bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continual in-situ monitoring of pore water stable isotopes in the subsurface
Authors: Volkmann T. H. M. , Weiler M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The stable isotope signature of pore water provides an integral fingerprint of water origin, flow path, transport processes, and residence times and can thus serve as a powerful tracer of hydrological processes in the unsaturated and saturated zone. However, the full potential of stable isotopes to quantitatively characterize subsurface water dynamics is yet unfolded due to the difficulty in obtaining extensive detailed and continual measurements of spatiotemporally variable pore water signatures. With the development of field-deployable laser-based isotope analyzers, such measurements are now becoming feasible. This study presents the development and application of a functional, automatable, and cost-efficient system for non-destructive continual in-situ monitoring of pore water stable isotope signatures with high resolution. The monitoring system uses automatic-controllable valve arrays to continuously extract diluted soil air water vapor via a branching network of multiple small microporous probes into a commercial isotope analyzer. Soil temperature observations are used to convert obtained vapor phase into liquid phase water isotope signatures, but these can also be obtained based on vapor concentration measurements. In-situ sampling was conducted at six depths for each of three plots planted with varying vegetation on an experimental site in SW Germany. Two different methods based on advective and diffusive soil water vapor probing were employed suitable under unsaturated and all (including saturated) moisture conditions, respectively. The advective sampling method was applied using multiple permanently installed probes (continual mode) and using a single probe subsequently inserted to sample the various locations (push-in mode), while the diffusive sampling method was applied in push-in mode only. Using a specific identical treatment onsite calibration approach along with basic corrections for instrument bias and temperature dependent free water-vapor isotopic equilibrium fractionation, the monitoring system facilitated inference of normalized liquid pore water isotopic composition with sufficiently high accuracy and precision at sampling intervals of less than four minutes and resolved the isotopic variability along natural depth profiles. Comparison indicated that the presented in-situ approaches may be used interchangeably with each other and with concurrent laboratory-based direct equilibration measurements of destructively collected samples, such that the choice of method will depend upon the task and anticipated conditions of sampling. The introduced sampling techniques provide powerful tools towards a detailed quantitative understanding of dynamic and heterogeneous shallow subsurface and vadose zone processes.
The role of GIS in urban seismic risk studies: application to the city of Almería (southern Spain)
Authors: Rivas-Medina A. , Gaspar-Escribano J. M. , Benito B. , Bernabé M. A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. This work describes the structure and characteristics of the geographic information system (GIS) developed for the urban seismic risk study of the city of Almería (southern Spain), identifying the stages in which the use of this tool proved to be very beneficial for adopting informed decisions throughout the execution of the work. After the completion of the regional emergency plans for seismic risk in Spain and its subsequent approval by the National Civil Defence Commission, the municipalities that need to develop specific local seismic risk plans have been identified. Hence, the next action is to develop urban seismic risk analyses at a proper scale (Urban Seismic Risk Evaluation – Risk-UR). For this evaluation, different factors influencing seismic risk such as seismic hazard, geotechnical soil characteristics, vulnerability of structures of the region, reparation costs of damaged buildings and exposed population are combined. All these variables are gathered and analysed within a GIS and subsequently used for seismic risk estimation. The GIS constitutes a highly useful working tool because it facilitates data interoperability, making the great volume of information required and the numerous processes that take part in the calculations easier to handle, speeding up the analysis and the interpretation and presentation of the results of the different working phases. The result of this study is based on a great set of variables that provide a comprehensive view of the urban seismic risk, such as the damage distribution of buildings and dwellings of different typologies, the mean damage and the number of uninhabitable buildings for the expected seismic motion, the number of dead and injured at different times of the day, the cost of reconstruction and repair of buildings, among others. These results are intended for interpretation and decision making in emergency management by unspecialised users (Civil Defence technicians and managers).
Temporary seismic monitoring of the Sulmona area (Abruzzo, Italy): a quality study of microearthquake locations
Authors: Romano M. A. , de Nardis R. , Garbin M. , Peruzza L. , Priolo E. , Lavecchia G. , Romanelli M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Thanks to the installation of a temporary seismic network, a microseismicity study has been conducted in the Sulmona area (Abruzzo, Italy) with the aim of increasing the knowledge of seismogenic potential of existing active faults. In this work the first 7 months (from 27 May to 31 December 2009) of recorded data have been analysed over a total period of acquisition of about 30 months. Using a semi-automatic procedure, more than 800 local earthquakes have been detected, which highlights the previously unknown background seismicity. About 70% of these events have been relocated using a 1-D velocity model estimated specifically for the Sulmona area. The integration of temporary network data with all the other data available in the region enables us to obtain a statistically more robust data set of earthquake locations. Both the final hypocentral solutions and phase pickings are released as a supplement; an appendix also describes phase readings' quality with respect to weighting schemes used by location algorithms. Local magnitude values of the newly detected events range between −1.5 and 3.7 and the completeness magnitude for the Sulmona area during the study period is about 1.1. Duration magnitude coefficients have been estimated as well for comparison/integration purposes. The local Gutenberg–Richter relationship, estimated from the microseismic data, features a low b value, tentatively suggesting that the Sulmona area may be currently undergoing high-stress conditions, in agreement with other recent studies. The time–space distribution of the seismic activity with respect to the known active faults as well the seismogenic layer thickness are preliminarily investigated.
Resonance phenomena at the long wave run-up on the coast
Authors: Ezersky A. , Tiguercha D. , Pelinovsky E.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Run-up of long waves on a beach consisting of three pieces of constant but different slopes is studied. Linear shallow-water theory is used for incoming impulse evolution, and nonlinear corrections are obtained for the run-up stage. It is demonstrated that bottom profile influences the run-up characteristics and can lead to resonance effects: increase of wave height, particle velocity, and number of oscillations. Simple parameterization of tsunami source through an earthquake magnitude is used to calculate the run-up height versus earthquake magnitude. It is shown that resonance effects lead to the sufficient increase of run-up heights for the weakest earthquakes, and a tsunami wave does not break on chosen bottom relief if the earthquake magnitude does not exceed 7.8.
Using volunteered geographical information to map the November 2012 floods in Slovenia
Authors: Triglav-Čekada M. , Radovan D.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Volunteered geographical information represents a promising field in the monitoring and mapping of natural disasters. The contributors of volunteered geographical information have the advantage that they are at the location of the natural disaster at exactly the time when the disaster happened. Therefore, they can provide the most complete account of the extent of the damage. This is not always possible when applying photogrammetric or remote-sensing methods, as prior to the data acquisition an order to carry out the measurements has to be made. On 5 and 6 November 2012 almost half of Slovenia was badly affected by floods. The gathering of volunteered geographical information in the form of images and videos of these floods is presented. Two strategies were used: (1) a public call for volunteered contributions and (2) a web search for useful images and their authors. The authorship of these images was verified with every contributor. In total, 15 contributors provided 102 terrestrial and aerial images and one aerial video, with 45% classified as potentially useful. For actual flood mapping 22 images and 12 sequences from video were used. With the help of the volunteered images 12% of the most severely affected river sections were mapped. Altogether, 1195.3 ha of flooded areas outside of the usual river beds along a total river length of 48 km were mapped. The results are compared with those from satellite mapping of the same floods, which successfully covered 18% of the most affected river sections.
Effective 3-D surface modeling for geographic information systems
Authors: Yüksek K. , Alparslan M. , Mendi E.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. In this work, we propose a dynamic, flexible and interactive urban digital terrain platform (DTP) with spatial data and query processing capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), multimedia database functionality and graphical modeling infrastructure. A new data element, called Geo-Node, which stores image, spatial data and 3-D CAD objects is developed using an efficient data structure. The system effectively handles data transfer of Geo-Nodes between main memory and secondary storage with an optimized Directional Replacement Policy (DRP) based buffer management scheme. Polyhedron structures are used in Digital Surface Modeling (DSM) and smoothing process is performed by interpolation. The experimental results show that our framework achieves high performance and works effectively with urban scenes independent from the amount of spatial data and image size. The proposed platform may contribute to the development of various applications such as Web GIS systems based on 3-D graphics standards (e.g. X3-D and VRML) and services which integrate multi-dimensional spatial information and satellite/aerial imagery.
Flood Frequency Analysis supported by the largest historical flood
Authors: Strupczewski W. G. , Kochanek K. , Bogdanowicz E.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The use of non-systematic flood data for statistical purposes depends on reliability of assessment both flood magnitudes and their return period. The earliest known extreme flood year is usually the beginning of the historical record. Even if one properly assess the magnitudes of historic floods, the problem of their return periods remains unsolved. The matter in hand is that the only largest flood (XM) is known during whole historical period and its occurrence marks the beginning of the historical period and defines its length (L). It is the common practice of using the earliest known flood year as the beginning of the record. It means that the L value selected is an empirical estimate of the lower bound on the effective historical length M. The estimation of the return period of XM based on its occurrence (L), i.e. ∧ M = L, gives the severe upward bias. Problem arises to estimate the time period (M) representative of the largest observed flood XM. From the discrete uniform distribution with support 1,2, ... , M of the probability of the L position of XM one gets ∧ L = M/2. Therefore ∧ M = 2L has been taken as the return period of XM and as the effective historical record length as well this time. As in the systematic period (N) all its elements are smaller than XM, one can get ∧ M =2(L+N). The efficiency of using the largest historical flood (XM) for large quantile estimation (i.e. one with return period T = 100 yr has been assessed using ML method with various length of systematic record (N) and various estimates of historical period length ∧ M comparing accuracy with the case when systematic records alone (N) are used only. The simulation procedure used for the purpose incorporates N systematic record and one largest historic flood (XMi) in the period M which appeared in the Li year backward from the end of historical period. The simulation result for selected distributions, values of their parameters, different N and M values are presented in terms of bias and RMSE of the quantile of interest and widely discussed.
Intrinsic variability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current system: low- and high-frequency fluctuations of the Argentine Basin flow
Authors: Sgubin G. , Pierini S. , Dijkstra H. A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. In this paper, the variability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current system produced by purely intrinsic nonlinear oceanic mechanisms is studied through a sigma-coordinate ocean model, implemented in a large portion of the Southern Ocean at an eddy-permitting resolution under steady surface heat and momentum fluxes. The mean transport through Drake Passage and the structure of the main Antarctic Circumpolar Current fronts are well reproduced by the model. Intrinsic variability is found to be particularly intense in the Subantarctic Front and in the Argentine Basin, on which further analysis is focused. The low-frequency variability at interannual time scales is related to bimodal behavior of the Zapiola Anticyclone, with transitions between a strong and collapsed anticyclonic circulation in substantial agreement with altimeter observations. Variability on smaller time scales shows clear evidence of topographic Rossby-mode propagation along the eastern and southern flanks of the Zapiola Rise and of mesoscale eddies, also in agreement with satellite altimeter observations. The analysis of the relationship between the low- and high-frequency variability suggests possible mechanisms of mutual interaction.
A Compass for Valuation: Peircean Realism in Alain Locke's Functional Theory of Value
Authors: Moses Greg
Published: November 2013

When Alain Locke developed a philosophy of valuation that he termed “functional relativism,” he contrasted his position to “value realism,” apparently because he wanted to keep valuations free from being bound to status quo existence. This article considers Locke's philosophy of valuation in relation to the “realism” of Charles S. Peirce in order to show that there is an approach to realism that answers to requirements of dynamic, evolutionary growth and creativity. The argument begins by placing Locke's cardinal values onto a compass-like diagram inspired by Black Elk's ritual acknowledgment of cardinal directions. The illustration of a hoop of valuation is used to explore the usefulness of thinking in terms of diagrams, with explicit reference to Peircean semiotics. Next the article pursues a context of valuation developed through the psychical philosophy of George Herbert Mead and recent work on Peircean realism. It shows how valuation may be viewed as an exercise in freedom, not confined to status quo existence. Sources of error are acknowledged and reviewed. In the end, Peirce's choice of realism versus nominalism is found to be consistent with Lockean commitments to shared living in communities of inquiry. A Lockean philosophy of valuation, therefore, is not necessarily antirealist.
Seguridad Ciudadana: El Aporte de las Metodologías Implicativas
Authors: García Ojeda Mauricio , Zambrano Constanzo Alba
Published: November 2013

El presente artículo revisa el concepto de seguridad ciudadana, proponiéndose queesta debe ser entendida en el contexto de los actuales procesos de exclusión social.Se expone que la gestión de la seguridad ciudadana que se realiza desde el ámbitopúblico tiene a la base ciertas concepciones de esta, las que definen estilos de hacerque pueden orientarse hacia el cumplimiento de la normas y la vigilancia o tener a la base la valoración de participación de la ciudadanía.En sintonía con este segundo estilo de abordar los problemas de seguridad ciudadana, se propone que esta debe concebirse desde una perspectiva amplia, fundamentada el ideario normativo del Desarrollo Humano y los derechos ciudadanos y que, por tanto, considere que las acciones emprendidas deben articularse integralmente, para que permitan superar condiciones de exclusión social. Para hacer viable lo anterior, es necesario que las diversas iniciativas de seguridad ciudadana operen desde el nivel local, con énfasis en el territorio y tendiendo a la base de las acciones emprendidas el uso de metodologías implicativas o participativas Finalmente, se hace referencia a experiencias desarrolladas en España y en Chile, vinculadas a la seguridad ciudadana sobre la base de metodologías participativas. Además, se presentan reflexiones sobre el aporte de las metodologías implicativas para promover la ciudadanía y el desarrollo sustentable de las ciudades.
Discurso Psicopatológico y Subjetividad Contemporánea
Authors: Aceituno M. Roberto , Bornhauser Niklas
Published: November 2013

En este trabajo se discuten algunas hipótesis acerca de la relación entre discurso de la clínica psicológica (psicología, psiquiatría, psicoterapia) y subjetividad contemporánea.Se entiende por discurso clínico al conjunto de prácticas y de saberes aplicados a los trastornos psíquicos o, más ampliamente, al ámbito de la salud mental. La noción de discurso sugiere que estas prácticas se constituyen en el marco histórico y sociocultural que define sus condiciones de conocimiento y de aplicación. Por otraparte, entendemos por subjetividad contemporánea a aquellas dinámicas y estructuras subjetivas propias a la época actual, en el marco de las condiciones socioculturales de la llamada modernidad tardía o posmodernidad. El análisis se centra en los trastornos “límites” como expresión discursiva de la subjetividad contemporánea.
La Transmisión del Psicoanálisis en la Universidad: Una Experiencia
Authors: Yasky Pérez Jaime
Published: November 2013

En este artículo se presenta un particular modelo de formación universitaria enpsiconálisis, exponiéndose algunas experiencias y problemas concretos que se hanmanifestado en la puesta en práctica de este modelo, tales como las dificultadesencontradas por los alumnos en la operacionalización de la teoría de la técnicapara poderse situar en el lugar de terapeutas y el efecto resistencial que puedetener la transferencia hacia el equipo formativo y hacia la teoría en el proceso deapropiación del conocimiento, resaltando la utilidad de este modelo y planteándosetambién algunas reflexiones que alcanzan el plano más general de la formaciónde psicólogos.
Empoderamiento de parejas y familias a través de la integración de la psicología y la educación popular
Authors: McWhirter Benedict T. , Hawley McWhirter Ellen
Published: November 2013

En este artículo se describe un programa de entrenamiento, consultoría y asesoramiento, desarrollado por más de seis años en un sector popular de Santiago, Chile (Peñalolén). Durante este tiempo, se enseñó destrezas psicológicas a parejas involucradas en al educación popular y pastoral a través de un programa de formación en fe familiar y educación religiosa. El trabajo se basó en los principios del Modelo de Empoderamiento (McWhirter), en la Teología de la Liberación (Gutiérrez), y en la integración de ambos. Se discute la experiencia señalando sus implicaciones tanto para el entrenamiento de psicólogos como en general para la práctica en psicología.
Vicisitudes del rol social en el marco de la sociedad contemporánea
Authors: Acuña Eduardo , Sanfuentes Matías
Published: November 2013

Se exponen los resultados de una actividad grupal diseñada para el estudio de la sociedad contemporánea desde la óptica del psicoanálisis. Los aspectos teóricos y metodológicos que la sostienen se basan en una perspectiva de trabajo orientada a al exploración del funcionamiento de grupos y organizaciones. Se presentan resultados de aplicaciones del método en distintos países del mundo, incluyendo el caso de Chile, correspondientes a los años 2005 y 2006. Un hallazgo central muestra que algunas sociedades del mundo están afectadas por procesos de cambio muy intensos que ocasionan ansiedades y perturbaciones en la vida cotidiana de la personas. Se advierte el uso de defensas contra la ansiedad que originan conflictos que dificultan la participación de los individuos en la sociedad.
Atherothrombotic risk in obesity
Authors: Vera R. , Vilahur G. , Badimon L.
Published: November 2013

A link between obesity and coronary artery disease development has been repeatedly proposed, possibly in part due to the development of a proinflammatory and prothrombotic state in obese subjects. Adipocytes secrete numerous hormones and cytokines (adipokines) which influence gene expression and cell functions in endothelial cells, arterial smooth muscle cells, and monocytes/macrophages favouring the development of an atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque. Moreover, the release of such biologically active molecules also promotes endothelial function impairment, disturbs the haemostatic and fibrinolytic systems, and produces alterations in platelet function affecting the initiation, progression, and stabilization of thrombus formation upon atherosclerotic plaque rupture.

In this review we will discuss the patho-physiological mechanisms by which obesity contributes to increase atherothrombosis paying special attention to its effects over thrombosis.
Concise Review: Growth Differentiation Factor 15 in Pathology: A Clinical Role?
Authors: Corre Jill , Hébraud Benjamin , Bourin Philippe
Published: November 2013

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a divergent member of the transforming growth factor β family discovered in a broad range of cells, as indicated by the diversity of its nomenclature. However, the only tissue that expresses a high amount of GDF15 in the physiologic state is placenta. GDF15 is easily detected in blood, and its concentration varies with age. In fact, increased blood concentration of GDF15 is associated with numerous pathological conditions. However, the biological significance underlying these observations is far from clear. GDF15 could have a positive or negative role depending on the state of cells or their environment. Furthermore, study of its biology is hampered by lack of knowledge of its receptor and thus the signaling pathways that drive its action. GDF15 seems to be an integrative signal in pathologic conditions, giving information on severity of disease. Its effectiveness in classifying patients to modulate treatment remains to be shown. Development of therapeutic interventions with GDF15 or anti-GDF15 agents remains difficult until we uncover the mechanism that drives its activity.
Concise Review: Can the Intrinsic Power of Branching Morphogenesis Be Used for Engineering Epithelial Tissues and Organs?
Authors: Nigam Sanjay K.
Published: November 2013

Branching morphogenesis is critical to the development of organs such as kidney, lung, mammary gland, prostate, pancreas, and salivary gland. Essentially, an epithelial bud becomes an iterative tip-stalk generator (ITSG) able to form a tree of branching ducts and/or tubules. In different organs, branching morphogenesis is governed by similar sets of genes. Epithelial branching has been recapitulated in vitro (or ex vivo) using three-dimensional cell culture and partial organ culture systems, and several such systems relevant to kidney tissue engineering are discussed here. By adapting systems like these it may be possible to harness the power inherent in the ITSG program to propagate and engineer epithelial tissues and organs. It is also possible to conceive of a universal ITSG capable of propagation that may, by recombination with organ-specific mesenchymal cells, be used for engineering many organ-like tissues similar to the organ from which the mesenchyme cells were derived, or toward which they are differentiated (from stem cells). The three-dimensional (3D) branched epithelial structure could act as a dynamic branching cellular scaffold to establish the architecture for the rest of the tissue. Another strategy—that of recombining propagated organ-specific ITSGs in 3D culture with undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells—is also worth exploring. If feasible, such engineered tissues may be useful for the ex vivo study of drug toxicity, developmental biology, and physiology in the laboratory. Over the long term, they have potential clinical applications in the general fields of transplantation, regenerative medicine, and bioartificial medical devices to aid in the treatment of chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and other diseases.
Growth and Characterization of GaN Nanostructures toward Electron Field Emitter Application
Authors: Hasegawa Shigehiko , Seo Jong Uk , Uenaka Mai , Kimura Mariko , Asahi Hajime
Published: November 2013

We have investigated the growth of GaN nanostructures on three different Si substrates [Si(001) covered with native oxides, Si(001)(2×1), and Si(111)(7×7)] under N-rich conditions by using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE). For Si native oxides, hexagonal GaN (h-GaN) nanorods with a c-axis fiber texture are formed, i.e., the c-axis is aligned along the substrate normal without any preferential in-plane orientations. For the clean Si(001)(2×1) substrates, c-axis-orientated nanorods are also grown with the epitaxial relationship of <112̄0>hGaN∥<110>Si or <123̄0>hGaN∥<110>Si. On the other hand, mesh-like structures of h-GaN are formed on the clean Si(111)(7 ×7) substrates with the epitaxial relationship of {0001}hGaN∥{111}Si and <112̄0>hGaN∥<110>Si. The difference in the growth mode of GaN will be discussed in terms of the nitridation process during the initial stages of GaN growth, the chemical states of the substrate surfaces, and the substrate orientations. On the basis of the present findings, toward the fabrication of excellent electron field emitters by utilizing the GaN nanorods grown on the Si(001) with native oxides, we have shown the electron field-emission characteristics with a turn-on electric field as low as 1.25 V/µm at a current density of 0.1 µA/cm2 and a field-emission current density as high as 2.5 mA/cm2 at an applied electric field of 2.5 V/µm. We will demonstrate the fabrication of electron field emitter arrays of GaN nanorods on patterned W/SiO2/Si substrates in a selective-area growth mode by PA-MBE.
Effects of Thermal Treatment on Crystallographic and Electrical Properties of Transparent Conductive ZnO Films Deposited by Spin-Spray Method
Authors: Hong JeongSoo , Wagata Hajime , Katsumata Ken-ichi , Okada Kiyoshi , Matsushita Nobuhiro
Published: November 2013

ZnO films were deposited by a novel aqueous solution process named the spin-spray method and thermally treated at different temperatures from 100 to 300 °C. All films had a high transmittance of 80% in the visible range and exhibited conductivity after UV illumination for 24 h. The dependence of thermal treatment temperature before UV illumination on their crystallographic and electrical properties was investigated in this study. The XRD peak intensity increased and the full width at half maximum of the (101) peak decreased from 0.35 to 0.26° for the sample thermally treated at 100 °C. From the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, decreases inVas(COO-) andVs(COO-) intensities with increasing thermal treatment temperature were observed. The resistivity after the UV illumination of the sample without thermal treatment was 4.1×10-2Ω cm, and it decreased to 1.6×10-2Ω cm in the sample thermally treated at 100 °C. The sample with the lowest resistivity exhibited a relatively high mobility of 3.3 cm2V-1s-1and a very high carrier concentration of 1.1×1020cm-3as the solution-processed ZnO film.
Evaluation of Kink Generation Rate and Step Flow Velocity on Si(111) during Wet Etching
Authors: Hasunuma Ryu , Yamabe Kikuo
Published: November 2013

The rate of kink generation in ultralow dissolved-oxygen water (LOW) at a <112̄> oriented atomic step on a Si(111) surface was experimentally determined. By controlling the step length by adding SiO2 line patterns that prevent kink propagation across the patterns, it was found that step flow velocity was proportional to step length when the step was short. From the proportionality coefficient, the rate of kink generation was evaluated to be 800 cm-1 s-1. Furthermore, the velocity of kink propagation along a step was also evaluated as 40 nm/s.
Electric-Field-Induced Superconductivity on an Organic/Oxide Interface
Authors: Ueno Kazunori
Published: November 2013

Many superconductors have been developed by inducing charge carriers into a mother insulator compound. Chemical substitution of impurity atoms is usually used for inducing charge carriers, and this method is called “chemical doping”. Another method to tune charge carrier density is the electric field effect, which is widely utilized as a field-effect transistor. Here, we review recent progress in an electric field-effect study for developing a new oxide superconductor with an organic electrolyte gate. We first present a device configuration of an electric double layer transistor with oxide semiconductors, SrTiO3 and KTaO3. We then present the electrochemical interface properties and room-temperature device characteristics with various electrolytes. Finally, we present the superconductivity emerging at an organic/oxide interface, and discuss the phase diagram of electric-field-induced superconductors by comparing with superconductors obtained by chemical doping.
State Transition of a Defect Causing Random-Telegraph-Noise Fluctuation in Stress-Induced Leakage Current of Thin SiO2 Films in a Metal–Oxide–Silicon Structure
Authors: Ishida Takeshi , Tega Naoki , Mori Yuki , Miki Hiroshi , Mine Toshiyuki , Kume Hitoshi , Torii Kazuyoshi , Yamada Ren-ichi , Shiraishi Kenji
Published: November 2013

Dynamic fluctuation in stress-induced leakage current – called “variable stress-induced leakage current” – in a gate oxide of a metal–oxide–semiconductor structure was investigated. Variable stress-induced leakage current is attributed to random telegraph noise, which is associated with the state-transition of a single defect. To analyze the mechanism of the state-transition, dependence of state-transition probabilities on gate current and on temperature were investigated. These dependences indicate that the state-transition mechanism is a defect-structure transition by charge collision.
β-Ga2O3 Single Crystal as a Photoelectrode for Water Splitting
Authors: Oshima Takayoshi , Kaminaga Kenichi , Mashiko Hisanori , Mukai Akira , Sasaki Kohei , Masui Takekazu , Kuramata Akito , Yamakoshi Shigenobu , Ohtomo Akira
Published: November 2013

We report the photoelectrode properties of an n-type β-Ga2O3 single crystal in aqueous solutions. The conduction and valence band-edge potentials were found to be 1.1 V higher and 2.5 V lower than the H+/H2 and O2/H2O redox potentials, respectively. Photocurrent drastically increased as photogenerated carriers were excited at a photon energy higher than the fundamental absorption edge of 4.7 eV. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency was 36% at 5.2 eV. Gaseous oxygen and hydrogen evolved from the photoelectrode and Pt counter electrode, respectively. The stoichiometric water splitting was demonstrated by applying an external bias of 1 V.
Raman Evidence for Ba-Site Ce3+ in BaTiO3
Authors: Lu Da-Yong , Han Dan-Dan , Sun Xiu-Yun , Zhuang Xu-Li , Zhang Ya-Fei
Published: November 2013

To obtain evidence of the existence of Ce3+ at Ba sites in BaTiO3, the nominal (Ba1-x
Ce
x
)Ti1-x/4O3 (BCT) and Ba(Ti1-x
Ce
x
)O3 (BTC) ceramics prepared under different conditions were investigated by Raman spectroscopy. A band at ∼840 cm-1 that appears in all BCT samples is evidence of the existence of Ce3+ at Ba sites in the BaTiO3 lattice. For BTC, Raman scattering experiments give convincing evidence that a small number of Ce ions inevitably enter Ba sites as Ce3+, which can be expressed by (Ba,Ceδ)(Ti,Ce
x-δ)O3, where δ≈2 ‰.
Investigation of TiO2 Surface Modification with [6,6]-Phenyl-C61-butyric Acid for Titania/Polymer Hybrid Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Teng , Zhang Jinyu , Kojima Ryota , Tadaki Daisuke , Kimura Yasuo , Niwano Michio
Published: November 2013

We have investigated modification of TiO2 surfaces with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid (PCBA) used for fabrication of TiO2/poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) hybrid solar cells. The surface modification process was monitored using in-situ infrared absorption spectroscopy in the multiple-internal reflection geometry (MIR-IRAS). IR data showed that longer exposure of TiO2 surfaces to an organic solution of PCBA leads to undesirable formation of a physisorbed PCBA overlayer that cannot be removed by rinsing the surface in pure solvent. We found that ultrasonic cleaning of the TiO2 surface removed most of the physisorbed PCBA molecules. Modification of TiO2 surfaces with PCBA molecules drastically increased the short circuit current of TiO2/P3HT-based hybrid solar cells, which is ascribed to improved charge separation efficiency at the TiO2/P3HT interface. The physisorbed PCBA molecules decreased the open circuit voltage and the fill factor. We demonstrated that the power conversion efficiency is improved by ultrasonic cleaning following PCBA deposition.
Contactless Characterization of a Si Wafer with Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy Using a Continuous-Wave Multimode Laser Diode
Authors: Morikawa Osamu , Fujita Masami , Hangyo Masanori
Published: November 2013

We demonstrate that the carrier density, scattering time, and wafer thickness of a doped Si wafer can be determined independently by measurement using a sub-THz spectroscopic system with an inexpensive continuous-wave multimode laser diode instead of a femtosecond laser. Because the THz signal spectrum of this system is almost discrete, we propose an improved algorithm for extracting these parameters from experimental data. We also demonstrate the two-dimensional imaging of the carrier-density distribution in the Si wafer.
High Performance Printed Ultraviolet-Sensors Based on Indium–Tin-Oxide Nanocrystals
Authors: Koo Jieun , Park Seunghwan , Lee Woong , Cho Youngji , Lee Hyojong , Lee Sangtae , Chang Jiho
Published: November 2013

A UV sensor was fabricated by screen printing indium–tin-oxide (ITO) nanocrystals on to quart glass. The initial printed ITO layer showed a resistivity too high for sensing applications, but considerable improvements were achieved through annealing under external pressure. The effects of this pressurized annealing were investigated using a commercial ITO film. The annealing aided the development of low-resistivity ITO through the repression of complex defects. The feasibility of the ITO sensor was confirmed through annealing coil-shaped ITO sensors under different conditions. Pressurized annealing greatly enhanced the output signal intensity under similar UV illumination conditions.
Negative Resistance and Memory Effects in TlInSeS Single Crystals
Authors: Garni Sabah Al
Published: November 2013

Investigation of the switching phenomenon in TlInSeS single crystals revealed that its behaviour is typical of a memory switch. The switching process occurs symmetrically which, means it takes place with both polarities on the crystal. The current–voltage characteristics (CVC) of symmetrical Ag–TlInSeS–Ag structures exhibit two distinct regions: a high-resistance OFF-state and a low-resistance ON-state that has negative differential resistance (NDR). TlInSeS is a quaternary semiconductor that exhibits S-type CVC. The experimental results indicate that the switching phenomenon in our sample is very sensitive to temperature, illumination dose, and sample thickness. The switching parameters were observed under various ambient conditions. The present study is the first investigation of the switching phenomenon in TlInSeS. The data are presented alongside full theoretical curves that are drawn as guides for the eye.
Atomic Layer Deposition of SiO2 for the Performance Enhancement of Fin Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Endo Kazuhiko , Ishikawa Yuki , Matsukawa Takashi , Liu Yongxun , O'uchi Shin-ichi , Sakamoto Kunihiro , Tsukada Junichi , Yamauchi Hiromi , Masahara Meishoku
Published: November 2013

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of SiO2 by using a tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or a bis(ethylmethylamino)silane (BEMAS) have been studied for the side-wall spacer formation of the fin field effect transistor (FinFET). The ALD-SiO2 can be deposited conformally at 50 °C for the TEOS and at 250 °C for the BEMAS precursor. As a result, FinFETs with a 25-nm-long extension of the source/drain using the ALD grown SiO2 sidewall spacer have been successfully fabricated. The performance of the FinFET has been successfully improved by reduction of the parasitic resistance.
10 Gbps Operation of Top Air-Clad Lateral Junction Waveguide-Type Photodiodes
Authors: Shindo Takahiko , Koguchi Takayuki , Futami Mitsuaki , Doi Kyouhei , Yamahara Yoshiyuki , Lee Jieun , Amemiya Tomohiro , Nishiyama Nobuhiko , Arai Shigehisa
Published: November 2013

Toward on-chip photonic integrated circuits (PICs) based on a membrane structure, a lateral junction waveguide-type photodiode fabricated on semi-insulating (SI-) InP substrate was successfully demonstrated. A responsivity of 0.39 A/W was obtained by adopting a bulk GaInAs absorption layer. In addition, a narrow stripe width of 0.85 µm was chosen for the realization of high-speed operation. As a result, a 3 dB bandwidth of 8.8 GHz at a bias voltage of -2 V was attained for a device length of 380 µm, and a clear eye opening was obtained up to 10 Gbps.
Evidence of a weakly absorbing intermediate mode of aerosols in AERONET data from Saharan and Sahelian sites
Authors: Gianelli Scott M. , Lacis Andrew A. , Carlson Barbara E. , Hameed Sultan
Published: November 2013

Accurate retrievals of aerosol size distribution are necessary to estimate aerosols' impact on climate and human health. The inversions of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) usually retrieve bimodal distributions. However, when the inversion is applied to Saharan and Sahelian dust, an additional mode of intermediate size between the coarse and fine modes is sometimes seen. This mode explains peculiarities in the behavior of the Ångström exponent, along with the fine mode fraction retrieved using the spectral deconvolution algorithm, observed in a March 2006 dust storm. For this study, 15 AERONET sites in northern Africa and on the Atlantic are examined to determine the frequency and properties of the intermediate mode. The mode is observed most frequently at Ilorin in Nigeria. It is also observed at Capo Verde and multiple sites located within the Sahel but much less frequently at sites in the northern Sahara and the Canary Islands. The presence of the intermediate mode coincides with increases in Ångström exponent, fine mode fraction, single‐scattering albedo, and to a lesser extent percent sphericity. The Ångström exponent decreases with increasing optical depth at most sites when the intermediate mode is present, but the fine mode fraction does not. Single‐scattering albedo does not steadily decrease with fine mode fraction when the intermediate mode is present, as it does in typical mixtures of dust and biomass‐burning aerosols. Continued investigation is needed to further define the intermediate mode's properties, determine why it differs from most Saharan dust, and identify its climate and health effects.
Rocket‐and‐wire triggered lightning in 2012 tropical storm Debby in the absence of natural lightning
Authors: Pilkey J. T. , Uman M. A. , Hill J. D. , Ngin T. , Gamerota W. R. , Jordan D. M. , Rison W. , Krehbiel P. R. , Edens H. E. , Biggerstaff M. I. , Hyland P.
Published: November 2013

Lightning Mapping Array source locations, channel base currents, and electric field waveforms are presented for a lightning flash triggered in the rainbands of 2012 tropical storm Debby. The National Lightning Detection Network reported no natural cloud‐to‐ground discharges within 60 km of the North Florida triggering site for at least 20 h before and 8 h after the triggered flash. Additionally, local electric field mill and wideband antenna networks show no close cloud or cloud‐to‐ground flashes. The triggering rocket was launched with negative charge overhead producing an electric field at the ground of 5 kV m−1 and in coordination with X‐band, dual‐polarimetric radar observations of streamers of enhanced precipitation descending from the melting level as they approached the site. The Debby flash consisted of an initial stage (IS) followed by eleven leader/return stroke sequences. The flash exhibited all the processes of normal triggered and natural cloud‐to‐ground lightning: leader/return stroke sequences, continuing currents, K events, and M components. Additionally, the flash exhibited several exceptional characteristics: three return stroke peak currents greater than 25 kA, one very long, 352 ms, continuing current that transferred about 35 C of charge to ground, and a relatively short, 202 ms, IS containing no initial continuous current pulses. Following a near‐vertical upward positive leader attaining 2.8 km height, the IS branched and propagated horizontally at 3.5 km altitude. The flash, exhibiting strokes and continuing current, then ascended to and propagated horizontally at 5.5 km, extending about 25 km south and 15 km east. The 0°C level was near 4.5 km above sea level. It follows from the above that clouds that are not producing natural lightning can represent a triggered lightning hazard to launch vehicles and aircraft.
Serial clustering of extratropical cyclones over the North Atlantic and Europe under recent and future climate conditions
Authors: Pinto Joaquim G. , Bellenbaum Nina , Karremann Melanie K. , Della‐Marta Paul M.
Published: November 2013

Under particular large‐scale atmospheric conditions, several windstorms may affect Europe within a short time period. The occurrence of such cyclone families leads to large socioeconomic impacts and cumulative losses. The serial clustering of windstorms is analyzed for the North Atlantic/western Europe. Clustering is quantified as the dispersion (ratio variance/mean) of cyclone passages over a certain area. Dispersion statistics are derived for three reanalysis data sets and a 20‐run European Centre Hamburg Version 5 /Max Planck Institute Version–Ocean Model Version 1 global climate model (ECHAM5/MPI‐OM1 GCM) ensemble. The dependence of the seriality on cyclone intensity is analyzed. Confirming previous studies, serial clustering is identified in reanalysis data sets primarily on both flanks and downstream regions of the North Atlantic storm track. This pattern is a robust feature in the reanalysis data sets. For the whole area, extreme cyclones cluster more than nonextreme cyclones. The ECHAM5/MPI‐OM1 GCM is generally able to reproduce the spatial patterns of clustering under recent climate conditions, but some biases are identified. Under future climate conditions (A1B scenario), the GCM ensemble indicates that serial clustering may decrease over the North Atlantic storm track area and parts of western Europe. This decrease is associated with an extension of the polar jet toward Europe, which implies a tendency to a more regular occurrence of cyclones over parts of the North Atlantic Basin poleward of 50°N and western Europe. An increase of clustering of cyclones is projected south of Newfoundland. The detected shifts imply a change in the risk of occurrence of cumulative events over Europe under future climate conditions.
BaMgF4: An Ultra‐Transparent Two‐Dimensional Nonlinear Photonic Crystal with Strong χ(3) Response in the UV Spectral Region
Authors: Mateos Luis , Ramírez Mariola O. , Carrasco Irene , Molina Pablo , Galisteo‐López Juan F. , Víllora Encarnación G. , de las Heras Carmen , Shimamura Kiyoshi , Lopez Cefe , Bausá Luisa E.
Published: November 2013

Ferroelectric patterning is often used in advanced photonics and optoelectronic devices to increase their operational bandwidth and functionality, providing novel and unique performances. However, the extension of the ferroelectric structures to two‐dimensional geometries is currently limited to very few oxides and phosphates systems, which constrains its current and future applications. Here, careful processing based on e‐beam lithography and poling is employed to fabricate the first example of a two‐dimensional nonlinear photonic crystal in Barium Magnesium Fluoride, BaMgF4, a ferroelectric fluoride crystal with an extraordinary transparency ranging from the deep ultraviolet (≈126 nm) to the mid infrared (≈13 μm). The optical characterization shows the possibility of obtaining simultaneously up to three different Cerenkov‐type second harmonic generation processes distributed in a conical geometry via χ(2)‐quasi‐phase‐matching technique. Additionally, the remarkably high χ(3) nonlinear response of BaMgF4 crystal in the UV spectral region is exploited to demonstrate what is believed to be the highest direct UV‐third harmonic generation conversion efficiency in a solid state system via pure χ(3) nonlinear process. Together, the results highlight the outstanding opportunities offered by nonlinear photonic structures as innovative avenues to manipulate the light generation and control with reliable multifunctional optical character.
25th Anniversary Article: “Cooking Carbon with Salt”: Carbon Materials and Carbonaceous Frameworks from Ionic Liquids and Poly(ionic liquid)s
Authors: Fellinger Tim‐Patrick , Thomas Arne , Yuan Jiayin , Antonietti Markus
Published: November 2013

This review surveys recent work on the use of ionic liquids (ILs) and polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) as precursors to synthesize functional carbon materials. As solvents or educts with negligible vapour pressure, these systems enable simple processing, composition, and structural control of the resulting carbons under rather simple and green synthesis conditions. Recent applications of the resulting nanocarbons across a multitude of fields, such as fuel cells, energy storage in batteries and supercapacitors, catalysis, separation, and sorption materials are highlighted.
Enantioselective Biooxidation of Racemic trans‐Cyclic Vicinal Diols: One‐Pot Synthesis of Both Enantiopure (S,S)‐Cyclic Vicinal Diols and (R)‐α‐Hydroxy Ketones
Authors: Zhang Jiandong , Xu Tingting , Li Zhi
Published: November 2013

Highly regio‐ and enantioselective alcohol dehydrogenases BDHA (2,3‐butanediol dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis BGSC1A1), CDDHPm (cyclic diol dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas medocina TA5), and CDDHRh (cyclic diol dehydrogenase from Rhodococcus sp. Moj‐3449) were discovered for the oxidation of racemic trans‐cyclic vicinal diols. Recombinant Escherichia coli expressing BDHA was engineered as an efficient whole‐cell biocatalyst for the oxidation of (±)‐1,2‐cyclopentanediol, 1,2‐cyclohexanediol, 1,2‐cycloheptane‐diol, and 1,2‐cyclooctanediol, respectively, to give the corresponding (R)‐α‐hydroxy ketones in >99% ee and (S,S)‐cyclic diols in >99% ee at 50% conversion in one pot. Escherichia coli (BDHA‐LDH) co‐expressing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for intracellular regeneration of NAD+ catalyzed the regio‐ and enantioselective oxidation of (±)‐1,2‐dihydroxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalene to produce the corresponding (R)‐α‐hydroxy ketone in >99% ee and (S,S)‐cyclic diol in 96% ee at 49% conversion. Preparative biotransformations were also demonstrated. Thus, a novel and useful method for the one‐pot synthesis of both vicinal diols and α‐hydroxy ketones in high ee was developed via highly regio‐ and enantioselective oxidations of the racemic vicinal diols.

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