Ultra-Broadband Directional Couplers Using Microstrip with Dielectric Overlay in Millimeter-Wave Band

Nowadays, millimeter-wave systems are being a key factor to develop wide band applications. In this paper, a directional coupler in millimeter-wave band using dielectric overlay is presented. This leads us to technology aspects, in directional coupler design, are key points to achieve the proper response of the circuit. The coupler proposed in this paper covers the 15-45 GHz band and its response has 15-dB coupling-level, 1-dB coupling-ripple and a reflection coefficient better than 10 dB

Mapping and Functional Role of Phosphorylation Sites in the Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 (TTF-1)

The phosphorylation of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), a homeodomain-containing transcription factor that is required for thyroid-specific expression of the thyroglobulin and thyroperoxidase gene promoters, has been studied. Phosphorylation occurs on a maximum of seven serine residues that are distributed in three tryptic peptides. Mutant derivatives of TTF-1, with alanine residues replacing the serines in the phosphorylation sites, have been constructed and used to assess the functional relevance of TTF-1 phosphorylation. The DNA binding activity of TTF-1 appears to be phosphorylation-independent, as indicated also by the performance of TTF-1 purified from an overexpressing Escherichia coli strain. Transcriptional activation by TTF-1 could require phosphorylation only in specific cell types since in a co-transfection assay in heterologous cells both wild-type and mutant proteins show a similar transcriptional activity

In depth characterisation of hydrocyclones: Ascertaining the effect of geometry and operating conditions on their performance

Hydrocyclones are used for densification of waste streams prior to drying or for classification of solid and liquids in two-phase streams. They are becoming popular in industrial units due to their simplicity, low energy consumption and high versatility. However, the effect of geometry and operating conditions on the cut diameter and solid recovery efficiency have been independently studied, and therefore there are no studies approaching the influence of all the parameters simultaneously. Thus, a detailed experimental study was conducted to ascertain the effect of the hydrocyclone body (diameter and angle) and the vortex finder and spigot size and shape, as well as operating conditions (inlet pressure and solid concentration) on the separation efficiency curve, cut diameter, solid and volume recovery and the main features of the outlet streams. It has been proven that separation efficiency and outlet stream composition are sensitive to both the geometry of the hydrocyclone and the operating parameters. Therefore, knowledge of their influence is essential for the design of industrial units where liquid reutilisation is a major concernThis work has been carried out with the financial support from the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU (Projects US12=11 and US16=26) and the collaboration of Novattia Desarrollos Ltd. Javier Izquierdo thanks the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU for his Ph.D. grant. Xabier Sukunza thanks the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for his Ph.D. grant (FPU18=04935)

Mejoramiento de un suelo blando de subrasante mediante las adiciones de piedra yesera triturada y yeso en un tramo de la carretera Cruce Caracucho – Monte Hermoso – Sequiones, distrito de Mórrope, provincia de Lambayeque, departamento de Lambayeque

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo evaluar el mejoramiento de un suelo blando de subrasante mediante las adiciones de piedra yesera triturada y yeso, el cual se verá reflejado principalmente en la capacidad de soporte estructural (CBR) al que se puede llegar con las adiciones de estos materiales. Para el logro del objetivo principal de la investigación, se obtuvieron muestras de un suelo limo-arcilloso pertenecientes a la “Carretera Cruce Caracucho – Monte Hermoso – Sequiones, distrito de Mórrope, provincia de Lambayeque, departamento de Lambayeque”, las cuales fueron utilizadas para realizar los ensayos necesarios que permitan demostrar los efectos que producen el yeso y la piedra yesera triturada en la resistencia del suelo. Los materiales de adición propuestos se obtuvieron de las canteras de piedra yesera y los molinos de yeso pertenecientes al distrito de Mórrope, durante una visita a campo en la cual se obtuvieron datos e información importante para el proyecto. Mediante la realización de ensayos de laboratorio para las muestras naturales y las muestras con adiciones de distintos porcentajes de yeso y piedra yesera triturada, se obtendrán gráficos estadísticos que permitan realizar comparativas y determinar porcentajes óptimos de adición, los cuales serán posteriormente evaluados mediante Análisis de Viabilidad en el Diseño de Pavimentos y Análisis de Costos de la carretera descrita anteriormente, con el fin de determinar el aporte de estos materiales en el mejoramiento de suelos de subrasante y en la construcción de un proyecto vial

Effect of the Ozonization Degree of Emu Oil over Healing: An Emerging Oxidation Treatment

This chapter deals with the ozonization process of the emu oil, the objective of this study was to quantitatively determine the peroxide value (PV) to measure the degree of ozonation, the peroxide value measures the number of peroxide groups in the ozonized oil. The ozone oxidizes the unsaturated chemical functions present in the oil giving a high cure rate for epidermal wounds. The healing process is not completely understood and there are different approaches, therefore, it was determined qualitatively if it has healing and inflammation properties, but the results of our studies have shown that the length and width of the wounds were healing quickly thanks to the peroxidation rate of the oils. In addition, both tests were correlated to obtain a greater appreciation of their functions, the mechanism involves a decrease in the inflammation of the wounds and stimulates the process of scar formation

PROGRESS REPORT Global Country Policy Review: A humanitarian comparative analysis on drug policies, on the basis of the Rome Consensus 2.0

This report advances our global understanding of drug policy by focusing on two key components: a bibliometric analysis and the creation of preliminary country profiles. We aim to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities within drug policy globally, emphasizing how these aspects can be better aligned with humanitarian principles, Rome Consensus 2.0, and Sustainable Development. Importantly, as the world has recognized the inability of the War on Drugs as a strategy to reduce drug use or drug-related crime, which is to say, to make us more safe and healthier (the two aims of the War on Drugs), this Project provides a new vision for where nations can go next that achieves the desired public safety and public health aspects all peoples want to see in their own communities and countries. Drawing from the preliminary insights, the report advocates for a more holistic and evidence-driven approach to drug policy. This entails broadening support for harm reduction, improving treatment services and the professional workforce, encouraging international collaboration to address the challenges of the transnational illicit drug trade, and reassessing policies that perpetuate stigma. Serving as an overview for the upcoming Global Policy Review (GPR), this report emphasizes the importance of drug policy frameworks that respect human dignity and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, with intentions to expand the review to more UN member states and provide bi-annual updates

Prospective study of the 532 nm laser (KTP) versus diode laser 980 nm in the resection of hyperplastic lesions of the oral cavity

The aim of this study is to evaluate the resection of hyperplastic lesions on the buccal mucosa comparing the 532nm laser (KTP), versus diode 980nm laser, considering pain, scarring, inflammation and drug consumption that occurred postoperatively with each lasers. A prospective study of consecutive series of 20 patients in two groups that presents hyperplastic lesions on the buccal mucosa. The choice of the KTP laser or diode 980nm laser for the surgery was made randomly. The power used was 1.5W in both groups in a continuous wave mode with a 320 ?m optical fiber. Parameters of pain, scarring, inflammation and consumption of drugs were recorded by a Numerical Rating Scale and evaluated postoperatively. These recordings were made the day of the surgery, 24 hours after, 14 and 28 days after. Pain and inflammation was light - moderate. The consumption of paracetamol was somewhat higher in the diode 980nm laser versus the KTP laser after 24 hours, although data was not statistically significant; significant differences were found after 28 days in regards to pain (p = 0.023) and inflammation (p = 0.023), but always in the absence parameter so we find no pain in both lasers. Scarring in the two types of laser showed no differences along the visits, with not detected scar retractable. Although there is a slight histological difference regarding the KTP laser in the oral soft tissues for clinical use, both wavelengths are very suitable for excision of oral fibroma

Single Cord Blood Combined with HLA-Mismatched Third Party Donor Cells: Comparable Results to Matched Unrelated Donor Transplantation in High-Risk Patients with Hematologic Disorders

AbstractMatched unrelated donor (MUD) transplantation is the first alternative in the absence of a matched sibling donor. For patients without a suitable adult donor, we have adopted the dual stem cell transplantation protocol consisting of cord blood (CB) in combination with CD34+ cells from a third party HLA-mismatched donor. We analyzed the outcomes of patients undergoing both procedures in a single center. Starting in 2004, a total of 20 patients with high-risk disease underwent 22 dual transplants and 25 patients underwent myeloablative MUD transplantation. The 30-day cumulative incidence of neutrophil engraftment was similar in both groups (91% and 95%), with a median time to engraftment of 14 and 16 days, respectively. Grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease was more frequent in the MUD group (40% versus 5%). Except for a tendency toward a higher incidence of viral hemorrhagic cystitis in the dual transplantation group, posttransplantation infectious events were comparable in the 2 groups. The 3-year cumulative incidence rates of relapse (41% versus 44%) and nonrelapse mortality (30% versus 25%) were similar in the MUD and dual transplantation cohorts. Estimated 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 47% and 41%, respectively, with no survival advantage for either group. In our experience, dual transplantation offers survival rates comparable to those from myeloablative MUD transplantation with similar nonrelapse mortality rates

Correction: Muñoz-Fernández et al. A new ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis and exercise treatment in patellar tendinopathy: three case reports. Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark. 2021; 26: 1166–1175

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