Search Results (1,360)

Disposable absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) contain plastics that are challenging to recycle and not biodegradable, making a significant contribution to landfill. Decreasing the nonbiodegradable mass of products could reduce this burden. Despite this, public data on how AHP design and material selection relate to performance is limited. In this work, fifteen commercial AHPs were characterised using dimensional measurement, infrared spectroscopy, and imaging. Simulated urination, air permeability, and moisture management testing were used to assess expected leakage and user comfort. Sustainable materials currently in use were identified, and their performance compared to typical plastics, informing opportunities to replace or reduce nonbiodegradable materials. Polybutylene adipate terephthalate-based leakproof layers replaced polyolefins. Commercial alternatives to polyacrylate superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), with comparable absorption, were not seen. Although absorbency correlated with the mass of absorbants, SAPs reduced surface moisture after absorption and are known for high absorption capacity under pressure, preventing rewetting. Channels and side guards were observed to prevent side leakage and guide fluid distribution, potentially reducing the need for nonbiodegradable nonwoven and absorbant content by promoting efficient use of the full product mass. While synthetic nonwovens typically outperformed cellulosics, apertured and layered nonwovens were associated with improved moisture transport; polylactic acid rivalled typical thermoplastics as a bio-derived, compostable alternative. Although the need for biopolymer-based SAPs and foams remains, it is hoped that these findings will guide AHP design and promote research in sustainable materials. Full article

The integration of smart electricity management models in buildings is a key strategy for improving living comfort and optimizing energy efficiency. The incentive mechanisms introduced by the Italian regulatory framework for widespread self-consumption and energy communities encourage the deployment of smart management systems within Collective Self-Consumption Groups (CSGs) and Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). These mechanisms drive the search for solutions that combine occupant well-being with economic benefits, thereby fostering citizen participation in aggregation models that play a key role in the transition towards a progressively decarbonized electricity system. In this context, an optimization model for the management of residential heat pumps is proposed, aimed at identifying the best compromise between thermal comfort, electricity consumption, and economic benefits. The approach developed in the research encourages citizens to take an active role without the need for burdensome commitments and/or significant changes in their daily habits, in line with the importance that users themselves attribute to these aspects. To demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach, a case study was developed on a residential building located in Sardinia (Italy). The implementation of an optimization model aimed at simultaneously maximizing economic benefits and indoor thermal comfort is simulated. The model’s economic and energy performance is assessed and compared with the results obtained using different advanced heat pump control and management strategies. Full article

E-scooters have become a widely adopted form of urban mobility, increasing the need to understand how vibration exposure affects comfort and safety. While most studies have examined the effects of speed, pavement roughness, and overall tire stiffness, none have evaluated how differing stiffness curves between the front and rear wheels influence rider comfort. This article uses real stiffness curves for rigid and inflatable tires at various pressures (30 psi, 60 psi, and rigid) to assess how front–rear stiffness asymmetry affects vibration transmission across speeds (10–20–30 km/h) and two roughness levels (low and high). The analysis, following the standard UNE-ISO 2631-1:2008 and supported by a multiple-regression model (adjusted R² = 93.84%, homoscedastic residuals), shows that speed and roughness dominate the comfort response (98.9%), while tire stiffness offers a secondary (1.1%) but useful tuning parameter, inducing comfort index variations exceeding 14% between front–rear pressure combinations under typical urban conditions (~20 km/h, low roughness). In this case, the most favorable configuration corresponds to inflatable tires with slightly higher front pressure (+2.9–4.35 psi), whereas solid tires consistently yield the poorest comfort. These findings underscore the role of front–rear stiffness management in improving ride quality and provide practical guidance for optimal inflation strategies in urban e-scooters. Full article

Jaw fracture management significantly advanced with the introduction of Erich Arch Bars (EABs) during World War II, becoming the gold standard for maxillomandibular fixation (MMF). EABs, however, are time-consuming, pose risks of sharps injuries, and hinder oral hygiene and patient comfort. This study tested the Minne Ties Hybrid Arch Bar System (MTHAB), a novel MMF technology. This cadaveric study used specimens with near-complete dentition to compare MTHAB and EABs. The technologies were applied by trained surgeons to measure occlusal forces, increasing elastic loads, and application and removal times. Surgeons completed structured usability surveys. The results indicated that MTHAB significantly reduced application time (19.8 ± 4.1 min versus 35.2 ± 5.7 min, p = 0.0027) and removal time (1.6 ± 0.4 min versus 5.1 ± 2.1 min, p = 0.0465) compared to EABs, while also being rated higher for ease of use and safety. Both technologies achieved acceptable occlusion forces, although MTHAB needed more elastics to achieve comparable forces to EABs. While MTHAB appears promising, future clinical trials are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes, fixation stability, and patient selection. MTHAB represents a potential advancement in MMF technology, balancing surgical efficiency, safety, and fixation strength. Full article

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems dominate energy consumption in hot-climate buildings, where maintaining occupant comfort under extreme outdoor conditions remains a critical challenge, particularly under emerging time-of-use (TOU) electricity pricing schemes. While deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has shown promise for adaptive HVAC control, existing approaches often suffer from comfort violations, myopic decision making, and limited robustness to uncertainty. This paper proposes a comfort-first hybrid control framework that integrates Soft Actor–Critic (SAC) with a Cross-Entropy Method (CEM) refinement layer, referred to as SACEM. The framework combines data-efficient off-policy learning with short-horizon predictive optimization and safety-aware action projection to explicitly prioritize thermal comfort while minimizing energy use, operating cost, and peak demand. The control problem is formulated as a Markov Decision Process using a simplified thermal model representative of commercial buildings in hot desert climates. The proposed approach is evaluated through extensive simulation using Saudi Arabian summer weather conditions, realistic occupancy patterns, and a three-tier TOU electricity tariff. Performance is assessed against state-of-the-art baselines, including PPO, TD3, and standard SAC, using comfort, energy, cost, and peak demand metrics, complemented by ablation and disturbance-based stress tests. Results show that SACEM achieves a comfort score of 95.8%, while reducing energy consumption and operating cost by approximately 21% relative to the strongest baseline. The findings demonstrate that integrating comfort-dominant reward design with decision-time look-ahead yields robust, economically viable HVAC control suitable for deployment in hot-climate smart buildings. Full article

Green technologies are strongly present in the energy mixes of countries around the world. In addition to the need to reduce the extraction of non-renewable raw materials and the harmful environmental impact associated with energy production, the trend towards renewable energy development should also be linked to the need to minimize energy poverty stemming from high electricity prices and the need to increase the energy efficiency of existing solutions. These issues formed the basis for the study’s objective, which was to examine the regulatory framework for the development of Poland’s energy system, with particular emphasis on sustainable development. A particularly important aspect of the study was the exploration of the market for green technologies introduced into the energy system in Poland, with a primary focus on solutions dedicated to small, individual consumers (households). The cognitive value of the study and its original character is created by the cognitive aspect in terms of the interests and consumer preferences of households in this area, motivated by economic considerations related to the energy efficiency aspect of RES solutions. In this regard, there is a relatively limited number of current studies conducted for the reference country (Poland), justifying the choice of the research topic and theme. For the purposes of the study, a literature review, as well as legal standards and industry reports, was conducted. A practical study was conducted based on the results of surveys conducted by selected companies involved in the sale and installation of heating solutions. Detailed research was supported by statistical instruments using PQstat software version 1.8.4.164. Key findings confirm significant household interest in green electricity production technologies, which enable improved energy efficiency of home energy installations. Importantly, the potential for lower electricity bills, which can be attributed to low system maintenance costs and the ability to manage consumption, is a factor in choosing renewable energy solutions. Current interest in renewable energy solutions focuses on heat pumps, photovoltaics, and energy storage. Renewable energy users are interested in integrating renewable energy technology solutions into energy production and management to optimize energy consumption costs and increase household energy independence. Full article

Toe-in (inward) and toe-out (outward) foot alignments significantly affect gait, posture, and joint stress, causing issues like abnormal gait, joint strain, and foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis and high arches. Addressing these alignments is crucial for improving mobility and comfort. This study introduces IoTToe, a wearable IoT device designed to detect and monitor gait patterns by using six ADXL345 sensors positioned on the foot, allowing healthcare providers to remotely monitor alignment via a webpage, reducing the need for physical tests. Tested on 45 participants aged 20–25 years with diverse BMIs, IoTToe proved suitable for both children and adults, supporting therapy and diagnostics. Statistical tests, including ICC, DFA, and ANOVA, confirmed the device’s effectiveness in detecting gait and postural control differences between legs. Gait variability results indicated that left leg showed more adaptability (DFA close to 0.5), compared to the right leg which was found more consistent (DFA close to 1). Postural control showed stable and agile standing with values between 0.5 and 1. Sensor combinations revealed that removing sensor B (on the gastrocnemius muscle) did not affect data quality. Moreover, taller individuals displayed smaller ankle angle changes, highlighting challenges in balance and upper body stability. IoTToe offers accurate data collection, reliability, portability, and significant potential for gait monitoring and injury prevention. Future studies would expand participation, especially among women and those with alignment issues, to enhance the system’s applicability for foot health management, safety and rehabilitation, further supporting telemetric applications in healthcare. Full article

The relevance of this study is driven by the increasing requirements for the energy efficiency and indoor comfort of residential and public buildings, particularly in regions with extreme climatic conditions characterized by substantial daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Effective management of heat transfer through building envelopes has become a key factor in reducing energy consumption and improving indoor comfort. This paper presents the results of an experimental–numerical investigation of the thermal behavior of an adaptive exterior wall system with a controllable air cavity. Steady-state and transient simulations were performed for three envelope configurations: a baseline design, a design with vertical air channels, and an adaptive configuration equipped with adjustable openings. Quantitative analysis showed that during the winter period, the adaptive configuration increases the interior surface temperature by 1.5–2.3 °C compared to the baseline design, resulting in a 12–18% reduction in the specific heat flux through the wall. In the summer period, the temperature of the exterior cladding decreases by 3–5 °C relative to the baseline, which reduces heat gains by 8–14% and lowers the cooling load. Additional analysis of temperature fields demonstrated that the presence of vertical air channels has a limited effect during winter: temperature differences at the surfaces do not exceed 1 °C. A similar pattern is observed in warm periods; however, due to controlled air circulation, the adaptive configuration provides an improved thermal regime. The results confirm the effectiveness of the adaptive wall system under the climatic conditions of southern Kazakhstan, characterized by high solar radiation and large diurnal temperature variations. The practical significance of the study lies in the potential application of adaptive façades to enhance the energy efficiency of buildings during both winter and summer seasons. Full article

A comfortable, reliable, safe and environmentally friendly high-speed train journey that saves time and offers an unforgettable experience for passengers is not a dream. Passengers can enjoy panoramic views, delicious cuisine and use their mobile devices without restrictions. High-speed trains, powered by environmentally friendly methods, are a sustainable form of transport, reducing harmful emissions. Integrating intelligent control and management into railway networks has the capacity to increase efficiency and improve reliability and safety, as well as reduce development and maintenance costs. Future intelligent railway network architectures are expected to focus on integrated, multi-layered systems that deeply embed artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced communication technologies (5G/6G) to ensure intelligent operation, improved reliability and increased safety. Distributed intelligent control in railways refers to an advanced approach in which decision-making capabilities are distributed across network components (trains, stations, track sections, control centers) rather than being concentrated in a single central location. The recent advances in AI in railways are associated with numerous scientific papers that enable intelligent traffic management, automatic train control, and predictive maintenance, with each of the proposed intelligent solutions being evaluated in terms of key performance indicators such as latency, reliability, and accuracy. This study focuses on how different intelligent solutions in railways can be implemented in network components based on the requirements for real-time control, near-real-time control, and non-real-time operation. The analysis of related works is focused on the proposed intelligent railway frameworks and architectures. The description of typical use cases for implementing intelligent control aims to summarize latency requirements and the possible distribution of control logic between network components, taking into account time constraints. The considered use case of automatic train protection aims to evaluate the added latency of communication. The requirements for the nodes that host and execute the control logic are identified. Full article

Background and Objectives: Hysteroscopy has become the “gold standard” in assessing uterine cavity abnormalities, and currently it can be performed in an “office setting”. Although office hysteroscopy has a better level of comfort than operative hysteroscopy, pain is a common concern. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used for pre-procedure analgesia, but they may cause gastrointestinal side effects. Paracetamol offers to be a safer alternative, but its efficacy in this setting is limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of oral paracetamol with oral ketoprofen for pain management during office hysteroscopy. Materials and Methods: Double-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial conducted at a single hysteroscopy center in Jakarta, Indonesia, over a 2-year period. Sixty women undergoing office hysteroscopy were randomized (1:1) to receive paracetamol 1000 mg orally or ketoprofen 100 mg orally 1 h before the procedure. Results: All participants completed the trial and were included in the analysis. The median visual analog score (VAS) during the procedure was 2 (range 0–8) in the paracetamol group versus 3 (range 0–6) in the ketoprofen group (p = 0.266). Median cramping scores 30 min post-procedure in the paracetamol group were 0 (range 0–5) vs. 0 (range 0–4) in the ketoprofen group, respectively (p = 0.499). Side effects occurred in 3 participants (10%) in the ketoprofen group and none of the paracetamol group. Comfort scores were high in both groups (median 9/10). No vagal reflexes were observed. Conclusions: Oral 1000 mg paracetamol was as effective as oral 100 mg ketoprofen for pain management during and after office hysteroscopy, with fewer side effects. Paracetamol may be a safe and cost-effective alternative for pre-procedure analgesia in office hysteroscopy. Full article

Recurrent canine cervical sialocele is most often caused by incomplete excision of the mandibular–sublingual gland complex, leading to anatomical distortion and concealment of residual tissue. This case describes the multimodal management of a repeatedly recurrent cervical sialocele in a young, small-breed dog following multiple previous revision surgeries. A stepwise bridging strategy was adopted before definitive salvage surgery. Oral phenobarbital was instituted, resulting in partial reduction in fluid accumulation and improved comfort. Ultrasound-guided intracavitary sclerotherapy with OK-432 was then performed, inducing a localized fibrotic response but without durable cure. Final resolution was achieved only after salvage ventral paramedian (VPM) sialoadenectomy, which provided wide exposure for complete excision of deeply concealed sublingual remnant tissue within a fibrotic pseudocapsule. Histology confirmed a cervical sialocele. Transient neuropraxia resolved within 3 weeks, and no recurrence was observed at 6 months postoperatively. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describing intracavitary OK-432 sclerotherapy as part of a staged multimodal strategy for canine cervical sialocele. This case illustrates the feasibility of integrating medical salivary suppression and minimally invasive sclerotherapy as bridging measures before salvage VPM surgery for refractory cervical sialocele. Full article

In this paper, we propose a data-driven decision-support approach for conceptual trail planning and management in protected natural areas, where environmental awareness (particularly climatic comfort and noise levels) is critical to ensuring a sustainable and enjoyable visitor mobility. Our case study is the Natural Park of La Mata and Torrevieja in Spain. The paper begins by identifying climate refuges in this park (areas offering shelter from heat and other adverse conditions based on meteorological data). We extend this with a novel comfort indicator that incorporates ambient noise levels, using acoustic data from sensors. A key challenge is the integration of heterogeneous data sources (climatic data and noise data from the park’s digital twin infrastructure). To demonstrate the potential of this approach for trail planning, we implement an A* pathfinding algorithm to explore comfort-oriented routing alternatives, guided by our combined climate-noise comfort index. The algorithm is applied to trail management in the Natural Park of La Mata and Torrevieja, enabling the identification of indicative high-comfort routes that can inform future trail design and management decisions, while accounting for ecological constraints and visitor well-being. Results show that the proposed comfort-aware routing improves average environmental comfort by 66.3% with only an additional 344 m of walking distance. Finally, this work constitutes a first step toward a data space use case, showcasing interoperable, AI-ready environmental data usage and aligning with the European Green Deal. Full article

Background and Objectives: Vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, vNOTES, has become an increasingly preferred minimally invasive option for benign hysterectomy. General anesthesia is still the routine choice, yet regional methods such as combined spinal epidural anesthesia may support a smoother postoperative course. Although the use of vNOTES is expanding, comparative information on anesthetic approaches remains limited, and its unique physiologic setting requires dedicated evaluation. To compare combined spinal epidural anesthesia with general anesthesia for benign vNOTES hysterectomy, focusing on postoperative nausea and vomiting, recovery quality, and intraoperative physiologic safety. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a single center and identified women who underwent benign vNOTES hysterectomy between March 2024 and August 2025 from electronic medical records. Participants received either combined spinal epidural anesthesia or general anesthesia according to routine clinical practice. All patients were managed within an enhanced recovery pathway that incorporated standardized analgesia and prophylaxis for postoperative nausea and vomiting. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting during the first day after surgery. Secondary outcomes included time to discharge from the recovery unit, pain scores at set postoperative intervals, early functional recovery, patient satisfaction and physiologic parameters extracted from intraoperative monitoring records. Analyses were performed according to the anesthesia group documented in the medical files. Results: One hundred forty patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Combined spinal epidural anesthesia was linked to a lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, a shorter stay in the post-anesthesia care unit, and reduced pain scores in the first 24 h (adjusted odds ratio 0.32, ninety five percent confidence interval 0.15 to 0.68). Early ambulation and oral intake were reached sooner in the combined spinal epidural group, with higher overall satisfaction also noted. Adherence to ERAS elements was similar between groups, with no meaningful differences in early feeding, mobilization, analgesia protocols or PONV prophylaxis. During the procedure, combined spinal epidural anesthesia produced more episodes of hypotension and bradycardia, while general anesthesia was linked to higher airway pressures and lower oxygen saturation. Complication rates within the first month were low in both groups. Conclusions: In this observational cohort study, combined spinal epidural anesthesia was associated with lower postoperative nausea, earlier recovery milestones and greater patient comfort compared with general anesthesia. Hemodynamic instability occurred more often with neuraxial anesthesia but was transient and manageable. While these findings point to potential recovery benefits for some patients, the observational nature of the study and the modest scale of the differences necessitate a cautious interpretation. They should be considered exploratory rather than definitive. The choice of anesthesia should therefore be individualized, weighing potential recovery benefits against the risk of transient hemodynamic effects. Larger and more diverse studies are needed to better define patient selection and clarify the overall risk benefit balance. These findings should be interpreted cautiously and viewed as hypothesis-generating rather than definitive evidence supporting one anesthetic strategy over another. Full article

Traditional firefighting protective clothing materials, such as meta- and para-aramid fibers, provide significant thermal protection but often fail to adequately manage heat stress and moisture, especially due to the incorporation of semi-permeable membranes within the three-layer garment structure known as turnout gear. Integrating hydrogels into textiles for firefighting personal protective clothing (PPC) could enhance thermoregulation and moisture management, providing firefighters with improved comfort and safety. Hydrogels are three-dimensional, hydrophilic polymer networks capable of holding substantial amounts of water. Their high water content and excellent thermal properties make them ideal for cooling applications. Therefore, this review focuses on the potential of hydrogel-infused textiles to improve firefighters’ PPC by enhancing thermal comfort and moisture management. Specifically, hydrogel structures and engineered properties for enhanced performance are presented, including smart hydrogels and hydration customization mechanisms. Hydrogel integration into firefighting PPC for moisture management and improved thermoregulation is explored, including current and future market projections and state-of-the-art clinical trial findings. Overall, the future of hydrogel-integrated textiles for firefighting PPC is bright, with numerous advancements and trends poised to enhance the safety, comfort, and performance of protective gear. Full article

In third-generation centralized heating systems, qualitative regulation of the heat transfer medium parameters is mainly performed at heat sources, while quantitative regulation is implemented at central and individual heating points, with buildings remaining passive heat consumers. Unlike fourth-generation systems, such systems generally do not employ renewable energy sources, thermal energy storage, or low-temperature operating regimes. Third-generation centralized heating systems operate based on design high-temperature schedules and centralized control, without considering the actual thermal loads of consumers. Under conditions of physical deterioration of heating networks, hydraulic imbalance, and operational constraints, the actual parameters of the heat transfer medium supplied to buildings often deviate from design values, resulting in deviations of thermal conditions at the level of end consumers and disruptions of thermal comfort. This study proposes the concept of an intelligent active individual heating point (IAIHP), designed to provide adaptive qualitative–quantitative regulation of heat transfer medium parameters at the level of individual buildings. Unlike approaches focused on demand-side management, the use of thermal energy storage, or the integration of renewable energy sources, the proposed solution is based on the application of a local thermal energy source. The IAIHP compensates for deviations in heat transfer medium parameters and acts as a local thermal energy source within the building heat supply system (BHSS). Control of the IAIHP operation is performed by a developed automation system that provides combined qualitative and quantitative regulation of the heat transfer medium supplied to the BHSS. The study assesses the potential scale of IAIHP implementation in third-generation centralized heating systems, develops a methodology for selecting the capacity of a local heat source, and presents the operating algorithm of the automatic control system of the IAIHP. At present, the reconstruction of an individual heating point of a kindergarten connected via a dependent scheme is being carried out based on the developed project documentation. Modeling and calculations show that the application of the IAIHP makes it possible to ensure indoor thermal comfort by reducing the risk of temperature deviations, which are otherwise typically compensated for by electric heaters. The proposed concept provides a methodological basis for a gradual transition from third-generation to fourth-generation centralized heating systems, while equipping the IAIHP with an intelligent control system opens opportunities for improving the energy efficiency of urban heating networks. The proposed integrated solution and the developed automatic control algorithms exhibit scientific novelty and practical relevance for Russia and other countries operating third-generation centralized heating systems, including Northern and Eastern European states, where large-scale infrastructure modernization and the implementation of fourth-generation technologies are technically or economically constrained. Full article