bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SRS in di‐glycine nitrate (NH2CH2COOH)2 · HNO3 crystals: Observation of high‐gain many‐phonon nonlinear interactions
Authors: Kaminskii Alexander A. , Lux Oliver , Haussühl Eiken , Rhee Hanjo , Haussühl Siegfried , Eichler Hans Joachim , Yoneda Hitoki , Shirakawa Akira , Ueda Ken‐ichi , Hanuza Jerzy
Published: September 2012

Efficient high‐gain many‐phonon steady‐state stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) was excited in the novel χ(3)‐active organic crystal of di‐glycine nitrate (DGN), (NH2CH2COOH)2 · HNO3, at room temperature under picosecond laser pumping in the visible and near‐IR regions. Besides high‐order Stokes and anti‐Stokes (comb) generation in this centrosymmetric crystal, several cascaded and cross‐cascaded χ(3) ↔ χ(3) nonlinear photon–phonon interactions were observed. The recorded Raman‐induced lasing wavelengths were identified and attributed to the SRS‐promoting optical vibration modes ωSRS1 ≈ 1058 cm−1, ωSRS2 ≈ 2985 cm−1, ωSRS3 ≈ 895 cm−1, and ωSRS4 ≈ 3000 cm−1. The measured large Raman frequency shifts (≈3000 cm−1) and estimated moderately high steady‐state Raman gain coefficients ($g_{{\rm ssR}}^{{\rm St}_{1} } $ ≥ 6.5 cm · GW−1) make this DGN crystal attractive for a number of new applications in modern laser physics and nonlinear optics.
Precise millisecond annealing for advanced material processing
Authors: Reichel Denise , Skorupa Wolfgang
Published: September 2012

Flash lamp annealing (FLA) reduces the thermal budget on the bulk and thus hinders undesired thermal diffusion. For reliable process control, however, a temperature measurement concept is needed that is capable of facing the high radiation background of the flash lamps and the millisecond detection regime at the same time (Reichel et al., Crit. Rev. Solid State Mater. Sci. 36, 102 (2011) [1]). A new concept has been developed for precise in‐situ temperature measurement during flash‐lamp millisecond annealing. There has been taking advantage of FLA for various applications. Implantation and subsequent FLA were used to obtain III‐V semiconductor quantum dots on silicon pillars (Prucnal et al., Nano Lett. 11, 2814 (2011) [2]). The same procedure was applied to achieve superconductivity with conventional silicon technolog (Fiedler et al., Phys. Rev. B 83, 214504 (2011) [3]). FLA was further used for advanced doping of “dirty‐silicon” solar cells. The short annealing cycles allow for successful dopant activation while undesired metal impurities remain electrically inactive (Prucnal et al., Acta Phys. Pol. A 120, 192 (2011) [4]). These examples show that in‐situ process control is required to make sure the major advantage of millisecond annealing is not narrowed by unreliable temperature measurement. In this contribution, a method will be presented that satisfies this issue by in‐situ distinction between thermal and flash lamp radiation (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Statistical considerations in biosimilar clinical efficacy trials with asymmetrical margins
Authors: Li Yulan , Liu Qing , Wood Patricia , Johri Anandhi
Published: September 2012

Development of biosimilars to innovative therapeutic biologics promises reduction of healthcare cost and therefore will provide patients worldwide greater access to effective treatments. Because of the differences in raw materials or manufacturing processes, ‘equivalence’ of bioavailability between a biosimilar and the reference biologic is generally regarded as insufficient, and thus, clinical trials providing efficacy and safety data are often required by regulatory agencies. The traditional non‐inferiority trial design may not be accepted for establishing biosimilarity in order to avoid superior efficacy with additional safety (e.g., immunogenicity) risks. On the other hand, the bioequivalence trial design, which is used in the generic paradigm for the evaluation of bioavailability of generic chemical drugs, is not appropriate for evaluating clinical efficacy because the equivalence margins are generally too wide and not justified on statistical or clinical grounds. Motivated by the World Health Organization guideline and the newly released Food and Drug Administration draft guideline on biosimilars, we propose a biosimilarity trial design for evaluating clinical efficacy. The design uses a non‐inferiority margin and an asymmetrical non‐superiority margin for statistical inference. The independent choice of both margins provides the scientific foundation for drawing clinical efficacy conclusions while maintaining the logical consistency of the inference. The design also has a higher statistical power than a naïve equivalence trial design. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scale Selection Properties of Generalized Scale-Space Interest Point Detectors
Authors: Lindeberg Tony
Published: September 2012

Scale-invariant interest points have found several highly successful applications in computer vision, in particular for image-based matching and recognition.

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the scale selection properties of a generalized framework for detecting interest points from scale-space features presented in Lindeberg (Int. J. Comput. Vis. 2010, under revision) and comprising:

an enriched set of differential interest operators at a fixed scale including the Laplacian operator, the determinant of the Hessian, the new Hessian feature strength measures I and II and the rescaled level curve curvature operator, as well as

an enriched set of scale selection mechanisms including scale selection based on local extrema over scale, complementary post-smoothing after the computation of non-linear differential invariants and scale selection based on weighted averaging of scale values along feature trajectories over scale.

It is shown how the selected scales of different linear and non-linear interest point detectors can be analyzed for Gaussian blob models. Specifically it is shown that for a rotationally symmetric Gaussian blob model, the scale estimates obtained by weighted scale selection will be similar to the scale estimates obtained from local extrema over scale of scale normalized derivatives for each one of the pure second-order operators. In this respect, no scale compensation is needed between the two types of scale selection approaches. When using post-smoothing, the scale estimates may, however, be different between different types of interest point operators, and it is shown how relative calibration factors can be derived to enable comparable scale estimates for each purely second-order operator and for different amounts of self-similar post-smoothing.

A theoretical analysis of the sensitivity to affine image deformations is presented, and it is shown that the scale estimates obtained from the determinant of the Hessian operator are affine covariant for an anisotropic Gaussian blob model. Among the other purely second-order operators, the Hessian feature strength measure I has the lowest sensitivity to non-uniform scaling transformations, followed by the Laplacian operator and the Hessian feature strength measure II. The predictions from this theoretical analysis agree with experimental results of the repeatability properties of the different interest point detectors under affine and perspective transformations of real image data. A number of less complete results are derived for the level curve curvature operator.
Malthusian Dynamics in a Diverging Europe: Northern Italy, 1650–1881
Authors: Fernihough Alan
Published: September 2012

Recent empirical research questions the validity of using Malthusian theory in preindustrial England. Using real wage and vital rate data for the years 1650–1881, I provide empirical estimates for a different region: Northern Italy. The empirical methodology is theoretically underpinned by a simple Malthusian model, in which population, real wages, and vital rates are determined endogenously. My findings strongly support the existence of a Malthusian economy wherein population growth decreased living standards, which in turn influenced vital rates. However, these results also demonstrate how the system is best characterized as one of weak homeostasis. Furthermore, there is no evidence of Boserupian effects given that increases in population failed to spur any sustained technological progress.
Gender differences in emotional and behavioral disorders and service use among adolescent smokers: A nationwide Israeli study
Authors: Shoval G. , Mansbach-Kleinfeld I. , Farbstein I. , Kanaaneh R. , Valevski A. , Apter A. , Weizman A. , Zalsman G.
Published: September 2012

Marked gender differences have been identified in cigarette smoking. In this study, we aimed to identify the gender-specific emotional and behavioral disorders among adolescent smokers and their consequent utilization of mental health services. We performed a nationwide survey study of an Israeli representative sample of 906 adolescents and their mothers. Mental disorders were assessed using the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) Inventory. Levels of emotional and behavioral difficulties were evaluated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Mental health services use and smoking habits were also assessed. Among non-smoker adolescents there were significant gender differences in almost all SDQ scales: emotional problems, pro-social, hyperactivity/inattention and conduct problems, whereas in the smoker group there was a difference only in the SDQ emotional problems scale (both self- and maternal-rated, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Only marginal difference was noted between males and females in help-seeking for emotional or behavioral problems. Over 50% of both male and female smokers in the study had untreated mental disorders (non-significant gender difference). The well-established gender differences in psychiatric symptomatology narrowed markedly in adolescent smokers; the typical gender difference in disruptive behaviors was lost in the adolescent smoking population. The implications of these findings are particularly relevant to developing more effective gender-specific programs to prevent youth smoking, to facilitate quitting and prepare primary care practitioners to identify mental disorders and behavioral problems in adolescents with a smoking history.
The interaction of subjective experience and attitudes towards specific antipsychotic-related adverse effects in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Fischel T. , Krivoy A. , Kotlarov M. , Zemishlany Z. , Loebstein O. , Jacoby H. , Weizman A.
Published: September 2012

Background:

Discontinuation of antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia patients is a major concern, since it results in relapse and re-hospitalizations. Non-adherence is strongly associated with negative-subjective response to antipsychotics, which is composed of the subjective experience of negative drug effects and attitude towards the treatment.

Objective:

To investigate the elements of subjective experience and subjective attitude towards specific drug-related adverse effects, leading to a generally negative-subjective attitude towards antipsychotics.

Methods:

Schizophrenia inpatients (n = 84) were administered a questionnaire measuring attitude and experience on eight subscales: weight gain, sedation, sexual anhedonia, extra-pyramidal syndrome, affective flattening, excessive sleep, diminished sociability and metabolic syndrome. DAI-30 was used to measure attitude towards drugs, and PANSS to assess psychopathology.

Results:

Weak correlation was found between subjective experience and attitude on most of the subscales. The only strong, albeit inverse, correlation between experience and attitude that was found was with regard to affective flattening, experienced by 37% of the sample, and it also predicted negative drug attitude as measured by the DAI-30, RR: 1.87 (95% CI: 1.06–3.3, df = 1, χ2 = 4.525, P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Negative attitude towards most adverse drug effects did not correlate with personal experience. Drug-related affective flattening should be evaluated routinely, since experiencing it may predict negative attitude towards drugs, potentially leading to poor compliance and relapse.
Oblique collisions of internal wave beams and associated resonances
Authors: Akylas T. R. , Karimi H. H.
Published: September 2012

Quadratic nonlinear interactions between two colliding internal gravity wave beams in a uniformly stratified fluid, and the resulting radiation of secondary beams with frequencies equal to the sum and difference of those of the primary beams, are discussed. The analysis centres on oblique collisions, involving beams that propagate in different vertical planes. The propagation directions of generated secondary beams are deduced from kinematic considerations and the use of radiation conditions, thus extending to oblique collisions previously derived selection rules for plane collisions. Using small-amplitude expansions, radiated-beam profiles at steady state are also computed in terms of the characteristics of the colliding beams. It is pointed out that, for certain oblique collision configurations, radiated beams with frequency equal to the difference of the primary frequencies have unbounded steady-state amplitude. This resonance, which has no counterpart for plane collisions, is further analysed via the solution of an initial-value problem; ignoring dissipation, the transient resonant response grows in time like ${t}^{1/ 2} $, a behaviour akin to that of forced waves at cut-off frequencies.
Morphological and molecular analyses of larval trematodes in the intertidal bivalvePerumytilus purpuratusfrom central Chile
Authors: Muñoz G. , López Z. , Cárdenas L.
Published: September 2012

The bivalvePerumytilus purpuratusis a common species that is widely distributed throughout rocky intertidal zones in Chile. This bivalve is the first intermediate host for three trematode species: one bucephalid (an undetermined species) and two fellodistomids (Proctoeces lintoniand one undetermined species). A few studies based on morphological comparisons, experimental infection and molecular analyses have been performed to ascertain the taxon (at least at the family level) to which these trematodes belong; yet, there remains no clarification about the specific identity of these trematodes. Therefore, in this study, we compared the V4 region nucleotide sequences of the 18S rRNA of these three sporocyst species, classified as morphotypes, found inP. purpuratusand nine adult trematode species from intertidal fishes that are likely definitive hosts for these parasites. The sequences from two of the sporocyst morphotypes matched with adult trematodes from the intertidal fish: type 1 sporocyst was similar toProsorhynchoides carvajali(Bucephalidae), with a mean genetic divergence of 0.78%, and type 2 sporocyst was similar toProctoecessp. (but notP. lintoni), with 0% genetic divergence. The third species (type 3 sporocyst) was classified to the family Fellodistomidae; however, the sequence from this species differed greatly from the three other fellodistomid species documented in the marine fish of Chile and from other fellodistomids in public databases. Moreover, this morphotype has a particular cercarial morphology that greatly differs from other fellodistomid species described thus far. Therefore, this intriguing trematode remains a mystery.
The relationship between nematode infections and ontogeny and diet of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from the Atlantic Rainforest in south-eastern Brazil
Authors: Pereira F.B. , Gomides S.C. , Sousa B.M. , de Souza Lima S. , Luque J.L.
Published: September 2012

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between nematode infection and the ontogeny and diet of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus from a rocky outcrop in the state of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. Eighty-nine of 110 lizards examined (81.9%) harboured nematodes. Two nematode species were identified, namely, Physaloptera lutzi in the stomach and Parapharyngodon bainae in the intestine, with prevalence values of 67.3 and 60.0%, respectively. The lizard diet was composed mainly of ants, other hymenopterans, beetles and flowers of the species Centrosema coriaceum (Fabaceae). Host body size was positively correlated with nematode abundance, with adults more heavily parasitized than juveniles. The consumption of C. coriaceum had a negative effect on the abundance of both nematode species, suggesting that this plant may possess anthelmintic properties. The probability of a higher worm burden in adult hosts is likely linked with a longer exposure time to infective stages. Beetles, ants and hymenopterans appear to be the main intermediate hosts for P. lutzi. In general, ontogeny and diet composition determine the structure of the helminth community in this species of lizard.
Taste, olfactory and food texture reward processing in the brain and the control of appetite
Authors: Rolls Edmund T.
Published: September 2012

Complementary neuronal recordings and functional neuroimaging in human subjects show that the primary taste cortex in the anterior insula provides separate and combined representations of the taste, temperature and texture (including fat texture) of food in the mouth independently of hunger and thus of reward value and pleasantness. One synapse on, in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), these sensory inputs are for some neurons combined by learning with olfactory and visual inputs, and these neurons encode food reward in that they only respond to food when hungry, and in that activations correlate with subjective pleasantness. Cognitive factors, including word-level descriptions, and attention modulate the representation of the reward value of food in the OFC and a region to which it projects, the anterior cingulate cortex. Further, there are individual differences in the representation of the reward value of food in the OFC. It is argued that over-eating and obesity are related in many cases to an increased reward value of the sensory inputs produced by foods, and their modulation by cognition and attention that over-ride existing satiety signals. It is proposed that control of all rather than one or several of these factors that influence food reward and eating may be important in the prevention and treatment of overeating and obesity.
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIVE EUROPEAN DRUG REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEMS
Authors: Franken Margreet , le Polain Maïté , Cleemput Irina , Koopmanschap Marc
Published: September 2012

Objectives: The aim of our study is to compare five European drug reimbursement systems, describe similarities and differences, and obtain insight into their strengths and weaknesses and formulate policy recommendations.

Methods: We used the analytical Hutton Framework to assess in detail drug reimbursement systems in Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Sweden. We investigated policy documents, explored literature, and conducted fifty-seven interviews with relevant stakeholders.

Results: All systems aim to balance three main objectives: system sustainability, equity and quality of care. System impact, however, is mainly assessed by drug expenditure. A national reimbursement agency evaluates reimbursement requests on a case-by-case basis. The minister has discretionary power to alter the reimbursement advice in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. All systems make efforts to increase transparency in the decision-making process but none uses formal hierarchical reimbursement criteria nor applies a cost-effectiveness threshold value. Policies to deal with uncertainty vary: financial risk-sharing by price/volume contracts (France, Belgium) versus coverage with evidence development (Sweden, the Netherlands). Although case-by-case revisions are embedded in some systems for specific groups of drugs, systematic (group) revisions are limited.

Conclusions: As shared strengths, all systems have clear objectives reflected in reimbursement criteria and all are prepared to pay for drugs with sufficient added value. However, all systems could improve the transparency of the decision-making process; especially appraisal lacks transparency. Systems could increase the use of (systematic) revisions and could make better use of HTA (among others cost-effectiveness) to obtain value for money and ensure system sustainability.
Identifying the seasonal origins of human campylobacteriosis
Authors: STRACHAN N. J. C. , ROTARIU O. , SMITH-PALMER A. , COWDEN J. , SHEPPARD S. K. , O'BRIEN S. J. , MAIDEN M. C. J. , MACRAE M. , BESSELL P. R. , MATTHEWS L. , REID S. W. J. , INNOCENT G. T. , OGDEN I. D. , FORBES K. J.
Published: September 2012

Human campylobacteriosis exhibits a distinctive seasonality in temperate regions. This paper aims to identify the origins of this seasonality. Clinical isolates [typed by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST)] and epidemiological data were collected from Scotland. Young rural children were found to have an increased burden of disease in the late spring due to strains of non-chicken origin (e.g. ruminant and wild bird strains from environmental sources). In contrast the adult population had an extended summer peak associated with chicken strains. Travel abroad and UK mainland travel were associated with up to 17% and 18% of cases, respectively. International strains were associated with chicken, had a higher diversity than indigenous strains and a different spectrum of MLST types representative of these countries. Integrating empirical epidemiology and molecular subtyping can successfully elucidate the seasonal components of human campylobacteriosis. The findings will enable public health officials to focus strategies to reduce the disease burden.
Analysis of a two-phase model describing the growth of solid tumors
Authors: ESCHER JOACHIM , MATIOC ANCA-VOICHITA
Published: September 2012

In this paper we consider a two-phase model describing the growth of avascular solid tumors when taking into account the effects of cell-to-cell adhesion and taxis due to nutrient. The tumor is surrounded by healthy tissue which is the source of nutrient for tumor cells. In a three-dimensional context, we prove that the mathematical formulation corresponds to a well-posed problem, and find radially symmetric steady-state solutions of the problem. They appear in the regime where the rate of cell apoptosis to cell proliferation is less than the far field nutrient concentration. Furthermore, we study the stability properties of those radially symmetric equilibria and find, depending on the biophysical parameters involved in the problem, both stable and unstable regimes for tumor growth.
Quand dire, c'est édulcorer et occulter: l'euphémisme dans l'information médiatique
Authors: LÓPEZ DÍAZ MONTSERRAT
Published: September 2012

Cet article se propose d'interroger la notion d'euphémisme dans deux versants qu'on lui a grossièrement reconnus sans vraiment les définir: d'un côté, on l'a associé à la politesse et à la prudence, et de l'autre à la volonté de tromper. À partir d'un corpus médiatique on tentera, dans un premier temps, de mettre en œuvre les mécanismes sémantico-énonciatifs qui sous-tendent cette hypothétique double euphémisation, compte tenu de la dépendance contextuelle du procédé. Ensuite sera analysé le rapport de l'euphémisme aux notions connexes de langue de bois et de politiquement correct. Puis on abordera le phénomène du non-compromis énonciatif, allié de l'euphémisme par l'omission de l'agent réalisant l'action, et de l'idéologie du dire de convenance. On soulèvera, pour terminer, la question de la variation stylistique selon laquelle les procédés substitutifs sembleraient parfois conçus dans le but d'éviter des répétitions plutôt qu'en raison d'un quelconque besoin d'adoucir les propos, et de la variation contextuelle qui convoque la même expression avec des valeurs opposées en fonction de son entourage linguistique.
Healthy conversation skills: increasing competence and confidence in front-line staff
Authors: Black Christina , Lawrence Wendy , Cradock Sue , Ntani Georgia , Tinati Tannaze , Jarman Megan , Begum Rufia , Inskip Hazel , Cooper Cyrus , Barker Mary , Baird Janis
Published: September 2012

Objective

(i) To assess change in confidence in having conversations that support parents with healthy eating and physical activity post-training. (ii) To assess change in staff competence in using ‘open discovery’ questions (those generally beginning with ‘how’ and ‘what’ that help individuals reflect and identify barriers and solutions) post-training. (iii) To examine the relationship between confidence and competence post-training.

Design

A pre–post evaluation of ‘Healthy Conversation Skills’, a staff training intervention.

Setting

Sure Start Children's Centres in Southampton, England.

Subjects

A total of 145 staff working in Sure Start Children's Centres completed the training, including play workers (43 %) and community development or family support workers (35 %).

Results

We observed an increase in median confidence rating for having conversations about healthy eating and physical activity (both P < 0·001), and in using ‘open discovery’ questions (P < 0·001), after staff attended the ‘Healthy Conversation Skills’ training. We also found a positive relationship between the use of ‘open discovery’ questions and confidence in having conversations about healthy eating post-training (r = 0·21, P = 0·01), but a non-significant trend was observed for having conversations about physical activity (r = 0·15, P = 0·06).

Conclusions

The ‘Healthy Conversation Skills’ training proved effective at increasing the confidence of staff working at Sure Start Children's Centres to have more productive conversations with parents about healthy eating. Wider implementation of these skills may be a useful public health nutrition capacity building strategy to help community workers support families with young children to eat more healthy foods.
FORMALIZATION, PRIMITIVE CONCEPTS, AND PURITY
Authors: BALDWIN JOHN T.
Published: September 2012

We emphasize the role of the choice of vocabulary in formalization of a mathematical area and remark that this is a particular preoccupation of logicians. We use this framework to discuss Kennedy’s notion of ‘formalism freeness’ in the context of various schools in model theory. Then we clarify some of the mathematical issues in recent discussions of purity in the proof of the Desargues proposition. We note that the conclusion of ‘spatial content’ from the Desargues proposition involves arguments which are algebraic and even metamathematical. Hilbert showed that the Desargues proposition implies the coordinatizing ring is associative, which in turn implies the existence of a three-dimensional geometry in which the given plane can be embedded. With W. Howard we give a new proof, removing Hilbert’s ‘detour’ through algebra, of the ‘geometric’ embedding theorem.

Finally, our investigation of purity leads to the conclusion that even the introduction of explicit definitions in a proof can violate purity. We argue that although both involve explicit definition, our proof of the embedding theorem is pure while Hilbert’s is not. Thus the determination of whether an argument is pure turns on the content of the particular proof. Moreover, formalizing the situation does not provide a tool for characterizing purity.
Effect of a solar flare on a traveling atmospheric disturbance
Authors: Qian Liying , Burns Alan G. , Liu Hanli , Chamberlin Phillip C.
Published: September 2012

It is known that the sudden injection of energy during geomagnetic storms can excite atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) or traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs). Together with large‐scale circulation, these AGWs/TADs transport energy and momentum away from their sources. In this paper, we investigate possible involvement of AGWs/TADs during solar flares. Model simulations of an X17 flare that occurred on October 28, 2003 shows that AGWs/TADS contributed to flare energy transport from the sunlit South‐Pole region to the nightside equatorial region in 3–4 h, resulting in ∼10% nightside equatorial neutral density enhancement in the upper thermosphere. These nightside AGWs/TADs have a phase speed on the order of ∼750 m/s and a horizontal wavelength on the order of 4000 km. Enhanced solar heating to the thermosphere through enhanced ionization during flares occurs on the entire dayside, with the spatial scale of the increased solar heating being too large to excite AGWs/TADs. Further analysis revealed that strong localized enhancement of Joule heating was produced during the October 28, 2003 flare. This sudden injection of the localized heating, together with preexisting AGWs/TADs excited by moderate geomagnetic activity prior to the flare, produced intensified AGWs/TADs, which propagated energy and momentum to the equatorial region. On the other hand, model simulations showed that, under assumed geomagnetically quiet conditions, strong localized enhancement of Joule heating and AGWs/TADs were not produced during the flare. This interplay between geomagnetic activity and solar flares can be a challenge to space weather monitoring, specification, and forecasting.
Multi‐technique equation of state for Fe2SiO4melt and the density of Fe‐bearing silicate melts from 0 to 161 GPa
Authors: Thomas Claire W. , Liu Qiong , Agee Carl B. , Asimow Paul D. , Lange Rebecca A.
Published: September 2012

We have conducted new equation of state measurements on liquid Fe2SiO4in a collaborative, multi‐technique study. The liquid density (ρ), the bulk modulus (K), and its pressure derivative (K′) were measured from 1 atm to 161 GPa using 1‐atm double‐bob Archimedean, multi‐anvil sink/float, and shock wave techniques. Shock compression results on initially molten Fe2SiO4 (1573 K) fitted with previous work and the ultrasonically measured bulk sound speed (Co) in shock velocity (US)‐particle velocity (up) space yields the Hugoniot: US = 1.58(0.03) up + 2.438(0.005) km/s. Sink/float results are in agreement with shock wave and ultrasonic data, consistent with an isothermal KT = 19.4 GPa and K′ = 5.33 at 1500°C. Shock melting of initially solid Fe2SiO4 (300 K) confirms that the Grüneisen parameter (γ) of this liquid increases upon compression where γ = γo(ρo/ρ)q yields a qvalue of –1.45. Constraints on the liquid fayalite EOS permit the calculation of isentropes for silicate liquids of general composition in the multicomponent system CaO‐MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2‐FeO at elevated temperatures and pressures. In our model a whole mantle magma ocean would first crystallize in the mid‐lower mantle or at the base of the mantle were it composed of either peridotite or simplified “chondrite” liquid, respectively. In regards to the partial melt hypothesis to explain the occurrence and characteristics of ultra‐low velocity zones, neither of these candidate liquids would be dense enough to remain at the core mantle boundary on geologic timescales, but our model defines a compositional range of liquids that would be gravitationally stable.
Aerosol climatology in an Alpine valley
Authors: Wuttke Sigrid , Kreuter Axel , Blumthaler Mario
Published: September 2012

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) is measured with a Precision Filter Radiometer in Innsbruck, Austria, from 2007 to 2011. The 5‐year time series is analyzed with respect to the Ångström parameterα and quadratic coefficient γ. Information on the aerosol size distribution is obtained by adopting a graphical framework showing the particle fine mode fraction as well as the effective fine mode radius. The aerosol conditions in Innsbruck reveal a typical midlatitudinal pattern for continental urban sites with low pollution. Small particles originating from traffic pollution as well as natural sources dominate leading to an overall mean α of 1.53 +/− 0.28 and γ of −0.54 +/− 0.25. Low AOD at 500 nm is observed in winter with multiannual monthly means as low as 0.08 and higher AOD in spring and summer with multiannual monthly means up to 0.18. The maximum daily mean AOD at 500 nm always remains below 0.5. Special events such as Saharan dust events or presence of volcanic ash are detected and discussed.
Iron mineralogy of the surface of Mars from the 1 μm band spectral properties
Authors: Carrozzo F. G. , Altieri F. , Bellucci G. , Poulet F. , D'Aversa E. , Bibring J.‐P.
Published: September 2012

We study the 1 μm absorption from OMEGA/MEX spectra to map Martian iron mineralogy at a global scale. This band is covered on the left by the VNIR (visible and near infrared) OMEGA channel and on the right by the SWIR (short wavelengths infrared) one. We first perform a systematic spatial coregistration of the two channels after an improvement of the VNIR radiometric calibration. The update of the VNIR Instrumental Transfer Function (ITF) and the internal stray‐light estimation is based on the spectra of the Phobos red units and of the water ice north polar cap of Mars, which have been fitted according to an iterative process. The level of the signal in the blue wavelength range, previously systematically overestimated due to a stray‐light residual and the general shape of the spectrum forλ > 0.7 μm are improved . Global maps of the 1 μm signature have been derived from 9 new spectral indices. The largest values of the 1 μm band integral are found in Noachian terrains and in the dunes around the north polar cap. In the south polar region, an area centered at ∼155°W and ∼83°S is mapped as a distinctive spectral unit, dominated by pyroxene. The northern lowlands of Mars together with other dark terrains located in the northern hemisphere show very low values of some spectral indices due to the negative spectral slope in the NIR. This behavior is consistent with the presence of weathered basalts with a possible glassy or amorphous component. Among the hydrated terrains, the only ones that can be isolated by studying the 1 μm band are those located in Terra Meridiani, Aram Chaos and Capri Chasma, enriched in sulfate and hematite. On the other hand, the sulfates of the dark dunes surrounding the northern polar cap and the phyllosilicates of the bright hydrated deposits of Mawrth Vallis cannot be isolated combining the parameters used in this study. This suggests that their distinctive mineralogy does not affect the 1 μm band, remaining similar to the global Martian average shape.
Stroke Induces Long-Lasting Deficits in the Temporal Fidelity of Sensory Processing in the Somatosensory Cortex
Authors: Sweetnam Danielle A , Brown Craig E
Published: September 2012

Recovery from stroke is rarely complete as humans and experimental animals typically show lingering deficits in sensory function. One explanation for limited recovery could be that rewired cortical networks do not process sensory stimuli with the same temporal precision as they normally would. To examine how well peri-infarct and more distant cortical networks process successive vibrotactile stimulations of the affected forepaw (a measure of temporal fidelity), we imaged cortical depolarizations with millisecond temporal resolution using voltage-sensitive dyes. In control mice, paired forepaw stimulations (ranging from 50 to 200 milliseconds apart) induced temporally distinct depolarizations in primary forelimb somatosensory (FLS1) cortex, and to a lesser extent in secondary FLS (FLS2) cortex. For mice imaged 3 months after stroke, the first forepaw stimulus reliably evoked a strong depolarization in the surviving region of FLS1 and FLS2 cortex. However, depolarizations to subsequent forepaw stimuli were significantly reduced or completely absent (for stimuli ≤100 milliseconds apart) in the FLS1 cortex, whereas FLS2 responses were relatively unaffected. Our data reveal that stroke induces long-lasting impairments in how well the rewired FLS1 cortex processes temporal aspects of sensory stimuli. Future therapies directed at enhancing the temporal fidelity of cortical circuits may be necessary for achieving full recovery of sensory functions.
Cytochalasin D enhances the accumulation of a protease‐resistant form of prion protein in ScN2a cells: involvement of PI3 kinase/Akt signalling pathway
Authors: Takenouchi Takato , Iwamaru Yoshifumi , Imamura Morikazu , Fukuhara Shigetomo , Sugama Shuei , Sato Mitsuru , Mochizuki Naoki , Hashimoto Makoto , Yokoyama Takashi , Mohri Shirou , Kitani Hiroshi
Published: September 2012

The conversion of a host‐encoded PrPsen (protease‐sensitive cellular prion protein) into a PrPres (protease‐resistant pathogenic form) is a key process in the pathogenesis of prion diseases, but the intracellular mechanisms underlying PrPres amplification in prion‐infected cells remain elusive. To assess the role of cytoskeletal proteins in the regulation of PrPres amplification, the effects of cytoskeletal disruptors on PrPres accumulation in ScN2a cells that were persistently infected with the scrapie Chandler strain have been examined. Actin microfilament disruption with cytochalasin D enhanced PrPres accumulation in ScN2a cells. In contrast, the microtubule‐disrupting agents, colchicine, nocodazole and paclitaxel, had no effect on PrPres accumulation. In addition, a PI3K (phosphoinositide 3‐kinase) inhibitor, wortmannin and an Akt kinase inhibitor prevented the cytochalasin D‐induced enhancement of PrPres accumulation. Cytochalasin D‐induced extension of neurite‐like processes might correlate with enhanced accumulation of PrPres. The results suggest that the actin cytoskeleton and PI3K/Akt pathway are involved in the regulation of PrPres accumulation in prion‐infected cells.
International Research and Variation in Views of Ethnicity
Authors: Inglebret Ella , Skinder-Meredith Amy , Bailey Shana , Jones Carla , France Ashley
Published: September 2012

The authors in this article first identify the extent to which research articles published in three American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) journals included participants, age birth to 18 years, from international backgrounds (i.e., residence outside of the United States), and go on to describe associated publication patterns over the past 12 years. These patterns then provide a context for examining variation in the conceptualization of ethnicity on an international scale. Further, the authors examine terminology and categories used by 11 countries where research participants resided. Each country uses a unique classification system. Thus, it can be expected that descriptions of the ethnic characteristics of international participants involved in research published in ASHA journal articles will widely vary.
Consistency of Likeability of Objects across Views and Time
Authors: Niimi Ryosuke , Watanabe Katsumi
Published: September 2012

Subjective impressions of face images (eg personality trait judgments) are consistent across exposure durations and viewpoints. In this study, we investigated whether subjective likeability of common non-face objects would also be consistent. Participants rated the likeability of 32 common objects (eg chair, car, and kettle). Although the rated likeability scores were generally higher for objects shown in three-quarter views than for the same objects shown in full-frontal views, object-wise correlations across the views were significant (experiment 1). The likeability ratings based on brief exposure duration (eg 100 ms) also significantly correlated with those based on unlimited exposure duration (experiment 2). Even when the duration was brief, the consistency across the views was replicated. The findings confirmed that the subjective likeability of common objects is consistent and the process underlying it is efficient, similar to those of faces. However, the mean rated likeability was higher for longer exposure durations, suggesting a negative bias for briefly observed objects. Since this bias is contrary to previously reported findings for faces, the mechanisms for determining subjective likeability of common objects may be partially different from those of faces.
Source Finding and Visualisation
Authors: Koribalski Bärbel S.
Published: September 2012

Large radio surveys such as those proposed for several SKA pathfinder and precursor telescopes require (automated) source-finding algorithms that are highly reliable, complete, and fast. Similarly, sophisticated visualisation tools are needed to explore the resulting survey data together with their multi-wavelength counterparts.

In this PASA Special Issue on Source Finding and Visualisation, several advanced source-finding algorithms, including novel methods for radio continuum, polarisation and spectral line surveys are described, tested and compared. The process of finding sources can be considered one of many important steps (e.g., pre-processing, source finding and characterisation, cataloguing/post-processing) in the production of astronomical source catalogues, on which much of the survey science is based.

The Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP), equipped with novel Chequerboard phased array feeds, will be a powerful 21-cm survey machine. For the large volumes of ASKAP data, a special version of Duchamp, called Selavy, is being developed in consultation with the ASKAP survey science teams (Whiting & Humphreys 2012). Extensive testing and comparisons of existing and new source-finding algorithms were carried out for this PASA Special Issue and are presented by Westmeier, Popping & Serra (2012), Westerlund, Harris & Westmeier (2012), Popping et al. (2012), Huynh et al. (2012), Hollitt & Johnston-Hollitt (2012), Walsh et al. (2012), George, Stil & Keller (2012), Marsh & Jarrett (2012), Allison, Sadler & Whiting (2012) and Jurek & Brown (2012). An overview on spectral line source finding and visualisation is given by Koribalski (2012), while Hassan, Fluke & Barnes (2012) look into real-time 3D volume rendering of large (Tbytes) astronomical data cubes.
Changes in muscle composition during the development of diving ability in the Australian fur seal
Authors: LaRosa Domenic A. , Cannata David J. , Arnould John P. Y. , O'Sullivan Lynda A. , Snow Rod J. , West Jan M.
Published: September 2012

During development the Australian fur seal transitions from a terrestrial, maternally dependent pup to an adult marine predator. Adult seals have adaptations that allow them to voluntarily dive at depth for long periods, including increased bradycardic control, increased myoglobin levels and haematocrit. To establish whether the profile of skeletal muscle also changes in line with the development of diving ability, biopsy samples were collected from the trapezius muscle of pups, juveniles and adults. The proportions of different fibre types and their oxidative capacity were determined. Only oxidative fibre types (Type I and IIa) were identified, with a significant change in proportions from pup to adult. There was no change in oxidative capacity of Type I and IIa fibres between pups and juveniles but there was a two-fold increase between juveniles and adults. Myoglobin expression increased between pups and juveniles, suggesting improved oxygen delivery, but with no increase in oxidative capacity, oxygen utilisation within the muscle may still be limited. Adult muscle had the highest oxidative capacity, suggesting that fibres are able to effectively utilise available oxygen during prolonged dives. Elevated levels of total creatine in the muscles of juveniles may act as an energy buffer when fibres are transitioning from a fast to slow fibre type.
Isolation and characterisation via 454 sequencing of microsatellites from the tawny frogmouth, Podargus strigoides (Class Aves, Family Podargidae)
Authors: Hogan Fiona E. , Weaving Marian , Johnston Gregory R.
Published: September 2012

We isolated 24 novel polymorphic microsatellite markers from the tawny frogmouth, a nocturnal bird endemic to Australia, which has successfully adapted to urban environments. Initially, 454 shotgun sequencing was used to identify 733 loci with primers designed. Of these, we trialled 30 in the target species of which all amplified a product of expected size. Subsequently, all 30 of these loci were screened for variation in 25 individuals, from a single population in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Twenty-eight loci were polymorphic with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.03 to 0.96 (mean 0.58) and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 18 (average of 6.5); we confirmed that 24 loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectations. The 24 loci identified here will be sufficient to unequivocally identify individuals and will be useful in understanding the reproductive ecology, population genetics and the gene flow amongst localities in urban environments where this bird thrives.
Interplay between electrical activity and bone morphogenetic protein signaling regulates spinal neuron differentiation
Authors: Swapna Immani , Borodinsky Laura N.
Published: September 2012

A gradient of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) along the dorsoventral axis of the spinal cord is necessary for the specification of dorsal neurons. Concurrently, a gradient of calcium-mediated electrical activity is present in the developing spinal cord but in an opposing ventrodorsal direction. Whether BMPs and electrical activity interact in embryonic spinal neurons remains unknown. We show that BMP decreases electrical activity by enhancing p38 MAPK-mediated negative modulation of voltage-gated sodium channels. In turn, electrical activity affects the phosphorylation status and nuclear level of activated Smads, the canonical components of BMP signaling. This interaction between calcium spike activity and BMP signaling regulates the specification of the dorsal commissural spinal neuron phenotype. The present study identifies an unexpected interplay between BMPs and electrical activity that is critical for decoding the morphogen gradient during spinal neuron differentiation.
A kinetic clutch governs religation by type IB topoisomerases and determines camptothecin sensitivity
Authors: Seol Yeonee , Zhang Hongliang , Pommier Yves , Neuman Keir C.
Published: September 2012

Type IB topoisomerases (Top1Bs) relax excessive DNA supercoiling associated with replication and transcription by catalyzing a transient nick in one strand to permit controlled rotation of the DNA about the intact strand. The natural compound camptothecin (CPT) and the cancer chemotherapeutics derived from it, irinotecan and topotecan, are highly specific inhibitors of human nuclear Top1B (nTop1). Previous work on vaccinia Top1B led to an elegant model that describes a straightforward dependence of rotation and religation on the torque caused by supercoiling. Here, we used a single-molecule DNA supercoil relaxation assay to measure the torque dependence of nTop1 and its inhibition by CPT. For comparison, we also examined mitochondrial Top1B and an N-terminal deletion mutant of nTop1. Despite substantial sequence homology in their core domains, nTop1 and mitochondrial Top1B exhibit dramatic differences in sensitivity to torque and CPT, with the N-terminal deletion mutant of nTop1 showing intermediate characteristics. In particular, nTop1 displays nearly torque-independent religation probability, distinguishing it from other Top1B enzymes studied to date. Kinetic modeling reveals a hitherto unobserved torque-independent transition linking the DNA rotation and religation phases of the enzymatic cycle. The parameters of this transition determine the torque sensitivity of religation and the efficiency of CPT binding. This “kinetic clutch” mechanism explains the molecular basis of CPT sensitivity and more generally provides a framework with which to interpret Top1B activity and inhibition.
The politics of gender transitioning in Italy
Authors: Garosi Eleonora
Published: September 2012

In Western societies the sex–gender binary informs individual experiences of gender transitioning. As with every passage of status, gender transition is regulated by formal and social norms aimed at re-establishing the ‘proper’ correspondence between sex and gender. In Italy, national legislation regulates the formal process of transforming one's gender, identifying medical science as the ‘proper’ social authority to manage gender transitioning in society. Only trans people who conform to social standards of sexual ‘normality’ are allowed to officially change their gender. However, in everyday life, alternative modes of gender transitioning exist and constitute a solid foundation to claim formal recognition by the State. This study is based on a qualitative sociological investigation of the process of gender transitioning in Italy that was carried out in Turin between 2008 and 2010.