bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BH2 revisited: New, extensive measurements of laser-induced fluorescence transitions and ab initio calculations of near-spectroscopic accuracy
Authors: Sunahori Fumie X. , Gharaibeh Mohammed , Clouthier Dennis J. , Tarroni Riccardo
Published: May 2015

The spectroscopy of gas phase BH2 has not been explored experimentally since the pioneering study of Herzberg and Johns in 1967. In the present work, laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra of the Ã2B1(Πu)−X̃ 2A1 band system of 11BH2, 10BH2, 11BD2, and 10BD2 have been observed for the first time. The free radicals were “synthesized” by an electric discharge through a precursor mixture of 0.5% diborane (B2H6 or B2D6) in high pressure argon at the exit of a pulsed valve. A total of 67 LIF bands have been measured and rotationally analyzed, 62 of them previously unobserved. These include transitions to a wide variety of excited state bending levels, to several stretch-bend combination levels, and to three ground state levels which gain intensity through Renner-Teller coupling to nearby excited state levels. As an aid to vibronic assignment of the spectra, very high level hybrid ab initio potential energy surfaces were built starting from the coupled cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples (CCSD(T))/aug-cc-pV5Z level of theory for this seven-electron system. In an effort to obtain the highest possible accuracy, the potentials were corrected for core correlation, extrapolation to the complete basis set limit, electron correlation beyond CCSD(T), and diagonal Born-Oppenheimer effects. The spin-rovibronic states of the various isotopologues of BH2 were calculated for energies up to 22 000 cm−1 above the X̃ (000) level without any empirical adjustment of the potentials or fitting to experimental data. The agreement with the new LIF data is excellent, approaching near-spectroscopic accuracy (a few cm−1) and has allowed us to understand the complicated spin-rovibronic energy level structure even in the region of strong Renner-Teller resonances.
A new equation of state of a flexible-chain polyelectrolyte solution: Phase equilibria and osmotic pressure in the salt-free case
Authors: Budkov Yu. A. , Kolesnikov A. L. , Georgi N. , Nogovitsyn E. A. , Kiselev M. G.
Published: May 2015

We develop a first-principle equation of state of salt-free polyelectrolyte solution in the limit of infinitely long flexible polymer chains in the framework of a field-theoretical formalism beyond the linear Debye-Hueckel theory and predict a liquid-liquid phase separation induced by a strong correlation attraction. As a reference system, we choose a set of two subsystems—charged macromolecules immersed in a structureless oppositely charged background created by counterions (polymer one component plasma) and counterions immersed in oppositely charged background created by polymer chains (hard-core one component plasma). We calculate the excess free energy of polymer one component plasma in the framework of modified random phase approximation, whereas a contribution of charge densities’ fluctuations of neutralizing backgrounds we evaluate at the level of Gaussian approximation. We show that our theory is in a very good agreement with the results of Monte Carlo and MD simulations for critical parameters of liquid-liquid phase separation and osmotic pressure in a wide range of monomer concentration above the critical point, respectively.
Pseudopotential approach for dust acoustic solitary waves in dusty plasmas with kappa-distributed ions and electrons and dust grains having power law size distribution
Authors: Banerjee Gadadhar , Maitra Sarit
Published: May 2015

Sagdeev's pseudopotential method is used to study small as well as arbitrary amplitude dust acoustic solitons in a dusty plasma with kappa distributed electrons and ions with dust grains having power law size distribution. The existence of potential well solitons has been shown for suitable parametric region. The criterion for existence of soliton is derived in terms of upper and lower limit for Mach numbers. The numerical results show that the size distribution can affect the existence as well as the propagation characteristics of the dust acoustic solitons. The effect of kappa distribution is also highlighted.
Confinement of two-dimensional rods in slit pores and square cavities
Authors: Geigenfeind Thomas , Rosenzweig Sebastian , Schmidt Matthias , de las Heras Daniel
Published: May 2015

Using Monte Carlo simulation, we analyse the behaviour of two-dimensional hard rods in four different types of geometric confinement: (i) a slit pore where the particles are confined between two parallel walls with homeotropic anchoring; (ii) a hybrid slit pore formed by a planar and a homeotropic wall; square cavities that frustrate the orientational order by imposing either (iii) homeotropic or (iv) planar wall anchoring. We present results for the state diagram as a function of the packing fraction and the degree of confinement. Under extreme confinement, unexpected states appear with lower symmetries than those of the corresponding stable states in bulk, such as the formation of states that break the anchoring constraints or the symmetry imposed by the surfaces. In both types of square cavities, the particles form disclinations at intermediate densities. At high densities, however, the elastic stress is relaxed via the formation of domain walls where the director rotates abruptly by 90°.
Semiclassical multi-phonon theory for atom-surface scattering: Application to the Cu(111) system
Authors: Daon Shauli , Pollak Eli
Published: May 2015

The semiclassical perturbation theory of Hubbard and Miller [J. Chem. Phys. 80, 5827 (1984)] is further developed to include the full multi-phonon transitions in atom-surface scattering. A practically applicable expression is developed for the angular scattering distribution by utilising a discretized bath of oscillators, instead of the continuum limit. At sufficiently low surface temperature good agreement is found between the present multi-phonon theory and the previous one-, and two-phonon theory derived in the continuum limit in our previous study [Daon, Pollak, and Miret-Artés, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 201103 (2012)]. The theory is applied to the measured angular distributions of Ne, Ar, and Kr scattered from a Cu(111) surface. We find that the present multi-phonon theory substantially improves the agreement between experiment and theory, especially at the higher surface temperatures. This provides evidence for the importance of multi-phonon transitions in determining the angular distribution as the surface temperature is increased.
Magnetohydrodynamic turbulence: Observation and experiment
Authors: Brown M. R. , Schaffner D. A. , Weck P. J.
Published: May 2015

We provide a tutorial on the paradigms and tools of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence. The principal paradigm is that of a turbulent cascade from large scales to small, resulting in power law behavior for the frequency power spectrum for magnetic fluctuations EB(f). We will describe five useful statistical tools for MHD turbulence in the time domain: the temporal autocorrelation function, the frequency power spectrum, the probability distribution function of temporal increments, the temporal structure function, and the permutation entropy. Each of these tools will be illustrated with an example taken from MHD fluctuations in the solar wind. A single dataset from the Wind satellite will be used to illustrate all five temporal statistical tools.
Potential energy surface of the CO2–N2 van der Waals complex
Authors: Nasri Sameh , Ajili Yosra , Jaidane Nejm-Eddine , Kalugina Yulia N. , Halvick Philippe , Stoecklin Thierry , Hochlaf Majdi
Published: May 2015

Four-dimensional potential energy surface (4D-PES) of the atmospherically relevant CO2–N2 van der Waals complex is generated using the explicitly correlated coupled cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitation (CCSD(T)-F12) method in conjunction with the augmented correlation consistent triple zeta (aug-cc-pVTZ) basis set. This 4D-PES is mapped along the intermonomer coordinates. An analytic fit of this 4D-PES is performed. Our extensive computations confirm that the most stable form corresponds to a T-shape structure where the nitrogen molecule points towards the carbon atom of CO2. In addition, we located a second isomer and two transition states in the ground state PES of CO2–N2. All of them lay below the CO2 + N2 dissociation limit. This 4D-PES is flat and strongly anisotropic along the intermonomer coordinates. This results in the possibility of the occurrence of large amplitude motions within the complex, such as the inversion of N2, as suggested in the recent spectroscopic experiments. Finally, we show that the experimentally established deviations from the C2v structure at equilibrium for the most stable isomer are due to the zero-point out-of-plane vibration correction.
Electronic structures and formation energies of pentavalent-ion-doped SnO2: First-principles hybrid functional calculations
Authors: Behtash Maziar , Joo Paul H. , Nazir Safdar , Yang Kesong
Published: May 2015

We studied the electronic properties and relative thermodynamic stability of several pentavalent-ion (Ta, Nb, P, Sb, and I) doped SnO2 systems using first-principles hybrid density functional theory calculations, in order to evaluate their potential as transparent conducting oxides (TCOs). I-doped SnO2, though conductive, shows a narrowed optical band gap with respect to the undoped system due to the formation of gap states above the valence band. Nb-doped SnO2 forms localized impurity states below the conduction band bottom, suggesting that the Nb dopant exists as an Nb4+-like cation, which is consistent with the recent experimental finding of the formation of the impurity level below the conduction band bottom [Appl. Phys. Express 5, 061201 (2012)]. Ta- and Sb-doped SnO2 display n-type conductivity, high charge carrier density, and widened optical band gap. P-doped SnO2 shows similar n-type electronic properties with that of Sb- and Ta-doped systems, and thus P-doped SnO2 is proposed as a promising candidate TCO for further experimental validation.
Investigation on behavior of the vibration-based piezoelectric energy harvester array in ultracapacitor charging
Authors: Yang Yangyiwei , Shi Xiang , Lan Haoran , Xiao Zhao , Dong Ying , Liu Yaoze , Yang Tongqing
Published: May 2015

In this article, behaviors are investigated when the piezoelectric harvester array, consisting of four lead zirconate-titanate (PZT) circular diaphragms, charges ultracapacitors. It exhibits that V-I characteristic of the harvester array is approximately linear within 3RC, demonstrates that the array could be equivalent as the linear source. Relevant factors on ultracapacitor charging power P, including equivalent circuitry impedance R, charging capacitor C, operating frequency f, and connection patterns, are also studied. Meanwhile, interrelation between energy charging efficiency η and maximum charging power PMS is demonstrated, which is also used to find out the best condition for the harvester array's operation. It exhibits that PZT harvester array connected in pattern of rectifying-parallel will have higher charging efficiency.
Influence of potential well depth on nonlinear tristable energy harvesting
Authors: Cao Junyi , Zhou Shengxi , Wang Wei , Lin Jing
Published: May 2015

Numerical and experimental investigation into the influence of potential well depth on tristable energy harvesting performance is provided. The potential well depth depending on the polynomial coefficients of nonlinear restoring force is analyzed along with its effect on the numerical energy harvesting performance. Experiment results reveal that the geometry parameters of the multi-stable configuration can alter the potential function of tristable energy harvesters. Moreover, the shallower potential well depth will enhance the broadband performance and the capability of harvesting energy from low frequency ambient vibration.
Manipulation of strain state in silicon nanoribbons by top-down approach
Authors: Mu Zhiqiang , Zhang Miao , Xue Zhongying , Sun Gaodi , Guo Qinglei , Chen Da , Huang Gaoshan , Mei Yongfeng , Chu Paul K. , Di Zengfeng , Wang Xi
Published: May 2015

Tensile strain is often utilized to enhance the electron mobility and luminescent characteristics of semiconductors. A top-down approach in conjunction with roll-up technology is adopted to produce high tensile strain in Si nanoribbons by patterning and releasing of the bridge-like structures. The tensile strain can be altered between uniaxial state and biaxial state by adjusting the dimensions of the patterns and can be varied controllably up to 3.2% and 0.9% for the uniaxial- and biaxial-strained Si nanoribbons, respectively. Three-dimensional finite element analysis is performed to investigate the mechanism of strain generation during patterning and releasing of the structure. Since the process mainly depends on the geometrical factors, the technique can be readily extended to other types of mechanical, electrical, and optical membranes.
An ab initio study of multiple phonon scattering resonances in silicon germanium alloys
Authors: Mendoza Jonathan , Esfarjani Keivan , Chen Gang
Published: May 2015

We have computed phonon scattering rates and density of states in silicon germanium alloys using Green's function calculations and density functional theory. This method contrasts with the virtual crystal approximation (VCA) used in conjunction with Fermi's golden rule, which cannot capture resonance states occurring through the interaction of substitutional impurities with the host lattice. These resonances are demonstrated by density of states and scattering rate calculations in the dilute limit and show broadening as the concentration increases. Although these deviations become significant from the VCA at high frequencies, the relaxation times obtained for these phonon modes are small in both the full scattering theory and the VCA, resulting in their negligible contribution to thermal transport.
Communication: Salt-induced water orientation at a surface of non-ionic surfactant in relation to a mechanism of Hofmeister effect
Authors: Hishida Mafumi , Kaneko Yohei , Okuno Masanari , Yamamura Yasuhisa , Ishibashi Taka-aki , Saito Kazuya
Published: May 2015

The behavior of water molecules at the surface of nonionic surfactant (monomyristolein) and effects of monovalent ions on the behavior are investigated using the heterodyne-detected vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy. It is found that water molecules at the surface are oriented with their hydrogen atoms pointing to the bulk, and that the degree of orientation depends on the anion strongly but weakly on the cation. With measured surface potentials in those saline solutions, it is concluded that the heterogeneous distribution of anions and cations in combination with the nonionic surfactant causes the water orientation. This heterogeneous distribution well explains the contrasting order of anions and cations with respect to the ion size in the Hofmeister series.
A sub-supersolution approach for a quasilinear Kirchhoff equation
Authors: Alves Claudianor O. , Corrêa Francisco Julio S. A.
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we establish an existence result for a quasilinear Kirchhoff equation, via a sub- and supersolution approach, by using the Minty-Browder’s Theorem for pseudomonotone operators theory.
Carrier transport in reverse-biased graphene/semiconductor Schottky junctions
Authors: Tomer D. , Rajput S. , Hudy L. J. , Li C. H. , Li L.
Published: May 2015

Reverse-biased graphene (Gr)/semiconductor Schottky diodes exhibit much enhanced sensitivity for gas sensing. However, carrier transport across these junctions is not fully understood yet. Here, Gr/SiC, Gr/GaAs, and Gr/Si Schottky junctions under reverse bias are investigated by temperature-dependent current-voltage measurements. A reduction in barrier height with increasing bias is observed for all junctions, suggesting electric-field enhanced thermionic emission. Further analysis of the field dependence of the reverse current reveals that while carrier transport in Gr/SiC Schottky junctions follows the Poole-Frenkel mechanism, it deviates from both the Poole-Frankel and Schottky mechanisms in Gr/Si and Gr/GaAs junctions, particularly for low temperatures and fields.
Angle-resolved vortex glass transition and pinning properties in BaFe1.8Co0.2As2 single crystals
Authors: Hao F. X. , Zhang M. J. , Teng M. L. , Yin Y. W. , Jiao W. H. , Cao G. H. , Li X. G.
Published: May 2015

The vortex phase transition in BaFe1.8Co0.2As2 single crystals was studied systematically via measuring the current–voltage (I-V) characteristics by rotating the crystals in magnetic fields from H // c to H // ab. The angle-resolved I-V curves clearly show a three-dimensional vortex glass (VG) scaling collapse. The angular dependent VG transition field Hg and critical current density Jc can be approximately described by the anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau model, and no peaks representing c-axis correlated pinning were recorded for H // c, which reveals that the vortex pinning is mainly caused by randomly distributed uncorrelated-defects. While in the vicinity of H // ab, Jc deviates from the model due to the in-plane intrinsic pinning. Based on the above results, the angle-resolved vortex phase diagram is constructed, indicating the anisotropic superconducting properties of the system.
New hydrogen-isotope measurements refine the picture of water on Mars
Authors: Wilson R. Mark
Published: May 2015

Atmospheric maps and in situ spectrometry of clay minerals constrain climate models and the prevalence of water in the planet’s ancient past.
Asteroseismology
Authors: Aerts Conny
Published: May 2015

Pulsations known as starquakes can provide precious glimpses into a star’s interior—and clues to how the star will live and die.
Seasonal home range and habitat use of a critically endangered marsupial (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) inside and outside a predator-proof sanctuary
Authors: Yeatman Georgina J. , Wayne Adrian F.
Published: May 2015

An understanding of the factors that influence the distribution of the woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi) at local and regional scales has been identified as a key knowledge gap, because such knowledge may assist in the recovery of this endangered species. We aimed to investigate the seasonal home-range size and habitat use of woylies to update current knowledge of the species in the context of a substantial decline. Specifically, we examined the home range and habitat use of woylies reintroduced into a sanctuary free from invasive predators and compared these data to those from an external reference site. Eight woylies inside the sanctuary and seven outside were radio-tracked in autumn 2011. The average home-range size was 65.4 (±8.2, s.e.) ha. There was little evidence to suggest any difference in home-range size between woylies inside and outside the sanctuary. Woylies were more likely to be found in the slope and low-lying valley habitats, which have greater water-holding capacity and sandier soils. These relatively large seasonal home ranges, compared with previously published estimates for the species, may be accounted for by low population density, lower seasonal food availability and clustered food distribution. Monitoring the home-range size of woylies within the sanctuary may assist in identifying the carrying capacity of the sanctuary, which has implications for how this population is managed.
Assessment of drought tolerance and its potential yield penalty in potato
Authors: Sprenger Heike , Rudack Katharina , Schudoma Christian , Neumann Arne , Seddig Sylvia , Peters Rolf , Zuther Ellen , Kopka Joachim , Hincha Dirk K. , Walther Dirk , Köhl Karin
Published: May 2015

Climate models predict an increased likelihood of seasonal droughts for many areas of the world. Breeding for drought tolerance could be accelerated by marker-assisted selection. As a basis for marker identification, we studied the genetic variance, predictability of field performance and potential costs of tolerance in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Potato produces high calories per unit of water invested, but is drought-sensitive. In 14 independent pot or field trials, 34 potato cultivars were grown under optimal and reduced water supply to determine starch yield. In an artificial dataset, we tested several stress indices for their power to distinguish tolerant and sensitive genotypes independent of their yield potential. We identified the deviation of relative starch yield from the experimental median (DRYM) as the most efficient index. DRYM corresponded qualitatively to the partial least square model-based metric of drought stress tolerance in a stress effect model. The DRYM identified significant tolerance variation in the European potato cultivar population to allow tolerance breeding and marker identification. Tolerance results from pot trials correlated with those from field trials but predicted field performance worse than field growth parameters. Drought tolerance correlated negatively with yield under optimal conditions in the field. The distribution of yield data versus DRYM indicated that tolerance can be combined with average yield potentials, thus circumventing potential yield penalties in tolerance breeding.
Distribution, population structure, and management of a rare sandalwood (Santalum yasi, Santalaceae) in Fiji and Tonga
Authors: Huish Ryan D. , Faka'osi Tevita , Likiafu Heimuli , Mateboto Joseva , Huish Katherine H.
Published: May 2015

The aromatic heartwood of Santalum yasi has been harvested extensively in Fiji and Tonga over the past two centuries for international trade in the medicinal, perfume, and incense industry and other cultural purposes. Field surveys and a review of historic and modern documents reveal a sparse and scattered distribution and indicate that the natural distribution of S. yasi has fluctuated over time, even declining to local extinction in the wild in some areas, while S. album has been introduced and naturalisation of S. yasi × S. album hybrids is evident. Population data collected along transects in three in situ S. yasi populations show discontinuous size-class structures, indicating regenerative stress. The population densities at study sites ranged from 19 to 63 adult trees (≥5 cm dbh) per hectare and less than two heartwood-bearing trees (≥15 cm dbh) per hectare. Though S. yasi trees may attain up to 40 cm dbh, no trees greater than 23 cm dbh were found in any of the studied populations. Low density and small size of adult trees and human-induced bole damage are suggestive of frequent, premature, and defensive harvesting patterns and indicate the need for ongoing adaptive comanagement in recognition of underlying economic and sociocultural pressures.
A new era for Pacific Conservation Biology
Authors: Calver Mike
Published: May 2015

The Editor-in-Chief gives an overview of changes and outlines plans for Pacific Conservation Biology for 2015 and beyond.
Tense, aspect, and agreement in heritage Labrador Inuttitut
Authors: Sherkina-Lieber Marina
Published: May 2015

Heritage receptive bilinguals (RBs) are individuals who report understanding but not speaking their family language. This study tests whether semantic features of functional morphemes, namely tense, aspect, and agreement markers, are accessible to them in comprehension. RBs in this study are fluent speakers of English with receptive knowledge of Labrador Inuttitut. Many RBs showed fluent-like comprehension of aspectual suffixes, subject-object-verb agreement suffixes, and past versus future contrasts in tense suffixes, but most could not identify remoteness degrees in tense suffixes. Lowest-proficiency RBs did not show knowledge of any morphemes. Remoteness features are missing from most RBs’ grammars; the same applies to many features in LRBs’ grammars. Some RBs showed inconsistent performance: better than chance, but worse than fluent speakers. The corresponding parts of RBs’ grammars are therefore fluent-like, but access to them is difficult. RBs’ grammars consist of fluent-like parts, parts with reduced access, and incomplete parts.
Prenominal adjective order preferences in Chinese and German L2 English
Authors: Wulff Stefanie , Gries Stefan Th.
Published: May 2015

This study presents a contrastive analysis of 3624 instances of prenominal adjective order retrieved from the Chinese and German sections of theInternational Corpus of Learner Englishand theInternational Corpus of English. The data was annotated for nine determinants of adjective order, including semantic, frequency-related, and articulatory features. Applying a two-step regression procedure called MuPDAR (Multifactorial Prediction and Deviation Analysis Using Regressions), the present study finds that overall, the intermediate-advanced level learners are well-aligned with native speakers’ preferences. However, we also see that while the German learners seem generally better aligned with regard to frequency-related factors, the Chinese learners behave more target-like with regard to the effect of adjective gradability, and they seem more sensitive to segmental alternation constraints. In discussing these and other results, the study hopes to illustrate how corpus-based methods can make a valuable contribution to contemporary SLA research, specifically with regard to multifactorially determined phenomena such as adjective order.
Auditory and visual processing of novel stimuli are affected by subjective connotations of Danger and Usefulness
Authors: Wurm Lee H.
Published: May 2015

The automatic evaluation literature and the survivability memory enhancement effect (Nairne et al., 2007) suggest that stimuli might be automatically categorized along an approach/withdraw dimension. Duckworth et al. (2002) showed that such effects hold even for novel stimuli. The current study is a more rigorous test of the idea that such effects reflect a general organizing principle of cognitive-perceptual processing. Participants performed auditory (Experiment 1) or visual (Experiment 2) lexical decision. The pseudowords had been previously rated by different participants on subjective Danger and Usefulness. RTs for the pseudowords showed the same Danger × Usefulness interaction observed several times for real words: increasing Danger speeded RTs for words lower on Usefulness but slowed RTs for words higher on Usefulness. Danger and Usefulness classifications are an integral part of routine stimulus processing from the very first exposure. Results are discussed in terms of a general organizing principle of human cognition.
Making sense of the Sense Model
Authors: Allen David , Conklin Kathy , van Heuven Walter J.B.
Published: May 2015

Many studies have reported that first language (L1) translation primes speed responses to second language (L2) targets, whereas L2 translation primes generally do not speed up responses to L1 targets in lexical decision. According to the Sense Model (Finkbeiner, Forster, Nicol & Nakamura, 2004) this asymmetry is due to the proportion of senses activated by the prime. Because L2 primes activate only a subset of the L1 translations senses, priming is not observed. In this study we test the predictions of the Sense Model by using Japanese-English cognates, which allow us to manipulate the number of senses that words have in each language. Contrary to the predictions of the Sense Model, our results replicated the typical asymmetrical priming effects, suggesting that it is not the total activation of senses that drives the priming effect. Rather the results are more in line with theories that postulate slower, and thus ineffective, activation of semantics by L2 primes.
Morphology constrains native and non-native word formation in different ways
Authors: Clahsen Harald , Gerth Sabrina , Heyer Vera , Schott Esther
Published: May 2015

The role of morphological and syntactic information in non-native second language (L2) comprehension is controversial. Some have argued that late bilinguals rapidly integrate grammatical cues with other information sources during reading or listening in the same way as native speakers. Others claim that structural cues are underused in L2 processing. We examined different kinds of modifiers inside compounds (e.g. singulars vs. plurals, *rat eater vs. rats eater) with respect to this controversy, which are subject to both structural and non-structural constraints. Two offline and two online (eye-movement) experiments were performed examining the role of these constraints in spoken language comprehension of English and German, testing 77 advanced L2 learners. We also compared the L2 groups to corresponding groups of native speakers. Our results suggest that despite native-like sensitivity to the compounding constraints, late bilinguals rely more on non-structural constraints and are less able to revise their initial interpretations than L1 comprehenders.
Connecting the research fields of lexical ambiguity and figures of speech
Authors: Jager Bernadet , Cleland Alexandra A.
Published: May 2015

The current studies investigated the processing and storage of lexical metaphors and metonyms by combining two existing methodologies from ambiguity research: counting the number of senses (as in e.g., Rodd, Gaskell, & Marslen-Wilson, 2002) and determining the relationship between those senses (as in e.g., Klepousniotou & Baum, 2007). We have called these two types of ambiguity ‘numerical polysemy’ and ‘relational polysemy’. Studies employing a lexical decision task (Experiment 1) and semantic categorization task (Experiment 2) compared processing of metaphorical and non-metaphorical words while controlling for number of senses. The effects of relational polysemy were investigated in more detail with a further lexical decision study (Experiment 3). Results showed a metaphor advantage and metonymy disadvantage which conflict with earlier findings of reverse patterns (e.g., Klepousniotou & Baum, 2007). The fact that both conventional lexical metaphors and metonyms can incur either processing advantages or disadvantages strongly suggests they are not inherently stored differently in the mental lexicon.
An overview of plant pathology and application of next-generation sequencing technologies.
Authors: Barba M. , Hadidi A.
Published: May 2015

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms became available commercially about a decade ago. They provide highly efficient, rapid, and low-cost high-throughput and deep DNA sequencing. They are being continually improved to become faster, more efficient and cheaper and have been used in biology since 2004. Since 2008, NGS has been applied to plant pathogens, the causal agents of plant disease. These include the nematodes, fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas which have significant economic impacts on infected plants. The applications include pathogen genome sequencing, discovery and detection, ecology and epidemiology, replication and transcription. Identification and characterization of effectors of prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens and known and novel viruses and/or viroids are currently the most successful applications of NGS in plant pathology. It is expected that NGS will play a very significant role in many areas of plant pathology.
Correction of Cubitus Varus After Pediatric Supracondylar Elbow Fracture: Alternative Method Using the Taylor Spatial Frame
Authors: Belthur Mohan V. , Iobst Christopher A. , Bor Noam , Segev Eitan , Eidelman Mark , Standard Shawn C. , Herzenberg John E.
Published: May 2015

Background:

Cubitus varus is a well-reported complication of supracondylar fracture of the humerus potentially resulting in cosmetic problems, impaired function, and malpractice claims. Traditional methods of correcting malunited distal humeral fractures involve complex osteotomies that have a high complication rate, require a large exposure, and challenging fixation. We present a technique of gradual correction using a percutaneous transverse osteotomy and 3 dimensional correction with a Taylor Spatial Frame.

Methods:

This was a retrospective, IRB-approved study of 12 patients between 2006 and 2010, with cubitus varus after a malunited pediatric supracondylar fracture. The average age at initial injury was 5+8 years. The average age of the patients at surgery was 8+8 years. We measured technical (radiographic parameters and complications), functional (clinical carrying angle, range of motion, QuickDash), and satisfaction domain (questionnaire) outcomes at a minimum follow-up of 6 months.

Results:

The osteotomy healed in all patients by 10 weeks after the index surgery. The mean external fixator time was 10 weeks. The average preoperative and postoperative humeroulnar angles for the affected elbow were 23 degrees varus and 5.8 degrees valgus, respectively. This was statistically significant (P<0.001). The mean preoperative and postoperative carrying angles were 22 degrees of varus and 5.8 degrees of valgus. This was statistically significant (P<0.001). The results of the QuickDash assessment showed that patients were doing very well with regard to the use of their upper extremity. The mean symptom/disability score was 0.80. No major complications or neurovascular complications were encountered. Overall satisfaction with the procedure was high.

Conclusions:

The Taylor Spatial Frame as used in this case series provides the experienced surgeon another safe, accurate, and reliable method to correct cubitus varus after pediatric supracondylar fracture. We used in 7 of our 12 cases, a previously unreported pattern of distal humeral pin fixation that allows for a very distal metaphyseal osteotomy, close to the deformity apex. This is a biplanar delta configuration that straddles the olecranon fossa and is appropriate for both children and adults.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV.
Detecting recent selective sweeps while controlling for mutation rate and background selection
Authors: Huber Christian D. , DeGiorgio Michael , Hellmann Ines , Nielsen Rasmus
Published: May 2015

A composite likelihood ratio test implemented in the program SweepFinder is a commonly used method for scanning a genome for recent selective sweeps. SweepFinder uses information on the spatial pattern of the site frequency spectrum (SFS) around the selected locus. To avoid confounding effects of background selection and variation in the mutation process along the genome, the method is typically applied only to sites that are variable within species. However, the power to detect and localize selective sweeps can be greatly improved if invariable sites are also included in the analysis. In the spirit of a Hudson-Kreitman-Aguadé test, we suggest to add fixed differences relative to an outgroup to account for variation in mutation rate, thereby facilitating more robust and powerful analyses. We also develop a method for including background selection modeled as a local reduction in the effective population size. Using simulations we show that these advances lead to a gain in power while maintaining robustness to mutation rate variation. Furthermore, the new method also provides more precise localization of the causative mutation than methods using the spatial pattern of segregating sites alone.
The “Gini index” in genetics: measuring genetic architecture complexity of quantitative traits
Authors: Shen Xia
Published: May 2015

Genetic architecture is a general terminology used and discussed very often in complex traits genetics. It is related to the number of functional loci involved in explaining variation of a complex trait and the distribution of genetic effects across these loci. Understanding the complexity level of the genetic architecture of complex traits is essential for evaluating the potential power of mapping functional loci and prediction of complex traits. However, there has been no quantitative measurement of the genetic architecture complexity, which makes it difficult to link results from genetic data analysis to such terminology. Inspired by the “Gini index” for measuring income distribution in economics, I develop a genetic architecture score (“GA score”) to measure genetic architecture complexity. Simulations indicate that the GA score is an effective measurement of the complexity level of complex traits genetic architecture.
Standing genetic variation as a major contributor to adaptation in the Virginia chicken lines selection experiment
Authors: Sheng Zheya , Pettersson Mats E. , Honaker Christa F. , Siegel Paul B. , Carlborg Örjan
Published: May 2015

Artificial selection has, for decades, provided a powerful approach to study the genetics of adaptation. Using selective-sweep mapping, it is possible to identify genomic regions in populations where the allele-frequencies have diverged during selection. To avoid misleading signatures of selection, it is necessary to show that a sweep has an effect on the selected trait before it can be considered adaptive. Here, we confirm candidate selective-sweeps on a genome-wide scale in one of the longest, on-going bi-directional selection experiments in vertebrates, the Virginia high and low body-weight selected chicken lines. The candidate selective-sweeps represent standing genetic variants originating from the common base-population. Using a deep-intercross between the selected lines, 16 of 99 evaluated regions were confirmed to contain adaptive selective-sweeps based on their association with the selected trait, 56-day body-weight. Although individual additive effects were small, the fixation for alternative alleles in the high and low body-weight lines across these loci contributed at least 40% of the divergence between them and about half of the additive genetic variance present within and between the lines after 40 generations of selection. The genetic variance contributed by the sweeps corresponds to about 85% of the additive genetic variance of the base-population, illustrating that these loci were major contributors to the realised selection-response. Thus, the gradual, continued, long-term selection response in the Virginia lines was likely due to a considerable standing genetic variation in a highly polygenic genetic architecture in the base-population with contributions from a steady release of selectable genetic variation from new mutations and epistasis throughout the course of selection.
Comparative survey of the relative impact of mRNA features on local ribosome profiling read density
Authors: O’Connor Patrick BF , Andreev Dmitry E. , Baranov Pavel V.
Published: May 2015

Ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq), a promising technology for exploring ribosome decoding rates, is characterized by the presence of infrequent high peaks in ribosome footprint density and by long alignment gaps. Here, to reduce the impact of the data heterogeneity we introduce a simple normalization method, Ribo-seq Unit Step Transformation (RUST). RUST is robust and outperforms other normalization techniques in the presence of heterogeneous noise. We illustrate how RUST can be used for identifying mRNA sequence features that affect ribosome footprint densities globally. We show that a few parameters extracted with RUST are sufficient for predicting experimental densities with high accuracy. Importantly the application of RUST to 30 publicly available Ribo-seq datasets revealed a substantial variation in sequence determinants of ribosome footprint frequencies, questioning the reliability of Ribo-seq as an accurate representation of local ribosome densities without prior quality control. This emphasizes our incomplete understanding of how protocol parameters affect ribosome footprint densities.
Organotypic Culture of Untransformed and Tumorigenic Primary Mammary Epithelial Cells
Authors: Jechlinger Martin
Published: May 2015

Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems represent an important means to study untransformed and neoplastic cells. These cultures can recapitulate organotypic growth by developing a polarized phenotype, forming specialized cell–cell contacts, and attaching to an underlying basement membrane. All of these features are necessary for the proper control of single-cell behavior within a growing structure. By employing 3D cultures, specific aspects of single cells, such as their capacity to proliferate, survive, and differentiate, can be followed in real time. This protocol describes how to generate 3D cultures of primary mammary epithelial cells.
Investigating Bak/Bax Activating Conformation Change by Immunoprecipitation
Authors: Dewson Grant
Published: May 2015

Activation of both Bax and Bak during apoptosis involves significant conformation change. Investigation of this phenomenon by immunoprecipitation (IP) requires a detergent such as CHAPS that does not induce significant conformation change. IP with conformation-specific Bax or Bak antibodies is observed in CHAPS only following an apoptotic stimulus, whereas the same antibodies will immunoprecipitate from both nonapoptotic and apoptotic cells in the presence of Triton X-100. Thus, the latter detergent can serve as a positive control for IP, as described here.
Blue Native PAGE and Antibody Gel Shift to Assess Bak and Bax Conformation Change and Oligomerization
Authors: Dewson Grant
Published: May 2015

Blue native PAGE (BN-PAGE) uses Coomassie dye rather than denaturing SDS to provide a negative charge to proteins for electrophoresis. As such, it is a useful assay for investigating native supramolecular membrane complexes without the need for cross-linking. As Bak and Bax oligomers form in the mitochondrial outer membrane, and they can be efficiently monitored by BN-PAGE. Furthermore, BN-PAGE performed in conjunction with gel-shift using conformation-specific antibodies can provide additional information regarding the activation state of Bak or Bax in specific membrane complexes.
From Nomos to Hegung: Sovereignty and the Laws of War in Schmitt's International Order
Authors: Jacques Johanna
Published: May 2015

Carl Schmitt's notion of nomos is commonly regarded as the international equivalent to the national sovereign's decision on the exception. But can concrete spatial order alone turn a constellation of forces into an international order? This article looks at Schmitt's work The Nomos of the Earth and proposes that it is the process of bracketing war called Hegung which takes the place of the sovereign in the international order Schmitt describes. Beginning from an analysis of nomos, the ordering function of the presocratic concept moira is explored. It is argued that the process of Hegung, like moira, does not just achieve the containment of war, but constitutes the condition of possibility for plural order.
Potential role of ignition management in reducing unplanned burning in Arnhem Land, Australia
Authors: Price Owen F.
Published: May 2015

Fire management attempts to coerce fire into a desired regime using three primary strategies: prescribed burning, fire suppression and ignition management. The West Arnhem Land Fire Abatement project (WALFA), where prescribed Early Dry Season burning is used to reduce unplanned Late Dry Season burning, is heralded as model for prescribed burning. However, a previous analysis found that Late Dry Season area burnt in WALFA had been reduced further than would be expected based purely on the Early Dry Season treatment area. This study investigated whether treatment has reduced the number and size of unplanned fires. Daily burnt area mapping from MODIS satellite sensors was used to identify individual fires to compare fire activity before and after management was introduced in WALFA (2005) and in a control region in East Arnhem Land. Late Dry Season area burnt reduced after treatment in WALFA but also in the control region. The number of fires in August–October increased after treatment. There is a period from early August until late September when human ignitions can cause huge fires. Late Dry Season area burnt was strongly influenced by the size of the largest single fire and only weakly by the number of ignitions. Early Dry Season area burnt had modest effects on both the number and maximum size of Late Dry Season fires. Eliminating the largest fire in each 1600 km2 sample block would have halved the total Late Dry Season area burnt. A similar reduction could be obtained from a 14% annual treatment with Early Dry Season fire, but this may not reduce the overall area burnt. If overall fire frequency is the main threat to biodiversity in the savannas, then the best solution will be to prevent the small subset of fires that have the potential to become very large.
Validity and reliability of the internalized stigma of smoking inventory: An exploration of shame, isolation, and discrimination in smokers with mental health diagnoses
Authors: Brown‐Johnson Cati G. , Cataldo Janine K. , Orozco Nicholas , Lisha Nadra E. , Hickman Norval J. , Prochaska Judith J.
Published: May 2015

Background and Objectives

De‐normalization of smoking as a public health strategy may create shame and isolation in vulnerable groups unable to quit. To examine the nature and impact of smoking stigma, we developed the Internalized Stigma of Smoking Inventory (ISSI), tested its validity and reliability, and explored factors that may contribute to smoking stigma.

Methods

We evaluated the ISSI in a sample of smokers with mental health diagnoses (N = 956), using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and assessed construct validity.

Results

Results reduced the ISSI to eight items with three subscales: smoking self‐stigma related to shame, felt stigma related to social isolation, and discrimination experiences. Discrimination was the most commonly endorsed of the three subscales. A multivariate generalized linear model predicted 21–30% of the variance in the smoking stigma subscales. Self‐stigma was greatest among those intending to quit; felt stigma was highest among those experiencing stigma in other domains, namely ethnicity and mental illness‐based; and smoking‐related discrimination was highest among women, Caucasians, and those with more education.

Discussion and Conclusion

Smoking stigma may compound stigma experiences in other areas. Aspects of smoking stigma in the domains of shame, isolation, and discrimination were related to modeled stigma responses, particularly readiness to quit and cigarette addiction, and were found to be more salient for groups where tobacco use is least prevalent.

Scientific Significance

The ISSI measure is useful for quantifying smoking‐related stigma in multiple domains. (Am J Addict 2015;24:410 –418)
Equivalence of kernel machine regression and kernel distance covariance for multidimensional phenotype association studies
Authors: Hua Wen‐Yu , Ghosh Debashis
Published: May 2015

Associating genetic markers with a multidimensional phenotype is an important yet challenging problem. In this work, we establish the equivalence between two popular methods: kernel‐machine regression (KMR), and kernel distance covariance (KDC). KMR is a semiparametric regression framework that models covariate effects parametrically and genetic markers non‐parametrically, while KDC represents a class of methods that include distance covariance (DC) and Hilbert–Schmidt independence criterion (HSIC), which are nonparametric tests of independence. We show that the equivalence between the score test of KMR and the KDC statistic under certain conditions can lead to a novel generalization of the KDC test that incorporates covariates. Our contributions are 3‐fold: (1) establishing the equivalence between KMR and KDC; (2) showing that the principles of KMR can be applied to the interpretation of KDC; (3) the development of a broader class of KDC statistics, where the class members are statistics corresponding to different kernel combinations. Finally, we perform simulation studies and an analysis of real data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study. The ADNI study suggest that SNPs of FLJ16124 exhibit pairwise interaction effects that are strongly correlated to the changes of brain region volumes.