Long distance calls: Negligible information loss of little auk social vocalisations due to high frequency propagation losses.

How well does the information contained in vocal signals travel through the environment? To assess the efficiency of information transfer in little auk (Alle alle, an Arctic seabird) calls over distance, we selected two of the social call types with the highest potential for individuality coding. Using available recordings of known individuals, we calculated the apparent source levels, with apparent maximum peak sound pressure level (ASPL) of 63 dB re 20 μPa at 1 m for both call types. Further, we created a sound attenuation model using meteorological data collected in the vicinity of the little auk colony in Hornsund, Spitsbergen.

Contactless radar-based heart rate estimation in palliative care - a feasibility study and possible use in symptom management.

Background: Heart rate (HR) monitoring is a medical standard to provide information about a patient's health status. In palliative care, relationship and social engagement are crucial therapeutic concepts. For fear of disrupting communication, social contact, and care, continuous HR monitoring is underutilised despite its potential to inform on symptom burden and therapeutic effects.

Investigation of the molecular switching process between spin crossover states of triazole complexes as basis for optical sensing applications.

With the advent of the first laser sources and suitable detectors, optical sensor applications immediately also came into focus. During the last decades, a huge variety of optical sensor concepts were developed, yet the forecast for the future application potential appears even larger. In this context, the development of new sensor probes at different scales down to the atomic or molecular level open new avenues for research and development.

A Time-of-Flight and Radar Dataset of a neonatal Thorax Simulator with synchronized Reference Sensor Signals for respiratory Rate Detection.

In this paper we present an open-source Time-of-Flight and radar dataset of a neonatal thorax simulator for the development of respiratory rate detection algorithms. As it is very difficult to gain recordings of (preterm) neonates and there is hardly any open-source data available, we built our own neonatal thorax simulator which simulates the movement of the thorax due to respiration. We recorded Time-of-Flight (ToF) and radar data at different respiratory rates in a range of 5 to 80 breaths per minute (BPM) and with varying upstroke heights.

Non-Invasive Determination of the Mass Flow Rate for Particulate Solids Using Microwaves.

This paper presents a novel technique for the mass flow rate determination of particulate solids called the "Sliding Mass Technique". The mass flow rate is a measure of the mass of a substance that passes through a given cross-sectional area per unit time. Its calculation requires simultaneous detection of the concentration and velocity of the Material Under Test.

Mobile-BAT-A Novel Ultra-Low Power Wildlife Tracking System.

We introduce a novel ultra-low power system for tracking animal movements over long periods with an unprecedented high-temporal-resolution. The localization principle is based on the detection of cellular base stations using a miniaturized software-defined radio, weighing 2.0 g, including the battery, and having a size equivalent to two stacked 1-euro cent coins.

Piezoresistive Free-standing Microfiber Strain Sensor for High-resolution Battery Thickness Monitoring.

Highly sensitive microfiber strain sensors are promising for the detection of mechanical deformations in applications where limited space is available. In particular for in situ battery thickness monitoring where high resolution and low detection limit are key requirements. Herein, the realization of a highly sensitive strain sensor for in situ lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery thickness monitoring is presented.

Automated Non-Contact Respiratory Rate Monitoring of Neonates Based on Synchronous Evaluation of a 3D Time-of-Flight Camera and a Microwave Interferometric Radar Sensor.

This paper introduces an automatic non-contact monitoring method based on the synchronous evaluation of a 3D time-of-flight (ToF) camera and a microwave interferometric radar sensor for measuring the respiratory rate of neonates. The current monitoring on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has several issues which can cause pressure marks, skin irritations and eczema. To minimize these risks, a non-contact system made up of a 3D time-of-flight camera and a microwave interferometric radar sensor is presented.

Effects of Movement for High Time-Bandwidths in Batched Pulse Compression Range-Doppler Radar.

Radar detection and track building performance is an essential part of a radar system. A high realized coherent integration gain often contributes to an improved performance. This is essential to the successful detection and tracking of weak moving targets.

Miniaturized Hybrid Frequency Reader for Contactless Measurement Scenarios Using Resonant Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors.

Due to higher automation and predictive maintenance, it becomes more and more important to acquire as many data as possible during industrial processes. However, many scenarios require remote sensing since either moving parts would result in wear and tear of cables or harsh environments prevent a wired connection. In the last few years, resonant surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors have promised the possibility to be interrogable wirelessly which showed very good results in first studies.

Contactless analysis of heart rate variability during cold pressor test using radar interferometry and bidirectional LSTM networks.

Contactless measurement of heart rate variability (HRV), which reflects changes of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and provides crucial information on the health status of a person, would provide great benefits for both patients and doctors during prevention and aftercare. However, gold standard devices to record the HRV, such as the electrocardiograph, have the common disadvantage that they need permanent skin contact with the patient. Being connected to a monitoring device by cable reduces the mobility, comfort, and compliance by patients.

Continuous In-Bed Monitoring of Vital Signs Using a Multi Radar Setup for Freely Moving Patients.

In hospitals, continuous monitoring of vital parameters can provide valuable information about the course of a patient's illness and allows early warning of emergencies. To enable such monitoring without restricting the patient's freedom of movement and comfort, a radar system is attached under the mattress which consists of four individual radar modules to cover the entire width of the bed. Using radar, heartbeat and respiration can be measured without contact and through clothing.

A dataset of clinically recorded radar vital signs with synchronised reference sensor signals.

Using Radar it is possible to measure vital signs through clothing or a mattress from the distance. This allows for a very comfortable way of continuous monitoring in hospitals or home environments. The dataset presented in this article consists of 24 h of synchronised data from a radar and a reference device.

MR compatibility aspects of a silicon photomultiplier-based PET/RF insert with integrated digitisation.

The combination of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) into a single device is being considered a promising tool for molecular imaging as it combines the high sensitivity of PET with the functional and anatomical images of MRI. For highest performance, a scalable, MR compatible detector architecture with a small form factor is needed, targeting at excellent PET signal-to-noise ratios and time-of-flight information. Therefore it is desirable to use silicon photo multipliers and to digitize their signals directly in the detector modules inside the MRI bore.

Impact of the contact metallization on the performance of photoconductive THz antennas.

Both AuGe based alloys and Ti/Au metal layer stacks are widely used as ohmic metal contacts for photoconductive THz antennas made of low temperature grown GaAs. Here, we present the first systematic comparison between these two metallization types. A series of antennas of both kinds is excited by femtosecond laser pulses and by the emission from two diode lasers, i.