bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond Parochialism and Domestic Preoccupation: The Current State of Comparative Politics in Canada
Authors: Tremblay Reeta Chowdhari
Published: May 2013

Abstract.The response of the comparativists to Canadian scholars' call to build Canadian politics into our comparative framework has to be first, that we, the comparativists engage in a broader dialogue about our sub-discipline and move away from our self-imposed parochialism with respect to the scope and objectives of our research, our methods of theory generation and of empirical analysis. Our house is a divided, fragmented house. Having said this, we do have a fertile ground and share a common conducive infrastructure, methodological and thematic, across the two sub-disciplines to start our engagement with the Canadianists.

Résumé.Notre réponse, de nous qui faisons la politique comparée, à cet appel que nous lancent les canadianistes, soit d'incorporer dans notre grille comparative des elements de politique canadienne, doit se consister tout d'abord en ce que nous nous engagions dans un dialogue élargi portant sur notre sous-discipline et à renoncer à cet esprit de clocher en ce qui concerne les objectifs et l'étendu de nos recherches ainsi que les methodes que nous utilisons pour engendrer nos theories et poursuivre nos recherches empiriques. Notre maison est une maison divisée, fragmentée. Ceci dit, nous sommes, toutefois, dotés d'une terre fertile; et que nos deux sous-disciplines se partagent une infrastructure méthodologique et thématique favorise bien le début d'un engagement avec les canadianistes.
La course vers le milieu des régions. Compétition et politiques régionales d'éducation en France et en Allemagne
Authors: Dupuy Claire
Published: May 2013

Résumé.La régionalisation de l'action publique est l'une des évolutions les plus marquantes des États européens depuis les années 1970. Cette évolution présente une opportunité pour examiner, dans le contexte européen, les théories de la compétition interrégionale. C'est ce que cet article se propose de faire à partir de la comparaison de deux cas les plus différents : les politiques d'éducation en France, un État anciennement centralisé où les régions disposent de compétences relativement étroites, et en Allemagne, un État fédéral où les régions possèdent des compétences étendues. L'article montre que ni une course vers le bas, ni une course vers le haut ne s'enclenchent. C'est au contraire une course vers le milieu qui caractérise les relations compétitives entre les régions françaises et allemandes, respectivement, où les gouvernements régionaux tentent de montrer qu'ils font comme les autres afin d'éviter le blâme des électeurs et de l'État central.

Abstract.The regionalization of public policy is one of the most remarkable transformations European states have undergone since the 1970s. Through an examination of this particular development, the article explores theories of interregional competition in two very different cases: education policy in France, a decentralized unitary state where regional governments are entrusted with limited policy competences in this field, and Germany, a federal state where regions have exclusive responsibility over secondary education. The paper shows that, in both cases, interregional competition lends itself neither to a race to the bottom nor a race to the top, but rather to a race to the middle. Regional governments aim, in fact, to demonstrate that they adopt similar policies to other regions so as to avoid being blamed by both the electorate and the central state.
Albian syndepositional block rotation and its geological consequences, Basque–Cantabrian Basin (western Pyrenees)
Authors: AGIRREZABALA LUIS MIGUEL , DINARÈS-TURELL JAUME
Published: May 2013

Stratigraphic, structural, palaeocurrent and palaeomagnetic analyses of Upper Albian deep-water deposits in and around the Deba block (Northern Iberia) are presented. Results indicate an anticlockwise vertical-axis rotation of this block by 35° during a maximum time span of c. 1 Ma (Late Albian intra-C. auritus ammonite Subzone). This Albian syndepositional block rotation is interpreted to be the consequence of the coeval activity of conjugate major sinistral strike-slip faults and minor (antithetic) dextral strike-slip faults, which border the Deba block. On the base of conservative estimations, a minimum block-rotation rate of 35° Ma−1 and a sinistral strike-slip rate of 1.2 km Ma−1 are calculated. As a consequence of the interaction of the rotated Deba block with adjacent non-rotated blocks, its corners experienced coeval transpressive (NW and SE corners) and transtensional deformations (SW and, possibly, NE corners). At the transtensional SW corner, two domal high-reflective seismic structures have been recorded and interpreted as high-level magmatic laccoliths. These magmatic intrusions triggered the development of a mineralizing hydrothermal system, which vented to the Late Albian seafloor warm to hot hydrocarbon-rich fluids. Vented hydrocarbon was generated from Albian organic-rich sediments by contact alteration with hydrothermal fluids.
Ownership Dynamics with Large Shareholders: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Donelli Marcelo , Larrain Borja , Francisco Urzúa I.
Published: May 2013

We study the empirical determinants of corporate ownership dynamics using a unique, hand-collected 20-year data set on the ownership structure of Chilean companies. Controllers’ blockholdings are on average high and stable over time. Controllers still make changes to their holdings through issuance and block trades. In a typical year controllers’ blockholdings decrease (increase) by 5 percentage points or more in approximately 6% (7%) of firms. We find that the separation between controllers’ voting and cash-flow rights reduces the likelihood of ownership dilution. Dilution is preceded by high stock returns and predicts low stock returns in the future when done through issuance.
Are UK otorhinolaryngologists maintaining their research output?
Authors: Kulkarni K , Kulkarni M , Ramsden J , Silva P
Published: May 2013

Background:

In the general surgical and anaesthetic literature, there has been a decline in research output originating from the UK. This study analysed the 10 globally leading and 2 UK leading otorhinolaryngology journals to determine whether this trend was also reflected within otorhinolaryngology.

Methods:

Citable research output was analysed from 4 individual years, over a 10-year period (2000–2010), to determine absolute output, geographical mix and article type.

Results:

The proportion of research output from the UK and Ireland grew 22.8 per cent among the leading global otorhinolaryngology journals, but fell 28.6 per cent among the leading two UK otorhinolaryngology journals. The converse trend was true for the USA and Canada. Output from European and the rest of the world grew among both sets of journals, while Japanese output fell. ‘Research’ articles remained the most prevalent type.

Conclusion:

These results are encouraging as they refute the fall in UK research output observed by other authors. In the face of growing challenges, it is important to maintain published output so that the fate that has befallen other specialties is not mirrored within UK otorhinolaryngology.
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings for primary middle-ear carcinoma
Authors: Zhang F , Sha Y
Published: May 2013

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of primary middle-ear carcinoma.

Methods:

In this retrospective study of 13 patients with primary middle-ear carcinoma, we collected pre- and post-contrast magnetic resonance images for all 13 cases, high-resolution computed tomography scans for 11 cases, and conventional computed tomography scans with contrast for 2 cases.

Results:

Soft-tissue masses were mainly located in the tympanum, tympanic sinus and deep within the external auditory canal, and involved the jugular fossa (9 of 13 patients), middle cranial fossa (5/13), parotid gland (2/13) and temporomandibular joint fossa (1/13). An irregular, ‘moth-eaten’ bone destruction pattern was seen on high-resolution computed tomography images, most commonly in the eustachian tube (9/13), jugular foramen (9/13) and facial nerve canal (7/13). On non-contrast magnetic resonances images, masses were isointense or slightly hypointense on T1-weighted images, and isointense or slightly hyperintense on T2-weighted images. On post-contrast images, lesions were moderately and homogeneously enhanced in seven cases and inhomogeneously enhanced in six.

Conclusion:

High-resolution computed tomography precisely detects regions of bone destruction, whereas MRI can better assess soft-tissue tumour margins, intracranial extension and vessel patency. Eustachian tube erosion is an important characteristic of primary middle-ear carcinoma.
A new kind of solid-state Marx generator based on transformer type magnetic switches
Authors: Zhang Yu , Liu Jinliang
Published: May 2013

In this paper, a new kind of solid-state Marx generator based on synchronous transformer type magnetic switches (TTMS) is put forward, and the TTMSs with new winding structures are used to substitute all the spark gaps in the traditional Marx generator for the purposes of solidification and long life time. As the new type of TTMS with high step-up ratio and low saturated inductances is employed, the proposed Marx generator becomes a compact combination of pulse transformer, magnetic switch, and Marx capacitors. The stages of the Marx capacitors can be synchronously charged in parallel before the magnetic core saturates, and these Marx capacitors also can synchronously discharge in series. The establishing time of the proposed Marx generator is at ns range. As the new type of self-reset TTMS is used, the input voltage of the Marx generator decreases to a low level less than 1 kV while the output voltage can easily reach a high level ranging from dozens of kV to hundreds of kV.
Special values of L-functions for Saito–Kurokawa lifts
Authors: BROWN JIM , PITALE AMEYA
Published: May 2013

In this paper we obtain special value results for L-functions associated to classical and paramodular Saito–Kurokawa lifts. In particular, we consider standard L-functions associated to Saito–Kurokawa lifts as well as degree eight L-functions obtained by twisting with an automorphic form defined on GL(2). The results are obtained by combining classical and representation theoretic arguments.
Vowel deletion as mora usurpation: the case of Yine
Authors: Zimmermann Eva
Published: May 2013

Vowel deletion in Yine crucially refers to both morphological and phonological information. It has been argued that the process is only analysable in a theory where the phonology has access to morphology, either on the assumption of different morphological domains of constraint evaluation (Lin 1987, 1997a, b) or on the assumption of morphologically indexed optimality-theoretic constraints (Pater 2009). In contrast, I propose a phonological analysis of vowel deletion in Yine in a parallel Optimality Theory model. The phonology, I assume, has only limited access to morphological information, and can only distinguish between affix and stem material. I argue that the morphemes that trigger deletion of a preceding vowel have a defective underlying representation: they lack a mora, and ‘usurp’ the mora of a preceding vowel.
Brokering a settlement between eagles and industry: sustainable management of large raptors nesting on power infrastructure
Authors: JENKINS ANDREW R. , DE GOEDE KOOS H. , SEBELE LOVELATER , DIAMOND MEGAN
Published: May 2013

In the Karoo region of South Africa, eagles nesting on high voltage power pylons are responsible for frequent short-circuits or faults, which reduce the quality of commercial power supply and escalate costs to the country’s energy supplier, Eskom. Between 2002 and 2006 we conducted annual helicopter surveys of eagle nests on 1,400 km of power line and located 139 large nest structures, making up 96 eagle territories occupied by three species: Martial EaglePolemaetus bellicosus(66 pairs), Verreaux’s EagleAquila verreauxii(13 pairs) and Tawny EagleAquila rapax(17 pairs), and detailed 357 pair-years of breeding activity, including 241 breeding attempts. Roost sites and active nests were associated with line faulting, and more so at particular pylon configurations. We developed a three-step management plan to reduce eagle-related faulting while still accommodating eagles on the power lines: (i) all (potentially) problematic nests were relocated from high-risk positions above the power conductors, to specially provided platforms placed below the conductors; (ii) perch deterrents were installed above the conductors on all nest pylons and on high-risk pylons up to 10 structures on both sides of each nest tower; and (iii) the welfare of the eagles was monitored before and after management. In this way, line faulting was reduced on actively managed lines by > 75%, with no obvious deleterious effects on the eagle population. The study revealed that: (i) power lines can support substantial breeding populations of threatened large raptors, (ii) these birds can be a source of commercially significant line faulting, and (iii) nest relocations and perch deterrents are effective in reducing faulting without negatively impacting eagle populations.
Touring behind the lines: British soldiers in French towns and cities during the Great War
Authors: COWMAN KRISTA
Published: May 2013

This article explores the importance that accessing urban life assumed for British soldiers stationed in France during World War I. Many who fought on the Western Front had never visited a foreign country before sailing to France. Drawing on contemporary letters and diaries and later memoirs, it considers how men responded to the new experiences they found in French towns and cities behind the lines. Through exploring activities from shopping and dining to cinema and prostitution, it argues that urban outings became critical to sustaining morale by offering opportunities to engage with civilian life on a reasonably regular basis.
Survey of Factors Affecting Health Care Workers’ Perception Towards Institutional and Individual Disaster Preparedness
Authors: Lim Ghee Hian , Lim Beng Leong , Vasu Alicia
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Health care institutions constantly must be prepared for disaster response. However, there are deficiencies in the current level of preparedness. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the perception of health care workers (HCWs) towards individual and institutional preparedness for a disaster.

Methods

A survey on disaster incident preparedness was conducted among doctors, nurses, and allied health workers over a period of two months in 2010. The survey investigated perceptions of disaster preparedness at the individual and institutional level. Responses were measured using a five-point Likert scale. The primary outcomes were factors affecting HCWs’ perception of institution and individual preparedness. Secondary outcomes were the proportions of staff willing to participate and to place importance on disaster response training and their knowledge of access to such training. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was performed to determine the factors that influenced the HCWs’ perception of their individual and institutional readiness. Odd ratios (ORs) of such factors were reported with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Of 1700 HCWs, 1534 (90.2%) completed the survey. 75.3% (1155/1534) felt that the institution was ready for a disaster incident, but only 36.4% (558/1534) felt that they (as individuals) were prepared. Some important factors associated with a positive perception of institution preparedness were leadership preparedness (OR = 13.19; 95% CI, 9.93-17.51), peer preparedness (OR = 6.11; 95% CI, 4.27-8.73) and availability of training opportunities (OR = 4.76; 95% CI, 3.65-6.22). Some important factors associated with a positive perception of individual preparedness were prior experience in disaster response (OR = 2.80; 95% CI, 1.99-3.93), institution preparedness (OR = 3.71; 95% CI, 2.68-5.14), peer preparedness (OR = 3.49; 95% CI, 2.75-4.26), previous training in disaster response (OR = 3.48; 95% CI, 2.76-4.39) and family support (OR = 3.22; 95% CI, 2.54-4.07). Most (80.7%, 1238/1534) were willing to participate in future disaster incident response training, while 74.5% (1143/1534) felt that being able to respond to a disaster incident constitutes part of their professional competency. However, only 27.8% (426/1534) knew how to access these training opportunities.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that HCWs fare poorly in their perception of their individual preparedness. Important factors that might contribute to improving this perception at the individual and institution level have been identified. These factors could guide the review and implementation of future disaster incident response training in health care institutions.

LimGH,LimBL,VasuA.Survey of factors affecting health care workers’ perception towards institutional and individual disaster preparedness.Prehosp Disaster Med.2013;28(4):1-6.
Individualized Metacognitive Therapy Program for Patients with Psychosis (MCT+): Introduction of a Novel Approach for Psychotic Symptoms
Authors: Vitzthum Francesca Bohn , Veckenstedt Ruth , Moritz Steffen
Published: May 2013

Background: Metacognitive Group Training for Schizophrenia Patients (MCTg) focuses on dysfunctional thinking styles (e.g. cognitive biases) putatively involved in the formation and maintenance of delusions. Recently, the Individualized Metacognitive Therapy Program for Patients with Psychosis (MCT+), an extension of the group training, was released. MCT+ sessions aim to correct false metacognitive beliefs, which in turn should challenge a patient's personal delusional convictions. Aims: The present study demonstrates how MCT and MCT+ can be combined and how the contents are conveyed to the patient. Method: We present a single case study of a patient undergoing a combined treatment of MCT and MCT+. Before intervention and 4 weeks later the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS) were administered. Results: The patient showed a substantial symptom reduction after 4 weeks of combined therapy of MCTg and MCT+ as measured with PANSS and PSYRATS. Conclusions: The present case history lends preliminary evidence for the feasibility of this new treatment approach in psychosis.
The Relation Between Social Anxiety and Audience Perception: Examining Clark and Wells’ (1995) Model Among Adolescents
Authors: Blöte Anke W. , Miers Anne C. , Heyne David A. , Clark David M. , Westenberg P. Michiel
Published: May 2013

Background: Clark and Wells’ cognitive model of social anxiety proposes that socially anxious individuals have negative expectations of performance prior to a social event, focus their attention predominantly on themselves and on their negative self-evaluations during an event, and use this negative self-processing to infer that other people are judging them harshly. Aims: The present study tested these propositions. Method: The study used a community sample of 161 adolescents aged 14–18 years. The participants gave a speech in front of a pre-recorded audience acting neutrally, and participants were aware that the projected audience was pre-recorded. Results: As expected, participants with higher levels of social anxiety had more negative performance expectations, higher self-focused attention, and more negative perceptions of the audience. Negative performance expectations and self-focused attention were found to mediate the relationship between social anxiety and audience perception. Conclusions: The findings support Clark and Wells’ cognitive model of social anxiety, which poses that socially anxious individuals have distorted perceptions of the responses of other people because their perceptions are coloured by their negative thoughts and feelings.
Assessing diets of 3-year-old children: evaluation of an FFQ
Authors: Jarman Megan , Fisk Catherine M , Ntani Georgia , Crozier Sarah R , Godfrey Keith M , Inskip Hazel M , Cooper Cyrus , Robinson Sian M ,   the Southampton Women's Survey Study Group
Published: May 2013

Objective

To evaluate the use of an administered eighty-item FFQ to assess nutrient intake and diet quality in 3-year-old children.

Design

Frequency of consumption and portion size of the foods listed on the FFQ during the 3 months preceding the interview were reported by the child's main caregiver; after the interview a 2 d prospective food diary (FD) was completed on behalf of the child. Nutrient intakes from the FFQ and FD were estimated using UK food composition data. Diet quality was assessed from the FFQ and FD according to the child's scores for a principal component analysis-defined dietary pattern (‘prudent’ pattern), characterised by high consumption of fruit, vegetables, water and wholemeal cereals.

Setting

Southampton, UK.

Subjects

Children (n892) aged 3 years in the Southampton Women's Survey.

Results

Intakes of all nutrients assessed by the FFQ were higher than FD estimates, but there was reasonable agreement in terms of ranking of children (range of Spearman rank correlations for energy-adjusted nutrient intakes,rs= 0·41 to 0·59). Prudent diet scores estimated from the FFQ and FD were highly correlated (r= 0·72). Some family and child characteristics appeared to influence the ability of the FFQ to rank children, most notably the number of child's meals eaten away from home.

Conclusions

The FFQ provides useful information to allow ranking of children at this age with respect to nutrient intake and quality of diet, but may overestimate absolute intakes. Dietary studies of young children need to consider family and child characteristics that may impact on reporting error associated with an FFQ.
Effects of salt labelling and repeated in-home consumption on long-term liking of reduced-salt soups
Authors: Willems Astrid A , van Hout Danielle HA , Zijlstra Nicolien , Zandstra Elizabeth H
Published: May 2013

Objective

The present study investigated the impact of salt labelling and repeated in-home consumption on liking of reduced-salt soups.

Design

Participants received a chicken noodle soup to be consumed twice weekly at home for 5 weeks. Three soups were included: (i) regular-salt soup as available on the market; (ii) 22 %-reduced-salt soup; and (iii) 32 %-reduced-salt soup. The soups were tasted blind or with the label: ‘same great taste, less salt and more herbs’. In total, there were six experimental groups. All groups received the same soup over the whole period. Desire and liking were measured at each time of consumption.

Setting

In-home and central location test.

Subjects

French consumers (n 646).

Results

There was no significant difference in liking between the three soups when consumed at home, whereas the reduced-salt soups were less liked than the regular-salt soup in the central location test. Labelling did not boost liking scores, which is probably explained by the fact that all soups were similarly liked when eaten at home.

Conclusions

The surprising results of the present study in France suggest that a salt reduction of up to 32 % in a chicken noodle soup did not affect long-term liking score as assessed by consumers at home. In addition, initial liking measured at the central location was not predictive of liking after repeated in-home consumption. How far we can go in reducing salt in other products without compromising product quality, and how this impacts consumers’ choice behaviour and in turn table salt use at home, are still unanswered questions.
In SituStudy of Live Specimens in an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope
Authors: Tihlaříková Eva , Neděla Vilém , Shiojiri Makoto
Published: May 2013

In this paper we introduce new methodology for the observation of living biological samples in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The methodology is based on an unconventional initiation procedure for ESEM chamber pumping, free from purge–flood cycles, and on the ability to control thermodynamic processes close to the sample. The gradual and gentle change of the working environment from air to water vapor enables the study of not only living samples in dynamicin situexperiments and their manifestation of life (sample walking) but also its experimentally stimulated physiological reactions. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulations of primary electron beam energy losses in a water layer on the sample surface were studied; consequently, the influence of the water thickness on radiation, temperature, or chemical damage of the sample was considered.
Security of Tenure in Social Housing in England
Authors: Robinson David , Walshaw Aimee
Published: May 2013

The Localism Act 2011 granted social landlords in England the right to award fixed-term (flexible) tenancies, thereby ending the right of new tenants to a secure tenancy. Reform was justified via reference to a revisionist critique of social housing, which accused security of tenure of promoting dependency, undercutting social mobility and preventing the effective operation of the sector as a welfare service. This article draws on empirical evidence from qualitative interviews with more than 140 social tenants to explore the legitimacy of these claims and consider the potential impact of ending security of tenure on the well-being of tenants. Analysis reveals security of tenure to be a source of stability that helps mediate the precariousness of life on low incomes. In conclusion, it is argued that policy should be looking to extend, rather than curtail, these benefits through an improved rental housing offer.
A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED URBAN WATERS
Authors: Hunter Marcus Anthony
Published: May 2013

Generating new understandings of the contributions of W. E. B. Du Bois'sThe Philadelphia Negro(1899) for sociology and social science more generally, this article posits that the urban analysis provided in the book demonstrates how interwoven cultural and economic factors undergird the social organization of urban communities more so than any pragmatic economic pattern or logic. It is the interwoven nature of these factors (defined in this article as the counterintuitive economic logics of the study) that have been insufficiently acknowledged in recent decades of social scientific urban studies research. Exploring the interwoven nature of cultural and economic factors in the sustenance of Philadelphia's Black Seventh Ward, this article suggests that the agency of African Americans is a critical, yet undervalued, aspect of their urban living. This article situates W. E. B. Du Bois as the first of some later voices (mostly within urban ethnography) that offer a corrective and alternative to urban spatial conceptual frameworks that did not and do not fully account for the persistent influence of race and the agency of racial minorities on the landscape of American cities.
Toward highly scaled AlN/GaN-on-Silicon devices for millimeter wave applications
Authors: Medjdoub Farid , Tagro Yoann , Grimbert Bertrand , Ducatteau Damien , Rolland Nathalie
Published: May 2013

In this work, the possibility of achieving GaN-on-Si devices for millimeter wave applications operating at high bias is demonstrated. It is shown that highly scaled AlN/GaN-on-Si double heterostructure enables us to significantly improve electron confinement under high electric field as compared to single heterostructure while delivering high carrier density (>2 × 1013 cm−2). Subsequently, trapping effects can be minimized resulting in the highest GaN-on-Si output power density up to 40 GHz and at a drain bias of 15 V together with a record fmax close to 200 GHz. At higher bias, infrared camera analysis clearly shows that these devices are mainly limited by self-heating effects. Furthermore, low noise figure has been assessed on this heterostructure, promising integration of cost effective low noise and high power millimeter wave amplifiers.
Numerical and experimental characterization of a button-shaped miniaturized UHF antenna on magneto-dielectric substrate
Authors: Aldrigo Martino , Costanzo Alessandra , Masotti Diego , Baldisserri Carlo , Dumitru Ioan , Galassi Carmen
Published: May 2013

The design and characterization of a new broadband small patch antenna, based on an innovative magneto-dielectric material and suitable for wearable applications at 868 MHz, is presented. To reduce antenna dimensions, while preserving its radiation and matching performance, a barium-strontium hexaferrite Ba0.75Sr0.25Fe12O19 has been synthesized as the antenna substrate to achieve magnetic permeability double than vacuum in the band of interest. First material realization is characterized and dispersive permittivity and permeability behaviors are included in the design of a small patch antenna with a shorting-plate. A button-size realization is obtained and its suitability for wearable applications is numerically and experimentally demonstrated on body with and without the presence of conductive shielding. Very good agreement with measurements is demonstrated for both matching and radiation performance of the antenna.
The Twin Children of Auschwitz–Birkenau: Conference on Nazi Medicine/Research: Genes and DZ Twinning; IVF Versus Spontaneous Twinning; Gender Identity Disorder; Royal Protector: Danish and Australian Twin Registries/Human Interest: MZ Twin Co-Principals; Twin Loss at Sandy Hook; Twin Documentaries; New Twin and Twin-Like Reunions; Prominent Twins’ Passing
Authors: Segal Nancy L.
Published: May 2013

The twin children who survived the Holocaust and the horrific medical experiments conducted by Nazi doctors are sometimes overlooked in the relevant literature. This topic and more were discussed as part of an annual conference hosted by students from Yeshiva University's Medical Ethics Society in October 2012. A selective summary of this meeting is followed by summaries of recent twin studies concerning genetic influences on twinning, in vitro fertilization versus spontaneous twin pregnancies, gender identity disorder, and royal support for twin registries. Several human interest stories are also worth noting. They include identical twin school principals, twin loss at Sandy Hook Elementary School, timely twin documentaries, new twin and twin-like reunions, and the passing of two prominent twins.
Histone modifications are responsible for decreased Fas expression and apoptosis resistance in fibrotic lung fibroblasts
Authors: Huang S K , Scruggs A M , Donaghy J , Horowitz J C , Zaslona Z , Przybranowski S , White E S , Peters-Golden M
Published: May 2013

Although the recruitment of fibroblasts to areas of injury is critical for wound healing, their subsequent apoptosis is necessary in order to prevent excessive scarring. Fibroproliferative diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, are often characterized by fibroblast resistance to apoptosis, but the mechanism(s) for this resistance remains elusive. Here, we employed a murine model of pulmonary fibrosis and cells from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) to explore epigenetic mechanisms that may be responsible for the decreased expression of Fas, a cell surface death receptor whose expression has been observed to be decreased in pulmonary fibrosis. Murine pulmonary fibrosis was elicited by intratracheal injection of bleomycin. Fibroblasts cultured from bleomycin-treated mice exhibited decreased Fas expression and resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis compared with cells from saline-treated control mice. Although there were no differences in DNA methylation, the Fas promoter in fibroblasts from bleomycin-treated mice exhibited decreased histone acetylation and increased histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9Me3). This was associated with increased histone deacetylase (HDAC)-2 and HDAC4 expression. Treatment with HDAC inhibitors increased Fas expression and restored susceptibility to Fas-mediated apoptosis. Fibroblasts from patients with IPF likewise exhibited decreased histone acetylation and increased H3K9Me3 at the Fas promoter and increased their expression of Fas in the presence of an HDAC inhibitor. These findings demonstrate the critical role of histone modifications in the development of fibroblast resistance to apoptosis in both a murine model and in patients with pulmonary fibrosis and suggest novel approaches to therapy for progressive fibroproliferative disorders.
From the mouth of Apollo
Authors: Jacobs Howy
Published: May 2013

The astonishing case of the seismologists being held partly responsible for the destruction wreaked by the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake belies a fundamental misperception of the role of scientists in society. Howy peers into a dark future where this misunderstanding has taken hold.
Gene invasion in distant eukaryotic lineages: discovery of mutually exclusive genetic elements reveals marine biodiversity
Authors: Monier Adam , Sudek Sebastian , Fast Naomi M , Worden Alexandra Z
Published: May 2013

Inteins are rare, translated genetic parasites mainly found in bacteria and archaea, while spliceosomal introns are distinctly eukaryotic features abundant in most nuclear genomes. Using targeted metagenomics, we discovered an intein in an Atlantic population of the photosynthetic eukaryote, Bathycoccus, harbored by the essential spliceosomal protein PRP8 (processing factor 8 protein). Although previously thought exclusive to fungi, we also identified PRP8 inteins in parasitic (Capsaspora) and predatory (Salpingoeca) protists. Most new PRP8 inteins were at novel insertion sites that, surprisingly, were not in the most conserved regions of the gene. Evolutionarily, Dikarya fungal inteins at PRP8 insertion site a appeared more related to the Bathycoccus intein at a unique insertion site, than to other fungal and opisthokont inteins. Strikingly, independent analyses of Pacific and Atlantic samples revealed an intron at the same codon as the Bathycoccus PRP8 intein. The two elements are mutually exclusive and neither was found in cultured Bathycoccus or other picoprasinophyte genomes. Thus, wild Bathycoccus contain one of few non-fungal eukaryotic inteins known and a rare polymorphic intron. Our data indicate at least two Bathycoccus ecotypes exist, associated respectively with oceanic or mesotrophic environments. We hypothesize that intein propagation is facilitated by marine viruses; and, while intron gain is still poorly understood, presence of a spliceosomal intron where a locus lacks an intein raises the possibility of new, intein-primed mechanisms for intron gain. The discovery of nucleus-encoded inteins and associated sequence polymorphisms in uncultivated marine eukaryotes highlights their diversity and reveals potential sexual boundaries between populations indistinguishable by common marker genes.
UV photolysis of 4-iodo-, 4-bromo-, and 4-chlorophenol: Competition between C–Y (Y = halogen) and O–H bond fission
Authors: Sage Alan G. , Oliver Thomas A. A. , King Graeme A. , Murdock Daniel , Harvey Jeremy N. , Ashfold Michael N. R.
Published: May 2013

The wavelength dependences of C–Y and O–H bond fission following ultraviolet photoexcitation of 4-halophenols (4-YPhOH) have been investigated using a combination of velocity map imaging, H Rydberg atom photofragment translational spectroscopy, and high level spin-orbit resolved electronic structure calculations, revealing a systematic evolution in fragmentation behaviour across the series Y = I, Br, Cl (and F). All undergo O–H bond fission following excitation at wavelengths λ ≲ 240 nm, on repulsive ((n/π)σ*) potential energy surfaces (PESs), yielding fast H atoms with mean kinetic energies ∼11 000 cm−1. For Y = I and Br, this process occurs in competition with prompt C–I and C–Br bond cleavage on another (n/π)σ* PES, but no Cl/Cl* products unambiguously attributable to one photon induced C–Cl bond fission are observed from 4-ClPhOH. Differences in fragmentation behaviour at longer excitation wavelengths are more marked. Prompt C–I bond fission is observed following excitation of 4-IPhOH at all λ ≤ 330 nm; the wavelength dependent trends in I/I* product branching ratio, kinetic energy release, and recoil anisotropy suggest that (with regard to C–I bond fission) 4-IPhOH behaves like a mildly perturbed iodobenzene. Br atoms are observed when exciting 4-BrPhOH at long wavelengths also, but their velocity distributions suggest that dissociation occurs after internal conversion to the ground state. O–H bond fission, by tunnelling (as in phenol), is observed only in the cases of 4-FPhOH and, more weakly, 4-ClPhOH. These observed differences in behaviour can be understood given due recognition of (i) the differences in the vertical excitation energies of the C–Y centred (n/π)σ* potentials across the series Y = I < Br < Cl and the concomitant reduction in C–Y bond strength, cf. that of the rival O–H bond, and (ii) the much increased spin-orbit coupling in, particularly, 4-IPhOH. The present results provide (another) reminder of the risks inherent in extrapolating photochemical behaviour measured for one molecule at one wavelength to other (related) molecules and to other excitation energies.
An accurate expression for the rates of diffusion-influenced bimolecular reactions with long-range reactivity
Authors: Son Chang Yun , Kim Jaehoon , Kim Ji-Hyun , Kim Jun Soo , Lee Sangyoub
Published: May 2013

By using the recently developed method for solving the Fredholm integral equations of the second kind, we derive a very accurate expression for the steady-state rate constant of diffusion-influenced bimolecular reactions involving long-range reactivity. We consider the general case in which the reactants interact via an arbitrary central potential and hydrodynamic interaction. The rate expression becomes exact in the two opposite limits of small and large reactivity, and also performs very well in the intermediate regime.
A radio frequency/high voltage pulse generator for the operation of a planar multipole ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometer
Authors: Marmillod Philippe , Antonioni Severino , Lorenz Ulrich J.
Published: May 2013

We present a radio frequency (RF)/high voltage pulse generator designed to provide suitable waveforms for the operation of a planar multipole ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Our generator supplies a RF signal to two pairs of trapping electrodes, allowing ions to be stored in between them. Subsequently, the RF is rapidly switched off and high voltage extraction pulses are applied to the trap electrodes in order to obtain a time-of-flight spectrum of the stored ions. The quenching of the RF and the extraction pulses are synchronized to the RF phase, ensuring well-defined ejection conditions.
Stochastic determination of effective Hamiltonian for the full configuration interaction solution of quasi-degenerate electronic states
Authors: Ten-no Seiichiro
Published: May 2013

We propose a novel quantum Monte Carlo method in configuration space, which stochastically samples the contribution from a large secondary space to the effective Hamiltonian in the energy dependent partitioning of Löwdin. The method treats quasi-degenerate electronic states on a target energy with bond dissociations and electronic excitations avoiding significant amount of the negative sign problem. The performance is tested with small model systems of H4 and N2 at various configurations with quasi-degeneracy.
Quasilinear model for energetic particle diffusion in radial and velocity space
Authors: Waltz R. E. , Bass E. M. , Staebler G. M.
Published: May 2013

A quasilinear model for passive energetic particle (EP) turbulent diffusion in radial and velocity space is fitted and tested against nonlinear gyrokinetic tokamak simulations with the GYRO code [J. Candy and R. E. Waltz, Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 045001 (2003)]. Off diagonal elements of a symmetric positive definite 2×2 EP diffusion matrix account for fluxes up radial (energy) gradients driven by energy (radial) gradients of the EP velocity space distribution function. The quasilinear ratio kernel of the model is provided by a simple analytic formula for the EP radial and velocity space EP diffusivity relative to radial thermal ion energy diffusivity at each linear mode of the turbulence driven by the thermal plasma. The TGLF [G. M. Staebler, J. E. Kinsey, and R. E. Waltz, Phys. Plasmas 14, 0055909 (2007); ibid. 15, 0055908 (2008)] tokamak transport model provides the linear mode frequency and growth rates to the kernel as well as the nonlinear spectral weight for each mode.
Printed circuit board metal powder filters for low electron temperatures
Authors: Mueller Filipp , Schouten Raymond N. , Brauns Matthias , Gang Tian , Lim Wee Han , Lai Nai Shyan , Dzurak Andrew S. , van der Wiel Wilfred G. , Zwanenburg Floris A.
Published: May 2013

We report the characterisation of printed circuit boards (PCB) metal powder filters and their influence on the effective electron temperature which is as low as 22 mK for a quantum dot in a silicon MOSFET structure in a dilution refrigerator. We investigate the attenuation behaviour (10 MHz–20 GHz) of filter made of four metal powders with a grain size below 50 μm. The room-temperature attenuation of a stainless steel powder filter is more than 80 dB at frequencies above 1.5 GHz. In all metal powder filters, the attenuation increases with temperature. Compared to classical powder filters, the design presented here is much less laborious to fabricate and specifically the copper powder PCB-filters deliver an equal or even better performance than their classical counterparts.
The wave energy flux of high frequency diffracting beams in complex geometrical optics
Authors: Maj Omar , Mariani Alberto , Poli Emanuele , Farina Daniela
Published: May 2013

We consider the construction of asymptotic solutions of Maxwell's equations for a diffracting wave beam in the high frequency limit and address the description of the wave energy flux transported by the beam. With this aim, the complex eikonal method is applied. That is a generalization of the standard geometrical optics method in which the phase function is assumed to be complex valued, with the non-negative imaginary part accounting for the finite width of the beam cross section. In this framework, we propose an argument which simplifies significantly the analysis of the transport equation for the wave field amplitude and allows us to derive the wave energy flux. The theoretical analysis is illustrated numerically for the case of electron cyclotron beams in tokamak plasmas by using the GRAY code [D. Farina, Fusion Sci. Technol. 52, 154 (2007)], which is based upon the complex eikonal theory. The results are compared to those of the paraxial beam tracing code TORBEAM [E. Poli et al., Comput. Phys. Commun. 136, 90 (2001)], which provides an independent calculation of the energy flow.
Modular cryostat for ion trapping with surface-electrode ion traps
Authors: Vittorini Grahame , Wright Kenneth , Brown Kenneth R. , Harter Alexa W. , Doret S. Charles
Published: May 2013

We present a simple cryostat purpose built for use with surface-electrode ion traps, designed around an affordable, large cooling power commercial pulse tube refrigerator. A modular vacuum enclosure with a single vacuum space facilitates interior access and enables rapid turnaround and flexibility for future modifications. Long rectangular windows provide nearly 360° of optical access in the plane of the ion trap, while a circular bottom window near the trap enables NA 0.4 light collection without the need for in-vacuum optics. We evaluate the system's mechanical and thermal characteristics and we quantify ion trapping performance by trapping 40Ca+, finding small stray electric fields, long ion lifetimes, and low ion heating rates.
Bandwidth-variable tunable optical filter unit for illumination and spectral imaging systems using thin-film optical band-pass filters
Authors: Hennig Georg , Brittenham Gary M. , Sroka Ronald , Kniebühler Gesa , Vogeser Michael , Stepp Herbert
Published: May 2013

An optical filter unit is demonstrated, which uses two successively arranged tunable thin-film optical band-pass filters and allows for simultaneous adjustment of the central wavelength in the spectral range 522–555 nm and of the spectral bandwidth in the range 3–16 nm with a wavelength switching time of 8 ms/nm. Different spectral filter combinations can cover the complete visible spectral range. The transmitted intensity was found to decrease only linearly with the spectral bandwidth for bandwidths >6 nm, allowing a high maximum transmission efficiency of >75%. The image of a fiber bundle was spectrally filtered and analyzed in terms of position-dependency of the transmitted bandwidth and central wavelength.
A distributed pumping model for a repetitive operated magnetically insulated transmission line oscillator
Authors: Tao Xun , Jiande Zhang , Hanwu Yang , Zicheng Zhang
Published: May 2013

As one of the high power microwave sources, a magnetically insulated transmission line oscillator (MILO) works well in single shot mode. Recent interest has been focused on the repetition rate (rep-rate) operation of the device and it is important to improve the vacuum condition during the pulse bursts. In this paper, a dynamic pumping model for an L-band MILO was developed for the molecular movement and collision in the high-current vacuum diode chamber and the MILO tube on the basis of the Monte-Carlo method. According to the three dimension particle distribution, the idea of distributed pumping was proposed. In this way, another pump system close to the velvet cathode was introduced and located at the end of the MILO tube. Simulation results were verified through the experimental test carried out on a repetitive operated, high-voltage modulator, Torch-01 pulser. Results show that the distributed pumping can efficiently reduce the characteristic time of the pressure drop to one-fifth that of the single pumping. It is also indicated that the distributed pumping model has the potential for helping the MILO operate under rep-rate mode.
Scattering of carriers by charged dislocations in semiconductors
Authors: Bansal Bhavtosh , Ghosh Rituparna , Venkataraman V.
Published: May 2013

The scattering of carriers by charged dislocations in semiconductors is studied within the framework of the linearized Boltzmann transport theory with an emphasis on examining consequences of the extreme anisotropy of the cylindrically symmetric scattering potential. A new closed-form approximate expression for the carrier mobility valid for all temperatures is proposed. The ratios of quantum and transport scattering times are evaluated after averaging over the anisotropy in the relaxation time. The value of the Hall scattering factor computed for charged dislocation scattering indicates that there may be a factor of two error in the experimental mobility estimates using the Hall data. An expression for the resistivity tensor when the dislocations are tilted with respect to the plane of transport is derived. Finally, an expression for the isotropic relaxation time is derived when the dislocations are located within the sample with a uniform angular distribution.
Thermoelectric performance of electron and hole doped PtSb2
Authors: Saeed Y. , Singh N. , Parker D. , Schwingenschlögl U.
Published: May 2013

We investigate the thermoelectric properties of electron and hole doped PtSb2. Our results show that for doping of 0.04 holes per unit cell (1.5×1020 cm−3) PtSb2 shows a high Seebeck coefficient at room temperature, which can also be achieved at other temperatures by controlling the carrier concentration (both electron and hole). The electrical conductivity becomes temperature independent when the doping exceeds some 0.2 electrons/holes per unit cell. The figure of merit at 800 K in electron and hole doped PtSb2 is comparatively low at 0.13 and 0.21, respectively, but may increase significantly with As alloying due to the likely opening of a band gap and reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity.