bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The fitness effects of delayed switching to sex in a facultatively asexual insect
Authors: Burke Nathan W. , Bonduriansky Russell 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFacultative reproductive strategies that incorporate both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction should be optimal, yet are rarely observed in animals. Resolving this paradox requires an understanding of the economics of facultative asexuality. Recent work suggests that switching from parthenogenesis to sex can be costly and that females can resist mating to avoid switching. However, it remains unclear whether these costs and resistance behaviors are dependent on female age. We addressed these questions in the Cyclone Larry stick insect, Sipyloidea larryi, by pairing females with males (or with females as a control) in early life prior to the start of parthenogenetic reproduction, or in mid‐ or late life after a period of parthenogenetic oviposition. Young females were receptive to mating even though mating in early life caused reduced fecundity. Female resistance to mating increased with age, but reproductive switching in mid‐ or late life did not negatively affect female survival or offspring performance. Overall, mating enhanced female fitness because fertilized eggs had higher hatching success and resulted in more adult offspring than parthenogenetic eggs. However, female fecundity and offspring viability were also enhanced in females paired with other females, suggesting a socially mediated maternal effect. Our results provide little evidence that switching from parthenogenesis to sex at any age is costly for S. larryi females. However, age‐dependent effects of switching on some fitness components and female resistance behaviors suggest the possibility of context‐dependent effects that may only be apparent in natural populations.
Efficacy and safety of intermittent intravenous outpatient administration of levosimendan in patients with advanced heart failure: the LION‐HEART multicentre randomised trial
Authors: Comín‐Colet Josep , Manito Nicolás , Segovia‐Cubero Javier , Delgado Juan , García Pinilla José Manuel , Almenar Luis , Crespo‐Leiro María G. , Sionis Alessandro , Blasco Teresa , Pascual‐Figal Domingo , Gonzalez‐Vilchez Francisco , Lambert‐Rodríguez José Luis , Grau María , Bruguera Jordi ,   on behalf of the LION‐HEART Study Investigators
Published: February 2018

AimsThe LION‐HEART study was a multicentre, double‐blind, randomised, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of intravenous administration of intermittent doses of levosimendan in outpatients with advanced chronic heart failure.Methods and resultsSixty‐nine patients from 12 centres were randomly assigned at a 2:1 ratio to levosimendan or placebo groups, receiving treatment by a 6‐hour intravenous infusion (0.2 μg/kg/min without bolus) every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the effect on serum concentrations of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) throughout the treatment period in comparison with placebo. Secondary endpoints included evaluation of safety, clinical events and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). The area under the curve (AUC, pg.day/mL) of the levels of NT‐proBNP over time for patients who received levosimendan was significantly lower than for the placebo group (344 × 103 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 283 × 103−404 × 103] vs. 535 × 103 [443 × 103−626 × 103], p = 0.003). In comparison with the placebo group, the patients on levosimendan experienced a reduction in the rate of heart failure hospitalisation (hazard ratio 0.25; 95% CI 0.11–0.56; P = 0.001). Patients on levosimendan were less likely to experience a clinically significant decline in HRQoL over time (P = 0.022). Adverse event rates were similar in the two treatment groups.ConclusionsIn this small pilot study, intermittent administration of levosimendan to ambulatory patients with advanced systolic heart failure reduced plasma concentrations of NT‐proBNP, worsening of HRQoL and hospitalisation for heart failure. The efficacy and safety of this intervention should be confirmed in larger trials.
Large Gain in Pyroelectric Energy Conversion through a Candle Soot Coating
Authors: Sharma Moolchand , Kumar Anuruddh , Singh V. P. , Kumar Rajeev , Vaish Rahul 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA large gain in pyroelectric voltage and current when exposed to infrared radiation after candle soot coating on material surfaces is reported. A piezoelectric buzzer is selected to quantify the effect of candle soot on pyroelectric output. For a given temperature change, the peak value of the open‐circuit voltage is enhanced from 2 V to 8 V and electric current is boosted from 15 nA to 95 nA. A load capacitor is also connected through a full wave rectifier. Energy storage in a 10 μF load capacitor is increased from 5 nJ to 70 nJ.
Self Assembled Rice Ball‐Like ZnCo2O4 Inlaid on rGO as Flexible Anodes with High Lithium Storage Capability and Superior Cycling Stability
Authors: Ru Qiang , Wang Zhen , Cheng Shikun , Liu Peng , Hou Xianhua , Su Shichen , Ling Francis Chi‐Chung 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA unique flexible configuration with ordered porous rice ball‐like ZnCo2O4 (ZCO) microspheres embedded in reduced graphene oxide (rGO) network was demonstrated by a facile solvothermal route and vacuum filtration method. As binder‐free anodes for LIBs, sandwiched structure ZCO/rGO electrode synergistically realized high lithium storage capability and good cycling stability due to enhanced conductive skeleton, robust mechanical stability and high hierarchical porosity. The ZCO/rGO hybrid depicts a reversible discharge capacity of 908.7 mAh g−1 after 500 long‐term cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1. In addition, the flexible electrode also shows the excellent rate capacity with an average capacity of 681.8 mAh g−1 even at a large current density of 6000 mA g−1.
New revelations from an old receptor: Immunoregulatory functions of the inhibitory Fc gamma receptor, FcγRIIB (CD32B)
Authors: Roghanian Ali , Stopforth Richard J , Dahal Lekh N , Cragg Mark S 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe Fc gamma receptor IIB (FcγRIIB/CD32B) was generated million years ago during evolution. It is the sole inhibitory receptor for IgG, and has long been associated with the regulation of humoral immunity and innate immune homeostasis. However, new and surprising functions of FcγRIIB are emerging. In particular, FcγRIIB has been shown to perform unexpected activatory roles in both immune-signaling and monoclonal antibody (mAb) immunotherapy. Furthermore, although ITIM signaling is an integral part of FcγRIIB regulatory activity, it is now clear that inhibition/activation of immune responses can occur independently of the ITIM. In light of these new findings, we present an overview of the established and noncanonical functions of FcγRIIB and discuss how this knowledge might be exploited therapeutically.
Cross multivariate correlation coefficients as screening tool for analysis of concurrent EEG‐fMRI recordings
Authors: Ji Hong , Petro Nathan M. , Chen Badong , Yuan Zejian , Wang Jianji , Zheng Nanning , Keil Andreas 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOver the past decade, the simultaneous recording of electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data has garnered growing interest because it may provide an avenue towards combining the strengths of both imaging modalities. Given their pronounced differences in temporal and spatial statistics, the combination of EEG and fMRI data is however methodologically challenging. Here, we propose a novel screening approach that relies on a Cross Multivariate Correlation Coefficient (xMCC) framework. This approach accomplishes three tasks: (1) It provides a measure for testing multivariate correlation and multivariate uncorrelation of the two modalities; (2) it provides criterion for the selection of EEG features; (3) it performs a screening of relevant EEG information by grouping the EEG channels into clusters to improve efficiency and to reduce computational load when searching for the best predictors of the BOLD signal. The present report applies this approach to a data set with concurrent recordings of steady‐state‐visual evoked potentials (ssVEPs) and fMRI, recorded while observers viewed phase‐reversing Gabor patches. We test the hypothesis that fluctuations in visuo‐cortical mass potentials systematically covary with BOLD fluctuations not only in visual cortical, but also in anterior temporal and prefrontal areas. Results supported the hypothesis and showed that the xMCC‐based analysis provides straightforward identification of neurophysiological plausible brain regions with EEG‐fMRI covariance. Furthermore xMCC converged with other extant methods for EEG‐fMRI analysis.
Raman spectroscopy studies on dimethyl selenium at pressures of up to 40.6 GPa
Authors: Qin Zhenxing , Wang Wenhai , Wu Yujie , Zhan Xiaozhi , Zhang Qingmei 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe high‐pressure behavior of dimethyl selenium was investigated at room temperature by Raman scattering measurements with pressures up to 40.6 GPa. With the first solid phase already appeared only at 0.4 GPa, phase transitions at 4.4 and 26.1 GPa were found and evidenced by the wavenumber shifts, pressure coefficients, and changes in full width half maximum of related modes. These phase transitions were suggested to result from the changes in the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding of the material. Interestingly, it was found that deformation mode of CH3 groups exhibited a hyperactive pressure effect, yet the expected softening was never found throughout the compression, suggesting that the CH3 groups became active upon compression. More surprising, a lattice mode appeared only at 0.4 GPa, which not only showed crystalline dimethyl selenium at this pressure but also provided a possibility to design the unique hydrogen bond at such low pressures. These phenomena make it possible to gain superiority for this compound to further investigate the superconductivity with high‐transition temperatures of bulk hydrogen.
A novel triple‐band bandpass filter based on equilateral triangle substrate integrated waveguide
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Rao Jia Yu , Cheng Jun Jie , Hong Jia Sheng , Liu Fa Lin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA novel compact triple‐mode triple‐band bandpass filter (TB‐BPF) based on equilateral triangle substrate integrated waveguide is first proposed. The first passband response is achieved by the fundamental modes of the first and third cavities. To obtain the second and third passbands, a new postperturbation method is proposed. And based on it, the perturbed TM101 and TM201 modes of the second cavity can couple with TM102 modes of first and third cavities via inductive window, respectively. By adjusting the width of the inductive window, the second and third passbands can be achieved. Source‐load coupling and complementary split‐ring resonators (CSRRs) are introduced to produce transmission zeros (TZs). Total eight TZs are obtained, which highly improve the performance of the out‐of‐band. Finally, a TB‐BPF is designed, fabricated, and measured. The simulated and measured results show good agreement.
Highly linear balanced power amplifiers for carrier aggregation
Authors: Olukoya Oludotun , Budimir Djuradj 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis article presents a highly linear balanced power amplifier with miniaturized quadrature hybrid coupler for carrier aggregation (CA). The miniaturized quadrature coupler is designed using a novel U‐shaped transmission line (USTL) concept to achieve good size reduction. The novel branch‐line coupler is used to design a wideband balanced PA. The performance of the balanced PA is compared to a single PA solution. The balanced PA shows better performance with improved matching properties and better electrical stability. There was an increase in saturated maximum output power (Pout) from 8 dBm for the individual PA to 13.41 dBm for the balanced with a power‐aided efficiency (PAE) of 43.92%. The highly linear balanced PA achieves a 14 dB ACPR reduction and also improves ACPR by 12 dB for noncontiguous and 9 dB for contiguous carrier aggregation.
Design of balanced band‐notched UWB filtering high‐gain slot antenna
Authors: Lee Ching‐Her , Ho Pei‐Shan , Hsu Chung‐I G. , Chen Hsun‐Hsiang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA balanced band‐notched ultra‐wideband (UWB) filtering slot antenna with high gain is proposed in this article. The high gain is achieved by deploying two identical open‐ended T‐shaped slot radiators in a back‐to‐back fashion. These two slot radiators are fed by differential‐mode (DM) signals output from a balanced band‐notched UWB bandpass filter (BPF) constructed using a stepped‐impedance one‐wavelength (1λ) slotline resonator. The DM notched band for blocking the 5‐GHz WLAN band signals is generated by symmetrically placing a pair of microstrip resonators and a pair of slotline resonators, both being half‐wavelength long, on the two sides of the 1λ slotline resonator. Measured and simulated DM return loss responses agree quite well. The common‐mode (CM) response is excellent with a measured CM return loss of below 0.54 dB in 1‐12 GHz. As compared with its single‐ported standalone slot antenna counterpart, the proposed balanced filtering slot antenna exhibits 2‐dB‐higher measured peak realized gains at, if not all, most frequencies in the notch‐band‐excluded passband.
Multilayer bandpass filter‐polarizer with stopband extension far beyond twofold center frequency
Authors: Belyaev B.A. , Tyurnev V.V. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe propose a multilayer bandpass filter in which every resonator consists of two identical dielectric layers separated by a grating of parallel strip conductors. The resonators themselves are separated from each other and from the ambient space by gratings of strip conductors with an axis orthogonal to the axis of the gratings inside the resonators. The proposed filter construction acts at the same time as a polarizer. The device frequency response computed with use of the provided simple formulas is in a good qualitative agreement with numerical electromagnetic analysis of its 3D model.
Development of a microstrip based sensor aimed at salinity and sugar detection in water considering dielectric properties
Authors: Rahman M. N. , Islam M. T. , Samsuzzaman M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA microstrip based sensor aimed at detection of salinity and sugar content in water is presented in this study. The microstrip technology is based on the microstrip patch antenna fed by a microstrip feedline. The patch antenna is a low cost and low profile antenna, which is modeled to transmit and receive an electromagnetic signal. The presented antenna comprises of a crescent shape patch and slotted partial ground. The antenna is imprinted on an FR4 substrate and the substrate has a thickness of 1.60 mm with 4.6 relative permittivity. The antenna has a compact size of 32 × 22 mm2. To simulate the performances of the presented antenna, the High‐Frequency Structural Simulator is used. The result shows that the presented antenna achieves 10 dB return loss from 2.50 to 18 GHz. The antenna achieves consistent radiation pattern throughout the operating band with 6.10 dBi of maximum gain and considerable efficiency. The presented antenna is used as a sensor to detect the salinity and sugar in water in terms of the reflection coefficient based on the dielectric properties of the solution. The percentage of salt and sugar in water changes the dielectric properties of the solution and consequently the reflection coefficients also change. The results during the practical observations show that the reflection coefficient decreases with the increment of the salt and sugar content in the solution.
Liquid crystal based tunable spurline filters with notch frequencies at 50 and 85 GHz
Authors: Economou Evangelos C. , Lovejoy James , Harward Ian , Nobles Jason E. , Kula Przemyslaw , Herman Jakub , Glushchenko Anatoliy , Celinski Zbigniew 
Published: February 2018

AbstractElectrically tunable double‐spurline notch filters with a nematic liquid crystal (LC) material as a dielectric medium were modeled, manufactured, and characterized. The spurlines, which were embedded into an inverted microstrip, consisted of quarter‐wavelength resonant elements. A Finite Difference Time Domain solver was used to model the filters. Photolithography and thin film deposition were employed to create the filters, followed by standard LC cell assembly. The filters, with central notch frequencies at 50 and 85 GHz, were characterized on‐wafer with a vector network analyzer. The stopband frequencies were tunable by 3% when a 14 volt peak‐to‐peak AC bias was applied across the 38 μm thick LC layer (electric field of 0.19 V/μm). The minimum stopband insertion loss of both filters achieved lower than −50 dB, while the stopband return loss varied from −4 to −12 dB. The −3 dB passband widths of the stopband filters were 12.2 and 28.3 GHz for the 50 and 85 GHz filters, respectively, giving a Q‐factor of 3–4.
Broadband tapered planar monopole antenna with parasitic elements for multiple wireless operations
Authors: Karakus C. , Dogusgen (Erbas) C. , Yurt S. C. , Kent S. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe designed a planar monopole antenna with an impedance matching part and two rectangular parasitic elements. Parasitic elements significantly increased radiation bandwidth and gain. Measured fractional bandwidth and maximum gain for the case with parasitic elements were 129.9% and 5.67 dB, respectively. Antenna operated between 675 MHz and 3177.5 MHz.
Assessment of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) for varenicline (Chantix): A multistage patient survey
Authors: Amend Kandace L. , Younus Muhammad , Petronis Kenneth R. , Mo Jingping , Seeger John D. , Gately Robert , Gu Xiangmei , Enger Cheryl 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) for varenicline by assessing patients' understanding of the varenicline medication guide (MG) at pre‐specified time points: 18 months, 3 years, and 7 years after the REMS approval.MethodsSelf‐administered surveys were mailed to people who received varenicline based on a pharmacy dispensing. Survey questions assessed understanding of potential risks outlined in the MG: neuropsychiatric symptoms, skin reactions, allergic reactions, and cardiovascular risks. Crude and weighted analyses were conducted.ResultsThe response to the survey overall was between 18% and 19%. Among responders, approximately 90% recalled receiving the MG, and at least 80% read all or part of it. At least 88% correctly identified neuropsychiatric symptoms as potential medication effects, while 41% did so for skin reactions, 53% for allergic reactions, and 82% for cardiovascular risks. Patients who read the MG had a high proportion of correct responses to the risk comprehension questions.ConclusionsA large majority of patients who were dispensed varenicline recalled receiving the MG and were able to correctly recall neuropsychiatric and cardiovascular risks in all 3 surveys. The varenicline MG may be an effective tool for patient education.
Acceptability and satisfaction of project MOVE: A pragmatic feasibility trial aimed at increasing physical activity in female breast cancer survivors
Authors: Pullen Tanya , Sharp Paul , Bottorff Joan L. , Sabiston Catherine M. , Campbell Kristin L. , Ellard Susan L. , Gotay Carolyn , Fitzpatrick Kayla , Caperchione Cristina M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveDespite the physical and psychological health benefits associated with physical activity (PA) for breast cancer (BC) survivors, up to 70% of female BC survivors are not meeting minimum recommended PA guidelines. The objective of this study was to evaluate acceptability and satisfaction with Project MOVE, an innovative approach to increase PA among BC survivors through the combination of microgrants and financial incentives.MethodsA mixed‐methods design was used. Participants were BC survivors and support individuals with a mean age of 58.5 years. At 6‐month follow‐up, participants completed a program evaluation questionnaire (n = 72) and participated in focus groups (n = 52) to explore their experience with Project MOVE.ResultsParticipants reported that they were satisfied with Project MOVE (86.6%) and that the program was appropriate for BC survivors (96.3%). Four main themes emerged from focus groups: (1) acceptability and satisfaction of Project MOVE, detailing the value of the model in developing tailored group‐base PA programs; (2) the importance of Project MOVE leaders, highlighting the value of a leader that was organized and a good communicator; (3) breaking down barriers with Project MOVE, describing how the program helped to address common BC related barriers; and (4) motivation to MOVE, outlining how the microgrants enabled survivors to be active, while the financial incentive motivated them to increase and maintain their PA.ConclusionThe findings provide support for the acceptability of Project MOVE as a strategy for increasing PA among BC survivors.
In children, the microbiota of the nasopharynx and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are both similar and different
Authors: Kloepfer Kirsten M. , Deschamp Ashley R. , Ross Sydney E. , Peterson‐Carmichael Stacey L. , Hemmerich Christopher M. , Rusch Douglas B. , Davis Stephanie D. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRationaleSputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) are often obtained to elucidate the lower airway microbiota in adults. Acquiring sputum samples from children is difficult and obtaining samples via bronchoscopy in children proves challenging due to the need for anesthesia and specialized procedural expertise; therefore nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs are often used as surrogates when investigating the pediatric airway microbiota. In adults, the airway microbiota differs significantly between NP and BALF samples however, minimal data exist in children.ObjectivesTo compare NP and BALF samples in children undergoing clinically indicated bronchoscopy.MethodsNP and BALF samples were collected during clinically indicated bronchoscopy. Bacterial DNA was extracted from 72 samples (36 NP/BALF pairs); the bacterial V1‐V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced on the Illumina Miseq platform. Analysis was performed using mothur software.ResultsCompared to NP samples, BALF had increased richness and diversity. Similarity between paired NP and BALF (intra‐subject) samples was greater than inter‐subject samples (P = 0.0006). NP samples contained more Actinobacteria (2.2% vs 21%; adjusted P = 1.4 × 10−6), while BALF contained more Bacteroidetes (29.5% vs 3.2%; adjusted P = 1.2 × 10−9). At the genus level several differences existed, however Streptococcus abundance was similar in both sample types (NP 37.3% vs BAL 36.1%; adjusted P = 0.8).ConclusionOur results provide evidence that NP samples can be used to distinguish differences between children, but the relative abundance of organisms may differ between the nasopharynx and lower airway in pediatric patients. Studies utilizing NP samples as surrogates for the lower airway should be interpreted with caution.