bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low-complexity nonlinear equalizer based on absolute operation for C-band IM/DD systems
Authors: Yu Yukui , Bo Tianwai , Che Yi , Kim Deaho , Kim Hoon
Published: May 2020

The intensity-modulation/direct-detection transmission system operating in the C-band suffers from nonlinear waveform distortions induced by fiber chromatic dispersion due to the square-law detection. The Volterra nonlinear equalizers (VNLEs) can be used at the receiver to compensate for such distortions. However, the major concern about the equalizers is their huge implementation complexity. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a low-complexity nonlinear equalizer based on the absolute operation for a cost-sensitive IM/DD system. In this equalizer, the cross-beating product terms (required in VNLE) are replaced with the absolute operation of the sum of two input samples. We evaluate the performance of the proposed equalizer over a 56-Gb/s 4-ary pulse amplitude modulation transmission system implemented by using 1.5-µm directly modulated laser or electro-absorption modulated laser. The results show that the proposed equalizer performs similar to the 2nd-order diagonally-pruned VNLE, but lowers the implementation complexity by >20%. We also show that the proposed equalizer outperforms the VNLE when the implementation complexities of the two nonlinear equalizers are similar.
Lowest threshold lasing modes localized on marginally unstable periodic orbits in a semiconductor microcavity laser
Authors: Lee In-Goo , Yi Chang-Hwan , Lee Ji-Won , Yu Hyeon-Hye , Ryu Jinhyeok , Gwak Sunjae , Kim Hyundong , Oh Kwang-Ryong , Kim Chil-Min
Published: May 2020

The lowest threshold lasing mode in a rounded D-shape microcavity is theoretically analyzed and experimentally demonstrated. To identify the lowest threshold lasing mode, we investigate threshold conditions of different periodic orbits by considering the linear gain condition due to the effective pumping region and total loss consisting of internal and scattering losses in ray dynamics. We compare the ray dynamical result with resonance mode analysis, including gain and loss. We find that the resonance modes localized on the pentagonal marginally unstable periodic orbit have the lowest threshold in our fabrication configuration. Our findings are verified by obtaining the path lengths and far-field patterns of lasing modes.
Optical design of connecting electrodes for tandem organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Man Jia-Xiu , He Shou-Jie , Shi Chang-Sheng , Yang Han-Nan , Wang Deng-Ke , Lu Zheng-Hong
Published: May 2020

Connecting electrodes play a crucial role to assist charge injection into the adjacent electroluminescent units in tandem organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). In this study, we demonstrate that Mg:Ag alloy is an effective connecting electrode for bottom- and top-emitting tandem OLEDs. Optical cavity design and simulation are also conducted to predict the luminance of tandem OLEDs. It is found that the theoretical luminance of tandem OLEDs is close to but not higher than twofold enhancement over the luminance of a single OLED optimized to the first resonance mode, which is theoretically higher than high-order resonance modes. It is also found that the optical properties of Mg:Ag connecting electrodes, while having relatively small influence on weak microcavity bottom-emitting tandem OLEDs, have large influence on strong microcavity top-emitting tandem OLEDs.
Mid-infrared frequency combs at 10  GHz
Authors: Kowligy Abijith S. , Carlson David R. , Hickstein Daniel D. , Timmers Henry , Lind Alexander J. , Schunemann Peter G. , Papp Scott B. , Diddams Scott A.
Published: May 2020

We demonstrate mid-infrared (MIR) frequency combs at 10 GHz repetition rate via intra-pulse difference-frequency generation (DFG) in quasi-phase-matched nonlinear media. Few-cycle pump pulses (

≲

15

f
s

, 100 pJ) from a near-infrared electro-optic frequency comb are provided via nonlinear soliton-like compression in photonic-chip silicon-nitride waveguides. Subsequent intra-pulse DFG in periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides yields MIR frequency combs in the 3.1–4.8 µm region, while orientation-patterned gallium phosphide provides coverage across 7–11 µm. Cascaded second-order nonlinearities simultaneously provide access to the carrier–envelope-offset frequency of the pump source via in-line

f

-

2

f

nonlinear interferometry. The high-repetition rate MIR frequency combs introduced here can be used for condensed phase spectroscopy and applications such as laser heterodyne radiometry.
Hypersensitive H2 sensor based on polymer planar Bragg gratings coated with Pt-loaded WO3-SiO2
Authors: Kefer Stefan , Dai Jixiang , Yang Minghong , Schmauss Bernhard , Hellmann Ralf
Published: May 2020

This Letter demonstrates a novel, to the best of our knowledge, hydrogen sensor based on a polymer planar Bragg grating coated with Pt-loaded

W
O

3

-

S
i
O

2

. The reflected Bragg signal shows a distinct peak splitting correlated to substrate anisotropies originating from the injection molding process. Especially at low

H

2

concentrations, both sensing peaks exhibit an outstanding response to the heat generated by the exothermic reaction between hydrogen molecules and coating. Thereby, a hydrogen volume ratio of 50 ppm leads to a Bragg wavelength shift of

−

37

p
m

, which yields an outstandingly low detection limit of only 5 ppm

H

2

in air. Thus, functionalized polymer planar Bragg gratings are eminently suitable for

H

2

leak detection applications.
When is retardance autocalibration of microgrid-based full Stokes imagers possible and useful?
Authors: Le Teurnier Benjamin , Li Xiaobo , Boffety Matthieu , Hu Haofeng , Goudail François
Published: May 2020

Full Stokes polarimetric images can be obtained from two acquisitions with a microgrid polarization camera equipped with a retarder. When the retardance is imperfectly known, it can be calibrated from the measurements, but this requires three image acquisitions and may cause divergence of estimation variance at a low signal-to-noise ratio. We determine closed-form equations allowing one to decide in which experimental conditions autocalibration is possible and useful, and to quantify the performance gain obtained in practice. These results are validated by real-world experiments.
Robust and efficient optical limiters based on molybdenum disulfide nanosheets embedded in solid-state heavy-metal oxide glasses
Authors: Zheng Chan , Wang Tingting , Xiao Xueqing , Li Wei , Chen Wenzhe
Published: May 2020

Simple and effective methods are needed to incorporate two-dimensional functional materials with distinctive nonlinear optical (NLO) response into appropriate solid-state matrices while maintaining inherent functionalities for practical applications in optoelectronic fields. Here, ultrathin molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets and lead silicate (PbO-SiO2) gel glasses were chosen as a representative guest dopant and mother matrix, respectively. The MoS2 was introduced into the PbO-SiO2 binary gel glasses by a simple sol-gel wet chemical technique to obtain transparent and s three-dimensional monolithic bulk materials. The presence of MoS2 in the gel glasses and the formation of binary gel glasses were confirmed by various techniques. The NLO and optical limiting (OL) performances were investigated by both open-aperture (OA) and closed-aperture (CA) Z-scan techniques on nano- and picosecond timescales with the use of a laser operating at 532 nm. Our results demonstrate that the NLO effect of MoS2/PbO-SiO2 binary gel glasses was greater than that observed for MoS2/SiO2 unary gel glasses because of enhanced third order nonlinear susceptibility effects induced by the heavy metal. The OA and CA Z-scan patterns suggested that the NLO response of the MoS2/PbO-SiO2 gel glasses is mainly attributed to their nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction. Remarkably, the extracted OL thresholds of the MoS2/PbO-SiO2 gel glasses were 12.4 and 7.8 times as great as those recently reported in a MoS2 suspension at nanosecond timescale and MoS2/PMMA organic glass at the picosecond timescale, respectively. The present results demonstrate the feasibility and versatility of MoS2/PbO-SiO2 silica gel glasses, as a new class of highly efficient NLO and OL materials that can be applied in the field of nonlinear optics.
Polilaktida plastifikatua elikagaien ontziratzerako: plastifikatzailearen pisu molekularraren eragina bolumen aske eta hesi-ezaugarrietan
Authors: Sangroniz Ainara , Chaos Ana , Del Río Javier , Iriarte Marian , Etxeberria Agustin
Published: May 2020

Gaur egun plastikoen hondakinek sorrarazten duten arazoari aurre egiteko aukera bat polimero biodegradagarriak erabiltzea da. Horien artean polilaktidak interes handia piztu du, baina elikagaien ontziratzean erabilgarria izan dadin bere deformakortasuna hobetu behar da. Helburu horrekin lan honetan polilaktidari polietilenglikol (PEG) plastifikatzailea gehitu zaio. Zehazki pisu molekular desberdina daukaten hiru polietilenglikol erabili dira, eta pisu molekularrak propietate fisikoetan daukan eragina aztertu da. Plastifikatzailea gehitutakoan beira-trantsizio tenperatura jaitsi egiten da, bereziki pisu molekular altuena duen polietilenglikola gehitutakoan, eta kristalinitate-maila handiagoa egiten da. Bolumen askean aldaketak txikiak badira ere, plastifikatzaile kantitatea handitu ahala, bolumen askea nabarmen handiagoa egiten da. Hesi ezaugarriei dagokienez, oxigenoaren kasuan iragazkortasuna murriztu edo bere horretan mantentzen da; karbono dioxidoaren eta uraren kasuan, ordea, iragazkortasuna handitu egiten da plastifikatzaile kantitatearekin batera. Aipatzekoa da plastifikatzaile nahaste desberdinen artean pisu molekular baxueneko plastifikatzailea duen sistemak azaltzen dituela iragazkortasun balio altuenak. PEG 1500 eta PEG 4600 sistemen kasuan aldaketak ez dira hain nabariak, eta, pisu molekularraz gainera, beste faktore batzuek, hala nola beira-trantsizio tenperaturak, kristalinitate-mailak eta bolumen askeak, ere eragina daukate.
Luminiszentzia, baliabide aproposa ioien eta biomolekulen presentzia agerian jartzeko
Authors: Avellanal-Zaballa Edurne , Bañuelos Jorge
Published: May 2020

Biomolekulen eta ioien detekzio sentikorra eta eraginkorra premiazkoa da biomedikuntzan, ez soilik prozesu biokimikoak aztertzeko, baita gaixotasun mekanismoak ulertzeko eta sendagaiak bilatzeko ere. Eskuragarri dauden detekzio tekniken artean, luminiszentzia baliabiderik aproposenetariko bat da informazio kimiko hori lortzeko seinale analitiko gisa sentikortasun eta espezifikotasun ezin hobeak bermatzen baititu. Fluoreszentzia aldaketei jarraituz aztertu beharreko molekularen presentzia detektatzeaz gainera, beraren kantitatea ere kuantifika daiteke. Beraz, koloratzaileen kimika moldakorraz baliatuz, sentsore fluoreszenteak gara daitezke kromoforo bati aproposa den hartzaile espezifikoak lotuz. Lan honetan, holako sentsoreak diseinatzeko kontuan hartu behar diren irizpide orokorrak aipatzen dira. Azken hori agerian jartzeko, BODIPY koloratzailean oinarritutako bi sentsore fluoreszente deskribatzen dira, katioiak eta aminoazidoak detektatzeko gai direnak. Euren presentzia eta kantitatea aztertzeko fluoreszentzia ahalmena eta kolore aldaketa ikuskatzen dira, hurrenez hurren, biak begi bistaz erraz behatzen diren fenomenoak izanik.
»Das Weibliche umschließt den starken Mann« (Jer 31,22). Geschlechterkonstruktionen im Jeremiabuch im Licht feministischer Hermeneutik
Authors: Maier Christl M.
Published: May 2020

This essay explores variant concepts of gender in the book of Jeremiah from a feminist perspective that includes insights of post-colonial studies, trauma studies, and queer theory. It discusses the female personification of Jerusalem and Judah, the laboring woman metaphor used in the context of war, the complexity of gendered addressees in Jer 2:1-4:2, and gender aspects in the characterization of God and Jeremiah. At first glance, the Jeremiah tradents use traditional gender stereotypes. A closer inspection, however, reveals an ambivalent gender performance of female and male protagonists. In this context, the enigmatic statement in Jer 31:22 »the female encompasses the strong man« also signifies the ambivalence of gender concepts in Jeremiah.
'Party at the Palace': Popular Cultural Celebrations in the Context of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden and Diamond Jubilee
Authors: Jordan Christina
Published: May 2020

Christina Jordan's contribution discusses the forms and functions of popular cultural aspects of British royal events in the 21st century regarding their significance for modernizing the contemporary monarchy's public image. The case study focuses on the pop and rock concerts performed on the occasion of Elizabeth II's Golden and Diamond Jubilee (2002 and 2012). A special emphasis is put on questions concerning the choice of music and artists, the utilization of architectural landmarks such as Buckingham Palace for the staging of the concerts, and the particular roles different members of the royal family embody next to the celebrities performing on stage. It is shown how these events work as a vital way to renegotiate and update the monarchy's public image by adding new dimensions to their cultural work in the 21st century. The article argues that the conscious incorporation of popular cultural aspects in large-scale royal celebrations constitute a new generation of »invented royal traditions.«
Gender und Heilung
Authors: Kurzewitz Nora Kim
Published: May 2020

Der Missionserfolg des Pentekostalismus verdankt sich nicht zuletzt der zentralen Rolle, die Frauen dort spielen. Doch worin besteht die Attraktivität der Pfingstbewegung für Frauen und was sind ihre Auswirkungen? Nora Kurzewitz geht der Innenperspektive pentekostaler Frauen in Costa Rica nach und zeigt, dass für diese insbesondere die Heilung psychischen Leids eine existenzielle, transformative Erfahrung darstellt. Die Studie enthält relevante Erkenntnisse für Theolog*innen, Religionswissenschaftler*innen und alle, die sich mit Auswirkungen konservativer religiöser Bewegungen auf Frauen beschäftigen. Das theologische Konzept der Vergebung erweist sich auch aus psychologischer Perspektive als anschlussfähig.
Association of SNP g.643G>A of MYF5 gene polymorphism with body weight and body measurements in Bali cattle
Authors: Saputra E. A. , Ulum M. F. , Jakaria J.
Published: May 2020

This study aimedto identify the SNP g.643G>Aof MYF5 genethen associate it with body weight and body size measurements in Bali cattle. Blood samples were collectedfrom 80 bali cattle at BPTU-HPT Denpasar Bali. Data on phenotypic properties observed included; birth weight, live weight, average daily gain, body length, chest depth, withers height, hip height, and heart girth. Polymorphismof the MYF5 gene was identifiedusing the PCR-RFLP method. Association of MYF5 genotypes with body weight and body size measurementswas performed using General Linear Model by SAS 9.4 program. MYF5│MspI gene was polymorphic with three genotypes: AA, AG, and GG. Genotype frequency of AA, AG and GG were 0.04 (3), 0.30 (24), and 0.65 (53), respectively. Allele frequencies were 0.19 and 0.81 for A and G alleles, respectively. Gene frequency analysis showed that Bali cattle at BPTU-HPT Denpasar was in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. Association of MYF5│MspI gene with body weight and body measurement were not significantly different. SNP g.643G>A could not be used as a genetic marker for the body weight and body size measurements in Bali cattle.
Body weight, haematological indices and intestinal morphometric of broilers provided with diets containing formic acid, butyric acid or their blends
Authors: Isroli I. , Murwani R. , Yudiarti T. , Widiastuti E. , Wahyuni H. I. , Sartono T. A. , Sugiharto S.
Published: May 2020

The study investigated the influence of dietary incorporation of formic acid, butyric acid or their blends on growth rate, haematological indices and intestinal morphometric of broilers. A number of 240 Lohmann MB-202 chicks were pass rounded to four dietary groups, including CONT (chicks taking in basal feed with no additive), BTRT (chicks receiving basal feed with 0.03% butyric acid), FRMT (chicks receiving basal feed with 0.1% formic acid) and BTRT+FRMT (chicks receiving basal feed containing 0.03% butyric acid and 0.1% formic acid). Weight of chicks and intake were measured every week, while blood sample was collected at day 21 and 35. At day 35, birds were slaughtered and small intestinal segments and digesta were collected. At day 21, body weight was bigger (P<0.05) in BTRT+FRMT than in other birds. Feeding the blends of formic and butyric acids resulted in higher (P<0.05) value of mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) at day 21. Feeding organic acids was associated with the lower (P<0.05) proportion of thrombocytes in broilers at day 35. Supplementation of butyric acid resulted in higher (P<0.05) serum albumin concentration at day 35. Butyric acid produced higher (P<0.05) levels of triglyceride as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the serum. The mixture of formic and butyric acids resulted in higher (P<0.05) titer of antibody against Newcastle disease vaccine (NDV) at day 21. Feeding formic acid decreased (P<0.05) ileal population of lactose negative enterobacteria at day 35. Overall, dietary supplementation of the blends of formic and butyric acids resulted in improved growth and immune defence of broiler chicks.
Properties and cost analysis of bio-urine liquid fertilizer (BLF) from Balinese cattle on the use of bio-activators and different fermentation times
Authors: Said M. I. , Abustam E. , Rohani St. , Adiatma R. N.
Published: May 2020

The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of bio-activator and different fermentation time in the process of producing bio-urine liquid fertilizer (BLF) from Balinese cattle. Two types of bio-activators are used, namely (1) animal bio-activator (ABA) and (2) plant bio-activator (PBA). The time of fermentation process applied is (1) 7, (2) 14 and (3) 21 days. The research was prepared based on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) of the factorial pattern. The data of the research were analyzed using ANOVA. The result showed that the difference of bio-activator and time of fermentation process had significant effect (P<0.05) on C-organic, N-organic and C/N ratio of BLF, but no significant on pH. The C-organic content of 9.59-12.02%. N-organic of 1.03-1.35% and C/N ratio of 8.33 to 11.03. The pH values are 8.76-8.95. The final results showed that the use of bio-activator using a 14-days fermentation time showed the best characteristics compared to other. The production cost of BLF using PBA is lower IDR.8,179.22 than ABA IDR.8.312,28. The application of PBA IDR.11,820.78, was more advantageous than ABA IDR.11,687.72.
Indonesian smallholder beef producers’ perception of sustainability and their treactions to the results of an assessment using the sustainability assessment of food and agriculture system (SAFA) – a case study based on focus group discussions
Authors: Gayatri S. , Vaarst M.
Published: May 2020

Beef cattle farmers were interviewed about what “sustainability” means to them with regard to their daily practices, both in their daily working life and after being confronted with the results of an assessment conducted on their farms prior to a focus group discussion (FGD) utilizing the Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture (SAFA) system developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The study presented in this article was based on two FGDs, using the results of the SAFA online assessment as a tool to initiate and facilitate the discussions. The two group discussions were recorded using a digital voice recorder, transcribed in full and then coded using the software program Transana. The discussions were organized into themes, which allowed a basis for the further analysis. The themes allowed us to build a picture of the participants’ views and thoughts on sustainability with regard to their farming management practices in the light of the SAFA framework, and their own thoughts and perception of the government’s action to promote sustainability, as well as to consider its implications for the futures of their own farms. The interviewed beef cattle farmers thought of sustainability on a day-to-day context rather than as a multi-dimensional concept. In their views, sustainability was very much about being able to continue farming, for the farm to survive and about being able to hand it over to the next generation. However, when presented with the four dimensions of the SAFA framework, they acknowledged the wider perspectives and different aspects of sustainability and reflected about how their own agricultural practices related to these wider aspects too.
LIV – lernen. informieren. vernetzen.
Authors: Rickelt Henning , Zoller Rahel , Flohr Kathrin , Söding Achim
Published: May 2020

„LIV – lernen. informieren. vernetzen.“ ist die programmatische Bezeichnung der gemeinsamen Bibliothek der vier am Heilbronner Bildungscampus vertretenen Hochschulen. Die Einrichtung wurde zum 1. Oktober 2019 gegründet und öffnete am gleichen Tag ihr neues Zentralgebäude für den Publikumsverkehr. Im Rahmen einer über sechsjährigen Projektarbeit wurden – wechselseitig aufeinander abgestimmt – sowohl die rechtlich-organisatorische Struktur der gemeinsamen Einrichtung erarbeitet als auch das neue Gebäude als ein Ort des vernetzten hochschulübergreifenden Lernens und Arbeitens errichtet.
Connected perimeter of planar sets
Authors: Dayrens François , Masnou Simon , Novaga Matteo , Pozzetta Marco
Published: May 2020

We introduce a notion ofconnectedperimeter for planar sets defined as the lower semicontinuous envelope of perimeters of approximating sets which are measure-theoretically connected. A companion notion ofsimply connectedperimeter is also studied. We prove a representation formula which links the connected perimeter, the classical perimeter, and the length of suitable Steiner trees. We also discuss the application of this notion to the existence of solutions to a nonlocal minimization problem with connectedness constraint.
On rough convergence variables of triple sequences
Authors: Subramanian Nagarajan , Esi Ayhan
Published: May 2020

Triple sequence convergence plays an extremely important role in the fundamental theory of mathematics. This paper contains four types of convergence concepts, namely, convergence almost surely, convergence incredibility, trust convergence in mean, and convergence in distribution, and discuss the relationship among them and some mathematical properties of those new convergence.
A Note on the Sobolev and Gagliardo--Nirenberg Inequality when 𝑝 > 𝑁
Authors: Porretta Alessio
Published: May 2020

It is known that the Sobolev space

W

1
,
p

⁢

(

ℝ
N

)

{W^{1,p}(\mathbb{R}^{N})}

is embedded into

L

N
⁢
p

/

(

N
-
p

)

⁢

(

ℝ
N

)

{L^{Np/(N-p)}(\mathbb{R}^{N})}

if

p
<
N

{p<N}

and into

L
∞

⁢

(

ℝ
N

)

{L^{\infty}(\mathbb{R}^{N})}

if

p
>
N

{p>N}

. There is usually a discontinuity in the proof of those two different embeddings since, for

p
>
N

{p>N}

, the estimate

∥
u
∥

∞

≤

C
⁢

∥

D
⁢
u

∥

p

N
/
p

⁢

∥
u
∥

p

1
-

N
/
p

{\lVert u\rVert_{\infty}\leq C\lVert Du\rVert_{p}^{N/p}\lVert u\rVert_{p}^{1-N% /p}}

is commonly obtained together with an estimate of the Hölder norm. In this note, we give a proof of the

L
∞

{L^{\infty}}

-embedding which only follows by an iteration of the Sobolev–Gagliardo–Nirenberg estimate

∥
u
∥

N
/

(

N
-
1

)

≤

C
⁢

∥

D
⁢
u

∥

1

{\lVert u\rVert_{N/(N-1)}\leq C\lVert Du\rVert_{1}}

. This kind of proof has the advantage to be easily extended to anisotropic cases and immediately exported to the case of discrete Lebesgue and Sobolev spaces; we give sample results in case of finite differences and finite volumes schemes.
Extremals for Fractional Moser–Trudinger Inequalities in Dimension 1 via Harmonic Extensions and Commutator Estimates
Authors: Mancini Gabriele , Martinazzi Luca
Published: May 2020

We prove the existence of extremals for fractional Moser–Trudinger inequalities in an interval and on the whole real line. In both cases we use blow-up analysis for the corresponding Euler–Lagrange equation, which requires new sharp estimates obtained via commutator techniques.
Plato’s Master Argument for a Two-Kind Ontology in theSophist: A New Reading of the Final Argument of the Gigantomachia Passage (249b5–249c9)
Authors: Sabrier Pauline
Published: May 2020

In this paper I defend a new reading of the final argument of the Gigantomachia passage of Plato’sSophist(249b5–249c9), according to which it is an argument for a two-kind ontology, based on the distinction between the changing beings and the unchanging beings. This argument, I urge, is addressed not only to Platonists but to all philosophers – with one exception. My reading is based on the claim that this argument does not rely on the view thatnousrequires unchangeable objects – what I call the traditional reading – but on the view thatnousitself is unchanging. The difference between the traditional reading and my reading is that on the former, Plato’s argument relies on a distinctive epistemological assumption, whereas on the latter, Plato’s argument is free from any such commitments. If the argument of this paper is along the right lines, then this implies that this argument has a much more far-reaching scope than critics have usually assumed. It also invites us to reconsider Plato’s approach to the question of being in theSophist.
How to design externally positive feedback loops – an open problem of control theory
Authors: Schwab Alexander , Lunze Jan
Published: May 2020

This paper addresses the properties of externally positive systems and summarises existing conditions and design approaches that achieve externally positive closed-loop dynamics. The output variable of such systems is always nonnegative for any nonnegative input which is a very useful property in various control tasks. This paper investigates the problem of rendering control loops externally positive by an appropriate choice of a feedback. It shows that there is currently no general design procedure for that purpose and the question of when such a controller exists has not been clarified yet. It is also shown that there are plants for which there is no controller that leads to an externally positive control loop.
CBIR aided classification using extreme learning machine with probabilistic scaling in MRI brain image
Authors: Geetha A. , Gomathi N.
Published: May 2020

An enormous number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain images were produced in hospitals and several MRI centers. To exploit the diagnosis in MRI brain image, “content-based image retrieval (CBIR)” system is accessed in the MRI brain image database. In this paper, a content-based MRI brain image retrieval system is presented, which is helpful in the medical field to seek a diagnosis in an MRI brain image that is similar to the example given. This paper consists of preprocessing, feature extraction, feature selection, similarity measure, and classification. In the preprocessing phase, the Wiener filter is used to remove the unwanted pixels from an MRI brain image. In the second phase, the features related to MRI brain image are extracted using characteristics of shape, margin, and density of the MRI. In the third stage, the features of MRI brain image were reduced using principal component analysis. CBIR classification is used in this method to gain effectual results. In the first stage, retrieval images are obtained using similarity measures using the similarity between the query image features and the derived trained image features. Finally, the classification stage is an extreme learning machine with probabilistic scaling used to classify the obtained retrieval output image and the query image. The result demonstrates that the proposed CBIR approach is robust and effectual compared with other latest work.
Förderung Kultureller Bildung – Herausforderung auch für Wissenschaftliche Bibliotheken?
Authors: Sühl-Strohmenger Wilfried
Published: May 2020

Im Rahmen der österreichischen BAM-Offensive wurde seinerzeit damit begonnen, die Bestände von Bibliotheken, Archiven und Museen unter einem Portal verfügbar zu machen, um die digitalisierten Objekte übergreifend für Zwecke der Bildung und der wissenschaftlichen Forschung zugänglich zu machen. Dieses Ziel verfolgen auch die Portale der Europeana sowie der Deutschen Digitalen Bibliothek (DDB). Aber nicht nur die wissenschaftliche Forschung soll dadurch unterstützt werden, sondern auch die Bildung insgesamt, insbesondere die Kulturelle Bildung. Inwieweit auch die Wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken mehr zur Förderung Kultureller Bildung beitragen könnten und sollten, ist Gegenstand dieses Artikels.
Prudent Rationalizability in Generalized Extensive-form Games with Unawareness
Authors: Heifetz Aviad , Meier Martin , Schipper Burkhard C.
Published: May 2020

We define a cautious version of extensive-form rationalizability for generalized extensive-form games with unawareness that we call prudent rationalizability. It is an extensive-form analog of iterated admissibility. In each round of the procedure, for each tree and each information set of a player a surviving strategy of hers is required to be rational vis-a-vis a belief system with a full-support belief on the opponents' previously surviving strategies that reach that information set. We demonstrate the applicability of prudent rationalizability. In games of disclosure of verifiable information, we show that prudent rationalizability yields unraveling under full awareness but unraveling might fail under unawareness. We compare prudent rationalizability to extensive-form rationalizability. We show that prudent rationalizability may not refine extensive-form rationalizability strategies but conjecture that the paths induced by prudent rationalizable strategy profiles (weakly) refine the set of paths induced by extensive-form rationalizable strategies.
Design Thinking as a Framework for Innovation in Libraries
Authors: Bech-Petersen Sidsel
Published: May 2020

This article presents human-centered design methods as a way to create relevant and vibrant libraries. Dokk1–the main library in Aarhus-is co-created with users, partners, and stakeholders. It has become an open, flexible library space that also uses technology as a way to invite the users to become part of the space. Using design thinking as a new way of working, co-creation also becomes a part of developing new services and spaces and a new way of working for the library staff.
The rhetorical works of the school of Gaza
Authors: Penella Robert J.
Published: May 2020

This paper surveys the rhetorical works of the so-called School of Gaza of the late fifth and early sixth centuries in light of the recent wave of scholarship on the School. It focuses on themes, rhetorical genres, and structural features. The Gazan repertoire includes “real life” orations, declamations, dialexeis, progymnasmatic pieces, and oratorical paratexts such as preliminary dialexeis and protheōriai. The paper seeks to provide a map to this important but neglected body of texts, synthesizing recent scholarship and adding some of the author’s own observations along the way.
Coarticulation effects of contour tones in second language Chinese
Authors: Zhang Hang , Xie Yirui
Published: May 2020

This study tests for evidence of tonal coarticulation effects, especially anticipatory effects, in production of non-native Chinese contour tones. Eighty second language learners of Chinese and ten native speakers participated in a main experiment and two supplementary experiments in which they produced both real and pseudo disyllabic words. Findings indicate that anticipatory coarticulation is relevant in L2 contour tone production. L2 speakers’ Tone 2 and to some extent Tone 4 tend to be less intelligible to native listeners when followed by tones starting with a high onset (Tone 1 or Tone 4) due to anticipatory coarticulation. Some similar and different tonal coarticulation effects between native Chinese speakers and second language learners of Chinese are also noted in the paper based on the experiment results. This study argues that a ‘universal’ coarticulatory constraint plays a role in shaping second language Chinese tone phonology.
Capillary electrophoresis based on nucleic acid analysis for diagnosing inherited diseases
Authors: Lian Dong-Sheng , Chen Xiang-Yuan , Zeng Hua-Song , Wang Yan-Yi
Published: May 2020

Most hereditary diseases are incurable, but their deterioration could be delayed or stopped if diagnosed timely. It is thus imperative to explore the state-of-the-art and high-efficient diagnostic techniques for precise analysis of the symptoms or early diagnosis of pre-symptoms. Diagnostics based on clinical presentations, hard to distinguish different phenotypes of the same genotype, or different genotypes displaying similar phenotypes, are incapable of pre-warning the disease status. Molecular diagnosis is ahead of harmful phenotype exhibition. However, conventional gold-standard molecular classifications, such as karyotype analysis, Southern blotting (SB) and sequencing, suffer drawbacks like low automation, low throughput, prolonged duration, being labor intensive and high cost. Also, deficiency in flexibility and diversity is observed to accommodate the development of precise and individualized diagnostics. The aforementioned pitfalls make them unadaptable to the increasing clinical demand for detecting and interpreting numerous samples in a rapid, accurate, high-throughput and cost-effective manner. Nevertheless, capillary electrophoresis based on genetic information analysis, with advantages of automation, high speed, high throughput, high efficiency, high resolution, digitization, versatility, miniature and cost-efficiency, coupled with flexible-designed PCR strategies in sample preparation (PCR-CE), exhibit an excellent power in deciphering cryptic molecular information of superficial symptoms of genetic diseases, and can analyze in parallel a large number of samples in a single PCR-CE, thereby providing an alternative, accurate, customized and timely diagnostic tool for routine screening of clinical samples on a large scale. Thus, the present study focuses on CE-based nucleic acid analysis used for inherited disease diagnosis. Also, the limitations and challenges of this PCR-CE for diagnosing hereditary diseases are discussed.
N,N′-Bis[2-hydroxynaphthylidene]/[2-methoxybenzylidene]amino]oxamides and their divalent manganese complexes: Isolation, spectral characterization, morphology, antibacterial and cytotoxicity against leukemia cells
Authors: Ahmed Ayman H.
Published: May 2020

Manganese(ii) complexes of oxalic dihydrazones {N,N′-bis[2-hydroxynaphthylidene]amino]oxamide (BHO) andN,N′-bis[2-methoxybenzylidene]amino]oxamide (BMO)} have been synthesized by a general methodology. Hydrazone ligands (BHO and BMO) were obtained by the condensation of oxalic dihydrazide with 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carbaldehyde and 2-methoxybenzaldehyde. From the data obtained from the spectral (mass, IR,1H-NMR, UV-Vis, ESR), magnetic and thermal measurements in addition to the elemental analyses (CHNM), the structures of ligands and their complexes have been determined. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to characterize the morphology of the complex surface. The ligands coordinated with the metal center in a bi-dentate way forming binuclear Mn–BHO and mononuclear Mn–BMO complexes. The manganese complexes are proposed to have octahedral stereochemistry. The ligands and manganese(ii) complexes have been assessed for their antibacterial and antileukemia activities. The proliferation hindrance for the free ligands was enhanced upon coordination with the manganese(ii) ions.
Physicochemical properties of selected herbicidal products containing nicosulfuron as an active ingredient
Authors: Szwedziak Katarzyna , Grzywacz Żaneta , Polańczyk Ewa , Tomaszewski Sławomir , Wojtkiewicz Wiktoria
Published: May 2020

Nicosulfuron is a herbicide used for plant protection. This paper presents the results of research on the physicochemical properties of three herbicidal preparations containing nicosulfuron as the active substance by measuring and comparing its concentration by the chromatographic method. These preparations are in the form of a concentrated suspension intended for dilution with water, and due to the fact that nicosulfuron contained in the tested preparations is sensitive to water quality, while checking the physicochemical properties of the preparations, a dispersion for soft (pH: 5–7) and hard (pH: 8–9) water was also determined. It is important to note that high content of mineral salts in water may have a negative effect on the biological activity of the substance. In addition, the use of herbicides does not only apply to the use of appropriate dilutions, which are effective and not harmful to the environment. However, it is also important to consider specific farmer and equipment used, so that the preparation is easy to use and does not adversely affect the kit used for spraying. This study has shown that depending on the preparation used based on the amount of active substance 40 g/l, the amount of nicosulfuron varies. The test indicators in the form of pH and density are similar, while during the tested dispersion, differences depending on the tested water were observed (sediments were observed in only one preparation tested). Differences depending on the occurrence of sediments in the water used, both at 0 and 24 h, are signaling in favor of the soft water. Therefore, it is important to assess the hardness of the water, which in turn guarantees a reduction of the amount of deposits and protection of agricultural equipment used for spraying.
Discursive Constraints of Teasing: Constructing Professionality via Teasing in Chinese Entertainment Interviews
Authors: Gong Lili , Ran Yongping
Published: May 2020

Teasing can be approached as a linguistic resource for examining the interpersonal issues of im/ politeness and face, or as a discursive strategy for displaying relationships or constructing social identities. However, studies have underestimated the discursive constraints of teasing in specific contexts. Meanwhile, a majority of teasing studies were based on Western cultures and did not pay sufficient attention to the variety of teasing across cultures. By collecting data from two Chinese entertainment interviews, where the interviewer employs teasing frequently for performing institutional roles, this study examined how teasing functions to assist the interviewer to complete communicative goals, and explored the discursive constraints of teasing in media context. Data analysis exemplified how teasing helped the interviewer to manage an interview event, obtain the guest’s disclosure and seek audience involvement, helping to construct the interviewer’s professionality. Implications for understanding the discursive features of teasing in the Chinese media context were addressed.
Learner Autonomy in the National English Language Curricula for Chinese Universities 1978—2007: A Historical Analysis
Authors: Pu Shi
Published: May 2020

This historical study investigates the concept of learner autonomy in the national English language curricula for Chinese universities. It seeks to understand the meaning of learner autonomy in China and the intentionality of promoting this concept through the curricula from 1978 to 2007. By adopting Quentin Skinner’s intentionalist approach to analyzing the history of ideas, this study conducted a systematic document analysis of three national curricula in relation to their linguistic and practical contexts constituted of 169 Chinese academic articles in total. The study revealed that learner autonomy mainly referred to students’ motivation and ability to work hard on their own outside the classroom in the Chinese context. Importing this concept, however, caused ideological confusion and exacerbated the disempowerment of teachers within the dynamics of China’s English language education at the tertiary level. The study raises awareness for borrowing concepts across different cultural contexts and has implications for research, policymaking, teacher development, and pedagogical practice in second language education in China.
Investigating the effects of sponsorship and forewarning disclosures on recipients’ reactance
Authors: Weitzl Wolfgang J. , Seiffert-Brockmann Jens , Einwiller Sabine
Published: May 2020

Due to increasing consumer skepticism towards promotional messages, companies are looking for new ways to communicate with their target audiences in a less obtrusive way than traditional advertising. Sponsored content disseminated on the online portals of newspapers (i. e., online advertorials) is regarded as a promising way to promote products and brands. Regulations require communicators to inform consumers about the commercial nature of this ‘masked’ persuasion attempt by including an explicit sponsorship disclosure (i. e., a ‘Sponsored’ label). This study demonstrates that such an explicit advertising cue may not be enough to alert recipients. Furthermore, this study investigates the effects of promotional messages by means of a 2 (no disclosure vs. disclosure) x 2 (no forewarning vs. forewarning) experiment. Results show that both (i) foregoing instructions aimed at activating consumers’ persuasion knowledge (i. e., an additional forewarning message) and (ii) recipients’ prior media literacy can foster the effect of sponsorship disclosures in triggering situational distrust towards brand-related content, and in turn, increasing consumers’ reactance.
The concept of integrated communication under close scrutiny: A study on the effects of congruity-based tactics
Authors: Kirchenbauer Alena
Published: May 2020

This study examines how consumers react to a Facebook post that is completely, moderately or not at all in conflict with a brand-typical TV clip. It thus analyzes the need for congruity between the offline and online advertising activities of a brand and draws on the literature of integrated communication, schema incongruity theory and advertising effectiveness. Results of an online experiment with 131 participants and a 2 (content: congruent vs. incongruent) by 2 (stylistic devices: congruent vs. incongruent) between-subjects design provide first insights into the modeling of (in)congruity based on integrated communication. Thus, the article presents a first attempt to conceptualize (in)congruity in advertising through a combination of content and stylistic devices. In addition to this research agenda, the manuscript offers implications for advertising practice.
Good journalist, bad blogger? A study on the labeling of paid content in blogs and journalism
Authors: Hoffjann Olaf , Haidukiewicz Oliver
Published: May 2020

This study examines whether journalists and bloggers label paid content. In Germany, as in many other countries, advertorials have to be designated as advertising to enable the target audience to identify the promotional character of the content. This applies both to the traditional mass media and to blogs, for which advertorials provide a key source of income. To date, there have been no empirical findings on the designation practice based on a comparison of journalists and bloggers. The present study presents an online survey in Germany completed by 936 journalists and 463 bloggers in 2017. The results indicate that, in fact, bloggers do not label advertorials less frequently than journalists do: 91.6 % of bloggers and 91.7 % of journalists stated that they label paid content as advertising.
On the equivalence between noncollapsing and bounded entropy for ancient solutions to the Ricci flow
Authors: Zhang Yongjia
Published: May 2020

As a continuation of a previous paper, we prove Perelman’s assertion, that is, for ancient solutions to the Ricci flow with bounded nonnegative curvature operator, uniformly bounded entropy is equivalent to κ-noncollapsing on all scales. We also establish an equality between the asymptotic entropy and the asymptotic reduced volume, which is a result similar to a paper by Xu (2017), where he assumes the Type I curvature bound.
Half-space theorems for the Allen–Cahn equation and related problems
Authors: Hamel François , Liu Yong , Sicbaldi Pieralberto , Wang Kelei , Wei Juncheng
Published: May 2020

In this paper we obtain rigidity results for a non-constant entire solution u of the Allen–Cahn equation in

{\mathbb{R}^{n}}

, whose level set

{\{u=0\}}

is contained
in a half-space. If

{n\leq 3}

, we prove that the solution must be one-dimensional. In dimension

{n\geq 4}

, we prove that either the solution is one-dimensional or stays below a one-dimensional solution and converges to it after suitable translations. Some generalizations to one phase free boundary problems are also obtained.
A great pre-eclampsia masquerader. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) presenting in pregnancy
Authors: Toscano Marika , Westen Elizabeth , Hollenbach Stefanie J. , Perkins Archibald S. , Thornburg Loralei L.
Published: May 2020

Background

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life-threatening disease. It is characterized by impaired natural killer cell and cytotoxic lymphocyte function leading to dysregulated macrophage phagocytosis of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets. Coupled with a massive release of cytokines this rapidly leads to multi-organ failure and mortality if not treated promptly.

Case presentation

We report a case of pregnancy-associated, treatment-resistant HLH with no identified risk factors.

Conclusion

It is likely that HLH is an unrecognized cause of intractable fever and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in young pregnant women and it should be included in the differential diagnosis when patients do not respond to typical therapies. High serum ferritin should further prompt consideration of this diagnosis. This rare disease is often not thought of and many gynecologist obstetricians have never heard of it, making this case report of essential importance to reignite the interest in HLH, particularly when it occurs during pregnancy.
Generalized parabolic Marcinkiewicz integrals associated with polynomial compound curves with rough kernels
Authors: Ali Mohammed , Katatbeh Qutaibeh
Published: May 2020

In this article, we study the generalized parabolic parametric Marcinkiewicz integral operators{ {\mathcal M} }_{{\Omega },h,{\Phi },\lambda }^{(r)}related to polynomial compound curves. Under some weak conditions on the kernels, we establish appropriate estimates of these operators. By the virtue of the obtained estimates along with an extrapolation argument, we give the boundedness of the aforementioned operators from Triebel-Lizorkin spaces toLpspaces under weaker conditions onΩandh. Our results represent significant improvements and natural extensions of what was known previously.
Slovak Simple Joint Stock Company – Critical Review and Preliminary Assessment
Authors: Patakyová Mária , Kačaljak Matej , Grambličková Barbora , Mazúr Ján , Dutková Patrícia
Published: May 2020

The aim of this paper is to describe a relatively new legal form of the simple joint stock company introduced into Slovak company law in 2017 and evaluate whether it may indeed be a suitable corporate vehicle for new companies with highly innovative potential (startups), or alternatively assess whether the legal form is suitable for other legal and business use cases; and explore and identify potential issues.Moreover, this paper provides an overview and legal analysis of the legal regulation of the simple joint stock company form in comparison with other legal company forms. The attractiveness of some of the key elements of the simple joint stock company’s regulation is verified by an empirical statistical method from public databases. Additionally, the article also provides an assessment as to what extent the identified objectives of the policy maker in relation to the introduction of the new legal form were achieved.