bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beating Children Is Wrong, Isn't It? Resolving Conflicts in the Encounter Between Religious Worldviews and Child Protection
Authors: Shelley Catherine
Published: April 2013

Responding to the death of Victoria Climbié in 2003, the Laming Report stated that cultural differences should never again be a factor in inadequate child protection. Yet since that time there have been further deaths of children involving exorcism and allegations of witchcraft, based in part on particular understandings of Christianity. Situations resulting in forced marriage, cliterodectomy, ‘honour’ killing and corporal punishment are practices often perceived as arising from religious belief, both by those who defend them and by critics. This article explores practices perceived as grounded in religious belief or culture that conflict with current child protection practice and norms about what is harmful to children. The role of religious education, rights to manifest religious belief and different understandings of adoption are also considered as examples of religious difference in understandings about children. Engagement with religious difference through a defence of children's rights and autonomy are proposed as one means to resolve conflicts between religious worldviews and what it means to protect children. The aim is to identify and foster reflection and debate about different understandings of what constitutes harm, in order to enhance consensus over child protection where views of what is harmful differ radically.1
New Zealand Falcon nests suffer lower predation in agricultural habitat than in natural habitat
Authors: KROSS SARA M. , McDONALD PAUL G. , NELSON XIMENA J.
Published: April 2013

Introduced mammalian predators have been implicated in the majority of avian extinctions on oceanic islands around the globe. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the decimated New Zealand avifauna, where introduced predators remain the primary threat to virtually all surviving endemic species, including the threatened New Zealand Falcon Falco novaeseelandiae. We used remote videography at falcon nests and conducted an artificial nest experiment to compare the rates of predation and responsible predators of falcons nesting in hills against those nesting in nearby commercial vineyards. Overall, 63% of artificial nests in the hills were predated, compared with 38% in vineyards. Further, artificial eggs were predated faster in the hills than those placed in vineyards. Video footage revealed that the suite of predators visiting real falcon nests was similar to those identified attacking artificial nests. However, predators differed across habitats, with nests in vineyards being predated mainly by hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus and Australasian Harriers Circus approximans, whereas nests in the hill environments were mainly attacked by stoats Mustela erminea. These results demonstrate the important implications of habitat type on predation pressure associated with introduced predators. These may well prove a fruitful avenue of management if breeding can be fostered in safer areas, as in the case of this threatened falcon.
The national-level energy ladder and its carbon implications
Authors: Burke Paul J.
Published: April 2013

This paper uses data for 134 countries for the period 1960–2010 to document an energy ladder that nations ascend as their economies develop. On average, economic development results in an overall substitution from the use of biomass to energy sourced from fossil fuels, and then increasingly towards nuclear power and certain low-carbon modern renewables such as wind power. The process results in the carbon intensity of energy evolving in an inverse-U manner as per capita incomes increase. Fossil fuel-poor countries climb more quickly to the low-carbon upper rungs of the national-level energy ladder and so typically experience larger reductions in the carbon intensity of energy as they develop. Leapfrogging to low-carbon energy sources on the upper rungs of the national-level energy ladder is one route via which developing countries can reduce the magnitudes of their expected upswings in carbon dioxide emissions.
The Backscatter Electron Signal as an Additional Tool for Phase Segmentation in Electron Backscatter Diffraction
Authors: Payton E.J. , Nolze G.
Published: April 2013

The advent of simultaneous energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) data collection has vastly improved the phase separation capabilities for electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) mapping. A major problem remains, however, in distinguishing between multiple cubic phases in a specimen, especially when the compositions of the phases are similar or their particle sizes are small, because the EDS interaction volume is much larger than that of EBSD and the EDS spectra collected during spatial mapping are generally noisy due to time limitations and the need to minimize sample drift. The backscatter electron (BSE) signal is very sensitive to the local composition due to its atomic number (Z) dependence. BSE imaging is investigated as a complimentary tool to EDS to assist phase segmentation and identification in EBSD through examination of specimens of meteorite, Cu dross, and steel oxidation layers. The results demonstrate that the simultaneous acquisition of EBSD patterns, EDS spectra, and the BSE signal can provide new potential for advancing multiphase material characterization in the scanning electron microscope.
BOUNDS FOR A CONE-TYPE MULTIPLIER OPERATOR OF NEGATIVE INDEX IN
Authors: CHOI SUNGHUN
Published: April 2013

In this paper we obtain some sharp ${L}^{p} - {L}^{q} $ estimates and the restricted weak-type endpoint estimates for the multiplier operator of negative order associated with conic surfaces in ${ \mathbb{R} }^{3} $ which have finite type degeneracy.
The TBT Panels: US–Cloves, US–Tuna, US–COOL
Authors: HOWSE ROBERT , LEVY PHILIP I.
Published: April 2013

In a series of controversial 2011 decisions, WTO DSM Panels sought to reconcile legitimate regulatory interests of the state with various obligations to treat imported products in an even-handed and not unnecessarily trade-restrictive manner. Among the key points of contention were which obligation pertained in each case – national treatment, limits on technical regulations, or rules governing standards. In each case, the Panel imposed significant restrictions on national regulatory practices, and in each case the Panel reasoning was challenged by the Appellate Body. This paper addresses some of the key legal and economic issues raised in the original Panel decisions, leaving the late-breaking Appellate Body decisions for future analysis. Given the unsettled nature of the terrain, the economic analysis focuses primarily on the question of national treatment, while the legal analysis deals with other interesting points that emerge from these rulings, such as the appropriate level of deference to international standards and the legitimacy of labeling requirements.
Elevated plasma norepinephrine inhibits insulin secretion, but adrenergic blockade reveals enhanced β-cell responsiveness in an ovine model of placental insufficiency at 0.7 of gestation
Authors: Macko A. R. , Yates D. T. , Chen X. , Green A. S. , Kelly A. C. , Brown L. D. , Limesand S. W.
Published: April 2013

In pregnancies complicated by placental insufficiency (PI), fetal hypoglycemia and hypoxemia progressively worsen during the third trimester, which increases circulating norepinephrine (NE). Pharmacological adrenergic blockade (ADR-block) at 0.9 gestation revealed that NE inhibits insulin secretion and enhanced β-cell responsiveness in fetuses with PI-induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). NE concentrations in PI fetuses at 0.7 gestation were threefold greater compared with age-matched controls, but the levels were similar to near-term controls. Therefore, our objective was to determine whether elevations in plasma NE concentrations inhibit insulin secretion and produce compensatory β-cell responsiveness in PI fetuses at 0.7 gestation. Fetal insulin was measured under basal, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and glucose-potentiated arginine-stimulated insulin secretion (GPAIS) conditions in the absence and presence of an ADR-block. Placental weights were 38% lower (P< 0.05) in PI fetus than in controls, but fetal weights were not different. PI fetuses had lower (P< 0.05) basal blood oxygen content, plasma glucose, insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin concentrations and greater plasma NE concentrations (891 ± 211v.292 ± 65 pg/ml;P< 0.05) than controls. GSIS was lower in PI fetuses than in controls (0.34 ± 0.03v.1.08 ± 0.06 ng/ml;P< 0.05). ADR-block increased GSIS in PI fetuses (1.19 ± 0.11 ng/ml;P< 0.05) but decreased GSIS in controls (0.86 ± 0.02 ng/ml;P< 0.05). Similarly, GPAIS was 44% lower (P< 0.05) in PI fetuses than in controls, and ADR-block increased (P< 0.05) GPAIS in PI fetuses but not in controls. Insulin content per islet was not different between treatments. We conclude that elevations in fetal plasma NE suppress insulin concentrations, and that compensatory β-cell stimulus-secretion responsiveness is present before IUGR.
Verlauf von Umschriebenen Entwicklungsstörungen: Eine 30-Monats-Follow-up-Studie
Authors: Kohn Juliane , Wyschkon Anne , Ballaschk Katja , Ihle Wolfgang , Esser Günter
Published: April 2013

Ziel dieser Untersuchung war die Überprüfung des kurzfristigen Entwicklungsverlaufs von Kindern mit Expressiven Sprachstörungen sowie solchen mit Lese-Rechtschreib- und Rechenstörungen an einer nicht-klinischen Stichprobe. Zudem sollten Kinder mit Umschriebenen Entwicklungsstörungen (UES) denen ohne diese Störungen mit Blick auf die Schullaufbahn gegenübergestellt werden. Die Untersuchungsdaten basieren auf den ersten beiden Messzeitpunkten der Potsdamer Längsschnittstudie. Zum ersten Messzeitpunkt besuchten 2287 Kinder im Alter von 5;10 bis 13;6 Jahren die erste bis fünfte Klasse. Für die Folgeuntersuchung nach ca. 2.5 Jahren konnten 69 % der Ursprungsstichprobe erneut gewonnen werden. Die Schüler im Alter von 8;2 bis 16;2 Jahren besuchten die zweite bis neunte Klassenstufe. Zur Erfassung der UES dienten die BUEGA ( Esser et al., 2008 ) sowie Verfahren zur Messung entsprechender Konstrukte ab der sechsten Klasse. Nur etwa 33 % der Kinder mit UES verbesserten sich in der entsprechenden Teilleistung. Höhere Besserungsraten ergaben sich bei separater Betrachtung für die Expressive Sprachstörung (46 %) sowie die isolierte Rechtschreibstörung (43 %). Demgegenüber erfüllten 63 % der Lese- und Rechtschreibgestörten auch bei der Folgemessung noch mindestens in einem Leistungsbereich (Lesen oder Rechtschreiben) die Störungskriterien. 90 % der Kinder, die zum ersten Messzeitpunkt mindestens die zweite Klasse besuchten und eine Rechenstörung aufwiesen, zeigten auch bei der Folgemessung mindestens unterdurchschnittliche Rechenleistungen, 40 % erfüllten weiter die Störungskriterien. Relativ zu Kindern ohne UES wiederholten signifikant mehr umschrieben Entwicklungsgestörte eine Klassenstufe, letztere besuchten zudem seltener das Gymnasium. Insgesamt unterstützen diese Ergebnisse die Annahme einer hohen Stabilität und negativen Prognose von UES und unterstreichen die Bedeutung einer frühzeitigen Diagnostik und Behandlung.
Prüfungsangst, Schulleistung und Lebensqualität bei Schülern
Authors: Pixner Silvia , Kaufmann Liane
Published: April 2013

Das Hauptziel der vorliegenden Studie ist die systematische Untersuchung des Zusammenhangs zwischen schulbezogenen Ängsten (Prüfungsangst, manifeste Angst, Schulunlust) und Schulleistung (Lesen, Rechtschreiben, Rechnen) in einer großen Stichprobe von Schülern der dritten und sechsten Schulstufe (n = 345 und n = 378, respektive). Weitere Ziele der Studie sind die Erhebung der Vorkommenshäufigkeit von schulbezogenen Ängsten und die Beantwortung der Frage, ob das Ausmaß der subjektiv erlebten Prüfungsangst die subjektive Lebensqualität (bezogen auf Familie, Selbstwert, Freunde, psychisches und körperliches Wohlbefinden) prädizieren kann. Die Ergebnisse zeigen über beide Klassenstufen einen signifikanten Zusammenhang zwischen der Prüfungsangst und den rechnerischen Fertigkeiten, während die Lese- und Rechtschreibkompetenzen nur in der Grundstufe signifikant mit der Prüfungsangst korrelierten. Bemerkenswert ist die relativ hohe Vorkommenshäufigkeit von schulbezogenen Ängsten in unserer Stichprobe. So sind 8 bis 16 % der Schüler von einer ausgeprägten Prüfungsangst betroffen, wobei doppelt so viele Schüler der sechsten Schulstufe als jene der dritten Schulstufe subjektive Prüfungsängste berichten. Demgegenüber sind die manifeste Angst und die Schulunlust über die Klassenstufen hinweg vergleichbar (manifeste Angst liegt zwischen 18 – 20 % und Schulunlust zwischen 20 – 25 %). In unserer Stichprobe der Sechstklässler konnte die Prüfungsangst – neben anderen Faktoren – auch als wichtiger Prädiktor für die subjektive Lebensqualität der Schüler identifiziert werden. Die Implikationen dieser Ergebnisse für die schulische und klinische Praxis werden im Diskussionsteil erörtert.
Alltagsintegrierte Förderung numerischer Kompetenzen im Kindergarten
Authors: Jörns Christina , Schuchardt Kirsten , Mähler Claudia , Grube Dietmar
Published: April 2013

In der vorliegenden Evaluationsstudie wurde untersucht, ob numerische Kompetenzen von Kindergartenkindern im Alter von 4 bis 5 Jahren durch in den Kindergartenalltag integrierte zahlen- und mengenbezogene Spiele, die den Zahlenraum von 1 bis 10 behandeln, gefördert werden können. Realisiert wurde ein Prä-Post-Follow-Up-Design mit einer Förder- und einer Kontrollgruppe. Insgesamt nahmen 57 vier- bis fünfjährige Kinder an der Studie teil. Die Förderung wurde von den Erzieher/innen über vier Wochen unter Feldbedingungen durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse weisen auf einen generellen, zeitlich stabilen Fördereffekt des verwendeten Förderkonzepts hin. Dabei scheinen sich die Spiele in der Art, wie sie hier inhaltlich konzipiert wurden, vorwiegend für die Förderung von ersten Rechenfertigkeiten zu eignen, jedoch nicht für den Ausbau des arabischen Zahlwissens, Mengenwissens sowie von Zählfertigkeiten. Die Bedeutung der Befunde für die Förderpraxis von numerischen Kompetenzen in Kindergärten wird abschließend diskutiert.
Early Inhibition of MMP Activity in Ischemic Rat Brain Promotes Expression of Tight Junction Proteins and Angiogenesis During Recovery
Authors: Yang Yi , Thompson Jeffrey F , Taheri Saeid , Salayandia Victor M , McAvoy Thera A , Hill Jeff W , Yang Yirong , Estrada Eduardo Y , Rosenberg Gary A
Published: April 2013

In cerebral ischemia, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have a dual role by acutely disrupting tight junction proteins (TJPs) in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and chronically promoting angiogenesis. Since TJP remodeling of the neurovascular unit (NVU) is important in recovery and early inhibition of MMPs is neuroprotective, we hypothesized that short-term MMP inhibition would reduce infarct size and promote angiogenesis after ischemia. Adult spontaneously hypertensive rats had a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion with reperfusion. At the onset of ischemia, they received a single dose of the MMP inhibitor, GM6001. They were studied at multiple times up to 4 weeks with immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

We observed newly formed vessels in peri-infarct regions at 3 weeks after reperfusion. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI showed BBB opening in new vessels. Along with the new vessels, pericytes expressed zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and MMP-3, astrocytes expressed ZO-1, occludin, and MMP-2, while endothelial cells expressed claudin-5. The GM6001, which reduced tissue loss at 3 to 4 weeks, significantly increased new vessel formation with expression of TJPs and MMPs. Our results show that pericytes and astrocytes act spatiotemporally, contributing to extraendothelial TJP formation, and that MMPs are involved in BBB restoration during recovery. Early MMP inhibition benefits neurovascular remodeling after stroke.
Unique Remodeling Processes after Vascular Injury in Intracranial Arteries: Analysis Using a Novel Mouse Model
Authors: Shimamura Munehisa , Nakagami Hironori , Sata Masataka , Takaoka Minoru , Azuma Junya , Osako Mariana Kiomy , Koriyama Hiroshi , Kurinami Hitomi , Wakayama Kouji , Miyake Takashi , Morishita Ryuichi
Published: April 2013

The effectiveness of angioplasty and stenting in intracranial atherosclerotic diseases is controversial due to high rates of delayed restenosis and hemorrhage compared with extracranial arteries. However, the mechanisms underlying these differences are still unclear, because their pathophysiology is yet to be examined. To address this issue, we established a novel vascular injury model in the intracranial internal carotid arteries (IICAs) in mice, and analyzed the remodeling process in comparison to that of the femoral arteries (FAs). In IICAs, neointimal hyperplasia was observed from day 14 and grew until day 56. Although smooth muscle cells (SMCs) emerged in the neointima from day 28, SMCs in the injured media were continuously lost with eventual extinction of the media. Re-endothelialization was started from day 7 and completed on day 28. Accumulation of macrophages was continued in the adventitia until day 56. Compared with FAs, the following points are unique in IICAs: (1) delayed continuous formation of neointima; (2) accumulation of macrophages in the media on day 14;(3) continuous loss of SMCs in the media followed by extinction of the media itself; and (4) continuously growing adventitia. These pathophysiologic differences might be associated with unfavorable outcomes in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting in intracranial arteries.
Efficient removal of cobalt from aqueous solution using β-cyclodextrin modified graphene oxide
Authors: Song Wencheng , Hu Jun , Zhao Ying , Shao Dadong , Li Jiaxing
Published: April 2013

β-Cyclodextrin modified graphene oxide (denoted as β-CD–GO) was synthesized and applied as a sorbent to remove Co(ii) from aqueous solution.
Comprehensive characterization and optimization of anti-LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Davies Paul , Hinkle Kelly M. , Sukar Nour N. , Sepulveda Bryan , Mesias Roxana , Serrano Geidy , Alessi Dario R. , Beach Thomas G. , Benson Deanna L. , White Charles L. , Cowell Rita M. , Das Sonal S. , West Andrew B. , Melrose Heather L.
Published: April 2013

Missense mutations in LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) are a major cause of PD (Parkinson's disease). Several antibodies against LRRK2 have been developed, but results using these polyclonal antibodies have varied widely leading to conflicting conclusions. To address this challenge, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research generated a number of monoclonal antibodies targeting epitopes across the LRRK2 protein. In the present paper, we report optimized protocols and results for ten monoclonal antibodies for immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation and kinase activity assays, in rat, mouse and human brain tissue. Several efficacious antibodies were identified, but results demonstrate that the mouse monoclonal N241A/34 is suitable for most applications, with the best overall rabbit monoclonal antibody being c41-2. These antibodies produced a dominant band of the expected size via immunoblotting and a lack of labelling in tissue derived from LRRK2-knockout animals under optimized conditions. A significant proportion of LRRK2 protein localizes to insoluble fractions and no evidence of truncated LRRK2 protein was detected in any fraction from rodent or human tissues. An assay was developed for the robust detection of LRRK2 kinase activity directly from frozen mouse and human brain tissue, but precipitous declines in activity were observed that corresponded to increasing post-mortem intervals and processing times. Finally, we demonstrate the highest levels of brain-localized LRRK2 in the striatum, but note differential expression patterns between rat and mouse in both striatum and cortex. Anti-LRRK2 monoclonal antibodies that are unlimited in availability together with the proposed standardized protocols should aid in the definition of LRRK2 function in both health and disease.
Conformational defects underlie proteasomal degradation of Dent's disease-causing mutants of ClC-5
Authors: D’Antonio Christina , Molinski Steven , Ahmadi Saumel , Huan Ling-Jun , Wellhauser Leigh , Bear Christine E.
Published: April 2013

Mutations in the CLCN5 (chloride channel, voltage-sensitive 5) gene cause Dent's disease because they reduce the functional expression of the ClC-5 chloride/proton transporter in the recycling endosomes of proximal tubule epithelial cells. The majority (60%) of these disease-causing mutations in ClC-5 are misprocessed and retained in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). Importantly, the structural basis for misprocessing and the cellular destiny of such ClC-5 mutants have yet to be defined. A ClC-5 monomer comprises a short N-terminal region, an extensive membrane domain and a large C-terminal domain. The recent crystal structure of a eukaryotic ClC (chloride channel) transporter revealed the intimate interaction between the membrane domain and the C-terminal region. Therefore we hypothesized that intramolecular interactions may be perturbed in certain mutants. In the present study we examined two misprocessed mutants: C221R located in the membrane domain and R718X, which truncates the C-terminal domain. Both mutants exhibited enhanced protease susceptibility relative to the normal protein in limited proteolysis studies, providing direct evidence that they are misfolded. Interestingly, the membrane-localized mutation C221R led to enhanced protease susceptibility of the cytosolic N-terminal region, and the C-terminal truncation mutation R718X led to enhanced protease susceptibility of both the cytosolic C-terminal and the membrane domain. Together, these studies support the idea that certain misprocessing mutations alter intramolecular interactions within the full-length ClC-5 protein. Further, we found that these misfolded mutants are polyubiquitinated and targeted for proteasomal degradation in the OK (opossum kidney) renal epithelial cells, thereby ensuring that they do not elicit the unfolded protein response.
The metal-insulator phase transition in the strained GdBiTe3
Authors: Van Quang Tran , Kim Miyoung
Published: April 2013

In this work, we investigated the electronic structures and magnetic properties of the GdBiTe3 alloy employing a first-principles all-electron density-functional approach, aiming to understand the magnetic phase stability and electronic structure dependences on the exchange correlation potential and the strain. The results show that the ferromagnetic phase is energetically more stable over the paramagnetic phase and the metal–insulator phase transition occurs upon the lattice distortion via the strain along the perpendicular c direction, which is not influenced by the strength of correlation energy introduced to describe the localized f orbitals. Thermoelectric transport properties are also investigated to reveal that the compressive strain markedly enhances the Seebeck coefficient, which is reduced in comparison with the Bismuth telluride due to the Gd doping.
Invited Review Article: Large ring lasers for rotation sensing
Authors: Schreiber Karl Ulrich , Wells Jon-Paul R.
Published: April 2013

Over the last two decades a series of large ring laser gyroscopes have been built having an unparalleled scale factor. These upscaled devices have improved the sensitivity and stability for rotation rate measurements by six orders of magnitude when compared to previous commercial developments. This progress has made possible entirely new applications of ring laser gyroscopes in the fields of geophysics, geodesy, and seismology. Ring lasers are currently the only viable measurement technology, which is directly referenced to the instantaneous rotation axis of the Earth. The sensor technology is rapidly developing. This is evidenced by the first experimentally viable proposals to make terrestrial tests of general relativistic effects such as the frame dragging of the rotating Earth.
Experimental energy resolution of a paracentric hemispherical deflector analyzer for different entry positions and bias
Authors: Dogan M. , Ulu M. , Gennarakis G. G. , Zouros T. J. M.
Published: April 2013

A specially designed hemispherical deflector analyzer (HDA) with 5-element input lens having a movable entry position R0 suitable for electron energy analysis in atomic collisions was constructed and tested. The energy resolution of the HDA was experimentally determined for three different entry positions R0 = 84, 100, 112 mm as a function of the nominal entry potential V(R0) under pre-retardation conditions. The resolution for the (conventional) entry at the mean radius R0 = 100 mm was found to be a factor of 1.6-2 times worse than the resolution for the two (paracentric) positions R0 = 84 and 112 mm at particular values of V(R0). These results provide the first experimental verification and a proof of principle of the utility of such a paracentric HDA, while demonstrating its advantages over the conventional HDA: greater dispersion with reduced angular aberrations resulting in better energy resolution without the use of any additional fringing field correction electrodes. Supporting simulations of the entire lens plus HDA spectrometer are also provided and mostly found to be within 20%–30% of experimental values. The paracentric HDA is expected to provide a lower cost and/or more compact alternative to the conventional HDA particularly useful in modern applications utilizing a position sensitive detector.
Double-core excitations in formamide can be probed by X-ray double-quantum-coherence spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Yu , Healion Daniel , Biggs Jason D. , Mukamel Shaul
Published: April 2013

The attosecond, time-resolved X-ray double-quantum-coherence four-wave mixing signals of formamide at the nitrogen and oxygen K-edges are simulated using restricted excitation window time-dependent density functional theory and the excited core hole approximation. These signals, induced by core exciton coupling, are particularly sensitive to the level of treatment of electron correlation, thus providing direct experimental signatures of electron and core-hole many-body effects and a test of electronic structure theories.
Detection of inverse spin Hall effect in epitaxial ferromagnetic Fe3Si films with normal metals Au and Pt
Authors: Hung H. Y. , Luo G. Y. , Chiu Y. C. , Chang P. , Lee W. C. , Lin J. G. , Lee S. F. , Hong M. , Kwo J.
Published: April 2013

Spin pumping transfers the spin momentum of the magnetization precession to the conduction electrons and forms pure spin currents, and was investigated in the ferromagnetic epitaxial Fe3Si films and polycrystalline Py films covered with normal metal (Pt, Au) overlayers, respectively. With the applied microwave applied from a cavity and an in-plane magnetic field, an electric voltage due to inverse spin-Hall effect is detected under the ferromagnetic resonance condition. A linear relationship between the measured voltage and microwave power has been obtained, consistent with a theoretical model. The spin Hall angles of Pt and Au as deduced from the present Py and Fe3Si data are in agreement with the published values. A very large voltage signal is observed for Fe3Si/Au film with in-situ capping of Au, suggesting the possibility of the future applications for the spintronic devices.
Multidimensional x-ray spectroscopy of valence and core excitations in cysteine
Authors: Biggs Jason D. , Zhang Yu , Healion Daniel , Mukamel Shaul
Published: April 2013

Several nonlinear spectroscopy experiments which employ broadband x-ray pulses to probe the coupling between localized core and delocalized valence excitation are simulated for the amino acid cysteine at the K-edges of oxygen and nitrogen and the K- and L-edges of sulfur. We focus on two-dimensional (2D) and 3D signals generated by two- and three-pulse stimulated x-ray Raman spectroscopy (SXRS) with frequency-dispersed probe. We show how the four-pulse x-ray signals \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}${\bm k}_\mathrm{I} =-{\bm k} _1+{\bm k} _2+{\bm k} _3$\end{document}kI=−k1+k2+k3 and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}${\bm k}_\mathrm{II} ={\bm k} _1-{\bm k} _2+{\bm k} _3$\end{document}k II =k1−k2+k3 can give new 3D insight into the SXRS signals. The coupling between valence- and core-excited states can be visualized in three-dimensional plots, revealing the origin of the polarizability that controls the simpler pump-probe SXRS signals.
Electrochemically driven variation of magnetic properties in ultrathin CoPt films
Authors: Reichel L. , Oswald S. , Fähler S. , Schultz L. , Leistner K.
Published: April 2013

Controlled variation of magnetism in ultrathin metallic films by external electric fields is a promising route towards advanced multifunctional devices. In situ magnetic measurements of ultrathin CoPt films in a liquid electrolyte (LiClO4 in dimethyl carbonate-ethylene carbonate) have been performed, dependent on the applied external voltage. Huge hysteretic changes of coercivity (above 200%) and smaller variations of saturation magnetisation (∼4 %) have been identified. The commonly considered concept of changing the electron density of states by double layer charging is not applicable as the changes observed are mainly irreversible. Rather, a strong influence of redox processes, namely surface oxide reduction and Co dissolution, is considered. We argue that by exploiting these redox reactions much higher changes of the magnetic properties are achievable than for double layer charging.
Efficiencies of two-level weak dissipation quantum Carnot engines at the maximum power output
Authors: Guo Juncheng , Wang Junyi , Wang Yuan , Chen Jincan
Published: April 2013

A weak-dissipation cycle model of two-level quantum Carnot engines is proposed by adopting a generic energy spectrum and the superposition effect of quantum systems. Expressions for the power output and efficiency of the cycle are derived. The optimal relation between the power output and the efficiency is obtained and the optimally operating region of the cycle is determined. Moreover, analytical expression for the efficiency of the cycle at the maximum power output is deduced and the lower and upper bounds of the efficiency at the maximum power output are given. The results obtained are general and can be directly used to discuss the optimal performance characteristics of several types of two-level quantum Carnot engines.
A recursive least squares-based demodulator for electrical tomography
Authors: Xu Lijun , Zhou Haili , Cao Zhang
Published: April 2013

In this paper, a recursive least squares (RLS)-based demodulator is proposed for Electrical Tomography (ET) that employs sinusoidal excitation. The new demodulator can output preliminary demodulation results on amplitude and phase of a sinusoidal signal by processing the first two sampling data, and the demodulation precision and signal-to-noise ratio can be further improved by involving more sampling data in a recursive way. Thus trade-off between the speed and precision in demodulation of electrical parameters can be flexibly made according to specific requirement of an ET system. The RLS-based demodulator is suitable to be implemented in a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Numerical simulation was carried out to prove its feasibility and optimize the relevant parameters for hardware implementation, e.g., the precision of the fixed-point parameters, sampling rate, and resolution of the analog to digital convertor. A FPGA-based capacitance measurement circuit for electrical capacitance tomography was constructed to implement and validate the RLS-based demodulator. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed demodulator is valid and capable of making trade-off between demodulation speed and precision and brings more flexibility to the hardware design of ET systems.
Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects in GdCo9Si2 compound with multiple magnetic phase transitions
Authors: Zheng Z. G. , Zhong X. C. , Zhang J. L. , Liu Z. W. , Franco V. , Zeng D. C.
Published: April 2013

The structure and magnetic properties of polycrystalline GdCo9Si2 compound have been investigated. It has a BaCd11 structure and undergoes two magnetic phase transitions: an antiferromagnetic to ferrimagnetic transition occurring at ∼93 K, and a ferrimagnetic to paramagnetic transition at 420 K, which results in a positive and a negative magnetic entropy change, respectively. The two peak values of magnetic entropy change are −0.6 and 1.1 J·kg−1·K−1 for ΔH = 5 T. Furthermore, there exists a metal-semiconductor transition temperature (TP), below which the resistance increases with increasing temperature, while the semiconductor characteristic is observed above TP. The magnetic domain structures are characterized by stripe and grid structures 1 μm wide. Although the MCE is small for applications, its study is useful to clearly understand the nature of multiple magnetic phase transitions in the GdCo9Si2 compound.
The angular dependence of magnetization reversal in coupled elongated Ni80Fe20 nanorings
Authors: Ren Y. , Singh N. , Adeyeye A. O.
Published: April 2013

We have investigated the effects of the magnetostatic interaction and anisotropy of elongated Ni80Fe20 nanoring arrays with various edge-to-edge spacing (s) using the focused magneto-optical Kerr effects measurements. The magnetic reversal behavior is markedly modified by varying s due to the magnetostatic interaction between neighbor rings. We also observed that the reversal process is very sensitive to the orientation of the magnetic field relative to the easy axis. For s < 250 nm, a significant two-step switching corresponding to onion-to-vortex and vortex-to-reverse onion state transitions was observed as the magnetic field orientation (θ) is varied relative to the easy axis, and gradually disappeared until θ=90° (corresponding to the hard axis). Our experimental results are in a good agreement with micromagnetic simulations.
Examination of the application of multiphonon models to the random telegraph signal noise in metal-oxide-semiconductor structures
Authors: Zhang Manhong , Liu Ming
Published: April 2013

We have examined the application of the multiphonon model based on either of the non-adiabatic (NA) interaction and the short ranged trap potential (TP) interaction to the random telegraph signal noise (RTN) in metal-oxide-semiconductor structures. The results show that both multiphonon models can fit the measured ratio of capture time (tc) and emission time (te) very well in a very broad value range of Huang-Rhys factor S. So in order to determine S uniquely, the activation energy must be measured from experiments. It is also found that in the two multiphonon models the transition matrix elements need to scale down in order to fit tc and te, quantitatively. A comparison of the values of the scaling factor suggests that the intensity of TP interaction is stronger than the NA interaction. The trap depth has been extracted from both the conventional RTN model and two multiphonon models. The values from three models are consistent with each other with a difference less than 0.1 nm.
Molecule-assisted nanoparticle clustering effect in immunomagnetic reduction assay
Authors: Yang S. Y. , Chieh J. J. , Huang K. W. , Yang C. C. , Chen T. C. , Ho C. S. , Chang S. F. , Chen H. H. , Horng H. E. , Hong C. Y. , Yang H. C.
Published: April 2013

Immunomagnetic reduction assay is used to quantitatively detect bio-molecules. Many reports show that the to-be-detected bio-molecular concentration dependent reduction in the alternative-current (ac) magnetic susceptibility of a reagent is governed by the logistic function, which is a four-parameter function. One of the parameters relates to the increase in the rate of the magnetic reduction signal when the concentration of to-be-detected bio-molecules is increased. Theoretically, this parameter is attributed to the clustering associations between to-be-detected bio-molecules and labeling particles in the reagent. In an immunomagnetic reduction assay, the bioactive labeling particles are anti-body-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles. However, there is no detailed information about the effect of the clustering associations on this parameter. In this work, the clustering association is manipulated by controlling the concentrations of anti-body-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles in the reagent. The experimental results show that higher values for this parameter are obtained with concentrated anti-body-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles in the reagent. This implies that particle clustering is enhanced by an increase in the concentration of the bio-functionalized magnetic particles. It is also demonstrated that the particle clustering effect dominates the increased rate of the magnetic reduction signal.
Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of LaFe11.5−xTxSi1.5 (T = Cr, Ni)
Authors: Wang C. L. , Long Y.
Published: April 2013

Magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effects of LaFe11.5−xTxSi1.5 (T = Cr, Ni; x = 0, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2) have been investigated by magnetic measurements and differential scanning calorimetry and compared with that of Mn, Co substitution. The Curie temperatures (TC) of LaFe11.5−xCrxSi1.5 compounds are decreased from 193 K (x = 0) to 185 K (x = 0.2) with increasing Cr. Although the latent heat and relative cooling power are slightly decreased by Cr doping, the first-order magnetic transition is preserved, which lead to a large entropy change about 21 J/kg·K for all the Cr substituted samples. In contrast, Ni only concentrates in La-rich phase, and due to the decrease of Fe/Si ratio in the main phase by Ni doping, the TCs of LaFe11.5−xNixSi1.5 compounds increase from 193 K (x = 0) to 206 K (x = 0.2) with increasing Ni amount, and the nature of magnetic transition is changed from first order to second order resulting in the decrease of entropy change.
Characterization of space charge layer deep defects in n+-CdS/p-CdTe solar cells by temperature dependent capacitance spectroscopy
Authors: Kharangarh P. R. , Misra D. , Georgiou G. E. , Chin K. K.
Published: April 2013

Temperature Dependent Capacitance Spectroscopy (TDCS) was used to identify carrier trapping defects in thin film n+-CdS/p-CdTe solar cells, made with evaporated Cu as a primary back contact. By investigating the reverse bias junction capacitance, TDCS allows to identify the energy levels of depletion layer defects. The trap energy levels and trap concentrations were derived from temperature-dependent capacitance spectra. Three distinct deep level traps were observed from the high-temperature (T > 300 K) TDCS due to the ionization of impurity centers located in the depletion region of n+-CdS/p-CdTe junction. The observed levels were also reported by other characterization techniques. TDCS seems to be a much simpler characterization technique for accurate evaluation of deep defects in n+-CdS/p-CdTe solar cells.
Length and temperature dependent 1/f noise in vertical single-walled carbon nanotube arrays
Authors: Sayer Robert A. , Engerer Jeffrey D. , Vidhyadhiraja N. S. , Fisher Timothy S.
Published: April 2013

We report measurements of temperature- and length-dependent 1/f noise in vertical single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) arrays. Carbon nanotubes are synthesized in a porous anodic alumina template with sub-micrometer channel lengths ranging from 100 to 700 nm. A significant difference is observed in the 1/f noise magnitude of quasi-ballistic and diffusive SWCNT devices, with quasi-ballistic devices exhibiting 1/f noise levels that are one to two orders of magnitude less than diffusively conducting devices. Furthermore, 1/f noise was measured from 90 to 400 K, and the noise prefactor decreased significantly at temperatures below 250 K.
Crystallite size-modulated exciton emission in SnO2 nanocrystalline films grown by sputtering
Authors: Sheng Pan Shu , Fung Yu Siu , Xia Zhang Yun , Yuan Luo Yuan , Wang Shuan , Min Xu Jun , Hai Li Guang
Published: April 2013

SnO2 nanocrystalline films with different crystallite sizes were grown by direct current sputtering. All the films show radiative recombination of free exciton (FX) and surface exciton (SX) with emission peaks varied from 330 to 338 nm and from 364 to 375 nm, respectively. The emission intensities of FX and SX versus crystallite size, excitation intensity, and temperature were also investigated. It was found that the emission intensities of both FX and SX increase with the decrease of the crystallite size of the films. In addition, the crystallite size has significant influence on the emission intensity of FX than SX. A model was also established to describe the relationship between crystallite size and excitonic emission intensity. From the temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra, the activation energies of FX and SX are deduced.
Thermoelectric effects in a quantum dot coupled to ferromagnetic leads and subject to microwave fields
Authors: Bagheri Tagani M. , Rahimpour Soleimani H.
Published: April 2013

Thermoelectric properties of a quantum dot (QD) coupled to two ferromagnetic electrodes are analyzed using the Green function formalism in the linear response regime. Influence of the magnetic and microwave fields on the spin thermopower and figure of merit is investigated. Results show that the spin conductance and thermopower are strongly dependent on the spin population of the QD in the presence of the magnetic field. In addition, it is found that the magnetic field and polarization of the leads can significantly increase the spin thermopower, whereas the applying microwave field results in the increase of the fluctuation of the thermopower in low temperatures and decrease of its magnitude. It is also observed that the microwave field increases the peaks of the spin figure of merit, while the magnetic field increases its magnitude.
The role of laser wavelength on plasma generation and expansion of ablation plumes in air
Authors: Hussein A. E. , Diwakar P. K. , Harilal S. S. , Hassanein A.
Published: April 2013

We investigated the role of excitation laser wavelength on plasma generation and the expansion and confinement of ablation plumes at early times (0–500 ns) in the presence of atmospheric pressure. Fundamental, second, and fourth harmonic radiation from Nd:YAG laser was focused on Al target to produce plasma. Shadowgraphy, fast photography, and optical emission spectroscopy were employed to analyze the plasma plumes, and white light interferometry was used to characterize the laser ablation craters. Our results indicated that excitation wavelength plays a crucial role in laser-target and laser-plasma coupling, which in turn affects plasma plume morphology and radiation emission. Fast photography and shadowgraphy images showed that plasmas generated by 1064 nm are more cylindrical compared to plasmas generated by shorter wavelengths, indicating the role of inverse bremsstrahlung absorption at longer laser wavelength excitation. Electron density estimates using Stark broadening showed higher densities for shorter wavelength laser generated plasmas, demonstrating the significance of absorption caused by photoionization. Crater depth analysis showed that ablated mass is significantly higher for UV wavelengths compared to IR laser radiation. In this experimental study, the use of multiple diagnostic tools provided a comprehensive picture of the differing roles of laser absorption mechanisms during ablation.
Dynamics of capillary self-alignment for mesoscopic foil devices
Authors: Arutinov Gari , Mastrangeli Massimo , Smits Edsger C. P. , Schoo Herman F. M. , Brugger Jürgen , Dietzel Andreas
Published: April 2013

We report experimental evidence for three sequential, distinct dynamic regimes in the capillary self-alignment of centimeter-sized foil dies released at large uniaxial offsets from equilibrium. We show that the initial transient wetting regime, along with inertia and wetting properties of the dies, significantly affect the alignment dynamics including the subsequent constant acceleration and damped oscillatory regimes. An analytical force model is proposed that accounts for die wetting and matches quasi-static numerical simulations. Discrepancies with experimental data point to the need for a comprehensive dynamical model to capture the full system dynamics.
Note: Submicrometer-precision sample holder for accurate re-positioning of samples in scanning force microscopy
Authors: Abad José , González Martínez Juan Francisco , Colchero Jaime
Published: April 2013

In this work we describe two simple and compact submicrometer-precision sample holders that are easily integrated into a Scanning Force Microscopy (SFM) system. The designs are based on a traditional kinematic mounting or on self-adjustment of the sample holder and the upper piece of the piezoelectric scanner. With these sample holders the sample position is automatically recovered to within about 100 nm. The setup allows ex situ manipulation of the sample and SFM imaging of the same region without the aid of an optical microscope, positioning marks, and tedious re-allocation.
Use of ordered mesoporous SiO2 as protection against thermal disturbance in phase-change memory
Authors: Ha Tae-Jung , Shin Sangwoo , Keun Kim Hyung , Hong Min-Hee , Park Chang-Sun , Hee Cho Hyung , Jin Choi Doo , Park Hyung-Ho
Published: April 2013

To commercialize phase change memory (PCM), a drastic change of resistivity at specific temperatures and a low power consumption to minimize heat transfer to neighboring cells are needed. Therefore, in this work, an ordered mesoporous SiO2 thin film of 45% porosity was introduced as an intercell dielectric in Ge1Sb4Te7 PCM because it has a low thermal conductivity (0.177 W/m K). By using a hybrid layer structure of mesoporous and dense SiO2 films, the temperature of neighboring cells could be decreased from 393.3 K to 353.2 K, corresponding to a 100-fold change in resistivity.
Arsenic complexes optical signatures in As-doped HgCdTe
Authors: Gemain F. , Robin I. C. , Brochen S. , Ballet P. , Gravrand O. , Feuillet G.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, the optical signatures of arsenic complexes in As-doped HgCdTe samples grown by molecular beam epitaxy are clearly identified using comparison between photoluminescence spectra, Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure, and Hall measurements. The ionization energies of the different complexes are measured both by photoluminescence and Hall measurements.
Insight into morphology changes of nanoparticle laden droplets in acoustic field
Authors: Basu Saptarshi , Tijerino Erick , Kumar Ranganathan
Published: April 2013

Hollow structures with unique morphologies form due to particle agglomeration in acoustically levitated nanofluid functional droplets when subjected to external heating. The final diameter of the structure depends only on the ratio of agglomeration to evaporation time scales for various nanoparticle laden droplets, and not on the type of the suspended particles. These time scales depend only on nanoparticle concentration. This valuable information may be exploited to form microstructures with desired properties from ceramic compounds. Phase diagrams for alumina and silica droplets indicate the transition from a bowl to ring structure depending on concentration.
Enhanced polarization switching and energy storage properties of Pb0.97La0.02(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 antiferroelectric thin films with LaNiO3 oxide top electrodes
Authors: Ge Jun , Dong Xianlin , Chen Ying , Cao Fei , Wang Genshui
Published: April 2013

Polarization switching and energy storage properties of highly (100) oriented antiferroelectric (AFE) (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 thin films (≤250 nm) deposited via a sol-gel process with both LaNiO3 and Pt top electrodes were investigated. By using LaNiO3 top electrodes, the energy density as well as energy efficiency can be enhanced by 4.6 J/cm3 and 11%, respectively. Furthermore, the films with LaNiO3 top electrodes are more capable of providing high energy density over a wide temperature regime above room temperature compared to Pt. This work clearly highlights that oxide top electrodes can greatly improve the energy storage performance of antiferroelectric thin film capacitors.