Sensitivity analysis of the scattering parameters of microwave filters using the adjoint network method

A novel approach is presented to calculate the sensitivities of the scattering parameters of microwave filters obtained with the full‐wave mode‐matching (MM) technique. Using only the MM simulation of the original network, the sensitivities of the scattering parameters with respect to all designable parameters are obtained. The adjoint network method (ANM) is applied to the generalized scattering matrices of the different filter components. This guarantees good accuracy of the calculated sensitivities. The implementation details are discussed for N‐resonator ridge waveguide filters. Excellent agreement is obtained between the sensitivities calculated using ANM and those obtained using the expensive central differences. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2006.     

Influence of eccentricity on the frequency limitations of circular-pad via-holes

We study the influence of the technologically caused eccentricity of a circular-pad via-hole. We derive an eigenvalue equation using a rigorous method based on a linear transformation of the via-hole polar coordinates. The eigenvalue equation is used to compute the modal resonant frequencies and the modal fields of the eccentric via. It is shown that the via-hole misalignment shifts the modal frequencies and influences its frequency band. The proposed model is verified with published experimental data, and is also compared with results generated with the full-wave simulator Agilent Momentum-2002.     

A parallel-plate waveguide model of lossy microstrip lines

An improved semi-analytical model of a lossy microstrip transmission line is proposed. The model is based on the theory of the fundamental transverse magnetic mode of a lossy parallel-plate waveguide whose dielectric medium is assigned the effective permittivity of the respective lossless microstrip line. The complex propagation constant of the fundamental mode is computed by imposing the Leontovitch boundary condition at the upper and lower plates whose impedances take into account the thickness of the conductors and the current crowding effect. The dielectric loss is computed by perturbation formulas. The proposed model features high accuracy and computational efficiency at frequencies up to 100 GHz.     

Effect of pulsating electrolysis parameters on the morphology and structure of Pd-Ag powder

Results are reported from a kinetic study of single and joint deposition of Pd and Ag, and of the morphology, structure and chemical composition of Pd-Ag powders deposited from aminonitrite electrolyte under potentiostatic and pulsating square-wave overpotential. It was established that the Pd content in the powder reaches 50% with increase in the overpotential amplitude and the pulse/pause ratio. The same conditions are required for the deposition of finely divided powders. The form of the Pd-Ag powder is dendritic, but it is less branched compared to that obtained under steady potentiostatic conditions.     

Structure of silver electrodeposits plated from different complex electrolytes

The structure of silver deposits plated from different complex electrolytes is investigated. It is shown that from all electrolytes based on cyano-argentate complexes, electrodeposits with a basic orientation along the <111> axis are plated. If other complex-forming agents are used, textures along different crystallographic axes can be obtained. At high current densities the deposits display a random orientation. No evidence for a direct relationship between the type of texture and the deposition overvoltage of silver in the electrolytes studied has been established. Silver deposits with structural characteristics and properties similar to those of coatings deposited from cyanide baths can be obtained from ferrocyanide-thiocyanate electrolytes.     

Effect of enzymatic degradation of chitosan in polyhydroxybutyrate/chitosan/calcium phosphate composites on in vitro osteoblast response

Polyhydroxybutyrate/chitosan/calcium phosphate composites are interesting biomaterials for utilization in regenerative medicine and they may by applied in reconstruction of deeper subchondral defects. Insufficient informations were found in recent papers about the influence of lysozyme degradation of chitosan in calcium phosphate/chitosan based composites on in vitro cytotoxicity and proliferation activity of osteoblasts. The effect of enzymatic chitosan degradation on osteoblasts proliferation was studied on composite films in which the porosity of origin 3D scaffolds was eliminated and the surface texture was modified. The significantly enhanced proliferation activity with faster population growth of osteoblasts were found on enzymatically degraded biopolymer composite films with α-tricalcium phosphate and nanohydroxyapatite. No cytotoxicity of composite films prepared from lysozyme degraded scaffolds containing a large fraction of low molecular weight chitosans (LMWC), was revealed after 10 days of cultivation. Contrary to above in the higher cytotoxicity origin untreated nanohydroxyapatite films and porous composite scaffolds. The results showed that the synergistic effect of surface distribution, morphology of nanohydroxyapatite particles, microtopography and the presence of LMWC due to chitosan degradation in composite films were responsible for compensation of the cytotoxicity of nanohydroxyapatite composite films or porous composite scaffolds.     

Polarization holographic gratings in side-chain azobenzene polyesters with linear and circular photoanisotropy

We investigate thin phase polarization holographic gratings recorded with two waves with orthogonal linear polarizations in materials in which illumination with linearly/circularly polarized light gives rise to linear/circular birefringence. The theoretical analysis shows that the presence of circular photoanisot-ropy changes significantly the diffraction characteristics of the gratings. The intensities of the waves diffracted in the +1 and -1 orders of diffraction and their ratio depend substantially on the reconstructing-wave polarization. Experiments with films of side-chain liquid-crystalline azobenzene polyester that is a photoanisotropic material of the considered type confirm the unusual polarization properties. It is shown that polarization holography may be used for real-time simultaneous measurement of photoinduced linear and circular birefringence.     

Modeling of microstrip lines using neural networks: Applications to the design and analysis of distributed microstrip circuits

In this article, two models for solving microstrip lines are presented. The models utilize radial-basis-function neural networks. Using the first model, one estimates the effective dielectric constant and the width of the microstrip line, knowing its characteristic impedance and the frequency. The second model provides the effective dielectric constant and the characteristic impedance of the line based on knowledge of its width and the frequency. Besides their remarkably fast responses, the proposed models are capable of estimating the required quantities with very high accuracy. The potential of the proposed models is demonstrated in the design and analysis of two distributed microstrip circuits. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 14, 166–173, 2004.     

Recent advances on lactose intolerance: Tolerance thresholds and currently available answers

The genetically programmed reduction in lactase activity during adulthood affects 70% of the world adult population and can cause severe digestive disorders, which are the sign of lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance symptoms vary depending on the residual lactase activity, the small bowel transit time, and especially the amount of ingested lactose. To formulate dairy products suitable for the vast majority of lactose intolerants, it is essential to define lactose intolerance threshold. A recent meta-analysis permitted to show that almost all lactose intolerants tolerate 12 g of lactose in one intake and approximately 18 g of lactose spread over the day. The prevalence and severity of lactose intolerance are probably overestimated by the general public. This misconception usually leads to an unnecessary reduction of dairy foodstuff consumption. Nevertheless, dairy products are essential for health mainly due to their calcium content and the positive influence of probiotic bacteria. The formulation of dairy products suitable for most intolerant and suspicious subjects seems necessary. The use of exogenous enzyme preparations, as well as the consumption of lactose-free products or products rich in probiotic bacteria are proposed as symptom-reducing strategies.     

Optically-controlled Photo-induced Birefringence in Photo-anisotropic Materials

Abstract

A theoretical and experimental investigation is made of the possibility of controlling the photo-induced birefringence in photo-anisotropic materials by means of irradiation with a suitably chosen additional light. The applicability of the method is estimated by a consideration of the parameters of the optically and thermally activated processes taking place in the materials. The experimental results obtained in layers of rigid solutions of azo-dyes confirm the practical feasibility of such optical control.