bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ionic conductivity and dielectric relaxation in Y doped La2Mo2O9 oxide-ion conductors
Authors: Paul T. , Ghosh A.
Published: October 2014

In this work, we have studied electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of polycrystalline La2−xYxMo2O9 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) compounds in the temperature range from 358 K to 1088 K and the frequency range from 10 Hz to 3 GHz. The bulk and grain boundary contributions to the overall conductivity of these compounds show Arrhenius type behavior at low temperatures. The random free-energy barrier model has been used to analyze the frequency dependence of the conductivity. The charge carrier relaxation time and its activation energy have been determined from the analysis of the conductivity spectra using this model. The results obtained from the random free-energy barrier model satisfy Barton-Nakajima-Namikawa relation. The conduction mechanism has been also predicted using random free-energy barrier model and the scaling formalism. We have observed that the dielectric relaxation peaks arise from the diffusion of oxygen ions via vacancies.
A novel planar ion funnel design for miniature ion optics
Authors: Chaudhary A. , van Amerom Friso H. W. , Short R. T.
Published: October 2014

The novel planar ion funnel (PIF) design presented in this article emphasizes simple fabrication, assembly, and operation, making it amenable to extreme miniaturization. Simulations performed in SIMION 8.0 indicate that ion focusing can be achieved by using a gradient of electrostatic potentials on concentric metal rings in a plane. A prototype was fabricated on a 35 × 35 mm custom-designed printed circuit board (PCB) with a center hole for ions to pass through and a series of concentric circular metal rings of increasing diameter on the front side of the PCB. Metal vias on the PCB electrically connected each metal ring to a resistive potential divider that was soldered on the back of the PCB. The PIF was tested at 5.5 × 10−6 Torr in a vacuum test setup that was equipped with a broad-beam ion source on the front and a micro channel plate (MCP) ion detector on the back of the PIF. The ion current recorded on the MCP anode during testing indicated a 23× increase in the ion transmission through the PIF when electric potentials were applied to the rings. These preliminary results demonstrate the functionality of a 2D ion funnel design with a much smaller footprint and simpler driving electronics than conventional 3D ion funnels. Future directions to improve the design and a possible micromachining approach to fabrication are discussed in the conclusions.
Plasmonic nanoring fabrication tuned to pitch: Efficient, deterministic, and large scale realization of ultra-small gaps for next generation plasmonic devices
Authors: Lehr D. , Alaee R. , Filter R. , Dietrich K. , Siefke T. , Rockstuhl C. , Lederer F. , Kley E.-B. , Tünnermann A.
Published: October 2014

A double-patterning process for scalable, efficient, and deterministic nanoring array fabrication is presented. It enables gaps and features below a size of 20 nm. A writing time of 3 min/cm2 makes this process extremely appealing for scientific and industrial applications. Numerical simulations are in agreement with experimentally measured optical spectra. Therefore, a platform and a design tool for upcoming next generation plasmonic devices like hybrid plasmonic quantum systems are delivered.
Effects of carbon on phosphorus diffusion in SiGe:C and the implications on phosphorus diffusion mechanisms
Authors: Lin Yiheng , Yasuda Hiroshi , Schiekofer Manfred , Benna Bernhard , Wise Rick , Xia Guangrui (Maggie)
Published: October 2014

The use of carbon (C) in SiGe base layers is an important approach to control the base layer dopant phosphorus (P) diffusion and thus enhance PNP heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) performance. This work quantitatively investigated the carbon impacts on P diffusion in Si0.82Ge0.18:C and Si:C under rapid thermal anneal conditions. The carbon molar fraction is up to 0.32%. The results showed that the carbon retardation effect on P diffusion is less effective for Si0.82Ge0.18:C than for Si:C. In Si0.82Ge0.18:C, there is an optimum carbon content at around 0.05% to 0.1%, beyond which more carbon incorporation does not retard P diffusion any more. This behavior is different from the P diffusion behavior in Si:C and the B in Si:C and low Ge SiGe:C, which can be explained by the decreased interstitial-mediated diffusion fraction fIP, SiGe to 95% as Ge content increases to 18%. Empirical models were established to calculate the time-averaged point defect concentrations and effective diffusivities as a function of carbon and was shown to agree with previous studies on boron, phosphorus, arsenic and antimony diffusion with carbon.
Monte Carlo study of efficiency roll-off of phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes: Evidence for dominant role of triplet-polaron quenching
Authors: van Eersel H. , Bobbert P. A. , Janssen R. A. J. , Coehoorn R.
Published: October 2014

We present an advanced molecular-scale organic light-emitting diode (OLED) model, integrating both electronic and excitonic processes. Using this model, we can reproduce the measured efficiency roll-off for prototypical phosphorescent OLED stacks based on the green dye tris[2-phenylpyridine]iridium (Ir(ppy)3) and the red dye octaethylporphine platinum (PtOEP) and study the cause of the roll-off as function of the current density. Both the voltage versus current density characteristics and roll-off agree well with experimental data. Surprisingly, the results of the simulations lead us to conclude that, contrary to what is often assumed, not triplet-triplet annihilation but triplet-polaron quenching is the dominant mechanism causing the roll-off under realistic operating conditions. Simulations for devices with an optimized recombination profile, achieved by carefully tuning the dye trap depth, show that it will be possible to fabricate OLEDs with a drastically reduced roll-off. It is envisaged that J90, the current density at which the efficiency is reduced to 90%, can be increased by almost one order of magnitude as compared to the experimental state-of-the-art.
60 keV Ar+-ion induced modification of microstructural, compositional, and vibrational properties of InSb
Authors: Datta D. P. , Garg S. K. , Satpati B. , Sahoo P. K. , Kanjilal A. , Dhara S. , Kanjilal D. , Som T.
Published: October 2014

Room temperature irradiation of InSb(111) by 60 keV Ar+-ions at normal (0°) and oblique (60°) angles of incidence led to the formation of nanoporous structure in the high fluence regime of 1 × 1017 to 3 × 1018 ions cm−2. While a porous layer comprising of a network of interconnected nanofibers was generated by normal ion incidence, evolution of plate-like structures was observed for obliquely incident ions. Systematic studies of composition and structure using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman mapping, grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed a high degree of oxidation of the ion-induced microstructures with the presence of In2O3 and Sb2O3 phases and presence of nanocrystallites within the nanoporous structures. The observed structural evolution was understood in terms of processes driven by ion-induced defect accumulation within InSb.
Roles of Li and Ta in Pb-free piezoelectric (Na,K)NbO3 ceramics
Authors: Sung Y. S.
Published: October 2014

Piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of (Na,K)NbO3 (NKN) is enhanced not only at its morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition but also enhanced at its polymorphic phase transition (PPT) temperature between orthorhombic and tetragonal phases (TO-T). Thus, for NKN-based ceramics, even higher d33 could be obtained if both MPB and PPT are simultaneously optimized. This temperature as well as composition dependence of piezoelectric properties of NKN-based ceramics requires a systematic approach that differentiates factors for MPB and PPT. In this paper, the roles of Li and Ta known to affect d33 and TO-T were identified in relation with lattice parameters.
Excitonic complexes in single zinc-blende GaN/AlN quantum dots grown by droplet epitaxy
Authors: Sergent S. , Kako S. , Bürger M. , Schupp T. , As D. J. , Arakawa Y.
Published: October 2014

We study by microphotoluminescence the optical properties of single zinc-blende GaN/AlN quantum dots grown by droplet epitaxy. We show evidences of both excitonic and multiexcitonic recombinations in individual quantum dots with radiative lifetimes shorter than 287 ± 8 ps. Owing to large band offsets and a large exciton binding energy, the excitonic recombinations of single zinc-blende GaN/AlN quantum dots can be observed up to 300 K.
Studies on NdxIn1−xO3 semiconducting thin films prepared by rf magnetron sputtering
Authors: Lin Zhenguo , Lan Linfeng , Xiao Peng , Sun Sheng , Li Yuzhi , Song Wei , Gao Peixiong , Peng Junbiao
Published: October 2014

Neodymium-substituted indium oxide (NdxIn1−xO3, NIO) semiconducting thin films fabricated by rf sputtering were investigated. It was found that the incorporation of Nd atoms would lead to broadening the optical band gap, suppressing the grain growth, and reducing the free carrier concentration. The field-effect transistors with different NIO (5%, 15%, and 25% Nd concentration of the targets) channel layers exhibited similar electrical stability under positive gate-bias-stress, but the ones with 15% and 25% Nd concentration displayed much better stability under negative gate-bias-stress. Detailed studies showed that the content of |Nd3d5/254f4O2p−1> electron configuration decreased as the Nd concentration increased, resulting in the reduction of holes during negative-bias-stress. And the reduction of the |Nd3d5/254f4O2p−1> content as the Nd concentration increased was ascribed to less overlap between the metal and ligand orbitals arose from large lattice expansion.
High-rate performance of ferroelectric BaTiO3-coated LiCoO2 for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Teranishi Takashi , Yoshikawa Yumi , Sakuma Ryo , Hashimoto Hideki , Hayashi Hidetaka , Kishimoto Akira , Fujii Tatsuo
Published: October 2014

The high charge–discharge rate characteristics of composite cathodes consisting of ferroelectric BaTiO3 (BT)-coated LiCoO2 (LC), synthesized via a simple sol–gel route, were evaluated, and the rate showed stepwise increases to as high as 5C. The LC–BT composite cathode annealed at 600 °C, LC–BT–600, notably retained high capacities, i.e., 122 mAh/g at 30 cycles, 5C and 99 mAh/g at 60 cycles, 5C. These capacities corresponded to 83% and 67% of the initial values and were as high as 158% and 245% of the capacities of bare LC over the same cycles, respectively. The ferroelectricity of the coated BT contributed to the improvement in high-rate performance.
Regional differences in the reproductive parameters of the sparsely-spotted stingaree, Urolophus paucimaculatus, from south-eastern Australia
Authors: Trinnie Fabian I. , Walker Terence I. , Jones Paul L. , Laurenson Laurie J.
Published: October 2014

Whether spatial variation occurs in the life-history traits of chondrichthyan species is important to fisheries modelling and assessments. A study on the reproductive parameters of Urolophus paucimaculatus from four separate regions across south-eastern Australia found regional differences in maximum total length (TL), size-at-maturity, size-at-maternity and litter sizes. Inshore embayments (Port Phillip Bay (PPB) and Corner Inlet (CI)) appear to allow for larger TLs (females and males) than do offshore areas (Lakes Entrance (LE) and Western Bass Strait (WBS)). Size-at-maturity and size-at-maternity decreased across longitude from west (PPB) to east (LE) and seasonality of parturition and ovulation occurred earlier in PPB (August–October) than in LE (September–December). Maximum litter size correlated with maximum TL (six in PPB, five in each of CI and LE, and four in WBS). There was uncertainty in classifying females for maternal condition because the reproductive cycle appears to range from a continuous annual cycle to a non-continuous biennial cycle. Much of the uncertainty arises from the ambiguity of observation of non-pregnant mature females, which have either aborted through capture and handling, or are in a ‘resting year’ between pregnancies. Most likely, the majority are reproducing annually with an unknown proportion of females non-continuous and resting between pregnancies.
Age and growth of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) in the north-western Pacific
Authors: Hsu Hua Hsun , Joung Shoou Jeng , Hueter Robert E. , Liu Kwang Ming
Published: October 2014

This study estimated age and growth of the largest extant fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus) by counting vertebral band pairs from 92 specimens comprising 43 males (2.68–9.88 m total length [TL]), 30 females (1.60–7.02 m TL), and 19 unsexed individuals (2.83–6.67 m TL) taken by Taiwanese commercial fisheries during 2001–06. Growth band pairs up to 25 and 42 were counted for a 6.38-m TL female and a 9.88-m TL male, respectively. Using marginal increment ratio and centrum edge analysis, band pairs were postulated to be formed twice a year. The two-parameter von Bertalanffy growth function provided the best fit without significant differences between sexes. Growth parameters were calculated for both sexes as L∞ = 16.80 m TL, k = 0.037 year–1; annual band pair formation would modify these parameters to L∞ = 15.34 m TL, k = 0.021 year–1. Using data reported in another study for 50% size at maturity for males (8.1 m TL), and the largest immature and smallest mature females (8.7 and 9.6 m TL, respectively) in the Indo-Pacific, these TLs converted to ages at maturity of 17 years for males and 19–22 years for females. The longevity was calculated to be 80.4 years.
Soil fertility changes following conversion of grassland to oil palm
Authors: Nelson P. N. , Banabas M. , Nake S. , Goodrick I. , Webb M. J. , Gabriel E.
Published: October 2014

Impacts of palm oil industry expansion on biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions might be mitigated if future plantings replace grassland rather than forest. However, the trajectory of soil fertility following planting of oil palm on grasslands is unknown. We assessed the changes in fertility of sandy volcanic ash soils (0–0.15 m depth) in the first 25 years following conversion of grassland to oil palm in smallholder blocks in Papua New Guinea, using a paired-site approach (nine sites). There were significant decreases in soil pH (from pH 6.1 to 5.7) and exchangeable magnesium (Mg) content following conversion to oil palm but no significant change in soil carbon (C) contents. Analyses to 1.5 m depth at three sites indicated little change in soil properties below 0.5 m. There was considerable variability between sites, despite them being in a similar landscape and having similar profile morphology. Soil Colwell phosphorus (P) and exchangeable potassium (K) contents decreased under oil palm at sites with initially high contents of C, nitrogen, Colwell P and exchangeable cations. We also assessed differences in soil fertility between soil under oil palm (established after clearing forest) and adjacent forest at two sites. At those sites, there was significantly lower soil bulk density, cation exchange capacity and exchangeable calcium, Mg and K under oil palm, but the differences may have been due to less clayey texture at the oil palm sites than the forest sites. Cultivation of oil palm maintained soil structure and fertility in the desirable range, indicating that it is a sustainable endeavour in this environment.
“Coconuts” and the middle-class
Authors: Wilmot Kirstin
Published: October 2014

This paper presents a sociolinguistic investigation of language use in the South African context. It focuses on socio-cultural and subsequent phonetic change in two prestigious secondary school environments in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Adopting a poststructuralist lens, it considers how female isiXhosa mother tongue speakers, who attend private and ex-model-C English schools, are undergoing changes in identity, which are mirrored in the acquisition of a new, prestigious variety of English. The research adopts a Labovian form of data collection, notably the use of sociolinguistic interviews, as well as sociophonetic analysis. The findings suggest that changes in identity construction are evident, both in terms of speech accommodation and cultural assimilation. Middle-class isiXhosa mother tongue speakers are now proficient in both English and isiXhosa, and both languages are used strategically to take up different identity positions. The findings also suggest that a new prestigious English variety is emerging, one that is deracialised, and is associated rather with social class.
Reclaiming Control as a Semantic and Pragmatic Phenomenon
Authors: Duffley Patrick J.
Published: October 2014

This monograph is part of a growing research agenda in which semantics and pragmatics not only complement the grammar, but replace it. The analysis is based on the assumption that human language is not primarily about form, but about form-meaning pairings. This runs counter to the autonomous-syntax postulate underlying Landau (2013)’s Control in Generative Grammar that form must be hived off from meaning and studied separately. Duffley shows control to depend on meaning in combination with inferences based on the nature of the events expressed by the matrix and complement, the matrix subject, the semantic relation between matrix and complement, and a number of other factors.
The conclusions call for a reconsideration of Ariel (2010)’s distinction in Defining Pragmatics between semantics and pragmatics on the basis of cancelability: many control readings are not cancelable although they are pragmatically inferred. It is proposed that the line be drawn rather between what is linguistically expressed and what is not linguistically expressed but still communicated.
Chapter 1. Prelinguistic communication
Authors: Keen Deb
Published: October 2014

For children with autism, the development of intentional and symbolic communication can be a challenging process and some children remain at the prelinguistic stage of communicative development for extended periods. During this time, they rely on communicative behaviours that can be difficult for others to understand and interpret. Communicative forms can be subtle and idiosyncratic and may represent more than one communicative function. This can lead to frustration for the child and the communicative partner who may struggle to understand the meaning of the child’s behaviour. Many communication breakdowns can result and with the child’s limited skills to repair these breakdowns, behaviours can escalate to problematic forms. Research has shown that children with autism have higher rates of problem behaviour which limits opportunities for engagement and learning and for participation in the community. Improving our knowledge and understanding of prelinguistic behaviours may help to reduce problem behaviours and can inform interventions to support these children to communicate their needs and wants more effectively. This chapter explores our current understanding of the prelinguistic communicative forms and functions of children with autism and identifies gaps in our knowledge base and areas in need of further research. The author draws on her work in functional communication and prelinguistic behaviours and communicative repairs.
Chapter 2. Facilitating emergent verbal repertoires in individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disorders
Authors: May Richard J. , Dymond Simon
Published: October 2014

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is the science that underpins several evidence-based interventions currently undertaken with individuals with autism. With its grounding in learning theory, ABA has traditionally approached language instruction via the systematic application of operant conditioning principles (e.g. reinforcement, shaping, generalisation). However, recent advances in a research domain known as derived relational responding indicates that important language skills involving arbitrary stimulus relations may emerge in the absence of a direct training history. Available evidence suggests that the application of these procedures may enhance existing methods of teaching language skills to children with autism and other developmental disorders. The present article reviews the current status of the literature on facilitating emergent communication by relational responding. Studies involving procedures that have facilitated emergent verbal repertoires in individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities are described and evaluated, and further research challenges are discussed.
Chapter 4. Do autism spectrum disorders and specific language impairment have a shared aetiology?
Authors: Taylor Lauren J. , Maybery Murray T. , Whitehouse Andrew J.O.
Published: October 2014

There has been considerable debate in the literature regarding the aetiological relationship between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Specific Language Impairment (SLI). While some authors have suggested that similarities in the language phenotypes of the conditions represent a theoretically significant aetiological overlap, others argue that the overlap is superficial and not reflective of shared causes. This chapter reviews the published literature with regard to the hypothesised aetiological relationship between ASD and SLI. Specifically, we review studies investigating behavioural and linguistic overlap between ASD and SLI, before considering results of neurological and molecular genetic studies. While several studies have highlighted phenotypic similarities between ASD and SLI, there is a considerable degree of inconsistency throughout the literature and current evidence does not support aetiological overlap. Important avenues for future research are investigating whether there are shared neurological and genetic pathways contributing to ASD and SLI.
Chapter 6. Reading for sound and reading for meaning in autism
Authors: Brock Jon , Caruana Nathan
Published: October 2014

In their classic 1983 study, Frith and Snowling reported evidence for a dissociation in autism between intact semantic processing of single words, but relative difficulty on tests of sentence or paragraph comprehension. Here, we revisit the 7 experiments in Frith and Snowling’s paper, in the light of the several dozen subsequent studies that have sought to replicate or extend their findings. We note that Frith and Snowling’s results have stood the test of time remarkably well. There is, however, converging evidence that many of the semantic impairments previously considered to be “autism specific” may in fact be better accounted for by co-occurring language impairment.
Chapter 7. Language and literacy subtypes in young children with a high-functioning autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Jacobs Diane , Richdale Amanda
Published: October 2014

Individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with language and reading abilities that range from far below average to far above average. There is a lack of research investigating the classification of children diagnosed with a high-functioning ASD (HFASD) according to language and reading ability. The present study aimed to explore the language and reading profiles within a group of young children diagnosed with a HFASD and to establish whether or not the language and reading profiles identified within this group were similar to those seen in age-matched children without a diagnosis of ASD. The results showed that children diagnosed with a HFASD present with language and reading ability profiles similar to those of non-ASD peers. Furthermore, regression analyses revealed that the predictors of decoding and also reading comprehension were similar for children with HFASD and their non-ASD peers.
Chapter 8. The use of narrative in studying communication in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Stirling Lesley , Douglas Susan , Leekam Susan , Carey Lucy
Published: October 2014

The construction and communication of narratives is a fundamental and distinctive aspect of our human experience. Investigation of narrative language has been used extensively in studying the impairments in language, communication and cognitive functioning associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). However the field has been characterized by a high degree of inconsistency in research findings and difficulty in drawing clear conclusions about narrative abilities in this diverse clinical population. For a range of measures, studies can be identified which have shown impairments in the narrative abilities of children with ASDs, while other studies show no significant differences when compared with neurotypical populations. In this article we critically review studies of language and communication in ASDs which include narrative data. We consider the range of methodologies used and some of the theoretical assumptions which have shaped these. We also review the findings from the studies and the potential impact that choice of methodological techniques may have had on these results. We address the kind of narrative data studied, the nature of the task used to elicit it, and the modality of presentation of stimulus materials. We provide a definitive picture of the state of play in narrative research on ASDs and propose directions for future research.
Chapter 10. Atypical cerebral lateralisation and language impairment in autism
Authors: Hollier Lauren P. , Maybery Murray T. , Whitehouse Andrew J.O.
Published: October 2014

Autism is among the most severe, prevalent and heritable of all neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the factors causing autism are still unclear. Language difficulties are at the core of autism, and any aetiological theory must incorporate a plausible explanation of this symptom. The development of cerebral lateralisation has long been theorised to be associated with language impairment. This chapter reviews the empirical evidence linking cerebral lateralisation and language impairment in both typical and atypical development, with a particular focus on the communication difficulties characteristic of autism. Potential causal pathways are also considered, such as fetal testosterone exposure. Finally, methodological limitations in this area and future avenues for research are discussed.
Parallel languages in the history of language ideology in Norway and the lesson for Nordic higher education
Authors: Linn Andrew R.
Published: October 2014

This chapter compares recent policy on the use of English and Norwegian in higher education with earlier policies on the relationship between the two standard varieties of Norwegian, and it charts how and why English became a policy issue in Norway. Based on the experience of over a century of language planning, a highly interventionist approach is today being avoided and language policies in the universities of Norway seek to nurture a situation where English and Norwegian may be used productively side-by-side. However, there remain serious practical challenges to be overcome. This paper also builds on a previous analysis (Linn, 2010b) of the metalanguage of Nordic language policy and seeks to clarify the use of the term ‘parallelingualism’.
Language planning in practice in the Norwegian higher education sector
Authors: Ljosland Ragnhild
Published: October 2014

This chapter builds on Linn’s chapter on ideologies in language planning in Norway, but concentrates on the interplay between ideology and practice. Using published statistics, reports and policy documents, as well as qualitative interview data, the chapter considers the practices of status planning, corpus planning and acquisition planning in the academic sector in Norway. These three forms of language planning are viewed as taking place simultaneously on multiple levels, including the micro-level, while also recognising that many everyday practices create de facto language policy as an accidental part of normal activity. Documented practices shed light on the areas where language policy, internationalisation policy and everyday practice succeed or currently fail to integrate with one another.
Zooming in on language practices in Swedish higher education. A discussion of five studies and their normative versus dynamic approach towards policy and practice
Authors: Söderlundh Hedda
Published: October 2014

In this chapter, five studies of language practice in Swedish higher education are compared and discussed with focus on how the policy of English-medium teaching is assumed to relate to practices ‘on the ground’. It is demonstrated that the earlier studies take a normative approach towards policy and practice, in the sense that practice is assumed to coincide with policy, while the later studies approach policy and practice from a dynamic point of view, assuming that other languages may be used in addition to the policy-prescribed medium (cf. Bonacina & Gafaranga, 2011). The underlying approach has implications for the studies’ design and focus, but also for their results concerning the use of Swedish and English in higher education in Sweden.
Language ideologies in Finnish higher education in the national and international context
Authors: Saarinen Taina
Published: October 2014

The article examines the language policy developments of Finnish higher education in historical and contemporary perspective. It is part of an Academy of Finland funded project (2011–2013) on the role of language in Finnish higher education internationalisation. The article first presents an historical overview of the language policy developments in Finnish universities and then goes on to discuss the latest developments in Finnish university and language legislation. Two cases illustrate the role of language in internationalisation strategies on one hand, and the ideologies made visible by hierarchisations of English as native and non-native on the other. The article concludes by discussing the implications of the complex role of English in the setting of the equally complex Finnish constitutional bilingualism.
English at the University of Iceland
Authors: Arnbjörnsdóttir Birna , Ingvarsdóttir Hafdís
Published: October 2014

The Nordic countries have recently experienced increased pressure to adopt English as a language of science, higher education and business, and Iceland is no exception. Although the majority of courses at Icelandic universities are still taught in Icelandic, over 90 percent of all course material is now in English and there is extreme overt pressure on academic staff to publish in English. We report studies that show that at the tertiary level there exists a clear, although largely unacknowledged, discrepancy between the prevailing ideology, policies and language practice. Additionally, schools may not prepare students adequately to meet the demands of tertiary level studies. The findings of our studies support a view that a new linguistic environment has emerged in Iceland which has implications for the National Curriculum in English and for teacher education, if Icelandic youth is to be prepared for the use of English parallel to Icelandic in academia.
Language Ideologies in Danish Higher Education
Authors: Mortensen Janus , Fabricius Anne
Published: October 2014

This chapter presents a qualitative analysis of attitudes towards different forms of English held by four students at an international study programme in Denmark. The students belong to a transient multilingual community in which historically-accrued language ideologies cannot necessarily be assumed to be shared by all members. Our analysis suggests that the students see competence and effectiveness as important parameters in their evaluation of different forms of English in the university context, irrespective of the provenance of the speaker, but they also subscribe to familiar language ideologies that favour ‘native’ English varieties and accents over other kinds of English. This could be seen as a contradiction between practice and ideology, but we argue that the contradiction is only apparent.
Linguistic realities at the University of Copenhagen - Parallel language use in practice as seen from the perspective of international staff
Authors: Jürna Merike
Published: October 2014

The article focuses on the linguistic practices of international academic staff at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) in the context of internationalization of higher education and the policy of parallel language use (PLU) at UCPH. Both Danish and English are foreign languages for the majority of the internationals at UCPH. Many see the academia at UCPH as an expat bubble, i.e. a community within a community with its advantages and challenges. Most respondents consider English as a general working language while they find Danish helpful in administrative communication and in everyday life. The need for Danish becomes more evident and specific when linked with a longer job perspective in Denmark and a higher position in the academic hierarchy.
Biotin-deficient diet induces chromosome misalignment and spindle defects in mouse oocytes
Authors: Tsuji Ai , Nakamura Toshinobu , Shibata Katsumi
Published: October 2014

Increased abnormal oocytes due to meiotic chromosome misalignment and spindle defects lead to elevated rates of infertility, miscarriage, and trisomic conceptions. Here, we investigated the effect of biotin deficiency on oocyte quality. Three-week-old female ICR mice were fed a biotin-deficient or control diet (0, 0.004 g biotin/kg diet) for 21 days. On day 22, these mouse oocytes were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Due to biotin, undernutrition increased the frequency of abnormal oocytes (the biotin deficient vs. control: 40 vs. 16%). Next, the remaining mice in the biotin-deficient group were fed a control or biotin-deficient diet from day 22 to 42. Although biotin nutritional status in the recovery group was restored, the frequency of abnormal oocytes in the recovery group was still higher than that in the control group (48 vs. 18%). Our results indicate that steady, sufficient biotin intake is required for the production of high-quality oocytes in mice.
Constructing spoke subfactors using the jellyfish algorithm
Authors: Morrison Scott , Penneys David
Published: October 2014

Using Jones’ quadratic tangles formulas, we automate the construction of the 4442, 3333, 3311, and 2221 spoke subfactors by finding sets of 1-strand jellyfish generators. The 4442 spoke subfactor is new, and the 3333, 3311, and 2221 spoke subfactors were previously known. This is the published version of arXiv:1208.3637.
Dismantlability of weakly systolic complexes and applications
Authors: Chepoi Victor , Osajda Damian
Published: October 2014

The main goal of this paper is proving the fixed point theorem for finite groups acting on weakly systolic complexes. As corollaries we obtain results concerning classifying spaces for the family of finite subgroups of weakly systolic groups and conjugacy classes of finite subgroups. As immediate consequences we get new results on systolic complexes and groups.

The fixed point theorem is proved by using a graph-theoretical tool — dismantlability. In particular we show that

1
1

–skeleta of weakly systolic complexes, i.e., weakly bridged graphs, are dismantlable. On the way we show numerous characterizations of weakly bridged graphs and weakly systolic complexes.
The 𝐬-Eulerian polynomials have only real roots
Authors: Savage Carla , Visontai Mirkó
Published: October 2014

We study the roots of generalized Eulerian polynomials via a novel approach. We interpret Eulerian polynomials as the generating polynomials of a statistic over inversion sequences. Inversion sequences (also known as Lehmer codes or subexcedant functions) were recently generalized by Savage and Schuster, to arbitrary sequences

s

\mathbf {s}

of positive integers, which they called

s

\mathbf {s}

-inversion sequences.

Our object of study is the generating polynomial of the ascent statistic over the set of

s

\mathbf {s}

-inversion sequences of length

n
n

. Since this ascent statistic over inversion sequences is equidistributed with the descent statistic over permutations, we call this generalized polynomial the

s

\mathbf {s}

-Eulerian polynomial. The main result of this paper is that, for any sequence

s

\mathbf {s}

of positive integers, the

s

\mathbf {s}

-Eulerian polynomial has only real roots.

This result is first shown to generalize several existing results about the real-rootedness of various Eulerian polynomials. We then show that it can be used to settle a conjecture of Brenti, that Eulerian polynomials for all finite Coxeter groups have only real roots, and partially settle a conjecture of Dilks, Petersen, Stembridge on type B affine Eulerian polynomials. It is then extended to several

q
q

-analogs. We show that the MacMahon–Carlitz

q
q

-Eulerian polynomial has only real roots whenever

q
q

is a positive real number, confirming a conjecture of Chow and Gessel. The same holds true for the hyperoctahedral group and the wreath product groups, confirming further conjectures of Chow and Gessel, and Chow and Mansour, respectively.

Our results have interesting geometric consequences as well.
The Rheo Extrusion Meter, a New Device for Measuring Wheat Flour Baking Absorption and Dough Consistency: Principle and Applications
Authors: Pareyt Bram , Vanneste Jacques , Brijs Kristof , Delcour Jan A.
Published: October 2014

The Rheo Extrusion Meter (REM) measures the time for vertical upward extrusion of wheat flour dough (subsequently referred to as extrusion time, ET) as a measure of its consistency. ET evidently increases with dough consistency. ETs are highly reproducible and sensitive to differences in dough moisture content. A single REM analysis takes 20 min, and the measured ET can be converted into the correct baking absorption at a given temperature. The heights of the extruded dough pieces are negatively correlated with straight‐dough bread loaf specific volume, both when comparing different flour samples and when adjusting moisture content of dough prepared from a given flour sample. The REM also allows determination of the consistency of complex wheat flour based systems and the impact of vital wheat gluten or ascorbic acid thereupon. Furthermore, in contrast to the farinograph, it detects the impact of endoxylanases hydrolyzing water‐extractable arabinoxylan on dough consistency.
Spatio Temporal Influence of Isoflavonoids on Bacterial Diversity in the Soybean Rhizosphere
Authors: White Laura J. , Jothibasu Karuppaiyan , Reese R. Neil , Brözel Volker S. , Subramanian Senthil
Published: October 2014

High bacterial density and diversity near plant roots has been attributed to rhizodeposit compounds that serve as both energy sources and signal molecules. However, it is unclear if and how specific rhizodeposit compounds influence bacterial diversity. We silenced the biosynthesis of isoflavonoids, a major component of soybean rhizodeposits, using RNA interference in hairy-root composite plants, and examined changes in rhizosphere bacteriome diversity. We used successive sonication to isolate soil fractions from different rhizosphere zones at two different time points and analyzed denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles of 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons. Extensive diversity analysis of the resulting spatio temporal profiles of soybean bacterial communities indicated that, indeed, isoflavonoids significantly influenced soybean rhizosphere bacterial diversity. Our results also suggested a temporal gradient effect of rhizodeposit isoflavonoids on the rhizosphere. However, the hairy-root transformation process itself significantly altered rhizosphere bacterial diversity, necessitating appropriate additional controls. Gene silencing in hairy-root composite plants combined with successive sonication is a useful tool to determine the spatio temporal effect of specific rhizodeposit compounds on rhizosphere microbial communities.
Ultrastructural Changes and Putative Phage Particles Observed in Sweet Orange Leaves Infected with ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’
Authors: Fu S. M. , Hartung John , Zhou C. Y. , Su H. N. , Tan J. , Li Z. A.
Published: October 2014

Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening, is currently the most destructive citrus disease. Anatomical analyses of HLB-affected sweet orange were carried out by light and electron microscopy. As compared with healthy citrus, the phloem plasmodesmata were plugged with callose, and in some samples the phloem was collapsed. Chloroplast structures were deformed. Prophage sequences occupy a significant portion of the genome of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and have been used to distinguish strains from Yunnan and Guangdong provinces in China and Florida. Interestingly, a large number of possible putative phage particles were observed attached on the surface of ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ cells in plants inoculated with strain FJ3 from Fujian Province, China. Phage particles have been observed previously only in periwinkle plants artificially inoculated in Florida with ‘Ca. L. asiaticus’ that carried the SC1-type prophage. PCR assays verified the presence of the SC1-type prophage sequences previously described from this bacterium in Florida in the FJ3 isolate. This is the first time that suspected phage particles have been observed in sweet orange trees infected with ‘Ca. L. asiaticus.’
Efficacy of Organic and Conventional Fungicides and Impact of Application Timing on Control of Tomato Late Blight Caused by US-22, US-23, and US-24 Isolates of Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Seidl Johnson Anna C. , Jordan Stephen A. , Gevens Amanda J.
Published: October 2014

Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most economically important diseases of potato and tomato worldwide. Repeated preventative application of fungicides is the primary means of control on susceptible solanaceous host crops. For organic production, fungicide choices are limited, and little efficacy data on noncopper options is available on which to base control recommendations. Twelve fungicides, including organic and conventional selections, were evaluated for both preventative and postinfection control of a single infection cycle of late blight caused by isolates representing three recently identified P. infestans clonal lineages (US-22, US-23, and US-24) using a detached tomato leaf assay. A subset of the most effective fungicides was also tested for preventative control of a single infection cycle of late blight caused by an isolate of US-23 on potted whole tomato plants under laboratory conditions. Fungicide applications made 2 days after inoculation failed to significantly control late blight on detached leaves in all treatments, with the exception of Bravo Ultrex (US-23 only) and Phostrol (US-22 only). Preventative fungicide applications of Bravo Ultrex, Ridomil Gold SL, Revus, Zonix, and low and high rates of EF400 significantly controlled late blight caused by US-22, -23, and -24 isolates. Additionally, preventative application of Phostrol significantly controlled late blight caused by the US-22 isolate; and Phostrol, low rate of Mycostat, and high rate of Champ significantly controlled late blight caused by the US-23 isolate. Late blight caused by the US-24 isolate was significantly reduced compared with US-22 and US-23 isolates for all fungicide treatments applied after inoculation, as well as for all preventative fungicide treatments, with the exception of Bravo, Ridomil, and Revus. In whole-potted-plant assays with the US-23 isolate, late blight was significantly controlled by preventative application of Bravo Ultrex, Ridomil Gold SL, and high rate of EF400; disease was not significantly controlled by Zonix, low rate of EF400, Phostrol, or low and high rates of Champ. Based on these results, it is anticipated that currently available fungicides with suitability to conventional and organic systems can effectively control late blight caused by new clonal lineages of P. infestans when applied preventatively and that late blight caused by the US-24 clonal lineage may require less fungicide use than US-22 or US-23 to mitigate disease.
Potato virus Y: Contact Transmission, Stability, Inactivation, and Infection Sources
Authors: Coutts B. A. , Jones R. A. C.
Published: October 2014

In glasshouse experiments, two isolates of Potato virus Y ‘O’ strain (PVYO) were transmitted from infected to healthy potato plants by direct contact when leaves were rubbed against each other, when cut surfaces of infected tubers were rubbed onto leaves, and to a limited extent, when blades contaminated with infective sap were used to cut healthy potato tubers. However, no tuber-to-tuber transmission occurred when blades were used to cut healthy tubers after cutting infected tubers. When leaf sap from potato plants infected with two PVYO isolates was kept at room temperature, it was highly infective for 6 to 7 h and remained infectious for up to 28 h. Also, when sap from infected leaves with one isolate was applied to five surfaces (cotton, hessian, metal, rubber vehicle tire, and wood) and left to dry for up to 24 h before each surface was rubbed onto healthy tobacco plants, PVYO remained infective for 24 h on tire and metal, 6 h on cotton and hessian, and 3 h on wood. The effectiveness of disinfectants at inactivating this isolate was evaluated by adding them to sap from infected leaves which was then rubbed onto healthy tobacco plants. None of the plants became infected when bleach (42 g/liter sodium hypochlorite, diluted 1:4) or Virkon-S (potassium peroxymonosulfate 50% wt/wt, diluted to 1%) was used. A trace of infection remained after using nonfat milk powder (20% wt/vol). PVY infection sources were studied in 2011–2012 in the main potato growing regions of southwest Australia. In tests on >17,000 potato leaf samples, PVY was detected at low levels in seed (4/155) and ware (6/51) crops. It was also detected in volunteer potatoes from a site with a previous history of PVY infection in a seed crop. None of the 15 weed species tested were PVY infected. Plants of Solanum nigrum were symptomlessly infected with PVYO after sap inoculation, and no seed transmission was detected (>2,500 seeds). This study demonstrates PVYO can be transmitted by contact and highlights the need to include removal of volunteer potatoes and other on-farm hygiene practices (decontaminating tools, machinery, clothing, etc.) in integrated disease management strategies for PVY in potato crops.
Virgibacillus oceani sp. nov. isolated from ocean sediment
Authors: Yin Xijie , Yang Yanliu , Wang Shuang , Zhang Gaiyun
Published: October 2014

A Gram-stain-positive, moderately halophilic, motile, strictly aerobic, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, strain MY11T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the Western Pacific. This isolate grew in the presence of 0.5–18 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.0–10.0 and 15–45 °C; optimum growth was observed with 3.5 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 8.0–9.0 and 35–37 °C. Strain MY11Thad menaquinone 7 (MK-7) as the predominant respiratory quinone and anteiso-C15 : 0and anteiso-C17 : 0as major fatty acids. Major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 34.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that strain MY11Twas a member of the genusVirgibacillus, exhibiting sequence similarities of 95.3–97.6 % to the type strains of recognizedVirgibacillusspecies. Strain MY11Tcould be differentiated from recognized species of the genusVirgibacillusbased on phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic differences, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization data. On the basis of the data presented, strain MY11Tis considered to represent a novel species of the genusVirgibacillus, for which the nameVirgibacillus oceanisp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MY11T( = LMG 28105T = CGMCC 1.12754T = MCCC 1A09973T).