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The effect of different heat treatment temperatures on the isothermal oxidation of Ni-based Fe-40Ni-24Cr alloy was studied. The alloy underwent a heat treatment process at 1000°C and 1200°C for 3 hours of soaking time, followed by water quenching. These samples are labeled as N10 and N12. The heat-treated samples were characterized in terms of grain size using an optical microscope and hardness testing using a Rockwell hardness. As a result, increasing the heat treatment temperature increases the average grain size of the alloy and lowers the hardness value. Heat-treated N10 and N12 samples were subjected to an isothermal oxidation test at 950°C for an exposure time of 150 h. Oxidized heat-treated samples were characterized in terms of oxidation kinetics calculated based on weight change per surface area as a function of time. In addition, phase analysis and oxide surface morphology were measured using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. As a result, the oxidation kinetics of both samples showed a pattern of weight gain with N10 recording the lowest weight gain. Both samples obey a parabolic rate law, indicating a controlled oxide growth rate. N10 recorded the lowest parabolic rate constant of 2.5×10–8 mg2cm–4s–1, indicating a low oxidation rate, thus having good oxidation resistance. Phase analysis using XRD shows that several oxide phases have been formed consisting of Cr-containing oxides Cr2O3 and MnCr2O4. In addition, SEM analysis displayed a uniform oxide layer formed on the N10 sample, indicating good oxide adhesion. This finding shows an important contribution to the oxidation protection mechanism that records the fine grain obtained from the heat treatment process can increase good oxidation resistance.

This project studies the influence of different grain sizes of Ni-based Fe-33Ni-19Cr alloy obtained from heat treatment procedure on high temperature isothermal oxidation. Heat treatment procedure was carried out at two different temperatures, namely 1000℃ and 1200℃ for 3 hours of soaking time, followed by quenching in the water. These samples are denoted as T1000 and T1200. The heat-treated Ni-based Fe-33Ni-19Cr alloy was subjected to an isothermal oxidation test at 950℃ for 150 hours exposure. Oxidized heat-treated alloys were tested in terms of oxidation kinetics, phase analysis and surface morphology of oxidized samples. Oxidation kinetics were determine based on weight change per surface area as a function of exposure time. Phase analysis was determined using the x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and surface morphology of oxidized samples was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). As a result, the heat treatment procedure shows varying grain sizes. The higher the heat treatment temperature, shows an increase in grain size with a decrease in hardness value. The oxidation kinetics for both heat-treated samples showed an increment pattern of weight change and followed a parabolic rate law. The oxidized T1000 sample recorded the lowest parabolic rate constant of 3.12×10–8 mg2cm–4s–1, indicating a low oxidation rate, thus having good oxidation resistance. Phase analysis from the XRD technique recorded several oxide phases consisting of Cr2O3, MnCr2O4, and (Ti0.97Cr0.03)O2 oxide phases. In addition, a uniform oxide layer is formed on the oxidized T1000 sample, indicating good oxide scale adhesion, thereby improving the protective oxide behavior.

This study assessed the morphology and chemical composition of coir coconut husk carbon fiber, as well as the impact of fiber diameters on the physical and mechanical properties of polylactic acid composites. Researchers are studying polylactide acid, a biodegradable material. This eco-friendly material’s excellent features, generated from sustainable and renewable sources, have drawn many people. Malaysia’s high coconut fiber output made coir husk a popular commodity. Coconut fibers are lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. Alkaline treatment eliminates hemicellulose, oil, wax, and other contaminants from coir fibers and removes lignin. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy were used to examine the treated coconut fibers’ chemical modification analysis and morphology. Coconut coir husk was carbonized to produce carbon fiber using a furnace operated at 300°C for 2 hours. Fiber and polylactic acid were mixed in different fiber sizes (0, 53 μm, 75 μm, and 212 μm) via extrusion and injection processing techniques. The results showed that the alkali treatment reduced the hydroxyl (-OH) group and separated the area from the carbonyl (C=O) group of coconut coir husk, which changed the filler’s hydrophilicity. The fiber size of 212 μm was discovered to have the highest tensile and flexural strength values. According to testing, the modified material structure had a better surface fill-matrix bond. Thus, generalized fiber sizing and characterization methods were developed. Regardless of the matrix, this method can characterize natural fiber strength and interfacial shear strength of varied diameters and solid contents.

The study analyzed the influence of periodic and aperiodic stiffness distribution for the four-element Bernoulli-Euler beam on the first two eigenfrequencies and the dynamic stability of the system. The influence of increasing the ratio of cross-sections of the analyzed elements was also analyzed. Significant differences were found in eigenfrequencies and dynamic stability. Using the variational Hamilton principle, the equation of motion was derived, on the basis of which the values of the eigenfrequencies were determined, and the transformation into the form of the Mathieu equation made it possible to determine the dynamic stability for the analyzed structures.

In this work, the impact of the defect on the transmission of a mechanical wave in a periodic quasi-one-dimensional structure was investigated. The multilayer structure was made of PLA and air, while the defect layer was PNM-0.38PT with a significantly higher value of acoustic impedance in relation to the materials of the base structure. The influence of the position of the defect in the structure and its thickness was analysed. Transmission as a function of frequency was determined using the Transfer Matrix Method algorithm. The work showed the presence of band gaps in the analyzed structures. The influence of the symmetry of structures and substructures on the transmission of a mechanical wave was investigated. The influence of the number of layers with very low acoustic impedance (air) on the number of high transmission peaks with a small half-width was also demonstrated.

Porous asphalt has excellent permeability and larger air voids. Due to the low stability strength of asphalt binder with aggregates, Malaysia uses porous asphalt roads for lightweight vehicle road transportation. Numerous studies indicate utilizing Recycled High-Density Polyethylene in porous asphalt road surface. As a result, it was utilised as an additional binder material to enhance the asphalt binder. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the stability of modified porous asphalt samples and evaluate the optimum percentage of HDPE plastic waste from 3%, 6% and 9%. The aggregates, asphalt properties, Marshall Parameters and waster absorption test are in comply with JKR Standard and PWD 2008. At 3% of plastic addition has improved the stability of porous asphalt specimens. Adding plastic waste as a binder helps strengthen asphalt binding.

The transportation landscape is witnessing profound changes due to technological advancements, necessitating proactive policy responses to harness innovation and avert urban mobility disruption. The sharing economy has already transformed ridesharing, bicycle-sharing, and electric scooters, with shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) poised to reshape car ownership. This study pursues two objectives: firstly, to establish a market segmentation for shared ride services and secondly, to evaluate the environmental impact of ridesharing in different contexts. To mitigate potential biases linked to stated preference data, we analysed the navette service, utilized by a research institute in Europe, closely resembling future SAVs. The market segmentation relied on hierarchical cluster analysis using employee survey responses, while the environmental analysis was grounded in the 2019 navette service data. Our analysis revealed four unique employee clusters: Cluster 1, emphasizing active transportation and environmental awareness; Cluster 2, showing openness towards SAVs given reliable alternatives are available; Cluster 3, the largest segment, highlighting a demand for policy support and superior service quality; and Cluster 4, which places a premium on time, suggesting a potential need for strategies to make the service more efficient and, consequently, discourage private car use. These findings highlight a general willingness to adopt shared transport modes, signalling a promising transition to shared vehicle ownership with significant environmental benefits achievable through service design and policy measures.

Bamboo Ash is a safer and more sustainable building material. It is possible to use bamboo ash as a partial cement replacement as an alternative to cement application and also to reduce pollution. For this study, the main purpose is to determine the compressive strength and water absorption of cement sand brick containing bamboo ash. Laboratory tests such as compression tests and water absorption tests on cement sand brick with bamboo ash as a partial replacement for cement have been conducted. The mixes with various ratios using bamboo ash are 5%, 7%, and 10%. The specimen size for cement sand brick is 215 mm long, 102.5 mm wide, and 65 mm deep according to BS3921:1985. The results from the specimens containing Bamboo Ash have been compared to the control specimens. The water absorption test results increase as the percentage of Bamboo Ash increases due to particle size and air void, but the compressive strength decreases at 28 days.

Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and asthma are increasingly common due to factors like industrialization, urbanization, fast-paced life, stress, sedentary lifestyle, and unbalanced diet in the 21st century. These chronic conditions are a global epidemic, being among the top causes of death worldwide. Preventing these diseases through a nutritious diet is crucial, and scientific studies suggest that appropriate fruit intake, particularly apples, can lower the risk of various health issues. Apples, rich in bioactive compounds, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, offer numerous health benefits. Regular consumption of apples helps reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and diabetes, and also provides anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic effects. Apples aid in detoxification, improve digestion, enhance skin, hair, and nail health, and offer protection against cancers, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Apples have been a dietary staple for centuries, consumed in various forms like juices, sauces, and ciders. The reviewed article emphasizes the health benefits of apples, highlighting their role in preventing civilization diseases. It also discusses the characteristics of common apple varieties and the impact of thermal processing on their nutritional content.

Background: Breastfeeding is the gold standard in infant nutrition. Successful breastfeeding depends on many factors, including the help of medical personnel in teaching breastfeeding, the need for professional work, and breastfeeding-friendly places in public spaces. The main goal was to identify various barriers among mothers to breastfeeding. Methods: This study used a quantitative descriptive research design. We recruited 419 mothers aged at least 18 years old through social media. Results were analysed using Pearson’s chi-squared and Fisher’s tests of independence for pairs of dependent and independent variables. Results: Most often, women gave birth at the age of 25–30, had one or two children, and attended higher education. Almost half of them lived in a large city and gave birth to a child by caesarean section. A total of 83.1% of mothers planned to breastfeed, but not all of them were able to do so for various reasons. One-third of them felt sorry for themselves that they had to change their feeding method. The majority of mothers did not receive sufficient help in the hospital in terms of learning how to breastfeed (61%), did not use the help of a lactation consultant (67%), and answered that there was no lactation consultant in their place of residence (65%). Only 43.2% of mothers returned to work without ceasing breastfeeding. A total of 42% of mothers experienced feelings of embarrassment when breastfeeding in a public place. The most frequently indicated barrier to breastfeeding in a public place was the lack of a suitable location where a woman would feel comfortable, calm, and intimate. Conclusion: There are various barriers towards breastfeeding: too few lactation consultants, problems with breastfeeding when the mother wants to return to work, and unfriendly places for breastfeeding in public spaces. Efforts must be made to support mothers in breastfeeding.

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global public health, with long-term consequences that are still largely unknown. This study aimed to assess the data regarding acute cardiovascular hospital admissions in five European centers before and during the pandemic. A multicenter, multinational observational registry was created, comparing admissions to the emergency departments during a 3-months period in 2020 (during the pandemic) with the corresponding period in 2019 (pre-pandemic). Data on patient demographics, COVID-19 test results, primary diagnosis, comorbidities, heart failure profile, medication use, and laboratory results were collected. A total of 8778 patients were included in the analysis, with 4447 patients in 2019 and 4331 patients in 2020. The results showed significant differences in the distribution of cardiovascular diseases between the two years. The frequency of pulmonary embolism (PE) increased in 2020 compared to 2019, while acute heart failure (AHF) and other cardiovascular diseases decreased. The odds of PE incidence among hospitalized patients in 2020 were 1.316-fold greater than in 2019. The incidence of AHF was 50.83% less likely to be observed in 2020, and the odds for other cardiovascular diseases increased by 17.42% between the 2 years. Regarding acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the distribution of its types differed between 2019 and 2020, with an increase in the odds of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 2020. Stratification based on sex revealed further insights. Among men, the incidence of AHF decreased in 2020, while other cardiovascular diseases increased. In women, only the incidence of STEMI showed a significant increase. When analyzing the influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-positive patients had a higher incidence of PE compared to COVID-negative patients. COVID-positive patients with ACS also exhibited symptoms of heart failure more frequently than COVID-negative patients. These findings provide valuable information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute cardiovascular hospital admissions. The increased incidence of PE and changes in the distribution of other cardiovascular diseases highlight the importance of monitoring and managing cardiovascular health during and post pandemic period. The differences observed between sexes emphasize the need for further research to understand potential sex-specific effects of COVID-19 on cardiovascular outcomes.

Objective This study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of residual (discharge) dyspnoea in acute heart failure (AHF) patients.Design Single-centre, prospective observational study.Setting Patients hospitalised for decompensated AHF in a single cardiology centre, in Poland.Participants All patients (n=202) who survived the hospitalisation with the primary diagnosis of AHF and were discharged from the hospital.Primary and secondary outcome measures 1-year all-cause mortality; and the composite endpoint of 1-year all-cause mortality and rehospitalisation for the HF (whichever occurred first).Results On admission, 159 (78.7%) AHF patients presented dyspnoea at rest, while residual resting dyspnoea at discharge was present in 16 patients (7.9%). There were 48 (24%) patients with moderate/severe exertional dyspnoea at discharge. In the multivariable model, the resting dyspnoea at discharge was related to a higher risk of both 1-year mortality and composite outcome, with HR (95% CI) 8.0 (3.7 to 17.3) and 5.1 (2.6 to 10.2), respectively, both p

Increased ruminal butyrate production is considered to have a positive impact on rumen epithelium growth and function. However, excessive ruminal butyrate production may affect the rumen negatively, particularly when the rumen is already challenged with low pH. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the inclusion of concentrates in the diet and sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation on ruminal epithelium growth and function in growing rams. Forty-two rams (27.8 ± 7.3 kg; 9–14 months of age) were allocated into six treatments and fed a diet with low (22.5% of diet DM; LOW) or high (60% of diet DM; HIGH) inclusion of concentrates in combination with no (SB0), 1.6% (SB1.6) or 3.2% (SB3.2) of diet DM inclusion of SB. There was no impact of the investigated factors on papilla dimensions and mucosa surface area, either in the atrium ruminis or ventral rumen (P ≥ 0.11). Stratum corneum thickness was higher for HIGH compared to LOW treatments (P ≤ 0.04), independently of the location in the rumen. In the atrium ruminis, the epithelium and living strata thickness quadratically increased due to SB supplementation for LOW treatments but quadratically decreased for HIGH treatments (concentrate inclusion × butyrate supplementation interaction; P ≤ 0.03); conversely, in the ventral sac of the rumen, a thicker epithelium was observed due to both increased concentrate inclusion in the diet and SB supplementation (P

The study analyzed the influence of materials and different types of damping on the dynamic stability of the Bernoulli-Euler beam. Using the mode summation method and applying an orthogonal condition of eigenfunctions and describing the analyzed system with the Mathieu equation, the problem of dynamic stability was solved. By examining the influence of internal and external damping and damping in the beam supports, their influence on the regions of stability and instability of the solution to the Mathieu equation was determined.

Abstract The aim of this research was to examine the prevalence of hyperventilation (defined by pCO2 value) among acute heart failure (AHF) patients and to link it with potential triggers and prognosis. All patients underwent dyspnea severity assessment and capillary blood examination on hospital admission and during hospitalization. Out of 241 AHF patients, 57(24%) were assigned to low pCO2 group (pCO2 ≤ 30 mmHg) and 184 (76%) to normal pCO2 group (pCO2 > 30 mmHg). Low pCO2 group had significantly lower HCO3 - (22.3 ± 3.4 vs 24.7 ± 2.9 mmol/L, p

The study investigated the effect of the fill factor, lattice constant, and the shape and type of meta-atom material on the reduction of mechanical wave transmission in quasi-two-dimensional phononic structures. A finite difference algorithm in the time domain was used for the analysis, and the obtained time series were converted into the frequency domain using the discrete Fourier transform. The use of materials with large differences in acoustic impedance allowed to determine the influence of the meta-atom material on the propagation of the mechanical wave.

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels worldwide. Overweight and obesity is associated with an increase in several inflammatory markers, leading to chronic low-grade inflammation responsible for macro- and microvascular dysfunction. While the impact of obesity on overall health is well-described, less is known about its ocular manifestations. Still, there are few studies in children and adolescents in this regard and they are inconsistent. However, some evidence suggests a significant role of overnutrition in the development of changes in retinal microvasculature parameters (wider venules, narrower arterioles, lower arteriovenous ratio). Higher values of intraocular pressure were found to be positively correlated with high body mass index (BMI) as well as obesity. In addition, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) values seem to be lower in obese children, and there is a significant negative correlation between RNFL values and anthropometric and/or metabolic parameters. Changes also could be present in macular retinal thickness and choroidal thickness as well as in the retinal vessel density in children with obesity. However, these associations were not consistently documented. The purpose of this review is to present the most current issues on child obesity and the related potential ocular effects through an overview of international publications from the years 1992–2022.

Malaysia’s construction industry is experiencing rapid growth, translating into increased demand for cement. However, cement production pollutes the air to the detriment of the climate via CO2 emission, making research into a cementitious replacement in concrete a necessity. This paper details an experimental study of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with partial replacement of cement by rice straw ash (RSA), which is expected to result in environmental preservation due to the green materials being used in cement production. The physicomechanical properties of the SCC with RSA replacement were determined via its compressive strength, water absorption, self-workability, and fire resistance (residual strength after exposure to high temperatures). The proportion of RSA replacement used were 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%, and all passed the slump flow test, except the 20% and 25% samples. The SCC samples with 15% of RSA replacement reported the highest compressive strength at 7 and 28 curing days and the highest residual strength post-exposure to high temperatures. The lowest percentage of water absorption was reported by the 15% of RSA replacement, with a density of 2370 kg/m3.

Due to urbanization, the population in the major cities in Malaysia is approximately 72.8% of its total population. The increase of population density has directly increased the amount of sewerage sludge waste that poses threat to the environment. In line with the green initiatives, alternative method to develop good quality concrete material from sewerage sludge waste can be further explored. Traditionally, sewerage sludge waste is processed using incinerator that require high energy and it is time consuming. In this study, microwave heating which require less energy consumption and less time consuming is used for sewerage sludge preparation. Prior to heating process, sewerage sludge waste is over dried at 105°C for 24 hours. Three types of microwave heating namely medium heating, medium high heating and high heating has been used. The chemical and physical properties microwaved sewerage sludge ash (MSSA) was tested using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Based on the result, the recommended temperature for the MSSA production for the concrete is High Mode Temperature. This is due to the result of MSSA for X-Ray Fluorescent test as its shows the highest in the content for pozzolanic element which are SiO2 and Fe2O3 that produce after the microwave burning process. The mineralogical composition and the crystalline phase of the High temperature MSSA due to X-Ray Diffraction test also shows high content of SiO2 as the major component as it is good for pozzolanic reaction in concrete. From the Scanning Electron Microscope test, it is observed that particle of High heated MSSAare slightly smaller than other temperature. Also, the densification occurs at High temperature MSSA. Hence, the optimal burning temperature mode for MSSA is High Mode temperature.

Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and asthma are increasingly common due to factors like industrialization, urbanization, fast-paced life, stress, sedentary lifestyle, and unbalanced diet in the 21st century. These chronic conditions are a global epidemic, being among the top causes of death worldwide. Preventing these diseases through a nutritious diet is crucial, and scientific studies suggest that appropriate fruit intake, particularly apples, can lower the risk of various health issues. Apples, rich in bioactive compounds, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, offer numerous health benefits. Regular consumption of apples helps reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and diabetes, and also provides anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic effects. Apples aid in detoxification, improve digestion, enhance skin, hair, and nail health, and offer protection against cancers, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease. Apples have been a dietary staple for centuries, consumed in various forms like juices, sauces, and ciders. The reviewed article emphasizes the health benefits of apples, highlighting their role in preventing civilization diseases. It also discusses the characteristics of common apple varieties and the impact of thermal processing on their nutritional content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breastfeeding is the gold standard in infant nutrition. Successful breastfeeding depends on many factors, including the help of medical personnel in teaching breastfeeding, the need for professional work, and breastfeeding-friendly places in public spaces. The main goal was to identify various barriers among mothers to breastfeeding. Methods: This study used a quantitative descriptive research design. We recruited 419 mothers aged at least 18 years old through social media. Results were analysed using Pearson's chi-squared and Fisher's tests of independence for pairs of dependent and independent variables. Results: Most often, women gave birth at the age of 25–30, had one or two children, and attended higher education. Almost half of them lived in a large city and gave birth to a child by caesarean section. A total of 83.1% of mothers planned to breastfeed, but not all of them were able to do so for various reasons. One-third of them felt sorry for themselves that they had to change their feeding method. The majority of mothers did not receive sufficient help in the hospital in terms of learning how to breastfeed (61%), did not use the help of a lactation consultant (67%), and answered that there was no lactation consultant in their place of residence (65%). Only 43.2% of mothers returned to work without ceasing breastfeeding. A total of 42% of mothers experienced feelings of embarrassment when breastfeeding in a public place. The most frequently indicated barrier to breastfeeding in a public place was the lack of a suitable location where a woman would feel comfortable, calm, and intimate. Conclusion: There are various barriers towards breastfeeding: too few lactation consultants, problems with breastfeeding when the mother wants to return to work, and unfriendly places for breastfeeding in public spaces. Efforts must be made to support mothers in breastfeeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to develop a system for classifying horizontal road signs as correct or with poor visibility. In Poland, road markings are applied by using a specialized white, reflective paint and require periodic repainting. Our developed system is designed to assist in the decision-making process regarding the need for repainting. It operates by analyzing images captured by a standard car camera or driving recorder. The image data undergo initial segmentation and classification processes, facilitated by the utilization of the YOLOv4-Tiny neural network model. The input data to the network consist of frames extracted from the video stream. To train the model, we established our proprietary database, which comprises 6250 annotated images and video frames captured during driving. The annotations provide detailed information about object types, their locations within the image, and their sizes. The trained neural network model effectively identifies and classifies objects within our dataset. Subsequently, based on the classification results, the identified image fragments are subjected to further analysis. The analysis relies on assessing pixel-level contrasts within the images. Notably, the road surface is intentionally designed to be dark, while road signs exhibit relatively lighter colors. In conclusion, the developed system serves the purpose of determining the correctness or visibility quality of horizontal road signs. It achieves this by leveraging computer vision techniques, deep learning with YOLOv4-Tiny, and a meticulously curated database. Ultimately, the system provides valuable information regarding the condition of specific horizontal road signs, aiding in the decision-making process regarding potential repainting needs.

The paper presents the results of tests on dynamic stability of Bernoulli-Euler beam with damages. Damages (cracks) were modeled using three rotational springs. An analysis of the influence of crack depth and their position relative to the beam ends on dynamic stability of the beam was carried out. The problem of dynamic stability was solved by applying the mode summation method. Applying an orthogonal condition of eigenfunctions, the dynamic of the system was described with the use of the Mathieu equation. The obtained equation allowed the dynamic stability of the tested system to be analyzed. Stable and unstable solutions were analyzed using the Strutt card.

This work concerns the study of the coatings for the ultrasound frequency range as a quasi one-dimensional phononic crystal structure protecting a sea object against high resolution active sonar in the frequency range most commonly found for this type of equipment. The topology of the examined structure was optimized to obtain a band gap in the 2.2-2.3 MHz frequency band. For this purpose, a genetic algorithm was used, which allows for optimal distribution of individual elements of the ultrasound multilayer composite. By optimal distribution is meant to achieve a structure that will allow minimal reflectance in a given frequency range without height reflectance peaks with a small half width. Analysis of the wave propagation was made using the Transfer Matrix Method (TMM). As part of the research, 15 and 20-layer structures with reflectance at the level of 0.23% and 0.18%, respectively, were obtained. Increasing the number of layers in the analyzed structures resulted in finding such a distribution in which a narrow band of low reflectance was obtained, such distributions could also be used as bandpass filters. The use of a genetic algorithm for designing allows to obtain modern coatings, the characteristics of which result from the structure.

In this study, we investigated the health status of balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) trees in a residential area of the city of Bratsk (Irkutsk Oblast, Russia). Visual and instrumental assessment of the health status of pruned and unpruned trees was performed. The identified internal defects in the tree were analyzed with a Resistograph device, which enabled the extent of decayed wood to be determined. Visual analysis revealed various types of damage: dried branches, brittle crowns, frost cracks, mechanical damage, curvature of trunks, decay and inclusions of foreign bodies. We compared trees with and without canopy pruning. We found that pruned trees were significantly more damaged than non-pruned trees. Decomposing wood at different stages of development was found in all the trees studied. A tree passport combining the visual and instrumental assessment data was compiled for each tree. The results of the research were used to formulate conclusions and recommendations for improving the management of urban trees in order to restore their ecological and aesthetic functions.

This literature review presents a comprehensive analysis of the use and potential application scenarios of collaborative robots in the industrial working world, focusing on their impact on human work, safety, and health in the context of Industry 4.0. The aim is to provide a holistic evaluation of the employment of collaborative robots in the current and future working world, which is being increasingly driven by the automation and digitization of production processes, and which can be outlined using the term Work 4.0. In this context, the forms of work organization, and the demands and impacts on humans are changing profoundly. Collaborative robots represent a key technology to aid the transition. The review utilizes expert interviews for identifying relevant keywords, and follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to evaluate peer-reviewed literature between 2002 and January 2022. The analysis includes forms of interaction, and the distribution of roles, control interfaces, safety procedures, and ergonomics and health. In addition, the review offers a heatmap displaying the research topics of 715 publications for each year, and a database of these publications in BibTeX format that is publicly accessible. The review highlights the challenges, potential benefits, and trends of using collaborative robots in the industrial working world, emphasizing the importance of a careful evaluation of their impact on human work, safety, and health. It offers a tool set for researchers and practitioners to further explore and evaluate the employment of collaborative robots in Work 4.0.

Abstract Aims Most studies examined spot urine sodium's (sUNa+) prognostic utility during the early phase of acute heart failure (AHF) hospitalization. In AHF, sodium excretion is related to clinical status; therefore, we investigated the differences in the prognostic information of spot UNa+ throughout the course of hospitalization for AHF (admission vs. discharge). Methods and results The study population were AHF patients (n = 172), who survived the index hospitalization. We compared the relationship between early (on admission, at 24 and 48 h) and discharge sUNa+ measurements with post‐discharge study endpoints: composite of 1 year all‐cause mortality and AHF rehospitalization (with time to first event analysis) as well as with each event in separation. There were 49 (28.5%) deaths, 40 (23.3%) AHF rehospitalizations, while the composite endpoint occurred in 69 (40.1%) during 1 year follow‐up. The sUNa+ had prognostic significance for the composite endpoint when assessed on admission, at 24 and at 48 h: hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) (per 10 mmol/L) were 0.88 (0.82–0.94); 0.87 (0.81–0.91); 0.90 (0.84–0.96), all P

The study examined the impact of the angle of incidence of mechanical waves on various types of quasi one-dimensional superlattice. Binary periodic structure, quasi-periodic distribution of Thue-Morse layers and Severin’s aperiodic multilayer were used. Using the concatenation and recursive rules, the distribution of layers was determined for individual structure types for generation numbers equal to 3, 4 and 5. The structures were selected so that the thickness of the composite was the same for each type of distribution for a given generation number value. Transfer Matrix Method algorithm was used to determine reflectance. The band structure of reflectance has been demonstrated for incidence angles up to 90 degrees at mechanical wave frequencies up to 50 kHz. The existence of wide bands of high reflectance above the acoustic frequencies was demonstrated for the analyzed structures. Increasing the layer thickness caused an inhomogeneous shifts of transmission peaks towards lower frequencies.

The effect of different heat treatment temperatures on the isothermal oxidation of Ni-based Fe-40Ni-24Cr alloy was studied. The alloy underwent a heat treatment process at 1000°C and 1200°C for 3 hours of soaking time, followed by water quenching. These samples are labeled as N10 and N12. The heat-treated samples were characterized in terms of grain size using an optical microscope and hardness testing using a Rockwell hardness. As a result, increasing the heat treatment temperature increases the average grain size of the alloy and lowers the hardness value. Heat-treated N10 and N12 samples were subjected to an isothermal oxidation test at 950°C for an exposure time of 150 h. Oxidized heat-treated samples were characterized in terms of oxidation kinetics calculated based on weight change per surface area as a function of time. In addition, phase analysis and oxide surface morphology were measured using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. As a result, the oxidation kinetics of both samples showed a pattern of weight gain with N10 recording the lowest weight gain. Both samples obey a parabolic rate law, indicating a controlled oxide growth rate. N10 recorded the lowest parabolic rate constant of 2.5x10-8 mg³cm-4s-1, indicating a low oxidation rate, thus having good oxidation resistance. Phase analysis using XRD shows that several oxide phases have been formed consisting of Cr-containing oxides Cr2O3 and MnCr2O4. In addition, SEM analysis displayed a uniform oxide layer formed on the N10 sample, indicating good oxide adhesion. This finding shows an important contribution to the oxidation protection mechanism that records the fine grain obtained from the heat treatment process can increase good oxidation resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aims Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is a potent vasoconstrictor, which regulates renal and vascular function. We aimed to relate plasma levels of ET‐1 with the clinical picture and outcomes in acute heart failure (AHF). Methods and results We studied 113 patients with AHF [mean age 65 ± 13 (years), median (upper and lower quartiles) N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, 5422 (2689; 8582) (pg/mL)], in whom plasma levels of ET‐1 were serially measured at admission (10.8 ± 5.2), Day 1 (9.5 ± 3.4), and Day 2 (8.9 ± 3.8) (pg/mL). The population was divided into tertiles across baseline ET‐1 levels. Patients in the highest ET‐1 tertile had predominant clinical signs of peripheral congestion; however, no difference was observed in pulmonary congestion and severity of dyspnoea. They also presented lower spot urine sodium at admission (75 ± 35 vs. 99 ± 43 vs. 108 ± 30), 6 h (84 ± 34 vs. 106 ± 43 vs. 106 ± 35), and Day 1 (75 ± 38 vs. 96 ± 36 vs. 100 ± 35) (mmol/L), when compared with the second and first tertile, respectively (all P

In the work, multi-criteria optimization of phononic structures was performed to minimize the transmission in the frequency range of acoustic waves, eliminate high transmission peaks with a small half-width inside of the band gap, and what was the most important part of the work – to minimize the number of layers in the structure. Two types of the genetic algorithm were compared in the study. The first one was characterized by a constant number of layers (GACL) of the phononic structure of each individual in each population. Then, the algorithm was run for a different number of layers, as a result of which the structures with the best value of the objective function were determined. In the second version of the algorithm, individuals in populations had a variable number of layers (GAVL) which required a different type of target function and crossover procedure. The transmission for quasi-one-dimensional phononic structures was determined with the use of the transfer matrix method algorithm. Based on the research, it can be concluded that the developed GAVL algorithm with an appropriately selected objective function achieved optimal solutions in a much smaller number of iterations than the GACL algorithm, and the value of the k parameter below 1 leads to faster achievement of the optimal structure.

Although the study of oscillatory motion has a long history, going back four centuries, it is still an active subject of scientificr esearch. In this review paper prospective research directions in the field of mechanical vibrations were pointed out. Four groups of important issues in which advanced research is conducted were discussed. The first are energy harvester devices, thanks to which we can obtain or save significant amounts of energy, and thus reduce the amount of greenhouse gases. The next discussed issue helps in the design of structures using vibrations and describes the algorithms that allow to identify and search for optimal parameters for the devices being developed. The next section describes vibration in multi-body systems and modal analysis, which are key to understanding the phenomena in vibrating machines. The last part describes the properties of granulated materials from which modern, intelligent vacuum-packed particles are made. They are used, for example, as intelligent vibration damping devices.

Advancement in the fields of electrification, automation, and digitalisation and emerging social trends are fuelling the transformation of road transport resulting in the introduction of various innovative mobility solutions. Yet the reaction of people to many of the new solutions is still vastly unknown. This creates an unprecedented quandary for transport planners who are requested to design future transport systems and create the related investment plans without fully validated models to base the assessment upon. As some evidence on citizens’ behaviour concerning new mobility solutions starts to be progressively made available, first attempts to update the existing models begin to emerge. Nevertheless, a lot more is needed as some of the transpiring mobility solutions have not yet reached the market, making the corresponding behaviour changes imponderable. In this context, the main purpose of this paper is to provide a review on how travel behaviour changes linked to the deployment of new mobility solutions have been considered in travel demand models. The new mobility solutions studied include carsharing, dynamic ridesharing, micromobility sharing services, and personal and shared autonomous vehicles. An overview and comparison of relevant studies implementing activity or trip-based demand models and other methodologies are presented. The analysis shows that the results of the different studies heavily depend on the extent to which behavioural changes are considered. The results of the review thus point to the need for holistic demand models that carefully mimic the urban reality with everything it has to offer and account for the importance of individual traits in the decision-making processes. Such models need an in-depth understanding of the microscopic mechanisms leading to the travel behaviour shifts linked to the most innovative mobility solutions. To achieve this level of detail, mobility living labs and their real-life experiments and experience with citizens, which are flourishing in Europe, are suggested to play a crucial role in the years to come.

Background As new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern emerge, there is a need to scale up testing to minimize transmission of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Many countries especially those in the developing world continue to struggle with scaling up reverse transcriptase polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) to detect SARS-CoV-2 due to scarcity of resources. Alternatives such as antigen rapid diagnostics tests (Ag-RDTs) may provide a solution to enable countries scale up testing. Methods In this study, we evaluated the Panbio™ and STANDARD Q Ag-RDTs in the laboratory using 80 COVID-19 RT-PCR confirmed and 80 negative nasopharyngeal swabs. The STANDARD Q was further evaluated in the field on 112 symptomatic and 61 asymptomatic participants. Results For the laboratory evaluation, both tests had a sensitivity above 80% (Panbio™ = 86% vs STANDARD Q = 88%). The specificity of the Panbio™ was 100%, while that of the STANDARD Q was 99%. When evaluated in the field, the STANDARD Q maintained a high specificity of 99%, however the sensitivity was reduced to 56%. Conclusion Using Ag-RDTs in low resource settings will be helpful in scaling-up SARS-CoV-2 testing, however, negative results should be confirmed by RT-PCR where possible to rule out COVID-19 infection.

Automation and electrification in road transport are trends that will influence several economic sectors of the European economy. The automotive maintenance and repair (M&R) sector will experience the effects of such transitions in the long term. This paper assesses the research in the road transport to derive the factors that may influence the M&R demand based on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) uptake. Starting from current scientific research and grounded on interviews with experts, the paper reviews major drivers influencing M&R demand and provides indications on possible future effects. While for BEVs, previous work has been conducted to estimate the M&R cost variations, the research addressing the impacts of AVs deployment on the M&R sector is at its incipient stage, hence the views of experts were paramount to shed light on this topic. We identified a scientific consensus that BEVs have less M&R requirements compared with Conventional Vehicles (CVs). For AVs, our analysis and expert views identify some important factors influencing M&R requirements: hardware components, software that enables autonomy, the rise in vehicle kilometres travelled leading to higher wear and tear of replaceable parts, the need for adequate cleaning services, especially for fleets and shared vehicles. Further work should look at the impact of regulations and the non-insurable risks linked to M&R requirements.

Augmented peripheral chemoreceptor sensitivity (PChS) is a common feature of many sympathetically mediated diseases, among others, and it is an important mechanism of the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF). It is related not only to the greater severity of symptoms, especially to dyspnea and lower exercise tolerance but also to a greater prevalence of complications and poor prognosis. The causes, mechanisms, and impact of the enhanced activity of peripheral chemoreceptors (PChR) in the HF population are subject to intense research. Several methodologies have been established and utilized to assess the PChR function. Each of them presents certain advantages and limitations. Furthermore, numerous factors could influence and modulate the response from PChR in studied subjects. Nevertheless, even with the impressive number of studies conducted in this field, there are still some gaps in knowledge that require further research. We performed a review of all clinical trials in HF human patients, in which the function of PChR was evaluated. This review provides an extensive synthesis of studies evaluating PChR function in the HF human population, including methods used, factors potentially influencing the results, and predictors of increased PChS.