Thru-reflect-line calibration for substrate integrated waveguide devices with tapered microstrip transitions

One of the main problems when exciting or measuring substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) devices lies in the need of a good interconnection with planar structures. In this reported work, the negative effects produced by the connectors and the tapered microstrip-to-SIW transitions are de-embedded from the measurements of the SIW structure by a thru-reflect-line calibration with an adequate and cheap SIW calibration kit.Díaz Caballero, E.; Belenguer Martínez, Á.; Esteban González, H.; Boria Esbert, VE. (2013). Thru-reflect-line calibration for substrate integrated waveguide devices with tapered microstrip transitions. Electronics Letters. 49(2):132-133. doi:10.1049/el.2012.3027S132133492Deslandes, D., & Wu, K. (2001). Integrated microstrip and rectangular waveguide in planar form. IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, 11(2), 68-70. doi:10.1109/7260.914305Henry, M., Free, C. E., Izqueirdo, B. S., Batchelor, J., & Young, P. (2009). Millimeter Wave Substrate Integrated Waveguide Antennas: Design and Fabrication Analysis. IEEE Transactions on Advanced Packaging, 32(1), 93-100. doi:10.1109/tadvp.2008.2011284Chen, X.-P., Wu, K., & Li, Z.-L. (2007). Dual-Band and Triple-Band Substrate Integrated Waveguide Filters With Chebyshev and Quasi-Elliptic Responses. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 55(12), 2569-2578. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2007.909603Deslandes, D., & Ke Wu. (2005). Analysis and design of current probe transition from grounded coplanar to substrate integrated rectangular waveguides. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 53(8), 2487-2494. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2005.852778Engen, G. F., & Hoer, C. A. (1979). Thru-Reflect-Line: An Improved Technique for Calibrating the Dual Six-Port Automatic Network Analyzer. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 27(12), 987-993. doi:10.1109/tmtt.1979.1129778Chih-Jung Chen, & Tah-Hsiung Chu. (2009). Measurement of Noncoaxial Multiport Devices Up to the Intrinsic Ports. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 57(5), 1230-1236. doi:10.1109/tmtt.2009.201735

Systematic Procedure to Avoid Unintended Polarity Mismatch in the Cascade Connection of Multiport Devices with Symmetric Feeding Lines

This paper is a postprint of a paper submitted to and accepted for publication in [journal] and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is available at IET Digital LibraryThe traditional cascading of generalised scattering matrices (GSMs) assumes that the modal sets at the connected ports of a cascaded network are strictly equal. This implies a careful selection of the modal polarities, or the reference systems, of every port. Usually, the connection scheme of every device is known a priori. Then, the individual GSMs are pre-processed, or auxiliary devices, which correct possible modal mismatches at the ports, are included in appropriate positions among the cascade, so that the traditional cascading-by-pairs approach can be directly applied. This scheme clearly complicates the reutilisation of previously calculated GSMs, and mixes the cascading with the solution of the individual building blocks. In this study, a systematic procedure is proposed to define the polarity of the modes at the ports of a device fed with transmission lines or waveguides showing a single or double symmetry. The modified expressions to calculate the scattering parameters of the cascade of two multiport devices, incorporating the regular modal corrections to apply when this criterion is used to define the modal polarity at the ports, is also presented in this study. This strategy is more convenient from the point of view of programming, less error-prone and easier to implement.This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spanish Government, under Research Projects TEC2013-47037-C05-3-R and TEC2013-47037-C05-1-R.Belenguer Martínez, Á.; Borja, A.; Díaz Caballero, E.; Esteban González, H.; Boria Esbert, VE. (2015). Systematic Procedure to Avoid Unintended Polarity Mismatch in the Cascade Connection of Multiport Devices with Symmetric Feeding Lines. IET Microwaves Antennas and Propagation. 9(11):1128-1135. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-map.2014.0167S1128113591

Rhesus TRIM5α disrupts the HIV-1 capsid at the inter-hexamer interfaces

TRIM proteins play important roles in the innate immune defense against retroviral infection, including human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Rhesus macaque TRIM5α (TRIM5αrh) targets the HIV-1 capsid and blocks infection at an early post-entry stage, prior to reverse transcription. Studies have shown that binding of TRIM5α to the assembled capsid is essential for restriction and requires the coiled-coil and B30.2/SPRY domains, but the molecular mechanism of restriction is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated, by cryoEM combined with mutagenesis and chemical cross-linking, the direct interactions between HIV-1 capsid protein (CA) assemblies and purified TRIM5αrh containing coiled-coil and SPRY domains (CC-SPRYrh). Concentration-dependent binding of CC-SPRYrh to CA assemblies was observed, while under equivalent conditions the human protein did not bind. Importantly, CC-SPRYrh, but not its human counterpart, disrupted CA tubes in a non-random fashion, releasing fragments of protofilaments consisting of CA hexamers without dissociation into monomers. Furthermore, such structural destruction was prevented by inter-hexamer crosslinking using P207C/T216C mutant CA with disulfide bonds at the CTD-CTD trimer interface of capsid assemblies, but not by intra-hexamer crosslinking via A14C/E45C at the NTD-NTD interface. The same disruption effect by TRIM5αrh on the inter-hexamer interfaces also occurred with purified intact HIV-1 cores. These results provide insights concerning how TRIM5α disrupts the virion core and demonstrate that structural damage of the viral capsid by TRIM5α is likely one of the important components of the mechanism of TRIM5α-mediated HIV-1 restriction. © 2011 Zhao et al

Calidad de vida y estrés en estudiantes de medicina en Cajamarca-Perú-2023

Objectives: Determine the influence of quality of life on the stress of medical students at a university in Cajamarca during 2023. Identify the level of quality of life and the degree of stress, and establish the dimensions of quality of life and others. factors that influence stress. Materials and methods: The present study was basic with a quantitative approach, cross-sectional with a correlational method. The student population was 175 students, and the sample was 106 students. The SISCO SV-21 questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha of 0.85 and the WHOQOL-BREF 26 questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha of 0.89 were used. For the treatment of the collected information, descriptive and inferential statistics were used with a level of significance p<0.05 using the Excel statistical package and the Epi Info system. Results: We found 71.70% high levels of stress and 96 % of a low quality of life. A value of p = 0.317 was found with respect to the relationship of the two variables. Regarding the dimensions of the quality of life that predisposes to have high stress, it was found significant to psychological health (p = 0.0025) and PR of 2.88; and social relationships (p= 0.036). Finally, in relation to gender and presentation of stress (significant p of =0.0084) with PR of 1.37. Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between stress and the quality of life of medical students. There are high levels of stress and a feeling of poor quality of life among students. The female sex, mental health and social relationships are significantly related to high levels of stress.Objetivos: Determinar la influencia de la calidad de vida en el estrés de los estudiantes de medicina de una universidad de Cajamarca durante el 2023. Identificar el nivel de calidad de vida y el grado de estrés, y establecer las dimensiones de calidad de vida y otros factores que influyen en el estrés. Materiales y métodos: El presente estudio fue tipo básico con enfoque cuantitativo, de tipo transversal con método correlacional. La población de estudiantes fue de 175 estudiantes, y la muestra fue de 106 estudiantes. Se usó el cuestionario SISCO SV-21 con alfa de Cronbach del 0.85 y el cuestionario WHOQOL-BREF 26 con alfa de Cronbach del 0.89. Para el tratamiento de la información recolectada, se usó la estadística descriptiva e inferencial con un nivel de significancia p<0.05 usando para ello el paquete estadístico Excel y el sistema Epi Info. Resultados: Encontramos un 71,70% altos niveles de estrés y 96% de una calidad de vida baja. Se halló un valor de p = 0.317 con respecto a la relación de las dos variables. Con respecto a las dimensiones de la calidad de vida que predispone a tener estrés alto, se encontró significativo a la salud psicológica (p = 0.0025) y RP de 2.88; y las relaciones sociales (p= 0.036). Finalmente, en relación a sexo y presentación de estrés (p significativo de =0,0084) con RP de 1.37. Conclusión: No existe correlación significativa entre el estrés y la calidad de vida de los estudiantes de medicina, Existen elevados niveles de estrés y de sensación de mala calidad de vida entre los estudiantes. El sexo femenino, la salud mental y las relaciones sociales se relacionan significativamente con elevados de estrés

Professional practice environment in Nursing

Un entorno de práctica profesional en enfermería (EPPE) es el que promueve, facilita u obstaculiza al personal de enfermería para prestar cuidados de calidad, además de incrementar la seguridad y bienestar de los pacientes y de sus profesionales. Construir entornos positivos fomenta la excelencia de la organización, optimiza los resultados y mejora la percepción y satisfacción del usuario. En numerosos países se ha podido constatar que determinados ámbitos asistenciales de enfermería considerados excelentes influyen de forma objetiva en los resultados en salud, con disminución de la morbimortalidad, aumento de la calidad y mejora del cuidado (1), además de la contención de costes (2) y otros múltiples beneficios para la sociedad, el ciudadano, el usuario y el profesional

The Sensitivity of HAWC to High-Mass Dark Matter Annihilations

The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) observatory is a wide field-of-view detector sensitive to gamma rays of 100 GeV to a few hundred TeV. Located in central Mexico at 19 degrees North latitude and 4100 m above sea level, HAWC will observe gamma rays and cosmic rays with an array of water Cherenkov detectors. The full HAWC array is scheduled to be operational in Spring 2015. In this paper, we study the HAWC sensitivity to the gamma-ray signatures of high-mass (multi- TeV) dark matter annihilation. The HAWC observatory will be sensitive to diverse searches for dark matter annihilation, including annihilation from extended dark matter sources, the diffuse gamma-ray emission from dark matter annihilation, and gamma-ray emission from non-luminous dark matter subhalos. Here we consider the HAWC sensitivity to a subset of these sources, including dwarf galaxies, the M31 galaxy, the Virgo cluster, and the Galactic center. We simulate the HAWC response to gamma rays from these sources in several well-motivated dark matter annihilation channels. If no gamma-ray excess is observed, we show the limits HAWC can place on the dark matter cross-section from these sources. In particular, in the case of dark matter annihilation into gauge bosons, HAWC will be able to detect a narrow range of dark matter masses to cross-sections below thermal. HAWC should also be sensitive to non-thermal cross-sections for masses up to nearly 1000 TeV. The constraints placed by HAWC on the dark matter cross-section from known sources should be competitive with current limits in the mass range where HAWC has similar sensitivity. HAWC can additionally explore higher dark matter masses than are currently constrained.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, version to be published in PR

Related Factors of Anemia in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Study

Anemia is common in critically ill patients; almost 95% of patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) have hemoglobin levels below normal. Several causes may explain this phenomenon as well as the tendency to transfuse patients without adequate cause: due to a lack of adherence to protocols, lack of supervision, incomplete transfusion request forms, or a lack of knowledge about the indications, risks, and costs of transfusions. Daily sampling to monitor the coagulation parameters and the acid–base balance can aggravate anemia as the main iatrogenic factor in its production. We studied the association and importance of iatrogenic blood loss and other factors in the incidence of anemia in ICUs. We performed a prospective, observational, multicenter study in five Spanish hospitals. A total of 142 patients with a median age of 58 years (IQI: 48–69), 71.83% male and 28.17% female, were admitted to ICUs without a diagnosis of iatrogenic anemia. During their ICU stay, anemia appeared in 66.90% of the sample, 95 patients, (95% CI: 58.51–74.56%). Risk factors associated with the occurrence of iatrogenic anemia were arterial catheter insertion (72.63% vs. 46.81%, p-value = 0.003), venous catheter insertion (87.37% vs. 72.34%, p-value = 0.023), drainages (33.68% vs. 12. 77%, p-value = 0.038), and ICU stay, where the longer the stay, the higher the rate of iatrogenic anemia (p-value < 0.001). We concluded that there was a statistical significance in the production of iatrogenic anemia due to the daily sampling for laboratory monitoring and critical procedures in intensive care units. The implementation of patient blood management programs could address these issues

The Dusty Tori of Nearby QSOs as Constrained by High-Resolution Mid-IR Observations

We present mid-infrared (MIR; 7.5–13.5 μm) imaging and spectroscopy observations obtained with the CanariCam (CC) instrument on the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio CANARIAS for a sample of 20 nearby, MIR bright and X-ray luminous quasi-stellar objects (QSOs). We find that for the majority of QSOs the MIR emission is unresolved at angular scales ∼0.3 arcsec, corresponding to physical scales ≲ 600 pc. We find that the higher-spatial resolution CC spectra have similar shapes to those obtained with Spitzer/IRS, and hence we can assume that the spectra are not heavily contaminated by extended emission in the host galaxy. We thus take advantage of the higher signal-to-noise ratio Spitzer/IRS spectra, as a fair representation of the nuclear emission, to decompose it into a combination of active galactic nuclei (AGN), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and stellar components. In most cases, the AGN is the dominant component, with a median contribution of 85 per cent of the continuum light at MIR (5–15 μm) within the IRS slit. This IR AGN emission is well reproduced by clumpy torus models. We find evidence for significant differences in the parameters that describe the dusty tori of QSOs when compared with the same parameters of Seyfert 1 and 2 nuclei. In particular, we find a lower number of clouds (N0 ≲ 12), steeper radial distribution of clouds (q ∼ 1.5–3.0) and clouds that are less optically thick (τV ≲ 100) than in Seyfert 1, which could be attributed to dusty structures that have been partially evaporated and piled up by the higher radiation field in QSOs. We find that the combination of the angular width σtorus, viewing angle i, and number of clouds along the equatorial line, N0, produces large escape probabilities (Pesc \u3e 2 per cent) and low geometrical covering factors (f2 ≲ 0.6), as expected for AGN with broad lines in their optical spectra

Extreme Starbursts in the Local Universe

The "Extreme starbursts in the local universe" workshop was held at the Insituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia in Granada, Spain on 21-25 June 2010. Bearing in mind the advent of a new generation of facilities such as JWST, Herschel, ALMA, eVLA and eMerlin, the aim of the workshop was to bring together observers and theorists to review the latest results. The purpose of the workshop was to address the following issues: what are the main modes of triggering extreme starbursts in the local Universe? How efficiently are stars formed in extreme starbursts? What are the star formation histories of local starburst galaxies? How well do the theoretical simulations model the observations? What can we learn about starbursts in the distant Universe through studies of their local counterparts? How important is the role of extreme starbursts in the hierarchical assembly of galaxies? How are extreme starbursts related to the triggering of AGN in the nuclei of galaxies? Overall, 41 talks and 4 posters with their corresponding 10 minutes short talks were presented during the workshop. In addition, the workshop was designed with emphasis on discussions, and therefore, there were 6 discussion sessions of up to one hour during the workshop. Here is presented a summary of the purposes of the workshop as well as a compilation of the abstracts corresponding to each of the presentations. The summary and conclusions of the workshop along with a description of the future prospects by Sylvain Veilleux can be found in the last section of this document. A photo of the assistants is included.Comment: worksho