Search Results (31,715)

The present study focuses on scientific and experimental research on corrosion damage to the bodies of subway cars. The main purpose of the research is to assess the degree of corrosive wear on the main load-bearing metal structures of the subway cars after the end of their service life in order to determine the possibility of their further operation. Scientific and experimental research was conducted under the conditions of the municipal enterprise “Kyiv Metro” on subway cars of the series (models) Yezh, 81-714/717 and 81-714.5/717.5, which had reached the end of their service life. The main methodological approach of the research consisted of conducting technical diagnostics of the subway cars using standardized non-destructive testing methods. The goal of the research was achieved by solving two main tasks. The first task was to determine mathematical expressions describing the dynamics of changes in the thickness and degree of corrosive wear of the metal structures of the studied subway cars, depending on number of years in operation. The second task was to determine the possibility of extending the service of the subway cars after reaching the end of their service life. The scientific novelty of this study lies in determining the degree of thinning and the development of corrosive wear of the metal structures of the studied subway cars depending on the type of structure and service life. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the possibility to predict the residual strength resources of the individual elements of the metal structures of the studied cars using the corrosive wear criterion. It was established that the 092GS material of the main metal structures of the subway car bodies is sufficiently resistant to corrosion processes. The results of the research show that the metal structures of the subway cars studied had a margin of safety and, therefore, their service life could be extended. Full article

Direct ink writing (DIW) has emerged as a promising method for fabricating flexible electronics. Copper nanowires are a key material for the conductive inks required for this technology. However, copper nanowires suffer from significant challenges, including low aspect ratios, poor oxidation resistance, and difficulty in printing. In this study, a liquid-phase reduction method was used to synthesize copper nanowires with a high aspect ratio (up to 2884) and excellent oxidation resistance. The conductive ink was prepared using ethylene glycol, isopropanolamine (MIPA), and ethanol as solvents. Rheological dynamics simulations were used to investigate the influence of printing parameters on ink printing accuracy, ultimately achieving precise control of the printing process. High-precision copper nanowire flexible circuits with a low resistivity of 2.11 μΩ·cm were fabricated under thermal sintering conditions using the DIW method. These circuits exhibited excellent adhesion, flexural behavior, and water resistance, demonstrating significant practical significance for the low-cost fabrication of high-precision flexible electronic devices. Full article

The genus Asparagus L. is a traditional Chinese herb valued for its medicinal and culinary properties, with root tubers being the primary organ of interest. To elucidate the genetic mechanisms underlying tuber formation, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis of two species, Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. and Asparagus taliensis F. T. Wang & Tang ex S. C. Chen, which exhibit distinct differences in root tuber number. High-throughput sequencing generated 6.68 Gb and 7.60 Gb of clean data for the respective species, leading to the annotation of 115,080 non-redundant unigenes. Comparative analysis identified 26,013 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 1096 associated with carbohydrate metabolism. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that the MEred and Megreenyellow modules which included genes involved in material and energy metabolism were significantly correlated with tuber development. From these modules, we identified two candidate genes involved in carbon and sugar metabolism, designated Ac_uniYEAD and Ac_uniRPE. Quantitative real-time PCR validation confirmed that their expression levels were positively correlated with root tuber number, consistent with the transcriptomic data. These results highlight Ac_uniYEAD and Ac_uniRPE as promising targets for genetic improvement of tuber yield in Asparagus breeding programs. Full article

Wear, a critical factor governing the performance and durability of mechanical systems, is typically characterized using point-contact and line-contact test configurations. However, it remains unclear whether the wear trends observed in one test configuration would be observed in the other configuration under the same nominal conditions. In this study, ball-on-disk (ASTM G99) and block-on-ring (ASTM G77) tests were conducted under an identical maximum Hertzian contact stress and sliding speed, using the same material pair and lubricating oil, to clarify which contact configuration exhibits more wear and why. The results show that, under the same Hertzian contact stress, the line-contact configuration exhibits a specific wear rate two orders of magnitude higher than the point-contact configuration, despite exhibiting a lower and more stable coefficient of friction. The disk wear is negligible and the ball shows only mild material loss, whereas the line-contact system displays wear rates several orders of magnitude higher, with the rotating ring contributing the dominant share of the total wear. White-light interferometry and scanning electron microscopy observations reveal directional, groove-dominated surface morphologies on the ball and disk, while wear on the block is confined to edge-localized regions and the worn ring surface has smooth, polished morphology. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirms that a Zn- and P-rich tribofilm forms exclusively on the ring surface. Finite element analysis shows stress amplification at the finite line-contact edges, explaining the observed wear severity. These results demonstrate that matching Hertzian contact stress alone is insufficient to ensure comparable wear behavior between point and line contacts. Full article

Silver/polyvinyl alcohol (Ag/PVA) nanocomposite films were synthesized via solution casting with varying concentrations of Ag nanoparticles (1–5 wt%). A comprehensive investigation was conducted to understand the influence of Ag content on the structural, optical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and antibacterial properties of the composites. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed a red shift in absorption peaks and a reduction in the optical band gap, which decreased from 3.78 eV for pure PVA to 3.37 eV for the 5 wt% Ag composite. FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed successful nanoparticle incorporation and morphological changes. The nanocomposites exhibited enhanced tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus, and hardness due to strong interfacial interactions. The addition of Ag also increased hydrophobicity and imparted effective antibacterial activity. The electrical and thermal properties showed significant improvement: AC conductivity increased from 5.8 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.01 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm with Ag content, while the dielectric constant decreased. A high DC conductivity of 1.5 × 10⁵ S/cm was achieved with only 3 wt% Ag. Thermal conductivity also rose from 0.27 W/m·K for pure PVA to 0.92 W/m·K for the 5 wt% composite. These results demonstrate that Ag/PVA nanocomposites are promising multifunctional materials for flexible electronics, combining tunable optoelectronic properties with enhanced mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial performance. Full article

Introduction: Minor digestive ailments are a common reason for individuals to visit pharmacies, and can be efficiently managed through structured pharmaceutical advice. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of advice provided by pharmacists in community pharmacies from the perspectives of both patients and pharmacists. The primary focus of the study was not on assessing the effectiveness of a specific medication, but rather on the pharmaceutical advice provided. Materials and Methods: This prospective multicenter observational study was conducted between January and March 2025 in community pharmacies across Poland among adult patients with dyspepsia without alarm symptoms and included two visits: an initial visit and a follow-up phone call after 7–14 days. Symptom severity across seven domains was assessed using a GSRS-based tool, and data on adherence, treatment regimen, patient satisfaction, and acceptable costs of the two-visit service were collected. Statistical analyses (p < 0.05) using both parametric and non-parametric tests were performed on data from 100 participants who completed the study, with cost data serving as a proxy for willingness to pay. Results: Most patients (92.7%) reported symptom improvement, with a median time to relief of 3 days and good treatment adherence. The greatest benefits were observed for abdominal pain and flatulence, and higher baseline symptom severity was consistently associated with greater improvement. Service acceptability was high, and patients’ reported willingness to pay suggests perceived value and potential economic feasibility of the service. Conclusions: Structured pharmaceutical advice for digestive ailments (including triage, education, management plans, and monitoring of effects) led to rapid and clinically significant improvements in most patients. This approach demonstrates high adherence rates and positive acceptability. The stability of effects across different demographic groups, along with a predictable pattern of changes in various domains, supports the expansion of this service and customization of educational messages. Full article

The VDA 238-100 tight radius bend test has gained widespread acceptance for plane strain fracture characterization of sheet metals in proportional loading without necking. The VDA test features a 60 × 60 mm² square blank with a 0.2 mm or 0.4 mm radius punch to provide plane strain bending where the fracture limit of the material is lowest. However, the through-thickness gradients that suppress necking and promote fracture on the convex surface in tension can be exploited to efficiently characterize the fracture strain from uniaxial to plane strain tension by varying the sample width. In this study, V-bend tests were conducted for various sample widths for four advanced high-strength steels: 980GEN3, DP1180, MP800-V1, and MP800-V2 with the local fracture strains measured using digital image correlation. Reducing the width-to-thickness ratio below five altered the stress state at the failure location, with an aspect ratio of one providing edge fractures under uniaxial tension. This aspect ratio was then applied to 980GEN3 and MP800 steel samples with punched edges as it provides an efficient method for sheared edge fracture characterization that is not susceptible to necking as with common sheared edge tensile tests. To mitigate strain averaging inherent in DIC near surfaces, a geometric-based arc length methodology was proposed. The sheared edge fracture limits from the V-bend tests were then compared with the results from conical hole expansion and in-plane bend tests. The sheared edge formability was observed to have a material-dependent sensitivity to the test method. MP800-V2, with centerline segregation, exhibited a pronounced sensitivity to the applied deformation mode with absolute differences in fracture strains of 0.13 while the MP800-V1 and 980GEN3 did not. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare workers have faced increasing emotional strain driven by organizational constraints, rising workload, and accumulated post-pandemic pressure. To support emotional well-being in primary care professionals, the Catalan Health Institute implemented a large-scale psychoeducational group program in its primary care centers. This study explored its feasibility, acceptability, and the factors shaping real-world implementation from the perspectives of participating professionals and community psychologists who taught it. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted involving five online focus groups held with community psychologists (two groups) and primary care professionals who participated in the program (three groups), selected through purposive sampling. Additional qualitative material was obtained from implementation-related field notes. Session transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05720429). Results: Participants described a context of sustained emotional strain that increased motivation to engage with the program. The sessions were perceived as a valuable protected space for emotional expression, interpersonal connection, and learning self-care strategies. Community psychologists were regarded as key facilitators due to their embedded role and contextual knowledge. However, inconsistent managerial engagement, lack of protected time, competing workloads, and inadequate physical spaces were barriers to successful implementation. Participants proposed strengthening institutional support and offering follow-up sessions to consolidate benefits. Conclusions: The program was positively valued and was perceived to provide individual and team-level benefits. Its sustainability requires stronger organizational commitment and integration into routine practice. Findings underscore the need to complement individual-focused interventions with systemic actions addressing workload, staffing, and organizational culture. Full article

The cement industry will be officially regulated by China’s national carbon market. Authenticity and accuracy of emission data are prerequisites and the foundation for ensuring the healthy and stable operation of the market. At present, China’s carbon market mainly adopts the Calculation-Based Method (CBM) for data accounting. However, in the cement sector, this method faces challenges due to the inherent complexity of both raw materials and fuels, making it difficult to obtain accurate emission data through CBM alone. Therefore, regulatory authorities are promoting the installation and application of the Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) by enterprises. Pilot studies, however, have revealed considerable discrepancies between the data from the two methods. In this study, a combined data monitoring and accounting method was proposed, in which CBM and CEMS were combined to improve emission data quality. The actual operational and emission data from a case enterprise was taken as an example, and this study conducted systematic analysis and research on data collection and preprocessing, operating condition classification, correlation model construction, and abnormal data diagnosis. The results revealed that this combined method can effectively improve the degree of correlation between CBM and CEMS carbon emissions. Moreover, higher accuracy of abnormal data identification can be achieved through statistical testing. This combined monitoring method not only strengthens data tamper-resistance at the enterprise level but also has the potential to reduce regulatory oversight costs, thereby providing reliable technical support for emission data quality control. Full article

In recent years, antiferromagnetic kagome materials have attracted considerable attention in condensed matter physics owing to their distinctive lattice geometry. In this work, high-quality single crystals of D019-structured Mn_2.16Ga were grown using the flux method, and their magnetotransport properties were systematically studied. Measurements of magnetization versus field (M–H), temperature-dependent magnetization (M–T), and the anomalous Hall effect confirm that the crystal undergoes a magnetic-structural transition driven by both temperature and the magnetic field. Remarkably, a coexistence of positive and negative longitudinal magnetoresistance (MR) is observed in Mn_2.16Ga. The MR shows a field-induced sign change from negative to positive. The negative MR is attributed to field-modified magnetic ordering, whereas the positive MR originates mainly from interlayer electron conduction in the kagome lattice and distortion of the in-plane triangular arrangement of Mn magnetic moments. These results offer valuable insights into the electronic and magnetic transport behavior of Mn-based antiferromagnetic single crystals. Full article

Background: Written educational materials are widely used in community pharmacies to support patient education, and available evidence suggests their effectiveness in improving short-term knowledge. However, there remains a need for well-documented, practice-oriented evaluations of pharmacist-developed materials in real-world community pharmacy settings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate impact of a pharmacist-developed educational leaflet on women’s health knowledge and its perceived usefulness, clarity, and acceptability. Methods: This study evaluated pharmacist-developed educational leaflets addressing women’s health topics using a pre–post study design. The study was conducted in Poland and involved 266 adult women. All participants completed a five-question knowledge test before and immediately after reading the educational leaflet, followed by a self-assessment of perceived usefulness, clarity, and visual appeal. Descriptive statistics were performed to summarize the results. Results: A statistically significant increase in knowledge was observed after exposure to the educational material, with mean scores rising from 2.8 ± 1.2 to 4.6 ± 0.7 (out of 5, p < 0.001). The greatest improvements were noted in topics related to sexually transmitted infection self-testing and pregnancy testing. Most participants rated the leaflet as useful, comprehensible, attractive, and engaging, with higher ratings reported among younger and better-educated respondents. Conclusions: Pharmacist-developed educational leaflets can support short-term knowledge acquisition and are perceived positively by women across age groups. These findings highlight the potential role of community pharmacies in delivering accessible written health education, while underscoring the need for future studies to assess long-term knowledge retention, behavioral outcomes, and topic-specific, targeted materials. Full article

Recent research suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) tools allow EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners to exert greater control over their language-learning process. Furthermore, these tools enhance their language skills by providing them with elements often absent in traditional classroom settings, such as autonomy and individual pace of learning. Specifically, AI-based tools, such AI chatbots, have the potential to facilitate learning and streamline tasks for both students and instructors in language-learning contexts. These digital companions (i.e., chatbots) can be methodically crafted and equipped with the required essential materials to support students in practising language skills independently, regardless of time or location. The current study presents an experiment conducted with undergraduate students at a university in Saudi Arabia to assess the effectiveness of a customised AI chatbot, WritePro (GPT-4), in improving their writing skills. Learners in the experimental group were instructed to use WritePro to navigate through their writing stages, focusing their queries on four key components: content and organisation, grammar mechanics, vocabulary usage, and sentence structure. The findings showed that WritePro serves as an effective tool for EFL learners to overcome several challenges in developing writing competencies. Therefore, the significance of these findings lies in the potential of AI tools to enable EFL instructors to effectively integrate chatbots into classroom instruction, supporting the development of students’ writing skills. Furthermore, these findings can be used as a basis for advocacy with university policymakers regarding the use of AI chatbots in language classrooms. Full article

Nahj al-Balāghah is widely recognized as a foundational and authoritative scripture in Shia Islam. One notable aspect of Nahj al-Balāghah is the deliberate selection and structured arrangement of Ḥadiths. According to the book’s introduction, al-Raḍī explains that he chose the Ḥadiths based on literary considerations. An analysis comparing the selected Ḥadiths with their full versions suggests their inclusion was determined not only by eloquence and rhetorical value but also by conceptual significance. Through textual and descriptive analytical methods, this study examines the author’s motives, especially his political and religious aims, in incorporating materials related to ʿĀisha. A comparison of the relevant ḥadīths in Nahj al-Balāghah and other historical sources indicates that Sayyid Raḍī omitted—or at least refrained from including—certain statements attributed to ʿAlī regarding the Prophet Muḥammad’s youngest wife. The omitted parts concern ʿĀisha’s inconsiderate behavior, grudges, sins, following Satan, and ignoring the Prophet’s prediction. Considering sectarian conflicts between Shiites and Sunnis in the 3rd and 4th centuries AH, some arising from criticisms of ʿĀisha’s conduct and sometimes escalating into violence, al-Raḍī, the supreme judge appointed by the ʿAbbāsid Caliphate, was compelled to omit and censor ʿAli’s harsh remarks about ʿĀisha to prevent further sectarian tensions. Full article

Titanium alloys are widely used as bone graft materials due to their excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Implant failure can result from long-term exposure to body fluids and inflammation-induced pH decreases, both of which compromise the material’s corrosion resistance and mechanical stability. To address this issue, porous Ti-6Al-4V alloy was selected in this work. Immersion tests were conducted in Hank’s solution with different pH values (3, 5, and 7) for 90 days to simulate the in vivo microenvironment under various physiological conditions. The degradation behavior of porous Ti-6Al-4V alloy during the 90-day immersion period was systematically investigated using a combination of characterization techniques. The results indicated that TiO₂, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, and Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ phases were formed on the surface of the after 90 days of immersion. Massive dissolution of TiO₂ was observed in solutions with high H⁺ concentration (low pH). Ion release tests revealed that the concentration of titanium ions released was significantly higher in acidic solutions, suggesting that the passive film formed on porous Ti-6Al-4V alloy was unstable and prone to dissolution under acidic conditions. Consequently, a large amount of corrosion products accumulated on the specimen surfaces immersed in acidic solutions for a long duration. Moreover, the compression properties of the samples deteriorated after immersion. Specifically, the compressive strength decreased by 12.68 MPa, 11.67 MPa, and 5.84 MPa for sample immersed in solutions with pH = 3, 5, and 7, respectively. The significant reduction in compressive performance of the alloy in high H⁺ concentration solutions was attributed to the decreased compactness caused by ion release. The fracture mode of the porous Ti-6Al-4V alloy after immersion was identified as a mixed mode of ductile and brittle fracture. Full article

Background and Objectives: IgG4-related disease is a chronic fibro-inflammatory condition. Despite the development of classification and responder indexes, reliable biomarkers for disease activity and therapeutic monitoring remain limited. We evaluate the performance of a panel of biomarkers, including cytokine profiles, plasmablasts and conventional markers. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, single-center study, involving 35 patients diagnosed with IgG4-RD. Disease activity was evaluated using the IgG4-RD Responder Index (RI), Damage Index (DI) and clinical assessment. Laboratory evaluation included serum IgG4, total IgG, CRP, ESR, eosinophils, IgE, complement levels, and cytokine profiling via multiplex immunoassay. B cell subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA/BE 17.0. Results: Patients with active disease (RI > 4 or clinical judgment) exhibited significantly higher levels of total IgG (p = 0.02), IgG4 (p = 0.01), and IL-5 (p = 0.03). PET-positive patients showed a Th1-skewed immune profile, with elevated IFN-γ/IL-4 (p < 0.001), reduced IL-21/IFN-γ (p = 0.03), and increased eosinophils (p = 0.03). Clinician-assessed active disease was associated with higher total IgG levels (p = 0.01). Treatment-specific effects were observed: prednisone was associated with lower IgG4 and C3 levels. Notably, plasmablasts did not consistently correlate with clinical or imaging activity scores, possibly reflecting treatment status or B cell dynamics. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that cytokine ratios, particularly those involving IL-5, IL-13, IL-21, and IFN-γ, offer complementary information to traditional serological markers for IgG4-RD activity. While PET/CT-defined activity was best reflected by biomarkers of an IFN-γ-mediated pathway, the IgG4-RD RI demonstrated a stronger association with conventional humoral markers like serum IgG4 and total IgG. None of these biomarkers correlated with organ damage. Full article