Mixed reality meets circular economy:The case of battery lifecycle management

Despite recent digitalization efforts across European industries, research gaps persist in applying mixed reality (MR) within circular economy (CE) frameworks. Specifically, there is limited exploration of data integration, an unclear value proposition for digital tools, and minimal engagement from business perspectives. Despite growing interest, a structured framework mapping MR applications to CE processes remains underexplored. This paper addresses this gap by mapping MR modules to CE practices across lifecycle phases, illustrating specific use cases in design, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life stages. The paper also exploits MR applications for sustainable battery manufacturing, using real-time data to monitor and guide disassembly and recycling processes. This work contributes to advancing sustainable practices and facilitating the transition to circular business models by demonstrating the role of MR in promoting efficient resource use, disassembly, and recycling within a closed-loop system.</p

Preparation, characterization, antibacterial and antifungal activities of some transition metal complexes with novel Schiff base ligand derived from N-amino rhodanine

The Schiff base ligand (E)-3-(2-methoxy benzylidene amino)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one (L), was prepared from N-amino rhodanine and 2-methoxy benzaldehyde . Moreover, Its complexes were synthesized by mixing metal chloride Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) with the prepared Schiff base ligand. These compounds were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the ligand and its complexes were tested using four pathogenic bacterial and two fungal species. The bacterial species used in the screening were Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholera (gram negative) and Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (gram-positive). The fungal species were Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus nigar. The antimicrobial activities of the ligand and its metal complexes were studied by disc agar diffusion method and compared with Ampicillin. Diameter of inhibition zone (mm) including the disc diameter was measured for each treatment. The findings indicated that the CuL, NiL and CoL complexes have good biological activity but the ligand (L) did not had any activity against the microorganisms under identical experimental conditions

Evaluating Factors of CRM on Customer Satisfaction – Managerial Perspective of PTCL (Telecommunication Giant of Pakistan)

The aim of the study is to evaluate the factors of CustomerRelationship Management on Customer Satisfaction from the managerialperspective of PTCL employees (CRM users) to check the CRM is increasingcustomer satisfaction through this study. The research is quantitative bases inwhich the research is conducted through primary data received fromquestionnaire from the respondents of PTCL managerial level. Total populationis included in the research since it was small population. Total 78 populationsis forwarded online survey out of which 60 respondents submitted thequestionnaire and research is the results of 60 respondents receive. Theresearch is limited to Karachi bases due to having term paper report and it isalso limited to respondent CRM users only and managerial level is only BPS – 17and above is called managerial level as per definition of PTCL employees. Theresearch finds that the customer satisfaction is increasing due to CRM factorsof focusing key customers, organize around CRM, managing knowledge andincorporating CRM technology and results are contributing positively to thisstudy where majority of CRM users and managerial level have either remarkedwith strongly agree and agree which is showing mean greater than 3.0. The studyis followed by the research which is already conducted earlier and pastresearch shows that it can further be extended for evaluating sales growth andcustomer retention.Keywords: Customer Relationship Management, CustomerSatisfactio

Comparison of microhardness of three interim restorative materials: PEEK, PMMA and indirect composite

Objectives Interim restorations play a critical role in success of restorative treatments. However, they need to preserve their integrity in the oral environment. Microhardness is an important factor in preservation of the integrity of restorations. This study aimed to compare the microhardness of three interim restorative materials namely polyether ether ketone (PEEK), an indirect composite, and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Methods This in vitro, experimental study evaluated 10 disc-shaped specimens, measuring 15 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness, fabricated from PEEK, an indirect composite, and PMMA. The microhardness of the specimens was measured at three points of each specimen using the Vickers’ hardness test before and after water storage for 30 days. Data were analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA, one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Results Indirect composite showed maximum microhardness, which was significantly higher than that of the other two materials (P=0.001). However, no significant difference was noted in microhardness of PEEK and PMMA (P=0.33). The microhardness of the materials did not significantly change after 30 days of water storage (P=0.06). Conclusion The microhardness of indirect composite was higher than that of PEEK and PMMA. Also, 30 days of water storage had no significant effect on microhardness of the materials

Foreign body aspiration leading to complete lung collapse due to left bronchus obstruction: A Case Report

Foreign body aspiration(FBA) is a common life-threatening condition in pediatric emergency medicine that can lead to airway obstruction, asphyxia, and severe respiratory distress. An 18-month old female infant referred with the complaint of dry cough and wheezing with a sudden onset of dyspnea. At the time of admission, her oxygen saturation was &nbsp;89%. Chest X-ray (CXR) showed a significant opacity in the left lung and the mediastinum shifting to the left side. Complete collapse seen in the left lung was associated with consolidation in the residual lung parenchyma. Rigid bronchoscopy revealed the corn kernels, which were taken out accordingly. The air trapped in the involved lung parenchyma was absorbed, and signs of shrinkage and collapse as consequences of the obstruction occurred in distal parts of the obstruction point. An emergent therapeutic decision is crucial in the early stages of management

Candiduria: Prevalence, Identification of Isolated Candida Species and Trends in Antifungal Susceptibility in Hospitalized Patients

Background: Urinary tract candidiasis is known as the most frequent nosocomial fungal infection worldwide. Some of the predisposing factors of candiduria are extensive use of broad-spectrum anti-fungal agents, diabetes mellitus, indwelling urinary catheter, corticosteroids and, immunosuppressive drugs. There are some antifungal agents available for the treatment of candiduria. In recent years, resistance to antifungal agents has been increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate different Candida species (sp.) that cause candiduria and their susceptibility pattern to antifungal agents in patients admitted to educational hospitals.Materials and Methods: Urine samples (n=200) were obtained; they were spread onto Sabouraud Dextrose Agar plates. Plates were incubated at 37°C. Only specimens were considered as candiduria, which have a colony count of ≥104 CFU/mL colonies. Urine sediment was cultured in the CHROM agar Candida medium and incubated at 35°C for 48h. The cultures were evaluated based on color. PCR-RFLP was performed for a definite identification of Candida sp. In vitro antifungal susceptibility test of the Candida isolates against amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole was performed using the microdilution method, according to the standard CLSI guidelines, document M27-S3.Results: Molecular findings confirmed the result of the morphological method. Candiduria rate was 11.5% among our patients. According to CHROM agar Candida and PCR-RFLP, the most common species isolated was C. albicans (74%), followed by C. glabrata (26%). In vitro susceptibility tests of urinary Candida isolates to antifungals have been evaluated. All species were sensitive to amphotericin B. None of C. glabrata isolates were sensitive to fluconazole and itraconazole.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of Candida sp. in urine samples from hospitalized patients. It was concluded that Candida sp. obtained from candiduria in patients had excellent activity against Amphotericin B. Whereas, resistance against Itraconazole (21.7%) and especially Fluconazole (26%) was significant

A structured therapeutic education program for patients with type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease that represents a global health problem that its incidence is constantly increasing, hence the need for an effective management approach to control the disease and its complications. The main objective of this work is to share the experience of our service in the therapeutic education of the type 1 diabetic patient, from a study spread over 16 months involving 142 patients, including a 1st phase during the collection of data was made during patient hospitalization for therapeutic education, and a 2nd phase during which an evaluation was made after 6 months of intervention. The average age of our patients was 17 years. Among our recruited patients, 54% were able to benefit from the educational program for the initiation of functional insulin therapy. The evaluation after the educational intervention at 6 months was carried out in 78, 8% of our patients, having objectified a significant glycemic evolution by a 1.7% drop in HbA1c and an increase in the percentage of adherence to lifestyle and dietary measures and the practice of regular self-monitoring of the glycaemia as well as an improvement in the mean of the overall treatment satisfaction score was noted after the educational intervention. Our results underline the importance of therapeutic education in the management of diabetic patients, the main objective of which is to improve their quality of life, which was highlighted by the patient testimonial sessions and their entourage, which remain a novelty of the educational program called "Type One.. Number One" ,whose objective is to serve to motivation for type 1 diabetics, their entourage and also the medical team