A Compact Broadband Power Combiner for High-Power, Continuous-Wave Applications.

A compact broadband combiner with a high power capacity and a low insertion loss, which is especially useful for solid-state power sources where multi-way power synthesis is needed, was designed and experimentally investigated. The combiner could combine the microwave signals of sixteen terminals into a single one and was based on a radial-line waveguide whose circumferential symmetry benefited the amplitude and phase consistency of the combiner. Simulation and experimental results showed that the prototype device, designed for S-band applications, exhibited a reflection coefficient S1,1 < -20 dB in the range of 2.06-2.93 GHz, which corresponds to a relative bandwidth of approximately 34.6%. At 2.45 GHz, the phase imbalance was ±4.5° and the 16-way transmission coefficient was concentrated around -12.0~-12.3 dB. The insertion loss of the device at ambient and elevated temperatures was simulated and experimentally verified, which is of importance for the design of similar high-power microwave combiners. High-power tests proved that even without enforced wind or liquid cooling, the device can handle continuous power (CW) of at least 3.9 kW, which can be much enhanced by taking regular cooling measures. The combined features of the designed combiner suggest promising applications for power synthesis in high-power, solid-state RF sources.

Broadband Continuous Transverse Stub (CTS) Array Antenna for High-Power Applications.

A continuous transverse stub (CTS) array antenna with broad bandwidth and high-power handling capacity is proposed in this paper. The technologies of multi-step impedance matching and T-shaped electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) loading are utilized, which improved the antenna operating frequency bandwidth. An H-plane lens horn is used to feed the CTS array. As a result, a good bandwidth capability of more than 32% is achieved, with a gain variation less than 3.0 dB. The measured sidelobe level (SLL) is below -18 dB in the entire frequency range. Moreover, the power handling capacity of the antenna is more than 80 MW and can reach the GW level after arraying, which indicates that this antenna has application potential in the high-power microwave (HPM) field.

Efficacy and safety of massage therapy for autism spectrum disorders: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing incidence. At present, the global incidence of the disease is on the rise, and the cause is unknown. There is no specific treatment for this disease at present, mainly education and training. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment has a certain effect on the improvement of the symptoms of the disease. The treatment methods are mainly oral Chinese medicine and acupuncture, but children are often not easy to cooperate. As a safe and effective green therapy, massage is easy to be accepted by children. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy in treating autism spectrum disorders: Wanfang and PubMed Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Excerpta Medica database. Each database will be searched from inception to March 2021. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and meta-analyses. RESULTS: This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with autism spectrum disorders. The outcomes will include changes in autism spectrum disorder relief and adverse effect. CONCLUSION: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with autism spectrum disorders. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis have been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process.

Effects of massage therapy for patients with thoracic facet joint disorders: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic facet joint disorder is a common thoracic disorder in clinic, inducing pain and discomfort at the dislocated thoracic vertebrae, radiating to pain of the neck and back. The incidence of thoracic facet joint disorder is higher than the facet disorder of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae. Therefore, an ideal strategy to relieve thoracic facet joint disorder is urgently needed. In recent years, massage therapy has been increasingly accepted by thoracic facet joint disorder patients due to its lower costs, fewer unwanted side effects and safety for clinical use. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with thoracic facet joint disorder. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy in treating thoracic facet joint disorder: Wanfang and PubMed Database, CNKI, CENTRAL, CINAHL and EMBASE. Each database will be searched from inception to October 2020. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and meta-analyses. RESULTS: This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness of massage therapy for patients with thoracic facet joint disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with thoracic facet joint disorder. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/XMEJD.

Effects and safety of massage therapy for patients with metatarsal pain: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metatarsalgia refers to localized or generalized forefoot pain in the region of the metatarsal heads. Often this pain is plantar, beneath the metatarsal heads, and arises from either mechanical or iatrogenic causes. The treatment of metatarsalgia remains controversial. A thorough understanding of the biomechanics of the forefoot and the underlying pathology of the particular type of metatarsalgia affecting the patient is a prerequisite to selecting the proper treatment. In recent years, massage therapy has been increasingly accepted by patients due to its lower costs, fewer unwanted side effects, and safety for clinical use. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with metatarsal pain. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy in treating metatarsal pain: Wanfang and PubMed Database, CNKI, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and EMBASE. Each database will be searched from inception to October 2020. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and meta-analyses. RESULTS: This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with metatarsal pain. The outcomes will include changes in metatarsal pain relief and adverse effect. CONCLUSIONS: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with metatarsalgia. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/C6KFJ.

Efficacy and safety of massage therapy for chronic atrophic gastritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is an established precursor of gastric carcinoma with high prevalence worldwide. It is a typical complex gastro-intestinal disease with multiple influence factors, of which exact mechanisms remain unelucidated. Therefore, an ideal strategy to relieve CAG is urgently needed. In recent years, massage therapy has been increasingly accepted by CAG patients due to its lower costs, fewer unwanted side effects and safety for clinical use. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy in treating chronic atrophic gastritis: Wanfang and Pubmed Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Cochrane Central register of controlled trials, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Excerpta Medica database. Each database will be searched from inception to September 2020. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and meta-analyses. RESULT: This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. The outcomes will include changes in CAG relief and adverse effect. CONCLUSION: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with chronic atrophic gastritis. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process.

Efficacy of massage therapy for postprandial distress syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), characterized by the presence of prevalently meal-related early satiation and fullness, is a highly prevalent condition with major socioeconomic and healthcare impact. To date, there is a lack of pharmacological treatment proven value for PDS. Therefore, an ideal strategy to relieve PDS is urgently needed. In recent years, massage therapy has been increasingly accepted by PDS patients due to its lower costs, fewer unwanted side effects and safety for clinical use. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with postprandial distress syndrome. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy in treating postprandial distress syndrome: Wanfang and Pubmed Database, CNKI, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and EMBASE. Each database will be searched from inception to October 2020. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, and meta-analyses. RESULTS: This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with postprandial distress syndrome. The outcomes will include changes in PDS relief and adverse effect. CONCLUSIONS: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with postprandial distress syndrome. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/9WRX8.

Pediatric massage therapy for restoring pediatric lung function from COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused an international outbreak of a respiratory illness and grown to be a global public health emergency since patients were first detected in Wuhan, China. Given the rapidly growing pandemic and the overwhelmed medical system, there is an urgent need of alternative medicine to help children relieve symptoms during self-quarantine, and possibly to help increase their chances of survival and recovery from COVID-19. By using various manual techniques at specified locations on the surface of the body, pediatric massage manipulation can unblock meridians, promote the circulation of qi and blood and strengthen resistance to pathogens. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases: Wanfang and Pubmed Database, CNKI, CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE and MEDLINE. Each database will be searched from inception to June 2020. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and meta-analyses. RESULTS: This systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence of pediatric massage therapy for restoring pediatric lung function from COVID-19. The outcomes will include the improvement of pulmonary function and adverse effect. CONCLUSION: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence and explore the potential role of pediatric massage therapy on the effectiveness and safety in pulmonary function of COVID-19 convalescent children. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020193396.

Tuina (massage) therapy for diarrhea in COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In the beginning of December 2019, the novel coronavirus pneumonia was first detected in Wuhan, China. Its widespread infectivity and strong pathogenicity has posed a great threat to public health, seriously affecting social production and life. Accumulating evidence suggests that gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, are common among patients with COVID-19. Tuina (massage) therapy is 1 of the widely employed complementary and alternative medicine interventions in the world. It can act on the subcutaneous muscular layer, enhance the local blood circulation and tissue metabolism of the skin, thus exert its effects on digestive systems and alleviate aversive diarrhea symptoms. This systematic review and meta-analysis will summarize the current evidence of tuina (massage) used as an intervention for diarrhea symptoms in COVID-19. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy in treating exercise-induced fatigue: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and Pubmed Database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica database and MEDLINE. Each database will be searched from inception to June 2020. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and meta-analyses. RESULTS: This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for diarrhea symptoms in COVID-19 patients. The outcomes will include the improvement of diarrhea symptoms and adverse effect. CONCLUSIONS: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for diarrhea symptoms in COVID-19 patients.Dissemination and ethics: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process.

Clinical massage therapy for patients with exercise-induced fatigue: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced fatigue (EF) has been a major area of interest within the field of sports and clinical medicine. Implemented on people's skin, muscles, and joints as an important part of complementary and alternative medicine , massage therapy has a positive effect on the recovery of EF and sports injuries. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with EF. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy in treating EF: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang and PubMed Database, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica database, and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online. Each database will be searched from inception to May 2020. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and meta-analyses. RESULTS: This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with EF. The outcomes will include change in fatigue relief and adverse effect. CONCLUSIONS: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of massage therapy for patients with EF. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process.