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Low loss and compact wideband filtering power dividers (WB‐FPDs) with/without notch band are proposed. The WB‐FPDs are designed using wideband bandpass filter based on asymmetric stepped‐impedance resonator (SIR). Parallel coupled microstrip lines are used to create both wideband filtering characteristic and two additional transmission poles. A notch band can be generated at upper passband edge by using open‐circuited stubs on the SIRs. The WB‐FPDs with/without notch band are successfully designed, fabricated, and tested. The wide passband is centered at 4 GHz with the fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 51.1%, while the notch band is at 5.56 GHz with the FBW of 3.1%. Good agreement between the simulated and measured results is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two new subdesign tools including the quasi‐static and fuzzy model calculations for the electrical parameters of the coupled planar transmission lines used in the design of microwave communication subsystems including resonators, filters, and multiplexers are presented for CADMFILT software. Proposed subdesign tools have properties such as electrical parameter calculations for microwave circuit analysis/synthesis, fuzzy logic model applications, comparisons, and graphical demonstrations. The first subdesign tool can calculate the electrical parameters of the coupled planar transmission lines by using the quasi‐static analysis method. The other tool is based on subtractive fuzzy clustering, which can offer approximate solutions as an alternative to numerical and analytical closed‐form expressions of quasi‐static analysis. The proposed subdesign tools have a competent and efficient algorithm to provide fast, accurate, and sensitive results. To test the accuracy of these tools, a coupled coplanar waveguide with a single ground plane structure has been performed. The results obtained from the subdesign tools for both approaches have been compared. The proposed fuzzy logic models use the electrical parameters calculated from the quasi‐static analysis as training and control data files. The accuracy of each model has been tested by error analysis and the validity of the model results has been demonstrated by comparing them with the results of the quasi‐static approach. It is expected that the developed efficient, fast, and versatile subdesign tools will help researchers to simplify their designs by providing a control mechanism in the RF/microwave circuit design processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel microstrip diplexer with four channels is designed by using codirectional split ring resonators (CDSRRs). Since CDSRRs provide dual resonance behavior, dual‐band bandpass filter with two poles at each passband can be created by coupling identical CDSRRs to input/output ports. Based on this approach, quad‐channel diplexer can be designed by coupling two more CDSRRs in different electrical length to another output. Both filters are fed by similar feeding lines. High isolation can be observed between the output ports by means of CDSRRs. The designed quad‐channel microstrip diplexer was also fabricated and tested for experimental verifications. The measured results are in a good agreement with the simulated results. Center frequencies of the channels were measured at 2.12, 2.45, 3.90, and 4.48 GHz with the minimum insertion losses of 2.27, 2.88, 2.00, and 2.71 dB, respectively. Isolation was observed as better than 44 dB from DC to 6 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, novel compact wideband filters have been implemented using a stub‐loaded microstrip resonator based on a circular open‐loop configuration for the first time. To offer an alternative wideband filter configuration, the quadruple−/quintuple‐mode wideband bandpass filters (BPFs) using stub‐loaded circular microstrip resonator (SLCMR) and parallel‐coupled microstrip line (PCML) feed configuration are proposed. They are realized by employing a single open stub and two open stubs, respectively. A half‐wavelength λ/2 circular microstrip resonator (CMR) loaded with two open stubs excites three resonant modes, while the one with a single stub produces two resonant modes. One of the modes is odd‐mode generated by a λ/2 CMR, the others are even‐modes excited by the two loading stubs. The PCML with enhanced input/output (I/O) coupling degree excites also two modes in the passband. Two loading stubs not only creates transmission poles in the passband, they also create two transmission zeros in the lower and upper stopbands. The quadruple−/quintuple‐mode wideband BPFs with fractional bandwidths FBW of 60% and 62% are successfully realized by using the SLCMR and PCML feed configuration together. Both filters are designed, fabricated, and tested where excellent agreement between simulated and measured results is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To quantitatively determine testicular tissue stiffness values using shear wave elastography (SWE) in males that have sickle cell anemia (SCA) and to evaluate the relationship between elastography results and semen analysis parameters and hormone levels. Fifty patients diagnosed with SCA and followed up in the hematology outpatient clinic were evaluated in the urology outpatient clinic as the study group. In addition, there were 88 patients without any SCA‐related complaints in the control group. We compared these groups with respect to their values, spermiogram parameters, testicular volume, and SWE values. Among patients in the SCA group, 28% had impaired sperm parameters. When testicular elastography was assessed, the testicular volumes were materially lower in the SCA group in comparison to the control group [right testicular volume: 14.76 (12.77–18.12) and 19.68 (15.12–24.18), respectively, p < 0.001; left testicular volume: 14.11 (11.06–17.32) and 16.59 (13.38–20.13), respectively, p = 0.015]. Additionally, the left testis central stiffness and the left testis inferior stiffness were significantly higher in the SCA group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively). The age and hydroxyurea use had a worse effect on sperm parameters in patients with SCA (odds ratio: −0.161 and −1.914, standard deviation: 0.071 and 0.921, and p = 0.024 and p = 0.038, respectively). We consider that the technique utilized in this study for SWE values is fast and can be adopted as a reliable diagnostic tool and follow‐up practice in routine clinical practice to evaluate the acuteness of damage to the testicles in patients having SCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is a significant public health problem worldwide. While there has been a steady decrease in the cancer death rate over the last two decades, the number of survivors has increased and, thus, cancer‐related sequela. Pain affects the life of patients with cancer and survivors. Prescription opioids continue as the analgesic of choice to treat moderate‐to‐severe cancer‐related pain. There has been controversy on whether opioids impact cancer progression by acting on cancer cells or the tumor microenvironment. The μ‐opioid receptor is the site of action of prescription opioids. This receptor can participate in an important mechanism of cancer spread, such as perineural invasion. In this review, current evidence on the role of the μ‐opioid receptor in cancer growth is summarized and preliminary evidence about its effect on the cross‐talk between sensory neurons and malignant cells is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel compact microstrip diplexer with tunable centre frequencies and reconfigurable filtering characteristics at both channels is presented. The designed diplexer is constructed by coupling two dual-mode square loop resonators (DMSLRs) having different electrical lengths. The DMSLRs are investigated by virtue of the coupled line analysis to evaluate the resonance frequencies, transmission zeros and out-band insertion loss level more conveniently. Centre frequencies of both channels can be independently tuned by the varactor diodes utilised instead of perturbation and reference capacitances. Depending on the specialised values of perturbation and reference capacitances, filtering characteristics of both channels can be reconfigured in terms of transmission zeros. The designed diplexer was fabricated and tested for the experimental studies and the measurements were obtained in a good agreement with the predicted results. Tuning ranges of the measured centre frequency in the first channel are between 1.23 and 1.43 and 1.35 and 1.64 GHz for the filtering characteristics with right- and left-side transmission zeros, respectively. In the second channel, they are 2.07–2.31 and 2.14–2.51 GHz for the filtering characteristics with real- and imaginary-axis transmission zeros, respectively. Isolation between two channels has been obtained better than 22 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic waste (e‐waste) grows in parallel with the increasing need for consumer electronics. This, unfortunately, is leading to pollution and massive ecological problems worldwide. A solution to this problem is the use of transient electronics. While transiency of a few components such as transistors and batteries have been proposed already, it is crucial to have all components in electronic devices to be transient. Therefore, the transiency of more electronic components should be demonstrated to alleviate the e‐waste problem. Herein, multifunctional nanocomposite electrodes are fabricated using poly(vinyl alcohol), carbon black, and activated carbon. These simple electrodes are then used to fabricate physically transient supercapacitors, triboelectric nanogenerators, and capacitive sensors. Transient supercapacitors are used numerous times with excellent supercapacitive behavior before being discarded, which show promise as an energy storage component for transient systems. The fabricated transient triboelectric nanogenerators are used to harvest mechanical energy, eliminated the need for an external power supply, paving the way to self‐powered devices, such as a touchpad as demonstrated herein. The fabricated transient capacitive sensors, on the other hand, have shown long linear sensitivities and offered waste‐free monitoring of physiological signals and body motions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: TRUS biopsy is the preferred method for diagnosing prostate cancer, but it can cause infectious complications that arise with the contribution of fluoroquinolone resistance. We aimed to explore the potential protective effect of a second rectal enema before biopsy. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2020, 419 patients were assessed retrospectively. Patients with a history of anticoagulant use, uncontrolled diabetes, urological surgery, prostate biopsy or recent hospitalisation or overseas travel, as well as those with the previous prostatitis, were excluded from the study. The patients were subsequently divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 223) had received one enema, on the morning of the biopsy and Group 2 (n = 196) had received two, with the additional enema administered half an hour before the procedure. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age(P =.076), BMI (P =.489), diabetes (P =.265), prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level (P =.193), free/total PSA (f/t PSA) ratio (P =.518) and prostate size (P =.661) or in relation to cancer detection (P =.428). The median hospitalisation date was significantly higher in Group 1 (P =.003) as was urinary tract infection (UTI) development (P =.004). However, there was no significant difference in terms of fever and sepsis (P =.524 and P =.548, respectively). Additionally, subgroup analysis demonstrated that UTI was significantly lower in patients with diabetes mellitus who had received a second enema (P =.004), though there was no significant difference in UTI between the groups in those without diabetes mellitus (P =.215). Multivariable analysis showed that age and diabetes were significant risk factors for the development of UTI (OR: 1.074, 95% CI: 1.027‐1.130, P =.002 and OR: 1.220, 95% CI: 0.131‐0.665, P =.003, respectively). Furthermore, the second enema was a significant protective factor for preventing UTI (OR: −1.794, 95% CI: 2.208‐16.389, P <.001). Conclusion: Older age and the presence of diabetes mellitus are independent risk factors for UTI after prostate biopsy. A second enema procedure before biopsy may protect patients from related infectious complications and could therefore be used as an alternative preventative method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mu‐opioid receptor (MOR) has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Methylnaltrexone (MNTX), an antagonist of MOR, has shown to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in lung cancer cell lines. The effect of MNTX on other cell lines such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been investigated. We measured the expression and activity of the receptor in different HNSCC cell lines. Then, we evaluated the impact of modulating the expression MOR and the effect of MNTX on the proliferation, clonogenic activity, invasion, and migration of two HNSCC (FaDu and MDA686Tu) cell lines expressing MOR and one cell line (UMSCC47) not expressing the receptor. We also evaluated the impact of MNTX on tumor growth and metastasis formation in vivo. Activation of the receptor with [d‐Ala2,N‐Me‐Phe4, Gly5‐ol] (DAMGO) caused a significant reduction in cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels in FaDu cells. Knockdown of MOR inhibited in vitro aggressive cell behaviors on FaDu and MDA686Tu cells and correlated with a reduction in markers of epithelial–mesenchymal transition. In vitro studies showed that MNTX strongly inhibited the proliferation, clonogenic activity, invasion, and migration of FaDu and MDA686Tu cells but has no effect on UMSCC47 cells. In vivo experiments demonstrated that MNTX suppresses tumor growth in HNSCC cell tumor‐bearing mice. Our studies indicate that MOR could be considered as a therapeutic target to treat HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a new type of balun bandpass filter with single‐band balance and dual‐band filtering function is presented. For this purpose, a novel compact dual‐mode open loop resonator with short‐circuited stubs and interdigital capacitors is proposed. Two identical resonators are coupled to two output ports in order to obtain 180° phase difference between the output ports. By means of the changes in the short‐circuited stubs and interdigital capacitors, control of the passbands at two output ports can be achieved. In addition, as the short‐circuited stubs are located at the same wave traveling paths, phase difference cannot be obtained in the first passband and only the second passband has balun function. The designed balun bandpass filter was fabricated and tested for the experimental verifications. Phase difference and magnitude imbalance have been measured within 180° ± 2° and 0.5 dB, respectively. The measured results exhibit a very good agreement with the predicted results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity has been associated with severe conditions and sexual dysfunction. Bariatric surgery has effects positively patients' sexual function. Objectives: To assess the effect of bariatric surgery on sexual functions of couples. Materials and Methods: The study included 57 obese patients and their sexually active partners. Male participations were assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Male Sexual Health Questionaries (MSHQ‐4), and female participations were assessed with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results: There were 31 (54.4%) male patients and 26 (45.6%) female patients in the study. The median IIEF score of the male patients statistically increased postoperatively (p < 0.001). The IIEF subgroup areas were found to have increased after surgery. The median FSFI score of the female patients statistically increased postoperatively (p < 0.001). The median FSFI of male patients' partners significantly increased postoperatively (p < 0.001). All FSFI domains were statistically significantly increased (p < 0.001, all areas). The median IIEF value of the postoperative partners of the female patients also increased statistically significant (p < 0.001). In addition, the increases in the IIEF's subdomains in terms of sexual desire (p < 0.001), intercourse satisfaction (p < 0.001), and general satisfaction (p < 0.001) were statistically significant. Conclusion: The sexual functions of both males and females and also their' partners were improved after bariatric surgery. Patients with preoperative poor sexual function achieve significant benefits over patients without sexual dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capacitive pressure sensors received significant attention in line with advancements in wearable electronics. However, in the era of the wearable electronics, fabricated sensors fail to fulfill the absolute requirements. Significant portion of the previously reported capacitive pressure sensors suffer from excessive weight, lack of air permeability, and washing stability due to the use of separate electrode layers. A low‐cost, lightweight, parallel plate capacitive sensor with a unique seamless monolithic design that allows sensors to circumvent aforementioned problems is hereby demonstrated. The seamless monolithic capacitive sensor (MCS) with a density of as low as 10.78 mg cm−3 is fabricated using 3D masking technique on a commercially available melamine foam with silver nanowire electrodes and a protective thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane coating. In addition to its unique design, the MCSs show high sensitivity (up to 1.285 kPa–1), fast response/recovery time (18 ms/53 ms), very low‐pressure sensing ability (0.5 Pa) with ultra‐high mechanical (42 000 cycles), and washing stabilities (10 cycles) along with high air permeability. Moreover, finite element analysis simulations are conducted to reveal the deformation mechanism differences between the monolithic and classical design. Finally, in order to demonstrate their true potential, fabricated MCSs are utilized in real‐time body motion monitoring, word and proximity detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the graft success rates and hearing results of single-layered (composite island) grafting (SLG) vs double-layered (composite plus second layer of perichondrium) grafting (DLG) for over-under type 1 tympanoplasty techniques.Study Design: Retrospective chart review.Settings: Tertiary center otorhinolaryngology clinic.Subjects and Methods: Medical charts of the patients who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty via the microscopic technique by a single surgeon between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed.Results: A total of 48 patients were included. The DLG (n = 26) group had higher graft take rates as compared to the SLG group (n = 22) for all patients (P = .038) and for moderate- to high-risk patients according to Middle Ear Risk Index (MERI) scores (P = .029) but not for patients with mild disease (P = .429) or myringosclerotic patients (P = .242). The DLG group exhibited higher air-bone gap closure (C-ABG) values as compared to the SLG group for all patients (P = .018). However, there was no noticeable difference in C-ABG values within the patients with successful grafting (P = .217). Only graft success status had a significant effect on C-ABG values when the multivariate linear regression was performed. (P = .016). Higher MERI scores and presence of myringosclerosis were related to the unsuccessful grafting (P < .01).Conclusion: DLG tympanoplasty is encouraged, especially for patients with higher MERI scores, to increase the graft success rates. Better hearing outcomes of DLG tympanoplasty were related to the higher graft success status of this technique; DLG had no additional hearing effect for patients with successful grafting. Higher MERI scores and presence of myringosclerosis were related to graft failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, a novel dual wideband microstrip bandpass filter is proposed. The designed filter is constructed by two different stub loaded resonators located at the upper and bottom sides of the coupling line. The coupling transmission line is also connected to input and output (IO) ports. The upper resonator creates a wide passband, whereas the bottom resonator is used to create two transmission zeros in the passband. Thus, a wide passband can be divided into dual wide passbands. The bottom resonator is also utilized to improve the insertion and return losses in the passband. The designed filter is fabricated and tested in a very good agreement with the simulated results. The measured fractional bandwidths (FBWs) of the passbands are 44.6% and 24.2% at the center frequencies of 3.4 GHz and 5.51 GHz, respectively. The measured insertion losses in the passbands are 0.51 dB and 1.13 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a novel dual-mode dual-band bandstop filter design with independently tunable center frequencies is presented by using dual-mode square loop resonators. Tuning operation can be achieved with a constant fractional bandwidth. Varactor diodes are used instead of perturbation and reference elements. Two dual-mode square loop resonators in different electrical lengths are coupled to a transmission line connecting input and output ports. Center frequencies of both stopbands can be independently tuned by changing the capacitances of varactor diodes of both perturbation and reference elements. While the perturbation and reference varactors tune even mode resonance frequency together, odd mode resonance frequency can only be tuned by reference varactors. The designed filter was also fabricated for the experimental studies and it exhibits acceptable tunability operations in measurements. Center frequencies of the first and second stopbands can be tuned between 2.2 and 2.54 GHz and between 3 and 3.38 GHz, respectively. Rejection levels for both stopbands were obtained as better than −13 dB in the whole tuning range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite mixed results in research on student learning from drawing in science, there is growing interest in the potential for this visual mode, in tandem with other modes, to enact and enable student reasoning in this subject. Building on current research in this field, and using a micro‐ethnographic approach informed by socio‐semiotic perspectives, we aimed to identify how and why student drawing can contribute to student reasoning and learning. In our study, secondary school students were challenged to explore and collaboratively create explanatory representations of phenomena including through drawing. Data were generated using multiple wall‐ and ceiling‐mounted cameras capable of continuously tracking groups of students negotiating these representational challenges. Our analysis proceeded through active and iterative viewing of the extensive video record, and the identification of themes to establish possible relationships between drawing and reasoning. Through this process, we (a) identify multiple necessary conditions and varied opportunities for student drawing to enact and enable reasoning, and (b) extend current understandings of how the particular affordances of this mode interact with these conditions to contribute to student learning in science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Novel tetra‐armed star‐shaped styrenic copolymers with pyrene side groups [(S1‐S3)‐Pyr] were prepared and employed as fluorescence sensing probe for fast and sensitive determination of nitroaromatic compounds. (S1‐S3)‐Pyr depicted characteristic pyrene monomer emission signals as well as broad excimer bands in their fluorescence emission spectra due to close proximity of the pyrene groups on the polymer chains and the ratio of monomer to excimer emission intensities gradually decreased as the pyrene content of the star polymers were increased from S1‐Pyr to S3‐Pyr. The highest quenching efficiency in the presence of 25 equivalent nitroaromatics was observed for 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol/picric acid (99.4%) followed by 2,4‐dinitrophenol (84.2%), 4‐nitrophenol (82.6%), 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (44.0%), 2,4‐dinitrotolunene (32.6%), and 4‐nitrotoluene (28.8%). Superior quenching efficiencies of nitrophenolic compounds were ascribed to their strong binding affinity for (S1‐S3)‐Pyr due to the acidity of phenolic hydroxyl units. Besides, quenching ratios of S1‐Pyr, S2‐Pyr, and S3‐Pyr were measured to be very close to each other. Thus, (S1‐S3)‐Pyr are considered to be highly selective and sensitive fluorescence probes for phenolic nitroaromatic compounds. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46310. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this article, interdigital capacitor loaded co‐directional split ring resonators (CDSRRs) and their dual‐band bandpass filter applications are proposed. The proposed resonator is formed by nested open loop resonators having open ends at the same place unlike conventional split ring resonators (SRRs). In addition, the inner open loop resonator has interdigital capacitor located between the open ends. The proposed resonator exhibits dual resonance behavior with a small center frequency ratio. Both of resonance frequencies can be controlled due to the changes in the interdigital capacitor and the electrical length of the outer resonator. A dual‐band microstrip bandpass filter is designed by using the proposed CDSRR. Two CDSRRs are used to obtain two poles in each passband. Overall electrical length of the designed filter is 0.23 λg × 0.14 λg (0.0329 λg2), where λg is the guided wavelength for the used substrate at the lowest passband center frequency of 1.8 GHz. A small center frequency is obtained by adjusting the second passband at 2.27 GHz. A very wide upper stopband, closely spaced passbands, low insertion losses and high selectivity at both passbands can be obtained by means of the proposed structure. The designed filter was also fabricated and tested. The measured results show a very good agreement with the predicted results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Design of a novel ultra-wideband (UWB) microstrip bandpass filter is presented by using a square loop quintuple-mode resonator (QMR) having open-circuited stubs. The proposed resonator has five resonant modes in UWB band range and is coupled to Input/Output (IO) ports by parallel-coupled feed lines. The first three resonance modes are resulted from the stub loaded square loop resonator, whereas the remaining two modes can be formed by means of the coupling between the open-circuited stubs and the resonator. The designed UWB filter has totally seven poles including two poles resulting from the nature of the coupling sections and five poles from the QMR. Theoretical analysis of the resonator is realized by defining the equivalent circuit model. Coupling scheme and coupling matrix of the designed filter are also extracted to clarify the filter topology. In addition, two patch perturbation elements are used to control the in-band return loss levels. A seven pole UWB bandpass filter is designed, analyzed, and fabricated. Measurement results show a good agreement with the predicted results. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:662-666, 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Novel hexa-armed dansyl end-capped poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) star polymer with phosphazene core ( P2) was prepared via ring opening polymerization (ROP) and esterification reactions. P2 showed dual fluorescence emission when excited at 328 nm in acetonitrile : water (6 : 4) due to twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) between dimethylamino and naphthalene units in the dansyl moiety. TICT emission band (A band) in the emission spectra red-shifted with increasing solvent polarity. P2 responded to the addition of Pb2+, Hg2+, Co2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ metal ions by decreasing TICT emission band with slight bathochromic shifts. The highest quenching efficiency was observed for Pb2+ ion with Stern-Volmer constant of 324.74 M−1. The Stern-Volmer plot for Pb2+ was rather linear with the increasing concentration of the quencher, indicating a dynamic (collisional) quenching mechanism. Stern-Volmer constants for Hg2+, Co2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ ions were found to be 212.33, 189.21, 36.24, 20.84, and 20.69, respectively. Besides, the highest quenching efficiency (94.24%) was attained in the presence of Pb2+, suggesting that P2 could be employed as a potential Pb2+ chemical probe. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42380. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel pyrene-functionalized thiophene compound ( Thi-Pyr) and pyrene-functionalized styrene polymers ( P7-9) are synthesized via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between the azide functional groups of the precursors and 1-ethynylpyrene. Glass transition temperature of the styrene polymers increases remarkably upon the covalent attachment of the pyrene unit through triazole linkers, whereas the thermal stabilities of the styrene polymers are not affected by the incorporation of pyrene moieties. Thi-Pyr exhibits the characteristic pyrene monomer emission bands; on the other hand, P7-9 show the excimer emission bands of pyrene due to the excitation of ground state dimeric species. The monomer emissions of Thi-Pyr and the excimer emissions of P7-9 are distinguishably increased by the addition of HP2O73−, Cl−, and Br− anions. The responses of Thi-Pyr and P7-9 to the addition of HP2O73− are stronger than any other anions, indicating their selectivity to HP2O73− anion to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the possible relationship between body mass index ( BMI) score and varicocele recurrence in an infertile patient population. A total of 255 primary infertile male patients (138 with varicocele and 117 for control) were included in this study. Height and weight measurements, clinical examination for varicocele, determination of serum hormone levels and spermiogram were performed in all cases. The BMI score was calculated, and patients with varicocele were operated with subinguinal technique and re-examined for recurrences. The varicocele group had significantly lower weight and the BMI score than the control group ( P < 0.001). Varicocele recurrences were found in 22 patients (16% of them) after the operations. The BMI score was significantly lower in the recurrent group than in the nonrecurrent and control groups ( P < 0.001). 73% of the recurrent, 50% of the nonrecurrent and 25% of the control group patients' BMI scores were under 25 kg m−2 ( P < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, the BMI score was found as a determinant for varicocele recurrence ( P = 0.027; OR: 1.25). It is concluded that BMI score lower than 25 kg m−2 significantly increases the recurrence rate after varicocele operation, and it can be used as an objective indicator for microsurgical varicocelectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this letter, a dual-mode dual-band microstrip bandpass filter design with center frequency control methodology is presented by using dual-mode meandered loop resonator. Center frequencies of the passbands can be controlled by changing the connection points of internally located square loop loading elements without changing the total surface area. These loading elements are also useful to obtain a compact configuration. In addition, while the first passband has two reflection zeros, the second passband has one reflection zero, as it is obtained from the harmonic of the first passband. Therefore, degenerate modes of the first passband can be excited by a perturbation element. Using patch or corner cut perturbation elements, elliptical and linear phase filtering characteristics can be obtained in the first passband, respectively. Two dual-mode microstrip bandpass filters having elliptical and linear phase filtering characteristics were designed, fabricated, and measured. Measured results are in a very good agreement with the simulated results. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:639-642, 2015 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Well-defined AB3-type miktoarm star-shaped polymers with cholic acid (CA) core were fabricated with a combination of 'click' chemistry and ring opening polymerization (ROP) methods. Firstly, azide end-functional poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) polymers were prepared via controlled polymerization and chemical modification methods. Then, CA moieties containing three OH groups were introduced to these polymers as the end groups via Cu(I)-catalyzed click reaction between azide end-functional groups of the polymers ( mPEG-N3, PMMA-N3, PS-N3, and PCL-N3) and ethynyl-functional CA under ambient conditions, yielding CA end-functional polymers ( mPEG-Cholic, PMMA-Cholic, PS-Cholic, and PCL-Cholic). Finally, the obtained CA end-capped polymers were employed as the macroinitiators in the ROP of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) yielding AB3-type miktoarm star polymers ( mPEG-Cholic-PCL3, PMMA-Cholic-PCL3, and PS-Cholic-PCL3) and asymmetric star polymer [ Cholic-(PCL)4]. The chemical structures of the obtained intermediates and polymers were confirmed via Fourier transform infrared and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. Thermal decomposition behaviors and phase transitions were studied in detail using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry experiments. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3390-3399 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A novel hexa-armed and star-shaped polymer containing cholesterol end-capped poly(ε-caprolactone) arms emanating from a phosphazene core (N3P3-(PCL-Chol)6) was synthesized by a combination of ring-opening polymerization and 'click' chemistry techniques. For this purpose, the terminal OH groups of the synthesized precursor (N3P3-(PCL-OH)6) were converted into -Chol through a series of reaction. Both N3P3-(PCL-OH)6 and N3P3-(PCL-Chol)6 were then employed in the preparation of supramolecular inclusion complexes (ICs) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The latter formed ICs with β-CD in higher yield. The host-guest stoichiometry (ε-CL:β-CD, mol:mol) in the ICs of N3P3-(PCL-Chol)6 was found to be 1.2. The formation of supramolecular ICs of N3P3-(PCL-Chol)6 with β-CD was confirmed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and thermal analysis techniques. WAXD data showed that the obtained ICs with N3P3-(PCL-Chol)6 had a channel-type crystalline structure, indicating the suppression of the original crystallization of N3P3-(PCL-Chol)6 in β-CD cavities. Moreover, the thermal stabilities of ICs were found to be higher than those of the free star polymer and β-CD. Furthermore, the surface properties of N3P3-(PCL-Chol)6 and its ICs with β-CD were investigated by static contact angle measurements. The obtained results proved that the wettability of N3P3-(PCL-Chol)6 successfully increased with the formation of its ICs with β-CD. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3406-3420 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This article presents even-odd mode impedance/admittance descriptions for dual-mode multiband filters having independently controllable passbands formed by multiple resonators in different electrical lengths. Even-odd mode impedance models of dual-mode ring resonators are used. Using these models, conventional equivalent admittance formulas are revised with a frequency dependent separation coefficient to obtain the desired in-band return loss levels by keeping each passband from the effects of other passbands. As the proposed method can be applied for dual-mode multiband filters, a dual-mode dual-band microstrip filter is designed, simulated, and fabricated. Designed filter has two dual-mode resonators in different electrical lengths which are comprised by square loop resonators having narrow slits. Fabricated dual-band filter has also been measured in a good agreement with the simulated results. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2664-2667, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This article proposes a dual-band bandpass filter exhibiting negative effective magnetic permeability as well as effective negative electric permittivity. The proposed filter is constructed by loaded open-loop resonators (OLR). Input and output ports are connected to each other with a grounded feedline having two via holes located at the tapping point alignments of loading elements. Dual-mode properties of OLRs are used to obtain the dual-band response. Hence, each passband can be controlled individually by means of the gap between the folded parts of the OLR and the dimensions of loading elements. Four loaded OLRs are placed at the upper and lower sides of the main feedline to obtain two poles in each passband. Center frequencies of the designed filter are adjusted to 2.45 GHz (WLAN) and 3.5 GHz (WiMAX). It has an electrical length of 0.414 λg × 0.32 λg, where λg is the guided wavelength at the lowest center frequency, 2.45 GHz. Proposed filter has also been fabricated for the experimental verification of the design methodology. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:2211-2214, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social soil bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus, displays a variety of complex and highly coordinated behaviours, including social motility, predatory rippling and fruiting body formation. Here we show that M. xanthus cells produce a network of outer membrane extensions in the form of outer membrane vesicle chains and membrane tubes that interconnect cells. We observed peritrichous display of vesicles and vesicle chains, and increased abundance in biofilms compared with planktonic cultures. By applying a range of imaging techniques, including three-dimensional ( 3D) focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy, we determined these structures to range between 30 and 60 nm in width and up to 5 μm in length. Purified vesicle chains consist of typical M. xanthus lipids, fucose, mannose, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactoseamine carbohydrates and a small set of cargo protein. The protein content includes CglB and Tgl outer membrane proteins known to be transferable between cells in a contact-dependent manner. Most significantly, the 3D organization of cells within biofilms indicates that cells are connected via an extensive network of membrane extensions that may connect cells at the level of the periplasmic space. Such a network would allow the transfer of membrane proteins and other molecules between cells, and therefore could provide a mechanism for the coordination of social activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Evaluation of graft patency is an important component of coronary bypass surgery. In the present study, intraoperative cineangiography was performed in a cardiovascular hybrid operating room to evaluate anastomosis quality and patency of coronary venous grafts. Method: This prospective study evaluated coronary bypass grafts in 34 patients between January 2012 and June 2012. Radiopaque material was administered into the grafts through a vessel cannula before the proximal anastomosis. Then, cineangiographic images were obtained using a mobile C-arm cineangiography system. The myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) of the patients was compared between preoperative and first month postoperative periods to assess graft function. Results: The localization of the grafts in the target vessel, structural status of the grafts, anastomosis line, and availability of the target vessel were easily evaluated. Angiographic defects were detected in two grafts (3%, n = 60) in two patients (6%, n = 34). Staining was observed in the distal myocardial segments of the saphenous vein grafts following the administration of radiopaque material. The procedure took eight minutes, on average (range, 5-14 minutes), and a mean of 15 mL (range, 10-35 mL) of opaque material was used. None of the patients developed intraoperative myocardial infarction, postoperative complications, or contrast material-induced renal failure. No mortality was observed. The distal myocardial segments of saphenous vein grafts were detected to be perfused 92% normally, 5% reversibly defective, and 3% irreversibly defective with postoperative MPS controls. Conclusion: Cineangiographic graft evaluation in a hybrid operating room is a practical, safe, noninvasive, easily available, and easily applicable method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a novel compact dual-mode resonator formed by a square loop having folded arms and mitered bends is proposed.Degenerate modes can be excited by shifting the gaps between the folds. Thus, the center frequency can be arranged at a fixed value because the total electrical length of the proposed configuration is not changed. A novel compact dual-mode dual-band bandpass filter is also designed by locating the one resonator within the other. Additionally, to suppress the harmonic of the first passband, open-circuited stubs are connected to the end of the feedlines. Two dual-mode dual-band bandpass filters with the elliptical and linear phase filtering characteristics for both passbands have been designed, fabricated, and tested. Calculated, simulated, and measured results are in a good agreement. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:775-779, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI: 10.1002/mop.27444 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, the effect of narrow slits on resonance characteristics for a microstrip square loop resonator (SLR) with mitered bends is investigated and a new formula to calculate the resonance frequency of SLRs loaded inductively by means of slits is derived as a function of the number of slits.A novel dual-mode SLR configuration performing a slow-wave characteristic obtained by using narrow slits is proposed to use in design of microstrip dual-mode bandpass filters. Also, a new perturbation technique based on the change of electrical lengths is presented for the excitation of two degenerated modes of these type resonators. Additional, two dual-mode bandpass filters having linear phase and elliptical frequency characteristics have been designed, fabricated and tested to verify the proposed filter topology. Experimental results agree with simulated results. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:143-146, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27237 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel hexa-armed and pyrene (Pyr) end-capped phosphazene dendrimer [N3P3-( Pyr)6] and star polymer with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) arms [N3P3-(PCL- Pyr)6] were prepared via two series of reactions. In these series, core-first approach was used starting from a hexa-hydroxy functional phosphazene derivative (N3P3-( OH)6). It was used as an initiator in the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone to prepare a hexa-armed PCL star polymer (N3P3-(PCL- OH)6). Hydroxyl functionalities of N3P3-( OH)6 and N3P3-(PCL- OH)6 were then successfully converted into bromide and azide, in turn. Further end-group modifications of azide functional dendrimer precursor (N3P3-( N 3)6) and star polymer (N3P3-(PCL- N 3)6) were achieved quantitatively via the Cu(I) catalyzed click reaction between azide functional groups and 1-ethynyl pyrene in the final step. Moreover, the pyrene end-capped phosphazene dendrimer and star polymer were used in noncovalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biofilm-induced inflammatory osteolytic oral infections, such as periodontitis and peri-implantitis, have complex etiology and pathogenesis. A significant obstacle to research has been the lack of appropriate animal models where the inflammatory response to biofilms can be investigated. The aim of this study is to develop a novel animal model to study the host response to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans)--biofilm colonizing titanium implants. Methods: Titanium implants were inoculated in vitro with A. actinomycetemcomitans, establishing a biofilm for 1 to 3 days. Biofilm-inoculated and control implants were transmucosally placed into rat hard palate or alveolar ridge. Analysis included documentation of clinical inflammation, polymerase chain reaction, and culture detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans and microcomputed tomography quantitation of peri-implant bone volume. Results: Viable A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilm was successfully established on titanium implants in vitro, detected by confocal laser scanning microscopy. An inflammatory response characterized by clinical inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, hyperplasia, and necrosis was observed around biofilm-inoculated implants. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected by polymerase chain reaction and culture analysis on 100% of biofilm-inoculated implants for up to 3 weeks and 25% for up to 6 weeks. Microcomputed tomography analysis demonstrated significantly lower bone volume (P<0.05) around biofilm-inoculated implants (29.6% ± 7.6%) compared to non-inoculated implants (50.5% ± 9.6%) after 6 weeks. Conclusions: These results describe a novel animal model where A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilm was established in vitro on titanium implants before placement in rat oral cavity, leading to an inflammatory response, osteolysis, and tissue destruction. This model may have potential use for investigation of host responses to biofilm pathogens and antibiofilm therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudden hearing loss in the only hearing ear cases are rarely published in the English literature; most of the cases are idiopathic. It is an otologic emergency needing urgent treatment. Delayed diagnosis can interfere with patient’s social life with interrupting the verbal communication. In this case report we presented a 33-year-old female patient having sudden sensorineural hearing loss in the only hearing ear diagnosed as bilateral large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scanning electron microscopy is a useful imaging approach for the visualization of bacterial biofilms in their natural environments including their medical and dental habitats, because it allows for the exploration of large surfaces with excellent resolution of topographic features. Most biofilms in nature, however, are embedded in a thick layer of extracellular matrix that prevents a clear identification of individual bacteria by scanning electron microscopy. The use of confocal laser scanning microscopy on the other hand in combination with fluorescence in situ hybridization enables the visualization of matrix embedded bacteria in multi-layered biofilms. In our study, fluorescence in situ hybridization/confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were applied to visualize bacterial biofilm in endodontic root canals. The resulting fluorescence in situ hybridization /confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and pictures were subsequently combined into one single image to provide high-resolution information on the location of hidden bacteria. The combined use of scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization / confocal laser scanning microscopy has the potential to overcome the limits of each single technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: External dacryocystorhinostomy is suspected to cause mucociliary dysfunction by affecting ciliary activity and quality of the mucus. We hypothesized that patients who undergo endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy may also experience mucociliary dysfunction. We evaluated the effects of surgery on mucociliary clearance time in patients who underwent endoscopic dacryocstorhinostomy and external dacryocstorhinostomy. Study Design: A prospective controlled study. Subjects and Methods: Forty-four patients were studied: 22 had undergone one-sided endoscopic surgery and 22 had undergone one-sided external surgery for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Nonoperated sides of the both groups were remained as controls. The saccharin test was used to evaluate the mucociliary clearance time of the both sides. Results: Dacryocystorhinostomy, results in prolonged mucociliary clearance times either endoscopic or external approach is performed (P < 0.001, paired t test). There was no significant difference between the mucociliary clearance times after endoscopic and external dacryocystorhinostomy (P = 0.22, Student''s t test). Conclusion: Dacryocystorhinostomy impairs mucociliary function independent of the type of surgery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Dual-mode microstrip bandstop filter, which has an inductive or capacitive perturbation element located at one of its corners, with a 90°-bended λ/4 microstrip feeding line is proposed. The degenerate mode splitting of a conventional dual-mode square loop resonator and the coupling coefficient between these modes are investigated. The filter characteristic is changed by the perturbation size. Finally, a novel dual-mode microstrip bandstop filter is designed and realized using degenerate modes of dual-mode microstrip square loop resonator. Two filters are designed, fabricated, and measured to demonstrate the validity of the proposed bandstop characteristic. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 147–150, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23967 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the long-term effect of varicocele repair on ipsilateral intratesticular arterial resistance index (RI) using color Doppler sonography (CDS). Methods: A total of 26 infertile patients with left varicocele who underwent a testicular artery and lymphatic-sparing subinguinal varicocelectomy were examined with CDS for intratesticular flow parameters before and at least 6 months after surgery. We also evaluated preoperative and postoperative semen parameters. Results: The mean values of RI, end-diastolic velocity and pulsatility index decreased significantly after surgery, whereas no significant change was observed in peak systolic velocity. Repair of the varicocele resulted in a statistically significant increase in the total sperm count, motility, morphology, and total motile sperm count. However, no significant correlation was found between sperm parameters and RI values (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our data show that a significant improvement occurs in testicular blood supply and sperm parameters after surgical varicocele repair, without significant correlation between these 2 changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare the beneficial effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), vitamin C, vitamin E and N-acetylcysteine on vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity. Thirty rats were randomly devided into six groups: (i) control; (ii) vancomycin, 200 mg/kg administrated via intraperitoneal route; (iii) vancomycin plus CAPE – vancomycin with 10 µmol/kg CAPE; (iv) vancomycin plus vitamin C – vancomycin (intraperitoneally) with 200 mg/dl vitamin C in drinking water; (v) vancomycin plus vitamin E – vancomycin with 1000 mg/kg body weight vitamin E (intramuscularly); and (vi) vancomycin plus N-acetylcysteine – vancomycin with 10 mg/kg body weight (intraperitoneally) of N-acetylcysteine. Vancomycin treatments were started 1 day after the first administrations of these agents and continued for 7 days. At the end of the experiments, catalase activity was significantly decreased by vancomycin in kidney homogenates (P < 0.05). Vitamin E, vitamin C, N-acetylcysteine and CAPE administrations decreased the blood urea nitrogen levels increased by vancomycin, although significant differences were detected only in the vitamins E and C groups (P < 0.05). Increased renal malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels by vancomycin were significantly suppressed by agents used in the study (P < 0.05). Histopathological examination demonstrated prominent damages in the vancomycin-treated group. Vitamin E was the most beneficial agent on vancomycin-induced tubular damage, followed by vitamin C, N-acetylcysteine and CAPE treatments, respectively. The data suggest that vitamin E, as well as vitamin C, N-acetylcysteine and CAPE, could be useful for reducing the detrimental effects on vancomycin-induced toxicity in kidneys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]