Tomas Bata University in Zlín
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Non-alcohol hand sanitiser gels with mandelic acid and essential oils
Get PDFAntimicrobial hand gels have become extremely popular in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequent use of hand sanitising gel can lead to dryness and irritation of the skin. This work focuses on the preparation of antimicrobial acrylic acid (Carbomer)-based gels enhanced by non-traditional compounds-mandelic acid and essential oils-as a substitute for irritating ethanol. Physicochemical properties (pH and viscosity), stability and sensory attributes of the prepared gels were investigated. Antimicrobial activity against representative Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts was determined. The prepared gels with mandelic acid and essential oil (cinnamon, clove, lemon, and thyme) proved to have antimicrobial activity and even better organoleptic properties than commercial ethanol-based antimicrobial gel. Further, results confirmed that the addition of mandelic acid had a desirable effect on gel properties (antimicrobial, consistency, stability). It has been shown that the essential oil/mandelic acid combination can be a dermatologically beneficial hand sanitiser compared to commercial products. Thus, the produced gels can be used as a natural alternative to alcohol-based daily hand hygiene sanitisers
A novel labeling modality of intra-abdominal lesions with Magseed magnetic marker and extirpation by Sentimag probe navigation
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate our experience with the use of Magseed, the magnetic metallic marker, as a localization technique followed by Sentimag probe detection in patients with solitary intra-abdominal local metastases with subsequent resection of the lesions.
METHODS: Five patients underwent resection after the lesion was marked with the Magseed magnetic marker. Prior to the surgery, a computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen and/or positron emission tomography was performed to rule out the dissemination of the disease. The indication for surgery was evaluated in a meeting of a multidisciplinary team, and the placement of the magnetic marker under computed tomography control had been performed the day before the planned procedure.
RESULTS: The present preliminary outcomes have revealed that Magseed might be a promising technique that is feasible and safe, particularly when the postsurgical anatomic conditions in the abdominal cavity are altered and the lesions are not visible or palpable. Surgical extirpation of lesions occurred without complications in each case. In all the cases, the resection was complete and curative, and one wound infection in all (20%), without any major complications, had occurred. The mean hospital stay was 6.6 days.
CONCLUSION: Magseed utilization, as a localization technique, followed by Sentimag probe detection in intra-abdominal tumors has not been reported before. Improving the visualization and, consequently, the precise marking of the lesion with subsequent radical removal can prevent insufficient or excessive removal of healthy tissue, leading to a faster diagnosis and better overall clinical outcomes
Evaluating a proposed e-government stage model in terms of personal data protection
Get PDFIn today's era, the e-government plays a significant role in providing better services to citizens. As a result, citizens are crucial in ensuring the success of the e-government and are involved in the government's policies. Hence, the protection of personal information must be taken into consideration when designing any e-government model. Previous studies have shown that privacy and security are the main challenges in implementing an e-government in developing countries. This study aims to evaluate an e-government stage model that is proposed based on protecting personal information in developing countries. The methodology of this study uses SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results) analysis to evaluate the stages and combines it with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the feasibility of the model. The results of the study show that the model is acceptable and suitable for adoption. Therefore, the model is a viable option for implementing an e-government in developing countries
Controlled drug delivery device for cornea treatment and novel method for its testing
Get PDFA new solution for local anesthetic and antibiotic delivery after eye surgery is presented. A contact lens-shaped collagen drug carrier was created and loaded by Levofloxacin and Tetracaine with a riboflavin crosslinked surface layer, thus impeding diffusion. The crosslinking was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, whereas the drug release was investigated using UV-Vis spectrometry. Due to the surface barrier, the drug gradually releases into the corneal tissue. To test the function of the carrier, a 3D printed device and a new test method for a controlled drug release, which mimics the geometry and physiological lacrimation rate of the human eye, were developed. The experimental setup with simple geometry revealed that the prepared drug delivery device can provide the prolonged release profile of the pseudo-first-order for up to 72 h. The efficiency of the drug delivery was further demonstrated using a dead porcine cornea as a drug recipient, without the need to use live animals for testing. Our drug delivery system significantly surpasses the efficiency of antibiotic and anesthetic eyedrops that would have to be applied approximately 30 times per hour to achieve the same dose as that delivered continuously by our device.Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT; Ministerstvo Průmyslu a Obchodu, MPO: RP/CPS/2022/00
Skatinimo intervencijos poveikis sveiko papildomo maisto pirkimui: Eksperimentas čekijos universiteto valgykloje
No full textThe study contributes evidence on the impact of nudges in steering healthy food choices in school canteen settings, especially in purchasing complementary food products on top of standard lunch meals. The study adopts an experimental research design, testing the effectiveness of prompt and placement nudges on purchasing complimentary food like fruit, salads, magnesium mineral water, and soups. The experiment took 33 days, equally divided into three periods: benchmark, prompt intervention, and placement intervention. Sales data were obtained from students (12,589) and employees (4,550). Logistic regression was employed in data analysis. Results reveal that both prompt and placement interventions significantly affect the sales of magnesium mineral water and salad, while the placement intervention significantly affects the sales of fruits. The experimental results analysis found that nudges’ effectiveness in selling lunch complements may vary by product type and between students and employees. Practical implications are proposed for nudge interventions to promote healthy consumption in public university canteen settings.1/0590/22; Tomas Bata University in Zlin, TBU: CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/19_073; Vedecká Grantová Agentúra MŠVVaŠ SR a SAV, VEGA: 1/0683/21, SP2022/74Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic; Slovak Academy Sciences as part of the re-search project VEGA [1/0590/22]; project VEGA [1/0683/21]; project OP RDE Junior Grants of TBU in Zlin [CZ.02.2.69/0.0/0.0/19_073/0016941]; SGS Project [SP2022/74
3D reconstruction of a group of plants by the ground multi-image photogrammetry method
No full textThis paper discusses the use of the terrestrial multi-frame photogrammetry method. This method is applied to a group of plants in a natural environment of a greenhouse. Image data is captured by two sensing devices with different types of lenses. Image data is used for the realistic 3D reconstruction of objects into a 3D model. In this experiment, we work primarily with the created point cloud.Grand Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/CebiaTech/2023/003]; Department of Security Engineering, Faculty of Applied Informatics; Tomas Bata University in Zli
Elastic electrically conductive composites based on vapor-grown carbon fibers for use in sensors
Get PDFElastic electrically conductive composites with an ethylene octene copolymer matrix (EOC) and vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCF) were prepared by ultrasonication in a toluene solution, and their morphology, mechanical and electrical properties were also evaluated. EOC/CF composites were estimated for their mechanical and viscoelastic properties. The morphology of the composites was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and stress-strain curves were generated to measure the stress and tensile modulus of the composites. The experimental results were compared with various theoretical models, including the Burgers model, which separates viscoelastic behavior into several components. A dynamic mechanical analysis was also used to measure the composites' storage modulus, loss modulus, and damping factor at different frequencies. The composites' complex viscosity and storage modulus were increased with higher wt.% of CF, which enhances the elastic response. Electrical resistivity measurements were conducted on the composites and it was found that the resistivity decreased as the sample was loaded and increased as it was unloaded. Overall, the study provides insights into the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of EOC/CF composites, which could be helpful in developing sensors such as pressure/strain sensors.Tomas Bata University in Zlin, TBU: IGA/FT/2023/008Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Technology, Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FT/2023/008
Renewable energy potential and CO2 performance of main biomasses used in Brazil
Get PDFThis review investigates the effects of the Brazilian agriculture production and forestry sector on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Residual biomasses produced mainly in the agro-industrial and forestry sector as well as fast-growing plants were studied. Possibilities to minimize sourcerelated emissions by sequestering part of carbon in soil and by producing biomass as a substitute for fossil fuel were extensively investigated. The lack of consistency among literature reports on residual biomass makes it difficult to compare CO2 emission reductions between studies and sectors. Data on chemical composition, heating value, proximate and ultimate analysis of the biomasses were collected. Then, the carbon sequestration potential of the biomasses as well as their usability in renewable energy practices were studied. Over 779.6 million tons of agricultural residues were generated in Brazil between 2021 and 2022. This implies a 12.1 million PJ energy potential, while 4.95 million tons of forestry residues was generated in 2019. An estimated carbon content of 276 Tg from these residues could lead to the production of approximately 1014.2 Tg of CO2. Brazilian biomasses, with a particular focus on agro-forest waste, can contribute to the development of sustainable alternative energy sources. Moreover, agro-waste can provide carbon credits for sustainable Brazilian agricultural development.Academy of Finland, AKA: 315019Academy of Finland [315019
Nickel nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide via one-step microwave-assisted synthesis and its lightweight and flexible composite with Polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene polymer for electromagnetic wave shielding application
Get PDFNickel nanoparticle–decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (NiG) were prepared by a one-step microwave-assisted solvothermal method. The as-prepared NiG nanocomposite systems were further heated up to 800 °C under an inert atmosphere (named NiG-800) to modify their structural and electromagnetic properties. Thereafter, these developed NiG-800 nanocomposite systems of rGO and nickel nanoparticles (25 wt.%) were applied as nanofillers (50 wt.% and 70 wt.%) in a SEBS (Polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene) polymer matrix to create NiG-800(50)-SEBS and NiG-800(70)-SEBS nanocomposites. The addition of NiG-800 to SEBS led to an increase of Young’s modulus from 16 (SEBS) to 35 MPa (NiG-800(70)-SEBS) while the maximum elongation is still around 300%. The developed NiG-800(70)-SEBS nanocomposite exhibited high-performance electromagnetic wave absorption (minimum reflection loss RLmin ≈ –48.2 dB at 9.29 GHz) at a low thickness of 2.3 mm in the frequency range of 8.2−12.4 GHz. The prepared NiG-800(70)-SEBS nanocomposite has the potential of an electromagnetic wave absorber. The NiG-800(70)-SEBS nanocomposite reported here has total shielding efficiency > 10 dB at a thickness of 1 mm in the whole frequency range (X-band) with reflection ≈ 50% and absorption ≈ 40% which has the potential for electromagnetic wave absorber applications.RP/CPS/2022/005, RP/CPS/2022/007; Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy, MŠMT: LM2018110; Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně; Masarykova Univerzita, MU: MUNI/A/1298/2022; Lékařská fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, LF MU, LF MUNational Technical Library in Prague; Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic-DKRVO [RP/CPS/2022/007, RP/CPS/2022/005]; MEYS CR [LM2018110
Recent developments on nanocomposites based on spinel ferrite and carbon nanotubes for applications in electromagnetic interference shielding and microwave absorption
Get PDFSeveral carbon nanotubes and spinel ferrite-based nanocomposites have been created in recent years and are considered to be viable options for an effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and microwave absorber material. The current development of carbon nanotube and spinel ferrite-based nanocomposites for EMI shielding and microwave absorption is the topic of this study. The fundamental mechanism of EMI shielding and microwave absorption is described. The EMI shielding and microwave absorption properties of carbon nanotubes and spinel ferrite, as well as their numerous components such as graphene, MXene, semiconductor nanoparticles, polymer, rubber, and so on, are thoroughly examined. This paper also discusses potential problems and solutions for creating new nanocomposites for the next generation of shielding applications.RP/CPS/2022/007Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic-DKRVO [RP/CPS/2022/007