bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A versatile retarding potential analyzer for nano-satellite platforms
Authors: Fanelli L. , Noel S. , Earle G. D. , Fish C. , Davidson R. L. , Robertson R. V. , Marquis P. , Garg V. , Somasundaram N. , Kordella L. , Kennedy P.
Published: December 2015

The design of the first retarding potential analyzer (RPA) built specifically for use on resource-limited cubesat platforms is described. The size, mass, and power consumption are consistent with the limitations of a nano-satellite, but the performance specifications are commensurate with those of RPAs flown on much larger platforms. The instrument is capable of measuring the ion density, temperature, and the ram component of the ion velocity in the spacecraft reference frame, while also providing estimates of the ion composition. The mechanical and electrical designs are described, as are the operating modes, command and data structure, and timing scheme. Test data obtained using an ion source inside a laboratory vacuum chamber are presented to validate the performance of the new design.
Characterization of the CW starter plasma RF matching network for operating the SNS H− ion source with lower H2 flows
Authors: Han B. X. , Stockli M. P. , Kang Y. , Piller C. , Murray S. N. , Pennisi T. R. , Santana M. , Welton R. F.
Published: December 2015

The Spallation Neutron Source H− ion source is operated with a pulsed 2-MHz RF (50-60 kW) to produce the 1-ms long, ∼50 mA H− beams at 60 Hz. A continuous low power (∼300 W) 13.56-MHz RF plasma, which is initially ignited with a H2 pressure bump, serves as starter plasma for the pulsed high power 2-MHz RF discharges. To reduce the risk of plasma outages at lower H2 flow rates which is desired for improved performance of the following radio frequency quadrupole, the 13.56-MHz RF matching network was characterized over a broad range of its two tuning capacitors. The H-α line intensity of the 13.56-MHz RF plasma and the reflected power of the 13.56-MHz RF were mapped against the capacitor settings. Optimal tunes for the maximum H-α intensity are consistent with the optimal tunes for minimum reflected power. Low limits of the H2 flow rate not causing plasma outages were explored within the range of the map. A tune region that allows lower H2 flow rate has been identified, which differs from the optimal tune for global minimum reflected power that was mostly used in the past.
Reconfigurable transmission lines with memcapacitive materials
Authors: Pershin Y. V. , Slipko V. A. , Di Ventra M.
Published: December 2015

We study transmission lines made of memory capacitive (memcapacitive) materials. The transmission properties of these lines can be adjusted on demand using an appropriate sequence of pulses. In particular, we demonstrate a pulse combination that creates a periodic modulation of dielectric properties along the line. Such a structure resembles a distributed Bragg reflector having important optical applications. We present simulation results demonstrating all major steps of such a reconfigurable device operation including reset, programming, and transmission of small amplitude signals. The proposed reconfigurable transmission lines employ only passive memory materials and can be realized using available memcapacitive devices.
Broadband enhancement of infrared absorption in microbolometers using Ag nanocrystals
Authors: Hyun Jerome K. , Ahn Chi Won , Kim Woo Choong , Kim Tae Hyun , Hyun Moon Seop , Lee Won-Oh , Kim Hee Yeoun , Park Jae Hong
Published: December 2015

High performance microbolometers are widely sought for thermal imaging applications. In order to increase the performance limits of microbolometers, the responsivity of the device to broadband infrared (IR) radiation needs to be improved. In this work, we report a simple, quick, and cost-effective approach to modestly enhance the broadband IR response of the device by evaporating Ag nanocrystals onto the light entrance surface of the device. When irradiated with IR light, strong fields are built up within the gaps between adjacent Ag nanocrystals. These fields resistively generate heat in the nanocrystals and underlying substrate, which is transduced into an electrical signal via a resistive sensing element in the device. Through this method, we are able to enhance the IR absorption over a broadband spectrum and improve the responsivity of the device by ∼11%.
GaN-on-diamond electronic device reliability: Mechanical and thermo-mechanical integrity
Authors: Liu Dong , Sun Huarui , Pomeroy James W. , Francis Daniel , Faili Firooz , Twitchen Daniel J. , Kuball Martin
Published: December 2015

The mechanical and thermo-mechanical integrity of GaN-on-diamond wafers used for ultra-high power microwave electronic devices was studied using a micro-pillar based in situ mechanical testing approach combined with an optical investigation of the stress and heat transfer across interfaces. We find the GaN/diamond interface to be thermo-mechanically stable, illustrating the potential for this material for reliable GaN electronic devices.
Diagnosing laser-preheated magnetized plasmas relevant to magnetized liner inertial fusion
Authors: Harvey-Thompson A. J. , Sefkow A. B. , Nagayama T. N. , Wei M. S. , Campbell E. M. , Fiksel G. , Chang P.-Y. , Davies J. R. , Barnak D. H. , Glebov V. Y. , Fitzsimmons P. , Fooks J. , Blue B. E.
Published: December 2015

We present a platform on the OMEGA EP Laser Facility that creates and diagnoses the conditions present during the preheat stage of the MAGnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) concept. Experiments were conducted using 9 kJ of 3ω (355 nm) light to heat an underdense deuterium gas (electron density: 2.5×1020 cm−3=0.025 of critical density) magnetized with a 10 T axial field. Results show that the deuterium plasma reached a peak electron temperature of 670 ± 140 eV, diagnosed using streaked spectroscopy of an argon dopant. The results demonstrate that plasmas relevant to the preheat stage of MagLIF can be produced at multiple laser facilities, thereby enabling more rapid progress in understanding magnetized preheat. Results are compared with magneto-radiation-hydrodynamics simulations, and plans for future experiments are described.
A temperature-dependent coarse-grained model for the thermoresponsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)
Authors: Abbott Lauren J. , Stevens Mark J.
Published: December 2015

A coarse-grained (CG) model is developed for the thermoresponsive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), using a hybrid top-down and bottom-up approach. Nonbonded parameters are fit to experimental thermodynamic data following the procedures of the SDK (Shinoda, DeVane, and Klein) CG force field, with minor adjustments to provide better agreement with radial distribution functions from atomistic simulations. Bonded parameters are fit to probability distributions from atomistic simulations using multi-centered Gaussian-based potentials. The temperature-dependent potentials derived for the PNIPAM CG model in this work properly capture the coil–globule transition of PNIPAM single chains and yield a chain-length dependence consistent with atomistic simulations.
Simultaneous shunt protection and back contact formation for CdTe solar cells with single wall carbon nanotube layers
Authors: Phillips Adam B. , Khanal Rajendra R. , Song Zhaoning , Watthage Suneth C. , Kormanyos Kenneth R. , Heben Michael J.
Published: December 2015

Thin film photovoltaic (PV) devices and modules prepared by commercial processes can be severely compromised by through-device low resistance electrical pathways. The defects can be due to thin or missing semiconductor material, metal diffusion along grain boundaries, or areas containing diodes with low turn-on potentials. We report the use of single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) layers to enable both protection against these defects and back contact formation for CdTe PV devices. Samples prepared with a SWCNT back contact exhibited good efficiency and did not require shunt protection, while devices prepared without shunt protection using a standard metal back contact performed poorly. We describe the mechanism by which the SWCNT layer functions. In addition to avoiding the need for shunt protection by other means, the SWCNT film also provides a route to higher short circuit currents.
Optically controlled multiple switching operations of DNA biopolymer devices
Authors: Hung Chao-You , Tu Waan-Ting , Lin Yi-Tzu , Fruk Ljiljana , Hung Yu-Chueh
Published: December 2015

We present optically tunable operations of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) biopolymer devices, where a single high-resistance state, write-once read-many-times memory state, write-read-erase memory state, and single low-resistance state can be achieved by controlling UV irradiation time. The device is a simple sandwich structure with a spin-coated DNA biopolymer layer sandwiched by two electrodes. Upon irradiation, the electrical properties of the device are adjusted owing to a phototriggered synthesis of silver nanoparticles in DNA biopolymer, giving rise to multiple switching scenarios. This technique, distinct from the strategy of doping of pre-formed nanoparticles, enables a post-film fabrication process for achieving optically controlled memory device operations, which provides a more versatile platform to fabricate organic memory and optoelectronic devices.
Anisotropic lattice thermal conductivity in chiral tellurium from first principles
Authors: Peng Hua , Kioussis Nicholas , Stewart Derek A.
Published: December 2015

Using ab initio based calculations, we have calculated the intrinsic lattice thermal conductivity of chiral tellurium. We show that the interplay between the strong covalent intrachain and weak van der Waals interchain interactions gives rise to the phonon band gap between the lower and higher optical phonon branches. The underlying mechanism of the large anisotropy of the thermal conductivity is the anisotropy of the phonon group velocities and of the anharmonic interatomic force constants (IFCs), where large interchain anharmonic IFCs are associated with the lone electron pairs. We predict that tellurium has a large three-phonon scattering phase space that results in low thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity anisotropy decreases under applied hydrostatic pressure.
Note: Spectrometer with multichannel photon-counting detector for beam emission spectroscopy in magnetic fusion devices
Authors: Lizunov A. , Khilchenko A. , Khilchenko V. , Kvashnin A. , Zubarev P.
Published: December 2015

A spectrometer based on a linear array photomultiplier tube (PMT) has been developed and calibrated. A 0.635 m focal length Czerny-Turner monochromator combined with a coupling optics provides an image of a narrow 0.5 nm spectral range with a resolution of 0.015 nm/channel on a 32-anode PMT. The system aims at spectroscopy of Dα or Hα lines emitted by a diagnostic atomic beam in a plasma (primarily a motional Stark effect diagnostics). To record a low photon flux of ∼106 s−1 per channel with the time resolution of 100 μs, a pulse counting approach has been used. Wideband amplifiers scale single-electron pulses and transmit them to a digital data processing core hardwired in a programmable logic matrix. Calibrations have shown that the aberration-limited instrument function fits to a single detector channel of 1 mm width. Pilot results of passive measurements of Dα light emission from the plasma confined in a magnetic trap are presented.
Studies on linear, nonlinear optical and excited state dynamics of silicon nanoparticles prepared by picosecond laser ablation
Authors: Hamad Syed , Krishna Podagatlapalli G. , Mounika R. , Nageswara Rao S. V. S. , Pathak A. P. , Venugopal Rao S.
Published: December 2015

We report results from our studies on the fabrication and characterization of silicon (Si) nanoparticles (NPs) and nanostructures (NSs) achieved through the ablation of Si target in four different liquids using ∼2 picosecond (ps) pulses. The consequence of using different liquid media on the ablation of Si target was investigated by studying the surface morphology along with material composition of Si based NPs. The recorded mean sizes of these NPs were ∼9.5 nm, ∼37 nm, ∼45 nm and ∼42 nm obtained in acetone, water, dichloromethane (DCM) and chloroform, respectively. The generated NPs were characterized by selected area electron diffraction (SAED), high resolution transmission microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopic techniques and Photoluminescence (PL) studies. SAED, HRTEM and Raman spectroscopy data confirmed that the material composition was Si NPs in acetone, Si/SiO2 NPs in water, Si-C NPs in DCM and Si-C NPs in chloroform and all of them were confirmed to be polycrystalline in nature. Surface morphological information of the fabricated Si substrates was obtained using the field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) technique. FESEM data revealed the formation of laser induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) for the case of ablation in acetone and water while random NSs were observed for the case of ablation in DCM and chloroform. Femtosecond (fs) nonlinear optical properties and excited state dynamics of these colloidal Si NPs were investigated using the Z-scan and pump-probe techniques with ∼150 fs (100 MHz) and ∼70 fs (1 kHz) laser pulses, respectively. The fs pump-probe data obtained at 600 nm consisted of single and double exponential decays which were tentatively assigned to electron-electron collisional relaxation (<1 ps) and non-radiative transitions (>1 ps). Large third order optical nonlinearities (∼10−14 e.s.u.) for these colloids have been estimated from Z-scan data at an excitation wavelength of 680 nm suggesting that the colloidal Si NPs find potential applications in photonic devices.
Magnetoresistance of galfenol-based magnetic tunnel junction
Authors: Gobaut B. , Vinai G. , Castán-Guerrero C. , Krizmancic D. , Rafaqat H. , Roddaro S. , Rossi G. , Panaccione G. , Eddrief M. , Marangolo M. , Torelli P.
Published: December 2015

The manipulation of ferromagnetic layer magnetization via electrical pulse is driving an intense research due to the important applications that this result will have on memory devices and sensors. In this study we realized a magnetotunnel junction in which one layer is made of Galfenol (Fe1-xGax) which possesses one of the highest magnetostrictive coefficient known. The multilayer stack has been grown by molecular beam epitaxy and e-beam evaporation. Optical lithography and physical etching have been combined to obtain 20x20 micron sized pillars. The obtained structures show tunneling conductivity across the junction and a tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) effect of up to 11.5% in amplitude.
Some counterexamples related to the stationary Kirchhoff equation
Authors: García-Melián Jorge , Iturriaga Leonelo
Published: December 2015

In this note we consider the stationary Kirchhoff equation
\[
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{

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M
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Δ
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=
f
(
x
,
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a
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in 

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,

 
 
u
=
0

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\left \{ \begin {array}{ll} -M(\| u\|^2) \Delta u = f(x,u) & \hbox {in }\Omega ,\\ \ \ u=0 & \hbox {on }\partial \Omega , \end {array} \right .

\]
where

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is a continuous positive function and

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is the standard norm in

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. We show that the equation does not enjoy the usual comparison principles (both weak or strong) nor the sub and supersolutions method.
Binding to COMP Reduces the BMP2 Dose for Spinal Fusion in a Rat Model
Authors: Refaat Motasem , Klineberg Eric O. , Fong Michael C. , Garcia Tanya C. , Leach J. Kent , Haudenschild Dominik R.
Published: December 2015

Study Design.

The aim of this study is to test the effect of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) on enhancing rhBMP-2 induced spinal fusion in a prospective 8-week interventional trial of spinal fusion in rats.

Objective.

To determine whether the amount of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) required to achieve spinal fusion in a pre-clinical model can be reduced by the addition of COMP.

Summary of Background Data.

BMPs are applied clinically at supraphysiological doses to promote spinal fusion by inducing osseous growth, but dose-related limitations include ectopic bone formation and local inflammatory reactions. COMP is a matricellular BMP-binding protein expressed during endochondral ossification and fracture healing. In vitro studies demonstrate enhanced activity of BMP bound to COMP. We hypothesized that BMP bound to COMP could achieve equivalent spinal fusion rates at lower doses and with fewer complications.

Methods.

Posterolateral intertransverse process spinal fusion at L4 to L5 was performed in 36 Lewis rats. COMP (10 μg) was tested with or without “low-dose” rhBMP-2 (2 μg), and the results were compared with the “low-dose” (2 μg rhBMP-2) and “high-dose” (10 μg rhBMP-2) groups. All groups utilized insoluble collagen bone matrix carrier (ICBM). Fusion was evaluated by radiology, histology, and manual palpation. BMP release kinetics were evaluated in vitro.

Results.

Fusion grading of microCT images demonstrated that the fusion rate with the COMP+LoBMP was statistically equivalent to HiBMP, and significantly better than LoBMP without COMP. These results were confirmed with radiographs and manual palpation. BMP release kinetics suggest that COMP increased local concentrations of BMP due to decreased growth factor retention on the scaffold.

Conclusion.

COMP enhances BMP-induced bone formation, enabling lower doses of BMP to achieve the same level of spinal fusion. COMP may function by affecting the availability and biological presentation of BMP-2. A decrease of BMP-2 required for fusion may reduce dose-related adverse effects, surgical costs, and improve clinical outcomes.

Level of Evidence: N/A
Experimental setups for FEL-based four-wave mixing experiments at FERMI
Authors: Bencivenga Filippo , Zangrando Marco , Svetina Cristian , Abrami Alessandro , Battistoni Andrea , Borghes Roberto , Capotondi Flavio , Cucini Riccardo , Dallari Francesco , Danailov Miltcho , Demidovich Alexander , Fava Claudio , Gaio Giulio , Gerusina Simone , Gessini Alessandro , Giacuzzo Fabio , Gobessi Riccardo , Godnig Roberto , Grisonich Riccardo , Kiskinova Maya , Kurdi Gabor , Loda Giorgio , Lonza Marco , Mahne Nicola , Manfredda Michele , Mincigrucci Riccardo , Pangon Gianpiero , Parisse Pietro , Passuello Roberto , Pedersoli Emanuele , Pivetta Lorenzo , Prica Milan , Principi Emiliano , Rago Ilaria , Raimondi Lorenzo , Sauro Roberto , Scarcia Martin , Sigalotti Paolo , Zaccaria Maurizio , Masciovecchio Claudio
Published: December 2015

The recent advent of free-electron laser (FEL) sources is driving the scientific community to extend table-top laser research to shorter wavelengths adding elemental selectivity and chemical state specificity. Both a compact setup (mini-TIMER) and a separate instrument (EIS-TIMER) dedicated to four-wave-mixing (FWM) experiments has been designed and constructed, to be operated as a branch of the Elastic and Inelastic Scattering beamline: EIS. The FWM experiments that are planned at EIS-TIMER are based on the transient grating approach, where two crossed FEL pulses create a controlled modulation of the sample excitations while a third time-delayed pulse is used to monitor the dynamics of the excited state. This manuscript describes such experimental facilities, showing the preliminary results of the commissioning of the EIS-TIMER beamline, and discusses original experimental strategies being developed to study the dynamics of matter at the fs–nm time–length scales. In the near future such experimental tools will allow more sophisticated FEL-based FWM applications, that also include the use of multiple and multi-color FEL pulses.
An efficient plane-grating monochromator based on conical diffraction for continuous tuning in the entire soft X-ray range including tender X-rays (2–8 keV)
Authors: Jark Werner
Published: December 2015

Recently it was verified that the diffraction efficiency of reflection gratings with rectangular profile, when illuminated at grazing angles of incidence with the beam trajectory along the grooves and not perpendicular to them, remains very high for tender X-rays of several keV photon energy. This very efficient operation of a reflection grating in the extreme off-plane orientation,i.e.in conical diffraction, offers the possibility of designing a conical diffraction monochromator scheme that provides efficient continuous photon energy tuning over rather large tuning ranges. For example, the tuning could cover photon energies from below 1000 eV up to 8 keV. The expected transmission of the entire instrument is high as all components are always operated below the critical angle for total reflection. In the simplest version of the instrument a plane grating is preceded by a plane mirror rotating simultaneously with it. The photon energy selection will then be made using the combination of a focusing mirror and exit slit. As is common for grating monochromators for soft X-ray radiation, the minimum spectral bandwidth is source-size-limited, while the bandwidth can be adjusted freely to any larger value. As far as tender X-rays (2–8 keV) are concerned, the minimum bandwidth is at least one and up to two orders of magnitude larger than the bandwidth provided by Si(111) double-crystal monochromators in a collimated beam. Therefore the instrument will provide more flux, which can even be increased at the expense of a bandwidth increase. On the other hand, for softer X-rays with photon energies below 1 keV, competitive relative spectral resolving powers of the order of 10000 are possible.
Growth of block copolymer stabilized metal nanoparticles probed simultaneously byin situXAS and UV–Vis spectroscopy
Authors: Nayak C. , Bhattacharyya D. , Jha S. N. , Sahoo N. K.
Published: December 2015

The growth of Au and Pt nanoparticles from their respective chloride precursors using block copolymer-based reducers has been studied by simultaneousin situmeasurement of XAS and UV–Vis spectroscopy at the energy-dispersive EXAFS beamline (BL-08) at INDUS-2 SRS at RRCAT, Indore, India. While the XANES spectra of the precursor give real-time information on the reduction process, the EXAFS spectra reveal the structure of the clusters formed at the intermediate stages of growth. The growth kinetics of both types of nanoparticles are found to be almost similar and are found to follow three stages, though the first stage of nucleation takes place earlier in the case of Au than in the case of Pt nanoparticles due to the difference in the reduction potential of the respective precursors. The first two stages of the growth of Au and Pt nanoparticles as obtained byin situXAS measurements could be corroborated by simultaneousin situmeasurement of UV–Vis spectroscopy also.
Quasi-real-time photon pulse duration measurement by analysis of FEL radiation spectra
Authors: Engel Robin , Düsterer Stefan , Brenner Günter , Teubner Ulrich
Published: December 2015

For photon diagnostics at free-electron lasers (FELs), the determination of the photon pulse duration is an important challenge and a complex task. This is especially true for SASE FELs with strongly fluctuating pulse parameters. However, most techniques require an extensive experimental setup, data acquisition and evaluation time, limiting the usability in all-day operation. In contrast, the presented work uses an existing approach based on the analysis of statistical properties of measured SASE FEL spectra and implements it as a software tool, integrated in FLASH's data acquisition system. This allows the calculation of the average pulse durations from a set of measured spectral distributions with only seconds of delay, whenever high-resolution spectra are recorded.
Microfocusing at the PG1 beamline at FLASH
Authors: Dziarzhytski Siarhei , Gerasimova Natalia , Goderich Rene , Mey Tobias , Reininger Ruben , Rübhausen Michael , Siewert Frank , Weigelt Holger , Brenner Günter
Published: December 2015

The Kirkpatrick–Baez (KB) refocusing mirror system installed at the PG1 branch of the plane-grating monochromator beamline at the soft X-ray/XUV free-electron laser in Hamburg (FLASH) is designed to provide tight aberration-free focusing down to 4 µm × 6 µm full width at half-maximum (FWHM) on the sample. Such a focal spot size is mandatory to achieve ultimate resolution and to guarantee best performance of the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) off-axis parabolic double-monochromator Raman spectrometer permanently installed at the PG1 beamline as an experimental end-station. The vertical beam size on the sample of the Raman spectrometer, which operates without entrance slit, defines and limits the energy resolution of the instrument which has an unprecedented design value of 2 meV for photon energies below 70 eV and about 15 meV for higher energies up to 200 eV. In order to reach the designed focal spot size of 4 µm FWHM (vertically) and to hold the highest spectrometer resolution, special fully motorized in-vacuum manipulators for the KB mirror holders have been developed and the optics have been aligned employing wavefront-sensing techniques as well as ablative imprints analysis. Aberrations like astigmatism were minimized. In this article the design and layout of the KB mirror manipulators, the alignment procedure as well as microfocus optimization results are presented.
Twenty-Third General Assembly and International Congress of Crystallography, Montreal, Canada, 5–12 August 2014
Authors: IUCr
Published: December 2015

A report of the Twenty-Third General Assembly and International Congress of Crystallography is given.
Spatial disturbances in altered mucosal and luminal gut viromes of diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Kim Min‐Soo , Bae Jin‐Woo
Published: December 2015

Gut microbial biogeography is a key feature of host–microbe relationships. In gut viral ecology, biogeography and responses to dietary intervention remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted a metagenomic study to determine the composition of the mucosal and luminal viromes of the gut and to evaluate the impact of a Western diet on gut viral ecology. We found that mucosal and luminal viral assemblages comprised predominantly temperate phages. The mucosal virome significantly differed from the luminal virome in low‐fat diet‐fed lean mice, where spatial variation correlated with bacterial microbiota from the mucosa and lumen. The mucosal and luminal viromes of high‐fat, high‐sucrose ‘Western’ diet‐fed obese mice were significantly enriched with temperate phages of the Caudovirales order. Interestingly, this community alteration occurred to a greater extent in the mucosa than lumen, leading to loss of spatial differences; however, these changes recovered after switching to a low‐fat diet. Temperate phages enriched in the Western diet‐induced obese mice were associated with the Bacilli, Negativicutes and Bacteroidia classes and temperate phages from the Bacteroidia class particularly encoded stress and niche‐specific functions advantageous to bacterial host adaptation. This study illustrates a biogeographic view of the gut virome and phage–bacterial host connections under the diet‐induced microbial dysbiosis.
A Clash Of Subcultures? Questioning Queer–Muslim Antagonisms in the Neoliberal City
Authors: Kosnick Kira
Published: December 2015

This article explores the framing of conflicts over public space as they unfold in a climate of neoliberal urban transformation in contemporary Germany. Examining how the alleged concerns of a ‘queer community’ have been pitted against the alleged moral agenda of Muslim immigrants in the country, examples of conflicts over ‘queer’ public leisure spaces in Berlin will give insights into how different cultural minority positions are mobilized against each other in the context of both urban and national citizenship debates that are marked by a neoliberal re‐evaluation of diversities and inequalities.
Drunk Person Screening using Eye Thermal Signatures
Authors: Koukiou Georgia , Anastassopoulos Vassilis
Published: December 2015

Temperature distribution on the eyes of drunk persons is studied by means of thermal infrared images. The sclera and the iris are of the same temperature for the sober person, while for the intoxicated person, the sclera temperature increases. Consequently, only the thermal images from the drunk persons are necessary for intoxication screening. Forty‐one participants drank in a controlled alcohol consumption procedure. Their breath alcohol concentration was above the threshold of 0.2 mg/L of exhaled air, which corresponds to about 0.5 mg of alcohol per cubic centimeter of blood. Histogram modification algorithms were employed to prove that for 36 among the 41 intoxicated persons, the sclera becomes hotter. The Student t‐test verified with over 99% confidence the drunk discrimination capabilities of the procedure. The forensic science potential contribution of the method is that face infrared imagery is available to the authorities for supporting intoxication in case of criminal actions.
Applications of Blue Light‐curing Acrylic Resin to Forensic Sample Preparation and Microtomy
Authors: Groves Ethan , Palenik Christopher S.
Published: December 2015

This study discusses the results of an evaluation of a one‐part blue light‐curing acrylic resin for embedding trace evidence prior to the preparation of thin sections with a microtome. Through a comparison to several epoxy resins, the physical properties relevant to both trace evidence examination and analytical microscopy in general, including as viscosity, clarity, color, hardness, and cure speed, were explored. Finally, thin sections from paint samples embedded in this acrylic resin were evaluated to determine if, through smearing or impregnation, the resin contributed to the infrared spectra. The results of this study show that blue light‐curing acrylic resins provide the desired properties of an embedding medium, generate high‐quality thin sections, and can significantly simplify the preparation of paint chips, fibers and a multitude of other types of microscopic samples in the forensic trace evidence laboratory.
Effects of Aluminum Foil Packaging on Elemental Analysis of Bone,
Authors: Lewis Lyniece , Christensen Angi M.
Published: December 2015

Burned skeletal material is often very fragile and at high risk for fragmentation during packaging and transportation. One method that has been suggested to protect bones in these cases is to carefully wrap them in aluminum foil. Traces of aluminum, however, are known to transfer from foil packaging materials to food products. If such transfer occurs between aluminum foil and bones, it could interfere with subsequent chemical, elemental and isotopic analyses, which are becoming more common in forensic anthropological investigations. This study examined aluminum levels in bones prior to and following the use of aluminum foil packaging and storage for a 6‐week period. Results indicate no significant change in the detected levels of aluminum (p > 0.05), even when packaged in compromised foil and exposed to elevated temperatures. Aluminum foil can therefore continue to be recommended as a packaging medium without affecting subsequent chemical examinations.
Use of Embryos Extracted from Individual Cannabis sativa Seeds for Genetic Studies and Forensic Applications
Authors: Soler Salvador , Borràs Dionís , Vilanova Santiago , Sifres Alicia , Andújar Isabel , Figàs Maria R. , Llosa Ernesto R. , Prohens Jaime
Published: December 2015

Legal limits on the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in Cannabis sativa plants have complicated genetic and forensic studies in this species. However, Cannabis seeds present very low THC levels. We developed a method for embryo extraction from seeds and an improved protocol for DNA extraction and tested this method in four hemp and six marijuana varieties. This embryo extraction method enabled the recovery of diploid embryos from individual seeds. An improved DNA extraction protocol (CTAB3) was used to obtain DNA from individual embryos at a concentration and quality similar to DNA extracted from leaves. DNA extracted from embryos was used for SSR molecular characterization in individuals from the 10 varieties. A unique molecular profile for each individual was obtained, and a clear differentiation between hemp and marijuana varieties was observed. The combined embryo extraction–DNA extraction methodology and the new highly polymorphic SSR markers facilitate genetic and forensic studies in Cannabis.
Automated Classification of Epiphyses in the Distal Radius and Ulna using a Support Vector Machine
Authors: Wang Ya‐hui , Liu Tai‐ang , Wei Hua , Wan Lei , Ying Chong‐liang , Zhu Guang‐you
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study was to automatically classify epiphyses in the distal radius and ulna using a support vector machine (SVM) and to examine the accuracy of the epiphyseal growth grades generated by the support vector machine. X‐ray images of distal radii and ulnae were collected from 140 Chinese teenagers aged between 11.0 and 19.0 years. Epiphyseal growth of the two elements was classified into five grades. Features of each element were extracted using a histogram of oriented gradient (HOG), and models were established using support vector classification (SVC). The prediction results and the validity of the models were evaluated with a cross‐validation test and independent test for accuracy (PA). Our findings suggest that this new technique for epiphyseal classification was successful and that an automated technique using an SVM is reliable and feasible, with a relative high accuracy for the models.
Global Norms on Arms: The Significance of the Arms Trade Treaty for Global Security in World Politics
Authors: Garcia Denise
Published: December 2015

After a complex negotiation involving security, trade, human rights law (HRL), international humanitarian law (IHL) and general principles of international relations, on 2 April 2013, 154 states, including the US, voted to adopt the first‐ever comprehensive, legally binding international treaty governing the transfer of arms: the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) came to life. This survey article explores the meaning of the ATT for a key global challenge, controlling the global arms trade and its implications for global security and the legal order. At the time of writing, September 2014, the ATT is almost about to enter into force as almost 50 states ratified it, including some of the largest arms producers and some of the rising arms producers and importers. This signals the embrace of the treaty's momentum in changing long‐established practices of an ungoverned arms trade. The ATT was the result of a long journey and the persistent efforts of committed individuals to fill a much‐needed gap in the international system. The treaty will be a contribution to strengthening human security worldwide if well implemented and helped by the continuous efforts of an engaged civil society.
Individual Variation in Alcohol Intake Predicts Reinforcement, Motivation, and Compulsive Alcohol Use in Rats
Authors: Spoelder Marcia , Hesseling Peter , Baars Annemarie M. , Lozeman‐van ‘t Klooster José G. , Rotte Marthe D. , Vanderschuren Louk J. M. J. , Lesscher Heidi M. B.
Published: December 2015

Background

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances. Prolonged alcohol use can result in alcohol use disorder (AUD), characterized by excessive and compulsive alcohol consumption. Importantly, however, the development of AUD only happens in a minority of individuals who consume alcohol. To understand the individual vulnerability for AUD, models that capture both the individual variability in alcohol consumption and the transition from casual to compulsive alcohol use are essential.

Methods

Individual variability in voluntary alcohol intake and the preference for alcohol were assessed under continuous alcohol access (CAA) and intermittent‐every‐other‐day alcohol access (IAA) schedules in the home cage using outbred Lister Hooded rats. Subsequently, the reinforcing properties of alcohol were tested in an operant setting. In subsequent experiments, we performed a quinine adulteration experiment to assess inflexible alcohol consumption and blood alcohol levels (BALs) were assessed after voluntary alcohol consumption.

Results

We found marked individual differences in alcohol consumption and preference under both access schedules, whereby subgroups of high‐ and low‐alcohol‐drinking rats (HD and LD) could be identified. HD with IAA increased their alcohol intake over days in the first month, whereas LD did not. Moreover, when alcohol access time was extended from 7 to 24 h/d for rats with IAA, alcohol intake profoundly increased in HD with IAA, whereas LD with IAA maintained low levels of alcohol intake. Furthermore, HD earned more alcohol than LD under both fixed ratio and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement. We further found that HD continued their intake of a quinine‐adulterated alcohol solution to a larger extent than LD and HD showed higher BALs after 30 minutes of alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

These profound individual differences in alcohol intake, reinforcement, motivation, and AUD‐like behavior provide a promising tool to unravel the neurobehavioral underpinnings of individual vulnerability for AUD.
Isotonic saline in elderly men: an open‐labelled controlled infusion study of electrolyte balance, urine flow and kidney function
Authors: Hahn R. G. , Nyberg Isacson M. , Fagerström T. , Rosvall J. , Nyman C. R.
Published: December 2015

Isotonic saline is a widely‐used infusion fluid, although the associated chloride load may cause metabolic acidosis and impair kidney function in young, healthy volunteers. We wished to examine whether these effects also occurred in the elderly, and conducted a crossover study in 13 men with a mean age of 73 years (range 66–84), who each received intravenous infusions of 1.5 l of Ringer's acetate and of isotonic saline. Isotonic saline induced mild changes in plasma sodium (mean +1.5 mmol.l−1), plasma chloride (+3 mmol.l−1) and standard bicarbonate (−2 mmol.l−1). Three hours after starting the infusions, 68% of the Ringer's acetate and 30% of the infused saline had been excreted (p < 0.01). The glomerular filtration rate increased in response to both fluids, but more after the Ringer's acetate (p < 0.03). Pre‐infusion fluid retention, as evidenced by high urinary osmolality (> 700 mOsmol.kg−1) and/or creatinine (> 7 mmol.l−1), was a strong factor governing the responses to both fluid loads.
How Does the Fast Track Intervention Prevent Adverse Outcomes in Young Adulthood?
Authors: Sorensen Lucy C. , Dodge Kenneth A. ,   Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group
Published: December 2015

Numerous studies have shown that childhood interventions can foster improved outcomes in adulthood. Less well understood is precisely how—that is, through which developmental pathways—these interventions work. This study assesses mechanisms by which the Fast Track project (n = 891), a randomized intervention in the early 1990s for high‐risk children in four communities (Durham, NC; Nashville, TN; rural PA; and Seattle, WA), reduced delinquency, arrests, and general and mental health service utilization in adolescence through young adulthood (ages 12–20). A decomposition of treatment effects indicates that about a third of Fast Track's impact on later crime outcomes can be accounted for by improvements in social and self‐regulation skills during childhood (ages 6–11), such as prosocial behavior, emotion regulation, and problem solving. These skills proved less valuable for the prevention of general and mental health problems.
Development in reading and math in children from different SES backgrounds: the moderating role of child temperament
Authors: Wang Zhe , Soden Brooke , Deater‐Deckard Kirby , Lukowski Sarah L. , Schenker Victoria J. , Willcutt Erik G. , Thompson Lee A. , Petrill Stephen A.
Published: December 2015

Socioeconomic risks (SES risks) are robust risk factors influencing children's academic development. However, it is unclear whether the effects of SES on academic development operate universally in all children equally or whether they vary differentially in children with particular characteristics. The current study aimed to explore children's temperament as protective or risk factors that potentially moderate the associations between SES risks and academic development. Specifically, latent growth modeling (LGM) was used in two longitudinal datasets with a total of 2236 children to examine how family SES risks and children's temperament interactively predicted the development of reading and math from middle childhood to early adolescence. Results showed that low negative affect, high effortful control, and low surgency mitigated the negative associations between SES risks and both reading and math development in this developmental period. These findings underline the heterogeneous nature of the negative associations between SES risks and academic development and highlight the importance of the interplay between biological and social factors on individual differences in development.
A cross‐syndrome study of the differential effects of sleep on declarative memory consolidation in children with neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Ashworth Anna , Hill Catherine M. , Karmiloff‐Smith Annette , Dimitriou Dagmara
Published: December 2015

Sleep plays an active role in memory consolidation. Because children with Down syndrome (DS) and Williams syndrome (WS) experience significant problems with sleep and also with learning, we predicted that sleep‐dependent memory consolidation would be impaired in these children when compared to typically developing (TD) children. This is the first study to provide a cross‐syndrome comparison of sleep‐dependent learning in school‐aged children. Children with DS (n = 20) and WS (n = 22) and TD children (n = 33) were trained on the novel Animal Names task where they were taught pseudo‐words as the personal names of ten farm and domestic animals, e.g. Basco the cat, with the aid of animal picture flashcards. They were retested following counterbalanced retention intervals of wake and sleep. Overall, TD children remembered significantly more words than both the DS and WS groups. In addition, their performance improved following night‐time sleep, whereas performance over the wake retention interval remained stable, indicating an active role of sleep for memory consolidation. Task performance of children with DS did not significantly change following wake or sleep periods. However, children with DS who were initially trained in the morning continued to improve on the task at the following retests, so that performance on the final test was greater for children who had initially trained in the morning than those who trained in the evening. Children with WS improved on the task between training and the first retest, regardless of whether sleep or wake occurred during the retention interval. This suggests time‐dependent rather than sleep‐dependent learning in children with WS, or tiredness at the end of the first session and better performance once refreshed at the start of the second session, irrespective of the time of day. Contrary to expectations, sleep‐dependent learning was not related to baseline level of performance. The findings have significant implications for educational strategies, and suggest that children with DS should be taught more important or difficult information in the morning when they are better able to learn, whilst children with WS should be allowed a time delay between learning phases to allow for time‐dependent memory consolidation, and frequent breaks from learning so that they are refreshed and able to perform at their best.
Environmental factors affecting the behavior of Coenosia attenuata, a predator of Trialeurodes vaporariorum in tomato greenhouses
Authors: Bonsignore Carmelo Peter
Published: December 2015

Adults of the predatory fly Coenosia attenuata Stein (Diptera: Muscidae) catch their prey while in flight. I investigated this activity over two seasons in a tomato greenhouse naturally infested with Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). The flight of C. attenuata individuals was affected by environmental factors and was increased in response to increases in temperature, the number of prey flights, and conspecific density. Predator and prey flights were distributed throughout the day, but there was a regular daily trend, each with two partially overlapping activity peaks. The possibility of predation was limited by differences in daily flight‐activity times. Predatory flights comprised a small percentage (ca. 6%) of the total flights, with a predation success rate of 61%. Overall, the predatory activity of C. attenuata depended on the selection of hunting sites with good visibility to ensure a clear view before take‐off and allow the capture of prey in flight. Similar numbers of overall flights were made by both sexes, but C. attenuata females performed more predation flights and territorial defense activities than males. The ecological role of C. attenuata and its limited adaptability to greenhouses is discussed in light of its possible use in biological control of whiteflies.
What it takes to invade grassland ecosystems: traits, introduction history and filtering processes
Authors: Carboni Marta , Münkemüller Tamara , Lavergne Sébastien , Choler Philippe , Borgy Benjamin , Violle Cyrille , Essl Franz , Roquet Cristina , Munoz François ,   DivGrass Consortium, Thuiller Wilfried
Published: December 2015

Whether the success of alien species can be explained by their functional or phylogenetic characteristics remains unresolved because of data limitations, scale issues and weak quantifications of success. Using permanent grasslands across France (50 000 vegetation plots, 2000 species, 130 aliens) and building on the Rabinowitz's classification to quantify spread, we showed that phylogenetic and functional similarities to natives were the most important correlates of invasion success compared to intrinsic functional characteristics and introduction history. Results contrasted between spatial scales and components of invasion success. Widespread and common aliens were similar to co‐occurring natives at coarse scales (indicating environmental filtering), but dissimilar at finer scales (indicating local competition). In contrast, regionally widespread but locally rare aliens showed patterns of competitive exclusion already at coarse scale. Quantifying trait differences between aliens and natives and distinguishing the components of invasion success improved our ability to understand and potentially predict alien spread at multiple scales.