A Novel Utility Function for Energy-Efficient Power Control Game in Cognitive Radio Networks

Spectrum scarcity is a major challenge in wireless communications systems requiring efficient usage and utilization. Cognitive radio network (CRN) is found as a promising technique to solve this problem of spectrum scarcity. It allows licensed and unlicensed users to share the same licensed spectrum band. Interference resulting from cognitive radios (CRs) has undesirable effects on quality of service (QoS) of both licensed and unlicensed systems where it causes degradation in received signal-to-noise ratio (SIR) of users. Power control is one of the most important techniques that can be used to mitigate interference and guarantee QoS in both systems. In this paper, we develop a new approach of a distributed power control for CRN based on utility and pricing. QoS of CR user is presented as a utility function via pricing and a distributed power control as a non-cooperative game in which users maximize their net utility (utility-price). We define the price as a real function of transmit power to increase pricing charge of the farthest CR users. We prove that the power control game proposed in this study has Nash Equilibrium as well as it is unique. The obtained results show that the proposed power control algorithm based on a new utility function has a significant reduction in transmit power consumption and high improvement in speed of convergence.     

An Inexpensive Microscope Lamp for Critical Illumination

A microscope lamp with light of adjustable intensity, which will afford critical illumination of a quality satisfactory for the most exacting cytological work, can be constructed for about $7.50. The essential parts needed are: auto headlight bulb, radio power transformer, radio “potentiometer”, and simple plano-convex lens. A ground glass is not used with 4 and 2 mm. objectives, a solid source of light being obtained by placing the bulb so that one filament coil is directly behind the other. This light source is brought to a focus by the condensing lens at a field diaphragm and this image is projected by the microscope condenser into the plane of focus of the microscope.     

Radio-frequency electromagnetic fields associated with cellular-radio cell-site antennas.

Because of a heightened public awareness of issues pertaining to the use of electromagnetic energy, concurrent with a rapid growth of the cellular telephone industry, a study was initiated to characterize the electromagnetic environment associated with typical cell-site antennas. In particular, the radio-frequency electromagnetic (RF) fields in the vicinity of several antenna towers, ranging in height from 46-82 m, were characterized by measurement. In all cases, the antennas were omnidirectional co-linear arrays. The maximal power densities considered representative of public exposure were found to be less than 100 microW/m2 (10 nW/cm2) per radio channel. Comparison of measured values with the corresponding values that were calculated from the free-space transmission formula indicated that the analytical technique is conservative (i.e., overestimates field levels). The measured and corresponding analytical values were found to be well below accepted exposure limits even when extrapolated to simultaneous and continuous operation of the maximal number of transmitters that would be expected to be installed at a cell-site. Additional measurements were made in the near field of the same antenna type in a roof-mounted configuration. At a distance of 0.7 m from the antenna, the maximal power density in the main beam was found to be less than 30 W/m2 (3 mW/cm2) when normalized to sixteen radio channels (the maximal number used on a single antenna) and less than 30 mW/m2 (3 microW/m2) at 70 m. In all cases, the effective radiated power (ERP) by each radio channel was 100 W referenced to a half-wave dipole. This paper describes the instrumentation and measurement techniques used for this study and provides a summary of the results.     

Generation of broadband radio pulses by a new-type reflex triode with a virtual cathode

Results are presented on the development and experimental study of a reflex triode with a new type of virtual cathode. In this device, a discharge excited along a ferroelectric surface is used as a source of electronsand loop antennas are used for emitting radiation. Generation of broadband radio pulses with a central frequency of ～300 MHz and power of ～80 W is achieved.     

X-ray-ultrasonic parallels in tumors of the stomach and intestines]

Combined clinical, radio and ultrasound investigation of 46 patients was carried out. It was shown that routine transabdominal UTS could be employed in diagnosis of gastric and intestinal tumors but mainly at more advanced stages (T3, T4). Potentialities of the method were shown to depend, to a great extent, on a tumor site, growth, type, sizes, and spreading, as well as on the resolving power of an US diagnostic apparatus. The use of a high resolution apparatus made it possible to detect tumor invasion, but topography of a tumor was difficult to define. The x-ray or endoscopic method can be used as an adjuvant method of specified diagnosis of gastric and intestinal tumors.     

发射式植入刺激器的研制及其在截瘫狗排尿功能障碍时的应用

介绍一种体外发射式植入刺激器的结构和电路原理。该机不但体积较小,耗电少,且可选择较强刺激电压,其植入部分的生物相容性较好,并初步观察了用此刺激器刺激骶神经以恢复截瘫狗排尿功能的情况。     

大气压辉光放电低温等离子体诱变选育谷氨酰胺转胺酶高产菌株

以茂源链轮丝菌(Streptoverticillium mobaraense)03-10为出发菌株,采用一种新型的裸露电极大气压辉光放电的冷等离子体技术对链霉菌孢子进行诱变。根据双层平板法菌落显色及诱变处理后菌落形态差异快速筛选谷氨酰胺转胺酶高产突变株。突变率、正突变率分别达到42.8%和20.6%。最后复筛选育出具有较好遗传稳定性和形态稳定性的高产突变株G2-1,酶活达到2.73U/mL,比出发菌株提高了82%。     

Evaluation of Viral Inactivation on Dry Surface by High Peak Power Microwave (HPPM) Exposure

Previous research has shown that virus infectivity can be dramatically reduced by radio frequency exposure in the gigahertz (GHz) frequency range. Given the worldwide SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, which has caused over 1 million deaths and has had a profound global economic impact, there is a need for a noninvasive technology that can reduce the transmission of virus among humans. RF is a potential wide area-of-effect viral decontamination technology that could be used in hospital rooms where patients are expelling virus, in grocery and convenience stores where local populations mix, and in first responder settings where rapid medical response spans many potentially infected locations within hours. In this study, we used bovine coronavirus (BCoV) as a surrogate of SARS-CoV-2 and exposed it to high peak power microwave (HPPM) pulses at four narrowband frequencies: 2.8, 5.6, 8.5, and 9.3 GHz. Exposures consisted of 2 µs pulses delivered at 500 Hz, with pulse counts varied by decades between 1 and 10,000. The peak field intensities (i.e. the instantaneous power density of each pulse) ranged between 0.6 and 6.5 MW/m², depending on the microwave frequency. The HPPM exposures were delivered to plastic coverslips containing BCoV dried on the surface. Hemagglutination (HA) and cytopathic effect analyses were performed 6 days after inoculation of host cells to assess viral infectivity. No change in viral infectivity was seen with increasing dose (pulse number) across the tested frequencies. Under all conditions tested, exposure did not reduce infectivity more than 1.0 log_10. For the conditions studied, high peak power pulsed RF exposures in the 2–10 GHz range appear ineffective as a virucidal approach for hard surface decontamination. © 2023 Bioelectromagnetics Society.     

Activation of reconstructive processes in rat tissues under the action of radiofrequency current with a periodic impulse mode of modulation

The action of a current in the radio frequency range with a periodic impulse mode of modulation on the activation of recovery processes in the skin and skeletal muscles has been studied. The action of a radio frequency current with a power of 1 W, as opposed to that of the weaker action (0.1 W) and stronger (4 W) action, leads to the activation of recovery processes in the skin and skeletal muscles. Recovery processes are manifested in the increase in proliferation and activation of angiogenesis in the skin, and also in formation of new muscle fibers. Recovery processes in muscles are accompanied by activation and migration of satellite cells of muscle tissue in the zone of action of the radio frequency current.     

Bioeffects of chronic exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields of low intensity (standardization strategy)

A retrospective analysis of the experimental researches on the effect of radio frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) on human health, carried out in the USSR, is presented. The results of chronic exposure of laboratory animals to EMF have been considered. Apparently, EMF in the range of 1750-2750 MHz with power density up to 100-500 W/cm2 caused in immune globullin fractions, and a development of autoimmune processes. The changes in parameters of reproductive functions and posterity, the increase in embryo mortality were found. The standartization strategy used in the USSR and currently applied in Russia has been discussed.     

No effects of pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic fields on melatonin, cortisol, and selected markers of the immune system in man

There is growing public concern that radio frequency electromagnetic fields may have adverse biological effects. In the present study eight healthy male students were tested to see whether or not radio frequency electromagnetic fields as used in modern digital wireless telecommunication (GSM standard) have noticeable effects on salivary melatonin, cortisol, neopterin, and immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels during and several hours after exposure. In a specifically designed, shielded experimental chamber, the circularly polarized electromagnetic field applied was transmitted by an antenna positioned 10 cm behind the head of upright sitting test persons. The carrier frequency of 900 MHz was pulsed with 217 Hz (average power flux density 1 W/m2). In double blind trials, each test person underwent a total of 20 randomly allotted 4 hour periods of exposure and sham exposure, equally distributed at day and night. The results obtained show that the salivary concentrations of melatonin, cortisol, neopterin and sIgA did not differ significantly between exposure and sham exposure.     

Self-Powered Wireless Carbohydrate/Oxygen Sensitive Biodevice Based on Radio Signal Transmission

Here for the first time, we detail self-contained (wireless and self-powered) biodevices with wireless signal transmission. Specifically, we demonstrate the operation of self-sustained carbohydrate and oxygen sensitive biodevices, consisting of a wireless electronic unit, radio transmitter and separate sensing bioelectrodes, supplied with electrical energy from a combined multi-enzyme fuel cell generating sufficient current at required voltage to power the electronics. A carbohydrate/oxygen enzymatic fuel cell was assembled by comparing the performance of a range of different bioelectrodes followed by selection of the most suitable, stable combination. Carbohydrates (viz. lactose for the demonstration) and oxygen were also chosen as bioanalytes, being important biomarkers, to demonstrate the operation of the self-contained biosensing device, employing enzyme-modified bioelectrodes to enable the actual sensing. A wireless electronic unit, consisting of a micropotentiostat, an energy harvesting module (voltage amplifier together with a capacitor), and a radio microchip, were designed to enable the biofuel cell to be used as a power supply for managing the sensing devices and for wireless data transmission. The electronic system used required current and voltages greater than 44 µA and 0.57 V, respectively to operate; which the biofuel cell was capable of providing, when placed in a carbohydrate and oxygen containing buffer. In addition, a USB based receiver and computer software were employed for proof-of concept tests of the developed biodevices. Operation of bench-top prototypes was demonstrated in buffers containing different concentrations of the analytes, showcasing that the variation in response of both carbohydrate and oxygen biosensors could be monitored wirelessly in real-time as analyte concentrations in buffers were changed, using only an enzymatic fuel cell as a power supply.     

Effects of modulated RF energy on the EEG of mammalian brains

The effects of modulated radio frequency fields on mammalian EEGs were investigated using acute and chronic irradiations at non-thermal level. The EEG signals were computer processed to obtain power spectra. Rabbits were exposed to the field for 2 h a day for 6 weeks at 1-10 MHz (15 Hz modulation) at the level of 0.5-1 kV/M. Silver electrodes placed on the skull surface were used for recording of the EEG. Usually they were removed immediately after initial recordings of the EEG and reinserted before the final and intermediate EEG recordings. With this arrangement, modulated RF fields produced a change in EEG patterns by enhancing the low frequency components and decreasing high frequency activities. On the other hand, acute irradiations did not produce noticeable changes in the EEG at the level of 0.5-1 kV/M (1-30 MHz, 60 Hz modulation) as long as the use of intracranial electrodes was avoided.     

What Next After Failed Septal Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation?

Ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) by conventional radiofrequency ablation can be impossible if the ventricular wall at the targeted ablation site is very thick, as for example the ventricular septum. We present a case of a patient with incessant, non-sustained slow VT originating from the septal part of the lower outflow tracts. Radiofrequency catheter ablation from both ventricles as well as from the anterior cardiac vein were not successful. Both high power radiofrequency ablation and bipolar radiofrequency ablation neither were successfull. Finally, ethanol ablation of the first septal perforator successfully terminated arrhythmia. We discuss the possibilities to overcome failed conventional radiofrequency VT ablation of a septal focus.     

No short-term effects of digital mobile radio telephone on the awake human electroencephalogram

A recent study reported the results of an exploratory study of alterations of the quantitative sleep profile due to the effects of a digital mobile radio telephone. Rapid eye movement (REM) was suppressed, and the spectral power density in the 8–13 Hz frequency range during REM sleep was altered. The aim of the present study was to illuminate the influence of digital mobile radio telephone on the awake electroencephalogram (EEG) of healthy subjects. For this purpose, we investigated 34 male subjects in a single-blind cross-over design experiment by measuring spontaneous EEGs under closed-eyes condition from scalp positions C₃ and C₄ and comparing the effects of an active (0.05 mW/cm²) and an inactive digital mobile radio telephone (GSM) system. During exposure of nearly 3.5 min to the 900 MHz electromagnetic field pulsed at a frequency of 217 Hz and with a pulse width of 580 μs, we could not detect any difference in the awake EEGs in terms of spectral power density measures. Bioelectromagnetics 18:172–176, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Radio‐transmitters have no impact on survival of pre‐fledged American Woodcocks

American Woodcocks (Scolopax minor) are a high priority species of conservation need across most of their breeding range due to long‐term population declines. Survival of juveniles may be key to understanding these population declines, but there have been few direct estimates of juvenile woodcock survival rates, and no recent assessment of the possible effect of radio‐tagging on juvenile survival. In 2011 and 2012, we radio‐tagged 73 juvenile American Woodcocks in west‐central Minnesota and compared survival rates of radio‐tagged (N = 58) and non‐radio‐tagged (N = 82) juveniles during the period from hatching to fledging. We compared survival rates of juveniles with known fates and used logistic‐exposure models to assess the potential impact of radio‐transmitters on survival. We evaluated variables related to juvenile survival including age, hatch date, maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation, and year to assess the possible effects of radio‐transmitters. The best‐supported model of survival rate of juvenile American Woodcocks included the interaction of age and year and a negative effect of precipitation (β = ?0.76, 85% CI: ?1.08 to ?0.43), but did not include a negative effect of transmitters. Our results suggest that radio‐transmitters did not impact survival of juvenile American Woodcocks and that transmitters are a reliable tool for studying survival of juvenile American Woodcocks, and perhaps other precocial shorebirds.     

Development of a rat head exposure system for simulating human exposure to RF fields from handheld wireless telephones

The aim of this project was to develop an animal exposure system for the biological effect studies of radio frequency fields from handheld wireless telephones, with energy deposition in animal brains comparable to those in humans. The finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method was initially used to compute specific absorption rate (SAR) in an ellipsoidal rat model exposed with various size loop antennas at different distances from the model. A 3 × 1 cm rectangular loop produced acceptable SAR patterns. A numerical rat model based on CT images was developed by curve‐fitting Hounsfield Units of CT image pixels to tissue dielectric properties and densities. To design a loop for operating at high power levels, energy coupling and impedance matching were optimized using capacitively coupled feed lines embedded in a Teflon rod. Sprague Dawley rats were exposed with the 3 × 1 cm loop antennas, tuned to 837 or 1957 MHz for thermographically determined SAR distributions. Point SARs in brains of restrained rats were also determined thermometrically using fiberoptic probes. Calculated and measured SAR patterns and results from the various exposure configurations are in general agreement. The FDTD computed average brain SAR and ratio of head to whole body absorption were 23.8 W/kg/W and 62% at 837 MHz, and 22.6 W/kg/W and 89% at 1957 MHz. The average brain to whole body SAR ratio was 20 to 1 for both frequencies. At 837 MHz, the maximum measured SAR in the restrained rat brains was 51 W/kg/W in the cerebellum and 40 W/kg/W at the top of the cerebrum. An exposure system operating at 837 MHz is ready for in vivo biological effect studies of radio frequency fields from portable cellular telephones. Two‐tenths of a watt input power to the loop antenna will produce 10 W/kg maximum SAR, and an estimated 4.8 W/kg average brain SAR in a 300 g medium size rat. Bioelectromagnetics 20:75–92, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Quantifying the errors in animal contacts recorded by proximity loggers

Automated contact detection by means of proximity loggers permits the measurement of encounters between individuals (animal-animal contacts) and the time spent by individuals in the proximity of a focal resource of interest (animal-fixed logger contacts). The ecological inference derived from contact detection is intrinsically associated with the distance at which the contact occurred. But no proximity loggers currently exist that record this distance and therefore all distance estimations are associated with error. Here we applied a probabilistic approach to model the relationship between contact detection and inter-logger distance, and quantify the associated error, on free-ranging animals in semi-controlled settings. The probability of recording a contact declined with the distance between loggers, and this decline was steeper for weaker radio transmission powers. Even when proximity loggers were adjacent, contact detection was not guaranteed, irrespective of the radio transmission power. Accordingly, the precision and sensitivity of the system varied as a function of inter-logger distance, radio transmission power, and experimental setting (e.g., depending on animal body mass and fine-scale movements). By accounting for these relationships, we were able to estimate the probability that a detected contact occurred at a certain distance, and the probability that contacts were missed (i.e., false negatives). These calibration exercises have the potential to improve the predictability of the study and enhance the applicability of proximity loggers to key wildlife management issues such as disease transmission rates or wildlife use of landscape features and resources.     

Design and first results of CytoBuoy: a wireless flow cytometer for in situ analysis of marine and fresh waters.

BACKGROUND:The high costs of microscopical determination and counting of phytoplankton often limit sampling frequencies below an acceptable level for the monitoring of dynamic ecosystems. Although having a limited discrimination power, flow cytometry allows the analysis of large numbers of samples to a level that is sufficient for many basic monitoring jobs. For this purpose, flow cytometers should not be restricted to research laboratories. We report here on the development of an in situ flow cytometer for autonomous operation inside a small moored buoy or on other platforms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Operational specifications served a wide range of applications in the aquatic field. Specific conditions had to be met with respect to the operation platform and autonomy. A small, battery-operated flow cytometer resulted, requiring no external sheath fluid supply. Because it was designed to operate in a buoy, we call it CytoBuoy. Sampling, analysis, and radio transmission of the data proceed automatically at user-defined intervals. A powerful feature is the acquisition and radio transmission of full detector pulse shapes of each particle. This provides valuable morphological information for particles larger than the 5-microm laser focus. CONCLUSIONS:CytoBuoy allows on-line in situ particle analysis, estimation of phytoplankton biomass, and discrimination between different phytoplankton groups. This will increase the applicability of flow cytometry in the field of environmental monitoring.     

Novel mutation breeding method for Streptomyces avermitilis using an atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma

Aims: Avermectins are major antiparasitic agents used commercially in animal health, agriculture and human infections. To improve the fermentation efficiency of avermectins, for the first time a plasma jet generated by a novel atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) was employed to generate mutations in Streptomyces avermitilis. Methods and Results: The APGD plasma jet, driven by a radio frequency (RF) power supply with water‐cooled and bare‐metallic electrodes, was used as a new mutation method to treat the spores of S. avermitilis. The plasma jet yielded high total (over 30%) and positive (about 21%) mutation rates on S. avermitilis, and a mutated strain, designated as G1‐1 with high productivity of avermectin B1a and genetic stability, was obtained. Conclusions: Because of the low jet temperature, the high concentrations of the chemically reactive species and the flexibility of its operation, the RF APGD plasma jet has a strong mutagenic effect on S. avermitilis. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is a proof‐of‐concept study for the use of an RF APGD plasma jet for inducing mutations in microbes. We have shown that the RF APGD plasma jet could be developed as a promising and convenient mutation tool for the fermentation industry and for use in biotechnology research.