bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design of low voltage RF MEMS switch at 35 GHz
Authors: Kommuri Usha Kiran 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTThe micromachining technique offers potential for bulk fabrication of miniature components at microwave and millimeter wave frequencies. Critical components of integrated RF front ends are RF switches. High isolation, voltage, and low stress are important characteristics depended by these applications. At higher frequency end, that is, at 35 GHz, achieving a low pull‐in voltage is difficult as the overlapping area between the tx‐line and beam (shunt). In this article, we present a low voltage, low stress, and high isolation shunt design at 35 GHz. Here, to achieve low voltage and low stress, the hinges that are attached to the beam are slight off‐set toward inside than at ends. The proposed switches have good isolation, low insertion loss, and a low pull‐in voltage at 35 GHz. Both electromagnetic and electromechanical modeling of the proposed switch designs is studied. The electromagnetic modeling is done using electromagnetic solver CST, whereas the electromechanical modeling is carried out using CoventerWare. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1483–1486, 2014
Oxytocin regulates the expression of aquaporin 5 in the late‐pregnant rat uterus
Authors: Ducza Eszter , Seres Adrienn B. , Hajagos‐Tóth Judit , Falkay George , Gáspár Róbert 
Published: March 2014

SummaryAquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane channels responsible for the transport of water across a cell membrane. Based on reports that AQPs are present and accumulate in the female reproductive tract late in pregnancy, our aim was to study the expression of AQP isoforms (AQP1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 9) at the end of pregnancy in rat in order to determine if they play a role in parturition. Reverse‐transcriptase PCR revealed that specific Aqp mRNAs were detectable in the myometrium of non‐pregnant and late‐pregnancy (Days 18, 20, 21, and 22 of pregnancy) rat uteri. The expression of Aqp5 mRNA and protein were most pronounced on Days 18–21, and were dramatically decreased on Day 22 of pregnancy. In contrast, a significant increase was found in the level of Aqp5 transcript in whole‐blood samples on the last day of pregnancy. The effect of oxytocin on myometrial Aqp5 expression in an organ bath was also investigated. The level of Aqp5 mRNA significantly decreased 5 min after oxytocin (10−8 M) administration, similarly to its profile on the day of delivery; this effect was sensitive to the oxytocin antagonist atosiban. The vasopressin analog desmopressin (3.7 × 10−8 M), on the other hand, did not alter the expression of Aqp5, but did increased the amount of Aqp2 mRNA, an effect that was atosiban‐resistant. These results lead us to propose that oxytocin selectively influences the expression of Aqp5 at the end of pregnancy, and may participate in events that lead to parturition in the rat. The sudden increase of AQP5 in the blood on the last day of pregnancy may serve as a marker that indicates the initiation of delivery. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 81: 524–530, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microplane damage model for jointed rock masses
Authors: Chen Xin , Bažant Zdeněk P. 
Published: March 2014

SUMMARYThe paper presents a new microplane constitutive model for the inelastic behavior of jointed rock masses that takes into account the mechanical behavior and geometric characteristics of cracks and joints. The basic idea is that the microplane modeling of rock masses under general triaxial loading, including compression, requires the isotropic rock matrix and the joints to be considered as two distinct phases coupled in parallel. A joint continuity factor is defined as a microplane damage variable to represent the stress‐carrying area fraction of the joint phase. Based on the assumption of parallel coupling between the rock joint and the rock matrix, the overall mechanical behavior of the rock is characterized by microplane constitutive laws for the rock matrix and for the rock joints, along with an evolution law for the microplane joint continuity factor. The inelastic response of the rock matrix and the rock joints is controlled on the microplane level by the stress–strain boundaries. Based on the arguments enunciated in developing the new microplane model M7 for concrete, the previously used volumetric–deviatoric splits of the elastic strains and of the tensile boundary are avoided. The boundaries are tensile normal, compressive normal, and shear. The numerical simulations demonstrate satisfactory fits of published triaxial test data on sandstone and on jointed plaster mortar, including quintessential features such as the strain softening and dilatancy under low confining pressure, as well as the brittle–ductile transition under higher confining pressure, and the decrease of jointed rock strength and Young's modulus with an increasing dip angle of the joint. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new contact algorithm in the material point method for geotechnical simulations
Authors: Ma J. , Wang D. , Randolph M.F. 
Published: March 2014

SUMMARYContact between stiff structural elements and soil is encountered in many applications in geotechnical engineering. Modelling of such contact is challenging as it often involves impact that would lead to large deformation and failure of the soil. The Material Point Method (MPM) is a mesh‐free method that has been applied to simulate such phenomena. However, the frictional contact algorithm commonly used in MPM only supports Coulomb friction and cannot model fully or partially rough contact conditions in terms of geotechnical engineering. Moreover, because of very different stiffness of contacting materials, the contact force predicted by the previous frictional contact algorithms usually suffers from severe oscillation when applied in structure–soil interaction.This paper presents a new contact algorithm, termed Geo‐contact, designed for geotechnical engineering. In Geo‐contact, a penalty function is incorporated to reduce the oscillation in contact computation, and a limited shear stress is specified along the contact interface. The proposed Geo‐contact algorithm has been implemented to simulate smooth, partially rough and rough contact in typical large deformation penetration problems. The resistance–displacement curves obtained using the Geo‐contact are compared with analytical solutions of limit analysis and large deformation finite element results to verify the accuracy and robustness of the proposed contact algorithm. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economic evaluation of “healthy beginnings” an early childhood intervention to prevent obesity
Authors: Hayes Alison , Lung Tom , Wen Li Ming , Baur Louise , Rissel Chris , Howard Kirsten 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveTo determine the costs and cost‐effectiveness of an early childhood home visiting program delivered to families in socio‐economically disadvantaged areas of Sydney, Australia during 2007‐2010.MethodsEconomic evaluation of a randomized controlled trial, the healthy beginnings (HB) trial, from the perspective of the health funder. Intervention resources were determined from local health district records in 2012 $AUD. Health‐care resource utilization was determined through patient‐level data linkage.ResultsThe cost of HB intervention in the clinical trial over 2 years was $1309 per child (2012 $AUD). The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was $4230 per unit BMI avoided and $631 per 0.1 reduction in BMI z‐score. It was estimated that the program could be delivered in practice for $709 per child; with incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios of $2697 per unit BMI avoided and $376 per 0.1 reduction in BMI z‐score.ConclusionsWe present the first economic evaluation of an effective obesity prevention initiative in early childhood. HB is a moderately priced intervention with demonstrated effectiveness that offers similar or better value for money than existing obesity prevention or treatment interventions targeted at older children.
Orthogonal multifunctionalization of aliphatic polycarbonate via sequential Michael addition and radical‐thiol‐ene click reactions
Authors: Uysal Bilal Bugra , Gunay Ufuk Saim , Hizal Gurkan , Tunca Umit 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTAliphatic polycarbonate (PC) copolymer is synthesized by ring opening copolymerization of acrylate‐ and allyl‐functional cyclic carbonate monomers. The post‐polymerization functionalization of the resulting copolymer is performed quantitatively using a variety of thiol compounds via sequential Michael addition and photo‐induced radical thiol‐ene click reactions within relatively short reaction time at ambient temperature. This metal‐free click chemistry methodology affords the synthesis of biocompatible PC copolymer with multifunctional groups. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1581–1587
Building up polymer architectures on graphene oxide sheet surfaces through sequential atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Peng Kang‐Jen , Wang Ke‐Hsuan , Hsu Keh‐Ying , Liu Ying‐Ling 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTThe reactivity between the active species of atom transfer radical addition and the unsaturated groups of graphene oxides (GOs) has been demonstrated in this work. The reaction and the sequential surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization provide a convenient approach to anchor various polymer chains and to buildup various polymer architectures, such as linear polymer, V‐shape block polymer, multibonded polymer layer, and hierarchical brush‐on‐layer polymer, on GO sheet surfaces. The chemical structures and morphology of the polymer‐modified GOs have been characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. After organomodification, the GOs exhibit a good dispersion ability in organic solvent over 80 days, amphiphilic characteristics, and temperature‐responsive properties. Reduction of the GOs has been performed to result in graphene‐like materials showing certain extent of electron conductivities. An effective approach to synthesize GO/polymer hybrid materials possessing various polymer architectures and attractive properties has been developed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1588–1596
Clinical outcomes after initial pseudomonas acquisition in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Zemanick Edith T. , Emerson Julia , Thompson Valeria , McNamara Sharon , Morgan Wayne , Gibson Ronald L. , Rosenfeld Margaret ,   the EPIC Study Group
Published: March 2014

SummaryObjectivesTo evaluate clinical outcomes associated with initial isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) in a large U.S. cystic fibrosis (CF) cohort in the current era of widespread early Pa eradication therapy.MethodsParticipants were children with CF enrolled in the Early Pseudomonas Infection Control (EPIC) Observational Study who had no isolation of Pa from respiratory cultures prior to enrollment. Population‐averaged regression models using generalized estimating equation methods were used to estimate the effect of Pa acquisition on endpoints including lung function, growth, pulmonary exacerbation rate, respiratory signs and symptoms, and respiratory cultures.ResultsEight hundred thirty‐eight subjects were observed for a mean 4.6 (SD 1.2) years during which 431 (51%) acquired Pa. There was no statistically significant effect of Pa acquisition on the slopes of FEV1% predicted or growth parameters. Pulmonary exacerbation rate was statistically significantly greater after Pa acquisition (incident rate ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.07, 1.84) as were odds of crackles or wheeze on physical exam (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.00, 1.52). Odds of isolation of MRSA (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.38, 2.49) and S. maltophilia (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.49, 2.98) increased after Pa acquisition, while the odds of H. influenzae (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.46, 0.64) decreased.ConclusionsIn this large U.S. cohort, we did not detect an association between acquisition of Pa and deterioration in lung function or nutrition. Pa acquisition was associated with significantly increased pulmonary exacerbation rate and odds of crackles or wheeze. Pa infection may be the cause of these outcomes or a marker of more severe disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:42–48. © 2014 The Authors. Pediatric Pulmonology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improvement of oxidative stress tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae through global transcription machinery engineering
Authors: Zhao Hongwei , Li Jingyuan , Han Beizhong , Li Xuan , Chen Jingyu 
Published: March 2014

Abstract
Excessive oxidative stress poses significant damage to yeast cells during fermentation process, and finally affects fermentation efficiency and the quality of products. In this paper, global transcription machinery engineering was employed to elicit Saccharomyces cerevisiae phenotypes of higher tolerance against oxidative stress caused by H2O2. Two strains from two plasmid-based mutagenesis libraries (Spt15 and Taf25), which exhibited significant increases in oxidative stress tolerance, were successfully isolated. At moderate H2O2 shock (≤3.5 mM), a positive correlation was found between the outperformance in cell growth of the oxidation-tolerate strains and H2O2 concentration. Several mutations were observed in the native transcription factors, which resulted in a different transcriptional profile compared with the control. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities of the two mutants increased under H2O2 stress conditions. Fermentation experiments revealed that the mutant strain taf25-3 has a shorter lag phase compared to the control one, indicating that taf25-3 had improved adaptation ability to H2O2-induced oxidative stress and higher fermentation efficiency. Our study demonstrated that several amino acid substitutions in general transcription factors (Spt15 and Taf25) could modify the cellular oxidation defense systems and improve the anti-oxidation ability of S. cerevisiae. It could make the industrial ethanol fermentation more efficient and cost-effective by using the strain of higher stress tolerance.
Long‐term effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapy in children with Gaucher disease: results from the NCS‐LSD cohort study
Authors: Anderson L. J. , Henley W. , Wyatt K. M. , Nikolaou V. , Waldek S. , Hughes D. A. , Pastores G. M. , Logan S. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the effectiveness of enzyme replacement therapies (ERT) for children with Gaucher disease (GD).DesignA longitudinal cohort study including prospective and retrospective clinical data. Age‐ and gender‐adjusted treatment effects were estimated using generalised linear mixed models. Children on treatment contributed data before and during treatment. Children not on treatment contributed natural history data.ParticipantsConsenting children (N = 25, aged 1.1 to 15.6 years) with a diagnosis of GD (14 with GD1 and 11 with GD3) who attended a specialist treatment centre in England. At recruitment, 24 patients were receiving ERT (mean treatment duration, 5.57 years; range 0‐13.7 years).Outcome measuresClinical outcomes chosen to reflect disease progression, included platelet count; haemoglobin and absence/presence of bone pain.ResultsDuration of ERT was associated with statistically significant improvements in platelet count (p < 0.001), haemoglobin (p < 0.001), and reported bone pain (p = 0.02). The magnitude of effect on haematological parameters was greater in children with GD3 than in those with GD1.ConclusionsThese data provide further evidence of the long‐term effectiveness of ERT in children with GD.
Upper Extremity Orthoses Use in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neuron Disease: Three Case Reports
Authors: Ivy Cindy C. , Smith Susan M. , Materi Miranda M. 
Published: March 2014

Background Central to the armamentarium of a hand therapist is evaluation for successful orthotic use. Orthoses can have a profound effect on quality of life in persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/motor neuron disease (MND). The purposes of orthoses are to decrease the effects of muscle imbalance, provide assistance in performance of activities of daily living (ADLs), prevent joint contracture, and relieve pain. There are few published accounts on the usefulness of orthoses and ALS. The purpose of this paper is to expand the body of literature by describing three successful cases. Methods Three cases illustrate effects on weakened proximal muscles, wrist extensors, thenar musculature, and intrinsic muscles. The primary outcome measure is patient report, but functional rating scales, goniometry, quality of life scores, and pinch strength when obtainable are described. Results Due to the progressive nature of the disease, outcome measures can be inconclusive. Patient report of increased life satisfaction and ability to participate in daily life is the critical outcome in these case examples. In all cases, satisfaction increased. Some of the stated changes include the following: ability to manipulate objects, grip, eat, wipe face, hold phone, use iPad®, and adjust hat. Conclusions Upper extremity orthotic use can be a beneficial adjunct contributing to the quality of life for individuals with ALS/MND. We have observed positive responses in pain control, contracture management, functional positioning, and increased independence with the use of orthoses. Designing appropriate means of studying effects of orthosis intervention is deficient in the current scientific literature.
Utilization patterns of antidepressants between 1991 and 2011 in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and elderly
Authors: Aarts N. , Noordam R. , Hofman A. , Tiemeier H. , Stricker B.H. , Visser L.E. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundIn middle-aged and older patients in whom antidepressant use increased in last decades, patterns of use might be of concern The objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of prevalence, incidence and duration of antidepressant use in an ageing population.MethodsAll participants (aged > 45 years) from the population-based Rotterdam Study were followed from January 1st 1991 until death, loss to follow-up, or end of the study period (December 31st 2011). Antidepressant drug dispensing, based on pharmacy records, were subdivided into Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressants. One-year prevalence, 5-year incidence and duration of antidepressant use were calculated.ResultsYearly prevalence of antidepressant use increased from 3.9% in 1991 to 8.3% of the population in 2011. The increase in SSRI use was 5.8-fold, whereas use of other antidepressants doubled and TCA use remained stable over time. Incidence of all antidepressants decreased from 23.9 to 14.2 per 1000 person-years between 1992 and 2011. The duration of a first treatment episode increased over time.ConclusionDespite the prevalence of antidepressant use increased over time, incidence did not, which is most likely explained by a longer treatment duration and recurrent episodes.
A genetic variant in the microRNA-146a gene is associated with susceptibility to alcohol use disorders
Authors: Novo-Veleiro I. , González-Sarmiento R. , Cieza-Borrella C. , Pastor I. , Laso F.-J. , Marcos M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground:Polymorphisms in the microRNA (miRNA) regulatory pathways are novel functional genetic variants whose association with alcoholism susceptibility has not been previously studied. Given the potential relationship between certain miRNAs and alcohol use disorders (AUDs), this study was designed to explore the association between two polymorphisms within hsa-miR-146a and hsa-miR-196a2 genes and susceptibility to these diseases.Methods:Three hundred and one male patients with AUDs and 156 sex-matched healthy volunteers were enrolled. Polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan® PCR assays. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between groups and logistic regression analysis was also performed to analyze the model of inheritance.Results:There was a significantly higher prevalence of allele C carriers (47.8%) of the miR-146a G>C polymorphism (rs2910164) among patients with AUDs when compared with controls (35.9%), and multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the C allele was associated with these AUDs (OR = 1.615, 95% CI 1.067–2.442; P = 0.023). Neither the genotype nor the allele distribution of miR-196a2 polymorphism (rs11614913) was significantly different between groups.Conclusions:This is the first genetic association study to explore the relationship of miRNA polymorphisms with AUDs and to show an association of the miR-146a C>G rs2910164 allelic variant with this disease.
Current status of atrial pacing algorithms for the prevention of atrial fibrillation: Should algorithms be used?
Authors: Nakai Toshiko , Watanabe Ichiro , Hirayama Atsushi 
Published: March 2014

AbstractSince the development of an atrial pacing algorithm for preventing atrial fibrillation (AF), approximately 20 years ago, many clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of atrial pacing with respect to AF prevention. Nevertheless, the actual effectiveness of AF suppression via atrial pacing remains under debate, and no definitive conclusion has been reached. The AF suppression algorithms embedded in pacemakers have not demonstrated an unequivocal clinical efficacy that would support changing of the guidelines to recommend such algorithms. In this review of studies conducted since 2006, we discuss the efficacies of these AF suppression algorithms and their usefulness in patients requiring pacemaker implantation.
Influence of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria and enzymatic yeast extracts on the microbiological, biochemical and sensorial properties of Lben generic products
Authors: Mangia Nicoletta P , Garau Giovanni , Murgia Marco A , Bennani Abdelmajid , Deiana Pietrino 
Published: March 2014

In this study we identified Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lc. lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis, Kluyveromices lactis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the dominant microorganisms of traditional Moroccan acid-alcoholic fermented milk named Lben. The low pH (3·8±0·3), lactose (16·8±3·4 mg/l) and lactic acid (8·16±0·6 mg/l) content indicated that a strong fermentation occurred in the traditional product which was also characterised by the substantial presence of ethanol and typical volatile carbonyl compounds (i.e., acetoin, diacetyl and acetaldehyde). Microbiological analyses of experimental Lben manufactured with selected strains (isolated from the traditional product) of Lc. lactis subsp. lactis and Lc. lactis subsp. lactis biovar. diacetylactis alone (batch A) and in combination with enzymatic extract of a K. lactis strain (batch B) indicated a good effectiveness of the starters employed (∼1010 CFU/g of lactococci after 8 h of incubation) and a significant effect of the yeast enzyme extract on lactococci viability. Despite slight changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the two Lben during the 15 d storage period, volatile compounds (i.e. ethanol, acetaldehyde, diacetyl and acetoin) were consistently higher in batch B. Moreover, sensorial analysis performed after 15 d of storage, highlighted higher odour and flavour intensity, vegetable odour and viscosity in batch B while batch A displayed higher astringency.