bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective Chain Alignment of Conducting Polymer Blend Films by an Ultrafast Laser
Authors: Chae Sangmin , Jo Kuk Hyun , Lee Si Woo , Keum Hee‐Sung , Kim Hyo Jung , Choi Jiyeon , Lee Hyun Hwi
Published: December 2015

Tunable and selective areal polymer chain alignment method is developed for spin‐cast blend films of poly(3‐hexylthiophene)(P3HT):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butlyric methyl ester (PCBM) system by a femtosecond laser process. The chain alignment, phase separation, and molecular structure of the laser exposed P3HT:PCBM films are investigated by grazing incidence wide angle X‐ray scattering and micro‐Raman analysis. The alkyl chains of P3HT polymer become highly ordered along the polarization axis of the laser. Thus, the amount of desirable face‐on configuration for solar cell application is largely enhanced with a subsequent postannealing process. Vertically expanded morphology up to 200 nm on P3HT:PCBM films is also prompted by the laser irradiation without deteriorating intramolecular structure and changing chemical composition. Simultaneously, vertical phase separation of PCBM toward surface is induced at exposed region.

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The Static Structure and Dynamics of Cadmium Sulfide Nanoparticles within Poly(styrene‐block‐isoprene) Diblock Copolymer Melts
Authors: Jang Woo‐Sik , Koo Peter , Bryson Kyle , Narayanan Suresh , Sandy Alec R. , Russell Thomas P. , Mochrie Simon G.
Published: December 2015

The static structure and dynamic behavior of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles suspended in block copolymer matrix are investigated using transmission electron microscopy, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and X‐ray photon correlation spectroscopy. The transmission electron microscopy study shows that cadmium sulfide nanoparticles are preferentially segregated within the polyisoprene domain of a poly(styrene‐block‐isoprene) diblock copolymer. For the dynamics study, X‐ray photon correlation spectroscopy captures the relaxation process of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles. The measured characteristic relaxation time reveals that the observed dynamics are hyperdiffusive. The characteristic velocity and corresponding activation energy, which are hallmarks of a hyperdiffusive system, are determined from the relationship between the characteristic relaxation time and the wavevector.

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Occurrence of Writing Tremor in Patients With Scans Without Evidence of Dopaminergic Deficit
Authors: Schirinzi Tommaso , Imbriani Paola , D'Elia Alessio , Bentivoglio Anna Rita , Pisani Antonio
Published: December 2015

Asymmetric rest tremor is one of the main features of patients diagnosed with scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDD). Clinical and neurophysiological evidence suggests a dystonic origin of this tremor, although the underlying pathophysiology is still unclear. Dystonic tremor has a great tendency to vary with different postures or voluntary motor tasks. Here, we performed a phenomenological analysis of tremor in 14 patients with normal scans and in 14 tremor‐dominant Parkinson's disease (PD) patients by assessing the presence of writing tremor. The Wilcoxon‐Mann‐Whitney's test revealed that patients with normal scans exhibit writing tremor more frequently, regardless of the side mostly affected by motor disturbances in handwriting (P < 0.01) and drawing (right hand: P = 0.01; left hand: P < 0.05). Our findings show that patients with asymmetric rest tremor and normal scans, contrarily to PD patients, present more commonly action tremor during writing tasks. This feature may thus be helpful to distinguish the two conditions.
Composite feed dual circularly polarized microstrip antenna with improved characteristics
Authors: Chakrabarti Satyajit
Published: December 2015

In this article, we present a composite feed dual circularly polarized (CP) aperture‐coupled microstrip antenna at L‐band with improved characteristics. Two dedicated feeds have been conceived; one feed produces left hand CP, while the other generates right hand CP (RHCP). A prototype has been designed, fabricated and experimentally measured. 7.8% axial ratio bandwidth at each of the ports and in‐band interport isolation over 18 dB without using power divider has been demonstrated. As much as 3.5 dBi gain at each port have been achieved experimentally. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:283–289, 2016
A metamaterial unit cell inspired antenna for mobile wireless applications
Authors: Alam T. , Samsuzzaman M. , Faruque M. R. I. , Islam M. T.
Published: December 2015

The article reveals the design of a metamaterial cell inspired triple band antenna for DCS 1800, PCS 1900, WCDMA, Bluetooth, WLAN 2400, WiMAX 2.5, and WLAN 5 GHz frequency band applications. The overall antenna size is 48 × 48 × 1.575 mm3 where the electrical dimension is 0.26 λ × 0.26 λ × 0.0084 λ at 1.6 GHz lower frequency band. The proposed antenna consists of a microstrip feed line and metamaterial unit cell providing a negative index of refraction, which indicates both negative magnetic value of permeability and negative electrical value of permittivity. The proposed antenna achieves triple −10 dB measured impedance bandwidth of 370 MHz (1.6–1.97), 380 MHz (2.34–2.72), and 1.48 GHz (3.89–5.37). The measured gain of the proposed antenna at 1.9 GHz is 1.64 dB, 2.45 GHz is 2.07 dB, and 5 GHz is 4.06 dB with radiation efficiency of 66.2%, 77.15%, and 87.6%, respectively. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:263–267, 2016
Surface plasmon wave application in microwave modulator induced by switchable metamaterial
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Sun Liguo , Lin Fujiang , Zhu Guiqiang , Lu Diqun
Published: December 2015

Corrugated metal surface with underlayer metal ground can propagate surface waves when the operation frequency is below the asymptotic limit–the surface plasma frequency. Tunability of the spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) wave is realized by placing metamaterial underneath the SSPP strip. We design and experimentally demonstrate a modulator based on the planar surface plasmon waveguide and switchable metamaterial, where PIN diodes are implemented to tune the metamaterial. With the diodes working in on/off states, the proposed modulator can be, respectively, viewed as a signal‐stop/signal‐pass circuit at the operation frequency. The experimental results validated this method. It is observed that the proposed modulator would operate from 2.51 to 2.57 GHz with 12 dB on‐off isolation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:261–263, 2016
A miniaturized microstrip‐to‐CPW transition based UWB‐BPF with sharp roll‐off and minimum insertion loss
Authors: Ghazali Abu Nasar , Sazid Mohd , Pal Srikanta
Published: December 2015

A novel ultrawideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) based on broadside coupled microstrip‐to‐coplanar waveguide (CPW) transition is proposed. The proposed structure consists of open circuited microstrip lines on the top arranged in back‐to‐back fashion and electromagnetically coupled to a short circuited CPW in the ground via the dielectric. This arrangement generates a smooth UWB having passband insertion loss <0.22 dB in simulation, and two transmission zeros at the lower and upper passband/stopband edges which enhances selectivity. To validate the theory a prototype is fabricated and its measured response tested against simulated data. The simulation and measured response are found to be in good agreement with each other. The proposed structure is quite compact in size measuring only 14.8 × 9.6 mm2. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:289–293, 2016
Enhancing common‐mode suppression in microstrip differential lines by means of chirped and multi‐tuned electromagnetic bandgaps
Authors: Vélez P. , Valero M. , Su L. , Naqui J. , Mata‐Contreras J. , Bonache J. , Martín F.
Published: December 2015

This article presents common‐mode suppressed microstrip differential lines based on chirped electromagnetic bandgaps (EBGs). To achieve common‐mode suppression in a wide band, the common‐mode impedance is modulated following a sinusoidal chirping, whereas the differential‐mode impedance is kept unaltered, thus ensuring that the line is transparent for that mode. The result is a differential line exhibiting common‐mode suppression in a band from 2.45 GHz up to 7.37 GHz centered at 5 GHz (98.4% bandwidth). As compared to previous works, based on single tuned or double tuned EBGs, the proposed technique is useful to achieve wider rejection bands for the common mode. Nevertheless, the authors also propose an alternative based on multi‐tuned EBGs, in order to obtain a comparable fractional bandwidth. In both cases, the design procedure is simple, and the ground plane is kept unaltered. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:328–332, 2016
Compact and highly selective dual/tri‐band BPFs using folded T‐shaped stub‐loaded resonators for WLAN and WiMAX applications
Authors: Liang Junge G. , Wang Cong , Kim Nam Young
Published: December 2015

In this article, a series of dual‐/tri‐band bandpass filters (BPFs) using folded T‐shaped stub‐loaded resonators (TSSLRs) are presented for WLAN and WiMAX applications. The proposed TSSLR is constructed using two λ/4 resonators and a T‐shaped folded stub. A controllable transmission zero will be generated at the desired transition band leading to sharp roll‐off skirts and excellent out‐of‐band suppression by adjusting the length of the folded stub. After combining two or three TSSLRs with flexible feed‐lines, very compact overall sizes of 0.29 λg × 0.16 λg, 0.30 λg × 0.22 λg for dual‐band BPFs and 0.28 λg × 0.19 λg, 0.30 λg × 0.22 λg for tri‐band BPFs can be obtained. The measured results of the two dual‐band BPFs (I and II) show excellent characteristics of low insertion loss of 1.2/0.87 and 0.7/0.77 dB and wide fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 15.3%/24.2% and 28.7%/16.3%, respectively. Insertion losses of the tri‐band BPFs (III and IV) based on simulation results are approximately 0.2 dB and FBWs range from 10.34% to 15.02%, which prove excellent performance and further verify the design method. Furthermore, ultra‐high roll‐off factors of 54 dB and 67.5 dB per 100 MHz have been achieved in simulation results of the tri‐band BPF IV's 1st and 2nd up transition bands, respectively. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:312–319, 2016
A CMOS power amplifier using a split cascode structure to enhance its efficiency
Authors: Sim Yonghun , Kang Inseong , Park Changkun
Published: December 2015

In this study, we propose a simple technique to enhance the efficiency of RF CMOS power amplifiers in which a cascode structure is utilized. To increase the efficiency in the low‐output‐power region, we split a common gate transistor into two parts. For the low‐output‐power mode, one of the common gate transistors is turned off to reduce the amount of DC power consumed. To verify the feasibility of the proposed split cascode structure, we designed a 2.2‐GHz CMOS power amplifier using the 180‐nm RF CMOS process. With a WCDMA modulated signal, we obtain a maximum‐output power of 23.4 dBm with 20.8% power‐added efficiency (PAE). At an output power of 16 dBm, the PAE is enhanced by the mode change of the designed power amplifier. From the measured results, we successfully verify the feasibility of the proposed split cascode structure for RF CMOS power amplifier applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:309–312, 2016
A 1 × 2 microstrip array with reduced mutual coupling achieved with a cylindrically shaped cloaking‐based surface
Authors: Naqvi Aftab , Khan Muhammad Saeed , Braaten Benjamin D.
Published: December 2015

A cylindrically shaped surface consisting of microstrip structures is presented in this article as a new technique to reduce the mutual coupling between the elements in a 1 × 2 microstrip patch array. Initially, the surface was simulated in HFSS for functionality, manufactured, and then, the prototype was measured in an anechoic chamber at 3.89 GHz. The surface comprised of a number of 2‐port microstrip (2‐PM) elements interconnected into a cylindrical shape with a radius of 1.02λ to enclose a particular region. Each 2‐PM element had the capability of coupling an incident EM field on the surface and transmitting the field to the adjacent interconnected elements. Then, because the 2‐PM elements were connected in to a cylindrical shape, the incident EM field was re‐radiated from the other interconnected 2‐PM elements in a direction away from the transmitter; achieving a behavior similar to an electromagnetic cloak. Finally, the surface was used to reduce the coupling between two microstrip elements in an array. Overall, simulation and measurement results were in good agreement with each other and were shown to reduce the mutual coupling between the elements by 8.0 dB, and have little effect on the radiation properties of the overall 2‐element array. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:296–301, 2016
Optimization of sharp band‐notched ultra‐wideband antennas using multi‐objective fractional factorial design
Authors: Chen Yen‐Sheng
Published: December 2015

A very efficient design technique for sharp band‐notched ultra‐wideband (UWB) antennas is presented. All the design specifications, including enhanced pulse preservation for time‐domain signals and relative constant gains over the passband, can be simultaneously met. Besides, the proposed technique reduces the design effort of multi‐objective evolutionary algorithms by 98%. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:355–359, 2016
Compact dual‐element inverted‐F MIMO antenna system with enhanced isolation
Authors: You Xiaolong , Gao Huotao , Zhou Lin , Zhao Huaqiao
Published: December 2015

A compact multiple‐input‐multiple‐output (MIMO) inverted‐F antenna system for time division‐long term evolution (TD‐LTE) E band, 3.50‐GHz worldwide interoperability for microwave access, and 5.20‐GHz wireless local area network with enhanced isolation is proposed. The proposed MIMO antenna system consists of two identical inverted‐F antenna elements operating in the 2.32–2.37/3.40–3.62/5.12–5.29 GHz frequency bands at the reflection coefficient level below −10 dB. The edge‐to‐edge distance between the two antenna elements is only 0.1 mm. The high isolation is achieved by mirror symmetrical orientation of the two antenna elements on the different side of the FR4 substrate and replacing part of the substrate with pieces of copper to connect the ground planes together to form a common ground. The size of the proposed antenna system has the dimensions of 53.00 mm
10.95 mm. The measured isolation between the two antenna elements exceed 19.23 dB, 14.56 dB and 23.74 dB at the aforementioned operation bands, respectively. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:363–368, 2016
A 460‐GHz CMOS substrate‐integrated‐waveguide slot‐antenna design
Authors: Xie Hao , Belostotski Leonid , Okoniewski Michal
Published: December 2015

A design of a 460 GHz substrate‐integrated‐waveguide (SIW) slot antenna in a 65‐nm CMOS process is presented in thisarticle. The size of the antenna is 380 μm × 224 μm. An inductor identification layer is placed in the layout to reduce the internal metal density requirements significantly. The proposed antenna, which includes metal dummy fill to be compliant with the 65 nm process design rules, was simulated using HFSS. The antenna simulated with a 0.5 mm Si substrate has a maximum gain of 0.09 dBi and a radiation efficiency of 29.1%. The bandwidth of S11 below −10 dB is 25.3 GHz. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:347–351, 2016
Realization of high performance compact CPW‐fed planar UWB antenna using higher order asymmetry for practical applications
Authors: Chakraborty Mrinmoy , Pal Srikanta , Chottoraj Neela
Published: December 2015

In this letter, a novel asymmetric coplanar wave guide‐fed slot antenna is proposed which consist of a combination of triangular and rectangular slot (aperture) with a rectangular stub for practical ultrawideband (UWB) application. Inclusion of higher order asymmetry in the proposed antenna structure helps to broaden the bandwidth considerably by achieving significantly improved impedance variation characteristics (real part of impedance varies between 45 and 55 Ω). The dimensions of the antenna are only 20 mm × 25 mm × 0.8 mm. The designed antenna has broad bandwidth ranging from 3.1 to 12.08 GHz having return loss less than −15 dB in most of the band which produces linear phase characteristics. The proposed antenna has omnidirectional pattern along with almost constant gain with gain variation less than only 0.5 dB in the entire desired operating band. Moreover, the measurement results have excellent concurrence with the simulated ones. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:398–400, 2016
Band‐rejected UWB antenna based on two‐pole band‐stop filter
Authors: Choi Hyung‐Seok , Choi Kyoung , Hwang Heeyong
Published: December 2015

This study proposes a design method of proper two‐pole band‐rejection characteristics on a UWB antenna. This method has advantage of easy accomplishment of the required band‐rejection characteristics of an UWB antenna, such as skirt characteristic, bandwidth, and ripple by directly applying the well‐known band‐rejection filter design procedure without hard iteration or optimization process using an EM‐Simulator. A designed and fabricated antenna by the design method satisfied broad and sharp band‐rejection characteristic at 5 GHz WLAN band with the full UWB band specifications with return losses less than −10 dB. The group delay variations are within 1.0 ns except the rejection band. The band‐stop filter was placed around the radiating patch without degradation on the operation of the main UWB antenna so that it does not need any extra space for the adoption. The proposed method could be useful for designing various wideband antennas with excellent band rejection properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:406–409, 2016
Novel dual‐mode bandpass filters using substrate integrated waveguide cavity structure
Authors: Chen Meng‐Yu , Hong Wanchu , Ho Min‐Hua
Published: December 2015

This article proposes dual‐mode balanced bandpass filters (BPFs) with high common‐mode (CM) rejection performance using the substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity and its size‐reduced form, a folded SIW cavity structure. The latter's size (folded cavity) is nearly 50% of the former. The passband response of the proposed dual‐mode balanced BPFs are formed by the (folded) SIW cavities’ two degenerated modes, TE102 and TE201 modes. The advantages of the proposed BPFs are higher Q value and higher power handling capability as compared with those of the microstrip counterparts. The dual‐mode resonance of the SIW cavity also offers the benefit of size reduction and, sometimes, higher Q value than that of its fundamental mode. The hybrid microstrip/slot is used to design the filters’ feed structure for enhancing the CM rejection. This high CM rejection is caused by the noncoupling nature of the slot, which bisected by an imposed perfect magnetic wall. The measured in‐band CM rejection levels are around 40 dB with the differential‐mode insertion losses around 2.5 dB. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:402–406, 2016
A design of LNA and RFVGA with broadband and wide dynamic gain range for digital video broadcasting application
Authors: Liu M. Q. , Wang C. , Kim E. S. , Kim N. Y.
Published: December 2015

A low noise amplifier (LNA) and a radio frequency variable gain amplifier (RFVGA) were designed for digital video broadcasting‐satellite second edition (DVB‐S2) receiver tuner integrated circuit using a CMOS 0.18‐μm process. To achieve broadband and dynamic gain range characteristics, a switching filter technique was modified and applied to the LNA. An RFVGA was designed using Gilbert cell topology to achieve the wide dynamic gain range. In addition to the LNA and RFVGA, two 15 dB attenuators were designed and placed in front of the LNA, which can be separated into three voltage gain modes, such as −15 dB, 0 dB, and 15 dB, according to the strength of the input signal power. Good noise performance was achieved in high‐gain mode, and high linearity characteristics were achieved in low‐gain mode. The designed CMOS LNA and RFVGA achieved a 50 dB gain dynamic range, a noise figure below 5.1 dB, an input third‐order intercept point of 13.08 dBm, and an input second‐order intercept point of 24.98 dBm at −15 dB voltage gain with a layout size of the total chip area of 1500 × 600 μm2. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:418–423, 2016
Study on scattering from multilayer rough surfaces with an object buried with FEM/PML
Authors: Xu Run‐Wen , Guo Li‐Xin , He Hong‐Jie , Liu Wei
Published: December 2015

The two‐dimensional electromagnetic scattering properties from multilayer rough surfaces with an object buried were studied in this article by the finite element method (FEM). When FEM is applied to analyze an open‐space scattering problem and an artificial boundary needs to be built to truncate the computational domain. The perfectly matched layer (PML) has been proved to be an accurate boundary condition in the electromagnetic scattering problems. It is widely used in the electromagnetic simulations for limited objects. However, there are few articles provided to deal with the scattering problem of the multilayer rough surfaces. In this letter, the modeling of multilayer rough surfaces with an object buried is presented, and the application of FEM and PML is provided in detail. The method is validated by the method of moments (MoM), and some numerical results are provided to discuss the scattering properties. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:429–433, 2016
A small CPW‐fed UWB antenna with dual band‐notched charectrestics using two stepped impedance resonators
Authors: Sefidi Mehdi , Zehforoosh Yashar , Moradi Shahram
Published: December 2015

In this article, we propose a compact cpw‐fed ultra‐wideband (UWB) antenna with dual band‐notched characteristics. The dual band‐notched are achieved by using two stepped impedance resonators. The measured results show that the proposed antenna has an impedance bandwidth from 2.97 to 10.7 GHz (113%), defined by VSWR<2, with two notched bands, covering all the WiMAX (3.3–3.6 GHz), WLAN (5.2–5.8 GHz), the antenna has a small size (20 × 20 × 1.6 mm3), and almost stable omnidirectional radiation pattern. The proposed antenna is designed, simulated, fabricated, and tested, and the measured results are in good agreement with the simulations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:464–467, 2016
Orthogonality properties of sub‐structure characteristic modes
Authors: Alroughani Hamad , Ethier Jonathan , McNamara Derek A.
Published: December 2015

The details of a more general form of the sub‐structure characteristic mode concept are presented than previously done. The orthogonality properties of these modes are stated, proven, and discussed. Sub‐structure characteristic modes are interpreted in terms of loading. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:481–486, 2016
The equivalent circuit modeling and application in band‐pass filter of spiral‐shaped defect ground structure
Authors: Mi Xiao , Guoliang Sun , Li Xiaozheng , Zhichun Lei
Published: December 2015

In this article, the equivalent circuit applied lumped elements was proposed to characterize the transmission characteristics of the spiral‐shaped defected ground structure (DGS). Parameters of the equivalent circuit were extracted based on three characteristic frequencies. To verify the feasibility of the equivalent circuit, a third order BPF were designed with two spiral‐shaped DGSs and a microstrip resonator. Then, the proposed equivalent circuit was used to demonstrate the filter responses. The simulation results of the two filters showed good consistency with the analysis results. Finally, the third order BPF was fabricated and measured, the measured results agree well with the simulations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:445–448, 2016
Matrix pencil method for estimating radar cross‐section of moving targets with near‐field measurements
Authors: Tulgar Okyanus , Ergin Ahmet Arif
Published: December 2015

In this article, an algorithm is introduced for estimating the radar cross‐section of moving targets with near‐field measurements. This algorithm uses the matrix pencil method that facilitates an efficient compensation of range‐Doppler coupling. Furthermore, the scattering centers are extracted from Chirp ISAR data to calculate the radar cross‐section. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:471–477, 2016
A fast, memory efficient and robust sparse preconditioner based on a multifrontal approach with applications to finite‐element matrices
Authors: Aminfar AmirHossein , Darve Eric
Published: December 2015

In this article, we introduce a fast, memory efficient and robust sparse preconditioner that is based on a direct factorization scheme for sparse matrices arising from the finite‐element discretization of elliptic partial differential equations. We use a fast (but approximate) multifrontal approach as a preconditioner and use an iterative scheme to achieve a desired accuracy. This approach combines the advantages of direct and iterative schemes to arrive at a fast, robust, and accurate preconditioner. We will show that this approach is faster (∼2×) and more memory efficient (∼2–3×) than a conventional direct multifrontal approach. Furthermore, we will demonstrate that this preconditioner is both faster and more effective than other preconditioners such as the incomplete LU preconditioner. Specific speedups depend on the matrix size and improve as the size of the matrix increases. The preconditioner can be applied to both structured and unstructured meshes in a similar manner. We build on our previous work and utilize the fact that dense frontal and update matrices, in the multifrontal algorithm, can be represented as hierarchically off‐diagonal low‐rank matrices. Using this idea, we replace all large dense matrix operations in the multifrontal elimination process with O(N) hierarchically off‐diagonal low‐rank operations to arrive at a faster and more memory efficient factorization scheme. We then use this direct factorization method at low accuracies as a preconditioner and apply it to various real‐life engineering test cases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Successful Outcome With Fludarabine‐Based Conditioning Regimen for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation From Related Donor in Fanconi Anemia: A Single Center Experience From Turkey
Authors: Kuşkonmaz Barış , Ünal Şule , Bayhan Turan , Aytaç Eyüboğlu Selin , Tavil Betül , Çetin Mualla , Gümrük Fatma , Uçkan Çetinkaya Duygu
Published: December 2015

Background

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a heterogeneous autosomal recessive (and rarely X linked) disorder, which is characterized by congenital malformations, progressive bone marrow failure, and predisposition to malignancies. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only definitive treatment for the hematological manifestations in FA.

Procedure

Twenty‐seven patients with FA underwent HSCT using fludarabine (Flu) based regimen at our center between April 2004 and May 2014. One patient who developed acute leukemia before HSCT was excluded from the study. The remaining 26 patients were included. The median age of the patients at the time of transplantation was 9.6 years (range 5.6–17.0 years) and male/female ratio was 19/7. Donors were Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐identical sibling in 18 patients, HLA‐identical other relatives in six patients, and HLA 1‐antigen mismatched sibling in two patients. Conditioning regimen consisted of Flu, cyclophosphamide, and antithymocyte globulin.

Results

All patients engrafted but one developed poor graft function and underwent second HSCT. Acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) (≥grade 2) occurred in two patients (7.6%) and chronic GVHD in one patient (3.9%). Three patients developed venoocclusive disease (11.5%). Survival rate was 96.2% (25/26) at a median follow‐up of 54 months (10–131 months) and all patients who survived were in good clinical condition. None of the patients developed secondary malignancy during the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

The present study from Turkey, a middle‐income country, shows successful transplant outcome with low toxicity using Flu‐based conditioning in patients with FA who underwent HSCT from HLA‐related donors.
Outcomes Following Discontinuation of E. colil‐Asparaginase Upon Severe Allergic Reactions in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Yen Hsiu‐Ju , Chang Wan‐Hui , Liu Hsi‐Che , Yeh Ting‐Chi , Hung Giun‐Yi , Wu Kang‐Hsi , Peng Ching‐Tien , Chang Yu‐Hsiang , Chang Te‐Kao , Hsiao Chih‐Cheng , Sheen Jiunn‐Ming , Chao Yu‐Hua , Chang Tai‐Tsung , Chiou Shyh‐Shin , Lin Pei‐Chin , Wang Shih‐Chung , Lin Ming‐Tsan , Ho Wan‐Ling , Chen Yu‐Chieh , Liang Der‐Cherng
Published: December 2015

Background

Discontinuation of E. coli l‐asparaginase in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is unavoidable upon severe allergic reaction. We sought to examine outcomes following E. coli l‐asparaginase discontinuation due to severe allergic reactions.

Procedure

We evaluated the outcome of children enrolled in Taiwan Pediatric Oncology Group‐2002‐ALL protocol between 2002 and 2012, who had E. coli
l‐asparaginase discontinued due to severe allergic reactions, and compared the outcomes of those who continued with Erwinia l‐asparaginase (Erwinase) with those who did not.

Results

Among 700 patients enrolled in this study, 33 patients had E. coli
l‐asparaginase treatment discontinued due to severe allergic reactions. Five‐year overall survival did not differ significantly among the 648 patients without discontinuation (81 ± 1.6%, mean ± SE), compared to 17 patients with allergic reactions and treated with Erwinase (88 ± 7.8%) and 16 patients with allergic reactions but not treated with Erwinase (87 ± 8.6%). Among 16 patients who did not receive Erwinase, all 10 who received ≥50% of the scheduled doses of E. coli
l‐asparaginase before discontinuation survived without events.

Conclusions

Erwinase treatment may not be needed for some ALL patients with severe allergy to E. coli
l‐asparaginase if ≥50% of prescribed doses were received and/or therapy is augmented with other agents.
Synthesis and characterizations of new isotactic homopolyesters, statistical and block copolyesters derived of poly((S)‐3,3‐dimethylmalic acid) via the lactone route
Authors: Belibel Rima , Azzouz Imadeddine , Barbaud Christel
Published: December 2015

This article presents the synthesis of a new family of synthetic isotactic polyesters derived from poly((S)‐3,3‐dimethylmalic acid) (PDMMLA). These polyesters are prepared via the lactone route bearing functionalized groups in its main or side chain. The aim of this work is twofold: metabolism and stereochemistry. First, the synthesis of these new polyesters is chosen to provide biodegradable polyesters biocompatible and bioassimilable by the human body. Next, the molecular chain of this family contains a stereogenic center in the aim to provide 100% isotactic homopolymers and copolymers (statistical and block). Finally, these polymers have been characterized by several analytical techniques: FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, SEC, DSC, and TGA. The greatest importance will be given to the 13C NMR and DSC to principally confirm the stereoregularity and crystallinity of these stereopolyesters. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1495–1507
TNF-α Inhibits FoxO1 by Upregulating miR-705 to Aggravate Oxidative Damage in Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells during Osteoporosis
Authors: Liao Li , Su Xiaoxia , Yang Xiaohong , Hu Chenghu , Li Bei , Lv Yajie , Shuai Yi , Jing Huan , Deng Zhihong , Jin Yan
Published: December 2015

Decline of antioxidant defense after estrogen deficiency leads to oxidative damage in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), resulting a defect of bone formation in osteoporosis. Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) protein is crucial for defending physiological oxidative damage in bone. But whether FoxO1 is involved in the oxidative damage during osteoporosis is largely unknown. In this study, we found that FoxO1 protein accumulation was decreased in BMMSCs of ovariectomized mice. The decrease of FoxO1 resulted in the suppression of manganese superoxide dismutase (Sod2) and catalase (Cat) expression and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibiting the osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs. The decline of FoxO1 protein was caused by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) accumulated after estrogen deficiency. Mechanistically, TNF-α activated NF-κB pathway to promote microRNA-705 expression, which function as a repressor of FoxO1 through post-transcriptional regulation. Inhibition of NF-κB pathway or knockdown of miR-705 largely prevented the decline of FoxO1-mediated antioxidant defense caused by TNF-α and ameliorated the oxidative damage in osteoporotic BMMSCs. Moreover, the accumulated ROS further activated NF-κB pathway with TNF-α, which formed a feed-forward loop to persistently inhibiting FoxO1 protein accumulation in BMMSCs. In conclusion, our study revealed that the decline of FoxO1 is an important etiology factor of osteoporosis and unclosed a novel mechanism of FoxO1 regulation by TNF-α. These findings suggested a close correlation between inflammation and oxidative stress in stem cell dysfunction during degenerative bone diseases.
Promotion of Cortical Neurogenesis from the Neural Stem Cells in the Adult Mouse Subcallosal Zone
Authors: Kim Joo Yeon , Choi Kyuhyun , Shaker Mohammed R. , Lee Ju-Hyun , Lee Boram , Lee Eunsoo , Park Jae-Yong , Lim Mi-Sun , Park Chang-Hwan , Shin Ki Soon , Kim Hyun , Geum Dongho , Sun Woong
Published: December 2015

Neurogenesis occurs spontaneously in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle in adult rodent brain, but it has long been debated whether there is sufficient adult neurogenesis in human SVZ. Subcallosal zone (SCZ), a posterior continuum of SVZ closely associated with posterior regions of cortical white matter, has also been reported to contain adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) in both rodents and humans. However, little is known whether SCZ-derived aNSC (SCZ-aNSCs) can produce cortical neurons following brain injury. We found that SCZ-aNSCs exhibited limited neuronal differentiation potential in culture and after transplantation in mice. Neuroblasts derived from SCZ initially migrated toward injured cortex regions following brain injury, but later exhibited apoptosis. Overexpression of anti-apoptotic bcl-xL in the SCZ by retroviral infection rescued neuroblasts from cell death in the injured cortex, but neuronal maturation was still limited, resulting in atrophy. In combination with Bcl-xL, infusion of brain-derived neurotropic factor rescued atrophy, and importantly, a subset of such SCZ-aNSCs differentiated and attained morphological and physiological characteristics of mature, excitatory neurons. These results suggest that the combination of anti-apoptotic and neurotrophic factors might enable the use of aNSCs derived from the SCZ in cortical neurogenesis for neural replacement therapy.
An evaluation of excrement as an alternative to blood for characterizing lead exposure in bald eagles
Authors: Reiter‐Marolf William J. , Dinsmore Stephen J. , Blanchong Julie A.
Published: December 2015

Lead (Pb) exposure in free‐flying bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is an important conservation concern. One of the challenges to characterizing the magnitude of Pb exposure in free‐flying bald eagles is obtaining samples. Although blood samples are the most commonly used biomarker to quantify Pb exposure in living animals, the potential for negative impacts resulting from handling bald eagles make blood sampling less than ideal in a large‐scale field study. We partnered with wildlife rehabilitators, who simultaneously collected blood and excrement samples from bald eagles admitted for rehabilitation in Iowa, USA, 2012 and 2013, to determine whether excrement could provide information comparable to blood about Pb exposure. We used linear regression to examine the relationship between excrement and blood Pb levels from 45 bald eagles admitted for rehabilitation and found that excrement Pb levels were statistically significantly related to blood Pb levels (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.68). Specifically, when excrement Pb levels were low, blood Pb levels were also low. We also found patterns in Pb levels as a function of sex, age, season admitted, and fate. We conclude that excrement has the potential to be a valuable tool for investigating Pb exposure in bald eagles. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
American Foreign Policy
Authors: Dumbrell John
Published: December 2015

This book examines the history of US foreign policy since the Vietnam War. It focuses on four themes: the legacy of Vietnam; the ending and aftermath of the Cold War; the debate over American international decline; and the frequently undemocratic conduct of US foreign policy. The book considers alternative explanations for the Cold War's end. It evaluates the foreign policy leadership of Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton and assesses prospects for US foreign policy after the Cold War.
Evidential statistics as a statistical modern synthesis to support 21st century science
Authors: Taper Mark L. , Ponciano José Miguel
Published: December 2015

During the 20th century, population ecology and science in general relied on two very different statistical paradigms to solve its inferential problems: error statistics (also referred to as classical statistics and frequentist statistics) and Bayesian statistics. A great deal of good science was done using these tools, but both schools suffer from technical and philosophical difficulties. At the turning of the 21st century (Royall in Statistical evidence: a likelihood paradigm. Chapman & Hall, London,1997; Lele in The nature of scientific evidence: statistical, philosophical and empirical considerations. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp 191–216,2004a), evidential statistics emerged as a seriously contending paradigm. Drawing on and refining elements from error statistics, likelihoodism, Bayesian statistics, information criteria, and robust methods, evidential statistics is a statistical modern synthesis that smoothly incorporates model identification, model uncertainty, model comparison, parameter estimation, parameter uncertainty, pre‐data control of error, and post‐data strength of evidence into a single coherent framework. We argue that evidential statistics is currently the most effective statistical paradigm to support 21st century science. Despite the power of the evidential paradigm, we think that there is no substitute for learning how to clarify scientific arguments with statistical arguments. In this paper we sketch and relate the conceptual bases of error statistics, Bayesian statistics and evidential statistics. We also discuss a number of misconceptions about the paradigms that have hindered practitioners, as well as some real problems with the error and Bayesian statistical paradigms solved by evidential statistics.
Mineral Chemistry of Clays Associated with the Late Cretaceous-Early Palaeogene Succession of the Um-Sohryngkew River Section of Meghalaya, India: Palaeoenvironmental Inferences and K/Pg Transition
Authors: Pal Sucharita , Shrivastava J. P. , Mukhopadhyay Sanjay K.
Published: December 2015

A unique, continuous, shallow marine succession within the Langpar Formation in the Um-Sohryngkew river section of Meghalaya contains late Maastrichtian through early Danian planktonic foraminiferal biozones (CF4-P1a) and the K/Pg boundary (between CF1 and P0). To resolve compositional overlap [in the three-fold clay mineral based sub-divisions of the section (include 1-2 mm thick yellowish brown clay layer in biozone CF3)] and to understand paleoenvironmental conditions prevalent at the time of K/Pg transition, micro-structural and compositional studies were carried out. The paper discusses accurate compositional limits of solid solubility in smectite and illite. Clay morphological attributes distinctly vary with the changes in the biozonation. Major oxide data plots for the litho-units (samples JP1-16) over binary diagrams, show clustering of plots within the illite compositional field. Plots based on structural formulae and layer charges of illite and kaolinite rich clays (from CF4 to Pla biozones), show closeness with the clay data fields of Agost, Caravaca, Petriccio and El-Kef K/T boundary sections as their charge occupancies at tetrahedral (Zt), octahedral (Zo) and interlayer (Zi) sites are similar. Thermodynamic data plots over ternary [AR23+Si3O10 (OH)2 - R23+SiO4O10(OH)2 - A3AlSi4O10(OH)2] diagram, clustered within the illite compositional fields. Majority of illites shows high K values. They represent occasionally higher Altet. and lower Aloct. layer charges. Calculated palaeotemperature values for illite (from the CF4 to Pla zones) vary from 68 - 232°C. Sudden rise in the temperature (>140°C) of illite formation noticed in the upper part of the biozone CF3 (sample JP-12) is comparable to the K/T boundary layer of Caravaca section. Wide variation in the humid tropical to arid-semiarid climatic and thermal (diagenetic to low grade metamorphic) conditions noticed across the succession is possiby linked with the contemporaneous Abor / Deccan volcanic activities (at the time of their deposition) as also reflected in their clay layer [Si (2.95-3.68)] and interlayer [K+Na (0.4-4.61)] charges.
Spectroscopic and Microstructural Studies of Ruby Gemstones of Sinapalli, Odisha
Authors: Sinha Jatin Kumar , Mishra Pratima Kumari
Published: December 2015

Spectroscopic and microstructural studies of ruby variety corundum samples of Sinapalli, Odisha have been carried out using various physical techniques. FTIR, Micro Raman, photoluminescence along with microstructural and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) data reveal presence of hydroxylated form of alumina on the surface with presence of Cr+3 chromophores. These gemstones contain zircon and rutile inclusions. Upon heat treatment, the colour of the ruby variety of gemstones improved by dissolving rutile inclusion inside the corundum lattice. Detailed data of the both untreated and heat treated samples are discussed in this paper.
Depositional Environments of the Miocene-Pliocene Siliciclastic Succession, Al Rehaili Area, North of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alqahtani Faisal A. , Khalil Mohammed
Published: December 2015

A detailed facies and depositional analysis of the Miocene–Pliocene siliciclastic-dominated sequence (ranges from 10 to 35 m thick) of siliciclastic succession below the basalt rocks have been carried out to interpret the depositional pattern, facies and sedimentary depositional environments. This siliciclastic-dominated succession, underlying Harrat Rahat, belonging to the Miocene–Pliocene is exposed at Al-Rehaili area, North Jeddah. Three main depositional units from bottom to top: Unit I, II and III are identified and correlated. These units comprise of gravels/conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones and mudstones. Sandstones below the basaltic rocks of Harrat Rahat generally contain about 30-70 % quartz, 10-50 % rock fragments, 10-20 % feldspar, 15-40 % detrital clay, 2-8 % iron oxides, and minor amounts of other components. Siltstones are distinguished from sandstones by their finer grain sizes of the quartz silt (45-70 % quart and higher proportion of clay (30-55% detrital clay minerals). Mudstones contain about 25-50 % quartz, 40-60 and detrital clay minerals, 2-8 iron oxides, and minor amounts of other components. Based on petrography, components, textures, fabrics, contacts nature, sedimentary structures, stratal geometry, and stratigraphic relationships, ten facies, covering the three depositional units are distinguished representing fluvial to lacustrine depositional conditions.
A Remote Sensing and GIS Based Approach to Evaluate the Ground Water Prospects of Baghain Watershed, Panna and Satna Districts of M.P., India: A Case Study
Authors: Sharma Ajay Kumar , Shukla J. P.
Published: December 2015

Remote Sensing and GIS, potential tools for facilitating the generation and use of thematic information, has been applied to assess the ground water potentiality of Baghain watershed falling in parts of the Panna and Satna districts, M.P. The role of various parameters namely drainage, lineament, lithology and geomorphology have been emphasized for delineation of ground water potential zones. IRS-1C, LISS III imagery (FCC) on 1:50,000 scale and topographic maps (63 D/5 and 63 D/6) along with field survey have been used as the data source. The various thematic maps have been integrated with the help of GIS applying Index Overlay model to demarcate different groundwater prospects. The resultant map indicates that high prospects is in fractured valley (FV) and pediplain-shallow (PPS) and the moderate prospects in pediment (PD), moderately dissected plateau (PLM) and slightly dissected plateau (PLS), while bute (B), escarpment slope (ES) and mesa (M) show poor prospects for ground water. The groundwater prospect units have been correlated with the discharge of well within the units and it has been found that values match with the units derived from this approach. This study shall be useful in targeting recharge sites as well as drilling sites. The present result shows that integration of all weighted attributes provides more accurate results in groundwater prospects identification.
Lignite Deposits of the Bikaner - Nagaur Basin, around Matasukh-Kasnau in Nagaur District of Rajasthan
Authors: Vyas Arun , Mittal G. S. , Gaur C. P.
Published: December 2015

Lignite deposits of Bikaner–Nagaur basin, lie in Jayal block of Nagaur district of Rajasthan. The sandstone, shale, claystone and lignite sequence repeats at regular intervals. The lignite mines presently 30-40 meters deep below ground level filled up above lignite seams with the brine whenever interruption in dewatering occurs. The Tertiary formations hosting lignite deposits are mined by open cast mining having normal benching heights; along with continuous pumping out of saline groundwater by a battery of tube wells. Liithological samples from Kasnau yielded good assemblage of palynofossils of early Eocene age. The peculiarity of occurrences of rounded boulders and cobbles in near by area are indicative of a Palaeo-channel which could be related to some old river channel like Saraswati or its tributary Drishadwati.
Selección multicriterio de aliado estratégico para la operación de carga terrestre
Authors: Muñoz Marín Luz Stella , Urbano Guerrero Luz Carime , Osorio Gómez Juan Carlos
Published: December 2015

El objetivo de este artículo es presentar un modelo para seleccionar un operador de transporte terrestre, en calidad de aliado estratégico, que fortalezca la gestión integrada de la cadena de suministro. El proceso de selección exige el uso de instrumentos que contribuyan a la toma de decisiones de manera ágil, efectiva y eficaz. En este sentido, el modelo combina el Proceso de Análisis Jerárquico Difuso y la Técnica para el Orden de Preferencia por Similitud con Solución Ideal, considerando elementos científicos y analíticos que facilitan la inclusión de los diferentes criterios y actores conducentes. El modelo, que puede ser aplicable a diferentes tipos de organización, fue validado en una empresa industrial colombiana y permitió identificar el potencial aliado estratégico con las mejores ventajas competitivas.
Günter Blöschl Receives 2015 Robert E. Horton Medal
Authors:   AGU
Published: December 2015

Günter Blöschl was awarded the 2015 Robert E. Horton Medal at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 16 December 2015 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for "outstanding contributions to hydrology."
Synthesis of single-site copper catalysts for methane partial oxidation
Authors: Grundner S. , Luo W. , Sanchez-Sanchez M. , Lercher J. A.
Published: December 2015

Synthesis conditions direct the speciation of Cu2+ in Cu-exchanged mordenite zeolite towards active [Cu3(μ-O)3]2+ species for methane oxidation to methanol.