Initial CONNECT Architecture

Interoperability remains a fundamental challenge when connecting heterogeneous systems which encounter and spontaneously communicate with one another in pervasive computing environments. This challenge is exasperated by the highly heterogeneous technologies employed by each of the interacting parties, i.e., in terms of hardware, operating system, middleware protocols, and application protocols. The key aim of the CONNECT project is to drop this heterogeneity barrier and achieve universal interoperability. Here we report on the development of the overall CONNECT architecture that will underpin this solution; in this respect, we present the following contributions: i) an elicitation of interoperability requirements from a set of pervasive computing scenarios, ii) a survey of existing solutions to interoperability, iii) an initial view of the CONNECT architecture, and iv) a series of experiments to provide initial validation of the architecture

Wideband circularly polarized reconfigurable crossed dipole antenna

A simple design of a wideband circularly polarized (CP) reconfigurable antenna is proposed. The primary radiator consists of two orthogonal straight dipoles while a dual-cavity structure is employed to significantly enhance the overall CP performance of the antenna. The polarization reconfigurability is realized by electronically switching the ON/OFF states of two PIN-diode pairs. Thus, the antenna can radiate CP wave with either rotating senses. The proposed design exhibits a wide simulated impedance bandwidth (BW) of 70.8% and an overlapped axial ratio (AR) BW of 58.5%. In addition, the antenna realized gain is greater than 7.2 dBi and its radiation efficiency is around 90% over the overlapped BW

Factors influencing breast cancer outcomes in Australia: a systematic review

Purpose: This systematic review evaluates factors influencing breast cancer outcomes for women treated in Australia, facilitating the exploration of disparities in breast cancer outcomes for certain groups of women in Australia. Method: A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE and Scopus focusing on breast cancer in Australia with outcome measures being breast cancer survival and recurrence with no restrictions on date. Risk of bias was assessed using Cairns Assessment Scale for Observational studies of Risk factors (CASOR). Results: Fifteen quantitative studies were included: two were high quality, 11 were intermediate quality, and two were low quality. Traditional risk factors such as invasive tumour type, larger size, higher grade and stage, lymph node involvement and absence of hormone receptors were found to be associated with breast cancer mortality. Being younger (70 years old), having more comorbidities, being of lower socioeconomic status, identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, living in more rural areas or having a mastectomy were factors found to be associated with poorer breast cancer outcomes. Conclusion: Despite the heterogeneity of the studies, this review identified significant risk factors for breast cancer mortality and recurrence. The use of this data would be most useful in developing evidence‐based interventions and in optimising patient care through creation of a prediction model

Microwave-assisted facile and rapid Friedel-Crafts benzoylation of arenes catalysed by bismuth trifluoromethanesulfonate

<div><p></p><p>The catalytic activity of metal triflates was investigated in Friedel–Crafts benzoylation under microwave irradiation. Friedel–Crafts benzoylation with benzoyl chloride of a variety of arenes containing electron-rich and electron-poor rings using bismuth triflate under microwave irradiation is described. This method allows the preparation of aryl ketones under solventless conditions in good to excellent yields and short reaction time. Bismuth triflate was easily recovered and reused five times without significant loss of the catalytic activity.</p> </div