Search Results (1,358)

The enhanced mechanical durability of sprayed nanocellulose coatings at the macroscopic level is primarily required to promote their application in demanding industrial applications with frequently exposed surfaces. In this study, different coating configurations are designed by spraying aqueous cellulose nanofiber (CNF) suspensions in combination with boric acid (BA) as an internal crosslinker and polydopamine (PDA) as an adhesive interlayer onto glass substrates. Multilayer coatings (CNF/BA) or mixed-layer coatings (CNF + BA) with various concentrations of BA and numbers of sprayed layers are evaluated for maximized mechanical performance based on tape tests, rub tests, cross-cut tests, and scratching tests. Good adhesive strength was realized with an interlayer of PDA/BA (high-concentration BA = 10 mM). The highest cohesive strength was observed for a mixed CNF + BA coating (high-concentration BA = 10 mM) with a scratch resistance of 9 N, and a multilayer CNF/BA coating (gradient layers with ultra-high BA concentration = 100 mM) with a scratch resistance of 8 N. The coatings with the highest density did not uniquely introduce the best mechanical resistance when comparing CNF/BA and CNF + BA coatings, as the formation of BA crystals in multilayer coatings might negatively affect the mechanical properties through embrittlement. Alternatively, the mixed CNF + BA coatings with high BA concentrations provide high density and the best mechanical resistance. The favorable crosslinking corresponds to stabilized water contact angles and reduced spreading of the water as a function of time, while a decrease in coating density causes a reduction in transparency. The chemical interactions between CNF and BA are illustrated by infrared spectroscopy, confirming a reduction in free hydroxyl groups upon crosslinking. Full article

Involuntary urinary leakage due to stress urinary incontinence in women represents a widespread health condition that reduces quality of life. Background: Treatment with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) remains the most used procedure, although its impact on quality of life, specifically regarding sexual function effects, has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of our study is to achieve a broader understanding of the full range of outcomes after surgery, emotional well-being, and sexual function. Materials and Methods: The present prospective cohort study was conducted between 15 July 2023 and 15 June 2024 in the Emergency County Clinical Hospital Targu Mures, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This is an investigation of TVT surgery and its impact on urinary incontinence, conducted by evaluating bladder dysfunction and sexual function before and after surgical intervention, as well as considering physical and psychological outcomes using specific questionnaires. Results: There was a 91.7% objective cure rate for incontinence, while urinary symptoms, sexual function, and emotional health significantly improved, urine leakage associated with strong urgency (p = 0.0002), urine leakage associated with coughing, sneezing, or laughing (p ≤ 0.0001), and patient sexual activity and emotional health also improved after surgery (p ≤ 0.0001). Furthermore, colorectal symptoms improved. Conclusions: This study emphasizes that for the best recovery of sexual and emotional health post-surgery, complete symptom removal is a requirement. Additionally, the significance of combined questionnaires in assessing treatment efficacy is highlighted. A larger sample size of patients and a longer follow-up are required before recommending this procedure as a standard treatment. Full article

A systematic investigation was conducted on the laser shock forming (LSF) process of carbon steel Q355ME sheets and practical skin components, focusing on the influence of absorption layer types, laser energy, and impact cycles on forming capacity and surface properties. Three kinds of absorbing layers were compared in the experiment: no absorbing layer, 0.1 mm aluminum foil and 0.12 mm black tape. The results show that when the black tape is used as the absorbing layer, the forming effect is the best, the arc height value reaches 2.63 mm, and the radius of curvature is 1066 mm. Using 0.1 mm thick black tape as the absorption layer and laser parameters of 10% overlap rate, 15 ns pulse width, 4 mm spot, and 1064 nm wavelength, the single impact of 13 J, 15 J, and 17 J, and one, two, and three impacts of 15 J energy were carried out on the plate. It was found that the increase in laser energy and impact times resulted in increases in deformation, surface roughness, microhardness, and residual stress of the plate. The surface work hardening phenomenon of Q355ME plate after laser shock slowed down the increase in these performance parameters. The experimental results show that the laser energy is linearly positively correlated with the residual stress in a certain energy range. Under the optimized laser process parameters, the forming error of the actual skin parts is controlled within ± 0.4 mm, the surface residual stress increases by 368.9%, and the surface microhardness increases by 10.4%. The ultra-high strain plastic deformation and grain refinement on the surface of the sheet were caused by multiple laser shock peenings, which confirmed that LSF technology can improve the formability of carbon steel skin parts and improve its surface properties. Full article

This article presents a preliminary study on the potential application of artificial intelligence methods for assessing the durability of HTS tapes in superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs). Despite their importance for the selectivity and reliability of power networks, these devices remain at the prototype testing stage, and the phenomena occurring in HTS tapes during their operation—particularly the degradation of tapes due to cyclic transitions into the resistive state—are difficult to model owing to their highly non-linear and dynamic nature. A concept of an engineering decision support system (EDSS) has been proposed, which, based on macroscopically measurable parameters (dissipated energy and the number of transitions), aims to enable the prediction of tape parameter degradation. Within the scope of the study, five approaches were tested and compared: Gaussian process regression (GPR) with various kernel functions, k-nearest neighbours (k-NN) regression, the random forest (RF) algorithm, piecewise cubic hermite interpolating polynomial (PCHIP) interpolation, and polynomial approximation. All models were trained on a limited set of experimental data. Despite the quantitative limitations and simplicity of the adopted methods, the results indicate that even simple GPR models can support the detection of HTS tape degradation in scenarios where direct measurement of the critical current is not feasible. This work constitutes a first step towards the construction of a complete EDSS and outlines directions for further research, including the need to expand the dataset, improve validation, analyse uncertainty, and incorporate physical constraints into the models. Full article

Seed rope direct seeding technology is a precision seeding method that can accurately mix and arrange multiple varieties based on specific grain spacing and quantity, making it suitable for precision breeding and variety comparison studies. As seed ropes serve as the crucial seed encapsulation material in seed rope direct seeding, this study employed a multi-faceted approach to investigate the dynamic degradation of nonwoven fabric and paper material seed ropes under diverse environmental conditions as well as their adhesion properties with Ultisols, Oxisols, and the Substrate in this seeding technique. Firstly, the degradation dynamics were systematically analyzed using image-based surface area detection, breaking force measurement, and organic carbon content analysis. Secondly, the process of seed rope laying was simulated by modeling the sliding friction and adhesion forces during the detachment of soil slurry. The laying motion was simulated considering both sliding friction (during the uniform-speed interaction between the seed rope and soil slurry) and adhesion (during upward detachment), providing crucial reference values for optimizing the rope-breaking mechanism in field applications. The study yielded several significant findings: In natural environments, Wood pulp paper seed rope degrades significantly faster than nonwoven fabric, with a degradation cycle of only 5.68 days in winter (approximately 34% of the degradation cycle of nonwoven fabric) and 4.70 days in summer (approximately 78% of the degradation cycle of nonwoven fabric). The main effect of seed viability on the degradation rate of seed tapes was not statistically significant. The degradation of Wood pulp paper seed rope was relatively predictable in indoor settings but exhibited notable fluctuations outdoors. The peak friction occurred at 35% soil moisture content, with values of 1.22 N for Wood pulp paper seed rope and 2.08 N for nonwoven fabric when interacting with Oxisols; nonwoven ropes demonstrated stronger adhesion than Wood pulp paper seed rope in the Substrate (at moisture contents of 25–30% and 40–45%) and Oxisols (at 35–45% moisture). In Ultisols, nonwoven fabric only showed superior adhesion compared to Wood pulp paper seed rope at 35–45% moisture, while Wood pulp paper seed rope exhibited better adhesion in other moisture ranges. Full article

Routine collection of Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) can enhance patient–pharmacist communication and identify medication-related concerns. This study aims to explore the influence of RxTalk™, an electronic PRO tool, on patients’ attributes and the dynamics of communication. Secondary aims include describing patients’ experiences with RxTalk™ and identifying suggestions for improvements. This study is part of a pilot randomized controlled trial in which patients used RxTalk™ in the pharmacy while being observed before they spoke with the pharmacist. Patients’ interactions with pharmacists were tape-recorded and analyzed, and patients were interviewed within one week. We integrated data from RxTalk™, patient observations, taped encounters, and interviews to provide a thicker description of patients’ experiences with RxTalk™ and its impact on their communication. A total of 70% of patients found RxTalk™ easy to use, and 59% perceived RxTalk™ as very useful to extremely useful. Triangulated findings show that RxTalk™ met patients’ social and informational needs, improved their communication skills, and cultivated a sense of privacy to share concerns. Furthermore, RxTalk™ validated the appropriateness of reporting any health concerns, not simply medication concerns. As patients had a positive experience with RxTalk™, pharmacists should consider integrating PRO tools into their daily services to improve patient interactions and quality of care. Full article

Protective coatings are essential for extending the service life of components exposed to harsh conditions, such as pipes used in industrial systems, where wear and corrosion remain constant challenges. This study explores the development of a nano-sized TiO₂-reinforced electroless nickel-based ternary (Ni-W-P) alloy and composite coating on API X60 steel, a high-strength carbon steel pipe grade widely used in oil and gas pipelines, using an alkaline hypophosphite-reduced bath. The surface morphology, microstructure, elemental composition, structure, phase evolution, adhesion, and roughness of the coatings were analyzed using optical microscopy, FESEM, EDS, XRD, AFM, cross-cut tape test, and 3D profilometry. The tribological performance was evaluated via Vickers microhardness measurements and reciprocating wear tests conducted under dry conditions at a 5 N load. The TiO₂ nanoparticle-reinforced composite coating achieved a consistent thickness of approximately 24 µm and exhibited enhanced microhardness and reduced coefficient of friction (COF), although the addition of nanoparticles increased surface roughness (S_a). Annealing the electroless composites at 400 °C led to a significant improvement in their tribological properties, primarily owing to the grain growth, phase transformation, and Ni₃P crystallization. XRD analysis revealed phase evolution from an amorphous state to crystalline Ni₃P upon annealing. Both the alloy and composite coatings exhibited excellent adhesion performances. The combined effect of TiO₂ nanoparticles, tungsten, and Ni₃P crystallization greatly improved the wear resistance, with abrasive and adhesive wear identified as the dominant mechanisms, making these coatings well suited for high-wear applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) of the vulva is a chronic dermatologic disorder characterized by persistent pruritus, compulsive scratching, and progressive thickening of the vulvar skin. Currently, LSC diagnosis primarily relies on clinical presentation, with histopathological examination performed when the diagnosis is unclear. However, the precise pathogenic mechanisms driving the disease remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of LSC and evaluate the feasibility of tape stripping as a non-invasive diagnostic technique. Methods: Skin specimens were obtained using both traditional biopsy and tape stripping methods, and the metabolites and oxidized lipids in these samples were analyzed using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. Results: Our findings suggest that 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), an oxidized derivative of arachidonic acid (AA), activates the TRPV1 receptor, thereby exacerbating the itch–scratch cycle. This activation upregulates energy metabolism and promotes epidermal hyperplasia, providing new insights into the disease’s pathophysiology. Conclusions: Our study suggests that tape stripping could serve as a viable non-invasive diagnostic tool for LSC, with linoleic acid (LA) and AA potentially acting as biomarkers for the disease. Full article

Post-surgical complications are common complications following saphenectomy surgery, and strategies to facilitate its resolution are essential for postoperative recovery. This study evaluated the effects of adhesive elastic taping on edema control in patients undergoing saphenectomy. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with 40 patients of both sexes, divided into two groups: intervention (IG), which received taping immediately after surgery combined with standard compression, and a control group, which received standard treatment with compression stockings (CG). Assessments were performed preoperatively and seven days after surgery, including limb volume (indirect calculation), edema (dielectric constant analysis), Skin Elasticity Assessment (durometer), pain (Visual Analog Scale—VAS), limb functionality (Lower Extremity Functional Scale—LEFS), and ecchymosis area (Image J, version 1.51). Both groups showed a significant increase in edema postoperatively (IG: p = 0.003; CG: p = 0.001). The intervention group exhibited a trend toward volume reduction (p = 0.069), better functionality (p = 0.006)—skin elasticity was assessed using a durometer—and fewer ecchymoses (p = 0.002). Only the control group showed a significant increase in tissue firmness (p = 0.012). No significant difference in pain was observed between groups (p = 0.203). The application of taping demonstrated beneficial effects on postoperative functional recovery and ecchymosis control following saphenectomy. Full article

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a widespread worldwide gynecological pathology with a negative impact on women’s quality of life. We performed a narrative review and present a general, descriptive, and comprehensive perspective about surgical techniques for urinary incontinence in young women. Even though parity and vaginal births represent important risk factors for the occurrence of UI, it is also common among young women who are nulliparous. Lifestyle, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and excessive stretching exercises can contribute to the occurrence of UI. Correct diagnosis and treatment may reduce the negative effects of UI on daily activities. Disease management varies depending on the three types of UI: stress, urge, and mixed. Conservative treatment involves lifestyle changes, pharmacological therapy, and pelvic floor muscle training. If symptoms persist, surgical techniques such as midurethral/suburethral slings, anterior colporrhaphy, and retropubic/laparoscopic colposuspension are necessary. Transvaginal tension-free vaginal tape obturator (TVT-O) is the most common surgical technique for the treatment of UI. Its effectiveness has been proven by reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. Alternative modern treatment methods are vaginal laser therapy, periurethral bulking agents injection, or local injection with autologous platelet-rich plasma. Surgical techniques for the treatment of UI are in continuous development and improvement considering the increased incidence of this pathology and the need of patients to improve symptoms and quality of life. Full article

The thermal, thermomechanical, and viscoelastic properties of continuous unidirectional (UD) glass fiber/high-density polyethylene (GF/HDPE) and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene/high-density polyethylene (UHMWPE/HDPE) tapes are characterized in this paper in order to support their use in extreme environments. Unlike prior studies that focus on short-fiber composites or limited thermal conditions, this work examines continuous fiber architectures under five operational environments derived from Army Regulation 70-38, reflecting realistic defense-relevant extremes. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to identify melting transitions for GF/HDPE and UHMWPE/HDPE, which guided the selection of test conditions for thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). TMA revealed anisotropic thermal expansion consistent with fiber orientation, while DMA, via strain sweep, temperature ramp, frequency sweep, and stress relaxation, quantified their temperature- and time-dependent viscoelastic behavior. The frequency-dependent storage modulus highlighted multiple resonant modes, and stress relaxation data were fitted with high accuracy (R² > 0.99) to viscoelastic models, yielding model parameters that can be used for predictive simulations of time-dependent material behavior. A comparative analysis between the two material systems showed that UHMWPE/HDPE offers enhanced unidirectional stiffness and better low-temperature performance. At the same time, GF/HDPE exhibits lower thermal expansion, better transverse stiffness, and greater stability at elevated temperatures. These differences highlight the impact of fiber type on thermal and mechanical responses, informing material selection for applications that require directional load-bearing or dimensional control under thermal cycling. By integrating thermal and viscoelastic characterization across realistic operational profiles, this study provides a foundational dataset for the application of continuous fiber thermoplastic tapes in structural components exposed to harsh thermal and mechanical conditions. Full article

Acute ankle sprains frequently lead to chronic ankle instability and muscle atrophy by causing immobilization, which necessitates real-time stiffness modulation for ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs). This paper proposes Active Variable Compression Shoes (AVC-Shoes), an ankle support system inspired by the “heel-lock taping” technique, which employs a wire–fabric compression mechanism to selectively stiffen ankle joints at crucial points in the gait cycle. The experimental results confirmed that AVC-Shoes achieve variable ankle stiffness in all directions, demonstrating dorsiflexion and plantarflexion stiffness ranges of up to 8.3 and 5.9 Nm/rad, respectively. Additionally, preliminary human testing involving three healthy participants revealed that the gastrocnemius muscle activity during the push-off phase in the active compression mode was significantly higher (by 19%) than that in the brace mode. By selectively increasing stiffness at heel strikes, AVC-Shoes represent a promising advancement toward next-generation AFOs capable of stabilizing the ankle while preventing muscle atrophy, which is associated with prolonged brace use. Full article

Background/Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of tunneling as a fixation technique of epidural catheters on catheter migration and infection compared to conventional fixation techniques. Methods: All studies comparing any epidural tunnel fixation technique with any conventional epidural fixation technique (any technique, e.g., adhesive tape) were included, with the exclusion of the obstetric population and the exclusion of caudal anesthesia. MEDLINE and Embase were searched on 18 April 2025 to identify these studies. To evaluate the risk of bias in the selected studies, the Risk of Bias assessment tool from the Cochrane Handbook was used. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined to describe the difference in migration and infection between the two groups. Results: Eleven studies, with a total number of 23,695 patients, were included in this systematic review. Pooled data of the nine studies reporting data on migration showed that tunneling reduced the incidence of inward migration (RR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.55; n = 613; p < 0.0001; I2 = 0%) but not outward migration (RR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.25 to 1.43; n = 745; p = 0.25; I2 = 77%). Pooled data from the nine studies on the incidence of infection revealed no statistically significant group difference. Conclusions: Tunneling of the epidural catheter as a fixation technique reduces the risk of inward migration compared to conventional fixation methods. However, for outward migration, tunneling does not reduce the risk of infection. There is a large heterogeneity in fixation methods described in the literature. In summary, this first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis corroborates only part of the benefits widely ascribed to epidural catheter tunneling. Full article

The objective of this study is to classify the types of boxing punches using machine learning algorithms that processed skin-strain time history measurements from a self-adhesive, elastic fabric, wearable sensor called Motion Tape. A human participant study was designed to capture movements during boxing training. Subjects were asked to perform multiple sets of punches during the entire test, which consisted of jabs and hooks with and without striking a heavy bag. The collected Motion Tape data was used to train and compare time series classification algorithms to identify the types of punches performed and associated conditions. The results demonstrated that Motion Tape, in combination with machine learning techniques, could effectively classify different punch types based on skin-strain measurements. These findings highlighted the potential of the system as an effective tool for human performance analysis in sports and biomechanics applications. Full article

The primary aim of this paper is to survey the literature’s coverage of integrating circular economy practices with renewable energy sources in the manufacturing sector. A systematic review of 107 peer-reviewed articles published between 2018 and 2023 in journals within the Web of Science and Scopus databases was conducted. The review documented CE and RE applications in emerging economies across Africa, Asia, and South America, assessing the overall characteristics of the research, its methodological rigour, and the barriers to or facilitators of CE and RE integration. Integration refers to the implementation of at least one CE practice, as well as one or more RE sources, in a single context, like manufacturing. A total of 14 practices were included in this analysis because they were mentioned at least 10 times by varying authors. The practice list includes recycling (mentioned in 74 articles), reducing materials (57), remanufacturing (53), the reuse of materials (51), waste minimisation (48), renewable energy use (43), consumer awareness (38), repurposing (35), refuse (33), education and training (28), environmentally friendly design (22), environmental criteria for supplier selection (17), reverse logistics (16), and stakeholder collaboration (14). Recycling, life cycle assessment, and end-of-life management were the most common CE practices in the literature. Additionally, solar power and bioenergy emerged as the most frequently recurring areas of integration for CE practices within the RE realms. Governmental support, incentives, research and development, and strong environmental legislation were found to be the most frequently recurring facilitators of effective CE and RE integration. Organisational resistance, bureaucratic red tape, lack of human capital, limited stakeholder involvement, and insufficient collaboration were found to be important barriers to effective integration between CE and RE. Full article