Explore the vast range of titles available.

Over the last couple of decades, the advancement in Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) devices is highly demanded for integrating the economically miniaturized sensors with fabricating technology. A sensor is a system that detects and responds to multiple physical inputs and converting them into analogue or digital forms. The sensor transforms these variations into a form which can be utilized as a marker to monitor the device variable. MEMS exhibits excellent feasibility in miniaturization sensors due to its small dimension, low power consumption, superior performance, and, batch-fabrication. This article presents the recent developments in standard actuation and sensing mechanisms that can serve MEMS-based devices, which is expected to revolutionize almost many product categories in the current era. The featured principles of actuating, sensing mechanisms and real-life applications have also been discussed. Proper understanding of the actuating and sensing mechanisms for the MEMS-based devices can play a vital role in effective selection for novel and complex application design.

BackgroundDistal femoral fractures, comprising 0.4% of all fractures, present significant management challenges due to their complex anatomy and associated complications. While single plating (SP) is commonly used, its biomechanical limitations in complex fractures have prompted interest in dual plating (DP), which may offer superior stability. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare clinical outcomes between single and dual plating techniques in distal femoral fractures.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to May 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. Thirteen retrospective studies comparing dual vs. single plating in distal femoral fractures (DFF) involving 1,015 patients (654 SP, 361 DP) met inclusion criteria. Outcomes assessed included union rates, operation time, blood loss, postoperative range of motion (ROM), functional scores, complications, and reoperation rates. Data were analyzed using random-effects models, with heterogeneity assessed via I2 statistics.ResultsDP was associated with significantly higher union rates with odds of union approximately five times greater than SP (OR = 5.34, 95% CI: 2.23–12.79; p = 0.0002), shorter union times (MD= -3.08, 95% CI: -5.18, -0.99; p = 0.004), a 73% lower odds of nonunion (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.53; p = 0.0002), an 89% lower odds of malunion (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.54; p = 0.007), and an 84% lower odds of delayed union (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.68; p = 0.01). However, DP resulted in longer operative times (MD = 27.19, 95% CI: 23.11–31.28; p < 0.00001). SP demonstrated superior postoperative knee ROM (p = 0.02). No significant differences were observed between groups in hospital stay, reoperation rates, superficial infections, or overall complications; p < 0.05. Heterogeneity was low for most outcomes, except for blood loss (I2 = 84%), flexion contracture (I2 = 89%), and union time (I2 = 69%), reflecting variability in surgical technique and case complexity.ConclusionsDual plating offers superior fracture healing without increasing complication rates, making it preferable for DFF. Single plating may remain advantageous for patients prioritizing postoperative knee mobility.

Recently, the scientific community’s main goal is the long-term sustainability. Vegetable oils are easily accessible, non-depletable, and cost-effective materials. Vegetable oils are used to prepare polymeric alkyd surfaces. Novel and exciting designs of alkyd/graphene nanocomposites have provided eco-friendly thermal stability and protective coating surfaces. This review has briefly described important graphene-based alkyd nanocomposites along with their applications as protective coatings. These alkyd composites have high hydrophobicity, corrosion resistance, and durability. Graphene-based alkyd nanocoatings have many industrial and research interests because of their exceptional thermal and chemical properties. This work introduces an advanced horizon for developing protective nanocomposite coatings. The anti-corrosion properties and coatings’ longevity may be improved by combining the synergistic effects of hybrid nanofillers introduced in this work.

This work describes the fabrication and characterization of a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensor for gas sensing applications. The sensor is based on standard PolyMUMPs (Polysilicon Multi-Users MEMS Process) technology to control the temperature over the sensing layer. Due to its compact size and low power consumption, micro-structures enable a well-designed gas-sensing-layer interaction, resulting in higher sensitivity compared to the ordinary materials. The aim of conducting the characterization is to compare the measured and calculated resistance values of the micro-heater and the temperature sensor. The temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of the temperature sensor has been estimated by raising and dropping the temperature throughout a 25–110 °C range. The sensitivity of these sensors is dependent on the TCR value. The temperature sensor resistance was observed to rise alongside the rising environmental temperatures or increasing voltages given to the micro-heater, with a correlation value of 0.99. When compared to the TCR reported in the literature for the gold material 0.0034 °C−1, the average TCR was determined to be 0.00325 °C−1 and 0.0035 °C−1, respectively, indicating inaccuracies of 4.6% and 2.9%, respectively. The variation between observed and reported values is assumed to be caused by the fabrication tolerances of the design dimensions or material characteristics.

Background Intramedullary nailing (IMN) is the gold standard for femoral subtrochanteric fractures (FSF) treatment due to their biomechanical advantages and minimally invasive nature. However, achieving proper reduction remains challenging in unstable patterns, leading to poor outcomes. Cerclage wiring, used alongside IMN, has shown potential in improving fracture stability and alignment, yet concerns regarding soft tissue damage persist. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the impact of cerclage wiring on clinical and radiological outcomes in FSF treatment. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted for studies published up to the 3rd of March 2025 using PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases, focusing on randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing intramedullary nailing with and without cerclage wiring in subtrochanteric fractures fixation. Eleven eligible studies, encompassing 658 patients, were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale and meta-analytical techniques were employed to calculate pooled effect sizes and statistical significance. Results Eleven retrospective studies were included revealing that cerclage wiring significantly increased operative time; p  > 0.001, blood loss; p  = 0.031, and better functional outcomes as union time significantly decreased; p  = 0.026, significantly better Harris Hip Score; p  = 0.012, while improving reduction quality. No significant differences were observed in non-union, infection, or mortality rates. Quality assessment using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale indicated high quality studies. Conclusion Cerclage wiring in conjunction with intramedullary nailing (IMN) for subtrochanteric fractures provides considerable advantages in our study in terms of the quality of fracture reduction, healing duration, and functional rehabilitation, especially in more complicated cases, even though it may lead to longer surgical times and greater blood loss.

Objective Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) intervention for pain and anxiety relief during outpatient hysteroscopy. Methods Various databases were searched for available clinical trials from inception until June 2023. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared virtual reality intervention versus standard care among women undergoing outpatient hysteroscopy. We used Revman software to perform our meta-analysis. The primary outcome was the pain score during the procedure. The secondary outcomes were anxiety during the procedure and pain post-procedure. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain and anxiety. Results Six RCTs were retrieved, involving a total of 457 patients. Virtual reality was associated with a significant reduction in pain score during the procedure in comparison with the control group (MD = − 1.43, 95% CI [− 1.69, − 1.16], p  < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant decrease in anxiety during the procedure among the virtual reality group compared to the control group ( p  = 0.01). The pain score post-procedure significantly decreased within the virtual reality group (MD = − 1.52, 95% CI [− 1.78, − 1.26], p < 0.001). Conclusions Virtual reality technology is a simple, feasible, and effective intervention for reducing pain and anxiety during outpatient hysteroscopy. More trials are required to confirm our findings.

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common focal mononeuropathy caused by the compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection with corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma injection, and median nerve pulsed radiofrequency are all potential treatments for relieving symptoms of CTS in mild and moderate cases, comparison between their clinical outcomes is yet to be studied.The primary outcome was pain measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes included functional outcome evaluated by the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) and median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA). Methods This prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled study was conducted on Seventy-five patients diagnosed with mild to moderate CTS, they were randomly allocated into three equal groups. The control group received a median nerve perineural injection of bupivacaine with methylprednisolone. The PRF group received median nerve pulsed radiofrequency in addition to bupivacaine. Finally, the PRP group received a perineural injection of platelet-rich plasma. Measurements Were conducted at specific time intervals: before the intervention, at one week, two months, and four months post-intervention for VAS, BCTQ, and CSA. NCV was only evaluated before the intervention and after four months. Results All patients experienced a statistically significant improvement in pain, symptoms, function, CSA of the median nerve and NCV following intervention. The PRF and steroid groups exhibited greater improvements than the PRP group. The PRP group showed the least improvement compared to the other two groups. Limitations Short study period, single centred study. Conclusions The current study suggests that ultrasound-guided hydrodissection of the median nerve, with local anesthetic/steroids or PRP and PRF are effective in alleviating pain and improving the functional outcome. Nevertheless, it was revealed that PRF and steroid injection were more efficacious in enhancing short term functional outcomes compared to PRP injection. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered in the “Clinical Trials Library for Protocol Registration and Results System” under NCT05053477 on September 11, 2021.

Defensive nursing practices, which prioritize legal protection over patient care, are becoming increasingly common. This study aims to explore the prevalence and factors associated with defensive nursing practices among nurses in Egypt, considering the impact of workplace violence and legal threats. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2024 using a self-report online questionnaire. The target population included clinical nurses working in various hospitals in Egypt. A sample size of 1,267 nurses was achieved through convenience sampling. The questionnaire assessed demographic data, experiences of workplace violence, legal consequences, and defensive nursing practices, categorized into positive and negative behaviors. The sample consisted of 1,267 nurses, predominantly female (75.9%), with a mean age of 28.57 years. Positive defensive practices, such as detailed documentation (79%) and thorough explanation of procedures (58.5%), were highly prevalent. Negative practices included avoiding high-risk procedures (15.9%) and patients more likely to file lawsuits (13.6%). Older nurses and those with higher educational qualifications were more likely to engage in positive defensive practices. Nurses who experienced workplace violence or legal threats were significantly more likely to avoid high-complication procedures. The study identified a high engagement in both positive and negative defensive practices among nurses in Egypt. These practices are influenced by factors such as age, education level, and experiences of workplace violence and legal threats. The findings underscore the need for strategies to support nurses, reduce reliance on defensive practices, and ensure better patient outcomes.

The study aims to assess telehealth satisfaction among patients with chronic diseases focusing on key demographic and clinical factors that influence satisfaction. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-reported online questionnaire between December 1, 2023, and January 30, 2024. The study targeted chronic patients who had been using telehealth for at least three months. After screening for eligibility and ensuring data completeness, responses from 1,070 patients from three non-governmental hospitals were included in the analysis. The questionnaire covered demographic, socio-economic, and technology-related data, as well as a telehealth satisfaction scale. A total of 62.9% of patients reported being satisfied with the telehealth services they received, while 37.1% expressed dissatisfaction. Logistic regression analysis identified several factors associated with patient satisfaction. The constant term was significantly positive (coefficient = 4.129,  < 0.001), indicating a baseline high level of satisfaction. Age negatively impacted satisfaction (coefficient = -0.191,  < 0.001), with older patients being less satisfied. Male patients showed a higher satisfaction rate (coefficient = 0.473,  = 0.047), while education level, particularly having a bachelor's degree, was strongly associated with increased satisfaction (coefficient = 1.977,  < 0.001). Marital status (married) was not a significant predictor (  = 0.403), whereas employment status (working) had a positive association with satisfaction (coefficient = 1.445,  < 0.001). Income level (sufficient and save) did not significantly affect satisfaction (  = 0.561). Having children was positively associated with satisfaction (coefficient = 1.189,  < 0.001). Addressing demographic, socio-economic, and technological needs can enhance patient satisfaction with telehealth services. Tailoring services to specific patient preferences, especially for older patients and those needing continuous training, can improve telehealth effectiveness and acceptance.