bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secularism and the cultures of nineteenth-century scientific naturalism
Authors: RECTENWALD MICHAEL
Published: August 2012

This essay examines Secularism as developed by George Jacob Holyoake in 1851–1852. While historians have noted the importance of evolutionary thought for freethinking radicals from the 1840s, and others have traced the popularization of agnosticism and Darwinian evolution by later Victorian freethinkers, insufficient attention has been paid to mid-century Secularism as constitutive of the cultural and intellectual environment necessary for the promotion and relative success of scientific naturalism. I argue that Secularism was a significant source for the emerging new creed of scientific naturalism in the mid-nineteenth century. Not only did early Secularism help clear the way by fighting battles with the state and religious interlocutors, but it also served as a source for what Huxley, almost twenty years later, termed ‘agnosticism’. Holyoake modified freethought in the early 1850s, as he forged connections with middle-class literary radicals and budding scientific naturalists, some of whom met in a ‘Confidential Combination’ of freethinkers. Secularism became the new creed for this coterie. Later, Secularism promoted and received reciprocal support from the most prominent group of scientific naturalists, as Holyoake used Bradlaugh's atheism and neo-Malthusianism as a foil, and maintained relations with Huxley, Spencer and Tyndall through the end of the century. In Holyoake's Secularism we find the beginnings of the mutation of radical infidelity into the respectability necessary for the acceptance of scientific naturalism, and also the distancing of later forms of infidelity incompatible with it. Holyoake's Secularism represents an important early stage of scientific naturalism.
Antioxidant status and its association with elevated depressive symptoms among US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2005–6
Authors: Beydoun May A. , Beydoun Hind A. , Boueiz Adel , Shroff Monal R. , Zonderman Alan B.
Published: August 2012

We examined the relationship of elevated depressive symptoms with antioxidant status. Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2005–6 on US adults aged 20–85 years were analysed. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire with a score cut-off point of 10 to define ‘elevated depressive symptoms’. Serum antioxidant status was measured by serum levels of carotenoids, retinol (free and retinyl esters), vitamin C and vitamin E. The main analyses consisted of multiple logistic and zero-inflated Poisson regression models, taking into account sampling design complexity. The final sample consisted of 1798 US adults with complete data. A higher total serum carotenoid level was associated with a lower likelihood of elevated depressive symptoms with a reduction in the odds by 37 % overall with eachsdincrease in exposure, and by 34 % among women (P< 0·05). A dose–response relationship was observed when total serum carotenoids were expressed as quartiles (Q4 (1·62–10·1 μmol/l)v.Q1(0·06–0·86 μmol/l): OR 0·41; 95 % CI 0·23, 0·76,P< 0·001;Pfor trend = 0·035), though no significant associations were found with the other antioxidant levels. Among carotenoids, β-carotene (men and women combined) and lutein+zeaxanthins (women only, after control for dietary lutein+zeaxanthin intake and supplement use) had an independent inverse association with elevated depressive symptoms among US adults. None of the other serum antioxidants had a significant association with depressive symptoms, independently of total carotenoids and other covariates. In conclusion, total carotenoids (mainly β-carotene and lutein+zeaxanthins) in serum were associated with reduced levels of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling US adults.
Associations of plasma phospholipid fatty acids with plasma homocysteine in Chinese vegetarians
Authors: Huang Tao , Yu Xiaomei , Shou Tianxing , Wahlqvist Mark L. , Li Duo
Published: August 2012

The association of plasma phospholipid (PL) fatty acid composition with plasma homocysteine (Hcy) in Chinese vegetarians is not understood. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the plasma PL fatty acid status, and its association with plasma Hcy in Chinese vegetarians and omnivores. A total of 103 male vegetarians and 128 male omnivores were recruited in Linyin Temple, Hangzhou. Plasma Hcy and PL fatty acid concentrations were determined by standard methods. Compared with omnivores, plasma PLn-3 PUFA (P< 0·001), 22 : 6n-3 (P< 0·001), 22 : 5n-6 (P= 0·021), 22 : 2n-6 (P< 0·001) and SFA (P= 0·017) were significantly lower, while plasma PLn-6 PUFA (P= 0·007) and total PUFA (P< 0·001) were significantly higher in vegetarians. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) in vegetarians (26·47 %) was significantly higher than that in omnivores (13·28 %). In vegetarians, plasma PL 22 : 6n-3 (r− 0·257,P= 0·046) was significantly negatively associated with plasma Hcy. In omnivores, plasma PL 18 : 1n-7 (r0·237,P= 0·030) was significantly positively associated with plasma Hcy. Plasma PL 22 : 6n-3 (r− 0·217,P= 0·048) was negatively associated with plasma Hcy in omnivores. Plasma PL SFA were positively associated with the prevalence of HHcy. It would seem appropriate for vegetarians to increase their dietaryn-3 PUFA and decrease dietary SFA, and thus reduce the risk of HHcy.
Agreement of bioelectrical impedance with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and MRI to estimate changes in body fat, skeletal muscle and visceral fat during a 12-month weight loss intervention
Authors: Pietiläinen Kirsi H. , Kaye Sanna , Karmi Anna , Suojanen Laura , Rissanen Aila , Virtanen Kirsi A.
Published: August 2012

The aim of the present study was to analyse the agreement of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and MRI in estimating body fat, skeletal muscle and visceral fat during a 12-month weight loss intervention. A total of nineteen obese adults (twelve females, seven males) aged 20·2–48·6 years, mean BMI 34·6 (se 0·6) kg/m2, participated in the study. Body fat, skeletal muscle and visceral fat index were measured by BIA (Omron BF-500; Omron Medizintechnik) and compared with DXA (body fat and skeletal muscle) at baseline, 5 and 12 months, and with MRI (visceral fat) at baseline and 5 months. The subjects lost 8·9 (se 1·8) kg (9·0 (se 1·7) %) of body weight during the 12-month intervention. BIA, as compared to DXA, accurately assessed loss of fat (7·0 (se 1·5) v. 7·0 (se 1·4) kg, P= 0·94) and muscle (1·0 (se 0·2) v. 1·4 (se 0·3) kg, P= 0·18). While body fat was similar by the two methods, skeletal muscle was underestimated by 1–2 kg using BIA at each time point. Compared to MRI, BIA overestimated visceral fat, especially in males. BIA and DXA showed high correlations for kg fat, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally (r 0·91–0·99). BIA, compared with DXA and MRI, detected kg muscle and visceral fat more accurately cross-sectionally (r 0·77–0·87 and r 0·40–0·78, respectively) than their changes longitudinally (r 0·24–0·61 and r 0·46, respectively). BIA is at its best when assessing the amount or changes in fat mass. It is a useful method for measuring skeletal muscle, but limited in its ability to measure visceral fat.
Immunoprotective effects of oral intake of heat-killed Lactobacillus pentosus strain b240 in elderly adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Shinkai Shoji , Toba Masamichi , Saito Takao , Sato Ikutaro , Tsubouchi Mina , Taira Kiyoto , Kakumoto Keiji , Inamatsu Takashi , Yoshida Hiroto , Fujiwara Yoshinori , Fukaya Taro , Matsumoto Tetsuya , Tateda Kazuhiro , Yamaguchi Keizo , Kohda Noriyuki , Kohno Shigeru
Published: September 2012

Oral intake of Lactobacillus pentosus strain b240 (b240) has been shown to enhance the secretion of salivary secretory IgA in elderly adults. However, its clinical benefits remain to be determined. We tested the hypothesis that b240 exerts a protective effect against the common cold in elderly adults. The design of the present study was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with parallel three-group comparison. For this purpose, 300 eligible elderly adults were randomly allocated to one of three groups, namely a placebo, low-dose or high-dose b240 group. Participants in the low-dose and high-dose b240 groups were given tablets containing 2 × 109 or 2 × 1010 cells, respectively, of heat-killed b240, while those in the placebo group were given tablets without b240. Each group consumed their respective tablets once daily for 20 weeks. The common cold was assessed on the basis of a diary. Change in quality of life was evaluated using the SF-36®. Of the total participants, 280 completed the 20-week RCT. The accumulated incidence rate of the common cold was 47·3, 34·8 and 29·0 % for the placebo, low-dose b240 and high-dose b240 groups, respectively (P for trend = 0·012). Lower incidence rates were consistently observed throughout the experimental period in the b240 groups (log-rank test, P= 0·034). General health perception, as determined by the SF-36®, dose-dependently increased in the b240 groups (P for trend = 0·016). In conclusion, oral intake of b240 significantly reduced the incidence rate of the common cold in elderly adults, indicating that b240 might be useful in improving resistance against infection through mucosal immunity.
¿Soy Emo, Y Qué? Sad Kids, Punkera Dykes and the Latin@ Public Sphere
Authors: LÓPEZ MARISSA
Published: August 2012

In March and April of 2008, emo youth in Mexican and Latin American metropoles were vulnerable to violent, physical attacks, which the world witnessed, aghast, via YouTube. Journalists, pundits, and cultural commentators around the globe wondered, first, how to define “emo”; second, how to explain its presence in Mexico and Latin America; and third, whence such a violent reaction? This essay tackles those questions, and tries to think through emo to something more than the post-NAFTA angst to which it has been commonly ascribed in the US and Mexican media. Tracing a route from US Chicano punk and new wave, to Mexico's self-proclaimed emo youth, to Myriam Gurba's short fiction featuring southern California's Chicana dyke-punk communities, I ask how emo travels, and how these highly self-conscious and very public performances of affect speak to the intersections of race and gender in twenty-first-century Latin@ and Latin American youth culture.
Is there a bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive ability in older people? A prospective study using the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Gale C. R. , Allerhand M. , Deary I. J.
Published: September 2012

Background

Cross-sectional surveys of older people commonly find associations between higher levels of depressive symptoms and poorer cognitive performance, but the direction of effect is unclear. We examined whether there was a bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and general cognitive ability in non-demented older people, and explored the role of physical health, smoking, exercise, social class and education as potential confounders of this association and as possible determinants of the rate of change of cognitive decline and depressive symptoms.

Method

The English Longitudinal Study of Ageing consists of people aged 50 years and over. Cognitive function and self-reported depressive symptoms were measured in 2002–2003, 2004–2005, 2006–2007 and 2008–2009. We fitted linear piecewise models with fixed knot positions to allow different slopes for different age groups. Analyses are based on 8611 people.

Results

Mean cognitive function declined with age; there was no trend in the trajectory of depressive symptoms. Better cognitive function was associated with less depression up to the age of 80 years. Greater depression was associated with a slightly faster rate of cognitive decline but only in people aged 60–80 years. There were no consistent associations across age groups between sex, smoking, education, social class, exercise or number of chronic physical illnesses and the rate of change of cognitive decline or depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

In this longitudinal study of older people, there was no consistent evidence that being more depressed led to an acceleration in cognitive decline and no support for the hypothesis that there might be reciprocal dynamic influences between cognitive ability and depressive symptoms.
Shadows in the Sun: Context, Process, and Performance in Ethiopia
Authors: Riccio Thomas
Published: August 2012

Andegna (The First) was developed and performed during the fall and winter of 2009–10 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This article examines the complex social, political, and cultural contexts that informed the training, workshops, and process of creating an ensemble and performance in a time of national transformation. Urbanization and the crossing currents of Africa, Islam, Christian Orthodoxy, capitalism, the West, and technology prompted the re-conceptualization of performance, its function, and expression. In this article Thomas Riccio highlights the methodologies of reinventing an indigenous performance that is respectful of local traditions yet contemporary and accessible. He discusses how performance provides a forum for revealing social, political, and cultural trauma, and itself becomes an act of affirmation – an assertion of protest and healing that makes visible, immediate, and tactile the histories and unresolved issues haunting modern Ethiopia. Thomas Riccio, is Professor of Performance and Aesthetic Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas, having previously been Professor of Theatre at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Artistic Director of Chicago's Organic Theater Company, Resident Director and Dramaturg, the Cleveland Play House, Assistant Literary Director at the American Repertory Theatre, Visiting Professor at the University of Dar es Salaam and the Korean National University for the Arts, and Artistic Director of Tuma Theatre, an Alaska Native performance group. He has worked extensively in the area of indigenous performance, ritual, and shamanism, conducting workshops, research, and devising numerous performances in Africa, Russia, Siberia, Korea, China, Vietnam, and Alaska. He was declared a ‘Cultural Hero’ of the Sakha Republic in central Siberia.
Developing a nutrition intervention in children's centres: exploring views of parents in rural/urban settings in the UK
Authors: Ohly Heather R , Hayter Arabella , Pettinger Clare , Pikhart Hynek , Watt Richard G , Rees Gail A
Published: August 2012

Objective

The present study explored parents’ requirements for healthy eating support prior to the development of a tailored intervention.

Design

A cross-sectional study of parents attending children's centres.

Setting

Children's centres in Cornwall (rural south-west England) and Islington (urban London borough).

Subjects

A total of 261 parents (94·2 % female) of pre-school children (aged 2–5 years) completed a questionnaire on factors influencing food choice, and preferences for and views on healthy eating support.

Results

Parents reported that health, taste, freshness and quality were the most important factors influencing their food choices for their pre-school children. The importance of individual factors varied according to level of educational attainment. Over a third (38 %) of parents said they wanted more advice on healthy eating for children. Less educated parents showed the greatest interest in learning more about several aspects: what a ‘healthy diet’ means, how to prepare and cook healthy food, how to understand food labels, budgeting for food, examples of healthy food and snacks for children, appropriate portion sizes for children and ways to encourage children to eat well.

Conclusions

There was demand for healthy eating support among parents of pre-school children, especially those who are less educated, in one rural and one urban area of England.
ASP modulo CSP: The clingcon system
Authors: OSTROWSKI MAX , SCHAUB TORSTEN
Published: September 2012

We present the hybrid ASP solver clingcon, combining the simple modeling language and the high performance Boolean solving capacities of Answer Set Programming (ASP) with techniques for using non-Boolean constraints from the area of Constraint Programming (CP). The new clingcon system features an extended syntax supporting global constraints and optimize statements for constraint variables. The major technical innovation improves the interaction between ASP and CP solver through elaborated learning techniques based on irreducible inconsistent sets. A broad empirical evaluation shows that these techniques yield a performance improvement of an order of magnitude.
Inference in probabilistic logic programs with continuous random variables
Authors: ISLAM MUHAMMAD ASIFUL , RAMAKRISHNAN C. R. , RAMAKRISHNAN I. V.
Published: September 2012

Probabilistic Logic Programming (PLP), exemplified by Sato and Kameya's PRISM, Poole's ICL, Raedt et al.'s ProbLog and Vennekens et al.'s LPAD, is aimed at combining statistical and logical knowledge representation and inference. However, the inference techniques used in these works rely on enumerating sets of explanations for a query answer. Consequently, these languages permit very limited use of random variables with continuous distributions. In this paper, we present a symbolic inference procedure that uses constraints and represents sets of explanations without enumeration. This permits us to reason over PLPs with Gaussian or Gamma-distributed random variables (in addition to discrete-valued random variables) and linear equality constraints over reals. We develop the inference procedure in the context of PRISM; however the procedure's core ideas can be easily applied to other PLP languages as well. An interesting aspect of our inference procedure is that PRISM's query evaluation process becomes a special case in the absence of any continuous random variables in the program. The symbolic inference procedure enables us to reason over complex probabilistic models such as Kalman filters and a large subclass of Hybrid Bayesian networks that were hitherto not possible in PLP frameworks.
Multi-threaded ASP solving with clasp
Authors: GEBSER MARTIN , KAUFMANN BENJAMIN , SCHAUB TORSTEN
Published: September 2012

We present the new multi-threaded version of the state-of-the-art answer set solverclasp. We detail its component and communication architecture and illustrate how they support the principal functionalities ofclasp. Also, we provide some insights into the data representation used for different constraint types handled byclasp. All this is accompanied by an extensive experimental analysis of the major features related to multi-threading inclasp.
Free Access to Law in Canada
Authors: Poulin Daniel
Published: September 2012

Today, the level of access to legal information in Canada equals or surpasses that of any country. Not only do several commercial publishers compete to sell their publications but, in recent years, legislatures, many courts and tribunals have built significant repositories on the web. However, the most spectacular advance has come through the creation of CanLII. In this paper, the Daniel Poulin looks at why and how the Free Access to Law (FAL) approach came about in Canada. He sketches the principles supporting free access, but he tries also to make the business case for establishing it.
Legal Project Management: Passing Fad or Here to Stay?
Authors: Mullan James
Published: September 2012

In this article, James Mullan addresses the recent trend relating legal project management (LPM) by law firms and assesses the long term potential for this concept. In addition, he seeks to identify how those in the law library and information profession can play a significant role in its introduction and development within a firm.
NetNotes
Authors: Phillips Thomas E.
Published: September 2012

Selected postings from the Microscopy Listserver from May 1, 2012 to July 1, 2012. Complete listings and subscription information can be obtained at http://www.microscopy.com. Postings may have been edited to conserve space or for clarity.
Solid-State Nanopores: From Fabrication to Application
Authors: Hall Adam R.
Published: September 2012

There are relatively few technologies for measurement at the single-molecule scale. Fluorescent imaging, for example, can be used to directly visualize molecules and their interactions, but diffraction limitations and labeling requirements may push the system from its native state. Although recent advances in super-resolution imaging have been able to break this resolution barrier, important challenges remain. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is capable of imaging molecules at high resolution and at high speed. However, AFM imaging is a surface technique, requiring sample preparation and some immobilization. Other technologies such as optical tweezers and magnetic tweezers are capable of molecular manipulation and spectroscopy to great effect but require a significant apparatus and have limited inherent analytical capabilities.
SN1987A: the X-ray remnant at age 25 years
Authors: Burrows David N. , Park Sangwook , Helder Eveline A. , Dewey Daniel , McCray Richard , Zhekov Svetozar A. , Racusin Judith L. , Dwek Eli
Published: September 2012

SN1987A is the best-studied core-collapse supernova in the sky. We know what the progenitor was, what the circumstellar environment was, and what the explosion looked like over a broad electromagnetic bandpass and in neutrinos. For over a decade, the Chandra X-ray Observatory has been monitoring SN1987A on a regular basis, obtaining resolved images of the developing interaction with the circumstellar material, as well as high resolution grating spectroscopy of the X-ray emission. We highlight the latest results from this campaign and discuss the overall picture of the remnant's structure that emerges from these observations.
The Local Environments of Core-Collapse SNe within Host Galaxies
Authors: Anderson Joseph P , Habergham Stacey M , James Phil A , Hamuy M
Published: September 2012

We present constraints on core-collapse supernova progenitors through observations of their environments within host galaxies. This is achieved through 2 routes. Firstly, we investigate the spatial correlation of supernovae with host galaxy star formation using pixel statistics. We find that the main supernova types form a sequence of increasing association to star formation. The most logical interpretation is that this implies an increasing progenitor mass sequence going from the supernova type Ia arising from the lowest mass, through the type II, type Ib, and the supernova type Ic arising from the highest mass progenitors. We find the surprising result that the supernova type IIn show a lower association to star formation than type IIPs, implying lower mass progenitors. Secondly, we use host HII region spectroscopy to investigate differences in environment metallicity between different core-collapse types. We find that supernovae of types Ibc arise in slightly higher metallicity environments than type II events. However, this difference is not significant, implying that progenitor metallicity does not play a dominant role in deciding supernova type.
Dust and metal column densities in GRB host galaxies
Authors: Schady P. , Dwelly T. , Page M. J. , Greiner J. , Krühler T. , Savaglio S. , Oates S. , Rau A. ,   the GROND and UVOT teams
Published: September 2012

The immensely bright and intrinsically simple afterglow spectra of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have proven to be highly effective probes of the interstellar dust and gas in distant, star-forming galaxies. Despite significant progress, many aspects of the host galaxy attenuating material are still poorly understood. There is considerable discrepancy between the amount of X-ray and optical afterglow absorption, with the former typically an order of magnitude higher than what would be expected from the optical line absorption of neutral element species. Similar inconsistencies exist between the abundance of interstellar dust derived from spectroscopic and photometric data, and the relation between the line-of-sight and integrated host galaxy interstellar medium (ISM) remains unclear. In these proceedings we present our analysis on both spectroscopic and photometric multi-wavelength GRB afterglow data, and summarise some of the more recent results on the attenuation properties of the ISM within GRB host galaxies.
X-rays, γ-rays and neutrinos from collisionless shocks in supernova wind breakouts
Authors: Katz Boaz , Sapir Nir , Waxman Eli
Published: September 2012

Some of the observed bursts of X-rays/Gamma-rays associated with supernovae (SNe) as well as very luminous SNe may result from the breakout of the SN shock from an optically thick wind surrounding the progenitor. We show that in such scenarios a collisionless shock necessarily forms during the shock breakout. An intense non-thermal flash of ≲1 MeV gamma rays, hard X-rays and multi-TeV neutrinos is produced simultaneously with and following the typical soft X-ray breakout emission, carrying similar or larger energy than the soft emission. The non-thermal flash is detectable by current X-ray telescopes and may be detectable out to 10's of Mpc by km-scale neutrino telescopes.
Searching for X-ray counterparts of Fermi Gamma-ray pulsars in Suzaku observations
Authors: Aoki Yu , Enomoto Takahiro , Yatsu Yoichi , Kawai Nobuyuki , Nakamori Takeshi , Kataoka Jun , Parkinson P. Saz
Published: September 2012

We report the Suzaku follow-up observations of the Gamma-ray pulsars, 1FGL J0614,13328, J1044.55737, J1741.82101, and J1813.31246, which were discovered by the Fermi Gamma-ray observatory. Analysing Suzaku/XIS data, we detected X-ray counterparts of these pulsars in the Fermi error circle and interpreted their spectra with absorbed power-law functions. These results indicate that the origin of these X-ray sources is non-thermal emission from the pulsars or from Pulsar Wind Nebulae (PWNe) surrounding them. Moreover we found that J1741.82101 exhibits a peculiar profile: spin-down luminosity vs flux ratio between X- and gamma-rays is unusually large compared to usual radio pulsars.
Neutrinos from GRBs and their detection with ANTARES
Authors: Astraatmadja Tri L.
Published: September 2012

The detection principle of ANTARES and its sensitivity to GRB neutrinos will be discussed. Latest analysis of ANTARES data in coincidence with GRB direction and time of occurence will also be presented, as well as the prospects of neutrino detection with KM3NeT, the km3 neutrino telescope that will succeed ANTARES.
A new equation of state Based on Nuclear Statistical Equilibrium for Core-Collapse Simulations
Authors: Furusawa Shun , Yamada Shoichi , Sumiyoshi Kohsuke , Suzuki Hideyuki
Published: September 2012

We calculate a new equation of state for baryons at sub-nuclear densities for the use in core-collapse simulations of massive stars. The formulation is the nuclear statistical equilibrium description and the liquid drop approximation of nuclei. The model free energy to minimize is calculated by relativistic mean field theory for nucleons and the mass formula for nuclei with atomic number up to ~ 1000. We have also taken into account the pasta phase. We find that the free energy and other thermodynamical quantities are not very different from those given in the standard EOSs that adopt the single nucleus approximation. On the other hand, the average mass is systematically different, which may have an important effect on the rates of electron captures and coherent neutrino scatterings on nuclei in supernova cores.
An X-ray study of mass-loss rate and wind acceleration of massive stars
Authors: Maeda Yoshitomo , Sugawara Yasuharu ,   the WR140 collaborations
Published: September 2012

By monitoring WC7 and the O5.5 binary WR 140 with the Suzaku telescope, we demonstrate a new method to measure the mass loss rates of both stars. By using the absorption column density, we found a mass-loss rate for the WC7 component: ṀWC7 ≈ 1.2 × 10−5 M⊙ yr−1. We also measured the mass-loss rate of the companion O component using a luminosity variation in phases: ṀO5.5 ≈ 5 × 10−7 M⊙ yr−1.
Stellar Core Collapse and Exotic Matter
Authors: Nakazato Ken'ichiro , Sumiyoshi Kohsuke
Published: September 2012

Some supernovae and gamma-ray bursts are thought to accompany a black hole formation. In the process of a black hole formation, a central core becomes hot and dense enough for hyperons and quarks to appear. In this study, we perform neutrino-radiation hydrodynamical simulations of a stellar core collapse and black hole formation taking into account such exotic components. In our computation, general relativity is fully considered under spherical symmetry. As a result, we find that the additional degrees of freedom soften the equation of state of matter and promote the black hole formation. Furthermore, their effects are detectable as a neutrino signal. We believe that the properties of hot and dense matter at extreme conditions are essential for the studies on the astrophysical black hole formation. This study will be hopefully a first step toward a physics of the central engine of gamma-ray bursts.
Early Time Bolometric Light Curves of Type-II Supernovae Observed by Swift
Authors: Pritchard T. A. , Roming P. W. A.
Published: September 2012

We present early time (~0-50 days) bolometric light curves of UV-bright Core Collapse Supernovae observed with the Swift UV/Optical Telescope. We also generate pseudo-bolometric light curves from Swift UV and optical data and examine these by subtype as well as the observed and interpolated UV and IR flux contributions by epoch and bolometric corrections at early times from UV data.
Study of emission mechanism of GRBs probed by the gamma-ray polarization with IKAROS-GAP
Authors: Yonetoku Daisuke , Murakami Toshio , Sakashita Tomonori , Morihara Yoshiyuki , Gunji Shuichi , Mihara Tatehiro , Toma Kenji ,   GAP team
Published: September 2012

We report a polarization measurement in prompt γ-ray emission of GRB 100826A with the Gamma-Ray Burst Polarimeter (GAP) aboard the small solar power sail demonstrator IKAROS. We detected a firm change of polarization angle (PA) during the prompt emission with 99.9% (3.5 σ) confidence level, and an average polarization degree (Π) of 27 ± 11% with 99.4% (2.9 σ) confidence level. Here the quoted errors are given at 1 σ confidence level for two parameters of interest. Non-axisymmetric (e.g., patchy) structures of the magnetic fields and/or brightness inside the relativistic jet are therefore required within the observable angular scale of ~ Γ−1. Our observation strongly indicates that the polarization measurement is a powerful tool to constrain the GRB production mechanism, and more theoretical works are needed to discuss the data in more details.
Role of an Ideomotor Mechanism in Number Processing
Authors: Badets Arnaud , Koch Iring , Toussaint Lucette
Published: August 2012

The ideomotor principle predicts that the anticipation of expected sensory consequences precedes and controls voluntary goal-directed movements. Recent studies have revealed that an ideomotor mechanism could also support the link between finger movements and number processing. However, it is unknown whether such a mechanism is devoted to number processing per se, that is, without associated movement. In three experiments, we tested whether the ideomotor mechanism was also involved in a verbal number production task without associated goal-directed and motor dimensions. We tested this hypothesis in a response-effect (R-E) paradigm generally used to assess the ideomotor mechanisms. The results of Experiment 1 revealed a compatibility effect both in a stimulus-response task and an R-E task, suggesting the involvement of an ideomotor mechanism during number processing. More importantly, Experiment 2 revealed that performance in a motor imagery task correlated with the R-E compatibility effect, whereas performance in a visual imagery task did not, suggesting a distinct motor imagery contribution to R-E compatibility. Finally, Experiment 3 showed a strong R-E compatibility effect in a verbal word production task, but the correlations with motor or visual imagery tasks were not observed. Altogether, these findings suggest that ideomotor mechanisms play a specific and functional role in number processing.
A nonequilibrium model for reactive contaminant transport through fractured porous media: Model development and semianalytical solution
Authors: Joshi Nitin , Ojha C. S. P. , Sharma P. K.
Published: September 2012

In this study a conceptual model that accounts for the effects of nonequilibrium contaminant transport in a fractured porous media is developed. Present model accounts for both physical and sorption nonequilibrium. Analytical solution was developed using the Laplace transform technique, which was then numerically inverted to obtain solute concentration in the fracture matrix system. The semianalytical solution developed here can incorporate both semi‐infinite and finite fracture matrix extent. In addition, the model can account for flexible boundary conditions and nonzero initial condition in the fracture matrix system. The present semianalytical solution was validated against the existing analytical solutions for the fracture matrix system. In order to differentiate between various sorption/transport mechanism different cases of sorption and mass transfer were analyzed by comparing the breakthrough curves and temporal moments. It was found that significant differences in the signature of sorption and mass transfer exists. Applicability of the developed model was evaluated by simulating the published experimental data of Calcium and Strontium transport in a single fracture. The present model simulated the experimental data reasonably well in comparison to the model based on equilibrium sorption assumption in fracture matrix system, and multi rate mass transfer model.
Quantifying the regional water footprint of biofuel production by incorporating hydrologic modeling
Authors: Wu M. , Chiu Y. , Demissie Y.
Published: September 2012

A spatially explicit life cycle water analysis framework is proposed, in which a standardized water footprint methodology is coupled with hydrologic modeling to assess blue water, green water (rainfall), and agricultural grey water discharge in the production of biofuel feedstock at county‐level resolution. Grey water is simulated via SWAT, a watershed model. Evapotranspiration (ET) estimates generated with the Penman‐Monteith equation and crop parameters were verified by using remote sensing results, a satellite‐imagery‐derived data set, and other field measurements. Crop irrigation survey data are used to corroborate the estimate of irrigation ET. An application of the concept is presented in a case study for corn‐stover‐based ethanol grown in Iowa (United States) within the Upper Mississippi River basin. Results show vast spatial variations in the water footprint of stover ethanol from county to county. Producing 1 L of ethanol from corn stover growing in the Iowa counties studied requires from 4.6 to 13.1 L of blue water (with an average of 5.4 L), a majority (86%) of which is consumed in the biorefinery. The county‐level green water (rainfall) footprint ranges from 760 to 1000 L L−1. The grey water footprint varies considerably, ranging from 44 to 1579 L, a 35‐fold difference, with a county average of 518 L. This framework can be a useful tool for watershed‐ or county‐level biofuel sustainability metric analysis to address the heterogeneity of the water footprint for biofuels.
Mentored undergraduate research in the geosciences
Authors: Judge Shelley , Pollock Meagen , Wiles Greg , Wilson Mark
Published: September 2012

There is little argument about the merits of undergraduate research, but it can seem like a complex, resource‐intensive endeavor [e.g., Laursen et al., 2010; Lopatto, 2009; Hunter et al., 2006]. Although mentored undergraduate research can be challenging, the authors of this feature have found that research programs are strengthened when students and faculty collaborate to build new knowledge. Faculty members in the geology department at The College of Wooster have conducted mentored undergraduate research with their students for more than 60 years and have developed a highly effective program that enhances the teaching, scholarship, and research of our faculty and provides life‐changing experiences for our students. Other colleges and universities have also implemented successful mentored undergraduate research programs in the geosciences. For instance, the 18 Keck Geology Consortium schools (http://keckgeology.org/), Princeton University, and other institutions have been recognized for their senior capstone experiences by U.S. News & World Report.
Equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics associated with high‐speed solar wind streams during January–April 2007
Authors: Huang Chao‐Song
Published: September 2012

High‐speed solar wind streams cause recurrent geomagnetic activity and ionospheric disturbances. In this study, we analyze the equatorial ionospheric ion drift measured by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites near dusk when high‐speed solar wind streams with a period of 13.5 days occurred during January–April 2007. A well‐defined quantitative correlation between the solar wind velocity and the equatorial ionospheric ion drift is identified for the first time. The plasma drift in the dusk equatorial ionosphere induced by high‐speed solar wind streams is eastward in the zonal direction and downward in the vertical direction at the altitude of DMSP orbit (∼840 km) during this low solar activity period (January–April 2007). The zonal component of the equatorial ionospheric ion drift is inversely correlated with the vertical component. The ionospheric ion zonal drift varies, on average, from −40 to 40 m s−1 when the solar wind velocity varies from 300 to 700 km s−1 over a 13.5 day period, and the ion vertical drift varies from 10 to −10 m s−1. The quantitative correlations between the solar wind velocity and ionospheric ion drift and between the vertical and zonal components of the ion drift velocity are important for understanding the equatorial ionospheric electrodynamics associated with high‐speed solar wind streams and for space weather prediction.
Generation of ELF and ULF electromagnetic waves by modulated heating of the ionospheric F2 region
Authors: Eliasson B. , Chang C.‐L. , Papadopoulos K.
Published: September 2012

We present a theoretical and numerical study of the generation of extremely low frequency (ELF) and ultra‐low frequency (ULF) waves by the modulation of the electron pressure at the F2‐region with an intense high‐frequency electromagnetic wave. The study is based on a cold plasma Hall‐MHD model, including electron‐neutral and ion‐neutral collisions, which governs the dynamics of magnetostatic waves and their propagation through the ionospheric layers. Magnetosonic waves generated in the F2 region are propagating isotropically and are channeled in the ionospheric waveguide, while shear Alfvén waves are propagating along the magnetic field. To penetrate the ionosphere from the F2 peak at 300 km to the ground, the magnetostatic waves first propagate as magnetosonic or shear Alfvén waves that encounter a diffusive layer from about 150 km to 120 km where the Pedersen conductivity dominates, and then as helicon (whistler‐like) mode waves from about 120 km to 80 km where the ions are collisionally glued to the neutrals and the Hall conductivity dominates. By performing numerical simulations and studying the dispersive properties of the wave modes, we investigate the dynamics and penetration of ELF/ULF waves through the ionospheric layers to the ground and along the geomagnetic field lines to the magnetosphere. Realistic profiles of the ionospheric profiles of conductivity and density are used, together with different configurations of the geomagnetic field, relevant for both the high, mid and equatorial latitudes. Some of the results are compared with recent HAARP experiments.
Ocean wave effects on the daily cycle in SST
Authors: Janssen P. A. E. M.
Published: September 2012

Ocean waves play an important role in processes that govern the fluxes across the air‐sea interface and in the upper‐ocean mixing. Equations for current and heat are presented that include effects of ocean waves on the evolution of the properties of the upper ocean circulation and heat budget. The turbulent transport is modeled by means of the level‐2
Mellor‐Yamada scheme, which includes an equation for the production and destruction of Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE). The TKE equation in this work includes production due to wave breaking, production due to wave‐induced turbulence and/or Langmuir turbulence, effects of buoyancy and turbulent dissipation. As a first test, the model is applied to the simulation of the daily cycle in SST at one location in the Arabian sea for the period of October 1994 until October 1995. For this location, the layer where the turbulent mixing occurs, sometimes called the Turbocline, is only a few meters thick and fairly thin layers are needed to give a proper representation of the diurnal cycle. The dominant processes that control the diurnal cycle turn out to be buoyancy production and turbulent production by wave breaking, while in the deeper layers of the ocean the Stokes‐Coriolis force plays an important role.
Response of a soil‐mantled experimental landscape to exogenic forcing
Authors: Gordon Lee M. , Bennett Sean J. , Wells Robert R.
Published: September 2012

Soil erosion can severely degrade landscapes, and concentrated flows such as rills and gullies can be the dominant contributor to the soil losses. This paper examines the growth, development, and spatiotemporal evolution of rills and rill networks using a soil‐mantled experimental landscape subjected to simulated rain and downstream base level lowering. Rill incision and network development and extension occurred due to actively migrating headcuts formed at the flume outlet by base level lowering. The communication of this wave of degradation due to this exogenic forcing occurred very quickly in space, and resulted in nearly the same amount of bed incision throughout the network. Rill incision, channel development, and peaks in sediment efflux occurred episodically, yet these were in direct response to the downstream base level adjustments. Although flows were supply limited, most of the sediment efflux was genetically linked to headcut development and migration. The geometry of the eroded rills and the rates of headcut migration were well correlated to overland flow rate. These findings have important implications for the prediction of soil loss, rill network development, and landscape evolution where headcut erosion can occur.
Esophageal telocytes and hybrid morphologies
Authors: Rusu Mugurel Constantin , Nicolescu Mihnea Ioan , Jianu Adelina Maria , Lighezan Rodica , Mănoiu Vasile Sorin , Păduraru Dumitru
Published: August 2012

TCs (telocytes) are actually defined as stromal cells with specific long and thin prolongations, called Tp (telopodes). They have been positively identified in various tissues and we now report their presence in the esophagus. These cells were identified by TEM (transmission electron microscopy) in esophageal samples of Wistar rats (n = 5) occurring beneath the basal epithelial layer, in submucosa, closely related to smooth and striated muscular fibres, as also in the adventitia. They are closely related to mast cells, macrophages and microvessels. Hybrid morphologies of stromal cells processes were found: cytoplasmic processes continued distally in a telopodial fashion. Telopodes alone may not be sufficient, however, for a safe diagnosis of TCs in TEM. A larger set of specific standards (such as the telopodial emergence, and the size of the cell body and telopodes) should be considered to differentiate TCs from various species of fibroblasts. The morphological and ultrastructural features should distinguish between TCs and interstitial cells of Cajal in the digestive tract.
Pressure effect and Mn doping in NaxCoO2
Authors: Popescu C. , Pinsard-Gaudart L. , Dragoe N.
Published: September 2012

X-ray powder diffraction was employed to study the effect of chemical (i.e., internal) and external (hydrostatic) pressure in layered cobaltates doped with manganese. The results show that the effects of Mn substitution on the structural parameters of Na2/3(Co1−xMnx)O2 are equivalent to those of an external pressure with dependence of the order of −5 GPa/Mn.
Spin pumping effects for Co/Ag films
Authors: Demirtas S. , Parlak M.
Published: September 2012

Dynamic exchange coupling between two ferromagnetic cobalt (Co) thin films separated by a nonmagnetic silver (Ag) layer was investigated by means of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) technique. Nonmagnetic Ag layer was sufficiently thick to suppress any magnetostatic coupling between the thin films of Co. Dynamical coupling is established via angular momentum exchange due to simultaneous precession of ferromagnets and as a result FMR linewidth narrows. We also confirmed the spin pumping theory’s prediction on the thickness dependence of FMR linewidth such that the linewidth for thin film Co decreases exponentially as its thickness increases.
Amorphization of silicon induced by nanodroplet impact: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Saiz Fernan , Gamero-Castaño Manuel
Published: September 2012

The hypervelocity impact of electrosprayed nanodroplets on crystalline silicon produces an amorphous layer with a thickness comparable to the droplet diameters. The phase transition is puzzling considering that amorphization has not been observed in macroscopic shock compression of silicon, the only apparent difference being the several orders of magnitude disparity between the sizes of the macroscopic and nanodroplet projectiles. This article investigates the physics of the amorphization by modeling the impact of a nanodrop on single-crystal silicon via molecular dynamics. The simulation shows that the amorphization results from the heating and subsequent melting of a thin layer of silicon surrounding the impact area, followed by an ultrafast quenching with cooling rates surpassing 1013 K/s. These conditions impede crystalline growth in the supercooled liquid phase, which finally undergoes a glass transition to render a disordered solid phase. The high temperature field near the impact interface is a localized effect. The significantly different temperatures and cooling rates near the surface and in the bulk explain why amorphization occurs in nanodroplet impact, while it is absent in macroscopic shock compression. Since these high temperatures and ultrafast quenching rates are likely to occur in other materials, nanodroplet impact may become a general amorphatization technique for treating the surfaces of most crystalline substrates.
Laboratory evidence of freak waves provoked by non-uniform bathymetry
Authors: Trulsen K. , Zeng H. , Gramstad O.
Published: September 2012

We show experimental evidence that as relatively long unidirectional waves propagate over a sloping bottom, from a deeper to a shallower domain, there can be a local maximum of kurtosis and skewness close to the shallower side of the slope. We also show evidence that the probability of large wave envelope has a local maximum near the shallower side of the slope. We therefore anticipate that the probability of freak waves can have a local maximum near the shallower side of a slope for relatively long unidirectional waves.
Gray-scale and color optical encryption based on computational ghost imaging
Authors: Tanha Mehrdad , Kheradmand Reza , Ahmadi-Kandjani Sohrab
Published: September 2012

We propose two approaches for optical encryption based on computational ghost imaging. These methods have the capability of encoding ghost images reconstructed from gray-scale images and colored objects. We experimentally demonstrate our approaches under eavesdropping in two different setups, thereby proving the robustness and simplicity thereof for encryption compared with previous algorithms.