Analysis of a centered-inclined waveguide slot coupler

Integral equations are developed for a centered-inclined coupling slot (including the effect of finite wall-thickness of the common broad-wall) and the slot-aperture electric intensity field is found using the method of moments. Numerical results for resonant length, backscattered wave amplitude, and phase variation off-resonance are presented over a range of values of the waveguide b dimension, wall thickness, slot width, and frequency. It is shown that the resonant length is relatively insensitive to slot tilt, &thetas;, for a standard-height X-band waveguide, whereas its dependence on &thetas; is significant for reduced-height waveguides. The phase variation of scattered TE₁₀ waves in both waveguides off-resonance is less for wider slots and smaller b dimensions. Shunt-series coupling slots exhibit greater phase variation off resonance when compared to a centred-inclined coupling slot. Also, the former has a longer resonant length for a smaller b dimension and for a wider slot. Thus the centred-inclined slot coupler possesses superior characteristics. The higher-order mode coupling between a centred-inclined slot coupler and a pair of straddling radiating slots in the branch waveguide is significant     

Cover Feature: Superior Proton-Transfer Catalytic Promiscuity of Cytochrome c in Self-Organized Media (7/2021)

Evolutionarily elderly proteins commonly feature greater catalytic promiscuity. Cytochrome c is among the first set of proteins in evolution to have known prospects in electron transport and peroxidative properties. Here, we report that cyt c is also a proficient proton-transfer catalyst and enhances the Kemp elimination (KE; model reaction to show proton transfer catalytic property) by ∼750-fold on self-organized systems like micelles and vesicles. The self-organized systems mimic the mitochondrial environment in vitro for cyt c. Using an array of biophysical and biochemical mutational assays, both acid–base and redox mechanistic pathways have been explored. The histidine moiety close to hemin group (His18) is mainly responsible for proton abstraction to promote the concerted E2 pathway for KE catalysis when cyt c is in its oxidized form; this has also been confirmed by a H18A mutant of cyt c. However, the redox pathway is predominant under reducing conditions in the presence of dithiothreitol over the pH range 6–7.4. Interestingly, we found almost 750-fold enhanced KE catalysis by cyt c compared to aqueous buffer. Overall, in addition to providing mechanistic insights, the data reveal an unprecedented catalytic property of cyt c that could be of high importance in an evolutionary perspective considering its role in delineating the phylogenic tree and also towards generating programmable designer biocatalysts.     

BUBBLE TEMPERATURES OF THE BINARY MIXTURES OF 1,2-DIMETHYLBENZENE WITH 2-PROPANOL, 1-BUTANOL, 2-BUTANOL, 2-METHYLPROPAN-1-OL AND 2-METHYLPROPAN-2-OL AT 95 kPa

Bubble temperatures at 95 kPa over the entire composition range are measured for the five binary systems formed by 1,2-dimethylbenzene with 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2- methylpropan-1-ol, and 2-methylpropan- 2-ol. A Swietoslawski - type ebulliometer was used for the measurements. The composition versus temperature measurements are well represented by the Wilson model.     

How In-Home Technologies Mediate Caregiving Relationships in Later Life

In-home technologies can support older adults' activities of daily living, provide physical safety and security, and connect elders to family and friends. They facilitate aging in place while reducing caregiver burden. One of older adults' primary concerns about in-home technologies is their potential to reduce human contact, particularly from cherished caregivers. In this exploratory in situ study, we provided an ecosystem of networked monitoring technologies to six older adults and their caregivers. We analyzed the amount and content of communication between them. The amount of noncomputer-mediated communication did not decrease through the 6-week study. The content of communication coalesced into four themes: communication about the technologies, communication facilitated by technologies, intrusiveness of technologies, and fun and playfulness with the technologies. Results suggest that in-home technologies, designed with sensitivity to older adults' primary motivations, have the potential to shape and tailor important relationships in later life.     

Implementation of VLSI on Signal Processing-Based Digital Architecture Using AES Algorithm

Continuous improvements in very-large-scale integration (VLSI) technology and design software have significantly broadened the scope of digital signal processing (DSP) applications. The use of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and programmable digital signal processors for many DSP applications have changed, even though new system implementations based on reconfigurable computing are becoming more complex. Adaptable platforms that combine hardware and software programmability efficiency are rapidly maturing with discrete wavelet transformation (DWT) and sophisticated computerized design techniques, which are much needed in today’s modern world. New research and commercial efforts to sustain power optimization, cost savings, and improved runtime effectiveness have been initiated as initial reconfigurable technologies have emerged. Hence, in this paper, it is proposed that the DWT method can be implemented on a field-programmable gate array in a digital architecture (FPGA-DA). We examined the effects of quantization on DWT performance in classification problems to demonstrate its reliability concerning fixed-point math implementations. The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm for DWT learning used in this architecture is less responsive to resampling errors than the previously proposed solution in the literature using the artificial neural networks (ANN) method. By reducing hardware area by 57%, the proposed system has a higher throughput rate of 88.72%, reliability analysis of 95.5% compared to the other standard methods.     

Conducting Psychological Research in Medical Settings: Challenges, Limitations, and Recommendations for Effectiveness Research.

Efficacy research is insufficient and ineffective in changing practice, despite a large supporting psychotherapy efficacy literature. Concurrently, demand for supporting data and the burden on everyday practice for generating these data is increasing. The disconnect between efficacy and effectiveness is due to a lack of conceptual and methodological tools for testing efficacious procedures in real-world settings, particularly medical contexts. This article articulates the position that effectiveness studies pose more complex questions that require an alteration of conceptual and methodological frames of reference in order to make behavioral services available to the broadest patient base. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Physicochemical Characterization of Interaction of Ibuprofen by Solid-State Milling with Aluminum Hydroxide

This present study is a preliminary exploration of the affinity between a carboxylic model drug ibuprofen and aluminum hydroxide. Ibuprofen was comilled with aluminum hydroxide in different weight ratios in the solid state and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and in vitro dissolution studies. XRD and SEM studies indicated complete interaction of ibuprofen with aluminum hydroxide and complete amorphization of aluminum hydroxide–ibuprofen complexed salt as well, on comilling with aluminum hydroxide at 1:2 ratio. FTIR data showed the disappearance of acid carbonyl peak with the appearance and the corresponding increase in absorbance of new signal at 1,682 cm^?1 in the 1:1 and 1:2 ibuprofen–aluminum hydroxide-comilled powder. The accompanied increase in the absorbance of carboxylate peak in the ibuprofen–aluminum hydroxide physical mixture, and 1:0.1, 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2 (IBA_pm, and IB₁A_0.1, IB₁A_0.5, IB₁A₁, and IB₁A₂, respectively) comilled powder indicated an acid–base reaction between ibuprofen and aluminum hydroxide. On storage at 40°C and 75% relative humidity (RH) for 10 weeks, XRD study showed the absence of reversion to the crystalline state and FTIR data revealed continued increase of new signal at 1,682 cm^?1 relative to carboxylic acid peak and no reappearance of carboxylic acid peak. In vitro dissolution studies revealed that the percent release of ibuprofen from the aluminum hydroxide-comilled powder is in the following order: IB₁A₂ < IB₁A₁ < ibuprofen crystal < ibuprofen milled alone < IB₁A_0.1 < IB₁A_0.5. Aluminum metal cation might have interacted to form a complex through the carboxyl and carbonyl groups of ibuprofen. Improved dissolution of drug associated with IB₁A_0.1 and IB₁A_0.5 is because of the absence of a new signal at 1,682 cm^?1 and improved amorphization of the drug to some extent. Dissolution of drug affected in IB₁A₂ and IB₁A₁ may be because of the insoluble stable complex formation.