bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A metapopulation model for highly pathogenic avian influenza: implications for compartmentalization as a control measure
Authors: NICKBAKHSH S. , MATTHEWS L. , REID S. W. J. , KAO R. R.
Published: December 2013

Although the compartmentalization of poultry industry components has substantial economic implications, and is therefore a concept with huge significance to poultry industries worldwide, the current requirements for compartment status are generic to all OIE member countries. We examined the consequences for potential outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the British poultry industry using a metapopulation modelling framework. This framework was used to assess the effectiveness of compartmentalization relative to zoning control, utilizing empirical data to inform the structure of potential epidemiological contacts within the British poultry industry via network links and spatial proximity. Conditions were identified where, despite the efficient isolation of poultry compartments through the removal of network-mediated links, spatially mediated airborne spread enabled spillover of infection with nearby premises making compartmentalization a more ‘risky’ option than zoning control. However, when zoning control did not effectively inhibit long-distance network links, compartmentalization became a relatively more effective control measure than zoning. With better knowledge of likely distance ranges for airborne spread, our approach could help define an appropriate minimum inter-farm distance to provide more specific guidelines for compartmentalization in Great Britain.
Second outbreak of infection with a rareCryptosporidium parvumgenotype in schoolchildren associated with contact with lambs/goat kids at a holiday farm in Norway
Authors: LANGE H. , JOHANSEN Ø. H. , VOLD L. , ROBERTSON L. J. , ANTHONISEN I. L. , NYGARD K.
Published: December 2013

In March 2012, a second outbreak ofCryptosporidium parvumaffected children following a stay at a holiday farm in Norway; the first outbreak occurred in 2009. We studied a cohort of 145 schoolchildren who had visited the farm, of which 40 (28%) were cases.Cryptosporidiumoocysts were detected in faecal samples from humans, goat kids and lambs. Molecular studies revealedC. parvumsubtype IIa A19G1R1 in all samples including human samples from the 2009 outbreak. A dose–response relationship was found between the number of optional sessions with animals and illness, increasing from two sessions [risk ratio (RR) 2·7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·6–11·5] to six sessions (RR 8·0, 95% CI 1·7–37·7). The occurrence of two outbreaks 3 years apart, with the same subtype ofC. parvum, suggests that the parasite is established in the farm's environment. We recommend greater emphasis on hand hygiene and routines related to animal contact.
Clustered cases ofBordetella pertussisinfection cause high levels of IgG antibodies against pertussis toxin in adolescents in Gaobeidian city, China
Authors: WU Y. , ZHU B. , GAO Y. , SHI Z. , WANG J. , WANG H. , SHAO Z.
Published: December 2013

In a large serosurvey performed in Gaobeidian city, China, 1032 children and adolescents aged 3–18 years were divided into three age groups: 3–6, 7–11, and 12–18 years. The geometric mean of IgG antibodies against pertussis toxin (anti-PT IgG) varied from 3·47 IU/ml (3–6 years) to 8·71 IU/ml (12–18 years) and the seroprevalence (⩾40 IU/ml) varied from 4·48% (7–11 years) to 11·76% (12–18 years). Infections were clustered in three secondary schools (schools 1–3). However, excluding secondary schools 1–3, the IgG PT levels, seroprevalence and rates of recent infections (>100 IU/ml) in secondary schools 4–7 (where infections were not clustered) were very close to those in the 3–6 and 7–11 years age groups. This suggests that the high seroprevalence and anti-PT IgG levels in adolescents in Gaobeidian city, China were caused by the clustered cases in certain secondary schools. Our results also suggested that pertussis was still circulating in China, and the reported incidence might be underestimated.
The Debate over Open Communion in the Episcopal Church: Ecclesiastical Disobedience or Lawlessness?
Authors: Prendergast James D
Published: December 2013

Lawyers and priests are both vested in their office by a licensing authority and take oaths to obey the law, whether civil or ecclesiastical, that governs. Within these similar settings, the appropriate authority may need to judge disobedience by the lawyer or priest. If obedience is not enforced, respect for the law will decline and lawlessness ensues. In the Episcopal Church, it is black-letter law that only the baptised may receive communion. Notwithstanding the law, priests in ever-increasing numbers are inviting all to the table. Against what standard is such conduct to be judged? The Constitution and Canons are silent. Is the standard therefore to be merely the fact that the priest thinks he or she is following the dictates of the Holy Spirit? Or is there a real standard for judgment? Perhaps the gloss around civil disobedience and the rules of professional responsibility of lawyers may provide a more objective guide. This article discusses the debate over open table and the current black-letter law, and considers ecclesiastical disobedience under the guidance of the standards for legitimate civil disobedience. In addition, it considers the apparent desire of the bishops for the best of all possible worlds – having a law that the greater Church will appreciate, but then not enforcing it. The result may be more table fellowship but also anarchy.
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Authors: Cranmer Frank
Published: December 2013

As always, the General Assembly deliberated on a wide range of issues. Prior to 12 May 1999 the Assembly were regarded by many Scots as the nearest thing to a Parliament that they possessed; and though devolution has perhaps lessened the Assembly's impact it has not diminished their enthusiasm for tackling difficult social and political questions, ranging from the economics of world poverty and the ‘Enough food for everyone … if?’ campaign to a major report on Israel–Palestine which had attracted considerable criticism from Scotland's Jewish community in advance of the debate. Probably of most interest to readers of this Journal, however, are the following.
Joint Assembly of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Authors: Perry Alan T
Published: December 2013

In 2001 the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's National Convention, meeting concurrently in Waterloo, Ontario, agreed to a relationship of Full Communion. Readers will be familiar with the Porvoo Communion and the associated Declaration. The Waterloo Declaration is similar in effect and borrows some wording from the Porvoo Declaration, the key difference being that, in the Canadian context, Anglican and Lutheran churches share the same territory, which provides greater opportunity for day-to-day collaboration.
Fractal image compression
Authors: MARTIN C. E. , CURTIS S. A.
Published: December 2013

This paper describes some experiences of using fractal image compression as the subject of an assignment for a functional programming course using Haskell. The students were fascinated by the reproduction of images from their encodings and engaged well with the exercise which involved only elementary functional programming techniques.
Large Deviations and Ratio Limit Theorems for Pattern-Avoiding Permutations
Authors: ATAPOUR MAHSHID , MADRAS NEAL
Published: December 2013

For a fixed permutation τ, let$\mathcal{S}_N(\tau)$be the set of permutations onNelements that avoid the pattern τ. Madras and Liu (2010) conjectured that$\lim_{N\rightarrow\infty}\frac{|\mathcal{S}_{N+1}(\tau)|}{ |\mathcal{S}_N(\tau)|}$exists; if it does, it must equal the Stanley–Wilf limit. We prove the conjecture for every permutation τ of length 5 or less, as well as for some longer cases (including 704 of the 720 permutations of length 6). We also consider permutations drawn at random from$\mathcal{S}_N(\tau)$, and we investigate properties of their graphs (viewing permutations as functions on {1,. . .,N}) scaled down to the unit square [0,1]2. We prove exact large deviation results for these graphs when τ has length 3; it follows, for example, that it is exponentially unlikely for a random 312-avoiding permutation to have points above the diagonal strip |y−x| < ε, but not unlikely to have points below the strip. For general τ, we show that some neighbourhood of the upper left corner of [0,1]2is exponentially unlikely to contain a point of the graph if and only if τ starts with its largest element. For patterns such as τ=4231 we establish that this neighbourhood can be extended along the sides of [0,1]2to come arbitrarily close to the corner points (0,0) and (1,1), as simulations had suggested.
Is Prehospital Endotracheal Intubation Associated with Improved Outcomes In Isolated Severe Head Injury? A Matched Cohort Analysis
Authors: Karamanos Efstathios , Talving Peep , Skiada Dimitra , Osby Melanie , Inaba Kenji , Lam Lydia , Albuz Ozgur , Demetriades Demetrios
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Prehospital endotracheal intubation (ETI) following traumatic brain injury in urban settings is controversial. Studies investigating admission arterial blood gas (ABG) patterns in these instances are scant.

Hypothesis

Outcomes in patients subjected to divergent prehospital airway management options following severe head injury were studied.

Methods

This was a retrospective propensity-matched study in patients with isolated TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 3) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of ≤ 8 admitted to a Level 1 urban trauma center from January 1, 2003 through October 31, 2011. Cases that had prehospital ETI were compared to controls subjected to oxygen by mask in a one to three ratio for demographics, mechanism of injury, tachycardia/hypotension, Injury Severity Score, type of intracranial lesion, and all major surgical interventions. Primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes included admission gas profile, in-hospital morbidity, ICU length of stay (ICU LOS) and hospital length of stay (HLOS).

Results

Cases (n = 55) and controls (n = 165) had statistically similar prehospital and in-hospital variables after propensity matching. Mortality was significantly higher for the ETI group (69.1% vs 55.2% respectively, P = .011). There was no difference in pH, base deficit, and pCO2 on admission blood gases; however the ETI group had significantly lower pO2 (187 (SD = 14) vs 213 (SD = 13), P = .034). There was a significantly increased incidence of septic shock in the ETI group. Patients subjected to prehospital ETI had a longer HLOS and ICU LOS.

Conclusion

In isolated severe traumatic brain injury, prehospital endotracheal intubation was associated with significantly higher adjusted mortality rate and worsened admission oxygenation. Further prospective validation of these findings is warranted.

KaramanosE, TalvingP, SkiadaD, OsbyM, InabaK, LamL, AlbuzO, DemetriadesD. Is prehospital endotracheal intubation associated with improved outcomes in isolated severe head injury? A matched cohort analysis. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(6):1-5.
Chronic Conditions and Household Preparedness for Public Health Emergencies: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2006-2010
Authors: Ko Jean Y. , Strine Tara W. , Allweiss Pamela
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Individuals with chronic conditions often experience exacerbation of those conditions and have specialized medical needs after a disaster. Less is known about the level of disaster preparedness of this particular population and the extent to which being prepared might have an impact on the risk of disease exacerbation. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between self-reported asthma, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes and levels of household disaster preparedness.

Methods

Data were analyzed from 14 US states participating in the 2006-2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a large state-based telephone survey. Chi-square statistics and adjusted prevalence ratios were calculated.

Results

After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, as compared to those without each condition, persons with cardiovascular disease (aPR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01-1.17) and diabetes (aPR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.05-1.22) were slightly more likely to have an evacuation plan and individuals with diabetes (aPR = 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.05) and asthma (aPR = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04) were slightly more likely to have a 3-day supply of prescription medication. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence for all other preparedness measures (3-day supply of food and water, working radio and flashlight, willingness to leave during a mandatory evacuation) between those with and those without each chronic condition.

Conclusion

Despite the increased morbidity and mortality associated with chronic conditions, persons with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and asthma were generally not more prepared for natural or man-made disasters than those without each chronic condition.

KoJY, StrineTW, AllweissP. Chronic conditions and household preparedness for public health emergencies: behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 2006-2010. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(1):1-8.
No news without new scientific ideas
Authors: Loonen Anton J. M.
Published: December 2013

In this editorial, it is strongly advocated that a change of policy is warranted in order to prevent neuroscience from becoming a waste of time and money in the 21st century. Repeating the same trick in different patient populations and perusing the scientific literature seems to currently be the backbone of medical science. However, this approach does not provide knowledge on how the brain works or how specific dysfunctions result in specific diseases. Therefore, earlier findings should, first, be combined to develop new theories on the mechanics of the mind, and, second, these new ideas should be tested in well-designed experiments.
Baseline Heartbeat Perception Accuracy and Short-Term Outcome of Brief Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia
Authors: Masdrakis Vasilios G. , Legaki Emilia-Maria , Vaidakis Nikolaos , Ploumpidis Dimitrios , Soldatos Constantin R. , Papageorgiou Charalambos , Papadimitriou George N. , Oulis Panagiotis
Published: December 2013

Background: Increased heartbeat perception accuracy (HBP-accuracy) may contribute to the pathogenesis of Panic Disorder (PD) without or with Agoraphobia (PDA). Extant research suggests that HBP-accuracy is a rather stable individual characteristic, moreover predictive of worse long-term outcome in PD/PDA patients. However, it remains still unexplored whether HBP-accuracy adversely affects patients’ short-term outcome after structured cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for PD/PDA. Aim: To explore the potential association between HBP-accuracy and the short-term outcome of a structured brief-CBT for the acute treatment of PDA. Method: We assessed baseline HBP-accuracy using the “mental tracking” paradigm in 25 consecutive medication-free, CBT-naive PDA patients. Patients then underwent a structured, protocol-based, 8-session CBT by the same therapist. Outcome measures included the number of panic attacks during the past week, the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), and the Mobility Inventory-Alone subscale (MI-alone). Results: No association emerged between baseline HBP-accuracy and posttreatment changes concerning number of panic attacks. Moreover, higher baseline HBP-accuracy was associated with significantly larger reductions in the scores of the ACQ and the MI-alone scales. Conclusion: Our results suggest that in PDA patients undergoing structured brief-CBT for the acute treatment of their symptoms, higher baseline HBP-accuracy is not associated with worse short-term outcome concerning panic attacks. Furthermore, higher baseline HBP-accuracy may be associated with enhanced therapeutic gains in agoraphobic cognitions and behaviours.
Dysfunctional Cognitions among Offspring of Individuals with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Ruggero Camilo J. , Bain Kathleen M. , Smith Patrick M. , Kilmer Jared N.
Published: December 2013

Background: Individuals with bipolar disorder often endorse dysfunctional beliefs consistent with cognitive models of bipolar disorder (Beck, 1976; Mansell, 2007). Aims: The present study sought to assess whether young adult offspring of those with bipolar disorder would also endorse these beliefs, independent of their own mood episode history. Method: Participants (N = 89) were young adult college students with a parent with bipolar disorder (n = 27), major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 30), or no mood disorder (n = 32). Semi-structured interviews of the offspring were used to assess diagnoses. Dysfunctional beliefs related to Beck and colleagues’ (2006) and Mansell's (2007) cognitive models were assessed. Results: Unlike offspring of parents with MDD or no mood disorder, those with a parent with bipolar disorder endorsed significantly more dysfunctional cognitions associated with extreme appraisal of mood states, even after controlling for their own mood diagnosis. Once affected by a bipolar or depressive disorder, offspring endorsed dysfunctional cognitions across measures. Conclusions: Dysfunctional cognitions, particularly those related to appraisals of mood states and their potential consequences, are evident in young adults with a parent who has bipolar disorder and may represent targets for psychotherapeutic intervention.
Learning two languages from birth shapes pre-attentive processing of vowel categories: Electrophysiological correlates of vowel discrimination in monolinguals and simultaneous bilinguals
Authors: MOLNAR MONIKA , POLKA LINDA , BAUM SHARI , STEINHAUER KARSTEN
Published: December 2013

Using event-related brain potentials (ERPs), we measured pre-attentive processing involved in native vowel perception as reflected by the mismatch negativity (MMN) in monolingual and simultaneous bilingual (SB) users of Canadian English and Canadian French in response to various pairings of four vowels: English /u/, French /u/, French /y/, and a control /y/. The monolingual listeners exhibited a discrimination pattern that was shaped by their native language experience. The SB listeners, on the other hand, exhibited a MMN pattern that was distinct from both monolingual listener groups, suggesting that the SB pre-attentive system is tuned to access sub-phonemic detail with respect to both input languages, including detail that is not readily accessed by either of their monolingual peers. Additionally, simultaneous bilinguals exhibited sensitivity to language context generated by the standard vowel in the MMN paradigm. The automatic access to fine phonetic detail may aid SB listeners to rapidly adjust their perception to the variable listening conditions that they frequently encounter.
Bilingual effects: Exploring object omission in pronominal languages
Authors: PIRVULESCU MIHAELA , PÉREZ-LEROUX ANA-TERESA , ROBERGE YVES , STRIK NELLEKE , THOMAS DANIELLE
Published: December 2013

This article assesses the impact of bilingualism on the acquisition of pronominal direct objects in French and English (clitics in French and strong pronouns in English). We show that, in comparison to monolingual children, bilingual children omit more pronominal objects for a longer period in both languages. At the same time, the development in each language spoken by the bilinguals follows the developmental asymmetry found in the language of their monolingual counterparts: there are more omissions in French than in English. It is also shown that language dominance affects the rate of omissions as there are fewer omissions in the language in which children receive more exposure, i.e. the dominant language. We analyze these results as reflecting a bilingual effect based on the retention of a default null object representation. This in turn is supported by reduced overall input for bilingual children and by language-internal input ambiguity.
Sample Thickness Determination by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy at Low Electron Energies
Authors: Volkenandt Tobias , Müller Erich , Gerthsen Dagmar
Published: December 2013

Sample thickness is a decisive parameter for any quantification of image information and composition in transmission electron microscopy. In this context, we present a method to determine the local sample thickness by scanning transmission electron microscopy at primary energies below 30 keV. The image intensity is measured with respect to the intensity of the incident electron beam and can be directly compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Screened Rutherford and Mott scattering cross-sections are evaluated with respect to fitting experimental data with simulated image intensities as a function of the atomic number of the sample material and primary electron energy. The presented method is tested for sample materials covering a wide range of atomic numbers Z, that is, fluorenyl hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (Z = 3.5), carbon (Z = 6), silicon (Z = 14), gallium nitride (Z = 19), and tungsten (Z = 74). Investigations were conducted for two primary energies (15 and 30 keV) and a sample thickness range between 50 and 400 nm.
Gain enhancement over a wideband in CPW-fed compact circular patch antenna
Authors: Vyas Kirti , Sanyal Garima , Sharma Arun Kumar , Singhal Pramod Kumar
Published: December 2013

The present paper reports the gain enhancement over a wideband (12–15 GHz) in a coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed circular patch antenna with circular defected ground structure (DGS). Two compact coplanar circular antennas have been designed and fabricated with and without DGS of same volume 18 × 20 × 1.6 mm3, built over FR4-epoxy substrate (εr = 4.4). Gain enhancement has been achieved by optimizing the current distribution with suitable DGS. For this purpose, structural designs have been optimized by parametric simulations in HFSS and CST MWS. Both the antennas can perform well in variety of wireless communication including WLAN IEEE 802.11 g/a (5.15–5.35 GHz and 5.725–5.825 GHz) and X-band applications including short range, tracking, missile guidance, and radar communication that ranges roughly from 8.29 to 11.4 GHz. The measured experimental results show that impedance bandwidth (S11 < −10 dB) of antenna with DGS is 100%. The antenna with DGS offers gain improvement by 2.7 dB for 13 GHz and 7 dB for 14 GHz. The performance of antenna with DGS is compared to conventional CPW-fed circular patch antenna (without DGS) in terms of reflection coefficient, radiation characteristics, and gain.
Methanotrophic archaea possessing diverging methane-oxidizing and electron-transporting pathways
Authors: Wang Feng-Ping , Zhang Yu , Chen Ying , He Ying , Qi Ji , Hinrichs Kai-Uwe , Zhang Xin-Xu , Xiao Xiang , Boon Nico
Published: December 2013

Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is a crucial process limiting the flux of methane from marine environments to the atmosphere. The process is thought to be mediated by three groups of uncultivated methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME-1, 2 and 3). Although the responsible microbes have been intensively studied for more than a decade, central mechanistic details remain unresolved. On the basis of an integrated analysis of both environmental metatranscriptome and single-aggregate genome of a highly active AOM enrichment dominated by ANME-2a, we provide evidence for a complete and functioning AOM pathway in ANME-2a. All genes required for performing the seven steps of methanogenesis from CO2 were found present and actively expressed. Meanwhile, genes for energy conservation and electron transportation including those encoding F420H2 dehydrogenase (Fpo), the cytoplasmic and membrane-associated Coenzyme B–Coenzyme M heterodisulfide (CoB-S-SCoM) reductase (HdrABC, HdrDE), cytochrome C and the Rhodobacter nitrogen fixation (Rnf) complex were identified and expressed, whereas genes encoding for hydrogenases were absent. Thus, ANME-2a is likely performing AOM through a complete reversal of methanogenesis from CO2 reduction without involvement of canonical hydrogenase. ANME-2a is demonstrated to possess versatile electron transfer pathways that would provide the organism with more flexibility in substrate utilization and capacity for rapid adjustment to fluctuating environments. This work lays the foundation for understanding the environmental niche differentiation, physiology and evolution of different ANME subgroups.
Unexpected crystallization of the metastable tubular coordination polymer of cucurbit[6]uril with magnesium ions which spontaneously transforms into a discrete coordination complex
Authors: Danylyuk Oksana , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: December 2013

We report on the kinetic crystallization of the tubular coordination polymer constructed from cucurbit[6]uril and magnesium ions. The metastable phase spontaneously converts into a thermodynamically favored discrete coordination complex.
YOF nano/micro-crystals: morphology controlled hydrothermal synthesis and luminescence properties
Authors: Zhang Yang , Li Xuejiao , Geng Dongling , Shang Mengmeng , Lian Hongzhou , Cheng Ziyong , Lin Jun
Published: December 2013

SEM images and multicolored down-conversion and up-conversion luminescence photographs of the YOF: Ln3+ nano/micro-structures.
N-heterocyclic carbene stabilized phosphaalkenyl(chloro)stannylene
Authors: Kocsor T.-G. , Nemes G. , Saffon N. , Mallet-Ladeira S. , Madec D. , Castel A. , Escudié J.
Published: December 2013

The first phosphaalkenyl(chloro)tin(ii) compound stabilized through complexation with a N-heterocyclic carbene was fully characterized, and its reaction with Me2SAuCl led to the formation of an unprecedented PC-bridged trinuclear gold complex.
Bioluminescence: a versatile technique for imaging cellular and molecular features
Authors: Paley Miranda A. , Prescher Jennifer A.
Published: December 2013

Bioluminescence imaging can evaluate cell and gene expression in animals, analyze protein contacts and enzyme function, and aid in drug development and delivery. New applications are emerging with continued expansion of the bioluminescent tool set.
Selective thienylation of fluorinated benzothiadiazoles and benzotriazoles for organic photovoltaics
Authors: He Chun-Yang , Wu Cai-Zhi , Zhu Yan-Lin , Zhang Xingang
Published: December 2013

An unprecedented example for the selective synthesis of an FBT–thiophene structural motif via dual C–H functionalization, catalyzed by palladium, has been developed.
Parallel kinetic Monte Carlo simulation framework incorporating accurate models of adsorbate lateral interactions
Authors: Nielsen Jens , d’Avezac Mayeul , Hetherington James , Stamatakis Michail
Published: December 2013

Ab initio kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations have been successfully applied for over two decades to elucidate the underlying physico-chemical phenomena on the surfaces of heterogeneous catalysts. These simulations necessitate detailed knowledge of the kinetics of elementary reactions constituting the reaction mechanism, and the energetics of the species participating in the chemistry. The information about the energetics is encoded in the formation energies of gas and surface-bound species, and the lateral interactions between adsorbates on the catalytic surface, which can be modeled at different levels of detail. The majority of previous works accounted for only pairwise-additive first nearest-neighbor interactions. More recently, cluster-expansion Hamiltonians incorporating long-range interactions and many-body terms have been used for detailed estimations of catalytic rate [C. Wu, D. J. Schmidt, C. Wolverton, and W. F. Schneider, J. Catal. 286, 88 (2012)]. In view of the increasing interest in accurate predictions of catalytic performance, there is a need for general-purpose KMC approaches incorporating detailed cluster expansion models for the adlayer energetics. We have addressed this need by building on the previously introduced graph-theoretical KMC framework, and we have developed Zacros, a FORTRAN2003 KMC package for simulating catalytic chemistries. To tackle the high computational cost in the presence of long-range interactions we introduce parallelization with OpenMP. We further benchmark our framework by simulating a KMC analogue of the NO oxidation system established by Schneider and co-workers [J. Catal. 286, 88 (2012)]. We show that taking into account only first nearest-neighbor interactions may lead to large errors in the prediction of the catalytic rate, whereas for accurate estimates thereof, one needs to include long-range terms in the cluster expansion.
On the origin of high transient anisotropies: An exemplification in a Cd-porphyrin
Authors: Liang Yu , Klinger Melanie , Schalk Oliver , Unterreiner Andreas-Neil
Published: December 2013

Transient anisotropy is a widely used spectroscopic method to access the polarization dynamics of a molecular sample. In this contribution, we present results on 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-porphyrinato cadmium (II) in tetrahydrofuran which exhibits values exceeding the typical range between 0.4 and −0.2 in dependence of the probe wavelength. These findings are explained by varying contributions from excited state absorption and ground state bleaching/stimulated emission. Model calculations show that time zero values and time decays are complex values that often do not correlate with the underlying physical processes. As a consequence, the interpretation of anisotropy experiments necessitates extreme care.
The correlation between the radial distribution of high-energetic ions and the structural as well as electrical properties of magnetron sputtered ZnO:Al films
Authors: Bikowski André , Welzel Thomas , Ellmer Klaus
Published: December 2013

The origin of the pronounced radial distributions of structural and electrical properties of magnetron sputtered ZnO:Al films has been investigated. The film properties were correlated with the radially resolved ion-distribution functions. While the positive ions exhibit low energies and a radial distribution with a maximum intensity opposite the center of the target, the negative ions can have energies up to several hundred eV, depending on the target potential, with a radial distribution with two maxima opposite the erosion tracks. The most prominent positive ion is that of the working gas (Ar+), while the highest flux of the negative ions is measured for negative oxygen O−. The radial distribution of the flux of the high-energetic negative ions can clearly be related to the radial variations of the structural (c-axis lattice parameter, crystallite size) and electronic (resistivity) properties for sputtering from the planar target, which points to the decisive role of the high-energetic negative oxygen ions for the film quality. The relation between the negative ion bombardment and the structural as well as electronic properties can be explained by a qualitative model recently developed by us. The same target has also been investigated in the eroded state. In this case, the limited acceptance angle of the mass spectrometer leads to a misinterpretation of the radial distribution of the flux of the high-energetic negative ions. This effect can be explained by a simulation, based on the assumption that the high-energetic negative ions are mainly accelerated in the cathode (target) sheath perpendicular to the uneven substrate surface.
Dispersion relation and growth rate in a Cherenkov free electron laser: Finite axial magnetic field
Authors: Kheiri Golshad , Esmaeilzadeh Mahdi
Published: December 2013

A theoretical analysis is presented for dispersion relation and growth rate in a Cherenkov free electron laser with finite axial magnetic field. It is shown that the growth rate and the resonance frequency of Cherenkov free electron laser increase with increasing axial magnetic field for low axial magnetic fields, while for high axial magnetic fields, they go to a saturation value. The growth rate and resonance frequency saturation values are exactly the same as those for infinite axial magnetic field approximation. The effects of electron beam self-fields on growth rate are investigated, and it is shown that the growth rate decreases in the presence of self-fields. It is found that there is an optimum value for electron beam density and Lorentz relativistic factor at which the maximum growth rate can take place. Also, the effects of velocity spread of electron beam are studied and it is found that the growth rate decreases due to the electron velocity spread.
A platform for x-ray absorption fine structure study of dynamically compressed materials above 1 Mbar
Authors: Ping Y. , Hicks D. G. , Yaakobi B. , Coppari F. , Eggert J. , Collins G. W.
Published: December 2013

A platform consisting of a multi-shock drive and an implosion backlighter has been developed for x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements on materials compressed to multi-Mbar pressures. The experimental setup, target design, and backlighter characteristics are presented. Extended XAFS (EXAFS) measurements for various materials have been demonstrated. A quintuple-crystal design is described to enhance the efficiency of the x-ray spectrometer, enabling observation of very weak EXAFS signals in a single shot.
Vortex precession frequency and its amplitude-dependent shift in cylindrical nanomagnets
Authors: Metlov Konstantin L.
Published: December 2013

Frequency of free magnetic vortex precession in circular soft ferromagnetic nano-cylinders (magnetic dots) of various sizes is an important parameter, used in design of spintronic devices (such as spin-torque microwave nano-oscillators) and characterization of magnetic nanostructures. Here, using a recently developed collective-variable approach to non-linear dynamics of magnetic textures in planar nano-magnets, this frequency and its amplitude-dependent shift are computed analytically and plotted for the full range of cylinder geometries. The frequency shift is positive in large planar dots, but becomes negative in smaller and more elongated ones. At certain dot dimensions, a zero frequency shift is realized, which can be important for enhancing frequency stability of magnetic nano-oscillators.
Effect of arsenic on the optical properties of GaSb-based type II quantum wells with quaternary GaInAsSb layers
Authors: Janiak F. , Motyka M. , Sęk G. , Dyksik M. , Ryczko K. , Misiewicz J. , Weih R. , Höfling S. , Kamp M. , Patriarche G.
Published: December 2013

Optical properties of molecular beam epitaxially grown type II “W” shaped GaSb/AlSb/InAs/GaIn(As)Sb/InAs/AlSb/GaSb quantum wells (QWs) designed for the active region of interband cascade lasers have been investigated. Temperature dependence of Fourier-transformed photoluminescence and photoreflectance was employed to probe the effects of addition of arsenic into the original ternary valence band well of GaInSb. It is revealed that adding arsenic provides an additional degree of freedom in terms of band alignment and strain tailoring and allows enhancing the oscillator strength of the active type II transition. On the other hand, however, arsenic incorporation apparently also affects the structural and optical material quality via generating carrier trapping states at the interfaces, which can deteriorate the radiative efficiency. These have been evidenced in several spectroscopic features and are also confirmed by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images. While arsenic incorporation into type II QWs is a powerful heterostructure engineering tool for optoelectronic devices, a compromise has to be found between ideal band structure properties and high quality morphological properties.
Nonstationary oscillation of gyrotron backward wave oscillators with cylindrical interaction structure
Authors: Chen Shih-Hung , Chen Liu
Published: December 2013

The nonstationary oscillation of the gyrotron backward wave oscillator (gyro-BWO) with cylindrical interaction structure was studied utilizing both steady-state analyses and time-dependent simulations. Comparisons of the numerical results reveal that the gyro-BWO becomes nonstationary when the trailing field structure completely forms due to the dephasing energetic electrons. The backward propagation of radiated waves with a lower resonant frequency from the trailing field structure interferes with the main internal feedback loop, thereby inducing the nonstationary oscillation of the gyro-BWO. The nonstationary gyro-BWO exhibits the same spectral pattern of modulated oscillations with a constant frequency separation between the central frequency and sidebands throughout the whole system. The frequency separation is found to be scaled with the square root of the maximum field amplitude, thus further demonstrating that the nonstationary oscillation of the gyro-BWO is associated with the beam-wave resonance detuning.
Study of L-shaped resonators at terahertz frequencies
Authors: Liu Jianfeng , Zhou Qingli , Shi Yulei , Zhao Xu , Zhang Cunlin
Published: December 2013

In experimental and theoretical studies of terahertz subwavelength “L”-shaped structure, we proposed an unusual-mode current resonance responsible for low-frequency characteristic dip in transmission spectra. Comparing spectral properties of our designed simplified structures with that of split-ring resonators, we attribute this unusual mode to the resonance coupling and splitting under the broken symmetry of the structure. Furthermore, it is found that this phenomenon is also related to not only the spacing between horizontal and vertical sides but also their relative position in “L” structure, showing the weakened coupling and spectral splitting with the increased distance and structure symmetry.
Applications of electrostatic capacitance and charging
Authors: Sandu Titus , Boldeiu George , Moagar-Poladian Victor
Published: December 2013

The capacitance of an arbitrarily shaped object is calculated with the same second-kind integral equation method used for computing static and dynamic polarizabilities. The capacitance is simply the dielectric permittivity multiplied by the area of the object and divided by the squared norm of the Neumann-Poincaré operator eigenfunction corresponding to the largest eigenvalue. The norm of this eigenfunction varies slowly with shape thus enabling the definition of two scale-invariant shape factors and perturbative calculations of capacitance. The result is extended to a special class of capacitors in which the electrodes are the equipotential surfaces generated by the equilibrium charge on the object. This extension allows analytical expressions of capacitance for confocal spheroidal capacitors and finite cylinders. Moreover, a second order formula for thin constant-thickness capacitors is given with direct applications for capacitance of membranes in living cells and of supercapacitors. For axisymmetric geometries, a fast and accurate numerical method is provided.
Reduction of phosphorus diffusion in germanium by fluorine implantation
Authors: El Mubarek H. A. W.
Published: December 2013

The control of phosphorus (P) diffusion in germanium (Ge) is essential for the realisation of ultrashallow n-type junctions in Ge. This work reports a detailed study of the effect of fluorine (F) co-implantation on P diffusion in Ge. P and F profiles were characterized by secondary ion mass spectroscopy. The ion implantation damage was investigated using cross sectional transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that F co-implantation reduces the implanted P profile width and reduces both intrinsic and extrinsic P diffusion in Ge. A defect mediated mechanism for the strong influence of F co-implantation on P diffusion in Ge is proposed and invokes the formation of FnVm clusters in the F-amorphized Ge layer. A fraction of these FnVm clusters decorate the interstitial type end-of-range defects in the re-grown Ge layer and the rest react during re-growth with interstitial germanium atoms diffusing back from the amorphous crystalline interface. The Ge vacancies are then annihilated and mobile interstitial F is released and out diffuses from the surface. This results in a re-grown Ge layer which has a low vacancy concentration and in which the P diffusion rate is reduced. These results open the way to the realization of enhanced Ge n-type devices.
Large enhancement of Förster resonance energy transfer on graphene platforms
Authors: Biehs S.-A. , Agarwal G. S.
Published: December 2013

In view of the applications of Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET) in biological systems which especially require FRET in the infrared region, we investigate the great advantage of graphene plasmonics in such studies. Focusing on the fundamental aspects of FRET between a donor-acceptor pair on a graphene platform showing that FRET mediated by the plasmons in graphene is broadband and enhanced by six orders of magnitude. We briefly discuss the impact of phonon-polaritonic substrates.
Unravelling concurring degradation mechanisms in InGaAlP light-emitting diode structures by optical overstress experiments under reverse bias
Authors: Karl C. , Ebbecke J. , Zeisel R. , Wixforth A.
Published: December 2013

We examine the influence of an applied reverse bias on the optically induced and measured photoluminescence degradation characteristics of an InGaAlP light-emitting diode (LED) structure. We show that a reverse bias applied simultaneously to laser excitation of the sample has a strong impact on the observable photoluminescence degradation properties of the structure investigated via intense laser excitation. With the help of this approach, it is possible to control the carrier density and the internal electric field of the diode independently. By doing this, a distinction of several usually interfering photoluminescence degradation mechanisms from each other is achievable. Further, a comparison of the experimental data with simulated data delivers some indication on the local origin of the defect evolution processes within the light-emitting diode structure.
Tunable magnetic anisotropy in two-dimensional arrays of Ni80Fe20 elements
Authors: Saha Susmita , Barman Saswati , Ding Junjia , Adeyeye Adekunle O. , Barman Anjan
Published: December 2013

Tunable two-fold magnetic anisotropy in two-dimensional arrays of Ni80Fe20 (permalloy) elliptical elements arranged along their long (LA) or short axis (SA) are demonstrated from the measurement of time-resolved magnetization dynamics. The anisotropy field is maximum (minimum) when the elements are closely packed along their LA (SA) and take an intermediate value when they are well separated. Micromagnetic simulations reveal that the centre mode of the ellipse shows the two-fold anisotropy and that the variation in the anisotropy field stems from the strong competition between the shape anisotropy of the constituent elements and the inter-element magnetostatic interaction fields within the arrays.
Smart Growth and the Scalar Politics of Land Management in the Greater Boston Region, Usa
Authors: McCauley Stephen M , Murphy James T
Published: December 2013

Recent decades have witnessed a significant transformation in strategies of urban environmental governance as authority has shifted from statist command-and-control systems to more horizontal, networked forms of governance-beyond-the-state. In the USA the changing nature of state authority over urban-regional planning processes has been particularly dramatic in metropolitan regions promoting ‘smart-growth’ agendas. Smart-growth strategies address regional planning and land-development concerns through market-based incentive programs aimed at increasing development densities and coordinating other land-management priorities. This paper explores the scalar politics through which smart-growth policies in the Greater Boston region of Massachusetts (USA) are being constructed and contested. In this region the state of Massachusetts has used incentive programs, new forms of regulation, and public-private coalitions to implement a smart-growth agenda that seeks to ameliorate the region's housing crisis and sustain its pool of knowledge-economy workers, but these programs also challenge the traditional authority of local communities in governing land-use decisions. Crucial to this assertion of land-management authority at the state scale has been the legacies of past forms of authority and land management, the ability of the state to exploit the positionalities of key actors associated with the smart-growth agenda, and the role of crises (in housing, congestion) in making increased state control more palatable.
Does the Housing Market Reflect Cultural Heritage? A Case Study of Greater Dublin
Authors: Moro Mirko , Mayor Karen , Lyons Seán , Tol Richard S J
Published: December 2013

Does the housing market reflect cultural heritage? We estimate several specifications of a hedonic price equation to establish whether distance to, and density of, cultural heritage site is capitalised into housing prices in Greater Dublin, Ireland. We use a very rich dataset of housing and neighbourhood characteristics and include 104 location-fixed effects, which represent very small areas, ensuring the identification of the price effects on similar houses in similar areas. Our results show that some types of cultural heritage sites, such as historic buildings, memorials, and Martello towers, provide positive spillovers to property prices while archaeological sites seem to be a negative amenity. We interpret these premiums (or lack thereof) as capturing aesthetic beauty.
Successful provision of emergency mental health care to rural and remote New South Wales: an evaluation of the Mental Health Emergency Care–Rural Access Program
Authors: Saurman Emily , Lyle David , Perkins David , Roberts Russell
Published: December 2013

Objective To evaluate a rural emergency telepsychiatry program, the Mental Health Emergency Care–Rural Access Program (MHEC-RAP), which aims to improve access to emergency mental health care for communities throughout western New South Wales (NSW). Methods A descriptive analysis of service activity data from the introduction of the MHEC-RAP in 2008 to 2011 using Chi-squared tests and linear regression modelling to assess change and trends over time. Result There were 55 959 calls to the MHEC-RAP, 9678 (17%) of these calls initiated an MHEC-RAP service (~2500 each year). The use of video assessment increased over 18 months, then levelled off to an average of 65 each month. Health care provider use increased from 54% to 75% of all contacts, and 49% of MHEC-RAP patients were triaged ‘urgent’. Most (71%) were referred from the MHEC-RAP for outpatient care with a local provider. The proportion of MHEC-RAP patients admitted to hospital initially increased by 12%, then declined over the next 2 years by 7% (by 28% for admissions to a mental health inpatient unit (MHIPU)). Conclusion The MHEC-RAP is well established. It has achieved acceptable levels of service activity and continues to be as used as intended. Further research is required to confirm how the MHEC-RAP works in terms of process and capacity, how it has changed access to mental health care and to document its costs and benefits. What is known about the topic? Rural and remote communities have poorer access to and use of mental health services. Telehealth care is a reliable and accepted means for providing non-urgent mental health care. What does this paper add? The MHEC-RAP is a practical and transferable solution to providing specialist emergency mental health care, and support for local providers, in rural and remote areas via telehealth. There is a possible impact upon the problem of recruiting and retaining a mental health workforce in rural and remote areas. What are the implications for practitioners? Providing reliable remote access to specialist mental health assessment and advice while supporting providers in rural communities can result in better outcomes for patients and services alike.