bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency and Outcome of Arrhythmias Complicating Admission During Pregnancy: Experience From a High‐volume and Ethnically‐diverse Obstetric Service
Authors: Li Jian‐Ming , Nguyen Carol , Joglar Jose A. , Hamdan Mohamed H. , Page Richard L
Published: November 2008

Background

Arrhythmias are reported during pregnancy, although hospitalization for these infrequent events is not fully characterized. The frequency and outcome of arrhythmias during pregnancy are unknown.

Methods

Between 1992 and 2000, there were 136,422 pregnancy‐related admissions to Parkland Memorial Hospital (Dallas, TX, USA). Using the discharge diagnosis data bank and the International Classification of Disease, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) coding system, we identified 226 admissions (218 patients) where cardiac arrhythmias and intrauterine pregnancy were both reported.

Results

The most common rhythm disturbances during pregnancy were sinus tachycardia (ST), sinus bradycardia (SB), or sinus arrhythmia (SA) (104 episodes/100,000 pregnancies). This was followed by paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) and premature beats, with a frequency of 24/100,000 and 33/100,000, respectively. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia occurred most frequently in the third trimester or peripartum. All episodes terminated spontaneously or were safely terminated with medical therapy. Advanced heart block or lethal arrhythmias were exceedingly rare during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Most frequently reported cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy are benign and do not require intervention. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), being one of the most common complicated cardiac arrhythmias during pregnancy, can be treated effectively and safely with standard medical therapy. Ventricular arrhythmias or high‐degree atrioventricular block (AVB) during pregnancy are extremely rare. Cardiac arrest is also rare, and is often caused by a different etiology from the conventional ones for sudden cardiac death. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New finite element formulation based on bubble function interpolation for the transient compressible Euler equations
Authors: Nakajima S. , Kawahara M.
Published: November 2008

The purpose of this paper is to present a stabilizing finite element method using a new bubble element for the unsteady fluid flow expressed by the compressible Euler equations to save efficient computational memory for computers. The formulation is based on the mixed interpolation for a transient term. The main idea of the present paper is to use the mixed interpolation for the transient term with bubble function as the weighting function and with linear function as the interpolation function. The nodal values at the bubble node can be eliminated even in the transient formulation. The stabilizing effect of the bubble function is effectively used. The formulation leads to the stabilizing effect, which is efficient to the unsteady fluid flow problems. The efficiency is verified based on the numerical studies, in which a rotating cone problem, a shock tube problem and a problem of flow around an airfoil are calculated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Excited‐State Dynamics of Isolated DNA Bases: A Case Study of Adenine
Authors: Bisgaard Christer Z. , Satzger Helmut , Ullrich Susanne , Stolow Albert
Published: November 2008

We present a summary of recent advances in the understanding of the UV photophysics of the isolated DNA base adenine, emphasizing a discussion of the mechanisms behind the ultrafast relaxation following excitation to the ππ* band. Drawing on our femtosecond time‐resolved photoelectron spectroscopy experiments, we discuss differences in the ultrafast relaxation of adenine and 9‐methyladenine and consider the relative merits of the various proposed mechanisms.
LILRA5 is expressed by synovial tissue macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis, selectively induces pro‐inflammatory cytokines and IL‐10 and is regulated by TNF‐α, IL‐10 and IFN‐γ
Authors: Mitchell Ainslie , Rentero Carles , Endoh Yasumi , Hsu Kenneth , Gaus Katharina , Geczy Carolyn , McNeil H. Patrick , Borges Luis , Tedla Nicodemus
Published: November 2008

Leukocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptor A5 (LILRA5) belongs to a family of receptors known to regulate leukocyte activation. There are two membrane‐bound and two soluble forms of LILRA5. The transmembrane LILRA5 contain a short cytoplasmic domain and a charged arginine residue within the transmembrane region. Cross‐linking of LILRA5 on monocytes induced production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that LILRA5 plays a role in inflammation. However, expression of LILRA5 in diseases with extensive inflammatory component is unknown. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory synovitis characterized by unregulated activation of leukocytes leading to joint destruction. Here we demonstrate extensive LILRA5 expression on synovial tissue macrophages and in synovial fluid of patients with active RA but not in patients with osteoarthritis. We also show that LILRA5 associated with the common γ chain of the FcR and LILRA5 cross‐linking induced phosphorylation of Src tyrosine kinases and Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Furthermore, LILRA5 induced selective production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines as well as IL‐10. LILRA5 mRNA and protein expression was tightly regulated by TNF‐α, IL‐10 and IFN‐γ. Increased expression of LILRA5 in rheumatoid tissue, together with its ability to induce key cytokines involved in RA, suggests that this novel receptor may contribute to disease pathogenesis.
Resident enteric microbiota and CD8+ T cells shape the abundance of marginal zone B cells
Authors: Wei Bo , Su Thomas T. , Dalwadi Harnisha , Stephan Robert P. , Fujiwara Daisuke , Huang Tiffany T. , Brewer Sarah , Chen Lindy , Arditi Moshe , Borneman James , Rawlings David J. , Braun Jonathan
Published: November 2008

Since enteric microbial composition is a distinctive and stable individual trait, microbial heterogeneity may confer lifelong, non‐genetic differences between individuals. Here we report that C57BL/6 mice bearing restricted flora microbiota, a distinct but diverse resident enteric microbial community, are numerically and functionally deficient in marginal zone (MZ) B cells. Surprisingly, MZ B‐cell levels are minimally affected by germ‐free conditions or null mutations of various TLR signaling molecules. In contrast, MZ B‐cell depletion is exquisitely dependent on cytolytic CD8+ T cells, and includes targeting of a cross‐reactive microbial/endogenous MHC class 1B antigen. Thus, members of certain enteric microbial communities link with CD8+ T cells as a previously unappreciated mechanism that shapes innate immunity dependent on innate‐like B cells.
In situ imaging reveals different responses by naïve and memory CD8 T cells to late antigen presentation by lymph node DC after influenza virus infection
Authors: Khanna Kamal M. , Aguila Carolina C. , Redman Jason M. , Suarez‐Ramirez Jenny E. , Lefrançois Leo , Cauley Linda S.
Published: November 2008

Pulmonary influenza infection causes prolonged lymph node hypertrophy while processed viral antigens continue to be presented to virus‐specific CD8 T cells. We show that naïve, but not central/memory, nucleoprotein (NP)‐specific CD8 T cells recognized antigen‐bearing CD11b+ DC in the draining lymph nodes more than 30 days after infection. After these late transfers, the naïve CD8 T cells underwent an abortive proliferative response in the mediastinal lymph node (MLN), where large clusters of partially activated cells remained in the paracortex until at least a week after transfer. A majority of the endogenous NP‐specific CD8 T cells that were in the MLN between 30 and 50 days after infection also showed signs of a continuing response to antigen stimulation. A high frequency of endogenous NP‐specific CD8 T cells in the MLN indicates that late antigen presentation may help shape the epitope dominance hierarchy during reinfection.
Interaction of KLRG1 with E‐cadherin: New functional and structural insights
Authors: Rosshart Stephan , Hofmann Maike , Schweier Oliver , Pfaff Anne‐Kathrin , Yoshimoto Keiko , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Molnar Eszter , Schamel Wolfgang W. , Pircher Hanspeter
Published: November 2008

The killer cell lectin‐like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is an inhibitory receptor expressed by memory T cells and NK cells in man and mice. It is frequently used as a cell differentiation marker and members of the cadherin family are ligands for KLRG1. The present study provides new insights into the interaction of mouse KLRG1 with E‐cadherin. Firstly, we demonstrate that co‐engagement of KLRG1 and CD3/TCR in a spatially linked manner was required for inhibition arguing against the notion that KLRG1‐ligation per se transmits inhibitory signals. Secondly, experiments with T cells carrying Y7F‐mutant KLRG1 molecules with a replacement of the tyrosine residue to phenylalanine in the single ITIM indicated that the inhibitory activity of KLRG1 is counteracted to some degree by increased interaction of KLRG1+ T cells with E‐cadherin expressing target cells. Thirdly, we demonstrate that deletion of the first or the second external domain of E‐cadherin abolished reactivity in KLRG1‐reporter cell assays. Finally, we made the intriguing observation that KLRG1 formed multimeric protein complexes in T cells in addition to the previously described mono‐ and dimeric molecules.
Rare‐Earth Metal Bis(dimethylsilyl)amide Complexes Supported by Cyclooctatetraenyl Ligands
Authors: Meermann Christian , Ohno Kouji , Törnroos Karl W. , Mashima Kazushi , Anwander Reiner
Published: November 2008

Monomeric cyclooctatetraenyl rare‐earth metal complexes (COT)LnI(thf)3 were examined by X‐ray structure analysis for Ln = La and Sm being isostructural to the Nd and Ce congeners. Reaction of the lanthanum derivative with excess AlMe3 led to partial thf displacement and dimerization to [(COT)La(μ‐I)(thf)2]2. I–/[N(SiHMe2)2]– salt metathetic ligand exchange involving (COT)LnI(thf)3 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm) and Li[N(SiHMe2)2] did not give putative {(COT)Ln[N(SiHMe2)2](thf)x}. Instead, depending on the metal size, the mixed iodide/amide ate complexes (COT)Ln(μ‐I)2{μ‐N(SiHMe2)2}Ln(COT)][Li(thf)4] (Ln = Nd, Sm) and (COT)La(μ‐I)[μ‐N(SiHMe2)2]2La[μ‐(η2:η8‐COT)]Li(thf)3 were obtained and identified by X‐ray structure analyses. In thf solvent, these heteroleptic complexes undergo ligand redistribution to (COT)Ln[μ‐(η2:η8‐COT)]Li(thf)3, whose solid‐state structures were also analyzed by X‐ray diffraction (Ln = Nd, Sm). Utilization of K[N(SiHMe2)2] afforded alkali‐metal‐free (COT)La[N(SiHMe2)2](thf)2 in good yield, whose monomeric composition was determined by X‐ray structure analysis.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Residual Dipolar Couplings (RDCs) in Organic Structure Determination (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 34/2008)
Authors: Thiele Christina M.
Published: November 2008

The cover picture shows all organic compounds to which residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) were applied in the NMR spectroscopic determination of their relative configuration or in the assignment of diastereotopic moieties. The details on how RDCs can be applied for structure determination, as well as the necessary prerequisites and the current developments in the area of flexible compounds, are presented in the Microreview by C. Thiele on p. 5673 ff.
Prediction of municipal solid waste generation with combination of support vector machine and principal component analysis: A case study of Mashhad
Authors: Noori R. , Abdoli M.A. , Ghasrodashti A. Ameri , Jalili Ghazizade M.
Published: November 2008

Quantity prediction of municipal solid waste (MSW) is crucial for design and programming municipal solid waste management system (MSWMS). Because effect of various parameters on MSW quantity and its high fluctuation, prediction of generated MSW is a difficult task that can lead to enormous error. The works presented here involve developing an improved support vector machine (SVM) model, which combines the principal component analysis (PCA) technique with the SVM to forecast the weekly generated waste of Mashhad city. In this study, the PCA technique was first used to reduce and orthogonalize the original input variables (data). Then these treated data were used as new input variables in SVM model. This improved model was evaluated by using weekly time series of waste generation (WG) and the number of trucks that carry waste in week of t. These data have been collected from 2005 to 2008. By comparing the predicted WG with the observed data, the effectiveness of the proposed model was verified. Therefore, in authors' opinion, the model presented in this article is a potential tool for predicting WG and has advantages over the traditional SVM model. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009
Dimensional analysis of the earthquake‐induced pounding between adjacent structures
Authors: Dimitrakopoulos Elias , Makris Nicos , Kappos Andreas J.
Published: November 2008

In this paper the dynamic response of two and three pounding oscillators subjected to pulse‐type excitations is revisited with dimensional analysis. Using Buckingham's Π‐theorem the number of variables that govern the response of the system is reduced by three. When the response is presented in the dimensionless Π‐terms remarkable order emerges. It is shown that regardless of the acceleration level and duration of the pulse all response spectra become self‐similar and follow a single master curve. This is true despite the realization of finite duration contacts with increasing durations as the excitation level increases. All physically realizable contacts (impacts, continuous contacts, and detachments) are captured via a linear complementarity approach. The study confirms the existence of three spectral regions. The response of the most flexible among the two oscillators amplifies in the low range of the frequency spectrum (flexible structures); whereas, the response of the most stiff among the two oscillators amplifies at the upper range of the frequency spectrum (stiff structures). Most importantly, the study shows that pounding structures such as colliding buildings or interacting bridge segments may be most vulnerable for excitations with frequencies very different from their natural eigenfrequencies. Finally, by applying the concept of intermediate asymptotics, the study unveils that the dimensionless response of two pounding oscillators follows a scaling law with respect to the mass ratio, or in mathematical terms, that the response exhibits an incomplete self‐similarity or self‐similarity of the second kind with respect to the mass ratio. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear optimization method for short‐term hydro scheduling considering head‐dependency
Authors: Catalão J. P. S. , Mariano S. J. P. S. , Mendes V. M. F. , Ferreira L. A. F. M.
Published: November 2008

This paper is on the problem of short‐term hydro scheduling, particularly concerning head‐dependent reservoirs under competitive environment. We propose a new nonlinear optimization method to consider hydroelectric power generation as a function of water discharge and also of the head. Head‐dependency is considered on short‐term hydro scheduling in order to obtain more realistic and feasible results. The proposed method has been applied successfully to solve a case study based on one of the main Portuguese cascaded hydro systems, providing a higher profit at a negligible additional computation time in comparison with a linear optimization method that ignores head‐dependency. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatic steatosis and endocannabinoids—Does it all happen within the liver?
Authors: Wasmuth Hermann E. , Trautwein Christian
Published: November 2008

Osei-Hyiaman D, Liu J, Zhou L, Godlewski G, Harvey-White J, Jeong WI, Bátkai S, Marsicano G, Lutz B, Buettner C, Kunos G. Hepatic CB 1 receptor is required for development of diet-induced steatosis, dyslipidemia, and insulin and leptin resistance in mice. J Clin Invest 2008;118:3160–3169. (Reprinted with permission.)

Diet-induced obesity is associated with fatty liver, insulin resistance, leptin resistance, and changes in plasma lipid profile. Endocannabinoids have been implicated in the development of these associated phenotypes, because mice deficient for the cannabinoid receptor CB(1) (CB1(−/−)) do not display these changes in association with diet-induced obesity. The target tissues that mediate these effects, however, remain unknown. We therefore investigated the relative role of hepatic versus extrahepatic CB(1) receptors in the metabolic consequences of a high-fat diet, using liver-specific CB(1) knockout (LCB1(−/−)) mice. LCB1(−/−) mice fed a high-fat diet developed a similar degree of obesity as that of wild-type mice, but, similar to CB1(−/−) mice, had less steatosis, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin and leptin resistance than did wild-type mice fed a high-fat diet. CB(1) agonist-induced increase in de novo hepatic lipogenesis and decrease in the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 and total energy expenditure were absent in both CB1(−/−) and LCB1(−/−) mice. We conclude that endocannabinoid activation of hepatic CB(1) receptors contributes to the diet-induced steatosis and associated hormonal and metabolic changes, but not to the increase in adiposity, observed with high-fat diet feeding. Theses studies suggest that peripheral CB(1) receptors could be selectively targeted for the treatment of fatty liver, impaired glucose homeostasis, and dyslipidemia in order to minimize the neuropsychiatric side effects of nonselective CB(1) blockade during treatment of obesity-associated conditions.
Exploration of potential adaptation strategies to climate change in the Zayandeh Rud irrigation system, Iran
Authors: Morid Saeed , Bavani Ali Reza Massah
Published: November 2008

Potential negative impacts of climate change provide compelling arguments for action and adaptive measures to help mitigate pressure on water resources, agricultural production and environmental quality. To explore the possible impacts and evaluate the effectiveness of different adaptation strategies, an integrated modelling framework that allows linkage and integration of climate models, basin‐ and field‐scale hydrological models is of great importance. This paper describes an assessment of climate change impacts on water resources, agriculture and the environment in the Zayandeh Rud irrigation system of Esfahan (Iran) using simulation models. The paper also focuses on alternative adaptation strategies to mitigate the negative impacts. Results of the simulations show that potential impact of climate change could cause the Zayandeh Rud irrigation system to face more frequent and severe water shortage problems. Among the evaluated adaptation strategies, change in cropping patterns was found to be the best possible measure to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. Results also show the capability of the modelling system to deliver the required simulations using readily available data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the efficiency of surface and subsurface irrigation in dryland environments
Authors: Dastorani Mohammad T. , Heshmati Mohammad , Sadeghzadeh Mohammad A.
Published: November 2008

Irrigation water quantity and quality limitation is the main problem of agricultural development in the research area (Rafsanjan pistachio orchards in Iran). Optimization of the irrigation system is one of the most important factors to enhance water use efficiency in this region. This research project was designed to compare the applicability of two different types of irrigation, including traditionally used surface irrigation and a simple and relatively cheap subsurface drip irrigation (using a perforated pipe covered with plastic cloth). For this purpose two plots, each containing 39 pistachio trees and 720 m2 in area, were selected in an orchard and were both irrigated using an exactly equal quantity and quality of water for 3 years. At the end of the second year the yield in the plots was harvested separately and compared. The ratio of the weight of fresh and also dried crop in the subsurface irrigation plot to those of surface irrigation plot was respectively 1.895 and 2 for the second year, and 2.17 and 2.12 for the third year. Another parameter measured for the trees of the two plots was annual shoot growth. The value of the plot growth index (PGI) in the surface irrigation plot was calculated as 2238 cm, whereas in the subsurface irrigation plot it was 4580 cm. In addition, the dried weight of weed grown in the surface irrigation plot was 82 kg but was only 21 kg in the subsurface irrigation plot. These results show the considerable difference in efficiency of the two irrigation systems, and relatively higher preference for a subsurface system over the traditionally used surface method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A retrospective review of the outcome of plasma exchange and aggressive medical therapy in antibody mediated rejection of renal allografts: A single center experience
Authors: Al‐Badr Wisam , Kallogjeri Dorina , Madaraty Kamel , Oliver Dana , Bastani Bahar , Grossman Brenda J.
Published: November 2008

Antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) has been recognized as a major cause of renal allograft loss. Protocols using plasma exchange (PE) to reverse rejection have mixed results. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to determine the clinical response to PE inpatients with AMR of renal allograft. A good response to treatment was defined as a decline in serum creatinine (SCr) to within 25% above the prerejection value or discontinuation of dialysis with a SCr <2 mg/dl within 3 months of discharge from the hospital and disappearance of donor‐specific alloantibodies (DSA). Results: Twenty‐two patients, treated with PE for biopsy proven AMR with or without acute‐cellular rejection (ACR), were included in the study. Sixty‐four percent of patients had concurrent AMR and ACR. Fifty‐two percent of all patients had a good response to antirejection therapy, whereas 63% of patients with only AMR and 46% of patients with both AMR and ACR had a good response. Good response to PE did not correlate with the number of plasma volumes exchanged (P = 0.09), but correlated with a shorter period from transplantation to the rejection episode (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Only a shorter interval between transplantation and the acute rejection episode correlated with a good response to PE. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lipocalin‐2 is induced by interleukin‐1β in murine adipocytes in vitro
Authors: Sommer Grit , Weise Sebastian , Kralisch Susan , Lossner Ulrike , Bluher Matthias , Stumvoll Michael , Fasshauer Mathias
Published: November 2008

Lipocalin‐2 (Lcn2) has recently been isolated as an adipocyte‐secreted acute phase reactant that plays a role in insulin resistance, obesity, and atherosclerotic disease. In the current study, we determined regulation of Lcn2 by the proinflammatory and insulin resistance‐inducing cytokine interleukin (IL)‐1β in 3T3‐L1 and brown adipocytes by relative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Interestingly, IL‐1β dramatically induced Lcn2 mRNA in both adipocyte models. Furthermore, Lcn2 protein secretion was dramatically upregulated in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes after 24 h of IL‐1β treatment. Experiments using pharmacological inhibitors indicated that IL‐1β‐induced Lcn2 expression is mediated via nuclear factor κB and janus kinase 2. Taken together, our results show an upregulation of Lcn2 by IL‐1β in fat cells implicating a potential role of this adipocyte‐secreted acute phase reactant in the development of insulin resistance, obesity, and associated disorders including cardiovascular disease. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 103–108, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Beta‐hairpin restraint potentials for calculations of potentials of mean force as a function of beta‐hairpin tilt, rotation, and distance
Authors: Lee Jinhyuk , Ham Sihyun , Im Wonpil
Published: November 2008

We have developed a set of restraint potentials for β‐hairpin tilt relative to the membrane normal, β‐hairpin rotation around the β‐hairpin axis, and hairpin–hairpin distance. Such restraint potentials enable us to characterize the molecular basis of specific β‐hairpin tilt and rotation in membranes and hairpin–hairpin interactions at the atomic level by sampling their conformational space along these degrees of freedom, i.e., reaction coordinates, during molecular dynamics simulations. We illustrate the efficacy of the β‐hairpin restraint potentials by calculating the potentials of mean force (PMFs) as a function of tilt and rotation angles of protegrin‐1 (PG‐1), a β‐hairpin antimicrobial peptide, in an implicit membrane model. The peptide association in the membrane is also examined by calculating the PMFs as a function of distance between two PG‐1 peptides in various dimer interfaces. These novel restraint potentials are found to perform well in each of these cases and are expected to be a useful means to study the microscopic driving forces of insertion, tilting, and rotation of β‐hairpin peptides in membranes as well as their association in aqueous solvent or membrane environments particularly when combined with explicit solvent models. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Ultrastructural characterization of the new NG97ht human‐derived glioma cell line using two different electron microscopy technical procedures
Authors: Machado Camila Maria Longo , Zorzeto Tatiane Queiroz , Bianco Juares E. Romero , Rosa Renata Giardini , Genari Selma Candelaria , Joazeiro Paulo Pinto , Verinaud Liana
Published: November 2008

On the basis of transmission electron microscopy observations in tumor cell lines, oncologists have made innumerous diagnostic and therapeutical progresses. Following this path, the UNICAMP immunopathologies laboratory established the NG97 cell line derived from a human astrocytoma grade III, which when injected to the athymic nude mouse flank developed a grade IV astrocytoma. In this study, we focused on ultrastructural characterization of the NG97 cells after being recovered from xenotransplant (NG97ht). These cells in culture were assayed by two different electron microscopy procedures to characterize ultrastructures related to grade IV astrocytomas and to observe their structures through cell subcultivation. Additionally, comparative morphological descriptions of different cell passages in these technical procedures could be a useful tool for improving electron microscopy cell lineage protocols. Results from many cell passage observations showed ultrastructural similarities, which suggest malignant and glioblastoma phenotypes. In the first procedure, NG97ht cells were harvested and then incorporated into agarose before subjecting them to electron microscopy protocols, whereas in the second one, monolayer cells grew first on cover slides. Comparison among protocols revealed that organelles, cytoplasmatic extensions, spatial conformation of filopodia, and cell attachment to substrate were more preserved in the second procedure. Furthermore, in this latter procedure, a unique ellipsoidal structure was observed, which was already described when dealing with gliosarcoma cell line elsewhere. Therefore, these analyses demonstrated a morphological characterization of a new NG97ht cell line using electron transmission microscopy. Moreover, it has been shown that the second procedure provides more detailed information compared with the first. Microsc. Res. Tech, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prosencephalic neural folds give rise to neural crest cells in the Australian lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri
Authors: Kundrát Martin , Joss Jean M. P. , Olsson Lennart
Published: November 2008

Here we present a fate map of the prosencephalic neural fold (PNF) for the Australian lungfish. The experimental procedures were carried out on lungfish embryos at Kemp's stage 24 using three different approaches. First, either medial PNF (MPNF) or lateral PNF (LPNF) were ablated and the embryos cultured until they reached Kemp's stage 42 and 44. Ablation of the LPNF provided phenotypes with arrested development of the eye, reduction of periocular pigmentation, frontonasal deformity, and a slightly reduced olfactory organ, whereas the MPNF‐ablated phenotypes resulted in arrested development of the cornea and frontonasal deformity. Second, we labeled the mid‐axial level of the PNF with vital DiI and traced the migration of labeled cells following culture to Kemp's stage 33. Labeled PNF‐derived cells populated a basal layer of the olfactory placode, migrated into the frontonasal region, the antero‐dorsal periocular quadrant, and also terminated at positions where the forebrain meninges form at later stages. Third, we examined HNK‐1 immunoreactivity in the forebrain‐related region. We conclude that in the Australian lungfish: (1) LPNF‐derived neuroepithelium gives rise to the basal layer and contributes to the apical layer of the olfactory placode; (2) PNF‐derived NC cells appear to give rise to meningeal, periocular, and frontonasal ectomesenchyme and likely infiltrate the olfactory placode as developmental precusors of the terminal nerve; (3) HNK‐1 epitope is temporarily expressed in cells of the neural tube, NC cells, and neurogenic placodal cells. Our experiments have provided the first evidence for a premandibular NC stream (sensu Kundrát, 2008) in a fish. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 312B:83–94, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Response surface methodology and support vector machine for the optimization of separation in linear gradient elution
Authors: Hadjmohammadi Mohammad Reza , Kamel Kamyar
Published: November 2008

Experimental design methodology was used to optimize the linear gradient elution chromatography. The effect of initial mobile phase composition (φin), initial isocratic time (tin), and gradient time (tG) on the retention times of phenyl thiohydantoin aminoacids (PTH‐amino acids) was investigated. The experiments were performed according to Box–Behnken experimental design to map the chromatographic response surface. Then multiple linear regression and support vector machine (SVM) methods were used to fit the retention times of solutes. Results shows the SVM models have better ability to predict retention time and used for grid search in factor space. The SVM models were verified, as good agreement was observed between the predicted and experimental values of retention time in the optimal condition.
Isolation of ATP from a yeast fermentation broth using a cryogel column at high flow velocities
Authors: Yan Chen , Shen Shaochuan , Yun Junxian , Wang Lianghua , Yao Kejian , Yao Shan‐Jing
Published: November 2008

This communication presents an effective method for isolating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from a yeast fermentation broth using an anion‐exchange supermacroporous cryogel column at high flow velocities. The breakthrough and elution behaviors of pure ATP in the cryogel bed were investigated at flow velocities of 2, 5, and 10 cm/min and the ATP binding capacities were determined. Then the ATP‐containing yeast fermentation broth was employed as the test feedstock and various chromatographic runs were conducted to isolate ATP by the cryogel at different high flow velocities. The ATP samples obtained were analyzed quantitatively by HPLC. The results showed that even at a flow velocity of 5 or 10 cm/min, a product purity of 97.4 or 98.0% can be achieved, illustrating the potential of the present method for separation of high‐purity ATP directly from fermentation feedstock at high flow velocities.
Capillary electrophoretic analysis of sulfur and cyanicides speciation during cyanidation of gold complex sulfidic ores
Authors: Petre Catalin Florin , Azizi Abdelaaziz , Olsen Caroline , Baçaoui Abdelaziz , Larachi Faïçal
Published: November 2008

A capillary electrophoretic protocol for the separation and quantification of the most important species potentially liberated during the cyanidation of gold sulfide‐rich ores was accomplished in this study. The separation of 11 ions: S2O32–, Cu(CN)32–, Fe(CN)64–, Fe(CN)63–, SCN–, Au(CN)2–, Ag(CN)2–, SO42–, OCN–, SO32–, and HS– was achieved using an indirect UV detection method. The robustness of the analytical protocol was tested by analyzing ions speciation during the cyanidation of two gold sulfide‐rich ores. The 1‐h cyanidation of the two ores released up to six complexes into solution: S2O32–, Cu(CN)32–, SCN–, Fe(CN)64–, OCN–, and SO42–. The mineralogy of the ore was found to influence directly the nature and the amount of the dissolved species. Conserving the cyanidation solution for 72 h after sampling resulted in 96% total sulfur recovery. These results allow us to conclude that the analytical protocol developed in this study can become very useful for the optimization of precious‐metals cyanidation plants.
BuChE‐K and APOE ϵ4 allele frequencies in Lewy body dementias, and influence of genotype and hyperhomocysteinemia on cognitive decline
Authors: Lane Roger , He Yunsheng , Morris Christopher , Leverenz James B. , Emre Murat , Ballard Clive
Published: November 2008

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 and butyrylcholinesterase‐K (BuChE‐K) are associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. The primary objective was to evaluate frequencies of these alleles in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). A secondary objective was to evaluate influences on rate of cognitive decline. This analysis used data from participants consenting to pharmacogenetic testing in placebo‐controlled rivastigmine studies. Allele frequencies in DLB and PDD were compared using logistic regression. Within the PDD placebo sample, associations with cognitive decline were evaluated (the DLB sample was too small for these evaluations). Fifty‐seven DLB and 323 PDD subjects provided APOE and BuChE data. Allelic frequencies were higher in DLB, relative to PDD subjects, for BuChE‐K (P = 0.06), APOE ε4 (P < 0.001), or both alleles together (P < 0.001). More rapid cognitive decline was seen in PDD patients carrying both alleles, compared with other genotypes. Subjects with hyperhomocysteinemia were associated with more rapid decline in the presence of BuChE‐K, with or without APOE ε4. These results suggest that genetic and biochemical risk factors for AD and PDD pathology may be important in dementia onset and progression in these Lewy body disorders. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Seven‐band surface‐mount loop antenna with a capacitively coupled feed for mobile phone application
Authors: Li Wei‐Yu , Wong Kin‐Lu
Published: November 2008

A surface‐mount loop antenna with a capacitively coupled feed capable of seven‐band operation in the mobile phone is presented. The capacitively coupled feed successfully excites the 0.5‐, 1.0‐, and 1.5‐wavelength modes of the loop antenna. Further, the presence of the capacitively coupled feed leads to a new loop path, whose length is slightly less than that of the original loop strip. The 0.5‐, 1.0‐, and 1.5‐wavelength modes of the new loop path are also excited with good impedance matching. The two 0.5‐wavelength modes of the new loop path and original loop strip form a wide bandwidth of 310 MHz for the antenna's lower band to cover GSM850/900 operation. The other modes of the two loops form a very wide bandwidth of larger than 1 GHz for the antenna's upper band to cover GSM1800/1900/UMTS/WLAN/WiMAX operation. With seven‐band operation achieved, the proposed loop antenna only occupies a small volume of 60 × 10 × 3 mm3 (1.8 cm3), and owing to its thin thickness of 3 mm only, and the antenna is very promising for thin mobile phone applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 81–88, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23955
New circularly‐polarised conical‐beam microstrip patch antenna array for short‐range communication systems
Authors: Zhou D. , Abd‐Alhameed R. A. , See C. H. , McEwan N. J. , Excell P. S.
Published: November 2008

A circularly‐polarized conical‐beam microstrip patch antenna, with a coplanar conductor pattern, is realized as an array of a number of stripline‐fed slotted patches whose diagonal corners are cut off and whose feedlines meet at a central point. Prototypes of such an antenna array with four patches are studied and tested. The results show reasonable agreement between measured and theoretical results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 78–81, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23956
Wideband calibration of photodetector frequency response based on optical heterodyne measurement
Authors: Miao Ang , Huang Yongqing , Huang Hui , Wang Rui , Wang Song , Ren Xiaomin
Published: November 2008

In this article, an accurate wideband calibration method for photodetector frequency response measurement by optical heterodyne measurement technique, which uses two single‐mode tunable lasers operating near the wavelength of 1.55 mm, has been proposed. The errors introduced by extra fixture as well as laser output fluctuations were considered and eliminated simultaneously. Experimental result indicates that significant improvement in measurement accuracy has been achieved in the frequency range from 0 to 48.65 GHz, and the calibrated photodetector frequency response is matched well with the standard data provided by the manufacturer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 44–48, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23957
Evaluation of GaN technology in power amplifier design
Authors: Colantonio Paolo , Giannini Franco , Giofrè Rocco , Piazzon Luca
Published: November 2008

In this contribution the features of GaN technology for power applications will be explored from the designer point of view. Therefore, the active device will be studied as a black box using its simplified model and putting in evidence the role of its key parameters such as the knee voltage, the breakdown voltage, etc. At the end, the experimental results of several power amplifiers designed using different strategies will be presented to highlight both, the capabilities and/or drawbacks of such material. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 42–44, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23958
A novel cylindrical UWB antenna
Authors: Chen Guan‐Yu , Sun Jwo‐Shiun
Published: November 2008

An ultra small low‐profile, top‐loaded, low‐Q hollow cylindrical monopole antenna for ultra‐wideband (UWB) operations is proposed. A hollow cylindrical radiator with ground plane for tapered effect is used to enhance the impedance matching and frequency range. The designed UWB antenna from 3 to 20 GHz is attainable. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 217–218, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23963
Comparisons of foot currents in homogeneous and inhomogeneous human models exposed to a cellular phone base station
Authors: Chen Hsing‐Yi , Chuang Chen‐Yi
Published: November 2008

Foot currents induced in human bodies exposed to a cellular phone base station were calculated by the finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method and measured by a parallel plate meter at 1869 MHz. From simulations, it is shown that the foot currents obtained by using inhomogeneous models have slightly lower values than those obtained by using homogeneous models. From simulation results and measurement data, it is found that the theory of FDTD method makes a good agreement with the experiment. It is also found that the maximum foot currents of 20.73 and 18.51 mA were obtained by measurements and calculations, respectively, when a human stands barefoot at a distance of 10 m from the cellular phone base station. From measurements and calculations, the foot currents are reduced by a factor of about 0.72–0.91 and 0.78–0.8, respectively, when the condition is changed from standing barefoot to wearing shoes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 213–216, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23964
LTCC integrated air‐filled waveguides for G‐band applications
Authors: Tick Timo , Jäntti Jyri , Henry Manju , Free Charles , Jantunen Heli
Published: November 2008

This article describes the fabrication of air‐filled waveguides having solid metallic walls inside a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. A fabrication method for metal coating the waveguide walls is proposed, and the preparation of air‐filled waveguides with existing LTCC process technology is described in detail. Demonstrator waveguides operating at 140–190 GHz frequency were fabricated and their electrical performance was measured. Total loss of around 0.13 dB/mm was measured at the center frequency of 150 MHz. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 176–178, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23965
Microstrip bandstop filter using a dual‐mode square loop resonator
Authors: Eryilmaz G. Murat , Gunturkun Elif , Gorur Adnan , Karpuz Ceyhun
Published: November 2008

Dual‐mode microstrip bandstop filter, which has an inductive or capacitive perturbation element located at one of its corners, with a 90°‐bended λ/4 microstrip feeding line is proposed. The degenerate mode splitting of a conventional dual‐mode square loop resonator and the coupling coefficient between these modes are investigated. The filter characteristic is changed by the perturbation size. Finally, a novel dual‐mode microstrip bandstop filter is designed and realized using degenerate modes of dual‐mode microstrip square loop resonator. Two filters are designed, fabricated, and measured to demonstrate the validity of the proposed bandstop characteristic. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 147–150, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23967
Multiwavelength source based on SOA and EDFA in a ring‐cavity resonator
Authors: Shahi S. , Harun S. W. , Sulaiman A. H. , Thambiratnam K. , Ahmad H.
Published: November 2008

A multiwavelength source incorporating a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and a erbium‐doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) in a ring‐cavity configuration was demonstrated. The multiwavelength source was able to generate more than 13 channels at −27 dBm and above at a SOA bias current of 300 mA and 980‐nm pump power of 92 mW. The number of wavelengths generated can be controlled by adjusting the birefringence of the ring cavity using the polarization controllers. The proposed laser has constant channel spacing of 0.8 nm, which is suitable for communication and sensing applications, and shows stable operation at room temperature. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 110–113, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23970
Three‐pole cross‐coupled substrate‐integrated waveguide bandpass filters based on PCB process and multilayer LTCC technology
Authors: Wei Qi‐Fu , Li Zheng‐Fan , Li Lin , Zhang Wen‐Jian , Mao Jun‐Fa
Published: November 2008

This letter presents the design, implementation and experiment of planar and multilayer three‐pole cross‐coupled bandpass filters realized by substrate‐integrated waveguide (SIW). The two three‐pole filters centered at 10 GHz with one transmission zero are simulated by using full‐wave electromagnetic (EM) simulator. Then they are fabricated with printed circuit board (PCB) process and with multilayer low‐temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC) technology, respectively. By the comparison between the two filters, it is easily seen that the multilayer SIW filter based on LTCC technology occupies a very small area while obtaining good performance. The measured results coincide with the simulated results very well and show the superiority of multilayer LTCC technology. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 71–73, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23972
Humidity fiber sensors based on superstructure fiber Bragg gratings coated with porous sol gel
Authors: Ai Lung , Liu Wen‐Fung , Fu Ming‐Yue , Chen Tzu‐Chiang
Published: November 2008

A fiber sensor based on an etched superstructure fiber Bragg grating coated with the thin film of sol–gel is used for measuring the relative humidity. The operation mechanism of this sensor is based on that sol–gel materials can react with H2O molecules to result in its reflective index change and then to cause both Bragg wavelength shift. The diameter of the superstructure fiber Bragg grating is etched down to 20 μm for obtaining the sensitivity of 0.014 nm/1%RH. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 40–42, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23973
Finite element analysis of quantum states in layered quantum semiconductor structures with band nonparabolicity effect
Authors: Le Khai Q.
Published: November 2008

A simultaneous calculation of eigenstates in the layered quantum semiconductor structures using the finite element method was developed. We proposed the approximation to linearize the nonlinear eigenvalue problem due to nonparabolicity effect and found the application range for the approach. The finite element calculation results showed an excellent agreement with the published results obtained by other authors. In addition, our calculated results confirm that the effect of nonparabolicity on the transition energy shift is considerably large for higher subbands and should be taken into account in the simulation and design of light emitters based on layered quantum semiconductor structures. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1–5, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23976
Strip‐loaded CPW‐fed pentagonal antenna for GPS/WiMAX/WLAN applications
Authors: Liu Wen‐Chung , Song Chau‐Chung , Chung Shih‐Hsiung , Jaw Jieh‐La
Published: November 2008

Design of a CPW‐fed monopole antenna for multinetwork application is presented. The radiation mechanism of such an antenna has been investigated, based on a moment‐method numerical analysis and experimental measurement. The antenna with a pentagonal patch and an inverted U‐shaped strip is fed by a CPW structure and can excite multiresonance modes, which therefore provide dual continuous frequency bands, to cover the GPS L1 band, 3.5/5.5 GHz WiMAX bands, and 5.2/5.8 GHz WLAN bands. The effects of the pentagonal patch with different added loads are analyzed and the prototype of optimized design has been constructed and measured. The measured results explore good radiation characteristics including monopole‐like patterns, good impedance matching, and high‐peak antenna gains for operating over the two frequency ranges. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 48–52, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23979