bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
13.56 MHz Organic Transistor Based Rectifier Circuits for RFID Tags
Authors: Rotzoll Robert , Mohapatra Siddharth , Olariu Viorel , Wenz Robert , Grigas Michelle , Shchekin Oleg , Dimmler Klaus , Dodabalapur Ananth
Published: September 2016

One of the potential application areas for organic and polymers transistors is in radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags. One of the key components of an RFID tag is the front-end rectifier that must rectify a 13.56 MHz AC signal received from a resonant tuned antenna. The rectifier supplies operating power to the tag. Organic transistor circuits have hitherto not operated at this high frequency. We show that by operating pentacene transistors in the non-quasi-static (NQS) regime such operating speeds can be achieved in rectifier circuits. The circuits were fabricated on flexible plastic substrates and employed a solution-cast dielectric. The pentacene mobilities are in the range 0.1-1.5 cm2/V-s. The channel lengths of the transistors are in the range 2-4 μm. Full-wave NQS mode rectifiers were measured to have voltage rectification efficiency in excess of 28% at 14 MHz, demonstrating that such circuits can be used in RFID tags. These circuits operated successfully at speeds up to 20 MHz.
Organic Thin Film Transistors with Contacts Printed from Metal Nanoparticles
Authors: Wu Yiliang , Li Yuning , Gardner Sandra , Ong Beng S.
Published: September 2016

Metal nanoparticles were studied as solution printable precursors to highly conductive elements for electronic device applications. Dispersions of gold and silver nanoparticles stabilized respectively with butanethiol and hexadecylamine in organic solvents were used to prepare electrode features for organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) via stencil printing. The printed features, annealed at a relatively low temperature of 140-160°C, yielded metal electrodes with conductivities resembling those of vacuum-evaporated pure metals. The OTFTs with the source and drain electrodes of this nature exhibited field effect transistor performance identical to those of devices having vacuum-evaporated metal electrodes.
Highly Efficient Multifunctional Phosphorescent Dendrimers Consisting of an Iridium-Complex Core and Charge-Transporting Dendrons for Organic Light-Emitting Devices
Authors: Tsuzuki Toshimitsu , Shirasawa Nobuhiko , Suzuki Toshiyasu , Tokito Shizuo
Published: September 2016

We report a novel class of emitting materials for use in the organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs): multifunctional phosphorescent dendrimers that have a phosphorescent core and have charge transporting dendrons. We have synthesized first-generation and second-generation dendrimers consisting of a fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium [Ir(ppy)3] core and hole transporting phenylcarbazole-based dendrons. Smooth amorphous films of these dendrimers were formed by spin-coating them from solutions. The OLEDs using the dendrimer exhibited bright green or yellowish-green emission from the Ir(ppy)3 core. The external quantum efficiency of the OLED using the mixture film of the first-generation dendrimer and an electron-transporting material was as high as 7.6%.
Control of Thin Film Transistor Operations with Polar Self-Assembled Monolayers
Authors: Iwasa Y. , Nishikawa T. , Kobayashi S. , Takenobu T. , Shimoda T. , Mitani T. , Kubozono K.
Published: September 2016

From the view point of materials sciences, one of the central issues in organic thin film transistors (TFTs) is the interface between different materials inherent in the device structure. For example, the interface between organic semiconductors and electrodes controls the carrier injection, while the interface between organic semiconductors and gate insulators governs the trap and carrier densities. Here, we show that interface modification with self-assembeld monolayers (SAMs) using polar organosilane molecules offers novel functions in organic TFTs. SAMs on SiO2 gate dielectrics was found to the carrier density at the conduction channel, while the adsorbed SAMs molecules on metal electrodes causes an ambipolar operation in fullerene TFTs. These interface modification techniques, since they are low temperature processes, provide novel opportunities for improving device manufacturing processes.
Pentacene Transistors with Polymer Gate Dielectrics on Metallized Optical Fibers
Authors: Granstrom Jimmy , Katz Howard E.
Published: September 2016

It is difficult to deposit a very thin polymer layer onto a fiber-shaped substrate from solution because the high interfacial energy can lead to dewetting. This difficulty presents itself when attempting to apply a gate dielectric to conductive fiber substrates during the fabrication of fiber transistors for use in applications such as “electrotextiles” and optical switches. We present a dip coating process that applies a gate dielectric to metal-coated optical fibers with high uniformity and reproducibility, resulting in pentacene field-effect transistors (FETs) with excellent transistor characteristics including mobilities up to 0.4 cm2/Vs and on/off ratios up to 7000. In one case, a memory effect was demonstrated. Several gate dielectrics were successfully applied to the optical fibers, suggesting a baseline set of suitable materials for this purpose. A thorough study of the dip coating conditions is presented, including proposed explanations of the effects of different coating procedures and solution physical properties.
Radiotracer Diffusion Measurements of Noble Metal Atoms in Semiconducting Organic Films.
Authors: Scharnberg Michael , Kanzow Jörn , Rätzke Klaus , Adelung Rainer , Faupel Franz , Meyer Stephan , Pflaum Jens
Published: September 2016

The application of organic field effect transistors (OFETs) for large scale low-cost electronic devices has lead to intense research. Diindenoperylene (DIP) thin films on SiO2 are a prominent system due to their high structural out-of-plane order. While bottom contact OFET structures can be realized easily, preparation of top contacts might cause diffusion of metal atoms (typically Ag or Au) deep into the organic film changing the injection properties at the interface. These properties are of great importance for device fabrication. Therefore, only by understanding the diffusion behaviour of metals into the organic layer, formation of well defined interfaces and control of their properties will become possible. For a better understanding of the diffusion of noble metal atoms into crystalline organic films, a radiotracer technique has been used to obtain diffusion profiles for Ag and Au diffusion in crystalline DIP films. For Ag diffusion in DIP, the decrease in Ag concentration of four orders of magnitude within the first few nanometers indicates that most of the metal atoms remain near the surface while small amounts can penetrate deep into the thin film and can even accumulate at the interface between organic film and the silicon substrate. A comparison with diffusion profiles obtained for polymers indicates that the interplay between diffusion and immobilization by aggregation also determine the diffusion behaviour of metals in organic crystalline materials. Latest experiments support this interpretation of the diffusion profiles. Single atoms are highly mobile in the organic crystalline material due to the weak interaction between the metal and the organic material. Therefore, most of the single atoms that penetrate into the material do so during the initial phase of the deposition. When more and more atoms arrive at the surface, cluster formation sets in. Due to the high cohesive energy of the metal the atoms can not leave the cluster and become immobilized. After deposition of a closed surface layer no further metal diffusion should be observed. With the knowledge about the diffusion processes gained by the radiotracer measurements control of process parameters and development of barrier layers in sub-monolayer range should be possible.
Photoresponse Of Organic Field-Effect Transistors Based On Soluble Semiconductors And Dielectrics
Authors: Marjanović Nenad , Singh Th. B. , Günes Serap , Neugebauer Helmut , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar
Published: September 2016

Photoactive organic field-effect transistors, photOFETs, based on a conjugated polymer/fullerene blend, MDMO-PPV: PCBM (1:4), and polymeric dielectrics as polyvinylalcohol (PVA) or divinyltetramethyldisiloxane-bis(benzocyclobutene) (BCB) with top source and drain electrodes were fabricated and characterized in dark and under AM1.5 illumination. With LiF/Al as top source and drain contacts the devices feature n-type transistor behavior in dark with electron mobility of 10-2cm2/Vs. Under illumination, a large free carrier concentration from photo-induced charge transfer at the polymer/fullerene bulk heterojunction (photodoping) is created. The device performance was studied with different illumination intensities and showed to be strongly influenced by the nature of the organic dielectric/organic semiconductor interface resulting in phototransistor behavior in BCB-based photOFETs and in phototransistor or photoresistor behavior for PVA-based photOFETs.
Novel Dielectric Materials for Organic Electronics
Authors: Facchetti Antonio , Yoon Myung-Han , Yan He , Marks Tobin J.
Published: September 2016

We present our latest results on the design and fabrication of very high capacitance dielectric materials for organic field-effect transistors. We will show that utilization of appropriate self-assembling siloxane building blocks and polymer matrices allows solution-processed, pinhole-free organic dielectrics. Electrical (MIS, TFT) data demonstrate that these insulators can be efficiently integrated into large TFT structures. These devices function for both p- and n-channel semiconductors, the molecular components of which exhibit greatly different core structures and substituent functionalities. Substantial TFT response is achieved at very low operational biases (<1V), without serious leakage currents (<10-8 A/cm at 1V).
Effects of Polarized Organosilane Self-Assembled Monolayers on Organic Single-Crystal Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Takey J. , Nishikaw T. , Takenobu T. , Shimotani H. , Kobayashi S. , Mitani T. , Iwasa Y.
Published: September 2016

Organosilane self-assembled monolayers, embedded in organic single-crystal field-effect transistors, significantly affect subthreshold properties in the transfer characteristics. The monolayer of either polarized or nearly unpolarized molecules is deposited on a SiO2/doped Si substrate before softly attaching a rubrene thin single crystal to form the “laminated crystal” transistors. As a result of effective passivation of the SiO2 surface, the device has achieved a subthreshold swing as low as 0.11 V/decade. It is also demonstrated that threshold gate voltage is shifted by polarization of the monolayers, indicating that threshold of the device is adjustable by the choice of silane materials. Both of the functions are closely associated with low-power applications such as logic-circuit components.
Organic Thin-Film Transistor Sensors: Interface Dependent and Gate Bias Enhanced Responses
Authors: Tanese Maria C. , Fine Daniel , Dodabalapur Ananth , Torsi Luisa
Published: September 2016

Organic Thin Film Transistors are a new class of sensors potentially capable of outperforming chemiresistors. They can be operated at room temperature, offer the advantage of remarkable response repeatability and can function as multi-parameter sensors. In this paper evidence of OTFT response dependence on important parameters such as the chemical nature of the organic semiconductor active layer and the gate-dielectric/organic-semiconductor interface are produced. A sizable response enhancement of an OTFT sensor operated in the enhancement mode is also presented indicating that an OTFT can in principle lead to a lower detection limit than a resistor-type sensor with the same organic semiconductor.
Optical Interference as a Tool to Describe the Spectral Changes Created by a Tunable and Controllable Excitons Confinement
Authors: Féry Christophe , Ciná Salvatore , Doyeux Henri , Geffroy Bernard , Denis Christine , Maisse Pascal
Published: September 2016

In this paper we address the optical process occurring in a standard Alq3 based OLED device using a classical electromagnetic framework. A comprehensive comparison with experimental results is made with an excellent agreement. The insertion of a hole blocking layer (HBL) is used to confine excitons formation and relaxation within a well defined region allowing us to separate optical effects from other mechanisms. By tuning the cavity thickness, we can demonstrate destructive interference into the wavelength region corresponding to Alq3peak emission. Electroluminescence measurements in an integrating sphere further supports the idea that the interferences scheme used here describes well the optical behaviour of our samples.
Dielectric Properties of Electrostatic Self-Assembled (ESA) Films
Authors: Asmatulu Ramazan , Geist Brian , Spillman William B. , Claus Richard O.
Published: September 2016

Capacitance measurements were conducted to determine the dielectric constant of electrostatic self assembly (ESA) films over various temperature and frequency ranges at 1 mV and 15% relative humidity. Measurement electrodes were fabricated on the ESA films using silver grease and a brass bar. In these tests, polymeric nanofilms were fabricated on gold-coated glass slides using the ESA process. Thicknesses of the films were between 100 nm and 600 nm obtained by depositing different number bilayers of negatively charged Poly s-119 (PS-119) or heparin and positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA). The test results showed that dielectric constant values were around 2. Based on the test results, we concluded that this is a technique that might prove useful to estimate the capacitance and dielectric constant values of nanostructured ESA films, which can be largely used in the near future.
Transverse Electrical Transport in Pentacene Photodiodes
Authors: Voz Cristobal , Puigdollers Joaquim , Fonrodona Marta , Martin Isidro , Orpell Albert , Vetter Michael , Fabregat Francisco , Garcia Germa , Bisquert Juan , Alcubilla Ramon
Published: September 2016

The microstructure of pentacene thin films deposited by thermal evaporation is studied by X-ray diffraction. The transmittance of these films evidences different molecular orbital levels and their related excitonic states. Pentacene photodiodes have been also fabricated on ITO-coated glass substrates with aluminium top electrodes. The current voltage characteristics of such devices are discussed paying special attention to the strongly marked space-charge limited regime. This has been related to trapping in an exponential distribution of localised states in the gap of pentacene. The analysis of the characteristic offers valuable information about such distribution of traps. Finally, the external-quantum-efficiency of these photodiodes shows antibatic features, which evidence the importance of excitonic states in the photovoltaic conversion in pentacene.
Dual-Gate SiO2/P3HT/SiNx OTFT
Authors: Li Flora , Koul Sarswati , Vygranenko Yuri , Servati Peyman , Nathan Arokia
Published: September 2016

This paper reports on a new organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) based on a dual-gate configuration. This dual-gate OTFT is useful in circuit applications from the standpoint of providing control over selected device parameters for enhanced circuit reliability. Moreover, the dual-gate structure can shield parasitic effects in vertically integrated electronics, making it particularly promising for active matrix display and imaging applications. The dual-gate OTFT also lends itself as a highly functional test structure for characterization of interface integrity of the active organic and dielectric layers. In this work, the dual-gate OTFT is fabricated using regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as the organic semiconductor layer. The bottom-gate employs silicon dioxide (SiO2) as the gate dielectric, whereas the top-gate employs a low-temperature amorphous silicon nitride (SiNx) as the passivation dielectric. The voltage on the bottom-gate has a distinct influence on the threshold voltage, subthreshold slope, on-current, and leakage current of the top-gate TFT. Similar dependence of the bottom-gate TFT characteristics on the top-gate voltage is observed. This design provides a means of characterizing the density of states of the bottom P3HT/SiO2 and top P3HT/SiNx interfaces, and conveys insight into the underlying transport mechanisms. The ability to control selected TFT parameters (e.g., threshold voltage) using the dual-gate OTFT structure is attractive for circuit integration applications in active matrix displays and imagers.
Electrical Properties of ITO/CdSe/P3OT/Metal Heterojunction
Authors: Salinas Oscar H. , Hu Hailin , Nicho-Díaz Ma.Elena , López-Mata Cecilia , Gomez-Daza Oscar
Published: September 2016

Conducting polymer based heterojunctions have been intensively studied because of prominent application in photovoltaic solar cells. It is reported in this work the formation, environmental conditions, of hybrid heterojunctions of cadmium selenide (CdSe) poly 30 ctylthiophene (P3OT) by casting a chemically synthesized P3OT solution onto chemical bath deposited (CBD) or screen-printed (SP) CdSe coatings. By using ITO as contact and gold (Au), silver (Ag) or copper (Cu) as metal contact, the electrical properties CdSe–P3OT heterojunctions were studied at room temperature under environmental conditions. In the case of Au contact, the curves of current density (J) vs. applied potential (V) of both (SP) and CdSe (CBD) coatings indicate that the contacts are quasi ohmic. However, with same metal contact the electrical behavior of CdSe (SP)-doped P3OT heterojunction rectifying and the rectification ratio increases as the weight percentage of P3OT increases in heterojunction structure. Furthermore, a small photovoltage (39 mV) was observed in the hybrid structure for Cu contact. On the other hand, for a CdSe (CBD)-pristine heterojunction Au contact gives an ohmic behavior, but rectifying J-V curves are found with contact.
Dielectrics for Organic Transistors with Low Threshold Voltage
Authors: Brill Jochen , Goettling Silke , Balbás Eduardo Margallo
Published: September 2016

Organic thin film transistors for display applications are investigated. Different dielectric materials – inorganic and organic – have been studied with respect to their electrical performance It was found that anodic oxidation is an excellent process to achieve smooth high-k dielectrics with high breakthrough field strength. With the proposed electrolyte electrical properties were further improved. The alignment of pentacene on different insulators as well as transistors characteristics is presented.
Potential Role of Sequential Glufosinate and Foramsulfuron Applications for Management of Fescues (Festucaspp.) in Wild Blueberry
Authors: White Scott N. , Kumar Shanthanu Krishna
Published: September 2016

Sheep and hair fescue are perennial, tuft forming grasses that spread by seed and form dense sods in wild blueberry fields. These sods compete with the crop for resources and hinder harvest. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted in 2015 to evaluate 1) the effect of sequential glufosinate and foramsulfuron applications on suppression of fescues in the greenhouse and field, and 2) efficacy of glufosinate and foramsulfuron on fescue seedlings when applied at 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk after seedling emergence in the greenhouse. Glufosinate applications at 750 and 1,005 g ai ha−1followed by foramsulfuron application at 35 g ai ha−1reduced fescue leaf number and biomass relative to foramsulfuron application alone in the greenhouse. In the field study, fescue flowering tuft density, tuft inflorescence height, seed production, and seed viability were reduced by foramsulfuron alone, but there was a trend towards lower seed production and tuft height when fescues were treated with glufosinate at 1,005 g ha−1followed by foramsulfuron. Foramsulfuron caused low seedling mortality at all application timings evaluated, but glufosinate caused >90% mortality in seedlings when applied at 2, 4, 6, or 8 wk after seedling emergence. Our results suggest that sequential applications of these herbicides are less effective under field conditions relative to results obtained in the greenhouse, though burndown glufosinate applications may have a role in reducing fescue seedling recruitment. Additional research should be conducted to determine the effect of early spring and autumn glufosinate applications on fescue seedling recruitment and suppression of established fescue tufts with subsequent foramsulfuron applications.
Aged embankment imaging and assessment using surface waves
Authors: Gunn David , Dashwood Ben A. J. , Bergamo Paolo , Donohue Shane
Published: September 2016

Rapid, non-intrusive surface wave surveys provide depth profiles from which ground models can be generated for use in earthwork condition assessment. Stiffness throughout earthworks controls the behaviour under static and dynamic loads, and characterising heterogeneity is of interest in relation to the stability of engineered backfill and life-cycle deterioration in aged utility and transportation infrastructure. Continuous surface wave methods were used to identify interfaces between fine- and coarse-grained fill in an end-tipped embankment along the Great Central Railway in Nottinghamshire, UK. Multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) methods were used to characterise subsurface voiding in a canal embankment along the Knottingley and Goole canal near Eggborough, Yorkshire. MASW methods are currently being used to study extreme weather impacts on the stability of a high-plasticity clay embankment along the Gloucestershire–Warwickshire railway near Laverton. Optimal results were obtained using equipment capable of generating and detecting over wide frequency ranges.
Assessing graphene oxide/polymer interfacial interactions by way of peeling test
Authors: Dickinson Laura R. , Kranbuehl David E. , Schniepp Hannes C.
Published: September 2016

The design of graphene/polymer nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties requires characterization of the interfacial interactions between different types of graphene sheets and different polymers. In this study, the interactions in a graphene oxide (GO)/polymer nanocomposite were explored and the effect of thermal reduction of GO on adhesion was tested. A versatile peeling test was demonstrated and applied on a wide range of nanosheet fillers and polymers, which has great potential for expedited development of enhanced nanocomposites. The interactions of GO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanofillers were tested with widely used polymers, including poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, acrylic, polyvinyl alcohol, polyetherimide and polyimide. The results show the effect of thermal reduction of GO on the interactions in polymer nanocomposites and rank the interfacial preferences of GO and rGO for different polymers. In terms of surface energy considerations, some of the results are in agreement with expectations, others are in direct contradiction. This discrepancy suggests that molecular-level effects, which are not reflected in the macroscopic material properties, play a significant role.
Book Review: Michele Schweisfurth, 2013. Learner-Centered Education in International Perspective: Whose pedagogy for whose development? Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, London and New York.
Authors: Fengju Dai , Xiao Lin
Published: September 2016

This book introduces the definition and provenance of LCE and analyses its application and implementation in global, national and local contexts with Bronfenbrenner’s eco-systemic theory and three narratives: cognition, emancipation and preparation with developing countries: Russia, Gambia, China and South Africa as its research cases. It finds out that inconsistency exists between policy and practice in process of implementation. Then, it comes to ten lessons concluded from the research and resolutions for the problems which exist in those research countries.
First World Healthcare by Third World Provider: Position of Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Zuhayer , Yeasmeen Farjana
Published: September 2016

Despite being a third world country, Bangladesh has a huge prospect of providing modern, advanced healthcare in cheap rates. It has started that journey by building new health infrastructures, strengthening primary health care, increasing outputs of doctors, nurses and paramedics, developing a strong health information system and encouraging public-private partnerships. With increasing GDP, health status of people has also been improved as evidenced by achieving targets of the health related indicators in Millennium Development Goals. In spite of having lower per capita health expenditure than neighboring countries, Bangladeshi people have achieved higher life expectancy at birth with progressively strengthened health system. This country is developing resources at a fast pace to attract the medical tourists challenging other Asian countries popular for medical tourism. Bangladesh needs to make curative sector stronger to earn massive sum of foreign currency and emerge as a country of medical tourism in near future.
Fractal Dimension Based Carotid Plaque Characterization from Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Images
Authors: Zhou Ran , Ding Mingyue , Luo Yongkang , Fenster Aaron
Published: September 2016

Carotid atherosclerotic lesions are a major cause of cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Identification and quantification of carotid plaques are important for categorizing the vulnerability of plaques for rupture and assessing the impact of treatments. The irregularity of plaque surface is associated with previous plaque rupture and plays an important role in the risk of stroke. Thus, the aim of this study is to develop and validate novel vulnerability biomarkers from three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) images by analyzing the surface morphological characterization of carotid plaque using fractal geometry features. 3D box-counting and 3D blanket are the two types of 3D fractal dimension that were employed to describe the smoothness of plaques. This fractal dimension analysis tool was used to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin using 3DUS carotid images, which were acquired from 6 patients treated with atorvastatin with 80 mg daily and 5 patients with placebo. The Student's T Test results showed that those two fractal features were effective for detecting the statin-related changes in carotid atherosclerosis with p<0.0068 and p<0.015 respectively, suggesting that 3D fractal dimension measurements can be used effectively to analyze the surface characteristics of carotid plaques, especially for evaluating the impact of the treatment.
Special Issue on the Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster: Part V
Authors: Takiguchi Katsuki ,   Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
Published: September 2016

Journal of Disaster Research (JDR) published its first issue in August, 2006. Since then, we have published six issues a year on a bimonthly basis. JDR is an academic journal aimed at bringing a broad, comprehensive discussion to the subject of disasters, and thus contributing to the field of disaster prevention and reduction.

Its comprehensive coverage harbors the risk of becoming unfocussed or fostering unsubstantiated conclusions. At JDR, we have dealt with this risk by making most issues special feature issues, and inviting specialists in the relevant fields as guest editors.

The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on March, 2011, five years after our first issue was published. It was a Mw9.0 earthquake that occurred off the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region. The earthquake triggered a tsunami which produced huge casualties, amounting to over 18,000 dead or missing persons. The disaster was accompanied by a nuclear plant accident, an unprecedented event in mankind’s history. The catastrophic accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, operated by Tokyo Electric Company, resulted in core meltdown and the release of radioactive material.

At JDR, we considered it our responsibility to publish, apart from our regular issues, special issues on the Great East Japan Earthquake consisting of five yearly issues beginning with the first issue in 2012. This issue, Part 5, is the final issue. We would like to thank all of the authors who submitted articles for the five special issues, the reviewers, and many others who contributed. The special issues project on the Great East Japan Earthquake will be passed down to a special issue on the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes occurred on April, 2016 in Kumamoto, Japan.

Co-Editors:

Suminao Murakami (Editor-in-Chief; Representative, Laboratory of Urban Safety Planning, Japan)

Haruo Hayashi (Editor-in-Chief; President, National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention, Japan)

Hideaki Karaki (President, Foundation of Food Safety and Security, Japan)
Risk Perceptions of Resuming Nuclear Power Plant Operations After Fukushima: A Student Survey
Authors: Seo Kami ,   School of International Politics Economics and Communication, Aoyama Gakuin University 4-4-25 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8366, Japan, Motoyoshi Tadahiro , Maeda Yasunobu ,   Faculty of Safety Science, Kansai University, Osaka, Japan,   ,,   Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan
Published: September 2016

Quake-induced accident of Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011 triggered heated argument about the country’s energy policy in Japan. Although many people recognized the risk of nuclear energy use, they did not necessarily support the option of abandoning the technology for the near future. This paper focuses on how people perceive risks associated with and without nuclear power generation and how perceived risks affect their opinion. We conducted questionnaire survey targeting 18–20 year old university students, the stakeholders in the future. The survey was implemented in 2013–2014 when none of Japan’s nuclear power plants was in active use. Three quarters of the respondents answered that a future with nuclear power generation was more realistic than without it. The aspects dividing the two groups, i.e., respondents who expect a future with or without nuclear energy use were their evaluations of three themes: (1) the feasibility of renewable energy sources, (2) the impacts in the safety of developing nations’ nuclear power generation, and (3) the difficulty in gaining the acceptance of residents near the power plants. Meanwhile, both groups above were similarly positive about technological innovation, and were similarly and strongly negative about developing safety management.
RESPON PEMUPUKAN TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN, PRODUKSI DAN MUTU HERBA MENIRAN (Phyllantus niruri)
Authors: Setiawan Setiawan , Rahardjo Mono
Published: September 2016

Meniran (Phyllantus niruri L.) merupakan tanaman liar berkhasiat obat, bahan bakunya sebagian besar diperoleh secara menambang. Pemupukan pada tanaman meniran dalam rangka meningkatkan produktivitas dan mutu belum banyak dilakukan. Percobaan bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh pupuk terhadap pertumbuhan dan mutu herba meniran. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Kebun Percobaan Cimanggu dari Januari sampai Juni 2013. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok empat ulangan dengan delapan perlakuan pemupukan. Perlakuan pemupukan terdiri dari (1) kontrol (tanpa pupuk), (2) 20 t ha-1 pupuk kandang, (3) 20 t ha-1 pupuk kandang+25 kg ha-1 Urea+25 kg ha-1 SP-36+25 kg ha-1 KCl, (4) 20 t ha-1 pupuk kandang+50 kg ha-1 Urea+50 kg ha-1 SP-36+50 kg ha-1 KCl, (5) 20 t ha-1 pupuk kandang+75 kg ha-1 +75 kg ha-1 SP-36+75 kg ha-1 KCl, (6) 20 t ha-1 pupuk kandang+100 kg ha-1 Urea+100 kg ha-1 SP-36+100 kg ha-1 KCl, (7) 20 t ha-1 pupuk kandang+125 kg ha-1 Urea+125 kg ha-1 SP-36+125 kg ha-1 KCl, dan (8) 125 kg ha-1 Urea+125 kg ha-1 SP-36+125 kg ha-1 KCl. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa produksi simplisia kering tertinggi (265 kg ha-1) diperoleh pada perlakuan pemupukan 20 t ha-1 pupuk kandang+100 kg ha-1 Urea+100 kg ha-1 SP-36+100 kg ha-1 KCl. Mutu simplisia yang dihasilkan telah memenuhi standar MMI, walaupun pemupukan tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap mutu simplisia. Untuk menghasilkan simplisia kering 265 kg ha-1, diperlukan 5,697 kg ha-1 N, 0.477 kg ha-1 P, dan 11,368 kg ha-1 K. Secara kualitatif, kandungan metabolit sekunder alkaloid, tanin, saponin, flavonoid, fenolik, triterpenoid, dan glikosida simplisia meniran tidak berbeda nyata pada semua perlakuan pemupukan.
PERLAKUAN BENIH AIR PANAS, EKSTRAK MIMBA DAN JARAK KEPYAR UNTUK MENGENDALIKAN NEMATODA (Meloidogyne spp.) TERBAWA RIMPANG JAHE
Authors: Djiwanti Setyowati Retno
Published: September 2016

Benih rimpang jahe dapat membawa organisme pengganggu tanaman berbahaya seperti nematoda buncak akar, Meloidogyne spp. Tujuan penelitian adalah menguji pengaruh metode perlakuan benih dalam menekan serangan nematoda terbawa rimpang jahe Meloidogyne spp. Penelitian dilakukan di rumah kaca Balai Penelitian Tanaman Rempah dan Obat, Bogor sejak 2005 sampai 2006. Rimpang jahe terinfeksi Meloidogyne spp. dicuci bersih, dipotong seberat 30-40 g, kemudian diberi perlakuan (1) perendaman dalam air panas (40°C selama 20 menit dan 50°C selama 10 menit), (2) perendaman dalam larutan ekstrak nabati mimba (2,5 dan 7,5%) dan jarak (2,5 dan 7,5%), (3) perendaman dalam larutan kimia karbosulfan EC (2 ml l-1 air), (4) pelapisan dengan tepung kimia karbosulfan ST (20 g kg-1 rimpang) dan (5) direndam air selama dua  jam (kontrol). Rimpang setelah diperlakukan, ditanam dalam polibag berisi media tanah steril di rumah kaca. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap dengan 10 ulangan. Pertumbuhan tanaman dan populasi nematoda diamati setelah jahe berumur empat bulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan air panas 50°C selama 10 menit paling baik dalam menekan populasi nematoda sebesar 80,86%, diikuti perlakuan perendaman dalam larutan 2,5% ekstrak mimba (25,24%) dan pelapisan dengan tepung karbosulfan ST (23,66%). Perlakuan benih yang diuji umumnya tidak menekan pertumbuhan tanaman. Parameter tingkat populasi nematoda (dalam akar, rimpang dan tanah) lebih sensitif untuk merefleksikan keefektifan suatu perlakuan benih rimpang jahe dibandingkan parameter indeks buncak. Pada perlakuan benih terbaik yaitu air panas 500C selama 10 menit, penekanan populasi nematoda menghasilkan nilai yang signifikan dibandingkan penekanan indeks buncak pada akar dan rimpang.
PENGKAJIAN USAHATANI INTEGRASI SERAIWANGI-TERNAK SAPI
Authors: Ermiati Ermiati , Pribadi Ekwasita Rini , Wahyudi Agus
Published: September 2016

Sistem usahatani integrasi seraiwangi-ternak sapi dapat meningkatkan nilai tambah, menjamin kelestarian sumber daya alam, meningkatkan produktivitas dan pendapatan petani. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengkaji sistem usahatani seraiwangi-ternak sapi yang dilakukan di Kebun Percobaan Manoko Lembang, Balai Penelitian Tanaman Rempah dan Obat, Indonesia pada April 2014. Parameter yang diamati meliputi; produksi seraiwangi, ampas hasil penyulingan minyak seraiwangi, minyak seraiwangi, kotoran sapi, harga sapi dan produksi susu sapi. Data dianalisa menggunakan analisis Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost Ratio (B/C) rasio dan Internal Rate of Return (IRR). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sistem usahatani seraiwangi-ternak sapi layak diusahakan dan memberi keuntungan ganda kepada petani. Untuk usahatani seraiwangi dengan total produksi sebanyak 270.000 kg ha-1 (=1.755 liter minyak seraiwangi), @ Rp 500,- kg-1 basah dengan DF 15% per tahun, memberikan NPV sebesar Rp 37.462.817,-, B/C rasio = 1,44 dan IRR = 35,96%. Penyulingan minyak seraiwangi berbahan bakar kayu dengan harga minyak Rp 170.000,- liter-1, memberikan NPV sebesar Rp 38.947.118,-, B/C Rasio 1,28 dan IRR 29,45%. Sedangkan dengan memakai biogas memberikan NPV, B/C Rasio dan IRR lebih tinggi, masing-masing Rp 64.575.654,-, 1,55 dan 36,27%. Limbah penyulingan daun seraiwangi yang dihasilkan sekitar 44.797 kg ha-1 tahun-1, ini dapat digunakan sebagai pakan 5-6 ekor sapi. Untuk budidaya ternak sapi, memberikan NPV Rp 61.302.125,-, B/C Rasio 1,42 dan IRR 42,60 % selama 6 tahun.
POTENSI KADAR BIOAKTIF YANG TERDAPAT PADA DAUN KEPEL (Stelechocarpus burahol)
Authors: Ramadhan Bayuanggara Cahya , Aziz Sandra Arifin , Ghulamahdi Munif
Published: September 2016

Kepel (Stelechocarpus burahol) merupakan tanaman yang mempunyai khasiat obat dan hingga saat ini belum banyak informasi mengenai kadar bioaktifnya. Bioaktif yang terdapat pada daun kepel salah satunya flavonoid yang dapat digunakan sebagai antioksidan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kandungan bioaktif daun kepel pada umur daun yang berbeda. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan sejak Juni sampai November 2013 di Arboretum Lanskap IPB (Bogor, Indonesia). Bagian tanaman yang digunakan sebagai sampel yaitu daun muda, sedang dan dewasa. Rata-rata kadar bioaktif daun tanaman kepel pada masing-masing umur daun dibandingkan menggunakan uji t-student’s. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan aktivitas enzim phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) dan kadar antosianin pada daun muda relatif lebih tinggi dari daun tua dan daun sedang. Daun kepel dewasa memiliki kadar flavonoid dan total klorofil yang paling tinggi dari pada daun sedang dan daun muda. Kadar flavonoid daun kepel menurun, sedangkan kadar antosianin, aktivitas PAL dan total klorofil meningkat seiring dengan meningkatnya curah hujan. Daun kepel yang sudah dewasa dapat digunakan sebagai bahan baku obat.
PENGARUH PEMBERIAN KAPUR DAN KOMPOS TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSI JAHE PUTIH BESAR PADA TANAH PODSOLIK MERAH KUNING
Authors: Burhanuddin NFN , Yudarfis NFN , Idris Herwita
Published: September 2016

Produktivitas tanaman jahe (Zingiber officinale) di Indonesia umumnya masih rendah, ini disebabkan beberapa faktor antara lain karena pemupukan yang kurang optimal, kondisi lingkungan tumbuh, baik iklim maupun kesuburan tanah, serta teknik budidaya belum mengacu kepada teknik budidaya anjuran. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh pemberian kapur dan kompos terhadap pertumbuhan dan produksi tanaman jahe (Z. officinale) pada tanah Podsolik Merah Kuning. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Kebun Percobaan Balittro Laing Solok, Sumatera Barat sejak Maret sampai Desember 2014. Perlakuan disusun dengan rancangan acak kelompok dalam pola faktorial tiga ulangan. Perlakuan yang diuji  adalah penggunaan kapur (0; 100; dan 200 g lubang tanam-¹) sebagai faktor ke 1, kompos (0; 1; 2 dan 3 kg lubang tanam-¹) sebagai faktor ke 2, varietas jahe putih besar yang digunakan berasal dari kebun petani. Parameter yang diamati adalah tinggi tanaman, jumlah anakan, panjang daun, lebar daun dan bobot rimpang  rumpun-1. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemberian kapur 200 g yang dikombinasikan dengan kompos 2 kg lubang-1 menghasilkan pertumbuhan tanaman yang terbaik, dengan tinggi tanaman 66,20 cm, jumlah anakan 9,96 buah, panjang daun 22,31 cm, lebar daun 3,13 cm dengan bobot rimpang segar 541,50 g rumpun-¹, sedangkan pertumbuhan terendah terdapat pada perlakuan tanpa kapur dan kompos (tinggi tanaman 31,12 cm, jumlah anakan 3,38 buah, panjang daun 13,36 cm, lebar daun 2,12 cm dan rimpang segar 130,83 g rumpun-1 ).
PENGARUH MINYAK ATSIRI TERHADAP MORTALITAS DAN PENGHAMBATAN PENELURAN Crocidolomia Pavonana F
Authors: Balfas Rodiah , Mardiningsih Tri Lestari
Published: September 2016

Kubis, brokoli, dan bunga kol merupakan tanaman sayuran yang cukup penting, termasuk dalam famili Brassicaceae. Kendala utama dalam budidaya tanaman tersebut adalah serangan hama Crocidolomia pavonana. Minyak atsiri merupakan salah satu produk tanaman yang dapat digunakan sebagai alternatif pengendalian organisme pengganggu tumbuhan. Penelitian telah dilakukan di Rumah Kaca Kelompok Peneliti Proteksi Tanaman Balittro, sejak Maret sampai Desember 2014. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui pengaruh minyak atsiri terhadap mortalitas telur, larva dan imago C. pavonana. Minyak atsiri yang diuji adalah minyak babadotan, cengkeh, laja gowah, seraidapur, seraiwangi, dan temulawak, masing-masing pada konsentrasi 0,5%. Selain itu, digunakan mimba sebagai pembanding. Pengujian ovisidal dilakukan dengan mencelupkan telur dalam masing-masing larutan uji. Untuk mengetahui pengaruhnya terhadap larva (larvasidal) telah dilakukan aplikasi bahan-bahan tersebut pada larva dan daun brokoli. Penelitian penghambatan peneluran dilakukan dengan menyemprotkan larutan ini pada tanaman, dikeringanginkan kemudian tanaman dikurung, dan serangga dewasa dimasukkan ke dalam kurungan. Pengamatan dilakukan terhadap penetasan telur dan mortalitas larva serta jumlah kelompok telur yang diletakkan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan minyak seraidapur dan temulawak bersifat toksik terhadap telur. Minyak babadotan, mimba, dan seraiwangi yang diaplikasikan pada daun, mengakibatkan mortalitas larva lebih dari 90% tetapi, pada aplikasi langsung pada larva, mortalitas tertinggi berkisar antara 28% pada perlakuan mimba dan seraiwangi. Minyak babadotan, seraidapur, dan seraiwangi serta mimba memberikan pengaruh yang sama terhadap penghambatan peneluran pada 96 jam setelah aplikasi. Pengaruh terhadap peneluran juga terlihat pada perlakuan minyak temulawak yang telah diformulasikan. Minyak seraiwangi, seraidapur, babadotan, dan mimba serta temulawak berpotensi untuk digunakan sebagai insektisida nabati untuk mengendalikan  C. pavonana.
Can economic growth be achieved in top management consulting using principles from the business federation? Findings from a Norwegian longitudinal study from 1984 until 1998
Authors: M. Syvertsen Carsten
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this article is to illustrate how management consulting firms can achieve economic growth through operating locally within an international network using the business federation as a new organizational form. Within the business federation, a local office gains access to resources through an extreme form of delegation where top management does not delegate to local offices, but rather gives local offices the permission to deal with tasks, because it is most efficient. The auhor uses top management consulting firms operating in Norway as the empirical setting operationalizing the business federation through a building block system. The research shows support for the claim that firms move closer to the business federation as over time from 1982 until 1998. It is indicated that firms operating close to principles of the business federation achieve stronger economic growth. The research contradicts claims found in the academic literature that the partnership model supports economic growth.
Keywords: top management consulting, the business federation as a new organizational form, economic growth, Norwegian longitudinal study. JEL Classification: L1
Black economic empowerment in post-1994 South Africa: ANC curse and/or socialist/communist covenant?
Authors: P. Krüger Louis
Published: September 2016

After more than 21 years under the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC), post-1994 South Africa finds itself yet again embroiled in race-related politics. Government policies such as black economic empowerment (BEE) and employment equity (EE) have not brought about the economic growth, social development and political democracy that the late former President Nelson Mandela had envisaged and what the ANC had promised to all the people of South Africa. South Africa is currently disengaging itself from the West including the Unites States of America (USA) and certain European Union (EU) countries and appears to rather embrace and align itself with countries such as Russia and China that pursue socialist and communist ideologies. Both these two issues may have a profound impact on how businesses will be managed in the future. In an exploratory, qualitative study using a “5 Star” research methodology, the direct and indirect impacts of BEE policies were investigated and the possible movement in South Africa’s ideological stance was explored. BEE does not appear to have helped to bring about high economic growth to help to reduce unemployment and eradicate the high levels of poverty and inequality, and government graft and corruption have increased at all levels of government, including local municipalities. BEE appears to have become the ANC’s curse to economic, social and political progress and should be scrapped. A national debate should follow on whether the ANC’s current covenant with pro-socialism and pro-communism rather than Western free-market capitalism is the appropriate ideology for South Africa to pursue.
Keywords: black economic empowerment (BEE), employment equity (EE), African National Congress (ANC), capitalism, socialism, communism. JEL Classification: M14, M21
The choice of public universities in a restructured and transforming Higher Education landscape: a student perspective
Authors: Penceliah Soobramoney , V.M. Konyana Samkele , Maharaj Mandusha
Published: September 2016

The central tenet of the new Constitution of South Africa is to create equal and socially just economic order. This resulted in the higher education sector being restructured through incorporations and mergers. The limited financial resources, forces universities to evaluate and review their marketing strategies in order to attract suitably prepared and qualified students. The universities have not fully explored the role played by choice factors in influencing the students’ decision of enrolling at a particular university. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that may influence students in their choice of selecting a public university in the Tshwane Metropolitan Region, South Africa. An empirical study was conducted amongst first year students at two public universities in the Tshwane Metropolitan Region, Pretoria. The study design was quantitative in nature, using a descriptive technique, cross sectional and collected data through the application of a non-probability sampling being utilized to obtain data from a sample of 216 respondents. The results of this study suggest that South African education landscape has evolved towards a market-orientated system in which Higher Education Institutions operate as businesses with marketing challenges. The results provide HEIs a guide to identify the key factors that influence students in the selection of a university in a developing country. University management should take cognizance of the gaps and position the university as an institution of first choice in South Africa.
Keywords: demographics, choice factors, universities, higher education institutions (HEIs). JEL Classification: M31, L14, L31
Laparoscopy is the Gold Standard in Ovarian Pathologies in Childhood: Clinical	Evaluation and Literature Review
Authors: Göllü Gülnur , Ateş Ufuk , Taştekin Nil Yaşam , Ergün Ergun , Koloğlu Meltem Bingöl , Yağmurlu Aydın , Aktuğ Tanju , Dindar Hüseyin , Çakmak Ahmet Murat
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVE:Ovarian cysts and related torsions are the most common adnexial pathologies in childhood. Diagnostic laparoscopy is the gold standard approach for differential diagnosis. It is aimed to evaluate the data of patients who had surgery for ovarian pathology. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-three girls of ten years are included the study. Demographic data, medical history, physical examination, laboratory and radiologic investigations, surgical procedure, histopathology, complications and follow up periods are recorded.RESULTS: The median age of children was 13. Excluding the patients who were diagnosed in intrauterine period (n=4), all of the patients had abdominal pain (92%). Laparoscopic cystectomy (56.7%), detorsion and cystectomy (16.9%) and oopherectomy (16.9%) were performed in patients with cysts. Diagnostic laparoscopy (3,8%) and laparoscopic detorsion (5.7%) were performed in patients without cyst. Dermoid cysts were found in three children and teratomas in two. Patients were discharged in postoperative second day. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic laparoscopy is the gold standard approach for differential diagnosis. Laparoscopic approach should be chosen because of shorter hospital stay, shorter healing period, and better cosmetic results. Besides, less pelvic adhesions compared to laparotomy in laparoscopy is important for further fertility.