Finite-width feed and load models

We demonstrate a new method of applying the feed model for the method of moments (MoM) formulation for the electric field integral equation (EFIE). The model is based around a previously reported magnetic ribbon current model which is accurate and allows for a finite width of the feed port. However, with proper approximations, one can reduce the formulation such that the magnetic field operator can be removed in order to simplify computations arising from the curl of the dyadic Green's function and its singularities. We show here that the new feed model can also be used to model a lumped element. © 1963-2012 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Finite-width gap excitation and impedance models

In this paper, we present a new method for the feed model for the method of moments (MoM). It is derived from a more accurate model with the realistic size of the excitation, in order to replace the commonly-used delta-gap excitation model. This new model is formulated around the electric field integration equations (EFIE) where the terms for magnetic current and magnetic field can be removed. Hence it is much simpler to implement and reduces the numerical complexity. In addition, a variational formulation is derived to provide second order accuracy of the input admittance calculation. Moreover, this new formulation can be easily extended such that one can insert passive load elements of finite size onto the distributive network, without complicated modification of the MoM analysis. This allows simulation of many realistic networks which include load elements such as resistors, capacitors and inductors. © 2011 IEEE.published_or_final_versionThe 2011 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation (APSURSI), Spokane, WA., 3-8 July 2011. In IEEE APSURSI Digest, 2011, p. 1297-130

Segregação de recursos por diferentes espécies de morcegos (Mammalia: Chiroptera) na Reserva Biológica de Sooretama

Em ecologia, uma das ideias mais importantes é o princípio da exclusão competitiva, ou Lei de Gause, que afirma que duas espécies competindo pelos mesmos recursos não podem coexistir de modo estável se todos os outros fatores ecológicos forem constantes. Um dos competidores vai sobrepor-se ao outro, levando a um deslocamento evolutivo, morfológico ou comportamental, a um nicho ecológico diferente, ou mesmo à extinção. O horário de atividade diferenciado pode ser um importante fator para evitar competição por espécies proximamente relacionas, sendo assim motivo de interesse nos estudos de exclusão competitiva. O ciclo lunar é importante fator modulador de mamíferos noturnos, podendo também exercer influência na partilha de recursos, onde espécies relacionadas podem responder de diferentes maneiras à iluminação lunar. Analisar as diferenças no horário de atividade de espécies próximas de morcegos trará respostas sobre como uma comunidade partilha a disponibilidade de alimento sobre o critério de tempo. O objetivo foi testar a hipótese de que espécies próximas de morcegos usam o horário de atividade como fator de segregação de recursos. O estudo se deu na Reserva Biológica de Sooretama, importante fragmento de Mata Atlântica ombrófila densa localizada numa região plana no norte do estado do Espírito Santo. A hipótese foi descartada para os grupos de morcegos frugívoros, em análises intra e intergenéricas. Porém, para grupos de insetívoros e nectarívoros, a hipótese de segregação de recursos pelo variável tempo foi sustentada por todos os testes e análises, levando a crer que seja um fator importante nesses grupos

Generalized modal expansion of electromagnetic field in 2-D bounded and unbounded media

A generalized modal expansion theory is presented to investigate and illustrate the physics of wave-matter interaction within arbitrary two-dimensional (2-D) bounded and unbounded electromagnetic problems. We start with the bounded case where the field excited by any sources is expanded with a complete set of biorthogonal eigenmodes. In regard to non-Hermitian or nonreciprocal problems, an auxiliary system is constructed to seek for the modal-expansion solution. We arrive at the unbounded case when the boundary tends to infinity or is replaced by the perfectly matched layer (PML). Modes are approximately categorized into two types: trapped modes and radiation modes, which respond differently to environment variations. When coupled with the source, these modes contribute to the modal-expansion solution with different weights, which leads to a reduced modal representation of the excited field in some geometries. © 2002-2011 IEEE.published_or_final_versio

Compact Nonlinear Yagi-Uda Nanoantennas

Nanoantennas have demonstrated unprecedented capabilities for manipulating the intensity and direction of light emission over a broad frequency range. The directional beam steering offered by nanoantennas has important applications in areas including microscopy, spectroscopy, quantum computing, and on-chip optical communication. Although both the physical principles and experimental realizations of directional linear nanoantennas has become increasingly mature, angular control of nonlinear radiation using nanoantennas has not been explored yet. Here we propose a novel concept of nonlinear Yagi-Uda nanoantenna to direct second harmonic radiation from a metallic nanosphere. By carefully tuning the spacing and dimensions of two lossless dielectric elements, which function respectively as a compact director and reflector, the second harmonic radiation is deflected 90 degrees with reference to the incident light (pump) direction. This abnormal light-bending phenomenon is due to the constructive and destructive interference between the second harmonic radiation governed by a special selection rule and the induced electric dipolar and magnetic quadrupolar radiation from the two dielectric antenna elements. Simultaneous spectral and spatial isolation of scattered second harmonic waves from incident fundamental waves pave a new way towards nonlinear signal detection and sensing.published_or_final_versio

Patterns of antihypertensive prescribing, discontinuation and switching among a Hong Kong Chinese population from over one million prescriptions

Hypertension is an alarming public health problem among Chinese. The present study evaluated the prescribing patterns, discontinuation and switching profiles of antihypertensive agents and their associated factors in one Hong Kong Chinese population. Data were retrieved from computerized records for patients prescribed anti-hypertensive agents in government primary care clinics of Hong Kong from January, 2004 to June, 2007. A total of 1,069,836 antihypertensive drug visits, representing 67,028 patients, were analyzed. The most commonly prescribed drugs were Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) (49%), b-Blockers (BBs) (46%) and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs) (19%). Thiazide diuretic prescribing was low (13%) and on the decline (14% in 2004 to 12% in 2007). Prescribing of ACEIs was rising (16% in 2004 to 23% in 2007). Patients’ age, gender, and socio-economic status were independent predictors of class of anti-hypertensive prescribed but explained less than 3.5% of the variation observed. Drug discontinuation was highest for BBs (21%) and lowest for CCBs (12%). The high rates of discontinuation in BBs remained apparent after controlling for confounding variables. Switching was less common than discontinuation and was most likely with thiazide diuretics. To summarize, prescribing of CCBs and BBs were high and that of thiazide diuretics particularly low in this Chinese population when compared with international trends. CCBs may be a particularly favorable antihypertensive treatment in Chinese, given the high discontinuation rates of BBs and international guidelines advising against the use of BBs as first-line therapy. The low use of thiazide diuretics warrants further clinical and cost effectiveness studies among Chinese

QTL analysis of production traits on SSC3 in a Large White×Meishan pig resource family

In order to locate the genetic regions that are responsible for economically important traits, a resource population was established by crossing Large White boars and Meishan sows. Phenotypic data of a total of 287 F2 offspring were collected from 1998 to 2000 and QTL analysis conducted using nine microsatellites on Sus scrofa chromosome 3 (SSC3). Least square regression interval mapping revealed two significant QTL effects on dressing percentage and moisture in m. longissimus dorsi, respectively. They were located at 136 cM and 22 cM in the genetic linkage map, near the marker Sw349 and Swr1637, respectively. QTL for dressing percentage had an additive effect of -1.035 ± 0.296% and a dominance effect of 1.056 ± 0.481%, and the explained phenotypic variance was 15.9%. The additive and dominance effects of QTL for moisture in m. longissimus dorsi were -0.025 ± 0.076% and 0.365 ± 0.101%, respectively, indicating that this QTL seemed to be significantly dominant in action. The present study confirms previously identified QTL and provides an important step in the search for the actual major genes involved in the traits of economic interest. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 36(2) 2006: 122-12

Human Gyrovirus Apoptin shows a similar subcellular distribution pattern and apoptosis induction as the chicken anaemia virus derived VP3/Apoptin

The chicken anaemia virus-derived protein Apoptin/VP3 (CAV-Apoptin) has the important ability to induce tumour-selective apoptosis in a variety of human cancer cells. Recently the first human Gyrovirus (HGyV) was isolated from a human skin swab. It shows significant structural and organisational resemblance to CAV and encodes a homologue of CAV-Apoptin/VP3. Using overlapping primers we constructed a synthetic human Gyrovirus Apoptin (HGyV-Apoptin) fused to green fluorescent protein in order to compare its apoptotic function in various human cancer cell lines to CAV-Apoptin. HGyV-Apoptin displayed a similar subcellular expression pattern as observed for CAV-Apoptin, marked by translocation to the nucleus of cancer cells, although it is predominantly located in the cytosol of normal human cells. Furthermore, expression of either HGyV-Apoptin or CAV-Apoptin in several cancer cell lines triggered apoptosis at comparable levels. These findings indicate a potential anti-cancer role for HGyV-Apoptin

Controlled release from zein matrices: Interplay of drug hydrophobicity and pH

Purpose: In earlier studies, the corn protein zein is found to be suitable as a sustained release agent, yet the range of drugs for which zein has been studied remains small. Here, zein is used as a sole excipient for drugs differing in hydrophobicity and isoelectric point: indomethacin, paracetamol and ranitidine. Methods: Caplets were prepared by hot-melt extrusion (HME) and injection moulding (IM). Each of the three model drugs were tested on two drug loadings in various dissolution media. The physical state of the drug, microstructure and hydration behaviour were investigated to build up understanding for the release behaviour from zein based matrix for drug delivery. Results: Drug crystallinity of the caplets increases with drug hydrophobicity. For ranitidine and indomethacin, swelling rates, swelling capacity and release rates were pH dependent as a consequence of the presence of charged groups on the drug molecules. Both hydration rates and release rates could be approached by existing models. Conclusion: Both the drug state as pH dependant electrostatic interactions are hypothesised to influence release kinetics. Both factors can potentially be used factors influencing release kinetics release, thereby broadening the horizon for zein as a tuneable release agent

Simultaneous expression of Oct4 and genes of three germ layers in single cell-derived multipotent adult progenitor cells

Future application of adult stem cells in clinical therapies largely depends on the successful isolation of homogeneous stem cells with high plasticity. Multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) are thought to be a more primitive stem cell population capable of extensive in vitro proliferation with no senescence or loss of differentiation capability. The present study was aimed to find a less complicated and more economical protocol for obtaining single cell-derived MAPCs and understand the molecule mechanism of multi-lineage differentiation of MAPCs. We successfully obtained a comparatively homogeneous population of MAPCs and confirmed that single cell-derived MAPCs were able to transcribe Oct4 and genes of three germ layers simultaneously, and differentiate into multiple lineages. Our observations suggest that single cell-derived MAPCs under appropriate circumstances could maintain not only characteristics of stem cells but multi-lineage differentiation potential through quantitative modulation of corresponding regulating gene expression, rather than switching on expression of specific genes