bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Silicon nanorods‐based all‐dielectric waveguides with long decay‐length at the telecommunication band
Authors: Ahmadivand Arash , Golmohammadi Saeed , Pala Nezih 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe investigate subwavelength waveguides composed of silicon nanorods array in straight and nonstraight regimes deposited on a silica (SiO2) substrate. It is shown that using all‐dielectric nanorods with high permittivity to design an all‐dielectric optical waveguide provides several advantages such as low‐dissipation coefficient and long decay length for the distributed fields. Exploiting silicon arrays in touching and nontouching arrangements, we examined the optical response of the structure to the guiding of magnetic and electric fields with transverse and longitudinal polarization modes. We studied the decay length for all propagated modes in both nanochain orientations numerically. Simulation results for straight arrays showed that the averaged decay length for the structure with dielectric particles in touching regime is 1.6 µm (for the waveguide with the length of 2.2 µm), and for the nontouching array is 2.2 µm (for the array with the length of 3.1 µm). Calculating transmission loss factors and considering decay length of the proposed waveguide, we verified the strong potential of the proposed structure to design all‐dielectric photonic devices to operate at telecommunication spectra (λ~1310 nm and 1550 nm). Also, we computed bending losses [dB] for the examined structures based on the bends degree. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A climatological analysis of the incidence of brown haze in Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Salmond J. A. , Dirks K. N. , Fiddes S. , Pezza A. , Talbot N. , Scarfe J. , Renwick J. , Petersen J. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTBrown haze has been observed over a number of urban centres in different geographical locations around the world. It is a clear indication of degradation in air quality above a city; however, little is known about its underlying causes. This study examines the incidence of brown haze over the subtropical city of Auckland, New Zealand between 2001 and 2011. Using photographs to document the incidence and severity of the haze and a combination of near‐surface meteorological observations, reanalysis data and three‐dimensional modelling approaches, a detailed climatology of the incidence of haze is developed. The results show that haze is observed during weekday mornings in the cool months, most commonly associated with cold, calm conditions. These conditions are most commonly prevalent with the slow eastward movement of anticyclones (classified as Kidson weather types H and HSE). However, the conditional probability of haze events occurring within these classes is less than 25%, and there is little consistency in the thresholds of surface meteorological conditions between classes. Re‐analysis of the mean sea‐level pressure at regional to synoptic scales reveals that the strength and stability of the anticyclone is important in determining the occurrence and severity of brown haze events. Brown haze development is associated with a strong NE‐SW temperature gradient immediately prior to the event, and anticyclonic development is enhanced by a well‐developed wave train across the Southern Ocean. Back trajectory modelling shows these conditions are associated with slow moving air masses and suggest that the source of pollution is most likely to be local in origin. The results demonstrate the importance of a detailed understanding of synoptic and regional scale meteorology in predicting urban scale pollution events, even when the source of the pollution is local.
High spatial and temporal organization of changes in precipitation over Germany for 1951–2006
Authors: Murawski Aline , Zimmer Janek , Merz Bruno 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTTemporal changes in daily precipitation observed at more than 2300 stations in Germany during the second half of the 20th century are analysed. Compared to other studies, this analysis is based on a very high spatial density of observation locations and complete areal coverage of Germany. Changes in four precipitation characteristics are investigated: (1) total amount of seasonal and monthly precipitation, (2) mean and 95% quantile (q95) of daily precipitation, (3) transition probabilities to quantify wet and dry spells, and (4) precipitation amounts for a 7‐day event with return period 100 years. For all parameters, strikingly clear trend patterns in space and time (of the year) emerged. Stations with increasing and decreasing trends are never found in direct neighbourhood, but are well separated from each other. Changes are season and even month specific. These clear spatial and temporal patterns are an expression of the organization of precipitation mechanisms over Germany. These findings add a note of caution in regard to trend analyses: Spatially and temporally aggregated trend studies might not disclose the complete range of changes and might miss important details. Interestingly, the variability of daily precipitation has changed in parallel with the mean behaviour: Those regions and seasons that show an increase in mean show also an increase in standard deviation, leading to a disproportional increase in heavy precipitation. In addition, there is a tendency towards higher persistence, in particular, longer wet spells in winter, spring, and autumn, and longer dry spells in summer. If these trends continue, there will be an increasing potential for floods in winter and spring, and increasing problems for water availability in summer in regions that show signs of water stress today.
A comparative study of Cd‐ and Zn‐compound buffer layers on Cu(In1−x,Gax)(Sy,Se1−y)2 thin film solar cells
Authors: Kobayashi Taizo , Jehl Li Kao Zacharie , Kato Takuya , Sugimoto Hiroki , Nakada Tokio 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis paper reports a comparative study of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe) thin‐film solar cells with CBD‐CdS, CBD‐ZnS(O,OH) and ALD‐Zn(O,S) buffer layers. Each buffer layer was deposited on CIGSSe absorber layers which were prepared by sulfurization after selenization (SAS) process by Solar Frontier K. K. Cell efficiencies of CBD‐CdS/CIGSSe, CBD‐ZnS(O,OH)/CIGSSe and ALD‐Zn(O,S)/CIGSSe solar cells exceeded 18%, for a cell area of 0.5 cm2. The solar cells underwent a heat‐light soaking (HLS) post‐treatment at 170 °C under one‐sun illumination in the air; among the three condtions, the ALD‐Zn(O,S)/CIGSSe solar cells showed the highest cell efficiency of 19.78% with the highest open‐circuit voltage of 0.718 V. Admittance spectroscopy measurements showed a shift of the N1 defect's energy position toward shallower energy positions for ALD‐Zn(O,S)/CIGSSe solar cells after HLS post‐treatment, which is in good agreement with their higher open‐circuit voltage and smaller interface recombination than that of CBD‐ZnS(O,OH)/CIGSSe solar cells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unravelling the Dynamics of Border Crossing and Rural‐to‐Rural‐to‐Urban Mobility in the Northeastern Thai–Lao Borderlands
Authors: Rungmanee Soimart 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA considerable number of migration studies to date have focused on either internal or international migration. Such studies tend to highlight the economic inequality that underlies human mobility, and hold that migration proceeds according to the rural‐to‐urban divide, as well as between nation‐states. However, these approaches fail to describe how labour moves internally, internationally, and within and across sectors. This paper addresses this complexity by examining cross‐border migration that takes Lao migrants from agricultural to service sectors, from the hinterland of Laos to the borderlands of northeast Thailand, and from Laos to Bangkok and other urban centres in Thailand. By drawing upon case studies in a border village in northeast Thailand and in two villages in Lao People's Democratic Republic, this study shows that Lao migrants engage in rural‐to‐rural migration at different stages of their lives and reveals how internal migration in Thailand leads to emigration from Laos. Although a relatively high wage rate in Thailand plays a critical role in human mobility across the border, there are other determining factors that need to be considered, including the historical context of the movement between the sending and receiving areas, geographical proximity, and a shared linguistic and cultural background that supports cross‐border migration and which complicates migration patterns. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soft Cold EI – approaching molecular ion only with electron ionization
Authors: Amirav Aviv , Keshet Uri , Danon Albert 
Published: October 2015

RationaleCold EI is defined as electron ionization of cold molecules in supersonic molecular beams (SMB). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with Cold EI provides informative mass spectra, which combine the usual library‐searchable EI fragment ions with enhanced molecular ions for improved library‐based identification probabilities. However, in some cases, such as in the analysis of complex petrochemical matrices, a soft ionization method that provides only molecular ions is desirable.MethodsGC/MS with Cold EI was used with a fly‐through ion source at selected electron energies, including at low electron energies, in an attempt to observe molecular ions alone.ResultsWe explored low electron energy Cold EI and found that once the sample compound is cooled by the supersonic expansion it can be reheated via reflected scattered helium atoms near the skimmer. Furthermore, once a labile molecular ion is formed it can undergo undesirable collision‐induced dissociation (CID) in the same way as in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and the magnitude of such CID can be significant for labile molecular ions such as those of hydrocarbons. In order to reduce these adverse effects we reduced the helium pressure at the ion source and MS vacuum chamber by increasing the nozzle‐skimmer distance. Cold EI at low electron energies was explored with a squalane isomer (C30H62) and with n‐C24H50.ConclusionsIt was found that an increased nozzle‐skimmer distance resulted in a noticeable increase in the abundance ratio of molecular ions to low mass fragment ions. Consequently, Cold EI at low electron energies and a large nozzle‐skimmer distance converts EI into Soft Cold EI while further approaching the ideal of a molecular ion only ionization method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid determination of rivaroxaban in human urine and serum using colloidal palladium surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Cheng Yu‐Han , Chen Wen‐Chi , Chang Sarah Y. 
Published: October 2015

RationaleRivaroxaban is a new anticoagulant drug that has recently been introduced for clinical applications. To ensure optimum efficacy while minimizing the risk of toxicity and other adverse effects, a simple and sensitive analytical procedure for monitoring the concentration of rivaroxaban in biological fluids is required.MethodsRivaroxaban was extracted from aqueous solutions by dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction (DLLME). Detection of rivaroxaban was achieved through surface‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI‐MS) using colloidal palladium as the SALDI matrix.ResultsThe calibration curve for rivaroxaban in aqueous solutions was linear over the concentration range from 5 to 500 nM. The limit of detection (LOD) for rivaroxaban at a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 was 2 nM. With a sample‐to‐extract volume ratio of 200, the enrichment factors were calculated to be 141. This method was successfully applied for the determination of rivaroxaban in human urine and serum samples. The LODs for rivaroxaban in urine and serum were calculated to be 6 nM and 60 nM, respectively.ConclusionsThe analysis speed, together with the ease of operation and high sensitivity, allows SALDI‐MS method to be particularly suitable for the high‐throughput screening of rivaroxaban levels in human urine and serum samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical lipid extraction or mathematical isotope correction models: should mathematical models be widely applied to marine species?
Authors: de Lecea Ander M. , de Charmoy Lisa 
Published: October 2015

RationaleChemical lipid extractions, as means of standardizing sample preparations, have been identified as important for comparability of studies. Unfortunately, these methods are expensive, because of the costly chemicals and the need to analyse two sets of samples, one for δ13C values (treated) and another for δ15N values (untreated). To avoid this, studies have suggested mathematical solutions to the problem. Our study intends to (i) determine the applicability of the five most common mathematical correction models and (ii) which of the widely applied chemical extraction methods is the most suitable for a variety of marine organisms.MethodsMuscle, heart and liver samples were collected from eight different species. The tissues were treated with Bligh and Dyer, Folch and Soxhlet extraction methods and analysed in a Europa 20‐20 mass spectrometer. Predicted lipid‐extracted δ13C values were calculated from untreated tissue values using the five most common mathematical models.ResultsThe results indicated that the mathematical methods could not be accurately applied to any of the eight species used in this study, highlighting current issues with accepted isotope methodologies. The Folch chemical extraction removed the highest amount of lipid, suggesting it is the most suitable delipidation method.ConclusionsAnalysing two samples, one treated one not, remains the best method to obtain accurate δ13C isotope values of muscle tissue. By using this approach every study will obtain two datasets, eventually providing a suitable collective dataset for determining how isotopic signatures are affected by delipidation and potentially producing better mathematical correction models in future. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authentication scheme to combat a primary user emulation attack against cognitive radio users
Authors: Avila Jayapalan , Thenmozhi Karrupasamy 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCognitive radios are a good fit for overcoming inefficient usage of the available radio spectrum, allowing secondary users to utilize the spectrum when the primary licensed users are not consuming it. This requires secondary users to continuously observe their spectrum utilization to prevent interfering with the primary user's transmissions. However, an adversary can exploit this to gain unfair use of the spectrum. Such an attack is known a primary user emulation attack. To avoid these attacks, a method of authenticating the primary user's signal is required. This work addresses embedding such an authentication message with the binary phase shift keying and eight‐phase shift keying modulation techniques, parity bits of the error control codes, and pre‐coder bit of the modified duo‐binary scheme, and analyses of the error performance have been carried out with the aid of their performance graphs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Das Vakuumschulen‐Zertifikat
Authors: Müller Dieter , Beeck Udo 
Published: October 2015

Certification of Vacuum TrainingsThis article describes the certification process for quality assurance of vacuum trainings by the German Vacuum Society (DVG). This quality certification was established in 2014. The first certification has been completed, another is ongoing. The certification ensures all participants a certain level of teaching and learning content in both theoretical and practical parts of the trainings.The applicants are assessed by a team of auditors named by the DVG. The procedure also includes discussion about possible improvements. The spectrum of training courses that can be certified covers general vacuum trainings and special training like leak detection, coating technologies, or mass spectrometry.For further information please contact Dr. Michael Wahl, Tel. +49 631 205‐73‐3333, E‐Mail wahl@ifo.uni‐kl.de
The impact of stochastic resource availability on cognitive network performance: modeling and analysis
Authors: Adem Nadia , Hamdaoui Bechir 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCognitive radio networks emerge as a promising solution for overcoming shortage and inefficient use of bandwidth resources by allowing secondary users (SUs) to access the primary users' (PUs) channel so long as they do not interfere with them. The dynamical spectrum availability makes SU's packet average delay one of the most important performance measures of a cognitive network. It is important to understand the nature of delay, as well as its dependence on PU behaviors. In this paper, we analytically model and analyze the dynamics of the spectrum availability and their impact on the SU's packet delay. The cognitive network is modeled as a discrete‐time queueing system. PU channel occupancy is modeled as a two‐state Markov chain. Our contribution in this paper is defining and characterizing the properties of the random process that describes the availability of the opportunistic resources. In addition, we apply the mean residual service time concept to achieve an analytical solution for the queueing delay. Moreover, inspired by the slotted Aloha system, we model the packet service mechanism and determine the manner in which it depends on the resource availability. The delay becomes unbounded if the spectrum availability dynamics are not carefully considered in network design. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oncologic and reproductive outcomes after fertility‐sparing management with oral progestin for women with complex endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer
Authors: Chen Ming , Jin Ying , Li Yan , Bi Yalan , Shan Ying , Pan Lingya 
Published: October 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the oncologic and reproductive outcomes after progestin treatment of complex endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and grade 1 endometrial carcinoma (EC).MethodsIn a retrospective study, data were obtained for patients aged 20–42 years with CEH or grade 1 EC at presumed stage IA (without myometrial invasion) who wished to preserve fertility and were treated at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China, between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2011. Patients had received oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (250–500 mg/day) or megestrol acetate (160–480 mg/day) for at least 6 months. Response to progestin treatment was assessed histologically.ResultsAmong 53 included patients, 39 (74%) achieved complete response after a median period of 6 (3–24) months. Complete response was less frequent among obese than nonobese patients (4/12 [33%] vs 35/41 [85%]; P = 0.001). Disease recurrence was recorded in 10 (26%) patients with complete response; the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rate was 71%. Among the 33 patients who retained a desire to conceive, 17 (52%) became pregnant.ConclusionFertility‐sparing management with oral progestin is effective. Obesity is associated with a lower probability of long‐term success.
A Western dietary pattern is associated with overweight and obesity in a national sample of Lebanese adolescents (13–19 years): a cross-sectional study
Authors: Naja Farah , Hwalla Nahla , Itani Leila , Karam Sabine , Mehio Sibai Abla , Nasreddine Lara 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAdolescent obesity is associated with both immediate and longer-term health implications. This study aims to identify dietary patterns among a nationally representative sample of Lebanese adolescents aged between 13 and 19 years (n 446) and to assess the association of these patterns with overweight and obesity. Through face-to-face interviews, socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric variables were collected. Dietary intake was assessed using a sixty-one-item FFQ. Dietary patterns were derived by factor analysis. The following two dietary patterns were identified: Western and traditional Lebanese. The Western pattern was characterised by high consumption of red meat, eggs and fast-food sandwiches. The traditional Lebanese pattern reflected high intakes of fruits and vegetables, legumes and fish. Female sex and a higher maternal education level were associated with a greater adherence to the traditional Lebanese pattern. As for the Western pattern, the scores were negatively associated with crowding index, physical activity and frequency of breakfast consumption. After adjustment, subjects belonging to the 3rd tertile of the Western pattern scores had significantly higher odds of overweight compared with those belonging to the 1st tertile (OR 2·3; 95 % CI 1·12, 4·73). In conclusion, two distinct dietary patterns were identified among adolescents in Lebanon: the traditional Lebanese and the Western, with the latter pattern being associated with an increased risk of overweight. The findings of this study may be used to guide the development of evidence-based preventive nutrition interventions to curb the obesity epidemic in this age group.
Health and dietary traits of organic food consumers: results from the NutriNet-Santé study
Authors: Baudry Julia , Méjean Caroline , Péneau Sandrine , Galan Pilar , Hercberg Serge , Lairon Denis , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe dietary and health traits of organic food (OF) consumers have not been comprehensively described. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with OF consumption. Data were collected from 54 283 participants from the NutriNet-Santé cohort using self-administered web-based questionnaires. Occasional organic food consumers and regular organic food consumers (ROFC) were compared with non-organic food consumers (NOFC) using logistical regression providing an OR and 95 % CI. Adherence to the French food-based guidelines and interactions between nutritional knowledge and OF consumption in adherence to dietary guidelines were investigated. Medical history was also assessed in relation to OF consumption. Compared with NOFC, ROFC were more likely to be vegetarian (OR 9·93; 95 % CI 7·42, 13·29 in women; OR 13·07; CI 7·00, 24·41 in men) and were less likely to be aware of nutritional guidelines regarding meat consumption (OR 0·37; CI 0·34, 0·40 in women; OR 0·41; CI 0·36, 0·47 in men). Compared with NOFC, ROFC had a lower risk of type II diabetes, hypertension and CVD; however, this effect was only significant for men. In contrast, organic consumers were more likely to report food allergies. Consuming OF appeared to affect the relationship between nutritional knowledge and adequate intake of meat/poultry/seafood/eggs and starchy food among both sexes. Our study provides new insights into the diet- and health-related behaviours of OF consumers in a large sample of participants residing in France. This should be taken into account in future studies investigating relationships between health and OF consumption.
Two Critical Spectators: José Ortega y Gasset and Raymond Aron
Authors: Westler Brendon , Craiutu Aurelian 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis essay examines the role of “critical spectatorship” in the writings of two distinguished European intellectuals, José Ortega y Gasset (1883–1955) and Raymond Aron (1905–1983). We begin the paper by commenting on the struggle between civilization and barbarism, a fundamental topic in their works. We then examine the rhetoric of going beyond the political left and right, which both Ortega and Aron used in their writings. Next, we turn to the concept of “critical spectatorship” that is central to their thought and comment on the similarities and differences between their forms of social and political criticism. We conclude by drawing a few conclusions on the relevance of Ortega's and Aron's ideas for us today.