bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image analysis method to quantify the effect of different treatments on the visual meat/shell ratio of half‐shelled green lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus)
Authors: Kim Min Geun , Alçiçek Zayde , Balaban Murat O , Atar Hasan Huseyin
Published: September 2013

BACKGROUND

Aquacultured green lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) is the New Zealand export leader of seafood in terms of weight. Different treatments shrink mussel meat differently and affect the consumer perception of half‐shelled mussels. In order to quantify this, digital images of half‐shelled green lipped mussels subjected to two postharvest treatments (ultrahigh pressure (UHP) and heat treatment (HT)) and raw controls were taken. The ratio of the view area of the meat to that of the shell (labelled as ‘visual condition index’ (VCI)) was measured using image analysis. A polygonal region of interest was defined on the image to depict the boundary of the meat and to calculate the view area.

RESULTS

Raw mussels had a VCI of 85%. HT mussels had a much reduced VCI of 41%, indicating shrinkage of the meat due to heat. UHP treatment used as a shucking method resulted in a VCI of 83%. Since VCI is one measure of quality for the consumer, this quantitative method can be used in the optimization of shucking treatment (HT or UHP).

CONCLUSION

VCI can be used to optimize postharvest treatments to minimize meat shrinkage. This method can also be applied to other shellfish such as oysters and clams. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Macroscale and mesoscale analysis of concrete as a multiphase material for biological shields against nuclear radiation
Authors: Salomoni V. A. , Majorana C. E. , Pomaro B. , Xotta G. , Gramegna F.
Published: September 2013

The overall thermo‐hygro‐mechanical behavior of concrete is to be investigated, because its bearing capacity is required together with its shielding properties, specifically when concrete structures are exposed to high‐energy neutron fluxes, which represent the next generation facilities designed for the production of high energy radioactive ion beams in physics research. Irradiation in the form of either fast and thermal neutrons, primary gamma rays or gamma rays produced as a result of neutron capture, are learnt to affect concrete as well as neutron fluences of the order of 1019 n/cm2 and gamma radiation doses of 1010 rad seem to become critical for concrete strength. The collection of data on concrete samples, variously exposed to neutron radiation, has allowed for defining a law for radiation damage within the FEM research code NEWCON3D, assessing the 3D coupled thermo‐hygro‐mechanical behavior of concrete, modeled as a multiphase porous medium, both at the macroscale and the mesoscale level. The required damage law is thought to be a function of the neutron flux impinging the concrete shielding wall, and a good estimate of this quantity has been provided by means of a Monte Carlo code developed by CERN and the National Institute of Nuclear Physics of Milan, Italy; this code handles radiation transport calculations and represents at this day one of the most reliable procedures for dealing with the interaction of radiation and matter. The suggested procedure for the radiation damage evaluation has allowed for discussing on differences between mesolevel and macrolevel approaches. Stochastic contour maps of the expected radiation field, properly interfaced with the numerical FE code, have allowed for obtaining a more precise evaluation of the radiation damage front as well as its evolution in time. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of flaws in piezoelectric structures using extended FEM
Authors: Nanthakumar S.S. , Lahmer T. , Rabczuk T.
Published: September 2013

An iterative method to treat the inverse problem of detecting cracks and voids in two‐dimensional piezoelectric structures is proposed. The method involves solving the forward problem for various flaw configurations, and at each iteration, the response of piezoelectric material is minimized at known specific points along the boundary to match measured data. Extended finite element method (XFEM) is employed for solving the forward problem as it allows the use of a single regular mesh for a large number of iterations with different flaw geometries. The minimization of cost function is performed by multilevel coordinate search (MCS) method. The algorithm is an intermediate between purely heuristic methods and methods that allow an assessment of the quality of the minimum obtained and is in spirit similar to the direct method for global optimization. In this paper, the XFEM‐MCS methodology is applied to two‐dimensional electromechanical problems where flaws considered are straight cracks and elliptical voids. The results show that this methodology can be effectively employed for damage detection in piezoelectric materials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mehr sehen, mehr verstehen
Authors: Roman Jean‐Philippe
Published: September 2013

Digitalkameras und Bildverarbeitung offenbaren mehr von der Realität, als das menschliche Auge allein sehen kann. Deshalb kommen sie in vielen wissenschaftlichen Disziplinen zum Einsatz – von der Biologie über die Medizin bis hin zur Astronomie.
Schnelle Laserstrahlschaltung
Authors: Marquardt Franka , Steiger Bernhard , Quellmalz Dana
Published: September 2013

In der Mikromaterialbearbeitung sind die Anforderungen hinsichtlich der Präzision der Bearbeitung sehr hoch. Mit gepulsten Lasersystemen ist es möglich, eine definierte Fluenz zeitlich exakt und damit positionsgenau bereit zu stellen. Laseranlagen mit Pulsdauern im ns‐Bereich generieren Pulsfolgefrequenzen bis zu einigen 100 kHz und Pulsspitzenleistungen von einigen Kilowatt. Für ein gleich bleibendes Bearbeitungsergebnis ist die Abhängigkeit der Pulsenergie von der Pulswiederholfrequenz nachteilig. Dieser Artikel stellt eine alternative Methode vor, die das schnelle optische Schalten von cw‐Laserstrahlung konstant hoher Leistung im MHz‐Bereich durch den Einsatz externer Dakustooptischer Modulatoren (AOM) ermöglicht.
Bunte Lichtflächen
Authors: Freitag Patricia , Gil Tae‐Hyun , Hesse Jan , Schlebusch Dirk
Published: September 2013

Organische Leuchtdioden (OLED) eignen sich in besonderem Maße für die Entwicklung von flächigen Beleuchtungselementen. Die Vorteile dieser Technologie liegen vor allem in der sehr geringen Bautiefe und in der Möglichkeit, Flächenstrahler auf flexiblen Substraten zu realisieren. Die Möglichkeit, den Farbort von OLED‐Modulen je nach Umgebungssituation frei wählen zu können, erweitert das Anwendungsspektrum solcher Module. Am Fraunhofer COMEDD konnten farbsteuerbare OLED durch das Stapeln von bis zu drei monochromen OLED‐Einheiten realisiert werden (Abb. 1). Der Farb­ort des emittierten Lichts lässt sich über eine pulsweitenmodulierte Ansteuerung der einzelnen Einheiten einstellen.
Licht wo Licht gebraucht wird
Authors: Hellmig Jochen , Moench Holger , Miller Michael
Published: September 2013

Aktive Infrarot (IR)‐Beleuchtung wird in Kamerasystemen zur besseren Identifizierung von Zeichen, Objekten und Personen eingesetzt. IR‐Beleuchtung ermöglicht Aufnahmen mit hoher Geschwindigkeit oder von schnell bewegten Objekten (z. B. Lesen von Kfz‐Kennzeichen an fahrenden Fahrzeugen). Sie kann zudem Schatten und die Variabilität des Umgebungslichts reduzieren oder eliminieren. Gegenüber sichtbarem Licht verbessert IR‐Beleuchtung die Sichtbarkeit bei schwierigen Witterungsverhältnissen wie Nebel, Regen und Schneefall (Abb. 1). Eine passende aktive Lichtquelle erweitert den Einsatzbereich fast aller Kameraanwendungen.
Durchblick bei Tag und Nacht
Authors: Vandersmissen Raf
Published: September 2013

Rund um die Uhr bei jedem Wetter einsetzbare Aufklärungsmittel bieten für Wehrtechnik und Rettungsdienste entscheidende Einsatzvorteile. Gegenüber anderen Technologien zeigen SWIR (short wave infrared light)‐Kameras durchgängig gute Resultate, die sie für den praktischen Einsatz empfehlen. Für die gleichzeitige Erkennung und Verfolgung sowohl thermisch strahlender als auch reflektierender Objekte lassen sich SWIR‐ und thermische LWIR (long wave infrared)‐Kameras leicht kombinieren.
PID‐Lampen kontrollieren Luftverschmutzung
Authors: Jenek Torsten , Hornung Daniela
Published: September 2013

Luftverschmutzung durch Ozon, Stickstoffdioxid, flüchtige organische Verbindungen und Feinstaub, vorwiegend aus Fahrzeugemissionen, belastet die Umwelt und beeinträchtigt die Gesundheit. Sie kann sogar zu einer verringerten Lebenserwartung führen. Echtzeitüberwachung der Luftqualität ist wichtig, um die Faktoren und Wirkungsweisen der Luftverschmutzung besser zu verstehen. Dazu wird am Londoner Flughafen Heathrow und in dessen Umgebung ein neues Messsystem getestet.
Scheinwerfer der Zukunft
Authors: Fischer Bernd , Kaup Marc
Published: September 2013

Durch den Vormarsch effizienter Lichtquellen auf Halbleiterbasis ist auch die Kraftfahrzeugbeleuchtung aktuell einem Paradigmenwechsel unterzogen – und das ganz im Sinne der HiTec‐Strategie des Bundes. Die Forschung und Entwicklung versucht funktionalorientiert die Sicherheit im Straßenverkehr durch fahrzeugeigene Beleuchtung und lichtbasierte Fahrassistenzsysteme stetig zu steigern. Eine mindestens ebenso wichtige Rolle spielt dabei die technologische Umsetzung von Funktionalitäten im Hinblick auf Machbarkeit, Energieeffizienz und Design.
Synthesis and properties of shape memory graphene oxide/polyurethane chemical hybrids
Authors: Lee Su Kyeong , Kim Byung Kyu
Published: September 2013

Graphene oxide modified chemically with allyl isocyanate (iGO) was incorporated in various amounts into acrylate‐terminated polyurethane (PU) via UV curing. The effects of this incorporation on the morphological, mechanical, dynamic mechanical, thermal and shape memory properties of the resulting hybrids were examined. The iGO nanoparticles incorporated into the PU chains acted as both multifunctional crosslinks and reinforcing fillers, and the effects were most pronounced at low iGO contents (0.5 and 1.0 wt%). Consequently, the glassy and rubbery state moduli, yield strength, glass transition temperature, shape fixity and shape recovery ratios were increased on adding up to 1 wt% iGO. At higher iGO loadings, the values of most of these properties decreased due to aggregation and the auto‐inhibition of allyl compounds. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
On the failure of silicone breast implants: new insights by mapping the mechanical properties of implant shells
Authors: Schubert Dirk W , Kaschta Joachim , Horch Raymund E , Walter Bastian L , Daenicke Jonas
Published: September 2013

This review summarizes the knowledge on rupture (in vivo as well as under laboratory conditions) of gel‐filled silicone breast implants, which has been an open question since the first implantation in 1962. We present recent progress which has been made by a mapping of the mechanical properties of the shell material together with a statistical failure analysis by means of a Weibull fit. Reference implants and intact as well as ruptured explants are tested after several years in vivo using tensile tests. Up to 110 dumbbell‐shaped specimens per implant are measured allowing a detailed mapping of the mechanical properties of the silicone shell. Therefore, it is possible to illustrate the results of the tensile tests by mapping the measured values of the implants in the form of a contour plot revealing novel insights. The contour plots clearly display that the mechanical behaviour (e.g. stress at break) varies significantly over the shell. Additionally, a map is proposed which clearly shows separated clusters for different manufacturers and product categories. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Silver Nanocube Aggregates in Cylindrical Pores for Higher Refractive Index Plasmonic Sensing
Authors: König Tobias , Kodiyath Rajesh , Combs Zachary A. , Mahmoud Mahmoud. A. , El‐Sayed Mostafa A. , Tsukruk Vladimir V.
Published: September 2013

We report on silver nanocubes (AgNCs) infiltrated into cylindrical nanopores of porous alumina membranes (PAM) with an outstanding chemical sensitivity based on refractive index sensing (RIS) measurements. Numerical simulations performed using the finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method suggested that the enhanced sensitivity is based mainly on the inter‐pore coupling plasmonic effect. This effect is related to plasmonic amplification based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) coupling between AgNCs located at the pore walls of neighboring cylindrical pores and separated by a nanoscale wall. Results are discussed for different aggregation scenarios ranging from individual nanocubes through pentamers on a flat glass surface, a flat alumina surface, and a concave local shape representing the experimental conditions. An experimental RIS sensitivity of about 770 nm per refractive index unit was found to be more than an order of magnitude higher for silver nanocube aggregates within cylindrical pores than that observed for ordinary planar substrates.
Electronic properties of E3 electron trap in n‐type ZnO
Authors: Chicot Gauthier , Pernot Julien , Santailler Jean‐Louis , Chevalier Céline , Granier Carole , Ferret Pierre , Ribeaud Alexandre , Feuillet Guy , Muret Pierre
Published: September 2013

Deep level transient spectroscopy measurements were performed on three non‐intentionally doped n‐type ZnO samples grown by different techniques in order to investigate the electronic properties of E3 electron trap. The ionization energy and the capture cross‐section are found respectively at 0.275 eV from the conduction band and 2.3×10‐16 cm2 with no electric field dependence. This center is present irrespective of the synthesis method. In view of its physical properties and recent works published in the literature, its physical origin is discussed. Based mainly on its insensibility to the macroscopic electric field, the best candidates turn out to be dual defects with opposite charges on adjacent sites, like the dual vacancy VO–VZn.
Antimutagenic Potential and Modulation of Carcinogen‐Metabolizing Enzymes by Ginger Essential Oil
Authors: Jeena Kottarapat , Liju Vijayasteltar B. , Viswanathan Ramanath , Kuttan Ramadasan
Published: September 2013

Essential oil extracted from ginger (GEO) was evaluated for its mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium TA 98, TA 100, TA 102, and TA 1535 strains with and without microsomal activation. GEO was found to be non‐mutagenic up to a concentration of 3 mg/plate. It was also assessed for antimutagenic potential against direct acting mutagens such as sodium azide, 4‐nitro‐o‐phenylenediamine, N‐methyl‐N′‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine, tobacco extract, and 2‐acetamidoflourene, which needs microsomal activation. GEO significantly inhibited (p < 0.001) the mutagenicity induced by these agents in a concentration‐dependent manner. The effect of GEO to modulate the action of phase I carcinogen‐metabolizing enzymes was investigated by studying its effect on various isoforms of microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes. Significant inhibition of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP2B1/2, aniline hydroxylase (an indicator of CYP 2E1 activity), and aminopyrine‐N‐demethylase (indicator of CYP 1A, 2A, 2B, 2D, and 3A activity) was shown by GEO both in vitro and in vivo. GEO gave an IC50 value of 30, 57.5, and 40 µg for CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP2B1/2, respectively, 55 µg for aniline hydroxylase, and 37.5 µg for aminopyrene‐N‐demethylase. GEO also significantly increased the levels of phase II carcinogen‐metabolizing enzymes uridine 5′‐diphospho‐glucuronyl transferase and glutathione‐S‐transferase in vivo indicating the use of GEO as an antimutagen and as a potential chemopreventive agent. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IMPACT OF CHANGING HYDROLOGY ON NUTRIENT UPTAKE IN HIGH ARCTIC RIVERS
Authors: Blaen P. J. , Milner A. M. , Hannah D. M. , Brittain J. E. , Brown L. E.
Published: September 2013

Despite the importance of river nutrient retention in regulating downstream water quality and the potential alterations to nutrient fluxes associated with climate‐induced changes in Arctic hydrology, current understanding of nutrient cycling in Arctic river systems is limited. This study adopted an experimental approach to quantify conceptual water source contributions (meltwater, groundwater), environmental conditions and uptake of NO3−, NH4+, PO43− and acetate at 12 headwater rivers in Svalbard and so determine the role of changing hydrology on nutrient uptake in these Arctic river systems. Most rivers exhibited low demand for NO3− and PO43−, but demand for NH4+ and acetate was more variable and in several rivers comparable with that measured in sub‐Arctic regions. The proportion of meltwater contributing to river flow was not significantly related to nutrient uptake. However, NH4+ uptake was associated positively with algal biomass, water temperature and transient storage area, whereas acetate uptake was associated positively with more stable river channels. Mean demand for NH4+ increased when added with acetate, suggesting NH4+ retention may be facilitated by labile dissolved organic carbon availability in these rivers. Consequently, nutrient export from Arctic river systems could be influenced in future by changes in hydrological and environmental process interactions associated with forecasted climate warming. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dose‐finding design using mixed‐effect proportional odds model for longitudinal graded toxicity data in phase I oncology clinical trials
Authors: Doussau Adélaïde , Thiébaut Rodolphe , Paoletti Xavier
Published: September 2013

Phase I oncology clinical trials are designed to identify the optimal dose that will be recommended for phase II trials. This dose is typically defined as the dose associated with a certain probability of severe toxicity during the first cycle of treatment, although toxicity is repeatedly measured over cycles on an ordinal scale. We propose a new adaptive dose‐finding design using longitudinal measurements of ordinal toxic adverse events, with proportional odds mixed‐effect models. Likelihood‐based inference is implemented. The optimal dose is then the dose producing a target rate of severe toxicity per cycle. This model can also be used to identify cumulative or late toxicities. The performances of this approach were compared with those of the continual reassessment method in a simulation study. Operating characteristics were evaluated in terms of correct identification of the target dose, distribution of the doses allocated and power to detect trends in the risk of toxicities over time. This approach was also used to reanalyse data from a phase I oncology trial.

Use of a proportional odds mixed‐effect model appears to be feasible in phase I dose‐finding trials, increases the ability of selecting the correct dose and provides a tool to detect cumulative effects. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental Study on Mold Flux Lubrication for Continuous Casting
Authors: Yang Jie , Meng Xiangning , Zhu Miaoyong
Published: September 2013

A new experimental apparatus for simulating mold oscillation of continuous casting was developed to clarify the flux lubrication mechanism in mold channel. Mixed oil which was simulated mold flux was poured and infiltrated down into the channel, and the consumption, liquid level and pressure of mixed oil were detected in the process of oscillation as well as the mechanism of flux process. The results show that the channel of flux with a profile becomes wider along the casting direction, and the lag time of periodical shifting pressure to the oscillating motion is strongly dependent on the flux viscosity and oscillation frequency. The liquid film thickness of flux has a significant influence on the infiltration behavior compared with the oscillating motion of the mold. The liquid flux infiltrates down from the end of positive strip time to the beginning of next positive strip time, and the infiltration is largely dependent on the negative strip time in between. The increase of viscosity of flux, casting speed and oscillation frequency enhances the liquid friction due to the reduction of the mold flux consumption. On the contrary, the higher non‐sinusoidal oscillation factor improves the infiltration and decreases the frictional force. The oscillation amplitude increases the consumption and liquid friction slightly.
Missing Links in the Sulfate Chemistry of Group 15 Elements: As(S2O7)(HS2O7), Sb2(SO4)2(S2O7), and Bi2(S2O7)3 from Reactions in Oleum under Harsh Conditions
Authors: Logemann Christian , Kleineberg Henrike , Ohlert Jan , Wickleder Mathias S.
Published: September 2013

The reactions of As2O3, SbCl3, and (BiO)2CO3 with oleum (65 % SO3) yielded single crystals of As(S2O7)(HS2O7) [monoclinic, P21/c, Z = 4, a = 16.549(1), b = 6.6743(5), c = 9.9498(6) Å, β = 102.672(8)°, V = 1072.672(8) Å3], Sb2(SO4)2(S2O7) [monoclinic, P21/n, Z = 4, a = 9.1586(2), b = 6.9981(2), c = 17.7956(4) Å, β = 100.9690(8)°, V = 1119.73(5) Å3], and Bi2(S2O7)3 [triclinic, P$\bar{1}$, Z = 2, a = 6.5734(1), b = 10.1954(2), c = 11.5121(2) Å, α = 90.996(1)°, β = 96.976(1)°, γ = 94.870(1)°, V = 762.75(2) Å3]. As(S2O7)(HS2O7) shows the arsenic atoms in a trigonal pyramidal coordination of the oxygen atoms of one chelating S2O72– and one monodentate HS2O7– group. The distinct As(S2O7)(HS2O7) molecules are connected with each other by hydrogen bonds to form layers. Sb2(SO4)2(S2O7) shows the Sb3+ cations in a seesaw‐type coordination of oxygen atoms from both anions. In Bi2(S2O7)3 the Bi3+ cations are in a square prismatic oxygen coordination of disulfate units. The antimony and the bismuth compounds exhibit complex three‐dimensionally linked structures. The syntheses and the crystal structures, as well as the thermal decomposition of Sb2(SO4)2(S2O7) are presented.
Constraining Inert Dark Matter by R

γγ
and WMAP data
Authors: Krawczyk Maria , Sokołowska Dorota , Swaczyna Paweł , Świeżewska Bogumiła
Published: September 2013

Abstract

We discuss the constraints on Dark Matter coming from the LHC Higgs data and WMAP relic density measurements for the Inert Doublet Model, which is one of the simplest extensions of the Standard Model providing a Dark Matter candidate. We found that combining the diphoton rate R

γγ
and the Ω
DM

h
2 data one can set strong limits on the parameter space of the Inert Doublet Model, stronger or comparable to the constraints provided by the XENON100 experiment for low and medium Dark Matter mass.
Solution NMR determination of hydrogen bonding and base pairing between the glyQS T box riboswitch Specifier domain and the anticodon loop of tRNAGly
Authors: Chang Andrew T. , Nikonowicz Edward P.
Published: September 2013

In Gram‐positive bacteria the tRNA‐dependent T box riboswitch regulates the expression of many amino acid biosynthetic and aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase genes through a transcription attenuation mechanism. The Specifier domain of the T box riboswitch contains the Specifier sequence that is complementary to the tRNA anticodon and is flanked by a highly conserved purine nucleotide that could result in a fourth base pair involving the invariant U33 of tRNA. We show that the interaction between the T box Specifier domain and tRNA consists of three Watson–Crick base pairs and that U33 confers stability to the complex through intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Enhanced packing within the Specifier domain loop E motif may stabilize the complex and contribute to cognate tRNA selection.
Genetic diversity and population structure ofSynthesium pontoporiae(Digenea, Brachycladiidae) linked to its definitive host stocks, the endangered Franciscana dolphin,Pontoporia blainvillei(Pontoporiidae) off the coast of Brazil and Argentina
Authors: Marigo J. , Cunha H.A. , Bertozzi C.P. , Souza S.P. , Rosas F.C.W. , Cremer M.J. , Barreto A.S. , de Oliveira L.R. , Cappozzo H.L. , Valente A.L.S. , Santos C.P. , Vicente A.C.P.
Published: September 2013

Pontoporia blainvillei(Gervais and d'Orbigny, 1844) is an endangered small cetacean endemic to South America with four Franciscana Management Areas (FMA) recognized as different population stocks. The role of the intestinal parasiteSynthesium pontoporiae(Digenea: Brachycladiidae) as a possible biological marker to differentiateP. blainvilleistocks was evaluated using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers. Internal transcribed sequence 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2) regions ofS. pontoporiaedid not show intraspecific variability. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (ND3) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences suggested lack of population structure inS. pontoporiaeand population expansion. The apparent panmixia ofS. pontoporiaemay be due to the high mobility of one or more of its intermediary hosts. Alternatively, it may be due to the small sample size. This result is incongruent with the previously proposed FMA.
Debye-sheath properties in the Tonks–Langmuir discharge with warm neutrals
Authors: KOS L. , TSKHAKAYA D. D. , KUHN S. , JELIĆ N.
Published: September 2013

A kinetic theory of the Debye sheath in the Tonks–Langmuir model of the plasma-wall transition layer with hot neutrals is presented. The plasma, consisting of Boltzmann-distributed electrons and singly charged ions, is in contact with an absorbing negative wall. Dependencies of electric-potential characteristics on neutrals temperature are investigated for the first time. The results can be generalized to other sheath models.
Sick sinus syndrome: a family study
Authors: Rogińska Natalia , Bieganowska Katarzyna
Published: September 2013

A case of related individuals affected by sick sinus syndrome is presented in this study. The clinical and electrocardiographic signs of sinus node dysfunction and the most common causes of this disease are presented. Subsequently, the article includes descriptions of sinus node disease in three related children as well as details of the disease in their relatives. A literature review of the genetics of familial sinus node dysfunction concludes the study.
Laws in Progress? Reconceptualizing Accountability Strategies in the Era of Framework Norms
Authors: Korkea-aho Emilia
Published: September 2013

EU law is teeming with framework norms – ‘laws in progress’. They provide little clarity for those to whom they apply, engendering rule-making in networks to assist those charged with implementing and applying laws at the national level. Taking as its specific focus the particular process through which the concept of an ‘article’ was constructed and constituted in a set of negotiations around the EU Chemicals Regulation, REACH, this article shows that networks not only make framework norms operational but also transform them in the process. The fact that networks have an important role in laying out what the law says throws the effectiveness of traditional forms of accountability in doubt. In particular, judicial control is in need of rethinking in order to accommodate norms that change and the networks that change them. This article suggests looking at the connections between internal peer control and externally operating judicial control as a way to keep up with the progress of laws in progress.
The Effect of Using Different Distractor Sets in Visual Search with Spiders and Snakes on Spider-Sensitive and Nonfearful Participants
Authors: Bjärtå Anna , Flykt Anders , Sundin Örjan
Published: September 2013

In two visual search experiments, we investigated the impact of distractor sets on fear-relevant stimuli by comparing a search set with spiders, snakes, flowers, and mushrooms to one with spiders, snakes, rabbits, and turtles. We found speeded responses to spider and snake targets when flowers and mushrooms, but not when rabbits and turtles served as distractors. In Experiment 2, we compared spider-sensitive to nonfearful participants. Spider-sensitive participants responded faster than nonfearful participants to spider targets when we used flowers and mushrooms as distractors, but not when we used rabbit and turtle distractors. These results indicate that behavioral responses to the visual search task not only depend on the individual’s relationship to the stimuli included in the search set, but also on the context in which the feared or fear-relevant objects are presented.
A Revised Model of Dickman’s Dysfunctional Impulsivity Scale
Authors: Di Milia Lee
Published: September 2013

The literature suggests limitations to Dickman’s dysfunctional impulsivity (DI) scale. These concerns are centered on the measurement properties of this scale and on its reliance on student samples. To address these criticisms, the DI was administered to a random adult sample (n = 649, mean age 43.83 ± 13.46 years), 13% of whom were university educated. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) did not support the fit of the posited 12-item DI scale. The full sample was randomly divided. Principal components analysis was applied to one sample (n = 328), resulting in a 9-item model. This new model was then replicated using CFA in the second sample (n = 321). Cronbach’s α for the 9-item model was 0.84 and item-total correlations were > 0.39. The 30th and 70th percentile scores from the DI distribution of scores were used to categorize participants with low and high DI. The high-DI group was associated with significantly more driving distractions and lane crossings.
Working Memory, Mental Prospection, Time Orientation, and Cognitive Insight
Authors: Cinan Sevtap , Doğan Aslı
Published: September 2013

This research is new in its attempt to take future time orientation, morningness orientation, and prospective memory as measures of mental prospection, and to examine a three-factor model that assumes working memory, mental prospection, and cognitive insight are independent but related higher-order cognitive constructs by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The three-factor model produced a good fit to the data. An alternative one-factor model was tested and rejected. The results suggest that working memory and cognitive insight are distinguishable, related constructs, and that both are distinct from, but negatively associated with, mental prospection. In addition, structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that working memory had a strong positive effect on cognitive insight and a moderate negative effect on mental prospection.
Realization of both high hydrogen selectivity and capacity in a guest responsive metal–organic framework
Authors: Makal Tegan A. , Zhuang Wenjuan , Zhou Hong-Cai
Published: September 2013

Two isoreticular semi-flexible metal–organic frameworks with different pendant alkoxy groups have been synthesized to realize guest-responsive behavior, resulting in high H2 selectivity and capacity.
Crystal structure of the TRIM25 B30.2 (PRYSPRY) domain: a key component of antiviral signalling
Authors: D’Cruz Akshay A. , Kershaw Nadia J. , Chiang Jessica J. , Wang May K. , Nicola Nicos A. , Babon Jeffrey J. , Gack Michaela U. , Nicholson Sandra E.
Published: September 2013

TRIM (tripartite motif) proteins primarily function as ubiquitin E3 ligases that regulate the innate immune response to infection. TRIM25 [also known as Efp (oestrogen-responsive finger protein)] has been implicated in the regulation of oestrogen receptor α signalling and in the regulation of innate immune signalling via RIG-I (retinoic acid-inducible gene-I). RIG-I senses cytosolic viral RNA and is subsequently ubiquitinated by TRIM25 at its N-terminal CARDs (caspase recruitment domains), leading to type I interferon production. The interaction with RIG-I is dependent on the TRIM25 B30.2 domain, a protein-interaction domain composed of the PRY and SPRY tandem sequence motifs. In the present study we describe the 1.8 Å crystal structure of the TRIM25 B30.2 domain, which exhibits a typical B30.2/SPRY domain fold comprising two N-terminal α-helices, thirteen β-strands arranged into two β-sheets and loop regions of varying lengths. A comparison with other B30.2/SPRY structures and an analysis of the loop regions identified a putative binding pocket, which is likely to be involved in binding target proteins. This was supported by mutagenesis and functional analyses, which identified two key residues (Asp488 and Trp621) in the TRIM25 B30.2 domain as being critical for binding to the RIG-I CARDs.
Gender Categorization in Cochlear Implant Users
Authors: Massida Zoé , Marx Mathieu , Belin Pascal , James Christopher , Fraysse Bernard , Barone Pascal , Deguine Olivier
Published: September 2013

Purpose

In this study, the authors examined the ability of subjects with cochlear implants (CIs) to discriminate voice gender and how this ability evolved as a function of CI experience.

Method

The authors presented a continuum of voice samples created by voice morphing, with 9 intermediate acoustic parameter steps between a typical male and a typical female. This method allowed for the evaluation of gender categorization not only when acoustical features were specific to gender but also for more ambiguous cases, when fundamental frequency or formant distribution were located between typical values.

Results

Results showed a global, though variable, deficit for voice gender categorization in CI recipients compared with subjects with normal hearing. This deficit was stronger for ambiguous stimuli in the voice continuum: Average performance scores for CI users were 58% lower than average scores for subjects with normal hearing in cases of ambiguous stimuli and 19% lower for typical male and female voices. The authors found no significant improvement in voice gender categorization with CI experience.

Conclusions

These results emphasize the dissociation between recovery of speech recognition and voice feature perception after cochlear implantation. This large and durable deficit may be related to spectral and temporal degradation induced by CI sound coding, or it may be related to central voice processing deficits.
Auditory Middle Latency Responses in Chronic Smokers Compared to Nonsmokers: Differential Effects of Stimulus and Age
Authors: Ramkissoon Ishara , Beverly Brenda L.
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Effects of clicks and tonebursts on early and late auditory middle latency response (AMLR) components were evaluated in young and older cigarette smokers and nonsmokers.

Method

Participants (n= 49) were categorized by smoking and age into 4 groups: (a) older smokers, (b) older nonsmokers, (c) young smokers, and (d) young nonsmokers. Monaural, 2-channel AMLRs were acquired from Fz and Cz electrodes with 3 stimuli (clicks, 500 Hz, and 3000 Hz).

Results

Group differences included significantly higher V–Na amplitude in young adults and shorter Pb latency in older nonsmokers. Young smokers had a significantly higher Nb–Pb amplitude and shorter Nb latency than other groups. Toneburst stimuli yielded significantly longer V, Na, and Pa latencies compared to clicks. Pb latency was shorter at Fz than at Cz. Relative amplitudes were significantly higher at Fz than at Cz overall; Pa–Nb and Nb–Pb were significantly lower for 3000 Hz than for 500 Hz and clicks.

Conclusions

Responses from young smokers revealed a higher amplitude and shorter latency for later AMLR waves, reflecting an arousal effect of smoking in cortical and subcortical generators. AMLR differences in older adults may be due to age-related neurochemical changes in the central nervous system. Stimulus and electrode differences plus smoking and aging effects can guide neurodiagnostic AMLR protocols, especially in young adult smokers.
Effect of Sustained Maternal Responsivity on Later Vocabulary Development in Children With Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Brady Nancy , Warren Steven F. , Fleming Kandace , Keller Juliana , Sterling Audra
Published: September 2013

Purpose

This research explored whether sustained maternal responsivity (a parent–child interaction style characterized by warmth, nurturance, and stability as well as specific behaviors, such as contingent positive responses to child initiations) was a significant variable predicting vocabulary development of children with fragile X syndrome through age 9 years.

Method

Fifty-five mother–child dyads were followed longitudinally when children were between 2 and 10 years of age. Measures of maternal responsivity and child vocabulary were obtained at regular intervals starting at age 2.9 years. Sustained responsivity was indicated by the average responsivity measured over Observations 2–5. Responsivity at the 1st time period, autism symptoms, and cognitive development were used as control variables.

Results

After controlling for development and autism symptoms, the authors found significant effects for sustained responsivity on receptive vocabulary, expressive vocabulary, and the rate of different words children produced through age 9.

Conclusions

Maternal responsivity, which is typically a variable of interest during early childhood, continues to be a significant variable, predicting vocabulary development through the middle childhood period. Thus, responsivity is a potential target for language interventions through this age period.
Linear and nonlinear stability of hydrothermal waves in planar liquid layers driven by thermocapillarity
Authors: Sáenz P. J. , Valluri P. , Sefiane K. , Karapetsas G. , Matar O. K.
Published: September 2013

A shallow planar layer of liquid bounded from above by gas is set into motion via the thermocapillary effect resulting from a thermal gradient applied along its interface. Depending on the physical properties of the liquid and the strength of the gradient, the system is prone to departure from its equilibrium state and to the consequent development of an oscillatory regime. This problem is numerically investigated for the first time by means of two-phase direct numerical simulations fully taking into account the presence of a deformable interface. Obliquely travelling hydrothermal waves (HTWs), similar to those first described by Smith and Davis [J. Fluid Mech. 132, 119–144 (1983)]10.1017/S0022112083001512, are reported presenting good agreement with linear stability theory and experiments. The nonlinear spatiotemporal growth of the instabilities is discussed extensively along with the final bulk flow for both the liquid and gas phases. Our study reveals the presence of interface deformations which accompany the HTWs pattern with a certain time-delay. The local interface heat fluxes are found to be significantly affected by the transient nature of the HTWs, contradicting the results of previous single-phase studies.
Dynamics of optical nonlinearities in GaN
Authors: Fang Yu , Wu Xing-Zhi , Ye Fei , Chu Xiang-Yong , Li Zhong-Guo , Yang Jun-Yi , Song Ying-Lin
Published: September 2013

The dynamics of optical nonlinearities in bulk GaN crystal are investigated by a modified time-resolved pump-probe system with phase object at 532 nm under picosecond pulse excitation. The sample's optical nonlinearities can be determined by measuring the normalized transmittance with/without an aperture in the far field. The different nonlinear mechanisms in GaN are separated. Experimental results show that the nonlinear response of GaN is a combination of bound-electronic and free-carrier nonlinearities mechanisms. With the theory of two-photon-induced free-carrier nonlinearity, the related optical nonlinear parameters, including free-carrier nonlinearities and free-carrier life time which are difficult to be determined, are obtained.
Effect of resistivity gradient on laser-driven electron transport and ion acceleration
Authors: Zhuo H. B. , Yang X. H. , Zhou C. T. , Ma Y. Y. , Li X. H. , Yu M. Y.
Published: September 2013

The effect of resistivity gradient on laser-driven electron transport and ion acceleration is investigated using collisional particle-in-cell simulation. The study is motivated by recent proton acceleration experiments [Gizzi et al., Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 14, 011301 (2011)], which showed significant effect of the resistivity gradient in layered targets on the proton angular spread. This effect is reproduced in the present simulations. It is found that resistivity-gradient generation of magnetic fields and inhibition of electron transport is significantly enhanced when the feedback interaction between the magnetic field and the fast-electron current is included. Filamentation of the laser-generated hot electron jets inside the target, considered as the origin of the nonuniform proton patterns observed in the experiments, is clearly suppressed by the resistive magnetic field. As a result, the electrostatic sheath field at the target back surface acquires a relatively smooth profile, which contributes to the superior quality of the proton beams accelerated off layered targets in the experiments.
Investigation of nickel as hard mask for patterning multicomponent oxide materials in chlorine plasmas
Authors: Vigne S. , Delprat S. , Chaker M. , Margot J.
Published: September 2013

It is found that in specific Cl2 plasma conditions, using a nickel hard mask over calcium barium niobate, CBN (a material particularly difficult to etch) significantly improves both sidewall angles and etching selectivity. This mask hardening is due to the competition between NiCl2 growth and etching during the process. For applied bias voltage higher than the Ni sputtering threshold and substrate temperatures higher than 200  °C, this competition results in net NiCl2 growth which drastically improves the etching selectivity. This mask hardening was successfully used to define an optical waveguide with 73° sidewall angle in a 1 μm-thick CBN layer. This effect can potentially be used for the etching of a very large number of complex oxides that are known to be inert and very difficult to etch.
Uncompensated spins in exchange-biased BiFeO3/γ-Fe2O3 core/shell-like thin films
Authors: Sung K. D. , Park Y. A. , Kim Ki-Yeon , Hur N. , Jung J. H.
Published: September 2013

We have investigated the uncompensated spins in exchange-biased BiFeO3/γ-Fe2O3 core/shell-like thin films. For both in-plane and out-of-plane directions of the films, clear exchange bias appears and coercive field asymmetrically changes with respect to the annealing temperature and the cycling of magnetic field. These results can be explained by the different characters of two types of uncompensated spins. The uncompensated spins at antiferromagnetic domain-walls (rough interface) are weakly (strongly) affected by the external magnetic field. The control of uncompensated spins at domain-walls is crucial in order to realize exchange bias at room temperature along the out-of-plane direction of BiFeO3/γ-Fe2O3 core/shell-like thin films.
Third harmonic stimulated Raman backscattering of laser in a magnetized plasma
Authors: Paknezhad Alireza , Dorranian Davoud
Published: September 2013

This article studies the nonlinear Raman shifted third harmonic backscattering of an intense extraordinary laser wave through a homogenous transversely magnetized cold plasma. Due to the relativistic nonlinearity, the plasma dynamic is modified in the presence of transversely magnetic field, and this can generate the third harmonic scattered wave and an electrostatic upper hybrid wave via the Raman scattering process. Using the nonlinear wave equation, the mechanism of nonlinear third harmonic Raman scattering is discussed in detail to obtain the maximum growth rate of instability in the mildly relativistic regime. The growth rate decreases as the static magnetic field increases. It also increases with the pump wave amplitude.
Stacked sputtering process for Ti, Ta, and W carbide formation for gate metal application
Authors: Tuokedaerhan K. , Tan R. , Kakushima K. , Ahmet P. , Kataoka Y. , Nishiyama A. , Sugii N. , Wakabayashi H. , Tsutsui K. , Natori K. , Hattori T. , Iwai H.
Published: September 2013

A sputtering process using multi-stacking of carbon and metal thin films with subsequent annealing process to reactively form metal carbides (TiC, TaC, and W2C) has been presented. Grain sizes of the carbides are as small as 3.9, 3.2, and 1.9 nm for TiC, TaC, and W2C, respectively. Work functions of TiC, TaC, and W2C layers have been extracted as 4.3, 4.7, and 4.9 eV, respectively, relatively high values due to oriented growth. W2C layer formed by the presented process gives high potential to form carbides with nano-sized grain and high work function for gate electrode application.
On-chip magnetophoretic isolation of CD4 + T cells from blood
Authors: Darabi Jeff , Guo Chuan
Published: September 2013

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and testing of a magnetophoretic bioseparation chip for the rapid isolation and concentration of CD4 + T cells from the peripheral blood. In a departure from conventional magnetic separation techniques, this microfluidic-based bioseperation device has several unique features, including locally engineered magnetic field gradients and a continuous flow with a buffer switching scheme to improve the performance of the separation process. Additionally, the chip is capable of processing significantly smaller sample volumes than conventional methods and sample losses are eliminated due to decreased handling. Furthermore, the possibility of sample-to-sample contamination is reduced with the disposable format. The overall dimensions of the device were 22 mm by 60 mm by 1 mm, approximately the size of a standard microscope slide. The results indicate a cell purity of greater than 95% at a sample flow rate of 50 ml/h and a cell recovery of 81% at a sample flow rate of 10 ml/h. The cell purity was found to increase with increasing the sample flow rate. However, the cell recovery decreases with an increase in the flow rate. A parametric study was also performed to investigate the effects of channel height, substrate thickness, magnetic bead size, and number of beads per cell on the cell separation performance.
Fast computation of zeros of polynomial systems with bounded degree under finite-precision
Authors: Briquel Irénée , Cucker Felipe , Peña Javier , Roshchina Vera
Published: September 2013

A solution for Smale’s 17th problem, for the case of systems with bounded degree was recently given. This solution, an algorithm computing approximate zeros of complex polynomial systems in average polynomial time, assumed infinite precision. In this paper we describe a finite-precision version of this algorithm. Our main result shows that this version works within the same time bounds and requires a precision which, on the average, amounts to a polynomial amount of bits in the mantissa of the intervening floating-point numbers.
The gonality theorem of Noether for hypersurfaces
Authors: Bastianelli F. , Cortini R. , De Poi P.
Published: September 2013

It is well known since Noether that the gonality of a smooth curveC⊂P2{C\subset \mathbb {P}^2}of degreed≥4d\geq 4isd−1d-1. Given akk-dimensional complex projective varietyXX, the most natural extension of gonality is probably the degree of irrationality, that is, the minimum degree of a dominant rational mapX⇢Pk{X\dashrightarrow \mathbb {P}^k}. In this paper we are aimed at extending the assertion on plane curves to smooth hypersurfaces inPn\mathbb {P}^nin terms of degree of irrationality. We prove that both surfaces inP3\mathbb {P}^3and threefolds inP4\mathbb {P}^4of sufficiently large degreeddhave degree of irrationalityd−1d-1, except for finitely many cases we classify, whose degree of irrationality isd−2d-2. To this aim we use Mumford’s technique of induced differentials and we shift the problem to study first order congruences of lines ofPn\mathbb {P}^n. In particular, we also slightly improve the description of such congruences inP4\mathbb {P}^4and we provide a bound on the degree of irrationality of hypersurfaces of arbitrary dimension.