bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Work Function Engineering for Aggressively Scaled Planar and Multi-Gate Fin Field-Effect Transistor-Based Devices with High-k Last Replacement Metal Gate Technology
Authors: Veloso Anabela , Chew Soon Aik , Higuchi Yuichi , Ragnarsson Lars-Åke , Simoen Eddy , Schram Tom , Witters Thomas , Ammel Annemie Van , Dekkers Harold , Tielens Hilde , Devriendt Katia , Heylen Nancy , Sebaai Farid , Brus Stephan , Favia Paola , Geypen Jef , Bender Hugo , Phatak Anup , Chen Michael S. , Lu Xinliang , Ganguli Seshadri , Lei Yu , Tang Wei , Fu Xinyu , Gandikota Srinivas , Noori Atif , Brand Adam , Yoshida Naomi , Thean Aaron , Horiguchi Naoto
Published: March 2013

This work reports on aggressively scaled replacement metal gate, high-k last devices (RMG-HKL), exploring several options for effective work function (EWF) engineering, and targeting logic high-performance and low-power applications. Tight low-threshold voltage (V
T) distributions for scaled NMOS devices are obtained by controlled TiN/TiAl-alloying, either by using RF-physical vapor deposition (RF-PVD) or atomic layer deposition (ALD) for TiN growth. The first technique allows optimization of the TiAl/TiN thicknesses at the bottom of gate trenches while maximizing the space to be filled with a low-resistance metal; using ALD minimizes the occurrence of preferential paths, at gate sidewalls, for Al diffusion into the high-k dielectric, reducing gate leakage (J
G). For multi-gate fin field-effect transistors (FinFETs) which require smaller EWF shifts from mid-gap for low-V
T: 1) conformal, lower-J
G ALD-TiN/TaSiAl; and 2) Al-rich ALD-TiN by controlled Al diffusion from the fill-metal are demonstrated to be promising candidates. Comparable bias temperature instability (BTI), improved noise behavior, and slightly reduced equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) are measured on Al-rich EWF-metal stacks.
A Novel Sub-20 V Contact Gate Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor with Fully Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Compatible Process
Authors: Lee Te Liang , Tsai Ming Tsang , King Ya Chin , Lin Chrong Jung
Published: March 2013

In this paper, a novel sub-20 V device which is called contact gate MOSFET (CGMOS) with fully CMOS logic compatible process is proposed and demonstrated. Comparing with lateral double diffusion MOSFET (LDMOS), CGMOS uses P substrate instead of N minus layer as drift region in logic process, and a contact on resistance protection oxide (RPO) layers to form an extra gate on the drain side of the channel region to provide a better gate control and reduce the surface field. This new device significantly rises up the breakdown voltage to 18 V with specific on-resistance 8.8 mΩ·mm2 in a small high voltage (HV) MOSFET area. Since there is no extra mask for creating the drift region or additional step for the wire bonding, CGMOS makes the integration of high voltage and logic circuits much simpler and area-saving.
Low-Power and High-Reliability Gadolinium Oxide Resistive Switching Memory with Remote Ammonia Plasma Treatment
Authors: Wang Jer-Chyi , Ye Yu-Ren , Syu Jhih-Sian , Wu Pin-Ru , Wu Chih-I , Wang Po-Sheng , Chang Jung Hung
Published: March 2013

The effects of remote NH3 plasma treatment on a Pt/Gd
x
O
y
/W resistive random access memory (RRAM) metal–insulator–metal (MIM) structure were investigated. We found that a decrease in the electron barrier height caused by nitrogen incorporation at the Pt–Gd
x
O
y
interface can help reduce the operational set and reset voltages. Nitrogen atoms from the NH3 plasma prevent oxygen atoms in the film from diffusing through Pt grain boundaries into the atmosphere, resulting in superior retention properties (>104 s). The stability of the endurance behavior of Gd
x
O
y
RRAMs was significantly improved owing to the passivation of defects in Gd
x
O
y
films by nitrogen and hydrogen atoms from the remote NH3 plasma, markedly reducing plasma damage.
Electro-Static Discharge Protection Design for V-Band Low-Noise Amplifier Using Radio Frequency Junction Varactor
Authors: Tsai Ming-Hsien , Huang Sing-Kai , Hsu Shawn S. H.
Published: March 2013

The RF junction varactors are employed as electro-static discharge (ESD) protection devices and co-designed with 60 GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) fabricated in a 65-nm CMOS technology. The junction varactor acts as an ESD diode to bypass ESD current during ESD zapping, and also utilized as a capacitor to be a part of input matching network of the LNA in normal RF operation. By transmission line pulse (TLP) measurement, the ESD protection capabilities of RF junction varactors are characterized with different device parameters. The experimental results demonstrate excellent second breakdown currents (I

t2) and high ratios of the ESD levels to parasitic capacitances (V
ESD/C
ESD). With ESD/matching co-design methodology, the ESD-protected LNA demonstrates a second breakdown current I

t2 of 1.4 A, corresponding to a 2-kV human-body-model (HBM) ESD protection level with a noise figure (NF) of 6.6 dB and a peak gain of 16.5 dB at 60 GHz under a power consumption of only 28 mW.
Side-Illuminated Color Photosensor
Authors: Ariyoshi Tetsuya , Baba Akiyoshi , Arima Yutaka
Published: March 2013

We have proposed a simple method for color imaging in which the photosensor is illuminated from the side. In this method, color imaging can be produced using single pixels and without generating false colors and moiré patterns. A 5.0 ×5.0 mm2 test chip was fabricated using a 0.35 µm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) 1-poly 4-metal process. Because the side illumination method is used, the side of the test chip was etched using a high-speed deep reactive ion etching (D-RIE) process. Light illumination experiments confirmed that four colors – blue, green, red, and near-infrared – could be separated using this method. We also estimated the color separation properties of a similar sensor based on a 0.18 µm CMOS process.
Dual Data Pulse Width Modulator for Radio Frequency Identification Biosensor Signal Modulation
Authors: Kim Boram , Nakazato Kazuo
Published: March 2013

A dual data pulse width modulator is proposed and demonstrated for radio frequency identification (RFID) biosensor signal modulation. Simultaneous wireless measurement of two sensors can be carried out using this circuit, in which two analog signals are modulated and transmitted in a single clock cycle. The measured modulation sensitivity of the two input channels is 84.69 and 85.16 µs/V and the dynamic range is 55.6 and 63.5 dB, respectively. Here, redox potential and temperature are measured wirelessly using the proposed circuit. Temperature change measurement shows a sensitivity of 9.501 µs/°C in the range of 25–40 °C. The measured redox potential shows fairly good linearity for a concentration ratio of hexacyanoferrate (III) to (II) ranging from 10-2 to 102 and the slope is 58.0 mV/decade, almost the same as the theoretical value. The chip area and power consumption are 0.36 mm2 and 650 µW, respectively, using 1.2-µm, 2-metal, 2-poly CMOS technology.
Improvement of Current Collapse by Surface Treatment and Passivation Layer in p-GaN Gate GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistors
Authors: Katsuno Takashi , Kanechika Masakazu , Itoh Kenji , Nishikawa Koichi , Uesugi Tsutomu , Kachi Tetsu
Published: March 2013

The improvement of current collapses of p-GaN gate GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) caused by the effects of surface treatment and the passivation layer was investigated. The NH3 treatment and high-temperature oxide (HTO) passivation layer on the AlGaN layer are effective in improving the current collapse of a p-GaN gate GaN HEMT. The current collapse at a long time constant (τ= 4 s) could be decreased by the NH3 treatment of the AlGaN layer, because the nitrogen atoms in nitrogen vacancies in the AlGaN layer (trap level: 0.6 eV) would be incorporated, resulting in a low surface density. The current collapse at an intermediate time constant (τ= 11 ms) could also be decreased by the deposition of the HTO passivation layer on the AlGaN layer, because the low-interface-density layer (trap level: 0.4 eV) of HTO/AlGaN would be formed.
Fully Transparent Al-Doped ZnO Thin-Film Transistors on Flexible Plastic Substrates
Authors: Wang Wei , Han Dedong , Cai Jian , Geng Youfeng , Wang Liangliang , Wang Longyan , Tian Yu , Zhang Xing , Wang Yi , Zhang Shengdong
Published: March 2013

We have fabricated fully transparent Al-doped ZnO thin-film transistors (AZO TFTs) on a flexible plastic substrate at room temperature. A double-stacked channel structure composed of a high-density layer and a low-density layer is also investigated to improve the device performance. As-fabricated TFTs exhibit excellent electrical performance as well as optical performance, with a saturation mobility of 31.4 cm2V-1s-1, a drain current on/off ratio of about 108, a subthreshold swing of 330 mV/dec, and an average transmittance in the visible wavelength range of above 70%.
Over 1.5 µm Deep Dry Etching of Al-Rich AlGaAs for Photonic Crystal Fabrication
Authors: Kitabayashi Yuta , Mochizuki Masaya , Ishikawa Fumitaro , Kondow Masahiko
Published: March 2013

We investigate inductively coupled plasma deep dry etching of Al0.8Ga0.2As for photonic crystal (PC) fabrication using the Cl2, BCl3, and CH4 mixture. On the basis of our previous work [M. Mochizuki et al.: Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 50 (2011) 04DG15], we explore the deeper dry etching of the PC structure, investigating the impact of gas flow rate and chemical reactions. Increasing gas flow rate and process pressure resulted in deeper etching. These conditions increased the self-bias applied on the sample, which induced the sharpening of the air hole bottom and limitation of further deep etching because of the strong contribution of physical etching. The reduction of CH4 gas suppressed the sidewall passivation, counteracting the effect of the physical etching. As a result, we obtained a PC structure having air holes with a depth larger than 1.5 µm and a diameter of 120 nm.
Experimental Study of Two-Terminal Resistive Random Access Memory Realized in Mono- and Multilayer Exfoliated Graphene Nanoribbons
Authors: Shindome Aya , Doioka Yu , Beppu Nobuyasu , Oda Shunri , Uchida Ken
Published: March 2013

Two-terminal mono- and multilayer graphene nanoribbon resistive random access memories (ReRAMs) are experimentally demonstrated. Fundamental ReRAM properties, device scalability, and width dependence with device scaling are investigated. The lower switching energy is obtained for smaller channel width, indicating the suitability of graphene nanoribbons for high-density LSIs. Operation mechanism is studied by changing the type of contact metal and the number of graphene layers as well as by performing physical analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM), cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Then, it is suggested that the mechanism is the chemical bonding-state change of graphene.
Effect of Stacking Faults in Triangular Defects on 4H-SiC Junction Barrier Schottky Diodes
Authors: Konishi Kazuya , Nakata Shuhei , Nakaki Yoshiyuki , Nakao Yukiyasu , Nagae Akemi , Tanaka Takanori , Nakamura Yu , Toyoda Yoshihiko , Sumitani Hiroaki , Oomori Tatsuo
Published: March 2013

The relationship between stacking faults and the position of the leakage current inside a triangular defect was analyzed. Triangular defects are categorized into two types on the basis of the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics. It was found that stacking faults (SFs) of the 3C structure inside a triangular defect increase leakage current at a reverse bias voltage as well as forward current at a low bias voltage, while SFs of the SF(4,2) structure inside a triangular defect do not lead to deterioration of device performance in this case.
Analysis of Interfacial Charging Process in Pentacene/C60/Bathocuproine Triple-Layer Organic Solar Cells Using a Maxwell–Wagner Model
Authors: Chen Xiangyu , Taguchi Dai , Lee Keanchuan , Manaka Takaaki , Iwamoto Mitsumasa
Published: March 2013

Using the Maxwell–Wagner model, we analyzed the interfacial charging of triple-layer organic solar cells (OSCs). Results showed that the charging processes at the two interfaces depend on each other. The electric-field-induced second-harmonic generation (EFISHG) measurements applying external voltage pulses supported the conclusion. On the other hand, the EFISHG measurements using closed circuits with various external resistances clarified the contribution of interfacial charging to the fill-factor of the OSCs. The dielectric nature of the triple layer of the OSCs governs the working mechanism.
Double Co-deposited Layered Organic Photovoltaic Cells with Sensitivity from Visible to Near-Infrared Regions
Authors: Yokoyama Kazuya , Kaji Toshihiko , Hiramoto Masahiro
Published: March 2013

Organic solar cells connecting two photoactive co-deposited layers, i.e., a visible-light-sensitive front layer consisting of metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) and fullerene (C60) and a near-infrared (NIR)-light-sensitive back layer consisting of lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) and C60, were fabricated. The internal quantum efficiency in the visible and NIR regions reached 48 and 43%, respectively. A conversion efficiency of 1.53% was obtained. A model of a function-separated mechanism for the cell, consisting of photocarrier generation by J-PbPc and H2Pc aggregates, hole transport by H-PbPc and H2Pc aggregates, and electron transport by C60, was proposed.
Microstructures and Photovoltaic Properties of Polysilane-Based Solar Cells
Authors: Oku Takeo , Nakagawa Junya , Iwase Makoto , Kawashima Atsushi , Yoshida Kazumi , Suzuki Atsushi , Akiyama Tsuyoshi , Tokumitsu Katsuhisa , Yamada Masahiro , Nakamura Mika
Published: March 2013

Polysilane-based organic solar cells with bulk heterojunction and heterojunction structures were fabricated by spin-coating using a mixture solution. Microstructures of the solar cells were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy, which indicated a nanocomposite and amorphous structure. The effects of phosphorus and boron doping into polysilanes were investigated by electrical measurements, Raman scattering analysis and Hall effect measurements. Here, we discuss the photovoltaic properties and microstructures of the solar cells. Energy levels in the present solar cells are also discussed.
A Versatile Triphenylamine/Fluoranthene‐Based Derivative as a Nondoped Green‐Emitting, Hole‐Transporting Interlayer for Electroluminescent Devices
Authors: Yuan Yi , Zhang Guo‐Qiang , Lu Feng , Tong Qing‐Xiao , Yang Qing‐Dan , Mo Hin‐Wai , Ng Tsz‐Wai , Lo Ming‐Fai , Guo Zheng‐Qing , Wu Chuan , Lee Chun‐Sing
Published: March 2013

A new triphenylamine‐bridged fluoranthene derivative, 4‐(7,10‐diphenylfluoranthen‐8‐yl)‐N‐[4‐(7,10‐diphenylfluoranthen‐8‐yl)phenyl]‐N‐phenylaniline (BDPFPA), with a high glass transition temperature of 220 °C has been synthesized and characterized. BDPFPA is a highly fluorescent and versatile material that can be used as a nondoped green emitter and as a hole transporter. BDPFPA was used in a standard trilayer device as the emitting layer, which showed a low turn‐on voltage (<3 V) and a high efficiency of 11.6 cd A−1. The device also shows little efficiency roll‐off at high brightness. For example, the efficiency can still be maintained at 11.4 cd A−1 (5.4 lm W−1) at a brightness of 10 000 cd m−2. These results are among the best reported for nondoped fluorescent green organic light‐emitting diodes. A simple bilayer device, in which BDPFPA serves as a hole‐transporting layer, has a maximum power efficiency of 3.3 lm W−1 and the performance is nearly 40 % higher than that of an N,N′‐bis(1‐naphthyl)‐N,N′‐ diphenyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine (NPB)‐based standard device.
Why are some marginal seas sources of atmospheric CO2?
Authors: Dai Minhan , Cao Zhimian , Guo Xianghui , Zhai Weidong , Liu Zhiyu , Yin Zhiqiang , Xu Yanping , Gan Jianping , Hu Jianyu , Du Chuanjun
Published: March 2013

Abstract

The contemporary coastal ocean, characterized by abundant nutrients and high primary productivity, is generally seen as a significant CO2 sink at the global scale. However, mechanistic understanding of the coastal ocean carbon cycle remains limited, leading to the unanswered question of why some coastal systems are sources while others are sinks of atmospheric CO2. Here we proposed a distinct physical‐biogeochemical setting, Ocean‐dominated Margin (OceMar), in order for better shaping the concept of the coastal ocean carbon study. OceMars, in contrast to previously recognized River‐dominated Ocean Margins, are characterized by dynamic interactions with the open ocean, which may provide nonlocal CO2 sources thereby modulating the CO2 fluxes in OceMars. Using the basin areas of the largest marginal seas of the Pacific and the Atlantic, the South China Sea and the Caribbean Sea as examples of OceMars, we demonstrated that such external CO2 sources controlled the CO2 fluxes.
Human intestinal microbiota composition is associated with local and systemic inflammation in obesity
Authors: Verdam Froukje J. , Fuentes Susana , de Jonge Charlotte , Zoetendal Erwin G. , Erbil Runi , Greve Jan Willem , Buurman Wim A. , de Vos Willem M. , Rensen Sander S.
Published: March 2013

Objective

Intestinal microbiota have been suggested to contribute to the development of obesity, but the mechanism remains elusive. The relationship between microbiota composition, intestinal permeability, and inflammation in nonobese and obese subjects was investigated.

Design and Methods

Fecal microbiota composition of 28 subjects (BMI 18.6‐60.3 kg m−2) was analyzed by a phylogenetic profiling microarray. Fecal calprotectin and plasma C‐reactive protein levels were determined to evaluate intestinal and systemic inflammation. Furthermore, HbA1c, and plasma levels of transaminases and lipids were analyzed. Gastroduodenal, small intestinal, and colonic permeability were assessed by a multisaccharide test.

Results

Based on microbiota composition, the study population segregated into two clusters with predominantly obese (15/19) or exclusively nonobese (9/9) subjects. Whereas intestinal permeability did not differ between clusters, the obese cluster showed reduced bacterial diversity, a decreased Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, and an increased abundance of potential proinflammatory Proteobacteria. Interestingly, fecal calprotectin was only detectable in subjects within the obese microbiota cluster (n = 8/19, P = 0.02). Plasma C‐reactive protein was also increased in these subjects (P = 0.0005), and correlated with the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio (rs = −0.41, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Intestinal microbiota alterations in obese subjects are associated with local and systemic inflammation, suggesting that the obesity‐related microbiota composition has a proinflammatory effect.
Monomers and polymers from plant oils via click chemistry reactions
Authors: Lligadas Gerard , Ronda Juan C. , Galià Marina , Cádiz Virginia
Published: March 2013

As a consequence of the depleting of fossil reserves and environmental issues, today, plant oils and fatty acids derived therefrom have a respectable status within the polymer chemistry community. However, maximizing the benefits of these renewable feedstocks requires the utilization of sustainable and efficient chemical transformations. The emergence of click chemistry concept and especially the renaissance of thiol‐ene addition reaction have had an impact on the way to make plant oil‐derived polymers. This highlight discusses the applicability and success of thiol‐ene addition and other click reactions in the transformation of oleochemicals into monomers and polymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013
Oligonucleotide‐mediated aggregation of a cationic conjugated polymer for fluorescent detection of mercury ions in an aqueous medium
Authors: Kwon Na Young , Jang Geunseok , Kim Jongho , Kim Daigeun , Lee Taek Seung
Published: March 2013

A cationically charged conjugated polymer (P2) functionalized with quaternary ammonium salt was newly synthesized via Suzuki cross‐coupling polymerization. The functionalized P2 features different fluorescence colors according to its phases (blue emission in solution and green emission as asolid) which is caused by intramolecular and intermolecular exciton migration, respectively. The use of P2 as a novel fluorescent sensing platform is demonstrated for mercury ion detection. The detection of mercury ions is accomplished in two steps: (1) the cationic, blue‐emitting P2 absorbs an anionic oligonucleotide, polythymidine (PT) via electrostatic interaction to form a complex with green emission due to aggregation between the two species; (2) the addition of mercury ions to the complex produces a new complex of PT‐Hg2+ via more favorable specific interaction, resulting in the isolation of P2 and the consequent recovery of blue fluorescence of P2. It suggests that this detection system has high selectivity and sensitivity down to the ∼10−7 M level, even in mixtures of metal ions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2393–2400
Is there a role for cervical assessment and uterine artery Doppler in the first trimester of pregnancy as a screening test for spontaneous preterm delivery?
Authors: Parra‐Cordero M. , Sepúlveda‐Martínez A. , Rencoret G. , Valdés E. , Pedraza D. , Muñoz H.
Published: March 2013

Objective

To evaluate the role of cervical length (CL) and uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI) at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks as predictors of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) in a Chilean population.

Methods

This was a prospective study of asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies attending for a nuchal translucency scan at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation and who underwent a transvaginal scan for evaluation of CL and UtA‐PI. Exclusion criteria were fetal and pregnancy complications (other than sPTD) and iatrogenic delivery at < 34 weeks. Measurements of CL and UtA‐PI were adjusted for fetal crown–rump length and maternal characteristics and expressed as multiples of the median (MoM) of the unaffected group. Prediction of sPTD using maternal and pregnancy characteristics was studied using logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 3480 women were recruited into the study and, after application of exclusion criteria, 3310 were included in the analysis. The rate of sPTD at < 34 weeks was 0.9% (n = 31). A previous PTD had occurred in 7.4% of parous women. Patients with sPTD in the index pregnancy were characterized by a significantly higher prevalence of previous PTD (12.9% vs 3.7%, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in either CL or UtA‐PI between pregnancies with and without subsequent sPTD. Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking and previous PTD were significantly associated with sPTD at < 34 weeks. The combination of these characteristics provided a detection rate of 26% with a false‐positive rate of 8%.

Conclusions

Neither UtA‐PI nor CL during the first trimester was shown to be a useful predictor of early sPTD. However, a combined model that includes smoking and previous PTD predicts approximately one‐quarter of those women destined to deliver at < 34 weeks, with a false‐positive rate of 8%. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Effects of stream morphodynamics on hyporheic zone thermal regime
Authors: Marzadri A. , Tonina D. , Bellin A.
Published: March 2013

Key Points

Quantify the effects of in‐stream temperatures on hyporheic thermal regime

Develop a process‐based heat‐transport model

Test the model against field measurements
Analytical solution for reactive solute transport considering incomplete mixing within a reference elementary volume
Authors: Chiogna Gabriele , Bellin Alberto
Published: March 2013

Key Points

Incomplete mixing at sub‐Darcy scale is relevant for reactive solute transport

Incomplete mixing at sub‐Darcy scale can be modeled using a Beta distribution

We propose a reactive transport model which considers incomplete mixing
Small time heat kernel asymptotics at the cut locus on surfaces of revolution
Authors: Barilari Davide , Jendrej Jacek
Published: March 2013

In this paper we investigate the small time heat kernel asymptotics on the cut locus on a class of surfaces of revolution, which are the simplest two-dimensional Riemannian manifolds different from the sphere with non-trivial cut-conjugate locus. We determine the degeneracy of the exponential map near a cut-conjugate point and present the consequences of this result to the small time heat kernel asymptotics at this point. These results give a first example where the minimal degeneration of the asymptotic expansion at the cut locus is attained.
On the sharp constant for the weighted Trudinger–Moser type inequality of the scaling invariant form
Authors: Ishiwata Michinori , Nakamura Makoto , Wadade Hidemitsu
Published: March 2013

In this article, we establish the weighted Trudinger–Moser inequality of the scaling invariant form including its best constant and prove the existence of a maximizer for the associated variational problem. The non-singular case was treated by Adachi and Tanaka (1999) [1] and the existence of a maximizer is a new result even for the non-singular case. We also discuss the relation between the best constants of the weighted Trudinger–Moser inequality and the Caffarelli–Kohn–Nirenberg inequality in the asymptotic sense.
Do psychosis prodrome onset negative symptoms predict first presentation negative symptoms?
Authors: Lyne J. , Renwick L. , Madigan K. , O’Donoghue B. , Bonar M. , Grant T. , Kinsella A. , Malone K. , Turner N. , O’Callaghan E. , Clarke M.
Published: March 2013

Background:

Negative symptoms have been previously reported during the psychosis prodrome, however our understanding of their relationship with treatment-phase negative symptoms remains unclear.

Objectives:

We report the prevalence of psychosis prodrome onset negative symptoms (PONS) and ascertain whether these predict negative symptoms at first presentation for treatment.

Methods:

Presence of expressivity or experiential negative symptom domains was established at first presentation for treatment using the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) in 373 individuals with a first episode psychosis. PONS were established using the Beiser Scale. The relationship between PONS and negative symptoms at first presentation was ascertained and regression analyses determined the relationship independent of confounding.

Results:

PONS prevalence was 50.3% in the schizophrenia spectrum group (n = 155) and 31.2% in the non-schizophrenia spectrum group (n = 218). In the schizophrenia spectrum group, PONS had a significant unadjusted (χ2 = 10.41, P < 0.001) and adjusted (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.11–5.22, P = 0.027) association with first presentation experiential symptoms, however this relationship was not evident in the non-schizophrenia spectrum group. PONS did not predict expressivity symptoms in either diagnostic group.

Conclusion:

PONS are common in schizophrenia spectrum diagnoses, and predict experiential symptoms at first presentation. Further prospective research is needed to examine whether negative symptoms commence during the psychosis prodrome.
Knowledge of HPV infection and vaccination among vaccinated and unvaccinated teenaged girls
Authors: Sopracordevole Francesco , Cigolot Federica , Mancioli Francesca , Agarossi Alberto , Boselli Fausto , Ciavattini Andrea
Published: March 2013

Objective

To assess the knowledge of teenaged girls on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and vaccination 12 months after the start of a vaccine administration and information campaign.

Methods

Between May 15 and June 15, 2009, an anonymous questionnaire was given to 629 girls attending a secondary school in a northeastern Italian city (286 were vaccinated against HPV, 343 were unvaccinated) to investigate their knowledge on HPV infection, transmission, prevention, vaccination, and post‐vaccination behaviors. The responses were evaluated with respect to the vaccination status of the participants.

Results

Vaccinated teenaged girls had no more knowledge than unvaccinated ones about the route of HPV transmission, and the relationship between HPV and AIDS. Vaccinated girls had less knowledge than unvaccinated girls about preventing transmission by condom (P = 0.003) and about the correlation between HPV and penile cancer (P = 0.034) and warts (P = 0.001). Furthermore, compared with unvaccinated girls, more vaccinated girls believed that contraceptive pills might prevent HPV‐related disease (P = 0.001). Vaccinated girls better understood the importance of performing regular Pap smears after vaccination (P = 0.021).

Conclusion

Knowledge on HPV infection and vaccination remains suboptimal, especially among vaccinated teenaged girls, despite a broad information campaign. Misconceptions about the utility of secondary prevention may increase risky sexual behaviors.
Reliability of Goniometry‐Based Q‐Angle
Authors: Weiss Lawrence , DeForest Bradley , Hammond Kelley , Schilling Brian , Ferreira Lucas
Published: March 2013

Objective

To establish the stability reliability, precision, and minimum value for detecting real differences for quadriceps angle (Q‐angle) measurements based on standardized protocols and surface goniometry.

Design

An intratester reliability study.

Setting

University research laboratory.

Participants

Fifty‐two healthy, young, relatively lean adults (25 men and 27 women) from the university community with no history of knee injury.

Methods

Q‐angle was assessed with surface goniometry on 2 separate occasions separated by 48 hours. Subjects assumed a supine position with: (1) extended hips and knees, (2) neutral hip rotational position, (3) neutral foot position, and (4) isometrically contracted quadriceps femoris muscles. The axis of a manual extendable‐arm goniometer was placed over the center of the right patella with the proximal arm situated over the anterior‐superior iliac spine and the distal arm over the center of the tibial tuberosity.

Main Outcome Measures

Stability reliability was calculated with use of intraclass correlation (ICC, 2‐way random model) and precision was calculated by standard error of measurement (SEM). The 95% limits of agreement also were calculated to estimate the minimum detectable difference in Q‐angles. The lowest acceptable ICC was set at ≥0.70 for stability reliability.

Results

The following ICC (SEM) values were found: all subjects = 0.88 (1.0°), men = 0.77 (1.0°), and women = 0.85 (1.0°). The 95% limits of agreement were 3° for the same 3 groups.

Conclusions

The surface goniometry protocol described herein appeared to be reliable for relatively lean young men and women. Although measures were precise to 1.0°, it appears a difference of 3° may be needed to detect a real difference in Q‐angles when measured in this fashion.
Acceleration in turbulent channel flow: universalities in statistics, subgrid stochastic models and an application
Authors: Zamansky Rémi , Vinkovic Ivana , Gorokhovski Mikhael
Published: March 2013

This paper focuses on the characterization and the stochastic modelling of the fluid acceleration in turbulent channel flow. In the first part, the acceleration is studied by direct numerical simulation (DNS) at three Reynolds numbers (${\mathit{Re}}_{\ast } = {u}_{\ast } h/ \nu = 180$, 590 and 1000). It is observed that whatever the wall distance is, the norm of acceleration is log-normally distributed and that the variance of the norm is very close to its mean value. It is also observed that from the wall to the centreline of the channel, the orientation of acceleration relaxes statistically towards isotropy. On the basis of dimensional analysis, a universal scaling law for the acceleration norm is proposed. In the second part, in the framework of the norm/orientation decomposition, a stochastic model of the acceleration is introduced. The stochastic model for the norm is based on fragmentation process which evolves across the channel with the wall distance. Simultaneously the orientation is simulated by a random walk on the surface of a unit sphere. The process is generated in such a way that the mean components of the orientation vector are equal to zero, whereas with increasing wall distance, all directions become equally probable. In the third part, the models are assessed in the framework of large-eddy simulation with stochastic subgrid acceleration model (LES–SSAM), introduced recently by Sabel’nikov, Chtab-Desportes & Gorokhovski (Euro. Phys. J. B, vol. 80, 2011, p. 177–187), and designed to account for the intermittency at subgrid scales. Computations by LES–SSAM and its assessment using DNS data show that the prediction of important statistics to characterize the flow, such as the mean velocity, the energy spectra at small scales, the viscous and turbulent stresses, the distribution of the acceleration can be considerably improved in comparison with standard LES. In the last part of this paper, the advantage of LES–SSAM in accounting for the subgrid flow structure is demonstrated in simulation of particle-laden turbulent channel flows. Compared to standard LES, it is shown that for different Stokes numbers, the particle dynamics and the turbophoresis effect can be predicted significantly better when LES–SSAM is applied.
INVERSE LIMITS IN THE CATEGORY OF COMPACT HAUSDORFF SPACES AND UPPER SEMICONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS
Authors: BANIČ IZTOK , SOVIČ TINA
Published: March 2013

We investigate inverse limits in the category $ \mathcal{CHU} $ of compact Hausdorff spaces with upper semicontinuous functions. We introduce the notion of weak inverse limits in this category and show that the inverse limits with upper semicontinuous set-valued bonding functions (as they were defined by Ingram and Mahavier [‘Inverse limits of upper semi-continuous set valued functions’, Houston J. Math.  32 (2006), 119–130]) together with the projections are not necessarily inverse limits in $ \mathcal{CHU} $ but they are always weak inverse limits in this category. This is a realisation of our categorical approach to solving a problem stated by Ingram [An Introduction to Inverse Limits with Set-Valued Functions (Springer, New York, 2012)].
Vestibular test findings in individuals with auditory neuropathy: review
Authors: Sinha S K , Barman A , Singh N K , Rajeshwari G , Sharanya R
Published: March 2013

Background:

The vestibulocochlear nerve is a sensory nerve that serves the organs of hearing and equilibrium. Neuropathies of the nerve, particularly auditory neuropathy, may be caused by primary demyelination or axonal disease. Cochlear amplification function is normal in cases of auditory neuropathy, but afferent neural conduction in the auditory pathway is disordered. It is highly probable that the vestibular nerve has some involvement in disorders affecting the cochlear nerve.

Objective:

To provide an overview of vestibular test findings in individuals with auditory neuropathy.

Method:

A structured literature search was carried out, with no restrictions to the dates searched.

Conclusion:

Auditory neuropathy implicated the vestibular branch of the VIIIth cranial nerve as well as the cochlear nerve. However, there was variability in terms of vestibular test findings.
Examining belief and confidence in schizophrenia
Authors: Joyce D. W. , Averbeck B. B. , Frith C. D. , Shergill S. S.
Published: March 2013

Background

People with psychoses often report fixed, delusional beliefs that are sustained even in the presence of unequivocal contrary evidence. Such delusional beliefs are the result of integrating new and old evidence inappropriately in forming a cognitive model. We propose and test a cognitive model of belief formation using experimental data from an interactive ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ (RPS) game.

Method

Participants (33 controls and 27 people with schizophrenia) played a competitive, time-pressured interactive two-player game (RPS). Participants' behavior was modeled by a generative computational model using leaky integrator and temporal difference methods. This model describes how new and old evidence is integrated to form a playing strategy to beat the opponent and to provide a mechanism for reporting confidence in one's playing strategy to win against the opponent.

Results

People with schizophrenia fail to appropriately model their opponent's play despite consistent (rather than random) patterns that can be exploited in the simulated opponent's play. This is manifest as a failure to weigh existing evidence appropriately against new evidence. Furthermore, participants with schizophrenia show a ‘jumping to conclusions’ (JTC) bias, reporting successful discovery of a winning strategy with insufficient evidence.

Conclusions

The model presented suggests two tentative mechanisms in delusional belief formation: (i) one for modeling patterns in other's behavior, where people with schizophrenia fail to use old evidence appropriately, and (ii) a metacognitive mechanism for ‘confidence’ in such beliefs, where people with schizophrenia overweight recent reward history in deciding on the value of beliefs about the opponent.
Heterogeneity in the risk of Mycobacterium bovis infection in European badger (Meles meles) cubs
Authors: TOMLINSON A. J. , CHAMBERS M. A. , CARTER S. P. , WILSON G. J. , SMITH G. C. , McDONALD R. A. , DELAHAY R. J.
Published: March 2013

The behaviour of certain infected individuals within socially structured populations can have a disproportionately large effect on the spatio-temporal distribution of infection. Endemic infection with Mycobacterium bovis in European badgers (Meles meles) in Great Britain and Ireland is an important source of bovine tuberculosis in cattle. Here we quantify the risk of infection in badger cubs in a high-density wild badger population, in relation to the infection status of resident adults. Over a 24-year period, we observed variation in the risk of cub infection, with those born into groups with resident infectious breeding females being over four times as likely to be detected excreting M. bovis than cubs from groups where there was no evidence of infection in adults. We discuss how our findings relate to the persistence of infection at both social group and population level, and the potential implications for disease control strategies.
Domain minimization and beyond: Modeling prepositional phrase ordering
Authors: Wiechmann Daniel , Lohmann Arne
Published: March 2013

An important account of linear ordering in syntax is John A. Hawkins' (2004) theory of cognitive efficiency and the principles of domain minimization formulated therein. In its latest formulation, the theory postulates syntactic and semantic minimization principles. With regard to the relative strength of these principles, prior research into the dynamics of these constraints has come to differing conclusions. Using the relative ordering of prepositional phrases (PPs) in English as a test phenomenon, the present study contributes to the further development of a theory of syntactic serialization through the multifactorial analysis of naturalistic data from a corpus of present-day British English. We find that lexical-semantic dependency constitutes the strongest constraint on serialization followed by the weight-related, syntactic one. More specifically, our results show that although syntactic minimization has much greater data coverage – it applies to a much larger proportion of the data – the lexical-semantic factor has a much greater effect size, thus is more seldomly violated. In addition to assessing the relative importance of the two minimization principles, we also investigate the effects of other potential codeterminants of PP order, namely themanner > place > timegeneralization and pragmatic information status. Our results suggest that these play statistically significant but tangential roles in PP ordering.
Verbo-pictorial metaphor in French advertising
Authors: ALOUSQUE ISABEL NEGRO
Published: March 2013

In the last thirty years the development of the Cognitive Metaphor Theory (e.g. Lakoff, 1987, 2006; Lakoff and Johnson, 1999) has led to vast research into metaphor. The study of linguistic metaphor was followed by a body of work into pictorial metaphor (Forceville, 1994, 1996) and multimodal metaphor (Forceville, 2007, 2008, 2009). In the present contribution we explore the use of verbo-pictorial metaphors in advertising through a corpus of French print ads. Starting from the claim that adverts serve a persuasive purpose, it will be argued that multimodal metaphor contributes to that purpose. The paper addresses three issues: a) how multimodal metaphors are manifested in the French advertisements; b) how image and text interact in a concrete type of multimodal metaphor in French print advertisements, namely verbo-pictorial metaphor; c) how verbo-pictorial metaphor performs a pragmatic function in advertising.
Summer pre-breeding movements of Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae revealed by satellite telemetry: implications for conservation
Authors: MELLONE UGO , LÓPEZ-LÓPEZ PASCUAL , LIMIÑANA RUBÉN , URIOS VICENTE
Published: March 2013

Recent advances in bird tracking technologies are revealing that migratory birds use temporal staging sites other than breeding and wintering areas, and these areas deserve conservation efforts. Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae is a long-distance migratory raptor that breeds colonially on islands and is considered a priority species for conservation. Anecdotal observations indicate that during the pre-breeding period, Eleonora’s Falcons stay in inland areas far away from the colonies, but, to date there are no detailed data concerning the connectivity between these areas and breeding colonies. Using satellite telemetry, we analysed data from four summering events belonging to three individuals breeding in two colonies in the Western Mediterranean (Spain). All of them made inland movements in areas up to c.400 km distant from the respective breeding colonies, visiting several habitats, from forests to arable lands, probably taking advantage of high densities of insects. Perturbations occurring in these areas could threaten Eleonora’s Falcons with serious consequences at the population level. We suggest that conservation measures implemented at breeding and wintering grounds may not suffice and that temporary staging areas should be identified at a larger scale and deserve protection as well.
Perturbation theory for non-spherical fluids based on discretization of the interactions
Authors: Gámez Francisco , Benavides Ana Laura
Published: March 2013

An extension of the discrete perturbation theory [A. L. Benavides and A. Gil-Villegas, Mol. Phys. 97(12), 1225 (1999)10.1080/00268979909482924] accounting for non-spherical interactions is presented. An analytical expression for the Helmholtz free energy for an equivalent discrete potential is given as a function of density, temperature, and intermolecular parameters with implicit shape dependence. The presented procedure is suitable for the description of the thermodynamics of general intermolecular potential models of arbitrary shape. The overlap and dispersion forces are represented by a discrete potential formed by a sequence of square-well and square-shoulders potentials of shape-dependent widths. By varying the intermolecular parameters through their geometrical dependence, some illustrative cases of square-well spherocylinders and Kihara fluids are considered, and their vapor-liquid phase diagrams are tested against available simulation data. It is found that this theoretical approach is able to reproduce qualitatively and quantitatively well the Monte Carlo data for the selected potentials, except near the critical region.
Vibrational and electronic excitations in fluorinated ethene cations from the ground up
Authors: Harvey Jonelle , Hemberger Patrick , Bodi Andras , Tuckett Richard P.
Published: March 2013

Valence threshold photoelectron spectra of four fluorinated ethenes; C2H3F, 1,1-C2H2F2, C2HF3, and C2F4 were recorded at the Swiss Light Source with 0.002 eV resolution. The adiabatic ionization energies were found to be 10.364 ± 0.007, 10.303 ± 0.005, 10.138 ± 0.007, and 10.110 ± 0.009 eV, respectively. The electronic ground state of each cation shows well-resolved multi-component vibrational progressions, the dominant transitions being in the C=C stretching mode. Density functional theory based Franck–Condon simulations are used to model the vibrational structure and assign the spectra, sometimes revising previous assignments. An additional vibrational progression in the first photoelectron band of 1,1-C2H2F2 indicates that the ground electronic state of the molecular ion is no longer planar. It is shown that ab initio vibrational frequencies together with the observed vibrational spacings do not always suffice to assign the spectra. In addition to symmetry rules governing the transitions, it is often essential to consider the associated Franck–Condon factors explicitly. Ionization to higher lying excited valence electronic states were also recorded by threshold ionization up to 23 eV photon energy. Equation-of-motion coupled cluster with single and double substitutions for ionization potential (EOM-IP-CCSD/cc-pVTZ) calculations confirmed historic electronic state assignments, and untangled the ever more congested spectra with increasing F-substitution. Previous attempts at illuminating the intriguing dissociative photoionization mechanism of fluorinated ethenes are reconsidered in view of new computational and experimental results. We show how non-statistical F-atom loss from C2H3F+ is decoupled from the ground state dissociation dynamics in the energy range of its $\tilde C$C̃ state. Both the statistical and the non-statistical dissociation processes are mediated by a plethora of conical intersections.
Hyperfine interaction mechanism of magnetic field effects in sequential fluorophore and exciplex fluorescence
Authors: Dodin Dmitry V. , Ivanov Anatoly I. , Burshtein Anatoly I.
Published: March 2013

The magnetic field effect on the fluorescence of the photoexcited electron acceptor, 1A*, and the exciplex, 1[D+δA−δ] formed at contact of 1A* with an electron donor 1D, is theoretically explored in the framework of Integral Encounter Theory. It is assumed that the excited fluorophore is equilibrated with the exciplex that reversibly dissociates into the radical-ion pair. The magnetic field sensitive stage is the spin conversion in the resulting geminate radical-ion pair, 1, 3[D+…A−] that proceeds due to hyperfine interaction. We confirm our earlier conclusion (obtained with a rate description of spin conversion) that in the model with a single nucleus spin 1/2 the magnitude of the Magnetic Field Effect (MFE) also vanishes in the opposite limits of low and high dielectric permittivity of the solvent. Moreover, it is shown that MFE being positive at small hyperfine interaction A, first increases with A but approaching the maximum starts to decrease and even changes the sign.