Electron Devices Research Articles

Seroprevalence of brucellosis in camels and humans in the Al-Qassim region of Saudi Arabia and its implications for public health

Brucellosis is a significant zoonotic disease caused by intracellular, gram-negative bacteria from the genus Brucella. Although camels are classified as secondary hosts for Brucella species, they are among the most susceptible and vulnerable animals to brucellosis, particularly Brucella abortus (B. abortus) and Brucella melitensis (B. melitensis). The present study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of camel brucellosis as a zoonotic disease by determining the seroprevalence of brucellosis in both camels and humans, assessing potential risk factors (e.g., age, size, and location), and conducting molecular characterization of Brucella spp. associated with abortion in camels. The Rose Bengal Test (RBT), Antigen Rapid Brucella Antibody Test (ARBT), indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA), and complement fixation test (CFT) were used to detect brucellosis in both camels and humans. Additionally, a molecular method using polymerase chain reaction was used as a confirmatory technique. A total of 625 camel serum samples and 100 human serum samples were collected in sterile vacuum tubes from various camel farms and individuals across different localities in the Al Qassim region. Additionally, samples from 10 confirmed Brucella-infected camels (including the uterus and supramammary lymph nodes) were analyzed. The results indicated that the overall prevalence of brucellosis in camel sera was 9.72%, as determined by RBT, and 8.16%, as determined by ARBT. In contrast, the overall prevalence of brucellosis in human sera from febrile patients was found to be 17% via RBT. Notably, 57.98% of camel sera that tested positive for Brucella antibodies via RBT were also positive according to I-ELISA and CFT. Furthermore, 42.1%, 70.58%, and 47.05% of human sera that were positive for Brucella antibodies as determined by RBT were also positive according to I-ELISA and CFT, respectively. The highest seropositivity for camel brucellosis was observed in female camels, particularly in the Unaizah area of the Qassim region and among the Homr breed. The prevalence of human brucellosis was highest among females and individuals who consumed raw milk. At the molecular level, B. melitensis biovar 3 was detected in the examined tissues. In conclusion, intervention measures are vital for reducing brucellosis in humans and camels. Public awareness campaigns should highlight the importance of protective clothing when handling aborted she-camels and the need to boil or pasteurize milk. Additionally, studies should differentiate between vaccinated and nonvaccinated camels, and standardizing serological tests for diagnosing brucellosis should be prioritized.

A Low-Power Consumption Deepwater Subsea Electric Gate Valve Actuator, Part A: Prototype and Test

All-electric systems represent the current development trend in subsea control systems, and the subsea electric gate valve actuator is the core equipment item in all-electric subsea control systems. To solve the problems of the traditional subsea electric gate valve actuator with low safety, poor reliability, and high energy consumption, in this paper, a new subsea electric gate valve actuator configuration concept is proposed, where the actuator has a redundant drive, a low-power holding function, a fail-safe shutdown mechanism, an emergency operation capability, and other functions. An actuator prototype was developed, an actuator integration test system was constructed, and the prototype actuator was combined with a standard subsea gate valve, an all-electric subsea control module, and other equipment to conduct several functional tests. The test results show that the actuator functions and performance indicators meet the designed requirements. Compared with the existing actuators, in addition to high reliability and safety, the driving power consumption can be reduced by 5% and holding power consumption can be reduced by 40%.

The THE EFFECT OF ZIRCONIUM ADDITIVES ON PROPERTIES OF (Cu22%Zn4%Al) SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are one of the most important types of smart materials. It define as the materials that can undergo large pseudo elastic deformations while having the ability to recover to their original shape once subjected to a memory stimuli such as a specific temperature ,stress ,or strain. This study examines the effects of varying Zirconium (Zr) additive amounts on the microstructure, mechanical, and shape memory effect for all specimens of Cu-Zn-Al SMAs. Powder metallurgy was used to create Cu–22%Zn–4%Al SMAs, both base and with the inclusion of 0.2 and 0.4 weight percent Zr. 650MPa compact pressure was used to create the alloys after the particles had been mixed for five hours. The alloys underwent a three-step sintering procedure in a vacuum tube furnace for one hour at 350 ˚C, then for one hour at 550 ˚C, and for two hours at 850 ˚C. To characterise the microstructural and phase characteristics of alloys, both with and without Zr additions, XRD diffraction analyses, optical microscopy (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. With differential scanning calorimetry, the transition temperatures of all alloys were determined (DSC).As well as the shape memory effect test (SME) was measured. Results confirmed that all alloys compositions were found to include the predominant (Cu5Zn8) phase, as proven by XRD and microstructural investigation. The Zr addition dramatically lowered the transition temperatures, according to the transformation temperature data. Hardness experiments reveal that alloys' hardness and volume losses were enhanced by adding up to 0.4% weight percent of Zr reached to (64.8%) and (0.3909)mm3 respectively compared to base alloy.

IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices Table of Contents

IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices Table of Contents

Nanoscale nonlocal thermal transport and thermal field emission in high-current resonant tunnel structures

We present a nonlinear model of thermal field emission in resonant tunneling nanostructures with multiple barriers and potential wells, based on an accurate determination of the quantum potential shape and a rigorous solution of the Schrödinger equation, while considering thermal balance. The model applies to vacuum and semiconductor resonant tunnel diode and triode structures with two and three electrodes and to the general case of two-way tunneling with electrode heating. The complete balance of heat release and transfer is accounted for, with heat transport considered ballistic. This approach can also be extended to the non-stationary case, incorporating the influence of space charge. The short flight time of electrons in such structures makes them promising for the fabrication of THz devices.

Carbonization and Treatment the High Temperature Distortion of Thoriated Tungsten Cathode for High Power Electronic Tubes

A metal mandrel was designed for manufacturing the cathodes of high power electron tube ( Tetrode ) used in broadcasting transmitting tubes type TH558 and CQS200.The cathodes were manufactured in the present work from thoriated tungsten wires ( 2? ThO2- W) with different diameters .These cathodes were carbonized in sequences of processes to determine the carbonization parameters (temperature, pressure, time, current and voltage).Then the carbonized cathodes dimension were accurately measured to determine the deviation due to the high temperature distortion effect at about 1800°C .the distorted cathodes due to the carbonization process was treated when it was subjected inside the vacuum chamber and heat treated again .The carbonized cathode distortions as a function of temperature were measured in the range of (1500°C-1800°C).The temperature was determined using an optical pyrometer and also calculated using Stephan's-Boltzmann relation.

Use of a Novel Steerable Tip Suction Cannula in Large and Giant Pituitary Adenomas: A Cadaveric Feasibility Study.

The endoscopic transsphenoidal approach is commonly used for sellar and suprasellar pathologies. However, reaching above the diaphragma sella, especially for posterosuperior and retrocavernous orientation, still poses some challenges. We designed and developed a steerable tip suction cannula (STSC) that has distinct leverage for endoscopic resection of such pathologies. The entire suction cannula is made of stainless steel. The instrument consists of a handle, vacuum tube, suction tip bed, suction tip, finger knuckle, wire path, countersunk headpin, and isolated steel wire. The working principle of the product is to enable the surgeon to move the aspiration tip in the desired direction by steering the finger knuckle. Five cadaveric specimens fixed with the saturated salt solution were used to evaluate the instrument and obtain measurements. In the straight position, the STSC aspirated 2.67% slower than the control aspirator tip and 13.24% faster than that at 30° angulation. Based on the CT measurements, the mean angulation of the instrument from the frontobasal axis was 38.3°. The mean distance from the frontobasal axis was 1.3cm. The average angulation of the tip of the instrument in the cranium was 25.5°. The designed STSC might effectively resect large to giant pituitary adenomas, especially those with supradiaphragmatic extension. Its suction capability is comparable to that of conventional suction tubes.

Investigations of an Innovative Drop Test Facility for Shock Evaluation of Portable Electronics

AbstractDrop‐induced shock is a major cause of failure in portable electronics, impacting their useful life. Traditional drop weight shock testing methods, conforming to the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC) standard of 1500 g for 0.5 ms half‐sine waveform, are often expensive, complex, and require delicate balancing. In this paper, a far simpler, two‐meter‐high, drop test facility is proposed for testing small‐sized portable electronics. The proposed equipment is easier to realize, conforms to the JEDEC standard, is easier to operate, offers a small turnaround time, and is economical. The novel design and the results of the shock test equipment are reported. A weight instrumented with high‐g accelerometers is dropped from a height of two meters inside a drop tube that is vertically straight and hits the aluminum base plate. The acceleration levels, ranging from 30,000 g for 100 µs to 1600 g for 1 ms, are achieved using the drop weight of 3 kg and pulse shaper of different thicknesses. The results are presented as a regression model, correlating peak acceleration and duration with pulse shaper thickness. The model accurately predicts the desired conditions for JEDEC testing and is validated under the standard conditions of 1500 g for 0.5 ms. This minimalistic approach simplifies shock testing, supporting future research in extreme testing scenarios.

Multifunctional Organic Molecule for Defect Passivation of Perovskite for High-Performance Indoor Solar Cells.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can utilize the residual photons from indoor light and continuously supplement the energy supply for low-power electron devices, thereby showing the great potential for sustainable energy ecosystems. However, the solution-processed perovskites suffer from serious defect stacking within crystal lattices, compromising the low-light efficiency and operational stability. In this study, we designed a multifunctional organometallic salt named sodium sulfanilate (4-ABS), containing both electron-donating amine and sulfonic acid groups to effectively passivate the positively-charged defects, like under-coordinated Pb ions and iodine vacancies. The strong chemical coordination of 4-ABS with the octahedra framework can further regulate the crystallization kinetics of perovskite, facilitating the enlarged crystal sizes with mitigated grain boundaries within films. The synergistic optimization effects on trap suppression and crystallization modulation upon 4-ABS addition can reduce energy loss and mitigate ionic migration under low-light conditions. As a result, the optimized device demonstrated an improved power conversion efficiency from 22.48% to 24.34% and achieved an impressive efficiency of 41.11% under 1000 lux weak light conditions. This research provides an effective defect modulation strategy for synergistically boosting the device efficiency under standard and weak light irradiations.

Cause Analysis of Rotork Electric Actuator Phase Loss Fault Mode

Background: The stable, safe, and reliable operation of the electric actuator valve system is crucial in industrial production. However, its faults can lead to production interruptions, equipment damage, and increased costs. Therefore, detecting and analyzing the causes of fault modes is crucial for exploring methods to reduce their occurrence and ensuring the normal operation of electric actuators. Methods: Taking the IQ20-F14-A electric actuator from Rotork, UK, as a reference, this paper analyzes the causes of the phase loss fault mode from three aspects: software, circuitry, and external conditions. By analyzing and experimentally testing the power supply information extraction circuit, identifying the extraction signal related to phase information, and further comprehensively listing the factors that lead to phase loss faults, the scope is narrowed down through analysis and practical verification. Results: After investigating potential factors related to component design, circuit design, and connection issues within the circuit, causing a decay of a certain phase voltage on the power line to below the threshold leads to the optocoupler and information-extracting transistors entering a cutoff state, resulting in a phase loss alarm. Additionally, the continuous superposition of typical interference pulse trains on the input voltage for 9 seconds or more also triggers a phase loss alarm. Conclusion: The fault mode mainly revolves around software, the decay of external supply phase voltage, and the interference of external phase voltage.

Pathways for electron device research in the AI era

Pathways for electron device research in the AI era

IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices Table of Contents

IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices Table of Contents

Development of an Autonomous Drone-Based Irrigation Decision Support System Utilizing Image Processing and Machine Learning Techniques

Efficient management of water resources is essential for sustaining the global food supply amidst growing populations and climate change. Traditional irrigation methods are often plagued by inefficiencies, leading to significant water wastage. This paper presents the development and validation of an autonomous drone-based irrigation system that leverages advanced image processing and machine learning techniques to optimize water usage in agriculture. The system employs standard low-cost cameras to capture high-resolution aerial images, which are processed to accurately predict the water needs of the plants and inform irrigation decisions in real-time also it can do autonomous watering by controlling the electrical water valve in the specified irrigation areas. Comprehensive field tests conducted on pepper crops demonstrate the system's ability to enhance water use efficiency and improve crop yields. By integrating state-of-the-art technologies such as TensorFlow techniques for machine lear-nig, image analysis and autonomous navigation capabilities, the proposed solution represents a significant advancement in precision agriculture. The results indicate that the autonomous drone-based irrigation system can substantially reduce water consumption while maintaining or enhancing crop productivity, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Nikola Tesla's contribution to the development of knowledge about X-rays

Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest inventors in the world, made revolutionary contributions to modern technology, industry and science. Although he is remembered mostly for his works and advocacy for alternating current, his contribution is much broader and includes, among other things, the early development of X-ray technology. Although Tesla did not receive full credit for his pioneering work in this area, his experiments with high-voltage vacuum tubes laid the groundwork for later advances in the field. He is remembered for the large number of published works in scientific journals and the daily press, and in this way he popularized X-radiation, but also physics in general. He was an inventor of superior scope, an exceptionally gifted practical implementer of complex natural and technical phenomena and processes. This paper highlights Tesla's participation in the development of X-rays and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and promoting Serbian scientific achievements in physics.

Estimation of the Effect of Oblique Positioned Obstacle Placement on Thermal Performance of a Horizontal Mantle Hot Water Tank with Machine Learning

Due to the growing popularity of vacuum tube solar collectors and their more esthetically pleasing look, horizontal hot water tanks are increasingly being used in solar hot water systems. In order to improve the thermal performance of a horizontal mantled hot water tank, this work numerically examines the impact of positioning inclination barriers parallel or coincident to one another at varying angles. The main input provided the velocity V = 0.036, 0.073, 0.11, and 0.147 m/s, and analysis were performed for each speed. The study concluded that V = 0.073 m/s was the ideal mains input velocity for each scenario and that raising the speed typically resulted in a lower mains outlet temperature. According to the study’s findings, the tank design with the first obstacle 150 mm away and the two obstacles 100 mm apart achieves the best efficiency. The residential water temperature in this model is 312 K, while the storage water temperature is 309.5 K. In this study, a feed-forward artificial neural network (ANN) model based predictor was designed to estimate the mantle outlet and main outlet temperatures and the temperature of the stored water. Analyses were performed for different network inlet velocities and obstacle combinations, and ANN showed superior performance in estimating temperature parameters.

A Pressure-Bearing Microwave Transmission Line for Rapid Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Systems of High-End Composite Parts

Currently, a 2-port microwave transmission line with a glass window is usually used to transmit microwave energy to a pressure vessel while sealing the high-pressure gas. In this situation, the damage of the brittle glass window will inevitably result in disastrous accidents. In this paper, the idea of a “2+4”-port microwave transmission line is first proposed to solve this problem. A 4-port waveguide bridge structure is connected to the input port of a traditional 2-port structure, which can release the high-pressure gas safely when the glass window of the 2-port microwave transmitting structure fails. To test this idea, a “2+4”-port microwave transmission line at 2.45 GHz was designed and fabricated. The effectiveness of the whole system in microwave transmission was validated by both simulations and experiments. A high microwave transmittance of more than 97% in the simulation and 91% in the experiment was achieved. The long-time transmission of 15-kW microwave energy, 5 times higher than the previous work, was realized. Moreover, the effectiveness of the transmission line in releasing high-pressure gas (0.6 MPa) was validated by a series of fluid-structure interaction simulations. This research proposes a new transmission structure for transmitting microwave into a pressurized environment safely and efficiently, which can be promoted to a series of applications including vacuum electron devices, microwave ovens, and so on.

Standard requirements for clinical very high energy electron and ultra high dose rate medical devices

Very High-Energy Electrons (VHEE) present a promising innovation in radiation therapy (RT), particularly for the treatment of deep-seated tumors using Ultra High Dose Rate (UHDR) within the framework of FLASH-RT. VHEE offers significant advantages, such as improved tumor targeting, reduced treatment times, and potential utilization of the FLASH effect, which may minimize normal tissue toxicity. However, the lack of an international technical standard for VHEE systems, especially for UHDR applications, remains a critical challenge. Current standards for radiation therapy equipment, such as IEC 60601-2-1 and IEC 60601-2-64, do not encompass VHEE technology. This regulatory gap underscores the need for developing a structured international standard to ensure the basic safety and essential performance of VHEE medical devices. Addressing this challenge requires overcoming complex dose delivery issues, such as the interaction of multiple fields and beam conformality and incorporating novel techniques like broad beam or pencil beam scanning. Establishing comprehensive regulatory standards is essential to ensure patient safety, consistent treatment practices, and the successful clinical integration of VHEE systems. These standards must encompass design guidelines, radiation protection protocols, and integration with existing oncology practices. Collaborative research and development efforts are crucial to formulating evidence-based guidelines, fostering the safe and effective use of VHEE in clinical settings. By addressing these challenges, VHEE technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy, particularly for deep-seated tumors, while enhancing therapeutic outcomes for patients.

VERIFICATION OF ENERGY CHARACTERISTICS OF A THREE-PHASE BRIDGE COMPENSATION CONVERTER WITH ONE COMMUTATING LINK

The article considers the issue of reliability of the results of analytical calculation of the feedforward control angle of power electric valves and the commutate angle of a three-phase bridge compensating converter of electric energy with one commutating link. It is noted that the value of these angles determines the capabilities of the converter regarding the generation of reactive energy together with the power supply of the consumer of direct current electric energy. Based on the complexity of the analytical calculation of these characteristics, the issue of verification of the obtained results is relevant, which also confirms the adequacy of the applied research methodology. As a tool for achieving the goal of the work, the authors use circuit simulation in the Micro Cap package. The modeling technique is described in detail, the results of modeling several modes of converter operation are presented, and these results are analyzed. A comparative analysis of the numerical values ​​of the control and commutating angles obtained as a result of analytical calculation and circuit modeling of the same modes of converter operation showed that the discrepancy does not exceed 5%. This indicates the adequacy of the applied modeling technique and the acceptable accuracy of the results of analytical calculations. Refer. 3, fig. 3, table 3.

Application of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Background: Advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) is produced by centrifuging the patient's blood in vacuum tubes for 14 min at 1500 rpm. The most important component of A-PRF is the platelets, which release growth factors from their ⍺-granules during the clotting process. This process is believed to be the main source of growth factors. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the literature and to summarize the role of A-PRF in oral and maxillo-facial surgery. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was carried out, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42024584161). Results: Thirty-eight articles published before 11 November 2024 were included in the systematic review. The largest study group consisted of 102 patients, and the smallest study group consisted of 10 patients. A-PRF was most often analyzed compared to leukocyte-PRF (L-PRF) or blood cloth. A-PRF was correlated with lower postoperative pain. Also, A-PRF was highlighted to have a positive effect on grafting material integration. A-PRF protected areas after free gingival graft very well, promoted more efficient epithelialization of donor sites and enhanced wound healing. Conclusions: Due to its biological properties, A-PRF could be considered a reliable addition to the surgical protocols, both alone and as an additive to bio-materials, with the advantages of healing improvement, pain relief, soft tissue management and bone preservation, as well as graft integration. However, to determine the long-term clinical implications and recommendations for clinical practice, more well-designed randomized clinical trials are needed in each application, especially those with larger patient cohorts, as well as additional blinding of personnel and long follow-up periods.

INFLUENCE OF INTERLEUKIN-2 AND INTERFERON-α ON LYMPHOCYTE AGGREGATION AND LYMPHOCYTE-PLATELET CLUSTER FORMATION

The aim of the research was to study the direct and platelet-mediated intercellular adhesion of blood-derived lymphocytes, as well as the influence of interleukin-2 and interferon-α on it.Materials and methods. Whole blood samples from 34 apparently healthy individuals were collected using vacuum tubes containing sodium citrate (3,8%). A suspension of lymphocytes and platelets was isolated on a Ficoll-Urografin gradient. Light microscopy was used to determine the percentage of lymphocyte-platelet aggregates. The effect of cytokines was studied by adding human recombinant interleukin-2 and interferon-α to whole blood, and incubating for 4 hours in a thermostat at 37 °C. After incubation the necessary parameters were counted using the method described above. The results were expressed as mean values and standard deviations (± SD). Statistical processing of the data was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Kolmogorov criterion (Statistica 10), with differences considered significant at p < 0.05.Results. The study showed that in addition to lymphocyte-platelet aggregates (11 ± 3.6%), the total pool of lymphocytes also contained intercellular aggregates of lymphocytes (3 ± 3,8 per 100 cells) and lymphocyteplatelet clusters (2 ± 0,6 per 100 cells). It was found that the addition of interleukin-2 (IL-2) led to an increase in lymphocyte-platelet aggregates (LPA) and lymphocyte-platelet clusters by 1,8 times (p < 0,001) and 3,3 times (p < 0,001), respectively, compared to the control group. In contrast, incubation of blood samples with interferon-α (IFN-α) led to a decrease in the number of LPA (by 5.5 times compared to the control, p < 0,001) and almost prevented the ability of lymphocytes and platelets to form clusters. The presence of the abovementioned cytokines in the incubated blood did not affect the ability of lymphocytes to form aggregates with each other.Сonclusion. It was found that IL-2 increases the ability of lymphocytes and platelets to form clusters, while IFN-α significantly reduces this ability and has an inhibitory effect on the ability of these cells to form LPA. In our opinion, it is important that the effects of these cytokines were manifested only upon contact of lymphocytes with platelets.