bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The “Everything Card” and Consumer Credit in the United States in the 1960s
Authors: Zumello Christine
Published: October 2011

First National City Bank (FNCB) of New York launched the Everything Card in the summer of 1967. A latecomer in the field of credit cards, FNCB nonetheless correctly recognized a promising business model for retail banking. FNCB attempted not only to ride the wave of mass consumption but also to capitalize on the profit-generating potential of buying on credit. Although the venture soon failed, brought down by the losses that plagued the bank due to fraud, consumer discontent, and legislative action, this final attempt by a major single commercial bank to launch its own plan did not signify the end of credit cards. On the contrary, the Everything Card was a harbinger of the era of the universal credit card.
Technology and Its Contents: Issues in the Study of the Chinese Internet
Authors: Yang Guobin
Published: October 2011

The field of Chinese internet studies is rich and diverse. Just this past year, exciting new books have been published on internet use among urban youth (Liu 2011), online videos (Voci 2010), online carnival (Herold and Marolt 2011), new media events (Qiu and Chan 2011), and cyber-nationalists (Shen and Breslin 2010).
Older consumers and celebrity advertising
Authors: YOON HYUNSUN , POWELL HELEN
Published: October 2011

Older consumers have long been the ‘invisible majority’ in advertising despite the rapid increase in an ageing population. A significant proportion of this population have high levels of disposable income, even in times of recession, but advertisers are not encouraging them to part with it. This paper intends to find out why advertisers have been slow or struggle to target older consumers effectively. The aims of this study are two-fold. First, it explores the portrayal and representation of older consumers in Tesco's ‘Dotty’ campaign and Marks & Spencer's (M&S) ‘Twiggy’ campaign, with special reference to the use of celebrities. The second aim is to demonstrate how the focus has shifted from the more traditional, negative stereotyping (Tesco campaign) to a more progressive approach, presenting aspirational images that older consumers can identify with (M&S campaign). Although both campaigns were effective in terms of increasing profits, this paper suggests that the ongoing M&S example of using older celebrities in advertising campaigns demonstrates a more effective creative strategy that is in tune not only with a growing population of older consumers but is also especially applicable in times of economic uncertainty.
Factorization of homotopies of nanophrases
Authors: GIBSON ANDREW
Published: October 2011

Homotopy on nanophrases is an equivalence relation defined using some data called a homotopy data triple. We define a product on homotopy data triples. We show that any homotopy data triple can be factorized into a product of prime homotopy data triples and this factorization is unique up to isomorphism and order. For any homotopy given by a composite homotopy data triple we define a complete invariant of nanophrases. This invariant is used to show that equivalence of nanophrases under such a homotopy can be calculated just by using the homotopies given by its prime factors.
Impact of Wireless Electronic Medical Record System on the Quality of Patient Documentation by Emergency Field Responders during a Disaster Mass-Casualty Exercise
Authors: Chan Theodore C. , Griswold William G. , Buono Colleen , Kirsh David , Lyon Joachim , Killeen James P. , Castillo Edward M. , Lenert Leslie
Published: October 2011

Introduction: The use of wireless, electronic, medical records and communications in the prehospital and disaster field is increasing.

Objective: This study examines the role of wireless, electronic, medical records and communications technologies on the quality of patient documentation by emergency field responders during a mass-casualty exercise.

Methods: A controlled, side-to-side comparison of the quality of the field responder patient documentation between responders utilizing National Institutes of Health-funded, wireless, electronic, field, medical record system prototype (“Wireless Internet Information System for medicAl Response to Disasters” or WIISARD) versus those utilizing conventional, paper-based methods during a mass-casualty field exercise. Medical data, including basic victim identification information, acuity status, triage information using Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START), decontamination status, and disposition, were collected for simulated patients from all paper and electronic logs used during the exercise. The data were compared for quality of documentation and record completeness comparing WIISARD-enabled field responders and those using conventional paper methods. Statistical analysis was performed with Fisher’s Exact Testing of Proportions with differences and 95% confidence intervals reported.

Results: One hundred simulated disaster victim volunteers participated in the exercise, 50 assigned to WIISARD and 50 to the conventional pathway. Of those victims who completed the exercise and were transported to area hospitals, medical documentation of victim START components and triage acuity were significantly better for WIISARD compared to controls (overall acuity was documented for 100% vs 89.5%, respectively, difference = 10.5% [95%CI = 0.5–24.1%]). Similarly, tracking of decontamination status also was higher for the WIISARD group (decontamination status documented for 59.0% vs 0%, respectively, difference = 9.0% [95%CI = 40.9–72.0%]). Documentation of disposition and destination of victims was not different statistically (92.3% vs. 89.5%, respectively, difference = 2.8% [95%CI = -11.3–17.3%]).

Conclusions: In a simulated, mass-casualty field exercise, documentation and tracking of victim status including acuity was significantly improved when using a wireless, field electronic medical record system compared to the use of conventional paper methods.
Systemic risk in financial services ‐ Abstract of the Edinburgh Discussion
Authors: Milne Alistair
Published: October 2011

This abstract relates to the following paper:

BesarD., BoothP., ChanK.K., MilneA.K.L. & PicklesJ.Systemic risk in financial services. British Actuarial Journal, doi:10.1017/S1357321711000110.
A 15-year study on the treatment of undernourished children at a nutrition rehabilitation centre (CREN), Brazil
Authors: Fernandes Mariana BF , López Rossana VM , de Albuquerque Maria P , Marchesano Anna C , Clemente Ana PG , Martins Vinícius JB , Sawaya Ana L
Published: October 2011

Objective

To build a life table and determine the factors related to the time of treatment of undernourished children at a nutrition rehabilitation centre (CREN), São Paulo, Brazil.

Design

Nutritional status was assessed from weight-for-age, height-for-age and BMI-for-age Z-scores, while neuropsychomotor development was classified according to the milestones of childhood development. Life tables, Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox multiple regression models were employed in data analysis.

Setting

CREN (Centre of Nutritional Recovery and Education), São Paulo, Brazil.

Subjects

Undernourished children (n 228) from the southern slums of São Paulo who had received treatment at CREN under a day-hospital regime between the years 1994 and 2009.

Results

The Kaplan–Meier curves of survival analysis showed statistically significant differences in the periods of treatment at CREN between children presenting different degrees of neuropsychomotor development (log-rank = 6·621; P = 0·037). Estimates based on the multivariate Cox model revealed that children aged ≥24 months at the time of admission exhibited a lower probability of nutritional rehabilitation (hazard ratio (HR) = 0·49; P = 0·046) at the end of the period compared with infants aged up 12 months. Children presenting slow development were better rehabilitated in comparison with those exhibiting adequate evolution (HR = 4·48; P = 0·023). No significant effects of sex, degree of undernutrition or birth weight on the probability of nutritional rehabilitation were found.

Conclusions

Age and neuropsychomotor developmental status at the time of admission to CREN are critical factors in determining the duration of treatment.
Rules and collective action: an institutional analysis of the performance of irrigation systems in Nepal
Authors: BASTAKOTI RAM C. , SHIVAKOTI GANESH P.
Published: October 2011

This paper focuses on understanding rule systems by documenting existing rules and their development in irrigation management in Nepal. We analyze the rule formation of a sample of irrigation systems based on the ADICO syntax (Crawford & Ostrom, 1995; Ostrom, 2005). Farmer-managed irrigation systems generally are autonomous in devising their own rules based on local context considering the ideas, norms and beliefs shared within the community. Rule formation in agency-managed irrigation systems, however, is mostly done by external officials. Strong rule enforcement mechanisms were found in farmer-managed systems compared with agency-managed systems. Better rule enforcement created favorable conditions for collective action among the users and ensured better performance of the irrigation systems. Results imply that the formation of new rules should fully consider biophysical attributes as well as community beliefs and ideas.
Urban water restrictions: Attitudes and avoidance
Authors: Cooper Bethany , Burton Michael , Crase Lin
Published: October 2011

In most urban cities across Australia, water restrictions remain the dominant policy mechanism to restrict urban water consumption. The extensive adoption of water restrictions as a means to limit demand, over several years, means that Australian urban water prices have consistently not reflected the opportunity cost of water. Given the generally strong political support for water restrictions and the likelihood that they will persist for some time, there is value in understanding households' attitudes in this context. More specifically, identifying the welfare gains associated with avoiding urban water restrictions entirely would be a nontrivial contribution to our knowledge and offer insights into the benefits of alternative policy responses. This paper describes the results from a contingent valuation study that investigates consumers' willingness to pay to avoid urban water restrictions. Importantly, the research also investigates the influence of cognitive and exogenous dimensions on the utility gain associated with avoiding water restrictions. The results provide insights into the impact of the current policy mechanism on economic welfare.
Visualization and analysis of temporal trends of sand infiltration into a gravel bed
Authors: Gibson S. , Heath R. , Abraham D. , Schoellhamer D.
Published: October 2011

Sand infiltration into gravel frameworks affects a wide range of ecological, geomorphic, and engineering processes. Four flume experiments were conducted with tracer materials to examine how a sand pulse infiltrates into a gravel bed. These experiments were primarily designed to test two hypotheses: (1) that vertical gradational trends of interstitial deposits are due to differential transport of finer sand in suspended load (hydraulic sorting) and (2) that the formation of a bridge layer (a thin layer of infiltrated sediments that become lodged in shallow pore throats) precludes subsequent infiltration into a gravel framework. Several sand colors were sequentially introduced into a flume containing a gravel substrate. After the experiments were conducted bed cores were collected and separated into vertical layers including surface layers composed primarily of sand that was transporting as bed load before the experiment was terminated and interstitial deposits in the gravel framework. Sand from each layer was sieved and measured. The color distribution of each grain class of each vertical layer of each core was measured to determine the temporal provenance of the interstitial deposits. Results supported the occurrence of hydraulic sorting. Older (finer) sand particles were disproportionately prevalent in interstitial deposits when compared to bed load samples. The experiments did not support the second hypothesis. Substantial secondary infiltration occurred after the initial formation of a bridge layer. More secondary infiltration was measured for systems with higher d15Gravel/d85Sand ratios and when bed shear was sufficient to mobilize the gravel.
An 18-kDa Translocator Protein (TSPO) Polymorphism Explains Differences in Binding Affinity of the PET Radioligand PBR28
Authors: Owen David R , Yeo Astrid J , Gunn Roger N , Song Kijoung , Wadsworth Graham , Lewis Andrew , Rhodes Chris , Pulford David J , Bennacef Idriss , Parker Christine A , StJean Pamela L , Cardon Lon R , Mooser Vincent E , Matthews Paul M , Rabiner Eugenii A , Rubio Justin P
Published: October 2011

[11C]PBR28 binds the 18-kDa Translocator Protein (TSPO) and is used in positron emission tomography (PET) to detect microglial activation. However, quantitative interpretations of signal are confounded by large interindividual variability in binding affinity, which displays a trimodal distribution compatible with a codominant genetic trait. Here, we tested directly for an underlying genetic mechanism to explain this. Binding affinity of PBR28 was measured in platelets isolated from 41 human subjects and tested for association with polymorphisms in TSPO and genes encoding other proteins in the TSPO complex. Complete agreement was observed between the TSPO Ala147Thr genotype and PBR28 binding affinity phenotype (P value = 3.1 times10−13). The TSPO Ala147Thr polymorphism predicts PBR28 binding affinity in human platelets. As all second-generation TSPO PET radioligands tested hitherto display a trimodal distribution in binding affinity analogous to PBR28, testing for this polymorphism may allow quantitative interpretation of TSPO PET studies with these radioligands.
Cortical Spreading Depression Impairs Oxygen Delivery and Metabolism in Mice
Authors: Yuzawa Izumi , Sakadžić Sava , Srinivasan Vivek J , Shin Hwa Kyoung , Eikermann-Haerter Katharina , Boas David A , Ayata Cenk
Published: October 2011

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is associated with severe hypoperfusion in mice. Using minimally invasive multimodal optical imaging, we show that severe flow reductions during and after spreading depression are associated with a steep decline in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen. Concurrent severe hemoglobin desaturation suggests that the oxygen metabolism becomes at least in part supply limited, and the decrease in cortical blood volume implicates vasoconstriction as the mechanism. In support of oxygen supply-demand mismatch, cortical nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) fluorescence increases during spreading depression for at least 5 minutes, particularly away from parenchymal arterioles. However, modeling of tissue oxygen delivery shows that cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen drops more than predicted by a purely supply-limited model, raising the possibility of a concurrent reduction in oxygen demand during spreading depression. Importantly, a subsequent spreading depression triggered within 15 minutes evokes a monophasic flow increase superimposed on the oligemic baseline, which markedly differs from the response to the preceding spreading depression triggered in naive cortex. Altogether, these data suggest that CSD is associated with long-lasting oxygen supply-demand mismatch linked to severe vasoconstriction in mice.
Identification of the protein kinases that activate the E3 ubiquitin ligase Pellino 1 in the innate immune system
Authors: Goh Eddy T. H. , Arthur J. Simon C. , Cheung Peter C. F. , Akira Shizuo , Toth Rachel , Cohen Philip
Published: October 2011

The E3 ubiquitin ligase Pellino 1 can be interconverted between inactive and active forms by a reversible phosphorylation mechanism. In vitro, phosphorylation and activation can be catalysed by either the IRAKs [IL (interleukin)-1-receptor-associated kinases] IRAK1 and IRAK4, or the IKK {IκB [inhibitor of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB)] kinase}-related kinases [IKKϵ and TBK1 (TANK {TRAF [TNF (tumour-necrosis-factor)-receptor-associated factor]-associated NF-κB activator}-binding kinase 1)]. In the present study we establish that IRAK1 is the major protein kinase that mediates the IL-1-stimulated activation of Pellino 1 in MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts) or HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells, whereas the IKK-related kinases activate Pellino 1 in TNFα-stimulated MEFs. The IKK-related kinases are also the major protein kinases that activate Pellino 1 in response to TLR (Toll-like receptor) ligands that signal via the adaptors MyD88 (myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88) and/or TRIF [TIR (Toll/IL-1 receptor) domain-containing adaptor protein inducing interferon β]. The present studies demonstrate that, surprisingly, the ligands that signal via MyD88 do not always employ the same protein kinase to activate Pellino 1. Our results also establish that neither the catalytic activity of IRAK1 nor the activation of Pellino 1 is required for the initial transient activation of NF-κB and MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) that is triggered by IL-1 or TNFα in MEFs, or by TLR ligands in macrophages. The activation of Pellino 1 provides the first direct readout for IRAK1 catalytic activity in cells.
Microwave measurements of proton tunneling and structural parameters for the propiolic acid–formic acid dimer
Authors: Daly Adam M. , Douglass Kevin O. , Sarkozy Laszlo C. , Neill Justin L. , Muckle Matt T. , Zaleski Daniel P. , Pate Brooks H. , Kukolich Stephen G.
Published: October 2011

Microwave spectra of the propiolic acid–formic acid doubly hydrogen bonded complex were measured in the 1 GHz to 21 GHz range using four different Fourier transform spectrometers. Rotational spectra for seven isotopologues were obtained. For the parent isotopologue, a total of 138 a-dipole transitions and 28 b-dipole transitions were measured for which the a-dipole transitions exhibited splittings of a few MHz into pairs of lines and the b-type dipole transitions were split by ∼580 MHz. The transitions assigned to this complex were fit to obtain rotational and distortion constants for both tunneling levels: A0+ = 6005.289(8), B0+ = 930.553(8), C0+ = 803.9948(6) MHz, Δ0+J = 0.075(1), Δ0+JK = 0.71(1), and δ0+j = −0.010(1) kHz and A0− = 6005.275(8), B0− = 930.546(8), C0− = 803.9907(5) MHz, Δ0−J = 0.076(1), Δ0−JK = 0.70(2), and δ0−j = −0.008(1) kHz. Double resonance experiments were used on some transitions to verify assignments and to obtain splittings for cases when the b-dipole transitions were difficult to measure. The experimental difference in energy between the two tunneling states is 291.428(5) MHz for proton-proton exchange and 3.35(2) MHz for the deuterium-deuterium exchange. The vibration-rotation coupling constant between the two levels, Fab, is 120.7(2) MHz for the proton-proton exchange. With one deuterium atom substituted in either of the hydrogen-bonding protons, the tunneling splittings were not observed for a-dipole transitions, supporting the assignment of the splitting to the concerted proton tunneling motion. The spectra were obtained using three Flygare-Balle type spectrometers and one chirped-pulse machine at the University of Virginia. Rotational constants and centrifugal distortion constants were obtained for HCOOH···HOOCCCH, H13COOH···HOOCCCH, HCOOD···HOOCCCH, HCOOH···DOOCCCH, HCOOD···DOOCCCH, DCOOH···HOOCCCH, and DCOOD···HOOCCCH. High-level ab initio calculations provided initial rotational constants for the complex, structural parameters, and some details of the proton tunneling potential energy surface. A least squares fit to the isotopic data reveals a planar structure that is slightly asymmetric in the OH distances. The formic OH···O propiolic hydrogen bond length is 1.8 Å and the propiolic OH···O formic hydrogen bond length is 1.6 Å, for the equilibrium configuration. The magnitude of the dipole moment was experimentally determined to be 1.95(3) × 10−30 C m (0.584(8) D) for the 0+ states and 1.92(5) × 10−30 C m (0.576(14) D) for the 0− states.
The effects of polarization dynamics and domain switching energies on field induced phase transformations of perovskite ferroelectrics
Authors: Franzbach Daniel J. , Xu Bai-Xiang , Mueller Ralf , Webber Kyle G.
Published: October 2011

A time-dependent phase field model was utilized to investigate the electric field induced tetragonal-to-orthorhombic (T→O) planar phase transformations of perovskite materials, indicated by the simulated semi-discontinuous polarization-electric field hysteresis. Simulations show that transformations are sensitive to the crystallographic orientation of the applied electric field, the energy threshold for 90° domain switching and the rotation path between tetragonal variants. This indicates that the field induced phase transformation behavior has a significant influence on the evaluation and validation of the Landau coefficients.
Control of carbon nanotube handedness using a supramolecular chiral surface
Authors: Picaud F. , Herlem G. , Girardet C.
Published: October 2011

Sorting diameter and handedness of carbon nanotubes still appears as an important challenge in nanotechnology. In this context, supramolecular structures formed by self-assembled chiral molecules deposited on well-defined metal surfaces can be used to discriminate the two isomers of carbon nanotubes. Calculations are carried out to determine the adsorption energy of nanotube enantiomers on alaninate coated Cu(110) surface. The results show a significant discrimination of the L and R handed isomers by such a surface and an additional selectivity in terms of small and large tube diameters.
Experimental verification of the Kruskal-Shafranov stability limit in line-tied partial-toroidal plasmas
Authors: Oz E. , Myers C. E. , Yamada M. , Ji H. , Kulsrud R. M. , Xie J.
Published: October 2011

The stability properties of partial-toroidal flux ropes are studied in detail in the laboratory, motivated by ubiquitous arched magnetic structures found on the solar surface. The flux ropes studied here are magnetized arc discharges formed between two electrodes in the Magnetic Reconnection Experiment (MRX) [Yamada et al., Phys. Plasmas 4, 1936 (1997)]. The three dimensional evolution of these flux ropes is monitored by a fast visible light framing camera, while their magnetic structure is measured by a variety of internal magnetic probes. The flux ropes are consistently observed to undergo large-scale oscillations as a result of an external kink instability. Using detailed scans of the plasma current, the guide field strength, and the length of the flux rope, we show that the threshold for kink stability is governed by the Kruskal-Shafranov limit for a flux rope that is held fixed at both ends (i.e., qa = 1).
Production of monodisperse submicron drops of dielectric liquids by charge-injection from highly conducting liquids
Authors: Larriba Carlos , Fernandez de la Mora Juan
Published: October 2011

When ions or electrons are injected into an insulating liquid, they migrate towards its free surface, destabilize it, and form a charged jet. The jet then breaks into uniform drops charged at an approximately constant fraction of the Rayleigh limit, which relates the drop diameter DD to the flow rate of dielectric liquid QD and the injected current I as DD ∼ (QD/I)2/3. We have previously studied the analogous problem where the ions are substituted by nanodrops produced by a Taylor cone of a highly conducting ionic liquid (EMI-BF4) immersed in heptane or decane. This yielded hydrocarbon droplets with diameters as small as 4 μm [C. Larriba and J. Fernández de la Mora, Phys. Fluids 22, 1 (2010)], with only incidental barriers to reaching smaller sizes. Here, we overcome these barriers via silica capillaries with smaller bores. These achieve substantially smaller QD and QD/I values, resulting in drops well below the ∼1-2 μm measurable with a phase Doppler anemometer. Extrapolating the DD ∼ (QD/I)2/3 scaling to the smallest QD/I obtained yields calculated drop diameters of 280 nm. The current is studied as a function of QD and the ionic liquid flow rate QIL. The usual law I~QIL 1/2 applies here only at small QD and high QIL. An unusual I~QD -1/3 dependence appears at low QD, in contrast with the previously expected approximate independence of I on QD. This effect results from the acceleration of the dielectric jet at decreasing QD due to an increase in current given by the removal of the space charge and leading to an overall decrease in QD/I. An anomalous behavior is observed at low QD and high QIL in which the drop charge appears to exceed the Rayleigh limit. A plausible explanation is proposed based on the injection into the gas of anomalously small secondary drops and/or ions. We also investigate the injection of ionic liquid nanodrops into a quiescent liquid bath. The observed algebraic dependence of the current I ∼ V2ɛo/L on tip voltage V and tip to collector distance L is interpreted as resulting from two things: a current limited by space charge and an almost constant mobility Z of the nanodrops.
Effect of stress induced monoclinic to tetragonal phase transformation in the multiferroic (1-x)BiFeO3-xPbTiO3 system on the width of the morphotropic phase boundary and the tetragonality
Authors: Bhattacharjee Shuvrajyoti , Pandey Dhananjai
Published: October 2011

The relative stability of the tetragonal and monoclinic phases in the (1-x)BiFeO3-xPbTiO3 solid solution system has been investigated under externally applied stress. It is shown that external stress can transform monoclinic compositions partially to the tetragonal phase in the vicinity of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) leading to an extension of the MPB region from Δx ≈ 0.03 for annealed samples to Δx ≈ 0.17 for the stressed samples toward the BiFeO3 richer end. The tetragonality of the stress-induced tetragonal phase for x = 0.20 is shown to be higher than the highest value reported so far for x = 0.31 composition in annealed samples.
Advanced large-eddy simulation for lattice Boltzmann methods: The approximate deconvolution model
Authors: Malaspinas Orestis , Sagaut Pierre
Published: October 2011

The aim of this paper is to extend the approximate deconvolution model for large-eddy simulations to the lattice Boltzmann method. This approach allows to directly act on the velocity distribution function and is based on the intrinsic nonlinearities of the lattice Boltzmann methods. It is not a straightforward extrapolation of classical eddy-viscosity models developed within the Navier–Stokes framework, which exhibits a convective quadratic nonlinearity in the incompressible flow case. A simple implementation is presented, which relies on the implementation of an ad hoc linear filter in any basic lattice Boltzmann solver. The new model is validated on the turbulent, time developing mixing layer, and a very satisfactory agreement is found with existing direct numerical simulations results. The equivalent Navier-Stokes-type macroscopic model is also discussed.
Compact x-ray microradiograph for in situ imaging of solidification processes: Bringing in situ x-ray micro-imaging from the synchrotron to the laboratory
Authors: Rakete C. , Baumbach C. , Goldschmidt A. , Samberg D. , Schroer C. G. , Breede F. , Stenzel C. , Zimmermann G. , Pickmann C. , Houltz Y. , Lockowandt C. , Svenonius O. , Wiklund P. , Mathiesen R. H.
Published: October 2011

A laboratory based high resolution x-ray radiograph was developed for the investigation of solidification dynamics in alloys. It is based on a low-power microfocus x-ray tube and is potentially appropriate for x-ray diagnostics in space. The x-ray microscope offers a high spatial resolution down to approximately 5 μm. Dynamic processes can be resolved with a frequency of up to 6 Hz. In reference experiments, the setup was optimized to yield a high contrast for AlCu-alloys. With samples of about 150 μm thickness, high quality image sequences of the solidification process were obtained with high resolution in time and space.
Negative turbulent production during flow reversal in a stratified oscillating boundary layer on a sloping bottom
Authors: Gayen Bishakhdatta , Sarkar Sutanu
Published: October 2011

Three-dimensional direct numerical simulations are performed to model an internal tidal beam at near-critical slope, and the phase dependence of turbulent processes is investigated. Convective instability leads to density overturns that originate in the upper flank of the beam and span the beam width of 6 m during flow reversal from downslope to upslope boundary motion. During this flow reversal event, negative turbulent production is observed signaling energy transfer from velocity fluctuations to the mean flow. In this note, we explain the mechanism underlying negative production.
Stress migration risk on electromigration reliability in advanced narrow line copper interconnects
Authors: Heryanto A. , Pey K. L. , Lim Y. K. , Raghavan N. , Liu W. , Wei J. , Gan C. L. , Tan J. B.
Published: October 2011

The influence of stress migration (SM) on the electromigration (EM) reliability is studied here for very fine line interconnects, fabricated using the 45-nm Cu/low-κ interconnect process flow. As opposed to the current understanding that SM is not a concern for the narrow metal lines because of limited availability of vacancies for voiding, we found that SM does have serious wear-out effects. The EM lifetime distribution was severely degraded by around 38% for the samples that had been subjected to a 1000-h SM-only test, with a drastic reduction in the slope of the EM lognormal fitting distribution, from 0.548 to 0.193. The current density exponent of Black’s equation for SM+EM stressed samples is ∼1, suggesting that void had already been nucleated because of the SM-only test. The high intrinsic tensile stress in the line is suspected to be responsible for this early void nucleation. In the second part, we developed a Monte Carlo simulation model to estimate the void nucleation and growth time using the EM-only and SM+EM degradation tests. We found that at low percentile failures overall failure time is mainly growth dominated, whereas at high percentile failures overall failure time is nucleation dominated. Stress migration was found to shorten the nucleation time for all the samples.
Impact of post deposition annealing in the electrically active traps at the interface between Ge(001) substrates and LaGeOx films grown by molecular beam deposition
Authors: Molle Alessandro , Baldovino Silvia , Fanciulli Marco , Tsoutsou Dimitra , Golias Evangelos , Dimoulas Athanasios
Published: October 2011

Changes in the electron trapping at the interface between Ge substrates and LaGeOx films grown by atomic O assisted molecular beam deposition are inferred upon post deposition annealing treatment on the as-deposited films from electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) spectroscopy and from the electrical response of Pt/LaGeOx/Ge metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitors. The improved electrical performance of the MOS capacitors upon annealing is consistent with the EDMR detected reduction of oxide defects which are associated with GeO species in the LaGeOx layer as evidenced by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
A fast variational Gaussian wavepacket method: Size-induced structural transitions in large neon clusters
Authors: Georgescu Ionuţ , Mandelshtam Vladimir A.
Published: October 2011

The variational Gaussian wavepacket (VGW) approximation provides an alternative to path integral Monte Carlo for the computation of thermodynamic properties of many-body systems at thermal equilibrium. It provides a direct access to the thermal density matrix and is particularly efficient for Monte Carlo approaches, as for an N-body system it operates in a non-inflated 3N-dimensional configuration space. Here, we greatly accelerate the VGW method by retaining only the relevant short-range correlations in the (otherwise full) 3N × 3N Gaussian width matrix without sacrificing the accuracy of the fully coupled VGW method. This results in the reduction of the original $\mathcal {O}(N^3)$O(N3) scaling to $\mathcal {O}(N^2)$O(N2). The fast-VGW method is then applied to quantum Lennard-Jones clusters with sizes up to N = 6500 atoms. Following Doye and Calvo [JCP 116, 8307 (2002)10.1063/1.1469616] we study the competition between the icosahedral and decahedral structural motifs in NeN clusters as a function of N.
Subtle pH differences trigger single residue motions for moderating conformations of calmodulin
Authors: Atilgan Ali Rana , Aykut Ayse Ozlem , Atilgan Canan
Published: October 2011

This study reveals the essence of ligand recognition mechanisms by which calmodulin (CaM) controls a variety of Ca2+ signaling processes. We study eight forms of calcium-loaded CaM each with distinct conformational states. Reducing the structure to two degrees of freedom conveniently describes main features of the conformational changes of CaM via simultaneous twist-bend motions of the two lobes. We utilize perturbation-response scanning (PRS) technique, coupled with molecular dynamics simulations. PRS is based on linear response theory, comprising sequential application of directed forces on selected residues followed by recording the resulting protein coordinates. We analyze directional preferences of the perturbations and resulting conformational changes. Manipulation of a single residue reproduces the structural change more effectively than that of single/pairs/triplets of collective modes of motion. Our findings also give information on how the flexible linker acts as a transducer of binding information to distant parts of the protein. Furthermore, by perturbing residue E31 located in one of the EF hand motifs in a specific direction, it is possible to induce conformational change relevant to five target structures. Independently, using four different pKa calculation strategies, we find this particular residue to be the charged residue (out of a total of 52), whose ionization state is most sensitive to subtle pH variations in the physiological range. It is plausible that at relatively low pH, CaM structure is less flexible. By gaining charged states at specific sites at a pH value around 7, such as E31 found in the present study, local conformational changes in the protein will lead to shifts in the energy landscape, paving the way to other conformational states. These findings are in accordance with Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) measured shifts in conformational distributions towards more compact forms with decreased pH. They also corroborate mutational studies and proteolysis results which point to the significant role of E31 in CaM dynamics.
Influence of a localized defect on acoustic field correlation in a reverberant medium
Authors: Leyla Najib Abou , Moulin Emmanuel , Assaad Jamal
Published: October 2011

The work presented in this paper is concerned with the fundamental study of a damage detection principle in a reverberant medium, based on ambient acoustic noise correlation. The aim here is to theoretically investigate the sensitivity of the correlation of received signals to a local defect. The acoustic reverberation in the medium is modeled by a random process and an empirical description of the defect behavior is deduced from its experimental characterization. A global parameter r, corresponding to the energy ratio between the change in the correlation function caused by the defect and the defect-free correlation, is defined and theoretically derived. It is shown to essentially depend on the reverberation properties of the medium and the relative positions of the noise source, the sensor(s) and the defect. The theoretical expression of r is experimentally validated in a particular 2D-case (metallic plate) and then used to define the detection range and the optimal placements of the sensors.
Superconducting terahertz metamaterials mimicking electromagnetically induced transparency
Authors: Wu Jingbo , Jin Biaobing , Wan Jie , Liang Lanju , Zhang Yonggang , Jia Tao , Cao Chunhai , Kang Lin , Xu Weiwei , Chen Jian , Wu Peiheng
Published: October 2011

We designed and fabricated planar terahertz (THz) metamaterials made from superconducting NbN films to mimic electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) system. They are characterized using THz time domain spectroscopy over a temperature range from 8 to 300 K. High transmittance and large delay-bandwidth product at transparency window are demonstrated, which mainly arise from the enhanced coupling and decreased damping in superconducting state. The EIT-like spectral response could be tuned in a wide frequency range. By applying two dark resonators with different resonance frequencies coupled with a radiative resonator, we experimentally demonstrated the planar metamaterials mimicking four-level EIT system.
In situ x-ray study of the formation of defects in Ge islands on Si(001)
Authors: Richard M.-I. , Schülli T. U. , Renaud G.
Published: October 2011

Plastic relaxation and formation of defects is a crucial issue in the epitaxial growth of nanoparticles and thin films. Here, we report an in situ non-destructive method based on x-ray diffuse scattering close to forbidden reflections to study the formation of defects during the growth of Ge islands on Si(001). The dependence of in-plane spacing between interfacial dislocations, defect size, and density is analyzed as a function of Ge-deposit. It is found that the introduction of additional defects is preferred to relieve strain during growth.
Enhanced performance of InGaN solar cell by using a super-thin AlN interlayer
Authors: Sang Liwen , Liao Meiyong , Ikeda Naoki , Koide Yasuo , Sumiya Masatomo
Published: October 2011

A super-thin AlN layer is inserted between the intrinsic InGaN and p-InGaN in the InGaN solar cell structure to improve the photovoltaic property. The dark current is markedly decreased by more than two orders of magnitude and the short-circuit current density is increased from 0.77 mA/cm2 to 1.25 mA/cm2, leading to a doubled conversion efficiency compared to the conventional structure. Electrical transport analysis reveals that the forward electrical property is greatly improved in the range of open circuit voltage and the leakage current mechanism changes from defect related Poole-Frenkel emission to interface tunneling emission. The improvement on the electrical and photovoltaic properties is ascribed to insertion of the AlN interlayer, which not only provides a barrier to reduce tunneling for electrons, but also suppresses the nonradiative recombination.
Solitary filamentary structures and nanosecond dynamics in atmospheric-pressure plasmas driven by tailored dc pulses
Authors: Wu S. , Lu X. P. , Ostrikov K. , Liu D. , Pan Y.
Published: October 2011

Nanosecond dynamics of two separated discharge cycles in an asymmetric dielectric barrier discharge is studied using time-resolved current and voltage measurements synchronized with high-speed (∼5 ns) optical imaging. Nanosecond dc pulses with tailored raise and fall times are used to generate solitary filamentary structures (SFSs) during the first cycle and a uniform glow during the second. The SFSs feature ∼1.5 mm thickness, ∼1.9 A peak current, and a lifetime of several hundred nanoseconds, at least an order of magnitude larger than in common microdischarges. This can be used in alternating localized and uniform high-current plasma treatments in various applications.
Root responses to neighbouring plants in common bean are mediated by nutrient concentration rather than self/non-self recognition
Authors: Nord Eric A. , Zhang Chaochun , Lynch Jonathan P.
Published: October 2011

Plants are reported to over-proliferate roots in response to belowground competition, thereby reducing reproductive biomass. This has been cited as an instance of the ‘tragedy of the commons’. Many of the studies that report this response suggest that plants can sense neighbours and discriminate between ‘self’ and ‘non-self’ roots. To test the alternate hypothesis that root responses to a neighbouring plant are mediated by resource depletion, common bean plants were supplied with the same phosphorus (P) fertiliser dose in varying rooting volumes, or with neighbouring plants separated by plastic film, nylon mesh, or no barrier to vary access to a neighbour. Phosphorus concentration, but not the presence of a neighbour or rooting volume, strongly influenced biomass allocation to roots. Root architecture was significantly altered by both neighbours and P availability. When exposed to the roots of a neighbour, plants altered the vertical and horizontal distribution of roots, placing fewer roots in soil domains occupied by roots of a neighbour. These results support the hypothesis that root responses to neighbouring plants are mediated by resource depletion by the neighbour rather than sensing of ‘non-self’ roots and show that the presence of a neighbour may affect root architecture without affecting biomass allocation to roots.
Laminar Airflow Ceiling Size: No Impact on Infection Rates Following Hip and Knee Prosthesis
Authors: Breier Ann-Christin , Brandt Christian , Sohr Dorit , Geffers Christine , Gastmeier Petra
Published: October 2011

Objective.

Laminar airflow (LAF) systems are widely used, at least in orthopedic surgery. However, there is still controversial discussion about the influence of LAF on surgical site infection (SSI) rates. The size of the LAF ceiling is also often a question of debate. Our objective is to determine the effect of this technique under conditions of actual rather than ideal use.

Design.

Cohort study using multivariate analysis with generalized estimating equations method.

Setting.

Data for hip and knee prosthesis procedures from hospitals participating in the German national nosocomial infection surveillance system (KISS) from July 2004 to June 2009 were used for analysis.

Patients.

A total of 33,463 elective hip prosthesis procedures due to arthrosis (HIP-A) from 48 hospitals, 7,749 urgent hip prosthesis procedures due to fracture (HIP-F) from 41 hospitals, and 20,554 knee prosthesis (KPRO) procedures from 38 hospitals were included.

Methods.

The data were analyzed for hospitals with and without LAF in the operating rooms and by the size of the LAF ceiling. The endpoints were severe SSI rates.

Results.

The overall severe SSI rate was 0.74 per 100 procedures for HIP-A, 2.39 for HIP-F, and 0.63 for KPRO. For all 3 prosthesis types, neither LAF nor the size of the LAF ceiling was associated with lower infection risk.

Conclusions.

The data demonstrate consistency and reproducibility with the results from earlier registry studies. Neither LAF nor ceiling size had an impact on severe SSI rates.
Predictors of Hand Hygiene in the Emergency Department
Authors: Venkatesh Arjun K. , Pallin Daniel J. , Kayden Stephanie , Schuur Jeremiah D.
Published: October 2011

We conducted an observational study to identify predictors of hand hygiene (HH) in the emergency department. Compliance with HH was 89.7% over 5,865 opportunities. Observation unit, hallway or high-visibility location, glove use, and worker type predicted worse HH. Hallway location was the strongest predictor (relative risk, 88.9% [95% confidence interval, 85.9%–92.1%]).
Antimicrobial Prescribing Practices in Response to DifferentClostridium difficileDiagnostic Methodologies
Authors: Sydnor Emily R. M. , Lenhart Abigail , Trollinger Brandon , Avdic Edina , Maragakis Lisa L. , Carroll Karen C. , Cosgrove Sara E.
Published: October 2011

We evaluated treatment decisions and antimicrobial use related to 2 testing algorithms forClostridium difficileinfection (CDI). findings suggest that a 2-step testing algorithm using rapid polymerase chain reaction confirmatory testing leads to decreased unnecessary anti-CDI antimicrobial use. In addition, a significant proportion of patients with confirmed CDI were not treated accordingto recommended guidelines.
A global model of micro-hollow cathode discharges in the stationary regime
Authors: Lazzaroni C , Chabert P
Published: October 2011

This paper presents a global model of micro-hollow cathode discharges working in argon gas. Inspired by experiments and two-dimensional numerical simulations, the discharge is decomposed into two main regions, labelled the cathodic region and the positive column region. The first is composed of a cathode sheath (surrounding the cathode) and a plasma in the centre, while the positive column region is essentially filled with plasma. A cathode sheath model is developed to calculate the sheath size and the power dissipated by ions and electrons in the sheath. Charged-particle transport equations are solved in one-dimensional cylindrical coordinates, in the quasi-neutral plasma region, in order to determine the radial density profiles and the electron temperature in the microhole. A global power balance is then performed in the two distinct regions in order to determine the absolute electron density. We found that the electron density is one order of magnitude higher in the cathodic region than in the positive column, showing that the power dissipation is mainly located in the cathode sheath. The calculated electron density in the cathodic region is in reasonable agreement with experiments.
Super-Reality
Authors: Zuckerman Bruce
Published: October 2011

The chapter reveals that the view of “Bontsye Shvayg” presented in the previous chapters is not the popular view of the story after all. A big factor in the popular misreading of Bontsye Shvayg is the “Ozymandias effect” from the well-known sonnet, “Ozymandias” by Percy Shelley. The sonnet portrays a king in a manner that surpasses reality, showing the king’s features in colossal, superhuman terms similar to what Perets did in portraying Bontsye as Super-Job. The “Ozymandias effect” aids in the transformation of a story in an exemplary tale of piety akin to what the original legend of Job was. The chapter also explains how the historical circumstance of Perets’ time and the 19th century until the early 20th century in Eastern Europe have lead Perets’ audience to misread willfully the intent of the author. By filtering reality through the super-reality of Bontsye, Jews see themselves as people singled out to suffer silently and piously in the model of Abraham. A couple of absurdities in the interpretation of Bontsye are also presented in this chapter. It points out that one should not endure punishment without protest, one should not greedily seize the smallest favor offered by an authority but rather insist on the essential rights of all humanity.
The Art of Parody: The Dialogue/Appeal
Authors: Zuckerman Bruce
Published: October 2011

The “Poem of Job” like Bontsye Shvayg maintains a sharply critical line against pietistic worldview that a poet like Perets wished to address. The chapter mentions that to understand fully the “Poem of Job,” one must see what the poet wished to turn inside out for purposes of parody, both in broad and small scale terms. Perets wanted the same thing on a whole array of Yiddish themes though it is not as easy as it is in Bontsye since it has a relative wealth of contemporaneous information while Job does not. The two reasons for such is Job, as a literary work, clearly stands within the “Wisdom” tradition and literature within the Ancient Near East is remarkably conservative. The basic structure of the “Poem of Job” is said to be parallel to the “Theodicity” or “Babylonian Theodicity” with the dialogue between Job and his friends as actually an appeal to his God. There is also similarity of Ludlul to the “Poem of Job” which is sometimes called the “Babylonian Job.” The Dialogue/Appeal was an excellent way to show the transition of Job into Anti-Job keeping in mind that the innocent victim must always keep his complains within the bounds of propriety, thus being a “Righteous Sufferer.” At the same time, issues of justice and righteousness do play a role in the standard Dialogue/Appeal though in the end things do turn around right for God acts decisively and dramatically to restore the victim.