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[Display omitted] • 16S meta-analysis of composts is challenged by data availability and protocols. • Microbial composition of composts shifts at 44 °C. • Bacillota ratio and Faith PD as maturity indicators of organic byproducts. • Meta-analysis revealed maturation signatures of microbial composition. • Ecological and phylogenetic biomarkers for land application. Although a wide variety of biomass sources have been subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing, ecological and phylogenetic signatures of maturity have not been identified quantitatively. In this meta-analysis we reanalyzed data from the only published study with publicly available 16S and temperature data (Zhou et al., 2018), and then applied the Zhou results to 705 samples from 13 additional studies. Using the Zhou data, we found that Faith's alpha diversity index correlated inversely with compost temperature and positively with maturity. We also noted a dramatic shift in the ratios of Bacilliota to Acidobacteriota, Planctomycetota, and Pseudomonadota, as samples cooled below 44 °C (p < 0.001). A negative correlation between Bacillota and Pseudomonadota was also observed in all 705 samples that included compost, sugarcane mill mud, anerobic digestates, and vermicompost. Even in the absence of temperature data for the majority of samples, our meta-analysis shows that microbiomes of diverse residuals converged on similar communities that resemble those of soil, regardless of the starting material or residual management process. We propose that approximately < 0.4 log(Bacillota:Pseudomonadota) and > 43 Faith's phylogenetic diversity indices are indicative of maturity of diverse biomass materials destined for land application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study was designed to evaluate the impact of enterprise inventory optimization (EIO) technology and analytics on pharmacy labor, costs, and medication availability within a large integrated delivery network (IDN). Methods This article describes a mixed-methods, postmarket observational study assessing the impact of a solution of disparate technologies including automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs), centralized pharmacy inventory software, and controlled substance vaults connected by an inventory optimization analytics (IOA) tool. Four study modules were implemented over a 10-month period. The intervention consisted of implementation of the IOA software, linking the disparate automated technologies. Transactional data was collected and aggregated with user perception survey data in both the pre- and postintervention periods. Descriptive and comparative statistical testing was used to assess outcomes. Results A total of 11 facilities with bed counts ranging between 22 and 908 beds were included in this study. At an enterprise level, users were able to complete an average of 2.8 times more periodic automated replenishment (PAR) level changes post intervention, resulting in an estimated enterprise labor avoidance of over 1 full-time equivalent (2,099 labor hours) annually. Despite an enterprise decision to increase ADC inventory on hand from a 3-day supply to a 5-day supply, 5 sites (45%) had a decrease in total inventory, while 9 sites (82%) saw a decrease in ADC inventory costs. Additionally, 7 sites (64%) saw a reduction in the ADC stockout percentage and all 11 sites (100%) saw a decrease in the central pharmacy stockout percentage post intervention. Conclusion Integration and optimization of connected inventory management technology was observed to have positive impacts on improving labor productivity, reducing ADC inventory carrying costs, and increasing medication availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As libraries evolve to meet changing user and organizational needs, the work of maintaining music materials may take a backseat to other priorities. The value of physical collections endures, however, and thoughtful stacks maintenance is crucial for making library materials discoverable and accessible. This article discusses policies and workflows for maintaining music collections at academic institutions, supplying readers with practical suggestions and a best practices checklist for stacks maintenance activities. By taking a thoughtful approach to maintaining collections of music formats like scores and recordings, the authors explore the ways that stacks maintenance work can enhance users’ experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial thermally conductive dielectric materials used in electronic packaging typically exhibit thermal conductivities (κ) ranging from 0.8 to 4.2 W m−1 K−1. Hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) flakes are promising thermally conductive materials for the thermal management of next‐generation electronics. These electrically insulating yet thermally conducting h‐BN flakes can be incorporated as thermal fillers to impart high κ to polymer‐based composites. A cellulose‐based composite embedded with few‐layer h‐BN (FLh‐BN) flakes, achieving a κ ≈ 21.7 W m−1 K−1, prepared using a cost‐effective and scalable procedure is demonstrated. This value is >5 times higher than the κ observed in composites embedded with bulk h‐BN (Bh‐BN, κ ≈ 4.5 W m−1 K−1), indicating the benefits of the superior κ of FLh‐BN on the κ of h‐BN polymer composites. When applied as a paste for thermal interface material (TIM), the FLh‐BN composite can reduce the maximum temperature (Tmax) by 24.5 °C of a heating pad at a power density (h) of 2.48 W cm−2 compared to Bh‐BN composites at the same h‐BN loading. The results provide an effective approach to improve the κ of cellulose‐based thermal pastes for TIMs and demonstrate their viability for heat dissipation in integrated circuits (ICs) and high‐power electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight, flexible, and thermostable thermally conductive materials are essential for enhancing heat dissipation efficiency in advanced electronics. The development of intrinsic thermally conductive polymers is the key to expanding the space for improving the thermal conductivity of polymer‐based thermal management materials. In order to balance the thermal conductivity and mechanical performance of bulk polymers, thermally conductive aramid nanofiber (ANF) films are assembled by manipulating the proton‐donating ability of solvents. Compared to water as a conventional proton donor, ethanol‐induced multi‐scale structures composed of dense hydrogen bonding interaction, large grain size, and uniform fiber topology endow the resulting ANF films with enhanced intrinsic thermal conductivity up to 5.05 W m−1 K−1 with a 34% increase, salient mechanical performance with the tensile strength of 181.4 MPa, and exceptional thermal stability higher than 500 °C. These outstanding properties of ANF films provide many possibilities for the preparation of polymer‐based thermally conductive materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, twin stacker crane units have been increasingly integrated into large automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RSs) in shipyards to enhance operational efficiency. These common rail units often encounter conflicts, and the additional time costs incurred during collision avoidance significantly diminish AS/RS efficiency. Therefore, addressing the twin stacker cranes' scheduling problem (TSSP) with a collision-free constraint is essential. This paper presents a novel approach to identifying and avoiding collisions by approximating the stacker crane's trip trajectory as a triangular envelope. Utilizing the collision identification equation derived from this method, we express the collision-free constraint within the TSSP and formulate a mixed-integer programming model. Recognizing the multimodal characteristics of the TSSP objective function, we introduce the dung beetle optimizer (DBO), which excels in multimodal test functions, as the foundational framework for a heuristic optimizer aimed at large-scale TSSPs that are challenging for exact algorithms. To adapt the optimizer for bi-level programming problems like TSSPs, we propose a double-layer code mechanism and innovatively design a binary DBO for the binary layer. Additionally, we incorporate several components, including a hybrid initialization strategy, a Cauchy–Gaussian mixture distribution neighborhood search strategy, and a velocity revision strategy based on continuous space discretization, into the improved dung beetle optimizer (IDBO) to further enhance its performance. To validate the efficacy of the IDBO, we established a numerical experimental environment and generated a series of instances based on actual environmental parameters and operational conditions from an advanced AS/RS in southeastern China. Extensive comparative experiments on various scales and distributions demonstrate that the components of the IDBO significantly improve algorithm performance, yielding stable advantages over classical algorithms in solving TSSPs, with improvements exceeding 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the factors that affect how materials age is essential for creating a durable product with long-lasting properties. It is also important to prioritize defining aging parameters that reflect the real-world conditions the materials will encounter. For this study, a range of swimwear materials were selected consisting of a blend of polymer (polyamide/polyester) and elastane in varying ratios. In order to simulate aging conditions, materials were immersed in chlorinated outdoor pool water during the summer season, either in shade or the sun, for 200 and 300 h. The materials were tested for mass per unit area, thickness, tensile properties, and moisture management. A slight mass per unit area increase was observed, rising from 1.0% after 200 h of chlorine and sunlight exposure to 3.7% after 300 h. Thickness increased by 1.7% after 200 h and 3.2% after 300 h of chlorine exposure, with no significant effect of sunlight. Breaking force dropped by 12.4% after 200 h in chlorine and 8.2% in chlorine and sunlight, becoming more pronounced after 300 h (65.7% in chlorine and 65.1% in chlorine and sunlight). The overall moisture management capability declined from 0.4888 to 0.3457 after 200 h in chlorine and 0.3393 with sunlight, dropping further after 300 h to 0.3838 and 0.3253, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid miniaturization and high degree of integration of modern electronic devices, there is an increasing demand for high-performance polymer-based thermal management materials. SiC nanowires (SiCNWs) are very promising fillers benefiting from their large aspect ratio and ease of constructing thermally conductive networks. However, the traditional random mixing method allows the SiCNWs to form a thermally conductive network only through physical overlap, resulting in a high interfacial thermal resistance. To address this problem, an innovative strategy for in-situ generating continuous network composed of SiCNWs was proposed in this study, in which the SiCNWs was formed through impregnation-sintering process using an inexpensive polyurethane (PU) sponge as a template. The porous skeletons were sintered by numerous SiCNWs, which not only conferred more thermally conductive pathways, but also solved the problem of weak bonding at the SiCNWs random lap interface. On this basis, the SiC skeletons were further used as reinforcement to prepare epoxy (EP)-based composites. Benefiting from the continuous thermally conductive networks composed of SiCNWs, the composites achieved a thermal conductivity (TC) of ∼1.17 W m−1 K−1 at a low volume fraction of 21.18 vol%, which was 548.7 % higher than that of pure EP. In addition, the unique SiCNWs skeletons also facilitated the enhancement of mechanical properties and thermal stability of the composites, providing new insight for the preparation of innovative thermal management materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The rapid advancement of Industry 4.0 necessitates close collaboration among material research institutions to accelerate the development of novel materials. However, multi-institutional cooperation faces significant challenges in protecting sensitive data, leading to data silos. Additionally, the heterogeneous and non-independent and identically distributed (non-i.i.d.) nature of material data hinders model accuracy and generalization in collaborative computing. In this paper, we introduce the MatSwarm framework, built on swarm learning, which integrates federated learning with blockchain technology. MatSwarm features two key innovations: a swarm transfer learning method with a regularization term to enhance the alignment of local model parameters, and the use of Trusted Execution Environments (TEE) with Intel SGX for heightened security. These advancements significantly enhance accuracy, generalization, and ensure data confidentiality throughout the model training and aggregation processes. Implemented within the National Material Data Management and Services (NMDMS) platform, MatSwarm has successfully aggregated over 14 million material data entries from more than thirty research institutions across China. The framework has demonstrated superior accuracy and generalization compared to models trained independently by individual institutions. Industry 4.0 requires collaboration among material research institutions, but data silos hinder progress. Here the authors present MatSwarm, a swarm-learning framework that integrates secure computing and data sharing in the National Material Data Management and Services (NMDMS) platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, with the development of many important fields such as aerospace and automotive industries, polymer composites have become an indispensable part of these fields. As for preparation methods, common methods like hot pressing make composites difficult to achieve continuous production. This paper proposed the continuous forced assembly (CFA) and designed continuous production facility, which can achieve the continuous preparation of low filler content (30 wt%) composites with high electrical/thermal conductivity. Besides, we structurally designed roll pressing device and explored its effect on the machining process. Here, short cut carbon fiber (SCF) and solid silica gel (MVQ) are used as electrically/thermally conductive filler and polymer matrix respectively, and continuous preparation of functional composites is completed by CFA method. Compared to the thermal conductivity (1.186 W/(m·K)) of SCF/MVQ composites prepared with lower viscosity matrix (MVQ‐A), the thermal conductivity of composites prepared with high viscosity matrix (MVQ‐D) reached 2.230 W/(m·K). Meanwhile, the process is optimized to explore the effects of the "accordion folding" and "pre‐stretch" methods on the thermal conductivity of composites, the thermal conductivity is converted from in‐plane to vertical direction. In addition, under the same filler content, 2 wt% rGO is beneficial in enhancing the electrical/thermal conductivity of prepared composites. The electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity of SCF28/rGO2/MVQ composite reach 663 S/m and 2.82 W/(m·K), which is higher than that of the properties of SCF/MVQ composite with the same filler content. To sum up, CFA facilitates continuous production of composites, which can be used in thermal management materials (TMMs). Highlights: Compared with the "pre‐stretch" method, the thermal conductivity of SCF/MVQ composites prepared by "accordion folding" has a significant improvement.The SCF/rGO/MVQ composites prepared by CFA method show superior thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity.Composites prepared by CFA method can realize the continuous preparation of functional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root canal perforations are frequent but critical complications in endodontic treatments, which can pose a risk of irreversible damage to the affected tooth. These perforations typically occur during root canal preparation or endodontic post placement, presenting significant therapeutic challenges. The main objective in the management of such complications is to seal the perforation, thus preventing bacterial invasion and tooth loss. This report details the case of a 70‐year‐old patient with a perforation in the palatal wall of the middle root section of tooth #11. The treatment approach involved magnification techniques and the application of a bioactive material known as Biodentine. This case underscores the critical role of accurate radiographic evaluation and the use of biocompatible materials in the management of root perforations. Despite inherent challenges, proper diagnosis and planning, combined with appropriate techniques and materials, can lead to satisfactory results, effectively preserving the structure of the tooth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive thermal energy storage systems using phase change materials (PCMs) are promising for resolving temporal‐spatial overheating issues from small‐ to large‐scale platforms, yet their poor shape stability due to solid–liquid transition incurs PCM leakage and weak resistance against mechanical disturbance, limiting practical applications. While foam‐stable templates for PCMs have shown complement, they reveal massive leakage and collapse of liquefied PCMs under external loads or impacts. Herein, a multiscale porous architecture consisting of graphene aerogels (GAs) and meta structures enabling robust thermal‐mechanical functionalities of PCMs (3D‐MPGA) toward sustainable phase change thermal energy storage composites is reported. 3D‐printed mechanical metamaterials employing octet‐truss cells provide supportive strength and directionally‐assisted leakage reduction, while GAs serve as porous templates with surface‐interfacial contacts, thereby fixing paraffin wax as PCM inside their nano/micropores. The 3D‐MPGA shows intrinsic thermal characteristics of bulk PCMs, and improved thermal‐mechanical‐chemical stability, confirmed by long‐term heating‐cooling cycle tests over 10 h. Moreover, it exhibits highly reinforced strength (200–5000%) within a low density across ambient and melting temperatures, and maintains original shapes in the liquefied PCMs without severe leakage, against external loads. This work inspires rational strategies for advancing robust thermal‐mechanical functionalities for PCM‐based thermal energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene (Gr) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the two intriguing carbon nanomaterials, have presented great potential in serving as high‐performance electrocatalysts in lithium−sulfur (Li−S) chemistry. The concurrent management of both materials would achieve a promoted synergistic effect. Nevertheless, there still remains a lack of an effective material synthesis route. Herein, a single‐step plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) strategy is devised to prepare Gr@CNTs heterostructures with strong bonded connections. In the PECVD system, the damaged sidewalls generated in CNT tubes can serve as appropriate nucleation sites for further Gr growth. The formation mechanisms are thoroughly explored in aspects of both experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations. To confirm the validity of this approach, thus‐constructed Gr@CNTs architectures are employed as the sulfur host, enabling boosted redox kinetics of polysulfides. This project provides fundamental insight into the mechanism exploration for single‐step PECVD growth of Gr@CNTs heterostructure, hence promoting the practical application prospect of carbon nanomaterials toward Li−S systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research note explores how logistics, though often overlooked, is a central element in space fantasy science fiction narratives. In Frank Herbert's Dune, the spice--essential for interstellar travel--demonstrates how logistics influences space geopolitics. Star Wars highlights the logistical challenges involved in managing an intergalactic empire, from constructing the Death Stars to coordinating rebel fleets. In Star Trek, space exploration depends on intricate logistics to sustain ships, space stations, and diplomatic relations. Finally, Isaac Asimov's Foundation illustrates how the collapse of logistics can lead to the downfall of an intergalactic empire. These films and novels reveal that logistics extends beyond mere materials and operations management; it becomes a key question of survival, power, and stability within these fictional universes. Science fiction narratives not only offer insights into future logistics but also prompts reflection on contemporary challenges in supply chain and infrastructure management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated twill-structured carbon fiber fabric to allow carbon fiber itself to be used as a thermal management material. Twill-structured carbon fiber fabric shows efficient heat transfer, with ultrahigh thermal conductivity of 200 W/mK. Notably, preserving 40 % of carbon fiber's 500 W/mK conductivity is a remarkable achievement in carbon fiber applications compared to previous polymer composites using carbon fibers. Furthermore, the unique twill structure allows directional stretching with strain of 15 %, fulfilling requirements for soft electronics. Therefore, our study offers valuable insights into the role of carbon fiber fabric in advanced electronics by addressing the intricate balance between thermal performance and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the significant latent heat generated at constant temperatures, phase change fibers (PCFs) have recently received much attention in the field of wearable thermal management. However, the phase change materials involved in the existing PCFs still experience a solid–liquid transition process, severely restricting their practicality as wearable thermal management materials. Herein, we, for the first time, developed intrinsically flexible PCFs (polyethylene glycol/4,4′‐methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate) fibers, PMFs) through polycondensation and wet‐spinning process, exhibiting an inherent solid‐solid phase transition property, adjustable phase transition behaviors, and outstanding knittability. The PMFs also present superior mechanical strength (28 MPa), washability (>100 cycles), thermal cycling stability (>2000 cycles), facile dyeability, and heat‐induced recoverability, all of which are highly significant for practical wearable applications. Additionally, the PMFs can be easily recycled by directly dissolving them in solvents for reprocessing, revealing promising applications as sustainable materials for thermal management. Most importantly, the applicability of the PMFs was demonstrated by knitting them into permeable fabrics, which exhibit considerably improved thermal management performance compared with the cotton fabric. The PMFs offer great potential for intelligent thermal regulation in smart textiles and wearable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica is the property of Acta Materiea Compositae Sinica Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Engineering Management / Gongcheng Guanli Xuebao is the property of Journal of Engineering Management Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

With the continuous advancements in electronics towards downsizing and integration, efficient thermal dissipation from chips has emerged as a critical factor affecting their lifespan and operational efficiency. The fan-less chip cooling system has two critical interfaces for thermal transport, which are the contact interface between the base and the chip dominated by thermal conduction, and the surface of the fins dominated by thermal radiation. The different thermal transfer modes of these two critical interfaces pose different requirements for thermal management materials. In the study, a novel approach was proposed by developing graphene thermal transport functional material whose morphology could be intentionally designed via reformed plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) methods to meet the diverse requirements of heat transfer properties. Specifically, graphene with multilevel branching structure of vertical graphene (BVG) was fabricated through the hydrogen-assisted PECVD (H2-PECVD) strategy, which contributed a high emissivity of ∼ 0.98. BVG was deposited on the fins' surface and functioned as the radiation enhanced layer to facilitate the rapid radiation of heat from the heat sinks into the surrounding air. Meanwhile, the well-oriented vertical graphene (OVG) was successfully prepared through the vertical electric field-assisted PECVD process (EF-PECVD), which showed a high directional thermal conductivity of ∼ 53.5 W·m−1·K−1. OVG was deposited on the contact interface and functioned as the thermal conduction enhanced layer, allowing for the quick transmission of heat from the chip to the heat sink. Utilizing this design concept, the two critical interfaces in the chip cooling system can be jointly enhanced, resulting in a remarkable cooling efficiency enhancement of ∼ 30.7%, demonstrating that this novel material possessed enormous potential for enhancing the performance of cooling systems. Therefore, this research not only provided new design concepts for the cooling system of electronic devices but also opened up new avenues for the application of graphene materials in thermal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy is the property of Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Lilium lancifolium Thunb. is a herbal medicine that is widely used to treat inflammation and lung diseases. In this study, a simultaneous quantitative method was developed for the quality control of BLL using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector (HPLC–PDA), and their antioxidant effects were evaluated. Eight regalosides (i.e., regaloside A, B, C, E, F, H, I, and K) were selected as marker substances and separated on a Gemini C18 reversed-phase analytical column by gradient elution with distilled water–acetonitrile mobile phase containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid. The method was validated with respect to linearity, sensitivities (limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ)), accuracy, and precision. The antioxidant effects of the extract and each component were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay and 2-2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay. The coefficients of determination values used as indicators of linearity for all components were ≥0.9999. LOD and LOQ concentrations were 0.10–0.66 μg/mL and 0.29–2.01 μg/mL, respectively. The recovery was 95.39–103.925% (relative standard deviation; RSD ≤ 2.55%), and precision RSD was <2.78%. The HPLC–PDA method was applied to real samples, and all components were detected at 1.12–29.76 mg/freeze-dried g. The evaluation of antioxidant effects showed that regalosides C, E, and K exhibited significant antioxidant effects. Our knowledge will be appropriately utilized in raw material management and conducting clinical and non-clinical studies on L. lancifolium or herbal medicine prescriptions containing L. lancifolium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of composite materials with excellent thermal conductivity is attracting extensive attention to meet the increasing heat concentration challenges in both power and electronic equipment. Previous strategies for improving the thermal conductivities usually accompanied by the cost of mechanical strength. Herein, we propose a new strategy for developing both mechanically strong and thermally conductive composite films. The aramid nanofibers (ANF) are well prepared with introducing Ag nanoflakes and graphene oxide (GO) via vacuum-assisted filtration and hot-pressing treatment. Results indicate the synergistic effects of low dimension materials have resulted in a tightly arranged phonon network construction. The in-plane thermal conductivity of the prepared ANF/Ag/GO film reaches 9.84 W m−1 K−1, about 371% higher than that of pure ANF. Meanwhile, the strong hydrogen bond formed between the functional group of GO and the amide group of ANFs plays a synergistic strengthening and toughening role at the complex interface, and the tensile strength reaches 231 MPa. We believe that these findings shed some light on the design and fabrication of multifunctional materials for thermal management applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractDue to resource scarcity, it is critical to reprocess and reuse elastomers as their mechanical properties and safety are compromised. To address this issue, innovative solutions, such as dynamic chemical crosslinking are required. This approach, rooted in reversible crosslinking, uses dynamic reversible reactions like Diels-Alder reaction, bisulfide bonding, imine bonding, ester exchange reaction, hydrogen bonding, ionic bonding, and coordination bonding. By enabling elastomers to autonomously repair damage, these mechanisms extend their usable life and contribute to a circular economy. The current discourse in material science focuses on the underlying mechanisms and practical applications of self-repairing elastomers. This highlights their immense potential in mitigating environmental impacts. Nevertheless, challenges remain, notably in enhancing self-healing efficiency, ensuring scalability, and improving economic viability. These challenges are addressed by a focused research agenda, demanding the development of new materials with heightened self-healing properties, the refinement of cost-effective and scalable production methods, and the broadening of application domains for these materials. Adopting this comprehensive strategy is deemed crucial for moving toward sustainable materials management and significantly reducing our ecological footprint, in alignment with worldwide efforts toward environmental preservation and resource efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights With the gradual acceleration of development in the modern electronics, there is a higher demand for insulating polymer composites with high thermal conductivity. Herein, the functionalized fillers were fabricated through first deposition of polydopamine (PDA) on boron nitride (BN) plates and then covalent modification of BN‐PDA and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) by γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), respectively. Hybridized filler‐filled polycarbonate (PC) composites were prepared by partially substituting Al2O3 for BN plates with constant filler content. The PC composite filled with 9 wt% Al2O3 and 21 wt% BN (PCA3B7) achieved a thermal conductivity of 0.734 W mk−1, which is 217% and 21% higher than that of pure PC (0.231 W mk−1) and PCB (0.605 W mk−1), respectively. Besides, the PC composites exhibit excellent electrical insulation properties (1013 Ω cm), relatively good mechanical properties, and enhanced thermal stability. This PC composite, characterized by its superior comprehensive performance, holds significant promise as a thermal management material in electrical and electronic device applications. Functionalized fillers were fabricated via covalent and non‐covalent methods. The appropriate proportion of hybridized fillers showed synergistic effects. The composite's thermal conductivity was 217% higher than pure PC. The composite exhibited desirable electrical insulating characteristics and thermal stability. The composite could act as a thermal management material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As an important aspect of emergency management, materials transportation supports the emergency supply during the pandemic. However, its efficiency may be degraded due to the problem of information asymmetry, leading to confusion in materials management. This study analyses the feasibility of applying blockchain technology to the process of materials collaborative transportation. And the evolutionary game model is applied to analyse the stable evolutionary strategies of logistics enterprises. Finally, a system dynamics model is built for numerical simulations to verify the rationality of the game analysis results. In conclusion, long-term evolutionary stable equilibria of logistics enterprises are determined by multiple variables. To motivate logistics enterprises to participate in collaborative transportation, decision-making departments should focus on tax incentives, epidemic prevention subsidies, and platform construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This review addresses the emerging field of automated packing cells, which lies at the intersection of robotics and packing problems. Integrating these two fields is critical for optimizing logistics and e-commerce operations. The current literature focuses on packing problems or specific robotic applications without addressing their integration. Methods: To bridge this gap, we conducted a comprehensive review of 46 relevant studies, analyzing various dimensions, including the components of robotic packing cells, the types of packing problems, the solution approaches, and performance comparisons. Results: Our review reveals a significant trend towards addressing online packing problems, which reflects the dynamic nature of logistics operations where item information is often incomplete. We also identify several research gaps, such as the need for standardized terminologies, comprehensive methodologies, and the consideration of real-world constraints in robotic algorithms. Conclusions: This review uniquely integrates insights from robotics and packing problems, providing a structured framework for future research. It highlights the importance of considering practical robotic constraints. It proposes a research structure that enhances the reproducibility and comparability of results in real-world scenarios. By doing so, we aim to guide future research efforts and facilitate the development of more robust and practical automated packing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Railway Construction Technology is the property of Railway Construction Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Industrial pollution is considered to be routed in the waste and byproducts of the production process. Traditional pollution control approaches try to eliminate and/or treat the pollutants which are often technically complicated and expensive. In this regard, industrial ecology and industrial symbiosis have emerged as effective strategy to eliminate industrial pollution. This principle requires the generated waste/by-products absorbed in the same or other industrial process cycles and thus the material cycle remains closed. Industrial pollution appears as a big problem in the global south countries, where industrialization is considered as the main thrust of economic development. Usually, in such countries formal pollution control approaches are primarily directed to the formal sectors (such as state owned and legally registered industries), informal sectors are often left behind. Although the role of informal sector is increasingly being recognized for sustainable development, their significance in pollution abatement is a less discussed topic. This article attempts to investigate the informal industrial sector in Dhaka, Bangladesh with empirical evidence. Adopting a qualitative approach with field investigation of the informal industries and detail interviews, this study identified that the informal industries are closely linked in clusters according to the manufacturing process and continue material/byproduct/waster exchange primarily from the need to minimize cost. The studied patterns of waste management practice indicate existence of industrial symbiosis without adequate academic/technical knowledge and designed efforts. This suggests that the informal sector can meaningfully contribute to sustainable development offering insights for the application of similar approaches in the formal sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined research interest in copper materials for caries management. We conducted an exhaustive literature search of English publications on copper materials for caries management. We removed duplicate publications and screened the titles and abstracts to identify relevant publications. Then, we analyzed the bibliometric data of the publications using the Bibliometrix and VOSviewer programs. This study included 75 laboratory studies, six clinical trials, and 17 reviews. Most of the original research studied copper or copper oxide nanoparticles (45/81, 56%). The materials could be doped into topical agents, restorative fillers, dental adhesives, dental implants, and orthodontic appliances. Since the first paper was published in 1980, publication counts gradually increased and surged in 2019. Among publications on copper materials for caries management, the publication counts and citations from 2019 to 2024 accounted for 65% (64/98) and 74% (1677/2255) over the last 45 years. Cocitation analysis revealed that the two main keywords were nanoparticles and antibacterial activity, and their burst strengths (period) were 3.84 (2021–2024) and 2.21 (2020–2021). The topics of the top two publications with the highest citation burst strength (period) are the antimicrobial effect of copper oxide nanoparticles (3.14, 2021–2022) and the dental application of copper nanoparticles (2.84, 2022–2024). In conclusion, this study revealed a growing interest in copper materials for caries management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neodymium magnet waste recycling and precious metal recovery have drawn a lot of researchers' attention because of their vital role in contemporary technology. In this work, the potential of citric acid for the leaching of neodymium from hard disk drive waste magnets has been examined using statistical approaches like full factorial design(FFD) and central composite design (CCD).The variables have been screened and conditions are optimized to obtain higher leaching. The polynomial quadratic Model proves effective to predict optimized conditions for neodymium leaching. Leachant concentration and temperature were screened as the most effective factors. Optimization conditions for the leaching process were achieved through central composite design, revealing that 2 mol/L citric acid and a temperature of 333 K provide the ideal conditions for the complete dissolution of neodymium. This extensive study contributes to sustainable materials management and resource conservation by illuminating the effective recovery of important metals from neodymium magnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced building facades, which include windows, walls, and roofs, hold great promise for reducing building energy consumption. In recent decades, the management of heat transfer via electromagnetic radiation between buildings and outdoor environments has emerged as a critical research field aimed at regulating solar irradiation and thermal emission properties. Rapid advancements have led to the widespread utilization of advanced micro/nanofabrication techniques. This review provides the first comprehensive summary of fabrication methods for heat management materials with potential applications in energy-efficient building facades, with a particular emphasis on recent developments in fabrication processing and material property design. These methods include coating, vapor deposition, nanolithography, printing, etching, and electrospinning. Furthermore, we present our perspectives regarding their advantages and disadvantages and our opinions on the opportunities and challenges in this field. This review is expected to expedite future research by providing information on the selection, design, improvement, and development of relevant fabrication techniques for advanced materials with energy-efficient heat management capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management of hard-to-heal wounds remains a significant challenge for healthcare systems, with substantial economic burdens. Maggot debridement therapy, using sterile larvae of Lucilia sericata, effectively debrides necrotic tissue and promotes healing, yet its use is limited. This narrative review examines the influences on the use of this form of debridement by registered nurses, focusing on knowledge and attitudes, treatment-related pain, and practical issues. Findings indicate that wound specialist nurses are more knowledgeable and supportive of maggot debridement therapy compared with non-wound specialists, underscoring the need for targeted educational interventions. Pain management is critical, with mixed reports on pain levels, highlighting the necessity for tailored pain-relief strategies. Practical challenges include procurement difficulties and cost, suggesting a need for streamlined processes and clear clinical guidelines. Addressing these barriers through education, research, and improved logistics could enhance the acceptance and use of maggot debridement therapy, improving patient outcomes in wound management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Nahuatl language there is a word related to tepetate: "tepetlatl", which refers to a volcanic geological material, precursor of soil. However, in the Spanish language it has been confused and inaccurately generalized with the term "tepetlatlalli or tepetlalli", which describes the product generated from the crumbling and fertilization of tepetlatl, that is, a soil formed by man. This situation has complicated the understanding of the formation processes, the analysis techniques, the use and management of these materials, in places where the pressure for land and the increase of degraded areas force the settlers and researchers to work according to pre-Hispanic principles, learned from the close contact with the earth. Due to the relevance of tepetates in soil formation and their implication in environmental degradation processes, it was considered necessary to refer in this paper to tepetates in a local and scientific way, with particular emphasis on the historical confusion of the use of the concept to describe soils and not geological materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the role of nurses in hospital management in the face of COVID-19. The study had a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory approach. The setting was a hospital that was completely transformed to care for patients with COVID-19. At the time of data collection, ten nurses managed the services, and all participated in the semi-structured interview. After thematic analysis, the data were presented in three categories, representing the elements of Donabedian’s triad: structure, process, and result. Category 1 highlighted the hospital structure reconfiguration based on material and people management; category 2 addressed the work process restructuring to achieve goals with safety and quality; and category 3 focused on nurses’ experiences in describing the results achieved and expected. The analysis highlighted the importance of teamwork, involvement, and adaptation of managers in the face of the challenges of a new and life-threatening disease, scarce resources, and the complexity of human relationships in the crisis. In transformational leadership, these nurses encouraged behavior change, professional growth, and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article comments on a study which described events in hospital oxygen system related to oxygen supply shortages associated to overuse in high-flow nasal cannulas as a form of oxygen therapy. It discusses limitations of lumping all forms of oxygen therapy as conventional oxygen therapy. It compares the performance of conventional oxygen therapy devices to understand the inappropriateness of lumping and argues on the complexity of hospital oxygen system that may result to contamination.

BACKGROUND: During the first wave of COVID-19, we experienced problems with our hospital oxygen supply system. This study aimed to analyze factors that stressed this system and rethink the design criteria of the gas pipeline system considering the varying oxygen demand. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to describe problems that occurred at different stages in the oxygen supply system at our hospital due to increases in oxygen use in general, and the creation of an intermediate respiratory care unit (IRCU) and use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in particular. Herein, the characteristics and design criteria of the medical gas pipeline system are analyzed, and the steps taken to avoid future problems are outlined. RESULTS: Increases in oxygen use were observed at times of maximum occupancy, and these created vulnerabilities in the oxygen supply due to insufficient capacity in terms of cryogenic tanks, evaporators, and the piping network. The peak consumption was 3 times higher than the peak in the preceding 4 years. The use of HFNC therapy aggravated the problem; IRCU use accounting for as much as two-fifths of the total across the hospital. Steps taken subsequently prevented the recurrence of vulnerabilities. CONCLUSIONS: The design criteria for storage and distribution networks of medical gases in hospitals need to be revised considering new parameters for their implementation and the use of HFNC therapy in an IRCU. In particular, the cryogenic tanks, evaporators, and piping network for hospital wards are critical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very minimal risk assessment studies focus specifically on wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operations and none on hospitals WWTP. Hospital waste contains complex chemicals and pathogenic organisms. Thus, any disruption of hospital WWTP operation is potentially very harmful to environmental health and safety. Risk management can prevent any undue effect and minimize operational mishaps, thus becoming even more critical when the amount of hospital waste increases due to the rise in bed occupancy. Hence, this study aims to assess the risk of hospital WWTP operation, with a class B hospital in Indonesia chosen as a case study. A risk register was created using a combination of safety audits, historical data, and semi-structured interviews. Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) were used to examine the impacts of each risk, the frequency of occurrence, and the existing detection for each failure. Based on the consequences, the risks were categorized into impacting humans, finance, the environment, or a combination of those three. After considering occurrence, severity, and detection, each risk was assigned a Risk Priority Number (RPN). The evaluation revealed 1 unacceptable risk, 14 undesirable risks, and 19 acceptable risks. Risk management methods were proposed for unacceptable and tolerated risks. The case study provides materials for the hospital management to aid in decision-making regarding the WWTP. It also contributes knowledge for WWTP benchmarking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fire blight is a devastating disease of apple and pear worldwide. One reason fire blight is so difficult to manage is because of the lack of effective non-antibiotic management options as well as a limited host resistance gene pool. Traditional management approaches utilizing antibiotic and copper sprays face multiple problems including antibiotic resistance and human health concerns. Furthermore, most management materials are used to control the blossom blight stage of infection, and fewer materials are available to control shoot blight stage of infection. Breeding for host resistance against fire blight is limited by the heterozygosity of apple, as well as the lack of understanding of the host-pathogen interactions. In this review, we raised some of these "burning questions", which suggest directions for future research in management and resistance breeding of fire blight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Inorganic hydrated salt phase change materials (PCMs) hold promise for improving the energy conversion efficiency of thermal systems and facilitating the exploration of renewable thermal energy. Hydrated salts, however, often suffer from low thermal conductivity, supercooling, phase separation, leakage and poor solar absorptance. In recent years, compounding hydrated salts with functional carbon materials has emerged as a promising way to overcome these shortcomings and meet the application demands. This work reviews the recent progress in preparing carbon-enhanced hydrated salt phase change composites for thermal management applications. The intrinsic properties of hydrated salts and their shortcomings are firstly introduced. Then, the advantages of various carbon materials and general approaches for preparing carbon-enhanced hydrated salt PCM composites are briefly described. By introducing representative PCM composites loaded with carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers, graphene oxide, graphene, expanded graphite, biochar, activated carbon and multifunctional carbon, the ways that one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional and hybrid carbon materials enhance the comprehensive thermophysical properties of hydrated salts and affect their phase change behavior is systematically discussed. Through analyzing the enhancement effects of different carbon fillers, the rationale for achieving the optimal performance of the PCM composites, including both thermal conductivity and phase change stability, is summarized. Regarding the applications of carbon-enhanced hydrate salt composites, their use for the thermal management of electronic devices, buildings and the human body is highlighted. Finally, research challenges for further improving the overall thermophysical properties of carbon-enhanced hydrated salt PCMs and pushing towards practical applications and potential research directions are discussed. It is expected that this timely review could provide valuable guidelines for the further development of carbon-enhanced hydrated salt composites and stimulate concerted research efforts from diverse communities to promote the widespread applications of high-performance PCM composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound management remains a great challenge for clinicians due to the complex physiological process of wound healing. Porous silicon (PSi) with controlled pore morphology, abundant surface chemistry, unique photonic properties, good biocompatibility, easy biodegradation and potential bioactivity represent an exciting class of materials for various biomedical applications. In this review, we focus on the recent progress of PSi in the design of advanced sensing and delivery systems for wound management applications. Firstly, we comprehensively introduce the common type, normal healing process, delaying factors and therapeutic drugs of wound healing. Subsequently, the typical fabrication, functionalization and key characteristics of PSi have been summarized because they provide the basis for further use as biosensing and delivery materials in wound management. Depending on these properties, the rise of PSi materials is evidenced by the examples in literature in recent years, which has emphasized the robust potential of PSi for wound monitoring, treatment and theranostics. Finally, challenges and opportunities for the future development of PSi-based sensors and delivery systems for wound management applications are proposed and summarized. We hope that this review will help readers to better understand current achievements and future prospects on PSi-based sensing and delivery systems for advanced wound management. Porous silicon-based sensing and delivery systems show great potential in wound management applications including monitoring, treatment and theranostics. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the construction industry, much of the construction process is controlled by materials, and material management has a direct impact on many performance criteria such as cost, time, quality, and efficiency. This study examined the impact on project performance of activities that make up the material management process: planning, supply, logistics, transport, stock, and waste control of building materials. Material management practices were measured using 15 criteria under five different headings, and project performance was measured using 13 criteria under three different headings, through surveys of industry personnel at various construction sites. Multiple regression analyses were performed on the data obtained. The impacts of material management practices on project time, project cost, project efficiency, and waste performance, as well as overall project performance were examined using multiple regression analyses. The analysis showed that material supply, material handling, and stock and waste control had positive impacts on overall project performance, while material planning and material logistics did not have statistically significant impacts. It is concluded that the results of the study will help to better understand the relationship between material management and project performance and will help stakeholders to improve their material management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Partially thrombosed aneurysms represent a subset primarily found within large and giant aneurysms. The presence of an intraluminal thrombus can cause an aneurysm to present in different shapes upon angiographic examination. We present a series of five cases of "donut-shaped" aneurysms observed over the past decade at the Clinic for Neurosurgery in the University Clinical Centre of Serbia. Materials and Methods: The management of "donut-shaped" aneurysms was accomplished through endovascular interventions, employing techniques such as the deployment of flow-diverting stents or a combination of stent placement and coil embolization. Results: Four out of five patients underwent endovascular treatment, yielding positive outcomes with complete thrombosis of the aneurysms during follow-up. The fifth patient was successfully diagnosed; however, due to their deteriorating condition, treatment was not feasible. Conclusions: Given the potential life-threatening complications associated with this entity, accurate diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial. In our cohort, endovascular interventions demonstrated efficacy in the majority of cases, underscoring the significance of this approach in treating "donut-shaped" aneurysms. Nevertheless, considering the rarity of this condition, further research is justified to refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these complex intracranial vascular anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing-oriented small companies have difficulty performing tasks such as production planning, process management, material management, and quality control suitable for small quantity production of various products to respond to diverse customer demands and changing market environments due to a lack of manpower and facilities. To solve these problems, the government is actively promoting smart factory support projects, and many small companies are participating in this project, and are building and operating MES (Manufacturing Execution System). However, most small companies are unable to build a system that suits the characteristics of the company. In other words, the introduced system is a generalpurpose platform, and MES is not being utilized properly due to the absence of IT experts, the negative perception by existing personnel, and the CEO's neglect. Accordingly, in this study, we presented the causes of MES construction failure and improvement cases of company O., a small manufacturing company located in Daejeon city, where Root Industries is the main axis. That is, major problems in the introduction and operation of existing MES were identified, and improvements derived from the perspective of production workers were applied to the field. As a result, quantitatively, an improvement of 15% to 57% was achieved in terms of productivity, quality, cost, and delivery date, and qualitatively, the workload of both managers and production workers was reduced and work could be handled more easily. These research results can be used as a practical example for the successful construction and operation of MES in Korean small manufacturers producing a large variety of products. In the future, research will be needed to successfully develop MES from the basic level to the upper level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Construction material management is an important process in supporting construction operations that affect project performance. Previous studies attempt to identify factors influencing material management in different stages such as procurement, transportation and utilization. However, they lack a model to explain the relationship between influential factors and the effectiveness of material management. Therefore, this study aims to validate the variables and key factors influencing the effectiveness of material management processes. Design/methodology/approach: A total of 42 variables were reviewed from literature in different stages of material management process. Survey questionnaires were used to collect data about participants' perceptions on these variables. The respondents were 200 project engineers and project managers from construction sites and offices in Vietnam. Then factor analysis techniques were undertaken to validate the structure of factor groups. Two methods of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were, respectively, performed to evaluate and verify the model's fit. Findings: Factors influencing the effectiveness of material management were grouped into nine main factors, which are procurement issues, site conditions, planning and handling on site, industrial environments, contractual issues, quality control, suppliers and manufacturers' issues, transportation in and out site and security on site. Practical implications: The paper has several implications for theory and methodology related to material management. It features influential factors in association with the material management effectiveness. Therefore, senior managers can more fully understand the errors in their works and propose timely solutions to limit the unwanted risks. Originality/value: This research contributes on theoretical development on factors influencing effectiveness of material management processes. The key findings on influential factors can be applied to measure the effectiveness of material management processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]