On the design and implementation of efficient antennas for high frequency-radio frequency identification read/write devices

AbstractThis article describes an in‐depth methodical approach to the development of efficient high‐frequency (HF) antennas for use in radio frequency identification (RFID) systems operating at 13.56 MHz. It presents brief theory relevant to RFID communication and sets up a framework within which features and requirements of antennas are linked to key design parameters such as antenna form‐factor and size; RF power level, material and communication protocol. Tuning circuits necessary to adjust the resonance and power matching characteristics of antennas for good transponder interrogation and response recovery are discussed. To validate the approaches outlined, a stepwise design and measurement of an HF antenna for an ISO/IEC 15693 compliant read/write device (RWD) is described. Common practical problems that are often encountered in such design processes are also commented on. The prototyped antenna was tuned, connected to the RWD via a 50 coaxial cable and tested

Improving maternal mortality reporting at the community level with a 4‐question modified reproductive age mortality survey (RAMOS)

ObjectiveTo investigate the identification of maternal deaths at the community level using the reproductive age mortality survey (RAMOS) in all households in which a women of reproductive age (WRA) died and to determine the most concise subset of questions for identifying a pregnancy‐related death for further investigation.MethodsA full RAMOS survey was conducted with the families of 46 deceased WRA who died between 2005 and July 2009 and was compared with the cause of death confirmed by the maternal mortality review committee to establish the number of maternal mortalities. The positive predictive value (PPV) of each RAMOS question for identifying a maternal death was determined.ResultsCompared with years of voluntary reporting, active surveillance for maternal deaths doubled their identification. In addition, 4 questions from the full RAMOS have the highest PPV for a maternal death including the question: “Was she pregnant within the last 6 weeks?” which had a 100% PPV and a 100% negative predictive value.ConclusionActive identification of maternal mortality at the community level by using a 4‐question modified RAMOS that is systematically administered in the local language by health workers can increase understanding of the extent of maternal mortality in rural Ghana.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135380/1/ijgo29.pd

Role of gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) in post-lung transplant patients: a multicenter experience

Background and study aims: Gastroparesis post-lung transplant (LTx) can lead to increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and accelerated graft dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM), a promising tool in patients with refractory gastroparesis, for managing refractory gastroparesis and GER in post-LTx patients. Patents and methods  This was a multicenter retrospective study on post-LTx patients who underwent G-POEM for management of gastroparesis and GER that were refractory to standard medical therapy. The primary outcome was clinical success post-G-POEM. Secondary outcomes included the rate of post-G-POEM objective esophageal pH exam normalization, rate of gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES) normalization, technical success, and adverse events. Results: A total of 20 patients (mean age 54.7 ± 14.1 years, Female 50 %) underwent G-POEM at a median time of 13 months (interquartile range 6.5-13.5) post-LTx. All G-POEM procedures were technically successful. Clinical success was achieved in 17 (85 %) patients during a median follow-up time of 8.9 (IQR: 3-17) months post-G-POEM. Overall GCSI and two of its subscales (bloating and postprandial fullness/early satiety) improved significantly following G-POEM. Two patients (10 %) developed post-procedural AEs (delayed bleeding 1, pyloric stenosis 1, both moderate in severity). Post-G-POEM GES improvement was achieved in 12 of 16 patients (75 %). All 20 patients were on proton pump inhibitors pre-G-POEM, as opposed to five post-G-POEM. Post-G-POEM PH study normalization was noted in nine of 10 patients (90 %) who underwent both pre- and post-G-poem pH testing. Conclusions: G-POEM is a promising noninvasive therapeutic tool for management of refractory gastroparesis and GER post-LTx

Rectal Dieulafoy’s Lesion: A Rare Etiology of Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

A Dieulafoy’s lesion is defined as a dilated submucosal vessel that erodes the overlying epithelium without evidence of a primary ulcer or erosion. It is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding that is difficult to identify and subsequently manage. Most commonly, they occur in the upper gastrointestinal tract, namely the stomach. A Dieulafoy’s lesion of the rectum, however, is an exceedingly rare presentation that can lead to life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. Our case consists of an 84-year-old man, who presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to a Dieulafoy’s lesion of the rectum

Brand preferences for urban consolidation services: a conjoint analysis

Purpose: Urban consolidation is a proven approach to improving the traffic impact of final mile delivery. The operational benefits of such schemes have been widely studied, yet the commercial aspects of the service are rarely placed within the public domain. Exemplar schemes can be identified that carry the brand of the main contractor, of a key sponsor, or of the community in which the scheme resides. Combinations of brands may be seen, as may brands identifying the service as a brand in its own right.The authors were not aware of any published study that investigates the acceptability of the brand choice to customers, nor of any that identified the relative importance of the brand amongst other attributes of the service. To address this, two studies were conducted (a) amongst potential customers of a consolidation service (n=161) and (b) amongst potential operators of the service. Thirteen logistics companies participated in the survey.Research approach: Using proprietary software (Sawtooth), multi-attribute, multi-level, randomized choice-based conjoint analyses were designed to establish (a) the relevant attributes that determine the acceptability of a specific brand choice, (b) the customer’s branding preferences during the delivery process, and (c) how important branding placed on final mile vehicles is in comparison with other attributes.Findings and originality: Both Customer and Operator segments showed a strong preference for a very high service level, with the highest ranking awarded to a Free Next Day delivery service. Whilst this preference is not unexpected from the Customers, we conclude that the Operators are not invested in the competitiveness of the goods that they carry, as the costs of such a high-level service would have to be recovered by other stakeholders.Within the Customer segment, Cost and Reliability were the most important attributes, with Brand in third place ahead of Delivery Flexibility and Ease of Returns.Within the Operator segment, Brand was the dominant attribute ahead of Reliability, with Delivery Flexibility in third place ahead of Cost and Ease of Returns.The prominence of Brand in the Operator segment was found to be in complete contrast to operational reality, where large numbers of unbranded vehicles (“white vans”) are routinely employed. Consumer acceptance of unbranded / differently-branded vehicles is widespread.Research impact: As far as the authors are aware, this is the first published conjoint analysis of brand preferences regarding urban consolidation services.Practical impact: The low rating of Brand in the Customer segment suggests that new brands established by specialist operators, communities or regional transport bodies could compete with established couriers in the delivery of urban consolidation services.<br/

Brand preferences for urban consolidation services: a conjoint analysis

Purpose: Urban consolidation is a proven approach to improving the traffic impact of final mile delivery. The operational benefits of such schemes have been widely studied, yet the commercial aspects of the service are rarely placed within the public domain. Exemplar schemes can be identified that carry the brand of the main contractor, of a key sponsor, or of the community in which the scheme resides. Combinations of brands may be seen, as may brands identifying the service as a brand in its own right.The authors were not aware of any published study that investigates the acceptability of the brand choice to customers, nor of any that identified the relative importance of the brand amongst other attributes of the service. To address this, two studies were conducted (a) amongst potential customers of a consolidation service (n=161) and (b) amongst potential operators of the service. Thirteen logistics companies participated in the survey.Research approach: Using proprietary software (Sawtooth), multi-attribute, multi-level, randomized choice-based conjoint analyses were designed to establish (a) the relevant attributes that determine the acceptability of a specific brand choice, (b) the customer’s branding preferences during the delivery process, and (c) how important branding placed on final mile vehicles is in comparison with other attributes.Findings and originality: Both Customer and Operator segments showed a strong preference for a very high service level, with the highest ranking awarded to a Free Next Day delivery service. Whilst this preference is not unexpected from the Customers, we conclude that the Operators are not invested in the competitiveness of the goods that they carry, as the costs of such a high-level service would have to be recovered by other stakeholders.Within the Customer segment, Cost and Reliability were the most important attributes, with Brand in third place ahead of Delivery Flexibility and Ease of Returns.Within the Operator segment, Brand was the dominant attribute ahead of Reliability, with Delivery Flexibility in third place ahead of Cost and Ease of Returns.The prominence of Brand in the Operator segment was found to be in complete contrast to operational reality, where large numbers of unbranded vehicles (“white vans”) are routinely employed. Consumer acceptance of unbranded / differently-branded vehicles is widespread.Research impact: As far as the authors are aware, this is the first published conjoint analysis of brand preferences regarding urban consolidation services.Practical impact: The low rating of Brand in the Customer segment suggests that new brands established by specialist operators, communities or regional transport bodies could compete with established couriers in the delivery of urban consolidation services.<br/