Search Results (11,722)

Empoasca onukii severely damages tea plants as a major sap-sucking pest, leading to the increasing adoption of biopesticides as a sustainable alternative to chemical control. However, existing research has largely focused on the final lethal effects of these agents, while their short-term interference patterns on pest feeding behavior remain unclear. In this study, six biopesticides—azadirachtin, matrine, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae CQMa421, Mamestra brassicae nucleopolyhedrovirus (MbNPV), and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)—were evaluated using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique to precisely analyze their interference on the short-term (6 h) feeding behavior of E. onukii, alongside field trials to validate control efficacy. EPG analysis revealed that different types of biopesticides significantly disrupted feeding in distinct ways. The two botanical pesticides and CQMa421 mainly prolonged the non-probing phase (waveform Np) and reduced active non-phloem feeding (C waveform) (p < 0.05); Bt and B. bassiana significantly extended the resting phase (waveform R) and decreased the frequency of passive phloem feeding (waveform E) (p < 0.05), whereas MbNPV exhibited a combined effect, simultaneously prolonging both Np and R waveforms while reducing waveform C (p < 0.05). Field trials showed that all tested treatments achieved complete control (100%) at 21 days post-application. Moreover, across a wide range of concentrations, they all demonstrated excellent and stable control performance. These findings provide diverse agent options for the green control of E. onukii in tea plantations and lay a foundation for constructing a green integrated pest management system centered on biological control for tea plant pests. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Mitrofanoff appendicovesicostomy (MAV) is the gold standard for creating a continent catheterizable channel in children unable to perform clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) through the native urethra. Minimally invasive surgery has progressively replaced open techniques in pediatric urology, offering improved recovery and favorable cosmetic outcomes, and robotic-assisted Mitrofanoff has gained popularity in recent years. However, the high costs and limited availability of robotic systems create disparities in access to pediatric urologic reconstruction, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In this context, the laparoscopic Mitrofanoff (MAV-L) and the laparoscopic-assisted Mitrofanoff (MAV-LA) represent practical, cost-effective alternatives, valuable in institutions without robotic platforms or in resource-limited settings. Recent evidence demonstrates that advanced laparoscopic approaches remain feasible even for complex urological procedures, supporting their continued relevance in the robotic era. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series including seven male children (aged 9–12 years) who underwent MAV between 2018 and 2023. Peri-operative data included demographics, operative time, length of hospitalization, and complications. Functional and aesthetic outcomes were assessed during long-term follow-up. Statistical analysis accounted for the small sample size by using non-parametric tests where appropriate. Results: Three patients (43%) underwent MAV-L and four (57%) MAV-LA. Mean operative time appeared longer in MAV-L (273.3 ± 20.5 min) than in MAV-LA (203.8 ± 24.3 min; exploratory p = 0.019). Hospital stay was 9 ± 0.8 days vs. 7.5 ± 0.5 days (p = 0.026). During follow-up (43.3 ± 10.9 vs. 26.3 ± 5.4 months; p = 0.034), two complications occurred, both in the MAV-L group (stomal stenosis and channel leakage). All patients reported excellent continence, ease of catheterization, and high cosmetic satisfaction. Conclusions: Both laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted Mitrofanoff techniques are safe, feasible, and effective in children. Favorable cosmetic satisfaction was reported in the fully laparoscopic subgroup, based on subjective assessment. Importantly, these laparoscopic techniques are sustainable alternatives to robotic surgery, offering accessibility and high-quality reconstructive care even in centers with limited financial and technological resources. Full article

Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the radiation dose associated with low-dose (LD) CT pelvimetry compared with conventional radiography and to evaluate the adequacy of the resulting image quality. Methods: The absorbed dose was measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters positioned in an anthropomorphic female phantom, including uterine locations, to estimate the fetal dose. Conventional radiographic pelvimetry and LD-CT pelvimetry were performed using clinically implemented protocols. Effective dose was calculated using Monte Carlo–based modeling applying acquisition parameters and retrospective patient dose registry data. Image quality of LD-CT pelvimetry was independently evaluated in 14 consecutive clinical cases using a four-point ordinal scale. Results: LD-CT pelvimetry reduced the mean absorbed pelvic dose by approximately 50% compared with conventional pelvimetry (0.18 vs. 0.39 mGy) and decreased estimated fetal dose by 40% (0.21 vs. 0.37 mGy). These estimates were based on standardized single acquisitions and did not incorporate additional radiation from retakes commonly observed in conventional practice. CT demonstrated substantially more homogeneous dose distribution, whereas conventional pelvimetry exhibited marked heterogeneity with peak values up to 2.3 mGy. The maternal effective dose was lower for LD-CT (0.16 mSv) than for conventional pelvimetry (0.36 mSv); inclusion of retakes increased the conventional effective dose to 0.71 mSv. All CT examinations were diagnostically adequate, and no recalls were required. Conclusions: Optimized low-dose CT pelvimetry significantly reduces radiation dose compared with conventional radiographic pelvimetry while maintaining reliable diagnostic image quality. These results support the clinical adoption of CT-based pelvimetry as a dose-efficient and reproducible alternative to conventional techniques. Full article

The export of Hass avocado (Persea americana Mill.) from Colombia requires accurate determination of harvest maturity, currently assessed through destructive dry matter (DM) measurements that are wasteful and limited in throughput. The objective of the article is to propose a low-cost, non-destructive approach to determine the maturity of the Hass avocado crop based on machine learning techniques. The approach consists of a low-cost, non-invasive bioimpedance spectroscopy system operating in the 1–10 kHz range, featuring a custom Analog Front End (AFE) and a tetrapolar surface probe to mitigate skin contact resistance, which collects data for predictive models of avocado maturity. To evaluate the quality of the approach, a longitudinal field study (n = 100) was conducted in a commercial orchard in Cundinamarca, Colombia, tracking complex impedance features—Magnitude, Phase Angle, Resistance, and Reactance—of tagged fruits over 8 weeks across four measurement timepoints. The predictive performance of a classical chemometric model (PLS-DA), non-linear classifiers (SVM, Random Forest), and a temporal Deep Learning (LSTM) architecture was compared using a Stratified Group K-Fold Cross-Validation scheme to prevent data leakage across fruits from the same tree. The 4-electrode configuration successfully isolated mesocarp impedance, identifying the 5–7.2 kHz band as the most sensitive to physiological maturation. In turn, the LSTM model achieved a mean accuracy of 92.0% and an AUC of 0.94, outperforming the other models by 4.0% in mean accuracy. The results demonstrate that modeling the temporal trajectory of impedance, rather than single-point measurements, improves harvest maturity classification in Hass avocados, providing a scalable, low-cost alternative to destructive testing. Full article

Structural displacement monitoring is an essential component of structural health monitoring of bridges, providing valuable information for performance evaluation, numerical model validation, and damage detection. While conventional contact-based sensors provide high accuracy, their installation is often complex, costly, and disruptive to traffic. Recent developments in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms and vision-based measurement techniques offer a flexible, non-contact alternative; however, platform motion remains a major source of uncertainty. This study evaluates the accuracy and operational feasibility of UAV-based homography for static and dynamic displacement monitoring. The proposed approach is validated through three complementary experimental campaigns: a controlled calibration field test, a beam static load test, and bridge monitoring under traffic loading, with direct comparison to LVDT and RTS measurements. Under controlled conditions, sub-millimetre vertical precision was achieved, with RMSE values below 0.3 mm. In full-scale bridge applications, the method captured traffic-induced displacement trends with errors generally within 1–2 mm compared to LVDT data and with RMSE values below 1.4 mm. The results demonstrate that, when appropriate reference point configuration and imaging geometry are ensured, UAV-based homography provides a practical and sufficiently accurate solution for bridge displacement monitoring which is especially important in applications where sensor installation is difficult or unsafe. Full article

In this study, the feasibility of electrospraying as an alternative processing technique for the preparation of composite solid rocket propellants (SRPs) was investigated. The main objective was to improve microstructural homogeneity and interfacial contact between the oxidizer, energetic additive, and metallic fuel without altering the chemical composition of the formulation. Additionally, porous electrosprayed SRP formulations were prepared to examine the influence of controlled porosity on thermal decomposition behavior. The prepared materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) to assess microstructural features and component distribution. Thermal decomposition behavior and kinetic parameters were evaluated using simultaneous DSC/TG analysis conducted at multiple heating rates. Safety-related properties were assessed through friction sensitivity testing, while post-decomposition solid residues were analyzed using SEM/EDS and X-ray diffraction. The results show that electrospraying improves structural homogeneity, reduces solid residue formation after thermal decomposition, and decreases apparent activation energy, while maintaining unchanged friction sensitivity. These findings demonstrate the potential of electrospraying as a physical processing route for tailoring the microstructure and thermal behavior of composite solid rocket propellants. Full article

To ensure personnel safety and prevent serious accidents, it is crucial to monitor parameters such as temperature, pressure, and gas composition concentrations in confined spaces. This study proposes a multi-parameter simultaneous inversion algorithm based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). The algorithm integrates the Levenberg–Marquardt (L-M) fitting method, single-line thermometry and manometry methods, spectral separation, and alternating iteration techniques, with an adaptive feedback mechanism adding to enhance convergence stability. Through this approach, simultaneous inversion of H₂O, CO₂, CO, and O₂ concentrations, temperature, and pressure was successfully achieved. Simulation results demonstrated that the measurement accuracy meets practical requirements. This study provides an effective monitoring method for multi-parameter detection in confined spaces within conventional environments and lays a foundation for expanding the application scope of TDLAS technology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tendon injuries are a common cause of emergency department presentation and impose a substantial socioeconomic burden. Despite advances in surgical techniques, rupture rates after primary repair remain at 3.1–11.7%. Contemporary repairs typically combine at least four core strands with epitenon sutures to achieve sufficient tensile strength while limiting bulk. Increasing the number of core strands improves strength but may impair gliding and healing. Looped core sutures increase the effective strand number without additional knots or passes, potentially allowing omission of the epitenon suture and thus limiting repair complexity and bulk. The objective was to determine whether six- or eight-strand looped core suture techniques provide sufficient tensile strength to allow omission of an epitenon suture without excessive repair bulk, compared with a conventional four-strand Adelaide repair. Methods: One hundred and twenty human flexor digitorum profundus tendons were harvested from fresh-frozen anatomical specimens and allocated to six groups: Adelaide (four-strand) ± epitenon suture, six-strand ± epitenon suture, and eight-strand ± epitenon suture. Repairs were performed in zone II. The cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured before and after repair to quantify bulkiness. Tendons were tested to failure using axial tensile loading, and the failure mode was recorded. Results: The Adelaide with epitenon suture, six-strand with epitenon suture, and eight-strand with epitenon suture demonstrated significantly higher load to failure than the Adelaide without epitenon suture. The eight-strand without epitenon suture achieved a load to failure comparable to the Adelaide with epitenon suture, while also resulting in a smaller increase in CSA. The Adelaide with epitenon suture showed the greatest increase in CSA, while the six-strand without epitenon suture showed the smallest increase in CSA. Suture breakage was the predominant failure mode. Conclusions: An eight-strand looped core suture without epitenon suture provides comparable tensile strength to the conventional Adelaide repair with epitenon suture while minimizing repair bulk. The six-strand with epitenon suture demonstrated similar tensile strength to higher-strand techniques and may represent a mechanically adequate alternative with less tissue manipulation. These findings support a more individualized approach to flexor tendon repair, in which the choice of repair construct can be tailored to biomechanical demands and clinical context rather than applying a single uniform technique. Full article

Dichloromethane, as a widely used highly volatile industrial solvent, has neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity and is suspected of being a carcinogen to humans. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a detection method that is more convenient for users, responds faster and is more efficient than traditional analytical techniques. In cataluminescence (CTL) technology, as a promising alternative, the performance of CTL sensors critically depends on the design of high-performance sensitive materials. In this study, by rationally designing two typical metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), UIO-66 (zirconium-based) and HKUST-1 (copper-based), UIO-66/HKUST-1 nanocomposites for dichloromethane CTL detection were prepared by using a simple hydrothermal method. The experimental results show that when the composition ratio of UIO-66 is 2%, this composite exhibits the strongest CTL response to dichloromethane. Under optimized conditions, this sensor exhibits high selectivity, excellent stability (RSD = 3.98%), and a rapid response advantage for dichloromethane. The response time and recovery time are 5 and 19 s, respectively. It shows a good linear relationship within the concentration range of 8.4–84 ppm, along with a detection limit as low as 1.71 ppm. Analysis indicates that the enhanced performance stems from the formation of high-concentration oxygen vacancies and significantly strengthened synergistic effects at the UIO-66/HKUST-1 composite. This increases the concentration of surface reactive oxygen species, thereby providing more active sites for catalytic reactions. This work provides a robust and efficient sensing strategy for dichloromethane detection. Full article

Nowadays, the urban population is steadily increasing worldwide and, as a result, global construction output is expected to grow to more than 16 trillion EUR by 2030. This rapid urbanization has created a strong need for the successful selection and delivery of urban development projects to meet the challenges related to the provision of sustainable and resilient infrastructure, together with affordable residence solutions. Meanwhile, the dominance of the traditional capital budgeting discounted cash flow (DCF) technique has long been questioned for its inability to be effectively applied to the complex, uncertain, and turbulent current environment. The main cause of this stems from its deficiencies in recognizing and incorporating the value of managerial interventions through strategic decisions to delay, expand, or even abandon an investment. A real options analysis (ROA) is proposed in this paper as a dynamic “wait and see” alternative to the static “now or never” DCF methodology, which is based entirely on a positive net present value (NPV) output. Thus, the aim of the research is to explore whether the practical application of ROA for the assessment of the financial viability of urban development capital investment projects can be improved from the obtained managerial flexibility in the decision-making process. Spreadsheet-based mathematical models are developed for the analysis and implementation of both the Black–Scholes formula and the binomial lattice method. The results are discussed and compared with a classic DCF analysis. The main advantages of using ROA, i.e., determining alternative paths of urban development and providing a practical and flexible means to adapt to changing external conditions, are highlighted through the application of a common type of real option to an actual new multistorey office building project. Based on the DCF model and its negative NPV, the investment under study is not viable. However, when simply considering the delay strategic option, the project turns out to be highly valuable. For comparison reasons, future work is recommended on alternative types of real options, like the compound staging option, and towards the use of alternative ROA tools, like the Monte Carlo Simulation technique, non-recombining binomial lattices, and the dividend-based version of the Black–Scholes model. Full article

Accurate real-time pneumatic flow estimation offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive, bulky flow meters, yet persistent challenges stem from complex valve environments, high nonlinearity, and stringent precision requirements. This paper introduces a novel control framework integrating fuzzy PID dynamic tuning with adaptive wavelet threshold denoising, synergistically optimizing fuzzy PID and improved wavelet transform (IWT) to simultaneously enhance control accuracy and signal quality. Experimental validation demonstrates a 35% reduction in spool displacement overshoot versus conventional PID control. IWT integration improves flow estimation signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by 65% relative to hard/soft thresholding methods while reducing root mean square error (RMSE) by 49%. The approach significantly outperforms mainstream techniques in dynamic response and noise immunity, enabling precise proportional valve flow measurement. This algorithm-driven strategy replaces high-cost sensors, reducing industrial maintenance requirements. Especially applicable to electromagnetic pneumatic systems in harsh environments, it establishes a reliable framework for proportional valve flow control. Full article

Canine splenic hemangiosarcoma is a highly malignant vascular neoplasm and is among the most frequent and clinically relevant splenic tumors in dogs. Its biological behavior is characterized by rapid growth, marked invasiveness, and early metastatic dissemination, contributing to the poor prognosis commonly observed in affected animals. Clinically, splenic hemangiosarcoma often remains subclinical until acute presentation due to splenic rupture and hemoperitoneum, thereby substantially limiting opportunities for early diagnosis and timely therapeutic intervention. Despite advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy, the impact of current therapeutic approaches on long-term survival remains limited. Splenectomy is primarily palliative for hemorrhage control, and adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy yields only modest improvements in median survival; alternative approaches (metronomic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies) have not demonstrated consistent clinical benefit. This review summarizes the biological and pathophysiological features of canine splenic hemangiosarcoma, discusses the main clinical challenges associated with its diagnosis and staging, and critically reviews current therapeutic approaches and their limitations. By integrating biological behavior with clinical and therapeutic evidence, this article highlights the reasons why prognosis remains poor and underscores the need for more effective strategies to improve clinical outcomes in dogs with splenic hemangiosarcoma. Full article

Projection-based variants of optimal transport, such as the Sliced Wasserstein (SW) and its extensions, have become popular alternatives to classical Wasserstein distances due to their scalability and analytical tractability. However, most of these methods rely on independently sampled random projections, which often fail to capture semantically meaningful directions, leading to inefficiencies and limited expressiveness, especially in high-dimensional settings. In this work, we propose the Hybrid Merging Projection Wasserstein (HW) distance, a novel and efficient alternative that addresses these limitations by combining data-driven and random projections in a principled way. At the core of HW is the Linear Merging Projection (LMP), a new projection technique designed to minimize between-class variance, thereby promoting smooth alignment between distributions. HW incorporates random directions as well to achieve a balance between structural awareness and projection diversity. We evaluate HW across a range of synthetic and real-world benchmarks, including color transfer and distribution alignment tasks, to demonstrate the favorable performance of the proposed HW. Full article

Background: Traditional reliance on intraradicular posts for the restoration of root-filled teeth is decreasing due to advances in adhesive dentistry. Immediate pre-endodontic dentin sealing (IPDS) aims to protect dentin during endodontic procedures and improve adhesive outcomes. For teeth with minimal remaining structure and absent ferrule, internal adhesive ferrule approaches using fiber-reinforced composites or fiber mesh offer an alternative to posts. Methods: Four endodontically treated teeth with severely reduced coronal structure were restored using the IPDS protocol, reinforcement with an internal adhesive ferrule ring and fiber composites, and postless adhesive build-ups. Clinical and radiographic assessments were performed up to 2.5 years post-treatment. Results: All teeth remained asymptomatic, with stable periodontal and periapical conditions. Restorations maintained structural integrity and favorable adhesive performance. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this small case series, the IPDS approach combined with fiber-reinforced postless restorations showed favorable short-term clinical outcomes. Given the small sample size, case heterogeneity, and lack of a control group, these observations should be considered preliminary, and well-designed, long-term controlled studies are required to confirm the durability and broader applicability of this technique. Full article

The sustainable processing of coffee requires not only improving the efficiency of conventional operations but also advancing the recovery and valorization of bioactive compounds across the coffee value chain. In this context, emerging technologies offer eco-efficient alternatives to conventional extraction methods. This review summarizes recent advances in ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), high-pressure extraction (HPE), cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) applied to coffee beans and major coffee side streams, including pulp, husk, parchment, silverskin, and spent coffee grounds. The physicochemical principles of each technology, the main operating parameters, and their influence on extraction yield, phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, and heat-sensitive compound preservation are discussed. Furthermore, potential synergies between combined techniques (UAE-MAE or HPE-UAE) and trends toward industrial scaling and integral valorization within a circular economy framework are highlighted. Overall, the evidence indicates that emerging technologies can intensify coffee extraction processes, increase phenolic recovery (often achieving up to two-fold improvements in total phenolic content compared to conventional techniques), and significantly reduce processing times (commonly reaching 2.5–15 min), supporting more sustainable and industrially relevant value chains. Full article