Dual-band implantable antennas for medical telemetry: a fast design methodology and validation for intra-cranial pressure monitoring

WOS:000323538100010 (Nº de Acesso Web of Science)In this study, we suggest and experimentally validate a methodology for fast and optimized design of dual-band implantable antennas for medical telemetry (MICS, 402-405 MHz, and ISM, 2400-2480 MHz). The methodology aims to adjust the design of a parametric dual-band antenna model towards optimally satisfying the requirements imposed by the antenna-fabrication procedure and medical application in hand. Design is performed in a systematic, fast, and accurate way. To demonstrate its effectiveness, the proposed methodology is applied to optimize the parametric antenna model for intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitoring given a specific antenna-fabrication procedure. For validation purposes, a prototype of the optimized antenna is fabricated and experimentally tested. The proposed antenna is further evaluated within a 13-tissue anatomical head model in terms of resonance, radiation, and safety performance for ICP monitoring. Extensive parametric studies of the optimized antenna are, finally, performed. Feasibility of the proposed parametric antenna model to be optimally re-adjusted for various scenarios is demonstrated, and generic guidelines are provided for implantable antenna design. Dual-band operation is targeted to ensure energy autonomy for the implant. Finite Element (FE) and Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations are carried out in homogeneous rectangular and anatomical head tissue models, respectively

Morphogenetic and Structural Characteristics of Clones of Elephant Grass Managed under Intermittent Stocking

Morphogenetic studies of the growth dynamics of leaves and tillers of forage grasses have enabled the management strategies for grasses to be defined for various environmental conditions (Euclides et al. 2010). As the development of clones of Pennisetum purpureum is recent (Pereira e Lédo 2008), detailed information on their growth characteristic under pasture is necessary as a reference for the adoption of appropriate management practices. The objective of this study was to assess the morphogenetic and structural characteristics of basal and aerial tillers in pastures of two small-size clones of elephant grass managed under intermittent stocking for six grazing cycles in spring and summer

Surface response methodology towards optimal carotenoids production by Gordonia Alkanivorans Strain 1B [Poster]

ABSTRACT: The process of obtaining carotenoids, mainly towards sectors that may influence the human health, such as pharmaceutical and cosmetic, is strictly regulated because of the potential toxicity of the synthetically derived pigments. Thus, microbial pigments are in increasing demand since they are a promising natural and safe alternative source for various industrial applications. Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B is a fructophilic desulfurizing bacterium, which was also shown to be a good producer of carotenoids. However, its production abilities presented a great variation, depending on the conditions it was submitted to. In previous works, both the carbon source and sulfur source, demonstrated a great influence in the total carotenoid concentration, especially when combined with the presence of a light source. So, in this study, a surface response methodology based on the Doehlert distribution for two factors (% of glucose in a mix glucose + fructose (10 g/L total sugars), and sulfate concentration) was used aiming to get the optimal carotenoids production by G. alkanivorans strain 1B.N/

Miniature implantable antennas for biomedical telemetry: from simulation to realization

WOS:000310154700019 (Nº de Acesso Web of Science)“Prémio Científico ISCTE-IUL 2013”We address numerical versus experimental design and testing of miniature implantable antennas for biomedical telemetry in the medical implant communications service band (402-405 MHz). A model of a novel miniature antenna is initially proposed for skin implantation, which includes varying parameters to deal with fabrication-specific details. An iterative design-and-testing methodology is further suggested to determine the parameter values that minimize deviations between numerical and experimental results. To assist in vitro testing, a low-cost technique is proposed for reliably measuring the electric properties of liquids without requiring commercial equipment. Validation is performed within a specific prototype fabrication/testing approach for miniature antennas. To speed up design while providing an antenna for generic skin implantation, investigations are performed inside a canonical skin-tissue model. Resonance, radiation, and safety performance of the proposed antenna is finally evaluated inside an anatomical head model. This study provides valuable insight into the design of implantable antennas, assessing the significance of fabrication-specific details in numerical simulations and uncertainties in experimental testing for miniature structures. The proposed methodology can be applied to optimize antennas for several fabrication/testing approaches and biotelemetry applications

Understanding the experience of psychopathology after intimate partner violence: The role of personality

Objectives: To fully understand the dynamics of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) it is necessary to understand the role of personality. The current understanding of which personality characteristics are associated with IPV victimization is, however, far from comprehensive. Given this gap in the literature, our objective was to examine the associations between the dimensions of the psychobiological model of personality and psychopathological symptoms in women who had experienced IPV. Methods: Using a case-control design, a group of women who had experienced IPV and who were living in shelters ( Results: Victims of IPV showed significantly higher levels of Harm Avoidance and Self-Transcendence, and lower levels of Reward Dependence and Self-Directedness, than the non-IPV control group. Victims of IPV also reported elevated levels of psychopathological symptoms. Personality dimensions showed a broadly consistent pattern of associations across different psychopathological symptoms. A regression analysis indicated that Novelty Seeking was negatively associated with psychopathological symptoms in victims of IPV, but not significantly associated in non-victims. Conclusions: The study highlights the important role of Harm Avoidance and Self-Directedness for understanding psychopathological symptoms. Novelty Seeking appears to play an important role in the expression of individuals\u27 experiences of IPV. These results have important implications for research and practice, particularly the development and implementation of interventions

Charged black holes with axionic-type couplings: classes of solutions and dynamical scalarization

We consider an augmented Einstein-Maxwell-scalar model including an axionic-type coupling between the scalar and electromagnetic field. We study dyonic black hole solutions in this model. For the canonical axionic coupling emerging from high energy physics, all charged black holes have axion hair. We present their domain of existence and investigate some physical properties. For other axionic-type couplings, two classes of black hole solutions may coexist in the model: scalar-free Reissner-Nordström black holes and scalarized black holes. We show that in some region of the parameter space the scalar-free solutions are unstable. Then, there is nonuniqueness since new scalarized black hole solutions with the same global charges, which are entropically preferred over the scalar-free solutions and, moreover, emerge dynamically from the instability of the former, also exist.publishe

Effects of consumption of galactooligosaccharides obtained through whey enzymatically modified on the faecal flora and nutritional parameters of hamsters

The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of wheyenzymatically modified rich in galactooligosaccharides in thenutritional characteristics and effects in the microflora of cecumcontents by the study with Golden Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetusauratus) for 28 days (controlled conditions). Three isoproteic dietswere prepared (20% w/w): C (casein), W (whey) and G (wheymodified). The groups studied differed positively from the C regardingfeed and protein efficiency ratio. The relationships (w/w) oforgan/body were found proportional in all diets. The counts ofprobiotics from the cecum contents the groups showed no difference.The pHs of studied groups were lower than C, this acidity can atimpairs the ability of pathogens to grow in the intestine. Resultssuggest that using whey enzymatically modified rich ingalactooligosaccharides could replace the standard diet withnutritional efficiency and possible inhibit the microorganismspathogenic without induce damage in health.Fil: Dos Santos Da Fonseca, Renata Aline. Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Rodrigues Machado, Adriana. Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande; BrasilFil: Muniz Moreira, Lidiane. Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande; BrasilFil: Rodrigues, Rosane S.. Universidade Federal de Pelotas; BrasilFil: Machado, Mirian. Universidade Federal de Pelotas; BrasilFil: Souza Soares, Leonor A.. Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande; BrasilFil: Burkert, Carlos André V.. Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande; BrasilFil: Burkert, Janaína Fernandes de Medeiros. Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande; Brasi

IJRTP Volume 10(iv) Table of Contents

Special Issue : Pilgrimage as a Multi-Faceted Diamond, containing papers from Sacred Journeys 9th Global Conference at the University of Primorska’s Department of Tourism, in Portoroz and Piran, Slovenia, from July 6-8, 202