bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Date for Concrete in Rome
Authors: Mogetta Marcello
Published: April 2015

Concrete is regarded as a quintessentially Roman achievement. The spread of the technology is usually dated to the fourth or third centuriesb.c., and interpreted as a symptom of Rome's early expansion in Italy. In this paper I offer a reappraisal of the available evidence for early concrete construction in Rome. On the basis of stratigraphic evidence, I conclude that a later date should be assigned to most of the remains. I situate the origins of the technological innovation within the radical change in architectural styles that unfolded in the middle of the second centuryb.c., affecting both domestic architecture and public building. The new chronology has an impact on current models of cultural diffusion in Roman Italy, linking the development of Late Republican architecture with the broader debate on the cultural implications of the Roman conquest.
Three-year-olds can predict a noun based on an attributive adjective: evidence from eye-tracking
Authors: TRIBUSHININA ELENA , MAK WILLEM M.
Published: April 2015

This paper investigates whether three-year-olds are able to process attributive adjectives (e.g., softpillow) as they hear them and to predict the noun (pillow) on the basis of the adjective meaning (soft). This was investigated in an experiment by means of the Visual World Paradigm. The participants saw two pictures (e.g., a pillow and a book) and heard adjective–noun combinations, where the adjective was either informative (e.g., soft) or uninformative (e.g., new) about the head-noun. The properties described by the target adjectives were not visually apparent. When the adjective was uninformative, the looks at the target increased only upon hearing the noun. When the adjective was informative, however, the looks at the target increased upon hearing the adjective. Three-year-olds were as fast as adult controls in predicting the upcoming noun. We conclude that toddlers process adjective–noun phrases incrementally and can predict the noun based on the prenominal adjective.
Human Rights between Jurisprudence and Social Science
Authors: HUNEEUS ALEXANDRA
Published: April 2015

This article argues that human rights law – which mediates between claims about universal human nature, on the one hand, and hard-fought political battles, on the other – is in particular need of a richer exchange between jurisprudential approaches and social science theory and methods. Using the example of the Inter-American Human Rights System, the article calls for more human rights scholarship with a new realist sensibility. It demonstrates in what ways legal and social science scholarship on human rights law both stand to improve through sustained, thoughtful exchange.
Legal Realism and its Discontents
Authors: BODANSKY DANIEL
Published: April 2015

This article provides a brief overview of legal realism and sketches out its implications for international law, using international environmental law as an example. Although the ‘new’ legal realism is not especially new, its anti-formalist, pragmatic perspective still offers important insights about the international legal process, and serves as a useful counterpoint to a new variety of formalism, which continues to resist the social scientific study of international law. Among its distinctive elements, legal realism views international law instrumentally, is empirical in orientation, and focuses on the processes by which international law is developed, implemented, and enforced, rather than limiting itself to international law doctrine. The fear of critics is that, by de-emphasizing the internal point of view and the concept of legal validity, legal realism deprives international law of the very features that make it a distinctive enterprise.
The National Judge as an Ordinary Judge of International Law? Invocability of Treaty Law in National Courts
Authors: EL BOUDOUHI SAÏDA
Published: April 2015

Since theSimmenthalcase of the ECJ, the national judge has been coined the ‘ordinary judge of EU law’, meaning that this judge has the primary responsibility for ensuring the effectiveness of EU law through different techniques. While there has been a large amount of research on the role of domestic courts in relation to international law, the question of whether the domestic judge could also be characterized as the ‘ordinary judge of international law’ in the sense the phrase is used regarding EU law has never been raised. This article identifies the contents of the phrase in the context of EU law in order to test it against international law. It undertakes this by transposing the different types of invocability – direct effect, invocability of consistent interpretation, invocability of damages, and invocability of exclusion – which set the national judge as a primary judge of EU law, to international law before domestic judges. While the analysis relies mainly on French case law relating to international law, comparisons are drawn, where relevant, between the case law of this jurisdiction and that of other jurisdictions in order to establish a general trend. This permits the conclusion that, while the French courts remain reluctant to ensure the effectiveness of international law through the adoption of the different techniques of invocability, other domestic judges behave as ordinary judges of international law in a way that is very similar to the way the national judges treat EU law.
Inescapable Dyads: Why the International Criminal Court Cannot Win
Authors: ROBINSON DARRYL
Published: April 2015

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is surrounded by controversies and criticisms. This article highlights some patterns in the arguments, showing that many plausible criticisms reflect inescapable dyads. For any position that Court could take, one or more powerful criticisms can inevitably be advanced. The tension can be obscured because shared terms are often recruited for opposite meanings. Awareness of these patterns can (i) provide a framework to better situate arguments, (ii) reveal the deeper complexity of the problems, and (iii) help us to evaluate and improve upon the arguments. Awareness of dyadic structures can lead to a debate that is more generous, as we acknowledge the difficulty and uncertainty of choosing among flawed options, yet also more rigorous, as we attempt to articulate and improve upon our frameworks of evaluation. The goal of this article is to encourage a better conversation that can generate better insights.
ON THE RESOLVENT OF THE LAPLACE–BELTRAMI OPERATOR IN HYPERBOLIC SPACE
Authors: GUSEINOV GUSEIN SH.
Published: April 2015

In this paper, a detailed description of the resolvent of the Laplace–Beltrami operator in $n$-dimensional hyperbolic space is given. The resolvent is an integral operator with the kernel (Green’s function) being a solution of a hypergeometric differential equation. Asymptotic analysis of the solution of this equation is carried out.
Introduction: States, Critical Citizens, and the Challenge of Democratization in Southeast Asia
Authors: RAHIM LILY ZUBAIDAH , PIETSCH JULIET
Published: April 2015

The political trajectories in Southeast Asia are much more complex than neat theoretical models would suggest. In particular, the diverse experience of post-authoritarian states are far from linear – often moving forward, backward, and forward again, or stalling for a number of years. Political trajectories can thus be uneven and erratic, as exemplified by Thailand's military coups, graduating from hegemonic to competitive electoral authoritarian rule in Singapore and Malaysia and lingering within the zone of low-quality democracy as characterized by Indonesia's poor governance and neo-patrimonial dynamics. Indeed, since 2014, Freedom House no longer classifies Indonesia as ‘Free’, following the passage of legislation restricting the activity of civil society and the human rights violations against religious minorities. Similarly, Thailand lost its ‘Free’ ranking in 2006 and the Philippines in 2007.
Single-feed circularly polarized stacked patch antenna with small-frequency ratio for dual-band wireless applications
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Kanaujia Binod K. , Khandelwal Mukesh K. , Gautam A.K.
Published: April 2015

A single-feed dual-band circularly polarized stacked microstrip patch antenna with a small-frequency ratio is presented. Two pair of orthogonal slits is cut on the lower circular patch for achieving circular polarization and truncated corner square patch is used as the upper parasitic element. The frequency ratio of the dual-band is 1.03. The 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth is 1.3% for the upper band and 1.1% for the lower band. Proposed structure is fabricated on the FR-4 epoxy substrate and fed by SMA connector. The measured results are in good agreement with the theoretical and simulated results. The antenna shows stable radiation characteristics in both bands of operation.
Health-Related Findings Among Twin Pairs Discordant for Leisure-Time Physical Activity for 32 Years: The TWINACTIVE Study Synopsis
Authors: Leskinen Tuija , Kujala Urho M.
Published: April 2015

We are lacking very long-term and controlled intervention studies investigating the effects of habitual physical activity on health-related factors. To address this gap, we performed a natural experiment by identifying same-sex twin pairs in which the co-twins of each pair differed with respect to leisure-time physical-activity habits throughout their adult life. Our criterion for the discordance was that the same co-twin had a higher leisure time-activity volume than that of the other member of the pair at the majority –– if not all –– of the follow-up time points according to reported/interviewed physical-activity data. Overall, we identified and conducted multidimensional health-related measurements (including fitness, body composition, cardiometabolic risk factor levels, bone and arterial status, and exercise motivation) of 16 twin pairs (seven monozygotic (MZ) and nine dizygotic (DZ) pairs, mean age 60 years) who had persistent discordance in leisure-time physical-activity habits over three decades (TWINACTIVE study). In our discordant-pair study design, after adjusting for sequence-level genes, both systemic-level metabolic, and site-specific structural findings differed significantly in the pairwise analysis in MZ pairs only. These findings included intrapair differences in accumulated fat depots and structure of heart, arteries, and bones. In addition, our study revealed intrapair differences in metabolic and regulatory pathways, which may partly explain the mechanistic links between long-term physical activity, phenotypic changes, and decreased risk of cardiometabolic diseases.
Low-buoyancy thermochemical plumes resolve controversy of classical mantle plume concept
Authors: Dannberg Juliane , Sobolev Stephan V.
Published: April 2015

The Earth’s biggest magmatic events are believed to originate from massive melting when hot mantle plumes rising from the lowermost mantle reach the base of the lithosphere. Classical models predict large plume heads that cause kilometre-scale surface uplift, and narrow (100 km radius) plume tails that remain in the mantle after the plume head spreads below the lithosphere. However, in many cases, such uplifts and narrow plume tails are not observed. Here using numerical models, we show that the issue can be resolved if major mantle plumes contain up to 15–20% of recycled oceanic crust in a form of dense eclogite, which drastically decreases their buoyancy and makes it depth dependent. We demonstrate that, despite their low buoyancy, large enough thermochemical plumes can rise through the whole mantle causing only negligible surface uplift. Their tails are bulky (>200 km radius) and remain in the upper mantle for 100 millions of years.
Evolutionary games of condensates in coupled birth–death processes
Authors: Knebel Johannes , Weber Markus F. , Krüger Torben , Frey Erwin
Published: April 2015

Condensation phenomena arise through a collective behaviour of particles. They are observed in both classical and quantum systems, ranging from the formation of traffic jams in mass transport models to the macroscopic occupation of the energetic ground state in ultra-cold bosonic gases (Bose–Einstein condensation). Recently, it has been shown that a driven and dissipative system of bosons may form multiple condensates. Which states become the condensates has, however, remained elusive thus far. The dynamics of this condensation are described by coupled birth–death processes, which also occur in evolutionary game theory. Here we apply concepts from evolutionary game theory to explain the formation of multiple condensates in such driven-dissipative bosonic systems. We show that the vanishing of relative entropy production determines their selection. The condensation proceeds exponentially fast, but the system never comes to rest. Instead, the occupation numbers of condensates may oscillate, as we demonstrate for a rock–paper–scissors game of condensates.
A magneto-electro-optical effect in a plasmonic nanowire material
Authors: Valente João , Ou Jun-Yu , Plum Eric , Youngs Ian J. , Zheludev Nikolay I.
Published: April 2015

Electro- and magneto-optical phenomena play key roles in photonic technology enabling light modulators, optical data storage, sensors and numerous spectroscopic techniques. Optical effects, linear and quadratic in external electric and magnetic field are widely known and comprehensively studied. However, optical phenomena that depend on the simultaneous application of external electric and magnetic fields in conventional media are barely detectable and technologically insignificant. Here we report that a large reciprocal magneto-electro-optical effect can be observed in metamaterials. In an artificial chevron nanowire structure fabricated on an elastic nano-membrane, the Lorentz force drives reversible transmission changes on application of a fraction of a volt when the structure is placed in a fraction-of-tesla magnetic field. We show that magneto-electro-optical modulation can be driven to hundreds of thousands of cycles per second promising applications in magneto-electro-optical modulators and field sensors at nano-tesla levels.
An Ordovician variation on Burgess Shale-type biotas
Authors: Botting Joseph P. , Muir Lucy A. , Jordan Naomi , Upton Christopher
Published: April 2015

The Cambrian Burgess Shale-type biotas form a globally consistent ecosystem, usually dominated by arthropods. Elements of these communities continued into the Early Ordovician at high latitude, but our understanding of ecological changes during the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE) is currently limited by the paucity of Ordovician exceptionally preserved open-marine faunas. Here we clarify the early stages of the GOBE by describing a new open-marine Konservat-Lagerstätte from the Early Ordovician of Wales. The Afon Gam Biota includes many lineages typical of the Cambrian Burgess Shale-type biotas, but the most abundant groups were sponges, algae and worms, with non-trilobite arthropods being unexpectedly rare. Labile tissues occur abundantly in the sponges and are also present in other groups, including brachiopods and hyoliths. Taphonomic biases are considered and rejected as explanations for arthropod rarity; the preserved biota is considered to be an approximation to the original community composition. We note that other exceptionally preserved communities in the Welsh Ordovician are also sponge-dominated, suggesting a regional change in benthic ecology during the early stages of the GOBE.
Petroleomics by ion mobility mass spectrometry: resolution and characterization of contaminants and additives in crude oils and petrofuels
Authors: Santos Jandyson Machado , Galaverna Renan de S. , Pudenzi Marcos A. , Schmidt Eduardo M. , Sanders Nathaniel L. , Kurulugama Ruwan T. , Mordehai Alex , Stafford George C. , Wisniewski Alberto , Eberlin Marcos N.
Published: April 2015

IM-MS, was performed in a new uniform-field drift tube, IM-QTOF instrument. It can resolve and characterize crude oil and its contaminants, as well as petrofuels and their additives.
Multivalent aptamer–RNA based fluorescent probes for carrier-free detection of cellular microRNA-34a in mucin1-expressing cancer cells
Authors: Kim Jihyun , Lee Eunjoo , Kang Yoon Young , Mok Hyejung
Published: April 2015

In this study, multivalent carrier-free aptamer–RNA based fluorescent probes (CF-probes) were designed as a simpler, more reliable, timesaving strategy for cellular miRNA detection.
The low thermal gradient Czochralski crystal growth and microstructural properties of a Pb2MoO5(20−1) cleaved surface
Authors: Atuchin V. V. , Ivannikova N. V. , Komonov A. I. , Kuratieva N. V. , Loshkarev I. D. , Pervukhina N. V. , Pokrovsky L. D. , Shlegel V. N.
Published: April 2015

High-quality Pb2MoO5 crystals have been grown by the LTG Cz method.
Intracrystalline inclusions within single crystalline hosts: from biomineralization to bio-inspired crystal growth
Authors: Weber Eva , Pokroy Boaz
Published: April 2015

A review of the inclusion of organic matter within single crystalline hosts: from biogenic minerals to bio-inspired nanohybrid single crystal composites.
Structural changes in MII dithione/dithiolato complexes (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) on varying the dithione functionalization
Authors: Espa Davide , Pilia Luca , Marchiò Luciano , Attar Salahuddin S. , Barsella Alberto , Fort Alain , Mercuri Maria Laura , Serpe Angela , Deplano Paola
Published: April 2015

Large differences in the crystal structures of the title triads, induced by interactions exchanged by the peripheral fragments of the ligands, have been found and described through the Hirshfeld surface analysis.
A low-cost and advanced SiOx–C composite with hierarchical structure as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Wenjun , Shi Jing , Liang Yunhui , Liu Fang , Peng Yi , Yang Huabin
Published: April 2015

By using low-cost methods, a SiOx–C composite with hierarchical structure was applied as a high performative anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
A charge density study of π-delocalization and intermolecular interactions
Authors: Wu L.-C. , Chung W.-C. , Wang C.-C. , Lee G.-H. , Lu S.-I. , Wang Y.
Published: April 2015

The location of bond critical points (red dots) and its associated bond path (black line) provide the evidence on the existence of the weak intermolecular interactions of the π–π interactions between triazole rings ofatrzmolecules in crystal with the close ring distance of 3.17 Å.
First principles prediction of interfacial magnetoelectric coupling in tetragonal La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/BiFeO3 multiferroic superlattices
Authors: Feng Nan , Mi Wenbo , Wang Xiaocha
Published: April 2015

The magnetoelectric coupling can be realized in the tetragonal La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/BiFeO3 heterostructure by means of exchange bias.
Synthesis of nanorod-FeP@C composites with hysteretic lithiation in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Jun , Wang Chunde , Liang Jianwen , Zuo Jian , Yang Qing
Published: April 2015

We report a facile one-pot synthetic route to nanorod-FeP@C composites, and their performance as the anode for lithium ion batteries has been investigated.
Facile synthesis of 4- and 7-azaindoles from the corresponding imines by palladium-catalyzed cascade C–C and C–N coupling
Authors: Pham Ngo Nghia , Dang Thanh Tuan , Ngo Ngoc Thang , Villinger Alexander , Ehlers Peter , Langer Peter
Published: April 2015

The cyclization of 2,3-dihalopyridines with readily available imines provides a convenient and regioselective approach to 4- and 7-azaindoles.
Electrical charge-induced selective ion permeation in HfO2/porous nickel silicide hierarchical structures
Authors: Lai Chih-Chung , Lu Chung-Han , Lin Chia-Kai , Chen Hsuan-Chu , Tseng Fan-Gang , Chueh Yu-Lun
Published: April 2015

HfO2/porous nickel silicide (NiSi) hierarchical structures fabricated by metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) followed by a silicidation process and deposition of HfO2 by atomic layer deposition (ALD) have been demonstrated.
Perylene bisimide as the cathode modifier in organic photovoltaics: the role of aggregation morphology on the interlayer performance
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Zhong Shu , Nian Li , Chen Yulan , Xie Zengqi , Liu Linlin , Hanif Muddasir , Chen Wei , Ma Yuguang
Published: April 2015

Nanorods and nanoparticles of perylene bisimides (PBI-1) were prepared and applied as cathode interlayer in organic photovoltaic devices. The device performance showed important relation with the morphology of the interlayer.
Immunosuppressive nano-therapeutic micelles downregulate endothelial cell inflammation and immunogenicity
Authors: Nadig Satish N. , Dixit Suraj K. , Levey Natalie , Esckilsen Scott , Miller Kayla , Dennis William , Atkinson Carl , Broome Ann-Marie
Published: April 2015

Targeted micelles containing rapamycin (TRaM) suppressed the immune response of IL-8 in oxidatively stressed human umbilical vein endothelial cellsin vitro(a) and accumulated in aorta grafts for transplantation after 6 hours in cold perfusion solution (b).
Optimization of electrochemical parameters for sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) based biocathode
Authors: Sharma Mohita , Sarma Priyangshu M. , Pant Deepak , Dominguez-Benetton Xochitl
Published: April 2015

This study focuses on the effect of operational and physiochemical factors on a stable sulfate reducing bacteria biocathode and their effect on the electrochemical response thereof.
Ag nanowires as precursors to synthesize Ag–ZnO nanostructured brushes
Authors: Mondragón-Galicia Gilberto , Gutiérrez-Wing Claudia , Eufemia Fernández-García Maria , Mendoza-Anaya Demetrio , Pérez-Hernández Raúl
Published: April 2015

Novel Ag–ZnO nanostructured brushes.
Exotic carbon nanostructures obtained through controllable defect engineering
Authors: Sgouros A. P. , Kalosakas G. , Sigalas M. M. , Papagelis K.
Published: April 2015

Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that graphene nanoribbons with a spatially designed defect distribution can spontaneously form a large variety of stable 3D nanostructures, of controllable size and shape, on demand.
One-pot synthesis of magnetite-loaded dual-mesoporous silica spheres for T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and drug delivery
Authors: Luo Xiaofeng , Niu Dechao , Wang Yao , Zhai Yungang , Chen Jianzhuang , Gu Jinlou , Shi Jianlin , Li Yongsheng
Published: April 2015

A new type of magnetite-loaded dual-mesoporous silica nanoplatform has been successfully developed for MR imaging and efficient drug delivery.
Correction: Removal of emerging contaminants by pre-mixed PACl and carbonaceous materials
Authors: Jiang W. , Xiao F. , Wang D. S. , Wang Z. C. , Cai Y. H.
Published: April 2015

Correction for ‘Removal of emerging contaminants by pre-mixed PACl and carbonaceous materials’ by W. Jiang et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 35461–35468.
Electrochemical composite deposition of porous cactus-like manganese oxide/reduced graphene oxide–carbon nanotube hybrids for high-power asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Yu-Sheng , Li Shin-Ming , Hsiao Sheng-Tsung , Liao Wei-Hao , Yang Shin-Yi , Ma Chen-Chi M. , Hu Chi-Chang
Published: April 2015

This paper proposes a simple, one-step, composite deposition for fabricating amorphous manganese oxide/graphene–carbon nanotube (a-MnOx/rGO–CNT) hybrids.
English Language Learners and the Common Core State Standards: Meeting the Needs of Students With Low Socioeconomic Status and Language Impairment
Authors: Roseberry-McKibbin Celeste
Published: April 2015

The new Common Core State Standards (CCSS), adopted by 46 states, are being widely implemented in our schools. A major concern for educators and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) is that English language learners (ELLs), especially those from low-socioeconomic status (low SES) backgrounds, are at risk for not satisfactorily achieving the standards—particularly in English Language Arts. This risk is magnified for low SES ELLs with language impairment. This article describes (a) the overall goals of the standards, (b) specific risk factors for low SES ELLs with language impairment (“at risk” students), (c) the basic nature of the English Language Arts standards, and (d) practical strategies for SLPs to support at-risk students' performance in English Language Arts. There is a particular focus on “Monday morning” strategies for increasing these students' ability to read and comprehend expository text. This can be accomplished specifically through strengthening underlying vocabulary and morphological awareness skills. Practical intervention ideas are provided.
Shape recognition using orientational and morphological scale‐spaces of curvatures
Authors: Akagündüz Erdem
Published: April 2015

In this study, a scale‐invariant representation for closed planar curves (silhouettes) is proposed. The orientations of all points within the Gaussian scale‐space of the curve are extracted. This orientation scale‐space is used to create the silhouette orientation image in which the positions of each pixel indicate the curve's pixel positions and scales, whereas the colour represents orientation. The representation is extracted for multiple levels of the morphological scale‐space of the silhouette. The proposed representation is invariant to scale and transformable under planar rotation. Using linear and non‐linear distance learning methods, experiments on the MPEG7, ETH80 and Kimia shape datasets were conducted, with results indicating an advanced recognition capability.
Characterization of stratification for an opaque highly stable magnetorheological fluid using vertical axis inductance monitoring system
Authors: Xie Lei , Choi Young-Tai , Liao Chang-Rong , Wereley Norman M.
Published: April 2015

A key requirement for the commercialization of various magnetorheological fluid (MRF)-based applications is sedimentation stability. In this study, a high viscosity linear polysiloxane (HVLP), which has been used for shock absorbers in heavy equipment, is proposed as a new carrier fluid in highly stable MRFs. The HVLP is known to be a thixotropic (i.e., shear thinning) fluid that shows very high viscosity at very low shear rate and low viscosity at higher shear rate. In this study, using the shear rheometer, the significant thixotropic behavior of the HVLP was experimentally confirmed. In addition, a HVLP carrier fluid-based MRF (HVLP MRF) with 26 vol. % was synthesized and its sedimentation characteristics were experimentally investigated. But, because of the opacity of the HVLP MRF, no mudline can be visually observed. Hence, a vertical axis inductance monitoring system (VAIMS) applied to a circular column of fluid was used to evaluate sedimentation behavior by correlating measured inductance with the volume fraction of dispersed particles (i.e., Fe). Using the VAIMS, Fe concentration (i.e., volume fraction) was monitored for 28 days with a measurement taken every four days, as well as one measurement after 96 days to characterize long-term sedimentation stability. Finally, the concentration of the HVLP MRF as a function of the depth in the column and time, as well as the concentration change versus the depth in the column, are presented and compared with those of a commercially available MRF (i.e., Lord MRF-126CD).
Coherent quantum transport in disordered systems: A unified polaron treatment of hopping and band-like transport
Authors: Lee Chee Kong , Moix Jeremy , Cao Jianshu
Published: April 2015

Quantum transport in disordered systems is studied using a polaron-based master equation. The polaron approach is capable of bridging the results from the coherent band-like transport regime governed by the Redfield equation to incoherent hopping transport in the classical regime. A non-monotonic dependence of the diffusion coefficient is observed both as a function of temperature and system-phonon coupling strength. In the band-like transport regime, the diffusion coefficient is shown to be linearly proportional to the system-phonon coupling strength and vanishes at zero coupling due to Anderson localization. In the opposite classical hopping regime, we correctly recover the dynamics described by the Fermi’s Golden Rule and establish that the scaling of the diffusion coefficient depends on the phonon bath relaxation time. In both the hopping and band-like transport regimes, it is demonstrated that at low temperature, the zero-point fluctuations of the bath lead to non-zero transport rates and hence a finite diffusion constant. Application to rubrene and other organic semiconductor materials shows a good agreement with experimental mobility data.
Magneto-optical studies of SrGa0.7 Co0.3 O3−δ perovskite thin films with embedded cobalt nanoparticles
Authors: Veis M. , Zahradnik M. , Ohnoutek L. , Beran L. , Kucera M. , Sun Xue Yin , Zhang Chen , Aimon Nicolas M. , Goto Taichi , Onbasli Mehmet C. , Kim Dong Hun , Choi Hong Kyoon , Ross C. A.
Published: April 2015

Sr(Ga0.7 Co0.3)O3−δ/Co perovskite/metal thin films have been systematically studied by means of Faraday and Kerr magneto-optical spectroscopies. The samples were prepared by pulsed laser deposition on (001) (LaAlO3) 0.3(Sr2AlTaO6) 0.7 (LSAT) and Si substrates, and grew as a perovskite matrix containing approximately 6% by volume of embedded metallic Co nanoparticles with diameter less than 20 nm, which were distributed throughout the film and at the film-substrate interface. The film thickness ranged from 130 to 310 nm. The perovskite matrix was single crystal on LSAT and polycrystalline on Si. The magneto-optical spectroscopy was carried out in both Faraday and Kerr configurations in the photon energy range from 0.5 to 5 eV in magnetic fields sufficient for sample saturation, showing a strong thickness dependence of the magneto-optical effect. This dependence was attributed to the different metallic Co content, nanoparticle size, and accumulation at the film-substrate interface.
A new Stark decelerator based surface scattering instrument for studying energy transfer at the gas-surface interface
Authors: Engelhart Daniel P. , Grätz Fabian , Wagner Roman J. V. , Haak Henrik , Meijer Gerard , Wodtke Alec M. , Schäfer Tim
Published: April 2015

We report on the design and characterization of a new apparatus for performing quantum-state resolved surface scattering experiments. The apparatus combines optical state-specific molecule preparation with a compact hexapole and a Stark decelerator to prepare carrier gas-free pulses of quantum-state pure CO molecules with velocities controllable between 33 and 1000 m/s with extremely narrow velocity distributions. The ultrahigh vacuum surface scattering chamber includes homebuilt ion and electron detectors, a closed-cycle helium cooled single crystal sample mount capable of tuning surface temperature between 19 and 1337 K, a Kelvin probe for non-destructive work function measurements, a precision leak valve manifold for targeted adsorbate deposition, an inexpensive quadrupole mass spectrometer modified to perform high resolution temperature programmed desorption experiments and facilities to clean and characterize the surface.
Low-cost (0.1BiYbO3-0.9PbTiO3)-PbZrO3-xMn high Curie temperature piezoelectric ceramics with improved high-temperature performance
Authors: Wang Yunli , Cai Kai , Shao Tianmin , Zhao Qian , Guo Dong
Published: April 2015

Here, we report the structure and performance of a low-cost high Curie temperature (TC) Mn-doped ternary BiYbO3-Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (BY-PZT-xMn) perovskite piezoelectric ceramic system. The partial substitution of Mn for the A-site Pb, B-site Ti and Zr of the ternary system enhanced both the piezoelectric coefficient and the mechanical quality factor, indicating that the variable valence element induced combinatory soft and hard doped characteristics. The improved electrical performance was found to be related to the improved density and homogeneity, and a correlation between the piezoelectricity and the grain size was also observed. More importantly, a Mn doping level of less than 0.8 mol. % also obviously enhanced the thermal stability of the samples, as reflected by the higher TC and depolarization temperature (Td) measured via both in situ Berlincourt method and annealing experiments, and a correlation between TC and tetragonality of BY-PZT-xMn system was observed. The sample with 0.8 mol. % Mn showed a remarkable overall performance with a d33 of 246 pC/N and a TC around 400 °C, which is expected to be promising for high temperature piezoelectric device applications.
Magnetocardiogram measured by fundamental mode orthogonal fluxgate array
Authors: Karo Hikaru , Sasada Ichiro
Published: April 2015

Magnetocardiography (MCG) of healthy volunteers has been measured by using a fundamental mode orthogonal fluxgate magnetometer array of 32 channels in a magnetic shielded room (MSR). Sensor heads, which are employed, consist of a 45 mm long U-shaped amorphous wire core and a 1000-turn solenoid pick-up coil of 30 mm in length and 3 mm in outer diameter. The excitation current of 100 kHz with large dc bias current is fed directly into wire cores, which are connected in series, whereas the signal detection circuit is provided to each of the sensor heads. A special technique to avoid mutual interaction between sensor heads is implemented, where all the sensor heads are excited synchronously by using a single ac source. A 2-D array having 32 sensors with 4 cm grid spacing was used to measure MCG signals inside an MSR. Measured data from each channel were first filtered (0.16–100 Hz pass band), then averaged for 2 min synchronously with electrocardiogram's peaks taken from both hands. Noise remaining after the average is about 1.8 pTrms for the band-width of 0.16–100 Hz. The QRS complex and the T-wave are clearly detected.
Space charge distributions in insulating polymers: A new non-contacting way of measurement
Authors: Marty-Dessus D. , Ziani A. C. , Petre A. , Berquez L.
Published: April 2015

A new technique for the determination of space charge profiles in insulating polymers is proposed. Based on the evolution of an existing thermal wave technique called Focused Laser Intensity Modulation Method ((F)LIMM), it allows non-contact measurements on thin films exhibiting an internal charge to be studied. An electrostatic model taking into account the new sample-cell geometry proposed was first developed. It has been shown, in particular, that it was theoretically possible to calculate the internal charge from experimental measurements while allowing an evaluation of the air layer appearing between the sample and the electrode when non-contact measurements are performed. These predictions were confirmed by an experimental implementation for two thin polymer samples (25 μm-polyvinylidenefluoride and 50 μm-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) used as tests. In these cases, minimum air-layer thickness was determined with an accuracy of 3% and 20%, respectively, depending on the signal-to-noise ratio during the experimental procedure. In order to illustrate the reachable possibilities of this technique, 2D and 3D cartographies of a negative space charge implanted by electron beam within the PTFE test sample were depicted: like in conventional (F)LIMM, a multidimensional representation of a selectively implanted charge remains possible at a few microns depth, but using a non-contacting way of measurement.
Accurate and absolute diffusion measurements of Rhodamine 6G in low-concentration aqueous solutions by the PGSE-WATERGATE sequence
Authors: Majer G. , Zick K.
Published: April 2015

A pulsed field gradient spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sequence with solvent suppression (PGSE-WATERGATE) was applied to accurately measure the diffusion coefficients of Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) in low-concentration aqueous solutions. Three samples with Rh6G concentrations of CRh6G = 1, 4.5, and 25 μM were investigated. The precise determination of the diffusion coefficients in this low-concentration range was made possible by using a cryogenically cooled NMR probe and by the effective solvent suppression of the PGSE-WATERGATE sequence. The present results bridge the gap between diffusion data measured by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in the single molecule limit and diffusivities obtained by pulsed field gradient NMR (PFG-NMR) without solvent suppression at higher concentrations. To further extend the concentration range, the diffusion coefficient of Rh6G was also measured on a sample with CRh6G = 410 μM by PFG-NMR. The overall concentration dependence of the Rh6G diffusion at 25 °C is discussed in terms of dimerization of the Rh6G molecules. The concentration-dependent monomer/dimer proportion is deduced from the diffusion data.
Magnetic flux distribution in power transformer core with mitred joints
Authors: Tang Qi , Guo Shufeng , Wang Zhongdong
Published: April 2015

The magnetic flux distribution in the transformer core, and particularly at the joints, has a considerable influence on the efficiency of the core. This paper considers a more realistic scenario of magnetic flux transfer, combining the effects of air gaps and the anisotropic characteristics of transformer core laminations. Based on the anisotropic magnetization characteristics of modern graded grain-oriented electrical steels, the magnetic flux distribution in the core joint region as a function of the operating flux density and the joint configuration is investigated using the finite element method up to high flux densities. 2D results illustrate the benefits of using multi-step lapped joints versus single-step lapped (SSL) joints at various flux densities. Thin low-permeability gaps are introduced in the 3D model with SSL 45° mitred overlapped joint configuration, which successfully addresses computation challenges of the large number of mesh elements for the air.
Communication: Microsecond dynamics of the protein and water affect electron transfer in a bacterial bc1 complex
Authors: Martin Daniel R. , Matyushov Dmitry V.
Published: April 2015

Cross-membrane electron transport between cofactors localized in proteins of mitochondrial respiration and bacterial photosynthesis is the source of all biological energy. The statistics and dynamics of nuclear fluctuations in these protein/membrane/water heterogeneous systems are critical for their energetic efficiency. The results of 13 μs of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of the membrane-bound bc1 bacterial complex are analyzed here. The reaction is affected by a broad spectrum of nuclear modes, with the slowest dynamics in the range of time-scales ∼0.1-1.6 μs contributing half of the reaction reorganization energy. Two reorganization energies are required to describe protein electron transfer due to dynamical arrest of protein conformations on the observation window. This mechanistic distinction allows significant lowering of activation barriers for reactions in proteins.
Geometrical and physical conditions for skyrmion stability in a nanowire
Authors: Chui C. P. , Ma Fusheng , Zhou Yan
Published: April 2015

Skyrmions are promising information carriers in the next-generation storage and transmission devices. Appropriate design of the nanowire that permits the flow of skyrmions is, however, seldom studied. In this work, the geometrical and material parameters have been varied to investigate the favorable conditions for skyrmion formation and stability in a nanowire through micromagnetic simulations. It is found that the minimum planar dimensions have to be satisfied in order to stabilize a skyrmion. Furthermore, the nanowire thickness is also important for establishing a skyrmion. The temperature effect in the competition between the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) limits the skyrmion formation in a well-defined phase. On the other hand, fine tuning of the exchange stiffness and the Gilbert damping constant sustain a specified portion of the phase diagram that allows for skyrmion formation. Our study also indicates that the stabilized magnetization pattern is dependent on the initial skyrmion state. These results shed light on the possible configurations that are suitable for the design of skyrmionic devices.
Becoming environmentally sustainable in healthcare: an overview
Authors: Jamieson Maggie , Wicks Alison , Boulding Tara
Published: April 2015

This paper provides an overview of environmental sustainability in healthcare and highlights the need for a policy framework for action. Examples from overseas demonstrate what has effectively enabled mitigation of and adaptation to the threat of climate change. The need to overcome perceived limits and barriers to health professionals’ engagement in sustainable practice is noted. The scientific evidence recommends immediate action.

What is known about the topic?
Climate change has negative impacts on human health. There are co-benefits in mitigating and adapting to climate change that will benefit both humans and health systems, increasing wellbeing, financial and health system efficiency. There is a need for health professionals to engage with sustainability. Australia’s health policy makers could learn useful lessons about how to be sustainable from the significant policy and legislation work occurring elsewhere.

What does this paper add?
This paper reports on the context of and need for becoming sustainable in healthcare. It provides brief examples of what has occurred in other countries and advocates for a policy framework to support further action in Australia.

What are the implications for practitioners?
The significance of this paper is that it notes the need for a consistent, whole-of-country approach to carbon reduction in many aspects of the healthcare system. From an increased preventative focus on population health, coupled with actions in patient care, and developing a whole-of-healthcare-system approach, benefits will be realised that serve to reduce carbon emission, thereby tackling the longer-term effects of climate change. This view is supported by the noted success of increasing sustainable health system actions in the United Kingdom National Health Service and elsewhere.
The fat-tail of Damara sheep: an assessment of mineral content as influenced by weight loss
Authors: Lérias Joana R. , Kilminster Tanya , Scanlon Tim , Milton John , Oldham Chris , Greeff Johan C. , Martins Luísa L. , Mourato Miguel P. , Almeida André M.
Published: April 2015

Seasonal weight loss is the major constraint to animal production in the tropics. To counter seasonal weight loss, the use of breeds better adapted to it is of major importance. Damara sheep are an important breed in tropical animal production, as they are not only able to tolerate seasonal weight loss, but also have a characteristic fat-tail adipose tissue, often discarded, but that may be of interest to the food industry. The objective of this work is to determine the effect of weight loss on mineral profiles (zinc, manganese, iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium) in the fat-tail of Damara sheep. The trial lasted 42 days and was conducted in Western Australia. Twenty-four Damara sheep lambs were randomly allocated to an underfed (growth rate –100 g/day) and a control group (growth rate 100 g/day). Upon slaughter, fat-tail adipose tissue was sampled and analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for mineral content. The results showed no significant differences regarding minerals concentrations/quantities, with the exception of zinc and calcium concentrations that were higher in the restricted group, likely as a consequence of feed restriction and a decrease in fat tissue amount. In conclusion, we have quantified for the first time several minerals in Damara sheep fat-tail and demonstrated that reducing their bodyweight does not affect mineral quantity in fat-tails of Damara sheep.
Essential and toxic element concentrations in Hypericum perforatum
Authors: Pavlova Dolja , Karadjova Irina , Krasteva Ilina
Published: April 2015

The herb Hypericum perforatum L. – otherwise known as St John’s Wort – that grows on serpentine and non-serpentine sites is widely used in traditional medicine in Bulgaria. Plant aerial parts (Hiperici herba) as well as methanol/water (1 : 1) and water extracts prepared from eight populations growing on and off serpentine were analysed for essential (Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn) and toxic (Ni, Cd, Pb) elemental concentration using inductively plasma optical emission spectrometry and electro thermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that metal concentrations varied across sites. Non-serpentine populations were well separated based on their total metal concentrations. The plant is Ni tolerant, but has the potential to accumulate trace elements at toxic levels. The transfer of elements from the herb material to an extract was solvent and metal dependent. The highest mobility, e.g. percentages of extraction, was found for Cu, Zn and Ni in all extracts. The amount of Cd, Ni and Cr was above the permissible limits in dry plant material and both types of extracts. The element concentrations found in this medicinal plant show that people should be careful when collecting it from serpentine sites and using it for medication.
Resistance reaction of Medicago truncatula genotypes to Fusarium oxysporum: effect of plant age, substrate and inoculation method
Authors: Rispail Nicolas , Bani Moustafa , Rubiales Diego
Published: April 2015

Fusarium wilt, caused by several formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum, is an important disease of most crop and pasture legumes, including field pea (Pisum sativum), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), lucerne (alfalfa, Medicago sativa) and barrel medic (M. truncatula). Medicago truncatula is an important pasture legume and a model legume species. Hence, it can be used to increase our knowledge of resistance mechanisms efficient to block F. oxysporum infection if its response to the disease is characterised. We evaluated the physiological and susceptibility responses to the disease of two contrasting M. truncatula genotypes, and the effect of several cultural conditions known to affect the disease incidence, such as plant age at infection time, growth substrate and the method of inoculation. Our results indicated that the A17 accession harbours a moderate level of resistance to the disease. We also showed that the method of inoculation strongly affected development of fusarium wilt disease in this model species, whereas it was not significantly altered by plant age or the inorganic growth substrate tested. In addition, we describe a rapid change in leaf temperature after infection, which can be used as an indirect parameter to confirm fungal infection at a very early stage of the interaction.
Identification of fast and slow germination accessions of Brassica napus L. for genetic studies and breeding for early vigour
Authors: Zhang Jing , Hu Liyong , Redden Bob , Yan Guijun
Published: April 2015

In this study, 137 canola (Brassica napus L.) accessions were evaluated for germination speed, which is a critical character in the plant life cycle. The accessions were grouped into three categories, fast (F), medium, and slow (S), with nine category F (7%) and 12 category S (9%) germination accessions identified and validated in repeated Petri dish and pot experiments. Although accessions in category F showed significantly faster germination and emergence than those in category S, seedling growth parameters did not differ greatly. Based on germination speed and seedling characteristics, four accessions with high early vigour and four with low early vigour were identified. Seed germination speed was not affected by seed weight and was not simply controlled by gibberellic acid and abscisic acid, but 10% smoke water significantly delayed seed germination. The identified accessions with contrasting early vigour can be used to study the genetic and molecular mechanism of seed germination and seedling development and to breed superior canola cultivars.