Minimum Sensitivity Research Articles

ANALISIS PERFORMANCE PERANCANGAN JARINGAN FIBER OPTIC PADA RSUD WANGAYA KOTA DENPASAR DENGAN OPTISYSTEM

The hospital information system has been regulated in Law Number 44 of 2009 concerning Hospitals. The law states that every hospital is required to record and report all hospital operations in the form of a hospital management system. In this regard, the research conducted at Wangaya Regional General Hospital, Denpasar City, aims to determine the performance calculation of the fiber optic network design at the hospital so that SIMRS implementation can be carried out optimally. This research uses Optisystem 7.0 simulation to determine the performance of network design at Wangaya Regional General Hospital, Denpasar City. Optisystem simulation with MMF OM4 cable produce a power receive value greater than allowable minimum receiver sensitivity, that is -11.1 dBm. The BER value obtained from the Optisystem simulation is less than 1x10-9 which indicates that the value has met the adequacy of the standard BER value in fiber optic networks. However, the Q-factor value obtained in the simulation is greater than the optical communication standard, that is 6. This design is feasible to implement using MMF OM4 cable from the results of testing with Optisystem simulations.

P368: A PHASE II STUDY OF INOTUZUMAB OZOGAMICIN FOR THE TREATMENT OF MEASURABLE RESIDUAL DISEASE-POSITIVE B-CELL ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

Background: Persistence or re-emergence of measurable residual disease (MRD) in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is strongly associated with shorter relapse-free survival. Inotuzumab ozogamicin (INO) is an anti-CD22 antibody-drug conjugate with the potential to eradicate MRD in B-ALL. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of INO in clearing MRD in patients (pts) with persistent or recurrent MRD positivity after treatment with conventional chemotherapy. Methods: This is a single arm phase II trial of pts with B-ALL in complete remission (CR) who did not achieve MRD negativity (MRD-ve) or had MRD-positive (MRD+ve) relapse after at least 3 months (mos) from the start of frontline therapy (i.e. CR1) or 1 month from the start of any salvage therapy (i.e. ≥ CR2). Eligibility was defined by MRD+ve at ≥ 0.01%. MRD-ve was defined as undetectable MRD by flow cytometry at a minimum sensitivity of 10-4 for Philadelphia (Ph) negative (Ph-) B-ALL and undetectable MRD by both flow and PCR at 10-4 for Ph positive (Ph+) B-ALL. INO was given at a dose of 0.6 mg/m2 on D1 and 0.3 mg/m2 on D8 of C1 and 0.3 mg/m2 on D1 and 8 of subsequent cycles (up to 6 total cycles, given every 21-28 days) along with ursodiol prophylaxis. Pts with Ph+ ALL received concomitant TKI, the choice of which was decided by the treating physician. Results: Between 11/2018 and 1/2022, 20 pts with MRD+ve B-ALL, with a median age of 40 years (range, 19-68) were treated. Twelve pts (60%) had Ph+ B-ALL, 11 of whom received concurrent ponatinib and 1 dasatinib. Eight pts were Ph- (including 3 Ph-like ALL). Fourteen pts (70%) were in CR1, and 6 pts (30%) were in ≥ CR2 (3 in CR2, 2 in CR3 and 1 in CR4). Eleven pts (55%) had received prior blinatumomab (blina) and 4 pts (20%) had prior stem cell transplantation (SCT). The median BCR-ABL1 level in Ph+ B-ALL was 0.58% (range, 0.001-17.5%) and median MRD level by flow cytometry in Ph- B-ALL was 0.2% (range, 0.05-1.24%). Twelve pts (60%) became MRD-ve (responders), 10 after cycle 1 and 2 after cycle 2. In the Ph+ group, 6 pts (50%) responded; another 3 pts attained MMR as best response. Six of 8 (75%) Ph- pts responded. The median number of cycles were 3 (range, 1-6). Seven of 9 pts (78%) without prior blina exposure became MRD-ve, compared with 5/11 (45%) pts with prior blina exposure (p=0.22). Patient disposition is shown in Fig. 1A. Amongst the 12 responders, 5 pts were consolidated with ASCT after a median of 3 cycles (range, 1-3) of INO, all in MRD-ve CR pre-ASCT. Three responders (25%) relapsed (including 1 relapse after ASCT). At a median follow-up of 17 mos, 15 pts (75%) are alive, 8 of whom are in continued MRD-ve CR. The estimated 18 mos RFS and OS were 63% and 73% respectively, for the whole group (Fig. 1B), and the 18 mos OS was 87% and 55% for responders and non-responders, respectively. Outcomes were similar between pts with Ph+ ALL vs. Ph- ALL, prior blina exposure vs. no prior exposure, and pts in CR1 vs. ≥ CR2. INO was overall well-tolerated with no grade 4 non-hematological toxicities. Grade 3 non-hematological toxicities included elevated transaminases in 1 pt and veno-occlusive disease in 1 pt without history of prior ASCT. Ten pts (50%) had grade 3-4 hematological toxicities (primarily neutropenia). Image:Summary/Conclusion: Low-dose, fractionated INO is a well-tolerated option for MRD eradication in Ph+ and Ph- B-ALL pts, including in those with prior blina exposure.

Plasmonic band-stop MIM waveguide filter based on bilateral asymmetric equilateral triangular ring

In this paper, a bilateral asymmetric equilateral triangular ring (ETR) band-stop filter based on metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide is proposed. The transmission spectrum and electric field distribution of the filter are simulated and theoretically investigated by finite difference time domain (FDTD) and coupled mode theory (CMT) method. The results show that changing the number and position of resonant cavities can adjust the transmission characteristics of the filter. The minimum transmission and sensitivity of this filter is 0.1% and 1149 nm/RIU, respectively. The filters have broad prospects in the highly integrated optical circuits and refractive index sensor.

Relationship between the sensitivity and beam splitting ratio, conversion efficiency, and local oscillator power in balanced detection.

Balanced detection, which is becoming increasingly essential for wireless communication and optical fiber communication, has been extensively studied in recent years. However, the relationships between the sensitivity and the other parameters have not yet been comprehensively ascertained. In this work, the relationship between the sensitivity and the local oscillator power Plo, consistency parameter Δα, and beam splitting ratio ε in balanced detection is explored through numerical and communication system simulations. If ε decreases, the sensitivity increases, and the corresponding Plo decreases. With the increase or decrease in Δα, ε corresponding to the minimum sensitivity shifts toward the right or left, respectively. This shift increases with the increase in the absolute value of Δα, and the minimum value of the sensitivity increases. When the absolute values of Δα are equal, their curves are almost symmetrical. As ε approaches 0.5, the tolerable maximum of Plo becomes higher. At any instant, the average value of the quantum efficiency of the two photodiodes is more critical than the maximum quantum efficiency and balance. This work facilitates thorough understanding of the sensitivity of balanced detection, which can be beneficial for future optical communication design.

Characterization of stem cell landscape and identification of stemness-relevant prognostic gene signature to aid immunotherapy in colorectal cancer

BackgroundIt is generally accepted that colorectal cancer (CRC) originates from cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are responsible for CRC progression, metastasis and therapy resistance. The high heterogeneity of CSCs has precluded clinical application of CSC-targeting therapy. Here, we aimed to characterize the stemness landscapes and screen for certain patients more responsive to immunotherapy.MethodsTwenty-six stem cell gene sets were acquired from StemChecker database. Consensus clustering algorithm was applied for stemness subtypes identification on 1,467 CRC samples from TCGA and GEO databases. The differences in prognosis, tumor microenvironment (TME) components, therapy responses were evaluated among subtypes. Then, the stemness-risk model was constructed by weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA), Cox regression and random survival forest analyses, and the most important marker was experimentally verified.ResultsBased on single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) enrichments scores, CRC patients were classified into three subtypes (C1, C2 and C3). C3 subtype exhibited the worst prognosis, highest macrophages M0 and M2 infiltrations, immune and stromal scores, and minimum sensitivity to immunotherapies, but was more sensitive to drugs like Bosutinib, Docetaxel, Elesclomol, Gefitinib, Lenalidomide, Methotrexate and Sunitinib. The turquoise module was identified by WGCNA that it was most positively correlated with C3 but most negatively with C2, and five hub genes in turquoise module were identified for stemness model construction. CRC patients with higher stemness scores exhibited worse prognosis, more immunosuppressive components in TME and lower immunotherapeutic responses. Additionally, the model’s immunotherapeutic prediction efficacy was further confirmed from two immunotherapy cohorts (anti-PD-L1 in IMvigor210 cohort and anti-PD-1 in GSE78220 cohort). Mechanistically, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) results revealed high stemness score group was enriched in interferon gamma response, interferon alpha response, P53 pathway, coagulation, apoptosis, KRAS signaling upregulation, complement, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and IL6-mediated JAK-STAT signaling gene sets.ConclusionsOur study characterized three stemness-related subtypes with distinct prognosis and TME patterns in CRC patients, and a 5-gene stemness-risk model was constructed by comprehensive bioinformatic analyses. We suggest our stemness model has prospective clinical implications for prognosis evaluation and might facilitate physicians selecting prospective responders for preferential use of current immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Integration of distributed generations by coordinating electric vehicle charging station in medium voltage network by Swarm intelligence

PurposeNotable energy losses and voltage deviation issues in low-voltage radial distribution systems are a major concern for power planners and utility companies because of the integration of electric vehicles (EVs). Electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) are the key components in the network where the EVs are equipped to energize their battery. The purpose of this paper is coordinating the EVCS and distributed generation (DG) so as to place them optimally using swarm-based elephant herding optimization techniques by considering energy losses, voltage sensitivity and branch current as key indices. The placement and sizing of the EVCS and DG were found in steps.Design/methodology/approachThe IEEE 33-bus test feeder and 52-bus Indian practical radial networks were used as the test system for the network characteristic analysis. To enhance the system performance, the radial network is divided into zones for the placement of charging stations and dispersed generation units. Balanced coordination is discussed with three defined situations for the EVCS and DG.FindingsThe proposed analysis shows that DG collaboration with EVCS with suitable size and location in the network improves the performance in terms of stability and losses.Research limitations/implicationsStability and loss indices are handled with equal weight factor to find the best solution.Social implicationsThe proposed method is coordinating EVCS and DG in the existing system; the EV integration in the low-voltage side can be incorporated suitably. So, it has societal impact.Originality/valueIn this study, the proposed method shows improved results in terms EVCS and DG integration in the system with minimum losses and voltage sensitivity. The results have been compared with another population-based particle swarm optimization method (PSO). There is an improvement of 18% in terms of total power losses and 9% better result in minimum node voltage as compared to the PSO technique. Also, there is an enhancement of 33% in the defined voltage stability index which shows the proficiency of the proposed analysis.

A biodegradable chipless sensor for wireless subsoil health monitoring

Precision Agriculture (PA) is an integral component of the contemporary agricultural revolution that focuses on enhancing food productivity in proportion to the increasing global population while minimizing resource waste. While the recent advancements in PA, such as the integration of IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, have significantly improved the surveillance of field conditions to achieve high yields, the presence of batteries and electronic chips makes them expensive and non-biodegradable. To address these limitations, for the first time, we have developed a fully Degradable Intelligent Radio Transmitting Sensor (DIRTS) that allows remote sensing of subsoil volumetric water using drone-assisted wireless monitoring. The device consists of a simple miniaturized resonating antenna encapsulated in a biodegradable polymer material such that the resonant frequency of the device is dependent on the dielectric properties of the soil surrounding the encapsulated structure. The simple structure of DIRTS enables scalable additive manufacturing processes using cost-effective, biodegradable materials to fabricate them in a miniaturized size, thereby facilitating their automated distribution in the soil. As a proof-of-concept, we present the use of DIRTS in lab and field conditions where the sensors demonstrate the capability to detect volumetric water content within the range of 3.7–23.5% with a minimum sensitivity of 9.07 MHz/%. Remote sensing of DIRTS can be achieved from an elevation of 40 cm using drones to provide comparable performance to lab measurements. A systematic biodegradation study reveals that DIRTS can provide stable readings within the expected duration of 1 year with less than 4% change in sensitivity before signs of degradation. DIRTS provides a new steppingstone toward advancing precision agriculture while minimizing the environmental footprint.

Predicting complicated appendicitis based on clinical findings: the role of Alvarado and Appendicitis Inflammatory Response scores

PurposeThe pre-interventional differentiation between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis is decisive for treatment. In the context of conservative therapy, the definitive diagnosis of uncomplicated appendicitis is mandatory. This study investigates the ability of clinical scoring systems and imaging to differentiate between the two entities.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of two cohorts from two tertiary referral centers in Switzerland and Germany. All consecutive patients underwent appendectomy between January 2008 and April 2013 (in the first cohort) or between January 2017 and June 2019 (the second cohort). Exclusion criteria did not apply as all patients found by the database search and received an appendectomy were included. Diagnostic testing and calculation of a receiver operating curve were performed to identify a cutoff for clinical scores that resulted in a minimum sensitivity of 90% to detect complicated appendicitis. The cutoff was combined with additional diagnostic imaging criteria to see if diagnostic properties could be improved.ResultsNine hundred fifty-six patients were included in the analysis. Two hundred twenty patients (23%) had complicated appendicitis, and 736 patients (77%) had uncomplicated appendicitis or no inflammation. The complicated appendicitis cohort had a mean Alvarado score of 7.03 and a mean AIR of 5.21. This compared to a mean Alvarado of 6.53 and a mean AIR of 4.07 for the uncomplicated appendicitis cohort. The highest Alvarado score with a sensitivity of > 90% to detect complicated appendicitis was ≧ 5 (sensitivity = 95%, specificity 8.99%). The highest AIR score with a sensitivity of > 90% to detect complicated appendicitis was ≧ 3 (sensitivity 91.82%, specificity 18.53). The analysis showed that additional CT information did not improve the sensitivity of the proposed cut-offs.ConclusionAIR and Alvarado scores showed limited capability to distinguish between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis even with additional imaging in this retrospective cohort. As conservative management of appendicitis needs to exclude patients with complicated disease reliably, appendectomy seems until now to remain the safest option to prevent undertreatment of this mostly benign disease.

The inhibition of glucose uptake to erythrocytes: microwave dielectric response.

Dielectric spectroscopy has been used in the study and development of non-invasive glucose monitoring (NIGM) sensors, including the range of microwave frequencies. Dielectric relaxation of red blood cell (RBC) cytosolic water in the microwave frequency band has been shown to be sensitive to variations in the glucose concentration of RBC suspensions. It has been hypothesized that this sensitivity stems from the utilization of D-glucose by RBCs. To verify this proposition, RBCs were pretreated with inhibitors of D-glucose uptake (cytochalasin B and forskolin). Then their suspensions were exposed to different D-glucose concentrations as measured by microwave dielectric spectroscopy (MDS) in the 500MHz-40GHz frequency band. After incubation of RBCs with either inhibitor, the dielectric response of water in the cytoplasm, and specifically its relaxation time, demonstrated minimal sensitivity to the change of D-glucose concentration in the medium. This result allows us to conclude that the sensitivity of MDS to glucose uptake is associated with variations in the balance of bulk and bound RBC cytosolic water due to intracellular D-glucose metabolism, verifying the correctness of the initial hypothesis. These findings represent a further argument to establish the dielectric response of water as a marker of glucose variation in RBCs.

CEO compensation and firm performance: Evidence from financially constrained firms

We examine how financial constraints affect the relationship between firm performance and the CEO compensation of U.S. listed corporations during the period 1996–2018. Our results indicate that financial constraints negatively moderate the positive relationships between firm performance and CEO compensation. That is, financially constrained firms that perform well financially will increase their CEO compensation at a smaller rate than their counterparts because financially constrained firms tend to hoard cash to save cost and safeguard for future investment, liquidity and leverage policies. However, the negative impact of financial constraints on the positive pay-performance sensitivity is more pronounced in the bonus sample. That is, financially constrained firms control bonus increments to control costs even when their firm performance improves. Overall, our results, which are robust to a battery of tests, explain why prior studies show minimal pay-performance sensitivity and the need to account for the financial constraints of a company in designing CEO compensation.

The High‐Frequency Tidal Response of Ocean Worlds: Application to Europa and Ganymede

AbstractEuropa and Ganymede, whose liquid water oceans are of uncertain thickness, are subject to tidal forces across a broad frequency spectrum. Tidal deformation is inherently frequency dependent, an effect which is enhanced when a subsurface ocean is present. We model the tidal response of Europa and Ganymede, taking into account ocean dynamics and the viscoelastic coupling to the ice shell. Tidal deformation at high frequencies ‐ a result of moon‐moon interactions ‐ is resonantly amplified by ocean dynamics. We find the corresponding tidal Love numbers to be extremely sensitive to ocean thickness and weakly sensitive to ice shell thickness, shear modulus, and viscosity. Measuring these high‐frequency deformations would provide a unique determination of ocean thickness, though the minimum sensitivity required to detect the relevant deformation (0.1 mm, 2 nGal) makes this an extreme challenge. Detection of a large signal on the order of centimeters would only be possible if the ocean was tuned to a particular thickness, which would suggest that moon‐moon tides play a role in the thermal/orbital evolution of the moon. Scaling laws are also derived that predict the resonant enhancement of tidal Love numbers and associated tidal dissipation in the ocean and ice shell.

Constraints on the Maximum Densities of Neutron Stars from Postmerger Gravitational Waves with Third-Generation Observations.

Using data from 289 numerical relativity simulations of binary neutron star mergers, we identify, for the first time, a robust quasiuniversal relation connecting the postmerger peak gravitational-wave frequency and the value of the density at the center of the maximum mass nonrotating neutron star. This relation offers a new possibility for precision equation-of-state constraints with next-generation ground-based gravitational-wave interferometers. Mock Einstein Telescope observations of fiducial events indicate that Bayesian inferences can constrain the maximum density to ∼15% (90% credibility level) for a single signal at the minimum sensitivity threshold for a detection. If the postmerger signal is included in a full-spectrum (inspiral-merger-postmerger) analysis of such a signal, the pressure-density function can be tightly constrained up to the maximum density, and the maximum neutron star mass can be measured with an accuracy better than 12% (90% credibility level).

Protease-digested egg-white products induce oral tolerance in mice but elicit little IgE production upon epicutaneous exposure

BackgroundEarly food introduction induces tolerance, but epicutaneous exposure, especially via eczema lesions, promotes IgE sensitization. Aiming for safe and effective primary prevention of egg allergy, we examined several protease-digested egg-white (EW) products for three properties: 1) induction of oral tolerance that prevents IgE sensitization, 2) weak IgE binding that can prevent allergic reactions even in IgE-sensitized mice, and 3) minimal epicutaneous IgE sensitization even when in contact with inflamed skin. MethodsHeated EW was digested with several proteases under optimal conditions. First, three-week-old BALB/c female mice were intragastrically administered EW or each protease-digested EW product, followed by intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA) or ovomucoid (OVM) injection with alum. Serum OVA- and OVM-specific IgE titers were measured. Second, six-week-old mice were sensitized with OVA/OVM, and the rectal temperature was measured after intraperitoneal administration of EW or each protease-digested EW. Third, EW or each protease-digested EW product was applied to the tape-stripped skin for 3 days/week for 3 weeks. Serum OVA- and OVM-specific IgE titers were measured. ResultsOrally administered pepsin-digested EW product (PDEW) and Thermoase PC10F-digested EW product (TDEW) significantly suppressed OVA-/OVM-specific IgE production. Neither product elicited a body temperature decline (anaphylaxis) in OVA-/OVM-sensitized mice. Serum OVA-/OVM-specific IgE levels were significantly lower in mice epicutaneously exposed to PDEW or TDEW than in EW-exposed mice. ConclusionsTwo protease-digested EWs showed potential as optimal EW products for early introduction for primary prevention of egg allergy.

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics and risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Zambia

ObjectivesTo conduct a diagnostic validation study of SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic kits. MethodsWe compared SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test results from 3 RT-PCR assays used by the Zambian government between November 2020 and February 2021 (Panther Fusion assay, Da An Gene's 2019-nCoV RNA kit and Maccura's PCR Kit) with the Altona RealStar RT-PCR kit which served as the gold standard. We also evaluated results from rapid antigen testing and whether comorbidities were linked with increased odds of infection. ResultsWe recruited 244 participants, 61% (149/244) were positive by at least 1 PCR assay. Da An Gene, Maccura, and Panther Fusion assays had sensitivities of 0.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0%–41%), 27.1% (95% CI 15%–42%), and 76% (95% CI 65%–85%), respectively, but specificity was low (<85% for all 3 assays). HIV and TB were not associated with SARS-CoV-2, whereas female sex (OR 0.5 [0.3–0.9], p = 0.026) and chronic pulmonary disease (0.1 [0.0–0.8], p = 0.031) were associated with lower odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of 44 samples, 84% sequenced were Beta variant. ConclusionsThe RT-PCR assays evaluated did not meet WHO recommended minimum sensitivity of 80%. Local diagnostic validation studies should be embedded within preparedness plans for future outbreaks to improve the public health response.

Design of high-pressure iron Rayleigh–Taylor strength experiments for the National Ignition Facility

Iron is an important metal, scientifically and technologically. It is a common metal on Earth, forming the main constituent of the planet's inner core, where it is believed to be in solid state at high pressure and high temperature. It is also the main component of many important structural materials used in quasistatic and dynamic conditions. Laser-driven Rayleigh–Taylor instability provides a means of probing material strength at high pressure and high temperature. The unavoidable phase transition in iron at relatively low pressure induces microstructural changes that ultimately affect its strength in this extreme regime. This inevitable progression can make it difficult to design experiments and understand their results. Here, we address this challenge with the introduction of a new approach: a direct-drive design for Rayleigh–Taylor strength experiments capable of reaching up to 400 GPa over a broad range of temperatures. We use 1D and 2D hydrodynamic simulations to optimize target components and laser pulse shape to induce the phase transition and compress the iron to high pressure and high temperature. At the simulated pressure–temperature state of 350 GPa and 4000 K, we predict a ripple growth factor of 3–10 depending on the strength with minimal sensitivity to the equation of state model used. The growth factor is the primary observable, and the measured value will be compared to simulations to enable the extraction of the strength under these conditions. These experiments conducted at high-energy laser facilities will provide a unique way to study an important metal.

Decoding herbal materials of TCM preparations with the multi-barcode sequencing approach

With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technology, approaches for assessing biological ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) preparations have also advanced. Using a multi-barcode sequencing approach, all biological ingredients could be identified from TCM preparations in theory, as long as their DNA is present. The biological ingredients of several classical TCM preparations were analyzed successfully based on this approach in previous studies. However, the universality, sensitivity and reliability of this approach on a diverse set of TCM preparations remain unclear. In this study, we selected four representative TCM preparations, namely Bazhen Yimu Wan, Da Huoluo Wan, Niuhuang Jiangya Wan, and You Gui Wan, for concrete assessment of the multi-barcode sequencing approach. Based on ITS2 and trnL biomarkers, we have successfully detected the prescribed herbal materials (PHMs) in these representative TCM preparations (minimum sensitivity: 77.8%, maximum sensitivity: 100%). The results based on ITS2 have also shown higher reliability than trnL at species level, while their combination could provide higher sensitivity and reliability. The multi-barcode sequencing approach has shown good universality, sensitivity and reliability in decoding these four representative TCM preparations. In the omics big-data era, this work has undoubtedly made one step forward for applying multi-barcode sequencing approach in PHMs analysis of TCM preparation, towards better digitization and modernization of drug quality control.

Thermally Polarized Solid-State Spin Sensor

Quantum sensors based on spin defect ensembles have seen rapid development in recent years, with a wide array of target applications. Historically, these sensors have used optical methods to prepare or read out quantum states. However, these methods are limited to optically polarizable spin defects, and the spin ensemble size is typically limited by the available optical power or acceptable optical heat load. We demonstrate a solid-state sensor employing a nonoptical state preparation technique, which harnesses thermal population imbalances induced by the defects' zero-field splitting. Readout is performed using the recently demonstrated microwave cavity readout technique, resulting in a sensor architecture that is entirely nonoptical and broadly applicable to all solid-state paramagnetic defects with a zero-field splitting. The implementation in this work uses ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ defects in a sapphire (${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$) crystal and a simple microwave architecture where the host crystal also serves as the high quality-factor resonator. This approach yields a near-unity filling factor and high single-spin-photon coupling, producing a broadband magnetometer with a minimum sensitivity of $9.7\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{pT}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ near 5 kHz.

“Cellular Network Densification Increases Radio-Frequency Pollution”: True or False?

A very popular theory circulating among non-scientific communities claims that the massive deployment of Base Stations (BSs) over the territory, a.k.a. cellular network densification, always triggers an uncontrolled and exponential increase of human exposure to Radio Frequency “Pollution” (RFP). To face such concern in a way that can be understood by the layman, in this work we develop a very simple model to compute the RFP, based on a set of worst-case and conservative assumptions. We then provide closed-form expressions to evaluate the RFP variation in a pair of candidate 5G deployments, subject to different densification levels. Results, obtained over a wide set of representative 5G scenarios, dispel the myth: cellular network densification triggers an RFP decrease (up to three orders of magnitude) when the radiated power from the BS is adjusted to ensure a minimum sensitivity at the cell edge. Eventually, we analyze the conditions under which the RFP may increase when the network is densified (e.g., when the radiated power does not scale with the cell size), proving that the amount of RFP is always controlled. Finally, the results obtained by simulation confirm the outcomes of the RFP model.

Accurate Real-Time Temperature Measurement Method in Ultra-High Temperature Rotational Environments for Aero Engines/Turbines

This study proposes an innovative method to wirelessly measure the ultra-high temperatures of rotational parts in aero-engines/turbines. The upper measurement limit of this proposed sensor is <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1100 ^\circ \text{C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> . Based on the thick film integration process, the inductor and capacitor are integrated in-situ on the ceramic turntable and ceramic blade. The inductor and capacitor operate in the high temperature and ultra-high temperature areas, respectively, and the temperature signal is transmitted through the electromagnetic coupling between the inductor coil and the antenna. The design of the structure separating the capacitor and inductors is important and can improve the sensor’s high temperature signal reading performance. The designed sensor is tested in the temperature range of 25– <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1100 ^\circ \text{C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and the rotational speed range of 0–400 rpm. The results show that the minimum sensitivity of the sensor at different rotational speeds is 7.66 kHz/ <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^\circ \text{C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> , and the minimum sensitivity of the sensor at different rotational speeds is 7.83 kHz/ <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^\circ \text{C}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> . The maximum standard deviation and repeatability of the sensor measured across different temperatures and rotational speeds are 0.11(400 rpm, 900 °C)and 0.389%(400 rpm, 900 °C), respectively. The interference of the rotational speed on the temperature test of the sensor is negligible. The experimental results show that the sensor has strong signal strength in ultra-high temperature rotational environments and is suitable for ultra-high temperature testing.

Prototype device for endoventricular beta-emitting radiotracer detection and molecularly-guided intervention

BackgroundWe have set out to develop a catheter-based theranostic system that: (a) identifies diseased and at-risk myocardium via endocardial detection of systemically delivered β-emitting radiotracers and (b) utilizes molecular signals to guide delivery of therapeutics to appropriate tissue via direct intramyocardial injection. MethodsOur prototype device consists of a miniature β-radiation detector contained within the tip of a flexible intravascular catheter. The catheter can be adapted to incorporate an injection port and retractable needle for therapeutic delivery. The performance of the β-detection catheter was assessed in vitro with various β-emitting radionuclides and ex vivo in hearts of pigs following systemic injection of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) at 1-week post-myocardial infarction. Regional catheter-based endocardial measurements of 18F activity were compared to regional tissue activity from PET/CT images and gamma counting. ResultsThe β-detection catheter demonstrated sensitive in vitro detection of β-radiation from 22Na (β+), 18F (β+), and 204Tl (β-), with minimal sensitivity to γ-radiation. For 18F, the catheter demonstrated a sensitivity of 4067 counts/s/μCi in contact and a spatial resolution of 1.1 mm FWHM. Ex vivo measurements of endocardial 18F activity with the β-detection catheter in the chronic pig infarct model demonstrated good qualitative and quantitative correlation with regional tissue activity from PET/CT images and gamma counting. ConclusionThe prototype β-detection catheter demonstrates sensitive and selective detection of β- and β+ emissions over a wide range of energies and enables high-fidelity ex vivo characterization of endocardial activity from systemically delivered 18F-FDG.