bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperspectral imaging classification based on convolutional neural networks by adaptive sizes of windows and filters
Authors: Hamouda Maissa , Saheb Ettabaa Karim , Bouhlel Med Salim
Published: November 2018

Image classification by the convolutional neural network (CNN) has shown its great performances in recent years, in several areas, such as image processing and pattern recognition. However, there is still some improvement to do. The main problem in CNN is the initialisation of the number and size of the filters, which can obviously change the results. In this study, the authors assign three major contributions, based on the CNN model; (i) adaptive selection of the number of filters, (ii) using an adaptive size of the windows and (iii) using an adaptive size of the filters. The tests results, applied to different hyperspectral datasets (SalinasA, Pavia University, and Indian Pines), have proven that this framework is able to improve the accuracy of the hyperspectral image classification.
Late-time observations of the extraordinary Type II supernova iPTF14hls
Authors: Sollerman J. , Taddia F. , Arcavi I. , Fremling C. , Fransson C. , Burke J. , Cenko S. B. , Andersen O. , Andreoni I. , Barbarino C. , Blagorodova N. , Brink T. G. , Filippenko A. V. , Gal-Yam A. , Hiramatsu D. , Hosseinzadeh G. , Howell D. A. , de Jaeger T. , Lunnan R. , McCully C. , Perley D. A. , Tartaglia L. , Terreran G. , Valenti S. , Wang X.
Published: November 2018

Aims. We study iPTF14hls, a luminous and extraordinary long-lived Type II supernova, which lately has attracted much attention and disparate interpretation.

Methods. We have presented new optical photometry that extends the light curves up to more than three years past discovery. We also obtained optical spectroscopy over this period, and furthermore present additional space-based observations using Swift and HST.

Results. After an almost constant luminosity for hundreds of days, the later light curve of iPTF14hls finally fades and then displays a dramatic drop after about 1000 d, but the supernova is still visible at the latest epochs presented. The spectra have finally turned nebular, and our very last optical spectrum likely displays signatures from the deep and dense interior of the explosion. A high-resolution HST image highlights the complex environment of the explosion in this low-luminosity galaxy.

Conclusions. We provide a large number of additional late-time observations of iPTF14hls, which are (and will continue to be) used to assess the many different interpretations for this intriguing object. In particular, the very late (+1000 d) steep decline of the optical light curve is difficult to reconcile with the proposed central engine models. The lack of very strong X-ray emission, and the emergence of intermediate-width emission lines including [S II] that we propose originate from dense, processed material in the core of the supernova ejecta, are also key observational tests for both existing and future models.
A highly precise shear bias estimator independent of the measured shape noise
Authors: Pujol Arnau , Kilbinger Martin , Sureau Florent , Bobin Jerome
Published: November 2018

We present a new method to estimate shear measurement bias in image simulations that significantly improves the precision with respect to current techniques. Our method is based on measuring the shear response for individual images. We generated sheared versions of the same image to measure how the galaxy shape changes with the small applied shear. This shear response is the multiplicative shear bias for each image. In addition, we also measured the individual additive bias. Using the same noise realizations for each sheared version allows us to compute the shear response at very high precision. The estimated shear bias of a sample of galaxies is then the average of the individual measurements. The precision of this method leads to an improvement with respect to previous methods concerned with the precision of estimates of multiplicative bias since our method is not affected by noise from shape measurements, which until now has been the dominant uncertainty. As a consequence, the method does not require shape-noise suppression for a precise estimation of shear multiplicative bias. Our method can be readily used for numerous applications such as shear measurement validation and calibration, reducing the number of necessary simulated images by a few orders of magnitude to achieve the same precision.
Reaction between MgO-SiO2 refractory material and Fe-Al alloy
Authors: Alhussein Abdulaziz , Scheller Piotr R. , Yang Wen
Published: November 2018

The interaction between molten Fe-Al alloy containing 5.1 wt.% aluminium and MgO-SiO2-based refractory was investigated. In high-frequency induction furnace at 1550 °C refractory samples were immersed in liquid alloy for 1 min, 2 min, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min and 60 min. Scanning electron microscope was employed to investigate phases at the interface and inclusions in the Fe-Al alloy. Forsterite phase in refractory was transformed to MgO·Al2O3 spinel, owing to the reduction of iron oxide and silica in forsterite by aluminium in the Fe-Al alloy at the interface. The interface layer separated locally from the refractory material and formed cluster and single particles in the Fe-Al alloy. In view on the reaction rate, the disintegration of the refractory material increased the reaction area but interfered with increasing thickness of the spinel layer. The dissolution rate of silica into the molten alloy decreased with increasing the reaction time because of the slowed down transport of aluminium diffusing through increasing spinel layer became the rate controlling step.
Klavikulafrakturen im Wachstumsalter
Authors: Korsch Wolfram
Published: November 2018

Klavikulafrakturen im Wachstumsalter sind seltene Verletzungen, die in der Regel konservativ behandelt werden können. Unter Berücksichtigung der korrekten Fraktureinteilung entstehen klare Indikationen zur operativen Versorgung, insbesondere beim Adoleszenten und am lateralen Ende des Schlüsselbeines. Der folgende Artikel gibt eine Übersicht der gängigen Klassifikationen und den sich daraus ergebenden Therapieempfehlungen, sowie die Nachbehandlung. Fallbeispiele sollen die Ausführungen anschaulich machen.
Bildgebung Kindertraumatologie – diagnostische Besonderheiten
Authors: Vogl Thomas , Marzi Ingo , Jacobi Martina
Published: November 2018

Die Kindertraumatologie ist ein wichtiges radiologisches Feld im klinischen Alltag. Häufige Verletzungsformen -meist durch Unfälle bedingt – stellen Frakturen dar. Die Befundung findet in der Regel nicht durch einen ausgebildeten Kinderradiologen statt. Deswegen ist es eine essentielle Voraussetzung für den Radiologen, die Stufen der Skelettentwicklung zu kennen. Aufgrund des unterschiedlichen Knochenaufbaus von Erwachsenen treten bei Kindern unterschiedliche Verletzungsmuster auf.

Des Weiteren soll vor allem bei Kindern auf eine strenge Indikationsprüfung und Dosisreduktion geachtet werden, um die Strahlenexposition so gering wie möglich zu halten.

Anhand von folgenden Beispielen sollen häufige Verletzungsmuster beschrieben und illustriert werden.
In vitro measurements of hemodynamic forces and their effects on endothelial cell mechanics at the sub-cellular level
Authors: Lambert L. M. , Pipinos I. I. , Baxter B. T. , Chatzizisis Y. S. , Ryu S. J. , Leighton R. I. , Wei T.
Published: November 2018

This paper presents micro-particle tracking velocimetry measurements over cultured bovine aortic endothelial cell monolayers in microchannels. The objective was to quantify fluid forces and cell morphology at the sub-cellular scale for monolayers subjected to steady shear rates of 5, 10, and 20 dyn/cm2. The ultimate goal of this study was to develop an experimental methodology for in vitro detailed study of physiologically realistic healthy and diseased conditions. Cell topography, shear stress, and pressure distributions were calculated from sets of velocity fields made in planes parallel to the microchannel wall. For each experiment, measurements were made in 3 h intervals for 18 h. It was found that there is a three-dimensional change in cell morphology as a result of applied shear stress. That is, cells flatten and become more wedge shaped in the stream direction while conserving volume by spreading laterally, i.e., in the cross-stream direction. These changes in cell morphology are directly related to local variations in fluid loading, i.e., shear stress and pressure. This paper describes the first flow measurements over a confluent layer of endothelial cells that are spatially resolved at the sub-cellular scale with a simultaneous temporal resolution to quantify the response of cells to fluid loading.
The effect of normalization tools on green energy sources selection using multi-criteria decision-making approach: A case study in India
Authors: Bhowmik Chiranjib , Bhowmik Sumit , Ray Amitava
Published: November 2018

Selection of green sources for any region is a very tedious task as it involves several parameters specific to that particular region. This paper aims to select the optimum green energy sources by integrating multiple local factors inspired by a multi-criteria decision-making approach. An integrated multi-criterion decision-making analysis-entropy-complex proportional assessment is used to select the optimal green energy sources from a set of alternatives, viz., solar, hydro, biogas, and biomass, by appraising its main operational features. Initially, the entropy method is used to minimize the impreciseness in data and extract the precise weight from the inconsistency of data using beneficial and non-beneficial criteria. Then, the optimum sources are selected using the complex proportional assessment method as it considers both beneficial and non-beneficial criteria. Finally, the effect of various normalization tools on the assessment of performance ranking is also performed. An illustrative case study is presented to demonstrate the application feasibility of the integrated methodology. The analyzed result shows that hydro is the optimum green energy source (cost being the most influencing factor) having the highest score value followed by other sources, appraised by the integrated methodology. The research output is helpful in identifying the potential green energy sources and promoting investment in the green energy sector on a broader scale which will eventually have a global impact on the society. The study can also be used to support decision making in different situations and by various actors.
A micro-pipette thermal sensing technique for measuring the thermal conductivity of non-volatile fluids
Authors: Shrestha R. , Atluri R. , Simmons D. P. , Kim D. S. , Choi T. Y.
Published: November 2018

This research work demonstrates an innovative technique to measure the thermal conductivity of a small volume of non-volatile liquids. The method utilizes a micro-pipette thermal sensor (MPTS) (tip diameter < 2 μm) and is based on laser point heating thermometry and transient heat transfer. A laser beam is irradiated at the sensor tip immersed in a few microliters of the test fluid and the transient temperature change is recorded with the sensor. This temperature change is dependent on the surrounding fluid’s thermal properties, such as thermal conductivity and diffusivity. The numerical solution for transient temperature profile for a point source is obtained using the finite element method in the COMSOL software. To determine the optimizing parameters such as thermal conductivity and power absorbed at the sensor tip, the multi-parameter fitting technique is used in MATLAB, which will fit the COMSOL simulation result with the experimental data. Three liquids with known thermal conductivity were tested to verify that the technique can be used to determine the thermal conductivity with high accuracy, and in addition, the thermal conductivity of growth media and serum used for culturing cancer cells is estimated. With the sensor size of 1-2 μm, we demonstrate the possibility of using this described method as the MPTS technique for measuring the thermal properties of microfluidic samples and biological fluids.
Shape-modulated multiple exciton generation and optoelectronic properties in PbSe nanostructures
Authors: He Yan , Ouyang Tianyi , Ouyang Gang
Published: November 2018

Multiple exciton generation (MEG) in semiconductor nanostructures is of great interest for the enhancement of related performances in optoelectronic devices and for the shape dependence of conversion efficiency with which absorbed photons are converted into electron-hole pairs. However, theoretical insight into the coupling effects from the size and shape gradient on the MEG and related optoelectronic properties at the atomic level remains unclear. Here, we investigate the MEG and optoelectronic properties in PbSe nanostructures with different morphologies (nanocrystals, nanowires, and nanocones) based on the bond relaxation correlation mechanism, detailed balance principle, and Fermi statistical theory. It is found that size reduction of nanostructures can increase the bandgap, suppress the threshold energy, and enhance the MEG efficiency. Moreover, optimal conversion efficiency of PbSe nanostructures can be achieved by modulating the geometrical parameters.
Implementation of continuous fast scanning detection in femtosecond Fourier-transform two-dimensional vibrational-electronic spectroscopy to decrease data acquisition time
Authors: Fox Zachary W. , Blair Tyler J. , Weakly Robert B. , Courtney Trevor L. , Khalil Munira
Published: November 2018

Femtosecond Fourier transform two-dimensional vibrational-electronic (2D VE) spectroscopy is a recently developed third-order nonlinear spectroscopic technique to measure coupled electronic and vibrational motions in the condensed phase. The viability of femtosecond multidimensional spectroscopy as an analytical tool requires improvements in data collection and processing to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and increase the amount of data collected in these experiments. Here a continuous fast scanning technique for the efficient collection of 2D VE spectroscopy is described. The resulting 2D VE spectroscopic method gains sensitivity by reducing the effect of laser drift, as well as decreasing the data collection time by a factor of 10 for acquiring spectra with a high signal-to-noise ratio within 3 dB of the more time intensive step scanning methods. This work opens the door to more comprehensive studies where 2D VE spectra can be collected as a function of external parameters such as temperature, pH, and polarization of the input electric fields.
Optimizing the electrical transport properties of InBr via pressure regulation
Authors: Ma Le , Li Jingyu , Wang Yuanxu
Published: November 2018

The experimentally synthesized β-phase (high-temperature phase) SnSe (>750 K) shows good thermoelectric properties due to its very low lattice thermal conductivity. However, the β-phase SnSe will decompose above 850 K and thus can only be used in a small temperature range. InBr has a similar lattice structure with the β-phase SnSe, except the In-In bonds between two adjacent layers. But InBr has a large bandgap. Here, we employ pressure to regulate the electronic structure and the thermoelectric properties of InBr. It is found that, with increasing pressure, the energy bands near the valence band edge split, and a light band and a heavy band appear on its valence band edge. In addition, the transport properties of InBr are predicted by the semiclassical Boltzmann theory. The results show that the ZT values of p-type and n-type InBr may achieve 1.60 and 2.11 under at 7 GPa and 2 GPa, respectively.
Discrete flux and velocity fields of probability and their global maps in reaction systems
Authors: Terebus Anna , Liu Chun , Liang Jie
Published: November 2018

Stochasticity plays important roles in reaction systems. Vector fields of probability flux and velocity characterize time-varying and steady-state properties of these systems, including high probability paths, barriers, checkpoints among different stable regions, as well as mechanisms of dynamic switching among them. However, conventional fluxes on continuous space are ill-defined and are problematic when at the boundaries of the state space or when copy numbers are small. By re-defining the derivative and divergence operators based on the discrete nature of reactions, we introduce new formulations of discrete fluxes. Our flux model fully accounts for the discreetness of both the state space and the jump processes of reactions. The reactional discrete flux satisfies the continuity equation and describes the behavior of the system evolving along directions of reactions. The species discrete flux directly describes the dynamic behavior in the state space of the reactants such as the transfer of probability mass. With the relationship between these two fluxes specified, we show how to construct time-evolving and steady-state global flow-maps of probability flux and velocity in the directions of every species at every microstate and how they are related to the outflow and inflow of probability fluxes when tracing out reaction trajectories. We also describe how to impose proper conditions enabling exact quantification of flux and velocity in the boundary regions, without the difficulty of enforcing artificial reflecting conditions. We illustrate the computation of probability flux and velocity using three model systems, namely, the birth-death process, the bistable Schlögl model, and the oscillating Schnakenberg model.
Slip statistics for a bulk metallic glass composite reflect its ductility
Authors: Wright Wendelin J. , Long Alan A. , Gu Xiaojun , Liu Xin , Hufnagel Todd C. , Dahmen Karin A.
Published: November 2018

Serrations in the stress-time curve for a bulk metallic glass composite with microscale crystalline precipitates were measured with exceptionally high temporal resolution and low noise. Similar measurements were made for a more brittle metallic glass that did not contain crystallites but that was also tested in uniaxial compression. Despite significant differences in the structure and stress-strain behavior, the statistics of the serrations for both materials follow a simple mean-field model that describes plastic deformation as arising from avalanches of slipping weak spots. The presence of the crystalline precipitates reduces the number of large slips relative to the number of small slips as recorded in the stress-time data, consistent with the model predictions. The results agree with mean-field predictions for a smaller weakening parameter for the composite than for the monolithic metallic glass; the weakening parameter accounts for the underlying microstructural differences between the two.
Dissipative structures in shear-thickening complex fluids
Authors: Turcio M. , Chávez A. E. , López-Aguilar J. E. , Vargas R. O. , Capella A. , Manero O.
Published: November 2018

The main objective of this work is to demonstrate that non-local terms of the structure variable and shear-stress is a sufficient condition to predict multiple bands in rheologically complex fluids, i.e., shear-thickening fluids. Here, shear bands are considered as dissipative structures arising from spatial instabilities (Turing patterns) rather than the classical mechanical instability. In the present analysis, a monotonic relation between shear-stress and shear-rate holds. The formation of banded patterns is discussed for shear-thickening fluids with a model that consist of an upper-convected Maxwell-type constitutive equation coupled to an evolution equation for the structure variable, in which both non-local terms of the stress and of the structure variable are included (non-local Bautista-Manero-Puig model). The Turing mechanism is used to predict a critical point for primary instabilities (stable bands), while the amplitude formalism is used to predict secondary instabilities and marginal curves.
Three-point bending behavior of a Au nanowire studied by in-situ Laue micro-diffraction
Authors: Ren Z. , Cornelius T. W. , Leclere C. , Davydok A. , Micha J.-S. , Robach O. , Richter G. , Thomas O.
Published: November 2018

The elastic and plastic deformation of a gold nanowire tested in a three-point bending configuration using the custom-built scanning force microscope SFINX was studied in situ by Laue micro-diffraction. A new data treatment method based on the integration of diffraction patterns recorded along the deformed nanostructure is introduced visualizing both the movement and shape of the diffraction peaks as a function of the measurement position. Besides bending, torsion is evidenced during the elastic deformation originating from a misalignment of the SFINX-tip of the order of 60 nm with respect to the nanowire center. As demonstrated by post-mortem Laue micro-diffraction maps, the plastic deformation is governed by the storage of geometrically necessary dislocations. Analyzing the shape of the diffraction peaks, the activation of two unexpected slip systems is found which does not coincide with the slip systems with the highest resolved shear stress. These unexpected slip systems are probably related to the dislocation nucleation process at the clamping point, which is influenced by the local curvature.
Femtosecond laser-based phase-shifting interferometry for optical surface measurement
Authors: Wang Yue , Xiong Shilin , Wu Guanhao
Published: November 2018

This paper demonstrates an unequal-path phase-shifting interferometer for precise optical surface measurement using a femtosecond laser. According to the periodic low temporal coherence of the femtosecond laser, the relative time delay between pulses from the reference and target surfaces is scanned by sweeping the repetition frequency for phase shifting when the optical path length difference is set to integer times of the pulse interval, which removes mechanical scanning devices in the interferometer. In particular, we employ an iterative least-squares fitting algorithm to derive the phase. With this method, a glass slide surface is reconstructed that agrees well with the surface measured using a commercial Fizeau interferometer. The comparison results show that the difference in the peak-to-valley value is 0.050 μm.
Simplicial closure and higher-order link prediction
Authors: Benson Austin R. , Abebe Rediet , Schaub Michael T. , Jadbabaie Ali , Kleinberg Jon
Published: November 2018

Networks provide a powerful formalism for modeling complex systems by using a model of pairwise interactions. But much of the structure within these systems involves interactions that take place among more than two nodes at once—for example, communication within a group rather than person to person, collaboration among a team rather than a pair of coauthors, or biological interaction between a set of molecules rather than just two. Such higher-order interactions are ubiquitous, but their empirical study has received limited attention, and little is known about possible organizational principles of such structures. Here we study the temporal evolution of 19 datasets with explicit accounting for higher-order interactions. We show that there is a rich variety of structure in our datasets but datasets from the same system types have consistent patterns of higher-order structure. Furthermore, we find that tie strength and edge density are competing positive indicators of higher-order organization, and these trends are consistent across interactions involving differing numbers of nodes. To systematically further the study of theories for such higher-order structures, we propose higher-order link prediction as a benchmark problem to assess models and algorithms that predict higher-order structure. We find a fundamental difference from traditional pairwise link prediction, with a greater role for local rather than long-range information in predicting the appearance of new interactions.
Genome-wide RNA structurome reprogramming by acute heat shock globally regulates mRNA abundance
Authors: Su Zhao , Tang Yin , Ritchey Laura E. , Tack David C. , Zhu Mengmeng , Bevilacqua Philip C. , Assmann Sarah M.
Published: November 2018

The heat shock response is crucial for organism survival in natural environments. RNA structure is known to influence numerous processes related to gene expression, but there have been few studies on the global RNA structurome as it prevails in vivo. Moreover, how heat shock rapidly affects RNA structure genome-wide in living systems remains unknown. We report here in vivo heat-regulated RNA structuromes. We applied Structure-seq chemical [dimethyl sulfate (DMS)] structure probing to rice (
Oryza sativa
L.) seedlings with and without 10 min of 42 °C heat shock and obtained structural data on >14,000 mRNAs. We show that RNA secondary structure broadly regulates gene expression in response to heat shock in this essential crop species. Our results indicate significant heat-induced elevation of DMS reactivity in the global transcriptome, revealing RNA unfolding over this biological temperature range. Our parallel Ribo-seq analysis provides no evidence for a correlation between RNA unfolding and heat-induced changes in translation, in contrast to the paradigm established in prokaryotes, wherein melting of RNA thermometers promotes translation. Instead, we find that heat-induced DMS reactivity increases correlate with significant decreases in transcript abundance, as quantified from an RNA-seq time course, indicating that mRNA unfolding promotes transcript degradation. The mechanistic basis for this outcome appears to be mRNA unfolding at both 5′ and 3′-UTRs that facilitates access to the RNA degradation machinery. Our results thus reveal unexpected paradigms governing RNA structural changes and the eukaryotic RNA life cycle.
Polygenic adaptation and convergent evolution on growth and cardiac genetic pathways in African and Asian rainforest hunter-gatherers
Authors: Bergey Christina M. , Lopez Marie , Harrison Genelle F. , Patin Etienne , Cohen Jacob A. , Quintana-Murci Lluís , Barreiro Luis B. , Perry George H.
Published: November 2018

Different human populations facing similar environmental challenges have sometimes evolved convergent biological adaptations, for example, hypoxia resistance at high altitudes and depigmented skin in northern latitudes on separate continents. The “pygmy” phenotype (small adult body size), characteristic of hunter-gatherer populations inhabiting both African and Asian tropical rainforests, is often highlighted as another case of convergent adaptation in humans. However, the degree to which phenotypic convergence in this polygenic trait is due to convergent versus population-specific genetic changes is unknown. To address this question, we analyzed high-coverage sequence data from the protein-coding portion of the genomes of two pairs of populations: Batwa rainforest hunter-gatherers and neighboring Bakiga agriculturalists from Uganda and Andamanese rainforest hunter-gatherers and Brahmin agriculturalists from India. We observed signatures of convergent positive selection between the rainforest hunter-gatherers across the set of genes with “growth factor binding” functions (

P
<
0.001

). Unexpectedly, for the rainforest groups, we also observed convergent and population-specific signatures of positive selection in pathways related to cardiac development (e.g., “cardiac muscle tissue development”;

P
=
0.001

). We hypothesize that the growth hormone subresponsiveness likely underlying the adult small body-size phenotype may have led to compensatory changes in cardiac pathways, in which this hormone also plays an essential role. Importantly, in the agriculturalist populations, we did not observe similar patterns of positive selection on sets of genes associated with growth or cardiac development, indicating our results most likely reflect a history of convergent adaptation to the similar ecology of rainforests rather than a more general evolutionary pattern.
Língua de Preto, the language of the African slave community in Portugal (16th–19th centuries)
Authors: Kihm Alain
Published: November 2018

Língua de Preto‘language of the Blacks’ (LdP) is the conventional name for the basic variety of Portuguese spoken by the West African slaves deported to Portugal from the end of the 15th century onwards, who formed an important and visible minority within the Portuguese population until the end of the 19th century. The restructured Portuguese they used with the white Portuguese and among themselves is partially known to us through theatre and folk literature. Although its heyday was the 16th century, it apparently continued in use until the 18th century. The present article tries to account for its emergence and continuance and to assess its possible contribution to the formation of West African Portuguese Creoles. What LdP implies for the Portuguese attitude toward language issues is also examined.
How to dictate and survive life in the tropics
Authors: Putten Jan van der
Published: November 2018

From the early years of contact in the closing years of the 16th century until the end of the colonial era in the early 1940s,
European agents have tried to master and regulate the languages of the scattered islands that bridge Asia with Australia. The
contact language they encountered was Malay, which had incorporated a relatively high percentage of foreign material. These
foreign agents distinguished between high and low, colloquial and bookish, correct and incorrect variants which they needed to
define and structure. This paper will briefly sketch the history of Malay language studies before turning to a more detailed
discussion of a number of Malay language guides published in the 19th century. I will focus on the topics these guides deal with
and what they tell us about the approach the Dutch migrants were expected to take towards the native population.
Language variation at the prosody-syntax interface
Authors: del Mar Vanrell Maria , Fernández-Soriano Olga
Published: November 2018

Spanish is generally considered a “word order language” with respect to focus marking, since the syntactic strategies used to alter the canonical order seem to depend on focus type. Thus, prosodically motivated movement is utilized for information narrow focus, and focus fronting, clefting, and focus in situ are used in contrastive focus cases. However, recent empirical studies do not fully support this assumption. This paper investigates the effect of focus type and syntactic function of the focused constituent on the syntactic and prosodic realization of focus in different varieties of European Spanish. Our data show that Spanish employs both word order and intonation to different degrees depending on the language variety, the nature of the focused constituent (subject or object), and the constituent’s informational vs. contrastive features.
Focus realization at the prosody-syntax interface
Authors: Uth Melanie
Published: November 2018

This article investigates the prosodic and syntactic realization of broad and narrow contrastive focus in Yucatecan Spanish compared to standard Mexican Spanish. Based on data from two production experiments and one acceptability judgment test, it is suggested that Yucatecan Spanish is diametrically opposed to standard Mexican Spanish in this domain of syntactic-prosodic realization of Information Structure. Due to the interrelatedness and the general nature of the differences, Yucatecan Spanish is argued to instantiate a different type of language compared to standard (Mexican) Spanish in this regard. Finally, it is argued that this typological particularity is probably to be traced back to the variety’s long standing and intensive contact with Yucatec Maya.
Acceptability and frequency in Spanish focus marking
Authors: Heidinger Steffen
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we analyze the status and relevance of three syntactic positions for focus marking in Spanish: sentence-initial, sentence-internal, and sentence-final position (as we will only consider constituents with an unmarked linear position that is postverbal and non-final, initial position is the result of fronting and final position is the result of p-movement). Although all three positions are options for both information and contrastive focus, we will show that the positions do not have the same status. Based on frequency and acceptability data from several experimental studies, we will argue that final and internal position are the preferred positions for information focus and that internal position is the preferred position for contrastive focus. Concerning the relation between frequency and acceptability, we will demonstrate that the two sources of data generally show a matching pattern: Options that are more acceptable are also more frequent (and vice versa). Nevertheless, acceptability does not imply frequency, as contrastive focus in initial position is an option that is acceptable but very rare in frequency data. Hence, acceptability is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for usage.
Distinguishing contrast and focus at PF
Authors: Torregrossa Jacopo
Published: November 2018

This paper argues in favor of the hypothesis that contrast and focus are two independent categories of information structure (Neeleman & Vermeulen 2012). After showing that contrast and focus have a different semantics (Torregrossa 2015), I investigate whether they are associated with different prosodic representations. In particular, I will present the results of a production experiment targeting the prosodic realization of in-situ contrast and focus constituents in the variety of Italian spoken in Rionero, in the Basilicata region. The data shows that contrast and focus are expressed by different prosodic means, involving the choice of a specific pitch contour or the modulation of phonetic variables (e.g., duration of stressed syllable or alignment of tonal targets).
Presupposed modality
Authors: Reich Uli
Published: November 2018

My contribution explores the possibility to treat meanings that have intuitively been called surprise and obviousness within a theory of presupposed modal operators. A bird’s eye review of the literature on relevant intonational, morphological and syntactic expressions gathered from a broad range of languages is meant to give an impression both of the importance of these meanings as well as of the lack of a common pragmatic account. The case of miratives in Quechua is discussed considering some new data. The theory is developed in the form of language games and compares the behavior of presupposed modal operators both with the behavior of canonical modal expressions and with presuppositions triggered by lexical items.
NP exclamatives and focus
Authors: García García Marco
Published: November 2018

This paper makes a contribution to the study of Spanish noun phrase (NP) exclamatives, such as ¡Las tonterías que dicen! ‘The silly things they say!’. The main purpose is to explore the relation between NP exclamatives and the notion of focus. I compare NP exclamatives with canonical focus-marking constructions such as focus-fronting constructions and cleft sentences and show that they share some crucial syntactic and prosodic features. Elaborating on both the similarities and differences between these different constructions, I argue that NP exclamatives exhibit a special kind of focus that points not to the propositional content, but rather to the relation between the propositional content and the exclamative illocution. Making use of both focus theory and speech act theory, I claim that exclamative constructions express a non-contrastive focus that indicates the presence of non-fulfilled speaker expectations.
Adverbial cleft sentences in Italian, French and English
Authors: De Cesare Anna-Maria , Garassino Davide
Published: November 2018

The aim of this paper is to offer a multi-layered analysis of adverbial clefts in Italian, French, and English. In particular, we intend to offer a corpus-based study of the syntactic category of the cleft constituent, its semantic type and, finally, the information structure of adverbial clefts. In the first part of our contribution, after defining the concept of adverbial, we discuss which categories of adverbials can (or cannot) be clefted. In the second part, we cast light on the similarities and differences between the three languages. The main cross-linguistic similarities concern the semantic type of cleft adverbials, whereas the most significant differences lie in information structure. Finally, we will relate our empirical findings to the ongoing theoretical discussion on the semantics (and pragmatics) of adverbial clefts.
Branding the Buddha's birthplace: exploring Nepal's potential to become a destination of global Buddhist tourism.
Authors: Adhikari D. , Zhang JuYan Zhang JuYan
Published: November 2018

This chapter presents a SWOT analysis of Nepal's potential for Buddhist tourism, and suggests that incorporating Buddhist tourism into the overall nation-branding campaign would not only accentuate the country's genuine heritage but also appeal to a large number of faith-inspired travellers. Campaign planning recommendations in terms of organizations involved, goals and objectives, target audience, logo, strategies and tactics, are presented.
Religious migrations in contemporary Central Asia.
Authors: Mendikulova G. , Nadezhuk E.
Published: November 2018

This chapter looks at contemporary religious tourism and pilgrimage in central Asia. Sections examine: the forms and problems of external religious tourism in central Asia; the holy places of Muslims in this region as objects of religious tourism; and the sacred sites of other religious confessions as part of the whole cultural heritage of the region.
Religious festival in tourism: a comparative perspective of the Aobao festival.
Authors: Yang JingJing Yang JingJing , Zhang LingYun Zhang LingYun
Published: November 2018

This chapter examines the impact of tourism on the Aobao religious festival held in Tuva and Kazakh settlements in Kanas, Xinjiang, China. In many indigenous communities, tourism impacts religious festivals and undermines their purposes by exposing them to market forces and commercialism. Some compromises have to be made to balance traditional values and modern commercial demands. A comparison of four Aobao festivals held in different villages with different levels of tourism development is presented to illustrate the changes that have occurred at those venues and the determinants of those changes. The chapter discusses the changes to the festival due to government sponsorship and tourists' demands.
To brand Gandhara, the Ancient Buddhist Centre: Pakistan's potential to develop Buddhist tourism.
Authors: Zhang J.
Published: November 2018

This chapter presents a SWOT analysis of Pakistan's potential for Buddhist tourism and suggests the incorporation of the Buddhist site of Gandhara into the nation-branding programmes of Pakistan. Campaign planning recommendations are presented in terms of organizations involved, long-term goals, short-term objectives, target audience, positioning, logo, messages, strategies and tactics.
GMOs: what are we eating?
Authors: Brankov T. , Lovre K.
Published: November 2018

This chapter demonstrates all the possible ways for transgenic ingredients to get into the food chain, and draws up a list of finished products that potentially contain transgenic ingredients. The genetically modified crops approved for use in food, and the contamination of foods by unapproved genetically modified organisms are discussed.
State monopoly of telecommunications in Ethiopia: origins, debates, and the way forward
Authors: Workneh Téwodros W.
Published: November 2018

A rare breed in the era of deregulation, Ethiopia’s state-controlled telecommunications sector has been a source of intense debate involving domestic and international stakeholders. Based on analysis of interviews, this essay explores the Ethiopian state’s rationales for state monopoly of telecommunications within a developmental-neopatrimonial state framework. Despite external and internal pressures to deregulate the sector, EPRDF considers state control of telecommunications as a model that fosters universal access/service and generates considerable revenue. Notwithstanding the Ethiopian government’s historically unwavering position, the article concludes by making a case for public-private partnership as a sustainable model for telecommunication operation in Ethiopia.
Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor Is Predictive of Non-AIDS Events During Antiretroviral Therapy–mediated Viral Suppression
Authors: Hoenigl Martin , Moser Carlee B , Funderburg Nicholas , Bosch Ronald , Kantor Amy , Zhang Yonglong , Eugen-Olsen Jesper , Finkelman Malcolm , Reiser Jochen , Landay Alan , Moisi Daniela , Lederman Michael M , Gianella Sara ,   Adult Clinical Trials Group NWCS 411 study team
Published: November 2018

Background

Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains associated with higher morbidity and mortality, driven, in part, by increased inflammation. Our objective was to identify associations between levels of plasma biomarkers of chronic inflammation, microbial translocation, and monocyte activation, with occurrence of non-AIDS events.

Methods

Participants (141 cases, 310 matched controls) were selected from a longitudinal observational trial; all were virally suppressed on ART at year 1 and thereafter. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), beta-D-glucan (BDG), intestinal fatty-acid binding protein, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and soluble CD163 were measured pre-ART, after 1-year of ART, and pre-event. At each time point, conditional logistic regression analysis assessed associations of the biomarkers with events and adjusted for relevant covariates to calculate odds ratios (ORs) according to 1 interquartile range (IQR) difference.

Results

At all time points, higher levels of suPAR were associated with increased risk of non-AIDS events (OR per 1 IQR was 1.7 before ART-initiation, OR per 1 IQR was 2.0 after 1 year of suppressive ART, and OR 2.1 pre-event). Higher levels of BDG and LBP at year 1 and pre-event (but not at baseline) were associated with increased risk of non-AIDS events. No associations were observed for other biomarkers.

Conclusions

Elevated levels of suPAR were strongly, consistently, and independently predictive of non-AIDS events at every measured time point. Interventions that target the suPAR pathway should be investigated to explore its role in the pathogenesis of non–AIDS-related outcomes in HIV infection.
Perceptions of public health and cross-sectoral collaboration in low SES neighbourhoods in Denmark
Authors: Klinker Charlotte D , Agger Annika
Published: November 2018

Cross-sectoral interventions in low socio-economic status (SES) neighbourhoods are an important contribution to reducing social inequities in health. This article investigates the health perceptions among professionals from public health, social and place-based initiatives, all working in low SES neighbourhoods in Denmark, and what implications these perceptions have on their work with health promotion and on collaboration between the initiatives. Empirically, we draw on 63 semi-structured interviews with frontline professionals across area-based initiatives (ABIs), social housing development plans (SHDPs) and municipal public health departments (PHDs). Our study shows that professionals across all sectors perceive it as important to work with a broad understanding of health to motivate and reach hard-to-reach groups in low SES neighbourhoods as opposed to a more narrow perspective on health and health promotion focussed on lifestyles and monitoring risks. The aims and practice of ABIs and SHDPs support work in line with a broad understanding of health, whereas frontline workers from the PHDs in practice more often end up applying a more narrow understanding of health. Consequently, real collaboration is infrequent and often confined to the coordination of activities. This limits the possibilities of implementing effective interventions in low SES neighbourhoods to reduce inequities in health. This article claims that there is a greater potential for synergy among different initiatives in low SES neighbourhoods if a broad understanding of health can be applied in practice across sectors.
Managing Research Animal Specimens and Laboratory Safety
Authors: Asfaw Yohannes G , Reynolds Randall , Alderman Scott , Norton John N
Published: November 2018

The procedures necessary to perform testing in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory have inherent associated risks to personnel in regard to exposure to infectious agents. In research institutions animals can be experimentally infected, acquire naturally occurring infections and can also be exposed to other hazards such as toxic chemicals or radiologic entities. A critical component of the use of animals in a research environment is the collaboration between the responsible researcher and the veterinary diagnostic laboratory with the institutional health and safety professionals to ensure that the proper engineering controls, personal protective equipment, laboratory procedures and training are in place for personnel working with the animals or their specimens. Unlike the typical researcher, the veterinary diagnostic laboratory generally has to be equipped to safely process and work with a wide range of potential hazards where the communication of pertinent information from the researcher to the diagnostic laboratory regarding the identity of the potential hazard is paramount. Diagnostic laboratory design, safety equipment, personal protective equipment, laboratory procedures, occupational health program and personnel training must be sufficient to address hazards based on a risk assessment performed in conjunction with safety professionals. This article will summarize safety considerations with the various areas of concern in the operation of a diagnostic laboratory for research animal specimens.
Repellent Effects of Methyl Anthranilate on Western Corn Rootworm Larvae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Soil Bioassays
Authors: Bernklau E J , Hibbard B E , Bjostad L B
Published: November 2018

Methyl anthranilate (MA), a compound in maize roots that is repellent to western corn rootworm larvae (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) was tested in behavioral bioassays in a soil environment. MA prevented larvae from locating roots of a maize seedling, and the repellency strengthened with increasing rates of MA. In a simple push–pull strategy between an MA-treated seedling and an untreated seedling, granules containing 0.1 mg/g MA pushed larvae to the untreated seedling. This push effect increased with dose, with 90% repellency observed for the highest dose tested (100 mg/g). Chemical analysis showed that MA concentrations remained high for 4 wk in dry, sterilized or unsterilized soil, but declined rapidly in moist soil. After 7 d, 50% less MA was recovered in moist, sterilized soil than in dry soil, and only a trace of MA remained in unsterilized moist soil, suggesting that both moisture and microbial activity contributed to the loss of MA. Various (MA) carrier granules were tested in bioassays after aging in moist soil. After 1 d, all of the MA granules were repellent at the 10 mg/g rate and clay granules were also effective at 1 mg/g. After 1 wk, only molecular sieve granules elicited repellency, but that activity disappeared after 2 wk. These results demonstrate that MA is repellent to western corn rootworm larvae in the soil environment and may have potential as a rootworm treatment if formulations can be developed that protect the material from decomposition in the soil.