Contact size-dependent switching instabilities in HfO2 RRAM

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - A comprehensive understanding of the resistive switching mechanisms that activate REDOX-based random access memory devices is necessary to...     

Experimental and physical approaches on a novel semiconducting-ionic membrane fuel cell

Semiconducting-ionic membranes (SIMs) have exhibited significant superiority to replace the conventional ionic electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). One interesting phenomenon is that the SIMs can successfully avoid the underlying short-circuiting issue and power losses while bringing significantly enhanced power output. It is crucial to understand the physics in such devices as they show distinct electrochemical processes with conventional fuel cells. We first presented experimental studies of a SIM fuel cell based on a composite of semiconductor LiCo_0.8Fe_0.2O₂ (LCF) and ionic conductor Sm-doped CeO₂ (SDC), which achieved a remarkable power density of 1150 mW cm^?2 at 550 °C along with a high open circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.04 V. Then, for the first time we used a physical model via combining a semiconductor-ionic contact junction with a rectifying layer which blocks the electron leakage to describe such unique SIM device and excellent performance. Current and power are the most important characteristics for the device, by introducing the rectifying layer we described the SIM physical nature and new device process. This work presented a new view on advanced SIM SOFC science and technology from physics.     

Barriers in spatial interactions and communications

Barriers are defined as discontinuities in the broadly defined marginal costs of communication, usually leading to a discontinuity in interaction. This paper addresses conceptual issues about barriers to communication. Several typologies of barriers are given. For example, according to the degree of permeability, barriers may discourage interaction, or may even be entirely impermeable, but examples may also be given of barriers which stimulate communication in one or both directions. Another typology of barriers addresses reasons of existence, including natural barriers, barriers created for protection purposes, barriers created for reasons of convenience, etc. The paper concludes with a number of suggestions for further research on communication barriers.     

Sourcing in or out: Implications for social capital and knowledge sharing

The sharing of knowledge between a firm and its internal or external service suppliers has become an important element of contemporary sourcing arrangements. Moreover, the knowledge based view (KBV) has long suggested that due to stronger cognitive links within firms, internal compared to external service provision creates better conditions for knowledge sharing. Empirical evidence for this claim is however scarce, and the KBV does not explain the mechanisms for more knowledge sharing in internal sourcing in detail. Moreover, there is now some evidence to suggest that firms’ relationships with external sourcing partners are becoming more similar to those with captive centres, which represent a less traditional form of insourcing setting. To scrutinize the possible knowledge sharing advantages of internal sourcing in more depth, we turn to social capital (SC) research. There are some theoretical claims that SC and knowledge sharing are stronger within than between firms, and there is ample evidence that SC facilitates knowledge sharing. Our survey results suggest that the extent of knowledge sharing and SC are indeed stronger in a captive than in an external sourcing mode, and that structural (tie strength), cognitive (shared understanding), and relational (trust) aspects of SC mediate the effect of sourcing mode on the extent of knowledge sharing. By contrast, network stability (a structural aspect) mediated knowledge sharing only indirectly, by reinforcing the other SC aspects. We highlight important contributions to research and practice of IS outsourcing and social capital.     

Composition and Functional Properties of Apogee and Perigee Compared to Common Terrestrial Wheat Cultivars

Long duration space missions may include dwarf wheat cultivars to meet closed-loop food system constraints. Composition and functional properties of dwarf wheats (Apogee, Perigee) were characterized and compared to terrestrial cultivars (Parshall, Yecora Rojo, Yavaros 79). Proximate composition was determined using standard methods, and functional attributes were evaluated by mixograph and pasting profiles. Additional analyses measured antioxidant capacity, protein profiles, non-protein nitrogen, lipid oxidation, and starch damage. Apogee and Perigee were compositionally and functionally different from traditional cultivars, having higher protein (18–20%), ash (2–2.4%), and antioxidant (Perigee had 23.7 mol Trolox equivalent/g), and lipid oxidation levels but lower protein quality indicators. There was significant correlation (R² = 0.84) between ash content and lipid oxidation. Apogee is a better candidate crop than Perigee for a self sustaining environment, but both dwarf varieties could be used for tailored food applications.     

Genetic essentialism: On the deceptive determinism of DNA.

This article introduces the notion of genetic essentialist biases: cognitive biases associated with essentialist thinking that are elicited when people encounter arguments that genes are relevant for a behavior, condition, or social group. Learning about genetic attributions for various human conditions leads to a particular set of thoughts regarding those conditions: they are more likely to be perceived as (a) immutable and determined, (b) having a specific etiology, (c) homogeneous and discrete, and (d) natural, which can lead to the naturalistic fallacy. There are rare cases of “strong genetic explanation” when such responses to genetic attributions may be appropriate; however, people tend to overweigh genetic attributions compared with competing attributions even in cases of “weak genetic explanation,” which are far more common. The authors reviewed research on people's understanding of race, gender, sexual orientation, criminality, mental illness, and obesity through a genetic essentialism lens, highlighting attitudinal, cognitive, and behavioral changes that stem from consideration of genetic attributions as bases of these categories. Scientific and media portrayals of genetic discoveries are discussed with respect to genetic essentialism, as is the role that genetic essentialism has played (and continues to play) in various public policies, legislation, scientific endeavors, and ideological movements in recent history. Last, moderating factors and interventions to reduce the magnitude of genetic essentialism, which identify promising directions to explore in order to reduce these biases, are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)