bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Politics of Female Subjectivities and the Everyday: The Case of the Hong Kong Feminist Journal Nuliu
Authors: Shun-hing Chan
Published: July 2009

Based on selected writings on women's experiences of and reflections on dress and travel published in the Hong Kong feminist journal Nuliu, this paper discusses the politics of female subjectivity in relation to the everyday. The context of the discussion is the changing actualization of the well-known feminist slogan ‘the personal is political’ within the local feminist movement in Hong Kong between the 1980s and the 1990s. The paper aims to create a new paradigm for analysing agency – the key concept in subject formation – by critiquing the ideology of choice, which is a liberal value system that connects people's imagination with the notion of personal ‘liberation’. As demonstrated by the examples of dress and travel, the everyday is a site of both possibilities and conflict for women, who generate new strategies or tactics to negotiate not only with institutions, structures and policies, but also with ‘interpellations’, ‘temporality’, ‘spatiality’, ‘performativity’, ‘symbolism’ and ‘psyche’.
Fairies and Fighters: Gendered Tactics of the Alter-Globalization Movement in Prague (2000) and Genoa (2001)
Authors: Kolářová Marta
Published: July 2009

This paper examines gender aspects of tactics of the alter-globalization movement. Focusing mainly on two transnational collective actions in Prague in 2000 and in Genoa in 2001, the research draws on participant observation, interviews with activists and analysis of the movement's alternative media. The feminist activism within the movement, the gendered tactics and their representation in the alternative media are analysed using the concept of diffusion. Although feminists are involved in the protests, and local Czech feminist activism was incited by the international mobilizations in Prague in 2000, they are often marginalized because of the emphasis on masculine confrontational and violent tactics used in demonstrations. The movement's alternative media further reproduce gender stereotypes. The visual representations of the tactics are traditionally gendered – women are depicted as fairies, men as fighters; this is because the movement does not want to appear weak and feminine, and seeks to be effective.
Infrared absorption of MgO at high pressures and temperatures: A molecular dynamic study
Authors: Adebayo Gboyega A. , Liang Yunfeng , Miranda Caetano R. , Scandolo Sandro
Published: July 2009

We calculate by molecular dynamics the optical functions of MgO in the far infrared region 100–1000 cm−1, for pressures up to 40 GPa and temperatures up to 4000 K. An ab initio parametrized many-body force field is used to generate the trajectories. Infrared spectra are obtained from the time correlation of the polarization, and from Kramers–Kronig relations. The calculated spectra agree well with experimental data at ambient pressure. We find that the infrared absorption of MgO at CO2 laser frequencies increases substantially with both pressure and temperature and we argue that this may explain the underestimation, with respect to theoretical calculations, of the high-pressure melting temperature of MgO determined in CO2 laser-heated diamond-anvil cell experiments.
The formation of Er-oxide nanoclusters in SiO2 thin films with excess Si
Authors: Thogersen Annett , Mayandi Jeyanthinath , Finstad Terje , Olsen Arne , Diplas Spyros , Mitome Masanori , Bando Yoshio
Published: July 2009

The nucleation, distribution, and composition of erbium embedded in a SiO2–Si layer were studied with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy, energy filtered TEM, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. When SiO2 layer contains small amounts of Si and Er, nanoclusters of Er oxide are formed throughout the whole layer. The exposure of oxide to an electron beam with 1.56×106 electrons nm2 s causes nanocluster growth. Initially this growth matches the Ostwald ripening model, but eventually it stagnates at a constant nanocluster radius of 2.39 nm.
Dynamic force spectroscopy of single chainlike molecules using the frequency-modulation technique with constant-excitation
Authors: Ebeling Daniel , Oesterhelt Filipp , Hölscher Hendrik
Published: July 2009

To measure forces acting on a chainlike molecule in liquid, we introduce a dynamic approach based on the frequency-modulation technique with constant-excitation. In difference to the classical approach where the force is recorded as a conventional force versus distance curve in a static measurement, we are able to detect simultaneously the conservative force as well as the energy dissipation during the elongation of a chainlike molecule. We apply this technique to dextran monomers and demonstrate the agreement of the experimental force curves with a “single-click” model.
Molecular dynamics investigation of hydration of nanoscopic hydrophobic paraffin-like plates
Authors: Choudhury Niharendu
Published: July 2009

The effect of surface characteristics on the hydration behavior of various paraffin-like plates has been investigated. Structure and orientation characteristics of the water molecules in the solvation shells of various nanoscopic paraffin-like plates differing from each other in the intermolecular spacing have been extensively studied using molecular dynamics simulation in isothermal-isobaric ensemble. Single particle density distribution of water molecules around the plate reveals well defined solvation shells around each of the paraffin-like plates studied here. A sharp first peak in the density profile in each of the plates signifies no visible dewetting around the paraffin plate. Instantaneous density of water molecules around the plate also reveals that the plate is sufficiently hydrated and there is no intermittent fluctuation in water density in the first hydration shell leading to short lived dewetted state for any of the model plates within the two nanosecond time span. This is in contrast to the hydration behavior of the intersolute region, where intersolute dewetting has been observed for some of the model plates. Thus the present results demonstrate that dewetting in the intersolute region of nanoscopic hydrophobic plates does not stem from drying interface of the individual solute. No significant effect of surface topology on the orientational structure of water molecules as revealed through distributions of dipole moment as well as oxygen-hydrogen bond vectors of a water molecule in different solvation shells has been observed.
Search for transformation from paramagnetic martensite to ferromagnetic austenite: NiMnGaCu alloys
Authors: Jiang Chengbao , Wang Jingmin , Li Panpan , Jia Ao , Xu Huibin
Published: July 2009

Search for transformation from paramagnetic martensite to ferromagnetic austenite in ferromagnetic shape memory alloys is performed through designing NiMnGaCu alloys. The composition dependence of the martensitic transformation temperature TM, the magnetic transition temperatures TCA of the austenite and TCM of the martensite is systematically investigated. The sequence of the martensitic transformation and magnetic transition is determined. The diagram on the structural and magnetic transition in a specific system Ni46Mn25+xGa25−xCu4 is outlined, in which a transformation from paramagnetic martensite to ferromagnetic austenite is predicted, exhibiting TCM<TM<TCA. Such a transformation is then experimentally achieved in Ni46Mn33Ga17Cu4 alloy.
Nonlinear effects in the time measurement device based on surface acoustic wave filter excitation
Authors: Prochazka Ivan , Panek Petr
Published: July 2009

A transversal surface acoustic wave filter has been used as a time interpolator in a time interval measurement device. We are presenting the experiments and results of an analysis of the nonlinear effects in such a time interpolator. The analysis shows that the nonlinear distortion in the time interpolator circuits causes a deterministic measurement error which can be understood as the time interpolation nonlinearity. The dependence of this error on time of the measured events can be expressed as a sparse Fourier series thus it usually oscillates very quickly in comparison to the clock period. The theoretical model is in good agreement with experiments carried out on an experimental two-channel timing system. Using highly linear amplifiers in the time interpolator and adjusting the filter excitation level to the optimum, we have achieved the interpolation nonlinearity below 0.2 ps. The overall single-shot precision of the experimental timing device is 0.9 ps rms in each channel.
Particle shape effects on thermophysical properties of alumina nanofluids
Authors: Timofeeva Elena V. , Routbort Jules L. , Singh Dileep
Published: July 2009

The thermal conductivity and viscosity of various shapes of alumina nanoparticles in a fluid consisting of equal volumes of ethylene glycol and water were investigated. Experimental data were analyzed and accompanied by theoretical modeling. Enhancements in the effective thermal conductivities due to particle shape effects expected from Hamilton–Crosser equation are strongly diminished by interfacial effects proportional to the total surface area of nanoparticles. On the other hand, the presence of nanoparticles and small volume fractions of agglomerates with high aspect ratios strongly increases viscosity of suspensions due to structural constrains. Nanoparticle surface charge also plays an important role in viscosity. It is demonstrated that by adjusting pH of nanofluid, it is possible to reduce viscosity of alumina nanofluid without significantly affecting thermal conductivity. Efficiency of nanofluids (ratio of thermal conductivity and viscosity increase) for real-life cooling applications is evaluated in both the laminar and turbulent flow regimes using the experimental values of thermal conductivity and viscosity.
Effects of charge screening and surface properties on signal transduction in field effect nanowire biosensors
Authors: Liu Yang , Dutton Robert W.
Published: July 2009

A self-consistent numerical model for silicon-based field effect nanowire biosensors is developed to study the impact of various surface-related physical and chemical processes, including transport of semiconductor carriers and electrolyte mobile ions, protonation and deprotonation of surface charge groups, and charges, and orientations and surface binding dynamics of immobilized biomolecules. It is shown that the sensing signal levels are affected by the gate biasing points, nonlinear screening from both electrolytes and surface charge groups, as well as the biomolecule charges and orientations. The critical role of the nanowire surface heterogeneity in determining the sensing input dynamic range is indicated based on correlations with experimental data.
In-plane anisotropic photoluminescence of C-plane GaN under asymmetric biaxial strain
Authors: Zhang Z. , Fu D. Y. , Zhang R. , Liu B. , Xie Z. L. , Xiu X. Q. , Han P. , Zheng Y. D. , Edwards G.
Published: July 2009

The effects of anisotropic strain on wurtzite GaN valence subbands are investigated both theoretically and experimentally. k•p perturbation theory reveals that the in-plane asymmetric strain not only affects the transition energies, but also determines the polarization properties, which is analyzed to be the essential cause of the optical anisotropy. Considerable in-plane anisotropy of strained C-plane GaN in polarized photoluminescence is reported. The experimental result in good agreement with theoretical study directly proves the strain effects on the transitions polarization states. The fine accordance of observed and simulated photoluminescence dependences on strain asymmetry degree demonstrates a primary realization of strain controlled optical anisotropy, and such modulation indicates the great potential of utilizing GaN-based semiconductors in polarization-sensitive optoelectronics.
Observation of Γ-point phonon frequency in ultrathin metallic films confirmed by ab initio calculation and lattice dynamics
Authors: Tanei H. , Kusakabe K. , Ogi H. , Nakamura N. , Hirao M.
Published: July 2009

Vibrations in ultrathin metallic films excited by ultrafast light pulses have been studied based on continuum mechanics. However, this paper shows that they are Γ-point phonon vibrations of plate-phonon modes. Ab initio and lattice dynamics calculations are made to compare Γ-point phonon vibrational frequencies with measurements obtained by the picosecond ultrasound spectroscopy. The standing-wave frequencies of specific Γ-point phonon modes of the slab model show good agreement with measurements without any fitting parameters. This study informs us of a limitation of the continuum-mechanics theory for explaining the mechanics of ultrathin metallic films.
Production of O2 Herzberg states in the deep UV photodissociation of ozone
Authors: Schinke R. , McBane G. C. , Shen L. , Singh P. C. , Suits A. G.
Published: July 2009

High-resolution imaging experiments combined with new electronic structure and dynamics calculations strongly indicate that the O(P3)+O2 products with very low kinetic energy release (Etr<0.2 eV) formed in the deep UV (226 nm) photodissociation of ozone reflect excitation of the Herzberg states of O2: A′ Δ3u(v=0,1,2) and A Σ3u+(v=0,1). This interpretation contradicts the earlier assignment to very high (v≥26) vibrational states of O2(Σ3g−).
Rapid piezoelectric response and origin in (001) Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)0.70Ti0.30O3 crystal
Authors: Tu C.-S. , Chien R. R. , Lee S.-C. , Schmidt V. H. , Luo H.
Published: July 2009

Normal piezoelectric coefficient d33, domain structure, and x-ray diffraction of a (001)-cut Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)0.70Ti0.30O3 (PIN-30%PT) single crystal have been investigated as a function of poling electric (E) field. E-field-dependent domain structures were observed by using a polarizing microscope. Piezoelectric coefficient d33 exhibits a rapid increase at E=1–3 kV/cm and reaches a maximum of about 1200 pC/N near E=6 kV/cm. Structural d spacing and domain structure results suggest that polarization rotation from rhombohedral to monoclinic MA phases causes the high piezoelectric response. Overpoling phenomenon associated with a sudden reduction of d33 with increasing field was not evidenced.
Pyroelectric effect enhancement through product property under open circuit condition
Authors: Chang H. H. S. , Huang Z.
Published: July 2009

An analytical model for the pyroelectric (PY) effect under open circuit condition and 2-2 connectivity laminates of various pairs of PY and nonpyroelectric (NP)/elastic materials has been developed. It is evident from our analysis that there indeed is a substantial dissimilarity between the PY coefficients and figure of merit for efficiency for various PY-NP pairs under short circuit and open circuit conditions. We believe this implies that there should be a greater distinction made between the PY coefficients under these two electrical conditions than previously thought. The indicators for various PY-NP material pairs that can be utilized to determine their PY coefficient enhancement potential under open circuit condition have been identified. The investigated PY materials are lead zirconate titanate (PZT-5H and PZT-5A), barium titanate, lithium tantalate, lithium niobate, and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), while the NP materials are stainless steel, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride thermoplastic (CPVC), aluminum, zinc, and Invar 36. Extraordinarily large PY coefficient of 97×10−4 C m−2 K−1 at minimum thickness ratio Rmin is expected for PZT-5H-CPVC pair while PVDF-CPVC could show increase in the secondary PY coefficient of up to 350%. In addition, where the figure of merit for efficiency is concerned, for the same volume of the composite PZT-5A-PTFE pair it reaches 24, a 24-fold increase in efficiency at Rmin. Our analysis techniques should provide a methodological way for appraising the potentials of particular PY material and its 2-2 laminates for applications under open circuit condition such as PY X-ray generation, electron accelerator, and nuclear fusion.
Influence of CO in the structural and electrical properties of Pt nanocontacts: Comparison with H2 molecule addition
Authors: García Y.
Published: July 2009

Density-functional theory is used to determine the atomic structure and the zero-bias conductance of Pt nanocontacts upon CO addition. Three stable atomic configurations of the nanocontacts, in conjunction with a statistical analysis of their electrical response, are enough to explain the main features of the experimental conductance histograms. Remarkably, the role of nonlocal effects when approaching the exchange-correlation potential within density-functional theory turns out to be crucial for CO molecular-based systems. Finally, a comparison with H2 molecule addition on Pt nanocontacts is presented.
Calculation of the transport and relaxation properties of dilute water vapor
Authors: Hellmann Robert , Bich Eckard , Vogel Eckhard , Dickinson Alan S. , Vesovic Velisa
Published: July 2009

Transport properties of dilute water vapor have been calculated in the rigid-rotor approximation using four different potential energy hypersurfaces and the classical-trajectory method. Results are reported for shear viscosity, self-diffusion, thermal conductivity, and volume viscosity in the dilute-gas limit for the temperature range of 250–2500 K. Of these four surfaces the CC-pol surface of Bukowski et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 128, 094314 (2008)] is in best accord with the available measurements. Very good agreement is found with the most accurate results for viscosity in the whole temperature range of the experiments. For thermal conductivity the deviations of the calculated values from the experimental data increase systematically with increasing temperature to around 5% at 1100 K. For both self-diffusion and volume viscosity, the much more limited number of available measurements are generally consistent with the calculated values, apart from the lower temperature isotopically labeled diffusion measurements.
Functional regularity properties for light rays in general relativity
Authors: Giambò Roberto , Giannoni Fabio , Masiello Antonio
Published: July 2009

In this note we consider some functionals restricted to the nonholonomic constraint satisfied by lightlike curves in Lorentzian manifolds. These functionals are related to the arrival time map, whose critical points are light rays in general relativity, and they have been used in the variational theory of light rays in some recent literatures. We exhibit an explicit example showing that, from a functional point of view, the constraint above does not have sufficient regularity. Nevertheless, we show that up to a continuous change in coordinates, the used functionals restricted to the constraint have just the regularity that one needs to develop Lusternik–Schnirelmann theory or Morse theory.
Short pitch cholesteric electro-optical device based on periodic polymer structures
Authors: Carbone Giovanni , Salter Patrick , Elston Steve J. , Raynes Peter , De Sio Luciano , Ferjani Sameh , Strangi Giuseppe , Umeton Cesare , Bartolino Roberto
Published: July 2009

The helical flexoelectro-optic effect produces a submillisecond, temperature-independent in-plane rotation of the optical axis and is potentially interesting for the display industry. The main drawback is that it relies on a texture, the uniform lying helix (ULH), which is intrinsically unstable. We present a method based on the use of periodic polymeric microchannels to create highly ordered and stable ULH structures. Electro-optic measurements performed on a test device show a large contrast ratio between bright and dark states (better then 100:1), fast switching (200 μs), and large optical rotation (>30°).
Flexible full color organic light-emitting diode display on polyimide plastic substrate driven by amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide thin-film transistors
Authors: Park Jin-Seong , Kim Tae-Woong , Stryakhilev Denis , Lee Jae-Sup , An Sung-Guk , Pyo Yong-Shin , Lee Dong-Bum , Mo Yeon Gon , Jin Dong-Un , Chung Ho Kyoon
Published: July 2009

We have fabricated 6.5 in. flexible full-color top-emission active matrix organic light-emitting diode display on a polyimide (PI) substrate driven amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide thin-film transistors (a-IGZO TFTs). The a-IGZO TFTs exhibited field-effect mobility (μFE) of 15.1 cm2/V s, subthreshold slope of 0.25 V/dec, threshold voltage (VTH) of 0.9 V. The electrical characteristics of TFTs on PI substrate, including a bias-stress instability after 1 h long gate bias at 15 V, were indistinguishable from those on glass substrate and showed high degree of spatial uniformity. TFT samples on 10 μm thick PI substrate withstood bending down to R=3 mm under tension and compression without any performance degradation.
Generation of a dressed soliton in a four-component dusty plasma with nonthermal ions
Authors: Chatterjee Prasanta , Mondal Ganesh , Roy Kaushik , Muniandy S. V. , Yap S. L. , Wong C. S.
Published: July 2009

Dust acoustic solitary waves are studied in a four-component dusty plasma. Positively and negatively charged mobile dust and Boltzmann-distributed electrons are considered. The ion distribution is taken as nonthermal. The Korteweg–de Vries equation is derived using reductive perturbation technique. We are able to reproduce the results obtained by Sayed and Mamun [Phys. Plasmas 14, 014501 (2007)] provided the Boltzmann distribution is considered for the ions. Higher order inhomogeneous differential equation is obtained for the dressed soliton. By using the renormalization method of Kodama and Taniuti [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 45, 298 (1978)], we derived the expression for the dressed soliton.
Energy level alignment of poly(3-hexylthiophene): [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester bulk heterojunction
Authors: Xu Zheng , Chen Li-Min , Chen Mei-Hsin , Li Gang , Yang Yang
Published: July 2009

Photoelectron spectroscopy was used to investigate poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and their blends on various conductive substrates. The study shows a P3HT-rich layer at the top of the P3HT:PCBM blend films. The energy level alignment of the top P3HT changes with the work function of the substrate and the PCBM concentration at the bottom surface of the blend film. The results can be explained using the integer charge transfer model.
Intermediate-band photovoltaic solar cell based on ZnTe:O
Authors: Wang Weiming , Lin Albert S. , Phillips Jamie D.
Published: July 2009

Oxygen doping in ZnTe is applied to a junction diode in the aim of utilizing the associated electron states 0.5 eV below the bandedge as an intermediate band for photovoltaic solar cells. The ZnTe:O diodes confirm extended spectral response below the bandedge relative to undoped ZnTe diodes, and demonstrate a 100% increase in short circuit current, 15% decrease in open circuit voltage, and overall 50% increase in power conversion efficiency. Subbandgap excitation at 650 and 1550 nm confirms the response via a two-photon process and illustrates the proposed energy conversion mechanism for an intermediate band solar cell.
Kinetic theory of correlated fluids: From dynamic density functional to Lattice Boltzmann methods
Authors: Marconi Umberto Marini Bettolo , Melchionna Simone
Published: July 2009

Using methods of kinetic theory and liquid state theory we propose a description of the nonequilibrium behavior of molecular fluids, which takes into account their microscopic structure and thermodynamic properties. The present work represents an alternative to the recent dynamic density functional theory, which can only deal with colloidal fluids and is not apt to describe the hydrodynamic behavior of a molecular fluid. The method is based on a suitable modification of the Boltzmann transport equation for the phase space distribution and provides a detailed description of the local structure of the fluid and its transport coefficients. Finally, we propose a practical scheme to solve numerically and efficiently the resulting kinetic equation by employing a discretization procedure analogous to the one used in the Lattice Boltzmann method.
Performance of iterative optoacoustic tomography with experimental data
Authors: Jetzfellner Thomas , Razansky Daniel , Rosenthal Amir , Schulz Ralf , Englmeier K.-H. , Ntziachristos Vasilis
Published: July 2009

In this letter we experimentally demonstrate the sensitivity and overall performance of iterative correction for light attenuation in optoacoustic tomography as a function of number of iterations and accuracy of the tissue optical properties estimations. Experimental optoacoustic data were obtained by circularly illuminating a tissue-mimicking phantom with a high intensity pulsed near infrared laser and measuring the subsequent acoustic waves using a broadband acoustic hydrophone. We showcase an improvement in image fidelity and quantification due to the iterative inversion but find the method sensitive to the background optical properties and of a diverging behavior when increasing the number of iterations.
Electron transport in electrospun TiO2 nanofiber dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Mukherjee Kunal , Teng Tai-Hou , Jose Rajan , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: July 2009

In this study dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) were fabricated using electrospun TiO2 nanofibers. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and open-circuit voltage decay were used to analyze electron transport in electrospun nanofibers and determine their applicability in DSCs. The polycrystalline nature and random web structure of the nanofibers exhibit effective electron diffusion coefficients close to that of high efficiency nanoparticle cells. The electron lifetime was, however, low due to the presence of a large number of surface traps despite the presence of a space-charge recombination barrier.
Size-dependent thermopower in nanocrystalline nickel
Authors: Soni Ajay , Okram Gunadhor S.
Published: July 2009

Thermopower (Sn) of compacted nanocrystalline Ni of average particle size D=38, 32, and 25 nm at low temperatures (5–300 K) is reported here. Sn exhibits striking deviations from bulk thermopower Sbulk behavior revealing evolution of Sn with change in D. As D decreases, there is significant decrease in Sn, gradual disappearance of phonon drag minimum and sign change to positive below 38 K compared to usual negative Sbulk. They have been attributed to electron and phonon scattering at grain boundaries and phonon confinement. Small minima observed near 25 K in thermopower difference ΔS are correlated with superparamagnetic transitions.
One-way electromagnetic Tamm states in magnetophotonic structures
Authors: Khanikaev Alexander B. , Baryshev Alexander V. , Inoue Mitsuteru , Kivshar Yuri S.
Published: July 2009

We study surface Tamm states in magnetophotonic structures magnetized in the Cotton–Mouton (Voigt) geometry. We demonstrate that the periodicity violation due to the structure truncation together with the violation of the time reversal symmetry due to the presence of magneto-optical materials gives rise to nonreciprocality of the surface modes. Dispersion of forward and backward modes splits and becomes magnetization dependent. This results in the magnetization-induced transitions between bulk and surface modes and unidirectional propagation of surface waves.
Dynamics of surface memory effect in liquid crystal alignment on reconfigurable microwrinkles
Authors: Ohzono Takuya , Monobe Hirosato , Yamaguchi Rumiko , Shimizu Yo , Yokoyama Hiroshi
Published: July 2009

Microwrinkles generated by thin film buckling on elastic substrates serve as reconfigurable microgrooves that can align nematic liquid crystals (NLCs). Through rapid switching of the groove direction to generate controlled perturbation in surface-induced NLC alignment, we studied the dynamical behavior of the surface memory effect. Combined with annealing that resets the alignment memory, the time-dependent response to groove switching indicates that substantial memory develops in a few seconds after contact between the surface and the nematic phase.
Elastic percolation transition in nanowire-based magnetorheological fluids
Authors: Zimmerman D. T. , Bell R. C. , Filer J. A. , Karli J. O. , Wereley N. M.
Published: July 2009

We observe an elastic percolation transition in the yield stress (τy) of cobalt-nanowire magnetorheological fluids, with a critical volume fraction of ferromagnetic particles (pc) that increases with the applied magnetic field (H). Unlike studies of static percolation phenomena, our observations reveal percolation in a dynamic, fluid-semisolid system. The elastic critical exponent (f) appears to be independent of H, having a value in the range of 1.0–1.2, near that seen in various two-dimensional networks. The superelastic exponent (c) decreases with increasing H and is smaller than that seen in typical networks.
Spin relaxation in silicon coupled quantum dots
Authors: Pan Wei , Yu Xiao Zhu , Shen Wen Zhong
Published: July 2009

We present a detailed investigation for spin relaxation processes in silicon coupled quantum dots. Low-field magnetoconductance measurements have been employed to deduce phase dephasing and spin relaxation rates. On the basis of the dephasing theory containing triplet channel interaction, we have demonstrated that small energy transfer scattering process is the dominant dephasing mechanism, and strong electron-electron interaction results in an interdot spin-exchange relaxation process. Triplet-singlet relaxation is found to be another important spin relaxation process in the inner quantum dots, taking into account the triplet-singlet splitting induced by spin-orbit coupling.
Proposal for high sensitivity force sensor inspired by auditory hair cells
Authors: Song Taegeun , Park Hee Chul , Ahn Kang-Hun
Published: July 2009

We propose a biomimetic electromechanical system mimicking auditory hair cell and investigate its mechanical properties. The biophysical properties of the biological hair cells, mechanical instability, and sensory adaptation are modeled using feedback control. The proposed system shows two different types of response according to their spontaneous oscillations; sinusoidal-like and bistable oscillation. We demonstrate by numerical simulation that, as in auditory hair cells, the sensitivity is larger and frequency filtering is sharper for weaker force signal, which might be applicable for high sensitivity wide-ranged force (sound) sensor.
Confined energy states in quantum dots detected by a resonant differential capacitance method
Authors: Engström O. , Kaniewska M. , Kaczmarczyk M.
Published: July 2009

A novel method is demonstrated for revealing the presence of confined energy states in quantum dots. The samples used are Schottky diodes with quantum dots inserted in a plane inside its depletion region. By measuring the voltage derivative of the differential diode capacitance and plotting the data as contour diagrams on a voltage versus temperature plane, the confined charge carrier states are visualized as peaks. To confirm this interpretation, experimental data are compared with theory based on statistics earlier used for understanding data from deep level transient spectroscopy on the same type of samples.
Surface acoustic waves with negative group velocity in a thin film structure on silicon
Authors: Maznev A. A. , Every A. G.
Published: July 2009

A surface acoustic wave dispersion curve of a thin film structure on silicon measured with the laser-induced transient grating technique displays a local minimum in frequency at nonzero wavenumber. For a range of wavenumbers to one side of this minimum the dispersion curve is of negative slope, implying the existence of surface waves with negative group velocity. Unlike in the well studied case of “backward traveling” Lamb waves in plates, the anomalous behavior here is exhibited by the lowest acoustic mode of the structure. The existence of the local minimum in the dispersion curve is corroborated by numerical simulations.
Carbon nanowalls as material for electrochemical transducers
Authors: Luais E. , Boujtita M. , Gohier A. , Tailleur A. , Casimirius S. , Djouadi M. A. , Granier A. , Tessier P. Y.
Published: July 2009

The electrochemical reactivity of a carbon nanowalls electrode was highlighted. The carbon nanowalls were synthesized at 520 °C in an acetylene/ammonia electron cyclotronic resonance plasma without any metal catalyst. The electrode surface was characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Its electrochemical reactivity was studied by both cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. After the carbon nanowalls deposition, the electronic transfer rate constant and the electroactive surface area were found to be increased by a factor of 7 and 3, respectively.
Improved electrical characteristics of TaN/Al2O3/In0.53Ga0.47As metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors by fluorine incorporation
Authors: Chen Yen-Ting , Zhao Han , Yum Jung Hwan , Wang Yanzhen , Xue Fei , Zhou Fei , Lee Jack C.
Published: July 2009

In this work, a postgate CF4 plasma treatment has been demonstrated on In0.53Ga0.47As channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. Fluorine (F) has been incorporated into the atomic layer deposited Al2O3 gate dielectric by postgate CF4 plasma treatment. A smaller subthreshold swing and reduced interface trap density has been achieved with F passivation, suggesting a better interface quality. With CF4 plasma treatment, drive current, transconductance and effective channel mobility has been shown to increase by 13.9%, 12.5%, and 29.6%, in comparison to the control devices, respectively.
Building Communities Through Performance: Emerging Approaches to Interculturality
Authors: Parent Roger
Published: July 2009

Objective: Changing definitions of culture are modifying approaches to intercultural education and training. This paper outlines the principal features of these emerging models for innovation and capacity building in communities.

Methods: Semiotics provides a theoretical frame for the interdisciplinary analysis of research on cultural competency, especially regarding recent studies on “cultural intelligence”, performance and creativity.

Results: Interdisciplinary research on cultural literacy is shifting from cultural knowledge to intercultural know-how. This know-how translates into the individual's capacity to innovate and illustrates the influence of culture on individual and group performance.

Conclusions: Research on cultural intelligence, performance and creativity provides promising new models for capacity building in communities. These approaches constitute a synthesis of previous research on cultural competency and provide new avenues for innovative social action through intercultural exchange.
Social and Emotional Wellbeing Training of Psychiatrists in Victoria: Preliminary Communication
Authors: Duke Michael , Ewen Shaun
Published: July 2009

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to document the processes towards ensuring that all psychiatrists in training in Victoria have appropriate Indigenous mental health experience and training.

Conclusions: This paper describes the process of implementation of the 2004 Indigenous Mental Health Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) Training By-Laws within Victoria. It is likely that the challenges of ensuring access to this training experience, within the Victorian RANZCP Training Program, have been experienced to varying degrees within other Australian training programs. The vertical integration of Indigenous health curriculum extends work being done in all undergraduate medical schools in Australia and New Zealand, and which the Australian Medical Council have incorporated into their accreditation of medical schools.
Creating Better Futures: When the Theory Fails and the Future is no More
Authors: Pere Lynne
Published: July 2009

Objective: The aim of this paper is to advance and enrich innovative thinking about mental health issues from an Indigenous perspective, through consideration of the gap between Indigenous mental health research and Indigenous mental health practice.
Differential effects of constraints in the processing of Russian cataphora
Authors: Kazanina Nina , Phillips Colin
Published: July 2009

Anaphoric relations between pronouns and their antecedents are subject to a number of different linguistic constraints, which exclude the possibility of coreference in specific syntactic or discourse contexts. Constraints on anaphora may, in principle, impact online sentence processing in a couple of different ways. They may act as constraints on the generation of interpretations, preventing illicit anaphoric relations from ever being considered. Alternatively, they may act as later filters on interpretations, rejecting candidate interpretations after initial consideration. A number of previous studies have sought to determine which of these mechanisms accurately describes the online impact of constraints on anaphora. The current studies present evidence that there is no uniform answer to this question, and that the two mechanisms are both used, for different constraints. Evidence for this is drawn from studies on the processing of two constraints on backwards anaphora or cataphora in Russian that apply in superficially similar contexts but that differ in a number of respects. One self-paced reading study and two judgement studies are reported. The self-paced reading study manipulates the gender congruency between a pronoun and a following name in three pairs of conditions. In conditions where the pronoun–name configuration violates no constraints on anaphora a gender mismatch effect was observed following the name, as in previous studies, suggesting that comprehenders actively search for an antecedent following a cataphoric pronoun. In conditions where the pronoun–name configuration violates Principle C of the classical binding theory no effect of the gender manipulation was observed, suggesting that comprehenders do not even consider the possibility of interpretations that violate this constraint. In conditions where the pronoun–name configuration violates a Russian-specific constraint on cataphora a gender match effect was observed following the name, the reverse of the finding in the no-constraint conditions, suggesting that the constraint applies as a filter on candidate interpretations.
Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization and Colonization or Infection at Other Body Sites in Patients on a Burn Trauma Unit
Authors: Reighard Amber , Diekema Daniel , Wibbenmeyer Lucy , Ward Melissa , Herwaldt Loreen
Published: July 2009

Objective.

To determine whether Staphylococcus aureus isolates from the nares of patients on a burn trauma unit were related to isolates colonizing or infecting other body sites.

Design.

Active surveillance for S. aureus, a case-control study, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of S. aureus isolates.

Setting.

A burn trauma unit of a Midwestern university teaching hospital.

Patients.

Patients admitted from February 1, 2002, through March 30, 2007, who had S. aureus isolated either from a nasal culture and from another body site (case patients) or from a nasal culture alone (control subjects).

Results.

Nineteen patients met the case patient definition and had paired isolates from the nares and an additional site available for typing. Of the 19 case patients, 8 had infections, 7 of which were caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (5 USA100 strain and 2 USA300 strain). A total length of stay of more than 3 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 8.75 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.2–34.6]; P = .002), residence in a long-term care facility (OR, 9.4 [95% CI, 2.1–42.5]; P = .004), and diabetes (OR, 3.2 [95% CI, 1.0–10.0]; P = .05) were associated with the isolation of S. aureus from the nares and other sites. Seventeen case patients (89.5%) had closely related isolates obtained from culture of samples from the nares and from other sites.

Conclusions.

Prolonged length of stay, diabetes, or residing in a long-term care facility increased the risk of having S. aureus at sites other than the nares. S. aureus isolates from other body sites usually were closely related to nasal isolates. Most case patients had colonized or infected wounds that could be a source of S. aureus for other patients.
Hospital-Wide Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Control Program: A 5-Year Follow-up
Authors: Chowers Michal Y. , Paitan Yossi , Gottesman Bat Sheva , Gerber Beatris , Ben-Nissan Yona , Shitrit Pnina
Published: July 2009

We investigated the influence of different interventions (active surveillance, contact isolation, monitoring, and rapid diagnostic testing) on the number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia cases. An interrupted time-series analysis was used. MRSA bacteremia cases were reduced by 70% when all interventions were in place. We proved monitoring to be an essential component.
Diffuse optical imaging
Authors: Gibson Adam , Dehghani Hamid
Published: July 2009

Diffuse optical imaging is a medical imaging technique that is beginning to move from the laboratory to the hospital. It is a natural extension of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which is now used in certain niche applications clinically and particularly for physiological and psychological research. Optical imaging uses sophisticated image reconstruction techniques to generate images from multiple NIRS measurements. The two main clinical applications—functional brain imaging and imaging for breast cancer—are reviewed in some detail, followed by a discussion of other issues such as imaging small animals and multimodality imaging. We aim to review the state of the art of optical imaging.
Unscented Kalman filter approach to tracking a moving interfacial boundary in sedimentation processes using three-dimensional electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Khambampati Anil Kumar , Rashid Ahmar , Ijaz Umer Zeeshan , Kim Sin , Soleimani Manuchehr , Kim Kyung Youn
Published: July 2009

The monitoring of solid–fluid suspensions under the influence of gravity is widely used in industrial processes. By considering sedimentation layers with different electrical properties, non-invasive methods such as electrical impedance tomography (EIT) can be used to estimate the settling curves and velocities. In recent EIT studies, the problem of estimating the locations of phase interfaces and phase conductivities has been treated as a nonlinear state estimation problem and the extended Kalman filter (EKF) has been successfully applied. However, the EKF is based on a Gaussian assumption and requires a linearized measurement model. The linearization (or derivation of the Jacobian) is possible when there are no discontinuities in the system. Furthermore, having a complex phase interface representation makes derivation of the Jacobian a tedious task. Therefore, in this paper, we explore the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) as an alternative approach for estimating phase interfaces and conductivities in sedimentation processes. The UKF uses a nonlinear measurement model and is therefore more accurate. In order to justify the proposed approach, extensive numerical experiments have been performed and a comparative analysis with the EKF is provided.
Visualization of multidimensional and multimodal tomographic medical imaging data, a case study
Authors: Zhang Yan , Passmore Peter J. , Bayford Richard H.
Published: July 2009

Multidimensional tomographic datasets contain physical properties defined over four-dimensional (e.g. spatial–temporal, spatial–spectral), five-dimensional (e.g. spatial–temporal–spectral) or even higher-dimensional domains. Multimodal tomographic datasets contain physical properties obtained with different imaging modalities. In medicine, four-dimensional data are widely used, five-dimensional data are emerging, and multimodal data are being used more often every day. Visualization is vital for medical diagnosis and surgical planning to interpret the information included in imaging data. Visualization of multidimensional and multimodal tomographic imaging data is still a challenging task. As a case study, our work focuses on the visualization of five-dimensional (spatial–temporal–spectral) brain electrical impedance tomography (EIT) data. In this paper, a task-based subset definition scheme is proposed: a task model named Cubic Task Explorer (CTE) is derived to support the visualization task exploration for medical imaging data, and a structured method for visualization system development called Task-based Multi-Dimensional Visualization (TMDV) is proposed. A prototype system named EIT5DVis is developed using the CTE model and TMDV method to visualize five-dimensional brain EIT data.
Numerical modelling and image reconstruction in diffuse optical tomography
Authors: Dehghani Hamid , Srinivasan Subhadra , Pogue Brian W. , Gibson Adam
Published: July 2009

The development of diffuse optical tomography as a functional imaging modality has relied largely on the use of model-based image reconstruction. The recovery of optical parameters from boundary measurements of light propagation within tissue is inherently a difficult one, because the problem is nonlinear, ill-posed and ill-conditioned. Additionally, although the measured near-infrared signals of light transmission through tissue provide high imaging contrast, the reconstructed images suffer from poor spatial resolution due to the diffuse propagation of light in biological tissue. The application of model-based image reconstruction is reviewed in this paper, together with a numerical modelling approach to light propagation in tissue as well as generalized image reconstruction using boundary data. A comprehensive review and details of the basis for using spatial and structural prior information are also discussed, whereby the use of spectral and dual-modality systems can improve contrast and spatial resolution.
Effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of Project P.A.T.H.S.: Findings Based on the First 2 Years of Program Implementation
Authors: Shek Daniel T. L.
Published: July 2009

The Tier 1 Program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) is a curricular-based program that attempts to promote positive youth development in Hong Kong. In the second year of the Full Implementation Phase, 20 experimental schools (N = 2,784 students) and 23 control schools (N = 3,401 students) participated in a randomized group trial. Analyses of covariance and linear mixed models, controlling for differences between the two groups in terms of Wave 1 pretest scores, personal variables, and random effect of schools, showed that participants in the experimental schools had significantly higher positive youth development levels than did participants in the control schools at post-test, based on different indicators derived from the Chinese Positive Youth Development Scale. The students in the experimental schools also displayed a lower level of delinquency, but better school adjustment than did students in the control schools. Differences between experimental and control participants were also found when students who joined the Tier 1 Program and perceived the program to be beneficial were employed as participants of the experimental schools.