bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystallographic Insight into the Mg2+ Coordination Mode and N(SO2CF3)2– Anion Conformation in Mg[N(SO2CF3)2]2 and Its Adducts
Authors: Veryasov Gleb , Harinaga Ukyo , Matsumoto Kazuhiko , Hagiwara Rika
Published: January 2017

Magnesium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (Mg[TFSA]2) and its adducts ([Mg(L)n][TFSA]2) with common ligands (L) such as ethanol, ethyl acetate, and water, namely [Mg(C2H5OH)4][TFSA]2, [Mg(C2H5OH)6][TFSA]2, [Mg(C2H5OOCCH3)2][TFSA]2, [Mg(H2O)2][TFSA]2, and [Mg(H2O)6][TFSA]2(H2O)2, have been prepared and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. In every case, Mg2+ is octahedrally coordinated by six O atoms of TFSA– and/or the ligand. The crystal structure of Mg[TFSA]2 indicates the presence of disordered cis (12 %) and trans (82 %) ligand anion conformers. [Mg(C2H5OH)4][TFSA]2 appears to be a new example of a coordination compound in which the TFSA– anions adopt a trans conformation while bonded to the metal core. The crystallographic data has allowed us to propose a scheme of stepwise σ‐donor ligand coordination to the Mg2+ core in Mg[TFSA]2 and [Mg(L)n][TFSA]2 salts. This scheme is consistent with the literature data and indicates that the conformation of TFSA– anions in [Mg(L)n][TFSA]2 depends on the number of ligands coordinated to the Mg2+ core, regardless of the ligand.
Constant‐ductility response spectra for sequential earthquake and tsunami loading
Authors: Scott Michael H. , Mason H. Benjamin
Published: January 2017

Simplified approaches for examining structural system response under sequential earthquake and tsunami loading are helpful for understanding response trends. To aid understanding, nonlinear (constant‐ductility) response spectra are developed for elastoplastic single degree of freedom systems subjected to seismic loads followed by hydrodynamic tsunami loads. The forcing function is composed of long‐duration earthquake motion concatenated with a range of tsunami hydrodynamic forces that are proportional to the pseudo‐spectral acceleration produced by the earthquake motion. The constant‐ductility spectra are thus constructed for scenarios where the loading imposed by one hazard is not dominant over the other. The spectra and basic intensity measures indicate that the amplification of response for sequential earthquake and tsunami loading over the earthquake only case is most significant for systems with long natural periods and high‐ductility capacity under seismic loading. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The feasibility of using mutation detection in ctDNA to assess tumor dynamics
Authors: Yi Xin , Ma Jianhui , Guan Yanfang , Chen Rongrong , Yang Ling , Xia Xuefeng
Published: January 2017

For many decades it has been known that tumor DNA is shed into the blood. As a consequence of technological limitations, researchers were unable to comprehensively characterize circulating DNA. The advent of ultrasensitive and highly specific molecular assays has provided a comprehensive profile of the molecular characteristics and dynamics of circulating DNA in healthy subjects and cancer patients. With these new tools in hand, significant interest has been provoked for an innovative type of tumor biopsy termed a “liquid biopsy”. Liquid biopsies are obtained by minimal invasive blood draws from cancer patients. Circulating cancer cells, exosomes and a variety of molecules contained within the liquid biopsy including cell‐free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) can serve as promising tools to track cancer evolution. Attractive features of ctDNA are that ctDNA isolation is straightforward, ctDNA levels increase or decrease in response to the degree of tumor burden and ctDNA contains DNA mutations found in both primary and metastatic lesions. Consequently, the analysis of circulating DNA for cancer‐specific mutations might prove to be a valuable tool for cancer detection. Moreover, the capacity to screen for ctDNA in serial liquid biopsies offers the possibility to monitor tumor progression and responses to therapy and to influence treatment decisions that ultimately may improve patient survival. Here we focus on mutation detection in ctDNA and provide an overview of the characteristics of ctDNA, detection methods for ctDNA and the feasibility of ctDNA to monitor tumor dynamics. Current challenges associate with ctDNA will also be discussed.
Lichen sclerosus and risk of cancer
Authors: Halonen Pia , Jakobsson Maija , Heikinheimo Oskari , Riska Annika , Gissler Mika , Pukkala Eero
Published: January 2017

Malignant potential of lichen sclerosus (LS) has been suspected, but evidence is sparse. We used the population‐based Finnish Cancer Registry data to further study this connection.

We identified all women with the diagnosis of LS (n = 7,616) listed in the Finnish Hospital Discharge Registry from 1970 to 2012. The cohort was followed through the Finnish Cancer Registry for subsequent cancer diagnoses until 2014. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for different cancers by dividing the observed numbers of cancers by expected ones. The expected numbers were based on national cancer incidence rates.

During the follow‐up period, we found 812 cancers among patients with LS (SIR: 1.13, 95% CI 1.05–1.21). LS was associated with an increased risk of vulvar (182 cases, SIR: 33.6, 95% CI 28.9–38.6) and vaginal cancer (4 cases, SIR: 3.69, 95% CI 1.01–9.44). The risk of cancers of the uterine cervix and lung was significantly decreased.

LS is associated with an increased risk for vulvar and vaginal cancer. These data are important when designing the care of women diagnosed with LS.
Comparison of different enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay methods for avidity determination of antiphospholipid antibodies
Authors: Fialová Lenka , Petráčková Milada , Kuchař Oliver
Published: January 2017

Background

Avidity of antiphospholipid antibodies may be clinically useful as a valuable additional characteristic. The aim of this study was to compare several ELISA modifications with different chaotropic agents and calculation of avidity indices for the determination of anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) avidity.

Methods

We examined 28 serum samples with positive IgG aCL by adapted ELISA using various concentrations of urea and sodium chloride as chaotropic agents and different dilution of sera. We tested these conditions of ELISA—a single diluted serum sample with fixed concentration of a chaotrope and a serially diluted serum in the constant concentration of a chaotropic agent.

Results

We demonstrated that ELISA method for avidity determination based on a single dilution of serum in the presence of fixed concentration of chaotrope is convenient for determination of IgG aCL antibody avidity. Concentrations 6 and 8 mol/L of urea or 1 and 2 mol/L of NaCl were suitable for sufficient dissociation of immune complexes during ELISA procedure.

Conclusion

This way was in good agreement with more demanding procedures. Both urea and sodium chloride may be used as chaotropic agents. Reference values of avidity indices essential for interpretation of patients’ results must be established individually for distinct assay conditions.
Skin regeneration stimulation: the role of PCL‐platelet gel nanofibrous scaffold
Authors: Ranjbarvan Parviz , Soleimani Masoud , Samadi Kuchaksaraei Ali , Ai Jafar , Faridi Majidi Reza , Verdi Javad
Published: January 2017

Skin is the largest organ of the human body. Thus far, tissue engineering of skin has developed rapidly and has used many types of growth factors and nanofibrous scaffolds. In this study, we differentiated neonate keratinocytes for epithelialization on the polycaprolactone‐Platelet gel (PCL‐PG) scaffold. Fabricated PCL nanofibers prepared by electrospinning technology and coated by platelet gel. Subsequently, the structure of the scaffold was evaluated by SEM, FTIR‐ATR, contact angle and tensile test assays. After seeding the neonate keratinocytes on neat PCL and PCL‐PG scaffolds, the epidermal maturation was tested by detecting cytokeratin 10 and loricrin determinants by immunocytochemistry; moreover, keratinocyte genes such as keratin 14, keratin 10, and Involucrin were investigated by real‐time PCR. The results of MTT assay indicated an increase in cell viability and cell proliferation of neonate keratinocytes on PCL‐PG nanofiber scaffolds compared with PCL. RT‐PCR and immunocytochemical analysis showed better cell differentiation on the PCL‐PG scaffolds than neat PCL. Furthermore, SEM microscopy images demonstrated that neo‐keratinocytes enhance adhesion and proliferation on PCL‐PG nanofiber scaffolds. We found that PG increases biocompatibility and wettability of scaffold, cell adhesion, and expression of keratinocyte markers. Overall, this procedure is recommended to be employed in skin tissue engineering and wounds healing.
A New Route for Synthesis of 2‐Substituted‐3‐amino‐5‐phenyl‐7‐N,N‐dimethylamino Phenazinium Chloride Salts
Authors: Liu Yuan , Jin Ling , Liu Jun‐feng
Published: January 2017

2‐Methyl‐3‐amino‐5‐phenyl‐7‐N, N‐dimethylamino phenazinium chloride salts were synthesized in better yields via the cyclization of 4‐amino‐N,N‐dimethylaniline with toluidine derivatives and aminobenzene under the oxidation of sodium bicarbonate.
The Behavior of (cyclic‐alkylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamides in Cyclization with Dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate
Authors: Hassan Alaa A. , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Mohamed Nasr K. , El‐Shaieb Kamal M. A. , Abdel‐Aziz Ahmed T. , Mague Joel T. , Akkurt Mehmet
Published: January 2017

A series of (Z)‐methyl 2(Z)‐3‐substituted‐2‐(cycloalkylidenehydrazono)‐4‐oxothiazolidin‐5‐ylidene)‐acetate derivatives were synthesized via condensation alkylidene‐N‐substituted hydrazinecarbothioamides with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. The synthesized compounds were characterized by using different spectroscopic methods and confirmed by single crystal X‐ray analysis. The behavior of (cyclic‐alkylidene) hydrazinecarbothioamides in cyclization was presented. The mechanism of transformation of (Z)‐methyl 2‐((Z)‐3‐(cyclopentylideneamino)‐4‐oxo‐2‐(phenylimino)thiazolidin‐5‐ylidene)acetate (14) into the more stable (Z)‐Methyl 2‐[(Z)‐2‐(cyclopentylidenehydrazono)‐4‐oxo‐3‐phenylthiazolidin‐5‐ylidene]acetate (5a) was discussed and confirmed.
Atmospheric circulation patterns associated with monthly and daily temperature and precipitation extremes in Alaska
Authors: Bieniek Peter A. , Walsh John E.
Published: January 2017

This study presents (1) the temporal variations and trends of monthly and daily temperature and precipitation extremes in Alaska, and (2) the synoptic‐scale circulation patterns associated with these extremes. The analysis is based on daily station observations of maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation from 1948–2012 as well as monthly average temperatures and precipitation from 1920–2012 from 13 Alaska climate divisions. The frequencies of daily and monthly temperature extremes show variability and trends over the past 50–90 years consistent with a warming climate in Alaska. This warming is superimposed on low‐frequency variability attributed to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Unlike the temperature extremes, occurrences of heavy‐precipitation extremes do not display a coherent signal through time. The changes do not appear to be linked with an overall increase in the variance of temperature or precipitation. Composite analysis of sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies associated with a representative sample of different daily and monthly temperature extremes across Alaska shows that temperature and moisture advection, subject to topographic and coastal influences, is a key driver of these events. Composite SLP fields for daily and monthly extremes are similar, especially in winter, indicating that monthly extremes represent the recurrence of daily extreme patterns during those extreme months. The SLP anomalies were also often reduced in magnitude in the summer events compared with winter, consistent with the lower variance of temperature and SLP during summer.
A novel algorithm for selective current limit used in AMOLED panel
Authors: Huang Chengqiang , Zhang Qi , Wang Hui , Feng Songlin
Published: January 2017

A selective current limit algorithm based on color space conversion is proposed in this paper. There are mainly two advantages for this algorithm. Firstly, only the luminance component Y is decreased, and the color component Cb or Cr is not changed; thus, the color distortion is avoided in the process of current limit. Secondly, the current of pixels with high luminance is limited while that of those pixels with low luminance is not, which means current limit is executed selectively. For the same value of mean square error, the simulation results show that the ratio of pixels with high luminance of the image processed by the proposed algorithm is zero, and that processed by the net power control and the algorithm based on color space conversion is 0.081 and 0.0854, respectively. This algorithm is implemented on a field‐programmable gate array to drive the image display on the AMOLED panel.
Speech and language adverse effects after thalamotomy and deep brain stimulation in patients with movement disorders: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Alomar Soha , King Nicolas K.K. , Tam Joseph , Bari Ausaf A. , Hamani Clement , Lozano Andres M.
Published: January 2017

Background: The thalamus has been a surgical target for the treatment of various movement disorders. Commonly used therapeutic modalities include ablative and nonablative procedures. A major clinical side effect of thalamic surgery is the appearance of speech problems.

Objective:This review summarizes the data on the development of speech problems after thalamic surgery.

Methods: A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed using nine databases, including Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. We also checked for articles by searching citing and cited articles. We retrieved studies between 1960 and September 2014.

Results: Of a total of 2,320 patients, 19.8% (confidence interval: 14.8–25.9) had speech difficulty after thalamotomy. Speech difficulty occurred in 15% (confidence interval: 9.8–22.2) of those treated with a unilaterally and 40.6% (confidence interval: 29.5–52.8) of those treated bilaterally. Speech impairment was noticed 2‐ to 3‐fold more commonly after left‐sided procedures (40.7% vs. 15.2%). Of the 572 patients that underwent DBS, 19.4% (confidence interval: 13.1–27.8) experienced speech difficulty. Subgroup analysis revealed that this complication occurs in 10.2% (confidence interval: 7.4–13.9) of patients treated unilaterally and 34.6% (confidence interval: 21.6–50.4) treated bilaterally. After thalamotomy, the risk was higher in Parkinson's patients compared to patients with essential tremor: 19.8% versus 4.5% in the unilateral group and 42.5% versus 13.9% in the bilateral group. After DBS, this rate was higher in essential tremor patients.

Conclusion: Both lesioning and stimulation thalamic surgery produce adverse effects on speech. Left‐sided and bilateral procedures are approximately 3‐fold more likely to cause speech difficulty. This effect was higher after thalamotomy compared to DBS. In the thalamotomy group, the risk was higher in Parkinson's patients, whereas in the DBS group it was higher in patients with essential tremor. Understanding the pathophysiology of speech disturbance after thalamic procedures is a priority. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
On the existence of positive solutions of the p‐Laplacian dynamic equations on time scales
Authors: Dogan Abdulkadir
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we investigate the existence of positive solutions for a nonlinear m‐point boundary value problem for the p‐Laplacian dynamic equations on time scales, by applying a Krasnosel'skii's fixed point theorem. As an application, an example is included to demonstrate the main results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compact dual‐band bandpass filter based on dual‐mode modified star shaped resonator
Authors: Avinash K.G. , Srinivasa Rao I.
Published: January 2017

In this article, a compact dual‐mode dual‐band bandpass filter with adjustable second passband using a star shaped resonator is proposed. It is loaded with two T‐shaped stepped impedance stubs inside the resonator and these stubs introduce a transmission zero on the upper side of the first passband. A small triangular perturbation element attached to the star loop resonator excites dual degenerate modes and is responsible for the first passband with two transmission poles. Two U‐shaped slots etched on the ground plane control second passband frequency which is derived from the first harmonic. It also helps in attaining two transmission poles in the second passband. Unlike, the conventional orthogonal feed used for dual mode filters, the proposed filter is fed by two arrow shaped feed lines oriented along the straight line and are parallel coupled to the resonator. Finally, a dual‐mode dual‐band bandpass filter is designed and fabricated for WLAN application and the dimensions of proposed filter are 16 mm × 17.32 mm. Measured results of the filter show good agreement with the Full‐Wave simulated results. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:505–511, 2017
Phase correction of the electric field for a dielectric loaded substrate integrated waveguide H‐plane horn antenna
Authors: Gong Liang , Chan King Yuk , Ramer Rodica
Published: January 2017

This article presents a simple graphical method for introducing phase correction in the electric field for a dielectric loaded substrate integrated waveguide H‐plane sectorial horn antenna. An additional pair of rectangular patches with the dielectric loading to the horn antenna provides significant reduction of sidelobe level while maintaining similar gains and beamwidths. Phase plots generated by CAD help explaining the phase correction mechanism and designing. Our studies demonstrated that the reduction of the sidelobe bandwidth is up to 20% of the center frequency. The fabricated antenna operates at 22.7 GHz, and the measured radiation patterns are in good agreement with the simulation results. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:584–588, 2017
An ultra‐slow‐wave transmission line on CMOS technology
Authors: Arigong Bayaner , Ren Han , Ding Jun , Chung Hoon‐Ju , Jung Sungyong , Kim Hyoungsoo , Zhang Hualiang
Published: January 2017

In this letter, utilizing multimetal layers in the CMOS process, an ultra‐slow‐wave on‐chip coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line with interdigital loaded stubs and floating strips is proposed. From the full‐wave 3D EM simulation and measurement results, it is found that the proposed on‐chip transmission line features smaller size and lower loss comparing to traditional on‐chip CPW transmission lines. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:604–606, 2017
A compact frequency reconfigurable CPS‐like metamaterial‐inspired antenna
Authors: Nasir Usman , Afzal Athar S. , Ijaz Bilal , Alimgeer Khurram S. , Farhan Shafique Muhammad , Saeed Khan Muhammad
Published: January 2017

A compact frequency reconfigurable coplanar stripline (CPS)‐like metamaterial antenna for WLAN and GSM applications is proposed in this article. A unique CPS structure is used to exploit the properties of metamaterial and it is being inspired from an epsilon‐negative transmission line (ENG‐TL). The main objective of using this structure is to simplify the geometry and to achieve frequency reconfigurable operation. The proposed antenna of size 40 × 40 × 1.524 mm3 with acceptable gain and radiation pattern will operate at two switching frequencies 1.8 GHz for GSM and 2.4 GHz for WLAN, respectively. Parametric analysis of the proposed antenna unit cell is performed using ADS in which by tuning the unit cell parameters WLAN band is achieved. To achieve the frequency reconfigurable property, RF PIN diode model is implemented on the antenna structure. Results of the prototype of antenna are compared with the simulated results. A close agreement is found between the measured and the simulated results. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:596–601, 2017
Electrical properties of niobium pentoxide (NB2O5) for application in microstrip antenna substrate
Authors: de Souza Danilo , de Almeida Silveira Jorge Henrique , da Silva Isaac Barros Tavares , de Sousa Queiroz Júnior Idalmir , Nogueira Fraga Francisco Edson , de Andrade Humberto Dionísio , da Silva Rodolfo Bezerra , Travassos Junior Xisto Lucas
Published: January 2017

This article presents a parameters investigation of microstrip antenna substrate produced by niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) powder metallurgy. Theoretical studies and experimental measurements of the substrate electrical properties were performed. The niobium pentoxide compaction pressure and the sintering temperature were studied in order to determine a relationship between pressure, temperature and electrical properties, aiming to apply to a microstrip patch antenna. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:641–645, 2017
Design and analysis of compact BPF with dual notch bands based on stepped‐impedance resonator for UWB applications
Authors: Nouri Sh. , Nourinia J. , Ghobadi Ch. , Alizadeh F. , Mohammadi B.
Published: January 2017

In this study, a compact ultra‐wide band (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) with improved out‐of‐band performance and dual notch bands operation is suggested and its design and analysis procedure is discussed. In the suggested BPF, etching slot in the ground plane is employ to meliorate the out‐of band efficiency of the filter. In addition, four short‐circuited folded stubs are used to enhance the selectivity of the BPF at its cutoff frequencies. The upper stop‐band with more than 20dB attenuation level extends to 20 GHz. Dual notch bands function is added to the performance of the filter by coupling two stepped‐impedance resonator (SIR) to the filter primary resonator. It is shown that the frequency locations of the notch bands can be adjusted by varying the impedance ratio of the embedded SIR. The constructed prototype has a small size and is able to coverage frequency band of 2.97–11.18 GHz with dual notch bands function at 5.5–6.3 and 7.84–9.06 GHz, which suppresses the interference between UWB spectrum with WLAN and satellite communication frequency bands, respectively. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:672–674, 2017
Bidirectional same‐sense circularly polarized antenna using slot‐coupled back‐to‐back patches
Authors: Hou Yuefeng , Li Yue , Chang Le , Zhang Zhijun , Feng Zhenghe
Published: January 2017

In this letter, a dual‐patch antenna with bidirectional circular polarization of the same sense is proposed for coal mine and tunnel communications and positioning systems. The proposed antenna consists of two back‐to‐back patches with a common ground plane. We only feed one patch on the front side by microstrip feeding line, and the energy is coupled to the other patch on the back side through a slot, which is etched on the common ground. By properly truncating the corners of the dual patches, bidirectional radiation pattern is achieved with the right‐hand circular polarization on both front and back sides. Compared to previous designs for the same purpose, the proposed antenna is with a compact structure using only two layers of substrate and without using complex feeding networks, benefiting from the merits of small dimension, low cost, and easy fabrication. We have built the antenna prototype and taken the measurement. The measured impedance bandwidth for S11<−10 dB is 90 MHz (2.44–2.53 GHz), and the measured 3‐dB axial‐ratio bandwidth is 20 MHz (2.455–2.475 GHz), agreeing well with the simulated results. The measured peak right hand circularly polarization gains are 3.70 dBic and 3.09 dBic for front and back directions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:645–648, 2017
An improved parametric analysis of CSRR loaded with microstrip line for ultra wide band frequency range
Authors: Sarkar Dwipjoy , Moyra Tamasi
Published: January 2017

In this letter, an improved electrical parameter extraction scheme for the microstrip line loaded with complementary split ring resonator (CSSR) is proposed. A CSRR loaded with microstrip line behaves as an effective negative permittivity media. The equivalent circuit of CSRR contains four electrical quantities and it needs four different characteristic frequencies for their accurate solution which was neglected in previous studies. In this work, a four variable problem is formulated and solved which accurately gives all the electrical parameters of CSRR equivalent circuit for ultra wide frequency range. The proposed technique is used for a parametric analysis of a rectangular CSRR unit cell. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:661–664, 2017
A modified PiBVD model for LAMB wave resonator
Authors: Wang Yong , Hong Yan , Goh Wang Ling , Mu Xiaojing
Published: January 2017

The advances in semiconductor fabrication technologies have enabled the integration of Lamb‐wave resonator on silicon substrate. But such integration has led to additional parasitic effects to the Lamb‐wave resonators. The availability of an efficient equivalent‐circuit model is thus vital. This paper proposes a modified hybrid π‐type/Butterworth‐Van Dyke (PiBVD) model. Compared with the conventional PiBVD model, the modified PiBVD model accounts for the parasitic inductances of the bonding wires. It therefore provides better accuracy when characterizing Lamb‐wave resonators over a wide frequency range. Experiment results have also verified that the modified PiBVD model has better fitting on Y11 (input reflection factor in Y‐parameter matrix). This improvement is greatly beneficial for resonator analysis and circuit designs © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:703–706, 2017
Developing high performance Q‐band planar filters using the multilayered substrate integrated waveguide technique
Authors: Hao Zhang Cheng , Kong Fang Fang
Published: January 2017

In this article, a novel planar multilayer Q‐band band‐pass filter is presented by cascading a low‐pass filter (LPF)and a high‐pass filter (HPF). The HPF is designed by utilizing the high‐pass behavior of the substrate integrated waveguide, and the LPF is realized by using millimeter‐wave lump‐element resonators. Since the insertion loss resulted by the millimeter‐wave planar resonators, which resonate in‐band and have a limited quality factor, is avoided by using the cascaded high‐/low‐pass architecture, the proposed filter has a small insertion loss. Moreover, a flexible bandwidth can be achieved by properly adjusting the cutoff frequencies of the HPF and LPF. As a demonstration, a band‐pass filter having a center frequency of 42.5 GHz and a fractional bandwidth of 11.76% is designed, fabricated, and measured. Good agreement is obtained between simulated and measured results. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:698–703, 2017
Design and development of wideband RDRA FED with parallel conducting strips chamfered at edges separated by partial matching slab
Authors: Vasisht Parikshit , Chattoraj N.
Published: January 2017

In this article, a compact wideband rectangular dielectric antenna fed using parallel standing strips chamfered at the edges with partial dielectric matching slab is proposed for upper C‐band and X‐band applications. Inclusion of the external conducting strip helps in reducing the size of the DRA, facilitates greater ease of fabrication, and helps in shifting the resonant frequency without varying the size of the DRA. Also chamfering the edges of the conducting strips eradicates the discontinuities in the reactance and thus enhances the bandwidth by 10–12%. Two DRAs with dimensions 4.8 mm × 9.6 mm × 10.6 mm were fabricated. The designed antenna has the broad bandwidth ranging from 6.5 to 13.1 GHz. The proposed antenna has the return loss of −45 dB at 7.0 GHz and the impedance bandwidth up to 75% is achieved. The low value of VSWR suggests that the antenna is broadly lossless. Moreover, a comparison with the DRA fed without the partial conducting strip shows that the size of the DRA is reduced considerably around 25%. A parametric study of the variation with external partial conducting strip and internal conducting strip is also carried out. The measured results and the simulated results of the proposed RDRA (Rectangular Dielectric Resonator Antenna) match considerably well with each other. The proposed antenna has an omni‐directional broadband pattern having the gain of 6.0 dBi. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:695–698, 2017
Low‐profile bowtie antenna with 3D printed substrate
Authors: Mirzaee M. , Noghanian S. , Chang I.
Published: January 2017

This article describes the design and implementation of a compact bowtie antenna with a three‐dimensional (3D) printed substrate and coplanar stripline feed structure. The electrical properties of the 3D printed substrate were measured using a Keysight high performance dielectric probe. The proposed bowtie antenna was designed, simulated, and fabricated at the center frequency of 2.6 GHz. The proposed method provides a cost‐effective manufacturing method with good performance. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:706–710, 2017
Liraglutide causes large and rapid epicardial fat reduction
Authors: Iacobellis Gianluca , Mohseni Mahshid , Bianco Suzy D. , Banga Pritisheel K.
Published: January 2017

Objective

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the visceral fat depot of the heart, is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor and emerging therapeutic target. Liraglutide, an analog of glucagon‐like peptide‐1, is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Liraglutide has recently been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk. Nevertheless, whether liraglutide could reduce EAT is unknown.

Methods

To test the hypothesis, a 6‐month randomized, open‐label, controlled study was performed in 95 type 2 diabetic subjects with body mass index (BMI) ≥27 kg/m2 and hemoglobinA1c ≤8% on metformin monotherapy. Individuals were randomized in two groups to receive additional liraglutide up to 1.8 mg s.c. once daily (n = 54) or to remain on metformin up to 1,000 mg twice daily (n = 41). Ultrasound‐measured EAT thickness was measured at baseline and at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups.

Results

In the liraglutide group, EAT decreased from 9.6 ± 2 to 6.8 ± 1.5 and 6.2 ± 1.5 mm (P < 0.001), accounting for a −29% and −36% of reduction at 3 and 6 months, respectively, whereas there was no EAT reduction in the metformin group; BMI and hemoglobinA1c improved only in the liraglutide group after 6 months.

Conclusions

Liraglutide causes a substantial and rapid EAT reduction. Liraglutide cardiometabolic effects may be EAT‐mediated.
The home front: Internal organization of public affairs in Dutch subnational governments
Authors: Figee Edward L. , Gosselt Jordy F. , Linders Paul C.J. , de Jong Menno D.T.
Published: January 2017

Dutch subnational governments such as municipalities and provinces are increasingly compelled to express their interests in the national and European political arenas. Effectiveness in these arenas requires an optimal arrangement of Public Affairs (PA) activities in the subnational organization. Based on 41 in‐depth interviews with prolific PA professionals and practitioners in the Netherlands, this article provides an overview of initiatives that subnational government organizations have to develop in their own organization after their “discovery” of how useful PA may be, but before the moment they enter the arenas. According to the participants, the creation of individual, collective, and regional commitment regarding PA is the first initiative. Subsequently, conditional and instrumental terms should be fulfilled, so that PA will be used as a tool to model PA messages. Concluding from the interviews, human aspects and internal cooperation determine the sensemaking of PA in a subnational organization, but a lack of arena knowledge frustrates this process.
Depression and religiosity and their correlates in Lebanese breast cancer patients
Authors: Abou Kassm Sandra , Hlais Sani , Khater Christina , Chehade Issam , Haddad Ramzi , Chahine Johnny , Yazbeck Mohammad , Abi Warde Rita , Naja Wadih
Published: January 2017

Background

Breast cancer bears considerable morbidity and mortality and is well known to increase the risk of major depression, whereas religiosity has been reported to be protective.

We searched for an association between depression and religiosity in breast cancer patients. We also sought to find an association between depression and various sociodemographic and disease variables.

Methods

One hundred two patients were interviewed. Sociodemographic, cancer profile, and religiosity questionnaires were administered. We screened for depressive disorders by using the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview and the Beck Depression Inventory.

Results

Most of our participants (n = 79; 77.4%) had high religiosity score. The prevalences of lifetime major depression, current major depression, and major depression after cancer diagnosis were 50.9%, 30.1%, and 43.1%, respectively.

We could not find a correlation between religiosity and current depression, while the association with depression after cancer diagnosis was close to but did not reach statistical significance (P = .055) and in favor of a deleterious role of religiosity. Depression was only linked to marital status and insurance coverage. No association was found with disease‐related variables.

Conclusions

Religiosity does not seem to be protective against depression development. The stress of cancer appears to be the main culprit in increasing the risk of depression.
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment at the Time of Screening Mammography: Perceptions and Clinical Management Outcomes for Women at High Risk
Authors: Morman Nichole A. , Byrne Lindsey , Collins Christy , Reynolds Kelly , Bell Jeffrey G.
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of a breast cancer risk assessment (BCRA) at the time of screening mammogram. Women whose BCRA indicated a high risk for cancer received a letter with instructions for breast health care and genetic counseling if appropriate. After 6 months this group received surveys to evaluate their risk perception and their recall of, and compliance with, recommendations. We also explored the impact of other variables such as a recommendation for genetic counseling and physician communication with the women. After the BCRA, the majority of high risk women reported no change in their perceived risk of cancer. A woman's perceived risk of cancer after a BCRA was significantly associated with her recall of recommendations for breast health care, but not with compliance. A recommendation for genetic counseling was not significantly related to women's perceived risk of cancer after the BCRA. Ten percent of women who should have obtained genetic counseling actually completed an appointment. Women who discussed their BCRA results with their physicians were more compliant with a six month breast exam with a doctor (53% vs 17%, p = 0.018). Overall, women felt that the BCRA was helpful and did not cause undue stress or anxiety. Although the cohort's compliance with recommendations was suboptimal, physicians’ interactions with their patients may have a positive influence on their compliance.
Psychiatric comorbidity in African patients with epilepsy – Experience from Sierra Leone
Authors: M’bayo Tenema , Tomek Michal , Kamara Clifford , Lisk Durodami
Published: January 2017

Objective Epilepsy is associated with a significant burden of psychiatric comorbidity, including depression and anxiety disorders. However, paucity of data exists regarding the impact of epilepsy on mental health of patients in the setting of sub-Saharan Africa, where these comorbidities are under-recognized and under-treated. We carried out a cross-sectional descriptive study to investigate the prevalence and determinants of depression and anxiety among people with epilepsy in Sierra Leone.

Method A screening tool previously validated in the primary healthcare setting in Zambia was administered to adult patients in our epilepsy clinics in Freetown and Kenema, Sierra Leone. In addition, various socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded for each patient.

Results A total of 142 patients were included. The mean screening score was 16.3 out of 40, with 39 (27.5%) patients scoring above the diagnostic cut-off point for anxiety and/or depression. Variables showing a significant association with the presence of psychiatric comorbidity included female gender (p = 0.015), seizure frequency of >2 per month (p = 0.001), and self-reporting of sedation and/or dizziness as side effects of anti-epileptic medications (p = 0.006).

Conclusion Symptoms of anxiety and depression are common in epilepsy patients in Sierra Leone. Given the significant negative impacts of such comorbidity on those affected, primary healthcare workers in sub-Saharan countries should be trained to inquire about anxiety and depression symptoms in epilepsy patients, and implementation of screening programs should be considered.
AN EXPLANATORY CHALLENGE FOR EPISTEMOLOGICAL DISJUNCTIVISM
Authors: Boult Cameron
Published: January 2017

Epistemological Disjunctivism is a view about paradigm cases of perceptual knowledge. Duncan Pritchard claims that it is particularly well suited to accounting for internalist and externalist intuitions. A number of authors have disputed this claim, arguing that there are problems for Pritchard's way with internalist intuitions. I share the worry. However, I don't think it has been expressed as effectively as it can be. My aim in this paper is to present a new way of formulating the worry, in terms of an “explanatory challenge”. The explanatory challenge is a simple, yet powerful and illuminating challenge for Epistemological Disjunctivism. It is illuminating in the sense that it shows us why Epistemological Disjunctivism must take on certain internalistically problematic commitments. A secondary aim of this paper is to examine whether the recently much-discussed distinction between justifications and excuses in epistemology can support an adequate response. I will argue that it cannot.
Free surface over a horizontal shear layer: vorticity generation and air entrainment mechanisms
Authors: André Matthieu A. , Bardet Philippe M.
Published: January 2017

Two air entrainment mechanisms driven by vortex instability are reported in the unstable relaxation of a horizontal shear layer below a free surface. This flow is experimentally investigated by means of planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) coupled with surface profilometry. PLIF identifies counter-rotating vortex pairs (CRVP) emanating from the surface following the growth of high steepness two-dimensional millimetre-size waves for Reynolds and Weber numbers based on the momentum thickness of 177 to 222 and 7.59 to 13.9, respectively. High spatio-temporal resolution PIV reveals the role of surface-generated vorticity and flow separation in the highly curved trough of the waves on the injection of a CRVP. Air bubbles are entrapped in the wake of these CRVPs at Reynolds number above 190. PIV data and spanwise PLIF images show two initiation mechanisms: primary vortex instability modulating the spanwise location where the flow separates, resulting in the pinch off of an air ligament, and secondary vortex instability turning a CRVP into$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}$-shaped loops pulling the surface down. Instability wavelengths agree with linear stability analysis, and models for these new air entrainment mechanisms are proposed.
Women’s Representation, Accountability and Corruption in Democracies
Authors: Esarey Justin , Schwindt-Bayer Leslie A.
Published: January 2017

At the turn of the twenty-first century, an important pair of studies established that greater female representation in government is associated with lower levels of perceived corruption in that government. But recent research finds that this relationship is not universal and questions why it exists. This article presents a new theory explaining why women’s representation is only sometimes related to lower corruption levels and provides evidence in support of that theory. The study finds that the women’s representation–corruption link is strongest when the risk of corruption being detected and punished by voters is high – in other words, when officials can be held electorally accountable. Two primary mechanisms underlie this theory: prior evidence shows that (1) women are more risk-averse than men and (2) voters hold women to a higher standard at the polls. This suggests that gender differences in corrupt behavior are proportional to the strength of electoral accountability. Consequently, the hypotheses predict that the empirical relationship between greater women’s representation and lower perceived corruption will be strongest in democracies with high electoral accountability, specifically: (1) where corruption is not the norm, (2) where press freedom is respected, (3) in parliamentary systems and (4) under personalistic electoral rules. The article presents observational evidence that electoral accountability moderates the link between women’s representation and corruption in a time-series, cross-sectional dataset of seventy-six democratic-leaning countries.
Presence, Place, Period, and Principle: A Medievalist's Reflections on Robert Bartlett's Book about Saints
Authors: Kieckhefer Richard
Published: January 2017

The title of Robert Bartlett's book on saints,Why Can the Dead Do Such Great Things?, comes from Saint Augustine, who thought of heaven as a preeminently social environment. It is thus easy to entertain a fantasy about a conversation among saints in heaven. One saint boasts that his feast day has a higher liturgical ranking than the others'. This provokes a second saint to point out that the first may have a grand feast day, but is not, like himself, the subject of a properly papal canonization. A third saint is proud of his artistic representations. A fourth points out that he is so important that he is mentioned in Robert Bartlett's latest book. But this boast backfires. All the saints burst into laughter. As one of them points out, “That's nothing special—we're all in Bartlett's book! He didn't miss any of us!”
Late Jurassic, high Ba–Sr Linglong granites in the Jiaodong Peninsula, East China: lower crustal melting products in the eastern North China Craton
Authors: YANG LI-QIANG , DILEK YILDIRIM , WANG ZHONG-LIANG , WEINBERG ROBERTO F. , LIU YUE
Published: January 2017

The Jurassic Linglong granites, intrusive into the North China Craton (NCC) in eastern China, provide a critical record of the first major episode of lithospheric-scale extension and magmatism in NE China during Mesozoic time. Our U–Pb zircon dating reveals that the Linglong granites were emplaced during 161–158 Ma, shortly after the inception of a shallow subduction of the Palaeo-Pacific plate beneath East Asia during Middle Jurassic time. These granites have high alkali contents (K2O + Na2O = 8–9 wt%), low MgO and Mg no. values and variable Cr–Ni abundances. Their relatively high Ba and Sr concentrations, relatively low heavy rare Earth element (HREE) and strongly fractionated REE patterns characterize them as high Ba–Sr granites. The negative whole-rockεNd(t) values ranging from −22.4 to −10.9 and wide-ranging zirconεHf(t) values of −39.1 to −1.5 suggest that magmas of the Linglong granites were produced by partial melting of a garnet-amphibolite-bearing lower crust of the Jiaobei Terrane and by re-melting of the Triassic ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks and alkaline suites of the Sulu Terrane. The occurrence in the granitic rocks of inherited zircons of the Neoarchaean, Palaeoproterozoic, Neoproterozoic, Palaeozoic and Triassic ages suggests that magmas of the Linglong granites interacted with the ancient crust in these terranes during their ascent. Asthenospheric upwelling, induced by the steepening and rapid rollback of the Palaeo-Pacific slab during Late Jurassic time, provided the heat source for the inferred lower crustal melting. Trench migration and thermal weakening of the crust caused extensional deformation and thinning in the eastern part of the NCC.
Contracaecum osculatumand other anisakid nematodes in grey seals and cod in the Baltic Sea: molecular and ecological links
Authors: Zuo S. , Kania P.W. , Mehrdana F. , Marana M.H. , Buchmann K.
Published: January 2017

Populations of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), sprats (Sprattus sprattus) and cod (Gadus morhua) in the Baltic Sea are relatively stationary. The present work, applying classical and molecular helminthological techniques, documents that seals and cod also share a common parasite, the anisakid nematodeContracaecum osculatum, which uses seals as the final host and fish as transport hosts. Sequencing mitochondrial genes (COX1andCOX2) in adult worms from seals and third-stage larvae from livers of Baltic fish (sprats and cod), showed that all gene variants occur in both seals and fish. Other anisakid nematodesPseudoterranova decipiensandAnisakis simplexare also found in both seals and cod in the Baltic Sea, but at much lower rates. The Baltic grey seal population was left at a critically low level (comprising a few hundred individuals) during the latter part of the 20th century, but since the year 2000 a marked increase in the population has been observed, reaching more than 40,000 individuals at present. Ecological consequences of the increased seal abundance may result from increased predation on fish stocks, but recent evidence also points to the influence of elevated parasitism on fish performance.Contracaecum osculatumlarvae preferentially infect the liver of Baltic cod, considered a vital organ of the host. Whereas low prevalences and intensities in cod were reported during the 1980s and 1990s, the present study documents 100% prevalence and a mean intensity of above 80 worms per fish. Recent studies have also indicated the zoonotic potential ofC. osculatumlarvae in fish, following the consumption of raw or under-cooked fish. Therefore the present work discusses the impact of parasitism on the cod stock and the increasing risk for consumer health, and lists possible solutions for control.
Comparison of swallowing outcomes of laryngotracheal separation versus total laryngectomy in a validated ovine model of profound oropharyngeal dysphagia
Authors: Venkatesan N N , Johnson C M , Siddiqui M T , Cates D J , Kuhn M A , Postma G N , Belafsky P C
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

To validate the ovine model of profound oropharyngeal dysphagia and compare swallowing outcomes of laryngotracheal separation with those of total laryngectomy.

Methods:

Under real-time fluoroscopy, swallowing trials were conducted using the head and neck of two Dorper cross ewes and one human cadaver, secured in lateral fluoroscopic orientation. Barium trials were administered at baseline, pre- and post-laryngohyoid suspension, following laryngotracheal separation, and following laryngectomy in the ovine model.

Results:

Mean pre-intervention Penetration Aspiration Scale and National Institutes of Health Swallow Safety Scale scores were 8 ± 0 and 6 ± 0 respectively in sheep and human cadavers, with 100 per cent intra- and inter-species reproducibility. These scores improved to 1 ± 0 and 2 ± 0 post-laryngohyoid suspension (p< 0.01). Aerodigestive tract residue was 18.6 ± 2.4 ml at baseline, 15.4 ± 3.8 ml after laryngotracheal separation and 3.0 ± 0.7 ml after total laryngectomy (p< 0.001).

Conclusion:

The ovine model displayed perfect intra- and inter- species reliability for the Penetration Aspiration Scale and Swallow Safety Scale. Less aerodigestive tract residue after narrow-field laryngectomy suggests that swallowing outcomes after total laryngectomy are superior to those after laryngotracheal separation.