Search Results (3,871)

Freestanding graphene exhibits exceptional mechanical flexibility and electrical conductivity, making it well suited for varying capacitance applications. For example, when suspended above a fixed electrode, graphene will move in response to an applied bias voltage, thereby forming a varactor or voltage-controlled capacitor. In this work, we present a very detailed and scalable fabrication process for building graphene-based variable capacitor device structures. Starting with commercially available 100 mm silicon wafers with a thick thermal oxide layer, we fabricate thousands of individually accessible freestanding graphene variable capacitors using standard semiconductor methods. The process begins with metal deposition to establish alignment crosshairs, then oxide etching to create trenches, a second metal deposition to form electrodes and bonding pads, followed by large-area graphene transfer, then patterning the graphene via oxygen plasma etching, critical point drying for suspension, and finally wire bonding our devices into a package. We use optical and atomic force microscopy characterization to confirm our design specifications were met. Electrical characterization confirms successful graphene suspension through voltage-dependent capacitance measurements. The procedure presented here successfully suspends both pure multilayer graphene as well as graphene with a thick layer of PMMA. Full article

The automotive sector is the third-largest consumer of plastics in Europe, after packaging and construction, and its demand is expected to grow. Plastic recycling at the end of vehicle life remains low, with 80% of plastics ending up in energy recovery or landfills. Three vehicle models (SEAT Ibiza Gen. IV and SEAT Leon Gen. II and III) with two trim versions (Reference and Formula Racing) were examined to identify the most critical plastic components from an exergy perspective. Ecodesign measures were defined by considering both the disassemblability of vehicle components and their recyclability potential as key criteria to evaluate end-of-life recovery pathways and guide material and design optimization strategies. The proposed methodology classified the measures into three types: (1) substitution of high-exergy plastics with lower-impact alternatives; (2) use of recycled plastics instead of primary materials, with substitution rates depending on the material; and (3) reuse of components in new models, evaluated by disassemblability and end-of-life condition. Results show that Type 1 measures achieved savings up to 70 MJ, mainly in the floor covering and engine compartment insulator, while Type 2 measures provided larger reductions, up to 1.7 GJ, mainly in bumpers and carpets. Type 3 measures showed reuse potential for paddings and insulators but faced limitations in carpets and dashboards. Findings highlight the importance of material selection and implementing disassembly and recycling strategies to reduce the exergy of vehicle plastics. Full article

The rising incidence of skin cancer necessitates scalable and accurate diagnostic tools. While dermoscopy-based systems have achieved expert-level performance, clinical smartphone images pose challenges due to variability in lighting, resolution, and artifacts. Recent advances in multimodal deep learning have shown promise, yet most approaches rely on simple feature concatenation or single-model classifiers, limiting their ability to capture complex cross-modal interactions. This study aims to bridge the diagnostic gap in resource-limited settings by developing a robust multimodal framework that synergizes clinical smartphone images with structured patient metadata for automated skin cancer classification. We propose a novel hybrid architecture integrating a Swin Transformer V2 (SwinV2-Tiny) for hierarchical visual feature extraction and a Denoising Autoencoder (DAE) with PCA for robust metadata embedding. These heterogeneous modalities are fused via a Gated Attention Mechanism that dynamically weighs feature importance across streams. Classification is performed by a Heterogeneous Meta-Stack Ensemble comprising CatBoost, LightGBM, XGBoost, and Logistic Regression, designed to maximize calibration and generalization across imbalanced classes. Evaluated on the PAD-UFES-20 dataset (2298 clinical smartphone images, six diagnostic classes), the proposed framework achieves state-of-the-art performance with a macro-averaged F1-score of 0.977, accuracy of 0.978, and an AUC of 0.990. It significantly outperforms unimodal baselines and existing multimodal methods, demonstrating superior sensitivity (0.974) and precision (0.981), particularly for underrepresented malignant classes like Melanoma (F1: 0.995) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (F1: 0.960). The integration of clinical metadata with advanced visual embeddings via gated attention significantly enhances diagnostic reliability. Comprehensive ablation studies confirm the contribution of each architectural component. This framework offers a viable pathway for deploying high-precision, AI-driven dermatological screening tools on standard smartphone devices. Full article

Intra-articular soft connective tissues such as synovium and adipose tissue play a crucial role in governing joint homeostasis and disease progression in various forms of arthritis. In the knee, like many synovial joints, adipose tissue forms an integrated anatomic and functional unit with the joint-lining synovium, and the most prominent adipose depot is the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP). With growing evidence that lipid profiles in the synovium–IFP unit shift during progression of joint diseases like osteoarthritis (OA), there is strong impetus for consistent tissue collection approaches and reproducible subsequent lipid characterization. Here, we present a standardized dissection and low-input untargeted lipidomics workflow optimized for mouse knee synovium and IFP, to enable comprehensive lipid profiling. Synovium/IFP from multiple joints are pooled to increase input mass and guarantee robust lipid yield, followed by lipid extraction and high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS) acquisition for global, untargeted lipidomic profiling. The analysis workflow encompasses robust feature detection, accurate lipid annotation, data transformation and normalization. These steps enhance comparability across samples, particularly those with low input amounts, while minimizing technical variance and batch effects. Using this approach, we detect a broad spectrum of lipid species spanning the major lipid categories. As expected for untargeted discovery, a subset of non-lipid species is also observed. This protocol provides a practical framework for robust, reproducible lipidomics in murine intra-articular soft tissues to support future disease-specific biomarker and drug target discovery in OA and other joint diseases. Full article

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant global challenge, affecting approximately 7% of patients in developed countries and over 10% in developing regions, according to the World Health Organization. Medical textiles, particularly hospital bed linens and pillowcases, play a critical role in the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms due to their porous structure and moisture-retaining properties, which support microbial survival and proliferation, including bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Conventional disinfection methods, including laundering and thermal treatments, provide only temporary protection, leading to rapid recontamination during use. In recent years, various antimicrobial agents and functionalization techniques have been developed to impart long-lasting antiseptic properties to textile materials. However, these approaches differ significantly in terms of antimicrobial efficiency, durability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact, making the selection of optimal strategies challenging for practical healthcare applications. This review provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of antimicrobial agents used in healthcare textile functionalization, including metal-based nanoparticles, organic compounds, and bio-based materials. In addition, it evaluates key modification methods such as coating, padding, and in situ synthesis, with particular emphasis on their influence on antimicrobial performance, wash durability, and practical applicability. Furthermore, this review discusses major challenges associated with the use of antiseptic coatings, including toxicity, environmental concerns, and economic limitations. Based on the analysis, promising directions for the development of safer, cost-effective, and durable antimicrobial textile systems are highlighted, offering valuable insights for future research and real-world healthcare applications. Full article

With the progressive decline of tailpipe emissions, non-exhaust sources such as brake wear are becoming an increasingly important contributor to traffic-related particulate matter in urban environments. In this context, improving real-world characterization of brake wear particles is essential for air-pollution assessment, source apportionment, and the development of cleaner and more sustainable road transport systems. Here, we investigated the emissions levels, particle size distribution and elemental composition of particles released during harsh real-world braking events by a single light-duty vehicle braking system equipped with an original manufacturer (OEM) non-asbestos organic (NAO) pad formulation. Using a direct on-vehicle sampling system combined with real-time particle sizing and high-resolution microscopy, we observed that particle emissions remained close to background levels at speeds up to 100 km/h, but rose sharply at 120 km/h, reaching 3.7 × 10⁷ #/cm³ in the 8–10 nm size range. This increase suggests that higher speeds are associated with elevated particle emissions, likely due to the higher braking temperatures reached at increased vehicle speeds. The emitted particles were mainly spherical agglomerates rich in iron, titanium, barium, zirconium, and sulphur, consistent with NAO pad formulations. Our results show that the investigated NAO pad system can deteriorate under thermal stress, potentially leading to higher levels of nanoparticle emissions compared to low-metallic or semi-metallic pads investigated under similar conditions. These findings provide real-world evidence relevant to urban air quality research, support the refinement of non-exhaust emissions inventories, and highlight the importance of thermally resilient friction-material formulations for mitigating residual particulate emissions in increasingly cleaner transport systems. Full article

Background: An important role in postural control is played by the plantar proprioceptive inputs, as they contribute to the sensorimotor integration of the Tonic Postural System (TPS). Although plantar stimulation is an excellent strategy for improving balance, evidence remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to examine the acute effects of plantar proprioceptive training on dynamic balance performance and ankle range of motion (ROM). Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 26 physically active young adults were divided into an experimental group (EG; n = 13) and a control group (CG; n = 13). The EG performed plantar proprioceptive training including walking on a reflexology mat and balance exercises on a proprioceptive pad. The CG remained lying supine on a couch for the same amount of time as the experimental intervention. The Y-Balance Test (YBT) was used to assess dynamic balance, while the ankle ROM (i.e., dorsiflexion and plantarflexion) was measured using an inertial sensor. All measurements were taken before (T0) and immediately after (T1) the experimental or control condition. Results: Improvements in the YBT were found in the EG from T0 to T1 for both right (p = 0.002; SE = 1.24) and left (p = 0.015) foot, but no changes from T0 to T1 were observed in the CG for both right and left foot (p > 0.05). No changes were observed for ankle ROM in both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that plantar proprioceptive training can provide acute improvements in dynamic balance with no significant changes in ankle ROM. The findings support a potential role of plantar stimulation in postural control mechanisms. Full article

Paper-based devices (PADs) have gained increasing attention over the last few years as portable, low-cost and disposable (bio)sensors for point-of-care and on-site analysis. Electrochemistry is a particularly attractive detection mode in PAD assays thanks to its sensitivity and compatibility with portable instrumentation. In particular, electrochemical stripping analysis (ESA) is one of the most sensitive electroanalytical techniques, and, therefore, is suitable for trace assays required in environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics and food control. Coupling paper as a functional platform with the exceptional sensitivity of ESA creates a powerful analytical tool for trace metals and (bio)sensing. This perspective briefly outlines the current state-of-the art in the field of paper-based (bio)sensors using ESA. It describes the principle of ESA, illustrates different strategies for on-paper electrode fabrication and modification and demonstrates representative applications to trace metal analysis and biosensing. Finally, limitations are identified and future prospects are discussed. Full article

Accurate characterization of the true tire–pavement contact state is essential for understanding pavement friction; yet conventional texture indicators and nominal contact assumptions cannot directly represent the actual interfacial interaction between rubber and pavement. This study proposes a rapid and non-destructive method for measuring three-dimensional tire–pavement true contact texture under different loads. A materials testing system was used to apply controlled loads to a rubber pad–carbon paper–pavement assembly, and the resulting imprints were combined with three-dimensional laser profilometer data and support-curve-based slicing to determine the real contact area ratio, penetration texture depth, and self-affine fractal dimension. Tests on nine asphalt pavement samples under loads from 5 to 20 kN showed that the real contact area ratio increased with load but remained below 40% at 20 kN. The predicted contact area from the reconstructed 3D texture agreed well with the imprint-based results, with an absolute error not exceeding 2.59%. Penetration texture depth showed a stronger relationship with skid resistance than fractal dimension. The proposed method provides a practical means of capturing effective tire–pavement contact parameters and offers useful inputs for laboratory-based skid resistance evaluation and texture-informed friction modeling. Full article

Conventional terahertz (THz) radio frequency (RF) frontends struggle to simultaneously balance the high performance and miniaturization of monolithic integrated designs with the excellent testability of discrete modular architectures. This paper presents a detachable 183 GHz terahertz RF frontend and completes the module design and system integration of a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and a second-order subharmonic mixer. Through optimization of the waveguide-to-microstrip transition, parasitic compensation for pad bonding, and the structural design of the chip shielding cavity, combined with a high-precision alignment scheme using positioning pins and screws, the integrated module achieves detachability, testability, and ease of maintenance. Measurement results show that across the 160–200 GHz frequency band, the amplifier achieves an average gain of 16.51 dB; the mixer exhibits a minimum conversion loss of 8.62 dB; and the full-link noise figure of the system reaches 6.68 dB. The proposed scheme effectively addresses the engineering challenges of conventional integrated architectures and provides a practical implementation pathway for terahertz communication and remote sensing detection frontends. Full article

This review examines how plant polyphenols enable multifunctional textiles, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes and nanomaterial-based treatments. A literature search (2001–2025) identified 105 peer-reviewed studies across eight functional areas. Abundant in agricultural and industrial byproducts, plant polyphenols act as natural colorants, bio-adhesives, and performance enhancers—providing coloration, antibacterial activity, UV protection, flame retardancy, deodorization, antioxidant capacity, superhydrophobicity, and more. Their catechol and pyrogallol groups bind strongly to natural and synthetic fibers via hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, and metal chelation, ensuring durable, nontoxic functionality. We analyze structure–function links and scalable methods, including pad-dry-cure and metal–phenolic network (MPN) assembly, which were validated against ISO, ASTM, and AATCC standards. Polyphenol-based textiles match or exceed conventional ones in key metrics, with added benefits: full biodegradability, low ecotoxicity, and skin compatibility. Key advances include enzymatic polymerization for wash-stable color, MPN tuning for customizable functions, and using waste-derived polyphenols. However, major challenges remain: narrow color range (mostly yellow, brown, black) and poor wash/UV resistance, leading to rapid fading and loss of antibacterial/UV protection after laundering. Solving these is a top priority for future work. Overall, this review delivers a practical, science-based roadmap for high-performance, sustainable textiles that align with the Sustainable Development Goals and meet real-world needs in healthcare, sportswear, and smart wearables. Full article

Background/Objectives: Scrub typhus, a life-threatening infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is treated with doxycycline or azithromycin. In severe disease, combination therapy with azithromycin and doxycycline had better clinical outcomes than either drug alone. However, it is not clear what causes the improved efficacy. To understand the same, we examined the plasma concentrations, intracellular concentrations, and efficacy of doxycycline, azithromycin, and both drugs in combination in 51 patients with severe scrub typhus. Methods: A randomly selected subset of adult (>18 years) participants from the INTREST trial (Clinical Trials Registry–India, number CTRI/2018/08/015159), who had been randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive doxycycline, azithromycin, or both drugs, respectively, were included in this study for comparative drug concentration analysis. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 1, 3, and 7 to monitor bacterial load using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Five milliliters of sterile blood were collected 3–10 h after the final dose on day 7 for comparative drug concentration measured using high-resolution multiple reaction monitoring. Data were analyzed in GraphPad Prism v.10.0.3. Results: Fifty-one patients (males, 59%; median age, 52 years) were enrolled. Fifteen, seventeen, and nineteen patients received azithromycin, doxycycline, and both, respectively. Doxycycline achieved a median plasma concentration of 1112 (42.51–5697) ng/mL and was undetectable intracellularly. The intracellular concentration of azithromycin (1127 [16.78–19,250] ng/mL) surpassed its plasma concentration (227.1 [48.78–1022] ng/mL). On day 3, PCR negativity rates were 56.24%, 93.3%, and 94.7% in the doxycycline, azithromycin, and combination groups, respectively. Conclusions: The high plasma concentrations of doxycycline and intracellular accumulation of azithromycin may contribute to improved clinical outcomes when used in combination. Full article

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) involves atherosclerotic obstruction of the leg arteries and impairs function and structure of lower-limb tissues. Although traditionally regarded as a large-artery (macrovascular) disorder, PAD includes significant microvascular disease in the affected musculature, together leading to impaired leg perfusion. Monitoring muscle oxygenation during exercise provides an indirect index of limb perfusion and exercise capacity, and tracking its kinetics with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS; a portable, non-invasive technique measuring real-time tissue oxygen saturation) helps elucidate mechanisms underlying walking limitations in PAD. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library (1985–2025) for studies employing NIRS to monitor muscle oxygenation in PAD patients before, during, and after exercise. Of 628 articles screened, 11 met the inclusion criteria. NIRS demonstrated reliability and validity for monitoring muscle oxygenation in PAD. During walking, PAD patients showed a much steeper decline in muscle oxygenation and delayed recovery to baseline. Resting muscle oxygenation did not differ between patients with PAD and controls. These dynamics reveal the pathophysiological interplay in which proximal/macrovascular and distal/microvascular disease limit oxygen delivery and utilization in skeletal muscle. Accordingly, NIRS offers a sensitive, non-invasive tool to evaluate macro- and microvascular disease burden and monitor therapeutic response in PAD. Full article

Background: Lower limb arterial calcification (LLAC) is a robust imaging biomarker of peripheral artery disease (PAD) severity. Vitamin K antagonists are presumed to accelerate cardiovascular calcification. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may influence vascular calcification differently, but lower limb data are limited. Methods: We performed a single-center retrospective cross-sectional study comparing LLAC on clinically acquired non-contrast CT between DOAC users and controls without anticoagulation. Patients were propensity score-matched 1:1 (48 DOAC vs. 48 control; n = 96) using baseline clinical covariates. Associations between LLAC scores and perioperative or cardiovascular events were assessed. Segment-specific LLAC was quantified on non-contrast CT and normalized for arterial segment length. A prespecified exposure–duration sensitivity analysis compared the outcomes in patients with ≥5 years of continuous DOAC therapy (n = 22) versus matched controls. Results: In the matched cohort, total LLAC scores did not differ significantly between DOAC and control groups (infrarenal aorta: median 7596.0 vs. 8637.0 (p = 0.487), iliac segment: median 5689.5 vs. 5193.5 (p = 0.602). However, in patients with ≥5 years of DOAC use, LLAC scores were significantly lower in proximal segments: infrarenal aorta median 5593.5 vs. 11,185.0 (p = 0.001997) and iliac arteries 5624.5 vs. 11,501.0 (p = 0.001867)). Higher LLAC was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or significant bleeding) in controls (p = 0.0023) but not in DOAC-treated patients. Conclusions: In this propensity-matched, cross-sectional CT study, long-term DOAC exposure was associated with lower proximal LLAC scores in a small duration-defined subgroup, while the primary matched analysis showed no overall difference in total LLAC scores. Because baseline (pre-DOAC) imaging was unavailable and residual confounding/survivor bias is possible, these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating and require prospective validation. The cohort reflected a mixed lower-extremity vascular population rather than exclusively classic chronic atherosclerotic PAD, which may limit biological interpretation and generalizability. Full article

Introduction: Late functional outcomes remain major determinants of quality of life after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Although several baseline and perioperative factors have been linked to postoperative stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and erectile dysfunction (ED), their cumulative effect remains incompletely characterized in large real-world cohorts. Materials and Methods: This retrospective single-center study included 862 consecutive patients undergoing RARP for localized prostate cancer. All endpoints were assessed at a fixed 12-month follow-up visit; therefore, a median follow-up beyond this predefined time point was not applicable. Outcomes were derived from patient-reported information documented during routine follow-up and comprised pad use, ED, and urethral anastomotic stricture. Age, body mass index (BMI), console time, estimated blood loss, and prostate weight were selected a priori based on clinical relevance and uniform availability and were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. A simple exploratory composite risk score (0–5 points) was constructed by assigning one point for each predefined adverse factor. Results: At 12 months, 50.0% of patients were pad-free, 85.6% achieved social continence (0–1 pad/day), 14.5% had clinically significant incontinence (>1 pad/day), 71.5% had chart-documented ED, and 1.0% developed urethral anastomotic stricture. In multivariable analysis, age (OR 1.039, 95% CI 1.018–1.059) and prostate weight (OR 1.011, 95% CI 1.004–1.018) independently predicted SUI, while age was the only independent predictor of ED (OR 1.029, 95% CI 1.007–1.050). No predictor of stricture was identified. The composite score showed an exploratory dose–response association with SUI (OR 1.364 per point, 95% CI 1.208–1.541; AUC 0.597) and a weaker association with ED (OR 1.149, 95% CI 1.007–1.313; AUC 0.540). Conclusions: A simple composite score may provide pragmatic exploratory grouping of SUI risk after RARP, but discrimination is modest and interpretation is limited by non-validated outcome assessment and the absence of major confounders, including nerve-sparing status and baseline functional measures. Full article