A new strategy to design SIW-fed arrays

In this work, a new full-wave strategy, with very low iteration times, is proposed for the optimization and design of antenna arrays fed by substrate integrated waveguides. The device is decomposed into fixed and modifiable (to be optimized) sections, whose generalized scattering matrices are precomputed. The response of the array is calculated by considering firstly only the interactions between the fixed sections, which are then coupled to the modifiable ones in each iteration of an optimization process. To validate the proposed strategy, a transversal 16-slot antenna array, placed on the top plate of a substrate integrated waveguide, has been designed. A speed-up factor of over 2000 times, compared to general purpose commercial software, has been obtained in this optimization process. The final design presents a 1.05 GHz bandwidth under - 10 dB in terms of |S11|, a maximum realized gain of 17.5 dBi at 17 GHz, and a 99.95% maximum efficiency (without dielectric and conductor losses). Index Terms—Addition theorems, cylindrical modes, spherical modes, optimization process, antenna array, substrate integrated waveguide (SIW)

Thrombosed great saphenous vein aneurysm accompanied by venous thrombosis

AbstractSuperficial venous aneurysms of the lower extremities are considered rare and their clinical significance is poorly defined. The purpose of this article is to report a case of a 72-year-old woman with a thrombosed great saphenous vein aneurysm along with deep venous thrombosis and review its clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment

Genetic parameters of biokinematic variables of the trot in Spanish Purebred horses under experimental treadmill conditions

The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of biokinematic variables in Spanish Purebred (SPB) horses in order to select those of sufficient interest to be measured in the pre-selection of the animals for possible inclusion in the breeding programme. Kinematic analysis of 130 SPB horses 4.6 ± 1.5 years old were recorded at the trot (4 m/s) on a treadmill. Genetic parameters were estimated using VCE software and a bivariate mixed animal model including age and stud as fixed effects and animal additive genetic effect and residual error as random effects. In general, heritabilities were high (0.33–0.88). The angular variables presented the lowest heritabilities, whereas the maximum height of the fore-hoof and the duration of swing phase in the hindlimb gave the highest scores. Genetic correlations were also very high, so it was possible to reduce the number of breeding programme characteristics to stride duration, hindlimb swing phase duration, range of stifle and elbow angles, minimal angle of carpus, and minimal retraction-protraction angle of the hindlimb.Unión Europea 1FD97-089

The brown dwarf population in the Chamaeleon I cloud

We present the results of a multiband survey for brown dwarfs in the Chamaeleon I dark cloud with the Wide Field Imager (WFI) camera at the ESO/MPG 2.2-m telescope on La Silla (Chile). The survey has revealed a substantial population of brown dwarfs in this southern star forming region. Candidates were selected from R, I and H-alpha imaging observations. We also observed in two medium-band filters, M855 and M915, for the purpose of spectral type determination. The former filter covers a wavelength range containing spectral features characteristic of M-dwarfs, while the latter lies in a relatively featureless wavelength region for these late-type objects. A correlation was found between spectral type and (M855-M915) colour index for mid- to late M-type objects and early L-type dwarfs. With this method, we identify most of our object candidates as being of spectral type M5 or later. Our results show that there is no strong drop in the number of objects for the latest spectral types, hence brown dwarfs may be as abundant as low-mass stars in this region. Also, both kind of objects have a similar spatial distribution. We derive an index $\alpha = 0.6 \pm 0.1$ of the mass function in this region of dispersed star formation, in good agreement with the values obtained in other star forming regions and young clusters. Some of the brown dwarfs have strong H-alpha emission, suggesting mass accretion. For objects with published infrared photometry, we find that strong H-alpha emission is related to a mid-infrared excess, indicative of the existence of a circumstellar disk.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Identification of Savings Opportunities in a Steel Manufacturing Industry

This paper aims to present a procedure that allows identifying savings opportunities in a steel manufacturing company. The procedure based on the ISO 50001, 50004, and 50006 standards comprise the use of tools such as energy baselines, the goal line, energy performance indicators, the Pareto chart, and an energy review. As a result of the implementation of the procedure, it was possible to obtain the baseline, the goal line, and energy performance indicators that allow the control of energy consumption and efficiency of the company in general and of the area with the highest electricity consumption. It was possible to identify that there is a potential savings of up to 6% throughout the company and up to 13% in the area with the highest electrical energy consumption. From an energy review carried out in the area with the highest consumption, motors operating with low load and idle for long periods were identified, as well as a lack of maintenance. Besides, the replacement of traditional technology lamps by LED technology lamps was proposed. The procedure can be generalized in steel industries with similar characteristics, which is one of the sectors that consume the most energy worldwide.Keywords: Electricity, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving, Energy Performance Indicator, Steel IndustryJEL Classifications: Q4, L610DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.11142</p

The first cetacean sightings network in Spain: results of a co-operation within the Spanish Cetacean Society

3 pages, 2 tables.-- Fifteenth Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, Rome, Italy, 6-10 May 200ln 1999, the Spanish Cetacean Society (SEC) was created in order to co-ordinate the activities of different organisations and research groups in Spain, and to provide assistance to regional and national authorities in issues related to the conservation of the marine environment. In July 1999, the Spanish Ministry for the Environment appointed to the SEC the custody of a national database of shandings and sightings of cetaceans in order to standardise the methodology used by all groups involved in these activities, and to facilitate the exchange of information among researchers. The Sightings Working Group of the SEC has been, since then, developing and updating the cetacean sightings database with the participation of most research and conservation groups working in Spain. This is the fìrst time in Spain that most groups put together their information creating a National Sightings Network and giving a fairly complete vision of cetacean distribution throughout the whole country, showing the importance of co-ordinated co-operation in the context of conservationDGCN (National Environment Agency) of the Spanish Ministry for the EnvironmentN

Smoking cessation opportunities in severe mental illness (tobacco intensive motivational and estimate risk — TIMER—): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

There is an increased risk of premature death in people with severe mental illness (SMI). Respiratory disorders and cardiovascular disease are leading causes of increased mortality rates in these patients, and tobacco consumption remains the most preventable risk factor involved. Developing new tools to motivate patients towards cessation of smoking is a high priority. Information on the motivational value of giving the lung age and prevention opportunities is unknown in this high-risk population. In the context of community care, screening and early detection of lung damage could potentially be used, together with mobile technology, in order to produce a prevention message, which may provide patients with SMI with a better chance of quitting smoking.This study receives funding by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, Instituto Carlos III (FIS PI16/00802)

Incidence, clinical characteristics and management of inflammatory bowel disease in Spain: large-scale epidemiological study

(1) Aims: To assess the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Spain, to describe the main epidemiological and clinical characteristics at diagnosis and the evolution of the disease, and to explore the use of drug treatments. (2) Methods: Prospective, population-based nationwide registry. Adult patients diagnosed with IBD—Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) or IBD unclassified (IBD-U)—during 2017 in Spain were included and were followed-up for 1 year. (3) Results: We identified 3611 incident cases of IBD diagnosed during 2017 in 108 hospitals covering over 22 million inhabitants. The overall incidence (cases/100, 000 person-years) was 16 for IBD, 7.5 for CD, 8 for UC, and 0.5 for IBD-U; 53% of patients were male and median age was 43 years (interquartile range = 31–56 years). During a median 12-month follow-up, 34% of patients were treated with systemic steroids, 25% with immunomodulators, 15% with biologics and 5.6% underwent surgery. The percentage of patients under these treatments was significantly higher in CD than UC and IBD-U. Use of systemic steroids and biologics was significantly higher in hospitals with high resources. In total, 28% of patients were hospitalized (35% CD and 22% UC patients, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: The incidence of IBD in Spain is rather high and similar to that reported in Northern Europe. IBD patients require substantial therapeutic resources, which are greater in CD and in hospitals with high resources, and much higher than previously reported. One third of patients are hospitalized in the first year after diagnosis and a relevant proportion undergo surgery. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland