bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced‐size gysel power dividers using lumped‐element components
Authors: Tang Bo , Hayashi Hitoshi , Ueda Ryo 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTThis letter presents two novel prototypes of reduced‐size Gysel power dividers using 90° and ±180° lumped‐element components. The first design is a Gysel power divider using 90° and 180° lumped‐element components. The ideal divider designed at a frequency of 590 MHz exhibits power splits of −3.2 ± 0.2 dB and return losses of greater than 15 dB for the frequency range of 530 to 710 MHz. The second design is a Gysel power divider using 90° and −180° lumped‐element components. The ideal divider designed at a frequency of 590 MHz exhibits power splits of −3.2 ± 0.2 dB and return losses of greater than 15 dB for the frequency range of 520 to 700 MHz. To verify the purposed designs, two miniaturized broadband Gysel power dividers were simulated, fabricated, and measured. The sizes of both proposed Gysel power dividers are reduced to 3.1 cm × 3.2 cm. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2341–2344, 2016
Metamaterial loaded vivaldi antenna with high gain and equal beamwidths at KA band
Authors: Tan Guan‐Nan , Yang Xue‐Xia , Lu Zhong‐Liang , Jiang Xin‐Sheng 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTA high gain and broadband Vivaldi antenna with end‐fire and equal beamwidth radiation pattern at Ka band is presented in this paper. The Vivaldi slot is fed by the microstrip line‐to‐substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) transformer. The SIW transmission performance is enhanced by another row of metal vias beside the original one. On both sides of the Vivaldi conductor planes, 8 parallel slots with gradually increasing length are etched to improve the front‐to‐back ratios. Under the microstrip feed line, three pairs of split ring resonators (SRRs) are etched on the ground to suppress the secondary harmonic. In order to improve the antenna gain and obtain the equal E‐ and H‐plane beamwidths, the special designed zero‐epsilon metamaterial (ZEM) units are loaded on the Vivaldi slot with a maximum gain increment of 3.4dB being obtained. The antenna exhibits a broad bandwidth of 38.5% at 35GHz ranging from 26.5GHz to 40GHz with the reflection coefficient less than −10dB, and the gain varying between 9.7dBi and 12.2dBi. The proposed antenna is fabricated and measured to validate the design. The measured results are in good agreement with the simulated ones. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2337–2341, 2016
Comparative analysis of microwave low‐noise amplifiers under laser illumination
Authors: Caddemi Alina , Cardillo Emanuele , Crupi Giovanni 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTThis article deals with the analysis of the effects of 650 nm laser light exposure of AlGaAs/GaAs HEMTs employed in X‐band low‐noise amplifiers (LNAs). The devices have scaled gate widths of 100, 200, and 300 μm and a gate length of 0.25 μm. They were characterized under dark and illuminated conditions through scattering and noise parameter measurements in the 2–18 GHz frequency range. Starting from the experimental data, LNAs have then been designed and tailored to each device type in dark mode operation over the 7.5–8.5 GHz frequency range. Subsequently, the performance of the LNAs under light exposure has been evaluated by employing the illuminated device data. Therefore, a comparative analysis of the observed variations is here reported to assess the influence of the red laser beam on the amplifier's response with a special concern for the noise behavior due to the inherent interest in optical control of microwave circuitry for high‐data‐rate, low‐noise telecommunication systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2437–2443, 2016
A new design method of the unequal Wilkinson power divider using an arbitrarily resistor value
Authors: Lee Daeung , Do Hanju , Jang Youna , Kim Heehwang , Han Sang‐Min , Lim Jongsik , Choi Kwansun , Ahn Dal 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTIn this article, we suggest a new design method of the unequal Wilkinson power divider. The line impedances of the proposed formula are decided after the resistor value is arbitrarily chosen, while the isolation resistor of the conventional unequal Wilkinson power divider is derived by the power ratio. Therefore, using the proposed formula, the more accurate resistor value is applicable to the Wilkinson power divider, and a narrow line width is improved up to 46.5% in 10:1 Wilkinson power divider. The proposed design formula of the Wilkinson power divider is derived, and the proposed formula is verified by the fabrication and measurement results. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2450–2452, 2016
Numerical de‐embedding and experimental validation of propagation properties of corrugated substrate integrated waveguide
Authors: Liu Zheng , Xiao Gaobiao , Zhu Lei 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTIn this article, a corrugated substrate integrated waveguide (CSIW) with no metallic vias is proposed, and its propagation characteristics are theoretically investigated via our numerical short‐open calibration (SOC) de‐embedding method. In our analysis, dominant operating modes in this CSIW at different frequencies are extensively discussed. Its complex propagation constant is derived to demonstrate its frequency‐dispersive transmission and attenuation performance. Then, the design rules are described to analyze and design CSIW line. In final, the fabricated CSIW with the microstrip‐line feeders are measured to validate the numerically de‐embedded attenuation constant over a wide frequency range. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2456–2460, 2016
A 2.45‐GHz frequency‐selective rectenna for wireless energy harvesting
Authors: Ashtari Reza , Baginski Michael , Dean Robert 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTIn this article a novel 2.45‐GHz ISM rectenna is presented. The linearly polarized rectenna uses two square patch antennas matched using a frequency selective surface before a dual diode rectification in series with the load resistance. Measurements showed a broad angle of energy reception and 79% RF‐to‐DC conversion efficiency. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2508–2512, 2016
Tunable matching network for accurate impedance measurement of on‐chip and PCB millimeter‐wave antennas
Authors: Sandoval Granados L. K. , Murphy Arteaga R. S. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTA tunable matching network is proposed to match antenna to ground‐signal‐ground probes allowing antennas measurement without further analysis or additional test structures. Excellent correlation for proposed model is achieved when compared with numerical electromagnetic analysis tool and one port S‐parameters measurements for millimeter‐wave on‐wafer and printed circuit board (PCB) antennas. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2516–2518, 2016
Evidence for dying‐back axonal degeneration in age‐associated skeletal muscle decline
Authors: Chung Tae , Park Jae Sung , Kim Sangri , Montes Nataly , Walston Jeremy , Höke Ahmet 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionAge‐associated muscle strength decline is a major contributing factor to increased late‐life functional decline and comorbidity, and is strongly associated with early mortality. Although all parts of the neuromuscular system seem to be affected by aging, dying‐back of motor axons likely plays a major role.MethodsWe compared the degeneration in ventral roots and neuromuscular junction denervation in young and aged mice and correlated the findings with strength and electrophysiological measures.ResultsWith normal aging, there is little decline in motor axon numbers in the ventral roots, but the neuromuscular junctions show marked partial denervation that is associated with increased jitter on stimulated single fiber electromyography and a decrease in muscle strength.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that dying‐back axonal degeneration may be partially responsible for the electrophysiological and strength changes observed with aging. Muscle Nerve 55: 894–901, 2017
Stress urinary incontinence surgery trends in academic female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery urology practice in the setting of the food and drug administration public health notifications
Authors: Rac Goran , Younger Austin , Clemens James Q. , Kobashi Kathleen , Khan Aqsa , Nitti Victor , Jacobs Ilana , Lemack Gary E. , Brown Elizabeth T. , Dmochowski Roger , MacLachlan Lara , Mourtzinos Arthur , Ginsberg David , Koski Michelle , Rames Ross , Rovner Eric S. 
Published: July 2016

AimsTo investigate the possible effects of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Public Health Notifications in 2008 and 2011 regarding surgical trends in transvaginal mesh (TVM) placement for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and related mesh revision surgery in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) practice in tertiary care academic medical centers in the United States.MethodsSurgical volume for procedures performed primarily by FPMRS surgeons at eight academic institutions across the US was collected using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for stress urinary incontinence repair and revision surgeries from 2007 to 2013. SAS statistical software was used to assess for trends in the data.ResultsThere was a decrease in the use of synthetic mesh sling for the treatment of SUI at academic tertiary care centers over the past 7 years; however, this was not statistically significant. While the total number of surgical interventions for SUI remained stable, there was an increase in the utilization of autologous fascia pubovaginal slings (AFPVS). The number of mesh sling revision surgeries, including urethrolysis and removal or revision of slings, increased almost three‐fold at these centers.ConclusionsThese observed trends suggest a possible effect of the FDA Public Health Notifications regarding TVM on surgical practice for SUI in academic centers, even though they did not specifically warn against the use of synthetic mesh for this indication. Indications for surgery, complications, and outcomes were not evaluated during this retrospective study. However, such data may provide alternative insights into reasons for the observed trends. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:1155–1160, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi‐level hp‐adaptivity for cohesive fracture modeling
Authors: Zander Nils , Ruess Martin , Bog Tino , Kollmannsberger Stefan , Rank Ernst 
Published: July 2016

SummaryDiscretization‐induced oscillations in the load–displacement curve are a well‐known problem for simulations of cohesive crack growth with finite elements. The problem results from an insufficient resolution of the complex stress state within the cohesive zone ahead of the crack tip. This work demonstrates that the hp‐version of the finite element method is ideally suited to resolve this complex and localized solution characteristic with high accuracy and low computational effort. To this end, we formulate a local and hierarchic mesh refinement scheme that follows dynamically the propagating crack tip. In this way, the usually applied static a priori mesh refinement along the complete potential crack path is avoided, which significantly reduces the size of the numerical problem. Studying systematically the influence of h‐refinement, p‐refinement, and hp‐refinement, we demonstrate why the suggested hp‐formulation allows to capture accurately the complex stress state at the crack front preventing artificial snap‐through and snap‐back effects. This allows to decrease significantly the number of degrees of freedom and the simulation runtime. Furthermore, we show that by combining this idea with the finite cell method, the crack propagation within complex domains can be simulated efficiently without resolving the geometry by the mesh. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rasch analysis of Stamps's Index of Work Satisfaction in nursing population
Authors: Ahmad Nora , Oranye Nelson Ositadimma , Danilov Alyona 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAimOne of the most commonly used tools for measuring job satisfaction in nursing is the Stamps Index of Work Satisfaction. Several studies have reported on the reliability of the Stamps' tool based on traditional statistical model. The aim of this study was to apply the Rasch model to examine the adequacy of Stamps's Index of Work Satisfaction for measuring nurses' job satisfaction cross‐culturally and to determine the validity and reliability of the instrument using the Rasch criteria.DesignA secondary data analysis was conducted on a sample of 556 registered nurses from two countries.MethodsThe RUMM 2030 software was used to analyse the psychometric properties of the Index of Work Satisfaction.ResultsThe persons mean location of ‐0.018 approximated the items mean of 0.00, suggesting a good alignment of the measure and the traits being measured. However, at the items level, some items were misfiting to the Rasch model.
Body mass index: Has epidemiology started to break down causal contributions to health and disease?
Authors: Corbin Laura J. , Timpson Nicholas J. 
Published: July 2016

ObjectivesTo review progress in understanding the methods and results concerning the causal contribution of body mass index (BMI) to health and disease.MethodsIn the context of conventional evidence focused on the relationship between BMI and health, this review considers current literature on the common, population‐based, genetic contribution to BMI and how this has fed into the developing field of applied epidemiology.ResultsTechnological and analytical developments have driven considerable success in identifying genetic variants relevant to BMI. This has enabled the implementation of Mendelian randomization to address questions of causality. The product of this work has been the implication of BMI as a causal agent in a host of health outcomes. Further breakdown of causal pathways by integration with other “omics” technologies promises to deliver additional benefit.ConclusionsGaps remain in our understanding of BMI as a risk factor for health and disease, and while promising, applied genetic epidemiology should be considered alongside alternative methods for assessing the impact of BMI on health. Potential limitations, relating to inappropriate or nonspecific measures of obesity and the improper use of genetic instruments, will need to be explored and incorporated into future research aiming to dissect BMI as a risk factor.
Inverse association between carbohydrate consumption and plasma adropin concentrations in humans
Authors: Stevens Joseph R. , Kearney Monica L. , St‐Onge Marie‐Pierre , Stanhope Kimber L. , Havel Peter J. , Kanaley Jill A. , Thyfault John P. , Weiss Edward P. , Butler Andrew A. 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveThe role of metabolic condition and diet in regulating circulating levels of adropin, a peptide hormone linked to cardiometabolic control, is not well understood. In this study, weight loss and diet effects on plasma adropin concentrations were examined.MethodsThis report includes data from (1) a weight loss trial, (2) an evaluation of acute exercise effects on mixed‐meal (60% kcal from carbohydrates) tolerance test responses, and (3) a meta‐analysis to determine normal fasting adropin concentrations.ResultsDistribution of plasma adropin concentrations exhibited positive skew and kurtosis. The effect of weight loss on plasma adropin concentrations was dependent on baseline plasma adropin concentrations, with an inverse association between baseline and a decline in concentrations after weight loss (Spearman's ρ = −0.575; P < 0.001). When ranked by baseline plasma adropin concentrations, only values in the upper quartile declined with weight loss. Plasma adropin concentrations under the main area of the bell curve correlated negatively with habitual carbohydrate intake and plasma lipids. There was a negative correlation between baseline values and a transient decline in plasma adropin during the mixed‐meal tolerance test.ConclusionsPlasma adropin concentrations in humans are sensitive to dietary macronutrients, perhaps due to habitual consumption of carbohydrate‐rich diets suppressing circulating levels. Very high adropin levels may indicate cardiometabolic conditions sensitive to weight loss.
Treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia with risk group based intensification and omission of cranial irradiation: A Korean study of 295 patients
Authors: Lee Jae Wook , Kim Seong‐koo , Jang Pil‐Sang , Jeong Dae‐Chul , Chung Nack‐Gyun , Cho Bin , Kim Hack‐Ki 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundRecent studies indicate 70–80% event‐free survival (EFS) for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In this study, we report the outcome of 295 children and adolescents treated at our institution, with stratification into four risk groups, and omission of cranial irradiation in all patients.ProcedurePatients were diagnosed from January 2005 to December 2011 and classified and treated as low, standard, high, and very high risk groups. A delayed intensification phase was given twice for high and very high risk groups. None of the patients received cranial irradiation for central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis.ResultsThe 10‐year EFS and overall survival (OS) were 78.5 ± 2.5% and 81.9 ± 2.7%, respectively. EFS according to risk group was as follows: low risk 91.2 ± 3.7%, standard risk 98.1 ± 1.9%, high risk 81.5 ± 4.3%, very high risk 59.4 ± 5.3%. In a multivariate analysis, high hyperdiploidy and infant ALL were significant predictors of EFS. Cumulative incidence of any relapse, isolated CNS relapse, and any CNS relapse were 17.1 ± 2.3%, 1.5 ± 0.7%, and 2.3 ± 0.9%, respectively. Other events included infection‐related deaths during remission induction chemotherapy (3), primary refractory disease (2), and treatment‐related deaths in first complete remission (8).ConclusionsIn this single‐institution study of Korean pediatric ALL patients, risk group based intensification with omission of cranial irradiation resulted in EFS comparable to previous studies, excellent survival of low‐ and standard‐risk patients, and a low rate of CNS relapse.
Temporary Intraoperative Porto‐Caval Shunts in Piggy‐Back Liver Transplantation Reduce Intraoperative Blood Loss and Improve Postoperative Transaminases and Renal Function: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Pratschke Sebastian , Rauch Alexandra , Albertsmeier Markus , Rentsch Markus , Kirschneck Michaela , Andrassy Joachim , Thomas Michael , Hartwig Werner , Figueras Joan , Del Rio Martin Juan , De Ruvo Nicola , Werner Jens , Guba Markus , Weniger Maximilian , Angele Martin K. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe value of temporary intraoperative porto‐caval shunts (TPCS) in cava‐sparing liver transplantation is discussed controversially. Aim of this meta‐analysis was to analyze the impact of temporary intraoperative porto‐caval shunts on liver injury, primary non‐function, time of surgery, transfusion of blood products and length of hospital stay in cava‐sparing liver transplantation.MethodsA systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO retrieved a total of 909 articles, of which six articles were included. The combined effect size and 95 % confidence interval were calculated for each outcome by applying the inverse variance weighting method. Tests for heterogeneity (I2) were also utilized.ResultsUsage of a TPCS was associated with significantly decreased AST values, significantly fewer transfusions of packed red blood cells and improved postoperative renal function. There were no statistically significant differences in primary graft non‐function, length of hospital stay or duration of surgery.ConclusionThis meta‐analysis found that temporary intraoperative porto‐caval shunts in cava‐sparing liver transplantation reduce blood loss as well as hepatic injury and enhance postoperative renal function without prolonging operative time. Randomized controlled trials investigating the use of temporary intraoperative porto‐caval shunts are needed to confirm these findings.
Pleural Empyema Following Liver Resection: A Rare But Serious Complication
Authors: Goumard Claire , Fuks David , Cauchy François , Belghiti Jacques , Paugam‐Burtz Catherine , Castier Yves , Soubrane Olivier 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative pleural empyema following liver resection has not been thoroughly described in the literature yet. Hence, we aimed to describe characteristics of patients experiencing this complication.MethodsCharacteristics and outcomes of 21 patients who developed pleural empyema after hepatectomy, defined as a bacteriologically proven pleural infection with clinical and biological inflammatory signs requiring antibiotherapy and thoracic drainage, from 2001 to 2014, were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsOverall incidence of pleural empyema was 1 %. Nineteen (90.5 %) patients underwent right or extended right hepatectomy. All 21 patients developed postoperatively pleural effusion and 13 (62 %) infected abdominal collection. They had significantly more bile leakage and intra‐abdominal abscesses compared to a matched control group of patients undergoing a right hepatectomy. Accidental diaphragmatic opening was observed in six patients (intra‐operatively n = 4, transdiaphragmatic abdominal drainage n = 2). Treatment included percutaneous pleural drainage and in six (29 %) patients a thoracotomy for surgical drainage. Three patients (14 %) died due to sepsis and multiorgan failure. No patient treated by thoracotomy died postoperatively.ConclusionPostoperative pleural empyema is a rare but serious complication occurring mostly after right hepatectomy complicated with intraabdominal sepsis. Pleural paracentesis for diagnosis and treatment should be rapidly considered. Early thoracotomy for optimal drainage would reduce postoperative mortality.
ALPPS Procedure in Insufficient Hypertrophy After Portal Vein Embolization (PVE)
Authors: Ulmer T. F. , de Jong C. , Andert A. , Bruners P. , Heidenhain C. M. , Schoening W. , Schmeding M. , Neumann U. P. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe main limiting factor for major liver resections is the volume and function of the future remnant liver (FLR). Portal vein embolization (PVE) is now standard in most centers for preoperative hypertrophy of FLR. However, it has a failure rate of about 20–30 %. In these cases, the “Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy” (ALPPS) may represent a suitable and possibly the only alternative.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of nine patients who had ALPPS following an insufficient hypertrophy after PVE. Computed tomography volumetry were performed before and after PVE as well as the first step of ALPPS. Furthermore, complications, 30‐day mortality and outcome were analyzed.ResultsThe FLR volume rose significantly by 77.7 ± 40.7 % (FLR/TLV: 34.9 ± 9.7 %) as early as 9 days after the first stage despite insufficient hypertrophy after preoperative portal vein embolization. Major complications (Grade > IIIb) occurred in 33 % of the patients, and 30‐day mortality was 11.1 %. The OS at 1 and 2 years was 78 and 44 %. Four patients are presently still alive at a median of 33.4 (range 15–48) months (survival rate 44.4 %).ConclusionThe ALPPS procedure could be a suitable alternative for patients following insufficient PVE or indeed the last chance of a potentially curative treatment in this situation. Nevertheless, the high morbidity and mortality rates and the lack of data on the long‐term oncological outcome must also be taken into account.