Search Results (3,519)

This paper presents two capacitors fabricated using the metallic nanowire membrane (MnM) interposer technology operating at mmWaves. Standard 2D interdigital capacitors (IDCs) are designed to operate up to 70 GHz, which presents a straightforward and non-complex fabrication. In comparison, this work also proposes an improved device that is more compact and exhibits large capacitance density, as high-performance vias enable the realization of high-depth capacitors. The fabrication process of 3D devices presents advanced maturity and innovation as it takes advantage of the porous nature of the interposer material to overcome the device complexity, and is also described in detail. Both capacitor types are modeled by a numerical lumped-element model that also considers parasitics. The 3D capacitors were successfully fabricated and characterized up to 70 GHz, displaying capacitance values between 30 fF and 160 fF and self-resonant frequencies in good agreement with mmWave applications. The quality factor of these devices, measured at 40 GHz, lies between 16 and 4, and the superficial capacitance density is between 4 pF/mm² and 8 pF/mm², showing that these devices are indeed promising for mmWave applications. These devices present considerably larger capacitance density compared to 2D traditional capacitors fabricated on the high-performance substrate, highlighting the advantage of 3D fabrication using nanowire growth. In addition, thin-film resistances are simulated and fabricated, projecting their functions as an RF-choke in a bias tee configuration using Ti thin film sputtering deposition step that is also part of the capacitors fabrication. Full article

The integration of sedimentological and micropaleontological data in the Zanclean and Gelasian shallow-marine deposits of the Crotone Basin (southern Italy) has allowed documentation of meter-to-decameter-scale high-frequency sequences bounded by wave-ravinement surfaces (WRSs), which in turn are composed of meter-scale sedimentological cycles, referred to as bedsets. In contrast to high-frequency sequences, bedsets have a more subtle appearance, and their boundaries exhibit limited lateral extent compared to WRSs. Moreover, the micropaleontological analyses have allowed the definition of three parameters: distal/proximal (D/P: ratio between distal and proximal benthic foraminifera); fragmentation (Fr: percentage of fragmentation of benthic foraminifera); and P/B (ratio between planktonic and benthic foraminifera). In particular, the D/P and Fr allow to recognize uncertainty intervals containing the maximum flooding surface (MFS) of high-frequency sequences, whereas the P/B documents water-depth changes. Unlike in high-frequency sequences, the D/P, Fr and P/B parameters usually do not show appreciable variations associated with bedsets, confirming that the latter are unrelated to shoreline shifts and water-depth variations, but are rather controlled by minor sediment supply and/or wave regime changes. However, in rare cases, the micropaleontological parameters seem to indicate that subtle transgressive-regressive trends and water-depth variations can also be associated with bedset deposition, alluding to a ‘grey area’ of transition between high-frequency sequences of very small scale and bedsets. Further research is, therefore, needed to constrain the boundary between sedimentology and stratigraphy. Full article

Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) systems based on on-site measurements enable ultra-rapid alerts by exploiting the time gap between the arrival of P-waves and the subsequent damaging S-waves. A central challenge is the reliable estimation of impending ground motion using only the earliest portion of the signal. This study investigates a site-specific methodology based on the S/P amplitude ratio for near-real-time seismic acceleration estimation at the Iași stations, Romania, in a region dominated by Vrancea intermediate-depth seismicity. Using 50 strong-motion records from the European Strong-Motion (ESM) database, a local calibration coefficient of k = PGA_S/PGA_P = 6.2 was derived for the Iași area, consistent with its soft-soil conditions and with values reported for comparable sedimentary environments worldwide. A regional analysis confirms that the S/P ratio is primarily governed by local site effects, requiring station-level calibration. The methodology was experimentally validated through shaking-table tests using real P-wave recordings. Predicted S-wave peak ground accelerations exhibit no systematic bias, with a median relative error of +2.0% and dispersion consistent with the intrinsic log-normal variability of the S/P ratio. The results demonstrate that a locally calibrated S/P ratio provides a robust and physically grounded basis for rapid seismic acceleration estimation in on-site EEW systems. Full article

Seismic wavefield simulation is the primary technique used to study the effects of vertical transverse isotropy (VTI) on the propagation of Rayleigh waves. However, conventional Rayleigh wave dispersion equations are based on isotropic assumptions and cannot be applied to the dispersion characteristics of multi-layered VTI media. Based on the Rayleigh wave potential functions in VTI media, this study derives inhomogeneous wave equations governing the Rayleigh wave potentials. These equations exhibit a distinctive duality; the particular solution associated with the inhomogeneous term in the P-wave equation coincides exactly with the solution of the homogeneous SV-wave equation. Compared to existing methods, the solution to the wave equations does not require decoupling. Using conventional exponential-form potential function solutions, this study realizes the analytical computation of Rayleigh wave inhomogeneous wave equations in VTI media and establishes a dispersion equation for multi-layered VTI media. The reliability of the method is verified through mathematical back substitution and numerical validation. To further explore the dispersion characteristics of Rayleigh waves in VTI media, a three-layered model is designed, and the dispersion response features under different VTI parameters are computed, indicating the high sensitivity of the dispersion curves to changes in any of the five VTI parameters. This paper presents a non-decoupled recursive analytical method for computing Rayleigh wave wavefields and dispersion curves in VTI media. The approach requires solving only a second-order inhomogeneous boundary-value differential equation and adopts the standard exponential potential representation used for isotropic media. This makes the method more practical and yields a fast, convenient algorithm for seismic parameter inversion and data processing in VTI media. Full article

Background: Upper-limb rehabilitation is a decisive factor in improving the quality of life for patients who have experienced a stroke. Modern rehabilitation techniques promote the recovery of upper-limb functionality and prehension, contributing to a reduction in disability. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study aimed to highlight improvements in prehension through the application of current actual and modern rehabilitation techniques targeting key muscle groups involved in upper-limb recovery. Data from a total of 52 patients were identified and categorized into two groups based on the specific rehabilitation protocols they received during their hospitalization: a study group and a control group. Both groups underwent individualized rehabilitation, differing only in the type of electrotherapy applied: the study group received functional electrical stimulation (FES) and shock wave therapy (RSWT), while the control group received conventional electrical stimulation. Results: After adjusting for baseline differences in severity and time since stroke, patients in the study group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in functional parameters compared to the control group. The results show us a significant improvement of functionality after RSWT and FES in the study group, with values from 0.28 ± 0.28 to 0.99 ± 0.36 (p-value < 0.001) regarding Hand Grip, suggesting that the treatment effect persists even when initial clinical advantages in the control group are accounted for. Muscle force increased from 0.39 ± 0.54 to 7.67 ± 3.89, p-value < 0.001. Conclusions: The combined application of functional electrical stimulation and shock wave therapy, as modern rehabilitation interventions, provided additional benefits in upper-limb and prehension rehabilitation compared to classical electrical stimulation alone. Our findings suggest that the combined application of RSWT and FES is strongly associated with improved upper-limb recovery, even after adjusting for baseline clinical imbalances. While these results support the integration of these modern techniques into stroke protocols, further prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the definitive treatment advantage over conventional methods. Full article

Background: Aortic stiffness (AoS) is an established predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) introduces a rigid stent-graft into the aorta, potentially increasing AoS and impairing subendocardial perfusion. This prospective study aimed to evaluate changes in AoS and myocardial perfusion following EVAR, measured by carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and the Subendocardial Viability Ratio (SEVR), and examined the influence of graft length on post-operative cf-PWV and SEVR. Methods: From October 2023 to April 2025, 38 patients undergoing elective EVAR were prospectively enrolled. Cf-PWV and the SEVR were measured <72 h preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively using the PulsePen^® device. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize baseline characteristics. Data were assessed for normality with the Shapiro–Wilk test; non-normally distributed variables were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and presented as median [interquartile range, IQR], while normally distributed variables were analysed using paired t-tests and presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Linear regression was applied to evaluate associations between graft length and postoperative changes in cf-PWV and SEVR. Results: Cf-PWV increased significantly after EVAR, with a median within-patient change of 1.0 m/s [IQR 3.1] (p < 0.001), corresponding to a 10.6% increase. The SEVR decreased significantly by 15.1% (p = 0.006). Graft length correlated positively with cf-PWV change, with a 0.2% increase in cf-PWV per millimetre of graft length (r = 0.41; p = 0.029), but not with SEVR (r = 0.058, p = 0.763). Conclusions: EVAR was associated with increased AoS and reduced subendocardial perfusion, with greater stiffness changes observed in patients receiving longer grafts. These preliminary findings highlight important haemodynamic consequences of EVAR and may inform patient selection, postoperative management, and the development of future stent-graft designs to mitigate long-term cardiovascular risk. Full article

Background/Objectives: COVID-19 has made a tremendous impact, causing a massive number of deaths worldwide. The inadequacy of health facilities resulted in shortage of resources and exhaustion of frontline workers who had to manage in a short time many patients with no tools to prioritize those at high risk. This study intended to disclose the architecture of such complex disease and enhance the management of hospitalized patients, preventing severe outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter study aimed at refining the best predictive model for COVID-19 mortality, integrating 19 genetic and 13 clinical features. We trained three machine learning (ML) models (GBM, XGB and RF) on a dataset of 532 COVID-19 hospitalized Italian patients, among the 605 recruited during the first wave of the pandemic, when vaccines were not available. Results: All the models achieved great values for accuracy, AUROC, f1, f2 and PR-AUC metrics. XGB f1 optimization resulted in better performance providing fewer false positives (N_f1 = 26 versus N_f2 = 27, N_PR-AUC = 29), and mostly false negatives (N_f1 = 63 versus N_f2 = 69, N_PR-AUC = 69), being the main goal to answer. We next delved into the feature importance to understand which features contribute to the model decision: age was the main driver of mortality prediction, followed by ventilation. The remainder was equally distributed between genetic (HLA-DRA rs3135363, PPARGC1A rs192678, CRP rs2808635, ABO rs657152) and other clinical features, demonstrating that genetic data did not confound, but rather implemented, the power of the model. Conclusions: Our results suggest that integrating genetic and clinical data into ML models is crucial for identifying high-risk cases within the vast disease heterogeneity, enabling the P4-medicine approach to improve patient outcomes and support the healthcare system. Full article

This paper presents a cover lens concept for camera modules based on surface acoustic waves (SAW) to mitigate the degradation of physical AI optical sensor field-of-view performance caused by surface contamination. The proposed approach utilizes a single-phase unidirectional transducer (SPUDT) that intentionally breaks left–right symmetry through a geometrically asymmetric electrode array to generate SAW, thereby removing droplet contamination. First, the acoustic streaming induced inside a single sessile droplet by the SAW was visualized, and the dynamic behavior of the droplet upon SAW actuation was observed using a high-speed camera. The internal flow developed into a recirculating vortex structure with directional deflection relative to the SAW propagation direction, indicating a symmetry-broken streaming pattern rather than a purely symmetric circulation. Upon the application of the SAW, the droplet was confirmed to move a total of 7.2 mm along the SAW propagation direction, accompanied by interfacial deformation and oscillation. Next, an analysis of transport trajectories for five sessile droplets dispensed at different y-coordinates ($y_1$–$y_5$) revealed that all droplets were transported along the x-axis regardless of their initial positions. Furthermore, the analysis of transport velocity as a function of droplet viscosity (1 $\mathrm{c}\mathrm{P}$ and 10 $\mathrm{c}\mathrm{P}$) and volume (2$\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{L}$, 4$\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{L}$, and 6 $\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{L}$) demonstrated that the transport velocity gradually increased with driving voltage but decreased as viscosity increased under identical actuation conditions. Finally, the proposed cover lens was applied to an automotive front camera module to verify its effectiveness in improving object recognition performance by removing surface contamination. Based on its simple structure and driving principle, the proposed technology is deemed to be expandable as a surface contamination cleaning technology for various physical AI perception systems, including intelligent security cameras and drone camera lenses. Full article

To evaluate cross-platform measurement consistency and diagnostic threshold requirements in shear wave elastography (SWE), this study presents a robotically controlled, phantom-based validation framework to quantify and interpret inter-vendor variability that limits clinical standardisation. A custom-fabricated polyvinyl chloride-graphite phantom containing eight spherical inclusions (15–25 mm diameter, 25–95 mm depth, 23.53–259.58 kPa stiffness), representing breast tissue mechanical properties, was evaluated using Samsung HS50 and Aixplorer ultrasound systems. Robotic automation standardised probe positioning and contact, eliminating operator-dependent variability and enabling direct, system-level comparison. Cross-platform reproducibility, accuracy against mechanically validated ground truth, and diagnostic threshold performance were assessed across 80 measurements. Both systems demonstrated excellent intra-machine reproducibility (coefficient of variation: Samsung 0.42%, Aixplorer 0.46%) with strong inter-machine correlation (r = 0.9951, p < 0.0001). However, systematic bias of 7.05 kPa and 95% limits of agreement spanning 38.7 kPa revealed substantial cross-platform measurement differences. All phantom inclusions (8/8) measured below their assigned ground truth stiffness on both systems, with systematic underestimation ranging from 0.33 kPa to 109.57 kPa, indicating parameter-dependent measurement distortion linked to inclusion size, depth, and stiffness. Dynamic range compression was observed (Samsung: 68.7%, Aixplorer: 59.1% of true phantom range), providing a mechanistic explanation for diagnostic threshold instability. This study contributes an interpretable validation methodology that links SWE measurement bias to physical lesion properties and imaging system characteristics, rather than relying on correlation alone. Despite strong reproducibility, the observed system-dependent bias demonstrates that SWE measurements are not directly transferable across ultrasound platforms, and system-specific collaboration is required to ensure reliable clinical interpretation. Full article

The position operator $\widehat{r}$ appears as $i{\partial }_p$ in wave mechanics, while its matrix form (e.g., under a Bloch basis) is well known diverging in diagonals, causing difficulties in basis transformation, observable yielding, etc. We aim to find a convergent r-matrix (CRM) to improve the existing divergent r-matrix (DRM), and investigate its influence at both the conceptual and the application levels. A key modification is increasing the familiar substitution of $\widehat{r}$ by $i{\partial }_p$ to $i{\sum }_j{\partial }_{k_j}$, namely the N-th Weyl algebra. Resolving the divergence makes r-matrix rigorously defined, and we are able to show r-matrix is distinct from a spin matrix in terms of its defining principles, transformation behavior, and the observable it yields. Conceptually, the CRM fills the logical gap between the r-matrix and the Berry connection (this unremarked vagueness has caused the diagonal divergence). In application, we focus on transport, and discover that the Hermitian matrix is not identical with the associative Hermitian operator, i.e., $r_{m,n}=r_{n,m}^{*}\nLeftrightarrow \widehat{r}={\widehat{r}}^{†}$, which subtly affects the celebrated Berry curvature formula for adiabatic current. We also discuss how such a non-representation CRM can contribute to building a unified transport theory. Full article

In 1994, P. Shor discovered quantum algorithms that can break both the RSA cryptosystem and the ElGamal cryptosystem. In 2007, D-Wave demonstrated the first quantum computer. These events and further developments have brought a crisis to secret communication. In 2016, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) launched a global project to solicit and select a handful of encryption algorithms with the ability to resist quantum computer attacks. In 2022, it announced four candidates, CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium, Falcon, and Sphincs+, for post-quantum cryptography standards. The first three are based on lattice theory and the last on a hash function. The security of lattice-based cryptosystems relies on the computational complexity of the shortest vector problem (SVP), the closest vector problem (CVP), and their generalizations. As we will explain, the SVP is a ball-packing problem, and the CVP is a ball-covering problem. Furthermore, both the SVP and CVP are equivalent to arithmetic problems for positive definite quadratic forms. This paper will briefly describe the mathematical problems on which lattice-based cryptography is built so that cryptographers can extend their views and learn something useful. Full article

Objectives: We aim to investigate cervical biomechanical alterations associated with adenomyosis using shear-wave elastography (SWE), and to explore the discriminative potential of cervical SWE parameters. Methods: In this prospective study, 84 patients with adenomyosis, diagnosed both clinically and by ultrasonography according to the MUSA parameters, and 65 healthy women underwent elastography to the cervix with SWE. Six areas of the cervix were evaluated: anterior and posterior internal os, middle part of the cervix, and external os. Results: The adenomyosis group showed a significantly higher cervical length (27.3 ± 5.5 mm vs. 23.8 ± 4.6 mm), as well as greater anterior (11.3 ± 2.4 mm vs. 9.9 ± 1.3 mm) and posterior (11.3 ± 2.2 mm vs. 10.5 ± 1.8 mm) cervical measurements compared with the controls (p < 0.001). SWE showed higher stiffness measurements for the anterior and posterior internal os (22.3 ± 5.4 kPa and 22.2 ± 4.9 kPa) compared with the controls (15.5 ± 5.8 kPa and 15.7 ± 5.6 kPa, respectively; p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated high discrimination for these measurements, with area under curve values of 0.804 for the anterior internal os and 0.808 of posterior internal os. Optimal cut-offs were 17.5 kPa (sensitivity 82%, specificity 70%) and 18.5 kPa (sensitivity 81%, specificity 74%). Conclusions: Cervical elastography may serve as a non-invasive adjunctive tool for exploring disease-related biomechanical changes and for supporting imaging-based assessment of adenomyosis. Full article

As coastal ultra-deep mine shafts advance to greater depths, shaft lining concrete may experience sustained humid–hot conditions. Elevated temperature is induced by geothermal heat and early-age hydration heat, while high humidity is maintained in water-rich underground environments, which can compromise long-term performance. Such late-age deterioration may increase maintenance demand and pose safety concerns for ultra-deep shaft construction and long-term service. This study experimentally evaluates a high-strength shaft lining concrete designed with a composite cementitious system and cured at 40, 60, and 80 °C (95% RH) for 30–180 days, considering the engineering scenario of the 2500 m shaft at the Sanshan Island Gold Mine. The selected temperature range was determined based on in situ temperature monitoring in the target shaft. P-wave velocity measurements and uniaxial compression tests were conducted, while acoustic emission (AE) monitoring and energy evolution analysis were used to interpret damage progression. P-wave velocity decreased with curing temperature, with the most pronounced reduction at 80 °C. Compressive strength increased at early ages and then declined at later ages; by 180 d, the strength loss relative to the peak level is more pronounced at higher temperatures. AE results show four typical damage stages, with activity increasingly concentrated near peak stress as temperature and age increase. AF–RA analysis indicates tensile cracking dominates, with a slight increase in shear-related events at higher curing temperatures and longer ages. Energy analysis further confirms that most input energy is stored as elastic strain energy prior to peak stress, and higher curing temperatures increase the proportion of input energy stored elastically, implying a higher tendency toward brittle failure. These results suggest optimizing curing regimes and toughness-enhancement strategies for durable shaft infrastructure. Full article

Measles resurgence threatens elimination achievements in the Americas. We conducted a nationwide analysis of Mexico’s 2025–2026 measles outbreak, integrating individual-level surveillance data from the Special Surveillance System for Febrile Exanthematous Diseases with municipal-level social determinants from eight national databases, complemented by molecular surveillance data. We analyzed 6892 confirmed cases using spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I and LISA), effective reproduction number estimation, logistic regression models for municipal case presence, and multivariable logistic regression for risk factors for complications. Cases concentrated in Chihuahua (65.2%), with 47 LISA hot-spot municipalities containing 64.4% of cases. Molecular surveillance confirmed two independent introductions: D8/MVs/Ontario.CAN/47.24 (98.1%), linked to the North American outbreak, and B3 (1.9%) in Oaxaca. Transmission followed a three-stage pattern: introduction through seasonal agricultural worker networks, amplification in undervaccinated communities, and diffusion to marginalized indigenous populations. A dual-model analysis revealed that school non-attendance among children aged 6–14 years may have mediated the effect of very high marginalization on municipal case presence (OR 1.26; p < 0.001), identifying a potentially actionable vaccination pathway. Vaccine effectiveness was 98.1%, confirming susceptible accumulation rather than vaccine failure. Wave-stratified analysis showed late outbreak phase as an independent risk factor for complications (aOR 1.68, 95% CI: 1.42–2.00), converging with an age of <1 year (aOR 3.36), indigenous status (aOR 1.89), and unvaccinated status (aOR 1.96) in the most marginalized communities. Indigenous individuals comprised 29.1% of cases but 76% of the 25 deaths. This outbreak demonstrates that national vaccination thresholds are insufficient when municipal pockets of susceptibility remain systematically underserved. Full article

Background/Objectives: The correlation between in vivo morphological and functional changes in the degenerating retina in a large animal model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has not been characterized longitudinally. Herein, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to monitor the dynamic morphological changes in the Pro23His rhodopsin transgenic (TgP23H) pig model of RP and was correlated with electroretinography (ERG) in the rapid, early phase of photoreceptor degeneration. Methods: TgP23H and wild-type (WT) hybrid pig littermates at the ages of postnatal days 30 (P30), P60, and P90 were studied. The thickness of different retinal layers was quantified using SD-OCT and compared with histology. Retinal function was evaluated with ERG at corresponding time points. Results: In the WT pigs, retinal morphology on SD-OCT was consistent throughout the observation period. In the TgP23H pigs, the retinal thickness decreased significantly from P30 to P90. Moreover, the relative intensity of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) progressively decreased, while the intensity of the interdigitation zone–retinal pigment epithelium (IZ-RPE) progressively increased during this period. Morphological changes in SD-OCT corresponded with histology, as well as the progressively decreased amplitude of the ERG photopic a- and b-waves in the TgP23H pigs. Conclusions: Retinal degeneration can be quantified using SD-OCT by measuring retinal thickness and the intensity of the EZ and IZ-RPE bands in the TgP23H pig. The SD-OCT results correspond with the histologic and ERG assessments of retinal degeneration. These data provide a foundation for future preclinical studies investigating potential new therapeutic strategies in a large animal model of retinitis pigmentosa. Full article