This letter presents a novel high-gain four-quadrant analog multiplier using only n-type enhancement indium- gallium-zinc-oxide thin-film-transistors. The proposed circuit improves the gain by using an active load with positive feedback. A Gilbert cell with a diode-connected load is also presented for comparison purposes. Both circuits were fabricated on glass at low temperature (200 °C) and were successfully characterized at room temperature under normal ambient conditions, with a power supply of 15 V and 4-pF capacitive load. The novel circuit has shown a gain improvement of 7.2 dB over the Gilbert cell with the diode-connected load. Static linearity response, total harmonic distortion, frequency response, and power consumption are reported. This circuit is an important signal processing building block in large-area sensing and readout systems, specially if data communication is involved. © 2016 IEEE.

The aim of presented work is to show the improvements obtained in the properties of TiO2 films for dye sensitized solar cells fabricated by inkjet printing using an innovative methodology. We describe the development and properties of TiO2-based inks used in a lab-scale printer, testing various commercial TiO2 pastes. The porosity of the deposited inkjet printed TiO2 films is much higher than using the conventional "doctor blade" deposition technique, as the ink solvent evaporates during the droplet fly from the nozzle to the substrate due to its picoliter volume and the applied heating of a printing stage (70°C). Thanks to higher surface area, the dye sensitized solar cells incorporating inkjet printed TiO2 film gave higher efficiencies (ηmax≈3.06%) than the more compact films obtained by the "doctor blade" method (ηmax≈2.56%). Furthermore, electrochemical analysis indicates that for whole tested thickness range, the inkjet printed layers have higher effective electron diffusion length indicating their better transport properties. © 2015 Elsevier Inc..

In response to the ongoing multidimensional change occurring in the external environment organizations are beginning to recognize management paradigms as Lean, Agile, Resilient and Green (LARG) as drivers to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The organizations need to adapt and create new business models. A systematic approach to integrate the LARG principles in a Business Model Canvas (BMC) perspective will be a step in the process of achieving the ideal approach. It will provide a broader perspective to identify critical factors to include in the organization's business model, how and why they are related, and which are the conditions and boundaries of these relationships. Although recognizing some limitations when trying to align LARG principles and the building blocks of BMC, this research aims to contribute to the discussion on creating an ideal type of business models to be integrate the LARG paradigm.

Oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors can show anomalous behavior under bias stress. Two types of anomalies are discussed in this paper. The first is the shift in threshold voltage (VTH) in a direction opposite to the applied bias stress, and highly dependent on gate dielectric material. We attribute this to charge trapping/detrapping and charge migration within the gate dielectric. We emphasize the fundamental difference between trapping/detrapping events occurring at the semiconductor/dielectric interface and those occurring at gate/dielectric interface, and show that charge migration is essential to explain the first anomaly. We model charge migration in terms of the non-instantaneous polarization density. The second type of anomaly is negative VTH shift under high positive bias stress, with logarithmic evolution in time. This can be argued as electron-donating reactions involving H2O molecules or derived species, with a reaction rate exponentially accelerated by positive gate bias and exponentially decreased by the number of reactions already occurred. © 2016 Author(s).

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{We consider stochastic Navier-Stokes equations in a 2D-bounded domain with the Navier with friction boundary condition. We establish the existence and the uniqueness of the solutions and study the vanishing viscosity limit. More precisely, we prove that solutions of stochastic Navier Stokes equations converge, as the viscosity goes to zero, to solutions of the corresponding stochastic Euler equations. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}

Molybdenum is found in the active site of enzymes usually coordinated by one or two pyranopterin molecules. Here, we mimic an enzyme with a mononuclear molybdenum-bis pyranopterin center by incorporating molybdenum in rubredoxin. In the molybdenum-substituted rubredoxin, the metal ion is coordinated by four sulfurs from conserved cysteine residues of the apo-rubredoxin and two other exogenous ligands, oxygen and thiol, forming a Mo((VI))-(S-Cys)4(O)(X) complex, where X represents -OH or -SR. The rubredoxin molybdenum center is stabilized in a Mo(VI) oxidation state, but can be reduced to Mo(IV) via Mo(V) by dithionite, being a suitable model for the spectroscopic properties of resting and reduced forms of molybdenum-bis pyranopterin-containing enzymes. Preliminary experiments indicate that the molybdenum site built in rubredoxin can promote oxo transfer reactions, as exemplified with the oxidation of arsenite to arsenate.

This paper investigates how to evaluate lean and green supply chain performance through a traditional Balanced Scorecard (BSC). To attain the paper's objective, in a first stage a literature review was carried out to provide a comprehensive understanding of how lean and green can be compatible in a supply chain, how the performance should be evaluated, and how the BSC can evaluate the lean and green supply chain performance. Next, a conceptual framework was developed to investigate how lean and green initiatives can affect supply chain performance. A causal diagram was used to represent the relationships between each lean and green measure through the traditional four BSC perspectives: financial, customer, internal business process and learning and growth. It is possible to recognize that lean and green initiatives influence the linkages between performance measures. These linkages were established by anecdotal evidence derived from the literature review; they are an example of how to evaluate the organization's supply chain. The proposed diagram can be the basis for further research in lean and green supply chain performance. To the author's knowledge, this study is the first to attempt to understand how to apply BSCs to evaluate the integration of lean and green paradigms on supply chain performance.

Eggshells from the three extant crocodilian species Crocodylus mindorensis (Philippine Crocodile), Paleosuchus palpebrosus (Cuvier's Smooth-fronted Caiman or Musky Caiman) and Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator or Common Alligator) were prepared for thin section and scanning electron microscope analyses and are described in order to improve the knowledge on crocodilian eggs anatomy and microstructure, and to find new apomorphies that can be used for identification. Both extant and fossil crocodilian eggs present an ornamentation that vary as anastomo-, ramo- or the here newly described rugosocavate type. The angusticaniculate pore system is a shared character for Crocodylomorpha eggshells and some dinosaurian and avian groups. Previously reported signs of incubated crocodilian eggs were found also on our only fertilised and hatched egg. Paleosuchus palpebrosus presents unique organization and morphology of the three eggshell layers, with a relatively thin middle layer characterised by dense and compact tabular microstructure.

This study intends to characterize how the teacher uses and integrates the different representations provided by the graphing calculator on the process of teaching and learning functions at the secondary level. Specifically, it intends to understand the balance established between the use of the different representations, and the way these representations are articulated. The conclusions reached point to an active use of the graphic and algebraic representations and to a scarce use of the tabular representation. The conclusions also point to a flexible articulation between the two representations usual used, assuming different forms and frequently an interactive approach, repeatedly switching between representations.

THE IMPACT OF THE CULTURAL CONTEXT ON THE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE OF THE TEACHER

H. Rocha

Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (PORTUGAL)

The professional knowledge is a key element of the teacher’s practice. This knowledge is naturally influenced by the teacher’s beliefs and conceptions and by his training, but the context where he develops his practice is perhaps the most decisive influence. At this level, the school where the teacher works and his colleagues are a powerful influence, but the characteristics of his students are even a stronger influence. The cultural diversity of the students and specifically the linguistic diversity are highly relevant elements. A classroom where different languages converge is always a complex context which requires a deeper professional knowledge with inevitable repercussions over the teacher’s practice.

This study focuses on a teacher working with a mathematics’ class of foreign students with heavy linguistic limitations on the language of instruction and it intends to analyze the impact of this context on the teacher’s practice. In particular, it intends to analyze how this context interferes with the characteristics of the tasks proposed by the teacher and with the way how mathematical concepts are presented to the students.

The study adopts a qualitative and interpretative methodological approach, undertaking one teacher case study. Data were collected during one school year by semi-structured interviews, class observation, and documental data gathering. All interviews and classes observed were audio taped and transcribed. Data analysis was conducted in an interpretative way.

The conclusions reached point to an increase on the appreciation of mechanization, to a large reduction in the use of problematic situations and to a presentation of Mathematics as calculation, disconnected from any application, and where reasoning appears as a marginal element or is even missing. The use of several examples becomes a key element of the practice of this teacher. The main finding of this study suggests that language limitations caused a strong impact on the practice of a teacher who considers the understanding and the development of reasoning from the discussion around mathematical ideas as central to the teaching of this subject. It was also possible to identify that the need to find a way to communicate reinforced the formalism of the mathematical language, placing it in the center of the learning process.

Keywords: cultural context, teacher’s practice, mathematics.

http://docentes.fct.unl.pt/lblm/files/jbic-2015-20-821.pdf