bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jeramana (Syrie)
Authors: Roussel Cyril
Published: July 2013

Du fait du développement de Damas, les villages de la Ghouta, par ailleurs soumis à l’afflux de migrants issus de l’exode rural, se sont peu à peu transformés en petites et moyennes villes sous. Intimement connectées aux campagnes du reste de la Syrie au travers de mouvements migratoires débutés dans les années 60, les villes de la Ghouta en ont hérité une composante confessionnelle qui renseigne sur l’origine des habitants. La ville druzo-chrétienne de Jeramana offre un exemple particulièrement intéressant de l’évolution des dynamiques en cours dans le conflit syrien. Avec la prédominance des affrontements sur des bases communautaires, certaines villes de la Ghouta se retrouvent confrontées à des choix cornéliens : soutenir les rebelles, et de plus en plus accepter la présence de groupes djihadistes ; leur refuser l’accès à la ville et donc accepter la protection du régime. Sur ces discontinuités confessionnelles se superposent les lignes de front du conflit en cours.
Tunnel Intersection in Combined Anatomic Reconstruction of the ACL and Posterolateral Corner
Authors: Lindeque Bennie G.P. , Narvy Steven J. , Hall Michael P. , Kvitne Ronald S. , Tibone James E.
Published: July 2013

Femoral tunnel intersection in combined anterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner reconstruction has been reported to be high. The purpose of this study was to examine the risk of intersection between an anatomic femoral anterior cruciate ligament tunnel created with a retrograde reaming device and femoral lateral collateral ligament reconstruction tunnels of varying trajectory in a synthetic femur model.
Posterior Acetabular Column and Quadrilateral Plate Fractures: Fixation With Tension Band Principles
Authors: Aly Tarek A. , Hamed Hany
Published: July 2013

Acetabular fractures can be classified into 5 simple and 5 associated fracture patterns. A significant amount of variation and complexity exists in these fractures patterns. Fractures of the posterior wall are the most common acetabular fractures. Comminution of the quadrilateral plate adds to fracture instability, and more rigid and stable internal fixation is mandatory. The goal of this study was to assess the results of reconstruction of comminuted posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum associated with quadrilateral plate fractures using the tension band technique.

Twelve patients (9 men and 3 women) were included in the study. Mean patient age was 38.6 years (range, 24–47 years). Minimum follow-up was more than 2 years postoperatively. Reconstruction of the fracture included anatomic reduction of the fracture and fixation with a buttress plate for the posterior column and a prebent one-third tubular plate for the quadrilateral plate fracture. Clinical results were excellent in 58% of patients and good in 17% of patients. Radiologic results were excellent in 50% of patients and good in 17% of patients. Radiologically, based on the fracture gap postoperatively, 8 (66%) patients showed anatomic reduction, 2 (17%) showed good reduction, and 2 (17%) showed poor reduction.

The study confirms that this method of reconstruction facilitates accurate and firm reduction of displaced posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum.
Clinical and Patient-reported Outcomes of Primary TKA With a Single-radius Design
Authors: Harwin Steven F. , Issa Kimona , Given Kristin , Hitt Kirby D. , Greene Kenneth A. , Pivec Robert , Kester Mark , Mont Michael A.
Published: July 2013

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a cost-effective procedure used to treat degenerative knee disease with excellent long-term outcomes. However, TKA has not always resulted in excellent functional and patient satisfaction outcomes, partly due to the use of prostheses that did not reproduce natural knee kinematics. Due to a paucity of reports on single-radius designs, the authors evaluated the clinical and patient-reported outcomes of primary TKA in patients who had received a single-radius prosthesis.

A total of 287 TKAs from 7 centers were prospectively evaluated. Mean follow-up was 5 years, with each patient undergoing year re-evaluation. Kaplan-Meier implant survivorship was 99.7% at a final follow-up of 7 years. The total reoperation rate was 1.4%. Clinical outcomes demonstrated significant improvements in Knee Society, Short Form 36, and activity scores at a mean follow-up of 5 years. The authors believe that various features of this prosthesis may have contributed to these excellent outcomes. Further longer-term studies are necessary to better evaluate these outcomes.
Modified McLaughlin Technique for Neglected Locked Posterior Dislocation of the Shoulder
Authors: Kokkalis Zinon T. , Mavrogenis Andreas F. , Ballas Efstathios G. , Papanastasiou John , Papagelopoulos Panayiotis J.
Published: July 2013

Several surgical techniques have been described for the treatment of posterior shoulder dislocation depending on the time elapsed between injury and surgery and the size of the humeral head impression fracture. When the bone defect is between 25% and 50% of the articular surface of the head, the procedures of choice are autologous bone graft or allograft or subscapularis tendon or lesser tuberosity transfer. In neglected cases in which patients undergo surgery more than 3 weeks after injury, no standard accepted treatment for this injury exists.

This article presents a modification of the McLaughlin technique for patients with neglected locked posterior dislocation of the shoulder. Using this technique, the shape of the humeral head was nearly restored with impaction of morselized bone allograft; two suture anchors were inserted into the defect, and the lesser tuberosity with the attached sub-scapularis tendon was transferred into the defect and secured with sutures. Postoperative rehabilitation included immobilization of the shoulder with an external rotation brace for 6 weeks followed by progressive passive, active-assisted, and active range of motion and rotator cuff strengthening exercises for another 6 weeks. This technique resulted in pain-free range of motion, a stable shoulder, and good joint congruency.
Change in Quality of Life and Cost/Utility Analysis in Open Stage-related Surgical Treatment of Elbow Stiffness
Authors: Giannicola Giuseppe , Bullitta Gianluca , Sacchetti Federico M. , Scacchi Marco , Polimanti David , Citoni Guido , Cinotti Gianluca
Published: July 2013

The goals of this study were to examine the improvement in quality of life achieved after open surgical treatment of elbow stiffness and to verify the cost/utility ratio of surgery. Thirty-three patients (22 men and 11 women) underwent surgery. The etiologies of elbow stiffness were posttraumatic conditions (n=26), primary osteoarthritis (n=5), and rheumatoid arthritis (n=2). Surgery included 14 ulnohumeral arthroplasties, 6 ulnohumeral arthroplasties associated with radiocapitellar replacement, 5 ulnohumeral arthroplasties associated with radial head replacement, and 8 total elbow arthroplasties. All patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, the Mayo Elbow Performance Index, the modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, and the Short Form 36 after a mean follow-up of 26 months. Possible variables affecting clinical outcome and quality of life improvement were assessed. The cost/utility ratio was evaluated as diagnosis-related group reimbursement per quality-adjusted life year. Mayo Elbow Performance Scores and modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores increased, on average, by 43 and 41 points, respectively (P<.0001). Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores decreased, on average, by 44 points (P<.0001). The improvement in the SF-36 physical and mental component summary score was 7.6 and 7, respectively (P=.0001 and .0018). The cost/utility ratio ranged between 670 and 817 Euro/quality-adjusted life year. A significant correlation was found between pain score and quality of life improvement. An inverse correlation emerged between pre- and postoperative quality of life score. The current study shows that open surgery significantly improves quality of life and elbow function. Selecting the surgical procedure that most effectively reduces pain appears to be the most relevant variable responsible for quality of life improvement. Surgery shows a satisfactory cost/utility ratio, justifying a health spending increase to reduce the social costs resulting from lingering elbow stiffness.
Vascular Tumor in Metal-on-polyethylene THA Requiring Hemipelvectomy
Authors: Lee Jason H. , Le Vu H. , Steinhoff Amy , Hoang Bang H.
Published: July 2013

Total hip arthroplasty with metal-on-polyethylene implants and metal-on-metal articulations have been an area of recent interest. This article describes a patient with a persistent small soft tissue mass on the anterior groin following total hip arthroplasty with negative findings on infection workup, including blood work and aspiration. Subsequent biopsy findings were consistent with organizing thrombus and necrosis. It then developed into an expansile soft tissue groin mass with significant femoral and pelvic bony destruction and soft tissue infiltration. Metallosis, the formation of a pseudocapsule, and aseptic lymphocyte vasculitis-associated lesions have also been an area of interest following adult hip reconstruction. Occasionally, the formation of subsequent lesions make revision surgery impossible to perform due to bony destruction and soft tissue limitations. Although few in number, most studies or cases that have linked metal-on-metal implants to pseudotumors have been treated with revision surgery and replacement of articulating surfaces. This case highlights a metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty with a mass presenting with pseudotumor-like characteristics. However, final histology demonstrated fibroadipose tissue with fat necrosis and fibrosis, thickened vascular vessels, and diffuse chronic inflammation with lymphocytic infiltrates, which are more consistent with an atypical inflammatory vascular tumor. The current case illustrates treatment difficulties and provides surgical options for when this event occurs. Although aseptic lymphocyte vasculitis-associated lesions have been observed with metal-on-polyethylene articulations, the multiorgan involvement in this case is unique. In this case, radical excision with hemipelvectomy and complex flap closure was a last resort treatment solution that staved off the prospect of patient mortality.
Increased ID2 Levels in Adult Precursor B Cells as Compared with Children Is Associated with Impaired Ig Locus Contraction and Decreased Bone Marrow Output
Authors: Jensen Kristin , Rother Magdalena B. , Brusletto Berit Sletbakk , Olstad Ole K. , Dalsbotten Aass Hans Christian , van Zelm Menno C. , Kierulf Peter , Gautvik Kaare M.
Published: July 2013

Precursor B cell production from bone marrow in mice and humans declines with age. Because the mechanisms behind are still unknown, we studied five precursor B cell subsets (ProB, PreBI, PreBII large, PreBII small, immature B) and their differentiation-stage characteristic gene expression profiles in healthy individual toddlers and middle-aged adults. Notably, the composition of the precursor B cell compartment did not change with age. The expression levels of several transcripts encoding V(D)J recombination factors were decreased in adults as compared with children: RAG1 expression was significantly reduced in ProB cells, and DNA-PKcs, Ku80, and XRCC4 were decreased in PreBI cells. In contrast, TdT was 3-fold upregulated in immature B cells of adults. Still, N-nucleotides, P-nucleotides, and deletions were similar for IGH and IGK junctions between children and adults. PreBII large cells in adults, but not in children, showed highly upregulated expression of the differentiation inhibitor, inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (ID2), in absence of changes in expression of the ID2-binding partner E2A. Further, we identified impaired Ig locus contraction in adult precursor B cells as a likely mechanism by which ID2-mediated blocking of E2A function results in reduced bone marrow B cell output in adults. The reduced B cell production was not compensated by increased proliferation in adult immature B cells, despite increased Ki67 expression. These findings demonstrate distinct regulatory mechanisms in B cell differentiation between adults and children with a central role for transcriptional regulation of ID2.
STAT6 Controls the Number of Regulatory T Cells In Vivo, Thereby Regulating Allergic Lung Inflammation
Authors: Dorsey Nicolas J. , Chapoval Svetlana P. , Smith Elizabeth P. , Skupsky Jonathan , Scott David W. , Keegan Achsah D.
Published: July 2013

STAT6 plays a central role in IL-4–mediated allergic responses. Several studies indicate that regulatory T cells (Tregs) can be modulated by IL-4 in vitro. We previously showed that STAT6−/− mice are highly resistant to allergic lung inflammation even when wild-type Th2 effectors were provided and that they have increased numbers of Tregs. However, the role of STAT6 in modulating Tregs in vivo during allergic lung inflammation has not been thoroughly investigated. To examine Treg and STAT6 interaction during allergic inflammation, STAT6−/−, STAT6xRAG2−/−, and RAG2−/− mice were subjected to OVA sensitization and challenge following adoptive transfer of OVA-specific, wild-type Th2 effectors with or without prior Treg depletion/inactivation, using anti-CD25 (PC61). As expected, STAT6−/− mice were highly resistant to airway inflammation and remodeling. In contrast, allergic lung inflammation was partially restored in STAT6−/− mice treated with PC61 to levels observed in STAT6xRAG2−/− mice. In some cases, STAT6xRAG2−/− mice were also given natural Tregs along with Th2 effectors. Adoptive transfer of natural Tregs caused a substantial reduction in bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophil composition and suppressed airway remodeling and T cell migration into the lung in STAT6xRAG2−/− mice to levels comparable to those in STAT6−/− mice. These results demonstrate the STAT6-dependent suppression of Tregs in vivo to promote allergic airway inflammation.
Molecular Evolution and Functional Divergence of Soluble Starch Synthase Genes in Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz)
Authors: Yang Zefeng , Wang Yifan , Xu Shuhui , Xu Chenwu , Yan Changjie
Published: July 2013

Soluble starch synthases (SSs) are major enzymes involved in starch biosynthesis in plants. Cassava starch has many remarkable characteristics, which should be influenced by the evolution of SS genes in this starchy root crop. In this work, we performed a comprehensive phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis of the soluble starch synthases in cassava. Genome-wide identification showed that there are 9 genes encoding soluble starch synthases in cassava. All of the soluble starch synthases encoded by these genes contain both Glyco_transf_5 and Glycos_transf_1 domains, and a correlation analysis showed evidence of coevolution between these 2 domains in cassava SS genes. The SS genes in land plants can be divided into 6 subfamilies that were formed before the origin of seed plants, and species-specific expansion has contributed to the evolution of this family in cassava. A functional divergence analysis for this family provided statistical evidence for shifted evolutionary rates between the subfamilies of land plant soluble starch synthases. Although the main selective pressure acting on land plant SS genes was purifying selection, our results also revealed that point mutation with positive selection contributed to the evolution of 2 SS genes in cassava. The remarkable cassava starch characteristics might be the result of both the duplication and adaptive selection of SS genes.
Comunicación interpersonal en la web 2.0. Las relaciones de jóvenes con desconocidos
Authors: Cáceres Zapatero Mª Dolores , Brändle Gaspar , Ruiz San Román José A.
Published: July 2013

Se presentan los resultados de una investigación a propósito de las nuevas formas que adopta la comunicación interpersonal en la web 2.0. El objetivo ha sido abordar las transformaciones de las comunicaciones interpersonales mediadas por ordenador, en concreto, verificar si la relación con desconocidos es una práctica frecuente; cuál es la percepción de quién es desconocido en la Red y qué confianza suscitan los desconocidos. Metodología: Se ha trabajado a partir de datos de una encuesta realizada en España a 1121 jóvenes (proyecto I+D+i Referencia CSO2008-01496). Conclusiones: Entre otras conclusiones, destaca que más de la mitad (53,1%) de los jóvenes considera el trato con desconocidos como forma normalizada de relación y que los que se relacionan con desconocidos tienen un perfil diferente de aquellos que no lo hacen: entienden las comunicaciones interpersonales como más sinceras, más controlables, más personales.
La política de comunicación proactiva de las instituciones públicas para combatir crisis
Authors: Rodríguez González María del Mar , Marauri Castillo Iñigo , Cantalapiedra Gonzalez Maria Jose
Published: July 2013

La huelga protagonizada por los controladores aéreos en España durante los días 3, 4, 5 y 6 de diciembre de 2010 representa un caso paradigmático de comunicación de crisis. Objetivos y metodología: El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar las estrategias de comunicación públicas desarrolladas por el Ministerio de Fomento y el Gobierno. Por otro lado, se han estudiado las acciones en materia de comunicación de los promotores de la huelga, el sindicato de controladores aéreos. Se ha tomado como referencia la cobertura informativa de cinco de los principales diarios españoles y la repercusión del paro en las redes sociales. Conclusiones: Entre las principales conclusiones, se constata el éxito de la política de comunicación del Gobierno, basada en la previsión, la proactividad y la técnica del storytelling, es decir, la formulación de un relato con ‘buenos’, los ciudadanos y el Ejecutivo, y ‘malos’, los convocantes de la huelga, que cala en la opinión pública. También se comprueba el fracaso de la comunicación de los promotores del paro, condicionada por la improvisación, la actitud reactiva y la descoordinación.
An Interface-Capturing Regularization Method for Solving the Equations for Two-Fluid Mixtures
Authors: Du Jian , Guy Robert D. , Fogelson Aaron L. , Wright Grady B. , Keener James P.
Published: July 2013

Many problems in biology involve gels which are mixtures composed of a polymer network permeated by a fluid solvent (water). The two-fluid model is a widely used approach to described gel mechanics, in which both network and solvent coexist at each point of space and their relative abundance is described by their volume fractions. Each phase is modeled as a continuum with its own velocity and constitutive law. In some biological applications, free boundaries separate regions of gel and regions of pure solvent, resulting in a degenerate network momentum equation where the network volume fraction vanishes. To overcome this difficulty, we develop a regularization method to solve the two-phase gel equations when the volume fraction of one phase goes to zero in part of the computational domain. A small and constant network volume fraction is temporarily added throughout the domain in setting up the discrete linear equations and the same set of equation is solved everywhere. These equations are very poorly conditioned for small values of the regularization parameter, but the multigrid-preconditioned GMRES method we use to solve them is efficient and produces an accurate solution of these equations for the full range of relevant regularization parameter values.
A Gas Kinetic Scheme for the Simulation of Compressible Multicomponent Flows
Authors: Pan Liang , Zhao Guiping , Tian Baolin , Wang Shuanghu
Published: July 2013

In this paper, a gas kinetic scheme for the compressible multicomponent flows is presented by making use of two-species GK model in [A. D. Kotelnikov and D. C. Montgomery, A Kinetic Method for Computing Inhomogeneous Fluid Behavior, J. Comput. Phys. 134 (1997) 364-388]. Different from the conventional BGK model, the collisions between different species are taken into consideration. Based on the Chapman-Enskog expansion, the corresponding macroscopic equations are derived from this two-species model. Because of the relaxation terms in the governing equations, the method of operator splitting is applied. In the hyperbolic part, the integral solutions of the BGK equations are used to construct the numerical fluxes at the cell interface in the framework of finite volume method. Numerical tests are presented in this paper to validate the current approach for the compressible multicomponent flows. The theoretical analysis on the spurious oscillations at the interface is also presented.
Intercomparison of stratospheric ozone profiles for the assessment of the upgraded GROMOS radiometer at Bern
Authors: Studer S. , Hocke K. , Pastel M. , Godin-Beekmann S. , Kämpfer N.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Since November 1994, the GROund-based Millimeter-wave Ozone Spectrometer (GROMOS) measures stratospheric and lower mesospheric ozone in Bern, Switzerland (47.95° N, 7.44° E). GROMOS is part of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). In July 2009, a Fast-Fourier-Transform spectrometer (FFTS) has been added as backend to GROMOS. The new FFTS and the original filter bench (FB) measured parallel for over two years. In October 2011, the FB has been turned off and the FFTS is now used to continue the ozone time series. For a consolidated ozone time series in the frame of NDACC, the quality of the stratospheric ozone profiles obtained with the FFTS has to be assessed. The FFTS results from July 2009 to December 2011 are compared to ozone profiles retrieved by the FB. FFTS and FB of the GROMOS microwave radiometer agree within 5% above 20 hPa. A later harmonization of both time series will be realized by taking the FFTS as benchmark for the FB. Ozone profiles from the FFTS are also compared to coinciding lidar measurements from the Observatoire Haute Provence (OHP), France. For the time period studied a maximum mean difference (lidar – GROMOS FFTS) of +3.8% at 3.1 hPa and a minimum mean difference of +1.4% at 8 hPa is found. Further, intercomparisons with ozone profiles from other independent instruments are performed: satellite measurements include MIPAS onboard ENVISAT, SABER onboard TIMED, MLS onboard EOS Aura and ACE-FTS onboard SCISAT-1. Additionally, ozonesondes launched from Payerne, Switzerland, are used in the lower stratosphere. Mean relative differences of GROMOS FFTS and these independent instruments are less than 10% between 50 and 0.1 hPa.
Decreased noise figure measurement uncertainty in Y factor method
Authors: Gaspard I.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Almost always noise figure is measured today by using a matched noise source delivering two different but known noise temperatures (Y factor method). In commercially available noise sources these temperatures are characterized by the excess noise ratio (ENR) value, describing the ratio of equivalent noise power when switched on related to the noise power of a resistor at a temperature of 290 K (switched off). For a typical ENR value of 5 dB that means a hot temperature Th=1207 K and a cold temperature Tc = 290 K.
A first approach to the distortion analysis of nonlinear analog circuits utilizing X-parameters
Authors: Weber H. , Widemann C. , Mathis W.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. In this contribution a first approach to the distortion analysis of nonlinear 2-port-networks with X-parameters1 is presented. The X-parameters introduced by Verspecht and Root (2006) offer the possibility to describe nonlinear microwave 2-port-networks under large signal conditions. On the basis of X-parameter measurements with a nonlinear network analyzer (NVNA) behavioral models can be extracted for the networks. These models can be used to consider the nonlinear behavior during the design process of microwave circuits. The idea of the present work is to extract the behavioral models in order to describe the influence of interfering signals on the output behavior of the nonlinear circuits. Hereby, a simulator is used instead of a NVNA to extract the X-parameters. Assuming that the interfering signals are relatively small compared to the nominal input signal, the output signal can be described as a superposition of the effects of each input signal. In order to determine the functional correlation between the scattering variables, a polynomial dependency is assumed. The required datasets for the approximation of the describing functions are simulated by a directional coupler model in Cadence Design Framework. The polynomial coefficients are obtained by a least-square method. The resulting describing functions can be used to predict the system's behavior under certain conditions as well as the effects of the interfering signal on the output signal. 1 X-parameter is a registered trademark of Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Reproducing system-level bulk current injection test in direct power injection setup for multiple-port DUTs
Authors: Miropolsky S. , Frei S.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Many investigations have been published on the transferability of RF immunity test results between system and IC-levels. The RF signal level at DUT (Device under Test) inputs, i.e. either RF voltage amplitude or RF input current, is used as a reference value for the load on the DUT. Existing approaches analyze the DUT response as a function of the RF signal level at a single input pin, e.g. supply voltage. Sufficient accuracy of such an approach could be shown in several cases, but results are not sufficient as a general solution for complex DUT. This paper proposes both theoretical analysis and practical implementation of a DPI setup, where a disturbance, equivalent to system-level BCI setup, can be delivered to multiple DUT input ports.
Validation of a measurement method for magnetic shielding effectiveness of a wire mesh enclosure with comparison to an analytical model
Authors: Kühn M. , John W. , Weigel R.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. This paper deals with the validation of a measurement method for determining the magnetic shielding effectiveness of a wire mesh enclosure in the frequency range from 10 kHz to 150 kHz. The comparison with an analytical model (parallel-plate-shield, see Kaden, 1959) for magnetic shielding effectiveness of wire mesh is also part of this contribution. To measure the shielding effectiveness of an enclosure in general, two steps are necessary: 1. Reference measurement of the incident electro-magnetic field. 2. Measurement of the incident electro-magnetic field in the enclosure by same conditions. This method presented in the contribution uses a Helmholtz coil as magnetic field source, controlled by a signal generator and an amplifier in voltage mode. At first, a field meter was used to measure the frequency dependent magnetic field in the center of the Helmholtz coil. The magnetic field strength was also analytically calculated and compared to the measurement results. The next step was to measure the induction voltage caused by the magnetic field with a magnetic field probe, which was later used for the measurements of the shielding effectiveness either. A signal amplifier was needed to raise the signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR). The gain of the signal amplifier was also determined and measured. Two positions of the enclosure in the Helmholtz coil were considered, horizontal and vertical. The vertical position of the enclosure approaches the analytical model of Kaden (1959) closely and the results show a good match with the analytical model.
EMC studies on systems with hybrid filter circuits for modern aircraft applications
Authors: Kut T. , Chand B. , Lücken A. , Dickmann S. , Schulz D.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. In this contribution, a new approach for EMC-filter design is presented. Due to the increasing electrification of modern aircraft, as a result of the More Electric Aircraft concept, new strategies and approaches are required to fulfill the strict EMC aircraft standards (DO-160/ED-14 – Sec. 20). Consequently the weight and volume of the used filter components can be reduced. A promising approach could be a combination of passive and active filters. For the same attenuation effect, so-called hybrid filters achieve either savings in weight and volume, or can obtain an additional filtering effect with minimal weight increase of an existing system. In this paper, the underlying theory is explained in detail, carried out in a simulation tool and the gained insight is demonstrated with a sample measurement.
Untersuchung der Richtwirkung der Einkopplung von ebenen Wellen in eine Leitung
Authors: Magdowski M. , Vick R.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Elektrische Leitungen und Kabel stellen häufig die Haupteinfallstore für elektromagnetische Felder in die daran angeschlossenen Geräte und Systeme dar. Für die Einkopplung einer ebenen Welle kann der in eine Leitung eingekoppelte Strom unter bestimmten Voraussetzungen mit Hilfe der Leitungstheorie sehr effizient bestimmt werden. Er hängt dabei von den Abmessungen der Leitung, den Leitungsabschlüssen sowie der Amplitude, der Wellenlänge und der Einfallsrichtung der ebenen Welle ab. In dieser Arbeit wird die Abhängigkeit der Einkopplung von der Einfallsrichtung näher untersucht. Dazu werden Richtdiagramme der Einkopplung berechnet, dargestellt und hinsichtlich der mittleren und maximalen Einkopplung über alle Einfallsrichtungen und Polarisationen ausgewertet. Die Ergebnisse werden genutzt, um die maximale Direktivität der Einkopplung in eine Leitung zu bestimmen. Fasst man die Einkopplung externer Felder in eine Leitung als einen Störfestigkeitstest auf, so kann die maximale Direktivität benutzt werden, um einen Vergleich zwischen unterschiedlichen Messumgebungen wie Absorberhallen und Modenverwirbelungskammern herzustellen.
A fast three-dimensional deterministic ray tracing coverage simulator for a 24 GHz anti-collision radar
Authors: Azodi H. , Siart U. , Eibert T. F.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. A matrix-based approach for implementation of deterministic ray tracing is suggested and presented in this paper. The frequency-independent feature of the ray tracing in addition to the matrix-based implementation results in a reliable fast simulator for understanding the behavior of the electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of a collision avoidance radar. Results of this technique are in a good agreement with the results from method of moments integral equation solutions while the computations are about 100 times faster.
Satellitengestützte Lokalisierung in urbanen Gebieten mit globalen Satellitennavigationssystemen
Authors:   P. Reisdorf und G. Wanielik
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Die Kenntnis des eigenen Standortes an jedem Punkt der Erde und zu jeder Zeit ist eine wichtige Voraussetzung für viele Anwendungen sowohl im Straßenverkehr als auch zur Orientierung einzelner Personen. Wurde bisher das bekannte GPS vorwiegend eingesetzt, so existiert mit GLONASS und entsprechenden Mehrsystemempfängern die Möglichkeit der Nutzung von mehreren Satellitensystemen. Dadurch erhöht sich augenblicklich die Anzahl zur Verfügung stehender Satelliten, wodurch sich bestimmte Positionierungseigenschaften wie Verfügbarkeit, Integrität und Genauigkeit verbessern lassen.
The road surveying system of the federal highway research institute – a performance evaluation of road segmentation algorithms
Authors: Streiter R. , Wanielik G.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. The construction of highways and federal roadways is subject to many restrictions and designing rules. The focus is on safety, comfort and smooth driving. Unfortunately, the planning information for roadways and their real constitution, course and their number of lanes and lane widths is often unsure or not available. Due to digital map databases of roads raised much interest during the last years and became one major cornerstone of innovative Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADASs), the demand for accurate and detailed road information increases considerably. Within this project a measurement system for collecting high accurate road data was developed. This paper gives an overview about the sensor configuration within the measurement vehicle, introduces the implemented algorithms and shows some applications implemented in the post processing platform. The aim is to recover the origin parametric description of the roadway and the performance of the measurement system is being evaluated against several original road construction information.
Improving the performance of BICM-ID and MLC systems with different FEC codes
Authors: Arafa T. , Sauer-Greff W. , Urbansky R.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. In bandwidth limited communication systems, the high data rate transmission with performance close to capacity limits is achieved by applying multilevel modulation schemes in association with powerful forward error correction (FEC) coding, i.e. coded modulation systems. The most important practical approaches to coded modulation systems are multilevel coding with multistage decoding (MLC/MSD) and bit interleaved coded modulation with iterative demapping and decoding (BICM-ID). Multilevel modulation formats such as M-QAM, which can be used as a part of coded modulation systems, have the capability of multilevel protection. Based on this fact, we investigate the methods to improve the performance of BICM-ID using multiple interleavers with different binary channel coding schemes such as convolutional codes, turbo codes and low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. Moreover, an MLC system with parallel decoding on levels (PDL) at the receiver is considered. In our contribution, we propose to design the individual coding schemes using the extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) charts for individual bit levels in the constellation. Our simulation results show that the BICM-ID systems, taking into account different bit-level protections, can provide an improvement of 0.65 dB, 1.2 dB and 1.5 dB for 256-QAM with turbo, LDPC and convolutional codes, respectively. On the other hand, MLC systems with PDL designed using EXIT charts for individual bit levels can slightly improve the performance and eliminate the error floor compared to the systems with MSD.
Synoptic climatology of winter intense precipitation events along the Mediterranean coasts
Authors: Reale M. , Lionello P.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. The link between winter (December-January-February) precipitation events at 15 Mediterranean coastal locations and synoptic features (cyclones and Northern Hemisphere teleconnection patterns) is analyzed. A list of precipitation events has been produced; q percentile thresholds (Thq) and corresponding frequency Nq (for q equal to 25, 50, 90 and 98) have been considered. A negative trend has been detected in total precipitation and N50 at many locations, while no significant trend in N25, N90 and N98 has been found. The negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the East Atlantic/West Russia pattern (EAWR) compete for exerting the largest influence on the frequency of the 25th, 50th and 90th percentiles, with EAWR and NAO exerting their largest influence in the central and western Mediterranean areas, respectively. All percentiles show a similar behavior except for the 98th percentile, which shows no convincing link to any teleconnection pattern. The cyclone tracks that are associated with precipitation events have been selected using the ERA-40 reanalysis data, and a strong link between intense precipitation and cyclones is shown for all stations. In general, the probability of detecting a cyclone within a distance of 20° from each station increases with the intensity of the precipitation event and decreases with the duration of a dry period. The origin and track of cyclones producing intense precipitation differ among different areas. When precipitation occurs in the northwestern Mediterranean, cyclones are generally either of Atlantic origin or secondary cyclones associated with the passage of major cyclones north of the Mediterranean Basin, while they are mostly generated inside the region itself for events at the eastern Mediterranean coast. An important fraction of intense events in the southern areas is produced by cyclones that are generated over northern Africa. The analysis of sea level pressure and geopotential height at 500 hPa highlights the important role of cyclone depth, circulation strength, surrounding synoptic condition, and of slow speed of the cyclone center for producing intense precipitation events.
Variations in weed flora and the degree of its transformation in ecological and extensive conventional cereal crops in selected habitats of the Beskid Wyspowy Mountains
Authors: Dąbkowska Teresa , Sygulska Paulina
Published: July 2013

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of production conditions, as influenced by habitat factors and farming system, on the geographical-historical spectrum of weed flora accompanying cereal crops and selected aspects of its transformations. The study was conducted in the period 2009–2011 in seven field habitats located in the municipality of Słopnice (Beskid Wyspowy Mountains). The study material consisted of 192 phytosociological relevés made using the Braun–Blanquet method in ecological and extensive conventional cereal crops. The obtained results are evidence of the numerical predominance of native species (spontaneophytes) over alien taxa in weed infestation, regardless of conditions. The dominant proportion of synanthropic spontaneophytes (apophytes) in weed infestation of fields proves the leading role of the process of apophytization and thus a small effect of anthropopressure on the status and transformations of the flora. Nevertheless, the alien flora, dominated by archeophytes, confirms the historical continuity of agricultural culture in the study area.

The parameters describing synanthropic transformations of arable flora, i.e. the anthropophytization, archaeophytization, kenophytization and modernization indices of this flora, do not show any significant differences resulting from production conditions. However, there are reasons that allow us to presume that the directions and intensity of transformations of the segetal flora in the study area are more determined by habitat conditions that ensure the ongoing co-occurrence of different land use forms and plant communities which are important for the maintenance of biological diversity and which strengthen the sustainability of the agricultural environment.
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Theoretical and experimental studies on the gas transport properties of mixed matrix membranes based on polyvinylidene fluoride
Authors: Shen Yi , Lua Aik Chong
Published: July 2013

The effects of the impregnation of three types of inorganic fillers into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer membranes on the gas permeability and selectivity of these membranes were studied theoretically and experimentally. Permeabilities of He, CO2, O2, and N2 through three types of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) based on PVDF, that is, PVDF/SiO2, PVDF/MCM‐41, and PVDF/4A MMMs, were experimentally measured and theoretically predicted using Maxwell, Higuchi, Bruggeman, and Bottcher‐Landauer models. Theoretical permeabilities of the PVDF/SiO2 MMMs using the above four models predicted the results in the following order: Maxwell model>Bruggeman model>Bottcher model>Higuchi model. However, this sequence was reversed for PVDF/MCM‐41 MMMs. The nonporous SiO2, mesoporous MCM‐41 and zeolite 4A inorganic fillers had effects on the permeabilities of the challenge gases for the PVDF/SiO2, PVDF/MCM‐41, and PVDF/4A MMMs but had no effects on the selectivities of the MMMs. The experimental permeabilities of the MMMs showed that there were no significant differences among the three types of MMMs despite that the inorganic fillers, that is, SiO2, MCM‐41, and zeolite 4A, had distinct dissimilar properties such as pore structures and particle sizes. Density measurements indicated that some voids were present in the polymer/particle interfaces. Based on the density measurement results, the void volume fractions of the resulting MMMs were calculated. An equation is derived to determine the void thickness of the MMM in terms of its physical properties and hence this proposed equation can substitute the difficult task of measuring such void thickness through any microscopy techniques. The Maxwell, Higuchi, Bruggeman, and Bottcher‐Landauer models could not predict the actual gas permeabilities of the PVDF MMMs. By taking the effects of crystallinity and immobilization factor on gas permeability into consideration, the extended modified Maxwell model showed good agreement with the experimental gas permeabilities of the resulting MMMs, indicating that the model did capture the essence of the gas transport behaviors through the MMMs. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4715–4726, 2013
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/Dysplasia (ARVC/D)
Authors: Iyer V. Ramesh , Chin Alvin J.
Published: July 2013

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a progressive genetic cardiomyopathy characterized by progressive fatty and fibrous replacement of ventricular myocardium. The clinical presentation is marked by ventricular arrhythmias, some fatal. The disease has evolved from a primary electrical/electrophysiological disorder (in the 1980s–1990s) to a diagnostic imaging conundrum (in the 2000s) to the current day understanding of a genetic cardiomyopathy caused by defects in cell–cell adhesion proteins or intracellular signaling components. The pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and the genetics of the disease are discussed in this review. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Antioxidant Activity of a Novel Series of Pyrazolotriazine, Coumarin, Oxoazinone, and Pyrazinopyrimidine Derivatives
Authors: Gouda Moustafa A.
Published: July 2013

A series of pyrazolotriazone derivatives 8–10 were obtained via coupling of 3‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐3‐oxopropanenitrile (1) with 3‐pyrazole diazonium chlorides 2–4, followed by heating of the formed hydrazones 5–7 in acetic acid, respectively. Moreover, coupling reaction of 1 with the aryl diazonium salts 15a–c afforded hydrazones 16a–c. Furthermore, treatment of 1 with 2‐hydroxy‐1‐aldehydes 18–20 afforded the corresponding coumarins 21–23, respectively. Finally, compound 1 reacted with 1‐nitrosonaphthalen‐2‐ol (26) and 6‐amino‐5‐nitroso‐2‐thioxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐4(1H)‐one (28) to give 3‐oxo‐3H‐naphtho[2,1‐b][1,4]oxazine‐2‐carbonitrile (25) and pyridazinopyrimidine (29), respectively. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their ABTS antioxidant activity. Compounds 7 (90.39%), 10 (85.88%), and 16a (91.95%) exhibited promising activities. The most potent compound, 16a, has the ability to protect DNA from the damage induced by bleomycin.
A possible mechanism of metabolic regulation in Gibberella fujikuroi using a mixed carbon source of glucose and corn oil inferred from analysis of the kinetics data obtained in a stirrer tank bioreactor
Authors: Rios‐Iribe Erika Y. , Hernández‐Calderón Oscar M. , Reyes‐Moreno C. , Contreras‐Andrade I. , Flores‐Cotera Luis B. , Escamilla‐Silva Eleazar M.
Published: July 2013

A nonstructured model was used to study the dynamics of gibberellic acid production in a stirred tank bioreactor. Experimental data were obtained from submerged batch cultures of Gibberella fujikuroi (CDBB H‐984) grown in varying ratios of glucose‐corn oil as the carbon source. The nitrogen depletion effect was included in mathematical model by considering the specific kinetic constants as a linear function of the normalized nitrogen consumption rate. The kinetics of biomass growth and consumption of phosphate and nitrogen were based on the logistic model. The traditional first‐order kinetic model was used to describe the specific consumption of glucose and corn oil. The nitrogen effect was solely included in the phosphate and corn oil consumption and biomass growth. The model fit was satisfactory, revealing the dependence of the kinetics with respect to the nitrogen assimilation rate. Through simulations, it was possible to make diagrams of specific growth rate and specific rate of substrate consumptions, which was a powerful tool for understanding the metabolic interactions that occurred during the various stages of fermentation process. This kinetic analysis provided the proposal of a possible mechanism of regulation on growth, substrate consumptions, and production of gibberellic acid (GA3) in G. fujikuroi. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1169–1180, 2013
The AT2 Domain of KirCI Loads Malonyl Extender Units to the ACPs of the Kirromycin PKS
Authors: Musiol Ewa Maria , Greule Anja , Härtner Thomas , Kulik Andreas , Wohlleben Wolfgang , Weber Tilmann
Published: July 2013

The antibiotic kirromycin is assembled by a hybrid modular polyketide synthases (PKSs)/nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs). Five of six PKSs of this complex assembly line do not have acyltransferase (AT) and have to recruit this activity from discrete AT enzymes. Here, we show that KirCI is a discrete AT which is involved in kirromycin production and displays a rarely found three‐domain architecture (AT1‐AT2‐ER). We demonstrate that the second AT domain, KirCI‐AT2, but not KirCI‐AT1, is the malonyl‐CoA‐specific AT which utilizes this precursor for loading the acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) of the trans‐AT PKS in vitro. In the kirromycin biosynthetic pathway, ACP5 is exclusively loaded with ethylmalonate by the enzyme KirCII and is not recognized as a substrate by KirCI. Interestingly, the excised KirCI‐AT2 can also transfer malonate to ACP5 and thus has a relaxed ACP‐specificity compared to the entire KirCI protein. The ability of KirCI‐AT2 to load different ACPs provides opportunities for AT engineering as a potential strategy for polyketide diversification.
Improving Binding Affinity and Stability of Peptide Ligands by Substituting Glycines with D‐Amino Acids
Authors: Chen Shiyu , Gfeller David , Buth Sergey A. , Michielin Olivier , Leiman Petr G. , Heinis Christian
Published: July 2013

Improving the binding affinity and/or stability of peptide ligands often requires testing of large numbers of variants to identify beneficial mutations. Herein we propose a type of mutation that promises a high success rate. In a bicyclic peptide inhibitor of the cancer‐related protease urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA), we observed a glycine residue that has a positive ϕ dihedral angle when bound to the target. We hypothesized that replacing it with a D‐amino acid, which favors positive ϕ angles, could enhance the binding affinity and/or proteolytic resistance. Mutation of this specific glycine to D‐serine in the bicyclic peptide indeed improved inhibitory activity (1.75‐fold) and stability (fourfold). X‐ray‐structure analysis of the inhibitors in complex with uPA showed that the peptide backbone conformation was conserved. Analysis of known cyclic peptide ligands showed that glycine is one of the most frequent amino acids, and that glycines with positive ϕ angles are found in many protein‐bound peptides. These results suggest that the glycine‐to‐D‐amino acid mutagenesis strategy could be broadly applied.
Improving Physical Absorption of Carbon Dioxide by Ionic Liquid Dispersion
Authors: Liu H. , Tian H. , Yao H. , Yu D. , Zhao W. , Bai X.
Published: July 2013

An ionic liquid (IL), 1‐butylimidazole hexafluoride phosphate [bmim]PF4, was dispersed in surfactant solution to form an IL‐in‐water emulsion. Physical absorption of CO2 was carried out in this emulsion system. Absorption rates of CO2 under different operating conditions were obtained by experimental measurements. CO2 concentrations in the bulk of absorbent and the local volumetric mass transfer coefficients of the liquid phase were calculated by model calculation. Experimental results indicate that the dispersed IL droplets in aqueous solution can significantly enhance CO2 mass transfer at the gas‐liquid interface. This phenomenon can be ascribed to the increase of mass transfer driving force and local volumetric mass transfer coefficient. The shuttle effect and hydrodynamic effect proved to play important roles for CO2 absorption improved by dispersed IL.