Total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) for enlarged uteri presents a significant challenge for surgeons due to limited surgical field exposure, increasing the risk of injury to the bowel, bladder, ureters, and blood vessels. To minimize these intraoperative complications, a surgical approach known as “The Ship Theory” has been developed at our center. According to this concept, the uterus is likened to a large vessel moored within the pelvis. As its supporting ligaments (“anchors”) are progressively released, the uterus gains mobility, allowing it to migrate into the abdominal cavity. This enhanced mobility improves visualization and facilitates surgical access, enabling a safer and more effective TLH for large uteri. Using this approach, we successfully performed this procedure on a 51-year-old female patient with uterine leiomyomas and metrorrhagia. Preoperative imaging revealed a uterus measuring 189 × 158 × 148 mm. Institutional review board and ethics committee approval was obtained. The total operative time was approximately 90 min, with an estimated blood loss of less than 50 mL. The patient was discharged 48 h postoperatively without complications. This technical report demonstrates that the application of a minimally invasive surgical technique for uteri with significant spatial constraints—as outlined in “The Ship Theory"—is not only feasible but can be successfully executed when performed in a systematic and structured manner.

Novel Use of Computer-Aided Vacuum Thrombectomy for the Treatment of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Multistep Approach.

Comparison of sagittal and transverse condylar inclination measurement techniques in virtual articulator programming: a technical report.

Recently Published IEEJ Technical Reports

Objective This study investigated impact of collaborative tools on knowledge sharing among lecturers in Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria. Specifically, five research questions were answered while one null hypothesis was formulated and tested. Method Descriptive survey design was adopted by selecting a sample of 162 from population of 438 using multi-stage sampling technique. A questionnaire entitled “Impact of Collaborative Tools on Knowledge sharing among the Lecturers Questionnaire” was used to collect the data from the respondents. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, mean and percentages while linear regression was used to test the hypothesis. Findings The findings of the study showed that majority of the respondents mostly used WhatsApp, Yahoo messenger, Twitter, and Facebook and majority of the respondents used these collaborative tools to share manuals, books and book chapters; professional information from newspapers, magazines, and television; useful knowledge relevant to their field; research output and technical reports; hot briefs; and expression of opinion about relevant issues in their field through collaborative tools. Majority of the respondents always use WhatsApp; Yahoo messenger; Twitter; and Facebook to share knowledge which in turn have positive impact on the overall knowledge sharing. Poor Internet facility; lack of ICT policy on collaborative tools; negative attitude of the recipient; and epileptic power supply are some of the barriers to the effective utilization of collaborative tools for knowledge sharing among the lecturers. Lastly, collaborative tools have significant impact on knowledge sharing among the lecturers. Conclusion The study concludes that collaborative tools have effect on knowledge sharing among lecturers. The study recommended that university management should create massive awareness on the need for lecturers to embrace collaborative tools for knowledge sharing among peers and their students. This can be done through training, conferences, and seminars, among others.

Family farming must face complex socio-technical challenges to function, reproduce, and resist: it must co-innovate. This article presents an ongoing co-innovation (between livestock farmers and researchers) in Uruguayan family livestock farming: the tick biopesticide creBIO 7. A sociotechnical approach to innovation is used, particularly the sociology of translation (or actor-network theory), to describe and analyze the different phases of the biotickicide’s development. The problematization addresses the various forms the product takes and the multiple influences (technical, social, political) that shape it, along with the alliances, commitments, translations, and betrayals that occur throughout the process. This “socio-technical narrative” analyzes the work experience of an NGO, Batoví Instituto Orgánico-Uruguay (BIO-Uruguay), with agricultural producers, based on their technical reports, field observations, participant observation, and workshops carried out between 2015 and 2024. The main results highlight the “turbulent” and complex nature of co-innovation, the redefinitions of the experimental design resulting from observations by producers and BIO-Uruguay technicians, the scaling-up of its use, and the bottlenecks (barriers) in the process, particularly from the administration and laboratories. Co-innovation challenges researchers in their research practices and methodologies. The results show clues to innovate methodologically and develop evolutionary and flexible devices. Also, that when co-innovating with actors, it is possible to produce actionable scientific knowledge, which can be quickly or easily translated into concrete actions or practices.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly vital in modern mineral processing, where it addresses critical challenges such as falling ore grades, rising energy costs, and the demand for sustainable operations. Despite notable progress, most existing studies focus on individual applications like ore sorting or predictive maintenance and lack a holistic view of AI-enabled mineral processing systems. This review aims to bridge that gap by examining how AI tools can be integrated into a unified workflow that spans ore characterization, sorting, and real-time process optimization. Using a structured review of research articles, industrial case studies, and technical reports from 2015 to 2025, the study evaluates key AI techniques including machine learning, computer vision, digital twins, and predictive modelling. Findings indicate that AI has improved ore recovery by up to 30% in smart sorting systems and reduced equipment downtime by as much as 50% through predictive maintenance. These results demonstrate AI’s ability to enhance both productivity and resource efficiency, though challenges related to data quality, system compatibility, and model interpretability persist. The review highlights the need for explainable AI, scalable digital twin architectures, and targeted workforce development to support wider adoption. Overall, the paper emphasizes the potential of AI to accelerate the transition toward intelligent, sustainable mining under the Mining 4.0 paradigm.

Lead-acid battery was invented by Gaston Planté of France in 1859, 166 years ago. Since then, it has been developed and improved in various ways, and it continues to be used in a wide range of applications. Additionally, the recycling rate of lead-acid batteries is very high, and they are anticipated to continue playing a significant role in reducing waste and achieving a sustainable society. Recently, the demand for lead-acid batteries has been increasing for use in auxiliary equipment in idling-stop vehicles, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions, and the development of batteries to meet market needs has been progressing.1) As mentioned above, the principle of lead-acid batteries was established in the 19th century, but improvements to their characteristics are still being made today, particularly in the additives used to improve cycle performance.When the charge/discharge is repeated, a degradation mode called softening proceeds in the positive electrode active material. Repeated charge-discharge cycles cause the lead dioxide particles that make up the positive electrode active material to crystallize, and the particles become larger and smoother, which decreases the bonding strength between the lead dioxide particles. The decrease in bonding strength breaks the bonds between particles, causing them to shed from the current collector, resulting in decreased battery performance. The state of active material in which the bonding strength between particles has decreased is known as softening, and it is one of the main modes of degradation in positive electrodes. The development of technologies and processes to prevent softening degradation is therefore a critical area of research, and many researchers are addressing this problem. It is known that softening of active material can be suppressed by the presence of Sb in the active material.2) However, the specific structural changes involved in the softening process and the mechanism by which Sb suppresses this degradation are not yet clearly understood. On the other hand, some of the Sb added to the positive electrode migrates to the negative electrode during battery use, causing a decrease in the hydrogen overpotential and leading to the progressive depletion of the electrolyte, which negatively impacts the battery. Furthermore, the supply of Sb is dependent on certain regions, raising concerns regarding its stable availability. Therefore, there is a need for cathode materials that minimize the use of additives, and for softening inhibitors that can serve as alternatives to Sb. If we can clarify the relationship between the structure of antimony in active materials and softening inhibition, we can contribute to the development of softening inhibitors with fewer conflicting effects and facilitate the search for alternative materials.The purpose of this research is to elucidate the mechanism of softening, one of the degradation modes of the positive electrode in lead-acid batteries. In this report, to clarify the state of Sb in the positive electrode active material when Sb2O3, Sb2O5, and Sb2(SO4)3 are added, we used a combination of synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction measurement and Sb-Kedge X-ray absorption fine structure measurement at SPring-8. From the X-ray diffraction measurement, when Sb2O3 and Sb2(SO4)3 were added, antimony was substituted for lead in the charged state of lead dioxide. On the other hand, when Sb2O5 was used, no substitution of antimony for the lead site in lead dioxide was observed. In order to clarify the local structure of Sb in more detail, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements were performed at low temperatures of 10 K in the charged states. EXAFS measurements at low temperatures can provide information on the second and third neighborhood of Sb that is not available from measurements at room temperature. In the case of Sb2O3 and Sb2(SO4)3, a second-neighborhood peak due to the Sb-Pb bond was clearly observed around Sb in the charged state, whereas in the case of Sb2O5, no second-neighborhood peak due to the Sb-Pb bond was observed, consistent with the results of synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Additionally, the cycle life of the lead-acid battery did not improve when Sb2O5 was added but did improve when Sb2O3 and Sb2(SO4)3 were added, suggesting that the Sb that is substituted at the Pb site of PbO2 is effective in suppressing softening. Since Sb is thought to dissolve once by the discharge and moves to the active material surface, increasing the bond strength between PbO2 particles. Sekiya, H. Yamashita, S. Inagaki, T. Tsutsumi, Y. Tsuboi and K. Yamanaka, GS Yuasa Technical Report, 20 (1), (2023) 14-20.Pavlov, A. Dakhouche and T. Rogachev, J. Power Sources, 42 (1993) 71-87. Figure 1

Advances in digital dental technologies have transformed implant therapy from analog, stepwise processes into advanced, data-driven workflows spanning diagnosis, planning, surgery, and prosthetic delivery. Contemporary digital implantology integrates multiple techniques, tools, and multimodal datasets into comprehensive diagnostic models and treatment workflows, enhancing implant placement accuracy, procedural efficiency, patient experience, and interdisciplinary coordination. However, integration remains constrained by fragmented datasets, diverse software platforms, and parallel surgical and prosthetic streams. These interfaces often require manual user intervention to convert, process, and align data, thereby increasing the risk of data loss, artifact generation, misalignment, and error accumulation, which may impact implant and prosthetic restorative outcomes. Similarly, implant and prosthetic planning steps continue to rely on subjective, non-standardized user input, requiring advanced experience and training. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence and technical developments in digital implant dentistry based on literature searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with emphasis on publications from 2010 onward, prioritizing systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, and technical reports focusing on key technological innovations. It presents the current state of the art in digital implantology and identifies major workflow interfaces that constrain seamless, end-to-end integration. This part I summarizes contemporary tools and approaches in digital implant technology. In contrast, Part II of this series will address the emerging roles of artificial intelligence and robotics in overcoming these limitations and advancing toward fully integrated digital implant prosthodontic workflows. Overall, current digital implant workflows are clinically reliable and are equivalent to, or often superior to, conventional approaches in terms of efficiency and accuracy. Nevertheless, their full potential remains limited by persistent software, data, and process interface barriers.

Objectives: Small field dosimetry plays a critical role in modern radiotherapy techniques such as IMRT, IGRT, VMAT, SRS, SRT, SBRT, and Tomotherapy, where the goal is to deliver a highly conformal dose to the tumour while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Accurate dosimetric measurements are essential to ensure treatment efficacy and patient safety. While TRS-398 serves as the Code of Practice (CoP) for dosimetry in conventional large field radiotherapy. The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of these detectors and identify the most suitable one by comparing the measured output factors with reference data. Material and Methods: In this study, various detectors available in our department were employed to measure output factors for different small field sizes. The measurements were performed according to TRS-483 guidelines, and the obtained output factors were compared against reference data from standardized studies. Results: Differences in measured output factors were observed among the detectors, particularly in the smallest field sizes. From the comparison keeping Gafchromic film data as the standard it was seen that CC01 is more suitable for 6 MV-FF beam measurement whereas EPD gives least percentage deviation for the output factors of 6 MV-FFF beams. Conclusion: The results emphasize the importance of choosing an appropriate detector for small field measurements and adhering to TRS-483 recommendations to ensure accurate and reliable dosimetry in advanced radiotherapy applications.

Context Wolf attacks on humans have been a significant cause of human–wolf conflicts, leading to retaliatory killings that have posed a serious conservation threat to wolves since historic times. Although instances of wolf attacks on humans in India have been sporadically reported, comprehensive documentation and systematic analysis of such events remain limited. Aims The objective of the current study was to identify the pattern of wolf attacks on humans over the span of 50 years and to assess the socio-ecological factors that govern the attacks on children. Methods The information of wolf attacks on humans in India was collected from 1970 to 2024 through published literature, news articles, media reports, web pages, popular articles, and published and unpublished technical and scientific reports. Generalized linear models were used to understand the effects of socio-ecological factors underlying wolf attacks on children. Key results Predatory attacks (76%) were more common than rabid attacks (24%). Victims mostly comprised children in the age group of 0–15 years (62%). Wolf attacks were more common during the evening (50%) and night (32%) hours. Children are more likely to be attacked by wolves in the evening hours near villages, whereas adults are more prone to wolf attacks during daytime, away from villages. Conclusion Our results suggest that the predatory wolf’s attacks are more likely to occur on children in areas with poor socio-economic conditions. Implications Garnering the local support of people and regularly monitoring wolf attacks are recommended in areas where such attacks are more frequent, to ensure the long-term acceptance and persistence of wolves in India.

Nasal septum deviation can contribute to facial asymmetry by affecting skeletal and soft tissue balance. This technical report presents a 23-year-old female who developed recurrent septal deviation and facial asymmetry after rhinoplasty. A two-month structured facial exercise regimen was implemented: unilateral massage for the first month and bilateral muscle-strengthening exercises in the second. Standardized facial photographs and digital geometric analysis were used at baseline, one month, and two months. Improvements were observed in vertical and horizontal proportions, with nasal axis deviation reduced from 7.3° to 3.1°, alongside repositioning of the philtrum and nostrils. These findings suggest that facial exercises may enhance postoperative symmetry and surgical stability. Further studies are warranted to establish clinical guidelines. Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Traumatic rib fractures in high-risk patients present significant challenges in pain management, with inadequate analgesia leading to pulmonary complications, prolonged hospitalization, and increased morbidity. Conventional pain management strategies, including opioid-based regimens and catheter-based regional anesthesia, have undesirable side effects and limited duration analgesia. Cryoneurolysis overcomes many of these limitations and provides more sustained analgesia that better aligns with the expected prolonged pain trajectory of traumatic rib fractures. This brief technical report and case series details a description of our ultrasound technique we employ for percutaneous cryoneurolysis of intercostal nerves to achieve potent analgesia for traumatic rib fractures. We describe five cases of severe, high-risk traumatic rib fractures, as defined by a Rib Fracture Score >6 and STUMBL Score ≥26, who received ultrasound-guided, percutaneous cryoneurolysis of intercostal nerves for analgesia. Following cryoneurolysis, all patients showed significant clinical improvements, including better pain scores, reduced opioid consumption, rapid weaning from supplemental oxygen, and accelerated rehabilitation toward hospital discharge. Ultrasound-guided, percutaneous cryoneurolysis represents a promising, minimally invasive technique for managing pain associated with traumatic rib fractures in high-risk patients. The procedure offers sustained analgesia, improved respiratory function, and reduced systemic analgesic requirements while maintaining a favorable risk-benefit profile.

Despite the numerous studies and conservation efforts that have been put into the tropical African rivers, their environmental degradation and loss of the associated biodiversity remain at risk. This is attributable to factors, among the major ones being a lack of a holistic and inclusive approach to this challenge by researchers. This review examines key gaps in current research on stream ecosystem health and land use interactions in the tropical African regions, focusing on the lack of community involvement, inadequate restoration practices, and limited consideration of river orders in sampling efforts. The review analysed 34 publications, including 26 Journal articles, 5 technical reports, and 3 theses, published between 2005 and 2025. The findings reveal that only 20.6% of the reviewed studies answered all three gaps: community involvement, restoration practices, and consideration of river orders in sampling efforts. In contrast, 11.8% incorporated at least one component, 20.6% answered two aspects, and 47.0% did not embrace any of the three components in their study. The review highlights the importance of integrating these elements to enhance the relevance and impact of research, better inform policymakers, and contribute to the long-term preservation of river ecosystems in the region. By adopting a more holistic and inclusive approach, researchers can address the complex challenges facing tropical African rivers and foster sustainable management of these vital ecosystems. Future researchers should prioritise community engagement in river health assessments, incorporate restoration planning and implementation into study designs, and adopt sampling strategies that account for various river orders

The French Geological Survey (BRGM) as consultant entity, and the National Mining and Geology Directorate of Uruguay (DINAMIGE) as executant, developed in the 1980s, a geochemical survey in the Precambrian terrains of Uruguay. Some thirty thousand soil and stream sediment samples were collected with direct current plasma spectrometry analysis for 22 elements (Ag, As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Sn, V, W, Y and Zn). Each geographical sheet, including more or less 700 samples, produced a technical report in 63% of total cases. Factor Analysis (FA) techniques applied systematically on that reports, focusing on multivariate geochemical correlations and information hidden in the data structure. Therefore, in this article FA considered all data together, including the 38 geographical sheets.

This paper presents the detailed design and analysis of a compact and highly efficient flyback converter intended for a portable solar-powered LED lighting system. This case study originated as an essential assignment within a Power Electronics course, designed to solidify students' theoretical knowledge of isolated DC-to-DC converters, while simultaneously assessing their proficiency in technical report writing. The primary objective of the design is to convert a variable 24VDC solar input into a regulated 40VDC output at 40W, critically addressing the severe lack of electricity in rural and disaster-affected zones. The methodology focused on designing the flyback topology for Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM), emphasizing the determination of the optimal transformer turns ratio (1:2.5), the selection of a 100kHz switching frequency, switching duty ratio (D) of 0.4, and precise component sizing to control voltage ripple. Simulation results, verified using PSIM software, confirmed excellent voltage regulation (achieving 39.7V) with a remarkably low peak-to-peak voltage ripple (only 0.5%, or 0.2V), alongside a simulated efficiency of approximately 94%. This study promotes a robust, sustainable, and easily maintainable power solution that directly contributes to energy access, sustainability, and electronic waste minimization in off-grid contexts.

Abstract Single‐fluid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations are one of the most advanced tools for investigating global magnetospheric dynamics. These simulations include magnetosphere–ionosphere (MI) coupling, which plays a key role in generating electric fields in the equatorial magnetosphere in response to energy input into the ionosphere. A critical component of this coupling is diffuse auroral precipitation from the magnetotail, typically modeled as a function of the thermal plasma pressure, , derived from the simulations. Since the energy flux of this precipitation is predominantly carried by electrons, the model must estimate the electron pressure contribution, . A common approach is to use the relation , where the ion‐to‐electron temperature ratio is prescribed based on magnetotail observations. In this technical report, we present a new model for that is parametrized by the equatorial magnetic field and the perpendicular plasma flow speed . This parametrization captures mesoscale variations of within fast plasma flows, thereby enabling incorporation of mesoscale physics of MI coupling into global MHD simulations.

In an effort to improve cross-border payments and meet the G20 Roadmap target to reduce the global average cost of sending remittances to 3 percent by 2027, this joint IMF-World Bank technical assistance report presents the findings from the August 2024 diagnostic mission to South Africa. The report examines the South Africa-Zimbabwe payments corridor, a critical remittance channel in the SADC region, where remittances are slow and costs remain as high as 12.7 percent. For example, Zimbabwe relies heavily on remittances (9.6 percent of GDP), yet cash dominance—driven by a lack of confidence in the local currency and the inability of migrants to access formal financial services—raises costs and limits digital adoption. Operational challenges, stringent AML/CFT reporting requirements, and limited competition further inflate costs. Recommendations provided by the mission team include, among other things: reducing cash reliance through fast payment systems and interoperability; implementing risk-based AML/CFT measures to improve market access; and enhancing payment infrastructure, interoperability, and regulatory reforms to foster competition, innovation, and financial inclusion.

The EuPRAXIA project [Walker et al., J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 874, 012029 (2017)] aims to construct two state-of-the-art accelerator facilities based on plasma accelerator technology. Plasma-based accelerators offer the possibility of a significant reduction in facility size and cost savings over current radio frequency (RF) accelerators. The two facilities—one laser-driven, one a beam-driven—are envisioned to provide electron beams with an energy in the range of 1–5 GeV and beam quality comparable to existing RF machines. This will enable a versatile portfolio of applications from compact free-electron laser drivers to sources for medical and industrial imaging. At the heart of both facilities is the use of plasma-based accelerator components and systems, which encompass not only the accelerating medium itself but also a range of auxiliary systems such as plasma-based electron beam optics and plasma-based mirrors for high-intensity lasers. From a technical standpoint, a high-degree of control over these plasma devices will be essential for EuPRAXIA to achieve its target performance goals. The ability to diagnose and characterize these plasma devices and to simulate their operation will be further essential success factors. Additionally, compatibility with extended operation at high-repetition rates and integration into the accelerator beamline will also prove crucial. In this work, we aim to review the current status of plasma components and related systems for both laser-driven and beam-driven plasma accelerators and to assess challenges to be addressed regarding implementation at future EuPRAXIA facilities.

This technical assistance report responds to a request from Yemen’s Prime Minister and acting Minister of Finance to support the General Taxation Department (GTD) in formulating a short-term emergency revenue plan embedded within broader structural reforms. The mission, conducted by the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department and METAC in August-September 2025, assessed Yemen’s complex fiscal and political environment, evaluated progress on prior recommendations, and identified critical challenges in tax administration. The report proposes a 12-month emergency revenue plan with 32 targeted actions focusing on governance, revenue management, compliance, digitalization, and stakeholder collaboration.