bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allelic mutations in noncoding genomic sequences construct novel transcription factor binding sites that promote gene overexpression
Authors: Tian Erming , Børset Magne , Sawyer Jeffrey R. , Brede Gaute , Våtsveen Thea K. , Hov Håkon , Waage Anders , Barlogie Bart , Shaughnessy John D. , Epstein Joshua , Sundan Anders
Published: July 2015

The growth and survival factor hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is expressed at high levels in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. We report here that elevated HGF transcription in MM was traced to DNA mutations in the promoter alleles of HGF. Sequence analysis revealed a previously undiscovered single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and crucial single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the promoters of myeloma cells that produce large amounts of HGF. The allele‐specific mutations functionally reassembled wild‐type sequences into the motifs that affiliate with endogenous transcription factors NFKB (nuclear factor kappa‐B), MZF1 (myeloid zinc finger 1), and NRF‐2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2). In vitro, a mutant allele that gained novel NFKB–binding sites directly responded to transcriptional signaling induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) to promote high levels of luciferase reporter. Given the recent discovery by genome‐wide sequencing (GWS) of numerous non‐coding mutations in myeloma genomes, our data provide evidence that heterogeneous SNVs in the gene regulatory regions may frequently transform wild‐type alleles into novel transcription factor binding properties to aberrantly interact with dysregulated transcriptional signals in MM and other cancer cells. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Common neural correlates of emotion perception in humans
Authors: Jastorff Jan , Huang Yun‐An , Giese Martin A. , Vandenbulcke Mathieu
Published: July 2015

Whether neuroimaging findings support discriminable neural correlates of emotion categories is a longstanding controversy. Two recent meta‐analyses arrived at opposite conclusions, with one supporting (Vytal and Hamann []: J Cogn Neurosci 22:2864–2885) and the other opposing this proposition (Lindquist et al. []: Behav Brain Sci 35:121–143). To obtain direct evidence regarding this issue, we compared activations for four emotions within a single fMRI design. Angry, happy, fearful, sad and neutral stimuli were presented as dynamic body expressions. In addition, observers categorized motion morphs between neutral and emotional stimuli in a behavioral experiment to determine their relative sensitivities. Brain–behavior correlations revealed a large brain network that was identical for all four tested emotions. This network consisted predominantly of regions located within the default mode network and the salience network. Despite showing brain–behavior correlations for all emotions, muli‐voxel pattern analyses indicated that several nodes of this emotion general network contained information capable of discriminating between individual emotions. However, significant discrimination was not limited to the emotional network, but was also observed in several regions within the action observation network. Taken together, our results favor the position that one common emotional brain network supports the visual processing and discrimination of emotional stimuli. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4184–4201, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dysfunctional amygdala activation and connectivity with the prefrontal cortex in current cocaine users
Authors: Crunelle Cleo L. , Kaag Anne Marije , van den Munkhof Hanna E. , Reneman Liesbeth , Homberg Judith R. , Sabbe Bernard , van den Brink Wim , van Wingen Guido
Published: July 2015

Objectives

Stimulant use is associated with increased anxiety and a single administration of dexamphetamine increases amygdala activation to biologically salient stimuli in healthy individuals. Here, we investigate how current cocaine use affects amygdala activity and amygdala connectivity with the prefrontal cortex in response to biologically salient stimuli in an emotional face matching task (EFMT).

Experimental design

Amygdala activity and amygdala connectivity during the EFMT were assessed in 51 cocaine using males and 32 non‐drug‐using healthy males using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Within the cocaine use group, we explored whether amygdala activation was associated with age of first use of cocaine and duration of cocaine use to distinguish between amygdala activation alterations as a cause or a consequence of cocaine use.

Principal observations

We observed hyperactivity of the amygdala, thalamus, and hippocampus and reduced amygdala connectivity with the anterior cingulate gyrus in response to angry and fearful facial expressions in current cocaine users compared to controls. Increased amygdala activation was independently associated with earlier age of first cocaine use and with longer exposure to cocaine.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that amygdala hyperactivity to biologically salient stimuli may represent a risk factor for an early onset of cocaine use and that prolonged cocaine use may further sensitize amygdala activation. High amygdala activation to emotional face processing in current cocaine users may result from low prefrontal control of the amygdala response to such stimuli. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4222–4230, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Signals of short‐term climatic periodicities detected in the groundwater of North China Plain
Authors: Cao Guoliang , Zheng Chunmiao
Published: July 2015

Growing demand on groundwater resources and the semi‐arid climate in the North China Plain (NCP) highlight the need for improved understanding of connections between regional climate change and groundwater recharge. Hydrologic time series of precipitation and groundwater levels were analyzed in three representative geographical zones throughout the NCP for the period of 1960–2008 using trend analysis and spectral analysis methods. A significant change point around 1975 is followed by a long‐term decline trend in precipitation time series, which coincides with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation positive phase. However, the magnitudes of groundwater level variability due to heavy pumping overwhelm the low‐frequency signal of groundwater levels. Nonlinear trends that related to long‐term climatic variability and anthropogenic activities are removed by using the Singular Spectrum Analysis method. Spectral analyses of the detrended residuals demonstrate significant short‐term oscillations at the frequencies of 2–7 years, which have strong correlations with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation modes. This study contributes to improved understanding of dynamic relationship between groundwater and climate variability modes in the NCP and demonstrates the importance of reliable detrending methods for groundwater levels that are affected greatly by pumping. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of the 10‐year probability of gastric cancer occurrence in the Japanese population: the JPHC study cohort II
Authors: Charvat Hadrien , Sasazuki Shizuka , Inoue Manami , Iwasaki Motoki , Sawada Norie , Shimazu Taichi , Yamaji Taiki , Tsugane Shoichiro ,   for the JPHC Study Group
Published: July 2015

Gastric cancer is a particularly important issue in Japan, where incidence rates are among the highest observed. In this work, we provide a risk prediction model allowing the estimation of the 10‐year cumulative probability of gastric cancer occurrence. The study population consisted of 19,028 individuals from the Japanese Public Health Center cohort II who were followed‐up from 1993 to 2009. A parametric survival model was used to assess the impact on the probability of gastric cancer of clinical and lifestyle‐related risk factors in combination with serum anti‐Helicobacter pylori antibody titres and pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II levels. Based on the resulting model, cumulative probability estimates were calculated and a simple risk scoring system was developed. A total of 412 cases of gastric cancer occurred during 270,854 person‐years of follow‐up. The final model included (besides the biological markers) age, gender, smoking status, family history of gastric cancer and consumption of highly salted food. The developed prediction model showed good predictive performance in terms of discrimination (optimism‐corrected c‐index: 0.768) and calibration (Nam and d'Agostino's χ2 test: 14.78; p values = 0.06). Estimates of the 10‐year probability of gastric cancer occurrence ranged from 0.04% (0.02, 0.1) to 14.87% (8.96, 24.14) for men and from 0.03% (0.02, 0.07) to 4.91% (2.71, 8.81) for women. In conclusion, we developed a risk prediction model for gastric cancer that combines clinical and biological markers. It might prompt individuals to modify their lifestyle habits, attend regular check‐up visits or participate in screening programmes.
CADM1 and MAL methylation status in cervical scrapes is representative of the most severe underlying lesion in women with multiple cervical biopsies
Authors: van Baars Romy , van der Marel Jacolien , Snijders Peter J.F. , Rodriquez‐Manfredi Agata , ter Harmsel Bram , van den Munckhof Henk A.M. , Ordi Jaume , del Pino Marta , van de Sandt Miekel M. , Wentzensen N. , Meijer Chris J.L.M. , Quint Wim G.V.
Published: July 2015

Recent studies have shown that CADM1/MAL methylation levels in cervical scrapes increase with severity and duration of the underlying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesion. Multiple lesions of different histological grades and duration are frequently present on the cervix. To gain more insight into the possible epigenetic heterogeneity and its consequences for the methylation status in cervical scrapes, we performed an exploratory study of CADM1/MAL methylation in different grades of CIN lesions present in women with multiple cervical biopsies. CADM1‐M18 and MAL‐M1 methylation was assessed using a standardised, multiplex, quantitative methylation specific PCR on 178 biopsies with various grades of CIN in 65 women, and in their corresponding cervical scrapes. CADM1/MAL methylation positivity increased with disease severity, from 5.5% in normal biopsies to 63.3% and 100% in biopsies with CIN3 and cervical cancer, respectively. In the majority (8/9) of women where besides a CIN2/3 lesion a biopsy from normal cervical tissue was present, the CIN2/3 biopsy was CADM1/MAL methylation positive and the normal biopsy was CADM1/MAL methylation negative. A good concordance (78%) was found between CADM1/MAL methylation results on the scrapes and the biopsy with the worst diagnosis, particularly between samples of women with CIN3 and cervical cancer (92% and 100% concordance, respectively). Thus, in women with multiple cervical biopsies, CADM1/MAL methylation increases with severity of the lesion and is lesion‐specific. CADM1/MAL methylation status in cervical scrapes appears to be representative of the worst underlying lesion, particularly for CIN3 and cervical cancer.
Regulation of Spermatogenic Cell T‐Type Ca2+ Currents by Zn2+: Implications in Male Reproductive Physiology
Authors: López‐González Ignacio , Treviño Claudia L. , Darszon Alberto
Published: July 2015

Zn2+ is a trace metal which is important for spermatogenesis progression; its deficiency causes atrophy or malignant growth of the testis. Although testis, epididymis, and prostate contain high Zn2+ concentrations, the molecular entities which are modulated by this metal are still under study. Interestingly, spermatogenic cells mainly express CaV3.2‐encoded T‐type Ca2+ currents (ICaT) which are positively or negatively modulated by Zn2+ in other tissues. To explore whether ICaT could be regulated by Zn2+ and albumin, its main physiological carrier, we performed whole cell electrophysiological recordings of spermatogenic cell ICaT in the absence or presence of different Zn2+ concentrations. Zn2+ decreased ICaT in a concentration‐dependent manner (IC50 = 2 μM) and this inhibition could only be completely removed in presence of albumin. Differently to previous reports, ICaT did not show a tonic inhibition by Zn2+. Further analysis showed that Zn2+ did not affect the voltage dependency or the kinetics of current activation, but right shifted the steady‐state inactivation curve and slowed inactivation and deactivation kinetics. Recovery from inactivation was also altered. However, these apparent alterations in gating properties are not enough to explain the strong ICaT reduction. Using non‐stationary fluctuation analysis, we found that Zn2+ mainly reduced the number of available Ca2+ channels without changing the single channel current amplitude. ICaT modulation by Zn2+ could be relevant for spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations during spermatogenesis and in pathophysiological conditions such as diabetes. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 659–667, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pharmacokinetics of meropenem in children receiving continuous renal replacement therapy: Validation of clinical trial simulations
Authors: Nehus Edward J. , Mizuno Tomoyuki , Cox Shareen , Goldstein Stuart L. , Vinks Alexander A.
Published: July 2015

Meropenem is frequently prescribed in critically ill children receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). We previously used clinical trial simulations to evaluate dosing regimens of meropenem in this population and reported that a dose of 20 mg/kg every 12 hours optimizes target attainment. Meropenem pharmacokinetics were investigated in this prospective, open‐label study to validate our previous in silico predictions. Seven patients received meropenem (13.8–22 mg/kg) administered intravenously every 12 hours as part of standard care. A mean dose of 18.6 mg/kg of meropenem was administered, resulting in a mean peak concentration of 80.1 μg/mL. Meropenem volume of distribution was 0.35 ± 0.085 L/kg. CRRT clearance was 40.2 ± 6.6 mL/(min · 1.73 m2) and accounted for 63.4% of the total clearance of 74.8 ± 36.9 mL/(min · 1.73 m2). Simulations demonstrated that a dose of 20 mg/kg every 12 hours resulted in a time above the minimum inhibitory concentration (%fT > MIC) of 100% in 5 out of 7 subjects, with a %fT > MIC of 93% and 43% in the remaining 2 subjects. We conclude that CRRT contributed significantly to the total clearance of meropenem. A dosing regimen of 20 mg/kg achieved good target attainment in critically ill children receiving CRRT, which is consistent with our previously published in silico predictions.
Constructing an episode of care from acute hospitalization records for studying effects of timing of hip fracture surgery
Authors: Sheehan Katie J. , Sobolev Boris , Guy Pierre , Bohm Eric , Hellsten Erik , Sutherland Jason M. , Kuramoto Lisa , Jaglal Susan ,   for the Canadian Collaborative Study on Hip Fractures
Published: July 2015

Episodes of care defined by the event of hip fracture surgery are widely used for the assessment of surgical wait times and outcomes. However, this approach does not consider nonoperative deaths, implying that survival time begins at the time of procedure. This approach makes treatment effect implicitly conditional on surviving to treatment. The purpose of this article is to describe a novel conceptual framework for constructing an episode of hip fracture care to fully evaluate the incidence of adverse events related to time after admission for hip fracture. This admission‐based approach enables the assessment of the full harm of delay by including deaths while waiting for surgery, not just deaths after surgery. Some patients wait until their conditions are optimized for surgery, whereas others have to wait until surgical service becomes available. We provide definitions, linkage rules, and algorithms to capture all hip fracture patients and events other than surgery. Finally, we discuss data elements for stratifying patients according to administrative factors for delay to allow researchers and policymakers to determine who will benefit most from expedited access to surgery. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:197–204, 2016.
Configuration of watermelon fruit quality in response to rootstock‐mediated harvest maturity and postharvest storage
Authors: Kyriacou Marios C , Soteriou Georgios A , Rouphael Youssef , Siomos Anastasios S , Gerasopoulos Dimitrios
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

The configuration of watermelon fruit quality was analysed in a multi‐factorial approach accounting for the effects of grafting, harvest maturity and postharvest storage. Diploid, seeded, hybrid cv. Pegasus, cultivated as scion on interspecific hybrid squash rootstock TZ148 and as non‐grafted control, was stored at 25 °C following sequential harvests from the onset of ripening to over‐maturity.

RESULTS

Delayed rootstock‐mediated climax in pulp lycopene and chroma was observed, while both were heightened by postharvest storage when harvest preceded full maturity. Pulp firmness was increased by 46.5% on TZ148, while postharvest decrease in firmness was non‐significant. Non‐grafted fruits attained their peak in pulp carbohydrate content earlier during ripening. Monosaccharide content declined and sucrose content increased both preharvest and postharvest; overall sugar content declined by 4.3% during storage. Pulp acidity decreased steadily with ripening but was moderately increased by grafting. Citrulline content increased by 12.5% on TZ148; moreover, it climaxed with ripening and declined with storage only in grafted fruit.

CONCLUSION

Grafting enhances pulp texture and bioactive composition. Potential suppression of sugar content as a result of grafting is minimized at full commercial maturity. Brief postharvest ambient storage enhances pulp lycopene and chroma, especially in early‐picked fruit, notwithstanding the depletion of monosaccharides and citrulline and a limited deterioration of texture. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Environmental Factors Controlling Soil Organic Carbon Stocks in Two Contrasting Mediterranean Climatic Areas of Southern Spain
Authors: Willaarts Bárbara A. , Oyonarte Cecilio , Muñoz‐Rojas Miriam , Ibáñez Juan José , Aguilera Pedro A.
Published: July 2015

Managing soil carbon requires accurate estimates of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and its dynamics, at scales able to capture the influence of local factors on the carbon pool. This paper develops a spatially explicit methodology to quantify SOC stocks in two contrasting regions of Southern Spain: Sierra Norte de Sevilla (SN) and Cabo de Gata (CG). Also, it examines the relationship between SOC stocks and local environmental factors. Results showed that mean SOC stocks were 4·3 kg m−2 in SN and 3·0 kg m−2 in CG. Differences in SOC in both sites were not significant, suggesting that factors other than climate have a greater influence on SOC stocks. A correlation matrix revealed that SOC has the highest positive correlation with clay content and soil depth. Based on the land use, the largest SOC stocks were found in grassland soils (4·4 kg m−2 in CG and 5·0 kg m−2 in SN) and extensive crops (3·0 kg m−2 in CG and 5·0 kg m−2 in SN), and the smallest under shrubs (2·8 kg m−2 in CG and 3·2 kg m−2 in SN) and forests soils (4·2 kg m−2 in SN). This SOC distribution is explained by the greatest soil depth under agricultural land uses, a common situation across the Mediterranean, where the deepest soils have been cultivated and natural vegetation mostly remains along the marginal sites. Accordingly, strategies to manage SOC stocks in southern Spain will have to acknowledge its high pedodiversity and long history of land use, refusing the adoption of standard global strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐Resorptive Functions of Poly(ethylene sodium phosphate) on Human Osteoclasts
Authors: Kootala Sujit , Tokunaga Masahiro , Hilborn Jöns , Iwasaki Yasuhiko
Published: July 2015

Osteoporosis involves hyperactive osteoclasts. A large number of current drugs result in side effects affecting their efficacy in the clinic. Polyphosphoesters are unique polymeric biomaterials because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bone affinity. We studied the viability and ability of human osteoclasts to resorb bone when dosed with poly(ethylene sodium phosphate) (PEP·Na). This did not trigger any change in osteoblast cell viability, however the polymer diminished human osteoclasts and their ability to resorb bone at concentrations as low as 10−4m · mL−1. This is the first report to validate the possibility of using polyphosphoesters for selective inhibition of human osteoclast functions, indicating its potential to be used as an effective polymer prodrug for treatment of osteoporosis.
Infinitely many homoclinic solutions for a second‐order Hamiltonian system
Authors: Tang X. H.
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we study the homoclinic solutions of the following second‐order Hamiltonian system

urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201200253:mana201200253-math-0001where , and . Applying the symmetric Mountain Pass Theorem, we establish a couple of sufficient conditions on the existence of infinitely many homoclinic solutions. Our results significantly generalize and improve related ones in the literature. For example, is not necessary to be uniformly positive definite or coercive; through is still assumed to be superquadratic near , it is not assumed to be superquadratic near .
Dual plane diep flap inset: Optimizing esthetic outcome in delayed autologous breast reconstruction
Authors: Gravvanis Andreas , Samouris George , Galani Eleni , Tsoutsos Dimosthenis
Published: July 2015

Purpose

In the present study, we compare the esthetic outcome in delayed autologous breast reconstruction, in the spectrum of irradiated chest wall, following two different abdominal flap inset.

Patients and methods

Fifty women, candidates for microsurgical reconstruction with a free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, participated in this prospective, randomized control study. In group‐A (n = 25) the flap was inset using the traditional single plane in front of the pectoral muscle. In group‐B (n = 25) the flap was inset in a dual plane lying simultaneously behind and in front of the pectoralis major at the upper and lower poles of the reconstructed breast, respectively.

Photographic images were formulated to a PowerPoint presentation and cosmetic outcomes were assessed by means of a questionnaire and a visual analog scale.

Results

The dual plane flap inset presented significant advantages over the traditional single plane because of a better scarring (85.6 ± 1.3 vs.73.6 ± 1.2, P < 0.05), better transition from native and reconstructed tissues (90.2 ± 1.5 vs. 81.5.6 ± 1.6, P < 0.05), better outline of the breast (96.3 ± 1.2 vs. 69.6 ± 2.1, P<0.0001), and better overal breast appearance (86 ± 1.5 vs. 72.2 ± 1.9, P < 0.0001). Moreover, patient self‐evaluation showed that dual plane reconstruction was associated with higher patient satisfaction without wearing brassiere (P = 0.0016), and this could be attributed to the significantly greater fullness of the upper pole (P = 0.0015) and significantly less ptosis with time (P = 0.0014).

Conclusion

The dual plane DIEP flap inset improves scar quality, advances the breast shape and fullness of the upper pole, and results in higher patient satisfaction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:432–440, 2015.
Blood micronutrients and DNA damage in children
Authors: Milne Elizabeth , Greenop Kathryn R. , Ramankutty Padmaja , Miller Margaret , de Klerk Nicholas H. , Armstrong Bruce K. , Almond Theodora , O'Callaghan Nathan J. , Fenech Michael
Published: July 2015

Scope

Maintenance of normal cellular phenotype depends largely on accurate DNA replication and repair. DNA damage causes gene mutations and predisposes to cancer and other chronic diseases. Growing evidence indicates that nutritional factors are associated with DNA damage in adults; here, we investigate these associations in children.

Methods and results

We conducted a cross‐sectional study among 462 healthy children 3, 6, and 9 years of age. Blood was collected and micronutrient levels were measured. The cytokinesis‐block micronucleus cytome assay was used to measure chromosomal DNA damage (micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds) in lymphocytes. Cell apoptosis, necrosis, and the nuclear division index were also measured. Nine loci in genes involved in folate metabolism and DNA repair were genotyped. Data were analyzed using linear regression with adjustment for potential confounders. Plasma calcium was positively associated with micronuclei and necrosis, and α‐tocopherol negatively associated with apoptosis, nuclear division index, and nucleoplasmic bridges; lutein was positively associated with nucleoplasmic bridges. α‐tocopherol was positively associated with necrosis.

Conclusion

DNA damage in healthy children may be influenced by blood micronutrient levels and certain genotypes. Further investigation of associations between nutritional status and genomic integrity in children is needed to shed additional light on potential mechanisms.
Performance improvement of directly modulated semiconductor optical amplifier with filter‐assisted birefringent fiber loop
Authors: Zoiros Kyriakos E. , Morel Pascal , Hamze Mohamad
Published: July 2015

We propose to use an optical bandpass filter (OBPF) placed after a birefringent fiber loop (BFL) to improve the performance of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA), which is directly modulated at an extended data rate than that enabled by its limited modulation bandwidth. The OBPF complements the BFL action by being detuned toward the opposite sideband than the BFL. The obtained experimental results demonstrate and confirm that compared with the BFL only, the filter‐assisted BFL scheme can further reduce the chirp and pulse peak amplitude variations, reshape the eye diagram, and make more symmetric and narrow the spectrum of the encoded data signal after the SOA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2247–2251, 2015
5–35 GHz broadband if amplifier section in 0.13 μm SiGe technology for W‐band heterodyne receiver RFICs
Authors: Reyaz Shakila Bint , Jonsson Rolf , Gustafsson Andreas , Malmqvist Robert , Strodl Andreas , Valenta Václav , Schumacher Hermann , Kaynak Mehmet
Published: July 2015

This letter presents the results of a broadband intermediate frequency (IF) section radio frequency integrated circuit designed for a W‐band heterodyne radiometer receiver in a 0.13 μm SiGe BiCMOS process. The differential IF section which consists of an amplifier and a power detector uses inductive and resistive matching to obtain a wideband response. The IF amplifier has a measured gain of 10.0–19.5 dB at 2–37 GHz, noise figure of 6–8 dB at 1–26 GHz, and OIP3 of 7–17 dBm at 1–40 GHz. The detector has a measured responsivity of 1 kV/W and an estimated noise equivalent power (NEP) of 4–6 pW/Hz1/2 at 5–35 GHz, respectively. For the IF section, the input return loss is better than 10 dB at 7–40 GHz and the responsivity is 10–82 kV/W at 5–35 GHz. The broadband properties over significantly wider bandwidths than earlier reported silicon‐based IF amplifier and power detector circuits make the SiGe 5–35 GHz IF section suitable for W‐band direct‐conversion radiometer receiver Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits with a larger predetection bandwidth and improved sensitivity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2286–2289, 2015
Dual‐wideband bandstop filter using stepped impedance coupled‐lines
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Geng Jun‐Ping , Jin Rong‐Hong , Liang Xian‐Ling , Liu Liang
Published: July 2015

A dual‐wideband bandstop filter using stepped impedance coupled‐lines is proposed. Due to the couplings of the coupled‐lines, two transmission zeros are introduced into each stopband, leading to enhanced selectivity and extended rejection bandwidths. To validate the proposed structure, one prototype filter has been fabricated and measured. The results show the stopbands with −10 dB fractional bandwidth of 83% and 30% at 1.2 GHz and 4.2 GHz, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2304–2306, 2015
Novel 3D printed synthetic dielectric substrates
Authors: Zhang Shiyu , Njoku Chinwe C. , Whittow William G. , Vardaxoglou John C.
Published: July 2015

This letter presents dielectric properties of air filled synthetic substrates fabricated in a single process using three‐dimensional printing. The permittivity and loss tangent of a given sized substrate can be changed by controlling the air infill volume fraction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2344–2346, 2015
Dispersion variation in ring‐type erbium‐doped fiber ultrashort pulse laser with single‐wall carbon nanotube‐based tapered fiber saturable absorber
Authors: Mohamad Hafizah , Abu Bakar Muhammad Hafiz , Mahdi Mohd Adzir
Published: July 2015

Dispersion effect on mode‐locked ring‐type erbium‐doped fiber laser was experimentally observed. Cutback method was used on the cavity length to vary the dispersion. Stable pulse trains with 9.27‐MHz frequency at optimum pulse duration of 864 fs were achieved when the cavity was composed of 17‐m single‐mode fiber with 5‐m gain medium. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2374–2376, 2015
A compact ultrawideband bandpass filter
Authors: Chen Shiyong , Yu Yantao , Tang Mingchun
Published: July 2015

A compact ultrawideband bandpass filter (UWB BPF) with good selectivity has been proposed. The proposed UWB BPF is constructed by two shorted coupled lines, two open coupled lines, and a transversal transmission line. One prototype is fabricated for verification. The measured results show that the insertion loss is about 0.85 dB at center frequency and return loss is better than 13.5 dB in the range of 3.14–10.22 GHz, which are in good agreements with the simulated ones. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2384–2386, 2015
Rounded bevel shaped fed cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna for wideband applications
Authors: Prachi Chauthaiwale , Chaudhary Raghvendra Kumar , Srivastava Kumar Vaibhav
Published: July 2015

A cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna fed by a rounded bevel shaped patch has been proposed in this letter. The antenna structure uses coplanar waveguide technique with truncated ground plane. The cylindrical dielectric resonator (DR) loads the patch at low frequencies and also adds its own resonances to obtain a wideband performance. The proposed antenna structure achieves a measured impedance bandwidth of 124.4% covering frequency range from 4.4 to 18.9 GHz. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2364–2368, 2015
Analysis, simulation, and experimental verification of split‐ring resonator
Authors: Ejaz Tahir , Rahman Hamood Ur , Zaidi Tahir , Tauqeer T. , Shah Syed Afaq Ali
Published: July 2015

Split‐ring resonator (SRR) finds its utility in various applications where moderate quality factor is required. Application areas for this type of microwave resonator include communication, biomedical, chemical, material testing, and food grading. Design is usually based for a particular band of frequency, dictated by its intended utility/application. A metallic cylindrical shield or cavity is used to enclose resonator for controlling environmental effects. Quality factor determines resonator's figure of merit. Resonant frequency, quality factor, and other output parameters are dependent mainly on critical dimensions and materials used to fabricate resonator and shield. Numerous models have been formulated to predict output parameters. In this study, variations in quality factor and resonant frequency have been analyzed for nonplanar form of SRR structure model based on parametric changes. Simulated and calculated results were analyzed for model validity. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine sensitivity of output parameters over SRR dimensions. Output parameters of SRR structure fabricated to operate at 3 GHz, was measured for experimental verification of simulated and calculated results. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2358–2363, 2015
High‐efficiency GaN class‐F/class‐F−1 power amplifiers with distributed L‐shaped parasitic‐compensation circuit
Authors: Cheng Qian‐Fu , Fu Hai‐Peng , Zhu Shou‐Kui , Wu Hai‐Feng , Ma Jian‐Guo
Published: July 2015

This article presents a straightforward parasitic‐compensation design method for class‐F and class‐F−1 (inverse F) power amplifiers (PAs) based on a simple L‐shaped transmission‐line section. Design equations are presented and design procedures are elaborated. The fabricated PAs, operating at 2.14 GHz, deliver maximum power‐added efficiency of 80.2% for the class‐F mode and 79.1% for the class‐F−1 mode, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2441–2445, 2015
Enhancement of wireless power transfer efficiency using flat conductor with ferrite wall
Authors: Park Byung‐Chul , Lee Jeong‐Hae
Published: July 2015

In this letter, a flat conductor with ferrite wall of spiral resonator is presented to reduce ohmic loss and improve wireless power transmission (WPT) efficiency. The ferrite walls are configured along both side edges of the flat conductor and make more uniformed current distribution on the conductor, so that the conductor resistance is reduced and the efficiency is improved. In the measurement, it is confirmed that the resistance of the spiral resonator with the ferrite wall is reduced by 25% (0.020–0.015 Ω) and the WPT efficiency is improved by 10% (25–35%) at 70‐cm distance when the size of the resonator and the resonance frequency are 35 × 35 × 6 cm3 and 128 kHz, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2371–2373, 2015
A high‐power and high‐efficiency CMOSVCO
Authors: Roy Palash , Dawn Debasis
Published: July 2015

This letter presents CMOS voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit, as a part of Automatic Dependent Surveillance‐Broadcast (ADS‐B) transmitter, operating at the center frequency of 980 MHz, delivers highest output power with highest efficiency ever reported to the best of authors’ knowledge. The 0.713 mm × 0.638 mm VCO chip fabricated using 0.18 μm CMOS technology exhibits the single‐ended peak output power of 1.4 dBm and the differential peak output power of 4.4 dBm at the frequency of 1.097 GHz, with the frequency tuning range from 980 MHz to 1.1 GHz, and phase noise of −125 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset centered at the frequency of 980 MHz, consuming 48‐mW power from 1.8‐V supply, thus showing state‐of‐the‐art performances. This promising result shows a path toward realizing high‐power single‐chip CMOS ADS‐B transmitter. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2437–2441, 2015
A new method based on compressive sensing for monostatic scattering analysis
Authors: Chai Shui‐Rong , Guo Li‐Xin
Published: July 2015

A new approach based on the Method of Moments (MoM) and the Compressive Sensing (CS) is proposed to efficiently analyze the electromagnetic monostatic scattering from an arbitrary three‐dimensional (3D) target in this article. The Nyquist–Shannon's sampling theorem must be satisfied when traditional MoM is utilized to solve monostatic scattering problems, which needs a large calculating quantity and is time consuming. Therefore, the CS technique is introduced into the MoM to decrease the sampling rate of the incident angles. Simulation results obtained from the proposed method are verified by comparison with traditional MoM results, which prove an excellent accuracy computation. And the comparison of the simulation time illustrates that the method we present has a very high efficiency in monostatic scattering from conducting 3D bodies. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2457–2461, 2015
Studies on SAR reduction using impedance mismatch loss for simple printed 5 GHz monopoles
Authors: Lee Cheng‐Tse , Su Saou‐Wen
Published: July 2015

A new approach to decreasing the specific absorption rate (SAR) for simple, printed monopoles in the 5‐GHz (5150–5825 MHz) WLAN band is presented. The antennas here are the conventional T‐shaped monopoles with a shorting strip located in between the top radiating arm and the antenna ground. The antenna was devised to be less matched (6 dB return loss) with 0.59 dB more insertion loss, yet the far‐field characteristics were slightly degraded and still met the industrial antenna specifications. It was found that the decreased near‐field radiation can be obtained, and the measured body SAR was substantially lowered by about 35–36% with an air gap of 2 mm directly from the antenna, which was provided by various input power. Details of the design approach and the results are discussed in the article. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2376–2384, 2015
Real‐time monitoring system using RGB‐infrared in a vehicle black box
Authors: Lee Juhyeon , Yoo Hyoungsuk
Published: July 2015

Red, green, and blue (RGB)‐infrared technology for imaging systems is developing in many research areas including surgery and monitoring systems. This article proposes a driver fatigue monitoring system that detects the face and eye regions (especially the pupil area) of the driver and measures the opened–closed eye status using RGB/infrared cameras. In the proposed system, the mean values of the eye region are used to enhance the accuracy of the extracted pupil area. The results show that the accuracy rate of classification for the eye opened/closed states is more than 93%. Therefore, we have confirmed that our proposed system is practical and accurate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:2452–2455, 2015
Exposure to colony stimulating factor 2 during preimplantation development increases postnatal growth in cattle
Authors: Kannampuzha‐Francis Jasmine , Denicol Anna C. , Loureiro Barbara , Kaniyamattam Karun , Ortega M. Sofia , Hansen Peter J.
Published: July 2015

The microenvironment of a preimplantation embryo can influence changes in development that affect postnatal phenotypes. One of the potential mediators of this effect in many species is colony‐stimulating factor (CSF2), which can increase an embryo's ability to establish pregnancy after its transfer into recipients. Exposure of embryos to CSF2 during early development can also affect the pattern of development later in pregnancy in a sex‐dependent manner. We therefore hypothesized that treatment of in vitro‐produced embryos with CSF2 in culture would alter birth weight and postnatal growth of the resultant calf. Body weight and withers height were measured for Holstein heifer calves produced in vitro with or without 10 ng/ml CSF2 and for calves produced by artificial insemination. There were no differences in birth weight between groups; thereafter, however, calves from the CSF2‐treated group experienced greater increases in body weight through 13 months of age, with only small differences in withers height. These results support the model that an embryo's postnatal characteristics can be programmed during the preimplantation period, and that CSF2 is one of the embryokines through which programming is directed. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 892–897, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Robust self‐navigated body MRI using dense coil arrays
Authors: Zhang Tao , Cheng Joseph Y. , Chen Yuxin , Nishimura Dwight G. , Pauly John M. , Vasanawala Shreyas S.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To develop a robust motion estimation method for free‐breathing body MRI using dense coil arrays.

Methods

Self‐navigating pulse sequences can measure subject motion without using external motion monitoring devices. With dense coil arrays, individual coil elements can provide localized motion estimates. An averaged motion estimate over all coils is often used for motion compensation. However, this motion estimate may not accurately represent the dominant motion within the imaging volume. In this work, a coil clustering method is proposed to automatically determine the dominant motion for dense coil arrays. The feasibility of the proposed method is investigated in free‐breathing abdominal MRI and cardiac MRI, and compared with manual motion estimate selection for respiratory motion estimation and electrocardiography for cardiac motion estimation.

Results

Automated motion estimation achieved similar respiratory motion estimation compared to manual selection (averaged correlation coefficient 0.989 and 0.988 for abdominal MRI and cardiac MRI, respectively), and accurate cardiac triggering compared to electrocardiography (averaged temporal variability 17.5 ms).

Conclusion

The proposed method can provide accurate automated motion estimation for body MRI using dense coil arrays. It can enable self‐navigated free‐breathing abdominal and cardiac MRI without the need for external motion monitoring devices. Magn Reson Med 76:197–205, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measuring Social Return on Investment
Authors: Moody Michael , Littlepage Laura , Paydar Naveed
Published: July 2015

Strategic decision making and evaluation in philanthropic giving and social investment requires good‐quality information about the social impacts of that investment. One way to meet this need is by calculating a social return on investment (SROI) measure, akin to the return on investment (ROI) approach used in business analysis. Despite much buzz in the field, SROI measurements are rarely used, in part because of the complexity of the calculations but also because of a number of thorny and often expensive organizational challenges associated with implementing an SROI process. This article explores these implementation challenges by comparing four social venture organizations in the health care field—two in the Netherlands and two in the United States—that have utilized some sort of SROI measurement. We summarize the SROI process and identify the specific organizational challenges in each case. Lessons learned from this analysis include the value of process versus product and the importance of fitting the type of measurement to the organizational context. We conclude with a summary of best practices for organizations and social investors who might try to make effective use of SROI measures.
Phosphoproteomic network analysis in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus reveals new candidates in egg activation
Authors: Guo Hongbo , Garcia‐Vedrenne Ana Elisa , Isserlin Ruth , Lugowski Andrew , Morada Anthony , Sun Alex , Miao Yishen , Kuzmanov Uros , Wan Cuihong , Ma Hongyue , Foltz Kathy , Emili Andrew
Published: July 2015

Fertilization triggers a dynamic symphony of molecular transformations induced by a rapid rise in intracellular calcium. Most prominent are surface alterations, metabolic activation, cytoskeletal reorganization, and cell‐cycle reentry. While the activation process appears to be broadly evolutionarily conserved, and protein phosphorylation is known to play a key role, the signaling networks mediating the response to fertilization are not well described. To address this gap, we performed a time course phosphoproteomic analysis of egg activation in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, a system that offers biochemical tractability coupled with exquisite synchronicity. By coupling large‐scale phosphopeptide enrichment with unbiased quantitative MS, we identified striking changes in global phosphoprotein patterns at 2‐ and 5‐min postfertilization as compared to unfertilized eggs. Overall, we mapped 8796 distinct phosphosite modifications on 2833 phosphoproteins, of which 15% were differentially regulated in early egg activation. Activated kinases were identified by phosphosite mapping, while enrichment analyses revealed conserved signaling cascades not previously associated with egg activation. This work represents the most comprehensive study of signaling associated with egg activation to date, suggesting novel mechanisms that can be experimentally tested and providing a valuable resource for the broader research community. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002239 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD002239).
Myostatin inhibitors in sports drug testing: Detection of myostatin‐neutralizing antibodies in plasma/serum by affinity purification and Western blotting
Authors: Walpurgis Katja , Thomas Andreas , Schänzer Wilhelm , Thevis Mario
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Myostatin is a key regulator of skeletal muscle growth and inhibition of its signaling pathway results in an increased muscle mass and function. The aim of this study was to develop a qualitative detection assay for myostatin‐neutralizing antibodies for doping control purposes by using immunological approaches.

Experimental design

To detect different types of myostatin‐neutralizing antibodies irrespective of their amino acid sequence, an immunological assay specific for antibodies directed against myostatin and having a human Fc domain was established. Affinity purification and Western blotting strategies were combined to allow extracting and identifying relevant analytes from 200 μL of plasma/serum in a non‐targeted approach. The assay was characterized regarding specificity, linearity, precision, robustness, and recovery.

Results

The assay was found to be highly specific, robust, and linear from 0.1 to 1 μg/mL. The precision was successfully specified at three different concentrations and the recovery of the affinity purification was 58%.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Within this study, an immunological detection assay for myostatin‐neutralizing antibodies present in plasma/serum specimens was developed and successfully characterized. The presented approach can easily be modified to include other therapeutic antibodies and serves as proof‐of‐concept for the detection of antibody‐based myostatin inhibitors in doping control samples.
Microstructure and growth kinetics of nanocrystalline diamond films deposited in large area/low temperature distributed antenna array microwave‐plasma reactor
Authors: Baudrillart Benoît , Bénédic Fabien , Brinza Ovidiu , Bieber Thomas , Chauveau Thierry , Achard Jocelyn , Gicquel Alix
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we investigate a new distributed antenna array PECVD system, with 16 microwave plasma sources arranged in a 2D matrix, which enables the growth of 4‐inch diamond films using H2/CH4/CO2 gas mixture at low gas pressure, typically below 0.45 mbar, and at substrate temperature of 400 °C. The influence of substrate position with respect to elementary microwave sources is investigated for three sets of gas pressures in order to improve the diamond growth process in this low temperature/large area deposition setup. Results show that the nanocrystalline diamond films are formed of polycrystalline globular aggregates of 50–200 nm in size, depending on growth conditions, composed of diamond grains around 10–20 nm. An optimal deposition condition corresponding to a pressure of 0.45 mbar and a distance between substrate and microwave sources of 65 mm can be found. In these conditions, highest growth rate (60 nm h−1) with good nanocrystalline features, i.e. smallest grain size (10 nm) and lowest roughness (around 15 nm), is obtained.
P‐76: Autostereoscopic 2D/3D Switchable Display with Electrode‐Driven Liquid Crystal Lens
Authors: Wu Kun , Wu Naifu , Wei Wei , Lin Jiaqiang , Wang Tao , Zhou Chunmiao , IM Yunsik , Jun Jungmok
Published: July 2015

An auto stereoscopic display with 2D/3D switching capability was developed by using Electrode driven Liquid Crystal (ELC) lens. We applied tilt ITO electrodes, resin layer that decreases transverse electric field, and used Axostep testing equipment to fine‐tune the retardation. Finally we fabricated an auto‐stereoscopic prototype with low crosstalk, insignificant moiré and high brightness that is suitable for mass production.