Search Results (287)

Background/Objectives: Spinal fusion with static fixation—surgically joining two or more vertebrae to eliminate motion—is commonly employed to treat degenerative spinal disease. However, the rigidity imposed by static constructs and the increased load on the adjacent segments frequently result in complications such as disc or facet degeneration, spinal stenosis (SS), and segmental instability. This study investigates the effectiveness of pedicle-based dynamic stabilization using the Dynesys system, particularly in a dynamic-transitional optima (DTO) hybrid configuration, in mitigating adjacent segment disease (ASD) and improving clinical outcomes. In this work, we analyzed the mechanical performance and intermediate-term clinical effects of the DTO hybrid lumbar device, focusing on how the load-sharing properties of the Dynesys cord–spacer stabilizers may contribute to junctional complications in individuals with diverse grades of intervertebral disc degeneration. Study Design/Setting: We designed a combined biomechanical finite element (FE) and experimental analysis to predict the clinical outcomes. Patient Sample: Among 115 patients with lumbar SS enrolled for analysis, 31 patients (mean age: 68.5 ± 7.5 years), with or without grade I spondylolisthesis (18/13), underwent a two-level DTO hybrid procedure—L4–L5 static fixation and L3–L4 dynamic stabilization—with minimal decompression to preserve the posterior tension band. Post-surgical follow-ups were conducted for over 48 months (range: 49–82). Outcome Measures: Radiological assessments were performed by two neurosurgeons, one orthopedic surgeon, and one neuroradiologist. The posterior disc height, listhesis distance, and dynamic angular changes were measured pre- and postoperatively to evaluate ASD progression. Methods: Dynamic instrumentation was assigned to the L3–L4 motion segment with lesser disc deterioration, in contrast to the L4–L5 segment, where static fixation was applied due to its greater degree of degeneration. FE analysis was performed under displacement-controlled conditions. Intersegmental motion analysis was conducted under load-controlled conditions in a synthetic model. Results: The DTO hybrid devices reduced stress and motion at the transition segment. However, compensatory biomechanical effects were more pronounced at the adjacent cephalad than the caudal segments. In the biomechanical trade-off zone—where balance between motion preservation and stabilization is critical—the flexible Dynesys cord significantly mitigated stiffness-related issues during flexion. At the L3–L4 transition level, the cord–spacer configuration enhanced dynamic function, increasing motion by 2.7% (rotation) and 12.7% (flexion), reducing disc stress by 4.1% (flexion) and 12.9% (extension), and decreasing the facet contact forces by 4.9% (rotation) and 15.6% (extension). The optimal cord stiffness (50–200 N/mm) aligned with the demands of mild disc degeneration, whereas stiffer cords were more effective for segments with higher degeneration. The pedicle screw motion in dynamic Dynesys systems—primarily caused by axial translation rather than vertical displacement—contributed to screw–vertebra interface stress, influenced by the underlying disc or bone degeneration. Conclusions: Modulating the cord pretension in DTO instrumentation effectively lessened the interface stress occurring at the screw–vertebra junction and adjacent facet joints, contributing to a reduced incidence of pedicle screw loosening, ASD, and revision rates. The modified DTO system, incorporating minimal decompression and preserving the posterior complex at the dynamic level, may be biomechanically favourable and clinically effective for managing transitional degeneration over the mid-term. Full article

Eco-friendly silver nanoparticle systems are highly effective due to their large surface area and strong adsorption capacity. In this study, a novel silver (diethyldithiocarbamate)-decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (Ag(DDTC)@rGO) was synthesized via a simple green method, yielding a stable and monodispersed material. SEM and HRTEM analyses revealed uniform anchoring of the Ag(DDTC) complex on rGO, producing a coherent nanocomposite with strong physicochemical coupling. The Ag(DDTC)@rGO nanocomposite exhibited a high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area (289 m² g⁻¹) with an average pore diameter of 45 nm, confirming the mesoporous nature of the composite. FTIR spectra showed characteristic bands of rGO and DDTC ligands, with new peaks at 620–640 cm⁻¹ confirming the successful anchoring of silver–diethyldithiocarbamate species onto rGO via Ag–S and Ag–O bond formation. Raman spectroscopy further confirmed the multilayered rGO structure after Ag(DDTC) incorporation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) identified a broad hybrid amorphous–crystalline pattern, favorable for catalytic and sensing functions. The superior malachite green adsorption capacity of Ag(DDTC)@rGO was attributed to synergistic electrostatic, π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, and silver-mediated interactions. Furthermore, antibacterial assays demonstrated significant inhibition of P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and S. enterica ATCC 14028, further enhanced by mild heat activation (40–50 °C) that significantly improved the surface activation of silver nanoparticles. The multifunctional Ag(DDTC)@rGO nanocomposite exhibits strong adsorption and antibacterial properties, highlighting its potential for sustainable wastewater treatment and environmental remediation applications. Full article

This study quantifies how pressurized water immersion alters the reciprocating sliding behavior of glass and Kevlar woven fabric-reinforced polymer hybrid composite laminates. Specimens were immersed in deionized water at 10 bar and 25 °C for 0, 7, 14, and 21 days, then tested against a 6 mm 100Cr6 steel ball at 20 N under four regimes that combine 1 or 2 Hz with 10 m or 20 m total sliding. Water uptake rose from 0 to 8.54% by day 21 and followed a short-time Fickian square root of time trend, indicating diffusion-controlled sorption. The coefficient of friction exhibited a robust nonmonotonic response with a pronounced minimum at 14 days that was typically 20 to 40% lower than the unaged reference across frequencies and distances, while 7 days produced a partial decrease and 21 days trended upward. Three-dimensional profilometry showed progressive widening and deepening of wear tracks with immersion, for example, at 1 Hz and 10 m width increased from about 1596 to about 2050 to 2101 μm and depth from about 128 to about 184 to 185 μm, with a transient narrowing at 2 Hz after 7 days. Scanning electron microscopy corroborated a transition from mild plowing to matrix plasticization with fiber–matrix debonding and debris compaction. Beyond geometric wear metrics, this study re-processed the existing profilometry and COF records to derive a moisture-dependent mechanistic approach. Moisture uptake up to 8.54% reorganizes the third body at the interface so that friction drops markedly at 14 days (typically 20–40% below the unaged state), while concurrent matrix plasticization and interface weakening enlarge the wear cross-section extracted from the same 3D maps, decoupling friction from damage width/depth under wet conditioning. Factorial analysis ranked immersion time as the dominant driver of damage for width and depth with frequency as a secondary factor and sliding distance as a minor factor, highlighting immersion-controlled tribological design windows for marine and humid service. Full article

Biocatalysis is fundamental to biological processes and sustainable chemical productions. Over time, the biocatalysis strategy has been widely researched. Initially, biomanufacturing and catalysis of high-value chemicals were carried out through direct immobilization and application of biocatalysts, including natural enzymes and living cells. With the evolution of green chemistry and environmental concern, hybrid photoelectro-biocatalysis (HPEB) platforms are seen as a new approach to enhance biocatalysis. This strategy greatly expands the domain of natural biocatalysis, especially for bio-based components. The selective valorization of renewable furan derivatives, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural, is central to advancing biomass-based chemical production. Biocatalysis offers high chemo-, regio-, and stereo-selectivity under mild conditions compared with traditional chemical catalysis, yet it is often constrained by the costly and inefficient regeneration of redox cofactors like NAD(P)H. Photoelectrocatalysis provides a sustainable means to supply reducing equivalents using solar or electrical energy. In recent years, hybrid systems that integrate biocatalysis with photoelectrocatalysis have emerged as a promising strategy to overcome this limitation. This review focuses on recent advances in such systems, where photoelectrochemical platforms enable in situ cofactor regeneration to drive enzymatic transformations of furan-based substrates. We critically analyze representative coupling strategies, materials and device configurations, and reaction engineering approaches. Finally, we outline future directions for developing efficient, robust, and industrially viable hybrid catalytic platforms for green biomass valorization. Full article

Binocular vision is a core module in humanoid robots, and stereo matching is one of the key challenges in binocular vision, relying on template matching techniques and mathematical optimization methods to achieve precise image matching. However, occlusion significantly affects matching accuracy and robustness in practical applications. To address this issue, we propose a novel hybrid matching strategy. This method does not require network training and has high computational efficiency, effectively addressing occlusion issues. First, we propose the Inverse Template Matching Mathematical Method (ITM), which is based on optimization theory. This method generates multiple new templates from the image to be matched using mathematical segmentation techniques and then matches them with the original template through an inverse optimization process, thereby effectively improving matching accuracy under mild occlusion conditions. Second, we propose the Iterative Matching Mathematical Method (IMM), which repeatedly executes ITM combined with optimization strategies to continuously refine the size of matching templates, thereby further improving matching accuracy under complex occlusion conditions. Concurrently, we adopt a local region selection strategy to selectively target areas related to occlusion regions for inverse optimization matching, significantly enhancing matching efficiency. Experimental results show that under severe occlusion conditions, the proposed method achieves a 93% improvement in accuracy compared to traditional template matching methods and a 37% improvement compared to methods based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs), reaching the current state of the art in the field. Our method introduces a reverse optimization paradigm into the field of template matching and provides an innovative mathematical solution to address occlusion issues. Full article

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for environmental remediation, particularly in photocatalysis. In this work, a novel ZMIP nanocomposite was fabricated by integrating MIP-202(Zr) bio-MOF with ZnO nanoparticles. For the first time, ZnO nanoparticles were green-synthesized using water lettuce extract and incorporated into MIP-202(Zr) via a mild hydrothermal route. The resulting hybrid was applied as a visible-light photocatalyst for carbamazepine (CBZ) degradation in real pharmaceutical wastewater. Structural analyses (XRD, FTIR, TEM, EDS) verified the successful incorporation of ZnO into the MIP-202(Zr) framework. The composite exhibited a narrowed bandgap of 2.74 ± 0.1 eV compared to 4.05 ± 0.06 eV for pristine MIP-202 and 3.77 ± 0.04 eV for ZnO, highlighting enhanced visible-light utilization in ZMIP. Operational parameters were optimized using response surface methodology, where CBZ removal reached 99.37% with 84.39% TOC mineralization under the optimal conditions (90 min, pH 6, 15 mg/L CBZ, 1.25 g/L catalyst). The catalyst maintained stable performance over five reuse cycles. Radical quenching and UHPLC-MS analyses identified the dominant reactive oxygen species and generated intermediates, elucidating the degradation mechanism and pathways. Beyond CBZ, the ZMIP photocatalyst effectively degraded other pharmaceuticals, including doxorubicin, tetracycline, paracetamol, and ibuprofen, achieving degradation efficiencies of 82.93%, 76.84%, 72.08%, and 67.71%, respectively. Application on real pharmaceutical wastewater achieved 78.37% TOC removal under the optimum conditions. Furthermore, the supplementation of the photocatalytic system by inorganic oxidants ameliorated the degradation performance, following the order KIO₄ > K₂S₂O₈ > KHSO₅ > H₂O₂. Overall, ZMIP demonstrates excellent activity, reusability, and versatility, underscoring its potential as a sustainable photocatalyst for real wastewater treatment. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable and efficient synthetic methodologies has brought nanocatalysis to the forefront of modern organic chemistry, particularly in the construction of heterocyclic compounds through multicomponent reactions (MCRs). Among various nanocatalysts, calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO NPs) have gained significant attention because of their strong basicity, thermal stability, low toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. This review provides a comprehensive account of the recent strategies using CaO NPs as heterogeneous catalysts for the green synthesis of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing heterocycles through MCRs. Key reactions such as Biginelli, Hantzsch, and pyran annulations are discussed in detail, with emphasis on atom economy, reaction conditions, product yields, and catalyst reusability. In many instances, CaO NPs have enabled solvent-free or aqueous protocols with high efficiency and reduced reaction times, often under mild conditions. Mechanistic aspects are analyzed to highlight the catalytic role of surface basic sites in facilitating condensation and cyclization steps. The performance of CaO NPs is also compared with other oxide nanocatalysts, showcasing their benefits from green metrics evaluation like E-factor and turnover frequency. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in areas such as asymmetric catalysis, industrial scalability, and catalytic stability under continuous use. To address these gaps, future directions involving doped CaO nanomaterials, hybrid composites, and mechanochemical approaches are proposed. This review aims to provide a focused and critical perspective on CaO NP-catalyzed MCRs, offering insights that may guide further innovations in sustainable heterocyclic synthesis. Full article

A hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (HDES) composed of Aliquat 336, decanoic acid, and n-hexanol, diluted with kerosene, was investigated for the selective leaching of LiNi_0.33Mn_0.33Co_0.33O₂ (NMC-111) cathode materials. While conventional choline chloride-based DESs co-dissolve Li and transition metals almost completely, the present HDES–acid hybrid system deliberately sacrifices maximum recovery to achieve selectivity. In combination with a low concentration of H₂SO₄, the HDES enabled preferential dissolution of Co and Ni (~84% and ~80% after 6 h at 90 °C, respectively), while Li and Mn largely remained in the solid residue (>93%). Kinetic modeling indicated that the process is controlled by a surface chemical reaction with apparent activation energies of ~~49 kJ mol⁻¹ (for Ni recovery) and ~51 kJ mol⁻¹ (for Co recovery). The leaching residues were enriched in stable Li-Mn-O phases in a way that offers a basis for stepwise recovery. These findings show that hydrophobic eutectic media coupled with mild acid activation provide a sustainable pathway for the selective recycling of LIB cathodes. Full article

Background: Craniofrontonasal dysplasia (CFND) is an X-linked developmental disorder caused by mutations in the EFNB1 gene located on chromosome Xq13. This gene encodes ephrin-B1, a ligand for Eph receptors, which is involved in cell signaling pathways and the development of the nervous and vascular systems, as well as facial and cranial structures. Paradoxically, the syndrome manifests with greater severity in heterozygous females, whereas hemizygous males typically present with mild or no abnormalities. Methods and Results: We report the case of a late preterm female neonate with dysmorphic features at birth, who subsequently developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) caused by thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery. Extensive bowel resection led to short bowel syndrome, resulting in cholestatic liver disease, malabsorption, and growth impairment. Array-comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) analysis identified a ~791 Kb microduplication at Xq13.1, encompassing the EFNB1 gene, confirming the diagnosis of CFND. She was enrolled in a multidisciplinary follow-up program and, at 2 years of age, presents with marked growth and neurodevelopmental delay. Conclusions: This report describes a rare association between CFND and NEC caused by superior mesenteric artery thrombosis. To the best of our knowledge, no previously reported cases of CFND associated with thrombosis or thrombosis-related conditions, including NEC, have been identified. This is based on a literature review (2004–2025) performed using PubMed and Scopus, and limited to English-language case reports and reviews. Full article

An overview of the Common Rail (CR) diesel engine challenges and of the promising state-of-the-art solutions for addressing them is provided. The different CR injector driving technologies have been compared, based on hydraulic, spray and engine performance for conventional diesel combustion. Various injection patterns, high injection pressures and nozzle design features are analyzed with reference to their advantages and disadvantages in addressing engine issues. The benefits of the statistically optimized engine calibrations have also been examined. With regard to the combustion strategy, the role of a CR engine in the implementation of low-temperature combustion (LTC) is reviewed, and the effect of the ECU calibration parameters of the injection on LTC steady-state and transition modes, as well as on an LTC domain, is illustrated. Moreover, the exploitation of LTC in the last generation of CR engines is discussed. The CR apparatus offers flexibility to optimize the engine calibration even for biofuels and e-fuels, which has gained interest in the last decade. The impact of the injection strategy on spray, ignition and combustion is discussed with reference to fuel consumption and emissions for both biodiesel and green diesel. Finally, the electrification of CR diesel engines is reviewed: the effects of electrically heated catalysts, electric supercharging, start and stop functionality and electrical auxiliaries on NO_x, CO₂, consumption and torque are analyzed. The feasibility of mild hybrid, strong hybrid and plug-in CR diesel powertrains is discussed. For the future, based on life cycle and manufacturing cost analyses, a roadmap for the automotive sector is outlined, highlighting the perspectives of the CR diesel engine for different applications. Full article

This research develops a novel coupled system of nonlinear hybrid stochastic fractional differential equations that integrates neutral effects, stochastic perturbations, and hybrid switching mechanisms. The system is formulated using the Atangana–Baleanu–Caputo fractional operator with a non-singular Mittag–Leffler kernel, which enables accurate representation of memory effects without singularities. Unlike existing approaches, which are limited to either neutral or hybrid stochastic structures, the proposed framework unifies both features within a fractional setting, capturing the joint influence of randomness, history, and abrupt transitions in real-world processes. We establish the existence and uniqueness of mild solutions via the Picard approximation method under generalized Carathéodory-type conditions, allowing for non-Lipschitz nonlinearities. In addition, mean-square Mittag–Leffler stability is analyzed to characterize the boundedness and decay properties of solutions under stochastic fluctuations. Several illustrative examples are provided to validate the theoretical findings and demonstrate their applicability. Full article

In this study, we investigated the influence of polymer nature and support characteristics on the performance of Pd-based heterogeneous catalysts. Catalysts were prepared via sequential adsorption of poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) or chitosan (CS) and palladium ions onto MgO and SBA-15 supports under ambient conditions. The resulting hybrid materials were characterized by IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). TEM analysis revealed that Pd nanoparticles with an average size of 2–3 nm were well-dispersed on P4VP/MgO, while larger and less uniformly distributed particles (8–10 nm) were observed on SBA-15-based systems. Catalytic tests in the hydrogenation of 2-propen-1-ol, phenylacetylene, and 2-hexyn-1-ol under mild conditions (40 °C, 1 atm H₂, ethanol) demonstrated that both the support and polymer type significantly influence activity and selectivity. P4VP-modified catalysts outperformed CS-containing analogs in all reactions. MgO-based systems showed higher activity and selectivity in 2-propen-1-ol hydrogenation compared to SBA-15-based catalysts. The 1%Pd–P4VP/MgO catalyst exhibited the best performance, with a reaction rate of 5.2 × 10⁻⁶ mol/s, 83.4% selectivity to propanol, and stable activity over 30 consecutive runs. In phenylacetylene and 2-hexyn-1-ol hydrogenation, all catalysts showed high selectivity to styrene (93–95%) and cis-2-hexen-1-ol (96–97%), respectively. The incorporation of P4VP polymer into the Pd/MgO catalyst leads to smaller and better-distributed palladium particles, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity and stability during hydrogenation reactions. These results confirm that the choice of polymer modifier and inorganic support must be tailored to the specific reaction, enabling the design of highly active and selective polymer-modified Pd catalysts for selective hydrogenation processes under mild conditions. Full article

The main objective of this work is to discuss the generalized anti-periodic boundary conditions of the generalized Caputo fractional differential equations with $p\left(t\right)$-Laplacian operators. By applying the Schaefer fixed point theorem, the existence of mild solutions to this problem is obtained, which generalizes and enriches the anti-periodic boundary value problem of Caputo fractional hybrid differential equations. Finally, a numerical example is given to verify our main results. The anti-periodic boundary value condition imparts a form of symmetric inversion with respect to the original state, so it exhibits an anti-symmetric structural feature. Full article

Water pollution continues to pose a critical global challenge, largely due to the unregulated discharge of industrial, agricultural, and municipal effluents. Among emerging solutions, enzymatic bioremediation stands out as a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach, offering high specificity and efficiency under mild conditions. Nonetheless, the practical application of free enzymes is hindered by their inherent instability, poor reusability, and susceptibility to denaturation. To address these limitations, the immobilization of enzymes onto solid supports, particularly clay minerals, has garnered increasing attention. This review presents a detailed analysis of clay minerals as promising carriers for enzyme immobilization in wastewater treatment. It explores their classification, structural characteristics, and physicochemical properties, highlighting key advantages such as a large surface area, cation exchange capacity, and thermal stability. Functionalization techniques, including acid/base activation, intercalation, grafting, and pillaring, are discussed in terms of improving enzyme compatibility and catalytic performance. Various immobilization methods such as physical adsorption, covalent bonding, entrapment, crosslinking, and intercalation are critically evaluated with regard to enhancing enzyme activity, stability, and recyclability. Recent case studies demonstrate the effective removal of pollutants such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals using enzyme–clay composites. Despite these advances, challenges such as enzyme leaching, mass transfer resistance, and variability in clay composition persist. This review concludes by outlining future prospects, including the development of hybrid and magnetic clay-based systems and their integration into advanced water treatment technologies. Overall, enzyme immobilization on clay minerals represents a promising and scalable approach for the next generation of wastewater bioremediation strategies. Full article

Cisplatin is an alkylating chemotherapeutic drug used in the treatment of many pediatric solid tumors, and cisplatin ototoxicity is characterized by sensorineural, bilateral, irreversible, and progressive hearing loss. The aim of this study is to identify biomarkers that may serve as predictors of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in pediatric cancers. In our preliminary study, patients with severe hearing loss were analyzed using the comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) method. Mutations were identified in the following genes: ADAM6, SIX3, GNAS, NDUFV1, H19, DEFA4, and ZIM2. Based on these data, we aimed to investigate the mutation status of these candidate genes in a larger population of pediatric cancer patients treated with cisplatin. DNA samples were extracted from the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood samples obtained from 82 patients. These genes were analyzed using the RT-PCR technique, and ototoxicity was assessed using the Brock and Muenster classifications. Hearing loss was detected in 28% of patients; 76.8% and 23.2% had mild and severe hearing loss, respectively. A significant correlation was found between ZIM2 gene amplification and the presence of ototoxicity (rho = 0.461, p = 0.003), especially in advanced-stage cancer patients with severe hearing loss (rho = 0.38, p = 0.017). Our findings suggest that ZIM2 is a promising biomarker for predicting cisplatin ototoxicity. Full article