On the large scale behavior of super-Brownian motion in three dimensions with a single point source

In a recent work, Fleischmann and Mueller (2004) showed the existence of a super-Brownian motion in R^d, d=2,3, with extra birth at the origin. Their construction made use of an analytical approach based on the fundamental solution of the heat equation with a one point potential worked out by Albeverio et al. (1995). The present note addresses two properties of this measure-valued process in the three-dimensional case, namely the scaling of the process and the large scale behavior of its mean

Two-dimensional magnetotransport in Bi2Te2Se nanoplatelets

Single-crystalline Bi2Te2Se nanoplates with thicknesses between 8 and 30 nm and lateral sizes of several micrometers were synthesized by a vapour-solid growth method. Angle-dependent magnetoconductance measurements on individual nanoplates revealed the presence of a two-dimensional weak anti-localization effect. In conjunction with gate-dependent charge transport studies performed at different temperatures, evidence was gained that this effect originates from the topologically protected surface states of the nanoplates

Chiral Recognition and Stereoselective Reduction of Horse Ferricytochrome c by Optically Active Iron(ll) Complexes

The reduction of ferricytochrome c with the chiral complexes [Fe(alamp)] (alamp = N,N'-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(methylene)]bis[(R)- or (S)-alanine]) and [Fe(promp)] (promp = N,N'-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(methylene)]bis[(R)- or (S)-proline] is moderately stereoselective. The temperature dependence of the stereoselectivity shows ΔΔH#Δ-Λ/ΔΔS#Δ-Λ compensation behaviour giving crossing Eyring plots at 28° and 36° for alamp and promp, respectively. The activation parameters of the two ligands show inverted signs indicating that electron transfer with the corresponding Fell complexes probably does not occur in an identical geometrical environment

Dynamo-generated magnetic fields in fast rotating single giants

Red giants offer a good opportunity to study the interplay of magnetic fields and stellar evolution. Using the spectro-polarimeter NARVAL of the Telescope Bernard Lyot (TBL), Pic du Midi, France and the LSD technique, we began a survey of magnetic fields in single G-K-M giants. Early results include 6 MF-detections with fast rotating giants, and for the first time a magnetic field was detected directly in an evolved M-giant: EK Boo. Our results could be explained in the terms of $\alpha$--$\omega$ dynamo operating in these giants.Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure, proceedings of IAUS259: Cosmic Magnetic Field

Combined Eccentric-Isokinetic and Isoinertial Training Leads to Large Ring-Specific Strength Gains in Elite Gymnasts.

In male elite gymnastics, lately, eccentric training is often used to improve the maximum specific strength of static elements on rings. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of a three-week, gymnastic-specific, eccentric-isokinetic (0.1 m/s) cluster training with a change of stimulus after three of six training sessions (eccentric-isokinetic with additional load) on a computer-controlled training device on the improvement of the elements swallow and support scale on rings. Maximum strength and strength endurance in maintaining the static positions of ten international elite male gymnasts were determined on a weekly basis. After three weeks of training, specific maximum strength and strength endurance increased significantly (strength: swallow: +8.72%, p < 0.001; support scale: 8.32%, p < 0.0001; strength endurance: swallow: +122.36%; p = 0.02; Support Scale: +93.30%; p = 0.03). Consequently, top gymnasts can considerably improve ring-specific strength and strength endurance in only three weeks. The separate analysis of the effects of both eccentric-isokinetic training modalities showed that efficiency might even be increased in future training interventions. We suggest using this type of training in phases in which the technical training load is low and monitoring the adaptations in order to compile an individually optimized training after an intervention

Giant edge state splitting at atomically precise zigzag edges

Zigzag edges of graphene nanostructures host localized electronic states that are predicted to be spin-polarized. However, these edge states are highly susceptible to edge roughness and interaction with a supporting substrate, complicating the study of their intrinsic electronic and magnetic structure. Here, we focus on atomically precise graphene nanoribbons whose two short zigzag edges host exactly one localized electron each. Using the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope, the graphene nanoribbons are transferred from the metallic growth substrate onto insulating islands of NaCl in order to decouple their electronic structure from the metal. The absence of charge transfer and hybridization with the substrate is confirmed by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), which reveals a pair of occupied / unoccupied edge states. Their large energy splitting of 1.9 eV is in accordance with ab initio many-body perturbation theory calculations and reflects the dominant role of electron-electron interactions in these localized states.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure

Electronic Band Dispersion of Graphene Nanoribbons via Fourier-Transformed Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy

Atomically precise armchair graphene nanoribbons of width $N=7$ (7-AGNRs) are investigated by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) on Au(111). The analysis of energy-dependent standing wave patterns of finite length ribbons allows, by Fourier transformation, the direct extraction of the dispersion relation of frontier electronic states. Aided by density functional theory calculations, we assign the states to the valence band, the conduction band and the next empty band of 7-AGNRs, determine effective masses of $0.42\pm 0.08\,m_e$, $0.40\pm 0.18\,m_e$ and $0.20\pm 0.03\,m_e$, respectively, and a band gap of $2.37\pm 0.06$ eV.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figure

Investigating self-recognition in bonobos : mirror exposure reduces looking time to self but not unfamiliar conspecifics

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013)/ERC grant agreement no. 283871 and the Swiss National Science Foundation (Social learning in primate communication: 31003A_166458 / Coordinating joint action in apes: Testing the boundaries of the human interaction engine: CR31I3_159655).The question of whether animals have some sort ofself-awareness is a topic of continued debate. A necessary precondition forself-awareness is the ability to visually discriminate the self from others,which has traditionally been investigated through mirror self-recognition experiments.Although great apes generally pass such experiments, interpretations of resultshave remained controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate howbonobos (Pan paniscus) respond todifferent types of images of themselves and others, both before and afterprolonged mirror exposure. We first presented presumably mirror-naive subjectswith representations of themselves in three different ways (mirror image,contingent and non-contingent video footage) as well as representations ofothers (video footage of known and unknown conspecifics). We found thatsubjects paid significantly less attention to contingent images of themselves(mirror image, video footage) than to non-contingent images of themselves andunfamiliar individuals, suggesting they perceived the non-contingent self-imageas novel. We then provided subjects with three months of access to a largemirror centrally positioned in the enclosure. Following this manipulation,subjects showed significantly reduced interest in the non-contingentself-images, while interest in unknown individuals remained unchanged,suggesting that the mirror experience has led to a fuller understanding oftheir own self. We discuss implications of this preliminary investigation forthe on-going debate on self-awareness in animals.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe