Factors influencing intention to donate via social network site (SNS): From Asian’s perspective

This study examined whether external factors, which are charity project, charity organization, Internet technology features and social network site (SNS) features influence people’s general attitude towards online donation and their intention to donate via SNS. An online survey was conducted based on the framework of factors influencing the intention to donate via SNS that was adapted from the literature review. Data from 258 respondents were used for analysis. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research model and hypotheses. The results indicated that the Internet technology features factor significantly contributes in influencing people’s general attitude towards online donation, and general attitude positively influences people’s intention to donate via SNSs. The full mediation effect of the general attitude towards online donation on the relationship between Internet technology features and intention to donate via SNS was found. However, charity project, charity organization, and SNS features were not significant factors in influencing people’s intention to donate via SNSs. The sample was limited to some Asian countries (preliminary Malaysia and South Korea). Thus, the results cannot be generalized to other countries. The findings suggest that non-profit organizations should focus on how to deal with the Internet issues, especially pertaining to security and privacy. Therefore, a mechanism for gaining donors’ trust to use the Internet, particularly in doing online transaction must be considered.     

Analysis of Failure in Miniature X‐ray Tubes with Gated Carbon Nanotube Field Emitters

We correlate the failure in miniature X‐ray tubes with the field emission gate leakage current of gated carbon nanotube emitters. The miniature X‐ray tube, even with a small gate leakage current, exhibits an induced voltage on the gate electrode by the anode bias voltage, resulting in a very unstable operation and finally a failure. The induced gate voltage is apparently caused by charging at the insulating spacer of the miniature X‐ray tube through the gate leakage current of the field emission. The gate leakage current could be a criterion for the successful fabrication of miniature X‐ray tubes.     

Linearity improvement of cascode low-noise amplifiers using double DS method with a tuned inductor

We propose a highly linear low-noise amplifier (LNA) using the double derivative superposition method with a tuned inductor. This topology has an auxiliary common gate stage of the cascode amplifier to cancel each third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) component and can provide a high third-order input intercept point (IIP3) for the 5.25 GHz frequency band. From the simulation results using the TSMC 0.18 μm RF CMOS process, the IIP3 in the proposed cascode LNAs can be improved by 9 dB, compared with the conventional derivative superposition method. The proposed LNA achieves an IIP3 of + 15 dBm with a gain of 10.5 dB, a noise figure of 2.4 dB, and a power consumption of 6 mA at 1.5 V.     

A vertically periodic defected ground structure and its application in reducing the size of microwave circuits

The microstrip and coplanar waveguide transmission lines combined by a vertically periodic defected ground structure (VPDGS) are proposed. The slow-wave effect, equivalent circuit, and the performances are shown. As an application example, VPDGS is adopted in the matching networks of an amplifier for size-reduction. Two series microstrip lines in input and output matching networks of the amplifier are reduced to 38.5% and 44.4% of the original lengths, respectively, due to the increased slow-wave effects, while the amplifier performances are preserved.     

High‐Performance Dual‐Circularly Polarized Reflector Antenna Feed

This paper presents a high‐performance dual‐circularly polarized feed employing a dielectric‐filled circular waveguide. Novel features are incorporated in the proposed feed, such as a dielectric rod radiator for high gain and good impedance matching; dual quarter‐wave chokes for low axial ratio over wide angles and for low back radiation; an integrated septum polarizer; and two end‐launch‐type coaxial‐to‐waveguide transitions. The proposed feed shows excellent performance at 5.0 GHz to 5.2 GHz.     

Analysis of Resolution and Noise Properties of Nonquadratically Regularized Image Reconstruction Methods for PET

We present accurate and efficient methods for estimating the spatial resolution and noise properties of nonquadratically regularized image reconstruction for positron emission tomography (PET). It is well known that quadratic regularization tends to over-smooth sharp edges. Many types of edge-preserving nonquadratic penalties have been proposed to overcome this problem. However, there has been little research on the quantitative analysis of nonquadratic regularization due to its nonlinearity. In contrast, quadratically regularized estimators are approximately linear and are well understood in terms of resolution and variance properties. We derive new approximate expressions for the linearized local perturbation response (LLPR) and variance using the Taylor expansion with the remainder term. Although the expressions are implicit, we can use them to accurately predict resolution and variance for nonquadratic regularization where the conventional expressions based on the first-order Taylor truncation fail. They also motivate us to extend the use of a certainty-based modified penalty to nonquadratic regularization cases in order to achieve spatially uniform perturbation responses, analogous to uniform spatial resolution in quadratic regularization. Finally, we develop computationally efficient methods for predicting resolution and variance of nonquadratically regularized reconstruction and present simulations that illustrate the validity of these methods.     

Performance of Hybrid Laser Diodes Consisting of Silicon Slab and InP/InGaAsP Deep‐Ridge Waveguides

The fundamental transverse mode lasing of a hybrid laser diode is a prerequisite for efficient coupling to a single‐mode silicon waveguide, which is necessary for a wavelength‐division multiplexing silicon interconnection. We investigate the lasing mode profile for a hybrid laser diode consisting of silicon slab and InP/InGaAsP deep ridge waveguides. When the thickness of the top silicon is 220 nm, the fundamental transverse mode is lasing in spite of the wide waveguide width of 3.7µm. The threshold current is 40 mA, and the maximum output power is 5 mW under CW current operation. In the case of a thick top silicon layer (1 µm), the higher modes are lasing. There is no significant difference in the thermal resistance of the two devices.     

A flexible and highly sensitive strain-gauge sensor using reversible interlocking of nanofibres

Flexible skin-attachable strain-gauge sensors are an essential component in the development of artificial systems that can mimic the complex characteristics of the human skin. In general, such sensors contain a number of circuits or complex layered matrix arrays. Here, we present a simple architecture for a flexible and highly sensitive strain sensor that enables the detection of pressure, shear and torsion. The device is based on two interlocked arrays of high-aspect-ratio Pt-coated polymeric nanofibres that are supported on thin polydimethylsiloxane layers. When different sensing stimuli are applied, the degree of interconnection and the electrical resistance of the sensor changes in a reversible, directional manner with specific, discernible strain-gauge factors. The sensor response is highly repeatable and reproducible up to 10,000 cycles with excellent on/off switching behaviour. We show that the sensor can be used to monitor signals ranging from human heartbeats to the impact of a bouncing water droplet on a superhydrophobic surface.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of polyaniline nanofibers by interfacial polymerization

Polyaniline nanofibers were prepared by interfacial polymerization with different organic solvents such as chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the morphological properties of polyaniline nanofibers. Chemical characterization was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and surface area was measured using BET isotherm. Polyaniline nanofibers doped with lithium hexafluorophosphate were prepared and their electrochemical properties were evaluated.     

Influence of dietary vitamin E on behavior of Listeria monocytogenes and color stability in ground turkey meat following electron beam irradiation

There is growing concern that the free radical scavenging effect of antioxidants added to meats might reduce the antimicrobial effectiveness of ionizing radiation. A study was conducted to determine the effect of vitamin E on the behavior (growth) of Listeria monocytogenes and color stability in turkey meat following electron beam irradiation. Raw ground turkey breast meat from birds fed diets containing 0 (control), 50, 100, and 200 IU/kg of vitamin E was inoculated with a five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes to give approximately 10(7) CFU/g. Inoculated samples were irradiated at 0, 0.5, 1, and 2 kGy and stored aerobically (12 days) or under vacuum (42 days) at 4 degrees C. L. monocytogenes survivors were determined by plating samples on modified Oxford medium and counting colonies on modified Oxford medium plates after 48 h at 35 degrees C. Meat color was measured using a colorimeter. Irradiation at 2.0 kGy resulted in an approximately 3.5-log reduction of initial numbers of L. monocytogenes. There were no significant differences in D-values (decimal reduction times) for L. monocytogenes in meat irrespective of vitamin E treatment (P > 0.05). Also, vitamin E treatments did not affect growth of the pathogen in aerobic or vacuum-packaged samples following irradiation (P > 0.05). Compared with controls, irradiated meat from birds fed 100 or 200 IU/kg of vitamin E demonstrated significant improvement in color stability (lightness and redness values) during aerobic storage (P < 0.05). Dietary vitamin E (100 to 200 IU/kg) has good potential for improving the color stability of turkey meat without compromising the microbial safety of the irradiated product.