bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Target highlights in CASP9: Experimental target structures for the critical assessment of techniques for protein structure prediction
Authors: Kryshtafovych Andriy , Moult John , Bartual Sergio G. , Bazan J. Fernando , Berman Helen , Casteel Darren E. , Christodoulou Evangelos , Everett John K. , Hausmann Jens , Heidebrecht Tatjana , Hills Tanya , Hui Raymond , Hunt John F. , Seetharaman Jayaraman , Joachimiak Andrzej , Kennedy Michael A. , Kim Choel , Lingel Andreas , Michalska Karolina , Montelione Gaetano T. , Otero José M. , Perrakis Anastassis , Pizarro Juan C. , van Raaij Mark J. , Ramelot Theresa A. , Rousseau Francois , Tong Liang , Wernimont Amy K. , Young Jasmine , Schwede Torsten
Published: September 2011

One goal of the CASP community wide experiment on the critical assessment of techniques for protein structure prediction is to identify the current state of the art in protein structure prediction and modeling. A fundamental principle of CASP is blind prediction on a set of relevant protein targets, that is, the participating computational methods are tested on a common set of experimental target proteins, for which the experimental structures are not known at the time of modeling. Therefore, the CASP experiment would not have been possible without broad support of the experimental protein structural biology community. In this article, several experimental groups discuss the structures of the proteins which they provided as prediction targets for CASP9, highlighting structural and functional peculiarities of these structures: the long tail fiber protein gp37 from bacteriophage T4, the cyclic GMP‐dependent protein kinase Iβ dimerization/docking domain, the ectodomain of the JTB (jumping translocation breakpoint) transmembrane receptor, Autotaxin in complex with an inhibitor, the DNA‐binding J‐binding protein 1 domain essential for biosynthesis and maintenance of DNA base‐J (β‐D‐glucosyl‐hydroxymethyluracil) in Trypanosoma and Leishmania, an so far uncharacterized 73 residue domain from Ruminococcus gnavus with a fold typical for PDZ‐like domains, a domain from the phycobilisome core‐membrane linker phycobiliprotein ApcE from Synechocystis, the heat shock protein 90 activators PFC0360w and PFC0270w from Plasmodium falciparum, and 2‐oxo‐3‐deoxygalactonate kinase from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessing resilience engineering based on safety culture and managerial factors
Authors: Shirali G.H.A. , Mohammadfam I. , Motamedzade M. , Ebrahimipour, V. , Moghimbeigi A.
Published: September 2011

Resilience engineering (RE) is the inherent capacity of a plant to cope with complex and unexpected events. The real challenge for RE is to recognize that complex systems are dynamic and that dynamic systems may sometimes change from a state of dynamic stability into a state of dynamic instability. This article explores RE based on safety culture indicators and managerial factors. In a plant survey we measured seven safety culture indicators and four management factors that are known to influence RE. We describe a simple survey method that can be used to identify deficiencies related to RE. For example, we found three major problems; that is, (a) poor safety training, (b) poor management of change, and (c) poor attitudes (looking for scapegoats and placing production ahead of safety). © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
High resolution X‐ray absorption on metallicity selected C60 peapods, single‐, and double walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Kramberger Christian , Ayala Paola , Shiozawa Hidetsugu , Simon Ferenc , Friedrich Alexander , Liu Xianjie , Rümmeli Mark , Miyata Yasumitsu , Kataura Hiromichi , Hoffmann Patrick , Pichler Thomas
Published: September 2011

We have investigated the C1s core level X‐ray absorption of bulk samples of C60‐peapods and double wall carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) derived from either metallic or semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The clear cut separation of the different species unveils their distinct electronic van Hove singularities (VHS). The core level spectra of peapods are a quantitative superpositon of the conduction band of nanotubes and unoccupied molecular orbitals of C60. The outer shell metallicity selected DWNTs reveal changes in the π* resonance due to the inner shell VHS.
Raman study of nanotube–substrate interaction using single‐wall carbon nanotubes grown on crystalline quartz
Authors: Soares Jaqueline S. , Barros Eduardo B. , Shadmi Nitzan , Joselevich Ernesto , Jorio Ado
Published: September 2011

In this work, we have studied the resonance Raman spectra of 17 single‐wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) serpentines, using a 532 nm laser. Each serpentine consists of a series of straight, parallel, and regularly spaced segments, connected by alternating U‐turns formed on top of crystalline miscut quartz. The interaction between the SWNT and the substrate affects the properties of nanotubes, generating different behaviors of the G‐band. We observed variations in the G‐band frequency along the SWNTs, which can be organized into three different groups, as a result of different types of interaction with the substrate, generated during the deposition of the SWNTs.
Ultrasonic Sealing of Flexible Packaging Films – Principle and Characteristics of an Alternative Sealing Method
Authors: Bach Sascha , Thürling Karsten , Majschak Jens‐Peter
Published: September 2011

The closure process for packaging is a key process. It ensures the protective function of packaging and assures the packaged goods a long life. In this context, efficient and reliable sealing processes are essential for the production of sustainable packages.

In this paper, several characteristics of the ultrasonic sealing process will be discussed and accompanied by experimental results. The introduction provides an insight into the ultrasonic sealing process, its heating mechanisms and the process steps. A comparison is made with conduction sealing. Furthermore, basic principles of heating and energy dissipation are related to the influences of the sealing parameters on the seam strength. The experimental studies were carried out on typical packaging films, such as polyamide‐polyethylene laminates. The seam strength in ultrasonic sealing is compared with that in conductive sealing. A lower seam strength was found for ultrasonic sealing in all the tested films. Furthermore, the sealing behaviour of the packaging films contaminated with different kinds of foods was analysed for both sealing methods. Although the ultrasonic sealing method has marginal advantages for bulk materials such as wheat flour, conduction sealing was shown to be better for other products. A comparison of the energy consumption during the ultrasonic and conduction sealing verified the advantages of ultrasonic sealing. In particular for thick packaging films, the amount of energy required for bonding is significantly lower than for conduction sealing.

In summary, this paper provides a survey of the characteristics of the ultrasonic sealing method in packaging applications – its advantages and limitations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ensemble prediction and parameter estimation system: the method
Authors: Laine Marko , Solonen Antti , Haario Heikki , Järvinen Heikki
Published: September 2011

In the companion paper (Järvinen et al., 2011. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. DOI: 10.1002/qj.923) we suggested a concept to estimate numerical weather prediction model closure parameters on‐line, coupled with an operational ensemble prediction system. In this paper, such a method is developed and demonstrated in low‐order numerical tests. The method utilizes the massive amount of operational model predictions to make statistical inference about the underlying probability distributions of the closure parameters. This is achieved with practically no additional computations. The only required change to the ensemble prediction system is to allow perturbation of the model closure parameters for different ensemble members. Otherwise, the method is straightforward. The parametric uncertainty is presented using a hierarchical statistical model. Proposed parameter values are resampled based on their respective likelihood function values, as evaluated against verifying observations. Update formulas are used to feed back the parametric information to the evolving proposal distribution. The method for ensemble prediction and parameter estimation system (EPPES) is demonstrated using a stochastic version of the Lorenz‐95 model. The numerical tests show that the EPPES method is capable of detecting unknown and wrongly specified parameter values, and lead to optimal forecast skill in an independent test run. Potential show‐stoppers are discussed. Our current research is directed towards a realistic ensemble prediction system. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Mechanisms of the diurnal cycle in the atmospheric boundary layer of Mars
Authors: Savijärvi Hannu
Published: September 2011

Potential temperature profiles derived from the NASA Mars rover Spirit's miniature thermal emission spectrometer scans of the atmosphere were used as a validation for boundary‐layer (BL) simulations on a dusty and a dustless solar day (sol), and the 1D model's heating rates were studied to clarify the mechanisms which drive the observed diurnal variation. The optical properties of dust were first charted by Mie calculations, the single‐scattering albedo and asymmetry parameter being fairly insensitive to the dust size distribution.

During a dusty and warm late summer day, the simulated potential temperatures, θ, were reasonably close to those observed. The morning and midday θ(z) display a strongly superadiabatic surface layer up to 150 m with a convective BL (CBL) aloft. The diurnal evolution of the model's CBL is not very sensitive to the wind speed and is consistent with large‐eddy simulations. After sunset, a stable surface layer evolves by turbulent cooling so conventional similarity theory is applicable (unlike in the radiation‐driven CBL). Strong long‐wave (LW) cooling dominates aloft, building the inversion and the stable BL upwards. During windy nights with a nocturnal low‐level jet, shear‐driven turbulence assists the LW cooling, while during calm Martian nights turbulent cooling is limited to the lowest few metres only.

The less dusty late autumn simulation appeared to be close to the observed evolution. The BL mechanisms were similar to those during the dusty sol but with moderated radiative heating rates due to the small dust amounts and the lower emission temperatures. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
On‐Chip Screening of Experimental Conditions for the Synthesis of Noble‐Metal Nanostructures with Different Morphologies
Authors: Zhou Jianhua , Zeng Jie , Grant Jennifer , Wu Hongkai , Xia Younan
Published: September 2011

The applications of nanostructures critically depend on their morphologies. Although significant progress has been made in the chemical synthesis of nanostructures with a variety of different morphologies, it is still highly desired to develop an approach that allows one to quickly identify the best set of parameters for nanostructure syntheses. Herein, an on‐chip approach to the rapid screening of experimental conditions pivotal to the production of nanostructures with different morphologies is reported. The key component of this approach is an array of reactors containing solutions with a one‐ or two‐dimensional gradient in reagent concentration, pH value, or reaction temperature. In the proof‐of‐concept experiments, the parameters needed for the production of Au and Pd nanostructures with various morphologies are quickly identified. In principle, this approach can be extended to other systems for rapid screening and optimization of experimental conditions involved in the syntheses of different types of nanostructures.
The Assessment and Peri-Operative Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Urological Day Case Surgery—Outcomes of the North West of England Regional Audit
Authors: Thakare Niyukta , Mukherjee Rono , Sinclair Andrew M. , Elsobky Sherif , Pearce Ian
Published: September 2011

Objective:

To determine whether patients with diabetes undergoing day surgery in urology units in the North West of England were managed in accordance with published national guidelines.

Patients and methods:

Data on day cases were collected from 14 NHS Trusts in the region. Proformas including details of pre-operative assessment, peri-operative care and discharge were completed by independent data collectors in individual units. These were audited against the British Association of Day Surgery guidelines for management of patients with diabetes as day cases.

Results:

7 patients with type 1 diabetes and 77 with type 2 underwent day case procedures. At pre-operative assessment, 71% patients had a documented glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C), 32% had stable serum glucose and 62% had no history of hypoglycaemic attacks. Peri-operatively, 69% had a blood glucose <10mmol/l, 17% had a blood glucose >10mmol/l and in 14% it was not documented. A Glucose-potassium-insulin infusion was commenced in 91% of patients on insulin. On discharge, less than 25% patients were given written advice.

Conclusion:

Whilst compliance with published guidelines is generally good throughout the region, there is significant room for improvement particularly with respect to documentation and discharge planning. Implementation of dedicated protocols can bring about consistent improvement in practice.
Plasma choline concentration varies with different dietary levels of vitamins B6, B12and folic acid in rats maintained on choline-adequate diets
Authors: van Wijk Nick , Watkins Carol J. , Böhlke Mark , Maher Timothy J. , Hageman Robert J. J. , Kamphuis Patrick J. G. H. , Broersen Laus M. , Wurtman Richard J.
Published: September 2011

Choline is an important component of the human diet and is required for the endogenous synthesis of choline-containing phospholipids, acetylcholine and betaine. Choline can also be synthesisedde novoby the sequential methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine. Vitamins B6, B12and folate can enhance methylation capacity and therefore could influence choline availability not only by increasing endogenous choline synthesis but also by reducing choline utilisation. In the present experiment, we determined whether combined supplementation of these B vitamins affects plasma choline concentration in a rat model of mild B vitamin deficiency which shows moderate increases in plasma homocysteine. To this end, we measured plasma choline and homocysteine concentrations in rats that had consumed a B vitamin-poor diet for 4 weeks after which they were either continued on the B vitamin-poor diet or switched to a B vitamin-enriched diet for another 4 weeks. Both diets contained recommended amounts of choline. Rats receiving the B vitamin-enriched diet showed higher plasma choline and lower plasma homocysteine concentrations as compared to rats that were continued on the B vitamin-poor diet. These data underline the interdependence between dietary B vitamins and plasma choline concentration, possibly via the combined effects of the three B vitamins on methylation capacity.
Body size at birth modifies the effect of fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) rs9939609 polymorphism on adiposity in adolescents: the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study
Authors: Labayen Idoia , Ruiz Jonatan R. , Ortega Francisco B. , Gottrand Frédéric , Huybrechts Inge , Dallongeville Jean , Widhalm Kurt , Ferrari Marika , Buyken Annete , Kersting Mathilde , Moschonis George , Turck Dominique , Gómez Sonia , Sjostrom Michael , Meirhaeghe Aline , Moreno Luis A.
Published: September 2011

The present study was intended to examine whether ponderal index (PI) at birth modifies the effect of the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) rs9939609 polymorphism on adiposity in European adolescents. A total of 628 adolescents aged 14·4 (se 1·3) years (56·8 % female) were recruited. PI was calculated from parental reports of birth weight and length (kg/m3), and the BMI (kg/m2), body fat percentage and fat mass index (FMI, kg/m2) were calculated. The rs9939609 polymorphism was genotyped and physical activity assessed by accelerometry. Sex, duration of pregnancy, pubertal status, centre and physical activity were used as confounders in all the analyses. The minor A allele of the FTO rs9939609 was significantly associated with higher BMI, body fat percentage and FMI (all P < 0·05) but not with PI. Significant interactions between PI and the rs9939609 polymorphism in terms of body fat percentage (P = 0·002) and FMI (P = 0·017) were detected. However, this polymorphism was only significantly associated with higher BMI, body fat percentage and FMI (all P < 0·05) in adolescents in the lower PI tertile. Indeed, both body fat percentage and FMI were higher in those adolescents in the lower PI tertile carrying the A allele of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism than in those with the TT genotype (25·0 (se 0·8) v. 22·1 (se 1·0) %, adjusted P = 0·030 and 5·6 (se 0·3) v. 4·6 (se 0·4) kg/m2, P = 0·031, respectively). Our findings suggest that those adolescents born with lower PI could be more vulnerable to the influence of the A risk allele of the FTO polymorphism on total adiposity content.
PREFACE
Authors: Hopper Andrew
Published: September 2011

This volume grew out of my doctoral thesis examining parliamentarian allegiance in Yorkshire during the first civil war. The Hotham family archive proved to be a particularly rich primary source for this work, but the prominent role of the Hothams in empowering and then sabotaging the parliamentary war effort demands wider recognition. It is hoped that publishing their papers will restore the Hothams within their local context and secure their place in the national narrative of the outbreak of civil war. Highlighting the Hothams’ kinship networks, their military resources, and their place within the parliamentarian coalition, this project combines all of their known papers, scattered across numerous archives, into one accessible volume. At the core of their family archive at Hull are the papers for Sir John Hotham's defence at his trial. Many of these are copies of the original letters, held by the Bodleian Library, that appear to have formed the papers for his prosecution. The neat handwriting of both Hothams has aided transcription but several of the trial papers in the family archive are frustratingly damaged and fragmented. Painstaking effort has been made with the palaeography but the full meaning of several items remains obscure.
The psalms as a mark of Protestantism: the introduction of liturgical psalm-singing in Geneva
Authors: Trocmé-Latter Daniel
Published: September 2011

It is widely believed that musical creativity suffered under the control of many sixteenth-century Protestant church leaders, especially in the Reformed (as opposed to Lutheran) branch of Protestantism. Such views are generalisations, and it is more accurate to say that music in Geneva and other Reformed strongholds developed in a very different way from the music of the Lutheran Church. The very specific beliefs about the role of music in the liturgy of Jean Calvin, Genevan church leader, led to the creation and publication of the Book of Psalms in French, in metre, and set to music. The Genevan or Huguenot Psalter, completed in 1562, formed the basis for Reformed worship in Europe and throughout the world, and its impact is still felt today. Despite the importance of the Psalter, relatively little is known about the precise liturgical musical practices in Geneva at the time of the Reformation, and little research has been carried out into the aspirations of either reformers or church musicians in relation to the Psalter. This article explores the significance of Calvin's interest in the Psalms as theological material, observing how this interest manifested itself, and outlines Calvin's views on music and the ways in which his plans for psalm-singing were implemented in Geneva from the 1540s onwards. After giving a brief explanation of the process through which the psalm melodies were taught and learnt, it also asks whether Calvin's vision for congregational singing would, or could, have been fully realised, and to what extent the quality of music-making was important to him. This article suggests that in the Genevan psalm-singing of the sixteenth century, matters of spiritual significance were most important.
Tetralogy of Fallot with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and left lung hypoplasia: assessment of the adequacy of the peripheral pulmonary vascular growth after hernia repair
Authors: Shin Hong Ju , Jhang Won Kyoung , Yun Tae Jin
Published: September 2011

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a life-threatening condition frequently associated with various congenital cardiac diseases. In congenital diaphragmatic hernia associated with tetralogy of Fallot, central pulmonary artery size of the affected side may not reflect the capacitance of peripheral pulmonary vascular beds. We report a case of congenital diaphragmatic hernia associated with tetralogy of Fallot, which was repaired after assessing the adequacy of the pulmonary vascular beds by intra-operative pulmonary blood flow study.
An Introduction to the Series
Authors: JHR
Published: September 2011

Seven of the member states of the European Union are monarchies. They are, in alphabetical order, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. It is to these European monarchies that the European Constitutional Law Review dedicates a series of articles. Its aim is to find answers to questions regarding their current organization and legitimation, the (remaining) monarchical competences or powers and the republican ‘opposition’. The overriding aim is to see what the Union means for them and how monarchies can survive constitutionally in the European Union (if at all).
Twilight of the European Monarchy
Authors: Roobol Wim
Published: September 2011

Historical overview of monarchies in Europe – Conceptual development of ‘monarchy’ and ‘republic’ – Decline of the hereditary principle for heads of state in Europe – Rise of the constitutional monarchy – Pressure of the European Union on monarchy
On the Flexibility of Letter Position Coding During Lexical Processing
Authors: Perea Manuel , Winskel Heather , Ratitamkul Theeraporn
Published: September 2011

In Indo-European languages, letter position coding is particularly noisy in middle positions (e.g., judge and jugde look very similar), but not in the initial letter position (e.g., judge vs. ujdge). Here we focus on a language (Thai) which, potentially, may be more flexible with respect to letter position coding than Indo-European languages: (i) Thai is an alphabetic language which is written without spaces between words (i.e., there is a degree of ambiguity in relation to which word a given letter belongs to) and (ii) some of the vowels are misaligned (e.g., [Formula: see text]/ε:bn/ is pronounced as /bε:n/), whereas others are not (e.g., [Formula: see text]/a:p/ is pronounced as /a:p/). We conducted a masked priming lexical decision experiment with 3–4 letter Thai words (with vs. without an initial misaligned vowel) in which the prime was: (i) identical to the target, (ii) a nonword generated by transposing the two initial letters of the target, or (iii) a replacement-letter control nonword. Results showed a significant masked transposed-letter priming effect in the initial letter positions, which was similar in size for words with and without an initial misaligned vowel. These findings reflect that: (i) letter position coding in Thai is very flexible and (ii) the nature of the obtained priming effects is orthographic rather than phonological.
Positive streamer formation in cathode region of pulsed high-pressure discharges for transversely excited atmosphere laser applications
Authors: Černák M. , Bessières D. , Paillol J.
Published: September 2011

A two-dimensional model of a high-pressure cathode region with nonuniform secondary electron emission has been used for conditions close to those used in pulsed discharge XeCl lasers. To simulate processes leading to a cathode spot formation, an inhomogeneity in the cathode electron emission was introduced by varying the electron emission in a 100 μm-radius cathode surface region. The results obtained indicate that the inhomogeneous cathode emission can induce an instability in the cathode-faced surface of the bulk discharge plasma leading to the development of a cathode-directed streamer inside of the cathode region.
Growth mechanism of ZnO low-temperature homoepitaxy
Authors: Park S. H. , Minegishi T. , Lee H. J. , Oh D. C. , Ko H. J. , Chang J. H. , Yao T.
Published: September 2011

The authors report on the growth mechanism of ZnO homoepitaxy at the low-temperature range of 500 °C, which is unavailable to obtain high-quality ZnO films in heteroepitaxy. One typical set of ZnO films were grown on (0001) ZnO substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy: a standard structure without buffer and two buffered structures with high-temperature (HT) homobuffer and low-temperature (LT) homobuffer. As a result, the LT homobuffered structure had the outstanding material properties: the surface roughness is 0.9 nm, the full width at half maximum of x-ray rocking curve is 13 arcsec, and the emission linewidth of donor-bound excitons is 2.4 meV. In terms of the theoretical interpretation of the experimentally obtained electron mobilities, it was found that the LT homobuffered structure suffers less from the dislocation scattering and the ionized-impurity scattering compared to the HT homobuffered structure. It is proposed that, in the ZnO low-temperature homoepitaxy, the LT homobuffer plays a key role in inducing the complete termination of dislocations in the homointerface and suppressing the outdiffusion of contaminants and point defects on the ZnO surface, which results in the formation of smooth wetting layer on the homointerface.
Electric field effects on nuclear magnetic shielding of the 1:1 and 2:1 (homo and heterochiral) complexes of XOOX′ (X, X′ = H, CH3) with lithium cation and their chiral discrimination
Authors: Alkorta Ibon , Elguero José , Provasi Patricio F. , Pagola Gabriel I. , Ferraro Marta B.
Published: September 2011

The set of 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of XOOX′ (X, X′ = H, CH3) with lithium cation has been studied to determine if they are suitable candidates for chiral discrimination in an isotropic medium via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Conventional nuclear magnetic resonance is unable to distinguish between enantiomers in the absence of a chiral solvent. The criterion for experimental detection is valuated by the isotropic part of nuclear shielding polarisability tensors, related to a pseudoscalar of opposite sign for two enantiomers. The study includes calculations at coupled Hartree-Fock and density functional theory schemes for 17O nucleus in each compound. Additional calculations for 1H are also included for some compounds. A huge static homogeneous electric field, perpendicular to the magnetic field of the spectromer, as big as ≈1.7 × 108 V m−1 should be applied to observe a shift of ≈1 ppm for 17O magnetic shielding in the proposed set of complexes.
Synchronization of impulsively coupled complex systems with delay
Authors: Sun Wen , Austin Francis , Lü Jinhu , Chen Shihua
Published: September 2011

This paper investigates the synchronization of complex systems with delay that are impulsively coupled at discrete instants only. Based on the comparison theorem of impulsive differential system, a distributed impulsive control scheme is proposed to achieve the synchronization for systems with delay. In the control strategy, the influence of all nodes to network synchronization relies on its weight. The proposed control scheme is applied to the chaotic delayed Hopfield neural networks and numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Simulated porosity and electronic structure of nanoporous carbons
Authors: López María J. , Cabria Iván , Alonso Julio A.
Published: September 2011

Nanoporous carbon refers to a broad class of materials characterized by nanometer-size pores, densities lower than water, large specific surface areas, and high porosities. These materials find applications in nanocatalysis and gas adsorption, among others. The porosity structure, that determines the properties and functionalities of these materials, is still not characterized in detail. Here, we reveal the detail porosity structure and the electronic properties of a type of nanoporous carbons, the so called carbide derived carbons (CDCs), through a simulation scheme that combines large simulation cells and long time scales at the empirical level with first-principles density functional calculations. We show that the carbon network consists in one layer thick nanographenes interconnected among them. The presence of specific defects in the carbon layers (heptagons and octagons) yields to open pores. These defects are not completely removed through annealing at high temperatures. We also suggest that, in contrast with graphene which is a zero-gap semiconductor, these materials would have a metallic character, since they develop an electronic band around the Fermi level. This band arises from the electronic states localized at the edges of the nanographene layers.
Calculating the specific contact resistance from the nanostructure at the interface of silver thick film contacts on n-type silicon
Authors: Kontermann Stefan , Preu Ralf , Willeke Gerhard
Published: September 2011

Nanoscale silver crystals located on the silicon surface at the interface of silver thick film contacts carry the current across the contacts. By quantifying the interface area between the silver crystals and the silicon from scanning electron microscopy images of the silicon surface beneath the contact, we calculate the macroscopic specific contact resistance for contacts of different quality. We find good agreement with experimental contact resistance measurements. The presented results enable the prediction of the macroscopic specific contact resistance from the nanostructure found at the contact interface.
Resistive detection of optically pumped nuclear polarization with spin phase transition peak at Landau level filling factor 2/3
Authors: Akiba K. , Kanasugi S. , Nagase K. , Hirayama Y.
Published: September 2011

Nuclear spins in a single quantum well are polarized by optical pumping and its polarization is detected by resistance change in quantum Hall regime, that is, a shift in the resistance peak of the spin-phase-transition at Landau level filling factor ν = 2/3. The resistive readout of optical nuclear polarization is directly confirmed from resonant features by applying an RF magnetic field. The obtained nuclear magnetic field is at least 0.62 T. The dependence of the peak shift on laser polarization, intensity, duration time, and illumination position shows the sensitivity of polarization distribution and the capability to control optical nuclear orientation.
Directional persistence of chemotactic bacteria in a traveling concentration wave
Authors: Saragosti J. , Calvez V. , Bournaveas N. , Perthame B. , Buguin A. , Silberzan P.
Published: September 2011

Chemotactic bacteria are known to collectively migrate towards sources of attractants. In confined convectionless geometries, concentration “waves” of swimming
Escherichia coli
can form and propagate through a self-organized process involving hundreds of thousands of these microorganisms. These waves are observed in particular in microcapillaries or microchannels; they result from the interaction between individual chemotactic bacteria and the macroscopic chemical gradients dynamically generated by the migrating population. By studying individual trajectories within the propagating wave, we show that, not only the mean run length is longer in the direction of propagation, but also that the directional persistence is larger compared to the opposite direction. This modulation of the reorientations significantly improves the efficiency of the collective migration. Moreover, these two quantities are spatially modulated along the concentration profile. We recover quantitatively these microscopic and macroscopic observations with a dedicated kinetic model.
Mind, Body, and the Cosmos: Chess and Backgammon in Ancient Persia
Authors: Daryaee Touraj
Published: September 2011

Board games were played in many parts of the ancient world and so it is very difficult to attribute the origin of any board game to a particular region or culture. Board games have been found in ancient Mesopotamia, the oldest from the city of Ur, but one must also mention the game of Senet in ancient Egypt. Often board games were placed in the tombs of the pharaohs and sometimes the dead are shown playing with the gods, for example one scene shows Rameses III (c. 1270 B.C.) playing with Isis to gain access to the nether world. The importance of this image lies in the depiction of the cosmological and religious significance that ancient peoples attributed to board games—they were not just games played for pleasure. Reference to board games in Persia can be found as early as the Achaemenid period, where, according to Plutarch, Artaxerxes played a board game with dice.
Imitation of Gestures in Children is Goal-directed
Authors: Bekkering Harold , Wohlschläger Andreas , Gattis Merideth
Published: September 2011

The view that the motor program activated during imitation is organized by goals was investigated by asking pre-school children to imitate a set of hand gestures of varying complexity that were made by an experimenter sitting in front of them. In Experiments 1 and 3, children reached for the correct object (one of their own ears or one of two dots on a table) but preferred to use the ipsilateral hand. This ipsilateral preference was not observed when hand movements were made to only one ear (Experiment 2), or when movements were diercted at space rather than physical objects (Experiment 3). The results are consistent with the notion that imitation is guided by goals and provide insights about how these goals are organized.
Interference from Distractors in Reach-to-grasp Movements
Authors: Kritikos Ada , Bennett Kerry M.B. , Dunai Judy , Castiello Umberto
Published: September 2011

Descriptions of interference effects from non-relevant stimuli are extensive in visual target detection and identification paradigms. To explore the influence of features of non-relevant objects on reach-to-grasp movements, we instructed healthy normal controls to reach for and pick up a cylinder (target) placed midsagittally 30 cm from the starting position of the hand. In Experiment 1, the target was presented alone, or accompanied by a narrower, wider, or same-size distractor positioned to the left or right of the target. In Experiment 2, the target was presented alone or accompanied by a distractor, which was slanted at a different orientation to the target. Reflective markers were placed on the wrist, thumb, and index finger of the right hand, and infra-red light-detecting cameras recorded their displacement through a calibrated 3-dimensional working space. Kinematic parameters were derived and analysed. Consistent changes in the expression of peak velocity, acceleration, and deceleration were evident when the distractor was narrower or wider than the target. The impact of the orientation of the distractor, conversely, was not marked. We discuss the results in the context of physiological findings and models of selective attention.
An Experimental Comparison of Viewpoint-Specific and Viewpoint-Independent Models of Object Representation
Authors: Johnston Michael B. , Hayes Anthony
Published: September 2011

Four experiments that investigate the cognitive representation of objects in human observers are reported. Two broad classes of theory were examined: viewpoint-specific and viewpoint-independent models. The former postulate that the data structures underpinning object recognition correspond to discrete views and require additional processing to access them from unfamiliar viewpoints. The latter postulate data structures that are independent of any particular viewpoint and can be directly accessed from a wide range of viewpoints. Two experimental tasks were used: a sequential matching paradigm and a cognitive learning paradigm. Findings favour viewpoint-specific models over viewpoint-independent models.
Is There a Temporal Basis of the Word Length Effect? A Response to Service (1998)
Authors: Cowan Nelson , Nugent Lara D. , Elliott Emily M. , Geer Tara
Published: September 2011

Service (1998) carried out a study of the word length effect with Finnish pseudowords in which short and long pseudowords were identical except for the inclusion of certain phonemes differing only in pronunciation length, a manipulation that is impossible in English. She obtained an effect of phonemic complexity but little or no word duration effect per se — a discrepancy from the expectations generated by the well-known working memory model of Baddeley (1986). In the present study using English words, we controlled for phonemic complexity differences by using the same words for the short- and long-word sets, but with instructions inducing shorter or longer pronunciation of the words. We obtained substantial word duration effects. Concerns raised by Service are addressed, and we conclude that both duration and complexity are likely to contribute to the word length effect in serial recall.
Memory and Planning Processes in Solutions to Well-Structured Problems
Authors: Davies Simon P.
Published: September 2011

Although many studies in the problem-solving literature have considered the factors that might determine the strategies that are employed to solve well-structured problems, these have typically focused upon variants of means-end analysis. In general, such models imply that strategies unfold in a temporally forward direction, that problem solvers typically restrict forward-planning activities to just one or two moves ahead of the current problem state, and that one important heuristic is the avoidance of previous moves. Although studies have demonstrated the importance of such anti-looping heuristics, few have systematically explored the possibility that problem solvers may also plan retrospectively in order to try and assess whether a move might take them back to a state that they have previously visited. Those models of problem solving that promote the role of an anti-looping heuristic have assumed that the ability to use such a heuristic is based upon memory for previous states, but other interpretations are possible. In this paper several studies are reported that attempt systematically to explore participants’ attempts to recognize previously visited problem solving states. The findings suggest that there is a systematic relationship between the success of this process, the time taken to make this judgement, and distance from the current state. It is also demonstrated that estimations about where future positions are likely to occur are symmetrical to estimations about past positions. It is suggested that this provides evidence that problem solvers engage in retrospective planning processes in order to try and avoid previous moves, and that this strategy may not be based straightforwardly upon their ability to remember previous problem states.
Visual Similarity Effects in Immediate Verbal Serial Recall
Authors: Logie Robert H. , Del Sala Sergiola , Wynn Val , Baddeley Alan D.
Published: September 2011

The role of visual working memory in temporary serial retention of verbal information was examined in four experiments on immediate serial recall of words that varied in visual similarity and letters that varied in the visual consistency between upper and lower case. Experiments 1 and 2 involved words that were either visually similar (e.g. fly, cry, dry; hew, new, few) or were visually distinct (e.g. guy, sigh, lie; who, blue, ewe). Experiments 3 and 4 involved serial recall of both letter and case from sequences of letters chosen such that the upper- and lower-case versions were visually similar, for example Kk, Cc, Zz, Ww, or were visually dissimilar, for example Dd, Hh, Rr, Qq. Hence in the latter set, case information was encoded in terms of both the shape and the size of the letters. With both words and letters, the visually similar items resulted in poorer recall both with and without concurrent articulatory suppression. This visual similarity effect was robust and was replicated across the four experiments. The effect was not restricted to any particular serial position and was particularly salient in the recall of letter case. These data suggest the presence of a visual code for retention of visually presented verbal sequences in addition to a phonological code, and they are consistent with the use of a visual temporary memory, or visual “cache”, in verbal serial recall tasks.
Why are Familiar-Only Experiences More Frequent for Voices than for Faces?
Authors: Richard Hanley J. , Turner Jennifer M.
Published: September 2011

Hanley, Smith, and Hadfield (1998) showed that when participants were asked to recognize famous people from hearing their voice, there was a relatively large number of trials in which the celebrity's voice was felt to be familiar but biographical information about the person could not be retrieved. When a face was found familiar, however, the celebrity's occupation was significantly more likely to be recalled. This finding is consistent with the view that it is much more difficult to associate biographical information with voices than with faces. Nevertheless, recognition level was much lower for voices than for faces in Hanleyet al.'s study, and participants made significantly more false alarms in the voice condition. In the present study, recognition performance in the face condition was brought down to the same level as recognition in the voice condition by presenting the faces out of focus. Under these circumstances, it proved just as difficult to recall the occupations of faces found familiar as it was to recall the occupations of voices found familiar. In other words, there was an equally large number of familiar-only responses when faces were presented out of focus as in the voice condition. It is argued that these results provide no support for the view that it is relatively difficult to associate biographical information with a person's voice. It is suggested instead that associative connections between processing units at different levels in the voice-processing system are much weaker than is the case with the corresponding units in the face-processing system. This will reduce the recall of occupations from voices even when the voice has been found familiar. A simulation was performed using the latest version of the IAC model of person recognition (Burton, Bruce, & Hancock, 1999) which demonstrated that the model can readily accommodate the pattern of results obtained in this study.
Necessity, Possibility and Belief: A Study of Syllogistic Reasoning
Authors: Evans Jonathan St. B.T. , Handley Simon J. , Harper Catherine N. J.
Published: September 2011

The present study extended the investigation of the belief bias effect in syllogistic reasoning in two ways: (1) The effect was studied under instructions to decide whether conclusions were possible, as well as necessary, given the premises; and (2) the effect was studied for types of syllogism where people rarely endorse the conclusions as well as those (valid and fallacious) where endorsements are common. Three experiments are reported, which show first that there is a marked tendency to reject unbelievable conclusions relative to abstract or neutral controls on all kinds of syllogism and under both types of instruction. There was also significant evidence of positive belief bias (increased acceptance of believable conclusions) and of interactions between belief bias effects and logical form. The results are discussed with particular respect to accounts of belief bias offered by theorists in the mental-model tradition.
Shared Attentional Resources for processing Visual and Chemosensory Information
Authors: Spence Charles , Kettenmann Birgit , Kobal Gerd , McGlone Francis P.
Published: September 2011

For many years, researchers have argued that we have separate attentional resources for the processing of information impinging on each of our sensory receptor systems. However, a number of recent studies have demonstrated the existence of shared attentional resources for the processing of auditory, visual and tactile stimuli. In the present study, we examined whether there are also common attentional resources for the processing of chemosensory stimuli. Participants made speeded (left vs. right) footpedal discrimination responses to an unpredictable sequence of visual and chemosensory stimuli presented to either nostril. The participants’ attention was directed to one or the other modality by means of a symbolic auditory cue (high or low tone) at the start of each trial, which predicted the likely modality for the upcoming target on the majority (80%) of trials. Participants responded more rapidly when the target occurred in the expected modality than when it occurred in the unexpected modality, implying the existence of shared attentional resources for the processing of chemosensory and visual stimuli.
Anxiety and Attention to Threatening Pictures
Authors: Yiend Jenny , Mathews Andrew
Published: September 2011

Previous research using attentional search tasks has revealed an anxiety-related bias favouring attention to threatening words when they are presented simultaneously with emotionally neutral words. In Experiment 1, using a similar task, a related effect was found here with emotionally threatening pictures. When pictures were used as location cues in a second experiment, high-trait anxious individuals were slower than less anxious controls when responding to targets requiring attentional disengagement from threat, and they were slower in general with pictures judged to be highly threatening. In a third experiment using the same task but with a longer cue exposure, a related disengagement difficulty occurred across both groups, although the more general slowing with severe threat was again confined to the anxious group. We conclude that attentional bias involves both a specific difficulty in disengaging attention from the location of any threat and a more general interference effect that is related to threat level.
Typicality and Face Recognition: A Critical Re-Evaluation of the Two Factor Theory
Authors: Morris Peter E. , Wickham Lee H. V.
Published: September 2011

Vokey and Read (1992) proposed that the effect of typicality on face recognition was a function of familiarity and rated memorability, reporting that typicality loaded equally on components that they identified with these variables. We offer an alternative interpretation to that of Vokey and Read in terms of the relationship between typicality and attractiveness (when the former is measured as a deviation from the typical face), the mere exposure effect, and the metamemorial beliefs of participants. In our study we identified distinctiveness, attractiveness, and residual memory components. Supporting our interpretation, three of our four measures of typicality failed to load with familiarity on the attractiveness component. Only our measure of deviation from the typical face replicated Vokey and Read's results because of its correlation with attractiveness.