Structural properties of bismuth-bearing semiconductor alloys

The structural properties of bismuth-bearing III-V semiconductor alloys are addressed. Because the Bi compounds are not known to form zincblende structures, only the anion-substituted alloys InPBi, InAsBi, and InSbBi are considered candidates as narrow-gap semiconductors. Miscibility calculations indicate that InSbBi will be the most miscible, and InPBi, with the large lattice mismatch of the constituents, will be the most difficult to mix. Calculations of the hardness of the Bi compounds indicate that, once formed, the InPBi alloy will be harder than the other Bi alloys, and substantially harder than the currently favored narrow-gap semiconductor HgCdTe. Thus, although InSbBi may be an easier material to prepare, InPBi promises to be a harder material. Growth of the Bi compounds will require high effective growth temperatures, probably attainable only through the use of nonequilibrium energy-assisted epitaxial growth techniques

Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Reveals Auditory and Frontal Cortical Regions Involved with Speech Perception and Loudness Adaptation

Considerable progress has been made in the treatment of hearing loss with auditory implants. However, there are still many implanted patients that experience hearing deficiencies, such as limited speech understanding or vanishing perception with continuous stimulation (i.e., abnormal loudness adaptation). The present study aims to identify specific patterns of cerebral cortex activity involved with such deficiencies. We performed O-15-water positron emission tomography (PET) in patients implanted with electrodes within the cochlea, brainstem, or midbrain to investigate the pattern of cortical activation in response to speech or continuous multi-tone stimuli directly inputted into the implant processor that then delivered electrical patterns through those electrodes. Statistical parametric mapping was performed on a single subject basis. Better speech understanding was correlated with a larger extent of bilateral auditory cortex activation. In contrast to speech, the continuous multi-tone stimulus elicited mainly unilateral auditory cortical activity in which greater loudness adaptation corresponded to weaker activation and even deactivation. Interestingly, greater loudness adaptation was correlated with stronger activity within the ventral prefrontal cortex, which could be up-regulated to suppress the irrelevant or aberrant signals into the auditory cortex. The ability to detect these specific cortical patterns and differences across patients and stimuli demonstrates the potential for using PET to diagnose auditory function or dysfunction in implant patients, which in turn could guide the development of appropriate stimulation strategies for improving hearing rehabilitation. Beyond hearing restoration, our study also reveals a potential role of the frontal cortex in suppressing irrelevant or aberrant activity within the auditory cortex, and thus may be relevant for understanding and treating tinnitus

Synthesis and Characterization of a Tetra-Ruthenated Naphthylbiliverdin

A new naphtylbiliverdin compound has been synthesized which offers intense absorption with the photodynamic therapy window (600 nm – 850 nm). The compound has been characterized by proton NMR, high resolution electrospray mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and UV/vis spectroscopy. Coordination of four ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes was accomplished by standard procedures. The new tetra-ruthenated naphthylbiliverdin was characterized by elemental analysis. Cyclic voltammetry measurements reveal that all four ruthenium moieties are coordinated to the pyridyl groups of the biliverdin compound. The intense metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands of the peripheral ruthenium groups overshadow the absorption due to the biliverdin compound; therefore, spectroelectrochemical studies were conducted to show that the low energy absorption of the naphthylbiliverdin compound is unaffected by coordination to the ruthenium groups. DNA photocleavage studies were performed by irradiating samples containing plasmid DNA and the ruthenated compound, filtering out high energy light. Gel electrophoresis studies indicate that the compound is capable of photonicking the plasmid DNA when irradiated with light

Iota Reliability Concept of the Second Generation. Measures for Content Analysis Done by Humans or Artificial Intelligences

In educational settings, analyzing textual data via content analysis is a popular research method. The data is a valuable source of information as it offers deep insights into learning and learning outcomes. In practice, it can be used to improve classroom diagnostics and instruction. Nowadays, technology such as learning analytics can be used for the same cause. For both purposes, reliable research instruments are needed. Content analysis, often the measure of choice, is required to meet quality criteria such as objectivity, reliability and validity. However, some of the reliability measures most frequently used have lately been discussed controversially, indicating that there is room for improvement. The first generation of the Iota concept caters to the idea of improved reliability measures for content analysis done by humans or artificial intelligences. In this book, the authors introduce a refined measure: The Iota concept of the second generation. In contrast to pre-existing measures, second generation Iota can for example a) provide insights into the reliability of every single category of a scale and how a coding scheme may produce bias, b) provide rules of thumb for evaluating content analysis and c) provide possibilities for data replication and error-corrected data. This book is structured as a guide for researchers that want to learn more about the mechanics and details of the Iota concept or use it as the reliability measure of choice in their research

Towards a Flexible Curriculum: John Dewey\u27s Theory of Experience and Learning

Positively stated, a reconceptualization of curriculum will most certainly have to take its cue from the American philosopher and pedagogue John Dewey (1859-1952). His work in philosophy and education is one great attempt to overcome dysfunctional dualisms like between the child and the curriculum, freedom and discipline, the individual and the society, body and mind. I will use my reconstruction of his theory of experience and learning to challenge the claim made by the Tanners (Tanner and Tanner, 1980, 1988; D. Tanner, 1982; L.N. Tanner, 1982) that Dewey must be regarded as the ancestor of \u27modern\u27 curriculum theory as formulated in the Tyler rationale. In the next part of my paper I will go into Dewey\u27s attempt to reconceptualize the concept of experience as a way out of the dilemma of technology against Bildung. After that I will talk about Dewey\u27s curriculum theory as a theory of \u27planned experience.\u2

Integrating Sustainability in Controlling and Accounting Practices: A Critical Review and Implications for Competences in German Vocational Business Education

Sustainability in accounting and controlling has traditionally been understood in terms of securing the long-term existence of companies. However, with the introduction of integrated non-financial reporting, sustainability, as per the triple bottom line model, is increasingly being discussed as a component of accounting and controlling. Yet, integration primarily occurs in separate sustainability management and controlling departments. Moreover, the implementation of sustainability efforts requires suitably qualified employees, who drive the transition. The academic discourse surrounding sustainability in businesses in general, and in accounting and controlling specifically, is complex. It remains unclear to what extent sustainability has been integrated into accounting and controlling, and what competencies employees need to manage this transformation. These questions will be critically analyzed in this structured literature review of 79 publications. The results provide insights into a) how companies conceptualize sustainability, b) whether and how they integrate it into their value creation processes, and c) the relevance of accounting and controlling for these developments. To contextualize the role of employees, the competency requirements within companies will be analyzed to enable employees in accounting and controlling to engage effectively in sustainability-oriented activities. Specifically, implications for changes in curricula with a focus on accounting and controlling are derived