Reconfigurable multi-slot antenna for bio-medical applications

© 2016 European Association of Antennas and Propagation. We present a polarization- reconfigurable multislot antenna with four switchable linear polarizations (as 0°, ± 45° and 90°) for implant communications. The design is based on four bow-tie shaped slots acting as radiators etched on a circular metallization plane with 45° rotated sequential arrangements. RF switches based on PIN diodes are connected across each slot in order to modify the radiators polarization. We apply a differential source to feed the slot antenna through a ground-tapered Balun. In order to obtain a broadside radiation pattern, a reflector is placed at the quarter-wave distance below the radiator. Measured results are showing that the realized multi-slot antenna can generate four switchable linear polarization states with wide bandwidth and stable gain. This polarization diversity feature makes the proposed antenna highly attractive for implant and body-centric wireless communication systems for minimizing the multi-path distortion and polarization mismatching in the wireless channels

Nucleation and crystallization process of silicon using Stillinger-Weber potential

We study the homogeneous nucleation process in Stillinger-Weber silicon in the NVT ensemble. A clear first-order transition from the liquid to crystal phase is observed thermodynamically with kinetic and structural evidence of the transformation. At 0.75 T_m, the critical cluster size is about 175 atoms. The lifetime distribution of clusters as a function of the maximum size their reach follows an inverse gaussian distribution as was predicted recently from the classical theory of nucleation (CNT). However, while there is a qualitative agreement with the CNT, the free energy curve obtained from the simulations differs significantly from the theoretical predictions, suggesting that the low-density liquid phase found recently could play a role in the nucleation process.Comment: 21 page

Towards the drivers of value creation in the biogas industry:enablers and inhibiters in the Netherlands

The Dutch biogas industry is developing slowly and in many instances still unviable. Insights in the drivers of value creation may help to create viable biogas business networks. This research explores these related drivers and accordingly, proposes a new and comprehensive definition of a driver of value creation. This definition focuses on the enabling and inhibiting factors of value creation in a business network and forms the backbone of three case studies. The results suggest the presence of four specific drivers as necessary for a viable biogas business network: stability and certainty, partner alignment, local opportunities and economies of scale

High exposures to bioactivated cyclophosphamide are related to the occurrence of veno-occlusive disease of the liver following high-dose chemotherapy

We investigated whether the occurrence of veno-occlusive disease of the liver (VOD) may be associated with individual variations in the pharmacokinetics of high-dose cyclophosphamide. Patients received single or multiple courses of cyclophosphamide (1000 or 1500 mg m−2 day−1), thiotepa (80 or 120 mg m−2 day−1) and carboplatin (265–400 mg m−2 day−1) (CTC) for 4 consecutive days. The area under the plasma concentration–time curves (AUCs) were calculated for cyclophosphamide and its activated metabolites 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide and phosphoramide mustard based on multiple blood samples. Possible relationships between the AUCs and the occurrence of VOD were studied. A total of 59 patients (115 courses) were included. Four patients experienced VOD after a second CTC course. The first-course AUC of 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (P=0.003) but not of phosphoramide mustard (P=0.101) appeared to be predictive of the occurrence of VOD after multiple courses. High exposures to bioactivated cyclophosphamide may lead to increased organ toxicity

Two-stage model-based design of cancer phase I dose escalation trials: evaluation using the phase I program of barasertib (AZD1152)

Introduction Modeling and simulation of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics has previously been shown to be potentially useful in designing Phase I programs of novel anti-cancer agents that show hematological toxicity. In this analysis, a two-stage model-based trial design was evaluated retrospectively using data from the Phase I program with the aurora kinase inhibitor barasertib. Methods Data from two Phase I trials and four regimens were used (n = 79). Using barasertib-hydroxy QPA plasma concentrations and neutrophil count data from only study 1A, a PKPD model was developed and subsequently used to predict the MTD and a safe starting dose for the other trials. Results The PKPD model based on data from the first study adequately described the time course of neutrophil count fluctuation. The two-stage model-based design provided safe starting doses for subsequent phase I trials for barasertib. Predicted safe starting dose levels were higher than those used in two subsequent trials, but lower than used in the other trial. Discussion The two-stage approach could have been applied safely to define starting doses for alternative dosing strategies with barasertib. The limited improvement in efficiency for the phase I program of barasertib may have been due to the fact that starting doses for the studied phase I trials were already nearly optimal. Conclusion Application of the two-stage model-based trial design in Phase I programs with novel anti-cancer drugs that cause haematological toxicity is feasible, safe, and may lead to a reduction in the number of patient treated at sub-therapeutic dose-levels

Максим Рильський у світлі теорії та практики перекладу

У запропонованій статті проаналізовано актуальні проблеми теорії і практики перекладу у світлі завдань сучасного перекладознавства, зокрема, об’єктом аналізу є переклади М. Т. Рильським визначних творів зі світової літературної скарбниці.В данной статье анализируются актуальные проблемы теории и практики перевода в соответствии с задачами современного переводоведения, в частности, объектом анализа выступают переводы М. Т. Рыльским выдающихся произведений мировой литературы.In the offered article the issues of the day of theory and practice of translation are analysed in the light of tasks of modern translation theory in particular as an object of analysis translations of Maksym Rylski come forward prominent works from a world literary treasury

Two-stage model-based clinical trial design to optimize phase I development of novel anticancer agents

Background The phase I program of anticancer agents usually consists of multiple dose escalation studies to select a safe dose for various administration schedules. We hypothesized that pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) modeling of an initial phase I study (stage 1) can be used for selection of an optimal starting dose for subsequent studies (stage 2) and that a post-hoc PK–PD analysis enhances the selection of a recommended dose for phase II evaluation. The aim of this analysis was to demonstrate that this two-stage model-based design, which does not interfere in the conduct of trials, is safe, efficient and effective. Methods PK and PD data of dose escalation studies were simulated for nine compounds and for five administration regimens (stage 1) for drugs with neutropenia as dose-limiting toxicity. PK–PD models were developed for each simulated study and were used to determine a starting dose for additional phase I studies (stage 2). The model-based design was compared to a conventional study design regarding safety (number of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs)), efficiency (number of patients treated with a dose below the recommended dose) and effectiveness (precision of dose selection). Retrospective data of the investigational anticancer drug indisulam were used to show the applicability of the model-based design. Results The model-based design was as safe as the conventional design (median number of DLTs = 3) and resulted in a reduction of the number of patients who were treated with a dose below the recommended dose (−27%, power 89%). A post-hoc model-based determination of the recommended dose for future phase II studies was more precise than the conventional selection of the recommended dose (root mean squared error 8.3% versus 30%). Conclusions A two-stage model-based phase I design is safe for anticancer agents with dose-limiting myelosuppression and may enhance the efficiency of dose escalation studies by reducing the number of patients treated with a dose below the recommended dose and by increasing the precision of dose selection for phase II evaluation