Miniaturized CSRR TAG Antennas for 60GHz Applications

In this paper, a novel approach to design an antenna for a transponder inradio frequency identification (RFID) is proposed. This approach is based onusing a slot-ring antenna with a coplanar waveguide excitation integratedantennas in silicon technology. The RFID frequency chosen is the worldwideavailable free 60-GHz band .The structure is simulated by using ComputerSimulation Technology (CST). The antenna size is 1.5 × 1.3 mm2. Thisproposed antenna presents a gain about 3.82 dB which means a possibility toincrease the readable range.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v4i1.472

Effect of VEGF receptor inhibitor PTK787/ZK222548 combined with ionizing radiation on endothelial cells and tumour growth

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor is a major target for anti-angiogenesis-based cancer treatment. Here we report the treatment effect of ionizing radiation in combination with the novel orally bioavailable VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor PTK787/ZK222584 on endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and with tumour xenografts in vivo. Combined treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with increasing doses of PTK787/ZK222584 and ionizing radiation abrogated VEGF-dependent proliferation in a dose-dependent way, but inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation was not due to apoptosis induction. In vivo, a combined treatment regimen of PTK787/ZK222584 (4 × 100 mg/kg) during 4 consecutive days in combination with ionizing radiation (4 × 3 Gy) exerted a substantial tumour growth delay for radiation-resistant p53-disfunctional tumour xenografts derived from SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cells while each treatment modality alone had only a minimal effect on tumour size and neovascularization. SW480 tumours from animals that received a combined treatment regimen, displayed not only an extended tumour growth delay but also a significant decrease in the number of microvessels in the tumour xenograft. These results support the model of a cooperative antitumoural effect of angiogenesis inhibitor and irradiation and show that the orally bioavailable VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor PTK787/ZK222584 is suitable for combination therapy with irradiation. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

First detection of acceleration and deceleration in protostellar Jets? Time variability in the Chamaeleontis II outflows

Context. Kinematical and time variability studies of protostellar jets are fundamental for understanding the dynamics and the physics of these objects. Such studies remain very sporadic, since they require long baselines before they can be accomplished. Alms. We present for the first time a multi-epoch (20 years baseline) kinematical investigation of HH 52, 53, and 54 at optical and near-IR wavelengths, along with medium (optical) and high resolution (NIR) spectroscopic analyses, probing the kinematical and physical time variability conditions of the gas along the flows. Methods. By means of multi-epoch and multi-wavelength narrow-band images, we derived proper motions (PMs), tangential velocities, velocity and flux variability of the knots. Radial velocities and physical parameters of the gas were derived from spectroscopy. Finally, spatial velocities and inclination of the flows were obtained by combining both imaging and spectroscopy. Results. The PM analysis reveals three distinct, partially overlapping outflows. Spatial velocities of the knots vary from 50 km s -1 to 120 km s-1. The inclinations of the three flows are 58 ± 3°, 84 ± 2°, and 67 ± 3° (HH 52, HH 53, and HH 54 flows, respectively). In 20 years, about 60% of the observed knots show some degree of flux variability. Our set of observations apparently indicates acceleration and deceleration in a variety of knots along the jets. For about 20% of the knots, mostly coincident with working surfaces or interacting knots along the flows, a relevant variability in both flux and velocity is observed. We argue that both variabilities are related and that all or part of the kinetic energy lost by the interacting knots is successively radiated. The physical parameters derived from the diagnostics are quite homogeneous along and among the three outflows. The analysis indicates the presence of very light (NH � 103 cm-3), ionised (Te,. � 0.2-0.6), and hot (Te � 14000-26000 K) flows, impacting a denser medium. Several knots are deflected, especially in the HH 52 flow. At least for a couple of them (HH 54 G and GO), the deflection originates from the collision of the two. For the more massive parts of the flow, the deflection is likely the result of the flow collision with a dense cloud or with clumps. Finally, we discuss the possible driving sources of the flows. ©ESO 2009

Effect of Social Support and Marital Status on Perceived Surgical Effectiveness and 30-Day Hospital Readmission

Study Design: Retrospective cohort review. Objective: To determine whether higher levels of social support are associated with improved surgical outcomes after elective spine surgery. Methods: The medical records of 430 patients (married, n = 313; divorced/separated/widowed, n = 71; single, n = 46) undergoing elective spine surgery at a major academic medical center were reviewed. Patients were categorized by their marital status at the time of surgery. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative complication rates were collected. All patients had prospectively collected outcomes measures and a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Patient reported outcomes instruments (Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-36, and visual analog scale-back pain/leg pain) were completed before surgery, then at 1 year after surgery. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in all cohorts. There was no statistically significant difference in the length of hospital stay across all 3 cohorts, although single patients had longer duration of in-hospital stays that trended toward significance (single 6.24 days vs married 4.53 days vs divorced/separated/widowed 4.55 days, P = .05). Thirty-day readmission rates were similar across all cohorts (married 7.03% vs divorced/separated/widowed 7.04% vs single 6.52%, P = .99). Additionally, there were no significant differences in baseline and 1-year patient reported outcomes measures between all groups. Conclusions: Increased social support did not appear to be associated with superior short and long-term clinical outcomes after spine surgery; however, it was associated with a shorter duration of in-hospital stay with no increase in 30-day readmission rates

Immediate Postoperative Pain Scores Predict Neck Pain Profile up to 1 Year Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Study Design: Retrospective cohort review. Objective: To assess whether immediate postoperative neck pain scores accurately predict 12-month visual analog scale-neck pain (VAS-NP) outcomes following Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion surgery (ACDF). Methods: This was a retrospective study of 82 patients undergoing elective ACDF surgery at a major academic medical center. Patient reported outcomes measures VAS-NP scores were recorded on the first postoperative day, then at 6-weeks, 3, 6, and 12-months after surgery. Multivariate correlation and logistic regression methods were utilized to determine whether immediate postoperative VAS-NP score accurately predicted 1-year patient reported VAS-NP Scores. Results: Overall, 46.3% male, 25.6% were smokers, and the mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 53.7 years and 28.28 kg/m2, respectively. There were significant correlations between immediate postoperative pain scores and neck pain scores at 6 weeks VAS-NP (P = .0015), 6 months VAS-NP (P = .0333), and 12 months VAS-NP (P = .0247) after surgery. Furthermore, immediate postoperative pain score is an independent predictor of 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year VAS-NP scores. Conclusion: Our study suggests that immediate postoperative patient reported neck pain scores accurately predicts and correlates with 12-month VAS-NP scores after an ACDF procedure. Patients with high neck pain scores after surgery are more likely to report persistent neck pain 12 months after index surgery

Wild bird surveillance around outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus in the Netherlands, 2014, within the context of global flyways

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) viruses that emerged in poultry in east Asia since 2010 spread to Europe and North America by late 2014. Despite detections in migrating birds, the role of free-living wild birds in the global dispersal of H5N8 virus is unclear. Here, wild bird sampling activities in response to the H5N8 virus outbreaks in poultry in the Netherlands are summarised along with a review on ring recoveries. HPAI H5N8 virus was detected exclusively in two samples from ducks of the Eurasian wigeon species, among 4,018 birds sampled within a three months period from mid-November 2014. The H5N8 viruses isolated from wild birds in the Netherlands were genetically closely related to and had the same gene constellation as H5N8 viruses detected elsewhere in Europe, in Asia and in North America, suggesting a common origin. Ring recoveries of migratory duck species from which H5N8 viruses have been isolated overall provide evidence for indirect migratory connections between East Asia and Western Europe and between East Asia and North America. This study is useful for better understanding the role of wild birds in the global epidemiology of H5N8 viruses. The need for sampling large numbers of wild birds for the detection of H5N8 virus and H5N8-virus-specific antibodies in a variety of species globally is highlighted, with specific emphasis in north-eastern Europe, Russia and northern China

Discordant detection of avian influenza virus subtypes in time and space between poultry and wild birds; towards improvement of surveillance programs

Avian influenza viruses from wild birds can cause outbreaks in poultry, and occasionally infect humans upon exposure to infected poultry. Identification and characterization of viral reservoirs and transmission routes is important to develop strategies that prevent infection of poultry, and subsequently virus transmission between poultry holdings and to humans. Based on spatial, temporal and phylogenetic analyses of data generated as part of intense and large-scale influenza surveillance programs in wild birds and poultry in the Netherlands from 2006 to 2011, we demonstrate that LPAIV subtype distribution differed between wild birds and poultry, suggestive of host-range restrictions. LPAIV isolated from Dutch poultry were genetically most closely related to LPAIV isolated from wild birds in the Netherlands or occasionally elsewhere in Western Europe. However, a relatively long time interval was observed between the isolations of related viruses from wild birds and poultry. Spatial analyses provided evidence for mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) being more abundant near primary infected poultry farms. Detailed year-round investigation of virus prevalence and wild bird species distribution and behavior near poultry farms should be used to improve risk assessment in relation to avian influenza virus introduction and retarget avian influenza surveillance programs

A compensatory mutagenesis study of a conserved hairpin in the M gene segment of influenza A virus shows its role in virus replication

RNA structures are increasingly recognized to be of importance during influenza A virus replication. Here, we investigated a predicted conserved hairpin in the M gene segment (nt 967-994) within the region of the vRNA 5′ packaging signal. The existence of this RNA structure and its possible role in virus replication was investigated using a compensatory mutagenesis approach. Mutations were introduced in the hairpin stem, based on natural variation. Virus replication properties were studied for the mutant viruses with disrupted and restored RNA structures. Viruses with structure-disrupting mutations had lower virus titers and a significantly reduced median plaque size when compared with the wild-type (WT) virus, while viruses with structure restoring-mutations replicated comparable to WT. Moreover, virus replication was also reduced when mutations were introduced in the hairpin loop, suggesting its involvement in RNA interactions. Northern blot and FACS experiments were performed to study differences in RNA levels as well as production of M1 and M2 proteins, expressed via alternative splicing. Stem-disruptive mutants caused lower vRNA and M2 mRNA levels and reduced M2 protein production at early time-points. When the RNA structure was restored, vRNA, M2 mRNA and M2 protein levels were increased, demonstrating a compensatory effect. Thus, this study provides evidence for functional importance of the predicted M RNA structure and suggests its role in splicing regulation

Central retinal vein occlusion 36-month outcomes with anti-vascular endothelial growth factors: the Fight Retinal Blindness! registry

PURPOSE To analyze the 3-year outcomes in a broad population of patients starting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in routine clinical practice. DESIGN Observational database study PARTICIPANTS: 527 treatment-naïve CRVO eyes that commenced VEGF inhibitors between December 1, 2010-2018 tracked in the Fight Retinal Blindness! registry. METHODS Longitudinal models were used to plot changes in visual acuity (VA) and central subfield thickness (CST). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mean change in VA from baseline to 36 months, injections, visits, completion, switching and suspensions of therapy >180 days at final review. RESULTS Overall (527 eyes) mean VA change (95% CI) was +10 (7, 12) letters, 37% had final VA ≥70 and 30% ≤35 letters, mean CST changed -306μm. Completers (257/527, 49%) had mean 36-month changes in VA and CST of +12 letters and -324μm with a median of 18 injections at 26 visits. The adjusted mean VA change was similar with each VEGF inhibitor (mean, +11.4 letters) despite a greater reduction in CST with aflibercept (-310μm) vs. ranibizumab (-258μm) vs. bevacizumab (-216μm; P 73 letters, 42/527, 8%) lost 7 letters. Switching (160/527, 30%) was most often to aflibercept (79 eyes). Using suspensions and discontinuation reasons we identified similar proportions had ceased therapy (154/527, 29%) as were still receiving it at 36 months (165/527, 31%). Only 62/527 eyes (12%) had resolution of macular edema without treatment for over 6 months. CONCLUSIONS Patients with CRVO that commenced VEGF inhibitors in routine care for whom follow-up was available had VA improvements of around 12 letters at three years, but with more than 50% lost to follow the VA outcome for the entire group is likely worse. The choice of VEGF inhibitor influenced CST but not VA outcomes. We estimate that around half of eyes were still receiving injections after 36 months