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The fascinating tribological phenomenon of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) observed at the nanoscale was confirmed in our numerous macroscale experiments. We designed and employed CNT-containing nanolubricants strictly for polymer lubrication. In this paper, we present the experiment characterising how the CNT structure determines its lubricity on various types of polymers. There is a complex correlation between the microscopic and spectral properties of CNTs and the tribological parameters of the resulting lubricants. This confirms indirectly that the nature of the tribological mechanisms driven by the variety of CNT-polymer interactions might be far more complex than ever described before. We propose plasmonic interactions as an extension for existing models describing the tribological roles of nanomaterials. In the absence of quantitative microscopic calculations of tribological parameters, phenomenological strategies must be employed. One of the most powerful emerging numerical methods is machine learning (ML). Here, we propose to use this technique, in combination with molecular and supramolecular recognition, to understand the morphology and macro-assembly processing strategies for the targeted design of superlubricants.

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INTRODUCTION: Electrotherapy, including theTENS and interferential current (IFC) is one of the most frequently used treatments in physical therapy in patients with low back pain. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of TENS and IFC on pain relief and to compare the analgesic efficacy of the two currents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients aged 53.5 ± 12.5, with low back pain, were randomly divided into two groups: IFC (gr. I) and TENS (gr. II). Depending on the groups, patients were given series of ten 20-minute sessions using either IF orTENS currents. In all patients VAS and Laitinen modified scale were taken before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 2-weeks therapy there was improvement in the VAS and Laitinen scale (all components) in both groups, except for the part of the Laitinen scale on the reduction of activity in the group II (TENS). There was no statistically significant difference between the TENS and IF groups in reducing the intensity and other aspects of pain (frequency, pain medication and activity limitation) under the influence of therapy (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Interferential current and TENS therapy are effective for pain relief in patients with low back pain. The study showed equal analgesic efficacy of both treatments.

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UNLABELLED: Electrotherapy, including iontophoresis and magnetic field, is one of the most commonly used physical procedures in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RS). THE AIM OF THE PAPER: To evaluate the effect of iontophoresis and magnetic field procedures on the intensity and frequency of pain sensation, administration of analgesics, limitation of knee joint mobility and comparative evaluation of analgesic effect s of the applied procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included a group of 60 female patients affected by RS with knee joint pain. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 equally-numbered groups. Group I was subjected to 20 iontophoresis procedures. Group II underwent 20 procedures with magnetic field. Group III was treated with 20 procedures combining both iontophoresis and magnetic field. Each iontophoresis procedure lasted 20 minutes, whereas the magnetic field procedure took 30 minutes. All study participants were evaluated in relation to pain sensation after and before the treatment with VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and Latinen scale. RESULTS: After a 4-week therapy in all the three groups there was a statistically significant decrease in pain perception with VAS scale and with all domains of Laitinen scale excluding the limitation of physical activity criterion. The comparative evaluation of statistically important differences after the therapy between the groups revealed marked decrease of pain perception in groups I and II comparing to group II. There were no significant differences between groups I and III. CONCLUSIONS: Iontophoresis and magnetic field treatments demonstrate effective analgesic property in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The conducted studies showed the highest analgesic effects for both treatments used.

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