Influence of the mesh size on the computation of the close near fields of dipole antennas

While evaluating the near field of dipole antennas, it is noted that different software suites yield values of the electric and the magnetic fields, at the surface of antennas, that can be substantially different, especially at the tips and at the feed gap. The close near field of dipoles has not been yet analysed in detail. An asymptotic expansion method for the near fields at the surface of these antennas has been developed and compared to the computed fields. The results show that the software of the computed field should not use a uniform mesh. The mesh should be much tighter at the metal extremities than in the dipole body. The proposed technique can be used to check complex field computations, producing diverging values, with simple analytical equations

Culture medium geometry. The dominant factor affecting in vitro RF exposure dosimetry

Biological experiments that expose living cells or tissues to RF energy must have an aqueous medium to provide essential water, ions, nutrients, and growth factors. However, as we show here, the medium inherently functions as a receiving antenna that conveys RF energy to the biological entity in a manner entirely determined by exposure vessel geometry, orientation to the incident RF flux, frequency, and dielectric properties of the medium. We show for two common experimental arrangements that basic antenna theory can predict electromagnetic energy patterns that agree well with those otherwise obtained by computationally intensive methods that require specialized resources

The perioperative period of liver transplantation from unconventional extended criteria donors: data from two high-volume centres

Background: As literature largely focuses on long-term outcomes, this study aimed at elucidating the perioperative outcomes of liver transplant patients receiving a graft from two groups of unconventional expanded criteria donors: brain dead aged > 80 years and cardiac dead.Methods: Data of 247 cirrhotic patients transplanted at two high volume liver transplant centers were analysed. Confounders were balanced using a stabilized inverse probability therapy weighting and a propensity score for each patient on the original population was generated. The score was created using a multivariate logistic regression model considering a Comprehensive Complication Index & GE; 42 (no versus yes) as the dependent variable and 11 possible clinically relevant confounders as covariate.Results: Forty-four patients received the graft from a cardiac-dead donor and 203 from a brain-dead donor aged > 80 years. Intraoperatively, cardiac-dead donors liver transplant cases required more fresh frozen plasma units (P < 0.0001) with similar reduced need of fibrinogen to old brain-dead donors cases. The incidence of reperfusion syndrome was similar (P = 0.80). In the Intensive Care Unit, both the groups presented a comparable low need for blood transfusions, renal replacement therapy and inotropes. Cardiac-dead donors liver transplantations required more time to tracheal extubation (P < 0.0001) and scored higher Comprehensive Complication Index (P < 0.0001) however the incidence of a severe complication status (Comprehensive Complication Index & GE; 42) was similar (P = 0.52). ICU stay (P = 0.97), total hospital stay (P = 0.57), in hospital (P = 1.00) and 6 months (P = 1.00) death were similar.Conclusion: Selected octogenarian and cardiac-dead donors can be used safely for liver transplantation

Development of Broadband Underwater Radio Communication for Application in Unmanned Underwater Vehicles

This paper presents several novel designs of small form factor underwater radio antennas operating in the 2 MHz, 50 MHz and 2.4 GHz bands. These antennas efficiently excite surface electromagnetic waves (SEW) which propagate along the surface of seawater. The antenna operation is made possible due to implementation of an impedance matching enclosure, which is filled with de-ionized water. Enhanced coupling to surface electromagnetic waves is enabled by the enhancement of the electromagnetic field at the antenna apex. These features allow us to make antenna dimensions considerably smaller compared to typical free space designs. They also considerably improve coupling of electromagnetic energy to the surrounding seawater. Since SEW propagation length is considerably larger than the skin depth in seawater, this technique is useful for underwater broadband wireless communication. We conclude that the developed broadband underwater radio communication technique will be useful in networking of unmanned underwater vehicles

Three Quarters of a Century of Research on RF Exposure Assessment and Dosimetry—What Have We Learned?

This commentary, by three authors with an aggregate experience of more than a century in technology and health and safety studies concerning radiofrequency (RF) energy, asks what has been learned over the past 75 years of research on radiofrequency and health, focusing on technologies for exposure assessment and dosimetry. Research programs on health and safety of RF exposure began in the 1950s, initially motivated by occupational health concerns for military personnel, and later to address public concerns about exposures to RF energy from environmental sources and near-field exposures from RF transmitting devices such as mobile phones that are used near the body. While this research largely focused on the biological effects of RF energy, it also led to important improvements in exposure assessment and dosimetry. This work in the aggregate has made RF energy one of the best studied potential technological hazards and represents a productive response by large numbers of scientists and engineers, working in many countries and supported by diverse funding agencies, to the ever rapidly evolving uses of the electromagnetic spectrum. This review comments on present needs of the field, which include raising the quality of dosimetry in many RF bioeffects studies and developing improved exposure/dosimetric techniques for the higher microwave frequencies to be used by forthcoming communications technologies. At present, however, the major uncertainties in dosimetric modeling/exposure assessment are likely to be related to the inherent variability in real-world exposures, rather than imprecision in measurement technologies

Development of Broadband Underwater Radio Communication for Application in Unmanned Underwater Vehicles

This paper presents several novel designs of small form factor underwater radio antennas operating in the 2 MHz, 50 MHz and 2.4 GHz bands. These antennas efficiently excite surface electromagnetic waves (SEW) which propagate along the surface of seawater. The antenna operation is made possible due to implementation of an impedance matching enclosure, which is filled with de-ionized water. Enhanced coupling to surface electromagnetic waves is enabled by the enhancement of the electromagnetic field at the antenna apex. These features allow us to make antenna dimensions considerably smaller compared to typical free space designs. They also considerably improve coupling of electromagnetic energy to the surrounding seawater. Since SEW propagation length is considerably larger than the skin depth in seawater, this technique is useful for underwater broadband wireless communication. We conclude that the developed broadband underwater radio communication technique will be useful in networking of unmanned underwater vehicles.https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse805037

Field and Temperature Gradients from Short Conductors in a Dissipative Medium

This paper considers the specific absorption rate (SAR) in tissue of radiofrequency (RF) energy and temperature increases produced by RF currents on short conductors (0.03–0.1λ). We consider a cylindrical model in which a center-feeds, insulated antenna is embedded in tissue. We introduce a new method for the analytic evaluation of the fields in the cylindrical phantom taking advantage of the axial symmetry of the antenna and the tissue. Results of the analytical model are compared to results of numerical (finite difference time domain) simulations; in addition, the thermal response of the exposed material is calculated by finite element solution of the heat conduction equation. For model antennas of 1 to 3 cm total length with a feedpoint current of 10mA RMS at 900MHz, the maximum SAR (in tissue next to the antenna) is less than ∼2.5W/kg. SAR decays rapidly with radial distance from the antenna (∼r−4 for the 1cm antenna) and creates a steady-state temperature rise less than 0.05K at the location of SARmax. Heat conduction causes the temperature to decline steeply with radius (depth into tissue)