirect Mg–Mg interaction adds an oscillatory component to the direct Mg–Mg interaction. We undertake a step-by-step examination of the ingredients of the calculation of the phonon-induced interaction, comparing the results of semi-analytic HNC-EL calculations for bulk and single impurity results with experiments as well as Monte Carlo data. We do not find evidence for a sufficiently strong secondary minimum in the effective Mg–Mg interaction to support a metastable state.
The influence of non-stoichiometry on the switching kinetics of strontium-titanate ReRAM devices
Authors: Fleck K. , Aslam N. , Hoffmann-Eifert S. , Longo V. , Roozeboom F. , Kessels W. M. M. , Böttger U. , Waser R. , Menzel S.
Published: December 2016

Compared to conventional NAND flash resistive switching metal-oxide cells show a number of advantages, like an increased endurance, lower energy consumption, and superior switching speed. Understanding the role of defects for the resistive switching phenomenon in metal oxides is crucial for their improvement and thereby also for their acceptance as a next generation data storage device. Strontium titanate (STO) is considered a model material due to its thoroughly investigated defect chemistry. This paper presents a comparative study of the switching kinetics for three different compositions [Sr]/([Sr]+[Ti]) of 0.57 (Sr-rich), 0.50 (stoichiometric STO), and 0.46 (Ti-rich STO). The STO films, deposited by atomic layer deposition, were integrated in Pt/STO/TiN nanocrossbars with a feature size of 100 nm. By analysis of the transient currents, the switching kinetics are investigated between 10 ns and 104 s for the SET and 10 ns and 100 s for the RESET. A clear influence of the composition on the degree of nonlinearity of the switching kinetics was observed. Applying an analytical model for the oxygen vacancy migration, we were able to explain the differences in the SET kinetics by composition-dependent changes in the thermal conductivity and by a lower activation energy for the Ti-rich sample. This might be utilized in design rules of future ReRAM devices.
Study of terahertz generation via the interaction of two-color ultra-short laser pulses with water vapor plasmas
Authors: Soltani Gishini M. S. , Ganjovi A.
Published: December 2016

In this work, using a two dimensional particle in cell-Monte Carlo collision simulation scheme, the Terahertz (THz) generation process via the interaction of a two-color ultra-short laser pulses with the water vapor gas (H2O) is examined. The background gas pressure and various laser parameters, e.g., its pulse shape, duration, and waist, are varied, and their effects on the temporal variation of the generated current density, THz electric field, and THz spectral intensity are studied. It is shown that the best pulse shape generating the THz signal radiation with the highest intensity is a trapezoidal pulse. Moreover, the intensity of generated THz radiation is increased at the higher pulse durations and waists. In addition, at the higher water vapor gas pressures, the time to peak of the generated current density is shifted to the earlier moments. Finally, it is observed that, for the laser pulses with the intensities of about 8 × 1013 W/cm2, the water vapor triatomic molecules are a proper source for the THz radiation generation under the illumination of high power ultra-short two-color laser pulses.
Effects of gold nanoparticles on lipid packing and membrane pore formation
Authors: Bhat Anupama , Edwards Lance W. , Fu Xiao , Badman Dillon L. , Huo Samuel , Jin Albert J. , Lu Qi
Published: December 2016

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been increasingly integrated in biological systems, making it imperative to understand their interactions with cell membranes, the first barriers to be crossed to enter cells. Herein, liposomes composed of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) as a model membrane system were treated with citrate stabilized AuNPs from 5 to 30 nm at various concentrations. The fluorescence shifts of Laurdan probes reveal that AuNPs in general made liposomes more fluidic. The increased fluidity is expected to result in an increased surface area, and thus liposome shape changes from circular to less circular, which was further confirmed with fluorescence microscopy. The localized stress in lipids induced by electrostatically adsorbed AuNPs was hypothesized to cause the dominant long-range effect of fluidization of unbound lipid membranes. A secondary effect of the AuNP-induced lateral pressure is the membrane rupture or formation of pores, which was probed by AFM under fluid. We found in this study a nanoparticle-mediated approach of modulating the stiffness of lipid membranes: by adsorption of AuNPs, lipids at the binding sites are stiffened whereas lipids afar are fluidized. Understanding the factors that modulate lipid packing is important for the discovery of alternative therapeutic methods for diseases linked to membrane integrity such as high blood pressure and cancer metastasis.
Effect of attractive interactions between polymers on the effective force acting between colloids immersed in a polymer system: Analytic liquid-state theory
Authors: Chervanyov A. I.
Published: December 2016

By making use of the polymer reference interaction site model, we analytically study the effect of attractive interactions between polymers on the effective forces acting between colloids immersed in a polymer system. The performed theoretical analysis has no restrictions with respect to the polymer density and relative sizes of the colloids and polymers. The polymer mediated (PM) potential acting between colloids is shown to significantly depend on the strength and range of the polymer-polymer interactions. In the nano-particle limit, where the colloid radius is much smaller than the polymer gyration radius, the presence of attractive polymer-polymer interactions causes only quantitative changes to the PM potential. In the opposite limit of relatively large colloids, the polymer-polymer interactions revert the sign of the total effective force acting between colloids so that this force becomes attractive at sufficiently large polymer densities. With the objective to study an intricate interplay between the attractive PM forces and steric repulsion in different polymer density regimes, we calculate the second virial coefficient B of the total effective potential acting between colloids. The dependence of B on the polymer density is discussed in detail, revealing several novel features of the PM interactions caused by the presence of attractive polymer-polymer interactions.
Existence and stability of alternative dust ion acoustic solitary wave solution of the combined MKP-KP equation in nonthermal plasma
Authors: Sardar Sankirtan , Bandyopadhyay Anup , Das K. P.
Published: December 2016

The aim of this paper is to extend the recent work of Sardar et al. [Phys. Plasmas 23, 073703 (2016)] on the stability of the small amplitude dust ion acoustic solitary wave in a collisionless unmagnetized nonthermal plasma in the presence of isothermal positrons. Sardar et al. [Phys. Plasmas 23, 073703 (2016)] have derived a KP (Kadomtsev Petviashvili) equation to study the stability of the dust ion acoustic solitary wave when the weak dependence of the spatial coordinates perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave is taken into account. They have also derived a modified KP (MKP) equation to investigate the stability of the dust ion acoustic solitary wave when the coefficient of the nonlinear term of the KP equation vanishes. When the coefficient of the nonlinear term of the KP equation is close to zero, a combined MKP-KP equation more efficiently describes the nonlinear behaviour of the dust ion acoustic wave. This equation is derived in the present paper. The alternative solitary wave solution of the combined MKP-KP equation having profile different from sech2 or sech is obtained. This alternative solitary wave solution of the combined MKP-KP equation is stable at the lowest order of the wave number. It is found that this alternative solitary wave solution of the combined MKP-KP equation and its lowest order stability analysis are exactly same as those of the solitary wave solution of the MKP equation when the coefficient of the nonlinear term of the KP equation tends to zero.
Temperature dependence of the Raman-active modes in the semipolar (112¯2) plane GaN Film
Authors: Jiang Teng , Xu Shengrui , Zhang Jincheng , Li Peixian , Huang Jun , Niu Mutong , Meng Xijun , Chen Zhibin , Zhu Jiaduo , Zhao Ying , Zhang Yachao , Hao Yue
Published: December 2016

Temperature dependences of the polarized Raman scattering spectra in the backscattering configuration of the semipolar (112¯2) plane GaN thin film are analyzed in the range from 83 K to 563 K. The semipolar GaN film is cut at a tilted angle from polar GaN wafer grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. The spectral features of the frequency shift and linewidths of the Raman-active phonon modes Quasi-TO, E1 (TO), E2 (high), and Quasi-LO are prominently revealed, and the temperature coefficients corresponding to the lattice thermal expansion and phonon anharmonic effect, as well as defects and impurities in crystals, are well deduced by the theoretical equations. With the increasing temperature, the Raman scattering peaks would substantially shift to lower frequencies and the linewidths gradually broaden. Our studies will lead to a better understanding of the fundamental physical characteristics of the semipolar (112¯2) plane GaN film.
Planar composite chiral metamaterial with broadband dispersionless polarization rotation and high transmission
Authors: Song Kun , Ding Changlin , Su Zhaoxian , Liu Yahong , Luo Chunrong , Zhao Xiaopeng , Bhattarai Khagendra , Zhou Jiangfeng
Published: December 2016

We propose a planar composite chiral metamaterial (CCMM) by symmetrically inserting a metallic mesh between two layers of conjugated gammadion resonators. As the elaborate CCMM operates at off-resonance frequencies, it therefore presents low-loss and low-dispersion polarization rotation features. The results show that the proposed CCMM can achieve pure and dispersionless polarization rotation with efficient transmission for a linearly polarized wave within a broad bandwidth. This off-resonance CCMM overcomes the drawbacks of high transmission losses and highly dispersive polarization rotation that exist in the previous resonance-type chiral metamaterials and also exhibits more simplicity of fabrication than the three-dimensional CMMs. The intriguing properties greatly improve the performance of chiral metamaterials in controlling the polarization state of electromagnetic waves.
Behavior of Sn atoms in GeSn thin films during thermal annealing: Ex-situ and in-situ observations
Authors: Takase Ryohei , Ishimaru Manabu , Uchida Noriyuki , Maeda Tatsuro , Sato Kazuhisa , Lieten Ruben R. , Locquet Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2016

Thermally induced crystallization processes for amorphous GeSn thin films with Sn concentrations beyond the solubility limit of the bulk crystal Ge-Sn binary system have been examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and (scanning) transmission electron microscopy. We paid special attention to the behavior of Sn before and after recrystallization. In the as-deposited specimens, Sn atoms were homogeneously distributed in an amorphous matrix. Prior to crystallization, an amorphous-to-amorphous phase transformation associated with the rearrangement of Sn atoms was observed during heat treatment; this transformation is reversible with respect to temperature. Remarkable recrystallization occurred at temperatures above 400 °C, and Sn atoms were ejected from the crystallized GeSn matrix. The segregation of Sn became more pronounced with increasing annealing temperature, and the ejected Sn existed as a liquid phase. It was found that the molten Sn remains as a supercooled liquid below the eutectic temperature of the Ge-Sn binary system during the cooling process, and finally, β-Sn precipitates were formed at ambient temperature.
Searching chaotic saddles in high dimensions
Authors: Sala M. , Leitão J. C. , Altmann E. G.
Published: December 2016

We propose new methods to numerically approximate non-attracting sets governing transiently chaotic systems. Trajectories starting in a vicinity Ω of these sets escape Ω in a finite time τ and the problem is to find initial conditions x∈Ω with increasingly large τ=τ(x). We search points x′ with τ(x′)>τ(x) in a search domain in Ω. Our first method considers a search domain with size that decreases exponentially in τ, with an exponent proportional to the largest Lyapunov exponent λ1. Our second method considers anisotropic search domains in the tangent unstable manifold, where each direction scales as the inverse of the corresponding expanding singular value of the Jacobian matrix of the iterated map. We show that both methods outperform the state-of-the-art Stagger-and-Step method [Sweet et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 2261 (2001)] but that only the anisotropic method achieves an efficiency independent of τ for the case of high-dimensional systems with multiple positive Lyapunov exponents. We perform simulations in a chain of coupled Hénon maps in up to 24 dimensions (12 positive Lyapunov exponents). This suggests the possibility of characterizing also non-attracting sets in spatio-temporal systems.
Vertical power MOS transistor as a thermoelectric quasi-nanowire device
Authors: Roizin Gregory , Beeri Ofer , Peretz Mor Mordechai , Gelbstein Yaniv
Published: December 2016

Nano-materials exhibit superior performance over bulk materials in a variety of applications such as direct heat to electricity thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and many more. However, a gap still exists for the integration of these nano-materials into practical applications. This study explores the feasibility of utilizing the advantages of nano-materials' thermo-electric properties, using regular bulk technology. Present-day TEGs are often applied by dedicated thermoelectric materials such as semiconductor alloys (e.g., PbTe, BiTe) whereas the standard semiconductor materials such as the doped silicon have not been widely addressed, with limited exceptions of nanowires. This study attempts to close the gap between the nano-materials' properties and the well-established bulk devices, approached for the first time by exploiting the nano-metric dimensions of the conductive channel in metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structures. A significantly higher electrical current than expected from a bulk silicon device has been experimentally measured as a result of the application of a positive gate voltage and a temperature gradient between the “source” and the “drain” terminals of a commercial NMOS transistor. This finding implies on a “quasi-nanowire” behaviour of the transistor channel, which can be easily controlled by the transistor's gate voltage that is applied. This phenomenon enables a considerable improvement of silicon based TEGs, fabricated by traditional silicon technology. Four times higher ZT values (TEG quality factor) compared to conventional bulk silicon have been observed for an off-the-shelf silicon device. By optimizing the device, it is believed that even higher ZT values can be achieved.
The extended Bloch representation of quantum mechanics: Explaining superposition, interference, and entanglement
Authors: Aerts Diederik , Sassoli de Bianchi Massimiliano
Published: December 2016

An extended Bloch representation of quantum mechanics was recently derived to offer a possible (hidden-measurements) solution to the measurement problem. In this article we use this representation to investigate the geometry of superposition and entangled states, explaining interference effects and entanglement correlations in terms of the different orientations a state-vector can take within the generalized Bloch sphere. We also introduce a tensorial determination of the generators of SU(N), which we show to be particularly suitable for the description of multipartite systems, from the viewpoint of the sub-entities. We then use it to show that non-product states admit a general description where sub-entities can remain in well-defined states, even when entangled. This means that the completed version of quantum mechanics provided by the extended Bloch representation, where density operators are also considered to be representative of genuine states (providing a complete description), not only offers a plausible solution to the measurement problem but also to the lesser-known entanglement problem. This is because we no longer need to give up the general physical principle saying that a composite entity exists and therefore is in a well-defined state, if and only if its components also exist and therefore are also in well-defined states.
A symmetric time-like operator
Authors: Torres-Vega Gabino
Published: December 2016

We introduce an operator which is the difference between the derivative to the right and to the left, times iħ, intended to be used in non-relativistic quantum mechanics. This operator is a symmetric, independently of boundary conditions, proposal to a time operator. Some properties of this operator are derived and their eigenstates are found for the free particle system.
High-speed laser writing of arbitrary patterns in polar coordinate system
Authors: Bai Zhen , Wei Jingsong , Liang Xin , Zhang Kui , Wei Tao , Wang Rui
Published: December 2016

In order to realize high-speed laser writing arbitrary patterns, we establish a set of high-speed polar coordinate laser writing system. Although the polar coordinate laser writing system is generally suitable for fabricating circular symmetric patterns, there are challenges when dealing with arbitrary patterns. Here, we propose an effective method to solve this problem by converting the pattern data from Cartesian coordinates to polar coordinates for high-speed laser writing of arbitrary patterns. Several types of arbitrary patterns are written on chalcogenide thin films with a minimum pattern linewidth of 700 ± 70 nm and a maximum writing speed of approximately 10 m/s, which corresponds to more than 600 mm2/min at 1.0 μm linewidth. This writing speed is ten times faster than that of the conventional x-y type Cartesian coordinate laser writing system.
A spectral pyrometer to spatially resolve the blackbody temperature of a warm dense plasma
Authors: Coleman J. E.
Published: December 2016

A pyrometer has been developed to spatially resolve the blackbody temperature of a radiatively cooling warm dense plasma. The pyrometer is composed of a lens coupled fiber array, Czerny-Turner visible spectrometer, and an intensified gated CCD for the detector. The radiatively cooling warm dense plasma is generated by a ∼100-ns-long intense relativistic electron bunch with an energy of 19.1 MeV and a current of 0.2 kA interacting with 100-μm-thick low-Z foils. The continuum spectrum is measured over 250 nm with a low groove density grating. These plasmas emit visible light or blackbody radiation on relatively long time scales (∼0.1 to 100 μs). The diagnostic layout, calibration, and proof-of-principle measurement of a radiatively cooling aluminum plasma is presented, which includes a spatially resolved temperature gradient and the ability to temporally resolve it also.