Metallic nanoparticles in diabetes mellitus: Mechanistic insights and therapeutic perspectives.

The rapid advancement of robotics presents significant opportunities and challenges for human–robot interaction (HRI) in intralogistics. While prior research has largely relied on frameworks driven by adoption intention, empirical evidence on how HRI unfolds in real-world intralogistics remains limited. To address this gap, this study adopts a methodological triangulation approach that integrates a systematic literature review of 93 academic papers with 23 semi-structured expert interviews involving 3 stakeholder groups: current HRI users, potential users or failed adopters, and external stakeholders including robot manufacturers and consultants. Capturing these diverse perspectives is essential for reflecting the different experiences, expectations, and constraints that shape HRI in practice. The analysis identifies four key opportunities associated with HRI: enhanced operational performance, improved working conditions, increased system resilience, and sustainability. Furthermore, nine interdependent challenges are revealed, namely process complexity, human behavioural factors, occupational safety, training and skill requirements, trust and acceptance, costs, technology and infrastructure design, deteriorating working conditions, and legal issues. Using socio-technical systems theory as an analytical lens, the study demonstrates that effective HRI depends on the alignment of people, organisational structures, technologies, and tasks, and proposes a conceptual framework to support the balanced integration of HRI challenges and opportunities.

The construction of the new power system has made power operation and maintenance increasingly complex. The traditional operation methods can no longer meet the requirements of high efficiency and high safety. Based on the operation scenarios of the frontline power operation, this paper studies and designs a portable operation terminal based on human-computer interaction logic. After in-depth analysis of the operation behaviors and cognitive psychology of the operation personnel, a system framework consisting of hardware human engineering, graphic interface visual communication, and multimodal interaction feedback is obtained. During the product design process, the grip stability of the terminal in extreme environments, the comfort of wearing, and the touch and voice interaction strategies under complex electromagnetic interference were mainly studied. Through the research, it is known that the improved interaction design can effectively reduce the cognitive burden of the operation personnel, reduce the risk of misoperation, and enhance the accuracy of power fault diagnosis and data collection. The research in this paper provides rigorous theoretical basis and design practice references for the intelligent and humanized transformation of special portable equipment in the power industry.

Heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenations are pivotal in the chemical industry. Studying these reactions often demands significant experimental effort due to safety requirements, elevated pressures and temperatures, and the operational modes of traditional laboratory reactors. To address these challenges, we propose an automated, efficient, and cost-effective method for characterizing such reactions within a kinetic laboratory setting. Utilizing benchtop NMR as a noninvasive, automatable analytical tool offers advantages in terms of space and cost over high-frequency NMR, though its limited spectral resolution may restrict applicability to certain reaction systems. In this study, we investigate the hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol (MBY) to 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBE) as a model reaction. While literature provides extensive data on the main components, the formation of side products remains inadequately explained. Conducting the reaction in a batch reactor, we assess the detection and quantification of side products. Samples withdrawn during hydrogenation are analyzed using benchtop NMR coupled with a quantum-mechanical Bayesian quantitative NMR analysis, employing component knowledge to quantify mixtures through mathematical modeling. We collect kinetic data, gaining both qualitative and quantitative insights into the reaction network at temperatures up to 80°C and a pressure of 10 bar. Our findings demonstrate that the reaction mixture's composition can be quantitatively monitored in real-time, facilitating the derivation of kinetic parameters. Despite the minor formation of various side products, we successfully quantify dimeric reaction products and evaluate process parameters influencing their formation. The integration of a reactor, online benchtop NMR, and advanced qNMR data analysis yields high-quality results essential for process optimization.

The development of functional cereal-based products with enhanced nutritional and biological value is a priority in modern food science, as single-grain cereals often exhibit limitations in amino acid balance and micronutrient composition. This study aimed to develop, optimize, and evaluate a multicomponent cereal-based food mixture with improved functional and nutritional properties. A mixture composed of rice, buckwheat, oats, and corn was formulated using computer-based modeling to optimize essential amino acid composition and energy value in accordance with WHO recommendations. The technological process included cleaning, sorting, hydrothermal treatment, dehulling, drying, cooling, grinding, and subsequent blending of the cereal components. Standard methods were used to assess organoleptic properties, chemical composition, mineral and vitamin content, microbiological safety, and shelf life at a moisture content of 13–14%. The developed mixture demonstrated favorable sensory characteristics and a balanced chemical composition, with a protein content of 14.43 g/100 g, carbohydrates of 59.92 g/100 g, fat of 4.48 g/100 g, and an energy value of 322.74 kcal (1351 kJ) per 100 g. The product was rich in essential macro- and microelements and B-complex vitamins, met all microbiological safety requirements, and exhibited a shelf life of 4–5 months. These findings indicate that the proposed multicomponent cereal mixture is nutritionally balanced, safe, and suitable for functional and health-oriented food applications.

Critical infrastructure security has traditionally maintained a rigid separation between Information Technology and Operational Technology systems, creating dangerous blind spots that sophisticated threat actors increasingly exploit. This article presents a unified Security Information and Event Management framework that integrates telemetry from hardened endpoints, network firewalls, and industrial IoT sensors into a single correlation engine designed specifically for cyber-physical systems. The proposed architecture addresses the fundamental challenges of converged IT-OT security monitoring through three core pillars: standardized data ingestion accommodating heterogeneous protocols, normalized event processing establishing consistent taxonomies across domains, and cross-domain correlation logic capable of identifying sophisticated multi-stage attacks. By leveraging machine learning approaches, including convolutional neural networks and behavioral analytics, the framework enables the detection of subtle anomalies and previously unknown attack patterns while maintaining low false positive rates that minimize operational disruptions. The research demonstrates how automated asset discovery addresses the persistent challenge of shadow IT and unmanaged operational devices in dynamic industrial environments, while security orchestration and automated response capabilities streamline incident management workflows. Cross-domain context enrichment proves particularly valuable during incident response, revealing how digital compromises affect physical operations and ensuring that containment actions align with operational safety requirements. This converged approach provides comprehensive real-time visibility across the entire cyber-physical ecosystem, enabling security teams to detect threats that span both digital and physical realms, significantly reducing response times while accounting for the unique characteristics of operational technology environments, including deterministic timing requirements, legacy equipment constraints, and safety-critical operational continuity demands.

ABSTRACT This study explores methodology for startup core design integrating enrichment and shuffling optimization across transient phases. Metallic fuel and lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) coolant were selected for the core materials due to their excellent neutronic properties and chemical inertness to water and air. Four representative cases were analyzed using the Monte Carlo code SERPENT to evaluate core performance, shuffling interval adjustment, and enrichment optimization. The most promising cases were further evaluated using COMSOL Multiphysics to assess thermal-hydraulic performance across different operating steps, confirming that heat removal was feasible under the proposed power and coolant conditions. Control rod worth was also calculated to confirm sufficient shutdown margin during peak reactivity. The results demonstrate that the proposed RFBB startup core achieves criticality, maintains sufficient excess reactivity, and transitions to equilibrium while satisfying safety and thermal design requirements.

ABSTRACT For instance, artificial intelligence, or AI, is now being used in medical images, which enables the automation of medical images in the fields of radiology, pathology, and ophthalmology. These technologies, although allowing for faster image interpretation and increased efficiency, bring new cyber risk and governance issues to the healthcare industry, distinct from traditional healthcare IT security concerns. In AI-driven medical images, failure modes go beyond confidentiality and availability to include integrity and safety issues such as overconfident misclassification, dataset shifts, model drift, and adversarial attacks, each of which has the potential to impact patient care. One important aspect of healthcare cybersecurity and risk management, currently absent in the healthcare cybersecurity and risk management literature, is the lack of governance mechanisms to utilize predictive uncertainty as a risk indicator for policy enforcement, decision routing, and auditability. In this paper, a novel uncertainty-aware security and risk governance framework for AI-driven medical images is introduced. In the proposed framework, uncertainty estimation is incorporated into risk scoring and prioritization, policy-driven decision routing, continuous monitoring for model drift and abnormal behavior, and auditability. We are proposing the structure for the taxonomy of risks, which are specific to AI imaging systems, and the governance controls that are mapped to the identified domains of the risks, which include data, model, deployment, and human/workflow risks. The proposed model, which maps the uncertainty indicators with the governance controls, intends to provide a blueprint for how healthcare organizations can manage AI-based medical imaging systems as high-impact digital assets, considering security, safety, and compliance requirements.

Introduction Given the rising concern for food safety and environmental sustainability of agricultural intensification in the Global South, we examined drivers of pesticide use and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Liberia. Methods We draw on a unique dataset combining 336 cocoa, 320 coffee, and 291 cassava farmers with evidence from 72 midstream value chain actors, including buyers, aggregators, and processors, to capture both farm-level decision-making and downstream market incentives. Using econometric choice models, we analyze how household, farm, and institutional factors shape pest management practices across market-oriented tree crops and staple food systems. Results Our results show the difference and similarity in the determinants of pesticide use and IPM adoption between farmers producing market-oriented crops (cocoa and coffee) and cassava farmers. Contrary to the conventional wisdom that organic production dominates in high-value cash crops like coffee and cocoa, our findings show that farmers in these sub-sectors rely more on pesticides than less market-orientated crops like cassava. Discussion Evidence from downstream actors suggests limited market demand and weak price incentives for low-pesticide use, which helps explain the continued reliance on chemical pesticides, particularly in tree crop systems. We therefore recommend that promoting sustainable pest management in Liberia requires not only strengthening advisory services and farmer training, but also transmission of food safety and sustainability requirements through value chain governance and pricing mechanisms.

Blood pressure monitoring in paediatric cardiac sedation: a critical safety requirement.

The paper investigates the influence of dynamic characteristics of building structures on the mechanisms of progressive collapse development. It is shown that natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping levels significantly affect the propagation pattern of collapse following the initial failure of one or more load-bearing elements. Based on the obtained results, vulnerability assessment criteria are formulated that take into account the dynamic properties of structures. Purpose of the article. The purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between the dynamic characteristics of a structural system and the mechanisms of progressive collapse development. Special attention is given to the effect of natural frequencies, vibration modes, and damping level on the likelihood of structural excitation leading to instability or further collapse. Based on a numerical analysis of a steel-framed building, a direct relationship is demonstrated between local damage and the redistribution of stiffness in the structural system. The analysis of changes in dynamic characteristics makes it possible to identify potentially vulnerable zones with reduced resistance to progressive collapse. To assess collapse vulnerability, it is advisable to determine the first 3–5 natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes, as well as damping properties. A significant reduction in stiffness leads to the localization of vibrations, increased amplitudes, and potential energy accumulation. If the system is unable to dissipate vibrations due to insufficient damping, cascading failure may occur. Critical warning signs include a frequency decrease of more than 30 %, an increase in deformation amplitude by over 50 %, the emergence of localized vibration modes, and a reduction in damping. Clarifications are proposed to the conditions of the energy-based approach for evaluating the propagation of progressive collapse, taking into account dynamic characteristics and the localization of deformations within vibration modes (i. e., structural vulnerability). The criteria for determining the dynamic coefficient are refined to consider the frequency spectrum and damping. Design tasks are formulated based on dynamic analysis to enhance resistance to progressive collapse. Conclusions. The use of dynamic coefficients (impact factors) recommended by building codes is justified but insufficient without considering the individual properties of the specific structure. The analysis of structural vibration modes can reveal potential weak spots where deformations and stresses are expected to be the highest. This is crucial for predicting the mechanisms of progressive collapse propagation. The results of this research can be applied in assessing the vulnerability of existing buildings and in designing new structures resistant to progressive collapse in accordance with modern safety requirements.

The article considers benchmarking as a tool for increasing the competitiveness of enterprises in international economic activity, with a focus on working with the European Union market. It is argued that in the EU, suppliers are evaluated not only by price and volume, but also by their operating model – their ability to consistently deliver quality, meet delivery deadlines, maintain service, ensure supply chain transparency, be ready for audits, and handle complaints effectively. Under such conditions, benchmarking should be aimed at comparing not only the final indicators, but also the “technology for achieving results”: standards, control points, quality and deadline risk management, documentation, and interaction with counterparties. The impact of the dynamic EU regulatory environment and increased requirements for safety, labeling, and compliance is emphasized, while it is noted that even with changes in regulatory thresholds, commercial requirements of buyers and audit results often remain high; therefore, the benchmarking system should focus on best practices rather than the minimum acceptable level. The criticality of compliance with fiber naming and composition labeling rules is outlined, as well as the need to take into account the trend towards sustainability and circularity, which increases the requirements for product data and value chain transparency. A three-contour benchmarking model for the EU direction is proposed: strategic contour (selection of segment and competitive offer), operational contour (decomposition of results into processes and KPIs), and advisory contour (accelerated “alignment” of the quality system, documentation, planning, and audit readiness with parallel formation of an internal competence team). Key objects of comparison in the EU market have been identified: product and compliance; production processes and quality; foreign economic activity as a system of business processes; economics and operational efficiency. For the operational circuit, examples of priority indicators (OTIF, lead time, defects, returns/claims, material losses in cutting, productivity, planning accuracy, changeover time), and it is emphasized that the comparison should end with a change in standards (control points, instructions, distribution of roles, KPIs), rather than a formal analytical report. The practical result of the article is the justification of a cyclical algorithm for implementing benchmarking: “planning-execution-verification-consolidation,” where “consolidation” involves standardizing changes through the unification of documentation, updating labeling and packaging instructions, setting quality control points, appointing responsible persons, and launching change management mechanisms (regular review of indicators, corrective actions, staff training). It is concluded that this approach enhances process manageability, reduces losses and rework, and increases the reliability of supplies, which are decisive factors for the long-term consolidation of the enterprise in the EU market.

Home hemodialysis (HHD) has been increasingly consolidated worldwide as an effective modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT), associated with greater autonomy, flexibility, and quality of life for patients, in addition to allowing individualized prescriptions with more frequent and/or longer sessions. Despite evidence demonstrating survival rates equal to or superior to those of in-center hemodialysis, HHD remains underutilized globally, including in Brazil. Limiting factors include structural, logistical, financial, and cultural barriers, as well as the absence of specific national regulations. This document presents the position of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology (SBN) on HHD, establishing recommendations for patient eligibility, home and dialysis center selection criteria, responsibilities, and technical safety requirements. Two HHD models are described: the self-care modality, in which patients perform the treatment on their own after intensive and strict training, and the assisted modality, carried out with the continuous presence of a healthcare professional. The position emphasizes the need for an associated dialysis center, structured training, safety protocols, continuous monitoring, and emergency backup. Key aspects such as water quality, supply chain logistics, waste disposal, and environmental sustainability are considered essential. The SBN advocates that adherence to HHD should result from shared decision-making between patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team, formalized through an informed consent document. This position aims to support policies, adequate funding, and regulatory adjustments to enable the practice of HHD in Brazil, ensuring care quality, equity of access, and the safety of patients and professionals involved.

Stabilising oil-water emulsions remains a central challenge across food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) and phospholipids (PLs) can act synergistically at oil-water interfaces: PLs adsorb rapidly, while β-LG forms a viscoelastic protein network that enhances long-term stability. However, competitive adsorption between proteins and PLs can disrupt interfacial structure. In addition, for commercial production, emulsions are often exposed to heat treatment during or after manufacture, for instance due to food safety requirements. Yet, the combined effects of PL structure and heat treatment on interfacial organisation and emulsion stability remain poorly understood. Here we show that PL saturation and processing temperature jointly determine interfacial organisation, protein-PL interactions and emulsion stability. Using β-LG-PL emulsions, we combined ζ-potential measurements, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), micro-differential scanning calorimetry (μDSC), X-ray diffraction and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to link interfacial composition with functional stability. Below the β-LG denaturation temperature (≤75°C), saturated PLs promoted partial unfolding of β-LG at the interface without displacement, producing mixed protein-PL networks with enhanced viscoelasticity and stability. Unsaturated PLs displaced β-LG, yielding less elastic interfaces and promoting protein aggregation in the bulk. At ≥75°C, increased hydrophobicity intensified protein-protein interactions irrespective of PL type. Our findings reveal that saturated PLs shift the β-LG denaturation temperature upward by restricting molecular mobility, without preventing quaternary-level protein-protein interactions. Thermal denaturation, regardless of PL type, promoted interfacial multilayer formation at 90°C. These results provide a mechanistic framework for tailoring emulsion stability via lipid saturation and processing temperature.

Conventional MRI is frequently inaccessible to neurosurgical patients who are critically ill, especially those on mechanical ventilation, because of stringent safety requirements and high-shielding needs. Low-field portable MRI presents a promising alternative by enabling bedside imaging. Nonetheless, its clinical effectiveness and diagnostic precision in these patients require further investigation. This retrospective, single-center study included all patients who are mechanically ventilated who underwent low-field portable MRI between December 2022 and July 2024 in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. Utilizing a 0.23T low-field portable MRI (LF-pMRI) device approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China, imaging parameters and patient preparation protocols were standardized. Two senior neurosurgical intensivists and a blinded, independent neuroradiologist analyzed the MRI scans. Over a 20 months, 60 LF-pMRI examinations were performed on 50 patients who are mechanically ventilated, with no adverse events reported. The cohort consisted of 26 women and 24 men, with a mean age of 49.2 ± 18.7 years. LF-pMRI exhibited high sensitivity, identifying acute brain injuries in 96.7% of cases, predominantly ischemic infarctions (48.3%), followed by intracranial hemorrhage (21.7%) and infections (8.3%). Compared with CT, LF-pMRI showed superior sensitivity for postoperative infarctions (14 versus 2 detections) despite longer preparation (8.8 versus 5.6 minutes, P < .05). The system achieved 92.3% sensitivity (95% CI: 64.0-99.8) and 85.7% specificity (95% CI: 42.1-99.6) for infarction detection. LF-pMRI findings directly altered management in 38% of cases, prompting surgical interventions or therapy adjustments. LF-pMRI serves as a feasible and secure technique for bedside neuromonitoring in patients who are mechanically ventilated. Its proficiency in detecting critical brain abnormalities underscores its potential as a valuable complement to conventional MRI in the neurosurgical intensive care unit. Future research should concentrate on enhancing image quality and broadening its diagnostic applications.

Home hemodialysis (HHD) has been increasingly consolidated worldwide as an effective modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT), associated with greater autonomy, flexibility, and quality of life for patients, in addition to allowing individualized prescriptions with more frequent and/or longer sessions. Despite evidence demonstrating survival rates equal to or superior to those of in-center hemodialysis, HHD remains underutilized globally, including in Brazil. Limiting factors include structural, logistical, financial, and cultural barriers, as well as the absence of specific national regulations. This document presents the position of the Brazilian Society of Nephrology (SBN) on HHD, establishing recommendations for patient eligibility, home and dialysis center selection criteria, responsibilities, and technical safety requirements. Two HHD models are described: the self-care modality, in which patients perform the treatment on their own after intensive and strict training, and the assisted modality, carried out with the continuous presence of a healthcare professional. The position emphasizes the need for an associated dialysis center, structured training, safety protocols, continuous monitoring, and emergency backup. Key aspects such as water quality, supply chain logistics, waste disposal, and environmental sustainability are considered essential. The SBN advocates that adherence to HHD should result from shared decision-making between patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team, formalized through an informed consent document. This position aims to support policies, adequate funding, and regulatory adjustments to enable the practice of HHD in Brazil, ensuring care quality, equity of access, and the safety of patients and professionals involved.

Phosphorus‑nitrogen synergistic flame retardancy in lyocell fiber composites: Mechanistic investigation.

The transport of radioactive materials is governed by two complementary objectives: safety, which protects people and the environment from accidental radiation exposure, and security, which prevents theft, sabotage, or unauthorized diversion of radioactive sources. Historically, transport systems have emphasized safety, focusing on accident prevention, radiation dose limitation, and packaging integrity. However, evolving global security threats and incidents of illicit trafficking have highlighted the need to integrate robust security measures into traditional safety frameworks. This paper examines the safety–security interface in the transport of radioactive materials within the West African context. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the study reviews key international instruments, including the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (SSR-6) and the Nuclear Security Series guidance on Security of Radioactive Material in Transport (NSS No. 9-G), to identify areas of convergence and divergence between safety and security requirements. Field observations and consultations with frontline officers at selected border points were used to assess practical implementation challenges. Findings reveal that safety and security overlap in transport planning, personnel training, inspection, and emergency preparedness, but diverge in information management, where safety promotes transparency while security requires confidentiality. The regional case study highlights vulnerabilities such as under-declaration of consignments, limited radiation detection capabilities, and weak inter-agency coordination. These gaps increase the risk of radioactive materials moving without effective regulatory oversight. The study concludes that harmonized regulatory frameworks, strengthened detection infrastructure, coordinated institutional responsibilities, and sustained capacity building are essential to integrating safety and security and preventing materials from falling out of regulatory control.

This study optimized a lip gloss formulation using a D-optimal mixture design to balance multiple physicochemical and aesthetic properties. Three key components, waxes (40-55%), oils (25-40%), and humectants (8-18%), were systematically varied across 17 experimental runs to evaluate their effects on viscosity, melting point, breaking point, glossiness, spreadability, and stickiness. A highly predictive mathematical model (R² = 0.9448, p &lt; 0.0001) was developed to describe the interactions between components and their corresponding performance responses. Wax concentration primarily influenced structural integrity and thermal stability, yielding an optimal melting point of approximately 49°C and a breaking strength of 243 g. Oils modulated viscosity (≈76 mm²/s) and improved textural properties, whereas humectants enhanced gloss (≈61 GU at 60°) and spreadability (≈1.19 g/cm) but increased stickiness by approximately 15%, emphasizing the need for compositional balance. The optimized formulation (42% waxes, 40% oils, and 18% humectants) provided the most desirable balance of properties, exhibiting high gloss and spreadability with appropriate viscosity and mechanical stability. FTIR spectrum analysis confirmed the successful integration of all components, showing characteristic O-H stretching at 3428 cm⁻¹ (humectants), C-H stretching at 2926 and 2855 cm⁻¹ (waxes and oils), and C=O stretching at 1659 cm⁻¹ (ester groups), consistent with literature values for cosmetic ingredients. The optimized product met cosmetic safety requirements, including a suitable pH range (6.2), a low moisture content (2.1%), and an absence of irritation (0) in preliminary testing. The D-optimal mixture design demonstrated strong efficiency in multi-response optimization, establishing a robust methodological basis for developing lip gloss formulations with optimized physicochemical and sensory properties that simultaneously satisfy performance requirements, consumer expectations, and safety standards

Automated devices designed for elderly users have become increasingly important in supporting independent living and addressing age-related challenges. Among these technologies, automatic shower devices play a key role in enhancing personal hygiene and reducing safety risks associated with conventional showering. This study applied the Kano model to identify factors influencing customer satisfaction with an automated shower device designed for older adults. Expert input was used to define and evaluate 25 quality elements across six dimensions, including washing, cleaning, safety, customer service, product-friendliness, and software–hardware integration. The results indicate that safety- and cleaning-related features—such as automatic disinfection, machine self-cleaning, automated emergency calls, emergency stop functions, and fall detection—exhibit high satisfaction coefficients, highlighting their importance in meeting elderly users’ expectations. To further explore variation in user preferences, K-means clustering was used to segment respondents based on their Kano response patterns. Three distinct user clusters were identified, each demonstrating different feature prioritization strategies. One cluster emphasized comfort-enhancing features, such as body massage and automatic warm-air drying, while another placed greater importance on essential safety functions, including fall detection and emergency alerts. By integrating the Kano model with K-Means clustering, this study proposes a data-driven, customer-centric design framework that supports informed decision-making in assistive technology development. The findings enable designers and manufacturers to balance core safety requirements with differentiated features tailored to diverse elderly user segments, ultimately enhancing usability, independence, and overall user satisfaction.