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Optimization of thermal properties of palm fiber and nanofillers reinforced epoxy nanocomposite
Abstract In recent times, the growing economic concerns and the rising cost of synthetic fibers have shifted focus to natural fiber reinforced composites, which are evident in the current literature. It is important to understand the thermal properties of these materials for functional applications. This study investigates the thermal conductivity of epoxy composites reinforced with sodium hydroxide (NaOH)-treated palm fruit fiber, a rarely used natural resource, with the addition of nanofillers, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and aluminium oxide (Al2O3) used at 1 wt.%. The hand layup method is used to fabricate nanocomposites with varying palm fiber content (1–5 wt.%) with mesh size (75–225 µm) and nanofiller. The prepared nanocomposite samples are measured for thermal conductivity. SEM analysis manifests that alkali treatment increases the surface morphology of fiber as cleansed from impurities, which in turn increases bonding with the epoxy matrix at the interface. RSM was used to optimize these parameters, specifically the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) of RSM, with ANOVA analysis using Design-Expert 13 software to generate a strong regression model. The results demonstrate a maximum thermal conductivity of 1.54 W/m·K with 1 wt.% of palm fiber, 75 µm mesh size and 1% h-BN. This research emphasizes the promise of epoxy composites based on palm fibers for applications in thermal management in areas such as electronic devices, and circuit boards while contributing to the development of novel and efficient material solutions.
(IoT) Network intrusion detection system using optimization algorithms
Formation of carbonate laminae in shale and their impact on organic matter in Dongying depression
Potential use of saliva infrared spectra and machine learning for a minimally invasive screening test for congenital syphilis in infants
Adherence challenges to therapeutic footwear among high risk diabetic foot populations in urban Southwest China
Abstract Diabetic foot ulcers [DFUs] are severe complications of diabetes, and therapeutic footwear plays a crucial role in their prevention. However the factors influencing adherence to therapeutic among high-risk individuals in urban areas remain poorly understood. With increasing urbanization and migrant workers, this study aims to explore the challenges of adherence to therapeutic footwear among high-risk diabetic foot patients in urban area. This study employed a qualitative descriptive design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, and analyzed using a thematic approach. A total of 25 participants (20 patients and 5 healthcare providers) were recruited through purposive sampling. Two key challenges of footwear adherence were identified: (1) inadequacy of consistent and reliable health resources, and (2) appearance-related barriers to footwear adherence: professionalism, fashion, and social perception. Participants reported inconsistent and unreliable health information, including confusion from online sources and varied hospital guidance, which reduced their confidence in wearing therapeutic footwear. Additionally, appearance-related barriers—such as workplace dress codes, fashion preferences, and fear of social judgment—discouraged use of therapeutic footwear in both professional and social settings. This study highlights the need to integrate social and functional elements into the design of therapeutic footwear. Nursing professionals play a critical role in enhancing communication and coordination around foot care. Enhancing access to reliable health information is essential for promoting DFU prevention, particularly among urban migrant populations.
Investigating the thermodynamics properties of water confined in carbon nanotubes using molecular dynamics simulations
Compound Odontoma in the Anterior Mandible: Diagnostic Challenges and Surgical Management of a Rare Presentation
Background: Odontomas are the most common odontogenic tumours and are usually detected during the first two decades of life. They are considered hamartomas rather than true neoplasms and are broadly classified into compound and complex types. Compound odontomas commonly occur in the anterior maxilla and are often associated with delayed eruption or impaction of teeth. In contrast, osteomas are benign osteogenic lesions that differ from odontomas in their histogenesis and clinical behaviour. The occurrence of compound odontomas in the anterior mandible is uncommon. Case presentation: A 27-year-old female presented with delayed eruption of tooth 33 and displacement of adjacent teeth. Clinical examination revealed a hard swelling in the left anterior mandible. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) revealed multiple radiopaque structures consistent with a compound odontoma. Tooth 32 was found to be impacted near the lesion. Surgical excision of the odontoma and extraction of the affected tooth were performed under local anaesthesia. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a compound odontoma, excluding the possibilities of odontoameloblastoma and ameloblastic fibroodontoma. Conclusion: This case was notable for the unusual anterior mandibular location of the compound odontoma, deviating from the typical anterior maxillary presentation. There was no history of trauma, infection, or familial predisposition. CBCT played a crucial role in defining the extent of the lesion and its relationship with adjacent structures. Early detection and surgical management facilitated future orthodontic planning for tooth 33. This case highlights the importance of considering compound odontoma in atypical locations when evaluating eruption disturbances. Accurate diagnosis relies on advanced imaging and histopathological confirmation. Prompt intervention prevents developmental complications and supports favourable outcomes.
Regulation and function of insulin and insulin-like growth factor receptor signalling
Sensory population activity reveals downstream confidence computations in the primate visual system
Perception is fallible. Humans know this, and so do some nonhuman animals like macaque monkeys. When monkeys report more confidence in a perceptual decision, that decision is more likely to be correct. It is not known how neural circuits in the primate brain assess the quality of perceptual decisions. Here, we test two hypotheses. First, that decision confidence is related to the structure of population activity in the sensory cortex. And second, that this relation differs from the one between sensory activity and decision content. We trained macaque monkeys to judge the orientation of ambiguous stimuli and additionally report their confidence in these judgments. We recorded population activity in the primary visual cortex and used decoders to expose the relationship between this activity and the choice-confidence reports. Our analysis validated both hypotheses and suggests that perceptual decisions arise from a neural computation downstream of visual cortex that estimates the most likely interpretation of a sensory response, while decision confidence instead reflects a computation that evaluates whether this sensory response will produce a reliable decision. Our work establishes a direct link between neural population activity in the sensory cortex and the metacognitive ability to introspect about the quality of perceptual decisions.
A novel deep learning approach to field-road semantic segmentation
Intelligent classification and prediction of students’ mental health in online learning environments using boosting algorithm and LIWC features
Calibration and establishment for the discrete element simulation parameters of pepper stem during harvest period
The analysis of artificial intelligence-based mobile learning in students’ open teaching recommendation system based on deep learning
Prospective association between plasma amino acids and three Multimorbidity patterns in older adults
Abstract The role of metabolomic profiling on different multimorbidity patterns remains unknown. This study aims to assess the prospective relationship between plasma concentrations of amino acids and three different multimorbidity patterns: musculoskeletal and mental multimorbidity, cardiometabolic multimorbidity, and cardiopulmonary multimorbidity. The study comprised a total of 1488 older adults from the Seniors-ENRICA 2 Spanish cohort. Plasma concentrations of alanine, glutamine, glycine, histidine, branched-chain amino acids, and aromatic amino acids were measured. Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess the prospective association between amino acids and multimorbidity patterns. Higher plasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acids as leucine [Odds Ratio (OR) per 1-SD increment = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–1.08)], isoleucine (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01–1.08), and valine (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.08) were related to cardiometabolic multimorbidity, while lower concentrations of glycine (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.91–0.99) and tyrosine (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93–0.98) were also associated with the same multimorbidity pattern. On the other hand, higher plasma concentrations of glutamine (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.03–1.34) were related to cardiopulmonary multimorbidity. In conclusion, branched-chain amino acids may serve as risk markers of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in older adults. Plasma concentrations of other amino acid species such as glycine, tyrosine, and glutamine could also help to identify cardiometabolic and cardiopulmonary multimorbidity patterns.
Superior fulcrum reconstruction improve tendon-to-bone healing in irreparable massive rotator cuff tears compared with superior capsule reconstruction
Speech recognition in noise across the life span with cognition and hearing sensitivity as mediators of age effects
Assessment of pit viper associated subclinical myocardial injury by speckle tracking imaging
Institutional Cross-Sectional Study on Student Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Blue Light Filters and Eye Health
Introduction: The common usage of blue light-emitting devices has caused tremendous concern over their impact on eye health and sleep quality, particularly among college students. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about blue light exposure and use of filters among students of Srinivas College of Pharmacy, Mangalore. Methods: An institutional cross-sectional study was done among 200 students with the help of a structured questionnaire. Information gathered included screen time, knowledge of the effect of blue light, use of preventive strategies such as blue light filters and the 20-20-20 rule, and the prevalence of eye strain and sleep disturbance. Results: The majority of students (63.6%, 95% CI: 56.8–70.0%) had no knowledge of the health effects of blue light. Notwithstanding this, 44.3% (95% CI: 37.3–51.5%) had more than 7 hours of daily screen exposure. Eye strain was complained of by 64.7% (95% CI: 57.8–71.1%), and 70% (95% CI: 63.3–76.0%) had sleep problems. Blue light filters were used by only 20% (95% CI: 14.8–26.3%), and 38% (95% CI: 31.4–45.0%) followed the 20-20-20 rule. Although 73.6% (95% CI: 67.0–79.4%) were concerned about blue light, the uptake of preventive behaviors was low. Conclusion: The research identified a wide gap between concern and actual preventive behavior towards blue light exposure among students. There is a critical need for educational interventions to create awareness and promote healthier digital device use habits to safeguard eye health and enhance sleep quality.
Roughness-dependent scaling of the contact area and separation gap with pressure for glassy polymers
The contact between two rough surfaces has been a topic of significant interest since early studies on Coulombic friction and remains crucial for numerous technological applications. However, theoretical progress has outpaced experiments due to the challenges in measuring contact areas across scales ranging from subnanometers to macroscopic dimensions. Here, we demonstrate the use of commonly available infrared-based (IR) spectroscopy in combination with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) optical simulations to measure separation gaps and contact areas for glassy polymers ranging in roughness over two orders in magnitude. With the combined IR and FDTD simulations, we can overcome the optical diffraction limits and take advantage of the chemical specificity of IR spectroscopy to overcome limitations due to scattering. The scaling of the contact area ratio as a function of pressure illustrated the limitations of using pure elastic or plastic deformation in explaining the results. At both low and high pressures, the contact area ratios scale linearly with pressure as expected for purely elastic deformations at low pressures or plastic deformations at high pressures. However, if analyzed over a broad range of pressure, the power laws we observe are much larger than 1, exemplifying the need to consider elastoplastic models in explaining results for softer polymer contacts compared to other brittle, glassy materials. In comparison, the separation gaps scale exponentially with pressure, as expected. These results have important implications for the interpretation of properties such as friction, adhesion, and conductivity for softer, glassy contact interfaces.