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Background: Ischemic stroke poses significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment, necessitating efficient and accurate methods for assessing collateral circulation, a critical determinant of patient prognosis. Manual classification of collateral circulation in ischemic stroke using traditional imaging techniques is labor-intensive and prone to subjectivity. This study presented the automated classification of collateral circulation patterns in cone-beam CT (CBCT) images, utilizing the VGG11 architecture. Methods: The study utilized a dataset of CBCT images from ischemic stroke patients, accurately labeled with their respective collateral circulation status. To ensure uniformity and comparability, image normalization was executed during the preprocessing phase to standardize pixel values to a consistent scale or range. Then, the VGG11 model is trained using an augmented dataset and classifies collateral circulation patterns. Results: Performance evaluation of the proposed approach demonstrates promising results, with the model achieving an accuracy of 58.32%, a sensitivity of 75.50%, a specificity of 44.10%, a precision of 52.70%, and an F1 score of 62.10% in classifying collateral circulation patterns. Conclusions: This approach automates classification, potentially reducing diagnostic delays and improving patient outcomes. It also lays the groundwork for future research in using deep learning for better stroke diagnosis and management. This study is a significant advancement toward developing practical tools to assist doctors in making informed decisions for ischemic stroke patients.

Welding is a crucial process in joining metals, especially in the fabrication industry. Thisresearch aimed to investigate the effects of using two different filler materials, ER70S-6 and ER308LSi, with nine combinations of wire feeder speed (WFS) and shielding gas flow rate (GFR), on weld joints. The study focused on the weld quality and material properties of Gas Metal Arc Welded (GMAW) butt joints of ASTM A516 G70 plates, characterized through visual inspection, liquid penetrant testing, tensile testing, hardness testing, and optical microscopy. Results indicated that the highest ultimate tensile strength and hardness were achieved at 4 m/min WFS and 15 L/min GFR with ER70S-6, and 5 m/min WFS and 20 L/min GFR with ER308LSi. The specimens welded with ER308LSi demonstrated superior mechanical properties compared to those welded with ER70S-6. Additionally, the study revealed the influence of microstructural changes from the base metal (BM) to the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and fusion zone (FZ), with finer and more compact grain structures contributing to higher hardness values. These findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate filler materials, WFS, and GFR to achieve the desired weld quality and material properties for A516 G70 low-carbon steel welded joints.

This study investigates the impact of strontium (Sr) additions on the corrosion resistance of an LM6 (A413) aluminium alloy. By incorporating varying concentrations of Sr (0.01 wt.% and 0.05 wt.%), the morphological and corrosion behaviours of the alloy were analysed under different corrosive environments, including sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chloride solutions. The results demonstrate that Sr modifications significantly enhance the alloy’s corrosion resistance, with the most substantial improvement observed at 0.05 wt.% Sr. The analysis revealed that the weight loss of the alloy in sulphuric acid decreased by 2.5% with 0.05 wt.% Sr after 10 days of immersion, due to the formation of a stable passive oxide layer. In sodium hydroxide, however, the weight loss was reduced by 5% with 0.05 wt.% Sr after 10 days, indicating aggressive uniform corrosion. In the 3.5% sodium chloride solution, the corrosion rates remain relatively low, and the 0.05 wt.% Sr alloy showed a decrease in corrosion product formation over time, suggesting enhanced resistance. Detailed surface analyses, including 3D profiling and morphology assessments, revealed that Sr additions refine the eutectic silicon phase, transforming it from a coarse to a more desirable fibrous or lamellar structure, thus improving the alloy’s overall performance. The innovative findings underscore the potential of Sr as an effective microstructural modifier for enhancing the durability and longevity of Al-Si alloys in corrosive environments.

The fabrication of welded joints in steel sheets has become a focal point, especially in meeting the demands for interconnections within battery packs for electric vehicles (EVs). This study delves into the impact arising from the initiation arc during the micro-tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding of nickel-plated steel sheets. The investigation involved the manipulation of various current modulations and arc lengths. Notably, optimal results were achieved with a 5 mm arc length paired with a 25 A current modulation. Microstructural analysis, conducted through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), unveiled a higher penetration depth, contributing to a more extensive and shallower fusion zone at the interface between the filler metal and the base material. Tensile testing revealed impressive mechanical properties, with the ultimate tensile strength peaking at 90 N/mm2, a yield strength of 85 N/mm2, and the highest elastic modulus. This underscores the weld’s robustness in withstanding applied loads and resisting fracture. Furthermore, the calculation of the lowest K factor at 1.0375 indicated a reduction in resistance across the specimen, resulting in enhanced conductivity. Micro-TIG welding emerges as an efficient method for nickel-plated steel in connecting individual battery cells to form a high-capacity battery pack. These interconnections ensure efficient current flow and maintain the overall integrity and performance of the battery pack. The reliability and quality of these interconnects directly affect the battery’s efficiency, safety, and lifespan in EVs application.

This study employs electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to probe the behavior of Tau-441 protein, a key component implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Through meticulous experimentation and analysis, the impedance of Tau-441 protein suspension revealed a conductivity peak value of 1.02 S/m. The study demonstrates a high level of specificity and selectivity, particularly within the challenging nanomolar concentration range. Additionally, the EIS method enabled the prediction of Tau-441 protein’s dielectrophoresis (DEP) response and the determination of the associated frequency range of 1 kHz to 1 MHz. These findings contribute to advancing our understanding of the molecular intricacies surrounding Tau-441 and hold promise for unraveling implications related to Alzheimer’s disease. This study establishes a robust foundation for future research on neurodegenerative disease and biosciences, offering valuable insights into the electrochemical dynamics of Tau-441 protein.

In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO2) was deposited onto a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate using the sol–gel spin coating method. Through the implementation of calcination treatment on the thin film, enhancements were observed in terms of structural, optical, and morphological properties. Various calcination temperatures were explored, with TiO2 annealed at 600 °C identified as the optimal sample. Analysis of the X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) pattern revealed the prominent orientation plane of (101), indicating the presence of anatase TiO2 with a tetragonal pattern at this temperature. Despite fluctuations in the optical spectrum, the highest transmittance of 80% was observed in the visible region within the wavelength range of 400 nm. The estimated band-gap value of 3.45 eV reaffirmed the characteristic of TiO2. Surface analysis indicated the homogeneous growth of TiO2, uniformly covering the FTO substrate. Cross-sectional examination revealed a thickness of 263 nm with dense and compact nature of TiO2 thin film. No presence of defects or pores reflects a well-organized structure and high-quality formation. Significant electrical rectification properties were observed, indicating the successful formation of a p–n junction. In summary, calcination treatment was found to be crucial for enhancing the properties of the thin film, highlighting its significance in the development of solar cell applications.

Naphthenic acid corrosion is a well-recognized factor contributing to corrosion in the construction of offshore industry pipelines. To mitigate the corrosive effects, minor quantities of alloying elements are introduced into the steel. This research specifically explores the corrosion effects arising from immersing low-carbon steel, specifically A333 Grade 6, in a naphthenic acid solution. Various weight percentages of niobium were incorporated, and the resulting properties were observed. It was noted that the addition of 2% niobium in low-carbon steel exhibited the least mass loss and a lower corrosion rate after a 12 h immersion in naphthenic acid. Microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed small white particles, indicating the presence of oil sediment residue, along with corrosion pits. Following the addition of 2% niobium, the occurrence of corrosion pits markedly decreased, and only minor voids were observed. Additionally, the chemical composition analysis using energy-dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDX) showed that the black spot exhibited the highest percentage of carbon, resembling high corrosion attack. Meanwhile, the whitish regions with low carbon content indicated the lowest corrosion attack. The results demonstrated that the addition of 2% niobium yielded optimal properties for justifying corrosion effects. Therefore, low-carbon steel with a 2% niobium addition can be regarded as a superior corrosion-resistant material for offshore platform pipeline applications.

Fly ash has been utilized as a reinforcing material in the production of aluminum matrix composites, and in this investigation, Al-Si (LM6) fly ash composites were fabricated using the compocasting method. Various compositions of fly ash were incorporated into the samples (4, 5 and 6 wt%), and the preparation temperature ranged from 560 to 800 °C. This study investigated the thermal (CTE and DTA) and chemical properties (XRD) of fly ash reinforcement and the aluminum melt in the composites. The results revealed that composites with 5 wt% of fly ash exhibited the lowest CTE value compared to those with 4 and 6 wt%. This observation was corroborated by XRD analysis, indicating a reaction between the fly ash particles and the aluminum melt. However, the DTA analysis did not find a significant impact of the addition of fly ash on the melting temperature of the prepared composites. In contrast, this study identified and investigated the existence of reaction effects between the fly ash particles and the aluminum melt.

This study investigated the influence of reinforcing 0.50 wt.% of titanium oxide (TiO2) and aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles on the wettability performance of a Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) solder alloy. The thermal properties of the SAC305 nanocomposite solder are comparable with thos of an SAC305 solder with a peak temperature window within a range of 240 to 250 °C. The wetting behaviour of the non-reinforced and reinforced SAC305 nanocomposite solder was determined and measured using the contact angle and spreading area and the relationships between them were studied. There is an increment in the spreading area (5.6 to 7.32 mm) by 30.71% and a reduction in the contact angle (26.3 to 18.6°) by 14.29% with an increasing reflow time up to 60 s when reinforcing SAC305 solder with 0.50 wt.% of TiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles. The SAC305 nanocomposite solder has a better wetting performance compared with the SAC305 solder. As the reflow time increased, the spreading area increased and the contact angle decreased, which restricted intermetallic compound growth and thus improved wettability performance

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film is an active smart film penetrating the market due to its unique functionalities. These functional characteristics include switchable tint capabilities, which shield building residents from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, improve energy-saving features, and produce higher cost-efficiency. Although PDLC films are promising in several applications, there is still ambiguity on the performance of PDLC films. Particularly, the sizing effects’ (such as film thickness and area) correlation with visible light transmission (VLT), ultraviolet rejection (UVR), infrared rejection (IRR), light intensity, current consumption, and apparent power consumption is not well understood. Therefore, this study investigated the sizing effects of PDLC films, including the thickness effect on VLT, UVR, IRR, light intensity, and area influence on current and apparent power consumptions. The varying applied voltage effect on the light transmittance of the PDLC film was also effectively demonstrated. A 0.1 mm PDLC film was successfully presented as a cost-efficient film with optimal parameters. Consequently, this study paves the way for a clearer understanding of PDLC films (behavior and sizing effects) in implementing economic PDLC films for large-scale adoption in commercial and residential premises.

Filler additive is used to provide superior bonding in rubber matrix to enhance the storage modulus of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE). However, the magneto-induced modulus is reduced as the initial storage modulus increases. Therefore, this paper aims to increase the magneto-induced modulus and maintain the initial storage modulus by combining filler and plasticizer additives. Both types of additives have different functions, where cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) is capable of enhancing the maximum storage modulus and silicone oil (SO) reduces the initial storage modulus. Thus, four MRE samples have been fabricated using (a) no additive, (b) CoFe2O4, (c) SO, and (d) a combination of CoFe2O4 and SO. The sample’s hardness and magnetic properties were investigated via Durometer Shore A and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), respectively. Furthermore, the rheological properties of MRE samples in terms of storage modulus were investigated upon the frequency and magnetic field sweep using a rheometer. The results demonstrated that the storage modulus of the MRE samples has increased with increasing the oscillation frequency from 0.1 to 50 Hz. Interestingly, the combination of additives has produced the largest value of magneto-induced modulus of 0.90 MPa as compared to other samples. Furthermore, their initial storage modulus was in between samples with SO (lowest) and without additive (highest). Therefore, fundamental knowledge in adding the combination of additives can offer solutions for a wide range of stiffness in MR device applications such as vibration and noise control devices, sensing devices, and actuators.

Background: Elderly people with severe finger weakness may need assistive health technology interventions. Finger weakness impedes the elderly in executing activities of daily living such as unbuttoning shirts and opening clothes pegs. While studies have related finger weakness with ageing effects, there appears to be no research that uses an algorithmic problem-solving approach such as the theory of inventive problem-solving (TRIZ) to recommend finger grip assistive technologies that resolve the issue of finger weakness among the elderly. Using TRIZ, this study aims to conceptualise finger grip enhancer designs for elderly people. Methods: Several TRIZ tools such as the cause-and-effect chain (CEC) analysis, engineering contradiction, physical contradiction, and substance-field analysis are used to conceptualise solutions that assist elderly people in their day-to-day pinching activities. Results: Based on the segmentation principle, a finger assistant concept powered by a miniature linear actuator is recommended. Specific product development processes are used to further conceptualise the actuation system. The study concluded that the chosen concept should use a DC motor to actuate fingers through tendon cables triggered by a push start button. Conclusions: Finger pinch degradation worsens the quality of life of the elderly. A finger grip enhancer that assists in day-to-day activities may be an effective option for elderly people, not only for their physical but also their mental well-being in society.

This study aims to examine tactile sensitivity effects on the pinch force and endurance of elderly people, and propose solutions extending from the statistical outcomes using the theory of inventive problem-solving (TRIZ). Pinch force and endurance time data were collected among 32 subjects aged 55–65 years according to a non-probability sampling method. Each participant received both treatments of increased and decreased tactile sensitivity through an experimental research design. Subjects pinched an experimental apparatus with different tactile sensitivities, and sustained their pinch for as long as possible. The results suggested that a significant difference existed between pinch force from reduced and increased tactile sensitivities, with similar outcomes for endurance. Resolving contradictions from the results led to the partial-action principle, which suggested that elderly people should pinch using less force when they lack the strength to achieve a certain force level, rather than exert a high force in a single attempt. The segmentation and other-way-around principles were also recommended. Su-Field analysis found that harmful effects from pinching can be neutralised using intermediary materials between the fingers and object, such as rubber. The analysis proposed using optical or acoustic fields, where light sensors or buzzers could act as mechanisms to signal users when sufficient force is achieved. These TRIZ-stimulated solutions provide new insights in resolving poor pinch performance caused by degrading tactile sensitivity.

As people age, their finger function deteriorates due to muscle, nerve, and brain degeneration. While exercises might delay this deterioration, an invention that enhances elderly people’s pinching abilities is essential. This study aims to design and develop a finger grip enhancer that facilitates the day-to-day pinching activities of elderly people. This research is an extension of a previous study that conceptualised a finger grip enhancer. The device facilitates finger flexion on the thumb and index finger, and weighs 520 g, allowing for improved portability and sufficient force exertion (13.9 N) for day-to-day pinching. To test for usability, eleven subjects aged 65 years and above performed a pinch-lift-hold test on various household objects. The pinch force before and after utilising the device was measured. Using Minitab 18, the statistical significance of using this device was analysed with a paired-samples t-test. With this device, the elderly people’s pinching abilities significantly improved in both pinch force and pinch force steadiness (p < 0.05). The proposed device has the potential to enhance elderly people’s quality of life by supporting a firm pinch in the handling of everyday objects. This research has applicational value in developing exoskeleton devices for patients who require rehabilitation.

We employed dielectrophoresis to a yeast cell suspension containing amyloid-beta proteins (Aβ) in a microfluidic environment. The Aβ was separated from the cells and characterized using the gradual dissolution of Aβ as a function of the applied dielectrophoretic parameters. We established the gradual dissolution of Aβ under specific dielectrophoretic parameters. Further, Aβ in the fibril form at the tip of the electrode dissolved at high frequency. This was perhaps due to the conductivity of the suspending medium changing according to the frequency, which resulted in a higher temperature at the tips of the electrodes, and consequently in the breakdown of the hydrogen bonds. However, those shaped as spheroidal monomers experienced a delay in the Aβ fibril transformation process. Yeast cells exposed to relatively low temperatures at the base of the electrode did not experience a positive or negative change in viability. The DEP microfluidic platform incorporating the integrated microtip electrode array was able to selectively manipulate the yeast cells and dissolve the Aβ to a controlled extent. We demonstrate suitable dielectrophoretic parameters to induce such manipulation, which is highly relevant for Aβ-related colloidal microfluidic research and could be applied to Alzheimer’s research in the future.

In this work, Al-10Sr alloy and Na2CO3 were added to LM6 (reference alloy) as hybrid modifiers through ladle metallurgy. The microstructure enhancement was analyzed using an optical microscope (OM). The results were further confirmed with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The results showed that Na2CO3 and Al-10Sr alloy successfully hybrid modified the sharp needle-like eutectic Si into fibrous eutectic Si. Soft primary Al dendrites were also discovered after the hybrid modification. The formation of β-Fe flakes was suppressed, and α-Fe sludge was transformed into Chinese script morphology. A 2.13% density reduction was recorded. A hardness test was also performed to investigate the mechanical improvement of the hybrid-modified LM6. 2.3% of hardness reduction was recorded in the hybrid-modified LM6 through ladle metallurgy. Brittle cracks were not observed, while ductile pile-ups were the main features that appeared on the indentations of hybrid-modified LM6, indicating a brittle to ductile transformation after hybrid modification of LM6 by Na2CO3 and Al-10Sr alloy through ladle metallurgy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]