Realizing a 140 GHz Gap Waveguide–Based Array Antenna by Low-Cost Injection Molding and Micromachining

This paper presents a novel micromachining process to fabricate a 140 GHz planar antenna based on gap waveguide technology to be used in the next-generation backhauling links. The 140 GHz planar array antenna consists of three layers, all of which have been fabricated using polymer-based microfabrication and injection molding. The 140 GHz antenna has the potential to be used as an element in a bigger 3D array in a line-of-sight (LOS) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) configuration to boost the network capacity. In this work, we focus on the fabrication of a single antenna array element based on gap waveguide technology. Depending on the complexity of each antenna layer’s design, three different micromachining techniques, SU8 fabrication, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molding, and injection molding of the polymer (OSTEMER), together with gold (Au) coating, have been utilized to fabricate a single 140 GHz planar array antenna. The input reflection coefficient was measured to be below???11 dB over a 14% bandwidth from 132 to 152 GHz, and the antenna gain was measured to be 31 dBi at 140 GHz, both of which are in good agreement with the simulations.

     

Reduction of Errors in Hydrological Drought Monitoring – A Novel Statistical Framework for Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Drought

Water Resources Management - Continuous and accurate drought monitoring has an important role in early warning drought mitigation policies. This study aims to provide an accurate standardized...     

Analysis of base content in in-service oils by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

An automated FTIR method for the determination of the base content (BC(pKa)) of oils at rates of > 120 samples/h has been developed. The method uses a 5% solution of trifluoroacetic acid in 1-propanol (TFA/P) added to heptane-diluted oil to react with the base present and measures the ν(COO(-)) absorption of the TFA anion produced, with calibrations devised by gravimetrically adding 1-methylimidazole to a heptane-TFA/P mixture. To minimize spectral interferences, all spectra are transformed to 2(nd) derivative spectra using a gap-segment algorithm. Any solvent displacement effects resulting from sample miscibility are spectrally accounted for by measurement of the changes in the 1-propanol overtone band at 1936 cm(-1). A variety of oils were analyzed for BC(0.5), expressed as mEq base/g oil as well as converted to base number (BN) units (mg KOH/g oil) to facilitate direct comparison with ASTM D2896 and ASTM D974 results for the same samples. Linear relationships were obtained between FTIR and D2896 and D974, with the ASTM methods producing higher BN values by factors of ~1.5 and ~1.3, respectively. Thus, the FTIR BC method correlates well with ASTM potentiometric procedures and, with its much higher throughput, promises to be a useful alternative means of rapidly determining reserve alkalinity in commercial oil condition monitoring laboratories.     

Integration of microbial and chemical processing for a sustainable metallurgy

Bioprocessing for the recovery of metal from divergent resources using the microbial strategy has emerged as a green technology in metallurgical operations. The limitations to maintain the ideal condition for bacterial growth with slow kinetics, however, have been considered as major obstacles to bioprocessing being implemented more widely. This can be overcome by integrating the microbes with a chemical processing route. The available reports on recent developments in hybrid bio‐chemical processing of both primary and secondary resources have presented promising results, exhibiting the potential for use in large‐scale metallurgy. In this context, reviewing the factors of the hybrid process would benefit from knowledge acquired in fundamental studies. The present review focuses on bio‐chemical process integration using eco‐friendly design tools for treating the difficult to extract resources and complex spent materials as well. Furthermore, the potential of hybrid technology has been evaluated by establishing an economic model as a case study which encompasses features of economic development, environmental consideration and societal matters to achieve process sustainability. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Extraction and quantification of phenolic compounds from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus armeniaca</Emphasis> seed and their role in biotransformation of xenobiotic compounds

The current research project has been devoted to isolating new low cost and eco-friendly phenolic compounds from fruit seeds, peels and vegetables to reduce the atmospheric pollution. Natural phenolic compounds were extracted from different fruit seeds and agriculture waste: P. armeniaca, P. persica, P. domestica and Triticum aesativum. The total phenolic content was quantified, and the maximum value (1 mL extract having 1,933 μg) was found in P. armeniaca seed extract. Phytochemical screening showed that P. armeniaca seeds contain higher amount of alkaloid, tannins, saponins and flavonoid. P. armeniaca seeds enhanced the biotransformation of reactive yellow dye up to 69.89% with maximum laccase (322.45 IU/mL) production. Biodegradation of reactive yellow was only 23.34% without natural redox mediator at sixth day of incubation. Use of P. armeniaca seed stimulators resulted in maximum laccase activity (894.4 IU/mL) with 99.5% rate of removal. UV-Vis, HPLC & FTIR analysis confirmed the transformation of parent dye into various new products. Phytotoxicity study indicated 0% germination index of Avena sativa seeds with reactive yellow, whereas 83% germination index having 100% seed germination while 83% root elongation with treated sample. Thus, the study revealed that the natural phenolic compounds could serve as high potential redox mediators for enhanced laccase-mediated decolorization of reactive yellow dye.     

Bmi1 Augments Proliferation and Survival of Cortical Bone-Derived Stem Cells after Injury through Novel Epigenetic Signaling via Histone 3 Regulation

Ischemic heart disease can lead to myocardial infarction (MI), a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Multiple stem cell types have been safely transferred into failing human hearts, but the overall clinical cardiovascular benefits have been modest. Therefore, there is a dire need to understand the basic biology of stem cells to enhance therapeutic effects. Bmi1 is part of the polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) that is involved in different processes including proliferation, survival and differentiation of stem cells. We isolated cortical bones stem cells (CBSCs) from bone stroma, and they express significantly high levels of Bmi1 compared to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and cardiac-derived stem cells (CDCs). Using lentiviral transduction, Bmi1 was knocked down in the CBSCs to determine the effect of loss of Bmi1 on proliferation and survival potential with or without Bmi1 in CBSCs. Our data show that with the loss of Bmi1, there is a decrease in CBSC ability to proliferate and survive during stress. This loss of functionality is attributed to changes in histone modification, specifically histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27). Without the proper epigenetic regulation, due to the loss of the polycomb protein in CBSCs, there is a significant decrease in cell cycle proteins, including Cyclin B, E2F, and WEE as well as an increase in DNA damage genes, including ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ATM and Rad3-related (ATR). In conclusion, in the absence of Bmi1, CBSCs lose their proliferative potential, have increased DNA damage and apoptosis, and more cell cycle arrest due to changes in epigenetic modifications. Consequently, Bmi1 plays a critical role in stem cell proliferation and survival through cell cycle regulation, specifically in the CBSCs. This regulation is associated with the histone modification and regulation of Bmi1, therefore indicating a novel mechanism of Bmi1 and the epigenetic regulation of stem cells.