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Micron scale binary periodic phase plate for increased depth of focusing based on a non local analysis and design
Identifying NPP operator stressors using grounded theory
Abstract Nuclear power plant (NPP) operators manage crucial decision-making and operational tasks in precarious and complex environments, where psychological stress directly correlates with system safety and operational efficiency. However, the existing research largely explores single factors or specific scenarios, lacking systematic analysis. This study aims to identify psychological stress-influencing factors for nuclear power plant operators based on grounded theory. Accordingly, work experience data were collected from 25 operators in NPPs through semi-structured interviews. Using open, axial, and selective coding, we identified key categories and constructed a multidimensional load model of psychological stress. The finding revealed that operators’ psychological stress was attributable to the following seven factors: interface management load, task complexity, alarm load, transient and emergency task load, shift work and continuous load, error handling load, and communication load. Moreover, the stressors interact and compound, elevating operators’ psychological and cognitive burdens. Overall, this study presents a novel outlook for comprehending psychological stress in precarious environments and recommends further investigation of the dynamic correlations among these factors.
DHPSFU: a Fiji plugin for fast and accurate double helix-PSF 3D single-molecule localisation microscopy
Abstract The double-helix point-spread function (DH-PSF) is one of the most used PSFs for large depth-of-field 3D single-molecule localisation microscopy. Due to its popularity, many algorithms have been developed to analyse experimental DH-PSF data, either based on dedicated DH-PSF fitting or on generalised PSF fitting, typically using cubic splines. We show here that the most popular implementations of both these approaches have limitations in terms of localisation performance, processing speed or user-friendliness. To overcome some of these limitations, we have developed a new analytical approach for DH-PSF fitting based on unmixing (DHPSFU) of fitted localisation data using distance pairing. We compare DHPSFU with two popular algorithms, SMAP and EasyDHPSF, using realistic simulated datasets based on experimental data, to show that our algorithm achieves the highest Jaccard index (DHPSFU: 0.98; SMAP: 0.91; EasyDHPSF: 0.85) and fastest CPU-based processing speed (DHPSFU: 6,800 locs/s; SMAP: 2,500 locs/s; EasyDHPSF: 63 locs/s). We also show that our algorithm achieves the best resolution when imaging the cellular plasma membrane of Jurkat T cells (DHPSFU: 140 nm, EasyDHPSF: 162 nm, SMAP: 165 nm). We have incorporated DHPSFU as a Fiji plugin and provide Matlab and Python scripts for user customisation.
Compact wideband implantable antenna for wireless capsule endoscopy application in the 2.45 GHz ISM band
Abstract This paper presents a compact wideband implantable antenna developed for wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) functioning in the 2.4–2.48 GHz ISM band. The antenna’s miniaturized design is achieved through the integration of E - and L - shaped slots in the circular radiator, a shorting pin and defective ground structure with an inclined T – shaped slot. The final structure has compact dimension of $$\:\pi\:\:\times\:\:{3}^{2}\:\times\:\:0.254\:m{m}^{3},$$ and the Rogers RO3010 ( $$\:{\epsilon\:}_{r}=10.2,\text{tan}\delta\:=0.0035$$ ) material serves as both substrate and superstrate. Performance was assessed in homogeneous muscle and heterogeneous human phantoms, and experimentally validated by implanting the device in minced pork. At 2.45 GHz the antenna delivered − 20.8 dBi gain, and a 44.02% impedance bandwidth. The specific absorption rate (SAR) values are recorded as 216.8 W/kg (1 – g) and 30.2 W/kg (10 – g). The study demonstrates that the antenna reliably supports wireless links beyond 10 m, maintaining a 10 dB margin at 2.45 GHz.
Formulation and shelf life evaluation of nutrient rich Urochloa ramosa muffins enriched with Madhuca longifolia extract
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Real-time congestion control using cascaded LSTM deep neural networks for deregulated power markets
Prognostic nutritional index is a better inflammation based prognostic marker in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery
Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and snoring in adults in Northern sudan: a matched case-control study
Combined effects of constant temperature and radio frequency exposure on Aedes mosquito development
Abstract Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, pose significant public health threats, particularly in tropical regions like Malaysia. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are primary vectors of these diseases, with their developmental stages being highly sensitive to environmental factors. While temperature is a well-known driver of mosquito biology, the potential influence of anthropogenic factors such as radio frequency (RF) exposure remains underexplored. This study investigates the combined effects of temperature and RF exposure on the developmental stages of these mosquito species to provide insights into their population dynamics and inform vector control strategies. A factorial experimental design was employed, incorporating four temperature conditions (20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C) and three RF exposure levels (900 MHz, 18 GHz, and a control group with no RF exposure). The developmental durations for hatching, larval, pupation, and adult emergence stages were monitored daily under controlled laboratory conditions. Data were analyzed using a quadratic response surface model to evaluate the main effects and interactions between temperature and RF exposure. Temperature emerged as the dominant factor influencing developmental durations, with optimal conditions observed at 30–32 °C. RF exposure, particularly at 18 GHz, acted as a secondary modulating factor, accelerating developmental stages under certain temperature conditions. Ae. aegypti exhibited greater sensitivity to temperature changes compared to Ae. albopictus, which displayed higher adaptability and resilience to environmental variations. Interaction effects were most evident at intermediate temperatures (25–30 °C), where RF exposure synergistically reduced developmental durations. However, extreme RF exposure levels and suboptimal temperatures prolonged developmental periods. This study highlights the critical role of temperature in mosquito development while identifying RF exposure as a potential modulator under specific conditions. The findings underscore the importance of considering both environmental and anthropogenic factors in vector management strategies. Future research should explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions to refine predictive models and enhance vector control efforts in rapidly urbanizing regions.
An effective flowchart for multimodal brain tumor binary classification with ranked 3D texture features
Millennial-scale changes in size and growth of Unio pictorum (L. 1758) and U. tumidus (Philipsson, 1788), in the Oder river
Studies of magnetic properties of EuSnP single crystals
Evaluation of soil quality and analysis of drivers of different vegetation patterns in the loess region of Northern Shaanxi
A study on the effectiveness of machine learning models for hepatitis prediction
Preparation and characterization of a novel rechargeable antibacterial polyurethane sponge foam substrate modified with chlorinated N-halamine for efficient disinfection
Neural contrast sensitivity is not affected by myopic blur
Abstract The prevalence of myopia is increasing worldwide, accompanied by an increase of potentially under-corrected myopes. Because neural pathways are prone to adaptation in relation to the sensory input, we wondered to what extent neural contrast sensitivity (NCS) is altered in the presence of image blur arising from under-correction. No significant differences in NCS were observed between the three groups but were significantly equivalent between emmetropes, well-corrected, and under-corrected myopes (all p < 0.001). Across all healthy participants, NCS variability increased with increasing spatial frequency which could not be explained by variations in foveolar cone density. For an albinism patient, a large difference between the cut-off frequency and central cone density derived Nyquist sampling limit was observed. In conclusion, NCS is unaffected by myopia and remains stable for under-correction of up to 1.5 D. Furthermore, NCS testing can relate visual deficits to an underlying neurological disorder.
Machine learning-enhanced fully coupled fluid–solid interaction models for proppant dynamics in hydraulic fractures
Integrated data-driven topology reconstruction and risk-aware reconfiguration for resilient power distribution systems under incomplete observability
Successful implementation of a risk assessment and mitigation program to control bovine digital dermatitis at the herd-level
Abstract This nonrandomized clinical intervention study was designed as a prospective, multicenter group comparison to evaluate the efficacy of a risk assessment and mitigation program to control bovine digital dermatitis (BDD). The program was implemented over a 1-year period on 9 intervention (INT) farms and 10 control (CTR) farms. Mainstays of the program derived from results of a previous BDD risk factor analysis. All farms were visited monthly to assess within-herd BDD prevalences to perform risk assessments and to treat BDD lesions with salicylic acid paste. Bulk milk samples were collected every 4 months. Diagnosis of BDD was based on visual inspection (clinical scoring) of the feet. Risk-associated management practices were identified on each farm, and management changes expected to prevent further introduction or spread of BDD within INT farms were suggested and agreed upon with farmers of the INT farms. Lesional biopsies were taken from a subset of cows of the INT group before and 2 months after treatment for histopathological and molecular biological examination to confirm histological and bacteriological cure in addition to clinical cure. The initial BDD prevalences for the INT and CTR farms averaged 39.8% (IQR 16.2) and 41.0% (IQR 12.4) for overall BDD lesions, 25.9% (IQR 10.8) and 26.2% (IQR 14.5) for active BDD lesions, and 22.1% (IQR 6.9) and 23.7% (IQR 22.3) for chronic BDD lesions, respectively. After 1 year of implementation, overall BDD prevalences were reduced to 14.1% (IQR 8.2) on INT farms but remained at 41.6% (IQR 10.8) on CTR farms. A significant decline in bulk milk anti- Treponema antibodies over the 1-year period was found in INT as compared to CTR farms. Considering the results of the histopathological examination, of 16S metagenomic sequencing and of the Fluorescence in situ hybridization as indicators for healing, 6/7 (85.7%) selected lesions were cured 2 months post completion of treatment. The results of this study show that the described BDD control measures can markedly reduce the within-herd prevalence of BDD. The proposed procedure might provide the basis for a nationwide BDD mitigation program that could be of importance also beyond national borders.