bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Locally cooperative traffic‐offloading in multi‐mode small cell networks via potential games
Authors: Shao Hongxiang , Sun Youming , Zhao Hangsheng , Zhong Wei , Xu Yuhua
Published: March 2016

With the explosive growth of wireless data traffic, a new multi‐mode small cell has been studied for offloading part of traffic load to unlicensed band in order to alleviate burden in licensed band. With the offloading technology, networks can achieve higher system throughput and provide better quality of experience for users. However, the lack of network planning may result in severe co‐channel interference. The key question is how to allocate traffic load rationally to prevent severe interference from users in unlicensed band. In this paper, to dispose complex coupled interference relation among small cells, we introduce an interference graph to capture the interactions among small cell base stations. Then, based on the interference graph, we formulate the traffic‐offloading problem of the joint user scheduling and power allocation in multi‐mode small cell networks as a local cooperation game. In addition, we prove that the proposed game is an exact potential game, which has at least one pure strategy Nash equilibrium (NE), and the best NE can maximise the total network sum rate. Furthermore, we design a distributed iterative learning algorithm to explore the pure strategy NE point of the game, where it does not need to know the complete information of the total network. Both theoretical analysis and simulation results verify the convergence of the proposed algorithm and near‐optimal system throughput with good fairness. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction in a Generalized Spatial Panel Data Model with Serial Correlation
Authors: Baltagi Badi H. , Liu Long
Published: March 2016

This paper considers the generalized spatial panel data model with serial correlation proposed by Lee and Yu (Spatial panels: random components versus fixed effects. International Economic Review 2012; 53: 1369–1412.), which encompasses many of the spatial panel data models considered in the literature, and derives the best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) for that model. This in turn provides valuable BLUP for several spatial panel models as Special Cases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
With Cheap Batteries, Can Electricity Storage Threaten Natural Gas Sales?
Authors: Schlesinger Benjamin
Published: March 2016

As an energy form, natural gas enjoys unique cost and environmental advantages—it's free of sulfur, particulates, and most other air contaminants; is plentiful at low prices; and emits the least carbon of any carbon fuel.
Effect of polaprezinc on oral mucositis, irradiation period, and time to discharge in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Suzuki Akio , Kobayashi Ryo , Shakui Toshinobu , Kubota Yukimasa , Fukita Masaharu , Kuze Bunya , Aoki Mitsuhiro , Sugiyama Tadashi , Mizuta Keisuke , Itoh Yoshinori
Published: March 2016

Background

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether polaprezinc suspension in sodium alginate (P‐AG) reduces the irradiation period and time to discharge after completion of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods

The incidence and severity of oral mucositis, the irradiation period, and the time to discharge in patients who received radiotherapy with head and neck cancer were investigated retrospectively from the medical records.

Results

The incidence of grade 3 oral mucositis was significantly lower in the P‐AG group than in the control group (16.5% vs 52.0%; p = .0003). P‐AG also significantly reduced median duration of radiotherapy (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.557; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.357–0.871; p = .0149) and median time to discharge after completion of radiotherapy (HR = 0.604; 95% CI = 0.386–0.946; p = .028).

Conclusion

P‐AG reduced the irradiation period and the time to discharge after completion of radiotherapy by preventing oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1387–1392, 2016
DNMT1 is a required genomic regulator for murine liver histogenesis and regeneration
Authors: Kaji Kosuke , Factor Valentina M. , Andersen Jesper B. , Durkin Marian E. , Tomokuni Akira , Marquardt Jens U. , Matter Matthias S. , Hoang Tanya , Conner Elizabeth A. , Thorgeirsson Snorri S.
Published: March 2016

DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is an essential regulator maintaining both epigenetic reprogramming during DNA replication and genome stability. We investigated the role of DNMT1 in the regulation of postnatal liver histogenesis under homeostasis and stress conditions. We generated Dnmt1 conditional knockout mice (Dnmt1Δalb
) by crossing Dnmt1fl/fl
with albumin‐cyclization recombination transgenic mice. Serum, liver tissues, and primary hepatocytes were collected from 1‐week‐old to 20‐week old mice. The Dnmt1Δalb
phenotype was assessed by histology, confocal and electron microscopy, biochemistry, as well as transcriptome and methylation profiling. Regenerative growth was induced by partial hepatectomy and exposure to carbon tetrachloride. The impact of Dnmt1 knockdown was also analyzed in hepatic progenitor cell lines; proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage, and sphere formation were assessed. Dnmt1 loss in postnatal hepatocytes caused global hypomethylation, enhanced DNA damage response, and initiated a senescence state causing a progressive inability to maintain tissue homeostasis and proliferate in response to injury. The liver regenerated through activation and repopulation from progenitors due to lineage‐dependent differences in albumin‐cyclization recombination expression, providing a basis for selection of less mature and therefore less damaged hepatic progenitor cell progeny. Consistently, efficient knockdown of Dnmt1 in cultured hepatic progenitor cells caused severe DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, senescence, and cell death. Mx1‐cyclization recombination‐driven deletion of Dnmt1 in adult quiescent hepatocytes did not affect liver homeostasis. Conclusion: These results establish the indispensable role of DNMT1‐mediated epigenetic regulation in postnatal liver growth and regeneration; Dnmt1Δalb
mice provide a unique experimental model to study the role of senescence and the contribution of progenitor cells to physiological and regenerative liver growth. (Hepatology 2016;64:582‐598)
Numerical Analysis of Thermal and Dynamic Behavior of a Roof Solar Collector
Authors: Ababsa Dalila , Bougoul Saadi
Published: March 2016

In some regions with a specific climate, summer comfort in the rooms located below the roof becomes critical if the roof system is not well designed. In order to analyze the efficiency of this system a numerical model was developed. This model is based on the study of the natural convection coupled with radiative heat transfer in an inclined air channel. The configuration studied is an inclined channel formed by two parallel plates. The upper and lower plates were maintained at fixed temperatures. The air flow in the channel which is due to the buoyancy forces is fully turbulent and the turbulence was modeled by using the k‐ε model. Some numerical results obtained were validated using the experimental works of Khedari and colleagues and those of Nouanégué and colleagues. The effect of physical and geometrical parameters and the radiative heat transfer on the channel behavior is shown. Correlations for Nusselt numbers and air flow rate were obtained as functions of the geometric parameters and the Rayleigh number. These correlations can be used in other models that represent this system.
A simulated car‐driving study on the effects of acute administration of levocetirizine, fexofenadine, and diphenhydramine in healthy Japanese volunteers
Authors: Inami Akie , Matsuda Rin , Grobosch Thomas , Komamura Hiroshi , Takeda Kazuko , Yamada Yusuke , Miyake Masayasu , Hiraoka Kotaro , Maurer Marcus , Yanai Kazuhiko , Tashiro Manabu
Published: March 2016

Objective

Antihistamines are often used for treating allergic rhinitis. However, many older antihistamines cause sedative side effects. The sedative effects of antihistamines on car‐driving have been investigated. This has not been investigated for levocetirizine, a new‐generation antihistamine, in Asian populations, and so we evaluated its sedative effects in healthy Japanese subjects.

Methods

In this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, four‐way crossover study, healthy volunteers received single doses of levocetirizine 5 mg, fexofenadine 60 mg, diphenhydramine 50 mg, and placebo at intervals of at least 6 days. Simple brake reaction time and choice brake reaction time task (CBRT), a lateral tracking (LT) task, and a multiple task, a mixture of CBRT and LT task, were used to compare driving performance between the four drugs. Subjective sedation was also assessed.

Results

The simple brake reaction time and CBRT, and the CBRT component of the multiple task, did not show any significant differences between the drugs. In contrast, the LT, both as a single parameter and as a component of the multiple task, showed significant differences between diphenhydramine and the newer‐generation antihistamines in a manner that corresponds with subjective sedation.

Conclusions

Levocetirizine and fexofenadine did not impair psychomotor performance in subjects performing simulated car‐driving tasks, while diphenhydramine did impair psychomotor performance in the subjects. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of 3D porous SF/β‐TCP hybrid scaffolds for bone tissue reconstruction
Authors: Park Hyun Jung , Min Kyung Dan , Lee Min Chae , Kim Soo Hyeon , Lee Ok Joo , Ju Hyung Woo , Moon Bo Mi , Lee Jung Min , Park Ye Ri , Kim Dong Wook , Jeong Ju Yeon , Park Chan Hum
Published: March 2016

Bio‐ceramic is a biomaterial actively studied in the field of bone tissue engineering. But, only certain ceramic materials can resolve the corrosion problem and possess the biological affinity of conventional metal biomaterials. Therefore, the recent development of composites of hybrid composites and polymers has been widely studied. In this study, we aimed to select the best scaffold of silk fibroin and β‐TCP hybrid for bone tissue engineering. We fabricated three groups of scaffold such as SF (silk fibroin scaffold), GS (silk fibroin/small granule size of β‐TCP scaffold) and GM (silk fibroin/medium granule size of β‐TCP scaffold), and we compared the characteristics of each group. During characterization of the scaffold, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for structural analysis. We compared the physiological properties of the scaffold regarding the swelling ratio, water uptake and porosity. To evaluate the mechanical properties, we examined the compressive strength of the scaffold. During in vitro testing, we evaluated cell attachment and cell proliferation (CCK‐8). Finally, we confirmed in vivo new bone regeneration from the implanted scaffolds using histological staining and micro‐CT. From these evaluations, the fabricated scaffold demonstrated high porosity with good inter‐pore connectivity, showed good biocompatibility and high compressive strength and modulus. In particular, the present study indicates that the GM scaffold using β‐TCP accelerates new bone regeneration of implanted scaffolds. Accordingly, our scaffold is expected to act a useful application in the field of bone tissue engineering. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1779–1787, 2016.
Compliance, Persistence, and Preferences Regarding Osteoporosis Treatment During Active Therapy or Drug Holiday
Authors: Eliasaf Alona , Amitai Alina , Maram Edry Mira , Yosselson Superstine Shimona , Rotman Pikielny Pnina
Published: March 2016

Osteoporosis treatments reduce the risk of fractures by 30%–50%, but adherence after 1 year is only about 50%. Drug holiday, a period with no active treatment, is part of routine management. The objective of this study was to determine compliance and persistence with osteoporosis therapy among postmenopausal women and to assess attitudes regarding treatment resumption among patients on drug holiday. This was a prospective observational study of patients followed at a dedicated metabolic bone clinic September 2013–February 2014. Compliance was assessed by medication possession ratio (MPR; number of doses dispensed relative to the number prescribed). Persistence was defined as continuation of treatment without a >30‐day gap in prescription refills. Of 150 patients (70.1 ± 8.1 years), 57% were prescribed a medication: 64% oral, mostly bisphosphonates. MPR ≥ 80% was found in 80% and <50% in 12%; it was 100% for zoledronic acid and denosumab and 97%, 85%, 83%, and 70% for raloxifene, teriparatide, oral bisphosphonates, and strontium ranelate, respectively. Of 39 patients prescribed oral bisphosphonates, 77% persisted with treatment, and 89% took them as directed. Of 64 patients on a drug holiday, 59% expressed confidence in their physician's future treatment choice, whereas 19% expressed concerns about resuming treatment. Compliance among patients attending a dedicated bone clinic was higher than that reported in the literature. High persistence and compliance may be specific to patients followed in this type of setting. This study provides new information about attitudes of patients on a drug holiday. Most were not concerned about resuming treatment and did not have a preferred medication.
Norovirus diarrhea in Bangladesh, 2010–2014: prevalence, clinical features, and genotypes
Authors: Rahman Mustafizur , Rahman Rajibur , Nahar Shamsun , Hossain Shakhaowat , Ahmed Shahnawaz , Golam Faruque Abu Syed , Azim Tasnim
Published: March 2016

Norovirus infections in diarrhea patients attending an urban and a rural hospital in Bangladesh were investigated. A total of 953 fecal specimens from both children and adults collected during 2010–2014 were tested for the presence of norovirus using real time PCR. One fourth (25%) of the specimens were positive for norovirus RNA which was identified both in children and adults. Norovirus was associated with short duration of diarrhea, high abdominal pain, and more moderate to severe dehydration when compared with rotavirus infections. Norovirus GII (69%) was the most prevalent genogroup followed by GI (18%), mixed GI/GII/GIV (11%), and GIV (2%). Among GII genogroup, GII.4 (42%) was the most prevalent genotype followed by GII.3 (21%), GII.6 (7%), GII.7 (6%), and GII.21 (6%). GII.4 and GII.3 strains were frequently identified (82% and 75%, respectively) in children <2 years of age and less commonly (16% and 15%) in adults more than 18 years of age. The present study reinforces the importance of norovirus‐associated hospitalizations both in children and adults. The dynamic molecular epidemiology of norovirus requires routine strain surveillance to identify changes in prevailing strains. J. Med. Virol. 88:1742–1750, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Eccentricity fault diagnosis in three‐phase‐wound‐rotor induction machine using numerical discrete modeling method
Authors: Naderi Peyman , Fallahi Farzad
Published: March 2016

In recent years, several papers have dealt with eccentricity fault diagnosis considering the cage‐induction machine while wound machine type has not been studied as a case. In this paper, eccentricity fault is studied based on the current/torque signature considering modified winding function approach (MWFA). A novel discrete model is introduced, and eccentricity fault is evaluated in both static and dynamic cases. To reach this aim, a numerical model is presented for slot openings, distributed windings and air‐gap, thereby computing the machine's inductances using MWFA. Power spectral density (PSD) of stator's current and machine's vibration are analyzed for static and dynamic eccentricity diagnosis and the finite element method (FEM) is utilized to precisely verify the proposed method. Mathematical‐based model with consideration of both slot openings and non‐sinusoidal winding function effects are the advantages of the proposed method over the previous researches in this field. Moreover, proposed method, which is based on mathematical modeling, could be easily applied to other types of electrical machines, and this feature is regarded as another key point of this paper. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Negotiating Identity and Alterity: Cultural Competence, Colonization and Cultural Voyeurism in Students’ Work‐Based Learning
Authors: Hart Andrew , Montague Jane
Published: March 2016

There is increasing demand for work‐based learning experiences to form part of undergraduate degrees concerned with working with people. Social justice and antioppressive practice underpin the philosophies of many such degrees, which attract students with the promise of working within diverse communities and with the marginalized and vulnerable. Benefits to students include the development of a professional identity, an antioppressive approach, and culturally competent practices. Despite this, critical approaches to work‐based learning highlight ways in which the student can be colonized by dominant values via cultural voyeurism. This can lead to power inequalities being replicated and perpetuated by the student rather than challenged. The roles of identity and alterity in these learning processes are examined and the concept of professional identity is questioned. The article concludes that the tasks of negotiating identity and alterity are characterized by uncertainty and unfinalizability, and that the notion of cultural competence is itself problematic.
Characterization of uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) with Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Villa‐Aleman Eliel , Wellons Matthew S.
Published: March 2016

The Raman spectrum of uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) is unambiguously characterized with multiple Raman excitation laser sources for the first time. Across different laser excitation wavelengths, UF4 demonstrates 16 distinct Raman bands within the 50–400 cm−1 region. The observed Raman bands are representative of various F–F vibrational modes. UF4 also shows intense fluorescent bands in the 325–750 nm spectral region. Comparison of the UF4 spectrum with the ZrF4 spectrum, its crystalline analog, demonstrates a similar Raman band structure consistent with group theory predictions for expected Raman bands. Additionally, a demonstration of combined scanning electron microscopy and in situ Raman spectroscopy microanalytical measurements of UF4 particulates shows that despite the inherent weak intensity of Raman bands, identification and characterization are possible for micron‐sized particulates with modern instrumentation. The published well‐characterized UF4 spectrum is extremely relevant to nuclear materials and nuclear safeguard applications. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Rapid Access to 2,2′‐Bithiazole‐Based Copolymers via Sequential Palladium‐Catalyzed C–H/C–X and C–H/C–H Coupling Reactions
Authors: Guo Qiang , Jiang Ruyong , Wu Di , You Jingsong
Published: March 2016

A rapid access to 2,2′‐bithiazole‐based copolymers has been developed on the basis of the sequential palladium‐catalyzed CH/CX and CH/CH coupling reactions. To assemble a “copolymer” through homopolymerization, a type of symmetric A‐B‐A‐type building block is designed as the monomer and prepared via the regioselective C5H arylation of thiazole. A PdCl2/CuCl‐cocatalyzed oxidative CH/CH homopolymerization has been established to afford the 2,2′‐bithiazole‐based copolymers with high Mn (up to 69400). The current protocol features atom‐ and step‐economy and exhibits a potential in the highly efficient construction of conjugated copolymers.

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The allure of mass spectrometry: From an earlyday chemist's perspective
Authors: Tőkés László
Published: March 2016

This reminiscing review article is an account of the author's fascination and involvements with mass spectrometry from the perspective of an organic chemist with an interest in natural product chemistry. It covers a period from 1961 through the mid 1990s as mass spectrometry evolved form a novelty technique to become a most widely used analytical technique. Following a brief synopsis of my pathway to mass spectrometry, my research efforts in this field are presented with a focus mainly on evolving principles and technologies which I had personal involvements with. To provide historical perspectives, discussions of these developments are accompanied by brief outlines of the relevant state‐of‐the‐art, shedding light on the technical and conceptual challenges encountered during those early days in mass spectrometry. Examples are presented of my involvements with basic and applied research in mass spectrometry during graduate studies at Stanford University and close to three decade tenure in pharmaceutical research at Syntex Research. My basic research interests focused mainly on principles of electron ionization induced fragmentation mechanisms, with an emphasis on steroids and other model compounds. Extensive deuterium labeling evidence was used to determine the fragmentation mechanisms of the diagnostically significant ions in the spectra of numerous model compounds, uncovering examples of wide‐ranging hydrogen transfers, skeletal rearrangements, methyl and phenyl migrations, stereoselective fragmentations and low and high energy fragmentation processes. Depiction of the industrial research phase of my career includes comments on the pivotal role mass spectrometry played on advancing modern pharmaceutical research. Examples are presented of involvements with instrumental developments and a few select cases of applied research, including studies of bile mechanisms in vertebrates, identification of bisphenol‐A leaching from sterilized polycarbonate containers, high sensitivity TCDD analyses and other projects. Reflecting on my services for the mass spectrometry society, involvements with the co‐founding and 12 year chairing of the Asilomar Conference on Mass Spectrometry and founding of the Bay Area Mass Spectrometry regional MS discussion group, as part of my services for the mass spectrometry community, are presented in some detail. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 36:520–542, 2017
Compact bandpass filters based on linked hexagonal‐omega resonators
Authors: Sassi Imene , Talbi Larbi , Hettak Khelifa
Published: March 2016

A novel compact bandpass filter based on linked hexagonal‐omega resonators (LHORs) is presented. The proposed filter is realized by loading the LHORs to the microstrip line on the top of the substrate. The LHORs provides the possibility of designing bandpass filters with small size and simple structure. Two prototypes of filters were designed based on this structure. To validate the proposed prototypes, two‐cascaded and three‐cascaded bandpass filters using LHORs are simulated and fabricated. The proposed filters show a good pass‐band performance and a high out‐band suppression. The good agreement between the measured and the simulated results proves the excellent performance of the proposed filters. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1049–1052, 2016
Modified ground plane of patch antenna for broadband applications in C‐band
Authors: Jyoti Gogoi Pragyan , Jyoti Gogoi Dhruba , Bhattacharyya Nidhi S.
Published: March 2016

Slots are incorporated in ground plane of a simple rectangular patch antenna designed in C‐band on FR‐4 substrate with dielectric constant εr = 4.3 and height, h = 1.5 mm. The presence of slots shows multi frequency characteristics with enhanced bandwidth and directivity as compared to simple patch antenna without modified ground plane. The S11 parameter, impedance bandwidth, and radiation characteristics are studied for the antenna with and without modified ground plane. Two slots geometry shows three resonant frequencies with S11< −17 dB and enhancement in −10 dB bandwidth of 11.74% at 5.96 GHz. In three slots geometry, two resonant frequencies are observed with S11< −20 dB and enhancement in −10 dB bandwidth of 13.05% at 5.44 GHz. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1074–1078, 2016
Active resonator for low‐phase‐noise tunable oscillators
Authors: Stornelli Vincenzo , Pantoli Leonardo , Leuzzi Giorgio
Published: March 2016

In this article an active tunable resonator with high Q factor is described, for the design of a tunable low‐phase‐noise oscillator. The resonator is based on an active inductor with simple topology and high performance. In spite of the intrinsic noise inherent in the active inductor, the phase noise of the oscillator is limited by the high Q of the resonator. Frequency tuning range in the order of 5% is obtained without any optimization. Guidelines for the design of the active inductor and resonator are given, together with a practical example of voltage‐controlled oscillator. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1032–1035, 2016
Introducing a radial absorbing boundary condition for the calculation of quality factor of whispering gallery resonators
Authors: Bagheri‐Korani E. , Mohammad‐Taheri M.
Published: March 2016

A one dimensional radial absorbing boundary condition (ABC) is introduced for the analysis of low order Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) microresonators. Because the radiation of WGM is mostly in the form of radially outgoing waves, the employed ABC assumes that the absorbing material is anisotropic only in the radial direction. This formulation enables us to precisely calculate both the resonance frequency and quality factor of the WGMs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1065–1068, 2016
Design of a side‐shielded wireless power transfer coil to achieve insensitivity against the human body effect
Authors: Lee Juneseok , Song Keum‐Su , Choi Jaehoon
Published: March 2016

We propose a novel side‐shielded wireless power transfer coil for implantable medical devices. The side‐shielded coil consists of a resonator and a side‐shield structure, which is partially wrapped around the resonator. The side‐shield structure isolates the proposed coil from the human body effect and efficiently transfers power to the receiving coil. In addition, the proposed coil has a specific absorption rate approximately four times lower than that of a conventional spiral wireless power transfer coil. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1169–1173, 2016
Planar triple‐band balance‐shaped slot antenna
Authors: Ren Wang , Jiang Chen
Published: March 2016

A novel design of planar balance‐shaped slot antenna suitable for triple‐band WLAN/WiMAX applications is proposed in this article. It consists of a slotted ground plane, an FR4 substrate, and an L‐shaped microstrip feedline. The radiating element of the proposed antenna is composed of a horizontal H‐shaped slot and an M‐shaped slot, like a balance. The horizontal H‐shaped slot mainly contributes to the 2.4‐ and 3.4‐GHz resonant modes while the resonant modes at 5.4 and 5.8 GHz are generated by the M‐shaped slot. The overall size of the proposed antenna is only 30 × 28 mm2, very compact, making it easy to be integrated with other RF front‐end circuits. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones and demonstrate that the antenna has a triple‐band characteristic entirely covering the 2.4/5.2/5.8‐GHz WLAN and 2.5/3.5/5.5‐GHz WiMAX operating bands. Furthermore, monopole‐like radiation patterns with acceptable gains make it a good candidate as an internal antenna for WLAN/WiMAX applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1078–1082, 2016
Broadband circularly polarized fabry‐perot antenna integrated with wideband phase shifter for satellite communication
Authors: Qin Fan , Gao Steven , Wei Gao , Xu Jiadong
Published: March 2016

This letter presents a broadband circularly polarized Fabry‐Perot (FP) antenna with high gain. A double‐layer partially reflective surface (PRS) with patch arrays with different sizes is employed. This proposed PRS can provide positive reflective phase gradient in a wideband frequency range, resulting in a significant improvement of 3‐dB gain bandwidth. To obtain the property of wideband circular polarization, a wideband microstrip patch antenna fed by a feeding network integrated with a broadband 90° phase shifter is applied as the primary source. A prototype operating at X‐band is fabricated and tested; whose 3‐dB gain bandwidth achieves 28.3% with the peak gain of 14.7 dBi. Moreover, its 3‐dB bandwidth of axial ratio (AR) can achieve 30% from 8.5 to 11.5 GHz. This antenna is a promising candidate for X‐band satellite communication due to its high gain, wideband AR, and fabrication simplicity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1109–1113, 2016
Wideband coupler of folded half mode substrate integrated waveguide design with combined microstrip and stripline feed
Authors: Hong Wanchu , Ho Min‐Hua , Feng Jun‐Jia
Published: March 2016

This article presents the 90° hybrid directional 3‐dB coupler design with a wideband performance. The main part of the proposed coupler is built on a folded half‐mode substrate integrated waveguide (FHMSIW) structure and the feed is composed of microstrip line and stripline. The FHMSIW is implemented by PCB technology which possesses the merits of compact size, low cost, light weight, low profile, high power handling capability, easy integration with planar transmission line, and possibly low insertion losses. In designing the circuit's feed, a quarter‐wavelength stripline is placed between the coupler's main part and each microstrip I/O port. The stripline works as an impedance transformer, which increases circuit's bandwidth (BW) and reduces the reflection. The acquired fractional bandwidth (FBW) is 47.2% with the coupler's central frequency set to 4.5 GHz. The averaged transmission and coupling losses are around 1 dB and the isolation is better than 20 dB. Experiment is conducted to validate the circuit performance. The measured data are in good agreements with the simulated ones. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1139–1141, 2016
A compact planar power combiner with complex impedance matching
Authors: Chen Te‐Chuan , Yu Xiaoju , Xin Hao
Published: March 2016

This article presents a compact power combiner/divider for solid‐state amplifier applications inspired by spatial combiner. The proposed “one‐stage” combining structure is realized by a single port tapered to an oversized microstrip connecting to parallel multiport microstrip sections. By adjusting the geometries of the structure, uniform amplitude/phase, and complex impedance matching at the multiport outputs can be achieved. A prototype 1‐to‐4 divider/combiner is designed and characterized at 5 GHz. Measured and simulated results showed similar trend and decent agreement. The measured combining efficiency of the circuit is 82.44% at 5 GHz. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1121–1125, 2016
A novel sharp roll‐off microstrip lowpass filter with improved stopband and compact size using dual‐plane structure
Authors: Zhang Pingjuan , Li Minquan
Published: March 2016

A novel microstrip lowpass filter (LPF) with compact size is proposed to achieve sharp skirt characteristic and wideband suppression. The sharp transition and good passband performance of the proposed LPF is obtained by employing the defected microstrip structure, while the wide stopband is implemented by properly locating the open stubs, spurline, and dumbbell‐shaped defected ground structure. Both the simulation and measurement are conducted to verify the behavior of the proposed filter, and a good agreement between the measured and simulated results is observed. The experimental result of the fabricated filter shows that the attenuation rate reaches 159 dB GHz−1 and the stopband with good rejection level is obtained from 4.07 GHz to more than 15 GHz. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1085–1088, 2016
A wide band and high isolation microstrip line crossover using microstrip to ridge waveguide transitions
Authors: Sun Dongquan , Xu Jinping
Published: March 2016

In this article, a wideband and high‐isolation microstrip line crossover using transition from microstrip line to ridge waveguide is proposed. The substrate is soldered to the ridge waveguide. One path of microwave signal propagates along the microstrip line on the substrate, while the other path is first coupled from the microstrip line to the ridge waveguide through a circular slot resonator and then coupled back to the microstrip line. The two paths of signals do not intersect with each other, which results in a high isolation. A prototype of the proposed microstrip line crossover working at center frequency of 11.6 GHz is designed, manufactured and measured successfully. The measured insertion loss of the path with transitions is better than 1.2 dB from 8 to 11.5 GHz and better than 2.2 dB from 11.5 to 15.3 GHz. The insertion loss of the microstrip path is better than 1 dB over the whole band from 8 to 15.3 GHz. The return losses of both paths are greater than 10 dB and the measured isolation of them is better than 37 dB. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1148–1150, 2016
Nonlinearity mitigation of multiband OFDM‐RoF optical transmitter using feed‐forward technique
Authors: Park Hyoung‐Joon , Jung Sun‐Young , Cho Seung‐Hyun , Lee Jong‐Hyun , Han Sang‐Kook
Published: March 2016

We mathematically and experimentally demonstrate the nonlinearity suppression of optical transmitter in multiband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing based radio over fiber system (multiband OFDM‐RoF) by feed‐forward technique. The proposed method is a simple technique that can decrease static and dynamic nonlinear transfer characteristics. Nonlinearity of multiband OFDM‐RoF has been experimentally evaluated by transmitting nine optical OFDM channels. Experimental results show that nonlinear components from optical transmitter are suppressed and EVM is improved by 7.3% in multiband OFDM signal by using the proposed technique. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1236–1240, 2016
A novel textile antenna using composite multifilament conductive threads for smart clothing applications
Authors: Huang Jian‐Syuan , Jiang Tong‐Yang , Wang Zhi‐Xiang , Wu Sheng‐Wei , Chen Yen‐Sheng
Published: March 2016

This letter proposes a wearable antenna fabricated by multifilament threads. The radiator is conductive threads filled with a copper wire, directly sewn onto a piece of cloth. Its advantages include better impedance matching, enhanced radiation efficiency, and additional value to smart clothing because the radiator is shaped into a logotype. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1232–1236, 2016
GPS/WLAN open‐slot antenna with a sticker‐like feed substrate for the metal‐casing smartphone
Authors: Wong Kin‐Lu , Wu Yu‐Ching , Wan Che‐Chi , Li Wei‐Yu
Published: March 2016

A multiband open‐slot antenna formed by placing a sticker‐like feed substrate (can also be a flexible printed‐circuit board) with the microstrip feedline and circuit elements disposed thereon onto a simple linear open slot embedded in the metal casing of the modern smartphone is presented. The proposed design provides a simple and convenient method in feeding an open‐slot antenna with multiband operation for the smartphone with a metal casing thereof having either a planar or smoothly curved surface. The linear slot has a short length of 23.5 mm and a narrow width of 1.5 mm and can be located 8 mm to the top or bottom edge of the metal casing. The linear slot is hence close to the short edge of the metal casing and will not be covered by the display panel therein. Such an open‐slot antenna is simple in structure and small in size, yet it can cover the GPS operation at 1.575 GHz and the 2.4/5.2/5.8‐GHz WLAN operation. The microstrip feedline printed on the feed substrate excites the open slot embedded in the metal casing, and the multiband (1.575/2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz) operation is obtained by the circuit elements disposed on the feed substrate. The circuit elements include a shunt capacitor loaded across the open slot and a parallel capacitor added to the microstrip feedline. Working principle of the applied circuit elements in obtaining the multiband operation is addressed. The antenna is also fabricated, and the experimental results are presented and discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1226–1232, 2016
MIMO PCB‐integrated slot antenna for IEEE 802.11n WLAN access‐point applications
Authors: Lin Chun‐Cheng , Huang Chih‐Yu
Published: March 2016

A multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) slot antenna integrated with a printed circuit board (PCB) is proposed for access‐point (AP) applications. The antenna comprises two square slot radiators fed by mutually orthogonal 50‐Ω microstrip lines. Through an appropriate adjustment of the antenna geometry parameters, a sufficient −10 dB return loss impedance bandwidth (∼21% at 2.43 GHz), a good radiating performance (i.e., high antenna peak gain values and stable radiation patterns), and a high isolation between the radiators can be achieved. The antenna is thus ideally suited for IEEE 802.11n (2.4 GHz) wireless local area network (WLAN) AP applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1254–1256, 2016
Buried metal detection within the wooden block by X‐band measurements
Authors: Helhel Selcuk , Kurnaz Osman
Published: March 2016

In this article, Electromagnetic(EM) measurements campaign in controlled environment (antenna measurement laboratory) carried out to test, theories on EM bistatic scattering from buried metal detection has been presented. Both background signal subtraction algorithms and image processing techniques were applied. For each measurement, the brilliant area (BA), the ratio of pattern area(containing only non‐zero points) to the total scan area, has been calculated and formula relating BA with the width of the block, which is the distance from the front face of the block to the location where the metal is embedded, has been established. An average absolute error between calculated BA and measured BA is varying between 2.38% and 4.3%. We generated and proposed a mathematical model for estimating embedded depth, and measurement results are in good track with real one. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1245–1253, 2016
ESR study of molecular orientation and dynamics of TEMPO derivatives in CLPOT 1D nanochannels
Authors: Kobayashi Hirokazu , Furuhashi Yuta , Nakagawa Haruka , Asaji Tetsuo
Published: March 2016

The molecular orientations and dynamics of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) radical derivatives with large substituent groups at the 4‐position (4‐X‐TEMPO) in the organic one‐dimensional nanochannels within the nanosized molecular template 2,4,6‐tris(4‐chlorophenoxy)‐1,3,5‐triazine (CLPOT) were examined using ESR. The concentrations of guest radicals, including 4‐methoxy‐TEMPO (MeO‐TEMPO) or 4‐oxo‐TEMPO (TEMPONE), in the CLPOT nanochannels in each inclusion compound (IC) were reduced by co‐including 4‐substituted‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine (4‐R‐TEMP) compounds at a ratio of 1 : 30–1 : 600. At higher temperatures, the guest radicals in each IC underwent anisotropic rotational diffusion in the CLPOT nanochannels. The rotational diffusion activation energy, Ea, associated with MeO‐TEMPO or TEMPONE in the CLPOT nanochannels (6–7 kJ mol−1), was independent of the size and type of substituent group and was similar to the Ea values obtained for TEMPO and 4‐ hydroxy‐TEMPO (TEMPOL) in our previous study. However, in the case in which TEMP was used as a guest compound for dilution (spacer), the tilt of the rotational axis to the principal axis system of the g‐tensor, and the rotational diffusion correlation time, τR, of each guest radical in the CLPOT nanochannels were different from the case with other 4‐R‐TEMP. These results indicate the possibility of controlling molecular orientation and dynamics of guest radicals in CLPOT ICs through the appropriate choice of spacer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Na+ and solute diffusion in aqueous channels of Myverol bicontinuous cubic phase: PGSE NMR and computer modelling
Authors: Larkin Timothy J. , Garvey Christopher J. , Shishmarev Dmitry , Kuchel Philip W. , Momot Konstantin I.
Published: March 2016

The apparent diffusion coefficients of 23Na+ ions and the solute 2‐fluoroethylamine present in the aqueous domain of a Myverol/water bulk bicontinuous cubic phase (BCP) were measured using pulsed field‐gradient spin echo (PGSE) NMR spectroscopy. The measured values were dependent on the diffusion time interval, which is a characteristic of restricted diffusion. The translational motion of 23Na+ and water in the aqueous channels of a cubic phase were simulated using a Monte‐Carlo random walk algorithm, and the simulation results were compared with those from real PGSE NMR experiments. The simulations indicated that diffusion of 23Na+ ions and water would appear to be restricted even on the shortest timescales available to PGSE NMR experiments. The micro‐viscosity of the aqueous domain of the BCPs was estimated from the longitudinal relaxation times of 23Na+ and 2‐fluoroethylamine; this was three times higher than in free solution and suggests one of (but not the only) likely impediments to the release of hydrophilic drugs from stabilised aqueous dispersions of BCPs (cubosomes) when they are used therapeutically in vivo. Monte Carlo simulations of diffusive efflux from cubosomes suggest that the principal impediment to drug release is presented by a surfactant or lipid barrier at the cubosome surface, which separates the BCP aqueous channels from the bulk solution. The dynamics inferred from these studies informs quantitative predictions of drug delivery from cubosomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implication of Rho‐kinase and soluble guanylyl cyclase enzymes in prostate smooth muscle dysfunction in middle‐aged rats
Authors: Calmasini Fabiano B. , Silva Fabio H. , Alexandre Eduardo C. , Rodrigues Renata L. , Barbosa Ana Paula L. , Ferrucci Danilo L. , Carvalho Hernandes F. , Anhê Gabriel F. , Pupo Andre S. , Antunes Edson
Published: March 2016

Aims

Aging is highly associated with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We investigated here the alterations of the contractile and relaxant machinery in prostates of middle‐aged rats, focusing on the Rho‐kinase, nitric oxide (NO)‐soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), α1‐ and β‐adrenoceptor pathways.

Methods

Male Wistar young (3.5‐month old) and middle‐aged rats (10‐month old) were used. Quantitative image analysis of prostates and functional assays evaluating the prostate contractions and relaxations were employed. Measurement of [3H]‐noradrenaline efflux, western blotting for α1 and β1 sGC subunits, and cyclic nucleotide levels were carried out.

Results

Prostates of middle‐aged rats showed significant increases in lumen and smooth muscle cells, but no alterations in the relative prostate weight were observed. In vivo, noradrenaline (10−7–10−4 g/kg) produced greater prostatic contractions in middle‐aged compared with control rats. Likewise, the in vitro contractions to phenylephrine (1 nM–100 μM) and α,β‐methylene ATP (1–10 μM) were greater in middle‐aged rats. Electrical‐field stimulation (EFS, 1–32 Hz) promoted higher [3H]‐noradrenaline efflux and prostate contractions in middle‐aged rats. Reduced expressions of α1 and β1 sGC subunits and diminished NO‐mediated prostate relaxations in middle‐age were observed. Isoproterenol‐induced relaxations and cAMP levels were reduced in prostates of middle‐aged rats. The Rho‐kinase inhibitor fasudil (50 mg/kg, 2 weeks) normalized the prostate hypercontractility in middle‐age rats.

Conclusions

Prostate hypercontractility in middle‐aging is associated with increased release of noradrenaline and Rho‐kinase pathway, as well as with impairments of NO‐sGC and β‐adrenoceptor pathways. Middle‐aged rats are suitable to explore the enhanced prostatic tone in the absence of prostate overgrowth. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:589–596, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Information‐based ranking of 10 compartment models of diffusion‐weighted signal attenuation in fixed prostate tissue
Authors: Liang Sisi , Panagiotaki Eleftheria , Bongers Andre , Shi Peng , Sved Paul , Watson Geoffrey , Bourne Roger
Published: March 2016

This study compares the theoretical information content of single‐ and multi‐compartment models of diffusion‐weighted signal attenuation in prostate tissue. Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) was performed at 9.4 T with multiple diffusion times and an extended range of b values in four whole formalin‐fixed prostates. Ten models, including different combinations of isotropic, anisotropic and restricted components, were tested. Models were ranked using the Akaike information criterion. In all four prostates, two‐component models, comprising an anisotropic Gaussian component and an isotropic restricted component, ranked highest in the majority of voxels. Single‐component models, whether isotropic (apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC) or anisotropic (diffusion tensor imaging, DTI), consistently ranked lower than multi‐component models. Model ranking trends were independent of voxel size and maximum b value in the range tested (1.6–16 mm3 and 3000–10 000 s/mm2). This study characterizes the two major water components previously identified by biexponential models and shows that models incorporating both anisotropic and restricted components provide more information‐rich descriptions of DWI signals in prostate tissue than single‐ or multi‐component anisotropic models and models that do not account for restricted diffusion. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐step boundary knot method for discontinuous coefficient elliptic equations with interface jump conditions
Authors: Sun Linlin , Chen Wen , Cheng Alexander H.‐D.
Published: March 2016

This study makes the first attempt to apply the boundary knot method (BKM), a meshless collocation method, to the solution of linear elliptic problems with discontinuous coefficients, also known as the elliptic interface problems. The additional jump conditions are usually required to be prescribed at the interface which is used to maintain the well‐posedness of the considered problem. To solve the problem efficiently, the original governing equation is first transformed into an equivalent inhomogeneous modified Helmholtz equation in the present numerical formulation. Then the computational domain is divided into several subdomains, and the solution on each subdomain is approximated using the BKM approach. Unlike the conventional two‐step BKM, this study presents a one‐step BKM formulation which possesses merely one influence matrix for inhomogeneous problems. Several benchmark examples with various discontinuous coefficients have been tested to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the present BKM scheme. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 32: 1509–1534, 2016