Search Results (3,951)

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) relies on Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications to enable cooperative perception among vehicles, infrastructures, and devices, where Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) links are crucial for reliable transmission. However, the openness of wireless channels exposes IoV to eavesdropping, threatening privacy and security. This paper investigates an Intelligent Reflecting Surface (IRS)-assisted interweave Cognitive IoV (CIoV) network to enhance physical layer security in V2I communications. A non-convex joint optimization problem involving spectrum allocation, transmit power for Vehicle Users (VUs), and IRS phase shifts is formulated. To address this challenge, a heterogeneous multi-agent (HMA) Mamba RainbowDQN algorithm is proposed, where homogeneous VUs and a heterogeneous secondary base station (SBS) act as distinct agents to simplify decision-making. Simulation results show that the proposed method significantly outperform benchmark schemes, achieving a 13.29% improvement in secrecy rate and a 54.2% reduction in secrecy outage probability (SOP). These results confirm the effectiveness of integrating IRS and deep reinforcement learning (DRL) for secure and efficient V2I communications in CIoV networks. Full article

Background/Objectives:Hydrogels are highly hydrated, biocompatible polymer networks increasingly investigated as drug-delivery systems (DDS) for analgesics. Their ability to modulate local release, prolong drug residence time, and reduce systemic toxicity positions them as promising platforms in perioperative, chronic, and localized pain settings. This scoping review aimed to systematically map clinical applications, efficacy, and safety of hydrogel-based DDS for analgesics, while also documenting non-DDS uses where the matrix itself contributes to pain modulation through physical mechanisms. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidance, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched without publication date restrictions. Only peer-reviewed clinical studies were included; preclinical studies and non-journal literature were excluded. Screening and selection were performed in duplicate. Data extracted included drug class, hydrogel technology, clinical setting, outcomes, and safety. Protocol was registered with Open Science Framework. Results: A total of 26 clinical studies evaluating hydrogel formulations as DDS for analgesics were included. Most were randomized controlled trials, spanning 1996–2024. Local anesthetics were the most frequent drug class, followed by opioids, corticosteroids, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), and neuromodulators. Application sites were predominantly topical/transdermal and perioperative/incisional. Across the DDS cohort, most of the studies reported improved analgesic outcomes, including reduced pain scores and lower rescue medication use; neutral or unclear results were rare. Safety reporting was limited, but tolerability was generally favorable. Additionally, 38 non-DDS studies demonstrated pain reduction through hydrogel-mediated cooling, lubrication, or barrier effects, particularly in burns, ocular surface disorders, and discogenic pain. Conclusions: Hydrogel-based DDS for analgesics show consistent clinical signals of benefit across diverse contexts, aligning with their mechanistic rationale. While current evidence supports their role as effective, well-tolerated platforms, translational gaps remain, particularly for hybrid nanotechnology systems and standardized safety reporting. Non-DDS applications confirm the intrinsic analgesic potential of hydrogel matrices, underscoring their relevance in multimodal pain management strategies. Full article

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex and multifactorial neurodevelopmental condition whose pathogenesis remains only partially elucidated. Earlier accounts of oxidative stress in ASD often relied on the reductive paradigm of an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants. In contrast, this narrative review, based on a systematic examination of 1102 publications indexed in scientific databases from 2002 to July 2025, reframes the discussion in terms of redox system dysfunction, a broader and more integrative construct. Here, reactive oxidant species, molecular targets, and reducing/antioxidant counterparts are considered elements of a dynamic circuitry whose maladaptation progressively undermines homeostasis. The sequence of events unfolds in three stages. The first is primary redox dysfunction, manifesting as alterations in metabolic, signaling, and defense pathways. From this disturbance, a second stage arises, marked by functional derailment of cellular compartments—from membranes and cytosol to organelles and nuclei—including mitochondrial and peroxisomal deficits. Ultimately, a third stage emerges, defined by neurodevelopmental alterations such as impaired neurotransmission, synaptic dysfunction, abnormal plasticity, morphogenetic defects, neuroinflammation, and gut–brain–microbiota disarrangements. This progression situates the redox system as a central hub at the interface between human cells and the microbiota, resonating with the ecological and evolutionary principles of the holobiont and the One Health framework. By weaving dispersed evidence into a coherent perspective, this review advances beyond previous analyses, offering a unifying paradigm that connects biochemical dysfunction to clinical heterogeneity in ASD and opens new directions for interdisciplinary research. Full article

Background: Pelvic injuries of the sacroiliac joint are unstable and require surgical intervention following high-energy trauma. In this study, we aimed to present the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with sacroiliac joint separation and sacroiliac fracture dislocation (crescent) injury. We compared the surgical interventions performed on the sacroiliac joint based on patient clinical data. Methods: By reviewing the records of 850 pelvic fractures treated in our clinic between 2000 and 2020, we identified 110 patients with sacroiliac joint injuries who were included in the study. The fractures were classified based on patient files and radiographs. The patients were categorized according to the surgical interventions performed on the sacroiliac joint into two groups: closed reduction with percutaneous iliosacral screws and open reduction with plates and screws. We further divided the patients who underwent open reduction and plate–screw fixation into anterior and posterior surgical approaches. Clinical outcomes were obtained by evaluating patients using a subjective pelvic scoring system. Additionally, complications observed after surgeries were investigated. Results: A total of 121 fractures from 110 patients were included in the study. Eleven of the patients had bilateral sacroiliac joint injuries, for which bilateral surgery was performed. The mean age of the patients at the time of injury was 35.15 years (range from 6 to 80 years). The mean follow-up period was 103.45 months (range from 16 to 253 months). According to the scoring system, the highest success rate was observed in plate–screw operations performed through the anterior approach to the sacroiliac joint, with excellent to good results in approximately 92% of patients. Both open reduction and internal fixation through the posterior approach and closed reduction and percutaneous iliosacral screw surgery yielded successful functional results, with no statistically significant difference between the methods (p = 0.880). Regarding complications, the most important problems were infections associated with plate–screw procedures using the posterior approach and neurologic injuries resulting from closed reduction screw surgery. Conclusions: Effective management of sacroiliac joint injuries requires surgical expertise and individualized treatment strategies. With appropriate technique and fixation, both open and closed surgical methods can achieve satisfactory anatomical reduction and functional outcomes. Although standardized treatment protocols may be developed, tailoring the approach to each patient is more important for optimal clinical success. Full article

Background: There is no consensus on the “best” sequencing for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in multiple mandibular fractures involving the condyle. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the outcomes between a “top-to-bottom” and a “bottom-to-top” ORIF sequence for multifocal mandibular fractures at the author’s institution. Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of adult dentate patients with multifocal mandibular fractures treated with ORIF. Inclusion criteria were the presence of at least one condylar neck or basis fracture and one “non-condylar” mandibular fracture. The authors evaluated the reduction quality using radiological and clinical parameters, including the ramus/condylar neck angle, the presence of a gap at the lingual aspect in the dentate area, dental occlusion, the need for a redo operation, and the need for postoperative occlusal fine-tuning. Results: A total of 31 patients had a bottom-to-top sequence, 4 patients had a substandard outcome, 4 had an acceptable outcome, and 23 achieved an ideal outcome. Ten patients underwent a top-to-bottom sequence; one patient had an acceptable outcome, and nine patients achieved ideal outcomes. There was no significant difference between sequencing and outcome. (p = 0.231). However, the odds ratio for a suboptimal outcome regarding the bottom-to-top surgery as opposed to the top-to-bottom surgery was 4.80 (CI: 0.53–236.07). In other words, the odds of having a suboptimal outcome and a bottom-to-top sequence were 4.80 times higher than having a suboptimal outcome and a top-to-bottom sequence. Conclusions: Based on our results, the top-to-bottom ORIF sequence appeared to be a favorable factor. Full article

The management of severely comminuted acetabular posterior wall fractures in young, active patients presents a significant surgical challenge. When anatomical open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is not feasible, primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) is often considered but is a suboptimal solution due to concerns over long-term implant survivorship and the inevitability of revision surgery. This single-patient technical note presents a novel joint-preserving technique for managing unreconstructible acetabular posterior wall fractures using with cement-augmented screw fixation via the Kocher–Langenbeck approach. A 28-year-old male sustained a left posterior hip dislocation with a comminuted acetabular posterior wall fracture involving >30% of the articular surface, alongside a tibial shaft fracture, following a high-energy motorcycle collision. Intraoperative assessment confirmed the posterior wall was unreconstructible, with six non-viable osteochondral fragments. A joint-preserving salvage procedure was performed. After debridement, a stable metallic framework was created using three screws anchored in the posterior column. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement was then applied over this framework in its doughy phase, meticulously contoured to reconstruct the articular surface. The hip was reduced, and the tibia was fixed with an intramedullary nail. The patient was mobilized with weight-bearing as tolerated on postoperative day 3. At the 21-month follow-up, the patient reported no pain during daily activities and only mild discomfort during deep squatting. Radiographic and CT evaluations demonstrated a stable hip joint, concentric reduction, well-maintained joint space, and no evidence of implant loosening or osteolysis. Level of Evidence: V (Technical Note/single-patient Case report). For unreconstructible, comminuted fractures of the non-weight-bearing portion of the acetabular posterior wall in young patients, cement-augmented screw fixation offers a viable joint-preserving alternative to primary THA. This technique provides immediate stability, facilitates early mobilization, and preserves bone stock. While long-term outcomes require further study, this case demonstrates excellent functional and radiographic results at 21 months, presenting a promising new option for managing these complex injuries. Full article

Oxidative reactions accelerate quality loss in emulsified meats. This study evaluated a clean-label strategy in goat meat pates by co-fortifying Portulaca oleracea powder 1% and honey 4%. Control and treatment batches were cooked to 72 °C and stored as opened packs at ≤6 °C for 10 days. Oxidative stability of lipid and protein was monitored by peroxide value (PV), TBARS, acid value, and baseline protein carbonyls; total antioxidant capacity was assessed by FRAP and DPPH; color was quantified in CIE Lab; fatty acids were profiled by GC-FID; and protein integrity was examined by SDS-PAGE. The treatment modestly increased α-linolenic acid (ALA) (1.2% vs. 0.8%) in the control and markedly enhanced antioxidant status (FRAP 10.5 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g vs. not detected; DPPH 33.02 ± 0.009% vs. 22.33 ± 0.007%; IC₅₀ 106.10 ± 10.01 vs. 138.25 ± 11.15 µg/mL). Across storage, PV showed a small, non-significant delay on day 10 (13.0 ± 0.9 vs. 14.0 ± 0.9 meq/kg), while secondary and hydrolytic indices were consistently lower (TBARS day 10: 1.91 ± 0.13 vs. 3.29 ± 0.23 mg MDA/kg; acid value day 10: 7.0 ± 0.5 vs. 8.5 ± 0.6 mg KOH/g). Protein carbonyls at baseline were comparable (99.19 vs. 95.73 nmol/mg). L* and b* remained similar before and after light exposure, with a modest, non-significant reduction in color stability and greater a* loss in the treatment. These results show that purslane–honey co-fortification nutritionally enriches pates and attenuates oxidative spoilage during refrigerated storage, with minor color trade-offs that merit process optimization. Full article

Forest management practices such as clearcutting, thinning, and prescribed burning are widely implemented to achieve various ecological and silvicultural objectives, yet their effects on soil carbon dynamics and belowground processes remain uncertain. We conducted a global meta-analysis of 414 observations from 110 studies to quantify the impacts of these practices on total soil respiration (SR), its autotrophic (Ra) and heterotrophic (Rh) components, and associated biophysical and soil variables. Clearcutting and prescribed burning both reduced SR by an average of 11%, driven largely by Ra declines following reductions in live biomass, forest floor inputs, and microbial biomass. Thinning caused no significant change in SR, likely due to the limited belowground disturbance and residual vegetation compensatory growth, although impacts intensified when combined with post-treatments (e.g., residue removal or site-preparation burns), resembling those of clearcutting or repeated burns. In contrast, post-burn treatments following clearcutting did not substantially alter biological factors or SR components. Across practices, soil temperature increased due to the opening of the canopy, middle- and understory vegetation, and forest floor disturbance, but this warming showed no consistent relationship with Rh or SR. Instead, responses were primarily governed by substrate availability, highlighting its central role in soil carbon fluxes under management disturbances. Full article

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery provides an efficient approach for monitoring cotton defoliation and boll-opening rates. Deep learning, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), has been widely applied in image processing and agricultural monitoring, achieving strong performance in tasks such as disease detection, weed recognition, and yield prediction. However, existing models often suffer from heavy computational costs and slow inference speed, limiting their real-time deployment in agricultural fields. To address this challenge, we propose a lightweight cotton maturity recognition model, RTCMNet (Real-time Cotton Monitoring Network). By incorporating a multi-scale convolutional attention (MSCA) module and an efficient feature fusion strategy, RTCMNet achieves high accuracy with substantially reduced computational complexity. A UAV dataset was constructed using images collected in Xinjiang, and the proposed model was benchmarked against several state-of-the-art networks. Experimental results demonstrate that RTCMNet achieves 0.96 and 0.92 accuracy on defoliation rate and boll-opening rate classification tasks, respectively. Meanwhile, it contains only 0.35 M parameters—94% fewer than DenseNet121—and only requires an inference time of 33 ms, representing a 97% reduction compared to DenseNet121. Field tests further confirm its real-time performance and robustness on UAV platforms. Overall, RTCMNet provides an efficient and low-cost solution for UAV-based cotton maturity monitoring, supporting the advancement of precision agriculture. Full article

Background/Objectives: Open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair remains essential despite expanded endovascular options, yet the contemporary open-surgery case-mix has shifted as minimally invasive therapies became widespread. The objective was to evaluate temporal changes in patient demographics, pathology, and perioperative outcomes of open TAAA repair across two decades. Methods: Retrospective, cross border cohort of all open TAAA repairs performed at two high-volume tertiary centers (Aachen, Germany; Maastricht, Netherlands) from 2000–2024. Patients were stratified into Early Era (2004–2013) and Late Era (2014–2024). Primary endpoints were shifts in demographics and perioperative mortality/morbidity; secondary endpoints included major complications (spinal cord ischemia, acute kidney injury, pulmonary and cardiac events). Results: Among 577 open repairs, 376 (65.2%) occurred in the Early Era and 201 (34.8%) in the Late Era, with annual volumes declining to <12 cases/year after 2020. Late Era patients were younger (median 55.9 vs. 63.0 years, $p<0.001$) and had more genetic aortopathy (Marfan 26.9% vs. 11.7%, $p<0.01$) and post-dissection pathology (64.7% vs. 43.1%, $p<0.01$), alongside more prior aortic surgery (59.2% vs. 43.4%, $p<0.01$). Massive transfusion and incidental splenectomy decreased (37.8% vs. 54.5%, $p<0.01$; 5.0% vs. 14.9%, $p<0.01$). In-hospital mortality was similar (18.4% Late vs. 21.8% Early, $p=0.34$); spinal cord ischemia showed a non-significant reduction (5.5% vs. 8.0%, $p=0.26$); myocardial infarction decreased (1.0% vs. 4.3%, $p=0.03$); and ARDS increased (15.9% vs. 5.1%, $p<0.01)$. Conclusions: Despite the shift towards endovascular repair and the changing demographics of patients selected for open TAAA repair, specialized centers can maintain stable outcomes through standardized protocols and concentrated expertise. The preservation of open surgical capabilities remains crucial for specific patient populations, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that integrates both open and endovascular techniques to provide optimal, individualized care. Full article

We investigate the applicability of visual foundation models, a recent advancement in artificial intelligence, for archaeological remote sensing. In contrast to earlier approaches, we employ a strictly zero-shot methodology, testing the hypothesis that such models can perform archaeological feature detection without any fine-tuning or other adaptation for the remote sensing domain. Across five experiments using satellite imagery, aerial LiDAR, and drone video data, we assess the models’ ability to detect archaeological features. Our results demonstrate that such foundation models can achieve detection performance comparable to that of human experts and established automated methods. A key advantage lies in the substantial reduction of required human effort and the elimination of the need for training data. To support reproducibility and future experimentation, we provide open-source scripts and datasets and suggest a novel workflow for remote sensing projects. If current trends persist, foundation models may offer a scalable and accessible alternative to conventional archaeological prospection. Full article

Protection of coastal cultural heritage is among the most urgent global priorities, as these sites face increasing threats from climate change, sea level rise, and human activity. This study emphasises the value of innovative geospatial tools and data ecosystems for timely risk assessment. The role of land administration systems, geospatial documentation of coastal cultural heritage sites, and the adoption of innovative techniques that combine various methodologies is crucial for timely action. The coastal management infrastructure in Greece is presented, outlining the key public authorities and national legislation, as well as the land administration and geospatial ecosystems and the various available geospatial ecosystems. We profile the Hellenic Cadastre and the Hellenic Archaeological Cadastre along with open geospatial resources, and introduce TRIQUETRA Decision Support System (DSS), produced through the EU’s Horizon project, and a Digital Twin methodology for hazard identification, quantification, and mitigation. Particular emphasis is given to the role of Digital Twin technology, which acts as a continuously updated virtual replica of coastal cultural heritage sites, integrating heterogeneous geospatial datasets such as cadastral information, photogrammetric 3D models, climate projections, and hazard simulations, allowing for stakeholders to test future scenarios of sea level rise, flooding, and erosion, offering an advanced tool for resilience planning. The approach is validated at the coastal archaeological site of Aegina Kolona, where a UAV-based SfM-MVS survey produced using high-resolution photogrammetric outputs, including a dense point cloud exceeding 60 million points, a 5 cm resolution Digital Surface Model, high-resolution orthomosaics with a ground sampling distance of 1 cm and 2.5 cm, and a textured 3D model using more than 6000 nadir and oblique images. These products provided a geospatial infrastructure for flood risk assessment under extreme rainfall events, following a multi-scale hydrologic–hydraulic modelling framework. Island-scale simulations using a 5 m Digital Elevation Model (DEM) were coupled with site-scale modelling based on the high-resolution UAV-derived DEM, allowing for the nested evaluation of water flow, inundation extents, and velocity patterns. This approach revealed spatially variable flood impacts on individual structures, highlighted the sensitivity of the results to watershed delineation and model resolution, and identified critical intervention windows for temporary protection measures. We conclude that integrating land administration systems, open geospatial data, and Digital Twin technology provides a practical pathway to proactive and efficient management, increasing resilience for coastal heritage against climate change threats. Full article

This work explores the influence of material properties and experimental conditions on both biological and photocatalytic nitrate reduction processes. For the biological route, results demonstrate that carbon supports, specifically carbon gels, with open porosity, slight acidity, and high purity enhance E. coli adhesion and promote the formation of highly active bacterial colonies. However, carbon supports of bacteria, produced from waste biomass, emerge as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative, improving scalability and environmental value. The complete conversion of nitrates to nitrites, followed by full nitrite reduction, is achieved under optimized conditions. Photocatalytic nitrate reduction under solar radiation is also proposed as a promising and ecofriendly upgrade method to conventional wastewater treatment. Graphene oxide (GO) was used to enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ nanoparticles for the degradation of nitrates. The efficiency of nitrate reduction is found to be highly sensitive to solution pH and the physicochemical nature of the photocatalyst surface, which governs nitrate interactions through electrostatic forces. TiO₂–GO composites achieved up to 80% nitrate removal within 1 h and complete removal of 50 mg/L nitrate within 15 min under optimized conditions. The screening of hole scavengers revealed that formic acid, in combination with the TiO₂–GO composite, delivered exceptional performance, achieving complete nitrate reduction in just 15 min under batch conditions at an acidic pH. Full article

Long-term greenhouse operations face a critical challenge in the form of soil quality degradation, yet the key intervention periods and underlying mechanisms of this process remain unclear. This study aims to quantify the effects of greenhouse lifespan on the evolution of soil quality and to identify critical periods for intervention. We conducted a systematic survey of greenhouse operations in a representative area of Yunnan Province, Southwest China, and adopted a space-for-time substitution design. Using open-field cultivation (OF) as the control, we sampled and analyzed soils from vegetable greenhouses with greenhouse lifespans of 2 years (G2), 5 years (G5), and 10 years (G10). The results showed that early-stage greenhouse operation (G2) significantly increased soil temperature (ST) by 8.38–19.93% and soil porosity (SP) by 16.21–56.26%, promoted nutrient accumulation and enhanced aggregate stability compared to OF. However, as the greenhouse lifespan increased, the soil aggregates gradually disintegrated, particle-size distribution shifted toward finer clay fractions, and pH changed from neutral to slightly alkaline, exacerbating nutrient imbalances. Compared with G2, G10 exhibited reductions in mean weight diameter (MWD) and soil organic matter (SOM) of 2.41–5.93% and 24.78–30.93%, respectively. Among greenhouses with different lifespans, G2 had the highest soil quality index (SQI), which declined significantly with extended operation; at depths of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm, the SQI of G10 was 32.59% and 38.97% lower than that of G2, respectively (p < 0.05). Structural equation modeling (SEM) and random forest analysis indicated that the improvement in SQI during the early stage of greenhouse use was primarily attributed to the optimization of soil hydrothermal characteristics and pore structure. Notably, the 2–5 years was the critical stage of rapid decline in SQI, during which intensive water and fertilizer inputs reduced the explanatory power of soil nutrients for SQI. Under long-term continuous cropping, the reduction in MWD and SOM was the main reason for the decline in SQI. This study contributes to targeted soil management during the critical period for sustainable production of protected vegetables in southern China. Full article

Gasoline is the most common ignitable liquid used to initiate fires, making its detection and identification in fire debris crucial for determining incendiary origins. Fire debris is typically collected after extinguishment and safety clearance, often resulting in gasoline weathering, especially when delayed. Most research on gasoline weathering has been conducted in controlled laboratory settings in temperate climates. However, the effects of tropical conditions on the rate of gasoline weathering and the resulting chemical composition of volatiles remain largely unexplored. Understanding how tropical environmental factors alter gasoline weathering is essential for accurate fire debris interpretation in such regions. This study investigates how tropical climates impact gasoline weathering indoors and outdoors. Weathered samples were prepared by volume reduction method, gradually evaporating gasoline from 10% to 95%. Indoor samples were exposed to room temperature, while outdoor samples were left in open space under natural tropical conditions. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed chromatographic shifts in heavier compounds (C₃–C₄ alkylbenzenes) compared to lighter ones like toluene as weathering progressed. Correlation between indoor and outdoor samples was high (>0.970) at 10–50% weathering but declined (<0.600) at 90–95%, indicating differing patterns. All target compounds remained detectable across all samples. Full article