An Initial Study of Human-Scale Blockage in sub-THz Radio Propagation with Application to Indoor Passive Localization

This paper empirically investigates the body induced electromagnetic (EM) effects, namely the human body blockage, by conducting indoor measurement campaigns in the unexplored sub-THz W-band (75-110 GHz) and G-band (170-260 GHz). The proposed analysis focuses on both the alterations of channel frequency response induced by body presence, fully or partially obstructing the line-of-sight (LoS) between transmitter and recevier, as well as on the channel impulse response (CIR) for selected movements of the target, i.e. crossing the LoS of the radio link. Modelling of large scale parameters is also presented using a phantom body object. The proposed study has applications in device-free radio localization and radio frequency (RF) sensing scenarios where the EM radiation or environmental radio signals are collected and processed to detect and locate people without requiring them to wear any electronic devices. Although preliminary, the study reveals that discrimination of the blockage micro-movements is possible, achieving higher precision compared to classical RF sensing and localization using cm-scale wavelengths (2.4-6GHz bands).Comment: submitted for possible pubblicatio

USING GEOMATICS TO UNDERSTAND AND VALORIZE HERITAGE, THREE DIFFERENT CONTEXTS OF STUDY: SYRIA, ITALY, AND FRANCE

Such innovative meeting dedicated to Cultural Heritage: challenges, new perspectives, and technological innovation are ‘vital’ in order to exchange different experiences, needs, opportunities, and, above all, to find new approaches to preserve, at least, the memory of heritage for further generations. This paper includes some experiences accumulated throughout several topographic projects concerning Christianity during the Late Antiquity and Early Medieval Ages in northern Syria, in Liguria in Italy, and in Provence in France. Geospatial and Geomatics data have been used in these investigations, since 2007, thanks to the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology of Rome, the National Institute for Art History in Paris, Nino Lamboglia Foundation, and Marc de Montalembert Foundation. The Geospatial data highlighted for the first time, after about a century of research, much un- published data about Syrian monasteries. One of our goals was to understand what the exact differences are from all points of view: time, results, and economic costs between Agisoft Photoscan and MicMac. The models of the two applications are well made, but we noticed that the model created by MicMac software is excellent, despite being an open source application. In 2017, due to the positive geomathic results during the last three seasons of our excavations on the site of Capo Don, the first Multimedial Exhibition Space (SEM) of the town Riva Ligure was inaugurated, thanks to Comune of Riva Ligure, and all research team members guided by professor Philippe Pergola. Geomatics is a powerful tool not only for preserving memories, but it is ideal for dissemination heritage on the public levels, exactly like the role of archaeology

Congenital chloride diarrhea clinical features and management: a systematic review

Introduction: Congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by watery diarrhea with a high level of fecal Cl−, metabolic alkalosis, and electrolyte alterations. Several intestinal and extraintestinal complications and even death can occur. An optimal knowledge of the clinical features and best therapeutic strategies is mandatory for an effective management. Methods: Articles published between 1 January 1965 and 31 December 2019, reported in PUBMED and EMBASE, were evaluated for a systematic review analyzing four categories: anamnestic features, clinical features, management, and follow-up strategies. Results: Fifty-seven papers reporting information on 193 CLD patients were included. The most common anamnestic features were positive family anamnesis for chronic diarrhea (44.4%), consanguinity (75%), polyhydramnios (98.3%), preterm delivery (78.6%), and failure to pass meconium (60.7%). Mean age at diarrhea onset was 6.63 days. Median diagnostic delay was 60 days. Prenatal diagnosis, based on molecular analysis, was described in 40/172 (23.3%). All patients received NaCl/KCl-substitutive therapy. An improvement of diarrhea during adulthood was reported in 91.3% of cases. Failure to thrive (21.6%) and chronic kidney disease (17.7%) were the most common complications. Conclusions: This analysis of a large population suggests the necessity of better strategies for the management of CLD. A close follow-up and a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory to manage this condition characterized by heterogeneous and multisystemic complications. Impact: In this systematic review, we describe data regarding anamnestic features, clinical features, management, and follow-up of CLD patients obtained from the largest population of patients ever described to date.The results of our investigation could provide useful insights for the diagnostic approach and the management of this condition

Additive Manufacturing Technology for High Performances Feed Horn

In this work the design and manufacturing through selective laser melting technology of single-band dual circular feed-system operating in Ka-band is reported. In the feed design an AM oriented architecture has been employed. The measured performances confirms the good manufacturing of the system that satisfies very stringent requirements in terms of polarization purity

Sensitivity of Non-Contrast Computed Tomography for Small Renal Calculi with Endoscopy as the Gold Standard

Objectives To compare the sensitivity of non-contrast CT to endoscopy for detection of renal calculi. Imaging modalities for detection of nephrolithiasis have centered on abdominal x-ray (KUB), ultrasound (US), and non-contrast computed tomography (CT). Sensitivities of 58-62% (KUB), 45% (US), and 95-100% (CT) have been previously reported. However, these results have never been correlated with endoscopic findings. Methods Idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formers with symptomatic calculi requiring ureteroscopy (URS) were studied. At the time of surgery, the number and location of all calculi within the kidney were recorded followed by basket retrieval. Each calculus was measured and sent for micro CT and infrared spectrophotometry. All CT scans were reviewed by the same genitourinary radiologist who was blinded to the endoscopic findings. The radiologist reported on the number, location, and size of each calculus. Results 18 renal units were studied in 11 patients. Average time from CT scan to URS was 28.6 days. The mean number of calculi identified per kidney was 9.2±6.1 for endoscopy and 5.9±4.1 for CT (p<0.004). The mean size of total renal calculi (sum of longest stone diameters) per kidney was 22.4±17.1 mm and 18.2±13.2 mm for endoscopy and CT, respectively (p=0.06). Conclusions CT scan underreports the number of renal calculi, probably missing some small stones and unable to distinguish those lying in close proximity to one another. However, the total stone burden seen by CT is, on average, accurate when compared to that found on endoscopic examination

UAV-Based Antenna Measurements: Improvement of the Test Source Frequency Behavior

Drone-based radiation pattern measurements require the knowledge of the whole test-source radiation pattern in order to reach the expected measurement accuracy. However, the radiation pattern of the onboard antenna can be highly distorted by the metal frame of the vehicle, particularly in the VHF and UHF bands, showing highly resonant behaviors. This paper presents a preliminary analysis aimed to highlight such behavior and adopt compatible solutions to minimize or avoid the pattern distortion in the frequency of interest

First Results on the Experimental Validation of the SKA-low Prototypes Deployed in Australia Using an Airborne Test Source

As the Square Kilometre Array progresses toward the construction phase, the first prototypes of the low-frequency instrument have been deployed in Australia. To support such a crucial phase, a measurement campaign took place in the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory area in order to validate the electromagnetic models of the arrays by characterizing the embedded-element patterns and the array beams. A set of significant results is shown in this contribution