bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delay compensation for 4G/5G transmitter system characterization
Authors: Tripathi Girish Chandra , Rawat Meenakshi
Published: May 2017

The 4G and 5G communication system propose and anticipate signals, algorithms, or schemes such as carrier aggregation to provide better data rate and bandwidth requirements. To fulfil such requirements, there is a need to represent the transmitter accurately in simulation scenario to observe the impact of new algorithms on system level. The transmitter system characterization requires modeling of relation between input and output signals. However, there is a delay between transmitted and received signal which needs to be compensated. This letter proposes a modified frequency domain time delay compensation technique, which is more effective in estimating the time delay in case of carrier aggregated signals composed of multiple widely spaced component carriers. It has been tested on a software defined radio platform which can also be used for transmitter modeling. Significant improvement of 4 dB approximately in the term of normalized mean square error between transmitted and received signal has been reported.
Tunable microstrip‐line coupler for adjusting the antenna beam width
Authors: Ahn Chi‐Hyung , Hee Kim Jae , Oh Soon‐Soo
Published: May 2017

In this article, the tunable microstrip‐line coupler is proposed to adjust the antenna beam width. For an array antenna, the beam width is determined by how many elements of the antenna operate. The proposed coupler simply comprises the existing branch line coupler and diodes. Input power can be output through two ports or one port depending on diode's operations. For the manufactured coupler, when the diode was off, the power was evenly distributed to port 2 and port 33.6 dB and −3.5 dB, respectively, with the phase difference of 90°. When the diode was on, the power of −1.05 dB was distributed to the port 2 and −16.6 dB to the port 3, so, most of signals were sent to the port 2. The proposed CPW based coupler was designed at the center frequency of 900 MHz and its performance was verified through simulation and measurement.
A new metasurface based on meta‐atom cluster for terahertz applications
Authors: Islam M. M. , Faruque M. R. I. , Islam M. T.
Published: May 2017

In the manuscript, a new metasurface is presented for terahertz applications based on meta‐atom cluster. The metasurface having magnetic and electric resonances shows left‐handed metamaterial characteristics in the terahertz frequency. The meta‐atom cluster consists of split‐ring resonators based on conducting wire strip (a single loop) printed on RT5880LZ substrate material. The permeability and the permittivity are picked out from the complex scattering parameters. The calculation of the unloaded Q‐factor is executed for the meta‐atom cluster based metasurface in the terahertz frequency. The test of the metasurface has been performed using different dielectric samples loaded. Effective change has been realized in the transmission. This metasurface is novel in case of terahertz band due to left‐handed characteristics. This metasurface is appropriate for high‐performance filters and sensors due to high Q‐factors.
Near‐field UHF L‐shaped dipole antenna array with LC‐balun integration for item‐level tagging systems
Authors: Jeong M.‐G. , Kim J.‐H. , Bae S.‐H. , Lee W.‐S.
Published: May 2017

A near‐field UHF L‐shaped dipole antenna array with LC‐balun integration for item‐level tagging systems is proposed and investigated in this letter. The antenna consists of four dipole antennas and an impedance matching network with four LC‐baluns. Each dipole is fed by parallel stripline which connects to LC‐baluns for miniaturization. The proposed near‐field UHF dipole array can achieve not only the compact size (∼1/3λ0 at 920 MHz) but also the seamless sensing of 100% read accuracy within the operating distance (up to 10.5 cm).
A high precision scheme for micro‐channel processing in quartz glass using femtosecond laser
Authors: Zhang Pan , Chen Lei , Wang Fubing , Tu Paul
Published: May 2017

Ultra‐short pulse laser with unique advantages in micromachining, especially on the hard brittle material becomes the focus of study on micro‐structure processing. Theoretical and experimental researches are taken from the ablation properties of micro‐channel in the quartz glass by femtosecond laser. As the ablation depth of quartz glass has not relationship obviously with defocusing distance within LAV effective range, a new way to control precisely the ablation depth of quartz glass is present in the study. With fixed laser power, the ablation depth could be known easily by the length of the ablation streak while moving the femtosecond laser focus along the straight line with a 45‐degree angle from the quartz glass surface within the LAV range. Research is carried out to study laser pulse power, scanning velocity and step distance to do something with micro‐channel ablation quality. According to the parameters of test, the micro‐channel with rectangle cross section of the quartz glass is processed, and then we analyze the ablation morphology and processing efficiency. The results provided a important suggestion to process micro‐structure precisely for quartz glass by femtosecond laser.
A compact multiple‐way double ring‐cavity power divider
Authors: Zakerifar H. , Khaleghi A. , Aliakbarian H.
Published: May 2017

Design of an ultra‐wideband multiple‐way power divider based on the coaxial ring cavity configuration is presented. The proposed design includes increased numbers of the power divider ports, compared to the available designs, thanks to an incorporated coaxial power divider. For this purpose, the cavity layer in the ring cavity power divider is designed in two separate cavity rings and each ring is fed independently through an integrated coaxial power divider. Therefore, the number of the output ports is increased by 50%. A sample prototype is simulated for ultra wideband frequency range, and the performance is computed by using a full wave electromagnetic simulation technique. The power divider has 50 ports of 32 outer ring and 18 inner ring ports. The impedance bandwidth for the return loss <15 dB is obtained for the frequency range of 4‐10.5 GHz. The average insertion loss, amplitude imbalance, phase imbalance, and group delay are better than 0.4 dB, ±0.8 dB, 12°, and 0.6 ns, respectively.
A diagonalized improved subspace‐based optimization method for solving 2‐D inverse scattering problems
Authors: Liu Yulang , Zhao Zhiqin , Zhu Xiaozhang , Yang Wei , Nie Zaiping , Liu Qing‐Huo
Published: May 2017

This letter proposes a diagonalized improved subspace‐based optimization method (DISOM) by introducing the diagonal approximation to the improved subspace‐based optimization method (ISOM). In the diagonal approximation which has been used in the contrast source inversion, a diagonal operator is used to replace the nonlinear operator of full contrast inversion and relates the fields and induced currents. Due to the diagonal approximation, a more simplified objective function is obtained. Consequently, the iteration procedure is simplified and the computation time is reduced. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed DISOM has the capability of reconstructing not only isotropic objects but also uniaxial anisotropic objects. Furthermore, the quality of the reconstruction results obtained by DISOM is almost the same as the ones by utilizing ISOM, while DISOM saves about one fourth of the computational time.
Optical fiber group delay measurement based on laser beat frequency
Authors: Wang Xu , Chen Longfei , Wen Quan , Li Xiaokang , Wang Fang , Liu Yufang
Published: May 2017

A new method for optical fiber group delay measurement is proposed and experimentally demonstrated based on laser beat frequency. When the laser wavelength in the optical fiber resonator changes, the time delay through the optical fiber under test will change accordingly, leading to a change of round trip time in the optical fiber laser resonator. While the round trip time is the reciprocal of the minimum beat frequency, the group delay of the optical fiber under test which is placed in the fiber laser resonator can be easily obtained by measuring the beat frequency variation via the radio frequency spectrum analyzer. The optical fiber laser resonator utilized in experiments is composed of two reflectors: one is a sagnac loop composed of a coupler, the other is a composite structure composed of an optical circulator connected with a Fiber Fabry‐Perot Tunable Filter. The group delay of the single‐mode fiber and the dispersion compensating fiber are measured respectively in a relatively wide spectral range. Experimental results show that this method is feasible. Furthermore, this method is of very simple structure and low cost compared with other conventional methods.
Advanced solvent signal suppression for the acquisition of 1D and 2D NMR spectra of Scotch Whisky
Authors: Kew Will , Bell Nicholle G.A. , Goodall Ian , Uhrín Dušan
Published: May 2017

A simple and robust solvent suppression technique that enables acquisition of high‐quality 1D 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of alcoholic beverages on cryoprobe instruments was developed and applied to acquire NMR spectra of Scotch Whisky. The method uses 3 channels to suppress signals of water and ethanol, including those of 13C satellites of ethanol. It is executed in automation allowing high throughput investigations of alcoholic beverages. On the basis of the well‐established 1D nuclear Overhauser spectroscopy (NOESY) solvent suppression technique, this method suppresses the solvent at the beginning of the pulse sequence, producing pure phase signals minimally affected by the relaxation. The developed solvent suppression procedure was integrated into several homocorrelated and heterocorrelated 2D NMR experiments, including 2D correlation spectroscopy (COSY), 2D total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY), 2D band‐selective TOCSY, 2D J‐resolved spectroscopy, 2D 1H, 13C heteronuclear single‐quantum correlation spectroscopy (HSQC), 2D 1H, 13C HSQC‐TOCSY, and 2D 1H, 13C heteronuclear multiple‐bond correlation spectroscopy (HMBC). A 1D chemical‐shift‐selective TOCSY experiments was also modified. The wealth of information obtained by these experiments will assist in NMR structure elucidation of Scotch Whisky congeners and generally the composition of alcoholic beverages at the molecular level.
Voronoi‐based peridynamics and cracking analysis with adaptive refinement
Authors: Gu Xin , Zhang Qing , Xia Xiaozhou
Published: May 2017

The most common technique for the numerical implementation of peridynamic theory is the uniform discretization together with constant horizon. However, unlike the nonuniform discretization and varying horizons, it is not a natural and intrinsic component of the adaptive refinement analysis and multiscale modeling. Besides, it encounters discretization difficulty in analyzing irregular structures. Therefore, to analyze problems with nonuniform discretization and varying horizons and solve the resulting problems of ghost forces and spurious wave reflection, the dual‐horizon peridynamics based on uniform discretization is extended to the nonuniform discretization based on Voronoi diagrams, for which we call it Voronoi‐based peridynamics. We redefine the damage definition as well. Next, an adaptive refinement analysis method based on the proposed Voronoi‐based peridynamics and its numerical implementation is introduced. Finally, the traditional bond‐based peridynamics and the Voronoi‐based peridynamics with or without refinement are used to simulate 4 benchmark problems. The examples of 2‐D quasi‐static elastic deformation, 2‐D wave propagation, 2‐D dynamic crack growth, and 3‐D simulation of the Kalthoff‐Winkler experiment demonstrate the efficiency and effectivity of the proposed Voronoi‐based peridynamics. Further, the adaptive refinement analysis can be used to obtain reasonable crack path and crack propagation speed with reduced computational burden.
What Platforms Mean When They Talk About Human Rights
Authors: Jørgensen Rikke Frank
Published: May 2017

This article examines how staff working on two major Internet platforms—Google and Facebook—make sense of human rights such as freedom of expression and privacy. Based on interviews and online material, the article examines how the two rights are spoken of, how threats are perceived, and how the companies define their role in terms of protecting those rights. The article finds that both companies frame themselves as strongly committed to (and actively promoting) human rights. The framing, however, focuses primarily on potential human rights violations by governments, and pays less attention to areas where the companies’ own business practices may have a negative impact on their users’ rights and freedoms. While the platforms are spoken of using civic‐minded metaphors connected to people's ability to exercise rights and thus to participate in public life, the companies actually retain the freedom to set and enforce their own rules of engagement.
Porphyrin‐based covalent triazine frameworks: Porosity, adsorption performance, and drug delivery
Authors: Luo Yali , Liu Jun , Liu Yunfei , Lyu Yinong
Published: May 2017

Two porous porphyrin‐based covalent triazine frameworks (PCTFs), in which porphyrin is incorporated as building block, have been synthesized by the Friedel–Crafts reaction. The copolymer PCTFs show large Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area of up to 1089 m2 g−1, high CO2 uptake capacity reaching 139.9 mg g−1 at 273 K/1.0 bar, and good selectivity for CO2/CH4 adsorption attaining 6.1 at 273 K/1.0 bar. The resulting porous solids also can be used as matrices for drug delivery of ibuprofen in vitro. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2594–2600
On the Development of Titanium κ1‐Amidinate Complexes, Commercialized as Keltan ACE™ Technology, Enabling the Production of an Unprecedented Large Variety of EPDM Polymer Structures
Authors: van Doremaele Gerard , van Duin Martin , Valla Maxence , Berthoud Alexandra
Published: May 2017

ARLANXEO Elastomers has developed and commercialized Keltan ACE™ technology, a class of half‐sandwich cyclopentadienyl κ1‐amidinate metal complexes, which are extremely active for the production of first‐class ethylene/propylene/diene copolymers (EPDM). In this review, the development and some of the key features of the Keltan ACE™ catalyst system are presented. Many different ACE catalysts have been synthesized over the past years, including bridged and bimetallic catalysts. With Keltan ACE™, a complete range of EPDM products with similar polymer characteristics as their Ziegler–Natta (ZN) counterparts can be produced, including variations containing very high 5‐ethylidene‐2‐norbornene (ENB) contents, controlled long chain branching, very high molecular weight, as well as oil‐extended products. Moreover, other EPDM structures can be polymerized. The Keltan ACE™ catalyst technology also allows the production of EPDMs with very high amounts of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) or 5‐vinyl 2‐norbornene (VNB) without excessive gelation and reactor fouling, that is, products that cannot or are extremely difficult to obtain via classical ZN catalysis. In a next step, high‐VNB‐EPDM can be postreactor modified, for example, via metathesis chemistry. In addition, EPDM polymers with a very broad or even bimodal molecular weight distribution can be obtained in a single reactor with certain ACE catalyst structures at particular activator/precatalyst ratios. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2877–2891
Anxiety and depression in Spanish‐speaking Latina cancer patients prior to starting chemotherapy
Authors: Lee Morgan S. , Tyson Dinorah Martinez , Gonzalez Brian D. , Small Brent J. , Lechner Suzanne C. , Antoni Michael H. , Vinard Andrea , Krause Madeline , Meade Cathy , Jacobsen Paul B.
Published: May 2017

Objective

Anxiety and depression can substantially impact the life of a cancer patient, but literature on emotional distress in the Hispanic cancer population is sparse. Additionally, the influence of psychosocial variables including age, acculturation, and spiritual well‐being on emotional distress in this population remains unclear. The purpose of the present report was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Spanish‐speaking Latina cancer patients preparing to begin chemotherapy and to explore the predictors and correlates of these outcomes.

Methods

Participants were 198 Spanish‐speaking Latina cancer patients who completed measures of anxiety, depression, acculturation, and spiritual well‐being prior to starting chemotherapy.

Results

Prevalence of clinically significant anxious symptomatology was 52%, and prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptomatology was 27%. Longer time since diagnosis and less acculturation predicted more severe anxiety, while longer time since diagnosis, less acculturation, and older age predicted more severe depression (Ps < .05). In multivariable analyses, only time since diagnosis emerged as a significant predictor of anxiety and depression when accounting for the influence of other variables. Greater spiritual well‐being was correlated with both less severe anxiety and less severe depression (Ps < .001).

Conclusions

The present findings document the high prevalence of emotional distress, particularly anxiety, in this patient population prior to chemotherapy initiation and identify several demographic and clinical factors associated with increased risk for heightened distress. Additionally, these findings suggest that interventions to address distress in this patient population would benefit from including components that seek to improve patients' spiritual well‐being.
Lactate dehydrogenase predicts combined progression‐free survival after sequential therapy with abiraterone and enzalutamide for patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Mori Keiichiro , Kimura Takahiro , Onuma Hajime , Kimura Shoji , Yamamoto Toshihiro , Sasaki Hiroshi , Miki Jun , Miki Kenta , Egawa Shin
Published: May 2017

Background

An array of clinical issues remains to be resolved for castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), including the sequence of drug use and drug cross‐resistance. At present, no clear guidelines are available for the optimal sequence of use of novel agents like androgen‐receptor axis‐targeted (ARAT) agents, particularly enzalutamide, and abiraterone.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed a total of 69 patients with CRPC treated with sequential therapy using enzalutamide followed by abiraterone or vice versa. The primary outcome measure was the comparative combined progression‐free survival (PFS) comprising symptomatic and/or radiographic PFS. Patients were also compared for total prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)‐PFS, overall survival (OS), and PSA response. The predictors of combined PFS and OS were analyzed with a backward‐stepwise multivariate Cox model.

Results

Of the 69 patients, 46 received enzalutamide first, followed by abiraterone (E‐A group), and 23 received abiraterone, followed by enzalutamide (A‐E group). The two groups were not significantly different with regard to basic data, except for hemoglobin values. In a comparison with the E‐A group, the A‐E group was shown to be associated with better combined PFS in Kaplan‐Meier analysis (P = 0.043). Similar results were obtained for total PSA‐PFS (P = 0.049), while OS did not differ between groups (P = 0.62). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that pretreatment lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) values and age were significant predictors of longer combined PFS (P < 0.05). Likewise, multivariate analysis demonstrated that pretreatment hemoglobin values and performance status were significant predictors of longer OS (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggested the A‐E sequence had longer combined PSA and total PSA‐PFS compared to the E‐A sequence in patients with CRPC. LDH values in sequential therapy may serve as a predictor of longer combined PFS.
Analysis of lense‐governed Wigner signed particle quantum dynamics
Authors: Ellinghaus Paul , Weinbub Josef , Nedjalkov Mihail , Selberherr Siegfried
Published: May 2017

We present a Wigner signed particles analysis of the lense‐governed electron state dynamics based on the quantitative theory of coherence reformulated in phase space terms. Electrostatic lenses are used for manipulating electron evolution and are therefore attractive for applications in novel engineering disciplines like entangletronics. The signed particle model of Wigner evolution enables physically intuitive insights into the processes maintaining coherence. Both, coherent processes and scattering‐caused transitions to classical dynamics are unified by a scattering‐aware particle model of the lense‐controlled state evolution. Our approach bridges the fairly new theory of coherence with the Wigner signed particle method.
B‐splines as a tool to solve constraints in a non‐hydrostatic forecast model
Authors: Subías Álvaro
Published: May 2017

The finite‐element method has proved to be a useful tool to discretize the vertical coordinate in hydrostatic forecast models, allowing the definition of model variables at full levels so that no staggering is needed. In the non‐hydrostatic case, a constraint in the vertical operators appears (called C1), which allows the set of semi‐implicit linear equations to be reduced to a single equation in one variable as in the analytic case. Recently, vertical finite elements based on B‐splines have been used with an iterative method to relax the C1 constraint. In this article, we aim to develop representations of vertical operators fully in terms of B‐splines, in order to keep the C1 constraint. An invertibility relation between integral and derivative operators is also presented in order to have a bijective relationship between the vertical velocity and the vertical divergence. The final scope of this article is to provide a theoretical framework of development of finite‐element vertical operators to be implemented in the ALADIN–HIRLAM numerical weather prediction system.
Unraveling complex molecular transformations of N‐β‐alanyldopamine that account for brown coloration of insect cuticle
Authors: Barek Hanine , Evans Jason , Sugumaran Manickam
Published: May 2017

Rationale

N‐β‐Alanyldopamine (NBAD) and N‐acetyldopamine (NADA) are catecholamines that are used by insects as sclerotizing precursors to harden their cuticle. They share a common pathway utilizing the same set of sclerotizing enzymes. Yet, cuticles using NBAD are brown, while cuticles using NADA are colorless. To identify the cause of this major unresolved color difference, molecular transformations of NBAD with cuticular enzymes were investigated.

Methods

Reactions of NBAD and NADA with native cuticle isolated from the wandering stages of Sarcophaga bullata larvae as well as the reactions of NBAD with cuticular sclerotization enzymes – phenoloxidase, quinone isomerase and quinone methide isomerase – were investigated using UV–Vis spectroscopy, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and mass spectrometry (MS). In addition, the reactivity of enzymatically generated NBAD quinone was investigated by MS.

Results

Reactions of NBAD with sclerotizing enzymes isolated from Sarcophaga bullata larvae generate colorless products such as N‐β‐alanylnorepinephrine, N‐β‐alanylarterenone, dehydro NBAD, the benzodioxan dimers of dehydro NBAD and other minor adducts, the same kind of compounds generated by NADA reaction with cuticular enzymes. However, oxidation of NBAD produces colored quinone adducts, in addition. NADA, which lacks the amino group, did not produce these quinone adducts.

Conclusions

LC/MS analysis of the reaction mixture of NBAD–cuticular enzyme reactions reveals the novel production of colored quinone adducts that are not possible for NADA. Therefore, our results suggest that the brown coloration of cuticle formed through NBAD crosslinking is likely due to the formation and accumulation of NBAD quinone and its adducts, while NADA quinone adducts tend not to form during NADA crosslinking, producing a nearly colorless cuticle.
Georg Christoph Mehrtens (1843–1917): Protagonist des Stahlbrückenbaus im wilhelminischen Deutschland
Authors: Kurrer Karl‐Eugen
Published: May 2017

Wie kein anderer trieb der vor 100 Jahren verstorbene Georg Christoph Mehrtens in Deutschland den Übergang vom Eisen‐ zum Stahlbrückenbau voran. Als Wilhelm II. (1859–1941) 1888 zum Kaiser des Deutschen Reichs inthronisiert wurde, schickte sich der preußische Bau‐ und Betriebsinspektor Mehrtens in Bromberg an, das Schmiedeeisen im Großbrückenbau durch den Flussstahl im Allgemeinen und den Thomasstahl im Besonderen zu ersetzen. Mit dem großmaßstäblichen Einsatz des Thomasstahls für die Weichselbrücke bei Fordon (1891–1893) erreichte die Wechselwirkung zwischen der deutschen Stahlindustrie und der Stahlbauindustrie eine neue Qualität, die ihr alsbald international Geltung verschaffte und sich zum wichtigen Element der Wirtschaftspolitik der deutschen Schwerindustrie entwickeln sollte. In seiner Zeit als Professor an der TH Dresden von 1895 bis 1913 schuf Mehrtens (Bild 1) mit seinen Monografien über Baustatik und Brückenbau ein enzyklopädisches Werk, das damals im Konstruktiven Ingenieurbau ohne Beispiel war. Zu seinen Schülern zählten die späteren Professoren der TH Dresden Max Foerster (1867–1930), Willy Gehler (1876–1953) und Kurt Beyer (1881–1952), welche zum Fortschritt des Konstruktiven Ingenieurbaus und der Baustatik in ihrer Konsolidierungsperiode (1900–1950) signifikant beitrugen. Als begehrter Gutachter und Juror bei Wettbewerben sowie als Zeitschriftenautor beeinflusste Mehrtens den deutschen Großbrückenbau auf konstruktiver und auf ästhetischer Seite bis weit in das zweite Dezennium des vorigen Jahrhunderts. Doch Mehrtens ist nicht nur Protagonist des Stahlbrückenbaus im wilhelminischen Deutschland, sondern kann auch als Pionier der Historiografie der Bautechnik in Deutschland gelten.
Modelle für das nichtlineare Verformungsverhalten von Verbunddübelleisten mit Ausstanzversagen
Authors: Classen Martin , Hegger Josef
Published: May 2017

Bei der Bemessung von Verbundkonstruktionen ist neben der Schubtragfähigkeit das duktile Verformungsverhalten der Verbundmittel von entscheidender Bedeutung. Eurocode 4 lässt für Verbundträger eine Teilverdübelung und eine äquidistante Verbundmittelanordnung lediglich bei Verwendung duktiler Verbundmittel mit einem Verformungsvermögen von mindestens 6 mm zu. Für Verbunddübelleisten sind bisher keine Berechnungsansätze zur Beschreibung des nichtlinearen Verformungsverhaltens vorhanden, so dass grundsätzlich zeit‐ und kostenintensive Abscherversuche zur Charakterisierung benötigt werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden daher Modelle für die Berechnung des Verformungsvermögens und die Beschreibung der Schubkraft‐Schlupfbeziehung von Verbunddübelleisten vorgeschlagen, in die die mechanischen Kenngrößen Schubtragfähigkeit und elastische Dübelsteifigkeit einfließen. Die Modelle werden anhand einer umfassenden Versuchsdatenbank von in der Literatur dokumentierten Schubkraft‐Schlupfbeziehungen kalibriert und validiert. Sie ermöglichen das nichtlineare Verformungsverhalten von Verbunddübelleisten mit Puzzle‐ oder Klothoidenform unabhängig von experimentellen Untersuchungen vorherzusagen und ihre Duktilität zu bewerten. Anhand der Modelle werden die in der allgemeinen bauaufsichtlichen Zulassung für Verbunddübelleisten angegebenen Konstruktionsregeln zur Sicherstellung eines duktilen Verformungsverhaltens systematisch überprüft und angepasst.
Aesthetic perception of steel‐glass architecture in Japan
Authors: Kido Ewa Maria , Cywiński Zbigniew
Published: May 2017

Nowadays, steel‐glass designs usually prevail in modern architecture [1]. Glass has evolved from the material used mainly for windows into a material that is often combined with steel and used for curtain walls and various structural members in many types of structure, such as buildings, railway stations, airport terminals and passenger service centres on expressways ([2], [3], [4], [5]). Structural aesthetics, reflected in the beauty of objects of refined taste, is a major concern in both architectural and engineering forms [6]. Japanese aesthetics, based on tradition, has been widely shown in architecture itself as well as in the world of engineering structures [7]. This contribution discusses the perception of the aesthetic qualities of steel‐glass elements in buildings – considering their dimensions, visual lightness, texture, reflection, transparency, colour, light, translucence and design context.
Persönliches: Stahlbau 6/2017
Authors: Hubig Christoph
Published: May 2017

Mehr als ein Technikphilosoph – Zum Tode von Günter Ropohl
Improving the cross‐linking degree of oxidized potato starch via addition of nanocrystalline cellulose
Authors: Liu Quanzu , Yang Rendang , Zhang Zhili , Gao Wenhua
Published: May 2017

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) has attracted considerable interest in the starch modification field due to its biodegradability, renewability, and high biocompatibility. Here, oxidized potato starch was cross‐linked with sodium hexametaphosphate ((NaPO3)6) at different temperatures, pH values, and (NaPO3)6 and NCC concentrations. The bound phosphorus content and the substitution degree of the oxidized cross‐linked potato starch were measured to analyze the effect of NCC on the cross‐linking reaction. The structure of the oxidized cross‐linked potato starch was further analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The results showed that when (NaPO3)6 cross‐linked the starch, the addition of NCC promoted the cross‐linking reaction in the oxidized potato starch. In comparison to the native starch, the thermal stability of the oxidized cross‐linked starch was increased. Additionally, the cross‐linking reaction occurred mainly in the non‐crystalline region of the potato starch and only partly in the crystalline region due to degree of crystallinity decreasing. The optimum conditions for the oxidized potato starch cross‐linking reaction were 1.0 wt.% (NaPO3)6 and 5.0 wt.% NCC at 50°C and a pH of 10.5. Under these conditions, the bound phosphorus content of the potato starch increased by 4.87% compared to the same conditions without NCC addition. In summary, NCC is a good additive to improve the cross‐linking degree of oxidized potato starch.
Complementary and alternative medicine for the management of orthopaedic problems in Swiss Warmblood horses
Authors: Lange Catharina D. , Axiak Flammer Shannon , Gerber Vinzenz , Kindt Ditte , Koch Christoph
Published: May 2017

It appears that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used increasingly often in horses for the assessment and treatment of suspected orthopaedic problems, especially back problems. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of CAM use for the management of orthopaedic problems in a defined population of Swiss Warmblood horses. A total of 239 owners and caretakers of horses from a pre‐defined database were called by a veterinarian to participate in the survey. A standardized questionnaire was designed to determine, for each orthopaedic case, where the localization of the problem was (limb or back) and if conventional medicine or CAM was used for consultation and treatment. When CAM was employed, the CAM discipline and administrator (veterinarian or alternative therapist) was defined. A total of 222 cases in 170 horses with orthopaedic problems were identified. Sixty‐two horses were identified with a back problem, 96 horses with a lameness involving one or more limbs and 12 horses with a combined back problem and lameness. CAM was used commonly in this population (73.9%, 164 of 222) for both diagnostic workup and treatment of suspected orthopaedic problems, but was rarely administered by a veterinarian (12%, 27 of 222). In general, if a back problem was suspected by the owner, CAM was more frequently applied for diagnosis and treatment than in cases where a lameness was suspected; (91.9%, 68 of 74) vs. (64.9%, 96 of 148) (P < 0.001), respectively. Osteopathy was the most frequently applied CAM discipline. CAM was frequently used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in Swiss Warmblood horses with suspected orthopaedic problems. CAM practitioners were consulted predominantly if a back problem was suspected, and the majority of CAM practitioners were not veterinarians.
Turing and Free Will: A New Take on an Old Debate
Authors: Proudfoot Diane
Published: May 2017

In 1948 Turing claimed that the concept of intelligence is an “emotional concept”. An emotional concept is a response-dependent concept and Turing’s remarks in his 1948 and 1952 papers suggest a response-dependence approach to the concept of intelligence. On this view, whether or not an object is intelligent is determined, as Turing said, “as much by our own state of mind and training as by the properties of the object”. His discussion of free will suggests a similar approach. Turing said, for example, that if a machine’s program “results in its doing something interesting which we had not anticipated I should be inclined to say that the machine had originated something”. This points to a new form of free will compatibilism, which I call response-dependence compatibilism and explore here.
Turing and the History of Computer Music
Authors: Copeland B. Jack , Long Jason
Published: May 2017

The story of Turing’s pioneering work in creating the first computer-generated musical notes in Manchester in 1948–1949 is told, as well as the story of Christopher Strachey’s work (later Oxford’s first professor of computing), who extended Turing’s note-playing routines to create computer-generated melodies. Recordings were made in Turing’s Computing Machine Laboratory by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 1951: by analyzing Turing’s programming manual for the Manchester machine—the first ever written for a stored-program computer—and utilizing retrospective computer analysis of the recordings, a kind of “digital archaeology” is employed in order to reconstruct the Turing-style routines that were used to play the music recorded by the BBC. These techniques have also enabled us to restore the recordings. We establish Turing’s leading role in the history of computer music.
Postmenopausal breast cancer: European challenge and innovative concepts
Authors: Smokovski Ivica , Risteski Milan , Polivka Jiri , Zubor Pavol , Konieczka Katarzyna , Costigliola Vincenzo , Golubnitschaja Olga
Published: May 2017

Breast cancer (BC) epidemic is recognised now worldwide as the reality of the early twenty-first century. Increasing trends in the postmenopausal BC prevalence, even for the European countries earlier demonstrating relatively stable incidence rates of the disease, are highly alarming for the healthcare givers. This new actuality requires a substantial revision of the paradigm currently applied to the BC management and creation of highly innovative concepts. Current multi-centred study highlights new complex mechanisms of the development and progression of the postmenopausal BC. Innovative concepts are presented which argue for more effective predictive and preventive approaches well justified in view of the clusters of the symptoms analysed here and demonstrated as highly prevalent in the postmenopausal breast cancer versus BC-free individuals. Another conceptual novelty presented here is a new interpretation of the “Seed and Soil” theory of metastasis in BC. According to the new concept, the “pre-metastatic niches” (“Soil”) are created by a systemic hypoxia a long time before the breast malignancy is clinically manifested.
Cytomorphological and nitrogen metabolic enzyme analysis of psychrophilic and mesophilic Nostoc sp.: a comparative outlook
Authors: Thangaraj Bhuvaneshwari , Rajasekar Diana Princey , Vijayaraghavan Rashmi , Garlapati Deviram , Devanesan Arul Ananth , Lakshmanan Uma , Dharmar Prabaharan
Published: May 2017

Cyanobacterial diazotrophs play a significant role in environmental nitrogen economy despite their habitat either tropical or polar. However, the phenomenon by which it copes with temperature induced stress is poorly understood. Temperature response study of psychrophilic and mesophilic Nostoc strains explores their adaptive mechanisms. The selected psychrophilic and mesophilic strains were confirmed as Nostoc punctiforme and Nostoc calcicola respectively, by ultrastructure and 16S rDNA phylogeny. The psychrophilic strain has extensive glycolipid and polysaccharide sheath along with characteristic deposition of cyanophycin, polyhydroxybutyrate granules, and carboxysomes. This is possibly an adaptive strategy exhibited to withstand the freezing temperature and high intense of ultraviolet rays. The biomass measured in terms of dry weight, protein, and chlorophyll indicated a temperature dependant shift in both the psychrophilic and mesophilic strains and attained maximum growth in their respective temperature niches. At low temperature, psychrophilic organism exhibited nitrogenase activity, while mesophilic strains did not. The maximum glutamine synthetase activity was observed at 4 °C for psychrophilic and 37 °C for mesophilic strains. Activity at 4 °C in psychrophilic strains revealed their energetic mechanism even at low temperature. The nitrate and nitrite reductase of both psychrophilic and mesophilic strains showed maximum activity at 37 °C denoting their similar nitrogen assimilating mechanisms for combined nitrogen utilization. The activity studies of nitrogen fixation/assimilation enzymes have differential effects at varying temperatures, which provide valuable insights of physiological contribution and role of Nostoc strains in the biological nitrogen cycle.
Production of biodiesel from microalgae through biological carbon capture: a review
Authors: Mondal Madhumanti , Goswami Shrayanti , Ghosh Ashmita , Oinam Gunapati , Tiwari O. N. , Das Papita , Gayen K. , Mandal M. K. , Halder G. N.
Published: May 2017

Gradual increase in concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere due to the various anthropogenic interventions leading to significant alteration in the global carbon cycle has been a subject of worldwide attention and matter of potential research over the last few decades. In these alarming scenario microalgae seems to be an attractive medium for capturing the excess CO2present in the atmosphere generated from different sources such as power plants, automobiles, volcanic eruption, decomposition of organic matters and forest fires. This captured CO2through microalgae could be used as potential carbon source to produce lipids for the generation of biofuel for replacing petroleum-derived transport fuel without affecting the supply of food and crops. This comprehensive review strives to provide a systematic account of recent developments in the field of biological carbon capture through microalgae for its utilization towards the generation of biodiesel highlighting the significance of certain key parameters such as selection of efficient strain, microalgal metabolism, cultivation systems (open and closed) and biomass production along with the national and international biodiesel specifications and properties. The potential use of photobioreactors for biodiesel production under the influence of various factors viz., light intensity, pH, time, temperature, CO2concentration and flow rate has been discussed. The review also provides an economic overview and future outlook on biodiesel production from microalgae.
Biosorption and equilibrium isotherms study of cadmium removal by Nostoc muscorum Meg 1: morphological, physiological and biochemical alterations
Authors: Ahad Rabbul Ibne A. , Goswami Smita , Syiem Mayashree B.
Published: May 2017

Rice fields of Meghalaya especially in the coal mining belt receive water contaminated by effluents from mines that are known to carry harmful heavy metal ions such as Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Cd, As, Pb, Cr, etc. Cd exposure was analyzed in the cyanobacteriumNostoc muscorumMeg 1 isolated from a contaminated rice field in Sohra, Meghalaya, India. Toxicity study established 0.5 ppm on day 3 to be the LD50. At LD50chlorophyllaand total protein concentration was reduced by 50.9 and 52.5%, while nitrogenase and glutamine synthetase activities were inhibited by 40.8 and 38.4%. EDX and FTIR analyses confirmed Cd binding and participation of hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxyl and phosphate groups in biosorption of Cd onto the cell surfaces. SEM study established morphological changes. At pH 8.0 and temperature 25 ± 2 °C, the cyanobacterium removed 92% Cd within 24 h. Of this, 91% Cd was adsorbed on the cell surface while 4% was internally accumulated. The energy required for internal accumulation of Cd was partly provided in the form of ATP synthesized during active photosynthesis. The Langmuir isotherm was found best fitted with aR2value 0.98 when compared to Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms. The maximum sorption capacity,Qmax,of the organism was 71.4 mg of Cd per g of biomass.RLvalue of 0.29 indicated favorable interaction between cyanobacterial biomass and Cd. The adsorption intensity,nvalue 7.69 g/L obtained from Freundlich isotherm showed that the organism possessed high Cd sorption capacity.
How a needs assessment study taught us a lesson about the ethics of educational research
Authors: Varpio Lara , McCarthy Anne
Published: May 2017

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Cultivating a mindset of civic engagement among young adolescents
Authors: Quinn Brandy P. , Bauml Michelle
Published: May 2017

This study explored early stages of civic engagement among 48 young adolescents by examining what they think about as a result of participating in various civic learning activities during a summer civics camp, and whether or not this thinking varied based on participants’ entering civic profiles. Participant thinking was assessed through concept maps. Based on survey data, participants were classified into entering profiles of civic development: justice-oriented or participatory youth; civically purposeful or not, and civically involved or not. Findings show that, of the eight camp activities studied, interactions with guest speakers from various community agencies were most likely to generate thinking about knowledge and civic action. Participant thinking did not differentiate in any consistent ways based on whether or not they were justice-oriented. However, there were differences in thinking when participants were classified by presence or absence of civic purpose and civic involvement.
Comparaciones entre más de dos grupos: aportes para el cálculo del tamaño del efecto
Authors: Caycho-Rodríguez Tomás
Published: May 2017

Glaría et al., estudiaron la existencia de diferencias de burnout y engagement de acuerdo a diferentes niveles de formación en fonoaudiología mediante el test de significación de la hipótesis nula (NHST) asociado al valor coeficiente ANOVA de un factor. Los resultados señalan la existencia de diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el agotamiento emocional (AE) (p < 0.001) y despersonalización (D) (p < 0.05); mientras que los estudiantes de cuarto año, en comparación con los otros, presentaban un nivel significativamente superior de AE y en D superaban solo a los de segundo año.
The strange case of pluralist lobbying in a corporatist setting: Defending Western business interests in China
Authors: Weil Stefanie
Published: May 2017

E.U. and U.S. businesses in China are actively shaping the business environment according to their interests. As a state-corporatist framework is applied, the question arises as to how Western businesses go about lobbying China's policies. This article provides insights on what kind of lobbying tools Western interest groups apply to actively influence China's party state. Drawing on a large data set of lobbying actions toward indigenous innovation policies, this article aims to demonstrate that China's political system is receptive to influence from the outside. The argument builds on evidence showing that China's state corporatist system provides some leeway for pluralist lobbying strategies. It is hypothesized that Western interest groups are not completely co-opted by China's state-corporatist system, which increases the number of membership driven lobbying strategies. As Western groups stand outside the system, they are expected to devote their lobbying efforts to the international level. Specifically, this article analyzes how constrained access in domestic China affects transnational venue shopping versus domestic strategies.
The South African Constitutional Court: Upholding the Rule of Law and the Separation of Powers
Authors: Parpworth Neil
Published: May 2017

The supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law are key features of the post-apartheid legal order in South Africa. For either to have any real value, however, it is necessary that they are interpreted and applied by an independent judiciary that is free from executive influence. This important task has fallen mainly on the Constitutional Court. It has recently been called upon to rule on the lawfulness of the conduct of both the president and the National Assembly and held that both had acted unlawfully and inconsistently with the constitution. In the author's view, this ruling signifies that the maturing court is fully aware of its own constitutional obligations and that, unlike its apartheid era predecessors that were hamstrung by the supremacy of Parliament, it possesses a mandate to check the abuse of power by other branches of government.
Geographically disjunct phylogenetic lineages inLeptogium hibernicumrevealLeptogium krogiaesp. nov. from East Africa
Authors: BJELLAND Torbjørg , BENDIKSBY Mika , FRISCH Andreas
Published: May 2017

Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear (Mcm7, nrITS, nrLSU) and mitochondrial (mrSSU) DNA sequences revealed geographically disjunct lineages inLeptogium hibernicum. One of these lineages is described here asLeptogium krogiae, which differs fromL. hibernicumin the thinner thallus (190–210 µm vs. 390–480 µm), shallowly striate lobes instead of deeply furrowed lobes, isidia that are seldom distinctly flattened, and apothecia with a subhymenial euparaplectenchymatous layer.Leptogium krogiaeis a widespread epiphyte in mist-affected woodlands and montane forests in East Africa and appears to be a common species.
The genus Relicinopsis is nested within Relicina (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota)
Authors: KIRIKA Paul M. , DIVAKAR Pradeep K. , LEAVITT Steven D. , BUARUANG Kawinnat , CRESPO Ana , MUGAMBI George , GATHERI Grace W. , LUMBSCH H. Thorsten
Published: May 2017

Macro-morphological features traditionally used to segregate genera in Parmeliaceae have been shown to be highly plastic, placing limits on their taxonomic value. Here we aim to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of the genera Relicina and Relicinopsis and reassess the phenotypic features traditionally used to separate these genera. To this end, we gathered ribosomal DNA sequences of ITS, nuLSU and mtSSU and analyzed them in a phylogenetic framework. Relicina was recovered as paraphyletic, with Relicinopsis nested within, and three different clades were identified within Relicina. Alternative hypothesis tests significantly rejected the monophyly of Relicina. Our results indicate that the presence or absence of bulbate cilia is of limited taxonomic value in this clade. Based on differences in conidia, however, we propose to accept Relicinopsis as a subgenus within Relicina as Relicina subgen. Relicinopsis (Elix & Verdon) Kirika, Divakar & Lumbsch. It is proposed that five new combinations of species previously classified in Relicinopsis be placed in Relicina.