bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparative phylogeographic study reveals discordant evolutionary histories of alpine ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae)
Authors: Weng Yi‐Ming , Yang Man‐Miao , Yeh Wen‐Bin
Published: February 2016

Taiwan, an island with three major mountain ranges, provides an ideal topography to study mountain–island effect on organisms that would be diversified in the isolation areas. Glaciations, however, might drive these organisms to lower elevations, causing gene flow among previously isolated populations. Two hypotheses have been proposed to depict the possible refugia for alpine organisms during glaciations. Nunatak hypothesis suggests that alpine species might have stayed in situ in high mountain areas during glaciations. Massif de refuge, on the other hand, proposes that alpine species might have migrated to lower ice‐free areas. By sampling five sympatric carabid species of Nebria and Leistus, and using two mitochondrial genes and two nuclear genes, we evaluated the mountain–island effect on alpine carabids and tested the two proposed hypotheses with comparative phylogeographic method. Results from the phylogenetic relationships, network analysis, lineage calibration, and genetic structure indicate that the deep divergence among populations in all L. smetanai, N. formosana, and N. niitakana was subjected to long‐term isolation, a phenomenon in agreement with the nunatak hypothesis. However, genetic admixture among populations of N. uenoiana and some populations of L. nokoensis complex suggests that gene flow occurred during glaciations, as a massif de refuge depicts. The speciation event in N. niitakana is estimated to have occurred before 1.89 million years ago (Mya), while differentiation among isolated populations in N. niitakana, N. formosana, L. smetanai, and L. nokoensis complex might have taken place during 0.65–1.65 Mya. While each of the alpine carabids arriving in Taiwan during different glaciation events acquired its evolutionary history, all of them had confronted the existing mountain ranges.
Population genomics of local adaptation versus speciation in coral reef fishes (Hypoplectrus spp, Serranidae)
Authors: Picq Sophie , McMillan W. Owen , Puebla Oscar
Published: February 2016

Are the population genomic patterns underlying local adaptation and the early stages of speciation similar? Addressing this question requires a system in which (i) local adaptation and the early stages of speciation can be clearly identified and distinguished, (ii) the amount of genetic divergence driven by the two processes is similar, and (iii) comparisons can be repeated both taxonomically (for local adaptation) and geographically (for speciation). Here, we report just such a situation in the hamlets (Hypoplectrus spp), brightly colored reef fishes from the wider Caribbean. Close to 100,000 SNPs genotyped in 126 individuals from three sympatric species sampled in three repeated populations provide genome‐wide levels of divergence that are comparable among allopatric populations (Fst estimate = 0.0042) and sympatric species (Fst estimate = 0.0038). Population genetic, clustering, and phylogenetic analyses reveal very similar patterns for local adaptation and speciation, with a large fraction of the genome undifferentiated (Fst estimate ≈ 0), a very small proportion of Fst outlier loci (0.05–0.07%), and remarkably few repeated outliers (1–3). Nevertheless, different loci appear to be involved in the two processes in Hypoplectrus, with only 7% of the most differentiated SNPs and outliers shared between populations and species comparisons. In particular, a tropomyosin (Tpm4) and a previously identified hox (HoxCa) locus emerge as candidate loci (repeated outliers) for local adaptation and speciation, respectively. We conclude that marine populations may be locally adapted notwithstanding shallow levels of genetic divergence, and that from a population genomic perspective, this process does not appear to differ fundamentally from the early stages of speciation.
Targeted IL‐4 therapy synergizes with dexamethasone to induce a state of tolerance by promoting Treg cells and macrophages in mice with arthritis
Authors: Kawalkowska Joanna Z. , Hemmerle Teresa , Pretto Francesca , Matasci Mattia , Neri Dario , Williams Richard O.
Published: February 2016

F8‐IL‐4 is a recently developed immunocytokine that delivers IL‐4 to sites of inflammation by targeting the neovasculature. We previously reported that F8‐IL‐4, in combination with dexamethasone (DXM), provides a durable therapy in mice with collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the mechanism by which IL‐4 and DXM combination therapy provides long‐lasting disease remission. F8‐IL‐4 alone attenuated inflammation in CIA and this was associated with increased TH2 and decreased TH17 cell numbers in the joints. Similarly, DXM alone had an antiinflammatory effect associated with lower TH17 cell numbers. In both cases, these therapeutic benefits were reversed once treatment was stopped. On the other hand, combination therapy with F8‐IL‐4 plus DXM led to a synergistic increase in the percentage of regulatory T (Treg) cells and antiinflammatory macrophages in the arthritic joint and spleen as well as IL‐10 levels in serum and spleen. The net result of this was a more pronounced attenuation of inflammation and, more importantly, protection from arthritis relapse post therapy retraction. In conclusion, F8‐IL‐4 plus DXM is a durable treatment for arthritis that acts by promoting Treg cells in a synergistic manner, and by producing a sustained increase in antiinflammatory macrophages.
Effect of hydrocolloids and emulsifiers on the shelf‐life of composite cassava‐maize‐wheat bread after storage
Authors: Eduardo Maria , Svanberg Ulf , Ahrné Lilia
Published: February 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrocolloids and/or emulsifiers on the shelf‐life of composite cassava‐maize‐wheat (ratio 40:10:50) reference bread during storage. Added hydrocolloids were carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and high methoxyl pectin (HM pectin) at a 3% level (w/w) and/or the emulsifiers diacetyl tartaric acid esters of monoglycerides (DATEM), lecithin (LC), and monoglycerides (MG) at a 0.3% level (w/w). After 4 days of storage, composite breads with MG had comparatively lower crumb moisture while crumb density was similar in all breads. The reference bread crumb firmness was 33.4 N, which was reduced with an addition of DATEM (23.0 N), MG (29.8 N), CMC (24.6 N) or HM pectin (22.4 N). However, the CMC/DATEM, CMC/LC, and HM pectin/DATEM combinations further reduced crumb firmness to <20.0 N. The melting peak temperature was increased from 52 C to between 53.0 C and 57.0 C with added hydrocolloids and/or emulsifiers. The melting enthalpy of the retrograded amylopectin was lower in composite bread with hydrocolloids and emulsifiers, 6.7–11.0 J/g compared to 20.0 J/g for the reference bread. These results show that emulsifiers in combination with hydrocolloids can improve the quality and extend the shelf‐life of composite cassava‐maize‐wheat breads.
Early silent microstructural degeneration and atrophy of the thalamocortical network in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Deppe Michael , Krämer Julia , Tenberge Jan‐Gerd , Marinell Jasmin , Schwindt Wolfram , Deppe Katja , Groppa Sergiu , Wiendl Heinz , Meuth Sven G.
Published: February 2016

Recent studies on patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) demonstrated thalamic atrophy. Here we addressed the following question: Is early thalamic atrophy in patients with CIS and relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS) mainly a direct consequence of white matter (WM) lesions—as frequently claimed—or is the atrophy stronger correlated to “silent” (nonlesional) microstructural thalamic alterations? One‐hundred and ten patients with RRMS, 12 with CIS, and 30 healthy controls were admitted to 3 T magnetic resonance imaging. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was computed from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess thalamic and WM microstructure. The relative thalamic volume (RTV) and thalamic FA were significantly reduced in patients with CIS and RRMS relative to healthy controls. Both measures were also correlated. The age, gender, WM lesion load, thalamic FA, and gray matter volume‐corrected RTV were reduced even in the absence of thalamic and extensive white matter lesions—also in patients with short disease duration (≤24 months). A voxel‐based correlation analysis revealed that the RTV reduction had a significant effect on local WM FA—in areas next to the thalamus and basal ganglia. These WM alterations could not be explained by WM lesions, which had a differing spatial distribution. Early thalamic atrophy is mainly driven by silent microstructural thalamic alterations. Lesions do not disclose the early damage of thalamocortical circuits, which seem to be much more affected in CIS and RRMS than expected. Thalamocortical damage can be detected by DTI in normal appearing brain tissue. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1866–1879, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Outcomes for hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated with organ‐preservation therapy
Authors: Edson Mark A. , Garden Adam S. , Takiar Vinita , Glisson Bonnie S. , Fuller Clifton D. , Gunn Gary B. , Beadle Beth M. , Morrison William H. , Frank Steven J. , Shah Shalin J. , Tao Randa , William William N. , Weber Randal S. , Rosenthal David I. , Phan Jack
Published: February 2016

Background

This study assessed outcomes of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated with organ‐preservation therapy utilizing intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Methods

The medical records of 98 patients treated with definitive IMRT +/‐ chemotherapy from 2001 to 2013 for nonmetastatic hypopharyngeal cancer were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Patients were treated to doses of 66 to 72 Gy. Eighty‐three patients (85%) received chemotherapy. With median follow‐up of 35 months, 2‐year overall survival (OS), locoregional control, progression‐free survival (PFS), and laryngectomy‐free survival rates were 74%, 77%, 67%, and 65%, respectively. Functional laryngeal preservation rate was 76% at 2 years. N3 disease correlated with worse OS (p< .01). Concurrent chemotherapy correlated with improved locoregional control (p= .03) and complete response to induction chemotherapy correlated with improved OS and PFS (p= .02). Actuarial 2‐year and 5‐year grade 3 treatment toxicities were 17% and 21%, respectively.

Conclusion

Favorable disease outcomes and functional laryngeal preservation rates can be achieved with IMRT for patients with hypopharyngeal cancer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Head Neck38: E2091–E2099, 2016
High slew‐rate head‐only gradient for improving distortion in echo planar imaging: Preliminary experience
Authors: Tan Ek T. , Lee Seung‐Kyun , Weavers Paul T. , Graziani Dominic , Piel Joseph E. , Shu Yunhong , Huston John , Bernstein Matt A. , Foo Thomas K.F.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To investigate the effects on echo planar imaging (EPI) distortion of using high gradient slew rates (SR) of up to 700 T/m/s for in vivo human brain imaging, with a dedicated, head‐only gradient coil.

Materials and Methods

Simulation studies were first performed to determine the expected echo spacing and distortion reduction in EPI. A head gradient of 42‐cm inner diameter and with asymmetric transverse coils was then installed in a whole‐body, conventional 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. Human subject imaging was performed on five subjects to determine the effects of EPI on echo spacing and signal dropout at various gradient slew rates. The feasibility of whole‐brain imaging at 1.5 mm‐isotropic spatial resolution was demonstrated with gradient‐echo and spin‐echo diffusion‐weighted EPI.

Results

As compared to a whole‐body gradient coil, the EPI echo spacing in the head‐only gradient coil was reduced by 48%. Simulation and in vivo results, respectively, showed up to 25–26% and 19% improvement in signal dropout. Whole‐brain imaging with EPI at 1.5 mm spatial resolution provided good whole‐brain coverage, spatial linearity, and low spatial distortion effects.

Conclusion

Our results of human brain imaging with EPI using the compact head gradient coil at slew rates higher than in conventional whole‐body MR systems demonstrate substantially improved image distortion, and point to a potential for benefits to non‐EPI pulse sequences. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:653–664.
Treatment response evaluation using the mean apparent diffusion coefficient in cervical cancer patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Onal Cem , Erbay Gurcan , Guler Ozan C.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To investigate the pre‐ and posttreatment mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean) of cervical cancer tumors treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and evaluate their correlation with recurrence and survival rates.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐four patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent multiparametric 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including T2‐weighted, fat‐saturated T2‐weighted, dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE), and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) sequences before and after treatment. Posttreatment MR images were acquired within a median of 3.2 months (range, 2.8–4.1 months) after completing CRT. We assessed the impact of primary tumor pre‐ and posttreatment ADC values on prognostic factors and treatment outcomes.

Results

The pre‐ and posttreatment ADCmean values were 0.882 ± 0.096 × 10−3 mm2/sec and 1.159 ± 0.168 × 10−3 mm2/sec, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The median percent ADC change was 33.7% (range, 5.0–70.0%). Patients with disease recurrence had lower ADC values, both pretreatment (0.822 ± 0.096 × 10−3 mm2/sec vs. 0.936 ± 0.058 × 10−3 mm2/sec; P < 0.001) and posttreatment (1.060 ± 0.116 × 10−3 mm2/sec vs. 1.248 ± 0.160 × 10−3 mm2/sec; P < 0.001). The ADC change was lower in patients with recurrence (25.7% ± 13.0% vs. 42.8% ± 15.7; P < 0.001) than in patients without recurrence. In multivariate analysis, pelvic lymph node metastasis and pretreatment ADCmean were prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS). ADC change between pre‐ and posttreatment DW‐MRI was a prognostic factor for OS.

Conclusion

DWI parameters, measured before and after treatment, may be useful prognostic biomarkers for tumor burden, recurrence, and survival in cervical cancer patients treated with CRT. The primary tumor pretreatment ADCmean is an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2016;44:1010–1019.
Antioxidant effects of supercritical fluid garlic extracts in sunflower oil
Authors: Bravi Elisabetta , Perretti Giuseppe , Falconi Caterina , Marconi Ombretta , Fantozzi Paolo
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

Lipid oxidation causes changes in quality attributes of vegetable oils. Synthetic antioxidants have been used to preserve oils; however, there is interest in replacing them with natural ones. Garlic and its thiosulfinate compound allicin are known for their antioxidant activities. This study assesses a novel formulation, the supercritical fluid extract of garlic, on sunflower oil oxidation during an accelerated shelf‐life test.

RESULTS

Three quality parameters (free acidity, peroxide values, and p‐anisidine values) were evaluated in each of the six oil samples. The samples included sunflower oil alone, sunflower oil supplemented with BHT, the undiluted supercritical fluid extract of garlic, and sunflower oils supplemented with three levels of garlic extract. The oils were also investigated for their antioxidant properties using the DPPH and the FRAP assays. The results were compared with the effect of the synthetic BHT. Our results underlined that the highest level of garlic extract may be superior, or at least comparable, with BHT in preserving sunflower oil.

CONCLUSION

The oxidative degradation of oily samples can be limited by using supercritical fluid extract of garlic as it is a safe and an effective natural antioxidant formulation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Design of a DPA based on the dual‐level supply voltage modulation for efficiency improvement
Authors: Cao Xin , Tang Zongxi , Wang Fei
Published: February 2016

In this article, a Doherty power amplifier (DPA) based on the dual‐level supply voltage modulation is proposed. To improve efficiency, the drain of the carrier amplifier in the DPA is supplied with two different voltage levels based on the input RF power. The switching between these two different voltage levels is modulated by a voltage control circuit. The DPA is fabricated using two LDMOSFETs at the working frequency of 2.14 GHz. The measured results show that, compared with the conventional DPA, the power‐added efficiency (PAE) has been enhanced at low RF input power, and the feasibility of the proposed method has been verified. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:759–762, 2016
Gain variation of 60‐GHz patch antennas due to ground plane dimensions
Authors: Seo Haekyo , Hong Wonbin , Gun Kam Dong
Published: February 2016

Designing phased‐array antennas for millimeter‐wave systems becomes difficult because of anomalous gain variation across elements. The performance of each antenna element varies significantly depending on its location on a finite ground plane. Based on simulation and measurement of 60‐GHz patch antennas, we explain which design parameters determine specific gain variations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:745–747, 2016
Balun‐feed reconfigurable antenna applied for broadband switched beam arrays
Authors: Tsai Jia‐Fu , Row Jeen‐Sheen
Published: February 2016

A design for switchable beam linear arrays is described. The radiating element of the array is a balun‐feed reconfigurable antenna and its exciting phase is controlled with two switched‐line phase shifters. By switching the feed points, the reconfigurable antenna can generate dual radiations with the same amplitude and 180° phase differences. Moreover, the delay lines of the two switched‐line phase shifters, respectively provide phase shifts of 45° and 90°. Therefore, the array elements can be excited with the progressive phases of {0°, ±45°, ±90°, ±135°}, and each progressive phase is corresponding to one radiation beam. A 1 × 8 array prototype operating in the range from 1.7 to 2.7 GHz is constructed. Experimental results for the performances of the phased array are shown. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:748–751, 2016
Investigation of four‐arm Archimedean spiral antennas with a built‐in balun for balanced multi‐mode operations in GPS applications
Authors: Mehrabani Ali M. , Shafai Lotfollah
Published: February 2016

Multi‐mode four‐arm Archimedean spiral antennas, backed by partially‐filled absorber, are investigated. A low‐profile structure with an embedded balun is realized to produce balanced spiral modes for both broadside and conical radiation patterns over GPS frequency bands. Prototype antennas are developed and measured results are in excellent agreement with computed ones. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:762–767, 2016
Microwave heating of heavy oil reservoirs: A critical analysis
Authors: Oloumi Daniel , Rambabu Karumudi
Published: February 2016

In this article, microwave heating of the heavy oil reservoir, oil‐sand, is critically studied. The study is carried out based on full wave and multiphysics simulations that are performed at 2.45 GHz using both CST Microwave studio and COMSOL. It is demonstrated that most of the microwave power is deposited in bitumen rather in sand due to the dielectric properties of bitumen. Thermal analysis showed that most of the heat is generated in bitumen and is conducted to sand. Although microwave power is selectively deposited into bitumen of the oil‐sand, the temperature gradient between the bitumen and sand is not able to maintain due to high thermal conductivity of the oil‐sand medium. Microwave heating can play very important role to reduce the tailing ponds and protect the environment by minimizing water usage in the recovery process. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:809–813, 2016
Parameterized indoor propagation model for mobile communication links
Authors: Zyoud Alhareth , Habaebi Mohamed H. , Islam Rafiqul
Published: February 2016

In this letter, a path loss indoor propagation model is parameterized. This model is suitable for application in 4G and wireless networks and maybe applied in both LTE and LTE‐A system level simulators. Measurements were conducted at the most popular frequencies for future LTE networks of 1800 and 2600 MHz. In addition, path loss has been examined in terms of various antenna aspects such as polarization and directivity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:823–826, 2016
High‐gain polarization‐reconfigurable monopole antenna for GNSS applications
Authors: Cao Y. F. , Cheung S. W. , Yuk T. I.
Published: February 2016

The design of a circular polarization (CP) reconfigurable monopole antenna with enhanced boresight gain for the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is presented. The antenna is composed of two meandered monopoles perpendicular to each other, a switchable feeding network and a metallic reflector. The switchable feeding network consists of a Wilkinson power divider, a 90°‐phase shifter, a double‐pole double‐throw (DPDT) switch, and a defected ground structure (DGS). The power divider divides the input signal into two signals with equal amplitude and 90°‐phase difference. The two signals arrived at the two monopoles have a phase difference of 90° or −90°, determined by two DC voltage inputs to the DPDT switch hence to generate a right‐ or left‐handed CP signal. Compared with the previous work, the antenna requires only two control DC voltages and so is much simpler. Measured results show that the metallic reflector placed at the back of the antenna increases the boresight gain by 5 dBi. The measured impedance bandwidth (S11< −10 dB) and axial‐ratio bandwidth (AR< 3 dB) are from 1.28 to 1.97 GHz and 1.44 to 1.85 GHz, respectively. Simulated and measured results on S11, AR, radiation pattern, and gain show good agreements. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:791–798, 2016
Design and initial measurements of K‐band FMCW rain radar with high resolution
Authors: Kong Ki‐Bok , Jeong Woo‐Ram , Park Seong‐Ook
Published: February 2016

This paper presents an FMCW K‐band rain radar with the property of high resolution. The radar system was designed for measurement of localized torrential rain. Using DDS and FPGA control, heterodyne modulation was used to generate the FMCW down‐chirp signal with 50 MHz bandwidth, and emitted a K‐band signal with nominal power of 125 mW in the vertical direction. To obtain high resolution for the Doppler spectrum, the radar system used a coherent signal processing method. Several experiments were conducted and the results were compared with data from the meteorological administration. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:817–822, 2016
Design and analysis of miniature planar four‐way equal power divider for 60 GHz wireless home network and 77 GHz automobile radars in 90 nm CMOS
Authors: Lin Yo‐Sheng , Lin Yun‐Wen
Published: February 2016

A millimeter‐wave (MMW) miniature planar dual balun (i.e. single‐to‐dual‐differential four‐way equal power divider) in 90 nm CMOS technology is reported. The dual balun can be applied to a star mixer for converting the single RF (or LO) input signal to dual differential RF (or LO) signals, or a four‐way power amplifier (PA) for four‐way equal power dividing. In contrast to the traditional four‐way PA that uses three Wilkinson power dividers for four‐way equal power dividing, the proposed PA achieves smaller chip area, higher output power and higher power‐added‐efficiency The dual balun occupies a small chip area of 0.14 mm×0.18 mm (i.e. 0.0252 mm2) and achieves S11 smaller than −10 dB for frequencies of 50–110 GHz. For frequencies of 55–65 GHz, the dual balun achieves S21 of −7.6 to −7.9 dB, S31 of −7.9 to −9 dB, S41 of −7.5 to −7.9 dB, S51 of −7.8 to −8.9 dB, magnitude of amplitude imbalance (MAI) of 0.34–1.1 dB and phase difference (PD) of 179.22–180.78° for ports 2–3, and MAI of 0.3–1 dB and PD of 178.83–180.48° for ports 4–5. For frequencies of 75–85 GHz, the dual balun achieves S21 of −9.1 to −10.5 dB, S31 of −10.7 to −12.7 dB, S41 of −9.1 to −10.5 dB, S51 of −10.7 to −12.6 dB, MAI of 1.7–2.2 dB and PD of 179.42–180.59° for ports 2–3, and MAI of 1.6–2.1 dB and PD of 179.93–180.73° for ports 4–5. The state‐of‐the‐art results of the proposed dual balun indicate that it is suitable for 60 and 77 GHz communication systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:850–860, 2016
A comparative study on switchable frequency‐selective surfaces
Authors: Mahmood Suhair M. , Denidni Tayeb A.
Published: February 2016

A comparative study guide for several variant switchable frequency‐selective surfaces (SFSS) with different geometries is introduced. The unit cells are designed for the first realized frequency band to study the transmission coefficient bandwidth. Maximum transmission coefficient bandwidth obtained in the transparent state is around 9.62 GHz while the maximum bandwidth obtained in the reflective state is around 5.46 GHz for the solid interior triangle and square frequency‐selective surface, respectively. The maximum joint bandwidth for both transparent and reflective states is 5.46 GHz in the square‐solid‐interior unit cell. Practical results are compatible with simulated results and the obtained results are summarized in a table to provide a clear comparison between the proposed SFSS unit cells in terms of frequency bandwidth. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:839–844, 2016
Compact fan shaped circularly polarized microstrip patch antenna
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Vishwakarma Dinesh Kumar
Published: February 2016

A novel compact single‐feed fan shaped microstrip patch antenna for circular polarization is proposed and investigated. The compact size is achieved by insetting four equally spaced sectoral slits to the periphery of the circular patch which lowers down the resonant frequency of the circular patch. By carefully selecting sectoral slit pairs of different length along the axis of the patch, the lowered dominant mode resonant frequency splits into two close‐degenerate distinct resonant frequencies resulting in circular polarization. The performance of the antenna for different sectoral slit lengths is also studied. The proposed antenna with 48.53% miniaturization as compared to the conventional standard‐size circularly polarized design is fabricated and measured. The antenna exhibits an overall size of 0.3λ0×0.3λ0×0.009λ0 at 1.8 GHz with measured 2.05% 10‐dB impedance bandwidth and 0.44% 3‐dB axial bandwidth. The antenna is simple, easy to fabricate, and suitable for GSM applications. Its measured and simulated results are in well agreement. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:882–886, 2016
Miniaturized band‐notched UWB MIMO antenna with high isolation
Authors: Kang Le , Li Hui , Wang Xin‐Huai , Shi Xiao‐Wei
Published: February 2016

A compact multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) antenna is presented for band‐notched ultra‐wideband (UWB) applications. Miniaturization of the proposed antenna is realized by employing the asymmetric coplanar strip (ACS)‐fed structures. To obtain the band‐notched function, open stubs are introduced on the radiators. In addition, an H‐shaped slot is etched on the ground to reduce the mutual coupling between the antenna elements. The designed antenna with an overall size of 28 × 22 × 0.8 mm3 was fabricated and tested. Measured results show the antenna operates over a frequency band of 2.9–11.8 GHz with reflection coefficient less than −10 dB, except at the rejection band of 4.9–6 GHz. Within the operating band, measured port isolation is better than 20 dB. Radiation characteristics and diversity performance of the antenna are also investigated through measurement. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:878–881, 2016
Isolated dual‐band meander line antenna loaded with U‐slot and modified CSRR for WLAN applications
Authors: Deepak  , Kaur Jaswinder
Published: February 2016

A thin, single substrate layered, dual directionally isolated band Meander line antenna (MLA) with connected ends, widened near the feed area, loaded by a U‐slot in the patch layer, and by a modification from complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) in the ground layer, is presented for WLAN applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:895–901, 2016
Design of U‐shaped antenna using different substrate with enhanced bandwidth for WLAN/WiMAX applications
Authors: Roy Bappadittya , Chakraborty U. , Chowdhury S. K. , Bhattacharjee A. K.
Published: February 2016

A compact single layer coaxially fed wideband microstrip antenna is presented in this letter. The proposed antenna consists of a U‐shaped patch and a rectangular ground plane embedded with two open ended rectangular ground slots (RGS). The antenna is designed for wide band of communication (3.02–6.03 GHZ). It is found that the maximum bandwidth of the antenna is obtained about 66.5% when a rectangular slot is inserted near the lower edge of the U‐shaped patch. The antenna was studied experimentally for impedance bandwidth, and gain. It is shown that the antenna can cover the bands of several applications including IEEE 802.11n (and the older 802.11a) WLANs application (allocate channels between 5.15 and 5.825 GHz) and WiMAX (3.2–3.8 GHz) application. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:959–963, 2016
Compact cross loop resonator based chipless RFID tag with polarization insensitivity
Authors: Sajitha V. R. , Nijas C. M. , Roshna T. K. , Vasudevan Kesavath , Mohanan P.
Published: February 2016

A fully printable, passive, compact, and polarization‐independent chipless radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is proposed. A symmetric cross loop resonator is the basic scattering element. The prototype of the tag is fabricated on RT Duroid 5880 substrate with εr = 2.2, tan δ = 0.0008, h = 1 mm. Data is coded in the frequency domain with multiple resonators. A 20‐bit tag of dimensions 4 × 4 cm2 is demonstrated. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:944–947, 2016
Analysis and design of broadband 90° sectoral microstrip antennas
Authors: Deshmukh Amit A. , Phatak Neelam V.
Published: February 2016

Analysis and design of broadband 90° Sectoral microstrip antenna derived from 270° Sectoral patch is proposed. The formulation in resonant length at its fundamental mode and procedure to design 90° patch at different frequencies is presented. The proposed 90° patch yields higher bandwidth with better radiation pattern characteristics as compared to equivalent circular, 270° Sectoral, rectangular and their slot cut variations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:927–932, 2016
Compact circularly polarized ZOR and for antenna employing crlh transmission lines
Authors: Liu Liang‐Yuan , Wang Bing‐Zhong
Published: February 2016

A metamaterial‐inspired dual‐band antenna with circular polarization is presented in this article. To achieve composite right/left‐hand (CRLH) resonance and circularly polarized (CP) properties, three meander lines act as the shunt inductance, and two slots act as series capacitance. The asymmetric CRLH antenna fed by a coplanar waveguide (CPW) realizes zeroth‐order resonance and first‐order resonance. The dual‐band and CP antenna can work in a 3 dB axial‐ratio bandwidth as much as 8.5% (2.26–2.46 GHz), and 3.0% (3.90–4.02 GHz). Compared with the recently reported metamaterial antennas, the proposed antenna achieves a smaller size, wider CP bandwidth, and higher gain. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:964–969, 2016
Comprehensive study of printed antenna with the handset modeling
Authors: Sultan K. S. , Abdullah H. H. , Abdallah E. A.
Published: February 2016

This article presents a comprehensive study on the performance of a compact multiband antenna operating in LTE700, GSM850, GSM 900, DCS1800, PCS 1900, UMTS 2100, most of LTE bands (especially the low‐frequency LTE 700 band), and wireless applications. The antenna consists of a monopole in conjunction with meander line antenna. An EBG structure is used to miniaturize the antenna size and to enhance the gain in the direction away from the antenna to lower the SAR within the human body. The EBG structure also contributes in open the operating bands. The proposed antenna is tested using the four recommended test positions of the CTIA association where the proposed antenna reveals good performance in all test cases. Return loss, radiation patterns, SAR, and efficiency of this antenna are computed in free space, in the presence of handset (keypad, battery, speaker camera, RF circuit, and LCD) in talking position, in standby position, in packaging, and as well as in the presence of head and hand in free space and in a car. The SAR values are taken into account not to exceed the standard safety levels. In addition, radiation efficiencies of these handset antennas are computed in the presence of head and hand. All simulation results are performed using the CST software. Simulation results are in good agreement with the measurement results. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:974–980, 2016
Optically induced conductivity in silicon: An active control technique for antennas
Authors: Collett Michael A. , Gamlath Chris D. , Cryan Martin J.
Published: February 2016

We present a technique using a laser diode to actively tune a Franklin Array type antenna. We investigate the effect of directly illuminating the silicon dielectric to generate free charge carriers, increasing the conductivity of illuminated regions. Measurements and simulated results show reconfigurability of radiation patterns, resonant frequencies and polarization. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:994–998, 2016
Orthogonal orientation‐shifted U‐slotted stacked antenna array for dual‐band applications
Authors: Islam I. , Jamlos M. F. , Jamlos M. A.
Published: February 2016

A dual‐band orthogonal orientation‐shifted U‐slotted stacked antenna array is presented in this article for long‐term evolution (LTE) and wireless local area network (WLAN) applications covering the frequency of 2.6 and 5.8 GHz. U‐slotted are integrated in radiating patches with one side of the array U‐slot is shifted by orthogonal orientation from its actual position. FR‐4 substrate with 5‐mm air gap from Aluminum (Al) plate ground plane is designed to form the stacked structure. Two main U‐slotted patches are connected with simple quarter wavelength transmission line designed at the reverse side of FR‐4 substrate using copper via with another four U‐slotted patches are coupled parasitically offering simple array structure. It is found that combination of normal and orthogonal orientation‐shifted U‐slotted patches with four parasitic patches assist the antenna array to realize dual‐band operation. Moreover, the unwanted frequency of 3.9 and 4.5 GHz are notched out as well by the presence of parasitic patches. This leaving the proposed antenna with the only two desired frequency band of 2.6 GHz with −16.663 dB reflection coefficient while −22.261 dB at 5.8 GHz. The proposed antenna is simple, compact in size and stated high gain of 8.63 dBi at 2.6 GHz and 7.31 dBi at 5.8 GHz, respectively. The antenna recorded good agreement between the simulation and measurement results for reflection coefficient, E‐plane and H‐plane radiation pattern. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:985–989, 2016
Coupled‐fed antenna with a matching circuit for small size LTE/WWAN tablet computer application
Authors: Jiu‐Sheng Li , Qing‐Hua Fan , Jian‐Zhong Sun
Published: February 2016

The combination of matching circuit and strip provides a new approach to realize wide bandwidth of the antenna. We presented a coupled‐fed antenna with matching circuit for the LTE/WWAN operation in the tablet computer. The total size of the antenna is of 40 × 10 mm2. Furthermore, the matching circuit of a chip capacitor and chip inductor does not increase the antenna's occupied volume. Details of the proposed antenna and its operating principle are presented and discussed. The excited resonant modes of the proposed antenna cover the desired lower LTE/WWAN band operation (698–960 MHz) and the higher band operation (1710–2690 MHz). Good radiation characteristics of the proposed antenna are also obtained. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1002–1006, 2016
Strict lower bounds with separation of sources of error in non‐overlapping domain decomposition methods
Authors: Rey V. , Gosselet P. , Rey C.
Published: February 2016

This article deals with the computation of guaranteed lower bounds of the error in the framework of finite element and domain decomposition methods. In addition to a fully parallel computation, the proposed lower bounds separate the algebraic error (due to the use of a domain decomposition iterative solver) from the discretization error (due to the finite element), which enables the steering of the iterative solver by the discretization error. These lower bounds are also used to improve the goal‐oriented error estimation in a substructured context. Assessments on 2D static linear mechanic problems illustrate the relevance of the separation of sources of error and the lower bounds' independence from the substructuring. We also steer the iterative solver by an objective of precision on a quantity of interest. This strategy consists in a sequence of solvings and takes advantage of adaptive remeshing and recycling of search directions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adipose tissue fibrosis, hypertrophy, and hyperplasia: Correlations with diabetes in human obesity
Authors: Muir Lindsey A. , Neeley Christopher K. , Meyer Kevin A. , Baker Nicki A. , Brosius Alice M. , Washabaugh Alexandra R. , Varban Oliver A. , Finks Jonathan F. , Zamarron Brian F. , Flesher Carmen G. , Chang Joshua S. , DelProposto Jennifer B. , Geletka Lynn , Martinez‐Santibanez Gabriel , Kaciroti Niko , Lumeng Carey N. , O'Rourke Robert W.
Published: February 2016

Objective

The relationship between adipose tissue fibrosis, adipocyte hypertrophy, and preadipocyte hyperplasia in the context of obesity and the correlation of these tissue‐based phenomena with systemic metabolic disease are poorly defined. The goal of this study was to clarify the relationship between adipose tissue fibrosis, adipocyte hypertrophy, and preadipocyte hyperplasia in human obesity and determine the correlation of these adipose‐tissue based phenomena with diabetes.

Methods

Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues from humans with obesity collected during bariatric surgery were studied with QRTPCR, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry for expression of collagens and fibrosis‐related proteins, adipocyte size, and preadipocyte frequency. Results were correlated with clinical characteristics including diabetes status.

Results

Fibrosis was decreased, hypertrophy was increased, and preadipocyte frequency and fibrotic gene expression were decreased in adipose tissues from diabetic subjects compared to non‐diabetic subjects. These differences were greater in visceral compared to subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Conclusions

These data are consistent with the hypothesis that adipose tissue fibrosis in the context of human obesity limits adipocyte hypertrophy and is associated with a reciprocal increase in adipocyte hyperplasia, with beneficial effects on systemic metabolism. These findings suggest adipose tissue fibrosis as a potential target for manipulation of adipocyte metabolism.
Effects of liraglutide in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of obese mice
Authors: Barreto‐Vianna Andre R.C. , Aguila Marcia B. , Mandarim‐de‐Lacerda Carlos A.
Published: February 2016

Objective

The neuroprotective effects of liraglutide (200 μg/kg, twice daily, subcutaneous administration) in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) of diet‐induced obese mice were investigated.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were separated into groups: standard chow treated with vehicle or liraglutide and the respective liraglutide pair‐fed group; high‐fat diet treated with vehicle or liraglutide and the respective pair‐fed group. Body mass (BM) evolution, carbohydrate metabolism, leptin resistance, proteins involved in energetic balance, apoptosis, and microglia in the ARC were studied.

Results

Obese animals showed glucose intolerance, resistance to insulin and to anorexigenic effect of leptin, and microgliosis accompanied by elevated Bax/Bcl2 ratio in the ARC. Liraglutide improved the carbohydrate metabolism, BM loss, and the activation of pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) and cocaine and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) in the ARC. The liraglutide enhanced leptin sensitivity and diminished the microgliosis with decrease in Bax/Bcl2 ratio.

Conclusions

Liraglutide activates central anorexigenic pathways, thereby diminishing the energy intake of obese mice and improving the metabolic parameters related to obesity. Liraglutide is a relevant neuroprotective agent, which can decrease the microgliosis and stimulate the anti‐apoptotic pathway, a significant effect in the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. Some benefits of liraglutide are independent of the BM loss, which usually accompanies the drug administration.
Effects of roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery on postprandial fructose metabolism
Authors: Surowska Anna , De Giorgi Sara , Theytaz Fanny , Campos Vanessa , Hodson Leanne , Stefanoni Nathalie , Rey Valentine , Schneiter Philippe , Laville Martine , Giusti Vittorio , Gabert Laure , Tappy Luc
Published: February 2016

Objective

Fructose is partly metabolized in small bowel enterocytes, where it can be converted into glucose or fatty acids. It was therefore hypothesized that Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) may significantly alter fructose metabolism.

Methods

We performed a randomized clinical study in eight patients 12‐17 months after RYGB and eight control (Ctrl) subjects. Each participant was studied after ingestion of a protein and lipid meal (PL) and after ingestion of a protein+lipid+fructose+glucose meal labeled with 13C‐fructose (PLFG). Postprandial blood glucose, fructose, lactate, apolipoprotein B48 (apoB48), and triglyceride (TG) concentrations, 13C‐palmitate concentrations in chylomicron‐TG and VLDL‐TG, fructose oxidation (13CO2 production), and gluconeogenesis from fructose (GNGf) were measured over 6 hours.

Results

After ingestion of PLFG, postprandial plasma fructose, glucose, insulin, and lactate concentrations increased earlier and reached higher peak values in RYGB than in Ctrl. GNGf was 33% lower in RYGB than Ctrl (P = 0.041), while fructose oxidation was unchanged. Postprandial incremental areas under the curves for total TG and chylomicrons‐TG were 72% and 91% lower in RYGB than Ctrl (P = 0.064 and P = 0.024, respectively). ApoB48 and 13C‐palmitate concentrations were not significantly different.

Conclusions

Postprandial fructose metabolism was not grossly altered, but postprandial lipid concentrations were markedly decreased in subjects having had RYGB surgery.
Sweet characterisation of prostate specific antigen using electrochemical lectin‐based immunosensor assay and MALDI TOF/TOF analysis: Focus on sialic acid
Authors: Pihikova Dominika , Pakanova Zuzana , Nemcovic Marek , Barath Peter , Belicky Stefan , Bertok Tomas , Kasak Peter , Mucha Jan , Tkac Jan
Published: February 2016

The construction of a sensitive electrochemical lectin‐based immunosensor for detection of a prostate specific antigen (PSA) is shown here. Three lectins with different carbohydrate specificities were used in this study to glycoprofile PSA, which is the most common biomarker for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. The biosensor showed presence of α‐L‐fucose and α‐(2,6)‐linked terminal sialic acid within PSA´s glycan with high abundance, while only traces of α‐(2,3)‐linked terminal sialic acid were found. MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry was applied to validate results obtained by the biosensor with a focus on determination of a type of sialic acid linkage by two methods. The first direct comparison of electrochemical immunosensor assay employing lectins for PSA glycoprofiling with mass spectrometric techniques is provided here and both methods show significant agreement. Thus, electrochemical lectin‐based immunosensor has potential to be applied for prostate cancer diagnosis.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia impairs L‐type amino acid transporter‐1 expression in human and baboon lung
Authors: Bao Erik L. , Chystsiakova Anastasiya , Brahmajothi Mulugu V. , Sunday Mary E. , Pavlisko Elizabeth N. , Wempe Michael F. , Auten Richard L.
Published: February 2016

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is an inflammatory lung disorder common in premature infants who undergo mechanical ventilation with supplemental oxygen. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been used to prevent experimental and clinical BPD. Earlier studies showed that NO effects in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) are mediated by S‐nitrosothiol uptake via L‐type amino acid transporter‐1 (LAT1). Because LAT1 expression could influence the efficacy of iNO therapy, we sought to determine whether pulmonary LAT1 expression is altered in preterm baboons with experimental BPD and in human newborns susceptible to developing BPD. Using fixed lung obtained from 125 d to 140 d gestation baboon models of BPD, LAT1 immunostaining was measured in control and BPD animals. In adult controls and in 140 d gestational controls (GC), LAT1 was expressed in both type I and type II AECs. In 140 d BPD lungs, LAT1 expression density in alveolar tissue was decreased. In 125 d GC baboons, LAT1 immunostaining was largely confined to cuboidal AECs, whereas animals given 14 d of mechanical ventilation exhibited diminished alveolar septal LAT1 Labeling. The pattern in adult human donor lung was comparable to that observed in adult baboons. LAT1 was expressed in lungs obtained from some but not all very premature newborns at autopsy. In human and baboon lung, adult and newborn, pulmonary vascular cells expressed LAT1. In summary, LAT1 is expressed in AECs and pulmonary vascular cells in baboons and humans. Experimental BPD in premature baboons decreases pulmonary LAT1 expression and alters its spatial localization. Heterogeneity of functional LAT1 could affect S‐nitrosothiol importation, which could impair iNO therapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1048–1056. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Visualizing information worldwide a panel proposal to the 2015 ASIS&T annual meeting sponsored by: SIG‐VIS, SIG‐III, & SIG‐HFIS
Authors: Hartel Jenna
Published: February 2016

Twelve scholars based at information programs worldwide have recently participated in research that asks: How is the concept of information visualized in my community and beyond? The study employed an arts‐informed, visual methodology and the draw‐and‐write technique to stimulate local and global conversations about the pictorial nature of information in society. The work has generated new insights into information as a visual phenomenon and generated an archive of “iSquare” images to be used for information research, education, and practice. As a contribution to the conference theme of “Impact on Society,” this panel introduces the project, describes its technical infrastructure, highlights emerging social scientific and artistic outcomes, and reports cross‐cultural discoveries. The multimedia and interactive session will include in‐person presentations, short videos from collaborators overseas, an expert discussant, dialogue with the audience, and an art exhibition.