bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flood fragility and vulnerability functions for residential buildings in the Province of Leyte, Philippines
Authors: Besarra Isaac , Opdyke Aaron , Aquino Diocel Harold , Santiago Joy , Mendoza Jerico E. , Lagmay Alfredo Mahar Francisco A.
Published: November 2024

The Philippines experiences frequent flooding, but, despite expansive tools for risk reduction, there remain gaps in understanding generalised relationships between flood events and damage to residential structures for regions outside the nation's capital. This gap has limited the ability to model flood risk and damage without robust functions to link hazards and housing vulnerability. This research draws on 394 household surveys to empirically derive a suite of flood fragility and vulnerability functions for residential structures in the Province of Leyte for light material, elevated light material and masonry structures. The results showed that masonry construction was more resilient to floods compared to light material counterparts. Elevated light material structures also exhibited lower damages at low inundations but tend to fail abruptly at flood depths greater than 3 m. By empirically deriving flood damage functions, the findings contribute to a more localised approach to quantifying housing vulnerability and risk that can be used for catastrophe and risk modelling, with applications for government agencies, the insurance industry and disaster risk researchers. This research lays the foundation for future flood risk mapping with growing significance under climate change.
The unspoken experiences of systemic supervisors of color: A modified Delphi study
Authors: Anderson Leslie A. , Notice Maxine , Armstrong Joslyn , Smith Karmen R.
Published: November 2024

Despite collective conversations about the need for more racial diversity, the field of couple/marriage and family therapy (C/MFT) continues to be occupied predominantly by White individuals. Within the C/MFT literature, several scholar–practitioners have highlighted what the lack of racial representation means for our profession and, more importantly, our clients. C/MFT scholars have also shed light on the distinctive experiences of racially minoritized students and therapists traversing a racially homogeneous discipline. However, a smaller, and often overlooked, demographic in these conversations is supervisors of color. This modified Delphi study enlisted the expert perspectives of eight supervisors of color who each have at least a decade of supervisory experience. Consensus among the panelists emphasized the unique, but often inadequate training needs for supervisors of color and the sociocultural factors that often affect the supervisory relationship. This study provides implications that are critical to fostering the professional development of systemic supervisors of color.
Melasma Management: A Comprehensive Review of Treatment Strategies Including BTX‐A
Authors: Kania Barbara , Lolis Margarita , Goldberg David
Published: November 2024

Background

Botulinum toxin A (BTX‐A) is a widely utilized protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, known for its effectiveness in treating various medical conditions involving muscle spasticity, involuntary muscle movements, and pain disorders. Beyond its therapeutic applications, BTX‐A is also commonly used in cosmetic procedures to address dynamic wrinkles, hyperhidrosis, sebum production, pore size, and overall skin texture. While the use of neurotoxins like BTX‐A for treating conditions such as UVB‐induced hyperpigmentation, specifically melasma, is an emerging area of interest, it is not yet a widely recognized treatment for this dermatologic condition. This literature review serves to provide a consolidated overview of the current therapeutic implications of BTX‐A treatment for melasma and explore its proposed mechanisms of action.

Objective

This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current evidence base for the efficacy of BTX‐A treatment on melasma.

Methods

To gain a comprehensive understanding on the current theories regarding BTX‐A treatment on melasma, a literature review was conducted on all the available information using PubMed. A combination of keywords was used to maximize the search results, including “botulinum toxin,” “melasma,” “melanogenesis,” “neurotoxin,” “cholinergic system,” “BTX‐A,” and “UV‐induced melasma.” The search was not restricted by date, allowing for the inclusion of articles offering historical context and those providing the most recent findings. Ninety‐eight articles were reviewed to provide a consolidated update on the effectiveness of botulinum toxin A in reducing the appearance of melasma and potential mechanisms of action involved in doing so.

Conclusion

Melasma is a challenging dermatologic condition due to its chronicity and various intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence its pathogenesis. While current treatment options for melasma include topical, oral, and light‐based therapies, recent studies suggest that BTX‐A may hold potential as a viable treatment modality for melasma. Despite the mechanism of action remaining unclear, it is hypothesized that BTX‐A inhibition of Ach receptors on melanocytes could play a role in the reduction of melanogenesis. BTX‐A treatment in melasma‐affected skin demonstrates statistically significant reduction in hyperpigmented lesions associated with melasma.
Hip surveillance in cerebral palsy: Review of clinical practice in a tertiary children's hospital using electronic health record linkage
Authors: Sorhage Alexandra , Stott Ngaire Susan
Published: November 2024

Background

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) can develop neuromuscular hip dysplasia (NHD) and radiographic surveillance is recommended, guided by gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) level. This study evaluated the clinical practice of hip surveillance for NHD in a children's hospital and risk factors for abnormal first and subsequent X‐rays.

Method

Health data were extracted for 159 participants with CP, 98 male, 52 GMFCS level IV or V (birth years 2008–2018) and linked to electronic radiology datasets.

Results

The median age at diagnosis of CP was 18 months (1–96 months). Thirty‐eight participants had X‐rays prior to diagnosis and 10 (6%) had no X‐ray. Seventy‐nine of 111 children classified as GMFCS levels II to V (71%) met both 2008 and 2020 Australian Hip Surveillance Guidelines (AHSG) having the first hip X‐ray by 24 months of age. Sixteen participants (11%) had abnormal first hip X‐ray (subluxation or migration percentage >30% in 14; MP 90%–100% or dislocation in 2). Univariate analyses showed NHD (MP > 30%) or dislocation at first X‐ray was associated with GMFCS IV or V (OR = 6.98 (2.12–22.94), P = 0.001); >4 months between diagnosis and first hip X‐ray (OR = 5.60 (1.52–20.59), P < 0.0009) and more common in NZ Māori children than non‐Māori children (OR = 3.71 (1.25–11.01), P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Surveillance for NHD did not follow guidelines in almost a third of children, with delays in screening associated with greater risk of NHD at first X‐ray. Inequities found for Indigenous NZ Māori children with CP require further investigation and stakeholder consultation.
Accuracy of International Guidelines in Identifying Normal Liver Histology in Chinese Patients With HBeAg‐Positive Chronic HBV Infection
Authors: Jia Yidi , Qi Xun , Yu Xueping , Dong Minhui , Wu Jingwen , Li Jing , He Jingjing , Ma Zhenxuan , Zhang Xueyun , Xie Yiran , Guo Yue , Mao Richeng , Huang Yuxian , Li Fahong , Zhu Haoxiang , Zhang Jiming
Published: November 2024

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of various international guideline criteria for identifying HBeAg‐positive chronic HBV infection patients with no significant liver disease. A total of 1108 HBeAg‐positive CHB patients were retrospectively enrolled. The guidelines assessed included those from the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) 2017, the American Association for the Study of the Liver Disease (AASLD) 2018, the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) 2015 and the Chinese Society of Hepatology (CSH) 2022. The CSH criteria demonstrated a higher proportion of patients with G0‐1 and S0‐1 (82.9%) compared to the EASL (75.9%), AASLD (75.3%) and APASL groups (58.8%). Additionally, the CSH criteria exhibited a significantly higher predictive value (AUC 0.782, 95% CI 0.754–0.809) than the EASL (AUC 0.765, 95% CI 0.737–0.793), AASLD (AUC 0.749, 95% CI 0.720–0.778) and APASL (AUC 0.720, 95% CI 0.690–0.750) criteria for identifying G0‐1 and S0‐1. Adding quantitative HBsAg levels (> 104 IU/mL) to the EASL, AASLD and APASL criteria improved diagnostic performance. Consequently, the CSH guideline thresholds showed higher accuracy in identifying Chinese HBeAg‐positive patients with no significant liver disease compared to EASL, AASLD and APASL criteria, emphasising the importance of considering quantitative HBsAg in the evaluation of HBeAg‐positive chronic HBV infection.
Ameliorative projects, psychological essentialism, and the power of nouns
Authors: Koch Steffen
Published: November 2024

Ameliorative projects design and propagate new linguistic content for some expressions we use for political or social justice purposes. These projects are often driven by an anti‐essentialist agenda: they aim to debunk the idea that social categories such as “woman”, “man”, or “race” are constituted by natural essences. But critics argue that nouns tend to trigger essentialist thinking. And because ameliorative projects typically retain nouns, it is argued that these projects cannot achieve their anti‐essentialist goals. In response, I argue that the psychological effects of noun use tend to support, rather than hinder, the anti‐essentialist goals of ameliorators.
Smartphone Application Intervention on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Overweight and Obese High‐Tech Employees: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lin Mei‐Hsiang , Chen Ning‐Hung , Ho Lun‐hui , Liou Miaw‐Jene , Hsu Hsiu‐Chin
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an adjusting lifestyle intervention with a smartphone application (app) in managing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among overweight and obese high‐tech employees. A 6‐months three‐armed randomized controlled trial was employed. A total of 144 eligible participants were randomly allocated into the smartphone app ‘MyFitnessPal’ plus education (MFPE; n = 48), ‘MyFitnessPal’‐only (MFP‐only; n = 50) and the control group (n = 46) at a 1:1:1 ratio. The data were collected using related questionnaires and portable sleep monitor. Generalized estimating equation was used to analyze data. Results revealed that there was a significant interaction between time and group in BMI (Wald χ2 = 4.47, p = 0.04) in the MFPE after the 12th week of the intervention. Nevertheless, there was no significant interaction between group and time observed in apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) score after 24 weeks of intervention. The adjustment lifestyle integrated with an app may offer a simple and cost‐effective approach. The findings of this study may provide precious information for occupational healthcare providers, facilitating health promotion in the workplace for overweight employees with OSA.
Turnip mosaic virus selectively subverts a PR‐5 thaumatin‐like, plasmodesmal protein to promote viral infection
Authors: He Rongrong , Li Yinzi , Bernards Mark A. , Wang Aiming
Published: November 2024

Pathogenesis‐related (PR) proteins are induced by abiotic and biotic stresses and generally considered as part of the plant defense mechanism. However, it remains yet largely unclear if and how they are involved in virus infection. Our recent quantitative, comparative proteomic study identified three PR‐5 family proteins that are significantly differentially accumulated in the plasmodesmata (PD)‐enriched fraction isolated from Nicotiana benthamiana leaves infected by turnip mosaic virus (TuMV).

In this study, we employed the TuMV‐Arabidopsis pathosystem to characterize the involvement of two Arabidopsis orthologs, AtOSM34 and AtOLP of the three N. benthamiana PR‐5‐like proteins.

We show that AtOSM34 and AtOLP are PD‐localized proteins and their expression is up‐ and downregulated in response to TuMV infection, respectively. Deficiency or overexpression of AtOLP does not affect viral RNA accumulation. Knockdown of AtOSM34 inhibits TuMV infection, whereas its overexpression promotes viral infection. We further demonstrate that AtOSM34 functions as a proviral factor through diminishing PD callose deposition to promote viral intercellular movement, targeting the viral replication complex to enhance viral replication, and suppressing the ROS‐mediated antiviral response.

Taken together, these data suggest that TuMV has evolved the ability to selectively upregulate and subvert AtOSM34, a PR‐5 family protein to assist its infection.
Capital and income breeders among herbs: how relative biomass allocation into a storage organ relates to clonal traits, phenology and environmental gradients
Authors: Harris Timothy , Kučerová Andrea , Bitomský Martin , Bartušková Alena , Lubbe Frederick Curtis , Klimešová Jitka
Published: November 2024

Perennial herbs of seasonal climates invest carbon into belowground storage organs (e.g. rhizomes) to support growth when photosynthetic acquisition cannot cover demands. An alternative explanation interprets storage allocation as surplus carbon that is undeployable for growth when plants are limited by nutrients/water. We analysed relative investments to rhizomes to see to which of these explanations they align, and asked whether they scale with biomass of aboveground organs in individual species and whether clonal growth traits, phenology or environmental conditions explain investment among populations or species.

We measured biomass of rhizomes, aboveground stems and leaves in 20 temperate herbaceous perennial species, each at two localities, establishing allometric relationships for pairs of organs. We correlated relative rhizome investment with clonal traits, environmental gradients and phenology, across species.

For pairs of organs, biomass typically scales isometrically. Interspecific allocation differences are largely explained by phenology. Neither interspecific nor intraspecific differences were explained by clonal traits or environment.

Storage organs of perennial herbs do not comprise deposition of carbon surplus, but receive greater allocation in capital breeders (early‐flowering), than among income breeders (late‐flowering) relying on acquisition during growing season. Capital and income breeders in plants deserve further examination of benefits/costs.
The Cost of Managerial Caring: Exploring Identity Work in the Hybrid Work Context
Authors: Taskin Laurent , Terlinden Laurianne , Coster Stéphanie , Ajzen Michel
Published: November 2024

The Covid crisis and the resulting enforced teleworking have significantly shaken up the manager's role, leading to increased identity work. This article draws on a longitudinal study of managers conducted over the course of a full year during the Covid crisis, from May 2020 to June 2021, using interviews and self‐administered diaries to reveal a distinct sequence of identity work. This sequence combines a reappropriation of the humane dimension inherent to the manager's role (expectations and practices of managerial caring) and a distancing from the team and the managerial role through disembodied management (cost of caring). We discuss these results by identifying a paradox of managerial caring which, translated in terms of identity, may help understanding the contemporary withdrawal tendencies among managers.
Impact of proxymetacaine on the dynamics of cyclopentolate in White 6‐ to 7‐year‐olds
Authors: Doyle Megan , O'Dwyer Veronica , Harrington Síofra
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study compared the efficacy of cyclopentolate hydrochloride at 10‐, 20‐ and 30‐min post‐instillation in White 6‐ to 7‐year‐olds, with and without prior instillation of proxymetacaine hydrochloride. The primary aim was to determine if accurate autorefraction values can be obtained sooner than the current standard of 30‐min post‐cycloplegia. The secondary aim was to investigate whether proxymetacaine hydrochloride enhances the efficiency of cyclopentolate.

Methods

Participants were 112 White 6‐ to 7‐year‐olds from the Child Eye Health Study. The right eye received 0.5% proxymetacaine hydrochloride and 1.0% cyclopentolate hydrochloride, and the left eye received only 1.0% cyclopentolate hydrochloride. Non‐cycloplegic and cycloplegic refractive error (at 0, 10, 20 and 30 min) was measured using a binocular, open‐field autorefractometer. Data were analysed through paired t‐tests, concordance analysis, linear regression, equivalence testing and Bland–Altman analysis, using the 95% limits of agreement.

Results

Mean spherical equivalent refraction (SER) (SD) in the right eye at 0‐, 10‐, 20‐ and 30‐min post‐instillation was 0.62 (1.45) D, 1.52 (1.80) D, 1.64 (1.81) D and 1.72 (1.80) D, respectively. Mean left eye SER (SD) were 0.68 (1.24) D, 1.42 (1.66) D, 1.56 (1.66) D and 1.68 (1.72) D, respectively. Bland–Altman analysis showed a high level of agreement, and equivalence testing confirmed that there was no clinically significant difference in SER at 20 and 30 min in both eyes (within ±0.50 D), with mean differences of 0.08 (0.23) D in the right eye and 0.13 (0.30) D in the left eye (p = 0.21). However, SER at 10 and 30 min were equivalent in the right eye only.

Conclusions

Accurate autorefraction values can be obtained 20‐min post‐instillation of 1.0% cyclopentolate in white children aged 6–7 years, potentially reducing clinical testing times. Proxymetacaine pre‐instillation allows for reliable measurements as early as 10‐min post‐instillation of cyclopentolate. Further research is needed to validate these findings in non‐White populations and to determine the safe discharge time post‐proxymetacaine instillation.
Neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the influence of motivational intensity on emotion regulation choice
Authors: Yan Xinyu , Gao Wei , Yang Jiemin , Campanella Salvatore , Yuan Jiajin
Published: November 2024

Motivation is considered a crucial factor in determining emotion regulation choice (ER choice). Our previous study revealed that increased motivation led to a preference for distraction over reappraisal due to the narrowed attention, yet neural underpinnings supporting this phenomenon remain unclear. In this study, we used event‐related potentials (ERPs) to investigate whether motivation influences ER choice by early attention processing (P2) or late resource engagement (LPP). EEG activities were recorded for the pictorial contexts varying in motivational intensity and direction, while participants (N = 68) were required to decide which strategy from the two options they would use to regulate their emotions. Consistent with previous studies, the results indicated that individuals chose more distraction over reappraisal in high‐withdrawal motivated contexts while a reversed pattern was observed in low‐withdrawal motivated contexts. Moreover, high‐intensity motivated emotional contexts result in enhanced P2 and LPP. Further analysis indicates that only frontal P2 and the early LPP mediate the effect of motivational intensity on ER choice. These findings suggest that heightened motivation leads to a preference for distraction over reappraisal during emotion regulation due to the greater occupation of attentional resources.
Policy Reforms of Justice Reinvestment: Differences Between a Sample of US States' Implementations
Authors: Dollar Christopher W.
Published: November 2024

During the last two decades the United States federal government has promoted the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI), a technical assistance program to help states implement reinvestment programs. However, much of the literature does not detail what kinds of reforms have been passed in these programs. This study seeks to answer the question: do JRI states have differing legislative focuses? One state from each U.S. Census region was selected based on their year of Justice Reinvestment Initiative program implementation during the study period (January 2004 to December 2020). Results of thematic analyses indicate that great variation exists in the 35 legislative bills that implemented justice reinvestment principles between the four states. Many have prioritized sentencing reforms and supervision enhancements to achieve implementation goals. Additionally, each of the reinvestment programs were revised at least once, with initial reinvestment strategies focusing on tough‐on‐crime priorities and their revisions moving substantially toward rehabilitation. Finally, no state legally earmarked reinvestment funds for the original purpose of justice reinvestment, community development. Policymakers and researchers alike should use an abundance of caution when comparing states' justice reinvestment successes or failures, as states have unique programs policies may contain critical differences that may affect their success.
From cognitive processes to discursive practices: Taking a critical discursive psychology approach to refugee and asylum seeker integration
Authors: Parker Samuel
Published: November 2024

Much of the research in social and cultural psychology on refugee integration or acculturation has tended to adopt a socio‐cognitive approach which assumes this to be a ‘process’ with a defined outcome that can be measured as successful or not. Such approaches tend to overlook the rhetorical function of talk about integration and in this article I show how research from a critical discursive psychology perspective in relation to refugees and asylum seekers has typically focussed on media, political and lay discourses about refugees. However, more recent research has focussed on analysing the talk of refugees themselves which I will show points towards the importance of shifting how refugee integration is considered and that taking a critical discursive psychological approach suggests that, in the context of research focusing on integration, a shift from ‘processes’ to situated ‘practices’ is useful where meaning is at stake.
Characterisation of the Novel HLA‐B*40:587 Allele by Sequencing‐Based Typing
Authors: Blandin Lucie , Visentin Jonathan , Cargou Marine , Rouzaire Paul , Lemal Richard
Published: November 2024

HLA‐B*40:587 differs from HLA‐B*40:02:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 275 in exon 5.
Six New Variants of HLA‐DPA1*01:03 Identified by Next‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Marín Rubio Luis Alberto , Ontañón Jesús
Published: November 2024

Genomic sequence of HLA‐DPA1*01:03:01:81, ‐DPA1*01:03:01:89, ‐DPA1*01:03:01:90, ‐DPA1*01:03:01:91, ‐DPA1*01:03:01:93 and ‐DPA1*01:03:01:94 alleles in Spanish individuals.
Lucas congruences using modular forms
Authors: Beukers Frits , Tsai Wei‐Lun , Ye Dongxi
Published: November 2024

In this work, we prove that many Apéry‐like sequences arising from modular forms satisfy the Lucas congruences modulo any prime. As an implication, we completely affirm four conjectural Lucas congruences that were recently posed by S. Cooper and reinterpret a number of known results.
On the existence of critical compatible metrics on contact 3‐manifolds
Authors: Mitsumatsu Y. , Peralta‐Salas D. , Slobodeanu R.
Published: November 2024

We disprove the generalized Chern–Hamilton conjecture on the existence of critical compatible metrics on contact 3‐manifolds. More precisely, we show that a contact 3‐manifold admits a critical compatible metric for the Chern–Hamilton energy functional if and only if it is Sasakian or its associated Reeb flow is ‐conjugate to an algebraic Anosov flow modeled on . In particular, this yields a complete topological classification of compact 3‐manifolds that admit critical compatible metrics. As a corollary, we prove that no contact structure on admits a critical compatible metric and that critical compatible metrics can only occur when the contact structure is tight.
Equivariant algebraic concordance of strongly invertible knots
Authors: Di Prisa Alessio
Published: November 2024

By considering a particular type of invariant Seifert surfaces we define a homomorphism from the (topological) equivariant concordance group of directed strongly invertible knots to a new equivariant algebraic concordance group . We prove that lifts both Miller and Powell's equivariant algebraic concordance homomorphism (J. Lond. Math. Soc. (2023), no. 107, 2025‐2053) and Alfieri and Boyle's equivariant signature (Michigan Math. J. 1 (2023), no. 1, 1–17). Moreover, we provide a partial result on the isomorphism type of and obtain a new obstruction to equivariant sliceness, which can be viewed as an equivariant Fox–Milnor condition. We define new equivariant signatures and using these we obtain novel lower bounds on the equivariant slice genus. Finally, we show that can obstruct equivariant sliceness for knots with Alexander polynomial one.
The Use of Slack Variables in the Adjoint Method Handling Inequality Constraints in Optimal Control and the Application to Tumor Drug Dosage
Authors: Eichmeir Philipp , Nachbagauer Karin , Steiner Wolfgang
Published: November 2024

In this article, a modified gradient approach, based on the adjoint method, is introduced, to deal with optimal control problems involving inequality constraints. A common way to incorporate inequality constraints in the adjoint approach is to introduce additional penalty terms in the cost functional. However, this may distort the optimal control due to weighting factors required for these terms and raise serious concerns about the magnitude of the weighting factors. The method in this article avoids penalty functions and can be used for the iterative computation of optimal controls. In order to demonstrate the key idea, first, a static optimization problem in the Euclidean space is considered. Second, the presented approach is applied to the tumor anti-angiogenesis optimal control problem in medicine, which addresses an innovative cancer treatment approach that aims to inhibit the formation of the tumor blood supply. The tumor anti-angiogenesis optimal control problem with free final time involves inequality and final constraints for control and state variables and is solved by a modified adjoint gradient method introducing slack variables. It has to be emphasized that the novel formulation and the special use of slack variables in this article delivers high accurate solutions without distorting the optimal control.
Anand Model Constants of Sn–Ag–Cu Solders: What Do They Actually Mean?
Authors: Gharaibeh Mohammad A. , Pitarresi James M.
Published: November 2024

Finite element simulations are broadly utilized to calculate the thermally induced mechanical deformations of interconnecting solder materials in electronics. The Anand unified viscoplasticity model is a prevalent choice for simulating the mechanical responses of solder joints, comprising nine parameters whose individual effects are not fully addressed in the literature. For this reason, this study examines the influence of each Anand parameter on the mechanical response of leadless tin–silver–copper (SAC) solder alloys with varying silver content through comprehensive nonlinear finite element simulations. Anand model coefficients for different SAC alloys, including SAC105, SAC205, SAC305, and SAC405, were sourced from existing literature and used to establish a systematic study matrix for each parameter. These coefficients were then integrated into thermomechanical simulations to induce inelastic deformations in the solder interconnections. The response of the solder interconnects is analyzed in terms of equivalent inelastic strains and inelastic strain energy density. Results indicated that specific Anand parameters could skew the solder joint stress–strain response toward brittle behavior, while other parameters could lead to a more ductile response. Through statistical factorial analysis, the significance of each parameter is found to vary considerably, ranging from negligible to highly significant. The findings of this study are crucial for understanding the behavior of different SAC solder configurations and their expected thermal fatigue performance based on Anand creep constants. Furthermore, this paper provides foundational insights into the interpretation of Anand coefficients and their influence on the mechanical response of solder materials, a topic not yet explored in the existing literature.
On the Consistent Classification and Treatment of Uncertainties in Structural Health Monitoring Applications
Authors: Kamariotis Antonios , Vlachas Konstantinos , Ntertimanis Vasileios , Koune Ioannis , Cicirello Alice , Chatzi Eleni
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we provide a comprehensive definition and classification of various sources of uncertainty within the fields of structural dynamics, system identification, and structural health monitoring (SHM), with a primary focus on the latter. Utilizing the classical input–output system representation as a main contextual framework, we present a taxonomy of uncertainties, intended for consistent classification of uncertainties in SHM applications: (i) input uncertainty; (ii) model form uncertainty; (iii) model parameter/variable uncertainty; (iv) measurement uncertainty; and (v) inherent variability. We then critically review methods and algorithms that address these uncertainties in the context of key SHM tasks: system identification and model inference, model updating, accounting for environmental and operational variability (EOV), virtual sensing, damage identification, and prognostic health management. A benchmark shear frame model with hysteretic links is employed as a running example to illustrate the application of selected methods and algorithmic tools. Finally, we discuss open challenges and future research directions in uncertainty quantification for SHM.
A Graph Database Schema for Metal Additive Informatics
Authors: Allen Marshall D. , Arróyave Raymundo , Malak Richard
Published: November 2024

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) enables the creation of metal structures with complex materials and geometry for advanced performance capabilities. Metal AM continues to grow in popularity for use cases from alloy design to advanced manufacturing. In this work, we identify the requirements for a novel metal AM informatics schema based on the benefits and shortcomings of existing methods. After investigating different types of databases as the basis of our schema, including relational database management systems (RDBMS) and graph databases (GDBs), we identify the labeled property graph (LPG) configuration of GDBs as a solution due to its capabilities for dimensional scalability, data reusability & adaptability, topological representation, graph traversal queries, and property/label metadata storage. Then, we propose an LPG database schema that addresses the identified requirements for metal AM informatics for materials design. This approach closes the loop from materials development to manufacturing & characterization, enabling accelerated high-fidelity alloy design for metal AM applications. We discuss our implementation of the LPG database schema in Python and demonstrate the schema’s capabilities for visualization and exploration of the alloy design space. We then apply our LPG database schema by designing a compositionally graded alloy (CGA) part with real materials. Lastly, we discuss the possibilities for future work to expand upon the proposed schema.
Water Savings and User-Centered Validation of an Automatic Scheduling-Manual Operation (AS-MO) Irrigation Tool: A Case Study on a Jordanian Farm
Authors: Van de Zande Georgia D. , Sheline Carolyn , Pratt Shane , Winter Amos G.
Published: November 2024

This work aims to demonstrate that long-term use of an automatic scheduling-manual operation (AS-MO) irrigation tool increases water savings, compared to fully manual irrigation, a common practice on resource-constrained farms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Prior work has shown that an AS-MO tool has the potential to bridge the gap between fully manual irrigation and existing precision agriculture solutions, but such a tool has not been demonstrated on a farm. Through an 11-week case study conducted on a Jordanian farm, we show that farmers use this tool as intended. To understand how the tool performs in context, a functional tool prototype was designed to deliver a long-term AS-MO user experience to study participants. The prototype monitored local weather conditions, generated water-efficient schedules using an existing scheduling theory, and notified users’ phones when they should manually open or close valves. The irrigation practices of participants using the AS-MO prototype were compared to conventional practices. Significant water savings were not realized, but participants demonstrated successful use of the tool. Irrigation events were measured to show that users correctly confirmed 93% of the scheduled events using the tool’s interface. Of the irrigation events that did occur, a majority of their durations fell within 15% of the scheduled durations. Results from this work and feedback from study participants can continue to improve the design of the proposed AS-MO tool. If adopted at scale, this tool could increase the adoption of water-efficient irrigation practices on resource-constrained farms that are not served by existing precision irrigation technology, improving food security and sustainable agriculture in MENA.
A Multi-Sized Unit Cell Design Method to Design Lattice Support Structures for Complex Geometries in LPBF
Authors: White Lisha , Zhang Guanglu , Seo Junwon , Lamprinakos Nicholas , Rollett Anthony , Cagan Jonathan , Zhang Yongjie Jessica
Published: November 2024

Composed of individual unit cells strategically arranged to achieve a desired function, lattices are a promising solution for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) support structure design. Despite their many advantages (e.g., multifunctionality and reduced material cost), prior work in lattice support structure (LSS) design primarily focused on parts with horizontal support domains (e.g., cantilever beams) that are not translatable to complex domains, thereby limiting their application. This work introduces a multi-sized unit cell design optimization (MSO) method to create LSS for parts with complex surfaces. The proposed method utilizes voxelization to identify and sort the locations of box-like unit cells of different sizes. It also allows for efficient design optimization through a modified simulated annealing-based optimization algorithm. The effectiveness and efficiency of the MSO method are demonstrated through the case study of an adapter pipe for a high-temperature heat exchanger. For this demonstration, LSS using multi-sized unit cells are designed to increase heat transfer rate while considering structural integrity and material cost constraints. When the optimally-directed results derived from the MSO method are compared to benchmark designs of equal-sized unit cells, it achieves an average heat transfer rate that is 16% higher while satisfying volume, stress, and deformation constraints.
Exploring Ultrasonic Welding As a Means of Improving Structural Design Properties of FFF-Printed Thermoplastics
Authors: Goehring Luke , Fink Rainer , Tai Bruce , Patterson Albert E.
Published: November 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a technology that has improved manufacturing capabilities in a huge variety of industries, as well as increasing rapid prototyping capabilities. Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is one of these technologies, that has seen use in both industry and lab-scale settings to print thermoplastics and polymer matrix composites that have a thermoplastic matrix. However, it suffers from a major flaw in that the strength of printed parts is anisotropic and uneven, creating difficulties when designing parts intended to bear a structural load or face forces from a variety of directions. This study attempts to improve this weakness by introducing an ultrasonic spot welding process to the normal FFF 3D printing method in order to improve the design space available for parts manufactured with this process. Two welding treatments are attempted following different patterns, one where there are overlapping welds to cover as much surface area as possible, and another with no overlapping welds to prevent the risk of damaging or over-welding the part. The samples, as tested by a modified version of ASTM D5528, showed drastically increased maximum fracture load, suggesting a much stronger level of interlayer adhesion. This improved structural property allows for increased design space and potential uses for FFF printed parts in a large variety of industrial and research settings.
DARTS-NETGAB: Design Automation and Real-Time Simulation Using Neural Networks Ensembles for Turbocompressors on Gas-Bearings
Authors: Massoudi Soheyl , Bejjani Joseph , Horvath Timothy , Üstun Dogukan , Schiffmann Jürg
Published: November 2024

In the domain of engineering design, where efficiency in simulation and precision in modeling are paramount, this study introduces DARTS-NETGAB, a pioneering platform uniquely designed for real-time simulation and automated design. Specifically tailored for gas-bearing supported turbocompressors, DARTS-NETGAB integrates neural network ensembles with a parametric CAD construction library to deliver unprecedented prediction speeds and modeling precision across various engineering systems. This integration allows for seamless, real-time performance evaluations of complex, multidisciplinary systems and automated CAD model generation. This framework streamlines the design process, reduces cycles times and enhances adaptability to manufacturing imperfection.

DARTS-NETGAB features a user-centric interface developed using the advanced Panel-Bokeh Python libraries, facilitating dynamic and interactive design modifications directly within a web browser. This capability enables immediate visualization and adjustment of a comprehensive turbocompressor model, thereby streamlining the transition from theoretical design to practical application.

The paper details how the combination of DARTS-NETGAB’s rapid, accurate predictive capabilities with its robust design tools not only advances micro-turbocompressor design but also revolutionizes engineering processes across diverse systems. By merging cutting-edge computational techniques with practical, user-friendly tools, DARTS-NETGAB offers a significant improvement over traditional methods, fostering more efficient and innovative engineering solutions.
CAD-Prompted Generative Models: A Pathway to Feasible and Novel Engineering Designs
Authors: Chong Leah , Rayan Jude , Dow Steven , Lykourentzou Ioanna , Ahmed Faez
Published: November 2024

Text-to-image generative models have increasingly been used to assist designers during concept generation in various creative domains, such as graphic design, user interface design, and fashion design. However, their applications in engineering design remain limited due to the models’ challenges in generating images of feasible designs concepts. To address this issue, this paper introduces a method that improves the design feasibility by prompting the generation with feasible CAD images. In this work, the usefulness of this method is investigated through a case study with a bike design task using an off-the-shelf text-to-image model, Stable Diffusion 2.1. A diverse set of bike designs are produced in seven different generation settings with varying CAD image prompting weights, and these designs are evaluated on their perceived feasibility and novelty. Results demonstrate that the CAD image prompting successfully helps text-to-image models like Stable Diffusion 2.1 create visibly more feasible design images. While a general tradeoff is observed between feasibility and novelty, when the prompting weight is kept low around 0.35, the design feasibility is significantly improved while its novelty remains on par with those generated by text prompts alone. The insights from this case study offer some guidelines for selecting the appropriate CAD image prompting weight for different stages of the engineering design process. When utilized effectively, our CAD image prompting method opens doors to a wider range of applications of text-to-image models in engineering design.
Fundamental Study on Practical Measurement Method of Anisotropic Thermal Conduction Performance Using Zig-Zag Jigs
Authors: Kimura Natsumi , Fukue Takashi , Yoshihiro Haruki , Hirasawa Koichi
Published: November 2024

This study describes a practical method of measuring anisotropic thermal conductivity using a combination of 1-dimensional steady thermal conductivity measurement and thermal conduction analysis. We tried to develop a practical measurement method of the thermal conductivity difference in a test piece between thickness and in-plane directions based on the 1-dimensional steady-state method. Using a paired cylindrical zig-zag jig with the teeth were arranged in alternate rows, generating the thermal conduction change. The test piece of the material was mounted between the teeth of the zig-zag jigs. K-type thermocouples were installed in each jig at each temperature measurement position, and the temperature gradient was measured to obtain the heat flux. The thermal resistance between the top and bottom jigs with the test piece, which was sandwiched by the jigs, was evaluated by the temperature gradient and supplied heat flux. Separately, the FEM analysis of thermal conduction in the test system was also performed.

In this measurement method, by the comparison of the thermal resistance between the experiment and the FEM analysis, the in-plane thermal conductivity was estimated. By the comparison of the thermal resistance through the zigs and the test piece between the experiment and the FEM analysis, the in-plane thermal conductivity was calculated. We used the proposed measurement method to evaluate the thermal conductivity of isotropic acrylic, soda grass, and several types of anisotropic PCB in the thickness and in-plane directions, respectively. For isotropic materials, the measurement result of both thickness and in-plane direction thermal conductivity showed good agreement with the nominal value. In the case of R1705, which is one of an anisotropic PCB, the difference was nearly twice as large in the thickness direction as in the in-plane direction. Due to fiber orientation, PCBs generally have thermal conductivity anisotropy between the thickness and in-plane directions. The thermal conductivity in the in-plane direction tends to be higher than in the thickness direction, and the measurement result confirmed this difference. In the range of the report, the measurement of the anisotropic thermal conductivity was successful, and the effectiveness of the proposed method was confirmed.
Comparing Wire Bonding Strategies for High Power Applications
Authors: Vinson Whit , Torres Frida , Huitink David
Published: November 2024

In this study, a control group of aluminum wire bonds is compared against a group of autocatalytically (electroless) nickel plated aluminum wire bonds in terms of fuse current and electromigration performance. Fuse current testing results demonstrated a negative relationship between wire length and fuse current density for both groups of bonds. Ambient temperature was also shown to reduce fuse current density for both groups. Fuse current density was shown to be lower for plated wires due to the increased conductive cross-sectional area. Electromigration experiments showed a significant lifetime reduction for plated bonds compared to the “bare” control group. The authors suspect that the elevated ambient temperature and joule-heating driven by the elevated current density in these tests caused a high-electrical-resistivity aluminum-nickel intermetallic to be created, causing a fuse failure under the same conditions that electromigration failure was seen in the control group. An analytical examination of the effects of nickel plating on sample electrical performance has been provided to discuss this suspicion. Future work should continue to be done to examine the impacts of interconnect alloy and surface modifications to qualify/disqualify them for use in high current density and temperature environments.
Parametric Thermal Design for Heterogeneously Integrated High-Power Packages
Authors: Im Yunhyeok , Kim Junyoung , Choi Mingeun , Bouzidi Myriam , Li Xingchen , Kim Joon Woo , Muslu Ahmet Mete , Kumar Satish , Swaminathan Madhavan , Sitaraman Suresh K. , Joshi Yogendra
Published: November 2024

As power densities increase in heterogeneously integrated systems, with the introduction of new 3D architectures and the increasing number of transistors on chips, there exists a continued bottleneck for thermal management. High temperatures have a drastic impact on memory performances and refresh cycles. Moreover, thermal coupling between neighboring chiplets on a package is increasing as the types of chips on a heterogeneously integrated package diversify, and this, in turn, creates different heat flux densities within a heterogeneously integrated package. Thus, there arises a need for the implementation of efficient thermal design and solutions that cater to high heat fluxes within a package as well as different heights for different chip stacks within a package. In this paper, we present a parametric thermal design of heterogeneously integrated packages for high-performance computing. We focus on a 2.5D packaging structure, which includes components including artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators and high bandwidth memory (HBM) on a silicon interposer. Analytically and numerically, we investigate the thermal challenges stemming from high power density in stacked dies, variations in die heights, and cooling limitations at the package surface. To mitigate temperature gradients within the package, we propose a thermal-aware package structure, emphasizing the inside architecture. Also, the thermal coupling effect is studied for multiple cooling technologies on the outer surface using a thermal violation region graph. This research has shown that not only the internal structure of the package but also its ability to transfer heat to the outer surface has a significant impact on the thermal coupling effect. Using our approach, we can design package architecture systematically considering the external cooling environment in the early design stage.
Thermal Cycling Reliability of In-Mold Direct Write Additively Printed Integrator and Active Low-Pass Filter
Authors: Lall Pradeep , Musa Fatahi , Miller Scott
Published: November 2024

In-Mold Electronics (IME) represents a cutting-edge technology that integrates printed electronics within plastic components via film insert molding. A significant advantage of IME technology is its ability to produce electronic devices that are both flexible and stretchable, thus retaining functionality under various forms of physical stress including bending and stretching. This study investigates the impact of thermal cycling on the electrical performance of thermoformed conductive traces and electrical circuitry on Polycarbonate (PC) substrates, specifically under standard automobile grade 3 cycling conditions. A comparative analysis was conducted between encapsulated and un-encapsulated samples to assess the influence of encapsulation on the reliability of the printed traces. Additionally, the study examined the performance of stretchable electrically conductive adhesives (ECA) subjected to thermal cycling. The findings demonstrate the reliability of thermoformed, additively printed traces using direct write technology when exposed to thermal cycling. The results also highlight the significant effect of encapsulation on the durability of these printed traces. Furthermore, the study evaluated the performance and reliability of thermoformed Printed Active Lowpass Filters and Integrators under thermal cycling by comparing experimental results with simulations conducted using LTspice software. The study provides great understanding on the long-term reliability of IME components in automobile applications, ensuring their effective performance and durability over extended periods.