ALBERT

Description: Economic crises cause significant shortages in disposable income and a sharp decline in the living conditions, affecting healthcare sector, hitting the profitability and sustainability of companies leading to raises in unemployment. At micro level, these sharp decreases in earnings associated with unemployment and furthermore with the lack of social protection will impact the quality of life and finally the health of individuals. In time of crisis, it becomes vital to support not only the critical sectors of the economy, the assets, technology, and infrastructure, but to protect jobs and workers. This health crisis has hit hard the jobs dynamics through unemployment and underemployment, the quality of work (through wages, or access to social protection), and through the effects on specific groups, with a higher degree of vulnerability to unfavorable labor market outcomes. In this context, providing forecasts as recent as possible for the unemployment rate, a core indicator of the Romanian labor market that could include the effects of the market shocks it becomes fundamental. Thus, the paper aims to offer valuable forecasts for the Romanian unemployment rate using univariate vs. multivariate time series models for the period 2021–2022, highlighting the main patterns of evolution. Based on the univariate time series models, the paper predict the future values of unemployment rate based on its own past using self-forecasting and implementing ARFIMA and SETAR models using monthly data for the period January 2000–April 2021. From the perspective of multivariate time series models, the paper uses VAR/VECM models, analyzing the temporal interdependencies between variables using quarterly data for the period 2000Q1–2020Q4. The empirical results pointed out that both SETAR and VECM provide very similar results in terms of accuracy replicating very well the pre-pandemic period, 2018Q2–2020Q1, reaching the value of 4.1% at the beginning of 2020, with a decreasing trend reaching the value of 3.9%, respectively, 3.6% at the end of 2022.

Description: Performance in wheelchair basketball is determined by capabilities, such as strength and power. The study has two aims: first, to analyze the association between speed and acceleration variables (collected in the bench press (BP) exercise) and the distinct percentages of one-repetition maximum (1RM); second, to analyze the effect of a strength training protocol on wheelchair basketball (WB) players according to their functional impairments. Ten Spanish male WB players volunteered to participate in the study. The players did a pretest and posttest (1RM in bench press) with 6-week muscle strength intervention program. The results showed a high association between the %1RM and the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) and the maximum velocity (Vmax), both in the total of the participants, and in each separate group of athletes. After implementing the strength training program, both the players of the IWBF (International Wheelchair Basketball Federation) 〈 2.5 group and those of IWBF 〉 2.5 group improved their 1RM (p 〈 0.01, ES = 0.20 to 0.23). However, the program produced positive effects at submaximal intensities in the MPV reached with 30, 40, 70, and 80 kg and in time to maximum velocity (TVmax) with 30, 40, and 70 kg (ES = −3.24 to 1.32) only in players with greater functional impairments. The high association between %1RM and MPV and Vmax can allow for determination the %1RM of the WB players in the BP using the MPV and the Vmax. The training program was effective in improving 1RM in both groups, while improvements in submaximal values only occurred in the IWBF 〈 2.5 group.

Description: Secondary cities are rapidly growing areas in low- and middle-income countries that lack data, planning, and essential services for sustainable development. Their rapid, informal growth patterns mean secondary cities are often data-poor and under-resourced, impacting the ability of governments to target development efforts, respond to emergencies, and design sustainable futures. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 focuses on inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements. SDG Indicator (SDGI) 11.3.1 calculates the ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate to enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization. Our paper compares three cities—Denpasar, Indonesia; Kharkiv, Ukraine; and Mekelle, Ethiopia—that were part of the Secondary Cities (2C) Initiative of the U.S. Department of State, Office of the Geographer and Global Issues to assess SDGI 11.3.1. The 2C Initiative focused on field-based participatory mapping for data generation to assist city planning. Urban form and population data are critical for calculating and visually representing this ratio. We examine the spatial extent of each city to assess land use efficiency (LUE) and track changes in urban form over time. With limited demographic and spatial data for secondary cities, we speculate whether SDGI 11.3.1 is useful for small- and medium-sized cities.

Description: An innovative method of combustion–calcination of a nitrate–ethanol solution to produce magnetic Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles was developed. The calcination temperature and the volume of ethanol were two pivotal elements that determine the properties of the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles in this study. When the volume of ethanol used was increased from 20 ml to 40 ml, the crystallinity of the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles increased; further increase of the volume of ethanol decreased the crystallinity. The smallest nanoparticle was obtained using 20 ml ethanol. As the calcination temperature increased from 400 °C to 700 °C, the saturation magnetization of the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles increased from 12.8 emu g−1 to 30.8 emu g−1. Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles fabricated using 20 ml ethanol at 400 °C were used to study the removal of methyl blue (MB) by adsorption. Experimental data revealed that the adsorption was best described by pseudo-second kinetics. The adsorption isotherm applied the Temkin model, which indicated the presence of a single and multilayer associative mechanism in the adsorption of MB on the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles. The effect of pH and recycling on the adsorption was measured. At pH values ≥5, the adsorption was high. After eight cycles of use and recycling, the relative removal rate of MB by the Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles was 75% of the initial adsorption value.

Description: The surface of 40CrNiMo steel, which is commonly used for the sprag clutch wedge, is prone to wear. In this study, hardening of the matrix material was conducted by broadband-laser scanning at various scanning speeds. The hardness distribution and structure evolution were analyzed along the vertical direction. Characteristics of the hardened layer were explored using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry. The friction coefficient, wear amount, and wear morphology of sliding friction against GCr15 steel were investigated under various conditions. The results show that the depth of the hardened zone decreases with increasing scanning speed. Under the experimental power and defocus, a laser scanning speed between 700–1020 mm/min can meet the general surface requirements of the sprag clutch wedge. After laser hardening, the main components of the hardened layer included lath-shaped and needle-shaped martensite and retained austenite. In terms of friction and wear, when the relative movement speed was within 300–500 mm/min, the relative movement speed decreased and the normal force increased, which led to an increase in the friction coefficient and its fluctuation, as well as an increase in wear volume of the hardened layer. The wear mechanism of the hardened layer included abrasive wear, adhesive wear, and oxidative wear. Excessive normal force resulted in obvious delamination of the sample. Within the scope of the experiment, the best laser hardening results were obtained with a scanning speed of 800 mm/min.

Description: In this paper, an integrated microprism matrix for light coupling and optical sensing systems is presented. The matrix was fabricated by use of controlled negative pressure glass thermal reflow process by the use of monocrystalline mold. The single glass microprism had height of 250 µm or 350 µm with base width respectively 350 µm or 500 µm. The matrix was formed by 10 × 10 microprisms with distance between the microprisms from 150 µm to 400 µm. It corresponded to total area of the matrixes from 28 mm2 to 74 mm2. The controlled coupling of the beam into a substrate was obtained through determination of optimal geometric dimensions of microprisms and configuration of a measurement setup. Optimal position of the fluorescence induction light source in relation to the matrixes (0.5 cm to 4.5 cm distance, 30° angle of incidence) and microfluidic channel (4 mm) were determined. The fluorimetric tests (with excitation by 470 nm laser diode in all the experiments) carried out using fluorescein solution, microbeads and porcine oocyte indicated the possibility of using a microprism matrix for fluorimetric image-based 500 nm long-pass detection in lab-on-a-chip platforms.

Description: The influence of deep cryogenic treatment on the erosive wear performance of Stainless Steel-316L (SS-316L) used in hydropower plants is studied. For this purpose, several SS-316L samples were held at deep cryogenic temperatures (−196 °C) for different soaking periods (12, 24, 36 h). The erosive wear tests were conducted on a self-fabricated slurry erosion test rig and the same was evaluated by weighing the cumulative mass loss (CML) of samples for every 30 min post erosion. From experimental analysis, it was found that the erosive wear was found to be minimum and the hardness reaches to maximum value after 24 h of the soaking period which could be attributed to the significant microstructural changes such as the transformation of γ-austenite phase into (δ-ferrite+α′-martensite) along with precipitation of numerous carbides after deep cryogenic treatments.

Description: This paper presents surface acoustic wave (SAW)-driven self-cleaning glass aimed at removing contaminants that occur on the surfaces of automotive sensors for autonomous driving. The proposed self-cleaning glass comprises an interdigitated transducer (IDT) patterned on top of the transparent piezoelectric substrate (LiNbO3) and a hydrophobic layer (Cytop) covering the IDT. First, the sliding angle and contact angle of a droplet on a hydrophobic layer are measured in different volumes without the application of any external forces. The experiment shows that the droplets smaller than 4 μl do not slide on the inclined surface. To investigate the effect of SAW on droplet removal, the traveled distances and speeds of droplets are measured in different volumes, viscosities, and applied voltages when the droplets are removed on the surface by the SAW operation of the fabricated self-cleaning glass. Then, it is also investigated that the motion of the droplets by SAW on the inclined substrate in the direction of gravity and the opposite direction. Quantitative tests on the droplet removal performance of the SAW-driven self-cleaning glass are carried out by analyzing captured images recorded during the droplet removal by the SAW operation. As proof of concept, the proposed self-cleaning technology is demonstrated on droplets formed on a lens surface of a camera on which the SAW device is mounted. The demonstration shows that the camera image distorted by droplets that occur on the initial glass cover of the camera module is quickly restored by the SAW operation. The proposed SAW-driven drop free glass can promptly remove various contaminants on the surface of the sensors. Hence, it can be applied not only for automotive sensors but also for outdoor security cameras for daily life safety and future industries such as smart factories and smart cities.

Description: A first principles study, was performed for a 2D, three atom thick monolayer of the Transition Metal Dichalcogenide (TMD) alloy Mo(S1-XTeX)2 adsorbed on an Al-terminated (0001)-sapphire surface. Bulk composition dependent binding energies and band-gaps, and a partial phase diagram, were calculated, using the cluster expansion method. Although the 3D Mo(S1-XTeX)2 alloy system has a phase diagram that is dominated by S-rich/Te-rich phase separation, the 2D system adsorbed on sapphire is dominated by S:Te-ordering. Five ground-state phases are predicted; all have P1 symmetry, and all disorder via contiuous (2’nd order) transitions. These results indicate that synthesis on the sapphire substrate is favorable for band-gap engineering, in which a continuous single phase solid solution allows continuous band-gap tuning, as a function of bulk composition. Whereas, bulk TMD-synthesis followed by exfoliation favors the formation of two-phase mixtures.

Description: This paper presents the effect of the variations of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modification in shape memory polymer hybrid composites concerning their mechanical, thermomechanical, and shape memory characterizations. The process of fabrication includes preparation of the MWCNT/epoxy hybrid nanocomposites by shear mixing, ultrasonication, magnetic stirring, and subsequent molding by hand layup method. The appropriate post-processing was performed for the curing and cutting to prepare the samples for the mechanical and thermomechanical characterizations as per the ASTM standards. An enhancement in the thermomechanical properties was noticed due to the incorporation of the MWCNT. These observations were also validated with improvement in the interfacial bonding between the carbon fiber and the modified matrix, as shown in the morphological fractography. The tensile strengths were improved by 18%, 39%, and 26% with the incorporation of 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% modified MWCNT nanocomposites as compared to pure unmodified SMPC. However, the shape recovery of all the configurations of the shape memory polymer hybrid composites was not compromised on polymer-modified remaining almost unchanged at 94%.

Description: In this study, a femtosecond laser with a repetition frequency of 0–400 kHz was used to join soda lime glass and 304 stainless steel. The effects of single-pulse power, repetition frequency, welding speed, and defocusing on the weld quality were investigated. The joining mechanism and fracture surface morphologies were studied using scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis. The results show that no new phases were formed between the glass and stainless steel, and that the joining mechanism consisted mainly of mechanical mixing between the two materials. Using a suitable combination of process parameters, a good weld with a strength of 8.79 MPa was obtained. The weld strength was influenced mainly by the amount of glass that adhered to the stainless steel, the bonding strength between the glass base material and the remelted glass, and the wetting of the stainless steel by the molten glass.

Description: Compression and low-velocity impact properties of shear thickening gel/polyurethane foam (STG/PUF), a soft protective material, have been reported. In order to have a deeper understanding of the relationship between the structure and properties of this material, we utilized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) to study and prove that STG and polyurethane (PU) did not produce new chemical bonds during the blending process, which belongs to physical blending. Because the molecular chains of STG and PU are intertwined, the composites are endowed with higher thermal stability, safety protection performance, and shape memory performance. For instance, Young’s modulus (E) of the STG/PUF was automatically increased by 57% when stimulated by external forces at different rates and the Emax over 200 kPa, demonstrating a pronounced shear thickening effect. Shape memory tests showed that the shape fixity ratio of STG/PUF gradually increases with the increase of STG content, and the shape recovery ratio remained at 100%. More importantly, the STG/PUF was flexible and comfortable, had excellent mechanical properties and a longer service life, and can be extended to various human protective equipment.

Description: The capability of trapping and collecting airborne particulate matter is of great applications in the fields of environmental engineering, healthcare systems, energy engineering, and so forth. In this work, we show a facile strategy of trapping and collecting airborne particulate matter by a simple and compact ultrasonic device system. In this device, a radiation plate is bonded with a Langevin transducer for generating circular standing flexural waves (CSFWs) in the plate. Under the excitation of the CSFWs in the radiation plate, an acoustic field and an acoustic streaming field can be induced in the air gap formed by the radiation plate and a sampling plate. Through numerical simulations, we find that the multiple acoustic streaming vortices symmetric about the central axis in the air gap are responsible for trapping and collecting airborne particulate matter onto the sampling plate, while acoustic radiation force contributes little. Also, it is numerically found and experimentally verified that the resonant acoustic field and the accompanying acoustic streaming field can be tuned by varying the thickness of air gap. Through experimentation, we investigate and clarify the dependency of collection performance on parameters such as the air gap thickness and radius, sonication time, driving voltage, and the angle between the radiation plate and the sampling plate. Due to its contactless and mild handling attributes, our ultrasonic airborne particulate matter sampler can circumvent the clogging and secondary pollution issues and ensure device reusability and little damage to samples compared with other airborne particulate matter processing methods.

Description: Consumption of unbranded olive oil obtained in bulk has previously been reported to be very high in Greece, underlining the need to investigate knowledge regarding its health attributes and storage practices, two areas that can affect oil quality. This study aimed to investigate Greek consumers’ use and choice of olive oil, their knowledge about its quality, as well as domestic storage practices of olive oil. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 857 Greek households that consume olive oil, using a previously validated questionnaire. Most participating households use olive oil produced by themselves or by their extended family or friends (60.3%), and only 27.4% purchase branded olive oil, while 57% reported using extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Only 38.4% of the respondents reported optimal domestic storage practices to maintain olive oil quality, with a significant greater percentage of non-producers group compared to olive oil producers. In all areas of Greece, the higher the knowledge of olive oil quality, the higher the probability of consumers selecting EVOO and perceiving olive oil price as low. The present survey highlights the need to heighten consumers’ knowledge of olive oil attributes and correct storage practices and awareness about branded EVOO and its superior quality.

Description: In the paper, a thermodynamically consistent model of elastic damaged material in the framework of small strain theory is formulated, describing the process of deterioration in quasibrittle materials, concrete in particular. The main goal is to appropriately depict the distinction between material responses in tension and compression. A novel Helmholtz energy and a dissipation potential including three damage parameters are introduced. The Helmholtz function has a continuous first derivative with respect to strain tensor. Based on the assumed functions, the strain–stress relationship, the damage condition, the evolution laws, and the tangent stiffness tensor are derived. The model’s predictions for uniaxial tension, uniaxial compression, uniaxial cyclic compression–tension, and pure shear tests are calculated using Wolfram Mathematica in order to identify the main features of the model and to grasp the physical meaning of an isotropic damage parameter, a tensile damage parameter, and a compressive damage parameter. Their values can be directly bound to changes of secant stiffness and generalized Poisson’s ratio. An interpretation of damage parameters in association with three mechanisms of damage is given. The considered dissipation potential allows a flexible choice of a damage condition. The influence of material parameters included in dissipation function on damage mode interaction is discussed.

Description: This note deals with the heat conduction issue in biperiodic composites made of two different materials. To consider such a nonuniform structure, the equations describing the behavior of the composite under thermal (Robin) boundary conditions were averaged by using tolerance modelling. In this note, the process of creating an algorithm that uses the finite difference method to deal with averaged model equations is shown. This algorithm can be used to solve these equations and find out the temperature field distribution of a biperiodic composite.

Description: This article introduces an application of the recently developed hunger games search (HGS) optimization algorithm. The HGS is combined with chaotic maps to propose a new Chaotic Hunger Games search (CHGS). It is applied to solve the optimal power flow (OPF) problem. The OPF is solved to minimize the generation costs while satisfying the systems’ constraints. Moreover, the article presents optimal siting for mixed renewable energy sources, photovoltaics, and wind farms. Furthermore, the effect of adding renewable energy sources on the overall generation costs value is investigated. The exploration field of the optimization problem is the active output power of each generator in each studied system. The CHGS also obtains the best candidate design variables, which corresponds to the minimum possible cost function value. The robustness of the introduced CHGS algorithm is verified by performing the simulation 20 independent times for two standard IEEE systems—IEEE 57-bus and 118-bus systems. The results obtained are presented and analyzed. The CHGS-based OPF was found to be competitive and superior to other optimization algorithms applied to solve the same optimization problem in the literature. The contribution of this article is to test the improvement done to the proposed method when applied to the OPF problem, as well as the study of the addition of renewable energy sources on the introduced objective function.

Description: Quartz, carbonates and other minerals as e.g., realgar are present in veins and caverns in sedimentary rocks in the Western Carpathians. In the Polish segment, they have been characterized from the mineralogical, petrologic, and geochemical points of view, as well as fluid inclusions. Their characters are discussed from perspective of a description of particular types of chaotic complexes—the tectonic mélange zones, distinguished in the Western Carpathian area over the last two decades. The mélange zones are considered to be geochemical systems open to fluid flow, a site for mineral crystallization and/or migration zones of hydrocarbons and mineralized waters. In this context the tectonic mélange in the Jabłonki/Rabe vicinity (SE Poland, the Bieszczady region) in comparison to that of the Mszana Dolna tectonic window area are proposed as the examples. The trapping conditions of fluids (brine and methane) in the minerals in the mélange zones appear to have been 180–205 °C and ~550–570 bars, and 220 °C and 500 bars for calcite and quartz, respectively. The general trend of the increase in temperatures and pressures from west towards east and south-east in the mélange zones points to an increase in the degree of exhumation of different parts of the Carpathians.

Description: Spring water geochemistry is applied here to evaluate the geothermal potential in Rhenohercynian fold and thrust belt around the deepest borehole in Belgium (Havelange borehole: 5648 m MD). Fifty springs and (few) wells around Havelange borehole were chosen according to a multicriteria approach including the hydrothermal source of “Chaudfontaine” (T ≈ 36 °C) taken as a reference for the area. The waters sampled, except Chaudfontaine present an in-situ T range of 3.66–14.04 °C (mean 9.83 °C) and a TDS (dry residue) salinity range of 46–498 mg/L. The processing methods applied to the results are: hierarchical clustering, Piper and Stiff diagrams, TIS, heat map, boxplots, and geothermometry. Seven clusters are found and allow us to define three main water types. The first type, locally called “pouhon”, is rich in Fe and Mn. The second type contains an interesting concentration of the geothermal indicators: Li, Sr, Rb. Chaudfontaine and Moressée (≈5 km East from the borehole) belong to this group. This last locality is identified as a geothermal target for further investigations. The third group represents superficial waters with frequently high NO3 concentration. The application of conventional geothermometers in this context indicates very different reservoir temperatures. The field of applications of these geothermometers need to be review in these geological conditions.

Description: Pectin, a soluble fiber, improves non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD), but its mechanisms are unclear. We aimed to investigate the role of pectin-induced changes in intestinal microbiota (IM) in NAFLD. We recovered the IM from mice fed a high-fat diet, treated or not with pectin, to perform a fecal microbiota transfer (FMT). Mice fed a high-fat diet, which induces NAFLD, were treated with pectin or received a fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) from mice treated with pectin before (preventive FMT) or after (curative FMT) being fed a high-fat diet. Pectin prevented the development of NAFLD, induced browning of adipose tissue, and modified the IM without increasing the abundance of proteobacteria. Preventive FMT also induced browning of white adipose tissue but did not improve liver steatosis, in contrast to curative FMT, which induced an improvement in steatosis. This was associated with an increase in the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in contrast to preventive FMT, which induced an increase in the concentration of branched SCFAs. Overall, we show that the effect of pectin may be partially mediated by gut bacteria.

Description: Growing evidence demonstrates human milk’s protective effect against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Human milk derives these properties from biologically active compounds that influence intestinal growth, barrier function, microvascular development, and immunological maturation. Among these protective compounds are growth factors that are secreted into milk with relatively high concentrations during the early postnatal period, when newborns are most susceptible to NEC. This paper reviews the current knowledge on human milk growth factors and their mechanisms of action relevant to NEC prevention. It will also discuss the stability of these growth factors with human milk pasteurization and their potential for use as supplements to infant formulas with the goal of preventing NEC.

Description: Since much attention has been paid to the targeted drug delivery system, using the molecular dynamics simulation, the present work has been devoted to clarify the potential of the silicon carbide nanotubes (SiCNTs) as a new carrier for the three common anti-cancer drugs temozolomide, carmustine, and cisplatin. Three zigzag single-walled nanotubes with different diameters, i.e. SiC(18,0), SiC(20,0), and SiC(22,0), in pure and decorated with the hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups are selected to assess the effect of the functional groups as well as the diameter effect on the drug encapsulation process. The effects of binding energy, probability of finding the drugs along the nanotube length, mean square displacement, and body temperate as well as the zeta potential for the stability of the drug delivery system in the blood stream are evaluated. The results showed that the cisplatin does not encapsulate into the selected SiCNTs. However, the pure nanotubes show a high stability in the blood stream but the magnitude of their interaction energies with the temozolomide and carmustine drugs is less than −10 kcal mol−1, which does not guarantee that the drug will remain bonded to the nanotubes in the blood stream. Also the presence of the carboxyl functional group on the nanotube surface not only has no significant effect on the interaction energies but also decreases the stability of the drug delivery system. Decorating the edge nanotubes with the hydroxyl group causes the interaction between temozolomide and SiCNTs into chemisorption (−10 to −40 kcal mol−1) while the variation in binding energy of the carmustine is not remarkable. Finally, the zeta-potential results showed that the edge nanotubes decorated with the hydroxyl group due to a high stability in the blood stream as well as the strong interaction with the drugs temozolomide and carmustine is an appropriate carrier for the targeted drug delivery.

Description: There is not any diet recommended for Hashimoto’s disease, despite that those patients are often undernourished. Because of the high heterogeneity of Hashimoto’s patients, insight into dietary patterns might shed some light on the patient-tailored dietary approach, thus improving their treatment and helping to identify patients with the highest probability of particular nutritional deficiencies. The aim of this study was to identify Hashimoto’s patients’ dietary patterns and their characterization based on both socio-demographic variables and dietary self-assessment. We collected data online from patients with Hashimoto’s disease. The questionnaire formula used in the study was developed based on a validated food frequency questionnaire KomPAN®. K-means pattern analyses were used to characterize patients into patterns based on the frequency of particular types of foods consumption and socio-demographic factors. Four patterns were identified. We labeled them as ‘Convenient’, ‘Non-meat’, ‘Pro-healthy’, and ‘Carnivores’ with participants proportions at approximately one-fourth per each pattern. The patients were mainly of the female gender (94.08%), with a female: male ratio of 15.9. Hashimoto’s patients differed in their food product choices, food choice motives, dieting experience, nutritional knowledge, smoking habits, food allergies and intolerances, and lipid disorders, and thus represent different eating patterns. However, these patterns were not determined by comorbidities or the majority of ailments.

Description: In this paper, an analytical model of a micro-electromechanical (MEM) resonator used as a 4-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is presented. First, we derive the dynamic equation of the 4-bit DAC device, and the nonlinear governing equation is solved by the Galerkin method combined with a shooting technique to simulate the static response, linear eigenvalue problem, and forced vibration response of the device for various electrostatic actuation cases. Also, we optimize the air gaps in the linear domain to ensure enhanced performance of the DAC. Further, to analyze the operation of the DAC in the nonlinear regime, two experimental samples powered by −2 dBm and −12 dBm AC inputs are examined. Forward and backward frequency sweeps are conducted experimentally and analytically. The proposed analytical results are validated by comparison with experimental data. The results indicate that the presented modeling, simulations, and optimization are effective tools for the design of MEM resonator-based circuits.

Description: Mo/alumina cermet-based selective coatings are of great interest for concentrated solar-thermal power systems, in particular, parabolic trough collectors. We report on the sputter deposition of high-performance multilayer Mo/alumina cermet coatings on stainless steel with a solar absorptance of 94% and a thermal emittance of 8% (at 400 °C), and excellent thermal stability. The selective coatings were deposited in a 0.95 m3 sputtering chamber in order to correlate the deposition parameters, such as presence of residual gases, deposition power, and sputtering method (DC or RF), with the coating composition and the resulting optical properties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy have been applied to quantitatively describe the effect of residual oxygen on the distribution of oxidation states of Mo in the metallic infrared reflector layer, the high and low metallic volume fraction cermet layers, as well as the composition of the alumina top layer. The results provide strategies to obtain optimal selective coatings under conditions where residual oxygen cannot be avoided, which are essential for a successful transition from a laboratory to pre-industrial scale of vacuum deposition systems.

Description: Mg alloys are highly expected for the wide application in the next-generation industry, while significant improvement of the plasticity of polycrystalline Mg alloys is crucial. For this purpose, it is essential to get insights into the atomic configurations, energetics, and mechanical responses of Mg grain boundaries (GBs). In this study, we investigated the overall features of atomic configurations and energies of [ 1 1 ¯ 00 ] and [ 1 2 ¯ 10 ] symmetric tilt GBs in hcp Mg by density-functional theory. We systematically constructed atomic models of coincidence-site lattice GBs by the arrangement of structural units in the full range of rotation angles. We observed that special GBs show clear cusps in both the GB-energy and excess-volume curves against the rotation angle. The reason of the stability/instability of each GB configuration was analyzed by ab initio local energy and local stress based on Bader partitioning. The features of local energies and stresses in Mg GBs are quite different from those in other materials with covalent or partial-covalent bonding nature. We observed substantial variations of local energies, local stresses and Bader charges of GB atoms, and charge inhomogeneity in a GB region, reflecting the structural disorder. Stable GBs are characterized by modest ranges of such variations and by moderate charge homogeneity. These results could be utilized in general to understand the interface stability and deformation mechanism of Mg and other simple metals.

Description: Grain boundary (GB) segregation can substantially affect the performance of materials by greatly changing the chemical compositions of GB. It is well known that GB segregation is essentially attributed to the structural differences between the bulk of grain and GB. Nevertheless, we still lack a clear understanding about the correlation between nanoscale intergranular structures and solute segregation. In this work, by using the phase-field crystal model, we performed atomic scale simulations to investigate the segregation of Li atoms to symmetric ⟨110⟩ tilt GBs in binary Al–Li alloys. It was found that the amount of segregated solute increases proportionally to GB misorientation angle in the case of low-angle tilt GBs, and converges at high-angle tilt GBs, except some special GBs with coincidence-site lattice. This is analogous to the dependences of GB energy and density on the misorientation angle. The correlations among GB structure, misfit strain around GBs and solute segregation are quantified at atomic scale. In low-angle tilt GBs, Li atoms are segregated to the compress zone around the core of intergranular dislocations to release the misfit strain energy. In the general high-angle tilt GBs, since the GB structure and misfit strain energy is uniform, the segregated atoms distribute homogeneously along GB. Particularly, the regular arrangement of structural units in some low Σ GBs lead to very low misfit strain energy, and accordingly to a periodically distributed and very low amount of solute segregation.

Description: In this study, n-dodecane used as the coupling layer for reusable acoustofluidic microchips was investigated. n-dodecane has the similar viscosity to that of water. However, it possesses much lower surface tension and higher boiling point compared to water. When dispensing a droplet of n-dodecane on lithium niobate (LiNO3) substrate with interdigital transducers and placing the polydimethylsiloxane microchannel on top of it, n-dodecane can easily wick through and completely occupy the interstitial space. Moreover, it can be readily removed from the substrate without leaving residue. The experimental results showed that the reusable acoustofluidic microchips can be operated at higher input voltages and longer duration when applying n-dodecane as the coupling layer. Attenuation of the acoustic radiant force was observed through decrease of the particle velocity, which is in agreement with the literature results. Decreasing the thickness of the coupling layer can alleviate the attenuation effect and a linear relationship between particle velocity and thickness on a semi-log plot was obtained.

Description: E-cigarettes utilize a wide range of flavoring chemicals with respiratory health effects that are not well understood. In this study, we used pulmonary-associated cell lines to assess the in vitro cytotoxic effects of 30 flavoring chemicals. Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and both naïve and activated macrophages (THP-1) were treated with 10, 100, and 1000 µM of flavoring chemicals and analyzed for changes in viability, cell membrane damage, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammatory cytokine release. Viability was unaffected for all chemicals at the 10 and 100 µM concentrations. At 1000 µM, the greatest reductions in viability were seen with decanal, hexanal, nonanal, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, vanillin, alpha-pinene, and limonene. High amounts of ROS were elicited by vanillin, ethyl maltol, and the diketones (2,3-pentanedione, 2,3-heptanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione) from both cell lines. Naïve THP-1 cells produced significantly elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α when exposed to ethyl maltol and hexanal. Activated THP-1 cells released increased IL-1β and TNF-α when exposed to ethyl maltol, but many flavoring chemicals had an apparent suppressive effect on inflammatory cytokines released by activated macrophages, some with varying degrees of accompanying cytotoxicity. The diketones, L-carvone, and linalool suppressed cytokine release in the absence of cytotoxicity. These findings provide insight into lung cell cytotoxicity and inflammatory cytokine release in response to flavorings commonly used in e-cigarettes.

Description: In a complex underwater environment, finding a viable, collision-free path for an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is a challenging task. The purpose of this paper is to establish a safe, real-time, and robust method of collision avoidance that improves the autonomy of AUVs. We propose a method based on active sonar, which utilizes a deep reinforcement learning algorithm to learn the processed sonar information to navigate the AUV in an uncertain environment. We compare the performance of double deep Q-network algorithms with that of a genetic algorithm and deep learning. We propose a line-of-sight guidance method to mitigate abrupt changes in the yaw direction and smooth the heading changes when the AUV switches trajectory. The different experimental results show that the double deep Q-network algorithms ensure excellent collision avoidance performance. The effectiveness of the algorithm proposed in this paper was verified in three environments: random static, mixed static, and complex dynamic. The results show that the proposed algorithm has significant advantages over other algorithms in terms of success rate, collision avoidance performance, and generalization ability. The double deep Q-network algorithm proposed in this paper is superior to the genetic algorithm and deep learning in terms of the running time, total path, performance in avoiding collisions with moving obstacles, and planning time for each step. After the algorithm is trained in a simulated environment, it can still perform online learning according to the information of the environment after deployment and adjust the weight of the network in real-time. These results demonstrate that the proposed approach has significant potential for practical applications.

Description: Nanoplastics (NPs) are considered emerging pollutants, namely unregulated contaminants whose toxic effect on humans and the environment has been demonstrated or suspected. They are the result of the physical fragmentation of the plastics that over time reach smaller dimensions (

Description: Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) matrix materials are quickly being investigated for application in concrete construction repair, reinforcement, and refurbishment. The technology has progressed to the point that its future acceptance is mainly reliant on the availability of established design guidelines based on recognized performance criteria, as well as the cost competitiveness of these technologies in contrast to conventional rehabilitation methods. The goal of this study is to evaluate the different functional grades of adhesives throughout bond length for bonded socket joints of laminated FRP composite pipes. Damage development resistance is high with a functionally graded FRP composite socket joint, as shown. To extend the service life of the structure, the joint designer should use an FRP composite socket joint with a functionally graded adhesive (FGA).

Description: The current study site of the project Inform@Risk is located at a landslide prone area at the eastern slopes of the city of Medellín, Colombia, which are composed of the deeply weathered Medellín Dunite, an ultramafic Triassic rock. The dunite rock mass can be characterized by small-scale changes, which influence the landslide exposition to a major extent. Due to the main aim of the project, to establish a low-cost landslide early warning system (EWS) in this area, detailed field studies, drillings, laboratory and mineralogical tests were conducted. The results suggest that the dunite rock mass shows a high degree of serpentinization and is heavily weathered up to 50 m depth. The rock is permeated by pseudokarst, which was already found in other regions of this unit. Within the actual project, a hypothesis has for the first time been established, explaining the generation of the pseudokarst features caused by weathering and dissolution processes. These parameters result in a highly inhomogeneous rock mass and nearly no direct correlation of weathering with depth. In addition, the theory of a secondary, weathering serpentinization was established, explaining the solution weathering creating the pseudokarst structures. This contribution aims to emphasize the role of detailed geological data evaluation in the context of hazard analysis as an indispensable data basis for landslide early warning systems.

Description: Energy absorption for AZ31 magnesium Alloy was investigated with Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar using single stress wave so as to avoid multiple stress wave loading. The stress wave amplitude, which was in elastic stress range and propagated along the AZ31 magnesium bar, was reduced with increasing propagating distance, and with increasing stress wave amplitude, the stress wave amplitude reduction along the magnesium bar was increased losing more energy as compared with that of the stress wave with lower amplitude. The drastically decreased stress wave amplitude could be explained based on dislocations movements, which was similar to the established theory of damping for the explanation of the energy loss during cyclic loading. However, it was not the case for LY12 aluminum alloy: the stress wave amplitude changed slightly without drastic energy loss regardless of the variation of stress wave amplitude.

Description: Dietary nitrate supplementation has shown promising ergogenic effects on endurance exercise. However, at present there is no systematic analysis evaluating the effects of acute or chronic nitrate supplementation on performance measures during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval training (SIT). The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the evidence for supplementation of dietary beetroot—a common source of nitrate—to improve peak and mean power output during HIIT and SIT. A systematic literature search was carried out following PRISMA guidelines and the PICOS framework within the following databases: PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and SPORTDiscus. Search terms used were: ((nitrate OR nitrite OR beetroot) AND (HIIT or high intensity or sprint interval or SIT) AND (performance)). A total of 17 studies were included and reviewed independently. Seven studies applied an acute supplementation strategy and ten studies applied chronic supplementation. The standardised mean difference for mean power output showed an overall trivial, non-significant effect in favour of placebo (Hedges’ g = −0.05, 95% CI −0.32 to 0.21, Z = 0.39, p = 0.69). The standardised mean difference for peak power output showed a trivial, non-significant effect in favour of the beetroot juice intervention (Hedges’ g = 0.08, 95% CI −0.14 to 0.30, Z = 0.72, p = 0.47). The present meta-analysis showed trivial statistical heterogeneity in power output, but the variation in the exercise protocols, nitrate dosage, type of beetroot products, supplementation strategy, and duration among studies restricted a firm conclusion of the effect of beetroot supplementation on HIIT performance. Our findings suggest that beetroot supplementation offers no significant improvement to peak or mean power output during HIIT or SIT. Future research could further examine the ergogenic potential by optimising the beetroot supplementation strategy in terms of dosage, timing, and type of beetroot product. The potential combined effect of other ingredients in the beetroot products should not be undermined. Finally, a chronic supplementation protocol with a higher beetroot dosage (〉12.9 mmol/day for 6 days) is recommended for future HIIT and SIT study.

Description: Pattern recognition as a computing task is very well suited for machine learning algorithms utilizing artificial neural networks (ANNs). Computing systems using ANNs usually require some sort of data storage to store the weights and bias values for the processing elements of the individual neurons. This paper introduces a memory block using resistive memory cells (RRAM) to realize this weight and bias storage in an embedded and distributed way while also offering programming and multi-level ability. By implementing power gating, overall power consumption is decreased significantly without data loss by taking advantage of the non-volatility of the RRAM technology. Due to the versatility of the peripheral circuitry, the presented memory concept can be adapted to different applications and RRAM technologies.

Description: Numerous studies have shown that ERP systems can improve organizational performance and efficiency. Thus, the main concepts addressed in the paper are ERP systems, their performance and the manner in which they improve financial and non-financial reporting. The purpose of this paper is to observe the relationship between ERP systems and financial reporting. The role of these systems is to ensure transparency over the financial and non-financial reporting process of an organization. The research method is represented by an archival analysis (organization’s annual reports) to highlight the relationship between ERP systems and financial and non-financial reporting, given the impact of ERP systems on the information used to prepare financial and non-financial reports and how the organization changes after implementing these systems. The results highlight the significant role of ERP systems within an organization, in terms of performance and improvements in financial and non-financial reporting.

Description: Neutron radiation induces point defects and affects the diffusivity of atoms and the kinetics of precipitation. The phase-field simulation reveals the influence of migration energy of vacancy on the radiation-enhanced precipitation in Fe–Cu alloy. The study shows that radiation-enhanced diffusion (RED) also depends on the diffusivity of vacancy-associated migration energy and not only on the dose rate; the low migration energy of vacancy results in accelerated precipitation and a higher volume fraction of Cu precipitates. Interestingly, decreasing migration energy from 1.0 eV to 0.9 eV results in a 30% increase in the precipitates’ volume fraction. Also, the combination of the lowest dose rate 5.0 × 10−3 dpa s−1 and highest migration energy 1.0 eV delays the precipitation. The study also examines the influence of migration energy of vacancy on the radius of Cu precipitates. The lowest migration energy, 0.9 eV, increases the radius up to one-third. Finally, the work presents the drawbacks of the analytical digital image processing technique in the quantitative comparison with the script.

Description: Shared mobility based on cars refers to a transportation mode in which travelers/drivers share vehicles to reduce the cost of the journey, emissions, air pollution and parking demands. Cost savings provide a strong incentive for the shared mobility mode. As cost savings are due to cooperation of the stakeholders in shared mobility systems, they should be properly divided and allocated to relevant participants. Improper allocation of cost savings will lead to dissatisfaction of drivers/passengers and hinder acceptance of the shared mobility mode. In practice, several schemes based on proportional methods to allocate cost savings have been proposed in shared mobility systems. However, there is neither a guideline for selecting these proportional methods nor a comparative study on effectiveness of these proportional methods. Although shared mobility has attracted much attention in the research community, there is still a lack of study of the influence of cost saving allocation schemes on performance of shared mobility systems. Motivated by deficiencies of existing studies, this paper aims to compare three proportional cost savings allocation schemes by analyzing their performance in terms of the numbers of acceptable rides under different schemes. We focus on ridesharing based on cars in this study. The main contribution is to develop theory based on our analysis to characterize the performance under different schemes to provide a guideline for selecting these proportional methods. The theory developed is verified by conducting experiments based on real geographical data.

Description: In the silicone material extrusion (MEX) process, product profile error and performance defects are common problems due to changes in strand shape. A process optimization method considering strand morphology, denoted as SMO, which allows adjustment of the strand shape by adjusting process parameters during the printing process is presented. The relation between process parameters (extrusion speed, moving speed, nozzle height, and nozzle radius) and the geometric parameters (strand width and strand height) of the cross-section, as well as the relationship between strand spacing, layer height, and process parameters in no void constraint is discussed and verified. SMO was utilized to produce specimens with tunable strand width and strand height. Tensile tests and profile scans were performed to compare SMO with other methods to verify its feasibility. Specimens fabricated using the SMO method have up to a 7% increase in tensile strength, up to a 10% reduction in processing time, and about a 60% reduction in strand height error over unused ones. The results show that the SMO method with adjustable strand width can effectively balance efficiency and mechanical properties compared to uniform infill, and the SMO method with adjustable strand height can provide higher accuracy compared to uniform strand height. The proposed method is validated and improves the efficiency and accuracy of silicone MEX.

Description: Fossil fuel and aerosol emissions have played important roles on climate over the Indian subcontinent over the last century. As the world transitions toward decarbonization in the next few decades, emissions pathways could have major impacts on India’s climate and people. Pathways for future emissions are highly uncertain, particularly at present as countries recover from COVID-19. This paper explores a multimodel ensemble of Earth system models leveraging potential global emissions pathways following COVID-19 and the consequences for India’s summertime (June–July–August–September) climate in the near- and long-term. We investigate specifically scenarios which envisage a fossil-based recovery, a strong renewable-based recovery and a moderate scenario in between the two. We find that near-term climate changes are dominated by natural climate variability, and thus likely independent of the emissions pathway. By 2050, pathway-induced spatial patterns in the seasonally-aggregated precipitation become clearer with a slight drying in the fossil-based scenario and wetting in the strong renewable scenario. Additionally, extreme temperature and precipitation events in India are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency regardless of the emissions scenario, though the spatial patterns of these changes as well as the extent of the change are pathway dependent. This study provides an important discussion on the impacts of emissions recover pathways following COVID-19 on India, a nation which is likely to be particularly susceptible to climate change over the coming decades.

Description: The advantages of high entropy alloy with good comprehensive properties provide a potential opportunity to explore and develop new alloys suitable for human implantation. In this experiment, TiTaNbZrMo high entropy alloy was designed and prepared by alloy design and first principle. The calculation results predict that the phase composition of each high entropy alloy is BCC structure, and the designed high entropy alloy has structural stability; the non-equal atomic ratio TiNbTaZrMo high-entropy alloy has higher ductility than the equal atomic ratio TiNbTaZrMo high-entropy alloy; the B/G, Poisson’s ratio υ and (C 12-C 44) values of Ti30(NbTaZr)60Mo10 alloy are the largest, indicating that the toughness of this alloy is the best, and the Young’s modulus value is the smallest. The experimental results show that the yield strength of Ti30(NbTaZr)60Mo10 alloy is 1132 MPa, the plastic strain is 33%, and the wear resistance and corrosion resistance are good. The potential of Ti30(NbTaZr)60Mo10 in biological field is proved by calculation and experimental test, which provides an important basis for its industrial application in biomedical alloy.

Description: Railway vehicle makers manufacture the bogie frame by welding medium-strength carbon steel sheets. It has been a long-standing practice to perform post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) to remove welding-residual stress, but rail car manufacturers are moving toward producing bogie frames without PWHT. Since securing the fatigue strength of the bogie frame is essential for vehicle operation safety, it is necessary to systematically evaluate the effects of PWHT on hardness, microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion, fatigue strength, etc. In this study, small-scale welding specimens and full-size components were produced using S355JR used in general structures, automobiles, shipbuilding, railroad vehicles, etc. The effect of PWHT on material properties-the hardness of the base material, heat-affected zone and weld metal, microstructure, shock absorption energy, yield strength, tensile strength, and fatigue were investigated. When the weld specimen was annealed at 590 °C and 800 °C for 1 h, the yield strength and tensile strength of the specimen decreased, but the elongation increased. For specimens not heat-treated, the parent material’s yield strength, the yield strength in HAZ, and the yield strength of the weld metal were 350 MPa, 345 MPa, and 340 MPa. For specimens heat-treated at 590 °C, they were 350 MPa, 345 MPa, and 340 MPa. For specimens heat-treated at 800 °C, they were 350 MPa, 345 MPa, and 340 MPa. Annealing heat treatment of the specimen at 800 °C homogenized the structure of the weldments similar to that of the base material and slightly improved the shock absorption energy. For specimens not heat-treated, the Charpy impact absorption energies at 20 °C of the parent material and weld metal were 291.5 J and 187 J. For specimens heat-treated at 590 °C, they were 276 J and 166 J. For specimens heat-treated at 800 °C, the Charpy impact absorption energy at 20 °C of the parent material was 299 J. PWHT at 590 °C had the effect of slightly improving the fatigue limit of the specimen but lowered the fatigue limit by 10.8% for the component specimen.

Description: Due to the clime change scenario, severe hydro-meteorological phenomena are having a high impact on the ecosystems of the earth. Some strategies based on the use of natural communities associated with geomorphological changes that restore the natural landscape are gaining success due the resistance and resilience against damages. All of these strategies are known as nature-based solutions (NBS). Soil and water bioengineering techniques are one of the most appreciated tools to reach effectiveness for slope stabilization. They are based on the capacity of some plants to consolidate the soil with his rooting system in special conditions (high slope, flooding impact). Slope stabilization solutions with soil and water bioengineering techniques need to be adapted to this new scenario. Crib wall is one of the most complete soil and water bioengineering technique for structural slope stabilization. It is based on a wooden box full of live plants that in the future will grow and gain stability at the same time that wood decays. The crib wall box is full of soil, and the front area is traditionally stabilized with some branches of fascines to let plants grow, maintaining the structure. Fascines are made of branches of riparian species with the capacity for vegetative propagation. Their diameter can change due to the humidity variation, so the stiffness of the system is at risk against severe hydro-meteorological phenomena. This study aims to assess that the introduction of HDCL in crib walls improves planting success and makes them more resistant to adverse weather events in Mediterranean areas. Four experiments were performed in controlled and natural conditions with this proposal. The results show that the use of natural fibers instead of branch fascine helps to maintain the humidity conditions and increase the resistance capacity. High-density coir logs (HDCL) are not affected by volume changes for humidity conditions. HDCL maintains the plant’s humidity conditions longer and makes plants grow faster, bigger and increase their survival. This method of Crib wall construction increases the associated biodiversity. The most important results are that the use of HDCL in crib walls has an effect on the growth of planted shrub, the development of roots, the colonization of native vegetation and ultimately, the resistance of the structure to the floods. The results also show that crib walls are a good technique for the stabilization of slopes with considerable gradients and high hydraulic impacts. HDCL can reduce the water stress of plantations, and they can be a good system to retain runoff and provide it to the plants. Finally, the HDCL allows the revegetation of a crib wall 30% faster than with branch fascine.

Description: Physical activity is associated with enhanced sleep quality and optimal body composition, as well as a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors in the general population. Although earlier research has established a link between physical exercise and excellent sleep quality as well as an optimum BMI in adults, little is known about the relationship in the young adult populations. The purpose of this study is to discover if there is a relationship between sleep quality, blood pressure, waist circumference, socio-demographic variables with physical activity among young adult in Kuala Lumpur. A cross-sectional sample of 120 university students was recruited for this study. Physical activity and sleep quality were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively. Blood pressure, Body mass index, and waist circumference were also measured. Approximately 36% of university students engage in moderate to vigorous physical exercise. The average physical activity was 2430.37 ± 2509.16 MET-minutes each week, which meets the minimal need. The median difference in MET-minutes per week between gender was not significant, with males having greater MET than females (p 〉 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant variation in MET-minutes each week between study year and mode of transportation. (p 〉 0.05). Approximately 40.3% of university students were classified as having good sleep quality. The average sleep quality is 5.37 ± 2.38, indicating that the students have slightly a poor sleep quality. There was no statistically significant variation in sleep score between gender, year of study, and mode of transportation (p 〉 0.05). The waist circumference (WC) has a significant relationship with body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). According to multinomial logistic regression, there was a significant association between level of physical activity (PA) and BMI and year of study when comparing moderate and low PA. Physical activity is essential because it may alter a young adult’s lifestyle, encouraging active commuting to work or other short-distance destinations. Attention must be given to this particular population to encourage regular and sustainable participation in physical activity to achieve lifelong health benefits. Other variables, such as body fat, energy intake, stress level and muscle mass, can also be examined for future research.

Description: Energy Transition (ET) needs actors to perform independent actions on multiple levels of governance. These actors may need to write and read their data, and at the same time they want to protect their data from unauthorized access. This is particularly the case for positive energy districts (PED), a growing trend in the EU that requires actors to perform, write and read operations on a neighborhood scale where governance competences are typically absent. This paper presents a decentralized privacy-aware data management framework that enables actors to store, read, and modify data in PEDs. Our framework design integrates blockchain with a Distributed Hash Table (DHT), role-based access control, ring signature, and different encryption techniques. The proposed framework stores encrypted data on the DHT, and metadata and hash key are sent to the blockchain, which allows the data owner to keep track of their data. The proposed framework components handle multi-level data access in PEDs and enable data security at run-time. Moreover, we show security and privacy analysis and performance evaluation in time overhead. The results show that the proposed solution is effective, secure, and scalable.

Description: The influence of four naturally occurring mineral additives (zeolite, diatomite, trass and bentonite) on the hydration and properties of cement pastes and mortars was investigated. The materials change the phase composition, heat of hydration (determined by calorimetry) and mechanical properties of composites. After 28 days, the amount of Ca(OH)2 was reduced by up to 23% and up to 35% more C-S-H was formed, as proved by TG measurements. Differences were observed in the kinetics of heat release, especially for 25% of the addition. In the calorimetric curves, an additional exothermic effect is observed, related to the alteration in the hydration of C3A in cement. From the point of view of beneficial influence on mechanical properties of mortars, the additives could be ranked as follows: bentonite 〈 diatomite, zeolite 〈 trass after 2 days and bentonite 〈 diatomite 〈 trass 〈 zeolite after 28 days of curing. The highest compressive strength (58.5 MPa) was observed for the sample with a 10% addition of zeolite. Zeolite, trass, bentonite and diatomite are all pozzolanic materials; however, their activity varies to an extent due to the differences in their specific surface area and the content of the amorphous phase, responsible for the pozzolanic reaction.

Description: The simple act of walking can occasionally cause ankle sprains. Traditionally, the rehabilitation of a sprained ankle involves physical therapy. Physical therapy is one of the health professions that help regain mobility through manual exercises. Aquatic therapy is one of the most potent water-based anti-inflammatory methods currently employed that increases local blood circulation, decreases pain and swelling, and promotes speedy healing. Several studies have demonstrated that ankle rehabilitation robots have immense potential in patients’ rehabilitation and recovery; however, these robots cannot be used underwater. This paper introduces the design, development, and control of a therapeutic robot incorporating aquatic therapy for ankle rehabilitation. Its primary objective is to design and control a one degree of freedom ankle rehabilitation robot that can be used in water and can recirculate hot water to simultaneously perform physical therapy and aquatic therapy. To conduct this study, an ankle rehabilitation robot was designed, modeled, developed, and controlled. The design and control techniques were evaluated by means of simulation and experimental results.

Description: Rising sea levels pose one of the greatest threats to coastal zones. However, sea-level changes near the coast, particularly absolute sea-level changes, have been less well monitored than those in the open ocean. In this study, we aim to investigate the potential of Global Navigation Satellite Systems Interferometric Reflectometry (GNSS-IR) to measure coastal absolute sea-level changes and tie on-land (coastal GNSS) and offshore (satellite altimetry) observations into the same framework. We choose three coastal GNSS stations, one each in regions of subsidence, uplift and stable vertical land motions, to derive both relative sea levels and sea surface heights (SSH) above the satellite altimetry reference ellipsoid from 2008 to 2020. Our results show that the accuracy of daily mean sea levels from GNSS-IR is

Description: Smoke-free pregnancies have long-term health benefits for mothers and babies. This paper quantitatively examines factors associated with smoke-free pregnancies among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (hereafter Aboriginal women) and qualitatively explores their smoking cessation (SC) experiences during pregnancy. An Aboriginal-led online cross-sectional study on SC was conducted with Aboriginal women and in partnership with Aboriginal communities, between July and October 2020. The present analysis includes participants who made a pregnancy-related quit attempt (N = 103). Chi-squared tests, logistic regression models, and thematic analysis of free-form text responses were performed. The adjusted odds of having smoke-free pregnancies were 4.54 times higher among participants who used Aboriginal Health Services (AHS) (AOR = 4.54, p-value 0.018). Participants living in urban settings had 67% lower odds of having smoke-free pregnancies compared to their regional/remote counterparts (AOR = 0.33, p-value 0.020). Qualitative data revealed strong motivations to reduce tobacco-related harms to the fetus and variability in quitting experiences at different stages of and across pregnancies. Smoking cessation care (SCC) can support Aboriginal women meaningfully if their quitting experiences are considered in SCC development and implementation. Consistent funding for AHS-led SCC is needed to garner health benefits for Aboriginal peoples. More research into urban versus regional/remote differences in maternal SC is recommended.

Description: The spatiotemporal evolution of vegetation and its influencing factors can be used to explore the relationships among vegetation, climate change, and human activities, which are of great importance for guiding scientific management of regional ecological environments. In recent years, remote sensing technology has been widely used in dynamic monitoring of vegetation. In this study, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and standardized precipitation–evapotranspiration index (SPEI) from 1998 to 2017 were used to study the spatiotemporal variation of NDVI in China. The influences of climate change and human activities on NDVI variation were investigated based on the Mann–Kendall test, correlation analysis, and other methods. The results show that the growth rate of NDVI in China was 0.003 year−1. Regions with improved and degraded vegetation accounted for 71.02% and 22.97% of the national territorial area, respectively. The SPEI decreased in 60.08% of the area and exhibited an insignificant drought trend overall. Human activities affected the vegetation cover in the directions of both destruction and restoration. As the elevation and slope increased, the correlation between NDVI and SPEI gradually increased, whereas the impact of human activities on vegetation decreased. Further studies should focus on vegetation changes in the Continental Basin, Southwest Rivers, and Liaohe River Basin.

Description: Stone moulds were basic elements of metallurgy during the Bronze Age, and their analysis and characterization are very important to improve the knowledge on these artefacts useful for typological characterization. The stone moulds investigated in this study were found during an archaeological field survey in several Nuragic (Bronze Age) settlements in Central Sardinia. Recent studies have shown that photogrammetry can be effectively used for the 3D reconstruction of small and medium-sized archaeological finds, although there are still many challenges in producing high-quality digital replicas of ancient artefacts due to their surface complexity and consistency. In this paper, we propose a multidisciplinary approach using mineralogical (X-ray powder diffraction) and petrographic (thin section) analysis of stone materials, as well as an experimental photogrammetric method for 3D reconstruction from multi-view images performed with recent software based on the CMPMVS algorithm. The photogrammetric image dataset was carried out using an experimental rig equipped with a 26.2 Mpix full frame digital camera. We also assessed the accuracy of the reconstruction models in order to verify their precision and readability according to archaeological goals. This allowed us to provide an effective tool for more detailed study of the geometric-dimensional aspects of the moulds. Furthermore, this paper demonstrates the potentialities of an integrated minero-petrographic and photogrammetric approach for the characterization of small artefacts, providing an effective tool for more in-depth investigation of future typological comparisons and provenance studies.

Description: Aquaculture has grown rapidly in the field of food industry in recent years; however, it brought many environmental problems, such as water pollution and reclamations of lakes and coastal wetland areas. Thus, the evaluation and management of aquaculture industry are needed, in which accurate aquaculture mapping is an essential prerequisite. Due to the difference between inland and marine aquaculture areas and the difficulty in processing large amounts of remote sensing images, the accurate mapping of different aquaculture types is still challenging. In this study, a novel approach based on multi-source spectral and texture features was proposed to map simultaneously inland and marine aquaculture areas. Time series optical Sentinel-2 images were first employed to derive spectral indices for obtaining texture features. The backscattering and texture features derived from the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of Sentinel-1A were then used to distinguish aquaculture areas from other geographical entities. Finally, a supervised Random Forest classifier was applied for large scale aquaculture area mapping. To address the low efficiency in processing large amounts of remote sensing images, the proposed approach was implemented on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. A case study in the Pearl River Basin (Guangdong Province) of China showed that the proposed approach obtained aquaculture map with an overall accuracy of 89.5%, and the implementation of proposed approach on GEE platform greatly improved the efficiency for large scale aquaculture area mapping. The derived aquaculture map may support decision-making services for the sustainable development of aquaculture areas and ecological protection in the study area, and the proposed approach holds great potential for mapping aquacultures on both national and global scales.

Description: Monitoring gait patterns in daily life will provide a lot of biological information related to human health. At present, common gait pressure analysis systems, such as pressure platforms and in-shoe systems, adopt rigid sensors and are wired and uncomfortable. In this paper, a biomimetic porous graphene–SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) pressure sensor (PGSPS) with high flexibility, sensitivity (1.05 kPa−1), and a wide measuring range (0–150 kPa) is designed and integrated into an insole system to collect, process, transmit, and display plantar pressure data for gait analysis in real-time via a smartphone. The system consists of 16 PGSPSs that were used to analyze different gait signals, including walking, running, and jumping, to verify its daily application range. After comparing the test results with a high-precision digital multimeter, the system is proven to be more portable and suitable for daily use, and the accuracy of the waveform meets the judgment requirements. The system can play an important role in monitoring the safety of the elderly, which is very helpful in today’s society with an increasingly aging population. Furthermore, an intelligent gait diagnosis algorithm can be added to realize a smart gait monitoring system.

Description: Wine batch distillation in a copper pot still heated directly by combustion is unusual. It is a niche sector. Few studies are available on the subject and even fewer have studied it from a thermal point of view. In a context of ecology awareness and regularly increasing gas taxes, finding less energy consuming and more performing solutions has become necessary. Two methods already exist to recover energy for such pot stills, however improvements could be made. The present study focuses on the heating zone of an experimental pot still. First, a thermal diagnosis based on a nodal model is conducted in transient regime. The major sites of energy expenditure and waste are thus identified and quantified. Results highlight significant losses both in combustion smoke and by conduction to the environment resulting from a limited thermal performance of the system. Proposals are then made to enhance it. For instance, the preheating could be optimized and more thermal waste could be recovered.

Description: With a growing global population and energy demand, there is increasing concern about the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, which have a negative impact on the climate, necessitating the immediate transition to a cleaner energy resource. This effort can be initiated in the rural areas of developing countries for a sustainable, efficient and affordable energy source. This study evaluated four types of renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass, and mini-hydro energy) using the integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approaches to select the best renewable energy source in Tatau, Sarawak. The criteria under consideration in this study included the environment, engineering and economics. The LCA was used to assess the environmental impact of renewable energies from gate-to-grave boundaries based on 50 MJ/day of electricity generation. The AHP results showed that solar energy received the highest score of 0.299 in terms of the evaluated criteria, followed by mini-hydro, biomass and wind energy, which received scores of 0.271, 0.230 and 0.200, respectively. These findings can be used to develop a systematic procedure for determining the best form of renewable energy for rural areas. This approach could be vital for the authorities that are responsible for breaking down multi-perspective criteria for future decision making in the transition into renewable energy.

Description: Copolymers based on 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl, phenolphthalein and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone were synthesized by the method of high temperature polycondensation. The structure of the synthesized copolymers was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. Their physical, mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. It is shown that increases in the content of carded fragments lead to higher glass transition temperatures and heat resistance of the copolymers, as well as higher elastic and strength properties.

Description: One of the challenges in the future of food production, amidst increasing population and decreasing resources, is developing a sustainable food production system. It is anticipated that robotics will play a significant role in maintaining the food production system, specifically in labor-intensive operations. Therefore, the main goal of this project is to develop a robotic fruit harvesting system, initially focused on the harvesting of apples. The robotic harvesting system is composed of a six-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) robotic manipulator, a two-fingered gripper, a color camera, a depth sensor, and a personal computer. This paper details the development and performance of a visual servo system that can be used for fruit harvesting. Initial test evaluations were conducted in an indoor laboratory using plastic fruit and artificial trees. Subsequently, the system was tested outdoors in a commercial fruit orchard. Evaluation parameters included fruit detection performance, response time of the visual servo, and physical time to harvest a fruit. Results of the evaluation showed that the developed visual servo system has the potential to guide the robot for fruit harvesting.

Description: Although remote sensors have been increasingly providing dense data and deriving reanalysis data for inversion of particulate matters, the use of these data is considerably limited by the ground monitoring samples and conventional machine learning models. As regional criteria air pollutants, particulate matters present a strong spatial correlation of long range. Conventional machine learning cannot or can only model such spatial pattern in a limited way. Here, we propose a method of a geographic graph hybrid network to encode a spatial neighborhood feature to make robust estimation of coarse and fine particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5). Based on Tobler’s First Law of Geography and graph convolutions, we constructed the architecture of a geographic graph hybrid network, in which full residual deep layers were connected with graph convolutions to reduce over-smoothing, subject to the PM10–PM2.5 relationship constraint. In the site-based independent test in mainland China (2015–2018), our method achieved much better generalization than typical state-of-the-art methods (improvement in R2: 8–78%, decrease in RMSE: 14–48%). This study shows that the proposed method can encode the neighborhood information and can make an important contribution to improvement in generalization and extrapolation of geo-features with strong spatial correlation, such as PM2.5 and PM10.

Description: Although the negative effect of social media use among youth on body image and eating concerns has been established, few classroom-based resources that can decrease these effects through targeting social media literacy skills have been developed. This study aimed to test the efficacy of SoMe, a social media literacy body image, dieting, and wellbeing program for adolescents, through a cluster randomized controlled trial. Participants (n = 892; Mage = 12.77, SD = 0.74; range 11–15; 49.5% male) were randomized by school (n = 8) to receive either weekly SoMe (n = 483) or control sessions (lessons as usual; n = 409) over 4 weeks in their classroom. Participants completed surveys at four timepoints (baseline, 1-week post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-up) assessing body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, strategies to increase muscles (primary outcomes), self-esteem and depressive symptoms (secondary outcomes), and internalization of appearance ideals and appearance comparison (exploratory outcomes). Modest positive intervention effects were found in dietary restraint and depressive symptoms at 6-month follow-up in girls but few positive effects emerged for boys. The findings provide only preliminary support for a social media literacy intervention, but suggest the usefulness of both identifying those who benefit most from a universally delivered intervention and the need to refine the intervention to maximize intervention effects.

Description: Dietary fibre has proven to promote healthy body mass and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. To date, in Slovenia, there were only a few outdated studies of dietary fibre intake; therefore, we explored the dietary fibre intake using food consumption data collected in the SI.Menu project. Following the EU Menu methodology, data were collected on representative samples of adolescents, adults, and elderlies using a general questionnaire, a food propensity questionnaire, and two 24 h recalls. The results indicate that the intake of dietary fibre in Slovenia is lower than recommended. The proportion of the population with inadequate fibre intakes (

Description: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of high levels of knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice on evidence-based medicine (EBM) and identify the associated factors for practice score on EBM among emergency medicine doctors in Kelantan, Malaysia. This cross-sectional study was conducted in government hospitals in Kelantan. The data were collected from 200 emergency physicians and medical officers in the emergency department using the Noor Evidence-Based Medicine Questionnaire. Simple and general linear regressions analyses using SPSS were performed. A total of 183 responded, making a response rate of 91.5%. Of them, 49.7% had a high level of knowledge, 39.9% had a positive attitude and 2.1% had good practice. Sex, race, the average number of patients seen per day, internet access in workplace, having online quick reference application, and attitude towards EBM were significantly associated with EBM practice scores. It is recommended that appropriate authorities provide emergency doctors with broader access to evidence resources. EBM skill training should be enhanced in the current medical school curriculums.

Description: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Entrepreneurial Education (EE) are quite abstract and demanding concepts for teacher students. Yet, Key Sustainability Competences and Entrepreneurial Competences entail important qualities of future citizens and workers, and teacher students should become prepared to accommodate education for these competencies in their teaching practice. This paper explores teacher students’ process of sense-making of sustainable development and how becoming a teacher who practices ESD connects with entrepreneurship. EE serves as a good mirroring surface to ESD as they both have their roots in Transformative Learning (TL) but pursue transformation towards different goals. The case study follows the vocational teacher education (VTE) students’ sensemaking of Sustainable Development as a part of teacher’s work during one semester which included integrated Thematic Studies of Sustainable Development. The qualitative content analysis of students’ texts focused on signs of transformative learning and was guided by the dimensions of sustainable development and learning goals set for teacher’s sustainability competences in the VTE curriculum. The results indicate that transformative learning is possible. Furthermore, they address the importance of certain entrepreneurial capabilities in the actualization of change agency.

Description: Floods are a known natural hazard in Germany, but the amount of precipitation and ensuing high death toll and damages after the events especially from 14 to 15 July 2021 came as a surprise. Almost immediately questions about failure in the early warning chains and the effectiveness of the German response emerged, also internationally. This article presents lessons to learn and argues against a blame culture. The findings are based on comparisons with findings from previous research projects carried out in the Rhein-Erft Kreis and the city of Cologne, as well as on discussions with operational relief forces after the 2021 events. The main disaster aspects of the 2021 flood are related to issuing and understanding warnings, a lack of information and data exchange, unfolding upon a situation of an ongoing pandemic and aggravated further by critical infrastructure failure. Increasing frequencies of flash floods and other extremes due to climate change are just one side of the transformation and challenge, Germany and neighbouring countries are facing. The vulnerability paradox also heavily contributes to it; German society became increasingly vulnerable to failure due to an increased dependency on its infrastructure and emergency system, and the ensuing expectations of the public for a perfect system.

Description: Disposal of municipal solid wastes (MSW) remains a challenge to minimize its impacts on the environment and human health. Landfilling, currently the most common method used for MSW disposal, occupies land space and leads to soil and air emissions. Gasification, an alternative MSW disposal method, can convert waste to energy, but can also lead to soil and air emissions and is a more extensive operation. In this study, life cycle assessments (LCA) of the two disposal methods (landfilling without energy recovery and gasification) were compared to understand impacts on environment and health. The LCA was conducted following the ISO 14040 standards with one ton of MSW as the functional unit. The life cycle inventory was obtained from published journals, technical reports, LandGEM, HELP and GREET database. The impact assessment was done using TRACI 2.1 and categorized into eight groups. The LCA revealed that landfilling is a higher contributor in global warming, acidification, smog formation, eutrophication, ecotoxicity and human health cancer and non-cancer categories. The negative environmental impacts of MSW landfilling can be primarily attributed to the fate of leachate loss and landfill gas, while those of the MSW gasification can be attributed to the disposal of its solid residues.

Description: Over the last few decades, advanced manufacturing and additive printing technologies have made incredible inroads into the fields of engineering, transportation, and healthcare. Among additive manufacturing technologies, 3D printing is gradually emerging as a powerful technique owing to a combination of attractive features, such as fast prototyping, fabrication of complex designs/structures, minimization of waste generation, and easy mass customization. Of late, 4D printing has also been initiated, which is the sophisticated version of the 3D printing. It has an extra advantageous feature: retaining shape memory and being able to provide instructions to the printed parts on how to move or adapt under some environmental conditions, such as, water, wind, light, temperature, or other environmental stimuli. This advanced printing utilizes the response of smart manufactured materials, which offer the capability of changing shapes postproduction over application of any forms of energy. The potential application of 4D printing in the biomedical field is huge. Here, the technology could be applied to tissue engineering, medicine, and configuration of smart biomedical devices. Various characteristics of next generation additive printings, namely 3D and 4D printings, and their use in enhancing the manufacturing domain, their development, and some of the applications have been discussed. Special materials with piezoelectric properties and shape-changing characteristics have also been discussed in comparison with conventional material options for additive printing.

Description: The research presented in this paper examines the experiences of Poles traveling for leisure purposes in the summer season of 2020, taking into account the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved the analysis of source data, including statistical data, and a survey administered via the computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) method. The survey questionnaire was created on the Google platform. The link to the questionnaire was provided via social media to participants of travel groups in the period from 30 November 2020 to 15 February 2021. The sampling was purposive (included only travelers) despite efforts to maintain the gender balance; the proportion of women was higher. Therefore, caution must be applied when interpreting the results which may not be transferable. The survey included questions regarding the respondents’ travel behavior and risk perceptions. 433 correctly completed questionnaires were collected. The dataset was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Descriptive statistics measures and correlation coefficients were used in the analysis of the results. The study shows that some respondents decided against traveling because of the pandemic situation, while those who decided to travel adjusted their behavior by avoiding crowded places and resigning from traveling abroad. Compliance with hygiene standards in the area of tourism services varied, and was the highest in the case of accommodation services. Women rated hygiene standards in chain cafes statistically higher than men and younger people rated hygiene on public transport, trains, air transport and in fast food services higher than older people. The higher the tourism expenditure, the lower the assessment of sanitary standards in tour guide services, air transport and chain cafes decreased.

Description: The use of intelligent compaction (IC) in asphalt overlay includes the use of double-drum IC rollers, a roller measurement system, global position system (GPS) radio/receiver/base station, infrared temperature sensors, and an onboard computer reporting system. GPS based mapping and optional feedback control help to overcome the drawbacks associated with conventional compaction such as identifying soft spots, achieving consistent roller patterns, and monitoring asphalt surface temperature and levels of compaction with adequate quality control or quality assurance (QC/QA). Cost-effectiveness of both compaction types was measured in terms of initial and roadway lifecycle cost based on the cost inputs received from South Korea and other published literatures. Roadway lifecycle cost was reported based on the improvement in in-place density, smoothness, and fatigue life. The results of this study showed that: (1) with IC an approximate 4.1% initial cost reduction can be achieved compared to conventional compaction; (2) QC/QA cost is found to have the most significant effect on the higher initial cost of conventional compaction compared to other associated costs whereas intelligent roller cost is the vital cost category for IC; (3) improvement of in-place air voids and density due to the IC has shown that at 97% field density (or at 3% air void content) the State Highway Agency can save approximately 44% over a 20-year service period; and (4) agency cost is observed to be reduced by approximately 62% with the IC method based on the 25-year analysis period due to the increase in fatigue life.

Description: Background: Hemodialysis patients are suffering from depressive symptoms. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are negatively associated with depressive symptoms and decrease during a single hemodialysis session. Resistance training (RT) might be an additional non-pharmacological tool to increase BDNF and promote mental health. Methods: Two randomized groups of hemodialysis patients: control (CTL, n = 76/F36; 66.33 ± 3.88 years) and RT (n = 81/F35; 67.27 ± 3.24 years). RT completed six months of training thrice a week under the supervision of strength and conditioning professional immediately before the dialysis session. Training loads were adjusted using the OMNI rating of perceived exertion. The total antioxidant capacity (TROLOX), glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and BDNF levels were analyzed in serum samples. Quality of life (assessed through Medical Outcomes—SF36), and Beck Depression Inventory was applied. Results: RT improved handgrip strength (21.17 ± 4.38 vs. 27.17 ± 4.34; p = 0.001) but not for CTL (20.09 ± 5.19 vs. 19.75 ± 5.54; p = 0.001). Post-training, RT group had higher values as compared to CTL related to TROLOX (RT,680.8 ± 225.2 vs. CTL,589.5 ± 195.9; p = 0.001) and GSH (RT, 9.33 ± 2.09 vs. CTL,5.00 ± 2.96; p = 0.001). RT group had lower values of TBARS as compared to CTL at post-training (RT, 11.06 ± 2.95 vs. CTL, 13.66 ± 2.62; p = 0.001). BDNF increased for RT (11.66 ± 5.20 vs. 19.60 ± 7.23; p = 0.001), but decreased for CTL (14.40 ± 4.99 vs. 10.84 ± 5.94; p = 0.001). Quality of life and mental health increased (p = 0.001) for RT, but did not change for CTL (p = 0.001). BDNF levels were associated with emotional dimensions of SF36, depressive symptoms, and handgrip (p = 0.001). Conclusions: RT was effective as a non-pharmacological tool to increased BDNF levels, quality of life, temper the redox balance and decrease depressive symptoms intensity in hemodialysis patients.

Description: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, associated with multifactorial pathophysiological components. In particular, genetic mutations, infection or inflammation, unhealthy eating habits, exposition to radiation, work stress, and/or intake of toxins have been found to contribute to the development and progression of cancer disease states. Early detection of cancer and proper treatment have been found to enhance the chances of survival and healing, but the side effects of anticancer drugs still produce detrimental responses that counteract the benefits of treatment in terms of hospitalization and survival. Recently, several natural bioactive compounds were found to possess anticancer properties, capable of killing transformed or cancerous cells without being toxic to their normal counterparts. This effect occurs when natural products are associated with conventional treatments, thereby suggesting that nutraceutical supplementation may contribute to successful anticancer therapy. This review aims to discuss the current literature on four natural bioactive extracts mostly characterized by a specific polyphenolic profile. In particular, several activities have been reported to contribute to nutraceutical support in anticancer treatment: (1) inhibition of cell proliferation, (2) antioxidant activity, and (3) anti-inflammatory activity. On the other hand, owing to their attenuation of the toxic effect of current anticancer therapies, natural antioxidants may contribute to improving the compliance of patients undergoing anticancer treatment. Thus, nutraceutical supplementation, along with current anticancer drug treatment, may be considered for better responses and compliance in patients with cancer. It should be noted, however, that when data from studies with bioactive plant preparations are discussed, it is appropriate to ensure that experiments have been conducted in accordance with accepted pharmacological research practices so as not to disclose information that is only partially correct.

Description: In this work, we studied the impacts of transmitting light, nonlinear thermal, and micropolar fluid mechanics on a wire surface coating utilizing non-Newtonian viscoelastic flow. Models with temperature-dependent variable viscosity were used. The boundary layer equations governing the flow and heat transport processes were solved using the Runge–Kutta fourth order method. A distinguished constituent of this study was the use of a porous matrix that acted as an insulator to reduce heat loss. In this paper we discuss the effects of numerous development parameters, including β0, Q, m, Ω, Kp, and Br (non-Newtonian parameter, heat-producing parameter, viscosity parameter, variable viscosity parameter, porosity parameter, and Brinkman number, respectively). Furthermore, the effects of two other parameters, D and M, are also discussed as they relate to velocity and temperature distributions. We observed that the velocity profiles decreased with increasing values of Kp. Fluid velocity increased as the values of M, Br, N, and D increased, while it decreased when the values of Kp, Q and D increased. For increasing values of M, the temperature profile showed increasing behavior, while Br and Q showed decreasing behavior. Furthermore, the present work is validated by comparison with HAM and previously published work, with good results.

Description: As good models for developing techniques, Haloarchaea are using as cell factories to produce a considerable concentration of bioplastics, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV). In this study, low-cost carbon sources by Sudan Black staining was applied for screening haloarchaea a hypersaline environment (southern coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). The growth of the selected isolate and PHB-production under different carbon sources, temperature, pH values and NaCl concentrations were investigated. The biopolymer was extracted and quantitatively measured. The biopolymer was qualitatively identified by Fourier-transform infra-red analysis (FTIR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The potential Haloarcula sp strain NRS20 (MZ520352) could significantly accumulate PHB under nutrient-limiting conditions using different carbon sources including starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sucrose, glucose and glycerol with 23.83%, 14%, 11%, 12% and 8% of PHB/CDW respectively under 25% NaCl (w/v), pH 7, at 37 °C. The results of FTIR pattern indicated that the significant peak at 1709.22 cm−1 confirmed the presence of the ester carbonyl-group (C=O) which is typical of PHB. HPLC analysis indicated that produced PHB was detected at 7.5 min with intensity exceeding the standard PHB at 8.0 min. Few potential species of haloarchaea were reported for economical PHB-production, here, Haloarcula sp strain NRS20 showed high content of PHB, exhibited a promising PHB-producer using inexpensive sources of carbon.

Description: According to the current European scenario, cultural, creative, and community-led policies play an increasingly important role in influencing local resources, systems, and infrastructures management and demand a novel approach in governing, financing, and monitoring urban regeneration processes. Therefore, cities become contexts where cultural and creative practices can be implemented, integrating social cohesion principles based on communities, shared values, and collaborative decision-making approaches, with particular attention to enhancing cultural heritage, mainly unused or underutilised. The purpose of this research is to explore how the Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor (CCCM) methodological framework, developed by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, can be integrated at the local scale to assess the impacts of urban regeneration processes in an interactive and dynamic way, through the data emerging from the monitoring of urban regeneration experiences activated with the communities. The paper describes the “Play ReCH (Re-use Cultural Heritage)” approach, that promotes a process of collaboration, gamification, and innovation in cultural heritage reuse, as an opportunity to test how cultural, creative, and community-led urban strategies can support the enhancement of heritage generating enabling environments and culturally vibrant contexts. The Play ReCH approach and the “Hack the City Salerno” mission, activated in the Salerno historic centre (Italy), open the reflection on some relevant issues related to how citizens become makers of cultural and creative cities’ policies, and contribute to evaluating and monitoring their implementation at diverse urban scales. The Play ReCH mission underlines how new evidence suggests declining the CCCM conceptual framework and related urban policies assessment, co-defining suitable community-based indicators.

Description: This study investigates a precision milling process conducted with the use of conventional end mills and a standard CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine tool. Milling tests were performed on samples of AZ91D magnesium alloy using TiB2- and TiAlN-coated three-edge end mills measuring 16 mm in diameter. The following technological parameters were made variable: cutting speed, feed per tooth and axial depth of cut. The effects of precision milling were evaluated by analysing the scatter of dimension values obtained in successive tool passes. In addition to that, deviations from the assumed nominal depth as well as obtained ranges of dimension varation were analysed. The study also examined surface quality obtained in the precision milling process, based on the basic surface roughness parameters: Ra, Rz and RSm. Results have confirmed that the use of conventional cutting tools and a standard CNC machine tool makes it possible to manufacture components characterized by relatively small scatter of dimension values and high accuracy classes. Additionally, the results have shown that the type of tool coating and variations of individual technological parameters exert impact on the dimensional accuracy and surface quality obtained.

Description: COVID-19 has brought serious challenges to education and many other sectors. Within the educational context, the main difficulties experienced have been reported as challenges related to not only mechanical impediments—such as technology or infrastructure—but also to methodological and personal features, such as lack of motivation or online learning/teaching experiences. The abrupt transition from face-to-face to online education has created the need for some specific abilities, such as digital literacy on the side of the learners at all educational levels. In this context, this mixed-method study aims to determine the digital literacy levels of learners belonging to different school levels and whether age, gender and school degree were significant variables. This study also investigates the technology-related challenges students experienced during COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 510 participants representing different school levels, age groups, and genders; in addition, a smaller representative group (n = 30) revealed their own evaluations related to their levels of digital literacy and the technology-related challenges they had about online learning. The findings suggest that there is a statistically significant relationship between students’ digital literacy and their gender and school degree, while age was not found to be a statistically significant variable. The qualitative self-reported data suggested that learners have sufficient levels of digital literacy, and that the major technology-related challenges were reported to be lack of the necessary technologies and difficulties in adapting to a new approach to learning.

Description: To explore the effects of thermal actions on the pore structural features of granite, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mercury injection experiments were carried out on granite after thermal treatment (25 °C to 400 °C). The pore structure was investigated from various perspectives, including the capillary pressure curve, the pore–throat ratio, the median saturation pressure, the median pore–throat radius, the porosity, the pore volume, and the pore size distribution. Based on mercury intrusion test data, the Winland model of permeability prediction was modified for a high-temperature tight granite reservoir. The results showed that: (1) As the temperature rose, the mercury injection curve was gradually flattened, and the mercury ejection efficiency gradually increased. Meanwhile, the pore–throat ratio and the median saturation pressure decreased exponentially, and the pore connectivity was enhanced. (2) The median pore–throat radius and the porosity of granite increased exponentially as the temperature increased. Above 200 °C, the median pore–throat radius and the porosity increased substantially. (3) The pore volumes of the transitional pores, mesopores and macropores, and the total pore volume inside the granite, increased as the temperature rose. Especially above 200 °C, the transitional pores and the mesopores were prominently developed, and the pore volumes of the transitional pores and the mesopores took up a significantly greater proportion of the total pore volume. (4) As the temperature rose, the pore size distribution of granite became more extensive, the pore–throat structure was obviously developed, and the pore–throat connectivity was enhanced. (5) The relationship between the micropores’ characteristic parameters and the macro-permeability in engineering was established though a modified Winland model, and the modified Winland model had a better prediction effect. The findings provide a solid basis for rock geothermal mining projects and related geotechnical engineering.

Description: The main objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of LGBTQIA+ students regarding sexual and gender diversity in the university context by (1) identifying conceptions about a being LGBTQIA+ student in the higher education context, (2) researching perceptions of the stigma and discrimination against, and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ students and (3) to recognize discourses and scenarios identified by students in the university context regarding sexual diversity and gender diversity, distinguishing their experiences in the classroom as well as in the university, with their peers and with their professors. This research was based on a quantitative method, the sample consisted of 171 students from the School of Medicine of a public university in the United States in the state of Texas. The results showed that there is currently a greater knowledge of the subject of sexual and gender diversity and of the spaces and resources offered by the university on the subject compared to previous years, however, it is found that knowledge is still limited and that this knowledge may possibly be due to the faculty in which they study.

Description: This paper presents the results of an experimental program aimed at the assessment of the freeze–thaw (F–T) resistance of concrete based on the evaluation of fracture tests accompanied by acoustic emission measurements. Two concretes of similar mechanical characteristics were manufactured for the experiment. The main difference between the C1 and C2 concrete was in the total number of air voids and in the A300 parameter, where both parameters were higher for C1 by about 35% and 52%, respectively. The evaluation of the fracture characteristics was performed on the basis of experimentally recorded load–deflection and load–crack mouth opening displacement diagrams using two different approaches: linear fracture mechanics completed with the effective crack model and the double-K model. The results show that both approaches gave similar results, especially if the nonlinear behavior before the peak load was considered. According to the results, it can be stated that continuous AE measurement is beneficial for the assessment of the extent of concrete deterioration, and it suitably supplements the fracture test evaluation. A comparison of the results of fracture tests with the resonance method and splitting tensile strength test shows that all testing methods led to the same conclusion, i.e., the C1 concrete was more F–T-resistant than C2. However, the fracture test evaluation provided more detailed information about the internal structure deterioration due to the F–T exposure.

Description: This study developed an industry-applicable, thermal decomposition methodology for quantification of carbonate mineral acid neutralisation capacity (ANCtherm-carb) for waste rock, tailings, and other mined materials. Standard titration-based methods for ANC can be compromised due to contributions from silicate minerals, ion exchange, Fe-rich carbonates, and other transition metal carbonates. C emission (CO2 and CO) was measured using IR in a N2 atmosphere. Cneut (wt%) was calculated using the C emission at 800 or 1000 °C minus the C emission at 400, 450 or 500 °C and the weight of sample prior to decomposition (Equation (2) of this manuscript). This value was then input into Equation (3) of this manuscript to calculate ANCtherm-carb. Good correlation of ANCtherm-carb for single-mineral carbonates with ANCcalc, calculated from bulk assay concentrations for Mg, K, Na, Ca, and Mn, was achieved. Thereafter, 18 waste rock samples were examined, resulting in the correlation of ANCtherm-carb versus non-standard ANCtitrate-carb (titration methodology adapted to focus on carbonate neutralisation only) with R2 = 0.96. This correlation is valid for samples containing both non-neutralising carbonates (siderite) and sources of neutralisation arising from non-carbonates (Mg-clay) within this waste rock system. Typically, mining operations use total C measurements for assessment of carbonate neutralisation potential in the block and mining model. This method provides an effective means to cheaply analyse for carbonate neutralisation potential with assignment of potentially acid-forming and non-acid-forming blocks to waste rock cells, etc.

Description: Through proper arranging of a hybrid combination of longitudinal fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars and steel bars in the tensile region of the beam, the advantages of both FRP and steel materials can be sufficiently exploited to enhance the flexural capacity and ductility of a concrete beam. In this paper, a methodology for the flexural strength design of hybrid FRP-steel reinforced concrete (RC) beams is proposed. Firstly, based on the mechanical features of reinforcement and concrete and according to the latest codified provisions of longitudinal reinforcement conditions to ensure ductility level, the design-oriented allowable ranges of reinforcement ratio corresponding to three common flexural failure modes are specified. Subsequently, the calculation approach of nominal flexural strength of hybrid FRP-steel RC beams is established following the fundamental principles of equilibrium and compatibility. In addition to the common moderately-reinforced beams, the proposed general calculation approach is also applicable to lightly-reinforced beams and heavily-reinforced beams, which are widely used but rarely studied. Furthermore, the calculation process is properly simplified and the calculation accuracy is validated by the experimental results of hybrid FRP-steel RC beams in the literature. Finally, with the ductility analysis, a novel strength reduction factor represented by net tensile steel strain and reinforcement ratio is proposed for hybrid FRP-steel RC beams.

Description: The shortage of color in traditional electrophoretic displays (EPDs) can be compensated by three-color EPDs. However, the response time of black particles and white particles is increased. A new driving waveform based on the principle of three-color EPDs and electrophoresis theory was proposed to shorten the response time of black particles and white particles. The proposed driving waveform consisted of an erasing stage, an activation stage, a red driving stage, and a white or a black driving stage. The activation stage was mainly optimized in this paper. Firstly, the motion characteristics of the particles were analyzed using Stokes law and electrophoresis theory. Secondly, an optimal high frequency oscillation voltage was tested in order to improve the activity of the particles. Then, the influence of oscillation period and oscillation times on the activation stage were analyzed for optimizing the reference grayscale. According to the luminance of pixels, an oscillation period of 30 ms and an oscillation time of 30 were determined. The experimental results showed that the response time of black particles was shortened by 45%, and the response time of white particles was shortened by 40% compared with a traditional driving waveform.

Description: There have been numerous recent studies on improving the mechanical properties and durability of cement composites by mixing them with functional polymers. However, research into applying modified biopolymer such as catechol-functionalized chitosan to cement mortar or concrete is rare to the best of our knowledge. In this study, catechol-functionalized chitosan (Cat-Chit), a well-known bioinspired polymer that imitates the basic structures and functions of living organisms and biological materials in nature, was synthesized and combined with cement mortar in various proportions. The compressive strength, tensile strength, drying shrinkage, accelerated carbonation depth, and chloride-ion penetrability of these mixes were then evaluated. In the ultraviolet–visible spectra, a maximum absorption peak appeared at 280 nm, corresponding to catechol conjugation. The sample containing 7.5% Cat-Chit polymer in water (CPW) exhibited the highest compressive strength, and its 28-day compressive strength was ~20.2% higher than that of a control sample with no added polymer. The tensile strength of the samples containing 5% or more CPW was ~2.3–11.5% higher than that of the control sample. Additionally, all the Cat-Chit polymer mixtures exhibited lower carbonation depths than compared to the control sample. The total charge passing through the samples decreased as the amount of CPW increased. Thus, incorporating this polymer effectively improved the mechanical properties, carbonation resistance, and chloride-ion penetration resistance of cement mortar.

Description: The increasing use of magnetic nanoparticles as heating agents in biomedicine is driven by their proven utility in hyperthermia therapeutic treatments and heat-triggered drug delivery methods. The growing demand of efficient and versatile nanoheaters has prompted the creation of novel types of magnetic nanoparticle systems exploiting the magnetic interaction (exchange or dipolar in nature) between two or more constituent magnetic elements (magnetic phases, primary nanoparticles) to enhance and tune the heating power. This process occurred in parallel with the progress in the methods for the chemical synthesis of nanostructures and in the comprehension of magnetic phenomena at the nanoscale. Therefore, complex magnetic architectures have been realized that we classify as: (a) core/shell nanoparticles; (b) multicore nanoparticles; (c) linear aggregates; (d) hybrid systems; (e) mixed nanoparticle systems. After a general introduction to the magnetic heating phenomenology, we illustrate the different classes of nanoparticle systems and the strategic novelty they represent. We review some of the research works that have significantly contributed to clarify the relationship between the compositional and structural properties, as determined by the synthetic process, the magnetic properties and the heating mechanism.

Description: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully synthesized using the aqueous extract of the Paronychia argentea Lam (P. argentea) wild plant. The results showed that the conversion of Ag+ to Ag0 nanoparticles ratio reached 96.5% as determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), with a negative zeta potential (ζ) of −21.3 ± 7.68 mV of AgNPs expected to improve the stability of synthesized AgNPs. AgNP antibacterial activity has been examined against Streptococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was 4.9 µL/mL for both E. coli and S. aureus bacteria, while the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were 19.9 µL/mL and 4.9 µL/mL for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The synthesized AgNPs were incorporated in ultrafiltration polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) membranes and showed remarkable antibiofouling behavior against both bacterial strains. The membranes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The contact angle and porosity of the membrane were also determined. The efficiency of the membranes regarding rejection rate was assessed using bovine serum albumin (BSA). It was found in the flux experiments that membranes BSA rejection was 99.4% and 98.7% with and without AgNPs, respectively.

Description: The distribution characteristics, environmental contamination states, and potential ecological risks of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in seawater, sediment and breeding feed were studied in a typical mariculture area in western Guangdong of China. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine metal homology, and the single-factor index, potential ecological risk index, hazard quotient (HQ), and joint probability curve (JPC) were used to evaluate pollution states and ecological risk of metals. Four main statements can be concluded from the results: (1) Pb and Cu showed a similar distribution pattern in the seawater and sediment and their contents in the breeding wastewater exceeded the standard limits in several stations. (2) Cr, Cu, and As have similar sources in the feeds, which may be an important source of metals in water. (3) The risk assessment revealed that the sediment from the studied areas was at a low ecological risk of heavy metal, whereas, water in the pond and outfall was slightly polluted by Pb, and water in the cages and outfall were slightly polluted by Cu. (4) Both the hazard quotient (HQ) and joint probability curve showed the overall risk probabilities (ORPs) in the waters ranked as Cu 〉 Cr 〉 Pb 〉 Cd 〉 As. Although Pb and Cd had HQ values greater than 1, their ORPs were acceptable. This study highlights that multiple evaluation models are more reliable than the single ecological risk assessment for evaluating heavy metal pollution risks in the mariculture area.