Search Results (1,854)

Understanding the spatial organization of environmental sounds is essential for linking acoustic patterns with landscape structure and ecological processes. While ecoacoustics has made substantial progress in the temporal and spectral analysis of soundscapes, their directional and spatial components remain comparatively underexplored, particularly through low-cost and scalable approaches. Here we introduce the Sonic Explorer, a lightweight rotational sonic device designed to explore the angular structure and the spatial dynamics of sonotopes, defined as homogeneous spatial sonic units within a soundscape. The system is based on two opposed supercardioid microphones mounted on a rotating platform, coupled with a custom signal-processing framework that analyzes directional variations in sound intensity across frequency classes. Rather than aiming at sound pressure level measurements or full-sphere sound field reconstruction, the Sonic Explorer focuses on detecting spatial contrasts, dominant sound directions, and angular sound patterns relevant to ecological interpretation. Field tests conducted in a human-modified environment demonstrate the ability of the device to identify coherent directional acoustic structures associated with landscape configuration and dominant sound sources. The proposed approach provides a new practical and exploratory tool for landscape and soundscape research, enabling spatially explicit interpretations of sonic environments while maintaining low cost, portability, and adaptability. Full article

Background: In 2022, the German healthcare system generated 400,000 tons of waste. Reducing this number could lower greenhouse gas emissions. The waste management plan at the University Medical Center Regensburg, and those of other comparable German facilities, require that glass, cardboard/paper, residual waste, and other non-hazardous materials are collected separately. Objectives: To assess the personal interest, proficiency, opinion, and awareness of waste management among German dermatology staff to develop customized, resource-saving process optimization and training programs. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among German dermatology healthcare professionals between 27 February and 4 October 2024. Out of the 100 responses, 84 were complete and subsequently analyzed. Respondents included staff at dermatology wards, outpatient units, and private practices. Data were analyzed descriptively; comparisons were made between clinics and outpatient units, and correlations were identified among the items. Results: Most respondents perceived the amount of waste generated during wound dressing changes as high; more than 60% expressed an interest in receiving further training on sustainability and waste reduction. Although many respondents reported having a good understanding of waste separation, they identified time pressure and stress as the two main obstacles to consistent implementation. Higher self-reported knowledge did not correspond with greater confidence in recycling as an effective waste reduction measure. Conclusions: The findings suggest a discrepancy between awareness and practice regarding sustainable waste management in dermatology. Combining structural and organizational measures with targeted training and workflow optimization could promote more sustainable clinical practices. Full article

This paper presents a low-cost, lightweight wearable sensing module for real-time multi-degree-of-freedom motion analysis, which is validated using ankle movements from a representative case study. The system is based on a compact inertial measurement unit integrated into a custom-made enclosure and employs Kalman filter-based sensor fusion to estimate three-dimensional joint orientation. An experimental campaign involving sixteen healthy participants was conducted, and measurements were compared against a gold-standard optical motion capture system, Optitrack V120 Trio. Ankle kinematics were analysed across all anatomical planes, including dorsiflexion/plantarflexion, inversion/eversion, and adduction/abduction. Quantitative metrics, including cosine similarity consistently above 0.98 across all movements and root mean square error within 4° on average, demonstrate strong agreement between the angular measuring device and motion capture data, with errors remaining within clinically acceptable limits. The results confirm the feasibility of the proposed system as a reliable, portable, and affordable alternative to laboratory-based measurement technologies. Beyond ankle assessment, the sensing approach is applicable to a wide range of motion-assistive and rehabilitation systems, supporting continuous monitoring, personalised therapy, and future integration into intelligent wearable devices. Full article

Background: Custom-made footwear that improves offloading using in-shoe pressure-guided techniques, when worn as recommended, reduces the risk of diabetic foot ulcer recurrence. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of this approach, as it requires extra investments in equipment and personnel, and implementation is not yet widespread. Methods: We conducted an economic evaluation using data from the DIAFOS RCT that randomized 171 participants at high ulcer risk to either pressure-guided-offloading-improved (intervention) or non-pressure-guided (usual care) custom-made footwear. The clinical outcome was the 18-month ulcer recurrence incidence, available from the RCT. Costs were modeled from a partial healthcare perspective using bottom-up unit cost calculation, with ulcer treatment costs obtained from reference data. Univariable regression analyses were executed to obtain incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Bootstrapping techniques accounted for uncertainty. Results: For the intervention, costs for ulcer recurrence were non-significantly lower (€−436; 95% CI: €−1434; €563) than for usual care. The ICER was €−8124 (i.e., costs saved to prevent one extra participant from having an ulcer), and the maximum probability for cost-effectiveness was 0.81. In the subgroup of participants who were adherent to wearing their prescribed footwear, costs for the intervention were non-significantly lower at €−1170 (95% CI: €−2595; €254), with ICER of €−5317, and a maximum probability for cost-effectiveness of 0.94. Conclusions: The use of in-shoe pressure-guided-offloading-improved custom-made footwear to help prevent diabetic foot ulcer recurrence is cost-effective with high probability when ulcer treatment costs are considered. Probability further increases when users adhere to their footwear. Future economic analyses should consider a full healthcare and societal perspective and use prospectively collected data on ulcer treatment costs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Unilateral condylar hyperplasia is an idiopathic condition that causes facial asymmetry and occlusal problems. Currently, traditional treatment protocol is the combination of orthognathic and extra-oral condylectomy surgery via pre-auricular incision, which can create aesthetic problems with additional risks of facial nerve damage. The purpose of this study was to report management of condylar hyperplasia patients through minimally invasive condylectomy that was planned via virtual methods. Methods: The custom-made cutting guides were produced, and unilateral condylectomy operations were performed via intra-oral approach. Orthognathic surgery with/without genioplasty operations were either done with condylectomy in one session or in an additional session. Results: Custom-made cutting guides produced by virtual methods provided easy operations without any need for additional extra-oral incisions. Planned osteotomies were transferred successfully from the virtual surgical plan and resections of the excess bone tissues were performed using novel piezo surgery devices. The bones were fixed to their pre-planned position using 3D-printed titanium plates. The patients healed without any complications. Results of this innovative virtually guided protocol tested showed functional and esthetic results without any extra-oral scars with no facial nerve damage. Conclusions: Combination of intra-oral condylectomy with orthognathic surgery using 3D-printed titanium cutting guides seems to be an advantageous approach with successful results in terms of aesthetics and function for management of mandibular condylar hyperplasia patients; however, there is an urgent need in the scientific literature for further clinical research with a larger number of subjects. Full article

This manuscript presents an energy management strategy (EMS) for a commercial smart building participating in a tertiary frequency regulation market. The building integrates non-controllable components, such as loads and photovoltaic generation, and controllable resources such as a battery storage system and a set of electric vehicle (EV) chargers that are available for customers of the smart building. The EMS is based on model predictive control due to its innate ability to deal with operational constraints and different optimization criteria, which are critical for the operation of the EMS, and consists of two stages. The first iteratively optimizes energy costs and revenues from tertiary regulation reserves and activations in order to determine the optimal operation of the smart building and the regulation offers in nominal conditions. Then, a second problem determines the operation whenever an activation request is made. Simulation-based analyses are performed to study the performance of the EMS and its financial viability in diverse scenarios relevant to the smart commercial building. The results show that profits are greater if both upward and downward regulation can be provided, for a larger number of EVs and chargers and for longer connection times. Most notably, incomes from regulation almost match operation costs for a large number of chargers and EVs (240), obtaining a deficit of only EUR 39.12 for a day of operations. Full article

Generative AI is reshaping university teaching and creating tension around authority, evidence, and accountability when decisions are made using algorithms. From a student perspective, this study constructed a typology of distributed teacher–AI agency (TAI) and examined the discursive mechanisms that produce the illusion of teacher autonomy. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, explanatory study was conducted: a lexicometric analysis of the ALCESTE (IRAMUTEQ) questionnaire, using open-ended responses from 3120 students (Mexico, n = 2051; Ecuador, n = 1069), segmented into 1077 units, and analyzed using positioning theory. Co-agency was operationalized using Teacher Agency (A), Delegation to AI (D), Governance (G: disclosure, criteria, verification), and the Illusion Index (II = A/(D + G + 1)). Three configurations emerged: Immediate Customizer (28.8%) with very high A and minimal D/G (II = 25.4); Technological Literacy Facilitator (27.3%) with visible delegation and safeguards (II ≈ 2.0); and Operational Optimizer (43.9%) oriented toward accelerating tasks with moderate governance (II ≈ 2.7). The illusion was associated with the agentive erasure of AI and a rhetoric of immediacy/efficiency that replaced verifiable criteria. These findings transform the student voice into a criteria-based diagnostic tool for strengthening traceability, minimal verification, and responsible orchestration of AI in higher education. Full article

Background: Severe jaw atrophy limits traditional endosseous implantation, often necessitating complex regenerative procedures. Advances in digital planning and 3D printing have reintroduced custom-made subperiosteal (juxta-osseous) implants as a viable alternative. This study evaluates the clinical reliability and advantages of next-generation juxta-osseous implants. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines across the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The search focused on English-language studies reporting on custom-made titanium juxta-osseous implants in patients with severe maxillary or mandibular atrophy. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist. Additionally, a representative clinical case of a 60-year-old female treated via a fully digital workflow is presented to illustrate the protocol. Results: Twenty-six articles were included, accounting for 147 clinical cases. Most patients exhibited Cawood and Howell Class V–VI atrophy. All identified treatments utilized integrated digital workflows, including CBCT imaging, CAD/CAM design, and additive manufacturing (SLM/DMLS) of medical-grade titanium alloy. Reported success rates exceeded 90%, with high primary stability enabling immediate or early loading protocols and high patient satisfaction. Complications were primarily limited to manageable soft-tissue dehiscence. Conclusions: Modern juxta-osseous implants represent a promising, minimally invasive alternative to bone grafting for severe atrophy, enabling rapid functional restoration in the short-to-medium-term. However, because current evidence is limited to clinical studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Long-term prospective trials are essential to establish definitive clinical predictability and standardized protocols. Full article

Atypical joint spaces, such as those encountered in complex segmental bone loss and large structural defects, remain challenging to manage with conventional implants within divisions across orthopedics, including arthroplasty, tumor reconstruction, trauma, and spine. Additive manufacturing advances have made patient-specific implants a possibility, and this promising solution has enabled the creation of implants with customized geometry and controlled surface porosity to enhance osseointegration, reduce rejection rates, optimize biomechanics, and promote longevity. Despite its potential, patient-specific implants are still eclipsed in use by conventional, “off-the-shelf” implants due to their lower cost, documented long-term durability, insurance coverage, and the strength of available clinical evidence supporting their use. This narrative review summarizes current materials and manufacturing approaches for additively manufactured metal porous implants, including imaging and design workflows, lattice and pore architecture, and how the printing process influences implant stiffness, fatigue strength, surface roughness, and porosity. We also discuss the experimental and preclinical data on mechanical performance, fatigue resistance, and osseointegration for new developments in the field. Emerging trends such as material innovation, streamlined digital planning-to-implant workflows, 4D printing and other advanced additive manufacturing concepts, and cost-reduction efforts are examined in the context of clinical practicality. In this review, the integration of engineering principles with early clinical outcomes will provide orthopedic surgeons with a realistic understanding of the benefits and limitations of the future utilization of additive manufacturing in clinical practice. Full article

The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on water consumption in tourist destinations. The city of Ostróda, located in north-eastern Poland in the Warmian-Masurian Province, was selected as the subject of the study. The data for the analysis was obtained from Przedsiębiorstwo Wodociągów i Kanalizacji Ostróda sp. z o.o. (Ostróda Water Supply and Sewerage Company). It included monthly water consumption in individual consumer groups and the hourly volume of water pumped into the network. The following periods were subjected to a comparative analysis: before (1 January 2018–31 March 2020), during the pandemic (1 April 2020–31 May 2022), and in the phase of easing restrictions (1 June 2022–31 December 2023). Water consumption was analyzed using parametric and non-parametric tests in individual customer groups, with a distinction made between the following sectors: households, non-production services, food industry, wholesale, production services, and other industries. In addition, an analysis was carried out of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the daily and hourly unevenness of water supply to the water supply network in individual research periods. Based on the analyses carried out, it was found that the impact of the pandemic on total water consumption in the water supply system was insignificant, but varied greatly among individual consumer groups. However, the pandemic did not have a major impact on the values of the coefficients of unevenness of water supply to the network or on the volume and times of peak supply. Based on the analyses, it was found that the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly affect water consumption in households, but significant changes were observed in the industrial and service sectors (η² = 0.26–0.37; ε² = 0.36–0.52). There was no significant impact of the pandemic on the values of water supply irregularity coefficients or the size and hours of water supply peaks. Full article

The rapid fabrication of low-cost surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates is highly desirable for chemical and biological sensing. Existing customized SERS substrates, such as Au or Ag nanostructures produced by physical deposition, frequently involve complex fabrication routes, which limits the scalability of SERS devices. Here, we present the hexagonal close-packed plasmonic superlattices as an efficient, low-cost and applicable SERS platform, fabricated by scalable seed-mediated growth and interfacial self-assembly methods. We systematically compared Ag, Au, and Au@Ag nanospheres (NSs) of different sizes and demonstrated that the plasmonic superlattices made by 55 nm Au@Ag NSs exhibit the strongest Raman response, highest sensitivity, lowest detection limit, good spatial uniformity, and broad applicability. Simulations and Raman mapping experiments further confirm that Au@Ag NSs achieve an optimal balance between hotspot density and plasmonic field intensity, allowing for direct identification and quantification of diverse biochemical targets. Full article

PDMS SlipChips are vital for precision medicine, but their performance often degrades when solutions leak or air pockets become trapped between layers. These failures stem from the inherent stickiness of PDMS and uneven surface contact, as the sliding nature of the device prevents permanent sealing. This work addresses these technical hurdles by integrating magnetic clamping with oil-infused lubrication and refined microwell geometries. A 3D-printed magnetic fixture maintains steady contact pressure during operation, while custom-made microstages provide the precise control needed to align microwells across the x–y plane. By allowing the porous PDMS to absorb silicone oil, we created a stable lubricating interface that prevents leakage and reduces friction without sacrificing mobility. We found that a microwell-to-channel width ratio of five substantially suppresses bubble formation compared with narrower designs. These enhancements ensure the generation of consistent, discrete concentration gradients and establish a reliable platform for high-throughput assays using minute sample volumes. Full article

Custom-made subperiosteal implants are increasingly used in clinical cases where significant bone loss due to trauma or disease renders conventional endosseous implant placement unfeasible. This study investigated how different internal structural designs affect the deformation and stress distribution in mandibular subperiosteal implants under clinically relevant loading conditions. An idealized implant geometry was defined based on average human mandibular dimensions, and four configurations with identical outer shape and connection features were created, differing only in sidewall architecture (solid, top-relieved, top-relieved with lateral perforations, and top-relieved lattice framework). All specimens were manufactured by metal additive manufacturing and evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Mechanical testing was performed in two stages: (i) cyclic loading consisting of 500 bite cycles at an overall force of ~326–350 N and (ii) a single static high-load event of 2000 N, applied parallel to the fixation pin axes. CT datasets acquired before and after each stage were compared to detect permanent deformation. No measurable residual deformation was identified in any configuration; the only observed macroscopic change was an adhesive-bond limitation in one case, rather than structural yielding of the implant. Finite element analysis further supported these findings by identifying localized stress concentrations mainly at the implant–prosthetic interface and by revealing the load-transfer zones that govern the mechanical response. Overall, the results indicate that lightweight, perforated, and lattice-based internal designs can preserve global structural integrity across physiological and supra-physiological load ranges while enabling design optimization to improve stress distribution. Full article

In Hungary, a fast-growing Empress tree hybrid (×Paulownia Clone in vitro 112) also known as Smaragdfa^® has been developed as a low-density plantation species seeking industrial utilization. Many potential industrial applications presuppose its bonding. The presence of adhesives in bonded layered assemblies, with differing climatic conditions on the internal and outer side, may induce undesired internal strains due to restricted water vapor diffusion, especially in the case of Smaragdfa as a low-density wood species. For decades, lasures have been specifically formulated with a molecular structure that allows partial vapor transmission while hindering water diffusion. Lasure-coated samples were used as control samples to identify, among the different custom-made MW adhesives, the one with diffusion properties closest to those of the lasure. Uncoated Smaragdfa wood samples were used as the baseline reference to evaluate the effect of different adhesive and coating systems on water vapor diffusion. Smaragdfa samples were prepared both uncoated and coated with different adhesive and lasure layers. Experiments were conducted following ISO 12572 and ASTM E96 standards using the cup method, with all specimens pre-conditioned to 12% moisture content. Results showed that the uncoated Smaragdfa exhibited the highest diffusion coefficient (δ = 7.02 × 10⁻¹³ kg/(m·s·Pa)) and flow rate (G = 0.055763 g/h), while the commercial adhesive-coated sample displayed an 84% reduction in diffusion capacity (δ = 1.15 × 10⁻¹³ kg/(m·s·Pa)), indicating a strong vapor-blocking effect. The lasure coating allowed partial vapor transmission, confirming its semi-permeable nature. Adhesives formulated with varying polyol molecular weights (Series 1–5) revealed a clear molecular-weight-dependent diffusion behavior: low-MW systems (S1) acted as strong diffusion barriers comparable to lasure-coated samples (SMW_L), in the same time high-MW systems (S4, S5) permitted excessive diffusion but induced microcracking, while intermediate formulations (S2, S3) achieved the most balanced performance, combining moderate diffusion with structural stability. Overall, the findings confirm that adhesive layers significantly influence water vapor transmission through Smaragdfa wood, with the degree of hindrance closely related to the molecular weight of the polyol matrix. The optimized formulations (S2, S3) demonstrate promising potential for use in bonded assemblies and engineered wood products where controlled vapor diffusion and mechanical reliability are critical in order to support reduced strains caused by water vapor. Full article

This study presents the development of a low-cost H₂ gas sensor made from a titanium dioxide–zinc oxide composite by means of a simple, cost-effective screen-printing method. The sensing material was created by mixing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles with an organic binder, which was screen-printed onto a glass substrate containing silver electrodes. These samples were then characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The XRD results confirmed that the films boasted well-defined crystallinity, with predominant anatase and hexagonal ZnO phases, as well as uniformity of grains. Sensor performance was evaluated in a custom-built chamber at hydrogen concentrations of 100 to 1000 ppm and at operating temperatures of 100 °C, 200 °C, and 300 °C. The results indicate improved sensor performance as the operating temperature increased to 300 °C, with the best sensitivity values of 0.99, 1.17, and 1.31 at hydrogen concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 ppm, respectively. The sensor showed stable and reproducible response characteristics, and its responses were retimed after a few hundred seconds. Low-cost fabrication, ease of processing, and reliable sensor performance make titanium oxide–zinc oxide composites promising candidates for hydrogen detection. Full article