bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Nerve Fiber Density between Patients with Uterine Leiomyoma with and without Pain: a Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: Giray Burak , Esim-Buyukbayrak Esra , Hallac-Keser Sevinc , Karageyim-Karsidag Ayse , Turkgeldi Aysegul
Published: April 2018

Introduction We aimed to compare the presence and the amount of nerve fibers in endometrial, myometrial and leiomyoma tissues using protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and neurofilament (NF) immunohistochemical staining in uterine leiomyoma patients with and without pain complaint.

Methods Patients undergoing hysterectomy for uterine leiomyoma were prospectively enrolled in the study. Twenty-five uterine leiomyoma patients without pelvic pain complaint (visual analog scale (VAS) < 5) were assigned to Group 1; 23 uterine leiomyoma patients with pelvic pain complaint (VAS ≥ 5) were assigned to Group 2. Endometrial, myometrial and leiomyoma tissues obtained from hysterectomy specimens were stained immunohistochemically using PGP 9.5 and NF dyes. The presence and density of nerve fibers were compared between the two groups.

Results None of the endometrial samples in either groups stained with PGP 9.5 and NF dyes. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of nerve fibers in myometrial and leiomyoma tissues between the two groups with either of the stains (PGP 9.5: p = 0.39 and p = 0.29; NF: p = 0.83 and p = 0.65, respectively). There was agreement between PGP 9.5 and NF immunohistochemical staining for nerve fiber detection in myometrial and leiomyoma tissues (p < 0.05/κ = 0.622 and p < 0.05/κ = 0.388, respectively).

Conclusion This study demonstrates that the quantity and density of nerve fibers in myometrial and leiomyoma tissue in patients with pain were similar to that in patients without pain.
Analyse erneuter AMNOG-Nutzenbewertungen von Arzneimitteln im gleichen Anwendungsgebiet
Authors: Rieder Veronika , Hammerschmidt Thomas
Published: April 2018

Zielsetzung Seit 2011 werden in Deutschland neuartige Arzneimittel zum Zeitpunkt der Markteinführung einer frühen Nutzenbewertung (FNB) mit anschließender Preisverhandlung unterzogen (AMNOG). Zu diesem Zeitpunkt ist die Evidenz zum Nutzen des Arzneimittels limitiert. Eine erneute Nutzenbewertung (ENB) im gleichen Anwendungsgebiet auf Basis neuerer Evidenz ist allerdings nicht regelhaft, sondern nur in Einzelfällen vorgesehen. Ziel ist, die Ergebnisse von ENB im gleichen Anwendungsgebiet zu untersuchen.

Methodik Analyse sämtlicher Verfahren mit abgeschlossener ENB in den Jahren 2011–2016.

Ergebnisse Unter den 228 Nutzenbewertungsverfahren sind 52 zu 26 Arzneimitteln mit FNB und ENB im gleichen Anwendungsgebiet. Überproportional viele ENB wurden bei Onkologika und Antidiabetika durchgeführt. Bei 15 Arzneimitteln mit nachgewiesenem Zusatznutzen hatte der G-BA den FNB-Beschluss befristet wegen unzureichender Datenlage zur Markteinführung, teils begründet durch bedingte Zulassungen. Die ENB fand nach 2,6 Jahren statt. Sie führte in 4 Fällen zu einer höheren und in 5 Fällen zu einer niedrigeren Nutzenbewertung. Für 7 Arzneimittel ohne Zusatznutzen beantragten die Hersteller eine ENB auf Basis neuer Evidenz nach ca. 1,7 Jahren. Drei dieser Arzneimittel konnten in der ENB einen Zusatznutzen nachweisen. 4 Orphan Drugs wurden gemäß gesetzlicher Vorgabe erneut bewertet, nachdem sie die Jahresumsatzschwelle von 50 Mio. € überschritten. Bei einem Orphan Drug kam es zu einer besseren, bei 2 zu einer schlechteren Nutzenbewertung. Die durchschnittliche Verbesserung beträgt 1,5 Punkte auf einer Bewertungsskala von −3 (Beleg für geringeren Zusatznutzen) bis 9 (Beleg für erheblichen Zusatznutzen) und ist begründet durch neue Datenschnitte und Studien. Die Verschlechterung beträgt durchschnittlich −1,4 Punkte. Es zeigt sich eine signifikante Korrelation der Veränderung der Nutzenbewertung mit der Veränderung des verhandelten Preises.

Schlussfolgerungen Die ENB auf Basis einer breiteren Evidenzgrundlage führt nicht zu einer wesentlichen Änderung der Nutzenbewertung und kann die Aussagesicherheit auch nur geringfügig erhöhen. Eine generelle ENB erscheint daher vor dem Hintergrund des administrativen Aufwands nicht gerechtfertigt. Das selektive Verfahren, erneute Nutzenbewertungen durchzuführen, ist hinreichend für Adjustierungen der Nutzenbewertung, wenn die Datenlage zur Markteinführung unzureichend erscheint.
Diskussionsprozesse im Rahmen der Priorisierung von Arzneimitteln
Authors: Potempa Christoph
Published: April 2018

Aumann I et al. Priorisierung und Rationierung von Arzneimittel – eine experimentelle Analyse von Diskussionsprozessen. Z Evid Fortbild Qual Gesundh wesen 2017;
125: 3–13

Am Beispiel von vier fiktiven Arzneimitteln zur Behandlung unterschiedlicher Lungenerkrankungen haben die Autoren um Aumann et al. auf Basis von sechs
leitfadengestützten Gruppendiskussionen versucht, einen exemplarischen Diskussionsprozess zur Priorisierung von Arzneimitteln nachzuzeichnen – und liefern
damit Denkanstöße für künftige Entscheidungsszenarien.
Benefit of Cochlear Implantation in Children with Multiple-handicaps: Parent's Perspective
Authors: Nasralla Heloisa , Montefusco Adilson , Hoshino Ana , Samuel Paola , Magalhães Ana , Goffi-Gomez Maria , Tsuji Robinson , Bento Ricardo
Published: April 2018

Introduction The cochlear implants centers in the world are studying the cochlear implantation in children with multiple handicaps.

Objective To develop a questionnaire to analyze the subjective benefits of the cochlear implantation in multiple handicapped children according to their parent's perspective.

Methods A questionnaire was applied to 14 families of multiple handicapped children, aging from 2–12 years old and having from 11 months to 11 years of implant use.

Results The social-emotional abilities were improved because of many factors, such as: auditory exposure, which happened in 84% of the children; recognition of their own names, which increased in 56%; and development of eye contact, in 28% of the subjects. Other benefits appeared to be: music appreciation and more attention and adherence to other therapies and school activities. Besides, some children became interested in objects, playing with other children, and more adapted to daily routines. Thirty-five percent of the children acquired oral language, mainly the bilaterally implanted, while 14% of them were engaged in sign language. Although all of the children showed a significant improvement in communication, the emotional issues of some families and the severity of the handicaps negatively impacted the outcomes. In spite of the families' acknowledgement of some benefits, the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder caused frustration, requiring a readjustment of the expectations.

Conclusion The questionnaire turned out to be an adequate tool to reveal the social-emotional benefits of cochlear implantation. Although oral language was not the major outcome in these cases, the cochlear implant benefits involved the whole family. All of the families recommended the implant to other children in a similar situation.
Evolution of Keratoconus: From Diagnosis to Therapeutics
Authors: Imbornoni Lauren , McGhee Charles , Belin Michael
Published: April 2018

This review describes the evolution of the diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus from the earliest written description to present day. The first description was provided in 1736 by Benedict Duddell who described the prominent corneas of a fourteen-year-old boy. Throughout the 19th century, a variety of surgical procedures were proposed to manage the disease, such as surgically repositioning the pupil away from the cone, iris incarceration to produce a slit-like pupil, cauterization of the cone to produce a scar, and full thickness elliptical excision of the cone. Despite the ingenuity of these procedures, many led to serious complications. In 1936, Ramon Castroviejo revolutionized surgical management by performing the first corneal transplant for keratoconus. The advent of refractive surgery in the 1990s brought about a sudden and critical need for better understanding of keratoconus and corneal ectatic disease. Topographic analysis allowed for earlier detection of keratoconus, prior to clinical signs and symptoms. Tomographic analysis provided analysis of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea and allowed for even earlier detection. The Belin/Ambrosio Enhanced Ectasia Display on the Pentacam incorporates anterior and posterior elevation, pachymetric map, best fit sphere and enhanced reference surface to provide an overall “D” value that is predictive of ectatic disease. This display allows refractive providers to quickly and accurately screen potential refractive surgery candidates to identify those at risk for ectasia and early subclinical keratoconus. Corneal crosslinking was revolutionary in the treatment of keratoconus. There have been several randomized controlled trials that have found it to be safe and effective to halt ectatic progression. Crosslinking was recently approved by the FDA for progressive keratoconus. Currently, there is no clear definition of ectasia progression. Providers must be able to clearly, objectively and consistently diagnose progressive disease to institute timely treatment in the population with the greatest potential benefit. The new Belin ABCD grading system and progression analysis incorporated into the Oculus Pentacam software provides an objective way of assessing progression over time. Keratoconus diagnosis and management have grown tremendously since the first description in 1736, but there is still much to learn about keratoconus and its management.
Attractor controllability of Boolean networks by flipping a subset of their nodes
Authors: Rafimanzelat Mohammad Reza , Bahrami Fariba
Published: April 2018

The controllability analysis of Boolean networks (BNs), as models of biomolecular regulatory networks, has drawn the attention of researchers in recent years. In this paper, we aim at governing the steady-state behavior of BNs using an intervention method which can easily be applied to most real system, which can be modeled as BNs, particularly to biomolecular regulatory networks. To this end, we introduce the concept of attractor controllability of a BN by flipping a subset of its nodes, as the possibility of making a BN converge from any of its attractors to any other one, by one-time flipping members of a subset of BN nodes. Our approach is based on the algebraic state-space representation of BNs using semi-tensor product of matrices. After introducing some new matrix tools, we use them to derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the attractor controllability of BNs. A forward search algorithm is then suggested to identify the minimal perturbation set for attractor controllability of a BN. Next, a lower bound is derived for the cardinality of this set. Two new indices are also proposed for quantifying the attractor controllability of a BN and the influence of each network variable on the attractor controllability of the network and the relationship between them is revealed. Finally, we confirm the efficiency of the proposed approach by applying it to the BN models of some real biomolecular networks.
Equation of motion approach for describing allowed transitions in Ne and Al3+ under classical and quantum plasmas
Authors: Chaudhuri Supriya K. , Mukherjee Prasanta K. , Chaudhuri Rajat K. , Chattopadhyay Sudip
Published: April 2018

The equation of motion coupled cluster methodology within relativistic framework has been applied to analyze the electron correlation effects on the low lying dipole allowed excited states of Ne and Al3+ under classical and quantum plasma environments. The effect of confinement due to classical plasma has been incorporated through screened Coulomb potential, while that of quantum plasma has been treated by exponential cosine screened Coulomb potential. The confined structural properties investigated are the depression of ionization potential, low lying excitation energies (dipole allowed), oscillator strengths, transition probabilities, and frequency dependent polarizabilities under systematic variation of the plasma-atom coupling strength determined through the screening parameter. Specific atomic systems are chosen for their astrophysical importance and availability of experimental data related to laboratory plasma with special reference to Al3+ ion. Here, we consider 1s22s22p6(1S0)→1s22s22p5 ns/nd (1P1) (n=3,4) dipole allowed transitions of Ne and Al3+. Results for the free (isolated) atomic systems agree well with those available in the literature. Spectroscopic properties under confinement show systematic and interesting pattern with respect to plasma screening parameter.
The influence of the Hall term on the development of magnetized laser-produced plasma jets
Authors: Hamlin N. D. , Seyler C. E. , Khiar B.
Published: April 2018

We present 2D axisymmetric simulation results describing the influence of the Hall term on laser-produced plasma jets and their interaction with an applied magnetic field parallel to the laser axis. Bending of the poloidal B-field lines produces an MHD shock structure surrounding a conical cavity, and a jet is produced from the convergence of the shock envelope. Both the jet and the conical cavity underneath it are bound by fast MHD shocks. We compare the MHD results generated using the extended-MHD code Physics as an Extended-MHD Relaxation System with an Efficient Upwind Scheme (PERSEUS) with MHD results generated using GORGON and find reasonable agreement. We then present extended-MHD results generated using PERSEUS, which show that the Hall term has several effects on the plasma jet evolution. A hot low-density current-carrying layer of plasma develops just outside the plume, which results in a helical rather than a purely poloidal B-field, and reduces magnetic stresses, resulting in delayed flow convergence and jet formation. The flow is partially frozen into the helical field, resulting in azimuthal rotation of the jet. The Hall term also produces field-aligned current in strongly magnetized regions. In particular, we find the influence of Hall physics on this problem to be scale-dependent. This points to the importance of mitigating the Hall effect in a laboratory setup, by increasing the jet density and system dimensions, in order to avoid inaccurate extrapolation to astrophysical scales.
Spectral emission from the alkali inductively-coupled plasma: Theory and experiment
Authors: Bazurto R. , Huang M. , Camparo J.
Published: April 2018

The weakly-ionized, alkali inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) has a long history as the light source for optical pumping. Today, its most significant application is perhaps in the rubidium atomic frequency standard (RAFS), arguably the workhorse of atomic timekeeping in space, where it is crucial to the RAFS’ functioning and performance (and routinely referred to as the RAFS’ “rf-discharge lamp”). In particular, the photon flux from the lamp determines the signal-to-noise ratio of the device, and variations in ICP brightness define the long-term frequency stability of the atomic clock as a consequence of the ac-Stark shift (i.e., the light-shift). Given the importance of Rb atomic clocks to diverse satellite navigation systems (e.g., GPS, Galileo, BeiDou) – and thereby the importance of alkali ICPs to these systems – it is somewhat surprising to find that the physical processes occurring within the discharge are not well understood. As a consequence, researchers do not understand how to improve the spectral emission from the lamp except at a trial-and-error level, nor do they fully understand the nonlinear mechanisms that result in ICP light instability. Here, we take a first step in developing an intuitive, semi-quantitative model of the alkali rf-discharge lamp, and we perform a series of experiments to validate the theory’s predictions.
Principal component analysis acceleration of rovibrational coarse-grain models for internal energy excitation and dissociation
Authors: Bellemans Aurélie , Parente Alessandro , Magin Thierry
Published: April 2018

The present work introduces a novel approach for obtaining reduced chemistry representations of large kinetic mechanisms in strong non-equilibrium conditions. The need for accurate reduced-order models arises from compression of large ab initio quantum chemistry databases for their use in fluid codes. The method presented in this paper builds on existing physics-based strategies and proposes a new approach based on the combination of a simple coarse grain model with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The internal energy levels of the chemical species are regrouped in distinct energy groups with a uniform lumping technique. Following the philosophy of machine learning, PCA is applied on the training data provided by the coarse grain model to find an optimally reduced representation of the full kinetic mechanism. Compared to recently published complex lumping strategies, no expert judgment is required before the application of PCA. In this work, we will demonstrate the benefits of the combined approach, stressing its simplicity, reliability, and accuracy. The technique is demonstrated by reducing the complex quantum N2(Σg+1)–N(Su4) database for studying molecular dissociation and excitation in strong non-equilibrium. Starting from detailed kinetics, an accurate reduced model is developed and used to study non-equilibrium properties of the N2(Σg+1)–N(Su4) system in shock relaxation simulations.
Photodissociation dynamics of propanal and isobutanal: The Norrish Type I pathway
Authors: Harrison Aaron W. , Kable Scott H.
Published: April 2018

The Norrish Type I photodissociation of two aliphatic aldehydes, propanal and isobutanal, has been investigated using velocity-map imaging. The HCO photoproduct of this reaction was probed using a 1+1 resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization scheme via the 3p2Π Rydberg state. The velocity map images of HCO+ were collected across a range of photolysis energies for both species from 30 500 to 33 000 cm−1 (λ = 312–327 nm). The corresponding translational energy distributions show that the majority of the available energy goes into the translational motion of the products (55%–68%) with this fraction increasing as the T1 barrier is approached. Analysis of the translational energy distributions was also used to determine the aldehyde α C–C bond dissociation energies which were found to be 339.8 ± 2.5 and 331.2 ± 2.5 kJ/mol for propanal and isobutanal, respectively. These values were also found to be in good agreement with the computed dissociation energies using G4 and CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//M062X/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. Furthermore, these dissociation energies, combined with the known ΔfH (0 K) of the reaction products, provided the ΔfH (0 K) of propanal and isobutanal which were calculated to be −167.3 ± 2.5 and −184.0 ± 2.5 kJ/mol, respectively.
Nonlinear optical effects in a three-nanolayer metal sandwich assembly
Authors: Khmelinskii Igor , Makarov Vladimir I.
Published: April 2018

We report spectral properties and frequency summing that induce superemission (SE) in sandwich structures built of Co nanolayers. We found that separate Co films with a layer thickness of 8.1, 9.2, and 11.3 nm have discrete absorption spectra, originating in transverse quantum confinement in such thin metal films. The surface plasmon resonance in this system should appear at energies over 50 000 cm−1, with its longer-wavelength tail easily observable. All of the nanolayers studied also presented discrete emission spectra, with the emission bands strongly overlapping due to large bandwidths (1500–2300 cm−1). The emission decay is described by a single-exponential function with the lifetime of 103±5 ns. Similarly, the sandwich assembly with three Co nanolayers separated by two BN nanolayers also has discrete lines in its absorption spectrum. The spectrum of the assembly is a superposition of the respective spectra of the individual Co layers. We report that the assembly can sum the pumping radiation photons, producing photons with a higher energy. This excitation summing/exciton joining effect, discovered in sandwich film systems, is reported for the first time. Exiting the two outside Co nanolayers at specific frequencies, the Co nanolayer in the middle produces the sum frequency. We identified this emission as SE, with a bandwidth of only 179±5 cm−1. This superemission band appeared with the rise time of 36±3 ns and disappeared with 73±5 ns decay time, with the estimated SE quantum yield of 0.063. We analyzed the energy transfer by the exchange mechanism in detail, although a contribution of the electric dipole-dipole mechanism could not be excluded.
Joint refinement model for the spin resolved one-electron reduced density matrix of YTiO3 using magnetic structure factors and magnetic Compton profiles data
Authors: Gueddida Saber , Yan Zeyin , Kibalin Iurii , Voufack Ariste Bolivard , Claiser Nicolas , Souhassou Mohamed , Lecomte Claude , Gillon Béatrice , Gillet Jean-Michel
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we propose a simple cluster model with limited basis sets to reproduce the unpaired electron distributions in a YTiO3 ferromagnetic crystal. The spin-resolved one-electron-reduced density matrix is reconstructed simultaneously from theoretical magnetic structure factors and directional magnetic Compton profiles using our joint refinement algorithm. This algorithm is guided by the rescaling of basis functions and the adjustment of the spin population matrix. The resulting spin electron density in both position and momentum spaces from the joint refinement model is in agreement with theoretical and experimental results. Benefits brought from magnetic Compton profiles to the entire spin density matrix are illustrated. We studied the magnetic properties of the YTiO3 crystal along the Ti–O1–Ti bonding. We found that the basis functions are mostly rescaled by means of magnetic Compton profiles, while the molecular occupation numbers are mainly modified by the magnetic structure factors.
An empirically-based model for the lift coefficients of twisted airfoils with leading-edge tubercles
Authors: Ni Zao , Su Tsung-chow , Dhanak Manhar
Published: April 2018

Experimental data for untwisted airfoils are utilized to propose a model for predicting the lift coefficients of twisted airfoils with leading-edge tubercles. The effectiveness of the empirical model is verified through comparison with results of a corresponding computational fluid-dynamic (CFD) study. The CFD study is carried out for both twisted and untwisted airfoils with tubercles, the latter shown to compare well with available experimental data. Lift coefficients of twisted airfoils predicted from the proposed empirically-based model match well with the corresponding coefficients determined using the verified CFD study. Flow details obtained from the latter provide better insight into the underlying mechanism and behavior at stall of twisted airfoils with leading edge tubercles.
Electrohydrodynamic assisted droplet alignment for lens fabrication by droplet evaporation
Authors: Wang Guangxu , Deng Jia , Guo Xing
Published: April 2018

Lens fabrication by droplet evaporation has attracted a lot of attention since the fabrication approach is simple and moldless. Droplet position accuracy is a critical parameter in this approach, and thus it is of great importance to use accurate methods to realize the droplet position alignment. In this paper, we propose an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) assisted droplet alignment method. An electrostatic force was induced at the interface between materials to overcome the surface tension and gravity. The deviation of droplet position from the center region was eliminated and alignment was successfully realized. We demonstrated the capability of the proposed method theoretically and experimentally. First, we built a simulation model coupled with the three-phase flow formulations and the EHD equations to study the three-phase flowing process in an electric field. Results show that it is the uneven electric field distribution that leads to the relative movement of the droplet. Then, we conducted experiments to verify the method. Experimental results are consistent with the numerical simulation results. Moreover, we successfully fabricated a crater lens after applying the proposed method. A light emitting diode module packaging with the fabricated crater lens shows a significant light intensity distribution adjustment compared with a spherical cap lens.
Numerical study on the instabilities in H2-air rotating detonation engines
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhou Weijiang , Yang Yunjun , Liu Zhou , Wang Jianping
Published: April 2018

Numerical simulations of rotating detonation engines (RDEs) are performed using two-dimensional Euler equations and a detailed chemistry model of H2-air. Two propagation modes, the one-wave mode and the two-wave mode, are observed in the RDEs. The instabilities of the RDEs are studied and analyzed specifically. A low frequency instability and a high frequency instability are found from the pressure-time trace measured at a fixed location and the average density-time trace of the RDEs. For the low frequency instability, the pressure peak of the pressure-time trace oscillates with a low frequency while the average density is stable. The deviation between the measurement location and the location of the detonation wave results in the low frequency instability. For the high frequency instability, the average density of the RDEs oscillates regularly with a single frequency while the pressure oscillates irregularly with several frequencies. The oscillation of the detonation wave height results in the high frequency instability. Furthermore, the low frequency instability and the high frequency instability both occur in the one-wave and two-wave mode RDEs.
Experimental demonstration of multiple monoenergetic gamma radiography for effective atomic number identification in cargo inspection
Authors: Henderson Brian S. , Lee Hin Y. , MacDonald Thomas D. , Nelson Roberts G. , Danagoulian Areg
Published: April 2018

The smuggling of special nuclear materials (SNMs) through international borders could enable nuclear terrorism and constitutes a significant threat to global security. This paper presents the experimental demonstration of a novel radiographic technique for quantitatively reconstructing the density and type of material present in commercial cargo containers, as a means of detecting such threats. Unlike traditional techniques which use sources of bremsstrahlung photons with a continuous distribution of energies, multiple monoenergetic gamma radiography utilizes monoenergetic photons from nuclear reactions, specifically the 4.4 and 15.1 MeV photons from the 11B(d,nγ)12C reaction. By exploiting the Z-dependence of the photon interaction cross sections at these two specific energies, it is possible to simultaneously determine the areal density and the effective atomic number as a function of location for a 2D projection of a scanned object. The additional information gleaned from using and detecting photons of specific energies for radiography substantially increases the resolving power between different materials. This paper presents results from the imaging of mock cargo materials ranging from Z≈5−92, demonstrating accurate reconstruction of the effective atomic number and areal density of the materials over the full range. In particular, the system is capable of distinguishing pure materials with Z≳70, such as lead and uranium—a critical requirement of a system designed to detect SNM. This methodology could be used to screen commercial cargoes with high material specificity, to distinguish most benign materials from SNM, such as uranium and plutonium.
Synchronous radio-frequency FM signal generator using direct digital synthesizers
Authors: Arablu Masoud , Kafashi Sajad , Smith Stuart T.
Published: April 2018

A novel Radio-Frequency Frequency-Modulated (RF-FM) signal generation method is introduced and a prototype circuit developed to evaluate its functionality and performance. The RF-FM signal generator uses a modulated, voltage-controlled time delay to correspondingly modulate the phase of a 10 MHz sinusoidal reference signal. This modulated reference signal is, in turn, used to clock a Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS) circuit resulting in an FM signal at its output. The modulating signal that is input to the voltage-controlled time delay circuit is generated by another DDS that is synchronously clocked by the same 10 MHz sine wave signal before modulation. As a consequence, all of the digital components are timed from a single sine wave oscillator that forms the basis of all timing. The resultant output signal comprises a center, or carrier, frequency plus a series of phase-synchronized sidebands having exact integer harmonic frequency separation. In this study, carrier frequencies ranging from 10 MHz to 70 MHz are generated with modulation frequencies ranging from 10 kHz to 300 kHz. The captured spectra show that the FM signal characteristics, amplitude and phase, of the sidebands and the modulation depth are consistent with the Jacobi-Anger expansion for modulated harmonic signals.
Influence of Na and Ga on the electrical properties of perfect 60° dislocations in Cu(In, Ga)Se2 thin-film photovoltaic absorbers
Authors: Barragan-Yani D. , Albe K.
Published: April 2018

The segregation of GaIn and NaCu to perfect 60° dislocations in CuIn1–xGaxSe2 is investigated by means of density functional theory calculations. We find that the segregation process is mainly driven by the elastic interaction of both defect types with the strain field of the dislocation. GaIn moves into the negatively strained region, while NaCu is found in the positively strained region. We show that both defects affect the electronic defect levels induced by the dislocation core and GaIn is able to passivate the β-core in CuInSe2. This result indicates that β-cores are inactive in CuIn1–xGaxSe2. NaCu; however, they do not have a significant effect on the electrical properties of the studied dislocation cores. Therefore, the experimentally observed sodium segregation to dislocation cores in CuIn1–xGaxSe2 cannot be considered as the passivation mechanism of the electrically active cores in that material.
Flexible one-structure arched triboelectric nanogenerator based on common electrode for high efficiency energy harvesting and self-powered motion sensing
Authors: Chen Xi , He Jian , Song Linlin , Zhang Zengxing , Tian Zhumei , Wen Tao , Zhai Cong , Chen Yi , Cho Jundong , Chou Xiujian , Xue Chenyang
Published: April 2018

Triboelectric nanogenerators are widely used because of low cost, simple manufacturing process and high output performance. In this work, a flexible one-structure arched triboelectric nanogenerator (FOAT), based on common electrode to combine the single-electrode mode and contact-separation, was designed using silicone rubber, epoxy resin and flexible electrode. The peak-to-peak short circuit current of 18μA and the peak-to-peak open circuit voltage of 570V can be obtained from the FOAT with the size of 5×7 cm2 under the frequency of 3Hz and the pressure of 300N. The peak-to-peak short circuit current of FOAT is increased by 29% and 80%, and the peak-to-peak open circuit voltage is increased by 33% and 54% compared with single-electrode mode and contact-separation mode, respectively. FOAT realizes the combination of two generation modes, which improves the output performance of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). 62 light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) can be completely lit up and 2.2μF capacitor can be easily charged to 1.2V in 9s. When the FOAT is placed at different parts of the human body, the human motion energy can be harvested and be the sensing signal for motion monitoring sensor. Based on the above characteristics, FOAT exhibits great potential in illumination, power supplies for wearable electronic devices and self-powered motion monitoring sensor via harvesting the energy of human motion.
Photoionization mass spectrometry of ω-phenylalkylamines: Role of radical cation-π interaction
Authors: Corinti Davide , Catone Daniele , Turchini Stefano , Rondino Flaminia , Crestoni Maria Elisa , Fornarini Simonetta
Published: April 2018

Linear ω-phenylalkylamines of increasing alkyl chain length have been investigated employing synchrotron radiation in the photon energy range from 7 to 15 eV. These molecules have received considerable interest because they bear the skeleton of biologically relevant compounds including neurotransmitters and because of the possible interaction between the amino moiety and the phenyl ring. Recently, the contribution of this interaction has been assayed in both neutral and protonated species, pointing to a role of the polymethylene chain length. In this work, the ionization energy (IE) values of benzylamine (BA), 2-phenylethylamine (2-PEA), 3-phenylpropylamine (3-PPA), and 4-phenylbutylamine (4-PBA) were investigated in order to ascertain the impact of the different alkyl chain lengths and to verify an amino radical cation–π interaction. The IEs obtained experimentally, 8.54, 8.37, 8.29, and 8.31 eV for BA, 2-PEA, 3-PPA and 4-PBA, respectively, show a decreasing trend that is discussed employing calculations at the CBS-QB3 level. Moreover, the appearance energy values for major fragments produced by the photofragmentation process are reported.
Optimization of a triode-type cusp electron gun for a W-band gyro-TWA
Authors: Zhang Liang , Donaldson Craig R. , He Wenlong
Published: April 2018

A triode-type cusp electron gun was optimized through numerical simulations for a W-band gyrotron traveling wave amplifier. An additional electrode in front of the cathode could switch the electron beam on and off instantly when its electric potential is properly biased. An optimal electron beam of current 1.7 A and a velocity ratio (alpha) of 1.12 with an alpha spread of ∼10.7% was achieved when the triode gun was operated at 40 kV.
Sexual precocity and productivity of beef cattle female under grazing conditions
Authors: Pardo A. M. , Villarreal E. L. , Mazzucco J. Papaleo , Melucci O. G. , Santamaría S. , Ferrario J. , Melucci L. M.
Published: April 2018

In view of the importance of female reproductive traits as a key profit indicator in beef-cattle production systems, the objective of the present study was to explore the relationships between female sexual precocity and potential predictive traits of easy and early measurement, related to the productive and reproductive efficiency. Heifers born in 2011 and 2012 (n = 132) from five genetic groups (Angus, Hereford, Angus-Hereford, Hereford-Angus and Argentine Creole) in 2 years (Trial 1 and Trial 2) under grazing conditions were evaluated. After weaning, the presence of corpus luteum, liveweight, body condition score, hip height, rump fat thickness and rib fat thickness were recorded every 28 days, and Longissimus muscle area at 15 months of age. Also, to evaluate the relationships between age at puberty and the subsequent production efficiency, the annual records of 895 cows (217 Angus, 253 Hereford, 125 Creole, 116 Angus-Hereford and 184 Hereford-Angus) born between 1986 and 2009 were studied to estimate the average annual productivity of cows, and its components of (Co)variance, heritability and breeding values. Nutritional conditions immediately after weaning were determinants in reaching puberty. The univariate animal model for average annual productivity showed a heritability of 0.14 ± 0.05. Regression multiple and covariance analyses revealed that the rib fat thickness at 450 days of age was a good predictor of age at puberty, but lose some relevance as early selection criterion. Finally, it is important for future studies to analyse in more detail the existence of critical thresholds of fat deposition for the onset of reproductive activity.
Diversity in structure and forms of carbon assimilation in photosynthetic organs in Cleome (Cleomaceae)
Authors: Voznesenskaya Elena V. , Koteyeva Nuria K. , Cousins Asaph , Edwards Gerald E.
Published: April 2018

Photosynthesis in different organs of Cleome was analysed in four species known to have differences in leaf photosynthesis: Cleome africana Botsch. (C3), Cleome paradoxa R.Br. (C3-C4 intermediate), Cleome angustifolia Forssk. and Cleome gynandra L. (C4). The chlorophyll content, carbon isotope composition, stomatal densities, anatomy, levels and compartmentation of some key photosynthetic enzymes, and the form and function of photosynthesis were determined in different organs of these species. In the three xerophytes, C. africana, C. paradoxa, and C. angustifolia, multiple organs contribute to photosynthesis (cotyledons, leaves, petioles, stems and pods) which is considered important for their survival under arid conditions. In C. africana, all photosynthetic organs have C3 photosynthesis. In C. paradoxa, cotyledons, leaves, stems and petioles have C3-C4 type features. In C. angustifolia, the pods have C3 photosynthesis, whereas all other organs have C4 photosynthesis with Kranz anatomy formed by a continuous, dual layer of chlorenchyma cells. In the subtropical C4 species C. gynandra, cotyledons, leaves, and pods develop C4 photosynthesis, with Kranz anatomy around individual veins; but not in stems and petioles which have limited function of photosynthesis. The diversity in forms and the capacity of photosynthesis in organs of these species to contribute to their carbon economy is discussed.
Genetic diversity of marine oligochaetous clitellates in selected areas of the South Atlantic as revealed by DNA barcoding
Authors: Prantoni Alessandro L. , Belmonte-Lopes Ricardo , Lana Paulo C. , Erséus Christer
Published: April 2018

Marine oligochaetous clitellates are poorly investigated in the South Atlantic Ocean, especially along the east coast of South America. Closely related species are often difficult to distinguish based on morphology. The lack of specialists and modern identification guides have been pointed out as the main reasons for the scarcity of studies in the South Atlantic Ocean as a whole. To increase the knowledge of this group in the South Atlantic, the genetic diversity of a sample of marine oligochaetous clitellates from Brazil, South Africa and Antarctica was assessed by the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) and the generalised mixed Yule coalescent (GMYC) approaches. In total, 80 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained, each with ~658bp, estimated to represent 32 distinct putative species. ABGD established a barcoding gap between 3% and 14% divergence for uncorrected p-distances and the estimates of GMYC were largely concordant. All the clusters or putative species were genetically associated with previously known species or genera. This study thus confirms the adequacy of the COI barcoding approach combined with a genetic divergence threshold at the order of 10% for marine oligochaetous clitellates.
How sign language interpreters use multimodal actions to coordinate turn-taking in group work between deaf and hearing upper secondary school students
Authors: Berge Sigrid Slettebakk
Published: April 2018

This study examines interpreted group work situations involving deaf and hearing senior high school students, using Norwegian Sign Language and spoken Norwegian. The research question is: how does the sign language interpreter explicitly coordinate turn-taking in group work dialogues among deaf and hearing students? Video recordings of authentic learning situations constitute the basis for analysis of how a sign language interpreter uses multimodal actions to convey information that is used by the deaf and hearing students in establishing a shared focus of attention and thus coordinating their turn-taking. Five types of actions were recurrently identified: construction of visual gestures; timing of the interpreter’s input; use of gaze to negotiate for the deaf students’ speaking turns; left-right shifts in body position to convey information about which of the hearing students is speaking; and backward-forward shifts in body position to negotiate for shared attention. The analysis draws mainly on concepts developed by Goffman (1959, 1981), Goodwin (1994, 2000, 2007) and Wadensjö (1998). The discussion examines implications for the educational interpreter’s role set (Sarangi 2010, 2011), and the dual responsibility s/he fulfils by not only interpreting the students’ utterances, but also explicitly coordinating their interaction.
Foreign language teaching – Integrationism vs. MGM
Authors: Grein Marion
Published: April 2018

Modern language teaching is no longer grammar based, but based on authentic real life dialogues (dialogic speech acts) which enable learners to communicate or rather to interact verbally and nonverbally competent with native speakers. The conception of language teaching curricula, especially with regard to the development of textbooks, is in need of an applicable model of communication, based on regularities or principles of language-usage. Both, Integrationism and the Mixed Game Model (MGM) opt against segregational static approaches of linguistic analysis and – at first glance – could be considered suitable approaches within the field of language teaching. Yet, I will argue that the Integrational approach is hardly applicable here, whereas the MGM perfectly suits the needs of foreign language textbook authors and editors.
The persuasive use of pronouns in action games of election campaigns
Authors: Săftoiu Răzvan , Toader Adrian
Published: April 2018

Action games of election campaigns are one of the best venues for politicians to team up with specialists in communication studies in order to build, review, construct or deconstruct their own or their opponent’s image with the purpose of persuading the electorate to vote for a certain political group. Various action games of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign are analysed with regard to different dialogic means used by the speaker in order to persuade the audience to vote for him. For instance, he evokes nationalistic views in his speeches and skilfully uses pronouns in order to establish his role as dominant, strong, and credible nominee for presidency. Since we focus on a particular practice in dialogic language use, we will show that the Mixed Game Model (MGM) is more appropriate to study the argumentative power of words than integrationism.
Abandoning the simple by disintegrating the sign?
Authors: Pablé Adrian
Published: April 2018

In this comparative paper I suggest that linguistic theories need to be discussed in terms of the metatheoretical presuppositions sustaining them. In view of Edda Weigand’s rejection of the linguistic sign and her critique of Roy Harris’ integrational linguistics for failing to abandon the sign as its working concept and not adopting a holistic model that accounts for the complexity of human communication, I will argue that the key to understanding linguistic theories is semiology, including tacitly assumed – since ‘commonsensical’ – beliefs about what constitutes ‘language’, ‘a language’ and ‘communication’ (i.e. the metatheory). I will further argue that methodological considerations are not the primary domain of semiology. This paper is designed (i) as an integrational critique of Weigand’s conception of human communication as intentional and intersubjective and (ii) as an affirmation that linguistic indeterminacy concerns both form and meaning.
Integrationist reflections on the place of dialogue in our communicational universe
Authors: Jones Peter E.
Published: April 2018

Roy Harris identifies the “main flaw” in J. L. Austin’s account of language as a “failure to consider to what extent being able to ‘do things with words’ is parasitic on being able to do things without them”. Harris’s comment here serves as a springboard for a critical evaluation of communicational theories based around “talk-in-interaction” or dialogic principles. The primacy thereby given to linguistic interaction arguably entails a mystification of communication processes and the dis-integration of the social world into which our communicational experiences are intervowen. Consequently, the ghost of segregationism, in the shape of Harris’s “fallacy of verbalism”, continues to haunt, at times faintly, at times aggressively, the assumptions and methodologies of the approaches in question.
Integrating self, voice, experience
Authors: Thibault Paul J.
Published: April 2018

The experience of hearing one’s own voice during the act of speaking is a form of self-awareness and self-reflection that occurs in relation to and in interaction with the flow of experience, including the experience of other selves and their voices. Self-communication is deeply implicated in and necessary for interpersonal communication (Harris 1996). And yet, it is the latter which is generally taken to be the paradigm case of human languaging. The fundamental role of self-communication is neglected in the language sciences. Starting with the important fact that we hear our own voice when we speak (Harris 1996, chap. 11), this paper examines the central role of self-communication in the emergence of the self and the self’s role in languaging.
In lacu leonum: fosse, tanière, parc ou ménagerie?
Authors: Vassilieva-Codognet Olga
Published: April 2018

Si l’iconographie de Daniel dans la fosse aux lions a suscité de nombreux travaux qui se sont intéressés aux représentations de ce thème dans l’Antiquité et le haut Moyen Âge, aucun d’entre eux n’a abordé le traitement de l’épisode vétérotestamentaire dans l’enluminure médiévale. Cette étude n’est pourtant pas sans intérêt puisque la tradition médiévale du manuscrit enluminé, et plus spécialement celle de la Bible enluminée – le motif de Daniel et des lions constitue le choix préféré des miniaturistes pour illustrer le Livre de Daniel –, a permis de conserver pendant plusieurs siècles l’un des premiers motifs de l’art chrétien tout en le modifiant progressivement par l’ajout de détails réalistes. En particulier, les différentes interprétations de ce que pouvait être une ʻfosse aux lionsʼ ont donné naissance, tout au long du Moyen Âge, à des représentations plastiques qui vont du trou noir abstrait jusqu’à la ménagerie réaliste en passant par la tanière, le puits, ou encore le parc de chasse.
Le Vultur dans le De animalibus d’Albert le Grand
Authors: Wille Clara
Published: April 2018

Albert le Grand, dans son œuvre intitulée De animalibus, a rédigé un vaste commentaire de l’œuvre zoologique d’Aristote se basant sur la traduction arabo-latine du De animalibus de Michel Scot – une traduction latine d’une traduction arabe des trois grands traités sur les animaux d’Aristote en dix-neuf livres. Mais Albert a ajouté à l’Aristote arabo-latin sept livres supplémentaires sur les animaux selon le modèle encyclopédique du Liber de natura rerum de Thomas de Cantimpré. Le traité zoologique De animalibus d’Albert le Grand est donc beaucoup plus volumineux que l’œuvre aristotélicienne qu’il commente et consiste en vingt-six livres. Le présent article propose de comparer les notices consacrées au vultur, vautour, dans les deux parties du De animalibus d’Albert le Grand. L’étude de ces différentes mentions peut ainsi nous informer sur le rapport entre les deux parties ainsi que sur la méthode de travailler et l’objectif scientifique d’Albert le Grand.