Reconfigurable dual band microstrip patch antenna for software defined radio applications

In this paper, a reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna with RF pin diode switches is implemented for dual band of 2.4 GHz and 5.6 GHz Software Defined Radio (SDR) applications. For the dual band SDR system, the use of a single antenna with a wide bandwidth to cover both of the bands can be limiting for low power level signal applications due to wideband noise. A reconfigurable nested microstrip patch antenna is designed on a Rogers 5880 RT/DUROID substrate which is fed by a coaxial probe from the back side of the grounded substrate. RF switching circuitry involves four RF pin diodes at each side of the inner patch. The dual bands of 2.4 GHz and 5.6 GHz frequency operation can be simply obtained by switching the PIN diodes on and off. The antenna is well matched and achieves approximately 7 dBi simulated gain at both frequency bands. Simulation results show that the nested patch antenna is suitable for dual band SDR applications

Le dernier hommage. La comptabilité des frais funéraires et du deuil dans la société parisienne aux xviie et xviiie siècles

En mobilisant des sources traditionnelles (testaments) et nouvelles (dépenses d’obsèques, frais et indemnités de deuil, etc.), cet article présente une étude des consommations funéraires des Parisiens des années 1680 à la Révolution. La hiérarchie des prix, d’une dizaine à quelques milliers de livres, suit grossièrement celle des rangs. Cette échelle est cependant troublée dans les années 1770 par une envolée des dépenses d’obsèques des petite et moyenne bourgeoisie enrichies, tandis que celles des notables (bourgeoisie politique) et des nobles restent stables. On observe par ailleurs une démocratisation de certaines consommations funéraires : au XVIIIe siècle, le maintien par les fabriques des tarifs planchers permet aux gens du peuple d’inhumer les leurs dans des cimetières paroissiaux sans avoir recours à la charité. Les dépenses de deuil, quant à elles, se diffusent dans l’ensemble de la société jusqu’au milieu du XVIIIe siècle quand la volonté des acteurs sociaux et judiciaires de borner les droits des femmes amène la codification de l’indemnité de deuil à une année du revenu du douaire.Through the study of traditional sources (wills) and new sources (funeral expenses, fees Using traditional sources (wills) and new sources (funeral expenses, mourning costs and allowances, etc.), this article presents a study of funerary consumption in Parisian society from the 1680s to the Revolution. The price scale, from a dozen to a few thousand livres, roughly corresponded to the hierarchy of ranks. However, this scale was disrupted in the 1770s by a surge in middle-class funeral spending, while that of the political bourgeoisie and of the gentry remained stable. Moreover, a democratization of certain funeral expenses can also be noted: during the eighteenth century, manufacturers’ maintenance of minimum prices allowed common people to bury their relatives in parish cemeteries without the need for charity. Mourning expenses spread throughout society until the mid-eighteenth century, when the willingness of social and legal forces to limit women’s rights resulted in the codification of compensation at a year’s dower income

Introduction

La mort est un domaine de recherches que les anthropologues, les archéologues, les sociologues et les historiens de l’art étudient depuis longtemps, à travers l’analyse matérielle et culturelle des croyances, des formes rituelles ou des lieux de culte. Le thème du prix de la mort, traité dans ce numéro de la revue Histoire & Mesure, s’inscrit dans un champ traditionnel des sciences humaines, tout en proposant une approche quantitative dans la continuité des enquêtes initiées par les historien..

Beatrice Zucca Micheletto, Travail et propriété des femmes en temps de crise (Turin, xviiie siècle)

Ce livre complète heureusement les belles études qui ont déjà été menées sur la société de Turin au xviiie siècle. La capitale du Piémont connaît alors une forte croissance démographique en passant d’environ 600 000 habitants vers 1750 à 800 000 à la fin du siècle, mais la crise qui affecte l’économie de la soie et la multiplication des crises de subsistance provoquent un important chômage. L’auteur interroge l’impact de cette conjoncture sur la condition économique des femmes non nobles. Cel..

Does Ergonomics Improve Product Quality and Reduce Costs? A Review Article

Competition is an ongoing challenge confronting industrial corporations, particularly automobile manufacturing. Striving to improve product quality and productivity, automotive industries have used different quality management approaches, such as reduced variability, total quality management, and lean management, over recent years. Furthermore, incorporating proactive ergonomics such as physical and organizational ergonomics and psychosocial factors into the structure of a company is considered to be a support for productivity and quality. Several studies have shown the effects of ergonomics on better quality. Application of both quality management approaches and ergonomics in an integrated manner in the manufacturing production system is emphasized because they are similar concepts with the same objectives, that is, to improve efficiency. In this study, a comprehensive review was undertaken and 25 studies were reviewed in order to define how integration of an ergonomic approach in the manufacturing production system can reduce defects and improve quality in the production process

Introduction

Ce dossier propose un ensemble d’articles sur le financement de l’Église catholique par les dons des fidèles, dans une perspective d’histoire sociale du religieux (Croq, Garrioch, 2009). Il montre que, en Europe comme en Amérique, du xvie au xixe siècle, les laïcs jouent un rôle majeur dans la création, la gestion et la perpétuation des institutions ecclésiastiques catholiques (paroisses, couvents, chapelles, confréries, missions, œuvres pies, etc.). Il s’appuie sur des conceptions de l’Églis..

Development of a Biomechanical Method for Ergonomic Evaluation: Comparison with Observational Methods

A wide variety of observational methods have been developed to evaluate the ergonomic workloads in manufacturing. However, the precision and accuracy of these methods remain a subject of debate. The aims of this study were to develop biomechanical methods to evaluate ergonomic workloads and to compare them with observational methods. Two observational methods, i.e. SCANIA Ergonomic Standard (SES) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), were used to assess ergonomic workloads at two simulated workstations. They included four tasks such as tightening & loosening, attachment of tubes and strapping as well as other actions. Sensors were also used to measure biomechanical data (Inclinometers, Accelerometers, and Goniometers). Our findings showed that in assessment of some risk factors both RULA & SES were in agreement with the results of biomechanical methods. However, there was disagreement on neck and wrist postures. In conclusion, the biomechanical approach was more precise than observational methods, but some risk factors evaluated with observational methods were not measurable with the biomechanical techniques developed

What Is The Feelings of Operators about Physical And Psychosocial Ergonomic Risks? A Case Study in SCANIA Production Angers

Ergonomic improvement and  prevention of musculoskeletal disorders still remain quite important among assembly manufacturing. Then, having the valid and precise evaluation for psychological and physical risk factors as well as musculoskeletal sym ptoms is the first step for ergonomic risk management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the operators’ feelings in regards to physical and mental workloads a long with musculoskeletal symptoms. Furthermore, the interview was done with all the people Friday afternoon and Monday morning to compare the perceived exertion force at the first day and the last day of week. This cross-sectional study was done in SCANIA production Angers. In this trucks assembly plant one sector was chosen and two different questionnaires including self reported and interview questionnaire were filled out. Self-reported questionnaire evaluated 130 ergonomics variables and interview questionnaire 27 variables. The latter was completed two times Friday afternoon and Monday morning. Our finding showed that Most of study population show pain in lower back, elbow and shoulder. The most observed risk factors were in shoulders, elbows and wrists. The prevalence of psychosocial factors were high among assembly operators as 78% reported low decision latitude. Perceived exertion force for whole body for high workload working day in Friday was more than Monday morning even the difference wasn’t significant. The results showed that in addition to physical ergonomic workloads, there are psychosocial risk factors among assemblers. Furthermore, the body region that were more affected by risk factors were reported as WMSDs symptoms.

Interaction of HmC1q with leech microglial cells: involvement of C1qBP-related molecule in the induction of cell chemotaxis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In invertebrates, the medicinal leech is considered to be an interesting and appropriate model to study neuroimmune mechanisms. Indeed, this non-vertebrate animal can restore normal function of its central nervous system (CNS) after injury. Microglia accumulation at the damage site has been shown to be required for axon sprouting and for efficient regeneration. We characterized <it>Hm</it>C1q as a novel chemotactic factor for leech microglial cell recruitment. In mammals, a C1q-binding protein (C1qBP alias gC1qR), which interacts with the globular head of C1q, has been reported to participate in C1q-mediated chemotaxis of blood immune cells. In this study, we evaluated the chemotactic activities of a recombinant form of <it>Hm</it>C1q and its interaction with a newly characterized leech C1qBP that acts as its potential ligand.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Recombinant <it>Hm</it>C1q (r<it>Hm</it>C1q) was produced in the yeast <it>Pichia pastoris</it>. Chemotaxis assays were performed to investigate r<it>Hm</it>C1q-dependent microglia migration. The involvement of a C1qBP-related molecule in this chemotaxis mechanism was assessed by flow cytometry and with affinity purification experiments. The cellular localization of C1qBP mRNA and protein in leech was investigated using immunohistochemistry and <it>in situ </it>hybridization techniques.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>r<it>Hm</it>C1q-stimulated microglia migrate in a dose-dependent manner. This r<it>Hm</it>C1q-induced chemotaxis was reduced when cells were preincubated with either anti-<it>Hm</it>C1q or anti-human C1qBP antibodies. A C1qBP-related molecule was characterized in leech microglia.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A previous study showed that recruitment of microglia is observed after <it>Hm</it>C1q release at the cut end of axons. Here, we demonstrate that r<it>Hm</it>C1q-dependent chemotaxis might be driven via a <it>Hm</it>C1q-binding protein located on the microglial cell surface. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of the interaction between C1q and C1qBP in microglial activation leading to nerve repair in the medicinal leech.</p