bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macro PZT MEMS based wide‐tunable coupled line resonator
Authors: Al Ahmad Mahmoud , Soulimane S. , Plana R. , van der Linden K. , Riedel M.
Published: March 2009

Resonators are core components in building advanced radio frequency circuits and systems. Tunable resonators are highly needed for adaptive/tunable microwave components including filters and low‐noise power amplifiers, which are of great potential for the use in future multi‐band multi‐carrier systems. This letter reports a wide tunable two‐coupled microstrip resonator. One of the lines is replaced by a macro MEMS piezoelectric actuator. When bias is applied, the coupling between the two lines is tuned; as a consequence, the center frequency is shifted. This work also takes a close look of the actuator's mechanical resonance. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1336–1338, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24308
The compact quad‐band PCB embedded antenna for mobile handset applications
Authors: Park Gyubok , Hwang Soonho , Park Sungkoo , Byun Joonho , Kim Austin S.
Published: March 2009

A novel compact PCB printed quad‐band antenna using a composite loop and PIFA structure for mobile phones is presented. The proposed antenna is composed of a meandered loop antenna and PIFA having the merits of the loop antenna and PIFA. The antenna element is printed on the top ungrounded portion (34.5 mm (W) × 17 mm (L)) of a 0.8‐mm thick FR4 substrate of a mobile phone PCB. Despite the low volume and low profile of the antenna structure, it can fulfill the bandwidth requirements of the GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900, and UMTS2100 systems with sufficiently high efficiency, thus making it a promising antenna candidate for future mobile terminals. The antenna design was carried out using a high‐frequency structure simulator (HFSS) by Ansoft, and the modeling structure of the mobile handsets was obtained with the aid of the commercially available simulation software SEMCAD. The overall radiation pattern is suitable for mobile applications. To demonstrate the proposed design, simulated and measured results are presented and discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1332–1336, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24309
Parallel implementation of the ADI‐FDTD method
Authors: Stefański T. , Drysdale T. D.
Published: March 2009

We present a parallel implementation of the three‐dimensional alternating direction implicit finite‐difference time‐domain (ADI‐FDTD) method in Cartesian coordinates using the message passing interface (MPI) library. Parallel implementations not only speed up computations but also increase the maximum solvable problem size. The application of the ADI scheme results in freeing the time‐step size from the Courant‐Friedrichs‐Lewy stability constraint. We demonstrate a speedup of the ADI‐FDTD method through parallelization, even though the communication overhead between the processors is proportional to the volume of the domain, rather than just the surface area of the subdomains as for standard parallel FDTD. We benchmarked our code on an IBM p690 symmetric multiprocessor and also a distributed memory computer cluster with a high‐bandwidth Infiniband interconnect. In both cases, satisfactory scalability and efficiency was demonstrated for simulation domains comprising up to 8 billion mesh cells. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1298–1304, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24310
A CMOS LC injection‐locked frequency divider with the division ratio of 2 and 3
Authors: Jang Sheng‐Lyang , Lee Chien‐Feng , Luo Jhong‐Chen
Published: March 2009

This article proposes a new CMOS LC‐tank injection locked frequency divider (ILFD) fabricated in a 0.18‐μm CMOS process and describes the operation principle of the ILFD. The ILFD circuit is realized with a double cross‐coupled CMOS LC‐tank oscillator with a symmetric MOS‐switched LC resonator. The ILFD can be used as a first‐harmonic injection‐locked oscillator, divide‐by‐2 and divide‐by‐3 frequency divider depending upon the frequency of the injection signal. Measurement results show that at the supply voltage of 1.8 V, the free‐running frequency is from 5.12 to 5.64 GHz. The core current and power consumption of the divider are 2.76 mA and 4.97 mW, respectively. At the incident power of 0 dBm, the locking range is from the incident frequency 9.48 to 11.48 GHz (15.04 to 17.12 GHz) in the divide‐by‐2(3) mode. © 2009 Wiley Pe riodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1263–1267, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24312
Compact modified trapezoid‐shaped ultra‐wideband antenna with parasitic loops
Authors: Jung Jinwoo , Lee Hyeonjin , Lim Yeongseog
Published: March 2009

A modified trapezoid‐shaped monopole antenna for ultra‐wideband operation having compact dimensions (12.7 × 22.5 × 1.6 mm3) is proposed. With a modified trapezoid radiator and parasitic loops, the proposed antenna has a very wide impedance bandwidth measured at 8.41 GHz (3.06–11.47 GHz, defined by 2:1 VSWR). The group delay, phase, and transmission loss are also measured and discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1261–1263, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24313
Miniaturization interdigital hairpin microstrip bandpass filter
Authors: Hsu Cheng‐Hsing , Tung Hsin‐Han , Hsu Chen‐Kang
Published: March 2009

A four‐pole elliptic function bandpass filter is designed using compact miniaturized microstrip interdigital hairpin resonator. Miniaturization hairpin resonator is realized by using an interdigital structure having parallel coupled lines. The full‐wave simulator IE3D is used to design the interdigital hairpin resonator and to calculate the coupling coefficient of the basic coupling strictures. The response of the fabricated filters using FR4 substrate is designed at a centre frequency of 1.8 GHz. The compact size and the performance of this class of filter have been demonstrated. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1363–1366, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24314
Dual‐mode dual‐band bandpass filter based on double‐sided parallel‐strip line
Authors: Yin Zhang Xiu , Shi Jin , Chen Jian‐Xin , Xue Quan
Published: March 2009

This article presents a dual‐mode dual‐band bandpass filter based on double‐sided parallel‐strip line with an inserted conductor plane. Due to the isolation property of the conductor plane, this structure can provide two separate transmission paths to generate two passbands. No extra combination circuits are required at the input/output ports, simplifying the design and reducing circuit area. To demonstrate this idea, an experimental filter is implemented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1361–1363, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24315
Compact coplanar design for harmonic suppression in microstrip antenna
Authors: Xiao Shaoqiu , Wang Bing‐Zhong , Jiang Li , Gao Shanshan
Published: March 2009

In this letter, the compact coplanar designs of the microstrip antenna are performed to suppress the harmonic radiations. The antennas with the second‐order harmonic suppression as well as the second‐ and the third‐order harmonic suppressions are designed, respectively. The results indicate that good harmonic suppression performance is achieved without increasing remarkably additional circuit area and decreasing antenna performances. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1326–1329, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24317
Wide‐band low‐loss CPW‐based composite right/left‐handed transmission line
Authors: Dolatsha Nemat , Shahabadi Mahmoud
Published: March 2009

In this article, a coplanar waveguide (CPW)‐based composite right/left‐handed transmission line (CRLH TL) is introduced. The structure is realized by parallel‐plate series capacitors (C) and shunt CPW stub inductors (L). Using a symmetric configuration for the unit cells along with searching for optimum values of LC components, we reduce the insertion loss and achieve wider LH‐bandwidth. For the symmetric CRLH TL, a LH‐passband extending from 1.3 to 4 GHz and a RH‐passband extending from 4 to 6.5 GHz are measured. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1388–1390, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24319
9.1 dBm IIP3 36 dB gain controllable LNA for WCDMA in 0.13‐μm CMOS
Authors: Phan Tuan Anh , Farrell Ronan , Lee Sang‐Gug
Published: March 2009

This article presents a low‐power, high‐linearity cascode‐type low noise amplifier (LNA) with 36 dB of variable gain for the WIDE Code Division Multiple Access systems. By enhancing the substrate resistance of a common gate transistor along with adopting multiple‐gate technique, the linearity is significantly improved. Shunt‐current steering is adopted for smooth gain control. Step gain mode is used to further increase the gain control range. The main common source transistor is disabled in attenuation mode, saving unwanted power consumption. Measurements show maximum gain of 12.3 dB with S11 of −19.5 dB, and S22 of −14 dB. The total gain control range is 36 dB. NF is measured as 2 dB and two‐tone test shows 9.1 dBm of IIP3. Implemented in 0.13‐μm CMOS technology, the LNA consumes only 1.6 mA at maximum gain mode and only 0.2 mA in attenuation mode from 1.2 V supply. Its die size is 0.3 mm2. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1385–1388, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24320
Resonant properties of the Sierpinski‐based fractal resonator and its application on low‐loss miniaturized dual‐mode bandpass filter
Authors: Ye Chang‐Sin , Su Yan‐Kuin , Weng Min‐Hang , Wu Hung‐Wei
Published: March 2009

In this article, resonant characteristics of novel microstrip resonators based on the Sierpinski carpet fractal geometries are proposed in detail. With increasing the iteration order of the Sierpinski‐based fractal resonators, the resonant frequency is decreased but the unloaded quality factor is slightly enhanced. The resonant properties are discussed using the RLC equivalent circuit. Additional, the design guide for bandpass filter using the nth order resonator is also developed. Using these fractal resonators, several dual‐mode bandpass filters using different order resonators can be designed and fabricated to verify the advantages of the size and insertion loss reduction. It is also found good agreement between the simulation and measurement is achieved. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1358–1361, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24321
Effect of tapering shape on performance of broadside‐coupled directional couplers
Authors: Abbosh Amin M.
Published: March 2009

A theoretical model is used to investigate effect of the tapering shape on performance of the broadside‐coupled directional coupler. It is shown that the tapering shape has a significant effect on the overall performance. Concave shapes give a broader bandwidth compared with the convex shapes. The model also shows that a proper choice of the tapering shape can result in a significant improvement in the performance across a wide bandwidth. The theoretical findings of the model are supported by simulations, and measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1285–1288, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24325
Low‐profile GSM‐DCS‐PCS‐UMTS wire patch antenna on small ground plane
Authors: Assila Labhib , Ribero Jean‐Marc , Staraj Robert , Dubard Jean‐Lou
Published: March 2009

A small radiating element, designed to work simultaneously in GSM‐DCS‐PCS‐UMTS‐frequency bands, totally made up of metallic square parts on an air substrate is described. The total size of the supporting ground plane is smaller than λ/2 for the lower working frequency. By stacking two square wire‐patches, it is well‐known that both compactness, large bandwidth, and monopolar wire radiation pattern can be achieved. However, multiband behavior is always difficult to obtain using only stacked elements. The antenna proposed in this article uses two U slots in the upper plate to obtain the two desired frequency bandwidths. This new structure allows an easy realization and can be protected by a dielectric radome that could be taken into account during the optimization of the structure. Owing to its low profile, low cost and radioelectric properties such as large bandwidth and dipolar type radiation pattern, this antenna is very suitable for automobile or indoor ceiling applications needing a very small ground plane. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1247–1250, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24327
Characterization of interdigital stub with defected ground structure
Authors: Pyo Seongmin , Baik Jung‐Woo , Lee Dong‐Hyo , Kim Young‐Sik
Published: March 2009

A new scheme with an interdigital line and a defected ground structure for dual‐band operation is dealt with in this letter. The proposed structure is analyzed using a series L‐C resonator model added a parasitic shunt capacitance. The nonlinear phase of this structure is dependent on the dumbbell size of the defected ground. This proposed scheme is applicable for a short‐ended stub circuit and a dual pass‐band filter at the centre frequencies of 860 and 1810 MHz. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1353–1356, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24331
Hybrid IPO‐BI‐FEM for the analysis of 2D large radome with complex structure
Authors: Meng Hongfu , Dou Wenbin
Published: March 2009

In this article, the iterative physical optics‐boundary integral‐finite element method (IPO‐BI‐FEM) is proposed for the analysis of electrically large radomes with complex structures, such as the multilayered tip, the rain erosion protective cap. The flat smooth sections of the radome are modeled using physical optics (PO), and the boundary integral‐finite element method (BI‐FEM) is adopted to treat the complex structures and their near regions. The fields radiated from the PO currents are coupled into the BI‐FEM equation to realize the hybridization. This hybrid method is employed iteratively to account for the mutual interactions among the radome, resulting into IPO‐BI‐FEM. The present method is more accurate than high frequency method for analyzing radomes with complex structures and more efficient than low frequency method for electrically large radomes analysis. The validation examples and some numerical results are presented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1348–1353, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24332
0.7 V supply highly linear subthreshold low‐noise amplifier design for 2.4 GHz wireless sensor network applications
Authors: Jhon Hee‐Sauk , Jung Hakchul , Koo Minsuk , Song Ickhyun , Shin Hyungcheol
Published: March 2009

A low supply voltage and highly linear subthreshold CMOS low noise amplifier (LNA) for 2.4 GHz wireless sensor network applications is presented in this letter. We applied multiple gated transistor (MGTR) technique in subthreshold region to compensate the linearity degradation of low supply cascode topology. Moreover, the feedback capacitor, Cf is used to enhance the power gain of amplifier without additional dc‐power dissipation. The proposed LNA has gain of 13.1 dB, noise figure (NF) of 3.8 dB, and −2.5 dBm IIP3 while dissipating only 0.49 mW from 0.7 V supply. The LNA has been designed using a 0.13 μm 1P8M standard CMOS process with top metal thickness of 3.3 μm. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1316–1320, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24333
Membrane‐based fiber Bragg grating pressure sensor with high sensitivity
Authors: Liu Lihui , Li Yanqiu , He Yongtai , Li Fang , Liu Yuliang
Published: March 2009

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) pressure sensor packaged by using a hard core in the membrane is presented. By utilizing the unique membrane‐based FBG packaging method, its pressure sensitivity has been effectively enhanced. The pressure sensitivity of the FBG reaches 5.75 × 10−3/MPa within the pressure range of 0–0.16 Mpa. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1279–1281, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24335
Internal planar WWAN laptop computer antenna using monopole slot elements
Authors: Wong Kin‐Lu , Chu Fang‐Hsien
Published: March 2009

A planar WWAN (wireless wide area network) antenna comprising two monopole slots operated at their quarter‐wavelength modes for GSM850/900/1800/1900/UMTS operation in the laptop computer is presented. With the use of monopole slot elements, the antenna can be easily printed on an inexpensive FR4 substrate and show a planar structure for promising applications in the thin‐profile laptop computer. The antenna can provide two wide operating bands at about 900 and 1900 MHz to cover all the five operating bands for WWAN operation and yet occupies a small area of 10 × 75 mm2 in the narrow spacing between the display and the laptop computer casing. The user's hand effects on the antenna performances when the touch panel or touch screen is used for the laptop computer are also studied. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1274–1279, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24336
Low‐frequency miniaturized dual‐band frequency selective surfaces with close band spacing
Authors: Xu Rong‐Rong , Zong Zhi‐Yuan , Wu Wen
Published: March 2009

In this article, a novel miniaturized dual‐band frequency selective surface (FSS) with close band spacing is presented, in which each periodic cell consists of double square loops with different capacitive loadings. The dimension of the unit cell is miniaturized by loading with ceramic chip capacitors. To eliminate the undesired coupling between unit cells, the unit cells are placed in the substrate integrated waveguide cavity structure. As a result, a dual‐band FSS with close band spacing is designed, both simulated and measured results show that the dual‐band FSS operates over DCS1800 (1.8 GHz) and Bluetooth (2.45 GHz) frequency range. And the FSS dimension is miniaturized to 0.114 λ (λ refers to the resonant wavelength of 1.8 GHz). Furthermore, it has very good stability to oblique incidence waves for both TE and TM polarization. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1238–1240, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24338
Compact CPW‐fed planar monopole antenna for dual‐band WLAN applications
Authors: Zhang Tian‐Ling , Yan Ze‐Hong , Song Yue , Chen Lei
Published: March 2009

A compact and simple monopole antenna with CPW‐fed structure is proposed for application in dual‐band WLAN systems. The proposed antenna, which resembles the shape of the letter “e”, has a compact size of only 27 × 18 × 1.6 mm3 including the ground. By fabricated and measured, the proposed antenna covers both 2.4 GHz (2.4–2.484 GHz) and 5 GHz (5.15–5.825 GHz) bands and provides good radiation characteristics and antenna gains for the operating bands. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1377–1379, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24339
Reproductive assessment of hydroalcohol extract of Calendula officinalis L. in Wistar rats
Authors: Silva Erick J. R. , Costa‐Silva João H. , Evêncio Liriane B. , Fraga Maria do Carmo C. A. , Coelho Maria Cristina O. C. , Wanderley Almir G.
Published: March 2009

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the administration of a hydroalcohol extract of Calendula officinalis L. flowers (HAE) on the reproductive function of Wistar rats. Four groups of adult male rats were treated orally with HAE at doses of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg for 60 consecutive days. From day 53 to 60 of treatment, rats were mated with untreated and fertile female rats. Reproductive parameters including testicular morphology, reproductive organ weights, fertility index and offspring viability were evaluated. In another protocol, groups of pregnant rats were treated orally with the same doses of HAE from days 1 to 6 (preimplantation period), 7 to 14 (organogenic period) or 15 to 19 (fetal period) of pregnancy. On day 20 of pregnancy, rats were killed for evaluation of maternal and fetal parameters. The results showed that the treatment with HAE did not affect male reproductive parameters. Besides, it was non‐toxic in the preimplantation and organogenic periods of pregnancy. However, the HAE induced a decrease of the maternal weight gain when administered during the fetal period. In conclusion, the HAE did not affect male fertility nor had toxic effects in early and middle periods of pregnancy. However, the HAE caused maternal toxicity when administered during the fetal period of pregnancy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anti‐inflammatory properties of cryptolepine
Authors: Olajide Olumayokun A. , Ajayi Abayomi M. , Wright Colin W.
Published: March 2009

Cryptolepine is the major alkaloid of the West African shrub, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. Cryptolepine has been shown to inhibit nitric oxide production, and DNA binding of Nuclear Factor‐kappa B following inflammatory stimuli in vitro. In order to validate the anti‐inflammatory property of this compound in vivo, we investigated its effects on a number of animal models of inflammation. Cryptolepine (10–40 mg/kg i.p.) produced significant dose‐dependent inhibition of the carrageenan‐induced rat paw oedema, and carrageenan‐induced pleurisy in rats. These effects were compared with those of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug indomethacin (10 mg/kg). At doses of 10–40 mg/kg i.p., cryptolepine inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced microvascular permeability in mice in a dose‐related fashion. Oral administration of up to 40 mg/kg of the compound for four consecutive days did not induce gastric lesion formation in rats. Analgesic activity was also exhibited by cryptolepine through a dose‐related (10–40 mg/kg i.p.) inhibition of writhing induced by i.p. administration of acetic acid in mice. The results of this study reveal that cryptolepine possesses in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuroactive flavonoid glycosides from Tilia petiolaris DC. extracts
Authors: Loscalzo Leonardo M. , Wasowski Cristina , Marder Mariel
Published: March 2009

Pharmacological assay guided purification of an ethanol extract of Tilia petiolaris DC. inflorescences resulted in the isolation and identification of isoquercitrin (ISO), quercetin 3‐O‐glucoside‐7‐O‐rhamnoside (QUE) and kaempferol 3‐O‐glucoside‐7‐O‐rhamnoside (KAE). The behavioral actions of these glycosylated flavonoids were examined in the hole board, locomotor activity and thiopental‐induced loss of righting reflex tests in mice. QUE (10 and 30 mg/kg) and KAE (30 mg/kg), intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered to mice, reduced all the parameters measured in the hole board test, but ISO (30 mg/kg) only reduced the number of rearings. Meanwhile QUE at 30 mg/kg i.p. also decreased the ambulatory locomotor activity and increased the sodium thiopental‐induced time of loss of the righting reflex suggesting a clear depressant action.

The above results demonstrate the occurrence of neuroactive flavonoid glycosides in Tilia. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench extract on experimental prostate hyperplasia
Authors: Skaudickas D. , Kondrotas A. J. , Kevelaitis E. , Venskutonis P. R.
Published: March 2009

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L. Moench) on the prostate gland of rats using an experimental model of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The animals were administered 50 mg/kg of extract preparation for 4 and 8 weeks and the prostate mass and structural degenerative changes were evaluated in the course of the experiment. The administration of E. purpurea extract to rats with hyperplasia for 4 and 8 weeks gradually and significantly reduced the prostate mass and reversed the degenerative changes in the structure of the prostate gland. The present investigation suggests extract of purple coneflower prevents the development of BPH. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of lung metastasis in mice by oligonol
Authors: Lee Sung‐Jae , Chung Ill‐Min , Kim Min‐Young , Park Keum‐Duk , Park Won‐Wan , Moon Hyung‐In
Published: March 2009

Oligonol is a polyphenol formulation enriched with catechin‐type oligomers. As an initial approach to assess the chemopreventive potential of Oligonol, the study investigated the effects of Oligonol on the inhibition of lung metastasis induced by B16F‐10 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice. Oligonol, which is abundantly found in plants, vegetables and fruits, was found to possess antimetastatic activity against B16F‐10 melanoma cells. Continued consumption of Oligonol, even at high doses, for long periods does not seem to cause any toxic symptoms because excess Oligonol is stored in adipose tissue rather than in the liver. However, the mechanism by which Oligonol exerts its antimetastatic activity remains unclear. Further investigations are required to clarify the exact role of Oligonol in such B16F‐10 melanoma regulation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2,2′‐Bipyridine as both Bridging and Terminal Ligand in the Binuclear Palladium Complex [(μ‐η1,η1‐bpy){Pd(Me)(bpy)}2](SbF6)2 – Structure and Spectroscopic Properties
Authors: Klein Axel , Lepski Robert
Published: March 2009

2,2′‐Bipyridine (bpy) acts as both chelate and bridging ligand in the novel complex [(μ‐η1,η1‐bpy){Pd(Me)(bpy)}2](SbF6)2. The structure determination (crystallised in monoclinic C2/c) reveals the unusual bridging behaviour of bpy. The title complex, together with the derivative containing 4,4′‐dimethyl‐bipyridine (dmbpy) as ligand, together with the monomolecular precursor complexes [PdCl(Me)(N–N)] (N–N = bpy or dmbpy) were fully characterised by multinuclear NMR‐ and UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy.
Rat marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells developed in a medium supplemented with the autologous versus bovine serum
Authors: Eslaminejad Mohamadreza Baghaban , Rouhi Leila , Arabnajafi Mahmood , Baharvand Hossein
Published: March 2009

The controversial effect of autologous serum (AS) on human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was studied in rat MSC culture. Rat bone marrow cells were plated in a medium containing either FBS (fetal bovine serum) or AS were cultured to passage 3, during which the population doubling number (PDN) of both cultures were measured and compared statistically. The number of viable cells, the cell colonogic activity, and cell growth rate were also compared. In addition, mineralization in the osteogenic cultures from each system was measured. Our data indicated that AS enriched medium provided a microenvironment in which growth rate as well as bone differentiation of the isolated MSCs were significantly higher than in FBS enriched medium.
IGF‐1 and G‐CSF complement each other in BMSC migration towards infarcted myocardium in a novel in vitro model
Authors: Khan Mohsin , Manzoor Sobia , Mohsin Sadia , Khan Shaheen N. , Ahmad Fridoon Jawad
Published: March 2009

Stem cell capability enhanced with cytokine administration is a promising treatment for myocardial infarction. Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from C57BL/6 mice (8–12 weeks old) expressing GFP and characterized with c‐kit and CD34. Infarcted heart tissue fragments were placed into dishes with BMSCs and medium supplemented with G‐CSF, SCF, IGF‐1 or combinations thereof were given to the BMSC‐infarcted myocardium in vitro model. The IGF‐1–G‐CSF group showed significantly higher migration (67.7% ± 2.6) of c‐kit+ BMSCs towards the ischemic tissue and expressed MEF‐2 (43.7% ± 1.7). Of the single treatment groups, the G‐CSF group demonstrated significantly higher migration of c‐kit+ BMSCs (60.5 ± 2.7) with MEF‐2 expression (38.7 ± 1.4). IGF‐1 complements G‐CSF and was relatively more significant in its effects on BMSC migration and cardiac lineage commitment towards ischemic heart tissue.
Effects of mutations on HIV‐1 infectivity and neutralization involving the conserved NNNT amino acid sequence in the gp120 V3 loop
Authors: Polzer Svenja , Müller Harm , Schreiber Michael
Published: March 2009

The N‐glycan g15 within the HIV‐1 gp120 V3 loop efficiently blocks antibodies to facilitate viral escape from humoral immune responses. However, we have isolated primary viruses all lacking the N‐glycosylation site g15 due to mutations (NNNT > YRNA, HNTV, SIQK), which showed resistance to neutralizing antibodies present in autologous or heterologous HIV‐1 positive sera. When introduced into the NL4‐3 background, the sequences YRNA, HNTV and SIQK caused an increase of viral infectivity and resistance to neutralization. Thus, despite the lack of g15, primary isolates can escape from neutralization because of specific mutations of the NNNT sequence altering coreceptor usage.
Brefeldin A inhibits expression of DNA packaging proteins and nucleocapsid formation of human cytomegalovirus
Authors: Kregler Oliver , Schilf Rita , Lander Angelika , Bannert Norbert , Bogner Elke
Published: March 2009

In this study we used the fungal antibiotic brefeldin A (BFA) to analyze its effect on viral replication. Analysis by electron microscopy demonstrated that no viral particles were observed in cells treated before the onset of viral replication. In the presence of BFA expression of IE2, MCP, pUL104, pUL56 and pUL89 were reduced, while no or slight effect was observed on expression of pp65, pUL44 and pUL57. Strikingly, real time PCR revealed that de novo viral DNA synthesis is reduced but not completely abolished in the presence of BFA. These results indicated that BFA represents a multi‐functional compound leading to inhibition of several steps of viral maturation such as expression of viral DNA packaging proteins and capsid formation.
Bax—an emerging role in ectopic cell death
Authors: Dicou Eleni , Perez‐Polo J. Regino
Published: March 2009

During embryonic and early postnatal development the combination of cell proliferation, migration, survival and cell death is intimately regulated. In the mouse embryo, significant numbers of primordial germ cells, the founder cells of the gametes, fail to migrate correctly to the genital ridges early in histogenesis. Studies in Bcl‐2 associated X protein null mice (Bax−/−) have shown that the pro‐apoptotic Bax gene is required for the programmed cell death of germ cells left in ectopic locations during and after germ cell migration. Independent studies carried out in the central nervous system of Bax−/− mice have shown impaired and ectopic neuronal migration in the cerebellum and olfactory bulb during development and in the adult hippocampus. Taken together, these evidences identify Bax as a major mechanism in ectopic cell death and are the subject of this review.
Constitutively enhanced p21Ras activity amplifies dendritic remodeling of hippocampal neurons during physical activity
Authors: Alpár Alán , Naumann Nicole , Arendt Thomas , Gärtner Ulrich
Published: March 2009

In the present study we show that overexpression of constitutively active Ras amplifies the dendritic remodeling observed when animals were allowed to be physically active. The monomeric G‐protein Ras is a key molecular trigger of distinct signal transduction pathways that play an important role in proper functioning of neurons. Our previous studies on Ras‐transgenic synRas mice have demonstrated a considerable impact of Ras on dendritic growth, extension and synaptic connectivity of neurons. Voluntary access to a running wheel resulted in enlargement of hippocampal pyramidal cell dendrites in wild‐type mice as expected. However, constitutively elevated Ras activity further enhanced dendritic growth and branching especially of apical arbors. The resultant dendritic surface gain was paralleled by a significant increase in dendritic spine density. Since Ras is crucially involved in signaling and cascades of neurotrophins that are elevated after physical activity, these results strongly suggest an important role of Ras in dendritic dynamics during induced neuronal remodeling.
Laboratory Robotics Instruction for Undergraduates at Montclair State University
Authors: Olsen Kevin Kjell
Published: March 2009

Students in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at Montclair state University have several opportunities to learn about laboratory robotics. A unit on robotics is included in the senior level instrumental analysis class at the end of the spring semester. Students are also able to receive individual instruction on the robotic systems and high-school students have developed automated procedures during summer enrichment programs.

An important component of the program is the competition setup between the men and women students of the instrumental analysis class. This keeps student attention focused on the exercises without the need to assign homework. This short article describes the equipment used by the department, provides an overview of how it is used, and contains informal observations made by the author about the student experience.
Triethanolamine Nanocomposite-Based Chemiresistive Nitrogen Dioxide Gas Sensor
Authors: Meka Divakara , George Linda A. , Prasad Shalini
Published: March 2009

We present here the development of a triethanolamine (TEA) nanocomposite-based chemiresistive gas sensor for detecting NO2 in the ambient environment. The detection mechanism is based on measuring resistivity changes that occur in a nanocomposite due to the absorption and continuous reaction of NO2 gas molecules with TEA. By incorporating carbon nanoparticles into the nanocomposite, NO2-induced resistance changes are amplified by the nanocomposite and measured. Based on calibration, the sensor has a calculated sensitivity of ∼50 parts per billion (ppbv) (limit of detection) to NO2 with a response time of 2 min. Sensor did not react with exposure to NO, O3, CO, CO2, and SO2. Sensor prototype is compact, cost effective, and has the capability of being modularized for field deployments, which are the key requirements for developing portable sensor technology for air quality monitoring.
A System for LogD Screening of New Drug Candidates using a Water-Plug Injection Method and Automated Liquid Handler
Authors: Yamashita Taro , Nishimura Ikuko , Nakamura Tatsuji , Fukami Takehiro
Published: March 2009

An efficient system for screening for the octanol/water distribution coefficient (logD) was developed. We previously developed a 96-well—based high-speed logD assay system (HSlogD) using a water-plug aspiration/injection method by auto liquid sampler (HTS-PAL) to analyze the water phase without contamination of the upper octanol phase. In this report, we introduce an automated liquid-handling system (Biomek2000) into the previously reported HSlogD system to dilute the octanol phase automatically. As a result, throughput is increased, allowing the analysis of 400 compounds per week with a range of 0 < logD < 5.
Discussion of Open-Source Methodologies in Laboratory Automation
Authors: Benn Neil D. , Liscouski Joe
Published: March 2009

Many industries, both within and outside healthcare, have benefited from the adoption of open-source software and open standards. Notable examples of this include the use of open-source languages, such as Python and Perl to perform both chemo- and bioinformatics work. In parallel industries, most of the world's largest Web sites operate on open-source software both in the operating system (Linux) and the Web server software (Apache).

However, the field of laboratory automation has neither adopted nor created a great deal of standards and has also not taken advantage of the wide range of open-source software available. This article introduces open-source software and discusses the benefits to a wider world and the possible advantages to the field of drug discovery and laboratory automation.
Memory issues pertaining to social marketing messages about behavior enactment versus non‐enactment
Authors: Freeman Dan , Shapiro Stewart , Brucks Merrie
Published: March 2009

This article examines efficiency issues pertaining to social marketing messages about behavior enactment (e.g., smoker) vs. non‐enactment (e.g., nonsmoker). Building on a wealth of psycholinguistics research, we posit that underlying differences in the processing and storage of word concepts with affixal negations affect learning and memory for these concepts (i.e., associations with non‐enactment concepts will be harder to learn and remember than associations with enactment concepts). Two experiments support our predictions, suggesting that messages about enactment will demonstrate superior efficiency. Implications of study findings are discussed in terms of possibilities for improving the efficiency of social marketing messages about non‐enactment.
Engaging the consumer: The opposing forces of regulatory nonfit versus fit
Authors: Lee Angela Y.
Published: March 2009

Higgins and Scholer (Higgins, E. T., and Scholer, A. A. (2009). Engaging the consumer: The science and art of the value creation process. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 19(2), 100‐114) propose that while opposing forces do not create value, value is created when people engage in the act of countering these forces. To the extent that feeling wrong from regulatory nonfit may be perceived as an opposing force, their hypothesis can be extended to understanding regulatory nonfit effects. More specifically, while regulatory nonfit does not create value, the experience of regulatory nonfit may signal that something “feels wrong”. Consumers may be prompted to counter this feeling wrong experience when they are involved in the decision making process, and this intervention in turn leads to value creation.
The effects of physical distance between regular and sale prices on numerical difference perceptions
Authors: Coulter Keith S. , Norberg Patricia A.
Published: March 2009

This paper draws upon the psychological, psycho‐physiological, and numerical cognition literature(s) to suggest that numerical difference perceptions may be influenced by the physical distance between two prices. In the context of four experiments, we find that a greater horizontal separation of prices leads to greater difference (and hence price‐discount) perceptions. The greater price‐discount perceptions are linked to a higher perceived value and increased purchase likelihood. The effect is not observed for prices separated by large versus small vertical distances. The processing mechanisms driving our results involve the automatic and non‐conscious encoding of “magnitude representations” (i.e., judgments of relative size) related to both relevant (numerical difference) and non‐relevant (physical distance) dimensions.
Say the right thing: Apologies, reputability, and punishment
Authors: Wooten David B.
Published: March 2009

This research investigates how and when apologies work. Findings from three studies suggest that apologies influence punishment decisions, but not by reducing concerns about recidivism or perceptions of bad intentions. The extent to which future expectancies or perceived intent mediates the effects of apologies on punishment depends on the offender's reputability. However, the perceived appropriateness of the response fully mediates the effect of apologies on punishment, regardless of the offender's reputability. Overall, the findings suggest that saying the right thing helps those who do the wrong thing, but not by influencing others' beliefs about their past intentions or future behaviors.
Observed occurrence of Tritrichomonas foetus and other enteric parasites in Australian cattery and shelter cats⋆
Authors: Bissett Sally A. , Stone Maria L. , Malik Richard , Norris Jacqueline M. , O'Brien Carolyn , Mansfield Caroline S. , Nicholls Julia M. , Griffin Alison , Gookin Jody L.
Published: March 2009

Cattery-housed pedigree cats, located mostly within the USA, have the highest reported prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus (T foetus) to date. This prospective, multi-institutional, cross sectional study examines the occurrence of T foetus and other enteric parasites in cattery-housed and shelter cats within Australia, where T foetus has only recently been identified. Faecal specimens were collected from 134 cats, including 82 cattery-housed pedigree cats and 52 shelter cats. Faecal examinations performed for most cats included concentration techniques, Snap Giardia test, culture in InPouch medium, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of T foetus ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) genes using species-specific primers. Observed occurrence of T foetus, Giardia species, Isospora species and Toxascaris leonina for cattery-housed cats (and catteries) were 0%, 7.4 (13.8)%, 10.9 (22.6)% and 1.6 (3.2)%, respectively. Observed occurrence of T foetus, Giardia species, Isospora species and hookworms for shelter cats were 0%, 11.5%, 9.8% and 4.9%, respectively. These results suggest the prevalence of T foetus in cattery-housed cats is currently much lower in Australia than in the USA, while Isospora and Giardia species infections are common.
Training Workshop: Cognitive Psychotherapy and Wisdom Strategies in the Treatment of Adjustment Disorders
Authors: Linden M.
Published: March 2009

The goal of this training workshop is to give an introduction in recent developments of wisdom psychology and their bearing for cognitive psychotherapy of adjustment disorders.

Negative life events like divorce, dead of a beloved one, job loss etc. require enhanced coping. If this is not sufficient it can result in adjustment or other mental disorders. One factor which often contributes to pathological developments in the context of negative life events is embitterment because of the feeling of having been treated unfair, been let down or been humiliated. If embitterment is present then there is a tendency not to recover spontaneously but rather to take a chronic course.

There is a new approach in the treatment for such adjustment disorders which is based on recent developments in wisdom psychology. Wisdom has been defined as the capacity to cope with unsolvable and serious problems and questions in life. It has been shown:

a.

that persons who are not successful in coping with negaive life events lack wisdom capacities,

b.

that wisdom capacities can be trained, and

c.

that cognitive treatment which uses wisdom strategies is helpful in the treatment of adjustment disorders and especially those with prolonged embitterment reactions.

This training workshop will:

•

inform about the clincial features of adjustment disorders and especially posttraumatic embitterment disorders;

•

give an introduction in recent developments of wisdom psychology;

•

teach the esentials of wisdom psychotherapy.
Evidence and Ethics in Psychiatric Coercive Practices, A Neglected Dilemma?
Authors: Palmstierna T.
Published: March 2009

Sound humanitarian psychiatry has for long, perhaps always struggled with the conflict between being therapeutical with the patients best interest at hand and the demand for restricting and applying coercive measures against the patients will and autonomy for the sake of protecting the integrity and security of not only the patient, but also her/his surroundings. This conflict includes a number of ethical issues such as preserving the patients’ autonomy, safeguarding the autonomy and security of the patients’ family as well as societal interests.

At the same time, some psychiatric research deals with the evidence of psychiatrically motivated restrictive and coercive measures and their possible therapuetic effect. Recent reviews have found that there is no evidence for the therapeutic effect of coercive measures. In view of the reasons for coercive measures, the issue of its therapeutical effects seems wrongly addressed.

It will be argued in this presentation that the issue is how psychiatry intended for the most severely disturbed patients should live up to delivering ethically sound services is a question of proper supervision. The presentation will problematise these issues as well as arguing that psychiatry intended for the most severely disturbed has to be politically controled within the frame of a democratic society with sound ethical human principles.
Psychopathology and Phenomenology: Psychiatric Historism or Increasing Relevance in the Era of Neuroscience?
Authors: Hoff P.
Published: March 2009

Psychopathology is a central tool for psychiatry, in clinical practice as well as in research. And phenomenological psychopathology is an important theoretical and methodological approach. However, both terms may carry very different and even contradictory meanings. In this lecture I shall trace the historical roots of both concepts and argue for their significance beyond the historical dimension. Especially regarding the necessity to link neuroscientific data with the clinical level, i.e. with the individual patient, psychopathology in general and phenomenological aspects in particular are likely to gain influence in the future. This will be discussed in detail and exemplified by recent publications.
Recent Phenomenological Developments in Psychopathology of Schizophrenia
Authors: Parnas J.
Published: March 2009

Nancy Andreasen (2007) published a bleak assessment of the consequences of introducing operational criteria for psychiatric diagnosis (DSM-III and subsequent editions). She lists a widespread ignorance of features that are not themselves criteria, dehumanisation of psychiatric praxis, and unquestioned belief in reified rigidly conceived diagnostic categories with poor validity.

Moreover, we could add that subjectivity-aversive stance has had a negative consequence for etiological, preventive and therapeutic efforts in schizophrenia. As an example of phenomenological approach, integrated with empirical design, a series of studies of disorders of self-experience in schizophrenia is presented.