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Background and Objective: This study presents a combined osteometric and biomechanical analysis of a Korean female cadaver exhibiting bilateral lower limb bone asymmetry with abnormal curvature and callus formation on the left femoral midshaft. Methods: To investigate bilateral bone length differences, osteometric measurements were conducted at standardized landmarks. Additionally, we developed three gait models using Meta Motivo, an open-source reinforcement learning platform, to analyze how skeletal asymmetry influences stride dynamics and directional control. Results: Detailed measurements revealed that the left lower limb bones were consistently shorter and narrower than their right counterparts. The calculated lower limb lengths showed a bilateral discrepancy ranging from 39 mm to 42 mm—specifically a 6 mm difference in the femur, 33 mm in the tibia, and 36 mm in the fibula. In the gait pattern analysis, the normal model exhibited a straight-line gait without lateral deviation. In contrast, the unbalanced, non-learned model demonstrated compensatory overuse and increased stride length of the left lower limb and a tendency to veer leftward. The unbalanced, learned model showed partial gait normalization, characterized by reduced limb dominance and improved right stride, although directional control remained compromised. Conclusions: This integrative approach highlights the biomechanical consequences of lower limb bone discrepancy and demonstrates the utility of virtual agent-based modeling in elucidating compensatory gait adaptations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Anatomy and Diagnosis in 2025)

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21 pages, 2077 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Risk Assessment of Liquefied Natural Gas Bunkering Hoses in Maritime Operations: A Case of Shenzhen Port

by Yimiao Gu, Yanmin Zeng and Hui Shan Loh

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1494; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081494 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

The widespread adoption of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel has driven the development of LNG bunkering operations in global ports. Major international hubs, such as Shenzhen Port, have implemented ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering practices. However, this process entails unique safety risks, particularly hazards associated with vapor cloud dispersion caused by bunkering hose releases. This study employs the Phast software developed by DNV to systematically simulate LNG release scenarios during STS operations, integrating real-world meteorological data and storage conditions. The dynamic effects of transfer flow rates, release heights, and release directions on vapor cloud dispersion are quantitatively analyzed under daytime and nighttime conditions. The results demonstrate that transfer flow rate significantly regulates dispersion range, with recommendations to limit the rate below 1500 m³/h and prioritize daytime operations to mitigate risks. Release heights exceeding 10 m significantly amplify dispersion effects, particularly at night (nighttime dispersion area at a height of 20 m is 3.5 times larger than during the daytime). Optimizing release direction effectively suppresses dispersion, with vertically downward releases exhibiting minimal impact. Horizontal releases require avoidance of downwind alignment, and daytime operations are prioritized to reduce lateral dispersion risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)

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15 pages, 1465 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Catatonia in a Possible Case of Moderate Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Case Report

by Daniel Ungureanu, Patricia-Ștefania Mitrea, Silvina Iluț, Aurora Taloș and Cătălina-Angela Crișan

Reports 2025, 8(3), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports8030134 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background and Clinical Significance: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening condition usually caused by the exposure to antipsychotics. This case report presents a catatonia syndrome that may have developed in the context of a moderate NMS. Case Presentation: An 18-year-old male patient presented with a treatment-resistant catatonia syndrome that debuted 2 weeks prior to the presentation (creatin kinase levels = 4908 U/lL maximum temperature = 38.9°C, white blood count = 13.20 × 10⁹/L, Bush–Francis Catatonia Rating Scale = 30 points). Possible organic causes of catatonia were ruled out, according to the negative results obtained. The patient’s condition improved under benzodiazepine treatment and he was later discharged. After discharge, the catatonia was attributed to a possible NMS with moderate severity. The diagnosis was supported by NMS Diagnosis Criteria Score = 85 points and the presence of Levenson’s triad. Conclusions: This case highlights the concomitant manifestation of both catatonia and NMS in the same patient and the difficulty of establishing a correct diagnosis involving both entities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Mental Health)

21 pages, 7203 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Lateral Behavior of Porcelain-Clad Cold-Formed Steel Shear Walls Under Cyclic-Gravity Loading

by Caeed Reza Sowlat-Tafti, Mohammad Reza Javaheri-Tafti and Hesam Varaee

Infrastructures 2025, 10(8), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures10080202 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

Lightweight steel-framing (LSF) systems have become increasingly prominent in modern construction due to their structural efficiency, design flexibility, and sustainability. However, traditional facade materials such as stone are often cost-prohibitive, and brick veneers—despite their popularity—pose seismic performance concerns. This study introduces an innovative porcelain sheathing system for cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls. Porcelain has no veins thus it offers integrated and reliable strength unlike granite. Four full-scale CFS shear walls incorporating screwed porcelain sheathing (SPS) were tested under combined cyclic lateral and constant gravity loading. The experimental program investigated key seismic characteristics, including lateral stiffness and strength, deformation capacity, failure modes, and energy dissipation, to calculate the system response modification factor (R). The test results showed that configurations with horizontal sheathing, double mid-studs, and three blocking rows improved performance, achieving up to 21.1 kN lateral resistance and 2.5% drift capacity. The average R-factor was 4.2, which exceeds the current design code values (AISI S213: R = 3; AS/NZS 4600: R = 2), suggesting the enhanced seismic resilience of the SPS-CFS system. This study also proposes design improvements to reduce the risk of brittle failure and enhance inelastic behavior. In addition, the results inform discussions on permissible building heights and contribute to the advancement of CFS design codes for seismic regions. Full article

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26 pages, 15636 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Sample Mass and Pouring Temperature on the Effectiveness of Thermal Analysis for Estimating Gray Iron Inoculation Potential

by Raymundo del Campo-Castro, Manuel Castro-Román, Edgar-Ivan Castro-Cedeno and Martín Herrera-Trejo

Materials 2025, 18(15), 3640; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153640 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

Thermal analysis (TA) has been a valuable tool for controlling the carbon equivalent (CE) of cast irons. Additionally, this technique can provide enhanced control over melt quality, allowing for the avoidance of defects such as undesirable graphite morphology and the formation of carbides. To obtain the most valuable information from the TA, it is necessary to minimize the variations in the filling operation of the TA cups. However, the mass and pouring temperature of TA cups can vary in TA’s typical foundry operations. A design of experiments was performed to determine whether specific parameters of cooling curves used for quality control can distinguish the inoculation effect in the melt when the mass and the pouring temperature of TA cups are varied. The minimum temperature of the eutectic arrest proved to be a robust inoculation potential control parameter when variations in the cup’s mass were within a range of 268–390 g and were filled at any pouring temperature between 1235 and 1369 °C. Lighter cups under 268 g and poured at a low temperature are not suitable for controlling inoculation potential by TA; however, they remain helpful in controlling CE. These later cups are related to cooling times of less than 180 s, which can serve as a criterion for discarding unsuitable samples. A bimodal population of cell surfaces was revealed in the samples, with the population of small cells being proportionally more numerous in samples with lower TE_min values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Metallic Materials: Solidification, Deformation, Heat Treatment and Other Related Phenomena—Third Edition)

27 pages, 18859 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of a Hierarchical Approach for Architectural Classification and Stratigraphic Evolution in Braided River Systems, Quaternary Strata, Songliao Basin, NE China

by Zhiwen Dong, Zongbao Liu, Yanjia Wu, Yiyao Zhang, Jiacheng Huang and Zekun Li

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8597; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158597 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

The description and assessment of braided river architecture are usually limited by the paucity of real geological datasets from field observations; due to the complexity and diversity of rivers, traditional evaluation models are difficult to apply to braided river systems in different climatic and tectonic settings. This study aims to establish an architectural model suitable for the study area setting by introducing a hierarchical analysis approach through well-exposed three-dimensional outcrops along the Second Songhua River. A micro–macro four-level hierarchical framework is adopted to obtain a detailed anatomy of sedimentary outcrops: lithofacies, elements, element associations, and archetypes. Fourteen lithofacies are identified: three conglomerates, seven sandstones, and four mudstones. Five elements provide the basic components of the river system framework: fluvial channel, laterally accreting bar, downstream accreting bar, abandoned channel, and floodplain. Four combinations of adjacent elements are determined: fluvial channel and downstream accreting bar, fluvial channel and laterally accreting bar, erosionally based fluvial channel and laterally accreting bar, and abandoned channel and floodplain. Considering the sedimentary evolution process, the braided river prototype, which is an element-based channel filling unit, is established by documenting three contact combinations between different elements and six types of fine-grained deposits’ preservation positions in the elements. Empirical relationships are developed among the bankfull channel depth, mean bankfull channel depth, and bankfull channel width. For the braided river systems, the establishment of the model promotes understanding of the architecture and evolution, and the application of the hierarchical analysis approach provides a basis for outcrop, underground reservoir, and tank experiments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Earth Sciences)

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16 pages, 336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mongols, Apocalyptic Messianism, and Later Medieval Christian Fears of Mass Conversion to Judaism

by Irven Michael Resnick

Histories 2025, 5(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/histories5030036 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

The capture of Jerusalem during the First Crusade, the extirpation of various heresies in the twelfth and thirteen centuries, the gradual expansion of Christian rule in the Iberian peninsula, and the mass conversion of Jews to Christianity there during the fourteenth century, all seemed to support a Christian triumphalism that imagined that as the End Time approached, Jews and other infidels would inevitably be absorbed into the Church. Nonetheless, an expanding medieval awareness of the many ‘Others’ beyond Christendom contributed to Christian anxieties that Jews (or Muslims) might expand their number through mass conversion, and not Christians. This paper will examine some sources of this anxiety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cultural History)

20 pages, 392 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Johannes Althusius: The First Federalist in Early Modern Times

by Lingkai Kong

Histories 2025, 5(3), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/histories5030035 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

Johannes Althusius (1563–1638) was a pioneer of early modern federalism. Opposing Jean Bodin’s theory of absolute sovereignty, his theory, centered on association and symbiosis, laid the groundwork for later concepts such as associationalism, consociationalism, and the principle of subsidiarity. While his ideas have been rediscovered and reinterpreted by scholars since the 20th century, systematic research on his federalist framework, especially contrasting it with rival theories of that time, remains insufficient. This article addresses this research gap by systematically exploring Althusius’s federalism. It argues that Althusius’s covenant-based, multi-level associational/federal framework provided a counter-theory to the concept of absolute sovereignty. Systematically studying his federalism not only helps to restore his federalist ideas to their rightful place in the history of federalist thought, but also provides insights for contemporary governance paradigms struggling with modern pluralism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Political, Institutional, and Economy History)

10 pages, 784 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Malnutrition on Femoral Cartilage Thickness in Pediatric Patients

by Şükrü Güngör, Raikan Büyükavcı, Fatma İlknur Varol, Emre Gök and Semra Aktürk

Children 2025, 12(8), 1021; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12081021 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Malnutrition is an imbalance of nutrients required for growth, development, and organ function. Its impact on bone development is known, but its effects on cartilage remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the femoral cartilage thickness in children with primary malnutrition. Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, 83 children with primary malnutrition and 62 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Patients with primary malnutrition were classified as mild, moderate and severe. Femoral cartilage thickness measurements of all children were taken by ultrasound from the femoral lateral condyle, femoral medial condyle and intercondylar area for both knees with the patient in a supine position with the knees flexed 90 degrees. Results: The right lateral, right medial, left lateral, and left medial femoral cartilages were significantly thicker in patients with malnutrition compared to those without malnutrition (p = 0.002, 0.004, <0.001, and 0.001, respectively). A significant negative correlation was found between age, weight Z-score, and height Z-score and triceps skinfold thickness. Conclusions: Distal femoral cartilage thickness is significantly greater in children with primary malnutrition. This demonstrates the effect of nutritional factors on cartilage tissue and suggests that children with chronic malnutrition are at risk for both knee joint problems and short stature later in life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition)

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14 pages, 3201 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coupled Eu Anomalies and Fe Isotopes Reveal a Hydrothermal Iron Source for Superior-Type Iron Formations: A Case Study from the Wilgena Hill Iron Formation, South Australia

by Shuo Chen, Jian Sun, Xiangkun Zhu and Yuelong Chen

Minerals 2025, 15(8), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15080824 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

Superior-type iron formations (IFs) represent a globally significant source of iron ore; yet, their origin remains a subject of ongoing debate. Early models proposed a continental weathering source for the iron, whereas later interpretations—mainly supported by positive europium (Eu) anomalies—favored a hydrothermal source. However, the hydrothermal model largely relies on REE systematics, and whether iron and REEs in Superior-type IFs share the same source remains uncertain. As iron isotopes directly trace the sources and fractionation history of iron, a spatial co-variation between Fe isotopes and Eu anomalies would shed new light on the iron source issue of IFs. In this study, we present new Fe isotope and REE data from the drill core WILDD004 at Wilgena Hill and integrate them with reported data for two additional drill cores: HKDD4 (Hawks Nest) and GWDD1 (Giffen Well). All three cores are stratigraphically equivalent to the Wilgena Hill Jaspilite Formation but span a lateral distance of ~100 km across the Gawler Craton, South Australia. While the Hawks Nest and Giffen Well samples exhibit both positive Eu anomalies and elevated δ⁵⁶Fe values, the Wilgena Hill samples show positive yet smaller Eu/Eu* (1.17–2.41) and negative δ⁵⁶Fe values (−0.60‰ to −1.63‰). The consistent presence of Eu anomalies and the systematic spatial correlation between δ⁵⁶Fe and Eu/Eu* across all three locations provide direct, Fe-based geochemical evidence for a hydrothermal source of iron in this Superior-type IF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geochemical, Isotopic, and Biotic Records of Banded Iron Formations)

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16 pages, 4733 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vibratory Pile Driving in High Viscous Soil Layers: Numerical Analysis of Penetration Resistance and Prebored Hole of CEL Method

by Caihui Li, Changkai Qiu, Xuejin Liu, Junhao Wang and Xiaofei Jing

Buildings 2025, 15(15), 2729; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15152729 (registering DOI) - 2 Aug 2025

Abstract

High-viscosity stratified strata, characterized by complex geotechnical properties such as strong cohesion, low permeability, and pronounced layered structures, exhibit significant lateral friction resistance and high-end resistance during steel sheet pile installation. These factors substantially increase construction difficulty and may even cause structural damage. This study addresses two critical mechanical challenges during vibratory pile driving in Fujian Province’s hydraulic engineering project: prolonged high-frequency driving durations, and severe U-shaped steel sheet pile head damage in high-viscosity stratified soils. Employing the Coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian (CEL) numerical method, a systematic investigation was conducted into the penetration resistance, stress distribution, and damage patterns during vibratory pile driving under varying conditions of cohesive soil layer thickness, predrilled hole spacing, and aperture dimensions. The correlation between pile stress and penetration depth was established, with the influence mechanisms of key factors on driving-induced damage in high-viscosity stratified strata under multi-factor coupling effects elucidated. Finally, the feasibility of predrilling techniques for resistance reduction was explored. This study applies the damage prediction model based on the CEL method to U-shaped sheet piles in high-viscosity stratified formations, solving the problem of mesh distortion in traditional finite element methods. The findings provide scientific guidance for steel sheet pile construction in high-viscosity stratified formations, offering significant implications for enhancing construction efficiency, ensuring operational safety, and reducing costs in such challenging geological conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Building Structures)

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11 pages, 459 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Urinary Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: Essential Oil Countermeasures in a One Health Case Report

by Mălina-Lorena Mihu, Cristiana Ştefania Novac, Smaranda Crăciun, Nicodim Iosif Fiţ, Cosmina Maria Bouari, George Cosmin Nadăş and Sorin Răpuntean

Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1807; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081807 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp) is eroding therapeutic options for urinary tract infections. We isolated a multidrug-resistant strain from the urine of a chronically bacteriuric patient and confirmed its identity by Vitek-2 and MALDI-TOF MS. Initial disk-diffusion profiling against 48 antibiotics revealed susceptibility to only 5 agents. One month later, repeat testing showed that tetracycline alone remained active, highlighting the strain’s rapidly evolving resistome. Given the scarcity of drug options, we performed an “aromatogram” with seven pure essential oils, propolis, and two commercial phytotherapeutic blends. Biomicin Forte^® produced a 30 mm bactericidal halo, while thyme, tea tree, laurel, and palmarosa oils yielded clear inhibition zones of 11–22 mm. These in vitro data demonstrate that carefully selected plant-derived products can target CR-Kp where conventional antibiotics fail. Integrating aromatogram results into One Health’s stewardship plans may therefore help preserve last-line antibiotics and provide adjunctive options for persistent urinary infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Disease Surveillance in Romania)

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25 pages, 5840 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Creating Micro-Habitat in a Pool-Weir Fish Pass with Flexible Hydraulic Elements: Insights from Field Experiments

by Mehmet Salih Turker and Serhat Kucukali

Water 2025, 17(15), 2294; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152294 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

The placement of hydraulic elements in existing pool-type fishways to make them more suitable for Cyprinid fish is an issue of increasing interest in fishway research. Hydrodynamic characteristics and fish behavior at the representative pool of the fishway with bottom orifices and notches were assessed at the Dagdelen hydropower plant in the Ceyhan River Basin, Türkiye. Three-dimensional velocity measurements were taken in the pool of the fishway using an Acoustic Doppler velocimeter. The measurements were taken with and without a brush block at two different vertical distances from the bottom, which were below and above the level of bristles tips. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was conducted for the studied fishway. The numerical model utilized Large Eddy Simulation (LES) combined with the Darcy–Forchheimer law, wherein brush blocks were represented as homogenous porous media. Our results revealed that the relative submergence of bristles in the brush block plays a very important role in velocity and Reynolds shear stress (RSS) distributions. After the placement of the submerged brush block, flow velocity and the lateral RSS component were reduced, and a resting area was created behind the brush block below the bristles’ tips. Fish movements in the pool were recorded by underwater cameras under real-time operation conditions. The heatmap analysis, which is a 2-dimensional fish spatial presence visualization technique for a specific time period, showed that Capoeta damascina avoided the areas with high turbulent fluctuations during the tests, and 61.5% of the fish presence intensity was found to be in the low Reynolds shear regions in the pool. This provides a clear case for the real-world ecological benefits of retrofitting existing pool-weir fishways with such flexible hydraulic elements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Hydraulics and Hydrodynamics)

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25 pages, 7503 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Diagnostic Framework for Decoupling Multi-Source Vibrations in Complex Machinery: An Improved OTPA Application on a Combine Harvester Chassis

by Haiyang Wang, Zhong Tang, Liyun Lao, Honglei Zhang, Jiabao Gu and Qi He

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8581; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158581 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Complex mechanical systems, such as agricultural combine harvesters, are subjected to dynamic excitations from multiple coupled sources, compromising structural integrity and operational reliability. Disentangling these vibrations to identify dominant sources and quantify their transmission paths remains a significant engineering challenge. This study proposes a robust diagnostic framework to address this issue. We employed a multi-condition vibration test with sequential source activation and an improved Operational Transfer Path Analysis (OTPA) method. Applied to a harvester chassis, the results revealed that vibration energy is predominantly concentrated in the 0–200 Hz frequency band. Path contribution analysis quantified that the “cutting header → conveyor trough → hydraulic cylinder → chassis frame” path is the most critical contributor to vertical vibration, with a vibration acceleration level of 117.6 dB. Further analysis identified the engine (29.3 Hz) as the primary source for vertical vibration, while lateral vibration was mainly attributed to a coupled resonance between the threshing cylinder (58 Hz) and the engine’s second-order harmonic. This study’s theoretical contribution lies in validating a powerful methodology for vibration source apportionment in complex systems. Practically, the findings provide direct, actionable insights for targeted structural optimization and vibration suppression. Full article

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16 pages, 1333 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CampyTube: Seamless Integration of a Molecular Test and Lateral Flow Detection of Campylobacter in a Single Vial

by Natalia Sandetskaya, Andreas Kölsch, Kai Mattern, Vanessa Vater, Dirk Kuhlmeier and Florian Priller

Biosensors 2025, 15(8), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15080497 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background: The efficient control of hygiene and Campylobacter’s contamination status at various steps of poultry meat production is essential for the prevention of Campylobacter transmission to humans. Microbiological methods are laborious and time-consuming, and molecular methods of detection are often too skill- and infrastructure-demanding. Methods: We have developed CampyTube, a simple and user-friendly format for the integration of isothermal DNA amplification with embedded instrument-free detection on a miniaturized lateral flow test in a single vial. All test components, from the dry amplification reagents to the mini lateral flow tests, are incorporated into a standard single vial, which is closed after the addition of the liquid sample and never has to be opened again. This ensures the absolute prevention of carry-over contamination and makes the system very safe and simple to use in point-of-need settings. Results: As few as 60 Campylobacter genome copies per reaction could be successfully detected with CampyTube. We have primarily developed and evaluated CampyTube for the detection of Campylobacter in chicken neck skin samples and could reach 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the samples exceeding the regulatory limit of 1000 CFU/g confirmed microbiologically, while the sensitivity in all samples that tested positive using qPCR (1.4 × 10²–2.5 × 10⁶ genome copies/g) was 71.1%. We discuss the impact of sample preparation on CampyTube performance and suggest further options for test optimization. Conclusions: CampyTube is a highly versatile and efficient, yet simple, affordable, and material-saving system that can be adapted for other targets and sample types. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Monitoring and Diagnostics)

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