Search Results (1,727)

Background: The clinical success of modern dental implants requires a balance between mechanical endurance and aesthetic integration. While titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) provides a reliable load-bearing core, yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP) is frequently preferred for the cervical collar to secure optimal peri-implant soft tissue responses. Yet, fusing these materials directly creates a structural challenge, an abrupt stiffness gradient. This discontinuity promotes localized tensile stresses within the brittle ceramic component, elevating the risk of subcritical crack initiation under oblique masticatory loads. Methods: To address this challenge, we conducted a narrative review to establish the rationale for a novel Ti-PEEK-Zr tri-layered concept. This approach integrates materials science and dental biomechanics to provide a theoretical framework prior to experimental testing. Results: The synthesized data supports the integration of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as an intermediate compliant layer. Rather than serving as an intermediate stiffness layer, PEEK operates as a viscoelastic buffer. This functional transition zone dampens oblique forces, redistributing localized stress away from the fragile rigid–rigid junction and shielding the Y-TZP collar. The modular tri-layered configuration offers a theoretically sound mechanical hypothesis, though its clinical feasibility depends on rigorous validation that must encompass not only biomechanical performance but also biological compatibility, resistance to bacterial colonization, and long-term stability under the challenging conditions of the oral environment. The practical advantages, including manufacturability, surgical handling, and cost-effectiveness, remain to be demonstrated through future experimental and numerical studies. Conclusions: The Ti-PEEK-Zr multi-material concept is a biomechanical hypothesis. By functionally isolating the roles of each material, this paradigm addresses several limitations of traditional hybrid implants, providing the basis for future finite element analyses. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical global health concern that transcends human, animal, and environmental boundaries. The extensive and often indiscriminate use of antibiotics for disease control and growth promotion has accelerated the evolution and spread of resistant pathogens within the aquaculture sector. This review examines aquaculture-associated AMR through a One Health framework. We explore the molecular mechanisms of resistance such as efflux pumps, enzymatic degradation, mobile genetic elements, and horizontal gene transfer that drive the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes among aquatic microorganisms. The review synthesizes evidence linking AMR in aquaculture to public health impacts, including the transmission of resistant bacteria through seafood and environmental exposure. Current regulatory measures and stewardship policies are assessed to identify gaps in implementation, particularly in developing regions where enforcement and public awareness remain limited. Review highlights emerging alternatives such as bacteriophage therapy, engineered probiotics, synthetic microbial communities, and CRISPR-based systems as sustainable approaches to reduce antibiotic dependence. Future research priorities include the integration of genomics, artificial intelligence, and environmental DNA monitoring for precision surveillance. This review emphasis the need for cross-sectoral collaboration, innovation, and global policy coherence to mitigate AMR in aquaculture and safeguard food, environmental, and public health security. Full article

In the field of public service data integration, government agencies are responsible for consolidating data from various industries and establishing big data platforms. Some achievements have been made in this direction, but there are still some issues related to privacy and security. In this process, determining how a government agency can identify the “common data category” between different platforms without directly viewing the private data of each platform is a challenge. To address this issue, we propose a three-party data fusion method based on the intersection of marked privacy sets, in which two platforms privately compute their common data categories while a government agency acts as a keyless comparer. For the traditional privacy set intersection protocol, we designed a set of matrix mapping methods. By mapping the set elements to the matrix, we avoid direct access to the data. This protocol can confirm the “common data category” between the participants without exposing the private elements, thereby achieving the purpose of privacy protection. Experimental results show that our protocol can calculate the “common data category” of each platform under appropriate communication and computational volumes. Full article

Trace element contamination in Amazonian freshwater ecosystems threatens riverine food security. This study evaluated two post-harvest treatments—ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and Lactobacillus fermentum—to assess cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) variations in edible muscle of four Amazonian fish species (Cichla monoculus, Pimelodus jivaro, Platynematichthys notatus, and Serrasalmus rhombeus). Concentrations were determined using ICP-OES. Platynematichthys notatus exhibited the highest baseline bioaccumulation, whereas C. monoculus showed the lowest. Although main treatment effects should be considered exploratory, distinct species-dependent trends emerged. EDTA achieved the highest Cd reduction in P. notatus (49.78%), while L. fermentum demonstrated notable Cd and Pb reductions in C. monoculus, P. notatus, and S. rhombeus. Conversely, relative concentration increases occurred in P. jivaro under both treatments, reflecting matrix-related effects. These findings suggest that post-harvest efficiency depends on fish species and metal type. Probiotic post-harvest processing represents a promising strategy for reducing dietary exposure to Cd and Pb in Amazonian fisheries, though optimizing operational parameters for community-level applications remains necessary. Full article

The Berca–Arbănași region of Buzău County (Romania) is of exceptional geochemical interest due to diapiric structures, active mud volcanoes, and historical subsurface hydrocarbon deposits. This study presents the first comprehensive geochemical assessment of surface soils from the Berca–Arbănași Subcarpathian zone, based on the analysis of 27 soil samples collected along three north–south transects and the determination of 12 potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) using aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS. The local geochemical background was calculated using the iterative median ± 2MAD method. Twelve pollution and ecological risk indices were computed: the Pollution Index (PI), Contamination Factor (CF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Modified Degree of Contamination (mCd), Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index (PINemerow), Ecological Risk Factor (E_rⁱ), Ecological Risk Index (RI), Mean Effect Range-Median Quotient (MERMQ), Degree of contamination (Cdeg), and the V/Ni petroleum origin indicator. Results show that 66.7% of samples are classified as polluted (PLI ≥ 1; mean = 1.102), with moderate enrichment in Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn, attributable to diffuse anthropogenic sources. The ecological risk index (RI) remains low across all samples (mean = 35.96; all < 150), indicating that, despite moderate pollution, ecological risk is currently low. The V/Ni ratio (0.391–0.884, mean = 0.608) is below 1.0 for all samples, indicating a lithogenic (not petroleum) origin of vanadium and nickel and confirming a negligible geochemical impact of mud volcanoes and hydrocarbon extraction activities in the area at the sampled locations. The study establishes baseline geochemical reference values for the Berca–Arbănași area and provides data for sustainable land management, environmental monitoring, and evidence-based policymaking. These results directly support the objectives of the EU Soil Strategy 2030 and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on food security (SDG 2), good health and well-being (SDG 3), and life on land (SDG 15). Full article

Cloud data sharing allows users to outsource data storage and management to external servers, but it also raises privacy concerns when data must remain encrypted while still supporting efficient search and fine-grained access control. Attribute-based encryption with keyword search (ABE-EKS) addresses this problem by combining searchable encryption with attribute-based access policies. However, existing schemes often focus on separate aspects such as expressive search, online/offline computation, revocation, or policy protection, while controlled trapdoor delegation and inequality-based keyword predicates are less commonly considered together in an implementation-oriented Type-3 pairing setting. This paper revisits the ABE-EKS framework of Yang et al. and adapts it to the Type-3 pairing setting. The construction follows the main structure of Yang et al.’s ABE-EKS scheme, but places the group elements in the appropriate source groups for asymmetric pairings. It further supports expressive access-control and keyword-search policies, Boolean keyword predicates, inequality comparisons, and trapdoor key delegation. We also analyse its security under the honest-but-curious cloud model and implement the scheme using the Apache Milagro Cryptographic Library (AMCL). Experimental results on the Enron Email dataset demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed construction for outsourced encrypted data-sharing scenarios. Full article

Rare-earth-based permanent magnets are key elements for today’s technologies. Their recycling is crucial for securing the supply of critical raw materials and ensuring a sustainable circular economy in magnet production. In this study, hydrogen decrepitated NdFeB powders recovered from end-of-life magnets were processed using planetary ball milling to obtain powders suitable for recycled magnet production. The magnets were sourced from a wind turbine, scooter motor, and ring magnet, and exhibit different compositions and properties. The structural, morphological, and magnetic properties of the hydrogenated and ball-milled powders were investigated considering the effects of the milling time and ball diameters. Submicron-sized powders were achieved within 10 min with 5 mm balls, while longer milling times were required to obtain similar particle size reduction with 10 mm balls. Milling resulted in structural damage to the hydrogenated powders. Furthermore, although milling decreased the magnetization of the powders, an increase in the coercive field was observed for certain milling times. Micrometric powders sourced from the wind turbine, milled for 10 min using 5 mm balls, exhibited the highest coercive field of 0.27 T. This behavior is discussed considering the effect of the particle size reduction, the structural damage, the particle agglomeration, and the local compositional changes. We conclude that the powders produced from different source magnets exhibit similar patterns of morphological, structural, and magnetic changes under milling, and only the Tc and the Hc of the powders depend on their original magnet. Ball milling represents a promising technique for particle size refining in the hydrogen processing of magnetic scraps, a crucial step in the magnet-to-magnet recycling process. Full article

Robotic waste sorting requires end-effectors capable of handling objects with highly variable geometry, stiffness, surface condition and leakage characteristics. In such applications, the performance of a vacuum suction cup cannot be evaluated only on the basis of nominal holding force, since grasp initiation, contact compliance, airflow conditions and cyclic durability are strongly coupled. This paper presents a combined numerical and experimental assessment of elastomeric vacuum suction cups intended for robotic waste-sorting applications. Seven suction cup configurations were compared using computational fluid dynamics, finite element analysis and functional gripping tests performed on representative plastic waste objects. The CFD analysis was used to evaluate airflow velocity and generated vacuum level, while FEM simulations provided information on stress distribution and deformation under axial compression. For the selected suction cup, a durability-oriented wear prediction was additionally performed using stress data exported from the FEM model and processed with a dedicated Python tool. The complete vacuum system supplied by a side-channel blower was also analysed in Hopsan to assess leakage sensitivity and pressure margins for grasp initiation and secure holding. The results showed that the best flow performance was obtained for suction cups 1 and 2, but suction cup 2 provided the most favourable overall balance, combining the highest vacuum level, limited deformation, stable gripping performance and acceptable durability indicators. The study demonstrates that multi-criteria evaluation is necessary for selecting vacuum end-effectors for robotic waste sorting, especially when objects are deformable, contaminated or imperfectly sealed. Full article

This study hypothesises and explores the co-evolutionary patterns and potentially the bidirectional influence between computational modelling exercises and real-world practices by employing the elements of the co-evolutionary framework (i.e., technologies, formal institutions, user practices, business strategies and ecosystems) and focusing on the literature on the application of agent-based modelling and simulation (ABMS) for studying community energy systems (CESs). The study shows that modelling exercises are becoming more complex, including more elements and conditions from the real world. The results confirmed the co-evolutionary patterns and demonstrated that the evolution of technologies (e.g., from solar PV alone to multiple energy sources) and business strategies (e.g., peer-to-peer, real-time pricing and day-ahead market) is more significant than the other three elements. On the other hand, formal institutions and ecosystem elements received limited attention. The evolution of models of collective energy security is analysed as an example, further highlighting the evolution of technologies element. Given the detailed analysis of models developed to study CESs and the evolution of modelling practices, this study sheds light on the aspects and complexities that future studies should consider. The study and its findings contribute to strengthening modelling practices in the energy transition and, more broadly, in sustainability. Full article

The phenomenon of climate change has exerted an escalating degree of pressure on coastal livelihoods in Bangladesh. In this region, communities find themselves confronted with a dual challenge, being exposed to both rapid-onset hazards, including cyclones, storm surges, and floods, and slow-onset stresses, such as salinity intrusion and sea-level rise. These hazards have ramifications for agriculture, aquaculture, food security, and livelihood sustainability. However, extant studies frequently examine individual risks, livelihood sectors, or disaster responses in isolation. Consequently, there is a paucity of research that comprehensively examines the influence of multiple climate-related hazards on coastal livelihoods and the adaptation options that are locally feasible in overcoming institutional, community, and financial constraints. This study synthesizes evidence from the published literature and is complemented by qualitative evidence from 30 open-ended questionnaires with farmers in selected coastal areas of Bangladesh. The objective of this synthesis is to validate and contextualize the current livelihood conditions, climate-related challenges, and locally adopted adaptation practices. The analysis examines four interconnected dimensions. The following elements are to be considered: (i) climate-related hazards and their sectoral impacts, (ii) livelihood opportunities and vulnerabilities, (iii) adaptation practices, and (iv) institutional, community, and financial constraints. These elements are to be complemented by a SWOT assessment of livelihood adaptation options. The findings indicate that a combination of factors, including salinity intrusion, cyclones, storm surges, flooding, sea-level rise, drought, and changing temperature and rainfall patterns, collectively impose constraints on agricultural and aquaculture productivity, thereby exacerbating livelihood insecurity. Concurrently, practices such as salt-tolerant crop cultivation, sorjan farming, freshwater conservation, pond-dyke vegetable cultivation, tower cultivation, composite agriculture, and environmentally responsible aquaculture offer promising pathways for livelihood adaptation. However, the limited availability of infrastructure, inadequate institutional coordination and stakeholder participation, and insufficient financial resources act as constraints on their broader adoption. The manuscript makes a similar observation regarding infrastructure, institutional support, and funding, which are identified as significant constraints. Concurrently, it acknowledges technological development, stakeholder participation, and climate-resilient livelihood opportunities as crucial avenues for enhancement. This study thus posits a series of recommendations for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of coastal livelihoods in Bangladesh. These recommendations encompass the implementation of hazard-specific and livelihood-oriented adaptation measures, the facilitation of access to climate-resilient technologies and financial resources, and the establishment of a more robust coordination framework among diverse stakeholders. The proposed framework involves collaboration between agriculture, fisheries, water management, disaster management, local government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, and community organizations. These recommendations align with the manuscript’s proposed measures for communities dependent on salinity, cyclones, storm surges, floods, agriculture, and aquaculture. Additionally, the manuscript places emphasis on cross-sectoral governance. Full article

This study examines the forensic classification and identification of counterfeit banknotes through an integrated analysis of empirical observations obtained during field and laboratory investigations. Particular attention is given to the procedural workflow of forensic examination and to the complementary use of macroscopic, microscopic, optical, and physicochemical methods. Preliminary field assessments were conducted using document examination loupes and other optical magnification devices, while laboratory investigations employed advanced analytical systems and specialized software to characterize the substrate, printing inks, graphic elements, and security features. The findings demonstrate that reliable counterfeit banknote identification cannot be based solely on visual inspection. A multidisciplinary approach integrating morphological, optical, and compositional evidence is essential for distinguishing sophisticated counterfeits from genuine banknotes and for formulating scientifically robust forensic conclusions. This study also highlights the need for continuously updated examination procedures in response to the increasing technological sophistication of banknote counterfeiting. Full article

The deployment of 5G standalone (SA) networks introduces cloud-native core architectures, service-based interfaces, and programmable radio access networks that substantially expand the mobile attack surface. Existing work has focused mainly on protocol-level vulnerabilities or isolated anomaly detection, with less attention to SOC-level monitoring, correlation, and investigation of 5G-specific threats. This paper presents a SOC-integrated, protocol-aware detection framework for 5G SA environments, combining structured telemetry ingestion, log normalization, decision-based detection logic, and analyst-oriented visualization within an Elastic-Stack-based SOC architecture. The approach is implemented on an experimental 5G SA testbed at Obuda University and evaluated using a dual-source design: controlled testbed scenarios complemented by an observational analysis of telemetry from an independent, large-scale international cyber-defense exercise whose adversarial complexity is difficult to reproduce synthetically. The evaluation exercises attack scenarios including rogue network element registration, authentication abuse, and control- and user-plane manipulation. The results indicate that embedding 5G-aware detection logic into SOC workflows supports situational awareness and structured incident investigation. A single-layer versus cross-layer ablation of the published detection rules quantifies where cross-layer correlation is strictly required for detection versus where it primarily enriches interpretation. This is extended with a limited generic-SIEM-style baseline check and a live, a priori repeated-trial sensitivity check ($N=30$, Wilson 95% CI [88.6%, 100%]). The framework offers a reproducible methodological foundation for operational 5G security monitoring and practical guidance for next-generation mobile network defense. Future work will extend controlled repeated-trial evaluation to the remaining detection rules, broaden the SIEM baseline comparison, and assess generalizability beyond Open5GS. Full article

Against the backdrop of global carbon-neutrality targets, the circular utilization of end-of-life power batteries has become a critical pathway for securing resources and reducing environmental risks. Digital technologies are increasingly reshaping circular supply-chain management. High-performing circular suppliers are essential to the efficient operation of digital circular supply chains. However, existing research on circular supplier selection (CSS) still faces three gaps: a theoretical gap in which digitalization is neglected in circular supply chains, an information-representation gap causing evaluation distortion, and an aggregation-mechanism gap arising from the inadequate treatment of interdependencies among decision variables. To address these issues, this study constructs a decision model based on probabilistic uncertain linguistic T-spherical fuzzy sets (PULTSFSs) and Choquet-integral-based aggregated sum product assessment (CASPAS). First, this study develops a multilevel evaluation system that closely integrates digital management and control capabilities. By combining PULTSFSs with the Choquet integral (CI), a CASPAS group decision-making model that captures interaction effects among decision elements is proposed. The strategic procurement of nickel-cobalt-manganese 811 (NCM811) cathode-material precursors by CATL is used as a case study. The results show that this indicator system is better suited to digital circular supply-chain management scenarios than traditional frameworks. In the CATL case, the recycled-material supplier h₃ achieves a comprehensive score of 0.660, 5.60% higher than that of the second-ranked alternative. By capturing interdependencies among evaluation elements, the proposed model exhibits stronger ranking discriminability and robustness than traditional independent-attribute methods, thereby providing a practical foundation and an efficient tool for digital supply-chain management in the power-battery recycling industry. Full article

Sustainable apparel supply chain research is dominated by the fashion sector, while the specific operational, technical, institutional, logistics, and security requirements of military apparel supply chains remain insufficiently integrated into existing conceptual frameworks. This study aims to develop a conceptual model for sustainable military apparel supply chain management. A narrative literature review was used to identify source determinants derived from fashion supply chain research, followed by a sectoral analysis of military apparel supply chains. The determinants were then adapted using an adaptation matrix based on four transformation rules: functional, actor-related, restrictive, and extending transformation. The analysis identified six adaptive conditions defining the admissibility of sustainable solutions and nine target determinants grouped into four management pillars. These elements were integrated into the House of Sustainable Military Apparel Supply Chain Management (HoSMASC), in which the adaptive conditions form a qualifying foundation and the target determinants form pillars subject to graded assessment. A preliminary assessment matrix was also developed, combining a binary, conjunctive evaluation of the foundation with a 0–2 assessment of the determinants within the pillars. The model provides a structured framework for preliminary diagnosis and design support but remains conceptual and requires empirical validation through expert assessment and case studies. Full article

The pollution of soil by potentially toxic elements in industrial–agricultural transition zones threatens global food security and public health owing to their persistence and bioaccumulation. This study focused on Miyi County, Sichuan (China), a typical region with intensive vanadium–titanium magnetite mining and modern agriculture, and systematically analyzed eight heavy metals and metalloids (Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Ni) across the categories of atmospheric deposition, irrigation water, agricultural inputs, and soil–crop systems. A rigorous four-stage full-chain diagnosis (concentration–load–ecology–health) was executed to evaluate pollution levels and pathways. The single-factor pollution index identified cadmium (Cd) as the primary pollutant, exhibiting a maximum index of 32.63. The Håkanson potential ecological risk index (RI) demonstrated that Cd was the absolute dominant contributor, reaching a catastrophic single-element risk factor (Ei) of 2191.8 and contributing over 70% to the comprehensive ecological risk. Spatially, soils displayed a distinct point-source cluster diffusion pattern: the northern metallurgical zone was dominated by a Cr-Zn-Cu-Ni industrial assemblage, while the southern zone was enriched in Cd, Pb, As, and Hg. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) source apportionment quantitatively demonstrated that industrial emissions via atmospheric deposition were the primary driver, contributing 55–75% of the total soil exogenous inputs, while agricultural sources (livestock manure and legacy arsenic pesticides) exacerbated localized accumulation. While overlying irrigation water remained safe, channel sediments acted as historical pollution sinks. The human health risk model revealed that children in industrial core areas faced unacceptable carcinogenic hazards, with a lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) reaching 5.6 × 10⁻⁴. These highly specific multi-media findings support a macro spatial risk zoning and source interception strategy to decouple economic growth from regional food safety degradation in global transition economies. Full article