bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Herpes Virus Infections, and Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Authors: Flores Sonia C. , Almodovar Sharilyn
Published: January 2014

The following state‐of‐the‐art seminar was delivered as part of the Aspen Lung Conference on Pulmonary Hypertension and Vascular Diseases held in Aspen, Colorado in June 2012. This paper will summarize the lecture and present results from a nonhuman primate model of infection with Simian (Human) Immunodeficiency Virus ‐ nef chimeric virions as well as the idea that polymorphisms in the HIV‐1 nef gene may be driving the immune response that results in exuberant inflammation and aberrant endothelial cell (EC) function. We will present data gathered from primary HIV nef isolates where we tested the biological consequences of these polymorphisms and how their presence in human populations may predict patients at risk for developing this disease. In this article, we also discuss how a dysregulated immune system, in conjunction with a viral infection, could contribute to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Both autoimmune diseases and some viruses are associated with defects in the immune system, primarily in the function of regulatory T cells. These T‐cell defects may be a common pathway in the formation of plexiform lesions. Regardless of the route by which viruses may lead to PAH, it is important to recognize their role in this rare disease.
Generating Sensor Data Summaries to Communicate Change in Elder’s Health Status
Authors: Wilbik A. , Keller J. M. , Musterman K. , Alexander G. L.
Published: January 2014

Background: Sensor systems detect critical health changes of frail residents in the community. However, sensor systems alone may not allow users to identify data trends fast enough. Linguistic summaries of sensor data describing elder activity in their apartment provide a useful solution so clinicians can respond quicker.

Objectives: This paper describes two case studies of independent elders living with sensors in their assisted living apartment. Residents experienced declining health status and activity level over a period of approximately 24 months. Linguistic summaries were assessed iteratively by engineers and nurses working with the sensor system.

Methods: We created summaries of activity data collected from sensors located in resident apartments during a period of health status change. Engineers distilled information from heterogeneous data sources including bedroom motion and bed restlessness sensors during the summarization process. Engineers used fuzzy measures to compare two different periods of nighttime activity. Using iterative approaches a registered nurse worked with the team to develop algorithms and short phrases that appropriately capture and describe changes in activity levels.

Results: Total activity levels captured by sensors were graphed for two elderly residents experiencing health problems over a period of months. In the first case study (resident 3004), an elderly resident had knee surgery and onset of backspasms postoperatively. Graphed dissimilar measures show changes from baseline when backspasms occur. In the second case study (resident 3003), there were increased periods of bed restlessness before and after a resident had a major surgical procedure. During these periods, graphs of dissimilarity measures indicate that there were changes from usual baseline periods of restlessness postoperatively indicating the health problems were persisting. Nurse care coordination notes indicate these episodes were related to poor pain control.

Conclusions: Summaries of activity change are useful for care coordinators to detect resident health status for community dwelling residents.

Citation: Alexander GL, Wilbik A, Keller JM, Musterman K. Generating sensor data summaries to communicate change in elder’s health status. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 73–84 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2013-07-RA-0050
Nitric acid trihydrate nucleation and denitrification in the Arctic stratosphere
Authors: Grooß J.-U. , Engel I. , Borrmann S. , Frey W. , Günther G. , Hoyle C. R. , Kivi R. , Luo B. P. , Molleker S. , Peter T. , Pitts M. C. , Schlager H. , Stiller G. , Vömel H. , Walker K. A. , Müller R.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles in the polar stratosphere have been shown to be responsible for vertical redistribution of reactive nitrogen (NOy). Recent observations by Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) aboard the CALIPSO satellite have been explained in terms of heterogeneous nucleation of NAT on foreign nuclei, revealing this to be an important formation pathway for the NAT particles. In state of the art global- or regional-scale models, heterogeneous NAT nucleation is currently simulated in a very coarse manner using a constant, saturation-independent nucleation rate. Here we present first simulations for the Arctic winter 2009/2010 applying a new saturation-dependent parametrisation of heterogeneous NAT nucleation rates within the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS). The simulation shows good agreement of chemical trace species with in situ and remote sensing observations. The simulated polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) optical properties agree much better with CALIOP observations than those simulated with a constant nucleation rate model. A comparison of the simulated particle size distributions with observations made using the Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP) aboard the high altitude research aircraft Geophysica, shows that the model reproduces the observed size distribution, except for the very largest particles above 15 μm diameter. The vertical NOy redistribution caused by the sedimentation of the NAT particles, in particular the denitrification and nitrification signals observed by the ACE-FTS satellite instrument and the in situ SIOUX instrument aboard the Geophysica, are reproduced by the improved model, and a small improvement with respect to the constant nucleation rate model is found.
Short Communication: Earth is (mostly) flat, but mountains dominate global denudation: apportionment of the continental mass flux over millennial time scales, revisited
Authors: Willenbring J. K. , Codilean A. T. , Ferrier K. L. , McElroy B. , Kirchner J. W.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Carbon dioxide consumption by silicate mineral weathering and the subsequent precipitation of carbonate sediments sequesters CO2 over geologic timescales. The rate of this carbon sequestration is coupled to rates of continental erosion, which exposes fresh minerals to weathering. Steep mountain landscapes represent a small fraction of continental surfaces but contribute disproportionately to global erosion rates. However, the relative contributions of Earth's much vaster, but more slowly eroding, plains and hills remain the subject of debate. Recently, Willenbring et al. (2013) analyzed a compilation of denudation rates and topographic gradients and concluded that low-gradient regions dominate global denudation fluxes and silicate weathering rates. Here, we show that Willenbring et al. (2003) topographic and statistical analyses were subject to methodological errors that affected their conclusions. We correct these errors, and reanalyze their denudation rate and topographic data. In contrast to the results of Willenbring et al. (2013), we find that the denudation flux from the steepest 10% of continental topography nearly equals the flux from the other 90% of the continental surface combined. This new analysis implies global denudation fluxes of ∼23 Gt yr−1, roughly five times the value reported in Willenbring et al. (2013) and closer to previous estimates found elsewhere in the literature. Although low-gradient landscapes make up a small proportion of the global fluxes, they remain important because of the human reliance, and impact, on these vast areas.
Flow regime change in an Endorheic basin in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Worku F. F. , Werner M. , Wright N. , van der Zaag P. , Demissie S.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Endorheic basins, often found in semi-arid and arid climates, are particularly sensitive to changes in climatological fluxes such as precipitation, evaporation and runoff, resulting in variability of river flows as well as of water levels in end-point lakes that are often present. In this paper we apply the Indicators of Hydrological Alteration (IHA) to characterise change to the natural flow regime of the Omo-Ghibe basin in Southern Ethiopia. This endorheic basin is considered relatively pristine, with the basin being the main source of flow to Lake Turkana, the end-point lake in the East-African rift valley. The water level in Lake Turkana shows significant fluctuation, but an increasing trend can be observed over the past 20 yr. The reasons are currently not well understood. Of the five groups of metrics in the IHA, only those related to magnitude were found to show significant trends, with the main trend being the increase of flow during the dry season. This trend was not reflected in climatological drivers such as rainfall, evaporation, and temperature (which shows an increasing trend), but rather is attributed to the substantial changes in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) in the basin. The impact on the basin hydrology is apparent mainly in the more humid part of the basin. The significant shift from forest and woodland to grassland and cropland results in a decrease of actual evaporation and subsequent increase in (dry season) runoff. The long term trend of the increasing levels in lake Turkana are related to these trends in dry season flows, while shorter term fluctuations of the lake levels are attributed primarily to anomalies in consecutive wet and dry season rainfall.
Bayesian trend analysis of extreme wind using observed and hindcast series off Catalan coast, NW Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Ortego M. I. , Egozcue J. J. , Tolosana-Delgado R.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. It has been suggested that climate change might modify the occurrence rate and magnitude of large ocean-wave and wind storms. The hypothesised reason is the increase of available energy in the atmosphere-ocean system. Forecasting models are commonly used to assess these effects, given that good quality data series are often too short. However, forecasting systems are often tuned to reproduce the average behavior, and there are concerns on their relevance for extremal regimes. We present a methodology of simultaneous analysis of observed and hindcasted data with the aim of extracting potential time drifts as well as systematic regime discrepancies between the two data sources. The method is based on the Peak-Over-Threshold (POT) approach and the Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) within a Bayesian estimation framework. In this context, storm events are considered points in time, and modelled as a Poisson process. Storm magnitude over a reference threshold is modelled with a GPD, a flexible model that captures the tail behaviour of the magnitude distribution. All model parameters, i.e. shape and location of the magnitude GPD and the Poisson occurrence rate, are affected by a trend in time. Moreover, a systematic difference between parameters of hindcasted and observed series is considered. Finally, the posterior joint distribution of all these trend parameters is studied using a conventional Gibbs sampler. This method is applied to compare hindcast and observed series of 10 min average wind speed at a deep buoy location off the Catalan coast (NE Spain, Western Mediterranean; buoy data from 2001; REMO wind hindcasting from 1958 on). Appropriate scale and domain of attraction are discussed, and the reliability of trends in time are addressed.
Agricultural losses related to frost events: use of the 850 hPa level temperature as an explanatory variable of the damage cost
Authors: Papagiannaki K. , Lagouvardos K. , Kotroni V. , Papagiannakis G.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The objective of this study is to analyze frost damaging events in agriculture, by examining the relationship between the daily minimum temperature at the lower atmosphere (at the pressure level of 850 hPa) and crop production losses. Furthermore, the study suggests a methodological approach for estimating agriculture risk due to frost events, with the aim to estimate the short-term probability and magnitude of frost-related financial losses for different levels of 850 hPa temperature. Compared with near surface temperature forecasts, temperature forecast at the level of 850 hPa is less influenced by varying weather conditions, as well as by local topographical features, thus it constitutes a more consistent indicator of the forthcoming weather conditions. The analysis of the daily monetary compensations for insured crop losses caused by weather events in Greece, during the period 1999–2011, shows that frost is the major meteorological phenomenon with adverse effects on crop productivity in the largest part of the country. Two regions of different geographical latitude are further examined, to account for the differences in the temperature ranges developed within their ecological environment. Using a series of linear and logistic regressions, we found that minimum temperature (at 850 hPa level), grouped in three categories according to its magnitude, and seasonality are significant variables when trying to explain crop damage costs, as well as to predict and quantify the likelihood and magnitude of frost damaging events.
Nonlinear dynamics approach to the predictability of the Cane–Zebiak coupled ocean–atmosphere model
Authors: Siqueira L. , Kirtman B.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The predictability of the Cane–Zebiak coupled ocean–atmosphere model is investigated using nonlinear dynamics analysis. Newer theoretical concepts are applied to the coupled model in order to help quantify maximal prediction horizons for finite amplitude perturbations on different scales. Predictability analysis based on the maximum Lyapunov exponent considers infinitesimal perturbations, which are associated with errors in the smallest fastest-evolving scales of motion. However, these errors become irrelevant for the predictability of larger scale motions. In this study we employed finite-size Lyapunov exponent analysis to assess the predictability of the Cane–Zebiak coupled ocean–atmosphere model as a function of scale. We demonstrate the existence of fast and slow timescales, as noted in earlier studies, and the expected enhanced predictability of the anomalies on large scales. The final results and conclusions clarify the applicability of these new methods to seasonal forecasting problems.
Field theoretical prediction of a property of the tropical cyclone
Authors: Spineanu F. , Vlad M.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The large scale atmospheric vortices (tropical cyclones, tornadoes) are complex physical systems combining thermodynamics and fluid-mechanical processes. The late phase of the evolution towards stationarity consists of the vorticity concentration, a well known tendency to self-organization , an universal property of the two-dimensional fluids. It may then be expected that the stationary state of the tropical cyclone has the same nature as the vortices of many other systems in nature: ideal (Euler) fluids, superconductors, Bose–Einsetin condensate, cosmic strings, etc. Indeed it was found that there is a description of the atmospheric vortex in terms of a classical field theory. It is compatible with the more conventional treatment based on conservation laws, but the field theoretical model reveals properties that are almost inaccessible to the conventional formulation: it identifies the stationary states as being close to self-duality. This is of highest importance: the self-duality is known to be the origin of all coherent structures known in natural systems. Therefore the field theoretical (FT) formulation finds that the cuasi-coherent form of the atmospheric vortex (tropical cyclone) at stationarity is an expression of this particular property. In the present work we examine a strong property of the tropical cyclone, which arises in the FT formulation in a natural way: the equality of the masses of the particles associated to the matter field and respectively to the gauge field in the FT model is translated into the equality between the maximum radial extension of the tropical cyclone and the Rossby radius. For the cases where the FT model is a good approximation we calculate characteristic quantities of the tropical cyclone and find good comparison with observational data.
PSICHIKOS SUTRIKIMŲ TURINČIŲ ASMENŲ PRIVERSTINIO HOSPITALIZAVIMO TEISINIO REGULIAVIMO YPATUMAI
Authors: Benkunskas Valdas
Published: January 2014

The article analyzes peculiarities of legal regulation of involuntary hospitalization of people with mental disorders in the context of Lithuania and other states. The analysis is based on jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and, especially, the criteria of legal involuntary hospitalization framed in the case Winterwerp v. Netherlands in 1979. Article 5 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms anchors that no one can be deprived of freedom, unless (among other cases) in case when “mentally ill” persons are detained. The judgement in the case Winterwerp v. Netherlands was the first to frame the three criteria, based on which it is stated that a person can be legally hospitalized by force under the Section (e) Part 1 Article 5 of the Convention. The first criterion is identification of the objective medical information on the impairment of mental health of a person. The criterion requires duly averment of that the person is “mentally ill” (has a mental disorder). If the event of mental disorder is confirmed, there is a formal possibility (in case of the aggregate of all preconditions) to hospitalize such person by force thus restricting his/her freedom and personal immunity and if, on the contrary, the fact of mental disorder is not confirmed, the person cannot formally be considered “mentally ill” or be hospitalized by force. The second criterion is gravity of a mental disorder, which means exacerbation of mental health of a person to the extent justifying the necessity to isolate the person by force. The precedent law of the ECHR directly relates gravity of a mental disorder to signs of hazard at self and others. Legal acts usually do not regulate the signs, based on which one could assess hazard of actions of a person. The duty to prove gravity of exacerbation of mental condition of a person, i.e. hazard of his/her actions, falls on psychiatrists. The third criterion guarantees restoration of the personal right for freedom in case restriction of such freedom becomes disproportionate to gravity of exacerbation of mental health of the person. A person hospitalized by force can be kept in a medical institution by force as long as his/her mental disorder and gravity of the mental disorder necessarily requires doing so. The requirement establishes the right for the person hospitalized by force to undergo periodical revisions of legality of such restriction of his/her freedom.
Building Connections in the First-year Undergraduate Experience
Authors: Countryman June , Zinck Andrew
Published: January 2014

Concerned about the success rate of new students in our program we designed and implemented a compulsory set of experiences which aim to support students in their transition from high school to university by 1) developing their sense of belonging to a community of learners and by 2) articulating with them the interrelationships among their first year core courses. We initiated various strategies which we have refined in response to student feedback over the past three years. In this paper we describe the pedagogical moves that constitute our initiative and the lessons we learned. We explore essential academic and personal issues that first-year students in all programs face. We share our research findings and address the big ideas that could be applied to any discipline or multi-disciplinary program.
Préoccupés par les taux de rétention des étudiants de première année, les auteurs ont conçu et mis en oeuvre un ensemble d’expériences obligatoires dont le but est d’aider les étudiants à effectuer la transition entre l’école secondaire et l’université. Ils ont établi deux objectifs : (a) développer chez les étudiants le sens d’appartenance à une communauté d’apprenants et (b) démontrer les corrélations qui existent entre les cours de base de première année que les étudiants suivent. Diverses stratégies ont été entreprises et plus tard améliorées, à partir des rétroactions fournies par les étudiants au cours de l’étude de deux ans. Cet article présente une explication des actions pédagogiques de cette initiative et explore les questions essentielles académiques et personnelles auxquelles sont confrontés les étudiants de première année dans tous les programmes. Les résultats de cette étude sont résumés et les idées générales qui peuvent s’appliquer à n’importe quelle discipline ou à des programmes multidisciplinaires sont présentées en détail.
Reading Comprehension Strategy Instruction in a First-Year Course: An Instructor's Self-Study
Authors: Parr Cynthia , Woloshyn Vera
Published: January 2014

The primary purpose of the study described here was to document the first author’s experiences delivering a repertoire of evidence-based comprehension strategies in context of a first-year university course. We first provide an overview of the literature related to students’ transition into the postsecondary environment, arguing for the need to engage in comprehension strategy instruction within first-year courses. We then overview the literature related to the provision of comprehension instruction to selected groups of postsecondary students. We next outline the study methodology including a description of the instructional program provided here. In an attempt to provide insights for others who may wish to provide similar instruction, we conclude by discussing emerging themes related to student learning and curriculum design as related to strategy instruction at the postsecondary level.
L’objectif principal de l’étude décrite dans cet article est de documenter les premières expériences de l’auteur à présenter un répertoire de stratégies de compréhension basées sur l’évidence dans le contexte d’un cours universitaire de première année. Nous présentons tout d’abord un aperçu général de la documentation qui existe sur la transition des étudiants vers l’environnement post-secondaire en exposant le besoin de s’investir dans l’enseignement de stratégies de compréhension dans les cours de première année. Ensuite, nous exposons un aperçu de la recherche qui traite de l’enseignement de la compréhension à des groupes ciblés d’étudiants du niveau post-secondaire, puis nous énonçons la méthodologie de l’étude, y compris la description du programme d’enseignement présenté dans cet article. Pour tenter de fournir des informations à ceux qui souhaiteraient pratiquer un tel enseignement, nous concluons en discutant les nouveaux thèmes liés à l’apprentissage des étudiants et à la conception de programmes d’études qui se rapportent à l’enseignement de stratégies au niveau post-secondaire.
Walking the Integration Talk: An ArtSci Project
Authors: Steele Astrid , Ashworth Elizabeth L
Published: January 2014

As teacher educators, we help prepare elementary generalist teacher-candidates (TCs) for traditional classrooms. In those classrooms, subjects are often taught in isolation rather than as integrated concepts and this practice is reflected in the program at the university where we teach art and science education. Because the world is multidimensional, interconnected, and complex, we created a project that integrates art and science learning as a way to prepare future teachers to provide relevant educational experiences for their students. Data, in the form of reflection papers prepared by the TCs, were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Emergent topics resulted in four propositions that summarize the findings. They all speak to the value of an integrated education experience for TCs. This experience provides different opportunities for learning, offers cognitive “disruption”, enables TCs to articulate pedagogy of integration, and can impact practice and program positively. In addition, three elements essential to an integration project at the tertiary level are identified.
En tant qu’éducateurs d’enseignants, nous participons à la préparation de candidats en éducation qui se destinent à devenir des enseignants généralistes. Dans ces salles de classe, les matières sont généralement enseignées isolément plutôt qu’en tant que concepts intégrés et cette pratique se reflète dans le programme universitaire où nous enseignons les arts et les sciences de l’éducation. Comme le monde est multidimensionnel, interconnecté et complexe, nous avons créé un projet qui intègre l’apprentissage des arts et des sciences d’une manière qui va préparer les futurs enseignants à fournir à leurs élèves des expériences d’enseignement pertinentes. Les données, sous forme de travaux de réflexion préparés par les étudiants en éducation, ont été analysées selon une théorie à base empirique. Des thèmes émergents ont été identifiés dans quatre propositions qui résument les résultats. Elles illustrent toutes la valeur d’une expérience d’enseignement intégré pour les étudiants en éducation. Cette expérience présente des possibilités d’apprentissage différentes et peut avoir des effets positifs sur la pratique et sur les programmes. De plus, elle identifie trois éléments essentiels pour préparer un projet d’intégration au niveau tertiaire.
Solve It! Tom versus Tom
Authors: Bair Sherry L. , Cady JoAnn
Published: January 2014

To elicit creative student thinking, this open-ended problem asks solvers to calculate which movie career was more successful, that of Tom Cruise or Tom Hanks.
Palette of Problems – February 2014
Authors: Amidon Joel , Roscoe Matt
Published: January 2014

A monthly set of problems is aimed at a variety of ability levels.
Revisit Pattern Blocks to Develop Rational Number Sense
Authors: Champion Joe , Wheeler Ann
Published: January 2014

A classic manipulative, used since the 1960s, continues to offer opportunities for intriguing problem solving involving proportions.
Technology Helps Students Transcend Part-Whole Concepts
Authors: Norton Anderson , Wilkins Jesse L. M. , Evans Michael A. , Deater-Deckard Kirby , Balci Osman , Chang Mido
Published: January 2014

Explore a new app that allows students to develop a more sophisticated understanding of fractions.
Sharing Cookies: A Case Study
Authors: Salls Jenny
Published: January 2014

Gain insight into students' understanding of the concept of fraction as operator as well as their reliance on rote procedures to convert fractions to decimals.
Math for Real: Preparing for the 2014 Winter Olympics
Authors: Hillen Amy , DeMaio Joe
Published: January 2014

This problem involves medal placements during the Winter Olympic games.
Solutions: The Inaugural Address
Authors: Dause Emily
Published: January 2014

Showcase students' in-depth thinking and work on problems previously published in Teaching Children Mathematics.
Can Kindergartners Do Fractions?
Authors: Cwikla Julie
Published: January 2014

Do prekindergarten students describing and illustrating their attempts at fair-sharing tasks exhibit a spontaneous understanding of fractions prior to formal instruction? This researcher shares her findings.
Picture it: Flashcards that Encourage Reasoning
Authors: Bray Wendy
Published: January 2014

Flashcards incorporating visual models are presented as a strategy to support mastery of addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts. Postscript items are designed as rich “grab-and-go” resources that any teacher can quickly incorporate into their classroom repertoire with little effort and maximum impact.
Prioritisation of companion dog welfare issues using expert consensus
Authors: Buckland EL , Corr SA , Abeyesinghe SM , Wathes CM
Published: January 2014

Resources for tackling animal welfare issues are often limited. Obtaining a consensus of expert opinion on the most pressing issues to address is a valuable approach to try to ensure that resources are wisely spent. In this study, seven independent experts in a range of disciplines (including veterinary medicine, animal behaviour and welfare science and ethics) were consulted on the relative prioritisation of welfare issues impacting companion dogs in Great Britain. Experts first anonymously ranked the priority of 37 welfare issues, pre-defined from a literature review and an earlier published survey. In a subsequent two-day panel workshop, experts refined these issues into 25 composite groups and used specific criteria to agree their relative priorities as a Welfare Problem (WP; incorporating numbers of dogs affected, severity, duration and counter-balancing benefits) and a Strategic Priority (SP; a combination of WP and tractability). Other criteria — anthropogenicity, ethical significance and confidence in the issue-relevant evidence — were also discussed by the panel. Issues that scored highly for both WP and SP were: inappropriate husbandry, lack of owner knowledge, undesirable behaviours, inherited disease, inappropriate socialisation and habituation and conformation-related disorders. Other welfare issues, such as obese and overweight dogs, were judged as being important for welfare (WP) but not strategic priorities (SP), due to the expert-perceived difficulties in their management and resolution. This information can inform decisions on where future resources can most cost-effectively be targeted, to bring about the greatest improvement in companion dog welfare in Great Britain.
Does owning a companion animal influence the belief that animals experience emotions such as grief?
Authors: Walker JK , McGrath N , Handel IG , Waran NK , Phillips CJC
Published: January 2014

This paper investigates public attitudes towards emotional experiences in animals. We surveyed 1,000 members of the public to investigate how companion animal ownership affects the attribution of emotions to animals and beliefs about whether animals can grieve. Respondents who owned a companion animal were more likely to believe that some animals can experience grief compared with respondents that did not own a companion animal. The non-owning respondents were more likely to believe that animals do not experience emotions including: anxiety, distress or depression, do not show behavioural changes when they are experiencing grief and do not grieve as a result of separation from a conspecific. Our findings show that companion animal ownership plays a significant role in the public perception of the emotional experiences of animals and belief in the animals’ ability to grieve.
Refreshing memories
Authors: Lisman John E
Published: January 2014

The exchange of CaMKII enzymes between larger structures called holoenzymes may provide the molecular mechanism underlying the long-term stability of memories.
Magnetically induced changes in diameter and deposition rate of single-walled carbon nanotubes in arc discharge
Authors: Yokomichi Haruo , Ichihara Masaki , Kishimoto Naoki
Published: January 2014

A high magnetic field of 10 T was applied to the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by arc discharge in order to control the morphological properties, e.g., diameter, and to improve the deposition rate. The deposition rate of carbonaceous deposits increased by one order of magnitude under a magnetic field of 10 T owing to magnetically induced effects. The average diameter of the SWCNTs also increased to about 1.3 nm with the magnetic field, which was about 1.5 times larger than the average diameter of about 0.8 nm without the magnetic field. This indicates that the morphology and deposition rate of the carbon nanotubes can be controlled by applying a high magnetic field during arc processing. The effects of a magnetic field on the control of carbon nanotube fabrication are explained in terms of electromagnetic effects on the dense arc plasma with high energy, not spin-associated effects on nanotube formation.
Review of solution-processed oxide thin-film transistors
Authors: Kim Si Joon , Yoon Seokhyun , Kim Hyun Jae
Published: January 2014

In this review, we summarize solution-processed oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) researches based on our fulfillments. We describe the fundamental studies of precursor composition effects at the beginning in order to figure out the role of each component in oxide semiconductors, and then present low temperature process for the adoption of flexible devices. Moreover, channel engineering for high performance and reliability of solution-processed oxide TFTs and various coating methods: spin-coating, inkjet printing, and gravure printing are also presented. The last topic of this review is an overview of multi-functional solution-processed oxide TFTs for various applications such as photodetector, biosensor, and memory.
Optical characteristic of 5,5′′-bis(4-biphenylyl)-2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene single-crystal thin-film resonator
Authors: Takahashi Wataru , Maruyama Kenichi , Li Jinpeng , Imakawa Masaki , Takenobu Taishi
Published: January 2014

We investigated optical characteristics of 5,5′′-bis(4-biphenylyl)-2,2′:5′,2′′-terthiophene (BP3T) single crystals with naturally grown parallel edges. These crystals showed interference modulation spectra due to the Fabry–Perot resonator. From these spectra, we evaluated their resonator quality factors and the refractive index of BP3T. As a result, we obtained a high quality factor of 1700 and a high refractive index of 2.7.
Enhancement of ultraviolet light responsivity of a pentacene phototransistor by introducing photoactive molecules into a gate dielectric
Authors: Dao Toan Thanh , Matsushima Toshinori , Murakami Motonobu , Ohkubo Kei , Fukuzumi Shunichi , Murata Hideyuki
Published: January 2014

We demonstrated a new approach to fabricate an ultraviolet (UV) photodetector with a pentacene transistor structure where photoactive molecules of 6-[4′-(N,N-diphenylamino)phenyl]-3-ethoxycarbonylcoumarin (DPA-CM) were introduced into a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) gate dielectric. DPA-CM molecules strongly absorb UV light and form stable charge-separation states. When a negative gate voltage was scanned to a gate electrode of the transistor, the charge-separation states of DPA-CM molecules were converted into free electrons and holes. The free electrons traversed and subsequently reached an interface of the PMMA:DPA-CM layer and a polystyrene buffer layer, inducing accumulation of additional holes in a pentacene channel. Therefore, under 2.54 mW/cm2 of 365 nm UV irradiation, a marked increase in drain current by 6.1 × 102 times were obtained from the transistor. Moreover, the phototransistor exhibited a high light responsivity of 0.12 A/W which is about one order of magnitude larger than that of a conventional pentacene phototransistor [Lucas et al., Thin Solid Films 517, 280 (2009)]. This result will be useful for manufacturing of a high-performance UV photodetector.
Reaction mechanism of polymer removal using wet ozone
Authors: Goto Yousuke , Angata Yukihiro , Tsukazaki Emi , Takahashi Seiji , Koike Kunihiko , Yamagishi Tadaaki , Horibe Hideo
Published: January 2014

We evaluated the removal of polymers with various chemical structures using wet ozone, and investigated the reaction mechanism between wet ozone and polymers using fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and in situ FT-IR. The removal rate of poly(vinyl phenol) (PVP), which has a carbon–carbon double bond (C=C) in the side chain was lower than that of the novolak resin, which has C=C in the main chain. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which has no C=C, was not removed. It was considered that the ozone reaction is an electrophilic reaction, and the wet ozone should react with C=C with ease. The removal rate of PVP with rinsing was higher than that without rinsing. This result indicates that the reaction products remain on the Si wafer. However, in the novolak resin, there was no difference between with and without rinsing. It was considered that the main chain of the novolak resin was decomposed to gas by the reaction with wet ozone. In the FT-IR measurement of PVP, the peak intensity of C=O stretching of carboxylic acid increased with increasing wet ozone processing time. However, in the novolak resin, there was no difference between with and without rinsing. Moreover, the peak intensity of the C=O stretching of carboxylic acid did not increase with increasing wet ozone processing time after 10 s of wet ozone processing time. From the result of in situ FT-IR, in the removal of the novolak resin using wet ozone, the main chain of the novolak resin was decomposed, and the reaction products of the wet ozone and novolak resin (low-molecular-weight carboxylic acid) should change to CO2.
Analysis of carrier behavior in α-NPD/P(VDF–TrFE) double-layer capacitor by using electric-field-induced optical second-harmonic generation
Authors: Cui Xiaojin , Taguchi Dai , Manaka Takaaki , Iwamoto Mitsumasa
Published: January 2014

The effect of ferroelectric polymer on carrier behaviors in indium–tin oxide (ITO)/poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF–TrFE)]/N,N′-di-[(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl]-(1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (α-NPD)/Au structure was investigated. The internal electric field in α-NPD introduced by the dipole moments from ferroelectric P(VDF–TrFE) together with the α-NPD/P(VDF–TrFE) interface accumulated charges plays an important role in the carrier motion in α-NPD. In displacement current measurement (DCM), two asymmetric peaks and reduced polarization resulting from a large injection barrier from Au electrode to α-NPD layer were observed. Coupled with the electric-field-induced optical second-harmonic generation (EFISHG) measurement, the electric field in α-NPD layer was directly probed and gave a support that only part of the dipoles in P(VDF–TrFE) was polarized. We proposed that the formation of an amorphous insulating layer between amorphous α-NPD layer and partially crystallized P(VDF–TrFE) layer markedly decreased the voltage directly applied on the P(VDF–TrFE) film and caused a reduced polarization. Our findings here will be helpful in analyzing the carrier behavior in organic electronic devices using ferroelectric layers.
Analysis of nonsinusoidal surface relief structures formed by elliptical polarization holography on azobenzene-containing polymeric films
Authors: Sasaki Tomoyuki , Nishioka Emi , Noda Kohei , Kondo Mizuho , Kawatsuki Nobuhiro , Ono Hiroshi
Published: January 2014

Nonsinusoidal and asymmetric surface relief (SR) gratings, formed in azobenzene-containing polymeric films by elliptical polarization holographic recordings, were theoretically characterized. The amplitude of SR deformation was formulated on the basis of the optical-field gradient force model and calculated using the electric field of the interference light and the dielectric polarization of the recorded film. The observed SR gratings with asymmetric structures were well explained by considering the Weigert effect of azobenzene molecules. This observation suggests that SR deformation on the azopolymer film originating from mass transportation is affected by the distribution of optical anisotropy induced by the reorientation of the azobenzene molecules.
Molecular ordering effect of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) using sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Ikeura-Sekiguchi Hiromi , Sekiguchi Tetsuhiro
Published: January 2014

The electronic structure of the unoccupied conduction band of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (RR-P3HT) was investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) near the sulfur K-edge. Angle-dependent XAS studies revealed that polymer chains in films are well aligned and oriented edge-on with respect to the Si substrate. It was clearly observed that the bottom of the conduction band near the Fermi level in a π–π stacking film is lower (0.3 eV) than that in a powder. It was demonstrated that π–π stacking interactions improve the power conversion efficiency through the reduction of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level.
Evaluating the state of indium–tin oxide gels via estimation of their cohesive energy
Authors: Hirose Daisuke , Shimoda Tatsuya
Published: January 2014

In the fabrication of metal oxide films by the solution process, it is very important to know the state of a gel. In this report, the type of for indium–tin oxide (ITO) gel was determined according to the cohesive energy for agglutinating a gel. We developed the new method of determining a gel’s state to elucidate the total cohesive energy of an ITO gel film and its components. We employed an optical method based on the Lifshitz–van der Waals theory and a contact angle measurement method based on the van Oss theory to estimate components of cohesive energy. The result showed that the van der Waals interaction was the dominant interaction in the agglutination of the ITO gel. This indicated that the ITO gel is a physical gel. This result coincided well with these obtained by conventional methods such as thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis and resolvability tests. The new method will be very useful for evaluating the gel state nondestructively.
Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film deposited by sputtering with Cu2ZnSnS4 compound target
Authors: Nakamura Ryota , Tanaka Kunihiko , Uchiki Hisao , Jimbo Kazuo , Washio Tsukasa , Katagiri Hironori
Published: January 2014

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin films were prepared by a single sputtering process with a CZTS compound target or a co-sputtering process with Cu, ZnS, and SnS targets followed by annealing in a H2S-containing atmosphere at several temperatures. Between the CZTS thin films prepared by both single and co-sputtering processes annealed at 500 °C, there are no major differences in the X-ray diffraction patterns, optical properties, and chemical composition. However, there is a difference in the scanning electron microscopy images. Although the CZTS thin films prepared by the co-sputtering process have some voids, the CZTS thin films prepared by the single sputtering process have no voids. The solar cells prepared with the CZTS thin films deposited by the single sputtering process followed by annealing at 500 °C show a higher efficiency of 4.40% than those prepared with the CZTS thin films prepared by the co-sputtering process (2.06%).
Optical, dosimetric, and scintillation properties of pure sapphire crystals
Authors: Futami Yoshisuke , Yanagida Takayuki , Fujimoto Yutaka
Published: January 2014

Optical, dosimetric, and scintillation properties of undoped sapphire (Al2O3) single crystals fabricated by different methods of the Czochralski (Cz) and the Bridgman were investigated. In X-ray induced radioluminescence spectra, they showed emission peaks at 240 and 300 nm due to exciton and F+ centers, respectively. Scintillation decay times of F+ center was fast around few ns. As a dosimetric property, from 0.01 to 2 Gy X-ray was exposed to them and they exhibited a thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) with a good linearity. The glow peaks of them were similar, 150, 250, and 325 °C. In TSL, the Bridgeman sample represented only F+-center emission while the Cz sample showed F at 400 nm and F+ at 300 nm centers emission.
Optical and scintillation properties of Cd-doped ZnO film
Authors: Yanagida Takayuki , Fujimoto Yutaka , Miyamoto Miyuki , Sekiwa Hideyuki
Published: January 2014

In the present study, we developed high crystalline quality Cd2+-doped ZnO (Cd:ZnO) scintillator by the liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) method to enhance the defect related emission in ZnO for α-ray detectors. In order to imitate the scintillator application, we investigated α-ray induced radio luminescence spectrum and emission bands peaking around 380 and 500 nm were observed, and the latter one was largely enhanced when compared with pure ZnO. Then, we optically coupled the sample with PMT R7600 by Silicone grease, and irradiated 241Am 5.5 MeV α-ray. Cd:ZnO showed about 700% light yield of pure ZnO scintillator and the total light yield turned out to be 18000 photons/5.5 MeV-α. The main component of the scintillation decay time constants turned out to be ∼1 ns and 2 µs due to the free exciton and the defect related emissions, respectively.
Fabrication of 120-nm-channel-length ferroelectric-gate thin-film transistor by nanoimprint lithography
Authors: Nagahara Koji , Trinh Bui Nguyen Quoc , Tokumitsu Eisuke , Inoue Satoshi , Shimoda Tatsuya
Published: January 2014

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is one of the most promising device fabrication techniques because it has a high resolution and moderate fabrication cost. Oxide-based thin-film transistors (TFTs) with various physical properties have the potential to outperform Si-based large-scale integration (LSI) devices. In this study, we focus on the miniaturization of oxide-based TFTs by NIL. A ferroelectric-gate thin-film transistor (FGT) was prepared by incorporating a chemical-solution-deposition (CSD)-processed indium tin oxide channel, a Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) gate insulator, and sputtered Pt electrodes. The Pt source–drain electrodes and ITO channel were patterned by the NIL process. The results show that we successfully fabricated an FGT with a channel length of 120 nm by NIL. The 120 nm channel length was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fabricated NIL-FGT showed typical n-channel transistor characteristics. The obtained ON/OFF current ratio, threshold voltage, subthreshold voltage, and field-effect mobility were 103, 0.5 V, 1.0 V/decade, and 0.1–0.2 cm2·V−1·s−1, respectively.
GHz response of metamorphic InAlAs metal–semiconductor–metal photodetector on GaAs substrate
Authors: Maekita Kazuaki , Maruyama Takeo , Iiyama Koichi , Suzuki Toshi-kazu
Published: January 2014

We fabricated metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) photodetectors on the metamorphic InAlAs layer grown on a GaAs substrate. The devices were measured at a wavelength in the 0.8 µm regime. The receiving area is 30 × 30 µm2 and the electrode spacings are 2, 1, and 0.4 µm. At the electrode spacing of 1 µm, a dark current of 125 nA was obtained at a bias voltage of −15 V. At a wavelength of 830 nm, a responsivity of 0.13 A/W was obtained at a bias voltage of −15 V. At a wavelength of 850 nm, the maximum bandwidth of 9 GHz was obtained at a bias voltage of −15 V.
Detailed analyses of electric field-induced resistance switching behavior of SrFeO3−
x film
Authors: Yokota Takeshi , Kito Shinya , Gomi Manabu
Published: January 2014

We investigated the electric field-induced resistance change of SrFeO3−

x
film as a candidate for memory material. SrFeO3−

x
film showed hysteresis in its current–voltage curve and distinct pulse-switching properties. The resistance of the sample can be switched by the pulse voltage with the length of 50 ns. The relaxation time of the voltage analyses revealed that the resistance-switching properties originate from both the oxygen migration and the charge injection process. Based on these properties, we found that the magnetic state can also be changed by the application of the electric field.
Fabrication of one-dimensional grating structure on organic single-crystal surface
Authors: Maruyama Kenichi , Li Jinpeng , Takahashi Wataru , Hotta Shu , Takaishi Shinya , Yamashita Masahiro , Takenobu Taishi
Published: January 2014

Organic single crystals have excellent transport and unique optical properties, which are very advantageous to light-emitting devices. However, it is still difficult to control the emitting color of these devices and we need to establish a novel method to introduce a color-control system into organic single crystals. In this paper, we present an effective approach for the fabrication of submicrometer-scale grating structures on an organic single-crystal surface. Using the UV-nanoimprint lithography and dry-etching methods, one-dimensional grating structures are fabricated on crystal surfaces and, from photoluminescence spectra, we confirmed the color tunability of this novel method.