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This research discusses the importance of timely, accurate, and relevant information technology services to support organizational activities, particularly in the context of radio frequency spectrum licensing services. The lack of government oversight of IT services often leads to complaints, necessitating evaluation using the ITIL framework. The study seeks to examine how ITIL V3 processes are applied within radio frequency spectrum licensing services at Balmon Palembang through a qualitative descriptive method. Findings suggest that the services have implemented ITIL V3 processes with a maturity level at level 3 Defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In an effort to minimize positive margins and subsequent re-excision after breast conserving surgery (BCS), many providers and facilities have implemented either a Full Cavity Shave (FCS) approach or adding the MarginProbe Radiofrequency Spectroscopy System. Objective We sought to create a functioning Pro-Forma for use by facilities and payers to evaluate and compare the cost savings of implementing FCS or MarginProbe based on personalized variable inputs. Methods A decision tree demonstrating three possible surgical pathways, BCS, BCS + FCS, and BCS + MarginProbe was developed with clinical inputs for re-excision rate, mastectomy as 2nd surgery, rate of reconstruction, and rate of 3rd surgery derived by a literature review. A surgical pathway cost formula was created using the decision tree and financial inputs derived by utilizing the nation’s largest database of privately billed health insurance claims and Medicare claims data (fairhealth.org). Using the surgical pathway formula and financial inputs, a customizable Pro-Forma was created for immediate cost savings analysis of BCS + FCS and BCS + Marginprobe using variable inputs. Costs are from the perspective of third-party payers. Results Utilizing MarginProbe to reduce re-excisions for positive margins can be associated with better cost-savings than FCS due to the increased pathology processing costs by using an FCS approach. The reduction in re-excision provided by both FCS and MarginProbe offset their increased expense to various degrees with cost savings of each method improving as baseline re-excisions rates increase, until ultimately each may become cost-neutral or cost-prohibitive when compared to BCS alone. Our data suggest that in the privately insured population, MarginProbe provides a cost-savings over BCS alone when baseline re-excision rates are over 20% and that FCS becomes cost-saving when baseline re-excision rates are over 29%. For Medicare patients, MarginProbe provides a cost-savings when baseline re-excision rates exceed 34%, and FCS becomes cost-saving for re-excision rates over 52%. Our Pro-Forma allows an individual provider or institution to evaluate the cost savings of the FCS approach and/or utilization of the MarginProbe device such that the additional cost or cost-savings of utilizing one or both of these methods can be quickly calculated based on their facility’s volume and baseline re-excision rate. Conclusions Our data suggest that utilizing either an FCS approach or the MarginProbe radiofrequency spectroscopy system may be a cost-saving solution to reducing the rate of re-excisions depending on a facility or practice’s surgical volume and baseline re-excision rate. The degree to which each of these interventions provides an added cost or cost-savings to healthcare payers can be evaluated by utilizing the Pro-Forma outlined herein with customizable variable inputs.

Copyright of Die Pathologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: In an effort to minimize positive margins and subsequent re-excision after breast conserving surgery (BCS), many providers and facilities have implemented either a Full Cavity Shave (FCS) approach or adding the MarginProbe Radiofrequency Spectroscopy System. Objective: We sought to create a functioning Pro-Forma for use by facilities and payers to evaluate and compare the cost savings of implementing FCS or MarginProbe based on personalized variable inputs. Methods: A decision tree demonstrating three possible surgical pathways, BCS, BCS + FCS, and BCS + MarginProbe was developed with clinical inputs for re-excision rate, mastectomy as 2nd surgery, rate of reconstruction, and rate of 3rd surgery derived by a literature review. A surgical pathway cost formula was created using the decision tree and financial inputs derived by utilizing the nation's largest database of privately billed health insurance claims and Medicare claims data (fairhealth.org). Using the surgical pathway formula and financial inputs, a customizable Pro-Forma was created for immediate cost savings analysis of BCS + FCS and BCS + Marginprobe using variable inputs. Costs are from the perspective of third-party payers. Results: Utilizing MarginProbe to reduce re-excisions for positive margins can be associated with better cost-savings than FCS due to the increased pathology processing costs by using an FCS approach. The reduction in re-excision provided by both FCS and MarginProbe offset their increased expense to various degrees with cost savings of each method improving as baseline re-excisions rates increase, until ultimately each may become cost-neutral or cost-prohibitive when compared to BCS alone. Our data suggest that in the privately insured population, MarginProbe provides a cost-savings over BCS alone when baseline re-excision rates are over 20% and that FCS becomes cost-saving when baseline re-excision rates are over 29%. For Medicare patients, MarginProbe provides a cost-savings when baseline re-excision rates exceed 34%, and FCS becomes cost-saving for re-excision rates over 52%. Our Pro-Forma allows an individual provider or institution to evaluate the cost savings of the FCS approach and/or utilization of the MarginProbe device such that the additional cost or cost-savings of utilizing one or both of these methods can be quickly calculated based on their facility's volume and baseline re-excision rate. Conclusions: Our data suggest that utilizing either an FCS approach or the MarginProbe radiofrequency spectroscopy system may be a cost-saving solution to reducing the rate of re-excisions depending on a facility or practice's surgical volume and baseline re-excision rate. The degree to which each of these interventions provides an added cost or cost-savings to healthcare payers can be evaluated by utilizing the Pro-Forma outlined herein with customizable variable inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hall Monitor SFR Class I Surabaya is a Technical Implementation Unit in charge of supervising and controlling the use of SFR. To determine customer satisfaction with SFR licensing services, research was conducted where the measurement of the satisfaction index was based on 9 indicators, namely Requirements, Service Procedures, Time to Complete, Ease of Payment of Tariffs, Products, Competence of Implementers, Behavior of Implementers, Handling Complaints, Infrastructure. The analysis used to measure satisfaction is the Top Two Boxes Analysis and Importance Performance Analysis methods. Based on the results of the analysis, it was concluded that the Service Satisfaction Index value was 90.84 with service quality A (very good). The results of the IPA 2 indicators must be considered and improved by Balmon Surabaya related to factors that affect customer satisfaction with SFR licensing services. These factors are Complaint Handling and Infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the effect of the addition of p- or n-type doping gases, trimethylboron (TMB) or phosphine, respectively, on cluster formation in the SiH4/H2 plasma used for the deposition of hydrogenated polymorphous silicon thin films. The formation of clusters is monitored using time-resolved measurements of the second harmonic of the radio frequency current J2. We show that the addition of PH3 does not change the cluster formation, while the addition of a small amount of trimethylboron strongly affects its charging behavior, preventing to some extent its agglomeration. The most ordered pm-Si:H thin films are obtained under conditions from which not only clusters but also larger silicon agglomerates are formed in the plasma and contribute to the deposition. The inhibiting role of TMB on the agglomeration and powder formation is evidenced by the smoothness of p-type films at high rates, as deduced from the sample surface topography obtained by atomic force microscopy measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imprecision in breast conserving surgery results in high rates of take back to theatre for reexcision of margins. This paper reviews the various approaches to improving the precision of oncological margin control in breast conserving surgery. The review describes the rationale for improved tissue characterization over tumor localization and explores technology-free approaches, as well as progress being made to develop and test innovative technological solutions., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Surgical Oncology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

For early-stage breast cancer, breast-conserving surgery (BCS) plus radiation is standard-of-care. Nationwide, >20% of BCS patients require re-excision for positive margins, resulting in delayed adjuvant therapy, increased complications, emotional and financial stress for patients, and additional cost to the healthcare system. Although several methods may be employed to mitigate positive margins, no technique can fully address the need. MarginProbe® is an adjunctive tool for real-time intraoperative margin assessment and is shown to reduce positive margins by >50%. Discussion of the impact of re-excision following BCS, a review of currently available methods for intraoperative margin management, followed by a technology and literature review of the MarginProbe® Radiofrequency Spectroscopy System. Re-excision significantly impacts patients, providers and payers. Limitations in the ability to assess margins at time of surgery warrant more advanced methods of residual disease detection. MarginProbe facilitates the most efficient pathway for breast cancer patients through the surgical phase of treatment. The device is well-suited for adoption as the healthcare focus shifts from volume to value and supports the three pillars of the US Department of Health and Human Services' 'Triple-Aim' strategy: improve population health, improve patient experience of care, and reduce per-capita costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of quasiparticles in interacting matter represents one of the cornerstones of modern physics. However, in the vicinity of a quantum critical point, the existence of quasiparticles comes under question. Here, we created Bose polarons near quantum criticality by immersing atomic impurities in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) with near-resonant interactions. Using radiofrequency spectroscopy, we probed the energy, spectral width, and short-range correlations of the impurities as a function of temperature. Far below the superfluid critical temperature, the impurities formed well-defined quasiparticles. Their inverse lifetime, given by their spectral width, increased linearly with temperature at the so-called Planckian scale, consistent with quantum critical behavior. Close to the BEC critical temperature, the spectral width exceeded the impurity's binding energy, signaling a breakdown of the quasiparticle picture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technology has strongly impacted research in kinesiology. Recent technological advances have greatly enhanced our ability to noninvasively quantify activity-related changes in skeletal muscles and peripheral arteries. In people with spinal cord injuries, we can track changes in muscle size, composition, and the presence of injury. We can also measure changes in artery size, health, and the ability to deliver oxygen. However, large investments in time are needed to both obtain these measurements and to be able to interpret them. The monetary costs of advancing technology are rising as well, serving as a major limitation to the promise of technology in kinesiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electric field gradient (EFG) at the gold nucleus is calculated using a finite field approach, to make the extraction of the nuclear quadrupole moment Q from experimental nuclear quadrupole coupling constants possible. The four-component Dirac-Coulomb Hamiltonian serves as the framework, 51 of the 79 electrons are correlated by the relativistic Fock-space coupled cluster method with single and double excitations, and the contribution of the Gaunt term, the main part of the Breit interaction, is evaluated. Large basis sets (up to 26s22p18d12f8g5h uncontracted Gaussians) are employed. Energy splittings of the 2D5/2 and 2D3/2 levels, rather than level shifts, are used to extract the EFG constants, as the former remain linear with Q up to 10-5 a.u., whereas the latter display significant nonlinearity even at Q=10-8 a.u. Larger Q values lead to larger energy changes and better precision. Excellent agreement (0.1%) is obtained between Q values derived from 2D5/2 and 2D3/2 data. Systematic errors connected with neglecting triple and higher excitations, truncating the basis and orbital active space, and approximating the Gaunt contribution are evaluated. The final value of Q(197Au) is 521(7) mb. It is lower than the muonic 547(16) mb and agrees within error bounds with the recent value of 510(15) mb obtained from molecular calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution scanning electron microscopy and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy measurements were performed to study the effect of postgrowth annealing on properties of ZnO films grown on GaAs substrates by rf sputtering. The films annealed at 550 °C show a well-oriented columnar structure and strong exciton emission at room temperature. Outdiffusion of gallium and arsenic from substrate into a ZnO film has been found to result in a different secondary electron dopant contrast, measured by the through-the lens secondary electron detector. Extended structural defects such as subgrain boundaries in ZnO assist Ga outdiffusion from the GaAs substrate and show a reduced secondary electron (SE) emission after annealing, while As doped ZnO adjacent to the ZnO/GaAs interface demonstrates an enhanced SE emission and the enhanced luminescence associated with donor-acceptor pairs and exciton bound to acceptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the lower pressure limit of diamond growth using inductively coupled radio frequency plasma. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Copyright of Revista Espacios is the property of Talleres de Impresos Oma and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Provides information on a study that investigated the radio frequency power dependence of structural, optical, electrical and optoelectronic properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbon alloy films prepared by magnetron sputtering of silicon in methane-argon gas mixtures. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion on the study; Conclusions.

Microwave/radio-frequency-infrared multiple resonance has been used with an electric-resonance optothermal spectrometer to characterize a weak 21.6 MHz perturbation in the infrared spectrum of the ν14 C–O stretching vibration of 2-fluoroethanol. The infrared spectrum of 2-fluoroethanol was recorded at a resolution of ∼2 MHz using a tunable microwave-sideband CO2 laser. The spectrum is fit by an asymmetric-rotor Hamiltonian to a precision of 0.6 MHz, except for the transitions to the 413 upper state which are split into doublets by an interaction between the 413 level and a rotational level of a nearby background, or dark, vibrational state. Microwave/radio-frequency-infrared double and triple resonance reveals that the 413 level of the C–O stretching vibration is interacting with the 431 level of the dark state. The rotational constants determined for the dark state allow us to assign the perturbing state to the ν18+4ν21 combination vibration of the lowest energy conformer, where ν18 is the CCO bending vibration and ν21 is the C–C torsional vibration. From the weak ΔKa=2 matrix element between ν14 and ν18+4ν21 it is possible to derive a J=0 anharmonic interaction between these states of ∼3.5 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of NH3·H2S has been determined from microwave and radiofrequency spectroscopy of this complex and its deuterated isotopomers, using molecular beam electric resonance techniques. Rotational constants, electric dipole moments and nitrogen quadrupole coupling constants were obtained from the spectra. The molecule was found to have a linear, hydrogen bonded structure with the ammonia as the proton acceptor. The N···S distance is 3.639 Å, the root-mean-square angular deviation of the NH3 axis from the N–S axis is 24.6° and the H2S C2 axis is 40.5° from the N–S axis. Although the molecule is an asymmetric rotor, first-order Stark effects were observed for K=1 rotational levels. These Stark effects are caused by torsional oscillations which are essentially ammonia monomer free internal rotation. Similar effects were observed for NH3·H2O and are reported here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio frequency spectroscopy has been carried out on molecular beams of chloroacetylene to yield Stark and chlorine hyperfine properties for the ground and excited C–H stretching vibrational states. For HCC35Cl v=0, μ=0.440 079(1) D, eQq=-79 733.59(4) kHz, and CCl=1.412(4) kHz. For HCC35Cl v=1, μ=0.462 792(1) D, eQq=-79 744.59(5) kHz, and CCl=1.398(3) kHz. For HCC37Cl v=0, μ=0.439 954(1) D, eQq=-62 839.68(9) kHz, and CCl=1.142(6) kHz. For HCC37Cl v=1, μ=0.462 778(1) D, eQq=-62 848.64(10) kHz, and CCl=1.127(8) kHz. The above results are for J=1 levels, while J=1 and J=2 Stark data for the ground state were combined to give an electric polarizability anisotropy, α||–α⊥=3.87(2) Å3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A capacitively coupled interdigital probe technique is described whereby the electrical characteristics of thin films at arbitrary frequencies in the range from about 100 kHz to beyond 1 GHz may be studied. Patterning of the film, deposition of electrodes, and bonding of electrical leads are unnecessary, so that all measurements are nondestructive and noninvasive. Preliminary measurements of the superconducting transition in thin films of the high-temperature superconductor YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7-δ] in magnetic fields up to 1.5 T are presented and discussed. They show a large field-dependent peak, attributable to tunneling effects, just below the onset temperature. Anomalies are also seen at higher temperatures, providing evidence of a structural phase transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the hazardous biological effects of microwave and radiofrequency radiation on human beings and animals. These rays have got the potential for biological damage in living systems. Some of the common effects include cataract production, damage of central nervous system, chromosomal and genetic anomalies, changes in blood system, and adverse effect on prenatal body and brain weight. Animals have been affected physiologically by the rays. They are affected by cataractogenesis, hormonal alterations, chromosomal anomalies, and hematological changes.

We investigate the crossover of the impurity-induced dynamics, in trapped one-dimensional Bose polarons subject to radio frequency (RF) pulses of varying intensity, from an adiabatic to a diabatic regime. Utilizing adiabatic pulses for either weak repulsive or attractive impurity-medium interactions, a multitude of polaronic excitations or mode-couplings of the impurity-bath interaction with the collective breathing motion of the bosonic medium are spectrally resolved. We find that for strongly repulsive impurity-bath interactions, a temporal orthogonality catastrophe manifests in resonances in the excitation spectra where impurity coherence vanishes. When two impurities are introduced, impurity–impurity correlations, for either attractive or strong repulsive couplings, induce a spectral shift of the resonances with respect to the single impurity. For a heavy impurity, the polaronic peak is accompanied by a series of equidistant side-band resonances, related to interference of the impurity spin dynamics and the sound waves of the bath. In all cases, we enter the diabatic transfer regime for an increasing bare Rabi frequency of the RF field with a Lorentzian spectral shape featuring a single polaronic resonance. The findings in this work on the effects of external trap, RF pulse and impurity–impurity interaction should have implications for the new generations of cold-atom experiments.

Abstract: A novel output generalized memory polynomial (OGMP) behavioral model was proposed in this article, which is based on the previous output signal for digital predistortion (DPD) of power amplifiers (PA). Traditional MP or GMP model use polynomials of the previous input signal to characterize memory effect. Although the OGMP model use polynomials of the previous output signal to characterize memory effect. Using the previous output signal to characterize polynomials of the previous input signal, the number of coefficients will decrease. Measurement results show that the proposed OGMP model can achieve the similar effect with less coefficients. In detail, the complexity of OGMP model reduced by about 50% comparing with MP model. Compared with GMP model, the complexity of OGMP model reduced by about 60% with the similar effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel broadband CPW-fed 2-iteration fractal antenna based on the circular patch and the equilateral triangle slot is designed for RF energy harvesting. The simulated and measured results show that the proposed antenna offers an impedance bandwidth of 162% from 0.88 to 8.45 GHz and a peak gain of 8.7 dBi. Afterwards, the single-stage voltage multiplier rectifier with a T shape LC matching network to reduce the reflection losses is used to realize RF-to-DC conversion in energy harvesting; here, it is also integrated with the fractal antenna to form the rectenna. Accumulating RF power from 2G (GSM), 3G (the third generation), 4G-LTE and WLAN frequency-bands, the measured results across an optimized load resistor of 4.7-kΩ show that the maximum rectenna efficiency is 51.8%, 46.1% and 45.08% at the center frequency of 2.4 GHz, 2.1 GHz and 1.9 GHz, respectively. Additionally, the measured peak conversion efficiency of the system is 24.03% at 2.4 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug-resistant focal epilepsy is a common occurrence in patients with gray matter nodular heterotopia (NH), and surgical treatment is often considered in these cases. NH-related epileptogenicity is sustained by complex networks, which may involve the nodules and extralesional cortex in various combinations. Therefore, invasive EEG is usually required to identify the structures involved in seizure generation. It has been reported that surgery may be effective in cases with unilateral lesions, whereas bilateral cases are not optimal candidates for surgical success. Furthermore, violation of cortical and subcortical structures for approaching deep-seated nodules may result in neurological deficits. For these reasons, selective stereotactic ablation with radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) has been proposed as an alternative option in these patients. In particular, RFTC may be performed by using the same recording intracerebral electrodes implanted for stereo-electro-encephalo-graphy (SEEG) monitoring, with the advantage of a reliable electro-clinical guide. Excellent results on seizures have been initially reported following coagulation of single, unilateral NH. Subsequent experience has indicated that, basing on the evidence of SEEG recording, promising results may be obtained also in more extended unilateral and bilateral cases. In more complex cases, coagulation of both the nodules and of the involved extralesional cortical structures is often required. In a recently reported series, 67% of patients experienced sustained seizure freedom after the procedure. However, post RFTC seizure outcome in complex cases (NH plus other malformations of cortical development) is not as good as in other patterns of NH. RFTC, especially if guided by SEEG evaluation, should be considered as a first-line treatment option in NH-related epilepsy. Satisfactory results may be obtained also in cases not amenable to traditional surgery. The procedure is safe and does not prevent eventual resective surgery in case of failure in seizure control. For these reasons, in patients undergoing SEEG evaluation, electrode arrangement should be planned with the aim to cover as extensively as possible the heterotopic and extralesional areas, which will presumably be the targets of RFTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical satellite communications have continually gained attention throughout previous years. Optical downlinks to transmit data from Earth observation satellites to ground may be an attractive solution to overcome the bottleneck caused by the limited spectrum and data rates of radio frequency systems. Due to the significant attenuation introduced by clouds, it is generally considered that optical communication systems cannot penetrate clouds. Therefore, the optimization and design of optical ground station (OGS) networks enabling a high combined availability is crucial for the application of optical downlinks. Within the ONUBLA study funded under the European Space Agency’s General Study Programme, a simulation software has been developed. It includes a global cloud database, which was generated from various satellite sources, and a simulation tool, which allows for assessing the system performance of optical satellite links in terms of availability, achievable throughput, latency, and other characteristics. Different system parameters, such as ground station network topologies, sensor- and communication-link-rates, memory sizes, and many more, can be taken into account in the simulation. In this paper, we focused on the assessment of optical low Earth orbit (LEO) downlinks. A large number of system configurations and parameters have been compared and will be presented in this paper. Three OGS network configurations with sites at European, polar, and worldwide locations have been compared. We could confirm that large, worldwide OGS networks perform better and enable the transmission of more data than small, regional networks. We particularly found that the buffer size on board the satellite plays a crucial role for the system design. A further key result is that latency-critical applications require large OGS networks to meet the requirements. Finally, a comparison with potential RF systems shows that optical LEO downlinks can compete with RF solutions and even outperform them if a reasonably sized buffer is available on board the satellite. 1 ONUBLA is an anagram of the Spanish word nublado (≙ cloudy). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we demonstrate electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor devices for biochemical sensing applications prepared from ZnO and Ti-doped ZnO sensing membranes deposited on Si substrates by radio frequency sputtering. The structural, morphological, and compositional features of these deposited films with multitemperature annealing were studied using X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. Sensitivity, linearity, hysteresis, and drift rate were measured to determine the sensing and reliability performance of all fabricated devices. Compared to the ZnO electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS), the Ti-doped ZnO EIS sensor annealed at 700 °C exhibits a higher sensitivity of 57.56 mV/pH, lower hysteresis of 2.79 mV, and lower drift rate of 0.29 mV/h. For Ti-doped ZnO, sensitivities of 3.62 mV/mM and 6.42 mV/mM were obtained for urea and glucose sensing, respectively. The improvements are owing to Ti-doping, which produces a rougher sensing surface, a well-crystallized grain structure, and thinner silicate and SiO 2 at the silicon-oxide interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Practical Oncology Journal is the property of Journal of Practical Oncology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The combination of in-flight separation with a gas-filled stopping cell has opened a new field for experiments with exotic nuclei. For instance, at the SHIP/SHIPTRAP facility at GSI in Darmstadt high-precision mass measurements of rare nuclei have been successfully performed. In order to extend the reach of SHIPTRAP to exotic nuclei that are produced together with high rates of unwanted reaction products, a novel compact radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) system has been developed. It implements ion cooling, identification and separation according to mass numbers and bunching capabilities. The system has a total length of one meter only and consists of an RFQ cooler, an RFQ mass filter and an RFQ buncher. A mass resolving power (FWHM) of 240 at a transmission efficiency of 90% has been achieved. The suppression of contaminants from neighboring masses by more than four orders of magnitude has been demonstrated at rates exceeding 1 0 6 ions/s. A longitudinal emittance of 0.45 eV μ s has been achieved with the RFQ buncher, which will enable improved time-of-flight mass spectrometry downstream of the device. With this triple RFQ system the measurement of e.g. N = Z nuclides in the region up to tin will become possible at SHIPTRAP. The technology is also well suited for other rare-isotope facilities with experimental setups behind a stopping cell, such as the fragment separator FRS with the FRS Ion Catcher at GSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of the normal phase of strongly correlated fermionic systems is an outstanding question in quantum many-body physics. We used spatially resolved radio-frequency spectroscopy to measure pairing energy of fermions across a wide range of temperatures and interaction strengths in a two-dimensional gas of ultracold fermionic atoms. We observed many-body pairing at temperatures far above the critical temperature for superfluidity. In the strongly interacting regime, the pairing energy in the normal phase considerably exceeds the intrinsic two-body binding energy of the system and shows a clear dependence on local density. This implies that pairing in this regime is driven by many-body correlations, rather than two-body physics. Our findings show that pairing correlations in strongly interacting two-dimensional fermionic systems are remarkably robust against thermal fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste electrical and electronic equipment belongs to a waste group with high recycling potential. After disassembly, the materials can be recycled, bringing economic and environmental benefits. The critical issue in the reverse supply chain is the exchange of information between manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment and disassembly plants about products entering the market and the raw materials and hazardous substances used. The purpose of this research is to explore the application of an innovative data encoding system for manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment for disassembling and recycling purposes. The method proposed in this study focuses on the possibility of using the existing identification systems in manufacturing, like 2D-codes and radiofrequency identification (RFID), at the disassembly and recycling stage at the end of life of the products. Encoding the data in a label by any manufacturer within the demands of the novel ID system should be low cost and easy in application. Decoding the data from a label when waste equipment reaches the end of life should be fast and simple by a disassembling company. The product data are accessible directly from the label without connection to an external database using 2D codes, RFID and label background colour. Real world tests were provided in two electrical and electronic equipment factories to verify the usability of the proposed method at the manufacturing stage. The findings show that the cost of this method implementation in real manufacturing conditions is minimal. It can be introduced in any manufacturing plant without changes in the assembly line layout. The existing product identification system can be enriched with additional data, encoded in 2D-code (Data Matrix or QR) or RFID tag. In addition, it is possible to use a coloured label background for a simple visual method to identify material contents. Laboratory tests simulated the disassembly stage and capability of data extraction from labels, indicating easy reading 2D-code labels and RFID tags for mediumsized equipment. RFID tags for compact and small equipment had reduced reading range caused by the metal casing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test performance of SurgiSafe®, a radiofrequency electronic device to detect surgical textiles during operations as compared to manual counting. Methods: Surgical sponges with radiofrequency TAGs were placed in the abdominal cavity of a pig submitted to laparotomy, in randomly distributed sites. The TAGs were counted manually and also using SurgiSafe®. Positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, specificity and time required for counting were analyzed for both methods. Results: Through the analysis of 35 surgical cycles, SurgiSafe® immediately identified all sponges, with specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values of 100%. Although not statistically significant, the manual count had sensitivity of 99.72% and specificity of 99.90%. Conclusion: SurgiSafe® proved to be an effective device to identify surgical sponges in vivo, in real time; and its use as an adjuvant to manual counting is very helpful to increase patient's safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As CMOS processes advanced, the integration of radio-frequency (RF) integrated circuits was increasing. In order to protect the fully-integrated RF transceiver from electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage, the transmit/receive (T/R) switch of transceiver frond-end should be carefully designed to bypass the ESD current. This work presented a technique of embedded ESD protection device to enhance the ESD capability of T/R switch. The embedded ESD protection devices of diodes and silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) are generated between the transistors in T/R switch without using additional ESD protection device. The design procedure of RF circuits without ESD protection device can be simplified. The test circuits of 2.4-GHz transceiver frond-end with T/R switch, PA, and LNA have been integrated and implemented in nanoscale CMOS process to test their performances during RF operations and ESD stresses. The test results confirm that the embedded ESD protection devices can provide sufficient ESD protection capability and it is free from degrading circuit performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave photonic (MWP) systems exploit the advantages of photonics, especially with regards to ultrabroad bandwidth and adaptability, features that are significantly more challenging to obtain in the electronic domain. Thus, MWP systems can be used to realize a number of microwave signal processing functions including, amongst others, waveform generation and radio-frequency spectrum analysis (RFSA). In this paper, we review recent results on fiber and integrated approaches for simultaneous generation of multiple chirped microwave waveforms as well as multi-channel RFSA of ultrahigh repetition optical rate pulse trains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barrett's oesophagus is a condition which predisposes towards development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, a highly lethal tumour which has been increasing in incidence in the Western world over the past three decades. There have been tremendous advances in the field of Barrett's oesophagus, not only in diagnostic modalities, but also in therapeutic strategies available to treat this premalignant disease. In this review, we discuss the past, present and future of Barrett's oesophagus. We describe the historical and new evolving diagnostic criteria of Barrett's oesophagus, while also comparing and contrasting the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines, American College of Gastroenterology guidelines and International Benign Barrett's and CAncer Taskforce (BOBCAT) for Barrett's oesophagus. Advances in endoscopic modalities such as confocal and volumetric laser endomicroscopy, and a non-endoscopic sampling device, the Cytosponge, are described which could aid in identification of Barrett's oesophagus. With regards to therapy we review the evidence for the utility of endoscopic mucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation when coupled with better characterization of dysplasia. These endoscopic advances have transformed the management of Barrett's oesophagus from a primarily surgical disease into an endoscopically managed condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroluminescence microscopy and spectroscopy are used to compare the average hot-electron concentration and temperature under radio frequency (RF) operation class A, class B, and class F modes. From the results obtained, class A results, on average, in the highest hot-electron concentration, while class F is the mode with the lowest concentration due to its “L”-shaped load line. The electron temperature extracted from the electroluminescence spectra is reduced with increasing RF power, reflecting the dominance of electroluminescence from the portion of the load line in the semi-on region. The electroluminescence method is not able to give substantial information on the portion of the load line with high field and low current density which will be responsible for the potentially damaging hottest electrons present in the channel. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The use of frequency-swept radiofrequency (rf) pulses for enhancing signals in the magic-angle spinning (MAS) spectra of half-integer quadrupolar nuclides was explored. The broadband adiabatic inversion cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (BRAIN-CPMAS) method, involving an adiabatic inversion pulse on the S -channel and a simultaneous rectangular spin-lock pulse on the I -channel ( 1 H), was applied to I (1/2) → S (3/2) systems. Optimal BRAIN-CPMAS matching conditions were found to involve low rf pulse strengths for both the I - and S -spin channels. At these low and easily attainable rf field strengths, level-crossing events among the energy levels | 3 / 2 〉 , | 1 / 2 〉 , | - 1 / 2 〉 , | - 3 / 2 〉 that are known to complicate the CPMAS of quadrupolar nuclei, are mostly avoided. Zero- and double-quantum polarization transfer modes, akin to those we have observed for I (1/2) → S (1/2) polarization transfers, were evidenced by these analyses even in the presence of the quadrupolar interaction. 1 H- 23 Na and 1 H- 11 B BRAIN-CPMAS conditions were experimentally explored on model compounds by optimizing the width of the adiabatic sweep, as well as the rf pulse powers of the 1 H and 23 Na/ 11 B channels, for different MAS rates. The experimental data obtained on model compounds containing spin-3/2 nuclides, matched well predictions from numerical simulations and from an average Hamiltonian theory model. Extensions to half-integer spin nuclides with higher spins and potential applications of this BRAIN-CPMAS approach are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio-frequency (rf) traps are ideal places to store cold ions for spectroscopic experiments. Specific multipole configurations are suited best for different applications but have to be modified to allow e.g. for a proper overlap of a laser beam waist with the ion cloud. Therefore the corresponding trapping fields should be shaped accordingly. To achieve this goal highly accurate electrical potentials of rf multipole traps and the resulting effective trapping potentials are calculated using the boundary element method (BEM). These calculations are used to evaluate imperfections and to optimize the field geometry. For that purpose the complex fields are reduced to a small set of multipole expansion coefficients. Desirable values for these coefficients are met by systematic changes of real trap dimensions from CAD designs. The effect of misalignment of a linear quadrupole, the optimization of an optically open Paul trap, the influence of steering electrodes (end electrode and ring electrode) on a 22-pole ion trap and the effect of the micro motion on the lowest reachable temperatures in such a trap are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore repulsive Fermi polarons in one-dimensional harmonically trapped few-body mixtures of ultracold atoms using as a case example a ^6 Li- ^40 K mixture. A characterization of these quasiparticle-like states, whose appearance is signaled in the impurity’s radiofrequency spectrum, is achieved by extracting their lifetime and residua. Increasing the number of ^40 K impurities leads to the occurrence of both single and multiple polarons that are entangled with their environment. An interaction-dependent broadening of the spectral lines is observed suggesting the presence of induced interactions. We propose the relative distance between the impurities as an adequate measure to detect induced interactions independently of the specifics of the atomic mixture, a result that we showcase by considering also a ^6 Li- ^173 Yb system. This distance is further shown to be indicative of the generation of entanglement independently of the size of the bath ( ^6 Li) and the atomic species of the impurity. The generation of entanglement and the importance of induced interactions are revealed with an emphasis on the regime of intermediate interaction strengths.

We describe a novel automatic diagnostic system based on quantitative analysis of ultrasound data for differential diagnosis of melanocytic skin tumors. The proposed method has been tested on 160 ultrasound data sets (80 of malignant melanoma and 80 of benign melanocytic nevi). Acoustical, textural and shape features have been evaluated for each segmented lesion. Using parameters selected according to Mahalanobis distance and linear support vector machine classifier, we are able to differentiate malignant melanoma from benign melanocytic skin tumors with 82.4% accuracy (sensitivity = 85.8%, specificity = 79.6%). The results indicate that high-frequency ultrasound has the potential to be used for differential diagnosis of melanocytic skin tumors and to provide supplementary information on lesion penetration depth. The proposed system can be used as an additional tool for clinical decision support to improve the early-stage detection of malignant melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Botulinum toxin type A ( BTA) has been approved for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, muscle spasm, cervical dystonia, pain syndrome, glabella wrinkles, and severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Intradermal injection of BTA has been used off-label by many clinicians for the purpose of face-lifting effect. Few studies on onabotulinumtoxinA ( ONA) demonstrated no clinical efficacy on face-lifting effect when comparing to normal saline solution ( NSS). So far, there is no split-face comparison study on face-lifting effect of abobotulinumtoxinA ( ABO). Objective To determine the face-lifting effect of ABO intradermal injection and NSS. Methods Twenty-two subjects with symmetrical faces on both facial expression and expressionless were randomly injected with ABO at 1:7 cc dilution (500 unit or one vial in 7 cc of NSS) on one side and NSS on the other side using intradermal injection technique. Standardized photographic documentation was obtained at baseline, and at 2 weeks after treatment. The face-lifting effect was graded by two blinded dermatologists using photographic comparison and rated by the patients. Side effects were also recorded at the end of the study. Results Face-lifting effect was demonstrated in 40.9% and 4.5% of patients with ABO and NSS, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in face-lifting effect when comparing between ABO and NSS ( P = 0.021). The face-lifting was reported in 50.0% of patients receiving ABO injection. The patients with oval-face shape tended to respond better with ABO ( P = 0.046). The odd of face-lifting effect for patients aged younger than 32 was higher than patients aged older than 32 with the odds ratio of 7.9 and 95% confidence interval of 1.1-56.1. Facial asymmetry was found in 22.7% of subjects. Conclusions This study demonstrated the face-lifting effect of ABO intradermal injection. Patients with oval-face shape and aged younger than 32 tended to respond better. Therefore, patient selection should be emphasized to improve efficacy of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Subsurface monopolar radiofrequency (SMRF) has emerged as a new method for reducing skin laxity via the controlled delivery of thermal energy below the skin using a radiofrequency probe. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the overall efficacy of the treatment and satisfaction ratings of subjects who underwent a single SMRF treatment to the face, neck, or jawline (or some combination). MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective, single-center study was conducted in which data were obtained via subject follow-ups at 90 and 180 days posttreatment. RESULTS A total of 35 subjects, 6 men and 29 women, underwent a single SMRF treatment. Overall, 77% of subjects reported improvement, and 64% reported satisfaction with the treatment site at Day 180 posttreatment. CONCLUSION Subsurface monopolar radiofrequency represents an effective modality to achieve skin tightening of the face, neck, and jawline. The data suggest that there is an energy delivery threshold, above which a higher percentage of subjects report satisfaction. Analysis of treatments parameters suggests an optimal treatment time and tissue temperature that should be achieved to maximize results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is currently no clear consensus on the relative suitabilities of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as minimally invasive treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 156 patients with a single, small HCC with nodular diameters <4 cm and compared recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) between patients treated with LH and control patients treated with RFA (n = 78 each). The groups were selected according to predefined criteria and matched in terms of their baseline clinical characteristics.Results: During a median follow-up of 31.2 months, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates in the LH group were 96.2, 91.3, and 84.1 %, respectively, compared with 96.2, 82.6, and 78.8 % in the RFA group. The corresponding RFS rates were 82.1, 71.5, and 60.0 % in the LH group and 65.4, 47.7, and 37.6 % in the RFA group. Combined RFS rates were significantly higher in the LH groups (P = 0.006), but there was no significant difference in OS rates (P = 0.510). The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in the RFA group (28.2 vs. 10.3 %, P = 0.004), and operation duration, intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion, use of total parenteral nutrition, and length of stay as indicators of minimal invasiveness were also significantly better in the RFA group.Conclusions: There was no difference between LH and RFA in terms of OS in patients with a single, small HCC. However, RFA was less invasive than the LH, but LH was associated with increased RFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new method based on sparse representation is proposed for multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar imaging combining with inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) technique. After matched filtering and envelope alignment, the MIMO-ISAR cross-range echo is formulated as a two-dimensional sparse signal with respect to the spatial and slow-time domain. A joint self-calibration and sparse reconstruction algorithm is developed to correct the phase error induced by the target's translational motion and reconstruct the spatial-Doppler scene of the target. Then, the linear relationship between the spatial and Doppler frequencies is utilised to solve the ambiguity of the spatial frequency. Finally, the unambiguous spatial frequency is translated into the cross-range coordinate of the scatterer. Experimental results show that the proposed method is capable of precisely correcting the phase error and achieving high-resolution MIMO-ISAR imaging. In addition, the relative rotation angle required for MIMO-ISAR imaging can also be reduced significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article review lessons learned from the uses of radio-frequency (RF) spectrum at national and international scales. Its main purpose is to stimulate debate on how to allow new wireless systems to operate, and to reduce the chronic apparent shortage of RF spectrum. The article aims at a better understanding of the mechanisms behind spectrum management and their pertinence to the public interest. The main contributions if the article are: • Considering RF spectrum management as a construct that structures radio services and, at the same time, distributes wealth and power; • Highlighting major doctrines of RF spectrum management; • Promoting spectrum management directly by its users; • Promoting cooperation and transparency. The several parts of the paper include the evolution of spectrum exploitation, and a foreseeable future by taking a closer look at major dilemmas and challenges. The paper ends with general comments and conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we use layer construction method to construct an experimentally feasible model to realize one type of anomalous Weyl superfluids (WS) in the context of cold fermionic gases. This exotic phase still characterizes the Weyl points in the bulk but completely different Majorana Fermi arc surface state (MFASS) on the boundaries. In contrast to conventional WS, where MFASS only connects the projection of Weyl points, new MFASS continuously stretches to the border of surface Brillouin zone. We self-consistently determine the phase diagram of model at the mean-field level to claim the achievement of anomalous WS. In addition, inversion symmetry and band inversion in this model are analyzed in detail to provide unique feature of identifying anomalous WS experimentally by momentum-resolved radio-frequency spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous ambiguities in the conformational and structural landscape of the volatile anesthetic enflurane have been solved combining microwave spectroscopy in a jet expansion and ab initio calculations. The broadband (2-18 GHz) rotational spectra identified three different rotamers, sharing a common trans ether skeleton but differing in the ± gauche/ trans position of the terminal chlorine atom. For each chlorine conformation two different gauche orientations were predicted for the opposite difluoromethyl group, but only one is experimentally observable due to collisional relaxation in the jet. The experimental dataset comprised nine different isotopologues (35Cl, 37Cl, 13C) and a large number (>6500) of rotational transitions. The inertial data provided structural information using the substitution and effective procedures. The structural preferences were rationalized with additional ab initio, natural-bond-orbital and non-covalent-interaction analysis, which suggest that plausible anomeric effects at the difluoromethyl group could be overridden by other intramolecular effects. The difluoromethyl orientation thus reflects a minimization of inter-fluorine repulsions while maximizing F⋅⋅⋅H attractive interactions. A comparison with previous electron diffraction and spectroscopic data in the gas and condensed phases finally resulted in a comprehensive description of this ether, completing a rotational description of the most common multi-halogenated anesthetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RATIONALE: Mass spectra can be recorded using ion traps by scanning the frequency of an alternating current (ac) signal that corresponds to the secular frequency of a trapped ion. There is a considerable simplification in the instrumentation needed to perform such a scan compared with conventional scans of the radiofrequency (rf) amplitude. However, mass calibration is difficult. An algorithm that can be used to achieve mass calibration is investigated and the factors that affect ion mass assignments are discussed. METHODS: Time domain data, recorded using a commercial benchtop linear ion trap mass spectrometer, are converted to the m/z domain using ion Mathieu parameter qu values which are derived from the dimensionless frequency parameter βu expressed as a continuing fraction in terms of qu. The relationship between the operating parameters of an ideal ion trap and the ion m/z ratio is derived from the Mathieu equations and expressed as an algorithm which through successive approximations yields the Mathieu qu value and hence m/z values and peak widths. The predictions of the algorithm are tested against experiment by sweeping the frequency of a small supplementary ac signal so as to cause mass-selective ejection of trapped ions. RESULTS: Calibration accuracy is always better than 0.1%, often much better. Peak widths correspond to a mass resolution of 250 to 500 in the m/z 100-1800 range in secular frequency scans. CONCLUSIONS: A simple, effective method of calibration of mass spectra recorded using secular frequency scans is achieved. The effects of rf amplitude, scan rate, and ac amplitude on calibration parameters are shown using LTQ linear ion trap data. Corrections for differences in ion mass must be made for accurate calibration, and this is easily incorporated into the calibration procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]