bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skull Base Tumors: A Kaleidoscope of Challenge
Authors: Khanna J.N. , Galinde Jyotsna , Natrajan Srivalli
Published: May 2014

Resection of skull base lesions has always been riddled with problems like inadequate access, proximity to major vessels, dural tears, cranial nerve damage, and infection. Understanding the modular concept of the facial skeleton has led to the development of transfacial swing osteotomies that facilitates resection in a difficult area with minimal morbidity and excellent cosmetic results. In spite of the current trend toward endonasal endoscopic management of skull base tumors, our series presents nine cases of diverse extensive skull base lesions, 33% of which were recurrent. These cases were approached through different transfacial swing osteotomies through the mandible, a midfacial swing, or a zygomaticotemporal osteotomy as dictated by the three-dimensional spatial location of the lesion, and its extent and proximity to vital structures. Access osteotomies ensured complete removal and good results through the most direct and safe route and good vascular control. This reiterated the fact that transfacial approaches still hold a special place in the management of extensive skull base lesions.
Low frequency azimuthal stability of the ionization region of the Hall thruster discharge. I. Local analysis
Authors: Escobar D. , Ahedo E.
Published: May 2014

Results based on a local linear stability analysis of the Hall thruster discharge are presented. A one-dimensional azimuthal framework is used including three species: neutrals, singly charged ions, and electrons. A simplified linear model is developed with the aim of deriving analytical expressions to characterize the stability of the ionization region. The results from the local analysis presented here indicate the existence of an instability that gives rise to an azimuthal oscillation in the +E × B direction with a long wavelength. According to the model, the instability seems to appear only in regions where the ionization and the electric field make it possible to have positive gradients of plasma density and ion velocity at the same time. A more complex model is also solved numerically to validate the analytical results. Additionally, parametric variations are carried out with respect to the main parameters of the model to identify the trends of the instability. As the temperature increases and the neutral-to-plasma density ratio decreases, the growth rate of the instability decreases down to a limit where azimuthal perturbations are no longer unstable.
Magnetic field structure influence on primary electron cusp losses for micro-scale discharges
Authors: Dankongkakul Ben , Araki Samuel J. , Wirz Richard E.
Published: May 2014

An experimental effort was used to examine the primary electron loss behavior for micro-scale (≲3 cm diameter) discharges. The experiment uses an electron flood gun source and an axially aligned arrangement of ring-cusps to guide the electrons to a downstream point cusp. Measurements of the electron current collected at the point cusp show an unexpectedly complex loss pattern with azimuthally periodic structures. Additionally, in contrast to conventional theory for cusp losses, the overall radii of the measured collection areas are over an order of magnitude larger than the electron gyroradius. Comparing these results to Monte Carlo particle tracking simulations and a simplified analytical analysis shows that azimuthal asymmetries of the magnetic field far upstream of the collection surface can substantially affect the electron loss structure and overall loss area.
Pump-probe surface photovoltage spectroscopy measurements on semiconductor epitaxial layers
Authors: Jana Dipankar , Porwal S. , Sharma T. K. , Kumar Shailendra , Oak S. M.
Published: April 2014

Pump-probe Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy (SPS) measurements are performed on semiconductor epitaxial layers. Here, an additional sub-bandgap cw pump laser beam is used in a conventional chopped light geometry SPS setup under the pump-probe configuration. The main role of pump laser beam is to saturate the sub-bandgap localized states whose contribution otherwise swamp the information related to the bandgap of material. It also affects the magnitude of Dember voltage in case of semi-insulating (SI) semiconductor substrates. Pump-probe SPS technique enables an accurate determination of the bandgap of semiconductor epitaxial layers even under the strong influence of localized sub-bandgap states. The pump beam is found to be very effective in suppressing the effect of surface/interface and bulk trap states. The overall magnitude of SPV signal is decided by the dependence of charge separation mechanisms on the intensity of the pump beam. On the contrary, an above bandgap cw pump laser can be used to distinguish the signatures of sub-bandgap states by suppressing the band edge related feature. Usefulness of the pump-probe SPS technique is established by unambiguously determining the bandgap of p-GaAs epitaxial layers grown on SI-GaAs substrates, SI-InP wafers, and p-GaN epilayers grown on Sapphire substrates.
Scanning photocurrent microscopy reveals electron-hole asymmetry in ionic liquid-gated WS2 transistors
Authors: Ubrig Nicolas , Jo Sanghyun , Berger Helmuth , Morpurgo Alberto F. , Kuzmenko Alexey B.
Published: May 2014

We perform scanning photocurrent microscopy on WS2 ionic liquid-gated field effect transistors exhibiting high-quality ambipolar transport. By properly biasing the gate electrode, we can invert the sign of the photocurrent showing that the minority photocarriers are either electrons or holes. Both in the electron- and hole-doping regimes the photocurrent decays exponentially as a function of the distance between the illumination spot and the nearest contact, in agreement with a two-terminal Schottky-barrier device model. This allows us to compare the value and the doping dependence of the diffusion length of the minority electrons and holes on a same sample. Interestingly, the diffusion length of the minority carriers is several times larger in the hole accumulation regime than in the electron accumulation regime, pointing out an electron-hole asymmetry in WS2.
Local CC2 response method based on the Laplace transform: Analytic energy gradients for ground and excited states
Authors: Ledermüller Katrin , Schütz Martin
Published: April 2014

A multistate local CC2 response method for the calculation of analytic energy gradients with respect to nuclear displacements is presented for ground and electronically excited states. The gradient enables the search for equilibrium geometries of extended molecular systems. Laplace transform is used to partition the eigenvalue problem in order to obtain an effective singles eigenvalue problem and adaptive, state-specific local approximations. This leads to an approximation in the energy Lagrangian, which however is shown (by comparison with the corresponding gradient method without Laplace transform) to be of no concern for geometry optimizations. The accuracy of the local approximation is tested and the efficiency of the new code is demonstrated by application calculations devoted to a photocatalytic decarboxylation process of present interest.
Linear instability mechanisms leading to optimally efficient locomotion with flexible propulsors
Authors: Moored K. W. , Dewey P. A. , Boschitsch B. M. , Smits A. J. , Haj-Hariri H.
Published: April 2014

We present the linear stability analysis of experimental measurements obtained from unsteady flexible pitching panels. The analysis establishes the connections among the wake dynamics, propulsor dynamics, and Froude efficiency in flexible unsteady propulsion systems. Efficiency is calculated from direct thrust and power measurements and wake flowfields are obtained using particle image velocimetry. It is found that for flexible propulsors every peak in efficiency occurs when the driving frequency of motion is tuned to a wake resonant frequency, not a structural resonant frequency. Also, there exists an optimal flexibility that globally maximizes the efficiency. The optimal flexibility is the one where a structural resonant frequency is tuned to a wake resonant frequency. The optimally tuned flexible panels demonstrate an efficiency enhancement of 122%–133% as compared to an equivalent rigid panel and there is a broad spectrum of wake resonant frequencies allowing high efficiency swimming over a wide range of operating conditions. At a wake resonant frequency we find that the entrainment of momentum into the time-averaged velocity jet is maximized.
Polyelectrolyte adsorption onto like-charged surfaces mediated by trivalent counterions: A Monte Carlo simulation study
Authors: Luque-Caballero Germán , Martín-Molina Alberto , Quesada-Pérez Manuel
Published: May 2014

Both experiments and theory have evidenced that multivalent cations can mediate the interaction between negatively charged polyelectrolytes and like-charged objects, such as anionic lipoplexes (DNA-cation-anionic liposome complexes). In this paper, we use Monte Carlo simulations to study the electrostatic interaction responsible for the trivalent-counterion-mediated adsorption of polyelectrolytes onto a like-charged planar surface. The evaluation of the Helmholtz free energy allows us to characterize both the magnitude and the range of the interaction as a function of the polyelectrolyte charge, surface charge density, [3:1] electrolyte concentration, and cation size. Both polyelectrolyte and surface charge favor the adsorption. It should be stressed, however, that the adsorption will be negligible if the surface charge density does not exceed a threshold value. The effect of the [3:1] electrolyte concentration has also been analyzed. In certain range of concentrations, the counterion-mediated attraction seems to be independent of this parameter, whereas very high concentrations of salt weaken the adsorption. If the trivalent cation diameter is doubled the adsorption moderates due to the excluded volume effects. The analysis of the integrated charge density and ionic distributions suggests that a delicate balance between charge inversion and screening effects governs the polyelectrolyte adsorption onto like-charged surfaces mediated by trivalent cations.
Communication: Radial distribution functions in a two-dimensional binary colloidal hard sphere system
Authors: Thorneywork Alice L. , Roth Roland , Aarts Dirk G. A. L. , Dullens Roel P. A.
Published: April 2014

Two-dimensional hard disks are a fundamentally important many-body model system in classical statistical mechanics. Despite their significance, a comprehensive experimental data set for two-dimensional single component and binary hard disks is lacking. Here, we present a direct comparison between the full set of radial distribution functions and the contact values of a two-dimensional binary colloidal hard sphere model system and those calculated using fundamental measure theory. We find excellent quantitative agreement between our experimental data and theoretical predictions for both single component and binary hard disk systems. Our results provide a unique and fully quantitative mapping between experiments and theory, which is crucial in establishing the fundamental link between structure and dynamics in simple liquids and glass forming systems.
Space-resolved extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy free of high-energy neutral particle noise in wavelength range of 10–130 Å on the large helical device
Authors: Huang Xianli , Morita Shigeru , Oishi Tetsutarou , Goto Motoshi , Dong Chunfeng
Published: April 2014

A flat-field space-resolved extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometer system working in wavelength range of 10–130 Å has been constructed in the Large Helical Device (LHD) for profile measurements of bremsstrahlung continuum and line emissions of heavy impurities in the central column of plasmas, which are aimed at studies on Zeff and impurity transport, respectively. Until now, a large amount of spike noise caused by neutral particles with high energies (≤180 keV) originating in neutral beam injection has been observed in EUV spectroscopy on LHD. The new system has been developed with an aim to delete such a spike noise from the signal by installing a thin filter which can block the high-energy neutral particles entering the EUV spectrometer. Three filters of 11 μm thick beryllium (Be), 3.3 μm thick polypropylene (PP), and 0.5 μm thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET: polyester) have been examined to eliminate the spike noise. Although the 11 μm Be and 3.3 μm PP filters can fully delete the spike noise in wavelength range of λ ≤ 20 Å, the signal intensity is also reduced. The 0.5 μm PET filter, on the other hand, can maintain sufficient signal intensity for the measurement and the spike noise remained in the signal is acceptable. As a result, the bremsstrahlung profile is successfully measured without noise at 20 Å even in low-density discharges, e.g., 2.9 × 1013 cm−3, when the 0.5 μm PET filter is used. The iron n = 3–2 Lα transition array consisting of FeXVII to FeXXIV is also excellently observed with their radial profiles in wavelength range of 10–18 Å. Each transition in the Lα array can be accurately identified with its radial profile. As a typical example of the method a spectral line at 17.62 Å is identified as FeXVIII transition. Results on absolute intensity calibration of the spectrometer system, pulse height and noise count analyses of the spike noise between holographic and ruled gratings and wavelength response of the used filters are also presented with performance of the present spectrometer system.
Techno-economic analysis of hybrid photovoltaic/diesel/battery off-grid system in northern Nigeria
Authors: Tijani Hafeez Olasunkanmi , Wei Tan Chee , Bashir Nouruddeen
Published: May 2014

The rate of dependence on stand-alone diesel generator for individual electricity generation among households in Nigeria is geometrically increasing and has thus led to significant increase of the environment pollution. This is due to the inability of the utility company to meet the energy demand of its yearning consumers due to ageing and limitations in power infrastructures. This has led to about 40% of the country's population been cut off from the national grid. In view of these hazardous effects posed from the usage of these individual diesel-powered generations, this paper reports on the assessment of techno-economic viability of a hybrid photovoltaic diesel/battery off-grid system as an alternative solution to these threats. For that purpose, a remote area located far in the northern part of Nigeria was taken as the case study in which an international institution with peak demand of 90 kW was considered. The HOMER optimization software is used to evaluate both the technical and economic viability of the proposed energy system by taking into account the variations of both the solar radiation and diesel prices, as experienced in most part of Nigeria. The study reveals the potential capability of the hybrid photovoltaic/diesel energy system with battery backup as a good alternative energy source for individual household replacement for diesel-powered generator. In addition, the proposed system is of high energy potential as well as low carbon emission at affordable cost of electricity.
Torque and pressure fluctuations in turbulent von Karman swirling flow between two counter-rotating disks. I
Authors: Burnishev Yuri , Steinberg Victor
Published: May 2014

We report the experimental studies of the statistical and scaling properties of the fully developed turbulent regime in von Karman swirling flow between counter-rotating disks with and without blades using the only global measurements of the spatially averaged torque Γ and pressure p fluctuations in water and water-sugar solutions of different viscosities in the same cell geometry. We show that for all fluids under investigation probability distribution functions (PDFs) of the torque fluctuations δΓ/Γrms are Gaussian in both the laminar and turbulent regimes and for the both types of the stirrers. On the contrary, PDFs of the pressure fluctuations change from Gaussian in the laminar regime into the skewed shape with the exponential tails toward low-pressure events for both the entrainment methods. Both the friction coefficient Cf and normalized rms of the pressure fluctuations Cp are independent of Re in the fully developed turbulent regime for all fluids under study and found in a good quantitative agreement with the previous results. We also observe that the internal flow variables such as the normalized torque \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\bar{\Gamma }/Vp_{rms}$\end{document}Γ¯/Vprms versus the “internal” Reynolds number Rerms = (prms/ρ)1/2Rρ/η instead of the global variables Cf, Cp versus Re show sharp transition into the well developed turbulent regime. We find that the scaling exponents of the fundamental characteristics based only on Γ and p measurements in the range of fully developed turbulent flow, namely, the integral, Taylor, and Kolmogorov dissipation lengths, as well as the Taylor-based Reynolds number Rλ, are in rather fair agreement with the predictions. We would like to emphasize that scaling of the main turbulent parameters Rλ, λ, ηd obtained via the global variables is a very non-trivial result. It is not obvious that measurements based on the global quantities will provide the predicted scaling relations. The result on such scaling obtained previously strongly disagrees with the scaling predictions. Indeed, both \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\bar{\Gamma }$\end{document}Γ¯ and prms are averaged over the cell volume as well as all spatial scales, whereas the swirling flow is neither isotropic nor homogeneous. So the global variables being averaged over all spatial scales get contributions from the scales larger and smaller than those from the inertial range of scales. And finally, the normalized characteristic frequencies fp/frot found in both the torque and pressure frequency power spectra in the fully developed turbulent regime have close values, are independent of Re, and associated with either the rotation or oscillation frequency of the main vortex.
Graphene on hexagonal lattice substrate: Stress and pseudo-magnetic field
Authors: Neek-Amal M. , Peeters F. M.
Published: May 2014

Moiré patterns in the pseudo-magnetic field and in the strain profile of graphene (GE) when put on top of a hexagonal lattice substrate are predicted from elasticity theory. The van der Waals interaction between GE and the substrate induces out-of-plane deformations in graphene which results in a strain field, and consequently in a pseudo-magnetic field. When the misorientation angle is about 0.5°, a three-fold symmetric strain field is realized that results in a pseudo-magnetic field very similar to the one proposed by F. Guinea, M. I. Katsnelson, and A. K. Geim [Nature Phys. 6, 30 (2010)]. Our results show that the periodicity and length of the pseudo-magnetic field can be tuned in GE by changing the misorientation angle and substrate adhesion parameters and a considerable energy gap (23 meV) can be obtained due to out-of-plane deformation of graphene which is in the range of recent experimental measurements (20–30 meV).
Confirmation of intrinsic electron gap states at nonpolar GaN(1-100) surfaces combining photoelectron and surface optical spectroscopy
Authors: Himmerlich M. , Eisenhardt A. , Shokhovets S. , Krischok S. , Räthel J. , Speiser E. , Neumann M. D. , Navarro-Quezada A. , Esser N.
Published: April 2014

The electronic structure of GaN(1–100) surfaces is investigated in-situ by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and reflection anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS). Occupied surface states 3.1 eV below the Fermi energy are observed by PES, accompanied by surface optical transitions found in RAS around 3.3 eV, i.e., below the bulk band gap. These results indicate that the GaN(1–100) surface band gap is smaller than the bulk one due to the existence of intra-gap states, in agreement with density functional theory calculations. Furthermore, the experiments demonstrate that RAS can be applied for optical surface studies of anisotropic crystals.
Electrochemical performance of patterned LiFePO4 nano-electrode with a pristine amorphous layer
Authors: Wang Mao , Zhang Wei , Liu Yihang , Yang Yong , Wang Chunsheng , Wang Yuan
Published: April 2014

A patterned LiFePO4 nanorod with a pristine amorphous LiFePO4 surface layer was fabricated by controlling the temperature gradient from the interior to the exterior layer in high-temperature annealing process through designing hierarchical multilayer electrode structure. The three dimensional patterned LiFePO4 nanorods were prepared using tobacco mosaic virus nanoforest arrays. The results indicate that the nano-electrodes nearly reached the theoretical capacity at a very low C rate even without conductive coatings. The amorphous LiFePO4 can fast transport the Li-ion to inside crystal LiFePO4, thus enhancing the rate capability.
Fabrication of sub-15 nm aluminum wires by controlled etching
Authors: Morgan-Wall T. , Hughes H. J. , Hartman N. , McQueen T. M. , Marković N.
Published: April 2014

We describe a method for the fabrication of uniform aluminum nanowires with diameters below 15 nm. Electron beam lithography is used to define narrow wires, which are then etched using a sodium bicarbonate solution, while their resistance is simultaneously measured in-situ. The etching process can be stopped when the desired resistance is reached, and can be restarted at a later time. The resulting nanowires show a superconducting transition as a function of temperature and magnetic field that is consistent with their smaller diameter. The width of the transition is similar to that of the lithographically defined wires, indicating that the etching process is uniform and that the wires are undamaged. This technique allows for precise control over the normal state resistance and can be used to create a variety of aluminum nanodevices.
Morphology and properties of a hybrid organic-inorganic system: Al nanoparticles embedded into CuPc thin film
Authors: Molodtsova O. V. , Aristova I. M. , Babenkov S. V. , Vilkov O. V. , Aristov V. Yu.
Published: April 2014

The evolution of the morphology and the electronic structure of the hybrid organic-inorganic system composed of aluminum nanoparticles (NPs) distributed in an organic semiconductor matrix—copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)—as a function of nominal aluminum content was studied by transmission electron microscopy and by photoemission spectroscopy methods. The aluminum atoms deposited onto the CuPc surface diffuse into the organic matrix and self-assemble to NPs in a well-defined manner with a narrow diameter distribution, which depends on the amount of aluminum that is evaporated onto the CuPc film. We find clear evidence of a charge transfer from Al to CuPc and we have been able to determine the lattice sites where Al ions sit. The finally at high coverage about 64 Å the formation of metallic aluminum overlayer on CuPc thin film takes place.
Overcoming tradeoff between mobility and bias stability in organic field-effect transistors according to the self-assembled monolayer chain lengths
Authors: Roh Jeongkyun , Kang Chan-mo , Kwak Jeonghun , Lee Changhee , Jun Jung Byung
Published: April 2014

This study examined the relationship between the mobility and bias stability of pentacene-based organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) regarding a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) treatment. For this systematic study, four types of silazane-based SAMs with different alkyl chain lengths in the range of 1–8 were used. Silazane-based SAMs have an advantage of processability due to the mild reaction conditions. The mobility was increased from 0.29 without SAM to 0.46, 0.61, 0.65, and 0.84 cm2/V s after the SAM-treatment with an alkyl chain length of 1, 3, 4, and 8, respectively. On the other hand, inverse proportional relationship was observed between the bias stability and SAM alkyl chain length. Under high gate bias stress (equivalent to electric field of 3 MV/cm) for 2 h, the threshold voltage shift of the OFET was decreased from 12.19 V without SAM to 5.69 V with a short SAM-treatment (alkyl chain length of 1) and 7.14 V with a long SAM-treatment (alkyl chain length of 8). This is the significant finding that there was a tradeoff relationship between the mobility and bias stability of OFETs concerning the SAM alkyl chain length. To overcome this tradeoff, a method for surface engineering using two-step SAM-treatment was introduced. By treating long SAM and short SAM in sequence, both the high mobility and good bias stability were achieved. With two-step SAM-treatment, the OFET showed high mobility as a long SAM-treated OFET and good bias stability as a short SAM-treated OFET.
Continuously distributed magnetization profile for millimeter-scale elastomeric undulatory swimming
Authors: Diller Eric , Zhuang Jiang , Zhan Lum Guo , Edwards Matthew R. , Sitti Metin
Published: April 2014

We have developed a millimeter-scale magnetically driven swimming robot for untethered motion at mid to low Reynolds numbers. The robot is propelled by continuous undulatory deformation, which is enabled by the distributed magnetization profile of a flexible sheet. We demonstrate control of a prototype device and measure deformation and speed as a function of magnetic field strength and frequency. Experimental results are compared with simple magnetoelastic and fluid propulsion models. The presented mechanism provides an efficient remote actuation method at the millimeter scale that may be suitable for further scaling down in size for micro-robotics applications in biotechnology and healthcare.
Guiding spoof surface plasmon polaritons by infinitely thin grooved metal strip
Authors: Wan Xiang , Cui Tie Jun
Published: April 2014

In this paper, the propagation characteristics of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on infinitely thin corrugated metal strips are theoretically analyzed. Compared with the situations of infinitely thick lateral thickness, the infinitely thin lateral thickness leads to lower plasma frequency according to the analyses. The propagation lengths and the binding capacity of the spoof SPPs are evaluated based on the derived dispersion equation. The effects of different lateral thicknesses are also investigated. At the end, a surface wave splitter is presented using infinitely thin corrugated metal strip. Other functional planar or flexible devices can also be designed using these metal strips in microwave or terahertz regimes.
Study of the stability of Z-pinch implosions with different initial density profiles
Authors: Rousskikh A. G. , Zhigalin A. S. , Oreshkin V. I. , Labetskaya N. A. , Chaikovsky S. A. , Batrakov A. V. , Yushkov G. Yu. , Baksht R. B.
Published: May 2014

Stability of metal-puff Z pinches was studied experimentally. Experiments were carried out on a facility producing a load current up to 450 kA with a rise time of 450 ns. In a metal-puff Z pinch, the plasma shell is produced due to evaporation of the electrode material during the operation of a vacuum arc. In the experiment to be reported, a single-shell and a shell-on-jet pinch load with magnesium electrodes were used. Two-dimensional, 3 ns gated, visible-light images were taken at different times during the implosion. When the shell was formed from a collimated plasma flow with small radial divergence, Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instability typical of gas-puff implosions was recorded. The RT instability was completely suppressed in a mode where the initial density distribution of the shell approached a tailored density profile [A. L. Velikovich et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 853 (1996)].
Characterization of direct current He-N2 mixture plasma using optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry
Authors: Flores O. , Castillo F. , Martinez H. , Villa M. , Villalobos S. , Reyes P. G.
Published: May 2014

This study analyses the glow discharge of He and N2 mixture at the pressure of 2.0 Torr, power of 10 W, and flow rate of 16.5 l/min, by using optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The emission bands were measured in the wavelength range of 200–1100 nm. The principal species observed were N2+ (B2Σ+u→X2Σ+g), N2 (C3Πu→B3Πg), and He, which are in good agreement with the results of mass spectrometry. Besides, the electron temperature and ion density were determined by using a double Langmuir probe. Results indicate that the electron temperature is in the range of 1.55–2.93 eV, and the electron concentration is of the order of 1010 cm−3. The experimental results of electron temperature and ion density for pure N2 and pure He are in good agreement with the values reported in the literature.
Working Memory Modulates the Association between Time and Number Representation
Authors: Bi Cuihua , Liu Peiduo , Yuan Xiangyong , Huang Xiting
Published: April 2014

Time and numbers are interconnected in mental representation. Here we investigated whether this interaction between time and number could be modulated by working memory (WM). In experiment 1 participants first memorized a digit and then judged which of the two digits presented in succession were presented for longer (or shorter), with either one or neither of them being the same as the WM digit. The results showed that, when one of two digits was the same as the WM content, the numerical magnitude effect on temporal performance was abolished, whereas the interference effect occurred only when both the two digits were not the same as the WM content. In order to further investigate whether this effect was due to stimuli repetition, we instructed participants in experiment 2 to merely attend to the original digit but not memorize it during a time judgment task. The results did not reveal the modulation of WM content on time–number link. The WM-based interference effect, however, might reflect decision bias rather than perception illusion. In experiment 3 we eliminated response biases by using equality judgments, and found that WM content had no impact on time–number link. Finally, we conducted experiment 4 (comparative duration judgment) and experiment 5 (equality duration judgment) by manipulating WM load, and demonstrated that the WM-based interference effect was relevant to the duration of the WM content solely in comparative judgment. We concluded that the mental association between time and number representation could be modulated by WM at decision level.
Visual Illusions on the Internet: 15 Years of Change in Technology and User Behaviour
Authors: Bach Michael
Published: April 2014

Looking back over 15 years of demonstrating visual phenomena and optical illusions on the Internet, I will discuss two major topics. The first concerns the methodology used to present interactive visual experiments on the web, with respect to (a) wide accessibility, ie independent of browser and platform, (b) capable and elegant graphic user interface, (c) sufficient computational power, (d) ease of development and, finally, (e) future-proofing in an ever-changing online environment. The second major topic addresses some aspects of user behaviour, mainly temporal patterns (eg changes over weeks, years, long term), which reveal that there are more visitors during office hours.
Flash (Vacuum) Pyrolysis Apparatus and Methods
Authors: Wentrup Curt
Published: April 2014

The history of pyrolysis equipment, methods, and reactions is narrated in the Introduction. Detailed descriptions of flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) (or thermolysis, FVT) apparatus for preparative and spectroscopic (UV, IR, electron spin resonance) purposes with product isolation at 77 K or in Ar matrices at ~10 K are presented. Very low pressure pyrolysis (VLPP), laser pyrolysis, and pulsed pyrolysis (jet flash pyrolysis) are also described together with illustrations of apparatus. The solvent spray flash vacuum pyrolysis (SS-FVP) of liquids or solutions of compounds of low volatility is described together with methods for the addition of solids to a pyrolysis tube, in particular details of pipto-pyrolysis (‘falling solid pyrolysis’). Methods used for catalytic vacuum gas–solid reactions (VGSR) are also summarised.
Microfluidic single-cell whole-transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Streets Aaron M. , Zhang Xiannian , Cao Chen , Pang Yuhong , Wu Xinglong , Xiong Liang , Yang Lu , Fu Yusi , Zhao Liang , Tang Fuchou , Huang Yanyi
Published: April 2014

Significance

RNA sequencing of single cells enables measurement of biological variation in heterogeneous cellular populations and dissection of transcriptome complexity that is masked in ensemble measurements of gene expression. The low quantity of RNA in a single cell, however, hinders efficient and consistent reverse transcription and amplification of cDNA, limiting accuracy and obscuring biological variation with high technical noise. We developed a microfluidic approach to prepare cDNA from single cells for high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. The microfluidic platform facilitates single-cell manipulation, minimizes contamination, and furthermore, provides improved detection sensitivity and measurement precision, which is necessary for differentiating biological variability from technical noise.
How multiplicity determines entropy and the derivation of the maximum entropy principle for complex systems
Authors: Hanel Rudolf , Thurner Stefan , Gell-Mann Murray
Published: April 2014

Significance

The maximum entropy principle (MEP) states that for many statistical systems the entropy that is associated with an observed distribution function is a maximum, given that prior information is taken into account appropriately. Usually systems where the MEP applies are simple systems, such as gases and independent processes. The MEP has found thousands of practical applications. Whether a MEP holds for complex systems, where elements interact strongly and have memory and path dependence, remained unclear over the past half century. Here we prove that a MEP indeed exists for complex systems and derive the generalized entropy. We find that it belongs to the class of the recently proposed (c,d)-entropies. The practical use of the formalism is shown for a path-dependent random walk.
Production of wild-type and mutant-type human DAP12 proteins byBombyx morinucleopolyhedrovirus vector
Authors: Uemura Nozomi , Tabunoki Hiroko , Suzuki Taiki , Ishikawa Kazuhiro , Nojima Yosui , Katsuma Susumu , Sato Ryoichi , Satoh Jun-ichi
Published: April 2014

A Japanese patient with Nasu-Hakola disease was found to have a serine-to-asparagine (S39N) substitution in human DNAX-activation protein 12 (DAP12). To elucidate the functional abnormalities of mutant-type DAP12, we expressed wild-type and mutant-type recombinant DAP12 protein with Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) vector, and successfully purified the respective proteins from the hemolymph of recombinant BmNPV infected B. mori larvae.
Insulin injection restored increased insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2 protein during short-term protein restriction but did not affect reduced insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I mRNA or increased triglyceride accumulation in the liver of rats
Authors: Ozaki Yori , Takeda Tomoya , Akanishi Narumi , Hakuno Fumihiko , Toyoshima Yuka , Takahashi Shin-Ichiro , Takenaka Asako
Published: April 2014

Dietary protein restriction reduces insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I synthesis and impairs growth. Moreover, insulin secretion is impaired and hepatic insulin signaling is activated presumably through upregulation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2, which can stimulate lipogenesis thereby resulting in steatosis. In order to determine whether impaired insulin secretion is the primary cause of these changes, we injected insulin into protein-restricted rats and compensated for the reduction in insulin secretion for 1 and 7 d. Insulin infusion did not overcome the reduction in liver IGF-I mRNA nor the hepatic triglyceride accumulation. In contrast, it clearly suppressed the upregulation of hepatic IRS-2 on day 1, but not on day 7. Furthermore, insulin elimination increased IRS-2 in H4IIE-C3 cells. In summary, we found that reduced insulin secretion during protein restriction directly increased hepatic IRS-2 as a rapid response on day 1, while additional mechanisms contributed to the upregulation of IRS-2 on day 7.
Singular equivalences induced by homological epimorphisms
Authors: Chen Xiao-Wu
Published: April 2014

We prove that a certain homological epimorphism between two algebras induces a triangle equivalence between their singularity categories. Applying the result to a construction of matrix algebras, we describe the singularity categories of some non-Gorenstein algebras.
Characterization of varieties of Fano type via singularities of Cox rings
Authors: Gongyo Yoshinori , Okawa Shinnosuke , Sannai Akiyoshi , Takagi Shunsuke
Published: April 2014

We show that every Mori dream space of globally

F
F

-regular type is of Fano type. As an application, we give a characterization of varieties of Fano type in terms of the singularities of their Cox rings.
Transdisciplinary graduate education in marine resource science and management
Authors: Ciannelli Lorenzo , Hunsicker Mary , Beaudreau Anne , Bailey Kevin , Crowder Larry B. , Finley Carmel , Webb Colleen , Reynolds John , Sagmiller Kay , Anderies John M. , Hawthorne David , Parrish Julia , Heppell Selina , Conway Flaxen , Chigbu Paulinus
Published: April 2014

In this article we consider the current educational needs for science and policy in marine resource management, and we propose a way to address them. The existing literature on cross-disciplinary education in response to pressing environmental problems is vast, particularly in conservation biology. However, actual changes in doctoral-level marine science programs lag behind this literature considerably. This is in part because of concerns about the time investment in cross-disciplinary education and about the job prospects offered by such programs. There is also a more fundamental divide between educational programs that focus on knowledge generation and those that focus on professional development, which can reinforce the gap in communication between scientists and marine resource managers. Ultimately, transdisciplinary graduate education programs need not only to bridge the divide between disciplines, but also between types of knowledge. Our proposed curriculum aligns well with these needs because it does not sacrifice depth for breadth, and it emphasizes collaboration and communication among diverse groups of students, in addition to development of their individual knowledge and skills.
GALEX J194419.33+491257.0: An unusually active SU UMa-type dwarf nova with a very short orbital period in the Kepler data
Authors: Kato Taichi , Osaki Yoji
Published: May 2014

We studied a background dwarf nova of KIC 11412044 in the Kepler public data and identified it with GALEX J194419.33+491257.0. This object turned out to be a very active SU UMa-type dwarf nova that has a mean supercycle of ∼ 150 d and frequent normal outbursts with intervals of 4–10 d. The object showed a strong persistent signal of the orbital variation with a period of 0.0528164(4) d (76.06 min) and superhumps with a typical period of 0.0548 d during its superoutbursts. Most of the superoutbursts were accompanied by a precursor outburst. All these features are unusual for this very short orbital period. We succeeded in detecting an evolving stage of superhumps (stage A superhumps) and obtained a mass ratio of 0.141(2), which is unusually high for this orbital period. We suggest that the unusual outburst properties are a result of this high mass ratio. We suspect that this object is a member of the recently recognized class of cataclysmic variables (CVs) with a stripped core evolved secondary which are evolving toward AM CVn-type CVs. The present determination of the mass ratio by using stage A superhumps is the first case in such systems.
Liver Enzyme Elevations Within 3 Months of Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Likelihood of Liver Disease
Authors: Goyal Alka , Hyams Jeffery S. , Lerer Trudy , Leleiko Neal S. , Otley Anthony R. , Griffiths Anne M. , Rosh Joel R. , Cabrera Jose M. , Oliva‐Hemker Maria M. , Mack David R. , Rick James N. , Pfefferkorn Marian D. , Carvalho Ryan , Grossman Andrew B. , Hitch Meredith C. , Sudel Boris , Kappelman Michael D. , Saeed Shehzad A. , Faubion William A. , Schaefer Marc E. , Markowitz James F. , Keljo David J. ,   Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Collaborative Research Group
Published: May 2014

Background:

Inflammatory bowel disease–associated liver diseases (IBD‐LDs) include autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and an overlap syndrome. Prospective unbiased multicenter data regarding the frequency of IBD‐LD in patients with pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are lacking. We examined early alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) elevations in children diagnosed as having IBD and assessed the likelihood of IBD‐LD.

Methods:

Data collected from the prospective observational Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Collaborative Research Group Registry enrolling children of age <16 years within 30 days of diagnosis. AIH, PSC, and overlap syndrome were diagnosed using local institutional criteria.

Results:

A total of 1569 subjects had liver enzymes available. Of the total, 757 had both ALT and GGT, 800 had ALT only (no GGT), and 12 had GGT only (no ALT). Overall, 29 of 1569 patients (1.8%) had IBD‐LD. IBD‐LD was diagnosed in 1 of 661 (0.15%) of patients with both ALT and GGT ≤ 50 IU/L compared with 21 of 42 (50%) of patients with both ALT and GGT > 50 (odds ratio 660, P < 0.0001). Of the 29 patients with IBD‐LD, 21 had PSC, 2 had AIH, and 6 had overlap syndrome. IBD‐LD was more common in patients with ulcerative colitis and IBD‐unclassified (indeterminate colitis) than in those with Crohn disease (4% vs 0.8%, respectively, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Elevation of both ALT and GGT within 90 days after the diagnosis of IBD is associated with a markedly increased likelihood of IBD‐LD. Both ALT and GGT levels should be measured in all of the pediatric patients newly diagnosed as having IBD.
Reporting Outcome Measures in Trials of Infant Colic
Authors: Steutel Nina F. , Benninga Marc A. , Langendam Miranda W. , de Kruijff Ineke , Tabbers Merit M.
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

Infant colic (IC), with an estimated prevalence of 5% to 25%, has a high impact on health care costs. Furthermore, reported negative sequelae are disturbed parent–infant interaction, increased susceptibility to abdominal pain, and even child abuse. Its etiology remains unknown, leading to a wide variety in interventions. We hypothesize that definitions and outcome measures in studies on IC will be heterogeneous as well. Our objective is to systematically assess how definitions and outcome measures are reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of IC.

Methods:

CENTRAL, Embase, and MEDLINE/PubMed were searched from inception to December 2012. English‐language systematic reviews (SRs) and RCTs concerning IC in children ages 0 to 9 months were included. Bibliographies of included SRs were searched for additional articles. Quality was assessed using the Delphi list.

Results:

A total of 1702 studies were found; 55 articles were included (16 SRs, 39 RCTs). In 39 trials, we found 20 different definitions for IC, 11 different definitions for improvement, 28 different interventions, and 19 different outcomes. Fifty‐one percent of the trials were of good methodological quality. All of the trials used parental diaries; only 31% stated that their instrument was validated.

Conclusions:

Too many different definitions and outcome measures for IC are used in RCTs. Only a minority of the trials reported parental perception as primary outcome. Uniform definitions, outcomes, and validated instruments are needed to make a comparison between intervention studies possible.
Cross-cultural variation in men's preference for sexual dimorphism in women's faces
Authors: Marcinkowska Urszula M. , Kozlov Mikhail V. , Cai Huajian , Contreras-Garduño Jorge , Dixson Barnaby J. , Oana Gavita A. , Kaminski Gwenaël , Li Norman P. , Lyons Minna T. , Onyishi Ike E. , Prasai Keshav , Pazhoohi Farid , Prokop Pavol , Rosales Cardozo Sandra L. , Sydney Nicolle , Yong Jose C. , Rantala Markus J.
Published: April 2014

Both attractiveness judgements and mate preferences vary considerably cross-culturally. We investigated whether men's preference for femininity in women's faces varies between 28 countries with diverse health conditions by analysing responses of 1972 heterosexual participants. Although men in all countries preferred feminized over masculinized female faces, we found substantial differences between countries in the magnitude of men's preferences. Using an average femininity preference for each country, we found men's facial femininity preferences correlated positively with the health of the nation, which explained 50.4% of the variation among countries. The weakest preferences for femininity were found in Nepal and strongest in Japan. As high femininity in women is associated with lower success in competition for resources and lower dominance, it is possible that in harsher environments, men prefer cues to resource holding potential over high fecundity.
Long-term reproductive impairment in a seabird after the
Prestige
oil spill
Authors: Barros Álvaro , Álvarez David , Velando Alberto
Published: April 2014

Large oil spills are dramatic perturbations on marine ecosystems, and seabirds are one of the worst affected organisms in such events. It has been argued that oil spills may have important long-term consequences on marine organisms, but supporting evidence remains scarce. The European shag (
Phalacrocorax aristotelis
) was strongly impacted at population level by the
Prestige
oil spill, the biggest spillage in the eastern North Atlantic. In this paper, we report on the long-term consequences on reproduction of this coastal seabird, using temporal and spatial replicated data (before–after–control–impact design). Our study revealed long-term reproductive impairment during at least the first 10 years since the
Prestige
oil spill. Annual reproductive success did not differ before the impact, but after the impact it was reduced by 45% in oiled colonies compared with unoiled ones. This is a rare documentation of long-term effects after a major oil spill, highlighting the need for long-term monitoring in order to assess the real impact of this type of disturbance on marine organisms.
Topological properties of robust biological and computational networks
Authors: Navlakha Saket , He Xin , Faloutsos Christos , Bar-Joseph Ziv
Published: April 2014

Network robustness is an important principle in biology and engineering. Previous studies of global networks have identified both redundancy and sparseness as topological properties used by robust networks. By focusing on molecular subnetworks, or modules, we show that module topology is tightly linked to the level of environmental variability (noise) the module expects to encounter. Modules internal to the cell that are less exposed to environmental noise are more connected and less robust than external modules. A similar design principle is used by several other biological networks. We propose a simple change to the evolutionary gene duplication model which gives rise to the rich range of module topologies observed within real networks. We apply these observations to evaluate and design communication networks that are specifically optimized for noisy or malicious environments. Combined, joint analysis of biological and computational networks leads to novel algorithms and insights benefiting both fields.