bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Faktor Risiko Kejadian Stunting pada Anak Usia di bawah 2 Tahun: Studi Cross-Sectional di Pulau Jawa-Indonesia dengan menggunakan Data Studi Status Gizi Indonesia Tahun 2021
Authors: Paramita Muthia , Helmyati Siti , Basrowi Ray Wagiu , Dilantika Charisma
Published: February 2024

Latar Belakang: Stunting menjadi masalah malnutrisi yang saat ini menjadi fokus untuk diselesaikan. Pulau Jawa merupakan pulau dengan jumlah penduduk paling banyak di Indonesia yang memiliki pengaruh pada kejadian stunting terlihat dari banyak wilayah yang menjadi lokasi fokus penanganan stunting.
Tujuan: Untuk mengetahui prevalensi kejadian stunting pada anak usia 6-23 bulan di setiap provinsi di Pulau Jawa. Melakukan identifikasi faktor yang berhubungan dengan kejadian stunting di masing-masing provinsi di Pulau Jawa.
Metode: Data Studi Status Gizi Indonesia (SSGI) tahun 2021 digunakan pada penelitian. Metode yang digunakan pada studi ini adalah cross-sectional dengan data sekunder. Uji logistik regresi dengan pembobotan digunakan pada penelitian untuk mengetahui hubungan antara setiap variabel dengan kejadian stunting.
Hasil: Prevalensi stunting pada anak usia 6-23 bulan di 6 provinsi di Pulau Jawa, DKI Jakarta 11,9%; Jawa Barat 16,3%, Jawa Tengah 13,2%; DI Yogyakarta 12,1%, Jawa Timur 15,9%, dan Banten 14,6%. Faktor risiko dari kejadian stunting di DKI Jakarta adalah status ekonomi; di Jawa Barat adalah usia, konsumsi makanan ringan, tempat tinggal, pendidikan ibu, dan status ekonomi; di Jawa Tengah adalah status ekonomi; di DI Yogyakarta adalah usia; di Jawa Timur adalah usia, jenis kelamin, konsumsi makanan ringan, pendidikan ibu, dan status ekonomi; dan di Banten adalah usia, jenis kelamin, konsumsi makanan ringan, tempat tinggal, dan status ekonomi.
Kesimpulan: Prevalensi kejadian stunting pada anak usia 6-23 bulan di provinsi-provinsi di Pulau Jawa masuk dalam kategori menengah. Intervensi yang dilakukan dapat ditargetkan pada peningkatan status ekonomi.
Advancements in two-dimensional covalent organic framework nanosheets for electrocatalytic energy conversion: current and future prospects
Authors: Cho Jin Hyuk , Kim Youngho , Yu Hak Ki , Kim Soo Young
Published: February 2024

Humanity is confronting significant environmental issues due to rising energy demands and the unchecked use of fossil fuels. Thus, the strategic employment of sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources is becoming increasingly vital. Additionally, addressing challenges, such as low reactivity, suboptimal energy efficiency, and restricted selectivity, requires the development of innovative catalysts. Two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs), known for their limitless structural versatility, are proving to be important materials in energy conversion applications. The exceptional properties of 2D COFs, including an organized arrangement resulting in well-defined active sites and π-π stacking interactions, enable breakthroughs in sustainable energy conversion applications. In this study, we comprehensively investigate universal synthesis methods and specific techniques, such as membrane-based deposition, liquid-phase intercalation, and polymerization. Furthermore, we demonstrate energy-conversion applications of 2D COFs as eco-friendly catalysts for electrochemical processes to promote sustainability and scalability by utilizing them in the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, and carbon dioxide reduction reaction. Additionally, we will explore methods for analyzing the physicochemical properties of precisely fabricated 2D COFs. Despite extensive research pertaining to 2D COFs, their practical industrial applications remain limited. Therefore, we propose various perspectives, including enhancing performance, improving synthesis methods, developing binder-free catalysts, expanding catalyst functionality, and advancing full-cell research, to achieve complete industrialization by leveraging their potential.
Climate Issues Under Changing Geopolitical Conditions
Authors: Melnik A.
Published: February 2024

The changing geopolitical situation demands new approaches to solving climatic problems, and their reflection in the frame of strategic decisions. The formulation of such approaches acquires even greater significance regarding possible prospects for the future development of Russia. It has been shown that the concept of energy transition in tackling climate change can be considered as a foundational platform for the emergence of a new technological order. The technological standards worked out together with rules of conduct are to consolidate the dominant position of the leading countries in the emerging market. Therefore, however uncertain the contemporary geopolitical situation may be, Russia cannot afford to withdraw from solving the present climate issues. It has been substantiated that the implementation of the “green” (climate) agenda ought to be one of the drivers facilitating Russia’s economy modernization with the involvement of innovative solutions. The corresponding measures are intended to increase the energy efficiency in order to better employ the interplay in the “innovation – energy efficiency – decarbonization” triad. The study is aimed at devising scientific approaches to adapting the system of strategic planning for the development of the Russian economy in relation to tackling climate change in the context of geopolitical changes. Initial requirements for such adaptation have already been formed. Considerable attention has been paid to the need to create analytical tools for well-founded decisions made at various management levels. A special place here has been given to the methodological foundations for developing a mechanism to synchronize climate change with indicators of socio-economic development. Creating the procedure for those indicators to achieve the relevant targets will complement the proposed approach with more capabilities, thus increasing its analytical potential. The solution of climatic problems predetermines the need to make serious adjustments to the existing system of public administration in order to address the issues of scientific, technological, industrial and geopolitical development.
Chiral Jahn-Teller Distortion in Quasi-Planar Boron Clusters
Authors: Zhao Dongbo , He Xin , Zhao Yilin , Xu Tianlv , Hu Shankai , Ayers Paul W. , Liu Shubin
Published: February 2024

Helical (frontier) molecular orbitals [Chem. Sci. 2013, 4, 4278] have been reported almost a decade ago. Yet, helical molecular spin densities [Mol. Phys. 2022, e2157774] have been observed by us only very recently. In this work, we have observed that some chiral boron clusters (B–16, B–20, B–24, and B–28) can simultaneously have helical molecular orbitals and helical spin densities. To our best knowledge, it is the first time we have discovered that inorganic boron clusters assume such an unprecedented property. We have unambiguously unraveled that it is chiral Jahn-Teller distortion of quasi-planar boron clusters that drives the formation of helical molecular spin densities. More interestingly, we have shown that elongation/enhancement of helical molecular orbitals can be achieved by simply adding more building blocks via a linker. Aromaticity properties of these boron clusters are also discussed. Implication of this work is straightforward that boron clusters may find potential applications in spintronics, such as molecular magnets.
In Vivo Absorption and Lymphatic Bioavailability of DHA from Microalgal Oil according to Its Physical and Chemical Form of Vectorization
Authors: Couëdelo Leslie , Lennon Stéphanie , Abrous Hélène , Chamekh Ikram , Bouju Corentin , Griffon Hugues , Vaysse Carole , Larvol Lionel , Breton Gildas
Published: February 2024

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential fatty acid (FA) with proven health effects, whom bioavailability improvement is becoming a public health issue. Unlike fish oils, the bioavailability of DHA from microalgal (A) has not been fully assessed, particularly with regard to the molecular structuring capabilities offered by A-oil. We explored the impact of 5 formulas rich in DHA, different by i) the molecular structure: ethyl ester (EE) or monoglyceride (MG) or Triglyceride (TG) and ii) the supramolecular form: emulsified TG or TG+phospholipids (blend PL), on the lymphatic kinetics of DHA absorption and the lipid characteristics of resulting lipoproteins. We demonstrated that in rat, the DHA absorption of the conventional A-DHA TG structure was more effective than the EE structure (+ 23%). More, the A-DHA MG and A-DHA Emulsion were the most favourable DHA-vectors (AUC: 89% and +42%, respectively), thanks to an improved lipolysis. The A-DHA MG and -Emulsion presented the richest DHA content in TG (+40%) and PL (+50%) of lymphatic chylomicrons, which could impact the metabolic fate of DHA. We concluded that structuring A-DHA in TG or EE would be more prone for tissue and hepatic metabolism whereas in A-DHA MG and A-DHA Emulsion could target nerve tissues.
Catalase Detection via Membrane-Based Pressure Sensors
Authors: Bianco Monica , Zizzari Alessandra , Perrone Elisabetta , Mangiullo Diego , Mazzeo Marco , Viola Ilenia , Arima Valentina
Published: February 2024

Membrane-based sensors (MePSs) exhibit remarkable precision and sensitivity in detecting pressure changes. MePSs are commonly used to monitor catalytic reactions in solution, generating gas products crucial for signal amplification in bioassays. They also allow catalyst quantification by indirectly measuring the pressure generated by the gaseous products. This is particularly interesting to detect enzymes in biofluids associated with disease onset. To enhance the performance of a MePS, various structural factors influence membrane flexibility and response time, ultimately dictating the device's pressure sensitivity. In this study, we fabricated MePSs using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and investigated how structural modifications affect the Young's modulus (E) and residual stress (σ0) of the membranes. These modifications have a direct impact on the sensors' sensitivity to pressure variations, observed as a function of the volume of the chamber (Σ) or of the mechanical properties of the membrane itself (S). MePSs exhibiting the highest sensitivities were then employed to detect catalyst quantities inducing the dismutation of hydrogen peroxide, producing dioxygen as gaseous product. As a result, catalase enzyme was successfully detected using these optimized MePSs, achieving a remarkable sensitivity of (22.7 ± 1.2) µm/nM and a limit of detection (LoD) of 396 pM.
Photocatalytic Study of Reduced Graphene Oxide Integrated on Cu modified Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites for Saffranin O Dye Decolorization
Authors: Hema Kumar , Sudhan Narayanan , Subbiah Venkatesh , Ayyakannu Sundaram * Ganeshraja , Rajaram Mahalakshmy , Pitchaimuthu Sakthivel , Alagarsamy Santhana krishna kumar
Published: February 2024

The world's ecology is being impacted by the exponential rise in water pollution that has been caused by numerous industrial effluents due to the recent rapid growth in human population and technological advancement. These days, photocatalysts based on heterogeneous semiconductors are an affordable option for degrading organic contaminants by photocatalysis. Now, under visible light irradiation, metal oxide-based reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites (NCs) were studied for photocatalytic degradation of Safranin O (SO) dye. ZnO, Cu-ZnO, ZnO/rGO, and Cu-ZnO/rGO are examples of metal oxide and rGO embedded metal oxide NCs materials that were prepared hydrothermally. The physicochemical characterization of these materials was investigated using Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Ultraviolet Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-DRS). With increasing irradiation time, the catalyst's photocatalytic efficiency increased in both acidic and basic pH. 99.1% efficiency at 120 minutes is the maximum value for Cu-ZnO/rGO, outperforming the efficiency of other catalysts. At all concentrations, Cu-ZnO/rGO exhibits a greater photocatalytic efficiency than other catalysts.
Research Progress on the Dynamic Stability of Dry Gas Seals
Authors: Zhang Lanxia , Ding Xuexing , Wang Shipeng , Zhang Shuai , Ding Junhua
Published: February 2024

With the application of high-precision, enormous rotating equipment and the addition of harsh working conditions, the advantages of dry gas sealing technology are increasingly obvious. Herein, research on the dynamic stability of dry gas seals is reviewed based on their operating mechanism. The influence of the dry gas seal structure, vibration response, and dynamic followability on the reliability of the shaft end sealing system of rotating machinery is the focus of current dry gas sealing technology. This work reviews the research history; analyzes the key coefficient of instability of the sealing system under external disturbances and the existing research on stability models; discusses the influence of starting and stopping characteristics, working conditions, and groove parameters on the stability of dry gas seals; and points out the shortcomings in the existing research. In addition, potential developments in dynamic stability are proposed, including improving model accuracy, improving experimental techniques, or applying intelligent control and optimization methods to enhance the dynamic stability of the sealing system. Finally, the development prospects for dry gas sealing technology in intelligent monitoring and wide temperature range adaptations are discussed, and theoretical guidance for improving the dry gas seal system is provided.
Uncertainty Analysis of Predictive Models for Water Quality Index: Comparative Analysis of XGBoost, Random Forest, SVM, KNN, Gradient Boosting, and Decision Tree Algorithms.
Authors: Abbas Farkhanda , Cai Zhihua , Shoaib Muhammad , Iqbal Javed , Ismail Muhammad , ULLAH ARIF , Alrefaei Abdulwahed Fahad , Albeshr Mohammed Fahad
Published: February 2024

Groundwater represents a pivotal asset in conserving natural water reservoirs for potable consumption, irrigation, and diverse industrial uses. Nevertheless, human activities intertwined with industry and agriculture contribute significantly to groundwater contamination, highlighting the critical necessity to appraise water quality for safe drinking and effective irrigation. This research primarily focused on employing the Water Quality Index (WQI) to gauge water's appropriateness for these purposes. However, the generation of an accurate WQI can prove time-intensive owing to potential errors in sub-index calculations. In response to this challenge, an artificial intelligence (AI) forecasting model was devised, aiming to streamline the process while mitigating errors. The study collected 422 data samples from Mirpurkash, a city nestled in the province of Sindh, for a comprehensive exploration of the region's WQI attributes. Furthermore, the study probed into unraveling the interdependencies amidst variables in the physiochemical analysis of water. Diverse machine learning classifiers were employed for WQI prediction, with findings revealing that random forest and gradient boosting eclipsed other algorithms, achieving an accuracy rate of 99%. In close pursuit were SVM and XGBoost, registering accuracy scores of approximately 95% and 93%, respectively, while KNN and Decision Trees garnered accuracy rates of 88% and 87%, respectively.
In addition to WQI prediction, the study conducted an uncertainty analysis of the models using the R-factor, providing insights into the reliability and consistency of predictions. This dual approach, combining accurate WQI prediction with uncertainty assessment, contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of water quality in Mirpurkash and enhances the reliability of decision-making processes related to groundwater utilization
Hazard Flagging as a Risk Mitigation Strategy for Violence against Paramedics
Authors: Mausz Justin , Piquette Dan , Bradford Robert , Johnston Mandy , Batt Alan , Donnelly Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2024

Paramedics are increasingly being subjected to violence, creating the potential for significant physical and psychological harm. Where a patient has a history of violent behavior, hazard flags - applied either to the individual, their residential address, or phone number - can alert paramedics to the possibility of violence, potentially reducing the risk of injury. Leveraging a novel violence reporting process embedded in the electronic patient care record, we reviewed violence reports filed over a thirteen-month period since its inception in February 2021to assess the effectiveness of hazard flagging as a potential risk mitigation strategy. Upon reviewing a report, paramedic-supervisors can generate a hazard flag if recurrent violent behavior from the patient is anticipated. In all, 502 violence reports were filed, for which paramedic-supervisors generated hazard flags in 20% of cases (n=99). In general, cases were not flagged either because the incident occurred at a location not amenable to flagging, or because the supervisors felt that a hazard flag was not warranted based on the details in the report. Hazard flagging was associated with an increased risk of violence during subsequent paramedic attendance (Odds Ratio [OR] 6.21, p
Lessons to be Drawn from the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Impact of Occupational Skin Exposure to Disinfectant Products
Authors: Carvalhais Carlos , Teixeira Diana , Santos Joana
Published: February 2024

(1) Background: Hand hygiene practice by using alcohol-based hand sanitizers was generalized in all sectors of activity, due the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to organize and analyze the scientific data regarding occupational exposure to hand sanitizers, with a particular focus on their use and health effects on workplace settings. (2) Methods: A rapid literature review was carried out searching on the main scientific database, namely: Web of Science Core Collection, Medline, Scielo and Current Content Connect. (3) Results: All studies analyzed included samples from healthcare professionals and eczema as well as irritant contact dermatitis were the most reported skin lesions. (4) Conclusions: The adequate implementation of hygiene and disinfection programs in workplaces is essential to guarantee the workers safety and health. Further research is needed on the effectiveness of contingency plans in different sectors of activity, particularly, in industry.
Design of a Flexure-based Flywheel for Storage of Angular Momentum and Kinetic Energy
Authors: Flückiger Patrick , Cosandier Florent , Schneegans Hubert , Henein Simon
Published: February 2024

The flywheel is a widespread mechanical component used for the storage of kinetic energy and angular momentum. It typically consists of a cylindrical inertia rotating about its axis on rolling bearings, which involves undesired friction, lubrication, and wear. This paper presents an alternative mechanism that is functionally equivalent to a classical flywheel while relying exclusively on limited-stroke flexure-joints. This novel 1-degrees-of-freedom zero-stiffness mechanism has no wear and requires no lubrication: it is thus compatible with extreme environments, such as vacuum, cryogenics, or ionizing radiation. The mechanism is composed of two coupled pivoting rigid bodies whose individual angular momenta vary during motion but whose sum is constant at all times when the pivoting rate is constant. The quantitative comparison of the flexure-based flywheel to classical ones based on a hollow cylinder as inertia shows that the former stores typically 6 times less angular momentum and kinetic energy for the same mass while occupying typically 10 times more volume. The freedom of design of the shape of the rigid bodies offers the possibility of modifying the ratio of the kinetic energy stored versus angular momentum, which is not possible with classical flywheels. For example, a flexure-based flywheel with rigid pivoting bodies in the shape of thin discs stores 100 times more kinetic energy than a classical flywheel with the same angular momentum. A proof-of-concept prototype was successfully built and characterized in terms of reaction moment generation, which validates the presented analytical model.
Reference Values for the German Version of the Quality of Life after Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents (QOLIBRI-KID/ADO) from a General Population Sample
Authors: Krol Leonie , Hagmayer York , Steinbuechel Nicole von , Cunitz Katrin , Buchheim Anna , Koerte Inga K. , Zeldovich Marina
Published: February 2024

Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been limited in children and adolescents due to a lack of disease-specific instruments. To fill this gap, the Quality of Life after Traumatic Brain Injury for Children and Adolescents (QOLIBRI-KID/ADO) was developed for the German-speaking population. Reference values from a comparable general population are essential for comprehending the impact of TBI on health and well-being. This study examines the validity of the German QOLIBRI-KID/ADO in a general pediatric population in Germany and provides reference values for use in clinical practice. Overall, 1997 children and adolescents aged 8-17 years from the general population and 300 from the TBI population participated in the study. The questionnaire was tested for reliability and validity. A measurement invariance (MI) approach was used to assess the comparability of the HRQoL construct between both samples. Reference values were determined by percentile-based stratification according to factors that significantly influenced HRQoL in regression analyses. The QOLIBRI-KID/ADO demonstrated strong psychometric properties. The HRQoL construct was measured largely equivalently in both samples, and reference values could be provided. The QOLIBRI-KID/ADO was considered reliable and valid for assessing HRQoL in a general German-speaking pediatric population, allowing for clinically meaningful comparisons between general and TBI populations.
NMR Analysis of Extra Virgin Olive Oil of the Epirus Region of Greece with Emphasis on Selected Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Tsolis Theodoros , Kyriakou Dimitra , Sifnaiou Evangelia , Thomos Dimitrios , Glykos Dimitrios , Tsiafoulis Constantinos G , Garoufis Achilleas
Published: February 2024

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is recognized for its numerous health benefits attributed to its rich phenolic components. NMR has emerged as a prevalent technique for precisely identifying these compounds. Among Mediterranean countries, Greece stands as the third-largest producer of olives, with the Epirus region notably advancing in olive cultivation, contributing significantly to the dynamic growth of the region. In this study, an NMR method was employed based on the acquisition of an 1H NMR spectrum along with the multiple resonant suppression in order to increase the sensitivity. Using the above method, 198 samples of extra virgin olive oil, primarily sourced from the Epirus region were analyzed and both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of phenolic compounds were acquired. In addition, we examined the effect of various factors, such as, variety, harvest month and region origin on the phenolic compounds’ concentration. The results revealed an average total phenolic content of 246 mg/kg, closely approaching the EU health claim limit of 250 mg/kg. Approximately 15% of the samples were confidently characterized as high-phenolic olive oil. The highest concentrations were observed in Thesprotia samples, with several Lianolia variety exceeding the total phenolic content of 400 mg/kg. Statistical tests demonstrated a significant influence of the olive variety and the month of fruit harvest on phenolic component concentration, followed by the region of origin. A very strong correlation was noted between the total phenolics content and the levels of oleocanthal and oleacein, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.924. Upon optimization of all factors affecting olive oil quality, the majority of EVOO from the Epirus region have the potential to be characterized as high in phenolic content.
Cytotoxic and Antiproliferative Activity of LASSBio-2208 and the Attempts to Determine Its DMPK Profile
Authors: Pillpe-Meza Raysa Magali , Gouveia Wesley Leandro , Barbosa Gisele , Fraga Carlos A. M. , Barreiro Eliezer J. , Lima Lidia Moreira
Published: February 2024

Inappropriate expression of histone deacetylase (HDAC6) and deregulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway are common aberrations observed in cancers. LASSBio-2208, was previously described as a dual inhibitor in the nanomolar range of HDAC6 and PI3Kα, being three times more potent in inhibiting HDAC-6. In this paper we described the cytotoxic and antiproliferative potency of LASSBio-2208 on different tumour cell lines, its possible synergism effect in association with PI3K and HDAC-6 inhibitors, and its DMPK in vitro profile. Our studies have demonstrated that LASSBio-2208 has moderate cytotoxic potency on MCF-7 (IC50 = 23 µM), CCRF-CEM (IC50 = 8.54 µM) and MOLT-4 (IC50 = 7.15 µM), with no cytotoxic effect on hPBMC. In addition, it has a good antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 5.44 µM), low absorption by PAMPA-GIT and low permeation through the blood-brain barrier by PAMPA-BBB, exhibiting high metabolic stability in rat plasma. Moreover, LASSBio-2208 exhibited synergism when combined with getadolisib and tubastatin A, using the concentration corresponding to their CC50 values on MOLT-4 and CCRF-CEM cells.
UHD Database Focus on Smart Cities and Smart Transport
Authors: Sevcik Lukas , Uhrina Miroslav , Frnda Jaroslav
Published: February 2024

This publication aims to create 4K UHD video sequences with a specific focus on smart cities and transport. The created database will be accessible to all experts in the field and can be further used for research purposes. All reference video sequences will be transcoded into different quality settings. The resolution, compression standard, and bitrate will be changed. The work will aim to find out the best combination of video parameters from the measured values. Thanks to the overall evaluation, we will ensure for each single video sequence the quality with the best experience for the providers that will offer the service. The database will also be available with its objective and subjective ratings, with dynamicity information characterized by spatial and temporal information. After, It will be possible to compare the results of the subjective evaluation of a selected sample of our respondents with the work of other researchers who can evaluate with a different sample of evaluators.
Efficacy of NSCLC Rechallenge with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Following Disease Progression or Relapse
Authors: Livanou Maria Effrosyni , Nikolaidou Vasiliki , Skouras Vasileios , Fiste Oraianthi , Kotteas Elias
Published: February 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI’s) are in the forefront of advanced Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Still, only 27- 46% of patients respond to initial therapy with ICI’s and of those, up to 65% develop resistance within four years. After disease progression (PD), treatment options are limited, with 10% Objective Response Rate (ORR) to second or third-line chemotherapy. In this context, ICI rechallenge is an appealing option for NSCLC. Most data on the efficacy of ICI rechallenge are based on retrospective real-world studies of small, heavily pretreated, and heterogeneous patient groups. Despite these limitations, these studies suggest that ICI monotherapy rechallenge in unselected NSCLC patient populations who discontinued initial ICI due to PD is generally ineffective, with a median Progression-Free Survival (PFS) of 1.6-3.1 months and a Disease Control Rate (DCR) of 21.4%-41.6%. However, there is a subpopulation that benefits from this strategy, and further characterization of this subgroup is essential. Furthermore, immunotherapy rechallenge in patients who discontinued initial immunotherapy following treatment protocol completion and progressed after an immunotherapy-free interval showed promising efficacy, with a DCR of 75-81%, according to post-hoc analyses of several clinical trials. Future research of ICI rechallenge for NSCLC should focus on better patient stratification, to reflect the underlying biology of immunotherapy resistance more accurately.
Characterization of As-Synthesized PANI/CeO2 Nanocomposite Films for Enhanced Anti-corrosion Applications
Authors: Alsaad Ahmad , Al-Hmoud Mohannad , Rababah Taha , MARASHDEH MOHAMMAD , Aljaafreh Mamduh J. , Abu Alrub Sharif , Binzowaimil Ayed M. , Telfah Ahmad
Published: February 2024

This study introduces a novel nanocomposite coating composed of PANI/CeO2 nanocomposite films, aimed at addressing corrosion protection needs. Analysis through FTIR spectra and XRD patterns confirms the successful formation of the nanocomposite films. Notably, the PANI/CeO2 nanocomposite films exhibit a hydrophilic nature. The bandgap energy of the PANI composite film measures at 3.74 eV, while the introduction of CeO2 NPs into the PANI matrix reduces the bandgap energy to 3.67 eV. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the PANI composite film is observed to be 0.40 S.cm-1, with the incorporation of CeO2 NPs leading to an increase in electrical conductivity to 1.07 S.cm-1. To evaluate its efficacy, electrochemical measurements were conducted to assess the corrosion protection performance. Results indicate a high protection efficiency of 92.25% for the PANI/CeO2 nanocomposite film.
A Study of {10–12} Twinning Activity Associated with Stress State in Mg-3Al-1Zn Alloy during Compression
Authors: Lu Boqin , Wang Wei , Yao Jinyi , Deng Liping , Xiao Lei , Wang Bingshu
Published: February 2024

An eight-sided prism sample, obtained from a hot-rolled AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet, was compressed at room temperature along the transverse direction to investigate the influence of local strain on twinning behavior using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements. The octagonal surface of the sample was divided into distinct regions based on hardness distribution and metallographic observations. The EBSD maps of different areas show significant variations, suggesting that these areas experienced different local strain conditions. The EBSD measurements provided detailed data from three distinct regions, with the strain state known in two regions and uncertain in the third. The combined analysis of the Schmid factor (SF) and the strain compatibility factor (m') was employed to study twin variant selection. The comparison of twinning behavior in different regions showed that the strain compatibility factor offered a more comprehensive explanation for the observed twinning pattern in the region with local shear strain.
CICIoMT2024: Attack Vectors in Healthcare devices-A Multi-Protocol Dataset for Assessing IoMT Device Security
Authors: Dadkhah Sajjad , Carlos Pinto Neto Euclides , Ferreira Raphael , Chukwuka Molokwu Reginald , Sadeghi Somayeh , Ghorbani Ali
Published: February 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) has a growing presence in society's daily lives. These lightweight devices can be easily deployed and maintained, enabling extensive adoption in different environments. Furthermore, one of the most promising areas for using IoT devices is healthcare, comprising devices referred to as the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). Several examples of healthcare services are supported by IoMT devices, e.g., continuous health monitoring. Conversely, there is an increasing concern with the cybersecurity aspects of these devices, and several attacks against IoT infrastructures have been launched in the past few years. These cybersecurity concerns also apply to healthcare applications, where the tradeoff between the benefits and security of IoMT devices must be observed. Given the complexity and amount of data IoMT network traffic generates, advanced methods become especially useful in these environments. Although Machine Learning (ML) brings various techniques and solutions to improve cyberattack detection, prevention, and mitigation, essential features are not addressed in the current state-of-the-art benchmark dataset contributions. Thereupon, the main goal of this research is to propose a realistic benchmark dataset to enable the development and evaluation of IoMT security solutions. In order to accomplish this, 18 attacks were executed against an IoMT testbed composed of 40 IoMT devices (25 real devices and 15 simulated devices), considering the plurality of protocols used in healthcare (e.g., Wi-Fi, MQTT, and Bluetooth). These attacks are categorized into five classes: DDoS, DoS, Recon, MQTT, and spoofing. This effort aims to establish a baseline complementary to the state-of-the-art contributions. The outcome supports researchers in investigating and developing new solutions to make healthcare systems more secure using different mechanisms (e.g., machine learning - ML). This research goes beyond merely conducting attacks on IoMT devices. We also attempt to capture the lifecycle of these devices in different vital phases, from the moment they join the network until they leave, which is called profiling. Profiling allows the different classifiers to identify anomalies of each device individually in the healthcare network. The CICIoMT2024 dataset has been published on CIC's dataset page, making it available for other researchers to use.
Activity and Silencing of Transposable Elements in C. elegans
Authors: Fischer Sylvia E. J.
Published: February 2024

Since the discovery of transposable elements (TEs) in Maize in the 1940s by Barbara McClintock [1] transposable elements have been described as junk, as selfish elements with no benefit to the host, and more recently as major determinants of genome structure and genome evolution. TEs are DNA sequences that are capable of moving to new sites in the genome and make additional copies while doing so. To limit the propagation of TEs, host silencing mechanisms are directed at transposon-encoded genes that are required for mobilization. The mutagenic properties of TEs, the potential of TEs to form new genes and affect gene expression, together with the host silencing mechanisms shape eukaryotic genomes and drive genome evolution. While TEs constitute more than half of the genome in many higher eukaryotes, transposable elements in the nematode C. ele-gans form a relatively small proportion of genome, about 15% [2]. Genetic studies of transposon silencing and the discovery of RNAi in C. elegans, propelled C. elegans to the forefront of studies of RNA-based mechanisms that silence TEs. Here, I will review the transposable elements that are present and active in the C. elegans genome, and the host defense mechanisms that silence these elements.
Unveiling the Hidden Messengers: Exploring the Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Plant-Microbe Interactions
Authors: Pandey Sarita , Blache Anaïs , Achouak Wafa
Published: February 2024

Plant-microbe interactions play a crucial role in shaping plant health and survival. In recent years, the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in mediating intercellular communication between plants and microbes has emerged as an intriguing area of research. EVs, serve as important carriers of bioactive molecules and genetic information, facilitating communication between cells and even between different organisms. Pathogenic bacteria leverage extracellular vesicles (EVs) to amplify their virulence, exploiting their cargo rich in toxins and virulence factors. Conversely, beneficial microbes initiate EV secretion to stimulate plant immune responses and nurture symbiotic relationships. The transfer of EV-packed small RNAs (sRNAs) has been demonstrated to facilitate the modulation of immune responses. Furthermore, harnessing the potential of EVs holds promise for the development of innovative diagnostic tools and sustainable crop protection strategies. This review highlights the biogenesis and functions of EVs in bacteria, and their importance in plant defense and paves the way for future research in this exciting field.
Optimizing Methane Yield through Anaerobic Digestion Using Hollander Beater as Mechanical Pre-treatment Method
Authors: Adisa Abidemi , Durrant Andy
Published: February 2024

The UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 Report 2022 is about ensuring access to clean and affordable energy, which is key to the development of agriculture, business, communications, education, healthcare, and transportation. The lack of access to energy hinders economic and human development. Nevertheless, the current pace of progress is insufficient to achieve Goal 7 by 2030. Huge disparities in access to modern sustainable energy persist. Rising commodity, energy and shipping prices have increased the cost of producing and transporting solar photovoltaics modules, wind turbines and biofuels worldwide, adding uncertainty to a development trajectory that is already far below Goal 7 ambitions. Achieving energy and climate goals will require continued policy support and a massive mobilization of public and private capital for clean and renewable energy such as methane from biomass. An important factor in improving methane yield from biomass waste is pre-treatment of the biomass prior to anaerobic digestion. Size reduction of lignocellulose biomass is important for changing and increasing digestibility thus increasing methane yield. A Hollander beater was used as the mechanical pre-treatment machine throughout this study. Results indicate that methane yield is directly proportional to feedstock/Inoculum (F/I) ratio as higher F/I ratio led to higher methane yield. It was observed at an F/I ratio of 0.5 that 5 minutes pre-treatment time produced highest methane yield, while the lowest methane yield was observed at an F/I ratio of 0.2 with 1 minute of pre-treatment time. Methane yield decreased by 30% from 140 mL gTS-1 at F/I ratio 0.5 with 5 minutes pre-treatment time to 98 mL gTS-1 at F/I 0.2 with 5 minutes pre-treatment time. The optimum methane yield was attained at high F/I ratio allowing sufficient nutrient essential for complete degradation of biomass. Overall, this research shows the Hollander beater is not efficient in optimizing methane yield for cardboard.
Interpretability of Causal Discovery in Tracking Deterioration in a Highly Dynamic Process
Authors: Choudhary Asha , Vuković Matej , Mutlu Belgin , Haslgrübler Michael , Kern Roman
Published: February 2024

In a dynamic production processes, mechanical degradation poses a significant challenge, impacting product quality and process efficiency. This paper explores a novel approach for monitoring degradation in the context of viscose fiber production, a highly dynamic manufacturing process. Using causal discovery techniques, our method allows domain experts to incorporate background knowledge into the creation of causal graphs. Further, it enhances the interpretability and increases the ability to identify potential problems via changes in causal relations over time. The case study employs a comprehensive analysis of the viscose fiber production process within a prominent textile industry, emphasizing the advantages of causal discovery for monitoring degradation. The results are compared with state-of-the-art methods, which are not considered to be interpretable, specifically LSTM-based autoencoders, showcasing the alignment and validation of our approach. This paper provides valuable information on degradation monitoring strategies, demonstrating the efficacy of causal discovery in dynamic manufacturing environments. The findings contribute to the evolving landscape of process optimization and quality control.
Influence upon Biogas Production of the C/N Ratio and the Heavy Metal Incidence in the Manure Composition
Authors: Halmaciu Ioana-Ancuta , Ionel Ioana , Miutescu Maria- Cristina
Published: February 2024

The article presents comparative results from 5 categories of animals (4 samples originating from pigs, 2 from cows, 1 from chicken, 1 from ostriches, 1 from horses, samples quantified with A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I). These samples were collected from large, medium and small (family) farms. The results were validated by the biogas production generated by the respective samples, using the Automatic Methane Potential Test System (AMPTS II) bio-processor. The largest amounts of biogas (2,464.5 Nml, 2,262.0 Nml) were recorded for the samples from pig farms (Sample B and Sample D), whereas the lowest values were obtained in the case of Sample A (414.1 Nml) and Sample C (558.3 Nml). The heavy metals analyzed in the article are Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ca, K, As. The results corroborate that the C/N ratio can also vary to values lower than 20-30, without affecting the biogas production process, and the heavy metal content must be known especially for the full management of the wastes. All final data presented in the article are based on repeated, triplicate experiments, with less as 2% deviation between data.
Live Cell Monitoring of Separase Activity, a Key Enzymatic Reaction for Chromosome Segregation, with Chimeric Fret-Based Molecular Sensor upon Cell Cycle Progression
Authors: Rahman Md. Shazadur , Shindo Yutaka , Oka Kotaro , Ikeda Wataru , Suzuki Miho
Published: February 2024

Separase is a key cysteine protease to separate sister chromatids through digestion of cohesion ring that inhibits chromosome segregation as trigger of metaphase–anaphase transition in eukaryotes and highly regulated its activity by binding with securin and cyclinB-CDK1 complex. Those bindings prevent proteolytic activity of separase until the onset of anaphase. Chromosome missegregation and aneuploidy are frequently observed in malignancies. However, there are some difficulties for biochemical examinations due to instability of separase in vitro and a few spatiotemporal resolution approaches monitoring live separase activity throughout mitotic processes. Here we have developed FRET-based molecular sensors including GFP variants with separase cleavable sequences as donor and covalently attached fluorescent dye as acceptor molecules applicable to conventional live cell imaging and flow cytometric analysis because of efficient live cell uptake. We investigated performance of equivalent molecular sensors localized or not localized inside nucleus under cell cycle control using flow cytometry. Synchronized cell cycle progression rendered significant separase activity detections in both molecular sensors. We obtained consistent outcomes with localized molecular sensor introduction and cell cycle control by fluorescent microscopic observations. We thus established live cell separase activity monitoring systems specifically or statistically that could lead to elucidate separase properties in detail.
Measurement and Analysis of Brake and Tyre Particle Emissions from Automotive Series Components for High-Load Driving Tests on a Wheel and Suspension Test Bed
Authors: Kupper Martin , Schubert Ludwig , Nachtnebel Manfred , Schröttner Hartmuth , Huber Michael Peter , Fischer Peter , Bergmann Alexande
Published: February 2024

The up-to-date challenge towards clean road transport are non-exhaust emissions. Important advances regarding measurement systems, including well defined characterisation techniques, as well as regulation, will happen in the next few years. In this work we present detailed results of particle emissions from a test bed for wheel suspension and brakes, consisting of aerosol (size distribution, particle number (PN) and mass (PM)) and electron microscopy measurements (EM) under different load conditions. Standard tyres and brakes from series production were tested with a high-load driving cycle while particle measurements were conducted by gravimetric measurements and with a TSI SMPS, a TSI APS and a GRIMM OPS. Furthermore, samples were analyzed by electron microscopy. A bimodal particle size distribution (PSD) was obtained with the SMPS, with peaks at 20nm and around 400nm. EM analysis of >1400 single particles from the electrostatic sampler matches the PSD results. EM analysis also showed ultrafine particles, mainly from O, Fe, Si, Ba, Mg and S and also fractal particles with high C fractions. Our results suggest, in agreement with previously published literature, that particulate emissions are related to brake disc temperature and occur in significant amounts above a threshold temperature.
Investigation of the Growth and Mortality of Bacteria and Synechococcus spp. in Unvegetated and Seagrass Habitats
Authors: Chen Patrichka Wei-Yi , Annabel Clara Natalie , Olivia Madeline , Chou Wen-Chen , Chen Jian-Jhih , Mukhanov Vladimir , Natividad Mariche , Shen Yi-Le , Tsai An-Yi
Published: February 2024

There is no doubt that seagrass beds constitute one of the most productive ecosystems in shallow coastal waters. Despite this, picoplankton in seagrass ecosystems has received relatively little attention. The purpose of this study was to compare picoplankton growth and mortality rates between seagrass and unvegetated habitats using chamber incubations. We tested two main hypotheses: (i) incubation with seagrass would result in higher bacterial growth rates due to increased DOM release from seagrass photosynthesis, and (ii) Synechococcus spp. would be lower in the presence of seagrass due to competition for inorganic nutrients. Our results showed bacterial growth rates of 2.31 and 2.44 d–1 without and with seagrass, respectively. In seagrass chambers, bacterial growth was higher than that in non-seagrass chambers, suggesting that organic carbon coming from the seagrass community may support bacterial production. Furthermore, we observed a negative Synechococcus spp. growth rate (-0.9 d–1) in the seagrass treatment, likely reflecting nutrient competition with the seagrass. Small-scale chambers proved to be a useful tool for studying the factors controlling spatial and temporal patterns of picoplankton across different habitats. Furthermore, future studies should examine picoplankton growth over a wider range of spatial scales in seagrass beds and adjacent unvegetated sediment.
Congratulations! Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics Best Paper Award 2023
Authors:   Editorial Office
Published: February 2024

We are pleased to announce that the 16th Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics Best Paper Award (JRM Best Paper Award 2023) has been decided by the JRM editorial committee. The following paper won the JRM Best Paper Award 2023, severely selected from among all 113 papers published in Vol.34 (2022). The Best Paper Award ceremony was held on December 26, 2023 in hybrid style (both on-site and online; venue: Gakushi-Kaikan, Tokyo, Japan), attended by the authors and JRM editorial committee members who took part in the selection process. The award winners were given certificates and a JPY100,000 honorarium. Editorial committee members who participated online also congratulated them through Zoom. We congratulate the winners and sincerely wish them success in the future.

Teppei Tsujita, Yuto Inoue, Yutaka Takagi, Atsushi Konno, Satoko Abiko, Xin Jiang, Atsuhiro Nakagawa, and Masaru Uchiyama

Development of Haptic Interface for Neurosurgical Simulators with Micro Scissors Module for Displaying the Cutting Force

Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics, Vol.34, No.6, pp. 1284-1296, December 2022