Hardware Implementation of Chipless RFID Reader and Tags for Moving Targets Identification and Tracking

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a rapidly growing technology with significant security implications for humans and military ambushes. In this paper, the hardware implementation of a chipless RFID system using highly efficient Texas instrumentation components is introduced. We introduced the hardware implementation of both RFID reader and 5-bits chipless tags. The proposed reader system is equipped with an ultra-wideband (UWB) radio frequency (RF) power detector that allows the reader to read different types of tags with different code lengths over the frequency range from  to . The proposed spiral resonators based RFID tags are fabricated using microstrip technology on a cheap FR4 lossy substrate with a dielectric constant of , loss tangent , and thickness . The tags are designed using the computer simulation technology (CST) microwave studio software package. Fortunately, it is found that the experimental measurements of the scattering parameters of the fabricated tags are highly matched to the simulation results

The role of the glutathione system in regulating the levels of ROS neutralisation in the endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Medical BioSciences)Brain endothelial cell types are frequently used as in vitro models to study the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Oxidative stress (OS) has been reported numerous times to cause BBB dysfunction which is crucial to the initiation and or propagation of several neurologic disorders. Glutathione (GSH) plays a significant role in the defence against OS in the brain endothelial cells. Therefore, the brain endothelial cell line bEnd.5 was profiled as an endothelium model of the BBB because of its natural GSH content, and its reactive oxygen species (ROS)-neutralising capacity in the presence and/or absence of a modest concentration (25 ?M) of a standard antioxidant, Trolox. Fluorescent microscopy with monochlorobimane (mBCl) as a fluorescent probe was used for cellular GSH targeting

The psychopathic offender

Psychopathy is a subject which is now being duscussed with increasing interest in forensic psychiatry, criminology and sociological circles. The aim of this thesis is to show that the problem of the so-called psychopath is not the province of psychiatrists. The reason for this is that the psychiatric approach ignores any social or ethical factors in its approach to this behavioural problem. The writer attempted to prove that social and environmental factors are the most crucial in determining the condition. In an attempt to rebut the alleged plausibility of the medico-scientific explanation of this phenomenon, the writer produced evidence from various sources in an attempt to show that psychopathy stems from inadequate upbringing rather than heredity, brain damage or disease. As far as the legal position of psychopaths is concerned the law (in Scotland and England) seldom regards those individuals as mentally abnormal. In the writer's opinion the side effect of adopting a relative concept such as abnormality, explaining psychopathic behaviour, is hazardous and may lead to the use of the legal system itself to produce real injustice and social harm. The question of responsibility was also dealt with. It was noted that there is no chance for psychopaths to benefit from the plea of insanity either in England or in Scotland. Under English law a diagnosis of psychopathy is recognised by the courts as an acceptable basis for a defence of diminished responsibility in many of the cited cases. In Scotland the courts denied the application of the doctrine to psychopaths. For this reason the legal position of psychopaths in England and Scotland is dealt with separately in the text

Worst Case Scenarios! Complications Related to Hernial Disease

Incarceration, obstruction and strangulation are well recognized common complications of hernias. Several risk factors determine patients’ morbidity and mortality. Hernia surgery complications encompass infections, fascial dehiscence, recurrence, neuralgia, visceral injury, and mesh erosion or migration predetermined by many risk factors. The types and criteria for surgical site infections are defined by the extent of the infection. Whether the open or laparoscopic approaches are attempted, the rates of the respective complications depend on the approach. Post-operative hernias are appreciated because of their prevalence and complications. The criteria for enhanced recovery after surgery depend on whether patient is in the pre-operative, intra-operative or post-operative phase. Within the pediatric population, the risk of developing umbilical and inguinal is variable

Effect of Temperature, Time and Concentration using an aqueous sodium carbonate for degumming of silk fibroin Short Communication

ABSTRACT             The degumming process carried out to modify and control mechanical and biodegradable properties of silk fiber, it is defined as key factor for silk fiber treatment. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the effect of temperature, times and caustic soda concentration on losses and recovery of silk fiber. The aqueous solution of Na2Co3 was used; also the three reading for each (temperature, time and concentration) were taken. In order to evaluate the effect of each parameter on sciricn removed, one of these parameters should be variable and rest of parameters were kept constant. It has been obviously noticed the increasing of temp, aqueous concentration and time will increased the percentage of sericin removed. Result revealed that the effect of temperature on degumming loss percentage was higher at temperature range (60.70.80 and 900C) the losses percentage recorded were (18, 21, 28 and 35 respectively) comparable with the degumming loss obtained by the effect of aqueous concentration and time. The study also showed that, when the values of concentration (0.01, 0.015. 0.02, 0.025g/l) and (20, 25 30, 35 min) were increased, the degumming loss were affected and increased linearly recorded values of (15, 22, 23, 26) and (16, 20, 25, 26) respectively. It is obviously noticed the optimum concentration, time and temperature which achieved higher sericin removed were (0.025g/l. 35 min and 900C, respectively). &nbsp

CLINICAL HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECTS OF ALLIUM CEPA (RED ONION) IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus results from defects in insulin secretion and/or insulin action or both. Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of Allium cepa in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.   Results: In type 2 diabetic patients (n=21) the administration of crude Allium cepa (100g) markedly reduced fasting blood glucose levels by 40 mg/dl 4 hours later, compared to glibenclamide (81 mg/dl). Also Allium cepa significantly reduced the induced hyperglycemia (GTT) after ingestion of 75 grams dextrose by 159 mg/dl in the test subgroup (n=7) of type 2 diabetic patients to a point below that produced in the negative control group after 4 hours. Conclusion: Crude Allium cepa produced hypoglycemic effects, thus it could be used as a dietary supplement in management of diabetes

C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio and Albumin to Fibrinogen Ratio in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Objective: the albumin to fibrinogen ratio (AFR) and the C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) have been proposed as markers of systemic inflammation. The goal of this study was to differentiate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from healthy people and to study the association between AFR/CAR and DAS28 in RA.Patients and methods. A case control study including 30 RA patients and 30 healthy controls was performed. Fibrinogen, albumin, CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. We calculated CAR and AFR in each group and compared them. Correlations of AFR, and CAR with disease activity were examined. Receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves of AFR and CAR were also used to detect cutoffs for disease activity assessment.Results and discussion. CAR was higher while AFR was lower in RA patients than in control group. ROC curve analyses showed that CAR can be used to detect disease activity of RA at cut off 2.66 with sensitivity 81.3% and specificity 64.3% with an area under the curve (AUC) 0.78. So, CAR was a fair parameter to discriminate disease activity among RA patients. AFR has AUC 0.62, sensitivity 87.5% and specificity 42.9% at cutoff value 5.96. So, in our group AFR was a poor indicator to discriminate disease activity among RA patients.Conclusion. AFR and CAR have been recently proposed as inflammatory markers for assessment of disease activity in RA. AFR and CAR are simple, and inexpensive biomarkers, they also can be rapidly evaluated. CAR was found to be a fair parameter to depict disease activity in RA patients. AFR poorly depicted RA activity.Objective: the albumin to fibrinogen ratio (AFR) and the C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) have been proposed as markers of systemic inflammation. The goal of this study was to differentiate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from healthy people and to study the association between AFR/CAR and DAS28 in RA.Patients and methods. A case control study including 30 RA patients and 30 healthy controls was performed. Fibrinogen, albumin, CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. We calculated CAR and AFR in each group and compared them. Correlations of AFR, and CAR with disease activity were examined. Receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves of AFR and CAR were also used to detect cutoffs for disease activity assessment.Results and discussion. CAR was higher while AFR was lower in RA patients than in control group. ROC curve analyses showed that CAR can be used to detect disease activity of RA at cut off 2.66 with sensitivity 81.3% and specificity 64.3% with an area under the curve (AUC) 0.78. So, CAR was a fair parameter to discriminate disease activity among RA patients. AFR has AUC 0.62, sensitivity 87.5% and specificity 42.9% at cutoff value 5.96. So, in our group AFR was a poor indicator to discriminate disease activity among RA patients.Conclusion. AFR and CAR have been recently proposed as inflammatory markers for assessment of disease activity in RA. AFR and CAR are simple, and inexpensive biomarkers, they also can be rapidly evaluated. CAR was found to be a fair parameter to depict disease activity in RA patients. AFR poorly depicted RA activity

The Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Handal (Citrullus colocynthis L.) Fruit Pulp on Blood Glucose level in Normal Fasting Rats

Background: Citrullus colocynthis L. is a member of the family Cucurbitaceae. It is widely available in Sudan and traditionally used for treatment of skin infections, diabetes and constipation worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis fruit pulp on blood glucose level in normal fasting rats. Method: Two groups of rats, each of twenty one were used to study the effects of the extract (300 mg/kg/ml) on fasting blood glucose level (BGL) and glucose tolerance test (GTT). Results: The oral administration of ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis fruit pulp resulted in a sudden drop in BGL of normal fasting rats after four hours. This was accompanied by some toxic effects appeared as severe diarrhea, followed by deaths of some rats (2/7). Moreover, the administration of the extract did not exhibit a remarkable reduction or improvement in the induced hyperglycemia.  Conclusion: This study showed that, ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis fruit pulp reduced the BGL without significant hypoglycemic effect and the extract appeared to be highly toxic.

Efficacy of adhesive taping in controlling genu recurvatum in diplegic children: A pilot study

AbstractAdhesive taping has been commonly used to improve the performance through supporting joint structure and reducing pain. Restoring knee alignment in diplegic children is critical in an effective treatment program. The purpose of this article is to investigate whether adhesive taping is effective in controlling genu recurvatum in diplegic cerebral palsy children. Fourteen children with diplegic cerebral palsy (8 boys and 6 girls with a mean age of 6.22years), participated in a 12-week program. Children were assigned randomly to one of two groups: therapeutic taping+physical therapy or knee cage+physical therapy. Therapeutic taping was applied for periods of up to 60h over knee. The effects were assessed with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88), Auto CAD, Screen protractor at baseline and 12weeks after treatment. The primary outcome measure was knee angulations, using Auto CAD and screen protractor software. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) standing and walking subsections were the secondary outcome measures. No significant differences were found between groups over time. Adhesive taping does not evoke a positive change in controlling genu recurvatum in children with diplegic cerebral palsy