An idea for implementing reconfigurable matching networks to realize a tunable diplexer is investigated and demonstrated. The reconfigurable matching networks ensure that the rejection band impedance ...of every filter is transformed to an open circuit over a wide range of frequencies, allowing two tunable filters to be connected together to form a tunable diplexer without affecting each other. The tunable diplexer is built using Schottky diodes and combline resonators on Duroid substrates, and can operate from 1.4 to 2.3 GHz with a closest frequency separation of 110 MHz. Measurements show virtually no difference in the frequency response between a standalone filter and a filter placed in the tunable diplexer. The work shows that a wideband tunable diplexer can therefore be realized using tunable bandpass filters and reconfigurable matching networks.
This paper presents a novel tunable dual-band bandstop filter based on doubly tuned RF transformers. This design results in two distinct notch frequencies in a single resonator using silicon varactor ...diodes. The 2-pole tunable dual-band bandstop filters are implemented using printed circuit board (PCB) transformers and air-coil transformers. With PCB transformers, the lower frequency can be tuned at 513-845 MHz while the higher frequency can be tuned at 715-1151 MHz with a notch level > 16 dB. With air-coil transformers, a single-band 2-pole notch filter with wide rejection bandwidth is achieved. The design results in 604-982 MHz tuning with a 20-dB rejection bandwidth of 27-45 MHz. Also, by implementing a series varactor in a transformer, the separation between two coupled frequencies can be changed. The topology can be easily extended to higher order filters and design equations are presented.
From the perspective of satisfaction, physical and mental health, and re-travel, this study explored whether the development of religious and cultural tourism could construct a sustainable and ...friendly life and leisure environment for the elderly to promote physical and mental health. This research adopted a mixed method, collected 700 questionnaires, used SPSS 22.0 statistical software, and analyzed basic statistics, t-test, and PPMCC test. Then, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews, collected the opinions of six interviewees, and finally analyzed with multiple checks Law discussion. The results found that people of different genders and stakeholders had different opinions about DIY activities on leisure satisfaction, featured itineraries, relaxation areas, signs and instructions, community association and service center services, historical landmarks, and public transportation. They found people’s life satisfaction in physical and mental health was increased, their headaches or pressures on the top of their heads were relieved, backache problems were reduced, and they were no longer anxious and lost tempers. They had a greater willingness to revisit some places and share experiences. This study found significant differences among these topics (p < 0.01). Women, residents, and tourists had different opinions. In addition, although the natural environment landscape and feelings have the greatest influence, the better the physical and mental health was improved, the better the willingness to travel. However, the more perfect the local construction and development, the less favorable to attract people to engage in leisure activities or tourism consumption.
The present work is aimed at solving the difficulty of BC big data information analysis and the defects of traditional BC platform visual interface (VI), such as nonstandard layout, unreasonable ...color use, unclear guidance, and increased user learning cost. Firstly, this paper expounds on BC technology, the related theory of information visualization (IV), and the IV design method of BC-generated big data. Secondly, by formulating the user experience design strategy, a big data visual information sharing platform (ISP) based on behavior experience (BE) is designed. Finally, the system performance is tested. The results show that (i) the proposed BE-based big data visual ISP has the basic functions of information query and module jump. The overall interface of the platform is simple and tidy, the information layout is reasonable, the presentation method is more intuitive, and the visual effect is better. (ii) The host throughput of each system module when processing business is greater than 100 times/s, and the success rate (SR) of event handling is greater than 99%. The average response time (RT) of terminal processing is less than 0.3 s, and the average RT of the terminal side is less than 0.4 s. The system’s central processing unit (CPU) occupancy rate (OR) shall be controlled below 30%. The memory OR shall be below 30%, both of which are lower than the standard value, and the system performance meets the standard. To sum up, the proposed ISP has basic functions and ensures good operation performance. It is suitable for the IV of BC-generated big data. The purpose is to provide important technical support for the IV of BC-generated big data and improve the efficiency of users’ data information acquisition and analysis.
•Radiologist workload in Taiwan was greater than that in western countries.•Workload growth was confounded by ageing population and ever-changing imaging technologies.•Increasing radiologist ...recruitment activities is needed.
The aim of this study was to investigate associations between workforce and workload among radiologists in Taiwan.
Data for the period 2000–2020 describing the demand for imaging services and radiologists have been obtained from databases and statistical reports of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The future demand for radiologists was based on Taiwanese people aged 40 and over.
The workforce of Taiwan's radiologists has increased by 6 % annually over the past 20 years (from 450 to 993), performing 2125, 3202 and 3620 monthly examinations (mainly conventional radiography and CT) in medical centers, regional hospitals and district hospitals. Between 2000 and 2020, the use of CT and MRI increased by more than 3.5 times. Demand for interventional radiology also increased by 1.77 times, 2.25 times, and 5 times, respectively. To maintain this volume of services in 2040, at least 1168 radiologists are needed, about 1.18 times more in 2020.
Taiwan has 2.4 to 2.9 times fewer radiologists than the United States and 3 times fewer than Europe, while the annual workload is approximately 2 to 3.4 times greater than that of the United States and 1.4 to 2.5 times greater than that of the United Kingdom. This report may serve as a reference for policy makers who address the challenges of the growing workload among radiologists in countries of similar situations.
The emergence of intelligent technology has brought a particular impact and allows for virtuality-reality interaction in the educational field. In particular, digital twins (DTs) feature ...virtuality-reality symbiosis, solid virtual simulation, and high real-time interaction. It has also seen extended applications to the field of education. This study optimizes the design of the visual communication (Viscom) course based on the deep learning (DL) algorithm. Firstly, the theory of DL is analyzed following the relevant literature, and the typical DL networks, network structures, and related algorithms are introduced. Secondly, Viscom technology is expounded, and DL technology is applied to the Viscom course. Then, the applicability and feasibility of DL in the Viscom course are analyzed through a questionnaire survey (QS) design by collecting students’ attitudes towards Viscom courses before and after the experiment. After introducing DL into the Viscom course, the results show that students’ learning interest and satisfaction with the practical knowledge mastery have increased. However, the satisfaction with theoretical knowledge mastery before practical courses has decreased; overall, the teaching effect of the Viscom course has been improved. Therefore, the introduction of DL into the DT-enabled Viscom can provide a reference for developing the Viscom course. The research content offers technical support (TS) for integrating DT technology and modern education.
A novel compact dual-band pattern diversity antenna is proposed. Dual-band reconfigurable frequency-selective reflectors are designed and applied to form a right-angle corner reflector antenna with ...reconfigurable patterns. With only one switch, the reconfigurable frequency-selective reflector can be controlled to be transmissive or reflective to vertically polarized waves at 2.45 and 5.25 GHz. By changing the combinations of the switch states, multiple patterns can be obtained. A dual-band feeding antenna designed via using the coupling effects is made to achieve well-matching conditions in all circumstances corresponding to various switch states at both frequencies. The measured results show good agreement with the calculated ones and demonstrate good pattern diversity virtues.
Radiosensitivity in the breasts increases the risk of carcinogenesis from exposure to the ionizing radiation of computed tomography (CT) administered in the course of medical attention. Bismuth ...shielding techniques have been used to reduce radiation, but image noise increased, degrading image quality.
The aim of this study was to investigate how the use of iterative reconstruction (IR) combined with bismuth shielding influences image quality.
Women aged at least 20 years with body mass indexes <28 were recruited and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 CT scanning protocols without shielding, with a bismuth breast shield before the scout view, or with a bismuth breast shield after the scout view. All obtained images were reconstructed using an IR algorithm. To evaluate radiation dose, 2 Gafchromic films were placed over the clothes, 1 near each nipple.
Average dose reduction was significant (27.99%, P < .05) when bismuth shielding was applied after the scout view. Using the contrast-to-noise ratio, the image quality was found to be superior when the IR algorithm was applied. Using quantitative evaluations by 2 radiologists applying a 4-point Likert scale, significant differences in image quality were not found among the 3 protocols.
Bismuth breast shields, particularly when used after acquiring scout images, are effective at reducing radiation dose without undermining the diagnostic value of the images when the IR technique is applied.
Objectives
Our aim was to retrospectively investigate the frequency and outcome of large-volume iodinated contrast medium (CM) extravasation in our institution and to compare our management protocol ...to current practice.
Methods
Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was waived because the study was retrospective. From January 2008 to September 2016, radiological examinations with intravenous non-ionic iodinated CM administration were performed in 67,129 patients. Contrast medium extravasation events on CT scans and intravenous pyelograms but not on angiograms were included. All data were collected prospectively and stratified according to age, injection method (manual vs auto-injection), prevention of extravasation by various means (including intercom alarm), management of extravasation (routine application of silver sulfadiazine ointment, clobetasol propionate cream, and damp gauze at room temperature), etc.
Results
The incidence of large-volume CM extravasation was very low (0.04% 27/67,129 overall; 0.03% related to manual injection age range, 59-92 years; mean, 75.4 years, and 0.045% related to auto-injection age range, 36-86 years; mean, 65.8 years). The CM extravasation volume in majority of patients was 20–40 ml in 5 of 9 patients (55.6%) in the manual injection group and 14 of 18 (77.8%) in the auto-injection group. Swelling and pain were the most common symptoms. No patient developed severe signs or needed surgical intervention.
Conclusions
Results show a very low incidence of large-volume CM extravasation without severe complications or sequelae. The casual effect between our protocols and good outcome cannot be scrutinised thoroughly because the study lacks a control group and is retrospective.
Key Points
• The incidence of large-volume contrast medium extravasation (≥20 ml) was 0.04%.
• No patient needed surgical intervention, and most recovered within 7 days.
• Each element of our management protocol contributed to good outcome.
Substance use disorder (SUD) has become a major concern in public health globally, and there is an urgent need to develop an integrated psychosocial intervention. The aims of the current study are to ...test the efficacy of the integrated treatment with neurofeedback and mindfulness-based therapy for SUD and identify the predictors of the efficacy.
This study included 110 participants with SUD into the analysis. Outcome of measures includes demographic characteristics, severity of dependence, quality of life, symptoms of depression, and anxiety. Independent t test is used to estimate the change of scores at baseline and three months follow-up. Generalized estimating equations are applied to analyze the effect of predictors on the scores of dependence severity over time by controlling for the effects of demographic characteristics.
A total of 22 (20 %) participants were comorbid with major mental disorder (MMD). The decrement of the severity in dependence, anxiety, and depression after treatment are identified. Improved scores of qualities of life in generic, psychological, social, and environmental domains are also noticed. After controlling for the effects of demographic characteristics, the predictors of poorer outcome are comorbid with MMD, lower quality of life, and higher level of depression and anxiety.
The present study implicates the efficacy of integrated therapy. Early identification of predictors is beneficial for healthcare workers to improve the treatment efficacy
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