Two-Element MIMO Crack Finger Microstrip Antenna for Hand-Held Devices

in this paper, we studied the effect of mutual coupling between MIMO antennas and a method is proposed to reduce it between 2-element micro-strip MIMO antenna systems for handheld devices. To reduce mutual coupling between the MIMO antenna element a separate ground plane is designed and the two elements are positioned on the edges of the 2-element MIMO antenna system. A novel idea defined in order to reduce mutual coupling between the closely spaced micro-strip patch elements is adding finger shapes at the edge of each patch antenna to design a new crack finger micro-strip the fingers generate capacitance in between which improved the matching between the patch and the Micro-strip transmission line as well as the mutual coupling reduced from -25 dB to -40 dB. The simulation results showed that the 2-element MIMO system covered the frequency of 2.4 GHz, and the gain and directivity are 6.149 dB and 4.399All the simulations were carried out in CST Microwave Studio

The abundance of endofungal bacterium Rhizobium radiobacter (syn. Agrobacterium tumefaciens) increases in its fungal host Piriformospora indica during the tripartite sebacinalean symbiosis with higher plants

Rhizobium radiobacter (syn. Agrobacterium tumefaciens, syn. "Agrobacterium fabrum") is an endofungal bacterium of the fungal mutualist Piriformospora (syn. Serendipita) indica (Basidiomycota), which together form a tripartite Sebacinalean symbiosis with a broad range of plants. R. radiobacter strain F4 (RrF4), isolated from P. indica DSM 11827, induces growth promotion and systemic resistance in cereal crops, including barley and wheat, suggesting that R. radiobacter contributes to a successful symbiosis. Here, we studied the impact of endobacteria on the morphology and the beneficial activity of P. indica during interactions with plants. Low numbers of endobacteria were detected in the axenically grown P. indica (long term lab-cultured, lcPiri) whereas mycelia colonizing the plant root contained increased numbers of bacteria. Higher numbers of endobacteria were also found in axenic cultures of P. indica that was freshly re-isolated (riPiri) from plant roots, though numbers dropped during repeated axenic re-cultivation. Prolonged treatments of P. indica cultures with various antibiotics could not completely eliminate the bacterium, though the number of detectable endobacteria decreased significantly, resulting in partial-cured P. indica (pcPiri). pcPiri showed reduced growth in axenic cultures and poor sporulation. Consistent with this, pcPiri also showed reduced plant growth promotion and reduced systemic resistance against powdery mildew infection as compared with riPiri and lcPiri. These results are consistent with the assumption that the endobacterium R. radiobacter improves P. indica's fitness and thus contributes to the success of the tripartite Sebacinalean symbiosis

The <em>N</em>-acyl homoserine-lactone depleted <em>Rhizobium radiobacter</em> mutant RrF4NM13 shows reduced growth-promoting and resistance-inducing activities in mono- and dicotyledonous plants.

The AlphaproteobacteriumRhizobium radiobacter(syn.Agrobacterium tumefaciens, "A. fa brum") can live in close association with the sebacinoid fungusSerendipita(syn.Piriformospora)indicathat forms a mutualistic Sebacinalean symbiosis with a wide range of host plants. The endobacterial strainR. radiobacterF4 (RrF4), which was originally isolated from the fungus, has plant growth promotion and resistance-inducing activities resembling the beneficial activities known from the endobacteria-containingS. indica. The mechanism by which free endobacterial cells influence growth and disease resistance of colonized host plants is not fully understood. Here, we show thatRrF4 produces a spectrum of quorum sensing-mediatingN-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) with acyl chains of C8, C10, and C12 as well as hydroxyl- or oxo-substitutions at the C3 position. In addition, and in line with previous findings showing that AHLs increase plant biomass and induce systemic resistance, the AHL-depleted lactonase-overexpressing transconjugantRrF4NM13 was partially compromised in promoting growth and inducing resistance against bacterial pathogens in bothArabidopsis thalianaand wheat (Triticum aestivum). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy proved thatRrF4NM13, in contrast toRrF4, does not form cellulose-like fiber scaffolds for efficient root surface attachment. Moreover,RrF4NM13 does not penetrate into the intercellular space of the cortical tissue, which in contrast is strongly colonized byRrF4. We discuss the possibility that AHLs contribute to the outcome of the Sebacinalean symbiosis

Non-pathogenic <em>Rhizobium radiobacter</em> F4 deploys plant beneficial activity independent of its host <em>Piriformospora indica</em>.

The Alphaproteobacterium Rhizobium radiobacter F4 (RrF4) was originally characterized as an endofungal bacterium in the beneficial endophytic Sebacinalean fungus Piriformospora indica. Although attempts to cure P. indica from RrF4 repeatedly failed, the bacterium can easily be grown in pure culture. Here, we report on RrF4&rsquo;s genome and the beneficial impact the free-living bacterium has on plants. In contrast to other endofungal bacteria, the genome size of RrF4 is not reduced. Instead, it shows a high degree of similarity to the plant pathogenic R. radiobacter (formerly: Agrobacterium tumefaciens) C58, except vibrant differences in both the tumor-inducing (pTi) and the accessor (pAt) plasmids, which can explain the loss of RrF4&rsquo;s pathogenicity. Similar to its fungal host, RrF4 colonizes plant roots without host preference and forms aggregates of attached cells and dense biofilms at the root surface of maturation zones. RrF4-colonized plants show increased biomass and enhanced resistance against bacterial leaf pathogens. Mutational analysis showed that, similar to P. indica, resistance mediated by RrF4 was dependent on the plant&rsquo;s jasmonate-based induced systemic resistance (ISR) pathway. Consistent with this, RrF4- and P. indica-induced pattern of defense gene expression were similar. In clear contrast to P. indica, but similar to plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, RrF4 colonized not only the root outer cortex but also spread beyond the endodermis into the stele. On the basis of our findings, RrF4 is an efficient plant growth-promoting bacterium

Molecular detection of Epstein-Barr virus among Sudanese patients diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Abstract Objectives Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The exact mechanism initiating the development of HT is not yet clear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between HT and the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in a Sudanese population. Results EBV-LMP1 was detected in 11.1% of HT cases, which is consistent with previous studies. Studies have reported a wide range of frequencies indicating the presence of EBV in HT, and patients with autoimmune thyroiditis have increased titers of anti-EBV antibodies in their sera compared to healthy subjects. Intrathyroidal EBV-infected B cells may be responsible for the increased risk of development of B-cell lymphoma in the thyroid gland in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Our study suggests that regular follow-up is necessary for patients diagnosed with HT and are positive for EBV, as antiviral therapy is not applicable due to the risk of thyroid dysfunction. The study suggests an association between EBV and HT, but causation cannot be determined. The study also highlights the need for further research to determine the viral role and correlate it with the severity and progression of HT