Search Results (562)

Global urbanization has led to massive generation of high-water-content waste slurry, creating serious environmental challenges. Conventional treatment methods are costly and unsustainable, while cement-based foamed lightweight soils typically exhibit low strength and limited CO₂ sequestration. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel stabilization pathway by integrating a MgO–mineral powder–carbide slag composite binder with CO₂ foaming–carbonation. The approach enables simultaneous slurry lightweighting, strength enhancement, and CO₂ fixation. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate flowability, density, compressive strength, and deformation characteristics of the carbonated lightweight stabilized slurry. Microstructural analyses, including SEM and XRD, were used to reveal the formation of carbonate phases and pore structures. The results showed that MgO content strongly promoted carbonation, leading to denser microstructures and higher strength, while mineral powder and carbide slag optimized workability and pore stability. Orthogonal testing indicated that a mix with 25% mineral powder, 12.5% MgO, and 7.5% carbide slag achieved the best performance, with unconfined compressive strength up to 0.48 MPa after carbonation. Compared with conventional cement- or GGBS-based foamed lightweight soils, the proposed system exhibits superior strength development, improved pore stability, and enhanced CO₂ sequestration potential. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of recycling high-water-content waste slurry into value-added construction materials while contributing to carbon reduction targets. This study not only provides a sustainable solution for waste slurry management but also offers new insights into the integration of CO₂ mineralization into geotechnical engineering practice. Full article

Adding a fibular strut bone graft to locking plate fixation has been introduced to improve stability and prevent varus collapse. The purpose of this study was to perform finite element analysis (FEA) of the biomechanical characteristics of different insertion angles of the fibular strut graft in proximal humerus fractures. Proximal humerus fractures with metaphyseal comminution and instability were simulated by creating wedge-shaped osteotomies medially and laterally for varus and valgus models, respectively. Three-dimensional finite element models were reconstructed from computed tomography images. A locking compression plate with a length of 90 mm (three holes) was applied to the proximal humerus fracture model. Fibular allografts were inserted at 0° and 30° to the humeral shaft. Axial and traction forces of 70°, 90°, and 110° relative to the vertical axis were applied to each model to simulate stress on the plate and graft. At axial loads, stresses in both the plate and the graft were lower when the graft was inserted at 0° than at 30°. Under traction loads, plate stress was lower with 30° insertion. Graft stress was also lower with 30° in most experimental conditions in both the valgus and varus models. These findings suggest that oblique insertion may provide biomechanical advantages under traction forces in unstable proximal humerus fractures. Full article

An experiment with a two interaction modalities (traditional: touch; novel: touch–speech) × two task complexities (low: visual single task; high: audio–visual dual task) within-subjects design was conducted to observe alterations in crew performance (including task performance, subjective workload, and eye responses) in a typical planning task-based on a high-fidelity special vehicle simulation platform. The results revealed that (1) compared to the traditional interaction modality, the novel interaction modality significantly improved task performance, reduced subjective workload, increased mean peak saccade velocity, and decreased fixation entropy; (2) under high task complexity, subjective workload, mean pupil diameter, and the nearest neighbor index showed significant increases, while no significant decline in task performance was observed; (3) no interaction effect of crew performance was observed between interaction modality and task complexity. The foregoing results imply that (1) the novel interaction modality incorporating speech input exhibits advantages over the traditional touch-based modality in terms of enhancing task performance (over 45% improvement) and reducing cognitive workload; (2) leveraging dual-channel audio–visual information processing facilitates the maintenance of task performance under high task complexity and multi-tasking demands; (3) eye movement characteristics may serve as informative indicators for evaluating the benefits of speech-based interaction and the effectiveness of cognitive resource allocation under high-complexity task conditions. The results can provide a basis for the design of the display and control interface in special vehicles. Full article

Background: Femoral neck fractures (FNFs) in elderly patients are a growing concern given increased life expectancy and functional demands. Hemiarthroplasty is the standard treatment, but optimal fixation, approach, and perioperative management remain debated. This study aims to describe implant characteristics, perioperative details, survival, and complications of hemiarthroplasty in patients aged ≥75 years. Methods: A descriptive retrospective analysis was performed using the Emilia Romagna arthroplasty registry (RIPO). All patients ≥ 75 years who underwent hemiarthroplasty for FNFs between 2000 and 2021 were included. Data on demographics, implant fixation, surgical approach, complications, and revisions were analyzed. Implant survival was assessed with Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: A total of 43,657 procedures were identified; the mean age was 85.5 years, and 73.7% were female. Cemented stems were used in ~76% of cases. The lateral approach was most common (52.6%), followed by posterolateral (43.7%) and anterior (2.9%). Overall revision rate was <2% (853 cases). Dislocation was the leading cause of failure (46.9%), followed by periprosthetic fracture, acetabular wear, aseptic loosening, and infection. Heparins were used for thromboprophylaxis in >93% of cases. Ninety-day mortality reached 13.9%. Conclusions: In this large registry study, cemented stems and the lateral approach were predominant. Despite low revision rates, dislocation remained the main cause of failure. High perioperative mortality highlights the vulnerability of this population and the importance of multidisciplinary care. Future high-quality studies, as prospective studies, will be necessary to determine the optimal solutions in this frail elderly population. Full article

Fixational saccadic eye movements (microsaccades) have been associated with cognitive processes, especially in tasks requiring spatial attention and memory. Alterations in oculomotor and cognitive control are commonly observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD), though it is unclear to what extent microsaccade activity is affected. We acquired eye movement data from sixteen participants with early-stage PD and thirteen older healthy controls to examine the effects of dopamine modulation on microsaccade activity during the delay period of a spatial working memory task. Some microsaccade characteristics, like amplitude and duration, were moderately larger in the PD participants when they were “on” their dopaminergic medication than healthy controls, or when they were “off” medication, while PD participants exhibited microsaccades with a linear amplitude–velocity relationship comparable to controls. Both groups showed similar microsaccade rate patterns across task events, with most participants showing a horizontal bias in microsaccade direction during the delay period regardless of the remembered target location. Overall, our data suggest minimal involvement of microsaccades during visuospatial working memory maintenance under conditions without explicit attentional cues in both subject groups. However, moderate effects of PD-related dopamine deficiency were observed for microsaccade size during working memory maintenance. Full article

This study investigates the combustion characteristics and ash behavior of coal–biomass co-combustion using Zhujixi coal and corn straw in a fixed-bed system. The research analyzes combustion stage division, gas release patterns, and mineral evolution of ash under varying blending ratios. Results indicate that biomass addition modifies the dynamic features of the combustion process by advancing the CO₂ release peak; extending the release of CO, CH₄, and H₂; and enhancing the completeness of char oxidation. At moderate blending levels (20–60%), oxygen utilization is significantly improved and combustion stability is strengthened. Ash fusion temperatures exhibit a consistent decline with increasing biomass proportion due to the formation of low-melting eutectic phases such as KAlSiO₄ and K, Ca-based phosphates. Mineralogical analysis further reveals that coal ash components promote the immobilization of alkali metals, thereby suppressing potassium volatilization. A blending ratio of 40% demonstrates the most favorable balance between burnout performance, oxygen efficiency, and alkali fixation, surpassing both pure coal and high-ratio biomass conditions. This optimized ratio not only improves energy conversion efficiency but also reduces slagging and corrosion risks, offering practical guidance for cleaner coal power transformation, stable boiler operation, and long-term reduction of carbon and pollutant emissions. Full article

Enhanced Natural Attenuation (ENA) can accelerate pollutant degradation by adding electron acceptors or nutrients. However, its impact on carbon-fixing microorganisms, which are widely found in the natural attenuation process, remains unclear. In this study, four types of ENA materials were added in batch experiments. Chemical analysis and metagenomic sequencing were employed to analyze the degradation kinetics of petroleum hydrocarbons, the consumption pattern of nitrate, as well as the functional genes and population evolution characteristics of carbon-fixing microorganisms. Results showed that nitrate-based enhancement materials significantly improved the petroleum hydrocarbon degradation rate but suppressed the expression of some carbon fixation genes, such as those involved in the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle. Nevertheless, the overall abundance of carbon fixation genes did not show a notable decline. Dominant bacterial genera such as Pseudomonas and Achromobacter possessed both hydrocarbon degradation and carbon fixation capabilities. Although the calcium peroxide treatment group only achieved a 40% petroleum hydrocarbon degradation rate, it significantly promoted the abundance of carbon fixation genes involved in the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle pathway. Therefore, ENA alters carbon fixation pathways but does not diminish carbon fixation potential, indicating its potential for synergistically achieving pollution remediation and carbon fixation. Full article

Background and Objectives: Tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures are rare injuries in pediatric athletes, with limited data on the potential role of an elevated body mass index (BMI) as a risk factor. Previous studies have primarily focused on age, sex, and sport type, but the association between BMI and these injuries remains underexplored. Tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures are rare injuries predominantly affecting adolescent boys during sports activities involving strong quadriceps contractions. This pilot study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and anthropometric characteristics of patients with these fractures, including the distribution of injury mechanisms and the fracture types, to test whether the prevalence of overweight/obesity among cases exceeded national population benchmarks, and to describe the associated clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on medical records and radiographs of patients under the age of 18 treated between 2017 and 2024. The data collected included demographic and anthropometric characteristics, injury mechanisms, fracture classification, treatment methods, complications, and outcomes. The patients were categorized as normal weight (<85th percentile) or overweight/obese (≥85th percentile). The primary outcome was whether the prevalence of overweight/obesity among the cases exceeded national pediatric benchmarks. Formal sample size and power analyses were performed to guide future research. Results: Twenty-one patients met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 13.7 years; 95.2% were male. Soccer was the most common injury mechanism (52.4%), followed by athletics and running. The predominant fracture type was Ogden IVb (38.1%). Overweight/obesity was present in 52.4% of the patients, significantly higher than the national benchmarks. An open reduction and internal fixation was performed in 90.5% of the cases, with a mean follow-up of 14.6 months (range: 6–36). Complications occurred in 14.3% overall, all within the overweight/obese group (27.3%). Conclusions: This pilot retrospective study suggests a potential link between an elevated BMI and tibial tuberosity avulsion fractures, with overweight/obesity being significantly more prevalent in affected patients than in the general pediatric population. These exploratory findings warrant confirmation in larger, adequately powered studies, and emphasize the importance of weight management and tailored sports activities as potential preventive strategies. An early diagnosis, timely surgical intervention, and adequate rehabilitation are critical for achieving optimal functional recovery. Full article

Background: The use of tapered fluted revision stems has been shown to be reliable and safe. Primary stability is mandatory for a long-lasting fixation between bone and a prosthesis. Nevertheless, aseptic loosening due to insufficient primary stability occurs and may be related to technically improper preparation of the femoral canal. Instructions of manufacturers are heterogeneous regarding preparation of implant beds. Questions/Purposes: Does speed or the design of the reamer influence the accuracy of the implant bed and, consecutively, primary stability? Materials and Methods: A test foam with an elastic moduli and pressure resistance similar to that of cancellous bone was used. The medullary canal was prepared with the use of reamers of two different straight and tapered femoral revision devices. Three different rotational speeds were used for preparation. After preparation, primary stability was measured and fixating characteristics were derived. Results: Sufficient primary stability was achievable by all three preparation methods but fixating characteristics were different. Significantly higher micro-motions were detected near the tip of the prosthesis compared to those at all more proximal measuring points. Reaming with high velocity resulted in significantly higher micro-motions compared to that with mid- or low-speed burring. Conclusions: Different preparation methods may be one explanation for the range of reported survivorship data of the two devices with aseptic loosening as the end point. The precision of the implant bed and fixating characteristics were best after reaming with lower velocity. Superior but not significantly better fixation characteristics were achieved with the monobloc stem compared to those with the modular device. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) following orthopedic surgeries and to identify independent clinical, laboratory, and procedural factors associated with thromboembolic risk. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 300 patients who underwent elective or emergency orthopedic surgeries (hip/knee arthroplasty, fracture fixation, and spinal procedures) between January 2020 and December 2024 at two tertiary centers. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical data were collected. Patients were stratified into two groups: those who developed DVT/PE and those who did not. Univariate analyses were performed to identify significant factors, and a multivariate logistic regression model with stepwise variable selection was applied in accordance with the events-per-variable (EPV) criterion. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to evaluate the discriminative performance of significant predictors. Results: Among 300 patients who underwent orthopedic surgery, postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) occurred in 50 cases (16.7%). Patients who developed thromboembolic events were older (72.5 ± 8.7 vs. 65.2 ± 10.1 years, p < 0.001), had higher body mass index (32.1 ± 5.3 vs. 28.3 ± 4.5 kg/m², p < 0.001), and showed a greater prevalence of diabetes mellitus (40% vs. 20%, p < 0.01) and chronic kidney disease (24% vs. 10%, p < 0.001) compared to those without DVT/PE. Laboratory analyses revealed significantly elevated neutrophil count, D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, and troponin levels in the DVT/PE group. In the stepwise multivariate logistic regression model, age (OR = 1.44, p = 0.003), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.88, p = 0.046), chronic kidney disease (OR = 2.33, p = 0.014), D-dimer (OR = 2.15, p = 0.019), and immobilization duration (OR = 2.21, p = 0.028) emerged as independent predictors of thromboembolic events. ROC analysis revealed that D-dimer > 0.9 mg/L had the highest discriminative performance (AUC = 0.89, sensitivity 88%, specificity 84%, p = 0.003), followed by troponin > 0.5 U/L (AUC = 0.86, p = 0.005), immobilization > 3 days (AUC = 0.82, p = 0.012), and age > 65 years (AUC = 0.74, p = 0.021). Conclusions: DVT and PE remain significant postoperative complications with a multifactorial etiology in orthopedic surgeries. Advanced age, comorbidities (such as diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease), and elevated inflammatory and metabolic markers (including neutrophil count, glucose, CRP, and D-dimer), together with procedural factors like prolonged immobilization, were identified as independent risk factors. Early recognition of these high-risk features and implementation of individualized prophylaxis strategies may improve postoperative outcomes and reduce thromboembolic risk. Full article

This study investigates how traditional versus modern Chinese ink painting styles in tourism advertisements affect viewers’ visual attention, aesthetic evaluations, and tourism intentions. Using eye-tracking experiments combined with surveys and interviews, the researchers conducted a mixed-design experiment with 80 Chinese college students. Results indicate that traditional ink-style advertisements attracted longer total fixation durations, higher aesthetic evaluations, and stronger cultural resonance in natural landscape contexts, while modern ink-style advertisements captured initial attention more quickly and performed better aesthetically in urban settings. Qualitative analyses further revealed cultural familiarity and aesthetic resonance underpinning preferences for traditional style, whereas modern style mainly attracted attention through novelty and creativity. These findings expand Cultural Schema Theory and the aesthetic processing model within advertising research, suggesting practical strategies for tourism advertising to match visual styles appropriately with destination types and audience characteristics to enhance promotional effectiveness. Full article

In the context of soil management, the porous structure present in these systems plays a relevant role due to its capacity to store and transport water, nutrients, gases, and provide root fixation. A detailed and precise analysis of these structures can assist specialists in determining specific agricultural solutions and management practices for each soil, depending on the characteristics of its porous structure. In this regard, this study presents a hybrid method for segmenting porous structures in micro computed tomography (micro CT) images of carbonate rocks, with a focus on applications in agricultural soil analysis and management. Initially, preprocessing steps such as Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) and histogram specification are applied in order to improve image contrast and uniformity. Subsequently, a UNet convolutional neural network is employed to identify pore contours, followed by the application of two geostatistical approaches, ordinary kriging and Universal Kriging, with the purpose of completing segmentation through the interpolation of unclassified regions. The proposed approach was evaluated using the dataset “16 Brazilian Pre Salt Carbonates”, which includes high-resolution micro CT images. The results show that the integration of UNet with ordinary kriging achieved superior performance, with 79.2% IoU, 93.3% precision, 81.7% recall, and 87.1% F1 Score. This method enables detailed analyses of pore distribution and the porous structure of soils and rocks, supporting a better understanding of inherent characteristics such as permeability, porosity, and nutrient retention in soil, thus contributing to more assisted agricultural planning and more efficient soil use strategies. Full article

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) employ various mechanisms to enhance plant development and growth as well as to mitigate environmental stress, including heavy metal contamination. Cadmium is a particularly severe stressor, toxic to both plants and soil microbiota. Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (the common ice plant), a fast-growing semi-halophyte, was previously investigated for phytoremediation potential towards saline environments and toxic metals, especially cadmium and chromium. The study was aimed at assessing whether bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of M. crystallinum treated with Cd reveal growth-promoting traits and if the plant tolerance to Cd results from a synergistic action of the Cd/salt-resistant strains. The isolates demonstrated PGP characteristics, including nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and production of ammonia, indolyl-3-acetic acid (IAA), and siderophores. A microbial consortium consisting of these strains was developed and applied to pots with M. crystallinum. After a 14-day experiment, plant growth and Cd-accumulation potential were evaluated upon treatment with 1 mM or 10 mM Cd, either in the presence or absence of NaCl. Plant inoculation with the consortium stimulated Cd accumulation both by roots and shoots at 10 mM Cd under saline conditions. The results suggest that bioaugmentation of M. crystallinum with the bacterial community can be used as an effective, sustainable phytoremediation method for cadmium-contaminated soils. Full article

Background: Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) constitute a significant orthopedic challenge, particularly among the elderly, due to osteoporosis and comorbidities. While surgical intervention is often considered for complex fractures, non-surgical treatment (NST) has gained attention, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when surgical resources were limited. This study evaluates the functional outcomes of patients over 65 years old who underwent NST for PHFs during the pandemic. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients presenting with 3- or 4-part PHFs at the Hospital Marino di Alghero (Italy) between 9 March 2020 and 18 May 2020. Inclusion criteria included age over 65, conservative management, and a minimum 30-month follow-up. Seven patients were evaluated through radiographic imaging and clinical assessments, including the Constant Shoulder Score (CSS), Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Score (DASH). Functional recovery was analyzed over a 48-month period. Results: The average CSS was 69.4 (SD: 22.3), OSS was 34 (SD: 14.6), and DASH was 27.9 (SD: 30.3), indicating moderate functional recovery. One patient required surgical fixation due to excessive displacement. Tuberosity union was observed in 85.7% of cases, and complications were minimal. NST allowed patients to recover shoulder function while avoiding surgical risks, particularly during the pandemic. Conclusions: NST proved to be a viable treatment for elderly patients with PHFs, yielding satisfactory functional outcomes with minimal complications. The pandemic highlighted the importance of conservative approaches in orthopedic management, emphasizing the need for individualized treatment decisions based on patient comorbidities and fracture characteristics. Full article

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are microorganisms that enhance plant growth through various mechanisms. In the context of global agriculture, which faces fertilizer dependency and environmental pollution, developing eco-friendly microbial fertilizers has become crucial for enhancing agricultural sustainability. To identify highly effective PGPR, we isolated 102 bacterial strains from maize rhizosphere soil using the dilution plating method. The strains were screened for growth-promoting abilities using functional media, resulting in the selection of strain YMK25 for its exceptional capabilities in nitrogen fixation, solubilization of inorganic and organic phosphorus, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and siderophore production. Strain YMK25 produced IAA at a concentration of 80.49 ± 0.68 μg/mL and exhibited a relative siderophore expression level of 43.68%. Morphological analysis, 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis, and whole-genome sequencing confirmed that strain YMK25 is Klebsiella pneumoniae. Whole-genome analysis revealed a total genome length of 5,115,280 bp, a GC content of 57.61%, and it contained 4746 coding genes. Gene annotation results indicated genes involved in siderophore synthesis, phosphatase activity, and other plant growth-promoting functions, which align with the verified characteristics of strain YMK25. Furthermore, this strain exhibited significant metabolic capabilities. The pot experiment demonstrated that strain YMK25 promotes maize plant growth and assists in nutrient fixation in these plants. In conclusion, strain YMK25 is a high-quality PGPR with substantial potential for application in agricultural production, presenting promise for widespread use in sustainable agriculture. Full article