Micro- and Nanoplastics in the Environment: Current State of Research, Sources of Origin, Health Risks, and Regulations-A Comprehensive Review.

Small-particle-produced goods, such as those used in industry, medicine, cosmetics, paints, abrasives, and plastic pellets or powders, are the main sources of microplastics. It is also possible to mention tire recycling granules here. Larger components break down in the environment to generate secondary microplastics.

Machine learning-based academic performance prediction with explainability for enhanced decision-making in educational institutions.

Education is crucial for the growth of effective life skills and the allocation of needed resources. Higher education institutions are adopting advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance traditional teaching methods. Predicting academic performance has become increasingly important, improving university rankings and expanding student opportunities.

Closing the loop: Agricultural applications of hydrolyzed polyhydroxyalkanoates production waste.

The increasing global demand for sustainable materials and circular economy solutions has driven research into innovative applications of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and their by-products. While PHAs are well-recognized biodegradable bioplastics, the potential reuse of waste streams generated during their production remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing hydrolysates derived from PHA post-fermentation biomass as biostimulants for rapeseed (Brassica napus L.

Thermal Properties of Geopolymer Concretes with Lightweight Aggregates.

Despite the availability of various materials for chimney applications, ongoing research seeks alternatives with improved thermal and chemical resistance. Geopolymers are a promising solution, exhibiting exceptional resistance to high temperatures, fire, and aggressive chemicals. This study investigates fly ash-based lightweight geopolymer concretes that incorporate expanded clay aggregate (E.

Effect of Rubber Granulate Content on the Compressive Strength of Concrete for Industrial Vibration-Isolating Floors.

Ensuring vibration and impact isolation is crucial in industrial flooring design, especially where vibroacoustic comfort is a priority. Excessive vibrations can negatively affect sensitive equipment, structural durability, and personnel comfort. With the rise of automation and high-precision processes, effective vibration control in floor systems is increasingly important.

Hydrogel Microarray for Bioanalytical Applications: Preliminary Study on Material Properties.

The aim of this study was to develop and characterize UV-crosslinked hydrogel matrices based on polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), gum arabic, betaine, and sodium alginate for potential bioanalytical applications. Various physicochemical analyses were performed, including pre-polymerization emulsion stability (Multiscan), FT-IR spectroscopy, swelling behavior in physiological buffers, pH monitoring, contact angle measurements, and morphological assessment via SEM and optical microscopy. The results demonstrated that both alginate content and UV exposure time significantly influence the structural and functional properties of the hydrogels.

The Impact of Bedrock Material Conditions on the Seismic Behavior of an Earth Dam Using Experimentally Derived Spatiotemporal Parameters for Spatially Varying Ground Motion.

This study investigates the influence of bedrock material conditions on the seismic behavior of the Niedzica earth dam in southern Poland. It examines the dam's dynamic response to a real seismic event-the 2004 Podhale earthquake-and evaluates how different foundation conditions affect structural performance under spatially varying ground motions. A spatially varying ground motion excitation model was developed, incorporating both wave coherence loss and wave passage effects.

Method for Determining Contact Temperature of Tool Rake Face During Orthogonal Turning of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy.

This paper proposes a method for determining the contact temperature in the secondary shear zone. The input data include the results of the experimental tests of the orthogonal turning of a Ti-6Al-4V titanium workpiece using uncoated WC-Co tools with a flat rake face. The cutting force components were recorded using a piezoelectric dynamometer, a thermovision camera was used to record the temperature in the cutting zone, and a high-speed camera was used to record the chip-forming process.

Biodegradable Meets Functional: Dual-Nozzle Printing of Eco-Conscious Parklets with Wood-Filled PLA.

In the face of accelerating urbanization and the growing demand for environmentally responsible materials and designs, this study presents the development and implementation of a modular parklet demonstrator fabricated using dual-material 3D printing. The structure integrates polylactic acid (PLA) and wood-filled PLA (wood/PLA), combining the mechanical robustness of pure PLA in the core with the tactile and aesthetic appeal of wood-based biocomposite on the surface. The newly developed dual-nozzle 3D printing approach enabled precise spatial control over material distribution, optimizing both structural integrity and sustainability.

Hydroxyl Derivatives of Oils from Solid Fats as Components for Production of Polyurethane Foams.

Biopolyols derived from solid fats of both vegetable origin (coconut oil (P/CO) and palm oil (P/PA)) and animal origin (pork fat (P/PO) and duck fat (P/DU)) were used to produce thermal insulation polyurethane foams. The biopolyols were characterized by hydroxyl numbers in the range of 341-396 mgKOH/g, a viscosity of 60-88 mPa·s, and a functionality of 2.3-3.

On the Question of the Course of the Hetero Diels-Alder Reactions Between -(2,2,2-Trichloroethylidene)Carboxamides and Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide: A New Case of the Stepwise Zwitterionic Cycloaddition Process.

The regioselectivity and the molecular mechanism of the Diels-Alder reactions between -(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)carboxamides and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide were explored based on the ωB97xd/6-311G(d) (PCM) calculations. It was found that the reaction course is determined by polar local interactions. It is interesting that the most favored reaction channel is realized not via classical single-step Diels-Alder mechanism, but according to the stepwise scheme with the intervention of the zwitterionic intermediate.

The Impact of Starches from Various Botanical Origins on the Functional and Mechanical Properties of Anhydrous Lotion Body Bars.

Starch, as a natural, low-cost, and vegan-friendly raw material, aligns well with the growing demand for sustainable, zero-waste, and waterless cosmetic products. Its biodegradability and natural origin allow for minimal environmental impact during production and disposal. Anhydrous lotion body bars, solid and water-free alternatives to traditional moisturizers, offer high concentrations of active ingredients that are more effective and have a longer shelf life.

Comparison of W14 fastening system variants depending on clamping force.

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the impact of individual elements of the W14 fastening system on clamping force. Clamping force in the context of railway fastening systems refers to the force that holds the rail firmly against the sleeper to ensure track stability and maintain proper rail alignment under dynamic loads. The results of laboratory tests carried out in accordance with the applicable European standards of the PN-EN 13,481 and PN-EN 13,146 series are described synthetically.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Impregnation as an Efficient Tool for the Manufacture of Cu-Containing Faujasite as an Active Catalyst for the Oxidation of Cyclohexene.

In this study, a method was developed to prepare active catalysts for cyclohexene oxidation by using ultrasonic-assisted impregnation of faujasite zeolites (in protonic or sodium forms) with copper. This reaction is important for producing valuable chemicals such as surfactants, polymers, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. All catalysts were thoroughly characterized, mainly using spectroscopic techniques.

4D hypercomplex-valued neural network in multivariate time series forecasting.

The goal of this paper is to test three classes of neural network (NN) architectures based on four-dimensional (4D) hypercomplex algebras for multivariate time series forecasting. We evaluate different architectures, varying the input layers to include convolutional, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), or dense hypercomplex layers for 4D algebras. Four related Stock Market multivariate time series are used as input data, with the prediction focused on one of them.

Nitroarene Photoactivation Promotes Oxidative Deconstruction of Olefinic Polymers.

Photoactivation of nitroarenes has been recently reported to induce the transformation of alkenyl bonds into carbonyl functionalities. Capitalizing on this unique photochemical mechanism, this study explores the use of nitroarenes to achieve oxidative cleavage of olefinic polymers under visible light irradiation. The degradation of various olefinic polymers, including commercially available polybutadiene, polynorbornene, both linear and cyclic poly(phenylacetylene), as well as backbone-modified polyacrylates with alkenyl functionality was investigated.

Efficient Degradation of Consumer-Grade PLA by Commercial Savinase: Optimized Conditions and Molecular Dynamics Insights.

Poly-(lactic acid) (PLA) is the most widely produced biopolymer globally, with 920,000 tons reaching the market in 2024. Although it is a biobased polymer and biodegradable, it currently poses a threat by generating a considerable waste stream in the environment unless its end-of-life options are further developed. Biorecycling of PLA is a promising solution and is critical for PLA to be a truly sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, further enabling the (bio)-plastics circular economy.

Correction: Stachak et al. Recent Advances in Fabrication of Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane-Based Composite Materials. 2021, , 3497.

In the original publication [...

On Predicting Optimal Structural Topologies in the Presence of Random Loads.

Topology optimization has been present in modern engineering for several decades, becoming an important tool for solving design problems. Today, it is difficult to imagine progress in engineering design without the search for new approaches to the generation of optimal structural topologies and the development of efficient topological optimization algorithms. The generation of topologies for structures under random loads is one of many research problems where topology optimization is present.

Bio-Based Flame-Retardant Systems for Polymers Obtained via Michael 1,4-Addition.

Phosphorus flame retardants react with cellulose hydroxyl groups via esterification, enhancing the effectiveness of char formation, which is beneficial in terms of the search for bio-sourced flame retardants. The current work assessed the flammability of a new polymer synthesized by Michael 1,4-addition (rP) and modified with developed intumescent flame retardant systems (FRs), in which lignocellulose components, such as sunflower husk (SH) and peanut shells (PS), replaced a part of the synthetic ones. The thermal and thermomechanical properties of the rP, with 20 wt.

Flame Retardant from Eugenol as Green Modifier for Epoxy Resins.

A biobased flame retardant, trieugenylphosphate (TEP), was synthesized from eugenol and incorporated at concentrations of 10 and 30 wt.% into the epoxy matrix. Flammability and thermal stability were investigated using the UL-94 test, pyrolysis-combustion flow calorimetry (PCFC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Preparation of Biomass Waste-Derived Carbon Dots by the Thermal Degradation Process.

Agricultural and food industry waste biomass is a material with diverse origins and a resulting variety of physicochemical characteristics and compositions. Because of its source, it is characterized by a high carbon content, and so it has been considered a worthwhile substrate for the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs). Therefore, waste biomass with high availability in Central Europe was selected as substrates for CDs synthesis: apple pomace, rapeseed pomace, and potato peelings.

The Influence of Ectoine on the Skin Parameters Damaged by a CO Laser.

Ectoine is a substance produced by extremophiles and is naturally used by them as protection against adverse environmental conditions in which they live. Scientific contributions discuss its excellent effect through cosmotropic properties, prevention of secondary messenger release in cells, and transcription factors. The influence on the lipid layer of the cell membrane and its preventive effect as a UV filter were also demonstrated.

Modeling of the General Trends of Reactivity and Regioselectivity in Cyclopentadiene-Nitroalkene Diels-Alder Reactions.

This study presents a theoretical investigation of the electronic properties of mono- and pentasubstituted cyclopentadiene analogs and variously substituted conjugated nitroalkenes bearing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups. Conceptual Density Functional Theory (CDFT) and Electron Localization Function (ELF) analyses were employed to characterize the global and local reactivity indices of the reactants. The obtained data provided insights into the nucleophilic and electrophilic nature of the investigated systems, allowing for the prediction of their reactivity patterns in Diels-Alder reactions.