bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fast alternating direction implicit method for efficient transient thermal simulation of integrated circuits
Authors: Heh Ding Yu , Tan Eng Leong , Tay Wei Choon 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThis paper presents fast alternating direction implicit (FADI) method for efficient transient thermal simulation of integrated circuits. The FADI method is formulated from Peaceman–Rachford's ADI and Douglas–Gunn's ADI methods. The update procedure of the proposed method has basic implicit form that features derivative‐free right‐hand side and hence, better efficiency and conciseness. Subsequently, through the basic implicit form of FADI method, the relationship between classical Peaceman–Rachford's and Douglas–Gunn's ADI methods can be clarified and elucidated in detail. A unified boundary condition that can cater to common kinds of boundary conditions in thermal simulation is also introduced. To further accelerate FADI method, the graphics processing unit is also utilized through Compute Unified Device Architecture implementation. It is shown that high efficiency gain can be achieved using the proposed FADI method through large time step size and data parallelism, while maintaining stability and good accuracy. As numerical illustration, an integrated circuit structure with microchannel cooling is demonstrated. Numerical results further ascertain the cooling effect of the microchannels. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid prototyping of MIMO‐OFDM based on parity bit selected and permutation spreading
Authors: Moussa Sherif , M. Abdel Razik Ahmed , Dahmane Adel Omar , D'Amours Claude , Hamam Habib 
Published: February 2015

SummaryIn this paper, a novel MIMO‐OFDM transmission scheme is developed to effectively enable multi‐access by joint code design across multiple antennas, subcarriers, OFDM frames, and users. It achieves better spectrum efficiency while improving bit error rate performance. The proposed scheme uses either parity bit selected or permutation techniques to assign spreading codes at the transmitter side. As a result, the detection at the receiver is greatly improved because of the fact that identifying the spreading code(s) directly yields the transmitted data symbols. The paper also investigates the field‐programmable gate array implementation of the proposed algorithms; optimization techniques are proposed to reduce area, power, and time. These techniques include a pipelined architecture for inverse FFT/FFT blocks, an efficient low complexity algorithm for despreading based on counters and comparators and an optimized architecture for complex matrix inversion using Gauss–Jordan elimination (GJ‐elimination). Finally, the fixed‐point optimized field‐programmable gate array architecture for MIMO‐OFDM transceiver is developed, where the maximum allowed performance loss because of quantization is defined, the tradeoffs between BER performance and area reduction are investigated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complete delay modeling of sub‐threshold CMOS logic gates for low‐power application
Authors: Chanda Manash , Chakraborty Ananda Sankar , Sarkar Chandan Kumar 
Published: February 2015

SummaryIn this paper, the propagation delay of a complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) inverter circuit in sub‐threshold regime has been analyzed thoroughly with respect to variable loads, rise and fall time of input, device dimensions and temperature, without neglecting the significant drain induced barrier lowering (DIBL) and body bias effects. In particular, sub‐threshold slope factor and current strength have been modeled with respect to temperature, which would be efficacious for the analysis of sub‐threshold circuit as temperature plays an important role in propagation delay. Transistor stacking has also been modeled considering variation in threshold voltage, sub‐threshold slope factor and DIBL coefficient owing mainly to fluctuation in doping levels. The CMOS inverter delay model together with transistor stacking model has been incorporated in the analysis of propagation delays of NAND and NOR gates. Extensive simulations have been performed under 45 and 22 nm CMOS technology using simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis (SPICE) to ensure the correctness of the analysis. Simulation shows that this model is applicable for the analysis of digital sub‐threshold circuit in sub‐90 nm technology. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparative study of primary secondary amino (PSA) and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as QuEChERS absorbents for the rapid determination of diazepam and its major metabolites in fish samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Jincheng , Zhang Jing , Liu Huan , Wu Lidong 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDA simple and fast modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method is presented for the determination of diazepam and its three major metabolites, nordiazepam, temazepam and oxazepam (benzodiazepines) in fish samples by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–tandem mass spectrometry.RESULTSMuscle tissues were extracted with acetonitrile, and then cleaned with primary secondary amino (PSA) adsorbents. The cleanup effect of PSA was compared with that of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in term of extraction efficiency. The better results were obtained when PSA was used. The chromatography separation was achieved within 5.0 min on a C18 column. The limit of detection was 0.5 µg kg−1 and the limit of quantification was 2.5 µg kg−1. Average recoveries of diazepam and its main metabolites were in the range of 88.5–110.1%, with a relative standard deviation lower than 10.0%.CONCLUSIONThe proposed method for fish samples gives good recoveries, linearity, precision and accuracy. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing of rhytides and photoaged skin – A prospective clinical study on patient expectation and satisfaction
Authors: Kohl Elisabeth , Meierhöfer Julia , Koller Michael , Zeman Florian , Groesser Leopold , Karrer Sigrid , Hohenleutner Ulrich , Landthaler Michael , Hohenleutner Silvia 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundFractional CO2‐laser resurfacing is increasingly used for treating rhytides and photoaged skin because of its favorable benefit‐risk ratio. A key outcome measure and treatment goal in aesthetic laser therapy is patient satisfaction. However, few data are available on patient‐reported outcomes after fractional ablative skin‐resurfacing.ObjectivesTo compare patient expectations before and patient satisfaction after three fractional CO2‐laser treatments and to correlate objectively measured wrinkle reduction with patient satisfaction after treatment.MethodsWe investigated patient expectation and satisfaction using a 14‐item questionnaire in 24 female patients. We assessed the skin‐related quality of life and patient satisfaction with skin appearance. We profilometrically measured wrinkle size in four facial areas before and three months after treatment and investigated correlations between wrinkle reduction and patient satisfaction.ResultsThe high patient expectations before treatment (ceiling effect) were actually slightly exceeded. The average score of 14 items delineating patient satisfaction with laser treatment was higher (4.64 ± 0.82; n = 24) than the respective expectations before treatment (4.43 ± 0.88; n = 24). Skin‐related quality of life and patient satisfaction with skin appearance had significantly improved after the last treatment. Patients dissatisfied with their skin appearance before treatment (mean 2.1 ± 1.5; evaluated on a scale ranging from 0–6) were satisfied (mean 5.1 ± 1.2) (P < 0.001) with skin appearance at the follow‐up. Patient satisfaction with skin appearance was not correlated to the profilometrically measured reduction of wrinkle size of any facial area.ConclusionsOur results show high patient satisfaction with ablative fractional skin resurfacing, also regarding improved self‐esteem and self‐satisfaction despite high pre‐treatment expectations. Skin‐specific quality of life had significantly improved. Thus, this treatment modality can be recommended for patients with photoaged skin wishing to improve skin appearance. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:111–119, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterizing the diversity of active bacteria in soil by comprehensive stable isotope probing of DNA and RNA with H218O
Authors: Rettedal Elizabeth A. , Brözel Volker S. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractCurrent limitations in culture‐based methods have lead to a reliance on culture‐independent approaches, based principally on the comparative analysis of primary semantides such as ribosomal gene sequences. DNA can be remarkably stable in some environments, so its presence does not indicate live bacteria, but extracted ribosomal RNA (rRNA) has previously been viewed as an indicator of active cells. Stable isotope probing (SIP) involves the incorporation of heavy isotopes into newly synthesized nucleic acids, and can be used to separate newly synthesized from existing DNA or rRNA. H218O is currently the only potential universal bacterial substrate suitable for SIP of entire bacterial communities. The aim of our work was to compare soil bacterial community composition as revealed by total versus SIP‐labeled DNA and rRNA. Soil was supplemented with H218O and after 38 days the DNA and RNA were co‐extracted. Heavy nucleic acids were separated out by CsCl and CsTFA density centrifugation. The 16S rRNA gene pools were characterized by DGGE and pyrosequencing, and the sequence results analyzed using mothur. The majority of DNA (~60%) and RNA (~75%) from the microcosms incubated with H218O were labeled by the isotope. The analysis indicated that total and active members of the same type of nucleic acid represented similar community structures, which suggested that most dominant OTUs in the total nucleic acid extracts contained active members. It also supported that H218O was an effective universal label for SIP for both DNA and RNA. DNA and RNA‐derived diversity was dissimilar. RNA from this soil more comprehensively recovered bacterial richness than DNA because the most abundant OTUs were less numerous in RNA than DNA‐derived community data, and dominant OTU pools didn't mask rare OTUs as much in RNA.
Serotonergic markers in Parkinson's disease and levodopa‐induced dyskinesias
Authors: Cheshire Perdita , Ayton Scott , Bertram Kelly L. , Ling Helen , Li Abi , McLean Catriona , Halliday Glenda M. , O'Sullivan Sean S. , Revesz Tamas , Finkelstein David I. , Storey Elsdon , Williams David R. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPreclinical animal models implicate serotonin neurons in the pathophysiology of levodopa (l‐dopa)–induced dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease (PD), but effective treatment remains elusive. We examined the relationship between serotonin and l‐dopa–induced dyskinesias in a pathologically confirmed cohort of PD patients. We obtained brain tissue from 44 PD cases and 17 age‐matched controls and assessed monoamine levels and the serotonin and dopamine transporters in the striatum, and the extent of dopaminergic and serotonergic cell preservation in the substantia nigra (SN) and the dorsal raphe nuclei (DRN), respectively. As expected, PD patients demonstrated a severe loss of all dopaminergic markers, including dopamine (P < 0.0001) and the dopamine transporter (P < 0.0001) in the striatum, and dopaminergic neurons (P < 0.001) in the SN, compared with controls. Marked serotonin loss was observed in the caudate (but not putamen) in PD patients compared with controls (P < 0.001), but no difference was found in the levels of the serotonin transporter in the striatum or density of serotonergic neurons in the DRN between these groups, suggesting a functional but not structural change in the serotonergic system in PD. No difference was seen in levels of serotonergic and dopaminergic markers in the striatum between PD patients with and without dyskinesias, or between cases separated according to the clinical severity of their dyskinesias. The absence of a correlation between striatal serotonin markers and the incidence and severity of l‐dopa–induced dyskinesias suggests that an intact and functioning serotonergic system is not a risk factor for developing dyskinesias in PD. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Chorea due to diabetic hyperglycemia and uremia: Distinct clinical and imaging features
Authors: Kim Young Jin , Kim Sang Joon , Kim Juyeon , Kim Mi‐Jung , Kim Ki‐Ju , Yoon Hyukjun , Kim Sung Reul , Chung Sun Ju 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis study was undertaken to describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of patients with chorea associated with nonketotic hyperglycemia (C‐NKH) in comparison with patients with chorea associated with uremia (C‐URE). We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of consecutive 10 C‐NKH and five C‐URE patients who were treated between January 1, 2001 and January 31, 2013. Women were more frequently affected by C‐NKH (70% vs. 30%) and C‐URE (80% vs. 20%) compared with men. The C‐NKH patients demonstrated T1–hyperintense and inhomogeneous lesions in the basal ganglia, whereas C‐URE patients demonstrated T2‐hyperintense and homogeneous lesions in the basal ganglia. The mean time for chorea resolution after treatment was significantly shorter in C‐NKH patients than in C‐URE patients (4.4 ± 2.6 d vs. 73.8 ± 14.2 d, respectively; P = 0.005). The clinical and imaging features are remarkably different between C‐NKH and C‐URE patients, suggesting distinct pathogenic mechanisms. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Immune‐mediated destruction of ovarian follicles associated with the presence of HSP90 antibodies
Authors: Choudhury Asmita , Khole Vrinda V. 
Published: February 2015

SUMMARYWe previously established that the presence of autoantibodies to heat‐shock protein 90 (HSP90) is one common causes of female infertility, and demonstrated that its presence leads to detrimental effects on ovarian and reproductive function in mice. The pathophysiological mechanism and alteration in the immune physiology, however, remain unknown. We therefore carried out detailed analysis of various immune cells in the spleen and ovary following immunization of C57BL/6 female mice to generate antibodies to HSP90 in the general circulation. We observed a significant increase in levels of CD45− cells; CD4+ T cells; Ly6G6C+ cells; and CD11b+ Ly6G+ cells in the spleen of these mice, which correlate with the increased anti‐HSP90 antibody production. Ovarian‐ and granulosa‐cell populations also showed increased infiltration of CD45+ leukocytes and neutrophil and monocyte populations, which may have led to the observed ovarian follicular degeneration that predominantly manifested as empty follicles. A decrease in the number of functional ovarian follicles was also associated with a decrease in the level of Gdf9 gene expression. Thus, changes in the immune physiology of the spleen and ovary that leads to the generation of antibodies to HSP90 can also bring about the destruction of ovarian follicles. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 81–89, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification and verification of differentially expressed genes in the caprine hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis that are associated with litter size
Authors: Feng Tao , Cao Gui‐Ling , Chu Ming‐Xing , Di Ran , Huang Dong‐Wei , Liu Qiu‐Yue , Pan Zhang‐Yuan , Jin Mei , Zhang Ying‐Jie , Li Ning 
Published: February 2015

SUMMARYLitter size is a favorable economic trait for the goat industry, but remains a complex trait controlled by multiple genes in multiple organs. Several genes have been identified that may affect embryo survival, follicular development, and the health of fetuses during pregnancy. Jining Grey goats demonstrate the largest litter size among goat breeds indigenous to China. In order to better understand the genetic basis of this trait, six suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) cDNA libraries were constructed using pooled mRNAs from hypothalamuses, pituitaries, and ovaries of sexually mature and adult polytocous Jining Grey goats, as testers, versus the pooled corresponding mRNAs of monotocous Liaoning Cashmere goats, as drivers. A total of 1,458 true‐positive clones —including 955 known genes and 481 known and 22 unknown expressed sequence tags—were obtained from the SSH libraries by sequencing and alignment. The known genes were categorized into cellular processes and signaling information storage and processing, and metabolism. Three genes (FTH1, GH, and SAA) were selected to validate the SSH results by quantitative real‐time PCR; all three were up‐regulated in the corresponding tissues in the tester group indicating that these are candidate genes associated with the large litter size of Jining Grey goats. Several other identified genes may affect embryo survival, follicular development, and health during pregnancy. This study provides insights into the mechanistic basis by which the caprine hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis affects reproductive traits and provides a theoretical basis for goat production and breeding. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 132–138, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Three dimensional reconstruction by electron microscopy in the life sciences: An introduction for cell and tissue biologists
Authors: Miranda Kildare , Girard‐Dias Wendell , Attias Marcia , de Souza Wanderley , Ramos Isabela 
Published: February 2015

SUMMARYEarly applications of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in the life sciences have contributed tremendously to our current understanding at the subcellular level. Initially limited to two‐dimensional representations of three‐dimensional (3D) objects, this approach has revolutionized the fields of cellular and structural biology–being instrumental for determining the fine morpho‐functional characterization of most cellular structures. Electron microscopy has progressively evolved towards the development of tools that allow for the 3D characterization of different structures. This was done with the aid of a wide variety of techniques, which have become increasingly diverse and highly sophisticated. We start this review by examining the principles of 3D reconstruction of cells and tissues using classical approaches in TEM, and follow with a discussion of the modern approaches utilizing TEM as well as on new scanning electron microscopy‐based techniques. 3D reconstruction techniques from serial sections and (cryo) electron‐tomography are examined, and the recent applications of focused ion beam‐scanning microscopes and serial‐block‐face techniques for the 3D reconstruction of large volumes are discussed. Alternative low‐cost techniques and more accessible approaches using basic transmission or field emission scanning electron microscopes are also examined. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 530–547, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MRI relaxation in the presence of fictitious fields correlates with myelin content in normal rat brain
Authors: Hakkarainen Hanne , Sierra Alejandra , Mangia Silvia , Garwood Michael , Michaeli Shalom , Gröhn Olli , Liimatainen Timo 
Published: February 2015

PurposeBrain myelin plays an important role in normal brain function. Demyelination is involved in many degenerative brain diseases, thus quantitative imaging of myelin has been under active investigation. In previous work, we demonstrated the capability of the method known as Relaxation Along a Fictitious Field (RAFF) in the rotating frame of rank n (RAFFn) to provide image contrast between white and gray matter in human and rat brains. Here, we provide evidence pointing to myelin being the major source of this contrast.MethodsRAFFn relaxation time constant (TRAFFn) was mapped in rat brain ex vivo. TRAFFn was quantified in 12 different brain areas. TRAFFn values were compared with multiple other MRI metrics (T1, T2, continuous wave T1ρ, adiabatic T1ρ and T2ρ, magnetization transfer ratio), and with histologic measurements of cell density, myelin and iron content.ResultsHighest contrast between white and grey matter was obtained with TRAFFn in the rotating frames of ranks n = 4 and 5. TRAFFn values correlated strongly with myelin content, whereas no associations between TRAFFn and iron content or cell density were found.ConclusionTRAFFn with n = 4 or 5 provides a high sensitivity for selective myelin mapping in the rat brain. Magn Reson Med 75:161–168, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transcriptome and proteome of human hepatocellular carcinoma reveal shared metastatic pathways with significant genes
Authors: Shen Huali , Zhong Fan , Zhang Yang , Yu Hongxiu , Liu Yinkun , Qin Lunxiu , He Fuchu , Tang Zhaoyou , Yang Pengyuan 
Published: February 2015

Previously isolated pathways screened from individual genes were investigated at either the transcriptional or translational level; however, the consistency between the pathways screened at the gene expression levels was obscure in metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To elucidate this question, we performed a transcriptomic (16 353 genes) and proteomic (7861 proteins) analysis simultaneously on six metastatic HCC cell lines against two nonmetastatic HCC cell lines, with all HBV traceable and close genetic‐backgrounds for a comparative study. The quantitative and integrated results showed that significant genes were screened differentially with 351 transcripts from the transcriptome and 304 proteins from the proteome, with limited overlapping genes (7%). However, we discovered that these discrete 351 transcripts and 304 proteins screened share extrusive significant‐pathways/networks with a 77% overlap, including active TGF‐β, RAS, NFκB, and Wnt, and inactive HNF4A, which are responsible for HCC metastasis. We conclude that the discrete, but significant genes predicted by either ome play intrinsically important roles in the linkage of responsible pathways shared by both omes in HCC metastasis.
Synthesis of tertiary amine‐based pH‐responsive polymers by RAFT Polymerization
Authors: Zhu Liping , Powell Samantha , Boyes Stephen G. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTWell‐defined tertiary amine‐based pH‐responsive homopolymers and block copolymers were synthesized via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using 4‐cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate (CPAD) as the RAFT agent for homopolymers and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) macro‐RAFT agent for the block copolymers. 1H NMR and gel permeation chromatography results confirmed the successful synthesis of these homopolymers and block copolymers. Kinetics studies indicated that the formation of both the homopolymers and the block copolymers were well defined. The pKa titration experiments suggested that the homopolymers and the related block copolymers have a similar pKa. The dynamic light scattering investigation showed that all of the block copolymers underwent a sharp transition from unimers to micelles around their pKa and the hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) was not only dependent on the molecular weight but also on the composition of the block copolymers. The polymer solution of PEG‐b‐PPPDEMA formed the largest micelle compare to the PEG‐b‐PDPAEMA and PEG‐b‐PDBAEMA with a similar molecular weight. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1010–1022