Search Results (3,399)

The article presents a comprehensive review of key issues and challenges related to enhancing the durability of hot forging tools. It discusses modern strategies aimed at increasing tool life, including modifications to tool materials, heat treatment, surface engineering, tool and die design, die geometry, tribological conditions, and lubrication. The review is based on extensive literature data, including recent publications and the authors’ own research, which has been implemented under industrial conditions at the modern forging facility in Forge Plant “Glinik” (Poland). The study introduces original design and technological solutions, such as an innovative concept for manufacturing forging dies from alloy structural steels with welded impressions, replacing traditional hot-work tool steel dies. It also proposes a zonal hardfacing approach, which involves applying welds with different chemical compositions to specific surface zones of the die impressions, selected according to the dominant wear mechanisms in each zone. General guidelines for selecting hardfacing material compositions are also provided. Additionally, the article presents technological processes for die production and regeneration. The importance and application of computer simulations of forging processes are emphasized, particularly in predicting wear mechanisms and intensity, as well as in optimizing tool and forging geometry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Collaboration in mental health care is essential for implementing a model oriented towards the psychosocial rehabilitation of people based on multifaceted interventions involving different actors and sectors of society to respond to demands. Despite the benefits presented by the scientific evidence, there are still many barriers to collaborative care, and professionals continue to struggle in reorienting their conduct. The current situation demands organization and the framing of well-founded action plans to overcome challenges, which in turn requires a detailed understanding of collaborative practices in mental health care and their conceptual boundaries. A concept analysis was undertaken to propose a working definition of collaborative practices in mental health care (CPMHC). Methods: This paper used the Walker and Avant concept analysis method. This includes identifying the defining concept attributes, antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents. A literature search was carried out from November 2024 to February 2025 in three databases (Medline, CINAHL, and LILACS), considering studies published between 2010 and 2024. Results: The final sample of literature investigated consisted of 30 studies. The key attributes were effective communication, building bonds, co-responsibility for care, hierarchical flexibility, articulation between services, providers and community, monitoring and evaluating of care processes, and attention to the plurality of sociocultural contexts. Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis contributes to guiding future research and policy development of collaborative practices in mental health, considering the individual, relational, institutional, and social levels. Further research is possible to deepen the understanding of the production of collaborative practices in mental health in the face of the complexity of social relations and structural inequities. Full article

Nanofluids are an innovative working medium in solar hot water installations (DHWs), thanks to their increased thermal conductivity and heat transfer coefficient. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of Al₂O₃ nanofluids in a water–ethylene glycol base (40:60%) and with the addition of Tween 80 surfactant (0.2 wt%) on thermal efficiency (ε) and exergy (η_ex) in a plate heat exchanger at DHW flows of 3 and 12 L/min. The numerical NTU–ε model was used with dynamic updating of thermophysical properties of nanofluids and the solution of the ODE system using the ode45 method, and the validation was carried out against the literature data. The results showed that the nanofluids achieved ε ≈ 0.85 (vs. ε ≈ 0.87 for the base fluid) and η_ex ≈ 0.72 (vs. η_ex ≈ 0.74), with higher entropy generation. The addition of Tween 80 reduced the viscosity by about 10–15%, resulting in a slight increase of Re and h-factor; however, the impact on ε and η_ex was marginal. The environmental analysis with an annual demand of Q = 3000 kWh/year and an emission factor of 0.2 kg CO₂/kWh showed that for ε < 0.87 the nanofluids increased the emissions by ≈16 kg CO₂/year, while at ε ≈ 0.92, a reduction of ≈5% was possible. This paper highlights the need to optimize nanofluid viscosity and exchanger geometry to maximize energy and environmental benefits. Nowadays, due to the growing problems of global warming, the analysis of energy efficiency and carbon footprint related to the functioning of a building seems to be crucial. Full article

The use of opioids for cancer-related pain is essential but poses significant challenges due to the risk of misuse and the development of opioid use disorder (OUD). This review takes a multidisciplinary perspective based on the current scientific literature to analyze the pharmacological mechanisms, classification, and therapeutic roles of opioids in oncology. Key risk factors for opioid misuse—including psychiatric comorbidities, prior substance use, and insufficient clinical monitoring—are discussed in conjunction with validated tools for pain assessment and international guidelines. The review emphasizes the importance of integrating toxicological, pharmacological, physiological, and public health perspectives to promote rational opioid use. Pharmacogenetic variability is explored as a determinant of treatment response and addiction risk, underscoring the value of personalized medicine. Evidence-based strategies such as early screening, psychosocial interventions, and the use of buprenorphine-naloxone are presented as effective measures for managing OUD in cancer patients. Ultimately, this work advocates for safe, patient-centered opioid prescribing practices that ensure effective pain relief without compromising safety or quality of life. Full article

Background: Gait kinematics address the analysis of joint angles and segment movements during walking. Although there is work in the literature to solve the problems of forward (FK) and inverse kinematics (IK), there are still problems related to the accuracy of the estimation of Cartesian and joint variables, singularities, and modeling complexity on gait analysis approaches. Objective: In this work, we propose a framework for two-dimensional gait analysis addressing the singularities in the estimation of the joint variables using quaternion-based kinematic modeling. Methods: To solve the forward and inverse kinematics problems we use the dual quaternions’ composition and Damped Least Square (DLS) Jacobian method, respectively. We assess the performance of the proposed methods with three gait patterns including normal, toe-walking, and heel-walking using the RMSE value in both Cartesian and joint spaces. Results: The main results demonstrate that the forward and inverse kinematics methods are capable of calculating the posture and the joint angles of the three-DoF kinematic chain representing a lower limb. Conclusions: This framework could be extended for modeling the full or partial human body as a kinematic chain with more degrees of freedom and multiple end-effectors. Finally, these methods are useful for both diagnostic disease and performance evaluation in clinical gait analysis environments. Full article

The first half of the 19th century witnessed the rise of Romantic poetry, which focused in depth on individual consciousness, inner worlds, and metaphysical inquiries. This poetic orientation became particularly evident in works centred on themes such as solitude, alienation, and existential quests. Within this context, the present study aims to examine the archetypal and poetic resonances of the poetic voice in Mihail Lermontov’s poem The Demon, based on its sixth and final version dated 1841, in relation to Nikoloz Baratashvili’s poem Secret Voice. Lermontov’s poem is analyzed through the English translation by Charles Johnston, published in 1983, while Baratashvili’s poem is discussed based on the 24-line version included in the fifth edition (1895) of the anthology Poems and Letters (Leksebi da Tserilebi). This study explores the thematic and structural similarities between the two poems within the framework of comparative literature and psychoanalytic criticism, focusing on Romantic archetypes, the uncanny, the shadow figure, and ontological solitude. Furthermore, the dialogue established between Lermontov’s demonic narrator and Baratashvili’s introspective poetic voice reopens discussions on the boundaries of cultural memory, oral narrative patterns, and poetic identity. Ultimately, this comparative analysis reveals the implicit influences of The Demon on Georgian poetry and discusses the intercultural resonances of themes such as voice, self, and archetype in Romantic poetry. Full article

Sustainability has emerged as a prominent concern globally, extending its influence into various domains, including education. It is recognized as of utmost importance to address global environmental challenges. However, there is a critical gap in the perception of innovative teaching strategies, i.e., interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, and targeted approaches, to improve sustainability literacy and its applications. This review analyzes existing environmental and sustainability education frameworks and approaches to determine desired learning outcomes and challenges associated with sustainability education. Also, it explores and identifies concepts, theories, and assumptions found within the literature review, promoting sustainability integration within engineering education. The review was conducted to facilitate the development and improvement of sustainability education within the Architectural Engineering discipline, a field known for emphasizing educational innovation and technical excellence. By synthesizing existing ideas related to sustainability and sustainable development, this work aims to guide curriculum designers and educators in fostering sustainability competencies among engineering students within the built environment. Full article

This paper presents a comprehensive review of research on Historic Building Information Modeling (HBIM), focusing on its role as a tool for managing knowledge and supporting conservation practices of Architectural Heritage. While previous review articles and most research works have predominantly addressed geometric modeling—given its significant challenges in the context of historic buildings—this study places greater emphasis on the integration of non-geometric data within the BIM environment. A systematic search was conducted in the Scopus database to extract the 451 relevant publications analyzed in this review, covering the period from 2008 to mid-2024. A bibliometric analysis was first performed to identify trends in publication types, geographic distribution, research focuses, and software usage. The main body of the review then explores three core themes in the development of the information system: the definition of model entities, both semantic and geometric; the data enrichment phase, incorporating historical, diagnostic, monitoring and conservation-related information; and finally, data use and sharing, including on-site applications and interoperability. For each topic, the review highlights and discusses the principal approaches documented in the literature, critically evaluating the advantages and limitations of different information management methods with respect to the distinctive features of the building under analysis and the specific objectives of the information model. Full article

Energy harvesting systems (EHSs) are widely used to power wireless sensors. Piezoelectric harvesters have the advantage of producing an electric signal directly related to the exciting force and can thus be used to power condition monitoring sensors in dynamically loaded structures such as bridges. The need for such monitoring is exemplified by the fact that the condition of close to 25% of public roadway bridges in, e.g., Germany is not satisfactory. Stack-based piezoelectric energy harvesting systems (pEHSs) installed near bridge bearings could provide information about the traffic and dynamic loads on the one hand and condition-dependent changes in the bridge characteristics on the other. This paper presents an approach to co-optimizing the design of the mechanical and electrical components using a nonlinear solver. Such an approach has not been described in the open literature to the best of the authors’ knowledge. The mechanical excitation is estimated through a finite element simulation, and the electric circuitry is modeled in Simulink to account for the nonlinear characteristics of rectifying diodes. We use real traffic data to create statistical randomized scenarios for the optimization and statistical variation. A main result of this work is that it reveals the strong dependence of the energy output on the interaction between bridge, harvester, and traffic details. A second result is that the methodology yields design criteria for the harvester such that the energy output is maximized. Through the case study of an actual middle-sized bridge in Germany, we demonstrate the feasibility of harvesting a time-averaged power of several milliwatts throughout the day. Comparing the total amount of harvested energy for 1000 randomized traffic scenarios, we demonstrate the suitability of pEHS to power wireless sensor nodes. In addition, we show the potential sensory usability for traffic observation (vehicle frequency, vehicle weight, axle load, etc.). Full article

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is associated with eye infections. Specifically, the acute consequences of eye infections have been extensively studied. This review gathers information on possible collateral damage caused by HSV-1 in the retina, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a neurodegenerative disease. The synthesis and accumulation of Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is a key hallmark in these types of pathologies. AMD is a disease of multifactorial origin, and viral infections play an important role in its development. It is known that once this virus has entered the eye, it can infect adjacent cells, thus having the ability to infect almost any cell type with great tropism. In the retina, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are primarily involved in AMD. This work reviews publications that show that RPE can produce Aβ, and once they are infected by HSV-1, the release is promoted. Also, all the information available in the literature that explains how these events may be interconnected has been compiled. This information is valuable when planning new treatments for multifactorial neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

The transition to clean and renewable energy sources is critically dependent on efficient hydrogen production technologies. This review surveys recent advances in photocatalytic water splitting, focusing on MNb₂O₆ nanomaterials, which have emerged as promising photocatalysts due to their tunable band structures, chemical robustness, and tailored morphologies. The objectives of this work are to (i) encompass the current synthesis strategies for MNb₂O₆ compounds; (ii) assess their structural, electronic, and optical properties in relation to photocatalytic performance; and (iii) elucidate the mechanisms underpinning enhanced hydrogen evolution. Main data collection methods include a literature review of experimental studies reporting bandgap measurements, structural analyses, and hydrogen production metrics for various MNb₂O₆ compositions—especially those incorporating transition metals such as Mn, Cu, Ni, and Co. Novelty stems from systematically detailing the relationships between synthesis routes (hydrothermal, solvothermal, electrospinning, etc.), crystallographic features, conductivity type, and bandgap tuning in these materials, as well as by benchmarking their performance against more conventional photocatalyst systems. Key findings indicate that MnNb₂O₆, CuNb₂O₆, and certain engineered heterostructures (e.g., with g-C₃N₄ or TiO₂) display significant visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution, achieving hydrogen production rates up to 146 mmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ in composite systems. The review spotlights trends in heterojunction design, defect engineering, co-catalyst integration, and the extension of light absorption into the visible range, all contributing to improved charge separation and catalytic longevity. However, significant challenges remain in realizing the full potential of the broader MNb₂O₆ family, particularly regarding efficiency, scalability, and long-term stability. The insights synthesized here serve as a guide for future experimental investigations and materials design, advancing the deployment of MNb₂O₆-based photocatalysts for large-scale, sustainable hydrogen production. Full article

Understanding the effectiveness of suicide prevention measures for high-risk locations can often be challenging as many rely, at least to some degree, on psychological processes (e.g., engaging with help-seeking behaviours). Establishing how these measures may influence decision-making during a suicide attempt could be helpful for understanding how and when they may be most effective at preventing deaths. In the present work, we consider how suicide prevention measures may influence “goal pursuit” as it unfolds. Drawing on findings from across the suicide prevention literature, we apply the descriptive framework outlined in GOAL Architecture to consider how different measures may shape perceptions of “distance”, “time”, and “rate of progress” and, in turn, could influence levels of motivational drive associated with specific acts (e.g., “accessing means for suicide”). This is discussed in relation to real-time decisions around accessing means for suicide, avoiding intervention by a third party, and engaging in help-seeking behaviours. As well as the psychological processes that could encourage or prevent an individual from disengaging from a suicide attempt, we also consider potential risks and the influence of person-level factors. Full article

Hypercholesterolemia is a major modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), affecting a significant proportion of the adult population worldwide. This narrative review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of hyperlipidemia management, spanning from epidemiological trends and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms to the limitations of conventional therapies such as statins and ezetimibe. Particular emphasis is placed on cardiovascular risk assessment, current stratification tools, and international guideline-based interventions. The present paper, focusing primarily on the biological mechanisms of dyslipidemia and the clinical use of traditional lipid-lowering agents, serves as the first part of a two-part series, preceding a forthcoming review of novel pharmacological approaches. Our data synthesis is based on a structured literature search conducted across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus, including studies published up to June 2025. The review also includes aspects related to non-pharmacological strategies, pharmacoeconomic considerations, and pharmacogenetic influences on treatment response. Ultimately, this work aims to equip clinicians with evidence-based, nuanced insights essential for optimizing lipid management and reducing cardiovascular risk, while setting the foundation for understanding how emerging therapies may overcome current therapeutic limitations. Full article

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is an important industrial crop, but it is vulnerable to waterlogging stress. The relationship between cotton yields and waterlogging indicators (CY-WI) is fundamental for waterlogging disaster reduction. This review systematically summarized and analyzed literature containing CY-WI relations across 1970s–2020s. China conducted the most CY-WI experiments (67%), followed by Australia (17%). Recent decades (2010s, 2000s) contributed the highest proportion of CY-WI works (49%, 15%). Surface waterlogging form is mostly employed (74%) much more than sub-surface waterlogging. The flowering and boll-forming stage, followed by the budding stage, performed the most CY-WI experiments (55%), and they showed stronger negative relations of CY-WI than other stages. Some compound stresses enhance negative relations of CY-WI, such as accompanying high temperatures, low temperatures, and shade conditions, whereas some others weaken the negative CY-WI relations, such as prior/post drought and waterlogging. Anti-waterlogging applications significantly weaken negative CY-WI relations. Regional-scale CY-WI research is increasing now, and they verified the influence of compound stresses. In future CI-WI works, we should emphasize the influence of compound stresses, establish regional CY-WI relations regarding cotton growth features, examine more updated cotton cultivars, focus on initial and late cotton stages, and explore the consequence of high-deep submergence. Full article

In recent decades, information technology has grown. Computers have become a daily activity, facilitating access to information, faster communication and faster work. If used responsibly, it has many advantages. Objectives: To explore the potential link between prolonged use of computer input devices—such as keyboards and mice—and the development of compressive neuropathies, including carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS), in individuals whose daily routines are heavily reliant on computer-based activities. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken to assess the correlation between the use of computer input devices and the incidence of compressive neuropathies in the upper limbs, with particular attention to repetitive strain, ergonomic posture deviations, and personal risk factors. Results: Current evidence indicates a potential association between prolonged computer use and the development of upper limb compressive neuropathies; however, a definitive consensus within the scientific literature remains elusive. Repetitive movements and non-neutral postures appear to be significant contributing factors, particularly among individuals with predisposing risk factors. Despite increasing awareness of this issue, standardized, evidence-based clinical guidelines for the evaluation and management of work-related nerve disorders remain lacking. Conclusions: While the relationship between computer use and compressive neuropathies remains debated, healthcare professionals should be aware of the risks, particularly in individuals exposed to repetitive strain and ergonomic stress. Further research and the development of clinical guidelines are needed to better understand and manage these work-related conditions. Full article