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Purpose: To evaluate the effect of immersion in water on deforma8on of maxillary denture bases created with CAD/CAM and heat-polymerized resin fabrica8on techniques under loading condi8ons. Materials and Methods: 2-mm-thick denture bases were fabricated using four techniques: CAD/CAM milling (CCM; Polywax PMMA blank, Yamachi PMMA disk Yamahachi Dental); 3D prin8ng (3DP; BV005, NextDent Base); compression molding (CM; Luciton 199, Dentsply Sirona); and injec8on molding (IM; Ivobase, Ivoclar; n = 5 per group). Three sta8c 49-N loads were applied perpendicular to each denture base, and the mean strain value (MSV) was recorded with strain gauges a[ached to the denture surface. The denture bases were stored at 37°C in dis8lled water for 14 and 28 days, and the MSVs under the same sta8c load were recorded. Results: The highest MSVs were observed at the posterior palatal seal, tuberosity, and labial notches of the dentures. The lowest MSVs were recorded for the CCM group and then the CM and IM groups. The highest MSVs were recorded for the 3DP group. No significant differences in regional MSVs (P > .05) were observed among the CCM, CM, and IM aber 14 and 28 days in water. Large devia8ons in MSVs were recorded for the 3DP group across the measurement sites aber water exposure (P < .05). Conclusions: CCM had the lowest denture deforma8on under sta8c loading. Aber immersion in water, the deforma8on changes under sta8c loading were stable for CCM, CM, and IM. However, varia8ons among the materials used in 3DP group influenced the mechanical performance and presented larger deformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open water swimming (OWS) has rapidly grown in popularity, driven by the purported health benefits of cold-water immersion. A paucity of research remains specifically considering the notable risks inherent in OWS participation, and a lack of qualitative research on freshwater swimming experiences, and safety-related issues therein. This rapid ethnographic study, based at a dedicated OWS lake in the UK, conducted semi-structured interviews with OWS participants (n=17; female=11, male=6). Two core themes emerged: environmental issues impacting OWS experiences and behaviours; and knowledge and education of OWS which highlighted safe/unsafe practices, levels of education for managing risks, personal preparedness, swimming solo/with others, use/non-use of specialised equipment, anxieties relating to participation, and environmental conditions. Findings suggest a lack of safe practice persists pertaining to immersion in cold water environments. Specific strategies are suggested that organisations involved with the promotion of the sport should consider to promote safer and more enjoyable OWS experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of lead‐halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) into full‐color microarrays presents numerous advantages for full‐color micro‐LED displays. There is an urgent requirement for a new design approach that simplifies the creation of durable PQD/polymer composites to produce stable PQD microarrays. Here, mono‐2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl succinate (MMeS) is utilized as a functional ligand to synthesize green MMeS‐modified CsPbBr3 PQDs (M‐CPB PQDs). The subsequent photopolymerization of M‐CPB PQDs with 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) forms a CsPbBr3 PQD/polymer composite. This composite exhibits a solid‐state photoluminescence quantum yield of 73.1%, and the photoluminescence intensity retains 72% of its original value after 17 days of continuous immersion in water. Stable green PQD/polymer microarrays can be printed using an ink containing M‐CPB PQDs, HDDA, diphenyl (2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide, and n‐dodecane via electrohydrodynamic jet printing and in situ polymerization under UV light irradiation. Full‐color patterns can also be generated with MMeS‐modified red, green, and blue PQDs. These findings highlight the critical role of functionalizing the surface ligands of PQDs to improve their processability, thereby facilitating the development of stable PQD/polymer microarrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) applied in fuel cell technology suffer from the trade-off between fast proton conduction and durable operation involving dimensional stability, mechanical strength, and oxidative resistance. To address this issue, a novel branched polybenzimidazole (brPBI) was synthesized, covalently cross-linked with (3-chloropropyl)triethoxysilane (CTS), and doped with a novel proton conductor FeATMP to prepare brPBI-CTS/FeATMP membranes. The branching degree of brPBI was optimized to achieve high molecular weight while the branching structure offered high free volume, abundant end-groups, and self-cross-linking moiety that enhanced proton conduction and dimensional/mechanical/oxidative stability. Covalent cross-linking with CTS enhanced the dimensional, mechanical, and oxidative stability while improving the water-assisted proton conduction owing to the hydrophilic nature of siloxane structure formed. At 180 ℃, the proton conductivity of the brPBI3-CTS/FeATMP composite membrane reached 0.136, 0.073, and 0.041 S cm−1 at 100 % RH, 50 % RH, and 0 % RH, respectively, while its swelling ratio after immersion in water at 90 ℃ for 24 h was 4.69 %. The performance of the membranes demonstrated that construction of hydrophilic structure by covalent cross-linking was a successful strategy to break the trade-off effect for PEMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic metal halides (OIMHs) possess low preparation costs and high photoluminescence quantum yield. Within a specific range, the temperature‐dependent nature of OIMHs' luminescent lifetime facilitates temperature sensing and thermal imaging functionalities. In this study, a non‐toxic (C10H22N)6SbBr9·H2O ([C10H22N]+ is 4‐(tert‐buty)cyclohexanamine cation) with a 0D structure crystallized in the Pbcn space group is obtained. Under blue light excitation at room temperature, it demonstrates intense broad emission centered at 635 nm. Further investigation into the correlation between temperature and photoluminescence lifetime has unveiled exceptional temperature sensing precision. The relative sensitivities within the range of power system temperature alert 30–70 °C lie between 2.5% and 4.5% K−1. This matches the typical high‐temperature warning threshold for power systems. Moreover, after immersion in water and alcohol, the compound maintains remarkable stability, with multiple heating/cooling cycles confirming its reliability under test temperatures. Additionally, a composite thin‐film device composed of (C10H22N)6SbBr9·H2O, showcasing its potential as a stable and durable thermal imaging temperature sensing device is fabricated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Athletic training requires both challenging stimuli for adaptation and sufficient recovery for improved performance. While cold water immersion (CWI) is already a popular recovery method, handheld percussive massage (PM) devices have also gained popularity in recent years. This study aims to assess the effects of CWI and PM on performance recovery after strenuous eccentric exercises compared to a passive rest (PR) control condition. Methods: Thirty-four healthy physically active participants (9 females, 25 males) were randomly divided into three groups: CWI (n = 11), PM (n = 11), and passive rest (PR) (n = 12). They underwent an exhausting eccentric exercise protocol and different measurements at six time points (baseline, POST1, POST2, POST24, POST48, and POST72) over the time course of 72 h. These included subjective assessments of muscle soreness and perceived stiffness as well as measures of skin temperature, leg volume, creatine kinase activity, and three different jump tests. The eccentric exercise protocol consisted of 15 min downhill running (slope: 12%, speed: 10 km/h) and 3 sets of successive depth jumps (dropping height: 0.5 m) until individual exhaustion. After POST1 measurements, participants received 12 min of either CWI (11 ± 0.5°C), PM (40 Hz) or PR (supine posture). Results: No significant group effects were found for the number of depth jumps performed during the exhaustion protocol. All jump tests displayed a significant group x time interaction effect. Post-hoc analysis indicated significant lower jump heights in Î"POST2 between CWI and both PM and PR. No other significant group effects were observed at any time point. No significant group x time interaction effects were noted for CK, leg volume, and soreness. The perceived stiffness showed a significant group x time interaction effect. Post-hoc analysis revealed a significant decrease in stiffness for PM compared to PR at Î"POST2. Conclusion: Neither CWI nor PM showed any significant improvement in performance recovery over the 72-h period following strenuous eccentric exercise compared to PR. CWI showed an immediate performance decline which may be attributed to a cold-related reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two physical treatments (heat via water bath and cold air) with various temperatures (20/70/75/80°C and - 80/-90°C) and exposure times (20, 30, 40 s) were carried out to identify a decontaminating effect on zoonotic pathogens on broiler carcasses. Subsequently, carcasses were analyzed for thermotolerant Campylobacter (C.), Salmonella, Escherichia (E.). coli and total colony count (TCC). Moreover, for the hot water treatment, qPCR with viable/dead differentiation (v-qPCR) was applied to detect viable but non-culturable cells (VBNC) of Campylobacter, referred to as intact but putatively infectious units (IPIU). Hot water immersion was tested on carcasses inoculated with C. jejuni and Salmonella, while cold air treatment was evaluated for naturally contaminated carcasses of broiler flocks colonized with Campylobacter. For hot water treatment, the statistically significant reducing effect was about 1 log10 CFU/ml for both Salmonella and Campylobacter for 70-80°C and 20/30 s treatments. The effect of heat treatment for Campylobacter was smaller when samples were analyzed with v-qPCR with reductions of 0.5-0.8 log10 IPIU/ml in mean. Cold air treatments at -90°C were effective in reducing the mean contamination level of Campylobacter by 0.4-0.5 log10 CFU/ml at all exposure times (p < 0.05). Hot water treatments showed a decreasing trend on TCC by 0.6-0.9 log10 CFU/ml (p < 0.05). TCC counts were not significantly affected by cold air treatment. For E. coli no statistically significant reductions were observed by hot water treatment. The cold air treatment at -90°C for 20 and 40 s led to a reduction of E. coli by 0.4 and 0.8 log10 CFU/ml (p < 0.05), respectively. Treatment of carcasses with higher bacterial levels tended to show higher reduction. The research demonstrated that the efficacy of physical treatments for decontamination of broiler carcasses was more pronounced for hot water immersion than for cold air exposure. In conclusion, the results shed light on the potential application of these physical treatments in practice to reduce the quantitative load of contaminating pathogens to enhance food safety in the broiler meat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of phosphoric acid (H3PO4), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) and sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4) admixtures on the setting time, compressive strength and water resistance of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC). MOC samples incorporating different admixtures are prepared, and their hydration products and microstructures are studied via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the addition of H3PO4, KH2PO4 and NaH2PO4 reduces the initial and final setting times and decreases the compressive strength. However, the compressive strength of MOC is higher than 30.00 MPa with the addition of 2.0 wt.% phosphoric acid and its phosphate after 14 days of air curing. The water resistance of modified MOC slurries is significantly improved. The softening coefficient of MOC with 2.0 wt.% H3PO4 is 1.2 after 14 days of water immersion, which is 3.44 times higher than that of the neat MOC. The enhancement in water resistance is attributed to the formation of amorphous gel facilitated by H3PO4, KH2PO4 and NaH2PO4. Furthermore, the improvement in water resistance is manifested as H3PO4 > KH2PO4 > NaH2PO4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of acute carbon monoxide inhalation (COi) and hot water immersion (HWI) are of growing interest as interventions to stimulate erythropoietin (EPO) production. However, whether EPO production is further augmented when combining these stressors and whether there are sex differences in this response are poorly understood. Therefore, we measured circulating EPO concentration in response to acute COi and HWI independently and in combination and determined whether the responses were altered by sex. Participants completed three study visits—COi, HWI, and combined COi and HWI—separated by 1 week in a randomized, balanced, crossover design. Renal blood velocity was measured during all interventions, and carboxyhaemoglobin was measured during and after COi. Serum samples were analysed every hour for 6 h post‐intervention for EPO concentration. HWI decreased renal blood velocity (46.2 cm/s to 36.2 cm/s) (P < 0.0001), and COi increased carboxyhaemoglobin (1.5%–12.8%) (P < 0.0001) without changing renal blood velocity (46.4–45.2 cm/s) (P = 0.4456). All three interventions increased peak EPO concentration from baseline (COi: 6.02–9.74 mIU/mL; HWI: 6.80–11.10 mIU/mL; COi + HWI: 6.71–10.91 mIU/mL) (P = 0.0048) and to the same extent (P = 0.3505). On average, females increased EPO while males did not in response to COi (females: 6.17 mIU/mL; males: 1.27 mIU/mL) (P = 0.0010), HWI (females: 6.47 mIU/mL; males: 2.14 mIU/mL) (P = 0.0104), and COi and HWI (females: 6.65 mIU/mL; males: 1.76 mIU/mL) (P = 0.0256). These data emphasize that combining these interventions does not augment EPO secretion and that these interventions may work better in females. What is the central question of the study?Do acute heat stress and carbon monoxide inhalation alone and in combination increase erythropoietin, and are there sex differences in erythropoietin?What is the main finding and its importance?All interventions increased erythropoietin, but combining the two interventions did not further augment erythropoietin. While erythropoietin increased in females in response to all interventions, there was greater erythropoietin variability in males and therefore, on average, males did not increase erythropoietin. This suggests that combining heat and hypoxic stressors does not further augment erythropoietin concentrations but these interventions may have greater efficacy in females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An immersion based Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (CMUT) is modelled and investigated. Analysis on the displacement and output pressure is done using Finite Element Method (FEM) for different parameters of membrane thickness, gap thickness, width of the membrane, liquid material and bias voltage applied. With effectively optimizing the device parameters and the bias a satisfactory pulse shape has been achieved. From our observation it can be seen, bias potential applied must be kept high in order to get a better displacement on the membrane that will result in more output pressure in water immersion medium than air as the coupling medium. The coupling medium has profound effect on the propagation of acoustic pressure as is evident for different immersion environment analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swelling soft rock (SSR) exhibits obvious characteristics of swelling deformation and damage after being immersed. However, there is no systematic description of the mineral composition and mechanical response after immersion. This study proposed a discrete element modeling and calibration method for SSR based on the X-ray diffraction tests, expansion tests, and uniaxial compression tests in the laboratory. The damage of composite minerals model under continuous immersion time were simulated, and the swelling and strength weakening of SSR after immersion were quantitatively characterized. The results show that the proportion of clay minerals is the main factor that causes the mechanical property decay of rock after immersion. With the increase of immersion time, a large number of radial stress concentration areas and fractures would be formed around the agglomeration locations of swelling clay minerals. The uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus decrease exponentially with immersion time. In terms of energy, the boundary energy required for the model to load up to failure and the total strain energy stored are negatively correlated with the immersion time. However, friction dissipation energy is positively correlated with it. The numerical calculation results provide valuable references for studying the meso-mechanical behavior and failure modes of SSR after immersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strangulation by ligature is often homicidal and is mainly diagnosed through the detection of a ligature mark on the neck. We describe the unusual appearance of a ligature mark in a woman who was strangled and thrown into a river, where she lay for one month. On her neck, there was an irregular horizontal tear, associated with superficial ecchymosis and deep structures' haemorrhage. We made a comparison with literature cases of unusual features of the ligature mark. The ligature mark appearance can be influenced by post-mortem modifications, effects of concealment methods, cut injuries and neck tightening resulting in decapitation. Drowning victims could show injuries similar to those resulting from hanging/strangulation. We found just a few cases of water immersion after strangulation and no cases of a ligature mark presenting like a loss of substance. We tried to explain the unusual appearance of the ligature mark in our case: the skin at the ligature mark lost the superficial layer and underwent dehydration, so soaking and maceration have been accelerated and produced the appearance of loss of substance. Finally, the study led to the distinction from other sources of traumatic action and the definition of the cause of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exertional heat illnesses (EHIs), specifically exertional heat stroke (EHS), are a top cause of nonaccidental death among U.S. laborers. EHS management requires coordination between Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and workplace officials to implement cold water immersion (CWI) and cool first, transport second (CFTS). The purpose of this article was to quantify and identify existing statewide EMS guidelines, determine whether statewide EHS guidelines improved outcomes for EHIs in laborers, and examine the odds of laborer EHS fatalities when best practices are present in EMS statewide guidelines. The Paramedic Protocol Provider database and official EMS websites were examined to determine which U.S. states had statewide EMS guidelines and, for those with statewide guidelines, a two-way χ2 analysis with associated odds ratios examined EHI outcomes. Statewide EMS guidelines underwent content analysis by three independent reviewers regarding EHS best practices. Significance was set a priori at p < 0.05. Among 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 57.7% (n = 30) had statewide EMS guidelines and 42.3% (n = 22) did not. There was a significant association for EHI outcome for states recommending CWI as a cooling method vs. those that did not (χ2 1 = 3.336; p = 0.049). The odds of EHS deaths for laborers were 3.0 times higher if CWI was not included in the EMS guidelines. There was a significant association in EHI outcomes for states without CFTS (χ2 1 = 5.051; p = 0.017). The odds of laborers dying from EHS were 3.7 times higher in states without CFTS. Laborers are 3.0 and 3.7 times less likely to die from EHS when statewide EMS guidelines include CWI and CFTS, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mn4+ activated fluoride red phosphors are used in warm white light emitting diodes (WLEDs). However, their inherently low moisture resistance is a major barrier to their use in high humidity conditions. In this work, the Nb-based oxyfluoride phosphors A x NbOF y :Mn4+ (A = Na, Cs; x = 2, 3; y = 5, 6) were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The crystal structure, morphology, and luminescence properties are investigated with composition variation. The non-equivalent replacement of Nd5+ ions by Mn4+ results in bright red emission under blue light excitation. These phosphors showed very good moisture resistant luminescence. The best performance was achieved by the Na 3 NbOF 6 :0.1%Mn4+, which retained 98 % of the initial fluorescence intensity after immersion in water for 60 min. In addition, the W6+ and Mo6+ are used to compensate for the charge difference between Mn4+ and Nd5+ in Na 3 NbOF 6 :Mn4+. The compensated phosphors have shown large enhancements of 169 % (W6+) and 168 % (Mo6+) in luminescence intensity. This strategy of non-equivalent doping approach of Mn4+ into the Nb-based oxyfluoride materials and the charge compensation by W6+/Mo6+ to enhance the luminescence intensity provides a new way to realize high performance red phosphors for WLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adequate pain relief during childbirth is a very important issue for women and healthcare providers. This study investigates the effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes of two analgesic methods during labor: water immersion and epidural analgesia. Methods: In this retrospective observational cohort study at a first-level hospital, in Spain, from 2009 to 2019, 1134 women, low-risk singleton and at term pregnancy, were selected. Among them, 567 women used water immersion; 567 women used epidural analgesia for pain control. Maternal outcomes included mode of birth and perineum condition. Neonatal outcomes included 5 min Apgar score, umbilical cord arterial pH, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admissions. Chi-square tests and Mann–Whitney U tests, together with their effect sizes (Cramer's V, odds ratio, and Cohen's d) were used to test the main hypotheses. Results: Spontaneous vaginal birth was almost 17 times more likely in the water immersion group (OR = 16.866 [6.540, 43.480], p < 0.001), whereas the odds of having a cesarean birth were almost 40 times higher in the epidural group (OR = 39.346 [3.610, 429.120], p < 0.001). The odds of having an intact perineum were more than two times higher for the water immersion group (OR = 2.606 [1.290, 5.250], p = 0.007), whereas having an episiotomy was more than eight times more likely for the epidural group (OR = 8.307 [2.800, 24.610], p < 0.001). Newborns in the water immersion group showed a better 5 min Apgar score and umbilical cord arterial pH and lower rates in admissions at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Conclusions: Women choosing water immersion as an analgesic method were no more likely to experience adverse outcomes and presented better results than women choosing epidural analgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research investigated the pre-, per- and post cooling strategies used by competitive tennis players from various levels of play who occasionally train and compete in hot (>28°C) and humid (>60% rH), and dry (<60% rH) environments. Methods: 129 male tennis players (Mage = 24.9) competing at regional (N = 54), national (N = 30) and international (N = 45) levels, completed an online questionnaire regarding their use (i.e., timing, type, justification and effectiveness) of pre- (i.e., before practice), per- (i.e., during exercise) and post-cooling strategies when playing tennis in hot dry (HD) and hot humid (HH) conditions. Individual follow-up interviews were also carried on 3 participants to gain an in-depth understanding of the player's experience. Results: Competitive tennis players used both internal and external cooling strategies to combat the negative effects of HD and HH conditions, but considered the HH to be more stressful than HD and experienced more heatrelated illness in HH environments. International players used cold packs and cold towel more frequently than the regional and national players in hot environments, and used cold water immersion and cold vest more frequently than the latter in HH. Differences in strategy use were mostly observed during per-cooling where regional and national players more frequently used cold drinks than international players who more frequently used cold packs in HD and cold towel in HH conditions. Moreover the latter more frequently used cold towel, cold packs and cold water immersion as post-cooling strategies than regional players. Conclusion: When playing tennis in the heat, it is strongly recommended to employ cooling strategies to maintain health, limit declines in performance, and promote recovery. We also recommend improving education regarding the appropriate use and effectiveness of cooling strategies, and increasing their availability in tournaments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to evaluate the germination of seeds of four forage species present in the Colombian Amazonian foothills, the speed of germination and the selection indices of Erythrina poeppigiana (EP), Guazuma ulmifolia (GU), Clitoria fairchildiana (CF), and Piptocoma discolor (PD) under nursery conditions, through a randomized complete block design with five repetitions and three pregerminative treatments, T0 (control): immersion in water for 24 h, T1: 24 h in water followed by 3 minutes in water at 80°C, and T2: 24 h in a solution of 600 mg/L of gibberellic acid (GA3) followed by 1 minute in water at 80°C. Additionally, GU seeds underwent mechanical scarification. In total, 750 seeds per species were used, resulting in 3,000 seeds in the experiment. An analysis of variance and a Tukey's mean comparison test were performed for the variable proportion of germinated seeds, germination speed, and selection indices among treatments. Germination curves were analyzed using two growth models: logistic and Gompertz. The results of these models were evaluated based on Akaike (AIC), Bayesian (BIC), and R2 statistical criteria, with the Gompertz model selected for its better fit and biological interpretation of the data. The T2 treatment in EP recorded the highest germination with 88.8 ± 1.36% different (p < 0.05) from the results obtained in T1 79.6 ± 1.22% and the control 61.6 ± 0.94%, the previous treatments in CF had no effect, the control in this species was the best with 68.8 ± 2.94% as in the GU seeds, T1 presented a germination of 78.8 ± 6.21% equal to T2 73.6 ± 5.80% and different (p < 0.05) to the control 25.2 ± 2.01% highlighting the positive effect of manual scarification. PD seeds began germination after 25 days of experimentation, suggesting that this species requires a more extended experimental period. Under Amazonian foothill conditions, EP and GU seeds respond well to 24‐hour hydration and the addition of 600 mg of GA3; however, this dose may be excessive for PD and CF seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This systematic review and network meta-analysis assessed via direct and indirect comparisons the recovery effects of hydrotherapy and cold therapy at different temperatures on exercise induced muscle damage. Methods: Five databases were searched in English and Chinese. The included studies included exercise interventions such as resistance training, high-intensity interval training, and ball games, which the authors were able to define as activities that induce the appearance of EIMD. The included RCTs were analyzed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Eligible studies were included and and two independent review authors extracted data. Frequentist network meta-analytical approaches were calculated based on standardized mean difference (SMD) using random effects models. The effectiveness of each intervention was ranked and the optimal intervention was determined using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicator. Results: 57 studies with 1220 healthy participants were included, and four interventions were examined: Cold Water Immersion (CWI), Contrast Water Therapy (CWT), Thermoneutral or Hot Water Immersion (TWI/HWI), and Cryotherapy(CRYO). According to network meta-analysis, Contrast Water Immersion (SUCRA: 79.9%)is most effective in recovering the biochemical marker Creatine Kinase. Cryotherapy (SUCRA: 88.3%) works best to relieve Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. In the recovery of Jump Ability, cryotherapy (SUCRA: 83.7%) still ranks the highest. Conclusion: We found that CWT was the best for recovering biochemical markers CK, and CRYO was best for muscle soreness and neuromuscular recovery. In clinical practice, we recommend the use of CWI and CRYO for reducing EIMD. Systematic Review Registration: [PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42023396067]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Material and Methods Results Conclusion Clinical Significance To evaluate the effect of different modeling agents on color changes, surface roughness, and translucency parameters over time in Bulkfill resin composites.Sixty specimens were prepared using three Bulkfill resin composites (Tetric N‐Ceram Bulkfill, Filtek One Bulkfill and Opus Bulkfill) and three modeling agents (Wetting Resin, Optibond FL and Ambar APS). All specimens were subjected to a simulated tooth‐brushing (Baseline, 50.000 cycles, 100.000 cycles), and surface roughness was measured at each interval. Surface topography was evaluated. The translucency parameter and color changes were assessed after 24‐h, 7‐, 14‐ and 30‐day immersion in water, wine, and coffee. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni test.All specimens increased roughness after simulated tooth‐brushing (p < 0.05). Wetting Resin decreased roughness on Tetric N‐Ceram Bulkfill (p < 0.05). The translucency parameter remained unaltered for all groups. All groups changed color after 30‐days of immersion in wine and coffee (p < 0.05). Ambar APS and Wetting Resin on Tetric N‐Ceram Bulkfill showed higher color changes when immersed in coffee (p < 0.05).The use of modeling agents does not jeopardize translucency properties but may affect surface roughness and color properties of Bulkfill resin composites depending on their composition.The findings of this study suggest that surface roughness and color properties are affected by the differences in the composition between modeling agents and Bulkfill resins composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the possibilities of utilisation of coniferous bark as a filler in wood–polymer composites (WPCs), its impact on properties such as the modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) after 2 h and 24 h of immersion in water and the significance of this impact compared to other factors. Six variants of bark–polylactic acid (PLA) WPCs were manufactured, differentiated by their filler content and filler particle size. As a comparison, analogous composites filled with coniferous sawdust were also manufactured. Bark-filled composites were characterised by lower TS and WA after both 2 h and 24 h of immersion, as well as lower water contact angles and surface free energy. The bark filler decreased the composites' MORs and MOEs, while greater differences were noticed for variants filled with small particles. The type of filler was the second most important factor contributing to variance in this study, with the filler content being the most important one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most earthen sites are located in open environments eroded by wind and rain, resulting in spalling and cracking caused by shrinkage due to constant water absorption and loss. Together, these issues seriously affect the stability of such sites. Gypsum–lime-modified soil offers relatively strong mechanical properties but poor water resistance. If such soil becomes damp or immersed in water, its strength is significantly reduced, making it unviable for use as a material in the preparation of earthen sites. In this study, we achieved the composite addition of a certain amount of sodium methyl silicate (SMS), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and graphene oxide (GO) into gypsum–lime-modified soil and analyzed the microstructural evolution of the composite-modified soil using characterization methods such as XRD, SEM, and EDS. A comparative study was conducted on changes in the mechanical properties of the composite-modified soil and original soil before and after immersion using water erosion, unconfined compression (UCS), and unconsolidated undrained (UU) triaxial compression tests. These analyses revealed the micro-mechanisms for improving the waterproof performance of the composite-modified soil. The results showed that the addition of SMS, TiO2, and GO did not change the crystal structure or composition of the original soil. In addition, TiO2 and GO were evenly distributed between the modified soil particles, playing a positive role in filling and stabilizing the structure of the modified soil. After being immersed in water for one hour, the original soil experienced structural instability leading to collapse. While the water absorption rate of the composite-modified soil was only 0.84%, its unconfined compressive strength was 4.88 MPa (the strength retention rate before and after immersion was as high as 93.1%), and the shear strength was 614 kPa (the strength retention rate before and after immersion was as high as 96.7%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia oleifera can significantly guarantee food safety in the edible oil industry. The manual harvesting of Camellia oleifera has greatly restricted the full mechanization of the Camellia oleifera industry. Vibratory mechanized harvesting has been adopted with the high harvesting efficiency of Camellia oleifera fruit. Existing studies have also proved that the vibratory picking frequency can directly dominate the detachment of forest fruits. There is a high demand to establish the dynamics model of the Camellia oleifera tree, in order to calculate the trunk's natural frequency. In this study, an ideal fractal tree model was investigated for the Camellia oleifera, according to the sympodial branching and allometric growth. The bifurcated basic unit was extracted from the fractal tree model. Three dynamics models were then deduced with the point masses at different locations using the classic mass-spring analysis. Consequently, the theoretical expressions of the first-order natural frequency were derived for three dynamics models. Taking Camellia oleifera (variety: Huaxin) in Hunan Province as an application example, the lateral branching ratio and the slenderness coefficient were identified to measure the morphological parameters of the tree. Subsequently, the branch density and flexural elastic modulus were measured by water immersion and a three-point bending test. The theoretical values of the first-order natural frequency were calculated for the bifurcated basic unit with different branching angles, in order to substitute the identified tree parameters. Then, a finite element simulation model of the bifurcated basic unit for Camellia oleifera was constructed to simulate the natural frequency. Compared with the simulated and theoretical frequency value, the dynamics model with point mass equally distributed at both rod ends was the closest to the simulated model, with an average error of 7.3%. Finally, the mathematical formula was obtained with the first-order natural frequency of the cantilever beam with point mass at the rod top. An empirical calculation formula was derived for the bifurcated basic unit using parameter identification. The smallest error was found between the theoretical natural frequency from the empirical formula and the simulated value, with a maximum error of 0.41%. The validity and accuracy of the empirical formula were verified. The finding can provide the theoretical guidelines to optimize the vibration parameters of fruit harvesting machines for Camellia oleifera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deterioration of dams and levees is an increasing concern for both infrastructure integrity and environmental sustainability. The extensive repercussions, including the displacement of communities, underscore the imperative for sustainable interventions. This study addresses these challenges by investigating the stabilization of dredged material (DM) for diverse applications. Seven mixtures incorporating fly ash, lime, and cement were formulated. The Standard Compaction Test was used to determine optimal density–moisture conditions, which helped with brick fabrication. Bricks were tested for compressive strength over various curing periods, and the durability of the 28-day-cured samples was evaluated by performing water immersion tests following the New Mexico Code specifications. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess microstructural bonding. Results confirm that the inclusion of cementitious stabilizers modifies the material's microstructure, resulting in enhancements of both strength and water resistance. Notably, the stabilized material demonstrates potential for use in non-fired brick manufacturing and as bridge stones for waterway erosion control. This dual-function application offers a sustainable and economically feasible approach to managing dredged materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halide perovskites have received an immense attention in the field of optoelectronics due to their outstanding photophysical properties. But so far, lead‐based halide perovskites still account for most of the research, which raises concerns due to lead toxicity. Herein, a new design strategy is proposed utilizing a super large, energetically higher singlet and triplet energy levels aromatic organic cation to incorporate into the perovskite structure, forming ultra‐stable high‐performance 2D/3D (quasi‐2D) perovskite. The judicious molecular design of connecting all the phenyl groups at their meta sites ensures the simultaneous achievement of a large molecular weight and high singlet and triplet energy levels. The resulting quasi‐2D perovskite thin films not only exhibits excellent emission properties but also, surprisingly, show long‐term waterproof‐level stability. The robustness of these perovskites is confirmed by their extraordinary emission stability upon direct water immersion and almost undetectable lead release in water. Proof‐of‐concept of a water‐resistant color conversion‐type perovskite near‐infrared (NIR) light‐emitting diode (LED) is demonstrated, showing high external quantum efficiency (EQE) and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.5% and 13.3%, respectively. It is believed these results and strategy pave a new way for realizing environmentally friendly lead halide materials and devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent lead halide perovskite quantum dots (LH PQDs) micropatterns hold great potential for photonic applications. However, current photolithography for LH PQDs micropatterning is hindered by their incompatibility with traditional photolithography methods, which involve development processes using numerous solvents and exhibit poor stability due to the ionic characteristics of LH PQDs. Herein, a direct in situ photolithography to fabricate CsPbBr3 PQDs micropatterns based on ultraviolet‐C light‐driven debromination is developed. Using this approach, fluorescent CsPbBr3 PQDs micropatterns with high theoretical information storage capacity (up to 10750205) can be achieved in a single step, without the need for tedious development processes. Furthermore, the fabricated CsPbBr3 PQDs micropatterns show high stability, remaining undamaged even after immersion in water for 6 months. The combination of excellent optical properties, development‐free process, high stability, and low cost makes the in situ photolithography strategy very promising for patterning LH PQDs toward photonic integrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With the increasing demand for aesthetics, the popularity of Vacuum-formed Retainers (VFRs) has been on the rise. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is added to the polymers to make them clear and tough. BPA is identified as an endocrine disruptor linked to developmental defects, infertility, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The release of BPA from various orthodontic materials, including VFRs, has been reported infrequently and with variable results. Aim: To assess the effect of immersing VFRs in distilled water on BPA release in the saliva of patients wearing VFRs. Materials and Methods: This was a single-centre prospective randomised clinical trial. A total of 28 patients aged between 15 and 25 years, who had completed their fixed orthodontic treatment in 2021 at Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University (BVDU), Dental College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India, were selected for this in-vivo study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group I patients received VFRs without immersion in water before delivery, while Group II patients received VFRs that were immersed in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours before delivery. Four samples of unstimulated whole saliva were collected across four different time intervals: T0 (before VFR delivery), T1 (after one hour of wearing retainers), T2 (after one week of wearing retainers) and T3 (after three weeks of wearing retainers). These samples were tested for BPA release using HPLC analysis. For numerical continuous data following a normal distribution, intergroup comparison was conducted using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and intragroup comparisons were performed using a paired t-test. An alpha error of 5% and a power of 80% were maintained, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of patients selected for the study was 20±5 years. Statistical analysis revealed that the mean release of BPA (0.33 ppm) in saliva was highest in patients from Group I at T1, decreasing to 0.177 ppm at T2 and further reducing to 0.013 ppm at T3. In comparison, the mean values of BPA release in the saliva of patients in Group II were significantly lower at all time intervals: T1 (0.07 ppm), T2 (0.009 ppm) and T3 (0.001 ppm). Intergroup comparison using a one-way ANOVA test showed that the difference in BPA release between the two groups was statistically significant (p-value=0.05). Tukey's posthoc test revealed statistically significant differences in BPA release between T1-T2, T2-T3 and T1-T3. Conclusion: Prior immersion of VFRs in distilled water for 24 hours at 37°C before delivery to patients can be a simple solution to reduce BPA release in saliva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review examines the relationship between the physiological demands of diving and premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) in divers. In the general population, some individuals have a greater tendency to experience PVCs, often without awareness or a clear understanding of the triggering factors. With the increasing availability and popularity of both scuba and apnoea diving, more people, including those with a predisposition to PVCs, are engaging in these activities. The underwater environment, with its unique stressors, may increase the risk of arrhythmogenic events, particularly PVCs. Here, we review the prevalence, pathophysiology, and aggravating factors of PVCs in divers, emphasising the need for a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment. Evidence suggests a higher prevalence of PVCs in divers compared with the general population, influenced by factors such as age, dive depth, gas bubbles, cold water immersion, pre-existing cardiovascular diseases, and lifestyle factors. The change in environment during diving could potentially trigger an increased frequency of PVCs, especially in individuals with a pre-existing tendency. We discuss diagnostic strategies, management approaches, and preventive measures for divers with PVCs, noting that although guidelines for athletes can be adapted, individual assessment is crucial. Significant knowledge gaps are identified, highlighting the need for future research to develop evidence-based guidelines and understand the long-term significance of PVCs in divers. This work aims to evaluate potential contributing factors to PVCs in divers and identify individuals who may be at higher risk of experiencing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). This work aims to improve diver safety by promoting collaboration between cardiologists and diving medicine specialists and by identifying key areas for future investigation in this field. This work aims to improve the safety and well-being of divers by understanding the cardiovascular challenges they face, including pressure changes, cold water immersion, and hypoxia. We seek to elucidate the relationship between these challenges and the occurrence of PVCs. By synthesising current evidence, identifying knowledge gaps, and proposing preliminary recommendations, we aim to encourage collaboration between cardiologists and diving medicine specialists to optimise the screening, management, and risk stratification of PVCs in the diving population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of immersion freezing on water distribution and calcium ion migration in pears was studied. The samples were frozen at -20 °C and -40 °C. Results showed that the -40 °C combined immersion freezing (-40IF-T) was better in inhibiting sample browning and sensory quality, compared with other groups. Water activity and freezable water content were closer to that of the unfrozen sample. Compared with -20IF, the freezing time of -40IF-T was reduced by 74.90 %. Both the drip loss and calcium ion content showed that -40IF-T was better than other groups. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance results showed that -40IF-T reduced water migration during freezing, indicating a more uniform distribution of water in -40IF-T tissues. The results of relative conductivity showed that -40IF-T could effectively reduce the damage of cell membrane caused by freezing. In conclusion, low temperature and cryoprotective fluid can be used as effective methods to maintain sample quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Uncertainty exists if post-resistance exercise hydrotherapy attenuates chronic inflammatory and hormone responses. The effects of repeated post-resistance exercise water immersion on inflammatory and hormone responses in athletes were investigated. Methods: Male, academy Super Rugby players (n = 18, 19.9 ± 1.5 y, 1.85 ± 0.06 m, 98.3 ± 10.7 kg) participated in a 12-week programme divided into 3 × 4-week blocks of post-resistance exercise water immersion (either, no immersion control [CON]; cold [CWI]; or hot [HWI] water immersion), utilising a randomised cross-over pre-post design. Fasted, morning blood measures were collected prior to commencement of first intervention block, and every fourth week thereafter. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyse main (treatment, time) and interaction effects. Results: Repeated CWI (p = 0.025, g = 0.05) and HWI (p < 0.001, g = 0.62) reduced creatine kinase (CK), compared to CON. HWI decreased (p = 0.013, g = 0.59) interleukin (IL)-1ra, compared to CON. HWI increased (p < 0.001–0.026, g = 0.06–0.17) growth factors (PDGF-BB, IGF-1), compared to CON and CWI. CWI increased (p = 0.004, g = 0.46) heat shock protein-72 (HSP-72), compared to HWI. Conclusion: Post-resistance exercise CWI or HWI resulted in trivial and moderate reductions in CK, respectively, which may be partly due to hydrostatic effects of water immersion. Post-resistance exercise HWI moderately decreased IL-1ra, which may be associated with post-resistance exercise skeletal muscle inflammation influencing chronic resistance exercise adaptive responses. Following post-resistance exercise water immersion, CWI increased HSP-72 suggesting a thermoregulatory response indicating improved adaptive inflammatory responses to temperature changes, while HWI increased growth factors (PDGF-BB, IGF-1) indicating different systematic signalling pathway activation. Our data supports the continued use of post-resistance exercise water immersion recovery strategies of any temperature during in-season competition phases for improved inflammatory adaptive responses in athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): This study aimed to investigate the effects of Warm Water Immersion (WWI) on inflammation, kidney function, and kidney tissue damage in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM). Materials and Methods: Forty male rats were divided into four groups: Healthy Control (HC), Diabetic Control (DC), Diabetic Rats treated with WWI (DW), and Healthy Rats treated with WWI (HW). Daily 15-minute WWI sessions at 43 °C were administered for eight weeks. Various parameters including lipids, fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1C, insulin, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), HSP70, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary albumin excretion, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), oxidative stress, anti-oxidant parameters, and gene expression of RAGE, VEGF, and TGFß1 were assessed. Histological examination of kidney tissue was also conducted. Results: Significant reductions in FBS, AGEs, glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were observed in the DW group compared to DC. Expression of RAGE, VEGF, and TGFß1 genes decreased in DW. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol were lower in DW. Insulin, HDL cholesterol, catalase, total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), and tissue HSP70 were higher in DW. Histological assessment revealed reduced kidney damage in DW compared to DC. Conclusion: WWI for eight weeks shows promise in mitigating diabetic nephropathy in rats, suggesting its potential as a non-invasive adjunctive therapy for managing diabetes complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post‐exercise hot (HWI) and cold (CWI) water immersion are popular strategies used by athletes in a range of sporting contexts, such as enhancing recovery or adaptation. However, prolonged heating bouts increase neuroendocrine responses that are associated with perceptions of fatigue. Fourteen endurance‐trained runners performed three trials consisting of two 45‐min runs at 95% lactate threshold on a treadmill separated by 6 h of recovery. Following the first run, participants completed one of HWI (30 min, 40°C), CWI (15 min, 14°C) or control (CON, 30 min rest in ambient conditions) in a randomised order. Perceived effort and recovery were measured using ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and the Acute Recovery and Stress Scale (ARSS), whilst physiological responses including venous concentrations of a range of neuroendocrine markers, superficial femoral blood flow, heart rate and rectal temperature were measured. Exercise increased neuroendocrine responses of interleukin‐6, adrenaline and noradrenaline (all P < 0.001). Additionally, perceptions of overall recovery (P < 0.001), mental performance capacity (P = 0.02), physical performance capability (P = 0.01) and emotional balance (P = 0.03) were reduced prior to the second run. However, there was no effect of condition on these variables (P > 0.05), nor RPE (P = 0.68), despite differences in rectal temperature, superficial femoral blood flow following the first run, and participants' expected recovery prior to the intervention (all P < 0.001). Therefore, athletes may engage in post‐exercise hot or cold‐water immersion without negatively impacting moderate‐intensity training sessions performed later the same day. What is the central question of this study?Does post‐exercise heating or cooling alter recovery and perception of effort during subsequent exercise?What is the main finding and its importance?Neither post‐exercise heating nor post‐exercise cooling altered perceived recovery or perception of effort during subsequent exercise, despite heating inducing large increases in blood flow to the lower limbs. Contrary to our hypotheses, neither heating nor cooling had any impact on inflammatory or neuroendocrine responses in plasma. Post‐exercise heating does not appear to exacerbate fatigue as previously suggested in other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are currently no standard methods for diagnosing cardiac diseases in dolphins. These diseases may consequently be overlooked and go undiagnosed. The presence and severity of cardiac diseases in humans can be determined using blood tests. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) used in human cardiac examinations has low species specificity. There have already been reports of homology between dolphin and human ANP; however, its potential for clinical application in dolphins has not been tested. This study was conducted to establish a reference for ANP levels in healthy bottlenose dolphins. Healthy bottlenose dolphins (seven females; estimated to be 7-30 years of age) at an aquarium in Japan were sampled. Each animal was tested for ANP at least three times, and the mean value and standard deviation were calculated to be 43.4 ± 19.2 pg/mL. In humans, patients with high plasma ANP levels have a poor prognosis. In veterinary medicine, cutoff values for the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation and heart failure in dogs have been established and used to predict prognosis. The results of the present study may contribute to the health management of bottlenose dolphins, particularly in the early detection and treatment of cardiac diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial corrosion of waterproof coatings causes structural damage to buildings and renovation materials and severely threatens human health. In practical applications, coatings with different base materials show different durabilities to external environmental influences. There is little literature on the antimicrobial durability performance of waterproof coatings. Therefore, this paper selected four standard waterproofing coatings, including polyurethane coatings, cement-based coatings, asphalt-modified polymer coatings, and polymer emulsion coatings, as the main body of this study. Their antimicrobial abilities against Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and mold were tested after experiencing three kinds of harsh environments: Ultraviolet ray (UV), water immersion, and low temperature. The results show that the extreme climates significantly reduced the ability of the four coatings to resist mold, and the highest growth rate of bacteria was 54.64%. Under UV conditions, the polymer emulsion coatings were significantly more resistant to Candida albicans, and the optical density of the bacterial liquid showed a negative growth trend. The microstructural integrity of the polymer emulsion coatings was found to be damaged by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation. This work improves the durability application research on these coatings and provides a valuable reference for developing new environmentally friendly, antibacterial, and anticorrosive waterproof coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is a dental material often used in clinical practice. However, its use is limited due to its drawbacks. Natural resources such as propolis have been used to mainly enhance GIC's antibacterial properties, but other properties attributed to this enhancement also require evaluation. Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the surface hardness, the surface roughness, and the water absorption of GIC containing ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) from Trigona spp. Methods: Samples in this study were divided into four groups: GIC (control group); GIC + 25% EEP; GIC + 30% EEP; and GIC + 35% EEP. Surface roughness was measured using a surface roughness tester. Surface hardness was measured using a micro-Vickers hardness tester. Water absorption was measured by weighing the samples before and after immersion in distilled water. Surface characterization was carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data was statistically analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and one-way variance analysis along with the post-hoc Tukey's test to determine significant differences between all four samples. Results: The statistical test showed significant differences in surface hardness and surface roughness between the control group and the GIC + EEP group. However, the test demonstrated no significant differences in water absorption between the control group and the GIC + EEP group. Conclusion: The addition of EEP to conventional GIC can affect its physical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights The experience of pain that is induced by extremely cold temperatures can exert a modulatory effect on motor cortex circuitry. Although it is known that immersion of a single limb in very cold water can increase corticomotor excitability it is unknown how afferent input to the cortex shapes excitatory and inhibitory processes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine motor‐evoked potentials (MEP), short‐latency afferent inhibition (SAI) and long‐latency afferent inhibition (LAI) in response to immersion of a single hand in cold water. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was used to assess MEPs, and peripheral nerve stimulation of the median nerve paired with TMS was used to measure SAI and LAI in motor circuits of the ipsilateral hemisphere. Measurements were obtained from electromyography (EMG) of the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) at baseline, during cold‐water immersion, and during recovery from cold‐water immersion. The intervention caused unconditioned MEPs to increase during exposure to the cold stimulus (P = 0.008) which then returned to baseline levels once the hand was removed from the cold water. MEP responses were decoupled from SAI responses, where SAI was reduced during exposure to the cold stimulus (P = 0.005) and remained reduced compared to baseline when the hand was removed from the cold water (P = 0.002). The intervention had no effect on LAI. The uncoupling of SAI from MEPs during the recovery period suggests that the mechanisms underlying the modulation of corticospinal excitability by sensory input may be distinct from those affecting intracortical inhibitory circuits. What is the central question of this study? Does immersion of a limb in very cold water influence corticospinal excitability and the level of afferent inhibition exerted on motor cortical circuits? What is the main finding and its importance? In additional to perception of temperature, immersion in 6°C water also induced perceptions of pain. Motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude increased during immersion, and short‐latency afferent inhibition (SAI) of the motor cortex was reduced during immersion; however, these responses differed after the limb was removed from the cold stimulus, as MEPs returned to normal levels while SAI remained suppressed. What is the central question of this study?Does immersion of a limb in very cold water influence corticospinal excitability and the level of afferent inhibition exerted on motor cortical circuits?What is the main finding and its importance?In additional to perception of temperature, immersion in 6°C water also induced perceptions of pain. Motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude increased during immersion, and short‐latency afferent inhibition (SAI) of the motor cortex was reduced during immersion; however, these responses differed after the limb was removed from the cold stimulus, as MEPs returned to normal levels while SAI remained suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) system is a common non-destructive instrument which is used to evaluate the material quality in scientific and industrial applications. Technically, the tested sample is immersed in water during the scanning process. Therefore, a robot arm is incorporated into the SAM system to transfer the sample for in-line inspection, which makes the system complex and increases time consumption. The main aim of this study is to develop a novel water probe for the SAM system, that is, a waterstream. During the scanning process, water was supplied using a waterstream instead of immersing the sample in the water, which leads to a simple design of an automotive SAM system and a reduction in time consumption. In addition, using a waterstream in the SAM system can avoid contamination of the sample due to immersion in water for long-time scanning. Waterstream was designed based on the measured focal length calculation of the transducer and simulated to investigate the internal flow characteristics. To validate the simulation results, the waterstream was prototyped and applied to the TSAM-400 and W-FSAM traditional and fast SAM systems to successfully image some samples such as carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, a printed circuit board, and a 6-inch wafer. These results demonstrate the design method of the water probe applied to the SAM system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to identify limiting factors for reusing wood through the recycling of window frames by conducting research under fully controlled conditions. The research involved manufacturing new window frames, seasoning them, and then shredding them into wood particles to prepare a three-layer particleboard. The proportion of wood particles in recycling was 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 parts by weight of the manufactured particleboard. Mechanical property tests were conducted: modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond (IB), screw withdrawal resistance (SWR), and physical properties: density profile (DP), thickness swelling (TS) after water immersion, water absorption (WA), as well as formaldehyde emission and total volatile organic compound (TVOCs) tests. The research indicates a significant potential for utilizing wood from this sector of the wood industry, particularly considering variants with a higher proportion of recycled wood. MOR and MOE results are most promising for variants above 50 parts by weight of recycled wood. Based on the results obtained, it is clear that the production process should be improved or the raw material modified to enhance the internal bonding of particleboard, as these results were the weakest. Thus, recycled wood from window joinery has the potential to be reincarnated as particleboard, which continues to be widely used in their production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large-scale use of composite materials reinforced with carbon–aramid hybrid fabric in various outdoor applications, which ensures increased mechanical resistance including in impact loadings, led to the need to investigate the effects of aggressive environmental factors (moisture absorption, temperature, thermal cycles, ultra-violet rays) on the variation of their mechanical properties. Since the literature is still lacking in research on this topic, this article aims to compare the low-velocity impact behaviour of two carbon–aramid hybrid composite materials (with and without rubber core) and to investigate the effects of water absorption on impact properties. The main objectives of this research were as follows: (i) the investigation of the mechanical behavior in tests for two impact energies of 25 J and 50 J; (ii) comparison of the results obtained in terms of the force, displacement, velocity, and energy related to the time; (iii) analysis of the water absorption data; (iii) low-velocity impact testing of wet specimens after saturation; (iv) comparison between the impact behaviour of the wet specimens with that of the dried ones. One of the main findings was that for the wet specimens without rubber core, absorbed impact energy was 16% less than the one recorded for dried specimens at an impact energy of 50 J. The failure modes of the dried specimens without rubber core are breakage for both carbon and aramid fibres, matrix cracks, and delamination at matrix–fibre interfaces. The degradation for the wet specimens with rubber core is much more pronounced because the decrease in the absorbed impact energy was 53.26% after 10,513 h of immersion in water and all the layers were broken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion poses a significant challenge, causing severe damage to steel infrastructures across various industries, particularly those involved in delivering fossil fuel sources. The present study introduces an innovative approach to the development of corrosion inhibitors through the synthesis of a zinc nanoparticle (Zn NP) and polystyrene (PS) composite (ZnNPs@PS composite). The synthesized composite was characterized, revealing a surface area (SBET) of 33.62 m2 g−1 and an average pore diameter (Dp) of 9 nm. The analysis was conducted using several techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The successful immobilization of Zn NPs, with an average size range of 4–50 nm, within the PS matrix was confirmed. The composite's corrosion inhibition efficiency (CIE) was evaluated using the weight loss method. Treated steel samples, after immersion in formation water, diesel fuel, and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 10 days at 25 °C, demonstrated CIE percentages of 94.27%, 88.18%, and 85.05%, respectively. This novel composite thus shows promising potential as an effective corrosion inhibitor for steel in various corrosive environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent discovery of SrSn 0.8 Sc 0.2 O 3- δ (SSS) perovskite oxide as a promising proton-conducting material has generated interest in its potential application in electrochemical devices as PCFCs. This study assesses the feasibility of SSS in PCFCs by its stability, density, chemical compatibility, and electrochemical performance. The study demonstrated the favorable stability of SSS even after reduction at 800 °C under H 2 for 24 h as well as immersion in boiling water for 5 h. The relative density of SSS could easily exceed 94% after sintering with NiO aid at 1400 °C. The chemical compatibility and electrochemical performance of SSS were investigated with various electrode materials. The BaCo 0.4 Fe 0.4 Zr 0.1 Y 0.1 O 3- δ exhibited relatively better electrochemical performance with SSS. The electrolyte was co-sintered with a Ni-based anode substrate and densified to high density at 1450 °C without sintering aids. The fuel cell utilizing an anode-supported Ni-SSS|SSS|BCFZY-SSS configuration exhibited a peak power density of 432.1 mW cm−2 at 800 °C. • New proton conductor SSS is expected to replace conventional Ba-based proton conductor. • The SSS exhibits excellent sintering activity and chemical stability. • The SSS has good chemical compatibility with most electrode materials. • A dense SSS electrolyte membrane (∼10μm) can be obtained by sintering at 1450 °C. • The SSS-based PCFC with an anode-supported structure exhibits a high power density of 432.1 mW cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compromised heat loss due to limited convection and evaporation can increase thermal strain. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of ice slurry ingestion to reduce thermal strain following hyperthermia in a state of compromised heat loss. Twelve healthy males (age: 25 ± 4y) underwent hot water immersion to elevate rectal temperature (Trec) by 1.82 ± 0.08°C on four occasions. In the subsequent 60-min of seated recovery, participants ingested either 6.8 g·kg-1 of ice slurry (-0.6°C) or control drink (37°C) in ambient conditions (21 ± 1°C, 39 ± 10% relative humidity), wearing either t-shirt and shorts (2 trials: ICE and CON) or a whole-body sweat suit (2 trials: ICE-SS and CON-SS). Trec and mean skin temperature (Tsk) were recorded and a two-compartment thermometry model of heat storage was calculated. Heat storage was lower in ICE compared with CON at 20-40min (p ≤ 0.044, d ≥ 0.88) and for ICE-SS compared with CON-SS at 40–60 min (p ≤ 0.012, d ≥ 0.93). Trec was lower in ICE compared with CON from 30-60min (p ≤ 0.034, d ≥ 0.65), with a trend for a reduced Trec in ICE-SS compared with CON-SS at 40min (p = 0.079, d = 0.60). A greater Tsk was found in ICE-SS and CON-SS compared with ICE and CON (p < 0.001, d ≥ 3.37). A trend for a lower Tsk for ICE compared with CON was found at 20-40min (p ≤ 0.099, d ≥ 0.53), no differences were found for ICE-SS vs CON-SS (p ≥ 0.554, d ≤ 0.43). Ice slurry ingestion can effectively reduce heat storage when heat loss through convection and evaporation is compromised, relevant to those wearing personal protective equipment or those with compromised sweat loss. Compromised heat loss delays the reduction in heat storage, possibly related to ice slurry ingestion not lowering Tsk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the challenge of navigating a world filled with misinformation, particularly on social media platforms. It emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating claims and considering the context in which they are made. The article provides a checklist of questions to ask when evaluating information, such as assessing the qualifications of the source and examining the evidence and study design. It also raises concerns about the use of proxy measurements and potential biases in research publications. The article encourages readers to be vigilant, question information, and be aware of misinformation and biased sources. [Extracted from the article]

Swifts, a distinctive avian cohort, have garnered widespread attention owing to their exceptional flight agility. While their aerial prowess is well documented, the challenge swifts encounter while imbibing water introduces an intriguing complexity. The act of water uptake potentially disrupts their flight equilibrium, yet the mechanisms enabling these birds to maintain stability during this process remain enigmatic. In this study, we employed high-speed videography to observe swifts' water-drinking behavior. Notably, we observed that the swift adopts a dynamic V-shaped wing configuration during water immersion with the ability to modulate the V-shaped angle, thereby potentially fine-tuning their balance. To delve deeper, we utilized a three-dimensional laser scanner to meticulously construct a virtual 3D model of swifts, followed by computational fluid dynamics simulations to quantitatively assess the mechanical conditions during foraging. Our model indicates that the adoption of V-shaped wings, with a variable wing angle ranging from 30 to 60 degrees, serves to minimize residual torque, effectively mitigating potential flight instability. These findings not only enhance our comprehension of swifts' flight adaptability but also hold promise for inspiring innovative, highly maneuverable next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles. This research thus transcends avian biology, offering valuable insights for engineering and aeronautics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenol–formaldehyde (PF) resins remain the preferred adhesive for exterior plywood, as they confer these boards their extreme weather resistance. However, their high price and toxicity has made phenol alternatives, such as technical lignins, increasingly more attractive. While many works report the use of kraft lignin, the most commercially available form are lignosulphonates (LS). However, these lack industrial success and are associated with low moisture resistance. In the current study, lignosulphonate–phenol–formaldehyde (LPF) resoles were synthesized considering a phenol replacement of 30% (w/w). Two LS samples of softwood (SLS) and hardwood (HLS) origin were compared. These samples were previously methylolated to increase their reactivity. The effectiveness of the treatment was confirmed through the Automated Bonding Evaluation System. Plywood was manufactured and tested according to EN 314 class 3 for exterior conditions, which is seldom found in the literature. Although a 35% increase in shear strength is still necessary to comply with the standard, methylolated SLS was the most promising substitute, as it resulted in the highest board performance. Notably, when this sample was used without previous methylolation, the plywood boards suffered delamination during immersion in boiling water prior to shear testing. These results reinforce the need for the methylolation of LS to increase the weather resistance of plywood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of repeated use of cold-water immersion (CWI) during a training week on performance and perceptive outcomes in competitive adolescent swimmers. Methods: This randomized-crossover study included 20 athletes, who received each intervention [CWI (14 ± 1 °C), thermoneutral water immersion (TWI) (27 ± 1 °C) as placebo, and passive recovery (PAS)] three times a week between the land-based resistance training and swim training. The interventions were performed in a randomized order with a 1-week wash-out period. We tested athletes before and after each intervention week regarding swim (100 m freestyle sprints) and functional performance (flexibility, upper and lower body power, and shoulder proprioception). We monitored athlete's perceptions (well-being, heaviness, tiredness, discomfort and pain) during testing sessions using a 5-item questionnaire. Athlete preferences regarding the interventions were assessed at the end of the study. We used generalized linear mixed models and generalized estimating equations for continuous and categorical variables, respectively (intervention x time). Results: We found a time effect for swim performance (p =.01) in which, regardless the intervention, all athletes improved sprint time at post-intervention compared to baseline. There was an intervention effect for pain (p =.04) and tiredness (p =.04), but with no significant post-hoc comparisons. We found no significant effects for other outcomes. All athletes reported a preference for CWI or TWI in relation to PAS. Conclusion: The repeated use of CWI throughout a training week did not impact functional or swim performance outcomes of competitive adolescent swimmers. Perceptive outcomes were also similar across interventions; however, athletes indicated a preference for both CWI and TWI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effect of quarry waste sand (QWS) on the physical and mechanical properties of recycled aggregates concrete (RAC). Two sets of concretes were made one with natural sand (NS) and another with QWS sand. Five mixes with replacement ratios of 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of ordinary coarse aggregates (OCA) by recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) were produced for each set. Tests were performed to determine slump, compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption by immersion and shrinkage. The results showed that the mixes produced with QWS sand exhibited slightly better fresh and hardened properties. The combination of QWS sand and RCA aggregates reduces the degradation often recorded and makes RAC concrete to have the same level of performance as concrete with ordinary aggregates. Some relationships were deduced to express each performance of QWS sand-based concrete with that of NS sand-based concrete. This makes the use of this sand very practical and its modifications easily quantifiable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the long-term water stability of hydraulic asphalt concrete, the bending test, splitting test, and uniaxial compression test of asphalt concrete immersed at 20°C, 40°C, 60°C, and 80°C for different durations were conducted, and attenuation models for the bending strain, splitting tensile strength, and compressive strength of asphalt concrete under long-term immersion conditions were established based on the time–temperature equivalence principle. The results show that, at different temperatures, the bending strain, splitting tensile strength, and compressive strength of asphalt concrete decreased with the increase of water immersion time. The bending strain, splitting tensile strength, and compressive strength stabilized under long-term immersion at 80°C. The water stability of asphalt concrete during immersion can be analyzed quantitatively using the attenuation models and water stability coefficient. The water stability of hydraulic asphalt concrete tends to be constant under long-term immersion conditions. The sensitivity of the asphalt concrete performance indicators for water damage is in the order bending strain > splitting tensile strength > compressive strength. The long-term water stability of hydraulic asphalt concrete should be comprehensively analyzed by calculating the water stability coefficient using compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and bending strain. The research results can provide new ideas for the quantitative analysis of long-term water stability of hydraulic asphalt concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory process around dental implants that is characterised by bone loss that may jeopardize the long-term survival of osseo integrated dental implants. The aim of this study was to create a surface coating on titanium abutments that possesses cellular adhesion and anti-microbial properties as a post-implant placement strategy for patients at risk of peri-implantitis. Titanium alloy Grade V stubs were coated with gold particles and then subjected to ceramic conversion treatment (CCT) at 620 °C for 3, 8 and 80 h. The surface characteristics and chemistry were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The leaching profile was investigated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) for all groups after 7, 14 and 28 days in contact with distilled water. A scratch test was conducted to assess the adhesion of the gold coating to the underlying titanium discs. Two bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus (SA) & Fusobacterium nucleatum (FN)) were used to assess the antibacterial behaviour of the coated discs using a direct attachment assay test. The potential changes in surface chemistry by the bacterial species were investigated by grazing angle XRD. The gold pre-coated titanium discs exhibited good stability of the coating especially after immersion in distilled water and after bacterial colonisation as evident by XRD analysis. Good surface adhesion of the coating was demonstrated for gold treated discs after scratch test analysis, especially titanium, following a 3-hour (3 H) ceramic conversion treatment. All coated discs exhibited significantly improved antimicrobial properties against both tested bacterial species compared to untreated titanium discs. Ceramic conversion treated titanium with a pre-deposited gold layer showed improved antimicrobial properties against both SA and FN species than untreated Ti-C discs. Scratch test analysis showed good adherence properties of the coated discs the oxide layer formed is firmly adherent to the underlying titanium substrate, suggesting that this approach may have clinical efficacy for coating implant abutments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pultruded fiber reinforced polymer composites used in civil, power, and offshore/marine applications use fillers as resin extenders and for process efficiency. Although the primary use of fillers is in the form of an extender and processing aid, the appropriate selection of filler can result in enhancing mechanical performance characteristics, durability, and multifunctionality. This is of special interest in structural and high voltage applications where the previous use of specific fillers has been at levels that are too low to provide these enhancements. This study investigates the use of montmorillonite organoclay fillers of three different particle sizes as substitutes for conventional CaCO3 fillers with the intent of enhancing mechanical performance and hygrothermal durability. The study investigates moisture uptake and kinetics and reveals that uptake is well described by a two-stage process that incorporates both a diffusion dominated initial phase and a second slower phase representing relaxation and deterioration. The incorporation of the organoclay particles substantially decreases uptake levels in comparison to the use of CaCO3 fillers while also enhancing stage I, diffusion, dominated stability, with the use of the 1.5 mm organoclay fillers showing as much as a 41.5% reduction in peak uptake as compared to the CaCO3 fillers at the same 20% loading level (by weight of resin). The mechanical performance was characterized using tension, flexure, and short beam shear tests. The organoclay fillers showed a significant improvement in each, albeit with differences due to particle size. Overall, the best performance after exposure to four different temperatures of immersion in deionized water was shown by the 4.8 mm organoclay filler-based E-glass/vinylester composite system, which was the only one to have less than a 50% deterioration over all characteristics after immersion for a year in deionized water at the highest temperature investigated (70 °C). The fillers not only enhance resistance to uptake but also increase tortuosity in the path, thereby decreasing the overall effect of uptake. The observations demonstrate that the use of the exfoliated organoclay particles with intercalation, which have been previously used in very low amounts, and which are known to be beneficial in relation to enhanced thermal stability, flame retardancy, and decreased flammability, provide enhanced mechanical characteristics, decreased moisture uptake, and increased hygrothermal durability when used at particle loading levels comparable to those of conventional fillers, suggesting that these novel systems could be considered for critical structural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mn2+‐doped metal halide perovskites present remarkable optical properties in optoelectronic applications, although the realization of high efficiency and stability is still a challenge. In this work, a series of highly efficient and stable orange‐emitting Mn2+ alloyed Cs4Cd1‐xMnxBi2Cl12 single crystals are successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction. Combined with the crystal structure and spectral characterization at 7 K, the site occupation of Mn2+ and defect emission are systematically discussed. Benefiting from the effective [BiCl6]3−→[MnCl6]4− energy transfer and lattice distortion, these single crystals exhibit a maximum internal and external quantum yield of ≈97% and ≈65% at 35% heavy doping level. Interestingly, these Mn2+‐alloyed single crystals exhibit remarkably waterproof stability, no decrease in emission intensity is observed after immersion in deionized water for 4 h. After soaking in deionized water for 100 days, the internal quantum yield can still maintain 44%, implying good chemical stability and moisture resistance due to the formation of protective BiOCl layer. This work provides new insights into the optimization mechanism for Mn2+ luminescence and overcoming the downside of their waterproofing in humid conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]