Search Results (42)

This study evaluates the efficiency of sub-stoichiometric Ti₄O₇ titanium oxide anodes for the electrochemical degradation of glyphosate, a persistent herbicide classified as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization. After optimizing the process operating parameters (pH and current density), the mineralization efficiency and fate of degradation by-products of the treated solution were determined using a total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer and HPLC/MS, respectively. The results showed that at pH = 3, glyphosate degradation and mineralization are enhanced by the increased generation of hydroxyl radicals (^●OH) at the anode surface. A current density of 14 ${\mathrm{mA} \mathrm{cm}}^{-2}$ enables complete glyphosate removal with 77.8% mineralization. Compared with boron-doped diamond (BDD), ${\mathrm{Ti}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_7$ shows close performance for treatment of a concentrated glyphosate solution (0.41 mM), obtained after nanofiltration of a synthetic ionic solution (0.1 mM glyphosate), carried out using an NF-270 membrane at a conversion rate (Y) of 80%. At 10${ \mathrm{mA} \mathrm{cm}}^{-2}$ for 8 h, ${\mathrm{Ti}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_7$ achieved 81.3% mineralization with an energy consumption of 6.09 ${\mathrm{kWh} \mathrm{g}}^{-1}$ TOC, compared with 90.5% for BDD at 5.48 ${\mathrm{kWh} \mathrm{g}}^{-1}$ TOC. Despite a slight yield gap, ${\mathrm{Ti}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_7$ demonstrates notable efficiency under demanding conditions, suggesting its potential as a cost-effective alternative to BDD for glyphosate electro-oxidation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dental cavity preparation is a critical procedure in restorative dentistry that involves the removal of decayed tissue while preserving a healthy tooth structure. Excessive stress during tooth preparation leads to enamel cracking, dentin damage, and long term compressive pulp health. This study employed finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the stress distribution in dental structures during cavity preparation using round diamond burs of varying diameters and depths of cut (DOC). Methods: A three-dimensional human maxillary first molar was generated from computed tomography (CT) scan data using 3D Slicer, Fusion 360, and ANSYS Space Claim 2024 R-2. Finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted using ANSYS Workbench 2024. Round diamond burs with diameters of 1, 2, and 3 mm were modeled. Cutting simulations were performed for DOC of 1 mm and 2 mm. The burs were treated as rigid bodies, whereas the dental structures were modeled as deformable bodies using the Cowper–Symonds model. Results: The simulations revealed that larger bur diameters and deeper cuts led to higher stress magnitudes, particularly in the enamel and dentin. The maximum von Mises stress was reached at 136.98 MPa, and dentin 140.33 MPa. Smaller burs (≤2 mm) and lower depths of cut (≤1 mm) produced lower stress values and were optimal for minimizing dental structural damage. Pulpal stress remained low but showed an increasing trend with increased DOC and bur size. Conclusions: This study provides clinically relevant guidance for reducing mechanical damage during cavity preparation by recommending the use of smaller burs and controlled cutting depths. The originality of this study lies in its integration of CT-based anatomy with dynamic FEA modeling, enabling a realistic simulation of tool–tissue interaction in dentistry. These insights can inform bur selection, cutting protocols, and future experimental validations. Full article

This study aimed to develop an intellectual and analytical platform for assessing the psychophysiological load on flight instructors in a flight school (general aviation). As part of this study, an information model for evaluating the working environment’s load based on noise levels was developed, a model to predict individual psychophysiological load was created, an expert model to assess mental health was established, and a hybrid model was devised to determine the overall psychophysiological load on an instructor while performing their duties. Noise load was measured during flights with two aircraft (Zlín Z43 and Diamond DA-40 TDI), resulting in the acquisition of 4,361,300 data points. This dataset was collected during two data acquisition sessions for each aircraft, encompassing three phases of flight: takeoff, in-flight, and landing. During the flight, noise measurements were conducted based on five indicators: sound pressure, fluctuation strength, roughness, sharpness, and tonality. Based on the measured data, the platform was verified and configured, and example evaluations were demonstrated. This study employed modern methods of intelligent data analysis, utilizing both univariate and multivariate membership functions. The developed platform incorporates quantitative dynamic data obtained from devices measuring psychophysiological load, integrating professional mental health assessments and predicting dynamic work environment indicators for modeling load trends. Early detection of critical load levels helps protect the health of flight instructors, thus creating a safe working environment for training new pilots. Full article

Comparing electroanalysis and chromatography, this study highlights that electroanalysis, specifically using a glassy carbon sensor (GCS), is the most appropriate choice for quantifying recalcitrant organic compounds. Octocrylene (OC), an organic compound commonly found in sunscreens, is of particular concern in swimming pool water monitoring, as its presence above legal limits poses health risks. OC quantification was performed using both high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electroanalysis in sunscreen formulations and water matrices. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQ) for OC were approximately 0.11 ± 0.01 mg L⁻¹ and 0.86 ± 0.04 mg L⁻¹ by electroanalysis, and 0.35 ± 0.02 mg L⁻¹ and 2.86 ± 0.12 mg L⁻¹ by HPLC. Electroanalysis successfully quantified OC in real sunscreen samples, and the results were comparable to those obtained by HPLC. The matrices tested—swimming pool water and distilled water (containing 0.002 M Cl⁻) contaminated with 0.4 ± 0.2 g L⁻¹ of sunscreen (based on a maximum concentration in sunscreen and cosmetic formulations of 10%)—showed OC concentrations below 10% in the formulation, with no significant differences observed between the two techniques. GCS was further utilized to monitor OC degradation via anodic oxidation at current densities of 5 and 10 mA cm⁻², using a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode. The combined approach demonstrated high efficacy in both detecting and eliminating OC from various water matrices, making it a reliable and efficient alternative for environmental and water quality monitoring. Full article

This bibliometric study investigates Open Access (OA) publication and citation trends in Austria, Israel, and Mexico from 2010 to 2020—three countries with comparable research output but differing OA infrastructures. (1) Background: The study examines how national OA policies, funding mechanisms, and transformative agreements (TAs) shape publication and citation patterns across disciplines. (2) Methods: Using Scopus data, the analysis focuses on four broad subject areas (health, physical, life, and social sciences), applying both three-way ANOVA and a Weighted OA Citation Impact index that adjusts citation shares based on the proportional representation of each subject area in national research output. An OA Engagement Score was also developed to assess each country’s policy and infrastructure support. (3) Results: OA publications consistently receive more citations than closed-access ones, confirming a robust OA citation advantage. Austria leads in both OA publication volume and weighted impact, reflecting its strong policy frameworks and TA coverage. Israel, while publishing fewer OA articles, achieves high citation visibility in specific disciplines. Mexico demonstrates strengths in repositories and Diamond OA journals but lags in transformative agreements. (4) Conclusions: National differences in OA policy maturity, infrastructure, and publishing models shape both visibility and citation impact. Structural limitations and indexing disparities may further affect how research from different regions and disciplines is represented globally, emphasizing the need for inclusive and context-sensitive frameworks for evaluating OA engagement. Full article

With low friction and high hardness, diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are a prominent surface engineering solution for tribosystems in various applications. Their versatility stems from their varying composition, facilitated by different deposition techniques, which affect their properties. However, environmental impact is often overlooked in coating design. The objective of this paper is to assess the resource efficiency of four different common deposition techniques, thus identifying critical factors for sustainable DLC deposition. The coatings were deposited in one single chamber, enabling a direct comparison of the resource consumption of each technology. Expenditure of electric energy and consumables per volumetric output accounted for the environmental impact of manufacturing the coatings, which was evaluated across the indicators of damage to human health, damage to ecosystems, and resource scarcity. Electric energy use, dictated by deposition rate, was demonstrated to be the most significant factor contributing to the environmental impact. The environmental impact of PECVD and μW-PECVD was comparable and remarkably lower than that of dcMS and HiPIMS, the latter being the least energy efficient process, with the lowest output rate but highest energy expenditure. Thus, μW-PECVD could be considered the ‘greenest’ production method. These findings are consequential for coaters to efficiently produce good-quality DLCs with low environmental impact. Full article

Estrogens in aquatic environments pose significant ecological and health risks due to their cumulative effects rather than individual impacts. This study investigates the voltammetric behavior of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), presenting a cost-effective and straightforward method for their simultaneous determination. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with a boron-doped diamond electrode, the method demonstrates high precision (deviations under 4%) and a linear dynamic range of 15.35–134.55 µmol·L⁻¹. Integration of a vacuum evaporation step reduced detection limits to 10⁻⁸ mol·L⁻¹, enabling effective analysis of real water samples. This optimized approach ensures practical applicability for monitoring total estrogen content in aquatic systems, providing an accessible and reliable alternative to conventional methods. Full article

Diabetic foot complications pose significant health risks, necessitating innovative approaches in orthotic design. This study explores the potential of additive manufacturing in producing functional footwear components with lattice-based structures for diabetic foot orthoses. Five distinct lattice structures (gyroid, diamond, Schwarz P, Split P, and honeycomb) were designed and fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) with varying strand thicknesses and resin types. Mechanical testing revealed that the Schwarz P lattice exhibited superior compressive strength, particularly when fabricated with flexible resin. Porosity analysis demonstrated significant variations across structures, with the gyroid showing the most pronounced changes with increasing mesh thickness. Real-time pressure distribution mapping, achieved through integrated force-sensitive resistors and Arduino-based data acquisition, enabled the visualization of pressure hotspots across the insole. The correlation between lattice properties and pressure distribution was established, allowing for tailored designs that effectively alleviated high-pressure areas. This study demonstrates the feasibility of creating highly personalized orthotic solutions for diabetic patients using additive manufacturing, offering a promising approach to reducing the plantar pressure in foot and may contribute to improved outcomes in diabetic foot care. Full article

Bisphenol A (BPA) and diclofenac (DCF) are among the most prevalent micropollutants in aquatic environments, with concentrations reaching up to several hundred µg/L. These compounds pose significant risks to biodiversity and environmental health, necessitating the development of effective removal methods. However, both BPA and DCF can be resistant to conventional treatment technologies, highlighting the need for innovative approaches. Electrochemical oxidation (EO) has emerged as a promising solution. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of EO using boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes to remove BPA and DCF from two types of treated wastewater (TWW-W and TWW-D) and landfill leachate (LL). The evaluation included an analysis of the removal efficiency of BPA and DCF and the identification of transformation products generated during the process. Additionally, the feasibility of the EO-BDD process to remove ammonium nitrogen (N-NH₄⁺) and organic compounds present in these environmental matrices was investigated. The EO-BDD treatment achieved remarkable removal efficiencies, reducing BPA and DCF concentrations by over 96% in LL and TWW-W. Transformation product analyses identified four intermediates formed from parent compounds during the oxidation process. Furthermore, the EO-BDD process effectively removed both chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium nitrogen from LL, although weaker results were observed for TWWs. These findings underscore the potential of the EO-BDD process as an effective method for the removal of BPA and DCF from challenging matrices, such as wastewater containing micropollutants. It also shows promise as a complementary technology for enhancing current conventional wastewater treatment methods, especially biological degradation. Full article

Conventional dry machining (without process media) of carbon fibre composite materials (CFRP) produces tiny chips/dust particles that float in the air and cause health hazards to the machining operator. The present study investigates the effect of cutting conditions (cutting speed, feed per tooth and depth of cut) during CFRP milling on the size, shape and amount of harmful dust particles. For the present study, one type of cutting tool (CVD diamond-coated carbide) was used directly for machining CFRP. The analysis of harmful dust particles was carried out on a Tescan Mira 3 (Tescan, Brno, Czech Republic) scanning electron microscope and a Keyence VK-X 1000 (Keyence, Itasca, IL, USA) confocal microscope. The results show that with the combination of higher feed per tooth (mm) and lower cutting speed, for specific CFRP materials, the size and shape of harmful dust particles is reduced. Particles ranging in size from 2.2 to 99 μm were deposited on the filters. Smaller particles were retained on the tool body (1.7 to 40 μm). Similar particle sizes were deposited on the machine and in the work area. Full article

Polymer modification has been established as a cost-effective, simple, in situ method for overcoming some of the inherent disadvantages of boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes, and its application has been extended to reliable, low-cost environmental monitoring solutions. The present review focuses on modifying BDD electrodes with semi-conductive polymers acting as redox mediators. This article reports on the development of a 3-methyl thiophene-modified boron-doped diamond (BDD/P3MT) sensor for the electrochemical determination of total phenolic compounds (TPCs) in tea samples, using gallic acid (GA) as a marker. GA is a significant polyphenol with various biological activities, making its quantification crucial. Thus, a simple, fast, and sensitive GA sensor was fabricated using the electroanalytical square wave voltammetry (SWV) technique. The sensor utilizes a semi-conductive polymer, 3-methyl thiophene, as a redox mediator to enhance BDD’s sensitivity and selectivity. Electrochemical synthesis was used for polymer deposition, allowing for greater purity and avoiding solubility problems. The BDD/P3MT sensor exhibits good electrochemical properties, including rapid charge transfer and a large electrochemical area, enabling GA detection with a limit of detection of 11 mg/L. The sensor’s response was correlated with TPCs measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu method. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) showed a good linear relationship between peak currents and GA concentrations in a wide linear range of 3–71 mg/L under optimal conditions. The BDD/P3MT sensor accurately measured TPCs in green tea, rooibos tea, and black tea samples, with green tea exhibiting the highest TPC levels. The results demonstrate the potential of the modified BDD electrode for the rapid and accurate detection of phenolic compounds in tea, with implications for quality control and antioxidant activity assessments. The prolific publications of the past decade have established BDD electrodes as robust BDD sensors for quantifying polyphenols. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, plant-derived beverages such as tea and wine, traditional Eastern remedies and various herbal nutritional supplements contain phenolic chemicals. The safety concerns of contaminated food intake are significant health concerns worldwide, as there exists a critical nexus between food safety, nutrition, and food security. It has been well established that green tea polyphenol consumption promotes positive health effects. Despite their potential benefits, consuming high amounts of these polyphenols has sparked debate due to concerns over potential negative consequences. Full article

Stress research in sports tends to focus on athletes, with sports officials typically being overlooked. In the current study, baseline, pre-game, and post-game cortisol levels among a sample of softball umpires were measured to assess the pattern of stress responses and determine if umpire performance (pass/fail) and position on the diamond (plate/field) could be predicted from cortisol levels. Nine male and four female participants aged 25–68 years (N = 13, M = 47.06 ± 15.65 years) each provided saliva samples on multiple occasions prior to and after officiating games at two Australian National Softball Championships. Data from 65 games were analysed. Performance was assessed using Softball Australia’s official umpire assessment tool. Cortisol levels increased significantly from baseline to pre-game (p < 0.001, d = −0.69) and declined significantly from pre-game to post-game (p < 0.001, d = 0.47). Umpiring performances were correctly classified as pass or fail from baseline and pre-game cortisol levels in 61.5% of cases and umpire position on the diamond from pre-game cortisol in 63.1% of cases. Findings suggest that stress management strategies should be recommended to softball umpires for performance enhancement and to safeguard their mental health. Full article

Three-dimensional flexible piezoresistive porous sensors are of interest in health diagnosis and wearable devices. In this study, conductive porous sensors with complex triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures were fabricated using the 3D printed sacrificial mold and enhancement of MWCNTs. A new curing routine by the self-resistance electric heating was implemented. The porous sensors were designed with different pore sizes and unit cell types of the TPMS (Diamond (D), Gyroid (G), and I-WP (I)). The impact of pore characteristics and the hybrid fabrication technique on the compressive properties and piezoresistive response of the developed porous sensors was studied. The results indicate that the porous sensors cured by the self-resistance electric heating could render a uniform temperature distribution in the composites and reduce the voids in the walls, exhibiting a higher elastic modulus and a better piezoresistive response. Among these specimens, the specimen with the D-based structure cured by self-resistance electric heating showed the highest responsive strain (61%), with a corresponding resistance response value of 0.97, which increased by 10.26% compared to the specimen heated by the external heat sources. This study provides a new perspective on design and fabrication of porous materials with piezoresistive functionalities, particularly in the realm of flexible and portable piezoresistive sensors. Full article

Mood research in sports typically focuses on athletes, with sports officials being largely overlooked. In the current study, mood profiling was used to determine if softball umpires reported an identifiable and consistent mood profile and if mood was predictive of umpiring performance and/or reflective of positive mental health. Eleven male and five female participants aged 25–68 years (M = 48.5 ± 15.5 years) each completed the Brunel Mood Scale on multiple occasions prior to officiating games at the 2020 U18 National Softball Championships. A total of 185 mood profiles were analysed. Performance was assessed using Softball Australia’s official umpire assessment tool. Overall, participants reported an iceberg mood profile, which tends to be associated with positive mental health and good performance. Umpiring performances (pass/fail) were correctly classified in 75.0% of cases from tension, depression, and confusion scores (p = 0.003). Participant sex explained 25.7% of the variance in mood scores (p < 0.001); age, 25.8% of the variance (p < 0.001); position on the diamond, 10.5% of the variance (p = 0.003); and accreditation level, 14.3% of the variance (p < 0.001). Australian softball umpires typically reported mood profiles associated with positive mental health, and none reported profiles associated with risk of mental ill-health. Full article

The high-performance determination of heavy metal ions (Cd²⁺) in water sources is significant for the protection of public health and safety. We have developed a novel sensor of nanograss boron and nitrogen co-doped diamond (NGBND) to detect Cd²⁺ using a simple method without any masks or reactive ion etching. The NGBND electrode is constructed based on the co-doped diamond growth mode and the removal of the non-diamond carbon (NDC) from the NGBND/NDC composite. Both the enlarged surface area and enhanced electrochemical performance of the NGBND film are achievable. Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) were used to characterize the NGBND electrodes. Furthermore, we used a finite element numerical method to research the current density near the tip of NGBND. The NGBND sensor exhibits significant advantages for detecting trace Cd²⁺ via DPASV. A broad linear range of 1 to 100 μg L⁻¹ with a low detection limit of 0.28 μg L⁻¹ was achieved. The successful application of this Cd²⁺ sensor indicates considerable promise for the sensitive detection of heavy metal ions. Full article