Biocompatible Inorganic PVD SiON Thin Films ( = Cr or Zr) Used to Enhance the Bond Strength Between NiCr-Based Metallic Frameworks and Ceramic in Dental Restorations.

The increasing demand for aesthetics in dentistry has driven significant advancements in both materials and techniques. The primary cause of ceramic detachment in dental restorations is extensive mechanical stress, which often results in detachment and clinical complications. This study aims to improve the bond strength between NiCr-based metal frameworks and ceramic coatings by introducing biocompatible inorganic SiON thin films ( = Cr or Zr) as interlayers.

Towards a European sustainable beneficiation of rare earth elements bearing minerals: a review.

This review explores the multifaceted aspects of sustainable extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) bearing minerals within Europe, stressing the exploitation of local deposits, that together with the integration of cleaner and greener approaches (including circular economy approaches) might help to reduce dependency on imports and contribute to a greener economy. The mineralogical characteristics and distribution of REEs in European deposits are examined, alongside current and emerging beneficiation techniques aimed at enhancing extraction efficiency and sustainability. Key challenges, such as the mineral extraction complexities (technological and economic limitations), radiochemical and environmental impacts, as well as social acceptance, are critically assessed.

Air pollution mapping and variability over five European cities.

Mapping urban pollution is essential for assessing population exposure and addressing associated health impacts. High urban concentrations are due to the proximity of sources such as traffic or residential heating, and to urban density with the presence of buildings that reduce street ventilation. This urban complexity makes fine-scale mapping challenging, even for regulated pollutants such as NO and PM.

Exploring the Bacteriome Diversity and Use as a Proxy for Climate Change and Human Impacts on Groundwater in Temperate and Tropical Countries.

This research investigates bacterial communities in various cave pool water and substrates from Brazil and Romania for their use as indicators of environmental impacts on groundwater. Regional and seasonal differences were observed even if, at the phylum level, common bacteria for both countries were found. Distinct patterns emerged at the genus level due to the different climates (tropical vs.

A European aerosol phenomenology - 9: Light absorption properties of carbonaceous aerosol particles across surface Europe.

Carbonaceous aerosols (CA), composed of black carbon (BC) and organic matter (OM), significantly impact the climate. Light absorption properties of CA, particularly of BC and brown carbon (BrC), are crucial due to their contribution to global and regional warming. We present the absorption properties of BC (b) and BrC (b) inferred using Aethalometer data from 44 European sites covering different environments (traffic (TR), urban (UB), suburban (SUB), regional background (RB) and mountain (M)).

Hyperspectral imaging reveals that sapropelic mud therapy may improve local tissue oxygenation in elderly.

Sapropelic muds have been used for centuries to treat various illnesses, but their effects and mechanisms are still under research. In this study the effects of Techirghiol sapropelic mud on tissue oxygenation in elderly patients diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders were investigated using spatial and spectral information provided by hyperspectral imaging technique. A group of 38 elderly patients with neuromuscular disorders for which they received mud therapy was studied.

Evaluation of the In Vitro Behavior of Electrochemically Deposited Plate-like Crystal Hydroxyapatite Coatings.

The purpose of coatings is to protect or enhance the functionality of the substrate material, irrespective of the field in which the material was designed. The use of coatings in medicine is rapidly expanding with the objective of enhancing the osseointegration ability of metallic materials such as titanium. The aim of this study was to obtain biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HAp)-based coatings on titanium by using the pulsed galvanostatic method.

Hyperspectral imaging with machine learning for in vivo skin carcinoma margin assessment: a preliminary study.

Surgical excision is the most effective treatment of skin carcinomas (basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma). Preoperative assessment of tumoral margins plays a decisive role for a successful result. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibility that hyperspectral imaging could become a valuable tool in solving this problem.

Evaluation of Ag- and Sr-Doped Hydroxyapatite Coatings for Medical Applications.

Osseointegration plays the most important role in the success of an implant. One of the applications of hydroxyapatite (HAp) is as a coating for metallic implants due to its bioactive nature, which improves osteoconduction. The purpose of this research was to assess the in vitro behavior of HAp undoped and doped with Ag and/or Sr obtained by galvanostatic pulsed electrochemical deposition.

Impact of Low Lithium Concentrations on the Fatty Acids and Elemental Composition of .

The photosynthetic pigments, protein, macro and microelements concentrations, and fatty acids composition of , a free-floating aquatic plant, were analyzed after exposure to Hoagland nutrient solution containing 1, 3, and 5 mg/L Li. The Li content of grew exponentially with the Li concentration in the Hoagland nutrient solution. The exposure to Li did not induce significant changes in Na, Mg, K, Cu, and Zn content but enhanced the Ba, Cr, Mn, Ni and Mo absorption in .

Assessment of Microstructural, Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties of Ti-42Nb Alloy Manufactured by Electron Beam Melting.

The β-type Ti-42Nb alloy has been successfully manufactured from pre-alloyed powder using the E-PBF method for the first time. This study presents thorough microstructural investigations employing diverse methodologies such as EDS, XRD, TEM, and EBSD, while mechanical properties are assessed using UPT, nanoindentation, and compression tests. Microstructural analysis reveals that Ti-42Nb alloy primarily consisted of the β phase with the presence of a small amount of nano-sized α″-martensite formed upon fast cooling.

Phenolic profile of micro- and nano-encapsulated olive leaf extract in biscuits during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Olive leaf was characterized by a high content of phenols and flavonoids (oleuropein, luteolin, and their derivatives), presenting functional and health-related properties. The chemical instability of phenolics through technological processes and their degradation in the digestive system may negatively impact them, leading to lower absorption. This study evaluates the phenolic profile of micro- and nano-encapsulated olive leaf extract in biscuits during the INFOGEST static in vitro digestion, aiming to enhance stability and sensorial properties.

Relevance of Soil Heavy Metal XRF Screening for Quality and Landscaping of Public Playgrounds.

Heavy metals have become widespread urban pollutants, exposing vulnerable age groups such as children to potential risk. Specialists need feasible approaches that can routinely assist them in customizing options for sustainable and safer urban playgrounds. The aim of this research was to explore the practical relevance of the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) method from the perspective of landscaping specialists, and the practical significance of screening for those heavy metals that currently present elevated levels across urban environments Europe-wide.

Comparative analysis of denoising techniques in burn depth discrimination from burn hyperspectral images.

This study analyzes and compares the performance of five denoising techniques (Lee filter, gamma filter, principal component analysis, maximum noise fraction, and wavelet transform) in order to identify the most appropriate one that lead to the most accurate classification of burned tissue in hyperspectral images. Fifteen hyperspectral images of burned patients were acquired and denoising techniques were applied to each image. Spectral angle mapper classifier was used for data classification and the confusion matrix was used for quantitative evaluation of the performances of the denoising methods.

Effects of Film Thickness of ALD-Deposited AlO, ZrO and HfO Nano-Layers on the Corrosion Resistance of Ti(N,O)-Coated Stainless Steel.

The goal of this stydy was to explore the potential of the enhanced corrosion resistance of Ti(N,O) cathodic arc evaporation-coated 304L stainless steel using oxide nano-layers deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). In this study, we deposited AlO, ZrO, and HfO nanolayers of two different thicknesses by ALD onto Ti(N,O)-coated 304L stainless steel surfaces. XRD, EDS, SEM, surface profilometry, and voltammetry investigations of the anticorrosion properties of the coated samples are reported.

TiSiCN as Coatings Resistant to Corrosion and Neutron Activation.

The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the effect of neutron activation on TiSiCN carbonitrides coatings prepared at different C/N ratios (0.4 for under stoichiometric and 1.6 for over stoichiometric).

Mobile measurements of black carbon: Comparison of normal traffic with reduced traffic conditions during COVID-19 lock-down.

A mobile monitoring campaign was conducted (by bicycle) to assess the black carbon (BC) concentrations in Cluj-Napoca city, Romania, in 2020, before, during and after COVID-19 lock-down. Over the entire study period, the BC concentrations ranged between 1.0 and 25.

Development and Evaluation of Copper Based Transparent Heat Reflectors Obtained by Magnetron Sputtering.

Within the next few years climate change is likely to become a major concern for mankind. In addition, the current electronic components shortage crisis has led to an urgent need for alternative solutions in the main industry sectors (the raw materials, manufacturing, and construction industries). The current trends of research are focused on developing smart materials with functional properties, using abundant raw materials.

Hydroxyapatite from Natural Sources for Medical Applications.

The aim of this work is to study the physical-chemical, mechanical, and biocompatible properties of hydroxyapatite obtained by hydrothermal synthesis, at relatively low temperatures and high pressures, starting from natural sources (Rapana whelk shells), knowing that these properties influence the behavior of nanostructured materials in cells or tissues. Thus, hydroxyapatite nanopowders were characterized by chemical analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In vitro studies on osteoblast cell lines (cytotoxicity and cell proliferation), as well as preliminary mechanical tests, have been performed.

Burn characterization using object-oriented hyperspectral image classification.

This paper presents a new approach based on hyperspectral imaging combined with an object-oriented classification method that allows the generation of burn depth classification maps facilitating easier characterization of burns. Hyperspectral images of 14 patients diagnosed with burns on the upper and lower limbs were acquired using a pushbroom hyperspectral imaging system. The images were analyzed using an object-oriented classification approach that uses objects with specific spectral, textural and spatial attributes as the minimum unit for classifying information.