Analysis of Static and Cyclic Properties of 316L and AlSi10Mg in Conventional Casting and Additive Manufacturing.

The paper presents the original results of cyclic testing of materials that are identical in chemical composition but produced by two different technologies: conventional metallurgy and additive manufacturing. For the aluminium alloy AlSi10Mg and the austenitic steel 316L, tensile curves, tension-compression and torsion alternating fatigue curves are experimentally obtained and presented. The experimental results are compared for two fabrication technologies-conventional metallurgy and additive DLMS technology.

Comparative Study of Water and Milk Kefir Grains as Biopolymeric Adsorbents for Copper(II) and Arsenic(V) Removal from Aqueous Solutions.

This study investigates the biosorption capabilities of kefir grains, a polysaccharide-based byproduct of the fermentation process, for removing copper(II) and arsenic(V) from contaminated water. Unlike traditional heavy-metal removal methods, which are typically expensive and involve environmentally harmful chemicals, biopolymeric materials such as kefir grains provide a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for adsorbing hazardous inorganic pollutants from aqueous solutions. Our experimental results revealed significant differences in the sorption capacities of two types of kefir grains.

Nanostructured Boron-Doped Ultra-Nanocrystalline Diamond Micro-Pyramids: Efficient Electrochemical Supercapacitors.

The miniaturization of electrochemical supercapacitors (EC-SCs) requires electrode materials that are both durable and efficient. Boron-doped diamond (BDD) films are an ideal choice for EC-SC due to their durability and exceptional electrochemical performance. In this study, nanostructured boron-doped ultra-nanocrystalline diamonds (NBUNCD) are fabricated on Si micro-pyramids (Si) using a simple reactive ion etching (RIE) process.

Antioxidant effect, DNA-binding, and transport of the flavonoid acacetin influenced by the presence of redox-active Cu(II) ion: Spectroscopic and in silico study.

Acacetin (AC) is a natural polyphenol from the group of flavonoids. It is well established that the behavior of flavonoids depends on the presence of redox-active substances; therefore, we aim to investigate their biological activity following the interaction with Cu(II) ion. Our study demonstrates that AC can effectively bind Cu(II) ions, as confirmed by UV-Vis and EPR spectroscopy as well as DFT calculations.

Determination of melatonin by potentiometric stripping analysis using sensor based on boron-doped diamond electrodes.

A three-electrode screen-printed sensor with heavily doped microcrystalline boron-doped diamond electrodes grown by chemical vapor deposition on alumina substrates was used to determine the concentration of melatonin by constant current potentiometric stripping analysis. This paper provides a detailed examination of the irreversible oxidation behavior of melatonin by cyclic voltammetry at a boron-doped diamond electrode. The relationship between the current response and the square root of the scan rate confirmed a diffusion-controlled oxidation process.

Transforming industrial automation: voice recognition control via containerized PLC device.

The article discusses the impact of voice recognition and containerization technologies in the industrial sector, particularly on Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) devices. It highlights how voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, Cortana, and Google Assistant are pioneering and pushing the future of human-machine interfaces, with applications moving from smart homes to industrial automation. Containerization, illustrated by Docker, is transforming software deployment practices, offering benefits such as enhanced portability, modular architecture, and improved security when applied to industrial PLCs.

Keto-enol Tautomerism of hydroxy-substituted arenes: Theoretical study and experimental consequences.

In this work, the chemical equilibrium between enol and keto tautomers occurring in phenol, naphthols and selected 29 hydroxy substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons classified into 4 structural types was investigated. The reaction Gibbs energies were computed using the density functional theory combined with the solvent continuum model. We have demonstrated how the consecutive condensation of benzene rings together with two-dimensional molecular arrangement and the position of the hydroxyl group modifies this equilibrium.

Perspectives of Insulating Biodegradable Composites Derived from Agricultural Lignocellulosic Biomass and Fungal Mycelium: A Comprehensive Study of Thermal Conductivity and Density Characteristics.

The research suggests a production method of insulating composites created from lignocellulosic agricultural biomass with fungal mycelium as a binder agent and offers a deeper investigation of their thermophysical properties. Particularly, the samples were meticulously evaluated for density and thermal conductivity. The function was built on the suggestion by the authors regarding the thermal conductivity-weight ratio indicator.

Sensitive and eco-friendly voltammetric detection of galantamine using a screen-printed sensor with a functional boron-doped diamond electrode.

The presented study focused on developing and optimizing a modern electroanalytical platform for the direct quantitative determination of galantamine. This work used different voltammetric methods to use a screen-printed sensor with a working boron-doped diamond electrode (SP/BDDE). Beneficial analytical performance for detecting galantamine was achieved in a Britton-Robinson buffer with pH 3.

Heavy metals: toxicity and human health effects.

Heavy metals are naturally occurring components of the Earth's crust and persistent environmental pollutants. Human exposure to heavy metals occurs via various pathways, including inhalation of air/dust particles, ingesting contaminated water or soil, or through the food chain. Their bioaccumulation may lead to diverse toxic effects affecting different body tissues and organ systems.

Engineered Mg-modified biochar-based sorbent for arsenic separation and pre-concentration.

The utilization of biochar as a relatively efficient sorbent or stationary phase for the separation and preconcentration of a wide range of analytes represents an innovative approach in current sample pretreatment methods. Appropriate pre- and post-pyrolysis modification of the input precursor and pyrolysis product, respectively, allows targeted design of the physicochemical properties and sorption characteristics of the resulting sorbent. The present work deals with the preparation of pyrolysis materials based on unmodified cattail leaf biomass (BC) and its Mg-modified analogue (MgBC) by a slow pyrolysis process at 500 °C and a residence time of 1 h in a pyrolysis reactor.

Development of New Public Buildings in Slovakia and Their Universal Accessibility: Architectural Design Competition as a Tool for Selecting the Best Design.

The article discusses public buildings in Slovakia and two important topics that are inseparably linked to public buildings as such - the process of their creation as a public investment and universal design. We explore the possibilities of fulfilling this principle in the Slovak context - by selecting an architectural design through public procurement in the form of a business competition or through an architectural design competition, and we compare these approaches. The second essential principle is that any public building must be accessible to everyone without restrictions, which means that it should be designed and constructed according to universal design principles.

Adapting generalized suitability curves from Brown trout to Minnow using 1D and 2D aquatic habitat models.

The article focuses on adapting generalized depth preference and flow velocity characteristics from Brown trout (Salmo trutta morpha fario) to the Minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus). The results obtained were used to model habitat suitability with 1D and 2D models. Since 1995, research on assessing aquatic habitat quality has been ongoing on 77 mountain streams in Slovakia.

Flexible and highly selective NO gas sensor based on direct-ink-writing of eco-friendly graphene oxide for smart wearable application.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO) is a major cause of respiratory disorders in outdoor and indoor environments. Real-time NO monitoring using nonintrusive wearable devices can save lives and provide valuable health data. This study reports a room-temperature, wearable, and flexible smart NO gas sensor fabricated via cost-effective printing technology on a polyimide substrate.

Synergistic Effects of Polypropylene Fibers and Silica Fume on Structural Lightweight Concrete: Analysis of Workability, Thermal Conductivity, and Strength Properties.

Structural lightweight concrete (SLWC) is crucial for reducing building weight, reducing structural loads, and enhancing energy efficiency through lower thermal conductivity. This study explores the effects of incorporating silica fume (SF), micro-polypropylene (micro-PP), and macro-PP fibers on the workability, thermal properties, and strength of SLWC. SF was added to all mixtures, substituting 10% of the Portland cement (PC), except for the control mixture.

The Effect of FTY720 on Sphingolipid Imbalance and Cognitive Decline in Aged EFAD Mice.

Background: During Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, there is a decline in the bioactive sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Previous research showed that FTY720, an S1P mimetic, prevented cognitive decline and reduced ceramide levels in transgenic mice with familial AD carrying the human APOE4 gene (E4FAD) at 6-7 months of age.

Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the protective effects of FTY720 at late-stage AD.

Space Analogs and Behavioral Health Performance Research review and recommendations checklist from ESA Topical Team.

Space analog research has increased over the last few years with new analogs appearing every year. Research in this field is very important for future real mission planning, selection and training of astronauts. Analog environments offer specific characteristics that resemble to some extent the environment of a real space mission.

Exploring the potential of reconstructed human epithelial tissue models for safety assessment of intraoral medical devices.

Medical devices are integral to a wide array of medical interventions and are increasingly utilized in both clinical and home settings. Within the oral cavity, intraoral medical devices are employed for various applications, to improve quality of life and maintain oral health and hygiene. However, the dynamic and complex environment of the oral cavity, characterized by the influence of factors, such as saliva composition, fluctuating pH, and microbial flora presents a challenge to ensure the safety of end-users.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances in aquatic ecosystems and wastewater treatment works in Africa: Occurrence, ecological implications, and future perspectives.

The increasing levels of industrialization and urbanization have led to the generation of significant amounts of wastewater and waste products, often containing chemicals like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) commonly found in consumer products. PFASs are known for their persistence, ubiquity, and ecotoxicological impacts, raising concerns about potential harm to ecosystems. This paper reports the occurrence and evaluates the ecological risks of PFASs in aquatic ecosystems and wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) across Africa.

Organic and Metal-Organic Polymer-Based Catalysts-Enfant Terrible Companions or Good Assistants?

This overview provides insights into organic and metal-organic polymer (OMOP) catalysts aimed at processes carried out in the liquid phase. Various types of polymers are discussed, including vinyl (various functional poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) and perfluorinated functionalized hydrocarbons, e.g.

Intrusion detection using metaheuristic optimization within IoT/IIoT systems and software of autonomous vehicles.

The integration of IoT systems into automotive vehicles has raised concerns associated with intrusion detection within these systems. Vehicles equipped with a controller area network (CAN) control several systems within a vehicle where disruptions in function can lead to significant malfunctions, injuries, and even loss of life. Detecting disruption is a primary concern as vehicles move to higher degrees of autonomy and the possibility of self-driving is explored.

Age-associated changes in innate and adaptive immunity: role of the gut microbiota.

Aging is generally regarded as an irreversible process, and its intricate relationship with the immune system has garnered significant attention due to its profound implications for the health and well-being of the aging population. As people age, a multitude of alterations occur within the immune system, affecting both innate and adaptive immunity. In the realm of innate immunity, aging brings about changes in the number and function of various immune cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages.