Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, emphasizing the need for accurate and early non-invasive diagnostic methods. Laser Doppler techniques enable quantitative, real-time assessment of microcirculatory and vascular function. This study evaluates three complementary modalities: Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) for skin and peripheral tissue perfusion, Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) for non-contact, wide-field visualization of microcirculatory dynamics, and Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) for assessment of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid arterial mechanical properties. Modern echocardiographic techniques, including strain analysis and myocardial work, are included as complementary functional indicators of cardiac performance. Data include healthy subjects and patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular disease. In T2DM, LDF indicates early microvascular dysfunction with impaired endothelial regulation and significant association with microcirculatory indices. The findings demonstrate that laser Doppler systems provide reliable assessment of microcirculation, vascular reactivity, and arterial stiffness, supporting their potential for early cardiovascular risk stratification and disease monitoring.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of humeral derotation osteotomy in patients with OBPP, with emphasis on improvement in shoulder external rotation, functional scores, and postoperative complications. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 46 children with OBPP who underwent HDO at a tertiary orthopedic center. We retrospectively assessed demographic, surgical, radiographic, functional, complication, and follow-up data. We compared shoulder range of motion and Mallet scores preoperatively and postoperatively using paired t-tests. Results: Mean external rotation improved from −25.6° ± 8.4° to 32.8° ± 10.2°, while abduction increased from 62.5° ± 14.3° to 118.7° ± 16.9% (p<0.001). Mallet scores improved from 9.2 ± 2.1 to 16.8 ± 2.4 (p<0.001). Minor complications included stiffness, implant irritation, and infection. Conclusion: Humeral derotation osteotomy is an effective surgical procedure for correcting internal rotation deformity in patients with OBPP. It provides significant functional and cosmetic improvement with a low complication rate. Early identification and appropriate surgical intervention can substantially enhance quality of life in affected children.
This study addresses several key limitations identified in previous research on additively manufactured PLA composites. Unlike most earlier studies that focused primarily on the characterization of as-printed materials, the present work systematically investigates both mechanical and surface behavior before, during, and after artificial aging. In addition, six different printing configurations and reinforcement types (PVC and fiberglass mesh) were analyzed under controlled conditions, enabling a more reliable assessment of their combined influence on composite performance. Printed specimens were artificially aged for 45 and 90 days. The aging protocol combined cyclic changes in moisture, temperature, UV, and IR agents, trying to mimic real exploitation conditions as realistically as possible. The chemical and surface changes during aging were tracked using FTIR spectroscopy, colorimetry, contact angle, and surface free energy measurements. Mechanical performance at 0, 45, and 90 days was evaluated through tensile, three-point bending, and Charpy impact tests, as well as full-scale cantilever loading tests of real printed drone arms. Results show that artificial aging causes measurable chemical and surface modifications, as indicated by changes in the FTIR degradation index and surface wettability. However, these changes do not result in severe mechanical degradation within the investigated aging period. Reinforcement in the form of incorporated PVC and fiberglass mesh significantly affected failure behavior. Specimens printed with higher infill density and thicker infill lines generally exhibit improved mechanical properties. Specimens stiffness and impact resistance were also altered. Results demonstrate that reinforced PLA structures are suitable for lightweight drone applications.
Long-range artillery projectiles can feature a hybrid design that integrates a base bleed unit and a solid rocket motor, offering substantial improvements in ballistic performance. These improvements are accompanied by significant increases in the launch stresses experienced by the projectile body. The paper evaluates the structural integrity of a 155 mm long-range artillery projectile body through a combined approach of analytical calculations and finite element analysis. The projectile body includes three components arranged from the base to the nose: the base bleed unit body, the solid rocket motor body, and the warhead body. An analytical method was used to select the required geometric configuration of the projectile body. A 3D finite element (FE) analysis was performed to validate the structural integrity of the selected configuration under loading conditions from two firing cases. Both quasistatic and transient dynamic analyses were applied to the FE model via a high-quality mesh. The projectile body materials were modelled as linear elastic with the von Mises failure criterion. The structural response of the projectile body, in terms of stress and strain, was analysed and discussed. The results reveal that the entire projectile body is capable of withstanding the applied loading conditions in both firing cases, with the base bleed unit body experiencing the highest stress levels. The results also reveal good agreement in the stress state predicted by both quasistatic and transient dynamic analyses. The methodology presented in this study can be applied to evaluate the structural integrity of various artillery ammunition types.
The paper sheets were produced using a laboratory sheet former from secondary fibers extracted from the unprinted parts of cigarette packages. Additives synthesized from the natural resins shellac and rosin, were chemically modified with glycerin and propylene glycol to be used as structure modifiers in order to improve hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of produced paper sheets. The additives were thoroughly characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) techniques. The acid, hydroxy, saponification, and ester values were also determined. It was shown that the additives synthesized in this work reduce capillary water absorption according to the Klemm test, increase the contact angle between water and the paper surface from 86° to more than 122°, and extend the time required for a water droplet to be absorbed. The addition of synthesized additives increased the tensile strength (breaking length) up to 31
