Search Results (385)

Rapid cellular assessment of cell-cycle perturbation can complement conventional developmental toxicology in zebrafish, but rapid DNA-content workflows developed for mammalian tissues require adaptation for whole embryos. Here, we applied an embryo-adapted version of rapid DNA-content flow cytometry analysis within a 96-h cisplatin exposure model in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and integrated this cellular readout with morphometric, cardiac, and neurobehavioral analysis. Dechorionated embryos were exposed to 10–400 μM cisplatin and evaluated for body length, eye surface area, heart rate, locomotor activity, thigmotaxis, touch-evoked and vibrational startle responses, and whole-embryo cell-cycle distribution. The adapted workflow combines immediate mechanical dissociation, filtration, brief propidium iodide/RNase staining, singlet gating, and direct flow cytometric acquisition. Importantly, each flow cytometry sample consisted of a single embryo, enabling DNA-content analysis at the individual-embryo level without pooling. Cisplatin produced time- and concentration-dependent growth effects and high-dose behavioral alterations, whereas heart rate was comparatively preserved. Flow cytometry detected the clearest cell-cycle redistribution at 400 μM, with a significant reduction in G0/G1 and an increase in G2/M. These findings demonstrate the practical applicability of a combined rapid embryo-adapted DNA-content workflow as a complementary cellular endpoint in a zebrafish developmental-toxicity platform and support further methodological application across experimental settings. Full article

Healthcare cleaning services are essential for infection prevention and control, but they also contribute to the carbon footprint of healthcare facilities through recurrent consumption of detergents, disinfectants, textiles, water, energy, and transport-related resources. This sequential, non-randomized, single-facility evaluation compared a traditional cleaning protocol with a Green protocol oriented to the Italian Minimum Environmental Criteria (Criteri Ambientali Minimi, CAM) for cleaning services at Domus Nova Hospital, a private accredited healthcare facility in Ravenna, Italy. A risk-based microbiological monitoring plan was applied to low-, medium-, and medium-high-risk areas, prioritizing high-touch surfaces and using RODAC contact plates and sterile swabs. In parallel, a comparative Life Cycle Assessment was conducted in accordance with ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and ISO 14067 principles, using Global Warming Potential over 100 years as the main impact indicator and the functional unit of one square meter of cleaned hospital surface maintained for one year. The two protocols were assessed during different monitoring periods of unequal duration; therefore, the study was interpreted as a whole-system operational comparison rather than as a randomized trial or formal equivalence/non-inferiority assessment. After cleaning, all 64 observations obtained under the Green protocol met the adopted surface-hygiene acceptability criteria, compared with 55 of 64 observations under the Traditional protocol. No predefined target pathogenic indicators were recovered from post-cleaning samples under the applied culture conditions. From a climate-impact perspective, the Green protocol reduced the carbon footprint by 39.0%, corresponding to an avoided impact of 450 g CO2e m⁻² year⁻¹ and 2663.5 kg CO2e year⁻¹ at the facility scale. The main climate-related benefits were associated with the combined effect of textile-system redesign, lower energy consumption, optimized product use, and reduced operator transport. These findings support the use of integrated surface-hygiene indicators and life-cycle metrics to inform healthcare cleaning procurement, while highlighting that the results concern culture-based surface contamination indicators from a single facility and do not directly assess infection transmission or patient outcomes. Full article

Background: Mobile phones are widely used by healthcare students during clinical training and may act as potential reservoirs for pathogenic microorganisms. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate and evaluate the role of mobile phones as epidemiological factors in the transmission of microorganisms in medical and dental practice. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological and microbiological study was conducted between September 2025 and April 2026. A total of 125 mobile phones belonging to fourth-year dental students and fifth-year medical students were examined. Samples were collected from the entire phone surface and cultured on blood agar, eosin–methylene blue agar, and Candida chromogenic agar. Participants also completed a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, clinical experience, hand hygiene practices, and mobile phone use and cleaning habits. Results: No microbial growth was detected in 52.8% of samples on blood agar, while 44.8% showed growth below 10⁵ CFU of coagulase-negative staphylococci and 2.4% showed growth ≥10⁵ CFU. Minimal growth was detected on eosin–methylene blue agar (0.8%). Fungal contamination was identified in 2.4% of samples, exclusively among students who reported touching their phones with contaminated gloves. Statistically significant associations were observed between microbiological growth and students’ specialty, duration of clinical experience, and contact with mobile phones while wearing contaminated gloves (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Touching mobile phones with contaminated gloves was significantly associated with microbial growth. These findings emphasize the need for targeted infection control education and stricter guidelines regarding mobile device use during clinical training. Full article

The peer-reviewed literature on the use of universal adhesives (UAs) with core build-up composite resins (CBCRs) is limited. UAs may enhance the polymerization of dual-cured composite resins, leading to increased microhardness due to the “touch-cure” effect. This study compared the dentin bond strengths and microhardness of CBCRs bonded with UAs. A total of 480 bovine incisors were randomly allocated into 20 groups (n = 24). Two dual-cured CBCRs, ParaCore (PrCore) and Gradia Core (GrCore), one light-cured CBCR, Clearfil Photo Core (PhotoCore), and Filtek Z250 (Z250) were evaluated. For the dual-cured CBCRs, the UAs from the respective manufacturers were mixed with a dual-cure activator (Act): One Coat 7 Universal (OC7+Act) and G-Premio Bond (GrPB+Act). Three additional UAs were evaluated: Tokuyama Universal Bond II (TUB), Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive (SBUP), and Scotchbond Universal Adhesive with Dual Cure Activator (SBU+Act). Shear bond strength was evaluated after 24 h. Additional specimens were prepared for Vickers microhardness (VHN) evaluation, with or without UA application to the bottom surface. Bond strengths ranged from 7.4 ± 4.0 to 37.0 ± 7.5 MPa. GrCore and PrCore showed higher bond strengths with SBU+Act than with their manufacturer-recommended adhesives. Dual-cured CBCRs exhibited lower dentin bond strengths and lower VHN than the light-cured composite resins, and the touch-cure effect was more effective for GrCore and PhotoCore. Full article

Developing a multimodal tactile display is a key area of interest for haptic scientists, with researchers continuously exploring new methods to achieve this goal. This study introduces a tactile–olfactory display capable of providing touch, temperature, and odor feedback. The display utilizes airflow to deliver feedback to the user, incorporating two air sources and thermoelectric components (Peltier elements). Unlike traditional technologies, it employs convection-based temperature stimulation, where air passing over the thermoelectric modules cools or warms, resulting in temperature modulation. The system was tested under steady airflow conditions (DC airflow) and frequency-modulated airflow conditions (AC airflow). First, a finite element simulation was conducted in Ansys to gain insights into the system parameters. This was followed by experimental evaluations to extract its characteristics and assess its performance. The results indicate that not only the type of airflow but also its rate and frequency play significant roles in rendering surface parameters. Additionally, this airflow-based tactile display has potential applications in both contact and noncontact haptic technologies. Full article

Industrial heritage sites have predominantly been examined through visual, material, and conservation-oriented frameworks, while the haptic and embodied ways in which contemporary users experience reused industrial heritage environments remain comparatively underexplored. Focusing on Tophane-i Amire Culture and Art Centre, a historically significant Ottoman industrial heritage site repurposed as a contemporary cultural and artistic centre, this study examines how material contact, bodily movement, and tactile encounters contribute to the sensory heritage experience. Rather than proposing haptic sensewalking as a new method, the study uses an existing sensewalking approach in a haptic-centred way within the specific context of an Ottoman industrial heritage site undergoing adaptive reuse. Sensory data were generated through in situ walking observations, embodied sensory narratives, tactile descriptions, researcher field notes, and post-walk reflective accounts. The findings suggest that, within this haptic-focused protocol, participants did not describe the site merely as a visual-historical object. Instead, they articulated Tophane-i Amire as an embodied haptic environment in which rough stone textures, participant-perceived coldness and material heaviness, spatial thresholds, uneven walking surfaces, and movement-based encounters made architectural space bodily noticeable. The study does not claim that ordinary visitors naturally prioritise haptic experience; rather, it examines what participants articulated when their sensory attention was deliberately oriented toward tactile, thermal, kinaesthetic, and embodied aspects of the reused industrial heritage environment. The article makes two main contributions. Empirically, it shows how participants described haptic experience at Tophane-i Amire through encounters with rough stone surfaces, participant-perceived thermal qualities, thresholds, floors, and bodily movement. Conceptually, it interprets industrial heritage not only as a visual or material object but also as an embodied haptic environment in which historical meaning is sensed through touch, temperature, movement, and spatial negotiation. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global challenge that necessitates the development of durable, material-based strategies to limit pathogen survival and transmission. Conventional cleaning and disinfection methods only provide transient protection due to rapid surface re-contamination. This study investigates the fabrication of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surfaces designed for antibacterial applications via femtosecond laser-induced micro- and nanostructuring. Surface texturing was performed using a Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser (wavelength λ = 800 nm, pulse duration τ = 70 fs) at peak laser fluences (F) of 2.04 J/cm² and 4.08 J/cm², generating hierarchical surface textures with controlled morphology, spacing, and geometry through ultrafast, non-contact laser processing while preserving the bulk properties of PET. The resulting patterns, including parallel and intersecting microchannels decorated with laser-induced nanostructures, enabled tunable surface roughness and wettability, with water contact angles ranging from 33.21° to 118.2°. Comprehensive surface characterization, including morphological, topographical, and wettability analyses, was performed to establish structure–property relationships associated with previously reported antibacterial surface design principles. However, direct antibacterial performance was not evaluated in the present study and will be the subject of future investigations. In addition, the durability of the laser-structured PET was evaluated under simulated real-life conditions, including thermal cycling, ultraviolet exposure, abrasion, chemical resistance, and dust contamination. The structured surfaces demonstrated high structural and functional stability following environmental testing. The results indicate that the laser-induced surface modifications remain stable under conditions representative of prolonged practical use, supporting their potential long-term applicability for antibacterial and self-cleaning PET surfaces. Full article

Background: Environmental hygiene in operating rooms is essential for infection prevention, but visual inspection alone may not reliably identify missed cleaning. Aim: To assess the feasibility of fluorescent gel marker monitoring with ultraviolet light, combined with a nurse-led educational and feedback intervention, on the cleaning of high-touch operating room surfaces. Methods: A quasi-experimental, nonrandomized, single-group pre-post study was conducted in five operating rooms of a district general hospital in southern Portugal. Forty-two cleaning episodes and 420 surface assessments were evaluated across three sequential phases: blinded baseline monitoring, post-training monitoring after a 45-min nurse-led workshop, and feedback-based monitoring using an ultraviolet walk-through. The primary outcome was the proportion of surface assessments classified as completely clean. Exploratory Mann–Whitney U tests compared ordinal cleaning outcomes between phases; p-values were nominal and not adjusted for multiple comparisons. Results: Complete cleanliness increased from 44.7% at baseline to 69.3% after training and 89.2% during feedback-based monitoring. The largest observed increases occurred among surfaces with poor baseline performance, particularly anesthesia machine rebreathing bags, IV stands, computer keyboards, and computer mice. Visual inspection identified dust on keyboards and occasional medication residue but missed several surfaces detected by fluorescent marker assessment. Conclusions: Fluorescent marker monitoring with ultraviolet feedback was feasible within the study setting and was accompanied by progressive improvements in the proportion of surfaces classified as completely clean. However, the absence of a concurrent control group precludes attributing these changes exclusively to the intervention. The approach may support nurse-led quality improvement in operating room environmental hygiene. Full article

Environmental contamination represents an important risk factor for the transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens in both human and veterinary medicine. In equine hospitals, open stable environments and high patient turnover may further increase the risk of microbial spread. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hygiene status of an equine referral hospital and to assess the effect of implementing standardized cleaning and disinfection procedures combined with targeted staff training on environmental microbial burden. Surface samples were collected using agar contact plates from predefined environmental surfaces in surgical areas, examination rooms, and stable units of an equine clinic. Sampling was conducted during three investigation periods: prior to intervention, after implementation of revised cleaning protocols and staff training, and during a later follow-up assessment. Colony-forming units (CFU) were quantified and categorized into an ordinal contamination scale (0–4) to enable standardized statistical analysis. Furthermore, delta values were calculated for every sampling period, describing the reduction in the environmental microbial burden. Pre- and post-cleaning microbial burdens were compared using nonparametric statistical methods. A total of 76 locations were sampled before and after cleaning and disinfection in sampling period 1 and 2; in sampling period 3, sample collection focused on sensitive surfaces, and 21 locations were sampled. Bacterial contamination varied considerably between functional areas, with the highest baseline contamination consistently observed in stable environments. Examination and surgical areas showed heterogeneous contamination patterns, particularly on high-touch surfaces, such as keyboards, switches, and door handles. In sampling periods 1 and 2, cleaning and disinfection significantly reduced microbial burden. The delta values in sampling period 2 were significantly lower than the delta values in both sampling period 1 and sampling period 3. These findings demonstrate that environmental contamination in equine hospitals is highly variable and influenced by surface type, clinical workflow, and proximity to patients. Structured hygiene interventions, including standardized cleaning protocols and continuous staff education, can significantly improve environmental hygiene and should be integrated into infection prevention programs in veterinary clinical facilities. Full article

In this exploratory pilot study, quantitative analyses were performed on seven leather wheelchairs and the protective barrier was evaluated on three leather wheelchairs, while shotgun metagenomic sequencing (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore) was conducted on pooled samples obtained from seven leather and three fabric wheelchairs to characterize microbial DNA recovered from wheelchair surfaces under routine clinical conditions. Microbial DNA and biomass were detected on all sampled surfaces, with median DNA concentrations of approximately 0.015 ng/µL, median cell counts of approximately 4.8 × 10⁵ cells/mL, and median OD600 values of approximately 0.038, although variability among wheelchairs was observed. NGS analysis revealed heterogeneous microbial communities composed mainly of taxa associated with human skin microbiota and environmental sources. Opportunistic taxa including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Clostridioides difficile DNA were detected. Differences in microbial composition were observed between the pooled fabric and leather samples, with fabric samples characterized by the dominance of specific taxa and leather samples exhibiting a more heterogeneous microbial profile. In addition, median DNA concentration, cell counts, and OD600 values were reduced by approximately 98–100% on the protective barrier compared with uncovered wheelchair surfaces, with statistically significant differences between conditions. Overall, these findings suggest that hospital wheelchairs may harbor measurable levels of microbial biomass and microbial DNA despite routine sanitation procedures. Lower contamination levels were observed on the protective barrier under the conditions tested. Due to the exploratory nature of the study, the small sample size, and the use of pooled samples for metagenomic analyses, these observations should be interpreted with caution and require confirmation in larger studies. Full article

A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that extends from the cloud base towards the ground yet does not touch the ground. It can be the precursor to a tornado or waterspout. The associated high winds can be destructive. This paper analyzed the meteorological observations for a funnel cloud spotted at Zhuhai in the afternoon of 8 May 2026, and performed simulation of its associated mesocyclone to study the formation mechanism of the funnel cloud. The funnel cloud was found to occur within a surface trough of low pressure under moderately unstable atmospheric conditions; winds were generally weak in the atmospheric boundary layer and the middle troposphere was wavy. The vorticity in the atmospheric boundary layer was lifted by the upward motion associated with the mid-tropospheric waves and daytime heating to form a funnel cloud; such a mechanism is supported by observations and model simulations. The weather radar generally captured the shallow convection and the radar-analyzed wind field depicted significant updraft in the reflectivity core associated with the mesocyclone. On the simulation side, the atmosphere–ocean–wave coupled model with radar data assimilation captured the isolated cyclonic feature near Zhuhai and the upward motion of the air column. Apart from the formation mechanism, this paper documented this rare event as a step forward in building up the climatology for the atmospheric conditions favourable for funnel cloud formation in the region. Full article

To address prevalent industrial challenges, including the high cost of fabricating microstructures via photolithography and 3D printing, impurity residues easily generated by conventional physical/chemical pore-forming techniques, and the limited sensitivity of regular capacitive sensors, this paper innovatively proposes an integrated low-temperature in situ gas foaming strategy using ammonium bicarbonate for the fabrication of porous TPU-based ionic gels. Relying on the complete gaseous decomposition property of ammonium bicarbonate upon heating, a three-dimensionally interconnected continuous porous network is spontaneously constructed inside the polymer matrix. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is selected as the continuous polymer phase, and [EMIM][TFSI] imidazolium ionic liquid is blended as the ion source to synthesize composite ionic gel substrates. A PDMS composite slurry filled with graphene is employed to prepare flexible substrates, followed by low-temperature oxygen plasma surface modification to introduce polar functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl onto electrode surfaces. A standard sandwich-structured ionic pressure sensor with the configuration of “top modified electrode—porous ionic gel dielectric layer—bottom modified electrode” is finally assembled. The porous framework and modified electrodes constitute a dual synergistic enhancement system: the porous structure markedly reduces the equivalent elastic modulus of the gel and improves its compressive deformation capacity; polar-modified electrodes optimize the interfacial compatibility between electrodes and gels, shorten ion migration paths and lower interfacial contact resistance. Systematic calibration of multiple batches of parallel samples reveals that the as-fabricated sensor achieves a high sensitivity of 25.3 kPa⁻¹ across the full measuring range from 0 to 1000 kPa with a linear fitting coefficient R² = 0.992. The loading response time and unloading recovery time of the device are 60 ms and 80 ms respectively, with a performance degradation of less than 3% after 1000 consecutive loading–unloading cycles, featuring low hysteresis error and excellent signal repeatability. Multi-scenario in vivo wearable tests on human subjects verify that the device can precisely capture subtle fluctuations of radial artery pulse and periodic laryngeal deformation during swallowing, distinguish characteristic waveform patterns of various English words according to differences in vocal cord vibration, and accurately detect bending motions when attached to finger joints. The entire fabrication process adopts common chemical raw materials and standard laboratory equipment without expensive micro-nano processing facilities, featuring convenient raw material procurement and high process fault tolerance, which enables large-area coating-based mass production. This work delivers a novel technical route for the low-cost large-scale production of high-performance ionic flexible sensors and bears significant industrialization reference value for applications in wearable medical monitoring, bionic robotic electronic skin, flexible human–machine interactive touch panels and other related fields. Full article

Background: Long-term care facility (LTCF) residents are highly susceptible to healthcare-associated infections, and prevention is challenging given frailty, dementia, communal living, and resource constraints. Environmental surface and air contamination contribute to transmission. Novel no-touch automated disinfection technologies have been studied in hospitals, but evidence specific to LTCFs is scarce. This scoping review summarizes recent LTCF-focused interventions, their effectiveness, and implementation considerations. Methods: This scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist. We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus for observational or experimental studies evaluating environmental disinfection in LTCFs/nursing homes, excluding body decolonization, non-LTCF settings, and reviews/protocols. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data via Covidence. This review has been registered on OSF (Open Science Framework). Results: Of 1491 records, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria (6 from the USA, 1 from Australia): one cluster randomized trial, one interrupted time series studies, three prospective observational studies, and two pre–post designs. Interventions included physical methods (HVAC-integrated UV/UVGI, continuous UVGI) and chemical approaches (dry hydrogen peroxide, room fogging plus chlorine dioxide wipes, hydrogen peroxide wipes). Outcomes were heterogeneous (surface SARS-CoV-2 RNA, COVID-19 attack/case rates, airborne/surface microbial loads, and one clinical endpoint—acute respiratory illness). Several studies reported reductions in environmental or airborne bioburden; however, UV-based studies did not demonstrate statistically significant reductions in clinical infections. Certainty was limited by small numbers, non-randomized designs, and diverse outcome measures. Conclusions: No-touch automated disinfection methods appear promising as supplements to standard infection prevention control bundles for reducing environmental contamination in LTCFs. Nevertheless, consistent clinical benefits are unproven. Rigorous, LTCF-tailored, adequately powered trials with standardized clinical and environmental outcomes, plus implementation and cost-effectiveness evaluations, are needed. Full article

In recent years, the touch panel industry has experienced rapid growth. With technological maturation and progressive cost reduction, touch technology has been widely adopted in human–machine interfaces. Currently, touch panels are predominantly employed in smartphones and tablet devices, and the industry is increasingly pursuing thinner, lighter designs, driving the development of diverse touch technologies, including one-glass solution (OGS), on-cell, and in-cell architectures. To enhance competitive advantage within the touch panel industry, it is essential to improve production efficiency and elevate product quality; consequently, yield has become a critical metric for evaluating industrial competitiveness. This study adopts the electrical test yield of Touch-on-Lens (TOL) touch-sensing glass as the primary performance indicator. A Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) framework is applied to systematically address impedance-related quality defects occurring during manufacturing. First, key quality characteristics (KQCs) of the TOL touch-sensing glass process are rigorously defined. Subsequently, measurement system analysis (MSA) and process capability assessment are conducted. Next, the Taguchi method is employed to identify the most influential process factors affecting electrical test yield. Finally, response surface methodology (RSM) is utilized to determine the optimal combination of process parameter settings that maximize electrical test yield. Results from the empirical case study demonstrate that the electrical test yield improved significantly—from 90.2% to 93.6%. This outcome validates that the integrated application of the Six Sigma DMAIC methodology, combined with the Taguchi method and RSM, effectively enhances the electrical test yield of TOL sensing glass. The proposed approach offers a robust, data-driven improvement framework applicable to touch panel manufacturers seeking to optimize sensing-glass fabrication processes—thereby supporting broader industry efforts to improve product quality and reduce manufacturing costs. Full article

Surface roughness of woven fabrics plays a key role in tactile comfort and skin–textile interaction, particularly in medical applications involving prolonged contact with human skin. This study focuses on the surface roughness of woven fabrics in plain and twill (1/3 S) weaves intended for hospital bed sheets and bedding applications. Plain weave represents a structurally symmetric system, while twill weave exhibits a pronounced diagonal structure. Roughness was evaluated using the Fabric Touch Tester (FTT) and further analyzed through amplitude (Rq), height distribution (Rku), and frequency-related parameters (linear peak density) obtained by signal processing and peak analysis in OriginPro 2026. The results showed that weave structure is the dominant factor influencing surface topography. Plain weave fabrics exhibited higher amplitude roughness and more uniform height distribution, while twill fabrics showed lower global roughness but stronger directional dependence, particularly in diagonal directions. Linear peak density was not significantly affected by laundering cycles, fiber composition, or finishing, but was strongly dependent on weave type. The findings demonstrate that due to the orthotropic nature of woven fabrics, surface roughness, derived from surface topography, cannot be adequately described by a single parameter, and that a combined analysis of amplitude and spatial descriptors is required, with the surface being evaluated not only along the principal symmetry directions (warp and weft) but also in off-axis directions. These results provide valuable insight for the design of hospital textiles with improved tactile comfort and reduced risk of skin irritation. Full article