Corrosion on electronic component terminations during assembly can lead to the failure of electronic devices. The terminations of electronic components are susceptible to corrosion when exposed to ...moisture and other corrosive agents during and before the assembly process. This corrosion can cause physical damage to the terminations, resulting in poor electrical contact and possible failure of the electronic component. In this letter, we present a case study where an automotive production line utilized Cybord's AI-based inspection system to detect and prevent contamination in the soldering terminations of electronic components. The system interfaced with the vision system of pick-and-place machines in real time and collected bottom-side images of all components placed on printed circuit boards (PCBs). The AI algorithm, based on a 3 billion component database, detected evidence of corrosion, mold, and other contaminants on each component and allowed the removal of poor-quality components from production. The reel was disqualified and sent to a lab for scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis, which confirmed the findings of the AI algorithm that the issue was evidence of oxidation contamination. The results of this case study demonstrate the effectiveness of using AI-based inspection in detecting and preventing contamination in electronic assembly, boosting the overall quality and reliability of the final product.
The electronics industry faces a challenge posed by cracks in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC), which can undermine device reliability and longevity. In this study, we investigate the ...multifaceted factors underpinning crack formation, unveiling their intimate connections with corrosion, contamination, and mold. We show that hygroscopic properties, humidity exposure, and ion migration, play a role as precursors triggering both the inception and escalation of cracks. The correlation between corrosion, contamination, and cracking mechanisms in MLCCs presents a unique opportunity, as the visibility of corrosion and contamination on the component’s exterior offers a distinct advantage for detection, unlike the elusive nature of cracks which are often challenging to identify. We introduce a solution—an encompassing visual inspection methodology designed to detect corrosion evidence on electronic components. This approach employs advanced AI algorithms and pick-and-place machine cameras already in-place to examine all components during assembly. The algorithm detects corrosion indicators, effectively neutralizing the detrimental effects of corrosion and mitigating its potential role in crack formation. Our work includes the presentation of the AI model, which showcases exceptional accuracy in identifying corrosion-associated concerns. This innovative tool is directly confronting a major root cause of cracks. This novel solution marks a substantial stride toward fortifying product reliability and extending the operational lifespan of electronic devices.
Deep learning has become an extremely effective tool for image classification and image restoration problems. Here, we apply deep learning to microscopy and demonstrate how neural networks can ...exploit the chromatic dependence of the point-spread function to classify the colors of single emitters imaged on a grayscale camera. While existing localization microscopy methods for spectral classification require additional optical elements in the emission path, e.g., spectral filters, prisms, or phase masks, our neural net correctly identifies static and mobile emitters with high efficiency using a standard, unmodified single-channel configuration. Furthermore, we show how deep learning can be used to design new phase-modulating elements that, when implemented into the imaging path, result in further improved color differentiation between species, including simultaneously differentiating four species in a single image.
The Leggett-Garg inequality, an analogue of Bell's inequality involving correlations of measurements on a system at different times, stands as one of the hallmark tests of quantum mechanics against ...classical predictions. The phenomenon of neutrino oscillations should adhere to quantum-mechanical predictions and provide an observable violation of the Leggett-Garg inequality. We demonstrate how oscillation phenomena can be used to test for violations of the classical bound by performing measurements on an ensemble of neutrinos at distinct energies, as opposed to a single neutrino at distinct times. A study of the MINOS experiment's data shows a greater than 6σ violation over a distance of 735 km, representing the longest distance over which either the Leggett-Garg inequality or Bell's inequality has been tested.
This study aimed to determine whether BMI increases knee pain as measured from self-reported surveys even when controlling for OA severity as measured by osteophytes and joint space narrowing visible ...on X-rays.
Data available through the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) were analysed, which included a sample of 4769 individuals, to answer the above question regarding OA, excess weight and pain. OA severity was assessed through baseline X-rays on right knees that were scored on a composite quasi-Kellgren and Lawrence grade. Weight was assessed through BMI. Pain was assessed through self-reports of the WOMAC pain subset as well as a 30-day pain severity question based on a 0-10 scale. Data were analysed using SPSS and analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were run to examine models adjusted for age, smoking, prior injury, pain medication and Heberden's nodes. Critical alpha levels were set at 0.05.
The results reported here confirm that knee pain does increase with OA severity. However, ANCOVA multiple regressions with controls reveal that even when taking into account OA severity, individuals with higher BMIs experience greater pain than individuals with lower BMIs.
Weight loss may reduce knee OA pain even if the osteological symptoms are not treated.
Although cancer progression is primarily driven by the expansion of tumor cells, the tumor microenvironment and anti-tumor immunity also play important roles. Herein, we consider how tumors can ...become established by escaping immune surveillance and also how cancer cells can be rendered visible to the immune system by standard therapies such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, either alone or in combination with additional immune stimulators. Although local radiotherapy results in DNA damage (targeted effects), it is also capable of inducing immunogenic forms of tumor cell death which are associated with a release of immune activating danger signals (non-targeted effects), such as necrosis. Necrotic tumor cells may result from continued exposure to death stimuli and/or an impaired phosphatidylserine (PS) dependent clearance of the dying tumor cells. In such circumstances, mature dendritic cells take up tumor antigen and mediate the induction of adaptive and innate anti-tumor immunity. Locally-triggered, systemic immune activation can also lead to a spontaneous regression of tumors or metastases that are outside the radiation field - an effect which is termed abscopal. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that combining radiotherapy with immune stimulation can induce anti-tumor immunity. Given that it takes time for immunity to develop following exposure to immunogenic tumor cells, we propose practical combination therapies that should be considered as a basis for future research and clinical practice. It is essential that radiation oncologists become more aware of the importance of the immune system to the success of cancer therapy.
Study objective Emergency department (ED) crowding is a prevalent health delivery problem and may adversely affect the outcomes of patients requiring admission. We assess the association of ED ...crowding with subsequent outcomes in a general population of hospitalized patients. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients admitted in 2007 through the EDs of nonfederal, acute care hospitals in California. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay and costs. ED crowding was established by the proxy measure of ambulance diversion hours on the day of admission. To control for hospital-level confounders of ambulance diversion, we defined periods of high ED crowding as those days within the top quartile of diversion hours for a specific facility. Hierarchic regression models controlled for demographics, time variables, patient comorbidities, primary diagnosis, and hospital fixed effects. We used bootstrap sampling to estimate excess outcomes attributable to ED crowding. Results We studied 995,379 ED visits resulting in admission to 187 hospitals. Patients who were admitted on days with high ED crowding experienced 5% greater odds of inpatient death (95% confidence interval CI 2% to 8%), 0.8% longer hospital length of stay (95% CI 0.5% to 1%), and 1% increased costs per admission (95% CI 0.7% to 2%). Excess outcomes attributable to periods of high ED crowding included 300 inpatient deaths (95% CI 200 to 500 inpatient deaths), 6,200 hospital days (95% CI 2,800 to 8,900 hospital days), and $17 million (95% CI $11 to $23 million) in costs. Conclusion Periods of high ED crowding were associated with increased inpatient mortality and modest increases in length of stay and costs for admitted patients.
Background and Aims Similar to achieving adenoma detection rate (ADR) benchmarks to prevent colorectal cancer (CRC), achieving adequate serrated polyp detection rates (SDRs) may be essential to the ...prevention of CRC associated with the serrated pathway. Previous studies have been based on data from high-volume endoscopists at single academic centers. Based on a hypothesis that ADR is correlated with SDR, we stratified a large, diverse group of endoscopists (n = 77 practicing at 28 centers) into high performers and low performers, based on ADR, to provide data for corresponding target SDR benchmarks. Methods By using colonoscopies in adults aged ≥50 years (4/09-12/14), we stratified endoscopists by high and low ADRs (<15%, 15%-<25%, 25%-<35%, ≥35%) to determine corresponding SDRs by using 2 SDR measures, for screening and surveillance colonoscopies separately: (1) Clinically significant SDR (CSSDR), meaning colonoscopies with any sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSA/P), traditional serrated adenoma (TSA), or hyperplastic polyp (HP) >1 cm anywhere in the colon or HP >5 mm in the proximal colon only divided by the total number of screening and surveillance colonoscopies, respectively. (2) Proximal SDR (PSDR) meaning colonoscopies with any serrated polyp (SSA/P, HP, TSA) of any size proximal to the sigmoid colon divided by the total number of screening and surveillance colonoscopies, respectively. Results A total of 45,996 (29,960 screening) colonoscopies by 77 endoscopists (28 facilities) were included. Moderately strong positive correlation coefficients were observed for screening ADR/CSSDR ( P = .69) and ADR/PSDR ( P = .79) and a strong positive correlation ( P = .82) for CSSDR/PSDR ( P < .0001 for all) was observed. For ADR ≥25%, endoscopists’ median (interquartile range) screening CSSDR was 6.8% (4.3%-8.6%) and PSDR was 10.8% (8.6%-16.1%). Conclusions Derived from ADR, the primary colonoscopy quality indicator, our results suggest potential SDR benchmarks (CSSDR = 7% and PSDR = 11%) that may guide adequate serrated polyp detection. Because CSSDR and PSDR are strongly correlated, endoscopists could use the simpler PSDR calculation to assess quality.
PDF
