bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity, population structure, and traditional culture of Camellia reticulata
Authors: Xin Tong , Huang Weijuan , De Riek Jan , Zhang Shuang , Ahmed Selena , Van Huylenbroeck Johan , Long Chunlin
Published: September 2017

Camellia reticulata is an arbor tree that has been cultivated in southwestern China by various sociolinguistic groups for esthetic purposes as well as to derive an edible seed oil. This study examined the influence of management, socio‐economic factors, and religion on the genetic diversity patterns of Camellia reticulata utilizing a combination of ethnobotanical and molecular genetic approaches. Semi‐structured interviews and key informant interviews were carried out with local communities in China's Yunnan Province. We collected plant material (n = 190 individuals) from five populations at study sites using single‐dose AFLP markers in order to access the genetic diversity within and between populations. A total of 387 DNA fragments were produced by four AFLP primer sets. All DNA fragments were found to be polymorphic (100%). A relatively high level of genetic diversity was revealed in C. reticulata samples at both the species (Hsp = 0.3397, Isp = 0.5236) and population (percentage of polymorphic loci = 85.63%, Hpop = 0.2937, Ipop = 0.4421) levels. Findings further revealed a relatively high degree of genetic diversity within C. reticulata populations (Analysis of Molecular Variance = 96.31%). The higher genetic diversity within populations than among populations of C. reticulata from different geographies is likely due to the cultural and social influences associated with its long cultivation history for esthetic and culinary purposes by diverse sociolinguistic groups. This study highlights the influence of human management, socio‐economic factors, and other cultural variables on the genetic and morphological diversity of C. reticulata at a regional level. Findings emphasize the important role of traditional culture on the conservation and utilization of plant genetic diversity.
Unsuccessful introduced biocontrol agents can act as pollinators of invasive weeds: Bitou Bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata) as an example
Authors: Gross Caroline L. , Whitehead Joshua D. , Silveira de Souza Camila , Mackay David
Published: September 2017

The extent of self‐compatibility and reliance on pollinators for seed set are critical determinants of reproductive success in invasive plant species. Seed herbivores are commonly used as biocontrol agents but may also act as flower visitors, potentially resulting in pollination. However, such contrasting or potentially counterproductive interaction effects are rarely considered or evaluated for biological control programs. We investigated the breeding system and pollinators of Bitou Bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata), an invasive species in Australia that has been the subject of biocontrol programs since 1987. We found the species to be obligate outcrossing in all six populations tested. From 150 video hours, we found 21 species of potential pollinators, including Mesoclanis polana, the Bitou Seedfly, native to South Africa and released in Australia as a biocontrol agent in 1996. Mesoclanis polana transferred pollen to stigmas and was the most common pollinator (52% of pollinator visits), followed by the syrphid fly Simosyrphus grandicornis (9%) and introduced honeybee, Apis mellifera (6.5%). Fruit‐to‐flower ratios ranged from 0.12 to 0.45 and were highest in the population with the greatest proportion of Mesoclanis polana visits. In an experimental trial, outside the naturalized range, the native bee Homalictus sphecodoides and the native syrphid Melangyna viridiceps were the primary pollinators, and fruit‐to‐flower ratios were 0.35, indicating that Bitou Bush would have ready pollinators if its range expanded inland. Synthesis. Invasive Bitou Bush requires pollinators, and this is effected by a range of generalist pollinators in eastern Australia including the Bitou Seedfly, introduced as a biocontrol agent, and the major pollinator detected in this study. Fruit‐to‐flower ratios were highest when the Bitou Seedfly was in high abundance. This study underscores the importance of evaluating the pollination biology of invasive species in their native ranges and prior to the introduction of biocontrol agents.
Supramolecular Maleate Adducts of Copper(II) 12‐Metallacrown‐4: Magnetism, EPR, and Alcohol Sorption Properties
Authors: Pavlishchuk Anna V. , Kolotilov Sergey V. , Zeller Matthias , Lofland Samuel E. , Kiskin Mikhail A. , Efimov Nikolay N. , Ugolkova Elena A. , Minin Vadim V. , Novotortsev Vladimir M. , Addison Anthony W.
Published: September 2017

With maleate, [Cu5(ahpha)4]2+ gives two complexes, [Cu5(ahpha)4(DMF)2](MalH)2·2DMF (1) and [Cu5(ahpha)4(MalH)2] (2) (ahpha2– is 3‐amino‐3‐hydroximinopropane hydroxamate; MalH2 is maleic acid). Both 1 and 2 contain non‐oligomerized [Cu5(ahpha)4]2+ metallacrown blocks; in 1, two MalH– are bound to [Cu5(ahpha)4]2+ only via H‐bonds, while in 2, they coordinate to Cu2+. The X‐band EPR of 1 was observed at 20 K, 100 K, and 295 K. The EPR at 20 K was of an S = 1/2 ground state, while at room temperature anisotropic |ΔMs| = 1 and |ΔMs| = 2 resonances around 3200 G (g ≈ 2.19) and 1600 G (g ≈ 4.25) were observed for the Cu5 system, due to partial occupation of an S = 3/2 state. The room temperature EPR of 1 was simulated as the weighted sum of the spectra of its various S = 1/2, 3/2, and 5/2 states. Its magnetic behavior was fitted with a χMT vs. T model using a spin Hamiltonian accounting for central–peripheral (J1), peripheral–peripheral (J2) Cu2+–Cu2+ and intercrown (zJ′) spin interactions, yielding J1 = –156(4) cm–1, J2 = –63(1) cm–1, and zJ′ = –4.5(3) cm–1. For sorption of methanol and ethanol vapors at 293 K by a desolvated polycrystalline sample of 1, the shape of the adsorption and desorption isotherms indicated a “gates opening” phenomenon.
Production of MLM Type Structured Lipids From Grapeseed Oil Catalyzed by Non‐Commercial Lipases
Authors: Costa Carolina M. , Osório Natália M. , Canet Albert , Rivera Ivanna , Sandoval Georgina , Valero Francisco , Ferreira‐Dias Suzana
Published: September 2017

Low calorie triacylglycerols (TAG) presenting medium‐chain fatty acids (M) at positions sn‐1,3 and long‐chain fatty acids (L) at position sn‐2 are known as MLM. This study aims at the production of MLM by acidolysis of grapeseed oil with medium‐chain caprylic (C8:0) or capric (C10:0) acids. Grapeseed oil is used as source of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs), especially linoleic acid, at sn‐2 position in TAG. Reactions are performed in batch, in solvent‐free systems, during 48 h. Novel non‐commercial sn‐1,3 regioselective lipases are used as alternative to high‐cost commercial biocatalysts, namely, the heterologous lipase from Rhizopus oryzae (rROL) immobilized in Amberlite™ IRA 96 and Carica papaya lipase (CPL) self‐immobilized in papaya latex. The highest productions of new TAG are achieved at 40 °C, molar ratio TAG:M of 1:2, after 48 h, with both biocatalysts, with yields varying between 38 and 69%. rROL immobilized in Amberlite IRA 96 shows a preference toward caprylic acid while CPL shows no preference toward caprylic or capric acid. First‐order deactivation kinetics is observed for both biocatalysts. Half‐lives at 40 °C are 166 and 118 h for rROL and 96 and 81 h for CPL, in the acidolysis of grapeseed oil with C8:0 or C10:0, respectively.

Practical Applications: Grapeseeds of Vitis vinifera L. are a by‐product of the wine industry. Using grapeseed oil to produce added‐value functional oils rich in linoleic acid (essential fatty acid) may be a way of improving the revenues of the enological and oil sectors. Both lipases, and mainly Carica papaya lipase self‐immobilized in papaya latex, due to its low‐cost production and easy preparation, are promising non‐commercial biocatalysts for the synthesis of MLM in solvent‐free media. The use of a solvent‐free system, in addition of being a green option, is also preferred for economic reasons, avoiding the costs with solvent and solvent recovery. Also, the use of the stoichiometric molar ratio TAG:M of 1:2 will 1) decrease costs related with the recovery and reutilization of medium chain fatty acids in excess, product recovery and purification, and 2) avoid biocatalyst deactivation by high amounts of free fatty acids in reaction media.

Both Carica papaya lipase (CPL) self‐immobilized in papaya latex and rROL in Amberlite IRA 96 catalyze the synthesis of MLM from grapeseed oil in solvent‐free medium. The highest productions of new TAG are achieved at 40 °C, molar ratio TAG:M of 1:2, after 48 h, with both biocatalysts, with yields varying between 38 and 69%. rROL immobilized in Amberlite IRA96 shows a preference toward caprylic acid while CPL shows no preference toward caprylic or capric acid.
Model for multiblock columns subjected to base excitation
Authors: Ther Tamás , Kollár László P.
Published: September 2017

A new model is presented for multiblock columns subjected to earthquakes, which contains an impact and an opening model. Both in the impact and in the opening model, all the possible opening configurations are investigated because it was found that in many practical cases, unexpected patterns may occur. The model is purely mechanical: assuming rigid blocks and classical (inelastic) impact. The effect of energy dissipation during impact was investigated. Using our model in accordance with the literature, it was found that monolithic blocks are more vulnerable to overturning than multiblock systems.
Human mesenchymal factors induce rat hippocampal‐ and human neural stem cell dependent oligodendrogenesis
Authors: Jadasz Janusz J. , Tepe Lena , Beyer Felix , Samper Agrelo Iria , Akkermann Rainer , Spitzhorn Lucas‐Sebastian , Silva Maria Elena , Oreffo Richard O. C. , Hartung Hans‐Peter , Prigione Alessandro , Rivera Francisco J. , Adjaye James , Küry Patrick
Published: September 2017

The generation of new oligodendrocytes is essential for adult brain repair in diseases such as multiple sclerosis. We previously identified the multifunctional p57kip2 protein as a negative regulator of myelinating glial cell differentiation and as an intrinsic switch of glial fate decision in adult neural stem cells (aNSCs). In oligodendroglial precursor cells (OPCs), p57kip2 protein nuclear exclusion was recently found to be rate limiting for differentiation to proceed. Furthermore, stimulation with mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐derived factors enhanced oligodendrogenesis by yet unknown mechanisms. To elucidate this instructive interaction, we investigated to what degree MSC secreted factors are species dependent, whether hippocampal aNSCs respond equally well to such stimuli, whether apart from oligodendroglial differentiation also tissue integration and axonal wrapping can be promoted and whether the oligodendrogenic effect involved subcellular translocation of p57kip2. We found that CC1 positive oligodendrocytes within the hilus express nuclear p57kip2 protein and that MSC dependent stimulation of cultured hippocampal aNSCs was not accompanied by nuclear p57kip2 exclusion as observed for parenchymal OPCs after spontaneous differentiation. Stimulation with human MSC factors was observed to equally promote rat stem cell oligodendrogenesis, axonal wrapping and tissue integration. As forced nuclear shuttling of p57kip2 led to decreased CNPase‐ but elevated GFAP expression levels, this indicates heterogenic oligodendroglial mechanisms occurring between OPCs and aNSCs. We also show for the first time that dominant pro‐oligodendroglial factors derived from human fetal MSCs can instruct human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived NSCs to differentiate into O4 positive oligodendrocytes.
The HRM–capital market link: Effects of securities analysts on strategic human capital
Authors: Krausert Achim
Published: September 2017

This article develops theory about an agency problem affecting the strategic human capital (SHC) of the firm. It proposes three categories of SHC‐related choices managers must make that imply a trade‐off between near‐ and long‐term performance. Dispersed shareholding, firm coverage by securities analysts, and their practice of publishing quarterly earnings forecasts are argued to entail a bias in management incentives, shifting the balance in this trade‐off toward near‐term performance. To restore the balance, securities analysts would need to distinguish transitory from recurring effects of SHC‐related choices in their valuation models (e.g., treating certain labor cost savings during cyclical downturns as transitory). Restoring the balance would also require them to anticipate long‐term effects in their long‐term earnings forecasts (e.g., long‐term positive effects of retaining employees with valuable skills during cyclical downturns). The article discusses specific transitory cost effects and long‐term effects they could potentially take into account. The skills and incentives needed by analysts to account for such effects are argued to vary across firm segments.
Migration from Mexico to the United States: A high‐speed cancer transition
Authors: Pinheiro Paulo S. , Callahan Karen E. , Stern Mariana C. , de Vries Esther
Published: September 2017

Differences and similarities in cancer patterns between the country of Mexico and the United States' Mexican population, 11% of the entire US population, have not been studied. Mortality data from 2008 to 2012 in Mexico and California were analyzed and compared for causes of cancer death among adult and pediatric populations, using standard techniques and negative binomial regression. A total of 380,227 cancer deaths from Mexico and California were included. Mexican Americans had 49% and 13% higher mortality than their counterparts in Mexico among males and females, respectively. For Mexican Immigrants in the US, overall cancer mortality was similar to Mexico, their country of birth, but all‐cancers‐combined rates mask wide variation by specific cancer site. The most extreme results were recorded when comparing Mexican Americans to Mexicans in Mexico: with mortality rate ratios ranging from 2.72 (95% CI: 2.44–3.03) for colorectal cancer in males to 0.28 (95% CI: 0.24–0.33) for cervical cancer in females. These findings further reinforce the preeminent role that the environment, in its multiple aspects, has on cancer. Overall, mortality from obesity and tobacco‐related cancers was higher among Mexican origin populations in the US compared to Mexico, suggesting a higher risk for these cancers, while mortality from prostate, stomach, and especially cervical and pediatric cancers was markedly higher in Mexico. Among children, brain cancer and neuroblastoma patterns suggest an environmental role in the etiology of these malignancies as well. Partnered research between the US and Mexico for cancer studies is warranted.
Prevalence of conscientious objection to legal abortion among clinicians in northern Ghana
Authors: Awoonor‐Williams John K. , Baffoe Peter , Ayivor Philip K. , Fofie Chris , Desai Sheila , Chavkin Wendy
Published: September 2017

Objective

To assess the prevalence of conscientious objection (CO), motivations, knowledge of Ghana's abortion law, attitudes, and behaviors toward abortion provision among medical providers in northern Ghana, and measures to regulate CO.

Methods

Between June and November 2015, the present cross‐sectional survey‐based descriptive study measured prevalence, knowledge, and attitudes about CO among 213 eligible health practitioners who were trained in abortion provision and working in hospital facilities in northern Ghana. Results were stratified by facility ownership and provider type.

Results

Approximately half (94/213, 44.1%) of trained providers reported that they were currently providing abortions. The overall prevalence of self‐identified and hypothetical objection was 37.9% and 33.8%, respectively. Among 87 physicians, 37 (42.5%) and 39 (44.8%) were categorized as self‐identified and hypothetical objectors, respectively. Among 126 midwives, nurses, and physician assistants, 43 (34.7%) and 33 (26.2%) were coded as self‐identified and hypothetical objectors, respectively. A high proportion of providers reported familiarity with Ghana's abortion law and supported regulation of CO.

Conclusion

CO based on moral and religious grounds is prevalent in northern Ghana. Providers indicated an acceptance of policies and guidelines that would regulate its application to reduce the burden that CO poses for women seeking abortion services.
Colorectal wall regeneration resulting from the association of chitosan hydrogel and stromal vascular fraction from adipose tissue
Authors: Denost Quentin , Pontallier Arnaud , Buscail Etienne , Montembault Alexandra , Bareille Reine , Siadous Robin , Durand Marlene , Delmond Samantha , David Laurent , Bordenave Laurence
Published: September 2017

Chitosan hydrogel and adipose derived stem cells (ADCS) have been reported as the optimal partnership for colorectal tissue engineering. In that field, the aim of the current experiment was to assess the interest of seeding ADSC on chitosan hydrogel patches in an in vivo comparative study and on a tube intended replace a colonic segment in an in vivo feasibility study. In the comparative study, a 2 × 3 cm colonic wall defect was performed in 20 swine and repaired by suturing a chitosan hydrogel patch: acellular matrix (group A, n = 10) versus matrix seeded with autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) (group B, n = 10). In the feasibility study, a circular colonic section was performed and a 2‐cm‐length chitosan hydrogel tube (seeded with autologous SVF) was implanted between the two edges of the colon in 3 pigs. Graft areas were explanted at 8 weeks for examinations. Endpoints were technical feasibility, fibrosis ratio, and smooth muscle layer regeneration. A complete coverage of the patched area was observed with an ad integrum regeneration of the colonic wall including smooth muscle cells layer around a thin fibrosis scare. Fibrosis ratio was significantly lower group B: 13% versus 55% (p = 0.013). Segmental colonic replacement appeared accurate. Our data confirmed in a large animal model the healing effect of chitosan on colorectal tissue. The very low rate of the fibrosis ratio in the cellularized group emphasizes inflammatory control effect of the chitosan hydrogel and SVF association. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 460–467, 2018.
Customizable de novo design strategies for DOCK: Application to HIVgp41 and other therapeutic targets
Authors: Allen William J. , Fochtman Brian C. , Balius Trent E. , Rizzo Robert C.
Published: September 2017

De novo design can be used to explore vast areas of chemical space in computational lead discovery. As a complement to virtual screening, from‐scratch construction of molecules is not limited to compounds in pre‐existing vendor catalogs. Here, we present an iterative fragment growth method, integrated into the program DOCK, in which new molecules are built using rules for allowable connections based on known molecules. The method leverages DOCK's advanced scoring and pruning approaches and users can define very specific criteria in terms of properties or features to customize growth toward a particular region of chemical space. The code was validated using three increasingly difficult classes of calculations: (1) Rebuilding known X‐ray ligands taken from 663 complexes using only their component parts (focused libraries), (2) construction of new ligands in 57 drug target sites using a library derived from ∼13M drug‐like compounds (generic libraries), and (3) application to a challenging protein‐protein interface on the viral drug target HIVgp41. The computational testing confirms that the de novo DOCK routines are robust and working as envisioned, and the compelling results highlight the potential utility for designing new molecules against a wide variety of important protein targets. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controllable Synthesis and Study on Morphology of Copper Nanowires
Authors: Huang Wangping , Li Jinhui , Han Fei , Zhang Guoping , Sun Rong , Wong Ching‐Ping
Published: September 2017

High‐purity, large‐aspect‐ratio, and well‐dispersed copper nanowires (CuNWs) with an average diameter of 45 nm and length >100 μm were successfully synthesized by reducing a Cu(II) salt with glucose, with oleylamine (OM) and oleic acid (OA) serving as dual capping agents, through hydrothermal reduction. A systematic study of the effects of the copper salt, capping agents, reductant, and temperature on the morphology of CuNWs has been conducted. Our results indicate that CuNWs with different diameters can be obtained using different copper salts. The diameter of the as‐prepared CuNWs decreases with increasing amounts of OM/OA and glucose but increases with the increasing temperature of the reaction. By adjusting the experimental parameters, we could achieve controlled synthesis of CuNWs and obtain high‐quality CuNWs with different diameters of 45, 76, 85, 90, 100, 112, 135, and 175 nm.
Simple strategy for sensitive detection of dopamine using CdTe QDs modified glassy carbon electrode
Authors: Yu Hong‐wei , Zhang Ze , Jiang Jing‐hui , Pan Hong‐zhi , Chang Dong
Published: September 2017

Background

Cellular and brain metabolism of dopamine can be correlated with a number of neurodegenerative disorders, our study was to explore a simple and efficient method to detect dopamine in real samples.

Methods

A new quantum dots (CdTe QDs) could be prepared using the hydrothermal method, the electrochemical biosensor was established by dropping CdTe QDs on the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE).

Results

The CdTe QDs/GCE exhibited the excellent electrochemical catalytic activity toward dopamine (DA) with good stability and high sensitivity in presence of interfering substances. The detection limit of DA was calculated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) as low as 0.3 μmol L−1 with a linear dynamic range of 1 μmol L−1 to 400 μmol L−1.

Conclusion

In this paper, the proposed electrochemical biosensor could be effectively used for the direct and rapid detection of DA in human serum and urine samples.
Evaluation of the RT‐LAMP and LAMP methods for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Wu Dandan , Kang Jiwen , Li Baosheng , Sun Dianxing
Published: September 2017

Background

The current methods for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are not clinically optimal. Standard culture methods (SCMs) are slow, costly, or unreliable, and loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) cannot differentiate live Mtb.

Methods

This study compared reverse transcription (RT)‐LAMP, LAMP, and an SCM for detecting Mtb. A first experiment tested the sensitivity and specificity of primers for 9 species of Mycobacterium (H37Rv, M. intracellulare, M. marinum, M. kansasii, M. avium, M. flavescens, M. smegmatis, M. fortuitum, and M. chelonae); and 3 non‐Mycobacterium species (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae). A second experiment tested sputum specimens for the presence of Mtb, from 100 patients with tuberculosis (clinical) and 22 from patients without tuberculosis (control), using Roche solid culture (SCM), LAMP, and RT‐LAMP. In the clinical samples.

Results

The rates of positivity for Mtb of the SCM, LAMP, and RT‐LAMP methods were 88%, 92%, and 100%, respectively. The difference in detection rate was significant between RT‐LAMP and SCM, but RT‐LAMP and LAMP were comparable. In the control group, the detection rates were nil for all three methods.

Conclusion

The specificities of the methods were similar. The sensitivity of RT‐LAMP was ~10‐fold higher than that of LAMP for detecting Mtb. Unlike LAMP, RT‐LAMP could identify viable bacteria, and was able to detect a single copy of Mtb. Among SCM, LAMP, and RT‐LAMP, the latter is the most suitable for wide use in the lower‐level hospitals and clinics of China for detecting Mtb in sputum samples.
Deployment characteristics and long‐term PTSD symptoms
Authors: Morissette Sandra B. , DeBeer Bryann B. , Kimbrel Nathan A. , Meyer Eric C. , Gulliver Suzy B.
Published: September 2017

Objective

The impact of number, length, and time between (i.e., “dwell time”) deployments on long‐term Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms was examined in post‐9/11 U.S. veterans.

Method

This cross‐sectional design includes data from 278 veterans participating in a larger longitudinal research program of postdeployment recovery. Measures included self‐report questionnaires and the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale.

Results

Hierarchical regression was used to evaluate the independent contributions of deployment characteristics on long‐term PTSD symptoms after controlling for demographics and combat exposure. As expected, dwell time was a significant predictor of long‐term PTSD symptoms (β = − 0.17, p = .042; F5,108 = 8.21, ∆R2 = 0.03, p < .001). Follow‐up analyses indicated that dwell time of less than 12 months was associated with significantly greater long‐term PTSD symptoms than those deployed once or with dwell time greater than 12 months.

Conclusion

In addition to combat exposure, time between deployments warrants clinical attention as an important deployment characteristic for predicting long‐term PTSD symptoms.
Enhanced recovery after urologic surgery—Current applications and future directions
Authors: Zainfeld Daniel , Djaladat Hooman
Published: September 2017

Coordinated multidisciplinary perioperative care through enhanced recovery protocols has improved outcomes within urologic surgery. Continued development and refinement of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways will further augment the care of patients undergoing all urologic procedures. Among the challenges, moving forward is identification of barriers to ERAS adoption by providers, maximizing adherence among patients, standardization of ERAS pathways through establishment of evidence‐based principles, and application in additional complex urologic procedures beyond radical cystectomy.
Thirty‐day morbidity and mortality following otologic/neurotologic surgery: Analysis of the national surgical quality improvement program
Authors: Schwam Zachary G. , Michaelides Elias , Kuo Phoebe , Hajek Michael A. , Judson Benjamin L. , Schutt Christopher
Published: September 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

To determine the rate and timing of, as well as risk factors for, postoperative morbidity and mortality following otologic and neurotologic surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

A total of 1,381 patients were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for the years 2005 to 2010. Simple summary statistics, χ2, and multivariable logistic regression were performed.

Results

Lateral skull base/neurotologic tumor resection (LSB) was done in 35.9%, and middle ear/mastoid procedures (MEM) were performed in 63.5%. The overall adverse event rate was 10.4%, although it was significantly higher for LSB (24.2%) and lower for MEM (2.6%). The overall mortality rate was 1.4%. Complications occurred postdischarge in 40.4% of cases. The outpatient setting (odds ratio [OR]: 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15‐0.65) and undergoing MEM (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.12‐0.47) were associated with lower risk of experiencing a complication. Impaired functional status (OR: 10.45, 95% CI: 3.65‐29.89) was associated with postoperative mortality. An open wound preoperatively was associated with multiple causes of postoperative morbidity.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing approaches to the skull base and neurotologic tumor resections had the higher adverse event rate. Open wounds were predictive of several postoperative complications, and poor functional status was associated with mortality. Patients with significant comorbidities should be evaluated early on in their postoperative course to prevent readmission as well as major morbidity and mortality.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 128:1431–1437, 2018
1H NMR Study of “Host–Guest” Interactions of Micellar Assemblies from Amphiphilic Invertible Polymers and Peptides
Authors: Kohut Ananiy , Zholobko Oksana , Hevus Ivan , Voronov Andriy
Published: September 2017

“Host–guest” interactions between self‐assembled micellar nanostructures from amphiphilic invertible polymers (AIPs) and two peptides, swine‐origin Influenza A surface protein Hemagglutinin and research antibody peptide V5, are investigated by changing the polymer concentration and polymer/peptide ratio in the aqueous solution. Formation of mixed micellar assemblies from AIP and each peptide is revealed using detailed 1H NMR spectroscopic study. Peptide molecule localization in the micellar assemblies depends on the specific interactions between amino acid functional groups of the peptide and polymer fragments. The resulting mixed micellar structures can be considered as a promising material toward delivery and stimuli‐responsive sustained release of peptides.
A note on “Convergence and best proximity points for Berinde's cyclic contraction with proximally complete property”
Authors: Felhi Abdelbasset
Published: September 2017

Recently, Sanhan and Mongkolkeha introduced the concept of Berinde's cyclic contraction, and they established some results. Unfortunately, these results seem to be incorrect. In this paper, some counterexamples are given.
Supplementation with Docosahexaenoic Acid and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Prevents Liver Steatosis Induced by a High‐Fat Diet in Mice through PPAR‐α and Nrf2 Upregulation with Concomitant SREBP‐1c and NF‐kB Downregulation
Authors: Hernández‐Rodas María C. , Valenzuela Rodrigo , Echeverría Francisca , Rincón‐Cervera Miguel Ángel , Espinosa Alejandra , Illesca Paola , Muñoz Patricio , Corbari Alicia , Romero Nalda , Gonzalez‐Mañan Daniel , Videla Luis A.
Published: September 2017

Scope

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common cause of liver disease, for which there is no validated drug therapy at present time. In this respect, the PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6 n‐3) modulate lipid metabolism in the liver, and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has hepatoprotective effects.

Methods and results

The effect of combined DHA (C22:6 n‐3) and EVOO administration to mice on oxidative stress and metabolic disturbances induced by high‐fat diet (HFD) is evaluated. Male C57BL/6J mice are fed with a control diet (10% fat, 20% protein, and 70% carbohydrates) or an HFD (60% fat, 20% protein, and 20% carbohydrates) for 12 weeks. Animals are supplemented with DHA (50 mg/kg/day), EVOO (50 mg/kg/day), or DHA + EVOO through oral route. DHA + EVOO cosupplementation results in greater protection (p < 0.05) over that elicited by DHA or EVOO supply alone, when compared to the damage induced by HFD. DHA + EVOO significantly reduces hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and insulin resistance.

Conclusion

Synergistic beneficial effects of DHA + EVOO supplementation are associated with the activation/inactivation of key transcription factors involved in the above‐mentioned processes. Data presented indicate that dietary supplementation with DHA + EVOO drastically reduces the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Development of an efficient approach for MMW imaging system to identify concealed targets inside the book
Authors: Kumar Bambam , Sharma Prabhat , Singh Dharmendra
Published: September 2017

The most puzzling task faces by security agency is detection and identification of the targets like, blade, and knife inside the book and capability to differentiate with book mark. Millimeter wave (MMW) imaging system may have good potential for this because of its resolution and penetration capability. Therefore, in this paper a statistics based adaptive algorithm is proposed for detection and identification of targets like blade, knife and book mark inside the book for MMW imaging system.
Wideband proximity coupled microstrip linear array design for 5G mobile communication
Authors: Diawuo Henry Abu , Jung Young‐Bae
Published: September 2017

A novel low‐cost, high‐gain mm‐wave antenna has been presented. The antenna consists of a proximity‐coupled linear array with a novel feed structure which presents the idea of a segmented feedline in a series configuration below the patches creating a very wide bandwidth. The increased bandwidth is due to the manner of power coupling from the feedlines on the lower substrate to the patches on the upper substrate and back down to the next feedline. Very good agreement between simulated and measured results achieved shows that the proposed antenna structure is very efficient in achieving wideband characteristics and low sidelobe levels with conformal size. The antenna has a gain of over 13.5 dB with an HPBW of 15° ± 2° over a bandwidth of 27.5–28.5 GHz. It also exhibits a return loss below −10 dB with a bandwidth of 9% from 26.4 to 28.92 GHz.
High‐efficiency rectifier (5.2 GHz) using a Class‐FDickson charge pump
Authors: Bae Jongseok , Koo Hyungmo , Lee Hwiseob , Lim Wonseob , Lee Wooseok , Kang Hyunuk , Hwang Keum Cheol , Lee Kang‐Yoon , Yang Youngoo
Published: September 2017

This article presents a 5.2 GHz high‐efficiency rectifier, based on a Class‐F Dickson charge pump, for use in RF energy harvesting systems. A single‐stage Dickson charge pump with two Schottky diodes was adopted to produce a high‐output DC voltage. A harmonic source‐pull simulation was conducted to optimize the third harmonic impedance for the Class‐F harmonic termination. The proposed scheme is verified by designing and implementing a hybrid Class‐F Dickson charge pump for the 5.2 GHz band using two Schottky diodes in a package. The proposed rectifier has a very small size of 19 18 mm2, and the implemented rectifier exhibited a high RF‐to‐DC conversion efficiency of 64.1% and an output DC voltage of 5.1 V at an input power of 24 dBm for the 5.2 GHz single‐tone signal.
Modeling of field dependent Maxwell‐Wagner interfacial capacitance for bilayer metal‐insulator‐metal capacitors
Authors: Kannadassan D. , Mallick P. S.
Published: September 2017

In this letter, we have presented the modeling of field dependent Maxwell‐Wagner interfacial capacitance for bilayer metal‐insulator‐metal (MIM) capacitors. The model was verified with measured capacitance‐voltage characteristics of fabricated bilayer Al2O3/TiO2 MIM capacitors. The model reveals the origin of voltage linearity of MIM capacitors at low frequencies (<10 kHz). The proposed model for bilayer/multilayer MIM capacitors is very useful tool to design circuits for mixed signal, analog and digital circuits with low variation of capacitance for change in voltage.
Broadband circularly polarized square slot antenna with a G‐shaped feedline
Authors: Oteng Gyasi Kwame , Li Jian , Huang Yongjun , Guangjun Wen
Published: September 2017

This article presents the design of a compact circularly polarized square slot antenna fed by a G‐shaped strip feedline. The 3 dB axial ratio (AR) band can be achieved by modifying the feedline by simply extending it with an L‐shaped monopole and an inverted C‐shaped monopole. In simple terms, the extended part resembles a G‐shaped patch when viewed from the top. To extend the AR bandwidth achieved by the G‐patch, perturbations in the form of a U‐strip and an L‐shaped slot were introduced in the wide slot and ground plane, respectively. Measured results showed a wide 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of 37.1% (4.5–6.55 GHz) and an impedance bandwidth of 70.1% (3.32–6.95 GHz). The proposed antenna is suitable for wideband circular polarization applications in the IEEE C‐band.
A single‐aperture duplex antenna with dual circular polarizations
Authors: Lu Yun‐Long , Wang Yi , Gao Steven , Hua Changzhou , Liu Taijun
Published: September 2017

This article proposes a novel design of a compact single‐aperture dual circular polarization (CP) antenna with integrated duplexing functions using a phase controllable coupled resonator structure. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a multifunctional CP antenna with integrated duplexing performance and dual polarizations. The two orthogonal CPs are realized for the two respective filtering channels. Each channel contains a phased filtering power divider forming the dual‐feed to a patch to achieve right‐hand or left‐hand CP (RHCP or LHCP). The required output phases of the dividers are realized by varied configurations of the coupled λ/2‐resonator pairs. A duplex‐CP‐antenna with RHCP/LHCP at the downlink/uplink (2.45/2.7 GHz) is designed, fabricated, and measured. It achieved a 3‐dB AR bandwidth of 3.2/7.7% at the downlink/uplink and an isolation better than 20 dB. Meanwhile, the antenna showed expected second‐order filtering characteristics at both channels.
Characterization of a self‐aligned RTD using a SiNx sidewall process for high‐speed applications
Authors: Lee Kiwon , Lee Hoyeon , Lee Jongwon
Published: September 2017

In this article, an InP‐based self‐aligned resonant‐tunneling‐diode (RTD) using a SiNX sidewall process has been fabricated and characterized for high‐speed microwave applications. A plasma‐enhanced dry‐etch technique has been used to form a vertical emitter mesa. The measured peak currents are almost constant at a peak voltage due to negligible thermionic emission in a wide temperature range up to 125°C. The extracted series resistance of the fabricated self‐aligned RTD is 14.5 Ω, which is reduced by 27% compared with that of the nonself‐aligned RTD by reducing the spacing between emitter mesa and collector metal. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to characterize a self‐aligned RTD using the dry‐etched mesa and the SiNX sidewall structure.
A reconfigurable dual‐beam planar antenna with beam switching capability
Authors: Lalithamma Snehalatha , Pathak Nagendra P. , Manhas S. K.
Published: September 2017

A novel dual‐beam planar antenna with pattern reconfigurable feature is presented in this article. The proposed design uses four antenna elements, two of which are connected at a time to provide dual‐beam reconfigurability. Four PIN diodes are employed to achieve switching of the dual‐beam in four directions. A prototype of the antenna is fabricated on FR4 substrate with a single coaxial feed and the results are validated by measurement.
A microstrip photonic crystal bandgap device with a switchable negative epsilon plasma element
Authors: Wang B. , Lee R. , Colon R. , Cappelli M. A.
Published: September 2017

We present a microstrip photonic bandgap (PBG) device with a switchable plasma element integrated into the patterned ground plane. A pulsed laser plasma is generated in one of the PBG cavity structures creating a medium having an effective negative permittivity in the 8–10 GHz frequency range due to the high plasma density ne = 1017 cm−3. The PBG structure consists of a linear array of seven cavities along the length of the microstrip manufactured by removing cylindrical portions of copper in the ground plane. The plasma is produced in the central cavity of the PBG array and recombines over times of several microseconds allowing for the characterization of the microstrip transmission over a range of plasma density. The results confirm a switchable transmission due to plasma interactions with the electromagnetic field within the PBG structure.
Ultra‐short pulse generator using 0.13‐μm CMOS
Authors: Tang Xusheng , Huang Fengyi , Wang Xiaoyu , Chang Tianyu , Zhang Youming
Published: September 2017

This article presents ultra‐short pulse generators based on shaping‐differential and phase detect circuits fabricated in a 0.13‐μm complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor process. By using a differential circuit, the shaping‐differential and phase detect pulse generators produce pulses with a pulse width of 51.5 and 79.0 ps, respectively. The measured output powers from the shaping‐differential and phase detect pulse generators are −34.6 dBm at 16 GHz, and −28.3 dBm at 8 GHz, respectively.
Pattern recognition based on enhanced multifeature parameters for vibration events in φ‐OTDR distributed optical fiber sensing system
Authors: Xu Chengjin , Guan Junjun , Bao Ming , Lu Jiangang , Ye Wei
Published: September 2017

A new multifeature recognition method for optical fiber vibration signals is proposed to solve the difficulty with the present long‐distance distributed optical fiber sensing systems based on phase‐sensitive optical time‐domain reflectometer (φ‐OTDR) in effectively distinguishing vibrational intrusions. Firstly, wide‐band background noise is reduced by spectral subtraction to enhance time‐frequency characteristics of vibration signals. Then, multifeature parameters including short‐time energy ratio, short‐time level crossing rate, vibration duration, and power‐spectrum energy ratio are extracted from the vibration signals. Finally, by utilizing support vector machine classifiers to identify multifeature vectors of different types of vibration signals, patterns of vibration events are recognized accurately. Experiments show that after using this method to process 800 vibration signal samples generated by four different vibration events, namely, taping, striking, shaking, and crushing, the signal‐to‐noise ratio is enhanced by more than 10 dB and the recognition rates of vibration events are over 90%. The experimental results prove that this method can improve the classification accuracy of vibration events detected by φ‐OTDR distributed optical fiber sensing systems with a recognition time below 0.6 s, especially for long distances.
Analysis of the wireless power transfer system using electromagnetic topology method
Authors: Kim Minhyuk , Jung Hyun‐Kyo , Park Sang Wook
Published: September 2017

In this article, a new approach is proposed to analyze a wireless power transfer (WPT) system using the electromagnetic topology (EMT) method. Characteristic parameters for the junction and tube in the EMT method are obtained from the equivalent circuit of the WPT system. The load voltage is computed using the Baum–Liu–Tesche equation, which is the solver for the EMT method. A simple WPT system is analyzed to confirm the validity of the proposed method by comparing it with the conventional full wave analysis method. The analysis results obtained by the proposed method are in good agreement with the results of the conventional method.
Compact wideband band pass microstrip filter loaded by triangular split ring resonators
Authors: Nasraoui Hanane , Capobianco A. D. , Mouhsen Ahmed , El Aoufi Jamal , Mouzouna Youssef , Taouzari Mohamed
Published: September 2017

A compact wideband band‐pass microstrip filter based on triangular split ring resonators is presented. The center frequency of the proposed structure is 3.1 GHz and the 3 dB bandwidth results 1.05 GHz. Good agreements between the simulated and measured results demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed design. The size of the filter is 14 × 50 mm2 only.
Modeling of an uncooled CMOS THz thermal detector with frequency‐selective cross‐dipole antenna and NMOS temperature sensor
Authors: Chen Fei , Yang Jiao , Li Zimeng
Published: September 2017

In this article, we present modeling and simulations of an uncooled thermal THz detector. The detector consists of an on‐chip cross‐dipole antenna, polysilicon resistors, and a temperature sensor. Electromagnetic, thermal, electrical modeling, and simulations of the detector are presented. The three submodels are as follows: THz electromagnetic energy is first selectively absorbed by the antenna realized in the metallization layer. The absorbed wave energy is then converted to Joule heat energy via resistors. Finally, the heat‐generated temperature rise is detected by the temperature sensor. The detectors at three typical THz frequencies of 0.8, 2.9, and 28.3 THz are designed in standard 0.18 μm CMOS technology. Their simulated voltage responsivity is 6.3 V/W at 0.8 THz, 7.2 V/W at 2.9 THz, and 8.2 V/W at 28.3 THz. The noise equivalent power (NEP) is 0.14 μW/√Hz at the three respective frequencies.
Broadband design of circularly polarized high‐gain Fabry‐Perot resonator antenna with simple array thinning technique
Authors: Liu Zhen‐Guo , Lu Wei‐Bing
Published: September 2017

In this letter, a broadband high‐gain circularly polarized Fabry‐Perot resonator antenna (CP‐FPRA) with simple array thinning technique is proposed. The proposed antenna consists of a single layer partially reflective surface (PRS) formed by ring frequency selective surface (FSS) and a four sequential rotated sparse primary microstrip patch radiators backed with ground. The inter‐spacing of adjacent primary radiator is around 1 λ0, which is larger than the typical value of 0.5 λ0 in microstrip patch array. A prototype antenna operating at 10 GHz is designed. Simulated and experimental results show that a broad common bandwidth for |S11| ≤ −10 dB and gain‐drop ≤2 dB and axial ratio ≤3 dB is obtained, in which the good CP radiation properties such as high gain, low side lobe level are also proposed.
Higher order numerical approximation for time dependent singularly perturbed differential‐difference convection‐diffusion equations
Authors: Gupta Vikas , Kumar Mukesh , Kumar Sunil
Published: September 2017

In this article, we develop a higher order numerical approximation for time dependent singularly perturbed differential‐difference convection‐diffusion equations. A priori bounds on the exact solution and its derivatives, which are useful for the error analysis of the numerical method are given. We approximate the retarded terms of the model problem using Taylor's series expansion and the resulting time‐dependent singularly perturbed problem is discretized by the implicit Euler scheme on uniform mesh in time direction and a special hybrid finite difference scheme on piecewise uniform Shishkin mesh in spatial direction. We first prove that the proposed numerical discretization is uniformly convergent of , where and denote the time step and number of mesh‐intervals in space, respectively. After that we design a Richardson extrapolation scheme to increase the order of convergence in time direction and then the new scheme is proved to be uniformly convergent of . Some numerical tests are performed to illustrate the high‐order accuracy and parameter uniform convergence obtained with the proposed numerical methods.
A Bioinformatic Algorithm for Analyzing Cell Signaling Using Temporal Proteomic Data
Authors: Zhang Chunchao , Chen Yue , Mao Xinfang , Huang Yin , Jung Sung Yun , Jain Antrix , Qin Jun , Wang Yi
Published: September 2017

Significance analysis of proteomic data generated by LC‐MS/MS is challenging owing to great data variability originated from biological, operational, and instrumental variations. Protein quantification by LC‐MS/MS either in absolute or relative scale is often highly skewed, which put limitations on model‐based statistical inference. For this purpose, we have developed an alternative nonparametric statistical algorithm (named IQR algorithm) for significance analysis of temporal proteomic data and have successfully applied our strategy in finding gefitinib‐targeted transcription factors and coregulators in Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)‐stimulated HeLa cells. Our strategy relies on a reference group composed of more than a dozen of datasets collected at different experimental times, thus, accurately captures biological variations measured in quartile scale. The algorithm considers six categories and calculates signal strength when performing significance analysis of proteins of different abundances. This stratified strategy allows confident identification of well‐characterized EGF responders (e.g. EGR1, JUN, FOSB, BHLHE40, NR4A1, and NR4A2) and unexplored gefitinib induced transcription factors and coregulators in HeLa cells. Gene set enrichment analysis has validated ErbB signaling pathway as the major inhibitory target of gefitinib. The identification of several gefitinib‐inducible transcription factors implicates alternative signaling pathways as potential druggable pathways in gefitinib‐resistant or insensitive patients.