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Found 6674 publications
Well-Reproducible Swine Model of Human Myocardial Infarction
Publication Name: Magyar Allatorvosok Lapja
Publication Date: 2024-08-01
Volume: 146
Issue: 8
Page Range: 465-474
Description:
SERTÉS Background: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the developed countries and myocardial infarction is the most serious manifestation of the disease. Swine are being chosen with increasing frequency as subject for interventional cardiology research. Their similarities to humans in their cardiovascular physiology, size and coronary anatomy make them better experimental subjects than most species. Moreover, regular human coronary catheter systems and techniques can be readily used to access their coronary vasculature. Objectives: In this paper, a simple swine model of human myocardial infarction is studied in detail using a percutaneously inserted balloon catheter. The main role of the present paper is to introduce and troubleshoot the technique and its potential pitfalls. Materials and Methods: Myocardial infarction was confirmed by the detection of ST segment elevation on the surface ECG, total creatine kinase release, gadolinium enhanced contrast MRI scan and by histology. Results and Discussion: We conclude that if investigators are familiar with both human and animal research, this model is practical, inexpensive and can provide reproducible and consistent infarct sizes that closely mimic the human myocardial infarction. With very careful technique inducing LAD infarction distal to the second diagonal branch and done by trained team, our mortality was lower than in the literature, only 12.5%. It was also proven that the size of myocardial infarction induced by this technique was big enough to be used for different interventional cardiology research. From our study, it is clearly visible, that only a close collaboration between veterinary medicine and human cardiology can avoid the difficulties of complex swine coronary experiments and leads to success.
Open Access: Yes
Utilization of Waste Marble Dust in Poly(Lactic Acid)-Based Biocomposites: Mechanical, Thermal and Wear Properties
Publication Name: Journal of Polymers and the Environment
Publication Date: 2021-09-01
Volume: 29
Issue: 9
Page Range: 2952-2963
Description:
The aim of this present work was to study the applicability of waste marble dust (MD) in poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based composites. Samples containing up to 20 wt% waste MD were prepared via melt blending. The attention was focused on the investigation of mechanical, morphological, thermal properties and the wear resistance of the PLA/MD composites. Regarding the mechanical properties, both the tensile and the flexural modulus improved remarkably, however, a slight loss was observed in strength and deformability. The impact toughness showed an increasing tendency up to 10 wt% MD loading, which was followed by a marginal decrease at higher concentration. With respect to the sliding wear rate, the composite with the highest MD content showed the best wear resistance. According to the DSC measurements, the MD hampered the chain mobility of PLA, thereby reducing the crystalline ratio. Overall, composites with improved properties were developed, while the reuse of waste MD is expected to reduce the production costs as well.
Open Access: Yes
Agricultural by-product filled poly(lactic acid) biocomposites with enhanced biodegradability: The effect of flax seed meal and rapeseed straw
Publication Name: Composites Part C Open Access
Publication Date: 2024-07-01
Volume: 14
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The purpose of this research was to develop “green” materials by combining poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with two agricultural by-products, namely flax seed meal (FSM) and rapeseed straw (RSS). The natural fillers (0–20 wt.%) were mixed with PLA through extrusion and then injection molded into specimens. The samples were analyzed for their thermal, morphological, mechanical, and physical features and biodegradability. Thermal properties and crystallinity were analyzed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), while the morphology was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties were characterized through tensile, flexural, and impact measurements, while surface hardness was evaluated by Shore D tests. Water absorption and biodegradability of the samples were also examined. DSC measurements revealed a nucleating effect of both bio-fillers. Based on the tensile tests, major improvement in stiffness was found with the biocomposites having up to ∼16 % higher Young's modulus than neat PLA (2.5 GPa). It came, however, at the cost of tensile strength, which decreased from 56 to 51 MPa even in the presence of the lowest amount (2.5 wt.%) of FSM. Loss in strength was due to the limited adhesion between the components, as also supported by SEM images. The hardness slightly (1–2 %) improved in the presence of even 2.5 wt.% bio-filler and it remained at that level at higher filler loading as well. Laboratory-scale composting revealed that both fillers facilitated biodegradation with FSM being superior. In the presence of 10–20 wt.% FSM, the rate of decomposition was found to be twice as fast compared to neat PLA.
Open Access: Yes
The Trans-Atlantic Research and Development Interchanges on Sustainability
Publication Name: Trans Atlantic Research and Development Interchanges on Sustainability
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 1-181
Description:
The Trans-Atlantic Research and Development Interchanges on Sustainability is a comprehensive foundational look at sustainability science, developed directly from the outcomes and learnings of the Trans-Atlantic Research and Development Interchanges on Sustainability (TARDIS) workshop that has been ongoing since 2004. The book brings together the most thorough recent advances in concepts, theories, methods, models and applications to steer the course towards a sustainable and resilient future. It provides a source of information on sustainability science directly from the experiences of global sustainability scientists and their research data not found elsewhere. This book will be an all-encompassing source of information on all aspects of sustainability science for academics, researchers and students in sustainability science and any applicable science that takes sustainability into account.
Open Access: Yes
Assessing the Impact of IT, Trade Globalisation, and Economic Complexity on Carbon Emissions in BRICS Economies
Publication Name: Economies
Publication Date: 2025-06-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 6
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The escalating threat of climate change has placed carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions at the forefront of global environmental policy. The relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions and information technology (IT) is crucial in shaping international climate change strategies. This study investigates the impact of information technology, trade globalisation (TG), and economic complexity (EC) on CO2 emissions in BRICS countries using panel data from 1996 to 2018. The analysis applies the CUP-FM estimator to assess long-run relationships and the Dumitrescu–Hurlin panel causality test to evaluate directionality. The results show that information technology significantly reduces CO2 emissions. This effect is primarily driven by the promotion of the service sector, reduced material use, and improved energy efficiency. In contrast, trade globalisation has an inconsistent impact. While it can lower emissions through technology diffusion and efficiency gains, it can also increase them due to Scale Effects and the relocation of polluting industries. This study also identifies a U-shaped relationship between economic complexity and CO2 emissions, indicating that emissions initially rise with complexity but decline as innovation and clean production practices improve. These findings suggest that developing digital infrastructure and green technologies and trade Globalisation can promote sustainable development in BRICS economies. Therefore, policymakers should prioritise strengthening the IT environment, fostering international trade partnerships, and integrating clean technologies to balance economic growth with environmental protection.
Open Access: Yes
EXAMINING THE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS FOR THE EFFICIENCY OF GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS
Publication Name: Polish Journal of Management Studies
Publication Date: 2024-06-24
Volume: 29
Issue: 2
Page Range: 328-345
Description:
In recent times, there has been a remarkable exponential interest in green energy projects, driven by their potential to significantly decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, such high-tech projects' complexity, expensiveness, and high uncertainty level necessitate new ways of increasing efficiency. Therefore, this study, with its clear aim to evaluate the efficiency of green energy projects and identify the critical success factors that can enhance efficiency, remains a compelling and relevant research endeavour. The study employed a rigorous methodology, using multilinear regression analysis to survey 123 project managers from Kazakhstan. This allowed for a comprehensive comparison of the efficiency level of green energy projects and low-tech projects. Research results show that green energy projects exhibit the highest percentage of schedule overrun at 23.9% and cost overrun at 32.7%, indicating substantial delays in project completion and extra expenses in budget compared with low-tech projects. Moreover, green energy projects show the least favourable results (7.3) regarding technological performance. The study reveals the following critical success processes enhancing project efficiency: project planning, scope and cost management, communication, and team management. Based on the processes of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) Guide, an algorithm for managing green energy projects was developed. This tool equips project managers with a process-based map, enabling them to run their projects effectively and enhance their efficiency.
Open Access: Yes
Enhancing BIM Integration: A Comparative Analysis of Novel Composite Structure Documentation Methods
Publication Name: Buildings
Publication Date: 2024-06-01
Volume: 14
Issue: 6
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The proper selection and planning of building materials are crucial tasks in architectural design, as they fundamentally impact the functioning of the structure. In traditional design processes, this information is recorded in text form, typically using word processing software. However, this approach hinders the integration with modern, data-driven design methods and is incompatible with the increasingly popular building information modeling (BIM) processes. To address this, two new methods have been developed: one database-like method in the form of an Excel spreadsheet and the other as a dedicated web application. This article introduces and compares these methods based on pilot projects conducted by university students and an expert. Based on the results of the study conducted among students and expert, the database-like method proves to be the fastest. For students, creating a composite structure took an average of 14–20 min, while for experts, it took an average of 1.2 min. According to the evaluation of participants, the traditional method does not facilitate automatic communication with BIM, while both the database and web solutions promote it. The web-based solution, with its dedicated layout and functionality, offers additional advantages in this regard. The research underscores the importance of structured data in BIM and proposes new methods to streamline composite documentation processes during the design phase.
Open Access: Yes
Sustainable waste management strategies for earthquake debris: Lessons from the 2008 China and 2023 Türkiye-Syria disasters
Publication Name: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 116
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Disasters like earthquakes produce immense debris, posing long-term environmental, economic and health risks if not managed properly. While earthquake-induced waste management has been studied in certain contexts, there is limited understanding of how distinct approaches, especially when considering the sustainability framework, impact recovery outcomes. This study addresses this gap by comparing the debris management strategies of the 2008 Sichuan and 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquakes. Using life cycle analysis, it evaluates debris composition, carbon emission, eco-costs, and recycling and recovery practices. The results reveal the Sichuan earthquake produced waste with an eco-cost of €24.58 billion and 152.5 million tons of CO2 equivalents, while the Türkiye-Syria earthquake yielded €9.08 billion in eco-cost and 60.3 million tons of CO2 equivalents. The findings underscore the critical role of resilient construction practices, establishment of national waste management standards, and recycling-focused recovery efforts in mitigating the impact of earthquakes on communities and ecosystems. This study offers a pioneering framework for the comparative analysis of seismic waste management, providing actionable insights for stakeholders to develop disaster recovery strategies and improve waste management practices in earthquake-prone regions.
Open Access: Yes
On the classification of 3D periodic polyhedral cellular systems
Publication Name: Materials Science Forum
Publication Date: 2008-01-01
Volume: 589
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 341-348
Description:
In several fields of materials science space-filling polyhedral systems are generally used for modeling and characterizing the microstructure of polycrystalline and cellular materials. In this paper a simple quantitative method designated to classify 3D triply periodic, space-filling, cellular systems is outlined. The concept of the proposed method is based on the known analogy between the combinatorial structure of 3D space-filling polyhedral systems and of 4D polytopes. For classification purposes various topological shape indices are defined and tested. It is demonstrated that using two appropriately selected shape factors (asymmetry and compactness coefficients) a global combinatorial classification of cellular systems can be performed.
Open Access: Yes
