Patch Antenna Based on Metamaterials for a RFID Transponder

In this paper a self-diplexed antenna is proposed for a RFID transponder application. The development cycle is divided into two stages: antenna design and filters design. The antenna is based on a square microstrip patch filled with metamaterial structures. The inclusion of these structures allows simultaneous operation over several frequencies, which can be arbitrarily chosen. The antenna working frequencies are chosen to be 2.45 GHz (receiver) and 1.45 GHz (transmitter). In addition, the antenna is fed through two orthogonal coupled microstrip lines, what provides higher isolation between both ports. Some filters based on metamaterial particles are coupled or connected to the antenna feeding microstrip lines to avoid undesired interferences. This approach avoids using of an external filter or diplexer, providing larger size reduction and a compact self-diplexed antenna

Improved localization of seizure onset zones using spatiotemporal constraints and time-varying source connectivity

Presurgical evaluation of brain neural activity is commonly carried out in refractory epilepsy patients to delineate as accurately as possible the seizure onset zone (SOZ) before epilepsy surgery. In practice, any subjective interpretation of electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings is hindered mainly because of the highly stochastic behavior of the epileptic activity. We propose a new method for dynamic source connectivity analysis that aims to accurately localize the seizure onset zones by explicitly including temporal, spectral, and spatial information of the brain neural activity extracted from EEG recordings. In particular, we encode the source nonstationarities in three critical stages of processing: Inverse problem solution, estimation of the time courses extracted from the regions of interest, and connectivity assessment. With the aim to correctly encode all temporal dynamics of the seizure-related neural network, a directed functional connectivity measure is employed to quantify the information flow variations over the time window of interest. Obtained results on simulated and real EEG data confirm that the proposed approach improves the accuracy of SOZ localization

Exploring host genetic polymorphisms involved in SARS-CoV infection autcomes: implications for personalized medicine in COVID-19

Objective. To systematically explore genetic polymorphisms associated with the clinical outcomes in SARS-CoV infection in humans. Methods. This comprehensive literature search comprised available English papers published in PubMed/Medline and SCOPUS databases following the PRISMA-P guidelines and PICO/AXIS criteria. Results. Twenty-nine polymorphisms located in 21 genes were identified as associated with SARS-CoV susceptibility/resistance, disease severity, and clinical outcomes predominantly in Asian populations. Thus, genes implicated in key pathophysiological processes such as the mechanisms related to the entry of the virus into the cell and the antiviral immune/inflammatory responses were identified. Conclusions. Although caution must be taken, the results of this systematic review suggest that multiple genetic polymorphisms are associated with SARS-CoV infection features by affecting virus pathogenesis and host immune response, which could have important applications for the study and understanding of genetics in SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and for personalized translational clinical practice depending on the population studied and associated environments

Constraint of the magnetic moment of the top quark

We derive a bound on the magnetic dipole moment of the top quark in the context of the effective Lagrangian approach by using the values of the ratio $R_b = \Gamma_b/\Gamma_h$, $R_l = \Gamma_h/\Gamma_l$ and $\Gamma_Z$. We found that the oblique corrections are more sensible than the vertex ones for this moment.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, RevTe

Concerted changes in tropical forest structure and dynamics: evidence from 50 South American long-term plots

Several widespread changes in the ecology of old-growth tropical forests have recently been documented for the late twentieth century, in particular an increase in stem turnover (pan-tropical), and an increase in above-ground biomass (neotropical). Whether these changes are synchronous and whether changes in growth are also occurring is not known. We analysed stand-level changes within 50 long-term. monitoring plots from across South America spanning 1971-2002. We show that: (i) basal area (BA: sum of the cross-sectional areas of all trees in a plot) increased significantly over time (by 0.10 +/- 0.04 m(2) ha(-1) yr(-1), mean +/- 95% CI); as did both (ii) stand-level BA growth rates (sum of the increments of BA of surviving trees and BA of new trees that recruited into a plot); and (iii) stand-level BA mortality rates (sum of the cross-sectional areas of all trees that died in a plot). Similar patterns were observed on a per-stem basis: (i) stem density (number of stems per hectare; 1 hectare is 10(4) m(2)) increased significantly over time (0.94 +/- 0.63 stems ha(-1) yr(-1)); as did both (ii) stem recruitment rates; and (iii) stem mortality rates. In relative terms, the pools of BA and stem density increased by 0.38 +/- 0.15% and 0.18 +/- 0.12% yr(-1), respectively. The fluxes into and out of these pools-stand-level BA growth, stand-level BA mortality, stem recruitment and stem mortality rates-increased, in relative terms, by an order of magnitude more. The gain terms (BA growth, stem recruitment) consistently exceeded the loss terms (BA loss, stem mortality) throughout the period, suggesting that whatever process is driving these changes was already acting before the plot network was established. Large long-term increases in stand-level BA growth and simultaneous increases in stand BA and stem density imply a continent-wide increase in resource availability which is increasing net primary productivity and altering forest dynamics. Continent-wide changes in incoming solar radiation, and increases in atmospheric concentrations of CO2 and air temperatures may have increased resource supply over recent decades, thus causing accelerated growth and increased dynamism across the world's largest tract of tropical forest

Prevalencia de sarcopenia en adultos mayores de dos hogares geriátricos de Pereira, Colombia: Prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults in two retirement homes in Pereira, Colombia

Introduction: Is a risk factor for morbidity, mortality and disability in older adults, so its management is a priority in geriatrics. The aim of this article is to characterize a population of older adults from two geriatric homes and to establish the prevalence of sarcopenia and the degree of dependence. Methods: Cross-sectional study developed in the city of Pereira-Colombia. A population of 72 adults from 65 to 98 years of age was included, using probability sampling. Sarcopenia was determined by means of the Criteria of the European Consensus on Definition and Diagnosis of Sarcopenia, evaluating grip strength, skeletal muscle mass index, in case of sarcopenia, the severity of sarcopenia together with walking speed, and the degree of dependence according to the Barthel scale.  Results: 57 people participated. A total of 68.4% (n=39) were women. The median age was 83 years. Two percent had no sarcopenia, 9% had suspected sarcopenia, 28% had confirmed sarcopenia and 61% had severe sarcopenia. According to the Barthel scale, 31.5% were independent, 45.6% had mild, 15.8% moderate, 5.3% severe and 1.8% total dependence. Conclusions: The prevalence of sarcopenia in nursing homes in Pereira is higher compared to that reported in the literature. Similarly, being in a private nursing home does not guarantee a better physical condition and/or quality of lifeIntroducción: La sarcopenia es un factor de riesgo para morbilidad, mortalidad y discapacidad en adultos mayores, por lo que su manejo es prioridad en geriatría. El objetivo de este artículo, consiste en caracterizar una población de adultos mayores de dos hogares geriátricos y establecer la prevalencia de sarcopenia y el grado de dependencia. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal desarrollado en la ciudad de Pereira-Colombia. Se incluyó a una población de 72 adultos desde los 65 hasta los 98 años, usando muestreo probabilístico. Se determinó la sarcopenia por medio de los Criterios del Consenso Europeo sobre Definición y Diagnóstico de Sarcopenia; evaluándose la fuerza de prensión, índice de masa muscular esquelética, en caso de presentarse sarcopenia, la severidad de esta junto a la velocidad de marcha, y el grado de dependencia según la escala de Barthel. Resultados: Participaron finalmente 57 personas. El 68,4% (n=39) eran mujeres. La mediana de la edad fue de 83 años. El 2% no presentó sarcopenia, 9% presentaban sospecha de sarcopenia, 28% tenían sarcopenia confirmada y 61% sarcopenia grave. Según la escala de Barthel, el 31,5% eran independientes, 45,6% tenían dependencia leve, 15,8% moderada, 5,3% severa y 1,8% total. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de sarcopenia en los hogares geriátricos de Pereira es mayor en comparación a la reportada en la literatura. Del mismo modo, encontrarse en un hogar geriátrico privado no garantiza una mejor condición física y/o calidad de vida

VHMPID: a new detector for the ALICE experiment at LHC

This article presents the basic idea of VHMPID, an upgrade detector for the ALICE experiment at LHC, CERN. The main goal of this detector is to extend the particle identification capabilities of ALICE to give more insight into the evolution of the hot and dense matter created in Pb-Pb collisions. Starting from the physics motivations and working principles the challenges and current status of development is detailed.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures. To be published in EPJ Web of Conference

An international network to monitor the structure, composition and dynamics of Amazonian forests (RAINFOR)

The Amazon basin is likely to be increasingly affected by environmental changes: higher temperatures, changes in precipitation, CO2 fertilization and habitat fragmentation. To examine the important ecological and biogeochemical consequences of these changes, we are developing an international network, RAINFOR, which aims to monitor forest biomass and dynamics across Amazonia in a co-ordinated fashion in order to understand their relationship to soil and climate. The network will focus on sample plots established by independent researchers, some providing data extending back several decades. We will also conduct rapid transect studies of poorly monitored regions. Field expeditions analysed local soil and plant properties in the first phase (2001–2002). Initial results suggest that the network has the potential to reveal much information on the continental-scale relations between forest and environment. The network will also serve as a forum for discussion between researchers, with the aim of standardising sampling techniques and methodologies that will enable Amazonian forests to be monitored in a coherent manner in the coming decades

Competitiveness and communication for effective inoculation byRhizobium, Bradyrhizobium and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi

After a short summary on the ecology and rhizosphere biology of symbiotic bacteria and vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhiza fungi and their application as microbial inocula, results on competitiveness and communication are summarized. Stress factors such as high temperature, low soil pH, aluminium concentrations and phytoalexins produced by the host plants were studied withRhizobium leguminosarum bv.phaseoli andRhizobium tropici onPhaseolus beans. Quantitative data for competitiveness were obtained by usinggus + (glucoronidase) labelled strains, which produce blue-coloured nodules. ForPhaseolus-nodulating rhizobia, a group specific DNA probe was also developed, which did not hybridize with more than 20 other common soil and rhizosphere bacteria. Results from several laboratories contributing to knowledge of signal exchange and communication in theRhizobium/Bradyrhizobium legume system are summarized in a new scheme, including also defense reactions at the early stages of legume nodule initiation. Stimulating effects of flavonoids on germination and growth of VA mycorrhiza fungi were also found. A constitutive antifungal compound in pea roots, -isoxazolinonyl-alanine, was characterized