Search

Glue sniffing and solvent misuse have seriously affected children and teenagers throughout the United Kingdom. This article discusses glue sniffing in terms of prevalence, association with disability, physical and psychological effects, signs and symptoms, counseling for sniffers, and successful interventions including an approach using videotape recordings of the client. (Author/JDD)

Discusses the problem of glue sniffing, the term by which solvent abuse is most widely known, by children and teenagers. (CM)

Discusses various aspects of polymeric mixtures, mixtures of structurally different homopolymers, copolymers, terpolymers, and the like. Defines concepts of polymer-polymer miscibility from practical and theoretical viewpoints, and ways of predicting such miscibility. (JN)

Reviews the characteristics, reactions, importance, and commercial applications of block and graft copolymers. (JN)

The do's and don'ts of making long-lasting bindings for musical scores are discussed. (3 references) (SM)

The reversible bonding of microfluidic chips has been developing rapidly with the requirement of reusable microfluidic devices or the need to obtain the samples inside the chip. Traditional bonding methods for polymer-based microfluidics, e.g., thermal bonding, permanently attach the substrate and cover plate. Sometimes, once the chip flow channel is blocked, it is difficult to clean and affect the reusability of the chip. This study proposes a new reversible bonding method for poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic chips with the help of stretch release adhesive strips. The designed microchannels were fabricated on the surface of PMMA plates using C[O.sub.2] laser irradiation. Then, stretch release adhesive strips were used as an intermediate layer between the substrate (with microchannels) and another flat PMMA/PS/PC plate to seal the microchannel. The assembled chip sets were bonded at room temperature with bonding strength comparable with other permanent bonding methods. Experimental results show that simply pulling the adhesive layer by applying a shear force can easily detach the intermediate adhesive layer from both the substrate and cover plate to separate the bonded chipset. The proposed reversible bonding method is simple, rapid and has low residue and high bonding strength. Bacterial culture experiments were also conducted to verity the biocompatibility of the proposed bonding method. The proposed reversible bonding technique can be used for polymer-based microfluidic devices that require sample recovery or chip reuse. Highlights * The stretch release adhesive strip can provide high bond strength. * It allows easy peeling for reversible bonding. * It bonds at room temperature with simple operation. * It has good transparency for easy observation of experiments. * It has good biocompatibility. KEYWORDS microfluidics, reversible bonding, stretch release adhesive strip, 1 | INTRODUCTION Microfluidic technology is a technique that utilizes fluids at the micro- or nanometer scale for precise operations and control, with widespread applications in biology, chemistry, medicine, and [...]

Objectives: To compare marginal gap width and depth with different cementation systems, excess removal, and after polishing. Method and materials: In total, 80 composite crowns were milled, divided into ten groups, and cemented on identical artificial teeth. Eight crowns per group were fixed with (i) zinc phosphate cement (ZnOPh), (ii) glass-ionomer cement (GIC), (iii) resin-reinforced glass-ionomer cement (GIC mod), (iv) dual-curing adhesive composite (Comp dual), or (v) dual-curing self-adhesive composite (Comp SE dual). Excess removal was performed with a scaler after brief light-cure (tack-cure), final light-cure, during rubber or gel phase or by wiping with foam pellet. Curing was completed in chemical, dark cure, or light-curing modus. The specimens were polished and stored in water (37°C). The margins were digitized using a 3D laser-scanning microscope (VK-X100 series, Keyence). The width and the depth of the marginal gap were measured at 10 points between the crown margin and the preparation margin. Results: The width after excess removal varied between 65.1 ± 15.7 µm (Comp dual, wipe, with polishing) and 208.6 ± 266.7 µm (Comp SE dual, dark cure, without polishing). The depth varied between 29.8 ± 22.2 µm (Comp dual, wipe, with polishing) and 89.5 ± 45.2 µm (Comp SE dual, dark cure, without polishing). The impact on gap width and depth was detected for fixation material, excess removal, and polishing. Conclusion: The gap depth and width depend on the luting material and the mode of access removal. Polishing can improve the gap quality, especially for GIC and resin-based systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the bonding effectiveness of two HEMA/BPA-free universal adhesives (UAs) to flat dentin, to characterize their adhesive-dentin interfacial ultrastructure, and to measure their water sorption (Wsp), water solubility (Wsl), and hydrophobicity. Materials and Methods: The immediate and aged (50,000 thermocycles) microtensile bond strength (μTBS) to flat dentin of the HEMA/BPA-free UAs Healbond Max (HbMax; Elsodent) and Healbond MP (HbMP; Elsodent) as well as the reference adhesives OptiBond FL (Opti-FL; Kerr), Clearfil SE Bond 2 (C-SE2; Kuraray Noritake), and Scotchbond Universal (SBU; 3M Oral Care) was measured. The adhesive-dentin interfaces of HbMax and HbMP were characterized by TEM. Wsp and Wsl of all adhesive resins and of the primer/adhesive resin mixtures of HbMax, Opti-FL, and C-SE2 were measured. Hydrophobicity was determined by measuring the contact angle of water dropped on adhesive-treated dentin. Results: In terms of μTBS, HbMax and HbMP performed statistically similarly to Opti-FL and C-SE2, but outperformed SBU. Aging only significantly reduced the μTBS of SBU when applied in E&R bonding mode. TEM revealed typical E&R and SE hybrid-layer ultrastructures at dentin, while electron-lucent globules of unknown origin, differing in size and shape, were observed within the adhesive resin of HbMP and even more frequently in that of HbMax. Higher Wsp was measured for the primer/adhesive resin mixtures than for the adhesive resins. Opti-FL was more hydrophobic than all other adhesives tested. Conclusion: The HEMA/BPA-free UAs bonded durably to flat dentin with bond strengths comparable to those of the goldstandard E&R/SE adhesives and superior to that of the HEMA/BPA-containing 1-step UA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While viscoelastic, adhesive contact rupture of simple indenters is well studied, contact formation has received much less attention. Here, we present simulations of the formation of contact between various power law indenters and an adhesive, viscoelastic foundation. For all investigated indenters, we find that the macroscopic relaxation time τ scales approximately with 1/ρ1.8, where ρ is the range of adhesion. The prolongation of contact formation with Tabor parameter is rationalized by the increased dissipation that short-range adhesion causes on a moving crack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, the Khoury plate technique has been widely utilized with much success to facilitate bone augmentation in critically deficient bone areas. Simply, the technique includes harvesting autogenous bone plates and utilizing them with external screw fixation. The rigidity of the bone plates enclosing the bony defect on both the buccal and lingual surfaces allows for tension-free bone remodeling to occur, favoring an ideal bone-forming environment. Following, a 4- to 6-month healing period, a flap is raised, screws may be removed, and implants are placed. With advancements made in tissue engineering, a novel mineral-organic resorbable bone adhesive (MORBA) formulated from underwater biomimetic marine proteins has recently been utilized for immediate bone-to-bone or bone-to-metal fixation. MORBA is a synthetic, injectable, self-setting, and resorbable load-bearing adhesive biomaterial that exhibits over 300 pounds of fixation strength. The unique adhesive properties of MORBA enable it to immediately stabilize dental implants into host bone. The present article describes a novel modification of the Khoury plate technique that utilizes MORBA as a substitute for screws during bone plate fixation. A step-by-step protocol is described that utilizes this novel biomaterial, favoring a more biologic approach to this conventional technique. This novel modification is surgically easier to conduct and is a more biocompatible option that avoids screw fixation and removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum alloys are widely used in lightweight automotive structures due to their excellent properties. To deeply explore the development of surface bonding technology, aluminum alloy is selected as the object, and current research status of aluminum alloy surface treatment methods is reviewed. The adhesion mechanism during joint preparation, the method of adhesive selection, and the bonding process are summarized. This overview discusses the impact of different surface treatment processes on aluminum alloy joints from two perspectives: substrate characteristics and joint failure modes. It examines how these processes affect surface roughness, surface morphology, surface contact angle, surface free energy, surface chemical composition, and bonding performance. Additionally, it looks ahead to key directions for future research on adhesive joint performance. The results indicate that surface treatment increases the surface roughness of aluminum alloys, reduces the contact angle, and improves surface wettability. Moreover, chemical elements or functional groups that enhance adhesion are introduced on the surface, improving the bonding capability between the adhesive and the substrate. Compared to single‐surface treatment methods, hybrid treatment methods significantly enhance the surface characteristics of aluminum alloys and are expected to become a primary focus for future research on bonded joint performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a high-temperature-resistant adhesive specifically for quartz glass, several groups of aluminum phosphate-based adhesives with different P/Al ratios and Si/B 4 C ratios were prepared, and the bonding performance and mechanism were systematically analyzed. Adding Si and B 4 C affected the decomposition process of phosphates, mainly in terms of the types of decomposition products and the crystal transformation of phosphates. Their addition avoided the generation of metaphosphate and improved the component stability of the adhesive matrix. The oxidation of Si and B 4 C brought about considerable quality compensation, which was crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the adhesive layer. Besides, the oxidation products further reacted with the adhesive and quartz substrate to form ceramic or glass phases, significantly improving the bonding performance. When the P/Al ratio and Si/B 4 C ratio were 2:3 and 10:3, APSB adhesive presented the best performance. After curing at room temperature or pre-treatment at 1200 °C, the bonding strength reached 16.3 MPa and 14.6 MPa, respectively. After pre-treatment at 1200 °C, APSB could provide above 6 MPa in extreme environments with the range of RT∼1200 °C. The thermal shock resistance of APSB was superior to its thermal cycling resistance. After 10 thermal shocks at 600 °C, 800 °C, and 1000 °C, the bonding strength of APSB is 4.52 MPa, 4.33 MPa, and 7.33 MPa, respectively. Nevertheless, the CTE of APSB adhesive after sintering remained stable at 5.4 × 10−6 K−1, which was still significantly different from the CTE (0.5 × 10−6 K−1) of quartz glass. Therefore, there is great potential for developing low-expansion adhesives in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metamaterial design approaches, which integrate structural elements into material systems, enable the control of uncommon behaviours by decoupling local and global properties. Leveraging this conceptual framework, metamaterial adhesives incorporate nonlinear cut architectures into adhesive films to achieve unique combinations of adhesion capacity, release, and spatial tunability by controlling how cracks propagate forward and in reverse directions during separation. Here, metamaterial adhesive designs are explored with triangular cut features while integrating hierarchical and secondary cut patterns among primary nonlinear cuts. Both cut geometry and secondary cut features tune adhesive force capacity and energy of separation. Importantly, the size and spacing of cut features must be designed around a critical length scale. When secondary cut features are greater than a critical length, cracks can be steered in multiple directions, going both forward and backwards within a primary attachment element. This control over crack dynamics enhances the work of separation by a factor of 1.5, while maintaining the peel force relative to a primary cut. If hierarchical cut features are too small or too compliant, they interact and do not distinctly modify crack behaviour. This work highlights the importance of adhesive length scales and stiffness for crack control and attachment characteristics in adhesive films. This article is part of the theme issue 'Origami/Kirigami-inspired structures: from fundamentals to applications'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the rare earth europium complex Eu(FTFA)3TPPO2 (EuFT) was synthesized by using europium as the central ion, 4‐trifluoro‐1‐(2‐furanyl)‐1,3‐butanedione (FTFA) as the first ligand, and triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) as the second ligand. The structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the photoluminescence process was investigated by UV and fluorescence spectra. The luminescent film was prepared by adding EuFT and the compatibilizer POE‐g‐PHEMA into the POE matrix, which can convert the UV light to the red light, and improve the photovoltaic conversion efficiency while reducing the effect of UV aging on the cell. Experimental results show that the complex can absorb UV light (200–400 nm) and emit red light (612 nm), the luminescent film also maintains good luminescence performance. The peel strength of POE/POE‐g‐PHEMA/EuFT film achieves 23.9 N cm−1，while that of POE film is 12.8 N cm−1. The silicon cell prepared by POE/POE‐g‐PHEMA/EuFT film also showed higher EQE in UV region, and its current density–voltage (J–V) curve revealed that Jsc increased from 33.05 to 34.25 mA/cm2, the conversion efficiency increased from 12.99% to 13.39%, and the relative efficiency increased by 3.08%. The rare earth europium complex effectively improved the photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid interference‐fit bolted‐bonded (HIBB) composite joint has a wide application prospect in improving bearing capacity of the hybrid structure. In order to deeply understand its load sharing mechanism, an analytical stiffness prediction model of HIBB composite joint was established, considering the influence of interference‐fit percentage, preload, friction coefficient, adhesive property, material performance, secondary bending moment and other parameters. Corresponding experiments were carried out to determine the experimental secondary bending moment coefficient, and the accuracy of the model was further verified. Research on HIBB composite joint shows that the hybrid form increases the adhesive failure displacement but has no effect on failure load. Before adhesive failure occurs, bolted joint stiffness is small and bolt load will increase suddenly to bear the load loss caused by the adhesive failure. It is further found that load‐sharing ratio of the bolt and total load of the structure increase with the increase of interference when adhesive failure occurs. Preload and friction coefficient have limited influence on total load of the structure at this moment, but have great influence on the bearing capacity of pure bolted structure after adhesive failure. The adhesive properties have great influence on the bearing capacity of bonded joint. Low modulus high strength adhesive can improve the load‐sharing ratio of bolt and enhance the bearing capacity by reducing the overall stiffness of the structure. Bearing mechanism of the two joint forms in the hybrid one was fully revealed, which provides a theoretical method for the application of HIBB composite joint. Highlights: An analytical stiffness prediction model of HIBB composite joint was established to deeply understand its load sharing mechanism.Load sharing mechanism analysis and parametric research for the two joint forms were carried out and influences on stiffness were obtained.Low modulus high strength adhesive can improve the load‐sharing ratio of bolt by reducing the overall structure stiffness.Bearing mechanism of the two joint forms in the hybrid one was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Self‐piercing riveted bonded (SPRB) joints are widely used in body‐in‐white (BIW) to connect dissimilar materials owing to their high fatigue and electrochemical performance. However, the strength of the SPRB joint has been found to be inferior to that of self‐piercing riveted (SPR) joints, owing to the reduction in undercut induced by the introduction of an adhesive, especially under pull‐out loading conditions. Interestingly, the mechanical strength improved when the rivet cavity was pre‐embedded with an adhesive. Before the riveting process, the rivet cavities in SPRB joints were pre‐embedded with 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 mL of adhesive, namely them PSPRB‐V1–V3, respectively. Finite element (FE) models of SPRB and PSPRB joints were developed to analyze their formability and mechanical properties. The simulated and experimental results showed that the hydraulic pressure in the rivet cavity increased as the pre‐embedded adhesive volume in the rivet cavity increased during the riveting process, which further improved the undercut, microhardness, effective bearing area, and mechanical properties of joints. Among the prepared PSPRB joints, the PSPRB‐V3 joint exhibited the best undercut and optimal mechanical properties. Specifically, its undercut and peak force increased by 16.43% and 12.87% compared with those of SPRB joints. These findings provide important guidance for designing steel‐aluminum SPRB joints that require high‐bearing capabilities. The effect of pre‐embedded adhesive on the SPRB joint cross‐section was studied. Failure mechanisms of the SPRB and PSPRB joints were investigated via FEM. The better PSPRB joint performance over SPRB joints was elucidated. The stress–strain history was considered in the FE model of the joint failure process. Strengthening mechanism of pre‐embedded adhesive in the rivet cavity was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐assembly is an effective approach to construct complicated structures. Polyrotaxanes (PRs) as one of the typical polymer types with complex structure, own interlocked structures and dynamic components, in which it results in unique characteristics and functions. Currently, the synthesis of which involves covalent reactions to hinder the development of polyrotaxanes. Herein, we employed supramolecular interactions as well as dynamic covalent bonds to synthesize PRs by sequential self‐assembly. First, we prepared M1 possessing two diamine structures and M2 of a bisammonium salt with two dibenzylammonium (DBA) units modified by two stoppers at its ends, then M1 and M2 self‐assembled into supramolecular polymers stemming from hydrogen bonding of [N+−H ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ O] under high concentrations. After adding 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxaldehyde (M3), the imine bond formation enabled the generation of macrocycles, transforming supramolecular polymers into PRs. Besides, the solution of polyrotaxanes was applied as the adhesive for diverse hard and soft materials. This strategy provides an important approach for synthesizing PRs, accelerating the advances of mechanically interlocked polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT With shortening development cycles, digital development rises in importance. Therefore, we present an approach to segment digital carlines based on their corrosion risk using digital data sets. A typical carline is described via STL‐Files that accumulate to approximately 25 million triangles. While physics‐based simulation models exist capable of predicting the onset of corrosion in local geometry settings, an application to a complex surface mesh would be prohibitively expensive to compute. This calls for data reduction techniques that reduce the number of triangles by identifying areas prone to corrosion, as well as those that are protected by measures such as adhesives. Therefore, the implementation of corrosion‐prone areas of a body‐in‐white part, as presented in Waibel et al., is extended by implementing a design measure segmentation for adhesive pipes. This work introduces a method to predict corrosion‐protected areas for flanges with adhesives by implementing a feature extraction and a transfer learning‐based workflow for data‐efficient training. The results of the implementation are the validated prediction on body‐in‐white parts with high precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing functional adhesives combining strong adhesion, good recyclability and diverse harsh‐condition adaptability is a grand challenge. Here, we introduce a general dendritic molecule doping strategy to activate commercial polymers into a new family of supramolecular adhesives integrating high adhesion strength, ultralow temperature, water resistant and multi‐reusable properties. Our method involves rational design of a new rigid‐flexible coupled dendritic molecule—M4C8OH as a versatile dopant, while simple M4C8OH doping into commercial polymers can modulate internal and external non‐covalent interaction to enable H‐bonding enhanced interchain cross‐linking for tough cohesion along with enhanced interphase interaction. This endows 20 wt % M4C8OH‐doped polycaprolactone (PCL) adhesives (PCL‐M4C8OH) with improved adhesion strength on various substrates with the maximum increase up to 2.87 times that of PCL. In particular, the adhesion strengths of PCL‐M4C8OH on polymethyl methacrylate at 25 °C and −196 °C reach 4.67 and 3.58 MPa—1.9 and 2.3 times those of PCL and superior to diverse commercial adhesives and most reported adhesives. PCL‐M4C8OH also displays markedly‐improved multi‐usability and tolerance against ultralow temperature and diverse wet environments. Mechanism studies reveal the crucial role of M4C8OH molecular structures toward superior adhesion. Our method can be expanded to other polymer matrices, yielding diverse new supramolecular adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of different single lap joint configurations with different adhesive types, environmental conditions and bonding methods were investigated experimentally. Using M21/40%/285T2/AS4C-6K and M91/34%/UD194/IM7-12K carbon/epoxy prepregs as adherent, Solvay FM300K as film adhesive, and Loctite EA9394 as paste adhesive, eight different configurations of single-lap specimens (three configurations of environmental conditions as cold/dry, room temperature/dry and hot/wet, two configurations of adhesive as film and paste, and two configurations of bonding methods as co-bonding and secondary bonding) were manufactured for experimental studies. It was found that low and high temperatures and moisture effect negatively on shear strength, co-bonding method is better than secondary bonding, and film adhesive is more structural than paste adhesive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this work is to evaluate the mechanical properties of additive manufactured polymeric parts joined with standard plastic parts through structural adhesives. The primary advantage of this technique is its ability to significantly increase the size of the final assembly by using additive manufacturing (AM) for complex joints and inexpensive, reliable extruded plastic parts for load-bearing components. This hybrid assembly combines the flexibility and shape adaptability of AM with the structural strength and cost-effectiveness of extruded polymer parts, resulting in a final design that performs comparably to the base material. The materials used in the paper are rigid acrylic adhesive and toughened acrylic, both applicable with almost no surface preparation and fast curing. The 3D-printed parts are produced in ABS, while the standard parts are in PVC. First, the work is devoted to estimating the performance of the adhesives using pin–collar joints and a combined numerical and experimental methodology. The second section presents and discusses the results of two more realistic applications of adhesive bonding to hybrid complex joints. For the pin–collar joints, the results show failure mostly in the adhesive, with an average shear stress of 11.5 MPa and 5.22 MPa and a stiffness of 4449 N/mm and 3649 N/mm for the rigid and toughened adhesives, respectively. The results of the adhesive bonding of structural joints show that the adhesive is always capable of providing the load-carrying capacity required to achieve the strength of traditionally manufactured polymeric parts. The paper shows that adhesives are a feasible way to expand the potential of 3D-printed equipment to obtain larger hybrid parts partially realized with traditional technology, especially with inexpensive off-the-shelf bars and sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous rise in global demand for wood products has led to an increase in prices and a surge in research into alternative resources. As a byproduct of the timber industry, bark has emerged as a promising supplement in particleboard (PB) production. However, its anatomical structure, the presence of extractives, and its inferior mechanical properties complicate the production process, which have not yet been fully overcome at a commercial scale. This study proposes a paradigm shift, advocating for separate and specialized bark constituent processing in a wet state. Three bark-based raw materials—namely, outer bark particles, bark fiber clumps, and bark fibers—were investigated under varying wood content scenarios. PBs with a target density of 0.7 g/cm3 and a thickness of 16 mm were produced using mixtures of these bark-based materials and wood particles in different ratios bonded with a urea–formaldehyde adhesive. The results demonstrated that these bark constituents exhibit distinct properties that can be optimized through tailored processing techniques. Compared to bark fibers, outer bark particles displayed about 40% lower water absorption and thickness swelling. However, bark fibers improved the internal bond by about 50% due to their favorable morphology compared to outer bark. These findings highlight the potential of bark as a valuable resource for particleboard production and pave the way for its efficient utilization through specialized processing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tape is a type of trace evidence commonly seen in forensic science. Little to no research has been published regarding the optimal storage material for pressure‐sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape. The purpose of this project was to determine the substrate with the least amount of interference for storing PSA tape. Interferences such as difficulty removing tape from the substrate or substrate components leaching into the adhesive can affect the analysis. This was a long‐term study in which samples were stored on various substrates for nearly 10 years. Ten different tape samples were placed on eight different substrates for a total of 80 samples. The substrates included typical materials currently used for tape storage as well as other, less common materials. The tape samples were evaluated for ease of removal at various time intervals. The adhesives from each tape were analyzed at similar time intervals by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, the adhesives were analyzed by pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (PyGC‐MS), scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), and x‐ray fluorescence (XRF) at the last time interval (112 months) and compared to the adhesive tape samples from the original rolls of tape to determine if there was any adverse effect from the substrates during storage. The FedEx backing was the only substrate that had no adverse effects regarding ease of removal. The substrates that had the least effect on the adhesive for both short‐term and long‐term storage included FedEx backings, adhesive sheet backings, and polyester transparency sheets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention of catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) recommend urinary catheter securement in critical patients although there is scant research on its effectiveness. Aim: To analyse whether securement of an indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) reduces the risk of CAUTI and meatal pressure injury among intensive care unit (ICU) patients and assess medical adhesive‐related skin injury (MARSI) associated with the securement device. Study Design: Open randomized controlled trial involving patients admitted to two ICUs in Spain. In the intervention group (n = 169 patients), the IUC was secured to the thigh using an in‐house device piloted as part of this trial. Controls (n = 181) received standard care, including non‐securement of the IUC. Barrier film spray was applied to the securement site with the aim of preventing MARSI. The definitions of the main outcomes were: CAUTI was diagnosed according to the criteria of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, meatal pressure injury was categorized into four grades and MARSI was classified as either erythema or skin tears. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Log‐rank and Cox regressions were used to compare risk over time to CAUTI and meatal pressure injury in the two groups. Results: Data from 350 patients were analysed, 169 (48.29%) from IG and 181 (51.71%) from CG. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, IUC securement was an independent protective factor against both CAUTI (RR = 0.2, 95% CI [0.05, 0.67]) and meatal pressure injury (RR = 0.31, 95% CI [0.15, 0.58]). The incidence of MARSI was 7.1%. Conclusion: Effective IUC securement significantly reduces the risk of CAUTI and meatal pressure injury among ICU patients. The in‐house device piloted in the present trial is simple for nurses to use, and the incidence of MARSI was low. These results underline the benefits of IUC securement. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) securement reduces the risk of urinary tract infection. IUC securement helps prevent meatal pressure injury. IUC securement with in‐house devices is safe and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Damages in composite structures are typically repaired using external bonded patches. In this work, the damage tolerance within external patches is studied using double strap joint (DSJ) with carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) specimens. The damage tolerance in this work refers to bond-line manufacturing-related defects such as debond or dry area. Both intact and pre-cracked DSJ specimens are numerically analysed using experiments for comparisons. DSJ specimens' adherends were CFRP laminates with AS4/3501–6 plies and bonded using adhesive film FM 300–2. The pre-cracked specimens are monitored during experiments using high-speed digital image correlation to visualize damage propagation. The unsymmetric pre-crack influences in a clear way as shown by experiments. The numerical analyses reveal the effect of failure mechanisms on final failure and the maximum force during a test. The included parametric sensitivity analysis is performed using statistical methods. The normally distributed parameters are sampled using separate distributions for each analysed interface and fracture mode. UNCLASSIFIED Based on Foreground Information under EDA Contract No B.PRJ.RT.670 covering the Ad Hoc Project entitled "PATCHBOND II". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resurgence of interest in hybrid joints, combining adhesive bonding with mechanical fastening in engineering applications, is driven by the recognition of unique advantages and limitations inherent in each joining method. Unlike conventional bonded joints with precise adhesive thickness control, hybrid joints involving pre-tensioned bolts depend on a process termed squeeze-flow, influenced by joint geometry, adhesive viscosity, and adhesive filler presence. A method for the precise measurements of the adhesive layer thickness, conducted at 5 mm intervals, proved its accuracy and repeatability. The results revealed the significant impact of adhesive viscosity and filler characteristics on adhesive layer thickness. Viscosity, while playing a central role, is not acting in isolation, as filler properties collectively influence adhesive layer thickness distribution and bonding performance. The complexity of this relationship underscores the interplay between adhesive layer thickness, viscosity, filler content, and load-bearing capacity. Smaller-sized fillers result in thinner layers and reduced load capacities, while adhesives with larger particles exhibit higher load capacities. This complexity emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach when selecting adhesives for specific applications, considering not only viscosity but also filler attributes to optimize bonding performance in hybrid joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Differences in the effects of cream‐type denture adhesives and home liners remain unclear. Objective: This cross‐sectional study aimed to clarify the differences in the oral‐hygiene status and masticatory performance between participants using cream‐type denture adhesives and those using home liners. Methods: Masticatory performance with and without cream‐type denture adhesives and home liners was evaluated using colour‐changeable chewing gum. Oral hygiene was assessed using the tongue coating index (TCI). Propensity‐score matching was performed using oral moisture, presence of palatal or mandibular protuberances, type of residual ridge, denture type (complete or partial denture), and denture retention as background factors. Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to examine the differences in masticatory performance with and without cream‐type denture adhesives and home liners and differences in masticatory performance and TCI between the cream‐type denture adhesive and home‐liner groups. Results: This study included 38 and 40 cream‐type adhesive and home‐liner users, respectively, and 17 pairs were obtained after propensity‐score matching. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests showed that masticatory performance was significantly different with and without the use of home liners, and higher values were obtained with the use of home‐liners. However, the cream‐type denture adhesive and home‐liner groups showed no significant differences in terms of the change in masticatory performance with the use of them. Furthermore, Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests showed that TCI values were significantly high in the cream‐type adhesive group. Conclusion: The findings in this study suggest that home liners improve masticatory performance and that participants regularly using cream‐type denture adhesives have poorer oral hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]