Bandwidth optimization of a Planar Inverted-F Antenna using binary and real coded genetic algorithms

With the exponential development of mobile communications and the miniaturization of radio frequency transceivers, the need for small and low profile antennas at mobile frequencies is constantly growing. Therefore, new antennas should be developed to provide larger bandwidth and at the same time small dimensions. Although the gain in bandwidth performances of an antenna are directly related to its dimensions in relation to the wavelength, the aim is to keep the overall size of the antenna constant and from there, find the geometry and structure that give the best performance. The design and bandwidth optimization of a Planar Inverted-F Antenna (PIFA) were introduced in order to achieve a larger bandwidth in the 2 GHz band, using two optimization techniques based upon genetic algorithms (GA), namely the Binary Coded GA (BCGA) and Real-Coded GA (RCGA). During the optimization process, the different PIFA models were evaluated using the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) method-a technique belonging to the general class of differential time domain numerical modeling methods.     

Aging behavior of a copper-bearing high-strength low-carbon steel

The effects of aging temperature and time on the hardness and impact toughness of a copper-bearing high-strength low-carbon steel were investigated. The hardness of the aged samples reached maxima after 1 h and 5 h of aging at 500 and 450℃, respectively; this increase in hardness was followed by a decrease in hardness until a temperature of 700℃, at which secondary hardening was observed. The impact toughness of the aged steel was found to be higher for 5 h of aging. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of carbide and copper precipitates; also, the secondary hardening could be the result of the transformation of austenite (formed in the aging treatment) to martensite. Differential scanning calorimetry of the steel was performed to better understand the precipitation behavior. The results revealed that the precipitation of the steel exhibited two significant stages of copper precipitate nucleation and coarsening of the precipitates, with corresponding activation energies of 49 and 238 kJ·mol-1, respectively.     

Combined Moho Parameters Determination Using CRUST1.0 and Vening Meinesz-Moritz Model

According to Vening Meinesz-Moritz (VMM) global inverse isostatic problem, either the Moho density contrast (crust-mantle density contrast) or the Moho geometry can be estimated by solv-ing a non-linea...     

Kinetics of magnetite oxidation under non-isothermal conditions

Oxidation of magnetite concentrates, which occurs during the pellet induration process, must be deeply understood to enable the appropriate design of induration machines. In the present paper, the kinetics of the magnetite oxidation reaction was studied. Primary samples were obtained from the Gol-e-Gohar iron ore deposit. Magnetic separation and flotation decreased the sulfur content in the samples to be approximately 0.1wt%. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to measure mass changes during the oxidation of magnetite and, consequently, the conversion values. The aim of this study was to use isoconversional methods to calculate the kinetic parameters. The Coats-Redfern method was also used to obtain the activation energy. Thermogravimetric analyses were run at three different heating rates. The Coats-Redfern results were too ambiguous for a meaningful interpretation. In the case of the isoconversional method, however, the mean activation energy and pre-exponential factor of the oxidation reaction were obtained as 67.55 kJ and 15.32×108 min-1, respectively. Such a large activation energy implies that temperature strongly affects the reaction rate. The oxidation reaction exhibits a true multi-step nature that is predominantly controlled by chemical reaction and diffusion mechanisms.     

Synthesis of WC powder through microwave heating of WO3-C mixture

A simple, easy, and low-cost process for the fabrication of tungsten carbide (WC) powder through microwave heating of WO₃-C mixtures was developed. Thermodynamic calculations and experimental investigations were carried out for WO₃-C and W-C systems, and a formation mechanism was proposed. In the results, for the synthesis of WC, the use of over stoichiometric amount of C together with a specially assembled experimental setup (which effectively retains heat in the system) is necessary. The WC powder is successfully obtained by heating WO₃:5C mixture for 900s in a domestic microwave oven.     

炭化对聚丙烯腈/酚醛基炭/炭复合材料结构和力学性能影响

由湿法叠涂制得的聚丙烯腈(PA N )/酚醛基碳/碳(C/C )复合材料在高性能结构材料领域具有应用潜力.为了了解炭化步骤对聚丙烯腈/酚醛基碳/碳复合材料结构和力学性能的影响 ,进行了层间断裂韧性(模式Ⅱ)测试.由于结构特征与裂纹形成机理的相互关系对C/C-SiC复合材料的制备很重要 ,采用阿基米德方法、扫描电子显微镜(SEM )和三点弯曲试验对复合材料的结构进行表征.实验结果显示 ,碳/碳(C/C)试件的层间断裂韧性为碳纤维增强酚醛塑料(CFRP)试件的59.7%.     

Muramyl dipeptide responsive pathways in Crohn’s disease: from NOD2 and beyond

Crohn’s disease (CD) is one of main disease entities under the umbrella term chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The etiology of CD involves alterations in genetic, microbiological, and immunological factors. This review is devoted to the role of the bacterial wall compound muramyl dipeptide (MDP) for the activation of inflammatory pathways involved in the pathogenesis of CD. The importance of this molecule is underscored by the fact that (1) MDP, which is found in most Gram-negative and -positive bacteria, is able to trigger several immunological responses in the intestinal system, and (2) that alterations in several mediators of the MDP response including—but not restricted to—nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) are associated with CD. The normalization of MDP signaling is one of several important factors that influence the intestinal inflammatory response, a fact which emphasizes the pathogenic importance of MDP signaling for the pathogenesis of CD. The important aspects of NOD2 and non-NOD2 mediated effects of MDP for the development of CD are highlighted, as well as how alterations in these pathways might translate into the development of new therapeutic strategies.