bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Substrate integrated waveguide cavity‐backed slot antenna with low cross‐polarization over the full bandwidth
Authors: Kumar Arvind
Published: January 2024

Here, a single‐layered single‐fed slot antenna is realized with low cross‐polarization over the full operating bandwidth. This design consists of a circular‐shaped cavity resonator, employed by using substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technique and a square‐ring slot on the upper metal cladding of the cavity. The antenna is fed using a probe feed which excites the design in dual mode, that is, slot mode and inset patch mode. Due to the proximity of these dual resonances, the antenna operates over a relatively wider bandwidth than previously suggested designs with the claim of low cross‐polarization. The proposed design helps to realize more than 35 dB of co‐to cross‐pol isolation in both E and H planes. Overall experimental results demonstrate a good radiation performance, it is confirming up to 15–20 dB improvement in cross‐polarization level with enhanced enhancement bandwidth which makes it appropriate for a modern wireless application.
Tobacco and alcohol co‐use: Lifestyle and sociodemographic factors, and personality aspects as potential predictors in the “Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra” cohort
Authors: Neddermann‐Carrillo Sofía , Abidi Latifa , Gea Alfredo , Bes‐Rastrollo Maira , de la Fuente‐Arrillaga Carmen , Lahortiga‐Ramos Francisca , Martínez‐González Miguel Ángel , Pardavila‐Belio Miren Idoia , Ruiz‐Canela Miguel
Published: January 2024

Tobacco and alcohol co‐use are two major lifestyle modifiable risk factors. Understanding the determinants of both behaviors helps to develop interventions to prevent these exposures. However, previous studies have focused on predictors of individual tobacco or alcohol use. This study aims to explore the potential predictors of tobacco and alcohol co‐use among Spanish university graduates from the “Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra” (SUN) cohort study. A total of 7175 participants who were co‐users of tobacco and alcohol were selected for this cross‐sectional analysis. Their mean age was 39.1 years (12.04 SD) and 57.3% were women. Univariate regression models were used to select the potential predictors of tobacco and alcohol co‐use, and the areas under the ROC curves (AUC) were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to create a predictive model. Baseline potential predictors included sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, and perceived personality aspects. In the multivariable model, the main significant potential predictors of tobacco and alcohol co‐use were driving under the influence of alcohol (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65 [1.43–1.90]), drinking 1–2 cups of coffee daily (OR = 1.50 [1.24–1.84]), drinking three or more cups of coffee daily (OR = 1.61 [1.35–1.91]), and doing more physical activity than recommended (OR = 1.18 [1.02–1.34]) when compared with the reference group. Conversely, those who were married (OR = 0.87 [0.75–0.99], ate at home 7 days a week (OR = 0.69 [0.60–0.80]), or had a high perceived level of competitiveness (OR = 0.83 [0.72–0.95]) had a lower risk of co‐use (AUC 0.61 [confidence interval 95% 0.59–0.63]), compared to the reference group. These results could be used by healthcare professionals, especially nurses, to effectively assess patients at higher risk of tobacco and alcohol co‐use. [Correction added on 16 February 2024, after first online publication: The abstract section has been revised to provide more clarity in this version.]
A latent profile analysis of psychological resilience associated with work fatigue among Chinese nurses
Authors: Xu Dingxin , Zhang Na , Bu Xing , Xu Zhen
Published: January 2024

Nurses' psychological resilience has been studied using a variable‐centered rather than a person‐centered approach, impeding a comprehensive understanding of the holistic expression of these different forms of psychological resilience. This study aimed to examine the characteristics of psychological resilience in a sample of Chinese nurses during COVID‐19 using latent profile analysis (LPA) and the relationships between these unique profiles and nurses' work fatigue. A total of 471 Chinese nurses were recruited from three hospitals in Hebei Province between June and July 2020. The participant samples were investigated with the psychological resilience scale and the work fatigue inventory. LPA showed that a three‐profile model of psychological resilience best fit this study. The resulting profiles were low psychological resilience, medium psychological resilience, and high psychological resilience. Notably, there were significant differences in nurses' work fatigue among different profiles of psychological resilience. The study provided a new view of nurses' psychological resilience, which may be used to effectively reduce nurses' work fatigue and evaluate nursing work status comprehensively.
Polyphenylene oxide/boron nitride–alumina hybrid composites with high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion and ultralow dielectric loss
Authors: Xu Jie , Xu Renjun , Wang Zeru , Fang Zeming , Zhu Xiaotao , Meng Yeqiao , Liu Qianfa , Wang Ke
Published: January 2024

Traditional integrated circuit (IC) packaging materials and printed circuit board substrate materials suffer from several limitations including low thermal conductivity, high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and poor dielectric properties. Although significant efforts have been made to enhance these properties, achieving a single composite system with simultaneous high thermal conductivity, extremely low CTE, and dielectric loss remains a formidable task. In this study, we propose a hybrid polymer composite system that addresses these challenges. Our approach involves utilizing a thermosetting polyphenylene oxide (PPO) as the resin matrix, while incorporating boron nitride (BN) sheets with high thermal conductivity and alumina (Al2O3) spheres with favorable fluidity as fillers. To optimize the composite properties, the filler surfaces are modified using dopamine and silane coupling agents, ensuring proper interface control. The composites exhibit significant improvements in thermal conductivity, reduced dielectric loss and CTE, while maintaining excellent processibility. Specifically, with a composition of 25 vol% BN and 25 vol% Al2O3, the thermal conductivity of the composite reaches 2.18 W·m−1 K−1, surpassing neat PPO resin by a factor of 10.9. Simultaneously, the CTE decreases from 2.27% to 1.18% between 50 and 260°C, and the dielectric loss reduces from 0.0024 to 0.0011 at 10 GHz, as compared to neat PPO resin.

Highlights

The reported novel hybrid composite offers a promising solution to the limitations of traditional IC packaging materials.

The reported hybrid composite exhibits significantly improved thermal conductivity, ultralow dielectric loss, and reduced coefficient of thermal expansion, while maintaining excellent processibility.

The thermal conductivity of the composites reaches 2.18 W·m−1 K−1, surpassing that of the neat resin by a factor of 10.9, meanwhile the dielectric loss is as low as 0.0011 at 10 GHz, which is extremely difficult to achieve simultaneously for thermosetting polymer composites.

Synergetic effects were realized with the hybridization of fillers with different dimensionality, and proper filler surface modification.
On the energy absorption in a novel CoFeSiB metallic‐glass fiber/epoxy resin composite under quasi‐static and dynamic compression conditions
Authors: Liang Weizhong , Wang Longxing , Liaw Peter K. , Liu Yingyi , Wei Ransong , Xu Jiawen
Published: January 2024

Manufacturing and investigating metallic‐glass‐fiber‐reinforced epoxies is an important new attempt to present their potential to contribute to the aviation industry. In order to explore the energy absorption in novel CoFeSiB metallic‐glass‐fiber/epoxy resin composites, CoFeSiB/epoxy resin composite cylinders with different fiber volume fractions were prepared by a hot‐pressing method. The amorphism of the metal fibers was analyzed using x‐ray diffraction. The quasi‐static compression tests were performed on different fiber oriented samples with a diameter of 3.6 mm and a height of 7.2 mm. The sample with the fiber orientation [0°/90°] has a higher energy absorption capacity, compared to the one with the fiber orientation [0°/0°]. The dynamic‐ compression tests were performed on the [0°/0°] samples with a diameter of 3 mm and height of 6 mm at different air pressures. The compression fracture surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscope. Then the energy absorption mechanism of the composites was investigated. This study is of great significance for the energy absorption in amorphous metal fiber/epoxy composites.
Study on the low‐velocity impact response of the repaired carbon fiber‐reinforced plastic laminates: Bonded versus scarf repair
Authors: Chen Xuanzhen , Peng Yong , Wang Kui , Wang Xin , Liu Zhixiang , Huang Zhiqiang , Zhang Honghao
Published: January 2024

Experimental and simulation studies of the response of bonded‐repaired and scarf‐repaired carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer laminates under the low‐velocity impact (LVI) were carried out. The center‐ and eccentric‐repaired laminates were prepared for experiments. The experimental results verify the validity of the finite element model in terms of the force response and different modes of damage. The effect of impact energy and the variation of repair position on the impact response of the laminate was investigated based on the benchmark model. The bonded repaired laminates have higher peak impact forces and lower energy absorption than the scarf‐repaired laminates; the damage of the bonded repaired laminate is mainly intralaminar damage and delamination damage of the patch; the adhesive of the scarf repair is prone to failure, leading to poor impact resistance. The relative positions of the impact point and the patch determine the impact response of a laminate repaired at different locations. The impact point at the edge of the patch has a detrimental effect on the repaired laminate. The impact point vertical position near the bottom hole edge of the parent plate in the scarf‐repaired case harms the impact resistance of the laminate.

Highlights

The low‐velocity impact response of bonded versus scarf‐repaired laminates was compared.

Bonding repairs provide superior impact resistance to damaged laminates than scarf repairs.

The risk of adhesive failure in scarf repair is significantly higher than in bonded repair.

The relative position of the damage (repair) to the impact point critically influences the impact response.

Impacts near the edge of the initial damage hole can cause severe damage to scarf‐repaired laminates.
Psychosocial support among adults living with metastatic breast cancer: Perspectives from providers across four New York‐Presbyterian hospitals
Authors: Zeng Caroline , Matias‐Gomez Laura , Kelly Mia , Hershman Dawn L. , Rosenberg Shoshana , Pinheiro Laura C.
Published: January 2024

Key Points

We conducted semi‐structured interviews with providers at four New York‐Presbyterian (NYP) hospitals: Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM), NYP‐Queens, NYP‐Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, and Columbia University Medical Center.

Emergent themes identified factors that influenced healthcare delivery at the institutional, provider, and patient levels.

Most frequently reported barriers included a lack of formal protocols for communicating and offering psychosocial resources to patients (institutional), lack of vital staff such as, social workers and patient navigators (institutional), time constraints (provider), and stigma regarding mental health care (patient).

Most frequently cited facilitators to delivering psychosocial care included having a trained social worker on staff (institutional), awareness of psychosocial needs (provider), and engagement (patient).

Our findings highlight opportunities to improve the provision of psychosocial care for adults with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) at multiple levels.
Studies on Surface Characteristics and Biocorrosion Behavior of Ultrafast Laser‐Structured Titanium Alloy (Ti6Al4V)
Authors: Madapana Dileep , Bathe Ravi , Manna Indranil , Dutta Majumdar Jyotsna
Published: January 2024

Herein, the detailed corrosion behavior of ultrafast laser‐surface structured Ti6Al4V (using a Ti: Sapphire laser processed under optimum parameters) is carried out in simulated body fluid using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and correlated with surface characteristics. Laser structuring leads to a topographically modified surface consisting of periodic surface patterns (nanoripples, nanodots) in the presence of a thin oxide layer. Surface processing introduces strain on the surface up to a depth of 150 μm, with the grains aligned along the and planes. The detailed electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies show the formation of stable passive layers in surface‐structured Ti6Al4V as compared to as‐received Ti6Al4V.
Influence of Laser Process Factors on Laser‐Induced X‐Ray Emission in High‐Repetition Laser Processes
Authors: Kraft Sebastian , Schille Jörg , Backe Alexander , Löschner Udo
Published: January 2024

Lasers have established themselves as a versatile tool that generates innovations in a wide range of fields, from automotive to surface engineering, medical applications, etc. A current research field for lasers is surface texturing in biomimetic, which aims to mimic nature‐inspired functionalities and mechanisms, for example, to tailor and control wetting, adhesion/friction, or optical properties of technical surfaces. Therefore, ultrashort pulse lasers are often the right choice to alter surface structures at microscopic scale. Moreover, the ongoing trend toward high‐average power lasers reaching “kilowatt class” levels even for ultrashort pulse lasers seems to be beneficial to increase throughput of this powerful laser technology for industrial production. However, several recent studies are reported on harmful X‐ray emissions arising from high‐intense ultrashort laser pulses which must be considered as a secondary laser beam hazard in risk assessment. Shining light on this topic, this article reports on a set of experiments investigating X‐rays emission induced by ultrashort pulse laser processing of different laser‐pretreated stainless steel sheets. The X‐ray measurements show the effect of roughness and scan number on the laser‐induced X‐ray emission dose. In addition, the dependency of X‐ray emission on the scan direction relatively to the laser beam polarization state is discussed.
Environmental impact assessment and conservation planning of a Middle‐Eastern River basin using a fish‐based tolerance index
Authors: Zare Shahraki Mojgan , Fathi Pejman , Ebrahimi Dorche Eisa , Flotemersch Joseph , Blocksom Karen , Stribling James , Bruder Andreas
Published: January 2024

The tolerance of aquatic organisms to stressors is widely used to monitor and evaluate the condition of freshwater ecosystems. Tolerance values (TV) derived from analyses of the relationship between species and their environment are considered to be more objective than those that rely on expert opinion. We used principal component analysis (PCA) to derive a generalized stressor gradient based on physicochemical characteristics and physical habitat quality and structure. Scores of the first principal component axis (PC1) were used to estimate TV for 37 fish species collected from 54 sites in the Karun River basin, Iran. PCA of 17 variables identified stressors that were influential such as total phosphate, total nitrogen, total coliform, and habitat and morphological score. The species were separated into three categories on the stressor gradient: sensitive (18.9%), semi‐tolerant (48.6%), and tolerant species (32.4%). Based on these results we developed the Karun Fish Tolerance Index (KFTI) and demonstrated that it performed well in separating the least, moderate, and most disturbed sites in the study area. The discrimination efficiency of the KFTI was 82.5%, which makes it a robust management tool for the protection and conservation of streams and rivers in the Karun River watershed. TV developed here reflect objective characteristics of the sensitivity of fish species to the predominant stressors in the Karun and similar systems.
A Bayesian framework for modeling COVID‐19 case numbers through longitudinal monitoring of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in wastewater
Authors: Dai Xiaotian , Acosta Nicole , Lu Xuewen , Hubert Casey R. J. , Lee Jangwoo , Frankowski Kevin , Bautista Maria A. , Waddell Barbara J. , Du Kristine , McCalder Janine , Meddings Jon , Ruecker Norma , Williamson Tyler , Southern Danielle A. , Hollman Jordan , Achari Gopal , Ryan M. Cathryn , Hrudey Steve E. , Lee Bonita E. , Pang Xiaoli , Clark Rhonda G. , Parkins Michael D. , Chekouo Thierry
Published: January 2024

Wastewater‐based surveillance has become an important tool for research groups and public health agencies investigating and monitoring the COVID‐19 pandemic and other public health emergencies including other pathogens and drug abuse. While there is an emerging body of evidence exploring the possibility of predicting COVID‐19 infections from wastewater signals, there remain significant challenges for statistical modeling. Longitudinal observations of viral copies in municipal wastewater can be influenced by noisy datasets and missing values with irregular and sparse samplings. We propose an integrative Bayesian framework to predict daily positive cases from weekly wastewater observations with missing values via functional data analysis techniques. In a unified procedure, the proposed analysis models severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 RNA wastewater signals as a realization of a smooth process with error and combines the smooth process with COVID‐19 cases to evaluate the prediction of positive cases. We demonstrate that the proposed framework can achieve these objectives with high predictive accuracies through simulated and observed real data.
Engineering High Voltage Aqueous Aluminum‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Hu Erhai , Jia Bei‐Er , Zhu Qiang , Xu Jianwei , Loh Xian Jun , Chen Jian , Pan Hongge , Yan Qingyu
Published: January 2024

The energy transition to renewables necessitates innovative storage solutions beyond the capacities of lithium‐ion batteries. Aluminum‐ion batteries (AIBs), particularly their aqueous variants (AAIBs), have emerged as potential successors due to their abundant resources, electrochemical advantages, and eco‐friendliness. However, they grapple with achieving their theoretical voltage potential, often yielding less than expected. This perspective article provides a comprehensive examination of the voltage challenges faced by AAIBs, attributing gaps to factors such as the aluminum reduction potential, hydrogen evolution reaction, and aluminum's inherent passivation. Through a critical exploration of methodologies, strategies, such as underpotential deposition, alloying, interface enhancements, tailored electrolyte compositions, and advanced cathode design, are proposed. This piece seeks to guide researchers in harnessing the full potential of AAIBs in the global energy storage landscape.
Harnessing Wind Energy for Ultraefficient Green Hydrogen Production with Tin Selenide/Tin Telluride Heterostructures
Authors: Sajeev Aparna , Perumalsamy Muthukumar , Elumalai Vijaykumar , Sathyaseelan Arunprasath , Ayyappan Saj Anandhan , Anithkumar Monunith , Kim Sang‐Jae
Published: January 2024

Industrialization of green hydrogen production through electrolyzers is hindered by cost‐effective electrocatalysts and sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, a facile one‐step hydrothermal technique for the in situ growth of non‐noble tin chalcogenides and their heterostructures on nickel foam (NF) as trifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), OER, and methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) is detailed. Among them, the heterostructured SnSe/SnTe/NF outperforms all others and recently reported catalysts, boasting an impressively low potential of −0.077, 1.51, and 1.33 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode to achieve 10 mA cm−2 for HER, OER, and MOR. Owing to the rod‐like morphology with hetero‐phases for enhancing the performance. Furthermore, a hybrid MOR‐mediated water electrolyzer requiring only 1.49 V to achieve 10 mA cm−2 with value‐added formate is introduced and traditional water electrolyzer is outperformed. Additionally, a zero‐gap commercial anion‐exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE) with bifunctional SnSe/SnTe/NF electrodes is tested, successfully achieving an industrially required 1 A cm−2 at a low potential of 1.93 V at 70 °C. Moreover, AEMWE using a windmill is powered and H2 and O2 production with wind speed is measured. Overall, this work paves the development of unexplored tin chalcogenide heterostructure as a potent candidate for cost‐effective, energy‐efficient, and carbon‐neutral hydrogen production.
Simulation of B Segregation at Austenite Grain Boundary in Low Carbon Steel
Authors: Enomoto Masato , Wang Jingliang
Published: January 2024

The diffusion and segregation of boron (B) at the austenite grain boundary have been simulated in continuously cooled low carbon steels to elucidate the role of vacancy, the influence of austenite grain size and thermodynamic interaction between solutes. First‐principles calculations were carried out to obtain the stable configuration of B‐vacancy complexes and the binding energies therein. The thermodynamic equations of a hybrid interstitial‐substitutional solid solution were utilized to evaluate the contribution of interstitial B atoms and B‐vacancy complexes to boundary enrichment. The latter contribution did not appear to be significant probably due to their small concentration and/or low mobility. The grain growth of austenite is likely to play a significant role in B enrichment at elevated temperatures. Due to the strong C‐Mo interaction, the carbon flux in the grain interior did decrease, but the interaction within the grain boundary had a much greater influence on the segregation amount. The B enrichment in an Fe‐C‐B‐Mo quaternary alloy was simulated for comparison with experiment. A sophisticated approach, e.g., segregation energies spectrum, may be necessary to reproduce adequately the B segregation behavior, which also depends sensitively on process parameters and microstructure.
Some benefits of standardisation for conditional extremes
Authors: Rohrbeck Christian , Tawn Jonathan A.
Published: January 2024

A key aspect where extreme values methods differ from standard statistical models is through having asymptotic theory to provide a theoretical justification for the nature of the models used for extrapolation. In multivariate extremes, many different asymptotic theories have been proposed, partly as a consequence of the lack of ordering property with vector random variables. One class of multivariate models, based on conditional limit theory as one variable becomes extreme has received wide practical usage. The underpinning value of this approach has been supported by further theoretical characterisations of the limiting relationships. However, the paper “Conditional extreme value models: fallacies and pitfalls” by Holger Drees and Anja Janßen provides a number of counterexamples to these results. This paper studies these counterexamples in a conditional extremes framework which involves marginal standardisation to a common exponentially decaying tailed marginal distribution. Our calculations show that some of the issues identified can be addressed in this way.
Demountable composite beams for a circular economy: Large‐scale beam tests
Authors: Kozma András , Yang Jie , Ahmad Adil , Odenbreit Christoph
Published: January 2024

The circular economy approach has been introduced to the construction sector to design out waste, reduce carbon emissions and energy use in production of primary materials and achieve resource efficiency. ‘Design for deconstruction’ is increasingly important for a sustainable economy, especially for composite structure that is deemed as resource‐efficient in the first cycle of use. With this background, research has been conducted to facilitate the use of demountable composite beams in steel‐framed structures. This article presents the results of two 6 m full‐scale composite beam tests with prefabricated composite slabs. Demountable shear connectors were used, which have been newly developed within the frame of an EU project. The nominal degree of shear connection of the composite beam specimens was 0.37, which was slightly below the required 0.4 specified in EN1994‐1‐1 for welded shear studs. Based on the experimental observations, it can be demonstrated that (1) the tested demountable composite beam produced higher resistance but lower stiffness values than a comparable reference composite beam with welded shear studs; (2) the beam specimens showed a good plastic behaviour with high ductility despite the non‐ductile nature of the applied demountable shear connectors. Remarks on the demountability of the developed demountable composite beams are provided.
Sustainability and Competition Law in Malta
Authors: Mifsud-Bonnici Clement
Published: January 2024

The concept of “sustainability” is not defined under Maltese law, but there are a number of acts of parliaments and subsidiary legislation for different sectors that use the term “sustainability”.
Sustainability and Competition Law in Switzerland
Authors: Cau Johana , Telychko Alexandra
Published: January 2024

This chapter examines the intersection between sustainable development and Swiss competition law. It considers the impact of sustainable development initiatives on competition and their justification on environmental grounds, in particular under Article 5(2) of the Swiss Cartel Act. It describes Switzerland's commitment to sustainable development in line with the global sustainable development goals. Although Swiss competition law does not contain explicit provisions on sustainable development, it is guided by constitutional principles. The chapter analyses specific cases, highlighting the interaction between sustainability and the application of competition law, whether as a defensive "shield" or as a challenging "sword" against anti-competitive behaviour in the context of sustainability initiatives. While there has been a limited focus on sustainability cases in Swiss competition law, recent legal developments in the areas of public procurement and sustainable finance demonstrate the growing importance that Switzerland attaches to sustainability objectives.
Sustainability and Competition Law in the United Kingdom
Authors: Holmes Simon , Kar Nicole , Cunningham Lucinda
Published: January 2024

The interaction of competition law and sustainability has been a live question for the UK government and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (‘CMA’) in recent times. With the hosting of COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, the fight against climate change concerns has benefitted from renewed political will. PLease note this will follow by email on 12.10.23
Sustainability and Intellectual Property in Germany
Authors: Hoeren Thomas , Ansorge Tabea , Lampe Oliver
Published: January 2024

Intellectual property rights offer diverse opportunities to promote sustainability. However, they are currently not being used to their full potential. This section provides an overview of the current state of opportunities in Germany and identifies opportunities for further improvements.
Sustainability and Intellectual Property in Malta
Authors: Mifsud Philip , Muscat Sasha
Published: January 2024

In Malta, intellectual property (hereinafter referred to as ‘IP’) is regulated by various laws both at EU level—either through transposition or else by virtue of their direct applicability—as well as locally. For the purposes of responding to the questionnaire, we have focussed on the local legislative framework and local landscape (save where we have felt it necessary to expand our response to include the EU). The ‘main’ laws regulating IP in Malta are the Copyright Act (Chapter 415 of the Laws of Malta), the Trademarks Act (Chapter 416 of the Laws of Malta), the Patents and Designs Act (Chapter 417 of the Laws of Malta), the Intellectual Property Rights (cross-border measures) Act (Chapter 414 of the Laws of Malta), the Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (Regulation) Act (Chapter 488 of the Laws of Malta), the Trade Secrets Act (Chapter 589 of the Laws of Malta) and the Commercial Code (Chapter 13 of the Laws of Malta). Additionally, Malta is also a party to various international treaties, conventions and agreements including the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), the Berne Convention, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the European Patent Convention and the Unified Patent Court and Regulation.
Sustainability and Intellectual Property in Sweden
Authors: Zeitlin Martin
Published: January 2024

Intellectual property (IP) is considered to be of major importance in the modern economy and is, as a rule, a prerequisite for the dynamic development of culture, technology, and economic prosperity. It is not clear what role IP has in the pressing global issue of sustainability and the green transition and if it, for that matter, even should have a certain role. This chapter briefly addresses this matter from a Swedish IP perspective.
Sustainability and Competition Law in Austria
Authors: Kubat Adrian , Tokić Adnan
Published: January 2024

Sustainability and environmental protection are the pressing questions of our time. Austrian competition law keeps pace with these issues and addresses them under the light of both antitrust and unfair competition law. Suitably, the amendment of the Austrian Cartel Act in 2021 took account of environmentally sustainable and carbon-neutral economies within its exemption provision, which led to a remarkable novelty in antitrust law. Beyond that, Austrian case law delt with environmental advertising in the light of unfair competition law and established a strict standard for the assessment of advertisements containing catchwords such as "organic" or "climate neutral".
Sustainability and Intellectual Property in Switzerland
Authors: Huguenin-Elie Eugenia
Published: January 2024

With respect to sustainable development, Intellectual Property can represent either a critical incentive or a hindrance to innovation and creativity. However, the purpose of this report is to go beyond the positions of principle and to underline the current and prospective Intellectual Property protection and uses that would create positive impact to achieve sustainability. The role of Intellectual Property in sustainable development shall therefore be global: tackling challenges in relation to biodiversity, traditional knowledge, climate change, transfer of clean technologies, agrobiotechnology and food security shall be the focus. This contribution aims at discussing the role of Intellectual Property regulations and/or other measures taken or proposed in Switzerland to encourage sustainable enterprises and innovations. We will provide an overview of the different Intellectual Property rights protected under Swiss law and their respective/current role in sustainability (Sect. 20.2) as well as of the measures and initiatives leading to cooperation, transfer of technology or knowledge offered in Switzerland (Sect. 20.3). Overall, if there is still room for improvement, Switzerland and the Swiss Intellectual Property Office have undertaken effective steps to implement and contribute to the realisation of the sustainable development goals, especially by encouraging the dissemination of innovation and knowledge.
Sustainability and Competition Law: A French Perspective
Authors: Cousin Michaël , Marescaux Alexandre , Mechri Lauren , Melot Guillaume
Published: January 2024

The word “sustainability” is absent from the legislative and regulatory provisions composing the French competition law. Therefore, it is not possible to say what this concept exactly means legally speaking.
Multiple circulating forms of neprilysin detected with novel epitope-directed monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Ling Samantha S. M. , Lilyanna Shera , Ng Jessica Y. X. , Chong Jenny P. C. , Lin Qifeng , Yong Xin Ee , Lim Teck Kwang , Lin Qingsong , Richards A. Mark , Liew Oi Wah
Published: January 2024

Neprilysin (NEP) is an emerging biomarker for various diseases including heart failure (HF). However, major inter-assay inconsistency in the reported concentrations of circulating NEP and uncertainty with respect to its correlations with type and severity of disease are in part attributed to poorly characterized antibodies supplied in commercial ELISA kits. Validated antibodies with well-defined binding footprints are critical for understanding the biological and clinical context of NEP immunoassay data. To achieve this, we applied in silico epitope prediction and rational peptide selection to generate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against spatially distant sites on NEP. One of the selected epitopes contained published N-linked glycosylation sites at N285 and N294. The best antibody pair, mAb 17E11 and 31E1 (glycosylation-sensitive), were characterized by surface plasmon resonance, isotyping, epitope mapping, and western blotting. A validated two-site sandwich NEP ELISA with a limit of detection of 2.15 pg/ml and working range of 13.1–8000 pg/ml was developed with these mAbs. Western analysis using a validated commercial polyclonal antibody (PE pAb) and our mAbs revealed that non-HF and HF plasma NEP circulates as a heterogenous mix of moieties that possibly reflect proteolytic processing, post-translational modifications and homo-dimerization. Both our mAbs detected a ~ 33 kDa NEP fragment which was not apparent with PE pAb, as well as a common ~ 57–60 kDa moiety. These antibodies exhibit different affinities for the various NEP targets. Immunoassay results are dependent on NEP epitopes variably detected by the antibody pairs used, explaining the current discordant NEP measurements derived from different ELISA kits.
Optimization of the pick-and-place sequence of a bimanual collaborative robot in an industrial production line
Authors: Borrell Jorge , Perez-Vidal Carlos , Segura Jose Vicente
Published: January 2024

This paper focuses on optimising pick-and-place tasks performed by a dual-arm collaborative robot in a specific shoe manufacturing industry environment. The robot must identify the pieces of a shoe placed on a tray, pick them up, and place them in a shoe mold for further processing. The shoe pieces arrive on the tray in random positions and angles and can be picked up in a different order. Optimising these tasks could increase the assembly speed of each unit and improve shoe production. To achieve this goal, a mathematical model based on binary integer linear programming (BILP) has been developed. This model determines the optimal sequence for picking and placing the shoe pieces in the mold, thus minimising the time required for picking and decision-making. The effectiveness of this approach has been tested using two 3-piece unit shoe models: one for training and another for validation. These models encompass a total of 500 trays. An analysis of the results reveals that BILP offers advantages for task motion planning in complex environments with multiple trajectories and the potential for collisions between arms. The model’s generalizability to shoes with n assembly pieces further confirms its robustness for various piece counts.
Parametric investigation of ultrashort pulsed laser surface texturing on aluminium alloy 7075 for hydrophobicity enhancement
Authors: Cholkar Abhijit , Chatterjee Suman , Jose Feljin , O’Connor Robert , McCarthy Éanna , Weston Nick , Kinahan David , Brabazon Dermot
Published: January 2024

Hydrophobicity plays a pivotal role in mitigating surface fouling, corrosion, and icing in critical marine and aerospace environments. By employing ultrafast laser texturing, the characteristic properties of a material’s surface can be modified. This work investigates the potential of an advanced ultrafast laser texturing manufacturing process to enhance the hydrophobicity of aluminium alloy 7075. The surface properties were characterized using goniometry, 3D profilometry, SEM, and XPS analysis. The findings from this study show that the laser process parameters play a crucial role in the manufacturing of the required surface structures. Numerical optimization with response surface optimization was conducted to maximize the contact angle on these surfaces. The maximum water contact angle achieved was 142º, with an average height roughness (Sa) of 0.87 ± 0.075 µm, maximum height roughness (Sz) of 19.4 ± 2.12 µm, and texture aspect ratio of 0.042. This sample was manufactured with the process parameters of 3W laser power, 0.08 mm hatch distance, and a 3 mm/s scan speed. This study highlights the importance of laser process parameters in the manufacturing of the required surface structures and presents a parametric modeling approach that can be used to optimize the laser process parameters to obtain a specific surface morphology and hydrophobicity.
Probing the hair detectability of prohibited substances in sports: an in vivo-in silico-clinical approach and analytical implications compared with plasma, urine, and faeces
Authors: Hung Shao-Hsin , Kan Hung-Lin , Tung Chun-Wei , Lin Yi-Ching , Chen Ting-Ting , Tian Ciao , Chang William Chih-Wei
Published: January 2024

Hair analysis is a crucial method in forensic toxicology with potential applications in revealing doping histories in sports. Despite its widespread use, knowledge about detectable substances in hair is limited. This study systematically assessed the detectability of prohibited substances in sports using a multifaceted approach. Initially, an animal model received a subset of 17 model drugs to compare dose dependencies and detection windows across different matrices. Subsequently, hair incorporation data from the animal experiment were extrapolated to all substances on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s List through in-silico prediction. The detectability of substances in hair was further validated in a proof-of-concept human study involving the consumption of diuretics and masking agents. Semi-quantitative analysis of substances in specimens was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results showed plasma had optimal dose dependencies with limited detection windows, while urine, faeces, and hair exhibited a reasonable relationship with the administered dose. Notably, hair displayed the highest detection probability (14 out of 17) for compounds, including anabolic agents, hormones, and diuretics, with beta-2 agonists undetected. Diuretics such as furosemide, canrenone, and hydrochlorothiazide showed the highest hair incorporation. Authentic human hair confirmed diuretic detectability, and their use duration was determined via segmental analysis. Noteworthy is the first-time reporting of canrenone in human hair. Anabolic agents were expected in hair, whereas undetectable compounds, such as peptide hormones and beta-2 agonists, were likely due to large molecular mass or high polarity. This study enhances understanding of hair analysis in doping investigations, providing insights into substance detectability.
Drug-drug interaction perpetrators of oxycodone in patients with cancer: frequency and clinical relevance
Authors: Hulskotte L. M. G. , Töpfer W. , Reyners A. K. L. , Taxis K. , Jansman F. G. A.
Published: January 2024

Aim

Oxycodone is known to have numerous drug-drug interactions (DDIs) that can potentially decrease efficacy or lead to adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, there is limited research on the frequency of DDIs associated with oxycodone, which is important in optimising pharmacovigilance and the need for additional research on certain DDIs. In this study, the frequency of pharmacologically and clinically relevant DDI perpetrators was studied in patients with cancer.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study using hospital pharmacy records of patients with cancer who were prescribed oxycodone between September 2021 and September 2022. Medication records of patients prescribed oxycodone during a period of ≥ 5 consecutive days (= oxycodone treatment episodes) were reviewed to identify the concomitant use of pharmacologically relevant perpetrators, based on reference sources (Lexicomp®, Micromedex®, the Dutch Kennisbank and the Dutch Commentaren Medicatiebewaking). The clinical relevance was examined by a clinical pharmacologist and a medical oncologist. Additionally, the frequency of double interactions—concomitant oxycodone use with two CYP3A4 and / or CYP2D6 perpetrators—was studied.

Results

Overall, 254 oxycodone treatment episodes were included, of which 227 (89.4%) were found to contain at least one pharmacologically relevant DDI perpetrator. Of these, 210 (82.7%) were considered to be clinically relevant. A total of 80 different pharmacologically relevant perpetrators were identified, with 65 (81.3%) being considered clinically relevant. Double interactions were observed in 21 (8.3%) oxycodone treatment episodes.

Conclusion

A high frequency of pharmacologically and clinically relevant perpetrators of oxycodone was observed in our cohort. Moreover, a high number of double interactions involving oxycodone was registered. More intense monitoring of DDIs may be needed to improve medication safety of patients with cancer taking oxycodone.
Characterization of a novel aspartic protease from Trichoderma asperellum for the preparation of duck blood peptides
Authors: Xue Yibin , Yan Qiaojuan , Li Xue , Jiang Zhengqiang
Published: January 2024

A novel aspartic protease gene (TaproA1) from Trichoderma asperellum was successfully expressed in Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris). TaproA1 showed 52.8% amino acid sequence identity with the aspartic protease PEP3 from Coccidioides posadasii C735. TaproA1 was efficiently produced in a 5 L fermenter with a protease activity of 4092 U/mL. It exhibited optimal reaction conditions at pH 3.0 and 50 °C and was stable within pH 3.0–6.0 and at temperatures up to 45 °C. The protease exhibited broad substrate specificity with high hydrolysis activity towards myoglobin and hemoglobin. Furthermore, duck blood proteins (hemoglobin and plasma protein) were hydrolyzed by TaproA1 to prepare bioactive peptides with high ACE inhibitory activity. The IC50 values of hemoglobin and plasma protein hydrolysates from duck blood proteins were 0.105 mg/mL and 0.091 mg/mL, respectively. Thus, the high yield and excellent biochemical characterization of TaproA1 presented here make it a potential candidate for the preparation of duck blood peptides.

Key points

• An aspartic protease (TaproA1) from Trichoderma asperellum was expressed in Komagataella phaffii.

• TaproA1 exhibited broad substrate specificity and the highest activity towards myoglobin and hemoglobin.

• TaproA1 has great potential for the preparation of bioactive peptides from duck blood proteins.
LL-37_Renalexin hybrid peptide exhibits antimicrobial activity at lower MICs than its counterpart single peptides
Authors: Narh Julius Kwesi , Casillas-Vega Nestor G. , Zarate Xristo
Published: January 2024

An alarming global public health and economic peril has been the emergence of antibiotic resistance resulting from clinically relevant bacteria pathogens, including Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species constantly exhibiting intrinsic and extrinsic resistance mechanisms against last-resort antibiotics like gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, colistin, and standard ampicillin prescription in clinical practices. The discovery and applications of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with antibacterial properties have been considered and proven as alternative antimicrobial agents to antibiotics. In this study, we have designed, produced, and purified a recombinant novel multifunctional hybrid antimicrobial peptide LL-37_Renalexin for the first time via the application of newly designed flexible GS peptide linker coupled with the use of our previously characterized small metal-binding proteins SmbP and CusF3H+ as carrier proteins that allow for an enhanced bacterial expression, using BL21(DE3) and SHuffle T7(DE3) Escherichia coli strains, and purification of the hybrid peptide via immobilized metal affinity chromatography. The purified tag-free LL-37_Renalexin hybrid peptide exhibited above 85% reduction in bacteria colony-forming units and broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria clinical isolates at a lower minimum inhibition concentration level (10–33 μM) as compared to its counterpart single-AMPs LL-37 and Renalexin (50–100 μM).

Key points

• The hybrid antimicrobial peptide LL-37_Renalexin has been designed using a GS linker.

• The peptide was expressed with the carrier proteins SmbP and CusF3H+.

• The hybrid peptide shows antibacterial potency against clinical bacterial isolates.
The potency of mitochondria enlargement for mitochondria-mediated terpenoid production in yeast
Authors: Yanagibashi So , Bamba Takahiro , Kirisako Takayoshi , Kondo Akihiko , Hasunuma Tomohisa
Published: January 2024

Terpenoids are widely used in the food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Microorganisms have been extensively studied for terpenoid production. In yeast, the introduction of the mevalonate (MVA) pathway in organelles in addition to the augmentation of its own MVA pathway have been challenging. Introduction of the MVA pathway into mitochondria is considered a promising approach for terpenoid production because acetyl-CoA, the starting molecule of the MVA pathway, is abundant in mitochondria. However, mitochondria comprise only a small percentage of the entire cell. Therefore, we hypothesized that increasing the total mitochondrial volume per cell would increase terpenoid production. First, we ascertained that the amounts of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), the final molecules of the MVA pathway, were 15-fold higher of the strain expressing the MVA pathway in mitochondria than in the wild-type yeast strain. Second, we found that different deletion mutants induced different mitochondrial volumes by measuring the mitochondrial volume in various deletion mutants affecting mitochondrial morphology; for example,Δmdm32 increased mitochondrial volume, and Δfzo1 decreased it. Finally, the effects of mitochondrial volume on amounts of IPP/DMAPP and terpenoids (squalene or β-carotene) were investigated using mutants harboring large or small mitochondria expressing the MVA pathway in mitochondria. Amounts of IPP/DMAPP and terpenoids (squalene or β-carotene) increased when the mitochondrial volume expanded. Introducing the MVA pathway into mitochondria for terpenoid production in yeast may become more attractive by enlarging the mitochondrial volume.

Key points

• IPP/DMAPP content increased in the strain expressing the MVA pathway in mitochondria

• IPP/DMAPP and terpenoid contents are positively correlated with mitochondrial volume

• Enlarging the mitochondria may improve mitochondria-mediated terpenoid production