Synthesis of a Galile oand Wi-Max Three-Band Fractal-Eroded Patch Antenna

In this letter, the synthesis of a three-band patch antenna working in E5-L1 Galileo and Wi − Max frequency bands is described. The geometry of the antenna is defined by performing a Koch-like erosion in a classical rectangular patch structure according to a Particle Swarm strategy to optimize the values of the electrical parameters within given specifications. In order to assess the effectiveness of the antenna design, some results from the numerical synthesis procedure are described and a comparison between simulations and experimental measurements is reported. (c) 2007 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other users, including reprinting/ republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted components of this work in other works

Topological Yang-Mills cohomology in pure Yang-Mills Theory

Using the first order formalism (BFYM) of the Yang-Mills theory we show that it displays an embedded topological sector corresponding to the field content of the Topological Yang-Mills theory (TYM). This picture arises after a proper redefinition of the fields of BFYM and gives a clear representation of the non perturbative part of the theory in terms of the topological sector. In this setting the calculation of the $vev$ of a YM observable is translated into the calculation of a corresponding (non topological) quantity in TYM. We then compare the topological observables of TYM with a similar set of observables for BFYM and discuss the possibility of describing topological observables in YM theory.Comment: 12 pages, Latex, one reference added, to appear in Phys. Lett.

Innovative Design of a Planar Fractal-Shaped GPS/GSM/Wi-Fi Antenna

In this letter, the design of a microstrip three-band antenna working in GPS, GSM and Wi-Fi frequency bands is described. By considering a planar geometry printed on a dielectric substrate, the tuning of the antenna behavior in three non-harmonic frequency bands is obtained perturbing the patch perimeter according to a Koch-like fractal shape. The synthesis procedure is automatically performed by means of an iterative PSO-based optimization strategy where a fractal boundary generator is integrated with a MoM-based electromagnetic simulator. The feasibility of the approach as well as the reliability of the synthesized antenna is assessed through simulations as well as experimental results. The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.co

Application of response surface methodology and central composite rotatable design (CCDR) for modelling the influence of agro-industrial waste in lactic acid biosynthesis

Lactic acid (LA) is one of the most important organic acids, with a wide range of industrial and biotechnological applications and can be produced by chemical synthesis and microbial culture. However, the biotech pathway is generally preferred because it provides an optically pure product. In this context, the purpose of this work was to evaluate LA biosynthesis by Lactobacillus amylovorus using molasses as carbon source (CS) and corn steep liquor as nitrogen source (NS) in a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) varying the concentration CS and NS, as well as to validate the model. The method for microbial culture followed an experimental design of the CCRD type, conducted without agitation, at 37ºC in Erlenmeyer flask, with pH in spontaneous evolution. The results showed that, using molasses and corn steep liquor as alternative sources, LA production ranged from 2.8 to 4.6 g/L, respectively, with the most favourable condition being 40.0 g of molasses and 250 g of corn steep liquor. It was possible, from the experimental design, to ascertain the selection of the best conditions for the microbial culture, demonstrating the feasibility of replacing CS and NS by agro-industrial waste, thus reducing the cost of producing LA

Update on Bone Grafting Materials Used in Dentistry in the Bone Healing Process: Our Experience from Translational Studies to Their Clinical Use

The use of bone grafts is important to preserve the alveolar bone ridge height and volume indispensable for dental implant placement. Despite the highly successful outcomes for the implant-supported overdentures, it seems that a majority of edentulous individuals have not pursued implant-based rehabilitation. Among the reasons cited for this, discrepancy between highly successful therapy and its acceptance is the cost of the treatment. Therefore, the development of biomaterials for bone grafting with comparable characteristics and biological effects than those renowned internationally is necessary. In addition, domestic manufacture would reduce the high costs in public health arising from the application of these biomaterials in the dental field. The aim of the following chapter is to offer an update on one bone grafting material frequently used in dentistry through an assessment of anorganic bovine bone graft in small and medium experimental models as well as its clinical use

Aniseed, Pimpinella anisum, as a source of new agrochemicals: phytochemistry and insights on insecticide and acaricide development

Pimpinella anisum L. (Apiaceae), known around the world as aniseed, is a widely cultivated crop, native of the sub-Mediterranean area. Its essential oil (EO) is exploitable in different fields such as food and beverages, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. Regardless of the geographic origin, the EO exhibited consistent transanethole predominancy. Among the numerous biological properties exerted by aniseed EO, its antimicrobial, antifungal, insecticidal, and acaricidal effects have been extensively investigated for the formulation of biopesticides against larvae and adults of various pests and vectors. Hereafter, the published data on the insecticidal and acaricidal activity of aniseed EO and its major compounds on agricultural pests, stored-product pests, and arthropods of medical and veterinary interest is reviewed. For each study, the arthropod and the developmental stage on which the aniseed EO or the aniseed EO-based formulation were tested, the mode of action, the main constituents, and the exerted mortality, as well as the toxicity to non-target organisms and the possible sub-lethal effects are reported. The advantages of the possible use of aniseed EO as a biopesticide are analysed, as well as the current weaknesses and the critical points to be overcome to open the doors to the industrial utilization of Apiaceae EOs by the agrochemical industry

Identification of miRNAs regulating MAPT expression and their analysis in plasma of patients with dementia

Background: Dementia is one of the most common diseases in elderly people and hundreds of thousand new cases per year of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are estimated. While the recent decade has seen significant advances in the development of novel biomarkers to identify dementias at their early stage, a great effort has been recently made to identify biomarkers able to improve differential diagnosis. However, only few potential candidates, mainly detectable in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have been described so far. Methods: We searched for miRNAs regulating MAPT translation. We employed a capture technology able to find the miRNAs directly bound to the MAPT transcript in cell lines. Afterwards, we evaluated the levels of these miRNAs in plasma samples from FTD (n = 42) and AD patients (n = 33) and relative healthy controls (HCs) (n = 42) by using qRT-PCR. Results: Firstly, we found all miRNAs that interact with the MAPT transcript. Ten miRNAs have been selected to verify their effect on Tau levels increasing or reducing miRNA levels by using cell transfections with plasmids expressing the miRNAs genes or LNA antagomiRs. Following the results obtained, miR-92a-3p, miR-320a and miR-320b were selected to analyse their levels in plasma samples of patients with FTD and AD respect to HCs. The analysis showed that the miR-92a-1-3p was under-expressed in both AD and FTD compared to HCs. Moreover, miR-320a was upregulated in FTD vs. AD patients, particularly in men when we stratified by sex. Respect to HC, the only difference is showed in men with AD who have reduced levels of this miRNA. Instead, miR-320b is up-regulated in both dementias, but only patients with FTD maintain this trend in both genders. Conclusions: Our results seem to identify miR-92a-3p and miR-320a as possible good biomarkers to discriminate AD from HC, while miR-320b to discriminate FTD from HC, particularly in males. Combining three miRNAs improves the accuracy only in females, particularly for differential diagnosis (FTD vs. AD) and to distinguish FTD from H

Do changes in Lactuca sativa metabolic performance, induced by mycorrhizal symbionts and leaf UV-B irradiation, play a role towards tolerance to a polyphagous insect pest?

: The increased ultraviolet radiation (UV) due to the altered stratospheric ozone leads to multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations, likely affecting their interaction with other organisms, such as pests and pathogens. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and UV-B treatment can be used as eco-friendly techniques to protect crops from pests by activating plant mechanisms of resistance. In this study, we investigated plant (Lactuca sativa) response to UV-B exposure and Funneliformis mosseae (IMA1) inoculation as well as the role of a major insect pest, Spodoptera littoralis. Lettuce plants exposed to UV-B were heavier and taller than non-irradiated ones. A considerable enrichment in phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid contents and antioxidant capacity, along with redder and more homogenous leaf color, were also observed in UV-B-treated but not in AMF-inoculated plants. Biometric and biochemical data did not differ between AMF and non-AMF plants. AMF-inoculated plants showed hyphae, arbuscules, vesicles, and spores in their roots. AMF colonization levels were not affected by UV-B irradiation. No changes in S. littoralis-feeding behavior towards treated and untreated plants were observed, suggesting the ability of this generalist herbivore to overcome the plant chemical defenses boosted by UV-B exposure. The results of this multi-factorial study shed light on how polyphagous insect pests can cope with multiple plant physiological and biochemical adaptations following biotic and abiotic preconditioning

Obtaining and characterization of bacterial cellulose synthesized by Komagataeibacter hansenii from alternative sources of nitrogen and carbon

This work aimed to obtain and characterize bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes obtained by cultivating Komagataeibacter hansenii ATCC 23769 using mannitol, glucose, fructose, lactose, glycerol, inulin, and sucrose as carbon sources, and corn steep liquor and Prodex Lac® as alternative sources of nitrogen. The formation of the BC´s gelatinous membrane was monitored for 12 days under static conditions and a temperature of 30 ºC. After purification, the membranes were dried and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The highest BC concentrations were found in the culture medium containing Prodex Lac® as the source of nitrogen. Among sugars, fructose and mannitol presented the best results. TGA analyzes indicate that all membranes have similar thermal behavior. The FTIR results show that the chemically synthesized membranes are equivalent to the structures cited in the literature. The micrographs obtained by SEM showed that the medium might influence BC´s morphology, but in general, all presented nanofibers, an essential feature in the membrane. Thus, the BC membranes synthesized in this study proved that the BC production using low-cost alternative means is feasible. The material obtained meets the expected thermal, physical, and chemical properties.Keywords: Bacterial cellulose, corn steep liquor, Prodex Lac®, nitrogen sources, carbon sources