bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geochemical, zircon U–Pb–Hf, and whole‐rock Sr–Nd isotopic study of Late Jurassic Sanming A‐type granite in the Wuyi area, Fujian province, Southeast China
Authors: Zhao Xilin , Jiang Yang , Yu Shengyao , Xing Guangfu , Yu Minggang
Published: December 2017

The Sanming pluton is the only Late Jurassic A‐type granitic intrusion in the Wuyi area, west Fujian Province, Southeast China, and its formation has important implications for our understanding of the tectonic evolution of the region. The U–Pb ages of 157 ± 1 Ma and 159 ± 1.1 Ma were obtained for the pluton by zircon LA–ICP–MS analysis, which is interpreted to be the crystallization age of the Sanming pluton (i.e., Late Jurassic). The pluton has the geochemical characteristics of A‐type granite, such as high K2O+Na2O contents (average 7.703 wt%), FeOT/(FeOT + MgO) ratios (average 0.85), and high 10,000 Ga/Al values and Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (380–446.1 ppm, average 419.2 ppm) contents, but relatively low CaO, Sr, and Eu contents. Zircon saturation temperatures range from 875 °C to 890 °C, also similar to other A‐type granites. The (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios (0.707368–0.71102) and εNd(t) and εHf(t) values (−5.54 to −6.09, and −6.93 to −1.07, respectively), the 2‐stage Nd model ages of 1.50–1.55 Ga, and 2‐stage Hf model ages of 1.25–1.62 Ga, suggest the pluton was derived by extensive fractionation of melts containing both mantle materials and Mesoproterozoic crustal components. The Sanming A‐type granitic pluton is younger than adakitic rocks in the region (162 Ma), suggesting a localized transition from compressional to intraplate extensional tectonics at 162–159 Ma, with mantle‐derived material playing a crucial role in the formation of A‐type granites in the Wuyi Mountain area. This tectonic transition is explained by localized rollback of the subducting Pacific plate.
Validation of T1w‐based segmentations of white matter hyperintensity volumes in large‐scale datasets of aging
Authors: Dadar Mahsa , Maranzano Josefina , Ducharme Simon , Carmichael Owen T. , Decarli Charles , Collins D. Louis ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Fluid‐attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) and dual T2w and proton density (PD) magnetic resonance images (MRIs) are considered to be the optimum sequences for detecting white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in aging and Alzheimer's disease populations. However, many existing large multisite studies forgo their acquisition in favor of other MRI sequences due to economic and time constraints.

Methods

In this article, we have investigated whether FLAIR and T2w/PD sequences are necessary to detect WMHs in Alzheimer's and aging studies, compared to using only T1w images. Using a previously validated automated tool based on a Random Forests classifier, WMHs were segmented for the baseline visits of subjects from ADC, ADNI1, and ADNI2/GO studies with and without T2w/PD and FLAIR information. The obtained WMH loads (WMHLs) in different lobes were then correlated with manually segmented WMHLs, each other, age, cognitive, and clinical measures to assess the strength of the correlations with and without using T2w/PD and FLAIR information.

Results

The WMHLs obtained from T1w‐Only segmentations correlated with the manual WMHLs (ADNI1: r = .743, p < .001, ADNI2/GO: r = .904, p < .001), segmentations obtained from T1w + T2w + PD for ADNI1 (r = .888, p < .001) and T1w + FLAIR for ADNI2/GO (r = .969, p < .001), age (ADNI1: r = .391, p < .001, ADNI2/GO: r = .466, p < .001), and ADAS13 (ADNI1: r = .227, p < .001, ADNI2/GO: r = .190, p < 0.001), and NPI (ADNI1: r = .290, p < .001, ADNI2/GO: r = 0.144, p < .001), controlling for age.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that while T2w/PD and FLAIR provide more accurate estimates of the true WMHLs, T1w‐Only segmentations can still provide estimates that hold strong correlations with the actual WMHLs, age, and performance on various cognitive/clinical scales, giving added value to datasets where T2w/PD or FLAIR are not available.
Relations between cortical thickness, serotonin 1A receptor binding, and structural connectivity: A multimodal imaging study
Authors: Pillai Rajapillai L. I. , Malhotra Ashwin , Rupert Deborah D. , Wechsler Bennett , Williams John C. , Zhang Mengru , Yang Jie , Mann J. John , Oquendo Maria A. , Parsey Ramin V. , DeLorenzo Christine
Published: November 2017

Serotonin 1A (5‐HT1A) receptors play a direct role in neuronal development, cell proliferation, and dendritic branching. We hypothesized that variability in 5‐HT1A binding can affect cortical thickness, and may account for a subtype of major depressive disorder (MDD) in which both are altered. To evaluate this, we measured cortical thickness from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 5‐HT1A binding by positron emission tomography (PET) in an exploratory study. To examine a range of 5‐HT1A binding and cortical thickness values, we recruited 25 healthy controls and 19 patients with MDD. We hypothesized increased 5‐HT1A binding in the raphe nucleus (RN) would be negatively associated with cortical thickness due to reduced serotonergic transmission. Contrary to our hypothesis, raphe 5‐HT1A binding was positively correlated with cortical thickness in right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a region implicated in the default mode network. Cortical thickness was also positively correlated with 5‐HT1A in each cortical region. We further hypothesized that the strength of 5‐HT1A‐cortical thickness correlation depends on the number of axons between the raphe nucleus and each region. To explore this we related 5‐HT1A–cortical thickness correlation coefficients to the number of tracts connecting that region and the raphe, as measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in an independent sample. The 5‐HT1A–cortical thickness association correlated significantly with the number of tracts to each region, supporting our hypothesis. We posit a defect in the raphe may affect the PCC within the default mode network in MDD through serotonergic fibers, resulting in increased ruminative processing.
Supply‐side effects from public insurance expansions: Evidence from physician labor markets
Authors: Chen Alice , Lo Sasso Anthony T. , Richards Michael R.
Published: December 2017

Medicaid and the Child Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) are key sources of coverage for U.S. children. Established in 1997, CHIP allocated $40 billion of federal funds across the first 10 years but continued support required reauthorization. After 2 failed attempts in Congress, CHIP was finally reauthorized and significantly expanded in 2009. Although much is known about the demand‐side policy effects, much less is understood about the policy's impact on providers. In this paper, we leverage a unique physician dataset to examine if and how pediatricians responded to the expansion of the public insurance program. We find that newly trained pediatricians are 8 percentage points more likely to subspecialize and as much as 17 percentage points more likely to enter private practice after the law passed. There is also suggestive evidence of greater private practice growth in more rural locations. The sharp supply‐side changes that we observe indicate that expanding public insurance can have important spillover effects on provider training and practice choices.
Combination of FEM and CMA‐ES algorithm for transmissivity identification in aquifer systems
Authors: Smaoui Hassan , Zouhri Lahcen , Kaidi Sami , Carlier Erick
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we propose a coupling of a finite element model with a metaheuristic optimization algorithm for solving the inverse problem in groundwater flow (Darcy's equations).

This coupling performed in 2 phases is based on the combination of 2 codes: This is theHySubF‐FEMcode (hydrodynamic of subsurface flow by finite element method) used for the first phase allowing the calculation of the flow and theCMA‐EScode (covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy) adopted in the second phase for the optimization process. The combination of these 2 codes was implemented to identify the transmissivity field of groundwater by knowing the hydraulic head in some point of the studied domain. The integrated optimization algorithmHySubF‐FEM/CMA‐EShas been validated successfully on a schematic case offering an analytical solution.

As realistic application, the integrated optimization algorithmHySubF‐FEM/CMA‐ESwas applied to a complex groundwater in the north of France to identify the transmissivity field. This application does not use zonation techniques but solves an optimization problem at each internal node of the mesh. The obtained results are considered excellent with high accuracy and fully consistent with the hydrogeological characteristics of the studied aquifer.However, the various numerical simulations performed in this paper have shown that theCMA‐ESalgorithm is time‐consuming. Finally, the paper concludes that the proposed algorithm can be considered as an efficient tool for solving inverse problems in groundwater flow.
Liposomal encapsulation of silver nanoparticles enhances cytotoxicity and causes induction of reactive oxygen species‐independent apoptosis
Authors: Yusuf A. , Brophy A. , Gorey B. , Casey A.
Published: November 2017

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are one of the most widely investigated metallic NPs due to their promising antibacterial activities. In recent years, AgNP research has shifted beyond antimicrobial use to potential applications in the medical arena. This shift coupled with the extensive commercial applications of AgNP will further increase human exposure and the subsequent risk of adverse effects that may result from repeated exposures and inefficient delivery, meaning research into improved AgNP delivery is of paramount importance. In this study, AgNP were encapsulated in a natural biosurfactant, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, in an attempt to enhance the intracellular delivery and simultaneously mediate the associated cytotoxicity of the AgNP. It was noted that because of the encapsulation, liposomal AgNP (Lipo‐AgNP) at 0.625 μg ml–1 induced significant cell death in THP1 cell lines a notably lower dose than that of the uncoated AgNP induced cytotoxicity. The induced cytotoxicity was shown to result in an increased level of DNA fragmentation resulting in a cell cycle interruption at the S phase. It was shown that the predominate form of cell death upon exposure to both uncoated AgNP and Lipo‐AgNP was apoptosis. However, a reactive oxygen species‐independent activation of the executioner caspases 3/7 occurred when exposed to the Lipo‐AgNP. These findings showed that encapsulation of AgNP enhance AgNP cytotoxicity and mediates a reactive oxygen species‐independent induction of apoptosis.
Comparative analysis of single‐cell RNA sequencing data from mouse spermatogonial and mesenchymal stem cells to identify differentially expressed genes and transcriptional regulators of germline cells
Authors: Sisakhtnezhad Sajjad , Heshmati Parvin
Published: December 2017

Identifying effective internal factors for regulating germline commitment during development and for maintaining spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) self‐renewal is important to understand the molecular basis of spermatogenesis process, and to develop new protocols for the production of the germline cells from other cell sources. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate single‐cell RNA‐sequencing data for identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 12 mouse‐derived single SSCs (mSSCs) in compare with 16 mouse‐derived single mesenchymal stem cells. We also aimed to find transcriptional regulators of DEGs. Collectively, 1,584 up‐regulated DEGs were identified that are associated with 32 biological processes. Moreover, investigation of the expression profiles of genes including in spermatogenesis process revealed that Dazl, Ddx4, Sall4, Fkbp6, Tex15, Tex19.1, Rnf17, Piwil2, Taf7l, Zbtb16, and Cadm1 are presented in the first 30 up‐regulated DEGs. We also found 12 basal transcription factors (TFs) and three sequence‐specific TFs that control the expression of DEGs. Our findings also indicated that MEIS1, SMC3, TAF1, KAT2A, STAT3, GTF3C2, SIN3A, BDP1, PHC1, and EGR1 are the main central regulators of DEGs in mSSCs. In addition, we collectively detected two significant protein complexes in the protein‐protein interactions network for DEGs regulators. Finally, this study introduces the major upstream kinases for the main central regulators of DEGs and the components of core protein complexes. In conclusion, this study provides a molecular blueprint to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind the biology of SSCs and offers a list of candidate factors for cell type conversion approaches and production of germ cells.
Optimal timing of viral load monitoring during pregnancy to predict viraemia at delivery in HIV‐infected women initiating ART in South Africa: a simulation study
Authors: Lesosky Maia , Glass Tracy , Mukonda Elton , Hsiao Nei‐Yuan , Abrams Elaine J. , Myer Landon
Published: December 2017

Introduction

HIV viral load (VL) monitoring is a central tool to evaluate ART effectiveness and transmission risk. There is a global movement to expand VL monitoring following recent recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), but there has been little research into VL monitoring in pregnant women. We investigated one important question in this area: when and how frequently VL should be monitored in women initiating ART during pregnancy to predict VL at the time of delivery in a simulated South African population.

Methods

We developed a mathematical model simulating VL from conception through delivery using VL data from the Maternal and Child Health – Antiretroviral Therapy (MCH‐ART) cohort. VL was modelled based on three major compartments: pre‐ART VL, viral decay immediately after ART initiation and viral maintenance (including viral suppression and viraemic episodes). Using this simulation, we examined the performance of various VL monitoring schema in predicting elevated VL at delivery.

Results and discussion

If WHO guidelines for non‐pregnant adults were used, the majority of HIV‐infected pregnant women (69%) would not receive a VL test during pregnancy. Most models that based VL monitoring in pregnancy on the time elapsed since ART initiation (regardless of gestation) performed poorly (sensitivity <50%); models that based VL measures in pregnancy on the woman's gestation (regardless of time on ART) appeared to perform better overall (sensitivity >60%). Across all permutations, inclusion of pre‐ART VL values had a negligible impact on predictive performance (improving test sensitivity and specificity <6%). Performance of VL monitoring in predicting VL at delivery generally improved at later gestations, with the best performing option a single VL measure at 36 weeks’ gestation.

Conclusions

Development and evaluation of a novel simulation model suggests that strategies to measure VL relative to gestational age may be more useful than strategies relative to duration on ART, in women initiating ART during pregnancy, supporting better integration of maternal and HIV health services. Testing turnaround times require careful consideration, and point‐of‐care VL testing may be the best approach for measuring VL at delivery. Broadening the scope of this simulation model in the light of current scale up of VL monitoring in high burden countries is important.
Cost‐effectiveness of routine viral load monitoring in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Barnabas Ruanne V , Revill Paul , Tan Nicholas , Phillips Andrew
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Routine viral load monitoring for HIV‐1 management of persons on antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify treatment failure. However, viral load testing represents a substantial cost in resource constrained health care systems. The central challenge is whether and how viral load monitoring may be delivered such that it maximizes health gains across the population for the costs incurred. We hypothesized that key features of program design and delivery costs drive the cost‐effectiveness of viral load monitoring within programs.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of studies on the cost‐effectiveness of viral load monitoring in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). We followed the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and the PRISMA reporting guidelines.

Results and Discussion

We identified 18 studies that evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of viral load monitoring in HIV treatment programs. Overall, we identified three key factors that make it more likely for viral load monitoring to be cost‐effective: 1) Use of effective, lower cost approaches to viral load monitoring (e.g. use of dried blood spots); 2) Ensuring the pathway to health improvement is established and that viral load results are acted upon; and 3) Viral load results are used to simplify HIV care in patients with viral suppression (i.e. differentiated care, with fewer clinic visits and longer prescriptions). Within the context of differentiated care, viral load monitoring has the potential to double the health gains and be cost saving compared to the current standard (CD4 monitoring).

Conclusions

The cost‐effectiveness of viral load monitoring critically depends on how it is delivered and the program context. Viral load monitoring as part of differentiated HIV care is likely to be cost‐effective. Viral load monitoring in differentiated care programs provides evidence that reduced clinical engagement, where appropriate, is not impacting health outcomes. Introducing viral load monitoring without differentiated care is unlikely to be cost‐effective in most settings and results in lost opportunity for health gains through alternative uses of limited resources. As countries scale up differentiated care programs, data on viral suppression outcomes and costs should be collected to evaluate the on‐going cost‐effectiveness of viral load monitoring as utilized in practice.
Analysis of delay fault in GNR power interconnects
Authors: Bhattacharya Sandip , Das Debaprasad , Rahaman Hafizur
Published: December 2017

In this paper, a delay fault model for multilayer graphene nanoribbon (GNR)‐based power interconnects for 16‐nm International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors technology node is developed for both top‐contact GNR and side‐contact GNR. The delay fault model is developed for different temperature considering the impact of scattering parameters. It is shown that side‐contact GNR‐based power interconnects can reduce the delay fault significantly in comparison with that of Cu and top‐contact GNR interconnects at local, intermediate, and global lengths for a wide range of chip operating temperatures from 233 K to 378 K.
Remote SST forcing on Indian summer monsoon extreme years in AGCM experiments
Authors: Cherchi Annalisa , Kucharski Fred , Colleoni Florence
Published: December 2017

An ensemble of AMIP‐type experiments with prescribed interannual varying sea surface temperature (SST) and different initial conditions is used to study the relationship between Indian summer monsoon extreme conditions and the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Based on the selection of extreme monsoon rainfall years ‘In Phase’ or ‘Out of Phase’ with respect to the observations, this study identifies specific SST and atmospheric circulation patterns responsible for the remote forcing on the monsoon. A clear common characteristic of externally forced extreme monsoon years is identified with an ENSO pattern having summer SST anomalies of the same sign in the tropical Pacific Ocean but also in the Indian and Atlantic tropical sectors. This finding assumes that the SST pattern in summer is enough to modulate the Walker circulation and consequently to suppress or enhance convection over South Asia, even if it does not evolve into an ENSO event. The analysis of the ‘Out of Phase’ cases (i.e. when the model reproduces a weak monsoon instead of a strong one, or the reverse) reveals how the model wrongly responds to the SST forcing, ignoring other processes like ocean–atmosphere coupling. Once ENSO is linearly removed the main source of remote forcing for strong (weak) monsoon characteristics over India is the tropical Atlantic with negative (positive) anomalies, and with weak anomalies of the same sign located in the south Indian Ocean. The results of the role of the forcing from the tropical Atlantic are also confirmed by a set of atmospheric model experiments where interannually varying SST is prescribed only in the Atlantic Ocean, while the rest of the SST is climatological.
Changes of heating and cooling degree‐days in Europe from 1981 to 2100
Authors: Spinoni Jonathan , Vogt Jürgen V. , Barbosa Paulo , Dosio Alessandro , McCormick Niall , Bigano Andrea , Füssel Hans‐Martin
Published: December 2017

During the last decades, the effects of global warming have become apparent also in Europe, causing relevant impacts in many sectors. Under projected future global warming, such a tendency can be expected to persist until the end of this century and beyond. Identifying which climate‐related impacts are likely to increase, and by how much, is an important element of any effective strategy for managing future climate risks. This study investigates whether energy demand for cooling and heating buildings can be expected to increase or decrease under climate change. Two indicators of weather‐related energy consumption for heating and cooling buildings are considered: heating degree‐days (HDD) and cooling degree‐days (CDD). The evolution of these indicators has been analysed based on 11 high‐resolution bias‐adjusted EURO‐CORDEX simulations for two emission representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Both indicators have been validated over the period 1981–2010 using an independent data set that contains more than 4000 station data, showing very high correlation over most of Europe. Trends of HDD and CDD from 1981 to 2100, together with their uncertainties, are analysed. For both RCPs, all simulations project a significant decrease for HDD, especially over Scandinavia and European Russia, and an increase of CDD which peaks over the Mediterranean region and the Balkans. Overall, degree‐day trends do not show remarkable differences if population weighting is applied. If a constant population scenario is considered, the decrease in HDD will outbalance the increase in CDD in the 21st century over most of Europe. Thus the related energy demand (expressed as Energy Degree‐days, EDD) is expected to decrease. If, however, population projections over the 21st century are included in the calculations, it is shown that despite the persisting warming, EDD will increase over northern Europe, the Baltic countries, Great Britain, Ireland, Benelux, the Alps, Spain, and Cyprus, resulting in an overall increase in EDD over Europe.
Tornado climatology of China
Authors: Chen Jiayi , Cai Xuhui , Wang Hongyu , Kang Ling , Zhang Hongshen , Song Yu , Zhu Hao , Zheng Wei , Li Fengju
Published: December 2017

A tornado climatology in China was derived based on a recently completed data set with details on 4763 tornadoes in the period 1948–2012. The tornadoes were rated on the Fujita scale, and design basis tornado wind speeds were estimated. Annual tornadoes were estimated 108 (±44) in China, among which 0–4 exceed F3 on the Fujita scale. Three strongest tornadoes in the data set were rated F4. Assessing from frequency distribution of ratings, tornadoes in China could be mostly of the non‐supercell type. In average of all the country, most tornadoes occur in summer (June–August, about 64%). The peak month is July (31%). Geographically, the majority of tornadoes is distributed in eastern China, with the most frequent tornado occurrence being in the coastal provinces. There are southern type and northern type of tornado occurrence in eastern China. The former peaks in spring, while the latter peaks in summer. Two belts of design basis tornado wind speeds higher than 70 m s−1 were identified (on probability of 10−7 per year). One extends approximately along the coastline of China from south to north, while the other crosses this belt from east to west, approximately upstream of the Yangtze River. The Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta have design basis tornado wind speeds higher than 90 m s−1, with maxima of 105 and 95 m s−1, respectively. However, by transferring into the enhanced Fujita scale, the wind speed is much lower, with the corresponding maxima being 82 and 76 m s−1 respectively.
Infrared and multi‐wavelength Raman spectroscopy of regio‐regular P3HT and its deutero derivatives
Authors: Brambilla L. , Capel Ferrón C. , Tommasini M. , Hong K. , López Navarrete J.T. , Hernández V. , Zerbi G.
Published: December 2017

The recently synthesized regio‐regular poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) selectively deuterated on the main chain backbone and/or on the hexyl side chain have given the opportunity to record their infrared (IR) and Raman spectra, and to carry out a spectroscopic study supported by density functional theory calculations. The Effective Conjugation Coordinate associated with the collective C=C stretching mode, with Raman scattering and IR absorption near 1,450 cm−1, is used as a probe of the electronic structure and the molecular conformation of the chain backbone. With the help of the data collected from the deuterated species, the vibrational assignment for the structurally relevant 1,600–1,300 cm−1region has been clarified. The excitation‐dependent wavenumbers and intensities of the C=C stretching Raman modes are discussed. Raman spectra excited in‐resonance or off‐resonance show the existence of a multimodal distribution of effective conjugation lengths that are ascribed to a phase hairy‐A with a practically flat backbone chain, a phase hairy‐B where the conformation of the backbone is slightly distorted, and an amorphous phase. IR spectra provide additional information on the Effective Conjugation Coordinate.
Standardized hybrid living donor hemihepatectomy in adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Eguchi Susumu , Soyama Akihiko , Hara Takanobu , Natsuda Koji , Okada Satomi , Hamada Takashi , Kosaka Taiichiro , Ono Shinichiro , Adachi Tomohiko , Hidaka Masaaki , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of the most updated version and largest group of our standardized hybrid (laparoscopic mobilization and hepatectomy through midline incision) living donor (LD) hemihepatectomy compared with those from a conventional laparotomy in adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Of 237 adult‐to‐adult LDLTs from August 1997 to March 2017, 110 LDs underwent the hybrid procedure. Preoperative and operative factors were analyzed and compared with conventional laparotomy (n = 126). The median duration of laparoscopic usage was 26 minutes in the hybrid group. Although there was improvement in applying this procedure over time from the beginning of the series of cases studied, blood loss and operative duration were still smaller and shorter in the hybrid group. There was no significant difference between the groups in the incidence of postoperative complications greater than or equal to Clavien‐Dindo class III. There was no difference in recipient outcome between the groups. Our standardized procedure of hybrid LD hepatectomy is applicable and safe for all types of LD hepatectomies, and it enables the benefit of both the laparoscopic and the open approach in a transplant center without a laparoscopic expert. Liver Transplantation 24 363–368 2018 AASLD.
Flexible wideband antenna for 5G applications
Authors: Tighezza Mohammed , Rahim S. K. A. , Islam M. T.
Published: December 2017

A modified microstrip patch antenna is implemented on Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with a thickness of 0.125 mm for 5G applications. The wideband antenna of 60 ×75 mm2 total dimensions is fabricated using novel inkjet printer and silver nano‐particles as the conductive ink. The designed and fabricated antenna operates within 7 to 13 GHz and exhibits almost omnidirectional radiation pattern with an average gain of 5 dBi. The flexible antenna was also tested under bending conditions and showed good performance within the X‐band region. The originality of the work lies in the combination of the antenna's structure, flexibility, and targeted frequency of operation.
Design of a miniaturized spiral antenna for partial discharge detection system
Authors: Lee Juneseok , Cho Jeahoon , Choi Jaehoon , Choo Hosung , Jung Kyung‐Young
Published: December 2017

A miniaturized spiral antenna with a broadband balun for a partial discharge (PD) localization system is proposed. The proposed antenna has broadband characteristic from 925 MHz to 1.6 GHz and a unidirectional radiation pattern. The overall dimensions of the fabricated antenna are 80 × 80 × 40 mm3, which is the smallest size among antennas for the PD detection system. The measured −10 dB reflection bandwidth starts at 925 MHz, and the measured directivity of the antenna is about 6 dB in the frequency band.
Iterative full‐wave analysis of compact band‐pass filters with Mandelbrot inspired fractal patch geometries
Authors: da Silva Neto Valdemir Praxedes , D'assunção Adaildo Gomes
Published: December 2017

New microstrip patch geometries are proposed to be used in the development of compact microwave filters (with good out‐of‐band performance) for wireless systems applications. The proposed filters are developed using element resonators with contours inspired on Mandelbrot fractal patches geometries. The proposed filters geometries are analyzed using the wave concept iterative procedure (WCIP) method, an efficient and accurate full‐wave formulation. WCIP results for the filters frequency behaviors are compared to simulated Ansoft HFSS and experimental results, showing good agreement. The practical usefulness of the developed WCIP analysis has been confirmed through the fabrication and measurement of band‐pass filters of first, second, and third orders filters at 2.2 GHz band.
Ground moving target detection for airborne radar using clutter doppler compensation and digital beamforming
Authors: Geng Zhe , Motahari S.M. Amin , Deng Hai , Himed Braham
Published: December 2017

A novel and efficient method is presented for ground moving target detection. Radar echo data is transformed from element space to beam space using spatial Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT). A motion compensation matrix is applied to the beam‐space radar data to compensate for the moving platform effects on the Doppler spectrum. The Doppler‐compensated clutter is then eliminated using digital filters in time domain. It is demonstrated by the simulation results that the performance of the proposed airborne moving target indication (AMTI) algorithm is comparable to that of the conventional MTI processing approaches used in the surface‐based radar with stationary platform.
A multiband antenna loaded with metamaterial and slots for GPS/WLAN/WiMAX applications
Authors: Ali Tanweer , Khaleeq Mohammad Muzammil , Pathan Sameena , Biradar Rajashekhar C.
Published: December 2017

A compact planar four band antenna loaded with metamaterial and slots for GPS, WLAN, and WiMAX applications, is presented in this letter. Initially, a dual‐band (2.9 and 5.9 GHz) antenna is designed by etching trapezoidal shaped slots in the radiating patch and rectangular shaped slots in the ground plane. In order to make the dual band antenna to operate at more number of bands, two identical metamaterial unit cells are introduced in the ground plane. The introduction of metamaterial creates additional resonance at 1.5 and 5.2 GHz, respectively. The proposed design has a dimension of 0.21
0.23
at a lower frequency of 2.4 GHz, and operates at 1.5 (GPS), 2.4, 5.2 (WLAN), and 3.5 GHz (WiMAX) frequency bands, respectively. The proposed metamaterial negative permeability retrieval mechanism through waveguide medium is discussed in detail. The proposed design has measured S11 < −10 dB bandwidth of about 6.06% (1.6–1.7 GHz), 8.33% (2.3–2.5 GHz), 5.55% (3.5–3.71 GHz), and 5.94% (4.9–5.2 GHz), respectively. Good impedance matching, stable radiation characteristics with low cross‐polarization and an average gain of 2.25 dBi, are observed across the operational bandwidths, when the antenna is fabricated and tested.
A compact umbrella shaped UWB antenna for ground‐coupling GPR applications
Authors: Kundu Surajit , Jana Sanjay Kumar
Published: December 2017

A compact (35 × 30 × 0.8 mm3) umbrella shaped ultra wideband antenna that gives wide impedance bandwidth of more than 123% with low dispersion, 3–5 dBi gain and average efficiency of 84% is proposed. The antenna is tested in close proximity of soil. Satisfactory results ensure its ability to work as GPR antenna.
Compact and high‐isolation microstrip diplexer using distributed coupling feeding line
Authors: Li Qun , Zhang Yonghong , Wu Chung‐Tse Michael
Published: December 2017

A compact and high‐isolation microstrip diplexer using the distributed coupling feeding line is presented. The lower frequency channel filter is based on a short stub‐load resonator which has a transmission zero at the center frequency of the upper channel. A pair of hairpin line resonators with the pseudo‐interdigital structure are applied to design the upper frequency channel filter which creates a transmission zero at the center frequency of the lower channel. The center frequencies and bandwidths of both channel filters can be controlled independently. The obtained transmission zeros lead to high isolation. A distributed coupling feeding line is utilized to combine the lower and upper channel filters. Taking advantages of the distributed coupling feeding line, no extra matching network is required and each channel filter can be designed independently. Finally, a diplexer working at 3 and 5 GHz with over 40 dB isolation is fabricated and tested. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement.
Optimization of modified T‐shape microstrip patch antenna using differential algorithm for X and ku band applications
Authors: Nitika  , Khanna Rajesh , Kaur Jaswinder
Published: December 2017

In this study, a novel inset‐fed slotted modified T‐shape microstrip patch antenna with DGS is presented. This paper is a demonstration of Differential Algorithm (DE), which is used to optimize the various design parameters of slotted patch antenna in accordance with diverse necessities and scenarios, and also lowers the computation complexity of antenna. The proposed antenna design resonates in two different frequency bands, viz 11.13–11.82 and 15.77–16.89 GHz with their respective bandwidths of 690 and 1120 MHz resonating at 11.47 GHz and 16.27 GHz, respectively. These frequency bands have their application in the field of satellite broadcasting, aeronautical military systems, and radio astronomy corresponding to X and Ku band. The designed antenna has an overall small size of 20 × 11 mm2. The simulated and measured results for the proposed antenna with DE are presented and discussed further.
Design of balanced power divider with wide common‐mode suppression band
Authors: Lee Ching‐Her , Hsu Chung‐I G. , Chen Wen‐Xuan
Published: December 2017

In this paper, a balanced power divider (PD) is designed and implemented in a three‐layer configuration. It consists of two tightly stacked microstrip Wilkinson PDs with a shared ground plane in the middle layer. With both dumbbell‐shaped and partially interdigital open‐ended slots embedded in the common ground, the designed balanced PD can yield a high common‐mode (CM) suppression level over a very wide frequency band without degrading the differential‐mode (DM) performance. A close examination of this design reveals that good CM suppression mainly comes from the blocking of the ground‐plane current path by the open‐ended slots in the ground plane. In addition, the proposed balanced PD also exhibits a very wide CM isolation band. A prototype of the proposed balanced PD is realized. The measured fractional frequency bandwidth for CM suppression is 68% and for CM isolation is 93%.
Zigbee transmitter using a low‐power high‐gain up‐conversion mixer
Authors: Jin Ho Jeong , Choi Yeong Seok , Cho Choon Sik , Kim Young‐Jin
Published: December 2017

This article introduces a direct‐conversion CMOS RF transmitter for the IEEE 802.15.4 standard with a low‐power high‐gain up‐conversion mixer designed in 0.18 μm process. The designed RF direct‐conversion transmitter (DCT) is composed of differential digital to analog converter, passive lowpass filter, quadrature active mixer, and drive amplifier. The most important characteristic in designing RF DCT is to satisfy the 2.4 GHz Zigbee standard in a low power consumption. The quadrature active mixer integrated in the proposed RF DCT provides enough high gain as well as sufficient linearity using a gain boosting technique. The measurement results for the proposed transmitter show very low power consumption of 7.8 mA, output power more than 0 dBm, and adjacent channel power ratio of −30 dBc.
Arbitrary power division quadrature branch‐line coupler with harmonic suppression
Authors: Gai Chao , Jiao Yong‐Chang , Zhao Yu‐Long
Published: December 2017

A planar branch‐line coupler with arbitrary power division and harmonic suppression is proposed. A novel offsetting double‐side parallel‐strip T‐section is used for designing the coupler. To verify the design procedure, a prototype operating at 1.76 GHz with 10 dB power division ratio and a stopband up to nearly four times of the center frequency is simulated, fabricated and tested. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones.
Bandwidth enhancement of a slot antenna with an open stub
Authors: Kim Jae Hee , Ahn Chi‐Hyung , Chun Joong‐Chang
Published: December 2017

A method to increase the bandwidth of a slot antenna is proposed. Slot antennas are not widely used in mobile terminals because they have narrower bandwidth than conventional inverted F antennas. To increase the bandwidth, in this letter, a stub with one end connected to ground is inserted into the slot. The stub resonance is combined with the existing slot resonance and widens the antenna bandwidth. It is important to impedance matching at resonant frequencies of both slot and stub when feeding the antenna. For this sake an inductor and a capacitor are connected in series with feed line. The bandwidth and efficiency of the proposed antenna are compared with those of the conventional antenna for the same slot size. The proposed antenna has an impedance bandwidth of 531 MHz, while the conventional antenna has a bandwidth of 165 MHz at 2.4 GHz for S11 < −10 dB. Moreover, the bandwidth more than 70% efficiency is 230 MHz (2.3 GHz–2.53 GHz) for the proposed antenna, while it is 510 MHz (2.3 GHz–2.81 GHz) for the proposed antenna.
Members of the abscisic acid co‐receptor PP2C protein family mediate salicylic acid–abscisic acid crosstalk
Authors: Manohar Murli , Wang Dekai , Manosalva Patricia M. , Choi Hyong Woo , Kombrink Erich , Klessig Daniel F.
Published: December 2017

The interplay between abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA) influences plant responses to various (a)biotic stresses; however, the underlying mechanism for this crosstalk is largely unknown. Here, we report that type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), some of which are negative regulators of ABA signaling, bind SA. SA binding suppressed the ABA‐enhanced interaction between these PP2Cs and various ABA receptors belonging to the PYR/PYL/RCAR protein family. Additionally, SA suppressed ABA‐enhanced degradation of PP2Cs and ABA‐induced stabilization of SnRK2s. Supporting SA's role as a negative regulator of ABA signaling, exogenous SA suppressed ABA‐induced gene expression, whereas the SA‐deficient sid2‐1 mutant displayed heightened PP2C degradation and hypersensitivity to ABA‐induced suppression of seed germination. Together, these results suggest a new molecular mechanism through which SA antagonizes ABA signaling. A better understanding of the crosstalk between these hormones is important for improving the sustainability of agriculture in the face of climate change.
Genetic factors influencing prostate cancer risk in Norwegian men
Authors: Chen Haitao , Ewing Charles M. , Zheng Sigun , Grindedaal Eli M. , Cooney Kathleen A. , Wiley Kathleen , Djurovic Srdjan , Andreassen Ole A. , Axcrona Karol , Mills Ian G. , Xu Jianfeng , Maehle Lovise , Fosså Sophie D. , Isaacs William B.
Published: November 2017

Norway has one of the highest rates of death due to prostate cancer (PCa) in the world. To assess the contribution of both common and rare single nucleotide variants (SNPs) to the prostate cancer burden in Norway, we assessed the frequency of the established prostate cancer susceptibility allele, HOXB13 G84E, as well as a series of validated, common PCa risk SNPs in a Norwegian PCa population of 779 patients. The G84E allele was observed in 2.3% of patients compared to 0.7% of control individuals, OR = 3.8, P = 1 × 10‐4. While there was a trend toward an earlier age at diagnosis, overall the clinicopathologic features of PCa were not significantly different in G84E carriers and non‐carriers. Evaluation of 32 established common risk alleles revealed significant associations of risk alleles at 13 loci, including SNPs at 8q24, and near TET2, SLC22A3, NKX3‐1, CASC8, MYC, DAP2IP, MSMB, HNF1B, PPP1R14A, and KLK2/3. When the data for each SNP are combined into a genetic risk score (GRS), Norwegian men within the top decile of GRS have over 5‐fold greater risk to be diagnosed with PCa than men with GRS in the lowest decile. These results indicate that risk alleles of HOXB13 and common variant SNPs are important components of inherited PCa risk in the Norwegian population, although these factors appear to contribute little to the malignancy's aggressiveness.
Serum‐free complete medium, an alternative medium to mimic androgen deprivation in human prostate cancer cell line models
Authors: Fiandalo Michael V. , Wilton John H. , Mantione Krystin M. , Wrzosek Carol , Attwood Kristopher M. , Wu Yue , Mohler James L.
Published: December 2017

Background

Almost all men who present with advanced prostate cancer (CaP) and some men who fail therapy for clinically localized CaP are treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). CaP cell lines are used to identify and characterize new agents for ADT or investigate mechanisms of ADT resistance. CaP cell lines are maintained in culture medium that contains fetal bovine serum, which contains testosterone (T). Androgen deprivation experiments are performed using media supplemented with androgen‐free serum, such as charcoal stripped fetal bovine serum (CS‐FBS). However, CS‐FBS composition varies from batch‐to‐batch and variations may impact experimental reproducibility. Serum free media (SFM) may provide a better defined alternative to media supplemented with CS‐FBS (CSM).

Methods

Cell growth of six human CaP cell lines was assessed using 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Androgen levels were measured using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS).

Results

MTT assays showed 5 of 6 CaP cell lines grew after 6 days of culture in androgen‐ deprived SFM or CSM. LNCaP and VCaP growth was stimulated when cells were cultured in SFM or CSM supplemented with T. LNCaP, C4‐2, LAPC‐4, and VCaP cell growth was inhibited when cultured in SFM or CSM with T and bicalutamide. LC‐MS/MS data showed LAPC‐4 cells produced similar DHT levels when cultured in T‐supplemented SFM or CSM. Dutasteride impaired T to DHT metabolism in LAPC‐4.

Conclusions

Media composition contributed to growth differences observed between CaP cells cultured in SFM or CSM. However, the differences in media composition did not impair CaP cell response to T‐stimulated growth, bicalutamide growth inhibition, metabolism of T, or dutasteride efficiency. SFM can be used as a better defined alternative to CSM for androgen deprivation experiments.
Overexpression of cytochrome P450 CYP6BG1 may contribute to chlorantraniliprole resistance in Plutella xylostella (L.)
Authors: Li Xiuxia , Li Ran , Zhu Bin , Gao Xiwu , Liang Pei
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

The diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.) is the most widely distributed pest of cruciferous crops and has developed resistance to most commonly used insecticides, including chlorantraniliprole. Resistance to chlorantraniliprole is likely caused by mutations of the target, the ryanodine receptor, and/or mediated by an increase in detoxification enzyme activities. Although target‐site resistance is documented in detail, resistance mediated by increased metabolism has rarely been reported.

RESULTS

The activity of cytochrome P450 was significantly higher in two resistant P. xylostella populations than in a susceptible one. Among ten detected cytochrome P450 genes, CYP6BG1 was significantly overexpressed (over 80‐fold) in a field‐resistant population compared with expression in a susceptible one. Knockdown of CYP6BG1 by RNA interference dramatically reduced the 7‐ethoxycoumarin‐O‐deethylase (7‐ECOD) activity of P450 by 45.5% and increased the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole toward P. xylostella by 26.8% at 48 h postinjection of double‐stranded RNA. By contrast, overexpression of CYP6BG1 in a transgenic Drosophila melanogaster line significantly decreased the toxicity of the insecticide to the transgenic flies.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of CYP6BG1 may contribute to chlorantraniliprole resistance in P. xylostella. Our findings will provide new insights into the mechanisms of resistance to diamide insecticides in other insect pests. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessing the similarity of dose response and target doses in two non‐overlapping subgroups
Authors: Bretz Frank , Möllenhoff Kathrin , Dette Holger , Liu Wei , Trampisch Matthias
Published: November 2017

We consider 2 problems of increasing importance in clinical dose finding studies. First, we assess the similarity of 2 non‐linear regression models for 2 non‐overlapping subgroups of patients over a restricted covariate space. To this end, we derive a confidence interval for the maximum difference between the 2 given models. If this confidence interval excludes the pre‐specified equivalence margin, similarity of dose response can be claimed. Second, we address the problem of demonstrating the similarity of 2 target doses for 2 non‐overlapping subgroups, using again an approach based on a confidence interval. We illustrate the proposed methods with a real case study and investigate their operating characteristics (coverage probabilities, Type I error rates, power) via simulation.
Synthesis of CuCr2O4/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite: A Green Catalyst for Selective Oxidation of Cyclohexane to Cyclohexanone with Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Chen Zixiao , Tang Bo , Shen Jing , Chen Qun , He Guangyu , Chen Haiqun
Published: December 2017

CuCr2O4/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites were prepared using a two‐step method. Detailed characterizations of the material were performed with X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectra, and Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA). The characterizations showed that the ∼50 nm CuCr2O4 nanoparticles were successfully supported on the rGO via static electricity. The TGA results showed that the quality of rGO in composites was around 10%. The experimental results showed that the catalysts obtained high catalytic activity for the selective oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone with H2O2. The catalyst obtained a conversion rate of cyclohexane of up to 95.8%. 78.1% cyclohexanone selectivity was obtained. The catalyst had good cycling stability after 5 reuses. Compared to the other composite materials, the catalyst had high catalytic activity for the selective oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone.