Good Congruence Research Articles

The diagnostic accuracy of endobronchial ultrasound and spiral chest computed tomography scan in the prediction of infiltrating and non-infiltrating lymph nodes in patients undergoing endobronchial ultrasound.

PurposeEndobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and spiral chest computed tomography (CT) scan are important methods in the prediction of infiltrating and non-infiltrating lymph nodes, and the determination of their diagnostic accuracy would result in a reduction of the burden of problems and an improvement in prognosis. The purpose in this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of endobronchial ultrasound and spiral chest CT scan in the prediction of infiltrating and non-infiltrating lymph nodes in patients undergoing endobronchial ultrasound.Material and methodsIn this observational prospective study, 40 consecutive patients with infiltrating and non-infiltrating lymph nodes in Masih-Daneshvari Hospital in 2017 and 2018 were enrolled, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EBUS and CT-scan versus fine needle aspiration pathology results were determined in them.ResultsThe results in this study demonstrated that the congruence between EBUS and CT scan was 80.5% (p = 0.0001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for CT scan were 100%, 22.6%, and 40%, respectively, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for EBUS were 100%, 16.1%, and 35%, respectively.ConclusionAccording to the obtained results, it may be concluded that CT scan and EBUS results have good congruence and high sensitivity to differentiate infiltrating and non-infiltrating lymph nodes. Hence, these methods are useful for screening methods, but due to their low specificity and accuracy the use of them for a confirmative approach is not beneficial. However, regarding the accessibility and less invasive nature, use of chest CT scan is more rational and is recommended in these patients.

Testing the Clinical Applicability of Resin Infiltration of Developmental Enamel Hypomineralization Lesions Using an In Vitro Model.

ABSTRACTAimThe aim of this study is to investigate the penetration abilities of a commercially available low-viscosity resin infiltrant into developmentally hypomineralized teeth in vitro.Materials and methodsFour extracted third molars of a 17-year-old patient with signs of developmental enamel hypomineralization (discoloration, increased opacity, and surface roughness) were infiltrated with a low-viscosity resin mixed with a fluorescent dye, according to the manufacturer's standard protocol. Four extracted molars with sound enamel or showing only initial fissure caries were used as a control group. Specimens were embedded in polymethylmethacrylate, and grindings were prepared. High-resolution projectional radiography of the grindings was performed, and, for one specimen, quantitative micro-computed tomography was used to measure hydroxyapatite density in enamel and dentin lesions. After decalcification, the grindings were examined by reflected bright-field microscopy, wide-field fluorescence microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Fluorescence micrographs were superimposed on the radiographs and analyzed correlatively.ResultsThe pattern of hypo-/demineralization in enamel and dentin in developmentally hypomineralized teeth showed a good congruence with the pattern of resin infiltration. Cavitations and dentin tubules up to a depth of 2 mm beyond cavitations were filled by the infiltrant. In control teeth, the penetration of the infiltrant was limited to decalcified enamel areas (initial fissure caries).ConclusionsIn vitro infiltration of developmentally hypomineralized enamel was successful.Clinical significanceResin infiltration might be considered as a routine procedure in the treatment of developmentally hypomineralized teeth. Further investigations with higher sample sizes, different degrees of severity, different stages of lesion extension, and modified treatment protocols are necessary.How to cite this articleSchnabl D, Dudasne-Orosz V, et al. Testing the Clinical Applicability of Resin Infiltration of Developmental Enamel Hypomineralization Lesions Using an In Vitro Model. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(2):126–132.

Detecting Ocimene in mango using mustard oil based quartz crystal microbalance sensor

A vegetable mustard (MUS) oil based quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor has been developed to detect Ocimene (OCM), one of the significant flavor enhancing compounds in mango. After testing with all the vegetables oils, MUS oil is found to be the most efficient with sensitivity factor of 0.276 Hz/ppm with satisfactory repeatability and reproducibility. The sensor exhibits a linear range of concentration (1–1000 ppm) with limit of detection of 1.04 ppm.The sensor is demonstrable in detecting the intended OCM with high selectivity from other dominant flavors involved in mango. The sensor can be used upto three months with minimum drift in frequency. Additionally, sensor response shows a good congruence with the GC–MS data with a correlation factor of 0.96. Further, the response of MUS-QCM sensor to the real mango samples has been found to be verifiable for quality assessment of most popular mango varieties viz. Alphonso, Gulabkhas, and Himsagar.

Cross-cultural applicability and reduction of the American seven-subtest short form of the WAIS on a Swedish non-clinical sample

The study aimed at investigating whether the seven-subtest short form based on WAIS-R (Ward 1990) was statistically valid to use on the Swedish version of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), if this abbreviation was fit to catch the heterogeneity in test performance across age and if this brief measure was possible to abbreviate even more. WAIS-IV data from a non-clinical sample consisting of 261 participants ranging between 18 and 74 in age was analyzed with bivariate and multiple regression analyses, a prorating method for calculation of Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and its indices as well as paired-samples t-test. The results were contradictory. When the original WAIS-IV was compared to the seven-subtest short form the results showed a good congruence on FSIQ-level between the two sets, but on index level there were several cases of mismatches. In the younger and middle aged sample (<55 years) results on FSIQ as well as index level were in accordance, whereas in the elderly group (∼55 years) they were incongruent. The best reduction of the seven-subtest short form was a four-subtest model, encompassing Block Design, Similarities, Arithmetic and Coding, one subtest from each index, but the t-tests indicated several cases of mismatches between the full WAIS-IV measures and the prorated scores. Applied on the Swedish version of the WAIS-IV the seven-subtest formula appears to be applicable on an FSIQ level, to be suitable for a younger sample, but not for an elderly. Otherwise, this model and the four-subtest model are recommended to be used with caution.

Genome-Based Taxonomic Classification of the Phylum Actinobacteria.

The application of phylogenetic taxonomic procedures led to improvements in the classification of bacteria assigned to the phylum Actinobacteria but even so there remains a need to further clarify relationships within a taxon that encompasses organisms of agricultural, biotechnological, clinical, and ecological importance. Classification of the morphologically diverse bacteria belonging to this large phylum based on a limited number of features has proved to be difficult, not least when taxonomic decisions rested heavily on interpretation of poorly resolved 16S rRNA gene trees. Here, draft genome sequences of a large collection of actinobacterial type strains were used to infer phylogenetic trees from genome-scale data using principles drawn from phylogenetic systematics. The majority of taxa were found to be monophyletic but several orders, families, and genera, as well as many species and a few subspecies were shown to be in need of revision leading to proposals for the recognition of 2 orders, 10 families, and 17 genera, as well as the transfer of over 100 species to other genera. In addition, emended descriptions are given for many species mainly involving the addition of data on genome size and DNA G+C content, the former can be considered to be a valuable taxonomic marker in actinobacterial systematics. Many of the incongruities detected when the results of the present study were compared with existing classifications had been recognized from 16S rRNA gene trees though whole-genome phylogenies proved to be much better resolved. The few significant incongruities found between 16S/23S rRNA and whole genome trees underline the pitfalls inherent in phylogenies based upon single gene sequences. Similarly good congruence was found between the discontinuous distribution of phenotypic properties and taxa delineated in the phylogenetic trees though diverse non-monophyletic taxa appeared to be based on the use of plesiomorphic character states as diagnostic features.

Reorganization of the Action Observation Network and Sensory-Motor System in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: An fMRI Study.

Little is known about the action observation network (AON) in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Using fMRI, we aimed to explore AON and sensory-motor network (SMN) in UCP children and compare them to typically developed (TD) children and analyse the relationship between AON (re-)organization and several neurophysiological and clinical measures. Twelve UCP children were assessed with clinical scales and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). For the fMRI study, they underwent a paradigm based on observation of complex and simple object-manipulation tasks executed by dominant and nondominant hand. Moreover, UCP and TD children carried out a further fMRI session to explore SMN in both an active motor and passive sensory task. AON in the UCP group showed higher lateralization, negatively related to performances on clinical scales, and had greater activation of unaffected hemisphere as compared to the bilateral representation in the TD group. In addition, a good congruence was found between bilateral or contralateral activation of AON and activation of SMN and TMS data. These findings indicate that our paradigm might be useful in exploring AON and the response to therapy in UCP subjects.

A mitochondrial phylogeny of the family Onychoteuthidae (Cephalopoda: Oegopsida)

The oegopsid squid family Onychoteuthidae was recently revised based on morphology, but sufficient material for a complementary molecular analysis has not been available until now. In the present study, over 250 sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rRNA for 222 individuals were analysed to create a combined phylogeny for the family. Results support monophyly for the family and all seven onychoteuthid genera (including Moroteuthopsis, established herein as the senior genus name for species formerly attributed to Kondakovia); 29 genetically distinct species were recovered, with the BIN (Barcode Index Number) analysis for COI showing good congruence overall with morphological species groupings. No sequences were available for five additional known species, making the total family diversity likely to exceed 34 species. Seven of the BINs formed in this study appear to represent undescribed taxa, suggesting that even in this relatively well-studied family, much additional work remains before a comprehensive understanding of the diversity and evolutionary relationships for the Onychoteuthidae can be achieved.

Design and Evaluation of a Low-Power Sensor Device for Induced Rockfall Experiments

Rockfalls have over the last decades become a serious and frequent hazard, especially due to larger variations in precipitation and temperatures, destabilizing rocky slopes in mountainous regions. Hence, civil engineers are applying the latest simulation tools to perform risk assessments and plan mitigation strategies. These tools are based on various models with many parameters that should be calibrated and evaluated with real-world in-field measurement data. In this paper, we present a rugged low-power multisensor node termed StoneNode that has been designed to acquire and log accurate inertial sensor measurements during induced in-field experiments with falling rocks. The node hosts low-power microelectromechanical system sensors with high dynamic ranges sampled up to 1 kHz, and provides a long battery lifetime of up to 56 h, enabling long-lasting field studies with a duration of several working days. Exhaustive in-field experiments have been carried out with several differently shaped rocks on typical terrain in the Swiss alpine region. The experiments comprise more than 100 induced tests with several heavy impacts of >400 g. This paper gives a detailed summary of these results, including unprecedented in situ data of rockfall trajectories and postexperimental validation where we compare simulated rockfall deposition distributions and motion traces with in-field measurements after calibration of the simulation module. Our results and experience gained in-field confirm that the StoneNode is a reliable easy-to-use device, which greatly facilitates the data acquisition process. Further, the results obtained with the calibrated simulation tool show good quantitative and qualitative congruence with the experiments, further reaffirming our methodological approach.

Vertebrate endemism in south-eastern Africa numerically redefines a biodiversity hotspot.

We use numerical methods to explore patterns of vertebrate endemism in south-eastern Africa, refining the boundaries of the intuitively-defined Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot, also proposing a zoogeographic regionalisation. An incidence matrix of 300 vertebrate species endemic to south-eastern Africa sensu lato in 37 operational geographic units were used in (a) phenetic cluster analysis (PCA) using the algorithm of unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averages (phenetic approach), and (b) parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE; parsimony approach), in order to numerically evaluate the bioregional delimitations. The analyses provide a valid biogeographical entity 37% larger than the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot, but substantially (131%) higher in vertebrate endemicity viz. the Greater Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany (GMPA) region of vertebrate endemism. South-east Africa is recognised as a dominion in the global zoogeographical area hierarchy, with subordinate units including the GMPA province. Various spatially-based measures of endemism were mapped for vertebrate species restricted to the dominion, i.e. endemic to south-eastern Africa sensu stricto. Areas and centres of endemism detected respectively from PAE and PCA, within the south-east Africa dominion also support the refined boundary of the GMPA region of endemism, which provides a better spatial conservation priority compared to the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot. Reptiles and amphibians are found to be the main drivers of the overall pattern of endemism, while the pattern in freshwater fish is the most distinctive. Our analyses also indicate a good congruence of the centres of endemism across different terrestrial vertebrate taxa.

The Mitochondrial Genome of the Moss Brachythecium rivulare (Hypnales, Brachytheciaceae).

The mitochondrial genome of the pleurocarpous moss Brachythecium rivulare has been sequenced and annotated. The genome consists of 104,460 base pairs and has approximately the same gene set and organization as other bryophyte mitogenomes. Whole mitochondrial genome comparison between B. rivulare and Physcomitrella patens, Tetraphis pellucida, Anomodon rugelii, and Anomodon attenuatus was performed. The primary cause of bryophyte mitochondrial gene length variation was found to be numerous indels in the introns. Bryophyte mitochondrial gene conservation level was estimated, and it was in a good congruence with the overall phylogeny of bryophytes with the percentage of mitogenome similarity being proportional to the age estimated by phylochronologic analysis. Annotation discrepancies in the analyzed mitogenome sequences were identified. The simple sequence repeat (SSR) content was evaluated, and candidate sites of RNA editing were predicted in the B. rivulare mitochondrial genome.

Gaze3DFix: Detecting 3D fixations with an ellipsoidal bounding volume.

Nowadays, the use of eyetracking to determine 2-D gaze positions is common practice, and several approaches to the detection of 2-D fixations exist, but ready-to-use algorithms to determine eye movements in three dimensions are still missing. Here we present a dispersion-based algorithm with an ellipsoidal bounding volume that estimates 3D fixations. Therefore, 3D gaze points are obtained using a vector-based approach and are further processed with our algorithm. To evaluate the accuracy of our method, we performed experimental studies with real and virtual stimuli. We obtained good congruence between stimulus position and both the 3D gaze points and the 3D fixation locations within the tested range of 200-600 mm. The mean deviation of the 3D fixations from the stimulus positions was 17 mm for the real as well as for the virtual stimuli, with larger variances at increasing stimulus distances. The described algorithms are implemented in two dynamic linked libraries (Gaze3D.dll and Fixation3D.dll), and we provide a graphical user interface (Gaze3DFixGUI.exe) that is designed for importing 2-D binocular eyetracking data and calculating both 3D gaze points and 3D fixations using the libraries. The Gaze3DFix toolkit, including both libraries and the graphical user interface, is available as open-source software at https://github.com/applied-cognition-research/Gaze3DFix .

Tree Growth Rings in Tropical Peat Swamp Forests of Kalimantan, Indonesia

Tree growth rings are signs of the seasonality of tree growth and indicate how tree productivity relates to environmental factors. We studied the periodicity of tree growth ring formation in seasonally inundated peatlands of Central Kalimantan (southern Borneo), Indonesia. We collected samples from 47 individuals encompassing 27 tree species. About 40% of these species form distinct growth zones, 30% form indistinct ones, and the others were classified as in between. Radiocarbon age datings of single distinct growth zones (or “rings”) of two species showing very distinct rings, Horsfieldia crassifolia and Diospyros evena, confirm annual growth periodicity for the former; the latter forms rings in intervals of more than one year. The differences can be explained with species-specific sensitivity to the variable intensity of dry periods. The anatomical feature behind annual rings in Horsfieldia is the formation of marginal parenchyma bands. Tree ring curves of other investigated species with the same anatomical feature from the site show a good congruence with the curves from H. crassifolia. They can therefore be used as indicator species for growth rate estimations in environments with weak seasonality. The investigated peatland species show low annual growth increments compared to other tropical forests.

A multi-institutional survey evaluating patient related QA – phase II

Abstract In phase I of the survey a planning intercomparison of patient-related QA was performed at 12 institutions. The participating clinics created phantom based IMRT and VMAT plans which were measured utilizing the ArcCheck diode array. Mobius3D (M3D) was used in phase II. It acts as a secondary dose verification tool for patient-specific QA based on average linac beam data collected by Mobius Medical Systems. All Quasimodo linac plans will be analyzed for the continuation of the intercomparison. We aim to determine if Mobius3D is suited for use with diverse treatment techniques, if beam model customization is needed. Initially we computed first Mobius3D results by transferring all plans from phase I to our Mobius3D server. Because of some larger PTV mean dose differences we checked if output factor customization would be beneficial. We performed measurements and output factor correction to account for discrepancies in reference conditions. Compared to Mobius3D's preconfigured average beam data values, these corrected output factors differed by ±1.5% for field sizes between 7x7cm2 and 30x30cm2 and to −3.9% for 3x3cm2. Our method of correcting the output factors turns out good congruence to M3D's reference values for these medium field sizes.

A taxonomic revision of Anthothela (Octocorallia: Scleraxonia: Anthothelidae) and related genera, with the addition of new taxa, using morphological and molecular data

A complete taxonomic revision of the genus Anthothela (Anthothelidae) and closely related taxa is presented herein, based on original type material of nominal species and additional specimens from multiple deep-water surveys. A multi-disciplinary approach was used, combining morphological characteristics such as colonial branching patterns, polyp structure, and sclerite form and arrangement, together with phylogenetic reconstructions using two mitochondrial gene regions (mtMutS and igr1–cox1). The genus Anthothela, with seven nominal species globally, is here divided into four genera, two of which are new. Three of the original species of Anthothela are validated (A. grandiflora Sars, 1856, A. pacifica Kükenthal, 1913 and A. tropicalis Bayer, 1961), Spongioderma (?) vickersi Benham, 1928 is reassigned to Anthothela and two new species, A. aldersladei and A. quattriniae, are described. Anthothela argentea Studer, 1894, A. macrocalyx (Nutting, 1911) and A. nuttingi Bayer, 1956 are reassigned to Victorgorgia López-González &amp; Briand, 2002 and two new species of this genus, V. eminens and V. nyahae are described. A new family, Victorgorgiidae is described for Victorgorgia due to clear morphological and genetic differences from Anthothela, the type genus of Anthothelidae. A new genus, Williamsium (Anthothelidae), is described for A. parviflora Thomson, 1916 which is restricted to South African waters. A number of North Atlantic Ocean specimens that have traditionally been mistaken for Anthothela grandiflora were found to be synonymous with Alcyonium grandiflorum (Tixier-Durivault &amp; d'Hondt, 1974) and a second new genus, Lateothela (Anthothelidae), is erected for these specimens based on morphological and molecular evidence that Alcyonium grandiflorum was incorrectly placed in the genus Alcyonium Linnaeus. There is good congruence between morphological characteristics and molecular data at a generic level but at a species level, the degree of congruence was inconclusive as morphological and genetic variation is very low. Anthothela and Lateothela n. gen. are found to be closely related to some nominal Alcyonium species, and the family Anthothelidae and subfamily Anthothelinae are shown to be paraphyletic. These are the first records of Anthothela and Victorgorgia from Australian waters.

Thermochemistry of phase transitions of aromatic amines: Estimation of the sublimation enthalpy at 298.15 K through the fusion enthalpy

In the present work two methods of determination of sublimation enthalpies at 298.15K based on solution enthalpies at 298.15K and fusion enthalpies at the melting temperatures were applied for aromatic amines. The sublimation enthalpies of 17 substituted anilines and 1- and 2-naphthylamines at 298.15K were calculated using their fusion enthalpies at the melting temperatures found in the literature, the solvation enthalpies in benzene and vaporization enthalpy of aniline. Additionally, the sublimation enthalpies of 9 substituted anilines and 1- and 2-naphthylamines were determined from their solution and solvation enthalpies. In this work we measured the solution enthalpies of aniline, its five derivatives and 2-naphthylamine in benzene while the solution enthalpies of other five aromatic amines were taken from the literature. The solvation enthalpies were calculated by means of the group-additivity scheme. The sublimation enthalpies values obtained as such were compared to the reference data. This method showed the good congruence with both direct experiment and solution calorimetry approach. In most cases the divergence does not exceed 2–3%. The consistency between independently determined sublimation enthalpies values validates the reliability of the relationship between the sublimation enthalpy at 298.15K and fusion enthalpy at the melting temperature.

Amidoamine functionalized task specific carbon nanotube for efficient sorption of penta and hexavalent neptunium: Experimental and theoretical investigations

The present investigation demonstrated the efficient sorption of NpO2+ and NpO22+ on amidoamine functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube via chemisorption following Langmuir isotherm. A pseudo second order kinetics were found to follow with the rate constant 5.13×10−4 and 3.85×10−4mgg−1min−1 for NpO2+ and NpO22+, respectively. The radiolytic stability of the sorbent and the back extraction of the neptunium from the sorbent have been investigated. Computational study was also carried out to optimize the structure of the amidoamine functionalized carbon nanotube and its complex of NpO2+ and NpO22+. The amidoamine and all the nitrate anions are coordinated to the neptunyl centre in bidentate mode resulting to six-coordinated and octa-coordinated complex for NpO2+ and NpO22+, respectively. The theoretically calculated value of ΔG of NpO22+ sorption is found to be higher than that of NpO2+ which is in good congruence with the experimentally observed higher adsorption capacity for NpO22+over NpO2+.

Combined PET and microdialysis for in vivo estimation of drug blood-brain barrier transport and brain unbound concentrations

Methods to investigate blood-brain barrier transport and pharmacologically active drug concentrations in the human brain are limited and data translation between species is challenging. Hence, there is a need to further develop the read-out of techniques like positron emission tomography (PET) for studying neuropharmacokinetics. PET has a high translational applicability from rodents to man and measures total drug concentrations in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possibility of translating total drug concentrations, acquired through PET, to unbound concentrations, resembling those measured in the interstitial fluid by microdialysis sampling.Simultaneous PET scanning and brain microdialysis sampling were performed in rats throughout a 60min infusion of [N-methyl-11C]oxycodone in combination with a therapeutic dose of oxycodone and during a 60min follow up period after the end of infusion. The oxycodone concentrations acquired with PET were converted into unbound concentrations by compensating for brain tissue binding and brain intracellular distribution, using the unbound volume of distribution in brain (Vu,brain), and were compared to microdialysis measurements of unbound concentrations.A good congruence between the methods was observed throughout the infusion. However, an accumulating divergence in the acquired PET and microdialysis data was apparent and became more pronounced during the elimination phase, most likely due to the passage of radioactive metabolites into the brain. In conclusion, the study showed that PET can be used to translate non-invasively measured total drug concentrations into unbound concentrations as long as the contribution of radiolabelled metabolites is minor or can be compensated for.

Seriated CT‐scan of an egg in Aepornis maximus (Madagascar) and reconstructions

Materialan egg in Aepornys (Madagascar, an extinct species) was 32,5 cm high, 22,5 cm wide, and 77,5cm in its largest, horizontal circumference. It weighed 1919 g and presented numerous, secondarily grossly stucked, natural fragments. The CT‐scan apparatus was a Siemens somatom sensitive one with 64 detectors.Methodthe egg was firstly CT‐scanned (thickness of about 1mm with jointed cross‐sections) all along its greatest axis. It was then reconstructed from the native sections in the two other planes. At last, external and internal surfaces' reconstruction were performed.Resultsthe egg was totally empty with an homogeneous (near 1 cm) thickness and a good congruence of the fragments which largest ones had a curvature impossible to be given by an oystrich's egg (which shell is far more thinner); the radiological density of the shell was very high.Conclusionthe CT‐scan proved that this reconstructed shell of a bird's egg was a very thick and dense, natural, real one which was reconstituted from an unique sample. It proved that it was really an Aepornys one. This species limited to the Madagascar Island disappeared five centuries ago. It exists written, european, historical testimonies which prove the existence of these enormous (500 kilograms) non flighting birds.

Simulation of the current generation of a microbial fuel cell in a laboratory wastewater treatment plant

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices generating electrical current from a wide range of organic substrates by using bacterial metabolism. Integrations of MFCs into wastewater treatment plants seem to be the most likely application of this technology. Due to the fact that the current flow in a MFC is fundamentally produced by the metabolic activity of microorganisms, it would be desirable to elucidate the capacity of the microbial systems to optimize the energy extraction processes in MFCs. In this study, the correlation between the parameters XBH (active heterotrophic biomass) and XBA (active autotrophic biomass) from the established activated sludge model number 1 (ASM1) and the measured current flow in MFCs was investigated for the first time. The simulation protocol based on ASM1 shows a good congruence between measured and simulated effluent values for the wastewater treatment plant. Comparisons between the measured current densities and the simulated concentrations of active biomass showed linear correlations at substrate pulses and at different residence times of the substrate. Therefore, it can be concluded that the model parameter XBH and XBA of the ASM1 can be used to estimate the current output of a MFC in wastewater treatment plants. The identified correlations can be used to optimize operating conditions and to generate high current outputs of the MFCs based on simulations.

Meta-atom microfluidic sensor for measurement of dielectric properties of liquids

High sensitivity microwave frequency microfluidic sensing is gaining popularity in chemical and biosensing applications for evaluating the dielectric properties of liquid samples. Here, we show that a tiny microfluidic channel positioned in the gaps of a dual-gap meta-atom split-ring resonator can exploit the electric field sensitivity to predict the dielectric properties of liquid samples. Employing an empirical relation between resonant characteristics of the fabricated sensor and the complex permittivity of water-ethanol or water-methanol mixtures produces good congruence to standardized values from the literature. This microfluidic sensor offers a potential lab-on-chip solution for liquid dielectric characterization without external electrical connections.