bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of propellanes containing a bicyclo[2.2.2]octene unitviathe Diels–Alder reaction and ring-closing metathesis as key steps
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Pulletikurti Sunil
Published: April 2018

A simple and convenient method to synthesize propellane derivatives containing a bicyclo[2.2.2]octene unit which are structurally similar to 11β-HSD1 inhibitors by sequential usage of the Diels–Alder reaction, C-allylation and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) is reported.
Synthesis of anatase-free nano-sized hierarchical TS-1 zeolites and their excellent catalytic performance in alkene epoxidation
Authors: Zhang Tianjun , Chen Xiaoxin , Chen Guangrui , Chen Mengyang , Bai Risheng , Jia Mingjun , Yu Jihong
Published: April 2018

The addition of Triton X-100 slows down the crystallization rate of TS-1, while the rota-crystallization accelerates the incorporation rate of Ti.
Sludge biochar-based catalysts for improved pollutant degradation by activating peroxymonosulfate
Authors: Huang Bao-Cheng , Jiang Jun , Huang Gui-Xiang , Yu Han-Qing
Published: April 2018

Sludge-based biochar was able to catalyse persulfate decomposition to produce singlet oxygen for pollutant degradation.
Solar-driven self-heating sponges for highly efficient crude oil spill remediation
Authors: Zhang Chao , Wu Ming-Bang , Wu Bai-Heng , Yang Jing , Xu Zhi-Kang
Published: April 2018

A solar-driven self-heating hydrophobic/oleophilic sponge is designed for highly efficient clean-up of high viscosity crude oil from water surfaces.
Atomistic simulations of ion migration in sodium bismuth titanate (NBT) materials: towards superior oxide-ion conductors
Authors: Zhang Haiwu , Ramadan Amr. H. H. , De Souza Roger A.
Published: April 2018

Fabricating (111)-ordered NBT and avoid any A-site vacancies will yield even higher oxide-ion conductivities.
Long-term delivery of rhIGF-1 from biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/hydroxyapatite@Eudragit double-layer microspheres for prevention of bone loss and articular degeneration in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Liu Rui , Chen Yan , Liu Lanlan , Gong Yong , Wang Mingbo , Li Songjian , Chen Changsheng , Yu Bo
Published: April 2018

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) has encouraged researchers to investigate its various potential therapeutic uses such as in the treatment of osteoporosis and repair of articular cartilage.
Geodesic‐based probability propagation for efficient optical flow
Authors: Mei Ling , Chen Zeyu , Lai Jianhuang
Published: April 2018

Optical flow estimation has bottlenecks such as large displacement and motion blur. In this Letter, the authors propose a geodesic‐based probability propagation (GeoFlow) method combining the global geodesic with local spatial similarity to build a non‐local superpixel graph. To achieve efficient belief propagation, a probabilistic framework for optimising the Markov random field (MRF) objective is proposed. In this way, the limitation of local propagation can be tackled in the global image level, and the probabilistic framework reduces computational complexity in the optimisation. In experiments, their method showed promising performance by improving the results on two public large displacement benchmark datasets.
Review of wavelet‐based unsupervised texture segmentation, advantage of adaptive wavelets
Authors: Huang Yuan , De Bortoli Valentin , Zhou Fugen , Gilles Jérôme
Published: April 2018

Wavelet‐based segmentation approaches are widely used for texture segmentation purposes because of their ability to characterise different textures. In this study, the authors assess the influence of the chosen wavelet and propose to use the recently introduced empirical wavelets. We show that the adaptability of the empirical wavelet permits to reach better results than classic wavelets. To focus only on the textural information, they also propose to perform a cartoon + texture decomposition step before applying the segmentation algorithm. The proposed method is tested on six classic benchmarks, based on several popular texture images.
UV‐flashover evaluation of porcelain insulators based on deep learning
Authors: Pei Shaotong , Liu Yunpeng , Ji Xinxin , Geng Jianghai , Zhou Guangyang , Wang Shenghui
Published: April 2018

Based on the analysis of the principle and structure of the convolutional neural network (CNN) model in a deep learning theory system, an intelligent method for judging the flashover of a porcelain insulator with ultraviolet discharge is proposed. In this method, the porcelain insulator chip was subjected to power frequency flashover testing, and the ultraviolet spectra of different discharge states without discharge, weak coronal discharge, and strong spark discharge were captured by FILIN UV imager. The Alexnet deep convolution neural network model was used to predict the discharge state of the UV spectrum for classification training and identification assessment. The new method doesn't use UV imaging to detect flashover warnings. It is necessary to extract the characteristics of the UV spectra and leakage current parameters manually. The multi‐layer combination of UV imaging method with end‐to‐end autonomous learning with deep learning training and the adopted test method provided classification identification, through a large number of UV images in the deep CNN training. This allowed flashover evaluation of abstract feature parameters of the independent extraction. The results show that this method has the advantages of high accuracy, and provides a new idea for the intelligent detection of UV flashover.
Disentangling flows in the solar transition region
Authors: Zacharias P. , Hansteen V. H. , Leenaarts J. , Carlsson M. , Gudiksen B. V.
Published: April 2018

Context. The measured average velocities in solar and stellar spectral lines formed at transition region temperatures have been difficult to interpret. The dominant redshifts observed in the lower transition region naturally leads to the question of how the upper layers of the solar (and stellar) atmosphere can be maintained. Likewise, no ready explanation has been made for the average blueshifts often found in upper transition region lines. However, realistic three-dimensional radiation magnetohydrodynamics (3D rMHD) models of the solar atmosphere are able to reproduce the observed dominant line shifts and may thus hold the key to resolve these issues. Aims. These new 3D rMHD simulations aim to shed light on how mass flows between the chromosphere and corona and on how the coronal mass is maintained. These simulations give new insights into the coupling of various atmospheric layers and the origin of Doppler shifts in the solar transition region and corona.

Methods. The passive tracer particles, so-called corks, allow the tracking of parcels of plasma over time and thus the study of changes in plasma temperature and velocity not only locally, but also in a co-moving frame. By following the trajectories of the corks, we can investigate mass and energy flows and understand the composition of the observed velocities.

Results. Our findings show that most of the transition region mass is cooling. The preponderance of transition region redshifts in the model can be explained by the higher percentage of downflowing mass in the lower and middle transition region. The average upflows in the upper transition region can be explained by a combination of both stronger upflows than downflows and a higher percentage of upflowing mass. The most common combination at lower and middle transition region temperatures are corks that are cooling and traveling downward. For these corks, a strong correlation between the pressure gradient along the magnetic field line and the velocity along the magnetic field line has been observed, indicating a formation mechanism that is related to downward propagating pressure disturbances. Corks at upper transition region temperatures are subject to a rather slow and highly variable but continuous heating process.

Conclusions. Corks are shown to be an essential tool in 3D rMHD models in order to study mass and energy flows. We have shown that most transition region plasma is cooling after having been heated slowly to upper transition region temperatures several minutes before. Downward propagating pressure disturbances are identified as one of the main mechanisms responsible for the observed redshifts at transition region temperatures.
Verwirrspiel um den Ginseng
Authors: Häringer Erwin
Published: April 2018

Ginseng wird bereits seit mehr als 2000 Jahren angebaut, kultiviert und in der naturheilkundlichen Behandlung erfolgreich verwendet. In Herstellung und Bedeutung
zu unterscheiden ist der weiße vom roten Ginseng. So enthält z. B. das Konzentrat aus weißem Ginseng doppelt so viel der für die Wirksamkeit wichtigen
Ginsenoside wie das aus rotem Ginseng. Die Regulierungsbehörden in Europa erkennen Ginseng bislang nur als traditionelles Mittel an, in Fernost ist die
Verwendung von Ginseng hingegen etabliert. Zusammen mit weiteren ordnungstherapeutischen Maßnahmen und der naturheilkundlichen Anwendung der adaptogenen Pflanze
ist mit Ginseng ein bewährter, integrativer Ansatz in der Therapie der Fatigue und des Chronischen Fatigue Syndroms möglich.
Erschöpfungssyndrome mit Āyurveda behandeln
Authors: Chopra Ananda Samir
Published: April 2018

Erschöpfungssyndrome, insbesondere wenn sie lange andauern, betreffen den Menschen meist auf allen Ebenen seines Seins und sind mit erheblichem Leiden verbunden. Aus Sicht der Āyurveda-Medizin besteht bei solchen tiefgreifenden Erschöpfungszuständen eine Aggravation des Vāta. Die individuelle Ausprägung der Symptome wird allerdings bedingt durch das Zusammentreffen von Imbalance und individueller Konstitution. Ein multimodaler Behandlungsansatz aus diätetischen Maßnahmen, pflanzlichen Arzneien und gegebenenfalls intensiver Pañcakarma-Therapie, der individuell geplant und durchgeführt werden muss, erweist sich hier als besonders wirksam.
Zu welchen Themen suchen Angehörige von Demenzbetroffenen telefonische oder emailbasierte Beratung auf? Aktuelle Ergebnisse des bundesweiten Beratungsangebots der Deutschen Alzheimer Gesellschaft e.V.
Authors: Pendergrass Anna , Weiß Saskia , Gräßel Elmar
Published: April 2018

Hintergrund Seit 15 Jahren existiert das Alzheimer – Telefon der Deutschen Alzheimer Gesellschaft e.V. (DAlzG) als bundesweites psychosoziales Beratungsangebot und hat sich als wichtige Säule bei der Unterstützung von Menschen mit Demenz und ihren Familien etabliert. Folgende Ziele der vorliegenden Untersuchung waren zu evaluieren: a) warum Angehörige, die einen Demenzbetroffenen pflegen oder unterstützen, telefonische Beratung in Anspruch nehmen, b) ob diese Beratung einmalig stattfindet oder eine langfristige Begleitung der Angehörigen darstellt und c) ob sich die telefonischen von den email-basierten Anfragen bezüglich der Thematiken unterscheiden.

Studiendesign und Methode Die Daten beruhen auf den Anfragen von 3744 Angehörigen, die sich im Jahr 2015 an die DAlzG gewandt haben. Es wurden soziodemografische Daten der Angehörigen und der Demenzbetroffenen, die Themen und die Charakteristika des Telefonats sowie die Emailanfragen thematisch erfasst.

Ergebnisse Die Anrufer waren zu 70,3% weiblich, hauptsächlich die (Schwieger-) Kinder der Betroffenen (59,9%) und lebten mit den Demenzbetroffenen zusammen (49,7%). Über 2 Drittel der Anrufer (70%) suchten Unterstützung bezüglich der Schwierigkeiten im Umgang mit dem Erkrankten (z. B. wegen herausfordernden Verhaltensweisen) und 36,5% der Angehörigen suchten weiterführende Hilfen. An dritter Stelle standen rechtliche und finanzielle Themen im Fokus (23,5%). Es fanden zu 92,2% einmalige Beratungen statt. Die Beratungsanliegen der Angehörigen, die per Email Kontakt aufnahmen, unterschieden sich nicht maßgeblich von den Beratungsthemen der telefonischen Beratung.

Schlussfolgerung Bei vielen Themen besteht Bedarf nach weiterführender Beratung „vor Ort“. Ärzte und andere Akteure im Gesundheitswesen sollten daher eine aktive Beratungseinstellung gegenüber Angehörigen von Demenzbetroffenen einnehmen.
Antisuicidal Effects in Mood Disorders: Are They Unique to Lithium?
Authors: Tondo Leonardo , Baldessarini Ross
Published: April 2018

Introduction Suicidal behavior is strongly associated with depression in major depressive (MDD) and bipolar (BD) disorders, especially with associated behavioral activation, dysphoria, or agitation. A rare intervention with evidence of suicide risk-reducing as well as mood-stabilizing effects in mood disorder patients is lithium.

Methods We reviewed available research evidence on associations of long-term treatment with lithium with risk of suicidal behavior. We meta-analyzed 12 randomized trials in 10 reports (with at least 1 suicide in either treatment arm) including both BD and MDD subjects, with particular attention to comparisons of lithium with placebo or other pharmacological treatments. We also summarized ecological studies on lithium concentration in local drinking water and reported suicide rates.

Results We found substantial reduction of risks of suicide and attempts with long-term lithium treatment, particularly in depressive phases of BD and in MDD. Risk of suicidal behavior was higher in mixed (agitated-dysphoric) states than in manic or hypomanic periods. Risk of suicide fatality, specifically, was lower with lithium than with placebo and probably with mood-altering anticonvulsants or antidepressants.

Discussion Long-term treatment with lithium has growing evidence of suicide- and attempt-sparing effects, probably greater than with anticonvulsants or antidepressants; antipsychotics remain to be tested adequately. However, the ethical and scientifically adequate design and conduct of trials of treatments aimed at suicide prevention remain challenging and underdeveloped.
Copper-Mediated Late-Stage Iodination and 123I-Labelling of Triazole-benzimidazole Bioactives
Authors: Hansen Jørn , Fjellaksel Richard , Sundset Rune , Riss Patrick
Published: April 2018

The copper-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition has been studied to achieve late-stage introduction of iodine onto novel triazole-benzimidazole Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)-receptor antagonists. Moreover, the reaction conditions can affect a direct regioselective C–H iodination of the benzimidazole, leading to a range of novel iodo-analogues. The methodologies are powerful strategies for late-stage 123I-labelling of complex bioactives. Our investigations have generated two highly promising 123I-labelled radiotracer candidates that retain high affinities for the GnRH-receptor.
Postoperative Monitoring of Free DIEP Flap in Breast Reconstruction with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: Variables Affecting the Regional Oxygen Saturation
Authors: Salgarello Marzia , Pagliara Domenico , Rossi Marco , Visconti Giuseppe , Barone-Adesi Liliana
Published: April 2018

Background The timing of surgical reexploration in microanastomotic thrombosis is directly related to the salvage rate of free flap. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive technique, which allows a continuous bedside monitoring of flap oxygenation. The current literature is lacking in the assessment of variables able to modify the NIRS monitoring. The aim of this study is to identify patient and flap-related variables that can affect regional oxygen saturation (rSO2).

Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data obtained from 45 consecutive patients undergoing breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. The monitoring device used is the Somanetics INVOS 5100C Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter (Covidien). Baseline measures of demographic–anthropometric variables (age, weight, height, body mass index [BMI]) and flap factors (flap size in grams, skin flap area in square centimeters, perforator number, and perforator size in millimeters) were collected from preoperative and intraoperative assessment. We investigated the linear correlation between mean rSO2 and BMI, flap size, skin flap area, perforator number, and perforator size.

Results A positive linear correlation between rSO2 values and skin flap area, perforator number, and perforator size was found. A negative linear correlation between rSO2 values and BMI and flap size was found. All correlations are statistically significant. Despite the overall negative linear correlation between rSO2 values and flap size, we observed a bimodal trend: a positive relation up to 800 g, which is inverted above 800 g.

Conclusion The NIRS is a reliable additional tool in free flap monitoring. A careful evaluation should be given to patients and surgery factors that can change the oximetry data.
Cartilage Imaging: Techniques and Developments
Authors: Oei Edwin , Wick Marius , Müller-Lutz Anja , Schleich Christoph , Miese Falk
Published: April 2018

Cartilage degeneration is one of the most common chronic age-related joint disorders leading to pain and reduced joint motion. The increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis requires accurate cartilage imaging, both clinically and in research. Detailed cartilage imaging is also necessary for traumatic cartilage lesions and for pre- and postoperative assessment of cartilage repair procedures. Although still widely used, conventional radiography bears significant limitations because it assesses cartilage indirectly by joint space width. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables direct visualization of cartilage damage along with other concomitantly affected joint tissues. Several semiquantitative grading systems and volumetric analysis methods exist to assess cartilage damage and cartilage repair on MRI. Quantification of hyaline and fibrocartilage biochemical composition is possible with novel MRI methods such as T2- and T1ρ-mapping, delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage, glycosaminoglycan chemical exchange saturation transfer, and sodium imaging, along with quantitative computed tomography arthrography. These techniques provide promising quantitative imaging biomarkers that can detect early cartilage changes before morphological alterations occur.
Novel Imaging Techniques in Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: Mascarenhas Vasco , Maas Mario , Hemke Robert
Published: April 2018

Since the introduction of new MR imaging techniques within the past two decades, the imaging assessment of joints in rheumatic diseases has changed considerably. MRI enables to evaluate both the inflamed synovial membrane as well as early structural damage. In the last few years, several new functional/metabolic MR imaging techniques have applied in rheumatic diseases, making it possible to evaluate the pathophysiology of the disease in greater detail. Moreover, they permit a more quantitative approach for the evaluation of disease activity and damage. Several functional imaging techniques in rheumatic diseases have been proposed for the evaluation and monitoring of disease status.
Transient Cerebral Vasculopathy: A Rare Complication Associated with Cerebral Gnathostomiasis
Authors: Saengow Vitchayaporn , Wongfukiat Oragarn
Published: April 2018

Gnathostomiasis is a common parasitic infection in Southeast Asia, involving many organs in infected human hosts. Common neurological manifestations of Gnathostoma infection include radiculomyelitis, eosinophilic meningitis, and nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, leading to a high mortality and morbidity. This study first reported transient cerebral vasculopathy, an atypical neurological manifestation, in an 11-year-old Thai girl. The patient was diagnosed with intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage, and meningitis with atypical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profile. The imaging study of the brain revealed the abnormal white matter lesion and transient cerebral vasculopathy with the cerebral hemorrhage showing a track-like appearance (at the level of the corpus callosum). The serological testing in CSF and serum using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was positive for Gnathostoma spinigerum. The patient spontaneously recovered within 3 months without albendazole or corticosteroid treatments.
Synchronization of coupled stochastic complex-valued dynamical networks with time-varying delays via aperiodically intermittent adaptive control
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Jin Wei , Su Huan
Published: April 2018

This paper deals with the synchronization problem of a class of coupled stochastic complex-valued drive-response networks with time-varying delays via aperiodically intermittent adaptive control. Different from the previous works, the intermittent control is aperiodic and adaptive, and the restrictions on the control width and time delay are removed, which lead to a larger application scope for this control strategy. Then, based on the Lyapunov method and Kirchhoff's Matrix Tree Theorem as well as differential inequality techniques, several novel synchronization conditions are derived for the considered model. Specially, impulsive control is also considered, which can be seen as a special case of the aperiodically intermittent control when the control width tends to zero. And the corresponding synchronization criteria are given as well. As an application of the theoretical results, a class of stochastic complex-valued coupled oscillators with time-varying delays is studied, and the numerical simulations are also given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the control strategies.
Deployment of quasi-digital sensor for high temperature molten salt level measurement in pyroprocessing plants
Authors: Sanga Ramesh , Agarwal Sourabh , Sivaramakrishna M. , Rao G. Prabhakara
Published: April 2018

Development of a liquid molten salt level sensor device that can detect the level of liquid molten salt in the process vessels of pyrochemical reprocessing of spent metallic fuels is detailed. It is proposed to apply a resistive-type pulsating sensor-based level measurement approach. There are no commercially available sensors due to limitations of high temperature, radiation, and physical dimensions. A compact, simple, rugged, low power, and high precise pulsating sensor-based level probe and simple instrumentation for the molten salt liquid level sensor to work in the extreme conditions has been indigenously developed, with high precision and accuracy. The working principle, design concept, and results have been discussed. This level probe is mainly composed of the variable resistor made up of ceramic rods. This resistor constitutes the part of resistance-capacitance-type Logic Gate Oscillator (LGO). A change in the molten salt level inside the tank causes a small change in the resistance which in turn changes the pulse frequency of the LGO. Thus the frequency, the output of the instrument that is displayed on the LCD of an embedded system, is a function of molten salt level. In the present design, the range of level measurement is about 10 mm. The sensitivity in position measurement up to 10 mm is ∼2.5 kHz/mm.
Spreading of a pendant liquid drop underneath a textured substrate
Authors: Mistry Aashutosh , Muralidhar K.
Published: April 2018

A pendant drop spreading underneath a partially wetting surface from an initial shape to its final equilibrium configuration and contact angle is studied. A mathematical formulation that quantifies spreading behavior of liquid drops over textured surfaces is discussed. The drop volume and the equilibrium contact angle are treated as parameters in the study. The unbalanced force at the three-phase contact line is modeled as being proportional to the degree of departure from the equilibrium state. Model predictions are verified against the available experimental data in the literature. Results show that the flow dynamics is strongly influenced by the fluid properties, drop volume, and contact angle of the liquid with the partially wetting surface. The drop exhibits rich dynamical behavior including inertial oscillations and gravitational instability, given that gravity tries to detach the drop against wetting contributions. Flow characteristics of drop motion, namely, the radius of the footprint, slip length, and dynamic contact angle in the pendant configuration are presented. Given the interplay among the competing time-dependent forces, a spreading drop can momentarily be destabilized and not achieve a stable equilibrium shape. Instability is then controlled by the initial drop shape as well. The spreading model is used to delineate stable and unstable regimes in the parameter space. Predictions of the drop volume based on the Young-Laplace equation are seen to be conservative relative to the estimates of the dynamical model discussed in the present study.
Helical variation of density profiles and fluctuations in the tokamak pedestal with applied 3D fields and implications for confinement
Authors: Wilcox R. S. , Rhodes T. L. , Shafer M. W. , Sugiyama L. E. , Ferraro N. M. , Lyons B. C. , McKee G. R. , Paz-Soldan C. , Wingen A. , Zeng L.
Published: April 2018

Small 3D perturbations to the magnetic field in DIII-D (δB/B∼2×10−4) result in large modulations of density fluctuation amplitudes in the pedestal, which are shown using Doppler backscattering measurements to vary by a factor of 2. Helical perturbations of equilibrium density within flux surfaces have previously been observed in the pedestal of DIII-D plasmas when 3D fields are applied and were correlated with density fluctuation asymmetries in the pedestal. These intra-surface density and pressure variations are shown through two fluid MHD modeling studies using the M3D-C1 code to be due to the misalignment of the density and temperature equilibrium iso-surfaces in the pedestal region. This modeling demonstrates that the phase shift between the two iso-surfaces corresponds to the diamagnetic direction of the two species, with the mass density surfaces shifted in the ion diamagnetic direction relative to the temperature and magnetic flux iso-surfaces. The resulting pedestal density, potential, and turbulence asymmetries within flux surfaces near the separatrix may be at least partially responsible for several poorly understood phenomena that occur with the application of 3D fields in tokamaks, including density pump out and the increase in power required to transition from L- to H-mode.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry study of Cu2ZnSnS4 bulk poly-crystals
Authors: Levcenko S. , Hajdeu-Chicarosh E. , Garcia-Llamas E. , Caballero R. , Serna R. , Bodnar I. V. , Victorov I. A. , Guc M. , Merino J. M. , Pérez-Rodriguez A. , Arushanov E. , León M.
Published: April 2018

The linear optical properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 bulk poly-crystals have been investigated using spectroscopic ellipsometry in the range of 1.2–4.6 eV at room temperature. The characteristic features identified in the optical spectra are explained by using the Adachi analytical model for the interband transitions at the corresponding critical points in the Brillouin zone. The experimental data have been modeled over the entire spectral range taking into account the lowest E0 transition near the fundamental absorption edge and E1A and E1B higher energy interband transitions. In addition, the spectral dependences of the refractive index, extinction coefficient, absorption coefficient, and normal-incidence reflectivity values have been accurately determined and are provided since they are essential data for the design of Cu2ZnSnS4 based optoelectronic devices.
Insight into the structural, electronic, elastic and optical properties of the alkali hydride compounds, XH (X = Rb and Cs)
Authors: Jaradat Raed , Abu-Jafar Mohammed , Abdelraziq Issam , Mousa Ahmad , Ouahrani Tarik , Khenata Rabah
Published: April 2018

The equilibrium structural parameters, electronic and optical properties of the alkali hydrides RbH and CsH compounds in rock-salt (RS) and cesium chloride (CsCl) structures have been studied using the full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave (FP-LAPW) method. Wu and Cohen generalized gradient approximation (WC-GGA) was used for the exchange-correlation potential to compute the equilibrium structural parameters, such as the lattice constant (a0), the bulk modulus (B) and bulk modulus first order pressure derivative (B'). In addition to the WC-GGA, the modified Becke Johnson (mBJ) scheme has been also used to overcome the underestimation of the band gap energies. RbH and CsH compounds are found to be semiconductors (wide energy-band gap) using the WC-GGA method, while they are insulators using the mBJ-GGA method. Elastic constants, mechanical and thermodynamic properties were obtained by using the IRelast package. RbH and CsH compounds at ambient pressure are mechanically stable in RS and CsCl structures; they satisfy the Born mechanical stability criteria. Elastic constants (Cij), bulk modulus (B), shear modulus (S) and Debye temperatures (θD) of RbH and CsH compounds decrease as the alkali radius increases. The RS structure of these compounds at ambient conditions is mechanically stronger than CsCl structure. RbH and CsH in RS and CsCl structures are suitable as dielectric compounds. The wide direct energy band gap for these compounds make them promising compounds for optoelectronic UV device applications. Both RbH and CsH have a wide absorption region, on the other hand RbH absorption is very huge compared to the CsH absorption, RbH is an excellent absorbent material, maximum absorption regions are located in the middle ultraviolet (MUV) region and far ultraviolet (FUV) region. The absorption coefficient α (w), imaginary part of the dielectric constant ε2(w) and the extinction coefficient k(w) vary in the same way. The present calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data, indicating the high accuracy of the performed calculations and reliability of the obtained results.
Optoelectronics and defect levels in hydroxyapatite by first-principles
Authors: Avakyan Leon A. , Paramonova Ekaterina V. , Coutinho José , Öberg Sven , Bystrov Vladimir S. , Bugaev Lusegen A.
Published: April 2018

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is an important component of mammal bones and teeth, being widely used in prosthetic implants. Despite the importance of HAp in medicine, several promising applications involving this material (e.g., in photo-catalysis) depend on how well we understand its fundamental properties. Among the ones that are either unknown or not known accurately, we have the electronic band structure and all that relates to it, including the bandgap width. We employ state-of-the-art methodologies, including density hybrid-functional theory and many-body perturbation theory within the dynamically screened single-particle Green’s function approximation, to look at the optoelectronic properties of HAp. These methods are also applied to the calculation of defect levels. We find that the use of a mix of (semi-)local and exact exchange in the exchange-correlation functional brings a drastic improvement to the band structure. Important side effects include improvements in the description of dielectric and optical properties not only involving conduction band (excited) states but also the valence. We find that the highly dispersive conduction band bottom of HAp originates from anti-bonding σ* states along the ⋯OH–OH–⋯ infinite chain, suggesting the formation of a conductive 1D-ice phase. The choice of the exchange-correlation treatment to the calculation of defect levels was also investigated by using the OH-vacancy as a testing model. We find that donor and acceptor transitions obtained within semi-local density functional theory (DFT) differ from those of hybrid-DFT by almost 2 eV. Such a large discrepancy emphasizes the importance of using a high-quality description of the electron-electron interactions in the calculation of electronic and optical transitions of defects in HAp.
Real-time tracking of single shockwaves via amplified time-stretch imaging
Authors: Hanzard Pierre-Henry , Godin Thomas , Idlahcen Saïd , Rozé Claude , Hideur Ammar
Published: April 2018

We report the tracking of single laser-induced shockwaves (SWs) using a real-time all-optical imaging setup based on amplified time-stretch dispersive Fourier transformation. SW propagation is encoded transversally on spatially dispersed ultrashort pulses at a frame rate of 80 MHz, and the technique allows us to record its evolution on μs timescales. We were then able to monitor the slowing down of a single SW and its reflection on a plane surface and also to perform velocity statistics and to evidence SW-to-SW fluctuations. This feasibility study proves time-stretch imaging to be a complementary and particularly adapted method to study SW dynamics and interactions and fast non-repetitive events occurring in laser ablation.
On the existence of thermodynamically stable rigid solids
Authors: Nath Parswa , Ganguly Saswati , Horbach Jürgen , Sollich Peter , Karmakar Smarajit , Sengupta Surajit
Published: April 2018

Significance

While common sense says that solids are rigid, careful arguments show that all solids under infinitesimal strain must eventually flow. Resolution of this paradoxical result lies at the core of our understanding of the behavior of solids under deformation. We provide a framework within which the paradox is reconciled and extract conditions wherein stable, rigid, crystalline solids are possible. Failure of ideal crystals is determined by a kinetic process similar to the decay of supercooled phases following quenches across a first-order phase boundary. This fresh conceptual viewpoint curiously allows us to study failure of perfect crystalline solids in quantitative detail without invoking specifics of many-body, defect–defect interactions, raising hope of a more unified description of materials in the future.
The diachrony of inflectional classes in four Germanic languages
Authors: Dammel Antje , Kürschner Sebastian
Published: April 2018

Inflectional classes are classification systems lacking a discernible synchronic function. We ask how former functions can be lost and, more importantly, what happens after this loss. In a comparative analysis contrasting four Germanic languages (Swedish, Danish, Dutch and German) and two lexical categories (noun declensions versus verb conjugations), we describe changes in the number of allomorphs, their relation to grammatical category exponence and the conditioning of class membership. Inflectional classes are retained in all four languages but reorganized in several respects. The comparison reveals common principles (allomorphy is retained if tied to relevant categories) and divergences (different degrees of simplification in the conditioning and number of allomorphs). A general discussion relates the findings to grammaticalization and to fundamental differences of the lexical categories concerned, and considers the question of whether inflectional classes can be termed functional or not.
Some contrast effects in metonymy
Authors: Barnden John
Published: April 2018

This chapter analyses important, variegated ways in which contrast arises in metonymy. It explores, for instance, the negative evaluation of the target achieved in de-roling, where the source chosen is a target feature that is largely irrelevant to the target’s role in a described situation, therein contrasting with other target features that would have been more appropriate. This form of contrast, amongst others, can generate irony, so that the chapter elucidates some of the complex connections between metonymy and irony. It also explores the multiple roles of contrast in transferred epithets, especially as transferred epithets can be simultaneously metonymic and metaphorical. Finally, the chapter makes contrast-related suggestions regarding the metonymy database described by Barcelona and colleagues in other chapters.
Metonymy and the dynamics of conceptual operations in Spanish Sign Language
Authors: Rodríguez-Redondo Ana-Laura
Published: April 2018

This paper aims at presenting a first approach to the multilevel dynamics of metonymy in Spanish Sign Language (LSE) within Barcelona’s approach to cognitive metonymy (2000, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2015). At the same time, within this framework, we see the compatibility of the current approaches to metonymy and iconicity in signed languages (Taub 2001; Wilcox 2003, 2004). We propose a metonymic approach to the conceptualization of manual articulators and develop a three level analysis (Barcelona 2005) of three LSE examples. The examples are extracted from a corpus of cooking recipes recorded by Spanish native signers. The first results show the complex multilevel metonymic chained nature of signed meaning-form construals in LSE to be confirmed by further studies at each level.
The Last Sasanians in Chinese Literary Sources: Recently Identified Statue Head of a Sasanian Prince at the Qianling Mausoleum
Authors: Pasha Zanous Hamidreza , Sangari Esmaeil
Published: April 2018

Qianling Mausoleum (乾陵) which is located in the northwest of Xi'an, is the tomb of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (唐高宗, r. 649–83 AD) and his Empress Wu Zetian (武則天, r. 690–705 AD). In this mausoleum, there are two statues of Pērōz, son of Yazdegird III (632–51 AD), and another Persian nobleman who have been recognized by western scholars. However, scholars’ attention has been limited to a general and mistaken description of the statues. This paper reassesses both statues in order to give some new insight into the head of one of the statues found at the Qianling Mausoleum.
miRNACancerMAP: an integrative web server inferring miRNA regulation network for cancer
Authors: Tong Yin , Ru Beibei , Zhang Jiangwen
Published: April 2018

MicroRNAs play critical roles in oncogenesis by targeting a few key regulators or a large cohort of genes impinging on downstream signaling pathways. Conversely, miRNA activity is also titrated by competitive endogenous RNA such as lncRNA with sponge effect. Web-based server, miRNACancerMap, aims to unravel lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA tripartite complexity to predict the function and clinical relevance of miRNA with network perspective. In conjunction with large-scale data and information integration, miRNACancerMap implements various algorithms and pipelines to construct dynamic miRNA-centered network with rigorous Systems Biology approaches and the state-of-the-art visualization tool. The capability of the server to generate testable hypotheses was exemplified with cases to identify hub miRNAs regulating most of the differentially-expressed genes involved in cancer stage transition, miRNA-TF pairs shared by pan-cancers and lncRNA sponges validated by multiple datasets. LncRNAs sharing the same miRNAs binding sites as mRNAs can sequester miRNAs and indirectly regulate the activity of the related mRNAs. We have re-annotated traditional microarray chips, and included these datasets in the server to enable validation of the predicted lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulations derived from TCGA RNA-seq data. Of note, our server enables identifying miRNAs associated with cancer signaling pathways, and related lncRNA sponges from pan-cancers with only a few mouse clicks.

Availability and implementation

http://cis.hku.hk/miRNACancerMAP

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
On Irreducible Components of Rapoport–Zink Spaces
Authors: Mieda Yoichi
Published: April 2018

Under a mild condition, we prove that the action of the group of self-quasi-isogenies on the set of irreducible components of a Rapoport–Zink space has finite orbits. Our method allows both ramified and nonbasic cases. As a consequence, we obtain some finiteness results on the representation obtained from the ℓ-adic cohomology of a Rapoport–Zink tower.
A telehealth system for automated diagnosis of asthma and chronical obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Gurbeta Lejla , Badnjevic Almir , Maksimovic Mirjana , Omanovic-Miklicanin Enisa , Sejdic Ervin
Published: April 2018

This paper presents the development and real-time testing of an automated expert diagnostic telehealth system for the diagnosis of 2 respiratory diseases, asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The system utilizes Android, Java, MATLAB, and PHP technologies and consists of a spirometer, mobile application, and expert diagnostic system. To evaluate the effectiveness of the system, a prospective study was carried out in 3 remote primary healthcare institutions, and one hospital in Bosnia and Herzegovina healthcare system. During 6 months, 780 patients were assessed and diagnosed with an accuracy of 97.32%. The presented approach is simple to use and offers specialized consultations for patients in remote, rural, and isolated communities, as well as old and less physically mobile patients. While improving the quality of care delivered to patients, it was also found to be very beneficial in terms of healthcare.
A predicted astrometric microlensing event by a nearby white dwarf
Authors: McGill Peter , Smith Leigh C , Evans N Wyn , Belokurov Vasily , Smart R L
Published: April 2018

We used the Tycho-Gaia Astrometric Solution catalogue, part of Gaia Data Release 1, to search for candidate astrometric microlensing events expected to occur within the remaining lifetime of the Gaia satellite. Our search yielded one promising candidate. We predict that the nearby DQ type white dwarf LAWD 37 (WD 1142-645) will lens a background star and will reach closest approach on 2019 November 11 (±4 d) with impact parameter 380 ± 10 mas. This will produce an apparent maximum deviation of the source position of 2.8 ± 0.1 mas. In the most propitious circumstance, Gaia will be able to determine the mass of LAWD 37 to ${\sim }3\hbox{ per cent}$. This mass determination will provide an independent check on atmospheric models of white dwarfs with helium rich atmospheres, as well as tests of white dwarf mass radius relationships and evolutionary theory.
Who will win the future of display technologies?
Authors: Jia Hepeng
Published: April 2018

In recent years, China and other countries have invested heavily in the research and manufacturing capacity of display technology. Meanwhile, different display technology scenarios, ranging from traditional LCD (liquid crystal display) to rapidly expanding OLED (organic light-emitting diode) and emerging QLED (quantum-dot light-emitting diode), are competing for market dominance. Amidst the trivium strife, OLED, backed by technology leader Apple's decision to use OLED for its iPhone X, seems to have a better position, yet QLED, despite still having technological obstacles to overcome, has displayed potential advantage in color quality, lower production costs and longer life.

Which technology will win the heated competition? How have Chinese manufacturers and research institutes been prepared for display technology development? What policies should be enacted to encourage China's innovation and promote its international competitiveness? At an online forum organized by National Science Review, its associate editor-in-chief, Dongyuan Zhao, asked four leading experts and scientists in China.
Introduction
Authors: Stalker Nancy K.
Published: April 2018

Why do today’s celebrity chefs seem so besotted with Japan? David Chang, subject of the first season of PBS’s The Mind of a Chef, who named his New York restaurant Momofuku after the inventor of instant ramen, asserts that Tokyo is the world’s best food city and that “nothing comes close.”...
Soba, Edo Style
Authors: Brau Lorie
Published: April 2018

This chapter explores the Edo period (1603–1868), which eclipsed the imperial capital at Kyoto in cultural production over the course of the era. It examines the centrality of soba, or buckwheat noodles, in the culinary identity of Edo commoners who idealized iki, an attitude and aesthetic of “cool chic.” Deriving popular cultural references to soba from kabuki theater, literature, and rakugo storytellers, the chapter demonstrates how soba helped dispel culinary inferiority in relation to the imperial capital and became an important symbol of Edo identity. It also provides insights on the activities and preferred criteria of soba connoisseurs today.
The Three Waves (and Ways) of Sake Appreciation in the West
Authors: Stegewerns Dick
Published: April 2018

This chapter provides a transnational perspective on exports of Japan’s iconic traditional beverage, sake, and how it has been introduced to contemporary Western palates. It identifies three waves: during the first, cheap, mass-produced sake was served hot in an “orientalist” setting; second, in the 1990s, highly polished varieties of sake (ginjō or daiginjō) were served chilled as novelty drinks in various bars and high-end restaurants and evangelized by emerging Western “experts” who propagated romanticized stereotypes but knew little about traditional sake production; and finally, since the turn of the century, pure sake (junmaishu) made using early modern slow-brew methods without additives gained ascendance and began to be incorporated into the world of fine wines.
“We Can Taste but Others Cannot”
Authors: Osawa Yoshimi
Published: April 2018

This chapter addresses the concept of umami—the fifth “savory” taste recently recognized alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter—as a symbol of Japanese culinary, and thus cultural, distinctiveness. It studies earlier usages of said term and its more recent promotion as a key element of Japan's culinary brand in state-sponsored pavilions at international food exhibitions and trade shows. The chapter also reveals the popular, nationalistic belief that the Japanese have a superior ability to discern this taste and contextualizes this belief in a larger discourse of national chauvinism that claims, among other things, that the Japanese sensitivity to aesthetic refinement exceeds that of other nations.
Savoring the Kyoto Brand
Authors: Maurice Greg de St.
Published: April 2018

This chapter explains how people in Kyoto city and prefecture crafted appealing identities for their regional foods—now seen as an integral aspect of the Kyoto brand—and how it became Japan’ most attractive city brand. Using an ethnographic approach, the chapter identifies how stakeholders, from farmers to chefs, have strengthened the local agricultural economy through promoting the heritage, craftsmanship, and provenance of Kyoto food products, especially its famed “traditional vegetables.” The efforts of these Kyoto actors have capitalized on current awareness of artisanality, terroir, and small-batch production—all parts of first-world foodie consciousness—to invent and promote a “traditional” brand.
Love! Spam
Authors: Koikari Mire
Published: April 2018

This chapter narrates the tale of Okinawan identity through an unusual medium, Spam, the gelatinous pink lunchmeat that accompanied the American military in its imperialist expansion across the Pacific. Spam and similar competitors were welcomed by Okinawans as luxuries following the exigencies of the war and were soon adapted and indigenized as an ingredient in popular local dishes like pōku tamago (pork and eggs) and chanpurū (mixed stir-fry). The chapter shows how luncheon meat created a powerful narrative space to express discordant emotions and attitudes: memories of war and militarized occupation, gendered nostalgia for “home cooking,” and feelings of distinction from, and marginalization by, mainlanders.
Nikkei Cuisine
Authors: Takenaka Ayumi
Published: April 2018

This chapter looks at the emergence and popularization of Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian championed by celebrity chefs such as Gastón Acurio and Nobu Matsuhisa. Characteristically combining Japanese-style preparations of fish and seafood with Peruvian spices, especially aji peppers, typical Nikkei dishes include tiradito, a raw fish ceviche in a piquant sauce, and maki acevichada, a ceviche-based sushi roll. The chapter contextualizes the ascent of Nikkei cuisine within state policy to boost seafood consumption and the new affluence from overseas remittances received from migrant workers in Japan, among other factors. It argues that the promotion of Nikkei cuisine has been orchestrated in a top-down manner by political, media, and culinary elites who seek to construct a marketable vision of ethnic diversity within national unity.