A reconfigurable broadband dual-mode dual-polarized antenna for sectorial/omnidirectional mobile base stations

© 2018, Electromagnetics Academy. All rights reserved. This paper proposes a new design of reconfigurable three-sector dual-mode dual-polarized antenna for use primarily in mobile communication base stations. The design offers the flexibility to be used as a sectorial (directive) or omnidirectional base station antenna whenever required. The two different radiating modes (omnidirectional and sectorial) depend only on the excitation scenario. The proposed antenna has the advantages of offering broadband, stable radiation pattern and high polarization purity within the desired frequency band, and a simple feeding structure with a very compact size (less than 800 cm3) and low profile. The achieved fractional bandwidth is 55.3% (1.7 - 3GHz). A prototype antenna was constructed and tested with the two modes of operation. Results demonstrate the principle of the design and show how the design may be packaged in a compact size to offer excellent omnidirectional or sectorial performance which makes this new design an ideal candidate for reconfigurable dual-mode mobile base stations

Finite Element Analysis of the Deformation of Functionally Graded Plates under Thermomechanical Loads

The first-order shear deformation plate model, accounting for the exact neutral plane position, is exploited to investigate the uncoupled thermomechanical behavior of functionally graded (FG) plates. Functionally graded materials are mainly constructed to operate in high temperature environments. Also, FG plates are used in many applications (such as mechanical, electrical, and magnetic), where an amount of heat may be generated into the FG plate whenever other forms of energy (electrical, magnetic, etc.) are converted into thermal energy. Several simulations are performed to study the behavior of FG plates, subjected to thermomechanical loadings, and focus the attention on the effect of the heat source intensity. Most of the previous studies have considered the midplane neutral one, while the actual position of neutral plane for functionally graded plates is shifted and should be firstly determined. A comparative study is performed to illustrate the effect of considering the neutral plane position. The volume fraction of the two constituent materials of the FG plate is varied smoothly and continuously, as a continuous power function of the material position, along the thickness of the plate

Lightweight and low-loss 3-D printed millimeter-wave bandpass filter based on gap-waveguide

This paper presents a comprehensive study of a groove gap waveguide (also known as a waffle-iron) bandpass filter at Ka-band (26.5-40 GHz), fabricated using a high resolution polymer jetting (Polyjet) 3-D printing technology. The same filter was previously fabricated using brass CNC milling technology. The metalized Polyjet 3-D printed filter has lower loss, is lighter in weight and more cost-effective, when compared to the solid metal case. The filter operates at a center frequency of 35.65 GHz, has a 500 MHz bandwidth (1.4% fractional bandwidth), and has a transmission zero below and above the passband. Without any design iterations, the measured S-parameters for the Polyjet 3-D printed filter are presented and compared with simulated results, showing excellent agreement. A comparison is then made between the measured results and that of its brass machined counterpart. The new Polyjet 3-D printed filter is 85% lighter than the conventional machined version. All these features prove the important potential of 3-D printing technology for millimeter-wave applications, which includes aerospace

Receptor-defined subtypes of breast cancer in indigenous populations in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common female cancer in Africa. Receptor-defined subtypes are a major determinant of treatment options and disease outcomes but there is considerable uncertainty regarding the frequency of poor prognosis estrogen receptor (ER) negative subtypes in Africa. We systematically reviewed publications reporting on the frequency of breast cancer receptor-defined subtypes in indigenous populations in Africa. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Medline, Embase, and Global Health were searched for studies published between 1st January 1980 and 15th April 2014. Reported proportions of ER positive (ER+), progesterone receptor positive (PR+), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive (HER2+) disease were extracted and 95% CI calculated. Random effects meta-analyses were used to pool estimates. Fifty-four studies from North Africa (n=12,284 women with breast cancer) and 26 from sub-Saharan Africa (n=4,737) were eligible. There was marked between-study heterogeneity in the ER+ estimates in both regions (I2>90%), with the majority reporting proportions between 0.40 and 0.80 in North Africa and between 0.20 and 0.70 in sub-Saharan Africa. Similarly, large between-study heterogeneity was observed for PR+ and HER2+ estimates (I2>80%, in all instances). Meta-regression analyses showed that the proportion of ER+ disease was 10% (4%-17%) lower for studies based on archived tumor blocks rather than prospectively collected specimens, and 9% (2%-17%) lower for those with ≥ 40% versus those with <40% grade 3 tumors. For prospectively collected samples, the pooled proportions for ER+ and triple negative tumors were 0.59 (0.56-0.62) and 0.21 (0.17-0.25), respectively, regardless of region. Limitations of the study include the lack of standardized procedures across the various studies; the low methodological quality of many studies in terms of the representativeness of their case series and the quality of the procedures for collection, fixation, and receptor testing; and the possibility that women with breast cancer may have contributed to more than one study. CONCLUSIONS: The published data from the more appropriate prospectively measured specimens are consistent with the majority of breast cancers in Africa being ER+. As no single subtype dominates in the continent availability of receptor testing should be a priority, especially for young women with early stage disease where appropriate receptor-specific treatment modalities offer the greatest potential for reducing years of life lost. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary