Search Results (2,636)

Memristors, as transformative electronic devices designed to transcend the von Neumann architecture, enable the physical unification of information storage and computation, thereby offering a foundational hardware pathway toward energy-efficient, brain-inspired computing. Their intrinsic analog resistive switching, non-volatility, and history-dependent learning capabilities allow them to natively implement in-memory computing and emulate synaptic plasticity, addressing the critical bottlenecks of energy and speed in conventional systems. Notably, the evolution from electrically controlled memristors to optoelectronic memristors marks a paradigm shift from pure computing to integrated sensing-processing, opening new dimensions for high-speed, parallel, and adaptive signal processing. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of memristor-based neuromorphic vision and tactile systems, on-chip signal processors, and dynamic trajectory trackers, demonstrating their potential in edge intelligence, adaptive robotics, and real-time perceptual tasks. This review systematically summarizes the latest advances in memristor technology, providing a comprehensive analysis of their operating mechanisms, material and structural innovations, and cutting-edge applications in neuromorphic perception and computing. Furthermore, it discusses the key challenges and future directions for the development and integration of memristor-based systems in the post-von Neumann era. Full article

The work uses a comprehensive approach based on the information and communication concept of construction management templates to minimize information asymmetry between construction stakeholders when implementing innovative technologies. An analysis of the regulatory framework and patent research of existing analogs of wall structures was conducted. It was theoretically substantiated that the use of removable reusable formwork for monolithic walls made of expanded polystyrene concrete allows significant reduction in cost and logistics costs. A technology for erecting heat-insulating walls made of expanded polystyrene concrete (EPC) has been developed, which involves preliminary preparation of the insulation with the application of a protective reinforced layer. This allows avoiding performing labor-intensive and dangerous operations at height. A design of a noise-proof wall with sound-absorbing hollow-forming elements has been proposed, improving acoustic characteristics while saving materials. Thermophysical tests of fragments of walls made of expanded polystyrene concrete with a density of D250 (thickness of 260 mm) confirmed the need for additional insulation for heat transfer resistance for regulatory compliance. Acoustic studies have proven the effectiveness of using hollow-forming elements to increase the airborne noise insulation index and to reduce material consumption. All this helped to develop and patent the polystyrene concrete wall technology. For the first time, the concept of implementing the technological process of expanded polystyrene concreting of monolithic walls into construction management and production using construction management templates was proposed. This allowed the transformation of technological operations into a flow of objective data to minimize information asymmetry between project participants. It was theoretically proven that the objectification of production indicators through construction management templates is a base for measuring the commercial value and investment attractiveness of the technology being implemented. Full article

High-intensity or repetitive exercise induces metabolic stress and neuromuscular fatigue in skeletal muscle. Using a within-subjects repeated-measures crossover design, eight male amateur swimmers completed five experimental sessions at one-week intervals. Following an isokinetic fatigue protocol, five recovery interventions were applied in a randomized order: control (NT), foam roller (FR), vibration foam roller (VFR), and whole-body vibration at 12 Hz (WBV-12) and 20 Hz (WBV-20). The isokinetic fatigue protocol produced a significant reduction in bilateral extensor peak torque (229.2 ± 37.8%BW to 189.8 ± 27.5%BW; t(7) = 4.19, p = 0.004, d = 1.48), confirming successful fatigue induction. Outcome measures included visual analog scale (VAS) scores, blood lactate concentration, and knee extensor/flexor peak torque (%BW) assessed at three time points. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (intervention × time) revealed significant main effects of recovery methods at the post-recovery time point for VAS scores (F(4,28) = 5.98, p = 0.001, η²g = 0.248), blood lactate (F(4,28) = 5.12, p = 0.003, η²g = 0.226), and isokinetic peak torque (F(4,28) = 10.75, p < 0.001, η²g = 0.226). Post hoc Bonferroni analysis indicated that VFR and WBV-20 produced significantly higher lactate recovery rates than NT. Active recovery interventions produced lower perceived fatigue scores and greater lactate reductions than passive rest; however, individual Bonferroni pairwise comparisons for VAS and blood lactate did not reach adjusted significance, and these findings should be considered preliminary. WBV-20 demonstrated statistically confirmed superiority in isokinetic muscle function recovery (Bonferroni p < 0.05 vs. NT, FR, and VFR), suggesting its potential as an effective post-exercise recovery strategy for neuromuscular restoration. Full article

Background and Objectives: Functional neurosurgery encompasses surgical interventions aimed at modulating the function of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS), as a form of neuromodulation, is an established treatment for chronic pain and is increasingly utilized by both anesthesiologists and neurosurgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SCS in patients with chronic neuropathic spinal pain. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 42 patients who demonstrated a positive response to trial stimulation. Only patients achieving a clinically meaningful response (≥50% pain reduction) during the trial phase were included in the final analysis. Pain intensity and functional disability were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). All patients underwent a two-stage percutaneous implantation procedure using burst stimulation. A follow-up assessment was performed 3–6 months after implantation. Results: A statistically significant reduction in pain intensity was observed (p < 0.0001), with median VAS scores decreasing from 8 to 3, corresponding to a 62.5% reduction in pain intensity and exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for VAS. Functional status improved significantly, with ODI scores decreasing from 74% to 38%, markedly surpassing the established MCID threshold. A clinically meaningful reduction in pain (≥50%) was achieved in the majority of patients. All patients requiring opioid analgesics at baseline discontinued their use following SCS implantation, and a reduction in overall analgesic consumption was observed across the cohort. Conclusions: These findings suggest that burst SCS may be an effective treatment option for carefully selected patients with chronic neuropathic spinal pain who are not candidates for conventional spine surgery. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the enriched study design and limited follow-up period. Full article

Alternative proteins and novel processing technologies are crucial to transforming contemporary food systems into ones with lower environmental impact while meeting the rising global demand for protein. Alternative protein sources from plants, microbes, insects, and cultivated cells offer diverse nutritional and techno-functional attributes that can partially or fully replace conventional animal proteins in meat analogs and related products. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on major categories of alternative protein sources, including plant-based ingredients, microbial- and fermentation-derived proteins, insect and other emerging sources, and cultivated (cell-based) meat, with a specific focus on their suitability for structured meat analog applications. Modern structuring and processing technologies are discussed, including the traditional wet and dry extrusion to modern technologies like high-moisture extrusion, high-pressure processing, shear-cell technology, 3D printing, fermentation-based structuring, and enzymatic protein modification. Furthermore, this review critically evaluates product design and quality attributes of meat analogs, including physicochemical properties, sensory performance, nutritional aspects, and safety considerations. This review highlights technological and scale-up challenges, as well as the necessity of multi-criteria optimization in sensory quality, nutrition, sustainability, and affordability, and presents research priorities focused on combining multiple protein sources and advanced processing pathways for next-generation meat analog. This review provides an integrated framework linking protein sources, processing technologies, antioxidant functionality, and sustainability considerations to support the development of next-generation meat analogs. In addition, this review highlights the intrinsic antioxidant potential of alternative proteins, emphasizing the role of bioactive peptides, polyphenols, and structure–function relationships in enhancing oxidative stability and product quality. Full article

Background: Chronic reducible scapholunate instability (SLI) remains a challenging condition, with multiple surgical options described, often associated with soft tissue disruption and postoperative stiffness. We describe a mini-invasive dorsal capsulodesis technique aimed at restoring carpal alignment while minimizing surgical morbidity, and we report preliminary clinical and radiographic outcomes. Methods: This study includes a retrospective analysis of the first 10 consecutive patients treated with this technique who had a minimum follow-up of 3 years. All patients presented with chronic, reducible scapholunate instability. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score. Radiographic evaluation was performed to assess maintenance of scapholunate alignment and progression to degenerative changes. Results: At a mean follow-up of approximately 4 years, patients showed a substantial reduction in pain (mean VAS from 8 preoperatively to 2 postoperatively) and improvement in function (mean QuickDASH from 74.6 to 16.5). Radiographic evaluation demonstrated maintenance of carpal alignment in all cases, with no progression to scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) observed. Wrist range of motion improved postoperatively, with extension reaching approximately 80° and flexion 70°, without significant functional limitations. No major complications or reoperations were recorded. Patient satisfaction was high, with 9 patients reporting being extremely satisfied and 1 satisfied. Conclusions: This mini-invasive dorsal capsulodesis appears to be a feasible and tissue-sparing option for selected cases of chronic reducible scapholunate instability. In this preliminary series, the technique was associated with favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes at mid-term follow-up. Further studies with larger cohorts and comparative designs are needed to confirm these findings. Full article

Organic redox-active molecules are promising catholyte materials for aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs), yet they often suffer from low solubility and poor cycling stability. Herein, we report a series of water-soluble phenothiazine derivatives functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups. The optimized compound, N,N,N-trimethyl-1-(10H-phenothiazin-10-yl) propan-2-aminium chloride (TMiPrPTCl), exhibits exceptional solubility (2.69 M in water) and a high redox potential (0.902 V vs. SHE). A comparative study of four derivatives reveals that side-chain length and branching critically modulate both solubility and degradation pathways: while three-carbon-linked analogs N,N,N-trimethyl-3-(10H-phenothiazin-10-yl)propan-1-aminium chloride (TMPrPTCl) degrade primarily via irreversible oxidation to sulfoxide, two-carbon-linked species (TMiPrPTCl) undergo additional side-chain cleavage, leading to rapid capacity fade. Although the quaternization strategy successfully achieves record solubility, the electrochemical stability remains a key challenge. Post-cycling analysis confirms the loss of redox activity and the formation of inert products. This work highlights the delicate balance between solubility enhancement and molecular stability, providing clear design guidelines for future phenothiazine-based catholytes. Full article

Emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) are key safety systems for post-crash aircraft localization and search-and-rescue operations. In more electric aircraft (MEA), however, their design and operation are increasingly influenced by complex electrical architectures, tighter equipment integration, and more demanding electromagnetic environments. This paper presents a narrative literature review of ELT technology from a MEA-oriented perspective. A practice-oriented narrative approach is adopted, examining ELTs through a dual lens: the evolution of the search and rescue (SAR) ecosystem and the progressive electrification of aircraft systems. The review addresses ELT fundamentals, classifications, operating principles, and interaction with the Cospas-Sarsat infrastructure, and examines the transition from legacy analog beacons to modern 406 MHz digital systems incorporating GNSS positioning, MEOSAR capabilities, second-generation beacon functionalities, and distress tracking features. Particular attention is given to integration challenges in MEA platforms, including autonomous energy supply, battery endurance, power quality disturbances, electromagnetic compatibility, installation robustness, antenna survivability, and certification constraints. The analysis highlights that ELT performance in MEA depends not only on the beacon itself, but also on the coupled interaction among device design, installation conditions, and the electrical environment. Finally, the review outlines research priorities for next-generation ELTs, including improved survivability assessment, energy-aware architectures, integration strategies based on electromagnetic compatibility, and certification-ready solutions compatible with future aircraft platforms. Full article

Seepage beneath earth dams founded on pervious strata can cause excessive under-seepage, elevated downstream exit gradients, and high phreatic levels, thereby increasing susceptibility to internal erosion and piping. This study presents a Hele–Shaw laboratory investigation of seepage-control efficiency for an upstream impervious blanket used alone and in combination with a vertical cutoff (blanket–cutoff system). The experimental geometry reproduces a zoned earth dam cross-section at a scale of 1:200. Five foundation thickness ratios $(T/B=0.184–1.00)$ were tested. For the blanket-only system, four blanket length ratios $(L_b/B=0.50–1.25)$ were examined. For the blanket–cutoff system, cutoff depth ratios $(S/T=0.20–0.80)$ were investigated using (i) a representative blanket length $L_b/B=0.75$ across all foundation depths and (ii) a deep-foundation case $T/B=1.00$ across all blanket lengths. Seepage discharge, head loss due to seepage-control measures, maximum exit gradient at the downstream toe, and phreatic line location were measured at steady state and expressed in dimensionless form using the equivalent Hele–Shaw hydraulic conductivity. Relative to the no-measure reference case, the upstream blanket reduced dimensionless discharge by 20.8–70.2%, reduced the exit-gradient indicator by 6.4–50.2%, and reduced the downstream seepage-surface height by 58.9–92.8%. Adding a vertical cutoff provided further reductions relative to the blanket-only configuration, up to 34.4% in discharge and to 29.8% in exit-gradient indicator at $L_b/B=0.75$—while increasing head loss across the upstream control system. Regression-based correlations and main-text design maps are proposed for preliminary sizing. The proposed correlations and design maps are intended for screening-level use only within the tested ranges 0.18 ≤ $T/B$ ≤ 1.00, 0.50 ≤ $L_b/B$ ≤ 1.25, and 0.20 ≤ $S/T$ ≤ 0.80. Because the Hele–Shaw model is a two-dimensional viscous-flow analog of saturated seepage, the results provide a physical basis for relative comparison of seepage-control measures rather than a direct substitute for site-specific analysis of heterogeneous three-dimensional foundations. Accordingly, the agreement discussed in this paper is qualitative and trend-based, and the proposed tools are intended to complement rather than replace quantitative FEM for site-specific design. Full article

Microchannel plate gated framing camera is commonly used in inertial confinement fusion diagnostics. However, it is a vacuum electronic device with bulkiness and non-single-line-of-sight imaging. To reduce the size of the camera and achieve a single line of sight image, a CMOS image sensor composed of a pixel unit and a readout circuit is presented to form the framing camera. The CMOS image sensor has a 32 × 32 × 4 pixel array with ultrashort shutter-time and four-frame imaging. The pixel array and analog to digital converter (ADC) readout circuit are designed using a standard 0.18 μm CMOS process. The pixel array includes 5T structured pixel units, a voltage-controlled delay, a clock tree and the row decoding scan circuits. A temporal resolution of 65 ps for the pixel circuit is achieved. The ADC readout circuit is composed of a counter, a comparator, a ramp generator and a register, which operates at a sampling frequency of 24.41 kS/s. An effective number of bits of 11.3, a spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) of 73.4 dB, and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 70.0 dB for the ADC are achieved. The CMOS image sensor will provide a novel and important imaging method for the field of ultrafast science. Full article

Chagas disease affects millions of people worldwide, including those in Latin America. The only drugs available for its treatment are benznidazole and nifurtimox. However, these drugs present high toxicity and limited efficacy. Therefore, the search for new treatments continues. In this regard, computer-assisted drug design has been implemented in scientific research for drug repurposing, allowing for reduced costs and time. Therefore, the objective of this work was to search for analogs of FDA-approved drugs with activity against Trypanosoma cruzi through ligand-based virtual screening and their biological evaluation against blood trypomastigotes. The compound TD-095 (LC₅₀ = 48.60 and 13.75 µM), a ketanserin analogue, TS-936 (LC₅₀ = 71.55 and 37.54 µM), a terfenadine analogue, and TD-831 (LC₅₀ = 75.94 and 26.17 µM), a sulfasalazine analogue, were considered as potential trans-sialidase inhibitors; TIM-967 (LC₅₀ = 69.70 and 39.69 µM) and LK-284 (LC₅₀ = 116.7 and 82.29 µM), two sulfonylurea analogues, were considered as potential triosephosphate isomerase inhibitors, showing better trypanocidal activity against NINOA and INC-5 strains, respectively, than the reference drugs. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted the stability of the compounds in complex with their respective proteins. Finally, the ADMET predictive analysis showed favorable properties for the compounds. These results support continued research into new agents against Trypanosoma cruzi, using structures of drugs already approved by the FDA. Full article

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a key physiological marker for autonomic nervous system function and cardiovascular health. Photoplethysmography (PPG) is commonly used to derive HRV metrics in wearable and low-cost monitoring systems. This study presents a comparative assessment of basic HRV metrics obtained from a MAX30102 optical sensor and a custom analog circuitry with an ADS1115 analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Both measurement pathways were carefully aligned using analog high-pass and low-pass filters and a consistent digital filtering pipeline, ensuring that the frequency bands relevant to HRV were preserved. PPG signals were recorded simultaneously, and inter-beat intervals were extracted to calculate the Standard Deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD), and Percentage of successive NN intervals >50 ms (pNN50) across multiple 30-s windows. Bland–Altman analysis was employed to evaluate agreement between the two methods. Results indicate that the analog circuit with an ADS1115 achieves comparable HRV basic metrics to the MAX30102 sensor, with improved Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) due to high-resolution ADC and low-noise analog amplification. These findings demonstrate that a carefully designed analog acquisition system can reliably reproduce HRV basic parameters from PPG signals, providing an alternative approach for low-cost, flexible biosensing platforms. Full article

Mixed-signal simulation is indispensable for verifying modern integrated circuits that tightly couple analog and digital subsystems, yet the field lacks a unified framework for systematically comparing its diverse methodologies. This paper addresses that gap by proposing a novel three-axis taxonomy that classifies simulation methods along abstraction level, solver methodology, and analysis type, together with a comparative evaluation framework based on five quantitative metrics: accuracy, throughput, capacity, convergence reliability, and scalability. Applying this framework, we systematically compare thirteen classical method categories—spanning SPICE, FastSPICE, RF/periodic steady-state, behavioral modeling, co-simulation, and model order reduction—and eight AI/ML approaches including Gaussian process surrogates, graph neural networks, physics-informed neural networks, Bayesian optimization, and reinforcement learning. Our analysis reveals a clear maturity stratification: classical methods remain the only signoff-accurate approaches, Bayesian optimization represents the most industrially validated AI contribution with integration across all three major EDA platforms, while Neural ODE solvers and LLM-based design tools remain at the research stage. We identify a persistent academic-to-industry gap driven by foundry model complexity, limited benchmark diversity, and topology-specific overfitting. The proposed taxonomy and comparative framework provide practitioners with structured guidance for simulation method selection and highlight specific research directions needed to bridge the gap between AI promise and industrial deployment. Full article

The study presents an engineering solution for maintaining traffic flow during road and utility operations, such as trench excavation. The analysis of existing organizational and technical approaches, along with global experience in temporary bridge use, showed that most foreign analogs were developed for military purposes and are not fully suitable for urban conditions in Kazakhstan and CIS countries. As an alternative solution, the development of a mobile overpass adapted for operation in dense urban environments is proposed. The present study continues earlier research focused on optimizing the placement of mobile overpass supports while accounting for the nonlinear deformation behavior of the soil foundation. At the previous stage, a rational distance between the supports and the trench edge was substantiated, and horizontal soil deformations were reduced. In the current study, the primary focus is on the design of the undercarriage, which determines the mobility, stability, and operational feasibility of the structure. A morphological analysis and synthesis method is applied to select a rational configuration of the undercarriage. A 3D model and a 1:4 scale test bench were developed, followed by load tests of 50–200 kg. The maximum deflection of −1.19 mm at 200 kg demonstrated an almost linear deformation pattern. The constructed regression model ($R^2=0.97$) confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the design. The developed mobile overpass is versatile, cost-effective, and practical, improving the resilience of urban transport infrastructure, reducing traffic congestion during roadworks, and creating a foundation for serial production in Kazakhstan and CIS countries. Full article

Background and Objectives: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways are increasingly used in spine surgery, but uptake in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remains heterogeneous across institutions. Evidence in pediatric deformity surgery supports shorter recovery with protocolized care, yet real-world comparative data combining ERAS and the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) remain limited. This study aimed to compare early postoperative outcomes between a historical standard-care pathway and a structured ERAS+ESPB pathway in adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for AIS. Materials and Methods: A single-center retrospective time-based comparative cohort study design included consecutive AIS patients (<18 years) treated between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025. The standard-care pathway was applied to patients operated on before 1 June 2025 (n = 34), whereas the ERAS+ESPB pathway was applied to those operated on from 1 June 2025 onward (n = 35), following formal institutional implementation. Outcomes included postoperative pain assessed using the visual analog scale under two functional conditions—at rest in the supine position and during standing/mobilization—at POD0, POD1, POD2, POD3, discharge, and 2-week follow-up; postoperative nausea at POD0–POD3; and length of stay (LOS). Between-group pain comparisons used Welch’s t-test; nausea used Fisher’s exact test; LOS used the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: At POD0, supine pain was lower in ERAS+ESPB (1.50 ± 0.55) than in standard care (3.20 ± 1.50; p < 0.001). From POD1 onward, supine pain did not differ significantly between groups. Among assessable patients, standing pain was lower in ERAS+ESPB at POD2 (3.05 ± 1.53 vs. 4.50 ± 1.05; p = 0.020), POD3 (2.82 ± 1.62 vs. 4.17 ± 1.03; p = 0.006), and 2-week follow-up (1.45 ± 0.80 vs. 2.26 ± 0.93; p = 0.006). Nausea was lower in ERAS+ESPB at POD0 (11.4% vs. 35.3%; p = 0.024) and POD2 (8.6% vs. 32.4%; p = 0.018), with no significant differences at POD1 or POD3. LOS was shorter in ERAS+ESPB (5.41 ± 1.10 vs. 8.32 ± 2.06 nights; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In adolescents undergoing posterior spinal fusion for AIS, an ERAS-based perioperative pathway incorporating ESPB was associated with improved early postoperative recovery, particularly in terms of immediate postoperative pain, pain during mobilization, early postoperative nausea at selected time points, and length of hospital stay. Prospective multicenter studies are needed to confirm these findings and clarify the independent contribution of individual pathway components. Full article