Development of Novel Microwave Sensors

There are three main features to address to realize highly efficient IoT while dealing with sensors. The sensors should be inexpensive, and highly integrable as well as provide real-time measurement capability to address where there is a need for fast-response feature requirements. So, the current research’s focus is to develop novel microwave sensors to address these requirements after all. Chapter 1 introduces the research aims as well as an introduction to IoT and the importance of sensors in relation to IoT. Then a general introduction is provided on microwave sensors, their various applications, fabrication technologies, and the applications that are in the field of interest of the current research. Chapter 2 gives an explanation of the general working principle of microwave sensors as well as the key components to realize such structures. In addition, some applications are introduced. In this chapter, the traditional techniques used to characterize the dielectric properties of various kinds of MUTs will be explained, such as the one based on the shift in the resonant frequency of perturbed cavities. Chapter 3 starts with a literature survey of methods based on electromagnetic readings at a single frequency. Then, a novel single-frequency measurement technique is proposed, and some example applications are shown, such as to read the content ratio of liquid mixtures or to characterize the complex permittivity of arbitrary MUTs. Finally, the chapter is closed explaining the advantages of the proposed retrieval methods over the others. Chapter 4 is the step-by-step explanation of how to exploit the single-frequency measurement of the transmission level of a two-port perturbed circular SIW cavity resonator in the presence of a liquid mixture to read the percentage as well as the calibration process. The liquids used for this study are isopropanol, acetone, and their corresponding mixtures at room temperature. At the end, a comparison between the results regarding the proposed and the traditional techniques is performed. The realization of the fabricated stand-alone microwave sensor system is the subject of Chapter 5, in which an oscillator is used as a signal source and a power detector is provided to measure the transmission amplitude at the desired frequency. At the beginning of the study, all the components were fabricated and studied separately and then assembled together using interconnections. Later, the overall system was united and fabricated on a single board. A calibration method is proposed and a comparison with the traditional method is provided. In Chapter 6, the same single-frequency measurement method is employed for the extrapolation of the complex permittivity of the MUTs. To characterize both the dielectric permittivity and the loss-tangent at a single frequency, at least two independent measured quantities are needed. To that aim, the amplitude and the phase of the S21 parameter have been selected. A novel calibration method defined as Error Vector Correction (EVC) is proposed which results in a significant reduction of the overall reading error. In Chapter 7 the same approach is followed as in Chapter 5, first the modular and then the integrated approach, employing a detector that is able to measure the magnitude and phase difference of two signals. Two lines are designed for the system to deliver the signal toward the detector, one of which is employed as a reference. Like all the other stand-alone systems, both systems presented in chapters 5 and 7 need extra components, namely supplies such as batteries and their corresponding supply regulator boards, data processors such as Arduino, etc. which are provided correspondingly. At the end of each chapter, a comparison between the proposed and the traditional methods is presented to compare the results and to signify the importance of the current study.There are three main features to address to realize highly efficient IoT while dealing with sensors. The sensors should be inexpensive, and highly integrable as well as provide real-time measurement capability to address where there is a need for fast-response feature requirements. So, the current research’s focus is to develop novel microwave sensors to address these requirements after all. Chapter 1 introduces the research aims as well as an introduction to IoT and the importance of sensors in relation to IoT. Then a general introduction is provided on microwave sensors, their various applications, fabrication technologies, and the applications that are in the field of interest of the current research. Chapter 2 gives an explanation of the general working principle of microwave sensors as well as the key components to realize such structures. In addition, some applications are introduced. In this chapter, the traditional techniques used to characterize the dielectric properties of various kinds of MUTs will be explained, such as the one based on the shift in the resonant frequency of perturbed cavities. Chapter 3 starts with a literature survey of methods based on electromagnetic readings at a single frequency. Then, a novel single-frequency measurement technique is proposed, and some example applications are shown, such as to read the content ratio of liquid mixtures or to characterize the complex permittivity of arbitrary MUTs. Finally, the chapter is closed explaining the advantages of the proposed retrieval methods over the others. Chapter 4 is the step-by-step explanation of how to exploit the single-frequency measurement of the transmission level of a two-port perturbed circular SIW cavity resonator in the presence of a liquid mixture to read the percentage as well as the calibration process. The liquids used for this study are isopropanol, acetone, and their corresponding mixtures at room temperature. At the end, a comparison between the results regarding the proposed and the traditional techniques is performed. The realization of the fabricated stand-alone microwave sensor system is the subject of Chapter 5, in which an oscillator is used as a signal source and a power detector is provided to measure the transmission amplitude at the desired frequency. At the beginning of the study, all the components were fabricated and studied separately and then assembled together using interconnections. Later, the overall system was united and fabricated on a single board. A calibration method is proposed and a comparison with the traditional method is provided. In Chapter 6, the same single-frequency measurement method is employed for the extrapolation of the complex permittivity of the MUTs. To characterize both the dielectric permittivity and the loss-tangent at a single frequency, at least two independent measured quantities are needed. To that aim, the amplitude and the phase of the S21 parameter have been selected. A novel calibration method defined as Error Vector Correction (EVC) is proposed which results in a significant reduction of the overall reading error. In Chapter 7 the same approach is followed as in Chapter 5, first the modular and then the integrated approach, employing a detector that is able to measure the magnitude and phase difference of two signals. Two lines are designed for the system to deliver the signal toward the detector, one of which is employed as a reference. Like all the other stand-alone systems, both systems presented in chapters 5 and 7 need extra components, namely supplies such as batteries and their corresponding supply regulator boards, data processors such as Arduino, etc. which are provided correspondingly. At the end of each chapter, a comparison between the proposed and the traditional methods is presented to compare the results and to signify the importance of the current study

Entomological study of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in Asalouyeh, the heartland of an Iranian petrochemical industry

Objective: To investigate the fauna and seasonal activity of different species of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in Asalouyeh, the heartland of an Iranian petrochemical industry, Southern Iran, as a oil rich district. Sand flies are the vectors of at least three different kinds of disease, the most important of which is leishmaniasis, and it is a major public health problem in Iran with increased annual occurrence of clinical episodes. Methods: A total of 3 497 sand flies of rural regions were collected by sticky traps fixed, and cleared in puris medium and identified morphologically, twice a month from April to March 2008. Results: Predominant species included four of genus Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus alexandri Sinton, 1928, Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli, 1910, Phlebotomus bergeroti Parrot and Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot) and one of genus Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia tiberiadis Alder, Theodor & Lourie, 1930). The most prevalent species was Phlebotomus papatasi, presented 56.4% of the identified flies. The others were Phlebotomus sergenti (22.5%), Phlebotomus alexandri (4.5%), Phlebotomus bergeroti (12%) and Sergentomyia tiberiadis (5%) as well. The percentage of females (68%) was more than that of males (32%). The abundance of sand flies represented two peaks of activity; one in early May and the other one in the first half of September in the region. Conclusion: Phlebotomus papatasi is the probable vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the region. Further molecular studies are needed to determine the definite vector of the region

Estimating Spray Characteristics of the Air-Blast atomizer of a Typical Jet Engine using Definition of the New Non-dimensional Number K: Numerical and Experimental Study

In this paper, by using a numerical solution and experiment investigation, a non-dimensional number is introduced to estimate the characteristics of a real engine airblast atomizer spray. This type of atomizers is usually used in airplain engines. The test is conducted in ambient atmospheric pressure and at 300 K temperature and the effects of pressure on atomizer flow rate and spray con angle are investigated. We used the discrete phase model and real information of the ALF502 engine for simulations and for boundary conditions respectively. Since the main application of this airblast atomizer is in aircraft engines and in the real working conditions, none of the pressure and flow rate parameters is constant, thus, the main aim of this research is to define a nondimensional number K, which considers the effects of working liquid flow rate, air flow rate and pressure on the droplets average diameter and spray con angle simultaneously. The results showed that, in general, with the increase of non-dimensional K number, the average diameter of droplets in primary and secondary break up increases, but spray con angle decreases. Furthermore, numerical solution results are compared with experiment results and 9.98% error was observed

Post-operative ascites of unknown origin after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Case report

Introduction and importance: Post Laparoscopic cholecystectomy ascites is a rare complication that might be due to biliary leak, lymph duct injuries, infections, peritoneal reaction bowel injuries, malignancies and etc.& nbsp;Case presentation: Here we have reported post-cholecystectomy ascites presented with hypovolemic shock in a women of unknown origin. Different possible etiologies have been ruled out for her but her intra-peritoneal secretions had been decreased about one week of hospitalization and was discharged without figuring out its etiology.& nbsp;Clinical discussion: Post-cholecystectomy ascites is a rare condition that could be caused by biliary leak, lymphatic leak, ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome, infections, peritoneal reactions and malignancies that all of them should be considered for these patients to manage their problem.& nbsp;Conclusion: The exact cause of ascites in the presented case was still unknown and the condition was controlled by administration of corticosteroids, octreotide, albumin, and insertion of the stents in biliary ducts. More investigation esp. on immunologic causes are needed

SURVEYING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL FACTORS AND WITHDRAWAL BEHAVIORS OF EMPLOYEES AT THAMEN AL- AEMEH CREDIT COOPERATIVE IN KHUZESTAN

Abstract The study has been done in order to determine the relationship between individual factors (work stress, job satisfaction, work motivation, work trust, procedural justice) as independent variables and withdrawal behaviors (physical withdrawal and psychological withdrawal) as dependent variable. The population was 300 employees of Thamen Al-Aemeh credit cooperative in Khuzestan. We determined the amount of the sample size with the used of Cochran sampling method which the statistical sample is 141 of these employees which have been selected through the simple random sampling method. To gathering of data, we used questionnaire. Questionnaires reliability was estimated by calculating Cronbach's Alpha. In order to analyze the data resulted from collected questionnaires deductive and descriptive statistical methods are used. The results Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test shows the test distribution is Normal. So we can use Pearson Correlation coefficients to test the hypothesis of the research. In order to determine the relationship between the variables of the study, the SPSS tool has been used. The results of hypotheses shows that individual factors (job satisfaction, work motivation, work trust, procedural justice) have a negative significant correlation with physical and psychological withdrawal at Thamen Al-Aemeh credit cooperative in Khuzestan. But work stress has a positive correlation with physical and psychological withdrawal. Finally, we can say that there is negative significant relationship between individual factors and withdrawal behaviors at Thamen AlAemeh credit cooperative in Khuzestan

Building children and adolescents’ electronic book reading system: a conceptual model

Regarding to design an applicable electronic book reading system for children and adolescent, this study’s struggle is to prepare a conceptual model. We used quantitative approach and Delphi method in order to analyze data. In this regard, criterion based sampling is used to identify the research population. 15 experts were identified which had criteria such as having subjective publications, teaching experience, and so on. We supposed that these experts could present more information that we expected to collect. Moreover, 8 electronic book systems were selected to be reviewed, because of their plenty of active audiences, and their international and also standard presence. Firstly identified practical criteria in designing electronic books by extracting them from related resources and checking active systems. These data helped us to prepare primitive version of the checklist and it completed after passing validity control step with participation of three experts. Then the checklist presented to experts in Delphi panel. Finally, consensus on the components was reached after three rounds of Delphi panel. The results showed that in designing electronic books for children, there are five original components. The components are display screen features with 12 criteria, screen organization with 13 criteria, interaction and feedback with 8 criteria, search and retrieval features with 10 criteria, and help and guidance features with 10 criteria. Consequently, display screen features with score of 3,706 and interaction and feedback with score of 3,700 were selected as the most important components in designing electronic book systems by the viewpoints of Delphi experts