Hybrid Coupler for LMBA Input Match Using an Active Inductor

With the increase in demand for compact and high data rate communication systems, there is a need for high efficiency with modulated signals (PAPR 5-10 dB) for base-station power amplifiers. One of the famous architectures used to achieve this is Doherty architecture. The architecture has recently been extended to the Load Modulated Balanced Amplifier (LMBA) concept, where a separate integrated amplifier generates the control signal for load modulation. Almost all published studies are concerned with discrete "PCB-based" solutions for LMBA. In a recent study [1], the potential of designing an integrated LMBA in 0.18 μm CMOS has been evaluated. The main limitation concerning losses and area comes from the quadrature couplers, consisting of either two or four inductors. Using active inductors in the coupler design may be possible to obtain a more cost-effective solution. However, several aspects must be taken into consideration. One is that the power consumption of the active inductor should not exceed the power loss of the passive inductor. Another one is the ability to handle high power signals (high voltage swing), corresponding to 10-15 dBm at the input of the amplifier. The main objective of this thesis is to implement a hybrid coupler using an active inductor based on the theory of gyrators. The circuits were implemented using TSMC 0.18 μm process. The coupler and the active inductor are designed to operate at 2 GHz centre frequency. The active inductor implemented is considerably linear up to 12 dBm. The coupler has an input reflection coefficient (S11) of -26 dB, the transmission coefficient (S21) of -4.4 dB, and a coupling coefficient (S31) of -2.4 dB. The coupler shows good coupling and isolation characteristics. The phase difference between the through-port and the coupled-port of the coupler is 92°. As a result, when used as a power divider at the input of the power amplifiers, a PAE (Power Added Efficiency) of 63% and output power of 23 dBm is obtained at an input power of 12 dBm

Hybrid Coupler for LMBA Input Match Using an Active Inductor

With the increase in demand for compact and high data rate communication systems, there is a need for high efficiency with modulated signals (PAPR 5-10 dB) for base-station power amplifiers. One of the famous architectures used to achieve this is Doherty architecture. The architecture has recently been extended to the Load Modulated Balanced Amplifier (LMBA) concept, where a separate integrated amplifier generates the control signal for load modulation. Almost all published studies are concerned with discrete "PCB-based" solutions for LMBA. In a recent study [1], the potential of designing an integrated LMBA in 0.18 μm CMOS has been evaluated. The main limitation concerning losses and area comes from the quadrature couplers, consisting of either two or four inductors. Using active inductors in the coupler design may be possible to obtain a more cost-effective solution. However, several aspects must be taken into consideration. One is that the power consumption of the active inductor should not exceed the power loss of the passive inductor. Another one is the ability to handle high power signals (high voltage swing), corresponding to 10-15 dBm at the input of the amplifier. The main objective of this thesis is to implement a hybrid coupler using an active inductor based on the theory of gyrators. The circuits were implemented using TSMC 0.18 μm process. The coupler and the active inductor are designed to operate at 2 GHz centre frequency. The active inductor implemented is considerably linear up to 12 dBm. The coupler has an input reflection coefficient (S11) of -26 dB, the transmission coefficient (S21) of -4.4 dB, and a coupling coefficient (S31) of -2.4 dB. The coupler shows good coupling and isolation characteristics. The phase difference between the through-port and the coupled-port of the coupler is 92°. As a result, when used as a power divider at the input of the power amplifiers, a PAE (Power Added Efficiency) of 63% and output power of 23 dBm is obtained at an input power of 12 dBm

Intramuscular cavernous hemangioma: A rare entity in the buccinator muscle

Intramuscular hemangiomas are rare benign neoplasms accounting for <1% of all hemangiomas and <20% are found in head and neck area. The muscle most frequently involved is the masseter muscle and very few cases have been reported for the occurrence of these hemangiomas in the buccinator muscle. Here, we are presenting a case report of intramuscular hemangioma occurring in the buccinator muscle in a 22-year-old girl

Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts on Candida albicans: An in vitro study

Background and Objectives: Plants as sources of medicinal compounds have continued to play a predominant role in the maintenance of human health since ancient times. Even though several effective antifungal agents are available for oral candida infections, the failure is not uncommon because isolates of Candida albicans may exhibits resistance to the drug during therapy. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of few plant extracts on Candida albicans. An additional objective was to identify an alternative, inexpensive, simple, and effective method of preventing and controlling Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: Fine texture powder or paste form of leaves was soaked in sterile distilled water and 100% ethyl alcohol, which were kept in refrigerator at 4°C for 24 h. Then filtrates were prepared and kept in a hot air oven to get a black shining crystal powder/paste form. Stock solutions of plant extracts were inoculated on petri plates containing species of Candida albicans and incubated at 25 ± 2°C for 72 h. Results: Alcoholic curry leaves showed the maximum zone of inhibition on Candida albicans followed by aqueous tea leaves. The other plant extracts like alcoholic onion leaves, alcoholic tea leaves, alcoholic onion bulb, alcoholic aloe vera, and alcoholic mint leaves also inhibited the growth of Candida albicans but lesser extent. Conclusion: The present study renders few medicinal plants as an alternative medicines to the field of dentistry which can be used adjunct to conventional therapy of oral candidasis

Activity of phenolic compounds from plant origin against Candida species

Candida albicans and other Candida species have been highly associated with several opportunistic fungal infections. Their ability to develop host infections is incited by different determinants, being virulence factors the most highlighted. Molecular targets of the antifungal drugs are crucial components for determination of yeast survival. Ergosterol, nucleic acids and glucan are the most studied molecular targets to destroy Candida species, being considered the basis of the development of new antifungal drugs. However, increasing levels of resistant Candida species to the current antifungal drugs have been observed, making ineffective those agents. Thus, other therapies more effective and safer than the current ones, are being studied, namely the use plant of extracts enriched in phenolic compounds. In this sense, this manuscript provide an historical perspective of the opportunistic fungal infections, molecular targets of the current anti-Candida drugs, as well as a general description of the active principles present in plants, focused on the antifungal potential of whole plant extracts and isolated phenolic compounds, against Candida species.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) grant (SFRH/BD/87658/2012), “Programa Compromisso com Ciência – 2008” and financial support to the Research Centre CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011). This work was also supported by the Programa Operacional, Fatores de competitividade – COMPETE and by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia on the scope of the projects FCT PTDC/SAU-MIC/119069/2010, RECI/EBB-EBI/0179/2012 and PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013. Project “BioHealth – Biotechnology and Bioengineering approaches to improve health quality”, Ref. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000027, co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2-O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER