bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
3D printed wideband flat gain multilayer nonuniform reflectarray antenna for X‐band applications
Authors: Belen Aysu , Güneş Filiz , Belen Mehmet A. , Mahouti Peyman 
Published: May 2020

AbstractReflectarray antenna designs have become an efficient solution alternative to their counterpart designs due to their beam scanning capability, low profile, high gain, and mounting flexibility. Herein, design and realization of a wideband, flat gain multi‐layer nonuniform reflectarray (MNURA) using 3D printing technology is presented. Design optimization of the proposed MNURA has been achieved in the two stages: First, a 3D CST Microwave Studio based Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network (MLP NN) model establishes the reflection phase characteristic of the MNURA unit element as an accurate continuous function of the geometrical design parameters and dielectric constant. Then Differential Evolutionary Algorithm DEA is selected as a powerful optimization algorithm for determining the optimum geometrical design parameters and dielectric constant of MNURA throughout the X‐band to have a large range, wideband, and flat gain RA design. 3D printing technology has been used for prototyping of the proposed MNURA design. Here, the resulted optimum dielectric constant value of 2.2 is realized by 56% infill rate of “Polar White” PLA using the relation between the infill rate and dielectric constant. The prototyped antenna has a total size of 300 × 300 (mm), and its measured performance characteristics achieve a wideband flat gain of 23.2 dBi with a ripple level of almost 1.5 dBi and return loss characteristic of less than −10 dB over the operation band of 8 to 12 GHz.
Correlation of the peak oxygen consumption and ventilatory aerobic threshold by cardiopulmonary exercise testing with atrial fibrillation recurrences after ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Yamashita Daiki , Kamikawa Shigeshi , Tanaka Ryou , Tabita Natsumi , Nishimura Saori , Mitsuoka Miyuki , Higashiya Shunich , Yamaji Hirosuke , Murakami Takashi , Hina Kazuyoshi , Kusachi Shozo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe cardiopulmonary function is hypothesized to be associated with atrial fibrillation/atrial tachyarrhythmia (AF/AT) recurrence after AF ablation.PurposeTo clarify the relationship between the cardiopulmonary function after successful ablation and AF/AT recurrence.MethodsWe examined 31 patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent AF ablation. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed at 1month after the ablation. A continuously increasing loading method on a bicycle ergometer was employed for the CPET.ResultsNo adverse events, including AF/AT recurrence, occurred during the CPET. Among 31 patients, AT/AF recurrence was observed in seven (23%). The ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and peak oxygen consumption (VO2) were significantly higher in patients without AF/AT recurrence than in those with AT/AF recurrences (peak VO2 23.6 ± 5.7 vs 17.2 ± 4.1 mL/kg/min; VAT, 16.7 ± 2.8 vs 13.8 ± 2.7 mL/min/kg). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the peak VO2 and VAT were 0.786 (P < .01) and 0.789(P < .01), respectively. Both indices had a sensitivity of 70%–80% and specificity of 70%–80% for predicting AT/AF recurrence. Similar results were obtained for the percent values of the predicted peak VO2 and VAT.ConclusionsThe present pilot study found that CPET can be performed safely at approximately 1 month after AF ablation. The peak VO2 and VAT were significantly associated with AT/AF recurrence. The peak VO2 and VAT were thought to provide helpful information regarding AT/AF recurrence.
Altered tibiofemoral position following ACL reconstruction is associated with cartilage matrix changes: A voxel‐based relaxometry analysis
Authors: Li Alan K. , Ochoa Jonathan K. , Pedoia Valentina , Amano Keiko , Souza Richard B. , Li Xiaojuan , Ma Chunbong B. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between postsurgical tibial translation (TT) and tibial rotation (TR) with cartilage matrix changes using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, specifically voxel‐based relaxometry with T1ρ and T2 mapping sequences. Knee magnetic resonance imaging's (MRI's) of 51 patients with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury, no concomitant ligamentous injury, history of osteoarthritis (OA), and previous knee surgery were scanned prior to surgery. Thirty‐four patients completed follow‐up MRI scans at 6‐month, 1‐ and 2‐year post‐reconstruction and were included in this study. Knee biomechanics, T1ρ, and T2 were calculated using an in‐house Matlab program. Compared to the contralateral knee, the injured knee demonstrated significantly increased anterior TT at baseline (P < .001), 6‐month (P < .001), 1‐ (P = .001), and 2‐year (P < .001). Furthermore, patients were divided into groups based on TT at 6‐month. When compared to patients with normal TT, those with increased anterior TT at 6‐month displayed significantly longer T1ρ and T2 relaxation times in 10.4% and 7.4% of the voxels in the injured medial tibia at 1‐year, respectively, as well as 12.4% and 9.8% of the voxels in the injured medial tibia at 2‐year, respectively. Our results demonstrate an association between abnormal tibiofemoral position and early degradative changes to the articular cartilage matrix of the injured knee. Clinical significance: These findings suggest that altered tibiofemoral position following ACL reconstruction is associated with early degeneration of knee cartilage. Future prospective studies employing longer follow‐up times are warranted to evaluate the relationship between abnormal tibiofemoral position and the early onset of posttraumatic OA.
Hypoxic stress enhances extension and branching of dorsal root ganglion neuronal outgrowth
Authors: Ma Junxuan , Stefanoska Despina , Stone Laura S. , Hildebrand Maria , van Donkelaar Corrinus C. , Zou Xuenong , Basoli Valentina , Grad Sibylle , Alini Mauro , Peroglio Marianna 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIt has been shown that painful intervertebral discs (IVDs) were associated with a deeper innervation. However, the effect of the disc's degenerative microenvironment on neuronal outgrowth remains largely unknown. The focus of this study was to determine the influence of hypoxia on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurite outgrowth. Toward this aim, the DRG‐derived cell line ND7/23 was either directly subjected to 2% or 20% oxygen conditions or exposed to conditioned medium (CM) collected from IVDs cultured under 2% or 20% oxygen. Viability and outgrowth analysis were performed following 3 days of exposure. Results obtained with the cell line were further validated on cultures of rabbit spinal DRG explants and dissociated DRG neurons. Results showed that hypoxia significantly increased neurite outgrowth length in ND7/23 cells, which was also validated in DRG explant and primary cell culture, although hypoxia conditioned IVD did not significantly increase ND7/23 neurite outgrowth. While hypoxia dramatically decreased the outgrowth frequency in explant cultures, it significantly increased collateral sprouting of dissociated neurons. Importantly, the hypoxia‐induced decrease of outgrowth frequency at the explant level was not due to inhibition of outgrowth branching but rather to neuronal necrosis. In summary, hypoxia in DRG promoted neurite sprouting, while neuronal necrosis may reduce the density of neuronal outgrowth at the tissue level. These findings may help to explain the deeper neo‐innervation found in the painful disc tissue.HighlightsHypoxia promoted elongation and branching of neurite outgrowth at single cell level, but reduced outgrowth density at tissue level, possibly due to hypoxia‐induced neuronal necrosis; these findings may help to explain the deeper neo‐innervation found in clinically painful tissues.
Esterification reaction kinetics of acetic acid and n‐pentanol catalyzed by sulfated zirconia
Authors: Hamerski Fabiane , Dusi Giovana Gonçalves , Fernandes dos Santos Julia Trancoso , da Silva Vítor Renan , Pedersen Voll Fernando Augusto , Corazza Marcos Lúcio 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study reports experimental data and kinetic modeling of acetic acid esterification with n‐pentanol using sulfated zirconia as a catalyst. Reactions were carried out in an isothermal well‐mixed batch reactor at different temperatures (50‐80°C), n‐pentanol to acid molar ratios (1:1‐3:1), and catalyst loadings (5‐10 wt% in relation to the total amount of acetic acid). The reaction mechanism regarding the heterogeneous catalysis was evaluated considering pseudo‐homogeneous, Eley–Rideal, and Langmuir–Hinshelwood model approaches. The reaction mixture was considered a nonideal solution and the UNIQUAC thermodynamic model was used to take into account the nonidealities in the liquid phase. The results obtained indicated that increases in the temperature and catalyst loading increased the product formation, while changes in the n‐pentanol to acetic acid molar ratio showed no significant effect. The estimated enthalpy of the reaction was −8.49 kJ mol−1, suggesting a slightly exothermic reaction. The Eley–Rideal model, with acetic acid adsorbed on the catalyst as the limiting step, was found to be the most significant reaction mechanism.
Erosion‐reducing effects of revegetation and fish‐scale pits on steep spoil heaps under concentrated runoff on the Chinese Loess Plateau
Authors: Guo Wenzhao , Kang Hongliang , Wang Wenlong , Guo Mingming , Chen Zhuoxin 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMassive spoil heaps, formed during production and construction activities, have suffered from severe soil erosion, leading to land degradation and damaging the environment. Fish‐scale pits (FSPs) and revegetation (RG) are the most common measures for controlling soil erosion on spoil heaps on the Loess Plateau. To evaluate the effects of FSPs and RG on concentrated runoff erosion, scouring‐erosion experiments were conducted on FSP plots, RG plots, and bare plots (the control) in the field on two types of spoil heaps: low gravel content in soil (LGS) and high gravel content in soil (HGS) at various inflow rates. Mass movement was the main cause of the considerable fluctuations in erosion rate and sharply increased the sediment concentration, which could exceed 800 kg m−3 and cause hyperconcentrated flows. Conversely, the FSP and RG treatments observably reduced the sediment concentration and erosion rate. The erosion‐reducing benefits (ERBs) of both the FSPs and RG treatments were significant. However, the ERB of the FSPs treatment was superior to that of the RG treatment under concentrated runoff, especially high‐intensity concentrated runoff. The ERB of the FSP treatment was on average 78.5% and 80.9% for the LGS and HGS, respectively. The ERB of the RG treatment was on average 36.4% and 56.5% for the LGS and HGS, respectively. The ERBs of the FSPs and RG treatments for the HGS were greater than those for the LGS. Moreover, gravel inhibited concentrated flow erosion. Our results provide important guidance for preventing soil erosion on abandoned spoil heaps in semiarid regions.
Novel Phenotype of 6p25 Deletion Syndrome Presenting Juvenile Parkinsonism and Brain Calcification
Authors: Fan Sung‐Pin , Lee Ni‐Chung , Lin Chin‐Hsien 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundChromosome 6p25 deletion syndrome is a rare neurocristopathy with variable clinical features. The objective of the current study was to describe a novel phenotype for autosomal‐dominant chromosome 6p25 deletion syndrome. The presentation included bilateral basal ganglia and subcortical calcifications and juvenile parkinsonism, resembling primary familial brain calcification.MethodsPhenotypic characterization, exome sequencing, and oligonucleotide array were carried out in the index family.ResultsThe index patient and her mother had a history of developmental delay, mild facial dysmorphism, Axenfield eye anomalies, slight intellectual disability, and subsequently developed levodopa‐responsive parkinsonism in early adulthood. Brain‐computed tomography showed bilateral basal ganglia and subcortical calcifications. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse white matter lesions. A 99mTcTRODAT single‐photon emission computed tomography scan revealed bilateral dopaminergic denervation. Whole‐exome sequencing and oligonucleotide array‐based comparative genomic hybridization revealed a 2.27‐Mb chromosome 6pter‐p24 deletion, which cosegregated within the family.ConclusionsOur findings extended the current phenotypic spectrum of chromosome 6p25 deletion syndrome. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A metasurface‐enabled wideband high‐gain dual‐circularly‐polarized Fabry‐Perot resonator antenna
Authors: Huang Ruimin , Wang Zhenglong , Li Guowei , Lin Chengxiu , Ge Yuehe , Pu Jixiong 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis paper presents a wideband high‐gain dual‐circularly‐polarized (CP) antenna with a simple configuration. Instead of improving the gain using the dual‐CP element array, the Fabry‐Perot resonator antenna concept is applied in this work. By designing a dual‐linearly‐polarized Fabry‐Perot resonator antenna and a linear‐to‐circular polarization (LP‐CP) metasurface polarizer separately and combining them, a wideband high‐gain dual‐CP antenna can be achieved. Structural simplicity and less design difficulty are advantages of the antenna design. Experimental results validate the design concept. It exhibits 3‐dB axial‐ratio bandwidths of over 12% for both LHCP and RHCP performance, a high polarization isolation of over 25 dB, and peak gains of 12.78 dBi and 12.89 dBi for LHCP and RHCP radiations respectively.
Numerical approximation to the general kinetic model for ASL quantification
Authors: Lee Nam G. , Javed Ahsan , Jao Terrence R. , Nayak Krishna S. 
Published: May 2020

PurposeTo develop a numerical approximation to the general kinetic model for arterial spin labeling (ASL) quantification that will enable greater flexibility in ASL acquisition methods.TheoryThe Bloch‐McConnell equations are extended to include the effects of single‐compartment inflow and outflow on both the transverse and longitudinal magnetization. These can be solved using an extension of Jaynes’ matrix formalism with piecewise constant approximation of incoming labeled arterial flow and a clearance operator for outgoing venous flow.MethodsThe proposed numerical approximation is compared with the general kinetic model using simulations of pulsed labeling and pseudo‐continuous labeling and a broad range of transit time and bolus duration for tissue blood flow of 0.6 mL/g/min. Accuracy of the approximation is studied as a function of the timestep using Monte‐Carlo simulations. Three additional scenarios are demonstrated: (1) steady‐pulsed ASL, (2) MR fingerprinting ASL, and (3) balanced SSFP and spoiled gradient‐echo sequences.ResultsThe proposed approximation was found to be arbitrarily accurate for pulsed labeling and pseudo‐continuous labeling. The pulsed labeling/pseudo‐continuous labeling approximation error compared with the general kinetic model was less than 0.002% (<0.002%) and less than 0.05% (<0.05%) for timesteps of 3 ms and 35 ms, respectively. The proposed approximation matched well with customized signal expressions of steady‐pulsed ASL and MR fingerprinting ASL. The simulations of simultaneous modeling of flow, T2, and magnetization transfer showed an increase in steady‐state balanced SSFP and spoiled gradient signals.ConclusionWe demonstrate a numerical approximation of the “Bloch–McConnell flow” equations that enables arbitrarily accurate modeling of pulsed ASL and pseudo‐continuous labeling signals comparable to the general kinetic model. This enables increased flexibility in the experiment design for quantitative ASL.
An exploratory study of contractile force production in muscle fibers from patients with inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Henning Franclo , Kohn Tertius Abraham 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe mechanism by which weakness develops in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) is still unclear. In this study we investigated the maximum force of single muscle fibers from patients with IIMs.MethodsPermeabilized single muscle fibers from patients with IIMs and healthy controls were subjected to contractility measurements. Maximum force and specific force production (maximum force normalized to fiber size) and fiber type were determined for each isolated fiber.ResultsA total of 178 fibers were studied from five patients with IIMs and 95 fibers from four controls. Specific force production was significantly lower in the IIM group for all fiber types.DiscussionThe findings from this exploratory study suggest that weakness in IIMs may, in part, be caused by dysfunction of the contractile apparatus. These findings provide a basis for further studies into the mechanisms underlying weakness in IIMs.
SDN‐based teleprotection and control power systems: A study of available controllers and their suitability
Authors: Zopellaro Soares Arthur A. , Lucas Vieira Juan , Quincozes Silvio E. , Ferreira Vinicius C. , Uchôa Luana M. , Lopes Yona , Passos Diego , Fernandes Natalia C. , Monteiro Moraes Igor , Muchaluat‐Saade Débora , Albuquerque Célio 
Published: May 2020

SummaryWith the popularization of the smart grid paradigm, substation automation technology has gradually been upgraded with additional processing and communication capabilities within control and protection devices. Hence, the research community is pressured to find new, efficient, and reliable communication solutions for such a scenario. That task is complicated by the stringent temporal requirements defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 standard for power system communication comprising teleprotection schemes. Further compounding the issue is the critical nature of the power grid, in which availability is definitely a strong requirement. Software‐defined networking (SDN) may provide powerful tools to fulfill those requirements at acceptable costs. As such, this paper surveys and compares several available SDN controllers and their applicability to the teleprotection scenario. It further evaluates controllers in terms of capacity and resilience through experiments in an emulated environment.
Empirical study on sufficient numbers of minimum cuts in strongly connected directed random graphs
Authors: Chang Eric , Cheng C. K. , Gupta Anushka , Hsu Po‐Ya , Moffitt Amanda , Ren Alissa , Tsaur Irene , Wang Samuel 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe focus on the all‐pairs minimum cut (APMC) problem, a graph partitioning problem whose solution requires finding the minimum cut for every pair of nodes in a given graph. While it is solved for undirected graphs, a solution for APMC in directed graphs still requires an O(n2) brute force approach. We show that the empirical number of distinct minimum cuts in randomly generated strongly connected directed graphs is proportional to n rather than the theoretical value of n2, suggesting the possibility of an algorithm which finds all minimum cuts in less than O(n2) time. We also provide an example of the strict upper bound on the number of cuts in graphs with three nodes. We model the distributions with the Generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution and enable the possibility of using a GEV distribution to predict the probability of achieving a certain number of minimum cuts, given the number of nodes and edges. Finally, we contribute to the notion of symmetric cuts by showing that there can be O(n2) symmetric cuts in graphs when node replication is allowed.
Effect of Reaction Media on Photosensitized [2+2]‐Cycloaddition of Cinnamates
Authors: Abramov Alex , Reiser Oliver , Díaz Díaz David 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe outcome of photosensitized [2+2]‐cycloaddition reactions of various cinnamates has been compared in different reaction media, including homogeneous organic solutions under inert conditions, degassed water, and aerated physical gels. The reactions were performed under LED blue light (λmax=455 nm) irradiation and [Ir{dF(CF3)ppy}2(dtb‐bpy)]PF6 (1.0 mol%) as photocatalyst. The processes were optimized taking into consideration solvent, gelator, and substrate. Comparative kinetics analyses, as well as the effect of the reaction media on the diastereoselectivity of the process, were evaluated during this investigation. In a number of cases, carrying out the reaction in a less polar solvent, like toluene or highly polar solvent, like water had a tremendous impact on the diastereoselectivity of the process, pointing towards an effect on the stabilization of the putative diradical intermediate in this medium. Moreover, while for reactions run in homogeneous solution oxygen needs to be excluded, no erosion in yield is observed when the photoadditions were run in aerated gel media.
Initial psychometric analysis of novel instruments to assess decisional distress and decisional uncertainty in women who have considered using preimplantation genetic testing
Authors: Pastore Lisa M. , Rubin Lisa R. , SantaBarbara Jennifer N. , Stelling James , Lobel Marci 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze psychometric properties of two novel instruments assessing decisional distress and uncertainty experienced by individuals considering preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).MethodsThe new PGT Decisional Distress instrument (22 items) assesses negative/positive emotions. The new PGT Decisional Uncertainty instrument assesses Clarity about test benefits/disadvantages (5 items) and Certainty of having adequate information/support to make a good decision (7 items). Scales ranged from 0 to 4. Psychometrics (central tendencies, internal consistency reliability, and discriminant validity) were evaluated. Stratified analysis by decision stage was conducted. All participants had considered or used PGT in the previous 6 months.ResultsN = 106 females (mean age 36.5 ± 4.8 years; 16% non‐Caucasian; 9% Hispanic) across 16 US states completed an online anonymous questionnaire. On average, respondents reported minimal distress (mean 0.96), high clarity (mean 3.26), and high certainty (mean 3.06), particularly those who had already decided compared to undecided women (P ≤ .02). Instruments had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α's 0.92‐0.94) and displayed sufficient inter‐individual variability (SD's 0.75‐0.89). Correlations confirmed expected patterns of association between instruments (P's < .01), indicating discriminant validity.ConclusionWe document initial reliability and validity of new instruments to measure emotional distress and uncertainty in female patients who have recently considered PGT for single‐gene or chromosomal disorders.
Homogeneous surface hydrophilization on the inner walls of polymer tubes using a flexible atmospheric cold microplasma jet
Authors: Wang Tao , Shi Liping , Lv Li , Liu Jingquan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe intrinsic hydrophobic nature of polymer tubes limits their applications in biomedical and mechanical fields. In this paper, homogeneous hydrophilization on the inner surfaces of polytetrafluoroethylene tubes was realized by directly inserting a flexible atmospheric cold microplasma jet (FμPJ) into the tubes. The water contact angle, surface morphologies, and chemical compositions of the treated inner surfaces were investigated to characterize the plasma hydrophilization. Results demonstrated that the wettability of the inner walls of the tube was well improved and the wettability could be retained at a low value even after 30 days of storage. Notably, homogeneous hydrophilization was achieved along the axial and circumferential directions of the tube. The results indicated that FμPJ shows great potential for uniform inner surface modification of polymers tubes.