bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A compact circularly‐polarized GPS antenna using LTCC technology
Authors: Zaid Jamal , Farahani M. , Denidni Tayeb A.
Published: September 2016

A circularly‐polarized GPS antenna for L1 (1575 MHz) is designed and fabricated using low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology. A parallel patch and high dielectric constant composite ceramic with LTCC fabrication method are employed to design a compact structure. The electrical connected parallel patch interval and size are the main parameters for achieving resonance frequency at L1‐band to support modern GPS coding schemes. The proposed electrically connected upper and lower patches are connected together with vertical via pins and therefore did not have any connection with the ground plane. By embedding a truncated corner patch and rectangular slots to this design, the right‐hand circularly‐polarized (RHCP) field property is achieved. By using these features, a compact simple CP‐GPS antenna with 2.32 dBic gain at 1575 MHz is designed and fabricated. The proposed antenna has a total compact size of 15 × 15× 4 mm3and operates over the frequency band from 1570 to 1585 MHz for VSWR < 2. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2926–2930, 2016
Efficiency optimization using reconfigurable resonators for MR‐WPT in laptop computers
Authors: Hee Lee Hoon , Hyon Kang Seok , Won Jung Chang
Published: September 2016

In this paper, magnetic resonant wireless power transfer (MR‐WPT) was studied, which is being raised for mobile devices, to improve transfer efficiency. We utilized an array of resonators, which is reconfigurable with pin‐diode. It showed that the transfer efficiency can be optimized by controlling the status (Open/Short‐mode) of the resonators along the transfer distance. The resonators were flat, with small size and characteristics suitable to design mobile devices. The transfer efficiency of the system was increased by 12%, averaging in transfer distance from 5 cm to 40 cm, and maintained higher than 30% in 40 cm distance. It is digitally controlled with pin‐diodes in the practical mobile devices such as laptop, cell phone, and tablet PC. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:3000–3003, 2016
A rational Arnoldi process with applications
Authors: Pranić Miroslav S. , Reichel Lothar , Rodriguez Giuseppe , Wang Zhengsheng , Yu Xuebo
Published: September 2016

The rational Arnoldi process is a popular method for the computation of a few eigenvalues of a large non‐Hermitian matrix
and for the approximation of matrix functions. The method is particularly attractive when the rational functions that determine the process have only few distinct poles
, because then few factorizations of matrices of the form A − zjI have to be computed. We discuss recursion relations for orthogonal bases of rational Krylov subspaces determined by rational functions with few distinct poles. These recursion formulas yield a new implementation of the rational Arnoldi process. Applications of the rational Arnoldi process to the approximation of matrix functions as well as to the computation of eigenvalues and pseudospectra of A are described. The new implementation is compared to several available implementations.
2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole‐5,6‐dicarboxylicimide based semicrystalline polymers for photovoltaic cells
Authors: Nguyen Dat Thanh Truong , Kim Taehyo , Li Yuxiang , Song Seyeong , Nguyen Thanh Luan , Uddin Mohammad Afsar , Hwang Sungu , Kim Jin Young , Woo Han Young
Published: September 2016

Two semicrystalline low band gap polymers based on highly electron‐deficient 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole‐5,6‐dicarboxylicimide (BTI) were synthesized by considering the chain planarity via intrachain noncovalent coulombic interactions. The thiophene‐BTI and thienothiophene‐BTI based PPDTBTI and PPDTTBTI have a low band gap (∼1.5 eV) via strong intramolecular charge transfer interaction, showing a broad light absorption covering 300∼850 nm. Semicrystalline film morphology was observed for both polymers in the grazing incidence wide angle X‐ray scattering measurements. Interestingly, PPDTBTI showed a pronounced edge on packing structure but PPDTTBTI showed predominantly a face on orientation in both pristine and blend films. Different packing patterns influenced significantly the charge carrier transport, recombination and resulting photovoltaic characteristics. The best power conversion efficiency was measured to be 5.47% for PPDTBTI and 6.78% for PPDTTBTI, by blending with the fullerene derivative, PC71BM. Compared to the PPDTBTI blend, PPDTTBTI: PC71BM suffered from the lower open‐circuit voltage but showed the substantially higher hole mobility and short‐circuit current density with smaller charge recombination, showing very good agreements with molecular structures and morphological characteristics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 3826–3834
Hybrid and Fluid Modeling of Ion Activation Energy and Reactive Fluxes to Particulates Suspended in Air and Residing on Surfaces
Authors: Yu. Babaeva Natalia
Published: September 2016

We report on a computational study of the intersection of plasma filaments in a dielectric barrier discharge with small particulates suspended in air or residing on surfaces. The relative location of the particle with respect to the streamer axis is important on plasma time scale considered in the paper. The particulates residing on the substrate surface are partially enveloped by the sheath formed beneath the filament and the substrate. Ion energies and fluxes incident on the particulate depend on dielectric properties of the underlying substrate materials.
Cyclodehydrofluorination of fluoroarenes on metal oxides: Toward bottom‐up synthesis of carbon nanostructures on insulating surfaces
Authors: Amsharov Konstantin
Published: September 2016

We report on thermal C–F bond activation in fluoroarenes by various metal oxides leading to effective C–C bond formation via cyclodehydrofluorination. We demonstrate that the transformation of the precursor molecule to the respective model nanographene/nanoribbon can be realized rather effectively on various metal oxides. It is found that intramolecular Aryl–Aryl cyclization via cyclodehydrofluorination can be performed at relatively mild condition. Our finding opens up a venue toward rational synthesis of carbon‐based nanomaterial by bottom‐up strategy directly on insulating metal oxide surfaces.
Aspiration pneumonia associated with clozapine
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: September 2016

Clozapine is effective in managing patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia. Clinicians who use this drug are generally well aware of the need to monitor patients for infrequent but well‐recognized and potentially life‐threatening adverse effects, such as agranulocytosis. Clozapine also has more common adverse effects that are generally considered to entail less medical risk, such as sialorrhea (excessive salivation). Some reports suggest a risk of aspiration pneumonia related to clozapine‐induced sialorrhea.1,2,3 A clinical report recently described an occurrence of aspiration pneumonia as a result of clozapine exposure.4
Robust Autonomous Flight in Constrained and Visually Degraded Shipboard Environments
Authors: Fang Zheng , Yang Shichao , Jain Sezal , Dubey Geetesh , Roth Stephan , Maeta Silvio , Nuske Stephen , Zhang Yu , Scherer Sebastian
Published: September 2016

This paper addresses the problem of autonomous navigation of a micro aerial vehicle (MAV) for inspection and damage assessment inside a constrained shipboard environment, which might be perilous or inaccessible for humans, especially in emergency scenarios. The environment is GPS‐denied and visually degraded, containing narrow passageways, doorways, and small objects protruding from the wall. This causes existing two‐dimensional LIDAR, vision, or mechanical bumper‐based autonomous navigation solutions to fail. To realize autonomous navigation in such challenging environments, we first propose a robust state estimation method that fuses estimates from a real‐time odometry estimation algorithm and a particle filtering localization algorithm with other sensor information in a two‐layer fusion framework. Then, an online motion‐planning algorithm that combines trajectory optimization with a receding horizon control framework is proposed for fast obstacle avoidance. All the computations are done in real time on the onboard computer. We validate the system by running experiments under different environmental conditions in both laboratory and practical shipboard environments. The field experiment results of over 10 runs show that our vehicle can robustly navigate 20‐m‐long and only 1‐m‐wide corridors and go through a very narrow doorway (66‐cm width, only 4‐cm clearance on each side) autonomously even when it is completely dark or full of light smoke. These experiments show that despite the challenges associated with flying robustly in challenging shipboard environments, it is possible to use a MAV to autonomously fly into a confined shipboard environment to rapidly gather situational information to guide firefighting and rescue efforts.
CeO2‐Catalyzed C‐H Functionalization of N‐Aryltetrahydroisoquinolines: An Aerobic Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling Reaction between Two sp3 C‐H Bonds
Authors: Sharma Kumud , Borah Ashwini , Neog Kashmiri , Gogoi Dr Pranjal
Published: September 2016

CeO2 has been used as heterogeneous catalyst for carbon‐carbon bond formation via cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC). It works efficiently for oxidative C−C bond formation between N‐aryltetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives and a carbon nucleophile nitroalkane and acetone under aerobic conditions. This is the first report of CeO2 as a low temperature catalyst for the carbon‐carbon bond formation reaction between two sp3 C−H bonds.
Templated Solid‐State Dewetting of Thin Silicon Films
Authors: Naffouti Meher , David Thomas , Benkouider Abdelmalek , Favre Luc , Delobbe Anne , Ronda Antoine , Berbezier Isabelle , Abbarchi Marco
Published: September 2016

Thin film dewetting can be efficiently exploited for the implementation of functionalized surfaces over very large scales. Although the formation of sub‐micrometer sized crystals via solid‐state dewetting represents a viable method for the fabrication of quantum dots and optical meta‐surfaces, there are several limitations related to the intrinsic features of dewetting in a crystalline medium. Disordered spatial organization, size, and shape fluctuations are relevant issues not properly addressed so far. This study reports on the deterministic nucleation and precise positioning of Si‐ and SiGe‐based nanocrystals by templated solid‐state dewetting of thin silicon films. The dewetting dynamics is guided by pattern size and shape taking full control over number, size, shape, and relative position of the particles (islands dimensions and relative distances are in the hundreds nm range and fluctuate ≈11% for the volumes and ≈5% for the positioning).
A Systems Thinking Approach to the Structure, Conduct and Performance of the Agricultural Sector in Ghana
Authors: Banson Kwamina E. , Nguyen Nam C. , Bosch Ockie J. H.
Published: September 2016

The continuous growth in population and consumption, the intensity of competition for land, water and energy and the overexploitation of the ecosystem have all affected Africa's ability to sustain its food security and natural resources. In recent years, many promising agricultural development initiatives were unable to provide sustainable solutions to agricultural challenges in most parts of Africa, including Ghana, as a result of policy failures. The agricultural sector is a complex system and requires a holistic approach to deal with the root causes of challenges. This research therefore uses systems thinking tools, including causal loop diagrams and Bayesian belief network modelling, to develop new structural systems models whereby stakeholders can determine the components and interactions between the structure, conduct and performance (SCP) of the agricultural sector in Ghana, by using the first five steps of the Evolutionary Learning Laboratory. The results illustrate how the SCP elements interact together to influence the survival and growth of the agricultural sector. The study identifies that stakeholders adopt several strategies to survive and compete, which lead to overexploitation of the ecosystem. The results from the Bayesian belief network models indicate that the implementation of systemically determined interventions, policies and strategies could significantly improve the probability of business survival and growth from 58.8 to 73%. Also, the chances of improving the SCP could be increased from 39, 28.3 and 36.4 to 80.1, 55.9 and 62.4%, respectively, and these may vary based on the conditional probability tables. This paper contributes to the systemic approach to SCP, in that improvements to production and allocative efficiency may usher in a greater potential for improving food security, supporting the ecosystem and further strengthening agricultural sustainability. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scenario analysis for techno‐economic model development of U.S. offshore wind support structures
Authors: Damiani R. , Ning A. , Maples B. , Smith A. , Dykes K.
Published: September 2016

Challenging bathymetry and soil conditions of future US offshore wind power plants might promote the use of multimember, fixed‐bottom structures (or ‘jackets’) in place of monopiles. Support structures affect costs associated with the balance of system and operation and maintenance. Understanding the link between these costs and the main environmental design drivers is crucial in the quest for a lower levelized cost of energy, and it is the main rationale for this work. Actual cost and engineering data are still scarce; hence, we evaluated a simplified engineering approach to tie key site and turbine parameters (e.g. water depth, wave height, tower‐head mass, hub height and generator rating) to the overall support weight. A jacket‐and‐tower sizing tool, part of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's system engineering software suite, was utilized to achieve mass‐optimized support structures for 81 different configurations. This tool set provides preliminary sizing of all jacket components. Results showed reasonable agreement with the available industry data, and that the jacket mass is mainly driven by water depth, but hub height and tower‐head mass become more influential at greater turbine ratings. A larger sensitivity of the structural mass to wave height and target eigenfrequency was observed for the deepest water conditions (>40 m). Thus, techno‐economic analyses using this model should be based on accurate estimates of actual metocean conditions and turbine parameters especially for deep waters. The relationships derived from this study will inform National Renewable Energy Laboratory's offshore balance of system cost model, and they will be used to evaluate the impact of changes in technology on offshore wind lower levelized cost of energy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultra high risk status and transition to psychosis in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Schneider Maude , Armando Marco , Pontillo Maria , Vicari Stefano , Debbané Martin , Schultze‐Lutter Frauke , Eliez Stephan
Published: September 2016

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is characterized by high rates of psychotic symptoms and schizophrenia, making this condition a promising human model for studying risk factors for psychosis. We explored the predictive value of ultra high risk (UHR) criteria in a sample of patients with 22q11DS. We also examined the additional contribution of socio‐demographic, clinical and cognitive variables to predict transition to psychosis within a mean interval of 32.5 ± 17.6 months after initial assessment. Eighty‐nine participants with 22q11DS (age range: 8‐30 years; mean 16.1 ± 4.7) were assessed using the Structured Interview for Psychosis‐Risk Syndromes. Information on Axis I diagnoses, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, level of functioning and IQ was also collected. At baseline, 22 (24.7%) participants met UHR criteria. Compared to those without a UHR condition, they had a significantly lower functioning, more frequent anxiety disorders, and more severe psychopathology. Transition rate to psychosis was 27.3% in UHR and 4.5% in non‐UHR participants. Cox regression analyses revealed that UHR status significantly predicted conversion to psychosis. Baseline level of functioning was the only other additional predictor. This is the first study investigating the predictive value of UHR criteria in 22q11DS. It indicates that the clinical path leading to psychosis is broadly comparable to that observed in other clinical high‐risk samples. Nevertheless, the relatively high transition rate in non‐UHR individuals suggests that other risk markers should be explored in this population. The role of low functioning as a predictor of transition to psychosis should also be investigated more in depth.
X‐ray fluorescence determination of sulfur chemical state in sulfide ores
Authors: Chubarov Victor , Amosova Alena , Finkelshtein Alexander
Published: September 2016

This paper describes the X‐ray fluorescence technique for estimation of the ratio between sulfide and total sulfur in sulfide ores using the influence of sulfur chemical state on positions and intensities of lines (SKα1,2, SKβ1,3) and satellites (SKβ′, SKα3,4) of the sulfur X‐ray emission spectra measured by the wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer. The samples to be analyzed were prepared as pressed powder pellets on boric acid substrate. The SKα1,2 line chemical shift is the most appropriate parameter for sulfur chemical state estimation because spectral lines in this field are intensive and are almost not affected by spectral overlap of lead spectrum lines. The ratios of line intensities SKβ′/SKβ1,3, SKα3,4/SKα1,2 and SKβ1,3/SKα1,2 were also used as analytical parameters. Forty‐one samples of sulfide ores collected in the Russian Far East and Southern Ural deposits have been analyzed. The results of estimation of sulfur chemical state by gravimetric and proposed X‐ray fluorescence techniques agree fairly well. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Properties of a Novel Branched Polyether Surfactant
Authors: Li Zhongwei , Shi Zhengyang , Zhao Shile , Yin Shuo , Tan Guorong , Jing Bo , Tan Yebang
Published: September 2016

A novel branched polyether surfactant (TPE) was prepared by anion polymerization with different proportions of propylene oxide (PO) and ethylene oxide (EO) using 1,1,2,2‐tetrakis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethane as a core. The structures and average molecular weight (Mn) of the TPE were characterized by 1H NMR and GPC. The cloud point was determined by turbidimetry in the presence of inorganic salts. Inorganic salts decreased the cloud point of TPE polyether in the following order: Na2CO3 > Na2SO4 > NaCl > CaCl2 > MgCl2. The effects of inorganic salts (NaCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, and NaSCN) and temperature on the surface activity of TPE in aqueous solution were investigated by surface tension measurements. The surface activity parameters and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated from surface tension data. Similar to the effect of increasing temperature, the salting‐out inorganic salts such as NaCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2 favor the micellization and increase the maximum surface excess concentration, while the salting‐in NaSCN has the opposite effect. The influence of NaCl on the morphology of micelles was investigated by TEM. The micellization is entropy‐driven at low temperature and enthalpy‐driven at higher temperature. The TPE polyether has large surface activity and can be used as a demulsifier to break up crude oil emulsions.
Community Members’ Perception of Brand Community Character: Construction and Validation of a New Scale
Authors: Relling Marleen , Schnittka Oliver , Ringle Christian M. , Sattler Henrik , Johnen Marius
Published: September 2016

Brand communities offer effective means to achieve favorable brand outcomes, such as enhanced consumer brand loyalty. But what drives brand community success, and how can managers evaluate their communities’ performance? Based on Muñiz and O'Guinn (2001) the existing literature suggests high levels of consciousness of kind, shared rituals and traditions, and a sense of moral responsibility among community members, which imply a notion of “brand community character”. This study accordingly argues that community members’ perceptions of the brand community character (PBCC) should lead to positive outcomes for both the community and the brand. Neither PBCC nor its three characteristics have been measured empirically previously, so this study develops an initial scale. Six consecutive studies to develop the PBCC scale demonstrate its reliability and validity, while a further study affirms that PBCC has a positive relationship with relevant brand outcomes.
Sexual Function After Hypofractionated Versus Conventionally Fractionated Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Results from the Randomized Phase III HYPRO Trial
Authors: Wortel Ruud C. , Pos Floris J. , Heemsbergen Wilma D. , Incrocci Luca
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Hypofractionated radiotherapy could increase the radiobiological tumor dose for localized prostate cancer. The effects of hypofractionation on sexual function are not well known.

Aim

To compare sexual function in patients with prostate cancer treated with 78 Gy in 39 fractions of 2 Gy or 64.6 Gy in 19 fractions of 3.4 Gy.

Methods

In total, 820 men with intermediate- to high-risk T1b-T4NX-0MX-0 prostate cancer were enrolled in the phase III HYPRO trial (2007–2010) and randomized to conventional fractionation (39 × 2 Gy) or hypofractionation (19 × 3.4 Gy). Sexual function was assessed at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after treatment using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). For this analysis, patients (n = 322) with a baseline assessment, at least one follow-up assessment, and no or short-term (6-month) androgen-deprivation therapy were included.

Main Outcome Measures

Mean IIEF domain scores were compared between treatments in the total population and the hormone-naïve population (n = 197) using the independent t-test. Incidences of severe erectile dysfunction (domain score < 11) at last follow-up were calculated in patients with partial or full baseline function. Binary logistic regression analyses were applied to calculate the odds ratio of hypofractionation vs conventional fractionation and to adjust for clinical factors.

Results

Median age was 71 years (interquartile range = 67–71) and median follow-up was 37 months (interquartile range = 25–38). Androgen-deprivation therapy was prescribed in 125 (39%). IIEF domain scores decreased after treatment but were comparable between treatment arms at baseline and during follow-up. Orgasmic function scores in hormone-naïve patients were significantly higher at 3 years after hypofractionation (4.08 vs 2.65, P = .031). In patients (n = 120) with partial or full baseline erectile function, the incidence of erectile dysfunction at last follow-up was 34.4% for hypofractionated treatment vs 39.3% for conventional treatment (adjusted odds ratio = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.37–1.90, P = .67).

Conclusion

No significant differences in erectile functioning between conventional and hypofractionated radiotherapy were found. Hormone-naïve patients reported significantly higher orgasmic function scores at 3 years after hypofractionation.
The Craig Hospital Eye Evaluation Rating Scale (CHEERS)
Authors: Politzer Thomas , Berryman Amy , Rasavage Karen , Snell Lawrence , Weintraub Allan , Gerber Donald J.
Published: September 2016

Background

Oculomotor deficits in smooth pursuit, saccades, vestibular–ocular reflex (VOR), vergence, and fixation are common problems seen after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). No scale currently exists to rate all of these together. The Craig Hospital Eye Evaluation Rating Scale (CHEERS) was designed to systematically quantify frequency and severity of eye movement deficits in TBI.

Objective

To assess the intra‐ and interrater reliability of a new rating scale for detecting the presence and degree of 5 oculomotor abnormalities after TBI.

Design

A reliability study.

Setting

This was an institution‐based study at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital.

Participants

English‐speaking patients between ages 18 and 65 years with a primary diagnosis of moderate to severe mechanical TBI and who were not blind in either eye were eligible.

Methods

Between October 2013 and March 2014, a total of 11 TBI patients and 9 non‐TBI controls were enrolled in the study. The median age was 30 years (range, 18‐74 years) for subjects and 52 years (range, 28‐63 years) for controls. All patients were male, and 8 of 9 controls were female. Eye movements (fixation, smooth pursuit, saccade, convergence, and vestibular–ocular reflex) were recorded for each on digital video. They were rated on 2 separate occasions by each of the 2 raters.

Main Outcome Measurements

Inter‐ and intrarater reliability tests.

Results

Median elapsed time between the first and second ratings was 7 days (range, 5‐44 days). Intrarater agreement was very strong (Spearman ρ ≥ 0.900) for pursuit, saccades, and VOR for both raters, and strong (Spearman ρ ≥ 0.710) for vergence and fixation. The interrater agreement for detecting presence of any oculomotor abnormality was substantial (unweighted κ = 0.63). The interrater concordance on the full range of scale scoring was strongest on the VOR test (weighted κ = 0.98), was substantial for vergence, pursuit, saccades, and total score (weighted κ > 0.60), and was moderate for fixation. For TBI patients, every eye movement rated was found to be more abnormal than compared to those in the controls.

Conclusions

CHEERS is a reliable scale for assessing and quantifying oculomotor deficits commonly observed in moderate to severe TBI. Further studies to validate the scale's utility in outcome prediction, and its applicability to broader brain injury populations, are warranted.

Level of Evidence

IV
Existence Puzzles and Probabilistic Explanations
Authors: GOLDSCHMIDT TYRON
Published: September 2016

Why is there something rather than nothing? Robert Nozick and Peter van Inwagen have proposed a probabilistic answer: there are more ways there could have been something than ways there could have been nothing; each has an equal intrinsic probability of obtaining; and so there being something is intrinsically more probable. The author presents a few original objections to this line of thinking, focusing especially on the kinds of probability it invokes. The author also sketches a more promising probabilistic answer, one that makes relevant scientific and theological considerations that are usually quickly dismissed in this context.
The debt crisis and Greece's changing political discourse
Authors: Plakoudas Spyros
Published: September 2016

The debt crisis in Greece since 2010 has triggered seismic changes in the political attitudes of the society and, above all, the political identity and discourse of the country. The extremely unpopular austerity policies caused a severe internal polarization which quickly translated into anti-German mass hysteria, vitriolic anti-EU rhetoric and sharp anti-austerity populism. This paper will endeavour to identify the origins, course and outcome of this dramatic shift in the political attitudes and identity in Greece and analyse them with the benefit of hindsight – almost six years after the eruption of the crisis.
Showing one's true colours: Patriarch Methodios on the morally improving effect of sacred images
Authors: Krausmüller Dirk
Published: September 2016

This brief article makes the case that Patriarch Methodios developed a distinctive icon theology. He argued that the saints had infused the colours of their faces with their holy essence and that these colours when separated from the bodies and transferred to images could thus lead to the moral improvement of the onlookers.
Syzygy sequences of the -center problem
Authors: CHEN KUO-CHANG , YU GUOWEI
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this paper is to consider the$N$-center problem with collinear centers, to identify its syzygy sequences that can be realized by minimizers of the Lagrangian action functional and to count the number of such syzygy sequences. In particular, we show that the number of such realizable syzygy sequences of length$\ell$greater than or equal to two for the 3-center problem is at least$F_{\ell +2}-2$, where$\{F_{n}\}$is the Fibonacci sequence. Moreover, with fixed length$\ell$, the density of such realizable syzygy sequences of length$\ell$for the$N$-center problem approaches one as$N$increases to infinity. Using reflection symmetry, the minimizers that we found can be extended to periodic solutions.
Invariant circles and depinning transition
Authors: QIN WEN-XIN , WANG YA-NAN
Published: September 2016

We associate the existence or non-existence of rotational invariant circles of an area-preserving twist map on the cylinder with a physically motivated quantity, the depinning force, which is a critical value in the depinning transition. Assume that $H:\mathbb{R}^{2}\mapsto \mathbb{R}$ is a $C^{2}$ generating function of an exact area-preserving twist map $\bar{\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}}$ and consider the tilted Frenkel–Kontorova (FK) model: $$\begin{eqnarray}{\dot{x}}_{n}=-D_{1}H(x_{n},x_{n+1})-D_{2}H(x_{n-1},x_{n})+F,\quad n\in \mathbb{Z},\end{eqnarray}$$ where $F\geq 0$ is the driving force. The depinning force is the critical value $F_{d}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D714})$ depending on the mean spacing $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}$ of particles, above which the tilted FK model is sliding, and below which the particles are pinned. We prove that there exists an invariant circle with irrational rotation number $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}$ for $\bar{\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}}$ if and only if $F_{d}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D714})=0$. For rational $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}$, $F_{d}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D714})=0$ is equivalent to the existence of an invariant circle on which $\bar{\unicode[STIX]{x1D711}}$ is topologically conjugate to the rational rotation with rotation number $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}$. Such conclusions were claimed much earlier by Aubry et al. We also show that the depinning force $F_{d}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D714})$ is continuous at irrational $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}$.
The Pisot conjecture for -substitutions
Authors: BARGE MARCY
Published: September 2016

We prove the Pisot conjecture for$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$-substitutions: if$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$is a Pisot number, then the tiling dynamical system$(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D713}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}}},\mathbb{R})$associated with the$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}$-substitution has pure discrete spectrum. As corollaries: (1) arithmetical coding of the hyperbolic solenoidal automorphism associated with the companion matrix of the minimal polynomial of any Pisot number is almost everywhere one-to-one; and (2) all Pisot numbers are weakly finitary.
Weakly nonlinear analysis of thermoacoustic bifurcations in the Rijke tube
Authors: Orchini Alessandro , Rigas Georgios , Juniper Matthew P.
Published: September 2016

In this study we present a theoretical weakly nonlinear framework for the prediction of thermoacoustic oscillations close to Hopf bifurcations. We demonstrate the method for a thermoacoustic network that describes the dynamics of an electrically heated Rijke tube. We solve the weakly nonlinear equations order by order, discuss their contribution on the overall dynamics and show how solvability conditions at odd orders give rise to Stuart–Landau equations. These equations, combined together, describe the nonlinear dynamical evolution of the oscillations’ amplitude and their frequency. Because we retain the contribution of several acoustic modes in the thermoacoustic system, the use of adjoint methods is required to derive the Landau coefficients. The analysis is performed up to fifth order and compared with time domain simulations, showing good agreement. The theoretical framework presented here can be used to reduce the cost of investigating oscillations and subcritical phenomena close to Hopf bifurcations in numerical simulations and experiments and can be readily extended to consider, e.g. the weakly nonlinear interaction of two unstable thermoacoustic modes.
Dynamic Behavior of Multi-Layered Viscoelastic Nanobeam System Embedded in a Viscoelastic Medium with a Moving Nanoparticle
Authors: Hosseini Hashemi Sh. , Bakhshi Khaniki H.
Published: September 2016

In this paper, dynamic behavior of multi-layered viscoelastic nanobeams resting on a viscoelastic medium with a moving nanoparticle is studied. Eringens nonlocal theory is used to model the small scale effects. Layers are coupled by Kelvin-Voigt viscoelastic medium model. Hamilton's principle, eigen-function technique and the Laplace transform method are employed to solve the governing differential equations. Analytical solutions for transverse displacements of double-layered is presented for both viscoelastic nanobeams embedded in a viscoelastic medium and without it while numerical solution is achieved for higher layered nanobeams. The influences of the nonlocal parameter, stiffness and damping parameter of medium, internal damping parameter and number of layers are studied while the nanoparticle passes through. Presented results can be useful in analysing and designing nanocars, nanotruck moving on surfaces, racing nanocars etc.
Policy Alienation, Social Alienation and Working-Class Abstention in Britain, 1964–2010
Authors: Heath Oliver
Published: September 2016

This article presents an examination of class-based inequalities in turnout at British elections. These inequalities have substantially grown, and the class divide in participation has become greater than the class divide in vote choice between the two main parties. To account for class inequalities in turnout three main hypotheses – to do with policy indifference, policy alienation and social alienation – are tested. The results from the British context suggest that the social background of political representatives influences the ways in which voters participate in the political process, and that the decline in proportion of elected representatives from working-class backgrounds is strongly associated with the rise of working-class abstention.
Cost-effectiveness of cognitive remediation and supported employment for people with mental illness: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yamaguchi S. , Sato S. , Horio N. , Yoshida K. , Shimodaira M. , Taneda A. , Ikebuchi E. , Nishio M. , Ito J.
Published: September 2016

Background

Little is known about the economic benefits of cognitive remediation and supported employment (CR + SE). The present study aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of CR + SE compared with traditional vocational services (TVS).

Method

Individuals with mental illness and low cognitive function were recruited at six sites in Japan. A total of 111 participants were randomly allocated to the CR + SE group or the TVS group. Clinical and vocational outcomes were assessed at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Service utilization data were collected monthly. The data on outcomes and costs were combined to examine cost-effectiveness.

Results

The data were obtained from a total of 92 participants. The CR + SE group resulted in better vocational and clinical outcomes (employment rate, 62.2%; work tenures, 78.6 days; cognitive improvement, 0.5) than the TVS group (19.1%, 24.9 days and 0.2). There was no significant difference in mean total costs between the groups (CR + SE group: $9823, s.d. = $6372, TVS group: $11 063, s.d. = $11 263) with and without adjustment for covariates. However, mean cost for medical services in the CR + SE group was significantly lower than that in the TVS group after adjusting covariates (Β = −$3979, 95% confidence interval −$7816 to −$143, p = 0.042). Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves for vocational outcomes illustrated the high probabilities (approximately 70%) of the CR + SE group being more cost-effective than TVS when society is not willing to pay additional costs.

Conclusions

CR + SE appears to be a cost-effective option for people with mental illness who have low cognitive functioning when compared with TVS.
Predictors of psychological improvement on non-professional suicide message boards: content analysis
Authors: Niederkrotenthaler T. , Gould M. , Sonneck G. , Stack S. , Till B.
Published: September 2016

Background

Suicide message boards have been at the core of debates about negative influences of the Internet on suicidality. Nothing is currently known about communication styles that may help users to psychologically improve in these settings.

Method

In all, 1182 archival threads with 20 499 individual postings from seven non-professional suicide message boards supporting an ‘against-suicide’, ‘neutral’ or ‘pro-suicide’ attitude were randomly selected and subject to content analysis. Initial needs of primary posters (i.e. individual who open a thread), their psychological improvement by the end of the thread, their responses received and indicators of suicidality were coded. Differences between ‘pro-suicide’, ‘neutral’ and ‘against suicide’ boards, and correlations between primary posters and respondents in terms of suicidality were assessed. Logistic regression was used to test associations with psychological improvement.

Results

‘Pro-suicide’ boards (n= 4) differed from ‘neutral’ (n= 1) and ‘against-suicide’ (n= 2) boards in terms of communicated contents. Indicators of suicidality correlated moderately to strongly between primary posters and respondents on ‘pro-suicide’ message boards, but less on other boards. Several communicative strategies were associated with psychological improvement in primary posters, including the provision of constructive advice [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.40–7.03], active listening (aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.12–2.27), sympathy towards the poster (aOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.68–2.95) and provision of alternatives to suicide (aOR 2.30, 95% CI 1.67–3.18).

Conclusions

Respondents resemble primary posters with regard to suicidality in ‘pro-suicide’ boards, which may hinder psychological improvement. Still, opportunities to intervene in these settings using simple communication techniques exist and need to be taken and evaluated.
In Defense of DW-NOMINATE
Authors: McCarty Nolan
Published: September 2016

Several of the articles in this volume criticize the use of DW-NOMINATE in historical work in American politics and suggest alternative approaches to the use of roll call voting data. While many of criticisms are certainly valid, their practical implications are often overstated. Moreover, the suggested alternatives are either impractical for most historically oriented scholars and or do not adequately address the underlying problems. Almost all of the criticisms can be addressed by correct application of DW-NOMINATE results or those of other closely related measures.
On the expressiveness of π-calculus for encoding mobile ambients
Authors: BRODO LINDA
Published: September 2016

We investigate the expressiveness of two classical distributed paradigms by defining the first encoding of the pure mobile ambient calculus into the synchronous π-calculus. Our encoding, whose correctness has been proved by relying on the notion of operational correspondence, shows how the hierarchical ambient structure can be reformulated within a flat channel interconnection amongst independent processes, without centralised control. To easily handle the computation for simulating a capability, we introduce the notions of simulating trace (representing the computation that a π-calculus process has to execute to mimic a capability) and of aborting trace (representing the computation that a π-calculus process executes when the simulation of a capability cannot succeed). Thus, the encoding may introduce loops, but, as it will be shown, the number of steps of any trace, therefore of any aborting trace, is limited, and the number of states of the transition system of the encoding processes still remains finite. In particular, an aborting trace makes a sort of backtracking, leaving the involved sub-processes in the same starting configurations. We also discuss two run-time support methods to make these loops harmless at execution time. Our work defines a relatively simple, direct, and precise translation that reproduces the ambient structure by means of channel links, and keeps track of the dissolving of an ambient.
Analyzing Confabulations in Schizophrenia and Healthy Participants
Authors: Shakeel Mohammed K. , Docherty Nancy M. , Rich Patrick R. , Zaragoza Maria S. , Chrobak Quin M. , McCleery Amanda
Published: September 2016

Objectives: Confabulations occur in schizophrenia and certain severe neuropsychiatric conditions, and to a lesser degree in healthy individuals. The present study used a forced confabulation paradigm to assess differences in confabulation between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Methods: Schizophrenia patients (n=60) and healthy control participants (n=19) were shown a video with missing segments, asked to fill in the gaps with speculations, and tested on their memory for the story. Cognitive functions and severity of symptoms were also evaluated. Results: Schizophrenia patients generated significantly more confabulations than healthy control participants and had a greater tendency to generate confabulations that were related to each other. Schizophrenic confabulations were positively associated with temporal context confusions and formal thought disorder, and negatively with delusions. Conclusions: Our findings show that the schizophrenia patients generate more confabulations than healthy controls and schizophrenic confabulations are associated with positive symptoms. (JINS, 2016, 22, 911–919)
Food swamps and food deserts in Baltimore City, MD, USA: associations with dietary behaviours among urban adolescent girls
Authors: Hager Erin R , Cockerham Alexandra , O’Reilly Nicole , Harrington Donna , Harding James , Hurley Kristen M , Black Maureen M
Published: September 2016

Objective

To determine whether living in a food swamp (≥4 corner stores within 0·40 km (0·25 miles) of home) or a food desert (generally, no supermarket or access to healthy foods) is associated with consumption of snacks/desserts or fruits/vegetables, and if neighbourhood-level socio-economic status (SES) confounds relationships.

Design

Cross-sectional. Assessments included diet (Youth/Adolescent FFQ, skewed dietary variables normalized) and measured height/weight (BMI-for-age percentiles/Z-scores calculated). A geographic information system geocoded home addresses and mapped food deserts/food swamps. Associations examined using multiple linear regression (MLR) models adjusting for age and BMI-for-ageZ-score.

Setting

Baltimore City, MD, USA.

Subjects

Early adolescent girls (6th/7th grade,n634; mean age 12·1 years; 90·7 % African American; 52·4 % overweight/obese), recruited from twenty-two urban, low-income schools.

Results

Girls’ consumption of fruit, vegetables and snacks/desserts: 1·2, 1·7 and 3·4 servings/d, respectively. Girls’ food environment: 10·4 % food desert only, 19·1 % food swamp only, 16·1 % both food desert/swamp and 54·4 % neither food desert/swamp. Average median neighbourhood-level household income: $US 35 298. In MLR models, girls living in both food deserts/swamps consumed additional servings of snacks/dessertsv. girls living in neither (β=0·13,P=0·029; 3·8v. 3·2 servings/d). Specifically, girls living in food swamps consumed more snacks/desserts than girls who did not (β=0·16,P=0·003; 3·7v. 3·1 servings/d), with no confounding effect of neighbourhood-level SES. No associations were identified with food deserts or consumption of fruits/vegetables.

Conclusions

Early adolescent girls living in food swamps consumed more snacks/desserts than girls not living in food swamps. Dietary interventions should consider the built environment/food access when addressing adolescent dietary behaviours.
Habituelle Aborte
Authors: von Wolff Michael
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung. Habituelle Aborte, meistens definiert als mindestens 3 Frühaborte ein Folge, ereignen sich bei etwa 1 % der fruchtbaren Paare. Das Wiederholungsrisiko beträgt bei Frauen bis zum Alter < 40 Jahren nach 2 Aborten ca. 25 % und nach ≥ 3 Aborten ca. 40 %. Die Empfehlungen des «Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists», RCOG, 2011, der «American Society for Reproductive Medicine», ASRM, 2012 und der «Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe», DGGG, 2013, stimmen hinsichtlich der empfohlenen Diagnostik und Therapie in vielen, aber nicht in allen Punkten überein. Überwiegend wird nach > 2 Frühaborten in Folge der Ausschluss eines uterinen Faktors, einer Schilddrüsenfunktionsstörung, eines Phospholipid-Antikörper-Syndroms (APS), einer Thrombophilie bei einer Anamnese von thrombembolischen Ereignissen und eine Karyotypisierung empfohlen. Therapeutische Empfehlungen beschränken sich überwiegend auf eine Korrektur relevanter uteriner Faktoren, die Therapie einer Schilddrüsenfunktionsstörung, eine Behandlung eines APS mit Aspirin und niedermolekularem Heparin sowie eine genetische Beratung. Gemäss der im Jahre 2015 veröffentlichten PROMISE-Studie reduziert die prophylaktische Gabe von Progesteron das Risiko für einen nochmaligen Abort nicht. Immumodulatorische Therapien werden nicht mehr empfohlen.
Perinatale Neuroprotektion bei unreifen und reifen Neugeborenen
Authors: Müller Martin
Published: September 2016

Zusammenfassung. Bei der Entwicklung eines Kindes ist die perinatale Zeit eine besondere und vulnerable Periode. Der komplexe Reifungsprozess des Gehirns kann sowohl durch eine Frühgeburt wie auch durch eine Asphyxie nachhaltig gestört werden. Die derzeitige Therapie bei reifen Neugeborenen ist die Therapeutische Hypothermie und bei unreifen Neugeborenen ist die präpartale Magnesium Sulfat Gabe neuroprotektiv. In diesem Artikel werden die Standard Therapien sowie neue therapeutische Ansätze zu Reduktion des neonatalen Gehirnschadens im Kontext der Gehirnentwicklung diskutiert.
How Mindset Matters
Authors: Zingoni Matt , Corey Christy M.
Published: September 2016

Abstract. Individuals vary in their mindsets – their implicit beliefs regarding the malleability of human attributes. Because mindset influences responses to achievement situations, we hypothesize that employees with a more incremental mindset (i.e., believing that human attributes can be changed through effort and hard work) will have higher job performance and better relationships with their manager. We found that employees with a more incremental mindset have higher job performance. Also, when their manager has a strong learning goal orientation, employees with a more incremental mindset have a higher quality relationship with their manager, which, in turn, positively relates to their job performance.
Congressional Caucus for Earth and Space Sciences Gets Launched
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: September 2016

Organizers of the bipartisan caucus say it will urge sustained federal investments in Earth and space sciences, educate members of Congress, and provide a forum for relevant policy discussions.