33 research outputs found
Analysis of deforestation using satellite images of a region by color image segmentation
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The role of carbon dioxide insufflation of the pericardial field in open chamber cardiac surgery to prevent neurocognitive decline
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An improved cerulean fluorescent protein with enhanced brightness and reduced reversible photoswitching
No full textCyan fluorescent proteins (CFPs), such as Cerulean, are widely used as donor fluorophores in Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments. Nonetheless, the most widely used variants suffer from drawbacks that include low quantum yields and unstable flurorescence. To improve the fluorescence properties of Cerulean, we used the X-ray structure to rationally target specific amino acids for optimization by site-directed mutagenesis. Optimization of residues in strands 7 and 8 of the β-barrel improved the quantum yield of Cerulean from 0.48 to 0.60. Further optimization by incorporating the wild-type T65S mutation in the chromophore improved the quantum yield to 0.87. This variant, mCerulean3, is 20% brighter and shows greatly reduced fluorescence photoswitching behavior compared to the recently described mTurquoise fluorescent protein in vitro and in living cells. The fluorescence lifetime of mCerulean3 also fits to a single exponential time constant, making mCerulean3 a suitable choice for fluorescence lifetime microscopy experiments. Furthermore, inclusion of mCerulean3 in a fusion protein with mVenus produced FRET ratios with less variance than mTurquoise-containing fusions in living cells. Thus, mCerulean3 is a bright, photostable cyan fluorescent protein which possesses several characteristics that are highly desirable for FRET experiments
Design and Analysis of a Low-profile Microstrip Antenna for 5G Applications using AI-based PSO Approach
No full textMicrostrip antennas are high gain aerials for low-profile wireless applications working with frequencies over 100 MHz. This paper presents a study and design of a low cost slotted-type microstrip patch antenna that can be used in 5G millimeter wave applications. This research focuses on the effect of ground slots and patch slots which, in turn, affect different antenna parameters, such as return loss, VSWR, gain, radiation pattern, and axial ratio. The working frequency range varies from 24 to 28 GHz, thus falling within 5G specifications. A subset of artificial intelligence (AI) known as particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to approximatively solve issues involving maximization and minimization of numerical values, being highly challenging or even impossible to solve in a precise manner. Here, we have designed and analyzed a low-profile printed microstrip antenna for 5G applications using the AI-based PSO approach. The novelty of the research is mainly in the design approach, compactness of size and antenna applicability. The antenna was simulated with the use of HFSS simulation software
A study on the relationship of dyspnoea score, high-resolution computed tomographic scan, and pulmonary function tests in the evaluation of connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disorders
No full textBackground: Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are one of the most common causes among the known etiologies of interstitial lung disorders (ILDs). Parenchymal involvement in CTDs confers a significant risk of mortality as well as morbidity with serious consequences. The present study aims to correlate dyspnoea scores with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) changes, spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) among different types of CTD-ILDs. Methodology: The hospital-based observational, cross-sectional study was performed over 1 year among 60 patients with CTD-ILDs. The dyspnoea score (modified Medical Research Centre grade), HRCT thorax pattern with a percentage of involvement, and functional parameters (forced vital capacity (FVC), DLCO, 6-Minute Walking Distance (6MWD)) were compared among different CTD-ILD groups. Results were computed using Microsoft Excel. Results: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) was the most common cause of CTD-ILDs (43%) with a predominant nonspecific interstitial pneumonia pattern (71% of all SSc-ILDs), followed by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (30%) with a predominance of usual interstitial pneumonia (55% of all RA-ILDs). Other cases included dermatomyositis (6%), mixed connective tissue disease (6%), and Sjögren disease (3%). Three percent of the patients remained unclassified. The difference in the HRCT pattern was seen between RA- and SSc-ILDs, which was statistically significant (p = 0.00035). The mean FVC was 1.68L and the mean 6MWD was 316 m. 6MWD showed a positive correlation with FVC and DLCO (r = 0.67 and 0.78). The percentage of the HRCT thorax involvement showed a negative correlation with FVC and 6MWD but not in linear regression (p = 0.000281 and 4.27e–08, r = –0.45 and −0.67, confidence interval (CI) 95%). DLCO had a negative linear regression with HRCT thorax involvement (r = –0.93, CI 95%) showing superiority over other functional parameters. Conclusion: The integration of clinical data, the extent of involvement in HRCT thorax, and physiological parameters, especially DLCO, provide a holistic approach to better understand CTD-ILDs
