Analysis and Implementation

As a Capstone Project in SP 601 (Data-Driven Research Fundamentals) of SPARTA PH, this research aims to determine the feasibility of a door-to-door sampling caravan for sim card distribution as a marketing strategy to increase the subscriber base of SMARTA (an imaginary company) and increase revenue from the activated sims. The Capstone compared the scope, reach, cost, and predicted revenue from the door-to-door sampling caravan to be done by a marketing agency versus SMARTA. Specifically, the following questions were answered:

1. What would be a good target market profile to hand out in terms of demographics?
2. What barangays must be visited in order to reap the benefits of a door-to-door sampling caravan?
3. Is it worthwhile to go to provincial barangays outside Metro Manila if the sampling strategy is to maximize sampling reach?

In conclusion, implementation costs can be lowered if SMARTA does the sampling caravan in-house and losses will be decreased greatly for the first year. More so, the scope, reach, success rate, and conversion are predicted to be higher should SMARTA employ purposive sampling, hire samplers from the cities, and decrease expenditure for van rental. Further, the sampling population recommended for SMARTA is based on the market segmentation vis-a-vis census data of the working-age population per city.

Thus, to maximize the benefits of a door-to-door sampling caravan, it is highly recommended that SMARTA conducts the sampling in-house.

The present paper describes the design and development of wide band matched waveguide terminations for high power (< 100 Watt) and low power (< 10 watts) applications at Ku-band. The WR-62 rectangular waveguide, lossy Eccosorb dielectric material and metallic short has been used to realize the termination. Two configurations of waveguide terminations i.e. conical tapered and wedge tapered have been developed using lossy dielectric. The waveguide termination has been simulated on full wave ANSYS's High-Frequency Structure Simulator. The developed waveguide terminations have voltage standing wave ratio less than 1.25 over the 12.5 to 15.5 GHz frequency band of the antenna.

The paper deals with an experimental verification of the homogeneity of the electromagnetic field of the microwave band (2.45 GHz) in the operational space of a microwave device MIA-4K with an applied output of 3.6 kW and mechanical rotational homogenizers designed by the authors. The verification of homogeneity consists in experimental measuring of the temperature distribution within the medium-water-in the operational space of the device. The method is based on heat exchange in an isolated system where water serves as an absorber of the irradiated energy. Grids with test tubes with a predefined volume of water were placed inside the device at three different height levels. The grid was designed with respect to the used wavelength of the sources. The temperature of water in the test tubes was measured both with and without using the homogenizers. The results show that by placing homogenizers in front of waveguides we can achieve a higher homogeneity of temperature within the operational space. The higher homogeneity of temperature comes hand in hand with a higher homogeneity of the electromagnetic field. The proposed solution of homogenizers increases the HFF homogeneity, which directly affects the quality of the wood drying or wooden material modification processes using high-frequency electromagnetic energy. 12 WOOD RESEARCH

In this paper, a real microwave applicator with a wave guide used to launch the energy from the source into the cavity is analyzed using 3D TLM method. In order to investigate the influence of the positions and number of feed wave guides to the number of the resonant modes inside the cavity, obtained results are compared with analytical results and results obtained by using TLM software with an impulse excitation as well. TLM method is applied to the both empty and loaded rectangular metallic cavity, and a very good agreement between simulated and experimental results is achieved.

Research Gap Currently, there is a knowledge gap in the literature about Airbnb's presence in the Philippines. Following the study of Mendoza et al., (2018) which determined the determinant factors of Airbnb occupancy rate in the province of Batangas, the study of Chua, Chiu & Bool, (2019) that determined the perceived behavior of individuals opting to engage in Airbnb and the most recent study of Tumbali & Ong, (2020) which compared the occupancy

As opposed to the traditional market model, which is based on possession, the ‘Sharing Economy’ is based on sharing and utilizing services and products among others. Airbnb founded by Joe Gebbia and Brian Chesky in 2008, is one the best example of the Sharing Economy. The purpose of this paper was to determine and compare the market revenue and occupancy rates of the selected cities in the National Capital Region from 2016-2019. Secondary Data was from AirDNA - a paid service tool intentional for Airbnb researchers. One-way Anova was the statistical test used in this study, followed by an honestly significant difference (HSD) test. This research paper covered seven (7) selected cities in the National Capital Region. These are the City of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Parañaque, Pasig, and Quezon City. The results revealed that in the year 2016-2019 Manila appeared to have the highest percentage of occupancy rate, while Makati City gained the highest amount of Market Revenue.

The use of fractal geometries has significantly impacted many areas of science and engineering; one of which is microwave filters. Microstrip filters have been widely used in a variety of microwave circuits and systems, it has received much attention because of the advantages such as compact and simple structures, small sizes, easy fabrication and low cost, etc., and all these features are the requirement of the wireless communication systems. The design of a hairpin-Koch filter has been proposed. This filter exhibits periodic frequency response. The spurious bands are being suppressed significantly through the implementation of Koch fractal on the micro strip coupled line.

This paper aims at discussing an accuracy of macroscopic models of thin conductive layers used in electromagnetic modelling for the purpose of microwave heating and shielding applications. Thin conductive layers, characterised by their surface resistance, are typically replaced by a surrogate layer of higher thickness to decrease computer efforts of 3D discrete modelling methods and make the problem resolvable in a reasonable time. Experiments conducted in this work with the aid of analytical calculations and conformal finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, allow addressing sensitivity of the considered model to surrogate layer thickness, angle of incidence, changes of characteristic impedance, etc. Practical modelling guidelines for both heating and shielding applications are formulated.

The Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) program arose from the need to improve statistical data at the household level required for designing, implementing and evaluating social and economic policy in developing countries. The focus of the LSMS program has been on understanding, measuring and monitoring living conditions, the interaction of government spending and programs with household behavior, ex ante and ex post assessments of policies, and the causes of observed social sector outcomes. The resulting LSMS surveys use multiple survey instruments to obtain data needed for these purposes and rely on significant quality control mechanisms to ensure high quality relevant data. Especially in recent years, the LSMS program has emphasized the process of involving data users in the design of the surveys and has worked on issues of sustainability. The present chapter provides an overview of what LSMS surveys are, the key design and implementation methods used in the surveys as well...

CHAPTER 1-INTRODUCTION 1.1 Description of the Problem 1.2 Present Work 1.3 Structure of Thesis CHAPTER 2-TECHNICAL BACKGROUND 2.1 Biomass 2.1.1 Physical Structure of Woody Biomass 2.1.1.1 Soft Wood 2.1.1.2 Hard Wood 2.1.2 Chemical Composition of Wood 2.1.2.1 Cellulose 2.1.2.2 Hemicelluloses 2.1.2.3 Lignin 2.1.2.4 Extractives 2.2 Microwaves 2.3 Dielectric Theory 2.3.1 Interaction between the Electromagnetic Field and Wood 2.3.2 Polarisation of Wood 2.3.3 Dielectric Parameters of Wood-iv-2.3.4 Some Principle Formulas Reflecting Interactions between an Electromagnetic Field and a Material 2.3.5 Wood Compositions and Dielectric Properties of its Components 2.3.5.1 Dielectric Parameters of the Cell Wall Substances and its Elements 2.3.5.2 Dielectric Characteristics of Air, Free and Bound Water, and Ice 2.3.6 Mechanism of the Influence of Moisture Content on the Dielectric Properties of Wood 2.4 Microwave Drying Theory 2.4.1 Electromagnetic Heating 2.4.2 Advantage of Microwave Heating 2.4.3 Dielectric Heating Equation 2.4.4 Depth of Penetration 2.4.5 Stages of Microwave Drying 2.4.6 Effect of Wood Drying 2.4.6.1 Change in Wood Material Properties 2.4.6.2 Colour Response 2.4.7 Water in Wood 2.4.8 Transport in Wood during Drying 2.4.9 Microwave Drying Equipment 2.4.10 Microwave Drying Applications 2.4.10.1 Microwave Convection Drying 2.4.10.2 Microwave Vacuum Drying 2.4.10.3 Microwave Freeze Drying 2.4.10.4 Other Microwave Hybrid Drying 2.5 Combustion Theory 2.5.1 Stages of Wood Combustion 2.5.2 Factors affecting Wood Combustion 2.5.3 Experimental Characteristics of Reaction Regime 2.5.4 Porosity Measurement Methods-v-CHAPTER 3-LITERATURE REVIEW 3.1 Dielectric Studies 3.1.1 Effect of Experimental Factor 3.1.2 Effect of the Physical Properties of Wood 3.1.2.1 Effect of Moisture Content 3.

In the southern region of Thailand, dried fish is one of the main commercial products. The conventional energies using for fish drying are sunshine and heat from woods. These drying methods have problems such as low efficiency and environmental problems. The better ...

The Commission on Higher Education emphasized that extension programs provide the space to discover practical evidence, and science-based answers to real-world social, economic, and environmental challenges for partner communities. This descriptive study looked into the impact of an extension program to address the needs of the day care workers. It employed a questionnaire, unstructured interview, and focus group discussion in gathering the data. The study revealed that the parents and the social workers were responsive to the needs of the day care workers. Seven themes emerged namely: eliciting parents and children’s active involvement, improving collaboration and communication, learning from seminars, availing necessities and learning resources, improving pedagogical competence and practices of DCWs, and improving the learning environment. The extension program helped the day care workers established sustainable and effective day care centers through forging and sustaining strong ...

This paper describes a complementary method for determining dielectric properties of granular materials using the Transmission/Reflection Method in order to estimate their moisture content. The Newton's Complex Interactive Method is used here as a numerical tool to calculate the complex permittivity of the plaster glue material. Results for samples with moisture contents of 35%, 40% and 45% in the range of 100 MHz to 3 GHz are presented.

Duterte's Build. Build. Build. Project propelled the modernization of the transportation system of the Philippines that brought about a major shift in the operative capacity of both national level and of local government institutions. Wu, Ramesh, & Howlett's Governmental Assessment Framework posits that institutions should be further dissected into components that should be seen separately but given the same value to the sequential process of institutional capacity building and institutional function. With LGUs subjected to the complications of a high level of bureaucracy and a vaguely defined and practiced autonomy, the purpose of this study relies on the aforementioned theory and focuses on the Operative Dimension of LGUs and its relation to administrative capacity and performance. The data gathered from administrative employees of the Engineering Department of Malabon, Urban Development Sector of Makati, via structured interview, and the responses to the sample survey of commuting populace of the locales, affirmed the two assumptions of this study, (1) major shifts in policies affect LGUs in multitude of ways, more so with their decision making and their functionality (2), operative capacity is indeed related to the ability of institutions to respond efficiently and effectively to change and the disruption it entails." That being said, this inquiry is able to establish the relevance of improving the methods of governmental and institutional assessments by determining the sequential relationship of structural components.

The Commission on Higher Education emphasized that extension programs provide the space to discover practical evidence, and science-based answers to real-world social, economic, and environmental challenges for partner communities. This descriptive study looked into the impact of an extension program to address the needs of the day care workers. It employed a questionnaire, unstructured interview, and focus group discussion in gathering the data. The study revealed that the parents and the social workers were responsive to the needs of the day care workers. Seven themes emerged namely: eliciting parents and children's active involvement, improving collaboration and communication, learning from seminars, availing necessities and learning resources, improving pedagogical competence and practices of DCWs, and improving the learning environment. The extension program helped the day care workers established sustainable and effective day care centers through forging and sustaining strong partnerships with parents, government, and nongovernment organizations.

This paper reviews the use of domestic microwave ovens and fixed geometry waveguide applicators for processing of organic compounds and biomaterials. The review traces the microwave (fo ~ 2.45 GHz) technological development of proof-of-principle and batch processes highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. Amongst the rapid homogeneous and heterogeneous processes reported are the treatment of organic compounds, thawing fresh frozen blood plasma, microwave-assisted desolvation, microwaveassisted extraction of bioactive materials, cleaning of dentures, plasma cleaning of polymer surfaces and plasma deposition of carbon-nanostructures. The arc-like plasmoid generated when foodstuff such as grapes are treated in a microwave oven is explored along with a study of microwave irradiated

A reconfigurable bandpass filter with asymmetrical responses is demonstrated using a dual-mode microstrip resonator. The proposed topology introduces several fixed and switchable perturbations to control the center frequency and the location of the transmission zeros of the filter. The tuning mechanism consists of capacitively loading the edges of a modified square patch resonator, in order to manipulate the current distribution of the degenerate modes. This operation results in asymmetrical responses with a center frequency tuning ratio of 10% at band, and angular transmission zero displacement of 1 = 3.5 rad/s or greater in both a lower and higher side of the passband.

Various fractal geometries have been successfully applied to design compact bandpass filters and miniaturized multiband antennas for different multi-services wireless applications. In this paper, a thorough investigation of the spacefilling characteristics of the classical Minkowski fractal geometry has been presented. Many variants of this geometry can be derived by using generators by varying the standard one-third ratio adopted in the traditional fractal geometry. The use of multi-ratio will result in a large number of variants with fractal dimensions that are larger or smaller than 1.465 of the normal Minkowski fractal geometry. The higher the fractal dimension, the better the fractal curve fills the given area, therefore achieving higher compactness. These variants will provide the antenna and filter designer with many choices to implement his structures.

A reconfigurable bandpass filter with asymmetrical responses is demonstrated using a dual-mode microstrip resonator. The proposed topology introduces several fixed and switchable perturbations to control the center frequency and the location of the transmission zeros of the filter. The tuning mechanism consists of capacitively loading the edges of a modified square patch resonator, in order to manipulate the current distribution of the degenerate modes. This operation results in asymmetrical responses with a center frequency tuning ratio of 10% at band, and angular transmission zero displacement of 1 = 3.5 rad/s or greater in both a lower and higher side of the passband.

We present a new Ultra Wide Band (UWB) Timed-Array Transmitter System with Beamforming capability for high-resolution remote acquisition of vital signals. The system consists of four identical channels, where each is formed of a serial topology with three modules: programmable delay circuit (PDC or τ), a novel UWB 5 th Gaussian Derivative order pulse generator circuit (PG), and a planar Vivaldi antenna. The circuit was designed using 0.18µm CMOS standard process and the planar antenna array was designed with filmconductor on Rogers RO3206 substrate. Spice simulations results showed the pulse generation with 104 mVpp amplitude and 500 ps width. The power consumption is 543 µW, and energy consumption 0.27 pJ per pulse using a 2V power supply at a pulse repetition rate (PRR) of 100 MHz. Electromagnetic simulations results, using CST Microwave (MW) Studio 2011, showed the main lobe radiation with a gain maximum of 13.2 dB, 35.5º x 36.7º angular width, and a beam steering between 17º and-11º for azimuthal (θ) angles and 17º and-18º for elevation (φ) angles at the center frequency of 6 GHz.

In this paper, Minkowski fractal based open-loop resonators are adopted to design triple band microstrip bandstop filters (BSFs). The suggested filter structures are primarily based on that of the conventional open-loop rectangular microstrip resonators. The resonators of the proposed BSF structure are made in the form of Minkowski fractal geometry with different iteration levels. Many filter structures have been modeled, and their performances have been evaluated using the commercially available EM simulator, Sonnet. Each of the modeled filter structures contains two pairs of open loop fractal based resonators with different iteration levels. The lower frequency bandstop performance is attributed to the resonators with higher iteration level while the higher frequency bandstop performance is due to the resonators with lower iteration levels. Simulation results for the proposed microstrip filters have confirmed the validity to realize compact multiband narrow-stopband microstrip filters. Measured results of a fabricated filter prototype are found to be in reasonable agreement with those predicted by numerical computation. The results presented show that the proposed fractal based resonators can be used to construct compact multiband filters with narrow stopbands.

Fractal geometries are found attractive to designers seeking for compact size microwave circuits and antennas. In this paper, Peano fractal based open-loop resonators are&lt;br&gt;adopted to design dual-band microstrip band-stop filters (PSFs). The suggested filter structure is essentially based on that of the conventional open-loop rectangular microstrip resonators. The resonators of the proposed PSF structure are made in the form of Peano fractal geometry with&lt;br&gt;different iteration levels. Many filters have been modeled, and their performances have been evaluated using a commercially available full-wave electromagnetic simulator. Each of the modeled filter structures contains two pairs of open loop fractal based resonators with different iteration&lt;br&gt;levels. The lower frequency band-stop performance is attributed to the resonators with higher iteration level while the higher frequency band-stop performance is due to the resonators with lower iteration level. Simulatio...

Various fractal geometries have been successfully applied to design compact bandpass filters and miniaturized multiband antennas for different multi-services wireless applications. In this paper, a thorough investigation of the spacefilling characteristics of the classical Minkowski fractal geometry has been presented. Many variants of this geometry can be derived by using generators by varying the standard one-third ratio adopted in the traditional fractal geometry. The use of multi-ratio will result in a large number of variants with fractal dimensions that are larger or smaller than 1.465 of the normal Minkowski fractal geometry. The higher the fractal dimension, the better the fractal curve fills the given area, therefore achieving higher compactness. These variants will provide the antenna and filter designer with many choices to implement his structures.

Dual mode microstrip multi-bandpass filter is proposed with tree fractal slot on a square patch resonator. The tree fractal slotted resonators are generated from conventional square patch using an iterative tree fractal generator method. A single square patch is used for realizing both dual and tri-bandpass filters exploiting the dominant, higher order and its corresponding degenerate resonant modes by the tree fractal iteration on the diagonal unequal slots on the square patch.The resonant peaks, transmission zeros and bandwidth of the pass bands can be tuned by varying the length and width of the fractal slot. By optimizing various parameters dual mode dual and tri-band pass filters are simulated, fabricated and measured. The proposed filter finds application in wireless communication devices and falls in the bands of GSM, WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiMax and WiFi.

A novel fractal dual-mode microstrip bandpass filter design has been introduced in an attempt to produce filters with highly miniaturized size for modern wireless applications. The filter structure has been generated based on the 3 rd iteration Minkowski-like pre-fractal geometry, using the conventional dual-mode square ring resonator as the initiator in the fractal generation process. The space-filling property , self-similarity and the diagonal symmetry of the structures corresponding to the successive iteration levels of this fractal geometry have found to produce reduced size filter structures with accepted performance. The bandpass filter structure produced by the 3rd iteration of this fractal geometry can be considered as a novel design with adequate performance. This design structure possesses a size reduction of about 72% compared with the conventional dualmode square ring resonator operating at the same frequency and using the same substrate material. In addition, the new design technique seems reliable, since it provides the filter designers with more degree of freedom and further size reduction as compared with those reported in the literatures.

A novel planar differential ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna was designed and implemented on low-cost FR4 substrate and characterized experimentally. The dedicated design was motivated by the implementation of a UWB pulse radar sensor obtained by co-integrating a system-on-a-chip UWB pulse radar packaged in QFN32 package with the proposed antenna, one for the transmitter and one for the receiver. The experimental results confirm the predictions obtained by simulations, and the effectiveness of the novel antenna design for the implementation of low-cost short-range pulse radar sensor was validated by field operational tests.

Slow wave comb applicators for timber (and other materials) treatment at frequencies 2.45GHz (Comb1) and 0.922GHz (Comb2), designed for surface layer heating, modification and sterilization, were experimentally studied. Experiments showed that the Comb1 applicator released 83-88% of applied MW energy in wet wood on the depth up to 30mm, in zones with maximum energy application. In other zones, energy application efficiency is higher. The Comb2 applicator releases about 60% of the applied energy on the depth up to 30mm in the zones of maximum energy release. Energy distribution from the comb applicators, in the wet wood, allows the most significant part of the energy to be released in surface layers and increases efficiency of energy use, compared to other MW radiators. Comb1 and Comb2 are recommended for practical use in wood heating, MW modification and sterilization processes. They can be used for soil, concrete, plaster, bricks, plastics and other materials were required heating of surface layers.

Addressing disability is a fundamental aspect of re-imagining social development and reclaiming people’s development. An essential aspect of this is having disability-related data which can be used in measuring and tracking the progress of global development initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals as well as in deciding priorities, crafting policies, and developing and implementing development programs at the national and local levels. This article aims to describe the experiences of the Las Piñas Persons with Disability Federation, Inc. (LPPWDFI), an organization of persons with disabilities in developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating their own data-profiling project. This article utilized a combination of three methods: (a) Pakikiisa at Pakikipamuhay (Integration), (b) Kwentuhan at sama-aralan (Conversations, dialogue, reflection, and learning sessions) and (c) Pagbabasa at pagsusuri ng mga kwento at dokumento (Review and analysis of existing documents) with the underlying intent of listening to and valuing the perspectives and voices of persons with disabilities. Four critical factors that contributed to the success of the LPPWDFI’s collective initiative are also discussed in the article: (a) Rights, identities, and aspirations of persons with disabilities, (b) Leadership development, capacity-building, and local initiatives, (c) The role of support organizations and the state, and (d) Facing the need to build on local gains. The article hopes that the story of LPPWDFI’s data profiling initiative can open up spaces for introspection among organizations of persons with disabilities and eventually for their collective action aimed at creating inclusive communities in a more inclusive world.

A novel fractal dual-mode microstrip bandpass filter design has been introduced in an attempt to produce filters with highly miniaturized size for modern wireless applications. The filter structure has been generated based on the 3 rd iteration Minkowski-like pre-fractal geometry, using the conventional dual-mode square ring resonator as the initiator in the fractal generation process. The space-filling property , self-similarity and the diagonal symmetry of the structures corresponding to the successive iteration levels of this fractal geometry have found to produce reduced size filter structures with accepted performance. The bandpass filter structure produced by the 3rd iteration of this fractal geometry can be considered as a novel design with adequate performance. This design structure possesses a size reduction of about 72% compared with the conventional dualmode square ring resonator operating at the same frequency and using the same substrate material. In addition, the new design technique seems reliable, since it provides the filter designers with more degree of freedom and further size reduction as compared with those reported in the literatures.

 Microwaves are generated in a magnetron which feeds via a waveguide into the cooking chamber.  This cuboid chamber has metallic walls and so acts as a Faraday cage.  The front door, made of glass and the light bulb cavity are both covered by metal grids.  The holes in the grids are small compared with the wavelength of the microwaves; hence the grids act just like metal plates.

country rose to 13,597, 9,648 of which are active cases, 3,092 recoveries, and 857 deaths [2]. Philippines is presently ranked 43 rd with the highest number of confirmed cases in the world [3] and 1 st in the COVID-19 mortality rate in Southeast Asia [4]. One of the key reasons why the Philippines has one of the highest death rates in COVID-19 in the world [5] is the unequal access of the general public to medical care. This is a consequence of the Philippines having a low GDP per capita [6] and poverty, which also resulted in the outflux of Filipino medical staff to more developed countries. The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), guided by the National Action Plan, acted to control the spread of the virus such as helping families affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and focused their efforts on high-risk areas. Despite the measures taken, the spread of the virus still isn't under control on account of densely populated cities, especially on the National Capital Region (NCR). Thousands of reports and complaints from the people [7] reveal the inefficiency of the methods and procedures in the service delivery of aid to the frontliners and the people. Operations Research (OR) intervention is necessary to optimally allocate our limited resources and ultimately improve the service delivery of the concerned organizations, institutions, and Local Government Units (LGUs). Studies that aim for optimization in response to COVID-19 issues are limited. Some of the existing published research on optimization methods include infection control and operating room management [8], quarantine and testing policies [9], and optimal lockdown policies [10]. Conducting such studies and creating models can be difficult for independent and non-governmental research organizations due to the delayed response from important government agencies or simply from the lack of detailed information needed. Nonetheless, for this study, we aim to identify possible strategies and use OR interventions to address COVID-19 related issues using only the available information we could gather. The subjects we want to address are the (a) needs of the medical community and (b) the needs of the people. Specifically, the needs of the medical community that we address in this study are the need for more healthcare workers, more Stage 5 testing centers in high-risk areas, 27

Dual mode microstrip multi-bandpass filter is proposed with tree fractal slot on a square patch resonator. The tree fractal slotted resonators are generated from conventional square patch using an iterative tree fractal generator method. A single square patch is used for realizing both dual and tri-bandpass filters exploiting the dominant, higher order and its corresponding degenerate resonant modes by the tree fractal iteration on the diagonal unequal slots on the square patch.The resonant peaks, transmission zeros and bandwidth of the pass bands can be tuned by varying the length and width of the fractal slot. By optimizing various parameters dual mode dual and tri-band pass filters are simulated, fabricated and measured. The proposed filter finds application in wireless communication devices and falls in the bands of GSM, WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiMax and WiFi.

The use of fractal geometries has significantly impacted many areas of science and engineering; one of which is microwave filters. Microstrip filters have been widely used in a variety of microwave circuits and systems, it has received much attention because of the advantages such as compact and simple structures, small sizes, easy fabrication and low cost, etc., and all these features are the requirement of the wireless communication systems. The design of a hairpin-Koch filter has been proposed. This filter exhibits periodic frequency response. The spurious bands are being suppressed significantly through the implementation of Koch fractal on the micro strip coupled line.

Drying is essential before wood can be used. The tortuosity of the moisture transport path in wood profoundly affects drying speed and timber quality. Solar drying can reduce drying costs and energy consumption while producing high-quality timber. Unfortunately, solar drying is much slower than many other kiln systems. Intense microwave heating rapidly generates steam inside moist wood. The resulting internal pressure selectively ruptures the wood structure, creating radial pathways through which moisture may readily move. This modification process does not dry the wood, but vastly increases its permeability, allowing the wood to dry faster with minimal degradation of the timber quality. Subsequent experimentation in a solar kiln resulted in a 17% reduction in drying time for microwave-treated Populus alba samples, compared with untreated samples dried in the kiln at the same time. In a second experiment, microwave-treated Eucalyptus regnans samples dried in 33% less time than untreated samples dried in the solar kiln at the same time. There was no difference in timber quality between treated or control samples during either experiments. These reductions in drying time are attributable to a combination of wood modification and the initial moisture loss associated with microwave treatment. The energy requirements for microwave treatment were approximately 104 kW-h m -3 .

A novel dual-mode microstrip filter operating at 900 MHz is proposed using degenerate modes of a microstrip-loop resonator. The resonator structure that is formed of meandered microstrip-line elements has a smaller size than the other dual-mode microstrip resonators in the literature. The dual-mode filter is verified by both simulation and measurement.

Article history: Received 29 October 2019 Received in revised form 1 December 2019 Accepted 9 December 2019 Available online 10 December 2019 An Enhanced miniature dual-band dual-mode microstrip bandpass filter (BPF) based on Complementary Split Ring Resonator (CSRR) graved on the ground plane of selected microstrip structure was proposed. This project consisted of two components have been combined in one item, this item has acceptable characteristics in terms of size and output result. A dual band square loop resonator with a small patch designed at one corner to degenerate dual mode properties has been printed on the top layer of the utilized substrate. On the other hand, a complementary split ring resonator has been graved on the bottom layer of the referred substrate to enhance the results of suggested structure. The proposed microstrip filter was utilized for Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) applications (2.45 GHz) with -25 dB with twice transmission zeroes as a first ba...

The Commission on Higher Education emphasized that extension programs provide the space to discover practical evidence, and science-based answers to real-world social, economic, and environmental challenges for partner communities. This descriptive study looked into the impact of an extension program to address the needs of the day care workers. It employed a questionnaire, unstructured interview, and focus group discussion in gathering the data. The study revealed that the parents and the social workers were responsive to the needs of the day care workers. Seven themes emerged namely: eliciting parents and children’s active involvement, improving collaboration and communication, learning from seminars, availing necessities and learning resources, improving pedagogical competence and practices of DCWs, and improving the learning environment. The extension program helped the day care workers established sustainable and effective day care centers through forging and sustaining strong ...

The study analyses how the Philippines’ national Child Friendly Movement, which has engaged government, NGOs, civil society, children and UNICEF, has enhanced the capacity of local governments, communities and young people to fulfil the rights of the poorest children. The study uses participatory methodologies and reflects the viewpoint of children and the community. It reveals that in areas where the Child Friendly Cities strategy was adopted, greater attention is paid to the most excluded and vulnerable groups and interventions are developed on a wider spectrum of children’s rights. Beyond providing insights on concrete ways in which child rights are bring promoted at local level, it provides recommendations on how the fulfilment of child rights can be further enhanced by municipal governments.

Drying is essential before wood can be used. The tortuosity of the moisture transport path in wood profoundly affects drying speed and timber quality. Solar drying can reduce drying costs and energy consumption while producing high-quality timber. Unfortunately, solar drying is much slower than many other kiln systems. Intense microwave heating rapidly generates steam inside moist wood. The resulting internal pressure selectively ruptures the wood structure, creating radial pathways through which moisture may readily move. This modification process does not dry the wood, but vastly increases its permeability, allowing the wood to dry faster with minimal degradation of the timber quality. Subsequent experimentation in a solar kiln resulted in a 17% reduction in drying time for microwave-treated Populus alba samples, compared with untreated samples dried in the kiln at the same time. In a second experiment, microwave-treated Eucalyptus regnans samples dried in 33% less time than untreated samples dried in the solar kiln at the same time. There was no difference in timber quality between treated or control samples during either experiments. These reductions in drying time are attributable to a combination of wood modification and the initial moisture loss associated with microwave treatment. The energy requirements for microwave treatment were approximately 104 kW-h m −3 .

The present research offers an assessment of the computer modelling process for developing new microwave equipment suitable for wood modification. To understand the functioning of the new projected microwave equipment and moreover, to make its operability as safety as required by the Australian and International Safety Organization, the computer modelling process was completed by developing the customised devices, setting the appropriate testing procedures and measuring the specific parameters. Initially, the fundamentals of microwave heating including the history of utilisation of these technologies, electromagnetic theory, details about volumetric and selective heating, and also basics regarding microwave heating of the wood are examined. Subsequently, an insight into the main microwave systems components and current developments in the industrial microwave heating is provided. The overview report ends with details about the expansion of computerized numerical microwave modeling techniques and comments about some of their relevant features. A practical and innovative way able to control the intensity and distribution of the microwave energy and to enhance the microwave treatment pattern within dielectric is then presented. It was accomplished through computerized 3D electromagnetic simulations and validated using pilot plant microwave equipment. To complement the microwave applicator to highly reduce the energy reflection towards the generators, a novel idea is put forward. The experimental tests show that the reflected energy can be reduced up to 50 %. A custom-designed microwave leakage suppression device for wood treatment in continuous flow microwave industrial systems presented together with its evaluation completes the research work. Finally, the importance of the research, the key facts and the recommendations for further work are emphasized.

Article history: Received 29 October 2019 Received in revised form 1 December 2019 Accepted 9 December 2019 Available online 10 December 2019 An Enhanced miniature dual-band dual-mode microstrip bandpass filter (BPF) based on Complementary Split Ring Resonator (CSRR) graved on the ground plane of selected microstrip structure was proposed. This project consisted of two components have been combined in one item, this item has acceptable characteristics in terms of size and output result. A dual band square loop resonator with a small patch designed at one corner to degenerate dual mode properties has been printed on the top layer of the utilized substrate. On the other hand, a complementary split ring resonator has been graved on the bottom layer of the referred substrate to enhance the results of suggested structure. The proposed microstrip filter was utilized for Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) applications (2.45 GHz) with -25 dB with twice transmission zeroes as a first ba...

This paper presents design and simulation of a multimode microwave cavity at 2.45 GHz for materials processing. Microwave cavity with dimensions 305mm x 203mm x 305mmhas been modelled with two waveguide ports to couple two generators using CST Microwave Studio 2012® commercial software. Adding one more microwave input to a multimode cavity can result in increased heating power and field uniformity if designed properly. The Design goal of microwave cavity is to couple two low power microwave generators to generate more heat power. The waveguide port arrangement is done so as to obtain uniform field distribution and low coupling between two generators Different locations of waveguide ports were simulated and cavity was optimized to obtain low coupling and uniform field distribution. Simulation results show that a minimum -38.3db mutual coupling was achieved with two waveguide ports arranged perpendicularly in cross current polarization. Simulated results show that Electric field distr...

Dual mode microstrip multi-bandpass filter is proposed with tree fractal slot on a square patch resonator. The tree fractal slotted resonators are generated from conventional square patch using an iterative tree fractal generator method. A single square patch is used for realizing both dual and tri-bandpass filters exploiting the dominant, higher order and its corresponding degenerate resonant modes by the tree fractal iteration on the diagonal unequal slots on the square patch.The resonant peaks, transmission zeros and bandwidth of the pass bands can be tuned by varying the length and width of the fractal slot. By optimizing various parameters dual mode dual and tri-band pass filters are simulated, fabricated and measured. The proposed filter finds application in wireless communication devices and falls in the bands of GSM, WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee, WiMax and WiFi.

Article history: Received 29 October 2019 Received in revised form 1 December 2019 Accepted 9 December 2019 Available online 10 December 2019 An Enhanced miniature dual-band dual-mode microstrip bandpass filter (BPF) based on Complementary Split Ring Resonator (CSRR) graved on the ground plane of selected microstrip structure was proposed. This project consisted of two components have been combined in one item, this item has acceptable characteristics in terms of size and output result. A dual band square loop resonator with a small patch designed at one corner to degenerate dual mode properties has been printed on the top layer of the utilized substrate. On the other hand, a complementary split ring resonator has been graved on the bottom layer of the referred substrate to enhance the results of suggested structure. The proposed microstrip filter was utilized for Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) applications (2.45 GHz) with -25 dB with twice transmission zeroes as a first ba...

The next generation of mobile telecommunications systems will continue to integrate higher level computing functions, thus increasing the power demand of the device by virtue of increasing the throughput, and increasing on-time. The development of battery technology has not kept up with needs of the industry, therefore OEMs can only maintain their competitive edge in terms of cost, size, functionality, and features, by utilizing the source power more efficiently. In this paper we describe a new concept in power amplification, called syncrodyne amplification, which uses fundamental properties of chaotic oscillators to provide high-efficiency, high gain amplification of standard communication waveforms. We show results of this system providing nearly 60-dB power gain and greater than 70% PAE for communications waveforms conforming to GSM modulation. Finally we show results from a modeled syncrodyne amplifier design operating in the 824 -850 MHz (PCS) band utilizing heterojunction bipo...

This paper describes the design and simulation results of a new concept in power amplification called Syncrodyne power amplification. Here we describe the design procedure for our Series-3 power amplifier for GSM waveforms. The foundation of this design has its basis in a subset of nonlinear behavior called chaotic dynamics. Since the groundbreaking publication by Ott, Grebogi, and Yorke [1] on control of chaotic systems, a great deal of work has been done in communication using chaos [2] [3], weak signal detection [4], and synchronization [5], among many other things. We first reported on the formulation, simulation, and experimentation of the Syncrodyne amplification technique for a 2-MHz system [6], then proposed and simulated an 800-MHz design using a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) [7]. Since then, we’ve developed a method to apply this technique for the power amplification of GSM waveforms. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the Syncrodyne Power Amplifier. The general c...