Murata (Japan)

As the BaTiO3 dielectric layer of multi-layer ceramic capacitors becomes thinner, the problem of leakage current degradation arises. In this study, the relationship between the Sn content in Ni–Sn internal electrodes and reliability enhancement is clarified. In addition, based on high-resolution interfacial observations, changes in the work function of the Ni–Sn internal electrode are examined to investigate the mechanism of insulation degradation suppression. Determination of the work function is conducted using both analytical and computational approaches. From these results, the mechanism by which Sn addition to Ni internal electrodes suppresses insulation degradation is discussed.

ABSTRACT This study examined how contextual factors influence match-running performance in elite women’s soccer, with a focus on differences between starters (i.e. players who began the match) and nonstarters (i.e. players who entered the match as substitutes and played for at least 5 minutes). A total of 95 women’s players from four teams competing in the Brazilian Women’s First Division were monitored across 60 matches using 10-Hz GPS devices. Running performance was analyzed in both absolute and relative terms (m·min−1) across five speed zones, PlayerLoad, accelerations, and decelerations metrics. The contextual variables examined included opponent level, match location, number of days between matches, and the momentary point-difference. Starters covered greater absolute distances, while nonstarters exhibited higher relative demands in moderate- to high intensity zones and accelerations. Starters displayed higher relative distances in low intensity running. As part of the positional comparison, midfielders covered the greatest total distance, while external defenders and forwards performed more high-intensity actions. Central defenders had the lowest physical demands across all metrics. Nonstarters showed greater sprinting distances in matches against stronger opponents when playing at home. The momentary point-difference also influenced physical performance, with more balanced matches associated with reduced running outputs across positions and roles. Additionally, greater running outputs were observed in matches with ≤4 days of recovery, especially in low-to-moderate intensity zones. Performance staff should adopt role-specific and context-approach training strategies, considering starter status and match contextual demands to prescribe compensatory training loads in elite women’s soccer.

The maintenance of postoperative blood flow is essential to ensure the optimal condition of transplanted organs. Further, early detection of circulatory disturbances is necessary to prevent graft failure, but is complicated by the closed space after surgery. Continuous and prompt inspection of organ blood flow can help to ensure post-operative blood flow monitoring. A recent study described the development of a wearable flexible sensor probe able to measure short-term changes in pulse waves and optical reflectance. Herein, we used this device to assess porcine kidney transplant models, including models of ischemia and congestion. Blood flow and organ surface color were measured using a sensor probe in the ischemia and congestion transplanted kidney models. Changes in the pulse wave and kidney color in the transplanted model were measured using multipoint mapping with a wearable device. The pulse wave signal decreased after arterial and venous clamping, and improved after clamp release. In the color sensor, the red and blue light reflectance signals decreased and increased after arterial clamping, respectively. Overall, these results show that this method effectively provides information to support the verification of ischemia and congestion of intra-abdominal transplanted organs, and can rapidly detect vascular circulatory disorders after surgery.

Interprofessional education (IPE) is a required prerequisite of interprofessional practice (IPP), the most collaborative service delivery model for speech-language pathologists working in both health care and educational settings. This exploratory, mixed methods study was conducted to examine the impact of an experiential IPE training program on graduate speech-language pathology (SLP) and occupational therapy (OT) students working together in a preschool classroom for children with developmental disabilities. Eight SLP and five OT students participated in a 2-hour in-person workshop and two 1.5-hour virtual simulations using ViewPoint technology. The training program provided instruction related to: three of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative’s (IPEC) Core Competencies (Communication, Roles and Responsibilities, Teams and Teamwork); writing collaborative goals; and writing collaborative intervention plans. Students completed the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Scale-Revised (ICCAS-Revised) and were observed at pre-training and post-training using the Interprofessional Collaborator Assessment Rubric (ICAR). They also participated in 1-hour focus groups to assess their ability to discuss the IPEC Core Competencies at pre-training and post-training. Students’ ICCAS-Revised and ICAR ratings increased significantly from pre-training to post-training and they were able to talk about the IPEC Core Competencies in greater depth at the end of the training. The study suggests that virtual simulations paired with the clinical experience of collaborating in a real-world setting can lead to gains in not only students’ self-perceptions of their interprofessional skills but also their actual abilities to work effectively on interprofessional teams.

Background: Age-related declines in skeletal muscle quality and quantity contribute to frailty and sarcopenia, leading to physical dysfunction in older adults. In particular, the selective atrophy of fast-twitch fibers is closely linked to reduced lower limb strength and increased fall risk. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of habitual body weight resistance training on muscle fiber recruitment patterns during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and squatting movements using spectral characteristics of surface electromyography (EMG). Methods: Fifty healthy community-dwelling older adults (28 males, 22 females; aged 64–84 years) were categorized into exercise and non-exercise groups based on training habits. Surface EMG signals were recorded from the rectus femoris muscle during MVC, normal squat, half-squat, and squat movements. Power spectral density (PSD) was analyzed using Welch’s method and divided into frequency bands: type I (20–60 Hz), type IIa(1) (60–115 Hz), type IIa(2) (115–170 Hz), and type IIx (170–350 Hz). Results: While statistical significance was limited, the exercise group tended to show higher ratio PSDs in type IIa and IIx bands, and lower PSDs in the type I band during MVC. During half-squats, the non-exercise group exhibited higher contributions above 60 Hz, suggesting inefficient fast-twitch fiber recruitment. Conclusions: Habitual body weight resistance training may influence muscle fiber recruitment patterns in older adults. EMG spectral analysis offers a non-invasive means to detect age- and training-related neuromuscular adaptations.

This paper presents recent advances in laterally excited shear mode bulk acoustic wave resonators (XBARs). Since Dr. Plessky and colleagues published the first XBAR in 2019, a lot of attention has been paid to XBARs because of their unique features, such as high frequency and large electromechanical coupling factor, which are considered to be difficult to achieve with conventional surface acoustic wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) devices. Although the positive XBAR characteristics have been reported by means of simulations and demonstration using simplified resonators and filters, some issues were pointed out, such as its intrinsically fragile-looking suspended structure, manufacturability, reliability for mechanical and power durability, and as such the feasibility of XBARs for practical mass production remains unreported. Characteristics, manufacturability, and reliability of XBAR technologies applied to filters for Wi-Fi applications are presented.

This paper presents an XBAR-based laterally-coupled resonator filter (LCRF) structure. In the interdigital transducer (IDT) electrodes, efficient lateral excitation and acoustic coupling are achieved simultaneously when signal and ground potentials are alternately and periodically arranged. The mode coupling strength can be controlled by the IDT geometry, such as the pitch and mark. For the ideal case of infinitely thin electrodes, the fundamental principles of the XBAR-based laterally coupled resonator are discussed using the finite element method and analytical simulations. For experimental verification, a test structure was designed with thick electrodes and a meandering common electrode that enables a single-mask step. The fabricated test devices demonstrated wideband coupled resonator operation in the 4 GHz band. Reducing the high series resistance caused by the meandering electrode holds the potential for realizing compact and low-loss filters.