bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Approach for time‐scale modification of speech based on TCNMF
Authors: Wu Haijia , Zhang Xiongwei , Huang Jianjun , Chen Weiwei
Published: January 2013

A novel approach for time‐scale modification (TSM) of speech based on temporal continuous nonnegative matrix factorisation (TCNMF) is presented. First, the magnitude spectrum of the speech is factorised to the nonnegative space and the time‐varying gains, and then the TSM problem is transformed into an interpolation problem of the time‐varying gains, which leads to a better performance over the traditional methods based on waveform overlap‐add. The superiority of the proposed approach is confirmed by the comparative tests against the traditional methods, including OLA, SOLA, WSOLA, and PSOLA.
Polarimetric‐basis transformation for land classification in PolInSAR
Authors: Shang Fang , Hirose A.
Published: January 2013

Based on the polarimetric‐basis transformation principle, a method for utilisation of the scattering mechanism vectors for land classification is proposed. The experimental results show that both the amplitude and the phase components of the vectors can be used for land classification. By implementing different linear transformation processes of the scattering matrix, a variety of areas can be extracted separately.
Time division multiplexing based multiple synchronised chaotic signals transmission
Authors: Han F. , Feng Y. , Qi C.
Published: January 2013

Presented is a method of transmitting multiple synchronised chaotic signals via a single channel based on time division multiplexing. Both the sampling and holding modes are used alternately during the transmission process so that multiple chaotic signals can be transmitted by sharing the single physical channel. The proposed method is implemented with an electronic circuit, and then is applied to solve simultaneous synchronisation of multi‐pair chaotic systems using a single channel. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the method presented.
Theoretical evidence for low kinetic overpotentials in Li-O2 electrochemistry
Authors: Hummelshøj J. S. , Luntz A. C. , Nørskov J. K.
Published: January 2013

We develop a density functional theory model for the electrochemical growth and dissolution of Li2O2 on various facets, terminations, and sites (terrace, steps, and kinks) of a Li2O2 surface. We argue that this is a reasonable model to describe discharge and charge of Li-O2 batteries over most of the discharge-charge cycle. Because non-stoichiometric surfaces are potential dependent and since the potential varies during discharge and charge, we study the thermodynamic stability of facets, terminations, and steps as a function of potential. This suggests that different facets, terminations, and sites may dominate in charge relative to those for discharge. We find very low thermodynamic overpotentials (<0.2 V) for both discharge and charge at many sites on the facets studied. These low thermodynamic overpotentials for both discharge and charge are in very good agreement with the low kinetic overpotentials observed in recent experiments. However, there are other predicted paths for discharge/charge that have higher overpotentials, so the phase space available for the electrochemistry opens up with overpotential.
An efficient and near linear scaling pair natural orbital based local coupled cluster method
Authors: Riplinger Christoph , Neese Frank
Published: January 2013

In previous publications, it was shown that an efficient local coupled cluster method with single- and double excitations can be based on the concept of pair natural orbitals (PNOs) [F. Neese, A. Hansen, and D. G. Liakos, J. Chem. Phys. 131, 064103 (2009)10.1063/1.3173827]. The resulting local pair natural orbital-coupled-cluster single double (LPNO-CCSD) method has since been proven to be highly reliable and efficient. For large molecules, the number of amplitudes to be determined is reduced by a factor of 105–106 relative to a canonical CCSD calculation on the same system with the same basis set. In the original method, the PNOs were expanded in the set of canonical virtual orbitals and single excitations were not truncated. This led to a number of fifth order scaling steps that eventually rendered the method computationally expensive for large molecules (e.g., >100 atoms). In the present work, these limitations are overcome by a complete redesign of the LPNO-CCSD method. The new method is based on the combination of the concepts of PNOs and projected atomic orbitals (PAOs). Thus, each PNO is expanded in a set of PAOs that in turn belong to a given electron pair specific domain. In this way, it is possible to fully exploit locality while maintaining the extremely high compactness of the original LPNO-CCSD wavefunction. No terms are dropped from the CCSD equations and domains are chosen conservatively. The correlation energy loss due to the domains remains below <0.05%, which implies typically 15–20 but occasionally up to 30 atoms per domain on average. The new method has been given the acronym DLPNO-CCSD (“domain based LPNO-CCSD”). The method is nearly linear scaling with respect to system size. The original LPNO-CCSD method had three adjustable truncation thresholds that were chosen conservatively and do not need to be changed for actual applications. In the present treatment, no additional truncation parameters have been introduced. Any additional truncation is performed on the basis of the three original thresholds. There are no real-space cutoffs. Single excitations are truncated using singles-specific natural orbitals. Pairs are prescreened according to a multipole expansion of a pair correlation energy estimate based on local orbital specific virtual orbitals (LOSVs). Like its LPNO-CCSD predecessor, the method is completely of black box character and does not require any user adjustments. It is shown here that DLPNO-CCSD is as accurate as LPNO-CCSD while leading to computational savings exceeding one order of magnitude for larger systems. The largest calculations reported here featured >8800 basis functions and >450 atoms. In all larger test calculations done so far, the LPNO-CCSD step took less time than the preceding Hartree-Fock calculation, provided no approximations have been introduced in the latter. Thus, based on the present development reliable CCSD calculations on large molecules with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy are realized.
Linear and nonlinear wave propagation in weakly relativistic quantum plasmas
Authors: Stefan Martin , Brodin Gert
Published: January 2013

We consider a recently derived kinetic model for weakly relativistic quantum plasmas. We find that that the effects of spin-orbit interaction and Thomas precession may alter the linear dispersion relation for a magnetized plasma in case of high plasma densities and/or strong magnetic fields. Furthermore, the ponderomotive force induced by an electromagnetic pulse is studied for an unmagnetized plasma. It turns out that for this case the spin-orbit interaction always gives a significant contribution to the quantum part of the ponderomotive force.
High-energy analysis and Levinson's theorem for the selfadjoint matrix Schrödinger operator on the half line
Authors: Aktosun Tuncay , Weder Ricardo
Published: January 2013

The matrix Schrödinger equation with a selfadjoint matrix potential is considered on the half line with the general selfadjoint boundary condition at the origin. When the matrix potential is integrable, the high-energy asymptotics are established for the related Jost matrix, the inverse of the Jost matrix, and the scattering matrix. Under the additional assumption that the matrix potential has a first moment, Levinson's theorem is derived, relating the number of bound states to the change in the argument of the determinant of the scattering matrix.
Statistical measurements of scaling and anisotropy of turbulent flows induced by Rayleigh-Taylor instability
Authors: Cabot W. , Zhou Ye
Published: January 2013

This work investigates several key statistical measurements of turbulence induced by Rayleigh-Taylor instability using data from well resolved numerical simulations at moderate Reynolds number with the goal of determining the degree of departure of this inhomogeneous flow from that of homogeneous, isotropic turbulence. The simulations use two miscible fluids with unity Schmidt number and moderate density contrast (3/2 to 9). The results of this study should find application in subgrid-scale modeling for large-eddy simulations and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes modeling used in many engineering and scientific problems.
Generalized Kepler problems. I. Without magnetic charges
Authors: Meng Guowu
Published: January 2013

For each simple euclidean Jordan algebra V of rank ρ and degree δ, we introduce a family of classical dynamic problems. These dynamical problems all share the characteristic features of the Kepler problem for planetary motions, such as the existence of Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector and hidden symmetry. After suitable quantizations, a family of quantum dynamic problems, parametrized by the nontrivial Wallach parameter ν, is obtained. Here, $\nu \in {\mathcal {W}}(V):=\lbrace k \frac{\delta}{2}\mid k=1, \ldots , (\rho -1)\rbrace \cup ((\rho -1)\frac{\delta }{ 2}, \infty )$ν∈W(V):={kδ2∣k=1,...,(ρ−1)}∪((ρ−1)δ2,∞) and was introduced by N. Wallach to parametrize the set of nontrivial scalar-type unitary lowest weight representations of the conformal group of V. For the quantum dynamic problem labelled by ν, the bound state spectra is $-\frac{1/2}{ (I+\nu \frac{\rho }{ 2})^2}$−1/2(I+νρ2)2, I = 0, 1, … and its Hilbert space of bound states gives a new realization for the afore-mentioned representation labelled by ν. A few results in the literature about these representations become more explicit and more refined. The Lagrangian for a classical Kepler-type dynamic problem introduced here is still of the simple form: $\frac{1}{ 2} \Vert \dot{x}\Vert ^2+\frac{1}{ r}$12‖ẋ‖2+1r. Here, $\dot{x}$ẋ is the velocity of a unit-mass particle moving on the space consisting of V’s semi-positive elements of a fixed rank, and r is the inner product of x with the identity element of V.
Preferential states of rotating turbulent flows in a square container with a step topography
Authors: Tenreiro M. , Trieling R. R. , Sansón L. Zavala , van Heijst G. J. F.
Published: January 2013

The self-organization of confined, quasi-two-dimensional turbulent flows in a rotating square container with a step-like topography is investigated by means of laboratory experiments and numerical simulations based on a rigid lid, shallow-water formulation. The domain is divided by a bottom discontinuity into two rectangular regions, one being shallow and the other deep. The existence of a preferential vorticity distribution in the long-term evolution of the decaying flow is discussed. Initially, the turbulent flow organizes into larger structures. After a few rotation periods, a continuous jet-like flow is consistently observed along the step, with the shallow region at its right. This flow is associated with the adjustment of the fluid to equilibrium over a bottom discontinuity in an anti-clockwise rotating system. At the end of the step, two persistent structures are formed due to the collision of this jet with the vertical wall: a cyclonic circulation cell in the deep region, while an anticyclonic cell occurs in the shallow part of the domain. The laboratory experiments are well-reproduced by the simulations. Due to bottom friction effects, the fluid motion is halted before a complete organization of the flow is accomplished. In order to study the full process, additional numerical simulations were performed with zero Ekman friction. Same principal features are observed as in the experiments, but now a complete organization of the flow into four vortices is obtained: in the deep part of the flow domain, a cyclone-anticyclone pair is observed that fills up the entire region, and the mirrored double cell structure occurs on the shallow side. Such a disposition of the vortices is directly associated with the interaction of the flow along the step and the downstream wall at which it collides, as observed in the experiments. It is shown that this arrangement is systematically obtained in simulations with very different initial conditions. The existence of a preferential vorticity distribution induced by a topographic step is further discussed in terms of the aspect ratio of the domain.
Investigation of large Stark shifts in InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells
Authors: Xu Guibao , Sun Guan , Ding Yujie J. , Zhao Hongping , Liu Guangyu , Zhang Jing , Tansu Nelson
Published: January 2013

Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells excited by ultrafast laser pulses are investigated over broad ranges of excitation levels and temperatures. The PL peak energy undergoes blue, red, zero, and blue shifts with increasing the excitation fluence density. Such a peculiar behavior can be explained based on competing processes of screening of the built-in electric field by the photogenerated carriers, band-gap renormalization, and band-filling effect. We have also measured and analyzed the dependence of the PL energy and linewidth on the temperature. Due to the interplay between the band-gap renormalization and band-filling effect, the PL energy shifts to the highest value, whereas the PL linewidth reaches the minimum value at ≈60 K.
Classical limit of the Nelson model with cutoff
Authors: Falconi Marco
Published: January 2013

In this paper we analyze the classical limit of the Nelson model with cutoff, when both non-relativistic and relativistic particles number goes to infinity. We prove convergence of quantum observables to the solutions of classical equations, and find the evolution of quantum fluctuations around the classical solution. Furthermore, we analyze the convergence of transition amplitudes of normal ordered products of creation and annihilation operators between different types of initial states. In particular, the limit of normal ordered products between states with a fixed number of both relativistic and non-relativistic particles yields an unexpected quantum residue: instead of the product of classical solutions we obtain an average of the product of solutions corresponding to varying initial conditions.
Influence of the long-range corrections on the interfacial properties of molecular models using Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Míguez J. M. , Piñeiro M. M. , Blas Felipe J.
Published: January 2013

We analyze the influence of the long-range corrections, due to the dispersive term of the intermolecular potential energy, on the surface tension using direct simulation of the vapour-liquid interface of different molecular models. Although several calculation methods have been proposed recently to compute the fluid-fluid interfacial properties, the truncation of the intermolecular potential or the use of the tail corrections represents a contribution relevant from a quantitative perspective. In this work, a simplified model for methane, namely a spherical Lennard-Jones intermolecular potential, has been considered first, and afterwards other models including rigid non polarizable structures with both Lennard-Jones sites and point electric charges, representing some of the most popular models to describe water (namely the original TIP4P model, and the TIP4P/Ew and TIP4P/2005 versions), and carbon dioxide (MSM, EPM2, TraPPE, and ZD models) have been studied. Our results show that for all cases tested, including those in which the electrostatic interactions may be predominant, an incomplete account of the long-range corrections produces a systematic underestimation of the computed interfacial tension.
Effects of magnesium on phosphorus chemical states and p-type conduction behavior of phosphorus-doped ZnO films
Authors: Li Jichao , Li Yongfeng , Yao Bin , Xu Ying , Long Shiwang , Liu Lei , Zhang Zhenzhong , Zhang Ligong , Zhao Haifeng , Shen Dezhen
Published: January 2013

Effects of magnesium on phosphorus chemical states and p-type conduction behavior of phosphorus-doped ZnO (ZnO:P) films were investigated by combining experiment with first-principles calculation. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra show that Mg incorporation increases the amount of VZn, which makes more PZn-2VZn complex acceptor formed and background electron density decreased, leading to that MgZnO:P exhibits better p-type conductivity than ZnO:P. The p-type conductivity mainly arises from PZn-2VZn complex acceptor with a shallow acceptor energy of 108 meV. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra reveal that phosphorus has two chemical states of PZn-2VZn complex and isolated PZn, with binding energy of P2p3/2 of 132.81 and 133.87 eV, respectively. The conversion of isolated PZn to PZn-2VZn complex induced by Mg incorporation is observed in XPS, in agreement with the PL results. First-principles calculations suggest that the formation energy of nMgZn-VZn complex decreases with the increasing Mg content, well supporting the experiments from the PL spectra and XPS measurements.
Ratchet effect and amplitude dependence of phase locking in a two-dimensional Frenkel-Kontorova model
Authors: Wang Cang-Long , Tekić Jasmina , Duan Wen-Shan , Shao Zhi-Gang , Yang Lei
Published: January 2013

We demonstrate the ratchet and phase locking effects in a two-dimensional overdamped Frenkel-Kontorova model with a square symmetric periodic substrate when both a longitudinal dc drive and a circular ac drive are applied. Besides the harmonic steps, the large half integer steps can also clearly be seen in the longitudinal (x) direction. These half integer steps are directly correlated to the appearance of positive and negative ratchet effects in the transverse (y) direction due to the symmetry breaking in the combination of the dc and ac drives. The angle between the net displacement and the longitudinal direction is analytically obtained in a single period of the ac drive. In the examination of the amplitude dependence of the ac drive, the maxima decrease monotonically with the amplitude, while the anomalies occur for the critical depinning force and the harmonic steps due to the spatial symmetry breaking of orbits in the presence of the ac drive.
Photothermally activated motion and ignition using aluminum nanoparticles
Authors: Abboud Jacques E. , Chong Xinyuan , Zhang Mingjun , Zhang Zhili , Jiang Naibo , Roy Sukesh , Gord James R.
Published: January 2013

The aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) are demonstrated to serve as active photothermal media, to enhance and control local photothermal energy deposition via the photothermal effect activated by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and amplified by Al NPs oxidation. The activation source is a 2-AA-battery-powered xenon flash lamp. The extent of the photothermally activated movement of Al NPs can be ∼6 mm. Ignition delay can be ∼0.1 ms. Both scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy measurements of motion-only and after-ignition products confirm significant Al oxidation occurs through sintering and bursting after the flash exposure. Simulations suggest local heat generation is enhanced by LSPR. The positive-feedback effects from the local heat generation amplified by Al oxidation produce a large increase in local temperature and pressure, which enhances movement and accelerates ignition.
Organic field-effect transistor nonvolatile memories based on hybrid nano-floating-gate
Authors: Gao Xu , She Xiao-Jian , Liu Chang-Hai , Sun Qi-Jun , Liu Jie , Wang Sui-Dong
Published: January 2013

High performance organic field-effect transistor nonvolatile memory is achieved by integrating gold nanoparticles and graphene oxide sheets as the hybrid nano-floating-gate. The device shows a large memory window of about 40 V, high ON/OFF ratio of reading current over 104, excellent programming/erasing endurance, and retention ability. The hybrid nano-floating-gate can increase the density of charge trapping sites, which are electrically separate from each other and thus suppress the stored charge leakage. The memory window is increased under illumination, and the results indicate that the photon-generated carriers facilitate the electron trapping but have almost no effect on the hole trapping.
Production of a 100-m-long high-quality graphene transparent conductive film by roll-to-roll chemical vapor deposition and transfer process
Authors: Kobayashi Toshiyuki , Bando Masashi , Kimura Nozomi , Shimizu Keisuke , Kadono Koji , Umezu Nobuhiko , Miyahara Kazuhiko , Hayazaki Shinji , Nagai Sae , Mizuguchi Yukiko , Murakami Yosuke , Hobara Daisuke
Published: January 2013

A high-quality graphene transparent conductive film was fabricated by roll-to-roll chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis on a suspended copper foil and subsequent transfer. While the high temperature required for the CVD synthesis of high-quality graphene has prevented efficient roll-to-roll production thus far, we used selective Joule heating of the copper foil to achieve this. Low pressure thermal CVD synthesis and a direct roll-to-roll transfer process using photocurable epoxy resin allowed us to fabricate a 100-m-long graphene transparent conductive film with a sheet resistance as low as 150 Ω/sq, which is comparable to that of state-of-the-art CVD-grown graphene films.
Optical emission characteristics of surface nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge plasma
Authors: Wu Yun , Li Yinghong , Jia Min , Song Huimin , Liang Hua
Published: January 2013

This paper reports an experimental study of the optical emission characteristics of the surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma excited by nanosecond pulsed voltage. N2(C3Пu) rotational and vibrational temperatures are almost the same with upper electrode powered with positive polarity and lower electrode grounded or upper electrode grounded and lower electrode powered with positive polarity. While the electron temperature is 12% higher with upper electrode powered with positive polarity and lower electrode grounded. When the frequency is below 2000 Hz, there is almost no influence of applied voltage amplitude and frequency on N2(C3Пu) rotational, vibrational temperature and electron temperature. As the pressure decreases from 760 Torr to 5 Torr, N2(C3Пu) rotational temperature remains almost unchanged, while its vibrational temperature decreases initially and then increases. The discharge mode changes from a filamentary type to a glow type around 80 Torr. In the filamentary mode, the electron temperature remains almost unchanged. In the glow mode, the electron temperature increases while the pressure decreases.
Giant magnetocaloric and barocaloric effects in R5Si2Ge2 (R = Tb, Gd)
Authors: de Oliveira N. A.
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we theoretically discuss the magnetocaloric effect under applied pressure and the barocaloric effect in the compounds Gd5Si2Ge2 and Tb5Si2Ge2. For this purpose, we use a model of interacting localized magnetic moments, including the magnetoelastic coupling. Our calculations show that the barocaloric quantities, upon pressure variation from 0 to 2 kbar, in the compound Gd5Si2Ge2 exhibit the normal behavior with large values, in good agreement with the available experimental data. Moreover, our theoretical calculations predict that the barocaloric quantities in the compound Tb5Si2Ge2, upon pressure variation from 0 to 6 kbar, are large as well.
Mid-infrared-pumped, electrically driven terahertz quantum laser: Enhanced pumping efficiency and prevention of electric-field domains
Authors: Lü X. , Wienold M. , Schrottke L. , Biermann K. , Grahn H. T.
Published: January 2013

We investigated GaAs/(Al,Ga)As structures for mid-infrared-pumped, electrically driven terahertz quantum lasers (TQLs) based on the concept of Waldmueller et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 117401 (2007)]. We developed a design with the gain maximum appearing at a relatively low field strength of 6.5 kV/cm. The present TQL design avoids pumping-induced current instabilities, which prevented a previous design from operating at the required field strength as discussed by Giehler et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 110, 103104 (2011)]. We applied photocurrent (PC) spectroscopy to examine the pumping process. The measured PC spectra are found to be in agreement with simulated spectra in the vicinity of the desired operating field strength. We demonstrate that electric-field domain formation can be suppressed using a continuous-wave CO2 laser as the pump.
Microbubble array for on-chip worm processing
Authors: Xu Yuhao , Hashmi Ali , Yu Gan , Lu Xiaonan , Kwon Hyuck-Jin , Chen Xiaolin , Xu Jie
Published: January 2013

We present an acoustic non-contact technique for achieving trapping, enrichment, and manipulation of Caenorhabditis elegans using an array of oscillating microbubbles. We characterize the trapping efficiency and enrichment ratio under various flow conditions, and demonstrate a single-worm manipulation mechanism through temporal actuation of bubbles. The reason for oscillating bubbles being versatile in processing worms in a microfluidic environment is due to the complex interactions among acoustic field, microbubbles, fluid flow, and live animals. We explain the operating mechanisms used in our device by the interplay among secondary acoustic radiation force, drag force, and the propulsive force of C. elegans.
Controllable low-bias negative differential resistance and rectifying behaviors induced by symmetry breaking
Authors: Fan Zhi-Qiang , Zhang Zhen-Hua , Deng Xiao-Qing , Tang Gui-Ping , Chen Ke-Qiu
Published: January 2013

Incorporating the characteristic of pyramidal electrode and symmetry breaking of molecular structure, we theoretically design a molecular device to perform negative differential resistance and rectifying behaviors simultaneously. The calculated results reveal that low-bias negative differential resistance behaviors can appear symmetrically when tetraphenyl molecule connects to pyramidal gold electrodes. However, as one phenyl of tetraphenyl molecule is replaced by a pyrimidyl, the symmetry breaking on the molecule will break the symmetry of negative differential resistance behavior. The peak-to-valley ratio on negative bias region is larger than that on positive bias region to perform a low-bias rectifying behavior. More importantly, increasing the symmetry breaking can further weaken these two behaviors which propose an effective way to modulate them.
Marine bacteria exhibit a bipolar distribution
Authors: Sul Woo Jun , Oliver Thomas A. , Ducklow Hugh W. , Amaral-Zettler Linda A. , Sogin Mitchell L.
Published: January 2013

The microbial cosmopolitan dispersion hypothesis often invoked to explain distribution patterns driven by high connectivity of oceanographic water masses and widespread dispersal ability has never been rigorously tested. By using a global marine bacterial dataset and iterative matrix randomization simulation, we show that marine bacteria exhibit a significantly greater dispersal limitation than predicted by our null model using the “everything is everywhere” tenet with no dispersal limitation scenario. Specifically, marine bacteria displayed bipolar distributions (i.e., species occurring exclusively at both poles and nowhere else) significantly less often than in the null model. Furthermore, we observed fewer taxa present in both hemispheres but more taxa present only in a single hemisphere than expected under the null model. Each of these trends diverged further from the null expectation as the compared habitats became more geographically distant but more environmentally similar. Our meta-analysis supported a latitudinal gradient in bacterial diversity with higher richness at lower latitudes, but decreased richness toward the poles. Bacteria in the tropics also demonstrated narrower latitudinal ranges at lower latitudes and relatively larger ranges in higher latitudes, conforming to the controversial macroecological pattern of the “Rapoport rule.” Collectively, our findings suggest that bacteria follow biogeographic patterns more typical of macroscopic organisms, and that dispersal limitation, not just environmental selection, likely plays an important role. Distributions of microbes that deliver critical ecosystem services, particularly those in polar regions, may be vulnerable to the same impacts that environmental stressors, climate warming, and degradation in habitat quality are having on biodiversity in animal and plant species.
Synthetic Cannabinoid Overdose in a 20-Year-Old Male US Soldier
Authors: Berry-Cabán Cristóbal S. , Ee Juliana , Ingram Victoria , Berry Carlos E. , Kim Eugene H.
Published: January 2013

Popularity of synthetic cannabinoids among US military service members has risen over the last several years, leading to an increase in hospitalizations and legal actions stemming from its use and possession. Although synthetic cannabinoids, collectively referred to as “Spice,” are similar in structure to the active metabolites found in cannabis, significant concerns exist regarding the severity of short- and long-term medical and psychiatric sequelae. This article presents a case, in which a patient experienced severe medical and psychiatric symptoms far exceeding the severity and duration typically resulting from cannabis use.
Alcoholics Anonymous and Reduced Impulsivity: A Novel Mechanism of Change
Authors: Blonigen Daniel M. , Timko Christine , Moos Rudolf H.
Published: January 2013

Reduced impulsivity is a novel, yet plausible, mechanism of change associated with the salutary effects of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Here, the authors review their work on links between AA attendance and reduced impulsivity using a 16-year prospective study of men and women with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) who were initially untreated for their drinking problems. Across the study period, there were significant mean-level decreases in impulsivity, and longer AA duration was associated with reductions in impulsivity. In turn, decreases in impulsivity from baseline to Year 1 were associated with fewer legal problems and better drinking and psychosocial outcomes at Year 1, and better psychosocial functioning at Year 8. Decreases in impulsivity mediated associations between longer AA duration and improvements on several Year 1 outcomes, with the indirect effects conditional on participants’ age. Findings are discussed in terms of their potential implications for research on AA and, more broadly, interventions for individuals with AUDs.
12-Step Participation and Outcomes over 7 Years among Adolescent Substance Use Patients with and without Psychiatric Comorbidity
Authors: Chi Felicia W. , Sterling Stacy , Campbell Cynthia I. , Weisner Constance
Published: January 2013

This study examines the associations between 12-step participation and outcomes over 7 years among 419 adolescent substance use patients with and without psychiatric comorbidities. Although level of participation decreased over time for both groups, comorbid adolescents participated in 12-step groups at comparable or higher levels across time points. Results from mixed-effects logistic regression models indicated that for both groups, 12-step participation was associated with both alcohol and drug abstinence at follow-ups, increasing the likelihood of either by at least 3 times. Findings highlight the potential benefits of 12-step participation in maintaining long-term recovery for adolescents with and without psychiatric disorders.
A Marcinkiewicz maximal-multiplier theorem
Authors: Oberlin Richard
Published: January 2013

For

r
>
2

r > 2

, we prove the boundedness of a maximal operator formed by applying all multipliers

m
m

with

‖
m

‖

V
r

≤
1

\|m\|_{V^r} \leq 1

to a given function.
p120-catenin and β-catenin differentially regulate cadherin adhesive function
Authors: Oas Rebecca G. , Nanes Benjamin A. , Esimai Chimdimnma C. , Vincent Peter A. , García Andrés J. , Kowalczyk Andrew P.
Published: January 2013

Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, the major adherens junction adhesion molecule in endothelial cells, interacts with p120-catenin and β-catenin through its cytoplasmic tail. However, the specific functional contributions of the catenins to the establishment of strong adhesion are not fully understood. Here we use bioengineering approaches to identify the roles of cadherin–catenin interactions in promoting strong cellular adhesion and the ability of the cells to spread on an adhesive surface. Our results demonstrate that the domain of VE-cadherin that binds to β-catenin is required for the establishment of strong steady-state adhesion strength. Surprisingly, p120 binding to the cadherin tail had no effect on the strength of adhesion when the available adhesive area was limited. Instead, the binding of VE-cadherin to p120 regulates adhesive contact area in a Rac1-dependent manner. These findings reveal that p120 and β-catenin have distinct but complementary roles in strengthening cadherin-mediated adhesion.
Direct comparison of the diagnostic capability of cardiac magnetic resonance and endomyocardial biopsy in patients with heart failure
Authors: Yoshida Akemi , Ishibashi‐Ueda Hatsue , Yamada Naoaki , Kanzaki Hideaki , Hasegawa Takuya , Takahama Hiroyuki , Amaki Makoto , Asakura Masanori , Kitakaze Masafumi
Published: January 2013

Aims

The diagnostic performance of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has not been compared with that of other imaging modalities. Therefore, this study investigated the diagnostic capabilities of CMR and endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

We studied 136 patients with cardiomyopathy who underwent both CMR and EMB. Independent diagnoses were made according to the results of (i) CMR alone; (ii) EMB alone; (iii) clinical data plus echocardiogram; (iv) clinical data, echocardiogram, plus CMR; and (v) clinical data, echocardiogram, plus EMB. These diagnoses were then compared with the final diagnosis (gold standard) that was made using the complete clinical data, including EMB and CMR. The sensitivities of the diagnosis strategies of (i–v) relative to the final diagnosis were 67, 79, 86, 97, and 100%, respectively. CMR alone demonstrated better sensitivity for cardiac sarcoidosis and greater specificity for dilated cardiomyopathy than EMB alone. CMR also tended to show better sensitivity for hypertensive heart disease. There was no difference between the diagnostic capability of CMR and EMB for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, CMR showed excellent sensitivity (100%) for apical and obstructive HCM, whereas EMB displayed better sensitivity for dilated HCM. Moreover, combined diagnosis with clinical data, echocardiogram, plus CMR achieved superior agreement with the final diagnosis in comparison with EMB alone.

Conclusion

Non‐invasive CMR demonstrated excellent diagnostic capability for patients with HF and was as effective as or superior to EMB. In particular, the use of CMR in combination with clinical data unrelated to EMB may provide excellent diagnostic accuracy for HF.
Patient selection criteria and midterm clinical outcome for MitraClip therapy in patients with severe mitral regurgitation and severe congestive heart failure
Authors: Neuss Michael , Schau Thomas , Schoepp Maren , Seifert Martin , Hölschermann Frank , Meyhöfer Jürgen , Butter Christian
Published: January 2013

Aims

The implantation of a MitraClip (MC) is a new treatment modality for severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients whose condition is inoperable or who are at high conventional operative risk. This study reports the follow‐up data of patients implanted with an MC in our heart centre to find selection criteria for this procedure in patients with severe congestive heart failure.

Methods and results

This study included 163 implantation procedures in 157 patients between March 2009 and November 2012. The severe MR was caused by functional or organic valve disease. The patients had no surgical treatment option or dramatically increased surgical operative risk due to reduced LVEF or concomitant diseases. Three (2%) implantation procedures were unsuccessful. Eleven (7%) patients died during the first 30 days after MC implantation, and 9 (6%) additional patients died during the first 6 months, both groups mainly due to severe, therapy‐resistant end‐stage heart failure. The 111 patients who were followed up showed significant improvement in NT‐proBNP, LVEF, NYHA class, 6 min walk test, and quality of life. Ten (6%) patients needed conventional heart surgery despite high operative risk due to persistent symptomatic MR after MC implantation.

Conclusion

The interventional implantation of an MC is a new treatment for severe MR with acceptable periprocedural risk and results in clinical improvement in the majority. Patients with end‐stage heart failure and an NT‐proBNP value >10 000 pg/mL have a high mortality despite MC implantation, and their treatment should be based on a very individualized decision. Based on this experience, a clinical algorithm for patient selection is proposed.
Natural Occurrence of Subjective Aging Experiences in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Miche Martina , Wahl Hans-Werner , Diehl Manfred , Oswald Frank , Kaspar Roman , Kolb Maren
Published: January 2013

Objectives.

The subjective experience of aging is a relevant correlate of developmental outcomes. However, traditional approaches fall short of capturing the inherent multidimensionality of subjective aging experiences (SAEs). Based on the concept of Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC; Diehl, M. K., & Wahl, H.-W. (2010). Awareness of age-related change: Examination of a (mostly) unexplored concept. Journals of Gerontology: Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 65, 340–350. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp110), this study provides a description of SAEs that is facet rich, and based on their natural occurrence, analyzes interindividual differences and associations with well-being.

Method.

Data came from 225 participants (70–88 years) of the ongoing BEWOHNT study. Open-ended diary entries about age-related experiences were collected for more than 14 days and coded according to AARC domains and subdomains.

Results.

Seventy percent of all participants had SAEs about physical functioning. About half of the sample reported experiences in the domains interpersonal relations, social-emotional and social-cognitive functioning (COGN-EMOT), and lifestyle. Thirty percent experienced aging in terms of changes in cognitive functioning. Contents of SAEs varied by gender, age group, and functional status. SAEs about COGN-EMOT were most consistently related to affective components of subjective well-being.

Discussion.

Our results demonstrate the benefits of an open-ended approach to a multidimensional understanding of SAEs. Content-related, social-cognitive and social-emotional changes more than functional age-related changes were most important for well-being.
Extensive recombination detected among beak and feather disease virus isolates from breeding facilities in Poland
Authors: Julian Laurel , Piasecki Tomasz , Chrząstek Klaudia , Walters Matthew , Muhire Brejnev , Harkins Gordon W. , Martin Darren P. , Varsani Arvind
Published: January 2013

Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) causes the highly contagious, in some cases fatal, psittacine beak and feather disease in parrots. The European continent has no native parrots, yet in the past has been one of the world’s biggest importers of wild-caught exotic parrot species. Following the banning of this practice in 2007, the demand for exotic pet parrots has largely been met by established European breeding facilities, which can also supply buyers outside Europe. However, the years of unregulated importation have provided numerous opportunities for BFDV to enter Europe, meaning the likelihood of birds within captive breeding facilities being BFDV positive is high. This study examined the BFDV status of such facilities in Poland, a country previously shown to have BFDV among captive birds. A total of 209 birds from over 50 captive breeding facilities across Poland were tested, and 43 birds from 18 different facilities tested positive for BFDV. The full BFDV genomes from these 43 positive birds were determined, and phylogenetic analysis revealed that these samples harboured a relatively high degree of diversity and that they were highly recombinant. It is evident that there have been multiple introductions of BFDV into Poland over a long period of time, and the close association of different species of birds in the captive environment has probably facilitated the evolution of new BFDV strains through recombination.
Corporate and consumer social responsibility in the food supply chain
Authors: Manning Louise
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose is to analyse the interaction between corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies and consumer social responsibility (CNSR) and then contribute to theory‐building by developing an interaction model.

Design/methodology/approach

The research included a literature review and the development of a CSR/CNSR interaction model for the food supply chain.

Findings

CSR is an organo‐centric response to a series of supply chain drivers, which in a competitive market promotes corporate/product differentiation and more effective use of resources. CSR is however of limited value to the organisation if there is a lack of, or a change in, consumer engagement. Recent economic drivers have influenced CNSR behaviour with the consumerism component rather than the caring component of CNSR playing a lead role. However, this is not the case with all food products and CNSR can be a solo, product‐centric purchasing decision within the shopping basket. Organisations need to recognise that their CSR activities must remain congruent with CNSR in order that they maintain or improve market share and customer loyalty.

Originality/value

This research is of academic value and of value to policy makers and practitioners in the food supply chain. The results show that organisations need to consider the influence of the nature of consumer social responsibility associated with their products and services in the development and refinement of CSR strategies.
CSR schemes in agribusiness: opening the black box
Authors: Poetz Katharina , Haas Rainer , Balzarova Michaela
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The rise of CSR followed a demand for CSR standards and guidelines. In a sector already characterized by a large number of standards, the authors seek to ask what CSR schemes apply to agribusiness, and how they can be systematically compared and analysed.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a deductive‐inductive approach the authors develop a model to compare and analyse CSR schemes based on existing studies and on coding qualitative data on 216 CSR schemes.

Findings

The authors confirm that CSR standards and guidelines have entered agribusiness and identify a complex landscape of schemes that can be categorized on focus areas, scales, mechanisms, origins, types and commitment levels.

Research limitations/implications

The findings contribute to conceptual and empirical research on existing models to compare and analyse CSR standards. Sampling technique and depth of analysis limit this research, but the authors offer insights into patterns of CSR standard development in agribusiness and point to important research avenues.

Practical implications

These findings can help agribusiness managers to select and analyse CSR standards and other forms of CSR guidance.

Social implications

Standard and guidance setting activities can be expected to have real‐life effects on CSR outcomes. These effects need to be better understood by policy makers and stakeholders. The authors' meta‐analysis contributes to further research on who or what influences standard development.

Originality/value

Models to compare CSR schemes are rare and often focus on a small number of cases. The authors provide decision makers and researchers with insights into structural conditions through a meta‐analysis of a larger number of CSR schemes.
“Yellowface” in movies: a survey of American academic collections
Authors: Norio Masuchika Glenn
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate if collection developers in American academic libraries have added predominantly “yellowface” movies to their collections, or have actively sought out movies created and acted by Asian and Asian Americans, to balance out their libraries' collections.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, ten acknowledged “yellowface” movies and ten critically acclaimed Asian and Asian American movies were chosen. The collections of 157 academic libraries throughout the entire USA were then surveyed, including geographical areas that have had very few Asians or Asian Americans in their populations throughout their histories.

Findings

The results show that neither “yellowface” movies nor Asian and Asian American movies are overtly dominant in the collections of American academic librarians, and one can conclude that the collection developers actively sought to find a balance between movies in both categories, no matter the geographical locations of their libraries.

Social implications

No matter how unsavory is our racist past, representations of past bigotry and discrimination should be available for scholars of history, cultural studies, and sociology. However, interpretations of Asians defined with this jaundiced eye must be balanced with movies of Asians and Asian Americans defining themselves.

Originality/value

The area of Asian and Asian American movies is rather small and arcane, yet the results of this survey show that there are no academic areas too small or narrow that do not demand the attention of a knowledgeable collection developer.
A learning algorithm for model‐based object detection
Authors: Guodong Chen , Xia Zeyang , Sun Rongchuan , Wang Zhenhua , Sun Lining
Published: January 2013

Purpose

Detecting objects in images and videos is a difficult task that has challenged the field of computer vision. Most of the algorithms for object detection are sensitive to background clutter and occlusion, and cannot localize the edge of the object. An object's shape is typically the most discriminative cue for its recognition by humans. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a model‐based object detection method which uses only shape‐fragment features.

Design/methodology/approach

The object shape model is learned from a small set of training images and all object models are composed of shape fragments. The model of the object is in multi‐scales.

Findings

The major contributions of this paper are the application of learned shape fragments‐based model for object detection in complex environment and a novel two‐stage object detection framework.

Originality/value

The results presented in this paper are competitive with other state‐of‐the‐art object detection methods.
Intensity‐modulated fiber optic sensor for health monitoring applications: a comparative review
Authors: Anwar Zawawi Mohd , O'Keffe Sinead , Lewis Elfed
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative review of intensity‐modulated fiber optic sensors with non‐optical sensors for health monitoring applications, from the current research activities in the area.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of published research work in sensor design for four different health monitoring applications, including, lumbar spine bending, upper and lower limb motion tracking, respiration and heart rate monitoring, are presented and discussed in terms of their respective advantages and limitations.

Findings

This paper provides information on the various types of sensors applied into the health monitoring area. The sensing techniques of the fiber optic sensor for the stated applications are focused and compared in details to highlight their contributions.

Originality/value

A comparative review of published work is illustrated in an informative table content, to allow a clear idea of the current sensing approaches for health monitoring applications.