The Role of Probe Attenuation in the Time-Domain Reflectometry Characterization of Dielectrics

The influence of the measurement setup on the estimation of dielectric permittivity spectra from time-domain reflectometry (TDR) responses is investigated. The analysis is based on a simplified model of the TDR measurement setup, where an ideal voltage step is applied to an ideal transmission line that models the probe. The main result of this analysis is that the propagation in the probe has an inherent band limiting effect, and the estimation of the high-frequency permittivity parameters is well conditioned only if the wave attenuation for a round trip propagation in the dielectric sample is small. This is a general result, holding for most permittivity model and estimation scheme. It has been verified on real estimation problems by estimating the permittivity of liquid dielectrics and soil samples via an high-order model of the TDR setup and a parametric inversion approac

Augmented Models of High-Frequency Transformers for SMPS

The modeling of high-frequency transformers via augmented equivalent circuits is addressed. The augmented models are composed of a low-frequency equivalent and a supplemental element modeled via real rational fitting. They offer both high accuracy levels and a physical meaning that helps the interpretation of simulation results. Parasitics effects between the windings and between the windings and the carrying board can be also included. The use of an augmented model for the simulation of a dc-dc converter is demonstrate

Single-Piece State-Space Behavioral Models for IC Output Buffers

In this paper enhancements of parametric behavioral models for the output buffers of digital ICs are explored. A model based on a single-piece structure, which offers improved accuracy in describing state transition events for arbitrary load conditions, is proposed. This model exploits the potentiality of local-linear state-space parametric relations. These relations can be effectively estimated from input-output port responses only, and provide better stability properties and improved efficienc

Estimation of the Permittivity of Dielectrics from the Scattering Responses of TEM Waveguides

This paper addresses the de-embedding of the propagation function of waveguides from the scattering responses of setups composed of TEM waguides terminated by launchers that introduce generic discontinuities. The de-embedding is aimed at estimating the permittivity of dielectric samples from the scattering responses of waveguides including the samples. The de-embedding is based on the double-delay method (Rautio,1991), that is applied to setups involving different launchers. A modified version of the method is also proposed to facilitate the measurement proces

Complex Permittivity Determination from Measured Scattering Parameters of TEM Waveguides

This paper addresses the deembedding of the propagation function of waveguides from the scattering responses of setups composed of TEM waveguides terminated by launchers that introduce generic discontinuities. The de-embedding is aimed at estimating the permittivity of dielectric samples from the scattering responses of waveguides including the samples. The de-embedding is based on the double-delay method, that is applied to setups involving different launchers

Inhalation therapy in the next decade : Determinants of adherence to treatment in asthma and COPD

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Selective fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors as potential novel antiepileptic agents

Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common form of epilepsy, and current antiepileptic drugs are ineffective in many patients. The endocannabinoid system has been associated with an on-demand protective response to seizures. Blocking endocannabinoid catabolism would elicit antiepileptic effects, devoid of psychotropic effects. We herein report the discovery of selective anandamide catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors with promising antiepileptic efficacy, starting from a further investigation of our prototypical inhibitor 2a. When tested in two rodent models of epilepsy, 2a reduced the severity of the pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus and the elongation of the hippocampal maximal dentate activation. Notably, 2a did not affect hippocampal dentate gyrus long-term synaptic plasticity. These data prompted our further endeavor aiming at discovering new antiepileptic agents, developing a new set of FAAH inhibitors (3a–m). Biological studies highlighted 3h and 3m as the best performing analogues to be further investigated. In cell-based studies, using a neuroblastoma cell line, 3h and 3m could reduce the oxinflammation state by decreasing DNA-binding activity of NF-kB p65, devoid of cytotoxic effect. Unwanted cardiac effects were excluded for 3h (Langendorff perfused rat heart). Finally, the new analogue 3h reduced the severity of the pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus as observed for 2a

Prescription appropriateness of anti-diabetes drugs in elderly patients hospitalized in a clinical setting: evidence from the REPOSI Register

Diabetes is an increasing global health burden with the highest prevalence (24.0%) observed in elderly people. Older diabetic adults have a greater risk of hospitalization and several geriatric syndromes than older nondiabetic adults. For these conditions, special care is required in prescribing therapies including anti- diabetes drugs. Aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness and the adherence to safety recommendations in the prescriptions of glucose-lowering drugs in hospitalized elderly patients with diabetes. Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from the REgistro POliterapie-Società Italiana Medicina Interna (REPOSI) that collected clinical information on patients aged ≥ 65 years acutely admitted to Italian internal medicine and geriatric non-intensive care units (ICU) from 2010 up to 2019. Prescription appropriateness was assessed according to the 2019 AGS Beers Criteria and anti-diabetes drug data sheets.Among 5349 patients, 1624 (30.3%) had diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. At admission, 37.7% of diabetic patients received treatment with metformin, 37.3% insulin therapy, 16.4% sulfonylureas, and 11.4% glinides. Surprisingly, only 3.1% of diabetic patients were treated with new classes of anti- diabetes drugs. According to prescription criteria, at admission 15.4% of patients treated with metformin and 2.6% with sulfonylureas received inappropriately these treatments. At discharge, the inappropriateness of metformin therapy decreased (10.2%, P < 0.0001). According to Beers criteria, the inappropriate prescriptions of sulfonylureas raised to 29% both at admission and at discharge. This study shows a poor adherence to current guidelines on diabetes management in hospitalized elderly people with a high prevalence of inappropriate use of sulfonylureas according to the Beers criteria