bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient preferences for oropharyngeal cancer treatment de‐escalation
Authors: Brotherston Drew C. , Poon Ian , Le Tuyen , Leung Martin , Kiss Alex , Ringash Jolie , Balogh Judith , Lee Justin , Wright James R.
Published: March 2012

Background

The excellent prognosis of human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) against severe chemoradiotherapy (CRT) toxicities has opened discussion of deintensification trials. The purpose of this study was to describe the perspective of patients with HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative disease toward such studies.

Methods

Fifty‐one patients with oropharyngeal SCC (post‐CRT) underwent semistructured interviews contrasting toxicities of radiotherapy (RT) alone and CRT. Patients were asked what potential difference in cancer survival was acceptable to prefer RT over CRT. Initially, survival rate was the same for both treatments, then the RT rate was reduced until the preference switched. Treatment experience and preference for deintensified CRT were collected.

Results

Ninety‐percent of patients initially selected RT, but 69% switched to CRT after 0% to 5% reduction in survival. Patients that rated their treatment experience as mild would accept lower survival versus severe treatment (p = .02). Eighty‐one percent of patients (33 of 40) indicated they preferred reduced chemotherapy in CRT.

Conclusion

Patients accept little difference in survival between treatments to avoid toxicity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Associations among speech, eating, and body image concerns for surgical patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Fingeret Michelle Cororve , Hutcheson Katherine A. , Jensen Katrina , Yuan Ying , Urbauer Diana , Lewin Jan S.
Published: March 2012

Background

Body image can be affected by bodily experiences extending beyond physical appearance. This study evaluated associations among speech, eating, and body image concerns for surgically treated patients with oral cavity, midface, and cutaneous cancers of the head and neck.

Methods

Using a cross‐sectional design, 280 participants completed the Body Image Scale, a survey evaluating disease‐specific body image issues, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale–General.

Results

Participants with speech and eating concerns reported the highest levels of body image/appearance dissatisfaction compared with those without such concerns. This group also reported greater cognitive and behavioral difficulties associated with body image concerns and significantly higher levels of interest in psychosocial interventions to address appearance‐related difficulties compared with all other participants.

Conclusions

Findings point to the need for more comprehensive psychosocial care for patients with head and neck malignancies reporting speech and eating difficulties, which extent beyond functional rehabilitation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Hepatitis C virus infection enhances TNFα-induced cell death via suppression of NF-κB
Authors: Park Junseong , Kang Wonseok , Ryu Seung-Wook , Kim Woo-Il , Chang Dong-Yeop , Lee Dong Ho , Park Do Youn , Choi Youn-Hee , Choi Kyungsun , Shin Eui-Cheol , Choi Chulhee
Published: March 2012

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in liver injury and long-term complications, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver injury in HCV infection is believed to be caused by host immune responses, not by viral cytopathic effects. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a pivotal role in the inflammatory processes of hepatitis C. TNF-α induces cell death that can be ameliorated by nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) activation. We investigated the regulation of TNF-α signal transduction in HCV-infected cells and identified HCV proteins responsible for sensitization to TNF-α-induced cell death. We studied the effect of HCV infection on TNF-α signal transduction using an

in vitro

HCV infection model (JFH-1, genotype 2a) with Huh-7 and Huh-7.5 cells. We found that TNF-α-induced cell death significantly increased in HCV-infected cells. HCV infection diminished TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of IκB kinase (IKK) and inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB), which are upstream regulators of NF-κB activation. HCV infection also inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB and expression of NF-κB-dependent anti-apoptotic proteins, such as B-cell lymphoma—extra large (Bcl-xL), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), and the long form of cellular-FLICE inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). Decreased levels of Bcl-xL, XIAP, and c-FLIP messenger RNA and protein were also observed in livers with chronic hepatitis C. Transfection with plasmids encoding each HCV protein revealed that core, nonstructural protein (NS)4B, and NS5B attenuated TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation and enhanced TNF-α-induced cell death.

Conclusion
: HCV infection enhances TNF-α-induced cell death by suppressing NF-κB activation through the action of core, NS4B, and NS5B. This mechanism may contribute to immune-mediated liver injury in HCV infection.
The automation design advisor tool (ADAT): Development and validation of a model‐based tool to support flight deck automation design for nextgen operations
Authors: Sebok Angelia , Wickens Christopher , Sarter Nadine , Quesada Stacey , Socash Connie , Anthony Brian
Published: March 2012

NextGen aviation will require an even greater reliance on automation than current‐day operations. Therefore, systems with problems in human–automation interaction must be identified and resolved early, well before they are introduced into operation. This paper describes a research and software development effort to build a prototype automation design advisor tool (ADAT) for flight deck automation. This tool uses models of human performance to identify perceptual, cognitive, and action‐related inefficiencies in the design of flight management systems. Aviation designers can use the tool to evaluate and compare potential flight deck automation designs and to identify potential human–automation interaction concerns. Designers can compare different flight management systems in terms of specific features and their ability to support pilot performance. ADAT provides specific, research‐based guidance for resolving problematic design issues. It was specifically designed to be flexible enough for both current‐day technologies and revolutionary NextGen designs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Signature and hydrologic consequences of climate change within the upper–middle Brahmaputra Basin
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Biswajit
Published: March 2012

A prevailing perception is that the glaciers and perennial snow and ice covered areas (SCAP) or in the Himalayan region are fast contracting. However, systematic studies providing the quantitative estimates of SCAP as a function of time within individual river basins are lacking. The importance of meltwater in river flows varies greatly from one river basin to another, yet the actual estimates of those contributions are largely unknown. This study bridges such knowledge gaps for the upper–middle Brahmaputra Basin by using best available digital cartographic and remotely sensed snow cover data. We find that when the entire basin is considered, SCAP decreased from 7637 ± 764 in 1980 to 4298 ± 1422 km2 in 1992. However, it has increased to 7160 ± 2248 km2 in 2000. From 2000 to 2010, the SCAP has remained nearly constant around a mean of 10 052 ± 1468 km2. The same trend is observed within individual physiographic zones of the basin. Such increase in SCAP is due to the increase in the precipitation over the middle Brahmaputra Basin and the Nyainquentanglha Mountains, as observed in station records. The incursion of moist air through the Brahmaputra valley to the higher elevations within the Nyainquentanglha Mountains causes snowfall during pre‐monsoonal and post‐monsoonal seasons and an expansion of the SCAP. Glacial expansions in the Nyainquentanglha Mountains have also been observed in other recent studies. In addition to the increase in precipitation and SCAP, another manifestation of climate change observed in this basin is the increasing temperature with a mean annual trend of +0.28 °C/decade. The hydrologic consequences of the observed effects of climate change are expected to be an insignificant change in streamflows in the watersheds drained by the upper Brahmaputra River but a perceptible increase in river discharges in the watersheds drained by the middle Brahmaputra River and its tributaries, particularly within the upper and lower catchments of the middle Brahmaputra Basin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conceptualization of the hydrogeological system of some sedimentary aquifers in Savelugu–Nanton and surrounding areas, Northern Ghana
Authors: Attandoh Nelson , Yidana Sandow Mark , Abdul‐Samed Aliou , Sakyi Patrick Asamoah , Banoeng‐Yakubo Bruce , Nude Prosper M.
Published: March 2012

Groundwater resources play a pivotal role in the rural water delivery system in Ghana. The hydrogeological system of Middle Voltaian terrain was simulated using available data on hydraulic heads and boundary conditions. The objective was to characterize the general groundwater flow pattern and provide local estimates of the distribution of hydraulic conductivity and recharge fields. The results suggest a predominant NE–SW flow direction, which ties in with the general regional structural trend and indicates that the hydrogeological conditions of the rocks are controlled by structural entities created in the wake of fracturing and/or weathering of the rocks whose primary permeabilities are considerably reduced because of high compaction and low‐grade metamorphism. Calibrated hydraulic conductivities range between 1.90 and 10.81 m/d. The spatial distribution appears to reflect the intensity of fracturing and/or weathering of the rock and the proportion of the clay fraction of the weathered zone. Vertical groundwater recharge has been estimated to range between 0.3% and 4.1% of the annual rainfall. This recharge rate is quite low and reflects the imperviousness of the thick overburden because of high clay content in some places and high compaction in others. Despite this apparently low recharge rate, groundwater resources potential in the area appear to be high, and increased abstraction from existing abstraction wells by up to 50% does not appear to register significant effects on groundwater budgets at the simulated recharge rates. This suggests that the well yields are much lower than the potential of the aquifer system. The apparently low yields might be associated with poor well development and the choice of inappropriate well completion materials. This study recommends a monitoring system to be developed for a much more regional groundwater flow simulation under transient conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Locating and characterising groundwater storage areas within an alpine watershed using time‐lapse gravity, GPR and seismic refraction methods
Authors: McClymont A. F. , Hayashi M. , Bentley L. R. , Liard J.
Published: March 2012

Unconsolidated sediments in alpine watersheds can store glacier melt and snowmelt as groundwater, which helps sustain flow in mountain rivers during dry periods. However, the amount and distribution of groundwater storage in rugged alpine terrain is not well understood, hindering our ability to predict the rate and timing of groundwater discharge into alpine streams. We show how non‐invasive time‐lapse microgravity surveys can be used to gauge the spatial distribution of groundwater storage changes within a large (ca 1500 × 1000 m) moraine–talus field of the Lake O'Hara alpine watershed of the Canadian Rockies. Additional ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and seismic refraction surveys provide complementary information on subsurface bedrock topography and reveal the location of a major northwest–southeast trending depression that likely controls groundwater flow to an alpine lake contiguous with the moraine–talus field. Repeat relative gravity measurements made on a network of 80 gravity stations over and around the moraine–talus field during the summers of 2009 and 2010 reveal gravity changes of up to 25 µgal. Although the small gravity changes associated with groundwater flowing out of storage areas are noisy, significant changes are evident on the eastern side of the moraine–talus field. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2012.
Insulin‐like growth factor 2 hypomethylation of blood leukocyte DNA is associated with gastric cancer risk
Authors: Yuasa Yasuhito , Nagasaki Hiromi , Oze Isao , Akiyama Yoshimitsu , Yoshida Shunsuke , Shitara Kouhei , Ito Seiji , Hosono Satoyo , Watanabe Miki , Ito Hidemi , Tanaka Hideo , Kang Daehee , Pan Kai‐feng , You Wei‐cheng , Matsuo Keitaro
Published: March 2012

To determine whether or not the methylation status of blood leukocyte DNA can be used as a surrogate marker of the risk for cancer, we quantitatively determined the methylation levels of insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and TUSC3 in 299 gastric cancer cases, and 299 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. The IGF2 methylation levels in blood leukocyte DNA of the cases were lower than those of the healthy controls and there was a significant trend of increasing gastric cancer risk with decreasing methylation level of IGF2. Patients with hypermethylated IGF2 in blood leukocyte DNA showed a significantly better survival rate than those with hypomethylated IGF2, indicating that the IGF2 methylation level in blood leukocyte DNA can be a possible marker not only of the risk for but also of the prognosis of gastric cancer. In contrast, the TUSC3 methylation level in blood leukocyte DNA was higher in the cases than in the healthy controls, but the difference was not significant. The past lifestyle and clinicopathological characteristics of the participants were analyzed for any relationship with the methylation level. With aging and smoking, methylation of IGF2 and TUSC3 decreased and increased in blood leukocyte DNA, respectively. These results indicate that the methylation level of IGF2 in blood leukocyte DNA may be used as an important surrogate marker of the risk for gastric cancer.
Carbon monoxide: An unusual drug
Authors: Gullotta Francesca , Masi Alessandra di , Ascenzi Paolo
Published: March 2012

The highly toxic gas carbon monoxide (CO) displays many physiological roles in several organs and tissues. Although many diseases, including cancer, hematological diseases, hypertension, heart failure, inflammation, sepsis, neurodegeneration, and sleep disorders, have been linked to abnormal endogenous CO metabolism and functions, CO administration has therapeutic potential in inflammation, sepsis, lung injury, cardiovascular diseases, transplantation, and cancer. Here, insights into the CO‐based therapy, characterized by the induction or gene transfer of heme oxygenase‐1 and either gas or CO‐releasing molecule administration, are reviewed. 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2012
Synthesis and characterization of antibacterial dental monomers and composites
Authors: Xu Xiaoming , Wang Yapin , Liao Sumei , Wen Zezhang T. , Fan Yuwei
Published: March 2012

The objective of this study is to synthesize antibacterial methacrylate and methacrylamide monomers and formulate antibacterial fluoride‐releasing dental composites. Three antibacterial methacrylate or methacrylamide monomers containing long‐chain quaternary ammonium fluoride, 1,2‐methacrylamido‐N,N,N‐trimethyldodecan‐1‐aminium fluoride (monomer I), N‐benzyl‐11‐(methacryloyloxy)‐N,N‐dimethylundecan‐1‐aminium fluoride (monomer II), and methacryloxyldecylpyridinium fluoride (monomer III) have been synthesized and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). The cytotoxicity test and bactericidal test against Streptococcus mutans indicate that antibacterial monomer II is superior to monomers I and III. A series of dental composites containing 0–6% of antibacterial monomer II have been formulated and tested for degree of conversion (DC), flexure strength, water sorption, solubility, and inhibition of S. mutans biofilms. An antibacterial fluoride‐releasing dental composite has also been formulated and tested for flexure strength and fluoride release. The dental composite containing 3% of monomer II has a significant effect against S. mutans biofilm formation without major adverse effects on its physical and mechanical properties. The new antibacterial monomers can be used together with the fluoride‐releasing monomers containing a ternary zirconiun‐fluoride chelate to formulate a new antibacterial fluoride‐releasing dental composite. Such a new dental composite is expected to have higher anticaries efficacy and longer service life. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Relationship between microstructure and degree of mineralization in subchondral bone of osteoarthritis: A synchrotron radiation µCT study
Authors: Chiba Ko , Nango Nobuhito , Kubota Shogo , Okazaki Narihiro , Taguchi Kenji , Osaki Makoto , Ito Masako
Published: March 2012

We analyzed the microstructure and degree of mineralization of the subchondral trabecular bone in hip osteoarthritis (OA) using synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SRCT) to identify the relationship between bone structure and bone turnover. Subchondral bone samples were extracted from femoral heads of 10 terminal-staged hip OA patients. The SRCT scan was performed at 30 keV energy and 5.9 µm voxel size. Trabecular bone structure, bone cyst volume, and the degree of trabecular bone mineralization were measured, and correlations between bone structure and the degree of mineralization were analyzed. In addition, the trabecular bone was divided into the area immediately surrounding the bone cyst and the remaining area, and they were compared. The average cyst volume fraction in the whole region was 31.8%, and the bone volume fraction in the bone region was 55.6%. Cyst volume was the only structural parameter that had a significant correlation with the degree of mineralization. The degree of mineralization was diminished when the bone cyst was larger (r = −0.81, p = 0.004). The trabecular bone immediately surrounding the bone cyst had a lower degree of mineralization when compared with the remaining trabecular bone (p = 0.008). In the bone sclerosis of OA subchondral bone, there are many large and small bone cysts, which are expected to play a significant part in the high bone turnover of OA. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A functional network of the tumor suppressors APC, hDlg, and PTEN, that relies on recognition of specific PDZ‐domains
Authors: Sotelo Natalia S. , Valiente Miguel , Gil Anabel , Pulido Rafael
Published: March 2012

APC and PTEN are tumor suppressor proteins that bind through their C‐termini to the PDZ domain containing‐hDlg scaffolding protein. We have found that co‐expression of PTEN and hDlg enhanced the negative regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway by PTEN, indicating the physiologic importance of these interactions. APC and PTEN share other PDZ domain containing–interacting partners, including the MAGI scaffolding proteins and the MAST family of protein kinases. Mutational analysis revealed that the C‐terminal PDZ‐binding motifs from APC and PTEN were differentially recognized by distinct PDZ domains. APC bound to the three PDZ domains from hDlg, whereas PTEN mainly bound to PDZ‐2/hDlg. This indicates the existence of overlapping, but distinct PDZ‐domain recognition patterns by APC and PTEN. Furthermore, a ternary complex formed by APC, PTEN, and hDlg was detected, suggesting that hDlg may serve as a platform to bring in proximity APC and PTEN tumor suppressor activities. In line with this, tumor‐related mutations targeting the PDZ‐2/hDlg domain diminished its interaction with APC and PTEN. Our results expand the PDZ‐domain counterparts for the tumor suppressor APC, show that APC and PTEN share PDZ‐domain partners but have individual molecular determinants for specific recognition of PDZ domains, and suggest the participation of the tumor suppressors APC, PTEN, and hDlg in PDZ‐domain interaction networks which may be relevant in oncogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2661–2670, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermodynamics of chemical reactions with COSMO‐RS: The extreme case of charge separation or recombination
Authors: Deglmann Peter , Schenk Stephan
Published: March 2012

Many technically relevant chemical processes in the condensed phase involve as elementary reactive steps the formation of ions from neutral species or, as the opposite, recombination of ions. Such reactions that generate or annihilate charge defy the standard gas phase quantum chemical treatment, and also continuum solvation models are only partially able to account for the right amount of stabilization in solution. In this work, for such types of reaction, a solvation treatment involving the COSMO‐RS method is assessed, which leads to improved results, i.e., errors of only around 10 kJ/mol for both protic and aprotic solvents. The examples discussed here comprise protolysis reactions and organo halide heterolysis, for both of which a comparison with reliable experimental data is possible. It is observed that for protolysis, the quality of results does not strongly depend on the quantum chemical method used for energy calculation. In contrast, in the case of heterolytic carbon‐chlorine bond cleavage, clearly better results are obtained for higher correlated (coupled cluster) methods or the density functional M06‐2X, which is well known for its accuracy if applied to organic chemistry. This hints at least that the right answer is obtained for the right reason and not due to a compensation of errors from gas phase thermodynamics with those from the solvation treatment. Problems encountered with certain critical solvents or upon decomposing Gibbs free energies into heats or entropies of reaction are found to relate mostly to the parameterization of the H‐bonding term within COSMO‐RS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inter‐annual and inter‐decadal variability of dry days in Argentina
Authors: Rivera Juan Antonio , Penalba Olga Clorinda , Betolli María Laura
Published: March 2012

This work proposes to employ the number of dry days (days without precipitation) as a variable of study, and to analyse their spatial and temporal variability in Argentina. Climatological aspects of dry days, such as their annual mean values and its seasonal cycle, were discussed and compared with precipitation features in the country. Linear trends in the annual number of dry days (ANDD) were identified for the period 1960–2005. Most of the regions exhibited decreasing trends, but few stations showed significant ones. The most important trends were present in the Central‐West region and over the Patagonian coast and their magnitudes indicated a decrease of two to six dry days per decade. These trends coincide with the observed increase of accumulated precipitation in part of the country during the second half of the 20th century. To identify long‐term fluctuations in the ANDD, a low pass filter, a wavelet analysis and a cubic polynomial fit was applied to the longest time series of the selected locations. Through these methodologies, periodicities were identified in the inter‐annual and inter‐decadal ranges for the last 80 years. The most important significant cycles were observed in the range of 10–24 years, but also, depending on the region, significant inter‐annual variations were found. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Information Management Barriers in Complex Research and Development Projects: an Exploratory Study on the Perceptions of Project Managers
Authors: Santos Vitor Ricardo , Soares António Lucas , Carvalho João Álvaro
Published: March 2012

Many organizations depend on the success of rapidly deployed, limited time frame and multipartner projects as an important element of their business strategies. Information management is regarded as a critical and upmost important issue, especially in projects. Complex projects require additional team collaboration and a consistent information management strategy to support the development of the project. This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study on information management barriers in complex projects, particularly focusing issues and difficulties recognized by project participants and managers. Our study intends to fill the gap in empirical research regarding this subject and to provide new insights for project managers of complex projects to devise more effective information management strategies and tools to set up and run information technology platforms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid molecular detection of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma as an intraoperative adjunct to sentinel lymph node biopsy
Authors: Ferris Robert L. , Stefanika Patrick , Xi Liqiang , Gooding William , Seethala Raja R. , Godfrey Tony E.
Published: March 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Clinical staging of early head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN) is often inaccurate, leading to elective neck dissection to detect the 30% of patients with micrometastatic disease. Sentinel node biopsy accurately stages the regional lymphatics, but intraoperative pathology is only moderately sensitive, and final pathology takes several days to complete. To facilitate immediate neck dissection where necessary, we have identified several promising marker genes of SCCHN metastasis and developed a rapid, accurate, and automated quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (qRT‐PCR) assay for intraoperative use.

Study Design:

Prospective tissue collection, retrospective pathologic correlation with qRT‐PCR.

Methods:

From a 40‐gene marker screen, we quantified expression of 11 potential tumor genes using a test set of primary tumors (n = 32) and metastatic (n = 19) and benign (n = 10) lymph nodes. Eight patients' paired primary tumor and metastatic nodes were included. A validation set of 442 grossly tumor‐negative nodes was evaluated for expression of the most promising markers, comparing metastasis detection by qRT‐PCR with pathologic analysis (hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry). A novel multiplexed, automated, single‐tube qRT‐PCR assay was used to analyze more than 100 lymph nodes using a two‐marker, 35‐minute assay to determine its negative predictive value.

Results:

Based on expression of 11 tumor‐associated genes from the marker screen, the two most promising markers of SCCHN metastasis in the test set, pemphigus vulgaris antigen (PVA) and tumor‐associated calcium signal transducer 1 (TACSTD1), also known as epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), were selected. Development of a multiplexed qRT‐PCR assay for the detection of metastasis compared favorably with pathologic analysis in the additional 442‐node set. A rapid, multiplexed assay using PVA and TACSTD1 demonstrated excellent reproducibility, linearity, and accuracy (≈96% negative predictive value) for identifying positive (n = 40) and negative (n = 62) nodes in a validation subset.

Conclusions:

Detection of metastatic SCCHN using multiplexed qRT‐PCR can be rapid, accurate, and automated and may enable sentinel node biopsy to be used for intraoperative decision‐making. PCR amplification of tumor marker genes is an effective method of intraoperative molecular staging of SCCHN and could more appropriately guide application of neck dissection in pN+ SCCHN patients, sparing 60% to 70% of pN0 patients from unnecessary neck dissection. This technique may also be used for identifying residual neck disease posttreatment, using outpatient fine‐needle aspiration biopsy specimens.
Mutation screening of the EYA1, SIX1, and SIX5 genes in an east asian cohort with branchio‐oto‐renal syndrome
Authors: Wang Shih‐Hao , Wu Chen‐Chi , Lu Ying‐Chang , Lin Yin‐Hung , Su Yi‐Ning , Hwu Wuh‐Liang , Yu I‐Shing , Hsu Chuan‐Jen
Published: March 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To explore the genetic characteristics of branchio‐oto‐renal (BOR) syndrome in an East Asian population.

Study Design:

Prospective clinical genetic study.

Methods:

Twelve families (total of 18 patients) who fulfilled the criteria for BOR syndrome were enrolled in this study. Mutation screening of the EYA1, SIX1, and SIX5 genes was performed by direct sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and genotype‐phenotype correlation was investigated.

Results:

Two novel EYA1 variants, c.466C>T (p.Q156X) and c.1735delG (p.D579fs), were identified in two multiplex families. The c.466C>T variant resulted in a truncated EYA1 protein, whereas the c.1735delG variant was predicted to encode an EYA1 protein with an abnormal C terminal. Neither variant was identified in a panel of 100 normal controls, and both were cosegregated with the BOR phenotype in the pedigrees, indicating that they were pathogenic mutations. No SIX1 and SIX5 mutations were detected in members of the remaining 10 families. Analysis of the genotype‐phenotype correlation revealed a high phenotypic variability between and within BOR families.

Conclusions:

Two novel EYA1 mutations (c.466C>T and c.1735delG) were identified in two families with BOR syndrome. SIX1 and SIX5 mutations were not detected in the present study. Further investigation is warranted regarding the contribution of SIX1 and SIX5 mutations to BOR syndrome in East Asian populations.
DESIGN FEATURES OF ANCIENT AGRICULTURAL TERRACE WALLS IN THE NEGEV DESERT: HUMAN‐MADE GEODIVERSITY
Authors: Ore G. , Bruins H. J.
Published: March 2012

Thousands of stone terrace walls were constructed by past societies in the dry valleys of the central Negev highlands to capture runoff/floodwaters from local rainfall to enable agriculture in the desert. Human intervention in geomorphic processes led to human‐made geodiversity, as significant differences developed between terraced and natural stream channels. The former are characterised by soil aggradation, as terraced fields also captured sediment during each rainfall/flood event. The natural stream channels, on‐the‐other‐hand, often experienced erosion and desertification. The ancient agricultural terraces were abandoned about 1000 years ago, but many stone terrace walls are still intact. On the basis of fieldwork, we report new findings of sophisticated design characteristics of terrace walls. (1) Mutual friction‐hold of rectangular building stones was increased by placing the longest axis parallel with the flow direction of the floodwater and orienting the second longest axis vertically in the terrace wall. (2) The gradual addition of stone layers in the terrace walls, necessary to keep the wall above the aggrading field surface, was sometimes performed in a way that resulted in a staircase construction. Thus, the floodwaters would gradually cascade down to the next terraced field, thereby preventing undercutting and erosion. (3) In larger stream channels of 4th and 5th orders, the longitudinal axis of terrace walls was sometimes constructed with an oblique angle. This was apparently performed for two reasons: (i) to lessen the impact of the floodwaters on the terrace wall and (ii) to steer the water in diversion systems further onto the floodplain. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical evaluation of the inhibition properties of two thiophene derivatives on corrosion of carbon steel in acidic media
Authors: Gece G.
Published: March 2012

The density functional theory at the B3LYP/6‐311G++(d,p) basis set level calculations were performed on two thiophene derivatives used as corrosion inhibitors, namely 2‐methylthiophene and 2‐(aminomethyl)thiophene, to investigate the correlation between its molecular structure and the corresponding inhibition efficiency (IE%). Quantum chemical parameters such as the highest occupied molecular orbital energy (EHOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (ELUMO), energy gap (ΔE), dipole moment (µ), electronegativity (χ), hardness (η), and the fraction of electrons transferred from the inhibitor molecule to the metal surface (ΔN), have been calculated. A good correlation between the theoretical data and the experimental results was found.
Comments on “A triangular dielectric resonator antenna excited by a coaxial probe”
Authors: Maity Sudipta , Gupta Bhaskar
Published: March 2012

Original article published Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30:340–341, 2001. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1548, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26808
Compact microstrip lowpass filter for harmonics suppression using a new defected ground structure
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhu Xi , Karmakar Nemai C.
Published: March 2012

A compact microstrip lowpass filter (LPF) for harmonics suppression is proposed. An open stub LPF with uniquely shaped defect ground structure cells is used to optimize the LPF performance. A stopband attenuation of greater than 20 dB is obtained from 3.42 GHz to more than 18 GHz. The physical size of the proposed LPF, excluding transmission lines, is only 10 × 15 mm2. Good agreements between simulation and measurements are observed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1385–1387, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26809
The grooved‐dielectric Fresnel zone plate: An effective terahertz lens and antenna
Authors: Hristov H. D. , Rodriguez J.M. , Grote W.
Published: March 2012

A number of microwave and terahertz grooved‐dielectric Fresnel zone plate (FZP) and ordinary lenses and antennas are studed and compared numerically. Although the microwave (38 GHz) eight‐step FZP lens is certainly inferior, the corresponding terahertz (1.5 THz) FZP lens is comparable in focusing action to the ordinary one. By use of a new design approach to the terahertz FZP lens/antenna the typical unwanted focusing shift from the design frequency is removed and even better focusing performance is obtained within a limited frequency band. Thus, at terahertz frequencies the dielectric FZP lens or antenna is a lightweight and an effective option to the ordinary lens or antenna. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1343–1348, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26812
Efficient, high gain with low side lobe level antenna structures using parasitic patches on multilayer superstrate
Authors: Vaidya Avinash R. , Gupta Rajiv K. , Mishra Sanjeev K. , Mukherjee J.
Published: March 2012

In this article, we propose efficient high gain with low side lobe level (SLL) antenna structures using parasitic patches (PPs) on multilayer superstrates. The antenna structures consist of a microstrip antenna that feeds an array of square PPs fabricated on multilayer FR4 superstrates. The patches fabricated on multilayer superstrate are suspended in air with the help of dielectric rods at integral multiple of λ0/2. The structure with 9 × 9 array of square PPs on a superstrate layer at λ0/2 provides a gain of 19 dB, which increases to 21.1 and 21.8 dB when the superstrate layer height is increased to 1.0 and 1.5 λ0, respectively. However, SLL increases with increase in superstrate height. Gain enhancement with low SLL is achieved using PPs on multilayer superstrate. The antenna with 3 × 3 and 9 × 9 array of square PPs on superstrate layers at 0.5 and 1.5 λ0, respectively provides a gain of 22.7 dB with 92% efficiency, SLL of −22.3 dB and front to back lobe ratio of more than 20 dB. Structure is designed, fabricated, and tested. The measured VSWR is <2 over 5.725–5.875‐GHz frequency band. The proposed structure is an attractive solution for several wireless communication systems, such as base station cellular systems, satellite systems, and point‐to‐point links. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1488–1493, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26818
CMOS transconductance‐enhanced Colpitts‐like quadrature voltage‐controlled oscillator
Authors: Jang Sheng‐Lyang , Liu Wei‐Chih , Huang Jhin‐Fang , Chang Chia‐Wei
Published: March 2012

A new fully integrated CMOS quadrature voltage‐controlled oscillator (QVCO) is presented.The QVCO is composed of two cross‐coupled nMOSFETs in shunt with a parallel‐tuned LC resonator and was implemented in 0.18 μm CMOS technology. The source of nMOSFET is in series with a degenerated pMOSFET modulated by the VCO output signal. The negative resistance cell in the QVCO is a transconductance‐enhanced Colpitts‐like cell used to improve the start‐up oscillation. The QVCO is tunable from 7.04 to 8.08 GHz. Although the tuning voltage varies from 0 to 2 V. The phase noise of the QVCO operating at 7.09 GHz is −120.5 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset, while the QVCO draws 4 mA and uses 4 mW consumption. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1453–1455, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26820
Photonic synthesis of continuous‐wave millimeter‐wave signals using a passively mode‐locked laser diode and selective optical filtering
Authors: Acedo P. , Carpintero G. , Criado A.R. , de Dios C. , Yvind K.
Published: March 2012

We report a photonic synthesis scheme for continuous wave millimeter‐wave signal generation using a single passively mode‐locked laser diode (PMLLD), optical filtering and photomixing in a fast photodiode.The phase noise of the photonically synthesized signals is evaluated and inherits the characteristics of the PMLLD electrical power spectrum. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1416–1419, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26822
Planar log‐periodic bow‐tie dipole array antenna with reduced size and enhanced front‐back ratio
Authors: Yeo Junho , Lee Jong‐Ig
Published: March 2012

In this article, a planar log periodic bow‐tie dipole array (LPBDA) antenna with reduced size and enhanced front‐back ratio (FBR) for ultra‐high frequency band is presented.It is comprised of bow‐tie‐shaped printed dipole elements instead of printed strip dipole elements. The results show that as the flare angle of the bow‐tie dipole elements increases, the lowest operating frequency shifts toward lower frequency with an effect of size reduction. In addition, the gain variation of the LPBDA is much less and the FBR is also improved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1435–1441, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26825
Wideband to narrowband frequency reconfiguration using PIN diode
Authors: Ismail Muhamad Faizal , Rahim Mohamad Kamal A. , Majid Huda A.
Published: March 2012

A frequency reconfigurable antenna using log‐periodic technique is reported. A 13 square patches fed by inset feed line technique are connected with a single transmission line by a log‐periodic array formation to form a wideband frequency from 3 to 6 GHz. By applying 13 PIN diodes at the transmission line with a quarter wavelength radial stub biasing, three different sub‐band frequencies (3–4, 3.7–5, and 4.8–6 GHz) are configured by switching ON and OFF the PIN diodes. The antenna has a directive radiation pattern and gain about 6–8 dB at all sub‐bands. Simulated and measured results with antenna design are presented and they show that a good agreement in term of return loss. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1407–1412, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26826
Printed spiral‐slot multimode antenna miniaturization for digital television signal receptions
Authors: Lin Ding‐Bing , Tang I‐Tseng , Chang En‐Tsao
Published: March 2012

A compact printed spiral‐slot multimode antenna operated at its quarter wavelength (λ/4) mode as the fundamental resonant mode for digital television (DTV) signal receptions is presented. To achieve broadband characteristics, the proposed antenna is constructed by embedding the eight different quarter‐wavelength spiral slots on system ground plane and is fed using a 50‐Ω microstrip. The eight spiral slots also generate eight λ/4 resonance modes to cover the DTV reception band (470–862 MHz) throughout the world. Further, the proposed antenna has a simple planar eight‐spiral‐slot structure and occupies a small area of 20 × 20 mm2 only on the system ground plane (20 × 70 mm2). The impedance matching and bandwidth of the proposed antenna are significantly affected by the sheet metal on the signal line. The antenna is able to realize an omnidirectional radiation pattern over the entire frequency band. Further, the measurement results agree with the simulation ones. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1369–1371, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26828
Ultrawideband‐printed hexagonal monopole antennas with WLAN band rejection
Authors: Mandal Tapan , Das Santanu
Published: March 2012

In this article, a printed regular hexagonal monopole antenna fed by a microstrip line has been presented for ultrawide bandwidth. The antenna is then modified to possess band rejection at the wireless local area network (WLAN) (5.15–5.88 GHz) by an inverted U‐shape slot within the radiating patch. The length and width of the U‐shape slot offer sufficient freedom for selecting and shifting the notched band. The impedance and radiation characteristics are presented and discussed in detail. From the results, it has been observed that the impedance BW, defined by VSWR ≤ 2, can reach a value of 10.04 GHz (3.11–13.15 GHz), while band stop function is in the frequency bands of 5.15–5.88 GHz. The proposed antenna peak gain varies 1.53–4.05 dB over the whole 2.74–11.05 GHz excluding in 4.95–5.92 GHz notch band. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1520–1525, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26831
Measurement of the paraelectric property of bulk ferroelectrics under high DC bias at microwave frequencies
Authors: Wu C.‐Y. , Wang T. , Ren A.‐K.
Published: March 2012

A microstrip‐based test fixture that can measure the paraelectric property of bulk ferroelectrics under high DC bias up to 2 kV at microwave frequencies is presented.In the measurement, a rectangular‐cuboid ferroelectrics with a pair of electrodes at opposite sides which represents a lumped capacitor is placed between a gap of a microstrip line. Blocking capacitors and a‐quarter‐wavelength stub lines are used to make sure that the vector network analyzer is double safe in the presence of high voltage. Thru‐reflect‐line calibration method is used to de‐embed the ferroelectric capacitor from blocking circuits and DC bias networks. The simulation and measurement results indicate that the method is suitable and safe for measuring the paraelectric property of bulk ferroelectrics at microwave frequencies under high DC bias. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1493–1496, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26844
Compact wideband bandstop filter using embedded capacitor
Authors: Qian Kewei
Published: March 2012

A new type of compact bandstop filter (BSF) using embedded capacitor in LTCC substrate is presented in this letter.Stopband rejection depth and bandwidth can be controlled simply by the value of the capacitor, while good return loss is realized by adjusting the impedance of two open‐circuited stubs. Further, filter size is miniaturized by the meandered closed‐loop structure. A lossless transmission line model analysis is used to derive design equations. To validate the proposed topology, a BSF centered at 4.5 GHz with bandwidth of 70% is designed and built. The implementation area is 0.35 λg × 0.25 λg, where λg is the guided wavelength at the mid‐stopband frequency. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1511–1514, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26848
A dual‐wideband antenna with an open L‐slot for WLAN/WiMAX applications
Authors: Luo Yang , Yin Ying‐zeng , Guo Yuan‐yuan , Zhao Yang
Published: March 2012

A dual‐wideband antenna with an open L‐slot for wireless local area network (WLAN)/worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) applications is proposed.A rectangular radiator with an open L‐slot etched on the ground is used to cover 2.4∼3.69 GHz. To achieve dual‐band characteristic, a rectangular strip is inserted on the rectangular radiator horizontally to generate another band covering 5.15∼ 5.85 GHz. The two bands are relatively independent with each other. Experimental results show that the antenna can operate at two separate impedance bands (S11<−10 dB) of 1330 MHz (2.37∼ 3.70 GHz) and 1140 MHz (4.95∼ 6.09 GHz), which can cover all the 2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz WLAN bands and the 2.5/3.5/5.5 WiMAX bands. Detailed design steps and experimental results are studied and investigated in this article. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1499–1502, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26852
Scattering amplitude computations for dielectrics that depend on two spatial variables
Authors: Hooshyar M. A.
Published: March 2012

A modified method of lines combined with a suitable transformation of the resulting coupled differential equations is developed for solving TM plane waves incident on cylindrical structures with dielectric properties that are function of two spatial directions. Numerical performance of the method is presented and found to be satisfactory. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1496–1499, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26853
Divide‐by‐4 injection‐locked frequency divider using two linear mixers
Authors: Chang Chia‐Wei , Jang Sheng‐Lyang , Juang Miin‐Horng
Published: March 2012

This letter proposes a wide locking range and operation range divide‐by‐4 injection‐locked frequency divider (ILFD) in the TSMC 0.18‐μm 1P6M RF‐CMOS process.The divide‐by‐4 ILFD uses an active inductor to increase the tuning range and a transistor composite to serve an injection device with two linear mixers to enhance the locking range of ILFD. At the supply voltage of 1.7 V, and at the incident power of 0 dBm the operation range of the divide‐by‐4 is about 5.8 GHz, from the incident frequency 3.6 to 9.4 GHz, the percentage is 89.2%. The locking range of the divide‐by‐4 is 1.8 GHz, from the incident frequency 6.8 to 8.6 GHz, the percentage is about 23.4%. The core power consumption is 7.6 mW. The die area is 0.503 × 0.36 mm2. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1359–1362, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26854
Hybrid real‐binary differential evolution algorithm applied to antenna optimization
Authors: Xie Lei , Jiao Yong‐Chang
Published: March 2012

As a powerful optimization approach, differential evolution algorithm has been applied to real‐ and binary‐valued optimization problems in electromagnetics. However, for some optimization problems a vector to be optimized consists of both real and binary components. This article describes a hybrid real‐binary differential evolution (RBDE) algorithm that works with real and binary values in the same vector. The proposed approach is demonstrated on designing a nonuniform antenna array and an ultrawideband antenna. Numerical experiments show that the RBDE algorithm is an effective technique. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1460–1463, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26856