Design of a Single-Feed Dual-Band Dual-Polarized Printed Microstrip Antenna Using a Boolean Particle Swarm Optimization

A novel dual-frequency dual-linear-polarization printed antenna element benefiting from a single-feed single-layer structure is introduced in this paper. The Boolean particle swarm optimization algorithm in conjunction with the method of moments (MoM) is employed to optimize the geometry of the antenna after considering three objectives: cross polarization, return loss, and boresight direction in both bands. A fuzzy-logic based ordered weighted averaging operator allows us to efficiently implement the multi-objective optimization technique. Prototypes of the optimized designs have been fabricated and tested. The measured results show excellent performance with more than 15 dB of return loss and 10 dB of cross polarization in both frequency bands of operation, i.e., 12 and 14 GHz. A gain of 4.8 dBi has been measured for both frequency bands

DNA Interaction Studies of a New Platinum(II) Complex Containing Different Aromatic Dinitrogen Ligands

A new mononuclear Pt(II) complex, [Pt(DMP)(DIP)]Cl2.H2O, in which DMP is 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bipyridine and DIP is 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenantroline, has been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The binding interaction of this complex with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated using fluorimetry, spectrophotometry, circular dichroism, viscosimetry and cyclic voltametry (CV). UV-VIS spectrum showed 4 nm bathochromic shift of the absorption band at 280 nm along with significant hypochromicity for the absorption band of the complex. The intrnisic binding constant (Kb = 2 × 104 M−1) is more in keeping with intercalators and suggests this binding mode. The viscosity measurements showed that the complex-DNA interaction can be hydrophobic and confirm intercalation. Moreover, the complex induced detectable changes in the CD spectrum of CT-DNA. The fluorescence studies revealed that the probable quenching mechanism of fluorescence of the complex by CT-DNA is static quenching. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH > 0 and ΔS > 0) showed that main interaction with hydrogenic forces occurred that is intercalation mode. Also, CV results confirm this mode because, with increasing the CT-DNA concentration, shift to higher potential was observed

Identification of Binding Mode of a Platinum (II) Complex, PtCl2(DIP), and Calf Thymus DNA

The Pt(II) complex, PtCl2(DIP) (DIP = chelating dinitrogen ligand: 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis (CHN) and 1H NMR and UV-vis techniques. The binding of this complex to calf thymus DNA was investigated using various physicochemical methods such as spectrophotometric, circular dichroism, spectrofluorometric, melting temperature, and viscosimetric techniques. Upon addition of the complex, important changes were observed in the characteristic UV-Vis bands (hyperchromism) of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA): increase in melting temperature, sharp increase in specific viscosity of DNA, and induced CD spectral changes. Also the fluorescence spectral characteristics and interaction of Pt complex with DNA have been studied. Pt bound to DNA showed a marked decrease in the fluorescence intensity. The results show that both the complex and the NR molecules can intercalate competitively into the DNA double-helix structure. The experimental results show that the mode of binding of the this complex to DNA is classical intercalation

Modeling of bend discontinuity in plasmonic and spoof plasmonic waveguides

The paper proposes a method to characterize the bend discontinuity for plasmonic and spoof plasmonic waveguides in terms of scattering parameters. By means of this method, the waveguide is modelled by a two-port network and its scattering parameters are extracted. The parameters for the L-shaped sharp curved bends at different frequencies and under different bending angles are determined

Improving Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Elementary School Students: A Systematic Review of Interventions

Introduction:Less than 15% of the 4 to 8-year old children consume the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables (FV). Early years of life play an important role in establishing healthy eating habits. School is an appropriate setting for healthy eating habits interventions. The purpose of this systematic review is evaluation of school-based interventions to improve FV consumption in elementary school students. Methods:In this systematic review, we performed a search in several databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Science Direct and Google Scholar. Studies published between January 2005 and December 2012 were included. In examining the studies, we focused on design, strategies and outcomes of the interventions. Results:Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions in these three classifications (gardening and education, educational programs and providing FV) have positive effects on children’s FV intake. Multi-component education is more effective than other cases in children willingness for FV consumption. Gardening strategies: participating in hands-on gardening experiences, engaging in gardening challenges and preparing a party by student’s garden products. Educational strategies: nutrition education classes, electronic learning by using the popular cartoon characters and child actors as symbolic role models and strategies to improve family awareness like series of newsletters for parents and homework tasks for parents and children. Providing strategies: providing fee-based or free FV at school. Conclusion:Long-term multi-component (gardening,education and providing FV) interventions with the application of behavioral change theories and models are effective to reach the expected results

Loss of Renal Function After Retrograde Ureteral Placement of an Allium Stent for Severe Ureteral Stricture

Background: Ureteral strictures are a recurrent chronic condition that leads to severe side effects and poor quality of life. Management of ureteral stricture is a great challenge for urologists and no specific guidelines exist. Retrograde Allium®ureteral stent (AUS) is a newly developed ureteral stent to treat either bulbar urethral or ureteral stenosis. Case Presentation: We describe a case of a 74-year-old Caucasian adult male presenting with a severe ureteral stricture secondary to an ureteroscopy for stone disease. Treatment with retrograde AUS placement produced a complete loss of renal function after 36 months, probably because of the development of a long achalasic stretch of the ureter. Conclusions: AUS is a new and promising device for the treatment of ureteral stenosis. However, a lack of standardization of the technique recommends a close instrumental follow-up after the procedure to decide the optimal time for stent removal

Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from industrial wastewater treatment plants

The outcome of Kyoto protocol and other National and International agreements influence the design and operation of wastewater treatment facilities by restricting their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are recognized as one of the larger minor sources of GHG emissions that produce CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O during the treatment processes. The overall on-site and off-site greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by WWTPs of food processing industry were estimated by using an elaborate mathematical model. Three different types of treatment systems were examined in this study which included aerobic, anaerobic, and hybrid anaerobic/aerobic processes. The overall on-site emissions were 1952, 1992, and 2435 kg CO 2 e/d while the off-site emissions were 1313, 4631, and 5205 kg CO 2 e/d for the aerobic, anaerobic and hybrid treatment systems respectively. The on-site biological processes made the highest contribution to GHG emissions in the aerobic treatment system while the highest emissions in anaerobic and hybrid treatment systems were obtained by off-site GHG emissions due to on-site material usage. Biogas recovery and reuse as fuel were shown to cover the total energy needs of the treatment plants for aeration, heating and electricity for all three types of operations, and considerably reduced GHG emissions by 512, 673, and 988 kg CO 2 e/d from a total of 3265, 6623, and 7640 kg CO 2 e/d for aerobic, anaerobic, and hybrid treatment systems, respectively. In the end, recommendations were given on feasible approaches to reduce GHG emissions from WWTPs