Search Results (163)

Background: Non-absorbable polyvinyl alcohol sponges (Merocel) are widely used in otolaryngology for nasal and ear packing but are prone to bacterial colonization and biofilm formation, which may increase infection risk and drive frequent use of systemic antibiotics. Sustained-release drug delivery systems enable prolonged local antiseptic activity at the site of packing while minimizing systemic exposure. Methods: We developed a sustained-release varnish containing chlorhexidine (SRV-CHX) and coated sterile Merocel sponges. Antibacterial, in vitro, activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated using kinetic diffusion assays on agar, optical density (OD₆₀₀) measurements of planktonic cultures, drop plate, ATP-based viability assays, biofilm analysis by MTT metabolic assay, crystal violet bio-mass staining, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), and spinning disk confocal microscopy. Results: SRV-CHX-coated sponges produced sustained zones of inhibition on agar plates for up to 37 days against S. aureus and 39 days against P. aeruginosa, far exceeding the usual 3–5 days of clinical sponge use. Planktonic growth was significantly reduced compared with SRV-placebo, and a bactericidal effect persisted for up to 16 days for S. aureus and 5 days for P. aeruginosa before becoming predominantly bacteriostatic. Biofilm formation was markedly inhibited, with suppression of metabolic activity and biomass for at least 33 days for S. aureus and up to 16 days for P. aeruginosa. HR-SEM and confocal imaging confirmed sparse, discontinuous biofilms and predominance of non-viable bacteria on SRV-CHX-coated sponges compared with dense, viable biofilms on the placebo controls. Conclusions: Coating Merocel sponges with SRV-CHX provides prolonged antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against clinically relevant pathogens. This strategy may reduce dependence on systemic antibiotics and improve infection control in nasal and ear packing applications in otolaryngology. Full article

Oil additives are essential for improving anti-wear (AW) properties and durability of mechanical components. In this study, a novel ionic liquid based on phosphate ammonium salt (coded as IL-NPAS) was designed using organic synthesis methods. The high-level objective of this work is to enhance the wear resistance ability of oil-lubricated steels with low-cost additives in terms of materials and manufacturing methods. The IL-NPAS additive was incorporated at concentrations of 0.1 wt% and 0.5 wt% in 150 SN oil, which served as the base oil. Additionally, the commercial oil additive (coded as AW6110) was utilized as a reference to evaluate the effectiveness of the synthesized additive. The frictional behaviour was evaluated with an SRV tribometer at test temperatures of 25 °C and 100 °C. After that, SEM, 3D profilometry, XPS, and TOF-SIMS techniques were employed to show the wear modes and determine the chemical composition of the lubricating tribolayer. Noticeably, the formulated lubricant based on the 0.5 wt% IL-NPAS additive provided AW performance almost identical to the AW6110 additive. The results showed that the 0.5 wt% IL-NPAS additive reduced the coefficient of friction (COF) and improved AW properties by 34–36% and 80–90%, respectively, compared to the 150 SN base oil. Overall, this study holds significant promise for the development of low-cost lubricating oil additives. Full article

Deep coalbed methane (CBM) development faces significant challenges due to extreme geological conditions (high stress, elevated pressure, high temperature) that differ fundamentally from shallow reservoirs. Traditional productivity models developed for shallow CBM often fail to accurately predict deep reservoir performance. The complex “stress-desorption-flow” multi-field coupling mechanism, intensified under deep conditions, critically controls production dynamics but remains poorly understood. This study develops a multi-layer, commingled, coupled geomechanical-flow model for the Hujiertai deep CBM block (2140~2170 m) in Xinjiang, China. The model, integrating gas-water two-phase flow, Langmuir adsorption, and transient geostress evolution, was validated against field production data, achieving a low relative error of 1.2% in the simulated average daily gas rate. Results indicate that: (1) Geomechanical coupling is critical. The dynamic competition between effective stress compaction and matrix shrinkage limits fracture porosity reduction to ~2%, enabling a characteristic “rapid incline, 1–2-year plateau, gradual decline” production profile and significantly enhancing cumulative gas production. (2) Porosity (10~30%) is positively correlated with productivity: a 10-percentage-point increase raises the peak gas rate by 2.1% and cumulative production by 2.8%. Conversely, high initial cleat permeability boosts early rates but accelerates geomechanical damage (cleat closure), lowering long-term productivity. (3) Stimulation parameters show a trade-off. SRV only dictates short-term, near-wellbore production. Higher fracture permeability (peak rate +17% per 500 mD) boosts early output but accelerates depletion and stress-induced closure. The multi-field coupling mechanisms revealed and the robust model developed provide a theoretical basis for optimizing fracturing design and production strategies for analogous deep CBM plays. Full article

(1) Background: The systemic right ventricular (SRV) dysfunction and severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) remain significant challenges in patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) or following atrial switch procedures. Currently, there is no established, evidence-based medical therapy specifically designed for SRV failure, and treatment approaches are largely extrapolated from left ventricular heart failure (HF) guidelines. This therapeutic gap highlights the need for tailored pharmacologic strategies and optimized perioperative management in this unique population. The optimal timing of surgical intervention and the role of modern HF therapy are still under active investigation. (2) Methods: We present a case series of four patients (three adults and one child) with SRV dysfunction and severe TR, who underwent staged treatment consisting of optimized medical therapy followed by surgical tricuspid valve (TV) replacement. Medical therapy included positive inotropes, sacubitril/valsartan, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (iSGLT2), beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and loop diuretics. (3) Results: All patients demonstrated clinical and hemodynamic improvement prior to surgery, with an increase in systemic ventricular ejection fraction (SVEF > 40%) and cardiac index. TV replacement was performed with favorable early postoperative outcomes and preserved ventricular function at mid-term follow-up. No mortality or major adverse events occurred during follow-up. One case of acute cystitis was associated with dapagliflozin. In all patients, postoperative SVEF remained >40%, and no recurrence of significant TR was observed. (4) Conclusions: A stepwise approach combining modern heart failure therapy and elective TV replacement in patients with SRV dysfunction and TR is safe and effective. Preoperative optimization leads to improved ventricular function and may enhance surgical outcomes. These findings support the integration of contemporary pharmacotherapy in the management strategy for SRV failure. Full article

DLP (Digital Light Processing) 3D printing enables precise fabrication of temporary crowns. Tribological properties of these materials affect clinical durability, wear resistance, and masticatory function. This study compared three C&B-type photopolymers for DLP-printed temporary crowns: Gr-17.1 temporary It, Gr-17 temporary (Pro3dure), and VarseoSmile Temp (BEGO). Samples were printed, post-processed, and polished. Surface topography (Sa, Sz) was measured via white light interferometry, and scratch resistance was evaluated with a Rockwell indenter. Sliding wear tests under wet conditions (37 °C, 90% RH) were conducted using an SRV 4 tester at 25 N for 20,000 cycles. VarseoSmile Temp showed the highest scratch and sliding wear resistance, with the lowest mean volumetric wear (0.025 mm³) and residual scratch depth, reflecting its higher inorganic filler content (30–50 wt%). Gr-17.1 had the most stable coefficient of friction (~0.3), while Gr-17 experienced the greatest wear (0.235 mm³). No direct correlation between friction and wear was observed. These findings indicate that wear resistance depends on microstructure and filler content, supporting tribological testing as a tool to evaluate the durability of 3D-printed temporary crowns. Full article

To address the challenges in interpreting fracturing treatment curves and the ambiguity in evaluating stimulation performance in shale gas fracturing, this study develops a comprehensive post-fracturing evaluation approach based on field data from shale gas wells in Block X of the Sichuan Basin, aiming to identify the key controlling factors influencing the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). Using 295 fracturing stages, log–log pressure curve analysis was applied to process treatment data and optimize slope classification thresholds. The fracturing effectiveness of different curve types was compared with SRV results derived from microseismic monitoring, and the dominant factors were identified through grey relational analysis combined with normalized weighting calculations. The results show that fluid intensity, shut-in pressure, and proppant intensity are positively correlated with SRV. In highly brittle reservoirs, a rock property exemplified by Block X in the Sichuan Basin, increasing proppant concentration and optimizing treatment parameters in real time can effectively enlarge the stimulated reservoir volume. This study establishes a log–log pressure curve analysis and evaluation framework applicable to shale gas wells in Block X of the Sichuan Basin, providing a practical reference for improving fracturing design and stimulation effectiveness. Full article

In this paper, the achieved state-of-the-art understanding regarding the wear behaviour of various PVD (physical vapour deposition) coatings deposited on TiB₂/Ti composites produced by SPS (spark plasma sintering) is presented. The objective of this paper is to investigate the wear behaviour of various PVD coatings deposited on TiB₂/Ti composites manufactured by SPS, when lubricated with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) as an external solid lubricant in the range from room temperature up to 900 °C in friction contacts under extreme pressure and with oscillation relative motion. Four multicomponent and multilayer coatings were investigated based on AlCrN and TiCrN coatings with TiCrN-AlCrN/AlCrTiN/Si₃N₄ interlayers and various external layers (AlCrN, Si₃N₄, AlCrTiSiN, and AlCrTiSiN gradient with increasing oxygen gradient replacing nitrogen). The wear tests were performed by means of a ball-on-disc SRV friction and wear tester using reciprocating motion of the Si₃N₄ ball sliding against a coated disc from room temperature up to 900 °C. The best protection against wear and oxidation at higher temperatures (even up to 900 °C) was achieved for coatings with AlCrN and AlTiCrN external layers, and hBN lubricant was used simultaneously. Full article

Background/Objectives: Doyle nasal silicone splints are commonly used in nasal surgeries to maintain the shape of the nasal passage and prevent scar tissue formation. However, these implants are prone to bacterial colonization, particularly by Staphylococcus aureus, which is associated with severely recurrent and recalcitrant cases of infected sinonasal cavities. The aim of this study was to develop a sustained-release varnish (SRV) with antibacterial properties that can be applied to Doyle splints to provide an antibacterial environment for an extended period. Methods: Doyle nasal splints (1 cm × 1 cm segments) were coated with SRV containing one of the three antibiotics: augmentin, ciprofloxacin, or chloramphenicol. A placebo varnish without antibiotics served as a control. The coated splints were exposed daily to a fresh culture of S. aureus, and antibacterial activity was assessed by monitoring bacterial growth. Antibiofilm activity was determined using an MTT metabolic assay. Antibacterial activity was further studied by the kinetic disk diffusion assay, where the stents were transferred daily to new, freshly coated S. aureus plates. Biofilm formation on the coated splints was visualized by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). Results: Doyle segments coated with augmentin, ciprofloxacin, or chloramphenicol effectively inhibited S. aureus planktonic growth for 9 ± 1, 18 ± 1, and 21 ± 1 days, respectively. Biofilm formation was prevented for 10 ± 1, 18 ± 1, and 21 ± 1 days, and bacterial clearance occurred for 14 ± 1, 52 ± 1, and >65 days, respectively. HR-SEM images showed the prevention of biofilm formation on the coated segments. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that coating Doyle nasal silicon splints with SRV containing augmentin, ciprofloxacin, or chloramphenicol provides long-term antibacterial and antibiofilm activity, with SRV–chloramphenicol being superior. Further studies are needed to confirm the in vivo efficacy of this approach. Full article

Collaborative experiences are enriched through cross-platform interactions in the context of eXtended Reality (XR) systems. In this paper, we introduce SRVS-C (Spatially Referenced Virtual Synchronization for Collaboration), a centralized framework designed to support co-located, real-time AR (on smartphone) and VR (in headset) interactions over local networks. The framework adopts an architecture of interactive asymmetry, where the interaction roles, input modalities, and rendering responsibilities are adapted to the unique capabilities and constraints of each device. Concurrently, the framework maintains perceptual symmetry, guaranteeing a coherent spatial and semantic experience for all users. This is achieved through anchor-based spatial registration and unified data representations. Compared to prior work that relies on cloud services or symmetric platforms (e.g., VR–VR, AR–AR, and PC–PC pairings), SRVS-C supports seamless communication between AR and VR endpoints, operating entirely over TCP sockets using serialization-agnostic message formats. We evaluated SRVS-C in a dual-user scenario involving a mobile AR and a VR headset, using shared freehand drawing tasks. These tasks include simple linear strokes and geometry-rich drawing content to assess how varying interaction complexity—ranging from low-density sketches to intricate, high-vertex structures— impacted the end-to-end latency, state replication timing, and collaborative fluency. The results show that the system sustains latency between 35 ms and 175 ms, even during rapid, continuous drawing actions that generate a high number of stroke updates per second, and when handling drawings composed of numerous vertices and complex shapes. Throughout these conditions, the system maintains perceptual continuity and spatial alignment across users by applying platform-specific interactive asymmetry. Full article

This study assesses De Lone and McLean’s Information System (D&M IS) Success Model concerning DAS throughout small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia (SA). The present work mainly sought to evaluate the impact of information quality (IQ), system quality (SysQ), service quality (SrvQ) serving, system utilization, and user satisfaction (Usat) on the usage of the Digital Accounting System (DAS), which is posited to ultimately improve the quality of sustainable decision-making. The research utilized a quantitative methodology, employing a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 328 decision-makers who are knowledgeable about actual DAS usage by SMEs in SA. Subsequent to gathering data, validation was conducted via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) by utilizing smart-PLS software. The findings indicate that SysQ and IQ significantly influenced system utilization, although SrvQ did not. DAS was determined to significantly influence user happiness. Moreover, system utilization and user satisfaction positively influenced DAS, thereby affecting the sustainability of decision-making and reflecting the overall benefits of DAS. This work enhances the current IS literature by identifying the characteristics that affect the net advantages of DAS, with the suggested model evaluated in SMEs in SA utilizing DAS. This study serves as a reference to elucidate the significance of DAS and offers consequences, limitations, and prospects for further research. Full article

Coalbed-methane (CBM) extraction involves complex processes such as desorption, diffusion, and seepage, significantly increasing the difficulty of numerical simulation. To enable efficient CBM development, this study establishes an integrated simulation workflow for CBM, encompassing geological modeling, geomechanical modeling, hydraulic fracture simulation, and production dynamic simulation. Specifically, the unconventional fracture model (UFM), integrated within the Petrel commercial software, is applied for fracture simulation, with an unstructured grid constructing the CBM production model. Subsequently, based on the case study of well pad A in the Daning–Jixian block, the effects of well spacing and hydraulic fractures on gas production were analyzed. The results indicate that the significant stress difference between the coal seam and the top/bottom strata constrains fracture height, with simulated hydraulic fractures ranging from 169.79 to 215.84 m in length, 8.91 to 10.45 m in height, and 121.92 to 248.71 mD·m in conductivity. Due to the low matrix permeability, pressure drop and desorption primarily occur in the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) region. The calibrated model predicts a 10-year cumulative gas production of 616 × 10⁴ m³ for the well group, with a recovery rate of 10.17%, indicating significant potential for enhancing recovery rates. Maximum cumulative gas production occurs when well spacing slightly exceeds fracture length. Beyond 200 mD·m, fracture conductivity has diminishing returns on production. Fracture length increases from 100 to 250 m show near-linear growth in production, but further increases yield smaller gains. These findings provide valuable insights for evaluating development performance and exploiting remaining gas resources for CBM. Full article

In horizontal well technology, hydraulic fracturing has been established as an essential technique for enhancing hydrocarbon production. However, the complex architecture of fracture networks challenges conventional monitoring methods. Micro-seismic monitoring, recognized for its superior resolution and sensitivity, enables precise fracture morphology characterization. This study advances diagnostic capabilities through integrated field–laboratory investigations and multi-domain signal processing. Hydraulic fracturing experiments under varied geological conditions generated critical micro-seismic datasets, with quantitative analyses revealing asymmetric propagation patterns (total length 312 ± 15 m, east wing 117 m/west wing 194 m) forming a 13.37 × 10⁴ m³ stimulated reservoir volume. Spatial event distribution exhibited density disparities correlating with geophone offsets (west wing 3.8 events/m vs. east 1.2 events/m at 420–794 m distances). Advanced time–frequency analyses and inversion algorithms differentiated signal characteristics demonstrating logarithmic SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio)–magnitude relationships (SNR 0.49–4.82, R² = 0.87), with near-field events (<500 m) showing 68% reduced magnitude variance compared to far-field counterparts. Coupled numerical simulations confirmed stress field interactions where fracture trajectories deviated 5–15° from principal stress directions due to prior-stage stress shadows. Branch fracture networks identified in Stages 4/7/9/10 with orthogonal/oblique intersections (45–65° dip angles) enhanced stimulation reservoir volume (SRV) by 37–42% versus planar fractures. These geometric parameters—including height (20 ± 3 m), width (44 ± 5 m), spacing, and complexity—were quantitatively linked to micro-seismic response patterns. The developed diagnostic framework provides operational guidelines for optimizing fracture geometry control, demonstrating how heterogeneity-driven signal variations inform stimulation strategy adjustments to improve reservoir recovery and economic returns. Full article

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) consist of numerous battery-powered sensor nodes that operate with limited energy, computation, and communication capabilities. Designing routing strategies that are both energy-efficient and attack-resilient is essential for extending network lifetime and ensuring secure data delivery. This paper proposes Adaptive Federated Reinforcement Learning-Hunger Games Search (AFRL-HGS), a Hybrid Routing framework that integrates multiple advanced techniques. At the node level, tabular Q-learning enables each sensor node to act as a reinforcement learning agent, making next-hop decisions based on discretized state features such as residual energy, distance to sink, congestion, path quality, and security. At the network level, Federated Reinforcement Learning (FRL) allows the sink node to aggregate local Q-tables using adaptive, energy- and performance-weighted contributions, with Polyak-based blending to preserve stability. The binary Hunger Games Search (HGS) metaheuristic initializes Cluster Head (CH) selection and routing, providing a well-structured topology that accelerates convergence. Security is enforced as a constraint through a lightweight trust and anomaly detection module, which fuses reliability estimates with residual-based anomaly detection using Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) on Round-Trip Time (RTT) and loss metrics. The framework further incorporates energy-accounted control plane operations with dual-format HELLO and hierarchical ADVERTISE/Service-ADVERTISE (SrvADVERTISE) messages to maintain the routing tables. Evaluation is performed in a hybrid testbed using the Graphical Network Simulator-3 (GNS3) for large-scale simulation and Kali Linux for live adversarial traffic injection, ensuring both reproducibility and realism. The proposed AFRL-HGS framework offers a scalable, secure, and energy-efficient routing solution for next-generation WSN deployments. Full article

Current cloud–edge collaboration collaboration architectures face challenges in security resource scheduling due to their mostly static nature, which cannot keep up with real-time attack patterns and dynamic security needs. To address this, this paper proposes a dynamic scheduling method using Deep Reinforcement Learning (DQN) and SRv6 technology. The method establishes a multi-dimensional feature space by collecting network threat indicators and security resource states; constructs a dynamic decision-making model with DQN to optimize scheduling strategies online by encoding security requirements, resource constraints, and network topology into a Markov Decision Process; and enables flexible security service chaining through SRv6 for precise policy implementation. Experimental results demonstrate that this approach significantly reduces security service deployment delays (by up to 56.8%), enhances resource utilization, and effectively balances the security load between edge and cloud. Full article

In the Campania region of southern Italy, a formerly undescribed witches’-broom disease of cultivated strawberry characterized by symptoms similar to those of strawberry witches’-broom and multiplier diseases occurring in North America, has been observed. Strawberry witches’-broom and multiplier diseases are not known to occur in Europe. To elucidate the etiology of the new strawberry disease occurring in southern Italy and to determine the taxonomic position of the presumable causal agent, field observations and PCR assays using universal and group-specific phytoplasma primers followed by multigene sequence analysis were carried out. All of the symptomatic strawberry plants examined tested phytoplasma positive with universal primers and primers specific to the elm yellows (EY) phytoplasma group or 16SrV group. The percentage of diseased plants in the fields was about 30%. Data obtained from sequence and phylogenetic and virtual RFLP analyses of PCR-amplified rDNA (16S rDNA and 16S/23S rDNA spacer region), rpsV (rpl22) and rpsC (rps3), map, imp and groEL gene sequences, showed that the diseased strawberry plants harbored phytoplasma strains which were identical or nearly identical to each other and to strains of the rubus stunt (RuS) agent ‘Ca. Phytoplasma rubi’, a member of the 16SrV group, subgroup 16SrV-E. The 16S rDNA sequence similarity among the strawberry-infecting phytoplasma strains ranged from 99.1 to 99.9%. These strains shared the same range of 16S rDNA sequence similarity with RuS phytoplasma strains including the reference strain RUS of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma rubi’. This is the first report on the occurrence of RuS phytoplasma in naturally affected strawberry plants. Full article