Frequency Coded Chipless RFID Tag using Spurline Resonators

A novel compact chipless RFID tag using spurline resonators is discussed in this paper. The detection of the tag's ID is using the spectral signature of a spurline resonator circuit. The tag has a data capacity of 8-bits in the range 2.38 to 4.04 GHz. The tag consists of a spurline multiresonating circuit and two cross polarised antennas. The prototype of the tag is fabricated on a substrate C-MET/LK4.3 of dielectric constant 4.3 and loss tangent 0.0018. The measured results show that group delay response can also be used to decode the tag’s identity

Emulation of synaptic functions with low voltage organic memtransistor for hardware oriented neuromorphic computing

Here, various synaptic functions and neural network simulation based pattern-recognition using novel, solution-processed organic memtransistors (memTs) with an unconventional redox-gating mechanism are demonstrated. Our synaptic memT device using conjugated polymer thin-film and redox-active solid electrolyte as the gate dielectric can be routinely operated at gate voltages (V(GS)) below − 1.5 V, subthreshold-swings (S) smaller than 120 mV/dec, and ON/OFF current ratio larger than 10(8). Large hysteresis in transfer curves depicts the signature of non-volatile resistive switching (RS) property with ON/OFF ratio as high as 10(5). In addition, our memT device also shows many synaptic functions, including the availability of many conducting-states (> 500) that are used for efficient pattern recognition using the simplest neural network simulation model with training and test accuracy higher than 90%. Overall, the presented approach opens a new and promising way to fabricate high-performance artificial synapses and their arrays for the implementation of hardware-oriented neural network

Riboflavin-Vancomycin Conjugate Enables Simultaneous Antibiotic Photo-Release and Photodynamic Killing against Resistant Gram-Positive Pathogens

Decades of antibiotic misuse have led to alarming levels of antimicrobial resistance, and the development of alternative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to delineate and treat infections is a global priority. In particular, the nosocomial, multidrug-resistant "ESKAPE" pathogens such as Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp (VRE) urgently require alternative treatments. Here, we developed light-activated molecules based on the conjugation of the FDA-approved photosensitizer riboflavin to the Gram-positive specific ligand vancomycin to enable targeted antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. The riboflavin-vancomycin conjugate proved to be a potent and versatile antibacterial agent, enabling the rapid, light-mediated, killing of MRSA and VRE with no significant off-target effects. The attachment of riboflavin on vancomycin also led to an increase in antibiotic activity against S. aureus and VRE. Simultaneously, we evidenced for the first time that the flavin subunit undergoes an efficient photoinduced bond cleavage reaction to release vancomycin, thereby acting as a photoremovable protecting group with potential applications in drug delivery

TRC120038, a Novel Dual AT1/ETA Receptor Blocker for Control of Hypertension, Diabetic Nephropathy, and Cardiomyopathy in ob-ZSF1 Rats

In hypertensive subjects, angiotensin II and endothelin participate in a manner involving closely interwoven pathways in increasing blood pressure (BP) and inducing end organ damage. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of TRC120038, a novel dual AT1/ETA receptor blocker on BP, in obese Zucker spontaneously hypertensive fatty rats (ob-ZSF1), an animal model of moderate hypertension, diabetes with progressive renal and cardiac dysfunction. Ob-ZSF1 rats loaded with 0.5% salt were treated with TRC120038 (11.8 mg/kg bid.) or candesartan cilexetil (0.3 mg/kg od.) or vehicle control. Blood pressure (by radio-telemetry) and renal functional markers were monitored throughout the study. Cardiac function was assessed terminally by pressure volume catheter. Markers for renal dysfunction were measured and changes were evaluated histopathologically. TRC120038 showed greater fall in both systolic and diastolic BP in comparison to candesartan at its maximum antihypertensive dose. TRC120038 also reduced the severity of renal dysfunction and preserved cardiac function in ob-ZSF1 rat

Wideband Planar Antenna for New Generation Mobile Applications

A wideband, compact planar monopole antenna having a 2 : 1 VSWR bandwidth of 98% (1.68 GHz–4.9 GHz) is presented. The omnidirectional radiation pattern with moderate gain and linear polarization in the entire band makes the antenna an excellent candidate for new generation mobile applications. Details of the antenna design and a comparison of simulated and measured results are presented and discussed

Obesity-dependent changes in interstitial ECM mechanics promote breast tumorigenesis.

Obesity and extracellular matrix (ECM) density are considered independent risk and prognostic factors for breast cancer. Whether they are functionally linked is uncertain. We investigated the hypothesis that obesity enhances local myofibroblast content in mammary adipose tissue and that these stromal changes increase malignant potential by enhancing interstitial ECM stiffness. Indeed, mammary fat of both diet- and genetically induced mouse models of obesity were enriched for myofibroblasts and stiffness-promoting ECM components. These differences were related to varied adipose stromal cell (ASC) characteristics because ASCs isolated from obese mice contained more myofibroblasts and deposited denser and stiffer ECMs relative to ASCs from lean control mice. Accordingly, decellularized matrices from obese ASCs stimulated mechanosignaling and thereby the malignant potential of breast cancer cells. Finally, the clinical relevance and translational potential of our findings were supported by analysis of patient specimens and the observation that caloric restriction in a mouse model reduces myofibroblast content in mammary fat. Collectively, these findings suggest that obesity-induced interstitial fibrosis promotes breast tumorigenesis by altering mammary ECM mechanics with important potential implications for anticancer therapies

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterisation, corrosion inhibition studies and dyeing properties of lanthanide(III) complexes of 1-[(3-carboxyethyl-4,5-dimethylthiophen-2-yl)azo]-2-naphthol

489-498Ligational behaviour of the heterocyclic ligand obtained by coupling of diazotized 2-amino-3-carboxyethyl-4,5-dimethylthiophene with β-naphthol towards some selected lanthanide(III) ions has been studied. Various spectral and physico-chemical techniques have been used to confirm the coordination sites of the ligand (HTAN) and its lanthanide(III) complexes. It has been observed that these ligands coordinate to the metal ions in a neutral tridentate fashion. Thermal stability of metal chelates and structural stability of the chelating agent has been studied by thermal analysis. As lanthanides and azo dyes are reported as good corrosion inhibitors we have examined the corrosion inhibition activities of HTAN and its metal complexes. Also dyeing properties of the azo dye and some of its selected complexes towards cotton fabrics has been evaluated, as the traditional application field of the synthetic azo dyes still remains in the textile industry