Search Results (2,421)

Fibromyalgia (FM) affects millions of people around the world, causing widespread physical pain, exhaustion, and psychological disorders. Through this study, we aim to observe the effectiveness of two different rehabilitation programs in reducing the impact of FM on daily functioning and psychological factors. Specifically, we compare a complex conservative program that combines physical therapy and hydrokinetotherapy in a hospital setting with a therapy focused on intrinsic relaxation. Methods: This comparative study involved 63 patients aged between 19 and 69 years diagnosed with FM, divided into two groups: the study group (SG, 32 participants) and the control group (CG, 31 participants). Over 90% of participants are female, 30 in the study group and 28 in the control group. SG followed a conservative physiotherapy combined with thermal water therapy, and CG followed a recovery program through intrinsic relaxation. Participants were evaluated on the first and last day of the rehabilitation program using the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (Ham—A). The rehabilitation program consisted of 10 sessions conducted over a period of two weeks. Results: After the two-week recovery period, the results showed a significant improvement in both FIQR and Ham—A scores in the study group (p < 0.001). In the control group, there were no significant changes in FIQR variables (p > 0.05), while a significant improvement was observed on the anxiety scale (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The combination of hydrokineto-therapy and physical therapy is more effective in improving the overall condition of patients with FM compared to relaxation. Full article

This paper proposes a 2D semi-analytical model based on the subdomain method for the performance analysis of a brushless doubly fed reluctance machine (BDFRM) with a salient pole rotor. In particular, assuming an infinite magnetic permeability of the iron core and assuming a smooth stator, the field calculation region is divided into two solution subdomains, i.e., the rotor slot and air-gap. The magnetic vector potential in each subdomain is obtained by solving the governing PDE by the separation of variables method and employing the boundary conditions between adjacent interfaces. Moreover, based on the stored magnetic energy in the air-gap, the calculation of the three-phase windings’ self and mutual inductances is presented. Through a case study involving a 6/2 pole BDFRM, the accuracy of the developed subdomain model is confirmed by comparing its analytically predicted results with those obtained from two-dimensional finite element method (FEM) simulations. Full article

The adoption of artificial intelligence has risen, yet research on its impact on innovation processes between actual businesses remains sparse. This research fills the present gap by investigating ten workers from a tech startup who utilize artificial intelligence tools in operational and creative activities. The paper analyzes business-related AI functionality through a qualitative analysis of ten tech start-up employees. The examination reveals that AI produces significant enhancements in problem resolution by executing mundane actions while analyzing large datasets to deliver data-driven suggestions to users. The interview respondents mentioned that AI’s role in diminishing supply chains is 15%, while allowing AI to manage customer service without employee engagement in 80% of interactions. The implementation costs, along with data dependency and occasional contextual blindness in AI systems, represented some of the problems in this system. Analysis demonstrated that AI tools enable the development of innovative concepts and challenge established viewpoints, prompting participants to create a gamified loyalty system and dynamic content planning. Participants in the study emphasized the need for human involvement to refine AI-based insights, recognizing how human imagination complements AI capabilities effectively. The work enhances academic discussions about AI-related problem-solving and creativity while offering specific business-related recommendations for implementation. The recommendations begin with establishing initial experimental programs, while providing support for employee’s skills development, and fostering strong alliances between technical AI personnel and professional subject matter experts. Research topics focused on AI application fields and the anticipated impacts on company decision-making, as well as the ethical ramifications, need further exploration. This research confirms the revolutionary potential of artificial intelligence systems for problem-solving methods, but requires proper execution, along with human supervision, to fully realize their advantages. Full article

This work aims to study the effect of the bulk rheology of a complex system on the apparent interfacial viscoelastic response of a rising oil droplet of a paraffinic oil (Indopol) undergoing sinusoidal volume dilatations insidean aqueous phase containing a hydrogel. The modulation of the interfacial viscoelasticity is obtained using Span 80 surfactant or fumed silica nanoparticles. The rheology of the continuous phase is tuned by adding 3 to 5 g/L of κ-carrageenan (KC) to switch the continuous aqueous phase from a liquid to a gel state at 15 °C. When KC is liquid, the presence of Span 80 or nanoparticles at the liquid/liquid interface increases the apparent interfacial elastic modulus. However, when KC becomes a weak gel, the apparent interfacial elastic modulus depends on the nature of the surface-active agents. Indeed, if the presence of silica hard nanoparticles enhances the apparent elasticity of the interface, adding Span 80 weakens the apparent elasticity of the interface. These trends are discussed in terms of the localization of the deformation and slippage at the interfaces. Full article

Changes in rainfall patterns and irregular air temperature have become essential issues in analyzing hydrometeorological trends in Jakarta. This study aims to select the best copula of the stationary and non-stationary copula models and visualize and explore the relationship between rainfall and air temperature to predict hydrometeorological trends. The methods used include combining univariate Lognormal and Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distributions with Clayton, Gumbel, and Frank copulas, as well as parameter estimation using the fminsearch algorithm, Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation, and a combination of both. The results show that the best model is the non-stationary Clayton copula estimated using MCMC simulation, which has the lowest Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) value. This model effectively captures extreme dependence in the lower tail of the distribution, indicating a potential increase in extreme low events such as cold droughts. Visualization of the best model through contour plots shows a shifting center of the distribution over time. This study contributes to developing dynamic hydrometeorological models for adaptation planning of changing hydrometeorological trends in Indonesia. Full article

The response of the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axis to energy demands is perturbed by previous chronic stress perceived during the neonatal or adult periods. We examined the effects of chronic variable stress (CVS) during adolescence on the responses of the HPT axis and target tissues of adult rats to 14 days of voluntary wheel running (Ex) or pair-feeding (PF) to match the reduced food intake of exercised rats. CVS increased the expression of Gr in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and of Npy in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) in males; serum corticosterone concentration increased (1.5×), MBH Dio2 and PVN Trh decreased (40%) in both sexes, serum fT4 increased only in males, while T3 and fT3 increased (2×) in females. Exercise decreased Cort and increased PVN Trh expression only in males. In both sexes, it increased MBH Pomc and Dio2 (2×), skeletal muscle Dio2 and Pgc1a (2×), inguinal and perigonadal white adipose tissue (WAT) Adrb3, Dio2, Pparg, Hsl (1.5×), and brown adipose tissue Adrb3, Dio2, and Ucp1. All exercise-induced changes were repressed in CVS-Ex, except Hsl in inguinal WAT of both sexes, or BAT Dio2 in females, which, in contrast, was stimulated (1.5×). PF had lower values than sedentary in most parameters. These results support the idea that adolescent stress affects adult metabolic and neuroendocrine responses to exercise in a sex-specific manner. Full article

The main purposes of the present paper are to present the mathematical and algorithmic aspects of the ANM/FEM numerical model and to show how it is applied to analyze elastic and thermo-elastic nonlinear solid mechanical problems. ANM is a robust continuation method based on a perturbation technique for solving nonlinear problems dependent on a loading parameter. Historically, this technique has been successfully applied to problems in various fields of solid and fluid mechanics. This paper shows how ANM is used to solve nonlinear elastic and nonlinear thermo-elastic problems involving elastic behavior and geometrical nonlinearities. The implementation of ANM for FEM in the FreeFEM++ language is then presented. The FEM software development platform, called FreeFEM++, is structured to work with variational formulations and, therefore, is well adapted to implement ANM for instability problems in solid mechanics. In order to illustrate the great efficiency of FreeFEM++, scripts will be presented for computing the different steps of ANM continuation for solid elastic structures, considering simple geometries subjected to conservative loading. For the purpose of validation, the problem of a cantilever subjected to an applied force is presented. Next, the new numerical model is applied to study wrinkles appearing in a planar film/substrate system that is subjected to compressive surface forces at the lateral faces of the film. Finally, the model is applied to a spherical film/substrate system subjected to thermo-elastic shrinkage. In both cases, the ANM/FEM prediction method, together with a Newton–Riks correction (if needed), identifies the equilibrium paths efficiently, especially after the post-buckling regime. Full article

Direct air capture (DAC) has recently gained interest as a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) method to reduce atmospheric CO₂. DAC is mainly studied through standalone separation technologies, especially adsorption and absorption. Hybrid DAC, combining separation technologies, is rarely investigated and is the main topic of this work. This study investigates hybrid DAC using adsorption for pre-concentration up to a few percent or tens of percent depending on the case studied and membrane separation to concentrate the CO₂ stream to high purity (>90%). Adsorption regeneration by temperature swing adsorption (TSA) and vacuum thermal swing adsorption (VTSA) are compared, and VTSA regeneration achieved higher pre-concentration outlet CO₂ purity (15–30%) than TSA regeneration (1–10%). Membrane separation is studied depending on inlet CO₂ purity and outlet-required purity (90 or 95%), which influence the energy requirement and cost of capture. For all cases studied, the cost of capture remained high (>1700 €/tCO₂) with a high energy requirement (>2 MWh_e/tCO₂ and >27 GJ/tCO₂). The adsorption pre-concentration step accounted for the majority (>80%) of the energy requirement and cost of capture, and future work should be focused on preferentially improving adsorption step performance. Full article

Background: Skin mycoses affect approximately 10% of the global population, and the range of effective topical antifungal agents remains limited. Voriconazole (VRC) is a broad-spectrum triazole with proven efficacy against drug-resistant fungal infections. This study aimed to develop and optimize VRC-loaded microemulsion (ME) polymer gels (Carbopol^®-based) for cutaneous delivery. Selected formulations also contained menthol (2%) as a penetration enhancer and potential synergistic antifungal agent. Methods: A comprehensive screening was performed using pseudoternary phase diagrams to identify stable oil/surfactant/co-surfactant/water systems. Selected MEs were prepared with triacetin, Etocas™ 35, and Transcutol^®, then gelled with Carbopol^®. Formulations were characterized for pH, droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), and viscosity. In vitro VRC release was assessed using diffusion cells, while ex vivo permeation and skin deposition studies were conducted on full-thickness human skin. Rheological behavior (flow curves, yield stress) and texture (spreadability) were evaluated. Antifungal activity was tested against standard strain of Candida albicans and clinical isolates including a fluconazole-resistant strain. Results: The optimized ME (pH ≈ 5.2; droplet size ≈ 2.8 nm) was clear and stable with both VRC and menthol. Gelation produced non-Newtonian, shear-thinning hydrogels with low thixotropy, favorable for topical application. In ex vivo studies, performed with human skin, both VRC-loaded gels deposited the drug in the epidermis and dermis, with no detectable amounts in the receptor phase after 24 h, indicating retention within the skin. Menthol increased VRC deposition. Antifungal testing showed that VRC-containing gels produced large inhibition zones against C. albicans, including the resistant isolate. The VRC–menthol gel exhibited significantly greater inhibition zones than the VRC-only gel, confirming synergistic activity. Conclusions: ME-based hydrogels effectively delivered VRC into the skin. Menthol enhanced drug deposition and demonstrated synergistic antifungal activity with voriconazole. Full article

The direct reduction of iron ore by hydrogen is a serious candidate for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the iron and steelmaking industry by replacing traditional blast furnace technology. The reduction kinetics are key to this process. The present paper reports an extensive parametric study of the reduction of iron ore pellets with hydrogen that combines both experiments and modeling. A new model (modified grainy pellet model) was developed on the basis of the grainy pellet concept, the law of additive reaction times and the evolution of gas composition. The chemical kinetic constants of the three-step reduction reaction were determined from isothermal thermogravimetry experiments in the 600–900 °C temperature range. The model was then validated against laboratory-scale fixed-bed experimental results. A comparison with the experimental thermogravimetry results for a broad range of operating parameters shows the robustness of the model. The effects of temperature, gas dilution, gas flow rate, water content, pellet size, pressure, porosity, tortuosity, and specific surface area were investigated. The temperature, pellet size, pressure, gas composition and, particularly, the water content and gas flow rate have major influences on the reaction rate, in contrast to the initial porosity and specific surface area. Full article

This study examines the influence of friction at the specimen–bar interface on the macroscopic response of materials during dynamic compression tests using the split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) under high-deformation-rate conditions. A mesoscale model is employed to simulate and compare results with experimental data, and a finite element model of cylindrical specimens with varying slenderness ratios is developed in Abaqus/Explicit. Numerical analyzes show that both specimen geometry and boundary conditions, particularly friction, have a decisive impact on the accuracy and reliability of SHPB measurements. A friction correction method based on barreling factor and plastic deformation demonstrates closer agreement with experimental observations than conventional approaches, revealing that the widely used Avitzur model may overestimate friction by 34–39%. The results highlight the importance of accurate friction correction and the selection of optimal specimen dimensions to minimize testing errors. These findings improve the precision of dynamic material characterization and support the development of more reliable constitutive models to predict material behavior across a broad range of strain rates. Full article

Electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) have emerged as a highly promising platform for neuromorphic computing and bioelectronics, offering potential solutions to overcome the limitations of the von Neumann architecture. This comprehensive review examines recent advancements in EGT technology, focusing on three critical dimensions: materials, device configurations, and external field regulation strategies. We systematically analyze the development and properties of diverse electrolyte materials, including liquid electrolyte, polymer-based electrolytes, and inorganic solid-state electrolytes, highlighting their influence on ionic conductivity, stability, specific capacitance, and operational characteristics. The fundamental operating mechanisms of EGTs and electric double layer transistors (EDLTs) based on electrostatic modulation and ECTs based on electrochemical doping are elucidated, along with prevalent device configurations. Furthermore, the review explores innovative strategies for regulating EGT performance through external stimuli, including electric fields, optical fields, and strain fields/piezopotentials. These multi-field regulation capabilities position EGTs as ideal candidates for building neuromorphic perception systems and energy-efficient intelligent hardware. Finally, we discuss the current challenges such as material stability, interfacial degradation, switching speed limitations, and integration density. Furthermore, we outline future research directions, emphasizing the need for novel hybrid electrolytes, advanced fabrication techniques, and holistic system-level integration to realize the full potential of EGTs in next-generation computing and bio-interfaced applications. Full article

The antifungal effect of catechin and extractives from Prosopis juliflora was studied against one white rot fungus, Trametes versicolor (TV), and one brown rot fungus, Poria placenta (PP). The mentioned extractives from Prosopis julilfora were crude mesquitol and pure mesquitol. Tebuconazole was used in this study as a known fungicide against the two named fungi. Wood preservation using the current synthetic fungicides can be harmful to the environment and toxic to animals and plants. To help solve these problems, fungicides can be mixed with natural extractives to act synergistically as wood preservatives. Most of these natural extractives contain polyphenols, which are secondary metabolites, having good antioxidant properties, which may inhibit radical species involved in wood cell polymer defects. In this study, 1000 ppm and 5000 ppm of crude mesquitol, pure mesquitol and catechin had a very good growth inhibition against TV and PP. Thus, the concentrations were used to assess their synergistic response when mixed with lower inhibitory concentration of tebuconazole. The results showed that there was an additive effect in a combination of 0.1 ppm tebuconazole with 1000 ppm pure mesquitol for PP, 0.5 ppm Tebuconazole with 1000 ppm crude mesquitol and pure mesquitol for PP and 0.5 ppm tebuconazole with 1000 ppm pure mesquitol for TV. The other remaining combinations of 1000 ppm/5000 ppm of the samples with 0.1 ppm/0.5 ppm tebuconazole all had synergistic effect. This data suggests that a combination of polyphenols (catechin and extractives) with tebuconazoles can be useful sources for preparation of fungicides and wood preservatives for agricultural use and wood durability, respectively. Full article

Evaluating sawlog quality is vital for both forest managers and wood processors. While external traits, such as tree form, branch architecture and visible growth features can be evaluated through visual inspection, many key wood quality indicators remain hidden, such as knot type and distribution, or the heartwood-to-sapwood ratio. This highlights the need for technologies capable of “seeing through” logs. Today, X-ray scanners in sawmills enable comprehensive, continuous, non-destructive assessment of internal stem structure at large scale. This study leveraged a newly compiled database of approximately 726,000 scanned logs to characterize variability in knot distribution and sapwood proportion across three major European softwood species and estimate the moisture content. The analysis highlights inter-and intra-species differences. Sapwood proportion decreased with sawlog diameter in spruce and silver fir but remained high in pine. Pine also presented significantly larger and more variable knots. Between March and August, we observed a seasonal trend in sapwood moisture content, affecting fresh density, while heartwood moisture content remained stable. These findings provide valuable information to support decision-making processes, linking tree characteristics to wood qualities and guiding forest management. Full article