bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orientation dependence of heterogeneous nucleation at the Cu–Pb solid-liquid interface
Authors: Palafox-Hernandez J. Pablo , Laird Brian B.
Published: September 2016

In this work, we examine the effect of surface structure on the heterogeneous nucleation of Pb crystals from the melt at a Cu substrate using molecular-dynamics (MD) simulation. In a previous work [Palafox-Hernandez et al., Acta Mater. 59, 3137 (2011)] studying the Cu/Pb solid-liquid interface with MD simulation, we observed that the structure of the Cu(111) and Cu(100) interfaces was significantly different at 625 K, just above the Pb melting temperature (618 K for the model). The Cu(100) interface exhibited significant surface alloying in the crystal plane in contact with the melt. In contrast, no surface alloying was seen at the Cu(111) interface; however, a prefreezing layer of crystalline Pb, 2-3 atomic planes thick and slightly compressed relative to bulk Pb crystal, was observed to form at the interface. We observe that at the Cu(111) interface the prefreezing layer is no longer present at 750 K, but surface alloying in the Cu(100) interface persists. In a series of undercooling MD simulations, heterogeneous nucleation of fcc Pb is observed at the Cu(111) interface within the simulation time (5 ns) at 592 K—a 26 K undercooling. Nucleation and growth at Cu(111) proceeded layerwise with a nearly planar critical nucleus. Quantitative analysis yielded heterogeneous nucleation barriers that are more than two orders of magnitude smaller than the predicted homogeneous nucleation barriers from classical nucleation theory. Nucleation was considerably more difficult on the Cu(100) surface-alloyed substrate. An undercooling of approximately 170 K was necessary to observe nucleation at this interface within the simulation time. From qualitative observation, the critical nucleus showed a contact angle with the Cu(100) surface of over 90°, indicating poor wetting of the Cu(100) surface by the nucleating phase, which according to classical heterogeneous nucleation theory provides an explanation of the large undercooling necessary to nucleate on the Cu(100) surface, relative to Cu(111), whose surface is more similar to the nucleating phase due to the presence of the prefreezing layer.
Multiple angle measurement and modeling of M-band x-ray fluxes from vacuum hohlraum
Authors: Guo Liang , Li Shanwei , Li Zhichao , Jing Longfei , Xie Xufei , Jiang Xiaohua , Yang Dong , Du Huabin , Hou Lifei , Yang Jiamin , Liu Shenye , Jiang Shaoen , Ding Yongkun , Hu Guangyue , Zheng Jian
Published: September 2016

The energetics experiment of vacuum gold hohlraums is implemented on the Shenguang-II laser facility. The total and M-band x-ray fluxes from the laser entrance holes are measured by the flat response x-ray diodes which are set at multiple angles with respect to the axis of the hohlraums. The measured M-band fractions are from 5.72% to 7.71%, which present a specific angular distribution. Based on the fact that the M-band x-rays are mainly emitted from the under-dense high-temperature plasmas, a simplified model is developed to give a quantitative prediction of the intensity, temporal behavior, and angular distribution of the M-band x-ray flux. The results obtained with our model are in good agreement with the experimental data, showing that our model can be a useful tool for M-band x-ray investigation.
Design of a high-bunch-charge 112-MHz superconducting RF photoemission electron source
Authors: Xin T. , Brutus J. C. , Belomestnykh Sergey A. , Ben-Zvi I. , Boulware C. H. , Grimm T. L. , Hayes T. , Litvinenko Vladimir N. , Mernick K. , Narayan G. , Orfin P. , Pinayev I. , Rao T. , Severino F. , Skaritka J. , Smith K. , Than R. , Tuozzolo J. , Wang E. , Xiao B. , Xie H. , Zaltsman A.
Published: September 2016

High-bunch-charge photoemission electron-sources operating in a continuous wave (CW) mode are required for many advanced applications of particle accelerators, such as electron coolers for hadron beams, electron-ion colliders, and free-electron lasers. Superconducting RF (SRF) has several advantages over other electron-gun technologies in CW mode as it offers higher acceleration rate and potentially can generate higher bunch charges and average beam currents. A 112 MHz SRF electron photoinjector (gun) was developed at Brookhaven National Laboratory to produce high-brightness and high-bunch-charge bunches for the coherent electron cooling proof-of-principle experiment. The gun utilizes a quarter-wave resonator geometry for assuring beam dynamics and uses high quantum efficiency multi-alkali photocathodes for generating electrons.
The shell model for the exchange-correlation hole in the strong-correlation limit
Authors: Bahmann Hilke , Zhou Yongxi , Ernzerhof Matthias
Published: September 2016

We present a model for the exchange-correlation hole and the exchange-correlation energy in the strong-correlation (SC) limit of density functional theory. The SC limit is useful in the construction of exchange-correlation functionals through interpolation of the adiabatic connection. The new approximation (referred to as shell model) is an improvement of the non-local radius (NLR) model recently proposed by Wagner and Gori-Giorgi [Phys. Rev. A 90, 052512 (2014)]. The NLR model does not correctly reproduce the limit of the strongly correlated homogeneous electron gas and this shortcoming is remedied by the shell model. As in the case of the NLR model, the spherically averaged electron density ρ(r,u)=∫dΩu4πρ(r+u) is the starting point for the construction of the shell model and it is also its computational bottleneck. We show how ρ(r, u), the NLR, and the shell model can be implemented efficiently. For this purpose, analytical integrals for the normalization and the energy density of the underlying holes are provided. Employing the shell model, we illustrate how improved adiabatic connection interpolations can be constructed.
Integrability and strong normal forms for non-autonomous systems in a neighbourhood of an equilibrium
Authors: Fortunati Alessandro , Wiggins Stephen
Published: September 2016

The paper deals with the problem of existence of a convergent “strong” normal form in the neighbourhood of an equilibrium, for a finite dimensional system of differential equations with analytic and time-dependent non-linear terms. The problem can be solved either under some non-resonance hypotheses on the spectrum of the linear part or if the non-linear term is assumed to be (slowly) decaying in time. This paper “completes” a pioneering work of Pustyl’nikov in which, despite under weaker non-resonance hypotheses, the nonlinearity is required to be asymptotically autonomous. The result is obtained as a consequence of the existence of a strong normal form for a suitable class of real-analytic Hamiltonians with non-autonomous perturbations.
Quantum limited heterodyne detection of spin noise
Authors: Cronenberger S. , Scalbert D.
Published: September 2016

Spin noise spectroscopy is a powerful technique for studying spin relaxation in semiconductors. In this article, we propose an extension of this technique based on optical heterodyne detection of spin noise, which provides several key advantages compared to conventional spin noise spectroscopy: detection of high frequency spin noise not limited by detector bandwidth or sampling rates of digitizers, quantum limited sensitivity even in case of very weak probe power, and possible amplification of the spin noise signal. Heterodyne detection of spin noise is demonstrated on insulating n-doped GaAs. From measurements of spin noise spectra up to 0.4 Tesla, we determined the distribution of g-factors, Δg/g = 0.49%.
A wide-field TCSPC FLIM system based on an MCP PMT with a delay-line anode
Authors: Becker Wolfgang , Hirvonen Liisa M. , Milnes James , Conneely Thomas , Jagutzki Ottmar , Netz Holger , Smietana Stefan , Suhling Klaus
Published: September 2016

We report on the implementation of a wide-field time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) method for fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). It is based on a 40 mm diameter crossed delay line anode detector, where the readout is performed by three standard TCSPC boards. Excitation is performed by a picosecond diode laser with 50 MHz repetition rate. The photon arrival timing is obtained directly from the microchannel plates, with an instrumental response of ∼190 to 230 ps full width at half maximum depending on the position on the photocathode. The position of the photon event is obtained from the pulse propagation time along the two delay lines, one in x and one in y. One end of a delay line is fed into the “start” input of the corresponding TCSPC board, and the other end is delayed by 40 ns and fed into the “stop” input. The time between start and stop is directly converted into position, with a resolution of 200–250 μm. The data acquisition software builds up the distribution of the photons over their spatial coordinates, x and y, and their times after the excitation pulses, typically into 512 × 512 pixels and 1024 time channels per pixel. We apply the system to fluorescence lifetime imaging of cells labelled with Alexa 488 phalloidin in an epi-fluorescence microscope and discuss the application of our approach to other fluorescence microscopy methods.
Relativistic state-specific multireference coupled cluster theory description for bond-breaking energy surfaces
Authors: Ghosh Anirban , Chaudhuri Rajat K. , Chattopadhyay Sudip
Published: September 2016

A four-component (4c) relativistic state specific multireference coupled cluster (4c-SSMRCC) method has been developed and applied to compute the ground state spectroscopic constants of Ag2, Cu2, Au2, and I2. The reference functions used in these calculations are obtained using computationally inexpensive improved virtual orbital-complete active space configuration interaction scheme. Rigorous size-extensivity and insensitivity towards the intruder state problem make our method an interesting choice for the calculation of the dissociation energy surface. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first implementation of the SSMRCC within the relativistic framework. The overall agreement of our results, employing the smallest model space, with both theoretical and experimental reference values indicates that the 4c-SSMRCC method can be fruitfully used to describe electronic structures and associated properties of systems containing heavy elements. We observe a relativistic bond stabilization for the coinage metal dimers while the I–I bond is weakened by the relativistic effects.
Early-warning indicators for rate-induced tipping
Authors: Ritchie Paul , Sieber Jan
Published: September 2016

A dynamical system is said to undergo rate-induced tipping when it fails to track its quasi-equilibrium state due to an above-critical-rate change of system parameters. We study a prototypical model for rate-induced tipping, the saddle-node normal form subject to time-varying equilibrium drift and noise. We find that both most commonly used early-warning indicators, increase in variance and increase in autocorrelation, occur not when the equilibrium drift is fastest but with a delay. We explain this delay by demonstrating that the most likely trajectory for tipping also crosses the tipping threshold with a delay, and therefore, the tipping itself is delayed. We find solutions of the variational problem determining the most likely tipping path using numerical continuation techniques. The result is a systematic study of the most likely tipping time in the plane of two parameters, distance from tipping threshold and noise intensity.
Improved sampling and validation of frozen Gaussian approximation with surface hopping algorithm for nonadiabatic dynamics
Authors: Lu Jianfeng , Zhou Zhennan
Published: September 2016

In the spirit of the fewest switches surface hopping, the frozen Gaussian approximation with surface hopping (FGA-SH) method samples a path integral representation of the non-adiabatic dynamics in the semiclassical regime. An improved sampling scheme is developed in this work for FGA-SH based on birth and death branching processes. The algorithm is validated for the standard test examples of non-adiabatic dynamics.
A heat-sinking self-referencing fiber optic emission probe
Authors: Djeu Nicholas , Shimoji Yutaka
Published: September 2016

A novel heat-sinking, self-referencing fiber optic emission probe having a sapphire fiber probe head is described. The laser heating effect in a GaAs wafer (on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) platform) has been measured with the probe in both the noncontact proximity mode and the contact mode. The GaAs/PTFE composite was selected to simulate the thermal conductivity of animal tissues. It was found that for the same laser power delivered to the wafer, the temperature rise in the contact mode was only 42% of that in the proximity mode. Additionally, a demonstration of the self-referencing capability of the probe is also presented.
High field magneto-transport in two-dimensional electron gas LaAlO3/SrTiO3
Authors: Yang Ming , Han Kun , Torresin Olivier , Pierre Mathieu , Zeng Shengwei , Huang Zhen , Venkatesan T. V. , Goiran Michel , Coey J. M. D. , Ariando  , Escoffier Walter
Published: September 2016

The transport properties of the complex oxide LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface are investigated under a high magnetic field (55 T). Small oscillations of the magnetoresistance with altered periodicity are observed when plotted versus the inverse magnetic field. We attribute this effect to Rashba spin-orbit coupling which remains consistent with large negative magnetoresistance when the field is parallel to the sample plane. A large inconsistency between the carrier density extracted from Shubnikov-de Haas analysis and from the Hall effect is explained by the contribution to transport of at least two bands with different mobilities.
Nonlinear tearing modes stabilization by oscillating the resonant surface
Authors: Yang Xiaoqing , Wang Shaojie
Published: September 2016

The stabilization of the nonlinear tearing mode by rapidly oscillating the resonant surface has been investigated numerically in a large aspect ratio tokamak with a circular cross-section. By means of the radio frequency current drive, the plasma current can be modulated to make the resonant surface (rs) oscillate in time near its mean position. Previous results show that the linear tearing mode can be suppressed by oscillating the resonant surface with a suitable frequency and amplitude. At the nonlinear stage, the tearing mode stabilization shows different properties. The suppression effects not only depend on the modulation frequency and the oscillation width of the resonant surface but also depend on the relative size of χ0 to δ (here, χ0 is the oscillation width of the resonant surface and δ is the width of tearing layer) and the relative width of χ0 to the magnetic island width W.
Large magnetocaloric effect in fine Gd2O3 nanoparticles embedded in porous silica matrix
Authors: Zeleňáková A. , Hrubovčák P. , Kapusta O. , Zeleňák V. , Franco V.
Published: September 2016

The magnetocaloric properties of a composite material consisting of isolated Gd2O3 nanoparticles with a diameter of 6–8 nm embedded in the pores of a mesoporous silica matrix have been studied. The fascinating nanostructure and composition were properly characterized by small angle X-ray scattering, X-ray absorption near edge structure, and TEM. Almost ideal paramagnetic behavior of the material was observed in the temperature range of 1.8–300 K. When compared to various nanosystems, the presented composite exhibits an extraordinarily large magnetic entropy change of 40 J/kg K for a field variation of 0–5 T at cryogenic temperature (3 K). Considering only the mass of the Gd2O3 nanoparticle fraction, this corresponds to 120 J/kg K. Calculated refrigerant capacities are 100 J/kg and 400 J/kg for the composite and nanoparticles, respectively. Our findings suggest that the combination of the unique porous structure of amorphous silica with fine gadolinium oxide nanoparticles and high value of magnetic entropy change enables to extend the application of the Gd2O3@SiO2 composite, to cryomagnetic refrigeration. In addition, the characteristics of the thermomagnetic behavior have been studied using the scaling analysis of the magnetic entropy change.
Synthesis of sub-millimeter Bi-/multi-layer graphene by designing a sandwiched structure using copper foils
Authors: Zhao Zhijuan , Jia Kunpeng , Shaw Jonathan C. , Zhu Zhenwei , Wan Wen , Zhan Linjie , Li Mengping , Wang Haosen , Chen Xiangping , Li Zhancheng , Chen Shanshan , Zhou Yinghui , Kaner Richard B. , Cai Weiwei
Published: September 2016

Bernal-stacked (AB-stacked) bilayer graphene has been receiving significant attention because it has a tunable band-gap under an applied vertical electric field. Herein, we designed a sandwiched structure simply by embedding one piece of Cu sheet into a Cu pocket to establish an environment that suppresses Cu evaporation and ensures that both surfaces of Cu sheet are smooth to grow large-size bilayer graphene (BLG) and multilayer graphene (MLG). Single-diffusion and double-diffusion mechanisms help explain graphene growth on both the Cu pocket and the Cu sheet, respectively. On the basis of the double-diffusion mechanism, we prepared AB-stacked sub-millimeter BLG and MLG with diameters up to 603 μm and 793 μm, respectively. Our work regarding the improvement of the quality and single-crystal size of graphene domains helps broaden the potential applications in materials chemistry and microelectronic devices.
Graphene based multiple heterojunctions as an effective approach for high-performance gas sensing
Authors: Wu Chia-Lin , Cheng Ching-Cheng , Sun Tzu-Min , Haider Golam , Liou Yi-Rou , Tan Wei-Jyun , Chiang Chia-Wei , Chen Yang-Fang
Published: September 2016

We develop graphene-based multiple heterojunctions to realize sensors with a very high sensitivity (<10 ppm), ultra-fast sensing time (<10 ms), and stable repeatability. The sensing mechanism solely depends on the large change in the Fermi energy (EF) of graphene resulting from the absorbed molecules, which produces a large change in the output current across the heterojunction. The charge induced by the absorbed molecules remains in the graphene layer without transferring into the underlying layer owing to the well-designed band alignment among the constituent materials, which results in ultra-fast and highly sensitive performance. Furthermore, we demonstrate that with different polarities of external bias, the graphene multiple-junction sensors can be used to selectively detect different gases. In addition to the suitable band alignment, the high performance of our device arises from the sandwich structure of top and bottom electrodes, which enables to exponentially enhance the current across the Schottky junction. Moreover, the large shift of the Fermi level of graphene induced by its inherent nature of low density of states also plays an important role. Compared with all published reports, our device possesses a much better performance. Particularly, the response time is three orders of magnitude faster than those of reported values, which can provide a critical step to advance graphene based gas sensors toward real world applications.
Monolayer MoS2 metal insulator transition based memcapacitor modeling with extension to a ternary device
Authors: Khan Abdul Karim , Lee Byoung Hun
Published: September 2016

Memcapacitor model based on its one possible physical realization is developed and simulated in order to know its limitation before making a real device. The proposed device structure consists of vertically stacked dielectric layer and MoS2 monolayer between two external metal plates. The Metal Insulator Transition (MIT) phenomenon of MoS2 monolayer is represented in terms of percolation probabilty which is used as the system state. Cluster based site percolation theory is used to mimic the MIT of MoS2 which shows slight discontinuous change in MoS2 monolayer conductivity. The metal to insulator transition switches the capacitance of the device in hysterical way. An Ioffe Regel criterion is used to determine the MIT state of MoS2 monolayer. A good control of MIT time in the range of psec is also achieved by changing a single parameter in the model. The model shows memcapacitive behavior with an edge of fast switching (in psec range) over the previous general models. The model is then extended into vertical cascaded version which behaves like a ternary device instead of binary.
Overexpression of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in both leaf and seed tissue synergistically increase biomass and seed number in rice (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica)
Authors: Oiestad Alanna J. , Martin John M. , Giroux Michael J.
Published: September 2016

Increased expression of leaf or seed ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase activity (AGPase) has been shown to increase plant growth. However, no study has directly compared AGPase overexpression in leaves and/or seeds. In the present study, transgenic rice overexpressing AGPase in leaves or in seeds were crossed, resulting in four F2:3 homozygous genotypes with AGPase overexpression in leaves, seeds, both leaves and seeds, or neither tissue. The impact of AGPase overexpression in these genotypic groups was examined at the metabolic, transcriptomic, and plant growth levels. Leaf-specific AGPase overexpression increased flag leaf starch up to five times that of the wild type (WT) whereas overexpression of AGPase in both leaves and seeds conferred the greatest productivity advantages. Relative to the WT, AGPase overexpression in both leaves and seeds increased plant biomass and panicle number by 61% and 51%, respectively while leaf-specific AGPase overexpression alone only increased plant biomass and panicle number by 24 and 32% respectively. Extraction and analysis of RNA and leaf-specific metabolites demonstrated that carbon metabolism was broadly increased by AGPase overexpression in seeds and leaves. These findings indicate that stimulation of whole-plant growth and productivity can be best achieved by upregulation of starch biosynthesis in both leaves and seeds.
Towards implementation of sustainable animal diets: evidence generation, perspective building and way forward.
Authors: Bindari Y. R. , Makkar H. P. S.
Published: September 2016

One of the major bottlenecks in meeting the increasing demand for livestock products is in reconciling feed production, required in ever-increasing amounts, with good management of natural resources and protection of the environment The process at all stages has a major impact on several factors including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, animal productivity, product quality and safety, animal welfare, water and air pollution and land use changes. Production of animal feed and feeding is the basis of viable livestock production systems and sustainability will be illusory without making the diet sustainable. Thus, implementation of the sustainable animal diet (StAnD) concept, developed by FAO through the consultative process that integrates three dimensions of sustainability (people, planet and profit; also called 3-P dimensions), is crucial. It is expected to provide socio-cultural benefits for the people, promote animal welfare and protect the environment through efficient use of natural resources. This study is an intermediate step towards implementation of the StAnD concept to validate the elements of different dimensions of the StAnD through a review of the literature. Some situations exist where there is antagonism within and between the different dimensions of StAnD. However, this paper has identified the most promising approaches for putting the StAnD concept into practice immediately, the application of which provides win-win situations and enhances synergies in different dimensions of sustainability with respect to the StAnD. These includes: locally available feed resources that do not compete with human food; novel feed resources and by-product feeds; phase feeding and precision feeding; straw-based densified mixed ration block; ration balancing programmes on-farm; lesser known plants; adoption of conservation agricultural and agro-ecological practices for feed production; energy efficient machinery and renewable energy at all stages of the feed production and use chain; promotion of grass based livestock production systems and pastoralism. Towards this end, this review also builds new perspectives particularly with respect to socio-cultural aspects of feed production and use, and suggests future research and development (R & D) needs and priorities. These should be tailored towards exploiting the use of by-products or co-products from agro-based processes, food waste and novel feed resources in animal diets particularly with the aim to remove their content of human food; identifying methodologies to monitor success of the StAnD application; development and use of fuel efficient engine; developing nutritional interventions that meet animal welfare standards; formulating appropriate policies and providing incentives and support to facilitate StAnD use. Guidance to implement the StAnD concept for the people, planet and profit dimensions of StAnD is also available.
Texture formation in metal alloys with cubic crystal structures
Authors: Kestens L. A. I. , Pirgazi H.
Published: September 2016

The present paper gives a concise overview of a number of current issues in the literature on texture formation in alloys with cubic crystal structures, mainly steel and aluminium alloys. As crystallographic texture determines to a large extent the anisotropy of material properties, it is of paramount importance to understand and control the physical mechanisms by which the texture is formed in the subsequent stages of metals manufacturing processes. In the present overview three key solid-state transformation processes are considered: allotropic phase transformations, plastic deformation and recrystallisation. The intention is to highlight a number of key elements in the literature and some recent tendencies, which may provide some insight to scientists and engineers dealing with texture issues in daily practice.
Characterizing the drivers of seedling leaf gas exchange responses to warming
and altered precipitation: indirect and direct effects
Authors: Smith Nicholas G. , Pold Grace , Goranson Carol , Dukes Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2016

Anthropogenic forces are projected to lead to warmer temperatures and altered precipitation patterns globally. The impact of these climatic changes on the uptake of carbon by the land surface will, in part, determine the rate and magnitude of these changes. However, there is a great deal of uncertainty in how terrestrial ecosystems will respond to climate in the future. Here, we used a fully factorial warming (four levels) by precipitation (three levels) manipulation experiment in an old-field ecosystem in the northeastern USA to examine the impact of climatic changes on leaf carbon exchange in five species of deciduous tree seedlings. We found that photosynthesis generally increased in response to increasing precipitation and decreased in response to warming. Respiration was less sensitive to the treatments. The net result was greater leaf carbon uptake in wetter and cooler conditions across all species. Structural equation modelling revealed the primary pathway through which climate impacted leaf carbon exchange. Net photosynthesis increased with increasing stomatal conductance and photosynthetic enzyme capacity ( V  cmax ), and decreased with increasing respiration of leaves. Soil moisture and leaf temperature at the time of measurement most heavily influenced these primary drivers of net photosynthesis. Leaf respiration increased with increasing soil moisture, leaf temperature, and photosynthetic supply of substrates. Counter to the soil moisture response, respiration decreased with increasing precipitation amount, indicating that the response to short- (i.e. soil moisture) versus long-term (i.e. precipitation amount) water stress differed, possibly as a result of changes in the relative amounts of growth and maintenance demand for respiration over time. These data (>500 paired measurements of light and dark leaf gas exchange), now publicly available, detail the pathways by which climate can impact leaf gas exchange and could be useful for testing assumptions in land surface models.
High male fertility in males of a subdioecious shrub in hand-pollinated
crosses
Authors: Wang Hui , Matsushita Michinari , Tomaru Nobuhiro , Nakagawa Michiko
Published: September 2016

Female reproductive success in females versus hermaphrodites has been well documented. However, documenting a potential advantage in male fertility of male versus hermaphrodite individuals in subdioecious species is also essential for understanding the evolutionary pathway toward dioecy from hermaphroditism via gynodioecy. Siring success in terms of fruit set, fruit mass, number of seeds and mean seed mass was compared by hand-pollinated crosses in the subdioecious shrub Eurya japonica . The pollen was from male and hermaphrodite individuals, and the pollen recipients were females and hermaphrodites. Seed quality was also evaluated in terms of seed germination rate, seed germination day and seedling survival. Overall, pollen from males sired more fruits of larger size and more seeds than did pollen from hermaphrodites. The male advantage was observed when pollen recipients were females, whereas no effect was found in hermaphrodite recipients. Pollen from males also produced better quality seeds with higher germination rate and sooner germination day. Although these results could also be explained by a higher pollen load for crosses with male pollen donors, we took care to saturate the stigma regardless of the pollen donor. Therefore, these results suggest that male individuals of E. japonica have advantages in male fertility in terms of both quantity and quality. Our previous studies indicated that females exhibit higher female reproductive success compared with hermaphrodites. Thus, both the female and male functions of hermaphrodites are outperformed by females and males, respectively, raising the possibility that the subdioecious E. japonica at this study site is entering the transitional phase to dioecy along the gynodioecy–dioecy pathway.
Increasing the accessibility of acoustic data through global access and imagery
Authors: Wall Carrie C. , Jech J. Michael , McLean Susan J.
Published: September 2016

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses water column sonar data to assess physical and biological characteristics from the ocean surface to the seabed. Acoustic surveys produce large volumes of data that can deliver valuable information beyond their original collection purpose if the data are properly managed, discoverable, and accessible to the public. NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, in partnership with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service and the University of Colorado, have created a national archive for water column sonar data to help achieve these goals. Through these efforts, over 21 TB of sonar data are now publicly available. Raw sonar files are difficult to interpret due to their size, complexity, and proprietary format. In order for users to understand the quality and composition of large volumes of archived data more easily, several visualization products were explored. Three processing methods were applied to multifrequency single-beam data (Simrad EK60) collected off the US northwest coast between 2007 and 2013. One method illustrates these complex data in a single image using a novel colour scale [multifrequency single-beam imaging (MFSBI)], another examines the nautical area scattering coefficients between two frequencies (ΔNASC), and the third indices the data into acoustic classifications [multifrequency indicator (MFI)]. The ability to apply the algorithms efficiently to multiyear datasets was explored. MFSBI proved effective at conveying the composition of the data and was easily adaptable to automated processing. ΔNASC, which required manual seabed corrections, illustrated a generalized pattern for changes in the water column across the shelf. MFI provided an empirically based statistical approach but will require more effort in the near term to evaluate and assess the accuracy and precision of each classification. Overall, spatio-temporal patterns of the acoustic backscatter identified large interannual variations in composition with the continental shelf break often playing a key role in attracting biological assemblages.
Observations of in situ Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) with 500-kHz multibeam sonar
Authors: Melvin Gary D.
Published: September 2016

Field studies to investigate the survey capability of a 500-kHz multibeam sonar to monitor and quantify Atlantic bluefin tuna were undertaken at several fishing locations (commercial and recreational) off Prince Edward Island and at a grow-out pen in Nova Scotia. The results demonstrate that individual bluefin can be detected, enumerated, and tracked acoustically within the swathe of the sonar. Bluefin were observed individually, and in groups ranging from 2 to 16 fish. Schooling tuna, assumed to be foraging, were observed moving in a soldier formation. Estimates of in situ swimming speeds (0.5–11.0 m s−1) were made by tracking individual fish within the swathe. The mean interspatial distance between fish when swimming in a group of two or more tuna was estimated to be 8.94 m with a range of 2.68–22.63 m. Groups of up to 48 bluefin were observed aggregating around active herring gillnet vessels. Dorsal aspect target strength estimates of bluefin, obtained from an accompanying 120-kHz echosounder (Simrad EK60), ranged from −33 to −14 dB for fish from 220 to 313 cm (size estimated from commercial catches). Sonar detection ranges were dependent upon sea state and water depth. In rough seas, the surface layer became too turbulent, and air bubble attenuation too high, to consistently separate reverberation from fish-like targets. In shallow water (20–30 m), a range setting of >50 m could not be utilized due to seabed reflections. In water depths >50–60 m, a tilt angle of 7.5o below the horizontal allowed the sonar's range of up to 150 m to be utilized with minimal reverberation from the surface and seabed. The results indicate there is potential for using a 500-kHz multibeam sonar in fishery-independent surveys to monitor and to quantify bluefin in shallow water (<100 m).
Investigating the relation between CO (3–2) and far-infrared luminosities for nearby merging galaxies using ASTE
Authors: Michiyama Tomonari , Iono Daisuke , Nakanishi Kouichiro , Ueda Junko , Saito Toshiki , Ando Misaki , Kaneko Hiroyuki , Yamashita Takuji , Matsuda Yuichi , Hatsukade Bunyo , Kikuchi Kenichi , Komugi Shinya , Muto Takayuki
Published: September 2016

We present the new single-dish CO (3–2) emission data obtained toward 19 early-stage and 7 late-stage nearby merging galaxies using the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE). Combining with the single-dish and interferometric data of galaxies observed in previous studies, we investigate the relation between the CO (3–2) luminosity ($L^{\prime }_{\rm CO(3-2)}$) and the far-infrared luminosity (LFIR) in a sample of 29 early-stage and 31 late-stage merging galaxies, and 28 nearby isolated spiral galaxies. We find that normal isolated spiral galaxies and merging galaxies have different slopes (α) in the $\log L^{\prime }_{\rm CO(3-2)}$–log LFIR plane (α ∼ 0.79 for spirals and ∼1.12 for mergers). The large slope (α > 1) for merging galaxies can be interpreted as evidence for increasing star formation efficiency (SFE = $L_{\rm FIR}/L^{\prime }_{\rm CO(3-2)}$) as a function of LFIR. Comparing our results with sub-kpc-scale local star formation and global starburst activity in the high-z universe, we find deviations from the linear relationship in the $\log L^{\prime }_{\rm CO(3-2)}$–log LFIR plane for the late-stage mergers and high-z star-forming galaxies. Finally, we find that the average SFE gradually increases from isolated galaxies to merging galaxies and to high-z submillimeter galaxies/quasi-stellar objects. By comparing our findings with results from numerical simulations, we suggest that: (1) inefficient starbursts triggered by disk-wide dense clumps occur in the early stage of interaction, and (2) efficient starbursts triggered by central concentration of gas occur in the final stage. A systematic high spatial resolution survey of diffuse- and dense-gas tracers is the key to confirming this scenario.
“Real-Time” Milestone and Surgical Skills Feedback: A Multi-center Trial of “myTIPreport”
Authors: Connolly AnnaMarie , Blanchard Anita , Gerber Susan , Amundsen Cindy , Dunivan Gena , Litwiller Abigail
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND:

Feedback is valued and effective when provided in a timely fashion. This can prove challenging in busy clinical settings.

METHODS:

OBGYN residency and FPMRS fellowship programs participated from November 2014 to May 2015. OBGYN residents and teachers and FPMRS fellows and teachers completed a pre-survey on satisfaction with venue-based feedback. Questions addressed satisfaction with feedback frequency, quality, and timeliness. After 6 months of myTIPreport use for feedback on ACGME-required milestones and select surgical procedures, participants completed a post-survey.

RESULTS:

Participants represented 12 OBGYN residency and 7 FPMRS fellowship programs. Pre-surveys were completed by 273 learners (254 OBGYN residents/19 FPMRS fellows) and 383 teachers (355 OBGYN/28 FPMRS teachers). OBGYN residents reported low rates of satisfaction with feedback received regarding frequency (38%), quality (42%) and timeliness (37%). OBGYN and FPMRS teachers reported low rates of satisfaction with feedback given (50%/54%/54%, and 39%/54%/39%, respectively). Post-surveys were completed by 207 participants. For the primary study outcome, OBGYN residents (n=77), OBGYN teachers (n=96), and FPMRS teachers (n=19) reported significantly improved satisfaction with feedback frequency, quality, and timeliness from rates of 37–54% to rates of 60–100% (P<.0001 for all domains). Feedback satisfaction remained high for FPMRS fellows (n=15).

DISCUSSION:

myTIPreport was successfully implemented at multiple institutions within 6 months. Resident and teacher satisfaction with feedback improved significantly after using myTIPreport.
Patient Safety Teaching to Our Students
Authors: Sonn Tammy , Ross Whitney
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND:

Patient safety understanding and awareness is an important aspect of clinical medicine that should be taught throughout the medical school curriculum. We previously did not have any structured teaching around this topic.

METHODS:

During the course of our 6 weeks clerkship, we have 2 formal teaching encounters to discuss patient safety. During orientation, students complete a pre-intervention questionnaire and are introduced to 2 areas of focus during a 20 minute talk: OR Patient Safety and the IPASS handoff technique. They are given an assignment requesting them to document 3 examples of patient safety related observations. The second encounter is during week 5 of the clerkship where 1 hour is spent with the following activities: viewing a video clip of a patient safety story (Josie King Story), discussing the assignment, and reviewing the IPASS handoff with role playing. Following this session, the students are given the final post-intervention questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Students (n=105) felt more comfortable after the new curricular intervention. They felt more aware of medical errors within clinical medicine (P<.001), felt more familiar with the IPASS handoff to use it (P<.001), and felt OR patient safety is a comfortable topic to discuss (P<.001).

DISCUSSION:

Our patient safety curriculum appears to have a positive impact based on student perception. Feeling more aware of medical errors, being able to use the IPASS handoff, and being comfortable talking about aspects of OR safety are all areas students felt more competent in post-intervention.
A Multi-Dimensional Electronic Point-of-Care Evaluation System for Milestones Assessment
Authors: Staples Jeanine , Harwood Bryna , Wong Melissa
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND:

Previously, surgical and nursing evaluations of residents were completed on paper and infrequently submitted. Clinic, topic, and Morbidity & Mortality (M&M) presentations were never formally evaluated.

METHODS:

We developed three separate interventions. First, each evaluation's content (surgical, nursing, clinic, topic, and M&M) was modified to more closely match the Milestones assessments. Second, we implemented a new E-POC system, a Quick Response (QR) code based delivery method which displays the evaluation form on the evaluator's smartphone. Finally, we developed custom identification cards with the QR codes and trained the residents, nurses and attendings in their use. For the topic and M&M presentations, the presenter's final slide contained a QR code, which the audience could scan and then evaluate in real time.

RESULTS:

We received a total of 1,209 E-POC submitted evaluations in the first 12 months of implementation. The E-POC method resulted in a significantly greater number of surgical evaluations per resident-year (8.92 versus 4.24, P<.05). We received 236 clinic presentation evaluations, 98 topic evaluations, and 614 M&M evaluations; these were never previously formally evaluated. While the nursing evaluation frequency during the early implementation of the E-POC system was high, over the year fewer nursing evaluations were received per resident-year compared to the paper system (11.46 versus 1.96, P<.05).

DISCUSSION:

The implementation of a multi-dimensional E-POC evaluation system resulted in a greater frequency of evaluations of our residents by faculty.
A Randomized Trial of Smart Phone-Based Quick Response (QR) Evaluations for OB/GYN Clerkship: The Medical Instructor Experience
Authors: Sobhani Nasim , Fay Emily , Schiff Melissa , Stephenson-Famy Alyssa , Debiec Katherine
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND:

Smart phone-based evaluation tools have been proposed to improve feedback in medical education settings, but few studies have examined outcomes among instructors.

METHODS:

We performed a randomized controlled trial comparing medical instructor experience with two types of evaluations in the OB/GYN clerkship at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Eighteen teaching sites participated in the study and were randomized to smart phone-based QR or paper evaluations. Instructors, defined as attending or resident physicians involved in third year student education, completed a post-intervention survey with 10 Likert-type questions about the evaluation tool. We compared responses between the groups using χ2 tests.

RESULTS:

Nineteen of 29 (65%) instructors completed the survey. Groups were similar in age, gender, level of training, level of student interaction, comfort with technology, and prior knowledge and use of QR. Compared to those using paper evaluations, instructors using QR evaluations were significantly more likely to agree that the evaluation tool was easy to understand (100% versus 43%, P=.013) and easy to navigate (82% versus 57%, P=.042), and that the evaluation tool was effective in providing feedback (75% versus 29%, P=.015). Evaluators using QR also felt more comfortable approaching students with the evaluation tool (92% versus 43%, P=.012). We found no differences in timeliness or frequency of feedback between the groups.

DISCUSSION:

Instructors found the QR evaluation to be a superior alternative to the paper evaluation for providing feedback to medical students.
An Assessment of Professional Quality of Life and Experience With Critical Incidents Among OBGYN Residents
Authors: Black Jonathan , Cutler Abigail , Pathy Shefali , Sheth Sangini
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND:

Residents are exposed to a variety of clinical experiences that trigger wide-ranging emotions and, in severe cases, cause significant psychological distress.

METHODS:

OB/GYN residents were asked to complete an anonymous survey consisting of a validated Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) and additional questions related to their experience with critical incidents (CI) and debriefing. ProQOL (maximum score of 50) measures three constructs: Compassion Satisfaction, Secondary Trauma Stress, and Burnout; each is scored separately and correlated to a low-average-high scale.

RESULTS:

Response rate was 83% (25/30). Mean ProQOL scores correlated with an average level of compassion satisfaction (39.8±6.3), a low level of secondary trauma stress (22±4.8), and an average level of burnout (25.6±5.4). The majority of residents (68%) experienced a CI; 70% reported two or more. Among those involved in a CI, 53% reported never having debriefed and 82% felt they never or only sometimes received adequate support to process such events. All residents experiencing a CI felt the event(s) at least sometimes changed their clinical practice. Most residents (88%) believe post-incident debriefing sessions would be helpful.

DISCUSSION:

At our institution, OB/GYN residents experience an average professional quality of life. Furthermore, residents commonly experience CI but have little opportunity to debrief. Additional work is needed to better understand the professional quality of life of OB/GYN residents nationwide and how they react to and cope with critical incidents.
Body of Knowledge: Using Prosections to Teach Pelvic Anatomy in OBGYN Residency
Authors: Lane Andrew , Williams Shanna , Keiser Sharon , Elder Jeffrey
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND:

As residency programs update curricula, lab-based anatomic education is often abandoned due to high costs and time constraints. This has led to a new generation of residents with a knowledge deficit in surgical anatomy.

METHODS:

All residents took baseline written and practical examinations and were then randomized into two groups within PGY levels. Both groups completed a self-directed reading assignment. The intervention group received an additional one-hour structured review of pelvic anatomy using fresh, cadaveric prosections. Both groups then completed post-intervention examinations.

RESULTS:

Fifteen out of 23 residents completed the study. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in practical exam scores over the control group (P≤.01), but not on written (P=.7) or combined scores (P=.052). The intervention group showed significant improvements in combined (P=.049), and practical (P≤.01) scores.

DISCUSSION:

We demonstrated the ability of a straightforward educational intervention to impact anatomic practical exam performance. We also showed that all residents benefited from an anatomy review. This study is important in its comparison of two modalities of resident anatomic education. The utilization of a single guided prosection session provided a measurable benefit. Additionally, the simple act of anatomic self-study was beneficial as well and should not be overlooked in our resource intensive age.