A new wire patch cell for the exposure of cell cultures to electromagnetic fields at 2.45 GHz: Design and numerical characterization

Studies on the interaction between electromagnetic (EM) fields and biological systems have recently gathered further momentum due to the huge diffusion of wireless networks. In order to investigate possible effects on cultured cells of EM fields, in the frequency range typical of such a kind of communication, an in vitro exposure system has been designed and numerically characterized. The system is a Wire Patch Cell (WPC) operating at 2.45 GHz which enables the contemporary exposure of four 35 mm Petri dishes and can be inserted into a commercial incubator. Numerical dosimetry has been carried out by means of the CST Microwave Studio® simulator. Results indicate a good efficiency, in terms of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the biological sample per 1 W of input power. Moreover, the homogeneity of the SAR distribution inside each Petri dish is around 70%, considered an acceptable value for such a kind of biological experimentsStudies on the interaction between electromagnetic (EM) fields and biological systems have recently gathered further momentum due to the huge diffusion of wireless networks. In order to investigate possible effects on cultured cells of EM fields, in the frequency range typical of such a kind of communication, an in vitro exposure system has been designed and numerically characterized. The system is a Wire Patch Cell (WPC) operating at 2.45 GHz which enables the contemporary exposure of four 35 mm Petri dishes and can be inserted into a commercial incubator. Numerical dosimetry has been carried out by means of the CST Microwave Studio ® simulator. Results indicate a good efficiency, in terms of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the biological sample per 1 W of input power. Moreover, the homogeneity of the SAR distribution inside each Petri dish is around 70%, considered an acceptable value for such a kind of biological experiments

Quality of life in headache suffering children and adolescents: self-report and parent-report.

Background The evaluation of Quality of Life (QOL) in children is different from adults, because it should take into account age-related characteristics. QOL instruments often do not consider the differences between parents and children in reporting the impact of headache on QOL. Patients and methods 272 (158 F, 114 M) headache sufferers (9–15 years old; M=11.59; SD=± 2.03) and their parents (192 mothers; 34 fathers; 59 both parents; 3 care takers) had been enrolled. Both child- ren and their parents filled in the symptomatologic questionnaire and the Impact scale of the Headache Specific Quality of Life of Children (HSQOL-C), in its validated form. Results Factorial Anova showed that the agreement parents-children is significantly higher for 12–15 years old than for 9–11 years old [F(1.255)=10.80; p=0.001]. We found a higher level of congruence between child and parent reports for symptomatologic questionnaire (objective aspects) than Impact scale (subjective aspects). In the latter, headache sufferers obtained higher scores compared to their parents. Conclusions Agreement parents-children increases proportionately with children’s age. It is likely due to the child’s cognitive improve- ment, mental and language skills. QOL instruments should taken into account age-related characteristics of child development

Progetto, realizzazione e caratterizzazione sperimentale di una cella di ammettenza per misure di permettività in bassa frequenza

In questo lavoro vengono presentati il progetto e la caratterizzazione di una cella di ammettenza a piatti piani paralleli, da utilizzarsi per la misura di permettività in bassa frequenza di sostanze liquide. La cella è stata realizzata con materiali che ne consentano l’utilizzo con svariate tipologie di liquidi, senza che avvengano fenomeni di corrosione, ed è stata progettata con le armature prive di anello di guardia per renderne possibile l’impiego con la serie più ampia possibile di impedenzimetri. Il fattore correttivo necessario per epurare le misure dall’effetto ai bordi (capacità di “fringing”) è stato ricavato tramite opportune simulazioni elettromagnetiche della struttura. Una serie di test sperimentali su liquidi di riferimento in condizioni controllate ha rivelato scarti massimi nella permettività misurata, rispetto ai dati di letteratura, contenuti entro il 6%. Tale dato, corroborato anche da una analisi teorica dell’incertezza di misura, è in linea con l’accuratezza tipica delle soluzioni commerciali, ma con costi nettamente più contenuti (circa un ordine di grandezza inferiori)

Improvement of GPR tracking by using inertial and GPS combined data

In most applications of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), it is very important to combine the radar with an accurate positioning system. This allows solving errors in the localisation of buried objects, which may be generated by measurement conditions such as the soil slope, in the case of a ground-coupled GPR, and the aerial vehicle altitude, in the case of a GPR mounted on a drone or helicopter. This paper presents the implementation of a low-cost system for positioning, tracking and trimming of GPR data. The proposed system integrates Global Positioning System (GPS) data with those of an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). So far, the electronic board including GPS and IMU was designed, developed and tested in the laboratory. As a next step, GPR results will be collected in outdoor scenarios of practical interest and the accuracy of data measured by using our positioning system will be compared to the accuracy of data measured without using it

A double-sideband continuous-wave radar sensor for carotid wall movement detection

A radar sensor suitable to record carotid wall movements has been developed and tested. The sensor is based on a double-sideband continuous-wave coherent transceiver, operating at 2.45 GHz, and on a bow-tie planar antenna optimized to operate in contact with the neck. Measured transceiver responses on a sliding short load are in good agreement with an analytical model and simulation results. An artificial model of the neck with an embedded pulsatile carotid-artery mockup has been built to test the radar. When the radar antenna is placed in contact with the neck model, an output voltage signal following the carotid diameter variations is measured. The signal amplitude follows the pressure wave imposed on the carotid artery mockup

La qualità della vita in bambini e adolescenti cefalalgici: validazione del Headache Specific Quality of Life Scale (HSQoL)

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