bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spondylus shell ornaments from late Neolithic Dimini, Greece: specialized manufacture or unequal accumulation?
Authors: Halstead Paul
Published: January 2016

Rings and buttons and beads cut from the marine shell, Spondylus gaederopus, are among the most distinctive exchange items of Neolithic Europe. From sources on the coast of the Mediterranean, these highly valued objects were widely distributed across central Europe. A re-examination of the nature and contexts of shell objects and manufacturing waste at Dimini, a key late Neolithic site on the coast of northern Greece, explores their social role within a Spondylus-working community.
On the historiographical orientation of Chinese archaeology
Authors: Falkenhausen Lothar von
Published: January 2016

This year, as it seems every year, news comes from China of another spectacular archaeological discovery. What is the framework of ideas and research that studies these treasures? And how does the special character of Chinese history, with its long, near-continuous record of dynasties, written sources and encyclopaedic texts, give archaeology a different place, whether higher or lower, among the other historical and social sciences?
The past re-made: the case of oriental carpets
Authors: Eiland Murray L.
Published: January 2016

Old carpets, as informative material objects, are therefore the proper stuff of archaeology. Aspects of the carpet world offer food for thought as to how entities we recognize among the debris of antiquity come to be recognized and valued. Here James Mellaaart's recorded paintings from Çatal Hüyük, which ‘surfaced’ a generation after the dig was completed, have now come to have an unexpected role.
Second thoughts on a rock-art date
Authors: Nelson D. E.
Published: January 2016

D.E. Nelson, radiocarbon scientist in the group which reported early dates for rock-art at two Australian sites in ANTIQUITY 64 (1990), reports a further study which leads him to withdraw the published date for one, at Laurie Creek (Northern Territory). As he notes, is co-authors in the 1990 paper are not all in agreement with his present view. The other site dated in 1990, Judds Cavern (Tasmania), is not addressed in this further report.
‘The end of Meroë’ – a comment on the paper by Patrice Lenoble & Nigm el Din Mohamed Sharif
Authors: Shinnie P. L. , Robertson J. H.
Published: January 2016

Issue is taken with the view offered in a 1992 ANTIQUITY paper of the later history of this Sudanese kingdom.
Liangzhu – a late Neolithic jade-yielding culture in southeastern coastal China
Authors: Huang Tsui-Mei
Published: January 2016

From the beginning, the culture-history of the Chinese archaeological sequence has had its own character. And in a country and a civilization so vast, regional variation can also be on a grand scale. An examination of a late Neolithic culture on the southeastern coast finds jade in early contexts that give a new perspective to the traditional – and later – importance jade bears in the dynastic northern sequence.
The Spanish quest for Empire
Authors: Dillehay Tom , Deagan Kathleen
Published: January 2016

Observance of the Columbus Quincentenary has greatest relevance when focused on historical processes at a global scale. Nevertheless, American events and circumstances of the contact period have not received from archaeologists the attention given to the more pre-Hispanic Aztec and Inca.

The 16th-century efforts of Spain, and other western European powers, to extend empire overseas into the Americas led to a frontier-state expansion and confrontation among vastly different cultures. Colliding with each other and with powerful indigenous societies, the Spanish established the most extensive empire in the New World (FIGURE 1). The outcome shaped the destiny of America, Spain and the world.
Lessons from the Canaries: the first contact between Europeans and Canarians c. 1312–1477
Authors: Gaspar Antonio Tejera , Vallejo Eduardo Aznar
Published: January 2016

The first contacts between the prehistoric cultures of the Canary Islands and western civilization occurred in the European expansion of the late Middle Ages. Their ultimate colonization was intimately related to this expansion, driven by new economic forms, including ‘commercial capitalism’ or ‘pre-capitalism’, which affected economic and intellectual structures throughout Europe, the economic characterized from then on by innovation, risk and increasing turnover; and the intellectual by the concept of ‘profit’ in place of ‘service’.

The practical transition can be seen in the technology that supported expansion: transport (new types of ships, cartography, systems of navigation, etc.); financial systems (nonmonetary payment, insurance, commercial credit, etc.); and mercantile institutions (commercial societies, consulates, postal services, etc.).
The time of the Inca: the Colonial Indians' quest
Authors: Millones Luis
Published: January 2016

There are many ways to contrast the formation of the Spanish Empire with the disarticulation of the New World’s indigenous societies. In any perspective, it is vital to emphasize the resistance and adaptation of the native peoples, increasing the historical veracity of accounts. And our perception of the present would be false if we assumed that the historical interpenetration of the two systems had been concluded. The America nations of today are not simply the result of western occupation, but evince through their achievements, as well as their shortcomings, the continuing encounter. This construction through negation is also the source by which we explain the social behaviour and cultural products of the American peoples – especially its high cultures, whose populations resisted more successfully the violent wars of conquest and exploitation of resources.
Shakespeare's factory: archaeological evaluations on the site of the Globe Theatre at 1/15 Anchor Terrace, Southwark Bridge Road, Southwark
Authors: Blatherwick Simon , Gurr Andrew
Published: January 2016

The physical form of the Elizabethan theatre, as shown by contemporary prints and engravings, has long been an important field of study for Shakespeare scholars. The discoveries in the late 1980s on Bankside of first the 16th-century Rose theatre and then the Globe have provided material remains of these structures, but at the same time posed new questions relating to design and construction, as this account of the excavation of part of the Globe site in 1989 and 1991 graphically demonstrates.
The rise and fall of Bronze Age studies in England 1840–1960
Authors: Morris Michael
Published: January 2016

This essay in the historiography of Bronze Age studies traces their growth from the early 19th-century adoption of the Three Age system to the 1960s and their subsequent decline as a distinct field of endeavour with the retreat from period-based approaches.
Reflections from a darkened room
Authors: Gamble Clive
Published: January 2016

A conference on Interpretive Archaeologies was held at Peterhouse College, Cambridge in September 1991. It sought to explore alternatives; to share rather than impose a programme for interpreting the past. Here is one reaction.
‘Shared principles’: the scientists' reply
Authors: Knüsel Christopher J. , Roberts Charlotte A.
Published: January 2016

It was to be expected that the pioneering concordat between archaeologists and Native Americans (Shared principles': a cooperation agreement between a Native North American group and archaeologists, ANTIQUITY 65: 917–20) would evoke a response from physical anthropologists.
Flag Fen platform and Fengate Power Station post alignment – the metalwork
Authors: Coombs David
Published: January 2016

For the purpose of discussion the platform and the alignment must be regarded as two separate sites which might in the future prove to have been related. Taken together the metal objects from the two sites represent a remarkable collection, not only by their context and numbers but also by the range of metals represented. Whilst the majority of the objects are in copper alloy (almost certainly bronze) there are also objects in iron, a white metal (some definitely tin, others, lead) and a single gold object.
Bridging the gap: What have we done and what more can we do to reduce the burden of avoidable death in people with psychotic illness?
Authors: Suetani S. , Rosenbaum S. , Scott J. G. , Curtis J. , Ward P. B.
Published: January 2016

Despite overwhelming evidence demonstrating a persisting gap in life expectancy between those with psychotic illness and the general population, there has been no widespread implementation of interventions to improve the physical wellbeing of people with psychotic illness. This article explores opportunities to ‘Bridge the Gap’ in life expectancy. We describe an Australian evidence-based intervention that has substantially improved the physical health of young people recently commenced on antipsychotic medication. Further epidemiological research, accompanied by cultural change within mental health services, is an essential precursor to the implementation of effective and sustainable lifestyle interventions. There are other relatively neglected areas of physical wellbeing for people with psychotic illness, such as screening and diagnosis of malignancies, which need more research and clinical attention. While there has been progress with intervention development and evaluation, translation of evidence-based short-term intervention studies into feasible and sustainable system-wide changes within routine mental health service settings remains a challenge. Developing an implementation framework to support such change is an urgent priority so as to bridge the persisting premature mortality in people living with psychotic illness.
Boronic acid recognition based-gold nanoparticle-labeling strategy for the assay of sialic acid expression on cancer cell surface by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Xing , Chen Beibei , He Man , Zhang Yuan , Peng Lu , Hu Bin
Published: January 2016

Sialic acids are special sugars widely expressed at the termini of glycan chains on the cell surface, and their expression level on the cancer cell surface is much higher than on the normal cell surface.
Incorporation of an aggregation-induced-emissive tetraphenylethene derivative into cationic gene delivery vehicles manifested the nuclear translocation of uncomplexed DNA
Authors: Han Xiongqi , Chen Qixian , Lu Hongguang , Guo Pan , Li Wei , Wu Guolin , Ma Jianbiao , Gao Hui
Published: January 2016

The attachment of TPEDB to cyclodextrin-modified PEI yielded a product displaying aggregation-induced emissions, which can be utilized to track polymeric/DNA complexation.
Morphology control and piezoelectric response of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3synthesized via a hydrothermal method
Authors: Zhou Xuefan , Jiang Chao , Chen Chao , Luo Hang , Zhou Kechao , Zhang Dou
Published: January 2016

NBT spherical agglomerates, nanowires and microcubes with clear domain structures and obvious polarization switching behaviors were synthesized by a hydrothermal method.
Fluorescent aliphatic hyperbranched polyether: chromophore-free and without any N and P atoms
Authors: Miao Xuepei , Liu Tuan , Zhang Chen , Geng Xinxin , Meng Yan , Li Xiaoyu
Published: January 2016

An unusual fluorescent aliphatic hyperbranched polyether epoxy which does not have N and P atoms was reported for the first time.
Simple bioconjugate chemistry serves great clinical advances: albumin as a versatile platform for diagnosis and precision therapy
Authors: Liu Zhibo , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: January 2016

Albumin is the most abundant circulating protein in plasma and has recently emerged as a versatile protein carrier for drug targeting and for improving the pharmacokinetic profile of peptide or protein based drugs.
Homoleptic octahedral coordination of CH3CN to Mg2+ in the Mg[N(SO2CF3)2]2–CH3CN system
Authors: Veryasov Gleb , Matsumoto Kazuhiko , Hagiwara Rika
Published: January 2016

The Mg2+ ion in the Mg[N(SO2CF3)2]2–CH3CN system is surrounded by six acetonitrile molecules in both the solid and liquid states.
The absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of procyanidins
Authors: Zhang Liang , Wang Yijun , Li Daxiang , Ho Chi-Tang , Li Junsong , Wan Xiaochun
Published: January 2016

This review summarizes research on thein vivoandin vitroADME of procyanidins (PAs), including the degradation of PAs in gastric digestion, their absorption in the small intestine and the pathway of their metabolism by colonic microflora. A systematic comparative analysis of published data is performed to elucidate the pharmacokinetics of PAsin vivo.
Oxidative conversion of glucose to gluconic acid by iron(iii) chloride in water under mild conditions
Authors: Zhang Hongdan , Li Ning , Pan Xuejun , Wu Shubin , Xie Jun
Published: January 2016

A simple method to oxidize glucose into gluconic acid in a concentrated FeCl3 solution under mild conditions was developed.
One-pot synthesis of 1H-isochromenes and 1,2-dihydroisoquinolines by a sequential isocyanide-based multicomponent/Wittig reaction
Authors: Wang Long , Guan Zhi-Rong , Ding Ming-Wu
Published: January 2016

A new sequential isocyanide-based multicomponent/Wittig reaction was developed to construct 1H-isochromene and 1,2-dihydroisoquinoline derivatives.
Coupling of terminal iridium nitrido complexes
Authors: Abbenseth Josh , Finger Markus , Würtele Christian , Kasanmascheff Müge , Schneider Sven
Published: January 2016

The homo- and heterocoupling of molecular terminal iridium(iv) and iridium(v) nitrides is examined. The experimental coupling rates are discussed based on a computational analysis of the transition states.
Dearomative C–C and C–N bond cleavage of 2-arylindoles: transition-metal-free access to 2-aminoarylphenones
Authors: Luo Shuang , Hu Ziwei , Zhu Qiang
Published: January 2016

A transition-metal-free conversion of 2-arylindoles to 2-aminoarylphenones, using environmentally benign O2 as the sole oxidant, has been developed. This novel oxidative dearomatization process involves cleavage of two C–C and one C–N bonds followed by new C–C and C–O bond formation.
Highly stable Ni/SiC catalyst modified by Al2O3 for CO methanation reaction
Authors: Jin Guojing , Gu Fangna , Liu Qing , Wang Xiaoyan , Jia Lihua , Xu Guangwen , Zhong Ziyi , Su Fabing
Published: January 2016

Ni/Al2O3–SiC exhibits good catalytic activity and stability due to excellent heat conductivity of SiC and enhanced interactions between Ni and support by alumina modification, thus inhibiting the migration of Ni particles.
Monodispersed carbon nanodots spontaneously separated from combustion soot with excitation-independent photoluminescence
Authors: Zhang Hao , Junting liang Junting liang , Liu Jun , Chen Shaopeng , Zhang Hemin , Tian Zhenfei , Cai Yunyu , Wang Panpan , Ye Yixing , Liang Changhao
Published: January 2016

Ultrafine carbon nanodots can be obtained through simple combustion of small molecules with stable blue luminescence bands.
Nitrogen-doped graphene nanosheets as metal-free catalysts for dehydrogenation reaction of ethanol
Authors: Li Shuangming , Wang Wenping , Liu Xia , Zeng Xiaoliang , Li Wenxiu , Tsubaki Noritatsu , Yu Sansan
Published: January 2016

N-Doped graphene is used to catalyze the dehydrogenation of ethanol, wherein acetaldehyde is obtained with a hundred percent selectivity.
Enhanced rate capability of a lithium ion battery anode based on liquid–solid-solution assembly of Fe2O3 on crumpled graphene
Authors: Cui Xinghong , Zhu Yanfang , Li Fei , Liu Daijun , Chen Jianjun , Zhang Yuxin , Zhang Li Li , Ji Junyi
Published: January 2016

We report a liquid–solid-solution assemble strategy to fabricate Fe2O3@graphene (Fe2O3@rGO) composites at the oil/water interface. The composite with ultrathin Fe2O3 nanoplates anchored on crumpled graphene sheets can act as a high-rate LIBs anode.
Inverse effects of supporting electrolytes on the electrocatalytic nitrate reduction activities in a Pt|Nafion|Pt–Cu-type reactor assembly
Authors: Hasnat Mohammad A. , Safwan Jamil A. , Rashed M. A. , Rahman Zidnia , Rahman Mohammed M. , Nagao Yuki , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: January 2016

A Pt|Nafion|Pt–Cu assembly can exhibit its best reduction reaction efficiency in the absence of any supporting electrolytes. Adsorption of supporting electrolytes decreases efficiency by registering an increase of charge transfer resistance.
Halogen-free synthesis of symmetrical 1,3-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids using non-enolisable starting materials
Authors: Depuydt Daphne , Van den Bossche Arne , Dehaen Wim , Binnemans Koen
Published: January 2016

Halogen-free-synthesis of symmetrical 1,3-dialkylimidazolium ionic liquids starting from their building blocks followed by metathesis reaction towards desired anions.
Gold nanoparticles make chitosan–streptomycin conjugates effective towards Gram-negative bacterial biofilm
Authors: Mu Haibo , Liu Qianjin , Niu Hong , Sun Yuelin , Duan Jinyou
Published: January 2016

The emergence of biofilm-associated resistance of microbes to traditional antibiotics has resulted in an urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents.
Up-scaled synthesis process of sulphur-based thermoelectric materials
Authors: Barbier Tristan , Lemoine Pierric , Martinet Sabrina , Eriksson Mirva , Gilmas Margaux , Hug Eric , Guélou Gabin , Vaqueiro Paz , Powell Anthony V. , Guilmeau Emmanuel
Published: January 2016

Up-scaled spark plasma sintering process of sulphur-based TiS2 and tetrahedrite Cu10.4Ni1.6Sb4S13 thermoelectric materials.
Fractals in carbon nanotube buckypapers
Authors: Zhang Chunyong , Cui Haiyan , He Zhenzhu , Su Lin , Fu Degang
Published: January 2016

Here, the fractal properties of buckypapers (BPs) have been initially studied by SEM imaging at different scales, as well as by low-pressure nitrogen adsorption analysis.
One-step synthesis of magnetic iron–aluminum oxide/graphene oxide nanoparticles as a selective adsorbent for fluoride removal from aqueous solution
Authors: Liu Lei , Cui Zhaojie , Ma Qianchi , Cui Wei , Zhang Xu
Published: January 2016

A novel magnetic adsorbent consisting of iron–aluminum oxide/graphene oxide nanoparticles (IAO/GO) was prepared through a one-step co-precipitation method for fluoride removal from aqueous solution.
Origin of ultraweak fluorescence of 8-hydroxyquinoline in water: photoinduced ultrafast proton transfer
Authors: Park Sun-Young , Ghosh Prasun , Park Sung O. , Lee Young Min , Kwak Sang Kyu , Kwon Oh-Hoon
Published: January 2016

Ultrafast excited-state proton transfer of 8-hydroxuquinoline to produce short-lived its tautomeric form causes immensely attenuated fluorescence in water.
“Click-chemistry” inspired synthesis of hydrazone-based molecular glasses
Authors: Magomedov A. , Urnikaite S. , Paliulis O. , Jankauskas V. , Getautis V.
Published: January 2016

Fast and simple synthesis of hole transporting materials inspired by “click-chemistry” was performed.
Real-time self-tracking of an anticancer small molecule nanodrug based on colorful fluorescence variations
Authors: Wang Siteng , Deng Hongping , Huang Ping , Sun Pei , Huang Xiaohua , Su Yue , Zhu Xinyuan , Shen Jian , Yan Deyue
Published: January 2016

A self-tracking drug delivery system was constructed using two anticancer drugs, resulting in colorful fluorescence variations during drug delivery.
Influence of a solution-deposited rutile layer on the morphology of TiO2 nanorod arrays and the performance of nanorod-based dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Jin Zhixin , Wang Yinglin , Chen Shixin , Li Gang , Wang Lingling , Zhu Hancheng , Zhang Xintong , Liu Yichun
Published: January 2016

A convenient method to control the morphology of TiO2 NRs and the performance of DSSCs via seed layers is presented.
Sulfonated carbon as a new, reusable heterogeneous catalyst for one-pot synthesis of acetone soluble cellulose acetate
Authors: Konwar Lakhya Jyoti , Mäki-Arvela Päivi , Thakur Ashim Jyoti , Kumar Narendra , Mikkola Jyri-Pekka
Published: January 2016

A sulfonated carbon (SO3H/PhSO3H-carbon) catalyzed process was developed for the one-pot synthesis of acetone soluble-cellulose acetate (CA)viaacetylation of cellulose with acetic anhydride.
Comparative study of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation byproducts from sugarcane bagasse using steam explosion, alkaline hydrogen peroxide and organosolv pretreatments
Authors: You Yanzhi , Yang Shujuan , Bu Lingxi , Jiang Jianxin , Sun Dafeng
Published: January 2016

Most of the hemicelluloses were removed and more acetyl groups were generated after steam pretreatment, and a high acetic acid concentration was observed during SSF.
Facile, low-cost, and scalable fabrication of particle size and pore structure tuneable monodisperse mesoporous silica nanospheres as supports for advanced solid acid catalysts
Authors: Zhao Zhongkui , Wang Xianhui , Jiao Yanhua , Miao Boyuan , Guo Xinwen , Wang Guiru
Published: January 2016

This work presents a facile, low-cost, and scalable strategy for fabricating monodisperse mesoporous silica nanospheres with tuneable particle size and pore structure, which serves as an excellent carrier for advanced solid acid catalysts.
Fabrication of hollow-structured composite microspheres with amphiphilic and superparamagnetic properties
Authors: Zhan Xiaohui , Xie Liqin , Chen Hongli , Wu Yao , Gu Zhongwei
Published: January 2016

Solvent etching for constructing hollow-structured composite microspheres with superparamagnetic and amphiphilic properties.
Quillaja saponin variants with central glycosidic linkage modifications exhibit distinct conformations and adjuvant activities
Authors: Walkowicz William E. , Fernández-Tejada Alberto , George Constantine , Corzana Francisco , Jiménez-Barbero Jesús , Ragupathi Govind , Tan Derek S. , Gin David Y.
Published: January 2016

A mouse vaccination model and molecular dynamics studies reveal characteristic conformations of active QS-21 variants.
Very highly efficient reduction of CO2to CH4using metal-free N-doped carbon electrodes
Authors: Sun Xiaofu , Kang Xinchen , Zhu Qinggong , Ma Jun , Yang Guanying , Liu Zhimin , Han Buxing
Published: January 2016

We report the first work on the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2to CH4using metal-free N-doped carbon electrodes.
Exploiting recognition-mediated assembly and reactivity in [2]rotaxane formation
Authors: Vidonne Annick , Kosikova Tamara , Philp Douglas
Published: January 2016

A ternary complex facilitates the recognition-mediated formation of a [2]rotaxane.
Lead-free relaxor ferroelectric ceramics with high optical transparency and energy storage ability
Authors: Qu Bingyue , Du Hongliang , Yang Zetian
Published: January 2016

We prepared highly transparent relaxor ferroelectric ceramics based on (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3using a pressure-less solid-state sintering method without using hot isostatic pressing and spark plasma sintering.
Long-term renal and cardiovascular risk after preeclampsia: towards screening and prevention
Authors: Paauw Nina D. , Luijken Kim , Franx Arie , Verhaar Marianne C. , Lely A. Titia
Published: January 2016

Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive pregnancy disorder complicating up to 1–5% of pregnancies, and a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In recent years, observational studies have consistently shown that PE carries an increased risk for the mother to develop cardiovascular and renal disease later in life. Women with a history of PE experience a 2-fold increased risk of long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) and an approximate 5–12-fold increased risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Recognition of PE as a risk factor for renal disease and CVD allows identification of a young population of women at high risk of developing of cardiovascular and renal disease. For this reason, current guidelines recommend cardiovascular screening and treatment for formerly preeclamptic women. However, these recommendations are based on low levels of evidence due to a lack of studies on screening and prevention in formerly preeclamptic women. This review lists the incidence of premature CVD and ESRD observed after PE and outlines observed abnormalities that might contribute to the increased CVD risk with a focus on kidney-related disturbances. We discuss gaps in current knowledge to guide optimal screening and prevention strategies. We emphasize the need for research on mechanisms of late disease manifestations, and on effective screening and therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the late disease burden in formerly preeclamptic women.
MSE expression for transform‐based decision‐directed channel estimation schemes in M‐PSK OFDM systems
Authors: Yoo D.‐S. , Lim J.
Published: January 2016

An analytic mean squared error formula is derived for transform‐based decision‐directed channel estimation schemes in general M‐ary phase shift keying modulated OFDM systems.
Suppression technique for discrete polarisation‐dependent loss in a polarisation modulated link
Authors: Hutchinson M.N. , Thompson K.E. , Frigo N.J.
Published: January 2016

A link employing a polarisation modulator aligned for intensity modulation applications is presented in which a discrete source of polarisation‐dependent loss (PDL) is mitigated by intentionally altering the bias phase point of the link. The experimental data is verified by an earlier theoretical approach which describes a discrete PDL impairment in an otherwise ideal RF photonic link. The cancellation technique provided as much as 20 dB suppression of second‐order distortion in the link.
Multi‐scale orderless cross‐regions‐pooling of deep attributes for image retrieval
Authors: Luo Jianwei , Jiang Zhiguo , Li Jianguo
Published: January 2016

How to represent an image is an essential problem of the image retrieval task. To build a powerful image representation, a novel method named cross‐regions‐pooling (CRP) combining two key ingredients is proposed: (i) region proposals detected by objectness detection technique; (ii) deep attributes (DA), i.e. the outputs of the softmax layer of off‐the‐shelf convolutional neural network pre‐trained on a large‐scale dataset. The ultimate representation of an image is the aggregation (e.g. max‐pooling) of DA extracted from all the regions. In addition, a multi‐scale orderless pooling strategy considering layout of contexts of an image is proposed to integrate with CRP to improve the image representation. Experimental results on standard benchmarks demonstrate superiority of the proposed method over state‐of‐the‐arts.
Improved error performance ZFSTD for high mobility relay‐based cooperative systems
Authors: Khattabi Y. , Matalgah M.M.
Published: January 2016

An Alamouti‐type orthogonal space–time‐block‐code transmission over a relay‐based cooperative‐diversity system under the influence of the cooperating nodes’ mobility is considered. It is shown that the high nodes' mobility destroys the optimality of the conventional Alamouit's decoder (ALD) employed at the system's destination, which causes severely degraded error performance. A zero‐forcing‐space–time‐decoder is proposed, to be applied instead of the ALD, and its capability of mitigating this severe impact of the nodes' mobility is shown.
Miniature 60 GHz CMOS dual balun with excellent amplitude and phase properties
Authors: Lin Yo‐Sheng , Lin Yun‐Wen
Published: January 2016

A miniature CMOS dual balun which can be applied to a star mixer or a power amplifier for four‐way equal power dividing is reported. Compared with the four output coupled lines, the input coupled line has two‐fold metal width to achieve ideal coupling coefficient of 0.408. This is the way to achieve nearly perfect input‐port impedance matching and output‐port transmission properties. The dual balun occupies a small chip area of 0.0252 mm2 and achieves S11 smaller than −12 dB for frequencies of 50–110 GHz. For frequencies of 55–65 GHz, the dual balun achieves excellent S21 of −7.6∼−7.9 dB, S31 of −7.9∼−9 dB, S41 of −7.5∼−7.9 dB, S51 of −7.8∼−8.9 dB, magnitude of amplitude imbalance (MAI) of 0.34–1.1 dB and phase difference (PD) of 179.22°–180.78° for ports 2–3 and MAI of 0.3–1 dB and PD of 178.83°–180.48° for ports 4–5. The state‐of‐the‐art results of the dual balun indicate that it is suitable for millimetre‐wave systems.
QPSK signal design for given correlation matrix
Authors: Yue Wenzhen , Zhang Yan , Xie Jingwen
Published: January 2016

A simple and effective quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) signal design for a given correlation matrix is presented. The method exploits the correlation properties generated by memoryless nonlinear transformation of a Gaussian process. The correlation matrix of the designed QPSK signal is compared to the given matrix and good approximation is achieved.
Risk‐based reconfiguration of active electric distribution networks
Authors: Miri Larimi Sayyed Majid , Haghifam Mahmoud Reza , Moradkhani Amin
Published: January 2016

One of the most significant tasks for loss reduction and reliability improvement in active distribution networks is feeder reconfiguration. Uncertainty associated with load, generation and reliability parameters in active distribution network requires distribution system operators (DSOs) to consider risk management in distribution network reconfiguration. On the other hand, by employing several forms of reward/penalty schemes in active distribution networks, DSOs have been exposed to financial risk for providing reliable service to the customers. In such circumstance, DSOs can do network reconfiguration in a way that the minimum cost can be spent in the minimum risk. This study presents risk‐based reconfiguration of electric distribution networks in presence of reward/penalty scheme with considering load and generation uncertainty. Scenario theory and particle swarm optimisation are used for risk modelling and optimisation problem solving, respectively. To verify the proposed method, it was implemented in a real distribution network.
Efficient approach to quantify commutation failure immunity levels in multi‐infeed HVDC systems
Authors: Xiao Hao , Li Yinhong , Zhu Jia , Duan Xianzhong
Published: January 2016

Commutation failure immunity index (CFII) is a useful indicator to quantify the immunity level to commutation failures in line commutated converter‐based multi‐infeed HVDC systems. Instead of using simulation tools which inevitably lead to heavy workload and long computation time, the analytical expressions of ‘local CFII’ (LCFII) and ‘concurrent CFII’ (CCFII) are derived based on the minimum extinction angle criteria. Using these expressions, the impact of the system parameters on commutation failure immunity levels in the inverter side can be determined quickly and effectively. Moreover, the derived analytical expressions will make the parametric sensitivity analysis more comprehensive and complete compared to the traditional simulation‐based methods. Furthermore, in order to give an insight into how inter‐inverter interactions influence the concurrent commutation failure behaviours, an improved index ‘weak coupling multi‐infeed interaction factor’ (WCMIIF) is proposed. The validity and accuracy of the proposed index and analytical expressions are verified by the simulated results based on a dual‐infeed HVDC system in PSCAD/EMTDC, which indicate that LCFII has an approximately linear correlation with the local effective short‐circuit ratio (ESCR) of the faulted ac system, and that with the WCMIIF unchanged, CCFII has an approximately linear correlation with the local ESCR and an inverse correlation with the multi‐infeed interaction factor.
Multi‐pole voltage source converter HVDC transmission systems
Authors: Adam Grain Philip , Williams Barry W.
Published: January 2016

This study connects several modular multilevel converters to form multi‐pole voltage source converter high‐voltage dc (VSC‐HVDC) links which are suited for bulk power evacuation, with increased resiliency to ac and dc network faults. The proposed arrangements resemble symmetrical and asymmetrical HVDC links that can be used for bulk power transfer over long distances with reduced transmission losses, and for the creation of multi‐terminal super‐grids currently being promoted for transitional dc grids in Europe. The technical feasibility of the proposed systems is assessed using simulations on symmetrical and asymmetrical tri‐pole VSC‐HVDC links, including the case of permanent pole‐to‐ground dc faults.
Sensorless model predictive control scheme of wind‐driven doubly fed induction generator in dc microgrid
Authors: Bayhan Sertac , Abu‐Rub Haitham , Ellabban Omar
Published: January 2016

This study presents a novel sensorless model predictive control (MPC) strategy of a wind‐driven doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) connected to a dc microgrid. In this configuration, the stator is directly connected to the dc microgrid through a diode rectifier, and the rotor is fed by only a voltage source converter (VSC). This connection structure brings considerable benefits such as simple control scheme and reduced power converter cost. In order to obtain sensorless operation, a simple and effective sensorless position detection technique has been proposed. It is based on the detection of the stator frequency, and it is designed to operate without any machine parameters. Thus, the proposed sensorless method offers as a model‐free solution. In addition, the MPC strategy has been used as a current controller to overcome the weaknesses of the inner control loop and to consider the discrete‐time operation of the VSC. The proposed control system is robust against machine parameters, speed, and load variations. To verify the dynamic and steady‐state performances of the proposed sensorless MPC scheme under various speed and load conditions, experimental studies are performed with 6.4 kW DFIG. Experimental results aim to show that the proposed sensorless MPC strategy works properly at steady state and in transient.
The Effects of Obesity on Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Jackson Keith L. , Devine John G.
Published: January 2016

Study Design

Literature review.

Objective

The aim of this literature review is to examine the effects of obesity on postoperative complications and functional outcomes after spine surgery.

Methods

A review of the relevant literature examining the effects of obesity and spine surgery was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases.

Results

Obesity contributes to disk degeneration and low back pain and potentially increases the risk of developing operative pathology. Obese patients undergoing spine surgery have a higher risk of developing postoperative complications, particularly surgical site infection and venous thromboembolism. Though functional outcomes in this population may not mirror the general population, the treatment effect associated with surgery is at least equivalent if not better in obese individuals. This reduction is primarily due to worse outcomes associated with nonoperative treatment in the obese population.

Conclusion

Obese individuals represent a unique patient population with respect to nonoperative treatment, postoperative complication rates, and functional outcomes. However, given the equivalent or greater treatment effect of surgery, this comorbidity should not prohibit obese patients from undergoing operative intervention. Future investigations in this area should attempt to develop strategies to minimize complications and improve outcomes in obese individuals and also examine the role of controlled weight loss preoperatively to mitigate these risks.
International multicenter comparative trial of transluminal EUS-guided biliary drainage via hepatogastrostomy vs. choledochoduodenostomy approaches
Authors: Khashab Mouen A. , Messallam Ahmed A. , Penas Irene , Nakai Yousuke , Modayil Rani J. , De la Serna Carlos , Hara Kazuo , El Zein Mohamad , Stavropoulos Stavros N. , Perez-Miranda Manuel , Kumbhari Vivek , Ngamruengphong Saowanee , Dhir Vinay K. , Park Do Hyun
Published: January 2016

Background and study aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) can be performed entirely transgastrically (hepatogastrostomy/EUS-HG) or transduodenally (choledochoduodenostomy/EUS-CDS). It is unknown how both techniques compare. The aims of this study were to compare efficacy and safety of both techniques and identify predictors of adverse events.

Patients and methods: Consecutive jaundiced patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction who underwent EUS-BD at multiple international centers were included. Technical/clinical success, adverse events, stent complications, and survival were assessed.

Results: A total of 121 patients underwent EUS-BD (CDS 60, HG 61). Technical success was achieved in 112 (92.56 %) patients (EUS-CDS 93.3 %, EUS-HG 91.8 %, P = 0.75). Clinical success was attained in 85.5 % of patients who underwent EUS-CDS group as compared to 82.1 % of patients who underwent EUS-HG (P = 0.64). Adverse events occurred more commonly in the EUS-HG group (19.67 % vs. 13.3 %, P = 0.37). Both plastic stenting (OR 4.95, 95 %CI 1.41 – 17.38, P = 0.01) and use of non-coaxial electrocautery (OR 3.95, 95 %CI 1.16 – 13.40, P = 0.03) were independently associated with adverse events. Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the CDS group (5.6 days vs. 12.7 days, P < 0.001). Mean follow-up duration was 151 ± 159 days. The 1-year stent patency probability was greater in the EUS-CDS group [0.98 (95 %CI 0.76 – 0.96) vs 0.60 (95 %CI 0.35 – 0.78)] but overall patency was not significantly different. There
was no difference in median survival times between the groups (P = 0.36)

Conclusions: Both EUS-CDS and EUS-HG are effective and safe techniques for the treatment of distal biliary obstruction after failed ERCP. However, CDS is associated with shorter hospital stay, improved stent patency, and fewer procedure- and stent-related complications. Metallic stents should be placed whenever feasible and non-coaxial electrocautery should be avoided when possible as plastic stenting and non-coaxial electrocautery were independently associated with occurrence of adverse events.
Landau damping in relativistic plasmas
Authors: Young Brent
Published: January 2016

We examine the phenomenon of Landau damping in relativistic plasmas via a study of the relativistic Vlasov-Poisson (rVP) system on the torus for initial data sufficiently close to a spatially uniform steady state. We find that if the steady state is regular enough (essentially in a Gevrey class of degree in a specified range) and if the deviation of the initial data from this steady state is small enough in a certain norm, the evolution of the system is such that its spatial density approaches a uniform constant value quasi-exponentially fast (i.e., like exp(−Ctν¯) for ν¯∈(0,1)). We take as a priori assumptions that solutions launched by such initial data exist for all times (by no means guaranteed with rVP, but a reasonable assumption since we are close to a spatially uniform state) and that the various norms in question are continuous in time (which should be a consequence of an abstract version of the Cauchy-Kovalevskaya theorem). In addition, we must assume a kind of “reverse Poincaré inequality” on the Fourier transform of the solution. In spirit, this assumption amounts to the requirement that there exists 0 < ϰ < 1 so that the mass in the annulus ϰ≤v<1 for the solution launched by the initial data is uniformly small for all t. Typical velocity bounds for solutions to rVP launched by small initial data (at least on ℝ6) imply this bound. We note that none of our results require spherical symmetry (a crucial assumption for many current results on rVP).
Thrust generation by a heaving flexible foil: Resonance, nonlinearities, and optimality
Authors: Paraz Florine , Schouveiler Lionel , Eloy Christophe
Published: January 2016

Flexibility of marine animal fins has been thought to enhance swimming performance. However, despite numerous experimental and numerical studies on flapping flexible foils, there is still no clear understanding of the effect of flexibility and flapping amplitude on thrust generation and swimming efficiency. Here, to address this question, we combine experiments on a model system and a weakly nonlinear analysis. Experiments consist in immersing a flexible rectangular plate in a uniform flow and forcing this plate into a heaving motion at its leading edge. A complementary theoretical model is developed assuming a two-dimensional inviscid problem. In this model, nonlinear effects are taken into account by considering a transverse resistive drag. Under these hypotheses, a modal decomposition of the system motion allows us to predict the plate response amplitude and the generated thrust, as a function of the forcing amplitude and frequency. We show that this model can correctly predict the experimental data on plate kinematic response and thrust generation, as well as other data found in the literature. We also discuss the question of efficiency in the context of bio-inspired propulsion. Using the proposed model, we show that the optimal propeller for a given thrust and a given swimming speed is achieved when the actuating frequency is tuned to a resonance of the system, and when the optimal forcing amplitude scales as the square root of the required thrust.
Theoretical analysis of the S2←S vibronic spectrum of the 2-pyridone dimer
Authors: Kopec Sabine , Köppel Horst
Published: January 2016

The interplay between excitonic and vibronic coupling in hydrogen-bonded molecular dimers leads to complex spectral structures and other intriguing phenomena such as a quenching of the excitonic energy splitting. We recently extended our analysis from that of the quenching mechanism to the theoretical investigation of the complete vibronic spectrum for the ortho-cyanophenol dimer. We now apply the same approach to the vibronic spectrum of the 2-pyridone dimer and discuss the assignment of vibronic lines to gain insight into the underlying coupling mechanism. This is based on potential energy surfaces obtained at the RI-CC2/aug-cc-pVTZ level. They are used for the dynamical analysis in the framework of a multi-mode vibronic coupling approach. The theoretical results based on the quadratic vibronic coupling model are found to be in good agreement with the experimental resonant two-photon ionization spectrum.
Ion firehose instability in a dusty plasma considering product-bi-kappa distributions for the plasma particles
Authors: dos Santos M. S. , Ziebell L. F. , Gaelzer R.
Published: January 2016

We study the dispersion relation for low frequency waves in the whistler mode propagating along the ambient magnetic field, considering ions and electrons with product-bi-kappa (PBK) velocity distributions and taking into account the presence of a population of dust particles. The results obtained by numerical analysis of the dispersion relation show that the decrease in the κ indexes in the ion PBK distribution contributes to the increase in magnitude of the growth rates of the ion firehose instability and the size of the region in wave number space where the instability occurs. It is also shown that the decrease in the κ indexes in the electron PBK distribution contribute to decrease in the growth rates of instability, despite the fact that the instability occurs due to the anisotropy in the ion distribution function. For most of the interval of κ values which has been investigated, the ability of the non-thermal ions to increase the instability overcomes the tendency of decrease due to the non-thermal electron distribution, but for very small values of the kappa indexes the deleterious effect of the non-thermal electrons tends to overcome the effect due to the non-thermal ion distribution.
Measurement of absorption spectrum of deuterium oxide (D2O) and its application to signal enhancement in multiphoton microscopy at the 1700-nm window
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Wen Wenhui , Wang Kai , Zhai Peng , Qiu Ping , Wang Ke
Published: January 2016

1700-nm window has been demonstrated to be a promising excitation window for deep-tissue multiphoton microscopy (MPM). Long working-distance water immersion objective lenses are typically used for deep-tissue imaging. However, absorption due to immersion water at 1700 nm is still high and leads to dramatic decrease in signals. In this paper, we demonstrate measurement of absorption spectrum of deuterium oxide (D2O) from 1200 nm to 2600 nm, covering the three low water-absorption windows potentially applicable for deep-tissue imaging (1300 nm, 1700 nm, and 2200 nm). We apply this measured result to signal enhancement in MPM at the 1700-nm window. Compared with water immersion, D2O immersion enhances signal levels in second-harmonic generation imaging, 3-photon fluorescence imaging, and third-harmonic generation imaging by 8.1, 24.8, and 24.7 times with 1662-nm excitation, in good agreement with theoretical calculation based on our absorption measurement. This suggests D2O a promising immersion medium for deep-tissue imaging.
Electrical and structural properties of In-implanted Si1−xGex alloys
Authors: Feng R. , Kremer F. , Sprouster D. J. , Mirzaei S. , Decoster S. , Glover C. J. , Medling S. A. , Hansen J. L. , Nylandsted-Larsen A. , Russo S. P. , Ridgway M. C.
Published: January 2016

We report on the effects of dopant concentration and substrate stoichiometry on the electrical and structural properties of In-implanted Si1−xGex alloys. Correlating the fraction of electrically active In atoms from Hall Effect measurements with the In atomic environment determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we observed the transition from electrically active, substitutional In at low In concentration to electrically inactive metallic In at high In concentration. The In solid-solubility limit has been quantified and was dependent on the Si1−xGex alloy stoichiometry; the solid-solubility limit increased as the Ge fraction increased. This result was consistent with density functional theory calculations of two In atoms in a Si1−xGex supercell that demonstrated that In–In pairing was energetically favorable for x ≲ 0.7 and energetically unfavorable for x ≳ 0.7. Transmission electron microscopy imaging further complemented the results described earlier with the In concentration and Si1−xGex alloy stoichiometry dependencies readily visible. We have demonstrated that low resistivity values can be achieved with In implantation in Si1−xGex alloys, and this combination of dopant and substrate represents an effective doping protocol.
Linking Land Use Capability classes and APSIM to estimate pasture growth for regional land use planning
Authors: Vogeler Iris , Cichota Rogerio , Beautrais Josef
Published: January 2016

Investigation of land-use and management changes at regional scales require the linkage of farm-system models with land-resource information, which for pastoral systems includes forage supply. The New Zealand Land Resource Inventory (NZLRI) and associated Land Use Capability (LUC) database include estimates of the potential stock-carrying capacity across the country, which can be used to derive estimates of average annual pasture yields. Farm system models and decision support tools, however, require information on the seasonal patterns of pasture growth. To generate such pasture growth curves (PGCs), the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) was used, with generic soil profiles based on descriptions of LUC classes, to generate PGCs for three regions of New Zealand. Simulated annual pasture yields were similar to the estimates of annual potential pasture yield in the NZLRI spatial database, and they provided information on inter-annual variability. Simulated PGCs generally agreed well with measured long-term patterns of seasonal pasture growth. The approach can be used to obtain spatially discrete estimates of seasonal pasture growth patterns across New Zealand for use in farm system models and for assessing the impact of management practices and climate change on the regional sustainability.