1/f noise in hydrogenated amorphous silicon-germanium alloys

Measurements were made of conductance noise of a-Si:H and a-Si 1-xGex:H in two different geometries: one where the current flow is transverse to the surface and the other where it is longitudinal to the surface. Because of the large change in sample resistance between the two geometries, it was not possible to measure both geometries at the same temperature. For both geometries, alloyinzg with up to 40% Ge reduces the noise magnitude by several orders of magnitude over that found in a-Si:H. The decrease is incompatible with several popular noise models. Extrapolating the temperature trends for each geometry shows that it is possible that the noise observed in the transverse samples has the same origin as the higher frequency part of the double power law spectra observed in the longitudinal samples.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canad

Three-dimensional mechanical evaluation of joint contact pressure in 12 periacetabular osteotomy patients with 10-year follow-up

Background and purpose Because of the varying structure of dysplastic hips, the optimal realignment of the joint during periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) may differ between patients. Three-dimensional (3D) mechanical and radiological analysis possibly accounts better for patient-specific morphology, and may improve and automate optimal joint realignment

De Fábrica 'fundo de quintal' a empresa multinacional: o caso de uma aliança ítalo-brasileira sob o enfoque da abordagem estruturacionista da estratégia como prática

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar indícios estruturacionistas, decorrentes de uma aliança estratégica interorganizacional, que possam ter resultado na mudança de uma fábrica fundo de quintal para uma empresa multinacional. Atingiu-se esse objetivo realizando um estudo de caso na empresa subsidiária brasileira do setor de máquinas e componentes para móveis, atual líder do mercado. Atentou-se para as considerações de Johanson e Vahlne (2006), com relação às implicações dos relacionamentos interorganizacionais em termos de aprendizagem e oportunidades. Concordando com as crescentes exigências para elucidar a prática estratégica no cotidiano das empresas, adotou-se a abordagem de estratégia como prática em complementaridade com a teoria da estruturação para balizar o exame à indispensável ligação entre pessoas, atividades e o contexto mais amplo. Os resultados destacam diversas alterações nas atividades da empresa filial permeando as seguintes etapas da aliança: (i) pré-aliança; (ii) durante a parceria; e (iii) após a joint-venture. Para ilustrar como os elementos de práxis, práticas e praticantes estariam relacionados nessas diferentes fases do relacionamento interorganizacional, uma adaptação do gráfico de Whittington (2006) é proposta. Conclui-se apresentando um quadro com as principais atividades e ferramentas envolvidas na adaptação da empresa ao longo da aliança, entre as quais se enfatizam as práticas de mobilidade dos funcionários e do compromisso de relacionamento. Para melhor entender a forma como as alianças estratégicas afetam as empresas de bens de capital e verificar se há um padrão recorrente em termos do envolvimento de práticas, práxis e praticantes nas etapas de relacionamento, semelhante ao que está se propondo, considera-se apropriado realizar um trabalho comparativo. Dessa forma, poder-se-ia fazer inferências sobre as condições de escopo e transferibilidade

Formal and Informal Financing Decisions of Small Businesses

This study investigates small businesses’ financing decisions. Drawing upon asymmetric information theory, institutional theory and relevant literature on cognitive financial constraints, human capital and social capital, we propose a theoretical framework in which financing determinants come from three dimensions: entrepreneurs’ individual factors, organisational (firm-level) factors and contextual (institutional) factors. We employ this model to distinguish four types of firms: (1) firms that use no external finance, (2) firms that use informal finance only, (3) firms that use formal finance only and (4) firms that use both formal and informal finance. An empirical test on Vietnamese small businesses shows that factors from all three dimensions are important in understanding small businesses’ financing decisions

Recent Northern Hemisphere tropical expansion primarily driven by black carbon and tropospheric ozone

Observational analyses have shown the width of the tropical belt increasing in recent decades as the world has warmed. This expansion is important because it is associated with shifts in large-scale atmospheric circulation and major climate zones. Although recent studies have attributed tropical expansion in the Southern Hemisphere to ozone depletion, the drivers of Northern Hemisphere expansion are not well known and the expansion has not so far been reproduced by climate models. Here we use a climate model with detailed aerosol physics to show that increases in heterogeneous warming agents--including black carbon aerosols and tropospheric ozone--are noticeably better than greenhouse gases at driving expansion, and can account for the observed summertime maximum in tropical expansion. Mechanistically, atmospheric heating from black carbon and tropospheric ozone has occurred at the mid-latitudes, generating a poleward shift of the tropospheric jet, thereby relocating the main division between tropical and temperate air masses. Although we still underestimate tropical expansion, the true aerosol forcing is poorly known and could also be underestimated. Thus, although the insensitivity of models needs further investigation, black carbon and tropospheric ozone, both of which are strongly influenced by human activities, are the most likely causes of observed Northern Hemisphere tropical expansion

Third universal definition of myocardial infarction

"Myocardial infarction (MI) can be recognised by clinical features, including electrocardiographic (ECG) findings, elevated values of biochemical markers (biomarkers) of myocardial necrosis, and by imaging, or may be defined by pathology. It is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. MI may be the first manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD) or it may occur, repeatedly, in patients with established disease. Information on MI rates can provide useful information regarding the burden of CAD within and across populations, especially if standardized data are collected in a manner that distinguishes between incident and recurrent events. From the epidemiological point of view, the incidence of MI in a population can be used as a proxy for the prevalence of CAD in that population. The term ‘myocardial infarction’ may have major psychological and legal implications for the individual and society. It is an indicator of one of the leading health problems in the world and it is an outcome measure in clinical trials, observational studies and quality assurance programmes. These studies and programmes require a precise and consistent definition of MI. In the past, a general consensus existed for the clinical syndrome designated as MI. In studies of disease prevalence, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined MI from symptoms, ECG abnormalities and cardiac enzymes. However, the development of ever more sensitive and myocardial tissue-specific cardiac biomarkers and more sensitive imaging techniques now allows for detection of very small amounts of myocardial injury or necrosis. Additionally, the management of patients with MI has significantly improved, resulting in less myocardial injury and necrosis, in spite of a similar clinical presentation. Moreover, it appears necessary to distinguish the various conditions which may cause MI, such as ‘spontaneous’ and ‘procedure-related’ MI. Accordingly, physicians, other healthcare providers and patients require an up-to-date definition of MI.

Third universal definition of myocardial infarction

"Myocardial infarction (MI) can be recognised by clinical features, including electrocardiographic (ECG) findings, elevated values of biochemical markers (biomarkers) of myocardial necrosis, and by imaging, or may be defined by pathology. It is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. MI may be the first manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD) or it may occur, repeatedly, in patients with established disease. Information on MI rates can provide useful information regarding the burden of CAD within and across populations, especially if standardized data are collected in a manner that distinguishes between incident and recurrent events. From the epidemiological point of view, the incidence of MI in a population can be used as a proxy for the prevalence of CAD in that population. The term ‘myocardial infarction’ may have major psychological and legal implications for the individual and society. It is an indicator of one of the leading health problems in the world and it is an outcome measure in clinical trials, observational studies and quality assurance programmes. These studies and programmes require a precise and consistent definition of MI. In the past, a general consensus existed for the clinical syndrome designated as MI. In studies of disease prevalence, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined MI from symptoms, ECG abnormalities and cardiac enzymes. However, the development of ever more sensitive and myocardial tissue-specific cardiac biomarkers and more sensitive imaging techniques now allows for detection of very small amounts of myocardial injury or necrosis. Additionally, the management of patients with MI has significantly improved, resulting in less myocardial injury and necrosis, in spite of a similar clinical presentation. Moreover, it appears necessary to distinguish the various conditions which may cause MI, such as ‘spontaneous’ and ‘procedure-related’ MI. Accordingly, physicians, other healthcare providers and patients require an up-to-date definition of MI.

Extrapolating Practice from Theory: A User-friendly Guide to Conducting Grounded Theory in The Social Sciences

[[abstract]]　　This paper presents an easily comprehensible, non-theoretical introduction to grounded theory, a form of qualitative research that has become increasingly popular among scholars in the social sciences in recent years. Following an introduction to the basics of qualitative research and grounded theory, the author draws on his experiences investigating the acquisition of academic writing among Taiwanese doctoral students to illustrate the procedures involved in carrying out this type of naturalistic inquiry. The final section of the article, in the form of an appendix, contains a glossary of terms commonly used in the conducting and the reporting of the findings of studies employing grounded theory, as well as a list of references to consult to learn more about qualitative research methodology in general