University of Bedfordshire

About: University of Bedfordshire is a education organization based out in Luton, Bedford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3860 authors who have published 6079 publications receiving 143448 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Luton.

A Low Profile Antenna for Millimeter-Wave Body-Centric Applications

Abstract: Millimeter-Wave (mm-Wave) frequencies are a front runner contender for the next generation body-centric wireless communications. In this paper, the design of a very low-profile antenna is presented for body-centric applications operating in the mm-Wave frequency band centered at 60 GHz. The antenna has an overall size of $14\times 10.5\times 1.15~\text {mm}^{3}$ and is printed on a flexible printed circuit board. The performance of the antenna is evaluated in off-body, on-body, and body-to-body communication scenarios using a realistic numerical phantom and verified through measurements. The antenna has a bandwidth of 9.8 GHz and offers a gain of 10.6 dBi in off-body (free space) configuration, while 12.1 dBi in on-body configuration. It also achieves an efficiency of 74% in off-body and 63% in on-body scenario. The small and flexible structure of the antenna along with excellent impedance matching, broad bandwidth, high gain, and good efficiency makes it a suitable candidate to attain simultaneous data transmission/reception at mm-Wave frequencies for the 5G body-centric applications.

Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Autism Stigma and Informal Caregiver Mental Health

Abstract: Families play a crucial role in determining the mental health of the autistic individual(s) they are caring for. However, the stigma associated with autism can impair caregiver health. To investigate this, empirical evidence pertaining to stigma’s impact on informal caregivers’ mental health was systematically reviewed. All twelve included studies (n = 1442 informal caregivers) consistently reported the impact of autism related stigma upon caregiver mental health to be significant, meaningful and complex. A new theoretical framework describing the relationship between stigma and caregiver mental health is constructed. Moderating variables include those both changeable through intervention (e.g. hopelessness, self-esteem, self-compassion) and not changeable (gender, culture, financial burden and time since diagnosis). Implications and recommendations for professionals, interventions and future research are proposed.

Claw lesions in dairy cattle: methods for assessment of sole and white line lesions.

Abstract: Summary Claw lesions are a major cause of lameness in dairy cattle. Analysis of the development of lesions is aidedby numerical representation of their significance. Using data from observations on 31 heifers at 9 weeks post-calving, 5 lesion scoring method were compared. These were: (1) number of lesions; (2) severity; (3) adjusted severity; (4) size (measured by a novel technique involving image analysis of distal view photographs) and (5) size multiplied by adjusted severity (combined score). Relationships between scores for sole and white line lesions and between different claws within a cow were investigated. The small size but high clinical significance of severe lesions means that severity must be weighted if combined with size in a score. Sole and white line lesions showed a moderate but significant correlation in terms of severity but none in terms of size. The highest correlation between scores for a single claw (the right hind outer) and the remaining claws was found for adjusted severity of sole lesions.

Wind and tall buildings: negatives and positives

Abstract: Wind is often regarded as the foe of tall buildings since it tends to be the governing lateral load. Careful aerodynamic design of tall buildings through wind tunnel testing can greatly reduce wind loads and their affect on building motions. Various shaping strategies are discussed, aimed particularly at suppression of vortex shedding since it is frequently the cause of crosswind excitation. The use of supplementary damping systems is another approach that takes the energy out of building motions and reduces loads. Different applications of damping systems are described on several buildings, and an example of material savings and reduced carbon emissions is given. Wind also has some potential beneficial effects particularly to tall buildings. One is that, since wind speeds are higher at the heights of tall buildings, the potential for extracting wind energy using wind turbines is significantly improved compared with ground level. This paper explores how much energy might be generated in this way relative to the building's energy usage. Other benefits are to be found in judicious use of natural ventilation, sometimes involving double-layer wall systems, and, in hot climates, the combination of tailored wind and shade conditions to improve outdoor comfort near tall buildings and on balconies and terraces. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.