Search Results (5,161)

Medication errors pose a significant threat to patient safety. Although Bar-Code Medication Administration (BCMA) has reduced error rates, it is constrained by handheld devices, workflow interruptions, and incomplete safeguards against wrong patients, wrong doses, or drug incompatibility. In this study, we developed and evaluated a next-generation BCMA system by integrating artificial intelligence and mixed reality technologies for real-time safety checks: Optical Character Recognition verifies medication–label concordance, facial recognition confirms patient identity, and a rules engine evaluates drug–diluent compatibility. Computer vision models achieved high recognition accuracy for drug vials (100%), medication labels (90%), QR codes (90%), and patient faces (90%), with slightly lower performance for intravenous fluids (80%). A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted in a simulated environment using the System Usability Scale (SUS), Reduced Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (RIMMS), Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ), and NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). The results indicated excellent usability (median SUS = 82.5/100), strong user motivation (RIMMS = 3.7/5), minimal cybersickness (VRSQ = 0.4/6), and manageable cognitive workload (NASA-TLX = 31.7/100). Qualitative analysis highlighted the system’s potential to streamline workflow and serve as a digital “second verifier.” These findings suggest strong potential for clinical integration, enhancing medication safety at the point of care. Full article

Work investigates the doping of molybdenum oxide (MoO_x) with tungsten (W). The successful incorporation of W into the MoO_x lattice was confirmed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Structural and optical analysis revealed the presence of oxygen vacancies within the W-MoO_x film, which are known to facilitate resistive switching (RS) in memristive devices. Based on this, a flexible memristor with the structure PET/ITO/W-MoO_x/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/Al was fabricated. PMMA was strategically introduced between the W-MoO_x layer and the aluminum electrode to modulate interfacial properties that influence RS behavior. The W-MoO_x/PMMA-based memristor exhibited good resistive switching characteristics, with a memory window of approximately 12 and a retention time exceeding 2 × 10⁴ s, demonstrating a non-volatile memory behavior. In the high-resistance state (HRS), the conduction mechanism under higher applied voltages follows a space-charge-limited current (SCLC) model, indicating that the RS process is primarily governed by charge trapping and de-trapping at the interface. Overall, the consistent and robust switching performance of the W-MoO_x/PMMA heterostructure underlines its potential as a reliable functional layer for next-generation resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) devices. Full article

The accurate real-time delineation of overburden failure zones, specifically the caved and water-conducted fracture zones, remains a significant challenge in longwall mining, as conventional monitoring methods often lack the spatial continuity and resolution for precise, full-profile strain measurement. Based on the hydrogeological data of the E9103 working face in Hengjin Coal Mine, a numerical calculation model for the overburden strata of the E9103 working face was established to simulate and analyze the stress distribution, failure characteristics, and development height of the water-conducting fracture zones in the overburden strata of the working face. To address this problem, this study presents the application of a distributed optical fiber sensing (DOFS) system, centering on an innovative fiber installation technology. The methodology involves embedding the sensing fiber into boreholes within the overlying strata and employing grouting to achieve effective coupling with the rock mass, a critical step that restores the in situ geological environment and ensures measurement reliability. Field validation at the E9103 longwall face successfully captured the dynamic evolution of the strain field during mining. The results quantitatively identified the caved zone at a height of 13.1–16.33 m and the water-conducted fracture zone at 58–60.6 m. By detecting abrupt strain changes, the system enables the back-analysis of fracture propagation paths and the identification of potential seepage channels. This work demonstrates that the proposed DOFS-based monitoring system, with its precise spatial resolution and real-time capability, provides a robust scientific basis for the early warning of roof hazards, such as water inrushes, thereby contributing to the advancement of intelligent and safe mining practices. Full article

This study develops and validates a weft knitted Mini-Jacquard in Peruvian Pima cotton as a print-free coloration strategy by integrating CAD-based pattern simulation with prototype manufacturing. A three-color design (red, blue, white) was programmed on a flat knitting machine using a 10 × 14 rapport. Color-wise yarn consumption was computed directly from the digital pattern, and the physical sample was characterized through combustion testing and optical micrographs. The prototype exhibited a yarn count of ~20/1 Ne, S-twist (~11.18 TPI), and 100% cellulosic composition. The blue yarn showed the highest consumption (≈73.81%), followed by white (≈19.65%) and red (≈6.55%), consistent with the digital rapport’s color distribution. The CAD stage ensured pattern fidelity and supported raw-material planning; the knitted sample showed a soft hand, dimensional stability, and sharp motif definition upon visual assessment. A sustainability and comparative analysis with chemical printing was conducted, revealing that the Mini-Jacquard achieved the highest design accuracy and tactile comfort, outperforming screen printing and heat transfer in geometric fidelity, chromatic homogeneity, and texture. The Mini-Jacquard optimized operational times (320 min/m²) compared to transfer printing (332 min/m²) and screen printing (740 min/m²), reducing process stages and complexity. Although Jacquard production involves higher energy costs ($34.8) and material expenses ($11.6), it provides greater structural value and durability, positioning it for high-end applications. Moreover, the Mini-Jacquard could reduce water consumption by approximately 90% and thermal energy use by 70%, eliminating chemical residues and extending fabric lifespan, thus offering high sustainability and circular potential. A transparent scenario-based analysis indicates substantial reductions in water and thermal-energy use when omitting printing/fixation/washing stages, along with the elimination of printing-stage effluents. Overall, design-integrated coloration via Mini-Jacquard is technically feasible and potentially eco-efficient for Pima-cotton value chains, with applications in apparel, accessories, and functional textiles. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aims to comparatively evaluate the outcomes of glaucoma surgeries performed by a single surgeon during the non-pandemic period (2019, 2021, and the first quarter of 2022) versus the pandemic year (2020). The analysis focuses on key surgical outcomes, including intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, intraoperative and postoperative complications, surgical success and failure rates, and their broader clinical implications. Materials and Methods: Out of a total of 66 patients admitted between November 2019 and March 2022, 45 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent glaucoma surgery conducted by the same surgeon employing a standardized technique (trabeculectomy ± iridectomy ± mitomycin C). The evaluated clinical parameters included preoperative and postoperative IOP values (with specific assessment on the first postoperative day), early and late intraoperative and postoperative complications, as well as postoperative success and failure rates. Results: The majority of glaucoma cases—particularly those of primary open-angle glaucoma—were recorded in 2021 and 2022, in contrast to 2019 and 2020, when pseudoexfoliative and secondary closed-angle glaucomas predominated. Over the observation period, retrobulbar anesthesia was more frequently utilized in 2019. Statistical analysis indicated that the surgical failure rate was not significantly influenced by the presence of complications, patient age, associated comorbidities, or the specific surgical variant performed. Conclusions: The conduct of glaucoma surgery during the pandemic period was marked by substantial operational and clinical constraints when compared to non-pandemic years, primarily as a consequence of decreased patient accessibility and the reprioritization of healthcare resources, despite the acknowledged emergency status of these procedures. Nonetheless, the overall incidence of early intraoperative and postoperative complications remained minimal, with transient intraocular hypotony emerging as the predominant adverse event, observed in ten cases. Across all study cohorts, more than 80% of patients achieved qualified surgical success, while only 18% exhibited surgical failure, underscoring the robustness of standardized operative protocols under variable healthcare conditions. Consistent with the directives of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the European Glaucoma Society (EGS), glaucoma must be regarded as a genuine ophthalmic emergency necessitating prompt surgical intervention when intraocular pressure cannot be adequately managed through pharmacological or laser-based therapies. The current findings reinforce the imperative of timely glaucoma surgery, irrespective of pandemic or non-pandemic circumstances, as a critical measure for averting irreversible optic nerve damage, mitigating functional visual loss, and sustaining long-term ocular integrity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), or hereditary ataxia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily affecting motor control and voluntary muscle coordination due to cerebellar or spinocerebellar dysfunction. While numerous genetic variants have been linked to SCA in both humans and dogs, some cases remain genetically unexplained. This study aimed to describe the clinical and pathological phenotype, and to identify the genetic basis, of an atypical form of SCA observed in a mixed-breed dog presenting with additional clinical signs beyond classic SCA. Methods: Clinical and postmortem examinations were performed to document neurological and systemic pathology. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was conducted on the affected dog, and variant filtering was carried out using a control cohort of over 700 unaffected dog genomes to identify candidate variants. Results: In addition to classical SCA features, the affected dog exhibited retinal and optic nerve degeneration and severe, non-regenerative anemia. WGS did not reveal any known SCA-associated variants. Variant filtering identified a novel homozygous 4-base-pair frameshift deletion in CLPX (caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase chaperone subunit X) [XM_038580726.1:c.1723_1726del; chr30:g.29943285_29943288del]. This variant is predicted to cause a frameshift and premature stop codon within 17 amino acids, truncating approximately 6.64% of the protein. Conclusions: This is the first report associating a CLPX variant with SCA in any species. Given the gene’s high evolutionary conservation and known role in mitochondrial protein homeostasis, this finding may have implications for understanding CLPX-related neurodegeneration and anemia in both veterinary and human medicine. Full article

This paper presents the design and fabrication of a 1.65 μm tapered semiconductor laser based on an InGaAlAs multiple quantum well structure (grown) on InP. Through theoretical modeling and parametric optimization simulations, it was established that an etching depth of 0.8 μm for the ridge waveguide and a taper angle of 6° effectively confine the optical field and suppress high-order mode lasing. Based on these optimized parameters, a tapered semiconductor laser with a ridge width of 2 μm and a cavity length of 2000 μm was successfully fabricated. Systematic characterization was conducted under continuous-wave operation at 25 °C. The device exhibits outstanding overall performance: a maximum continuous-wave output power of 19.3 mW, a peak wavelength of 1653 nm, a spectral line width of 0.793 nm, and a side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) as high as 49 dB, demonstrating excellent spectral purity. Far-field measurements further reveal that at an injection current of 30 mA, the vertical and horizontal far-field divergence angles are 41.02° and 15.26°, respectively, with a well-defined Gaussian beam profile. This study provides an effective technical approach for the design and fabrication of high-performance semiconductor lasers in the 1.65 μm band. The developed device shows significant potential for applications in free-space optical communication, LiDAR, and gas sensing. Full article

The Wushan Loess, situated in the Yangtze Three Gorges region of China, represents the southernmost aeolian loess deposit in China and provides critical insights into Late Pleistocene paleoenvironmental conditions and East Asian monsoon dynamics. Despite its significance, the genesis and provenance of this unique loess deposit remain controversial. This study employs an integrated multi-proxy approach combining detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, and detailed grain size analysis to systematically investigate the provenance and depositional mechanisms of the Wushan Loess. Three representative loess–paleosol profiles (Gaotang-GT, Badong-BD, and Zigui-ZG) were analyzed, yielding 17 OSL ages, 729 grain size measurements, and approximately 420 analyses per profile were conducted, yielding 1189 valid ages (GT 406, BD 391, ZG 402). OSL chronology constrains the deposition period to 18–103 ka (Marine Isotope Stages 2–5), coinciding with enhanced East Asian winter monsoon activity during the Last Glacial period. Grain size analysis reveals a dominant silt fraction (modal size: 20–25 μm) characteristic of aeolian transport, with coarse silt (20–63 μm) averaging 47.1% and fine silt (<20 μm) averaging 44.2% of the sediments. Detrital zircon U-Pb age spectra exhibit consistent major peaks at 200–220 Ma, 450–500 Ma, 720–780 Ma, and 1800–1850 Ma across all profiles. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) analyses indicate a mixed provenance model. Non-negative least squares (NNLS) unmixing confirms this quantitative source apportionment., dominated by proximal contributions from the upper Yangtze River basin (including the Three Gorges area and Sichuan Basin, ~65%–70%), supplemented by distal dust input from the Loess Plateau and northern Chinese deserts (~30%–35%). This study establishes for the first time a proximal-dominated provenance model for the Wushan Loess, providing new evidence for understanding southern Chinese loess formation mechanisms and Late Pleistocene East Asian monsoon evolution. Full article

Enhancing TiO₂ performance is essential for advancing photocatalysis, environmental remediation, and energy conversion technologies. In this work, nanosized TiO₂ was modified with biochar (BC) derived from red sea algae at different loadings (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt%). Structural analysis confirmed that TiO₂ maintained its crystalline framework while biochar introduced additional amorphous features and modified surface morphology. Optical measurements revealed a redshift in the absorption edge and tunable bandgap values (3.28–3.72 eV), accompanied by increases in refractive index and extinction coefficient, indicating enhanced light–matter interactions. Electrochemical studies demonstrated that the TiO₂/5 wt% BC composite exhibited the lowest charge-transfer resistance and highest peak current, reflecting superior conductivity. Photocatalytic tests showed that TiO₂/5 wt% BC achieved nearly 84% degradation of methylene blue within 150 min under visible-light irradiation, with stable reusability over multiple cycles. These findings demonstrate that moderate biochar incorporation (5 wt%) optimally enhances the physicochemical, electrochemical, and photocatalytic properties of TiO₂, making it a promising candidate for wastewater treatment, solar-driven catalysis, and sustainable energy applications. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) silage’s forage quality significantly impacts dairy animal performance and the profitability of the livestock industry. Recently, using uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with advanced sensors has become a research frontier in maize high-throughput phenotyping (HTP). However, extensive existing studies only consider a single sensor modality and models developed for estimating forage quality are single-task ones that fail to utilize the relatedness between each quality trait. To fill the research gap, we propose MUSTA, a MUlti-Sensory feature fusion model that utilizes MUlti-Task learning and the Attention mechanism to simultaneously estimate dry matter yield and multiple nutritive values for silage maize breeding hybrids in the field environment. Specifically, we conducted UAV flights over maize breeding sites and extracted multi-temporal optical- and LiDAR-based features from the UAV-deployed hyperspectral, RGB, and LiDAR sensors. Then, we constructed an attention-based feature fusion module, which included an attention convolutional layer and an attention bidirectional long short-term memory layer, to combine the multi-temporal features and discern the patterns within them. Subsequently, we employed multi-head attention mechanism to obtain comprehensive crop information. We trained MUSTA end-to-end and evaluated it on multiple quantitative metrics. Our results showed that it is capable of practical quality estimation results, as evidenced by the agreement between the estimated quality traits and the ground truth data, with weighted Kendall’s tau coefficients (τ_w) of 0.79 for dry matter yield, 0.74 for MILK2006, 0.68 for crude protein (CP), 0.42 for starch, 0.39 for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and 0.51 for acid detergent fiber (ADF). Additionally, we implemented a retrieval-augmented method that enabled comparable prediction performance, even without certain costly features available. The comparison experiments showed that the proposed approach is effective in estimating maize silage yield and nutritional values, providing a digitized alternative to traditional field-based phenotyping. Full article

Optimizing fertilizer management is essential for reducing salinity-related risks and improving nutrient efficiency in ornamental plant production. Fertilization enhances plant performance; however, excessive nutrient inputs can disrupt substrate chemistry, elevate salinity, and promote nitrogen leaching—particularly in containerized systems with limited rooting volume. This study evaluated the growth, physiological performance, and soil–plant nutrient dynamics of Sabal palmetto (cabbage palm) cultivated under six fertilization regimes over 180 days in a subtropical shade-house environment. Treatments ranged from a single baseline application of 15 g per plant (T0) to a cumulative 75 g (T5) using granular slow-release fertilizer. Morphological traits (plant height: 26–70 cm; leaf number: 4–18) and physiological indices (atLEAF⁺: 34.3–66.4; NDVI: 0.26–0.77) were monitored every 30 days. Substrate nitrogen and carbon concentrations increased from 0.57% and 41.78% at baseline to 1.24% and 42.94% at 180 days, while foliar nitrogen ranged from 1.46% to 2.57%. Fertilization significantly influenced all parameters (p < 0.05). Higher fertilization levels elevated electrical conductivity, salinity, and nitrogen leaching, with principal component analysis revealing strong positive associations among total nitrogen, electrical conductivity, and salinity. Moderate fertilization (T2 = 45 g) maintained favorable substrate chemistry, high foliar nitrogen, and balanced canopy growth with minimal nutrient losses. Sensor-based chlorophyll indices (atLEAF⁺ and NDVI) correlated strongly (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), confirming their reliability as non-destructive diagnostics for nitrogen management. These findings demonstrate that integrating optical monitoring with adaptive fertilization mitigates substrate salinization, sustains ornamental quality, and promotes the sustainable cultivation of Sabal palmetto in urban horticultural systems. Full article

Graphene, owing to its unique atomic structure, exhibits a set of outstanding physical and chemical properties, including ultrahigh carrier mobility, excellent thermal conductivity, superior mechanical strength, and high optical transparency. However, the atomic-thickness nature of graphene limits its ability to form self-supporting structures, making substrate integration a prerequisite for practical applications. Graphene-skinned materials, constructed by in situ deposition of continuous graphene films on conventional substrates, have recently emerged as a promising solution. This strategy effectively integrates graphene with conventional engineering materials, harnessing its superior properties while avoiding the structural defects and contamination typical of transfer processes. Consequently, graphene-skinned materials have rapidly become a rapidly developing area of research in materials science. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in graphene-skinned materials. Particular attention is given to coating methods and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) routes, followed by a discussion of commonly employed characterization tools for evaluating graphene quality and interface integrity. Applications in electromagnetic shielding, thermal management, sensors, and multifunctional composites are critically examined. Finally, future perspectives are needed regarding the key challenges and opportunities for engineering and industrial-scale deployment of graphene-skinned materials. Full article

The integration of LED lighting enables precise radiation control in plant factory cultivation systems. While LEDs offer energy efficiency and spectral tuning, achieving a uniform photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) remains a critical technical challenge. This study evaluated the impact of three spatial LED configurations on irradiance uniformity using commercial horticultural LEDs and a light recipe of 75% red and 25% blue. Optical simulations in TracePro^® 2017 were conducted to analyze radiant flux, optical efficiency, and uniformity, along with LED quantity, system cost, and electrical consumption under two environmental scenarios: open (without reflective walls) and closed (with reflective walls). Results show that distribution 3, which featured reduced central LED density, achieved 4–8% higher homogeneity in the open scenario, and 2.7–6.5% in the closed scenario, compared to symmetric layouts (distribution 1 and 2). Reflective walls increased average PPFD by up to 20% and optical efficiency by around 9%, with a minimal effect on uniformity. Lowering the lamp-to-canopy distance from 35 cm to 30 cm resulted in a 10% increase in PPFD. Despite a reduction in total photon flux, distribution 3 exhibited superior irradiance homogeneity. One-way ANOVA confirmed significant effects of environment, height, and LED model (p < 0.05), but not of spatial alone. This simulation-based methodology offers a robust framework for optimizing energy-efficient lighting systems. Future work will explore the integrating of non-visible wavelengths and experimental validations to extend practical applicability. Full article

To enhance the photocatalytic performance of TiO₂ nanotubes (NTs) for the degradation of Amido Black as an organic pollutant, electrodeposition of bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) nanostructures was successfully applied. The effect of electrodeposited BiVO₄ (25 s, 50 s, 150 s, 250 s), followed by a thermal treatment on TiO₂-NTs, was studied. The structures of the as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Morphological behavior was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), both coupled with EDX. Optical characterizations were performed using photoluminescence and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The BiVO₄/TiO₂ NTs sample with 50 s deposition time gave the highest photocatalytic performance for Amido Black degradation, 99.4% after 150 min under UV light. This result has been achieved due to the structure and the optical properties of the sample. The heterojunction of both catalysts showed the synergetic effect on the photocatalytic performance where they remained stable after five cycling runs. Furthermore, quenching tests were conducted and proved that superoxide radicals (O₂^•) are the main active species during photodegradation process. Full article

Smartphone-based fundus cameras and telemedicine are an opportunity for accessing ocular health inequalities in under-resourced areas. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of retinal findings in a community in the Amazon and propose strategies to enhance ocular health. A retrospective study was conducted in a riverside community. Retinal photos from the posterior pole and optic disc were captured using a portable fundus camera. All photos and data were analyzed remotely by a retina specialist. The final sample was 107 participants, aged 52 ± 17. Retinal findings were detected in 37.4% (95%CI 28.7–46.8) of the sample; the three main retinal findings were epithelial changes (10.3%, 95%CI 5.6–17.1), chorioretinal scars (8.4%, 95%CI 4.2–14.8), and dry age-related macular degeneration (7.5%, 95%CI 3.6–13.6). This study detected retinal alterations in a similar prevalence to that of other under-resourced areas. Telemedicine is an opportunity to address health inequities, especially in ophthalmology, through relatively low-cost portable devices, supporting clinical decisions in areas with low health access; however, maintaining assistance after implementation is a challenge. Enhancing medical education and training local non-specialized health professionals in risk assessment, device handling, and data base use is reasonable to ensure follow-up. Full article