bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All‐in‐one Xylella detection and identification: A nanopore sequencing‐compatible conventional PCR
Authors: Wong‐Bajracharya Johanna , Webster John , Rigano Luciano A. , Kant Pragya , Englezou Anna , Snijders Fridtjof , Roach Rebecca , Wang Cuiping , Kehoe Monica , Mann Rachel , Constable Fiona E. , Chapman Toni A.
Published: March 2024

Xylella fastidiosa is a plant‐pathogenic bacterium that poses a serious threat to the production of economically important plant species including grapes, almonds, olives and a broad range of amenity plants, causing significant economic losses worldwide. While multiple molecular detection assays have been developed for X. fastidiosa, there is a lack of molecular tools available for detection and differentiation of the closely related pear pathogen, Xylella taiwanensis. In this study, we present a novel conventional PCR assay with primers that can amplify both Xylella species. The amplified product could be sequenced and used for discrimination between the two species and the subspecies within the fastidiosa species. This PCR assay was designed using a genome‐informed approach to target the ComEC/Rec2 gene of both Xylella species, ensuring a higher specificity than other previously developed PCR assays. A test performance study across five national plant diagnostic laboratories in Australia and New Zealand demonstrated this assay's high sensitivity and specificity to all known species and subspecies within the Xylella genus. This PCR assay can be used for Xylella identification at the species and subspecies level and is compatible with Sanger sequencing and nanopore sequencing for rapid turnaround time. The newly developed conventional PCR assay presented here offers rapid detection and accurate identification of both Xylella species from plant, insect vector or bacterial samples, enabling timely implementation of biosecurity measures or disease management responses.
Landscape‐scale patterns and predictors of potato viruses in Scotland
Authors: Skelsey Peter
Published: March 2024

Virus diseases represent important economic threats to seed potato production worldwide, yet relatively little is known of their epidemiology at the landscape‐scale. In this study, data was compiled from the Scottish national seed potato classification scheme on the incidence of 10 different potato viruses for the years 2009–2022. A co‐occurrence analysis identified that 12 virus species pairs occurred together more often than expected by chance, and potato blackleg was positively associated with eight potato viruses. ArcGIS was used to investigate spatial and spatiotemporal variation in incidence rates of the three most prevalent viruses (potato virus Y, potato leaf roll virus and potato virus A), and this revealed prominent geographic differences in long‐term disease outcomes. Focusing on potato virus Y as the most commonly occurring single infection, interpretable machine‐learning techniques were used to investigate the influence of key crop, management and environmental factors on patterns of incidence in space and time. The results showed that health characteristics of seed stocks were among the most important predictors of incidence, along with blackleg infection, several management features, cultivar resistance, distance to the nearest seed and ware crop, temperature variables and several soil features. This approach provides a comprehensive overview of potato viruses in Scotland, a deeper understanding of epidemiological risk factors at the landscape‐scale and a forecast model that could serve as the basis of a decision support tool for improved management of potato virus Y.
Multi‐omics analysis reveals the biosynthesis of flavonoids during the browning process of Malus sieversii explants
Authors: Yang Chen , Sun Nan , Qin Xin , Liu Yangbo , Sui Mengyi , Zhang Yawen , Hu Yanli , Mao Zhiquan , Chen Xuesen , Mao Yunfei , Shen Xiang
Published: March 2024

Malus sieversii is a precious apple germplasm resource. Browning of explants is one of the most important factors limiting the survival rate of plant tissue culture. In order to explore the molecular mechanism of the browning degree of different strains of Malus sieversii, we compared the dynamic changes of Malus sieversii and Malus robusta Rehd. during the whole browning process using a multi‐group method. A total of 44 048 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by transcriptome analysis on the DNBSEQ‐T7 sequencing platform. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs were significantly enriched in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. In addition, metabonomic analysis showed that (−)‐epicatechin, astragalin, chrysin, irigenin, isoquercitrin, naringenin, neobavaisoflavone and prunin exhibited different degrees of free radical scavenging ability in the tissue culture browning process, and their accumulation in different varieties led to differences in the browning degree among varieties. Comprehensive transcriptome and metabonomics analysis of the data related to flavonoid biosynthesis showed that PAL, 4CL, F3H, CYP73A, CHS, CHI, ANS, DFR and PGT1 were the key genes for flavonoid accumulation during browning. In addition, WGCNA analysis revealed a strong correlation between the known flavonoid structure genes and the selected transcriptional genes. Protein interaction predictions demonstrated that 19 transcription factors (7 MYBs and 12 bHLHs) and 8 flavonoid structural genes had targeted relationships. The results show that the interspecific differential expression of flavonoid genes is the key influencing factor of the difference in browning degree between Malus sieversii and Malus robusta Rehd., providing a theoretical basis for further study on the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis.
Minimal power required to ascend a flight of stairs versus actual power measured with body‐fixed sensors in adults aged 19–85 years
Authors: Meulemans Lien , Seghers Jan , Hoorelbeke Annabel , Van Dijck Tinne , Delecluse Christophe , Van Roie Evelien
Published: March 2024

A good stair‐climbing (SC) ability is crucial for independent living in older adults. A simple formula that estimates the mean power needed to ascend a flight of stairs in a predetermined time (i.e., total ascent duration) is easy to implement in practice, but lacks information on actual power values generated per step. The latter is possible with body‐fixed sensors. This study aimed at comparing both methodologies and investigating their sensitivity to detect age‐related differences. 318 participants (162 ♀; age 19–85 years) were tested on a 6‐step staircase and two methodologies were used to estimate mean SC power: (1) a body‐fixed sensor with automated detection of power production per step, and (2) a mathematic equation based on timed ascent duration, body mass and stair height. SC power was 210.4 W lower with formula compared to sensor, lower in women versus men and in older versus young adults (p < 0.001). The difference in SC power between sensor and formula was greater in individuals with better performance (i.e., men and young adults) (p < 0.001), indicating a ceiling effect of the formula in well‐functioning and younger individuals. Likewise, ICC's between both methodologies showed poor reliability in people aged <65 years (0.087–0.363) and moderate to good reliability in people aged ≥65 years (0.453–0.780). To conclude, participants with better SC performance are able to largely overshoot the minimal power required to ascend the stairs in a certain duration. This makes the sensor more sensitive to identify early age‐related differences compared to the formula.
Are the ground reaction forces altered by the curve and with the increasing sprinting velocity?
Authors: Millot Benjamin , Pradon Didier , Cecchelli Giuseppe , Blache Paul , Arnould Axelle , Dinu Daniel , Slawinski Jean
Published: March 2024

In 200‐ and 400‐m races, 58% of the total distance to cover is in the curve. In the curve, the sprinting performance is decreased in comparison to the straight. However, the reasons for this decreased performance is not well understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the kinetic parameters underpinning the sprinting performance in the curve in comparison to the straight. Nineteen experienced‐to‐elite curve specialists performed five sprints in the straight and in the curve (radius 41.58 m): 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40 m. The left and the right vertical, anterior–posterior, medial‐lateral, and resultant ground reaction forces (respectively , , , and ), the associated impulses (respectively , , , and ) and the stance times of each side were averaged over each distance. In the curve, the time to cover the 40‐m sprint was longer than in the straight (5.52 ± 0.25 vs. 5.47 ± 0.23 s, respectively). Additionally, the left and the right and were lower than in the straight while the left and the right increased, meaning that the was more medial. The left was also lower than in the straight while the left stance times increased to keep the left similar to the straight to maintain the subsequent swing time. Overall, the sprinting performance was reduced in the curve due to a reduction in the left and the right and , that were likely attributed to the concomitant increased to adopt a curvilinear motion.
Racism in the “colony”: Towards appreciating race fluidity and racialization in social psychology of racism
Authors: Sambaraju Rahul
Published: March 2024

Race is a significant means through which individuals and groups relate to each other. A problematic instance of its significance is colonialism and all the destruction it brought with it. In this paper, I explore how knowledge about race and racism from settings that were erstwhile colonized can enrich current understandings and approaches to studying race and racism in social psychology. I advance the possibility of mutual learning and sharing of theoretical and methodological practices for researchers who examine race and racism in colonizing or settler‐colonial settings and those in erstwhile colonized settings. I do so by first, locating the centrality of Whiteness for the very development of race categories and the shaping of psychology as a discipline. Second, I discuss how race and racism are examined in (primarily) Euro‐American contexts, with a focus on engagement with Whiteness by Critical Race Psychologists and social constructionist researchers. Third, I outline alternative ways of engaging with race and race categories identified in erstwhile colonized places. I end with how this latter informs our understandings of race and racism, and possibilities for mutual learning.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DQA1*05:101 allele by next‐generation sequencing in a family
Authors: Du Zeying , Murrin Michelle E. , Patel Pritesh B. , Williams Charles D. , Elrefaei Mohamed
Published: March 2024

HLA‐DQA1*05:101 differs from HLA‐DQA1*05:01:01:02 by one nucleotide substitution at codon 221 (CGT>TGT) in exon 4.
The genomic and enzymatic basis for iridoid biosynthesis in cat thyme (Teucrium marum)
Authors: Smit Samuel J. , Ayten Sefa , Radzikowska Barbara A. , Hamilton John P. , Langer Swen , Unsworth William P. , Larson Tony R. , Buell C. Robin , Lichman Benjamin R.
Published: March 2024

Iridoids are non‐canonical monoterpenoids produced by both insects and plants. An example is the cat‐attracting and insect‐repelling volatile iridoid nepetalactone, produced by Nepeta sp. (catmint) and aphids. Recently, both nepetalactone biosynthetic pathways were elucidated, showing a remarkable convergent evolution. The iridoid, dolichodial, produced by Teucrium marum (cat thyme) and multiple insect species, has highly similar properties to nepetalactone but its biosynthetic origin remains unknown. We set out to determine the genomic, enzymatic, and evolutionary basis of iridoid biosynthesis in T. marum. First, we generated a de novo chromosome‐scale genome assembly for T. marum using Oxford Nanopore Technologies long reads and proximity‐by‐ligation Hi‐C reads. The 610.3 Mb assembly spans 15 pseudomolecules with a 32.9 Mb N50 scaffold size. This enabled identification of iridoid biosynthetic genes, whose roles were verified via activity assays. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that the evolutionary history of T. marum iridoid synthase, the iridoid scaffold‐forming enzyme, is not orthologous to typical iridoid synthases but is derived from its conserved paralog. We discovered an enzymatic route from nepetalactol to diverse iridoids through the coupled activity of an iridoid oxidase cytochrome P450 and acetyltransferases, via an inferred acylated intermediate. This work provides a genomic resource for specialized metabolite research in mints and demonstration of the role of acetylation in T. marum iridoid diversity. This work will enable future biocatalytic or biosynthetic production of potent insect repellents, as well as comparative studies into iridoid biosynthesis in insects.
The floral development of the allotetraploid Coffea arabica L. correlates with a small RNA dynamic reprogramming
Authors: Cherubino Ribeiro Thales Henrique , Baldrich Patricia , de Oliveira Raphael Ricon , Fernandes‐Brum Christiane Noronha , Mathioni Sandra Marisa , de Sousa Cardoso Thaís Cunha , de Souza Gomes Matheus , do Amaral Laurence Rodrigues , Pimenta de Oliveira Kellen Kauanne , dos Reis Gabriel Lasmar , Meyers Blake C. , Chalfun‐Junior Antonio
Published: March 2024

Noncoding and coding RNAs are key regulators of plant growth, development, and stress responses. To investigate the types of transcripts accumulated during the vegetative to reproductive transition and floral development in the Coffea arabica L., we sequenced small RNA libraries from eight developmental stages, up to anthesis. We combined these data with messenger RNA and PARE sequencing of two important development stages that marks the transition of an apparent latent to a rapid growth stage. In addition, we took advantage of multiple in silico tools to characterize genomic loci producing small RNAs such as phasiRNAs, miRNAs, and tRFs. Our differential and co‐expression analysis showed that some types of small RNAs such as tRNAs, snoRNAs, snRNAs, and phasiRNAs preferentially accumulate in a stage‐specific manner. Members of the miR482/miR2118 superfamily and their 21‐nucleotide phasiRNAs originating from resistance genes show a robust co‐expression pattern that is maintained across all the evaluated developmental stages. Finally, the majority of miRNAs accumulate in a family stage‐specific manner, related to modulated hormonal responses and transcription factor expression.
A case of transfusion‐transmission Anaplasma phagocytophilum from leukoreduced red blood cells
Authors: Tonnetti Laura , Marcos Luis A. , Mamone Linda , Spitzer Eric D. , Jacob Matthew , Townsend Rebecca L. , Stramer Susan L. , West Fay B.
Published: March 2024

Background

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick‐borne bacterium and the cause of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Here, we report a case of transfusion‐transmitted (TT)‐HGA involving a leukoreduced (LR) red blood cell (RBC) unit.

Case Report

A 64‐year‐old woman with gastric adenocarcinoma and multiple myeloma who received weekly blood transfusions developed persistent fevers, hypotension, and shortness of breath 1 week after receiving an RBC transfusion. Persistent fevers, new thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis suggested a tick‐borne infection.

Results

The absence of blood parasites on thick and thin blood smears suggested that malaria and Babesia infection were not present, and the recipient tested negative for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Blood testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species identified A. phagocytophilum. Treatment with doxycycline resolved the infection; however, the recipient expired due to complications of her known malignancies. The recipient lived in a nursing home and did not have pets or spend time outdoors. The donor was a female in her 70s from Maine who was diagnosed with HGA 3 weeks after donating blood and whose LR‐RBCs from the donation were transfused to the recipient 9 days following collection.

Conclusion

This is a confirmed case of TT‐HGA. Although rare, TT‐HGA has been reported with LR‐RBCs and platelets. In endemic areas, testing for tick‐borne associated infections should be considered when investigating post‐transfusion complications.
Ethical considerations in the use of RhD‐positive blood products in trauma
Authors: Malone Jay R.
Published: March 2024

Background

Prehospital and early in‐hospital use of low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) for life‐threatening bleeding has been independently associated with improved survival compared to component therapy. However, when RhD‐positive blood products are administered to RhD‐negative females of childbearing potential (FCP), there is a small future risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). This raises important ethical questions that must be explored in order to justify the use of RhD‐positive blood products, including LTOWB, both in clinical practice and research.

Methods

This essay explores the ethical challenges related to RhD‐positive blood product administration to RhD‐negative or RhD‐unknown FCPs as a first‐line resuscitation fluid in the trauma setting. These ethical issues include: issues related to decision‐making, ethical analysis based on the doctrine of double effect (DDE), and attendant obligations incurred by hospitals that administer RhD‐positive blood to FCPs.

Results

Ethical analysis through the use of the DDE demonstrates that utilization of RhD‐positive blood products, including LTOWB, in the early resuscitation of FCPs is an ethically appropriate approach. By accepting the risk of HDFN, hospitals generate obligations to promote blood donation, evaluate for alloimmunization and counsel patients on the future risk of HDFN, and maintain an understanding of the ethical rationale for RhD‐positive blood transfusion.
Describing nurses' communication about evidence‐based practice change: A social network analysis of hospital nurses
Authors: Arsenault Knudsen Élise N. , Mundt Marlon P. , Steege Linsey M.
Published: March 2024

Background

Nurses play a critical role in providing evidence‐based, high‐quality care to optimize patient outcomes. Models from implementation science suggest social networks may influence the adoption of evidence‐based practices (EBPs). However, few studies have examined this relationship among hospital nurses. Social network analysis (SNA) mathematically evaluates patterns of communication, a critical step in implementation. Exploring hospital nurses' communication networks may provide insight into influences on the adoption of EBPs.

Aims

This study aimed to describe complete communication networks of hospital nurses for practice changes on inpatient units, including upper level nursing administrators.

Methods

This descriptive, exploratory, cross‐sectional study used SNA on two inpatient units from one hospital. A sociometric survey was completed by nurses (unit to executive level) regarding communication frequency about practice changes. Network‐level density, diameter, average path length, centralization, and arc reciprocity were measured. Attribute data were used to explore subnetworks.

Results

Surveys from 148 nurses on two inpatient adult intensive care units (response rates 90% and 98%) revealed high communication frequency. Network measures were similar across the two units and among subnetworks. Analysis identified central (charge nurses and nurse leaders) and peripheral members of the network (new‐to‐practice nurses). Subnetworks aligned with the weekend and shift worked.

Linking Evidence to Action

Established communication channels, including subnetworks and opinion leaders, should be used to maximize and optimize implementation strategies and facilitate the uptake of EBPs. Future work should employ SNA to measure the impact of communication networks on promoting the uptake of EBP and to improve patient outcomes.
The use of mHealth apps to improve hospital nurses' mental health and well‐being: A systematic review
Authors: Moore Cynthia , Kelly Stephanie , Melnyk Bernadette Mazurek
Published: March 2024

Background

Nursing well‐being has become a heightened focus since the COVID‐19 pandemic. Nurses are leaving the profession early in their careers or retiring sooner than expected. Those who remain in the workforce report higher levels of burnout, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion. There is concern that there may be a shortage of at least half a million nurses by 2030.

Aims

This systematic review aimed to investigate the evidence of using a mental health promotion mHealth app to improve the mental health of hospital nurses.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE with Full Text, Professional Development Collection, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Sociological Collection, PsycInfo, Embase, and PubMed with search dates of January 2012–November 15, 2022. The mHealth intervention needed to be asynchronously delivered through a smartphone with hospital nurse participants to be included in this review.

Results

Of the 157 articles screened for this review, six were included. Primary outcome variables were anxiety, burnout, coping, depression, self‐efficacy, stress, well‐being, and work engagement. Intervention types included mindfulness‐based interventions (MBIs), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), stress inoculation therapy (SIT), psychoeducation, and stress management. Anxiety, depression, well‐being, and burnout improved with MBIs; depression improved with CBT; and anxiety and active coping improved with SIT.

Linking evidence to action

This review demonstrated promising findings in using mHealth apps to improve the mental health of hospital nurses. However, more randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes may reveal which type of mHealth app and how much exposure to the intervention is more effective in improving specific mental health symptoms. Longitudinal follow‐up is also recommended to study sustainability of the mental health improvements.
Rigidity and vanishing theorems for submanifolds with free boundary in the unit ball
Authors: Zhao Entao , Cao Shunjuan
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we investigate the rigidity and vanishing properties of compact submanifolds with free boundary of arbitrary codimension in the unit ball. We first show that a minimal submanifold with free boundary in the unit ball satisfying a pointwise or integral curvature pinching condition on the second fundamental form is a flat equatorial disk. Then we prove a vanishing theorem for cohomology groups for submanifolds with free boundary in the unit ball under an integral curvature pinching condition on the trace‐free second fundamental form.
Bilinear sums with GL(2)$GL(2)$ coefficients and the exponent of distribution of d3$d_3$
Authors: Sharma Prahlad
Published: March 2024

We obtain the exponent of distribution for the ternary divisor function to square‐free and prime power moduli, improving the previous results of Fouvry–Kowalski–Michel, Heath‐Brown and Friedlander–Iwaniec. The key input is certain estimates on bilinear sums with coefficients obtained using the delta symbol approach.
Logarithmic bounds on Fujita's conjecture
Authors: Ghidelli Luca , Lacini Justin
Published: March 2024

Let be a smooth complex projective variety of dimension . We prove bounds on Fujita's basepoint freeness conjecture that grow as , where is the logarithm with natural base.
Adaptive gait responses to varying weight‐bearing conditions: Inferences from gait dynamics and H‐reflex magnitude
Authors: Kim Yong Kuk , Gwerder Michelle , Taylor William R. , Baur Heiner , Singh Navrag B.
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the effects of varying loading conditions on excitability in neural pathways and gait dynamics. We focussed on evaluating the magnitude of the Hoffman reflex (H‐reflex), a neurophysiological measure representing the capability to activate motor neurons and the timing and placement of the foot during walking. We hypothesized that weight manipulation would alter H‐reflex magnitude, footfall and lower body kinematics. Twenty healthy participants were recruited and subjected to various weight‐loading conditions. The H‐reflex, evoked by stimulating the tibial nerve, was assessed from the dominant leg during walking. Gait was evaluated under five conditions: body weight, 20% and 40% additional body weight, and 20% and 40% reduced body weight (via a harness). Participants walked barefoot on a treadmill under each condition, and the timing of electrical stimulation was set during the stance phase shortly after the heel strike. Results show that different weight‐loading conditions significantly impact the timing and placement of the foot and gait stability. Weight reduction led to a 25% decrease in double limb support time and an 11% narrowing of step width, while weight addition resulted in an increase of 9% in step width compared to body weight condition. Furthermore, swing time variability was higher for both the extreme weight conditions, while the H‐reflex reduced to about 45% between the extreme conditions. Finally, the H‐reflex showed significant main effects on variability of both stance and swing phases, indicating that muscle‐motor excitability might serve as feedback for enhanced regulation of gait dynamics under challenging conditions.
Cyclic nucleotide‐induced bidirectional long‐term synaptic plasticity in Drosophila mushroom body
Authors: Yamada Daichi , Davidson Andrew M. , Hige Toshihide
Published: March 2024

Activation of the cAMP pathway is one of the common mechanisms underlying long‐term potentiation (LTP). In the Drosophila mushroom body, simultaneous activation of odour‐coding Kenyon cells (KCs) and reinforcement‐coding dopaminergic neurons activates adenylyl cyclase in KC presynaptic terminals, which is believed to trigger synaptic plasticity underlying olfactory associative learning. However, learning induces long‐term depression (LTD) at these synapses, contradicting the universal role of cAMP as a facilitator of transmission. Here, we developed a system to electrophysiologically monitor both short‐term and long‐term synaptic plasticity at KC output synapses and demonstrated that they are indeed an exception in which activation of the cAMP–protein kinase A pathway induces LTD. Contrary to the prevailing model, our cAMP imaging found no evidence for synergistic action of dopamine and KC activity on cAMP synthesis. Furthermore, we found that forskolin‐induced cAMP increase alone was insufficient for plasticity induction; it additionally required simultaneous KC activation to replicate the presynaptic LTD induced by pairing with dopamine. On the other hand, activation of the cGMP pathway paired with KC activation induced slowly developing LTP, proving antagonistic actions of the two second‐messenger pathways predicted by behavioural study. Finally, KC subtype‐specific interrogation of synapses revealed that different KC subtypes exhibit distinct plasticity duration even among synapses on the same postsynaptic neuron. Thus, our work not only revises the role of cAMP in synaptic plasticity by uncovering the unexpected convergence point of the cAMP pathway and neuronal activity, but also establishes the methods to address physiological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in this important model.

image

Key points

Although presynaptic cAMP increase generally facilitates synapses, olfactory associative learning in Drosophila, which depends on dopamine and cAMP signalling genes, induces long‐term depression (LTD) at the mushroom body output synapses.

By combining electrophysiology, pharmacology and optogenetics, we directly demonstrate that these synapses are an exception where activation of the cAMP–protein kinase A pathway leads to presynaptic LTD.

Dopamine‐ or forskolin‐induced cAMP increase alone is not sufficient for LTD induction; neuronal activity, which has been believed to trigger cAMP synthesis in synergy with dopamine input, is required in the downstream pathway of cAMP.

In contrast to cAMP, activation of the cGMP pathway paired with neuronal activity induces presynaptic long‐term potentiation, which explains behaviourally observed opposing actions of transmitters co‐released by dopaminergic neurons.

Our work not only revises the role of cAMP in synaptic plasticity, but also provides essential methods to address physiological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in this important model system.
Effect of Dispensing Type on Void Formation Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Azahari Muhammad Taufik , Ling Calvin , Abas Aizat , Ng Fei Chong
Published: March 2024

Underfilling in flip chip packages is a critical component of reliability. This study utilized I-type, L-type, and U-type dispensing methods to address the issue, namely, voiding that creates empty spaces, which compromises reliability. An automated solution using convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed for void detection in chip images to replace the conventional manual inspection approach. The CNN model built on MobileNetV2 attains a mean average precision of 0.533. This method calculates void percentage, adhering to Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits (IPC) standards, to determine product acceptance or rejection, offering an efficient solution for quality control in flip-chip package manufacturing.
A Kriging Surrogate Model for Ball Grid Array Electronic Packaging With Stochastic Material and Geometrical Parameters
Authors: Chu Liu , Shi Jiajia , de Cursi Eduardo Souza
Published: March 2024

Ball grid arrays (BGAs) offer significant advantages in the automotive industry, such as their small size and high integration density, making them a promising electronic packaging approach. However, the operating environment of automobiles is more complex compared to other applications, primarily due to vibrations generated by power engines and oscillations caused by pavement roughness. The resonant frequencies of electronic packaging structures play a crucial role in system reliability and safety. However, accurately describing the implicit relationship between system resonant frequencies and material and geometrical parameters can be challenging. A Kriging surrogate model (KSM) is proposed by the combination of the Latin Hypercube stochastic sampling with finite element computation. Four different BGA configurations are established with either the initial values in the deterministic model or the specified sampling interval ranges in the stochastic model. The results of the finite element model (FEM) for BGA electronic packaging are validated and demonstrate qualitative agreement with published literature. The impacts of material and geometrical parameters on the resonant frequencies are investigated and compared. The mean, maximum, minimum, and variance are recorded based on a large database of stochastic samples. The feasibility of KSM for the resonant frequency prediction of BGA is confirmed by its satisfactory accuracy and computational efficiency.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Hydraulic Characteristics and Pressurization Deterioration Mechanism of a Three-Stage Mixed-Flow Electrical Submersible Pump Under Gas-Liquid Condition
Authors: Dai Xiaoyu , Xu Qiang , Yang Chenyu , Su Xiaobin , Chang Liang , Guo Liejin
Published: March 2024

Electrical submersible pump (ESP) is extensively utilized in industrial sectors such as petroleum, chemical, and nuclear energy. However, ESPs experience pressurization deterioration due to the high gas volume fraction (GVF), resulting in the pressurization failure. In this paper, a three-stage mixed-flow ESP with closed impeller structure is detailed analysis. The interstage hydraulic characteristics and pressurization deterioration mechanism of the mixed-flow ESP are investigated at various rotational speeds and inlet conditions by combining experimental and simulation. The population balance model (PBM) and renormalization group (RNG) k − ε model are employed. As the liquid flowrate increases, the ESP experiences a “three-stage” downward trend in pressurization. It is discovered that the first booster stage has a lower inflow velocity and flow separation degree compared to the subsequent booster stages, resulting in a greater liquid-phase pressurization capacity. The gas–liquid pressurization exhibits a wave-shaped downward trend due to significant deterioration in stage-wise pressurization when the liquid flowrate is low. Once the inlet gas volume fraction (IGVF) reaches the first critical GVF, the gas aggregates on the impeller's suction surface are removed at the impeller outlet, creating an annular air mass, which creates a chaotic vortex absorbing the fluids' kinetic energy.
Parametric Solid Models of the At-Term Uterus From Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Louwagie Erin M. , Rajasekharan Divya , Feder Arielle , Fang Shuyang , Nhan-Chang Chia-Ling , Mourad Mirella , Myers Kristin M.
Published: March 2024

Birthing mechanics are poorly understood, though many injuries during childbirth are mechanical, like fetal and maternal tissue damage. Several biomechanical simulation models of parturition have been proposed to investigate birth, but many do not include the uterus. Additionally, most solid models rely on segmenting anatomical structures from clinical images to generate patient geometry, which can be time-consuming. This work presents two new parametric solid modeling methods for generating patient-specific, at-term uterine three-dimensional geometry. Building from an established method of modeling the sagittal uterine shape, this work improves the uterine coronal shape, especially where the fetal head joins the lower uterine wall. Solid models of the uterus and cervix were built from five at-term patients' magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sets. Using anatomy measurements from MRI-segmented models, two parametric models were created—one that employs an averaged coronal uterine shape and one with multiple axial measurements of the coronal uterus. Through finite element analysis, the two new parametric methods were compared to the MRI-segmented high-fidelity method and a previously published elliptical low-fidelity method. A clear improvement in the at-term uterine shape was found using the two new parametric methods, and agreement in principal Lagrange strain directions was observed across all modeling methods. These methods provide an effective and efficient way to generate three-dimensional solid models of patient-specific maternal uterine anatomy, advancing possibilities for future research in computational birthing biomechanics.
Accurate Temperature Reconstruction in Radiofrequency Ablation for Atherosclerotic Plaques Based on Inverse Heat Transfer Analysis
Authors: Shu Shuang , Yang Guoliang , Han Hengxin , Zhan Taijie , Dang Hangyu , Xu Yi
Published: March 2024

Radio frequency ablation has emerged as a widely accepted treatment for atherosclerotic plaques. However, monitoring the temperature field distribution in the blood vessel wall during this procedure presents challenges. This limitation increases the risk of endothelial cell damage and inflammatory responses, potentially leading to lumen restenosis. The aim of this study is to accurately reconstruct the transient temperature distribution by solving a stochastic heat transfer model with uncertain parameters using an inverse heat transfer algorithm and temperature measurement data. The nonlinear least squares optimization method, Levenberg-Marquardt (LM), was employed to solve the inverse heat transfer problem for parameter estimation. Then, to improve the convergence of the algorithm and reduce the computational resources, a method of parameter sensitivity analysis was proposed to select parameters mainly affecting the temperature field. Furthermore, the robustness and accuracy of the algorithm were verified by introducing random noise to the temperature measurements. Despite the high level of temperature measurement noise (ξ = 5%) and larger initial guess deviation, the parameter estimation results remained closely aligned with the actual values, with an overall ERMS consistently below 0.05. The absolute errors between the reconstruction temperature at the measurement points TC1, TC2, and TC3, and the actual temperature, remained within 0.33 °C, 2.4 °C, and 1.17 °C, respectively. The Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm employed in this study proficiently tackled the ill-posed issue of inversion process and obtained a strong consistency between the reconstructed temperature the actual temperature.
Damage Analysis and Startup Schedule Optimization of Steam Turbine Rotors With an Anisotropic Damage Coupled Viscoplastic Constitutive Model
Authors: Wang YuanLiang , Ni YongZhong , Liao YanQing , Xu Hong
Published: March 2024

The optimization of the operation scheme is of great significance for improving the flexibility of thermal power plants in energy systems dominated by renewable energy. However, thermal stress and corresponding thermomechanical fatigue damage are the main limitations. A unified viscoplastic constitutive model coupled with anisotropic damage is introduced and validated by comparing the experimental and simulated hysteresis loops and cyclic softening curves. The model is implemented into the ansys software by using the USERMAT subroutine to numerically investigate the high-temperature fatigue behavior of a 1000 MW steam turbine rotor on different startup schedules. The critical areas of the rotor are studied in terms of temperature, stress, accumulated inelastic strain, and damage. Based on the damage analysis, the hot start schedule is optimized and validated. The startup time can be significantly shortened within permitted fatigue damage. Moreover, the life expenditure under different loading-up rates is calculated and the extra startup costs can be evaluated accordingly for wider application.
Crystal growth and structural and optical characterizations of mixed-cation MA1−xCsxPbBr3 halide perovskite solid solutions
Authors: Bari Maryam , Ruan Jessy J.E. , Lin Yihan , Pells Jefferson A. , Leach Gary W. , Leznoff Daniel B. , Ye Zuo-Guang
Published: March 2024

Photovoltaic devices fabricated using mixed-cation halide perovskites have demonstrated a superior combination of high efficiency and long operating life. In this study, we synthesize a series of mixed-cation halide perovskites with the composition of MA1− xCs xPbBr3 (MA = CH3NH3), where x varies from 0 to 1. We carefully examine various polar solvents and develop a relatively facile, room temperature solution-based growth method for growing these single crystals under optimal conditions. We conduct a comprehensive investigation of the influence of the Cs+ cation on the structure and optical properties of the perovskite solid solutions. The structural characterization using X-ray diffraction confirms the successful substitution of cesium for the methylammonium (MA) cation in the MA1− xCs xPbBr3 perovskite structure, with a continuous solubility. As the Cs+ content increases, the crystal structure undergoes a gradual transformation from a cubic phase (for MAPbBr3) to an orthorhombic phase (for CsPbBr3). To study the impact of Cs substitution on their optical properties, we perform UV–Vis absorption analysis, and find no significant change in the bandgap value, which remains approximately 2.12–2.14 eV for the compositions with x up to 0.7. For x > 0.7, however, the bandgap value gradually increases to reach 2.21 eV for pure CsPbBr3. This work demonstrates a valid technique for the growth of halide perovskite solid solution crystals, which can be a versatile tool for tailoring the structure, long-term stability, and optoelectronic properties for advanced photovoltaic applications.
Components from Curcuma longa (Turmeric) Against Hepatobiliary Diseases Based on Gut–Liver Axis: Pharmacotherapeutic Properties and Potential Clinical Applications
Authors: Gao Tianhui , Wang Shuyi , Zhu Zongping , Lin Liting , Luo Yirong , Lu Meigui , Liao Wan
Published: March 2024

Turmeric is widely used worldwide, and there are many examples of its use in treating hepatobiliary diseases. The gut–liver axis is a bidirectional relationship between gut microorganisms and the liver that is closely related to the pathogenesis of hepatobiliary diseases. This review systematically summarizes the components of turmeric. It links the studies on turmeric affecting gut microorganisms to its effects on liver and biliary diseases to explain the potential mechanism of turmeric’s regulation of the gut–liver axis. Besides, ethnopharmacology, phytochemicals, and clinical adverse events associated with turmeric have been researched. Furthermore, turmeric is a safe agent with good clinical efficacy and without apparent toxicity at a certain amount. By summarizing the influence of turmeric on the liver by regulating the gut–liver axis, especially the gut microbiota, it provides a preclinical basis for using turmeric as a safe and effective therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of hepatobiliary diseases based on the gut–liver axis. However, more efforts should be made to exploit its clinical application further.
Investigating the preferential sites of Co2+ substitution in SrCoxFe12−xO19 using Mössbauer spectroscopy
Authors: Hou Hengjian , Li Zheng , Lu Zeyi , Shen Jiyu , Wu Zhongjin , Yang Jiangbo , Gao Kaiyang , Xia Yanfang
Published: March 2024

In this paper, a series of M-type hexagonal SrCoxFe[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text], 0.25, 0.5) samples have been prepared by sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the samples produced were all p63/mmc space groups of single hexagonal crystals, and the lattice parameters a, b and c did not show the expected trend with increasing x. This was related to the valence changes and lattice distortion caused by the substitution of Co[Formula: see text] at the 2a and 4f2 sites. Room temperature Mössbauer spectra studies showed that when [Formula: see text], Fe[Formula: see text] ions were not uniformly distributed, preferring the 4f1, 4f2 and 2a sites; when [Formula: see text], Co[Formula: see text] ions preferentially displaced the 2a and 4f2 sites and the presence of Fe[Formula: see text] was detected; when [Formula: see text], Co[Formula: see text] ions preferentially displaced the 4f1 and 2b sites and the percentage of Fe[Formula: see text] occupancy was reduced, with a greater occupancy ([Formula: see text] occurring at the 12k site, indicating a preference of Fe[Formula: see text] of the doped sample for this site. This work will provide an important reference for the variation of properties induced by different ion doping substitutions of the Fe sites in the hexagonal ferrite family.
Multiparameter Bifurcation Analysis of Power Systems Integrating Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic and Wind Farms Power Plants
Authors: Saidi Abdelaziz Salah , Parayangat Muneer , Rakrouki Mohamed Ali , Saad Saad M. , Naily Naser El
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we propose a novel codimension-three-parameter bifurcation analysis of equilibria and limit cycles when integrating Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) power plants with an exponential static load model. The study investigates the effect of solar photovoltaic generation margin, wind power generation margin, and loading factor on the local bifurcation of the modified IEEE nine-bus system. The proposed technique considers the real case of the West System Coordination Council (WSCC), the western states of the USA, by using specific models of RES power plants and static loads. The proposed technique helps to create a set of linearly varying parameters for critical operating points of nonlinear systems. The study explores detailed voltage stability analysis through the examination of bifurcation diagrams. The Hopf, limit-induced, and saddle-node bifurcation branches are identified, defining the parameter space’s stable and unstable operational regions. Additionally, the stability regions surrounding the equilibrium points are diligently explored, clarifying the consequences that various bifurcations may exert on these regions. The study offered in this proposed work aids in determining the best ways to monitor and improve these margins while considering system variables and load design.
A Decentralized Private Data Marketplace using Blockchain and Secure Multi-Party Computation
Authors: Bernabé-Rodríguez Julen , Garreta Albert , Lage Oscar
Published: March 2024

Big data has proven to be a very useful tool for companies and users, but companies with larger datasets have ended being more competitive than the others thanks to machine learning or artificial intelligence. Secure multi-party computation (SMPC) allows the smaller companies to jointly train arbitrary models on their private data while assuring privacy, and thus gives data owners the ability to perform what are currently known as federated learning algorithms. Besides, with a blockchain it is possible to coordinate and audit those computations in a decentralized way.

In this document, we consider a private data marketplace as a space where researchers and data owners meet to agree the use of private data for statistics or more complex model trainings. This document presents a candidate architecure for a private data marketplace by combining SMPC and a public, general-purpose blockchain. Such a marketplace is proposed as a smart contract deployed in the blockchain, while the privacy preserving computation is held by SMPC.
Distributed Computation Offloading and Power Control for UAV-Enabled Internet of Medical Things
Authors: Gao Jiakun , Xu Xiaolong , Qi Lianyong , Dou Wanchun , Xia Xiaoyu , Zhou Xiaokang
Published: March 2024

The advancement of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has led to the emergence of various health and emotion care services, e.g., health monitoring. To cater to increasing computational requirements of IoMT services, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) has emerged as an indispensable technology in smart health. Benefiting from the cost-effectiveness of deployment, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with MEC servers in Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) have emerged as a promising solution for providing smart health services in proximity to medical devices (MDs). However, the escalating number of MDs and the limited availability of communication resources of UAVs give rise to a significant increase in transmission latency. Moreover, due to the limited communication range of UAVs, the geographically-distributed MDs lead to workload imbalance of UAVs, which deteriorates the service response delay. To this end, this paper proposes a UAV-enabled Distributed computation Offloading and Power control method with Multi-Agent, named DOPMA, for NOMA-based IoMT environment. Specifically, this paper introduces computation and transmission queue models to analyze the dynamic characteristics of task execution latency and energy consumption. Moreover, a credit assignment scheme-based reward function is designed considering both system-level rewards and rewards tailored to each MD, and an improved multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm is developed to derive offloading and power control decisions independently. Extensive simulations demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms existing schemes, achieving

\(7.1\% \)

reduction in energy consumption and

\(16\% \)

decrease in average delay.
Mobile Near-infrared Sensing—A Systematic Review on Devices, Data, Modeling, and Applications
Authors: Jiang Weiwei , Goncalves Jorge , Kostakos Vassilis
Published: March 2024

Mobile near-infrared sensing is becoming an increasingly important method in many research and industrial areas. To help consolidate progress in this area, we use the PRISMA guidelines to conduct a systematic review of mobile near-infrared sensing, including (1) existing prototypes and commercial products, (2) data collection techniques, (3) machine learning methods, and (4) relevant application areas. Our work measures historical and current trends and identifies current challenges and future directions for this emerging topic.