bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Future of Reproductive Autonomy
Authors: Johnston Josephine , Zacharias Rachel L.
Published: December 2017

In a project The Hastings Center is now running on the future of prenatal testing, we are encountering clear examples, both in established law and in the practices of individual providers, of failures to respect women's reproductive autonomy: when testing is not offered to certain demographics of women, for instance, or when the choices of women to terminate or continue pregnancies are prohibited or otherwise not supported. But this project also raises puzzles for reproductive autonomy. We have learned that some clinicians and patients do not discuss the fact that prenatal testing can lead to a decision about whether to terminate a pregnancy—they just don't talk about it. And while the decision whether to agree to prenatal screening and diagnostic testing is to be made with women's free and informed consent, many screening tests have been routinized in such a way that some women do not even recall agreeing to testing, while others feel that agreeing to testing is what their clinicians expect of them or that the testing is necessary to protect themselves and their families from the significant financial hardship of raising a child with a disability. In the face of these pressures, can one really say that women are freely choosing to undergo testing or are freely choosing to continue or terminate a pregnancy following receipt of test results? The reality of these pressures is requiring us to consider expanding the scope of our investigation beyond the clinical encounter to the broader context—to think harder about what reproductive autonomy means and how best to enhance it.
A Call for Empirical Research on Uterine Transplantation and Reproductive Autonomy
Authors: Horsburgh Cristie Cole
Published: December 2017

Uterine transplantation could give women who suffer from uterine factor infertility the possibility of experiencing gestation. Much of the ethical discussion about uterine transplantation has focused on whether research on it should even be pursued, but researchers are nevertheless moving forward with several uterine transplant research protocols. Scholars should therefore already be identifying and engaging in an intimate examination of the ethical realities of offering uterine transplantation in a clinical setting. Given the potential for the procedure to expand reproductive options for women, reproductive autonomy has been a primary principle underlying much of the ethical discourse about the hypothetical impact of uterine transplantation. Yet the factors that will affect whether uterine transplants promote or undermine a patients’ reproductive autonomy if the procedure is integrated into clinical practice have yet to be rigorously explored. Focusing on the clinical realities of patient autonomy, I argue that empirical data exploring prospective recipients’ motivations and their perceptions of the benefits of the procedure in the context of their lived experiences are critical to a robust analysis of the ethical dimensions of uterine transplantation.
How to analyse the spatiotemporal tumour samples needed to investigate cancer evolution: A case study using paired primary and recurrent glioblastoma
Authors: Droop Alastair , Bruns Alexander , Tanner Georgette , Rippaus Nora , Morton Ruth , Harrison Sally , King Henry , Ashton Katherine , Syed Khaja , Jenkinson Michael D. , Brodbelt Andrew , Chakrabarty Aruna , Ismail Azzam , Short Susan , Stead Lucy F.
Published: December 2017

Many traits of cancer progression (e.g., development of metastases or resistance to therapy) are facilitated by tumour evolution: Darwinian selection of subclones with distinct genotypes or phenotypes that enable such progression. Characterising these subclones provide an opportunity to develop drugs to better target their specific properties but requires the accurate identification of somatic mutations shared across multiple spatiotemporal tumours from the same patient. Current best practices for calling somatic mutations are optimised for single samples, and risk being too conservative to identify shared mutations with low prevalence in some samples. We reasoned that datasets from multiple matched tumours can be used for mutual validation and thus propose an adapted two‐stage approach: (1) low‐stringency mutation calling to identify mutations shared across samples irrespective of the weight of evidence in a single sample; (2) high‐stringency mutation calling to further characterise mutations present in a single sample. We applied our approach to three‐independent cohorts of paired primary and recurrent glioblastoma tumours, two of which have previously been analysed using existing approaches, and found that it significantly increased the amount of biologically relevant shared somatic mutations identified. We also found that duplicate removal was detrimental when identifying shared somatic mutations. Our approach is also applicable when multiple datasets e.g. DNA and RNA are available for the same tumour.
Truncated isoform Vav3.1 is highly expressed in ovarian cancer stem cells and clinically relevant in predicting prognosis and platinum‐response
Authors: Reimer Daniel , Boesch Maximilian , Wolf Dominik , Marth Christian , Sopper Sieghart , Hatina Jiri , Altevogt Peter , Parson Walther , Hackl Hubert , Zeimet Alain G.
Published: December 2017

Vav3 is a key modulator of GTP‐hydrolases of the Rho/Rac family, which are crucially involved in cell proliferation. Vav3 is alternatively spliced in full‐length Vav3‐alpha and N‐terminal truncated Vav3.1 lacking its self‐regulatory domains. The aim of our study was to estimate the clinical impact of Vav3 and all other Vav family members in ovarian cancer. Purification of a stem‐cell like side‐population (SP) from ovarian cancer cell lines was performed by flow cytometry/FACS. Differences in gene expression between SP and NSP were assessed by Gene Array analysis and confirmed by RT‐PCR and immunoblot. In addition, Vav mRNA expression was determined in 150 epithelial ovarian cancers. Clinicopathological parameters, platinum‐sensitivity and survival were analyzed and associated with Vav expression. SP fractions of ovarian cancer cell lines exhibited marked overexpression of Vav3.1 (p < 0.001). Vav1 and Vav2 did not prove to be of clinicopathologic relevance in ovarian cancer. High Vav3.1 expression correlated with higher FIGO stage and residual disease. Furthermore, Vav3.1 overexpression was associated with poor progression‐free (HR = 2.820, p = 0.0001) and overall survival (HR = 2.842, p = 0.0001). Subgroup analyses revealed an impact of Vav3.1 on survival in Type‐II but not in Type‐I cancers. Notably, platinum‐refractory cancers showed marked overexpression of Vav3.1 compared to other subsets of platinum‐sensitivity (15.848 vs. 6.653, p = 0.0001). In conclusion, Vav3.1 is over‐expressed in stem‐cell like SP fractions and is clinically relevant in the pathophysiology of ovarian cancer. The N‐terminal truncated Vav3.1 may be decisively involved in mechanisms causing genuine multi‐drug resistance.
Volunteer motivation: A field study examining why some do more, while others do less
Authors: Cady Steven H. , Brodke Michelle , Kim Joo‐Hyung , Shoup Zachary D.
Published: December 2017

In nonprofit organizations, motivating volunteers for particular activities is challenging because they can take place in unstructured environments. Therefore, members are disengaged despite their initial commitment to the cause. An important opportunity in the literature is to examine motivation from the perspective of the volunteer; and, more specifically, to test for the differential impact that self‐efficacy, collective efficacy, and perceived organizational support have on three motivational outcomes: effort, performance, and satisfaction. Our focus is on volunteer motivation to support a specific event or project. Teasing out the impact of one's efficacious beliefs about their group at the individual level is an important contribution that has yet to be examined. Using data from 285 volunteers, results indicate that collective efficacy and perceived organizational support positively influence volunteer satisfaction. An important contrast we confirmed, unlike self‐efficacy and perceived organizational support, was collective efficacy's negative relationship to effort, which in turn affected performance. We were able to isolate the unique relationships, corroborating extant research with respect to self‐efficacy and perceived organizational support. As a result, the potential for spurious relationships was ruled out, adding credibility to the new findings.
Immunomodulatory effects of foreskin mesenchymal stromal cells on natural killer cells
Authors: Najar Mehdi , Fayyad‐Kazan Mohammad , Meuleman Nathalie , Bron Dominique , Fayyad‐Kazan Hussein , Lagneaux Laurence
Published: December 2017

Foreskin‐mesenchymal stromal cells (FSK‐MSCs) are immune‐privileged thus making them valuable immunotherapeutic cell product. Characterization of the relationship between FSK‐MSCs and natural killer (NK) cells is essential to improve cell‐based therapy. In the present study, we studied for the first time FSK‐MSCs‐NK interaction and showed that the result of such cross talk was robustly dependent on the type of cytokines (IL‐2, IL‐12, IL‐15, and IL‐21) employed to activate NK cells. Distinctly activated‐NK cells showed uneven cytotoxicity against FSK‐MSCs, triggering their death in fine. The expression of different cell‐surface ligands (CD112, CD155, ULPB‐3) and receptors (LAIR, KIRs) ensuring such interaction was altered following co‐culture of both populations. Despite their partial negative effect on NK cell proliferation, FSK‐MSCs boosted the capacity of activated NK‐cells to secrete IFN‐γ and TNF‐α. Moreover, FSK‐MSCs enhanced degranulation of NK cells, reinforced secretion of perforin and granzymes, while only modestly increased ROS production. On the other hand, FSK‐MSCs‐mediated expression of C1 and B9 serpins was significantly lowered in the presence of activated NK cells. Altogether, our results highlight major immunological changes following FSK‐MSCs‐NK interaction. Understanding these outcomes will therefore enhance the value of the therapeutic strategy.
Progress towards the United Nations 90‐90‐90 and 95‐95‐95 targets: the experience in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Lima Viviane D. , St‐Jean Martin , Rozada Ignacio , Shoveller Jean A. , Nosyk Bohdan , Hogg Robert S. , Sereda Paul , Barrios Rolando , Montaner Julio S G
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale‐up is central to the global strategy to control the HIV/AIDS pandemic. To accelerate efforts towards ending the AIDS epidemic, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS released the 90‐90‐90 and 95‐95‐95 targets, which have recently been approved by the United Nations (UN). This study characterizes the province of British Columbia (BC)'s progress towards achieving the UN targets, predicts a trajectory up to 2030 according to each of the individual steps (i.e. %Diagnosed, %On ART and %Virologically Suppressed), and identifies the population sub‐groups at higher risk of not achieving these targets.

Methods

The analyses were based on linked individual‐level datasets of people living with HIV (PLWH) in BC, aged ≥18 months, from 2000 to 2013. Using past trends in HIV prevalence and of each individual UN targets, we forecasted these outcomes until 2030 via generalized additive models. We ran a second set of analyses to assess the associations between individual demographic and behavioural factors and each of the individual steps of the UN targets. Lastly, we performed sensitivity analyses to account for uncertainty associated with prevalence estimates and suppression definitions.

Results

Among the estimated 10666 PLWH in BC in 2013, 82% were diagnosed, 76% of those diagnosed were on ART and 83% of those on ART were virologically suppressed. We identified that females, PLWH aged <30 years and those with unknown risk or who self‐identify as having a history of injection drug use were the population subgroups that experienced the most challenge in engaging on ART and achieving viral suppression. Our model projections suggest that BC will achieve 90%‐91%‐90% and 97%‐99%‐97% by 2020 and 2030 respectively.

Conclusions

As we approach 2020, BC is rapidly moving towards achieving the UN targets. However, region‐specific challenges persist. Identification of remaining regional challenges will be essential to achieving the proposed UN targets and therefore fulfilling the promise to end AIDS as a pandemic by 2030.
Trends in maternal deaths in HIV‐infected women, on a background of changing HIV management guidelines in South Africa: 1997 to 2015
Authors: Mnyani Coceka N , Buchmann Eckhart J , Chersich Matthew F , Frank Karlyn A , McIntyre James A
Published: December 2017

Introduction

As work begins towards the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030, much needs to be done in ending preventable maternal deaths. After 1990, South Africa experienced a reversal of gains in decreasing maternal mortality, with an increase in HIV‐related maternal deaths. In this study, we assessed trends in maternal mortality in HIV‐infected women, on a background of an evolving HIV care programme.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional, retrospective record review of maternal deaths in the obstetrics unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, in Johannesburg, South Africa, a referral hospital in a high HIV prevalence setting where the prevalence among pregnant women has plateaued around 29.0% for the past decade. Trends in HIV diagnosis and management in pregnancy, and causes of maternal deaths in HIV‐infected women were analysed over different time periods (1997 to 2003, 2004 to 2009, 2010 to 2012, and 2013 to 2015) reflecting major guideline changes.

Results

From January 1997 to December 2015, there were 692 maternal deaths in the obstetrics unit. Of the 490 (70.8%) maternal deaths with a documented HIV status, 335 (68.4%) were HIV‐infected. A Chi‐squared test for trends showed that the institutional MMR (iMMR) in women known to be HIV‐infected peaked in the period 2004 to 2009 at 380 (95% CI 319 to 446) per 100,000 live births, with a decline to 267 (95% CI 198 to 353) in 2013 to 2015, p = 0.049. This decrease coincided with changes in the South African HIV management guidelines, mainly increased availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Non‐pregnancy related infections were the leading cause of death throughout the review period, accounting for 61.5% (206/335) of deaths. Only 23.3% (78/335) of the women who died were on ART at the time of death, this in the context of advanced immune suppression and an overall median CD4 count of 136 cells/μl (interquartile ranges (IQR) 45 to 301).

Conclusion

In this 19‐year review of maternal deaths in Johannesburg, South Africa, there was evidence of a decrease in the iMMR among HIV‐infected women, but it remains unacceptably high. Efforts to address drivers of mortality and barriers to accessing ART need to be accelerated if we are to see substantial decreases in maternal mortality.
Perceived mastery climate, felt trust, and knowledge sharing
Authors: Nerstad Christina G.L. , Searle Rosalind , Černe Matej , Dysvik Anders , Škerlavaj Miha , Scherer Ronny
Published: December 2017

Interpersonal trust is associated with a range of adaptive outcomes, including knowledge sharing. However, to date, our knowledge of antecedents and consequences of employees feeling trusted by supervisors in organizations remains limited. On the basis of a multisource, multiwave field study among 956 employees from 5 Norwegian organizations, we examined the predictive roles of perceived mastery climate and employee felt trust for employees' knowledge sharing. Drawing on the achievement goal theory, we develop and test a model to demonstrate that when employees perceive a mastery climate, they are more likely to feel trusted by their supervisors at both the individual and group levels. Moreover, the relationship between employees' perceptions of a mastery climate and supervisor‐rated knowledge sharing is mediated by perceptions of being trusted by the supervisor. Theoretical contributions and practical implications of our findings are discussed.
Biomechanical tolerance of whole lumbar spines in straightened posture subjected to axial acceleration
Authors: Stemper Brian D. , Chirvi Sajal , Doan Ninh , Baisden Jamie L. , Maiman Dennis J. , Curry William H. , Yoganandan Narayan , Pintar Frank A. , Paskoff Glenn , Shender Barry S.
Published: December 2017

Quantification of biomechanical tolerance is necessary for injury prediction and protection of vehicular occupants. This study experimentally quantified lumbar spine axial tolerance during accelerative environments simulating a variety of military and civilian scenarios. Intact human lumbar spines (T12‐L5) were dynamically loaded using a custom‐built drop tower. Twenty‐three specimens were tested at sub‐failure and failure levels consisting of peak axial forces between 2.6 and 7.9 kN and corresponding peak accelerations between 7 and 57 g. Military aircraft ejection and helicopter crashes fall within these high axial acceleration ranges. Testing was stopped following injury detection. Both peak force and acceleration were significant (p < 0.0001) injury predictors. Injury probability curves using parametric survival analysis were created for peak acceleration and peak force. Fifty‐percent probability of injury (95%CI) for force and acceleration were 4.5 (3.9–5.2 kN), and 16 (13–19 g). A majority of injuries affected the L1 spinal level. Peak axial forces and accelerations were greater for specimens that sustained multiple injuries or injuries at L2–L5 spinal levels. In general, force‐based tolerance was consistent with previous shorter‐segment lumbar spine testing (3–5 vertebrae), although studies incorporating isolated vertebral bodies reported higher tolerance attributable to a different injury mechanism involving structural failure of the cortical shell. This study identified novel outcomes with regard to injury patterns, wherein more violent exposures produced more injuries in the caudal lumbar spine. This caudal migration was likely attributable to increased injury tolerance at lower lumbar spinal levels and a faster inertial mass recruitment process for high rate load application. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. J Orthop Res 36:1747–1756, 2018.
Cruise passenger impacts on mobility within a port area: Case of the Port of Barcelona
Authors: Ros Chaos Sergi , Pino Roca David , Saurí Marchán Sergi , Sánchez‐Arcilla Conejo Agustín
Published: December 2017

Cruise tourism has grown rapidly worldwide over the past 30 years. This increase in cruise passengers has brought a set of economic, socio‐cultural, and environmental impacts. In a port context, it is reflected in mobility problems with long waiting times and queues. To assess cruise passenger impacts, a mobility analysis was performed. The results of this analysis demonstrate the importance of the disembarkation operation. Passengers have to be moved in short periods of time. It is vital to organize mobility and to have sufficient transport modes to move passengers to their inland destinations quickly, safely, and efficiently.
Efficient sparse representation algorithm for accurate DOA estimation of multiple targets with single measurement vector
Authors: Lee Seong‐Hyeon , Choi In‐O , Kang Min‐Seok , Kim Kyung‐Tae
Published: December 2017

In order to rapidly achieve accurate direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation of multiple targets using a single measurement vector (i.e., array signal vector), we propose a new efficient sparse representation algorithm based on the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) using a step‐by‐step search approach. Regardless of the high mutual coherence of redundant dictionary (i.e., array manifold matrix), the optimal sparse solutions for DOAs of multiple targets can be yielded with a relatively low computational cost, as compared to the iterative local searching OMP method that is up‐to‐date. Several simulation and experimental results demonstrated that the proposed scheme is much more effective than the existing subspace‐based algorithms in a noisy environment and other sparse representation algorithms, even in actual measurement cases.
A 600 GHz varactor frequency multiplier using 65‐nm CMOS technology
Authors: Choi S.H. , Yi C. , Kim M.
Published: December 2017

A terahertz frequency multiplier is fabricated using a 65‐nm CMOS technology. A modified model for an n‐type thin‐oxide varactor is also created from measured S‐parameter data sets around 300 and 600 GHz. The multiplier circuit produces −20.9 dB m of probe‐measured output power at 595 GHz, and its performance is in a close agreement with the simulated data proving the accuracy of the modified varactor model.
Silicon‐based technology: Circularly polarized microstrip patch antenna at ISM band with miniature structure using fractal geometry for biomedical application
Authors: Maity Santanu , Barman Kuheli Roy , Bhattacharjee Shankar
Published: December 2017

This article presented a suitable antenna for biomedical implantation. This can be attached to biomedical devices to monitor health conditions. Combination of meander structure with slot and fractal geometry is embedded on a silicon substrate, and operates within the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band. A suitable radiation pattern is obtained from the simulated and fabricated proposed antenna. A miniature antenna with a total size of 11.44 × 11.44 × 0.275 mm3 (with substrate) and 6.28 × 6.29 × 0.275 mm3 (without substrate) is designed and fabricated for suitable biomedical implementation. The antenna is fabricated on the 275 μm standard silicon substrate to make it be easily integrated with a biomedical device. The proposed antenna is optimized in a three layers tissue model. Simulations and measurements demonstrate that the antenna radiates in ISM band with skin mimicking environment. The measurement and simulation results show that the proposed antenna has a wide axial ratio bandwidth from 2.432 to 2.47 GHz.
A novel circularly polarized filtering antenna with high out‐of‐band radiation rejection level
Authors: Qu Meijun , Li Mingxing , Yao Lidan , Rao Menlou , Li Shufang , Deng Li
Published: December 2017

In this paper, a circularly polarized filtering antenna with high out‐of‐band radiation rejection level is proposed. The entire design consists of a patch and a filtering feeding network, which are connected by metallic pins. First, a high‐selectivity filtering power divider is constructed utilizing two shunted bandpass filter. Next, a 90° phase difference could be realized by adjusting the length of the two outputs of the power divider. The measured transmission coefficient of the feeding network is 6.3 dB at 2 GHz. The measured axial ratio is below 3 dB within the operating band of the proposed antenna, which represents the effectiveness of the proposed feeding network. In addition, the obvious radiation nulls can be found from the antenna measurement because of the transmission zeros introducing by the filtering power divider. The measured gain is 5.73 dB at 2 GHz and decreases dramatically in stopband. Specially, the measured gain is −30 and −41 dB at 1.95 and 2.06 GHz. The proposed antenna has an excellent filtering characteristic compared with those without the filtering feeding network. To sum up, the proposed antenna and filtering power divider are promising in the modern wireless communication systems.
Evolution of terahertz dielectric permittivity of rubber during thermo‐oxidative aging
Authors: Chang Tianying , Zhang Xiansheng , Cui Hong‐Liang
Published: December 2017

Polymer materials such as rubber and plastics are prone to aging induced degradation, especially thermo‐oxidative aging. In this paper, terahertz time‐domain spectroscopy was employed to investigate the aging process of styrene butadiene rubber by spectrally following the evolution of its dielectric permittivity in the terahertz frequency region during prolonged high‐temperature, accelerated, continuous thermo‐oxidative aging. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant in the 0.1–0.8 THz frequency band were obtained and analyzed, and shown to be consistent with present theoretical understanding. The study revealed a close relationship between the evolution of the rubber's dielectric permittivity and the material's physical response to the terahertz electromagnetic radiation during thermo‐oxidative aging, manifesting a strong correlation between quantitative changes of the dielectric permittivity and the degree of aging, which can be understood qualitatively in terms of dynamical structural changes at the molecular level.
Metamaterial‐inspired series‐fed frequency reconfigurable array with zero‐phase CRLH interconnects
Authors: Ijaz Bilal , Khan M. S. , Asif S. M. , Anagnostou Dimitri E. , Braaten Benjamin D.
Published: December 2017

Devices with multiband wireless system capabilities have significantly benefited from the introduction of frequency reconfigurable antennas. However, much of the development on frequency reconfigurable antennas has been on single antenna elements. In this letter, a frequency reconfigurable series‐fed array is presented that has the benefits of broad‐side radiation at two different frequencies. The proposed antenna consists of four reconfigurable dipoles interconnected with reconfigurable zero‐phase composite right‐/left‐handed (CRLH) transmission lines (TLs). PIN diodes are then used to switch between the two measured frequency bands of 2.04–2.18 GHz and 2.44–2.58 GHz. The developed prototype presented here showed a near broadside radiation pattern in both switching bands and a maximum gain of 2.1 dBi was measured in both switching bands. It is shown that instead of meander‐line interconnects between the dipole elements, much more compact frequency reconfigurable CRLH‐TLs can be used.
Miniaturized optical fingerprint scanner incorporating an integrated encoding plate
Authors: Lee Yong‐Geon , Baek Seon‐U. , Lee Sang‐Shin , Son Geun‐Sik
Published: December 2017

A compact optical fingerprint scanner (FPS) without a lens has been proposed and demonstrated using a plastic encoding plate that integrates an input and output routing mirror in conjunction with a platen. A beam originating from a vertical cavity surface emitting laser is projected toward the platen through the input routing mirror. Considering that the total internal reflection is inhibited at the ridges but takes place at the valleys, the projected beam can be spatially modulated by placing a fingerprint on the platen. The proposed FPS has been designed via ray‐optic simulations and was then constructed by creating an integrated encoding plate. The scanner could manifest the sweat glands of the ridges for an actual fingerprint.
An analytical design method for a novel dual‐band filtering DC‐block impedance transformer
Authors: Sun Shaopu , Wu Yongle , Jiao Lingxiao , Liu Yuanan
Published: December 2017

In this paper, a dual‐band impedance transformer with filtering integration and DC‐block function is proposed for the first time. Excellent frequency selectivity is achieved by the dual‐narrowband filtering integration with two pairs of transmission zeros (TZs) at both sides of the dual passband. Using transmission‐line theory and even‐/odd‐mode analysis method, the design theory and equations are demonstrated analytically. Furthermore, the relationship between terminal impedance ratios and operating frequency ratios is analyzed, and arbitrary impedance ratios and frequency ratios can be obtained in the given constrained region. Based on a simple design flow, two examples with the same frequency ratio 1.9 but different terminal impedance ratios 1.2 and 1.6 are fabricated and measured for experimental validation. Good agreement between the simulated results and measured ones verifies the presented design method.
Dynamic calibration method of temperature sensor based on Quasi‐δ pulse temperature excitation
Authors: Li Yanfeng , Zhang Zhijie , Hao Xiaojian , Cheng Hang
Published: December 2017

Aiming at the existing problems in the dynamic calibration method of temperature sensor, Quasi‐δ pulse temperature dynamic calibration method is proposed. The Quasi‐δ pulse dynamic calibration principle was described, the characteristics of Quasi‐δ pulse function were analyzed, and the relationship among pulse width of Quasi‐δ signal, frequency range that can be calibrated, and calibration precision was obtained. Quasi‐δ pulse temperature dynamic calibration system was built using the laser as the heat source which generates the excitation temperature required for dynamic calibration. In the system, optical focusing system was designed using ellipsoidal mirror which has a better conjugate imaging property. Applying the dynamic calibration system, a K‐type armored thermocouple was calibrated dynamically, and mathematical model of the calibrated thermocouple was established by generalized least squares method based on a special whitening filter. Dynamic characteristics of the thermocouple in time domain and frequency domain were analyzed.
Dual‐band dual‐polarized antenna for WLAN applications
Authors: Row Jeen‐Sheen , Huang You‐Jhih
Published: December 2017

A new design for antennas with dual‐band and dual‐polarization operations is described. The design uses a stacked structure that is composed of a lower microstrip antenna and an upper crossed‐dipole antenna. The microstrip antenna, excited with two orthogonal probe feeds, is operated at the lower frequency band, and the crossed‐dipole antenna, excited with a pair of coaxial baluns, is operated at the higher frequency band. Experimental results demonstrate that the 10 dB‐return‐loss impedance bandwidths of the two antennas can cover the frequency bands from 2.4 to 2.48 GHz and from 5.15 to 5.85 GHz, respectively. Moreover, for each antenna, the isolation between the orthogonal input ports is larger than 30 dB and the cross polarization level is around −20 dB. Simulation results obtained with HFSS are also provided, and they have good agreements with the measured results.
A compact and broadband dielectric image line based antenna array in planar environment
Authors: Prasad Chandra Shekhar , Biswas Animesh , Akhtar M. Jaleel
Published: December 2017

In this letter, a compact, planar, dielectric image line (DIL) based 4‐elements antenna array is proposed in Ku‐band. Ansoft HFSS is used to design and optimize antenna array. The measured impedance bandwidth and peak realized gain are 33.33% and 18.1 dBi at 15 GHz for 1λ0 long DIL rod, respectively.
Broadband circularly polarized printed monopole antenna with protruded L‐shaped and inverted L‐shaped strips
Authors: Chandu D. S. , Karthikeyan S. S.
Published: December 2017

A novel approach in the design of broadband circularly polarized antennas is presented in this article. The design uses a simple monopole structure with a triangular tapered feed. Right‐/left‐hand circular polarization (CP) is achieved by protruding L‐shaped strip and inverted L‐shaped strip along the left/right radiating edge of the monopole. It is proposed that the 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth (AR‐BW) can be enhanced when the length of these strips is equal to λg/4 at the center frequency of their respective CP bands. This principle is verified by fabricating the prototype on 1 mm thick FR4 substrate occupying a compact area of 0.19 λ0 × 0.19 λ0. From the measurement results, it is observed that the overlapped bandwidth (S11 ≤ −10 dB and AR ≤ 3 dB) of the antenna is 129.04% (1.38–6.4 GHz) which covers all the major WLAN bands including the WiMAX. The proposed antenna has bi‐directional radiation characteristics with a broadside gain of 3.49 dBic in the CP band.
Cardiac MR elastography using reduced‐FOV, single‐shot, spin‐echo EPI
Authors: Sui Yi , Arunachalam Shivaram P. , Arani Arvin , Trzasko Joshua D. , Young Phillip M. , Glockner James F. , Glaser Kevin J. , Lake David S. , McGee Kiaran P. , Manduca Armando , Rossman Phillip J. , Ehman Richard L. , Araoz Philip A.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

To implement a reduced field of view (rFOV) technique for cardiac MR elastography (MRE) and to demonstrate the improvement in image quality of both magnitude images and post‐processed MRE stiffness maps compared to the conventional full field of view (full‐FOV) acquisition.

Methods

With Institutional Review Board approval, 17 healthy volunteers underwent both full‐FOV and rFOV cardiac MRE scans using 140‐Hz vibrations. Two cardiac radiologists blindly compared the magnitude images and stiffness maps and graded the images based on several image quality attributes using a 5‐point ordinal scale. Fisher's combined probability test was performed to assess the overall evaluation. The octahedral shear strain‐based signal‐to‐noise ratio (OSS‐SNR) and median stiffness over the left ventricular myocardium were also compared.

Results

One volunteer was excluded because of an inconsistent imaging resolution during the exam. In the remaining 16 volunteers (9 males, 7 females), the rFOV scans outperformed the full‐FOV scans in terms of subjective image quality and ghosting artifacts in the magnitude images and stiffness maps, as well as the overall preference. The quantitative measurements showed that rFOV had significantly higher OSS‐SNR (median: 1.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–1.5] vs. 2.1 [95% CI: 1.8–2.4]), P < 0.05) compared to full‐FOV. Although no significant change was found in the median myocardial stiffness between the 2 scans, we observed a decrease in the stiffness variation within the myocardium from 2.1 kPa (95% CI: [1.9, 2.3]) to 1.9 kPa (95% CI: [1.7, 2.0]) for full‐FOV and rFOV, respectively (P < 0.05) in a subgroup of 7 subjects with ghosting present in the myocardium.

Conclusion

This pilot volunteer study demonstrated that rFOV cardiac MRE has the capability to reduce ghosting and to improve image quality in both MRE magnitude images and stiffness maps. Magn Reson Med 80:231–238, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
Prestructuring sparse matrices with dense rows and columns via null space methods
Authors: Howell Jason S.
Published: December 2017

Several applied problems may produce large sparse matrices with a small number of dense rows and/or columns, which can adversely affect the performance of commonly used direct solvers. By posing the problem as a saddle point system, an unconventional application of a null space method can be employed to eliminate dense rows and columns. The choice of null space basis is critical in retaining the overall sparse structure of the matrix. A new one‐sided application of the null space method is also presented to eliminate either dense rows or columns. These methods can be considered techniques that modify the nonzero structure of the matrix before employing a direct solver and may result in improved direct solver performance.
A novel bio‐based phthalonitrile resin derived from catechin: synthesis and comparison of curing behavior with petroleum‐based counterpart
Authors: Qi Yu , Weng Zhihuan , Wang Jinyan , Zhang Shouhai , Zong Lishuai , Liu Cheng , Jian Xigao
Published: December 2017

The development of bio‐based thermosetting resins with good thermal stability can potentially afford sustainable polymers as replacements for petroleum‐based polymers. We report a practical route to a novel catechin‐based phthalonitrile resin precursor (CA‐Ph), which contains free phenolic hydroxyl groups that result in ‘self‐curing’ at elevated temperatures to afford a thermostable polymer. Comparison of the performance of this CA‐Ph resin with that of a conventional petroleum‐based bisphenol A phthalonitrile resin (BPA‐Ph; containing 5 wt% of the curing agent 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone) revealed that CA‐Ph exhibits a lower melting point and curing temperature. Cured CA‐Ph resin retains 95% of its weight at 520 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere, which compares favorably with results obtained for BPA‐Ph resin that retains 95% of its weight at a lower temperature of 484 °C. Kinetic results indicated that the curing reactions of both CA‐Ph and BPA‐Ph systems follow an autocatalytic mechanism. These results suggest that catechin is a useful bio‐based feedstock for the preparation of self‐curing and thermally stable phthalonitrile resins for advanced technological applications. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Daclizumab: another option for highly active relapsing‐remitting MS
Authors: Gaber Tarek , Shippen Clare
Published: December 2017

Daclizumab provides clinicians with a new treatment option for patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis. Here the authors consider its benefits compared with other multiple sclerosis drugs and its likely place in therapy.
Mental Health 2017: Implementing the Five Year Forward View
Authors: David Felix
Published: December 2017

At the Mental Health 2017: Implementing the Five Year Forward View conference held in September 2017 at the Royal Society of Medicine, delegates were informed on the current government plans to focus attention on perinatal and children's mental health, to bring mental health care from institutions into the community and integrate physical and mental health services. Felix David here reports on some of the conference highlights.
Characterizing aquatic habitats for long‐term monitoring of a fourth‐order, regulated river in the Pacific Northwest, USA
Authors: Konrad C.P. , Burton K. , Little R. , Gendaszek A.D. , Munn M.D. , Anderson S.W.
Published: December 2017

A pragmatic approach to the long‐term monitoring of rivers leverages available information with targeted field investigations to address key uncertainties relevant to management decisions. An over‐arching management issue for many rivers is how reservoir operation affects the amount and location of in‐channel sediment and the resulting distribution of aquatic habitats. We integrate remotely acquired and field‐survey morphologic data for the Cedar River, Washington, to constitute the current status of aquatic habitats and benchmarks for long‐term monitoring that will inform streamflow management. Four key habitats (river edge, side channels, riffles, and pools) are feasible to monitor with high‐resolution aerial imagery, a longitudinal profile of the river, and a side channel inventory, but full characterization of the functional differences within these habitats requires additional information. Habitat use information such as redd surveys will continue to be important for long‐term monitoring where it cannot be inferred reliably from physical habitat characteristics.
Elucidation of the Structure and Fluxionality of a Dinuclear Organometallic Complex Reluctant to Crystallize: An Experimental and Theoretical Integrated Approach
Authors: Loffi Cecilia , Rogolino Dominga , Verdolino Vincenzo , Pelagatti Paolo
Published: December 2017

The organometallic dication 12+ has been constructed by combining the angular py‐functionalized ligand N,N′‐bis‐(3‐aminopyridine)‐1,4,5,8‐naphthalenetetracarboxydiimide (L) with [(p‐cymene)RuCl] moieties. In 12+ two ligands L bridge two organometallic nodes. Repeated crystallization attempts of 12+ failed and then a combined DFT/VT‐1H NMR/UV‐Vis spectroscopy study has been performed to define the most plausible structure of the dication. These considers the two naphthalenediimide platforms unstacked, thus giving rise to a very open conformation where the two chloride and the two p‐cymene ligands lye on the same side of the cationic cleft. The high fluxionality of 12+ evidenced by 1H NMR spectroscopy has been elucidated by a combined PES (Potential Energy Surface)/MD (Molecular Dynamic)/DFT‐GIAO (Gauge Including Atomic Orbitals) study, thus furnishing a detailed description of the dynamic character of 12+.
β‐Cyclodextrin‐Monosulphonic Acid Catalyzed Efficient Synthesis of 1‐Amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthols
Authors: Madankumar Natarajan , Pitchumani Kasi
Published: December 2017

An efficient and rapid approach for the synthesis of 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthols catalyzed by β‐cyclodextrin‐monosulphonic acid under solvent‐free conditions is described. The catalyst can be prepared easily from readily available β‐cyclodextrin in a single step procedure and is characterized by ESI‐Mass (Electrospray Ionization‐Mass), elemental analysis and TGA (Thermogravimetric analysis). Totally 29 compounds are prepared from various aromatic aldehydes, amides and 2‐naphthol using this β‐cyclodextrin‐monosulphonic acid indicating the broad substrate scope of this method. The key benefits of this atom economical method comprise a simple and a single step preparation of the catalyst, shorter reaction time (6‐20 minutes), good to excellent yields (72‐96%), mild reaction conditions, wide range of functional group tolerance, absence of any tedious workup or purification, it avoids hazardous reagents/solvents and reusable upto five runs. A suitable reaction mechanism which is supported by energy minimization studies, is proposed.
The Case of 4‐Vinyl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐2‐one: Determination of Its Pseudo‐Living Behavior and Preparation of Allyl Carbonate‐Styrene Co‐Polymers
Authors: Sabatini Valentina , Gazzotti Stefano , Farina Hermes , Camazzola Stefano , Ortenzi Marco A.
Published: December 2017

This article describes for the first time the pseudo‐living radical activity of 4‐vinyl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐2‐one (VEC) monomer towards a free radical homo‐polymerization: a kinetic study of VEC homo‐polymerization was performed up to 168 hours and it was found that molecular weights, determined via gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and VEC conversion, measured via 1H NMR spectroscopy, continue to grow over time showing a molecular weights distribution typical of pseudo‐living polymerizations.

Until today, in co‐polymerization with styrene, just a few VEC moieties could be inserted into VEC‐styrene co‐polymers; in this work VEC controlled radical activity allows, for the first time, the synthesis of di‐block co‐polymers between styrene and vinyl groups bearing cyclic carbonate functionalities that can be used for further cross‐linking reactions. VEC‐styrene co‐polymers were synthesized with different molar ratios between co‐monomers and characterized by GPC analyses and 1H NMR spectra; excellent reaction yields and solubility in apolar solvents were obtained.
Intercalating 0.3 nm Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Channels of SAPO‐11 Crystals: Structural Changes
Authors: Zhai Jianpang , Fang Ruiyang , Jian Dunliang , Wang Qiangbing , Ruan Shuangchen , Li Irene Ling
Published: December 2017

X‐ray powder diffraction, single crystal X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectra were used to investigate the influence of water adsorption and the intercalating of 0.3 nm single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on a Si‐substituted AlPO4‐11 (SAPO‐11) crystal structure. Calcined SAPO‐11 crystal adsorbs water at room temperature, which results in significant structural changes because of the interactions between the moisture and the crystal lattice. However, there is no space for the existence of moisture when 0.3 nm SWNTs are intercalated in the channels of SAPO‐11 crystals. As a result, the crystal symmetry remains unchanged upon hydration. An increase in the structure collapse of the 0.3‐nm SWNTs results in more moisture molecules being captured inside the channels, which results in structural distortion. The channels become more elliptical, which leads to an increased interaction between the 0.3‐nm SWNTs and crystal channels, as evidenced by the blue shift of the radial breathing modes (RBM) in the Raman spectra.
Catalytic Oxidation of Biosourced 3‐Methylphtalic Anhydride under O2: One‐Pot Hemimellitic Acid Synthesis and Novel Example of Biomass Valorization.
Authors: Giorgi Pascal D. , Soo‐Tang Siu‐Ha , Antoniotti Sylvain , van der Waal Jan C.
Published: December 2017

An original one pot/two steps scalable catalytic reaction was developed for the synthesis of hemimellitic acid from biobased 3‐methylphtalic anhydride. This novel approach, involving an anhydride function as a masked 1,2‐dicarboxylic acid moiety, allowed circumventing undesired complexation issues of intermediates with catalytically active metal species and thereby requalify Co/Mn/Br catalytic system under O2 in relatively mild conditions.
Inorganic, Hybridized and Living Macrocellular Foams: “Out of the Box” Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Roucher Armand , Depardieu Martin , Pekin Deniz , Morvan Mickaël , Backov Rénal
Published: December 2017

With this personal account we show how the Integrative Chemistry, when combining the sol‐gel process and concentrated emulsions, allows to trigger inorganic, hybrid or living materials when dedicated toward heterogeneous catalysis applications. In here we focus on 3D‐macrocellular monolithic foams bearing hierarchical porosities and applications thereof toward heterogeneous catalysis where both activities and mass transport are enhanced. We thereby first depict the general background of emulsions, focusing on concentrated ones, acting as soft templates for the design of solid (HIPE) foams, HIPE being the acronym for High Internal Phase Emulsions while encompassing both sol‐gel and polymer chemistry. Secondly we extend this approach toward the design of inorganic cellular materials labeled Si(HIPE) and hybrid organic‐inorganic foams, labeled Organo‐Si(HIPE), where heterogeneous catalysis applications are addressed considering acidic, metallic, enzymatic and bacterial‐based modified Si‐HIPE. Along, we will show how the fluid hydrodynamic within the macrocellular foams is offering advanced “out of the box” heterogeneous catalytic capabilities.
Validation of global sea‐level pressure fields calculated from Oceansat‐2 scatterometer wind data using the UWPBL model
Authors: Purna Chand C. , Rao M. V. , Prasad K. V. S. R. , Rao K. H.
Published: December 2017

Sea level pressure fields were estimated from the Oceansat‐2 scatterometer (OSCAT) wind measurements using the University of Washington Planetary Boundary Layer (UWPBL) model, and the estimations were evaluated for the year 2011. The Data Interpolating Variational Analysis (DIVA) technique was used for the generation of daily global composites from the along‐track pressure field values. The sea level pressure field data were compared with in‐situ pressure observations (of which there were 220 818 in total) over the global oceans. Scatterometer‐derived pressure fields are in good agreement with the in‐situ measurements, with a bias of 0.31hPa, a correlation coefficient of 0.918 and a standard deviation ratio of 0.398. The accuracy of the estimations shows that global pressure fields calculated using OSCAT winds are suitable for use in synoptic studies/global oceanographic studies.