Implantable artificial kidneys represent a promising alternative for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), aiming to overcome the limitations of conventional dialysis through the integration of microfluidic and electrokinetic technologies. In this study, we present a sawtooth electrode microfluidic chamber that achieves blood cell separation via negative dielectrophoresis at a record-low operating voltage of 1.4 V, representing a fivefold reduction compared with rectangular electrode designs and supporting potential integration into implantable artificial kidney systems. A microfluidic chip incorporating an asymmetric sawtooth electrode geometry was developed to enhance local electric field gradients while reducing power consumption. Device performance was investigated using COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize the number of teeth per unit length (N), sawtooth height (H), and applied voltage (V), while excitation frequency was fixed at 1 MHz and flow velocity was maintained constant at 0.1 & micro;L & centerdot;min-1. Statistical analysis was conducted using analysis of variance (ANOVA) in Minitab (Version 27; Minitab, LLC, State College, PA, USA, 2024). The optimization model showed strong predictive capability (R2 = 95.8%) and identified applied voltage (59.45% contribution) and sawtooth height (33%) as the dominant factors affecting separation efficiency, with a significant H & times; V interaction (p = 0.023). Comprehensive voltage-response mapping over the range of 0.8-4.0 V revealed four operational regimes, including a previously unreported high-voltage failure zone above 2.8 V, where electrothermal flow and electroporation degrade performance. Under physiological conductivity conditions, the optimized design maintained a separation efficiency of 78.3% at 1.4 V with a tip temperature rise of only 1.2 degrees C, while full recovery of performance was achieved at 2.2 V. Cell-specific separation efficiencies reached 97.3% for white blood cells, 95.8% for red blood cells, and 84.7% for platelets, reducing the downstream cellular load by 92.6%. These findings demonstrate that the proposed low-voltage, high-efficiency separation platform has strong potential as a cellular pre-filtration module in implantable artificial kidney systems and other lab-on-chip biomedical devices.

Operating room ventilation is a key engineering factor in maintaining clean air environments. This study presents an integrated three-part methodology combining Computational Fluid Dynamics parametric analysis, performance assessment with effect size analysis and multi-criteria decision analysis using quantitative engineering metrics, and surrogate modeling for thermal effect propagation in an orthopedic operating room. Simulations were conducted in ANSYS Fluent 2020 R2, benchmarking an existing local operating room against an ASHRAE 170-2021 compliant model, followed by parametric evaluation of four ceiling inlet configurations. The existing system exhibited critically low velocities (0.05-0.10 m/s) with a coefficient of variation of 0.73, indicating severe flow non-uniformity. The proposed Multi-Velocity Ceiling Diffuser-featuring a high-velocity core (0.40 m/s) over the surgical area and a low-velocity peripheral frame (0.20 m/s)-achieved 85% coverage of the ASHRAE-recommended velocity range (0.20-0.30 m/s), a coefficient of variation of 0.14 (81% improvement), and 62 air changes per hour, representing an 86% reduction in supply airflow compared to a full-ceiling system. Effect size analysis confirmed that MVCD performance shows large practical differences from smaller inlet designs (Cohen's d >= 0.41) and negligible difference from full-ceiling systems (Cohen's d = 0.05). Multi-criteria decision analysis-with feasibility and cost quantified using engineering estimates (ductwork area, downtime days, standardized cost data)-ranked MVCD as optimal under the modeled assumptions (composite score = 0.84), outperforming the existing system (0.59) and full-ceiling design (0.51). To address the isothermal assumption limitation, a Random Forest surrogate model was implemented as a differentiable approximation strategy for parametric uncertainty propagation. Under non-isothermal conditions, the MVCD is predicted to maintain a spatial median velocity of 0.19 m/s (5th-95th percentile range: 0.17-0.21 m/s) and 71% ASHRAE compliance (parameter sampling range across literature-derived distributions: 63-78%). Achieving ASHRAE velocity criteria is an engineering surrogate for ventilation effectiveness; the relationship between these metrics and clinical infection outcomes depends on multiple factors beyond airflow, including surgical technique, patient factors, and antimicrobial prophylaxis. No clinical inference is permitted from the present results. Experimental measurement in a physical MVCD-equipped operating room is required to validate these predictions prior to clinical implementation.

This study presents a mixed-methods bibliometric analysis and systematic review of literature on lumbar total disc replacement with the systematic component constrained to studies identified using a predefined SCOPUS research strategy. A total of 40 peer-reviewed articles published between 2019 and 2025 were analyzed, focusing on lumbar intervertebral discs (LIVDs). The bibliometric analysis quantified publication trends, geographic distribution, and collaboration networks, while the systematic review synthesizes clinical, biomechanical, and computational findings. Quantitative analysis was conducted using frequency and percentage metrics, and qualitative analysis was applied to evaluate thematic content and methodological approaches. Findings indicate a recent decline in research activity, with Germany, the United States, Spain, and China emerging as leading contributors. Co-authorship and institutional collaboration networks revealed strong intra-regional clustering but limited global integration. Thematic clustering identified three dominate research domains: (1) biomechanics and biomaterials in artificial disc development, (2) clinical outcomes of total disc replacement, and (3) computational and biomechanical modeling. Biomechanical and finite element studies demonstrate improved load distribution and kinematic restoration, although substantial heterogeneity in modelling approaches and limited experimental validation constrains generalizability. A shift towards reduced research activity in recent years has coincided with the persistence of several critical gaps, including limited integration between biomechanical modeling and clinical outcome data, weak linkage between biomaterials and functional biomechanics, insufficient development of patient-specific implant designs, and inadequate cross-disciplinary collaboration. Overall, this study highlights the recent decline in research activity in lumbar total disc replacement, underscoring the need for renewed investigative efforts and more integrative research frameworks to address persistent gaps and advance the field.

Achieving a best-fit prosthetic socket is essential to comfort, functional performance, and long-term residual limb health in lower-limb amputees. To our knowledge, no previous study has quantitatively compared in vivo residual limb geometry under vacuum versus non-vacuum conditions using high-resolution computed tomography (CT). In this patient-specific case study of a bilateral knee-disarticulation (KD) amputee, both residual limbs were scanned under standardized conditions: one enclosed in a vacuum-compressed sleeve and the contralateral limb untreated as a natural control, thereby minimizing inter-subject variability. CT-based 3D reconstructions enabled volumetric and cross-sectional quantification, including symmetry/asymmetry analysis of paired limbs, while finite element analysis (FEA) assessed the biomechanical consequences for socket performance. Vacuum application resulted in a 4.1% reduction in total limb volume and a 5.3% reduction in mid-thigh cross-sectional area, with regionally asymmetric displacement of soft tissues. FEA demonstrated that vacuum-induced geometry reduced peak Von Mises stresses (27.43 MPa to 15.83 MPa), minimized maximum displacement (1.72 mm to 0.88 mm), and improved minimum factor of safety (~2.0 to ~3.0), while homogenizing contact pressure distribution (peak fell from 2.42 to 1.28 N/mm2). These findings provide preliminary CT-based evidence that vacuum application induces measurable morphological adaptations with implications for socket conformity, comfort, and load transfer. While limited to a single patient, this study highlights the potential of vacuum-induced modeling to inform personalized prosthetic socket design.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) remains a core Sustainable Development Goal challenge for Arab nations, with structural inequalities and conflict ongoing in threatening equal access to health. Although literature concurs on the presence of a relationship between UHC and financial inclusion, contextual mechanisms underpinning this relationship remain poorly understood. This study offers an integrated Explainable AI (XAI)–Econometric methodology to unveil how financial inclusion—through digital as well as physical channels for services—drives UHC progress in 17 Arab nations (2011–2022). With the use of Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS), Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE), and Random Forest regression with SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values, we estimate both average causal and heterogeneous contextual effects. The combined model increases predictive strength by 18% over conventional econometric baselines (R2 = 0.83), while the SHAP results identified top predicators. The findings suggest that ATM density and electricity access remain the overriding drivers of UHC whereas digital financial services play a role only with the complement of strong public health expenditures. The diagnostic result allows policymakers to designate country-specific challenges and prioritize joint investments in infrastructure and inclusive finance. While data constraints in conflict settings need cautious interpretation, the proposed XAI–econometric strategy supplies a replicable methodology template for contextualized SDG diagnostics.

This study investigates the biotribological performance of alumina–UHMWPE and alumina–PEEK hip implant couples through finite element simulation (ANSYS v24) and statistical inference (STATA v17). During gait cycle loading simulations, significant disparity in wear behaviour was observed. Alumina–UHMWPE demonstrated superior mechanical resistance, with a wear volume of 0.18481 mm3 and a wear depth of 6.93 × 10−4 mm compared to alumina–PEEK, which registered higher wear (volume: 8.4006 mm3; depth: 3.15 × 10−2 mm). Wear distribution analysis indicated alumina–UHMWPE showed an even wear pattern in comparison to the poor, uneven alumina-PEEK high-wear patterns. Statistical comparison validated these findings, wherein alumina–UHMWPE achieved a 27.60 hip joint wear index (HCI) value, which is better than that of alumina–PEEK (35.85 HCI), particularly regarding key parameters like wear depth and volume. This computational–statistical model yields a baseline design for biomaterial choice, demonstrating the potential clinical superiority of alumina–UHMWPE in reducing implant failure risk. While this is a simulation study lacking experimental validation, the results pave the way for experimental and clinical studies for further verification and refinement. The approach enables hip arthroplasty design optimization with maximal efficiency and minimal resource-intensive testing.

An investigation was conducted to examine the photothermal and thermomechanical effects of short-pulse laser irradiation on normal tissues. This study analyzed the impact of short-pulse laser radiation on the heat-affected region within tissues, taking into consideration a set of laser variables, namely wavelength, intensity, beam size, and exposure time. The beam size ranged between 0.5 and 3 mm, and the intensity of the laser radiation ranged from 1 to 5 W/mm2 at wavelengths of 532 and 800 nm. A three-layered, three-dimensional model was implemented and studied in a polar coordinate system (r = 10 mm, z = 12 mm) in COMSOL Multiphysics (version 5.4, COMSOL Inc., Stockholm, Sweden) to perform numerical simulations. The Pennes bioheat transfer model, Beer-Lambert, and Hooke’s law are integrated to simulate the coupled biophysics problem. Temperature and stress distributions resulting from laser radiation were produced and analyzed. The accuracy of the developed model was qualitatively verified by comparing temperature and mechanical variations following the variations of laser parameters with relevant studies. The results of Box-Behnken analysis showed that beam size (S) had no significant impact on the response variables, with p-values exceeding 0.05. Temperature (Tmax) demonstrates sensitivity to both beam intensity (I) and exposure time (T), jointly contributing to 89.6% of the observed variation. Conversely, while beam size (S) has no significant effect on stress value (Smax), wavelength (W), beam intensity (I), and exposure time (T) collectively account for 71.6% of the observed variation in Smax. It is recommended to use this model to obtain the optimal values of the laser treatment corresponding to tissue with specified dimensions and properties.

This chapter focuses on the coating materials used for artificial knee joint components. The section on artificial knee designs describes shortly the different generations used for knee replacement. While the first generation has been largely abandoned, the second- and third-generation designs are still available. These later designs are evaluated for their mechanical and clinical performance. Stability factors used to assess each design were also discussed. In addition, the commonly used materials as coatings such as titanium-nitride, tantalum, diamond-like carbon, nanocrystalline diamond, graphite-like carbon, hydroxyapatite, and polyether ether ketone were reported in this chapter along with the commonly used techniques for coating the different components of artificial knee joints.

Virtual planning is ideally suited for maxillofacial operations as it allows the surgeon to assess the bony and critical neurovascular structures and enables him to plan osteotomies and fracture reductions. This study aims to propose the use of titanium-based patient-specific implants (PSI), along with virtual surgical planning to assess the advantages and the complications in a case of orbital reconstruction. A three-dimensional model of the skull was generated using computed tomography (CT) data of a female patient using Mimics software (version 19, Materialize, Leuven, Belgium). Numerical PSI models were designed using 3-Matic software (version 13, Materialize, Leuven, Belgium) and the non-affected orbit as a template. Surgical virtual planning showed the suitability of the use of the numerical models in traumatic surgical rehabilitation. Moreover, the digital printing process enabled the trial of the designed PSIs on the patient’s face before the surgery. Reconstruction Biomechanical studies are an essential part of understanding the limits of maxillofacial traumas. The surgical results confirmed the virtual predictions, and the orbital reconstruction seems to be more enhanced and facilitated.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by high blood glucose levels owing to decreased insulin production or sensitivity. Current diagnostic approaches for gestational diabetes entail intrusive blood tests, which are painful and impractical for regular monitoring. Additionally, typical blood glucose monitoring systems are restricted in their measurement frequency and need finger pricks for blood samples. This research study focuses on the development of a non-invasive, real-time glucose monitoring method based on the detection of glucose in human tears and finger blood using mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The proposed solution combines a fuzzy logic-based calibration mechanism with an IR sensor and Arduino controller. This calibration technique increases the accuracy of non-invasive glucose testing based on MID absorbance in fingertips and human tears. The data demonstrate that our device has high accuracy and reliability, with an error rate of less than 3%, according to the EGA. Out of 360 measurements, 97.5% fell into zone A, 2.2% into zone B, and 0.3% into zone C of the Clarke Error Grid. This suggests that our device can give clinically precise and acceptable estimates of blood glucose levels without inflicting any harm or discomfort on the user.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the All-on-4 technique in fully edentulous maxilla using R2GATE software for flapless, computer-guided surgery and immediate loading. Ten adult patients with fully edentulous maxilla, aged between 35 and 60 years, were included in the study between April 2021 and April 2022. The surgical procedure was performed under local anesthesia and followed the All-on-4 approach with immediate loading of implants using a screw-retained provisional acrylic resin prosthesis on the same day. Final prosthesis was delivered four months after the surgery. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at four- and twelve-months post-operation. The study reported a 95% implant survival rate using the All-on-4 technique. The mean marginal bone level was recorded at 0.35 mm and 0.66 mm during the 4 and 12-month follow-up periods, respectively. Fixed provisional prosthesis fracture, abutment, and prosthesis screw loosening were the most frequent mechanical complications reported. Within the limitations of this study, the use of computer-guided surgery in the All-on-4 technique seemed to be a promising treatment option with high implant survival rates that may help reduce post-surgical discomfort and mechanical complications in the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla.

The human kidney is one of the most important organs in the human body; it performs many functions and has a great impact on the work of the rest of the organs. Among the most important possible treatments is dialysis, which works as an external artificial kidney, and several studies have worked to enhance the mechanism of dialysate flow and improve the permeability of its membrane. This study introduces a new numerical model based on previous research discussing the variations in the concentrations of sodium, potassium, and urea in the extracellular area in the blood during hemodialysis. We simulated the differential equations related to mass transfer diffusion and we developed the model in MATLAB Simulink environment. A value of 700 was appeared to be the most appropriate as a mass transfer coefficient leading to the best permeability. The suggested models enabled to track the temporal variations of urine, K and Na concentrations in blood streamline. This also produced the time needed to reach the requested concentrations mentioned in literature studies (960 ms). Concentrations evaluation was performed with error rates not exceeding 2% for all ions compared to the normal values of human blood.The current work presents the first step towards combinig the mass transfer and diffusion principles with our efforts in designing and implementing an electrophoresisbased implantable kidney.

The development of cost-effective coatings with exceptional corrosion resistance is an ongoing challenge in the field of materials science. Among the promising coatings, zinc–nickel (Zn–Ni) coatings have shown great potential, especially when produced using economical electroplating technology. However, achieving optimal performance while minimizing coating thickness remains a complex task. In this study, the behavior of the responses was investigated according to the coating standards and levels, focusing on eight variables including temperature, time, cathodic current density, nickel concentration, substrate hardness, roughness, cathode–anode distance, and magnetic stirring speed. Four responses were investigated: coating thickness, roughness, microhardness, and corrosion rate with potentiodynamic polarization, using two design of experiments (DOE) methods: Plackett–Burman design (12 runs) and response surface methodology with Box–Behnken design (15 runs). The results show the degree of influence of each variable on the responses and their contribution to changing the responses. Additionally, response surfaces have been determined and it is shown that large response values can be achieved with small thicknesses. The morphological study using SEM, EDX, and XRD techniques revealed that the deposition conditions play an important role in the surface morphology. Some samples showed microcracks, while others had small grain size and were free of cracks and pores. Overall, this study provides new insights into the improvement of Zn–Ni coatings with exceptional corrosion resistance and cost-effectiveness.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the deflection and stress distribution in endodontically treated molars restored by endocrowns from different materials available for the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technique using three-dimensional finite element analysis. The models represented extensively damaged molars restored by endocrowns from the following materials: translucent zirconia; zirconia-reinforced glass ceramic; lithium disilicate glass ceramic; polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) and resin nanoceramic. Axial and oblique loadings were applied and the resulting stress distribution and deflection were analyzed. The Mohr–Coulomb (MC) ratio was also calculated in all models. The translucent zirconia endocrown showed the highest stress concentration within it and the least stress in dental structures. The resin nanoceramic model was associated with the greatest stress concentration in dental tissues, followed by the PICN model. Stress was also concentrated in the distal region of the cement layer. The MC ratio in the cement was higher than 1 in the resin nanoceramic model. Oblique loading caused higher stresses in all components and greater displacement than axial loading, whatever the material of the endocrown was. The translucent zirconia model recorded deflections of enamel and dentin (38.4 µm and 35.7 µm, respectively), while resin nanoceramic showed the highest stress concentration and displacement in the tooth–endocrown complex.

The repair and reconstruction of defects in the craniomaxillofacial region can be particularly challenging due to the complex anatomy, individuality of each defect, and sensitivity of the involved systems. This study aims to enhance the facial appearance and contribute to the reconstruction of the zygomatic arch. This was achieved through virtual planning of the surgery and assessment of clinical matching, including orbital measurements and registration of numerical models. A three-dimensional design of a young female case was generated on a skull model using Mimics® software, and the orbit was isolated using 3-Matic® to assess the reconstructive effect. 3D-printed implants were then surgically placed on the injured region, and Netfabb® software was used to make a virtual registration between the numerical models before and after the intervention. This allowed for the calculation of a deviation of 7 mm, equivalent to 86.23% of the shape restoration rate, to assess the success of the surgery. The computerized method enabled a precise design of the needed plates and analysis of the fixation places, resulting in a satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcome for the patient with minimal complications and good implant stability. Notably, a significant difference was observed in the orbital frontal area after 3 months of surgery (p < 0.001). Within the limitations of the study, these results suggest that virtual planning and customized titanium implants can serve as useful tools in the management of complex zygomatic-orbital injuries.

The aim of this work was to study the different types of passive articulated and non-articulated ankle–foot orthoses for gait rehabilitation in terms of working principles, control mechanisms, features, and limitations, along with the recent clinical trials on AFOs. An additional aim was to categorize them to help engineers and orthotists to develop novel designs based on this research. Based on selected keywords and their composition, a search was performed on the ISI Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed databases from 1990 to 2022. Forty-two studies met the eligibility criteria, which highlighted the commonly used types and recent development of passive articulated and non-articulated ankle–foot orthoses for foot drop. Orthotists and engineers may benefit from the information obtained from this review article by enhancing their understanding of the challenges in developing an AFO that meets all the requirements in terms of ease of use, freedom of movement, and high performance at a relatively low cost.

Introduction: Onlays are conservative restorations for posterior teeth that cover one cusp or more.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate fatigue behavior and stress distribution in mandibular molars with different onlays and preparation designs under static and cyclic conditions, using finite element analysis.Material and methods: A model of a mandibular molar was obtained from a CBCT image.Mesio-occluso-distal cavities were presented with conservative and extensive buccolingual widths of the occlusal cavity.Buccal and lingual cusps were reduced.Therefore, onlays that covered buccal cusps and onlays that covered all cusps designs were obtained.All onlays were produced from three materials: lithium disilicate ceramic (LDS), polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN), and zirconia ceramic.Safety factor was calculated and stress distribution was analyzed according to von Mises and maximum principal stress theories under static and cyclic conditions.Results: Cyclic loading caused higher stresses than static loading.The safety factor of zirconia and LDS onlays was higher than 1, except for conservative preparation with all-cusp coverage.PICN showed the lowest values of safety factors and the highest stress concentration in the dental tissues, which was associated with the least stresses in onlays.LDS and zirconia ceramic onlays showed lower stress concentration in dental structures than PICN.Conclusions: Loading conditions affected the results of stress in all models.Zirconia ceramic could be a suitable choice to restore mandibular molars, while PICN onlay might be an inappropriate restoration in terms of safety factors and stress distribution in restored dental structures.

Sensing insole systems are a promising technology for various applications in healthcare and sports. They can provide valuable information about the foot pressure distribution and gait patterns of different individuals. However, designing and implementing such systems poses several challenges, such as sensor selection, calibration, data processing, and interpretation. This paper proposes a sensing insole system that uses force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) to measure the pressure exerted by the foot on different regions of the insole. This system classifies four types of foot deformities: normal, flat, over-pronation, and excessive supination. The classification stage uses the differential values of pressure points as input for a feedforward neural network (FNN) model. Data acquisition involved 60 subjects diagnosed with the studied cases. The implementation of FNN achieved an accuracy of 96.6% using 50% of the dataset as training data and 92.8% using only 30% training data. The comparison with related work shows good impact of using the differential values of pressure points as input for neural networks compared with raw data.

This study aims to develop an integrated approach for 3D lumbar vertebral biomodel design and analysis, specifically targeting unilevel disc degeneration and the replacement of lumbar artificial discs. Key objectives include improving existing design methods through 3D techniques, inverse modeling, and an engineering biomodel preparation protocol. Additionally, the study evaluates mechanical properties in the implantation area and between disc components to gauge the effectiveness of artificial discs in restoring functional movement within the studied biological model. The construction of a biological model representing the L3–L4 functional spinal unit was based on measurements from radiographic images and computed tomography data obtained from the study sample. The 3D finite element method in Ansys software (v. 19.2, ANSYS, Inc., Canonsburg, PA, USA) was used to monitor the distribution of equivalent stress values within the core of the two artificial discs and the behavior of vertebral bone components in the model. This approach enabled the creation of personalized digital models tailored to the specific implantation requirements of each patient. Stress analysis identified critical areas within the disc cores, suggesting potential design modifications to optimize artificial disc performance, such as selectively increasing core thickness in specific regions and considering adjustments during implantation. For example, preserving part of the lateral annulus fibrosus from the degenerative disc and maintaining the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments may play a crucial role in balancing the forces and moments experienced by the lumbar section. This study provides valuable insights into the development of patient-specific solutions for lumbar disc degeneration cases, with the potential for enhancing artificial disc design and implantation techniques for improved functional outcomes.

Non-Invasive blood glucose monitoring using infrared (IR) light is considered to be a useful and reliable tool for measuring blood sugar levels during daily activities. IR-based glucose monitoring depends on the variant absorption levels of IR light waves by blood with high or low levels of glucose solution. This paper introduces a low-cost finger probe to measure glucose based on Arduino and embedding a Clarke error grid with fuzzy logic. An electronic blood glucose meter was designed and implemented in a non-invasive and painless manner based on an infrared sensor. The electrical signal expressing the level of glucose in the blood with a mathematical equation was used to calibrate and map the physical and electrical values. The final numerical value was validated with the Clarke error grid by implementing fuzzy logic (FL). The designed device was tested on 30 subjects with 15 diabetes subjects. The results show the high significance of results at points where the FL was able to determine an error range of less than 10% of measured glucose within the same range of the reference measurements. The proposed method of using FL with a Clarke error grid gives more confident and precise outputs in cases of this kind of portable device.