bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time since birth and time left to live: opposing forces in constructing psychological wellbeing
Authors: DEMIRAY BURCU , BLUCK SUSAN
Published: February 2013

Ageing, by definition, involves moving across lived time. Grounded in developmental psychology, particularly lifespan developmental theory, this study examines two time-related factors that may affect psychological wellbeing in adulthood. Particularly, chronological age and perceived time left to live (i.e.future time perspective) are predicted to act as opposing forces in the construction of psychological wellbeing. Young (N = 285, 19–29 years) and middle-aged adults (N = 135, 47–64 years) self-reported their current psychological wellbeing (across six dimensions) and their sense of future time perspective. As predicted, mediation analyses show that higher levels of chronological age (being in midlife), and having a more open-ended, positive future time perspective are both related to higher psychological wellbeing. Note, however, that being in midlife is related to a more limited and negative future time perspective. As such, confirming our conceptual argument, while both age and future perspective are measures of time in a general sense, analyses show that they act as unique, opposing forces in the construction of psychological wellbeing. The current research suggests that individuals can optimise psychological wellbeing to the extent that they maintain an open-ended and positive sense of the future.
Strumming a place of one's own: gender, independence and the East Asian pop-rock screen
Authors: Tsai Eva , Shin Hyunjoon
Published: February 2013

The first decade of the 21st century has seen a concurrent rise of pop-rock screen productions in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, particularly feature films, documentaries and TV series informed by the guitar and/or band culture. This paper probes the popularisation of pop-rock in the region and asks what gender and sexual expressions have been mobilised in such productions and representations. The paper juxtaposes dominant gender tropes, such as the failing male rocker in search of rebirth (Korea), romantic youth pursuing authenticity (Japan), dazzling but also bedazzled rocker-girl on stage (Japan), indie music goddess in control of subdued femininity (Korea) and peripheral girl-with-acoustic-guitar who chronicles boys' sorrow (Taiwan). Responding to the familiar myth of rebellion in pop-rock discourses, our inter-referential analysis suggests that East Asian pop-rock screen is about the making of heterotopias rather than utopias.
Representing Japan: ‘national’ style among Japanese hip-hop DJs
Authors: Manabe Noriko
Published: February 2013

Based on ethnographic interviews, this paper examines how Japanese hip-hop DJs distinguish themselves in the global marketplace in ways that reflect on Japan's two self-images: its impenetrable uniqueness and its adeptness at assimilating other cultures (cf. Ivy, Iwabuchi). Following the autoexoticist strategies of Takemitsu and Akiyoshi, DJ Krush and Shing02 draw on Japanese uniqueness by integrating Japanese instruments (e.g.shakuhachi, shamisen, taiko), genres (biwanarrative), and aesthetics (ma, imperfection) into their works; Evis Beats takes a more parodic approach. At the DMC World Championships, Japanese DJs including DJ Kentarō have competed on the basis of eclecticism and originality in assimilating multiple sound sources. While countering the stereotype of the Japanese as imitators, this emphasis on originality may place some contestants too far from prevailing trends, putting them at a disadvantage. Both strategies imply that Japanese artists experience anxieties regarding their authenticity, necessitating strategies to differentiate themselves.
Deliberating fandom and the new wave of Chinese pop: a case study of Chris Li
Authors: Fung Anthony
Published: February 2013

In terms of circulation and sales of albums, the most popular pop music found in mainland China today is the Mandopop imported from Taiwan. The pop music that is genuinely locally produced in China by mainland producers and artists, and which is most notable to the outside world is probably the Chinese rock music and the wave of ‘northwest wind’ pop music produced locally in China in the late 1980s. However, after 2005, there emerged a new kind of Chinese pop that is commercially successful and a product of the nationalPop Idol-like singing contest. This paper describes and explicates the broad popularity of this new wave of Chinese pop. Putting aside the overly discussed topic of democracy that comes out of such politicisedSupergirlcontests, this paper focuses on the nature of the melody and lyrics of pop idol winner Chris Li's songs and how their unique formulation evolves into an important ‘short wave’ of Chinese pop.
High-precision small-scale laser focal spot measurements
Authors: Lu Z.W. , Liu X.Y. , Wang X. , Ba D.X. , Jiang Z.H. , Du P.Y. , Zhu C.Y.
Published: February 2013

In this paper, a method of two-dimensional fine-scanning with charge coupled device has been conducted to precisely measure spatial position and intensity distribution of small-scale focal spot (diameter in microns). The measurement accuracy of the small-scale focal spot position is better than 1 µm when the fluctuations of the light energy and background noise are relatively small. The theoretical analysis is consistent with the experimental results.
Seasonal pattern of hepatitis E virus prevalence in swine in two different geographical areas of China
Authors: LU Y. H. , QIAN H. Z. , HU A. Q. , QIN X. , JIANG Q. W. , ZHENG Y. J.
Published: February 2013

We studied seasonal patterns of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in China. From 2008 to 2011, 4200 swine bile specimens were collected for the detection of HEV RNA. A total of 92/2400 (3·83%) specimens in eastern China and 47/1800 (2·61%) specimens in southwestern China were positive for HEV. Seasonal patterns differing by geographical area were suggested. In eastern China, the major peak of HEV RNA prevalence was during March–April, with a minor peak during September–October, and a dip during July–August. In southwestern China, the peak was during September–October and the dip during March–April. The majority of subtype 4a cases (63/82, 76·83%) were detected in the first half of the year, while the majority of subtype 4b cases (26/29, 89·66%) were concentrated in the second half of the year, suggesting that different subtypes contribute to different peaks. Our results indicate that the distribution of HEV subtypes is associated with seasonal patterns.
Tissue Doppler, strain, and strain rate measurements assessed by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in healthy newborns and infants
Authors: Elkiran Ozlem , Karakurt Cemsit , Kocak Gulendam , Karadag Ahmet
Published: February 2013

Objectives

To evaluate cardiac maturational and haemodynamic alteration in healthy newborns and infants and determine reference values in this period using tissue Doppler, strain, and strain rate echocardiography.

Material and Methods

The study included 149 healthy subjects. Babies from 1 day to 3 months were selected from the well-baby nursery department, and infants were selected from paediatric clinics during routine visits for health maintenance. Subjects were allocated to four groups: preterm (36–37 weeks, n = 32), term (≥38 weeks, n = 32), 1 month of age (n = 47), and 3 months of age (n = 38). Standard echocardiographic evaluations, pulsed wave Doppler, tissue Doppler echocardiography, strain, and strain rate studies were applied by the same person using a MyLab50 echo machine. Longitudinal and circumferential systolic strain and strain rate measurements were assessed by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in all subjects.

Results

The longitudinal systolic velocity, strain, and strain rate values derived from left ventricle apical four-, three-, and two-chamber images, and circumferential systolic velocity, strain, and strain rate values derived from left ventricle short-axis images decreased from the base to the apex in all subjects (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Significant cardiac haemodynamic alterations occurred during the newborn and early infancy periods and were detected by tissue Doppler, strain, and strain rate echocardiography. Although two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is useful and can produce improved, reliable results in clinical practice, it has some limitations. Therefore, more studies on this issue are required.
Subclinical arterial stiffness in young children after Kawasaki disease
Authors: Oguri Masato , Nakamura Tsuneyuki , Tamanuki Keita , Akita Chisato , Kitaoka Chika , Saikawa Yutaka , Takahashi Masato
Published: February 2013

Background

Recent studies have revealed that atherosclerosis progresses faster than expected in young adults with a history of Kawasaki disease. However, it is unclear as to when these arterial changes become measurable. In this study, we evaluated subclinical arterial stiffness in young children with a history of Kawasaki disease using two-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking.

Methods

A total of 75 children with a history of Kawasaki disease (mean age, 8.2 ± 2.8 years) and 50 healthy controls (mean age 8.3 ± 3.5 years) were included. The two regions of interest for speckle tracking were manually positioned at the anterior and posterior carotid arterial wall using a Philips iE33 (Philips Medical Systems, Bothell, WA, USA). The peak systolic strain, time to peak systolic strain, early systolic strain rate, and late systolic strain rate were continuously monitored between the two regions of interest. Furthermore, the intimal-medial thickness, stiffness β, and pressure-elastic modulus, as conventional measures of arterial stiffness, were concurrently obtained.

Results

The peak systolic strain and late systolic strain rate differed significantly between the patients with Kawasaki disease and controls (6.69% versus 8.60%, p < 0.01, and −0.28/second versus −0.51/second, p < 0.0001, respectively). There was no difference in the time to peak systolic strain, early systolic strain rate, and conventional measures.

Conclusions

The arteries of patients with Kawasaki disease appear to develop mild sclerotic changes shortly after the onset of the disease.
Ventricular mechanics in patients with aortic valve disease: longitudinal, radial, and circumferential components
Authors: Leonardi Benedetta , Margossian Renee , Sanders Stephen P. , Chinali Marcello , Colan Steven D.
Published: February 2013

Background

Reduced long-axis shortening despite enhanced global function has been reported in aortic stenosis. We sought to improve the understanding of this phenomenon using multi-dimensional strain analysis in conjunction with the evaluation of left ventricular rotation and twist – ventricular torsion – using tissue Doppler techniques.

Methods

A total of 57 patients with variable severity of aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, or mixed aortic valve disease, subdivided into six groups, were studied. Ventricular morphology was assessed using long-axis/short-axis and mass/volume ratios, afterload using end-systolic meridional wall stress, and global performance using ejection fraction. The circumferential and longitudinal strain was measured from two-dimensional images, and left ventricular rotation and twist were estimated as the difference in rotation between the base and apex of the ventricle.

Results

Aortic stenosis was associated with higher mass/volume, ejection fraction, circumferential strain and left ventricular rotation and twist, significantly lower end-systolic wall stress, and a trend towards lower longitudinal strain compared with normal. Myocardial mechanics in aortic regurgitation were normal despite ventricular dilation. Mixed aortic valve disease showed findings similar to aortic stenosis. Left ventricular rotation and twist correlated with midwall circumferential strain (r = 0.62 and p < 0.0001), endocardial circumferential strain (r = 0.61 and p < 0.0001), and end-systolic wall stress (r = 0.48 and p < 0.0001), but not with longitudinal strain (r = 0.18 and p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Myocardial mechanics are normal in patients with aortic regurgitation, independent of abnormalities in cardiac geometry. Conversely, in aortic stenosis and mixed aortic valve disease, significant alterations in the patterns of fibre shortening are found. The effects of stenosis on cardiac function seem to dominate the effect of ventricular remodelling.
Quality of life of adult congenital heart disease patients: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Fteropoulli Theodora , Stygall Jan , Cullen Shay , Deanfield John , Newman Stanton P.
Published: February 2013

Aims

This review explores the quality of life of adult congenital heart disease patients and the relationship between disease severity and quality of life.

Methods

We searched seven electronic databases and the bibliography of articles. The 31 selected studies fulfilled the following criteria: adult population; quantitative; assessment of quality of life and/or impact of disease severity on quality of life using validated measures; English language. Data extraction forms were used to summarise the results.

Results

There are evident methodological limitations within the reviewed studies such as heterogeneous populations, designs, and quality of life conceptualisations and measurements. Despite these problems, findings suggest that the quality of life of adult congenital heart disease patients is compromised in the physical domain compared with their healthy counterparts, whereas no differences were found in relation to the psychosocial and environmental/occupational domain. Some severity variables appear to be significant correlates of quality of life and could be considered in a future standardised classification of disease severity.

Conclusion

The methodological limitations of past research in relation to the definition and measurement of quality of life, the study designs, and disease severity classifications need to be addressed in future studies in order to provide robust evidence and valid conclusions in this area of study. This will enable the development of targeted interventions for the improvement of quality of life in the adult population of congenital heart disease patients.
Intrapericardial immature teratoma in a newborn: a case report
Authors: Milovanovic Vladimir , Lukac Marija , Krstic Zoran
Published: February 2013

Intrapericardial teratomas are extremely rare and most often benign tumours. In this paper, we have described a case of intrapericardial teratoma diagnosed prenatally and successfully operated. The presented case is noteworthy as an example of potentially catastrophic cardiorespiratory distress caused by the space-occupying nature of the tumour. A multi-disciplinary approach is mandatory because the tumour most often arises from the ascending aorta and in some cases may require the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.
New Information Technology Tools for a Medical Command System for Mass Decontamination
Authors: Fuse Akira , Okumura Tetsu , Hagiwara Jun , Tanabe Tomohide , Fukuda Reo , Masuno Tomohiko , Mimura Seiji , Yamamoto Kaname , Yokota Hiroyuki
Published: February 2013

In a mass decontamination during a nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) response, the capability to command, control, and communicate is crucial for the proper flow of casualties at the scene and their subsequent evacuation to definitive medical facilities. Information Technology (IT) tools can be used to strengthen medical control, command, and communication during such a response. Novel IT tools comprise a vehicle-based, remote video camera and communication network systems.

During an on-site verification event, an image from a remote video camera system attached to the personal protective garment of a medical responder working in the warm zone was transmitted to the on-site Medical Commander for aid in decision making. Similarly, a communication network system was used for personnel at the following points: (1) the on-site Medical Headquarters; (2) the decontamination hot zone; (3) an on-site coordination office; and (4) a remote medical headquarters of a local government office. A specially equipped, dedicated vehicle was used for the on-site medical headquarters, and facilitated the coordination with other agencies.

The use of these IT tools proved effective in assisting with the medical command and control of medical resources and patient transport decisions during a mass-decontamination exercise, but improvements are required to overcome transmission delays and camera direction settings, as well as network limitations in certain areas.

FuseA, OkumuraT, HagiwaraJ, TanabeT, FukudaR, MasunoT, MimuraS, YamamotoK, YokotaH. New Information Technology tools for a medical command system for mass decontamination. Prehosp Disaster Med.2013;28(3):1-3.
Language proficiency and executive control in bilingual children
Authors: ILUZ-COHEN PERI , ARMON-LOTEM SHARON
Published: February 2013

The relation between language proficiency and executive functions has been established for monolingual children. The present study addresses this issue in bilingual children, comparing the language proficiency of sequential English–Hebrew bilingual preschool children as determined by standardized assessment instruments and generic executive control in inhibition, sorting and shifting tasks. Participants were recruited from regular and language preschools and classified according to their language proficiency as bilinguals with high language proficiency in at least one of their languages (including balanced bilinguals with high language proficiency in both languages, L2-dominant, and L1-dominant) and bilinguals showing low language proficiency in both languages. As reported for monolingual preschool children, positive relationships between language proficiency and inhibition and shifting abilities were found, with significantly lower performance among low language proficiency bilinguals. Significantly better performance was also found for shifting among children who had already mastered their L2 compared to those who were still in the process of acquiring the new language.
‘Making Safe’: A Coordinated Community Response to Empowering Victims and Tackling Perpetrators of Domestic Violence
Authors: Clarke Alan , Wydall Sarah
Published: February 2013

This article describes an exploratory study of the Making Safe Scheme, which is a multi-agency initiative designed to provide a coordinated and integrated response to domestic violence by focusing on both victims and perpetrators. A key feature of the intervention is that it enables victims to remain in their own homes, provided it is considered safe to do so, and re-houses perpetrators. Consequently, the wrong-doer leaves the home and practitioners can work with families in their established communities to prevent further abuse. In 2008, the project was awarded the Butler Trust Public Protection Award for its innovative work with victims and offenders. The findings from this study focus on a number of themes: perpetrator accountability, the changing balance of power in abusive relationships and the increased opportunities for victims and their families to engage in recovery work whilst remaining in the family home.
Corelli, Politics and Music during the Visit of Philip V to Naples in 1702
Authors: DOMÍNGUEZ JOSÉ MARÍA
Published: February 2013

This article discusses and places in historical context a newly discovered set of letters between Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni and his agent in Naples during the visit of King Philip V of Spain to the city in 1702. These letters, in part transcribed in an Appendix, clarify several details concerning Corelli's visit to the city and confirm that he was accompanied by the violinist Matteo Fornari as well as by a third musician, the cellist Pippo Amadei, instead of G. L. Lulier, as hitherto supposed. With new facts that augment information already known from other sources, such as the correspondence of Cardinal Francesco Maria de' Medici, the article sheds new light on disputes that occurred at this time between other musicians and their patrons, such as those involving G. B. Stuck and the Giudice family. Considering these facts in the wider context of the War of the Spanish Succession, I argue that Corelli's visit was the subject of significant political calculations on the part of Cardinal Ottoboni and members of the Spanish and Neapolitan nobility.
Democracy, Oil, or Religion? Expanding Women's Rights in the Muslim World
Authors: Chaturvedi Neilan S. , Montoya Orlando
Published: February 2013

Of the 45 Muslim majority countries in the world, 42 have signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. While this does indeed signal a motive to improve women's rights, there is wide disparity in terms of which countries expand rights and which do not. Social science literature suggests that in addition to economic factors like wealth and oil resources, or political factors like the quality of democracy in the country, Islamic culture may be at odds with the Western conception of women's rights. We posit that Muslim countries are unique in this regard due to religious pressures that often conflict with conventional measures of human rights. Using data from the Cingranelli-Richards Human Rights Dataset and the Religion and State Project, we find that Muslim countries that restrict the influence of fundamentalist religion in the government and population improve women's economic and social rights.
Belonging In a “Christian Nation”: The Explicit and Implicit Associations between Religion and National Group Membership
Authors: Jacobs Carly M. , Theiss-Morse Elizabeth
Published: February 2013

If many consider the United States to be a Christian nation, how does this affect individuals who are American citizens but not Christian? We test two major hypotheses: (1) Americans consider Christians to be more fully American than non-Christians. We examine whether Americans explicitly and implicitly connect being Christian with being a true American; and (2) Christian Americans are more likely to be patriotic and set exclusive boundaries on the national group than non-Christian Americans. Among non-Christians, however, those who want to be fully accepted as American will be more patriotic and set more exclusive boundaries to emulate prototypical Americans than non-Christians who place less emphasis on national group membership. We test these hypotheses using data from a survey and from an Implicit Association Test. We find that Americans in general associate being Christian with being a true American. For Christians, this is true both explicitly and implicitly. For non-Christians, only the implicit measure uncovers an association. We also found that non-Christians exhibit significantly more pro-national group behaviors when they desire being prototypical than when they do not.
Religion and Perceptions of Candidates' Ideologies in United States House Elections
Authors: Jacobsmeier Matthew L.
Published: February 2013

Using data from the American National Election Studies, Poole-Rosenthal DW-Nominate scores, and data on the religious affiliations of members of the United States House of Representatives, I show that religion has important independent effects on the evaluation of candidates' ideologies. The results suggest that candidates affiliated with evangelical Christianity will tend to be seen as more conservative than ideologically similar candidates from mainline Protestant denominations. Jewish candidates, in contrast, will tend to be seen as more liberal than ideologically similar mainline Protestants. Additionally, the use of religion-based stereotypes varies with frequency of church attendance. These findings attest to the external validity of recent experiment-based research on religion-based political stereotypes. The approach employed here also allows for the estimation of the magnitude of the effects of such stereotypes. The results shed light on both the importance of religion in election campaigns and the factors that influence perceptions of candidates' ideologies more generally.
Multimodal Examination of Structural and Functional Remapping in the Mouse Photothrombotic Stroke Model
Authors: Clarkson Andrew N , López-Valdés Héctor E , Overman Justine J , Charles Andrew C , Brennan KC , Carmichael S Thomas
Published: February 2013

Recent studies show a limited capacity for neural repair after stroke, which includes remapping of sensorimotor functions and sprouting of new connections. However, physiologic and connectional plasticity of sensory maps during long-term functional recovery in the mouse have not been determined. Using a photothrombotic stroke model, we targeted the motor cortex, which we show results in lasting behavioral deficits on the grid-walking and in the cylinder tasks out to 8 weeks after stroke. Mice recovered performance in a skilled reaching task, showing no deficit from week 2 after stroke. Long-term optical intrinsic signal imaging revealed functional reorganization of sensory cortical maps for both forelimb and hindlimb, with more diffuse sensory physiologic maps. There was a small but significant increase in motor neuron projections within the areas of functional cortical reorganization as assessed using the neuroanatomic tracer biotinylated dextran amine. These findings show that the sensorimotor cortex undergoes remapping of cortical functions and axonal sprouting within the same regions during recovery after stroke. This suggests a linked structural and physiologic plasticity underlying recovery. Combined long-term structural and functional mapping after stroke in the mouse is practical and provides a rich data set for mechanistic analysis of stroke recovery.
Prostaglandin E2, a Postulated Astrocyte-Derived Neurovascular Coupling Agent, Constricts Rather than Dilates Parenchymal Arterioles
Authors: Dabertrand Fabrice , Hannah Rachael M , Pearson Jessica M , Hill-Eubanks David C , Brayden Joseph E , Nelson Mark T
Published: February 2013

It has been proposed that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is released from astrocytic endfeet to dilate parenchymal arterioles through activation of prostanoid (EP4) receptors during neurovascular coupling. However, the direct effects of PGE2 on isolated parenchymal arterioles have not been tested. Here, we examined the effects of PGE2 on the diameter of isolated pressurized parenchymal arterioles from rat and mouse brain. Contrary to the prevailing assumption, we found that PGE2 (0.1, 1, and 5 μmol/L) constricted rather than dilated parenchymal arterioles. Vasoconstriction to PGE2 was prevented by inhibitors of EP1 receptors. These results strongly argue against a direct role of PGE2 on arterioles during neurovascular coupling.
Properties of cell death models calibrated and compared using Bayesian approaches
Authors: Eydgahi Hoda , Chen William W , Muhlich Jeremy L , Vitkup Dennis , Tsitsiklis John N , Sorger Peter K
Published: February 2013

Using models to simulate and analyze biological networks requires principled approaches to parameter estimation and model discrimination. We use Bayesian and Monte Carlo methods to recover the full probability distributions of free parameters (initial protein concentrations and rate constants) for mass‐action models of receptor‐mediated cell death. The width of the individual parameter distributions is largely determined by non‐identifiability but covariation among parameters, even those that are poorly determined, encodes essential information. Knowledge of joint parameter distributions makes it possible to compute the uncertainty of model‐based predictions whereas ignoring it (e.g., by treating parameters as a simple list of values and variances) yields nonsensical predictions. Computing the Bayes factor from joint distributions yields the odds ratio (∼20‐fold) for competing ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ apoptosis models having different numbers of parameters. Our results illustrate how Bayesian approaches to model calibration and discrimination combined with single‐cell data represent a generally useful and rigorous approach to discriminate between competing hypotheses in the face of parametric and topological uncertainty.
Unsteady separated stagnation-point flow of an incompressible viscous fluid on the surface of a moving porous plate
Authors: Dholey S. , Gupta A. S.
Published: February 2013

Using group-theoretic method, an analysis is presented for a similarity solution of boundary layer equations which represents an unsteady two-dimensional separated stagnation-point (USSP) flow of an incompressible fluid over a porous plate moving in its own plane with speed u0(t). It is observed that the solution to the governing nonlinear ordinary differential equation for the USSP flow admits of two solutions (in contrast with the corresponding steady flow where the solution is unique): one is the attached flow solution (AFS) and the other is the reverse flow solution (RFS). A novel result of the analysis is that in the case of stationary plate (u0(t) = 0), after a certain value of the magnitude of the blowing d (<0) at the plate, only the AFS exists and the solution becomes unique. For a stationary plate (u0(t) = 0), the USSP flow is found to be separated for all values of d in both the cases of AFS and RFS. It is also observed that when u0(t) = 0, in the RFS flow with wall suction d (>0), there are two stagnation-points in the flow but in the presence of blowing d (<0), there is only one stagnation-point in the flow which moves further and further up with increase in |d|. Suction is shown to increase the wall shear stress while blowing has an opposite effect. Streamlines for an USSP flow when u0(t) ≠ 0 are also plotted. It is found that in this case, the USSP flow is not in general separated.
Experimental demonstration of the equivalence of inductive and strongly coupled magnetic resonance wireless power transfer
Authors: Ricketts David S. , Chabalko Matthew J. , Hillenius Andrew
Published: February 2013

In this work, we show experimentally that wireless power transfer (WPT) using strongly coupled magnetic resonance (SCMR) and traditional induction are equivalent. We demonstrate that for a given coil separation, and to within 4%, strongly coupled magnetic resonance and traditional induction produce the same theoretical efficiency of wireless power transfer versus distance. Moreover, we show that the difference between traditional induction and strongly coupled magnetic resonance is in the implementation of the impedance matching network where strongly coupled magnetic resonance uses the mini-loop impedance match. The mini-loop impedance mach provides a low-loss, high-ratio impedance transformation that makes it desirable for longer distance wireless power transfer, where large impedance transformations are needed to maximize power transfer.
Band gaps of graphene on layered ZnO substrate: A first principles study
Authors: Guo X. , Zhou Y. G.
Published: February 2013

Using density functional theory, we show that the band gap of graphene can be induced via deposition on a layered ZnO substrate. This phenomenon can be understood based on the symmetry-breaking substrate potential, which leads to the nonequivalence of sublattices in graphene. With the decrease of interlayer spacing, the band gap of graphene was improved, while the electron effective mass (EEM) increases and the carrier mobility decreases. The finding of large Fermi velocity, which is comparable to that of an isolated graphene, retards the increase of EEM with the band gap, and thus, provides a possible way to design the graphene-based field-effect transistors.
Accelerated direct semiclassical molecular dynamics using a compact finite difference Hessian scheme
Authors: Ceotto Michele , Zhuang Yu , Hase William L.
Published: February 2013

This paper shows how a compact finite difference Hessian approximation scheme can be proficiently implemented into semiclassical initial value representation molecular dynamics. Effects of the approximation on the monodromy matrix calculation are tested by propagating initial sampling distributions to determine power spectra for analytic potential energy surfaces and for “on the fly” carbon dioxide direct dynamics. With the approximation scheme the computational cost is significantly reduced, making ab initio direct semiclassical dynamics computationally more feasible and, at the same time, properly reproducing important quantum effects inherent in the monodromy matrix and the pre-exponential factor of the semiclassical propagator.
Energy harvesting in core-shell ferroelectric ceramics: Theoretical approach and practical conclusions
Authors: Anoufa M. , Kiat J. M. , Kornev I. , Bogicevic C.
Published: February 2013

We have made a quantitative evaluation of the possibility to store electrical energy using ferroelectric supercapacitor built on core-shell nanoceramics. We have first solved the Laplace equation for a single core-shell particle and used afterward an effective medium approximation to get in a self consistent way the equations for the different internal electric field, the permittivity and the polarization of a nanoceramic constituted of such core-shell particles. A numerical calculation was performed to check these results. We could generalize these results in the case of a ceramic made of core-n shells particles, and for different cases of anisotropic shapes of particles. We have introduced afterward the expression of the core-shell polarization into the Landau potential for nanoceramics by Li et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 98, 064101 (2005)] which allows us to get the phases diagrams for different cases of nanoparticles shapes. Numerical minimization of the Landau potential results in curves of polarization versus external electric field, which were numerically integrated to obtain the maximum density of energy that can be stored in the nanoceramic. The influence of several parameters such as the maximum applied electric field or the breakdown field, the permittivity of the shell, and the anisotropy of particles has been considered for different types of dielectric materials. A final table condensates these results, which shows that the possibility of ferro-supercapacitor is fair but one or two order of magnitude lower than those of electrolytic-supercapacitor. However if some limitations like the breakdown field in the ceramics could be overcome, middle-density ferro-supercapacitors could be built and eventually replace current hybrid supercapacitors.
Waveguide-based ferromagnetic resonance measurements of metallic ferromagnetic films in transmission and reflection
Authors: Kostylev M.
Published: February 2013

In this work, we have studied the ferromagnetic and standing spin wave resonance response of in-plane magnetized exchange-coupled bi-layer ferromagnetic metallic films placed in a section of a rectangular waveguide. The measurements have been performed in transmission and reflection of electromagnetic waves in the 8–12 GHz frequency range. The 30 to 70 nm-thick Co-permalloy films on silicon substrates tightly fitted the cross-section of the waveguide. It was found that the responses of the films in transmission and reflection were very different. In transmission, the response of the fundamental mode dominates, but in reflection, the first (anti-symmetric) standing spin wave mode demonstrates the largest variation in amplitude with respect to the off-resonance regime. The results we obtain are in agreement with recently developed theory which demonstrates the high relevance of strong microwave screening (or shielding) by eddy currents in the film for the formation of the observed response.
Pure ion current collection in ion sensitive probe measurement with a metal mesh guard electrode for evaluation of ion temperature in magnetized plasma
Authors: Hsieh Tung-Yuan , Kawamori Eiichirou , Nishida Yasushi
Published: February 2013

This paper presents a new design of ion sensitive probe (ISP) that enables collection of pure ion current for accurate measurement of the perpendicular ion temperature in magnetized plasmas. The new type of ISP resolves a longstanding issue widely observed in ISP type measurements, namely, that the current-voltage characteristic is smeared by an unexpected electron current in the standard ISP model. The new ISP is equipped with a fine scale metal mesh on the sensor entrance to prevent electrons from flowing to the sensor, a phenomenon considered to be caused by the space-charge effect. The new ISP successfully measured the ion temperature of electron cyclotron resonance plasmas.
GaN quantum-dots integrated in the gate dielectric of metal-oxide-semiconductor structures for charge-storage applications
Authors: Dimitrakis P. , Normand P. , Bonafos C. , Papadomanolaki E. , Iliopoulos E.
Published: February 2013

Gallium nitride quantum dots (QDs) were investigated as discrete charge storage nodes embedded in the gate dielectric of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitors. The GaN QDs were formed on top of 3.5 nm-thick SiO2/n-Si(001) substrates by radiofrequency plasma-assisted molecular beam deposition. The MOS structures were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Deposition dose was determined as a critical process parameter to obtain two dimensional arrays of discrete QDs. The memory window width, programming speed, and charge retention time were evaluated for GaN QD devices with different deposition doses. All devices showed enhanced electron trapping leading to significant memory windows. Charge retention measurements, at room temperature, revealed that the sample with the lowest concentration of QDs exhibits a low charge loss with a significant extrapolated programming window after 10 yrs. The present study not only demonstrates GaN QD embedded SiO2 structures fabricated by a fully complementary metal oxide semiconductor compatible method but also points out that these structures are promising for the realization of nanofloating gate non-volatile memory devices.
Note: Reducing polarization induced sidebands in Rayleigh backscattering spectra for accurate distributed strain measurement using optical frequency-domain reflectometry
Authors: Ding Zhenyang , Steve Yao X. , Liu Tiegen , Du Yang , Liu Kun , Han Qun , Meng Zhuo , Li Dingjie
Published: February 2013

We describe a phenomenon called polarization-induced sidebands (PIS) in Rayleigh backscatter spectra (RBS) and discuss its deteriorating effects on the distributed strain measurement using an optical frequency-domain reflectometry. We propose using a special polarization diversity detection scheme to remove PIS and successfully demonstrate accurate distributed strain measurement in the range of 0.75 μɛ–225 μɛ in a 50 m standard single mode fiber, with a good linearity between the strain and the spectra shift in RBS.
Direct observation of enhanced emission sites in nitrogen implanted hybrid structured ultrananocrystalline diamond films
Authors: Panda Kalpataru , Chen Huang-Chin , Sundaravel B. , Panigrahi B. K. , Lin I.-Nan
Published: February 2013

A hybrid-structured ultrananocrystalline diamond (h-UNCD) film, synthesized on Si-substrates by a two-step microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (MPECVD) process, contains duplex structure with large diamond aggregates evenly dispersed in a matrix of ultra-small grains (∼5 nm). The two-step plasma synthesized h-UNCD films exhibit superior electron field emission (EFE) properties than the one-step MPECVD deposited UNCD films. Nitrogen-ion implantation/post-annealing processes further improve the EFE properties of these films. Current imaging tunnelling spectroscopy in scanning tunnelling spectroscopy mode directly shows increased density of emission sites in N implanted/post-annealed h-UNCD films than as-prepared one. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show increased sp2 phase content and C–N bonding fraction in N ion implanted/post-annealed films. Transmission electron microscopic analysis reveals that the N implantation/post-annealing processes induce the formation of defects in the diamond grains, which decreases the band gap and increases the density of states within the band gap of diamond. Moreover, the formation of nanographitic phase surrounding the small diamond grains enhanced the conductivity at the diamond grain boundaries. Both of the phenomena enhance the EFE properties.
Note: Tunable notch filter based on liquid crystal technology for microwave applications
Authors: Urruchi V. , Marcos C. , Torrecilla J. , Sánchez-Pena J. M. , Garbat K.
Published: February 2013

In this work, a compact design of an electrically tunable notch filter, based on liquid crystal (LC) technology, has been designed, manufactured, and characterized. The proposal has been achieved through particular configuration schemes with low cost inverted-microstrip structures and conventional spurlines structures due to its ease of integration. Central frequency tunability has been induced by applying low ac voltages, thus involving low power consumption. For these devices, filter responses have been approached specifically at microwave C-band frequency allocated for many satellite communications applications. Also, it has taken advantage of new highly anisotropic nematic LC mixtures at those frequency ranges.
Crystal orientation dependent thermoelectric properties of highly oriented aluminum-doped zinc oxide thin films
Authors: Abutaha A. I. , Sarath Kumar S. R. , Alshareef H. N.
Published: February 2013

We demonstrate that the thermoelectric properties of highly oriented Al-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films can be improved by controlling their crystal orientation. The crystal orientation of the AZO films was changed by changing the temperature of the laser deposition process on LaAlO3 (100) substrates. The change in surface termination of the LaAlO3 substrate with temperature induces a change in AZO film orientation. The anisotropic nature of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of the AZO films showed a favored thermoelectric performance in c-axis oriented films. These films gave the highest power factor of 0.26 W m−1 K−1 at 740 K.
Size effects in thin gold films: Discrimination between electron-surface and electron-grain boundary scattering by measuring the Hall effect at 4 K
Authors: Henriquez Ricardo , Moraga Luis , Kremer German , Flores Marcos , Espinosa Andres , Munoz Raul C.
Published: February 2013

We report the Hall effect measured in gold films evaporated onto mica substrates, the samples having an average grain diameter D that ranges between 12 and 174 nm, and a thickness t of approximately 50 nm and 100 nm. The Hall mobility was determined at low temperatures T (4 K ≤ T ≤ 50 K). By tuning the grain size during sample preparation, we discriminate whether the dominant collision mechanism controlling the resistivity of the samples at 4 K is electron-surface or electron-grain boundary scattering, based upon whether the Hall mobility depends linearly on film thickness t or on grain diameter D.
More than one order enhancement in peak detectivity (D*) for quantum dot infrared photodetectors implanted with low energy light ions (H−)
Authors: Mandal A. , Agarwal A. , Ghadi H. , Kumari K.C. Goma , Basu A. , Subrahmanyam N. B. V. , Singh P. , Chakrabarti S.
Published: February 2013

In(Ga)As/GaAs-based quantum dot infrared photodetectors (QDIPs) have emerged as one of the most suitable devices for infrared detection. However, quantum dot devices suffer from lower efficiencies due to a low fill-factor (∼20%–25%) of dots. Here, we report a post-growth technique for improving the QDIP performance using low energy light ion (H−) implantation. At high bias, there is evidence of suppression in the field-assisted tunneling component of the dark current. Enhancement in peak detectivity (D*), a measure of the signal-to-noise ratio, by more than one order, from ∼109 to 2.44 × 1010 cm Hz1/2/W was obtained from the implanted devices.
Regional Environmental Assessment for Multiagency Policy Making: Implementing an Environmental Ontology through GIS-MCDA
Authors: Bojórquez-Tapia Luis A , Luna-González Laura , Cruz-Bello Gustavo M , Gómez-Priego Paola , Juárez-Marusich Lourdes , Rosas-Pérez Irma
Published: February 2013

Regional environmental assessments aim to synthesize the complex dynamics of socioenvironmental systems to facilitate sustainable policymaking. Theoretically, these assessments serve as ‘boundary objects’ that link scientific knowledge and policy making within a multiagency context. Nevertheless, achieving a boundary object is challenging because of the significant technical and scientific uncertainties, as well as the contrasting perceptions, values, and ideologies regarding the environmental issues of concern. Drawing on theoretical developments concerning the meaning and interpretation of geographical entities, we introduce an analytical framework based upon the development of environmental ontologies. These ontologies are capable of depicting the complexity of socioenvironmental systems in manageable terms, so that the results are empirically valid and concretize the multidimensional meanings of geographical entities. The analytical framework is operationalized through a geographical information system — multicriteria modeling approach (GIS-MCDA). The approach is illustrated through a case study regarding the assessment of cumulative impacts in two urban watersheds in Mexico.
Width: An Indispensable Factor in Selection of Emergency Exit Door
Authors: Sun Chengyu , de Vries Bauke
Published: February 2013

Predicting evacuees' exit-door selection is important for architects and fire engineers. Existing models used in fire prescription and evacuation simulation assume that the distance from an evacuee to an exit door is the dominant geometric factor. However, evacuation validation studies and architectural theories suggest the existence of other factors. An exit-door-selection model was built in a virtual environment covering six geometric exit-door attributes. The impacts of these attributes were surveyed quantitatively using 187 participants. The results indicate that the attribute width is an indispensable factor in the selection. It is the strongest positive factor with the feasibility to control architectural design that can compete or balance with the negative attribute distance in exit-door selection.
Learning and Affective Responses in Location-Choice Dynamics
Authors: Han Qi , Arentze Theo , Timmermans Harry J P
Published: February 2013

In this paper we discuss the development of a dynamic agent-based model which simulates how agents search and explore in nonstationary environments and ultimately develop habitual, context-dependent, activity–travel patterns. Conceptually, the creation of a choice set is context dependent. Individuals are assumed to have aspiration levels associated with location attributes that, in combination with evaluation results, determine whether the agent will start exploring or persist in habitual behavior. An awareness level of each location determines whether or not it is included in the awareness set in the next time step. An activation level of each location determines whether or not it is qualified as a habitual choice, and an evaluation (utility) function allows individuals to evaluate each location given current beliefs. By implementing choices, agents may observe the differences between actual experience and expectation, which may give rise to negative or positive emotions that influence the awareness of locations and the evaluation, and hence trigger choice change. Principles of reinforcement and Bayesian belief learning are used to simulate the dynamics. The result of these behavior mechanisms is the evolution of choice sets and choice patterns, reflecting emergent behavior in relation to nonstationary environments. We report the results of a case study, implemented in an agent-based microsimulation system, of dynamic decision making of avoiding higher uncertainty in location choice, distinguishing habitual, exploitation, and exploration modes of choice behavior. Simulations indicate that solutions generated by the model are sensitive to rational and emotional considerations in decision making in well-interpretable ways. The suggested approach is scalable in the sense that it is applicable to study areas of large size (eg, region wide).