Clear Path Research Articles

Monitoring water infiltration in multiple layers of sandstone coal mining model with cracks using ERT

Abstract Many engineering disasters are related to water infiltration in cracks. Understanding the water infiltration in multi-layered sandstone cracks is crucial for monitoring and preventing water-related disasters in coal mines. In this study, we utilized the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technique to conduct a water infiltration monitoring experiment on the 2d-strata-model with cracks. The electrical resistivity ratio profiles with respect to the background unveiled the existence of three cracks. Model photography demonstrates two cracks of those cracks. The infiltration cracks exhibit distinct shape of a stripe or island chain electrical change ratio anomaly in the resistivity ratio profiles. Electrical resistivity change ratio is associated with the infiltration within the cracks. As the infiltration progresses, the resistivity change ratios relative to the background gradually decreases. This is evident in the reduction in ratios in the original stripe or island chain areas in the electrical resistivity ratio profiles. The diminished range expands, manifesting as an increase in the area of the original stripe or island chain. The infiltration patterns of the cracks can be categorized into three types: a stripe pattern, island chain and stripe pattern, and island chain pattern. The preferential flow paths along the crack are related to both the infiltration time and the volume of infiltration. In the early stages, there are clear preferential flow paths along cracks. However, as infiltration time and volume increase, these preferential flow paths along the cracks become less pronounced and may even disappear. The findings prove that ERT is suitable for monitoring water infiltration along the cracks in multi-layered sandstone in the early infiltration stage. Experiment results monitoring water infiltration cracks on the 2D-model show that the ERT and 2D-model are suitable for studying water infiltration along the cracks. This research can provide valuable reference for preventing engineering disaster.

A bibliometric analysis of ohmic heating on food processing in the last two decades

Novel food processing technologies have been devised to cater to the specific requirements of consumer products and tackle the challenges associated with conventional food processing technologies. Ohmic heating is a contemporary thermal-process technology with advantages for time efficiency, improved sensory and functional quality, and enhanced energy efficiency. This bibliometric investigation aimed to analyze the level of scholarly research on ohmic heating within the field of food research over the past twenty years (2003–2023). The findings indicate an upward annual growth rate of 11.09 % in the subject of food-related ohmic heating research. A total of 769 publications have been published, involving 1841 authors. Brazil is recognized as the nation with the most research contributions while Sastry, S.K., is the most productive author, and Teixeira, J.A. is the most collaborative author. Review studies examining the impact of ohmic processes on the nutritional composition of fruits, vegetables, and grains have garnered the highest number of citations. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies and the Journal of Food Engineering have emerged as the most influential journals in this field. Keywords such as “ohmic heating,” “electroconductive heating,” and ”joule heating” are commonly used in academic publications on the application of ohmic heating in the food industry. Recent trends in this field focus on aspects such as extraction procedures, pasteurization, physicochemical components, and energy usage. Ohmic heating has a bright future. Rapidly growing research shows strong interest, especially recently, because of attractive advantages such as energy efficiency and sustainability. International collaborations will expand its applications in the food industry. Challenges include high capital costs, maintenance, and unclear regulations. Future research should focus on cost-effective materials, thermal stability, food safety, and broader applications. With a clear path, the food industry can adopt ohmic heating technology as affordable and ecofriendly technology more efficiently.

FERTILITY CARE IN LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRIES: Implementing fertility care: insights from a participatory workshop in The Gambia.

The Gambia, West Africa, has made recent progress on infertility, a component of sexual and reproductive health that is lagging behind others. Since 2016, there is favourable policy environment stemming from infertility research and partnership building with national stakeholders and local civil society organisations focussing on infertility. Here, we report outcomes from a participatory workshop on infertility policy implementation in The Gambia and provide insights on setting national priorities for fertility care in resource-limited settings. We conducted a participatory workshop involving 29 participants from Gambia's public and private health sectors. Using selected participatory group work tools, stakeholders identified and prioritised key activities within the framework of five pre-defined areas of action, including (i) creating guidelines/regulations; (ii) recording/reporting data; (iii) building public-private partnerships; (iv) training health providers; and (v) raising awareness and health-seeking. A total of 17 prioritised activities were proposed across the five action areas, according to short-, medium-, and long-term timeframes. Three were further prioritised from the overall pool, through group consensus. A group model building activity helped to envision the complexity by elucidating links, loops, and connections between each activity and their expected outcomes. The participatory workshop identified actionable interventions for fertility care in The Gambia, with stakeholders setting a clear path ahead. Despite challenges, the continued engagement of Gambian policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and activists in efforts to move beyond policy creation to its implementation is essential. Improving fertility care in The Gambia and other low- and middle-income countries is feasible with effective collaboration and financial support. In The Gambia, a partnership of stakeholders from various domains, including research, grassroots activism, clinicians, and policymakers, contributed to an increased awareness of infertility. This, in turn, led to the inclusion of infertility in the national reproductive health strategic plan. An in-country participatory workshop involving participants from both public and private health sectors was held in October 2023 with the objective of identifying priorities for moving beyond planning to implementation, within the context of resource constraints. The top three identified priorities were: (i) training about infertility for health providers; (ii) harmonisation of data collection; and (iii) the development of clinical guidelines for infertility management. It is important for the Gambian Ministry of Health to implement these proposed locally relevant fertility care activities. Despite current and future challenges, having a clear vision and pathway will help establish fertility care in the country, with Gambia potentially leading the way among many other countries.

Toward an innovative function-oriented assessment methodology (FOAM) for evaluating the functional condition of buildings during the operation and maintenance phase

This paper introduces a foundational approach toward defining a Function-Oriented Assessment Methodology (FOAM) for evaluating the functional condition of buildings during the operation and maintenance phase. Although various national classification systems exist, a unified international system for organizing construction elements has not been widely adopted. To bridge this gap, the paper proposes adopting an international standard-based classification system for identifying objects within a function-oriented structure. Traditional inspections often focus on damage, overlooking the functional condition of construction elements. This research addresses these limitations with a comprehensive methodological approach tailored to assess functional condition. It employs a multiple-choice questionnaire adapted from international rating scales to ensure consistency and minimize subjectivity among inspectors. A case study validates the effectiveness of this strategic framework, demonstrating high consistency and accuracy in evaluating functional conditions. Overall, this research lays the groundwork for FOAM, offering a clear path for its broader application in the built environment.

Enhancing Regulatory Compliance to Prevent Errors: Insights from Federal Housing Program Implementation

Purpose: Regulatory compliance is a vital part of governance, ensuring that programs across various sectors are implemented effectively and without errors. This study focuses on the Virginia Beach Housing & Neighborhood Preservation department, examining how it managed the CARES Act and HUD ARPA legislation, two significant federal regulations introduced during challenging times. The integration of these laws into existing local policies presented a range of difficulties, including conflicts, misinterpretations, and delays. This research analyzes those challenges and offers strategies to streamline compliance in future situations. Methodology: To better understand the regulatory hurdles, this study employed a thorough document analysis and compared housing sector compliance issues with those faced in healthcare. Both sectors deal with strict regulations, and non-compliance can have serious consequences. In healthcare, for instance, lapses in compliance can endanger patient safety, while in housing, they can lead to administrative inefficiencies and misuse of resources. By drawing this comparison, the study highlights the broader implications of effective compliance systems across different sectors. Findings: The findings show that regulatory compliance not only helps reduce errors but also enhances overall program performance. The challenges faced by the Virginia Beach Housing & Neighborhood Preservation department serve as an example of the obstacles organizations encounter when implementing new regulations. The solutions proposed in this study offer a clear path for improving compliance systems and reducing operational disruptions. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Ultimately, this study emphasizes the importance of robust compliance frameworks in ensuring efficient program execution. It argues that proper management of compliance not only mitigates risks but also contributes to better outcomes across various sectors. By offering practical strategies for overcoming compliance challenges, this research adds valuable insights to the field and supports the ongoing development of effective regulatory practices that benefit both organizations and the communities they serve.

The effect of sports expertise on the performance of orienteering athletes’ real scene image recognition and their visual search characteristics

As a sport conducted in dynamically changing natural environments, orienteering places high demands on athletes' cognitive processing abilities and visual search efficiency. However, previous studies on orienteering have been primarily limited by the use of fixed stimulus materials on computer screens, which are unable to fully simulate authentic sports scenarios. To better understand the sports expertise of orienteering athletes in terms of their real scene image recognition performance and visual search characteristics, this study recruited 40 orienteering athletes, both experts and novices, as participants. By utilizing eye-tracking technology and setting observation points in real-world scenarios to conduct image recognition task tests, the ecological validity of the experiment was further enhanced. The results showed that the experts demonstrated a high level of accuracy and a short response time, with visual search characteristics including few saccade counts, low fixation frequency, concentrated fixation points, simple and clear fixation paths, and higher visual search efficiency. This study further reveals that long-term specialized training will lead to the formation of a unique cognitive structure related to the specific knowledge and long-term memory required by expert orienteering athletes, thereby promoting the development of expert advantage.

Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emission Electrified Aircraft Propulsion for Large Commercial Transport

Until recently, electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) technology development has been driven by the dual objectives of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and addressing the depletion of fossil fuels. However, the increasing severity of climate change, posing a significant threat to all life forms, has resulted in the global consensus of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. This major shift has alerted the aviation electrification industry to consider the following: What is the clear path forward for EAP technology development to support the net-zero GHG goals for large commercial transport aviation? The purpose of this paper is to answer this question. After identifying four types of GHG emissions that should be used as metrics to measure the effectiveness of each technology for GHG reduction, the paper presents three significant categories of GHG reduction efforts regarding the engine, evaluates the potential of EAP technologies within each category as well as combinations of technologies among the different categories using the identified metrics, and thus determines the path forward to support the net-zero GHG objective. Specifically, the paper underscores the need for the aviation electrification industry to adapt, adjust, and integrate its EAP technology development into the emerging new engine classes. These innovations and collaborations are crucial to accelerate net-zero GHG efforts effectively.

Talent management: Preparing future leaders

Effective human resource management is an important factor in preparing future leaders for a company. The process encompasses various strategic stages, including selective recruitment, continuous development, and solid employee retention. In addition, the utilisation of advanced technology and the implementation of diversity and inclusion values play a major role in creating a dynamic and performance-oriented work environment. In practical terms, companies that successfully integrate all of these elements can attract and retain the best talent, and create clear development paths for high-potential employees. This ensures that future leaders have the skills, experience and motivation needed to lead the company to sustainable success. A holistic approach to human resource management also ensures that every individual in the company feels valued and can make maximum contributions. By placing diversity and inclusion as a priority, companies can capitalise on multiple perspectives and diverse talents, which in turn increases levels of innovation and creativity. Advanced technologies, such as predictive analytics and collaboration tools, play an important role in supporting this strategy. Ultimately, companies committed to holistic human capital management not only prepare future leaders but also create a work environment that empowers every employee to thrive and fulfil their full potential.

Factors Predicting the Quality of Care Among Nurses in Tertiary Hospitals in Fiji: A Cross-sectional Study

Quality of care by nurses is a key factor in determining the success of healthcare delivery around the globe, which is impacted by a shortage of nurses, excessive workloads, and unfavorable working conditions, including in the Republic of Fiji Islands. Using the Quality Health Outcome Model, this descriptive-predictive, cross-sectional study examined the quality of care and its predictors among 744 Fijian registered nurses from three tertiary hospitals. Instruments for data collection were the Demographic Data Sheet, the Quality of Care Scale, the Participation in Decision Making Scale, the Relational Coordination Survey, the Perception of Organizational Change Scale, the Job Satisfaction Scale, and the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were applied to analyze the data. This study’s findings are informative and offer a glimmer of hope since 72.58% of participants perceived the overall quality of care as good/excellent, indicating a positive baseline. Two factors, relational coordination and job satisfaction, significantly affected the perception of the quality of care. The study model explained 8.90% of the variance in quality of care, with relational coordination being the strongest predictor. These findings provide a clear path to improvement. A comprehensive model should be developed and tested to better understand the factors predicting Fiji’s quality of care before it can be used to design an effective intervention. Developing nursing skills, improving good communication and work environments, and providing high-quality education and training among nurses can significantly improve the quality of care. In addition, support from the government for appropriate medical equipment, recruitment and retention strategies for nurses, and promotion of standard of care from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services are recommended to enhance the quality of care, further bolstering this hopeful outlook. Further Fijian nursing research is clearly needed on this topic in the future.

Sorting Permutations on an n − Broom

With applications in computer networks, robotics, genetics, data center network optimization, cryptocurrency exchange, transportation and logistics, cloud computing, and social network analysis, the problem of sorting permutations on transposition trees under various operations is highly relevant. The goal of the problem is to sort or rearrange the markers in a predetermined order by swapping them out at the vertices of a tree in the fewest possible swaps. Only certain classes of transposition trees, like path, star, and broom, have computationally efficient algorithms for sorting permutations. In this paper, we examine the so-called n−broom transposition trees. A single broom or simply a broom is a spanning tree formed by joining the center of the star graph with one end of the path graph. A generalized version of a broom known as an n−broom is created by joining the ends of n brooms to one vertex, known as the n−broom center. By using the idea of clear path markers, we present a novel algorithm for sorting permutations on an n−broom for n>2 that reduces to a novel 2−broom algorithm and that further reduces to two instances of a 1−broom algorithm. Our single-broom algorithm is similar to that of Kawahara et al.; however, our proof of optimality for the same is simpler.

Impact of Intersection Left Turn Guide Lines Configuration on Novice Drivers’ Behavior

Novice drivers often face challenges such as misjudgment, inappropriate steering control, distraction, and insufficient speed control when making left turns at intersections, leading to safety hazards. Installing intersection guide lines offers a solution by providing clear path directions, mitigating safety concerns associated with novice drivers’ left-turn actions. This study explored the impact of intersection guide line configurations on the driving behavior of novice drivers during left turns, utilizing large, medium, and small typical intersections to create six categories of left-turn simulation scenarios in a driving simulator. Data on vehicle trajectory, steering angle, steering speed, and eye-tracking were collected and analyzed. The study revealed that guide line arrangement significantly influences novice drivers’ left-turning behavior, enhancing path guidance while reducing trajectory and steering angle fluctuations, speed variations, and driver attention dispersion. This improvement in stability is particularly notable as intersection size and the number of left-turn lanes increase. The study’s findings offer robust theoretical support and guidance for the development and widespread adoption of intersection guide lines.

SDSS-IV MaNGA: Stellar rotational support in disk galaxies vs. central surface density and stellar population age

Abstract We investigate how the stellar rotational support changes as a function of spatially resolved stellar population age ($\rm D_n4000$) and relative central stellar surface density (ΔΣ1) for MaNGA isolated/central disk galaxies. We find that the galaxy rotational support indicator $\lambda _{R_\mathrm{e}}$ varies smoothly as a function of ΔΣ1 and $\rm D_n4000$. $\rm D_n4000$ vs. ΔΣ1 follows a ‘J-shape’, with $\lambda _{R_\mathrm{e}}$ contributing to the scatters. In this ‘J-shaped’ pattern rotational support increases with central $\rm D_n4000$ when ΔΣ1 is low but decreases with ΔΣ1 when ΔΣ1 is high. Restricting attention to low-ΔΣ1 (i.e, large-radius) galaxies, we suggest that the trend of increasing rotational support with $\rm D_n4000$ for these objects is produced by a mix of two different processes, a primary trend characterized by growth in $\lambda _{R_\mathrm{e}}$ along with mass through gas accretion, on top of which disturbance episodes are overlaid, which reduce rotational support and trigger increased star formation. An additional finding is that star forming galaxies with low ΔΣ1 have relatively larger radii than galaxies with higher ΔΣ1 at fixed stellar mass. Assuming that these relative radii rankings are preserved while galaxies are star forming then implies clear evolutionary paths in central $\rm D_n4000$ vs. ΔΣ1. The paper closes with comments on the implications that these paths have for the evolution of pseudo-bulges vs. classical-bulges. The utility of using $\rm D_n4000$-ΔΣ1 to study $\lambda _{R_\mathrm{e}}$ reinforces the notion that galaxy kinematics correlate both with structure and with stellar-population state, and indicates the importance of a multi-dimensional description for understanding bulge and galaxy evolution.

Pain medication tapering for patients with Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type II, treated with Spinal Cord Stimulation: A RCT-study protocol of the PIANISSIMO study.

Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) may provide pain relief in patients with therapy-refractory Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome Type II (PSPS-T2). Despite the evidence that SCS can reduce disability and reduce pain medication usage, only 25% of the patients is able to completely omit pain medication usage after 12 months of SCS. To tackle the high burden of patients who consume a lot of pain medication, tapering programs could be initiated before starting a trajectory with SCS. The current objective is to examine whether a pain medication tapering program before SCS alters disability in PSPS-T2 patients compared to no tapering program. A three-arm, parallel-group multicenter randomized controlled trial will be conducted including 195 patients who will be randomized (1:1:1) to either (a) a standardized pain medication tapering program, (b) a personalized pain medication tapering program, or (c) no tapering program before SCS implantation, all with a follow-up period until 12 months after implantation. The primary outcome is disability. The secondary outcomes are pain intensity, health-related quality of life, participation, domains affected by substance use, anxiety and depression, medication usage, psychological constructs, sleep, symptoms of central sensitization, and healthcare expenditure. Within the PIANISSIMO project we propose a way to reduce the risks of adverse events, medication-induced hyperalgesia, tolerance, and dependence by providing pain medication tapering before SCS. Due to the lack of a commonly accepted in-hospital tapering approach, two different tapering programs will be evaluated in this study. If pain medication tapering programs are deemed to be more effective than no tapering on disability, this would add to the evidence towards an improved patient-centered care model in this patient group and set a clear path to advocate for pain medication tapering before SCS as the new standard treatment guideline for these patients. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05861609. Registered on May 17, 2023.

Disruption of outdoor activities caused by wildfires increases disease circulation.

Although climate change poses a well-established risk to human health, present-day health impacts, particularly those resulting from climate-induced behavioral changes, are under-quantified. Analyzing the U.S. West Coast wildfires of September 2020, we found that poor air quality drives people indoors, increasing the circulation of airborne pathogens like COVID-19. Indoor masking rates as low as 10% can mitigate this risk, offering a clear path to enhance public health responses during wildfires.

The importance of academic advising for dual credit and early college high school students

AbstractAcademic advising for dual credit and early college high school students is significant to postsecondary matriculation and degree completion of these students after high school graduation. Unstructured advising can lead students to take excess credits and have an unclear path to a postsecondary credential. This study focused on the importance of academic advising, ensuring a clear path is identified for each student participating in a dual credit or early college high school program. A qualitative survey identifying high school personnel's understanding of advising, needs to better serve students, and current challenges facing high school counselors is discussed. Quantitative data landscapes student demographics and attempted versus completed credits for both dual credit and early college high school students at multiple high schools. Practitioner recommendations underscore the need for college advising by a college advisor who is familiar with the college advisement process versus a high school counselor who focuses on high school completion needs.

Unveiling the effect of Bi in ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles in electrochemical sensors

This work investigates the effect of the inclusion of Bi3+ ions in ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles on electron transfer at the electrochemical interface. ZnBixFe2-xO4 (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 2) nanomaterials are synthesized and the impact of Bi3+ ions on the chemical features of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles is studied by using different materials’ characterization techniques. The effect of the change in the chemical composition of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles on the electrochemical sensing performance is extensively studied and correlated with the electrochemical sensitivity and kinetic rate constant. Screen-printed electrodes functionalized with ZnBixFe2-xO4 nanomaterials have an excellent enhancement of electrochemical sensing performance towards paracetamol, as a test molecule, compared to the carbon electrodes. The highest sensitivity (37.8 ± 0.2 μA/mM) and the best kinetic rate constant (13.1 ± 2.8 ms−1) are achieved by the ZnFe2O4 sensor, while the ZnBi2O4 sensor achieved a sensitivity of (23.5 ± 0.6) μA/mM with a kinetic rate constant of (0.45 ± 0.16) ms−1. The ZnFe2O4 sensor is found to have a direct electron transfer, whereas the other sensors participate in a surface state-mediated electron transfer at the electrochemical interface. This research shows a clear path to the potential applications of spinel oxide-based electrochemical sensors for specific drugs or molecules detection.

Exploring The Drivers of Entrepreneurial Intentions Among Farmers in Tanzania's Agricultural Sector

Purpose: This paper investigates the entrepreneurial intentions of orange farmers in Muheza, Tanzania, by validating the extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Design/Methodology/ Approach: The study used a quantitative method approach, with cluster and simple random sampling, to recruit 349 orange farmers. The survey was conducted on 349 small-scale orange farmers in Muheza. To test the model, the constructs of entrepreneurship training, farmers’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behaviour control and entrepreneurial intention inputs were validated, followed by factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Findings: The study's results revealed the crucial role of perceived behaviour control and attitudes in driving the entrepreneurial intention of orange farmers. This significant influence underscores the importance of these factors in the development of entrepreneurial intention among orange farmers. It was also found that attitudes and perceived behaviour control predicted the entrepreneurial intention of orange farmers but not subjective norms, providing valuable insights for future research and policy development. Research Limitation: This study primarily focused on orange farmers in the Tanga Region, specifically in the Muheza District. Practical Implication: The findings suggest a clear path for action. To foster and enhance the entrepreneurial intentions of orange farmers, the government and policymakers should concentrate on instilling positive attitudes and controlling perceived behaviour. By promoting a positive stance toward entrepreneurship, we can significantly boost the willingness of orange farmers to engage in commercial farming, thereby contributing to the growth and development of Tanzania's agricultural sector. Social Implication: The study recommends policy options focusing on cultivating positive attitudes and perceived behaviour control among orange farmers to increase entrepreneurial intention, requiring concerted efforts from the government and policymakers. Originality / Value/ Novelty: It contributes to the body of knowledge, addressing the gap regarding the drivers influencing orange farmers' entrepreneurial intentions. Furthermore, establishing validated drivers of entrepreneurial intention among Tanzanian orange farmers could significantly assist the government in promoting economic development and achieving its vision of becoming a semi-industrialized country.

Empowering urban futures: Key competencies for smart city resilience officers

As cities are developing to smart, new systems are utilized that contain a multitude of critical infrastructures. Although these offer major advantages, they are also exposed to new external and frequently uncontrollable factors increasing their risk exposure and enhancing their vulnerability. Therefore, increasing resilience during city development has become a prerequisite for its survival, but continuous resilience improvement led by workforce will help them to prosper. According to researchers, officers should be able to catalogue and prioritize threats and vulnerabilities, but is this only the case? Discrete studies detail and analyze in-depth risks related to smart cities, however, how these risks are addressed by workforce and how these are related to their competencies have not been thoroughly understood to date. If vulnerabilities are not understood and analyzed appropriately by the city workforce and stakeholders, unanticipated consequences and cascading failures may potential occur, even when crises are expected. The objective of this article is to inquire into responsibilities regarding crisis issues concerning the necessary competencies for resilience officers, by exploring current perceptions, expectations and recommendations as these are acknowledged in experts’ opinions and experiences. To do so, a questionnaire was developed and distributed to experts in the field, across various cities in Greece, to indicate responsibilities, and prioritize competencies that resilient officers in smart cities should possess. The findings highlighted significant responsibilities related to managing smart city risks and identified a distinct set of competencies unique to officers in this area, emphasizing the need for targeted efforts to enhance urban resilience through the initiatives led by city officers. This article establishes a clear path for advancing smart city research by highlighting competencies that could be integrated into educational curriculums. These competencies are essential for training a workforce that not only enhances disaster management awareness but also equips cities to handle potential catastrophic events effectively, thereby laying the groundwork for more resilient urban environments.

Development of a Body Weight Support System Employing Model-Based System Engineering Methodology

Partial body weight support systems have proven to be a vital tool in performing physical therapy for patients with lower limb disabilities to improve gait. Developing this type of equipment requires rigorous design process that obtains a robust system, allowing physiotherapy exercises to be performed safely and efficiently. With this in mind, a “Model-Based Systems Engineering” design process using SysML improves communication between different areas, thereby increasing the synergy of interdisciplinary workgroups and positively impacting the development process of cyber-physical systems. The proposed development process presents a work sequence that defines a clear path in the design process, allowing traceability in the development phase. This also ensures the observability of elements related to a part that has suffered a failure. This methodology reduces the integration complexity between subsystems that compose the partial body weight support system because is possible to have a hierarchical and functional system vision at each design stage. The standard allowed requirements to be established graphically, making it possible to observe their system dependencies and who satisfied them. Consequently, the Partial Weight Support System was implemented through with a clear design route obtained by the MBSE methodology.

ChaQra: a cellular unit of the Indian quantum network

Major research interests on quantum key distribution (QKD) are primarily focused on increasing 1. Point-to-point transmission distance (1000 km). 2. Secure key rate (Mbps). 3. Security of quantum layer (device-independence). It is great to push the boundaries in these fronts but these isolated approaches are neither scalable nor cost-effective due to requirements of specialised hardware and different infrastructure. Current and future QKD network requires addressing different set of challenges apart from distance, key rate and quantum security. In this regard, we present ChaQra—a sub quantum network with core features as 1. Crypto agility (integration in the already deployed telecommunication fibres). 2. Software defined networking (SDN paradigm for routing different nodes). 3. reliability (addressing denial-of-service with hybrid quantum safe cryptography). 4. upgradability (modules upgradation based on scientific and technological advancements). 5. Beyond QKD (using QKD network for distributed computing, multi-party computation etc). Our results demonstrate a clear path to create and accelerate quantum secure Indian subcontinent under national quantum mission.