Optimum Functions for Radial Wires of Monopole Antennas with Arbitrary Elevation Angles

Monopole antennas on the earth usually use ground screen with simple radial wires to improve their radiation performance. The number of radials,N, is usually considered a constant in the screen. This paper studies the effect of changing N and considering it as a function of distance, ρ, from the monopole using a simple and yet a fast method. The function N(ρ) is optimized for different beam angles of an HF monopoleantenna. The theoretical functions are converted to practical functions to be formed using meandered lines. Practicable calculated results are validated bymethod of moments. Furthermore it is shown that for low angle radiation aconstant N(ρ) with optimized radius of the ground screen is the best choice. The results can be used for higher frequencies, i.e. VHF and UHF frequency bands as well

A Virtual Conversational Agent for Teens with Autism: Experimental Results and Design Lessons

We present the design of an online social skills development interface for teenagers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The interface is intended to enable private conversation practice anywhere, anytime using a web-browser. Users converse informally with a virtual agent, receiving feedback on nonverbal cues in real-time, and summary feedback. The prototype was developed in consultation with an expert UX designer, two psychologists, and a pediatrician. Using the data from 47 individuals, feedback and dialogue generation were automated using a hidden Markov model and a schema-driven dialogue manager capable of handling multi-topic conversations. We conducted a study with nine high-functioning ASD teenagers. Through a thematic analysis of post-experiment interviews, identified several key design considerations, notably: 1) Users should be fully briefed at the outset about the purpose and limitations of the system, to avoid unrealistic expectations. 2) An interface should incorporate positive acknowledgment of behavior change. 3) Realistic appearance of a virtual agent and responsiveness are important in engaging users. 4) Conversation personalization, for instance in prompting laconic users for more input and reciprocal questions, would help the teenagers engage for longer terms and increase the system's utility

Evaluation of the Effects of a Plasma Activated Medium on Cancer Cells

The interaction of low temperature plasma with liquids is a relevant topic of study to the field of plasma medicine. This is because cells and tissues are normally surrounded or covered by biological fluids. Therefore, the chemistry induced by the plasma in the aqueous state becomes crucial and usually dictates the biological outcomes. This process became even more important after the discovery that plasma activated media can be useful in killing various cancer cell lines. Here, we report on the measurements of concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, a species known to have strong biological effects, produced by application of plasma to a minimum essential culture medium. The activated medium is then used to treat SCaBER cancer cells. Results indicate that the plasma activated medium can kill the cancer cells in a dose dependent manner, retain its killing effect for several hours, and is as effective as apoptosis inducing drugs

MIMO free-space optical communication employing subcarrier intensity modulation in atmospheric turbulence channels

In this paper, we analyse the error performance of transmitter/receiver array free-space optical (FSO) communication system employing binary phase shift keying (BPSK) subcarrier intensity modulation (SIM) in clear but turbulent atmospheric channel. Subcarrier modulation is employed to eliminate the need for adaptive threshold detector. Direct detection is employed at the receiver and each subcarrier is subsequently demodulated coherently. The effect of irradiance fading is mitigated with an array of lasers and photodetectors. The received signals are linearly combined using the optimal maximum ratio combining (MRC), the equal gain combining (EGC) and the selection combining (SelC). The bit error rate (BER) equations are derived considering additive white Gaussian noise and log normal intensity fluctuations. This work is part of the EU COST actions and EU projects

The spatial and compositional evolution of the Jurassic Ghorveh-Dehgolan plutons of the Zagros Orogen, Iran: SHRIMP zircon U-Pb and Sr and Nd isotope evidence

The Ghorveh-Dehgolan plutons of the northern Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, Zagros Orogen, comprise seven composite intrusive bodies that were generated during northeastward subduction of Neotethys beneath the Iranian sector of the Eurasian plate. Zircon U-Pb SHRIMP dating reveals that the magmatic activity spanned from ~160 to ~140Ma. It started with intrusion of arc-related calc-alkaline mafic to intermediate rocks closely followed by felsic I-type granitoids. This magmatism was post-dated by felsic alkaline A-type granites. In addition to compositional changes over time, the plutons forming the arc young towards the southwest: the north Ghorveh batholith (161±4Ma) and Shanevareh (160±2Ma); Qalaylan (159±3Ma); then central Ghorveh, Galali and Saranjianeh (151±0.2Ma to 148±1Ma); and, lastly, the south Ghorveh batholith (147±3Ma) and Bolbanabad-Havarpan (144±1Ma). Whatever the process driving the changes, be it arc- or ridge-collision with the subducting system, slab roll-back, slab breakoff, subduction initiation transference, etc., the progression from I-type to A-type magmatism appears to mark a significant change from a collisional to an extensional setting in the region in the Late Jurassic. Geochemical and isotopic characteristics of the Ghorveh-Dehgolan plutons indicate that Arabian-Nubian-like crust was an important component of the magmatic sources

Design and Analysis of Energy Absorbent Bioinspired Lattice Structures

The increasing demand for energy absorbent structures, paired with the need for more efficient use of materials in a wide range of engineering fields, has led to an extensive range of designs in the porous forms of sandwiches, honeycomb, and foams. To achieve an even better performance, an ingenious solution is to learn how biological structures adjust their configurations to absorb energy without catastrophic failure. In this study, we have attempted to blend the shape freedom, offered by additive manufacturing techniques, with the biomimetic approach, to propose new lattice structures for energy absorbent applications. To this aim we have combined multiple bio-inspirational sources for the design of optimized configurations under compressive loads. Periodic lattice structures are fabricated based on the designed unit cell geometries and studied using experimental and computational strategies. The individual effect of each bio-inspired feature has been evaluated on the energy absorbance performance of the designed structure. Based on the design parameters of the lattices, a tuning between the strength and energy absorption could be obtained, paving the way for transition within a wide range of real-life applicative scenarios

Circulating tumour cell clusters: Insights into tumour dissemination and metastasis.

INTRODUCTION:Metastasis results in more than 90% of cancer related deaths globally. The process is thought to be facilitated by metastatic precursor cells, commonly termed circulating tumour cells (CTCs). CTCs can exist as single cells or cell clusters and travel through the lymphovasculature to distant organs where they can form overt metastasis. Areas covered: Studies have highlighted that CTC clusters, which may be homotypic or heterotypic in composition, have a higher metastatic potential compared to single CTCs. The characterisation of CTC clusters is becoming important as heterotypic clusters can provide a mechanism for immune evasion. This review summarises the latest advances in CTC cluster mediated metastasis and clinical significance. Expert Opinion: Comprehensive characterisation of CTC clusters is needed to understand the cell types and interactions within clusters, in order to identify ways in which to reduce CTC cluster mediated metastasis. The role of CTC clusters in prognosticating disease progression needs to be determined by documenting CTC clusters from the time of diagnosis over the course of therapy

Vegetative compatibility, host range and pathogenicity of Verticillium dahliae isolates in Iran

Verticillium wilt is an economically important disease which inflicts serious losses in potato, cotton, alfalfa, some vegetable crops and fruit trees and occasionally ornamentals. V. dahliae, infected cultivated species and weeds were collected from several areas in Iran during twelve years from 1993-2005 and studied for their vegetative compatibility, host range and pathogenicity. The pathogen was isolated from 27 species belonging to 24 genera and 15 families of plants but was most frequently isolated from Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Oleaceae and Rosaceae hosts. The morphology of V. dahliae isolates on Czapecks agar and water agar media were different especially for micosclerotial appearance time (4-19 days), pigmented zone of colony (37.8-48.33 mm) and microsclerotial morphology (abundant, irregular and elongated shaped or more spherical and scattered). The ratio index of length/width of conidia ranged between 2.32 and 2.70 micrometer with an average of 2.43 + 0.11. Temperature influenced the radial growth ratio of the isolates and the growth response of V. dahliae isolates to temperature in vitro was quadratic. All isolates were categorized in three groups based on pathogenicity tests on differential test plants (cotton cv. Sahel and aubergine cv. local). A total of 548 V. dahliae isolates from different locations and hosts were assigned to vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) using nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants. A higher frequency of nit1/nit3 mutants (93%) were obtained compared to nitM (7%). Approximately 51.1% of the isolates were assigned to VCG4B, 25.9% to VCG2A and 23% to VCG1. The results demonstrated that V. dahliae isolates assigned to VCGs were closely associated with specific pathogenicity within the group/diverse