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In this paper, a metamaterial inspired meandered line loaded antenna with dual-band characteristics for wireless applications is presented. Initially, the antenna is loaded with a single meandered line structure and operates over a single band with a center frequency of 5.64 GHz and circularly polarized (CP) radiation. Further, it is loaded with two more similar meandered line structures inducing an extra band with a center frequency of 3.4 GHz and hence operating as a dual band antenna with an impedance bandwidth of 11.4% and 33.7%, respectively, exhibiting CP radiation in its second band. Moreover, the antenna is backed with a metasurface (MS) at the ground side with a separation of 18.4 mm to enhance the gain and radiation of the antenna. The antenna exhibits good radiation characteristics with peak gains of 7.66 dBi and 8.7 dBi in the first and second bands, respectively. The antenna is fabricated, and promising experimental results have been observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a reflector back ultra-wide band (UWB), circularly polarized (CP) antenna is presented using asymmetric circularly curved radiating elements. The circular aperture on the reflector plane is connected with the radiating plane using two shorting pins to maintain the impedance bandwidth and axial ratio (AR) bandwidth. In addition to the frequency domain, time domain performances are investigated to understand the receiving signal quality, considering the pulse spreading effects. The received signal quality is quantified for near field (NF) and far field (FF) with the parameter system fidelity factor (SFF). It is observed that the SFF becomes stable and less dispersive from the minimum distance 75 mm from the antenna at near field. The measurement result also shows that the proposed antenna can provide maximum 10.2 dBic peak gain, $ 78.9\% $ 78.9 % of impedance bandwidth and $ 82.3\% $ 82.3 % of axial ratio bandwidth with system fidelity factor (SFF) of 0.95 and 0.97 for NF and FF respectively. In addition to this, the variation of group delay is within 1.3 ns for NF and FF cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe microwave free-space technique is an important method to characterize material properties in the scientific fields and actual applications. A microstrip patch antenna is a good radiating element to construct a compact, low-cost free-space setup. It is necessary to clarify the effects of different properties of radiating patch antenna. In this study, microwave attenuation and phase shift are measured with patch antennas with different radiated microwave power and gain. Both the experimental results of attenuation and phase shift show that a high gain of the radiating elements is helpful to measure the microwave parameters in the free-space method accurately, while improving radiating power has less effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Finnish beef production is largely based on dairy breeds. Eastern Finncattle, Western Finncattle, and Northern Finncattle (NFC) are native breeds, whereas Holstein (HO) and Nordic Red are the most important commercial dairy breeds. The NFC has been the closest to extinction among Finnish native cattle breeds. The objective of the experiment was to provide data on meat quality of NFC compared to HO. To our knowledge no previously published scientific data about the meat quality traits of NFC is available. Results: The targeted slaughter age was 600 days for both NFC and HO. The carcass gain of the HO steers was 60% higher compared to NFC steers. No breed differences in dressing proportion, carcass conformation, or carcass fat score were observed. Breed had no effect on the pH, color, drip loss, chemical composition, shear force value, or sensory tenderness of the longissimus lumborum muscle. However, beef flavor of the NFC steers was evaluated 7% better compared to the HO steers. In addition, the longissimus lumborum muscle of the NFC steers tended to be juicier than that of the HO steers. Conclusions: Only little variability in meat quality traits was observed between the breeds. However, NFC requires a longer growing period than HO when targeting the same carcass weight. To promote the use of the NFC in beef production, it is necessary to find other than economic production efficiency features, which would provide added value for premium meat quality to compensate the lower production efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a complete analysis of an LLC resonant converter with a customized rectifier structure is presented. The converter is intended for wide, low-input, high-output voltage DC bus applications. The performance of the converter is assessed using comprehensive time-domain and fundamental harmonic approximation (FHA), which demonstrates its capacity to operate across an ample range of voltages by precisely adjusting the rectifier structure. The converter's capability is illustrated by deriving and discussing detailed mode operation, steady-state analysis, and DC gain equations. In order to verify the theoretical analysis, a prototype with a power output of 250 watts is constructed and subjected to testing. The results of the testing demonstrate that the converter is both feasible and effective. The experimental findings illustrate its capacity to manage vast voltage ranges while upholding high efficiency. In addition, the converter utilizes a frequency switching modulation (FSM) to connect with a photovoltaic (PV) panel and control the high output voltage. This demonstrates its adaptability in renewable energy applications. The validation is in accordance with theoretical predictions, demonstrating the converter's high-efficiency performance and versatility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Adherence to pediatric obesity treatment can be challenging. Monetary incentives improve adherence to lifestyle interventions, with incentives framed as loss often more effective than those framed as gain. The objectives of this study were to determine if monetary incentives in the form of gift cards would improve adherence to an obesity treatment intervention and whether framing the incentive as either loss or gain affected adherence. Methods: Sixty adolescents with obesity (body mass index of ≥95th percentile for age and sex) were recruited from our pediatric obesity treatment program. They were randomized into one of three groups and given a monthly adherence score (AS) of up to 100 points. These points were based on completing a medical visit, reporting on diet intake, and measuring daily steps on a wearable tracker. The Gain Group (GG), N = 20, started each month with USD 0 in a virtual account and increased their monetary reward up to USD 100 depending on AS. The Loss Group (LG), N = 21, began each month with USD 100 in their virtual account, which decreased based on adherence. The Control Group (CG), N = 19, received USD 10 monthly. Results: Adherence was highest in the GG, with 66.0 points, compared to the LG, with 54.9 points, and CG, with 40.6 points, with p < 0.01. The GG had greater adherence to their step goal (14.6) and dietary reporting (18.7) compared to the LG (10.0 and 13.9) and the CG (3.9 and 8.1), p < 0.005. Conclusions: Gain-framed incentives are superior to loss-framed ones in improving adherence to pediatric obesity treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a cylindrical-shaped dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) with four elements is designed and presented at 28 GHz for millimeter-wave applications. The microstrip line is designed to excite the dielectric resonator (DR) with a relative permittivity of 8.3, and then the proposed single cylindrical DR antenna has been mounted on a FR4-Epoxy substrate with a relative permittivity of 4.4 and a thickness of 1.8 mm. However, the optimized single element was used to create a particular array for improving the gain and achieving the required antenna performance. The resulting antenna enabled a response range for the reflection coefficient from 26.8 GHz to 30.6 GHz, which covers the operational frequency. This allows for a maximum gain of 19.07 dB, an impedance bandwidth of 3.8 GHz, and a total efficiency of 80.62%, meeting the requirements for millimeter-wave and fifth-generation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibilities for further development of mmWave fifth-generation wireless systems and their deployment in our lives are immense and will make human life simpler and faster. Fifth-generation wireless communication is opening up new possibilities for development in the near future. High data rates, low latency, and enormous bandwidth are the most essential factors. These factors are at the heart of making quality healthcare, smart education systems, and the fast and efficient distribution of energy. In account of the aforementioned benefits, 5G wireless systems are primarily made possible by high gain MIMO antenna with minimal coupling. The integration of traditional wave-guide components with planar circuits, on the other hand, is a difficult issue. SIW solves this problem by providing planar alternatives for waveguide-based devices like filters, antennas, and couplers. The SIW antenna has less interference, low radiation loss, excellent isolation, and outstanding shielding properties as compared with the conventional microstrip antenna. The proposed SISO SIW antenna has gain of 9.05 dBi with 87.54 % radiation efficiency. The −10 dB impedance bandwidth is 27.79–28.19 GHz. The SIW MIMO antenna has gain of 9.05 dBi with 81 % radiation efficiency. The antenna has an isolation 52 dB, and an ECC is 0.65 × 10−7 at 28 GHz. The proposed SIW MIMO antenna's MEG lies below −3 to −5 dB for Gaussian and isotropic medium. The CCL for the proposed MIMO antenna is 0.29–0.36 bits/s/Hz in the operating band. This article presents a high-gain and high-isolation substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) MIMO antenna using orthogonal diversity for increasing isolation between the radiating elements. The designed MIMO antenna is operating in the 28 GHz band (27.42–28.79 GHz), which comes under the n261 (FR2 5G-New Radio frequency band) band used for 5G wireless communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many PID (Proportional plus Integral plus Derivative) controller tuning methods are proposed in the control literature based on different closed-loop specifications. Also, tuning techniques, based on the maximum sensitivity specification, have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, a novel PID controller design method, based on maximum sensitivity, has been proposed. In this work, the PID controller is viewed as a gain and dynamic part and tuned separately. The PID controller dynamic part is tuned using one of the existing popular tuning methods. The tuned dynamic part is cascaded with the process. After that, the PID controller gain is tuned for the maximum sensitivity specification. The maximum sensitivity versus controller gain graph can be generated. The user can choose the controller gain for the desired maximum sensitivity specification. The popular Ziegler & Nichols and IMC (Internal Model Control) methods tune the dynamic part of the system in this work. These proposed techniques can achieve the desired maximum sensitivity by tuning the controller gain in the subsequent stage. Many illustrative instances are considered to display the applicability and the proposed technique’s simplicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This study presents the design, fabrication, and measurement of a novel MIMO antenna for 28 GHz 5G applications. The design includes two compact antennas with dimensions of 12.8 × 12.8 × 1.6 mm3, placed side by side in a symmetrical arrangement. The antenna being considered operates within the 28 GHz frequency range and has excellent characteristics in terms of reflection coefficient, isolation, and impedance matching. The measurements conducted encompassed both single and MIMO setups and focused on important parameters such the reflection coefficient, transmission coefficient, gain, and efficiency. The MIMO antenna exhibited a reflection coefficient of −62.52 dB at a frequency of 27.93 GHz, while the transmission coefficient was found to be −37.23 dB. The antenna attained a gain of 6.02 dB relative to an isotropic radiator (dBi) and exhibited a maximum efficiency of 90.73%, encompassing a bandwidth of 4.45 MHz (MHz). The simulated envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) was found to be less than 0.003, indicating a very low error rate. Additionally, the antenna attained a diversity gain of 9.998 dB. The suggested MIMO antenna is very suitable for 5G applications operating at 28 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plankton size spectra are important indicators of the ecosystem state, yet such measurements are typically biased by the available sampling methods. Here, we combined individual size measurement from two zooplankton imaging approaches— in situ observation by the Underwater Vision Profiler5 and Multinet-collection supplemented by ex situ imaging via Zooscan—obtained in the global ocean, to calculate zooplankton normalized biovolume size spectra (NBSS) for all organisms larger than 1 mm. The reconstructed NBSS combining both datasets resulted in increased biomass estimates by adding organisms poorly sampled by either of the methods. The optimal values measured by both methods are used to reconstruct the zooplankton biovolume and biomass distributions. The reconstructed slopes appeared steeper and closer to those measured only by the UVP5 (+7.6%) and flatter than those obtained only from the Multinet (−20%), particularly in tropical and temperate latitudes. The main difference in tropical and temperate NBSS from the two devices is due to the fragile rhizarians that were not accounted for when using net data. When possible, we suggest using in situ and ex situ technologies together, and we provide potential indications on how to correct for missing components of the community when only one method is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chromosomal 1q gains and amplifications (+1q21) are frequently observed in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). However, the interpretation of the high‐risk (HR) prognostic implications stemming from 1q21 abnormalities remain challenging to implement effectively. Methods: In a comprehensive analysis of 367 consecutive patients with symptomatic MM, we assessed the prognostic significance of +1q21 using FISH with a threshold of 7.4%. The patient cohort was randomly divided into a training set (66.5%, n = 244) and a validation set (33.5%, n = 133). A multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify significant prognostic factors associated with PFS. Weight scores were assigned to each risk factor based on the β‐value of the corresponding regression coefficient. A predictive risk‐scoring model involving +1q21 was then developed, utilizing the total score derived from these weight scores. The model's discriminative ability was evaluated using the AUC in both the training and validation sets. Finally, we compared the performance of the +1q21‐involved risk with the established R‐ISS and R2‐ISS models. Results: Upon initial diagnosis, 159 patients (43.32%) exhibited +1q21, with 94 (59.11%) having three copies, referred to as Gain(1q21), and 65 (40.89%) possessing four or more copies, referred to as Amp (1q21). Both were significantly linked to a reduced PFS in myeloma (p < 0.05), which could be effectively mitigated by ASCT. The +1q21‐involved risk model, with an AUC of 0.697 in the training set and 0.725 in the validation set, was constructed including Gain(1q21), Amp(1q21), no‐ASCT, and TP53 deletion. This model, termed the ultra‐high‐risk (UHR) model, demonstrated superior performance in predicting shorter PFS compared to the R‐ISS stage 3 and R2‐ISS stage 4. Conclusion: The UHR model, which integrates the presence of +1q21 with no‐ASCT and TP53 deletion, is designed to identify the early relapse subgroup among patients with +1q21 in NDMM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manuscript presents the design and investigation of square and L-shaped graphene plasmonic nano-antenna arrays on a silicon dioxide substrate for plasmonic biosensing applications. The design parameters, such as the shape of the nanostructure, spacing between the antenna array elements, size of the antenna array and chemical potential of the graphene are used to analyze the plasmonic resonance characteristics of the proposed plasmonic nano-antenna array. Initially, dispersive characteristics of graphene, such as conductivity, permittivity and refractive index are analyzed using its chemical potential for the validation of the graphene material for plasmonic sensing applications. The proposed square and L-shaped nanopatch antenna structures are radiating at 30 THz with a reflection coefficient of -28.4 dB and − 44.6 dB respectively at 0.1 eV chemical potential. It is observed that graphene nanopatch antenna radiates at 30 THz, 115 THz and 176 THz at a chemical potential of 1.3 eV. Further, the study demonstrated that the designed square and L-shaped nano-antenna exhibit a gain of 3.52 dB and 9.51 dB respectively at 30 THz. The gain can be increased further using a square and L-shaped nano-antenna array of dimensions 2 × 2, 3 × 3 and 4 × 4. It is observed that maximum gains of 33.44 dB and 30.86 dB are obtained for the square and L-shaped 4 × 4 plasmonic nanoarray antenna respectively. Finally, a nanocircuit model of square and L-shaped nano-antennas is proposed and validated through CST simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of investigation of the gain properties of 1300 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers active regions based on In0.60Ga0.40As/In0.53Al0.20Ga0.27As superlattices and threshold characteristics comparison of superlattices and highly lattice mismatched In0.74Al0.16Ga0.10As quantum wells are presented. The heterostructure of injection lasers with an In0.60Ga0.40As/In0.53Al0.20Ga0.27As superlattice was grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Mesa structure of injection lasers was obtained by selective liquid etching followed by the application of ohmic contacts. The formation of injection lasers with various cavity lengths is performed using the method of manually cleaving mirrors. The output characteristics were measured in a pulsed mode using a large area calibrated germanium photodiode. Spectral characteristics were measured using a spectrophotometer based on monochromator. The achieved threshold characteristics (modal gain about 40 cm–1, transparency current density about 650 A/cm2, internal optical losses about 8 cm–1) of injection lasers based on In0.60Ga0.40As/In0.53Al0.20Ga0.27As superlattices with low lattice mismatch InGaAs layers are comparable to previously presented lasers based on active regions with strongly strained In0.74Al0.16Ga0.10As quantum wells. The characteristic temperatures T0 and T1 were 60 K and 87 K for injection lasers with a cavity length of 1 mm. An increase in the frequency of small-signal modulation of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and their temperature stability is associated with the use of highly strained In0.74Ga0.26As/In0.53Al0.25Ga0.21As superlattices. The proposed active regions based on InGaAs-InP superlattices have the potential to be used in the development of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers in the 1300 nm spectral range. The findings of this work can be applied in the realization of experimental species and optimization of modulation parameters for vertical-cavity lasers operating in the 1300 nm wavelength range.

The purpose of the research is to study the probiotic Subalin effects on body weight gain in broiler chickens with spontaneous eimeriosis.Materials and methods. On a poultry farm in the Moscow Region, the body weight gain dynamics was studied in 120 floormanaged broiler chickens aged 9 to 40 days spontaneously infected with eimeria after administration of different doses of the probiotic Subalin vs. control. The chickens selected for the experiment were divided into four similar groups of 30 birds each. Subalin was administered to the first group chickens at a dose of 1.5 mL per 1 L of drinking water, while the broilers of the second and third groups were administered Subalin at a dose of 2 and 2.5 mL per 1 L of water, respectively. Subalin doses were given to the chickens of groups 1–3 in three stages: on 11–12; 18–19 and 26–27 days of age for consecutive 48 hours. The broilers of group 4 did not receive the drug and served as a control. The chickens of all groups underwent clinical, hematological, and coprological examinations; they were kept in similar conditions on the floor, in isolation, and fed as per zootechnical standards. Control weighing of the chickens was done on days 10 and 40 of their growth.Results and discussion. The total weight gain of the group 1 chickens was 1985 g in the experiment; 2203 g and 2214 g in groups 2 and 3, respectively, and 1803 g in the control group. The productivity of the experimental chickens was 10.1; 22.2 and 22.8% higher vs. control. The Subalin optimal dose was 2 mL per 1 L of drinking water according to the above scheme. The tested doses of Subalin had positive effects on the number of enterobacteria in the chicken intestines. Blood tests showed no statistically significant changes in clinical or hematological parameters in the experimental and control chickens.

In this paper, we designed, analyzed, and simulated a 32-element antenna array for the sub-6 GHz band. Each radiating element is a square patch on a Rogers RT5880 substrate, featuring a relative dielectric permittivity of 2.2, a low-loss tangent of 0.0009, and a thickness of 0.508 mm, measuring 28.1×28.1 mm². Simulations were conducted using two electromagnetic solvers, advanced design system (ADS) and CST Microwave Studio, providing a comprehensive comparison of the results. To achieve a high balance between performance and antenna size, two 4×8 array antenna structures were designed. The simulations demonstrated excellent input impedance matching around 3.5 GHz for both configurations, with high gains of 20.5 dBi for the first and 18 dBi for the second configuration, along with directional radiation patterns. The dimensions were 315×576×0.578 mm² for the first configuration and 170×961×0.578 mm² for the second. These performance metrics make the proposed antenna arrays highly suitable for wireless communication technologies operating below 6 GHz, particularly for 5G mobile communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to calculate the gains of the quantified visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (qVVOR) and the quantified vestibulo-ocular reflex suppression (qVORS), using a specific system to generate a visual suppression index (SI) in healthy subjects obtained through the gains of qVVOR and qVORS, and to determine the normal values of the index, as well as the influence of age and sex variables on the SI. Methods. This prospective observational clinical study includes 83 healthy subjects who underwent the head impulse and suppression tests (HIMP and SHIMP, respectively), qVVOR, and qVORS tests, all of the vHIT. The sinusoidal tests (qVVOR and qVORS) were conducted at an intended frequency of 0.75 Hz. The gains of these tests were calculated using a system specifically designed for this purpose. A formula for the SI was established using a ratio of the gains from these tests. Two SI values are presented: unilateral, distinct for each direction of head movement, and bilateral, representing the suppression of both sides simultaneously. Results. Mean gains for the qVVORs were 0.981 ± 0.070 and 0.978 ± 0.077 for the rightwards and leftwards qVVORs, respectively. The gains for the suppressed tests were 0.334 ± 0.112 and 0.353 ± 0.110 for the rightwards and leftwards qVORSs, respectively. A difference of 0.05 Hz was observed between the expected (0.75 Hz) and the obtained frequency of head movement, which is statistically significant (p < 0.001). The SI was 0.342 ± 0.118 for the right side (right SI) and 0.363 ± 0.117 for the left side (left SI). The bilateral SI had a mean value of 0.295 ± 0.104. No significant differences in the SI were noted according to the subject’s age. The SI for women was lower than in the case of males. Conclusions: The VVOR/VORS quantification algorithm allows for the reliable calculation of the numerical gain of qVVOR and qVORS with mathematical soundness and consistency of results. Our data support the use of a single or specific measure for direction of head movement; although significant differences exist, these differences are not clinically relevant.

This research intended to identify the techniques and objectives and motivations of creative accounting in the Czech Republic and confirm the responses similarity between two groups of respondents. The views of 318 financial professionals were analyzed through a questionnaire. The statistical Friedman test was used for testing two hypotheses: (H1) There is no difference in the presented results in the techniques of creative accounting between groups of financial professionals (ACPA, CFO, Lender, CPA, and MBA); (H2) There is no difference in the presented results in the objectives and motivations behind creative accounting between groups of financial professionals. This paper shows that the most used techniques are holding open books to record additional sales, delaying shipments, recognizing revenue on partial shipments, and changing inventory values. Common objectives and motivations included reducing earnings volatility, supporting stock prices, increasing income or cash flow, and creating a consensus earnings forecast of analytics. Both hypotheses H1 and H2 were confirmed. The presented article is based on our own research. Using the information obtained, it will be possible for auditors and other authorities to focus on specific areas of creative accounting and its motivations.

The research of energy consumption in an Internet of Things network and its analytical evaluation is the goal of this work. The authors of this work concentrate on developing a model for calculating the actual gain in power consumption in order to estimate the actual energy required. The method suggests measuring the difference in energy usage under three primary battery-powered working modes to maximize a device's lifetime. Due to the fact that each CPS device state has its own energy metrics, it is feasible to choose the best operation course for entire network. The presented technique is certainly viable, as demonstrated by the experimental examination of Zigbee and BLE devices. The comparison of power levels using a temperature sensor in three basic scenarios (power modes) dictates how the CPS device lifetime can be optimized. Multi-regime consumption models, in which the rates of charging and discharging are dependent upon the energy level, are analyzed in this paper. This work aimed to state an optimal energy consumption by finding the right balance between operational power and battery lifetime through mathematical modeling. Therefore, it is easy to determine the energy cost of power stage, for instance, to send data by setting the minimal duration of each working condition in terms of power consumption. Moreover, a reasonable balance of power consumption and battery lifetime which impacts the data collection from sensors is vital to the development of data extraction algorithms. The practical results depict how device should be accessible to be able to lose less power even during switching on/off or how operate more effective if it used for a short period of time. A long-term network could become a reality once battery life is optimized enough to not disturb a user.

The manuscript investigates the utilization of Koch curves and hexagonal ring-shaped geometry for an ultra-wideband fractal antenna, achieved through a combination of DGS, parasitic elements, and EC-SRR. The antenna's properties are investigated without and with DGS, Parasitic element, and EC-SRR in the hexagonal ring-shaped geometries for broader band characteristics. Simulation results show that the antenna designed without DGS resonates at five distinct frequencies, while with DGS, Parasitic element, and SRR, it resonates at six frequencies. An enhanced bandwidth of 10.42 GHz (99.43%) is revealed in the final antenna geometry, and the proposed antenna resonates at six frequencies, 3.4, 5.8, 8.5, 11, 14.2, and 15 GHz, with reflection coefficients of − 24.33, − 38.10, − 28.35, − 27.39, − 32.32, and − 15.93 dB, respectively. Combining a defected ground structure, parasitic element, and EC-SRR increases frequency bands and enhances the BW and reflection coefficient. With an overall dimension of 30 mm × 24 mm, the proposed antenna is suitable for wireless applications in the frequency ranges of 2.40–3.89 GHz and 5.33–15.75 GHz. The proposed antenna is fabricated, and the results are measured. It is found that simulated and measured results are in good agreement with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article a compact sinusoidal tapered slot Vivaldi linear antenna array is designed for X and Ku band applications is presented. Printed Vivaldi antennas are extensively used for broadband applications because it gives high gain and broad bandwidth. The proposed antenna consists of two circular stubs, one rectangular slot and sinusoidal tapered lines on both sides of the antenna structure. These two tapered lines separated by circular slots and rectangular slot. The bandwidth of the antenna is improved with two circular stubs before the tapering. A rectangular slot is included before the two stubs to reduce the aperture width of the antenna. The feed line is then terminated with sectorial stub to have better coupling to the slot. The profile of the tapering of slot is designed as sinusoidal variation to have good end fire radiation for the entire frequency range. The simulated single antenna has return loss less than− 10 dB in between the frequencies 8.2–20 GHz. A five-element linear array is designed, simulated and prototype model is fabricated. The simulated and experimental results show return loss is less than − 7.5 dB for the frequency range of 8.2–20 GHz. The maximum gain of single element and array is 4.6 dBi and 7 dBi respectively. The Co and cross polarization radiation patterns are measured. The designed Vivaldi antenna array is used in X, KU band, electronic warfare and phased array applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Position‐sensitive detectors (PSDs) are widely used in optical inspection applications, such as precise measurement of distance and angle, surface profiling, and motion tracking, etc. The lateral photovoltaic effect is the mechanism employed by most PSDs to determine position, but its gain‐free nature hinders weak‐light detection and applications. Here, a new position recognition mechanism with an intrinsic high gain is proposed and employ it to design a weak‐light and large‐size photoconductor‐type PSD. The position recognition is established by the intrinsic link between the gain and channel length in a photoconductor, and the designed linear correlation between the channel length and position. The photoconductor‐type graphene/Si PSD based on the recognition mechanism shows an active length of over 1 mm, a high spatial position resolution at the sub‐micrometer level, and a low detection limit power of 100 pW. Compared with Si PSDs, the gain of the photoconductor‐type PSD is improved by 3–4 orders of magnitude. In addition, the operational wavelength range of the PSD is expanded to include the near‐infrared region, specifically at 1300 and 1550 nm. The new position recognition mechanism paves the way for the development of ultra‐sensitive light position detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to calculate the gains of the quantified visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (qVVOR) and the quantified vestibulo-ocular reflex suppression (qVORS), using a specific system to generate a visual suppression index (SI) in healthy subjects obtained through the gains of qVVOR and qVORS, and to determine the normal values of the index, as well as the influence of age and sex variables on the SI. Methods. This prospective observational clinical study includes 83 healthy subjects who underwent the head impulse and suppression tests (HIMP and SHIMP, respectively), qVVOR, and qVORS tests, all of the vHIT. The sinusoidal tests (qVVOR and qVORS) were conducted at an intended frequency of 0.75 Hz. The gains of these tests were calculated using a system specifically designed for this purpose. A formula for the SI was established using a ratio of the gains from these tests. Two SI values are presented: unilateral, distinct for each direction of head movement, and bilateral, representing the suppression of both sides simultaneously. Results. Mean gains for the qVVORs were 0.981 ± 0.070 and 0.978 ± 0.077 for the rightwards and leftwards qVVORs, respectively. The gains for the suppressed tests were 0.334 ± 0.112 and 0.353 ± 0.110 for the rightwards and leftwards qVORSs, respectively. A difference of 0.05 Hz was observed between the expected (0.75 Hz) and the obtained frequency of head movement, which is statistically significant (p < 0.001). The SI was 0.342 ± 0.118 for the right side (right SI) and 0.363 ± 0.117 for the left side (left SI). The bilateral SI had a mean value of 0.295 ± 0.104. No significant differences in the SI were noted according to the subject's age. The SI for women was lower than in the case of males. Conclusions: The VVOR/VORS quantification algorithm allows for the reliable calculation of the numerical gain of qVVOR and qVORS with mathematical soundness and consistency of results. Our data support the use of a single or specific measure for direction of head movement; although significant differences exist, these differences are not clinically relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of supplementing bovine colostrum replacer during weaning to reduce intestinal permeability and improve gain. For this experiment, 65 calves were enrolled and housed individually until 70 d of age. Calves were fed milk replacer (150 g/L) 3 times daily with 9, 10.5, 11.25, and 12 L/d offered from d 1 to 7, 8 to 14, 15 to 21, 22 to 56, respectively. Calves were weaned over 8 d from d 57 to 64, receiving a total of 7.8 L in 2 meals per day from d 57 to 60 and 3.8 L/d in 1 feeding from d 61 to 64. At d 57, calves were blocked by birth weight and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments, equal in ME, which were fed once daily during weaning from d 57 to 64: control (CON; n = 31 calves): 3.8 L of milk replacer (150 g/L) fed by nipple bottle, or colostrum supplementation (COL; n = 34): a mixture of 1 L of bovine colostrum replacer (125 g/L) and 3 L of milk replacer (150 g/L) with 3.8 L of of the mixture fed by nipple bottle. Serum IgG was measured within 48 h of birth and BW was taken at d 0, 57, 60, 64, 70, 77, and 84. Starter intake and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) score were measured daily from d 50 to 70, and fecal consistency was examined daily from d 56 to 70. Serum BHB and lung consolidation were evaluated at d 57, 64, and 70, and intestinal permeability was assessed by recovery of chromium-EDTA, lactulose, and d -mannitol from plasma after oral administration at d 56 and 65. Body weight had no difference between treatment groups at the start of weaning, but COL were 2.79 kg (95% CI: 0.90–4.68) and 2.76 kg (95% CI: 0.86–4.65) heavier than CON at d 77 and 84, respectively. Additionally, COL tended to gain 100.00 g/d more than CON calves (95% CI: −10.41–207.13) from d 57 to 84. No differences were observed in any of the other variables measured. Supplementation of bovine colostrum replacer during weaning may improve weight gain, but the mechanism of action is not clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel technique is presented based on a sinusoidal curve‐shaped one‐dimensional periodic leaky‐wave antenna to eliminate open stopband (OSB) and enhance gain. The radiating stub is inspired by a sinusoidal curve showing zero phase constant at a single broadside frequency (9 GHz) and ripple‐free attenuation constant. The technique is first used on a unit cell with half‐cycle sinusoidal‐curved radiating stub to achieve uniform gain and OSB suppression. Subsequently, to further improve the gain, a unit cell with a full‐cycle sinusoidal‐curved radiating stub with an offset introduced at the centerline is applied. Finally, the full‐cycle sinusoidal stub is modified by introducing a pair of inclined "branching" half‐cycle sinusoidal stubs at an angle θ° from the centerline to further enhance the gain. A 4.65 dB gain improvement is observed along with complete OSB elimination for the proposed design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern communication systems, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology has garnered substantial attention due to its superior attributes compared to traditional narrowband communication systems. Over the past decade, UWB technology has also found applications in microwave-based imaging systems. This study introduces a simple planar coplanar waveguide-fed circular shape arc slot antenna designed specifically for biomedicine and microwave medical imaging applications. The proposed design is implemented on a 1.6-mm-thick FR4 substrate with a relative permittivity of 4.4 and a loss tangent of 0.0009. The antenna has physical dimensions of 26 mm × 29 mm and achieves an impressive bandwidth of 16.6 GHz, spanning 2.4 to 19 GHz. It exhibits a peak gain of 2.5 dBi and consistent omnidirectional radiation characteristics. Thorough temporal analysis validates the antenna's performance within acceptable limits, which is further affirmed through practical fabrication and testing, demonstrating strong agreement with simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of unique optical materials that provide amplification and lasing in new wavelength ranges is a major scientific problem, the solution of which is becoming the basis for the emergence of new optical technologies, which are primarily targeting the expanding of operating wavelengths in silica glass. In fact, one of the notable advances in the field of fiber optics over the past two decades has been the production of a new type of laser-active fibers (namely bismuth-doped fibers), which has made it possible to cover previously inaccessible (for rare-earth-doped fibers) spectral ranges, in particular O-, E-, S-, and U-telecom bands. The advance in this direction has led to further growth of the technological capabilities in the telecom industry for amplification and generation of optical radiation in various wavelength bands, which will result in the near future to overcoming the problem known as "capacity crunch" by means of expanding the data transmission range. Recently, bismuth-doped fibers have been actively studying in order to improve their characteristics, which would allow for efficient implementation of optical devices based on bismuth-doped fibers (BDFs) with deployed telecommunications systems. This is one of the dynamically developing areas, where progress has already manifested in form of emergence of new achievements, in particular commercially available various types of BDFs, as well as a series of novel fiber-optic amplifiers for the O- and E-bands. In this review, a number of scientific studies that have already led to a noticeable progress in the field of optical properties of BDFs and the practical implementation of optical devices (lasers and amplifiers) based on them are presented and discussed, with much attention to the achievements of recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new cloud-shaped fractal patch antenna with compact dimensions of 15 mm × 15 mm (0.85 g × 0.85 g) that will help achieve a wide bandwidth of up to 11.3 GHz. Here, g represents the operating wavelength specified at the lower frequency (9.01 GHz) of the obtained band. Additionally, the lower frequency (Lf) variability within the obtained band is estimated using the characteristic mode analysis (CMA) technique at each iteration of the proposed fractal antenna. The simulated design demonstrates its potential application in the X, Ku, and K bands, making it suitable for various applications, including satellite communication and military use. The antenna employs Kapton polyimide as the substrate, with a dielectric constant of 3.5 and a thickness of 0.11 mm. The simulated-10 dB antenna exhibits peak gains of 4 dBi and 5 dBi. The radiation pattern and antenna efficiency are also analysed. All simulations are conducted using the FEKO simulator software. The antenna is fabricated and measured for verification, with the experimental results showing a satisfactory agreement with the simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly selective planar microstrip filtering antenna for point-to-point communication is proposed in this paper. The bandpass filter is composed of a rectangular split-ring coupling resonator, and a portion of the filter is equivalent to a microstrip monopole antenna. Two rectangular split-ring structures with their openings aligned generate resonant characteristics, and U-shaped microstrip coupling structures are wrapped outside to optimize the passband characteristics. One of the U-shaped microstrip structures is transformed into a one-side bent structure as a radiation unit and serves as the resonant structure of the final stage of the filter, reducing the connection loss between the filter and the antenna. The operating frequency band of the filtering antenna is from 6.38 to 6.63 GHz with a reflection coefficient of less than -10 dB, a fractional bandwidth of 3.8%, and a peak gain of 4.46 dBi. The filtering antenna has excellent frequency selectivity, good out-of-band suppression, high gain, and small device size, in addition to its low cost after system integration. The simulation results are consistent with the experimental test results. The filtering antenna as a novel radio frequency sensor can be applied to the point-to-point communication of automated guided vehicles in the logistics field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid progress in the field of wireless communication, the demand for antenna with miniature size and light weight becomes a necessary requirement in today's world. Most suitable antenna in this category is "Microstrip Patch Antenna (MPA)". In this paper parametric analysis of MPA design structure as per footprint equations, Substrate material, Feeding Techniques and Design parameters are analyzed keeping in view of various Vedic shapes. SSMPA has been recently developed by the researchers which has exhibited improved radiation properties with improved polarization. The design of the SSMPA has been taken from a holy sign in Hindu mythology and has exhibited enhancement in the bandwidth of an MPA. The slots of the SSMPA help in modifying the surface current distribution of the patch. The shape basically helps the charge particles in accelerating and decelerating, which improves the bandwidth and radiation characteristics. Antenna parameters like "Gain, S11 (Return Loss), Bandwidth, Directivity, VSWR" are to be compared for various designs respect to wireless applications. This paper looks at the Swastika and other Vedic shaped MPA and the various advantages of its usage for wireless applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An H-shaped slotted leaky-wave antenna (LWA) is proposed based on balanced composite right/left-handed (CRLH) transmission lines (TLs) to improve the backward scanning bandwidth and achieve constant gain. The proposed antenna consists of a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) unit cell array configured by an H-shaped slot cut in the top layer of the SIW and a patch embedded beneath the H-shaped slot. The proposed design improves the backward scanning bandwidth compared to planar SIW LWAs. The measured beam radiation is in the range from −79° to 80° over the frequency range of 7.6–12.5 GHz. Moreover, a constant gain of greater than 10 dB is achieved over the entire X-band frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces an innovative circular and compact ultra‐wideband (UWB) radiator designed specifically for 5G microwave applications. This antenna incorporates a “TU”-shaped ground plane on its reverse side, with strip lines feeding the circular element on the front side. Notably, the antenna exhibits impressive characteristics, including an outstanding impedance bandwidth of 107%, and an impressive return loss of -32 dB. Its operational frequency range spans from 2.4 GHz to 11 GHz, centered at 6.7 GHz. Extensive simulations were conducted using CST microwave studio software to validate its performance. The antenna’s physical dimensions are defined by a size of 0.12 λ × 0.08 λ × 0.012 λ relative to its wavelength. Furthermore, this antenna demonstrates exceptional stability in its polar patterns and maintains a high-efficiency level, achieving a substantial gain of 3.75 dBi with an efficiency rating of 84.5%. These remarkable attributes make this antenna suitable for a wide range of applications, including Wi-Fi, 5G, WLAN, and various other microwave communication scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a novel 3-Φ inverter that operates from a single direct current source and is based on the idea of switched-capacitor (SC) techniques. Each phase leg of the proposed topology (PT) consists of eight switches, two capacitors, and a diode. This configuration enables the generation of seven levels (line-to-line) voltage waveforms. The proposed design has several advantages, such as the capacitors' natural balancing, the ability to boost, minimum voltage stresses on the power switches, and fewer switching components. When compared to the conventional two-stage design, single-stage dc–ac power converters with boost capabilities present an intriguing option. This paper introduces a novel boost-type inverter for use in a wide variety of applications, including rolling mills, fans, pumps, maritime appliances, mining, tractions, and more. The study explains the proposed design, principle, control mechanism, and loss analysis in great depth. The advantages of the PT have been demonstrated through comparison with recently published SC topologies. Finally, a 1550-W downscale prototype is used to experimentally verify its viability and performance, with an estimated efficiency of around 96.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a method for calculating the received power by modeling the environment in which a target and guided weapon encounter each other and analyzing the RCS and gains in the near field. The target encounter environment was modeled by fixing the position of the simple missile shape target and moving the horn antenna. The near-field RCS was analyzed based on the magnitude of the Poynting vector obtained using the HFSS SBR+ simulation. The received power was calculated by substituting the antenna gain, which varies based on the distance from the target, and the previously analyzed near-field RCS into the radar equation. The received power calculated using the proposed method is compared and verified with the received power obtained using the far-field RCS, gain, and the received power obtained through simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present article presents critical aspects of RF system development process and its sequential phases along with associated challenges. It also discusses importance of active and passive components thermal behavior and their impact in overall system performance. The study on performance deviation of these components with temperature change has been reported. Potential issues for gain variation and frequency selectivity have been analysed and suitable solutions are explored accordingly. Implementation of temperature stabilization method in designed RF product has been carried out during prototype development. Practical achieved results are noted down during testing and measurement to monitor effectiveness of thermal stabilization mentioned in it. Finally, wideband flat gain response has been achieved by implementation of thermal stabilization for active and passive components to avoid any performance degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research of energy consumption in an Internet of Things network and its analytical evaluation is the goal of this work. The authors of this work concentrate on developing a model for calculating the actual gain in power consumption in order to estimate the actual energy required. The method suggests measuring the difference in energy usage under three primary battery-powered working modes to maximize a device’s lifetime. Due to the fact that each CPS device state has its own energy metrics, it is feasible to choose the best operation course for entire network. The presented technique is certainly viable, as demonstrated by the experimental examination of Zigbee and BLE devices. The comparison of power levels using a temperature sensor in three basic scenarios (power modes) dictates how the CPS device lifetime can be optimized. Multi-regime consumption models, in which the rates of charging and discharging are dependent upon the energy level, are analyzed in this paper. This work aimed to state an optimal energy consumption by finding the right balance between operational power and battery lifetime through mathematical modeling. Therefore, it is easy to determine the energy cost of power stage, for instance, to send data by setting the minimal duration of each working condition in terms of power consumption. Moreover, a reasonable balance of power consumption and battery lifetime which impacts the data collection from sensors is vital to the development of data extraction algorithms. The practical results depict how device should be accessible to be able to lose less power even during switching on/off or how operate more effective if it used for a short period of time. A long-term network could become a reality once battery life is optimized enough to not disturb a user. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microstrip patch antennas have been widely used in contemporary mobile communication technology, including 5G. Previous studies in the area have shown that such antennas can be optimized to operate in different bands of 5G. This study proposes a microstrip patch antenna designed to operate at 26 and 28 GHz and aimed at improving the gain and other radiation characteristics by adding a combination of different slot shapes to a single rectangular patch that is very common and popular in 5G antennas. The results show that the gain is noticeably increased by inserting two hammer slots and a rectangular slot in the middle between them. The dimensions of the slots are optimized using the CST Studio Suite simulator. A comparative analysis was performed to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed over previous designs in terms of gain value and other radiation parameters. The results suggest that such a very simple and low-profile antenna can be a good candidate for 5G mobile applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fifth-generation technology is popular and best as far as data rates are concerned for wireless applications. To meet the increased demand of the modern world for faithful communication, this research work is carried out. In this approach, a single patch, 1×2 array, and 2×2 array are designed using a low-cost FR4 dielectric substrate (Є𝑟=4.4) covering the 3.3-3.8 GHz frequency band. Due to the lack of gain from arrays in the present research, an attempt is made to achieve excellent gain from arrays with a minimum number of patches. First, the gain of a single inset-fed antenna is compared with another normal single patch of the same thickness but with an additional air dielectric medium. Next, the second single patch is extended to obtain a rectangular 1×2 array and a 2×2 array antenna. A second single patch measuring 50×32.5×0.8 mm is designed assuming an infinite ground plane. It has 3 mm air gap between the patch strip and the ground. Air acts as a second dielectric layer that reduces power loss. This allows a maximum gain of 15.2 dB with a return loss of -22 dB. Also, antenna efficiency and bandwidth are 91% and 267.69 MHz, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since time immemorial, there has been demonisation of conflict that entangles Church leaders and congregants in Zimbabwe. Innumerable publications have exposed multifarious negative effects of ecclesial conflicts, such as dividing the parties involved, splitting churches and creating space for dubious and cultist opportunists to take up leadership positions at the expense of gullible believers. While this happens, focusing on the negative consequences of conflict prolongs the hurt and pain, while delaying healing, closure, peace and development. Thus, the positive effects of conflict represent a critical gap in need of attention. Employing qualitative literature review, biblical peace and conflict management principles, this submission reconciles the aforementioned downsides with the upsides of Church conflict, such as necessitating introspection and exposing hidden issues that need attention. It finds conflict unavoidable, yet sometimes destructive, constructive and indicative that certain issues must be addressed. All in all, it recommends that Church leaders should not delay, or rub off, but manage conflict and upgrade their conflict management as well as peace building skills in view of biblical precepts to stay progressive in any situation. Contribution: This article reconciles the negative with the positive effects of Church leadership conflicts to achieve ecclesial and community development.

Abstract Background Chromosomal 1q gains and amplifications (+1q21) are frequently observed in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). However, the interpretation of the high‐risk (HR) prognostic implications stemming from 1q21 abnormalities remain challenging to implement effectively. Methods In a comprehensive analysis of 367 consecutive patients with symptomatic MM, we assessed the prognostic significance of +1q21 using FISH with a threshold of 7.4%. The patient cohort was randomly divided into a training set (66.5%, n = 244) and a validation set (33.5%, n = 133). A multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify significant prognostic factors associated with PFS. Weight scores were assigned to each risk factor based on the β‐value of the corresponding regression coefficient. A predictive risk‐scoring model involving +1q21 was then developed, utilizing the total score derived from these weight scores. The model's discriminative ability was evaluated using the AUC in both the training and validation sets. Finally, we compared the performance of the +1q21‐involved risk with the established R‐ISS and R2‐ISS models. Results Upon initial diagnosis, 159 patients (43.32%) exhibited +1q21, with 94 (59.11%) having three copies, referred to as Gain(1q21), and 65 (40.89%) possessing four or more copies, referred to as Amp (1q21). Both were significantly linked to a reduced PFS in myeloma (p