bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time-dependent approach to spin-vibronic coupling: Implementation and assessment
Authors: Etinski Mihajlo , Rai-Constapel Vidisha , Marian Christel M.
Published: March 2014

In this work, we present the generalization of a time-dependent method for the calculation of intersystem crossing (ISC) rates in the Condon approximation. When ISC takes place between electronic states with the same orbital type, i.e., when the transition is forbidden according to the El-Sayed rules, it is necessary to go beyond the Condon approximation. Similar to the Herzberg-Teller expansion of the vibronic interaction, the electronic spin–orbit matrix elements are assumed to depend linearly on the nuclear coordinates. The ISC rate is then a sum of three contributions: a direct, mixed direct-vibronic, and vibronic term. The method, presented in this work, is based on the generating function formalism and the multi-mode harmonic oscillator approximation. In addition to the zero-temperature case, we implemented formulae for finite-temperature conditions assuming a Boltzmann population of vibrational levels in the initial state. Tests have been carried out for a variety of molecules for which literature data were available. We computed vibronic one-photon spectra of free-base porphyrin and free-base chlorin and calculated ISC rates for xanthone, thioxanthone, thionine, as well as free-base porphyrin and found excellent agreement with previous results. Quantitative rates for triplet formation in rhodamine A have been determined theoretically for the first time. We find the S1↝ T2 channel to be the major source of triplet rhodamine formation in the gas phase.
AlN/Fe/AlN nanostructures for magnetooptic magnetometry
Authors: Lišková-Jakubisová E. , Višňovský Š. , Široký P. , Hrabovský D. , Pištora J. , Harward I. , Celinski Z.
Published: March 2014

AlN/Fe/AlN/Cu nanostructures with ultrathin Fe grown by sputtering on Si substrates are evaluated as probes for magnetooptical (MO) mapping of weak currents. They are considered for a laser wavelength of λ = 410 nm (3.02 eV) and operate at oblique light incidence angles, φ(0), to enable detection of both in-plane and out-of-plane magnetization. Their performance is evaluated in terms of MO reflected wave electric field amplitudes. The maximal MO amplitudes in AlN/Fe/AlN/Cu are achieved by a proper choice of layer thicknesses. The nanostructures were characterized by MO polar Kerr effect at φ(0) ≈ 5° and longitudinal Kerr effect spectra (φ(0) = 45°) at photon energies between 1 and 5 eV. The nominal profiles were refined using a model-based analysis of the spectra. Closed form analytical expressions are provided, which are useful in the search for maximal MO amplitudes.
Note: Limitations of the optoelectronic control for carbon nanoparticles synthesis via arc-discharge in solution
Authors: Darias-González J. G. , Hernández-Tabares L. , Carrillo-Barroso E. , Ledo-Pereda L. M. , Arteche-Díaz J. , Desdín-García L. F.
Published: March 2014

Submerged electric arc discharge in liquids has shown to be a promising method for synthesizing a wide variety of nanomaterials. However, it requires an accurate current stability control to ensure the desired purity and structure of the products. The discharge stability control through light emission has been previously studied, but still requires further investigation to clarify the influence of some parameters. The present work has studied the solution's transmittance variation over time, the correlation between the arc light emission and the arc current, and the feasibility of controlling the arc current by using a specific wavelength of the arc light spectrum. Several limitations of the optoelectronic control were found at low currents (I < 50 A).
Evaporation-driven low Reynolds number vortices in a cavity
Authors: Babaie A. , Madadkhani S. , Stoeber B.
Published: March 2014

This paper describes low Reynolds number vortices that can occur during the evaporation of a polymer solution inside a cavity. Confocal microscopy combined with image processing, micro particle image velocimetry, and micro laser induced fluorescence are used to measure the unsteady evaporation-driven velocity field and the concentration field in a shallow liquid film inside a microliter cavity near a wall. In addition to evaporation-driven flow and Marangoni flow, the velocity field also reveals single and multiple vortices generated by the creeping flow induced by evaporation. Similar to other low Reynolds number vortices, it is seen that the geometry strongly affects the presence, endurance and size of these vortices during the evaporation process. The bulk shear stress of the solution affects the vortex behavior, and no recirculation is observed at high viscosity.
Novel features of a fully developed mixing-layer between co-flowing laminar and turbulent Couette flows
Authors: Narasimhamurthy Vagesh D. , Andersson Helge I. , Pettersen Bjørnar
Published: March 2014

A new flow configuration has been proposed in which a bilateral mixing-layer exists in the junction between co-flowing laminar and turbulent plane Couette flows. Contrary to a classical plane mixing-layer, the present mixing-layer did neither grow in time nor in streamwise direction. However, the mixing zone varied with the distance from the stationary wall. A direct numerical simulation showed that very-large-scale flow structures were found in the turbulent part of the flow with Reynolds number 1300 based on half the velocity U1 of the fastest-moving wall and half of the distance 2h between the walls. The laminar-turbulent interface exhibited a large-scale meandering motion with frequency 0.014U1/h and wavelength about 25h. Large-scale Taylor-Görtler-like roll cells were observed in the nominally laminar flow region with Reynolds number 260. This tailor-made flow is particularly well suited for explorations of momentum transfer and intermittency in the vicinity of the laminar-turbulent interface.
Magnetization control for bit pattern formation of spinel ferromagnetic oxides by Kr ion implantation
Authors: Kita Eiji , Suzuki Kazuya Z. , Liu Yang , Utsumi Yuji , Morishita Jumpei , Oshima Daiki , Kato Takeshi , Niizeki Tomohiko , Mibu Ko , Yanagihara Hideto
Published: March 2014

As a first step toward the development of bit-patterned magnetic media made of oxides, we investigated the effectiveness of magnetism control by Kr implantation in a typical spinel ferromagnetic oxide, Fe3O4. We implanted Kr ions accelerated at 30 kV on 13-nm-thick Fe3O4 thin films at dosages of (1–40) × 1014 ions/cm2. Magnetization decreased with increase in ion dosages and disappeared when irradiation was greater than 2 × 1015 ions/cm2 of Kr ions. These dosages are more than ten times smaller than that used in the N2 implantation for metallic and oxide ferromagnets. Both the temperature dependence of magnetization and the Mössbauer study suggest that the transition of Fe3O4 from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic took place sharply due to Kr ion irradiation, which produces two-phase separation—ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic with insufficient dosage of Kr ions.
Variational principles with Padé approximants for tearing mode analysis
Authors: Cole Andrew J. , Finn John M.
Published: March 2014

Tearing modes occur in several distinct physical regimes, and it is often important to compute the inner layer response for these modes with various effects. There is a need for an approximate and efficient method of solving the inner layer equations in all these regimes. In this paper, we introduce a method of solving the inner layer equations based on using a variational principle with Padé approximants. For all the regimes considered, the main layer equations to be solved are inhomogeneous, and Padé approximants give a convenient and efficient method of satisfying the correct asymptotic behavior at the edge of the layer. Results using this variational principle—Padé approximant method in three of these regimes is presented. These regimes are the constant-ψ resistive-inertial (RI) regime, the constant-ψ viscoresistive regime, and the non-constant-ψ inviscid tearing regime. The last regime includes the constant-ψ RI regime and the inertial regime. The results show that reasonable accuracy can be obtained very efficiently with Padé approximants having a small number of parameters.
Magnetocrystalline anisotropy of the Fe-sublattice in Y2Fe14B systems
Authors: Miura Yoshio , Tsuchiura Hiroki , Yoshioka Takuya
Published: March 2014

To reveal the role of Fe sublattice in the coercivity of R2Fe14B, we investigated the origin of perpendicular magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) of Y2Fe14B using first-principles density-functional calculations. We found that the perpendicular MCA of Y2Fe14B arises predominantly from Fe sites with higher symmetry (16k1,2 and 8j1,2). On the other hand, the Fe(4c) sites show a significant contribution to the in-plane MCA. This can be attributed to the localized character of Fe(4c)-d orbitals in R2Fe14B. Furthermore, the MCA energy of Y2Fe14B increases as the number of valence electrons increases within the rigid band model, indicating that the partial substitution of Fe by Co can enhance the MCA energy of Y2Fe14B.
Scaling of the thickness dependent anomalous Hall effect in amorphous ferromagnetic thin films
Authors: Fan Xiaolong , Chen Hang , Rao Jinwei , Zhou Hengan , Zhang Yichao , Zhao Xiaobing , Xue Desheng
Published: March 2014

We testified the scaling theory of room temperature anomalous Hall effect in amorphous Co90Zr10 ferromagnetic thin films with the thickness between 5 nm to 600 nm. The experiment results did not meet the theory expectation if we simply put σxy and σxx into a log-log plot, because a negative exponent in σxy = σxxβ appeared for the films thicker than 100 nm. We removed the thickness independent bulk contribution to the scattering, and rebuilt the scaling relation by using only the surface/interface contribution. A crossover from the intrinsic moderately dirty regime, where β = 0.82 to the dirty regime, where β = 1.76, had been observed, which matched previous results and theory expectations. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the bulk contribution in establishing the AHE scaling relation when using the thickness to tune the transportation properties of ferromagnetic thin films.
Effect of ball milling and dynamic compaction on magnetic properties of Al2O3/Co(P) composite particles
Authors: Denisova E. A. , Kuzovnikova L. A. , Iskhakov R. S. , Bukaemskiy A. A. , Eremin E. V. , Nemtsev I. V.
Published: March 2014

The evolution of the magnetic properties of composite Al2O3/Co(P) particles during ball milling and dynamic compaction is investigated. To prepare starting composite particles, the Al2O3 granules were coated with a Co95P5 shell by electroless plating. The magnetic and structural properties of the composite particles are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and the use of the Physical Property Measurement System. The use of composite core-shell particles as starting powder for mechanoactivation allows to decrease treatment duration to 1 h and to produce a more homogeneous bulk sample than in the case of the mixture of Co and Al2O3 powders. The magnetic properties of the milled composite particles are correlated with changes in the microstructure. Reduction in grain size of Co during milling leads to an increase of the volume fraction of superparamagnetic particles and to a decrease of the saturation magnetization. The local magnetic anisotropy field depends on the amount of hcp-Co phase in sample. The anisotropy field value decreases from 8.4 kOe to 3.8 kOe with an increase in milling duration up to 75 min. The regimes of dynamic compaction were selected so that the magnetic characteristics—saturation magnetization and coercive field—remained unchanged.
Surface plasmon polaritons in a topological insulator embedded in an optical cavity
Authors: Li L. L. , Xu W.
Published: March 2014

Very recently, the surface plasmons in a topological insulator (TI) have been experimentally observed by exciting these collective modes with polarized light [P. Di Pietro, M. Ortolani, O. Limaj, A. Di Gaspare, V. Giliberti, F. Giorgianni, M. Brahlek, N. Bansal, N. Koirala, S. Oh, P. Calvani, and S. Lupi, Nat. Nanotechnol. 8, 556 (2013)]. Motivated by this experimental work, here we present a theoretical study on the surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) induced by plasmon-photon interactions in a TI thin film embedded in an optical cavity. It is found that the frequencies of SPP modes are within the terahertz (THz) bandwidth and can be tuned effectively by adjusting the surface electron density and/or the optical cavity length. Since the surface electron density can be well controlled by the gate-voltage applied perpendicular to the TI surface, our theoretical results indicate that gated TI thin films may have potential applications in the electrically tunable THz plasmonic devices.
Ru-Al codoping to mediate resistive switching of NiO:SnO2 nanocomposite films
Authors: Li Jian-Chang , Cao Qing , Hou Xue-Yan
Published: March 2014

The Ru-Al codoped NiO:SnO2 nanocomposite films are revealed to exhibit bipolar resistive switching. The switching mechanism is well explained by the formation/rupture of filamentary paths due to the field-induced migration of oxygen vacancies and oxygen ions. Compared with that of the undoped NiO:SnO2 film, the ON/OFF ratio of Ru-Al codoped samples is largely improved. This is ascribed to the increased content of oxygen vacancies and trapped states between the equilibrium Fermi level and conduction band induced by the interstitial defects of Ru and Al.
Inherent optical behavior and structural variation in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-6%BaTiO3 revealed by temperature dependent Raman scattering and ultraviolet-visible transmittance
Authors: Huang T. , Hu Z. G. , Xu G. S. , Zhang X. L. , Zhang J. Z. , Chu J. H.
Published: March 2014

Optical properties of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-6%BaTiO3 (NBT-6%BT) single crystal have been studied by temperature dependent Raman and ultraviolet-visible spectra from 25 to 180 °C. With increasing the temperature, the absorption edge approximately decreases from 3.13 to 3.04 eV. Moreover, abnormal changes of phonon mode and spectral transmission are observed at 83, 106, and 150 °C, which can be unambiguously correlated with thermal evolutions of polar nano-regions and phase transition. It indicates that there is an inherent relationship between optical behavior and structural variation of NBT-6%BT, which provides a valid methodology to explore the phase transition of relaxor ferroelectric oxides.
Opto-electrical properties of Sb-doped p-type ZnO nanowires
Authors: Kao Tzu-Hsuan , Chen Jui-Yuan , Chiu Chung-Hua , Huang Chun-Wei , Wu Wen-Wei
Published: March 2014

P-type ZnO nanowires (NWs) have attracted much attention in the past years due to the potential applications for optoelectronics and piezotronics. In this study, we have synthesized Sb-doped p-type ZnO NWs on Si (100) substrates by chemical vapor deposition with Aucatalyst. The Sb-doped ZnO NWs are single crystalline with high density, grown along [1-1-2] direction. The doping percentage of Sb is about 2.49%, which has been confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The ZnO NW field effect transistor demonstrated its p-type characteristics. A high responsivity to ultraviolet photodetection was also observed. In addition, compared to intrinsic ZnO NWs, the conductivity of the Sb-doped ZnO NWs exhibited ∼2 orders of magnitude higher. These properties make the p-type ZnO NWs a promising candidate for electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Recruitment of Eucalyptus strzeleckii (Myrtaceae) in remnant patches of native vegetation in the Latrobe Valley and South Gippsland, Victoria
Authors: Schinagl Harley , Wright Wendy , Rayment Philip
Published: March 2014

Eucalyptus strzeleckii K.Rule (Strzelecki gum) is a medium to tall, forest swamp gum endemic to the foothills and flats of southern Victoria. It is listed as Vulnerable at State (Victoria) and Federal levels. Many of the existing populations are dominated by mature, senescing trees in highly degraded habitats and recruitment of the species is rarely observed. The present study assessed the natural recruitment of Strzelecki gum at locations where mature Strzelecki gums are present and habitat degradation is not a significant limiting factor. The number of mature and recruiting Strzelecki gum individuals was assessed within gradient-oriented belt transects (gradsects) and a range of variables considered to be likely to affect recruitment were measured and correlated with the results of the recruitment study. Strzelecki gum recruits (<5 m tall) were found in 68.8% of gradsects and recruits accounted for 8–14% of the total stems counted for this species. Areas that had been recently burnt (within the past 5 years) had 15 times the number of Strzelecki gum recruits. Disturbance by flooding may also be positively associated with recruitment. Litter cover, habitat quality and density of intermediate-sized Strzelecki gums were all strong positive predictors for the density of Strzelecki gum recruits. Results from the present survey have provided a basis for land managers to estimate quantities of mature and recruiting Strzelecki gums in large populations.
Managing nutrient regimes improves seedling root-growth potential of framework banksia-woodland species
Authors: Griffiths Erin , Stevens Jason C.
Published: March 2014

Limited success of restoring framework banksia-woodland species has been attributed to the failure of seedlings to establish deep root systems before the onset of the summer drought. The present glasshouse study investigated how optimising nutrient application during nursery production may increase new-root production after outplanting. Two experimental streams were established to (1) optimise nutrient application rates during nursery production and (2) utilise nutrient-loading techniques to improve root production of Banksia menziesii R.Br., Banksia attenuata R.Br. and Eucalyptus todtiana F.Muell after outplanting. Optimal nutrient-application rates were determined by measuring plant growth and internal nutrient responses to eight application levels of slow-release fertiliser (0–18 kg m–3, nitrogen (N) : phosphorus (P) : potassium (K) = 17 : 1.6 : 8.7). Nutrient-loading treatments utilised seedlings that had been grown under common industry fertiliser conditions (3 kg m–3 native Osmocote, N : P : K = 17 : 1.6 : 8.7) supplied with ‘low’ or ‘high’ loading doses of liquid Thrive continuously over 6 weeks, immediately before outplanting. Seedlings from both experiments were then outplanted to 1-m-deep poly-pipe tubes containing habitat soil. After 12 weeks, plants were harvested and new-root production and shoot growth were measured. Optimal concentrations of slow-release fertiliser for maximum outplanting success as indicated by increased root investment (root : shoot ratio and new-root production) were 8–12 kg m–3 for all species. Nutrient loading increased N and P concentrations of plants by up to 80% and 127%, respectively, by luxury nutrient consumption, and after planting, nutrient-loaded seedlings produced 1.5-fold the biomass of conventionally fertilised seedlings, this being the result of greater root productivity. In conclusion, optimising nursery nutrient regimes for framework species may increase root-growth potential, assisting in improving plant establishment in restoration programs.
Escaping the Voice of the Mass/ter: Late Neoliberalism, Object-Voice, and the Prospects for a Radical Democratic Future
Authors: Biesecker Barbara A. , Trapani William
Published: March 2014

This article argues that the founding logics of late neoliberalism actively mitigate against a radically democratic future. By calling attention to the invocatory drive which is responsible for effecting the Symbolic order’s interpellative address, the article makes the case that Lacan’s retheorization of desire, the drives, and/as jouissance opens the way toward an ontologically grounded conception of radical political agency and rhetorical intervention whose abiding ethical injunction is to “imagine there’s no Publics!”
The Controversy at Rockefeller Center: Phantom Publics, Aesthetic Barbarians
Authors: Bruce Caitlin
Published: March 2014

This article investigates the Rivera controversy at Rockefeller Center arguing that the controversy illuminates tensions in democratic culture over the role of the masses and their relation to the “legitimate” public, exhibited in anxieties about phantom publics and barbarian crowds. Beginning with critical discourse surrounding the construction of Rockefeller Center, the mural controversy is resituated within a broader frame in which revanchist anxieties and worry about mass media play a crucial role. Appeals during the construction of the building to the “public” character of the structure took on a life of their own during the apex of the Rivera controversy.
Fearing the Masses: Gustave Le Bon and Some Undemocratic Roots of Modern Rhetorical Studies
Authors: Childers Jay P.
Published: March 2014

As the popular narrative has it, the modern speech discipline in the United States was born out of a concern for democracy and reason. However, this story occludes other, decidedly undemocratic, foundational ideas that were at the heart of rhetoric and oratory during the first half of the twentieth century. Given contemporary concerns with both deliberative democracy and affect theory, rhetoricians and speech teachers would benefit today from a fuller understanding of some of the undemocratic ideas that influenced the modern rhetorical renaissance. This article helps accomplish this by focusing on the work of Gustave Le Bon, whose concern with persuasion and the masses was influential on early scholars of rhetorical oratory, including James Winans, William Brigance, and James O’Neill. Indeed, it was Gustave Le Bon who popularized the notion that the masses were like a psychological crowd devoid of reason and the ability to deliberate.
The Rhetorical Transformation of the Masses from Malthus’s “Redundant Population” into Marx’s “Industrial Reserve Army”
Authors: Hill Ian E. J.
Published: March 2014

This article examines the rhetorical transformation of Malthus’s concept of the “redundant population” into what Marx and Engels relabeled the “surplus population” and the “industrial reserve army.” Three rhetorical functions can be observed in this transformation. First, the altered terminology served as a rhetorical marker for a place of theoretical disagreement about economic causality. “Rhetorical marker” refers to a subtle terminological modification that has manifold ramifications for meaning and understanding. Second, this reconstitution of the masses reinforced opposed assumptions about the relationship of people to technology, and third, it provided a type of embodied material proof for Marx’s and Engels’s revolutionary politics.
Nkrumah and the Crowd: Mass Politics in Emergent Ghana
Authors: Johnson Erik
Published: March 2014

This article analyzes Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah, which was published to coincide with Ghana’s independence on March 6, 1957. Whereas the political and social imagination of the Anglo-American world during the postwar years was riddled with anxieties concerning the masses, the crowd scenes of Nkrumah’s Ghana elaborate the characteristics of a political community centered on mass society. The article concludes by noting the possibility of a mass civic art culled from the rhetorical tradition of Ghana.
A fast algorithm for the energy space boson Boltzmann collision operator
Authors: Hu Jingwei , Ying Lexing
Published: March 2014

This paper introduces a fast algorithm for the energy space boson Boltzmann collision operator. Compared to the directO(N3)O(N^3)calculation and the previousO(N2log⁡N)O(N^2\log N)method [Markowich and Pareschi, 2005], the new algorithm runs in complexityO(Nlog2⁡N)O(N\log ^2N), which is optimal up to a logarithmic factor (NNis the number of grid points in energy space). The basic idea is to partition the 3-D summation domain recursively into elementary shapes so that the summation within each shape becomes a special double convolution that can be computed efficiently by the fast Fourier transform. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed algorithm.
First Report of Sclerotinia Blight of Peanut Caused by Sclerotinia minor in Arkansas
Authors: Faske T. R. , Emerson M. , Hurd K.
Published: March 2014

In September, 2013, symptoms similar to Sclerotinia blight caused by Sclerotinia minor were observed on Runner peanut (cv. FloRun 107) in a commercial field near Pocahontas, Arkansas, in Randolph County (2). Blighted plants with wilted leaves were observed in several small (30 × 30 cm) clustered foci located near the end of a 20-ha, furrow-irrigated field. Peanut stems within the lower canopy of symptomatic plants had straw-colored lesions, with white fluffy mycelium and small (<2.0 mm diam.), black, irregularly shaped sclerotia. Stems on plants with severe symptoms were shredded in appearance, with small black sclerotia inside the stem tissue (2). Final disease incidence near harvest in mid-October was less than 1% of the field. Sclerotinia blight symptoms were also observed in 2013 on Runner (cvs. FloRun 107, Georgia 09B, and Florida 07) and Spanish peanut (cvs. OLin and OL06) research plots near Newport, AR, in Jackson County. Disease incidence among cultivars in these research plots was <1% for all cultivars except FloRun 107, which had a disease incidence of 2.6% for a 849.8 m2 plot. Isolations from surface-disinfected leaves on potato dextrose agar (PDA) consistently yielded white, fluffy mycelia with small (0.5 to 2.0 mm diam.), black, irregularly shaped sclerotia typical of S. minor (2). Six-week-old peanut plants (cv. FloRun 107) growing in pots were used to test pathogenicity. Each plant was inoculated by placing an agar plug (5 mm diam.), collected from the edge of an actively growing S. minor culture, on the main peanut stem. Plants (n = 5) were incubated for 8 days in a humidity chamber where temperatures ranged from 24 to 30°C and relative humidity remained >95%. Characteristic symptoms of Sclerotia blight were observed on all inoculated peanut plants whereas none of the plants (n = 3) inoculated with sterile PDA agar plugs expressed symptoms. Pathogenicity tests were repeated on peanut cvs. Flavor Runner 458 and Georgia 09B with similar results. S. minor was consistently isolated from symptomatic tissue on PDA, fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of S. minor on peanut or any host in Arkansas or the Mid-South region. The two peanut fields with Sclerotinia blight had a history of soybean production, and S. minor may have gone undetected on soybean or one of many host weed species (1). Since S. minor is a major economic pathogen of peanut, commonly causing yield losses of 10% (2), it will likely be a significant factor in Arkansas and Mid-South peanut production.

References: (1) M. S. Melzer et al. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 19:272, 1997. (2) D. M. Porter and H. A. Melouk. Sclerotinia blight. Page 34 in: Compendium of Peanut Diseases, 2nd ed. N. Kokalis-Burelle et al., eds. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1997.
Salinigranum rubrum gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Halobacteriaceae isolated from a marine solar saltern
Authors: Cui Heng-Lin , Zhang Wen-Jiao
Published: March 2014

Halophilic archaeal strain GX10T was isolated from the Gangxi marine solar saltern in China. Strain GX10T was observed to have pleomorphic cells that lysed in distilled water, stained Gram-negative and produced red-pigmented colonies. Strain GX10T was able to grow at 20–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), with 1.4–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 3.1 M NaCl), with 0–0.7 M MgCl2 (optimum 0.05 M MgCl2) and at pH 5.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The major polar lipids of strain GX10T were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, two major glycolipids chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether and mannosyl glucosyl diether, and five unidentified glycolipids. Phylogenetic tree reconstructions based on 16S rRNA gene and rpoB′ sequences revealed that strain GX10T was distinct from the related genera,

Halogranum

,

Haloferax

,

Halopelagius

,

Halogeometricum

,

Halobellus

,

Haloplanus

and

Halorubrum

. The DNA G+C content of strain GX10T was 62.9 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggested that strain GX10T represents a novel species of a new genus within the family

Halobacteriaceae

, for which the name Salinigranum rubrum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is GX10T ( = CGMCC 1.10385T = JCM 17116T).
N′′-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-N,N,N′-trimethyl-N′-phenylguanidine
Authors: Tiritiris Ioannis , Frey Wolfgang , Kantlehner Willi
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C17H21N3O, the C—N bond lengths in the guanidine unit are 1.2889 (19), 1.3682 (19) and 1.408 (2) Å, indicating double- and single-bond character. The N—C—N angles are 115.10 (13), 119.29 (15) and 125.61 (14)°, showing a deviation of the CN3plane from an ideal trigonal–planar geometry. In the crystal, non-classical C—H...O hydrogen bonds between methyl H atoms and methoxy O atoms are present, generating centrosymmetric dimers running in the [101] direction.
5-Bromo-3-ethylsulfinyl-7-methyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1-benzofuran
Authors: Choi Hong Dae , Seo Pil Ja , Lee Uk
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C18H17BrO2S, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzofuran and 4-methylphenyl rings is 14.54 (5)°. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviapairs of π–π interactions between the benzene and 4-methylphenyl rings, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.811 (3) and 3.755 (3) Å. A similar interaction is found between the furan and 4-methylphenyl rings, with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.866 (3) Å between neighbouring molecules. The molecules are stacked along thea-axis direction. In addition, a short Br...O contact distance of 3.128 (2) Å is observed between inversion-related dimers.
Methyl 5-iodo-2-methoxybenzoate
Authors: Lundvall Fredrik , Wragg David Stephen , Dietzel Pascal D. C. , Fjellvåg Helmer
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C9H9IO3, the molecules are close to planar [maximum deviation from benzene ring plane = 0.229 (5) Å for the methyl carboxylate C atom] with the methyl groups oriented away from each other. In the crystal, molecules form stacked layers parallel to theabplane, where every layer has either the iodine or methoxy/methyl carboxylate substituents pointing towards each other in an alternating fashion.
5-Cyclohexyl-3-(2-fluorophenylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-1-benzofuran
Authors: Choi Hong Dae , Seo Pil Ja , Lee Uk
Published: March 2014

In the title compound, C21H21FO3S, the cyclohexyl ring adopts a chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzofuran ring system and the fluorophenyl ring is 87.61 (3)°. In the crystal, molecules related by inversion are linked into dimersviapairs of C—H...π interactions. These dimers are further linked by π–π interactions between the furan rings of neighbouring molecules [centroid–centroid distance = 3.407 (2) Å and between the 2-fluorophenyl rings of neighbouring molecules [centroid–centroid distance = 3.742 (2) Å], resulting in a three-dimensional supramolecular network.
3-Methoxy-2-[5-(naphthalen-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]phenol
Authors: Koh Dongsoo , Lim Yoongho , Lough Alan J.
Published: March 2014

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C20H18N2O2, contains two independent molecules in which the dihedral angles between the naphthalene ring system [r.m.s. deviations = 0.012 (1) and 0.015 (1) Å] and the benzene ring are 71.65 (6) and 74.51 (6)°. In the crystal, pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds form two independent inversion dimers with graph-set notationR22(14). In addition, each molecule contains an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond with anS(6) motif.
European registry for quality improvement in cataract surgery
Authors: Lundström Mats , Barry Peter , Brocato Lucia , Fitzpatrick Carol , Henry Ype , Rosen Paul , Stenevi Ulf
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– A project aimed at creating a multi-national database for cataract and refractive surgery was initiated in 2008. The database was intended for learning and clinical improvement, not supervision. The project was co-funded by the European Union, under the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) and supported by 11 national societies for cataract and refractive surgery. The purpose of this article is to describe the setup of the database and the ensuing achievements within cataract surgery after four years.

Design/methodology/approach

– A web-based system was created for input and output of data, with a software interface to two databases, one for cataract surgery and one for refractive surgery. Data can be put in either manually through web forms or by transfer of data from existing national registries or large electronic medical record systems. Output of reports from the system or export of one's own data is available on the web. The data are anonymous to all users, with the sole exception that reporting surgeons and clinics have access to their own data. The system does not include any patient identification.

Findings

– After four years, data from 16 countries have been entered into the system, including reports of more than 900,000 cataract extractions. The database has been used by individual clinics for benchmarking and clinical improvement work, and has also served as the basis for new clinical guidelines for cataract surgery. The ESCRS has guaranteed the sustainability of the database after the project period.

Originality/value

– A European quality registry with data input from surgeons and clinics in 16 European countries has been established. Close to one million surgeries have been entered into the system during the first four years. Evidence-based guidelines have been published based on data in the registry. The system is used for benchmarking by both experienced surgeons and trainees.
The Pransky interview: Dr Mark W. Tilden, Robotics Physicist
Authors: Pransky Joanne
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The following article is a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal as a method to impart the combined technological, business, and personal experience of a prominent, robotic industry engineer-turned entrepreneur regarding the evolution, commercialization, and challenges of bringing a technological invention to market. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The interviewee is Dr Mark W. Tilden, a Robotics Physicist and the inventor of BEAM Robotics. Having built his first 100 bots by the age of nine, Tilden goes on to study at the University of Waterloo and later works at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. There he develops a variety of biomorphic robots including interplanetary explorers and solar-powered bots. During this time, Tilden founds the first BEAM International Olympics. Solarbotics is also formed to disseminate BEAM technologies. At the turn of the millennium, after being approached by toy manufacturer WowWee, Tilden applies his BEAM technology to the consumer toy industry.

Findings

– From Robobiologist to Chaos Engineer to Toy Consultant to Robotics Physicist, Tilden describes the several decade evolution of his Biomech technologies.

Originality/value

– The Father of BEAM Robotics, who initially designs single, minimalist biomorphic robots for the space and military industries, transforms his research into the first commercially available affordable humanoid companion for the personal and entertainment robotics industries, culminating in a total of nearly 25 million robots sold worldwide. This experimental physicist continues his pioneering Biomech efforts with hybridization collaborations on life-sized humanoid robots for the home and office.
Underwater localization and mapping: observability analysis and experimental results
Authors: Bayat Mohammadreza , Pedro Aguiar A.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The authors aim to investigate the observability properties of the process of simultaneous localization and mapping of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), a challenging and important problem in marine robotics, and illustrate the derived results through computer simulations and experimental results with a real AUV.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors address the single/multiple beacon observability analysis of the process of simultaneous localization and mapping of an AUV by deriving the nonlinear mathematical model that describes the process; then applying a suitable coordinate transformation, and subsequently a time-scaling transformation to obtain a linear time varying (LTV) system. The AUV considered is equipped with a set of inertial sensors, a depth sensor, and an acoustic ranging device that provides relative range measurements to a set of stationary beacons. The location of the beacons does not need to be necessarily known and in that case, the authors are also interested to localize them. Numerical tests and experimental results illustrate the derived theoretical results.

Findings

– The authors show that if either the position of one of the beacons or the initial position of the AUV is known, then the system is at least locally weakly observable, in the sense that the set of indistinguishable states from a given initial configuration contains a finite set of isolated points. The simulations and experiments results illustrate the findings.

Originality/value

– In the single and multiple beacon case and for manoeuvres with constant linear and angular velocities both expressed in the body-frame, known as trimming or steady-state trajectories, the authors derive conditions under which it is possible to infer the state of the resulting system (and in particular the position of the AUV). The authors also describe the implementation of an advanced continuous time constrained minimum energy observer combined with multiple model techniques. Numerical tests and experimental results illustrate the derived theoretical results.
Artificial water points facilitate the spread of an invasive vertebrate in arid Australia
Authors: Letnic Mike , Webb Jonathan K. , Jessop Tim S. , Florance Daniel , Dempster Tim
Published: March 2014

The spread of invasive species after their initial introduction is often facilitated by human actions. In some cases, invaders only become established in habitats where dominant native species have been displaced as a result of human actions or where humans inadvertently provide essential resources such as food, water or shelter.

We investigated if dams that provide water for livestock have facilitated the cane toad's (Rhinella marina) invasion of a hot semi‐arid landscape by providing toads with a resource subsidy and hence refuge from extreme heat and aridity. To determine the relationship between the presence of surface water and habitat occupancy by toads, we surveyed natural and artificial water features for cane toads during the annual dry season. We used radiotracking and acoustic tags to determine whether movement patterns and shelter use of cane toads were focussed around dams. To determine whether dams provide toads with refuge from extreme heat and aridity, we deployed plaster models with internal thermometers to estimate ambient temperatures and toad desiccation rates in shelter sites. To determine whether dams alleviate the stress experienced by toads, we measured plasma corticosterone levels of toads that sheltered in and away from dams.

Toads were present in sites with standing water and absent from waterless sites. Most radiotracked toads sheltered within 1 m of water. Toad movements were focussed around water. Toads tracked with passive acoustic telemetry over a 6‐month dry season were highly resident at dams.

Plaster models placed in toad shelter sites away from the water lost 27% more mass and experienced higher temperatures than models placed near the water's edge. Toads that sheltered in terrestrial shelters exhibited higher plasma corticosterone levels compared to toads that sheltered near dams.

Dams provide toads with refuge habitats where they are less at risk from overheating and dehydration.

Synthesis and applications. Artificial water points can facilitate biological invasions in arid regions by providing a resource subsidy for water‐dependent invasive species. Our study suggests that there is scope to control populations of water‐dependent invasive vertebrates in arid regions by restricting their access to artificial water points.
Perceived liveliness and speech comprehensibility in aphasia: the effects of direct speech in auditory narratives
Authors: Groenewold Rimke , Bastiaanse Roelien , Nickels Lyndsey , Huiskes Mike
Published: March 2014

Background

Previous studies have shown that in semi‐spontaneous speech, individuals with Broca's and anomic aphasia produce relatively many direct speech constructions. It has been claimed that in ‘healthy’ communication direct speech constructions contribute to the liveliness, and indirectly to the comprehensibility, of speech.

Aims

To examine the effects of the occurrence of direct speech constructions on the perceived liveliness and speech comprehensibility of narratives produced by individuals with and without aphasia.

Methods & Procedures

Thirty‐seven naive listeners rated 30 speech fragments with and without direct speech from ten speakers with and ten speakers without aphasia. The fragments originated from semi‐structured interviews. The raters scored the perceived liveliness and the perceived comprehensibility of these fragments.

Outcomes & Results

For both groups of speakers, fragments containing direct speech constructions received higher scores for liveliness than fragments without direct speech constructions. However, no effect of direct speech was found on perceived comprehensibility.

Conclusions & Implications

This is the first research to demonstrate that communication is perceived as more lively when it contains direct speech than when it does not, but yet is not more comprehensible. Individuals with Broca's and anomic aphasia are known to produce regularly direct speech constructions in elicited narratives. Given that liveliness is known to increase listeners’ involvement and to help listeners stay focused, we suggest that this relative increase in direct speech by aphasic speakers may reflect a strategy to increase not only the liveliness of their discourse, but also listener focus and involvement.
Do aphids actively search for ant partners?
Authors: Fischer Christophe Y. , Vanderplanck Maryse , Lognay Georges C. , Detrain Claire , Verheggen François J.
Published: March 2014

The aphid–ant mutualistic relationships are not necessarily obligate for neither partners but evidence is that such interactions provide them strong advantages in terms of global fitness. While it is largely assumed that ants actively search for their mutualistic partners namely using volatile cues; whether winged aphids (i.e., aphids’ most mobile form) are able to select ant‐frequented areas had not been investigated so far. Ant‐frequented sites would indeed offer several advantages for these aphids including a lower predation pressure through ant presence and enhanced chances of establishing mutuaslistic interactions with neighbor ant colonies. In the field, aphid colonies are often observed in higher densities around ant nests, which is probably linked to a better survival ensured by ants’ services. Nevertheless, this could also result from a preferential establishment of winged aphids in ant‐frequented areas. We tested this last hypothesis through different ethological assays and show that the facultative myrmecophilous black bean aphid, Aphis fabae L., does not orientate its search for a host plant preferentially toward ant‐frequented plants. However, our results suggest that ants reduce the number of winged aphids leaving the newly colonized plant. Thus, ants involved in facultative myrmecophilous interactions with aphids appear to contribute to structure aphid populations in the field by ensuring a better establishment and survival of newly established colonies rather than by inducing a deliberate plant selection by aphid partners based on the proximity of ant colonies.
Treatment outcomes for patients with chloroma receiving radiation therapy
Authors: Hall Matthew D. , Chen Yi‐Jen , Schultheiss Timothy E. , Pezner Richard D. , Stein Anthony S. , Wong Jeffrey Y. C.
Published: March 2014

Introduction

This study aims to analyse treatment outcomes, disease control and toxicity in patients with chloromas referred for radiation therapy (RT).

Methods

Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for 41 patients with chloromas treated with RT at our institution.

Results

Twenty‐five patients were treated with palliative intent, whereas sixteen received RT as a component of curative intent therapy in addition to systemic chemotherapy with or without haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). All patients received RT for chloroma (median dose 24 Gy). Median survival was 5.4 months after RT (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.5–12.6 months), and no significant difference in overall survival was identified based on prior treatment with systemic chemotherapy alone or HSCT. Patients treated with curative intent had a median survival of 26.2 months (95% CI 6.1–48.9 months) and a Kaplan–Meier estimate of 15% overall survival at 5 years. At the end of the study follow‐up period, 38 patients were dead and three patients treated with curative intent remained alive. After palliative RT, 44% of patients experienced partial relief and 48% experienced complete symptomatic improvement without significant acute toxicities.

Conclusions

RT provides timely symptom palliation for patients with chloromas with minimal morbidity, but the prognosis remains poor. Long‐term remission can be achieved in selected patients with salvage chemotherapy and HSCT.
Performance comparison of genetic markers for high‐throughput sequencing‐based biodiversity assessment in complex communities
Authors: Zhan Aibin , Bailey Sarah A. , Heath Daniel D. , Macisaac Hugh J.
Published: March 2014

Metabarcode surveys of DNA extracted from environmental samples are increasingly popular for biodiversity assessment in natural communities. Such surveys rely heavily on robust genetic markers. Therefore, analysis of PCR efficiency and subsequent biodiversity estimation for different types of genetic markers and their corresponding primers is important. Here, we test the PCR efficiency and biodiversity recovery potential of three commonly used genetic markers – nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (18S), mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (mt16S) – using 454 pyrosequencing of a zooplankton community collected from Hamilton Harbour, Ontario. We found that biodiversity detection power and PCR efficiency varied widely among these markers. All tested primers for COI failed to provide high‐quality PCR products for pyrosequencing, but newly designed primers for 18S and 16S passed all tests. Furthermore, multiple analyses based on large‐scale pyrosequencing (i.e. 1/2 PicoTiter plate for each marker) showed that primers for 18S recover more (38 orders) groups than 16S (10 orders) across all taxa, and four vs. two orders and nine vs. six families for Crustacea. Our results showed that 18S, using newly designed primers, is an efficient and powerful tool for profiling biodiversity in largely unexplored communities, especially when amplification difficulties exist for mitochondrial markers such as COI. Universal primers for higher resolution markers such as COI are still needed to address the possible low resolution of 18S for species‐level identification.