The choice of steel depends on environmental factors like temperature, pressure, and chemical exposure. Steel components in machinery often face varying conditions that can lead to damage, such as cavitation erosion. In this study, steel 42CrMo4 samples were chosen to represent a common and widely used steel. Application of this type of steel is often related to the statically and dynamically stressed components for vehicles, engines, and machines, where corrosion or cavitation can occur. The behavior of steel samples under conditions of cavitation erosion in distilled water was the focus of this paper. Testing was performed using a standard cavitation vibratory setup using a stationary specimen, according to the ASTM G-32 procedure. Image and morphological analyses were implemented to quantify the level of sample degradation caused by cavitation. The observed changes in the monitored parameters during testing are linked to the degradation mechanism of cavitation erosion. The results showed that pits began forming within 60 minutes, and afterward, the growth and merging of these pits significantly impacted the degradation process.

Engineering materials are often exposed to various extremely harsh surroundings such as high temperatures and/or pressure, thermal shocks, aggressive solutions, or cavitation erosion. The phenomenon of cavitation erosion might be expected in conditions of fluid-flowing where the parts of equipment include turbine blades, high-speed propellers, or pump parts. Such conditions usually cause surface degradation with defects in the form of pits and fractures, resulting in strength deterioration with a potential risk of failure, as well as a reduction in the materials' lifespan that requires additional expenses for failure analysis, repair, and/or replacement of parts. This paper will present the main results regarding the study on cavitation erosion resistance of two different engineering materials, austenitic stainless steel 316L and CuAlNi shape memory alloy (SMA). Cavitation erosion testing was carried out using an ultrasonic vibratory method with a stationary sample. The comparison of the behavior between these two materials in cavitation erosion conditions will be shown based on the results of mass loss and analysis of the pits formed over time. Using image analysis tools, the surface damage levels were quantified. Detailed analyses revealed that CuAlNi shape memory alloy (SMA) exhibited superior in terms of resistance and behavior compared to stainless steel.

Numerous industrial equipment are designed to withstand harsh operating conditions that among others include cavitation erosion. This study examined the cavitation erosion behavior of mullite, a common material used in furnace linings and casting processes such as Lost Foam which is a novel way to produce castings offering both high quality and reasonably priced. The ultrasonic vibratory method with a stationary sample was employed to achieve cavitation erosion, while image analysis was used to measure the degree of surface deterioration. This study aimed to assess the lifetime of mullite under cavitation exposure by quantifying the morphological parameters of the defects through image analysis and by monitoring material behavior. The obtained results were discussed and analyzed in order to understand degradation mechanisms and sample resistance to cavitation erosion. The results demonstrate that mullite is highly resistant to cavitation, as the volume loss is minimal and the surface degradation is below 6% after 180 minutes of exposure.

Many steels are used in specific environments, while one of these is maritime applications. High-strength 42CrMo4 steel finds numerous applications in the marine industry, including shaft parts, crankshafts, connecting rods, drilling joints, pump parts, steam turbines, and salvage equipment. In order to provide performance reliability in the marine environment, it is essential to study the corrosion resistance of surfaces of 42CrMo4 steel components and parts. The steel's behavior is typically evaluated in a synthetic NaCl solution, which is prepared as a standard substitute for seawater. This paper is focused on the behavior of the steel samples under corrosion conditions in NaCl solution. The level of sample surface degradation which is caused by the corrosion over a 4-month exposure period was evaluated using SEM/EDS analysis. The mass loss increased during the testing period, following an almost linear model in all time periods.

Background: The First Dorsal Metacarpal Artery (FDMA) Flap or Foucher’s flap is an island pedicle flap proximally based on the first dorsal metacarpal artery and veins. A branch of radial sensory nerve is incorporated in the flap to make it a sensate flap. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the functional and aesthetic outcomes of the seven FDMA flaps done over a period of four years for reconstruction of the distal thumb soft tissue defects and one defect over proximal phalanx of the index finger. Methods: This prospective study was performed between 2018 and 2022 at the Clinic of Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery. We present a series of six cases of distal thumb soft tissue defects and one patient with defect over the dorsal aspect of the index finger that were reconstructed with the FDMA flap. Results: In six patient donor site was grafted by full-thickness skin graft harvested from the groin and in one case was closed primary. All flaps survived and one case that was closed primary had donor site complication that was related to primary closure of the skin. All the patients had good fine touch and average two-point discrimination of 8.7 mm. Conclusion: FDMA flap is a useful and reliable flap to cover the defects of the dorsal aspect and to a certain extent the volar aspect of the thumb. We showed that can be used to cover the defects over proximal phalanx of the index finger. The flap provides adequate soft tissue coverage and good aesthetic results.

Corrugated cardboard finds extensive use in the packaging industry due to its performance characteristics. It is a lightweight material with excellent mechanical properties, easy recyclability, and environmental friendliness, making it the preferred choice. While numerous studies have investigated the effects of external factors on corrugated cardboard and its mechanical properties using simulation modeling, there is a lack of research focusing on simulating and predicting the construction of corrugated cardboard itself. The shape and size of the corrugated medium significantly impact the performance of corrugated cardboard. However, strict standards for the parameters of the medium's size and shape to achieve optimal elasticity and strength are lacking. Therefore, this study aims to explore the modification of the design of one component of corrugated cardboard to enhance its performance

Background. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential procedure for diagnosing and treating biliary and pancreatic disorders but carries the risk of significant complications, particularly in patients with pre-existing conditions. The most critical complications include acute pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, and cholangitis. Early detection and comprehensive therapeutic interventions are key factors in patient recovery and require seamless communication among healthcare professionals at all levels of care. Close collaboration between medical staff ensures a well-coordinated treatment strategy, even at the primary care level. Objective: This article aims to present a case of a patient who developed multiple severe complications following ERCP, including ulcer perforation with pneumoperitoneum, acute pancreatitis, cholangitis, and cardiac decompensation, all of which were successfully managed within an outpatient and family medicine setting. Methods and Design: The patient’s clinical history, laboratory findings, radiological imaging, and endoscopic evaluations were carefully analyzed and described to outline the approach to diagnosis and management. Case Presentation: An 86-year-old male with a known history of peptic ulcer disease opted for outpatient treatment after undergoing an ERCP procedure. The patient subsequently developed a series of severe complications, including ulcer perforation, pneumoperitoneum, acute pancreatitis, and cholangitis, along with cardiac decompensation. However, through meticulous outpatient management and primary care follow-up, the patient achieved a favorable recovery. Conclusion: This case report highlights that comprehensive outpatient management can effectively address complex complications following ERCP, even in patients with pre-existing conditions. Coordinated care at the primary healthcare level plays a vital role in ensuring positive outcomes.

The article presents an approach to the automatic derivation of conceptual database models from heterogeneous source artifacts. The approach is based on the integration of conceptual database models that are derived from source artifacts of one single type by already existing tools, whereby those models possess limited certainty given their limited completeness and correctness. The uncertainty of the automatically derived models from specific source artifacts is expressed and managed through the effectiveness measure of the generation of specific concepts of the input conceptual database models. The approach is implemented by the DBomnia tool - the first online web-based tool enabling automatic derivation of conceptual database models from heterogeneous source artifacts (business process models and textual specifications). DBomnia employs other pre-existing tools to derive conceptual models from sources of the same type and then integrates those models. The case study-based evaluation proves that the implemented approach enables effective automatic derivation of the conceptual database model from a set of heterogeneous source artifacts. Moreover, the automatic derivation of the conceptual database model from a set of heterogeneous source artifacts is more effective than each independent automatic derivation of the conceptual database model from sources of one single type only.

Background/Aim: To evaluate the effect of curing light parameters (intensity, duration, and distance of curing tip) on the depth of cure of conventional resin-based composite. Material and methods: Cylindrical specimens made of nanohybride resin-based composite are cured with 12 different curing protocols, combined with 3 different light intensities (300, 650, and 1100 mW/cm²), 2 distances of curing tip (0 and 8 mm), and 2 exposure times (20 and 40 seconds). The specimens were measured after scraping the uncured composite material according to the ISO 4049 standard. The depth of cure was calculated by dividing the length of the remaining composite by 2. Data were analyzed using: Levene's test and Multivariate Analysis-of-variance (MANOVA). The level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The highest depth of cure (3.332 mm) was observed for curing protocol 1100mW/cm²/0mm/40s. The lowest depth of cure had specimens cured with curing protocol 300 mW/cm²/8mm/20s (2.034mm). MANOVA showed a significant influence of the distance of the curing tip (P=0.014; P=0.001) regardless of light intensity and duration of exposure time. Exposure time was a significant factor (P=0.009) when cured from different distances. Although higher light intensity produced a higher depth of cure, light intensity was not a significant factor. Conclusions: The depth of cure can be increased by reducing the distance of the curing tip, when it is possible. At a distance of 8 mm, the depth of cure can be increased by a longer exposure time, regardless of curing light intensity.

In order to remove harmful microorganisms, textile materials are subjected to various types of antimicrobial treatments. Skin infections represent a permanent diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. In this paper, the impact of printing insoles with alginate paste, modified bentonites and Picea omorika plant extract on their antimicrobial, dielectric and sorption properties was investigated. It was found that the printed insoles show a certain antimicrobial effect on the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and the yeast Candida albicans. The obtained values of specific conductivity are in agreement with the tested parameter of the sorption properties of the insoles.