bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unterwegs in der Schweiz – von Menschen, Mäusen und Zecken
Authors: Schmid Sabine , Aliyev Eldar , Engler Olivier , Mütsch Margot
Published: June 2013

In der Schweiz sind durch Zecken übertragbare Infektionen endemisch. Am häufigsten wird die Borreliose diagnostiziert, gefolgt von der durch Impfung verhütbaren Frühsommer-Meningoenzephalitis (FSME) und seltener Anaplasmose, Rickettsiosen und anderen Erkrankungen, wie der Babesiose. Zur Prävention werden beim Wandern in Endemiegebieten und abseits der Wege, den Haltern von Hunden oder Katzen und für Waldarbeiter, Orientierungsläufer, Förster, Bauern, Rekruten und Kinder (mit Insektiziden imprägnierte) helle, geschlossene Kleidung und Schuhe empfohlen. Nach einem Waldaufenthalt sollen Körper und Kleidung auf Zecken untersucht und diese sofort entfernt werden. Bei Auftreten von Fieber und/oder eines Erythema migrans soll ein Arzt aufgesucht werden. Durch Mäuse übertragene Hantavirus-Infektionen: Von den europäischen Hantaviren ist bei uns die Seroprävalenz für Puumala-Viren am höchsten. Puumala-Viren werden durch infizierte, asymptomatische Rötelmäuse ausgeschieden und weiterverbreitet. Sie können die Nephropathia epidemica auslösen, welche mit hohem Fieber, Kopfschmerzen, Abdominal-, Flanken- oder Rückenschmerzen und einem akuten, reversiblen Nierenversagen mit initial Oligurie einhergeht. In Deutschland traten in den vergangenen Jahren in 2 – 3-Jahreszyklen regionale Epidemien auf mit einer geschätzten, durchschnittlichen Inzidenz für 2012 von 2.7 Fällen/100'000 Einwohnern. Einzelne Epidemieregionen verschieben sich weiter südlich, Richtung Schweiz. Campieren und das Reinigen von Wald-, Garten- oder Lagerhütten gelten in Endemiegebieten als Risikoaktivitäten, da Exkremente von Nagerinfestationen aufgewirbelt und eingeatmet werden können. Ärzte sollten bei der entsprechenden Kombination von Symptomen und Risikosituation an Puumalavirus-Infektionen denken.
Entwicklung eines evidenzbasierten Selbstmanagementprogramms für Patient(inn)en im ersten Jahr nach Nierentransplantation mit Fokus auf die Prävention von Gewichtzunahme, Bewegung und Medikamentenadhärenz
Authors: Schmid-Mohler Gabriela , Fehr Thomas , Witschi Patrick , Albiez Thomas , Biotti Beatrice , Spirig Rebecca
Published: June 2013

Patient(inn)en sind im ersten Jahr nach einer Nierentransplantation herausgefordert, neue Verhaltensweisen in ihrem Alltag umzusetzen. Da sie ein höheres Risiko für kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen haben, sind Verhaltensweisen wie die Prävention unerwünschter Gewichtszunahme sowie die Bewegung, das Nichtrauchen und die korrekte Medikamenteneinnahme besonders bedeutsam. Ziel des Projekts war, ein evidenzbasiertes Programm zu entwickeln, das die Selbstmanagementfähigkeit dieser Patient(inn)engruppe effektiv fördern kann. Dazu wählten wir einen partizipativen Aktionsforschungsansatz. Das Programm wurde interprofessionell unter der Leitung einer Advanced Practice Nurse erarbeitet. Als theoretische Basis für die Interventionsentwicklung wurden Modelle der Verhaltensveränderung und des Selbstmanagements gewählt. Das Programm basiert auf aktueller Literatur und integriert die Sichtweisen von Patient(inn)en und Fachexpert(inn)en. Es besteht aus drei Elementen: 1) Edukationsbroschüren, welche interprofessionell entwickelt sowie pilotevaluiert wurden und den Inhalt der Pflegesprechstunde bilden. 2) Pflegesprechstunden, in denen sich Patient(inn)en relevantes Wissen aneignen und dabei unterstützt werden, ihr neu erlerntes Gesundheitsverhalten nachhaltig im Alltag umzusetzen. 3) Peerprogramm, das Patient(inn)en ermutigt, den Abweichungen im Gesundheitsverhalten mithilfe von Handlungsplänen zu begegnen. Die Evaluation des Programms startete im Mai 2012. Ergebnisse der Pilottestung sind 2014 zu erwarten.
Antikonzeption – Wo der Ultraschall massgeblich unterstützt
Authors: Bajka Michael
Published: June 2013

Die Sonographie hat in der Unterstützung der Antikonzeption schon längst einen festen Platz eingenommen. Das wohl beste Beispiel dafür ist die Lagebeurteilung eines IUD mit der Transvaginalsonographie. Die Sonographie bringt heute aber weit mehr Komfort und Sicherheit in die Verhütung. So hilft z. B. eine transabdominalsonographisch geführte Spiralen-Einlage bei gut gefüllter Blase Perforationen zu vermeiden, aber auch der Patientin unnötige Schmerzen zu ersparen. Auch kann die IUD-Extraktion mit einer IUD-Fasszange bei nicht mehr sichtbaren Fäden durch die transabdominalsonographische Führung bis hoch ins Kavum ermöglicht werden. Weiter kann ein in die Subkutis eingebrachtes Verhütungsstäbchen, wenn es nicht mehr tastbar sein sollte, mittels Ultraschall meist exakt lokalisiert und auch dessen Extraktion in Lokalanästhesie sonographisch geleitet werden.
Die fokalen Nierenveränderungen
Authors: Tuma Jan
Published: June 2013

Die fokalen Nierenveränderungen sind insgesamt häufig. Am häufigsten kommen sogenannte Parenchymzapfen oder Columna Bertini-Hypertrophien sowie einfache Nierenzysten vor. Die Aufgabe der Sonographie in der Praxis ist es, diese Parenchymzapfen von echten Nierentumoren sowie einfache Nierenzysten von komplexen zu unterscheiden. Die Differenzierung der komplexen Nierenzysten ist mit Hilfe der Echokontrastsonographie CEUS (contrast enhanced ultrasound) sowie weiteren Bildgebungsverfahren wie Computertomographie (CT) oder Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) möglich. Der CEUS-Kontrastmittel hat hier gegenüber CT und MRT klare Vorteile. Er besteht aus Gasblasen, die nur etwas kleiner als Erythrozyten sind und verbleibt ausschliesslich intravaskulär, während die CT- und MRT-Kontrastmittel ins Interstitium diffundieren. Die echten Tumore können von gewissen fokalen nicht tumorösen Veränderungen anhand der Sonographie und Klinik differenziert werden. Die weitere Ausdifferenzierung der einzelnen Nierentumoren und Metastasen ist mit Hilfe der Sonographie, MRT, CT sowie CEUS nur zum Teil möglich. In allen unsicheren oder unklaren Fällen ist daher eine offene oder ultraschallgezielte Biopsie sinnvoll.
Vulnerabilities in a School-Based Conduct Disorder Sample as Identified by the Rorschach and PCL: YV
Authors: Talkington Vanessa , Hughes Tammy L. , Gacono Carl B.
Published: June 2013

This study provides Rorschach Inkblot Method (RIM) and Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV) descriptive data for a sample (N = 63) of conduct-disordered (CD) male adolescents in an alternative education school setting. The research is based upon the doctoral dissertation completed by Talkington in 2009. Results indicate that, while the Rorschach protocols of these youth accurately reflect the cognitive and emotional impoverishment of the group (IQ = M = 76.79; R = M = 16.34; Lambda = M = 1.13), their constriction makes them less useful for differentiation based on psychopathy level. Implications for treatment according to the emotional, social, and cognitive functioning of this population, and as related to the practice of school psychologists, are presented.
Nonvolatile liquid anthracenes for facile full-colour luminescence tuning at single blue-light excitation
Authors: Babu Sukumaran Santhosh , Hollamby Martin J. , Aimi Junko , Ozawa Hiroaki , Saeki Akinori , Seki Shu , Kobayashi Kenji , Hagiwara Keita , Yoshizawa Michito , Möhwald Helmuth , Nakanishi Takashi
Published: June 2013

Nonvolatile room-temperature luminescent molecular liquids are a new generation of organic soft materials. They possess high stability, versatile optical properties, solvent-free fluid behaviour and can effectively accommodate dopant dye molecules. Here we introduce an approach to optimize anthracene-based liquid materials, focussing on enhanced stability, fluorescence quantum yield, colour tunability and processability, with a view to flexible electronic applications. Enveloping the anthracene core in low-viscosity branched aliphatic chains results in stable, nonvolatile, emissive liquid materials. Up to 96% efficient energy-transfer-assisted tunable emission is achieved by doping a minute amount of acceptor dye in the solvent-free state. Furthermore, we use a thermoresponsive dopant to impart thermally controllable luminescence colours. The introduced strategy leading to diverse luminescence colours at a single blue-light excitation can be an innovative replacement for currently used luminescent materials, providing useful continuous emissive layers in developing foldable devices.
NLOS error mitigation algorithm for location based on WCDMA experimental data
Authors: Wang Jianhui , Hu Hanying , Wang Daming , Cui Weijia
Published: June 2013

The study suggests a new non‐line of sight (NLOS) error mitigation algorithm based on Kalman filter and neural network. According to the construction features of the former and the statistic characteristics of the latter, the study theoretically deduces the condition to obtain the unbiased estimation of the true value of TOA, and then the study fixes on the state transition matrix of Kalman filter with neural network in different environment. The simulation results based on wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) experimental data show that the location performance is improved with better estimation accuracy and robustness.
Non‐square rate‐one space–time block codes for LTE‐advanced systems with optimised coding gain
Authors: Ranjbar Sam , Vakily Vahid Tabataba
Published: June 2013

Alamouti code is an excellent option for a two‐transmitter and one‐receiver network owing to its optimal performance and low detection complexity. Unfortunately, with the requirement of odd number of time slots in the frame structure for data transmission of long‐term evolution (LTE)‐advanced systems, this scheme is not applicable to such systems. In this correspondence, three new space–time block codes (STBCs) are proposed for LTE‐advanced systems with two transmit antennas and a receive antenna with three‐time‐slots. The proposed designs achieve rate of one symbol per channel use and full transmission diversity. The main objective of designing the first and second codewords is to improve the coding gain of STBCs with three time slots. These STBCs are constructed using real rotation of quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) information symbols in three dimensions. As will be seen later, the idea of real rotation of transmitted symbols using orthogonal matrices allows a decrease in the number of unknown parameters to be determined in order to maximise the coding gain. Using real rotation to encode the transmitted symbols, a new scheme is obtained which has the same minimum determinant (MD) as Alamouti code for 4, 16 and 64‐QAM signal constellations. In designing the last codeword, the authors attempt to reduce the maximum‐likelihood decoding complexity by decoupling detection of one encoded symbol from others. The simulation results confirm an improved performance of new schemes as compared to recently proposed codes.
Collaborative radio resource allocation for the downlink of multi‐cell multi‐carrier systems
Authors: Jalili Bahareh , Dianati Mehrdad , Evans Barry G. , Moessner Klaus
Published: June 2013

This study investigates collaboration among neighbouring base stations for the downlink of multi‐carrier cellular networks, in the absence of a centralised control unit, which is a defining characteristic of future wireless networks. The authors propose a novel scheme for collaboration in resource allocation among a cluster of three neighbouring base stations. In this scheme, the results of an initial calculation are shared among neighbouring cells, then the scheduling decision is made locally and independently by each cell. This scheme does not require complex and iterative calculation. The information is exchanged only once during each scheduling epoch, which results in reduced overhead on the backhaul links. The scheme is implemented in a distributed manner. Simulation‐based performance analysis demonstrates effectiveness of the proposed collaborative resource allocation scheme among the neighbouring base stations for multi‐carrier systems, particularly for the users located near the cell edges.
Accumulate rateless codes and their performances over additive white Gaussian noise channel
Authors: Chen Shaolei , Zhang Zhaoyang , Zhu Liangliang , Wu Kedi , Chen Xiaoming
Published: June 2013

In this study, the authors propose a new class of rateless codes applicable to noisy channels, that is, the so‐called accumulate rateless (AR) codes, which concatenate the low density generator matrix (LDGM) rateless code with a simple post‐code, that is, a post‐position accumulator. The new coding structure is not only effective in reducing the ‘error floor’ as observed in traditional LDGM rateless codes such as Luby transform (LT) codes, but also quite simple for realisation as compared with the rateless codes using a pre‐coding structure such as Raptor codes. The extrinsic information transfer charts and the corresponding projection of intersectant curves for both the systematic and non‐systematic AR codes are analysed. Based on these, their convergence performance and optimal degree distributions are investigated. Simulation results show that, the performance of AR codes over additive white Gaussian noise channel is comparable to that of Raptor codes.
Uncertainty associated with form assessment in coordinate metrology
Authors: Forbes A.B.
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we describe techniques for evaluating the uncertainties associated with the assessment of form error, i.e., the departure from ideal geometry of a manufactured part, in coordinate metrology. The techniques take into account measurement uncertainty, sampling effects due to the fact that the form error is determined from a finite set of coordinate data points, and the spatial correlation of the form errors. The techniques are designed to be practical, without the need for complex computation.
The putative liquid-liquid transition is a liquid-solid transition in atomistic models of water. II
Authors: Limmer David T. , Chandler David
Published: June 2013

This paper extends our earlier studies of free energy functions of density and crystalline order parameters for models of supercooled water, which allows us to examine the possibility of two distinct metastable liquid phases [D. T. Limmer and D. Chandler, J. Chem. Phys. 135, 134503 (2011)10.1063/1.3643333 and preprint arXiv:1107.0337 (2011)]. Low-temperature reversible free energy surfaces of several different atomistic models are computed: mW water, TIP4P/2005 water, Stillinger-Weber silicon, and ST2 water, the last of these comparing three different treatments of long-ranged forces. In each case, we show that there is one stable or metastable liquid phase, and there is an ice-like crystal phase. The time scales for crystallization in these systems far exceed those of structural relaxation in the supercooled metastable liquid. We show how this wide separation in time scales produces an illusion of a low-temperature liquid-liquid transition. The phenomenon suggesting metastability of two distinct liquid phases is actually coarsening of the ordered ice-like phase, which we elucidate using both analytical theory and computer simulation. For the latter, we describe robust methods for computing reversible free energy surfaces, and we consider effects of electrostatic boundary conditions. We show that sensible alterations of models and boundary conditions produce no qualitative changes in low-temperature phase behaviors of these systems, only marginal changes in equations of state. On the other hand, we show that altering sampling time scales can produce large and qualitative non-equilibrium effects. Recent reports of evidence of a liquid-liquid critical point in computer simulations of supercooled water are considered in this light.
Improvement in the modelling of a half-wave Cockroft-Walton voltage multiplier
Authors: Maennel Christian G. H.
Published: June 2013

Formulae giving the voltage drop of a Cockroft-Walton voltage multiplier are derived using a thorough analysis of the circuit. They differ from standard formulae found in the literature. We show that these new analytical expressions give improved results compared to both numerical simulations and experimental data.
Atomic orientation following predissociation of the C 3Πg Rydberg state of molecular oxygen
Authors: Gilchrist A. J. , Ritchie G. A. D.
Published: June 2013

(2 + 1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization in combination with time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (TOF-MS) has been used to detect both the O(3P) and O(1D) fragments produced as a result of predissociation of the C 3Πg (v = 0) and (v = 1) Rydberg states of O2, accessed via two-photon absorption from the ground X \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$^3\Sigma ^{-}_{g}$\end{document}Σg−3 state. In particular, TOF profiles have been recorded at various fixed two-photon absorption wavelengths within the two bands, with circular polarized probe laser light used to probe the angular momentum orientation of these photofragments. All photofragments are found to display coherent orientation resulting from interference between two possible two-photon absorption pathways. The measured orientation is affected by rotational depolarization due to the long lifetime of the excited C state; once this effect is accounted for the orientation is found to be nearly constant over all dissociation wavelengths. The origin of the coherent orientation is attributed to two-photon absorption to different spin-orbit components of the C state.
Random packing of spheres in Menger sponge
Authors: Cieśla Michał , Barbasz Jakub
Published: June 2013

Random packing of spheres inside fractal collectors of dimension 2 < d < 3 is studied numerically using Random Sequential Adsorption (RSA) algorithm. The paper focuses mainly on the measurement of random packing saturation limit. Additionally, scaling properties of density autocorrelations in the obtained packing are analyzed. The RSA kinetics coefficients are also measured. Obtained results allow to test phenomenological relation between random packing saturation density and collector dimension. Additionally, performed simulations together with previously obtained results confirm that, in general, the known dimensional relations are obeyed by systems having non-integer dimension, at least for d < 3.
Design of a low cost sun tracking controller system for photovoltaic panels
Authors: Kivrak Sinan
Published: June 2013

The two most important parameters in generating electrical energy from photovoltaic panels are the amount of sun radiance and sunshine duration. Because sunshine duration cannot be consistently relied upon, the most important factor is to utilize sun radiance at an optimum level. In the consequence of the experimentally made study and measurements, the capacity of the utilization of sun tracking systems and the capacity to produce electrical energy obtained from photovoltaic panels can be increased by 25%–50%. The decrease of photovoltaic panel sale prices down to $0.5 per watt in the consequence of intense studies over photovoltaic panel seems to have decreased the demand on sun tracking systems with high costs because the manufacturers of photovoltaic panels have heavily made their investments not on tracking systems but on panel production. In order to decrease the costs, to some degree, of sun tracking systems in this study, both the easy setup of the system is performed and the decrease of costs is enabled by improving the tracking system. For this purpose, only two-small photovoltaic panels mounted back-to-back with each other are used to provide the necessary movement for the tracking system. Also, an electronic circuit card design is made for control and system movement. The average cost of the system is accounted to be about $48. Such a kind of sun tracking system provides a considerable advantage of cost compared to currently used systems and the obtained gain is more.
Tuning of silicene-substrate interactions with potassium adsorption
Authors: Friedlein R. , Fleurence A. , Sadowski J. T. , Yamada-Takamura Y.
Published: June 2013

The evolution of the electronic structure and the structural stability of epitaxial silicene on ZrB2(0001) thin films exposed to K atoms has been studied by angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and low-energy electron diffraction. Potassium adsorption leads to charge donation to the silicene lattice, which is accompanied by the partial filling of a formerly unoccupied π* band and by the increasing hybridization between the diboride surface state and the lower branch of the back-folded π band. The results allow an identification of silicene-derived π electronic states and confirm that before K adsorption, the interactions at the silicene-substrate interface are rather weak.
Correlation between magnetic state and bulk modulus of Cr2AlC
Authors: Dahlqvist M. , Alling B. , Rosén J.
Published: June 2013

The effect of magnetism on the bulk modulus (B0) of M2AlC (M = Ti, V, and Cr) has been studied using first principles calculations. We find that it is possible to identify an energetically favorable magnetic Cr2AlC phase without using any adjustable parameter, such as the Hubbard U. Furthermore, we show that an in-plane spin polarized configuration has substantially lower B0 as compared to the non-magnetic model. The existences of local magnetic moments on Cr atoms considerably improve agreement between theory and experiment regarding trends in B0 for M2AlC phases.
Transparent, flexible, and solid-state supercapacitors based on graphene electrodes
Authors: Gao Y. , Zhou Y. S. , Xiong W. , Jiang L. J. , Mahjouri-samani M. , Thirugnanam P. , Huang X. , Wang M. M. , Jiang L. , Lu Y. F.
Published: June 2013

In this study, graphene-based supercapacitors with optical transparency and mechanical flexibility have been achieved using a combination of poly(vinyl alcohol)/phosphoric acid gel electrolyte and graphene electrodes. An optical transmittance of ∼67% in a wavelength range of 500-800 nm and a 92.4% remnant capacitance under a bending angle of 80° have been achieved for the supercapacitors. The decrease in capacitance under bending is ascribed to the buckling of the graphene electrode in compression. The supercapacitors with high optical transparency, electrochemical stability, and mechanical flexibility hold promises for transparent and flexible electronics.
Applicability of 0-1 test for strange nonchaotic attractors
Authors: Gopal R. , Venkatesan A. , Lakshmanan M.
Published: June 2013

We show that the recently introduced 0-1 test can successfully distinguish between strange nonchaotic attractors (SNAs) and periodic/quasiperiodic/chaotic attractors, by suitably choosing the arbitrary parameter associated with the translation variables in terms of the golden mean number which avoids resonance with the quasiperiodic force. We further characterize the transition from quasiperiodic to chaotic motion via SNAs in terms of the 0-1 test. We demonstrate that the test helps to detect different dynamical transitions to SNAs from quasiperiodic attractor or the transitions from SNAs to chaos. We illustrate the performance of the 0-1 test in detecting transitions to SNAs in quasiperiodically forced logistic map, cubic map, and Duffing oscillator.
Grid-connected photovoltaic system based on switched-inductor quasi-Z-source inverter and its low voltage ride-through control strategy
Authors: Sun Bo , Mei Jun , Zheng Jianyong , Deng Kai
Published: June 2013

Compared with traditional Z-source and quasi-Z-source inverter, switched-inductor quasi-Z-source has higher booster multiple, lower capacitance stress, and higher conversion efficiency. Therefore, it is very suitable for grid-connected photovoltaic power generation system. This paper analyzes the voltage boosting theory of the switched-inductor quasi-Z-source inverter which is applied to grid-connected photovoltaic power generation system. For the imbalanced power grid voltage sag situation, this paper puts forward a low voltage ride-through (LVRT) control strategy. System realizes the unity power factor running and has a good LVRT ability under imbalanced power grid voltage sag. At last, the simulation and experimental results are shown to verify the correctness of the control method.
Electrode interface control of the Schottky diode-like behavior in epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 thin films: A critical analysis
Authors: Hrib L. M. , Boni A. G. , Chirila C. , Pasuk I. , Pintilie I. , Pintilie L.
Published: June 2013

Metal-ferroelectric-metal structures based on epitaxial Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 thin films are prepared by pulsed laser deposition on single crystal SrTiO3 substrates ((001) orientation) with buffer SrRuO3 layer as bottom electrode. Pt, Cu, and SrRuO3 are used as top contacts. The current-voltage (I–V) measurements reveal a strong influence of the top electrode interface on the magnitude of the leakage current and the shape of the I–V characteristics. The lowest current values are obtained for top Cu and the highest for top Pt. Diode-like behavior is obtained for top Cu and Pt, but the forward and reverse biases are opposite in sign. Contrary to the case of BiFeO3 layers deposited on the same type of substrates, it was found that the diode-like behavior is not switchable with the polarization reversal although the polarization values are comparable. It is also shown that the metal-ferroelectric-metal (MFM) structure based on Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) can be simulated and modeled as a back-to-back connection of two Schottky diodes. The diode-like behavior of the MFM structure can be induced by a slight asymmetry of the potential barriers at the electrode interfaces behaving as Schottky contacts. The study ends with a critical discussion of the MFM structures based on PZT and BiFeO3 (BFO) layers. It is shown that the switchable diode-like behavior is not uniquely determined by the polarization reversal and is not a general characteristic for MFM structures. Such behavior may be present only if the polarization induced band-bending at the interface is generating an accumulation layer at the interface. This could be possible in BiFeO3 based MFM structures due to the lower band gap compared to Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 thin films.
Enhanced infra-red emission from sub-millimeter microelectromechanical systems micro hotplates via inkjet deposited carbon nanoparticles and fullerenes
Authors: De Luca A. , Cole M. T. , Fasoli A. , Ali S. Z. , Udrea F. , Milne W. I.
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we demonstrate a micro-inkjet printing technique as a reproducible post-process for the deposition of carbon nanoparticles and fullerene adlayers onto fully CMOS compatible micro-electro-mechanical silicon-on-insulator infrared (IR) light sources to enhance their infrared emission. We show experimentally a significant increase in the infrared emission efficiency of the coated emitters. We numerically validate these findings with models suggesting a dominant performance increase for wavelengths <5.5 μm. Here, the bimodal size distribution in the diameter of the carbon nanoparticles, relative to the fullerenes, is an effective mediator towards topologically enhanced emittance of our miniaturised emitters. A 90% improvement in IR emission power density has been shown which we have rationalised with an increase in the mean thickness of the deposited carbon nanoparticle adlayer.
Resonant cavity-enhanced quantum-dot infrared photodetectors with sub-wavelength grating mirror
Authors: Wang Chi-Cheng , Lin Sheng-Di
Published: June 2013

We propose and simulate a device structure of resonant cavity-enhanced quantum-dot infrared photodetector (RCE-QDIP). The RCE-QDIP consists of a conventional n-i-n QDIP sandwiched by a bottom GaAs/Al2O3 distributed Bragg reflector and a top mirror of Ge/SiO2 sub-wavelength grating. Aiming for detecting mid-infrared at 8 μm, the total thickness of the device is only ∼7.7 μm. According to our simulation, the external quantum efficiencies of RCE-QDIP could be as high as 59%-78% with the enhancement factors of 7–30, compared with a conventional QDIP. The proposed RCE-QDIP is highly feasible as the various fabrication parameters are considered.
Solution processed metallic nanowire based transparent electrode capped with a multifunctional layer
Authors: Ghosh D. S. , Chen T. L. , Mkhitaryan V. , Formica N. , Pruneri V.
Published: June 2013

Solution processed metallic nanowires (NWs) have been attracting increasing attention because of the effective combination of electrical and optical properties. However, they still suffer from several drawbacks, including large surface roughness, instability against oxidation and moisture, and poor adhesion to the substrate. These factors need to be addressed for the wide-spread use of metallic NWs as transparent electrodes. In this work, we demonstrate that by using a solution processed zinc oxide (ZnO) capping layer, NW films show improved electro-optical properties, adhesion, and mechanical flexibility. In addition, the ZnO film reduces the surface roughness by more than half of its initial value, provides protection against oxidation, coalescence at high temperature, damp-heat conditions, and even extreme chemical environments.
Plasma doping and reduced crystalline damage for conformally doped fin field effect transistors
Authors: Woo Lee Jae , Sasaki Yuichiro , Ju Cho Moon , Togo Mitsuhiro , Boccardi Guillaume , Ritzenthaler Romain , Eneman Geert , Chiarella Thomas , Brus Stephan , Horiguchi Naoto , Groeseneken Guido , Thean Aaron
Published: June 2013

Low frequency noise and hot carrier reliability analysis of the plasma doping scheme are investigated for advanced fin field effect transistor (FinFET) conformal doping. Plasma doping improves device performances and hot carrier reliability for both fin resistors and FinFETs due to the absence of crystalline damage for narrow fins. One decade lower noise level and Coulomb scattering coefficient related to the crystalline damage suppression are observed for the plasma doping compared to the standard ion-implantation.
Alternative strategies for management of feral goats: implications for natural resource management policies in New South Wales rangelands
Authors: Khairo S. A. , Hacker R. B. , Atkinson T. L. , Turnbull G. L.
Published: June 2013

Feral goats (Capra hircus) are increasing in abundance and distribution in the semi-arid and arid rangelands of New South Wales, and elsewhere in the southern rangelands. They present a conundrum for natural resource managers and policy-makers as they can be both an agricultural and environmental pest and an economic resource for landholders. This paper presents an economic analysis of a range of alternative approaches to feral goat management and assesses their implications for natural resource management policies. ‘Opportunistic harvesting’ and ‘value-added’ strategies (the latter involving use of a paddock to increase the liveweight of feral goats before slaughter for meat) returned positive net benefits to landholders, whereas the strategy of ‘no management’ resulted in a negative net benefit if the overall stocking rate was held constant. The erection of goat-proof boundary fencing to enhance production from domestic livestock generated negative net benefits unless increases in stocking rates of domestic livestock could be achieved within the exclusion fencing through improved grazing management. The use of goat-proof fencing to establish an individual paddock for domestic livestock production returned positive net benefit for landholders but also required increases in domestic stocking rate to be competitive with the best feral goat harvesting strategy.
The ‘opportunistic harvesting’ and ‘value added’ strategies are thus likely to be adopted by producers without financial incentive and could result in positive resource conservation outcomes if goat prices encourage harvesting. The ‘no management’ strategy will most likely promote resource degradation and should be discouraged. Strategies involving goat-proof fencing are likely to provide positive net benefits for landholders and achieve positive natural resource outcomes if associated with improved grazing management, and reduced density of feral goats outside the exclusion fencing. It is concluded that resource conservation benefits of feral goat control strategies may be positive, negative, or neutral depending on the management strategy adopted, the extent of goat-proof fencing, and the price of meat from feral goats. It is, therefore, difficult to rely on the commercial harvesting of feral goats to achieve resource conservation objectives. Public funds could be better used to support education and training in grazing management and provide incentives for achievement of measurable natural resource outcomes than to support infrastructure establishment for the harvesting of feral goats on private properties.
The Kalton centralizer on 𝐿_{𝑝}[0,1] is not strictly singular
Authors: de la Fuente Jesús
Published: June 2013

We prove that the Kalton centralizer on

L
p

[
0
,
1
]

L_p[0,1]

, for

0
>
p
>
∞

0>p>\infty

, is not strictly singular: in all cases there is a Hilbert subspace on which it is trivial. Moreover, for

0
>
p
>
2

0>p>2

there are copies of

ℓ
q

\ell _q

, with

p
>
q
>
2

p>q>2

, on which it becomes trivial. This is in contrast to the situation for

ℓ
p

\ell _p

spaces, in which the Kalton-Peck centralizer is strictly singular.
NGS++: a library for rapid prototyping of epigenomics software tools
Authors: Nordell Markovits Alexei , Joly Beauparlant Charles , Toupin Dominique , Wang Shengrui , Droit Arnaud , Gevry Nicolas
Published: June 2013

Motivation: The development of computational tools to enable testing and analysis of high-throughput–sequencing data is essential to modern genomics research. However, although multiple frameworks have been developed to facilitate access to these tools, comparatively little effort has been made at implementing low-level programming libraries to increase the speed and ease of their development.

Results: We propose NGS++, a programming library in C++11 specialized in manipulating both next-generation sequencing (NGS) datasets and genomic information files. This library allows easy integration of new formats and rapid prototyping of new functionalities with a focus on the analysis of genomic regions and features. It offers a powerful, yet versatile and easily extensible interface to read, write and manipulate multiple genomic file formats. By standardizing the internal data structures and presenting a common interface to the data parser, NGS++ offers an effective framework for epigenomics tool development.

Availability: NGS++ was written in C++ using the C++11 standard. It requires minimal efforts to build and is well-documented via a complete docXygen guide, online documentation and tutorials. Source code, tests, code examples and documentation are available via the website at http://www.ngsplusplus.ca and the github repository at https://github.com/NGS-lib/NGSplusplus.

Contact:  nicolas.gevry@usherbrooke.ca or arnaud.droit@crchuq.ulaval.ca
The Anesthesia in Abdominal Aortic Surgery (ABSENT) Study
Authors: Lindholm Espen E. , Aune Erlend , Norén Camilla B. , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Hayes Thomas , Otterstad Jan E. , Kirkeboen Knut A.
Published: June 2013

Background:

On the basis of data indicating that volatile anesthetics induce cardioprotection in cardiac surgery, current guidelines recommend volatile anesthetics for maintenance of general anesthesia during noncardiac surgery in hemodynamic stable patients at risk for perioperative myocardial ischemia. The aim of the current study was to compare increased troponin T (TnT) values in patients receiving sevoflurane-based anesthesia or total intravenous anesthesia in elective abdominal aortic surgery.

Methods:

A prospective, randomized, open, parallel-group trial comparing sevoflurane-based anesthesia (group S) and total intravenous anesthesia (group T) with regard to cardioprotection in 193 patients scheduled for elective abdominal aortic surgery. Increased TnT level on the first postoperative day was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were postoperative complications, nonfatal coronary events and mortality.

Results:

On the first postoperative day increased TnT values (>13 ng/l) were found in 43 (44%) patients in group S versus 41 (43%) in group T (P = 0.999), with no significant differences in TnT levels between the groups at any time point. Although underpowered, the authors found no differences in postoperative complications, nonfatal coronary events or mortality between the groups.

Conclusions:

In elective abdominal aortic surgery sevoflurane-based anesthesia did not reduce myocardial injury, evaluated by TnT release, compared with total intravenous anesthesia. These data indicate that potential cardioprotective effects of volatile anesthetics found in cardiac surgery are less obvious in major vascular surgery.
Surgery at the End of Life
Authors: Barnet Caryn S. , Arriaga Alexander F. , Hepner David L. , Correll Darin J. , Gawande Atul A. , Bader Angela M.
Published: June 2013

Background:

More than a quarter of medical costs for Medicare beneficiaries are incurred in the last year of life; surgical intensity during this time is significant. This study was performed to determine types of operations patients undergo in their terminal year, and compare characteristics of decedents with those of survivors.

Methods:

Population of 747 consecutive all-payer patients seen at the preoperative assessment center of a tertiary care hospital. Patient characteristics were obtained from the electronic medical record. Surgical indication (palliative, curative, diagnostic, elective) was assessed based on procedure performed and underlying diagnosis. Vital status was determined using the electronic medical record with confirmation via social security national death master file. Descriptive statistics were performed to compare patient characteristics and procedures performed on those who died within 1 yr of procedure with those of survivors.

Results:

Thirty-seven patients (5%) were confirmed dead at 1 yr. Ten (27%) of these had palliative procedures, 11 (30%) diagnostic, 14 (38%) curative, and 2 (5%) elective. Decedents were more likely to have undergone a palliative (27 vs. 3%) or diagnostic (30 vs. 14%) procedure and less likely to have undergone an elective procedure (5 vs. 42%) than survivors (P < 0.0001). Nearly half of decedents did not have an advanced directive by the date of surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

Nearly 1 in 20 patients seen at the preoperative assessment clinic of a tertiary care hospital died within 1 yr of their procedure. Patient characteristics and procedure indication for decedents differed from those of survivors. Similar analyses based on institution and region may provide methodologies to compare variation in surgical intensity and assist preoperative care providers in evaluating appropriateness of resource allocation.
Sir Alan Cottrell FREng. 17 July 1919 — 15 February 2012
Authors: Smallman R. E. , Knott J. F.
Published: June 2013

Sir Alan Cottrell was a man who achieved the highest possible distinction in a number of roles relating to science and education. He is rightly regarded as the outstanding physical metallurgist of the twentieth century. His career began at the University of Birmingham, where, first as lecturer, then as professor, he made two major contributions. The first was to relate the properties of metals and alloy systems to their electronic structures and to thermodynamical factors; the second was to relate the mechanical properties of solids to the defects that they contained: point defects such as vacancies and interstitials, and line defects such as dislocations. His work in both these topics proved to be instructional and inspirational for generations to come. He next spent a period at Harwell, making major contributions to the UK’s nuclear reactor programme. He then moved to Cambridge to regenerate a somewhat moribund Department of Metallurgy. His success was such that, through the lines of research that he created and the people that he brought in, the Cambridge Department is now recognized as a world leader. His own research made great advances in the treatment of the brittle fracture of steel.
A drifting Markov process on the circle, with physical applications
Authors: Yeh Shu-Ying , Harris Kenneth D. M. , Jupp Peter E.
Published: June 2013

A discrete-time Markov process for directions in the plane is introduced. The random direction at any time is influenced both by the direction at the preceding time and by a target direction that depends on the current time. The deviations of the directions from their targets have a limiting distribution as time tends to infinity, and asymptotic approximations to the limiting probability density function are given both for the case of weak dependence and for the case of strong dependence. Tests of independence and of independence of increments are presented. Various types of behaviour of the process are illustrated by simulations. Some physical applications, notably concerning the commensurate versus incommensurate nature of solid materials, are discussed. The application of the process is illustrated also by the analysis of some data on semi-diurnal wind directions.
Beyond lifetime reproductive success: the posthumous reproductive dynamics of male Trinidadian guppies
Authors: López-Sepulcre Andrés , Gordon Swanne P. , Paterson Ian G. , Bentzen Paul , Reznick David N.
Published: June 2013

In semelparous populations, dormant germ banks (e.g. seeds) have been proposed as important in maintaining genotypes that are adaptive at different times in fluctuating environments. Such hidden storage of genetic diversity need not be exclusive to dormant banks. Genotype diversity may be preserved in many iteroparous animals through sperm-storage mechanisms in females. This allows males to reproduce posthumously and increase the effective sizes of seemingly female-biased populations. Although long-term sperm storage has been demonstrated in many organisms, the understanding of its importance in the wild is very poor. We here show the prevalence of male posthumous reproduction in wild Trinidadian guppies, through the combination of mark–recapture and pedigree analyses of a multigenerational individual-based dataset. A significant proportion of the reproductive population consisted of dead males, who could conceive up to 10 months after death (the maximum allowed by the length of the dataset), which is more than twice the estimated generation time. Demographic analysis shows that the fecundity of dead males can play an important role in population growth and selection.
Arabidopsis Enhanced Drought Tolerance1/HOMEODOMAIN GLABROUS11 Confers Drought Tolerance in Transgenic Rice without Yield Penalty
Authors: Yu Linhui , Chen Xi , Wang Zhen , Wang Shimei , Wang Yuping , Zhu Qisheng , Li Shigui , Xiang Chengbin
Published: June 2013

Enhancing drought tolerance without yield decrease has been a great challenge in crop improvement. Here, we report the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) homodomain-leucine zipper transcription factor Enhanced Drought Tolerance/HOMEODOMAIN GLABROUS11 (EDT1/HDG11) was able to confer drought tolerance and increase grain yield in transgenic rice (Oryza sativa) plants. The improved drought tolerance was associated with a more extensive root system, reduced stomatal density, and higher water use efficiency. The transgenic rice plants also had higher levels of abscisic acid, proline, soluble sugar, and reactive oxygen species-scavenging enzyme activities during stress treatments. The increased grain yield of the transgenic rice was contributed by improved seed setting, larger panicle, and more tillers as well as increased photosynthetic capacity. Digital gene expression analysis indicated that AtEDT1/HDG11 had a significant influence on gene expression profile in rice, which was consistent with the observed phenotypes of transgenic rice plants. Our study shows that AtEDT1/HDG11 can improve both stress tolerance and grain yield in rice, demonstrating the efficacy of AtEDT1/HDG11 in crop improvement.
Dermatological side‐effects of telaprevir‐based triple therapy for chronic hepatitis C in phase III trials in Japan
Authors: Torii Hideshi , Sueki Hirohiko , Kumada Hiromitsu , Sakurai Yuko , Aoki Keiji , Yamada Ichimaro , OHtsuki Mamitaro
Published: June 2013

Telaprevir‐based triple therapy is highly effective for chronic hepatitis C. However, concern has been expressed over the high frequency and severity of its dermatological side‐effects compared with those associated with peginterferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy. Thus, here, we evaluated the dermatological adverse reactions of telaprevir‐based triple therapy in Japanese multicenter phase III clinical trials in an attempt to characterize the dermatological side‐effects and establish appropriate management plans. In these trials, 126 treatment‐naïve patients and 141 treatment‐failure patients were administrated telaprevir, PEG‐IFN‐α‐2b and RBV for 12 weeks followed by PEG‐IFN‐α‐2b and RBV for another 12 weeks (T12/PR24 group), and 63 treatment‐naïve patients were administrated PEG‐IFN‐α‐2b and RBV for 48 weeks (PR48 group). Dermatological adverse reactions developed in over 80% patients in both groups, and most of them were grade 1 or 2. In the T12/PR24 group, there were more grade 2 or grade 3 events, and the time to onset was earlier than that in the PR48 group. Most reactions could be managed with topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines, and the rates of discontinuation due to dermatological reactions were not high even in the T12/PR24 group. In the T12/PR24 group, however, two cases of Stevens–Johnson syndrome and one case of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, which corresponds to drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome in Japan, were reported. For appropriate treatments of individual dermatological adverse reactions, the judgment of discontinuation of antiviral drugs and treatment based on the severity are extremely important in this triple therapy.
Exploring the influence of breastfeeding on abdominal adiposity in young children using the waist to height ratio
Authors: Nambiar Smita , Truby Helen , Davies Peter S.W.
Published: June 2013

Aim

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the duration of predominant breastfeeding and the waist to height ratio—a validated index of abdominal adiposity.

Methods

Waist to height ratio (waist circumference/height, both in centimetres) and body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m2) ) were collected from 896 children aged 5.00–7.99 years. Mothers of these children reported on early feeding behaviour and indicated their highest level of education attained. The 75th and 95th percentiles were used to define high and very high waist to height ratio. Overweight and obesity defined by body mass index were also included in the analyses.

Results

There were a higher proportion of children ≥75th percentile for waist to height ratio among the never breastfed group compared to breastfed children. This was statistically significant only in females (P = 0.002). Females predominantly breastfed for 4–6 months (P = 0.003) and >12 months (P = 0.006) had significantly lower mean waist to height ratio than those never breastfed. A similar pattern emerged with body mass index. Among males, delaying solids for ≥6 months was associated with significant decreases in waist to height ratio and body mass index. Females were six times more likely to have waist to height ratio ≥95th percentile than children predominantly breastfed for 4–6 months. This was statistically significant. Increasing maternal education was related to breastfeeding duration.

Conclusion

Prevalence of overweight and high abdominal adiposity was significantly greater among females who were never breastfed. Females who were predominantly breastfed for at least 4–6 months had the lowest mean waist to height ratio and body mass index and also the greatest reduction in the risk of very high waist to height ratios.