Search Results (19)

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

The present work aimed at resolving the mystery accompanying the famous Ko-Kutani Honzenji temple shallow bowl by investigating the main elements associated with the coating composition in the surface decoration. This unique vessel belongs to Honzenji temple, located in the Maeda Domain (today’s Ishikawa Prefecture) and is on display at the Ishikawa Prefecture Kutaniyaki Art Museum in Kaga. The Honzenji temple bowl bears a cryptic figure painted in red enamel on the underside and story has it that the Maeda Lord himself may have painted it in the mid-17th century, thus making the bowl a very relevant piece of the history of the Maeda clan, Ishikawa Prefecture (Maeda fiefdom in the Edo period), and Japanese porcelain as a whole. Yet the identification of the actual firing date of the bowl has proven a daunting task for curators worldwide. On the basis of the previously published studies on the world’s most extensive collection of Ko-Kutani Masterpieces belonging to the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art, and shards excavated at Kaga kiln sites, including the celebrated Hakuji bowl (Ishikawa Archaeological Foundation), both conducted by Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (pED-XRF), and in consideration of the absolute prohibition to sample or even touch the Honzenji bowl, pED-XRF was once again selected as the most suitable technique for the analysis of all the enamels and glazing materials. Analytical evidence, for the first time ever, has proven crucial to resolving the issue by enabling the precise dating of the bowl and unveiling the true story behind its technical features and the cryptic underside decoration. Full article

This article examines some postcolonial dimensions of a global literary movement in the twenty-first century called Neo-Decadence. It begins by highlighting the artistic and political preoccupations of the movement within the context of the century’s turn toward authoritarianism and late capitalism amidst an increasingly hyper-digital landscape. Then, it examines two short stories set in Iran and Peru in order to stress the emergence of what the article calls the Neo-Decadent “Real” (an anti-realism that bears witness to our century’s late capitalist and digital saturations); Fugitive Aestheticism (an aestheticism that, in emphasizing taste, touch, and smell, escapes permanent or totalizing capitalist capture); and Neo-Decadent Sexuality (queer circuits of desire that play with the consumptive impulses of late capitalism). In the process, it demonstrates how Neo-Decadence overlaps with, but also departs from, fin de siècle European decadence. It concludes by examining how Neo-Decadence might expand our on-going understanding of decadence more broadly, as well as the movement’s limitations with respect to its relationship to academia, the environment, and women. Full article

Background/Objectives: Meniscal root tears, particularly those of the posterolateral root, are frequently associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and significantly alter load distribution and knee stability. Surgical repair of the posterolateral meniscal root (PLMR) aims to restore normal biomechanics; however, postoperative rehabilitation strategies remain heterogeneous. The objective of this systematic review was to describe and analyze postoperative weight-bearing (WB) and range-of-motion (ROM) protocols following concomitant PLMR repair and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), integrating both clinical and biomechanical perspectives. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and analyzed biomechanical and clinical studies assessing postoperative WB and ROM management following PLMR repair combined with ACLR. Results: Eleven studies were included, describing heterogeneous postoperative rehabilitation protocols for WB and ROM following posterolateral meniscal root repair with ACLR. Biomechanical data consistently showed that root section increased tibial internal rotation and contact pressure on the lateral tibial plateau, whereas repair restored near-native load sharing. Clinically, most authors recommended non-weight-bearing or toe-touch loading for 4–6 weeks and flexion limited to 0–90° during early rehabilitation. Gradual progression to full loading and motion between 8 and 12 weeks was the most consistent strategy. Conclusions: Although the current evidence is limited and mainly based on low-level studies, available data suggest that a cautious and progressive rehabilitation protocol after PLMR repair with ACLR early controlled motion and delayed full loading may optimize repair healing while protecting graft integrity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acetabular fractures in older adults pose significant challenges due to bone fragility, complex fracture patterns, and increased comorbidities. Surgical management, including isolated open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and ORIF combined with acute total hip arthroplasty (THA) (combined hip procedure—CHP), have advanced considerably. Nevertheless, optimal postoperative rehabilitation and particularly weight-bearing (WB) recommendations remain controversial and inconsistent. This review aims to assess rehabilitation protocols, focusing on WB strategies following the surgical treatment of acetabular fractures in older adults. It also examines differences in WB restrictions by surgical technique (ORIF vs. CHP) and their impact on recovery, complications, reoperations, and mortality. Methods: A systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library (2006–2024) included studies involving patients aged ≥65 years treated surgically for displaced acetabular fractures. Data included WB protocols (full, partial, toe-touch), length of stay (LOS), healing, functional outcomes (mobility, Harris and Oxford Hip Scores), complications, reoperations, delayed THA, compliance, readmission, and mortality. Due to heterogeneity, findings were narratively synthesized. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I and RoB2. Results: Twenty studies involving 929 patients (530 isolated ORIF, 399 CHP) were analyzed. The overall mean follow-up was 3.5 years (range: 1–5.25 years). Postoperative WB protocols were reported in 19 studies (95%). Immediate full WB was permitted in 0% of isolated ORIF studies (0/13), with partial WB recommended by 62% (8/13) for durations typically between 6 and 12 weeks. On the other hand, immediate full WB was allowed in 53% (9/17) of CHP studies. Functional outcomes were moderate following isolated ORIF (mean HHS: 63–82 points), with delayed THA conversion rates ranging from 16.5% to 45%. CHP demonstrated superior functional outcomes (mean HHS: 70–92 points), earlier independent ambulation, and higher patient satisfaction (74–90%), yet increased orthopedic complications, including dislocations (8–11%) and implant loosening (up to 18%). LOS varied from 12 to 21 days (mean 16 days) for isolated ORIF and from 8 to 25 days (mean 17 days) for CHP. Readmission within 30 days was not explicitly reported in any study. Mortality at 1 year varied significantly (ORIF: 0–25%; CHP: 0–14%), increasing markedly at long-term follow-up (up to 42% ORIF, up to 70% CHP at five years). Compliance with WB restrictions was monitored in only two studies (11%). Conclusions: Postoperative rehabilitation after acetabular fracture surgery in older adults remains inconsistent and lacks standardization. Combining ORIF with acute THA may enable earlier weight-bearing and improved short-term function but carries risks such as dislocation and implant loosening. In contrast, isolated ORIF avoids these implant-related complications but often requires prolonged weight-bearing restrictions. Robust evidence is still missing. Future trials are essential to establish standardized protocols that balance mechanical protection and functional recovery. Full article

To improve the traction performance of mobile mechanisms on soft ground, such as paddy fields, tidal flats, and swamps, a mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) foot was adopted as a bionic prototype to explore the influence and contribution of the plantar morphology of the toes and webbing on the anti-subsidence function during its locomotion on wet and soft substrates and to apply this to the bionic design of high-traction wheel grousers. A handheld three-dimensional laser scanner was used to scan the main locomotion postures of a mallard foot during ground contact, and the Geomagic Studio software was utilized to repair the scanned model. As a result, the main three-dimensional geometric models of a mallard foot during the process of touching the ground were obtained. The plantar morphology of a mallard foot was divided into three typical parts: the plantar irregular edge curve, the lateral webbing surface, and the medial webbing surface. The main morphological feature curves/surfaces were extracted through computer-aided design software for the fitting and construction of a mathematical model to obtain the fitting equations of the three typical parts, and the mathematical model construction of the plantar irregular morphology of the mallard foot was completed. In order to verify the sand-fixing and flow-limiting characteristics of this morphological feature, based on the discrete element method (DEM), the numerical simulation of the interaction between the plantar surface of the mallard foot and sand particles was carried out. The simulation results show that during the process of the mallard foot penetration into the loose medium, the lateral and medial webbing surfaces cause the particles under the foot to mainly move downward, effectively preventing the particles from spreading around and significantly enhancing the solidification effect of the particles under the sole. Based on the principle and technology of engineering bionics, the plantar morphology and movement attitude characteristics of the mallard were extracted, and the characteristics of concave middle and edge bulge were applied to the wheel grouser design of paddy field wheels. Two types of bionic wheel grousers with different curved surfaces were designed and compared with the traditional wheel grousers of the paddy field wheel. Through pressure-bearing simulation and experiments, the resistance of different wheel grousers during the process of penetrating into sand particles was compared, and the macro–micro behaviors of particle disturbance during the pressure-bearing process were analyzed. The results show that a bionic wheel grouser with unique curved surfaces can well encapsulate sand particles at the bottom of the wheel grouser, and it also has a greater penetration resistance, which plays a crucial role in improving the traction performance of the paddy field wheel and reducing the disturbance to the surrounding sand particles. This paper realizes the transformation from the biological model to the mathematical model of the plantar morphology of the mallard foot and applies it to the bionic design of the wheel grousers of the paddy field wheels, providing a new solution for improving the traction performance of mobile mechanisms on soft ground. Full article

Carbon-neutral and carbon-negative construction is gaining significant interest in the home building industry. Accordingly, the development of new materials and innovative redesign of the existing materials are on the rise. This paper presents the results of a review study on hempcrete as a new, emerging construction material, which is crop-based and is accordingly expected to provide a highly sustainable construction system. The paper reviews the mixture design, properties and attributes, different methods for its application in construction, building code requirements for construction of hempcrete homes, mechanical and structural properties for home building, and evaluation of the current state of hempcrete application as a non-load-bearing construction material. The paper also reviews the status of developments toward using hempcrete as a load-bearing system. The study shows a snapshot of the methods used for the construction of hempcrete buildings and touches on efforts that are ongoing to increase the compressive strength of hempcrete toward load-bearing applications. Such an increase would depend on different factors such as curing temperature and humidity, binder type and percentage, hemp-to-binder ratio, water-to-binder ratio, and additives. Full article

The dynamic control of an active magnetic bearing (AMB) rotor after the rotor falls to its touch-down bearings has always been a difficult problem for applications such as flywheel energy storage. The rotor drop process has obvious nonlinear dynamic characteristics. This paper first discusses the structure of AMBs and the basic principles of their control. Starting from the electromagnetic forces that electromagnets can provide, the problem is simplified to the influence of an electromagnetic force with constant damping characteristics on the dynamic characteristics of a dropped rotor. A dynamic model of an AMB rotor with touch-down bearings was built and the contact force model between the rotor and the touch-down bearings was determined. A constant damping electromagnetic force was applied in two ways to verify the dynamic control feasibility of a dropped rotor through magnetic bearings. The simulation results show that the dropped rotor recovery control is feasible by applying a reasonable electromagnetic force. Full article

Cytological evaluation of lymph nodes (LN) in canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCT) has a key role in MCT staging. However, cytological discrimination between metastatic and reactive LNs is debated and diagnostic criteria inconsistent. The aim of this study was to retrospectively quantify nodal mast cells (MCs) in non-oncological (NOD) and MCT-bearing dogs (MCTBD), using different sample preparation techniques, to evaluate the significance of the MCT number. Cytological specimens from NOD-LNs (10 fine-needle aspirates—FNAs) and MCTBD-LNs (10 FNAs, 10 scrapings, 10 touch imprints) were evaluated. MCTBD-LNs were grouped in: non-metastatic, possibly-metastatic, and metastatic based on current literature criteria. MCs were counted in 4, 8, and 20 high-power-fields, and over 500, 1000, and 2000 total cells. MCs were significantly more numerous in MCTBD-LNs than in NOD-LNs and in “metastatic” samples than in “non-metastatic”. There was no significant difference between “metastatic” and “possibly metastatic” samples. Sample preparation techniques did not influence these results. A negative correlation between MCs number and sample cellularity was observed. Results were confirmed regardless of the counting method applied. MCs counting per se cannot distinguish possibly metastatic and metastatic cytological samples. Sample preparation technique and the counting method applied seem to have no influence on cytological quantification of nodal MCs in MCTBDs. Full article

Environmental surfaces, including high-touch surfaces (HITS), bear a high risk of becoming fomites and can participate in viral dissemination through contact and transmission to other persons, due to the capacity of viruses to persist on such contaminated surface before being transferred to hands or other supports at sufficient concentration to initiate infection through direct contact. Interest in the development of self-decontaminating materials as additional safety measures towards preventing viral infectious disease transmission has been growing. Active materials are expected to reduce the viral charge on surfaces over time and consequently limit viral transmission capacity through direct contact. In this study, we compared antiviral activities obtained using three different experimental procedures by assessing the survival of an enveloped virus (influenza virus) and non-enveloped virus (feline calicivirus) over time on a reference surface and three active materials. Our data show that experimental test conditions can have a substantial impact of over 1 log₁₀ on the antiviral activity of active material for the same contact period, depending on the nature of the virus. We then developed an innovative and reproducible approach based on finger-pad transfer to evaluate the antiviral activity of HITS against a murine norovirus inoculum under conditions closely reflecting real-life surface exposure. Full article

The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive technology for the utilization of tailings from quartz vein-hosted gold deposits. We investigated the recovery potential and separation process for gold, feldspar, and quartz from tailings samples collected from the Jinqu gold mine in Henan province, China. The sequence of the principal flowsheet of the comprehensive utilization of gold, feldspar, and quartz from the tailings samples was determined according to the process mineralogy and corresponding experiments. The residual gold in the tailings was extracted, and both feldspar and quartz concentrates were recovered according to the flowsheet of selective desliming, flotation of gold-bearing sulfide ore, removal of iron-containing impurities, flotation separation of feldspar, and purification of quartz. The quartz concentrate met China’s industrial standard for raw-material quartz sand for producing high-grade glass, such as cover glass for touch electronics and TFT LCD liquid crystal substrate glass. The feldspar concentrate also met China’s ceramic industry standards. The established process provides an efficient way for recovering the main valuable minerals in tailings from quartz vein-hosted gold deposits. Moreover, this study demonstrates the synthetic recovery of the same type of gold tailings. Full article

This article deals primarily with the problem of determining the cutting force when machining hardened steels. For this study, the steel used was 100 Cr6, number 1.3505. The secondary aspects of the study focused on the evaluation of the surface quality of machined samples and the recommendation of cutting conditions. A wide variety of components are used in engineering, the final heat treatment of which is hardening. These components are usually critical in a particular product. The quality of these components determines the correct functioning of the entire body of technical equipment, and ultimately, its service life. In our study, these are the core parts of thrust bearings, specifically the rolling elements. The subject of this experiment involves machining these components in the hardened state with cubic boron nitride tools and the continuous measurement of the cutting force using a dynamometer. The machining is carried out on a conventional lathe. A total of 12 combinations of cutting conditions were set. Specifically, for three cutting speeds of 130, 155 and 180 m·min⁻¹, the feed rates of 0.05 and 0.1 mm·rev⁻¹ and the cutting widths of 0.2 and 0.35 mm, were evaluated The evaluation assessed the surface quality by both touch and non-touch methods. A structural equation with the appropriate constants and exponents was then constructed from the data obtained using the dynamometer. The experiment confirmed the potential of achieving a value of the average arithmetic profile deviation Ra in the range of 0.3–0.4 when turning hardened steels with cubic boron nitride. Full article

A macroscopic lithological study and physical (hardness, size, weight) investigations, coupled with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) chemical analyses of three egg- and one pear-shaped polished black stones, exposed in the library of the child home of the famous poet Giacomo Leopardi, at Recanati (Italy), were carried out. They are characterized by different sizes: two with the same weight of 16.9 kg and the two smaller ones of 5.6 kg each, corresponding to multiples of standard roman weights (drachma and scrupulum). These features and the presence of some grooves on the rock artefacts, probably for grappling hooks, suggest an original use as counterweight for the four black stones herein classified as amphibole-bearing serpentinites whose lithologies are far away from Recanati (probably coming from geological outcrops in Tuscany). The four serpentinite stones closely match with the so-called Lapis Aequipondus used in antiquity by the Romans as counterweights. Due to the presence of lead rings or iron hooks in these stones, Lapis Aequipondus were also used for martyrdoms during the persecution of Christians in the Roman period, attached to the necks of martyrs that were then thrown in the wells or attached to the ankles of hanging bodies. This is the reason why these stones are also known as Lapis Martyrum, venerated with the relative martyrs, in several churches of Rome. The four black stones investigated probably arrived at Recanati from Rome after the middle of the 19th century. In the past, Christians also called Lapis Martyrum the “devil’s stones” (Lapis Diaboli). This could also be the reason for the popular belief that black stones cannot be touched by people, except those of the Leopardi dynasty. This work contributes to the cultural heritage of Leopardi’s child home, as the four black stones had never been investigated. Full article

With an increase in renewable energy in the electricity grid, more storage capacity for grid stabilization and energy flexibilization is necessary. Dynamic grid stabilization is one possible application for flywheels. To increase the energy density of flywheels, they can be built as highly integrated outer rotor systems. The losses of the flywheel are reduced by magnetic levitation and operation under vacuum conditions. In the case of the failure or overload of the active magnetic bearings, the system needs touch-down bearings to prevent system destruction. Planetary touch-down bearings consisting of several small bearing units circumferentially distributed around the stator are especially suited for these systems. In the literature, these planetary touch-down bearings are rarely investigated, especially the number of bearing units. Therefore, this paper investigates the influence of the number of touch-down bearing elements in simulations and experiments for an 8-element and a 6-element touch-down bearing arrangement. For the investigation, drop-downs at four different speeds were performed. Simulation and experimental results showed that, for the 6-element touch-down bearing, in contrast to the 8-element touch-down bearing, maximal velocity did not increase with the drop-down speed. Therefore, the touch-down bearing arrangement with fewer elements is preferrable. Full article

This commentary integrates historical and modern findings that underpin our understanding of the cell-specific functions of the Tribbles (TRIB) proteins that bear on tumorigenesis. We touch on the initial discovery of roles played by mammalian TRIB proteins in a diverse range of cell-types and pathologies, for example, TRIB1 in regulatory T-cells, TRIB2 in acute myeloid leukaemia and TRIB3 in gliomas; the origins and diversity of TRIB1 transcripts; microRNA-mediated (miRNA) regulation of TRIB1 transcript decay and translation; the substantial conformational changes that ensue on binding of TRIB1 to the transcription factor C/EBPα; and the unique pocket formed by TRIB1 to sequester its C-terminal motif bearing a binding site for the E3 ubiquitin ligase COP1. Unashamedly, the narrative is relayed through the perspective of the Tribbles Research and Innovation Network, and its establishment, progress and future ambitions: the growth of TRIB and COP1 research to hasten discovery of their cell-specific contributions to health and obesity-related cancers. Full article