Phase management for extended scan range antenna arrays based on Rotman lens

This paper presents an implementation of a technique aimed to double the scanning range of a 24 GHz array antenna system based on Rotman lens beamforming. The new concept of the enhanced beam forming network consists of a combination of Rotman lens and 1-bit phase shifters, positioned in a peculiar way on the array side of the lens, and together with a particular beam arrangement allows to overcome the scan limitations which is typical of the standalone Rotman lens solution. Simulations will demonstrate that a Rotman lens, designed to steer the beam up to ±30°, when arranged in combination with properly designed Ratrace based phase shifters, allows to increase the scan range up to ±60°

Polarization reconfigurable patch antenna for compact and low cost UHF RFID reader

This paper presents a patch antenna designed for Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) reader including a reconfigurable feeding for achieving polarization agility. The switchable polarization improves the polarization efficiency in comparison with standard circular polarized antenna solutions. CMOS switches are used in the reconfigurable feeding network for enabling higher power transmission and uncomplicated control with respect to solutions involving varactors and PIN diodes. Moreover, the designed patch antenna and ground planes have reduced size, for best integration of the reader in the required application. The combination of antenna and reconfigurable feeding network has been tested through simulations, showing good performance over the EU RFID frequency band (865-868 MHz). Due to its flexible and inexpensive structure, the proposed reconfigurable feeding system is a promising alternative to standard circular polarized reader antenna approaches

Phase shifters design for Rotman lens based beamforming network scan range extension

The design of the phase management unit needed for extending the scan range of a 24 GHz array antenna system based on Rotman lens beamforming is presented. The developed phase management unit consists of both static and switchable reflective type phase shifters, whose particular arrangement, in combination with a Rotman lens, allows increasing the maximum steering beam angle by 100%. Finally, the proposed concept is validated through simulation including the complete beamforming network and antenna array system

Frequency and Polarization Agile RFID Patch Antenna with Reduced Dimensions

This paper presents a frequency and polarization reconfigurable UHF RFID patch antenna based on a switchable feeding network. For best integration of the antenna, its size and ground plane are much smaller with respect to the canonical patch antenna design, however the proposed design is able to cover the EU and US frequency bands of the RFID standard. State-of-the-art CMOS switches are employed as key element for selecting the desired polarization and proper matching network. The switches provide also a simple solution for high power applications in contrast to concepts based on PIN diodes or varactors. Simulated results have shown good performance. Considering its flexible and inexpensive structure, the proposed system is a promising alternative to aperture tuning and circular polarized antenna approaches

Knowledge, practices, educational needs and hospital engagement in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) among Italian healthcare workers and students: results from a national multicentre survey

Objective: This study assesses the knowledge, practices, educational needs and hospital engagement in IPC among healthcare workers (HCWs) and students in Italy. Methods: A national cross-sectional observational study was conducted from April to July 2024. Participants completed a validated questionnaire based on WHO and CDC guidelines. Four outcomes were evaluated: (i) knowledge of IPC, (ii) self-reported compliance, (iii) satisfaction with education and (iv) hospital engagement in IPC. Results: Among respondents (n=1063, 67.75% female) significant gaps in IPC knowledge were noted, with only 66.1% correctly identifying key hand hygiene moments. Compliance was low, with only 43.3% always adhering to hand hygiene rules. Satisfaction with IPC education was also low (28%). While alcohol-based hand gel was widely available (84.2%), only 36.6% received formal hand hygiene training before onboarding. Multivariate analysis revealed that female HCWs had higher IPC knowledge [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.55, 95% CI: 1.04-2.31] and better compliance (aOR 1.72, 95% CI: 1.01-2.92). Younger HCWs demonstrated greater knowledge and satisfaction. Surgical ward staff, despite greater education satisfaction, exhibited lower IPC knowledge (aOR 0.53, 95% CI: 0.32-0.87). Nurses and health assistants received more hospital IPC training (aOR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.04-2.46; aOR 5.83, 95% CI: 1.94-18.89, respectively). Finally, the presence of a hospital IPC team positively correlated with all outcomes, including higher IPC knowledge (aOR 2.68, 95% CI: 1.79-4.05) and adherence (aOR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.92-6.3). Conclusion: The study reveals substantial gaps in IPC knowledge, practices and education among Italian HCWs, emphasizing the urgent need for effective targeted interventions that require robust institutional support

Subcortical brain volume, regional cortical thickness, and cortical surface area across disorders: findings from the ENIGMA ADHD, ASD, and OCD Working Groups

Objective Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are common neurodevelopmental disorders that frequently co-occur. We aimed to directly compare all three disorders. The ENIGMA consortium is ideally positioned to investigate structural brain alterations across these disorders. Methods Structural T1-weighted whole-brain MRI of controls (n=5,827) and patients with ADHD (n=2,271), ASD (n=1,777), and OCD (n=2,323) from 151 cohorts worldwide were analyzed using standardized processing protocols. We examined subcortical volume, cortical thickness and surface area differences within a mega-analytical framework, pooling measures extracted from each cohort. Analyses were performed separately for children, adolescents, and adults using linear mixed-effects models adjusting for age, sex and site (and ICV for subcortical and surface area measures). Results We found no shared alterations among all three disorders, while shared alterations between any two disorders did not survive multiple comparisons correction. Children with ADHD compared to those with OCD had smaller hippocampal volumes, possibly influenced by IQ. Children and adolescents with ADHD also had smaller ICV than controls and those with OCD or ASD. Adults with ASD showed thicker frontal cortices compared to adult controls and other clinical groups. No OCD-specific alterations across different age-groups and surface area alterations among all disorders in childhood and adulthood were observed. Conclusion Our findings suggest robust but subtle alterations across different age-groups among ADHD, ASD, and OCD. ADHD-specific ICV and hippocampal alterations in children and adolescents, and ASD-specific cortical thickness alterations in the frontal cortex in adults support previous work emphasizing neurodevelopmental alterations in these disorders