A slot-loaded reduced-size CPW-fed aperture antenna for UWB applications

The paper presents a co-planar wave guide (CPW)-fed slot loaded low return loss planar printed antenna with a small size designed for wireless communication and UWB applications. First, a conventional UWB antenna is modeled to provide a reference point for the modeling and then the shape is modified by a self inverted configuration to achieve higher bandwidth and size reduction. To improve the gain and efficiency, a combination of corner features and loading slots are introduced. The primary aim throughout the modeling was to achieve the minimum possible value of return loss (S11) below -10 dB over the FCC-defined UWB frequency range. The antenna was designed, simulated and modified using Agilent's Advanced Design System (ADS). It was fabricated on FR4 substrate and measured return loss results are presented

Broad and thematic remodeling of the surfaceome and glycoproteome on isogenic cells transformed with driving proliferative oncogenes.

The cell surface proteome, the surfaceome, is the interface for engaging the extracellular space in normal and cancer cells. Here we apply quantitative proteomics of N-linked glycoproteins to reveal how a collection of some 700 surface proteins is dramatically remodeled in an isogenic breast epithelial cell line stably expressing any of six of the most prominent proliferative oncogenes, including the receptor tyrosine kinases, EGFR and HER2, and downstream signaling partners such as KRAS, BRAF, MEK, and AKT. We find that each oncogene has somewhat different surfaceomes, but the functions of these proteins are harmonized by common biological themes including up-regulation of nutrient transporters, down-regulation of adhesion molecules and tumor suppressing phosphatases, and alteration in immune modulators. Addition of a potent MEK inhibitor that blocks MAPK signaling brings each oncogene-induced surfaceome back to a common state reflecting the strong dependence of the oncogene on the MAPK pathway to propagate signaling. Cell surface protein capture is mediated by covalent tagging of surface glycans, yet current methods do not afford sequencing of intact glycopeptides. Thus, we complement the surfaceome data with whole cell glycoproteomics enabled by a recently developed technique called activated ion electron transfer dissociation (AI-ETD). We found massive oncogene-induced changes to the glycoproteome and differential increases in complex hybrid glycans, especially for KRAS and HER2 oncogenes. Overall, these studies provide a broad systems-level view of how specific driver oncogenes remodel the surfaceome and the glycoproteome in a cell autologous fashion, and suggest possible surface targets, and combinations thereof, for drug and biomarker discovery

Redefining what\u27s manly: Using masculine attributes to describe counseling services for men

Men are diagnosed with mental illness at a similar rate to women, and men deal with similar levels of impairment (Kessler et al., 1994). Despite this impairment, men do not seek help for their mental health as often as women do (Smith et al., 2013). One reason may be that counseling is seen as feminine. In this thesis, I describe an experimental study that examined the effect of using masculine attributes to describe counseling services on men’s attitudes. Adult male participants ages 18 to 35 (N = 818) read a short story that featured a conversation with a friend that described counseling services as courageous, as a path to success, or neutrally and imagined themselves in that situation. Participants then indicated how likely they would be to call the counseling center and their attitudes toward seeking mental health services and completed an adherence to traditional masculinity measure and a gender role conflict measure. I hypothesized that the participants who read the short stories where counseling is described as “courageous” or “leading to success” would have more positive attitudes toward seeking help compared to men who read a short story with a more neutral or traditional view of counseling. I also hypothesized that gender role conflict and traditional masculinity would moderate the effect of the short story on men’s attitudes toward seeking help. Men who read the courageous or success short stories did not report more positive attitudes toward mental health services compared to men who read the neutral short story. Similarly, men who read the courageous or success short story were not more likely to call the counseling center compared to men who read the neutral short story. Strong adherence to traditional masculinity ideology and more gender role conflict were associated with more negative attitudes toward seeking help; however, traditional masculinity ideology and gender role conflict did not moderate the effect of the counseling descriptions on attitudes toward mental health services across conditions.The lack of an effect for the counseling frames could be the result of a very small effect size or not enough changes to the description of counseling.Because the participants self-reported their attitudes after reading a fictional scenario that they may have never been in, it is also possible that participants would respond differently if they were actually in the situation. In conclusion,the use of masculine attributes to describe counseling services did not seem to have an effect on men’s attitudes.There was also no evidence of a negative effect of using masculine attributes, however, suggesting that it may be useful as a low-cost method to try to make some men slightly more comfortable with therapy

Theoretical Analysis of the Impact of an Energy Recovery Expansion Device in a CO2 Refrigeration System

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being widely used as a refrigerant in HVAR&R applications due to its low Global Warming Potential (GWP). There are many aspects of CO2 systems that make it unique to other traditional refrigerants in that it has higher pressure levels and typically operates at transcritical levels. These higher pressure levels make CO2 systems ideal for installing an energy recovery expansion device that consists of a nozzle, micro-turbine and a generator. The expander functions by using a nozzle to convert the pressure of the refrigerant into a high speed jet that is directed into the impeller of the micro-turbine. The turbine impeller then spins a shaft that is coupled with a generator to generator electrical energy. This energy recovery expansion device is to replace the passive thermostatic expansion valve (TXV). Experimental testing of this device with R410A indicates that the device is more suitable for systems of higher pressure levels and with lower density refrigerants. For these reasons, the implementation of this energy recovery device in a CO2 refrigeration system for marine transportation has been investigated. The results of this paper quantifies the potential impact that this device could have in the system in terms of theoretical recoverable power. This recovered power has then been used to understand the impact on other various system parameters like COP, SEER and HSPF. This paper aims to present whether or not pursuing further experimental research on installing this energy recovery device into a CO2 system is of interest.

The Kick-Smart Program: A Randomised Feasibility Trial Evaluating the Feasibility and Efficacy of a Primary-School Based Martial Arts Program Integrating Mathematics, Physical Fitness and Well-Being

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the ‘Kick-Smart’ martial arts programme using a randomised controlled-trial conducted in one Australian primary school. Kick-Smart involved children 9-11yrs (n= 46) randomised into treatment or wait-list control conditions. Kick-Smart consisted of 2x60min curriculum sessions/week for 6-weeks during school hours. Positive feedback was received from students and teachers regarding program enjoyment, perceived benefits and future plans. Significant treatment effects favouring the Kick-Smart group for muscular fitness and mathematics achievement demonstrates preliminary efficacy. Findings indicate Kick-Smart is feasible for delivery in a primary school setting and effective for improving selected fitness and academic outcomes. Further evidence for the effectiveness of Kick-Smart via a larger randomised control trial is recommended

Symptom Burden, Survival and Palliative Care in Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Introduction. The symptom burden and role of palliative care (PC) in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are not well defined. Methods. This study retrospectively reviewed both symptoms and PC involvement in patients known to an STS referral centre who died in one calendar year. Results. 81 patients met inclusion criteria of which 27% had locally advanced disease and 73% metastases at initial referral. The median number of symptoms was slowly progressive ranging from 2 (range 0–5) before first-line chemotherapy (n = 50) to 3 (range 1–6) at the time of best supportive care (BSC) decision (n = 48). Pain and dyspnoea were the commonest symptoms. Median overall survival from BSC decision was 3.4 weeks. 88% had PC involvement (either hospital, community, or both) with median time from first PC referral to death of 16 (range 0–110) weeks. Conclusions. Patients with metastatic STS have a significant symptom burden which justifies early PC referral. Pain, including neuropathic pain, is a significant problem. Dyspnoea is common, progressive and appears to be undertreated. Time from BSC decision to death is short, and prospective studies are required to determine whether this is due to overtreatment or very rapid terminal disease progression

Pollinator Visitation Frequency Associated with Native and Non-native Plants in a Mid-Atlantic Piedmont (USA) Urban Garden

The recent focus on the importance of native plants and their pollinators has highlighted the critical role of local species in their natural environment. As urban encroachment, climate change, and invasive species continues to threaten native habitats, it is increasingly important to promote the use of local green spaces as refugia for native plants and their pollinators. The aim of this project, therefore, was to identify and assess the visitation frequency of insect pollinators associated with an urban setting within the Piedmont region of Virginia, and compare their association with native versus closely-related but non-native summer-flowering plants. Several modes of insect examination were used to assess these metrics in the Brian Wesley Moores Native Plant Garden on the campus of Randolph-Macon College. We observed an overall preference for the native species on a total of four native:non-native pair comparisons, including a higher number of total insect visitors and a more diverse assortment of pollinator types. Our data supports the notion that native plant species should be prioritized in urban green spaces, as it provides the appropriate flora to support ecosystem balance in a setting threatened by human activities

STEM for Everyone: A Mixed Methods Approach to the Conception and Implementation of an Evaluation Process for STEM Education Programs for Students With Disabilities

Some students with autism spectrum disorder and other learning differences may have superior visual acuity, increased attentional focus, and logical thinking abilities, lending to an affinity for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. At the same time, economists report that, the United States will experience a 28.2% increase in STEM-related jobs between 2014 and 2024. Although students with disabilities (SWD) can help to fill those positions, 85% of SWD graduates are either underemployed or unemployed as they enter young adulthood. Thus, there is a need to develop, evaluate, and report outcomes of STEM preparation programs specifically tailored to SWD. This mixed-methods study was designed to develop an evaluation procedure to measure a STEM school’s program for SWD and to analyze the first two years of data to help shape the evaluation process. A comprehensive evaluation model of STEM education for children with learning differences was developed and tested. Implications for practice and future research are discussed

Do well managed firms make better forecasts?

We link a new UK management survey covering 8,000 firms to panel data on productivity in manufacturing and services. There is a large variation in management practices, which are highly correlated with productivity, profitability and size. Uniquely, the survey collects firms' micro forecasts of their own sales and also macro forecasts of GDP. We find that better managed firms make more accurate micro and macro forecasts, even after controlling for their size, age, industry and many other factors. We also show better managed firms appear aware that their forecasts are more accurate, with lower subjective uncertainty around central values. These stylized facts suggest that one reason for the superior performance of better managed firms is that they knowingly make more accurate forecasts, enabling them to make superior operational and strategic choices