bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature Dependence of Electrical Characterization in n+ - CdS/ p - CdTe Thin Film Solar Cells – Study of Shallow/Deep Defects
Authors: Kharangarh Poonam Rani , Georgiou George E , Chin Ken K
Published: February 2013

For CdTe there is no real distinction between defects and impurities exists when non-shallow dopants are used. These dopants act as beneficial impurities or detrimental carrier trapping centers. Unlike Si, the common assumption that the trap energy level Et is around the middle of the band-gap Ei, is not valid for thin film CdTe. Trap energy levels in CdTe band-gap can distributed with wide range of energy levels above EF. To identify the real role of traps and dopants that limit the solar cell efficiency, a series of samples were investigated in thin film n+-CdS/p-CdTe solar cell, made with evaporated Cu as a primary back contact. It is well known that process temperatures and defect distribution are highly related. This work investigates these shallow level impurities by using temperature dependent current-voltage (I-V-T) and temperature dependent capacitance-voltage (C-V-T) measurements. I-V-T and C-V-T measurements indicate that a large concentration of defects is located in the depletion region. It further suggests that while modest amounts of Cu enhance the cell performance by improving the back contact to CdTe, the high temperature (greater than ∼100°C) process condition degrade device quality and reduce the solar cell efficiency. This is possibly because of the well-established Cu diffusion from the back contact into CdTe. Hence, measurements were performed at lower temperatures (T = 150K to 350K). The observed traps are due to the thermal ionization of impurity centers located in the depletion region of p-CdTe/n+-CdS junction. For our n+-CdS/p-CdTe thin film solar cells, hole traps were observed that are verified by both the measurement techniques. These levels are identical to the observed trap levels by other characterization techniques.
Micromechanical testing of oxidized grain boundaries in Nickel alloys from nuclear reactors
Authors: Lozano-Perez Sergio , Dugdale Helen , Armstrong David E J , Terachi Takumi , Yamada Takuyo , Tarleton Edmund , Roberts Steve G
Published: February 2013

The fracture behaviour of individual grain boundaries has been studied in order to understand the mechanisms controlling stress corrosion cracking in nuclear reactors. In particular, the role of oxidation in facilitating crack initiation and propagation has been reviewed. Nickel alloys from pressurized water reactors (PWRs) have been tested in simulated primary water conditions to induce grain boundary oxidation. Microcantilevers containing an oxidized grain boundary plane have been prepared and tested for fracture. The brittle nature of the oxide was demonstrated and the required stress to fracture measured.
B Diffusion in Low Energy B/BF2 Implants with Pre-Amorphization of Different Species
Authors: Li Hong-Jyh , Rhoad Todd , Zeitzoff Peter , Tichy Robin , Larson Larry , Banerjee Sanjay
Published: February 2013

The formation of an amorphous layer is needed to prevent channeling effect of B in the subsequent implant and hence, shallower as-implanted and annealed profiles could be expected. B diffusion in the pre-amorphization (PAI) Si has been studied extensively by many research groups and the diffusion has been explained by the interaction of B and defects generated by the PAI and B implant processes. In our previous study, we found that B diffusion can also be affected by the immobile B clustering caused by the incorporated species and therefore, B diffusion in the PAI Si should be expected to be different with different PAI species due to their different effect on the B clustering. In this paper, we reported different B diffusion behavior in bulk Si with respective to different PAI species. The species include GeF2, Ge, F, BF2, and In and the immobile B clustering plays an important role in the B diffusion reduction.
Atomistic Simulations of Effect of Coulombic Interactions on Carrier Fluctuations in Doped Silicon
Authors: Qin Zudian , Dunham Scott T.
Published: February 2013

Carrier distributions associated with point charges in silicon solved with quantum perturbation theory are used to determine Coulombic interactions between charged defects in the presence of carrier screening. The resulting interactions are used in kinetic lattice Monte Carlo (KLMC) simulations of point defect-mediated diffusion to study dopant redistribution and associated variations in carrier concentration. Over a broad range of doping concentrations and temperatures, Coulombic repulsion between like dopants leads to ordering, resulting in a more uniform electrical potential distribution and therefore reduced variations in device performance compared with random doping, the standard condition assumed in previous doping fluctuation analyses.
Dopant Diffusion Simulation in Thin-SOI
Authors: Li Hong-Jyh , Tichy Robin , Ross Jonathon , Gelpey Jeff , Stotts Ben , Galloway Heather
Published: February 2013

As the top Si layer is thinned, the dopants' diffusion in the confined Si layer in SOI wafer with respect to different thermal treatments needs to be better understood. Boron, BF2 with/without Ge pre-amorphization were implanted into bulk Si and SOI wafers with 530 Å Si and 1475A BOX. Samples were annealed using both spike (Impulse) anneal and Flash anneal. Simulations of dopant diffusion is used to resolve apparent differences in dopant profiles that resulted for SOI in contrast with bulk Si samples. Result suggests that the implantation damage difference between SOI and bulk Si makes the B diffusion in SOI higher than in bulk Si.
Indium in silicon: a study on diffusion and electrical activation.
Authors: Scalese S. , Magna A. La , Mannino G. , Privitera V. , Bersani M. , Giubertoni D. , Solmi S. , Pichler P.
Published: February 2013

In this work we investigate the diffusion and the electrical activation of In atoms implanted in silicon with different energies, in the range 80-360 keV, after rapid thermal processing. Our investigation shows a clear dependence of In out-diffusion and electrical activation on the implant depth, being the electrically active fraction higher with increasing the implant energy for a fixed dose. The data are explained considering the balance between the local In concentration and the C background inside the silicon substrate and the formation of C-In complexes, which play a role in the enhanced electrical activation due to the shallower level they introduce into the Si band gap (Ev+0.111 eV), with respect to the rather deep level (Ev+0.156 eV) of In alone. In and C co-implantation has also been studied within this work, in order to confirm the key role of C in the increase of the electrical activation. A large increase of the electrical activation has been detected in the co-implanted samples, up to a factor of about 8 after annealing at 900°C. However, C precipitation occurs at 1100°C, with dramatic effects on the carrier concentration.
Silicides for 65 nm CMOS and Beyond
Authors: Kittl Jorge A. , Lauwers Anne , Chamirian Oxana , Dal Mark Van , Akheyar Amal , Richard Olivier , Lisoni Judit G. , Potter Muriel De , Lindsay Richard , Maex Karen
Published: February 2013

An overview of silicide development for the 65 nm node and beyond is presented. The scaling behavior of Co based and Ni based silicides to sub-100 nm junctions and sub-40 nm gate lengths was investigated. Co and Co-Ni silicides required a high thermal budget to achieve low diode leakage. Even for lower thermal budgets, the sheet resistance of Co and Co-Ni silicides increased at gate lengths below 40 nm. NiSi had low sheet resistance down to 30 nm gate lengths exhibiting a reverse linewidth effect (sheet resistance decreased with decreasing linewidth), achieved lower contact resistivity than CoSi2 and lower diode leakage for similar sheet resistance values. Bridging issues cannot be ignored for NiSi, in particular for thicker Ni films, higher RTP temperatures and in the presence of Ti. Material issues for the application of NiSi were also investigated. Ni2Si was found to grow with diffusion limited kinetics in the 225-300°C range, with an activation energy of 1.5 eV. Results of the kinetic studies were used to design a two-step RTP process that limited the silicide thickness on small features by a low thermal budget first RTP step, reducing the reverse linewidth effect and avoiding excessive silicidation. In the presence of an interfacial oxide, undesired epitaxial NiSi2 pyramidal grains grew directly at temperatures as low as 310°C on p+ Si. Thermal stability of NiSi was also investigated. We found that the initial mechanism of degradation for thin NiSi films was agglomeration, with activation energies of 2.5-3 eV. The surface after agglomeration remained quite flat with alternating NiSi and exposed Si areas, while the interface roughened significantly. Thick films also degraded initially by agglomeration at low temperatures, but by transformation to NiSi2 at higher temperatures. The addition of Pt improved thermal stability of NiSi films against agglomeration. The Ni/Si-Ge reaction was also studied, finding that the addition of Ge reduced the thermal process window and resulted in a slightly higher resistivity.
O amor e suas regras em "Sobre Versos de Virgílio"
Authors: Birchal Telma de Souza
Published: February 2013

O presente artigo consiste em uma leitura do capítulo "Sobre versos de Virgílio". A primeira parte compara o amor com a amizade, questionando a tese de que a superioridade da última em relação ao primeiro é afirmada sem reservas por Montaigne. A segunda parte desenvolve uma interpretação do capítulo guiada pelas noções de "regra", "lei", "norma" e seus correlatos e identifica, a partir das diferentes perspectivas com que Montaigne aborda o assunto, três tipos de "regra": as regras dos homens, as do amor e as do próprio autor dos Ensaios. Pretendemos mostrar que, embora fale muito das mulheres, o capítulo é, sobretudo, uma reflexão sobre a condição masculina.
O problema do suicídio em Montaigne
Authors: Vaz Lúcio
Published: February 2013

Nos Ensaios de Montaigne, encontramos um dos mais célebres textos filosóficos sobre a morte voluntária, o capítulo 3 do livro II. Muitos comentadores qualificam o posicionamento de Montaigne como sendo o mesmo de Sêneca e de alguns autores antigos, qual seja, uma defesa da moralidade do ato de se matar. Outros estudiosos detectam no ensaio uma oscilação inconclusa do autor francês sobre o tema. Procuro, em contrapartida, apresentar argumentos que evidenciam que a opinião final de Montaigne é irrestritamente contrária ao suicídio. Para tanto, é feito um mapeamento das várias ocorrências do problema do suicídio no livro que vão além do citado capítulo. Além disso, é ressaltada a distinção entre as camadas de escrita do texto em suas várias edições, contrapondo as inovações de Montaigne aos modelos argumentativos de suas influências clássicas.
Aderência de cursos de graduação em enfermagem às diretrizes curriculares nacionais na perspectiva do sistema único de saúde
Authors: Fernandes Josicelia Dumêt , Silva Rosana Maria de Oliveira , Teixeira Giselle Alves , Florencio Raissa Millena Silva , Silva Lázaro Souza da , Rebouças Lyra Cândida Calhau
Published: February 2013

O estudo objetivou apreender, nas percepções de discentes de cursos de graduação em enfermagem, o registro da coerência didático-pedagógica desses cursos com as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem, na perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Estudo qualitativo, de caráter exploratório descritivo, que teve como cenário quatro cursos de graduação em enfermagem de uma cidade do nordeste do Brasil. Os sujeitos foram discentes que, por meio de entrevistas, indicaram que a articulação entre as instituições formadoras e o SUS se dá no momento da realização das práticas, assim como no ensino dos princípios e diretrizes do SUS, nos componentes curriculares e, ainda, nas atividades desenvolvidas nos projetos de pesquisa e extensão; outros indicaram, também, que não percebem tal articulação no seu processo formativo. O resultado do estudo revelou a necessidade de fortalecimento do processo de formação do enfermeiro nos cenários de práticas na rede de serviços de saúde.
Atendimento da população masculina em unidade básica saúde da família: motivos para a (não) procura
Authors: Vieira Katiucia Letiele Duarte , Gomes Vera Lúcia de Oliveira , Borba Marta Riegert , Costa César Francisco da Silva
Published: February 2013

Estudo exploratório descritivo, que objetivou conhecer os motivos que levam homens a procurar atendimento de saúde e compreender os motivos que os afastam de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde da Família (UBSF) no sul do Brasil. Pela análise dos prontuários, identificaram-se 175 atendimentos a homens entre 25 e 59 anos em 2010. Problemas agudos acometeram 93 (52,2%) usuários, a dor desencadeou 42 (23,6%) dos problemas crônicos, hipertensão arterial acometeu 37 (21,4%) clientes. Com entrevistas apreenderam-se os motivos de afastamento daquela UBSF. Sentiam-se saudáveis, por isso frequentavam pouco o serviço de saúde, ficando dez anos ou mais sem procurá-lo. Além de questões de gênero, alegaram incompatibilidade de horário, medo de detectarem doença grave, número insuficiente de fichas e falta de especialistas. Para atender às peculiaridades da população masculina, é necessário que os profissionais de saúde se capacitem, problematizem a realidade de cada UBSF e, juntamente com os gestores, vislumbrem e operacionalizem estratégias inclusivas de atendimento.
Biossegurança: conhecimento e adesão pelos profissionais do corpo de bombeiros militar de Minas Gerais
Authors: Oliveira Adriana Cristina de , Machado Bruno César Amorim , Gama Camila Sarmento , Garbaccio Juliana Ladeira , Damasceno Quésia Souza
Published: February 2013

Objetivou-se identificar o conhecimento e a adesão às recomendações de biossegurança entre profissionais do Corpo de Bombeiros Militar de Minas Gerais de um município da Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Realizou-se um estudo transversal de abordagem quantitativa. Na coleta de dados foi utilizado um questionário estruturado composto de questões sobre conhecimento e atitudes relativos à biossegurança, fatores dificultadores ao uso de equipamentos de proteção individual e ocorrência de acidentes com material biológico. O conhecimento sobre a higienização das mãos foi verificado em 84,8% dos profissionais; 69,7% desconheciam a ação do álcool a 70%. O capote foi o equipamento de proteção individual mais difícil de ser utilizado. Os militares não sofreram acidente com material biológico, dado semelhante aos demais da literatura. Pretende-se provocar a reflexão dos profissionais da área e instituições responsáveis quanto à reavaliação da proposta relacionada à formação desses trabalhadores em biossegurança e saúde ocupacional.
Nova espécie e novos registros para o Brasil de hifomicetos em folhedo submerso coletados no Parque Municipal Alfredo Volpi, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
Authors: Moreira Carolina Gasch , Schoenlein-Crusius Iracema Helena
Published: February 2013

Durante o estudo da sucessão fúngica em folhas submersas no Parque Municipal Alfredo Volpi, São Paulo, SP, uma nova espécie de Pyramidospora e dois novos registros de Triscelophorus acuminatus Nawawi e Blodgetia indica Subram. foram encontrados, e são descritos e ilustrados pela primeira vez para o Brasil.
Criptógamos do Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo, SP, Brasil: Algas, 33: Chlorophyceae (famílias Palmellaceae, Hormotilaceae e Dictyosphaeriaceae)
Authors: Bicudo Carlos Eduardo de Mattos
Published: February 2013

Levantamento florístico das Palmellaceae, Hormotilaceae e Dictyosphaeriaceae (Chlorophyceae) do Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga, Município e Estado de São Paulo, Brasil sudeste. Foram identificados oito gêneros, nove espécies e uma variedade típica de sua respectiva espécie. Dictyosphaeriaceae foi a família taxonomicamente melhor representada na área, representada por quatro gêneros e seis espécies, seguida por Hormotilacae e Palmellaceae com dois gêneros e duas espécies cada família. Botryococcus e Dictyosphaerium foram os gêneros representados pelo maior número de espécies (2) e Dictyosphaerium pulchellum a espécie que apresentou a maior distribuição geográfica na área do PEFI, ocorrendo em cinco localidades. Dimorphococcus lunatus ocorreu em três localidades, Botryococcus braunii e Sphaerocystis schroeteri em duas e B. protuberans var. protuberans, Hormotilopsis gelatinosa, Westella botryoides, Ecballocystis fritschii, Dictyosphaerium ehrenbergianum Nägeli e Palmella aurantia em uma localidade cada uma.
Recursive Partitioning Analysis for the Prediction of Stereotactic Radiosurgery Brain Metastases Lesion Control
Authors: Rodrigues George , Zindler Jaap , Warner Andrew , Lagerwaard Frank
Published: February 2013

Learning Objectives

Describe the results of a new recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) predicting for SRS lesion control. Discuss the SRS lesion in the light of other literature assessing predictors of lesion control in SRS for brain metastases.

Purpose.

The objective of this investigation was to identify independent pretreatment factors that predict for control of local brain metastases (BM) in a large single-institution series of patients receiving stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Recursive partitioning analysis was used to potentially identify a class of patients with durable lesion control characteristics.

Methods.

A retrospective SRS database containing baseline characteristics, treatment details, and follow-up data of newly diagnosed patients with 1–3 BM (on magnetic resonance imaging) treated with linear accelerator-based SRS was created. Three study endpoints were used: time to progression (primary endpoint, individual lesion progression; n = 536), time to first progression (secondary endpoint, first lesion progression on an individual patient basis; n = 380), and overall survival (secondary endpoint; n = 380). Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was performed to identify predictors of time to progression.

Results.

Multivariable analysis demonstrated that lesion aspect/phenotype and radiotherapy schedule were independent factors associated with both progression outcomes. Presence of tumor necrosis was found to be associated with a significant hazard of progression (hazard ratio >3), whereas use of the most intense radiotherapy fractionation schedule (21 Gy in one fraction) was associated with significant reductions in progression (hazard ratio <0.3). RPA using SRS dose and lesion aspect/phenotype was created and described three distinct prognostic groups.

Conclusions.

RPA of a large retrospective database of patients receiving SRS confirmed previous observations regarding the importance of SRS dose and lesion aspect/phenotype in lesion control and overall survival. The SRS lesion analysis may help to stratify future clinical trials and better define patient care options and prognosis.
Munc18b Is a Major Mediator of Insulin Exocytosis in Rat Pancreatic β-Cells
Authors: Lam Patrick P.L. , Ohno Mitsuyo , Dolai Subhankar , He Yu , Qin Tairan , Liang Tao , Zhu Dan , Kang Youhou , Liu Yunfeng , Kauppi Maria , Xie Li , Wan Wilson C.Y. , Bin Na-Rhum , Sugita Shuzo , Olkkonen Vesa M. , Takahashi Noriko , Kasai Haruo , Gaisano Herbert Y.
Published: February 2013

Sec1/Munc18 proteins facilitate the formation of trans-SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) complexes that mediate fusion of secretory granule (SG) with plasma membrane (PM). The capacity of pancreatic β-cells to exocytose insulin becomes compromised in diabetes. β-Cells express three Munc18 isoforms of which the role of Munc18b is unknown. We found that Munc18b depletion in rat islets disabled SNARE complex formation formed by syntaxin (Syn)-2 and Syn-3. Two-photon imaging analysis revealed in Munc18b-depleted β-cells a 40% reduction in primary exocytosis (SG-PM fusion) and abrogation of almost all sequential SG-SG fusion, together accounting for a 50% reduction in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). In contrast, gain-of-function expression of Munc18b wild-type and, more so, dominant-positive K314L/R315L mutant promoted the assembly of cognate SNARE complexes, which caused potentiation of biphasic GSIS. We found that this was attributed to a more than threefold enhancement of both primary exocytosis and sequential SG-SG fusion, including long-chain fusion (6–8 SGs) not normally (2–3 SG fusion) observed. Thus, Munc18b-mediated exocytosis may be deployed to increase secretory efficiency of SGs in deeper cytosolic layers of β-cells as well as additional primary exocytosis, which may open new avenues of therapy development for diabetes.
Analysis and interpretation of Ibuji spring magnetic anomaly using the Mellin transform
Authors: Ozebo Vitalis , Ogunsanwo Fidelis , Adebayo Gboyega , Adeniran Olusola
Published: February 2013

The Mellin transform is a mathematical tool which has been applied in many areas of Mathematics, Physics and Engineering. Its application in Geophysics is in the computation of solution of potential problems for the determination of the mass as well as the depth to the basement of some solid mineral deposits. In this study, the Mellin transform is used to determine the depth to the top (h) and the depth to the bottom (H) of the basement of a profile of an anomalous magnetic body. Ibuji, the study area is located in Ifedore Local Government area of Ondo state, Nigeria, underlain by Precambrian complex rocks and bounded by geographical co-ordinate of Easting 5°00t’00″ to 5°4t’30″ and Northing 7°24t’00″ to 7°27t’36″. The magnetic anomaly profile due to a two- dimensional body(vertical thin sheet)over magnetic spring of the study area was digitised and the values of magnetic amplitude (nT) with respect to its horizontal distance (say interval of 5 m) obtained from the digitized profile was then used in the computation of Mellin transform using Matlab programs. In order to determine the depths H and h, the amplitudes were considered at three arbitrary point (s = ¼, ½ and ¾) such that, (0 < s < 1), where s is a complex variable of real positive integer. The value obtained for H was 47.95 m, which compared favourably with the result obtained using other methods. Meanwhile, the value obtained for h has a convergence restriction, whereby, at lower values of s, there is divergence, while at higher values of s, (about 0.9), the result converges and h was obtained to be 32.56 m. The Ibuji magnetic anomaly was therefore analysed to have a depth to the bottom (H) of 47.95 m and depth to the top of 32.56 m using this mathematical tool.
Late childhood and adolescence growth sensitivity to political transition: the case of South African Cape Coloured schoolchildren during and post-apartheid
Authors: Bertens Madelief G.B.C. , Ulijaszek Stanley , Kozieł Sławomir , Henneberg Maciej
Published: February 2013

South Africa underwent major social and economic change between 1987 and 1995. The release of Nelson Mandela in February 1990 proclaimed an end to the political system of apartheid, and the first freely elected non-White government in 1994 instigated social and economic reforms aimed at alleviating the consequences of apartheid. This paper aims to examine the impact of these socio-economic and political changes on height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in childhood and late adolescence. An analysis was carried out of longitudinal data of 258 urban and rural South African Cape Coloured schoolchildren (6–18 years old) across the transitional periods from apartheid between 1987 and 1990, to this transition between 1991 and 1993, and finally to post-apartheid between 1994 and 1995. The anthropometric measures were standardized into age independent Z-scores. Analyses of variance with repeated measures were conducted to examine the growth in height, weight and BMI across these periods. The results show a significant main effect of measurement periods on height, weight and BMI Z-scores. Across time, the subjects increased in overall size, height, weight and BMI. For all the anthropometric measures there was a significant interaction effect between measurement period and sex, but none between measurement period and SES. The average increase in height, weight and BMI across time differed significantly for girls and boys, the average z-scores being greater in girls than in boys. For boys, there was little difference in height, weight and BMI Z-scores according to SES, and little increase across periods. Girls were generally taller, heavier with greater BMI than boys, and their scores increased across the time periods. High SES girls were taller, heavier and had higher BMI than low SES girls. Across the measurement periods, BMI and weight somewhat converged between the high and low SES girls. In the discussion these differences reflecting social sex distinctions are addressed.
Fat pattern of athlete and non-athlete girls during puberty
Authors: Pápai Julia , Tróznai Zsófia , Szabó Tamás , Szabó Attila
Published: February 2013

The study focused on the peculiarities of fat accumulation during maturation. The main purpose of the study was trifold: to detect the alterations in fat gain during breast maturation; to examine fat accumulation after physiological maturation and the influence of breast maturation and sport activity on fatness. The subjects were athlete (N=1428) and non-athlete (N=1030) girls. They were grouped by the stages of breast development. Fat accumulation was followed up until four years after menarche. Regional fat distribution was examined on the basis of skinfolds taken at triceps, scapula, abdomen and thigh. Progressing with breast development, body fat percent increased in both groups, though in non-athletes a decrease was found in stage B4. During sexual maturation the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue decreased on the extremities and increased on the trunk. Non-athletes stored more fat on their upper trunk, while athletes did it on their lower trunk. After menarche the differences between athlete and non-athlete girls were preserved. In conclusion it may be stated that during sexual maturation the regional apposition trend of body fat was similar for athletes and non-athletes. The differences emerged in the relative distributions. Athlete girls accumulated proportionally more fat on their lower body, representing better the female-type distribution of body fat than non-athlete girls.
The influence of selected environmental factors on the time of natural menopause in women living in the Małopolskie voivodeship
Authors: Szwejser Ewa , Szostek Krzysztof
Published: February 2013

The main objective of the study is to determine which of the chosen environmental factors and selected groups of such factors alter the time of natural menopause in women living in the Małopolska region. Two hundred and thirty two women aged over 40 years were investigated in a cross-sectional survey in Cracow and the surrounding area. Among them 165 women who had undergone natural menopause and had their last bleeding at least 12 month prior to the interview were chosen. To estimate the age at menopause, a retrospective method was used. Univariate and multivariate methods were employed to estimate association of age at natural menopause with factors of interest. Mean age at natural menopause was 50.32 years (SD=3.82). Among biological and socio-economic factors, only the length of the reproductive period (H=106.07; p=0.000) and the age at the time of the first birth (R=0.18; p=0.020) turned out to be associated with the age at natural menopause in the studied group. The length of the smoking period (R=–0.17; p=0.031), the amount (F=3.25; p=0.04) and frequency of alcohol consumed (H=6.95; p=0.031) were the environmental factors related to the time of menopause. Women who drank more and smoked over longer period of time were likely to experience menopause earlier than their less drinking and shorter smoked counterparts. Three factors taken together, frequency of smoking, alcoholic intake and the age the tobacco addiction started (F=3.87; p=0.050), as well as the consumption of strong alcoholic drinks and the early start of tobacco addiction (F=2.85; p=0.026) were significantly related to the occurrence of natural menopause.
Longitudinal BMI percentile curves by maturity status of Japanese children
Authors: Mino Tsutomu , Malina Robert M. , Nariyama Koichi
Published: February 2013

The objective of the research was to prepare longitudinal percentile curves for the BMI (kg/m2) relative to time before and after peak height velocity (PHV) in Japanese boys and girls born between 1989 and 1991. Stature and weight were measured in every April from 6.5 to 16.5 years for 283 boys and 480 girls. Age at PHV was estimated by the proportional allotment method. The 50th percentile curves for the BMI of Japanese boys and girls born between 1989 and 1991 were similar to the corresponding curves for Japanese boys and girls born between 1972 and 1974. However, the 97th percentiles of children born between 1989 and 1991 were higher and the corresponding 3rd percentiles were lower compared to children born between 1972 and 1974. The differences can be attributed to the influence of early maturing children born between 1989 and 1991 on the 97th percentiles and of late maturing children born between 1989 and 1991 on the 3rd percentiles. The results highlight the need to consider the timing of maturity, in this case, age at PHV, when interpreting the BMI of adolescents.
The oldest species of ?Yavorskia (Tabulata) from the Upper Famennian of the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland)
Authors: Zapalski Mikołaj K. , Berkowski Błażej
Published: February 2013

Zapalski, M.K. and Berkowski, B. 2012. The oldest species of ?Yavorskia (Tabulata) from the Upper Famennian of the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland). Acta Geologica Polonica, 62 (2), 197-204. Warszawa. A single perfectly preserved colony of a tabulate coral assigned tentatively to the genus Yavorskia Fomitchev, 1931, collected from Upper Famennian beds (Palmatolepis expansa conodont Zone) in a trench located north of the Kowala Quarry (Holy Cross Mts., central Poland) is here described as a new species, ?Y. paszkowskii sp. nov. It differs from other representatives of the genus in the lack of dissepimental structures and in smaller corallite diameters, and may therefore represent the ancestral taxon of this typically early Carboniferous genus. Yavorskia tabulates were apparently migrating eastwards along the southern margin of Laurussia and farther east and north towards Siberia, as they appear in the Famennian in Europe and in the early Carboniferous in the Altaides. Such a conclusion is consistent with previous observations on Early-Middle Devonian pleurodictyform tabulate distribution.
Effects of Cr - Ni 18/9 Austenitic Cast Steel Modification by Mischmetal
Authors: Gajewski M. , Kasińska J.
Published: February 2013

This paper presents the results of Cr - Ni 18/9 austenitic cast steel modifications by mischmetal. The study was conducted on industrial melts. Cast steel was melted in an electric induction furnace with a capacity of 2000 kg and a basic lining crucible. .The mischmetal was introduced into the ladle during tapping of the cast steel from the furnace. The effectiveness of modification was examined with the carbon content of 0.1% and the presence of δ ferrite in the structure of cast steel stabilized with titanium. The changes in the structure of cast steel and their effect on mechanical properties and intergranular corrosion were studied. It was found that rare earth metals decrease the sulfur content in cast steel and above all, they cause a distinct change in morphology of the δ ferrite and non-metallic inclusions. These changes have improved mechanical properties. R02, Rm, and A5 and toughness increased significantly. There was a great increase of the resistance to intergranular corrosion in the Huey test. The study confirmed the high efficiency of cast steel modification by mischmetal in industrial environments. The final effect of modification depends on the form and manner of placing mischmetal into the liquid metal and the melting technology, ie the degree of deoxidation and desulfurization of the metal in the furnace.
Evaluation of Anthropometric Indices for Metabolic Syndrome and their Association with Metabolic Risk Factors among Healthy Individuals in New Belgrade
Authors: Stanković Veroslava , Stojanović Svetlana , Vasiljević Nađa
Published: February 2013

People with metabolic syndrome (MetSy) are about twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease and over four times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to subjects without metabolic syndrome. Waist circumferences (WC) and body mass index (BMI) are useful screening tools for making the diagnosis. MetSy has increased the health risk in primary care. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anthropometric indices for MetSy and determine which of simple anthropometric measurements is most closely associated with metabolic risk factors.

The research included 264 individuals, of which 132 men with mean age (±SD) of 44.73 ±9.37 years and 132 women with mean age (±SD) of 46.67±8.44 years. Antropometric indicators were measured using standard protocols, without shoes and outerwear. BMI was calculated as weight/height2(kg/m2) ratio, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Blood pressure measurements were obtained with the subject in a seated position by using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Blood samples were obtained after a minimum of 12-h fast; the metabolic parameters (high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose) were analyzed by standard procedures. Analysis of the examinees’ medical records was also performed. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. The analysis of the research results were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 10.0 (SPSS 10.0 for Windows).

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 44.7% in men and 43.2% in women. Normal-weight subjects of both sexes were significantly younger and had significantly lower blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides than overweight and obese subjects. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly increased in parallel with increasing of BMI. For the whole sample, both anthropometric indices had significant associations with the other five components of MetSy.

Waist circumference is a simple measure of adiposity most strongly associated with metabolic abnormalities. The results obtained in this study indicate that WC is a good indicator of health risk in women but not in men. Measurement of WC by BMI categories may indicate a person with an increased risk of development of chronic diseases.
The background and new perspectives and agricultural aspects concerning food allergy and fruit hypersensitivity
Authors: Jasińska-Stroschein Magdalena , Szcześniak Piotr , Owczarek Jacek , Orszulak-Michalak Daria
Published: February 2013

In this review, some features of fruit allergenicity including the pathophysiology, cross allergy reactions, most common allergens and novel pathways of reducing hypersensitivity reactions as far as agricultural aspects are concerned, were described.
Implementation Possibilities of SMD Capacitors for High Power Applications
Authors: Zakis Janis , Vinnikov Dmitri
Published: February 2013

Focus is on implementation possibilities of surfacemount device (SMD) to be used in high power applications. SMD capacitors reduce the size and dimensions of a power circuit and increase the flexibility of placement of other components. Ceramic and electrolytic capacitors are compared by means of voltage ripple, volume, labour-intensity and impedance. A 1 kW experimental setup of a quasi-Z-Source inverter (qZSI) based converter was built to compare SMD capacitor performance in the quasi-Z-source (qZS) network.
Population ecology of vervet monkeys in a high latitude, semi-arid riparian woodland
Authors: Pasternak Graham , Brown Leslie R. , Kienzle Stefan , Fuller Andrea , Barrett Louise , Henzi S. Peter
Published: February 2013

Narrow riparian woodlands along non-perennial streams have made it possible for vervet monkeys to penetrate the semi-arid karoo ecosystem of South Africa, whilst artificial water points have more recently allowed these populations to colonize much more marginal habitat away from natural water sources. In order to better understand the sequelae of life in these narrow, linear woodlands for historically ‘natural’ populations and to test the prediction that they are ecologically stressed, we determined the size of troops in relation to their reliance on natural and artificial water sources and collected detailed data from two river-centred troops on activity, diet and ranging behaviour over an annual cycle. In comparison to other populations, our data indicate that river-centred troops in the karoo were distinctive primarily both for their large group sizes and, consequently, their large adult cohorts, and in the extent of home range overlap in what is regarded as a territorial species. Whilst large group size carried the corollary of increased day journey length and longer estimated interbirth intervals, there was little other indication of the effects of ecological stress on factors such as body weight and foraging effort. We argue that this was a consequence of the high density of Acacia karroo, which accounted for a third of annual foraging effort in what was a relatively depauperate floristic habitat. We ascribed the large group size and home range overlap to constraints on group fission.Conservation implications: The distribution of group sizes, sampled appropriately across habitats within a conservation area, will be of more relevance to management than average values, which may be nothing more than a statistical artefact, especially when troop sizes are bimodally distributed.
An RCT for Efficacy of Oral Probiotics in Treatment of Cases with Symptomatic White Discharge per Vagina in Rural Population
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Krishna L , LNU Avinash , Naik Kusuma , Nusrat H
Published: February 2013

Objective

Determine the efficacy of probiotics in treating women with symptomatic white discharge per vagina (WDPV), role of oral probiotics in restoring the vaginal flora.

Results

This is a prospective randomized clinical study done on 50 women with symptomatic WDPV who are attending gynecology outpatient procedures, these patients underwent Grams stain, received antibiotics along with probiotics for a period of 1 week, again reviewed with repeat Grams stain, 50% were in the age group of 21 to 30 years, duration of symptoms was between 1 and 6 months. In 36% of patients, there was improvement in the lactobacilli count from pretreatment to posttreatment in 100% of cases, but the response in terms of symptomatic relief was seen in 82%. The improvement in the lactobacilli count was interpreted using Nugents scoring.

Conclusion

The combination of probiotic L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 is not only safe for daily use in healthy women, but it can reduce colonization of the vagina by potential pathogenic bacteria and yeast.

How to cite this article

Naik K, Avinash, Nusrat H, Krishna L, Kumar R. An RCT for Efficacy of Oral Probiotics in Treatment of Cases with Symptomatic White Discharge per Vagina in Rural Population. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2012;4(3):126-129.
Protracted Port-site Infection: A Dilemma
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Partha , Goswami Sebanti , Kapoor Nandini
Published: February 2013

Objectives

From simple beginnings, laparoscopic surgery has now been completely integrated into the field of gynecological surgery. Infection of the port site is an infrequent complication of laparoscopy. The causative organisms of this infection are usually those which are most prevalent in the institute, e.g. S.aureus, E.coli. These types of infections are easily treated by the antibiotics which are most commonly prescribed in the institute. Sometimes, these port-site infections become protracted and recurrent and pose as a dilemma for the surgeons and become distressing for the patients.

Materials and methods

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on 25 patients presenting to the OPD with recurrent discharge or nonhealing port-site wound following laparoscopic surgery done in our institute. These patients underwent a battery of test including detailed microbiological examination. The discharge from their port site was sent for routine aerobic culture and sensitivity. It was also sent for Z-N stain and culture for Mycobacterium including atypical Mycobacterium.

Results

Out of the 25 patients studied, 16 showed presence of AFB bacilli in their discharge and the culture for Mycobacterium showed presence of Atypical Mycobacterium in 12 cases. Out of the remaining nine patients, six showed a growth of S. aureus on aerobic culture and the remaining patients had a growth of E. coli.

Conclusion

Atypical Mycobacterium is the most common causative organism of recurrent port-site infection in our institute. This type of infection then require a full course of antituberculous drugs for complete eradication. So, when treating a case of nonhealing or recurrent port-site infection, atypical Mycobacterium infection should be kept in mind.

How to cite this article

Goswami S, Kapoor N, Mukhopadhyay P. Protracted Port-site Infection: A Dilemma. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2012;4(3):144-146.
A Ruptured Granulosa Cell Tumor of Ovary in a Postmenopausal Women presented with Acute Abdomen
Authors: Shrivastava Deepti , Kakani Anuradha , Pryadarsani Neha
Published: February 2013

Gynecological emergencies may be encountered in postmenopausal ladies like that of ruptured ectopic pregnancy in the reproductive age group. We report a case of ruptured granulosa cell tumor in a 60-year-old woman who presented with acute abdomen and hemoperitoneum.

How to cite this article

Kakani A, Pryadarsani N, Shrivastava D. A Ruptured Granulosa Cell Tumor of Ovary in a Postmenopausal Women presented with Acute Abdomen. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2012;4(3):167-168.
The Ordered Network Structure of M ≥ 6 Strong Earthquakes and Its Prediction in the Jiangsu–South Yellow Sea Region
Authors: Men Ke-Pei , Cui Lei
Published: February 2013

The the Jiangsu-South Yellow Sea region is one of the key seismic monitoring defence areas in the eastern part of China. Since 1846, M ≥ 6 strong earthquakes have showed an obvious commensurability and orderliness in this region. The main orderly values are 74∼75 a, 57∼58 a, 11∼12 a, and 5∼6 a, wherein 74∼75 a and 57∼58 a with an outstanding predictive role. According to the information prediction theory of Wen-Bo Weng, we conceived the M ≥ 6 strong earthquake ordered network structure in the South Yellow Sea and the whole region. Based on this, we analyzed and discussed the variation of seismicity in detail and also made a trend prediction of M ≥ 6 strong earthquakes in the future. The results showed that since 1998 it has entered into a new quiet episode which may continue until about 2042; and the first M ≥ 6 strong earthquake in the next active episode will probably occur in 2053 pre and post, with the location likely in the sea area of the South Yellow Sea; also, the second and the third ones or strong earthquake swarm in the future will probably occur in 2058 and 2070 pre and post.
Approximate Functional Variable Separation for the Quasi-Linear Diffusion Equations withWeak Source
Authors: Ji Fei-Yu
Published: February 2013

As an extension to the functional variable separation approach, the approximate functional variable separation approach is proposed, and it is applied to study the quasi-linear diffusion equations with weak source. A complete classification of these perturbed equations which admit approximate functional separable solutions is obtained. As a result, the corresponding approximate functional separable solutions to the resulting perturbed equations are derived via examples.
Characteristics of Ohmic Contacts to n-Type Boron Phosphide
Authors: Ino Yuji , Nishimura Suzuka , Hirai Muneyuki , Matsumoto Satoru , Terashima Kazutaka
Published: February 2013

We grew n-type boron phosphide (BP) (100) on a p-type Si(100) substrate by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. Electrical contacts are important for electrical evaluations and device applications, but the resistivity of ohmic contacts to BP has been little studied. We evaluated the contact characteristics for Al, Au, In, Ti, and Pt by annealing at temperatures in the range 300–500 °C for annealing times up to 50 min using a circular transmission line model pattern. Ohmic characteristics were obtained for the Al, Au, In, and Ti contacts. For the ohmic samples, we calculated the specific contact resistance ρc and observed a metal–BP interface by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. The minimum specific contact resistance ρc was 2×10-5 Ω cm2 for the Au/In/n-BP sample annealed at 500 °C for 50 min. For the present samples, thermionic-field emission is considered to be the dominant carrier transport process across the metal–BP interface.
Influence of Misfit Strain on Longitudinal Electro-optic Properties in Preferentially Oriented (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 Films
Authors: Oh Jong-Min , Hoshina Takuya , Takeda Hiroaki , Tsurumi Takaaki
Published: February 2013

We successfully fabricated single-crystal-like (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 (PLZT) films with preferred (100), (110), and (111) orientations on Al-doped ZnO (AZO) coated on (100), (110), and (111) SrTiO3 (ST) substrates. The longitudinal electro-optic (LEO) effect according to crystal orientation was investigated to find the birefringence origin of the LEO effect in oriented PLZT films. The PLZT films with (100) and (111) orientations exhibit promising LEO properties, while in the case of (110)-oriented PLZT films, the LEO effect is very small. From the strain-induced EO effect, this difference in LEO properties in these three kinds of preferentially oriented PLZT films may be attributed to changes in the strain effect from in the PLZT/AZO interfaces. Consequently, we believed that a misfit strain in interfaces between EO films and transparent conductive oxide films is a birefringence origin in oriented films, and control of the misfit strain is a key factor for improving the LEO effect.
Determining the Thickness of Pb Film Similar to Bulk with Energy Dispersion Derived from Quantum Well States
Authors: Chan Wen-Yuan , Huang Hsu-Sheng , Su Wei-Bin , Hoffmann Germar , Lu Shin-Ming , Chang Chia-Seng , Wu Maw-Kuen , Tsong Tien-Tzou
Published: February 2013

It is known that the energy spacing between adjacent empty quantum well (QW) states in Pb islands on Cu(111) would reveal the shrinking characteristic originating from the effect of the image potential. Using the phase accumulation model, including a phase factor contributed from the image potential, the shrinking energy spacing can be quantitatively explained with the assumption of the parabolic energy versus wave vector (E–k) dispersion. However, an experimental dispersion acquired from analyzing the energies of the QW state reveals a linearE–krelationship corresponding to the Pb bulk band structure, implying the assumed parabolic dispersion is not appropriate. By combining the linear dispersion with the image potential effect in the calculation, it is found that the calculated values of energy spacing of island thickness below eight atomic layers are not in agreement with the experimental measurements. This implies that the electronic structure of Pb islands would be similar to that of the bulk when their thicknesses reach eight-atomic layers.