Beam-forming module for backhaul link in a Relay-aided 4G network

YesA novel beam-forming module based on Wilkinson power divider technology, including attenuators and phase shifter chips is designed, fabricated and evaluated to be incorporated in a Relay Station connecting it with the Base Station under a 4G network. The proposed module is a 1:8 port circuit, utilizing two substrates, providing approximately 700 MHz bandwidth over 3.5 GHz frequency band and less than −20 dB transmission line coupling. Moreover an external control unit that feeds the beam-forming module with code-words that define the proper amplitude/phase of the excitation currents is established and described. The presented module is connected to a planar array and tested for two beam-forming scenarios, providing satisfactory radiation patterns

A New Approach for Designing Orthogonal Wavelets for Multicarrier Applications

yesThe Daubechies, coiflet and symlet wavelets, with properties of orthogonal wavelets are suitable for multicarrier transmission over band-limited channels. It has been shown that similar wavelets can be constructed by Lagrange approximation interpolation. In this work and using established wavelet design algorithms, it is shown that ideal filters can be approximated to construct new orthogonal wavelets. These new wavelets, in terms of BER behave slightly better than the wavelets mentioned above, and much better than biorthogonal wavelets, in multipath channels with additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). It is shown that the construction, which uses a simple simultaneous solution to obtain the wavelet filters from the ideal filters based on established wavelet design algorithms, is simple and can easily be reproduced

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

multi-antenna OFDM system using coded wavelet and weighted beamforming

A major drawback in deploying beamforming scheme in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is to obtain the optimal weights that are associated with information beams. Two beam weighting methods, namely co-phasing and singular vector decomposition (SVD), are considered to maximize the signal beams for such beamforming scheme. Initially the system performance with and without interleaving is investigated using coded fast Fourier transform (FFT)-OFDM and wavelet-based OFDM. The two beamforming schemes are applied to the wavelet-based OFDM as confirmed to perform better than the FFT-OFDM. It is found that the beamweight by SVD improves the performance of the system by about 2 dB at the expense of the co-phasing method. The capacity performances of the weighting methods are also compared and discussed

Paper-based versus computer-based records in the emergency department: Staff preferences, expectations, and concerns

Although the potential benefits of computer-based records have been identified in different areas of the healthcare environment, in many settings paper-based records and computer-based records are still used in parallel. In this article, emergency department (ED) staff perspectives about the use of paper- or computer-based records are presented. This was a qualitative study in which data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews with the ED staff. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and data were analysed using framework analysis. In total, 34 interviews were undertaken. The study identified a number of factors which might encourage or discourage the use of paper-based and computer-based records in the ED. Users also expressed their concerns and expectations. Although there is a tendency towards computerizing healthcare settings, user acceptance of technology should not be underestimated. To improve user acceptance, users’ concerns should be investigated and addressed appropriately

Measurements of angular distance and momentum ratio distributions in three-jet and Z plus two-jet final states in pp collisions

Collinear (small-angle) and large-angle, as well as soft and hard radiations are investigated in three-jet and Z + two-jet events collected in proton-proton collisions at the LHC. The normalized production cross sections are measured as a function of the ratio of transverse momenta of two jets and their angular separation. The measurements in the three-jet and Z + two-jet events are based on data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.8 fb(-1). The Z + two-jet events are reconstructed in the dimuon decay channel of the Z boson. The three-jet measurement is extended to include root s = 13 TeV data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.3 fb(-1). The results are compared to predictions from event generators that include parton showers, multiple parton interactions, and hadronization. The collinear and soft regions are in general well described by parton showers, whereas the regions of large angular separation are often best described by calculations using higher-order matrix elements.Peer reviewe

Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), Far Detector Technical Design Report, Volume II: DUNE Physics

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of the supernovae that produced the heavy elements necessary for life, and whether protons eventually decay -- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our universe, its current state, and its eventual fate. DUNE is an international world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions as it searches for leptonic charge-parity symmetry violation, stands ready to capture supernova neutrino bursts, and seeks to observe nucleon decay as a signature of a grand unified theory underlying the standard model. The DUNE far detector technical design report (TDR) describes the DUNE physics program and the technical designs of the single- and dual-phase DUNE liquid argon TPC far detector modules. Volume II of this TDR, DUNE Physics, describes the array of identified scientific opportunities and key goals. Crucially, we also report our best current understanding of the capability of DUNE to realize these goals, along with the detailed arguments and investigations on which this understanding is based. This TDR volume documents the scientific basis underlying the conception and design of the LBNF/DUNE experimental configurations. As a result, the description of DUNE's experimental capabilities constitutes the bulk of the document. Key linkages between requirements for successful execution of the physics program and primary specifications of the experimental configurations are drawn and summarized. This document also serves a wider purpose as a statement on the scientific potential of DUNE as a central component within a global program of frontier theoretical and experimental particle physics research. Thus, the presentation also aims to serve as a resource for the particle physics community at large

State of the climate in 2015

In 2015, the dominant greenhouse gases released into Earth\u2019s atmosphere\u2014carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide\u2014all continued to reach new high levels. At Mauna Loa, Hawaii, the annual CO2 concentration increased by a record 3.1 ppm, exceeding 400 ppm for the first time on record. The 2015 global CO2 average neared this threshold, at 399.4 ppm. Additionally, one of the strongest El Ni\uf1o events since at least 1950 developed in spring 2015 and continued to evolve through the year. The phenomenon was far reaching, impacting many regions across the globe and affecting most aspects of the climate system. Owing to the combination of El Ni\uf1o and a long-term upward trend, Earth observed record warmth for the second consecutive year, with the 2015 annual global surface temperature surpassing the previous record by more than 0.1\ub0C and exceeding the average for the mid- to late 19th century\u2014commonly considered representative of preindustrial conditions\u2014by more than 1\ub0C for the first time. Above Earth\u2019s surface, lower troposphere temperatures were near-record high. Across land surfaces, record to near-record warmth was reported across every inhabited continent. Twelve countries, including Russia and China, reported record high annual temperatures. In June, one of the most severe heat waves since 1980 affected Karachi, Pakistan, claiming over 1000 lives. On 27 October, Vredendal, South Africa, reached 48.4\ub0C, a new global high temperature record for this month. In the Arctic, the 2015 land surface temperature was 1.2\ub0C above the 1981\u20132010 average, tying 2007 and 2011 for the highest annual temperature and representing a 2.8\ub0C increase since the record began in 1900. Increasing temperatures have led to decreasing Arctic sea ice extent and thickness. On 25 February 2015, the lowest maximum sea ice extent in the 37-year satellite record was observed, 7% below the 1981\u20132010 average. Mean sea surface temperatures across the Arctic Ocean during August in ice-free regions, representative of Arctic Ocean summer anomalies, ranged from ~0\ub0C to 8\ub0C above average. As a consequence of sea ice retreat and warming oceans, vast walrus herds in the Pacific Arctic are hauling out on land rather than on sea ice, raising concern about the energetics of females and young animals. Increasing temperatures in the Barents Sea are linked to a community-wide shift in fish populations: boreal communities are now farther north, and long-standing Arctic species have been almost pushed out of the area. Above average sea surface temperatures are not confined to the Arctic. Sea surface temperature for 2015 was record high at the global scale; however, the North Atlantic southeast of Greenland remained colder than average and colder than 2014. Global annual ocean heat content and mean sea level also reached new record highs. The Greenland Ice Sheet, with the capacity to contribute ~7 m to sea level rise, experienced melting over more than 50% of its surface for the first time since the record melt of 2012. Other aspects of the cryosphere were remarkable. Alpine glacier retreat continued, and preliminary data indicate that 2015 is the 36th consecutive year of negative annual mass balance. Across the Northern Hemisphere, late-spring snow cover extent continued its trend of decline, with June the second lowest in the 49-year satellite record. Below the surface, record high temperatures at 20-m depth were measured at all permafrost observatories on the North Slope of Alaska, increasing by up to 0.66\ub0C decade\u20131 since 2000. In the Antarctic, surface pressure and temperatures were lower than the 1981\u20132010 average for most of the year, consistent with the primarily positive southern annular mode, which saw a record high index value of +4.92 in February. Antarctic sea ice extent and area had large intra-annual variability, with a shift from record high levels in May to record low levels in August. Springtime ozone depletion resulted in one of the largest and most persistent Antarctic ozone holes observed since the 1990s. Closer to the equator, 101 named tropical storms were observed in 2015, well above the 1981\u20132010 average of 82. The eastern/central Pacific had 26 named storms, the most since 1992. The western north Pacific and north and south Indian Ocean basins also saw high activity. Globally, eight tropical cyclones reached the Saffir\u2013Simpson Category 5 intensity level. Overlaying a general increase in the hydrologic cycle, the strong El Ni\uf1o enhanced precipitation variability around the world. An above-normal rainy season led to major floods in Paraguay, Bolivia, and southern Brazil. In May, the United States recorded its all-time wettest month in its 121-year national record. Denmark and Norway reported their second and third wettest year on record, respectively, but globally soil moisture was below average, terrestrial groundwater storage was the lowest in the 14-year record, and areas in \u201csevere\u201d drought rose from 8% in 2014 to 14% in 2015. Drought conditions prevailed across many Caribbean island nations, Colombia, Venezuela, and northeast Brazil for most of the year. Several South Pacific countries also experienced drought. Lack of rainfall across Ethiopia led to its worst drought in decades and affected millions of people, while prolonged drought in South Africa severely affected agricultural production. Indian summer monsoon rainfall was just 86% of average. Extremely dry conditions in Indonesia resulted in intense and widespread fires during August\u2013November that produced abundant carbonaceous aerosols, carbon monoxide, and ozone. Overall, emissions from tropical Asian biomass burning in 2015 were almost three times the 2001\u201314 average