Search Results (482)

Background: Effective self-management is crucial in diabetes care. This study investigates the impact of Personal Health Records (PHR) on diabetes management and person self-management behaviors. Methods: Retrospective cohort study was conducted involving individuals with diabetes using insulin and prescribed FreeStyle Libre^®. Participants were categorized into PHR users and non-users. Key metrics such as HbA1c, Time in Range (TIR), Time above Range (TAR), and body weight were analyzed. Results: Among 212 intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) users, 25 individuals used PHR. Comparing 21 individuals using a PHR with 42 matched controls, the TIR significantly increased (ΔTIR 17.2% vs. 1.90%, p = 0.020), and HbA1c levels showed a greater decrease (ΔHbA1c −0.83% vs. −0.22%, p = 0.023). A significant reduction was also observed in TAR among PHR users (ΔTAR −17.6% vs. −1.63%, p = 0.017). There were no significant changes in body weight (ΔBW −0.51 kg vs. −1.60 kg, p = 0.578). Conclusions: PHR systems demonstrate potential in improving diabetes management by enhancing self-management practices and glycemic control. Although the sample size of PHR users was relatively low, PHR should be more widely used. The study underscores the need for further research on PHR’s long-term impact and its applicability in diverse diabetic populations. Full article

Body composition could influence exercise physiology. However, no one has ever studied the effect of visceral fat (VF) on heart rate (HR) trends during and after exercise by using bioimpedance analysis (BIA). This study aims to investigate BIA variables as predictors of HR trends during vigorous exercise. Ninety-six participants (age 22.5 ± 4.8 years) were included in the data analysis. After performing BIA, the HR was recorded at three time points: baseline HR (BHR), peak HR (PHR) at the end of vigorous exercise, and resting HR (RHR) 1 min after the end of the exercise. After BHR, a 30 s squat jump test was performed. Linear regression analysis showed the body fat percentage and VF as a predictor of HR recovery post-exercise (p < 0.01). However, body weight has no association with HR recovery (p > 0.05). On the other hand, BIA variables were not associated with the variation of HR from the baseline to the end of the exercise. The results show that higher VF is associated with a slower HR recovery. To schedule a training program, it would be safer to monitor visceral fat before prescribing recovery time. Full article

The large number of tires produced annually demands new recycling methods. A key challenge associated with recycling elastomers is their crosslinking structure that prevents fusion. It is possible to reverse crosslinking through a process called devulcanization. Devulcanized elastomers can be blended with fresh rubber and revulcanized for reuse. This paper examines samples made from natural rubber (NR), styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR), and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), blended with varying proportions of devulcanized ground tire rubber (dGTR) and newly revulcanized rubber. SiO₂, commonly present in tire formulations, is also added. Samples of these materials, with 0, 10, 20, and 40 phr of dGTR are subjected to accelerated degradation for 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 h. The effects of this treatment, the influence of SiO₂, and the presence of a silane-based devulcanization agent (TESPT) that promotes the interaction between the rubber and silica, are analyzed at the microstructural level (FTIR, TGA, SEM) and through mechanical properties testing. The microstructural results of the spectroscopy and thermal analysis show that interactions between dGTR, silica, and silane compounds form aggregates that impact the material properties and degradation of the tires. Mechanically, when the sample contained up to 20 phr of dGTR, the compound presented a more brittle behavior, due to the crosslinking induced by the degradation. Full article

Integrating rubber with superior low-temperature capabilities, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), is a strategic approach to bolster the low-temperature performance of fluoroelastomer (FKM). However, FKM and EPDM are thermodynamically incompatible. This work synthetized three EPDM-based polar macromolecular compatibilizers, epoxidized EPDM (EPDM-EP), 2,2-trifluoroethylamine-grafted epoxidized EPDM (EPDM-TF), and 2,4-difluorobenzylamine-grafted epoxidized EPDM (EPDM-DF), to enhance the compatibility between FKM and EPDM. These compatibilizers were subsequently incorporated into FKM/EPDM rubber blends. The results revealed that the glass transition temperature (T_g) of FKM/EPDM decreased by 1.3 °C, 2.68 °C, and 2.78 °C, respectively, upon the addition of 10 phr of EPDM-EP, EPDM-TF, or EPDM-DF. Moreover, the T_g of the two phases converged. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength of the FKM/EPDM rubber blends were also enhanced by the inclusion of these compatibilizers. Notably, EPDM-TF and EPDM-DF exhibited remarkable compatibilization effects due to an increase in polarity. This research not only sheds light on the potential for developing new compatibilizers but also paves the way for innovative applications of FKM and its derivatives. Full article

Zeolites, known for their unique structural and catalytic properties, are added to the natural rubber matrix to investigate their influence on the vulcanization process and the resultant properties of composites. The natural rubber-based composites were masticated with 4A synthetic zeolite (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 phr). The curing of the rubber compounds was monitored on a moving die rheometer at 150 °C. The isothermal DSC method was also used to study the curing process at 150 °C, 160 °C, and 170 °C. Based on the obtained results, it is assumed that there is an interaction between the components of the curing system and the surface of the zeolite particle, and that is why the vulcanization reaction starts earlier with an increase in zeolite in the rubber mixture. This underscores the significant role of zeolite in accelerating the curing reaction of natural rubber-based compounds. The composites were vulcanized in a press at 150 °C for 15 min. The chemical structure was analyzed using FTIR, and the sample morphology was examined using SEM. The degree of swelling in toluene and distilled water was determined. The tensile strength values, modulus of elasticity at 100% and 300% elongation, and elongation at break were measured using a universal testing machine. Hardness was assessed according to the Shore A scale. With a small addition of zeolite (up to 10 phr), there is no significant change in the tensile strength values. However, adding a considerable amount of zeolite to a natural rubber matrix results in a deterioration of the tested mechanical properties. It can be assumed that with large proportions of zeolite 4A MS in the composites, the mechanical properties deteriorated due to increased porosity. The amount of added zeolite affects the initial stages of thermal decomposition of the examined samples and the rest after the analysis at a temperature of 500 °C. Full article

Blockchain technology holds significant promise for healthcare by enhancing the security and integrity of patient health records (PHRs) through decentralized storage and transparent access. However, it has substantial limitations, including problems with scalability, high transaction costs, privacy concerns, and intricate stakeholder access management. This study presents PHR-NFT, a novel framework that strengthens PHR privacy by utilizing Hyperledger Fabric and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to address these issues. PHR-NFT improves privacy and communication by letting patients keep control of their medical records while permitting temporary, permission-based access by medical professionals. PHR-NFT offers a transparent solution that increases trust among healthcare stakeholders through the robust and decentralized architecture of the Hyperledger Fabric. This study demonstrates the viability and effectiveness of the PHR-NFT framework through performance evaluations focused on transaction latency, throughput, and security. This research has valuable implications for enhancing data privacy and security in healthcare practices and insightful information about blockchain-based healthcare systems. Full article

This work aims to enhance natural rubber’s dielectric properties and antibacterial activity by incorporating silver nanoparticles and titanium dioxide. Deproteinized natural rubber (DPNR) was modified through the graft copolymerization of acrylic acid and acrylamide using N′, N′-Methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent, resulting in poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)-modified, deproteinized natural rubber (MDPNR). This modification facilitated coordination with silver ions and interaction with titanium dioxide. Silver nanoparticles were generated under heat and pressure. Modified natural rubber composites containing silver nanoparticles and titanium dioxide (MDPNR/Ag-TiO₂) were prepared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed well-distributed silver in the modified natural rubber matrix, while agglomeration of titanium dioxide was observed at a high loading. Both MDPNR and MDPNR/Ag-TiO₂ showed high thermal stability compared to DPNR. The MDPNR/Ag-TiO₂ composites exhibited higher Tg and lower tan δ, indicating higher stiffness due to the restriction of chain movement compared to that in MDPNR. DPNR exhibited a low dielectric constant, enhanced by poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) modification and silver nanoparticle/titanium dioxide incorporation. Incorporating 0.5 phr of AgNO₃ and 2.5 phr of TiO₂ in the composites increased the dielectric constant by 1.33 times compared to that of MDPNR. MDPNR showed no antibacterial activity, while the MDPNR/Ag-TiO₂ composites exhibited promising antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Full article

Active fillers such as carbon black and silica are added to rubber to improve its mechanical and viscoelastic properties. These fillers cause reinforcement in rubber compounds through physical and/or chemical interactions. Consequently, the compounds’ rheological, mechanical, and viscoelastic behavior are affected. Changing the filler loading influences these properties due to the different interactions (filler-filler and filler-polymer) taking place in the compounds. In addition, rubbers with varying microstructures can interact differently with fillers, and the presence of polymer functionalization to enhance interactions with fillers can further add to the complexity of the network. In this work, the effects of different loadings (0–108 phr/0–25 vol. %) of a highly dispersible grade of silica with three types of solution styrene-butadiene rubbers (SSBR) and one butadiene rubber (BR) on their rheological, mechanical, and viscoelastic properties were investigated. It was observed that the Mooney viscosity and hardness of the compounds increased with an increasing filler loading due to the increasing stiffness of the compounds. Payne effect measurements on uncured compounds provided information about the breakdown of the filler-filler network and the extent of the percolation threshold (15–17.5 vol. %) in all the compounds. At high filler loadings, the properties for BR compounds worsened as compared to SSBR compounds due to weak polymer-filler interaction (strong filler-filler interaction and the lower compatibility of BR with silica). The quasi-static mechanical properties increased with the filler loading and then decreased, thus indicating an optimum filler loading. In strain sweeps on cured rubber compounds by dynamic shear measurements, it was observed that the type of rubber, the filler loading, and the temperature had significant influences on the number of glassy rubber bridges in the filler network and, thus, a consequential effect on the load-bearing capacity and energy dissipation of the rubber compounds. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mental health disorders pose a substantial challenge for healthcare workers, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. Public health medical residents (PHRs) played a pivotal role during the pandemic and were significantly affected by the heavy workload. This study aims to uncover potential associations between workload characteristics and symptoms of anxiety and insomnia in Italian PHRs based on data collected in 2022 through the Public Health Residents’ Anonymous Survey in Italy (PHRASI) study. Methods: A total of 379 residents completed the self-administered questionnaire comprising the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results: While 36% PHRs reported anxiety symptoms (GAD-2 ≥ 3), 12% reported moderate-to-severe insomnia symptoms (ISI ≥ 15). The multivariate logistic regressions showed that a high work–life interference was associated with the presence of anxiety and insomnia symptoms, while attending two or more simultaneous traineeships was associated with insomnia symptoms. A high workload perceived was positively associated with both the mental health outcomes considered, while the perception of work environment manageability was negatively associated with them. Conclusions: These findings underscore the significant role of the workload in influencing the mental health status of PHRs and emphasize the importance of fostering a supportive work environment that prioritizes mental well-being Full article

In this study, recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABSr) was reused to produce polyamide 6 (PA6)-based blends. This was achieved through reactive compatibilization using styrene-acrylonitrile-maleic anhydride (SAN-g-MA) copolymer with a high degree of functionalization (6–10% MA). The PA6/ABSr and PA6/ABSr/SAN-g-MA blends were prepared through melt processing and injection molding and then analyzed for their rheological, mechanical, thermomechanical, thermal, and structural properties, as well as morphology. The torque rheometry revealed a maximum reactivity of the PA6/ABSr (70/30 wt%) blend with low SAN-g-MA (5 phr—parts per hundred resin) content, while above this threshold, torque began to decline, indicating compatibilizer saturation in the interface. These findings were further substantiated by the increase in complex viscosity and the lower melt flow index (MFI) of the PA6/ABSr/SAN-g-MA (5 phr) blend. The 5 phr SAN-g-MA reactive compatibilization of the PA6/ABSr blends significantly enhanced its impact strength, elongation at break, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) by 217%, 631%, 12.6%, and 9.5%, respectively, compared to PA6/ABSr. These findings are promising for the plastic recycling field, paving the way for the production of new tailor-made materials at a reduced price. Full article

In this study, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was mixed using a two-roller mixer. Water hyacinth fiber (WHF) acted as a reinforcing agent in the preparation of the rubber composite at 10 phr (ENRC/WHF). Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) was added at different concentrations (1, 5, 10, and 20 phr) as an antimicrobial and coupling agent. The tensile strength increased with a CHG content of 1 phr (4.59 MPa). The ENRC/WHF/CHG20 blend offered high hardness (38) and good morphology owing to the reduction in cavities and fiber pull-out from the rubber matrix. The swelling of the sample blends in oil and toluene decreased as the CHG content increased. Reactions of –NH₂/epoxy groups and –NH₂/–OH groups occurred during the preparation of the ENRC/WHF/CHG blend. The FTIR spectroscopy peak at 1730 cm⁻¹ confirmed the reaction between the −NH₂ groups of CHG and epoxy groups of ENR. The ENRC/WHF/CHG blend at 10 phr and 20 phr exhibited zones of inhibition against three bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus). CHG simultaneously acted as a crosslinking agent between ENR and WHF and as an antimicrobial additive for the blends. CHG also improved the tensile strength, hardness, swelling, and antimicrobial properties of ENR composites. Full article

To reinforce natural rubber latex foam, fumed silica and precipitated silica are introduced into latex foam prepared using the Dunlop process as fillers. Four types of silica, including Aerosil 200 (hydrophilic fumed silica), Reolosil DM30, Aerosil R972 (hydrophobic fumed silica), and Sipernat 22S (precipitated silica), are investigated. The latex foam with added silica presents better mechanical and physical properties compared with the non-silica foam. The hydrophobic nature of the fumed silica has better dispersion in natural rubber compared to hydrophilic silica. The specific surface area of silica particles (BET) also significantly influences the properties of the latex foam, with larger specific surface areas resulting in better dispersity in the rubber matrix. It was observed that exceeding 2 phr led to difficulties in the foaming process (bulking). Furthermore, higher loading of silica also affected the rubber foam, resulting in an increased shrinkage percentage, hardness, compression set, and crosslink density. The crosslink density increased from 11.0 ± 0.2 mol/cm³ for non-silica rubber to 11.6 ± 0.6 mol/cm³ for Reolosil DM30. Reolosil DM30 also had the highest hardness, with a hardness value of 52.0 ± 2.1 IRHD, compared to 45.0 ± 1.3 IRHD for non-silica foam rubber and 48 ± 2.4 IRHD for hydrophilic fumed silica Aerosil 200. Hydrophobic fumed silica also had the highest ability to return to its original shape, with a recovery percentage of 88.0% ± 3.5% compared to the other fumed silica. Overall, hydrophobic fumed silica had better results than hydrophilic silica in both fumed and precipitated silica. Full article

The escalating demand for sustainable rubber products has spurred research into alternative reinforcing fillers, driven by concerns regarding the detrimental effects of using conventional fillers like carbon black and silica. In this investigation, nano-crystalline cellulose (NCC), derived from micro crystalline cellulose (MCC), sourced from sugarcane bagasse via acid hydrolysis, serves as a bio-filler to reinforce Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) matrices. NBR-NCC nano-composites were prepared using a two-roll mill, varying NCC from 1–5 parts per hundred rubber matrices, followed by hot press curing. NCC and NBR-NCC nano-composites were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), curing characteristics, thermo-mechanical testing, thermal aging and motor oil resistance. Chemical interactions between the NCC and NBR matrix were verified with FTIR. The SEM images of the NCC showed a combination of rod-like and spherical morphologies and a homogenous dispersion of NCC in NBR-NCC nano-composites with some agglomeration, notably at higher percentages of NCC. It is shown that the cure time decreases with increasing NCC loading which mimics a shorter industrial production cycle. The results also showed an increase in tensile strength, hardness, oil resistance and a rise in degradation temperature when compared to NBR at approximately 34%, 36%, 38% and 32 °C, respectively, at 3 phr NCC loading. Furthermore, NBR-NCC nano-composites showed a lower decrease in mechanical properties after aging when compared to NBR. The findings of this research suggest that the NBR-NCC nano-composites may find applications in high oil resistance seals and rubber gloves where higher thermal stability is strictly required. Full article

In response to the escalating threats of cybersecurity attacks and breaches, ensuring the development and deployment of secure IT products has become paramount for organizations in their cybersecurity transformation. This work emphasizes the critical need for a comprehensive and secure IT project management life cycle that safeguards products from their initial development stages through decommissioning. The primary objective is to seamlessly integrate security considerations into every facet of IT project management life cycles. This work embraces a cyber-resilient IT project management framework and advocates the inclusion of cybersecurity measures in IT projects and their strategic, organized, continuous, and systematic integration throughout the entire product life cycle. It introduces a pioneering framework that harmonizes the cybersecurity risk management process with the IT project management life cycle. This framework delineates a methodical sequence of steps, each encompassing a distinct set of activities. The effectiveness and practical applicability of the proposed framework were validated through a comprehensive case study focused on the Personal Health Record (PHR) system. The PHR case study served as a real-world scenario to assess the framework’s ability to address cybersecurity challenges in a specific domain. The results of the experiment demonstrated the framework’s efficacy in enhancing the security posture of IT projects, showcasing its adaptability and scalability across diverse applications. Full article

This study systematically investigated the formulation optimization, performance evaluation, and practical application of epoxy-based composite materials for colored asphalt pavement. By conducting comprehensive experiments, we optimized the composition of epoxy-based composites, verifying their excellent bonding performance, good heat resistance, and UV aging resistance under various temperature conditions. The key optimized component ratios were determined as a 1:1 blend of Type I and Type II epoxy resins, 30 phr of curing agent, 10 phr of toughening agent, 5 phr of diluent, 10% filler, 12% flame retardant, and 10% pigment. At the recommended dosage of 2.0 kg/m² of epoxy binder, the composite structure exhibited the best reinforcement effect, improving low-temperature performance significantly. Compared to ordinary asphalt mixtures, the colored pavement composite structure showed superior mechanical strength, deformation capacity, high-temperature stability (dynamic stability approximately three times higher), and water stability (TSR values up to 95.5%). Furthermore, its fatigue life decay rate was significantly lower, with fatigue limit loading frequencies more than three times those of ordinary asphalt mixtures, demonstrating excellent fatigue resistance. This study provides strong technical support and a theoretical basis for the development and practical application of colored asphalt pavement. Full article