bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High dose of prebiotics reduces fecal water cytotoxicity in healthy subjects
Authors: Windey Karen , François Isabelle , Broekaert Willem , De Preter Vicky , Delcour Jan A. , Louat Thierry , Herman Jean , Verbeke Kristin 
Published: August 2014

ScopeIn vitro and animal studies have shown differential colonic fermentation of structurally different prebiotics. We evaluated the impact of two structurally different prebiotics (wheat bran extract (WBE, containing arabinoxylan‐oligosaccharides) and oligofructose) on colonic fermentation and markers of bowel health in healthy volunteers.Methods and resultsNineteen healthy subjects completed a double‐blind, cross‐over randomized controlled trial. Interventions with WBE, oligofructose or placebo for 2 wk (week 1: 15 g/day; week 2: 30 g/day) were separated by 2‐wk wash‐out periods. At the end of each study period, colonic fermentation was characterized through a metabolomics approach. Fecal water genotoxicity and cytotoxicity were determined using the comet and WST‐1 assay, respectively, as parameters of gut health. Cluster analysis revealed differences in effects of WBE and oligofructose on colonic fermentation. WBE, but not oligofructose, reduced fecal p‐cresol (p= 0.009) and isovaleric acid concentrations (p= 0.022), markers of protein fermentation. Fecal water cytotoxicity was significantly lower after intake of WBE (p= 0.015). Both WBE‐ and oligofructose‐intake tended to reduce fecal water genotoxicity compared to placebo (WBE:p= 0.060; oligofructose:p= 0.057). Changes in fermentation were not related to changes in fecal water toxicity.ConclusionStructurally different prebiotics affect colonic fermentation and gut health in a different way.
Experimental verification of an ann‐based model for 2D DOA estimation of closely spaced coherent sources
Authors: Stoilkovic Marija , Stankovic Zoran , Milovanovic Ivan , Doncov Nebojsa , Milovanovic Bratislav , Zwick Thomas 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThis article presents development and validation of an artificial neural network (ANN)‐based model for accurate two‐dimensional direction of arrival estimation of two coherent sources. The ANN model is developed using simulated signals and its performance is evaluated by measurements inside an anechoic chamber. Simulations and experiments show good agreement in estimating both azimuth and elevation angles of coherent sources. The proposed model demonstrates ability to separate two closely spaced sources and outperforms MUSIC with spatial smoothing preprocessing in the case of small number of signal snapshots. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2558–2562, 2014
Evanescent wave optical trapping and transport of polystyrene microspheres on microfibers
Authors: Irawati N. , John V. , Aeinehvand M. M. , Ibrahim F. , Ahmad H. , Harun S. W. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTWe investigate the manipulation of polystyrene microspheres using the evanescent optical field surrounding a silica microfiber. The microfiber is produced using a flame brushing technique from a standard single‐mode optical fiber. It is observed that the polystyrene microspheres can be attracted and trapped along the microfiber by means of evanescent field, which provides both scattering and gradient forces. The number of microspheres attached to a microfiber decreases in a quadratic manner with the increase in microfiber waist diameter. Scattering and gradient forces exerted on the microspheres also depend on the microsphere size where a larger number of polystyrene microspheres were seen attached to the microfiber if the microsphere size is smaller. It is also observed that the microspheres attached to the microfiber are propelled along the microfiber in the direction of the propagating light. These results show that the proposed optical trapping mechanism can be used for manipulating and identifying minute biological objects such as bacteria, yeast, and organelles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2630–2634, 2014
An X‐to‐Ka band MMIC up‐converter in GaAs pHEMT technology for Ka‐band broadband satellite communications
Authors: Florian C. , Resca D. , Biondi A. , Scappaviva F. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTIn this article, an X‐band to Ka‐band up‐converter circuit designed for the transmitting chain of Satcom‐on‐the‐move terminals is presented. The circuit is implemented using a 0.25 µm GaAs pHEMT microwave monolithic integrated circuit commercial process. It operates at fixed LO frequency of 22 GHz, IF input frequency within the band (8–9) GHz and corresponding RF output frequency within (30–31) GHz band. The up‐converter circuit is composed of a resistive FET mixer, a K‐band LO buffer amplifier, and a Ka‐band medium power amplifier at the RF output. The bias operating condition of the entire multifunction chip is Vdd = 2.8 V, Idq = 322 mA, for a power consumption of 900 mW, when the Ka‐band high power amplifier (HPA) operates in linear conditions. The chip dimensions are 3.4 × 2.8 mm2. The up‐converter provides more than 12 dB conversion gain over the full bandwidth, when operated with LO input power of 0 dBm and IF fixed input power of −5 dBm. It also achieves 25 dBc of LO isolation at the RF output port. The high 1 dB compression point P1dB > 19 dBm, along with an OTOI in excess of 29 dBm, make the circuit suitable to directly drive Ka‐band high power amplifiers in very linear operating conditions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2649–2656, 2014
Small‐size adjustable LTE/WWAN coupled‐fed loop antenna for mobile handset applications
Authors: Chang Chih‐Hua , Huang Shao‐Yu , Wei Wan‐Chu , Ma Pei‐Ji 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTA compact reconfigurable coupled‐fed loop antenna of the mobile handset for multiband long‐term evolution (LTE)/wireless wide area network operation is presented. The antenna volume is 5 × 10 × 30 mm3 only, while the protruded ground has a width of 30 mm for mounting electronic components. The proposed antenna is consisted of a loop strip and a driven strip. Through the driven strip capacitively coupled to the loop strip, the antenna can generate a 0.25‐wavelength loop resonant mode to form the antenna's lower band to cover the GSM850/900 bands (824–960 MHz). The simple driven strip is also an efficient radiator to excite a resonant mode for the antenna's upper band to cover the GSM1800/1900/WCDMA Band1 bands (1710–2170 MHz). Moreover, when the chip inductor connected to the loop strip has been adjusted from 0 to 12 nH, the antenna's lower band can be shifted to lower frequency and cover the LTE Band17 band (704–746 MHz) and the antenna's upper band is not varied. This tunable technique can allow the loop antenna to cover more operating bands without adding the antenna volume. Detailed operating principle and performances of the proposed antenna are discussed in this article. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2687–2691, 2014
Dual frequency circularly polarized cross‐shaped slotted patch antenna with a small frequency ratio
Authors: Samsuzzaman Md. , Islam M. T. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTA compact novel probe‐feed single‐layer annular ring, dual‐frequency circularly polarized (CP) microstrip antenna is assessed numerically and experimentally in this communication. The antenna characterizes a small frequency ratio with good impedance bandwidth. The dual band operations are realized using two circular patches with one annular ring slot and exact feed position. In addition, a cross shaped slot is placed in the patch to achieve circular polarization. The antenna geometry structure is simulated using a commercially available electromagnetic solver high frequency structural simulator. The simulated and measured results, costly match within the operating bandwidth. The experimental results depict a 10‐dB return loss bandwidth of 15 MHz (2.415–2.430 GHz) for the lower band and 15 MHz (2.895–2.910 GHz) for the upper band, respectively. The measured 3‐dB axial ratio bandwidth is 0.826% (2.410–2.430 GHz) for the lower band and 0.862% (2.880–2.905 GHz) for the upper band. The frequency ratio of the upper and lower band is 1.19. The overall antenna size is 0.363 λ0 × 0.363 λ0 × 0.013 λ0 at 2.42 GHz. Details of the obtained dual band CP performances are also presented and discussed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2711–2719, 2014
Internally loaded cross‐coupled open‐loop resonators for a miniaturized bandpass filter using integrated passive device technology
Authors: Zorigt Chuluunbaatar , Wang Cong , Kim Nam Y. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTIn this article, an open‐loop resonator with internally loaded side‐coupled double open‐loops is proposed for use in the design of a compact bandpass filter with high selectivity and improved out‐of‐band rejection characteristics. The outer main open‐loop resonators are designed to operate at the center frequency of 7.7 GHz. In addition, side‐coupled double open‐loops are used to enhance electromagnetic coupling to provide high selectivity response and suppressed harmonics with an additional transmission zero at the bandstop region. The operating frequency shifting is performed by tuning the electromagnetic coupling strength without changing the configuration of the outer main open‐loops. To achieve a miniature size with high selectivity, the integrated passive devices semiconductor fabrication technology is implemented to achieve a compact size of 2.2 × 4.98 mm2, which is a compact size for X‐band downlink satellite communication applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2737–2740, 2014
Thermal Behavior of Polyethylene Reactor Alloys Polymerized by Ziegler–Natta/Late Transition Metal Hybrid Catalyst
Authors: Ahmadjo Saeid , Dehghani Samaneh , Zohuri Gholam Hossein , Nejabat Gholam Reza , Jafarian Hamed , Ahmadi Mostafa , Mortazavi Seyed Mohammad Mahdi 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPolyethylene reactor alloys are synthesized through heterogeneous ethylene polymerization with a new type of Ziegler‐Natta (ZN)/late transition metal (LTM) hybrid catalyst. The effect of various parameters including catalyst composition (LTM/ZN = 0.01, 0.02, 0.04), polymerization temperature (TP = 30, 30–60, 60 °C) and loading temperature (TL = 30, 60 °C) on catalyst activity, chain's vinyl content, viscosity average molecular weight (Mv) and thermal properties are investigated. Two distinct melting peaks were observed in the ranges of 110–140 °C and 60–90 °C, indicating presence of two different lamellar structures. LTM/ZN ratio shifted melting peaks toward lower values. Rheological properties confirmed homogeneity of polymer blend's microstructure as they follow time temperature superposition.
Accelerated MR parameter mapping with low‐rank and sparsity constraints
Authors: Zhao Bo , Lu Wenmiao , Hitchens T. Kevin , Lam Fan , Ho Chien , Liang Zhi‐Pei 
Published: August 2014

PurposeTo enable accurate magnetic resonance (MR) parameter mapping with accelerated data acquisition, utilizing recent advances in constrained imaging with sparse sampling.Theory and MethodsA new constrained reconstruction method based on low‐rank and sparsity constraints is proposed to accelerate MR parameter mapping. More specifically, the proposed method simultaneously imposes low‐rank and joint sparse structures on contrast‐weighted image sequences within a unified mathematical formulation. With a pre‐estimated subspace, this formulation results in a convex optimization problem, which is solved using an efficient numerical algorithm based on the alternating direction method of multipliers.ResultsTo evaluate the performance of the proposed method, two application examples were considered: (i) T2 mapping of the human brain and (ii) T1 mapping of the rat brain. For each application, the proposed method was evaluated at both moderate and high acceleration levels. Additionally, the proposed method was compared with two state‐of‐the‐art methods that only use a single low‐rank or joint sparsity constraint. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve accurate parameter estimation with both moderately and highly undersampled data. Although all methods performed fairly well with moderately undersampled data, the proposed method achieved much better performance (e.g., more accurate parameter values) than the other two methods with highly undersampled data.ConclusionsSimultaneously imposing low‐rank and sparsity constraints can effectively improve the accuracy of fast MR parameter mapping with sparse sampling. Magn Reson Med 74:489–498, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combined T2‐preparation and two‐dimensional pencil‐beam inner volume selection
Authors: Coristine Andrew J. , van Heeswijk Ruud B. , Stuber Matthias 
Published: August 2014

PurposeTo improve coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) by combining a two‐dimensional (2D) spatially selective radiofrequency (RF) pulse with a T2‐preparation module (“2D‐T2‐Prep”).MethodsAn adiabatic T2‐Prep was modified so that the first and last pulses were of differing spatial selectivity. The first RF pulse was replaced by a 2D pulse, such that a pencil‐beam volume is excited. The last RF pulse remains nonselective, thus restoring the T2‐prepared pencil‐beam, while tipping the (formerly longitudinal) magnetization outside of the pencil‐beam into the transverse plane, where it is then spoiled. Thus, only a cylinder of T2‐prepared tissue remains for imaging. Numerical simulations were followed by phantom validation and in vivo coronary MRA, where the technique was quantitatively evaluated. Reduced field‐of‐view (rFoV) images were similarly studied.ResultsIn vivo, full field‐of‐view 2D‐T2‐Prep significantly improved vessel sharpness as compared to conventional T2‐Prep, without adversely affecting signal‐to‐noise (SNR) or contrast‐to‐noise ratios (CNR). It also reduced respiratory motion artifacts. In rFoV images, the SNR, CNR, and vessel sharpness decreased, although scan time reduction was 60%.ConclusionWhen compared with conventional T2‐Prep, the 2D‐T2‐Prep improves vessel sharpness and decreases respiratory ghosting while preserving both SNR and CNR. It may also acquire rFoV images for accelerated data acquisition. Magn Reson Med 74:529–536, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isolated leukemic infiltration of peripheral nervous system
Authors: Wang Tingzhong , Miao Yuan , Meng Yanli , Li Ailin 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Isolated leukemic infiltration of peripheral nerves without central nervous system involvement, or isolated neuroleukemiosis, is an extremely rare complication of leukemia. Methods: We report the case of a patient with isolated neuroleukemiosis and review the pertinent literature. Results: A man with a 12‐year history of acute monoblastic leukemia presented with median mononeuropathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a thickened median nerve. Nerve biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of leukemic infiltration. Clinical resolution was achieved through local radiation. Only 10 cases of isolated neuroleukemiosis have been reported. Most were in remission from leukemia. Our patient is the only one who was considered clinically cured of leukemia. Conclusions: The presumed pathophysiology of isolated neuroleukemiosis is hematogenous spread of leukemic cells into the peripheral nervous system across the blood–nerve barrier. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with leukemia who present with neuropathy, even when they are considered to be clinically cured of leukemia. Muscle Nerve 51: 290–293, 2015
Correlation between quantitative whole‐body muscle magnetic resonance imaging and clinical muscle weakness in pompe disease
Authors: Horvath Jeffrey J. , Austin Stephanie L. , Case Laura E. , Greene Karla B. , Jones Harrison N. , Soher Brian J. , Kishnani Priya S. , Bashir Mustafa R. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTIntroductionPrevious examination of whole‐body muscle involvement in Pompe disease has been limited to physical examination and/or qualitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study we assess the feasibility of quantitative proton‐density fat‐fraction (PDFF) whole‐body MRI in late‐onset Pompe disease (LOPD) and compare the results with manual muscle testing.MethodsSeven LOPD patients and 11 disease‐free controls underwent whole‐body PDFF MRI. Quantitative MR muscle group assessments were compared with physical testing of muscle groups.ResultsThe 95% upper limits of confidence intervals for muscle groups were 4.9–12.6% in controls and 6.8–76.4% in LOPD patients. LOPD patients showed severe and consistent tongue and axial muscle group involvement, with less marked involvement of peripheral musculature. MRI was more sensitive than physical examination for detection of abnormality in multiple muscle groups.ConclusionThis integrated, quantitative approach to muscle assessment provides more detailed data than physical examination and may have clinical utility for monitoring disease progression and treatment response. Muscle Nerve 51:722–730, 2015
Oral corticosteroid therapy and present disease status in myasthenia gravis
Authors: Imai Tomihiro , Suzuki Shigeaki , Tsuda Emiko , Nagane Yuriko , Murai Hiroyuki , Masuda Masayuki , Konno Shingo , Suzuki Yasushi , Nakane Shunya , Fujihara Kazuo , Suzuki Norihiro , Utsugisawa Kimiaki 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The aim of this study was to elucidate the effectiveness of oral prednisolone (PSL) according to dosing regimen in 472 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods: We compared the clinical characteristics and PSL treatment between 226 patients who achieved minimal manifestations (MM) or better and 246 patients who remained improved (I) or worsened, according to the MG Foundation of America postintervention status. Results: Achievement of MM or better at peak PSL dose (odds ratio 12.25, P < 0.0001) and combined use of plasma exchange/plasmapheresis (PE/PP) and/or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (odds ratio 1.92, P = 0.04) were associated positively, and total PSL dose during the past year (odds ratio 0.17, P = 0.03) was associated negatively with present MM or better status. Conclusions: Higher PSL dose and longer PSL treatment do not ensure better outcome. In the absence of a good response, the PSL dose should be decreased by combining with modalities such as PE/PP or IVIg. Muscle Nerve 51:692–696, 2015
THE OPERATIONAL DIMENSIONS OF RESULTS‐BASED FINANCING
Authors: O'Brien Thomas , Kanbur Ravi 
Published: August 2014

SUMMARYAs part of a growing focus on the effectiveness of development assistance from the World Bank and other agencies, new efforts are being made to relate development finance more closely to outcomes achieved rather than to inputs used, through the results‐based financing approach. We provide a framework for analyzing theoperational dimensionsof results‐based financing, including the conditions that suit this approach, and how best to define, measure, and report results. We review some of the early World Bank experience with this approach. Noting that this approach is as yet not fully tested, we suggest evaluative issues for future research while highlighting strengths and challenges in the range of techniques adopted so far. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bandgap optimization of submicron‐thick Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells
Authors: Yang Shihang , Zhu Jiakuan , Zhang Xieqiu , Ma Xuhang , Luo Hailin , Yin Ling , Xiao Xudong 
Published: August 2014

AbstractReducing Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) absorber thickness into submicron regime provides an opportunity for reducing CIGS solar cell manufacturing time and cost. However, CIGS with submicron‐thick absorber would suffer strong absorption loss in the long‐wavelength region. In this paper, we report a new fabrication route for CIGS solar cells on soda‐lime glass substrates with different Ga content (0.3 < [Ga]/([Ga] + [In]) < 0.6), all with absorber thicknesses around 0.9 µm. Efficiency of 17.52% has been achieved for cells with high Ga content of [Ga]/([Ga] + [In]) = 41%, which is currently the best reported efficiency for submicron‐thick CIGS solar cells. Unlike the normal‐thickness absorber (2–3 µm) that has an optimal [Ga]/([Ga] + [In]) of ~32%, the increased value of optimal [Ga]/([Ga] + [In]) in submicron‐thick absorber greatly enhances the open‐circuit voltage, by nearly 15% compared with that of samples with Ga content optimized at normal absorber thickness. This large gain in VOC well compensates the absorption loss in the long‐wavelength region and contributes to the enhancement of final solar cell efficiency. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid metal‐free macromolecular coupling via In Situ nitrile oxide‐activated alkene cycloaddition
Authors: Isaacman Michael J. , Cui Weibin , Theogarajan Luke S. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTNitrile oxide 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition is a simple and powerful coupling methodology. However, the self‐dimerization of nitrile oxides has prevented the widespread use of this strategy for macromolecular coupling. By combining an in situ nitrile oxide generation with a highly reactive activated dipolarophile, we have overcome these obstacles and present a metal‐free macromolecular coupling strategy for the modular synthesis of several ABA triblock copolymers. Nitrile oxides were generated in situ from chloroxime terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) B‐blocks and coupled with several distinct hydrophilic (poly(2‐methyloxazoline) and poly(ethylene glycol)), and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) or hydrophobic (poly(l‐lactide) A‐blocks terminated in activated dipolarophiles in a rapid fashion with high yield. This methodology overcomes many drawbacks of previously reported metal‐free methods due to its rapid kinetics, versatility, scalability, and ease of introduction of necessary functionality. Nitrile oxide cycloaddition should find use as an attractive macromolecular coupling strategy for the synthesis of biocompatible polymeric nanostructures. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3134–3141
Effect of PS‐b‐PCL block copolymer on reaction‐induced phase separation in epoxy/PEI blend
Authors: Xia Zonglian , Li Weizhen , Ding Jindian , Li Ao , Gan Wenjun 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTPS‐b‐PCL block copolymer is used to study its influence on the phase evolution of epoxy resin/polyetherimides (PEI) blends cured with methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride. The effect of PS‐b‐PCL on the reaction‐induced phase separation of the thermosetting/thermoplastic blends is studied via optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope, and time‐resolved light scattering. The results show that secondary phase separation and typical phase inverted morphologies are obtained in the epoxy/PEI blends with addition of PS‐b‐PCL. It can be attributed to the preferential location of the PS‐b‐PCL in the epoxy‐rich phase, which enhances the viscoelastic effect of epoxy/PEI system and leads to a dynamic asymmetry system between PEI and epoxy. The PS‐b‐PCL block copolymer plays a critical role on the balance of the diffusion and geometrical growth of epoxy molecules. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 1395–1402