Two-Dimensional Forward Scattering – Comparisons of Approximate and Exact Solutions

Various methods for analyses of scattering are mentioned and new approximate relationships are derived. Experimental results for thin wire and several numerical simulations of forward scattering using approximate estimations, physical optics and exact solutions for two-dimensional scattering are presented both for far and near fields. That allows not only accuracy analyses but also conclusions about scattering and total fields in the presence of objects, which are important for many applications such as communications, bistatic and multistatic radars and electromagnetic compatibility

Broadband Approximations for Doubly Curved Reflector Antenna

The broadband approximations for shaped-beam doubly curved reflector antennas with primary feed (rectangular horn) producing uniform amplitude and phase aperture distribution are derived and analyzed. They are very valuable for electromagnetic compatibility analyses both from electromagnetic interference and susceptibility point of view, because specialized more accurate methods such as physical optics are only used by antenna designers. To allow quick EMC analyses, typical values, beamwidth changes, sidelobe levels and aperture efficiencies are given for frequency changes approximately up to four times operating frequency. A comparison of approximated and measured patterns of doubly curved reflector antennas shows that the given approximation could be reliably used for analyses of pattern changes due to very broad frequency changes

Comparison of CAD for Rectangular Microstrip Antennas

Calculations of several cases for rectangular microstrip antennas using more accurate cavity model have been compared with the conventional cavity calculations, expressions generated by curve fitting to full wave solutions and published experimental values for a variety of different substrate thickness and patch sizes with width to length ratio of 1.5 and with r = 10.8 and r = 2.33

Gain Estimation of Doubly Curved Reflector Antenna

A simple formula of approximate gain estimation is verified for the doubly curved reflector antenna. Numerical simulations using physical optics and experimental results of the shaped-beam doubly curved reflector antenna are compared with the simple approximation of gain. That approximation could be very valuable for system engineers to accurately estimate antenna gain and coverage pattern and perform EMC calculations (estimations of interferences and susceptibilities) even for the operation and out of operation frequency bands of shapedbeam antenna

Tropospheric Propagation above Uneven Ground

This work analyzes the electromagnetic wave propagation above uneven ground, including the troposphere, using physical optics calculation. The new results of numerical simulations using physical optics are presented for the antenna far-field measurement ranges, studies of air refraction index, and examinations of radar coverage diagrams. These calculations are validated by the experimental results (which are changing during seasons, terrain and troposphere conditions including vegetation, moisture, snow, air temperature and pressure, and cultivation) and numerical simulations, such as parabolic equation methods

Optimization of Far-Field Antenna Range

Measurements of test antennas are performed on antenna ranges. The operated microwave far-field outdoor range was built-up in 1970’s and therefore it was not appropriate for the today measurements. Thus, it was decided to perform the complete reconstruction and testing. Some results of new ample measurement campaign are just given. The optimization of antenna range using merely measurement is very inefficient, and therefore that is done by numerical simulations. Consequently the paper surveys briefly electromagnetic wave propagation over irregular terrain. The physical optics approximation of vector problem was chosen. That allows the comparison of selected numerical simulations and measurements for the reconstructed far-field range. A possibility of antenna range optimizing by using numerical simulation considering various constraints is verified

UWB Propagation through Walls

The propagation of ultra wide band (UWB) signals through walls is analyzed. For this propagation studies, it is necessary to consider not only propagation at a single frequency but in the whole band. The UWB radar output signal is formed by both transmitter and antenna. The effects of antenna receiving and transmitting responses for various antenna types (such as small and aperture antennas) are studied in the frequency as well as time domain. Moreover, UWB radar output signals can be substantially affected due to electromagnetic wave propagation through walls and multipath effects

Epicardial adipose tissue in patients with heart failure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and its relationship with left ventricular (LV) parameters assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and healthy controls.</p> <p>Background</p> <p>EAT is the true visceral fat deposited around the heart which generates various bioactive molecules. Previous studies found that EAT is related to left ventricular mass (LVM) in healthy subjects. Further studies showed a constant EAT to myocardial mass ratio in normal, ischemic and hypertrophied hearts.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>CMR was performed in 66 patients with CHF due to ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 32 healthy controls. Ventricular volumes, dimensions and LV function were assessed. The amount of EAT was determined volumetrically and expressed as mass indexed to body surface area. Additionally, the EAT/LVM and the EAT/left ventricular remodelling index (LVRI) ratios were calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Patients with CHF had less indexed EAT mass than controls (22 ± 5 g/m²versus 34 ± 4 g/m², p < 0.0001). In the subgroup analysis there were no significant differences in indexed EAT mass between patients with ICM and DCM (21 ± 4 g/m²versus 23 ± 6 g/m², p = 0.14). Linear regression analysis showed that with increasing LV end-diastolic diameter (LV-EDD) (r = 0.42, p = 0.0004) and LV end-diastolic mass (LV-EDM) (r = 0.59, p < 0.0001), there was a significantly increased amount of EAT in patients with CHF. However, the ratio of EAT mass/LV-EDM was significantly reduced in patients with CHF compared to healthy controls (0.54 ± 0.1 versus 0.21 ± 0.1, p < 0.0001). In CHF patients higher indexed EAT/LVRI-ratios in CHF patients correlated best with a reduced LV-EF (r = 0.49, p < 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients with CHF revealed significantly reduced amounts of EAT. An increase in LVM is significantly related to an increase in EAT in both patients with CHF and controls. However, different from previous reports the EAT/LVEDM-ratio in patients with CHF was significantly reduced compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, the LV function correlated best with the indexed EAT/LVRI ratio in CHF patients. Metabolic abnormalities and/or anatomic alterations due to disturbed cardiac function and geometry seem to play a key role and are a possible explanation for these findings.</p

Multipotency and cardiomyogenic potential of human adipose-derived stem cells from epicardium, pericardium, and omentum

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (MI) leads to an irreversible loss of proper cardiac function. Application of stem cell therapy is an attractive option for MI treatment. Adipose tissue has proven to serve as a rich source of stem cells (ADSCs). Taking into account the different morphogenesis, anatomy, and physiology of adipose tissue, we hypothesized that ADSCs from different adipose tissue depots may exert a diverse multipotency and cardiogenic potential. METHODS: The omental, pericardial, and epicardial adipose tissue samples were obtained from organ donors and patients undergoing heart transplantation at our institution. Human foreskin fibroblasts were used as the control group. Isolated ADSCs were analyzed for adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation capacity and proliferation potential. The immunophenotype and constitutive gene expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), GATA4, Nanog, and OCT4 were analyzed. DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine was exposed to the cells to stimulate the cardiogenesis. Finally, reprogramming towards cardiomyocytes was initiated with exogenous overexpression of seven transcription factors (ESRRG, GATA4, MEF2C, MESP1, MYOCD, TBX5, ZFPM2) previously applied successfully for fibroblast transdifferentiation toward cardiomyocytes. Expression of cardiac troponin T (cTNT) and alpha-actinin (Actn2) was analyzed 3 weeks after initiation of the cardiac differentiation. RESULTS: The multipotent properties of isolated plastic adherent cells were confirmed with expression of CD29, CD44, CD90, and CD105, as well as successful differentiation toward adipocytes and osteocytes; with the highest osteogenic and adipogenic potential for the epicardial and omental ADSCs, respectively. Epicardial ADSCs demonstrated a lower doubling time as compared with the pericardium and omentum-derived cells. Furthermore, epicardial ADSCs revealed higher constitutive expression of ALP and GATA4. Increased Actn2 and cTNT expression was observed after the transduction of seven reprogramming factors, with the highest expression in the epicardial ADSCs, as compared with the other ADSC subtypes and fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Human epicardial ADSCs revealed a higher cardiomyogenic potential as compared with the pericardial and omental ADSC subtypes as well as the fibroblast counterparts. Epicardial ADSCs may thus serve as the valuable subject for further studies on more effective methods of adult stem cell differentiation toward cardiomyocytes

Propagation over Irregular Terrain

The computer model and computation accuracy for propagation over irregular terrain are presented. Special attention is paid to computation for low altitude propagation and the finite distance between the antenna and the observation point (diffraction field zone). The solution for the transient zone is modified to obtain continuous connection of different methods of calculations