Simultaneous dual-frequency radio observations of S5 0716+714: A search for intraday variability with the Korean VLBI Network

This study aims to search for the existence of intraday variability (IDV) of BL Lac object S5 0716+714 at high radio frequencies for which the interstellar scintillation effect is not significant. Using the 21-meter radio telescope of the Korean VLBI Network (KVN), we present results of multi-epoch simultaneous dual-frequency radio observations. Single-dish observations of S5 0716+714 were simultaneously conducted at 21.7 GHz (K-band) and 42.4 GHz (Q-band), with a high cadence of 30-60 minute intervals.We observed four epochs between December 2009 and June 2010. Over the whole set of observation epochs, S5 0716+714 showed significant inter-month variations in flux density at both the K- and Q-bands, with modulation indices of approximately 19% for the K-band and approximately 36% for the Q-band. In all epochs, no clear intraday variability was detected at either frequency. The source shows monotonic flux density increase in epochs 1 and 3 and monotonic flux density decrease in epochs 2 and 4. In the flux density increasing phases, the flux densities at the Q-band increase more rapidly. In the decreasing phase, no significant flux density difference is seen at the two frequencies. The situation could be different close to flux density peaks that we did not witness in our observations. We find an inverted spectrum with mean spectral indices of -0.57+-0.13 in epoch 1 and -0.15+-0.11 in epoch 3. On the other hand, we find relatively steep indices of +0.24+-0.14 and +0.17+-0.18 in epochs 2 and 4, respectively. We conclude that the frequency dependence of the variability and the change of the spectral index are caused by source-intrinsic effects rather than by any extrinsic scintillation effect.Comment: 6 pages and 4 figures and 4 table

An online interactive dashboard to explore personal exposure to air pollution

Studies increasingly examine individual exposure to air pollution while accounting for person-specific activity-travel patterns. Supporting policymakers and local communities using the resulting data requires transparent and ethical communication of exposure levels to affected individuals and other stakeholders. This paper asks how an interactive online dashboard might represent individual-level air pollution exposure profiles to different audiences while respecting individuals’ geoprivacy. Using data from 37 Oxford (UK) residents, it shows that heterogeneous individual-level exposure profiles can be shared ethically through different combinations of visualisation method, spatial and temporal resolution of data representation and Geomasking techniques for different dashboard user groups

Low-complexity dynamic resource scheduling for downlink MC-NOMA over fading channels

In this paper, we investigate dynamic resource scheduling (i.e., joint user, subchannel, and power scheduling) for downlink multi-channel non-orthogonal multiple access (MC-NOMA) systems over time-varying fading channels. Specifically, we address the weighted average sum rate maximization problem with quality-of-service (QoS) constraints. In particular, to facilitate fast resource scheduling, we focus on developing a very low-complexity algorithm. To this end, by leveraging Lagrangian duality and the stochastic optimization theory, we first develop an opportunistic MC-NOMA scheduling algorithm whereby the original problem is decomposed into a series of subproblems, one for each time slot. Accordingly, resource scheduling works in an online manner by solving one subproblem per time slot, making it more applicable to practical systems. Then, we further develop a heuristic joint subchannel assignment and power allocation (Joint-SAPA) algorithm with very low computational complexity, called Joint-SAPA-LCC, that solves each subproblem. Finally, through simulation, we show that our Joint-SAPA-LCC algorithm provides good performance comparable to the existing Joint-SAPA algorithms despite requiring much lower computational complexity. We also demonstrate that our opportunistic MC-NOMA scheduling algorithm in which the Joint-SAPA-LCC algorithm is embedded works well while satisfying given QoS requirements.Comment: 39 pages, 11 figure

Low-complexity joint user and power scheduling in downlink NOMA over fading channels

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been considered one of the most promising radio access techniques for next-generation cellular networks. In this paper, we study the joint user and power scheduling for downlink NOMA over fading channels. Specifically, we focus on a stochastic optimization problem to maximize the weighted average sum rate while ensuring given minimum average data rates of users. To address this problem, we first develop an opportunistic user and power scheduling algorithm (OUPS) based on the duality and stochastic optimization theory. By OUPS, the stochastic problem is transformed into a series of deterministic ones for the instantaneous weighted sum rate maximization for each slot. Thus, we additionally develop a heuristic algorithm with very low computational complexity, called user selection and power allocation algorithm (USPA), for the instantaneous weighted sum rate maximization problem. Via simulation results, we demonstrate that USPA provides near-optimal performance with very low computational complexity, and OUPS well guarantees given minimum average data rates.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation: A novel treatment of facial venous malformation

We performed radiofrequency ablation to treat a symptomatic facial venous malformation of a 24-year-old woman under ultrasound scan-guidance. The 20.25-cm sized original facial venous malformation in her right cheek markedly reduced without any scar formation and was grossly not visible after 1 month of the procedure. In the 3-month follow-up magnetic resonance imaging, original venous malformation reduced in volume to 5.40 cm. Radiofrequency ablation may provide an alternative treatment for facial venous malformations

Improvement of Mechanical Properties of UV-curable Resin for High-aspect Ratio Microstructures Fabricated in Microstereolithography

Recently, microstructures fabricated using microstereolithography technology have been used in the biological, medical and mechanical fields. Microstereolithography can fabricate real 3D microstructures with fine features, although there is presently a limited number of materials available for use in the process. Deformation of the fine features on a fabricated microstructure remains a critical issue for successful part fabrication, and part deformation can occur during rinsing or during fabrication as a result of fluid flow forces that occur during movement of mechanical parts of the system. Deformation can result in failure to fabricate a particular feature by breaking the feature completely, spatial deflection of the feature, or attaching the feature to neighboring microstructures. To improve mechanical strength of fabricated microstructures, a clay nanocomposite can be used. In particular, a high-aspect ratio microstructure can be fabricated without distortion using photocurable liquid resin containing a clay nanocomposite. In this paper, a clay nanocomposite was blended with a photocurable liquid resin to solve the deformation problem that occurs during fabrication and rinsing. An optimal mixture ratio of a clay nanocomposite was found through tensile testing and the minimal allowable distance between microstructures was found through fabrication experimentation. Finally, using these results, high-aspect ratio microstructures were fabricated using a clay nanocomposite resin without distortion