Microstrip dual mode multi-bandpass filters based on tree fractal slotted resonator for wireless communication

Dual mode microstrip multi-bandpass filter is proposed with tree fractal slot on a square patch resonator. The tree fractal slotted resonators are generated from conventional square patch using an iterative tree fractal generator method. A single square patch is used for realizing both dual and tri-bandpass filters exploiting the dominant, higher order and its corresponding degenerate resonant modes by the tree fractal iteration on the diagonal unequal slots on the square patch.The resonant peaks, transmission zeros and bandwidth of the pass bands can be tuned by varying the length and width of the fractal slot. By optimizing various parameters dual mode dual and tri-band pass filters are simulated, fabricated and measured. The proposed filter finds application in wireless communication devices and falls in the bands of GSM, WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiMax and WiFi

Ultra-wideband bandpass filter with notch band based on quadratic Koch Island structure

An ultra-wideband bandpass filter with a notch band centered at 7.2 GHz is proposed to remove the interference caused by satellite communication signal coexciting within the ultra wide band. The filter comprises of two seperated quadratic koch island structures connected to the main transmission line to generate the notch band at the desired frequency. The designed ultra wide bandpass filter passes frequencies from 3.09 GHz to 10.61 GHz with a notch band from 7.12 to 7.46 GHz centered at 7.2 GHz and with a rejection level of 21.3 dB.The resonant frequency and bandwidth of the notch can be varied by the variation in the physical parameter of the filter. The proposed filter is fabricated, tested and compared with simulated results

Microstrip multi-stopband filter based on tree fractal slotted resonator

This paper presents the design and development of a new microstrip multi-stopband filter based on tree fractal slotted resonator. A single square patch with tree fractal slots of different iterations are employed for realizing dual stopband and tri-stopband filters. The tree fractal slotted resonators are generated from conventional square patch using an iterative tree fractal generator method. First, second and third level iterations of the tree fractal slot resonator are used to design dual and tri-stopband filters respectively. The first level iteration introduced for the tree fractal slot realizes dual bands at 2.64 GHz and 3.61 GHz while the second level iteration provides better stopband rejection and insertion loss at 2.57 GHz and 3.56 GHz. The tri-stopband filter generates three resonance frequencies at 1.53 GHz, 2.53 GHz and 3.54 GHz at third level iteration. By varying the slot length and width of the tree fractal slot, the resonant frequencies can be adjusted and stopbands of the proposed filter can be tuned for the desired unwanted frequency to be rejected. The proposed narrowband filters finds application in removing the interference of GPS and Wi-Max narrowband signals from the allotted bands of other wireless communication system

A STUDY ON EFFECT OF INDOLE AS A SUBSTITUENT ON A KETO-ENOL TAUTOMER: A SYNTHETIC APPROACH ON β-DIKETONE

Objective: The existence of keto-enol tautomerism in β-diketones can typically study by a choice of analytical technique. The position of the keto-enol equilibrium depends on a number of factors like solvent, temperature, and substituents. Here an attempt was made to examine the effect of indole, a heterocyclic moiety with the moderately high polar surface area to examine its effect on ketonisation of β-diketone.Methods: The β-diketone studied and synthesized is a structural analog of magical drug curcumin. The structural influence of indole on ketonisation of β-diketone is studied to give a hypothesis on factors contributing towards ketonisation. This work involves the synthesis of 6-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-hex-5ene-2, 4-dione and the study on the single crystal structure of indole-3-carboxaldehyde, major functional component to result in the reaction. The tautomer was studied for its ability to bind with tetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme using Discovery Studio 3.5 version to differentiate the pharmacological significance of conformations.Results: The single crystal XRD structure of this compound was deposited in Cambridge crystallographic data center bearing CCDC No.1536311. The structural characterization of synthesized ligand was carried out by using IR, Mass, 1H NMR spectroscopic techniques. The docking study reveals that keto isomer found to exhibit more inhibition of the enzyme tetrahydrofolate reductase hence more pharmacologically active.Conclusion: The experimental evidence proves that indole substitution shifted the keto-enol equilibrium towards keto form of 6-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-hex-5ene-2, 4-dione

Histo-MRI map study protocol: a prospective cohort study mapping MRI to histology for biomarker validation and prediction of prostate cancer

Magnetic resonance imaging; Pathology; Prostate diseaseImatges per ressonància magnètica; Patologia; Malaltia de la pròstataImágenes por resonancia magnética; Patología; Enfermedad de la próstataIntroduction Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) is now widely used to risk stratify men with a suspicion of prostate cancer and identify suspicious regions for biopsy. However, the technique has modest specificity and a high false-positive rate, especially in men with mpMRI scored as indeterminate (3/5) or likely (4/5) to have clinically significant cancer (csPCa) (Gleason ≥3+4). Advanced MRI techniques have emerged which seek to improve this characterisation and could predict biopsy results non-invasively. Before these techniques are translated clinically, robust histological and clinical validation is required. Methods and analysis This study aims to clinically validate two advanced MRI techniques in a prospectively recruited cohort of men suspected of prostate cancer. Histological analysis of men undergoing biopsy or prostatectomy will be used for biological validation of biomarkers derived from Vascular and Extracellular Restricted Diffusion for Cytometry in Tumours and Luminal Water imaging. In particular, prostatectomy specimens will be processed using three-dimension printed patient-specific moulds to allow for accurate MRI and histology mapping. The index tests will be compared with the histological reference standard to derive false positive rate and true positive rate for men with mpMRI scores which are indeterminate (3/5) or likely (4/5) to have clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Histopathological validation from both biopsy and prostatectomy samples will provide the best ground truth in validating promising MRI techniques which could predict biopsy results and help avoid unnecessary biopsies in men suspected of prostate cancer. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was granted by the London—Queen Square Research Ethics Committee (19/LO/1803) on 23 January 2020. Results from the study will be presented at conferences and submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publication. Results will also be available on ClinicalTrials.gov.This work is supported by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), grant reference (EP/R006032/1) and EP/M020533/1

Environmental Migration: Social Work at the Nexus of Climate Change and Global Migration

Environmental migrants are caught at the nexus of the climate crisis and the global migrant crisis. The problems of the migrant crisis are recognized globally as they are linked to the complex issues being addressed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The complexity of the issues makes it difficult to grasp the breadth and depth of this crisis. As a result, it can be understood as one of the “wicked problems” requiring us to respond through a lens that recognizes the interconnections of humans and the broader ecosystems within the physical surroundings. When approaching the migrant crisis from this perspective, professionals are challenged to create transdisciplinary, community-based response systems which are holistic, multi-pronged, and inclusive of migrants’ voices and strengths. Storytelling provides a venue for highlighting migrants' voices, engaging in change, and creating the space for individual and collective healing. Social workers are increasingly being called upon to become trained in this practice and to engage in complex change systems alongside other disciplines and community members. As they provide prevention, mitigation, resettlement, and relief efforts, social workers become a part of a global community of leaders engaged in transformative change. By working to address these challenges, they are securing a better world not only for environmental migrants, but also for our planet as a whole

Decision-making process in the selection of home hemodialysis treatment by adult patients with end-stage renal disease in the United Kingdom: a systematic literature review

Introduction: In the UK, the number of people diagnosed with renal disease is on the increase. As a result, there will be more people in need of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Despite the mounting evidence showing that home hemodialysis (HHD) treatment is clinical and cost-effective as well as amendable to suit patients' lifestyle, the number of patients choosing this dialysis modality is low. The aim of this study is to explore factors influencing decision-making process in the selection of HHD treatment for adult patients with end-stage renal disease in the UK. Methods: A systematic literature review methodology was utilized to review, critique, and synthesize the literature on the low uptake of HHD among adult patients. Systematic searches involving the databases Google Scholar, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were carried out for articles published from 2008 to 2021. A search was conducted from June 1 through December 23, 2020. Eight articles met the study inclusion criteria. We followed preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses in designing the research and reporting. Results: This systematic review revealed that patient information needs, dialysis education, training and support, and patient decision-making preference were the major factors influencing decision-making of adult patients. Conclusion: Deciding over which dialysis modality to choose can be challenging for many adult patients. Dialysis education, training, and support should not stop at the predialysis stage but should continue during treatment

Histo-MRI map study protocol: a prospective cohort study mapping MRI to histology for biomarker validation and prediction of prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION: Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) is now widely used to risk stratify men with a suspicion of prostate cancer and identify suspicious regions for biopsy. However, the technique has modest specificity and a high false-positive rate, especially in men with mpMRI scored as indeterminate (3/5) or likely (4/5) to have clinically significant cancer (csPCa) (Gleason ≥3+4). Advanced MRI techniques have emerged which seek to improve this characterisation and could predict biopsy results non-invasively. Before these techniques are translated clinically, robust histological and clinical validation is required. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study aims to clinically validate two advanced MRI techniques in a prospectively recruited cohort of men suspected of prostate cancer. Histological analysis of men undergoing biopsy or prostatectomy will be used for biological validation of biomarkers derived from Vascular and Extracellular Restricted Diffusion for Cytometry in Tumours and Luminal Water imaging. In particular, prostatectomy specimens will be processed using three-dimension printed patient-specific moulds to allow for accurate MRI and histology mapping. The index tests will be compared with the histological reference standard to derive false positive rate and true positive rate for men with mpMRI scores which are indeterminate (3/5) or likely (4/5) to have clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Histopathological validation from both biopsy and prostatectomy samples will provide the best ground truth in validating promising MRI techniques which could predict biopsy results and help avoid unnecessary biopsies in men suspected of prostate cancer. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was granted by the London-Queen Square Research Ethics Committee (19/LO/1803) on 23 January 2020. Results from the study will be presented at conferences and submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publication. Results will also be available on ClinicalTrials.gov. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04792138

Quantification of Prostate Cancer Metabolism Using 3D Multiecho bSSFP and Hyperpolarized [1-13 C] Pyruvate: Metabolism Differs Between Tumors of the Same Gleason Grade

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) multiecho balanced steady-state free precession (ME-bSSFP) has previously been demonstrated in preclinical hyperpolarized (HP) 13 C-MRI in vivo experiments, and it may be suitable for clinical metabolic imaging of prostate cancer (PCa). PURPOSE: To validate a signal simulation framework for the use of sequence parameter optimization. To demonstrate the feasibility of ME-bSSFP for HP 13 C-MRI in patients. To evaluate the metabolism in PCa measured by ME-bSSFP. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective single-center cohort study. PHANTOMS/POPULATION: Phantoms containing aqueous solutions of [1-13 C] lactate (2.3 M) and [13 C] urea (8 M). Eight patients (mean age 67 ± 6 years) with biopsy-confirmed Gleason 3 + 4 (n = 7) and 4 + 3 (n = 1) PCa. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCES: 1 H MRI at 3 T with T2 -weighted turbo spin-echo sequence used for spatial localization and spoiled dual gradient-echo sequence used for B0 -field measurement. ME-bSSFP sequence for 13 C MR spectroscopic imaging with retrospective multipoint IDEAL metabolite separation. ASSESSMENT: The primary endpoint was the analysis of pyruvate-to-lactate conversion in PCa and healthy prostate regions of interest (ROIs) using model-free area under the curve (AUC) ratios and a one-directional kinetic model (kP ). The secondary objectives were to investigate the correlation between simulated and experimental ME-bSSFP metabolite signals for HP 13 C-MRI parameter optimization. STATISTICAL TESTS: Pearson correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals and paired t-tests. The level of statistical significance was set at P  0.96). Therefore, the simulation framework was used for sequence optimization. Whole prostate metabolic HP 13 C-MRI, observing the conversion of pyruvate into lactate, with a temporal resolution of 6 seconds was demonstrated using ME-bSSFP. Both assessed metrics resulted in significant differences between PCa (mean ± SD) (AUC = 0.33 ± 012, kP  = 0.038 ± 0.014) and healthy (AUC = 0.15 ± 0.10, kP  = 0.011 ± 0.007) ROIs. DATA CONCLUSION: Metabolic HP 13 C-MRI in the prostate using ME-bSSFP allows for differentiation between aggressive PCa and healthy tissue. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1