bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Charge-transfer dynamics in multilayered PbS and PbSe quantum dot architectures
Authors: Xu F. , Haughn C. R. , Ma X. , Doty M. F. , Cloutier S. G.
Published: February 2014

We demonstrate control of the charge transfer process in PbS and PbSe quantum dot assemblies. We first demonstrate efficient charge transfer from donor quantum dots to acceptor quantum dots in a multi-layer PbSe cascade structure. Then, we assemble type-I and type-II heterostructures using both PbS and PbSe quantum dots via careful control of the band alignment. In type-I structures, photo-generated carriers are transferred and localized in the smaller bandgap (acceptor) quantum dots, resulting in a significant luminescence enhancement. In contrast, a significant luminescence quenching and shorter emission lifetime confirms an efficient separation of photo-generated carriers in the type-II architecture.
Giant enhancement of spin pumping in the out-of-phase precession mode
Authors: Takahashi S.
Published: February 2014

We theoretically study the spin pumping from the two ferromagnetic layers embedded in a normal metal and investigate the spin current and spin accumulation generated by the precessing magnetizations, focusing on their dependence on the relative precessional motion and the layer separation. We demonstrate a giant enhancement of spin pumping induced in the out-of-phase precession mode of the magnetizations in which the pumped spin current and spin accumulation are greatly enhanced compared to those in the in-phase precession mode. The giant enhancement of spin pumping is discussed in relation to an enhanced Gilbert damping.
Polarization of photoluminescence emission from semi-polar (11–22) AlGaN layers
Authors: Netzel Carsten , Stellmach Joachim , Feneberg Martin , Frentrup Martin , Winkler Michael , Mehnke Frank , Wernicke Tim , Goldhahn Rüdiger , Kneissl Michael , Weyers Markus
Published: February 2014

We studied the optical polarization of surface-emitted photoluminescence from thick semi-polar (11–22) AlxGa1−xN layers on m-plane sapphire substrates with aluminum contents x between 0.0 and 0.63 at T = 10 K. Luminescence with an electric field vector E parallel to the in-plane direction [1–100] prevails for x < 0.2. Polarization with E parallel to the perpendicular in-plane direction [11-2-3] prevails for x > 0.2. In case of low aluminum content, the spectra are dominated by basal plane stacking fault emission. The degree of optical polarization for both basal plane stacking fault emission and near band edge emission is comparable.
High efficiency silicon nanohole/organic heterojunction hybrid solar cell
Authors: Hong Lei , Wang Xincai , Zheng Hongyu , He Lining , Wang Hao , Yu Hongyu , Rusli
Published: February 2014

High efficiency hybrid solar cells are fabricated based on silicon with a nanohole (SiNH) structure and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). The SiNH structure is fabricated using electroless chemical etching with silver catalyst, and the heterojunction is formed by spin coating of PEDOT on the SiNH. The hybrid cells are optimized by varying the hole depth, and a maximum power conversion efficiency of 8.3% is achieved with a hole depth of 1 μm. The SiNH hybrid solar cell exhibits a strong antireflection and light trapping property attributed to the sub-wavelength dimension of the SiNH structure.
Probing the local environment of two-dimensional ordered vacancy structures in Ga2SeTe2 via aberration-corrected electron microscopy
Authors: Abdul-Jabbar N. M. , Ercius P. , Gronsky R. , Bourret-Courchesne E. D. , Wirth B. D.
Published: February 2014

There has been considerable interest in chalcogenide alloys with high concentrations of native vacancies that lead to properties desirable for thermoelectric and phase-change materials. Recently, vacancy ordering has been identified as the mechanism for metal-insulator transitions observed in GeSb2Te4 and an unexpectedly low thermal conductivity in Ga2Te3. Here, we report the direct observation of vacancy ordering in Ga2SeTe2 utilizing aberration-corrected electron microscopy. Images reveal a cation-anion dumbbell inversion associated with the accommodation of vacancy ordering across the entire crystal. The result is a striking example of the interplay between native defects and local structure.
Long-range superconducting proximity effect in polycrystalline Co nanowires
Authors: Kompaniiets M. , Dobrovolskiy O. V. , Neetzel C. , Porrati F. , Brötz J. , Ensinger W. , Huth M.
Published: February 2014

We report experimental evidence of a long-range superconducting proximity effect in polycrystalline Co nanowires in contact with a superconducting W-based floating electrode (inducer). For electrical resistance measurements, voltage leads were connected to the Co nanowire on both sides of the superconducting inducer at a distance of 7.2 μm. We observed a 28% reduction of the nanowire resistance when sweeping the temperature below the inducer's transition temperature Tc = 5.2 K. Our analysis of the resistance data shows that the superconducting proximity length in polycrystalline Co is as large as 1 μm at 2.4 K, attesting to a long-range proximity effect. Moreover, this long-range proximity effect is insusceptible to magnetic fields up to 11 T, which is indicative of spin-triplet pairing. Our results provide evidence that magnetic inhomogeneity of the ferromagnet enlarges the spatial extend of the spin-triplet superconducting proximity effect.
Inhomogeneous distribution of defect-related emission in Si-doped AlGaN epitaxial layers with different Al content and Si concentration
Authors: Kurai Satoshi , Ushijima Fumitaka , Miyake Hideto , Hiramatsu Kazumasa , Yamada Yoichi
Published: February 2014

The spatial distribution of luminescence in Si-doped AlGaN epitaxial layers that differ in Al content and Si concentration has been studied by cathodoluminescence (CL) mapping in combination with scanning electron microscopy. The density of surface hillocks increased with decreasing Al content and with increasing Si concentration. The mechanisms giving rise to those hillocks are likely different. The hillocks induced surface roughening, and the compositional fluctuation and local donor-acceptor-pair (DAP) emission at hillock edges in AlGaN epitaxial layers were enhanced irrespective of the origin of the hillocks. The intensity of local DAP emission was related to Si concentration, as well as to hillock density. CL observation revealed that DAP emission areas were present inside the samples and were likely related to dislocations concentrated at hillock edges. Possible candidates for acceptors in the observed DAP emission that are closely related in terms of both Si concentration and hillock edges with large deformations are a VIII-SiIII complex and SiN, which are unfavorable in ordinary III-nitrides.
Coefficient of thermal expansion of carbon nanotubes measured by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Deng Libo , Young Robert J. , Kinloch Ian A. , Sun Rong , Zhang Guoping , Noé Laure , Monthioux Marc
Published: February 2014

The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of peapod-derived double-walled carbon nanotubes and their host empty single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was determined using Raman spectroscopy. This was performed by measuring the dependence of Raman band frequency of the nanotubes in epoxy resin matrix composites and considering the effects of both the strain and temperature on the Raman bands. Both types of nanotubes show positive thermal expansion at room temperature of around +2 × 10−5 K−1, and the CTE of the SWCNTs was unaffected by the introduction of the inner wall nanotubes. It was also demonstrated that the temperature-induced Raman band shifts can be used to determine both the CTE and glass transition temperature of the matrix polymers.
The enhanced polarization relaxation and excellent high-temperature dielectric properties of N-doped SiC
Authors: Dou Yan-Kun , Li Jing-Bo , Fang Xiao-Yong , Jin Hai-Bo , Cao Mao-Sheng
Published: February 2014

The dielectric properties and microwave attenuation performance of N-doped SiC have been evaluated in 8.2–12.4 GHz in the temperature range of 293–673 K. The N doping dramatically improves the microwave absorption capability of SiC. The minimum reflection loss of N-doped SiC is enhanced to nearly −30 dB with the effective absorption bandwidth [RL(dB) ≤ −10 dB] up to 3 GHz at 673 K. The excellent high-temperature dielectric properties are attributed to multi-relaxations, originated from the polarization relaxations of dipoles induced by the N doping and vacancy defects.
Irreversible modification of magnetic properties of Pt/Co/Pt ultrathin films by femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Kisielewski J. , Dobrogowski W. , Kurant Z. , Stupakiewicz A. , Tekielak M. , Kirilyuk A. , Kimel A. , Rasing Th. , Baczewski L. T. , Wawro A. , Balin K. , Szade J. , Maziewski A.
Published: February 2014

Annealing ultrathin Pt/Co/Pt films with single femtosecond laser pulses leads to irreversible spin-reorientation transitions and an amplification of the magneto-optical Kerr rotation. The effect was studied as a function of the Co thickness and the pulse fluence, revealing two-dimensional diagrams of magnetic properties. While increasing the fluence, the creation of two branches of the out-of-plane magnetization state was found.
Tetragonal-tetragonal-monoclinic-rhombohedral transition: Strain relaxation of heavily compressed BiFeO3 epitaxial thin films
Authors: Fu Z. , Yin Z. G. , Chen N. F. , Zhang X. W. , Zhao Y. J. , Bai Y. M. , Chen Y. , Wang H.-H. , Zhang X. L. , Wu J. L.
Published: February 2014

BiFeO3 films with in-plane compressive strain of −3.5% were deposited on oxygen-deficient La0.3Sr0.7MnO3-δ buffered SrTiO3(001) substrates. This highly strained BiFeO3 does not relax directly into its rhombohedral parent phase upon increasing the film thickness. Instead, a multi-step path involving structural transitions is observed. The misfit stress is first accommodated by the occurrence of true tetragonal BiFeO3 with c/a ratio of 1.23, then reduced by the transformation to the MC-type monoclinic structure, and finally alleviated through the MC-rhombohedral transition. Moreover, this process enables the formation of strain-driven morphotropic phase boundaries at a stress level much lower than the reported threshold of −4.5%.
Multifold Seebeck increase in RuO2 films by quantum-guided lanthanide dilute alloying
Authors: Music Denis , Basse Felix H.-U. , Han Liang , Devender  , Borca-Tasciuc Theo , Gengler Jamie J. , Voevodin Andrey A. , Ramanath Ganpati , Schneider Jochen M.
Published: February 2014

Ab initio predictions indicating that alloying RuO2 with La, Eu, or Lu can increase the Seebeck coefficient α manifold due to quantum confinement effects are validated in sputter-deposited La-alloyed RuO2 films showing fourfold α increase. Combinatorial screening reveals that α enhancement correlates with La-induced lattice distortion, which also decreases the thermal conductivity twentyfold, conducive for high thermoelectric figures of merit. These insights should facilitate the rational design of high efficiency oxide-based thermoelectrics through quantum-guided alloying.
Optical pumping in a microfabricated Rb vapor cell using a microfabricated Rb discharge light source
Authors: Venkatraman V. , Kang S. , Affolderbach C. , Shea H. , Mileti G.
Published: February 2014

Miniature (<few cm3) vapor-cell based devices using optical pumping of alkali atoms, such as atomic clocks and magnetometers, today mostly employ vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers as pump light sources. Here, we report on the demonstration of optical pumping in a microfabricated alkali vapor resonance cell using (1) a microfabricated Rb discharge lamp light source, as well as (2) a conventional glass-blown Rb discharge lamp. The microfabricated Rb lamp cell is a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) light source, having the same inner cell volume of around 40 mm3 as that of the resonance cell, both filled with suitable buffer gases. A miniature (∼2 cm3 volume) test setup based on the Mz magnetometer interrogation technique was used for observation of optical-radiofrequency double-resonance signals, proving the suitability of the microfabricated discharge lamp to introduce efficient optical pumping. The pumping ability of this light source was found to be comparable to or even better than that of a conventional glass-blown lamp. The reported results indicate that the micro-fabricated DBD discharge lamp has a high potential for the development of a new class of miniature atomic clocks, magnetometers, and quantum sensors.
How much better are InGaN/GaN nanodisks than quantum wells—Oscillator strength enhancement and changes in optical properties
Authors: Zhang Lei , Lee Leung-Kway , Teng Chu-Hsiang , Hill Tyler A. , Ku Pei-Cheng , Deng Hui
Published: February 2014

We show over 100-fold enhancement of the exciton oscillator strength as the diameter of an InGaN nanodisk in a GaN nanopillar is reduced from a few micrometers to less than 40 nm, corresponding to the quantum dot limit. The enhancement results from significant strain relaxation in nanodisks less than 100 nm in diameter. Meanwhile, the radiative decay rate is only improved by 10 folds due to strong reduction of the local density of photon states in small nanodisks. Further increase in the radiative decay rate can be achieved by engineering the local density of photon states, such as adding a dielectric coating.
Efficient Raman generation in a waveguide: A route to ultrafast quantum random number generation
Authors: England D. G. , Bustard P. J. , Moffatt D. J. , Nunn J. , Lausten R. , Sussman B. J.
Published: February 2014

The inherent uncertainty in quantum mechanics offers a source of true randomness which can be used to produce unbreakable cryptographic keys. We discuss the development of a high-speed random number generator based on the quantum phase fluctuations in spontaneously initiated stimulated Raman scattering (SISRS). We utilize the tight confinement and long interaction length available in a Potassium Titanyl Phosphate waveguide to generate highly efficient SISRS using nanojoule pulse energies, reducing the high pump power requirements of the previous approaches. We measure the random phase of the Stokes output using a simple interferometric setup to yield quantum random numbers at 145 Mbps.
Low field magnetoresistance of gadolinium nanowire
Authors: Chakravorty Manotosh , Raychaudhuri A. K.
Published: February 2014

We report low field (μ0H < 0.2 T) magnetoresistance (MR) studies on a single Gd nanowire patterned from a nano-structured film (average grain size ∼ 35 nm) by focused ion beam. For comparison, we did similar MR measurements on a polycrystalline sample with large crystallographic grains (∼4 μm). It is observed that in the low field region where the MR is due to motion of magnetic domains, the MR in the large grained sample shows a close relation to the characteristic temperature dependent magnetocrystalline anisotropy including a sharp rise in MR at the spin reorientation transition at 235 K. In stark contrast, in the nanowire, the MR shows complete suppression of the above behaviours and it shows predominance of the grain boundary and spin disorder controlling the domain response.
Controllable nonlinear refraction characteristics in hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon
Authors: Zheng D. Q. , Su W. A. , Ye Q. H. , Shen W. Z.
Published: February 2014

Nonlinear refraction (NLR) of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) has been investigated through the close aperture Z-scan method. We demonstrate a significant NLR and a unique feature of controllable NLR characteristics between saturable and Kerr NLR with the incident photon energy. We numerically evaluate the proportion of these two mechanisms in different wavelengths by a modified NLR equation. The band tail of nc-Si:H appears to play a crucial role in such NLR responses.
Parametric excitation in a magnetic tunnel junction-based spin torque oscillator
Authors: Dürrenfeld P. , Iacocca E. , Åkerman J. , Muduli P. K.
Published: February 2014

Using microwave current injection at room temperature, we demonstrate parametric excitation of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)-based spin-torque oscillator (STO). Parametric excitation is observed for currents below the auto-oscillation threshold, when the microwave current frequency fe is twice the STO free-running frequency f0. Above threshold, the MTJ becomes parametrically synchronized. In the synchronized state, the STO exhibits an integrated power up to 5 times higher and a linewidth reduction of two orders of magnitude, compared to free-running conditions. We also show that the parametric synchronization favors single mode oscillations in the case of multimode excitation.
Observation of the in-plane spin-dephasing anisotropy in [111]-grown GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well
Authors: Zhao Chunbo , Li Junbin , Yu Ying , Ni Haiqiao , Niu Zhichuan , Zhang Xinhui
Published: February 2014

The electron density and temperature dependent in-plane spin-dephasing anisotropy in [111]-grown GaAs quantum well (QW) has been investigated by time-resolved magneto-Kerr rotation technique. Due to the specific symmetry of [111]-grown quantum well, the in-plane Rashba and linear Dresselhaus effective spin-orbit magnetic field is parallel to each other for electron wave vectors in all directions. However, an obvious in-plane spin-dephasing anisotropy comparing [2¯11] with [01¯1] crystalline orientations has been observed and discussed in this work. Our results demonstrate the innegligible spin dephasing channel through inhomogeneous broadening induced by the out-of-plane non-linear Dresselhaus field, which arises naturally from the C3 symmetry of [111]-grown GaAs QW.
Evidence of a cluster glass-like behavior in Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Ramos J. E. , Montero-Muñoz M. , Coaquira J. A. H. , Rodríguez-Páez J. E.
Published: February 2014

We report on the study of the structural and magnetic properties of crystalline Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles with Fe content up to 10% synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The Rietveld analysis indicates that the Fe-doped ZnO nanoparticles are formed in a single phase wurtzite structure. DC magnetization (M) vs. applied magnetic field (H) curves obtained at 5 K show the occurrence of a ferromagnetic behavior. The coercive field and saturation magnetization depend on the Fe content. At room temperature, M vs. H curves show features consistent with a superparamagnetic state of nanoscale system. The temperature dependence of the AC and DC magnetic susceptibilities show features related to the thermal relaxation of the nano-sized particles. From the AC data analysis, a magnetic transition from the superparamagnetic to cluster-glass state is determined.
Dramatic softening of the negative thermal expansion material HfW2O8 upon heating through its WO4 orientational order-disorder phase transition
Authors: Gallington Leighanne C. , Chapman Karena W. , Morelock Cody R. , Chupas Peter J. , Wilkinson Angus P.
Published: February 2014

HfW2O8 undergoes a dramatic softening where the average bulk modulus (P = 52–414 MPa) drops from 69 GPa at 298 K to 48 GPa at 430 K as the temperature of the WO4 orientation order-disorder transition is approached. This is accompanied by increasingly negative thermal expansivity (−10 ppm·K−1 to −15 ppm·K−1) and reversible WO4 orientational disordering upon compression in α-HfW2O8. Additionally, α-HfW2O8 becomes elastically softer upon compression at constant temperature. The α→β phase transition temperature decreases by ∼30 K between 52 and 414 MPa. Above this phase transition, no further temperature-dependent softening or pressure-dependent changes in the coefficient of thermal expansion occurred.
Circulating tumor cells: Cancer’s deadly couriers
Authors: Lim Chwee Teck , Hoon Dave S. B.
Published: February 2014

Malignant cells in the blood can be a valuable source of information in the fight against cancer. But detecting and isolating them is a technical challenge.
Revolutionary physics in reactionary Argentina
Authors: Bietenholz Wolfgang , Prado Lilian
Published: February 2014

In a time of political turmoil, two Argentine physicists developed a key technique for making sense of quantum field theories.
The Molecular Size Distribution of Glycogen and its Relevance to Diabetes
Authors: Gilbert Robert G. , Sullivan Mitchell A.
Published: February 2014

Glycogen is a highly branched polymer of glucose, functioning as a blood-glucose buffer. It comprises relatively small β-particles, which may be joined as larger aggregate α-particles. The size distributions from size-exclusion chromatography (SEC, also known as GPC) of liver glycogen from non-diabetic and diabetic mice show that diabetic mice have impaired α-particle formation, shedding new light on diabetes. SEC data also suggest the type of bonding holding β-particles together in α-particles. SEC characterisation of liver glycogen at various time points in a day/night cycle indicates that liver glycogen is initially synthesised as β-particles, and then joined by an unknown process to form α-particles. These α-particles are more resistant to degradation, presumably because of their lower surface area-to-volume ratio. These findings have important implications for new drug targets for diabetes management.
Sewage sludge application for spontaneous plant restoration of a New Caledonian Ferralsol
Authors: Velayoudon Prescilia , Pagand Pascal , Winterton Peter , Guiresse Maritxu
Published: February 2014

Soils from New Caledonia typically present poor nutrient content and large quantities of heavy metals such as nickel, chromium and cobalt, resulting in slow plant development. We evaluated the impact of sewage sludge application (0–30 t dry weight (DW) ha–1) on the passive revegetation of a former pine plantation. The spontaneously regenerated plant cover was mainly represented by the dominant Pinus caribaea, a shrub (Sannantha leratii), and a grass (Costularia comosa). The density of pine seedlings was significantly higher in the moderately amended zone (1.2 and 0.2 pines m–2 for 0.5 and 30 t DW ha–1 respectively). The same tendency was observed for S. leratii, but for C. comosa, no net change was observed. With no amendment, after 5 years many species were present, although aboveground biomass (0.3 kg m–2) was low, whereas, with sludge amendment, aboveground biomass was high (5 kg m–2) but diversity low. Amendment increased pine tree heights from 0.15 to 3.92 m with increased amendment from 0 to 30 t DW ha–1. The uptake of nitrogen (N) by pine trees was also improved with sludge supply, as was the uptake of phosphorus (P). Regarding S. leratii, N and P levels were highest at the sludge dosage of 2 t DW ha–1. Carbon storage in P. caribaea biomass increased from 0.40 to 180 kg m–2 with increased amendment applied. Five years after spreading at the highest amendment levels, available soil P remained enhanced. For heavy metal uptake by pine trees, no significant effect of sewage sludge was observed. The optimal dosage to stimulate biodiversity was 0.5–2 t DW ha–1 but maximal biomass was reached at 8–30 t DW ha–1.
Transcriptome analysis of distinct mouse strains reveals kinesin light chain-1 splicing as an amyloid-β accumulation modifier
Authors: Morihara Takashi , Hayashi Noriyuki , Yokokoji Mikiko , Akatsu Hiroyasu , Silverman Michael A. , Kimura Nobuyuki , Sato Masahiro , Saito Yuhki , Suzuki Toshiharu , Yanagida Kanta , Kodama Takashi S. , Tanaka Toshihisa , Okochi Masayasu , Tagami Shinji , Kazui Hiroaki , Kudo Takashi , Hashimoto Ryota , Itoh Naohiro , Nishitomi Kouhei , Yamaguchi-Kabata Yumi , Tsunoda Tatsuhiko , Takamura Hironori , Katayama Taiichi , Kimura Ryo , Kamino Kouzin , Hashizume Yoshio , Takeda Masatoshi
Published: February 2014

Significance

Genetic studies of common complex human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), are extremely resource-intensive and have struggled to identify genes that are causal in disease. Combined with the costs of studies and the inability to identify the missing heritability, particularly in AD, alternate strategies warrant consideration. We devised a unique strategy that combines distinct mouse strains that vary naturally in amyloid-β production with transcriptomics to identify kinesin light chain-1
(Klc1
) splice variant E as a modifier of amyloid-β accumulation, a causative factor of AD. In AD patients, the expression levels of
KLC1
variant E in brain were significantly higher compared with levels in unaffected individuals. The identification of
KLC1
variant E suggests that dysfunction of intracellular trafficking is causative in AD.
Memories of ethnic cleansing and thelocalIron Curtain in the Czech–German borderlands
Authors: Kind-Kovács Friederike
Published: February 2014

The Czech–German borderlands are an archetypal European border region. They evoke not only Cold War histories, but also shelter layers of European memories of the ethnic reshaping of early post-war Europe. By means of life story interviews with German speakers of the border region, this article analyzes the symbolic meaning of and the individual dealing with thelocalIron Curtain. It will shed light on the biographical and narrative interconnectedness of experiences of ethnic cleansing in the early post-war period and retrospective perceptions of the Iron Curtain in these borderlands. In particular, it inquires whether and to what extent thelocalIron Curtain intensified fractures caused by the region's post-and pre-war attempts to halt the multiethnic composition of the border communities. The article suggests that thelocalCzech–German Iron Curtain would have never endured as strongly if the border communities’ common identity had not already been severely damaged in the course of the region's traumatic history and forced population transfers.
Organized and gendered media advocacy at the centre of the feminist movement in a patriarchal Tanzania
Authors: Madaha Rasel
Published: February 2014

Feminist movements are not a new phenomenon. Yet, there is much to learn from countryspecific movements and in particular the ones in Africa. This study uses qualitative survey to study the role of feminist movement in Tanzania. It has been revealed that Tanzanian women advocacy non-governmental organizations (NGOs), at the core of the movement, have been playing a key role in addressing women’s needs since the early 1990s, following developments in media and increased freedom of speech. Consequently, the movement has laid a solid gender-sensitive foundation for the entire nation. The current achievement would not have been possible without a unique and specific commitment of Tanzanian women NGOs and Tanzania Media Women Association (TAMWA) in particular. In an attempt to achieve gender equity, TAMWA has challenged and reshaped patriarchal government policies and laws of the ruling elites and their regime with assistance of gender-empowered media advocacy. Nonetheless, TAMWA and other women advocate NGOs, as key stakeholders of the feminist movement, must continue the fight in all spheres so that a gender-sensitive government that is equally responsible to men and women is created and sustained.
More than Legitimacy: Local Governance and Variation in Human Development in Post-War Guatemala
Authors: Klick Matthew
Published: February 2014

How do variations in state–society relations affect development outcomes locally? Specifically, do local, non-state actors and informal institutions, including indigenous elders and traditional authorities, complement the work of the formal local authorities, or compete with them, with observable implications for long-term human development? This paper focuses on Guatemala, where despite nearly two decades having passed since the end of its civil war, and significant external statebuilding, governance and financial assistance, the country remains stricken with widespread poverty and crime. Most apparent in the Guatemala case is the well-documented disparity in living conditions between the capital region surrounding Guatemala City, and rural regions. Even within impoverished regions, however, there is unexplained variability in development outcomes across sub-regions and communities. Drawing from within-country case studies, the paper argues that qualitative differences in state–society relations at the community level — including the degree to which local indigenous leaders or other non-state actors either compete with or complement local formal authorities — have a direct bearing on development outcomes as indicated by human development indicators, and by demonstrated commitment to development programmes from formal authorities.
The correlates of sports participation in Europe
Authors: Downward Paul , Lera‐López Fernando , Rasciute Simona
Published: February 2014

Based on the Eurobarometer data from 2009 (N = 26,788), this paper investigates the correlates of sports participation. In addition to examining standard socio‐demographic, economic and lifestyle factors, the paper also focuses on the impact of motivational factors, the availability of sports infrastructure and government support, for the first time collectively at the European level. A further contribution of the paper is that it simultaneously investigates both the decision to participate in sport and the frequency of sports participation in this context. This is made possible through the application of a Zero‐Inflated Ordered Probit estimator. This estimator also takes into account two types of non‐participants: those who have never participated in sport and those who did not participate at the time of the survey. The results show that the decision to participate in sports and the frequency of sports participation of males and females are affected by different factors, therefore distinct government policies should be applied to attract new, and retain the existing, participants. For example, women are affected more by a need to improve self‐esteem, while the men to produce social integration. The provision of sports facilities is of more importance for males, which may indicate a male‐oriented nature of the sports facilities, for example, the gym. However, the number of adults and the number of children in the household reduce the probability of sports participation by females. Therefore, higher provision of childcare may be important if female participation is to be increased.
Moving your Eyes to Solution: Effects of Movements on the Perception of a Problem-Solving Task
Authors: Werner K. , Raab M.
Published: February 2014

There is ample evidence suggesting a bidirectional connection between bodily movements and cognitive processes, such as problem solving. Current research suggests that previous movements can influence the problem-solving process, but it is unclear what phase of this process is affected. Therefore, we investigated participants’ gaze behaviour in the first phase of arithmetic problem solving with two groups (plus group, minus group) to explore a spatial bias toward the left or the right while perceiving a problem-solving task (the water-jar problem) after two different movements—that is, for the plus group, sorting marbles from two outer bowls into one in the middle, and for the minus group, sorting marbles from the middle bowl to the outer ones. We showed a right shift of spatial bias for the plus and to the left for the minus group in the perception and problem tasks. Although movements affected gaze, the groups did not differ in their overall problem-solving strategies; however, the first correct solutions did differ. This study provides further evidence of sensorimotor effects on problem solving and spatial bias and offers insight into how a two-phase problem-solving process is guided by sensorimotor information.
Agri‐environmental Policy and Urban Development Patterns: A General Equilibrium Analysis
Authors: Coisnon Thomas , Oueslati Walid , Salanié Julien
Published: February 2014

This paper investigates the spatial effects that the provision of environmental public goods have on residential location choices in a suburban context. Specifically, a spatial general equilibrium framework is developed to analyze the consequences of adopting an agri‐environmental policy promoting the provision of positive farming externalities. We use a static monocentric model of an open city where agricultural bid‐rents and agricultural amenities vary endogenously in space, and where the positive externalities associated with agricultural production are valued by households. Consistent with empirical evidence of the potential side effects that conservation policies may have in terms of urbanization patterns and land price changes, we show that under certain conditions implementing an agri‐environmental policy may promote additional suburban development. Moreover, we demonstrate that the emergence of disconnected suburban areas may be significantly influenced by the location of land regulated by an agri‐environmental policy. Finally, we discuss distributional aspects and show that while introducing an agri‐environmental policy has a negative impact on most residential land value, it can have positive effects on farmland and residential land located within the regulated areas, suggesting the non‐neutrality of such policies regarding the agents' assets.
Introduction
Authors: Shelton Dinah
Published: February 2014

This introductory article discusses the theme of this volume which is about international human rights law. This volume explores the historical antecedents for modern human rights law, the importance of human dignity, the process of human rights law-making and the role of various actors, institutions, and procedures in the implementation and compliance of human rights law. It also provides some evaluation of the human rights project and evaluates whether it has made a difference to the lives of people throughout the world.
The Anti-Slavery Movement and the Rise of International Non-Governmental Organizations
Authors: Martinez Jenny S.
Published: February 2014

This article examines the history of the emergence in the nineteenth century of non-governmental organizations, focusing on those organized around slavery and women�s rights and suffrage. It explains that like the modern human rights movements, the movement for the abolition of slavery and the slave trade involved transborder activism by privately organized individuals and included the strengthening of international treaty regimes concerning the slave trade as one of its goals. It suggests that one key similarity between these historical antecedents and modern human rights activism is the importance of transnational ties to successful mobilization.
Humanitarian Law as a Source of Human Rights Law
Authors: Oberleitner Gerd
Published: February 2014

This article examines the influence of humanitarian law in the development of modern human rights law. It explores the concept of humanity in war in ancient times and the middle ages and considers the treatment of individual rights during national wars. It analyses the evolution of humanitarian law that coincided with the development of the science of warfare and the progress of civilization. This article highlights the fact that international humanitarian law was the only international legal framework which accommodated the fate of individuals human rights became a legal reality in 1945.
The Protection of Minorities under the Auspices of the League of Nations
Authors: Kovács Péter
Published: February 2014

This article examines the protection of minority rights under League of Nations. It explains that the League was created to be a specialized institution for minorities but the mechanism for responding to the grievances of the minorities was developed only after the Versailles peace conference in 1919–20. It discusses the main principles and structures of the League of Nations mechanism and the complaints procedure. This article also explains that the League of Nations was replaced by the United Nations in 1946 but its minority protection system was not included in the responsibilities of the new organization. It also highlights the contribution of the League to the evolution of the doctrine of the international legal protection of human rights.
Human Dignity
Authors: Carozza Paolo G.
Published: February 2014

This article examines the issue of human dignity in relation to human rights. It analyses the functions and principle of human dignity and its use in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments. It suggests that human dignity seems to help justify expansive interpretations of human rights and strengthens the centrality and importance of the right in question and limiting possible exceptions or limitations to that right. This article also contends that the difficulty of reaching greater consensus on the meaning and implications of human dignity in international human rights law may be attributed to the fact that it refers to both a foundational premise of human rights and to a principle that affect interpretation and application of specific human rights.
Equality
Authors: Clifford Jarlath
Published: February 2014

This article analyses the normative and philosophical bases of the principle of equality. It examines how contemporary international human rights law transposes and applies the principle, particularly in relation to the prohibition of discrimination. It suggests that equality provides a conceptual framework through which to understand and analyse human rights issues and also provides a moral and analytical mechanism for ensuring that all people effectively enjoy human rights guarantees. This article also evaluates the benefits of right to equality in international law.
Proportionality
Authors: Arai-Takahashi Yutaka
Published: February 2014

This article examines the principle of proportionality in the context of international human rights law. It traces the origin of this principle in the eighteenth century Prussian administrative law and explains that three tests of proportionality. It considers the proportionality analysis by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the Inter-American System and discusses the application of the principle of proportionality by the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC). This article argues that this principle serves as an analytical and structural method for assessing national decisions and fosters trust in the international judicial and quasi-judicial bodies� supervisory roles.
The Law-Making Process: From Declaration to Treaty to Custom to Prevention
Authors: Ramcharan Bertrand G.
Published: February 2014

This article examines the international human rights lawmaking process. It analyses the sources and methods for the creation of norms and the transition from declarations and treaties to customary international law. It describes the drafting process for human rights declarations and conventions and offers a number of suggestions on how to improve human rights law-making. These include adopting a greater preventive role in the future and leaving the law-making process in the hands of members of the human rights movement.
From Commission to the Council: Evolution of UN Charter Bodies
Authors: Kothari Miloon
Published: February 2014

This article examines the evolution of the United Nations� (UN) human rights agency from the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) into the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). It explains that UNHRC was created in March 2006 to replace the UNCHR and become the world�s premier human rights body. It evaluates the effectiveness of the UNHRC�s peer-review human rights mechanism called the Universal Periodic Review. This article also offers some suggestions on how to improve the performance of the UNHRC including changes in size and distribution of membership, membership criteria, voting patterns and participation of non-state actors.
The Role and Impact of Treaty Bodies
Authors: Rodley Nigel S.
Published: February 2014

This article examines the role of treaty bodies in the development and enforcement of international human rights law. It explains that there are now nine core human rights treaties and each of them provided the establishment of its own monitoring committee which includes the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Committee, the Committee against Torture and the Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED). This article discusses the composition, functions and the decision-making process of these committees.
National Implementation and Interpretation
Authors: Ando Nisuke
Published: February 2014

This article examines the national interpretation and implementation of the global International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR). It analyses the mechanism of interpretation and implementation and reception of ICCPR and ECHR in the national legal system and considers the national implementation of jurisprudence. This article suggests that the national or domestic implementation of international human rights law or standards reflects �national legal culture� of each state and argues that a multilateral human rights treaty should not be the only forum to analyse the implementation of human rights by national legal system of a state.
Enforcing Human Rights Through Economic Sanctions
Authors: Lopez George A.
Published: February 2014

This article examines the enforcement of human rights law through economic sanctions. It describes the development of the so-called targeted or smart sanctions and discusses controversies in the applications of these sanctions in the context of the principles of the �protection of civilians� and the �responsibility to protect� and the resort to targeted sanctions for counter-terrorism purposes. This article also suggests that the recent successes of sanctions in Libya, Côte d�Ivoire and Liberia can be extended to other areas and argues that the positive results of imposing targeted sanctions as proactive for human rights are counterbalanced by the ongoing rights controversies with counter-terrorism listing in the 1267 regime.
Human Rights Make a Difference: Lessons from Latin America
Authors: Méndez Juan E. , Cone Catherine
Published: February 2014

This article discusses the lessons that can be learned from the history of the enforcement of human rights law in Latin America. It explains that there were mass human rights violations in the region during the 1970s under military dictatorship and describes how the Latin American communities have adopted the language of international human rights to advance the construction of more just and free societies with accountable governments. It highlights the role of civil society in the gradual process of incorporating human rights norms into the domestic legal systems.
On the stark difference in satellite distributions around the Milky Way and Andromeda
Authors: Yniguez Basilio , Garrison-Kimmel Shea , Boylan-Kolchin Michael , Bullock James S.
Published: February 2014

We compare spherically averaged radial number counts of bright (≳105 L⊙) dwarf satellite galaxies within 400 kpc of the Milky Way (MW) and M31 and find that the MW satellites are much more centrally concentrated. Remarkably, the two satellite systems are almost identical within the central 100 kpc, while M31 satellites outnumber MW satellites by about a factor of 4 at deprojected distances spanning 100–400 kpc. We compare the observed distributions to those predicted for Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) subhaloes using a suite of 44 high-resolution ∼1012 M⊙ halo zoom simulations, 22 of which are in pairs like the MW and M31. We find that the radial distribution of satellites around M31 is fairly typical of those predicted for subhaloes, while the MW's distribution is more centrally concentrated than any of our simulated ΛCDM haloes. One possible explanation is that our census of bright (≳105 L⊙) MW dwarf galaxies is significantly incomplete beyond ∼100 kpc of the Sun. If there were ∼8–20 more bright dwarfs orbiting undetected at 100–400 kpc distance, then the MW's radial distribution would fall within the range expected from subhalo distributions and also look very much like the known M31 system. We use our simulations to demonstrate that there is enough area left unexplored by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and its extensions that the discovery of ∼10 new bright dwarfs is not implausible given the expected range of angular anisotropy of subhaloes in the sky.
Role of histone modifications and early termination in pervasive transcription and antisense-mediated gene silencing in yeast
Authors: Castelnuovo Manuele , Zaugg Judith B. , Guffanti Elisa , Maffioletti Andrea , Camblong Jurgi , Xu Zhenyu , Clauder-Münster Sandra , Steinmetz Lars M. , Luscombe Nicholas M. , Stutz Françoise
Published: February 2014

Most genomes, including yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, are pervasively transcribed producing numerous non-coding RNAs, many of which are unstable and eliminated by nuclear or cytoplasmic surveillance pathways. We previously showed that accumulation of PHO84 antisense RNA (asRNA), in cells lacking the nuclear exosome component Rrp6, is paralleled by repression of sense transcription in a process dependent on the Hda1 histone deacetylase (HDAC) and the H3K4 histone methyl transferase Set1. Here we investigate this process genome-wide and measure the whole transcriptome of various histone modification mutants in a Δrrp6 strain using tiling arrays. We confirm widespread occurrence of potentially antisense-dependent gene regulation and identify three functionally distinct classes of genes that accumulate asRNAs in the absence of Rrp6. These classes differ in whether the genes are silenced by the asRNA and whether the silencing is HDACs and histone methyl transferase-dependent. Among the distinguishing features of asRNAs with regulatory potential, we identify weak early termination by Nrd1/Nab3/Sen1, extension of the asRNA into the open reading frame promoter and dependence of the silencing capacity on Set1 and the HDACs Hda1 and Rpd3 particularly at promoters undergoing extensive chromatin remodelling. Finally, depending on the efficiency of Nrd1/Nab3/Sen1 early termination, asRNA levels are modulated and their capability of silencing is changed.
BswR controls bacterial motility and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa through modulation of the small RNA rsmZ
Authors: Wang Chao , Ye Fuzhou , Kumar Veerendra , Gao Yong-Gui , Zhang Lian-Hui
Published: February 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosa relies on cell motility and ability to form biofilms to establish infections; however, the mechanism of regulation remains obscure. Here we report that BswR, a xenobiotic response element-type transcriptional regulator, plays a critical role in regulation of bacterial motility and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. Transcriptomic and biochemical analyses showed that BswR counteracts the repressor activity of MvaT, controls the transcription of small RNA rsmZ and regulates the biogenesis of bacterial flagella. The crystal structure of BswR was determined at 2.3 Å resolution; the monomer comprises a DNA-binding domain with a helix-turn-helix motif in the N terminus and two helices (α6 and α7) with a V-shaped arrangement in the C-terminus. In addition to the contacts between the parallel helices α5 of two monomers, the two helical extensions (α6 and α7) intertwine together to form a homodimer, which is the biological function unit. Based on the result of DNase I protection assay together with structural analysis of BswR homodimer, we proposed a BswR–DNA model, which suggests a molecular mechanism with which BswR could interact with DNA. Taken together, our results unveiled a novel regulatory mechanism, in which BswR controls the motility and biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa by modulating the transcription of small RNA rsmZ.