bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Femtosecond laser guiding of a high-voltage discharge and the restoration of dielectric strength in air and nitrogen
Authors: Leonov S. B. , Firsov A. A. , Shurupov M. A. , Michael J. B. , Shneider M. N. , Miles R. B. , Popov N. A.
Published: December 2012

The use of a low energy, high peak intensity (>100 TW/cm2) femtosecond laser pulse is investigated for guiding and control of a sub-microsecond high voltage discharge. Study of the laser induced plasma channel and measurements of the field required for breakdown in air and nitrogen at atmospheric pressure are presented. Direct imaging of the dynamics of the discharge breakdown shows effective laser guiding. The effectiveness of laser guiding is shown to be critically dependent on the laser focusing geometry, timing, and location relative to the electrodes.
Shock waves in a Z-pinch and the formation of high energy density plasma
Authors: Rahman H. U. , Wessel F. J. , Ney P. , Presura R. , Ellahi Rahmat , Shukla P. K.
Published: December 2012

A Z-pinch liner, imploding onto a target plasma, evolves in a step-wise manner, producing a stable, magneto-inertial, high-energy-density plasma compression. The typical configuration is a cylindrical, high-atomic-number liner imploding onto a low-atomic-number target. The parameters for a terawatt-class machine (e.g., Zebra at the University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada Terawatt Facility) have been simulated. The 2-1/2 D MHD code, MACH2, was used to study this configuration. The requirements are for an initial radius of a few mm for stable implosion; the material densities properly distributed, so that the target is effectively heated initially by shock heating and finally by adiabatic compression; and the liner's thickness adjusted to promote radial current transport and subsequent current amplification in the target. Since the shock velocity is smaller in the liner, than in the target, a stable-shock forms at the interface, allowing the central load to accelerate magnetically and inertially, producing a magneto-inertial implosion and high-energy density plasma. Comparing the implosion dynamics of a low-Z target with those of a high-Z target demonstrates the role of shock waves in terms of compression and heating. In the case of a high-Z target, the shock wave does not play a significant heating role. The shock waves carry current and transport the magnetic field, producing a high density on-axis, at relatively low temperature. Whereas, in the case of a low-Z target, the fast moving shock wave preheats the target during the initial implosion phase, and the later adiabatic compression further heats the target to very high energy density. As a result, the compression ratio required for heating the low-Z plasma to very high energy densities is greatly reduced.
Coupled-cluster and multireference configuration interaction study of the low-lying excited states of the H2O2-H2O complex
Authors: Linguerri Roberto , Francisco Joseph S.
Published: December 2012

Ab initio molecular orbital methods have been employed to determine the molecular structure, vibrational frequencies, and stability of the H2O2-H2O complex. These parameters were determined using coupled-cluster methods with Dunning correlation consistent basis sets. Vertical excitation energies for the lowest four excited states are calculated with the multireference internally contracted configuration interaction methods and coupled cluster equation of motion methods. No significant difference was observed between the first vertical excited state energies of H2O2 within the H2O2-H2O complex.
Optical response in subnanometer gaps due to nonlocal response and quantum tunneling
Authors: Dong Tianyu , Ma Xikui , Mittra Raj
Published: December 2012

In this paper, we derive the optical response of nanowire dimers with subnanometer gap sizes using different models, viz., the classical, quantum-corrected, nonlocal, and quantum-corrected nonlocal models. Our results indicate that both the quantum tunneling and the nonlocal response should be considered for the gap sizes less than 0.5 nm. We find that, when the quantum tunneling cannot be neglected, the nonlocal response is crucial in explaining the field enhancement at higher frequencies instead of the field collapse phenomenon if the nonlocal effect is ignored.
Energy transfer from a single nitrogen-vacancy center in nanodiamond to a graphene monolayer
Authors: Liu Xiaodi , Wang Guanzhong , Song Xuerui , Feng Fupan , Zhu Wei , Lou Liren , Wang Junfeng , Wang Hong , Bao Pengfei
Published: December 2012

In this work, we experimentally demonstrate energy transfer from a single negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in nanodiamond to a graphene monolayer. The mode values of lifetime and intensity of the fluorescence from the single NV center in nanodiamond on monolayer graphene are shorter and weaker than that on bare quartz substrate. The energy transfer efficiency is measured about 40%, consistent with our theoretical estimation.
Competitive carrier interactions influencing the emission dynamics of GaAsSb-capped InAs quantum dots
Authors: Pavarelli N. , Ochalski T. J. , Liu H. Y. , Gradkowski K. , Schmidt M. , Williams D. P. , Mowbray D. J. , Huyet G.
Published: December 2012

The optical properties of InAs/GaAs quantum dots capped with a GaAsSb quantum well are investigated by means of power-dependent and time-resolved photoluminescence. The structure exhibits the coexistence of a type-I ground state and few type-II excited states, the latter characterized by a simultaneous carrier density shift of the peak position and wavelength-dependent carrier lifetimes. Complex emission dynamics are observed under a high-power excitation regime, with the different states undergoing shifts during specific phases of the measurement. These features are satisfactorily explained in terms of band structure and energy level modifications induced by two competitive carrier interactions inside the structure.
Crystallization of Ge2Sb2Te5 nanometric phase change material clusters made by gas-phase condensation
Authors: Ghezzi G. E. , Morel R. , Brenac A. , Boudet N. , Audier M. , Fillot F. , Maitrejean S. , Hippert F.
Published: December 2012

The crystallization behavior of Ge2Sb2Te5 nanometric clusters was studied using X-ray diffraction with in situ annealing. Clusters were made using a sputtering gas-phase condensation source, which allowed for the growth of well-defined, contaminant-free, and isolated clusters. The average size for the clusters is 5.7 ± 1 nm. As-deposited amorphous clusters crystallize in the fcc cubic phase at 180 °C, while for thin films, the phase change temperature is 155 °C. This observation illustrates the scalability of the Ge2Sb2Te5 phase change from the amorphous to the cubic state in three-dimensionally confined systems in this size range.
Energy level alignment at the interfaces between typical electrodes and nucleobases: Al/adenine/indium-tin-oxide and Al/thymine/indium-tin-oxide
Authors: Lee Younjoo , Lee Hyunbok , Park Soohyung , Yi Yeonjin
Published: December 2012

We investigated the interfacial electronic structures of Al/adenine/indium-tin-oxide (ITO) and Al/thymine/ITO using in situ ultraviolet and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Adenine shows both an interface dipole and level bending, whereas thymine shows only an interface dipole in contact with ITO. In addition, thymine possesses a larger ionization energy than adenine. These are understood with delocalized π states confirmed with theoretical calculations. For the interface between nucleobases and Al, both nucleobases show a prominent reduction of the electron injection barrier from Al to each base in accordance with a downward level shift.
Immerse precipitation as an efficient protocol to optimize morphology and performance of organic solar cells
Authors: Zuo Lijian , Cao Zhen , Hu Xiaolian , Gu Zhuowei , Pan Hongbin , Chen Hongzheng
Published: December 2012

We developed a film-forming processing method for morphology control and organic solar cells (OSCs) optimization. In this protocol, the processing solvent inside a wet active layer is removed by dripping a soaking solvent that is selectively soluble for the processing solvents onto the wet active layer film. By this method, OSCs based on diketopyrrolopyrrole containing copolymers: [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester blend were fabricated. Devices processed by this treatment show a significantly increased efficiency by a factor of 3 compared to devices fabricated by the traditional spin-coating method (from 1.03% to 3.2%), which is mainly attributed to morphology improvements.
Field-induced periodic chiral pattern in the Nx phase of achiral bimesogens
Authors: Panov V. P. , Balachandran R. , Vij J. K. , Tamba M. G. , Kohlmeier A. , Mehl G. H.
Published: December 2012

Some hydrocarbon-linked mesogenic dimers are known to exhibit an additional nematic phase (Nx) in the temperature range below the conventional nematic (Nu) phase. One of the features of this phase is the presence of optical response typically found in chiral systems, while the involved molecules are non-chiral. We demonstrate that the two domains of opposite handedness found in planar cells can be controlled/induced by the external electric field and these form periodic striped patterns. The effect of frequency and amplitude of the electric field on the periodicity and formation of the domain pattern is investigated.
Non-diffusive resonant acceleration of electrons in the radiation belts
Authors: Artemyev A. V. , Krasnoselskikh V. V. , Agapitov O. V. , Mourenas D. , Rolland G.
Published: December 2012

We describe a mechanism of resonant electron acceleration by oblique high-amplitude whistler waves under conditions typical for the Earth radiation belts. We use statistics of spacecraft observations of whistlers in the Earth radiation belts to obtain the dependence of the angle θ between the wave-normal and the background magnetic field on magnetic latitude λ. According to this statistics, the angle θ already approaches the resonance cone at λ∼15° and remains close to it up to λ∼30°–40° on the dayside. The parallel component of the electrostatic field of whistler waves often increases around λ∼15° up to one hundred of mV/m. We show that due to this increase of the electric field, the whistler waves can trap electrons into the potential well via wave particle resonant interaction corresponding to Landau resonance. Trapped electrons then move with the wave to higher latitudes where they escape from the resonance. Strong acceleration is favored by adiabatic invariance along the increasing magnetic field, which continuously transfers the parallel energy gained to perpendicular energy, allowing resonance to be reached and maintained. The concomitant increase of the wave phase velocity allows for even stronger relative acceleration at low energy <50keV. Each trapping-escape event of electrons of ∼10keV to 100 keV results in an energy gain of up to 100 keV in the inhomogeneous magnetic field of the Earth dipole. For electrons with initial energy below 100 keV, such rapid acceleration should hasten their drop into the loss-cone and their precipitation into the atmosphere. We discuss the role of the considered mechanism in the eventual formation of a trapped distribution of relativistic electrons for initial energies larger than 100 keV and in microbursts precipitations of lower energy particles.
Effect of viscosity and shear flow on the nonlinear two fluid interfacial structures
Authors: Banerjee Rahul , Mandal Labakanta , Khan M. , Gupta M. R.
Published: December 2012

A nonlinear formulation is presented to deal with the combined action of Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities as well as combined Ricthmyer-Meshkov and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities at the two fluid interface under the influence of viscosity and consequent shear flow. Using Layzer's model, the development of the interfacial structures like bubbles is investigated analytically and numerically. It is found that the growth and normal velocity of the structures are dependent on the relative velocity shear and the kinematic coefficient of viscosity of both the fluids. Both the bubble growth and growth rate are reduced significantly for fluids of higher viscosity coefficient with small velocity shear difference. It is also observed that, for viscous fluids, the transverse velocity of the perturbed interface becomes slower under certain conditions.
Note: Helical nanobelt force sensors
Authors: Hwang G. , Hashimoto H.
Published: December 2012

We present the fabrication and characterization of helical nanobelt force sensors. These self-sensing force sensors are based on the giant piezoresistivity of helical nanobelts. The three-dimensional helical nanobelts are self-formed from 27 nm-thick n-type InGaAs/GaAs bilayers using rolled-up techniques, and assembled onto electrodes on a micropipette using nanorobotic manipulations. The helical nanobelt force sensors can be calibrated using a calibrated atomic force microscope cantilever system under scanning electron microscope. Thanks to their giant piezoresistance coefficient (515 × 10−10 Pa−1), low stiffness (0.03125 N/m), large-displacement capability (∼10 μm), and good fatigue resistance, they are well suited to function as stand-alone, compact (∼20 μm without the plug-in support), light (∼5 g including the plug-in support), versatile and large range (∼μN) and high resolution (∼nN) force sensors.
Note: Excited state studies of ozone using state-specific multireference coupled cluster methods
Authors: Bhaskaran-Nair Kiran , Kowalski Karol
Published: December 2012

Vertical excitation energies obtained with state-specific multi-reference coupled cluster (MRCC) methods are reported for the low-lying singlet and triplet excited of the ozone molecule. The MRCC results are also compared with those obtained with high-order equation-of-motion coupled cluster methods.
Evaluation on residual stress in Bi3.15(Eu0.7Nd0.15)Ti3O12 polycrystalline ferroelectric thin film by using the orientation average method
Authors: Wei Y. , Cheng H. B. , Wang X. Y. , Zheng X. J.
Published: December 2012

We propose an orientation average method to evaluate residual stresses in polycrystalline thin films. Bi3.15(Eu0.7Nd0.15)Ti3O12 was used to verify our approach, with films prepared by metal organic decomposition at various annealing temperatures. The mechanical properties and microstructure were characterized by nanoindentation and X-ray diffraction. The thin film annealed at 600 °C has the largest residual compressive stress of 771 MPa among all thin films. The residual stresses are evaluated by the proposed method and traditional sin2ψ method, and the maximum distinction is less than 6.43%, demonstrating that the proposed method is reliable and convenient to evaluate residual stress in polycrystalline thin films.
On physical interpretation of two dimensional time-correlations regarding time delay velocities and eddy shaping
Authors: Fedorczak N. , Manz P. , Thakur S. C. , Xu M. , Tynan G. R. , Xu G. S. , Liu S. C.
Published: December 2012

Time delay estimation (TDE) techniques are frequently used to estimate the flow velocity from fluctuating measurements. Tilted structures carried by the flow lead to misinterpretation of the time delays in terms of velocity direction and amplitude. It affects TDE measurements from probes, and is also intrinsically important for beam emission spectroscopy and gas puff imaging measurements. Local eddy shapes estimated from 2D fluctuating field are necessary to gain a more accurate flow estimate from TDE, as illustrated by Langmuir probe array measurements. A least square regression approach is proposed to estimate both flow field and shaping parameters. The technique is applied to a test case built from numerical simulation of interchange fluctuations. The local eddy shape does not only provide corrections for the velocity field but also quantitative information about the statistical interaction mechanisms between local eddies and E×B flow shear. The technique is then tested on gaz puff imaging data collected at the edge of EAST tokamak plasmas. It is shown that poloidal asymmetries of the fluctuation fields—velocity and eddy shape—are consistent at least qualitatively with a ballooning type of turbulence immersed in a radially sheared equilibrium flow.
Plasma turbulence driven by transversely large-scale standing shear Alfvén waves
Authors: Singh Nagendra , Rao Sathyanarayan
Published: December 2012

Using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we study generation of turbulence consisting of transversely small-scale dispersive Alfvén and electrostatic waves when plasma is driven by a large-scale standing shear Alfvén wave (LS-SAW). The standing wave is set up by reflecting a propagating LS-SAW. The ponderomotive force of the standing wave generates transversely large-scale density modifications consisting of density cavities and enhancements. The drifts of the charged particles driven by the ponderomotive force and those directly caused by the fields of the standing LS-SAW generate non-thermal features in the plasma. Parametric instabilities driven by the inherent plasma nonlinearities associated with the LS-SAW in combination with the non-thermal features generate small-scale electromagnetic and electrostatic waves, yielding a broad frequency spectrum ranging from below the source frequency of the LS-SAW to ion cyclotron and lower hybrid frequencies and beyond. The power spectrum of the turbulence has peaks at distinct perpendicular wave numbers (k⊥) lying in the range de−1-6de−1, de being the electron inertial length, suggesting non-local parametric decay from small to large k⊥. The turbulence spectrum encompassing both electromagnetic and electrostatic fluctuations is also broadband in parallel wave number (k||). In a standing-wave supported density cavity, the ratio of the perpendicular electric to magnetic field amplitude is R(k⊥) = |E⊥(k⊥)/|B⊥(k⊥)| ≪ VA for k⊥de < 0.5, where VA is the Alfvén velocity. The characteristic features of the broadband plasma turbulence are compared with those available from satellite observations in space plasmas.
Room-temperature ferromagnetism induced and controlled by electric field in BaNbO3 films
Authors: Cao Ensi , Qin Hongwei , Zhang Yongjia , Hu Jifan
Published: December 2012

The application of electric field can induce the room-temperature ferromagnetism (FM) in paramagnetic BaNbO3 films on the conductive Nb:SrTiO3 substrate. The electric field-induced ferromagnetism in BaNbO3 is connected with the hybridization between electrons of Nb-4d1 and the injected electrons from the conductive substrate, possibly leading to large density of states at the Fermi level and satisfying the Stoner criterion for ferromagnetism. By application of electric field in forward and reversed directions, the magnetization of electric field-induced FM can be adjusted in some extent. The application of electric field can also enhance the oxygen vacancies-induced room-temperature ferromagnetism in BaNbO3 films.
Effects of water molecules on binding kinetics of peptide receptor on a piezoelectric microcantilever
Authors: Hui Kim Sang , Kyoung Yoo Yong , Chae Myung-Sic , Yoon Kang Ji , Song Kim Tae , Seon Hwang Kyo , Hoon Lee Jeong
Published: December 2012

The use of highly selective reversible peptide receptors is essential for cantilever-based electronic nose systems. Here, we present the effects of water molecules on the binding kinetics of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) molecules with DNT selective peptide receptors linked with a tri(ethylene glycol)-based (TEG) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) in a gas phase in a piezoelectric microcantilever sensor. We observed 1.5-times faster reaction kinetics in wet conditions compared with dry conditions. In a dissociation step, distinctive differences in the recovery time were observed in wet conditions, which could be attributed to water retention efficiency of TEG-linkers for the conformation of biomolecules.
Acoustic focusing by coiling up space
Authors: Li Yong , Liang Bin , Tao Xu , Zhu Xue-feng , Zou Xin-ye , Cheng Jian-chun
Published: December 2012

We report the design of a gradient index acoustic lens by coiling up space, an entirely different, yet more direct approach compared with previous designs. The proposed model comprises a series of acoustic metamaterial units with curled channels. Acoustic waves propagate freely within the channels but their propagating phases can be delayed at will by adjusting the size of the units. The numerical results show that the designed acoustic metamaterial can mimic an acoustic gradient index lens with arbitrarily large refractive index and considerably high transmission efficiency. This may provide possibilities for the design and application of acoustic lenses.
Economics of antiretroviral treatment vs. circumcision for HIV prevention
Authors: Bärnighausen Till , Bloom David E. , Humair Salal
Published: December 2012

The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study, which showed the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment in reducing HIV transmission, has been hailed as a “game changer” in the fight against HIV, prompting calls for scaling up treatment as prevention (TasP). However, it is unclear how TasP can be financed, given flat-lining support for global HIV programs. We assess whether TasP is indeed a game changer or if comparable benefits are obtainable at similar or lower cost by increasing coverage of medical male circumcision (MMC) and antiretroviral treatment (ART) at CD4 <350/μL. We develop a new mathematical model and apply it to South Africa, finding that high ART coverage combined with high MMC coverage provides approximately the same HIV incidence reduction as TasP, for $5 billion less over 2009–2020. MMC outperforms ART significantly in cost per infection averted ($1,096 vs. $6,790) and performs comparably in cost per death averted ($5,198 vs. $5,604). TasP is substantially less cost effective at $8,375 per infection and $7,739 per death averted. The prevention benefits of HIV treatment are largely reaped with high ART coverage. The most cost-effective HIV prevention strategy is to expand MMC coverage and then scale up ART, but the most cost-effective HIV-mortality reduction strategy is to scale up MMC and ART jointly. TasP is cost effective by commonly used absolute benchmarks but it is far less cost effective than MMC and ART. Given South Africa’s current annual ART spending, the $5 billion in savings offered by MMC and ART over TasP in the next decade, for similar health benefits, challenges the widely hailed status of TasP as a game changer.
Ramification of stream networks
Authors: Devauchelle Olivier , Petroff Alexander P. , Seybold Hansjörg F. , Rothman Daniel H.
Published: December 2012

The geometric complexity of stream networks has been a source of fascination for centuries. However, a comprehensive understanding of ramification—the mechanism of branching by which such networks grow—remains elusive. Here we show that streams incised by groundwater seepage branch at a characteristic angle of 2
π
/5 = 72°. Our theory represents streams as a collection of paths growing and bifurcating in a diffusing field. Our observations of nearly 5,000 bifurcated streams growing in a 100 km
2
groundwater field on the Florida Panhandle yield a mean bifurcation angle of 71.9° ± 0.8°. This good accord between theory and observation suggests that the network geometry is determined by the external flow field but not, as classical theories imply, by the flow within the streams themselves.
Terrestrial slug problems: classical biological control and beyond.
Authors: Howlett S. A.
Published: December 2012

Slugs are an important crop and ornamental plant pest throughout temperate regions in all sectors of the growing industry. Their pest status is set to increase as environmental considerations such as using reduced tillage and over-winter green crops, along with legislative changes to pesticide usage and more extreme weather patterns favour population growth. Consequently, the need for sustainable approaches to slug control will become ever-more important. This review focuses on biocontrol strategies, including nematodes, sciomyzid flies and microbes. First, an overview of the problems caused by slugs in agriculture and horticulture is given, highlighting the key pest species of temperate climates. This is followed by a brief description of the existing approaches to their control and the current position with regard to classical biological control of slugs is discussed in detail. Finally, future research needs are summarized, along with the challenges involved.
High-value horticulture in developing countries: barriers and opportunities.
Authors: Hewett E. W.
Published: December 2012

High-value horticultural crops, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, aromatic plants and herbs, are key components of agricultural development and economic progress in developing countries. Tropical and subtropical fruit trees are normally grown in these areas, especially when they have a competitive advantage of being harvested when appropriate market windows occur. Intensive production systems, often involving intercropping of fruit trees and vegetables along with a staple grain crop such as maize, provide local population with a balanced, diverse, nutrient-rich diet, an increased income, improved health and well-being through reduction in poverty and malnutrition. This review focuses on three case studies in three continents, each of which has achieved remarkable success in a relatively short time: East Cape, South Africa; Chiapas State, Mexico; and the Sao Francisco River Valley, Northeast Brazil. Significant economic benefits accrued to smallholders, as well as locally and nationally in both Brazil and Mexico, while in South Africa final economic assessments have not been made, although smallholder farmers are receiving incomes that have not existed previously. Key elements in success of these projects included substantial initial funding from a Government or international source that enabled infrastructural development such as creation of irrigation systems in Brazil, selection and supply of quality planting material (propagated trees, plants, vegetable and flower seeds), provision of R&D expertise as well as extension specialists providing education and training. In addition, involvement of local farmers and communities, development of local farmer associations and 'champions' to provide leadership, addition of people with expertise in social, economic, technological, welfare and heritage knowledge is important for ongoing village progress and development. Major challenges exist in creation of a functional and efficient supply chain for postharvest handling, storage and transport, as well as creating stable and profitable market linkages for high-value horticultural products. The common elements in these projects have the potential to be transposed to other developing countries where they have the potential to serve as models for economic and social development.
Anticipating impacts of climate change on organic agriculture.
Authors: Jaradat A. A.
Published: December 2012

Both conventional agriculture (CA) and organic agriculture (OA) are inextricably linked to climate and will impact and be impacted by climate change (CC). OA, unlike CA, encompasses heterogeneous agricultural management methods and practices, given its multiple origins around the world. Although it represents <1% of the world's agricultural production and about 9% of total agricultural area, OA is a globally growing, low-input, dynamic and knowledge-intensive production system. It provides a larger flow of multiple ecosystems services than, and differs fundamentally from, CA in the conceptual approaches that frame crop, animal and natural resources-management strategies. Organic farmers have fewer means to manage their production systems and they need greater expertise and more time to optimize the management of OA in the face of CC. The diverse OA-based agroecological systems (AESs), compared with CA, provide more regulatory functions that enable OA to adjust to changing environmental conditions; however, OA may experience larger inter-annual variability which is attributed to fewer short-term possibilities for controlling biotic and abiotic stresses. Nevertheless, small-scale organic farmers and communities are seemingly able to cope with weather fluctuations and climate extremes because of the self-regulating ability of OA and the enormous variability in internal adaptation strategies they have developed over time. However, vulnerability of OA to CC will eventually depend on the level of exposure and sensitivity to multiple biotic and abiotic stresses, and on its intrinsic buffering capacity for adaptation and mitigation. Long-term sustainability of OA in the face of CC is intractably linked to ecological sustainability. CC and ecological disturbances may force OA to undergo structural changes or adjustments as to land area; farm size and land tenure; farming complexity, crop-livestock integration, sustainable intensification and specialization; environmental stewardship; and labour intensity. Conventionalization, to the extent that it does not undermine its core principles, may become the only economically viable structural change option to adapt large-scale OA to CC. In order to minimize the impact of CC, OA needs to function within the broader context of multidisciplinary agro-ecological principles, while adopting scientifically based, resource-efficient and semi-closed AESs' approach. The challenge facing OA is to develop measurable and reliable biophysical vulnerability indicators to prioritize adaptation and mitigation efforts at the farm and local levels.
Teaching and learning in a competence‐based curriculum: the case of four secondary schools in England
Authors: Byrne Jenny , Downey Christopher , Souza Ana
Published: December 2012

This article focuses on four case study schools that have adopted innovative competence‐based curriculum (CBC) projects in Year 7 for a variety of educational and social reasons. The article discusses the issues and challenges posed by the CBC for teachers in the daily life of the classroom. Philosophical ideas about the purpose of education vary because they are driven by ideological positions. Consequently the nature and structure of the curriculum influenced by the stance adopted inevitably affects approaches to teaching and learning. It is contended that changes to the curricula in the case study schools have revealed tensions between traditional approaches to teaching and learning with ‘strong’ classification and framing and the new, more progressive approaches with ‘weak’ classification and framing. These tensions impact on teachers’ identities and this can make effective classroom practice problematic. The article concludes that managing the tensions between traditional and more progressive pedagogies is worthwhile as this will enable students to become more fully integrated, and successful participatory members of twenty‐first‐century society rather than simply reproducing the socio‐economic status quo, or the requirements of current dominant educational discourse in England.
The Manifestation of Psychopathic Traits in Women: An Exploration Using Case Examples
Authors: Kreis MetteK. F. , Cooke DavidJ.
Published: December 2012

The construct of female psychopathy is poorly understood. Progress in this area is hindered by the reliance on male psychopathy conceptualizations and measurement frameworks, and the failure to establish what the construct looks like in females. Case studies are a fundamental step in the development of a clearer female psychopathy conceptualization, yet one that has been neglected in the literature. This article explores the presentation and manifestation of psychopathic traits in two cases of women offenders with high levels of such traits, using two measures of psychopathy: the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP) and the Psychopathy Checklist Screening Version (PCL:SV). Findings are discussed in relation to what is known about psychopathy in women, and in men. Potential implications for clinical practice, including the assessment of psychopathy in women, are considered.
Assessment of Psychopathy: Inter-correlations between Psychopathy Checklist Revised, Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality – Institutional Rating Scale, and Self-Report of Psychopathy Scale–III
Authors: Sandvik AsleM. , Hansen AnitaL. , Kristensen MaritaVik , Johnsen BjørnHelge , Logan Caroline , Thornton David
Published: December 2012

The aim of the present study was to investigate the inter-correlation between three different instruments for the assessment of psychopathic personality disorder. Eighty male inmates at Bergen prison (Norway) participated in the study. All the participants were assessed for psychopathy using the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R; Hare, 1991), the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality – Institutional Rating Scale (CAPP-IRS; Cooke, Hart, & Logan, 2004), and the questionnaire Self-Report of Psychopathy Scale–III (SRP-III; Paulhus, Neumann, & Hare, in press). The correlational analysis revealed significant correlations between all the instruments, but substantial diverges were also found. CAPP-IRS and PCL-R showed high inter-correlations and, hence, seem to tap into the same underlying construct. The CAPP-IRS seems, however to have a higher affect focus in all its domains. Our finding of lower correlation between the SRP-III and the other two clinical tools may suggest a limitation in the instrument to uncover the full range of the psychopathic construct. Especially the interpersonal and affective segments seemed to be missed.
Schema Therapy for Forensic Patients with Personality Disorders: Design and Preliminary Findings of a Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial in the Netherlands
Authors: Bernstein DavidP. , Nijman HenkL.I. , Karos Kai , Keulen-de Vos Marije , de Vogel Viviënne , Lucker TanjaP.
Published: December 2012

According to Dutch Law, patients committing severe crimes justifying imprisonment of four years or more who cannot be held (fully) accountable for these acts can be sentenced to compulsory hospitalization in a specialized TBS hospital in the Netherlands. In the current paper, the effects of TBS treatment will be addressed in terms of recidivism numbers after termination of TBS treatment, as well as in behavioral changes that are observed during admission to TBS hospitals. Although these results offer some indirect support suggesting that TBS is effective, no randomized controlled trials had been conducted up until now that could confirm this. In the current study, preliminary results are reported from a multicenter randomized clinical trial on the effectiveness of Schema Therapy (ST) for hospitalized TBS patients with Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic, or Paranoid Personality Disorders, including those with high levels of psychopathy. Patients at seven TBS clinics were randomly assigned to receive three years of either ST or Treatment As Usual (TAU), and are being assessed on several outcome variables, such as recidivism risk (HCR-20, START), personality disorder symptoms (SIDP-IV, SNAP), and successful re-integration into the community. A three-year follow-up study will examine actual recidivism. One hundred and two patients are participating in the study. The preliminary findings from the first 30 patients to complete the three-year study suggest that ST is yielding better outcomes than TAU with regard to reducing recidivism risk and promoting re-entry into the community. These findings are not yet statistically significant, and thus need to be interpreted with caution until confirmed in our complete sample and follow up. However, they suggest that ST may be a promising treatment for offenders with personality disorders, including some psychopathic ones.
The Effectiveness of Violence Reduction Treatment for Psychopathic Offenders: Empirical Evidence and a Treatment Model
Authors: Wong StephenC. P. , Gordon Audrey , Gu Deqiang , Lewis Kathy , Olver MarkE.
Published: December 2012

Psychopathy, a personality disorder, is characterized by dysfunctional and externalizing affective and interpersonal traits that can be manifested as violent and antisocial behaviors. Psychopathic individuals are often referred for treatment in criminal justice or forensic mental health settings to reduce the harm they may inflict on themselves and others. While the ‘what works’ treatment approaches to reduce recidivism and violence have enjoyed widespread support, therapeutic nihilism for psychopathy abounds. A two-component model is proposed to provide a conceptual framework for the treatment of psychopathy. Three studies on the treatment of psychopathic offenders to reduce violence and offending behaviors are reviewed and show positive treatment outcomes. The study results support the efficacy for the treatment of psychopathic individuals and for the proposed model.
Surface code quantum computing by lattice surgery
Authors: Horsman Dominic , Fowler Austin G , Devitt Simon , Meter Rodney Van
Published: December 2012

In recent years, surface codes have become a leading method for quantum error correction in theoretical large-scale computational and communications architecture designs. Their comparatively high fault-tolerant thresholds and their natural two-dimensional nearest-neighbour (2DNN) structure make them an obvious choice for large scale designs in experimentally realistic systems. While fundamentally based on the toric code of Kitaev, there are many variants, two of which are the planar- and defect-based codes. Planar codes require fewer qubits to implement (for the same strength of error correction), but are restricted to encoding a single qubit of information. Interactions between encoded qubits are achieved via transversal operations, thus destroying the inherent 2DNN nature of the code. In this paper we introduce a new technique enabling the coupling of two planar codes without transversal operations, maintaining the 2DNN of the encoded computer. Our lattice surgery technique comprises splitting and merging planar code surfaces, and enables us to perform universal quantum computation (including magic state injection) while removing the need for braided logic in a strictly 2DNN design, and hence reduces the overall qubit resources for logic operations. Those resources are further reduced by the use of a rotated lattice for the planar encoding. We show how lattice surgery allows us to distribute encoded GHZ states in a more direct (and overhead friendly) manner, and how a demonstration of an encoded CNOT between two distance-3 logical states is possible with 53 physical qubits, half of that required in any other known construction in 2D.
On the approximate controllability of Stackelberg-Nash strategies for Stokes equations
Authors: Guillén-González F. , Marques-Lopes F. , Rojas-Medar M.
Published: December 2012

We study a Stackelberg strategy subject to the evolutionary Stokes equations, considering a Nash multi-objective equilibrium (not necessarily cooperative) for the “follower players” (as they are called in the economy field) and an optimal problem for the leader player with approximate controllability objective.

We will obtain the following three main results: the existence and uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium and its characterization, the approximate controllability of the Stokes system with respect to the leader control and the associate Nash equilibrium, and the existence and uniqueness of the Stackelberg-Nash problem and its characterization.
Vegetable Spirits and Energy Policy
Authors: Towe Charles , Tra Constant I.
Published: December 2012

This study investigates the extent to which the 2005 Energy Policy Act, specifically the ethanol mandate, contributed to the rise in farmland values. We use the location of new ethanol plants to identify the capitalization effect of the mandate by these spatially advantaged operations. We use a difference‐in‐difference propensity score matching estimator to control for the non‐random selection of ethanol production facilities. The empirical strategy uses farmland parcel values from the 2001–7 June Agriculture Survey. We find that new ethanol facilities had no effect on nearby farmland values prior to the mandate but had statistically significant effects after the policy.
Interferometric redatuming by sparse inversion
Authors: van der Neut Joost , Herrmann Felix J.
Published: December 2012

Assuming that transmission responses are known between the surface and a particular depth level in the subsurface, seismic sources can be effectively mapped to this level by a process called interferometric redatuming. After redatuming, the obtained wavefields can be used for imaging below this particular depth level. Interferometric redatuming consists of two steps, namely (i) the decomposition of the observed wavefields into downgoing and upgoing constituents and (ii) a multidimensional deconvolution of the upgoing constituents with the downgoing constituents. While this method works in theory, sensitivity to noise and artefacts due to incomplete acquisition require a different formulation. In this letter, we demonstrate the benefits of formulating the two steps that undergird interferometric redatuming in terms of a transform-domain sparsity-promoting program. By exploiting compressibility of seismic wavefields in the curvelet domain, the method not only becomes robust with respect to noise but we are also able to remove certain artefacts while preserving the frequency content. Although we observe improvements when we promote sparsity in the redatumed data space, we expect better results when interferometric redatuming would be combined or integrated with least-squares migration with sparsity promotion in the image space.
Resolution tests revisited: the power of random numbers
Authors: Trampert Jeannot , Fichtner Andreas , Ritsema Jeroen
Published: December 2012

We propose a simple method where the inversion of synthetic data, corresponding to a zero-mean random input vector, is used to infer the average horizontal and vertical resolution lengths of tomographic models. The method works well if the resolution operator has a diagonally dominant structure. This assumption, although often verified in seismic tomography, can be tested by simply cross-correlating the input with the output of the synthetic simulation. The method is as efficient as a single checkerboard test, but reveals more easily interpretable information.
The Publication and Reception of David Cranz's 1767 History of Greenland
Authors: Jensz Felicity
Published: December 2012

Between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, religious books proportionally lost popularity while travel books became more popular. This paper examines a hybrid of these two genres, Protestant missionary monographs, through a detailed analysis of David Cranz's 1767 History of Greenland, including the rationale behind publishing the book; its translation from German into English; how it was used as a political tool to influence British foreign policy; and how the book was received by British literary critics and scientists. This analysis demonstrates how authorial intentions that the religious and secular components of Protestant Missionary literature be considered as parts of a whole produced confusion and tension in the secular reception of such books.
Twin-peak quasi-periodic oscillations and the kinematics of orbital motion in a curved space–time
Authors: Germanà Claudio
Published: December 2012

Twin-peak high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HF QPOs) observed in the power spectra of low-mass X-ray binaries, with either a black hole or a neutron star, have central frequencies that are typical of the orbital motion time-scale close to the compact object. Thus, twin HF QPOs might carry the fingerprint of physical effects in a strongly curved space–time. We study the azimuth phase ϕ(t) for orbital motion in the Schwarzschild metric and calculate the power spectra to check whether they display the features seen in the observed ones. We show that the timing of ϕ(t) on non-closed orbits can account for the observed twin-peak HF QPOs. The uppermost couple of peaks in frequency has the lower peak that corresponds to the azimuthal frequency νϕ, the upper one to νϕ+νr.

The azimuth phase temporal behaviour ϕ(t) on a slightly eccentric orbit in the Schwarzschild metric is described by a linear function of slope νϕ plus an oscillating term at the relativistic radial frequency νr. We deduce that the twin-peak HF QPOs might originate from a frequency modulated signal driven by the kinematics of orbital motion in a curved space–time.
Comparing Discrete Distributions: Survey Validation and Survey Experiments
Authors: Gawande Kishore , Reinhardt Gina Yannitell , Silva Carol L. , Bearfield Domonic
Published: December 2012

Field survey experiments often measure amorphous concepts in discretely ordered categories, with postsurvey analytics that fail to account for the discrete attributes of the data. This article demonstrates the use of discrete distribution tests, specifically the chi-square test and the discrete Kolmogorov—Smirnov (KS) test, as simple devices for comparing and analyzing ordered responses typically found in surveys. In Monte Carlo simulations, we find the discrete KS test to have more power than the chi-square test when distributions are right or left skewed, regardless of the sample size or the number of alternatives. The discrete KS test has at least as much power as the chi-square, and sometimes more so, when distributions are bi-modal or approximately uniform and samples are small. After deriving rules of usage for the two tests, we implement them in two cases typical of survey analysis. Using our own data collected after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we employ our rules to both validate and assess treatment effects in a natural experimental setting.
Diversity and Mefenoxam Sensitivity of Phytophthora spp. Associated with the Ornamental Horticulture Industry in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Olson H. A. , Jeffers S. N. , Ivors K. L. , Steddom K. C. , Williams-Woodward J. L. , Mmbaga M. T. , Benson D. M. , Hong C. X.
Published: December 2012

Phytophthora isolates associated with ornamental plants or recovered from irrigation water in six states in the southeastern United States (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia) were identified and screened for sensitivity to mefenoxam. Isolates from forest and suburban streams in Georgia and Virginia were included for comparison. A new in vitro assay, utilizing 48-well tissue culture plates, was used to screen for mefenoxam sensitivity; this assay allowed high throughput of isolates and used less material than the traditional petri plate assay. In total, 1,483 Phytophthora isolates were evaluated, and 27 species were identified with Phytophthora nicotianae, P. hydropathica, and P. gonapodyides, the most abundant species associated with plants, irrigation water, and streams, respectively. Only 6% of isolates associated with plants and 9% from irrigation water were insensitive to mefenoxam at 100 μg a.i./ml. Approximately 78% of insensitive isolates associated with plants were P. nicotianae, and most of these (67%) came from herbaceous annual plants. Most of the insensitive isolates recovered from irrigation water were P. gonapodyides, P. hydropathica, P. megasperma, and P. pini, and 83% of the insensitive isolates from streams were P. gonapodyides. Overall, this study suggests that mefenoxam should continue to be a valuable tool in the management of Phytophthora diseases affecting ornamental plants in the southeastern United States.